Chapter 21 - Let's Try Again

"Kakashi, stop it! We're going to be late." Mizuki whined.

Her infuriating boyfriend chuckled at her annoyance. "We won't be late."

"Well, I would still like to get there as soon as possible." Mizuki grumbled while making a second attempt at untangling herself from Kakashi's grabby hands. Much to her frustration, Kakashi's arm was latched firmly around her waist, pinning her backside to his chest.

"What's the rush, Mizu? Maybe we can stay in Konoha instead." Kakashi murmured, pressing his lips to the junction between her neck and shoulder. Mizuki, much to her own dismay, let out a moan when Kakashi started sucking on her sensitive spot.

It took her a few minutes to really break herself out of the fog that his lips created. She vehemently shook her head and ripped herself out of his arms.

"No! You promised we would have a nice vacation when we both had our work stuff sorted." Kakashi closed his eyes and sighed when his attractive girlfriend walked into their shared walk-in closet and out of his sight.

They were supposed to leave for their week-long vacation today but there was no real rush. They didn't have to check in or anything, everything was there waiting for them. He had rented them a cozy cottage near a pristine lake, South of the sunflower village. This would give them the option to spend some private time together or explore the attractions that the village had to offer since it wasn't too far a trek.

This morning he had woken up and was floored by the beauty that slept soundly beside him. Her soft skin glowed under the warm sunlight and her messy hair sprawled out on the bed. Her soft hand on his chest twitched slightly from whatever she was dreaming of. He couldn't stop himself and rolled on top of her, peppering kisses on every inch of exposed skin he could get his lips on.

Their relationship had developed so nicely since the fateful moment she made a full recovery. It was a slow build up, he had several personal issues that created barriers but with her support he made slow and steady progress to fully accepting their relationship. The blooming intimacy in their relationship was a welcomed one. It felt heavenly to finally receive the affection that he didn't know he was so starved of previously.

Kakashi rubbed his hands on his face and got up off the bed. He stepped into their closet just as she pulled a nice blue sundress over her head. The brief glimpse of her curves made his mouth water. When she turned around he grinned at her but he was met with a disapproving shake of her head.

"Get your head out of the gutters, you dirty dog." Mizuki playfully scowled. She pecked his cheek before walking out of the closet with a grin. As much as she would love to spend more time in bed with him, she also really wanted to leave for their vacation. The last few months had been hectic for the both of them so they rarely saw each other.

Trusting that Kakashi was going to get dressed and ready for the day, she went to the kitchen to cook breakfast. As she set the plates of omurice on the dinner table, Kakashi stepped out from their room fully dressed. Kakashi took a seat as Mizuki returned with two steaming cups of green tea.

Kakashi took it from her outstretched hand and inhaled the relaxing aroma. "Thank you."

He placed his cup down and reached for her hand across the table before eating his breakfast. They ate their breakfast in companionable silence for the first first minutes before he broke the silence with a question. "Eager to go somewhere?" He teased, noticing how her plate of food was almost gone while his plate was only half done.

Mizuki blushed sheepishly, wiping her face with a napkin. "You already know the answer, do you really have to ask?"

Kakashi smiled. "Do you have everything packed?"

Mizuki nodded. "I do. So whenever you decide to finish your breakfast, we can be on our way." Kakashi rolled his eyes at his girlfriend's impatience.

"I think I'll take my time. I would be doing your cooking a dishonour by not cherishing it's flavours." He teased, taking a bite of food. Mizuki huffed indignantly before clearing her dishes from the table. Kakashi watched her walk to their room with a shake of his head. He decided that he had teased her enough so he quickly finished the rest of his food and went after her.

"Is that all?" Kakashi asked, nodding towards the suitcase and backpack on the bed.

Mizuki nodded. "Yep! Are you ready to go?"

Kakashi grabbed the suitcase off the bed while Mizuki swung the bag over her back. "More than ready." Kakashi replied.

It was around the late afternoon when the two arrived at the cottage. Since most of the day was already gone and they were tired from their travel, they would do their sightseeing tomorrow. For now, they just wanted to relax a bit and spend some time together.

The cozy little red and white cottage rested atop several large rocks in the middle of the pristine lake. A beautifully crafted stone pathway connected the cottage to the land. The main room that you first stepped into was large and spacious. The polished bamboo floors glimmered in the late afternoon sun. A comfy look grey couch sat in the middle of the room, facing a large flat screen TV. The entire right side of the room was made of glass so natural lighting illuminated the room. On the other side was a pair of sliding doors that led to a spacious kitchen and dining room. On the left were a set of stairs that led to the second floor. The whole second floor was dedicated to the bedroom and a decent space for an indoor hot tub which Mizuki was especially excited to use tonight.

After they had unpacked everything, Mizuki thought she would be too tired to do anything except sleep on the comfy king sized bed, however, she had all the energy in the world. Kakashi on the other hand was already dozing off. She knew that he had been exceptionally busy the last few days, trying to get his work done so they could make it on time for their vacation. He deserved the rest so she quietly changed into her bathing suit and crept out of the room.

Since she first laid her eyes on the lake, she was dying to swim in it. All the running they did today made her feel a little warm so a dip in the cool water was very welcomed. Mizuki walked to the edge of the stone pathway and dived right in.

It was an hour later when Kakashi woke from his nap. Sat up on the edge of the edge and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He paused for a moment when he noticed how quiet the cottage was. He got up from the bed and walked down stairs hoping to find Mizuki. When he realized he was alone, he became a little perplexed.

"Where is she?" He mumbled to himself. When he heard the soft lapping water, he looked out the window to see Mizuki swimming back and forth across the lake. He masked his chakra and walked out the cottage. He contently leaned against the doorway observing Mizuki's graceful movements.

He took this moment of serenity to reflect on the last few months. He couldn't begin to describe the feeling of peace he found since meeting her. There were still many moments in his life where he would wake up in a cold sweat after having a nightmare of various times in his past, but this time he didn't have to deal with it alone. Mizuki, like she had a 6th sense of something, would always wake up when he did despite how much he tried to remain quiet. She wouldn't ask him what his dream was about, instead she would wrap her arms around him and press his head into her neck. She would keep him in her embrace until he was ready to speak and when he did, she would listen. She made his life more bearable, he was happier, he was more lively. Iruka and Gai would occasionally comment on this change, saying that they were glad he found something to enjoy again.

Unbeknownst to him, Mizuki felt the same about him. Although she didn't show it, the war had taken a long toll on her when almost everyone she knew and loved passed away. She felt lost for a long time and used her work on a medic nin as a way to distract her. If it wasn't for her grandparents and Tsunade, she would have lost her sanity a long time ago. The love and loyalty that Kakashi showed her brought her a new purpose so to speak. Helping him with his demons inadvertently also helped her with her own issues.

As Kakashi stood there appreciating his beautiful girlfriend, he was overcome with a strong urge...the urge to marry her. Many of his former students liked to remind him that he was getting old and as nonchalant he was about it in front of them, he knew it was the truth. Before, he was too scared to start a relationship let alone get married, but now, with Mizuki by his side, none of those fears were there. There was nothing stopping him…

Kakashi watched Mizuki dive under the water and come back up again. He silently promised to himself that he would do it soon without an ounce of regret or hesitation.

Kakashi pushed himself away from the cottage, stripping his shirt and pants along the way until he was down to his boxers. He silently lowered himself in the water, making his way towards her. Mizuki was wiping the water from her eyes when she felt a pair of warm arms wrap around her. She startled a little since she couldn't see anything and didn't sense anyone, but when the familiar scent of Kakashi's cologne wafted into her nose, she relaxed again. She looked up and smiled at him.

"How was your nap?" She asked.

"Good. Have you been out here long?" Mizuki shivered when she felt Kakashi's hand gently circle her exposed stomach.

"Probably, I kind of lost track of time."

Kakashi skillfully maneuvered Mizuki so that they were now pressed against each other, chest-to-chest. Mizuki looked into his eyes, noticing the way they softened as they gazed at each other.

She unwound her arms from around him and brought them up to his face, gently caressing his cheek. Their lips moved towards each other until they were kissing. Despite the chill of the water, the kiss did more to send shivers down her spine than the water did.

Kakashi was the first to pull back but he kept peppering kisses all along her face. Mizuki's mind was in a haze as she felt Kakashi's lips on her forehead, her cheeks, her eyelids, her neck; it was an intoxicating experience.

In her little cloud of euphoria, she didn't notice Kakashi had teleported them to the bedroom until she felt the soft sheets of the bed. Kakashi caged her in his arms, still pressing unrelenting kisses all over her body. He slowly kissed all the way down to her stomach before making his way back up again.

Kakashi stopped his kisses and patiently waited for her to open her eyes. Slowly, she looked up at her with her glazed eyes. The beautiful rosy blush that dusted her cheeks and her lust filled eyes sent a shock through his body.

"I love you." He whispered, before sealing her lips with a searing kiss.