Kakashi made sure to keep his own reactions to the ninja around him neutral; they had to come to a point where they could continue on their own, and trying to make the pain suddenly vanish wasn't possible. What could he hope to say to them? That he hadn't wanted to tell them at all? That he hadn't wanted to die in the first place? That it might not have done any good? Even knowing why and how wouldn't make things any easier. Probably the opposite.
"Like I said. If any of you wants to know more, I'll tell you. But I won't make you hear the details." There was a gentleness in Kakashi's voice that hadn't been there before, and the jounin looked at an empty spot on the ground for the moment. "And if any of you wants to stay here or go back to your rooms for the rest of nightshift, I'm fine with that."
Had it really been the right choice to make? Now that he'd said the words, Kakashi could feel doubt taking anxiety's place in his mind. But questioning himself wasn't something the other ninja needed just then, and he wouldn't let it show. They needed him to serve as their jounin, and that meant being a source of strength and stability, especially now. Being what they needed him to be was the least he could do for them, as the cause of their pain.
"I know it's difficult, but there are still other things to talk about." Would they accept the change of subject for the distraction it was. Maybe the boys, but Sakura might just try to punch him. Well, that might not be so bad if she did. Hopefully Kakashi would be able to dodge. "The night isn't over, and we can still make use of it."
Re: M18 (Naruto spoilers, whee!)
"Like I said. If any of you wants to know more, I'll tell you. But I won't make you hear the details." There was a gentleness in Kakashi's voice that hadn't been there before, and the jounin looked at an empty spot on the ground for the moment. "And if any of you wants to stay here or go back to your rooms for the rest of nightshift, I'm fine with that."
Had it really been the right choice to make? Now that he'd said the words, Kakashi could feel doubt taking anxiety's place in his mind. But questioning himself wasn't something the other ninja needed just then, and he wouldn't let it show. They needed him to serve as their jounin, and that meant being a source of strength and stability, especially now. Being what they needed him to be was the least he could do for them, as the cause of their pain.
"I know it's difficult, but there are still other things to talk about." Would they accept the change of subject for the distraction it was. Maybe the boys, but Sakura might just try to punch him. Well, that might not be so bad if she did. Hopefully Kakashi would be able to dodge. "The night isn't over, and we can still make use of it."