A/N: Did I already say that I fell in love with the two awkward, earnest ninjas I wrote in "For Mei?" Then let me say it again: I fell in love with that pair, so deeply in fact, that I had to revisit them and write another holiday fic for them. I hope you enjoy it!

I do not own these characters, I'm having a wonderful time exploring them.

To the civilians of Konoha, the retired Rokudaime Hokage appeared much as he ever did as he strolled the streets of the Hidden Leaf with questionable reading material in hand. But those that knew him well detected a change in the silver-haired prodigy that not even his mask could hide.

Kakashi knew this and didn't mind at all, especially because the reason remained a secret.

It had been seven weeks since he'd attended the International Halloween Gala with the retired Godaime Mizukage, four weeks since they'd decided to spend Christmas together and one week since he'd last seen her. Despite the difficulties that distance and their respective obligations caused the pair, they had managed to see each other often enough that even Mei had lost count of how many dates they'd been on. Kakashi chuckled that he hadn't, as he recalled the exact number.

His hidden smirk lingered as he walked across the very bridge that had sheltered their first passionate exchange. He would go out of his way to cross this bridge and revisit one of his favorite secrets, but today this was the most direct path to his destination.

After weeks of considering far too many options ranging from practical to ridiculous, Kakashi had spotted the perfect present for Mei in a darkened shop window the night before. The way the moonlight had glinted off a pair of silver hair combs had caught his attention, and the image of her weaving them into her abundant locks had held it. He'd set out that morning to be there when the shop had opened, and because he'd been their first customer of the day, the owner had plenty of time and cheer to wrap his gift artfully.

Nearing the bridge on his return trip to drop the gift at his apartment brought a smile to his face again. Kakashi wondered if and where he could make a similar memory for Mei in the Hidden Mist Village and the idea made more than his lips twitch. To distract himself, he directed his mind to the details of his upcoming holiday travel plans.

The international railways connected the allied Hidden Villages as they had never been before. What used to take days now took hours, and for his part in it, Kakashi was proud. Although it had been Lord Seventh that cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, it was Lord Sixth's signature on the contract to have the tracks laid down. At the time, he'd considered it as a means of keeping his promise to his teammates-past and present-to maintain peace between the shinobi nations. Now, he had a personal reason to be grateful for the convenience it offered.

Kakashi would leave Konoha on the morning of the twenty-third and Sukea would arrive in Kirikagure that evening. He and Mei had taken to disguising themselves when they traveled to each other's villages to avoid the fanfare that a visiting dignitary would cause. Her playful nature had manifested in the guises she adopted to meet him in, but the biggest surprise had been that she'd recognized him immediately as the photographer that had stepped off the train in the Mist. "It was your smile," she'd explained afterward, as she traced his bottom lip with a delicate fingernail before kissing him.

Kakashi shook his head to reign in his thoughts that had once again drifted to a private moment between himself and Mei. He focused on the time his train would depart on the morning of the twenty-third. He had chosen to travel that day in case the weather would cause a delay, leaving him an option to postpone his departure and still arrive in time for the holiday. As it turned out, a storm was predicted, but not until the twenty-sixth, and he didn't mind the idea that he'd have to extend his visit with her to avoid it. If he was going to be stuck anywhere during his travels, he hoped it would be in her bed.

Kakashi sighed, thankful to be near his apartment as walking had become steadily more awkward thanks to the images his mind conjured of past and future pleasures with Mei. Just as he was channeling chakra to his feet to begin the ascent up the side of the building to his kitchen window, one of Konoha's finest came barreling around the corner towards him.

"Eternal Rival!" The injuries that confined him to a wheelchair had done nothing to diminish the spirit and appearance of the Hidden Leaf's Blue Beast. "How are you this morning?"

"Great actually," Kakashi chuckled. "How are you?"

His self-appointed rival leaned forward in his chair, knitting his massive eyebrows together as he scrutinized Kakashi. "There's something different about you lately," he spoke in an uncharacteristically soft and serious manner.

"There is?" Kakashi's grey eyes darted upwards in mock contemplation as Maito nodded his head.

"Mm-hmm. You seem…happier."

Kakashi couldn't deny Gai's slow, careful and correct assessment even as he was shocked to realize it himself, but he was spared from having to reply when his former second-in-command continued: "and I think I know why. Kakashi, you're a lucky man."

"I am?"

"Yes." Gai folded his arms across his chest and nodded again. "You've finally realized that you've retired with plenty of time to enjoy the summer of our youth." Then he balled one fist and strained against the tears that welled up in his eyes. "This year's Christmas will be truly special! Kurenai sent me to come and invite you again, and I can't wait to tell her that this is the year you'll finally join us!" The green-clad man suddenly pivoted his chair so quickly he nearly threw himself from it and went back the way he'd come faster than he'd ever run before.

"Gai! Wait-Gai!" His shouts couldn't be heard above his rival's open weeping as the other man sped away. Kakashi released a frustrated breath and finished the journey to his apartment.

Once inside, he paced the kitchen floor. His first thought had been to explain to Kurenai that Gai was mistaken and that he'd had other plans for the holiday. But then he was haunted by all the times he'd ignored the few remaining peers he had in Konoha. All the invitations he'd refused over the years piled up on his conscience.

He set Mei's gift down on his kitchen table and walked to the telephone he'd had installed on the opposite wall of the room. The familiar feeling of disappointing someone important to him settled uncomfortably in his stomach as he dialed a number he'd long since memorized.

"Hello?" Kakashi closed his eyes to the flutters that Mei's gentle voice sent coursing through him.

"Hi, it's me." He never thought he would've been able to announce himself that way to someone.

"Hi, I was just thinking about you." Mei giggled.

"Mei, I'm so sorry, but I can't come to the Mist for Christmas," Kakashi rushed the words out as it felt like his stomach had dropped to the floor.