A/N: Hi everyone! Time to start winding things down just a bit. I'll give you a chance to breathe this chapter, and have a little educational surprise. Enjoy!

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Kakashi recovered a bit quicker than Anko did which surprised everyone. Kakashi was well known for being out of commission for quite a while whenever he was badly injured, but this time, Anko was the one who was worse off. When he began to regain consciousness regularly, he'd lie in his hospital bed and watch her as she slept. He spoke with all the visitors that came to see both him and Anko because even though he didn't need to see any of them, he still appreciated everything they had done for both of them. It took Anko three days to regain consciousness, and everyone was thrilled when she did, especially Kakashi.

After regular healing treatments and some physical therapy, both shinobi were getting close to being released to go back "home." They'd talk for hours about what they wanted to do first when they got home. They both knew that until Tsunade released them physically, that sharing their "benefits" with each other would probably have to wait a little longer. But that didn't matter, they both survived and their love survived their harrowing experience.

On the day that they were to be released, both shinobi lay in Anko's hospital bed. Kakashi said, "We're going home today."

"Home," Anko said, "it's been so long since we were there together."

"I know. Can't wait to get back in bed with you and look at the crack in the ceiling together."

Anko smiled and said, "I know that's not ALL you want to do in our bed."

Kakashi chuckled and said, "You know me too well."

"Guess what?" Anko asked.

"What? Or do I really have to guess?"

"You don't have to guess, I'll just tell you. I love you Kakashi."

"And I love you Anko. Ready to get married then?"

Anko thought a moment and even though the thought still terrified her, she was a little more comfortable with it. "Almost," she said as she smiled back at him.

Tsunade walked in and said, "Am I interrupting anything?"

Kakashi turned to her and said, "Oh, not really, we were just discussing our upcoming nup, OW!" Anko was back to her old self as she backhanded him to make sure he still didn't let their secret out.

Tsunade just smiled a semi-knowing smile and said, "Well, if I'm not interrupting, how about we get you two home? Sakura and I will take you there."

"Wow," Anko said, "It's like a police escort."

Tsunade said, "I just want to make sure you both get back home without any problems."

Two wheel chairs were brought in and Kakashi said, "Oh you're not getting me in one of those things. No fucking way."

Tsunade said, "Language Kakashi, and you will get in it. Hospital rules. No wheelchair ride and you don't leave." Anko giggled at Tsunade's reference to Kakashi's language.

Anko stood up and moved slowly to her wheelchair and said, "I'll take a ride home any day."

Tsunade said, "You're just getting wheeled out of here in these things. You're walking the rest of the way. It's good physical therapy. Got to get you two back in the saddle as soon as possible. You've still got that backlog Kakashi!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes and said, "I know, I know. I'll get to it." He got up and got into his wheelchair. Sakura entered the room and both Tsunade and Sakura began to wheel them down the corridors to the hospital exit.

As soon as they were outside, both previously injured shinobi got up out of their wheelchairs and waited for their escorts to begin leading the way to their apartment. The walk wasn't bad, just a bit slow because both were still recovering.

Kakashi looked at Sakura who kept smiling. He elbowed Anko and pointed to Sakura. Anko looked at her too and said, "Sakura what ya smiling about?"

"Oh nothing. I'm just glad you're both going home today."

Tsunade said, "We all are. Now come on. Not too much further to go."

Soon the foursome arrived at Anko and Kakashi's apartment building and they slowly went up the flight of stairs to the apartment. Anko said, "It's so good to be back home again."

Kakashi agreed. "I plan on sleeping for a day or so, care to join me?"

Tsunade said, "I hope you're talking to Anko."

Kakashi looked at Tsunade and said, "Why, are you offering?"

Tsunade curled up her fist and said, "If you weren't already recovering from grave injuries I'd give you another one. Come on. Inside now." Kakashi just giggled.

Anko had her key and opened the door. There were no lights on in the apartment, so she flipped one on as she walked in just to be greeted by a roomful of people, and the living room completely decorated. Anko stared in disbelief at the reception of people waiting for her and Kakashi to come back home.

Sakura could barely contain herself and even Tsunade smiled. Kakashi looked around at everybody standing in the apartment and thought what the fuck is this? House warming party? Not a bad idea. I think I need a stiff drink.

Anko started to get a bit nervous. She knew that when Kakashi moved in, that there would be more people that would frequent their place, but this many people? It was a little bit much. But since she was just so happy to be home, she'd let them stay, for a while anyway.

Kurenai came forward and gave Anko a small hug. She said, "Come with me. You too Kakashi." Kurenai led them to a low table, and sat them both on the same side of it on beautiful pillows that were on the floor that Anko didn't recognize. Everyone started to get quiet as Kurenai stepped back and folded her hands in front of her. She cleared her throat and began.

"Ok you guys, we're all here today for a few reasons. One, we're all thrilled that you're home and you're both well. For that, we are all grateful." The room broke out in applause. Kurenai waited until it died down. Anko and Kakashi looked around at the throng of people in their apartment and Anko started to put things together.

Kurenai continued. "The other reason we're here is because Tsunade said something that stuck with me while you were both out of it on the ground by the compound. While we all stood around you, Tsunade called us all one big family who are responsible for taking care of our own. We are all your family, and therefore, we, your 'family' have some things for you. Gai would you like to start?"

Anko looked at Kakashi and almost had a panic attack when she saw Gai walking forward with something in his hands. She thought I am going to have to kill Kurenai. She'll be in the hospital a lot longer than I was.

Gai walked forward and said, "My eternal rival Kakashi, and the lovely Anko. Please accept this with my sincere wishes." Gai placed naga-noshi on the table in front of them. It was a beautiful abalone shell used to make crafts and gifts, and also express sincere wishes from the giver. "Best wishes to both of you." Gai then turned and walked back to his place in the crowd.

As soon as Gai placed the naga-noshi on the table, both Anko and Kakashi realized exactly what was happening – Kurenai was throwing them a surprise yui-no to celebrate their engagement. Since usually the yui-no was celebrated by the two families of the prospective bride and groom, and since Kakashi and Anko had no family, their fellow shinobi had taken it upon themselves to become their family.

Anko didn't know whether to feel grateful for the outpouring and generosity of her so called "family," or to throw up and pass out. She decided to wait and see what came next.

Kakashi just smiled to himself and thought no more teasing Kurenai.

Kurenai stood again and said, "Genma?"

Kakashi thought that fuck had better not get too close. He's lucky I let him live after he gave Anko CPR. But then again, he probably saved her. I'll have to thank him later.

Genma approached the table and said, "Kakashi, you and I and Anko go back a bit. And I would like to present you with this to wish you a lasting relationship." Genma placed katsuo-bushi– dried bonito which is a highly valued preserved food ingredient that is used to wish a couple a lasting marriage – on the table in front of Kakashi and Anko. Genma went back to his place in the crowd and Kurenai continued.

"Asuma? You're next."

The big ninja got up and walked up to Kakashi and Anko. He said, "Here. I wish you both the best." He put surume – dried cuttlefish that is also a wish for a lasting marriage – on the table in front of Anko and Kakashi.

Anko was starting to get a little overwhelmed. Kakashi noticed. He quietly put his hand on her knee, and she covered his with hers.

Kurenai said, "Shizune, are you ready?"

Shizune came forward with a big smile on her face. She glanced at Genma as she proceeded forward. When she reached the table she said, "Here's a little something from me. I think you know what it's for." Shizune put konbu – dried kelp, on the table in front of Anko and Kakashi. It symbolized the wish for the couple to have many happy and healthy children. Anko blushed a bit while Kakashi elbowed her. She resisted the urge to backhand him.

Kurenai said, "The next one is from me. Here." She put shiraga, or hemp on the table in front of them. She said, "Since the strong fibers signify strength in your relationship, and the alternate meaning, "white hair" means long life, I wish you a strong and long relationship for many years to come."

Anko couldn't keep silent anymore. She took her friend's hand and said, "Thank you, but I'm going to hurt you later."

Kurenai said, "You'll have to catch me first. Next!"

Naruto and Sakura stepped forward. Naruto said, "Kakashi-sensei! Sakura and I wanted to give you and your crazy girlfriend this." Sakura elbowed Naruto and they both gently put the suehiro – a beautifully expanding fan, on the table in front of Kakashi and Anko.

Sakura said, "We wish you happiness and a bigger and better future together." The suehiro opens up getting bigger, symbolizing a bigger future for the couple.

Finally, Tsunade stepped forward. "You two are very important to this village, but you are more important to each other. Therefore, I wanted to give you this from me. I think it's quite fitting." Tsunade turned away and then when she turned back to them, she placed a rather large yui-no sake cask, made from willow trees with tender leaves, on the table in front of Kakashi and Anko. She said, "Yeah, that one's from me. And you'd better invite me over when it's full." The yui-no sake cask is meant to symbolize a pledge for obedience and gentleness in marriage. Even though Tsunade herself was not very obedient, and she was completely not gentle, since she liked sake so much, the gift was quite fitting coming from her.

Anko and Kakashi sat there and didn't know what to say. Anko still felt quite ill. She felt overwhelmed by the whole thing. But when she looked at Kakashi he just smiled under his mask.

Kakashi thought I appreciate what these people are doing for us, but I just want to get to bed with my girl.

Kurenai then cleared her throat and said, "And now a toast." Shizune and Sakura went around the room with trays of sake cups filled with sweet sake. Everyone took a cup and held it waiting for the toast.

Tsunade said, "You two can have some sake too, but that's all you get for now until you're both 100 again." Sakura handed Anko and Kakashi both a cup of sake each.

Finally Kurenai looked around and said, "Everybody have a cup? Ok. Everyone raise your cup in a toast. To Anko and Kakashi. May they both have a long happy life together." All the shinobi in the room raised their cups then drank to the long life of Anko and Kakashi.

When they put their cups down, some of the crowd started saying, "Speech, speech!" And a few people started clapping.

Kakashi looked at Anko. She shrugged her shoulders at him. He sighed heavily and raised his hands at the throng. He said, "I guess you found out our little secret then?"

Kurenai said, "I did see you two coming out of the obi shop. Which by the way, you'll see we didn't get for you. You two can buy your own obi and hakama for the ceremony."

Anko looked around the room and said, "I have something to say." All heads turned in her direction and all conversation hushed. Anko sighed and said, "It's true, I can't lie about it. Kakashi and I are engaged." Every attendant let out some sort of whoop or holler or clap, except for Genma, who just smiled a bit. "We just wanted to keep it our little secret for a while. That secret only lasted, what, two days?"

Kakashi said, "Yeah, that sounds about right. We're not good secret keepers."

Anko said, "I was! You're the one who kept almost telling everyone!"

Kakashi said, "I can't help it I'm proud of my fiancé!" A few "awwws" came from the crowd while Kakashi swore he heard Asuma say, 'what a sap.'

Anko said, "It is a little better now that it's out there. I don't have to keep hitting you for almost spilling the beans all the time."

Kakashi said, "Yeah, now maybe my arm will heal."

"Watch it Hatake, the day's still young!"

Tsunade stepped forward and said, "Not for you two it isn't!" A roar of laughter erupted. Tsunade continued, "We're not going to stay much longer, we just all want to offer our congratulations to you, have a drink or four, and we'll leave you two alone. You've still got a lot of healing to do before you're back to normal."

Kakashi said, "Tsunade, there's something I need to talk to you about." He got up and pulled Tsunade aside while everyone seemed to be coming up to Anko and congratulating her.

Anko saw Kakashi talking to Tsunade very intently. Tsunade was staring at him with a concerned face. Anko was soon pulled away from watching them as one by one; the entire crowd seemed to descend upon her with question after question, "have you set a date yet?" "What kind of flowers will you have?" "Will you have a reception?" "What kind of food will you have?" "Have you chosen a color or theme yet?" "Will there be a band?" "Who will walk you down the aisle?" "When do you plan on having kids?" And they went on and on. Anko suddenly felt completely overwhelmed.

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A/N: See! More education on the whole yui-no ceremony. Hope you liked it. But Anko's getting nervous. And what's Kakashi talking to Tsunade about? You'll see in the finale!

Next up: Final chapter - no hints! See you soon!