[ There is a part of Kakashi that wonders if it would have been like this all these long years Sasuke had been gone. If maybe the hint of a smile might have been more than just a faint curve along Sasuke's mouth. But then, he'd spent so many sleepless nights wondering the what ifs. What if Sasuke never left. What if he never let Sasuke down. What if he never turned his back and left him in that tree.

It's a little too late for what ifs.

And here they are, and all Kakashi can hope is that one day, maybe Sasuke might be able to smile.

He'll take what he can now, and chuckles softly as he pulls his offending hand back. ]

Maa... I suppose I should say thank you, then.