Disclaimer: I do not own either works, they belong to their respective creators, publishers, and companies. My only profit from writing this is experience in writing and editing.

Full Summary: The Elemental Lands stayed out of the rest of the world's problems, but they still kept tabs lest those problems end up affecting their hidden world. At age 18 Kakashi was sent on a mission to analyze a potential threat in Magical London. Twelve years have passed since he returned the Elemental Lands and with the War over he has time to think about his stay in "London, England." It is finally time for him to gain some closure.

Warnings for Chapter: awkward situations, death, swearing, Death Eaters, and cafes

A/N: I'm updating this sooner than I would like because I won't be able to update until finals are over (or at least I shouldn't update until finals are over). So there will be some rough patches, especially since some of this was older writing (like I wrote it before the bookstore scene) and it may not jive as well as other parts. Regardless, please enjoy! ALSO right off the bat will be a claim that hasn't been explained yet, though it has been hinted at, just wait a few chapters for it to be fully explained. You'll probably know what I'm talking about. Again, thank you to everyone that has reviewed, put this fanfic on alert, or even put this on your favorites.~ With love, Depressedchildren

Key: words = present words= memories


Chapitre 6: Etre amis et plus que des amis


Kakashi sighed in relief when he left the airport with his bag in hand. Gods did it feel good to walk again, and be in the fresh air. He smiled sadly as he looked around at the various couples and families hugging in goodbye or hello. He remembered Lily hugging him by that sign, just over there. She was crying a little. Severus was with her, he just nodded his head to Kakashi. It was a little ironic his two closest friends, even to this day, ended up being civilian magic users.

Kakashi was about to head in the direction of Lily's London apartment when his stomach began to growl. It was still early and he could use a good meal. Smiling, he moved toward the coffee shop he and Lily used to visit frequently. Lily…

After the New Year, the tension between them seemed to grow exponentially. Within the span of a week they had almost kissed three or four times. It was almost too much for him. Just sitting side by side after their self-defense sessions usually resulted with one, or both of them, suddenly jumping away from the other. The tension was culminating and Kakashi frankly, was not in the least bit surprised by what happened at Petunia and Vernon's wedding.

February 18th, almost six months, to the day, since he left Konoha and he was terribly home sick. However, Vernon and Petunia had invited him to their wedding, a wedding in which Lily was the maid of honor. Kakashi found himself, to his own surprise, incredibly happy for his friend, who when they first met had been afraid that she wouldn't be there for her sister's big day.

She looked stunning in the bridesmaid dress and she was so happy…not once did Lily stop smiling. She watched her sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law say their vows with rapt attention. Just seeing her big sister so happy made Lily happy. It was amazing to Kakashi to see this.

Konoha was still working to recover from the Kyuubi attack and the War; many were too busy grieving for their lost loved ones, and then others still had no time for happy occasions - at least that was the case with Kakashi's comrades. Kakashi supposed this must be what it was like to be a civilian, to be allowed to relax and celebrate and love it all.

Kakashi ended up sitting next to Harold at the Evans' request, which was slightly awkward but also difficult. It was difficult because the man was clearly mourning for his wife. He tried to be supportive to the man, but Kakashi was constantly at a loss of what to say when he talked about: "Laurel would have loved this," "That was Laurel's favorite color," "She'd have loved seeing our girls together like this again," and other such comments.

Similarly, at the reception, Kakashi was seated next to Harold at a table with Vernon's relatives. The large woman that was unmistakably Vernon's sister, grated on Kakashi's nerves with each wobble of her jowls. If he had thought Vernon was inappropriate and marginally racist, Kakashi was not sure what to call the repulsive woman sitting at his other side. It was clear Harold felt similarly. This Marge woman was just - if she made another "disguised" racial slur at him, the jounin was not sure if he could be held culpable for his actions.

Other than seating arrangements, the reception was tasteful, the food was decent and the noi-music was charming. Lily watched with adoration as her father and sister danced the opening song, which apparently was one of Laurel's favorites, if he discerned the sad smiles on the Evans family's faces. Then Lily watched in awe as Vernon and Petunia took their first dance as a married couple. Thankfully Harold was sitting with him again and he could have a valid reason to ignore the mustached bitch beside him.

Harold clapped after his son-in-law and daughter sat back down at the head table. Marge seemed to finally give up talking to Kakashi and was now talking with her parents. Thus Harold could talk to Kakashi without fear of the inappropriate woman interrupting.

Harold looked down at his champagne glass when other couples began to make their way onto the dance floor. Kakashi masked his wince by taking a sip of water. The man likely wished he could be dancing with his wife again, yet he obviously could not pass the night like all the other couples were.

"You know, Takashi," Harold began as he fingered the flute stem. "If it wasn't for you, I don't think Lily would be up at that table, or that they'd be this happy," he stated and looked at Kakashi with a steady gaze that somehow made Kakashi feel a little intimidated. Marge was eying them interestedly but at least she held her tongue.

In his discomfort, Kakashi decided to eye-smile and shrug, "I can't say I really know what you're talking about, sir-Harry." Harold laughed at his grimace and that he forgot to call Harold by his nickname.

"You may not know this yet about my little girls," he gestured to the sister's talking together at the head table. "But they can be stubborn, Petunia more so than Lily. Their relationship was really strained when they were little. Petunia wanted to protect her baby sister from everything but when she couldn't…" Harold frowned. "Well…she changed the anger at herself to anger at Lily for going to that school…or at least that's how I see.

"But somehow you got them to reach back out to each other, so… thank you," Harold nodded his head again, and Kakashi ducked his head. He could practically feel Harold's amused gaze and Marge's curious look.

"You know, I didn't mind that Potter boy, but he hurt Lily when he tore apart her friendship with that Spinner's End boy. But you, you I like," Harold nodded again and Kakashi found himself gapping at the man.

"Wha…? I-uh, nn," he was almost thankful when Petunia and Vernon arrived at their table to save him from Marge's laughter and Harold's clear amusement.

"You should go dance with Lily," Petunia stated with a smile, though he could almost see a threat hidden under it.

"I don't know how to-"

"Lily will teach you," Petunia interrupted and grabbed Kakashi's arm. Vernon had his other arm and Harold was now laughing along with Marge. Before he had a chance to protest, Kakashi was standing in front of Lily who was shaking her head at her sister's actions but she laughed none the less.

"Tunney," Lily still got up around the head table and stood in front of Kakashi. So there they stood on the dance floor, that damn tension heavy between them. Lily took up Kakashi's left hand and he placed his right one on her shoulder blade.

"You know I can't dance," Kakashi stated with a bored expression, damn the bride and groom for putting him into this mess, though it actually might be better than sitting at the table and waiting for a slur from Marge, or another awkward comment courtesy of Harold. Lily laughed and rolled her eyes.

"I recall you picking up the waltz pretty fast," she had a very pleased expression on her face, especially when they began to sway to the noise playing.

"Mah, but this isn't a waltz song, is it?" Kakashi eye-smiled and was poked in the chest for his comment.

"No, it isn't but there's really not much to the two-step, you'll pick it up just as quickly as the waltz," she assured. Kakashi gave a long suffering sigh which caused Lily to roll her eyes.

Apparently, he had no escape except running away, which would only bite him in the end. So, Kakashi just watched the others around them and began to pick up what this kind of dancing was. He mimicked the other dancers and soon Lily was laughing in delight.

"See! You are a fast learner," she laughed again after he spun her out and back in. Kakashi resumed the hold and sighed again.

"Yes, yes, I'm a fast learner," at her mock glare he laughed, "You know, I just watched what they were doing," he gestured to the other dancers and spun her in place.

The bridesmaid dress flared out like the petals of a flower. Kakashi noted that Vernon and Petunia looked very pleased with themselves. Damn them and their plotting; what with those numerous dinners and the constant interrogations to see if he was "deserving" of Lily, and of course dragging him onto the dance-floor…

They came back together after the spin and Lily looked up at him with her emerald eyes shining. Her face was flushed from the dancing and she was breathing a little quicker. Her mouth was stretched in a smile and by the end of the song she was standing up on her tip-toes and Kakashi was bending down to meet her.

When he realized he was kissing her he froze but then he felt her press against his lips a little harder and he caved in. What was the worst that could happen? His mind supplied several thousands of images, but somehow he was able to ignore it with one image of how happy Minato-sensei and Kushina-san were together. A chance to be as happy as they were…it made him not care about the consequences, even if only for a moment.

When they broke apart from the kiss, Kakashi noted that Petunia had her hands clasped in front of her to hide her smile while Vernon was grinning broadly at them. He didn't want to see what expression Harold was making and he really did not want to see what expression Marge was making.

Lily looked embarrassed but pleased and Kakashi just pushed his hands into his pockets. She looped her arm in his and led him outside of the reception hall via French doors. She sighed into the cold air and turned around to face Kakashi with a bright smile, her hands moved to hold his, which Kakashi allowed.

"Takashi, I would like to be more than friends," she whispered as she laced their fingers together and looked down at them.

"Lily…" he whispered back, it was neither encouraging nor discouraging. "You know my past…and you have Severus," she looked up at him with her brow furrowed. He was going to give her every chance to get out of this because he knew he'd only hurt her when he had to go back to Konoha. Maybe…maybe he could work something out the Hokage, but somehow he doubted that would work.

"Severus is like a brother to me, 'Kashi. You're my best friend too but…" she moved her lips together in thought, consequently rubbing her lipstick a little more, "but I'm attracted to you and feel so…" she moved closer to him and removed one of her hands to place it against his chest, "so safe and comfortable with you."

Kakashi moved his free hand to wrap around her as she placed her head against his chest. "You're my best friend," Lily whispered.

"You're my best friend too," and Kakashi was still shocked to find his statement true. Perhaps he wanted a romantic relationship with her, but regardless, she would always be his best friend first.

They stayed there for a moment, but the chill air, made Kakashi break the moment.

"We should go inside, it's too cold to stay out here," Lily reluctantly nodded and began to retract herself from Kakashi, but when she tried to unlace their fingers Kakashi gave her hand a gentle squeeze and bent his head down, "If you're sure…"

Lily wore a goofy smile the rest of the night and Kakashi could not stop from smiling either; however, his smile was more subtle than the one Lily bore. He shouldn't have agreed, but part of him selfishly wanted the happiness he knew Lily Evans could bring him. He wanted to be happy like Minato-sensei and Kushina-san had been. He wanted a deep and meaningful relationship he doubted anyone but Lily could give him.

Before the night was over he had to face Harold, who had been grinning at him whenever they made eye contact. "Sir, Harry, um…" Kakashi grimaced and Harold laughed, "I'd like to date your daughter?"

"About damn time," Kakashi felt his mouth drop open in shock at the response. Harold laughed loudly again, "I told you I liked you best, and you've been a good friend to my little Lily-pad. I'm just glad you finally decided to get together," he then jerked his head toward the dance floor where Lily was leaning against the head table and talking excitedly to her sister, "Lily loves dancing, and I expect you to treat her right."

Kakashi gave a feeble laugh, much like he remembered Minato-sensei giving when he was uncomfortable. He then bowed his head and moved back toward Lily.

"Did the old man give you a death threat?" Vernon asked when Kakashi drew near.

"Was he supposed?" Kakashi asked with a frown. Vernon laughed in return.

"Maybe he just knows you won't hurt my baby sister," Petunia suggested with a teasing smile. Kakashi felt heat rise up on his cheeks and he ducked his head. Lily rolled her eyes at her brother-in-law and sister.

"What is with people worrying about me getting hurt?" Lily then grabbed Kakashi by his arm. "Come on, I love this song,"

The song was kind of fast and some of the other dancers were doing a different kind of dance, but he just continued doing whatever the hell he had been doing.

Lily was humming along to the song and before long she began to sing with it, "The night's~ magic seems to whisper~ and hush. You know the soft~ moonlight seems to shine in your place. Can I just have one more moon dance with you," she stopped singing and began to laugh when he spun her out.

Because of how fast the song was, at least in comparison to the songs they had been dancing to, they danced much closer than they had before. It felt so intimate. Kakashi could not help but smile into Lily's hair when an instrument solo took over the song. The singing resumed and he would spin her periodically. As the song was winding down, Kakashi braved an ending he had seen the other's doing, and so lowered his arms with Lily in them. When he pulled her back upright, she kissed him.

"And who taught you how to dip?" she asked against his lips. Kakashi shrugged and kissed her back.

For the rest of the night they danced together, and he was not threatened by Harold. By the end of the evening, he walked Lily back to her apartment. They shared another kiss at her door and wished each other a good night.

As Kakashi walked through the streets toward his home, he kept touching his gloved fingers to his lips. Was he doing the right thing? It was too late now to tell her they should be just friends, but damn it! Kakashi was selfish, he knew this, and he wanted to curse himself for what he would put Lily through when he had to leave.

But he was so happy with Lily, and he felt so stable. Was it so bad to want this now, even though he would probably break her heart when he had to leave? He paused in an alley he used as a shortcut to his place. He glared at the ground and slammed his fist against the brick wall next to him. A few pieces of brick broke off and crumpled to the ground.

He shouldn't be doing this, he shouldn't. He licked his lips and tasted what could have only been Lily on them. His resolve crumbled. He was a selfish bastard and he'd resign himself to being such.

Kakashi peered around the café as he waited for his food. The establishment had changed slightly, new furniture, a new coat of paint, new staff, but the view and atmosphere remained the same. Kakashi sighed and rested his head on his hand with his elbow propped on the table.

He couldn't help but wonder if Lily was happy. He couldn't help but curse his younger self for getting involved with the witch romantically. Still, he wouldn't change it because time can't be changed.

If he could change the past, everything with Obito would have been done differently, everything with the Uchiha's would have been handled differently, everything with Lily would have stayed the same but he'd threaten resignation if the Hokage didn't let her come live with him. He would have protected her, he would have explained everything…or so he'd like to think.

Kakashi thanked the waiter when he set down his food, and despondently, Kakashi began to pick at it. He'd rather not think of the consequences anymore, or what could have changed. Reflecting and living in the past was better than pointless musings about changing it.

Their first date as a couple had been interesting. Lily had come to their self-defense session with a Tupperware container and a bag of groceries. She put the container in the refrigerator and set the bag on the counter. At his quirked eyebrow she laughed.

"I thought we could make dinner together, though I already made desert," she stated. She then moved into his bathroom and changed into her workout clothes. Those short shorts and the tight shirt, he almost grimaced. Time to test his self-restraint again.

They did a few warm up exercises: abs, arms, and legs. Once their muscles were warmed up Kakashi began to review with her the holds and moves he had showed her. Once that was done he decided to teach her a little taijutsu, nothing threatening to the secrecy of his village, it was the standard academy tiajutsu.

After an hour they ended with stretches and Lily smiled at him, "I'm starting to develop muscle!"

"That's good, but didn't you have muscle to begin with?" Kakashi teased which caused Lily to glare at him playfully.

"So… what kind of meal were you hoping to make?" Kakashi asked, and Lily just smiled.

"Make whatever comes to mind with the ingredients we have," Lily smiled again before she finished her last stretch and reached out for Kakashi's hand to be helped up. "By the way, you still haven't showed me these so called ridiculous balancing exercises," Kakashi raised an eyebrow before he recalled the conversation she was referring to.

"Very well, get the ingredients out," Kakashi then took his shirt off and got into a handstand before moving to balance on his fingertips. He then balanced on one finger from each hand. He was pumping chakra into his finger to keep it from breaking, but otherwise it was entirely his core muscles keeping him "upright".

Kakashi then flipped back onto his feet and moved to the couch which he began doing lazy flips and back bends along the top of the back rest.

He landed at the other end and heard Lily clapping slowly. He bowed then and straightened. She looked at him in awe, her mouth hanging open slightly. "If I had a chair I would balance on the back rest of it but…" Lily shook her head and turned back the groceries she had begun to unload.

"Why do you keep taking your shirt off?" Lily asked.

Kakashi refrained from making a suggestive or teasing comment; he wasn't ready to bring that into their new relationship, "It will obscure my vision," he stated as he threw his shirt back on.

"Then tuck it into your pants," Lily reasoned.

"Then it restricts my movement," He moved to look at the ingredients before him. Lily shook her head but she was smiling. Kakashi hummed at what he saw laid out on the table.

"I haven't cooked much with chicken," Lily smiled at his confession.

"That's alright, I'll cook the chicken what else will we have with it," she moved toward the oven and turned it on.

"Well, what will you be putting on it?" Kakashi asked as he continued to examine the ingredients.

"I figured a little rosemary and lemon along with salt and pepper," Kakashi furrowed his brow and shrugged.

"It will mostly taste like lemon, right?" She nodded to his question, "I have just the dish then." They then began washing their hands and preparing the meal.

Lily followed Kakashi's instructions and they worked well together in the small kitchenette. Which he was thankful for because if she had been as bossy as Petunia, he wasn't sure what he would have done. Before long they were kneeling at the coffee table and began to eat. This time Lily had brought forks and knives.

"Vernon and Petunia will be moving into their new home at the end of the week. They had to wait on a few legal things for the deal to go all the way through, but by the time they get back from the honeymoon they will be proud owners of their very own house."

"I take it they're excited?" Lily nodded in response to his question.

"I was going to help them unpack, would you like to join me?" her question was so innocent yet Kakashi imagined a repeat of when he helped Lily move into her apartment. Oh Gods…yet maybe he could work with Lily or Vernon instead of Petunia, he could handle that.

"Why not?" Kakashi shrugged and smiled at her, though his mind continued to flash back to that horrible day in Lily's kitchen.

"Great," Lily took another bite of food and sipped some water before she spoke again. "Have you ever seen a movie before?"

Kakashi quirked an eyebrow at the question, and slowly shook his head while he chewed. Lily hummed and took another bite of her food. Once Kakashi swallowed he asked, "Why? Did you want to go to one?" Kakashi paused for a moment and gave a sheepish smile, "What's a "movie"?"

Lily smiled and took a sip of water, "Hard to describe…Do you know what a play is?"

Kakashi cocked his head to one side; he had seen traditional performances, well glimpses of them while on bodyguard missions. He didn't really understand those performances, but then he had only seen short disjointed segments. From what it looked like, plays told stories. "Yes…"

Lily's eyes shone with amusement, "You don't sound too sure?" her smile was playful and Kakashi shrugged.

"I've only seen glimpses of traditional performances," Lily hummed and nodded her head while Kakashi took another bite of food, it looked like she was going to give him an explanation.

"Well, plays tell stories, pretty much," Lily paused for a moment and gave Kakashi a thoughtful look, "Have you read any Shakespeare?"

"I tried. I couldn't understand the language. I think I'm missing some cultural understanding or… something," Kakashi furrowed his brow. He really had tried reading some of that William Shakespeare's books, but the language confused him. It was so different from what he had learned prior to coming to London, yet it was still the same language. Half of what was written in it didn't make sense when he read it and Kakashi felt like he was missing something.

"It's an older version of English, so a lot of the words have changed meaning or don't exist anymore," that would make a lot of sense, Kakashi hummed. It is really challenging to read his plays but I think you can do." Lily took a sip of water and then her eyes grew wide in excitement, "How about we read some of his plays together?"

Lily looked rather excited at the prospect of reading with him and he could learn something from the process. He shrugged before nodding his head, "sure, why not?" Lily rolled her eyes but her smile became excited.

"Well, we could try something easy but it'll be pretty dark and serious. Otherwise we could go for something more challenging but humorous," Lily suddenly scrunched her brow up in concern or thought, Kakashi was not sure which emotion. "Did you finish reading The Princess Bride?"

Kakashi blinked a few times before he nodded. He then got up from ground and moved toward a drawer that coupled as a bookshelf. "It was…interesting?" Kakashi threw a smile over his shoulder and retrieved the book in question, "At first the author's interjections confused me, but then I realized it was for satirical effect." He returned to the coffee table and sat down while sliding the book over to her.

"So you enjoyed reading it?" Lily's eyes were narrowed slightly, most likely to gage his reaction.

"It was humorous," Kakashi conceded and was rewarded by Lily smiling broadly.

"Great, I love this book. It's hilarious! The "impressive cleric" cracks me up every time," Lily laughed a little and then did her best impersonation of the priest in the book, "Mawwige, mawwige is what bwings us ere today,"

Kakashi chuckled, and decided to follow her act, "The bwessed union, and I forgot what else he says" Kakashi gave Lily a lopsided smile while she practically squealed in laughter. It was pleasant to act so…silly. He faced death and deceit every day as a ninja thus he had to be on guard and serious every waking moment. His only reprieve from the gloom was his Icha Icha books, but even they were more of a disguise to makes his enemies underestimate him.. To not have to be serious was…it was relieving and he felt better being able to joke.

"Alright, it's decided, we're going to read the comedies from Shakespeare, and if the movie theaters ever have another showing of Monty Python andthe Holy Grail we will go see it." Lily's smile took over half her face and she rested her hand on one of Kakashi's.

"Mah, Lily, I don't mind dramas either. Besides, it might be good to ease me into Shakespeare," Kakashi eye-smiled and Lily hummed.

"What play did you try to read?"

"Hmm…I think it was Much Ado, does that sound right?" Lily smiled at him and took a sip of water.

"Well, Much Ado about Nothing is supposed to be one of his most hilarious plays, but that could be why it was so difficult. How about we start with Macbeth and then go onto Twelfth Night, then we can tackle Much Ado,"

"So what is this Macbeth about?" Kakashi asked and continued eating.

"It's a drama, very dark but a good gateway into Shakespeare." They continued talking about plays as they finished eating, and Kakashi was actually eager to read these plays with Lily, who adamantly believed reading out loud helped understand the plays better.

He especially found Twelfth Night interesting since it dealt with deception and disguises. Though it would be a romantic comedy, he supposed the character dynamics would at least be interesting, especially this supposed love-triangle.

Lily even talked about going to see a play after they had read one of the plays. It was something about seeing how well their image of the play matched up with the directors. It was curious but the conversation had certainly made the dinner go by fast.

After finishing the dinner they cleaned up the dishes and washed them together. Lily was on rinsing and drying duty while Kakashi scrubbed the dishes clean. She bumped into him plenty of times, all the while humming some happy tune. She even used a knife to spray Kakashi with water! Being a respected jounin he simply could not let that offense slide. So, he made sure to flick soap suds into her hair, and he may have dunked a few dishes with a little more force than necessary to splash her.

Damp and breathing heavy from laughing, Lily leaned against the counter and finished drying off the last plate. She handed Kakashi the towel once he pulled the plug to let the water drain out of the sink.

"Thank you," he gave Lily an eye-smile and she just rolled her eyes while smiling.

"Well, I'm going to change out of my now, wet clothes," she gave him a mock glare, "So I'll be right back" she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek while moving over to the clothes she came to his apartment in .

"Mah, Lily, you're clothes are not nearly as bad as mine," Lily paused and looked over her shoulder at his statement.

"I know," her smile was mischievous and reminded Kakashi of Kushina-san, if only in for its sinister edge.

Kakashi quickly put his dishes away while Lily moved to the bathroom to change her clothes. Kakashi moved to his closet and found some jeans to replace his soaked sweatpants. Really it looked like he wet himself or something. He then peeled off his shirt and retrieved a jumper from the closet. With a sigh, he picked up his wet clothes and set them on his radiator. He could deal with his damp boxers, only because it would be awkward if Lily had walked in. He wasn't ready for that in their relationship yet.

Lily came back into the room, still adjusting her jumper, with her wet clothes in one hand. Seeing his clothes on the radiator, she smiled and set her clothes next to his.

She turned around and faced him with her hands on her hips, "Well, why don't we go on a walk while our clothes dry, and then we can eat dessert?" Lily suggested smiling.

"Hmm…" Kakashi walked over to her and gave what he thought was a wistful expression, he then looked down at her and eye-smiled, "sounds good." Lily just rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm.

"Then shall we?" she asked and moved toward the door. Kakashi broke apart from her to slip on his shoes and she gave him a curious look but then shook her head and put on her coat. Once he was all set and had his coat on, they headed outside.

It was cold out but it was still pleasant. Lily looped her arm in his and they held hands like that.

"Hmm…" Lily looked up at the sky and Kakashi joined her. It was a shame he couldn't see the stars due to the city, that was one of the many things he missed about Konoha. Anywhere in the city, the stars could still be seen.

"What?" Kakashi asked and continued to look up at the inky blackness above them while they walked farther and farther from his apartment.

"Oh…I was just wondering if you would be interested in museums or maybe visiting the Globe Theatre someday."

Kakashi furrowed his brow and looked over at Lily. She gave him a small smile and hugged his arm so that she could rest her head against his shoulder, "Artwork, like paintings, sculptures, photographs. Or maybe history museums, that have artifact, or a science museum? Oh, and the Globe Theatre was Shakespeare's theatre,"Kakashi hummed at the explanation and shoved his free hand into his pocket.

"Not sure about the art, I was never a fan but perhaps you can enlighten me in that area too?" he gave her another lopsided smile and she shook her head while laughing.

"What about visiting the theatre?"

Kakashi pursued his lips in thought, "Depends on how much I like the plays, I suppose." Lily gave him a look and shook her head; Kakashi chuckled and ducked his head to kiss her temple. "At least I read."

"Yes, thank God for that," Lily's tone had been dry but then she began laughing which showed how un-serious she had been.

They continued walking but in a comfortable silence. They had been walking for a total of ten minutes, which had mostly been in silence, when Lily spoke up again, "I just realized we missed Valentine's Day."

Kakashi blinked a few times before he began chuckling, right. They decided to date at Petunia's wedding, which was four days after Valentine's Day. "Mah… White Day hasn't passed yet, we can pretend."

Lily was giving Kakashi the strangest look and Kakashi realized his mistake in assuming. "You don't have White Day?" Lily shook her head and looked at him intently for a definition.

"Right… well, Valentine's Day is usually the day when women give men chocolates to signify affection or courtesy. White Day is when men who received something on Valentine's Day return the gift, so to speak," Kakashi grimaced and rubbed his head in a fashion Minato-sensei often did.

"So Valentine's Day is for women and White Day is for guys?" Lily gave him a questioning look, as if to ask if she got the concept right. Kakashi nodded and eye-smiled, which caused Lily to smile, "So we're just going to pretend I got you something on Valentine's Day and then basically have Valentine's Day on this White Day?"

"Hmm…does that make you uncomfortable? I don't mind, if that's what you're worried about."

Lily shook her head, "No, I guess I don't mind. Though…" a sly smile came across her face and her eyes flashed in a mischievous way. Whatever she was going to ask was likely going to embarrass him, "have you often received chocolates on Valentine's Day?"

Kakashi couldn't stop himself from grimacing. Yes this would be slightly embarrassing, but exceptionally painful to answer. He looked down at the sidewalk. "Yeah, I did," Lily's smile fell away at his dead tone.

"'Kashi?" Lily made him stop walking and she forced him to look at her. He gave her a bitter smile and sighed.

"Don't worry Lily," her face became hard at his response and her mouth was in a straight line. She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. Kakashi sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. He sighed again.

Rin had given him homemade chocolates while they were on Team Minato for Valentine's Day, they were honmei-choco, but he refused to treat them as such. He tried to pass them off to Obito when she left, but either Minato-sensei would pull him into a head lock or Obito would try to punch him. Then he would be forced to "return the gift" on White Day, but he made sure the gift was clearly a courtesy one. He would have rather ignored it like he did in his academy days when the stupid girls gave him chocolates on Valentine's Day, but Minato-sensei made sure he wouldn't do that to Rin.

"'Kashi, tell me what's wrong?" Kakashi bowed his head and sighed, Lily was his friend and he had told her some of the story already.

"Can we keep walking?" he could feel people staring at them. He'd rather have as little attention as possible on him while he disclosed some of his more shameful actions. Lily stood resolute and even glared at him slightly. "I promise to tell you, but people are staring."

She sighed and they began moving again, after a moment she spoke, "So…? Please tell me 'Kashi, I'm your friend, well girlfriend, but friend first."

Kakashi smiled slightly at that rubbed his thumb against her hand from where they were entwined. However, his expression sobered and he nodded his head, "I told you I had teammates during the war and they died because of my…" Kakashi swallowed against the lump forming in his throat and wetted his lips before continuing, "stubbornness, my stupidity-"

"'Kashi," her tone was mixed parts exasperation and concern.

"I know, accept it, stop blaming myself," Kakashi clenched his teeth together in his anger at himself.

"You'll make yourself crazy if you keep thinking like that. Takashi, I know I can't understand but I want to be here for you," she was being sincere and it made Kakashi feel worse. He sighed.

"Right…well. Rin, she was on my team, she always gave me something on Valentine's Day and I was such a little shit," Kakashi shook his head and gritted his teeth. "I had to be forced to give her something on White Day by Minato-sensei," Kakashi paused and shook his head in disgust. "Gods, I was such a- I was willing to let our enemies kill her when I found out she was captured. Who does that do their teammates?" Kakashi looked over at Lily, whose eyes were wide, and he quickly turned away in shame.

Kakashi felt his stomach twist, would she reject him? She was shocked but was she horrified? Kakashi forced himself to continue speaking; at least they were still walking. "All I thought about was the mission and how much of hold back my teammates were. I was worse than trash to do that to my teammates- to think that way. I never treated her right, I never treated either of them right…"

"'Kashi, you were a kid," Kakashi dared to look up at her again, and saw that her brow was furrowed but her eyes held only concern. She was searching his face, and not once faltered in her step.

"They died because of my actions," he watched as Lily swallowed and tried to come up with something to say. At last she found something.

"Takashi, you were in a war, you were trained for war when you were little, right? They told you the rules were the most important thing, right?" the jounin begrudgingly nodded, "You probably don't want to hear this because you have it already made up in your own head, but please just listen to me," they stopped walking and Lily held onto his upper arms.

"Takashi, you were a kid, you were obeying orders, and I don't know what they did to you, but you are just as emotionally stunted and guarded as Severus," Kakashi frowned slightly at how blunt her statement was, no matter how true it was still very blunt. "Takashi, we all make mistakes, we all act in ways we will come to regret and perhaps even hurt those around us.

"I don't know all the particulars, and I hope someday you can trust me with them, but 'Kashi, you can't let what happened destroy you or keep you from living. You've learned from it, and you're honoring your teammate's lives, right?" Lily was being so sincere, and he could tell she truly cared.

Kakashi bowed his head and rested it atop Lily's head and wrapped his arms around her. He didn't want to hear this and he wanted to yell at her, but then part of him wanted her to keep comforting him. No one had, he never talked about what happened with any other than Minato-sensei and even then Minato had rather focus on Kushina and the unborn baby.

"Yes," he whispered into her hair.

"And your teammates cared about you, they wanted you happy?" Kakashi gave a wry smile even though Lily couldn't see it. He supposed at the end they did, or he liked to think he and Obito cared about each other at the end. Kakashi had hoped to follow Rin after he…he killed her, but then he lived.

"Yes."

"Do you think they want you blaming yourself, or doing your best to live happy while honoring their memory?" Kakashi pulled away from Lily and shook his hand with a small smile on his lips.

"Mah, Lily, do you have to be so reasona…" Kakashi trailed off, he could hear sirens in the distance, he wasn't sure if Lily could. His smile fell away as he frowned.

"Lily, do you hear sirens?" instinctively he began moving forward again, and Lily followed after him with a quizzical look on her face. They were perhaps twenty minutes out from Kakashi's flat and were close to Sarah and Douglass's apartment. Perhaps they could stop in at the couple's and see if they heard the siren's too?

However, Lily could now hear the sirens and she began to look around for what could be the matter, and that was when she looked back up at the sky. Lily gasped and began sprinting toward the cacophony of sirens. Kakashi looked at the curling clouds of smoke and gasped too. There, in the clouds, was the shape of a skull with a snake slithering out of it. Cursing he ran right after her. They pushed through the crowds and came upon an apartment building engulfed in flames. This was the same apartment building they went to on New Year's Eve, this was Sarah and Douglass's flat.

"Oh God there are people still in there!" Lily gasped and heedlessly ran ahead, thus breaking through the police guard and running into the burning building. Seriously! Kakashi cursed under his breath. Yes Sarah was Lily's friend and they had a child, but to just jump head first into a clear Death Eater raid?!

"Lily!" Kakashi cursed again and immediately joined her. Why the hell wasn't she thinking?

Kakashi wished he had wetted his coat sleeve before he followed her but he could still filter the smoke through it. He quickly found Lily and pulled her out of the way of a falling beam. Somehow she had no problems breathing, which meant she probably cast a spell.

They heard a little kid crying and together they hurried up the stairs, but as carefully as they could when it was so structurally unsound.

Kakashi immediately picked up where the cry came from and they found a little boy from the New Year's Eve party ringed by flame. Kakashi jumped over the flames and grabbed the boy and leaped over the flames again. The kid had its mouth covered by a blanket.

Lily also recognized the kid and gasped. "SARAH!" she called and waited for a reply. Instead there was another scream. Kakashi sensed three figures on the floor above them. He pointed above and held up three fingers. Lily swallowed thickly. Kakashi began to cough but quickly pulled up the front of his sweater over his nose. It reminded him of his mask - how he missed wearing it.

"You take Tomas outside," Lily ordered, her eyes were hard and cold. Death Eaters, he already knew but this only confirmed his belief. He shrugged off his coat and threw it over his head with one arm.

"Like hell I will," She glared at him but Kakashi quickly moved them out of the way of more falling and burning debris. "I've lost a lot of people Lily, don't make me sit aside and potentially lose you too," Lily stiffened but quickly nodded her head.

"What about Tomas?"

"I hear fire rescue at the back of the building," Kakashi discreetly created a shadow clone and had it transform into fire rescue officer. It came from the back of the building where a fire escape was and Kakashi hurriedly passed the kid off. Then they ran up to the top floor.

Kakashi immediately pushed Lily down when a spell was shot their way. Kakashi threw one of his hidden kunai at the attacker and rolled away into the room, his coat was forgotten by the door. Lily followed suit and quickly swept one of the Death Eaters feet out from under him. Kakashi kicked the stick out of the wizard he was attacking's hand and quickly incapacitated him. He noted that Lily had successfully knocked her opponent to the ground and had then slammed her heel into his temple.

With the Death Eaters unconscious, Lily addressed the bleeding woman in the middle of the room. Sarah was pale and shaking, but barely alive. Kakashi saw Douglass's corpse burning in the corner of the room. Poor kid was likely going to be orphaned.

"Sarah!" Lily gasped and fell down beside the woman. Kakashi could not help but cough, there was too much smoke up here.

"Lily we need to get out…too much smoke," Kakashi was gasping for breath between coughs, but it only made him breathe in more smoke. Lily looked at him worriedly.

Just then there was a loud crack and Kakashi dropped into a crouch. He pulled the kunai out of his victim and looked around him. Men in red robes appeared in the doorway; however, Kakashi's vision was already blotting out from smoke inhalation. He managed to conceal his kunai before it all went black.

Kakashi could piece together what had happened when he woke up with Lily sitting at his bedside. He could already tell he was in a hospital by the neutral wall colors, the pale sheets, and the uncomfortable paper gown he was wearing. All hospitals were the same after all.

"'Kashi?" Lily asked and quickly was standing over him. He gave her a little smile.

"I hate hospitals," his voice was hoarse and Lily grimaced.

"I'm sorry, but that was Sarah's apartment building and there's been this terrorist group attacking…" she trailed off and frowned. "I shouldn't have dragged you into this."

"Lily, it's okay," Kakashi coughed and swallowed as best he could. Lily was still frowning but she leaned over him and kissed him lightly on the lips. She then straightened up and poured him some water from a jug by his bed.

"Even so, you almost died from smoke inhalation because I was brash and ran into that building without thinking," She dropped her gaze and took a deep breath. He wondered how long he had been out for her to be so calm about it.

He took a sip of his water and then quickly drank the rest of it. Oh, it felt so good; however, he had a favor to return.

"Did your friend Sarah make it?" Lily slowly shook her head and her hands curled into fists, Kakashi knew Sarah wouldn't make it but he had to ask lest he assume incorrectly. "At least her boy's alive," Kakashi reminded and Lily gave a slow nod. He sighed and slowly reached out his free hand. He knew this was going to happen.

"Lily don't," she looked at him and blinked a few times, "take your own advice: carry the weight but don't sink beneath it. Reconcile with what happened but don't beat yourself up. Make her memory happy by living," Lily gave a half smile and made him move over so she could lie on the narrow hospital bed with him.

They laid there and just soaked in each other's company. She knew his grief now, but not completely and he never wished her to – hell, he never wanted to share any of his grief, yet it happened. They were friends, they supported each other, and at last they could understand each other a little better.

Kakashi smiled wryly at a random thought: three encounters with Death Eaters and the third time he gets hospitalized. Ironic. Wasn't the third time the lucky charm?


A suivre


A/N:
Yep, they're dating at last! How many people were waiting for that to happen? Not that I hinted at it at all ^ ^ Also, can anyone tell I'm an English Major, but seriously, Shakespeare can be tough to read and with an L2 background like Kakashi, that has to be even worse. In addition, I highly recommend fans of the movie The Princess Bride to read the book, it is just as hilarious but with even more more back-story and jokes (though like Kakashi says, the author does make interjections that can be distracting at first - also the book came out in 1973 so I'm doing my research). Yes, Lily was singing Moondance, and since VHS weren't out at this time cinema's showed films again even after they were released (at least I think that's the case since my mom saw 2001 Sapce Oddessy in the seventies when it was out in '68). Hope that explains anything weird in this chapter. Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed, and I hope this will make up for not updating until April or May... ~ with love, depressedchildren