A/N: Hi again. It's now time for Mei and Sakura to shop, and plot. Not warnings this time. Enjoy!
-----
The sun woke them as it did before. Mei found herself completely pinned under a heavy arm. She grabbed Kakashi's arm and pulled him closer to her. He grumbled a bit and nuzzled the back of her head. She said, "Wake up Kakashi; we have lots to do today."
"We do don't we."
"Yes. I've got to go shopping with Sakura."
He pushed his front against her back, pulling her closer still. "Are you sure you have to go so soon?"
"Are you pestering me?"
"I'd like to."
"We'll do that later, I promise. Now, let's get dressed and have breakfast. I want to get an early start, plus I have to get some money together."
"Why? There's no need to."
"But I need to get a dress, and Sakura's,"
"No need. None at all. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Hokage said everything will be paid for because both Gai and I have given so much to the academy. All you have to do is pick out what you want, and all the shop keepers in the village know that it's paid for."
Mei looked at him long and hard, "Oh really?"
"Oh really. Go crazy." She looked at his handsome face and he said, "Anything for you. And Sakura too. Why do I feel that your plot is thickening?"
"Oh it is. Can we include hair and makeup too?"
"Anything."
"Ho, ho ho. This is going to be good indeed. I think I may have to become a matchmaker at the reception. But you have to help me. We have to come up with a good subject for Sakura and Sasuke to talk about later on in the evening. Something they have in common, something he'd actually talk to her about."
"You mean something other than fighting and technique and revenge and being an avenger? There's not much, but,"
"Yes?"
"I have just the thing. But I'm not telling you now. It'll be a surprise to Sakura, AND to you."
"I believe it. You never cease to amaze me."
"I know. Now, get going or I won't let you." Big kisses.
Mei changed her clothes quickly avoiding Kakashi's grabbing hands. Boy is he quick, she thought as she slipped away from him again. But since she was a bit quicker, she was able to escape unmolested. Damn. She went to breakfast where Sakura and the boys were already eating. She got some food and approached, sitting next to Sakura and said, "Sakura! Are you ready for our shopping excursion today?"
"I am Miss Mei,"
"Just Mei thanks,"
"Ok, Mei, but I don't think I have enough money to,"
"Don't even think about it. Kakashi told me today that everything is paid for. All we have to do is pick out what we want, and the academy is picking up the tab."
"Really?"
"That's not fair! What about us?" Naruto had to interrupt.
"You're all being taken care of. This is a special occasion! It's not every day that an academy warrior sensei gets married. Very few marry at all. That's why they've decided to mark the occasion with a celebration. Sakura, when you're ready, we'll leave."
"I'll be ready in a minute."
They ate their breakfast and proceeded to head into town. They talked at length along the way. Sakura had many questions about Kakashi and what he was really like. Mei told her, "He's the same with me as he is with you, except for the personal stuff." Sakura blushed a bit. Mei told her, "You forget, I was a student here too. He was one of the youngest sensei at the academy at the time. I found out just recently that he liked me more than just a student, even back then."
"But that's not right! Sensei aren't allowed to think that way of the students."
"They weren't, and we both suffered because of it."
"You loved him then?"
"The moment I saw him. But I was so young, there was nothing I could do, and nothing he could do. But that's all behind us now. We're both of consenting age and there's some kind of, connection when we're together."
"Oh, that's so romantic, I wish that Sasuke,"
"Sasuke. The dark brooding ninja. He's hot."
"You think so, so do I. Every time I look at him, I get all goofy and I can't think straight and I,"
"And that's exactly the same way I felt about your sensei."
"I think I get it now."
"I still get all goofy inside, but being jonin, I know how to control the goofy now."
They continued to talk as they traveled to the bridal shops. Mei explained to Sakura that since she was the bride and she got to choose, she would wear white with gold. She wanted Sakura to have some gold in her dress, but it could be any color she chose. Sakura picked a lovely pale blue dress that was fitted to her quickly developing form. The dressmakers had them try on their dresses and tailored them perfectly to their bodies. Both of them would be stunning when the wedding day came.
Then they made appointments with hair and make up ladies to arrive at the academy before they got dressed on the wedding day. Everything, just like Kakashi had said, was paid for. The girls were having a great day when Sakura asked Mei, "How do I get Sasuke to notice me?"
"Honestly, I think he's going to notice you at the wedding. You're going to look incredible."
"He'll probably be looking at you, the lady who's the center of attention."
"But you forget Sakura, you go in first."
"First? Before you?"
"Yep, you lead the way. Everyone will see you first. The guests will be waiting in chairs facing the front. Kakashi will be up front, with Gai next to him, with Naruto and Sasuke next to Gai. Then you walk in, and go to the left and stand next to the officiate, then when the music starts, I come in. I think that if you look half as beautiful as I think you'll look all the young men will be eating out of your hands. But may I give you some advice with Sasuke?"
"Yes, please!"
"Ignore him."
"WHAT? HOW?"
"You have to think of yourself as the most beautiful, most powerful woman in the world when you walk in there. If and only if he makes direct eye contact with you and you see that he notices you, then and only then, do you acknowledge him with a slight smile. Then you look straight ahead, raise your chin and proceed like the goddess that you are."
"Wow. Do you think it'll work?"
"I don't know, but it's worth a try."
"I'll do it."
"Good. Let's get back." They enjoyed their walk back to the academy having a right old girlie time.
Kakashi was waiting for them when they arrived. "Mei, Sakura. Did you find everything you needed?"
Mei said, "We sure did. Sakura, I'll see you later. I have some things to finalize with your sensei."
"Yes, I do seem to remember someone making me a promise earlier."
Mei thought, Yeah I did. And I never break a promise.
-----
A/N: Time to keep things rolling. I hope you're enjoying it so far. Only a few more chapters to go.
Next up: The wedding day arrives, and Kakashi reveals the "subject" that Sasuke will DEFINITELY want to talk to Sakura about. See you soon!
