Author's Note: Sorry, about the long wait but I needed to catch up with my rough draft. You'll be happy to know I finally finshed the rough draft. As I work out the kinks of my remaining chappies I will be able to post a little faster. This is a fairly short chapter but I hope to update tommorrow as well so don't panic much. Also I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful reviews they have been awe inspiring. mnmonroe
Kakashi's Cinderella
Chapter 24:
Kakashi pushed open the front door, holding it until Riko entered before him. The butler arrived within seconds.
"Akira," Kakashi said, "inform Gai that I'm here."
"I will indeed," Akira replied. "And might I take the liberty of informing you that he has been rather curious as to your whereabouts this past week?"
"I would be shocked if he hadn't been," Kakashi replied.
Akira nodded toward Riko with an expression that hovered somewhere between curiosity and disdain. " Might I inform him of your guest's arrival?"
"Please do."
"Might I inform him of your guest's identity?"
Riko looked over at Kakashi with great interest, wondering what he'd say.
"Her name is Riko," Kakashi replied. "She is here to seek employment.
One of Akira's brows rose. Riko was surprised. She didn't think that butlers were supposed to show any expression whatsoever.
"As a maid?" Akira inquired.
"As whatever," Kakashi said, his tone beginning to show the first traces of impatience.
"Very well," Akira said, and then disappeared up the staircase.
"I don't think he likes me much," Riko whispered to Kakashi, careful to hide her smile.
"Akira is not in charge here."
Riko let out a little whatever-you-say sort of sigh. " I would imagine Akira would disagree."
He looked at her with disbelief. " He's the butler.'
"And I'm a housemaid. I know all about butlers. More, I daresay, than you do."
His eye narrowed. "You act less like a housemaid than any woman of my acquaintance."
She shrugged and pretended to inspect a still life painting on the wall. "You bring out the worst in me, Mr. Hatake."
"Kakashi," he hissed. "You've called me by my given name before. Use it now."
"Your friend is about to descend the stairs," she reminded him, " and you are insisting that he hire me as a housemaid. Do many of your servants call you by your given name?"
He glared at her, and she knew he knew she was right."
"You can't have it both ways, Mr. Hatake," she said, allowing herself a tiny smile.
"I only wanted it one way," he growled.
"Kakashi!"
Riko looked up to see a burly black haired man descending the stairs.
"Gai," Kakashi said, striding to meet him at the bottom of the stairs.
"Where have you been?" Gai frowned at Kakashi. "You left the party early and I haven't heard from you since."
" I was at my house outside of town."
Gai nodded in understanding then turned towards Riko. "So this must be your Riko."
"Indeed,"Kakashi replied. "She saved my life while at my cottage."
Riko started. " I didn't-"
"She did," Kakashi cut in smoothly. " I took ill from walking in the rain, and she nursed me to health."
"You would have recuperated without me," she insisted.
"But not," Kakashi said, directing his words at his friend, "with such speed or in such comfort."
"Weren't the Iwates at home?" Gai asked.
"Not when we arrived," Kakashi replied.
Gai looked at Riko with such obvious curiosity that Kakashi was finally forced to explain, " Riko had been employed by Ryota's parents, but certain circumstances made it impossible for her to stay."
"I… see," Gai said unconvincingly.
"Your friend saved me from a most unpleasant fate," Riko said quietly. "I owe him a great deal of thanks."
Kakashi looked to her in surprise. Given the level of her hostility toward him, he hadn't expected her to volunteer complimentary information. But he supposed he should have known; Riko was highly principled, not the sort to let anger interfere with honesty.
It was one of the things he liked best about her.
"I see," Gai said again, this time with considerably more feeling.
"I was hoping you might find her a position in your household," Kakashi said.
"But not if it's too much trouble," Riko hastened to add.
"No," Gai said slowly, his eyes settling on Riko's face with a curious expression. " No, it wouldn't be any trouble at all, but…"
Both Kakashi and Riko leaned forward, awaiting the rest of the sentence.
"Have we met?" Gai suddenly asked.
"I don't think so," Riko said, stammering slightly.
"I'm certain you're right," Gai said with a wave of her hand. "There is something vaguely familiar about you. But I'm sure it's just that I've met someone with similar features. It happens all the time."
"Especially to me," Kakashi said with a crooked smile.
Gai looked at Kakashi. " I shall take her upstairs and get her settled in.
End Notes: Check out my new story Chained by Love.