Ship: Kakashi Hatake x Obito Uchiha

Genres: Friendship – Humor – Slice of Life / One-shot

Rating: +8

Summary: Under threat from Tsunade, Kakashi had signed up for sports rehabilitation classes.

But he’d be back – just for the instructor’s sake.

Enjoy!

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“No matter your age, you can do it! ”

Under normal circumstances, Kakashi would simply have responded with a sardonic laugh. Frankly, who would believe that sort of maxim? It ruled out so many people…

And yet, he was slowly learning to believe it, not because he was actually managing to do the exercises, but rather because…

Well, if the coach told him the moon was made of cheese, he’d believe it. So this, by comparison…

Normally, Kakashi was used to towering over quite a few people, but it had become painfully obvious when he joined this class. Only the instructor was his equal, which made him feel less alone, but still condemned him to stay at the back of the room.

Not that he particularly needed to be in the front rows to understand and practise the moves being taught!

It was just… The view from there was far more appealing than the one he had now…

Honestly, damn his father and his giant’s genes for punishing him like this!

His knees suddenly burned, as if to rebuke him for his dark thoughts, bringing him back to reality.

Straightening up gently, he massaged them, checking that everything was all right, and readjusted his knee pads, which were slipping despite the straps.

“Don’t push yourself!” the instructor reminded him straight away. “Even a little bit is good enough!”

He might have thought that this concern was directed at him, but he’d learnt very quickly that it was meant for their whole little group. Who here wasn’t suffering? After all, this was the session set aside for rehabilitation through sport. Admittedly, he was mainly surrounded by senior citizens, but that didn’t make the concern any less significant.

Breaks to rehydrate were always welcome. But whilst most people welcomed them mainly to quench the thirst that set in after sweating so much, Kakashi was satisfying a completely different need as he watched the coach pick up his own water bottle and take small sips from it.

He preferred it towards the end of the lesson, when a drop of sweat would escape, sliding down his skin, redrawing the contours of his throat—which was highlighted as he quenched his thirst—before soaking into his T-shirt.

He’d already found himself dreaming of being that drop, or simply following its path with his tongue, or any other part of his body – he wasn’t one to rule anything out.

But that wasn’t the only reason he enjoyed the end of the lesson so much. Obito – the coach – would then tend to brush the few stray strands of hair away from his face, clearing it completely, much to his delight, without pausing in what he was saying or doing, flashing his big, beaming smile at everyone as he praised them all for their dedication.

Kakashi would have loved to borrow some of his time at that moment – to play the part of a lost student, perhaps, or one worried about his performance; it didn’t matter. But it was a lost cause. The moment he announced the end of the stretches, a wall of elderly women would swarm around him, preventing anyone from approaching without their permission.

Clearly, if he wanted to exchange anything other than perfunctory greetings, he was going to have to butter up these gatekeepers.

But was it worth the effort? That was the question.

The best he’d managed so far had been those few quiet minutes before the class, when most of the attendees hadn’t arrived yet, which had allowed him to be a little more than just two strangers – but only just.

However, he wasn’t giving up hope.

Catching up with the group as they moved on to the next exercise, he concentrated, mimicking the instructor’s movements.

All in all, his rehabilitation was going well; Tsunade hadn’t given him too much of a telling-off during their last check-up, which he took as a positive sign. She’d asked him how the classes were going and how he was feeling, and both were positive. Nevertheless, he wasn’t fooling himself: even though she was the one who’d encouraged him to come here and recommended this centre, it was best not to let her know about his potential interest in the coach.

At the end of the sequence, Kakashi tried to convince himself that the pain currently coursing through his body was a good kind of pain, but his mind was more stubborn than he was, shamelessly repeating to him that it was because of this sort of blindness that he’d ended up here, with both knees practically in tatters.

Not that he was complaining about the encounter itself, just the process he’d had to go through to get there.

Wincing at the memory, he gritted his teeth as this time it was his back that made its presence felt.

Was there, anywhere, a part of his body that had no intention of taking part in this grand catalogue of discomfort? He’d been through worse; he’d get over it, just as he always did…

You can’t slow the passage of time, Kakashi. What you could ignore at twenty will keep you awake at thirty.

Tsunade hadn’t appreciated him telling her he suffered from insomnia anyway, so it didn’t bother him all that much.

In fact, it was because of that quip that he’d ended up limping all the way to the gym she’d told him about, to continue his therapy.

Fortunately, the bruise she’d given him had disappeared before the first session, sparing him from having to limp any longer.

This time, it was a hand on his shoulder and another on his arm that snapped him out of his thoughts, straightening his posture.

It wasn’t until he’d set off that he realised it was, of course, Obito, but by then it was already too late; Obito had already dashed off to help someone else in trouble.

However, given the barrage of glare that was immediately directed at him, he came to regret his daydreaming, which had thrown off his posture.

Just because most of them wore dentures didn’t mean these women didn’t know how to bite!

A shiver ran through him as he tried to maintain his usual neutral expression, aided considerably by the face mask he was wearing. Obito had tried to persuade him to take it off, arguing that he’d find it difficult to breathe, but he’d stood his ground – and was now glad he had.

His father was surely the last person to remember his full face, and that was quite enough as it was.

Wiping the sweat away with his towel, Kakashi found himself inadvertently eavesdropping on the female members’ chatter as they once again besieged the coach.

The coach didn’t seem all that bothered by it – though it was hard to tell whether he actually enjoyed it or simply didn’t dare turn them away.

He should ask him about it one day…

It seemed the headmistress had brought him a present, as she held out a box which he tried to refuse.

The sweet scent that reached him left him in no doubt, as the lid was lifted: the elderly woman had worked her magic in the kitchen and was quite intent on fattening up the instructor, a claim she denied, whilst pinching his cheeks and repeating just how thin he was.

Kakashi didn’t really share her view; his eye slowly swept over his figure, which was decidedly athletic, despite the slightly baggy sportswear he was wearing.

Then, as if it were a ritual, there was always a photograph of one of their descendants, whilst the young girl pictured in it was showered with praise, with the obvious aim of arranging a meeting—and perhaps more, if the chemistry was right.

If Obito hadn’t looked so pitiful, he would have laughed. But as that wasn’t the case, he contented himself with a sympathetic smile, albeit one hidden behind his ever-present mask.

It was incredible to see the crowd of people surrounding him at the end of every lesson, a stark contrast to the few male students (that, too, had surprised him – that they were in the minority), who watched them from a distance, some making no attempt to hide the varying degrees of jealousy etched on their faces.

Absent-mindedly, he compared them to Pakkun and Bull.

At the thought, he shook his head and hurried off to rejoin his little pack.

After all, he had no reason to linger!

“Come on, ladies!” Obito grumbled good-naturedly.

He clapped his hands, like a teacher facing an unruly class.

He was quite fond of his little grannies, as he nicknamed them; they reminded him of his grandmother who’d raised him, and they were very fond of him in return, but sometimes he had to raise his voice a little when the exercise on offer wasn’t to their liking and they preferred, instead, to gather together to gossip amongst themselves.

The men present showed more willingness in that regard, until one of them paid a compliment to one of the women, and that was it—he was as good as forgotten.

At times like that, he’d thank whoever-it-might-be for signing up his latest member. Kakashi didn’t seem interested in any of these activities and kept his attention fixed on him.

He’d sometimes hesitate to carry on with the lesson just for him, even if it meant the other members might join in along the way, but a slight pang of guilt would then seize him.

So, instead, he would try to refocus and motivate them, to command people more than twice his age whilst remaining professional.

How he envied Iruka, who could raise his voice as much as he liked when his students were up to no good! If only his own pupils didn’t look at him with that air of self-importance that their venerable age seemed to confer upon them…

Out of desperation, he turned back towards Kakashi, just as the last few members were streaming towards the impromptu meeting.

“Does this happen often?” he asked.

“From time to time. The sessions before the holidays are the worst. Family gatherings tend to get them all riled up,” explained the instructor.

He nodded without comment, lost in thought.

“What do you do at times like that?”

“I regret my choice of career.”

His companion must not have been expecting such a frank reply, for he choked on his sip of water and coughed at length. Obito was about to worry about him when he realised the cough was also laced with laughter, making him smile too.

“You’re not all that bad,” he reassured him, once the fit had passed. “Let’s just say you didn’t stand a chance from the start. Trying to get someone older than you to obey you is a lost cause from the outset.”

It was clear that this was the voice of experience speaking, but he couldn’t ask him about it because they were suddenly called over by the headmistress, who waved her arm in their direction.

“Obi-kun! The Rinne Festival is coming up soon!”

“Indeed, just like every year,” he remarked with a chuckle.

Suki made a dismissive gesture with her hand in response, as if to signal him not to interrupt her.

“We should organise something for the occasion!”

“We usually have a drinks party,” objected the instructor.

That gesture again. Really…

“We’ve got a new member, so there’s an even number of us! We should organise a gift exchange!”

“Oh yes, my granddaughter’s already mentioned it to me!”

And they were immediately forgotten as a new conversation began.

“I don’t think you stand a chance with them today, sensei.”

Obito rubbed his forehead with a sigh, agreeing with that sentiment.

“We’ve still got more than half the lesson left; this is ridiculous…”

“Might I take this opportunity to ask for a private lesson?”

The ever-present mask seemed to be an integral part of Kakashi’s face, he’d eventually realised, but his eyes conveyed his emotions clearly enough for Obito to detect the faint hint of humour.

“That’s what I’m here for, too! And besides, maybe it’ll motivate them to join us…”

When their new member had joined them, he’d glanced at his file, and in particular at the letter from his GP explaining the reason for his presence. His knees were a cause for concern, certainly, but she’d also included a list of his medical history, and that wasn’t to be overlooked either.

Selecting exercises that would suit him without penalising the other participants had been a headache, but a few months later, he felt it had been worth it. No one had complained or been injured yet, so it was a victory he allowed himself to savour.

Scrutinising his movements with a keen eye, he pointed out a few minor adjustments, straightening his long limbs when they were out of alignment… on the whole, there were very few mistakes.

Apart from his knees, Kakashi was quite flexible, especially given his likely age, and his muscles bore witness to a lifetime of regular exercise.

“You’re doing very well!” he complimented him. “Don’t forget to take care of your joints and take regular breaks whenever you feel the need, all right?”

Around them, the other members of the class had returned to their original positions, suddenly eager to continue the exercises, forcing them to split up and imitate the others, one moving to the front and the other to the back.

Of course, Suki had done as she pleased, as always, and the last lesson of the year ended up having its final half cut short, during which everyone exchanged the famous presents, which essentially consisted of crocheted or knitted items and a few handmade mugs.

Obito turned the little potted cactus he’d received this way and that, surprised as much by its unusual presence (how many knitted items had they collected since he’d started teaching?) as by its size. So there were specimens this small?

His uncle had a whole collection of them, some taller than he was as a child, and so spiky that they sometimes reminded him of his uncle and his wild hair.

Nothing like this specimen, though.

“It’s a Rebutia muscula,” a voice to his left informed him. “You’ll find the full care instructions under the pot.”

Kakashi was currently disappearing beneath a huge green scarf with dubious geographical patterns. Obito couldn’t quite suppress the chuckle that the unexpected sight brought to his lips.

“I don’t think Chiaki was too pleased that I turned down her present,” he remarked flatly. “She’s resourceful.”

He was trying in vain to undo the knot, thereby encouraging the instructor to hand over the plant so he could take care of it for him.

“It’s the first time anyone’s given me a cactus,” he said.

“I asked a friend for advice; I’m not very good at choosing presents.”

“Oh, I’m just surprised! I really like it—it’s very cute!”

Absent-mindedly, he noted that the cloud of spines surrounding it could be compared to his companion’s striking silver hair.

“Glad to hear you like it.”

Freed from his scarf, Kakashi pulled it away from his neck, massaging the back of his neck, which drew his companion’s attention to the chain he was wearing there.

“Are you wearing an ID tag?” he recognised.

Pausing for a moment in surprise, he eventually nodded and reached for the tag, showing it to him.

“Were you in the army?”

“I still am. Well, as soon as Tsunade deems me fit, I’ll be going back.”

“With your knees in that state?”

Stunned, his voice rose to an embarrassingly high pitch, whilst his hands clenched tighter around the pot, the thorns digging into his skin.

Far from being quite so flustered, Kakashi shrugged. He’d been through worse, had been in far worse states, and had always picked himself up again. So why not this time?

“But, at your age…” he stammered again. “I… I’m grateful for what you’ve done for the country, but… you do know you’re entitled to retire, don’t you?”

The soldier was frowning so hard that Obito expected his eyebrows to get stuck.

“At my age?” he repeated, confused.

He didn’t have time to come up with a quick retort before Hiroki slammed his hand heavily onto Kakashi’s shoulder, drawing their attention to him.

“Have my old ears heard correctly about the army?”

“Yes, sir. The instructor noticed my ID tag.”

“Let me see—are you still wearing it?”

Stretching as far as he could, the old man held the piece of metal up to his eyes, squinting to make out the information engraved on it.

“‘ANBU’? That’s that military unit, isn’t it? My brother used to dream of joining them. And a captain, no less!”

He let out a whistle of admiration at the rank.

“Mind you, I think they’ve got your date of birth wrong… You can’t possibly be twenty-seven!”

He laughed loudly, which caught the attention of those within earshot, who joined in.

As stoic as ever, Kakashi took back his ID tag and slipped it under his grey T-shirt.

“And yet, that’s exactly the case.”

He didn’t seem to realise the shock this information had caused.

“You’re younger than me?” asked Obito. “That’s… that’s impossible!”

He wasn’t the only one who refused to believe it; a commotion soon broke out, with everyone adding their two cents.

The only ones not taking part in the hubbub turned out to be the two youngest in the group.

Now ignored, the cause of the commotion took the opportunity to step aside and reach for the water bottle he’d set down at the start of the lesson, taking a drink from it.

Without really knowing why, the instructor of the class followed him, staring at his cactus.

“You’re younger than me,” he repeated softly.

“Is that a problem?”

Lifting his nose at the question, Obito almost squinted in further surprise to discover the mask half-slipped, dangling from his other ear, as he wiped his chin with the back of his hand.

With his face raised like that, the truth was easier to believe.

“You’re hurting yourself,” he added.

He pointed to his fingers, into which the spines had dug earlier.

“It’s no big deal, I’ve got plenty more,” he muttered without thinking.

“Yes, I’d realised as much.”

The slight hint of amusement in his tone made him realise the absurdity of what he’d just said, and he blushed immediately.

“I… I meant…”

The teasing smile he was gazing at left his mind completely blank.

It would be a lie to claim that he hadn’t felt a slight attraction to Kakashi up until that point. He’d brushed it aside with obvious arguments about the age difference, that Kakashi was no doubt married or a widower, that he was his instructor and he his student…

But now that he knew Kakashi was far younger than he’d thought (and, as luck would have it, three years his junior), the possibility came flooding back to him and he began to hope.

“Would you like to come with me to the festival?”

And, if he was to go by this invitation, it would seem he wasn’t the only one hoping for something.

“To buy me some more cacti?”

His companion seemed a little taken aback by the question, whilst he berated himself inwardly. He’d finished talking nonsense, hadn’t he?

“Why not, if that’s what you’re interested in. Although I’m not sure they sell them at this time of year…”

Gently pulling his fingers free from the spines and examining them – just a few superficial pricks and no splinters, everything was fine! – Obito held out his free hand, smiling.

“I’m sure we’ll find something to make up for this loss.”

Amused, Kakashi took that hand, avoiding the bruised fingers in favour of the palm, stroking it lightly, savouring its warmth.

“I have no doubt about that.”