Warning: Too much fluff! beware of fluff! proceed with caution! xD

Shizune opened her eyes slowly, groaning slightly at the sunlight coming through her window. Behind her, Kakashi breathed steadily, every exhale blowing slightly at her short black hair. His arms were wrapped loosely around her waist and a small smile came to her lips involuntarily. She glanced at the clock beside her bed and grimaced when she saw that it was almost 7 in the morning.

Feeling uncharacteristically lazy, she laid back comfortably on her bed, her legs still throbbing slightly after all the running that she did since the other day. She snuggled her back against Kakashi's chest, who sighed and tightened his arms around her. She almost giggled at the memory of him at her kitchen, wearing her purple apron and preparing her food last night.

She remembered how he looked last night when she saw him walking towards the hospital. He had his hands buried deep in his pockets and he was looking down, as if he didn't want anyone to look at him. His posture alone made him look so morose. Her enthusiasm at seeing the kid finally settle down on his hospital bed diminished when she saw Kakashi on that state.

When she called out his name, he lifted his head and she saw that he looked miserable, his eyes had a lost look on them. But when his eyes focused on hers, his eyes lightened up, as if coming to an important conclusion. He embraced her for a long time, not saying anything.

Shizune tried to lighten up the situation but it seemed that Kakashi was not done with his brooding. He apologized to her but wouldn't disclose the reason why he's apologizing and, instead, told her that he's glad that she's back. She didn't pry anymore; she knew that Kakashi will tell her what's bothering him once he's comfortable enough to do so.

They stayed like that for a long time, embracing under the streetlight until she broke the silence.

"Uhm, Kakashi?" she whispered against his shoulder. He merely hummed and nuzzled her neck.

"I haven't sat down for at least a full day now. Can you please let me go?" she said.

Her legs were literally killing her. All the running that she did for 20 straight hours and the standing and pacing she did in the hospital now coming back and her feet are now begging to be rested.

He chuckled and tightened his hold on her, "As if I'll ever let you go."

"Kakashi," she whined. Really, all she wants now is to sit down. She likes being in his arms but, at the moment, what she likes to do is to take a seat.

He sighed dramatically and pulled one arm away. However, he stooped down and put said arm behind her knees, carrying her in his arms. Her arms automatically wrapped around his neck.

She gasped, "Kakashi! What are you doing?!"

He looked down at her and grinned behind his mask, "Your legs are tired, right? Then I'll carry you back to your apartment."

She tried to wriggle out of his arms, "Absolutely not! I'm heavy! And the villagers…"

Her next words were ignored when he tightened his hold on hers and leapt, jumping from rooftop to rooftop to get to her apartment. Her breath caught on her throat when the moonlight illuminated his eyes and his profile.

Even with the mask on, he was absolutely beautiful.

His eyes were dark, almost as dark as hers and the exposed part of his face was absolutely, flawlessly ageless. His silver hair shone in the moonlight, making it look like white. The scar on his eye going down his cheek only added to the charm, but Shizune couldn't imagine the pain that it had caused him when he was wounded by it.

He landed lightly on his feet at her apartment door, still holding her tightly against him, as if he doesn't want to let go. She was still gazing at his perfection, wondering what he saw in her in the first place. Wondering how he even looked at her for the second time in their lives. She accepted months ago that he may not feel the same way again about her but now, here he is, carrying her in his arms again and gazing at her with tender eyes full of affection.

He smiled down at her, "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

She smiled back, "Nothing," she whispered and reached for the edge of his mask, "Just this."

She pulled it down and leaned forward to brush her lips with his. He met her halfway, their lips molding together in a familiar rhythm that Shizune had long ago memorized but had never ceased to amaze her. He took her lead, waiting for the movements of her lips to quicken, slow down and finally cease. When she pulled away, he leaned his forehead on hers and dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose.

She opened her eyes to see the slight blush across his cheeks. She grinned despite her own blush, "So, you really missed me."

He chuckled, "Yes I did. Welcome home, Shizune."

Kakashi gently set her down and she unwrapped her arms around his neck. For a moment, they stared at each other, until he broke his gaze and looked down, scratching his cheek. To her, he looked nervous.

"Uhm, Shizune," he began, "Have… have you eaten dinner?"

She cocked her head to the side, "Well, not exactly. I did have a food pill yesterday," she paused, "Please don't tell me you're inviting me to dinner right now. I haven't even showered!"

He grinned, "You look mighty fine to me."

She pouted, "I know you got that from Icha Icha. Besides, it's late. There are no restaurants open."

He nodded in acknowledgement, "True. How about I make dinner?"

She blinked and then smiled. She remembered the handful of times that she convinced Kakashi to cook dinner when they were living together the year before. She didn't expect his cooking skills to be so good.

"Alright," she replied and turned to her door, reaching in her pack to get her key. Once inside, she turned on all the lights of her apartment while Kakashi locked the door behind them. She set her bag by the center table and collapsed on her couch, groaning in relief to finally sit down. Kakashi joined her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, removing his mask and forehead protector and putting them on the center table. He removed his flak jacket and draped it on the back of the couch, leaving him in his long sleeved shirt.

"Tired?" he asked as he fit them side by side.

She yawned, "And hungry. How about you make us something now?"

He gave her an odd look, "A trip to your kitchen would be nice."

She laughed lightly, "Oh right, sorry."

She stood up and he took her hand in his, following her to the kitchen. After directing him of the contents of her fridge, she handed him her apron.

"You can cook whatever you want. I can eat anything right now, I swear. I'll just take a shower real quick," she said as he put on the apron. She smiled inwardly. He really looked adorable in purple.

He looked up at her with a devious smirk on his lips, "Can I join you?"

Though she scoffed, she had to fight down the blush at the many memories that invaded her mind of them in the shower, "Keep wishing, Hatake."

She left him and entered her room. She took a shower and changed for the night in an old long sleeved mission shirt and sweatpants. She glanced at her bedside table, the former side of Kakashi, and saw their picture from New Year a few months ago. She smiled nostalgically and then shook her head. They're going to make new memories and take more pictures that she can immortalize in her frames and albums.

When she exited her room, Kakashi was still in the kitchen. She can smell the miso soup that he's cooking and she smiled. He's probably making his favorite food. She collapsed on the couch, stretching her arms over her head and resting her still sore legs. She must've dozed for a bit when Kakashi shook her lightly on the arm.

"Hey," he said gently, "Come on. Let's eat first before you sleep."

"Thank you," she smiled and got up. She took a seat on the table and he sat beside her.

He inquired her about her mission, asking about the coordination about her team and their supposed strategy. Though he didn't ask too much about the part when they were ambushed by rogues from Yuki, it seemed that he's still disturbed about the fact that she was hurt; her teammates did report their mission to him first. When they finished, he took on the task of doing the dishes as well.

"You're spoiling me," she commented as he gathered their plates.

He merely smiled and gave her a look that she was all to familiar with. It was a look that he often gave her a year ago. A look that made tears spring at her eyes. It was a look that spoke of tenderness, of affection, of love.

"You rest there, Shizune. I'll take care of this," he said and turned back towards her kitchen. Once he's gone, a tear slipped from her eye and dripped down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away with her sleeve. Shizune had seen that look on his face many times before, the look that she thought she would never see again. Her heart felt full at the moment from all the happiness that she's feeling. From the love that he's showering her. He loves her again. She can see it on the way that he looks at her and his small attempts to take care of her.

She stood up and entered the kitchen. He was there, rinsing the plates that they used. Silently, she walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

"Shizune?" he asked and placed a wet hand over her arm, "Is everything alright?"

She pressed her face against his back, swallowing the lump on her throat before answering, "It is now. I – Thank you, Kakashi."

She couldn't say the words yet. She doesn't want to scare him away. Kakashi will say the words himself once he's comfortable enough. She will be patient with him.

He turned around and wrapped his arms around her and she hid her face against his shoulder. Resting his chin in the top of her head, he chuckled.

"Is that for the food?" he joked.

She giggled, "Yes it's for the food," she said with a yawn she couldn't stop.

Kakashi noticed, "You're tired. Well, dishes are done. You can go to sleep now."

Shizune still held him, hesitating on her next words, "Kakashi…"

"Hmm?"

She took a deep breath and looked up at him, "Would you like to stay the night?"

He blinked, startled at the question before a smirk came over, "I thought you were tired, but if you want me to stay the night for that …"

She hit his chest, blushing slightly, "Not for that! I am tired! I just thought you'd want to, you know… sleep here?"

A serene look came over his face and he took her hand, kissing her palm, "I know, I'm just joking with you. I'll sleep here if you want."

She smiled triumphantly and dragged him to her bedroom. Though he hesitated slightly at the door, he entered once she tugged slightly at his hand. Shizune dug around her closet for clothes that he can use while his eyes rove around her bedroom until they landed on their picture on the bedside table.

"That's the same one on your office, right?" he asked, a finger pointed on the said frame. She glanced at what he's pointing and nodded.

"Yeah. That was taken on New Year's Eve. We organized a lantern festival for the village on that," she replied as she continued rummaging through her closet. She found his old shirt and pants.

She handed him the clothes and a towel, "Here, you can use these. Bathroom's that door behind you."

He looked baffled, "You have clothes of mine?"

She laughed, "Kakashi, you used to live here. What do you expect?"

He smiled sheepishly and made his way to the bathroom. Shizune laid down on her side and waited for him. The level of comfort and familiarity of their newly rebuilt relationship was almost disconcerting for her but she was also thankful that they managed to got back the mutual solace that they found on each other.

Kakashi turned off the light and laid down behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and his face against her hair. She laid a hand on top of his and glanced at the clock on her bedside. It was almost midnight.

She yawned, "Good night, Kakashi."

He hummed, "Good night, Shizune."

She was almost asleep when he spoke again.

"I'm so sorry, Shizune," he whispered against her hair, "I'm sorry I thought about leaving you."

She startled and opened her eyes, looking at her window, "Why?" she simply asked.

He took a shuddering breath, "I – your teammates told me you were hurt. They told me those shinobi were going to use you to lure me out and I – I thought I could do you more good if I'm not close to you. That I may become a danger to you because of my enemies. But I don't want to push you away, Shizune. I need you right here. With me," he said in a rush.

So this is where it came from, she thought to herself and remembered his apology earlier that night.

She turned in his arms to face him. He was not looking at her eyes and his face had a look of desolation, shame and desperation. She took hold of his face, her thumb brushing over the scar on his cheek and made him look her in the eyes.

"Listen to me Kakashi," she said firmly, "I told you this before and I'm telling you this again: I can protect myself just fine. I'm a kunoichi trained by a Legendary Sannin and I'm confident on my own battle skills."

She took a deep breath before continuing, "Thank you for being honest with me and telling me of what you thought of doing. What's important to me right now is that you didn't do it. And I thank you for it. You will never be danger to me, got it? You made so many good things in my life than you could imagine. Don't ever think that you do me harm for being with me."

Kakashi stared at her in awe, "Shizune…"

She smiled reassuringly and removed her hands from his face, "It's okay. Now, will you let me sleep? I have to go back to my work tomorrow as an assistant to one certain Hokage."

He chuckled and gave her a lingering kiss, "Thank you, Shizune," he muttered against her lips. She gave him another smile and turned again, feeling him drop a kiss on her neck from behind her.

"I know you said you're tired but…" he said suggestively.

"No, Kakashi," she quickly shot him down, "I am tired."

He huffed and settled comfortably behind her, "Fine."

She hid her smile, "Good night, Kakashi."

"Hmm, good night, Shizune."

She smiled at last night's events. She knows he loves her, she's certain of it. She couldn't really explain how she knew but, every time he looked at her last night, she saw the tenderness in his eyes. Every time he touched her, there's a gentleness in his hands that she craves.

She's certain of it by the way he shows his love to her. She's content with feeling all the love that he showers her.

Her eyes drifted to the clock and she nearly groaned. She spent good half an hour reminiscing. She gently lifted his arm and tried to get out of his embrace, only for them to tighten around her once more.

"Where are you going?" he whispered against her ear.

She tried to wriggle out of his grasp, "To work, obviously. It's almost 8 in the morning!"

He groaned and buried his head deeper on the pillow, "We'll take a day off today."

She laughed despite herself, "In case you forgot, you're the Hokage. You can't take a day off."

He groaned again but he removed his arms around her, lying on his back on her bed. She sat up and looked at him, his eyes still closed. Quickly, she took her pillow and hit his chest.

His eyes snapped open and gazed at hers, expression almost comical that she wanted to laugh, "What was that for?" he asked.

She smiled cheerfully, "You need to get up, Hokage-sama. We have paper works to do."

"Ugh, fine," he said and got up as well. She stood up and took his hand, dragging him to her living room.

"We can have an early start today, Hokage-sama! If we can finish the paper works early, we can have dinner early, right?" she asked cheerfully. She took his mask and forehead protector from the table and gave them to him.

"Shizune…" he whined, "Come on, just five more minutes on bed."

"No time!" she said and opened the front door, "Come on, Hokage-sama. We can do this!"

He glared at her playfully and pouted as he slipped his mask over his head. He fixed the mask around his throat and dragged them up his face but stopped before covering his mouth. He stepped closer to her and kissed her deeply, his hands resting on her hips. Her hands made their way to his cheeks, a finger tracing the scar on his face.

He pulled away first and grinned, "See you at the office, my dear assistant."

With that, he left. Leaving behind a widely smiling kunoichi, giddy with all the love and happiness that she's feeling.

A/N: i did warn about the fluff xD