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Chapter 11 - A Friendly Push

"This tastes good." Kakashi remarked, taking another bite of his food.

"Of course it does! My Mai is a fantastic cook, last week she made some delicious dumplings!" Gai boasted with a big grin.

"Say…" Kakashi narrowed his eyes when Gai regarded him with a goofy expression while wiggling his brows. "Speaking of Mai, she tells me that you've been spending an awful lot of time with a certain blonde?"

Gai laughed loudly at the glare Kakashi gave him. "No need to give me such a look, my friend! I must say I am very happy to finally hear that you are dating!"

"We are not dating, we're just friends." Kakashi answered coolly.

Gai shook his head in disbelief. "I trust my Mai and she says you have been sneaking out of the office more often than usual. She also says you come back happier than when you left and you smell like perfume." He smirked, Kakashi probably hadn't even noticed.

Kakashi took another bite of his food before replying. "I ran into her a few times outside of the office, that's all."

Gai leaned forward on the dining table and rested his head on his hand with a dreamy look on his face. "The love of a woman truly makes one feel youthful again, my friend."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. Everytime he came over for their weekly lunches, Gai would start monologuing about how much he loved Mai and how much she had changed him. Kakashi hated these moments because, not that he wanted to admit, it made him jealous that his friends had girlfriends and wives that they adored. Listening to Gai talk about all the little things that Mai did for him that made him love her made Kakashi's heart clench. Although, he didn't have it in him to tell Gai that their talks bothered him because it wasn't fair to let his own issues get in the way of his friend's happiness. Instead, he had developed a fine ability to pretend as if he was listening and still respond at the right times.

His name being said in a firm tone was what brought him out of his thoughts. He brought his eyes back to Gai who regarded him with a serious expression.

"Kakashi...we have been comrades for a long time and friends for even longer. As your friend, all I want is for you to be happy. Mai...she has helped me through a lot of my mental battles, she supported me and loved me through all my flaws." He said, gesturing to the wheelchair that stood beside him.

"I know you have many battles of your own and you shouldn't have to fight those alone." Gai sighed. "What I'm trying to say is give this new relationship a try. I know you're not just 'friends,' but you're also not seeing each other. If it doesn't work out then it doesn't work out, no big deal. What do you say?"

To say Kakashi was surprised would be an understatement. He has known Gai for a long time, and this behaviour of his was unexpected. Of course, he had his wise moments but they were far and few in between. However, Kakashi knew how serious and genuine Gai was being with his words.

Kakashi contemplated quietly to himself. It had been years since he dated anyone and for good reason too. The last girl he went on a date with turned out to be a psychopath to put it nicely. He ended up taking a mission that lasted several months just so he could avoid her. Thankfully, her obsession with him had been directed to another...that poor soul. He couldn't see that situation happening with Mizuki, she was too calm and level headed for that kind of behaviour.

The more time he spent with her, the more he enjoyed her company and the more he wanted to know about her. She had this way about her that made him feel at peace and not in a constant war with his thoughts. That day when she showed up at the memorial stone was a surprise to him. He thought she was going to be like everyone else in the village and offer him a shoulder to cry on or a person to talk to. He didn't want any of that and he had a feeling she knew that. All throughout their lunch she hadn't asked about his past or if he was okay. She just talked to him about anything else and it felt nice.

He couldn't quite see himself in a relationship with her, but he could see them being good friends. He still didn't know if he even wanted to be in a relationship. Getting involved with a shinobi was a difficult thing, his life was full of danger and the constant worry that either he or his partner would die in the line of duty weighed heavily on his conscience. He lost many of his friends and family in the line of duty and the stress from this career had created rifts in several of those relationships. That's why for the longest time he had been so reluctant to date anyone seriously. If he was fortunate enough to find a woman he loved, he didn't want to cause them pain. However...Gai was right, if things didn't work out with Mizuki then it didn't work out. It wasn't even guaranteed that he would develop such serious feelings for her. Right now it was just about getting to know her, which he was more than okay with.

Kakashi looked up at his expectant friend and sighed. "Fine. Since you're so knowledgeable about this, what do you suggest I do?"

Gai grinned widely at his friend and slapped the table. "I knew you would understand! A good start would be asking her to dinner."

Kakashi ran his hand through his hair. "I sort of did that already."

Gai looked taken aback. "Really? When?"

"Several weeks ago, I ran into her late at night and we both hadn't eaten yet so I offered to treat her to dinner." He explained.

"Well? How was it?" He asked.

Kakashi leaned back against the chair. "It was...relaxing." Gai nodded when he realized that Kakashi wasn't going to elaborate any further.

"Ask her out again but take her somewhere fancier or somewhere special." Gai offered.

Kakashi hesitated but relented in the end. Thankfully she wouldn't be back for a few more days so that gave him enough time to figure something out and to work up the nerves to go through with this idea. He hoped that this wouldn't backfire on him.

A week later, Kakashi found himself walking into the hospital. He knew Mizuki had an inconsistent work schedule so he thought it would be better that he find her at the hospital rather than her apartment. He was heading in the direction of Tsunade's office to ask her where he could find Mizuki but saw the two of them walking out of a room in deep conversation. He was going to come back another time when she wasn't busy but the two women looked up and noticed him standing not too far from them.

"Good afternoon, Kakashi." Greeted Tsunade.

"Hello Hokage-sama." Said Mizuki. When they were around other people she would default to calling him by his formal title. It wasn't something that he liked but he understood her decision.

"Good afternoon, are you two busy right now?"

Tsunade shook her head. "No, we just about finished all we needed. Did you need something?"

"Actually, if it's okay with you, I would like to speak with Mizuki-san."

Both women were surprised to say the least, but Tsunade allowed it. She was curious what he would want to speak to Mizuki about and Mizuki was a little apprehensive too.

"I'll be in my office, Mizuki." Tsunade said. Mizuki nodded and watched her mentor leave before turning her attention back to Kakashi.

"Erm...how about we go somewhere a little more private?" Mizuki suggested. She led him a little further down the hallway before slipping into an empty recovery room.

"So what did you want to speak to me about?" She asked once the door was closed. Kakashi tucked his hands into his pockets and flexed them in discomfort.

"Kakashi?" She asked after a long moment of silence. She could feel her nervousness get worse as he stood there staring at her. She noticed his mouth move beneath his mask but no sound came out.

'Is he okay?' She thought. "Are you alr-"

"Would you like to go on a date with me?" He asked clearly and firmly, not betraying the uneasiness he felt inside. He had his gaze averted when he asked the question but quickly glanced at Mizuki when he hadn't heard a reply from her for several moments. She hadn't replied because his question had shocked her into silence. Kakashi saw her staring at him in disbelief with her mouth agape, he suddenly felt like he made a mistake.

He averted his gaze again, ready to tell her that she didn't have to say yes but her voice interrupted him.

"I would love to." She whispered cautiously, as though this was a dream that she would wake up from any time now.

"Ah...would tomorrow at 6 pm work?" He asked. Mizuki nodded, not quite trusting her voice just yet.

"I'll pick you up at your apartment then." He said awkwardly. He hastily wished her a good day before rushing out of the hospital.

Mizuki stayed in the room for a few more minutes trying to collect her thoughts. 'Did he really ask me on a date?' She thought to herself. She wiped her clammy hands against her uniform. She didn't know what prompted him to ask her out on a date but she was secretly very happy he did. Her nervousness began to fade and a feeling of excitement took its place. She pressed her hands to her hot cheeks and stayed like that for a few minutes.

A knock on the door startled her. She turned just as the door opened and another nurse walked in, surprised.

"Oh, hello Mizuki-san. Are you using this room?" She asked politely.

Mizuki shook her head and muttered a quick 'no' before rushing out of the room. She took a deep breath to compose herself before heading to Tsunade's office. She walked through the door and closed it gently behind her.

"What did he want to speak to you about?" Tsunade asked when Mizuki took a seat. Tsunade curiously watched a deep blush creep up Mizuki's neck to her cheeks.

"U-Uhm h-he w-wanted to know i-if…" She stammered. Tsunade patiently waited for Mizuki to explain herself because at this moment, she was making no sense at all.

"He-asked-me-out-on-a-date." She rushed out in one breath. The room fell eerily silent, making Mizuki's anxiety spike. She didn't think Tsunade heard her because she was speaking so fast but judging from the lack of clarification needed, she knew her mentor heard her.

Mizuki cried out in fear when a loud crack filled the room. She looked with wide eyes at Tsunade's desk that was now split down the middle with the contents of the desk thrown all over the room.

"HE DID WHAT?" Her mentor bellowed, shaking the office. Instead of responding, Mizuki shot out of her chair and booked it out of the room. She sprinted down the hallway much to the worry of her co-workers who had heard Tsunade's outburst. Mizuki decided that it would be better if she wasn't around for the rest of the day so on her way out she asked a colleague to cover her shift. Because of her flustered state, they had no choice but to accept.

As she ran out of the hospital, she heard the distinct voice of Tsunade.

"WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT BASTARD?!"