The sun was setting over Konoha as lights began to flicker on in windows across the village. The crowded streets of Konoha began to empty and the daily sounds of the village began to fade into the quiet, sleepy sounds of the night.

Workers in the Hokage Office and Administrative Building began to leave for the day. Chatter could be heard from workers as some complained about the work they completed that day and others asked their friends out to a drink or meal that evening.

As the building cleared, few remained, including the Hokage himself. The Hokage sat at his desk, hunched over, reading the contents of a report. He tried to ignore the ache in his neck and the piercing headache behind his eyes as he mentally processed the contents on the scroll in front of him.

His day had been long and strenuous — filled with meetings, hearings, reports, and various other tasks that honestly exhausted him. All the while, in the back of his mind, he thought about the impending evening and only nervousness continued to pool in the pit of his stomach.

He didn't like that. It's not that he had never felt nervous before — it was that the only times he had ever truly felt nervous were times he also felt filled with a sense of impending doom. The anxiety of it all was making him downright grumpy — and he found himself dismissing his assistants rather coldly as he shut himself away in his office for the remainder of the afternoon and evening to try and calm his thoughts.

Suddenly, the door to his office opened. "Lord Hokage, it's time for dinner."

"Not now, Shizune. I'm trying to finish this report," said Kakashi, a tone of annoyance in his voice. His time of seclusion had not helped.

"Yes, now. It's 7:30, my Lord. And you promised me you would eat a substantial meal this evening," said Shizune, mimicking Kakashi's tone of annoyance.

He looked up at her with a scowl and said "I don't remember promising anything—"

"Oh, don't even try that. You're having dinner, and you're not getting out of it. Besides, the food is already prepared," said Shizune, grinning defiantly.

"Already…prepared," asked Kakashi, an eyebrow raising.

"Yes, I assumed you would try to get out of this somehow. That's why I had the cooks go ahead and have the food ready before I stopped by tonight."

"But how do you know what I want to eat," said Kakashi, furrowing his brow irritably.

Shizune just smirked at him, and turned and left his office with the door open.

Shizune walked back into his office pushing a small cart that had several covered plates on it.

Kakashi peered up at her and narrowed his eyes. "Just how much food did you bring, Shizune?"

"A full course. And you are going to eat every bite," she said, smirking at him with dark, threatening eyes.

"Hm…" said Kakashi, humming at her and narrowing his eyes doubtfully.

He moved the papers out of the way to make room for the food.

She moved to place the first dish in front of him, and opened it to reveal miso soup with eggplant. She smiled at him warmly. "I hope its done the way you like it," she said.

He looked up at her surprised. "How did you—" he started, too baffled to finish the sentence. This is one of my favorite dishes, he thought.

"Ah, why don't I lay out the other dishes, and then we can talk, okay," she said, winking at him.

She placed the second plate on the table and opened it, revealing broiled saury with salt.

He stared at her in wide eyed astonishment. Another favorite dish, he thought. How did she figure all of this out?

She beamed at him, and placed a bowl of rice on the table in front of him, a cup of tea, and various other items needed for the meal.

"Shizune, why did you…you didn't have to…" he couldn't form sentences, and he was starting to get frustrated.

"But I wanted to, and I knew that this would be good for you. You've been working too hard, and it's not good for your health. You need to take a little time to relax, even if it's just to sit down an eat a full meal, and chat with friends," said Shizune, motioning to the food.

"I…but, how did you know about…all of this," he said, looking down at the food. He had to admit, his mouth was starting to water at the food in front of him.

Shizune paused, remembering a conversation she had with Lady Tsunade and Sakura.

—-

"If I'm remembering correctly, those are all his favorites," said Sakura, finishing writing everything down for Shizune.

"But why do you ask, Shizune," said Lady Tsunade, giving her a knowing look.

"He isn't taking care of himself, Lady Tsunade. He isn't eating properly, and isn't taking breaks, sleeping a normal schedule, or even taking time to relax," said Shizune, looked at both women in exasperation. "I'm going to try and force him to eat a meal. Just one meal."

"Are you going to stay and eat it with him," asked Lady Tsunade, a small smile forming on her lips. "I think you should." She glanced at Sakura, whose eyes widened slightly. Then Sakura said, "I agree. To make sure he eats all of it."

"Well I…" said Shizune, a blush coloring her cheeks.

"Come now, Shizune," said Lady Tsunade, her smile growing. "You can't put all this work into making sure he's doing what he needs to do to be healthy and not make sure he's following through."

"I'm sure he would appreciate your company, as well," said Sakura, biting her bottom lip. Lady Tsunade glanced at her quickly with slightly narrowed eyes.

"I suppose I'll offer to…" started Shizune, but she trailed off. Visions of candle-lit dinners with Kakashi filled her mind…toasting of sake by the seaside…chocolate strawberries by fireside…

She blushed harder. No..NO, she thought, biting her lip. He doesn't even think about me that way…why would he ever…what a fool I am being…

"Shizune," said Lady Tsunade, grinning widely.

"Hmm? Oh…yes…well…I'll ask him. Sure," she said, furrowing her brow. Sakura and Lady Tsunade glanced at one another excitedly.

—

She waved a hand dismissively and said, "oh, that's not important. What is important is that you eat. Go ahead, dig in."

He looked up at her then down at the food and grabbed his pair of chopsticks. Then he paused, and looked up at her again. "But, what about you?"

"Ah, I'm joining you, of course," she said, grinning and turning back toward the cart. She pulled out a bento box and sat in a chair in front of his desk. She looked up at him expectingly.

"Alright," he said, his tone much more warm. "Let's dig in, I guess."

She smiled warmly at him and opened the top of her bento box.

—

Suddenly, the Hokage busted out in loud laugher, followed by breathy laughs coming from Shizune as she spoke loudly but her words were muffled. The Hokage said something loudly, but it too was muffled, and Shizune followed with shrill laughter.

Two chunin who were passing by the office carrying large stacks of books gasped in surprise at the female's laugh. One of them dropped their stack of books, earning an angry lecture from his companion.

The two Anbu black ops who were stationed at the door of the Hokage's Office looked at one another briefly before turning back to face the hall.

—

"Shizune," said the Hokage, wiping a small tear from his eye, gasping for air as he was fighting off fits of laughter. "It's been a long time since someone has made me laugh like that."

"Same here, my Lord," said Shizune, fits of giggles still washing of her.

Kakashi watched her for a moment as she continued to chuckle into her hand, then she turned to her right to look out the window into the village. He watched her gaze out into the village for a moment with a small smile planted onto her face before she turned to him. Her smile faded ever so slightly upon realization that she was being watched, and she immediately looked as if she were uncomfortable. He looked away quickly and then looked down at his plates, jaw clenching slightly.

"Well, I'm, um…I'm done eating. How about you," he asked, not looking up at her.

"Yes, I'm done," she said rather quietly. He stiffened at this, but tried to ignore the discomfort that he was feeling…that strange nervousness and anxiety was creeping back over him again…

"Well…" he started, but hesitated, rubbing the hair on the back of his head. He didn't think it would be right to dismiss her. She was here as his friend — on a social visit. And to be honest, he didn't really want her to leave…

"It's nice outside," said Shizune, still looking out the window.

"Erm, yes," said Kakashi. He glanced side to side in frustration, but then realizing where she was going with her statement he said, "would you like to—"

"Yes," she said simply, turning to look at him with a small smile.

—

Kakashi opened the door to the balcony and let Shizune walk out first.

She walked out and leaned on the rail, looking out into the village and planting a small smile on her face. The autumn wind blew through her hair and she moved a hand up to the side of her head to stop it from messing up her hair too much.

He watched her as he closed the door behind himself and moved to stand beside her. She turned to look at him and smiled warmly.

"It's beautiful tonight. Albeit a little chilly," she said, crossing her arms.

He nodded, but said nothing.

"The streetlights in the southern district have all been restored. Have you noticed yet," she said, pointing with a hand still tucked close to her chest.

"Yes. Naruto did a good job coordinating that," said Kakashi, eyes crinkling again as he smiled proudly.

"He has improved so much. He's almost ready. He made jounin quickly, though no one was really surprised by that. But he has learned so much about leading the village in such a short amount of time," said Shizune.

"Yes, but many of the village advisers do not think he is ready yet. And…" Kakashi leaned more onto the balcony and sighed as he looked out into the village and said, "neither do I think he's ready. He still has much to learn. I plan to send him on more jounin level missions soon — and he will spend more time with Shikamaru and the Union. I also think he needs more time in the field leading squads."

"Well, he had no trouble coordinating that large team to get the district lighting fixed. Maybe he will do just as well on a few low rank missions with genin to train," said Shizune, smiling and shrugging.

"Hmm…I have my doubts," said Kakashi with a chuckle.

"I'm just trying to be a little optimistic, Kakashi. You and I both know Naruto can do surprising things," said Shizune with a chuckle.

Kakashi perked up and grinned. He glanced sideways at Shizune and said slyly, "uh, Shizune. You called me Kakashi…"

Shizune's eyes widened and she blushed as she covered her mouth with a hand. She glanced at him nervously.

"It's alright, Shizune," he said warmly, eyes crinkling in the corners as he smiled. "I want you to be more comfortable around me. Please."

She watched him for a moment, then lowered her hand to reveal a small smile on her lips.

"Oh…alright, but only when we're in private," she said, turning back to look at the village. Her blush hadn't faded yet.

Kakashi leaned onto the rail and looked out at the city. But Shizune couldn't help but notice that he had moved considerably closer to her. She tried to ignore it.

"Are you anticipating that we will have many moments in private together," said Kakashi lowly, smirking under his mask.

Shizune's eyes widened and she glanced sideways at him. Her face reddened even more.

"I…what I meant was…" she said, brow furrowing in frustration.

"I know what you meant," said Kakashi with a chuckle. "I was just teasing you, Shizune. I apologize."

"No need to apologize. But you just…caught me off guard with your statement. It was…" she started, but hesitated to find the right words.

"…it was," he asked, turning to look at her.

"Unexpected," said Shizune. She shivered as a gust of wind blew across the deck.

"Unexpected," repeated Kakashi, smirk widening.

Shizune nodded.

Kakashi hummed in thought, but said nothing else.

Then, suddenly, Shizune felt something being draped over her shoulders and arms. She glanced down and saw the white Hokage coat and felt the warmth from it being worn by someone just previously. She looked at Kakashi, who was back to leaning on the rail and looking out into the village.

"Wha…what's this for," she said quietly, brow raising.

"It's chilly, and you're shivering. I don't need it to stay warm. And you can give it back when we go inside. But for now, please wear it and keep warm," he said.

Surprise turned to genuine happiness as a smile grew on her lips. She thanked him, and he felt a warmness fill his whole body as she smiled and moved to stand right next to him, her body touching his ever so slightly.

After a few moments, she leaned her head onto his shoulder and said quietly, "I'm glad you agreed to dinner."

His eyes widened in surprise at her unexpected closeness, but he smiled warmly and said just as quietly, "so am I."