"What the hell are you doing, woman?"

Ino winced. "Stop being so loud! My headache was almost gone..."

Shikamaru scowled from his spot behind the counter. "You wouldn't have a headache if you didn't drink so much every time you go out at night."

"What do you think you're doing, trying to boss me around?"

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Cleaning a window. Honestly, dumbass, what does it look like I'm doing?"

He yawned lazily. "Looks like you're trying to spy on Sakura without her noticing, but you're failing miserably."

Throwing down the rag she had been polishing the window with, Ino turned and glared. "Why do you have to assume I'm spying on Sakura just because she happens to be sitting outside the window I'm cleaning? It's just a coincidence!"

Another yawn. "It's obvious you're spying. You've been cleaning that troublesome window for the past twenty minutes."

"It's really dirty!"

"It's really troublesome, that's what it is."

"Shikamaru, when I asked you to come help at the shop I thought that maybe you'd actually help, but what do you end up doing? Sitting around and making stupid assumptions." She snorted loudly, bending over to pick up her rag. "You're the only troublesome thing around here."

She furiously buffed the window, staring out at her friend. Sakura had been sitting on the curb for a full hour, not moving a muscle. Where's Kakashi? I mean, when Sakura told me he'd said he'd be there at six, I figured he'd be there...

"...Why is Sakura sitting out on the curb, anyways?" Shikamaru drawled lazily.

Anger forgotten, Ino sighed worriedly. "She's waiting for Kakashi to come so they can go out for dinner, but it doesn't look like he's coming. What if he backed out?"

Shikamaru closed his eyes. "Kakashi's always late, you know that."

"Well, to be late for a meeting is one thing, but to be an hour late for a date?"

"Stop worrying. It's so troublesome."

"Will you stop saying that? I mean, really!"

"If you had stopped yelling at me for just one minute, you would have seen that Kakashi had arrived." Lazily, he lifted a finger and pointed at the puff of smoke that had just appeared outside.

"Finally!" The rag was dropped to the floor as Ino pressed against the glass, trying to get a better view of the couple outside. "Aren't they so cute together? Look how Sakura is gazing at Kakashi... that's love, Shikamaru, although you probably have no clue as to what that is."

Shikamaru strolled beside her, scowling widely. "Sakura's glaring at Kakashi, not gazing."

"Like I said, you know nothing about love."

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Kakashi nervously looked at the sky. "It's a nice day, isn't it?"

"Would you like to sit outside in this heat for over an hour?"

"Well, it's a perfect opportunity to work on a tan--"

She cut him off mid-sentence. "Where the hell were you? When someone is taking you out to dinner, the least thing you could do is show up on time... yes, even you, Kakashi." She never raised her voice, but the tone alone made Kakashi wince. "I mean, do you have any manners at all? Don't say anything," she added, cutting him off again. "I'm not done with you.

"I have been sitting here on this curb, under the blistering sun, for more than an hour. I have literally been roasting. But did you care? Of course not. You probably just sat in a tree somewhere and read that nasty little book of yours. Or maybe you didn't... you do have a good reason for being late, don't you?" She looked at him expectantly.

He winced again. Sakura had hit the nail on the head... he had been reading his book. He wisely kept silent, staring at a particularly fluffy cloud that passed overhead. She growled loudly.

"Of course not. Who am I kidding... you, have a valid excuse?"

He cleared his throat. "I really didn't think you'd take it this badly..."

She snorted incredulously. "You didn't think? Well, that's obvious... when it comes to a woman's mind, you're just as dumb as Naruto."

"I'll take that as a compliment. He's doing pretty well with Hinata, or so I hear."

She laughed humorlessly. "Hinata's been in love with him since she was really young, but you... last time I checked, you have no obsessive girls following you around everywhere."

"Last time I checked, I had you."

"I am not obsessive! And I don't follow you everywhere!"

He shrugged nonchalantly and walked off, hands in his pockets. "Can we finish this conversation at the restaurant? I'm rather hungry."

"No, we can not! Get back here!" She tugged him back by his vest. "I do not act obsessive about you! I mean, has there ever been a time when I haven't been able to form a sentence just because you were near?"

He pulled loose from her grip and strode away, coolly sticking his hands in his pockets. "No, but there are times when that trait would be quite desirable."

"You little ass!"

He turned, grinning underneath his mask. "Sakura, I'm shocked! That type of language is not appropriate for a young lady such as yourself!"

"Get back here and I'll show you how much of a 'young lady' I can be!"

"I'd prefer to continue walking to the restaurant, if you don't mind. Much safer."

She ran after him, muttering angrily under her breath.

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Ino sagged against the window, sighing dramatically. "Couldn't you just feel the love radiating off those two?"

Shikamaru yawned. "No, I really couldn't."

"Did I ask you? I don't think so."

He scowled and walked back to the counter. "How troublesome..."

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"You'll forgive me once we get there. It's my secret place, the place I've never told anyone about… it's the best in all of Konoha!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "It'll take a lot more than your little 'secret place' to make me forgive you."

"Believe me, once you taste those dumplings, you'll forgive me for anything and everything."

She just grinned. It was impossible to stay mad at Kakashi for very long-- her current record was ten minutes.

He suddenly stopped. "We're here!" Grinning, he lifted his hand and pointed to his right. "I promised you the best dumplings, and there they sit."

"...Are you serious?"

"I never joke about such serious things as dumplings."

Sakura just shook her head, scowling. "I thought you said we were going to a restaurant."

He scratched his head. "Did I now? I don't recall saying that... well, regardless of it's looks, you'll still love it."

She warily eyed the rickety cart sitting across the street. Covered in faded red paint, a wisp of gray smoke curled lazily over it. A grizzled old man was sitting on a stool beside it, reading what appeared to be the latest Icha-Icha book and giggling crazily. Yes, she saw the appeal the "restaurant" held for Kakashi.

He strolled across the street, waving a hand in greeting to the old man. "Yo!"

The man dropped the book, jumping to his feet. "Ah, Kakashi-san! My best customer!"

Probably his only customer, Sakura thought sardonically as she joined Kakashi in front of the cart.

"What can I get for you and your… lady friend here?" He leered at Sakura, who glared back fiercely.

"For me, three sticks of pork dumplings, and Sakura...?"

"One stick of pork, please."

The man looked disappointed. "Just four sticks?"

"That's all for today." The man nodded and turned, hastily filling their order. "There we are! I promise you, there are no dumplings as fine as mine to be found anywhere in the village! Not to mention there are none as reasonably priced..."

Sakura sighed. "How much?"

"Forty yen."

She placed the money on the counter, drawing back as he reached out to grasp her hand. "Thank you, miss! Pleasure doing business with you!"

Kakashi waved a hand carelessly. "See you next week, Kotsu."

The man bowed once more, disappearing below the counter. Kakashi strolled to a nearby bench and plopped down, sighing loudly. "I love this place..."

"I can see why." She daintily sat down beside him, peering worriedly at her dumplings. "There's not anything wrong with them, is there?"

"Try them."

She hesitantly lifted the dumplings to eye level, peering at the greasy, doughy balls. "If they're poisoned or anything, Kakashi, I swear..."

"Just eat them."

Closing her eyes, she took a bite.

"So, what do you think?"

She hastily swallowed. "These... they beat my Mom's!"

He grinned widely. "Told you they were good. Next time I tell you some place is really good, you'll trust me, right?"

"Of course." She sadly looked at the empty stick clasped in her hand, then looked over at Kakashi's hand... which clasped three empty sticks! "How... I didn't even see you eat them! You're mask was never pulled down!"

He shrugged. "I have my ways. You didn't honestly think this was going to be an opportunity to see my face, did you?"

She blushed; she had, in fact, thought that she would have a chance to glimpse his face at least once.

He stood, towering over her. "Maybe you'll get your chance on the last day... if you're on best behavior."

Sakura growled angrily. "Best behavior?"

"You know, no more threatening me and calling me degrading names like you did earlier. That really hurt..."

"If you thought that hurt, try making me wait a long time for you again tomorrow."

"See, you're already threatening me again."

She snorted. "Who says I want to see what's underneath that mask of yours? Naruto's right, you probably do have fish lips."

"I know you're curious-- you want to catch a glimpse of my devilishly handsome looks. And I assure you, I don't have fish lips."

"Your devilishly handsome looks, indeed... I still say you're horribly disfigured or something."

He bent forward, putting his face close to hers. "Want to bet?"

His voice was low, silky-smooth, sending shivers up her spine. She felt his warmth breath on her cheek; her eyes widened slightly, her heart quickened.

Trying her best to act composed, she chuckled, mentally chiding herself when it came out sounding shaky. "I've learned my lesson about making wagers with the devil."

His face came even closer to hers, and she leaned in expectantly, breathing raggedly...

He disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving her coughing harshly. His voice rang out from behind her, sounding highly amused. "Same place tomorrow, same time. And I'll be there on time, I promise." He chuckled.

She whirled around angrily, about to ask him who the hell he thought he was, but he was gone. Another puff of smoke accompanied his departure, sending her into yet another coughing fit.

"KAKASHI!"

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"...And that's all that happened, Ino. Terrible, wasn't it?" Sakura sagged against the counter of the flower shop, tracing the rim of a vase with one finger.

"Not really... I mean, it could have been worse. Hand me that flower, you idiot," she snapped quickly at Shikamaru, who lazily held it out. She snatched the flower from his hand and placed it gently in the vase in front of her. "Anyways, you said it yourself-- he was really close to kissing you."

"It was a trick."

"I think," Shikamaru drawled slowly, "he was trying to see what your reaction would be to him getting that close. Had you angrily yelled or slapped him, things could've gone much worse, but he got what he wanted-- an assurance that you had no problem with him that close." A wide smirk appeared on his face.

Ino momentarily forgot about arranging flowers, instead placing her hands on her hips and eyeing Shikamaru warily. "Since when have you become the all-knowing master of love?"

"Since you two women asked such troublesome, obvious questions."

"He's probably right, Ino." Sakura worriedly placed her head in her hands. "I mean, it all makes sense... but what does Kakashi think of me now? I was practically begging him for a kiss. I looked so desperate!"

Shikamaru snorted loudly. "Don't worry so much ... you might just get what you begged for. Think about it, Sakura, you're not as dumb as Ino here." He gestured at the blonde girl currently staring at him with indignation.

"I am the farthest thing from dumb, thank you very much. The only dumbass I see around here is you." She huffed loudly, crossing her arms.

A grin replaced Sakura's previously worried expression. Whenever she was feeling the slightest bit down, all she had to do was visit her best friend and all worries were instantly forgotten. She stood slowly, stretching her back. "Well, thanks for the advice, both of you, but I think I'd better head on home... stuff to do."

He merely yawned in response.

"Wait," Ino yelped loudly, "you've not told me all about tomorrow! What are you two going to do? I mean, I hope he won't take you to another one of those little street vendors. They're so... unsanitary." She shivered.

Sakura stopped in her tracks. "I forgot to ask him where we were going tomorrow... like he would have told me anyways." She shook her head, grinning again. "I'll tell you as soon as we come back tomorrow, okay?"

Ino sighed, clearly disappointed. "Fine, fine."

"Oh, and Shikamaru?" Sakura looked back at the boy, who lazily peeked open one eye. "Tell Temari I said hello next time you see her." He grunted in acknowledgement, promptly shutting both eyes as Ino began to mutter loudly under her breath. "What a loser... how does she stand you..."

Sakura just smiled and walked out, humming quietly under her breath. The little visit had certainly helped her... it had, in fact, given her a new outlook in things.

A malicious grin lit her green eyes, giving them a slightly feral gleam. So Kakashi had thought he could play around with her, huh?

Two could play at that game.

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A/N: REALLY sorry for the late update, but... tiredness got in the way, if you know what I mean. Hope y'all forgive me. And the chapter things got ALL screwed up... it started putting chapter 1 as chapter 2, so then I had to go re-add the REAL chapter 2... don't ask me how, FF just hates me, I suppose. Sorry for any confusion or anything else I caused.


In other news... wow. Look at all the reviews this got! I never, not in a million years, would have thought I would've gotten so many reviews! And it got added to two c2's! Thanks, everyone, I love you all!

So happy... can't even think. Till next time!