"Why did I run into you?"

"Hmm?"

Chiisai leaned back in the couch and replied, "The day we met."

"You weren't looking where you were going," he shrugged. "You do that a lot, ya know." Kakashi peeked over the newspaper in hand. Chiisai's furrowed brow and quick huff meant she was annoyed at his response. He smiled to himself and returned his gaze to a recent headline.

Chiisai lifted her dark eyes to the ceiling and replied, "You're one of the most elite ninjas in the Leaf, so you would have sensed me walking toward you." She tilted her head in his direction. "Yet, you still let me run into you."

"Ah, yes. I did," Kakashi nodded. He turned the page.

Chiisai ran her fingers through her hair and frowned at him. He always had to look indifferent to everything, didn't he. "Why?"

The jonin paused at her tone. That day was an eternity ago, but the memory played out crisp in his mind. She had been annoyed at him that day too. If only they had known then what would take place soon after. Meeting a potential love interest was one thing, but saving the Leaf with said potential love interest wasn't his original plan for learning their compatibility. But it had brought up more emotions in him than the past five years of his life combined, and he was thankful for it. With Chiisai, he actually felt...human.

His voice softened as he finally said, "I wanted something normal."

"What?" That didn't make sense. She was everything but that, and him letting her run into him didn't really iterate normal either.

He sighed and closed the paper, causing it to crinkle under his grip. "Normal isn't very common in the life of an elite ninja," he began, "because we aren't normal. For example," he gestured, "before you ran into me I knew you were female from your scent. Books, peaches- your body wash, and a hint of the mango mochi you had earlier." He took a breath and continued, not even looking her way. "Your strides were small and rushed, your shoes lightweight. You had short legs, someone who was used to keeping up with people. Your purse kept hitting your hip. It was heavy from the books inside.

"The peach body wash was rather subtle, and it's commonly used by conservative women ages 25-35. Younger women wear more potent scents, and older women normally don't walk as fast and light as you were at the time.

"So, yes," he said, "I did let you run into me, and the why is simple." He turned his head to finally look her in the eye. "You were a woman around my age, who, judging by the books, peach body wash, and the mochi, seemed like an intelligent and practical woman with a playful side. Why would I have ever allowed myself to step out of your way?"

Chiisai couldn't make out the expression in his eye, but she couldn't tear herself away from the sight of it in that moment. She saw the emotions inside him, but so many were laid bare she couldn't differentiate them from one another. Was this what he kept hidden away from the world?

Her heart now pounded in her chest, almost as if-

Chiisai blinked and turned away before she finished the thought.

He watched her lean away, and something twisted inside. "You're surprised by my answer." Not a statement but a fact.

"No, well yeah." She repositioned herself on the couch and explained, "I just thought it was more complicated, like you sensed my odd chakra or something more ninja-ey."

She faced the window now. Had he hurt her somehow? "Sorry to disappoint."

"No, no," she shook her head, "you're good. No disappointment. Your honesty is appreciated. For once," she added. Great, she was babbling. Dammit.

He looked down at the newspaper again and whispered, "You seemed very interesting...You still are."

"Huh?"

Kakashi cleared his throat and instead said, "Is sweet potato ramen alright for dinner?"

"Oh." She glanced one more time at him, but no emotion shown on what little face was exposed. She must had misheard...And for some reason, it hurt. "...Sounds good to me."

END

I'm writing again. So where have I been?

Graduating college, having a new baby nephew, relative's deaths, getting engaged, and getting a part time job at a book store. Also, I realize what I had going for my main story was completely out of character and didn't make sense, so I had to scrap it and start again.

I'm focusing on consistent biweekly updates with this as I FINALLY get the main one on a solid plan. I understand if y'all have flown the nest and are on to bigger and greater fanfics. But I promised I would finish this, so I am! Next chapter will be a reader's suggestion that has been sitting in my inbox!

Hope everyone has been doing well! Anybody reading cool fanfics? I haven't graced this website in a bit :)