Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.

As always a big thank you to my comrade cheekylips for all of her advice.

Chapter 31 What's Old is New Again

"So is it really true?"

Maiha flinched as the perky blonde practically jumped over the counter upon her entering the flower shop.

"You and Kakashi!"

"Hmm, yeah," Maiha drew out as her smile grew.

Ino couldn't control herself she was over excited, spastic, her body twitched and her voice bounced between octaves as she sprung up and down on the tips of her toes. "How long, how long?"

"Well uh," Maiha looked up slightly and tapped her chin with the tip of her index finger in thought. She blinked slowly as she looked back at Ino and opened her mouth to answer. "I was out of the village for a while so maybe… about four months since he told me…"

Ino tilted her head quickly to the side perking up an ear and interjected, "Told you?"

Maiha stopped briefly and then continued once Ino had finished, "Told me he lov…"

"That he loved you!"

The smile returned to her face as Ino finished her sentence. Being the hopeless romantic, Ino added her own dramatic flair to the conversation exhaling dreamily as she put her hand up to her chest.

"Ino," Maiha chuckled amused by her melodramatic friend.

"Huh, I know, "Ino sighed musing as she floated to the flower cooler. "It's just so… Huh." She pulled out a single sunflower and handed it to Maiha eyes twinkling.

Maiha placed the exact amount of money on the counter and smiled, "Have a good day Ino," and she left quietly leaving Ino to her imaginative fairytale.

[]

At the memorial that morning Maiha spoke more deeply with Ai. Her life was changing again, and though wanted it was still a big step for both of them. Feeling better after hearing her thoughts out loud she said her goodbye's and turned for home.

Sliding the key into the knob she quietly unlocked the door and pushed it open gently. She tiptoed through the threshold and shut it softly behind her. Maiha made her way to the bedroom stopping in the doorway. A wide grin spread across her face as she set eyes on her silver haired nin sprawled out across the bed. After a few minutes she crept her way over to the bed, slipped under the covers and snuggled up to him making him stir.

"Good morning," she greeted him softly.

"Good morning," he responded yawning as he stretched before sliding his arm underneath her. "What time is it?"

She chuckled, "Nearly eleven sleepy head."

He exhaled, "I should get up now, but lying here with you makes staying under the covers so much more inviting."

Maiha chuckled softly with a smile and snuggled up closer to him laying her head on his chest. He wrapped his arm around her and gently ran his fingertips up and down her arm. Comforted by each other's warmth and company they lay there for a while before Maiha started up conversation again.

"Kakashi?"

"Hmm?"

She paused. "I've been accommodating, haven't I?"

He held his breath slightly.

Maiha lifted her head off his chest to look at him. "About you, um, moving in."

"Uh… yeah."

His slight pause made her nervous unsure about the tone of his answer.

He continued lightly, "I'm sorry I've just been procrastinating, you know it's a habit of mine."

"Oh… um… okay. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't pushing you."

"No Maiha, you're not pushing me," he chuckled softly. "I want to be with you, and I am. Just because all of my material things aren't here doesn't mean that I am having second thoughts."

The corners of her mouth turned up slightly feeling a little more comfortable with the living situation and laid her head back on his chest. "Okay."

Kakashi was able to reassure her that his feelings about the move were positive but for some reason still remained slightly apprehensive and delayed it.

[]

The days and nights went well, though sharing space was a bit challenging at first, they adjusted. Kakashi however, still had yet to move anything in other than his basic personal effects. Maiha had made room, the transition was just slow. Soon they were back on active duty and the picture of what their life together would be like came more into focus. It was not until Maiha had an extended mission that he finally pushed his apprehension aside and made the big move into her/their apartment.

"Hey. Kakashi."

Kakashi stopped and turned on the street upon hearing is name. "Hey Genma."

"What's with the boxes? Oh wait, moving in… Ugh finally, how long has it been now?"

"I know, I know," he exhaled.

"You know I am just trying to give you a hard time," Genma laughed. "Anyway, Lady Hokage needs to see you."

"Oh, okay, let me just drop these off and I'll head over with you."

[]

Maiha stepped up to her apartment door late one afternoon finally returning from her mission. She opened her door and was surprised by a small cluster of boxes. The sight brought a smirk to her face considering he had been dragging his feet on moving in. Her eye caught a note on the table. She walked over, picked it up and read.

'Sorry about the boxes I was called out on an urgent last minute mission take care of yourself I love you see you when I get back'

Maiha smiled slightly before taking her eyes off the paper focusing on the boxes. This was his life, packed away. From his simplistic nature, for all she knew this could be everything he had. Her smile dissipated she carried the note with her to the room and looked in for a few moments before turning around. Her eyes panned the living space; it was a spacious apartment, room for two and then some. Maiha exhaled heavily. Out of either of them, though it was a change for both, Kakashi had to cope with more. She looked at the note again, the boxes, and then her eyes floated over to Ai's bedroom door. The door was always shut, though Maiha would go inside for comfort every now and again it remained closed off from the rest of the apartment. I need to… He should have his own space.

She set the note back on the table and walked slowly to the door. Maiha paused a moment before reaching out for the knob as she always did. The memories that resided in this room, behind the shut door would flow out in a torrent of emotions when opened, almost pushing her backward. She reached forward with an unsteady hand, grasped the knob and held her breath preparing herself for the surge.

Standing in the doorway she looked in. Other than referencing the medical books and journals during her internship at the hospital everything was still in its place as Ai had left it. Taking a hesitant step forward Maiha entered the room and made her way over the bed, sitting down at the foot of it falling into deep thought. Everything Ai had was still in the room. Her uniforms hung in the closet, her messenger bag slung across the back of the chair by her desk and the few books that Ai considered pleasure reading sat on the nightstand near the bed. Maiha knew that it was time to let go of the material things, Ai would want her to move on, but it was difficult still, even after all the time that had passed. She kept all of it from Kakashi, he had no idea what lay behind that door though he knew to whom the room belonged. Maiha got up and looked around, everything pulled at her. The framed photos, the keepsakes, small trinkets and items that Maiha had made in her youth that Ai had kept and each held a memory. How could she part with any of it, the very thought overwhelmed her. Swallowing hard and wiping away a few tears she walked out of the room closing the door gently behind her.

[]

Once Kakashi finally moved in the last of his things he returned one last time to his bare apartment. The place where he spent most of his life was now empty, all of his belongings somewhere new. He had only one thing left to take. Walking over to the small desk in his bedroom he opened up it's single drawer and pulled out a small tattered box barely together by the fibers of it's making. He carefully pulled off the cover and stared at its contents sighing heavily. Over the years the box had degraded with age and memories had seeped into every fiber. His eye glanced around the apartment then down at the box once again. A small smile crept across his face, "Tonight," he nodded and slid the top back on holding just firmly enough to keep the box together turned and for the last time shut the door behind him.

[]

Kakashi seemed a little more on edge that day. It was unusual for the stoic nin to be so jumpy but Maiha just associated it with the move. He was practically mute at dinner and there was little eye contact when words were exchanged. She was confused about his behavior unsure of why he would be acting in such a way. She pondered the situation; unfortunately for her he wasn't giving her any hints to figure it out.

Dinner clean-up was just as quiet. She washed the dishes and he dried, having their own separate tasks to concentrate on made it easier for her to interject. "It's a full moon tonight."

"I know," he blurted out nervously and then sucked in a gulp of air. Damn that came out wrong.

She jumped slightly and stuttered, "Oh… um… well… I thought I'd head out there in a bit. Did you… want to come with me?"

"Yes," he spat out quickly as if the word were part of her sentence making Maiha flinch again. Ugh this is going all wrong. He took in a deep breath trying to calm himself.

"Okay," she answered lightly pushing his outbursts aside somewhat. "We can go out there now if you are ready."

Given his impulsive answers in combination with his nervous tone he simply nodded.

[]

Their time spent at the dock held minimal conversation. Kakashi sat slightly slumped over staring at the water while Maiha peered up at the sky as she leaned back propped up on her hands.

"The moon is bright tonight," she broke the silence.

He looked over. The moonlight illuminated the smile on her face and as he sat taking it in his nervousness melted away. It was simple, her, them… this. His lips turned up at their corners and he began wondering why he was making it so hard.

"Well," Maiha took in a breath as she stood stretching her arms out over her head "I think I'm ready to go." She stared out over the lake, "The tranquility of this place always comforts me. Hmph… but it also makes me sleepy."

Kakashi stood as well, pulling his mask down as he rose. "Maiha," he softly called for her attention.

"Hmm?" she turned to him slowly her smile growing wider seeing his face. There was just something about having that mask pooled around his neck when they were out in the open, almost like he was revealing it just for her.

Those eyes, that smile, he sighed. "I'm sorry it took so long."

Maiha thought a minute about his words. "Oh Kakashi is that why you have been so quiet and nervous lately?"

He was taken aback by her response. No way she could…

"I know," she shrugged, "it's a big change for both of us. We've lived alone for so long, moving in together, it's an adjustment."

A large grin came to his face, "That's not what I mean."

Her smile faded somewhat as her eyebrows knitted together slightly as confusion set in.

Kakashi stepped in, reached forward and pushed her hair back behind her ear. She looked up at him, her brilliant sapphires sparkling in the moonlight drew him in while his warm touch focused all her senses on him. After a moment he leaned forward slightly placing a soft kiss on her forehead before pulling her in gently. "I love you Maiha."

"Hmm," she drew out blissfully with a grin. She loved hearing those three words with her name.

"I want to share something with you." Kakashi took a small step backward put his hand into a pocket of his flack jacket and pulled out the small box he had retrieved from his apartment earlier that day.

Maiha focused on it wondering about its contents before looking back up at him.

"It… was my mother's," he drew out looking down quickly before his eye darted back up again. He began to extend his arm. "I'd like for you to have it."

"Kakashi," she put out her hand stopping him. "I couldn't accept something that precious to you," Maiha gave him a slight smile looking at him with a caring eye. "That is something you should keep for yourself."

He studied her face and tone before a grin spread across his. She didn't get it. Kakashi pulled the cover off the box revealing a small silver object. He gently grasped it with his fingertips and placed the box back in his pocket. "This is special to me, but Maiha, you are what is most precious in my life." He reached for her hand, grasped it gently and brought it to him. "I will never love another, my forever lies with you."

She was breathless, frozen for a moment. "Kakashi," she finally drew out in a shaky whisper as tears pooled in her eyes.

"Will you spend yours, with me?"

Her emotions cut off her voice like a tourniquet, unable to speak for the moment she could only nod jarring the tears loose and a steady stream flowed from the corners of her eyes.

Kakashi pushed the ring onto her finger admiring it's placement briefly before taking in her reaction. Her bottom lip quivered and her eyes darted back and forth searching his face, watching as a handsome smile spread across it. "Maiha," he called softly as he moved in toward her wiping the tears away with his thumbs. He chuckled lightly noticing her dazed state before he pressed his lips to hers. The contact broke her free from the shock and she wrapped her arms around him pulling herself in.

They pulled away and he pressed his lips to her forehead once again. "I feel like I'm floating," she spoke softly her still closed as she found her voice. "Am I dreaming, if I open my eyes will you still be here?"

He chuckled again "Open your eyes Maiha, I am here with you."

Maiha slowly blinked a few times to focus on him and his handsome grin. The corners of her mouth turned up into a brilliant smile. "Kakashi… oh I'm so… I just… ugh I love you." She gave up trying to speak and she pulled herself back into him placing a few more sweet kisses on his lips.

He grinned and spoke once she had calmed herself. "Are you ready to go home?"

Maiha nodded, her smile growing wider, it was the first time that he had actually referred to the apartment as 'home'.

[]

Though they had left the dock for the evening the awe of the night endured. Back at the apartment Maiha floated about enchanted, while Kakashi just watched in amusement, though he would fade in and out of deep thought. Everything was falling into place. He had finally let her in, entirely. He loved her and she had spoken those same words to him, but now through Maiha accepting his proposal to join their lives it put anything that he was holding on to, at rest.

Maiha closed the space in between pulling herself in and brought him out of his daze brushing his lips with hers. He flinched slightly. "You seem to be distracted," she looked into his eye softly as she sat down on the couch next to him. "Usually the Copy Ninja isn't so easily startled."

He grinned, "I was just thinking."

"Oh? What about?"

His face held the same grin a few moments and her eyes searched it for an answer during the silence.

Kakashi leaned in stopping just inches from her lips. "Do I really need to answer that," he continued on taking them in. They moved slowly against each other, delicate and sweet, the soft suckling sounds bringing delicious memories of evenings past.

[]

The morning brought about a new day. Maiha woke as every morning now with Kakashi wrapped around her. The comfort, the warmth, the love and… the ring! She held her hand up and stared at the piece of jewelry that adorned her finger. A smile spread across her face as her pillow soaked up a tear.

"I can't believe it fits you so perfectly," his voice hummed softly as his breath wisped over his skin.

"Maybe it was just meant to be."

He smiled and squeezed her slightly placing a kiss on her shoulder.

"It's not in the best condition, if you like I can have it resurfaced," he offered speaking apprehensively noticing it's dullness as well as the divots, scratches and gouges on the metal band.

"I like it just the way it is. I can see how much love it carries. For it to be this way I'm sure she never took it off." She laced her fingers through his and pulled their joined hands in to her chest.

Kakashi smiled and his eye watered a bit. The ring indeed held many memories. He recalled seeing it on his mother's delicate finger so long ago bringing happy memories from his early childhood. However there was also darkness that tainted it's mirth. The way his father would stare at it in his hand after she had passed, his depression, his ridicule, his death and all that surrounded it. Each impression in time threaded together, the good with the bad. But now, now there would be new. The ring had new life and once again would be the symbol of an everlasting promise.

Thanks for reading everyone. Sorry about the wait for those following along.