He had won, a confident expression on his face as his sparring partner called out that they give up. Kakashi managed to find joy in sparring activities, every once in a while, even in his retirement.

What his defeated opponent didn't get to witness was how his chest heaved ever so slightly more, his body pulled down by its own weight like it never had before. Like a needle was slowly entering his chest, it ached. Kakashi had swiftly managed to stow himself away, somewhere where they wouldn't see. The feeling was overwhelming, looming however in actuality the change wasn't noticed.

His opponent revered him and his skill all the same, none noticed it.

Once the retired shinobi found himself alone he sat down, his eyes trailing his hands, guilt ever so tenderly sneaking into his thoughts. He's growing older, how is it that he gets to when his comrades didn't. He was losing his edge; or so it seemed.

You had spotted Kakashi steal himself away in an almost reclusive manner. Had this been a decade ago when you two first started dating, you wouldn't have followed him like you did today.

Almost as soon as you approached, his voice emerged from behind the rocks.

"I'm" Kakashi paused a sigh slipping past him. "I'm alright, you can return to the others. I just thought I heard something" he dismissed imperceptibly hesitant about doing so. You've long since learned the struggles that come with aging, and the worries your partner felt.