Author's Note: Here I am again!! XD I still can't figure out the Autumn Festival though, so I need to buy some time. What do you think of the story so far? :p Thanks to all my reviewers! You really make my day!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. But in a crazy alternate univers I dreamed up, I was already in it. XD

Kurenai emerged from their training grounds after training Shino, Kiba, and Hinata. The three had remarkably become better in terms of all three jutsus. Even Hinata had surpassed Sakura's level. For that, she was very happy and proud of Hinata. It was five-thirty in the afternoon, and she was two hours shy of her dinner with Kakashi.

"I'm really proud of you three, keep up the good work," Kurenai told her students. A flush entered Hnata's face at the praise.

"Do you really think so, Kurenai-sensei?" she asked. Hinata may have lost her stutter and gained confidence, but shadows of her self-doubts still lingered.

"Of course I do, Hinata. I only ask that while you train harder, you're gearing up for being a medic nin, so you needn't compare yourself to other shinobis. And give yourself a break once in while, okay?"

Hinata nodded mutely and bowed, then melted off into the forest. Kurenai sighed. Poor Hinata had driven herself against the wall to become better, to please her family, since Hiashi Hyuuga had made it clear that he favored her little sister over her. It was a good thing that Neji no longer hated her, and had endeavored to protect her, of his own will more than the sense of duty.

She jumped up and sped to her apartment. Stripping her clothes at the door, she went in the bathroom to give herself a nice bath. She emerged an hour and a half later, and started to put on her freshly laundered shinobi clothes, but stopped. She knew Kakashi wouldn't bother dressing up; he wasn't that kind of guy. But still, she wanted to make a good impression so she pulled out a red dress and examined her reflection in the mirror. There. Better. She smiled alluringly at her reflection then went out.

Kakashi was at the entrance of the new restaurant, waiting for her. Her eyebrows rose up. Not only was he on time, but he was also wearing something nice for a change. My God, she thought. The world seems to be falling apart. Nevertheless, she hid her puzzlement and wonder behind a cheery smile as he took her hand and led her in.

Kurenai couldn't help but be amazed at this behavior of Kakashi. It seemed out of character for him. He didn't have his porn book anywhere with him, too. Kami-sama, has Hatake been taking lessons from Uchiha?

"What would you like to order? My treat," Kakashi said.

"I'll take the bird's nest soup for the appetizer and sukiyaki for the main course," she said, looking through the menu laid on the table.

"Very good," said the waiter who was hovering behind them, unnoticed.

Kakashi made his order, and told the waiter to bring a bottle of champagne with him.

"Champagne," Kurenai repeated blankly. "Is this a celebration or something? Is there an event in Konoha that I didn't hear about?"

Kakashi examined her for a moment, and then looked away. "Sheesh, old lady, you need to get out more…" he muttered.

"What?" she demanded. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," Kakashi waved a hand.

"Here are your appetizers," said their waiter, who placed two bowls of soup in front of them, and the champagne in a bucket of ice.

"Good service," Kakashi said approvingly.

The waiter bowed swiftly, and left.

Kurenai cocked her head. "Do we have something to discuss, Kakashi?"

Kakashi regarded her for a moment. He seemed to be debating on whether she was playing dumb or not. "No, no…" he said quietly. "I just…" he left the words hanging, as a frown creased Kurenai's face.