A/n: …He loves her. It's the highest point! We've reached the ultimate. I'm sorry I ended it so abruptly, but you know. I just couldn't ruin the moment. It'd be wrong. Here's chapter 8.

Chapter 8-Feeling

Morning had arrived. After an evening of grief and tears the night had been cleared by fresh born new day. The day light danced in through the apartment window. Yui lay under the sheets deep in the midst of slumber. Her hair was a mess. Different strands were across the pillow, some loose strands over her brow. The noise she made in her sleep were tender. They had been delicate just like the sound of child. Her jaded eyes were slowly revealed as her heavy eye lids arose. 'Where am I…?' She slowly raised her body from the laying position and she scanned the area which had been in. 'this isn't my apartment…this…is this Kakashi's apartment.' She took the covers from over her lower body and placed her feet to the cold wooden floor. 'Where is Kakashi…what happened last night?'

She thought back and remembered how the two had goofed off the entire night. Then they had come to his apartment. A faint pink colored her cheeks when she remembered how she had seen his face. It was like no image she'd ever laid eyes on. "That's right…" Soon after that thoughts of what he told her played in her head as well. His own pain and suffering, had been similar to her, maybe even worse. It would only seem so if the two were compared. Something she did not plan to do.

Yui's eyes looked around the room again, and saw a calendar. She approached it and looked to the dates. "The fifteenth is today. I leave the nineteenth…today's…the fifteenth…?" She looked closer and notice a small sticker placed on it. It said happy birthday. "His birthday..? Today's his birthday, huh? I should do something for him …" She looked around the room and sighed. "I'll have to get him something. What do I..." She walked over to his desk and noticed a sheet of paper on top of the rest of the disorder. "He's such a guy." She picked it up and read the note addressed to her.

Yui,

Had an early mission. I'll see you late this afternoon. Maybe we can talk more. Please wait for me.

Love,

Kakashi

"Hm…I guess I could do something for him…" She sighed deeply and placed the paper back onto its junky location. She quickly changed her clothes. "Does he have an extra key?" She searched the apartment and saw an extra key hanging by the calendar. "Can't believe I missed that." She gathered her things and headed home as to wash up properly.

Yui walked around the village streets looking for the perfect cake. She gathered up some party supplies and finally decided strawberry short cake would be the best. It was their favorite. She searched for what felt like hours for a gift, but couldn't seem to find one. After giving up she consulted Naruto.

"Hm…a present for Kakashi-sensei…uh...today's his birthday! What is he fifty?" He said with questionable look.

"…to tell you the truth I don't even know. His face doesn't show how old he probably is." She blushed again when she thought of his handsome face. She began to giggle and Naruto stared at her stupidly. He soon smiled.

'Our plan worked.' He thought. "Uh...he really likes those hentai novels. By him a new one."

"Hm…It would seem like he owns all those released already."

"Yeah…hm…YEAH! I can get you one! A new one."

"Where from?"

"You don't worry about that. I've got it covered." He smiled to the woman. "I'll meet you at Kakashi-sensei's place at three!"

"Thanks Naruto." She hugged the boy and smiled. "I'm throwing him a party so tell Iruka okay?"

"Uh…okay! I'll tell everyone." He ran off and Yui smiled.

"Okay, that gift is taken care of…now what? Oh!" She smiled when she thought what to do.

Yui headed towards Kakashi's apartment and began to set up. A birthday banner was spread across the door. The cluttered desk was cleaned up. Instead of paper and old hentai novels she placed on it snacks, beverages, and the cake.

Yui gave her all and went as far to redecorate the jounin's room. She bought curtains, new bed sheets and changed them. From those deep green sheets with the shuriken on them, to a beautiful blue bed spread and pillows. Many pillows. (A/n: I'm one of those women who love countless pillows. Sure they serve no purpose since you only sleep on one, but they're so pretty.) She polished the floors and even did over his bathroom. (A/N: She went all out.) When finished she collapsed on the floor and stared at the ceiling. "Done." Yui stretched a bit, and yarned.

After a while there was a knock on the door and Yui greeted Naruto and company warmly. "Hi everyone. So you got it?" She asked Naruto.

"Yep. The never released Come Come Paradise: THE AFTER TALES. That perverted hermit said it was going to be his last book. I knew he was lying though." Naruto handed the book to Yui who hugged him. Naruto thought back to his meeting with Jiraiya as to get the book. That old man was irritating.

"So why do you want it? You've finally come to admit that I'm a fabulous writer and the books interest you. I knew eventually you'd give in to my greatness and learn what true writing is. I'm glad you've finally come to appreciate me." Jiraiya said to Naruto proudly.

"No. Never. Don't think so highly of yourself." Naruto told the hermit.

"Aww…why lead me on so?" He made up a sad face and blinked to Naruto who stepped back.

"Yui-chan wants a new novel for Kakashi-sensei's birthday."

"Oh? Hm…you should have said so in the first place."

"I did when I called you." Naruto said plainly.

"…"

"…"

"Okay. Here you go. The never before released Come Come Paradise: THE AFTER TALES! It was going to be my last."

"No it wasn't."

"How would you know?"

"I've trained with you for years. I know."

"..Here." Jiraiya handed the teen the book and sighed. "Tell Kakashi I said happy birthday."

"Sure."

"And tell Yui I love her."

"…eww." Naruto walked off while the older man stood there with a goofy look on his face.

"He's gonna love this. I'm glad you guys came. But Naruto, where are the guests?" She asked looking around. No one was in the hall. "I asked you to invite some people."

"I did."

"Well?"

"They're outside." Yui re-entered the apartment and saw through the window a large group. It was each team and their teachers. They had all come interested in the attending the party. Well most of them...some of them… (A/n: Okay, they came because they were bored. I don't know...) "See?" He said proudly as he entered the apartment. "Hm, Yui-chan you really went all out in here."

"Huh? What do you mean?" She asked as she turned around and looked to the three teens. "What are you implying?"

"…If you dislike Kakashi-sensei so much why do all of this?" Sakura asked raising her eyebrows.

"Hm…it wouldn't be you like him, would it?" Naruto asked her.

"No…no…I'm just being nice."

"Nice? This looks more loving, than nice." Sasuke said and looked around the room.

"No. Don't play games with me! I'm just being appreciative, that's all!" She shouted to them.

"Sure…" They all rolled their eyes and smiled widely to her.

'I mean…where do they get off...and…besides…I'm just being nice. He got me something good for my birthday, I'm returning the favor…I don't…I don't like him…' "I don't like him…that way." Her eyes slowly traveled across the room and she saw for herself the lengths she went through. 'I have done a lot.' She shook her head violently and snapped out of her trance. "Come on! Get everyone up here for the party!" She smiled.

Kakashi walked along. He sighed and looked around. The village was the same lively way it always was. But in his mind things seemed to move slow. Time stood still. Everything was motionless. For him time was unmoving because he had feelings he never felt before. It changed his universe. As he walked towards the apartment complexes he sighed. He looked into the sky. 'Did she wait for me?'

Yui headed home again as to change into something more suitable. She dressed in a pink silk Chinese traditional dress which had vivid patterns of dragons, and phoenix on the fabric. She slipped on pink heels and put on her favorite strawberry lip-gloss. She brushed her fussed hair and smiled to herself in the mirror. Before she left she prepared his gift by writing something in it quickly and wrapping it in green gift paper.

She headed back to the party and saw everyone was enjoying themselves. Other people had come, and were hanging out. Even Genma showed up. He stood outside the apartment drinking beer with Asuma and Gai. Yui smiled when she heard the conversation.

"So now's he's thirty." Gai said. "He's old!"

"Yeah. Just as you. You're not exactly a new blossomed flower." Asuma said to him.

"Hey, you're as young as you feel. I don't look a day over twenty–five." Gai smiled and did his nice guy pose.

"No, you look thirty. If anyone here doesn't seem to age its, Genma. He doesn't look over his twenties." Asuma looked to Genma who smiled back. (A/n: Genma is so cool. I mean dude deflects kunai's with a toothpick. Come now! That's awesome!)

"Kakashi can be fifty and we'll never tell if he looks it. You never see his face. Not to mention he has silver hair. We'll never tell of he greys or not." Gai frowned. Yui smiled and the image of Kakashi's handsome face came back to mind.

'He looks like a celestial being. More beautiful than any man in this world.' She smiled and walked up to the men. "Glad you're having fun."

"Hm? Yep. I've been having a good time, but where's the man of the hour?" Asuma asked.

"Um...Well he said he had a mission. He should be here soon." She told them and smiled. "I hope you don't go."

"No, we need to sing to him, right you guys?" He looked to Gai and Genma who nodded.

"It's nice that you're doing this for him. What you in love with him or something?" Gai asked. Yui blushed furiously and began to shout at him.

"WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP ASKING ME THAT? I DON'T FEEL SO AT ALL!"

"If so there is no reason to scream. If you don't like him just say so. In you screaming it implies you have something to hide. That maybe you have feelings for him." Genma simply stated. His toothpick moved with each of his words.

"…" Yui frowned and headed inside the apartment. "Whatever." She mumbled.

"She likes the idiot." Asuma smiled.

"Which one us of doesn't?" Gai said as he watched her walk off. "He's an okay guy."

"Unlike you." Genma smiled to Asuma.

"Yep, Gai ifsfar from okay." Asuma nodded.

"WHAT?" He exclaimed and turned around.

Kakashi headed to the apartment complexes with an exhausted look underneath his masked face. He yawned and walked towards his own apartment. The hall was loud, filled with chatter and music. He raised an eyebrow when he saw everyone. Naruto ran up to him and shouted loudly

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAKASHI-SENSEI!" The crowd there began to clap and he looked at them more dazed.

"Birthday…? Mine…?" He shrugged his shoulders and headed into his apartment receiving pats on the back and applause. "Thanks everyone." He said sleepy toned. He looked around and didn't see Yui. As the night went he still couldn't find her.

Yui stood outside the apartment, hiding herself from him. She feared what would happen if she did see him. 'I couldn't like him. I couldn't have feelings for him…I…I don't like him…' "After last night…what do I feel for him?" She whispered to her self. The party went on into the night. Kakashi did not see Yui, she didn't want him to.

"Okay everyone thanks fro the evening, but you all need to go." Kakashi said as he slowly pushed Gai out his apartment door.

"But we didn't get to sing to you." Gai whined.

"No thanks." The crowd followed Gai and exited. Many said happy birthday again and wished him a pleasant year. As Kurenai exited he touched her shoulder. "Have you seen Yui?" He asked.

"Hm…I think she was standing outside the apartment." Kakashi pushed through the exiting crowd and saw Yui standing to the side of the door.

"Hey." He said. She looked up to him and smiled slightly.

"Happy Birthday." She said to him.

"Come inside." He told her. He grabbed her hand and headed back into the apartment, closing the door behind them.

Gai, Asuma and Kurenai stood to the door's side and tried hard to listen in on the conversation. Genma watched them and frowned.

"Why do you have to interfere?" He asked.

"Keep your voice down." Gai told him in a whisper.

"…whatever." He watched as others stared joining in. Before he knew it most the party guests were lined up against the wall listening to whatever could be said on the inside. Even Anko stood toGai's side and joined in. Genma would never admit it but he was interested. He leaned in over Kurenai, who smiled.

"So you do care."

"Somewhat."

Kakashi stood up and threw his things to the floor. From his forehead protector, mask to his vest, and supplies, everything but his shirt and pants hit the floor. After he dropped himself onto his bed and rolled over, burying his face in one of the many pillows. He sat up when he realized that there were about six different pillows sitting on his bed. "So many…pillows?" He looked around and noticed the bed spread was changed as well. "And my sheets are…blue?" He looked to the blonde woman and raised an eyebrow. "Is this a gift?"

"Well I couldn't stand how dull the room looked so I changed it up a bit. You're lucky I was short on money, or I would have gotten you a rug too." She smiled and sat beside him on the bed. "Did you enjoy the party?" She asked.

"I suppose I did. It was fun having everyone here. It would have been better if I saw you though." He lay next to her and looked in her eyes. "I can't believe I missed you the whole night. You look beautiful." He said.

"Don't I always?" She sat up and walked across the room to his desk. "I got you something."

"You mean there's more besides the whole makeover to my room? I must say you've spoiled me." She walked over to him and handed him the wrapped gift. He slowly unwrapped it and yarned a couple times while doing do. His eyes widened when he saw it. "…"

"For that you can also thank Naruto." She smiled to him. 'Why does him feeling joy make me happy? I just can't…'

"This is…" He smiled and placed the book on the bed. "Thank you, Yui."

"It's not done. Read the inside." She opened the book and showed him the cover page.

Happy Birthday! I didn't know what to say to you exactly but I hope these words do it for me. Since I came here I couldn't stand you. You just had a thing for troubling me. For the longest I didn't know for what reasons. Over time I saw that you could be understanding and sincere. On the other hand, I wasn't. This gift is to show my appreciation for you and your ways. Even though I complained, and ranted the truth was I enjoyed your antics, and learned to laugh again. So Happy Birthday and thank you.

Love, Yui

"…a thanks…? I feel I should thank you."

"No. You've taught me something. To be happy. I couldn't be happy before. I was too stuck on my father passing to even try and live happily. But since I came here I've learn to enjoy live, and live it more abundantly."

"Then I guess…you're welcome." He smiled. "Why all of this though? It's a bit much for thanks."

"Well what are you saying? That—that I like you or something? Because if so, I don't. Don't forget that."

"Yui—" He called

"And moreover, everyone keeps on saying that I do. It's clearly obvious that I don't and just because I wrote all that nice stuff doesn't mean anything!"

"Yui." He called.

"What?" She snapped. Her eyes widened when she realized they were face to face.

"Thank you." They gazed deep into each other's eyes. Kakashi gently leant forward and kissed her flavored lips. The kiss was warm and sweet. No lust or desire was involved. No games or jokes were behind it. The meeting of their lips was pure, and genuine. It was a touch of lovers.

When they parted the two were speechless. Their eyes remained focused on the other. Nothing could be said. Nothing could come to mind. The moment was impenetrable. Kakashi caressed her cheek and she held his hand. The entire world seemed to be unmoving for that moment.

"Amazing…" Finally escaped her lips. "It was like…it was out of this world." She turned so her back faced him. "This was quite an evening, huh?" Kakashi hugged her from behind. His arms circled around her waist and he kissed her neck.

"This is the best gift one could receive, Yui." He whispered into her ear.

"It's late…I should go." She drew herself from his embrace. "Um…I'll talk to you tomorrow and stuff." As she reached for the door knob she felt a cold shiver up her spine. Something was holding her back. She didn't want to leave.

"Stay with me Yui." He said to her.

"…I've done too much. I can't stay." She held the door knob tighter. So tight one would think she'd lose life if she let go. "I…" Her breathes became short as she felt him hold on to her again. She turned to face him and soon her back was against the door. "I have to go."

"No." He leaned his forehead onto her shoulder. "Stay the night, Yui. Stay with me."

"I…I can't stay with you. I have to go. I have to leave now." Kakashi stepped back from her and in his eyes were looks of question and disappointment. "Good night Kakashi." She opened the door and Kurenai, Genma and Asuma fell through. Everyone else moved to the side.

"Uh…we were gonna…Kurenai left something." Asuma lied.

"…" Genma climbed off the dark haired woman and dusted himself off. "It wasn't my idea." He turned away and headed down the hall.

"…um…hehehe…" 'I wish I had a good excuse right now.' Kurenai thought. She got up off Asuma and rubbed her elbow. "I'll see you tomorrow?" She turned away and quickly retreated, leaving Asuma there. Asuma looked at Yui and then stood up.

"Um…" He began. 'I wonder if I can see Kakashi's face.' He thought. The group behind him slowly inched away, afraid of Yui's wrath.

"...THIS IS SOME KIND OF JOKE? You know what, good night Kakashi. Happy Birthday." She said and stormed out the door stepping on whoever didn't get off the floor. Kakashi ran after her.

"Ahh…interesting…" Gai said. He lay under Anko who realized she was sitting on top of him.

"Eww." She shivered as she got up. One, she was embarrassed about being on top of some guy. Two, the guy had been Maito Gai. Terribly disturbing (A/n: I don't support them as a couple but its funny.)

Yui sighed as she headed home. In her mind she thought of the past two days. The games played turned into a painful past being revealed, and feelings were expressed. She could still feel his hot lips touch her own, and the fiery passion that came with it. She cared for him. She couldn't bring herself to say it, but she cared for him. 'I do have feelings for him.' She brought her fingers to her lips and touched them. 'It still burns.' She stopped walking and the world around her seemed to speed up. Time had fast forwarded. She remained in one place. Stuck on her thoughts, her emotions, and the taste his of lips. She was immovable.

Kakashi walked through the village streets looking for Yui. Were his moves too forward? Was he wrong to go as far as to kiss her? She hadn't fought it; in fact she kissed him back. Why? Everyone listening in…that had been it. They were rude. They had no right. If they hadn't been on the other side of the door, she probably could have spent the night. She could have been his. Why did everything turn out that way? 'Is this how it feels when everything is ruined? Every moment I screw up for her…is this how bad it feels? He stopped and sighed. He looked around again. His eyes could not find the woman he loved. She wasn't in his sight. He turned around and began his walk home.

'Gone in three days.' They both thought.

The two of them, so deep and lost in upset thoughts did not even notice they had walked right past each other. The night was over. The party was done, and feelings would never been understood.