As much as she wished she'd look more presentable, Sakura couldn't help the celebratory fist pump as she walked away. She'd had every intention of leaving the crops with Tsunade at the Hokage Tower, stopping by the hospital for her check up, and showering before she'd tried to seek out Kakashi. But as soon as she'd caught the flash of silver hair, she hadn't been able to help herself. The trip back had taken longer than she thought, though she was at least still within the mission parameters. Now all she needed to worry about was facing down Tsunade's inevitable anger that Sakura hadn't aborted the mission after the ambush.

Sakura greeted Shoji as she walked through the hospital doors, seeing his half hearted wave from behind his stack of papers before she headed down the spiralled staircase, swiping her medical personnel card at the heavy metal doors of poisons and antidote research and development. Since she was closer to the hospital after her detour to see Kakashi, she could always have Shizune check them in with Tsunade.

"Shizune? I'm back-oof!"

Shizune collided with Sakura, the grip of her arms tight around her shoulders before she pulled back, holding Sakura at arms length as she looked her over.

"Sakura, I was so worried! I was with Tsunade-sama when Katsuyu arrived- have you had your medical exam yet?'

"Ah, no," Sakura admitted, holding up her fistful of carefully labelled plants, "I was going to drop these off for storage and then find an available medic nin upstairs. I got your clothes all dirty," she gestured to Shizune's formerly pristine cream coloured top, now smeared with dirt and grass stains.

Shizune waved her off, taking the baggies and setting them in the incoming inventory box, her hand on Sakura's pulse.

"Sakura, I'm not worried about the shirt. When I found out Tsunade-sama had sent you on a mission, I was incredibly concerned. Please, come with me upstairs, I'll conduct your exam myself."

Sakura saw the pile of paperwork on Shizune's desk and the bright light above the examination table in the background; where several vials were lined neatly in a row. She could see from here that one of them was blood, though the others weren't labelled. The two syringes of sedative she had recovered from the bodies were lying uselessly in the biohazard bin, their contents now distributed through multiple smaller vials for testing.

"Shizune, you look busy. Really, I can-"

Shizune's medic nin death glare was almost as powerful as Tsunade, Sakura decided later, when she was sitting on the examination table in her underwear with Shizune poking and prodding her. Her patch job in the field hadn't been her best work, but Shizune begrudgingly admitted that there was no infection and it wouldn't scar, so Sakura counted that as a win. She'd exhausted herself in her haste to return home, but it was nothing a good rest and a hot meal wouldn't fix, and her chakra stores were well above average.

"Are you satisfied that I'm okay now, Shizune-san? I promise, if I'd felt I was in any serious danger, I would have come right back-"

Shizune raised one finger, silencing Sakura as she scribbled the updated notes into Sakura's medical file before letting it rest on the work tray, "It isn't me you're going to have a hard time convincing, Sakura-san. It's Tsunade."

As if called to them by magic, the door swung open with a bang. Sakura winced, knowing how much of a stickler Tsunade was for proper respect of medical examinations and privacy during checkups. In her hand, she clutched a wad of files that were stuffed to bursting. Sakura caught Danzo's name on several of the papers before Tsunade let them drop onto Shizune's medical tray with a slap that rattled the instruments. Aot taking her eyes off Sakura, she propped one hand on her hip and the other flat on the desktop.

"Tell me why I shouldn't put you in the genin ward permanently for directly disobeying my directions in regards on how to proceed if you were attacked on the mission. Tell me why I should let a medic who can't follow orders back in the field when I can have her push papers around all day?"

Sakura blinked, knowing that Tsunade was only making empty threats out of concern. She straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat, "I did what I thought was best for the mission. I was only a half day's journey from my intended location, and I was confident I had removed the threat. If you had been in my shoes, I assume you would have done the same."

She was sure her defence would have held up slightly better if she wasn't wearing nothing but chest bindings and orange underwear. She was toeing a fine line with the words that slipped out at the end. The sudden twitch in her left eye that Tsunade developed suggested maybe she could have reigned it in, but she stood firm. Tsunade pursed her lips and turned her gaze on Shizune, who had wisely busied herself with Sakura's file.

"I appreciate you getting the plants I requested. When Shizune is finished your exam, write up a report on the attack with as much detail as you remember and leave it on my desk. I'll defer to Shizune on when you should return to work, but I'd expect given your condition that I'll see you Sunday."

When she had walked out, letting the door slam pointedly behind her, Sakura let out the breath she had been holding, "Do you think she's really mad at me?"

Shizune was chewing on the inside of her cheek, a tell that there was something she was holding back. Eventually, Shizune pressed the stethoscope to Sakura's bare back.

"There's a lot going on, Sakura. Even in four days, it seems as though a lot has happened around here. I'm not even sure she's told me everything that's going on. Just give her a little time, I'm sure she'll come around."

Sakura toyed with the idea of pressing Shizune for more information, but she knew that when it came down to it, Shizune would respect the privacy of her friend and Hokage. Besides, she could always ask Kakashi when she saw him. On their date. The date that they were having tomorrow. She grinned, earning her a suspicious stare from Shizune. Sakura cleared her throat and reached for her shirt.

"Sorry, Shizune-san. I'm just really happy to be back."

Shizune's eyes narrowed, and Sakura smiled innocently in return. When finally dismissed, she all but skipped out of the hospital; bouncing off rooftops and breathing a relieved sigh when she finally landed in front of her home, throwing the door open and stretching her arms.

"Ugh, Pig, you won't believe the- I am so sorry!"

Sakura turned around, hand clapped over her eyes and she heard the hurried sounds of buttons and zippers being put back in place. She'd seen both Shikamaru and Ino naked before, though it had been in either medical or onsen settings and not smushed on her couch in broad daylight. Ino cleared her throat and Sakura risked a peek between her fingers, happy to see that both of them were now fully clothed, however dishevelled they now looked.

"Forehead, I didn't expect you until tomorrow morning," Ino said, running her hand casually though her hair, as though Sakura hadn't just walked in something. Shikamaru was pink cheeked and his face shined with Ino's lipgloss, but he acknowledged her with a single raised finger and a nod.

"I was eager to get home," Sakura replied, looking between the two of them as she inched towards the staircase, "I'm just going to go unpack. I'm sorry for interrupting..."

"I was just leaving," Shikamaru mumbled, leaning in to brush a soft kiss on Ino's red mouth, not making eye contact as he slipped out the door. Ino folded her arms over her chest and huffed.

"Way to interrupt, Forehead."

Sakura threw her hands in the air, dropping her mission pack on the floor, "I'm not going to knock on my own front door! Don't you have a perfectly good bedroom with a lock?"

When Ino had taken it upon herself to move in with Sakura, the two had come up with a set of unwritten rules to keep out from under one another's feet. Not having sex in the common areas hadn't been said, but Sakura had kind of hoped it had been implied. Ino clicked her tongue and began gathering Sakura's discarded mission items, corralling them into a stray laundry basket and moving into the kitchen to rummage in the refrigerator.

"We were in my room until we heard someone come in through your window, and I didn't want Naruto kicking my door down looking for you if it was him. Turns out it was just the dogs. The ninken have been up there for an hour, I couldn't shake the feeling that they could hear me in the next room. Besides, Shika and I hadn't gotten anywhere yet, we were still-"

"Stop right there." Sakura interrupted, stuffing the croissant Ino held out into her mouth, "I'm begging you,"

Ino tossed her hair over one shoulder, starting to lay out dinner ingredients on the kitchen counter. As much as Sakura had her doubts when Ino had insisted they live together, it was a weight off her shoulders to have an extra pair of hands after a mission. Ino's stay had originally been temporary- a few months, Ino had insisted as she dragged her belongings into the living room. Sakura had been too tired to argue, curled up on the couch and still smarting from Sasuke's sudden death. She'd thrown herself into hospital work; nearly doubling the output of patients per day until midway through a surgery she'd found herself on the floor, Tsunade standing over her in a fuzzy light and her voice muffled and distorted. After that, she only remembered Naruto tucking her into a blanket cocoon on the couch, and Ino's belongings being piled up around her. Now, despite their occasional disagreement, Sakura couldn't fathom how she'd ever lived here alone.

Ino was making quick work of the vegetables, oil already sizzling hot in the pan. Sakura looked down at her dirty fingernails and sighed. As much as she wanted to shower, she should probably talk to the ninken first. She was thankful Ino hadn't found it strange that they were in her room, she had gotten used to them turning up at all hours for belly rubs or leftovers. Sakura saw a blob of orange waddle in through the doorway and she smiled, reaching down to scratch behind Mr Wiggles' ears as he began purring up a storm and weaving between her legs.

"That cat is malevolent, Sakura."

Sakura heaved him into her lap, ignoring the deep mewl of protest that disappeared into a thunder of purrs when she began to scratch his neck.

"He's harmless, Ino. Once he's lost a little more weight-"

Ino pointed the spatula in Mr. Wiggles' face, yanking it back when he tried to take a curious lick, "Every. Night. He scratched at the door to be let out, only to want to come right back in not even ten minutes later!"

Sakura dug her nails into the cat's neck, forcing him to sprawl out on her lap with a contented mewl. Ino waved the spatula again, eyes narrowed and unblinking as she stared him down.

"You're a menace."

Sakura snorted and scooped Mr. Wiggles up to deposit him back on the ground, much to his dismay. He yowled and began to circle her feet, trying to trip her up as she made her way to the staircase. He didn't make it further than the landing, however, when he sniffed the air, hissed and promptly turned his butt to Sakura, stalking back down the stairs without looking back. Apparently he wasn't fond of the ninken. Sakura braced herself before she entered, cracking the door open a fraction for it to be thrown open and three sets of eyes lock directly on her. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and smiled, reaching over to give Bull the same ministrations she had been giving Mr. Wiggles. Pakkun, who had made himself at home in the dent of her pillows, made a show of stretching and yawning before he lolled backwards.

"The Boss is taking you to dinner."

Sakura wasn't going to discuss her love life with a pack of dogs. Was she that pathetic? She winced, remembering the amount of times she had indulged in too much plum wine and sake and cried over soap operas with the ninken. Maybe she was way beyond that now.

She wasn't going to discuss her love life with a pack of dogs again. Especially when now it concerned their boss.

"Yep. And I don't need any advice about it."

Sakura turned on her heel and headed for the bathroom, hearing the pitter pat of paws on the floor behind her. Wetting a washcloth, she began wiping down her face and arms before turning her attention to her fingernails. Pakkun and Bull were quiet beside her, but Sakura had spent enough time around them to know the silence wouldn't last long. They were Kakashi's ninken, after all. They were waiting. Hunting. Ready to pounce on their prey when they felt she was weakest.

"You'd make a good pack mate for him. All of us ninken agreed."

Sakura scrubbed into her nail beds, peeling back the layers of dirt with ease. She'd done this with dried blood so many times, a little dirt was a piece of cake. She snorted at the term 'pack mate', but still didn't take the bait. She and Kakashi were going on one date, which could very well end in disaster and result in some awkwardness between them for a little while. The ninken seemed ready to throw her a wedding.

"Why are you all so excited about this, ne? It's just a date."

"We like you, Sakura-chan. And not just cause you give us sausages and let us sleep on your bed. You were always a good kid and it's been a long time since we've seen Boss like this over some girl."

"And he used to bring a lot of girls over," Bull supplied, earning him a side kick from Pakkun's back leg. Sakura smothered a snicker, the knowledge that Kakashi had many companions in his time wholly unsurprising. He was wildly attractive, an accomplished shinobi, and his abs- she cut off the train of thought and began to pick refuse out of her hair, letting it find a home in the wicker waste basket beside the sink. Pakkun trotted over to her, resting a single paw on her bare foot.

"All I'm saying, Sakura-chan, is that we could give you some good information about Kakashi. In exchange for some of whatever that blonde girl is cooking down there. As long as you kick that cat outside, that thing's weird, even for a cat."

Sakura looked down into the wide, pleading eyes of Kakashi's ninken and rolled her own, leaning down to scratch behind his ears, "I suppose you guys are welcome to join us for dinner. But don't mention anything to Ino just yet, okay? I don't want everyone in the village knowing about the date before it's even happened, and gossip travels like wildfire around here."

Bull was already halfway down the stairs, Bisuke close on his heels. Pakkun, looking particularly smug, headed for the doorway and called over his shoulder at her.

"You should wear your hair down. He likes it a lot."

Sakura shooed him with one hand and turned back to her reflection, pulling the last remnants of pine needles from her messy bun. She hesitated as she pulled on the tie in her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders. It did look pretty nice when she let it down. A good wash, a quick brush. A fluff here and there. She smiled.

She was going to knock his socks off.

And hopefully his pants

Sakura shook her head as she bundled her hair back up into a slightly skewed bun. She almost missed the days when her uninhibited inner self was just a pile of rage.

"Forehead! Get your ass down here before these dogs eat your share of dinner!"

On cue, her stomach let out an inhuman gurgle and Sakura abandoned her attempts at cleaning off. It could wait until after dinner. There were literal dogs at the table, Ino would forgive her for a few puffs of dirt.

It was almost embarrassing to admit that he had spent all of the day waiting for this date. He had rolled out of bed sometime in the mid morning and made his way to the cemetery with a fistful of flowers for Rin; telling her about his plans had helped stave off some of the pending nerves he could feel. Afterwards, when he had assured Rin he would be back to keep her updated about the date, he ambled to the cenotaph and sat in silence with Obito. It seemed somehow inappropriate to discuss his love with him when Obito had never gotten the opportunity to have his own. The thought that he would likely have to tell her about Sasuke was lingering in the back of his mind, but he didn't let himself dwell on it. He didn't make it back to his apartment until later in the afternoon; stopping by Genma's apartment to kill two birds with one stone by telling Shizune that Tsunade had several hidden sake bottles disguised as paperwork in her office. The effect was immediate, Shizune jumping off the couch where she was curled up with Genma to retrieve them. Tsunade would be pissed that her stash had been pilfered, and Genma's carefully planned date night was interrupted. Kakashi waved his returned copy of Icha Icha in the air as a response to Genma's death glare, which slid off his face when Kakashi mouthed 'this isn't over' before slipping out of the apartment. In his desire to pass the time, he managed to fix both his kitchen sink and his refrigerator before the ninken began herding him towards the bathroom to get ready for his date.

He was a shinobi. He had faced death and walked away; he had killed men with his bare hands; he had a reputation that made people turn and run when they saw him. He shouldn't be afraid of a date. He'd dated plenty of women before.

Well. He'd been with plenty of women before. He'd never excelled at the 'dating' thing, much to the chagrin of his well meaning friends who often tried to set him up. The women he had tried making it work with had all ended in disaster, be it because of his profession or his general 'inability to act like he cared', as one woman had screeched between throwing potted plants at his head. But this was different- this was Sakura. After spending most of last night trying to figure out where the hell he was going to take her, he had finally figured it out. Normally he wouldn't put much thought into restaurants; most of the women he associated with were less concerned about the dinner part of the evening and more interested in getting naked once the cheque had been paid. But again, this was different.

This was Sakura.

"When was the last time you went on a date, Boss?"

Kakashi plucked several dog hairs off his black long sleeve, throwing it into the discarded pile of clothing. He'd banished most of the ninken due to their wholly unhelpful commentary, but Pakkun had snuck back in and made himself at home on the bed. Kakashi towelled absently at his still-damp hair before throwing it in Pakkun's general direction, smiling to himself when he heard it hit the target.

"I don't need your help, Pakkun."

"Sure you do. Remember that last lady? She was horrible."

Kakashi shook out a pair of his nicer black pants, frowning when his finger poked through a hole in the hem at the bottom left leg. It spoke volumes about his love life that he had to wrack his brain to remember which one of them Pakkun was referring to. It was likely the blonde from Kiri, who had ended their 'relationship' when she told him she didn't like dogs in the house. That or the brunette from Suna. Even Gai had nothing nice to say about her, and that was saying something. Kakashi finally found the shirt he was looking for, a simple, thin grey cotton shirt. Pakkun made a face.

"What."

This was a nice shirt. He barely ever wore this shirt. Yes, it looked a lot like his other shirts, but it didn't have holes or stains so he considered it his good impression shirt.

"She liked that green one you wore that one time." Pakkun supplied helpfully from his perch on the pile of pillows, "She told me when she got drunk one night. Said you looked good when you wore actual colors."

Kakashi whirled back around to look at his wardrobe, noting the distinct lack of anything other than various shades of blue, grey, and black. When had he owned something green other than his flak jacket? He remembered, vaguely, unwrapping a gift from Gai and breathing a sigh of relief that it wasn't a lurid green spandex suit but what had he done with it?

He emerged from the depths of his closet ten minutes later with the sweater in hand, picking small amounts of lint from it. It looked surprisingly decent, he noted, considering it had been stuffed behind his boots for longer than he could remember. The fabric was closely woven in a thick material, providing warmth but still breathable. Now, in the light shining through his window, the green was a rich forest colour, not dissimilar to his flak jacket in a darker shade. He'd need to write Gai a thank you note. He finally located his slightly tighter black pants, ignoring Pakkun's critical eye. Shinobi always needed to be prepared to throw themselves off rooftops and not worry about not having enough mobility in their outfit.

He also wasn't sure he owned anything else. And he wasn't going to take fashion critiques from a pug.

"You should go soon, you're gonna be late."

Kakashi pulled the shirt over his head and ran a hand through the damp strange of hair now sticking up everywhere. He'd removed his hitai-ate and replaced it with a strip of black cloth tied in the same fashion.

"I've got an hour, Pakkun."

"You wanna make a good impression don't you?"

Kakashi tugged his pants into place and turned in the mirror, making sure there were no stray holes, furs, or stains on the fabric. He had to admit, the sweater looked good. It hugged his chest and arms and was soft on his skin, but it brought out the colour of his eyes. No wonder Sakura had liked it. The restaurant would be a bit of a walk, so he opted for comfortable footwear as he headed out the door, shutting it firmly in the faced of the group of ninken gathered behind it. Sakura's house wasn't an hour walk from him, but he took the time to wander in the neighbourhood, watching villagers coming home from their daily errands, storefronts shuttering at end of day while others were only just opening for the dinner time rush. Exhausted genin filed along the road, splattered with paint and cat scratches. Kakashi breathed deep, taking in the smell of fresh unagi and udon in the distance. He hoped Sakura was pleased with his choice of restaurant for their date; he had agonized over whether or not it would be too much for a first date, but eventually decided that if it turned out they weren't compatible, he wanted to at least give her the treatment she deserved.

"You look dashing today, Kakashi-kun," one of the older women purred teasingly as she watered the potted flowers in front of her store. Kakashi waved and she cackled, calling after him that he looked lovely in his pants. By the time he made it to Sakura's house, he was only slightly early. Better than late, he assured himself as he climbed the steps and hesitated by the door. He didn't know if Sakura had mentioned the date to Ino, and he didn't want to start anything gossip worthy. He was thankfully saved from the conundrum when the door swung open and he promptly forgot how to breathe.

She was wearing a pale green yukata with bright yellow sunflowers that swept along the hem and up onto the fabric; her hair pulled half up on her head while the rest fell across her shoulders. He could see the shine of her mouth with a swipe of pink and the evening breeze teased the scent of apples towards him.

"...hi."

"You're early." she said, clearly pleased as she closed and locked the door behind her, hitching the bottom of her yukata as she came down the stairs, flashing a glimpse of- Kakashi smiled behind his mask – sensible shoes.

"So where are we headed?" she asked as she fell into step with him, flashing him a smile.

"The North district," he answered immediately, "It's a bit of a walk, but I think you'll like it. It's a beautiful evening."

He hadn't planned on it, but the sun setting in the distance was the perfect setting for a romantic stroll. Sakura seemed to think so, shyly sliding her arm through his and keeping pace with him easily. If she was concerned about the walk, she didn't show it. She'd likely trekked through worse situations without the reward of food at the end.

"So... how was your day?"

Sakura smiled as she launched into a discussion about her garden, her pilfered cat, writing up reports and wrangling Naruto. Kakashi half listened, though not out of disinterest. Something about her seemed different, like there was a weight missing that was usually slung over her shoulders. She looked relaxed in a way he hadn't seen.

He selfishly hoped it was because of him.

This part of Konoha in the evening was unbelievably beautiful. The civilian district slowly climbed upwards, the restaurant situated almost at the highest point of the area. From their vantage point, Sakura could see the lights of Konoha cascading down the slope to pool in the town centre before they climbed upwards again in the direction of the Hokage Mountain. She'd never been to this part of the North district before, most of her time here was divided between her parent's home and the civilian clinic. Kakashi seemed to know where he was going, however, ducking easily under the string of lights hanging low over the intricately carved gate to the restaurant. The two had made easy small talk on the way over, and Sakura could feel her arm burning with the heat of Kakashi's body where their arms were pressed together. When she'd seen him in the green sweater, she'd had to compose herself to try and not drool.

The restaurant was beautiful; a renovated old home with a porch and brick work. The line was already stretched down the stone path, but Kakashi steered her around and to the back door, where he knocked three times. The man who opened the door smiled widely when he saw them, bowing at Kakashi and ushering them inside.

"Kakashi, glad to see you're on time. I've arranged your table by the window with a view of the garden and the district, as you requested."

Sakura didn't try and hide that she was impressed. This place was far fancier than anything she had been expecting. The man directed them to a booth in the corner, pressed against the large windows that showed a sprawling garden of herbs and vegetables with the backdrop of the village lights. When he had taken their drink orders – sake and green tea – Sakura stared out at the view in awe.

"Kakashi- this place, it's... how did you get us in here on such short notice?"

"The man who let us in, the restaurant is his. He was in my Academy class," Kakashi explained, "Made it to chunin the same year as Obito. We even went on a few missions together afterwards. He was injured during the war, and the damage was irreparable, we spent some time together in the hospital after I had the sharingan implanted. I had to call in a few favors to get us a table tonight, but he was happy to oblige."

Sakura remembered the case file, it had been one of the first ones Tsunade had shown her as an example of what poor medical treatment can do to a shinobi. The hospital had been flooded with patients; the nurses and medics were understaffed and running on fumes. His injuries had been treated improperly and the resulting infection and trauma had rendered him unfit for physical combat. Sakura, admittedly surprised that Kakashi had such an impressive connection, was eager to ask more but was promptly silence when she turned back to Kakashi to find his mask gone.

"I...what...your mask..."

Flawless execution, Sakura. You damn dumbass.

"We're on a date, Sakura. It would be rude of me to keep my mask up the whole time, and the food here is excellent, I'd rather not have to find multiple excuses for you to look away from me so I can stuff it all in my mouth. Besides, you've seen me without my mask before."

Still reeling from being blindsided, Sakura just nodded dumbly. No matter how many times she would see him sans mask, it always felt like being hit by a baseball bat to see how... handsome he was underneath it. All of their genin concerns about him being disfigured, fish lipped, and buck toothed had been so far off the mark it was almost hilarious to reflect on. He was...

Edible

Yikes, brain. Calm down.

"Why do you wear the mask?" Sakura blurted, immediately screwing up her nose and closing her eyes, "Gah, I'm sorry. I just... I've always wondered and there's so many rumors about it. And I don't think you've ever given me a straight answer." she propped her chin into her hand and batted her eyelids, "You wouldn't lie to your date for the evening, would you? It's obvious that you aren't uglier than a mule's ass so..."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow and smiled, revealing a slight dimple in his right cheek, "Not uglier than a mule's ass, hmm? That's certainly a compliment."

For a moment, Sakura was worried he was going to leave her hanging with her question, but Kakashi leaned forward on the table and gave her his full attention.

"My father insisted I wear it when I was younger; his reasoning was something about protecting your identity as a shinobi, and how our similarities could get me into trouble with people he had disagreements with. If I'm honest, I don't know if any of that was true. Though people have certainly confused me with my father on more than one occasion, and sometimes it worked in my favor. I kept wearing it after he died because it was just part of who I was. And he was right... we do look incredibly similar. It's hard sometimes to look in the mirror and see your father looking back at you."

Sakura, who had been expecting a carefully spun tail of lies and drama in Kakashi's usual fashion, let the conversation dip into an uncomfortable silence. Kakashi had just openly shared something about his life that was deeply personal.

"...I shouldn't have asked." she said to break the tension, lowering her head apologetically, "I thought you were going to tell me some ridiculous story."

Kakashi smiled again, no trace of anger or disappointment in the lilt of his lips, "You aren't a genin anymore, Sakura. Most of my close friends know the truth about why I wear my mask, I didn't see why you should be any different. It is, however, usually a courtesy for you to share something personal when someone opens up for you."

Sakura reached for the cup of green tea and shrugged one shoulder, "I'm an open book, Kakashi. What would you like to know?"

"I've seen you in your garden after our missions, after we've killed missing nin. Why do you plant things for them as well as people you lost at the hospital?"

"I didn't realize you'd noticed," Sakura admitted, turning the cup in her palms anxiously. Kakashi shrugged.

"I notice a lot of things, but I know that not everything needs to be commented on. If you'd rather not answer, I'll understand."

Sakura shook her head and flicked open the menu to busy her hands.

"Everyone- even the people we fight – they were someone to somebody. Obviously there are exceptions," she added, and the name of a certain snake tongued bastard went unsaid, "but a lot of the shinobi we fight honestly believe they're doing the right thing. I think.. I think about what would have happened if Sasuke had never come back. If he'd been killed by another person, or captured by another village. To them, he was a monster. But to us, he meant something. Even if they were bad people in our eyes, I like to remind myself that someone out there is probably mourning them, or the person they used to be. I know it's stupid-"

"It's not."

Kakashi had spoken so firmly, so sure of his words, that Sakura hesitated before she tried to speak again.

"- I've watched a lot of people die, Kakashi. Even some of the missing nin we fight, they've called for their mothers. Their lovers. I just wanted to give something to the people they used to be."

She fidgeted under Kakashi's gaze, surprised when he reached out and closed his hand over hers.

"You're an excellent person, Sakura."

She was saved from turning into a blubbering mess by their waiter arriving, and when she realized she didn't know what she wanted, she looked to Kakashi.

"If you've been here before, I trust your opinions." she said with a smile, "Would you order for us?"

He rattled off a list of things that Sakura had seen on the menu with ease, handing over both of them to the waitress, who looked starstruck and only nodded. When she was gone, Kakashi folded his arms on the table and smiled at Sakura.

"I remembered you didn't like spicy food, so I avoided any of that. But I think you'll be impressed, they farm their own vegetables and all of the meat they serve comes from the farm just outside the village."

Sakura definitely was impressed; and the information told her that this place was certainly as fancy as she's suspected. On first dates, she tended to split the bill, which hopefully wouldn't give her a heart attack when she saw it. With the seriousness of their previous conversation lifted by the presence of the waitress, Sakura decided to turn things to something happier.

"I'm going to ask you five questions and you're going to answer them without thinking, okay?"

She laughed at Kakashi's bemused expression, but he agreed nonetheless. Sakura continued her barrage of questions, Kakashi answering them without pause.

"Favourite animal."

"Dog."

"Best time of day?"

"Dawn."

"Favourite fruit?"

"Peach."

"Really?"

"That counts as a question. Yes."

Sakura huffed, having already planned her last two questions. She toyed between the two, finally settling on one she thought he would enjoy.

"When did you decide you wanted to ask me to dinner?"

Kakashi smiled.

"When I saw you come out of the hospital in that outfit you wore for training."

CHA! I knew that outfit was perfect!

Sakura giggled, but didn't pursue the topic any further. Instead, she reached across the table and gripped Kakashi's sake cup and brought it to her lips. She knew he could have stopped her, but instead he waited until she had set the cup down before he brought it to his own lips, right where her pink lip gloss marks were printed.

"Tell me something about yourself that nobody else knows," he said, wiping the thin film of gloss from the bow of his lips. Sakura's brow furrowed.

"Ne, I gave you easy questions!"

"I'd hardly say that asking me to pick a favourite fruit is an easy question, Sakura."

He seemed to be immune to her death stare, she noted. She would need to take lessons from Shizune and Tsunade. While she thought, she fiddled with her napkin and wracked her brain. She hadn't been lying earlier, she did consider herself to be an open book. There was almost nothing about her that someone, somewhere knew. Kakashi was patient while he waited, drawing patterns on the tabletop with his fingers. Sakura perked up when the thought struck her.

"My hiiobaasan was a kunoichi! I don't think I've told people that before."

She was proud to note that the tidbit of information piqued Kakashi interest. He had set his sake aside and was watching her with a confused glance. She preened slightly under the attention.

"When I was assigned Team 7 as genin, I was told you were from a fully civilian family."

Sakura waved one hand, tipping it side to side, "Maa, I am. My hiiobaasan's parents were civilians, and myobaasan, okaasan and otousan are all civilians. My ohiisan fought in the first shinobi war she-" Sakura faltered, not wanting to dampen the mood but knowing she had been the one to open this line of conversation, "She died. My obaasan was still young at the time, she hated the shinobi of the village for it. She refused to let my okaasan become a kunoichi, not that she was interested. When she found out I was one, she wasn't happy. She lives outside of Konoha now."

Kakashi offered her a soft apology, that she accepted with a casual shake of her head, "I know why she feels that way, and she never tried to stop me from following my dream. She just makes rude comments when she thinks I can't hear, and I can say whatever I want to her because she's deaf as a post now."

The sound of food sizzling on hot plates ended their conversation, and Sakura's eyes widened as she watched the waitress pile food onto the table. Kakashi seemed to remember that she had a large appetite. Sakura abandoned all sense of propriety when the waitress had disappeared, her stomach growling with it's own personality and saliva pooling in her mouth. Kakashi seemed to be in the same boat, chopsticks already in hand.

"Itadakimasu!" she and Kakashi chimed.

About three bites in to the chicken disk, Sakura decided she wasn't sharing. The food was better than anything she had eaten in months. She was so busy eating that she didn't even mind the smug grin on Kakashi's face when she was sure she drool into the plate. Between the two of them, they successfully demolished five plates of food before Kakashi motioned to the waiter, who collected their plates and hurried away. Sakura rubbed her stomach and sighed happily.

"I might marry you for bringing me here," she joked, "this is my new favorite place."

"I hope you didn't eat too much."

The anko dumplings dripped syrup in thick strands when Kakashi brought one to his lips, humming thoughtfully as he sucked the sticky syrup from his fingertips.

"I don't normally like sweet things, but this isn't bad."

Sakura was going to go into a food coma. The dumplings tasted like the first bloom of spring, like the sunrise cresting over the mountain tops, like that one time Naruto had laryngitis and couldn't talk for two weeks.

"Do I need to leave you and the dumplings alone?" Kakashi snarked.

Sakura stuffed two dumplings into her cheek, "I'm leaving you for the dumplings, Hatake. You can go."

His laughter was even better than the dumplings.

When the last remnants of syrup had been scraped from the plate, Sakura slumped back in the booth and sighed dreamily. The restaurant was getting more and more crowded by the hour. Sakura, though not wanting to end the evening, decided it was better that they begged off. Kakashi seemed to agree, somehow finding their waiter and having the bill appear on their table. Sakura inwardly winced, but couldn't deny it was worth every ryo. Shereached for her purse, but Kakashi held out his hand, "I wouldn't be a gentleman if I let a lady pay for her meal."

"Ne, Kakashi, I can't expect you to-"

The man from earlier was already swooping in, the two men sharing an understanding nod as Kakashi slipped something into his hand before he disappeared after a respectful bow. Sakura jabbed a finger at Kakashi's chest.

"That was cheating."

Kakashi laughed and slipped his jacket around Sakura's shoulder, leaning in close to her ear as he tucked it around her, "I never thought I'd hear you complain about me paying for dinner, Sakura. If it makes you feel better, you can pay next time."

Next time?

Hell. Yes.

She was going to question why he had forfeited his jacket, but the blast of cold air as he opened the door ahead of her made her suck in a quick breath. Summer might be around the corner, but spring wasn't done being chilly. She huddled in the jacket and shifted a fraction closer to Kakashi, who was somehow radiating warmth in the cool air.

"I had a good time," she whispered, feeling the volume was appropriate somehow.

"So did I, it's a shame to see it end. Though, it's generally customary for a man to walk his date home. If that's alright with you."

Yes. Yes that was definitely alright with her. The walk back was just as beautiful as the first trip had been; the moon full and bright in the sky splashed with stars. They didn't speak, which on other dates had unsettled Sakura to no end, but they fell into a silence that settled comfortably between them. Halfway down the incline, Kakashi reached for her hand and didn't let go. Sakura was thankful that the darkness around them wouldn't betray the hot blush staining her cheeks. Sakura felt a tug of disappointment when the porch light of her house appeared in the distance, knowing that the night was coming to an end. Part of her, deep in the back of her mind, wanted to invite Kakashi in. She was sure she could come up with some excuse; a cup of tea, some more conversation... some long, slow kisses on the couch to quench the fire that he was causing to rage in her gut.

Maybe go on a few more dates before you try to get in his pants she scolded herself.

Ignoring the touch starved part of her brain that was screeching to take him inside, she pushed her creaking gate open and stepped onto the pebbled path.

"I have something to show you."

She took his hand, ignoring the butterflies that burst into life in her stomach when his warm skin touched her own. She weaved him around the garden, finally coming to a stop at a freshly turned over patch of soil, pointing to the tiny plant now nestled in the dirt. Kakashi blinked.

"It's...lovely?"

Sakura laughed, "I took a cutting from the evergreen forest. They grow it there to use the leaves and flowers in poisons. It's a solanum melongena."

Kakashi was giving her the side eye, clearly still not understanding. Sakura gave one of the leaves a small poke, "It's an eggplant."

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly before he brought a hand up to his forehead and began laughing, shoulders shaking and an undignified snort coming from the back of his throat.

"You stole an eggplant cutting from the evergreen forest?"

Sakura shrugged her shoulders, feeling the butterflies take flight again at the sound of his unrestrained laughter. "The plant itself was fully grown and perfectly healthy. Besides, I technically won it in a game of arm wrestling. But if Tsunade asks... I found it."

"Tsunade doesn't exactly have a green thumb, Sakura. I'm sure she won't even notice. How long until you actually get an eggplant from this thing?"

"Sixty to sixty four days." Sakura answered, biting the inside of her cheek when she realized how quickly she'd responded. Kakashi was looking at her with the half smile that made her knees weak. He stepped closer, gently taking her hand and running the pad of his thumb along her palm.

"Do I have to wait that long to have dinner with you again? Because that's certainly a long time."

Sakura could feel the flush creeping up her neck and she ducked her head, letting her hair fall in her face, "Actually, I was hoping I could see you a lot sooner than that. Say maybe...tomorrow?"

"Did you have anything in mind?"

No I just want to see you again

"The spring market is happening around midday. Maybe we could go together?"

Good save

Kakashi stepped closer to her again, and Sakura raised an eyebrow and closed the distance further, much to his apparent delight.

"I suppose that sounds nice. I'll meet you there."

Sakura stepped closer again, this time letting her hand curl in the fabric of his soft sweater. Kakashi glanced down at her hand and then met her eyes.

"Do you kiss on the first date?"

"Not usually," Sakura admitted, "Though I can't remember the last time I had a first date this good. So I could make an exception, I suppose."

He was so close that she could count the crinkles around his eyes and the tiny, palest brown freckles that splashed across his cheeks. He smelled like aftershave and she wanted to bury her nose in the crook of his neck and breathe deeply. The corners of his lips turned up as he leaned in, cupping his large hands around her jaw and placing a soft, barely there kiss on her mouth. He had pulled away before she had a chance to respond, but even that brush of lips had her heart pounding in her chest and blood roaring in her ears.

"Goodnight, Sakura. I'll see you tomorrow?"

Sakura nodded, moving to slip his jacket from her shoulders but stopping when he waved her away, heading backwards across the gravel path through her garden, "Keep it. It looks better on you."

The gate creaked as he let it swing shut, and Sakura wasn't sure how long she stood there in the darkness, staring after him and clutching the coat around her body. A crackle from the bushes brought her out of her daze, finding Mr. Wiggles squirming his way out of a hedge with an irritated mewl. Sakura sighed heavily and crouched beside him, seeing that the bulk of his fat was too large to fit through the brambles he was trying to escape from. Sakura fished a kunai from her ankle (she knew the likelihood of her having to use it was slim, but in Konoha you never really knew what was going to happen from one day to the next), and carefully sliced at the offending branches until Mr. Wiggles broke free, tearing off to the door to scrape his claws along the frame.

"Yeah, yeah. You're welcome," Sakura mumbled, dusting off her palms and rising to her feet. She glanced down when she saw tufts of orange fur sticking to some of the branches, her eyes flicking back to the dirt behind the hedge and stopping when they saw something that definitely shouldn't be there.

A set of boot prints, perfectly placed as though someone had been crouched behind her hedges. The deep packed soil in the grooves, and the lack of grass and weed growth made her stomach turn. Someone had been here. And they had been watching her.

A/N- Not to get sappy, but this chapter is dedicated to every person who reached out to me after my note in the last chapter because you guys are amazing. In a fandom so large, and shipping a pairing that's not canon, I expected a few 'u suck' messages. But having someone read my entire story and give me a chapter by chapter breakdown of why they hated it really rattled my self esteem as a writer. But the people who've messaged me and sad such beautiful things, you're amazing.

So here's an entire 8k about these two being absolute dorks.

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