Preface: So for those of you wondering about this post, this is actually an alternative scene to a specific lunch meet-up that goes on in Chapter 40 of CP. Initially, this chapter was an Announcement that happened back in March of 2017, where reviews at the time had really hit some personal nerves and I ended up ranting. Thankfully, many of you reading this, whether old fans or new, stepped up to mend the wounds, and it just stayed as a mark of history.

Then, a certain reviewer by the name of Smiling Seshat was the one who pointed out how the original Announcement violated some of FFN's rules on story-posting, hence me deleting it. But the reviews seemed to be a bit off in count because of it, hence posting this.

I originally wrote this in the first draft of Chapter 40, but took it out based on a friend's advice. Here's the original scene for you all to look at and enjoy! :D

That is, if not for Kushina-nee speaking up with the slyest tone I ever heard her take on in my life.

"So, Tomoko-chan, do you like Kakashi?"

I nearly choked on my mouthful of noodles. Since it wasn't fully down my throat yet, I found myself coughing to try figuring out what in all heck she just said, hopefully getting the ramen down the right tube. In that time, Kushina-nee had reached over to pat my back sympathetically, but nonetheless still grinning.

"W-Wha…wha…" was all that I could say once the food was down and done with in my stomach. "Kakashi?"

…She didn't imply what I THINK she did, did she?

Kushina-nee was now in my face again, grinning foxily. "Again, Tomoko-chan, do you like Kakashi?"

Me? Like Kakashi?

I blinked, putting down my chopsticks for a second. "As a friend or something else? Because as a friend and family member, I love him…"

Teuchi-san guffawed quietly while boiling another pot of soup.

Kushina-nee just gaped at me, shock on her face. "T-Tomoko-chan!"

"Huh?" I said obliviously.

You're missing the point, dear. -10 points.

What's that supposed to mean?

…Seems naive and oblivious rock-ness transfers between lives too. Huh.

Hisako?

She refused to answer.

Instead, Kushina-nee shook her head before smiling at me a bit more gently. "Tomoko-chan, I didn't mean 'as a friend or a family member'. I was asking if you liked Kakashi. As in like-like."

My heart froze in my chest.

Like-Like? As in…

Leo-like, Tomoko-chan. THAT kind of like. Hisako finished.

Oh god.

My face was surely a tomato right now. "M-Me? L-Like Kakashi? I-I…" The words left me.

Kushina-nee was now giggling. It wasn't an uncontrollable giggle by any means, but a soft, gentle one that screamed what I think was 'pity' and 'sympathy'. "Tomoko-chan, you haven't seen it?"

"S-Seen what? Me…Kakashi…huh?" I stammered, voice getting higher in pitch by the moment. The scent of ramen wasn't helping ANYTHING. If anything, it was only a soft whiff past my nose that needed attention, but I couldn't give it what it needed right there.

There's no way, right? There's no way…

Oh, Tomoko-chan. Hisako sighed.

Kushina-nee reached over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Tomoko-chan, you're the only girl I've seen that can approach that boy the way you do." Her smile seemed almost solemn now. "And with the many times I've talked with Minato, it seems obvious that there's more than just friendship there with the way Kakashi reciprocates. So I'm asking if there is something more there, alright?"

My heart was churning while I felt sick. "B-But… that's… that's not possible. There's no way…"

It couldn't be. It couldn't be…Leo was one-in-a-million…so there's….

Tomoko-chan.

"Or is there?" Kushina-nee was looking at me with serious violet eyes. "Tomoko-chan, I don't want to push you, but from here on out, it's going to get serious. Kakashi-kun will be heading out on tougher missions and he will be at risk again. I want to ask you now to make sure if my gut feeling is correct."

I didn't know what to say.

There were so many things I could've filled in at that moment, but the possibilities looming over me just seemed both towering and endless.

Where could I start?

Kakashi was my best friend. And yet Kushina-nee of all people is saying there's more to it than that.

I mean, I did…love him, right?

But…in that way?

Leo's face passed through my mind.

Hisako stayed silent.

"Kushina-nee…I…" I found myself looking down at my ramen bowl again, absently stretching a noodle out. "I…" I gulped down the lump in my throat before resorting to my gut. Speaking with my open heart on my sleeve. "I-I don't know. I…I like Kakashi, but… I'm not sure."

"Tomoko-chan…" The Uzumaki woman wrapped an arm around my shoulders again to bring me into another side hug. "I'm sorry for asking so suddenly, but you should know that the Third Shinobi World War is still going on. I'm not sure if things will get any easier for you from here on out, especially with Team Minato upping their risk-taking. I just wanted to ask to see what was happening, okay?"

"Kushina-nee…" I could only lean against her, really hoping to get back to my ramen. My stomach needed something with how much it was lurching. "I-I…"

The Uzumaki chuckled softly, her hand now resting on my hair. I took that as a sign to be quiet. "It's okay to not have an answer right now." As if to provide some comfort, Kushina-nee then started stroking my hair. "Love is a wonderful thing, Tomoko-chan. But sometimes it can hurt. This war is an example of how bad it can be. I just want to look out for you for when you do have an answer to my question."

But…But…

I wasn't sure of what else to say. Kushina-nee just brushed through my hair again. "If anything happens, just update me, okay? I know how it feels like to wait for someone at home. I'm here for you, Tomoko-chan."

"…Okay." I said finally.

You're getting there, Tomoko-chan. Just take your time.