M'kay, here we are with the date! Huzzah! Now, I have one question before we start: Have any of you every been scrolling through a section where one of your fanfics are, then you see one and you're like 'Oh, this one looks good', but then when you click on it you figure out that it's your own?

I have, more than once...heh.

Oh, yes, and a minor spoiler warning about Kakashi's past...although most already know thanks to wiki. Good ole wiki.

You know, I had to admit I was rather surprised. Normally it would be me dragging a somewhat stunned Kakashi behind me, instead of the other way round.

Well, technically, he wasn't dragging me; he was holding my hand. Not because he was trying to romantic, but I kept on drifting into the middle of the road. I wasn't trying to or anything, but he probably thought I was subconsciously suicidal or something.

Well, maybe I was…duh duh duuhhhhh.

No, no I'm not, I just drift sideways when I walk sometimes.

Weird tendency, eh?

None the less we made it to the restaurant almost completely unscathed.

I only say almost because I walked straight into the glass door of the place.

I don't get why the put those stupid glass doors up, it's like saying 'Oh, look, some dumbass walked into it again, why don't we put more up so we can laugh at them'.

Meanies.

So, with only minor damage to whatever pride I had left, we made it to our table.

"Stupid fancy places" I grumbled, fiddling with the overly lacy tablecloth.

They had even go so far as to leave a lit candle on the table.

A lit candle, and me, I was not paying the fire bill. No way.

Other than that, well, it was just the general feel of the place, and the elevator-ish music playing softly over the speakers.

I really hated rich places, but I wasn't about to go complaining.

If Kakashi had talked to Iruka about it, he had to be somewhat nervous even if he acted calm.

I glanced up the tablecloth edge I was folding to look at Kakashi. He was staring blankly at me, his eyes were glazed, like he was elsewhere.

Oh yes, so nervous.

I glanced from the candle, to the tablecloth, to the candle, to the tablecloth, and so on and so forth.

I was wondering how flammable it was.

"Don't think about it" Kakashi warned me.

I looked up at him, plastering the classic caught-in-act grin over my face.

"Don't think about what?" I inquired sweetly, a slight tone of menace laced under the sweetness.

I really wanted to light it on fire.

Kakashi shook his head and muttered something about pyromaniacs.

I was still grinning when the waiter came round to drop off the menus.

The waiter looked too curvy to be a man, and the mustache was obviously fake and the glasses had no lenses, but I ignored it.

That was until it hit me who would dress like that.

"Naoki?" I asked in disbelief.

"Nooo" The waiter said in a deep voice that sounded like one that a fat woman would use when caught eating chocolate while dieting.

With that the waiter, or Naoki, rushed away.

"There aren't four of us" Kakashi commented, looking at the pile of menu's left on the table.

"Well, maybe you're fat enough to be considered three" I quipped, still grinning.

"Or maybe it's you" Kakashi retorted.

"Maybe we both are so fat we make two" I suggested.

I frowned when I realized that I had just called myself fat.

Kakashi chuckled victoriously and grabbed a menu.

I followed him and quickly scanned over everything.

My eyes widened in terror as I read over the menu. I could barely pronounce some of the crap in it.

"I'll have a Caesar salad" I decided.

Kakashi looked at me in a concerned manner.

"Are you dieting or something?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow at the question.

"No, I just don't want to make you pay too much" I informed him boldly.

"Is that all?" Kakashi asked. The way he was acting it was like he knew, but was waiting for me to say it myself.

"And I can't pronounce most of this crap" I admitted quietly.

Kakashi nodded in an 'I though so' manner before stating his order.

"I'll have the ribs" He decided. My eyes widened in amazement.

"There are ribs?!" I asked, maybe a little too loudly. A few other people dining heard and gave me the raised eyebrow look.

Kakashi nodded, laughing at the fact I hadn't noticed.

I scowled. That's it, I'm stealing some from him.

When the waiter/Naoki returned and asked for a drink almost immediately I replied "Iced tea without the ice". It was a compulsive habit cause I always drank the same thing. They have iced tea everywhere, or so I had learned.

Kakashi waited until he/she finished scribbling it down onto a notebook before he ordered.

"I'll have water," He said. I rolled my eyes.

"You're boring" I told him.

"Yeah, and you're having a salad" He retorted, somehow knowing that that comment would piss me right off.

Oh, that is it!

I am so going to steal some ribs.

After we had actually ordered I knew we'd be in for a long wait. I flopped down onto the table, banging my head painfully against the wood underneath.

I shifted my position a little so my left arm was my pillow and my right arm was extended towards Kakashi.

I had planned so that I wouldn't light myself on fire. That's not a pleasant feeling.

He patted my hand for a moment and made himself comfortable before spacing out.

In all honesty, this was the most boring part of the evening, because, well, sitting in a restaurant and being waited on by someone who my, in fact, be your best friend stalking you, isn't exactly my definition of fun.

Sure, I could name worse, but still.

It took an hour for the food to arrive, and by that time I had a feeling the entire population of Konoha could hear my stomach growling.

I was still laying on the table, groaning to add to the oddity of the scene.

There was a manly yet feminine cough as the waiter/Naoki waited for me to sit up properly.

As I sat up I stretched. My arms extended into the air and I yawned loudly.

This was all part of my evil plan.

With my arms in the air I snatched the glasses, (Which wasn't that hard, there were no lenses) and lo and behold, Naoki.

"Do you work here or something?" Kakashi asked, glancing from me to the glasses back and forth.

"No" Naoki said, placing our plates on the table and running back to the kitchen.

"Is she always like that?" Kakashi inquired, watching the door swing back and forth.

"More or less" I said, stabbing some lettuce.

We ate in silence.

It wasn't that awkward, 'no idea what to say' kind of silences. It was more like one of those comfortable 'don't need to talk cause there's nothing to say' silences.

I loved those silences; it was relaxing.

I munched on my salad loudly, waiting for the moment I could steal some of Kakashi's ribs.

They looked so yummy. This is exactly why I eat stuff I cook at home, when you go out, there are options, and I can never choose.

Kakashi cut the slab of ribs in half then stopped sawing at the meat.

I raised an eyebrow.

Was he going to eat it like that?

Somehow I didn't think it was possible.

Kakashi took one half and moved it to my plate (Because they had given me a plate even though I was technically eating a salad).

I stared at it like it was some holy being.

"You kept on staring" Kakashi explained.

"Not many men would give up ribs" I commented, still staring.

"Yeah, well, it's kinda creepy when all the other person does is stare at the ribs like it's some rare jungle specimen" Kakashi said calmly.

I chuckled nervously.

I realized something then. He noticed I was staring at the meat, as in he was watching me.

Which, I suppose, wouldn't have been to weird if I was sane, we were sitting across from each other, so if he stared ahead I'd be there.

"It's kinda creepy when someone notices" I retorted.

Kakashi chuckled softly.

"Touché" He agreed.

I picked up my iced ice, sloshing some of it onto my hand in the process.

"To being kinda creepy" I toasted.

"Kind of creepy" Kakashi agreed, grabbing his glass and knocking it into mine with a loud CLINK.

That one attracted some attention and a few middle-aged ladies whispered something to their companions while giving us a dirty look.

I scratched the back of head nervously.

"The old people are giving us dirty glares" I whispered, making it seem like it was some big deal that they didn't like me.

It wasn't.

I could care less what they think, provided I'm enjoying what I'm going is all that matters and I was having a good time.

"Correction: They're giving youdirty glares" Kakashi quipped, leaning back contentedly in his chair.

I stuck my tongue out at him before starting to eat again.

Kakashi finished eating way before I did.

Seriously, the man could win some kind of pie eating contest if he wanted; he ate freakishly fast.

On our way out, after we had paid (I would never not pay), on of the older ladies corned us.

Literally, we walked past a corner and she pretty much trapped us just by walking up.

"Kakashi Hatake, right?" She asked, staring up at him with an earnest, confused expression.

I felt sympathy for her.

I know how annoying it was to stand near Kakashi cause he was so darned tall.

Kakashi nodded slowly, as if he was afraid of what was going to happen.

I didn't see the big deal, she was just an old lady.

On second thought her handbag looked like it was loaded with a brick or two.

The ladies expression lit up instantly.

"Oh my, how you've grown!" She gushed.

I raised an eyebrow and glanced up at the older kunochi. He looked just as perplexed as I was.

"Yeah….." Kakashi said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. I was pretty much brushing against his arm because there was so little space.

But did the old lady notice?

No, she just kept on staring at Kakashi like an overly proud grandmother.

"You look so much like your father!" She exclaimed.

Kakashi tensed up then and there. He was like cardboard stiff. I frowned, confused. I had never really heard much about Kakashi's past, although now I was starting to wonder. I made a mental note to ask him about it later.

The lady turned to me and I cringed inwardly, preparing for torture that only an old lady could ever know how to do.

"Oh, and who is this fine young lady" She asked sweetly, turning back to Kakashi.

Kakashi still seemed a little uncomfortable after the father comment so I jumped in.

"I'm his date for the evening" I explained, wrapping my arm around his and tugging it towards the door slightly.

The lady opened her mouth to say something more but Kakashi intervened, "If you don't mind, we're running late" He offered, allowing me to pull him outside.

"So, who was she?" I asked in a tone implying I didn't really care.

"I have no idea," Kakashi admitted.

I nodded slowly.

I really hated it when some random old person would walk up to you and comment on how, and I quote, 'How big you've gotten' and then, once they've left, you're left wondering who the hell that was.

I still wanted to ask about his father, but it didn't seem like the right moment.

Apparently we had been in the restaurant for so long that the sun had actually gone down.

"Next time, I'm picking the restaurant" I informed him, still dragging him along.

"Sure" Kakashi said, sounding like he could care less.

Somehow, I have no idea how, we ended up sitting on the roof of the academy and just kinda staring at the expansive sky. This was the time to ask.

"Hey Kakashi?" I asked slowly, unsure of how exactly I was going to word it.

"Hm?" He replied, stretching out his legs in front of him.

"When that old lady mentioned your father" I paused, thinking what I was going to say over, "You kinda froze up….."

I left it at that. I hoped that he could actually catch the unsaid question and explain.

"I take it you want to know why?" He inquired. His tone sounded so dull it creeped me out.

I nodded earnestly.

Kakashi heaved a sigh.

"Alright then" He said, inhaling deeply before inhaling, "When I was younger, my father went off on a mission, I don't remember what exactly he was doing, but it was really important, but his teammates were captured. My father…he put the village at risk by going back to save them"

-I nodded, understanding his father's logic. I would never be able to leave a teammate behind.-

"Thanks to that he became the shame of Konoha" He continued.

I cringed, harsh. I didn't interrupt though, I wanted to hear the rest of the story out.

"It wasn't fun, being the son of the shame of the village, so I slowly began to dislike my father. Eventually, I don't think he could take it anymore"

-I frowned, waiting for what I knew would come.-

"He killed himself," Kakashi said this softly, sadly.

I edged closer to him and wrapped him arm around his waist. "I'm sorry" I murmured softly.

I couldn't even to begin to imagine how hard that must've been.

I rested my head against the chest, which was somewhat uncomfortable because we were both sitting up.

"Can I ask one last question?" I asked, tilting my head away from Kakashi's chest slightly so I could peer up at him.

"Besides that one, you mean" Kakashi pointed out. I nodded slightly.

"Fire away" Kakashi told me.

"Earlier today, you went to the old memorial thing, right?" I asked.

Kakashi nodded.

"Why?" I felt a little weird prying like this. This seemed like the right way to hear it though. Straight from the horses mouth as they say.

"You asked two, but I'll explain anyway" said Kakashi slowly. I waited patiently for his explanation.

"My team and I were chosen to fight in the war" I cringed, I had a few vague memories of my parents mentioning that. Not a pleasant time.

"One of them was captured, her name was Rin, and we went back to save her. In the process however, I lost use of my left eye"

I pursed my lips, so that was why he wore the headband that way.

"And my other teammate, Obito Uchiha, got injured saving both me and Rin. As his dying gift he gave me his eye"

I quirked an eyebrow a little bit. An eye? You're dying, so you give your friend your eye? Well, who knows, maybe it was special.

"Wait!" I cried, piecing it together at last.

"Copy ninja" I muttered, "Sharingan?"

He nodded.

"Why cover it?" I inquired, poking the headband with the arm that wasn't wrapped around him.

"It uses a lot of chakra" He explained.

"Sorry about your friend" I muttered, feeling it was important thing to say.

Kakashi draped his arm around my shoulder absentmindedly.

I realized another thing then. That was probably where he went every day, which would be why he was late all the time.

"Wonder what time it is" I commented after a few minutes of silence.

"Late enough" he replied calmly.

I pulled away from Kakashi.

His arm fell back to his side almost instantly.

I stood up slowly, stretching my arms towards the stars.

There is one minor problem with standing on a slanted roof while stretching.

One of my ankles buckled in and I went tumbling backwards. Towards the cold, hard, dirt-covered ground. Well, if I didn't die, I'd break a few bones at least.

My life never had the chance to flash before my eyes.

Kakashi was up in an instant, arm shooting out to grab my flailing ones.

He managed to clasp my forearm and haul me back up.

"You alright?" He asked, looking at my ankle in concern.

"Well, aside from my pride, my ankle is kind of sore" I commented.

"Does it hurt to move your foot" He inquired.

Why does everyone seem to know more about medical crap than I do? It was starting to tick me off.

None the less I obeyed, moving my foot.

"Only a little" I admitted.

Kakashi still had a firm grip on my forearm, I felt a slight blush creep onto my cheeks.

Oh, come on!

Since when had I cared about this crap?

Kakashi said something, but I busy trying to mentally slap the blush away.

Not easy to do my friend, not easy.

"Akiko!" Kakashi said loudly.

"Heh?" I inquired blankly.

"Can you put pressure on it" He was talking so slowly that I wondered how many times he had repeated it.

I tried, but winced and moaned at the same time.

It wasn't that painful, but it did feel somewhat like I had managed to stab my ankle with a sewing needle….if it were even possible.

"So walking's a no" Kakashi muttered.

"What're we going to do 'bout this one?" I inquired, scratching my arm with fury. It was crazy itchy and was really starting to tick me off.

"I'll carry you, I guess" Kakashi decided.

He turned around and crouched down slightly. Oh, sure, he doesn't fall.

"Piggyback!" I exclaimed, clambering onto his back.

Kakashi grunted as I hit his back. Oh, come on, I'm not that heavy.

I draped my arms around his neck loosely, and he looped his arms under my knees.

Okay, probably the creepiest things to realize while being carried piggyback by someone is that they smelled like outdoors.

In a nice way, not that "I'm a hobo' kind of outside, more like 'I go camping a lot' kind.

Sadly, I noticed.

I rested my head against Kakashi's cheek and let a content sigh.

Oh, not walking, it was a sweet joy.

"Don't fall asleep," Kakashi warned sternly.

My eyes were half-closed by the time he said that.

Damn him and his apparently psychic abilities.

"'ma awake" I muttered drowsily.

Sure, as soon as he mentions it I'm tired.

Why is that?

Why I ask you?

Kakashi pretty much dropped me onto my lawn when we got back.

Okay, so he really did drop me on the lawn.

"Curse you!" I cried while shaking my fist at him.

"You can walk yourself into the house" Kakashi said with a nod.

"See ya tomorrow jackass" I said the last little bit under my breathe, just in case he decided that he was going to take offense to my name-calling for once.

"Put some ice on your foot" He said before giving a curt nod and disappearing into the night.

I sighed and stood up, putting my weight onto my un-injured foot.

First on my newly planned to-do list: Get into the house. Then I would find some ice.

I limped towards the door, feeling like an old person.

Getting over the doorstop thinger was a challenge. I'm not talented with using only one foot.

I heard pacing as soon as I entered the house.

I rolled my eyes.

It was probably just my uncle waiting for me to come home.

The person was not my uncle. No, not at all.

Well, not unless my uncle had gotten a sex change and plastic surgery before I had last seen him.

Naoki threw her hands in the air as soon as she saw me.

"Ohmigod!" Naoki cried, looking panicked.

I blinked, trying to figure out how she had gotten into the house.

"I swear! I only closed my eyes for a minute!" She exclaimed in panic.

"Naoki, could you get to the point?" I inquired wearily. My ankle was starting to really hurt.

Naoki nodded and inhaled deeply.

"I was riding a horse and playing my picalo, and my eyes were only closed for a minute and" Naoki took another breath. She was talking like super-speed, so I saw why.

Still, she could at least get to the point.

"'Ko, your uncle….he's in the hospital."

Evil cliffhanger, eh? Yeah, yeah, I'll try to update as fast as I can...see, I can read your minds!

'Kay, so, yeah...you know R&R and crap...

-Y.A.O.G