Prompt from Danny Bunny!
Confessions
Kakashi had a new rival.
"Sensei!" a young boy called out as he trailed after Sakura. She turned, already smiling. The afternoon light kissed her silhouette in an outline of gold. The boy grinned stupidly, forgetting what he had been about to say. Kakashi didn't blame him. He resisted the urge to whistle at her in wonder, as one would the sunrise.
"Did you have a question, Yosuke?" she asked.
Her student stammered and fidgeted with his fingerless gloves. His eyes shifted, too nervous to look at her directly. Yet, all semblance of being nervous vanished at the sight of Kakashi. Yosuke crossed his arms.
Kakashi walked past the kid, ruffling his hair as he did. Sakura met him in the middle. "Are you here to walk me home?" she asked.
"I can do that," Yosuke piped up, shooting Kakashi a glare.
"Why don't we drop Yosuke off first, then?" she said.
Kakashi shrugged, pulling out his Icha Icha from his vest. He followed a few steps after them as they discussed the training they had done earlier during the day. Sakura laughed, clearly delighting in being a teacher. Kakashi was sure she was doing a far better job than he ever did. When they reached Yosuke's house, the boy stood rooted before his front gate.
"Bye, Yosuke! See you tomorrow," Sakura said, waving.
"Sensei." Yosuke balled his hands into fists at his side. His voice had gone quiet, a complete change from the boisterous chatter from before. He ran to her and pulled her arm so that she had to bend to his level. His lips puckered up as he planted them on hers.
Sakura cried out in surprise, flinching back. Her horrified eyes went from Yosuke to Kakashi and back again. She recovered quickly and smiled in apology, patting his hand. "I'm flattered, but I'm a little too old for you."
Yosuke pulled his hand away. "So is he," he said, jerking his head at Kakashi.
"That's different. We're both adults."
"I love you now. I'll love you even when I'm an adult!" He scowled, kicking the dirt. "Has he ever said that to you?"
She blinked and straightened, not having a response to that. They'd only begun dating recently. It was far too early to say something so…serious. Awkwardly, she avoided looking at Kakashi. "It's kind of different when you're our age."
"If he's too scared to say it, then he doesn't deserve you," Yosuke declared.
Kakashi came to stand next to Sakura. "You're completely right. Sakura, I love you."
Her head snapped to him so quickly the bones in her neck popped. She smacked his arm. "Don't tease my student."
"What?" Kakashi rubbed the sore spot. "I do love you."
A pretty blush made her entire face glow as her lips parted in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"Completely."
She forgot they were in public. She yanked down his mask to kiss him with everything she had. His arms went around her, practically lifting her from the ground. When they broke apart, both of them were panting.
"I'm gonna go home them," a very embarassed Yosuke announced, fleeing into his house.
"Crap, we traumatized him. I'm a terrible teacher," Sakura said.
"I certainly never made out with someone in front of you." Kakashi replaced his mask, hiding his slightly kiss bruised mouth.
She shot him a sidelong glance. "It's your fault for saying romantic things out of nowhere like that."
"What can I say? I just love you a lot."
"Shush." Sakura blushed again. "You keep saying that and we'll be cited for public indecency."
He leaned over so that only she could hear. "I love you. Do you love me?"
She shivered, lacing a hand into his. This was a man famous for his secrecy and being emotionally withdrawn. She thought of the months that had led up to this moment, how difficult it had been for both of them to admit their attraction. He was telling her outright how he felt, like it was the easiest thing in the world, but there was tension in his jaw that betrayed his worry. She closed what little gap there was left between them. "I do love you."
His eye crinkled in a smile. "Good."