"Come on, Kakashi-sensei, I'm really fine."
"Don't you have patrol duty tomorrow? Hurry home and get some rest."
Kakashi had wanted to linger a little longer, first saying he needed to check his wounds, then offering to change his dressings.
Hayashi hurriedly ushered him out:
"No, no, the medical ninja changed them this evening. Please go home, sensei."
After plenty of coaxing, he finally got Kakashi to the door.
Just as Kakashi was leaving, Hayashi suddenly remembered something and added, holding on to the doorframe,
"Oh, Kakashi-sensei-tell Zabuza and Haku I'm fine while you're at it."
"I don't want those two worrying about me."
Kakashi nodded, accepting the task.
As he slowly walked away, he couldn't help looking back at Hayashi again.
"Go on home, Kakashi-sensei."
Hayashi leaned against the doorframe with an obedient smile.
Kakashi looked at him a couple more times before finally walking away.
Honestly.
How old did they think I was? Every last one of them still worried this much.
With that thought, Hayashi flopped onto his bed and fell fast asleep.
The next day.
When Hayashi groggily climbed out of bed, he smelled delicious aromas wafting steadily from his kitchen.
It was the scent of fried fish, mingled with the steam from miso soup.
Who was in my kitchen at this hour?
Hayashi shuffled out, still bleary-eyed.
In the kitchen doorway, Gekko Hayate was helping Uzuki Yugao.
The little pot on the stove bubbled and steamed, while the fried fish on the cutting board sizzled.
Gekko Hayate looked even paler than usual, and he gave two quiet coughs as he passed over a plate.
The two stood at his stove, silently preparing things. One passed plates, the other ladled soup, and neither said a word.
Normally, these two would chat and laugh whenever they