The hallway was dark and quiet. Kakashi paused at the noren and listened, just to be sure. Behind him, Guy was nearly dozing off at the table. In front of him, the gauzy fabric with the shamisen-playing geisha divided the living room from the shadows of the hall. Kakashi didn't hear anything, so he poked his head through.

The silver-haired ninja turned his head and peered into the darkness. No light on in the bathroom… no light coming from the bedroom door. All clear.

Kakashi zipped down the hall to the obenjo like a sidling wraith. Whew. His head lolled back as he relieved himself. Who knew that living with someone could result in situations so closely recalling those of the battlefield?

"Kashi…?" Guy was hollering from the front room. Kakashi swore under his breath and zipped up too fast, nearly catching stuff that shouldn't be caught. He tiptoed rapidly back up the hallway.

"Guy! Ssssh. Are you trying to wake her up?!" Kakashi said as he popped back through the noren with a glare.

Guy had wheeled himself to the fridge and was rifling around. "Mind if I take some food for tomorrow? You look pretty well-stocked for one bachelor. Mmmm, what's this? Curry?" Guy licked some karé off his finger. "Delicious! These leftovers are too youthful for you to handle alone, Kakashi." Guy was stacking neatly packed bento boxes on his lap.

Kakashi's frown deepened. "I… I'd have to ask Hanare. She made it all. I don't know if she had plans for it…"

"Asking the lady's permission in your own house already, eh Kakashi?" Guy cackled as he cracked open another container to check out the contents. Kakashi's hands clenched in his pockets. Sure, it's my house, but… It didn't seem right to give away all the food Hanare had bought and worked so hard on.

"Just. Wait. Right. There. Back in a sec," Kakashi growled. Guy didn't even answer - his mouth was full of futomaki.

Kakashi turned slowly and with a sense of dread ducked back through the noren. He ambled down the hallway looking nonchalant while barely remembering to breathe. The door to the bedroom was just slightly ajar. He stared at it a moment. No light… no sound. She was probably asleep. But what was the alternative? Let Guy ransack the fridge and face whatever reaction Hanare would have in the morning? Kakashi ran a hand through his hair. It was like deciding whether to face an opponent straight up or try the sneak attack.

Kakashi pushed gently on the door… and stopped.

Hanare was indeed asleep in the bed. The curtains of the small window were open and moonlight shone into the room, highlighting a bare shoulder. Hanare was curled up on her side, facing away from the window. Her hair lay long and tousled across the white pillows. She was snoring softly. Kakashi felt his mouth twitch under his mask. His eyes traveled from her face downward and he glimpsed a hint of blue. A shiny, sky-blue blue. Likely the suspiciously silky garment he'd seen her putting in the drawer earlier.

"...Kashi?!" Guy's voice drifted obnoxiously from the front room. Kakashi gritted his teeth. He took a deep breath and walked into the bedroom.

"Hanare." Kakashi stood next to the bed.

"Mmmm?" Hanare murmured. Her eyes were still closed.

Kakashi was relieved he didn't have to rouse her. "Sorry to disturb you."

"I heard you in the hallway," Hanare mumbled. Her eyes flickered open. She squinted at Kakashi in the dark. "What is it?"

Kakashi smiled under his mask. It made sense for a spy to be a light sleeper. I'll have to remember that in the future.

"Guy's about to go home. Is it alright if he takes some of the leftovers?"

Hanare's mouth curved up at the corner. "Oh, is that all?" she said. Kakashi scratched his head.

"Well. By 'some' I mean most of the leftovers. I think he already started eating the curry."

Hanare giggled. "I'm flattered he couldn't resist my cooking!" She covered a yawn. "Of course it's fine, Kakashi… what, were you really going to deny food to an injured war veteran?! I'm appalled."

Kakashi was taken aback for a moment. He looked down at the kunoichi in his bed. Hanare's cognac gaze was sleepy and warm. "You're… making fun of me," he observed.

"Are you going to do something about it?" Hanare whispered.

"I haven't decided yet," Kakashi replied. He turned and walked to the door. "Thanks," he said.

"Kakashi." Hanare's voice was soft.

"...Yeah?" He didn't turn around.

"Will you be coming to bed soon?"

The words flew like feathered darts, pricking Kakashi in the back of his neck. He reached up and adjusted his mask. The room smelled vaguely of magnolia. He heard the refrigerator close out in the kitchen, and Guy's wheels creak across the floor. Hanare's presence in the room filled it like water in a vase. Her chakra had the texture of wind over an open field. And the weight of the last moments before a rainstorm...

Kakashi turned and looked over his shoulder. "Yeah. I'll be in soon." His words brought a sleepy smile to Hanare's face.

"Goodnight," she said.

"Goodnight."

Kakashi walked out in the hallway. He paused at the noren. The shadows clung to him. His fingers twitched in his pockets. The geisha on the fabric of the curtain seemed to smile at him.

With a slight shake of his head, Kakashi went into the living room to see to Guy.