Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.

As always a big thank you to my Beta cheekylips.

Chapter 26 Apologies Acceptance and Affection

Maiha set the box down on the table, walked over to the kitchen to put a kettle of water on for their tea and then returned to the box and the girls.

Ino squirmed in her seat. "This is so exciting," she bubbled.

Maiha pulled the satin ribbon from the box and took the cover off. Inside, on top of the packaging paper, laid another message. The note was folded three times. She picked it up unfolding it once.

"What does it say?" Hinata asked.

"It says 'Forgive'."

She extended the paper completely and discovered another message at the bottom. "See you at 8:00. Huh… no signature."

Sakura recognized the handwriting right away and smirked. Oh Kakashi what are you up to?

Maiha turned quickly and began, "Ino…"

"Absolutely!" The blonde cut her off, "I'll be back in 30 minutes," she shouted over her shoulder rushing toward the door.

"Thank you Ino."

"Thank me when you see how hot you look tonight," she waved with a wink and Ino rushed out the door.

As promised, Ino returned 30 minutes later and the girls were buzzing about the entire day's events. Maiha's heart was beating out of her chest with anticipation.

"Okay go put the dress on," Ino spoke avidly ushering her toward the bedroom. "It's 7:30 that will give us enough time to get out of here before he shows up."

A few minutes later Maiha stepped out of her room a slight blush on her face in a light pink, silk chiffon dress. Its waist accentuated her hourglass shaped body, the keyhole cutout halter top allowed a peak at the inner curvature of her breasts and the A-line skirt flowed as she moved about.

"Oh wow Maiha that dress looks gorgeous on you. Whoever this guy is he has good taste." Ino bounced up and down as she clapped her hands together. "Now I really wonder who it could be."

Maiha glanced at Sakura and smirked. She wanted to see the look on the girls faces as much as Sakura did.

"Okay let's finish you up," Ino twisted and pinned up Maiha's hair, applied her makeup and her look was complete. "One more thing," Ino held up a finger before she walked to the door. She plucked a lily from the flowers out on the balcony that matched the color of Maiha's dress and put it in her hair. "There perfect. Okay girls time to get out of here."

They all wished her a lovely evening and then of course hid from sight down the street. "Oh I can't wait to see who it is!" Ino whispered loudly though trying to keep her voice as quiet as possible.

Sakura hid around the street corner, you better be on time Kakashi.

At 8:00 a tall male figure walked around the corner toward Maiha's apartment.

"There he is!" Ino muffled her voice with her hand. "Wait that's… Kakashi?"

"Yes it is," Sakura exhaled calmly with a smile.

"Did we miss something," Tenten, Hinata and Ino slipped out stunned.

"Not really, he realized his mistake from the other night and is attempting to apologize." Sakura exhaled and smirked. He finally figured it out. "Now let's get out of here ladies. Leave the rest up to him."

Kakashi arrived at her door, placed one last note on the railing of her balcony, knocked and hopped down to the street. He walked under the balcony so he was not in direct sight, took in a deep breath and then let it out. He heard the doorknob turn and then her shoes on the balcony as she stepped out her door. His heart was in his throat.

Kakashi had always prided himself on being cool, calm and collected when it came to reaction and emotions. But, these were new sensations, he was unaccustomed to them, they were confusing and making him slightly nervous.

As Maiha stepped out onto the balcony she was puzzled, there was no one there. Her eye caught the folded piece of paper on the railing. She took one stride forward picking it up, opened it and read, 'Me'. She smiled as a warm sensation reverberated from her heart to the rest of her body.

"Forgiveness is a blessing bestowed upon those whom have truly come to realize their own inanity and sincerely implore a pardon from the transgressions committed," she beckoned over the railing.

There was a moment of silence.

"I shan't expect your forgiveness. I beseech your compassionate heart to consider a reprieve for my shortcomings. For it is I whom has elicited such distress and deeply deplore its infliction." He called out, still from under the balcony.

Her heart fluttered wildly, her body as light as a feather and her head was all a whirl as she continued their dialog that seemed to be an excerpt from a dramatic romantic novel and she was elated he was playing along. Maiha leant on the railing of the balcony and peered out over it, "You wish to earn my forgiveness then?"

"I wish to make myself worthy, how may I regain your favor?"

She strode softly toward the stairs reeling from the almost enchanting conversation recanting the words spoken in their heated argument at the training field reformed and placed them into the context of their whimsical performance, "Show me how much you desire my forgiveness. Look me in the eyes when you ask for my forgiveness. I wish to see you, I want to talk to you, I need to hear your voice."

Still slightly nervous Kakashi stepped out from underneath the balcony only to see Maiha gazing at him with a warm smile as she made her way toward the street. He gave up the act along with his pride and spoke directly from his heart. "I have done quite a few things that I must ask forgiveness for Maiha, but the night is young and if you will pardon me for my most recent infraction I promise I will begin recanting those that must be addressed." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I apologize for the way that I acted while Katsuro was in the village. I admit, I was extremely jealous of all the attention that he was giving you… the attention he was taking away from me."

Maiha began to descend the balcony stairs, "I told you Kakashi, you will always have a place in my heart, and no one can ever take that away from you. I am grown up now, I can make decisions on my own. I know that you mean well but you have to let me have my own identity."

"How many times do you have to tell me that before I listen to you?" He admired her from the ground as the streetlamp above shone on her like a spotlight and the light evening breeze flirted with the hem of her dress while her warm smile welcomed the efforts of his apology.

Maiha looked into his eye, those soft sapphire jewels paralyzing him yet again speaking as she reached the ground, "Now it is I that must ask for forgiveness from you."

"Uh?" Kakashi exhaled confused.

She gathered her thoughts before speaking again, placing her hands on his forearms as she took a breath. Maiha let her hands gently slide down to his grasping them. He followed folding his fingers around hers. "There are two sides to everything Kakashi." She paused. "I felt hurt by your actions and allowed myself to become inconsolable and that was my mistake. I shut you out and pushed you away when what I really should have done is listened not only with my ears but my heart. I know that you would never intentionally hurt me but at the time I let myself be blinded by anger and in turn became so self-absorbed in my own pity that I missed any reasoning behind your actions."

He stood motionless, puzzled by her unexpected apology.

"However, we can't just forgive and forget. We can't change the past. Only through acceptance can we move forward. What we are doing right now, the words in this conversation, will build the bridge toward the future."

He smirked under his mask. The attraction to her had resurfaced. Why had he ignored this? Why did he push it away? This sensation, it was amazing, the warmth, the comfort of her company, the feeling that he didn't need to conceal the Kakashi under his mask.

"Maiha, would you like to accompany me to dinner?" He leaned in slightly as he offered her his arm.

"I would love to," she smiled and locked her own under his.

They engaged in light conversation on their way to their destination. "May I say you look stunning in that dress."

Maiha blushed slightly, "It was a thoughtful gift from someone very close to my heart."

Kakashi's visible eye crinkled, "It looks like he tried very hard to find something that would match your beauty."

"Oh," Maiha blushed again as she looked down avoiding eye contact. "I don't know about that, but in any case it was a lovely gesture no matter what the true reasoning was for."

"Well he sounds like a lucky guy to have such an amazing person like you in his life."

"Yeah he's pretty lucky that I love him so much, if I didn't I don't think I could have forgiven him as easily as I did." Maiha noticed what she had said; it was just like the previous days situation with the old woman when that word rolled out of her mouth. She tried to play it off as more of a friendly type of affection than what she actually meant, though she could never be sure of what Kakashi was thinking at any given time. He was so good at controlling his emotional posture, though something did feel a bit off about him that evening.

He held a slight smile under his mask though inside he was contemplating the conversation and the words within it. "Here we are," they had arrived at a quaint little restaurant with a small patio.

"Oh this is absolutely lovely." Maiha praised his choice.

Kakashi had reserved the entire patio for them so they could talk without interruption or distraction. It was lit with large paper lanterns, decorated with candles and more lovely flowers. He ordered a bottle of wine and they both relaxed after a glass or two. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated her skin and the candle light danced in her eyes but it was her smile that lit up his night. There was nothing that he liked to see more than her smile. There had been many things that had taken it away, including some of his own actions but it always found its way back to her face.

After dinner Maiha had moved in closer to him so they could talk about all the events that had lead up to the current moment.

"Maiha, I'm sorry but I have to ask you, it's been eating at me for the last few days." He paused, "Why didn't you go with Katsuro?"

She took a moment before answering, picking up her wine glass and taking a sip, "Well, first of all he lost the contest," she tried to keep a straight faced but ended up smiling, then continued. "Because I don't love him Kakashi. I could never marry a man I didn't love, unless it was for the villages benefit, then maybe."

Kakashi smiled and took a moment before continuing the conversation. "She did such a good job raising you. The life of a shinobi often makes them cold and calloused and their soul loses its luster, like mine," and he exhaled heavily.

She frowned. "You're wrong about that Kakashi."

"Oh, how so?"

She drew in a breath and began. "In this world there is darkness and there is light. Only we choose the path we walk. Some choose the path absent of light and remain there throughout their existence. Others walk the path that is well lit. Though they may spend most of their time within the illumination of the light, shadows will be cast on the path along the way. It is unavoidable and part of the terrain. The shadows are simply obstacles that dim the path but not enough to block out the light completely. Once the obstacles have been removed, the light is no longer obscured allowing it to once again illuminate the soul."

He stared in awe as she paused and then continued. "As shinobi, our existence is to serve the village and protect it as well as each other by carrying out our duties." She lightly set her hand on his. "You only feel that you are cold and calloused, as you say, because your soul has experienced so much hurt. In order to protect your 'self' you have convinced it that it's easier, less hurtful, for you to not experience the full range of emotion. Emotion makes us human, and after all that is what we all are, as shinobi and as individuals. By playing it safe all the time, you lose out on much of life, but if you don't create a safe space you allow your life to live you instead of living it. You give yourself too little credit on the topic of emotion, you feel it you just don't express openly."

"Humph, listen to you, teaching me about life."

Maiha leaned in slightly, "As long as we are willing to learn, we in turn are willing to teach those same lessons to enlighten others."

"You really are an amazing woman Maiha." He smiled under his mask. She had hooked a thread and was pulling him apart at the seams. She had captured him and he surrendered no longer attempting to fight any of the feelings he had felt all along. He had realized them, welcomed them.

Maiha finished the wine in her glass, "I think I've had enough wine this evening," she set it down on the table. "There's nothing like good wine, good conversation and good company."

"I agree. Are you ready to go?"

"I think so," she nodded.

Kakashi walked her back to her apartment and up to her balcony. The heavenly fragrance hung in the air from the floral arrangements that garnished the terrace. "You know you didn't have to do all this Kakashi, I was well on my way to forgiving you."Buuutttt…" she drew out, "I really appreciate the effort you put into making sure that I would. Dinner was delicious, the flowers are divine and this dress is beautiful," she said as she twirled around.

He smiled as he watched her revel in the happiness of the simplest things. "And in it you are absolutely breathtaking."

Maiha looked at him quickly on realizing his words then looked away smiling and blushing severely.

"I think we may have had a little too much wine Kakashi." She took a step in. "Really though, thank you for such a wonderful evening I enjoyed myself and I am glad that we have discussed the past indiscretions between us laying them to rest. I've missed the closeness that we shared and I'm glad to have it back."

"I couldn't agree with you more Maiha." He stepped closer and softly pulled her into him. Her body fit well within his frame as his arms surrounded her like she was molded just perfectly for him. Holding her comforted him, though it felt much more affectionate then in the past he enjoyed it and the warmth that it brought with it.

The firmness of his chest and the way that his strong arms held her tight made her never want the moment to end and she wrapped her arms around him. The embrace lasted longer than a friendly hug and neither seemed to notice the actual time that had passed. They parted but before Maiha moved to far away, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I mean it Kakashi I really enjoyed your company tonight. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"I'm sure we will cross paths considering our similar routines. Maybe at the training field, perhaps for some sparring practice?"

"Ahhh yes, it has been awhile hasn't it?" she tapped her chin with her index finger. "And I still haven't won a match yet. There will be a day though Kakashi," she raised an eyebrow. "There will be a day. I look forward to crossing paths with you tomorrow. Goodnight Kakashi."

His visible eye closed and he lent forward slightly, "Good night Maiha I'll see you tomorrow."

She disappeared behind her door and smiled as her back pressed up against it. Her body felt light as a feather and warm. Each step she took from there was cushioned by the clouds she was walking on.

Kakashi stepped with more of a bounce in his regular saunter. Arriving home he sat down on his couch and relaxed into its firm cushions. His mind began to recall the words Maiha had spoken that evening. His eye panned the living space noticing how mundane his apartment was. He missed her presence even though he had just seen her moments ago. He stared at one of the plain white walls and his mind began to wonder. Though the wall was absent of color it provided the perfect backdrop to replay the colorful images of the evening; the pink dress on her soft bronzed skin, her raven hair and blue eyes, her pink lips and her bright smile. As an elite shinobi takes in their surrounding environment, he took in everything about her, including her witty humor and flirtatious tones and he suddenly felt empty and alone.

In for the evening, Maiha had put a kettle on for her evening tea before changing out of the dress that Kakashi had given to her and let down her hair. She slipped into a silk long sleeve robe to relax in. As the clock struck midnight the kettle whistled and she began to steep her tea. A few minutes later she was startled by a knock at the door. Maiha looked at the clock, now who could that be? Considering what she was wearing she opened the door and peaked out from around it.

"Hello Maiha."

"Oh, hello Kakashi back so soon?" she was surprised to see him back at her door.

"Well it is tomorrow, as of yesterday anyway."

"Yes, I suppose it is. I was just in the middle of making some tea, would you like some?" she asked as she opened the door wider.

"Please," he nodded as he entered her apartment.

Maiha turned and walked over to the kitchen area to finish making the tea. "Sorry about my appearance," she turned her head slightly speaking over her shoulder, "I wasn't expecting company." "Please have a seat, it should only be a few more minutes."

Facing the opposite direction, Maiha hadn't noticed that he had not made it in from the foyer area. Kakashi stood fixed and silent, taking in the scene before him. He observed how her robe clung to her figure. How the silky material laid so close to her skin that the outline of her undergarments could be seen as she moved about. He swallowed hard. His eyes traced the lines of her body from her feet all the way up her long legs until they disappeared under her robe. Just as his eyes were reaching the robes' hem she reached high into a cupboard to grab another cup, raising its material up further allowing her shapely bottom barely covered by satin and lace to peak out from underneath.

He went to her halting within inches; the divine scent that the lily had left in her hair lured him in further enticing him to take her in like the beautiful flower itself.

Maiha felt his presence. Her body froze. Her heart began to race and her breathing became more rapid. She couldn't bring herself to turn around. The anticipation of his next move sent a wave of desire throughout her body for him to continue teasing her senses. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck and it distracted her mind. He pushed her hair to the side with a finger, and with that one touch her knees became weak, her body unsteady, and she placed her hands on the counter for support. She tilted her head to the side slightly inviting him to continue and he willingly accepted.

Kakashi slid his hands down the sleeves of her robe resting his hands on hers as he exhaled on the nape of her neck. A soft pleasurable hum escaped her lips. He moved his hands back up her arms, down her sides stopping at her hips, urging her to turnaround.

Maiha turned to face his chest focusing on the green vest in front of her. Her hands traveled up the material to the zipper pulling it down slowly until it fell open and helped him slip it off. She looked up, his eye was focused, he watched her expressions and her movements. Maiha reached upward, gently removed his forehead protector setting it aside. Her hands moved downward and tugged at the hem of his shirt so that she could liberate it from his body. Pushing the material up leading with her fingers, the palms of her hands caressed his skin. As the garment reached his head he aided in its removal dropping it to the side. She explored his body with the gentle mouthing of her lips as she tasted his skin with soft flicks of her tongue. He stood taking in her touch her actions, so gentle, the strokes of her fingertips, diligent, intoxicating, he wanted more.

Kakashi reached out for her, gripping her hips, picking her up, setting her down on the counter and he stepped forward. She was now at eye level and watching him intently as he reached forward directing his hand up and pushed a section of her raven locks behind her ear. His fingers continued slowly down her neck diagonally sliding through the overlaid fabric splitting the seam revealing the soft skin and the inner curvature of her breasts. Reaching her waist he delicately pulled the tie out of her robe as if he were unwrapping a precious gift.

Maiha's chest rose and fell, her arousal was obvious and escalated his. Her hands perused the landscape of his body, her palms caressing his defined muscles. She watched his hands slowly move up her forearms to hers and cupped them in his palms. Kakashi directed her hands from his chest up to his mask. She met the soft gaze of his mismatched eyes, as he guided them toward it's seam silently giving her permission to remove it. Maiha gently slipped her fingers under the material and slowly pealed it upward reviling his elusive face.

Her finger tips gently outlined his jawbone to his chin as tears began to well up in her eyes. She had seen his face before but it was covered mostly by shadows and blurred by the alcohol she had consumed that evening. Maiha traced his lips and as she looked back into his eyes a tear leaked from the corner of hers. Kakashi brought his hand back up to her face and cradled it gently in his palm wiping the tear away with his thumb. He moved in closer stopping just before touching her mouth with his taking in the moment before he went any further. They exchanged breathes, waiting, wanting to continue.

"Kakashi," she exhaled.

"Hmmm?"

"I want you… I want you to be the first."

He refocused on her somewhat surprised by her admission.

The tears came back to her eyes and she softly spoke, "Kakashi, I have worked so hard to keep this for someone special. Please, let me share this with you."

"Maiha," he whispered hesitantly meeting her gaze.

"Kakashi, I have known since that night in the alleyway, the first time that our lips met with nothing in between. Throughout the time I was gone you rarely left my thoughts. I cried for you, yearned for your touch again. I finally came to the conclusion that because of my actions, because I didn't stay… I didn't deserve you or your affection." Her tears fell as she took a breath. "I made myself believe that if you could be happy, I could be happy, as long as I am in some way, part of your life. So if tonight would be the only night that I can spend and share something so intimate with someone that I care so deeply about, I can just leave it at that. So please, don't leave me, not tonight."

He softly placed his forehead on to hers, he was contemplating something. An unfamiliar sensation washed over him. He had never before felt this type of exhilaration coursing through his body, he had other woman but this feeling was different, there was a connection, there was emotion. He wanted this moment. He wanted to share such intimacy with her, not just to satisfy the built up arousal but the need for her and her alone. His lips once again brushed hers softly "We can't go back."

"I don't want to," she drew out before enveloping his lips with her own.

Their lips knew each other, like rekindling a flame each kiss sultrier than the last fuelling the fire kept deep within. He threaded a hand through her hair at the base of her neck and wrapped his other arm around her waist pulling her in and she tightened her legs and wrapped her arms around him. He scooped her up and carried her through the apartment passing through the threshold of her bedroom. Their kiss, their actions intensified until they finally broke away each gasping for air before slowing the tempo enough to regain perception. Their senses were heightened by pleasure; the sounds of suckling lips low hums and intermittent breaths, the taste, the texture and movement of tongues, the exploration of each other's bodies and the familiar scent unique to each. Desire, need, emotion, it all converged into an inferno burning away into the night.

She awoke the next morning euphoric and after recalling the prior event smiled in delight. She turned over to see the spot where Kakashi once occupied vacant. Maiha ran her hand over the sheets which were now cold to the touch and she grasped them in her hand and for the first time cursed the morning sun. Our one night, I should be happy, I should be satisfied. He had given her what she wanted and she had satisfied what he needed, so why did she have this feeling of emptiness. After sharing such intimacy, she desired more, more of what they shared. How could she just let it end like that? Because she let it. The evening was so passionate, like every moment was meant to feel like a life time. They had explored each other's bodies and had connected on a whole other level and now without his presence, she felt empty.

She moved forward, showered, dressed and then took some flowers from the many that Kakashi had given her to the memorial for Ai. Maiha felt
like a different person now. Should she go to the training field? Would he meet her there as they has discussed the evening before? I can't hide anymore, he knows and I know. We'll just have to see where it leads. She headed to the training field and upon her arrival perched herself up in their tree and waited for him.

Kakashi had arrived to the field but did not approach, he just watched her from afar. These feelings he had for her were new to him and for once he was unprepared on how to react. What do I say to her? She is here, I can't just not show up, that wouldn't be right. He began walking toward her and stopped under the tree.

Maiha broke the silence first. "For a bit there I didn't think you were gonna show up."

"How long have you been waiting?"

"Oh, I got here just a little before you. I have just waited till you got comfortable enough to come over to me."

She knew I was here, I shouldn't be surprised she is a jounin level kunoichi after all. "So just exactly how long were you going to wait?"

"Kakashi, I would have waited all day if I knew you were here."

He smiled again as he stood under the tree. Trying to muster up the courage to verbalize the way he felt he began, "Maiha I…"

She interrupted his admission, "I don't expect anything from you Kakashi, it's okay. I know that things aren't quite the same now but we can't go back remember. We both realized that last night, it was consensual. A moment that we shared in our lives it doesn't need to be anything more." She pushed forward hoping to help him find comfort, as she ignored the thoughts of any chance that he would reciprocate her feelings.

"Oh," he drew out a little confused. Did she not have feelings for him anymore? Why would she give him an out so easily?

"So are you up for sparring today or not?" she said light heartedly. "I think today may be the day that I claim a victory." She had broken the awkwardness of the moment.

"Oh, you think so do you little kunoichi?" he slightly chuckled pushing the mornings conversation aside.

"There's always a chance if you believe hard enough," she forced out as she swung down hard from the limb she was sitting on gaining the element of surprise and began the old style taijutsu match just as they use to.

She tried her best to keep her mind on the match but there were often times that she would get caught up in where his hands were placed on her body, and ultimately, that was her downfall. He restrained her and the match was over.

"Not today little kunoichi" he boasted

He released her and both smiled as they turned to face each other. Neither could deny the energy between them but only she chose to ignore it. "Nope not today, but as always it was worth a shot and it was fun. Maybe next time."

He smiled back at her, "Maybe. Oh, before I forget," his attention was drawn from her, "I was issued a mission this morning that I will be leaving for in a few hours so take care of yourself little kunoichi, I will see you when I get back. I'll be gone for about a week, so don't worry okay."

"Okay, take care I'll see you," she waved and they parted ways.

Maiha had realized from their spar that if she was to be serious about training she would have to look elsewhere for a partner. Her not being able to concentrate did her no good in battles or with ninja on missions. Kakashi being out of the village would give her the time she needed to recruit other training partners. But who to choose? She walked around town and thought about her attributes and her fighting style. There was Sauske, he would certainly be formidable, she knew he was an experienced in kenjutsu and could defiantly do some sword work with her. Since she was thinking about Sauske what about Naruto? He was strong but extremely unpredictable that would defiantly keep her on her toes. And Lee, he would most assuredly say yes to help her. Between those three I should have a strong training regimen. She nodded and headed off to find Sauske, he most likely would be the hardest to convince.

So... I really do apologize that it took so long to insert a scene like that, my cheeks are still on fire from blushing. I blame it on my ADD, anyway I hope it will suffice in making it up to all of you. Let me know what you thought, PM me, review whatever. Chapter 27 kinda depends on it, as it could possibly go a little further. Oh, goodness what am I getting myself into.

As always thanks for reading!