Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You were single.

Correction, you were happily single; had been your whole life.

It wasn’t that you were opposed to dating, you just found a lot of comfort in your bachelorette lifestyle. As someone who enjoyed her freedoms and the pursuit of adventure, not being tied down to another person was preferable. In fact, for the past two years you had been traveling the Land of Fire in an attempt to bring better education to smaller villages. It had been an amazing opportunity granted to you by the Third Hokage, and you knew that wouldn't have been an option for you if you had been seriously committed to another person. Also, having the whole bed to yourself was kind of nice.

Now that you were back in Konoha with an encyclopedia of new knowledge, you had a lot of work ahead of you. The curriculum restructure you had designed would take over a year to refine before it was ready to implement, but you were passionate about the project and prepared to work overtime to make it happen. The way you saw it, this was a big point in your career and you weren’t interested in letting messy, mushy feelings for a man get in the way of your own success. No, you were happily single.

Unfortunately for you though, your friends didn’t seem to understand that. Which is how you ended up on a blind date at the most popular bar in the village. A date that (in your opinion) was not going particularly well.

“If I had any other friends to replace you, I’d kill you for this,” you growled, sliding up to your violet-haired friend who was hanging over the bar top. “We’ve been here an hour and he’s already wasted, Anko!”

The woman laughed. “Hey, I told you he knew how to have a good time!” She gave you a firm smack on the shoulder before ordering both herself and you another drink.

When the bartender pushed the cup of liquid your way, you frowned. “You do know that this isn’t really my idea of a good time anymore, right?”

Anko brought her own cup to her lips and downed it in one gulp. “Ahh, no way! You’re never too old for a night out, (Y/n).”

You grimaced. “Anko, I have work-”

“I know, you’ve got that fancy project and believe me, I am really happy for you! That is a big deal.”

Her words were genuine, but you rolled your eyes because you knew there was more coming.

“But I don’t want to see you throwing away every weekend at the office either! Look, you just spent two years teaching kids in the friggin’ sticks. You’ve done enough good deeds for a lifetime, (Y/n). So try to let loose and have some fun again, will you?”

Giving you another gentle squeeze, she turned back to the group you had come with. You knew she had a point, but you were finding it hard to ‘let loose’ and ‘have fun’ now that you were left to return to your less-than-enjoyable date. With a heavy sigh, you threw back the drink Anko had bought and pushed away from the bar. You dragged your feet all the way to the high top table you and your date had secured in the corner of the establishment.

“Did ya’ get ma drink?” the man slurred as you sat down. Your nose crinkled in disgust.

“Hm? Oh, they were out,” you quickly fibbed. You had completely forgotten to grab him another beer. Offering to get the next round was honestly just an excuse to get away for a moment. You decided he didn’t need another drink anyways. If you were expected to spend the night with him, it was in your best interest to cut him off now.

Your date disagreed.

“What?!” he shouted in protest. “That’s ridic-ulous. It’s not even eleven!”

“Tell me about it,” you murmured, not at all in reference to the bar being “out” of alcohol.

A determined look stretched across your date's face as he attempted to stand. Planting two firm hands on the tabletop, he slipped from his stool (almost eating shit as he did) and turned for the bar. “I think I’ll give them a piece of my mind about their poor service,” he spat, drool dangling from his mouth.

“Wait, please don’t-”

He was already halfway across the room (he was quite speedy for a drunk man). You heard his palms smack on the bar top alerting everyone working and anyone else within a few yards that he was an unhappy customer, and took it as your cue to leave. Can’t say you didn’t try; he was someone else’s problem now.

You slipped from the crowded hall before anyone could notice you were leaving. The night air was cool, and felt refreshing on your heated cheeks. You wouldn’t go far. Anko was more than capable of taking care of herself, you knew, but you’d never hear the end of it if she found out you bailed early. Instead, you found sanctuary in an empty alley around the corner of the bar. The quiet soothed your ears and the night stars that were visible thanks to a clear sky softened your gaze.

Going out like this always made you feel stressed. At least, it did ever since you got back from your travels. You used to be able to throw back shots no problem. You’d stay out all night, sleep in late, and do it all over again the next day. It was fun, until it wasn’t.

Something changed when you were away. You had gained an appreciation for culture and life outside of partying. You wanted to focus on your job and your personal growth. If you ever were going to date a man, it would have to be someone who took you seriously; not like this loser Anko had set you up with. To him, you were just a good time. No, you wanted to be with someone who could keep up with your goals. Someone who didn’t expect you to wait around for them all the time. Someone who wanted to enjoy life with you.

Leaning back against the wooden walls, you smiled to yourself. If you were being honest, all of that sounded really nice. But you weren’t going to get your hopes up. If the date Anko rustled up for you signified anything, then finding that type of guy around here was going to be near impossible.

You shook your head and let out a deep breath of inhaled fresh air. These were silly thoughts.

“You don’t need anyone, (Y/n),” you said to yourself. “Remember that.”

Standing in the alley alone, you obviously weren’t expecting any sort of response to your words, so when a desperate mewl came down from just above you, you startled. You looked up to the roofline and saw a small, gray kitten perched on the edge of the building. His large yellow eyes were filled to the brim with fear, and his whole body was visibly trembling in the light of the moon.

“Uh oh, are you stuck little guy?” You surveyed your surroundings when he meowed again, softer and meeker this time. “Hang on. I’ll get you down.”

It would have been easy enough to jump onto the roof and snatch him (you were a shinobi after all, even if you were a little out of practice), but you knew the risk of spooking him was too great. If he was startled, he might fall from the roof and you weren’t sure he was old enough to stick the landing. Maybe if you climbed up there, he would come to you instead. Still, the only thing climbable nearby was a wooden fence that was about ten feet high and split the alley in half. It would get you close enough to the kitten, but it was only about two inches thick. You’d have to be really careful.

With several hops and one swing of your leg, you hoisted your body up onto the fence and balanced yourself on the thin wood. The kitten seemed more than grateful for your assistance, and he ran to you as you approached the roof. With one hand stabling itself on the shingles, the other was free to scoop the stranded animal into your arm. He licked your cheek in delighted gratitude.

“Okay. Hold on little dude, I’m going to get you down-”

Your words were sincere, but spoken too soon. The first shift in your weight sent your foot sliding from the fence. Your free arm flailed, searching for anything to grab onto to prevent the fall, but had no luck. You slipped from the fence line with an expletive, and you and the gray kitten headed for a hard landing on the dirt.

///

Kakashi Hatake did not want to be out tonight. He had just returned from a very long mission, that was barely a success, and he wanted to be in bed. However, when his fellow jonin invited him out for the evening, he realized he was fresh out of good excuses. Having already used his best lines this week, he had no choice but to accept the offer begrudgingly.

He only planned to make a quick appearance; showing up for even half an hour was typically enough to get them off of his case for a few more outings. Still, the thought of even that much time in a crowded bar had him feeling queasy, and he was looking (begging, really) for any possible reason to be late when his eyes fell on you.

He stopped walking, kicking up some dirt because of the suddenness. With a blank stare, he watched as you hopped in place several times before swinging a leg up and clambering the fence in the alleyway. His brow furrowed into a look of concern.

What an odd woman, he thought, watching you wobble. I guess Naruto was right; the village weirdos are getting weirder.

After another moment, Kakashi decided that whatever it was you were doing was certainly none of his business. He gave a shrug of his shoulders and turned away, heading for the bar. Not a second later, he was stopped again by the sound of a soft mewl. His gaze wandered back to you and then over to the roof where he saw the tiny gray kitten, and the pieces began to click together in his head. His face fell flat.

Well now, this is going to end poorly.

That type of thinking didn’t seem to be slowing you down though, and Kakashi continued to watch as you inched towards the rooftop. You had stretched out an arm, now only having one to balance, and clicked your tongue at the cat as you moved in closer. With every step, your bodyweight shifted, and Kakashi became more amused by your fierce determination. He knew the wood must have been slick because it had rained just the other night, and honestly it would be a miracle if you made it back down safely. Sure enough, your sandal slipped from the fence not a second after you had secured the kitten.

Yup, called it.

With a bored sigh, he gave a quick look up and down the street only to determine that, yes, he was in fact the only adult within a hundred feet and thus the only one who could help. Honestly, when he had asked for a distraction he was hoping for one that involved a little less... work, but he supposed beggars couldn't be choosers. He wanted a reason to be late, and the universe had given him you. That would do fine enough. Kakashi moved to sprint towards you, not at all knowing that after he touched you for the first time, he'd never want to let go again.

///

The kitten cried in your arms as you both fell towards the ground. Your only goal was to keep it safe in your hold so it wouldn’t end up underneath you by some terrible mistake.

Much to your surprise however, you never hit the dirt. You were still quite jostled by the sudden feeling of two strong arms wrapped around you, each holding you with confidence and skill, but it hardly compared to getting the wind knocked out of your lungs.

As soon as you figured out what had happened, you were already being set back on your own two feet. The kitten appeared calm and unfazed now that you weren’t a victim of gravity, but your own heart was beating double time. After taking a few deep breaths, you looked up to see the face of your savior only to have your heart leap from the starting gates again, and your soul almost leave your body. He was stunningly handsome. Even with two-thirds of his face covered, you knew he was a looker. The mask covering his cheeks didn’t hide the strong jawline, and the village headband didn’t keep you from noticing the captivating, alluring, darkness shining in his visible eye. His hair shone like starlight, and looked as soft as sheep's wool, and there was a lingering feeling of loss on your skin ever since his fingers parted from your body.

Kakashi gave no indication of this, but while you were practically drooling over his features, his mind was running away with similarly sinful thoughts. After setting you back down safely, he had come to the realization that this woman he had initially labeled as a village crazy-lady was actually a captivatingly beautiful kunoichi, not much younger than him. He found himself lost in the (e/c)s of your eyes, that were shining like precious stones. The (h/c) strands that framed your face fell perfectly, and didn’t look at all like you had just taken a nasty tumble. Kakashi had encountered plenty of attractive women before, but something about you made him want to stare forever.

The desire to keep looking at you was uncomfortably overwhelming and he had to shake away his thoughts before speaking again.

“Are you alright?” he asked, and you were instantly pulled back to the present.

“Oh, y-yes,” you stuttered out. “Thanks.”

When you locked eyes again, you both seemed to fall into an intoxicating trance; one you could have stayed in all night if Kakashi hadn’t torn his gaze away, clearing his throat.

“You know, that cat got himself up there. He probably could have found his way back down.” He gestured to the animal still happily hanging in your arms.

You let out a small giggle that made Kakashi’s heart skip, and if it weren’t for his mask he was certain his cheeks would have betrayed his efforts to appear emotionally un-compromised with a blush.

You placed the cat on the ground and gave it a soft pat on the head before saying, “I guess you’re right. He asked me for help though, so I had to try.”

Kakashi hated that he couldn’t pinpoint what was different about you. It had to be something, because he had never found it so hard to focus. There was a small voice in his head that told him to leave, to say goodnight now and hope he never saw you again so he wouldn’t have to be plagued with this new, distracting curiosity.

But a louder voice said stay.

“What were you doing out here alone?”

The concern in his question seemed to catch you off guard and you waved a hand dismissively with a soft smile. “Oh! I was probably going to head back in soon, actually. A friend set me up on this silly...”

As your voice trailed off, so did the warmth in it. Your gaze moved behind Kakashi when you saw a man stumble out of the bar's entrance. You recognized him immediately as your drunken date, as if you had summoned him with your words. He toppled over the railing, his head nearly hitting the ground before the entire contents of his stomach was expelled onto the pathway.

You tried to mask the disgust on your face with a smile but something inside of you twisted and you realized that the absolute last place you wanted to be in this very moment was back inside of that bar on your date, and your next words tumbled out of your mouth before you could even register them in your brain.

“Go out with me!” you all but shouted at your rescuer, causing him to take a step back in fear. With a deep look of embarrassment stretching over your face, you recovered softly, “I mean, let me buy you a drink. As a thank you.”

He didn’t respond for a moment. Kakashi hadn’t missed the way your eyes drifted behind him to something that had triggered such a sudden shift in demeanor, but he hardly had a chance to analyze that, as his own thoughts were pulling him in every direction. That small voice that told him this -you- would be trouble, continued to mutter in the back of his mind. You had just shouted at him like a lovestruck teenager, even though you were nothing more than a stranger. (Maybe you were a village crazy lady?) Not to mention that if he went with you, his friends would certainly notice, and the string of questions to come would be brutal.

But the louder voice, the voice Kakashi wanted to listen to, told him to go. Get to know you. After all, it wasn’t like you had asked to date him. It was just one drink.

Finally, he conceded. “Okay," Kakashi hummed. "After you.” He stepped to the side, making a clear path to the bar you had just come out of.

Rather than lead on, you turned and pointed in the opposite direction. “Actually, I was thinking about trying out that new place, just up the road? I hear it’s a little less...noisy.”

Kakashi paused. It was amazing really. You were, anyways. He had never liked the feeling of someone getting inside his head, but in this moment he was relieved that you had practically read his mind.

“Say no more.” He moved to begin walking, but was stopped by your outstretched hand.

“I’m (Y/n), by the way,” you said, your voice soft and sweet.

He eyed your fingertips carefully, and then a cheeky smile stretched out under his mask as he said, “Kakashi Hatake,” with a nod.

Rather than shaking your hand like you had expected, Kakashi suddenly grasped your fingers softly in his own, and swiftly looped your arm under his. It may have been an impromptu outing, but Kakashi knew how to be a gentleman when he wanted to be.

“Alright then, (Y/n). Shall we?” he asked.

You only hoped he didn’t notice the shyness in your eyes when you nodded.

As you headed down the road together, your mind began to spin with questions of whether or not this was a good idea. You, who was comfortable and happy as a single woman, who was serious about her job and her personal growth, had just asked a man out for a drink. It felt sacrilegious. You also knew Anko would lay into you with questions tomorrow, and you weren’t looking forward to that either.

Taking a breath, you had to shake the thoughts from your brain. You were getting way too far ahead of yourself; there was no need to spiral. After all, it wasn’t like you had asked to date him.

It was just one drink.

Chapter Text

“Wait, wait, wait, let me just get this straight-”

You let out a deep sigh that could hardly be heard over the laughter coming from your long-time friend and colleague who sat across from you at your kitchen table.

“You, you, (L/n), (F/n), miss ‘I want to be single and focus on my career’ went outside last night to escape your date, only to ask another man on a date? And then you stayed up all night talking with him at a different bar? Is that what you’re saying?”

You rolled your eyes as you responded. “No. I already told you, Anko, it wasn’t a date-”

She didn’t even let you finish before she busted out in a fit of laughter again. “Oh man, this is amazing! I can’t wait to tell everyone!”

“Don’t do that, please,” you said between grit teeth. Why’d you have to be so unlucky as to have a best friend that was such a gossip? “It wasn’t anything serious okay? I was just paying him back for saving my dumb ass.”

Anko eyed you with a cat-like grin. “(Y/n), come on, be real. Maybe that’s what the first drink was, but what about the one after that? And the one after that? That’s not paying someone back, that’s an excuse to keep talking.”

Your cheeks instantly filled with heat. There was maybe some truth to what she was saying; you had unexpectedly enjoyed yourself. Talking with Kakashi turned out to be very easy, and you didn’t think it was just because of the alcohol. There was something about him that you felt connected to.

And you wanted to feel more of it.

But you certainly weren’t going to admit that to Anko so she could tell everyone. So instead you crossed your arms and huffed.

“You’re being ridiculous,” you snorted.

Your attitude didn’t faze Anko even a little. “Do you want to see him again?” she asked, with a cheeky tone.

Your eyes snapped to hers in a glare.“What?”

It wasn’t so much that you didn’t know your answer, you just didn’t want to say it out loud.

All the same, she repeated herself with a grumble. “Do you want to see him again? Really, (Y/n) it’s not that hard to answer.”

You threw a firm pout in her direction, but you knew she was only going to keep pressing and pressing until she got some sort of response out of you; it really was in your best interest to give her something.

Turning your attention back to your tea, you answered in a tone that suggested indifference. “I guess it would be fine if I did.”

Unfortunately for you, that was just enough for Anko to run with. “Alright!” she cheered, throwing a fist in the air. “Then you listen to me, okay? I’m going to give you the best advice. He’ll be clawing at your bedroom window every night!”

She was too busy whooping and hollering to notice the look of sheer uncertainty that graced your face. You didn’t really think you wanted Kakashi to be ‘clawing at your window’. And even though you had only spent a few hours with him, you were fairly sure that wasn’t something he would do, and so you weren’t really sure you needed Anko’s advice at all.

But, she was too far gone now. You had to at least hear her out.

“So, I’m glad you had a great time and all, but first thing you need to learn is that you can’t go letting a man have that much attention so fast. If you want him to know that you’re serious, you have to play hard to get.”

She flashed you a toothy, confident grin but you only blinked in response. Sure all of this stuff was new to you, but now it was like she was speaking a whole other language.

Stumbling over your words a little you asked, “I have to play… what?”

Anko’s face immediately fell into a frown. “Ugh, (Y/n)!” she groaned. “I mean you have to make it a challenge for him. If you’re one of those girls that just throws yourself at him, he won’t be as interested!”

You stared back at her dumbstruck. What she was saying didn’t make any sense. You had already gone out with him once, what was wrong with just doing it again? You also couldn’t deny that feeling of instant attraction you had experienced. You couldn’t say for certain that Kakashi had felt it too, but he certainly seemed interested in you. If both of you already enjoyed spending time together, you saw no reason that you couldn’t just keep doing that.

“I don’t know, Anko,” you said awkwardly, a little nervous to be voicing your concerns to your abrasive and stubborn friend. “We had a really good night together, maybe I should just be myself with him?”

Sure enough, Anko wasted no time in sharing her disagreements. “HAH! My little spring chicken, you are too cute!” She gave you a tender pat on the head and you grimaced.

“You aren’t making any sense today,” you spat.

Anko only laughed before taking another gulp of tea and continuing. “Look, take it from a woman with experience. If it went as well as you say it did, then next time you see him he’ll ask you out again.”

Something in your chest fluttered at her statement. Something you could only identify as excitement that someone else agreed that Kakashi was maybe interested in you. It made you feel a little less silly for maybe being interested too, and willing to hear Anko’s suggestions.

Almost in a whisper you said, “Are you sure?”

Anko smiled. “Yup,” she stated confidently. And then her bright demeanor switched to one of complete seriousness. “And then you’ve got to tell him no.”

Now she had really lost you.

“What?!” you barked, utterly confused. “But I don’t want to tell him no! You just asked me-”

She cut you off again with a palm smacking the top of your wooden table. “It doesn’t matter, you just gotta!” she commanded. “You have to make him chase you, get it? Trust me, okay? I promise you’ll thank me later.”

There was a feeling in your gut that wasn’t so sure about that, but still you didn’t argue. After all, Anko did have a lot more experience with men. Maybe it was possible that she knew something you didn’t.

///

The rest of your morning continued on as normal. You arrived early to your office, which gave you just enough time to prepare for the day and get a head start on some budgeting you had to do for your side project. A project you had to continuously remind yourself you were invested in and serious about, because your thoughts kept drifting off to your evening out, and to Kakashi, and the way his shoulders shook when he chuckled, and the way his dark eyes seemed to be only on you. Even though you knew he was watching everything around him constantly, you felt like the only person in his world at that table with him.

You had meant what you said. It would be fine to see him again. Honestly, it would be quite… nice.

“Good morning.”

The cheerful greeting came from your doorway, and you almost tossed your book from your hands as it startled you.

When your eyes fell on your visitor, your chest tightened and your breath suddenly seemed to escape you.

“Kakashi,” you acknowledged in almost a whisper, before clearing the desire from your voice. “Hi. I mean, hello, good morning. What brings you here?”

Kakashi kept a straight face when he spoke, but inside his heart was doing weird things that he didn’t understand outside of a mission. It was skipping and stopping and racing and it had been all morning when he thought about you, and he was damn near tired of it. He wasn’t stupid, he knew there was something he liked about you, or liked about being around you. He had felt it the instant his fingers landed on you yesterday. What it was though, he couldn’t put his fingers on that. And when he still couldn’t figure it out after getting pretty crappy sleep over it, he decided to just visit the problem at its core. You.

Of course he wasn’t going to tell all of that to you though.

“Oh, well I was actually just running some errands this morning, minding my own business, when a wild dog appeared and chased me all around the block until I ended up here. So, I figured I might as well come say hello,” -he flashed you a bright eyed smile- “since you did tell me to drop by sometime.”

Heat suddenly pooled in your cheeks and your forehead as you remembered telling him where to find you after he walked you home last night. “I did!” you squeaked, and Kakashi laughed. His shoulders shook and then relaxed, the way they had when he laughed with you last night and you loved it.

“So I was thinking,” he began, stepping further into your office and coming to stand in front of the desk you were working at. “Since we had a pretty good time last night, maybe you’d like to go out again? It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular, but if you wanted to go for another drink-”

Your (e/c) eyes shot up to Kakashi, wide and sparkling. “Are you serious?”

He said it so casually. It was intentional on Kakashi’s part; he couldn’t have you knowing yet just how much he liked being around you. Not when he couldn’t even figure out why or what to do about it himself. To you though, all you heard was Anko. Like the devil on your shoulder she kept cheering “I told you so!” because she had. If she hadn’t, you never would have thought anything more of Kakashi’s proposal because as far as you were concerned, men like Kakashi didn’t really exist without a catch, and if they did, they certainly wouldn’t be asking out little ol’ you.

Kakashi stared at you, a little confused. He wasn’t sure he had said anything that should imply that he was joking. “Um, yes?” he said awkwardly but reassuringly.

You replied under your breath, not intending for him to hear you. “Wow that sounds really nice,” you said, because it did. You wanted to go out with him again. You wanted to sit and talk with him again.

Kakashi smiled confidently hearing your words. “Okay then. Should we plan for tomorrow?”

The little Anko devil on your shoulder was suddenly shouting again, and shouting loudly. She reminded you that 'if you wanted him to really like you,' you were supposed to be playing hard to get. That still made no sense to you, but this was all new territory, and you really did want him to like you...

“No!” you practically shouted because you had to fight off the ‘Yes’ that was trying to squeeze it’s way out of your mouth instead.

Kakashi stared at you, dazed. “Uh… no?” he clarified. That was a turn he was definitely not expecting the conversation to take.

Neither were you honestly, but you had made your bed and now you were going to sleep in it.

“Yes, no,” you said firmly. “I can’t. I already have plans.”

That didn’t do anything to help cure Kakashi’s confusion, but he attempted to move on casually all the same. “Okay then how about the next day?”

Your stomach dropped. Damn, you hadn’t anticipated him to be so insistent. Anko didn’t give you any warning about that. When she said ‘say no’, you didn’t think she meant you’d have to keep saying no. All the same, this was what was happening and you had to stick with it.

“Actually,” you said, standing from your desk. “Unfortunately, I just remembered that I am previously booked until further notice. Apparently.”

Inside you were cringing and squirming in discomfort. It was so awkward, and you knew it. You knew it even before you saw the look of sheer alarm and confusion on Kakashi’s face. Not meaning to throw more salt in the wound of his rejection, you headed for the door and with a firm bow said, “Goodbye.”

You turned and marched stiffly into the hallway, leaving Kakashi standing puzzled and alone in your own classroom.

///

“You’re quieter than usual.”

Kakashi straightened and pulled his distant gaze back to the present and to his friend that sat across from him at the tea shop.

“Hm? Oh, yeah. Sorry.” Kakashi knew he had been spacing out, but he hadn’t expected Asuma to notice. He figured he must look really confused if other people were seeing it too, but he wasn’t sure how to help it. All day, his mind had been clouded with you and how quickly you had shut him out. For the first time in a long time, Kakashi felt stuck.

“What do you know about (L/n) (F/n)?” He figured there wasn’t much harm in asking around just a little, if he wasn’t coming up with any answers on his own.

Asuma blinked. “You seriously asking about a girl?”

He gave a look like the world was ending and Kakashi shifted uncomfortably beneath it.

“Well, I-” Kakashi sputtered, searching for any type of cover to explain what had brought on his sudden attentiveness to the opposit sex. “I have reasons to believe she’s worth investigating,” he said matter-of-factly.

Asuma gave him a doubtful glance. “Right…” he drawled. He clearly wasn’t buying it, but he gave in all the same. “Not much, I guess. She comes out with the usual crowd occasionally. She’s pretty close with Anko it seems, but other than that I haven’t heard much. What’s got you interested?”

Kakashi stiffened. “She-” he started, but instantly became cautious of how much he wanted to share. He had always liked to keep his business private, but one way or another he needed some assistance here. So he went with the truth. “Last night, we got a few drinks together. It wasn’t anything really, but, you know,” -he cleared his throat awkwardly, not used to talking about himself like gossip- “I thought it was a nice time. Anyways, I saw her again today and, of course being the gentleman that I am, I asked her to go out again and she said no.”

There was a moment of silence, and Kakashi’s disclosure hung over him like a weighted blanket. Then, Asuma let out a deep, hearty, amused laugh.

“Well, well. Kakashi Hatake has finally met his match, and it’s a woman. Who woulda thought?”

Kakshi raised a brow. “I don’t know about that,” he asserted. “But something was definitely off. I know I only just met her, but last night I felt this sort of.... connection. A spark almost.” He sighed, feeling the sting of his defeat. “I can’t explain it. Either way, today it felt like it was gone. She seemed completely disinterested, and it doesn’t make any sense.”

Asuma, trying to be polite, had to keep from chuckling at the pout that was forming on Kakashi’s face. It was amusing that for once he seemed to know something Kakashi didn’t.

“She’s playing games with you, Kakashi,” he stated.

Kakshi didn't have the slightest clue what he meant. “She what?” he asked.

Asuma took a drink from his tea before saying casually, “You know, like pretending to not be interested in you when she really is? Girls do that stuff all the time.”

Kakashi paled in shock. “Do they really?”

Asuma's mind was already running away with thoughts about what Kakashi had just told him. “Tch, I bet Anko is planting every idea in her pretty little head,” he grumbled, but still seemed slightly amused. “If that’s the case, I don’t envy you; you’ve got a tough challenge ahead.”

Asuma was familiar with how Anko worked. He hadn’t heard enough about you to know what your motivation in all of this was, but he had a pretty good feeling that he was right about Anko pulling the strings here.

Kakashi on the other hand was deeply confused by this news. It made no sense to him whatsoever that you would feel the need to act like you weren’t interested if you actually were, or whatever Asuma had said. But Kakashi was a man of strategy and he knew that it was useless to ask how the situation could have been set up differently. He needed to ask himself what to do with the situation he was already in. Unfortunately, he had no idea.

“What do I do then?” he asked Asuma a little sheepishly, but really he was desperate for the answer.

Asuma snorted and gave him a wicked sort of grin. “Well it’s obvious isn’t it?” He set his cup down on the table and his eyes sparkled with a competitive fire.

“You have to beat them at their own game.”

Chapter Text

You felt awful. Having to actually work the whole day just made things worse. You hadn’t wanted to turn Kakashi down, and on top of that you did it so awkwardly. Who runs away like that?! You were genuinely so mortified that even your students had noticed you were off. The salt on the wound was that eight-year-olds have no problem calling people out when they look troubled.

“Y/n Sensei, your hair’s messy!” Yes, because you had been tugging on it all day.

“Y/n Sensei, your nose is doing that weird twitchy thing again!” Yes, because you were stressed. Very much so.

However Anko planned on making this work, you weren’t sure. From your perspective, it would take a miracle to dig your way out of the muddy grave you had buried yourself in just a few hours ago. So, you wasted no time in tracking down your nosy, scheming friend at the end of your work day just so you could ask what exactly she intended to do now that you had turned down the only man you had ever maybe actually liked.

Her face brightened the minute she opened the door to her apartment and saw you standing in it. She knew what you were there for. “Ooh, he came by today, didn’t he?”

You pushed past her, kicking your shoes off at the door. “Yes and-“

“Did he ask you out?”

You sucked in a breath. “Yes, and-"

“Oh HO, I knew it!” She bounced around you cheering. “What did he suggest? Drinks tomorrow?”

With an exhale, you shut your eyes; her enthusiasm was making you nauseous. “Yes, AND-“

“Oh my god, I am so good! Did you do what I told you to? Did you turn him down?” Her eyes were wide, and sparkling, and prying.

“YES!” you erupted, your pent up emotions from the whole day finally tumbling out of you. “And I hated it. Anko, it was so embarrassing, and I could tell he was really confused.” You flopped onto a chair with a pitiful pout. “How was this supposed to help exactly?”

Anko laughed, taking a seat beside you. “Oh, it doesn’t. Not at all. It’s the next part that’s really important.”

You stared back into her hazel eyes, a little tired, a little disgusted. When she told you the plan was to play hard to get this morning, you had assumed that would be it. You kicked yourself for not asking if there was going to be more. There was always something more with her.

“Which is…?” you urged, realizing she wasn’t going to tell you on her own.

A wicked, cat-like grin stretched out in front of Anko’s teeth and you gulped.

“You’re going to go anyways,” she practically hissed.

Your face fell. “Excuse me?”

She had to be joking. This time, she just had to be. There was no way that she was telling you to go on the very date you had just turned down, because that would be preposterous and crazy.

Of course though, she was dead serious. “He asked you to go out tomorrow, right? So, you go out tomorrow. Wherever you think he was going to take you, that’s where you go and he’ll be there.”

You frowned and crossed your arms with a huff. “How could you possibly know that?”

“Because I know!” Anko asserted. She gave you a reassuring pat on the back when you only responded with a raised brow. “Trust me, when a guy gets rejected, he tells his friends. Then you know what they do? They take him out drinking. And when you show up out of nowhere, that’ll be what drives him crazy.”

“And this is a good thing?” you hummed, not thinking ‘driving someone crazy’ really sounded like the relationship you wanted.

But Anko assured you it was, and her confidence overpowered your doubt and any objections you might have had. “You bet,” she smiled. “Now, go get showered; you smell like children. And,” -she flashed a cheeky grin- “Make sure to wear your best outfit.”

///

Kakashi was not an expert on dating, or on women, and he knew this. But he had read enough romance novels to understand that when a woman said ‘no’, she typically meant it (even if her pursuer disagreed). So, even though your rejection of a second date and your sudden emotional unavailability baffled him, he felt a little uncomfortable continuing to seek out your affections as Asuma had instructed. Even if he didn’t feel the same way -meaning he did want to go out with you again, very much- he knew what ‘no’ meant, and he wanted to respect your decision and move on.

However according to Asuma, that was not at all the right thing to do, and he had convinced Kakashi to go along with his plan for at least one night.

“Just one night,” Asuma had said. “If I’m wrong, we’ll forget about it. If I’m right… well, you can tell me where you want to go from there.”

And that was how Kakashi ended up out at a bar for a second night this week, only this time Kakashi was not as enamored with his company.

“Quit looking so nervous. You’re going to scare her off.”

Kakashi shifted in his seat, attempting to look more relaxed. This wasn’t the first criticism he had received from Asuma tonight, and he clearly wasn’t doing a very good job of applying the feedback. “Sorry,” he replied to his friend flatly. “I’m just so unsure about this.”

Asuma took a drag of his cigarette and then blew the smoke out into the cool air of the outdoor bar. “What’s the worst that could happen?” he shrugged.

Kakashi’s brows raised. “You don’t really want me to answer that do you?”

Kakashi could come up with at least five things that could tie for ‘the worst thing’ that could happen tonight. Again, he wasn’t an expert, but he didn’t have to be a love guru to know that playing games with people’s feelings (even if it involved his own) was a dangerous endeavor. And Asuma, confident that Anko was playing for your side of the board, had a very presumptuous plan set into motion for this evening. Kakashi was just the moving piece at this point and he didn’t like it one bit.

He sighed and dropped his head onto the bar counter. Kakashi was good at a lot of things, but this? He let out a sigh. “I’m not sure I’m cut out for this type of pressure.”

With a small laugh, Asuma elbowed him in the side. “Don’t chicken out now; they just walked in.”

Kakashi was sitting upright in an instant, his head turned and gaze locked on the entrance of the bar. Sure enough, there you were. He maybe would have been more amazed that Asuma was right in suspecting you’d show up, if he wasn’t so distracted by how stunning you looked. Immediately he felt a wave of pleasure wash over him: the same kind he had felt when he looked into your eyes for the first time just a night before. He had thought you looked nice even after you fell from a roof, so he was especially captivated by the way you had dressed yourself up so sweetly this evening. You looked beautiful, radiant; your head was held high and you were smiling at something Anko had whispered in your ear. The desire to feel every curve of your body and touch every inch of your skin sent a shiver up his spine; he could practically imagine it, and it drove his senses wild. It would have been impossible to look away if not for Asuma speaking up and grounding him back in a reality where you were so close and yet so far from him.

“Heh, and you doubted me. I should’ve made you put money down.” Asuma chuckled, turning back to the bar. When his gaze shifted to something on his right, he let out a small hum. “Oh, and just in time too.”

Kakashi swiveled to follow Asuma’s eyes, just as another person approached them.

“Hey Kakashi. It’s been a long time.”

///

As you walked into the courtyard of the outdoor bar, you thought it felt nice to be confident in the outfit you had picked because you were not confident in Anko’s plan of crashing the boy’s night of a man you had just rejected. It felt silly and extraneous. You still weren’t even confident he was going to be there, like she had said.

Until your (e/c) eyes found a mop of starlight hair seated at the bar, and your stomach sank.

“Anko, he’s here…”

“Huh? Where?” Your friend spun around, her own eyes frantically searching for her target. When she found it, she didn’t notice the same thing you had. “Wait, Kakashi?” she sputtered. “The mystery man that stole your heart is Kakashi Hatake? Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Your nose scrunched. You weren’t sure your heart had exactly been stolen. He was just a guy. Like, any other guy, right?

“Uh, should I have?” you asked. You didn’t know why it mattered. Also, if she had wanted to know his name, she could have asked.

But clearly it did matter, because Anko erupted in delight. “This is crazy. This changes everything. Hah, I should have known that some average loser wouldn’t have been good enough for your tastes (Y/n). Alright new plan-"

“Wait Anko, stop.” You raised a soft hand, silencing her before she could get carried away. Your misty eyes were still looking in Kakashi’s direction. “I don’t think it matters anymore.”

She turned, eyes curious. “Why not?”

Your words came out slow and soft. “He’s with another woman.”

You didn’t need to point with your fingers. Your gaze was trained on her, practically drilling holes. Anko followed the line from your narrow pupils to the bar. She watched Kakashi and the newcomer for just a moment. You could practically hear the gears turning in her head. While you were ready to sink into your defeat and move on, Anko was making a plan, because something didn’t line up. Just as you were about to tug on her sleeve and ask if you could leave, she startled with a realization.

“Hold on, I know her.”

You were about to ask for clarification, and question why Anko suddenly looked so amused -possibly even a little pleased- when she spoke up again.

“Looks like you’re not the only one playing hard to get (Y/n).”

///

“I don’t think I’ve seen you since we were kids.”

Kakashi feigned interest with a forced smile. “Oh, has it been that long?”

This had been Asuma’s big plan. The one that had made Kakashi think of at least five things that could be ‘the worst thing to happen tonight’: another woman. An old acquaintance who was back in town, actually. It was a little tasteless in Kakashi’s opinion. He didn’t think making you jealous was the right way to kickstart a budding romance, but Asuma had assured him that since you were the first one to initiate a challenge with your rejection, he was obligated to respond. Also apparently being seen with another woman was supposed to make him appear more desirable which would somehow grab your attention. Or something. Again, Kakashi did not understand any of this, but he also couldn’t exactly tell the nice girl to get lost now, could he? (Actually, could he? No, better not.)

“Well, tell me everything! How’s life been treating you?” She was at least genuine, and she was trying.

Still, Kakashi didn’t exactly know how to summarize everything that had happened in his life since the academy days. Would ‘experiential’ be underplaying it?

“Uh, well-” he started but was thankful he didn’t have to finish.

In a very quick instant, Anko had appeared and tethered herself to the girl in an aggressive bear-hug. Kakashi, alarmed at first, quickly realized what was happening when he saw you standing only a few feet behind her. He was sure Asuma, who was probably sitting in some corner of the bar observing, was patting himself on the back for being right.

“Wow, hey you!” Anko said boisterously to cover-up the fact that she didn’t remember this girl's name in the slightest. “It has been forever, how have you been!?”

The girl frowned, trying to regain her balance with little luck. “Oh Anko, hi.” Her tone was far from amused. “I’m fine, but I’m actually out with-“

Anko cut her off with a forced laugh. “That is great, you’ll have to tell me all about that over a drink. On me.”

The girl made a disgruntled face, but tried to respond politely. “Oh well, no worries. I actually already have one.”

She shook her bottle to show that she still had a full beverage and everyone’s eyes fell on it awkwardly. That had clearly been Anko’s only plan to get her away, and there weren’t many other options for a new one so-

SMASH.

You all looked down where the bottle now peppered the concrete in pieces, and liquid in a star-like pattern was strewn across the stones.

“Whoopsie~” Anko chirped without a hint of actual remorse for having just slapped a drink from someone’s hand. “Please, let me make it up to you. Come on, I know the bartender inside pretty well if you know what I mean. He’ll give you a new one for free!”

Before the poor girl could object, Anko had her by the shoulders and was pushing her away. Without the distraction of others, the air around Kakashi and you quickly grew thick and tense. Given that you were the ones to approach (which Kakashi was certain was not by accident), he wanted to give you the opportunity to speak first. But when you remained silent for more than a few uncomfortable, long seconds, he cleared his throat.

“So-”

That was more than enough to get you started.

“So, was she also trying to rescue a cat? Or were you planning on having her join us all along?”

It came out harsher than you meant it, but you weren’t planning on apologizing. Anko had given you specific instructions to take this opportunity she was giving you to ‘dominate the playing field’ and ‘let him know you knew what was going on’. Which was almost laughable, because you really hadn’t a clue. All you knew was that something -some burning feeling- was curling in your gut at the thought of Kakashi replacing you so quickly, and you didn’t have an issue with expressing that.

Beside you, Kakashi blinked. He understood that you were upset. Hell, he wasn’t too happy with the whole situation either; none of it had been his idea after all. Still, he hadn’t expected you to come on so strong and honestly he wasn’t sure he appreciated it. He certainly hadn’t planned on being malicious himself, but he also wasn’t above meeting you at your own level either.

So he gave a casual shrug, eyes dark. “You said you had other plans.”

You let out a scoff. He was trying to get under your skin. As a school teacher, you knew what it felt like to have someone test your boundaries, and you knew you should have walked away. At the end of the day it had only been one drink, and Kakashi was one guy, and you didn’t need a guy in your life anyways.

But a feeling of desire deep inside you made you want to see this through.

“Well what a good thing I did. I’d hate to be an imposition on your little reunion,” you spat with venom on your tongue.

Kakashi flashed you a sideways glance. “And yet here you are.”

Your mouth gaped. Honestly, the audacity. Placing your hands on your hips, your lips curled into a deep frown. “If you didn’t actually want to go out again, you could have just said so!”

Finally Kakashi turned to you, an amused glint in his single eye. “Hold on now,” he drawled, leaning in. Your heart skipped a beat as the space between you lessened. Kakashi stilled only inches from you, his presence suddenly dominating and assertive. His breath tickled your skin as he spoke and heat rose to your cheeks. “I believe I was the only one who said I did want to go out again.”

You squirmed under his knowing gaze. At your core you believed you were in the wrong. Honestly, Kakashi asking out someone else after you rejected him wasn’t too different from you ditching your date the other night to go out with Kakashi instead; everyone had to shoot their shots. But, you were far too stubborn to admit that now and it would be a lie to say you didn’t recognize the twisting feeling in your gut as a little bit of hurt.

So instead of backing down, you continued to kindle the fire.

“Sorry,” you spit, turning from him “I must not have heard you over the shrill voice of your new date.”

Kakashi remained relaxed. You swore you even saw a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, as if he were amused by your combative responses. “If you’d like to take her place, all you have to do is say so.”

“I don’t.” You didn’t allow yourself even a second to think about it.

You heard him let out a slow and warm chuckle. “Ah, are you sure?” Before you knew what was happening, your hand was being tugged into Kakashi’s gentle grip. He turned your wrist upward, and with his other hand he placed the pads of two soft fingers to the veins under your skin. His steady gaze locked with yours. “Your heart rate says you’re lying~”

Had any other man dared to call you out like that, you might have decked him. You weren’t usually one for making exceptions either, but the moment Kakashi’s fingers grazed your skin, you had to resist the urge to melt like putty into his touch. Something about it just felt right, and you craved it all over your body. The desirous glimmer you saw flash through his stare told you he craved you too.

You wanted to speak, but every word was caught in your throat and your mouth was suddenly dry.

“I-”

“Ugh, I don’t know what’s gotten into her! Kakashi, maybe we should move- Oh.”

It takes a second for you both to pull your eyes from one another and turn to see the woman Anko had pulled away now back in front of you. Her pupils had narrowed and she was locked on to your upturned palm which was still being cradled gently in Kakashi’s own.

“Am I interrupting?” she stammered out hesitantly. There was also a hint of bitterness in her tone that you couldn’t miss.

You tugged your hand away from Kakashi and clutched it to your chest.

“No, I was just leaving actually,” you said softly, the contention between you and Kakashi now gone. “Sorry about Anko. You two enjoy your night.”

You said nothing else as you turned from the bar and headed inside to find your wingwoman. With your back turned, Kakashi couldn’t see the way you kept your hand close to your heart, encasing it with your other fingers in an attempt to replace the soft, comforting grip that you had just pulled it from.

Chapter Text

“It’s been a week,” Kakashi said, because it had.

It had been exactly one week since he talked to you last. One week since he got to hold your hand, and let his fingers brush over yours in a way that -even if only for a moment- brought him such a sweet feeling of happiness that he hadn’t felt in a long time, or possibly ever. The things he felt around you were still such a distracting, frustrating, mystery to him. When he pictured your pretty face in his mind, his heart fluttered. A few times he saw you in the market, only a few feet from him in the crowd, and he felt this sickening flip in his stomach. Like he wanted to say something, or maybe reach out and hold your hand again, if you’d let him.

He was getting that same feeling now, after his eyes singled you out in the usual morning crowd of Konoha’s streets. From where he sat in the small cafe you couldn’t see him, but that didn’t make the lump in his throat any smaller. He took a sip of his drink, only to spill it on his mask with a disheartened grumble.

When he thought about just moving on and abandoning the pursuit of any type of relationship with you, he felt a pang of guilt and -of all things- regret. Because more than anything, he felt a desire to spend just a little more time with you. It was nauseating, and completely involuntary. Invasive, really; why did any of it make him so excited?

If you had asked him one week ago what could have cured such a horrible ailment, he would have guessed time, or maybe some fancy herbal tea that he couldn’t pronounce. But now it had been a week, and he wasn’t feeling any type of relief from his lovesick heart. And he had tried several teas, all of different varieties, and none of those helped either.

The cup his fingers were currently wrapped around was probably his least favorite of the few he had tried so far, and it didn’t help that it was now soaking into the cloth covering his face. Kakashi wrinkled his nose and gave a deep sigh as he set it on the table and pushed it away from him.

Across from him, Asuma gave a small snort. “Don’t tell me, you’re getting desperate already? You’re still just in the beginning stages of this; it’s supposed to be fun.”

Kakashi’s brows raised in disbelief. “You honestly think this is fun?” he wheezed, genuinely not sure if he was the weird one for finding all of the butterflies rather uncomfortable.

Asuma smiled and took a sip of his black coffee. “Well yeah, new relationships always are,” he said with a thoughtful look. “There’s something special about those first couple months when you’re still just getting to know each other, you know?”

“Months?!” Kakashi sputtered in response. Asuma offered only a shrug in return, and Kakashi almost fell out of his chair. He couldn’t possibly be feeling this way for months, could he? His eyes spun at the thought of it, and he dropped his chin into his palm. “Well, it seems it would be a lot more fun if she was actually around. I haven’t had a chance to learn anything about her since we tried your strategy.”

There was an accusatory bite to Kakashi’s words, which Asuma brushed off with a wave of his hand. “Yeah well, don’t worry too much about that. She’s only giving you the cold shoulder because Anko told her to. I’m sure of that.”

Underneath his mask, Kakashi frowned. He wasn’t so sure of it. He wasn’t sure at all that he hadn’t royally pissed you off and forever ruined his chances of getting to know you better, thus sticking him with these dreaded feelings for the rest of his life.

Asuma, oblivious to Kakashi’s spiraling thoughts, continued casually, “She’ll come around soon enough. Once Anko tires herself out anyways.” He downed the rest of his drink and set the mug back on the cafe table with a little clink.

Kakashi grumbled and rubbed the corner of his uncovered eye with his knuckle. “This is all starting to feel very trivial, don’t you think?” he stated more than asked. How long was he expected to wait exactly? Was waiting for you to come around really the right thing to do, anyways? Regardless, Kakashi didn’t think he would make it much longer. He wasn’t exactly sure what would happen if he went on this way either, but he was sure it couldn’t be anything good. Besides, as far as he could tell, there was only one solution to his problem and it currently stood about a hundred feet from him. Looking perfect and pleasant.

His eyes sparkled with just a hint of excitement when he said, “Can’t I just go talk to her?”

Asuma glanced lazily over his shoulder, following Kakashi’s gaze to you. You were picking out a few things at the local bakery. You were casual and clearly unaware of your gawking onlookers. Sure you looked pretty-as-a-picture while minding your own business, but you were honestly just doing some necessary grocery shopping for the week. Nothing special really, but when Asuma looked back to his silver-haired friend and saw the entranced look in Kakashi’s eye, he realized just how special Kakashi thought you were, and the corners of his mouth curled a little. Asuma began to think it didn’t much matter what he said next.

“You want my honest opinion?” the brunette asked despite knowing his friend’s mind was already made up.

Kakashi wasn’t so sure yet, and so he thought it over for just a minute. Asuma had mentioned more than a few times that you were most likely ignoring him in hopes of getting some sort of desperate response from him, per Anko’s instructions. Maybe that was true, but he didn’t think he cared much about that anymore. He just wanted to talk to you again, like he had that first night he met you.

Kakashi continued to watch your movements carefully. You handed a few coins to the man behind the counter of the shop and then turned to walk down the road. To walk further away from him.

He stood from the table with an almost alarming jolt. “No,” he said to Asuma, finally answering the previously asked question. “I’m going to go talk to her.”

Asuma placed a cigarette between his lips and gave Kakashi a teasing little glance. “I think it’s a trap,” he said, lighting the stick.

Kakashi tossed his head and in a flat tone replied, “And I think I said I didn’t want your opinion.”

Asuma chuckled, taking no offense to the comment. Stepping around the stools and tables in the cafe almost clumsily, Kakashi gave a final little wave to his friend before heading out into the street and towards you.

///

Asuma was -in a roundabout way- correct to think that Anko had instructed you to keep up the cold shoulder in an attempt to get Kakashi to chase you, because she had. The conversation just hadn’t been as direct as one might have assumed, because your opinion of all of this (not that anyone had asked) was that it was childish and silly, and you already had about twenty childish and silly things to look after everyday, you didn’t need another one in your life.

“This is ridiculous Anko,” you had said to your friend after the encounter with Kakashi and his new date at the bar last week. “I just want to drop it.” You shoved another bite of the takeout into your mouth; you had insisted Anko stop with you to grab it after such a disappointing night out.

“Of course it feels ridiculous, we were going about this the entirely wrong way,” Anko explained, her own cheeks stuffed as she spoke. “Kakashi isn’t just some guy. If I had known he was who you were getting all goo-goo-eyed over, I would have told you to go on that second date.”

A deep scowl painted your face. “You’re all over the place!” you spat, a chopstick almost flying from your grasp.

Anko clicked her tongue, “Misinformed, is what I think you mean.”

You only rolled your eyes. It didn’t matter to you what you called it, you weren’t able to keep up with her or her plans and you were at the end of your wits already, but Anko didn’t seem to notice.

“Kakashi’s too smart for mind games. Not to mention he’s used to attention, and if you lay it on too thick, he’ll just drown you out,” she continued on between gulps of water and bites of food. “I’ve seen it. Whenever he comes to the bars with our usual group, the younger girls lose their mind over his pretty face, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him give one of them a second glance.”

The corners of your lips turned upwards into a smile without you even realizing.

“Look, Kakashi likes to have the upper-hand,” Anko puttered on. “So you’ve just gotta deflate his ego a little. You know, show him how cool you are.”

You blinked at the violet haired girl and -having just shoved another very large bite of your midnight snack into your mouth, causing your cheeks to fill up like a squirrel’s- an awkward silence quickly filled the air around you. You chewed a few times and a little bit of rice fell from your lips and into your lap as you said flatly, “But I’m not cool.”

Anko snorted, sending you a bit of a glare. “Well not with that attitude.”

You dropped your chopsticks and grabbed your water to help you wash down the last bit of the oversized bite you had taken. Honestly, this was becoming too complicated. You and Kakashi had gotten along just fine until your friends got involved. Why couldn’t you just try that again? Sure, it stung that he decided to go out with another woman (even if it was just to make you jealous), but perhaps that wasn’t so bad after you denied him in the first place. Wait, was this mess your fault for listening to Anko?

You shook your head, just before it began to hurt from all of the overwhelming thoughts. “Ugh, I don’t even care anymore!” you spat, pushing your takeout container across the table from you. You weren’t sure you meant it, but you hoped that maybe you could speak it into truth.

If there was any seriousness in your tone, Anko completely missed it. “Yes, that’s perfect!” she smiled, applauding your nonchalance.

Flatly you responded, “No, I mean it.”

“There you go, you’re really selling it!”

You huffed, but said nothing more. Really, you should have known by now that there was no stopping her once she made up her mind about something.

“If Kakashi realizes you still don’t care, even after Asuma’s little jealousy stunt, he’ll try to get your attention again soon. Trust me.” Leaning across the table with a cat-like grin she said, “And that’s when you get the upper-hand!”

So while you carried on with your week and attempted to keep as much routine as you could and bury yourself in your work in order to forget the whole dating ordeal, Anko believed you were vehemently following her orders, and she was excitedly waiting for the day you would come back to her with more gossip to share.

For the most part, it was working. You had plenty of things to keep yourself occupied, like your project for the academy, and shopping for the week, like you were doing today. Sure, there had been a few times when your mind had wandered back to the man with starlight hair that had so boldly entered your life one week ago and audaciously ignited feelings inside of you, but with a little time you were sure you could move on.

With a kind smile, you paid the shop owner for the items in your basket and turned with a small wave. Yes, just a little time and a little normalcy in your routine would surely clear your mind of Kakashi Hatake.

“Hello!”

You stopped short with a frown, the dirt beneath your feet sliding up into your sandals and in between your toes at the abruptness of it.

The greeting was cheerful, innocent even, but still you were cursing whatever gods would hear you when you turned and saw the half-covered face of a silver-haired ninja. You couldn’t decide if this was some type of twisted destiny, or if Anko actually happened to be right again, but you didn’t give it too much thought before you spat back.

“What are you doing here, Kakashi?”

The ninja shifted on his heels when you strode past him, and casually fell into step beside you with his hands in his pockets. “Oh well, I was actually on my way home when a mysterious man emerged from the woods -I prefer to take the scenic route, you see- and he warned me that if I didn’t buy fresh milk for my cat she would fall ill-”

You looked at him sideways, the skin over your nose pinching together in annoyance. “Do you even own a cat?”

Kakashi stopped. “Huh, that’s funny...” He tilted his head, his eyes widening in realization. “You know what, I don’t think I do. Guess I don’t need to buy milk then!”

You grumbled, using all of the air in your chest to suppress a giggle. “You’re unbelievable,” you spat, your pace quickening just a little.

Kakashi gave a casual shrug and continued, keeping up with your stride easily. “Well anyways, I’ve been thinking that maybe things got a little out of hand the other night-”

“I don't know what you’re talking about,” you said, almost too quickly.

“No?” Kakashi asked, a teasing tone in his voice. “So it’s just me who remembers how wildly your heart was beating? Am I making that up? My mistake-”

You let out a little groan and accidentally bit your lip as you did. You brought your hand to your cheek and grimaced, “What do you want, Kakashi?” Your tongue massaged the soft, swelling skin on the inside of your mouth, and you almost bit the tender spot again when Kakashi stepped in front of you, his broad shoulders and deep stare practically caging you in under their penetrating gaze.

“I just want to get to know you,” he remarked, like it was the most innocent thing in the world. For a second, your heart stilled and as you peered up at him, you wondered if it really was just a harmless request.

“I think the real question here,” Kakashi continued, “is what do you want?”

You stood beneath him, holding your hand to your cheek though you hardly noticed the pain anymore. What did you want? You liked him, didn’t you? Yes, way more than you cared to admit and that was the problem. You didn’t want to date. You hadn’t wanted to be out on that date a week ago, and if you had known that asking Kakashi out for a drink would have led to a silly little crush, you would have skipped the whole thing, because you did not need a man in your life.

As easy as that was to say, it didn’t stop the fluttering of your heart when Kakashi leaned just a little closer, waiting eagerly for your response.

“I-” you started, unable to string any words together when Kakashi stepped even nearer with a curious little hum. "I don't need anything-" you finally retorted, puffing your chest out just a little and feeling confident, but Kakashi then cut you off almost immediately.

"Ah-ah, that's not what I asked," he tutted playfully and you felt as if you were beginning to shrink when he repeated, "What do you want, Y/n?"

Your breath stuttered. Your heart raced. Your fingers twitched around your cheek, desperately aching to reach outwards and brush themselves along the lines of Kakashi's mask. You wanted to touch him again, you wanted to give in to his silly little attempts to woo you, you wanted to let him get to know you, but-

“I want you to convince me.”

But you were so scared.

Your fingers dropped from your cheek and into a fist at your side when you finally stepped away and strutted around Kakashi. Though they came from your mouth, the words hardly felt like your own.

Kakashi hesitated and fell a few feet behind you. “Convince you?” he blinked.

“Yes.” You said, the words coming out in a frown. “If you really want to get to know me, then prove to me that you’re serious. Show me you’re worth more of my time, and not just some stupid mistake I’ll regret in a few months.”

Perhaps it was a little demanding, but you knew your value. You weren’t going to open up to someone who was going to bail when you asked them to put in a little work. While others passing by might have thought you sounded harsh, or maybe even startling, Kakashi wasn’t deterred.

After regaining some composure, he called back out to you, “Alright then, and how do you suggest I do that?”

“I don’t know,” you responded with a lazy shrug. “You’re smart. You figure it out. But,” -you glanced over your shoulder, a sly little smile finally forming in your gaze- “maybe don’t ask Asuma for any advice this time.”

///

“Kakashi Sensei! Ugh, where is he?!”

The man in question poked at a few stray leaves stuck on the roof he had been resting on, and continued to ignore the shouts of his irritated students below. He still had a little bit of time before he was unusually late.

“Sounds like a lot of work to me,” Kakashi’s four-footed companion said in response to hearing about the jonin’s current predicament. He gave a bored sigh and licked a paw that he then used to rub his face clean. Pakkun didn’t care much for gossip, but he couldn’t help but be a little curious that his own master was taking a special interest in someone. “Is she really worth it?” the small dog asked, with a hint of genuine concern framed in the question.

“I think so,” Kakashi responded after a long moment of thought. “It’s odd though. I can’t really explain why I feel that way…”

Pakkun paused. He wasn’t sure he was really the best at giving advice, and if he were being honest, he was a little surprised when Kakashi had summoned him to talk about a girl of all things. But from the sound of it, this wasn’t just any girl either. Maybe he could find a way to help.

With a little woof he asked, “Well, what do you know about her? What does she like?”

Kakashi’s eyes widened, suddenly looking void of any thought. “What does... she like?” he stuttered, admittedly a little stupidly. Pakkun only nodded and Kakashi took a moment to think. You two had talked for a long time on your first outing together, but you hadn’t really gotten to likes or dislikes yet. He tried to think back to anything that might be helpful. “Uh, she’s passionate about her work at the academy,” he said in a voice that wasn’t at all confident.

Pakkun nodded. “So she likes kids then? One of those maternal types maybe?”

“I suppose so…” Kakashi could only assume that was true because he didn’t really have anything else to use at this point.

Pakkun began pacing at his feet. “Alright, let’s work with that then,” he said.

Kakashi let out a defeated sounding sigh. “How? I don’t have any kids-”

“KAKASHI SENSEI!”

The shout from below was even louder this time, and caused both Pakkun and Kakashi to startle.

“Where are you, you lazy ninja!? You owe us two hours of our lives back!”

After Naruto quieted, Pakkun's tired eyes drifted back to Kakashi, who was beginning to show a little look of realization.

Pakkun gave a little chuckle and responded, “Are you sure about that?”

Chapter Text

Team seven hadn’t been together very long, but already they had grown accustomed to the extreme tardiness of their silver-haired sensei. It had become the norm to wait on him, for sometimes hours, but by no means did that ever make the final arrival of their teacher any sweeter.

“Good morning!”

Naruto whirled around with an accusatory finger already pointed in the direction of his masked teacher and a look of pure aggravation plastered on his face. “There you are! What the hell Kakashi Sensei, what took you so long?! Never mind, I don’t want to hear any of your lame excuses. When are you finally going to teach us something cool!?”

Kakashi frowned, deflated. That was the reaction he received after being so polite? How rude. Also, he didn’t think his excuses were lame. He worked really hard on them most days.

“Oh come on guys,” Kakashi hummed, trying to soften the tension of his team. Though Naruto was the one shouting, Sakura and Sasuke didn’t look any happier to see him. “You know what they say: anticipation makes the heart grow fonder!”

This time Sakura snapped too. “That’s not what the phrase is!” she and Nartuo chided in unison.

“Anyways,” Kakashi gave a wave of his hand. “I’ve got something special planned for the lesson today, and it is pretty cool. At least I think so.”

His irritation doing a complete one-eighty, Naruto’s eyes began to sparkle with excitement and he started listing all of the things he hoped his wise teacher would be instructing them on: a powerful jutsu, how to use a new type of weapon, how to fly. The boy’s imagination raved on. Though he kept to himself about it, Kakashi noticed that even Sasuke’s interest seemed to have peaked at the mention of a ‘special’ lesson plan.

“Today’s lesson,” Kakashi interrupted Naruto’s squawking, “will be on the art of espionage.”

Naruto pursed his lips and blinked owlishly. “Uuuuh, espionage? What’s that?”

Sakura didn’t suppress her groan of irritation. “Naruto you idiot, didn’t you ever pay attention in class? Espionage is when you gather information from your enemies without them noticing. It’s a huge part of missions, and how much or how well you gather the information could completely determine the success of your team!”

Kakashi nodded. “Exactly, Sakura. Very good.”

The young girl smiled brightly, eyeing her more stoic team member and Naruto rolled his eyes.

“Sounds like a lot of work to me,” he grumbled, already growing less excited for the activity.

All the same, Kakashi carried on explaining the task he had planned for them. “Today you’ll get hands-on practice gathering information discreetly. Your only instructions are to gather specific information from the target. There are no rules to how you go about gathering the information, but If you get caught by the target, or don’t gather any useful information, then you fail. So, use what you’ve learned in your training so far to help you through the exercise.”

“Who’s the target?” Sauske asked, serious and straight to the point as always.

Kakashi gave him a casual sideways glance. “I’ll get to that in a moment.”

Naruto, still sounding skeptical, asked, “Well, what kind of information do we have to gather?”

“Nothing too complicated,” Kakashi shrugged. “Just a few basic details about her interests. For example, things she likes or dislike. Or maybe some things that would impress her.”

Naruto and Sakura eyed Kakashi suspiciously.

“So you want us to find out what some girl likes?” Naruto clarified.

The jonin stayed firm in the instructions he had given. “That’s right,” he nodded.

Sakura touched her hand to her chin and thought for a moment about why exactly her teacher might be asking them to spy on a girl, before she let out a little gasp of realization. “Hey, wait a minute. Does this have anything to do with Y/n Sensei?” Sakura questioned, her brows falling into an accusatory glare.

“What?” Kakashi stammered, genuinely surprised that his student had drawn the conclusion so quickly. “What makes you say that?”

Sakura frowned, her irritation growing after seeing Kakashi react so honestly. “Because I saw you two out in the market yesterday, and she totally snubbed you!”

Coming to the realization that Sakura was right about this, Naruto groaned. “Ah, are you kidding me?! You’re trying to use us to get a girlfriend? Ugggh, gross!”

“I can’t believe you tried to trick us!”

Even Sasuke let out a little scoff.

“Hang on a minute guys-” Kakashi tried to explain, but Naruto hollered again.

“Jeez, I thought you said this would be cool! Don’t make us suffer with extra work just because Y/n Sensei doesn’t like you and probably thinks your hair is goofy!”

A little whimper of dejection escaped Kakashi. First lame and now goofy. This wasn’t going as smoothly as Kakashi had hoped. He had been called out by one twelve year-old, and insulted by another before the exercise even started. They really weren’t holding back today.

“Alright, alright,” Kakashi finally interrupted taking control of the conversation again, albeit with a little less pride than he had before. “Regardless of the intention here, gathering information discreetly is still an important skill for you all to practice,” he said with a little sigh of defeat. “But, since you all don’t seem to be so easily convinced, how about we make this a little more interesting?”

Once again he had his students' attention.

“Anyone who doesn’t fail will be treated to dinner by me,” -Kakashi paused, and the three leaned in- “For a week.”

He had hoped he wouldn’t have to resort to such frivolous incentivizing, but it was the only back-up option he had come up with in such a short time, and clearly it was working because Naruto immediately erupted in frantic delight.

“Oh man, that’s what I’m talking about! Free ramen for a whole week? You’re on, Kakashi Sensei!”

Beside him, Sakura bit her lip in an attempt to contain her excitement. What she said was, “Oh wow, that would be great Sensei.” Though what she was thinking was, “Sweet! I’ve been dying to try that new Kaiseki restaurant, but it’s so expensive!”

Kakashi immediately got the feeling that he might come to regret this bribery later. Still, he shifted a lazy gaze over to the third member of the team who hadn’t chimed in yet.

“Sasuke?” Kakashi encouraged, and Sakura and Naruto looked at him with anticipation.

After a moment, the boy gave a little shrug. “Whatever,” he huffed, though the slight glimmer of hope in his eye wasn’t missed by his teacher.

“Perfect,” Kakashi smiled, now that everyone was finally on the same page. “So, who wants to go first?”

///

It was later in the morning than usual when you finally left your apartment and began your almost daily walk to Konoha’s academy building. There were significantly more people out on the street than you were used to, and the path was a little muddy from some rain the night before, but otherwise nothing had felt out of the ordinary on your trip- until you turned a corner off of the main road. Fewer people lined the path now, and you suddenly felt a chill of vulnerability rush up your spine.

A feeling like you were being watched.

You hesitated for a minute, taking a breath and assessing your surroundings to determine if you were actually being followed or if maybe you were just being a little paranoid. After a comfortable amount of time had passed, and nothing else happened, the hairs on the back of your neck finally flattened and you carried on your way to the school.

It wasn’t until you rounded the fence line of the courtyard -where you could hear a few kids playing tag- that you once again experienced that same creeping feeling that some type of threat was nearby, watching you. You couldn’t imagine why anyone would be trailing you, but you were certain someone was close and you would give up your own life before you let any danger near your students.

When you halted on the path again, you felt the sneaking presence behind you stop as well, and you knew it was no mistake. You took one single grounding breath, and then spun around on your heel hoping to catch the person off-guard, but prepared to counter if they decided to attack.

Much to your surprise, no one scurried, or lunged, or even moved at all. There was no one there. No one at all. You relaxed, and just as you began mumbling about being paranoid and out of practice, you caught the briefest glimpse of dark eyes poking out from around the corner of the fence line.

Your gaze narrowed and you stepped forward. “Huh? Sasuke is that you?” you asked, immediately recognizing the raven hair and serious eyes of your former student. He had graduated since you left for your trip, so it had been two years since you had him in your classroom, but as a good teacher you never forgot your students.

Around the corner, Sasauke brought a hand to his forehead and gave an irritated grumble. He had been so confident that he was being careful, but he realized now he had underestimated your wit and intuition. A terrible mistake to make on any real mission.

Recognizing that he had been caught, Sasuke stepped out from around the fence looking rather irritated and even a little embarrassed. His gaze fell to the ground and he crossed his arms, seeming to be thinking hard about something.

You took another cautious step towards him. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you. Is everything okay?” you asked, noticing his uncomfortable body language and the way his jaw clenched when his eyes shifted back to you.

“Yeah,” he finally said in a voice that was so uncomfortable you didn’t believe him. “I just-” he tried, but he stumbled. It was only getting harder for him to find the words when you stepped closer yet again.

“Listen Sasuke, if you’re in some kind of trouble, you can tell me,” you offered gently, reading his discomfort as a sort of cry for help.

Sasuke grimaced. His plan for this little mission was falling apart at the seams. Your eyes were so wide and curious, it was honestly intimidating how much you looked like you cared. You bent over just enough to be at eye level with him, and he began to feel suffocated with your big, sincere, e/c orbs pressuring him to say something. Anything.

“I need your help with something,” Sasuke finally spit up, trying to think quickly on his feet. Maybe if he could tap into your more nurturing side, he could still find a way to gather the information Kakashi wanted without completely outing his teacher. For the most part it was a good plan except...

Except that asking for help was so terribly foreign to the Uchiha boy, that when the request fell from his lips it sounded frightened and desperate. He had definitely tapped into your more nurturing side because you let out a little gasp and took his hand in yours, much to Sasuke’s surprise. It was out of complete instinct that you squeezed his soft palm reassuringly and spat out the first thing that came to mind- since it was usually what followed when your students told you they needed help in such a fearful tone.

“Sasuke, are you being bullied?”

The boy went rigid.

Coughing out some sort of denial, he immediately tore his hand from your grasp and turned away, his face turning an even rosier shade of pink by the second. Before you could ask any further questions, he managed to spit out a coherent, “Forget it,” before disappearing completely.

Alone again, you blinked. You knew Sasuke had always been a little troubled, but that was unusually odd in your opinion, and honestly you were just utterly confused by the entire interaction. You decided that the least you could was check in with his team leader about it. Though, you quickly realized you didn’t actually know which teams most of your students had been placed into, and so you made a mental note to look those up later.

But for the time being you would dismiss the strange interaction since there was nothing else you could do about it now. Turning back around, you headed into the building for your day of work. Down in the courtyard, you couldn’t hear Nartuo up on the roof wheezing with laughter at Sasuke’s terrible display of discretion, or see the look of uncertainty on Kakashi’s face when he realized that his only hope now was Sakura and Naruto.

///

Despite running late to work that morning and having a very unusual engagement with your former student, your day of work went smoothly, and you felt motivated and excited to begin your over-time working on the restructure project. You had been working for a good hour or so before you heard the door to your room slide open, and saw the young doe-eyed kunoichi enter your room with a little wave.

“Oh hi Y/n Sensei! How funny running into you here,” Sakura smiled, following up with a forced laugh.

You raised a brow at the girl. You probably wouldn’t have found this to be too unusual if you hadn’t already had one strange encounter with a previous student. Maybe she was just lost but, “Um, Sakura this is my office?”

“Right! It is. Silly me,” she laughed awkwardly, though she came to sit in a vacant chair across from your desk anyways. “I just forgot because you were away for so long. Speaking of, how was your trip Sensei?” she smiled brightly. Innocently, almost.

Something was off, you were sure. But since you couldn’t quite put your finger on what yet, you responded simply.

“It was a lot of hard work, but I learned a lot and that’s what matters,” you said, thinking back on your experience fondly.

Across from you, Sakura nodded. “Totally! Still, you got to go to so many places, you must have met a lot of people?”

She eyed you expectantly, to the point that it was almost uncomfortable.

“Uh, yeah, I suppose so-”

“Anyone special?” she cooed, cutting you off.

You stared back at her for a long moment. There was something you were missing for sure, but you were honestly thrown off guard by her directness that you were struggling to navigate your way back. “Sakura,” you started, a little cautiously, “was there something you needed from me? If not I should probably get back to work.”

She had clearly not been expecting you to be so direct in return, and almost immediately you felt the desperation in her rise.

“Actually-!” she spat out, sounding so frantic it made you jump a little. Unable to finish her thought, she took a deep breath and let her body release the tension of her facade.

“Yeah, actually there is,” she admitted, much more softly this time. “Sorry for acting so weird, Sensei. I should just be honest and ask you. What I want to say is hard to put into words, and I don’t have many older women role models in my life that I can talk to about this stuff, you know?”

Your brow twitched a little. Old. She had said old.

“Well, I’m happy to help in any way I can.” You smiled as sweetly as you could for an older woman.

Thankfully Sakura didn’t seem to notice your discomfort, since her gaze had fallen into her lap where her hands sat folded, thumbs dancing over one another nervously. “Well,” she started, “How do you know if a guy is the right one for you? Like, what are things a woman should look for in a good man?” Her eyes flickered up to you, a little shyly. “What do you look for, Y/n Sensei?”

You pondered her question for a long moment, tapping your pen against the open book on your desk. Now that you thought about it, it wasn’t that odd for Sakura to be asking about boys at her age. Still you couldn’t help but feel a little odd dishing out relationship advice to such a young girl who had plenty of other things ahead in her future besides boys.

You dropped your pen down and looked at your student with a soft gaze. “I think it’s less about looking and more about letting the relationship happen naturally, does that make sense?”

Sakura only blinked, so you tried to explain further.

“See, I’ve always heard that when you do finally find the right person, you’ll just know somewhere in your heart. But honestly Sakura, you don’t have to have a boyfriend to be happy.”

Sakura fidgeted in her chair and bit her lip. “I know that,” she said in a voice so small that made it sound like she was trying to convince herself. “But don’t you think it would be nice to have someone special? You know, just to go shopping or out to dinner with sometimes?”

You gave a little shrug, and nodded in cautious agreement. “I suppose,” you said, “But you can do those things yourself. You don’t have to wait for a man to take you to dinner to go to dinner. What are you going to do if the perfect man doesn’t show up? Never go out to dinner, or go with someone you don’t like?”

Sakura stilled. Her expression became puzzled. “Huh... I guess I never thought about it like that.”

As she continued to think about this perspective you asked, “What’s something you’ve always wanted a boy to do for you?”

The question immediately brought a dusty pink blush to Sakura’s pale cheeks. “Oh well, I’ve always thought it was really cute when a man buys his girlfriend flowers!” she giggled. “Not for any reason really, except to say that he really likes her!”

Her romantic spirit was endearing, you had to admit. But if she wanted your honest advice, you were going to give it. “That is cute,” you agreed, but added, “Why wait for a boy though? You like yourself, don’t you? Go buy yourself flowers!”

Sakura’s mouth fell open at the thought, and you gave her a confident reassuring smile. “One day I hope someone special buys you flowers for no reason, Sakura. But until that happens, you can buy them for yourself.”

For a moment, she seemed completely startled at this thought. But as the idea floated around her mind and the more independent part of her personality was awakened, her face began to brighten with a smile of total confidence.

“Yeah!” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. “You’re right, Y/n Sensei! I don’t need a boy to buy me anything, I can do it myself!” She thanked you, and with a newly found pep in her step, she skipped straight to the door.

“Oh! Okay, you’re welcome!” you called after her with a wave. “See you later.”

With this realization that there were so many things she wanted to do for herself, Sakura felt like she was walking on air as she headed down the hallway from your office. It wasn’t until she basically collided with her squad leader -who had been waiting, and listening- that she realized she had completely and totally lost track of the whole conversation. Instantly, she wilted with a sigh.

“Oh man,” she moped, hanging her head. “I failed, didn’t I?”

Kakashi only nodded with a frown. “Yup.”

///

Two of his students had already flopped and now -Kakashi sighed- it was up to Naruto. The most rambunctious and overpowered of his three children. He was worried about the blonde feeling apprehensive after watching Sasuke and Sakura’s inadequacy so he had asked Naruto what his strategy was, to which Naruto happily responded, “You just leave it to me, Sensei!”

Now perched on the corner of a rooftop, Kakashi had no choice but to watch -and judge harshly- as Naruto began his task in the streets of Konoha below.

Any confidence Kakashi was clinging to before, was instantly lost when Naruto sprang towards you in the road, completely cutting you off in your path, and said, “Hey, Y/n Sensei! I’ve got a little proposition for you!”

Startled, you just about dropped the groceries you were carrying into the mud. “Oh, Naruto,” you finally breathed, collecting your lopsided bags. “Hi.”

Naruto wasted no time in getting to his point, nor did he move to help you or let you continue walking home. “Listen, I’m supposed to ask you a few questions, but I know you’re a busy lady so I’ll cut right to the chase. You answer my questions, and I get someone to buy you dinner three times next week! How does that sound?”

Above and out of sight, Kakashi smacked a palm to his forehead. Splitting the bribe maybe wasn’t the worst idea, but Kakashi certainly didn’t like the direction this was headed.

Below him, you finally managed to articulate a little, “Excuse me?” You were just on your way home for the evening with the vegetables you had picked up for dinner, what exactly was he even talking about?

Naruto leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head with a laugh. “I know right, it’s a pretty sweet deal. Okay so tell me, what kind of things do you like in a guy? You know, like, someone you would date?”

Your eyes widened as you stared down at the boy. “What? You too?!” you sputtered, getting the sudden feeling of deja vu. “Naruto, what are you going on about? Why are you supposed to ask me this?”

“Hey, that’s not part of the deal! I’m supposed to be asking the questions!” he scolded, and you couldn’t help but recoil a little at his blatant impoliteness. “So what, is it their eyes? Big muscles maybe? Body hair? What? I don’t know what girls like, what is it?”

He continued to list other things he could think you might be attracted to and your head began to spin so quickly with confusion and annoyance, you felt like it was going to explode. Finally, with a little stamp of your foot to shut him up you asserted, “Naruto, I am not talking about this with you!”

The young boy groaned, “Aw, come on!”

“No!” you stomped again, and this time he sunk down a little with a pout and stepped out of your way. With your chest puffed up, you gave him a curt little nod to say goodnight, and then moved around him.

Just as you passed, you heard Naruto mumble under his breath, “Yeesh, why couldn’t Kakashi Sensei have fallen for someone less crabby…”

Immediately, you froze. Above you, Kakashi choked on the air he was breathing.

It took less than a second for you to start putting the pieces together in your head, and -watching the gears turn in your brain as you figured it all out- Kakashi absolutely debated if he should say his prayers and run now, because Naruto would probably be fine.

“Naruto,” you hissed as you turned back around to face your former student. “Were you assigned to Kakashi’s genin squad after you graduated?”

Naruto, still pouting, didn’t seem to notice the shift in your tone at all or the flame of displeasure that sparkled in your darkening orbs when you looked down at him.

“Yeah, why?” he shrugged, and it was only by some miracle that Kakashi’s soul didn’t leave his body that very moment.

Was this parenting, he wondered? Watching all of your hopes and dreams be dragged down into a deep grave by the very youth you had nurtured, protected and trained to survive in this cruel, cruel world? How poetic.

“And Sauske and Sakura, they’re on your team too?” you clarified, though you were pretty sure you already knew. Sasuke was never as disorganized as he was this morning, and though it hadn’t seemed totally out of the blue, there really was no reason for Sakura to come to you for romantic advice.

In front of you, Naruto shrugged. “Yeah, and what about it?” he asked again, though it was only a moment later that he remembered what the goal of his mission was and said, “Hey wait, I said I’m supposed to be asking the questions! Do we have a deal or what?!”

With a deep frown and a little exhale of exhaustion you turned your back to the young boy again. “Go home Naruto.”

“So you’re not going to tell me-”

“Now!”

Ultimately accepting his defeat, Naruto slumped and shuffled away with another little pout. In the quiet, you were finally able to organize your thoughts.

Kakashi had taken your little invitation seriously, even more so than you had expected honestly, and as you stood there you realized- there wasn’t a single part of you that was mad about it. How could you be? Your biggest fear was opening up to someone who wasn’t going to work with you, and Kakashi had just sent in an entire team (of children to be fair, but it’s what he had) to try and learn more about you.

You couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at the corners of your mouth.

Now that you had found the missing link to all of the weird encounters in your day, you were sure Kakashi wasn’t far away.

“Kakashi, I’m flattered,” you purred in a teasing tone. Biting your lip into a little smirk, you lifted your gaze upwards. Sure enough, the silver-haired man was now standing in front of you on the path with a guilty expression covered mostly by the mask over the lower half of his face.

“Introducing me to the kids so early? That’s risky,” you joked, earning a small smile from the jonin.

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “They are a bit of a handful,” he said, mostly apologetically. Still, you giggled in response, and he was pleased to know that you didn’t seem to mind their terrible attempts to interrogate you too much.

“They’re cute,” you grinned. It had been nice to get to see your previous students all grown up, even if it was in rather odd conversation. “Not very subtle though,” you added.

“It’s a work in progress,” Kakashi sighed with a bit of a tired look. After a moment, his gaze fell back to you and there was an optimistic glimmer in his eye. “So then," he started cautiously, "Does this mean I’ve convinced you? Have you decided that I’m worth more of your time? Or am I still possibly just something you’ll regret in a few months?”

His tone was playful and not at all pressuring, but you still felt a little squeeze of uncertainty in the center of your chest.

You bit the inside of your cheek. “Maybe,” you said honestly. It was a sweet attempt, but you could feel your emotional walls standing firm and you knew you’d have to at least sleep on the thought. Were you really ready to give dating -real dating, with a real person- a chance? You didn’t know, and so instead of a direct answer you stepped forward, placed a gentle hand on the front of Kakashi’s jacket and said, “You’re certainly getting warmer.”

Your gaze danced upwards, locking with his, and Kakashi stilled. The feeling of your hand on his chest, that look of hopeful trust that you gave him- it’s what he had been craving all week. Immediately it caused that flipping feeling in his stomach and the rapid fluttering of his heart. It started all of the ailments he had so desperately been seeking a cure for, only this time, he didn’t want them to stop. He heard Pakkun's voice in his head asking once again, 'Is she really worth it?' He still couldn’t explain why, but when you finally moved away leaving a cold spot on his chest, he knew the answer was yes.

Giving one final little glance in his direction you cooed, “Goodnight, Kakashi," and winked.

As you drifted out of the lights of the shops and into the night -your hips swaying in a playful way that he couldn’t help but notice- Kakashi completely agreed that all over his body, he did feel much warmer.

///

“Well, you all failed,” Kakashi remarked bluntly when he and his team were back together again the next day. “But I don’t really know what I expected, honestly.”

It wasn’t as if Kakashi had really anticipated any of the three would achieve perfection (he wouldn’t have bet his wallet if that was the case), but he wasn’t expecting them to do so poorly either. He was feeling less concerned about his own situation after seeing you the night before, but it didn’t at all make him feel better about his students' terrible performance. He certainly wasn’t thinking one of them would be so careless as to blow his cover entirely.

“Naruto,” Kakashi scolded, turning to the boy mostly at fault for that. “You completely disregarded the purpose of this exercise.” Naruto was sitting on the ground with his knees pulled into his chest and an angry pout on his lips. “If you’re going to make a direct approach like that, it better be good. That was terrible.”

Naruto only groaned in response, and Kakashi turned to the one female member of his young team. Honestly, she was the only one who had come remotely close to gathering information, but ultimately she still failed. “Sakura, she completely dominated that conversation and manipulated the direction of your questions. If this were a real mission, that situation could have been a lot more dangerous.”

Sakura sighed, moaning a little “Yeah, I know,” in return.

Finally, Kakashi turned to the last member of his team. “And Sasuke,” he started, “What was that, exactly?”

Sasuke clicked his tongue and turned away.

“I guess that just means you’ll all have to train extra hard today,” Kakashi concluded, and the three genin weren’t happy about it. Even Sasuke’s terrible performance review wasn’t enough to give Naruto comfort now. The boy stretched out with an irritated growl.

“Man, I don’t get why you’re hounding us so much when we haven’t seen her in two years!” he argued. “If you want to know so much about her, why don’t you ask Iruka Sensei?”

Kakashi frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s entirely beside the point Naruto. This was still a test of strategy and you all blew it,” he said firmly with a nod. Though after he made his point, he straightened and added, “But tell me, why should I ask Iruka?” He did still have to figure out something to do to woo you.

Naruto rolled his eyes. “Uuuh maybe because they hang out together like every single day working on some boring project? Duh.” He said it like it was the most obvious answer the world, and he stuck his tongue out just to make extra sure that Kakashi knew he thought he was being stupid. “I haven’t seen him in days because he’s always so busy,” Naruto added as a mopey afterthought.

Kakashi sat with this new information for a long moment, before a tiny little flame of an idea sparked inside the back of his head. Honestly he did feel stupid for not thinking of it before. It was so obvious.

Kakashi was definitely still learning how to do this whole getting-a-girl-to-talk-to-him thing, but finally it seemed he was at least (maybe) headed in the right direction. And this time, he had a strategy all his own.

Chapter Text

There was a different energy in your step when you walked to work the following morning; something cheerful and pleasant. Maybe it was how warm the sun felt on your skin, or how fresh the air smelled when you breathed. You could almost taste it on your tongue when you took a large inhale. It was so refreshing, and the happiness it brought continued with you throughout your day. It certainly didn’t go unnoticed by those surrounding you at the academy.

“Y/n Sensei, you look really pretty today!” Yes, you had also thought you looked quite nice when you checked your hair in the mirror that morning.

“Y/n Sensi, you keep smiling like you’re thinking about something happy!” Yes, because you were happy. Very much so, although it was admittedly hard to put your finger on why.

Now that you had all but abandoned Anko’s duplicitous dating advice, you noticed a significant decrease in your stress levels. Although your feelings for Kakashi Hatake were still a bit of a tangled string -one that you had put off addressing- there was something much more intriguing about the enigma of dating than there had been before. Without her silly rules, it didn’t seem so complicated. Maybe it even could be… fun? Either way, it was certainly possible that some of this sudden intrigue was rooted in your newly improved spirits. Though, that still didn’t explain what had caused the shift.

There was the success of your project at work. That was a possibility. It was progressing favorably and at an exceedingly faster rate than you had expected it to, now that you had the assistance of your colleague. Arguably, Iruka brought even more tangible information to the project than you did since he had more experience with the village’s educational curriculum. All the same, together you made an effective team and you knew you’d have to treat him to a lot of dinners in order to repay him for the help he had provided you so far.

Still, was that really what had you feeling so... giddy? A little voice in your head suggested it was more likely something to do with the silver-haired ninja you had seen last night. He had been at the forefront of your mind almost all evening.

You had to shake the thoughts from your head throughout the day though, because questioning why such a good mood had been gifted to you was not something you wanted to waste on deciphering. Instead you turned your optimistic energy towards your work and towards your students, who were noticeably grateful for the extra attention.

“Today was fun! Thanks, Y/n Sensei,” one of the youngest had said to you as he hugged your leg. “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow! Bye!” He waved to you with a toothy grin and ran out of the yard to head home for the evening.

Standing beside you, Iruka smiled. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him that excited for school,” he noted as you both waved. “What have you been teaching them?”

“Nothing too different,” you smiled. “I just thought I’d try and make today a little more fun and I guess it paid off.”

Together you both turned and headed back inside the building to your desks. Each was stacked high with books, notes, and assignments in need of grading that had been pushed off as a result of all your extra research.

“Actually, a few things did come up today that gave me some ideas,” you said, taking a seat behind the stacks of parchment at your desk. “Were you able to get the information from the village records that we talked about yesterday?”

“Oh, yes.” Iruka nodded and plucked a scroll from the disorganized pile. “I wasn’t able to get all of it, but hopefully this will help.” He handed the rolled paper to you.

“I’m sure it’ll be perfect. Are you ready to get started? We don’t have to stay as late tonight. I know it’s been a lot of work, and I do appreciate all of your help. So, thank you.”

Iruka flushed. “Oh, it’s nothing! Really, I’m happy to assist,” he said. Though despite his cheery tone, he was hesitant. Your appreciation suddenly had him feeling guilty for what he was going to say next. “But actually, I promised Naruto I’d take him out for ramen tonight. It’s been awhile, and I guess he’s getting impatient with me.”

“Oh.” You tried to hide the way your nose crinkled at the mention of the young boy, since your last conversation with him had been such a confrontational one. Trying to soften, you said, “That’s alright, don’t worry about it. I’m sure I can manage on my own for the evening.”

Your coworker’s eyes immediately widened, and his hands came up in an apologetic wave.

“Oh no, I couldn’t leave you to do all this work alone!” he exclaimed and your own expression formed one of surprise. “Actually, someone asked me if they could help out. They have more experience in the field than I do and I think they’ll have a lot of the information you’ve been looking for. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to replace me afterwards.” Iruka chuckled warmly, but it didn’t soothe the bout of agita that suddenly swirled in your stomach.

You didn’t need to be told a name, or hear a voice, or see the face half-hidden by a mask and a shinobi headband; you knew exactly who was entering your room when you heard the door slide open on it’s tracks.

“Oh, Kakashi! Perfect timing,” Iruka greeted pleasantly.

Your only salutation to the jonin was the opening and then closing of your jaw when you found that the butterflies flapping in your belly had rendered you entirely speechless.

“Hello,” Kakashi greeted warmly, filling the space in conversation you had failed to.

“You two have met before, haven’t you?” Iruka asked, simply clarifying if he was expected to conduct polite introductions or not.

Kakashi’s smiling gaze fell to you. “We have!” he said pleasantly. Too pleasantly, maybe. He gave no indication to Iruka what exactly that meeting had looked like.

“Great, then I’ll leave you to it,” Iruka stated. “Thanks again for offering your insight, Kakashi. You’re in good hands with Y/n. She’ll make you put that smart head of yours to use.”

“Oh, I’m sure she will.” Kakashi grinned. “Have a nice night!”

The two waved to each other, and Iruka slid the door shut behind him as he left. The soft ‘click’ of the latch echoed throughout the now quiet room.

You weren’t really sure what to say when Kakashi turned back to you with a rather pleased expression, but when he plopped down in a seat across from you and asked what he could do to help, you finally found your words.

“Are you... messing with me right now?”

There wasn’t any malice in your voice. It was hardly even an accusation. You had every reason to be skeptical after the shenanigans he had roped you into the day before so -rightfully so- you were curious if this was a similar situation or not.

Kakashi responded with equal genuineness. “I am not,” he said, pulling a book from the stack on your desk and flipping through it casually. As he looked over the contents he realized he actually had no idea what exactly you were working on here. Good thing you were the one in charge.

You pursed your lips, still a little unsure.

“So, you really want to help me do research then?” you asked. The question sounded silly coming out of your mouth, since he was clearly sitting in front of you, ready to work, and had already put his own reputation on the line by going to Iruka.

Kakashi seemed to agree that the question was a little silly. His gaze didn’t lift from the bound pages in his lap when he said, “I do.”

You had to sit with the answer for a moment. You could feel something stirring inside you, something that felt like resistance. It wasn’t a new feeling; you felt it each time Kakashi took a step that moved him emotionally -and physically- closer to you. It was the feeling that made you push him away, and tell him he had to convince you that he was not a waste of your time. As you took the moment to sit with this feeling, you started to wonder if these emotions were hurting you more than they were helping you.

“Does this have anything to do with...us?” you finally asked, cautiously.

It was what you had been thinking since he arrived, and you knew you wouldn’t be able to move on until you had talked it out. Though, you weren’t exactly sure what you were hoping to hear as an answer.

Your voice was soft when you spoke, but the words still brought Kakashi’s eyes forward, a curious sparkle in them.

“Well now that’s an interesting question,” he said, covering the playfulness of his tone with a feigned bit of curiosity. He snapped the book in his lap shut. “What do you mean by us?”

He sounded like he was teasing and you immediately rolled your eyes. Maybe you shouldn’t have said anything at all.

“Oh come on, Kakashi. You know what I meant.” After everything, you really didn’t feel like you needed to explain yourself.

Kakashi placed the book back on the desk and shook his head.

“You give me too much credit.” He spoke casually, but when his gaze found yours again you realized just how serious he was. “Since the start of this, I haven’t understood you at all.”

You blinked. Somehow, that surprised you.

“Still, the fact that you just asked me if my being here to help you has anything to do with us, implies that you recognize there is an us to talk about. I suppose it’s nice to know I’m actually on to something, and not completely crazy. Helping out with this project was my own idea after all.”

Kakashi smiled, quite pleased with himself. He didn't need to mention that it was technically Naruto's comment that helped him realize it.

“You thought to help me with this?” you inquired breathily. You couldn’t help but soften your curious and skeptical expression in response. Something about that made you feel warm inside; it made you feel seen and heard. This project was, without a doubt, the most important thing to you right now, and Kakashi was wanting to be a part of it.

Kakashi laughed sheepishly. “Well, you told me to impress you! What better way to do that than show off how smart I am~”

“Oh my god, Kakashi,” you had to mask your laugh with a sigh, but Kakashi wasn’t done yet.

“But, I also figured that helping you with the project you were most passionate about would be the best way to get to know you,” he added, very genuinely. “It’s true that whether or not this project of yours succeeds has no reflection on me -nor does it impact my job- so you’re right to be skeptical. But still, it is something that's important to you, isn’t it?”

Yes it was. You had told him all about it, and he had remembered that.

You nodded slowly, and Kakashi smiled with a grin that extended an offering of peace.

“Then, all joking aside, it is something I can help with. I want to.”

The fluttering in your stomach quickened.

Regardless of the fact that you had yet to address your current willingness to actually date the man across from you, you couldn’t deny that you had a lot of work to do for this project, and that a well trained and highly experienced jonin like Kakashi could offer an incredible amount of insight.

You bit your lip, thinking it over. You knew that if you turned Kakashi’s help away, it would only be because of your emotional walls. He was right in front of you, being honest and sweet. You wanted to ask him how he could do that. How could he so blindly put his trust in you like this? And if he could, why couldn’t you?

You knew that if you turned Kakashi away, you would have no one to blame but yourself for all the consequences you’d face: the extra work you and Iruka would have to suffer through in the nights to come, and feelings of regret for keeping him at arm’s length once again.

“I’ve got a lot of questions, you know? So you can’t bail on me, even if you get tired.”

Your warning came in a bit of a playful tone this time, and Kakashi smiled.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he said. That was the truth too; there wasn’t anywhere else he wanted to be other than right there with you.

You shuffled some papers around your desk, stacked a few extra books and notepads to the side, and then rolled out the scroll Iruka had given you on the cleared tabletop.

“Alright then,” you said to Kakashi, who leaned forward and granted you his full attention. “Let’s get started.”

If you were being really honest with yourself, you would have to admit that as much as you were unsure, there was an equal amount of excitement for Kakashi’s warm company.

///

It seemed that when you were with Kakashi, time passed just a little faster, just a little easier, than usual. It was the same way the night you met; time wasn’t something that needed to be worried about. There wasn’t too much of it, or too little. Being in the moment was just right.

Minutes looking through research turned into hours of swapping stories. Before you knew it, you were sharing a takeout dinner spread out over a messy desk.

It was easy to get distracted with Kakashi, since you felt so free talking about whatever seemed to want to roll off your tongue. You caught yourself wondering what had changed, only to remember that this was the first time since you had met the silver-haired ninja that there were no expectations. No silly rules put in place by your friends. No plans to make someone jealous, or discover their secret interests. It was just two people, sharing space.

And you enjoyed that.

Kakashi was disciplined enough to turn his attention back to the work at hand when needed (which you appreciated). Even with all of your talking, you were able to make a lot of progress. Kakashi’s contributions to the project were more valuable than you had imagined and -just as you had thought the night you met him- he was quite the gentleman, and never overshadowed your perspective with his own. He was, after all, still trying to impress you. Perhaps it was working.

As the light from the window started to fade and you had to opt for the lamp at your desk instead, you found yourself selfishly wanting more of Kakashi’s time. You knew it would be a lie to say that was only because of the work he was doing.

When you suggested dinner, Kakashi seemed surprised but he didn’t turn you down. He didn’t miss the opportunity to joke about it being a date either, which you dismissed by insisting you would pay only as a thank you for all of his help.

Even after your desk had been cleared of takeout boxes for a few hours, you seemed in no rush to leave or shoo him out, so Kakashi offered to make tea to help you through the yawns you kept insisting were normal. Kakashi had no objections to coming back tomorrow instead of pushing through the night, but for his own selfish reasons, he wasn’t exactly excited to break the space you two had created either. The two of you were in a snow globe: a perfect scene of contentment, kept safely in your own world. Telling you to go home would be like shattering the glass.

Still, it was pretty clear to Kakashi that you needed the rest, even despite your dismissiveness when he politely mentioned that you seemed to be spacing out more and more. He eyed the clock in the staff kitchen as he poured tea from the kettle. Both hands of the clock were facing upwards; it was even later than he had thought.

Kakashi decided he would suggest picking the project back up another night, once he got back to your room. Taking the two cups in his hands, Kakashi headed back down the hall. He approached the door to your office and slid the screen open with his foot. He stepped in, but then quickly placed his toe back on the track when he saw your head resting in your arms, and your eyes shut. He caught the door just before it slammed closed.

Kakashi smiled, feeling a little smug about being right (even though he wasn’t going to say it). Your arms were crossed over an open book, flattening the center pages to the spine. Your cheek was nestled into the folded fabric of your shirt, and your back rose and fell in gentle hills with your soft breathing.

Kakashi set the two tea cups down on the table. You didn’t even rustle when the little clink echoed across the surface of the wood. You had probably planned to just rest your eyes until he got back, but the sleep was quick to take over after so much reading. He debated if he should wake you, but his immediate concern was that you might deny your sleepiness all over again and insist you had another hour left in you.

Instead, Kakashi silently shrugged off his vest and moved to drape it over your shoulders softly. He would stay with you while you slept a little longer. It probably wouldn’t get too late before you woke up and realized just how good of an idea going home actually was.

As the green fabric settled over you, Kakashi’s hands fell to your shoulder softly to secure it to you so it wouldn’t slip off. He turned to step away, but was surprised when your soft hand latched onto his and puled it back to stay. You pressed his fingers against you, cupping them with your own.

You didn’t say anything. Kakashi assumed you didn't know what to say, because you weren't sure how to put your feelings into words. When the tips of your fingers intertwined with his, arching over the curve of your shoulder, he knew you were giving yourself a moment to be vulnerable. You could have pulled away, or swatted him off and dropped the jacket to the floor, but instead you held him there, and your fingers fell into his easily.

“You should get some real sleep,” Kakashi suggested after a long moment, though he almost immediately regretted breaking the comfortable silence. “I’ll walk you home.”

You weren’t in any rush to move. Instead your hand seemed to be pulling him closer. It felt like a request. A request that he stay and keep allowing you to feel as safe as you did in that moment.

Your eyes opened, looking at Kakashi’s fingers that you had pulled downwards, closer to your face for you to observe.

“Doesn’t it scare you?” you asked.

Your voice was so soft that Kakashi almost didn’t catch it.

“Does what scare me?” he asked, after a moment. He didn’t want to make any assumptions.

Your face twisted into a little frown. It was similar to one a child would make when they were thinking hard about something new. Maybe about something they were learning.

“Opening up to someone,” you clarified. “Letting a total stranger -someone like me- into your life. Spending time with someone who might just leave in the end... Doesn’t that scare you?”

Your eyes stayed focused on the tips of his fingers, deeply lost in your own thoughts.

“Since that night we met, you’ve always seemed so confident. Even when I was a total idiot and tried to push you away. How are you so brave?”

Kakashi’s heart fluttered. Was that really what you thought of him? He knew he hadn’t allowed you to see the emotions that occurred behind his mask yet. He knew you hadn’t heard his confusion in his conversations with Asuma. But he hadn’t realized that he was giving an impression that so drastically contradicted the way he had been feeling.

He took a step closer to you.

“You’re still giving me too much credit,” he said with a soft smile you couldn’t see but you could hear. He wrapped your hand in his, holding it in a solid grip. “I’m terrified.”

The honesty of his words struck you, and your eyes widened with a bit of realization. You had just assumed you were the only one dealing with the uncomfortable butterflies and the annoying skipped heart beats. But in reality Kakashi did understand what you had been feeling, he was just better at hiding it. He knew how to be terrified and not let it stop him from going after the things he wanted.

“Kakashi?” you asked, after a moment of just allowing him to hold your hand in his.

“Hm?” he prompted, a soft thumb brushing over the tops of your knuckles.

“Why me?”

It wasn’t the question Kakashi had been expecting. Even you were surprised you had managed to ask it, though it had been sitting at the front of your mind for a while now.

“Anko told me you’ve never really been interested in other girls before,” you explained. “You’ve got picky taste or something.”

Kakashi chuckled, throwing in a short, “I don’t know if that’s it,” before you continued.

“Why go through all this trouble, just for me? You didn’t have to. You didn’t have to talk to me ever again.”

It was a fair question, and Kakashi had considered it himself already. What was it all for? Asuma had hinted at it too. Even Pakkun had asked if this -you- were worth all the effort. To hear the question from you though, sat heavy on Kakashi’s heart.

“To be honest,” he spoke slowly. You seemed to be hanging on the edge of your seat in fearful anticipation. “I don’t know.”

Your shoulders stiffened and Kakashi noticed. Before you could reverse your question, pull away from him and tell him to forget it, he continued.

“But I just have this feeling that I would regret it if I didn’t try,” he said softly.

That was the truth. His truth. Whether or not he could actually explain it, you deserved to know it.

You sat still for a long moment. Kakashi was content to leave it at that, and he was just about to offer again to walk you home when you stirred in your seat.

“Kakashi?” you asked again.

He hummed in encouraging response. “Yes?”

You tightened your hand around his, interlocking your fingers completely. Taking a deep inhale, your eyes fell shut. Emotions were swirling within you like a vicious typhoon, pulling you in every single direction as the words you were trying to speak clung to the tip of your tongue. You knew it would be uncomfortable, but all you had to do was push through the storm.

Your eyes fluttered open, and over your shoulder your gaze met with Kakashi’s. There was a gleam in your e/c orbs that he could only describe as cautious, but resilient. It left him frozen, his own breath caught in his throat.

Then, with a patient exhale, you threw all your chips on the table.

“Do you want to go on a date with me?”

Chapter Text

“Hold on, you’re going on a date? ” 

“Yes.”

“A date?”

You sighed but didn’t look away from your reflection in the full-length mirror. “Anko, please. We don’t have to make a big deal out of this.” 

The woman sitting behind you practically choked. “We talked about laying low only a week ago, how did you end up with a date?” 

You played with some strands of your hair, setting them into place. You felt your heartbeat quicken a bit at the question. 

“He impressed me…” you admitted softly. 

Anko groaned and dropped onto the bed. “Dammit, I’ve lost you,” she moped. “Kakashi Hatake wins again. What is it about that guy?”

Satisfied with your appearance, you finally turned to your friend sprawled out like a leaf on your bed. “It’s just a date – one date,” you told her, grabbing the few items you took with you when you left the house and dropping them into a bag. “We’re just going to see how it goes. This isn’t a competition,” you reminded her.

She crossed her arms. “Oh, you don’t think so? Did you forget about Asuma’s little scheme at the bar?” 

You inhaled sharply. “No,” you tried to say calmly. That had been a pretty uncomfortable night. The exact kind of uncomfortable you were not interested in dealing with just for the benefits of a partnership. But this was different. That was messy, silly, miscommunication. It was games and egos tangled into a giant mess. This was just two people who felt happy around each other setting aside a specific time to be around one another. A date. One date. You raised a brow in Anko’s direction. “Should I remind you of your schemes at the bar?” 

She waved a hand at you. “Necessary strategies for the mission,” she corrected and you couldn’t help but laugh a little. 

“Well you can stand down now.”

She smiled, softening. “I’m happy for you, really,” she said. You sat down on the bed at her feet. “I just know how much you protect your heart.” 

You placed a gentle hand on hers. “Thank you,” you said. Despite the mess, her compassion was warming.

She gave your fingers a gentle squeeze before sitting up quickly, her expression suddenly returning to one of fierce determination. 

“But if I get even a whiff of Asuma’s funny business, I’ll start swinging. You got that?”

If she was trying to protect you, why did that sound like such a threat?!

“Okay,” you smiled. You never had been able to change Anko’s unconventional tactics. That much had become very clear over the past few weeks.

///

“Hold on, she asked you out?” 

“Yes.”

“ Really? ”

Asuma scratched his beard with two fingers, clearly lost in thought about the whole situation Kakashi had just spelled out for him very clearly. At least, he thought so. Kakashi only nodded and returned his attention to his book. 

Asuma pulled a cigarette from his pocket and stuck it between his lips. “You want my honest opinion?” he asked. 

Kakashi didn’t look up from the pages. “No.”

Asuma replaced the pack of smokes in his hand with a lighter. He flicked the metal, igniting it. “Sounds like Anko’s up to something again,” he said anyway. Kakashi dropped the novel into his lap with his hands and exhaled a small sigh. “Maybe,” he hummed, though he really didn’t think that at all. But it didn’t matter, because then he added, “And so what if she is? I just wanted to take (Y/n) on a proper date, and now I get to.” 

Asuma eyed his friend carefully, taking a long drag of the cigarette between his teeth as he lit it. He caught the longing glimmer in Kakashi’s eye. 

“Well damn,” Asuma smirked, and dropped a hard hand onto Kakashi’s back. “You really do have it bad.” 

Kakashi coughed and leaned down to pick up his book, which had flown from his grip at Asuma’s powerful pat.  

Asuma leaned back against the bench and stretched his arms high over his head. “It’s exciting right?” he asked the silver-haired jonin who only looked back at him curiously. Asuma clarified, “Falling in love.” 

Kakashi raised a brow inquisitively in an attempt to keep his expression from fully revealing how much that statement had caught him off guard. “Who said anything about that?” he said casually. “It’s just one date.” 

Asuma chuckled in a way that bordered on cackling. 

“Kakashi, I’ve never seen you work so hard for something that wasn’t assigned to you on a scroll and classified ‘ S ’.” 

Kakashi looked over to Asuma, then away. He might have had a point there. Kakashi had been driving himself absolutely crazy trying to figure out why he was so invested in something that usually would have seemed so trivial. 

“I’m happy for you,” Asuma said, and Kakashi knew it was genuine. He nodded in a way to say thank you, but Asuma was already chomping on his cigarette again with a determined look in his eye. “But if I find out that Anko’s playing games again, I’m not backing down.” 

Kakashi blinked. “Right.” 

As irritating as all the meddling and rules and games had been, Kakashi supposed he should feel lucky to have people in his life that wanted to see him happy. So much so that they were willing to make a fool out of themselves (and him) to do it. 

At that moment however, Kakashi just felt lucky that he was going to get to spend more time with you. 

///

You had planned to meet Kakashi in town rather than either of your apartments, and he promised himself he would not be late. 

“Evening,” he greeted you cheerily at exactly 7:00pm.

The nerves had been ebbing and flowing in your gut all day, but now, as he walked towards you in a crowd of shoppers and other villagers on their nights out, the anxiety was flaring in your belly.

But this time, you welcomed it. 

“Hey,” you responded with a gentle smile, hushing the butterflies that flapped wildly in your belly. 

Kakashi stopped just a few feet in front of you. Had you ever noticed how tall he was? It felt like he loomed over you, but it was still so calming. Like the shade of a willow tree or a cloud blocking the sun on a hot day. 

You could see the gentle smile beneath his mask. “Ready?” he asked, and he offered you his arm, just like he had that first night you met. 

Your words caught in your throat so you only nodded. It felt nice to wrap your arm around his, to be just a little closer. Even with so many other people around you felt as if it were just you two. 

The two of you had planned dinner and a movie, a classic first date. It was possibly so cliche that you should have opted for something else. But in so much chaos, following the script felt good. Perhaps it was even a relief. Neither you or Kakashi had to think too hard about the evening, or make big gestures – you had done enough of that. 

As you and Kakashi turned the corner towards the restaurant you were planning to go to, you took comfort in knowing this night was just going to be simple .

…

“Oh dear.” 

Oh dear indeed. 

“That’s… not good.” 

No it was not. 

There was smoke. So much smoke. It coated the entire street in a dark haze. You could see the clouds pouring out the windows and doors of a restaurant: the restaurant you were headed to. The patrons were exiting, and other shoppers were clearing the street coughing and hiding their faces under the fabric of their shirts. 

“Do you think they need help?” The smog had already started to burn your eyes. It smelled like a barbeque and not like a campfire which was good; it probably meant the building itself hadn’t burned. And the way most of the people passing you seemed irritated, not panicked, gave insight into the situation. 

You wiped the tears from your reddening eyes and you felt Kakashi’s arm stable you. Then, a man stepped out of the smoky restaurant and began waving a large rag at the clouds.

“Everything is fine, nothing to see here. Move along!” he hollered at the few people that had gathered right around where you and Kakashi were standing, also starring. “Just a small grease fire, nothing to worry about. But we’re closed. Go on now, things will be fine by tomorrow.” 

With no point in sticking around, Kakashi turned you back the way you had come and led you to a smokefree spot on the other side of the street. You both took a few deep breaths of clean air before catching each other's gazes and smiling. 

“I know it doesn’t make any sense,” you started, still coughing out a bit of smoke from your lungs, “but in a weird way I feel like we caused that.” 

Kakashi shook his head as if he were accepting defeat. “It does.” You felt his hand rest against your shoulder as he looked into your watering eyes. “Are you alright?” 

You nodded. “Oh yeah.” You stood straight, and suddenly noticed the hunger growing in your belly. “We’ll have to pick somewhere else quickly though, if we still want to make the movie.”

Kakashi looked away, thinking. You hummed for a moment, trying to come up with an idea too. Then, you both seemed to be thinking the same thing.

“There’s always Ichiraku’s,” you offered with a smile. It wasn’t the new place you had planned on, but it was reliable. And maybe, just what you needed. 

Kakashi nodded, a satisfied sparkle in his eye. “That sounds great.”

Ichiraku’s was only a couple blocks away from where you had begun the night, so the walk was quick. When you sat down at the counter, the shopkeeper greeted you both warmly before taking your orders. 

You turned to Kakashi as you waited for your food. “I might have missed this place the most when I was traveling,” you said, allowing the conversation to pick-up wherever your train of thought was. Kakashi made it easy to do that. “Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of really good meals, but never anything as good as this.” 

He watched you with interest in his gaze, smiling under his mask. “That’s high praise.”

You looked around the store, reminiscing on the afternoons and evenings spent there in your past. “Sometimes I wonder if I only think that because it’s home.” You spoke almost dreamily. “You get that, don’t you? It can be really fun to travel to new places and see new things, but it’s always nice to come home.”

Your sweet voice brought a warmth to his chest. 

He looked as if he were about to say something, maybe ask you for more details about your travels just so he could hear you talk.

But whatever he wanted to say was lost in a loud, familiar shout from behind you both. 

“Huuuhh!?”

No. Oh no.

“No way! Kakashi sensei, did you actually get (Y/n) Sensei to go on a date with you!?”

Neither of you needed to turn to know who it was.  

Naruto plopped himself down beside you, only one stool over. “Guess you finally figured out what she liked. I’m still surprised your hair wasn’t enough to scare her away though…”

You heard Kakashi let out a deep dejected sigh beside you. Naruto ordered his food and informed the chef he might need two bowls instead of one, but he’d let him know. 

In an attempt to keep the peace, you turned to the boy and used your softest, sweetest tone to address him. “Naruto, we were actually in the middle of a conversation.” 

His eyes widened and he put his hands on the counter to stop spinning in his chair. “Oh yeah, right!” He put a finger over his mouth, a bright toothy smile grinning behind it. “You won’t even know I’m here. Promise!” 

You thanked him and turned back to Kakashi. Only a moment later, bowls of warm broth and noodles that smelled delicious were placed in front of you. As you reached for your chopsticks, you noticed Kakashi was not picking up his and was instead still focused on something over your shoulder.

You followed his gaze and locked eyes with Naruto, who was still staring intently at the two of you. You were just about to reprimand him when he spoke up instead.

“ Pssst, (Y/n) Sensei,” he whispered, and made a motion with his hand telling you to lean closer as if he was going to tell you some sort of secret.

Against your better judgment, you leaned over.

“What do you see in Kakashi Sensei, I gotta know?” he asked.

You instantly leaned away. “Naruto, I already told you I’m not going to talk about this with you.”

His eyes widened and then he leaned forward and continued to whisper as if Kakashi wasn’t one stool away from you and could probably hear everything he was saying anyways.

“Wait, I mean it! How do you see anything? He always has that mask on and his headband covers his eye! Do you even know what his face looks like?” 

You rolled your eyes, and whispered back only to avoid being rude. Though you realized how rude it probably was just to be whispering on a date at all.

“Of course I do, Naruto,” you said assertively. “We went-” 

You had to stop yourself. You were going to say that you had gone out to get drinks with him, and you knew he ordered something. You knew he drank it. He had to eat and drink sometimes. But, you couldn’t remember actually seeing his face.

Naruto noticed the uncertainty rippling through your brow. “Mmhmmm, see what I’m saying?” 

You waved a hand dismissively. “No, I probably just don’t remember,” you said as certainly as you could. “We’re about to eat dinner together, so I’m sure I’ll-” 

“Order up, Naruto!” The chef dropped Naruto’s steaming bowl of ramen in front of him, cutting off your reasoning. 

Naruto’s attention was cut off from you as well. “Alright!” He was already drooling at the sight of his noodles. “This looks so good.” 

Whatever, this was silly anyways. You definitely just didn’t remember seeing his face. It was dark that night. And the bar you had been in was dimly lit too. You turned back to Kakashi, shaking it off. This was just another distraction in what was supposed to be a simple night out-

“That was wonderful.”

You blinked at Kakashi’s empty bowl. The girl behind the counter cleared it smiling. 

“Wait, you’re already done?”

Kakashi looked up at you. “Hm? Oh I guess that was pretty fast,” he laughed a little sheepishly. “So good, though.” 

You knew the man was different. All of your colleagues who knew him, or had actually been able to witness him on a mission, simply gawked at what a talented and unique person the Kakashi Hatake was. 

But this felt comically inhuman. 

You took a deep breath, trying to clear your head. That was something you’d have to mull over at a different time. 

While Kakashi and you chatted lightly, you slurped up your own ramen happily – and at a normal pace for a person. Just as you were chasing the last few noodles swimming in the broth with your chopsticks, Naruto hopped down from his bench beside you and offered you and Kakashi a very loud goodnight. 

Before he left the shop, he tugged on the sleeve of your shirt pulling your ear towards him to whisper something again. 

“Keep your eyes on him, (Y/n) Sensei. He’s way cooler than he looks. You never know what he’ll do!” 

With a gentle smile, you waved Naruto goodnight as he walked out of the shop.

“We should get going too, if we’re going to make our movie on time,” Kakashi said beside you. You agreed. When you reached for your wallet, Kakashi held up his hand and offered a few bills to the chef behind the counter instead. 

Your stomach did a little flip. You had actually planned on paying, since you had been the one to ask Kakashi out. But somehow it didn’t surprise you that Kakashi was the kind of guy to insist on covering the tab this time.

Just as you both stood to leave, the man behind the counter cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh, Naruto actually said you would be covering his bill as well.”

Both yours and Kakashi’s eyes widened. They got even bigger when you noticed the four bowls stacked on top of each other where he had been sitting. Kakashi groaned but pulled out a few more coins anyways. 

The man only wrinkled his nose at them. “Well actually,” he started, clearly uncomfortable. “Naruto implied you would settle his whole tab for this week. He said that you had some sort of  deal? And said that ‘since you were on the date with the pretty lady’ he must have helped out somehow.”

You couldn’t help the bit of warmth that flooded your cheeks , but your heart went out to Kakashi who looked all but deflated as he emptied his pockets out for the chef, and started counting bills. 

///

“I guess that was my fault for bribing them in the first place,” Kakashi sighed as you both stepped into the movie theater. Covering all of Naruto’s owed meals took a bit of time to math out, so you and Kakashi had to practically run to the theater to avoid being locked out of the show. 

Thankfully, you entered the theater just as the lights were starting to dim. “It’s fine,” you said to Kakashi, who did look rather guilty for making you high-tail it halfway across the village. “Made it just in time.” 

The previews began to roll, and you silently pointed out to Kakashi that there were still a few seats available together a few rows up. Just as you started walking towards the back of the theater, you heard a loud sniffle and a… sob? 

“Sssh!”

Whoever made the noise apologized. You didn’t think much of it until a moment later, just as you almost reached the seats that you heard another croak of what sounded like someone uncomfortably holding back tears. 

A few people in your aisle shushed the person again. You located them just a few seats further down in the row when they squeaked their apologies before going back to sniffling. 

You squinted, trying to see through the dark who the person was, and why on earth they were crying at the start of the movie. 

You pulled gently on Kakashi’s sleeve and pointed down the row. “Is that Sakura?” you whispered. And when she snuffled again you both knew it was your young student. 

You shuffled down the row, saying excuse me to people as you passed, until you found her sitting at the other end of the theater. She sat alone, with two seats on either side of her. 

You kneeled down and greeted the girl gently. “Hey, Sakura. What’s wrong?”

Her eyes were glistening when she looked up at you. “Oh, hi (Y/n) Sensei! Nothing’s wrong, I’m just taking myself to the movies!” She laughed a little, but it sounded forced. 

You looked at the empty chairs on either side of her. “Are you alone?” you asked her. 

That was a mistake. 

She bit her quivering lower lip until another muffled squeak broke from her throat again. The people in the row shushed her once more.

“I was going to ask Sasuke to come, but then I thought about what you said, (Y/n) sensei. And so I decided to come to the theater alone. But it’s not fun and I feel so lame .” She told you all this in a tone that was somehow both sad and furious. 

You peaked over your shoulder to where Kakashi was still standing behind you, thankfully not blocking anyone’s view. He only shrugged. Or maybe he was saying, I just covered Naruto’s tab. You can take this one. 

You placed a comforting hand on Sakura’s shoulder, and gently shushed her before someone else in the row could. After a moment of breathing in and out like you instructed, her eyes met yours again. She wiped away the tears lining her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Did you come alone too, Sensei?” she asked. 

Uh oh. 

It felt like you had been punched in the chest. 

“Well, no actually-” 

You tried to speak carefully and quietly, but with the tears now gone from her eyes she suddenly noticed the man standing just behind you.  

“Huuuuh!?”

Oh dear.

“You’re with Kakashi sensei?! You mean you two are actually out on a date!? Oh my god, this is so embarrassing.”

“ Ssshh! ”

The tears were already building again. 

“Sakura,” you started gently, offering sympathetic looks to the people in the theater who kept sending nasty glares your way. “Should we go outside?”

Her fingers balled into fists at her side. “Why? I’m fine,” she said, as if she was trying to convince herself just as much as she was trying to convince you. “I’m totally fine and I’m definitely not crying because I’m alone.” The tears dripping down her cheeks betrayed her. But at least she wasn’t sniffling anymore. 

You looked to Kakashi again and this time, you were the one feeling a bit guilty for what you were about to say next. 

“Well, the theater is pretty full,” you said to the girl, still trying to keep your tone at a whisper. “Is it alright if we sit with you?” 

Sakura looked to you, then to Kakashi, and then at the two empty seats beside her. Then, her eyes seemed to instantly dry. 

“Yes, of course!” 

You would have thought you were an angel the way she looked at you then, just grateful that she didn’t have to be alone. She settled happily into her chair, and with a quick glance at each other, you both did the same taking a seat on either side of the girl. You sat down just in time for the movie to start. 

///

The evening air had cooled significantly by the time you exited the theater. Despite how happy she was that she didn’t have to watch the movie alone, Sakura had no interest in being spotted with you and Kakashi afterwards, and bid you both a swift goodnight before running off. 

“‘I’ll take the blame for that one,” you said, rubbing a finger against your temple. “I wasn’t expecting her to start crying again during the death scene!”

“They did kind of make a whole thing out of the character dying alone ,” Kakashi laughed awkwardly. He slowed his pace as you walked down the path, making it a bit easier for you to keep up with his long strides. 

“Yeah, that was unfortunate,” you shook your head, but a smile stayed at the edges of your mouth. “I’m sorry things got a little out of hand tonight.” 

Kakashi looked down at you, feigning confusion. “Out of hand? I have no idea what you mean,” he said and you giggled. Then, in a more serious and gentle tone he added, “I had a great time with you.” 

The butterflies in your stomach began their dance once again. You don’t know why you felt the need to be apologizing. Maybe because in some weird way, the whole mess felt like your fault. If you hadn't been so scared of just a little date, maybe this whole night could have happened two weeks ago, and perhaps it would have happened with less distractions. 

And yet, something about the chaos of the evening -of the past few weeks- had been oddly fun. 

You were only a short distance from your apartment when you stopped on the path and looked up at Kakashi. 

“You know, I was thinking about something-” 

Thump. 

You and Kakashi both looked around. There was nothing and no one else on the street as far as you could see. 

“What was that?” 

Skkrrrr.

You and Kakashi looked up towards the new sound. The tree branches above you rustled in response, and the wood creaked again at some mysterious weight shifting along its branches 

“I think there’s something in there.” You squinted into the brush. A few more leaves and twigs fell and you had to rub the dust out of your eye. For a brief moment though, you thought you saw a person. 

“Is that..?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kakshi grumbled beside you in a tone that implied he was already bargaining with the gods to just end him where he stood if they were going to keep playing such annoying tricks on you both.  

With your hands on your hips and a roll of your eyes you shouted up into the greenery. “Sasuke, are you stuck in a tree?” 

To answer your question without saying anything, Sasuke appeared before you and Kakshi, completely unharmed but irritated as always. 

You looked him up and down. “What were you doing up there?”

Sasuke clicked his tongue against his lips and turned away. You weren’t sure what about that question was so unnerving to him, when he was the one climbing in trees in the middle of the night. But to your surprise, he lifted something out of his crossed arms. A small, gray kitten that he held by the scruff. 

Your eyes widened when you recognized those little yellow orbs blinking back at you.

“It’s the kitten!” You stepped forward to take the cat from Sasuke, which he seemed happy to drop into your hands. “Kakashi, it’s the one I was trying to save the night I first met you!” 

Kakashi peered over your shoulder at it. It was still small and rather scruffy looking. “You mean the one that probably could have climbed down on its own?” he asked. There was a little bit of teasing in his tone, which he also seemed to be directing at Sasuke. 

It was a fair question actually, since Saskue wasn’t really the type to go plucking perfectly healthy kittens out of trees just for fun. 

The raven haired boy rolled his eyes again with a tch . “It’s paw,” he said hollowly. 

You took the kitten’s foot in your hand and turned it until you saw the large gash on the underside oozing with pus and blood. 

“He’s been up there crying all night. It was annoying,” Sasuke added. 

With the bloody paw still between your fingers, you turned to Kakashi. “We have to help him, I think it’s infected,” you said. A hint of desperation was sneaking into your words. “Should we take him to the hospital?”

Kakashi looked at you, then at Sasuke who definitely didn’t have any advice to offer, then back to you. “Oh, um,” he stuttered awkwardly, “It’s just a cat.”

You felt your chest tighten, and your brows turned down in an irritated expression. “So? Don’t you have dogs?” you huffed. “Who treats them when they’re injured?” 

Kakashi looked up, avoiding your fiery gaze. “Well, they’re ninken so it’s a little different-” 

“Kakashi.” You practically stomped your foot and his gaze fell to you again. You lifted the cat in front of his face so he had to stare at its sparkling, sad, golden eyes. “Look at him, he’s asking for our help!” 

Kakashi chewed the inside of his lip. He didn’t have anything else to do tonight. 

“Alright,” he said, and stepped beside you on the path once again. “Lead the way.”

You took off practically running down the road, and Kakashi followed. 

He didn’t want to be doing anything else tonight. 

///

You weren’t sure what time it was when you actually left the hospital, but it was late. Almost all of the village lights were out except for the few street lamps. Even the bars and restaurants that stayed open later had closed for the night. You had assured Kakashi that you could get yourself home safe, but he insisted on walking you back to your apartment since it was so late. 

You watched the rocks pass by under your feet with sleepy eyes. “Thank you again for coming with me. They didn’t seem too upset about us bringing a stray cat dripping bodily fluids and possibly on the brink of death to their hospital.”

Kakashi chuckled a bit. “Think we’re finally in the clear tonight?” he asked. It had been a rather eventful night. He stopped just a few feet from the stairs of your building.

You stopped too, just a foot or so in front of him. “Hm, we shouldn’t let our guard down,” you said. “I haven’t made it up the stairs and you still have to walk home.” 

Kakashi smiled and promised he’d keep an eye out. As the silence of the evening fell over you, you realized it seemed like the first moment of quiet you had had all night. It seemed to seep into your shoulders, relaxing you and releasing you of any anxiety you might have still been carrying about this simple date. 

With a deep breath and a sparkle in your eyes you said, “I had a really good time tonight.”

Kakashi nodded. “Me too.” 

Kakashi was not going to push. Your whole relationship -whatever relationship that was exactly- had been surrounded by silliness and miscommunication. And he wasn’t a fool either. He knew just how careful you were with your feelings and your expectations. In fact, you had made it abundantly clear to him. So with a simple wave and a respectful nod, Kakshi turned to leave you for the evening. 

“Goodnight (Y/n),” was all he said. 

You, however, were feeling a little bolder. 

“Kakashi,” you called out to him, before he made it too far. “Earlier, before we went to the hospital, I was starting to say something.” 

Kakashi took a step back towards you. You had his full attention. 

“I was going to say that I had been thinking about something Naruto asked me at the restaurant.”

“Oh?” Kakashi hummed. “I’m suddenly feeling very nervous,” he joked. It helped calm your nerves. He really did have a special way of making it easier to just say what was on your mind. 

With all the confidence you could muster you said, “He asked if I had seen your face and I realized, I don’t think I have.” 

Kakashi blinked with wide eyes and raised a hand to his chin. He scratched as if he were thinking very hard. “Really, not at all? Even at the bar? Or at dinner?” 

You shook your head, but smiled all the same. “You’re being funny,” you said and he didn’t deny that he was indeed messing around a bit. 

You were done messing around though. At least, you yourself were done with the mind games and the rules. You couldn’t control all of the other chaotic shenanigans that always seemed to come your way, but that moment, right there with Kakashi, you had total control. 

“Kakashi, how am I supposed to kiss you goodnight if I can’t even see your face?” 

Your heart was beginning to thump quickly in your chest and a knot of tension began to form in your abdomen, but you didn’t let it show. You held his gaze. You were confident.

If Kakashi was at all surprised by your words, he didn’t let you know. He only took a step closer to you, close enough that if you were to breathe just a little too deeply, your chest would touch with his. 

Oh so gently, his thumb and forefinger wrapped under your chin. He tilted your face towards his.

“Is that what you want?” he asked. 

It was safe to say you weren’t breathing at all.

You nodded slowly, but honestly. “Yes.” 

One of his hands came gently to your shoulder, and traced softly down your arm until the pads of his fingers were brushing your elbow. Your palms fell to his chest. You were sure they were the only thing keeping you standing as the space between you lessened. His lips were mere inches from yours, still covered by his mask.

“Well then,” Kakshi said in barely a whisper, “like this.” 

His movements were swift and smooth. He had tugged his mask below his mouth and pressed his lips to yours before you even had a chance to see anything but stars. The tension in your belly released, and you leaned into the kiss wanting more, more of him. 

His tongue brushed across your lower lip and your hands tangled in his shirt. His own fingers moved from your sides to the small of your back where they stopped, as if he were fighting the urge to pull you flush against him. 

He tasted so good, your head spun thinking about how you could have had this so much sooner. How you could have let him touch you elsewhere by now if you just had just trusted your gut, which said you liked him. A lot. 

It was safer to go slower, but that didn’t change the way your lips wanted to chase after his once he finally pulled away. 

The kiss left your mind so cloudy, so dizzy with pleasure that you almost didn’t even hear him whisper goodnight. 

You stood on the steps to your apartment and offered him a little wave. It was all you could do, since your head was just too fuzzy and too foggy, and filled with thoughts about when you might get to kiss him again. 

Chapter Text

You wished you could say that everything was perfect. 

Everything actually had felt perfect, just for a moment. 

But the thing you had learned about perfect over the years was that it did not exist. Perfect should have been another way of saying too good to be true. 

“Something’s off with you,” Anko pointed out. She had been eyeing you suspiciously since she entered your classroom an hour ago. She was supposed to be helping you with research, but she had turned out to be more distracting than anything else.

You kept your nose to your papers, focusing on the words in front of you more than the ones she was saying. “Nothing is off,” you told her, sounding very sure of your answer.

She set her cup of tea down and pinched her brows together. “Yes it is. You were bouncing around for days after your date, you even went out with him -what, two, three more times?- and did who knows what but it made you giddy as hell.”

You felt a heat rush under the skin of your cheeks at that. 

“And now you’re giving me short, vague responses and not talking about him at all? Something is off.” She stared with dark eyes as if she were just waiting for you to challenge her poignant observation.  

But you, not in the mood to argue or even talk about this at all, kept sifting through the papers in front of you. “It’s fine, Anko,” you said with just a bit of a sigh trailing the words.

She leaned forward over your desk. “I don’t believe you.” Her tone wasn’t aggressive or harsh, but concerned. A bit of guilt stirred in your stomach. Was it worth telling her what you had heard? She just wanted to see you happy, you knew that. 

You finally looked up from all of the notes and books sprawled out over the wood of your working space to check the clock on the far wall of the room. Then, looking back to your compassionately driven friend, you forced a smile. “No really, it is,” you reassured her. “I’m actually going to meet him in a few minutes.”

She pursed her lips. She looked doubtful. “Really?” 

As if to prove your point, you stood from the desk and straightened out the wrinkles on the front of your pants. You had forgotten how long you’d been sitting pouring over notes. “Yes,” you nodded. 

Anko still wasn’t convinced. “You sure nothing is up?” she pushed one final time. 

You grabbed your bag from the back of your chair and headed for the door. “Goodbye, Anko,” was all you said. You tried to keep your voice sounding cheery. Girlish even, as if you were hiding excitement. But truthfully, you were stamping down the guilt rising in you for lying to a friend. 

///

On the other side of Konoha, the infamous copy ninja was not faring any better. Though, that was unbeknownst to you. 

“Why are you moping?”

Kakashi started, having almost forgotten that Asuma was standing next to him on the roof. He had come up to have a cigarette while Kakashi was simply mulling over his thoughts watching the sunset. 

Kakashi’s eyes drifted to his friend and then back to the sky. “I am not moping,” he retorted shortly. 

Asuma scoffed and a little bit of ash fell from the end of his cigarette over the railing. “Yes you are, look at you.” He nodded towards Kakashi’s hair, which had started to flop over. It looked like it had been deflated, just like the man who styled it. 

Kakashi ran a hand through the silver strands in an attempt to make it stand properly again. “Everything is fine,” he said, but the way his words trailed off into a murmur was saying otherwise. 

Asuma didn’t look at Kakashi, but crossed his arms with a huff. “Really?” he asked. “So this doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that you had a really nice time with (Y/n) and now you’re just not talking about her?” 

Kakashi didn’t take his eyes off of the skyline either. “Nope.” 

Asuma was so doubtful of him, Kakashi could practically feel it. He couldn’t blame him either, he was lying. Should he just tell him about it? Or would that make more of a mess? 

Before Asuma could ask something more -which Kakashi could tell he was thinking to- Kakashi straightened from his position hunched over the railing. 

“Actually, I’m supposed to be meeting her in just a few minutes,” he told him. 

Asuma’s mouth wrapped into an even deeper frown around his cigarette. “Really?”

Kakashi nodded. “Yep.”

A moment passed. Then two. Then finally, Asuma sighed. He didn’t believe him, but he could tell this was going nowhere. He turned from the edge of the railing and headed for the door of the roof. He stomped his cigarette out before he left and said, “Well then stop moping before she shows up.” 

///

The tension in the air was thick and trying to ignore it was like trying to ignore a kunai knife in your thigh. You thought about what to say, because you wanted to say something. You had to say something – literally anything would be fine after a certain point, and you had reached that point. 

A squeak from the cat between your arms beat you to it. You looked down at the gray kitten with kind eyes as if to say thank you for breaking the silence. 

Kakashi seemed to feel similarly, since he finally decided to speak up as well. “How long until he’s fully recovered?” he asked. He walked by your side, hands in his pockets and his shoulders stiff. 

You gave the kitten a scratch behind his ear. “The nurse said his immune system is still pretty low, so he shouldn’t go out on the streets for a couple of weeks. Until then, he’ll be living the life of a spoiled indoor cat.” A small smile pulled at your lips. It would be nice to have a presence around the house, even for a bit. You’d been feeling the silence of your home a little more than usual the past few days. 

Without looking up from the animal between your arms, you said, “Thank you for coming to pick him up with me. I don’t know why they needed signatures from both people who dropped him off. It’s a cat .” 

You wanted to laugh. You wanted to giggle about the fact that you had been the one to insist on taking him to the hospital. You had basically bullied the staff into taking him. It was so silly, and Kakashi had known it was silly, but he went along with you anyways. You wanted to laugh about that. 

But after Kakashi offered a gentle ‘Sure’ in response, neither of you said anything for a long moment. You walked the path away from the hospital, kicking stones that you could hear skidder across the road due to the silence. 

As you approached the turn to your apartment, you cleared your throat. 

“So-” you tried to say, but Kakashi tried to speak at the same time. 

You shook your head, embarrassed. “Go ahead,” you told him.

He waved a hand. “No, no, you first.” 

He wanted to hear what you had to say. He had already promised himself he was not going to push. You had to be the one to say what you wanted. You understood that, you appreciated it even. 

But it didn’t change the words that came out of your mouth next. “So we both agree then,” you started slowly, “that this probably isn’t going to work.” 

If Kakashi was expecting, or even hoping, you would say anything other than that, he didn’t show it. That was a trained shinobi for you, you guessed. Calm and stoic, even if their hearts were screaming for something else. 

He nodded ever so slightly. “Yeah.”

“Okay then.” The tension hung for another moment before you tried to shake it off, which was about as easy as getting gum off of the bottom of your shoe. “I’m getting pedicures with Sakura on Wednesday,” you told him.

“She’s supposed to have training,” Kakashi said. Was that an eye roll you saw?

You pursed your lips. “We’ll go after,” you asserted.

Kakashi let out a small sigh and turned his gaze towards something above you. “Naruto asked if you would come to dinner on Friday.”

You chewed the skin on the inside of your cheek. “I have to work, but tell him I’ll take him out for ice cream soon.” 

Kakashi gave an agreeable nod. 

You could feel the conversation coming to an end. A cold, hard, bitter end, but neither of you were moving away from it. 

“Keep an eye on Sasuke,” you added softly after a long moment. “I’m still not convinced he isn’t being bullied.” 

You weren’t sure, but you thought you noticed Kakashi trying to stifle a little laugh. “Right.”

Silence fell again. The whole village seemed eerily quiet. Usually, it was so loud around you and Kakashi. You had become accustomed to the chaos and laughter, kids yelling, and cats climbing trees, but that now it was just the leaves rustling in a gentle wind, and the sun hanging low in the sky. It was as if the village was finding it as hard to say goodbye as you were. 

“Okay then,” you started. You looked for something else to talk about, something else to ask about. But your thoughts came up empty. And so, there was nothing else left to say. 

You turned towards the street your apartment was on. “Goodbye, Kakshi,” you said.

As you walked away, you found yourself repeating like a mantra in your head, I don’t need anyone . It was what you had told yourself at the start of this. It was how you felt. 

So you wondered why it didn’t stop the tears from lining your eyes as the sun set below the trees, and the moon began to rise higher in the sky. 

///

There was one place in Konoha that was not quiet that night: the bar, on the other side of the village where Anko had set you up on a date what felt like ages ago. That night, she sauntered in alone mulling over one question: what the hell had happened? 

It didn’t take long for a familiar face to spot her. Someone else pondering the exact same question. 

“Well, well, look what the snake dragged in,” Asuma called to her from a table in the corner. 

She turned to him with narrowed eyes. “That’s not funny,” she said. She approached him and plopped down on the stool beside him despite her hardened expression. 

Asuma watched her carefully. “Tch, what’s not funny is the mess you created with your meddling.” 

If she had a drink -she should go get one- Anko would have choked on it. She didn’t need to ask to know exactly what he was talking about, because she had been waiting to say something similar. 

“Me?!” Her tone was fiery. “Oh, do tell how any of this is my fault?” 

Asuma bit down on the cigarette between his lips in an attempt to keep his voice low. “You and your silly tests,” he grumbled. 

Anko only raised a brow in response. 

“What was your plan the other day?” Asuma continued. “Did you want to see that girl dangle herself in front of him like a piece of meat? Was it supposed to check his loyalty or sumthin’? Well, it didn’t work.” 

Anko’s eyes widened for a brief moment with surprise. “What are you talking about?”

The man beside her wasn’t buying into her ignorance of the situation, but if she needed him to spell it out for her, he was more than willing. “You told that girl from the bar that Kakashi was interested in her.”

Then, Anko’s eyes turned dark again. “I did not,” she said, though she still wasn’t even sure who Asuma was talking about. She could only take a guess as to what he was referring to. “You mean that blonde girl we met a week ago?” she asked, thinking back to the night Asuma had invited her to the bar to see Kakashi. 

Asuma nodded. Even though he hadn’t witnessed the situation himself, he had heard about it.. Just a few nights ago, Anko had approached that same girl and spoken to her about Kakashi. 

Waving to the bartender for a drink, Anko snorted. “Yeah, I saw her at the bar. She was asking if anyone had seen Kakashi, so all I did was ask her if you had said anything to her!” 

Asuma inhaled a deep, annoyed breath between his teeth. “Now why would you do that?”

“Because I wanted to make sure you weren't scheming,” she snapped. “This was really good for them.”

It went without saying that them referred to you and Kakashi. They both knew that. They both wanted their friend to be happy and were all but baffled at the sudden radio silence they had been receiving. However, a few rumors through the grapevine had started to reveal the secret muddy mess that seemed to hang underneath a lot of things in Konoha.

Asuma rolled his eyes and puffed his chest a little. The truth was starting to reveal its stupid ugly head. “You think I don’t know that?” he said sternly. “I was staying out of it. But then you went and told that girl I was asking about her. You’ve met her; she probably got it in her head that meant Kakashi was interested in her and then told everyone in town.” 

Anko didn’t like the way Asuma still spoke as if it were her fault you and Kakashi hadn’t worked out. As if she intentionally sabotaged this when she was only trying to prevent something like that from happening. Not to mention, Anko had heard a few rumors herself. 

“Well what about you then?” she said in a very accusatory tone. “You were telling people (Y/n) was single, weren’t you? What was that about?” 

Asuma wrinkled his nose at the accusation as Anko continued. 

“Were you trying to get every loser in Konoha to ask her out so she’d think no one compared to Kakashi?” She dragged out the words in a mocking tone, like a love sick teenager. 

This time, Asuma only laughed. “Pretty sure you set her up with all those guys already,” he said and Anko’s scowl grew. “To answer your question though, no I wasn’t. Actually, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

Anko smacked her palm to her forehead. What the hell was going on, why was this such a dumb mess? Why did everyone have to talk so much? She waved at the bartender more frantically. She really needed a drink. 

“I heard one of the of the other jonin say they were interested in (Y/n). He said she was cute. He told me later that you told him to go ahead and try – that implies that she’s single, dummy! I can’t blame Kakashi if he caught wind of that rumor and then felt a little dejected, don’t you think?” 

Asuma didn’t bother to let her words sink in before adding, “Well what about (Y/n) hearing that Kakashi was interested in that girl? Can’t blame (Y/n) if that got back to her and she was feeling kinda hurt.”

Anko growled in response, frustrated. Finally, the bartender set the beer down on her table and she took a swig. “This is dumb right? Why wouldn’t he just ask her if she considered herself single or not?” 

Asuma pulled the cigarette from his lips to take a quick sip of his own drink. As he thought about her question, his mind started to slow and actually consider for a moment what was really going on. 

“I might have given him some bad advice about that,” he admitted quietly. He avoided Anko’s gaze when she turned to him. “I kind of told him he should back off. You know, let her come to him. He didn’t seem too keen on taking my advice but… maybe that changed.” 

Anko shifted in her seat. “Damn,” she mumbled. 

“What about (Y/n)?” Asuma asked after a moment. “Why wouldn’t she just confront Kakashi about the girl? She could of asked him if he was actually interested in her or not.” 

Anko interlaced her fingers together and began twiddling her thumbs nervously. “Well, I told her to act like she didn’t care about that sort of stuff… so…” She trailed off with a sigh. 

They both stared into the dark bar for a long, heavy moment. The truth was stupid and messy and ugly and-

At the same time, Anko and Asuma looked at one another. 

“Shit,” Anko hissed.

“Is this our fault?” Asuma almost laughed, but it felt like the wrong time.

“Shit,” she swore again. “Might be.” 

Dropping his head into his hand, Asuma exhaled heavily. “We certainly didn’t help,” he said. “We’ve got to do something.”

“Yeah,” Anko agreed.

It was all a mess, and maybe it would have been less of a mess if they hadn’t got involved. At least trying to fix it seemed like the right thing to do. 

With a nod of their heads, their truce was sealed, and Anko bought the next round of drinks to make it official. 

Chapter Text

You stirred underneath the covers of your bed as the early morning sun began to peak through the windows. The birds chirped their tunes happily, signaling the start of another day. Another chance to get up and get after your goals. 

Rising slowly, you stepped over several shirts and other clothes strewn across your floor and headed towards your kitchen. The piles of laundry had been accumulating over the last few days. Actually, it felt like they were starting to multiply. You’d get to them soon. 

Opening the pantry, you groggily found a can of cat food still in the grocery bag you never unpacked. You set the can on the counter. It was the last one. You made a mental note to pick up more on your way home that night. 

Yawning, you pulled a dish from the sink and gave it a quick scrub and rinse. You popped the lid of the can and piled the food onto the plate. You topped it off with the last few pills of antibiotics the hospital had provided you with. 

The kitten had been a welcome houseguest. He was clean and quiet. He liked to sit with you while you read, and slept in the bed with you at night. You hadn’t been interested in pet ownership, since you weren’t home very often, but it had been nice having him around the past few days. He always joined you for dinner. He even sat on the counter in the bathroom when you brushed your teeth. 

You placed the dish on the ground and called out to him in a sleepy tone. “Come on little man, breakfast.” You were surprised he wasn’t already waiting for it. 

You expected to hear his feet puttering on the wood floor, but your call was met with silence. The same old silence that used to fill your apartment. You used to enjoy it, but now it brought fear to your stomach.

“Hey kitty, where are you?” You called out again through the short halls of your apartment. Again, there was only silence. 

You wandered back to your room. He had definitely been with you when you fell asleep last night. 

You looked under the clothes and the sheets, and even checked in a few of your bags. He was nowhere to be found, and the panic was starting to set in. 

Then, you noticed the birds chirping outside your window again, and your eyes darted up the wall to the glass.

The window was open.

“Oh no!” you exclaimed, rushing to the wide open panels. You looked around the street, the trees, you even looked up to see if he could have made it onto the roof and gotten stuck. But he was nowhere in sight. 

You swore under your breath and went back into your room. You were certain you had closed the window last night. Maybe the wind had opened it? Regardless, you were sure that’s how he had gotten out. You bit your lip, feeling the sadness wash over you. He was a street cat, so he would be okay. If he was feeling better, maybe he would still come back in a day or two if he got hungry.

You puttered back through your silent apartment slowly to the kitchen. Your footsteps seemed to echo louder than normal. 

You switched on your tea kettle and reached for a mug. But when you closed the cabinet door, you saw his food on the floor with the last dose of antibiotic and a gasp escaped your lips.

“Shoot,” you huffed. Without a second thought you threw on a different pair of clothes, shoes, and ran out the front door.

///

You never realized how big the village was until you were trying to find a cat in it. A kitten to be exact, and a gray one no less. Not bright white or orange, just gray like every sidewalk, telephone pole, gutter, and shudder. The whole city might as well have been gray from how hard it was to spot anything even a little bit cat-like. 

You searched behind yet another set of trash bins and grumbled. “We really make kids do this for training? This is hard!” 

If there was one thing you learned about the universe the past few weeks it was that it had a very funny sense of humor. As if you had summoned them with your own words, you suddenly heard the footsteps of three children stopping in their tracks behind you.

“Uuuh, hey (Y/n) Sensei. What are you doing in a garbage bin?” 

You knocked your head on a window sill as you stood up and turned to look at the three genin standing behind you. 

“I’m looking for my cat. Have you seen it?”

Naruto raised a brow. “You have a cat?” 

You thought about it, shrugging your shoulders. “Well sort of, I only got him recently,” you told him. “But he got out this morning and he needs his medication.” 

To your surprise, Sasuke spoke up before his peers. “Is this the same cat from the other night?”

You nodded. 

Instantly, Naruto jumped into a defensive stance pointing a finger at his teammate accusingly. “Hey wait Sasuke how did you know that?!”

Sasuke crossed his arms and turned away with an irritated suck of his teeth.

You answered for him. “Sasuke found him the other day when he was injured. That’s why he needs his medicine today.”

Naruto blinked, his eyes flashing with thoughts of domination. “Oh yeah? Well that’s not a big deal, anyone can find an injured cat. Now I’ll find him when he’s feeling better!”

You smiled appreciating the offer, even if he only wanted to be better than Sasuke. “It’s okay Naruto. Don’t you guys have training today?”

The blonde boy shook his head. “No, we’re on a break so we can help. And I’m going to find him first!”

Sasuke looked away. “Not interested.”

A sly smile formed on the corners of Naruto’s mouth. “Scared I’ll beat you?”

Their bickering continued until Sakura finally stepped in and whacked Naruto over the head with a heavy fist.

“You’re being loud!” she said, even louder than him. “Are we gonna help Y/n Sensei or not?”

Naruto straightened with a fist in the air and determination in his eyes. He promised again that he was going to find the cat first, before he took off down the alley. 

Whatever his reason, you really did appreciate the help. 

///

It felt like you had been searching for hours. Honestly, it was almost embarrassing to call yourself a ninja anymore. After searching a few more corners and trash cans, you finally regrouped with Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke in the alley only to find out that they had been just as unlucky as you. 

“Sorry Y/n Sensei, we haven’t seen any sign of him,” Sakura said with a tired sigh as her and the two boys puttered up to you. 

“It’s alright, Sakura,” you started. But before you could thank her for looking, you felt someone else appear in the alley behind you. 

“There you guys are,” Kakashi said, and you felt your shoulders stiffen. “What are you doing, you were supposed to meet up with me for more training?”

Naruto was the first to speak up. “Y/n Sensei needs help finding her cat!” he said. You felt Kakashi’s gaze shift to you.

“I apologize,” you said softly, turning to the student’s teacher. “I didn’t mean to interrupt the lesson. Thank you all for your help today.” 

Your cheeks were flushed with heat. You wanted to crawl into a dark hole and hide for a very, very long time. You hadn’t expected him to show up or even see him at all. You weren’t ready to see him again. You weren’t ready for him to see you dressed so casually with your hair undone and your mind somewhere else completely.

Naruto waved his arms in protest. “Hold on Kakashi Sensei, we still haven’t found the cat! Can’t we do this today?”

Kakashi looked up to Naruto, thinking. “Well it’s not exactly what I had in mind,” he started to say.

Naruto cut him off with a pleading groan. “Come on, you’ve been so hard on us lately! You’ve been in such a grumpy mood even though we’ve done everything you said!” Naruto whined. “Please?”

You eyed Kakashi curiously, and quickly got the feeling that he was avoiding your gaze.

Only a moment later, Kakashi gave in with a sigh. “Alright.”

Naruto hollered with joy, his goal to beat Sasuke now back in sight. You mumbled a thank you, and for a moment Kakshi’s eyes met yours. Your heart skipped a beat in that brief moment.

“So, did anyone actually come up with a plan?” Kakashi asked, turning back to his students. 

The three genin looked anywhere except at their teacher. Sakura laughed sheepishly. Naruto placed a hand on his chin as his gaze drifted away to a crow passing overhead. Sasuke kicked a rock. 

Then, Kakashi looked back at you. 

You raised your hands. “I’m in distress,” you said as an excuse. You swore you saw a smile start to form underneath Kakashi’s mask.

Suddenly, Naruto shot his hand in the air. “Wait, I’ve got an idea,” he jumped up and down. “I heard that cats like to revisit places they’ve been before. So wherever you’ve seen it before, you can start there!”

You all looked at each other, a little awkwardly for the moment. Naruto waited with a wide grin on his lips. As you thought about it, you agreed it made sense.

“That’s actually really helpful, Naruto,” you said and he beamed. “Remember we found him in that alleyway, Kakashi? Maybe he went back there. Or maybe in the market on that street?”

Kakashi nodded. “Okay then, you three check the market. We’ll take the alley.”

Naruto agreed eagerly before darting off. Sakura and Sasuke were close behind. Then Kakashi turned back to you with a twinkle in his single visible eye. “Well then,” he said. “Let’s go.”

///

You had searched through every corner of the alley, under every box and bag left there to be disposed of, and you had found absolutely nothing.

You put the lid back on a bin and hung your head. “No sign of him,” you said with a heavy sigh.

Kakashi came to stand next to you, his hands in his pockets. “We’ll just have to keep looking.” You appreciated how positive he sounded. 

Suddenly, your attention diverted past Kakashi to the fences and roofline behind him. Your eyes lit up as you remembered where the cat had actually been when you found him. 

Noticing the change in your demeanor, Kakashi followed your gaze to the roof. “Oh that’s right,” he said. The memory was coming back to him now too. 

You bit your lower lip, thinking. “Should I crawl up on the roof and look?”

Kakashi turned back to face you. His head tilted to the side for a moment as he thought, then after a moment he suggested, “Maybe it’s better if I go?”

Right. You had almost eaten gravel the last time you tried to climb up on that roof.

Kakashi was on top of the building in an instant with no trouble. 

“Do you see anything?” you called out to him.  

Kakashi looked around for a moment. “No,” he finally said back. But then, he crouched down.  “There is an opening in the vent, but I can’t see anything inside.”

Your eyes brightened with a glimmer of hope. “I’m coming,” you told him and you made your way up onto the roof. You watched the placement of each step you took very carefully. 

You crawled next to Kakashi where he was observing a small alcove on the top of the roof. The space was probably just big enough for a cat to get in and out of. You offered Kakashi a look suggesting he let you try, and he scooted to the side. Your knee brushed with his as you both settled against the slanted shingles. You stuck your hand in the vent, trying not to think too hard about what you might find on the other side. 

Your fingers treaded carefully over the inside of the space. It was definitely an air duct of sorts that probably helped vent the kitchen at the back of the bar. You pressed your palms to each corner of the opening, looking for anything unusual. When you reached closer towards the flat bottom that then stretched in two different directions inside the building, your finger brushed over something. Something thin and long. 

You pinched the object between your fingers and pulled it out. “Huh, look,” you showed the object to Kakashi. “It’s a necklace.” You handed it to him to hold and stuck your hand back in. “Feels like maybe some trash. A wrapper of some sort. Some string. Oh ew, I think I touched a dead mouse.” 

Your hand retreated and you surveyed it, making sure nothing gross hitched a ride on the way out. Beside you, Kakashi had to stifle a laugh.

“At least he won’t go hungry,” he said, earning a side eye from you. “So the cat was probably here,” Kakashi continued after a moment. “That’s a start, I suppose.”

You sighed, feeling a little disgruntled. You leaned back on your palms. Kakashi watched you carefully.

“I see why he picked this spot. Look at that view,” you joked. Kakashi turned his attention to the sky. It was a beautiful skyline with the colored roofs of Konoha lying beneath hokage rock like wildflowers. The sun highlighted the faces carved into stone, giving the feeling of safety and security. Peace.

The vision was interrupted by a loud chortle of laughter from below. Both you and Kakashi looked down to the alley just in time to see Naruto fall on his butt, arms wrapped around his waist as he cackled. A rat ran away from a trash can that Sasuke was holding the lid of. He still looked a little surprised. Sakura yelled as it bounced over her toes before disappearing down the street.

“They’re a good group of kids,” you said, despite watching Sakura kick Naruto in his side. He seemed alright. 

Kakashi hummed beside you. “They’re not so bad.”

After a moment of comfortable silence you asked, “Well, what do we do now?”

Kakashi looked around. “Well, maybe he has different hiding spots in the village. And if so, then he probably visits them in a regular pattern. So maybe we’ll find something else down the road,” he said with a bit of uncertainty. “Maybe towards the woods?”

It was the best idea you currently had, so you nodded and stood. To your surprise, Kakashi grabbed your hand in his, making you pause. Then he stood too.

“I should go down first,” he said with a teasing smile in his eyes. “Just in case.”

///

You lead kakashi down the road, towards the edge of town. You even took separate paths for a bit in order to cover more ground between back alleyways and the main road. But when you reconvened at the end of the block, you both shook your head indicating you’d seen no sign of the little animal. Looking around, you noticed that you weren’t too far from where you had met Kakashi for your first date. You wondered if he had noticed too.

“Come on in, folks! We’re open all day!”

You turned your attention to a small storefront front just a few steps down the road. You immediately recognized the man standing outside as the one who had yelled at the crowd of onlookers during the unfortunate grease fire incident. 

“Hey Kakashi, look. That restaurant is back open and with no smoke coming out of it.”

Kakashi’s eyes followed yours. He watched the man passing out flyers to anyone that walked passed. “That’s good.”

You smiled, thinking back to that evening. “How did we get so unlucky that the only time I was probably ever going to try that place, it caught on fire?”

Kakashi turned to you, and shrugged. “I don’t find it that surprising…” he said and you laughed. 

It was then that the man standing outside with the flyers noticed you both outside of his restaurant. He waved to you, excitedly shaking the flier in the air. “Hey there, do you want to come in? I promise you won’t be disappointed. And nothing is on fire today!” 

You had to bite back another giggle. “I’m sorry, but we can’t today,” you said, which seemed to cause the man to deflate a little. “I’m actually looking for a cat, have you seen one? “ you asked anyway. It couldn’t hurt.

The man raised an eyebrow. “A cat? There’s a little gray one that sometimes hangs around out back. He looks for scraps in the trash. The little rascal is kind of a pig for how small he is.” He seemed irritated. 

“That’s gotta be him!” Your eyes had widened with hope. “Was he here this morning?”

The man shrugged. “Yeah, but I don’t see where he goes when he leaves. You could check the school yard. I bet some of the kids feed him.”

You turned to Kakashi with newfound determination. You noticed something happy about the look he returned you with, and knew he would follow as you took off down the road towards the academy. 

“I expect to see you back here for dinner!” The man called after you. You gave him a small wave and he called out for Kakashi instead. “You bring the pretty girl back, alright? She’s nice, she deserves to be taken out!”

You were glad to be a few paces ahead of your companion so he couldn’t read your  expression. You just hoped he also couldn’t hear the sound of your heart beat just a little faster. 

///

The academy was just a few turns away from the restaurant. When you arrived at the campus, you lead Kakashi to a door at the back of the building. 

“I left some treats in the bag that I left her. He knows the sound, so maybe he’ll come to us if he can hear it,” you told him. You spoke softly as you moved through the quiet halls of the building. “We’ll just stop in my office quickly before anyone sees. It’s my day off, so I don’t want to be a distraction.” 

Kakashi nodded, seeming content to just follow closely behind. You made it to your office unnoticed and Kakashi slowly closed the door behind him. You couldn’t help but think about the last time you were both in the room together, and how nice it had been to share his company, and for so long. 

Kakashi eyed all the papers still sitting on your desk and in piles on the floor. “Still working hard on that project,” he noted.

“I’ve slowed down the past few days…” you mumbled in response. When you caught Kakashi’s eye, you quickly realized what you had actually just admitted. You looked away, trying to brush it off. “But I’m not sure I’ll ever be as productive again as I was with you. Your experience really came through,” you told him with a pleasant smile, taking the pressure off of you and your silly moment of weakness.  

Kakashi wasn’t easily fooled though. He had paused with his hand brushing over one of the books he had spent a lot of time reading that night with you. Without much emotion he said, “Happy to help.” 

Then, he paused for a moment just watching you. 

“You know-“

“Y/n Sensei!”

Kakashi and you turned to see two young students, both girls, bounding into the room with large smiles on their faces.

You smiled too. “Hi girls,” you greeted. Having finally located the cat treats, you pulled them from your bag and set them on your messy desk. “What are you doing, shouldn’t you be in class?” 

One of the girls shook her head. The other eyed Kakashi. You didn’t like the mischievous grins they were each wearing. 

“We were just going to the bathroom,” one of them explained. 

“But then we heard you talking in here,” the other one added. 

“We wanted to come say hi.” 

“But then we heard someone else talking.”

“A boy .” 

They both looked at Kakashi, with sparkles in their eyes and wide smiles on their faces. 

“Who is he?” 

Kakashi blinked, then waved awkwardly. 

“Y/n Sensei, did you finally get a boyfriend?” 

You could have fainted right then and there. 

“No!” you said quickly, trying to bite back your flustered feelings without snapping. “This is Kakashi and he’s a village ninja just like you will be someday.” 

You hoped so very badly that would change the subject, and they would start asking questions about missions and cool jutsu instead. 

They did not. 

“Is he the one that made you super happy the other day?” 

“Yeah, that’s right you were all smiley!” 

Your face was hot, hot, hot . You could barely choke out a response. “What- what do you mean?” 

One of the girls placed her hands on her hips. “Don’t you remember? I asked you why you were so happy and you said you were happy because you had seen your friend. Is this him?”

You felt kakashi watching you carefully. And, was that a smirk you saw?

You bit the inside of your lip, not sure what to say. Not that you were really considering responding. You were too focused on how to get away from this conversation.

“So did you give him a flower?” One of the girls asked.

You looked at her curiously. Now you really weren't sure what she was talking about. Kids were odd, and that was true even for someone who spent all day around them. 

The other girl responded with excitement. “Oh yeah, that’s right,” she said as if she suddenly remembered something. “Y/n Sensei, I asked you what I should give to my friend that I liked and you told me that flowers are a nice thing to give! So you should give him one!”

You felt your stomach do a flip, and not a small one. Kakashi didn’t need to say anything for you to know he must have been very, very amused by this interaction. 

By some miracle, you found a voice on your very, very dry tongue. 

“Uh, oh yes,” you said. “Well unfortunately, I don’t have one.” 

The girls seemed to accept that response, and their defensive positions relaxed a little. 

“Well that’s okay,” one of them said. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, a wildflower appeared in her hands. Where the hell was she hiding that? 

The young girl skipped over to Kakashi and reached her small hand gripping the flower up towards him. He stared down at her. 

“This is from Y/n Sensei,” she told him. “It means she really likes you.”

Oh gods. 

Few things would have been more uncomfortable than the way your stomach turned in anxious knots of embarrassment. Would the universe ever stop its tricks? Were you not doing enough for your immortal soul? Is that what children and their big mouths were on this earth to remind you? 

Kakashi looked at you, and back down to the young girl. Then, he took the flower from her small fingers with a gentle thank you. 

You began to say something (though what you were going to say, you weren’t sure), but to your surprise, Kakashi leaned down and whispered something in the girl’s ear. She smiled and then nodded excitedly. She didn’t say anything else as she turned back to you. 

You barely got the next sentence out past your nerves. “Girls, have you ever seen a cat around the school? A little gray one?” 

You were very grateful when the two girls looked back at you with excitement. “Oh yes!” One of them said. “He likes to get food from us during lunch time!” 

A feeling of relief washed over you, and not just because you had another lead on your little cat’s wearabouts.

The other student then said, “He likes to hang out in the tree outside while we’re in class, but I don’t know where he goes after lunch.” 

Your thoughts suddenly sprung into action. 

“Oh my gosh, of course!” you exclaimed excitedly. With the way Kakashi looked over to you, it seemed he suddenly remembered too. 

You turned your attention back to the young students. “Thank you for your help, girls,” you said. Though it felt forced considering they had been more embarrassing than helpful. “You should get back to class now.” 

The girls whined for a moment, but didn’t argue. They said their brief goodbyes to you and Kakashi before heading out. 

After they left, you turned to Kakashi with a rather stern but curious look. “What did you say to her?”

He pretended to think for a moment, like he didn’t know what you were referring to. “Hm? Oh nothing,” he said with a small wave. “Just girl talk, you know?”

///

You couldn’t believe you had forgotten about the tree; you had completely forgotten about the place Sasuke had found him, barely a week ago. You wanted to kick yourself. That should have been the first place you looked. As you jogged down the street with Kakashi close behind you, you realized how much this day had been like that first date with Kakashi. So silly, but also, so fun. 

You stepped up to the base of the tree the moment you returned to the spot you had been in when Sasuke appeared. You peered up through the shrubbery, picking out in your brain what was a tree branch and what could have been something else. Like maybe… a tail? 

“Kakashi, I see him!” you cheered excitedly when you saw the flick of a furry gray tail. You immediately began shaking the treat bag you had collected from your office, attempting to get the feline’s attention. From where you stood, you couldn’t see his face or his ears. And he didn’t seem to be interested in moving anytime soon.

You felt Kakashi come to stand beside you. “Is he stuck?” he asked, trying to follow your eyes up into the lush tree. 

“I can’t tell,” you bit your lip. You shook the bag of treats one, two, three more times, but the little kitten gave no response. “I think I should go up there,” you said.

It wasn’t a very big tree, but it could hold you. Not both of you though, and Kakashi looked at you cautiously, as if to give you a chance to change your mind and maybe let him go instead. 

But you ignored his sideways glance and began to climb up onto the lower limbs. You carefully chose which branches to grab and which ones to avoid. You pulled yourself up, up and up until you were eye to eye with your little gray kitten. 

“Hey little man,” you greeted him. His tail swished again. He was curled up in the heart of the branches, right in a flat spot where several of the larger limbs split. “What are you doing?” 

He appeared to be sitting on something, and since he wasn’t moving -not even to rub his face against your fingers like he had the past few mornings- you wondered if he was ill again. He let you lift his paw to see if the infection had returned. 

It was then that you saw he was sitting on something. 

You lifted his paw a little higher. 

Then you froze.

“Everything alright?” you heard Kakashi call from just a few feet below. 

“Uh, yes…” 

That didn’t convince Kakashi. “What is it?” 

You mumbled again, trying to find the right words. “Well it’s kinda hard to explain…”

Kakashi waited a moment before asking gently. “Do you need help?” Clearly you weren’t in distress, so what exactly was taking so long? 

“No it’s just-” you tried to start, but then instead, you started laughing. “I think my cat is a mom of baby birds!” 

… 

Kakashi wondered if he should check his ears because that was possibly the weirdest thing he had ever heard. 

“Baby… birds?”

Your snorts of laughter continued. You never would have imagined something so ridiculous. 

“Yes, birds. He’s sitting on the nest like he’s keeping them warm. Oh my gosh, they’re so cute!” 

You could see their little heads and their yellow beaks underneath his belly when you lifted his paw. You weren’t sure how many there were, but you counted at least three. 

Below you heard Kakashi mutter, “That’s odd.”

You had to speak between laughs. “It doesn’t make any sense. What do they eat?”

“ How do they eat?” Kakashi added, thinking about the logistics of this ridiculous scenario just as hard as you.  

“How are they going to fly?” you pondered. “That might be a mess.”

After a moment, Kakashi could only shrug. “Guess they’ll just… figure it out.”

Your giggles died out in a thoughtful exhale. “Yeah,” you said, watching the little birds sleep so soundly under the protection of their feline parent. “Guess they’ll figure it out.”

It was so, so silly and it made no sense. But they would figure it out. This weird happy family would somehow figure it out, you knew. 

“Kakashi” you started, looking down at the man beneath the trees. He looked back up at you patiently waiting. “I’ve been thinking about something,” you said, but as you looked down your foot slipped on the branch. 

Before you knew it, your heart was in your mouth and you were grasping for a tree branch. You were falling, again. 

And once again, you never had the opportunity to hit the dirt. You were instead wrapped with two strong arms keeping you from a much messier fate. 

Kakashi had been there to catch you, again. 

Only a second later you were blinking up at him. He held you in his arms firmly, and he didn’t set you down right away. 

“You know, if this happens anymore frequently I’m going to think you’re doing it on purpose,” he said.

Having quickly reoriented yourself, you laughed. “Kakashi, I think over the past few weeks I’ve learned there are other ways I could get your attention.”

Carefully, he moved for you to place both feet safely on the gravel. 

Taking a deep breath, you tried to pick up where you left off. “I realized something recently,” you started again. Kakashi gave you his full attention. 

“I crafted this perfect life for myself and there was no room for change or error. There was hardly any room left for fun, and there definitely wasn’t any room for another person because if I was going to make time for a person it had to be the perfect person. But then I realized that perfect doesn’t exist. And at first, I thought that was because everything has imperfections. But now I’m realizing that all the silliness and the messes were what helped me realize I like you, so much. So it was actually all of the imperfections that made everything work out exactly how it was supposed to and that, in its own way, was… perfect.” 

Your gaze met his, like you were waiting for him to speak. It took Kakashi a moment to realize this. 

“Oh,” he started, blinking with wide eyes. “Not trying to be rude, but did you have a point you were making?”

Your heart began to quicken. You just had to find the right words. “Kakashi, you asked me what I wanted. I said I didn’t need anyone and you told me that wasn’t the same thing…”

He nodded, remembering. He wouldn’t show it, but he was hanging on to your every word. You could tell this was it – your last opportunity to say how you had been feeling. It was your last opportunity to go after what it was that you really wanted. 

“Kakashi, I want you.” 

The admittance came with a sigh of such happy relief.  

“I don’t care how messy it is, I don’t care what silly rumors go around or what games our friends want to play. I just want you.”

That was it. There was nothing more to say. Since you had met him, everything had been so carefully calculated – or so you had thought. The truth was that you would have to be vulnerable if you wanted to be with him. And you did.

You watched Kakashi carefully. He stayed silent, taking in your words. You were just about to push him to say something, anything, when he pulled something from his jacket pocket.

“I was going to give this to you later but this feels like a good time.”

He held out a small white daisy with a yellow center. The same flower your student had given him just a half hour before. With wide eyes, you took it from his hands. 

“I was told that I could give this to you to say that I like you. A lot,” he said and your heart soared. 

You stepped closer to him, and you swore it felt like you were walking on air. “I like you a lot too.”

He closed the space between you. “Oh, are you asking me out?” he teased. His fingers fell gently to your sides. 

“No, definitely not,” you shook your head despite the smile on your face. “We’ve already done all that. Can’t we just skip to the good part?”

Kakashi tilted his head. “What’s that?”

You placed your hands on his chest, and ran them up to his shoulders. You leaned in and, ever so carefully, your fingers stretched up to the mask on his face hooking under the fabric. 

“Well, this.” 

In one swift movement you pulled down his mask and pressed your lips to his. 

It was even more wonderful than the past kisses you had shared. Because this one was honest, this one was free of every silly rule you had set for yourself. This was just you and him. When he leaned in to you, asking for more, you happily gave it. 

His arms snaked around your waist, pulling you flush against him. Your arms wrapped around his neck, deepening the kiss against your mouth. Your only regret was not doing this sooner. 

After a moment, when he pulled away Kakashi asked, “What are we going to do about the cat?”

You looked up to the tree then back at him. “I guess I’ll bring them some food. I’ll set it down here so he doesn’t have to go very far.”

“What about the birds? Can they even eat what the cat eats?”

“I don’t know,” you said, laughing. “But we’ll figure it out, right?”

Kakashi answered by pulling you close again and kissing you once more. 

Chapter Text

“So you two are back together? For real this time?”

The afternoon sun pouring into the cafe reflected like stars in your friend’s wide, hopeful eyes. You saw them twinkle as she leaned across the table to look between you and Kakashi, who was sitting happily by your side. Beside Anko, Asuma chewed on his cigarette silently, but you could tell he was just as invested in the final decision. 

“Mhmm,” you hummed. Your answer was confident, even though you shifted your own gaze down to your tea. Just thinking about being Kakashi’s girlfriend made you all gooey inside. How embarrassing. 

Anko immediately erupted with an excited squeal, earning a few irritated glances from the patrons at the tables nearby. 

“That’s amazing!” She threw her hands in the air and knocked into the table, sloshing some of her drink and yours onto the wooden tabletop. 

You shook your head and started dabbing up the liquids with your napkin. “Yeah well, I’m still upset with you for-“

“That means our plan worked, right Asuma?”

Anko threw an arm over the shoulder of the man sitting beside her. His gaze trailed up to the ceiling of the restaurant and he continued to add teeth marks to the end of his cigarette. 

You blinked owlishly. “What plan?” 

After a moment, Asuma sighed looking a little sheepish. “Well, we might have felt a little bad for the mess we caused…”

You nodded in understanding, because they should feel bad for all their meddling. But then, your eyebrows narrowed, uncertain where exactly this conversation was going. Kakashi seemed to be equally skeptical about what was going to be said next.

Anko had no problem continuing where Asuma had trailed off. “So we came up with a plan that would force you two to spend some time together!” 

She seemed proud of herself.

Asuma did not. 

“ She came up with a plan,” he clarified. He was still avoiding eye contact with you. It could have been your imagination but he seemed to be sinking lower and lower into his chair. 

You glanced over at Kakashi, who offered you a look of innocence. He had no part of this, not this time. You turned back to Anko with flames of irritation igniting in your eyes. 

“Are you saying you opened my window and let my cat escape?” Your tone was short and tense, but not as tense as it would have been without Kakashi’s hand gently resting on your thigh. 

Anko suddenly sat up straight and her eyes widened. “Shoot, I left the window open?” she asked. Then after another beat she added, “Hold on, your cat got out? When?”

Your face scrunched with confusion. What was she talking about? Clearly you were not on the same page. 

You shook your head and took a deep breath. “Nevermind, forget that. What did you do, Anko?” 

She wasn’t so excited anymore. She leaned backwards in her chair and folded her hands on the table in front of her. Her thumbs were wildly flicking over and over and over one another as she began to laugh nervously. 

“Nothing too crazy,” she started. The look in your eyes told her she wasn’t going to get off that easy though. “You haven’t found a snake in your apartment yet, have you?”

…

What. The. Fu-

“A SNAKE? ”

“Told you it was a bad idea.” 

Anko waved her hands in a desperate attempt to surrender. “I thought you would ask for Kakashi’s help to get it out! And then you two would get back together!” 

If it weren’t for Kakashi’s fingers squeezing firmer around the skin of your hips, you might have leapt across the table to strangle her. “I’m not some helpless damsel!” 

“Well hey, it still worked didn’t it?” 

You rolled your eyes. Maybe so. Maybe her silly little trick was the catalyst you needed to finally admit to Kakashi how you really felt. But that was besides the point.

“I’m so mad at you,” you grumbled. You took a quick swig of your tea, gripping the cup firmly between your tense fingers. “You’re going to help me find it!”

She didn’t seem at all phased by your threat, and instead she pinpointed Kakashi and flashed him one of her mischievous little smiles. 

“Kakashi, you’ll help her look for it, won’t you?” 

“Don’t put this on him-” 

“Sure.”

You blinked and turned towards Kakashi. 

You were ready to drag Anko to your apartment and locked her inside until the snake was located, but to your surprise Kakashi had shrugged. 

“Why not?” he said, offering you an amused smile. Across the table, Anko practically had hearts in her eyes watching the scene before her unfold. 

“Are you serious?” you asked Kakashi, somehow still doubtful that tearing through your apartment looking for a reptile would be something he wanted to do. 

“Yeah,” Kakashi said. “Snake hunting on the second date could be fun. Oh, or is this the third? Fourth maybe?”

You smiled despite the deep sigh you exhaled as you turned back to your tea. Kakashi always had a way of making things better, that was just something you would have to get used to.

“We shouldn’t bother counting,” you laughed. “I’m sure there will be a lot more weird ones to come…” 

It really was so silly. Cats, birds, snakes? You could only guess what would be next. 

And yet, with the way Kakashi looked at you, you were still looking forward to all of it.