He took heed of the colour in Yamato's cheeks, but there wasn't the slightest trace of a frown or dip of his eyebrows, so Kakashi thought it safe to continue as he knew he must. Things had been on edge between him and Yamato since his return, and though Kakashi had done his level best to ignore the telling signs that all was not as it had once been, the proof was looming and imminent. He'd wanted to make Yamato feel at home in the village, but by doing so he'd never intended to make Yamato think that his place in Kakashi's life had been filled.

"You are the only person who understands who I was in ANBU, and who I am today because of that time. You understand what hides inside a person who experiences what we experienced, and you don't judge me for it, or pity me for it. I value that very much.."

Kakashi paused, then finally set his chopsticks aside to look Yamato in the face without any distractions.

"You are someone I can trust, someone who I can count on. You are capable and powerful, and you function just fine without me." He laughed a little then, sounding almost embarrassed. "Honestly, you have no idea how important it is to me that you have grown into yourself.. I'm not saying I disliked being your senpai, but... you've come a long way from the timid kouhai you were. You've grown, and you've done it without me and... I'm proud of you."