Jigokuen no Taka

by Void'sEclipse

Kakashi Hatake, a man powerful and skilled; a genius or prodigy among his fellow shinobi. When this young man comes upon something found in one of Orochimaru's abandoned labs, something not human, he decides to take her to his home. When told to raise her, turn her into a shinobi, he does as told. But what happens when as they both age, and there's a stirring in his gut?KakashiXOC

23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Festival

I sigh as I step out of the shower, body and hair wrapped up in a towel. I've been in there for an hour now, making sure that every inch of me is clean, and that my legs don't have a single hair on them. I purse my lips as I look in the mirror at myself. Not wearing my hitai-ate as I normally do, around my neck and tight like a choker, makes me feel naked. However, I'll have to deal with it. The other day, Kakashi and I agreed to go to a festival in a near by village; no shinobi gear, no hitai-ate, not even our usual shinobi clothing. It's a bit of a traditional-wear festival, too. That means that I don't get to wear my leather at all. I look to the yukata that I decided I'd wear hanging in the closet. I don't want to have to cut holes in the back just for my wings, the fabric is so nice. However, it's not like I can just will my wings away into a hiding spot like I can sheathe my claws. It doesn't work that way. My eyes then trail to the hair tie I left on my nightstand before my shower. Braid or no braid? I look to the mirror and then to the yukata again before deciding that I'll let my hair stay unbraided for the first time in a while. And so, let the brushing of my hair commence. Being five foot seven and having hair down to the backs of your knees means that you have a lot of hair which in turn makes it tedious to brush- that's why I normally keep it in a braid- especially if your hair is fine as mine is. But, when it is all brushed out, I can't help but realize just how pretty my hair is, being long and wavy. I smile as for a few moments I just play with my hair, running my fingers through it and loving how shiny and healthy it is. However, I have a yukata to figure out how to put on. So I stand and set to work, pulling the yukata out of the closet and blinking at the pieces it has. Six god damn pieces...I'm glad I started getting ready multiple hours early. This is going to take some time. I grunt and grumble as time goes on. Apparently the white cloth is supposed to go on first. I got that much down. And then the yukata itself. However, what I don't get is the belt parts. After a while, I huff and throw my arms in the air, standing in my room in nothing but a black bra and matching underwear.

"This is bullshit!" I grumble out with a huff. "I need help," I whine to myself, looking at the clock on my wall. I only have so much time to get ready. And then I need to actually get there. With a sigh, I cross the middle and index fingers of both hands over to make just that- a cross. "Kagebushin no Jutsu," I mutter simply. There's a poof of smoke, and next to me is a white leather clad me. "Go find Kurenai," Yugao is on a mission- that's all she's ever done ever since Hayate died-, "And tell her that I need her help. Only tell her what with if she asks. If you can't find her, go find Sakura and bring her here. I give you twenty minutes. Any questions".

"And if not Kurenai?" My clone questions.

"...Sakura". It's then that my clone leaves in a burst of speed through my room's window. I'm left to just sit there and twiddle my thumbs. My eyes trail to the yukata one more time, this time actually taking in the sight. It is a simple article, being dotted with well detailed flowers of varying shades and tints of pinks- some even purple. At the ends of the long sleeves is a blue speckled tint as that is where most of the flowers are. Though there are flowers on the left side and shoulder area. The bottom hem is like the ends of the sleeves. The really thick belt is an orangish red with pink flowers on it. On the back are two holes for my wings, which I was sad to put in but also like I said before, I can't get rid of my wings- nor would I want to. My head snaps in the direction of my door; my clone just dispelled after bringing Kurenai along. My eyes widen as the information from my clone comes to me. There's a knock on the door. "Come in," I speak up as my wings wrap around my form for a little privacy.

The door opens to show me a lovely looking woman in place of the Kurenai I usually see- not that she's not beautiful normally but this...This is stunning. Her hair is down as per usual, and while she of course wears lipstick as she normally does, it's darker than usual. She herself is wearing a yukata that is of a violet color, with yellow flowers dotted all over it. The thick belt is a reddish brown, and the slip that's white for my yukata, is a light pink. "So, your clone tells me that you need help?" Kurenai laughs out lightly. "If you're trying to put on a yukata, that must mean that you're going to the festival in Saiku village. Asuma and I are going. Kind of obvious as to why I'm wearing a yukata myself with what I just said. Who are you going with?"

"Kakashi," I try to make my voice sound casual, but fail miserably as it comes out as a light squeak.

She raises a slender brow, "Kakashi? I didn't know you two were dating...Well, I guess it's kind of a given seeing as you live together".

"Ah- We're not a couple...This is...Just...A...Testing the waters sort of thing...I guess?" Why is my face bright red? Kurenai, stop giggling damn it, you're not helping me at all.

"I'm sorry," she seems to understand my try at a glare, "It's just that you're so shy about this! Normally you're so confident and strong. Especially on the battle field. Who knew Jigokuen no Taka Cross would be shy when it comes to romance?" She giggles a bit more.

"I-I'm not being shy!" I try to return to my normal self. But of course that doesn't work. Hence the voice crack. "This is...Just new is all!" I swear face, if you don't stop being red, I'm gonna hurt you. Damn it. That didn't work. Tch. This is getting frustrating. "Will you just...Help me?"

"Alright alright. Stand up and furl your wings. We're both women here; no need to cover yourself up," she complies lightly. I do as she commands, furling my wings to show my mostly naked form. "Alright. Normally you put on the socks, which I see you've already figured out. So...First up is the white shirt and skirt slips. Together they're called a 'juban'. The slip that I just put around your neck is important too". She helps me put the shirt on for the most part as the skirt is easy to do. "Then you put on the yukata. Even with this there's a certain way you wrap it around you; left over right. Make sure that everything is nice and flat; no wrinkles to be seen". I appreciate how gentle she is with pulling my wings through their holes that I made. Most people figure that since they're scalely and not feathered, they're not sensitive. But actually, they're just as sensitive when pulled the wrong way. That's why I don't use them a lot during a fight unless I have to fly. I feel her bring up the cloth up to my ankles, where as the hem was just touching the floor. "Now here's where things get a little complicated. You see this?" She holds up a thinner belt than the colorful one, "This is called a koshi himo belt. You tie it around you with it crossing behind you. And then, you pull the access cloth left over from pulling the hem up over it". And that's just what she does, hands moving fluidly and efficiently. She seems to have done this multiple times before. She then goes through with the last few steps, showing me what to do and how to do it, eventually ending with the obi and straightening me out. She walks around me to face her, and smiles, "You look awesome. Were you planning on wearing makeup?"

I shake my head, "I don't have any. Plus I'm not a makeup person," and I don't know how to use it.

"Good. You don't need makeup," Kurenai nods. "How were you planning on getting there?"

"I was going to fly; Kakashi and I are meeting there," I answer simply. I watch as she takes my brush, and begins to work it through my hair gently, straightening out the bangs that usually just barely stay in the braid unless I'm having a really tough fight or am flying super fast. My bangs frame my face, with the outer ones coming down to my chest and those over my forehead covering it and just barely covering my eyes with their tips.

"Alright," Kurenai smiles with a nod, "Then I guess my job here is done. Maybe Asuma and I will see you two at the festival".

I return the smile, and see her out of my home before glaring down at the wajari that I now have to put on. I sigh before slipping them on with a little difficulty, seeing as it's really damn hard to bend over in this. Once outside, I waste no time in taking off and into the sky, headed east for Saiku village.

I'm lucky that it doesn't take me long at all to make it there. I land in a small gathering of trees before straightening out my attire and making sure my hair isn't all over the place. When I'm ready, I leave the little tree gathering. To be honest, I was expecting him to be late again. And yet, at the entrance to the village, there he is, leaning against a pole with his arms collected in his long sleeves and crossed neatly over his chest. I can't help but notice that we match, however his color scheme is that of a dull red, the sash being a golden color and that which he wears under the yukata is black. His hair is less gravity defying due to no hitai-ate to hold it up, but it doesn't flop over too much; just enough to cover his scared sharingan eye- lucky him. Of course he's wearing his mask, though; why wouldn't he? Being that the male yukata has pants instead of a skirt going on, it must be easier to move around. Again. Lucky him.

"Kakashi," I call out once I'm about a yard away from him. His dark eye, which had been looking the other way, snaps to me, and lingers there. "You ready to go?" But I get no answer, as he's still just...Staring.

KAKASHI'S POV

I knew that when I saw her, she'd look good. Most kunoichi have the perfect body build, being trim and slim due to all the activity they do on basically a daily basis. Therefore I was prepared to see Cross looking good in her yukata when she got here. What I wasn't prepared for was the stunning creature standing before me right now. Her yukata is that of a silver color which at the sleeves and bottom hem is a silvery blue to go with the differently tinted and shaded various flowers that dot the sleeves, bottom hem and left side. The obi itself is a dull orange red, also dotted with flowers. Her hair is down and free, some of it over her shoulders and the rest trailing down her back between her wings. Even said wings look like they were specially tended to in some way. She wears no makeup which is good, because I'm not a fan of it.

"...-ashi...-kashi...Kakashi!"

I blink and shake my head, falling out of the momentary silence I was thrown into, and look to her calmly. "Let's go then," I heard her voice this whole time, it just wasn't registering completely. I offer her my hand, to which she furrows her brow and looks at it oddly. It's like she's learning to shake hands all over again. However, I'm not looking to shake hands. "Take my hand," she reaches for my right hand with her own, "Other hand".

"Other...Hand?" She raises a brow, but complies, putting her left hand into my right, which closes around it.

"Let's go then," I repeat, smiling under my mask as she stares at our coupled hands. It takes her a few minutes of me pulling her along and her focusing on our hands to realize that yes, you're supposed to curl your fingers around my hand as I did yours. I smile again.

"So...What exactly do you...Do at a festival?" She questions innocently as we walk.

My eye looks to her as she takes in the sights and smells around us, stands of food, clothing, games and everything between. "We have fun. You know how to have fun, right?" A sarcastic answer. I know she knows how to have fun.

She rolls her eyes, "Of course I do...But not here". She shrugs her shoulders. "So...Lead the way, festival fun master".

I chuckle before nodding once, eye roaming for something that I figure she would consider fun. Ah here we are. "This way," I tell her, pulling her towards a game stand. For a second I study it before speaking up to the stand owner, "I'd like a bucket of kunai please," I tell him, putting down a few ryo as is needed.

The man smiles, "Looking to show off in front of your pretty girlfriend?"

I eye smile back, "Not quite," I tell him. Not quite my girlfriend that is. "Here, Cross. The name of the game is to hit the dummies as fast as you can. The more you hit for the longer amount of time, the faster the dummies pop up. You have four minutes to throw them, and also not hit any civilian dummies that pop up- you can only hit a minimum of three before the game is over. Each dummy is worth points. By the time the minutes are up depending on your score you can possibly get a prize". I look to the stall owner, "Is that correct?"

"You know your festival games," the man laughs out with a nod. "That's right". No, I just understand what has to be done.

She stares at the bucket of kunai, "With these?" I nod. We both know she sucks at throwing these things. That's the real reason as to why she doesn't use them. She looks from me, to the bucket, and then back to me. "You've gotta be kidding me".

"Are you saying you can't do it?" I innocently challenge.

She glares, "Sure I can!" She pulls the bucket close to her so that it's right in front of her on the stall's table top. Eyes travel to the prizes she may be able to get, and it lands on a large stuffed falcon. "I'm getting that one," she states determinedly. "Start them up, Old Man," she tells the stall owner, who does as he's told. To say that she she didn't get the stuffed animal is an understatement. Not only did she not get the animal even though I got her two more buckets to try her luck with, but she also normally ended up making the hilt of the kunai hit the dummy instead of the tip. How she managed that, I have no clue. She looks to me, "One more try Kakashi". Determined woman she is.

I sigh, and place the already memorized amount of ryo due onto the counter top. "Alright...But this time I'm playing".

"What?" She growls out, obviously frustrated.

I eye smile to her, "If you continue to go, then we'll be here all night and get no where," this makes her glare even more so harshly and cross her arms under her bust. The stand master gives me my bucket due, and starts up the dummies. As opposed to my friend, I don't end up failing at hitting the dummies, nor do I end up hitting any of those supposed to be civilians. After the four minutes are up, the stand master is staring at me with wide eyes.

"You...Just obliterated my game," he tells me.

"Ahhh, sorry about that," maybe I tried too hard? I wasn't really trying at all actually.

The man smiles, "No no! Here! Pick any prize you want, young sir".

I point to a stuffed animal, the falcon to be specific, "I'll take the falcon please". He reaches the large bird down, and hands it to me. With my free hand, I take Cross' and pull her along and away from the stand even as she continues to pout at me. "Here," I offer the falcon with a literally hidden smile, my dark orb looking her way.

"What? No. You won that fare and square. It's yours," she tells me. I can tell that she's forcing the frustration out of her tone.

"I got it for you," I tell her. I really did.

She raises a brow, slowly taking the falcon from my hand and holding it close, "...Thank you". She's silent again, though I'm happy to see that she understands the concept of holding hands for the most part. It feels nice, to me, even if it's weird to her.

It's silent, and we simply walk down the path way and passed other people, "Are you going to name the falcon?"

She tilts her head. "Huh? You name these things?"

"Most women and girls, when their male escort has won them a prize and it's a stuffed animal, name them". I supply. She truly is clueless. However that's okay; I don't mind explaining things to her. In fact, I prefer to teach her how things are done. It makes being interactive more interesting.

She blinks before holding the bird out, "I'll name him...Sora". She beams, seemingly proud of her ability to name something. Her eyes land on me, "That's a good name, right?"

"It is if you think it is".

"But I want your opinion," she insists.

I pause. She wants my opinion on something so simple? Very well, "I like it," I tell her the truth. This makes her beam to me. It's not long after that, that she really starts to show a curious side that I haven't seen in years. She pulls me this way and that, wanting to try new games or see how they're played.

"Kakashi, what's that?" She questions, pointing to a lone standing wooden box with a curtain on one side. It's fairly wide but not all that tall- about the same size of the stands we've been to.

"That's called a photo booth," I tell her, leading her towards it. "What you do, is you hand the money to the booth owner," I do so, the owner this time being a young woman, "And you step into the booth behind the curtain. The person will knock on the wall they're behind ten times, giving us ten seconds to situate ourselves. And then in a succession of five, the photographer will take pictures for us. Then we give them our names and wait about two hours for the pictures to be developed. And then we'll take them with us".

She beams as we sit. "Sounds interesting. But...Situate ourselves?"

"Pose and look at the lens of that camera there," I point at the glass orb in the middle of the wall in front of us. I hear the knocking and smile to myself before continuing, "Pose being something like...This," as I hear the last two knocks, my arm wraps around her neck and pulls her close, while my other hand is placed on top of her head in the form of a noogie. She tries to fight me off as the picture is taken. "Or," I continue, knowing we have little time, "This," I release her, only to run my fingers down her sides. Her reaction is more violent than I expected. I expected her to yelp and move away laughing. But instead, she lets out a fit of laughter and squirms, retreating from my hands in the wrong direction therefore pinning herself against me. By the next two poses, she seems to understand what's going on. Seeing as for the third one, she's sitting behind me while I crouch, and her wings unfurled slightly and her chin on my forehead to make it look as though I'm the one with the wings, and she's on my back. The last two, however, make my heart thrum heavily in my chest- they're her ideas just as the third one was. Seeing as the fourth one took longer to set up, I paid the young woman extra so that she would wait. With a simple henge on both our parts, her wings are taken away, as are her claws. Where as I'm the one with wings- a white version of what she naturally has- and I have her claws- a unique feeling really.

"Alright...Now...I sit like this...," she explains, sitting on my lap with her butt on my right leg and the rest of her form across to my left leg. Her arms lift up and wrap themselves around my neck, which causes me to stiffen a bit. How is it, that my heart isn't outside my chest cavity yet? I'm unsure. "Now you...wrap your arms around my waist," slowly...I do as told, "Hold me tight," again I do as told. "And then...Wrap a wing around me- your right one". It takes me a moment to work the false wings, but it works with some explanation from her. When the picture is taken, one of my hands- with false claws unsheathed- ends up on her cheek. I didn't mean for that to happen. However, with the way she's smiling at me, I can't help but just...Get lost in those golden orbs. The last one is similar to the fourth however her simple command is, "Stay still," when the picture is taken, both my eyes are wide in surprise. Why? Because...She's kissing my cheek, right next to my lips. In that moment, my hold on her tightens. When we've finished, I get one glimpse of her as a normal looking human girl. I'm glad she's not normal, though, because she looks odd without wings or claws. The hinges are released, and we return to our normal selves before I give the woman my name and we head off. "That was fun!" Cross beams to me.

I chuckle lightly, "I'm glad you thought so. I enjoyed it as well". I look at her with a single dark eye, and can't help but chuckle a bit louder as she swings our hands like some sort of child. I haven't seen her act so freely in so long...I almost forgot what she was like when she relaxed completely. We continue to explore, eating deep fried foods, and on her part sweet things where as I get myself something not so sweet. We have to have had played all the games and looked at every one of the stands by the time we decide to call it a night. Or rather...Try to call it a night. My sharp ears perk as I hear the sound of a familiar instrument, and I smile to myself, "This way," I tell her, pulling her off of the path to the village's entrance suddenly.

"What? I thought we were going home? Kakashi?" She trails behind me until I stop in the middle of the village, finding a stage with a single instrument on it. A piano. "A piano? What's a piano doing on the stage?"

"Apparently," a familiar female voice speaks up from behind us, making us turn to find Kurenai and Asuma making their way towards us with linked arms, "It's a music competition for those who know how to play that thing. The winner doesn't have to pay for anything for the next festival that occurs here- they'll take your name and save it before anything else. And then when you come back, you give your name and you pay for nothing".

Asuma speaks up now, eyes locked on my date, "Cross, you know how to play. Why don't you give the competition a go?"

She holds up the hand that isn't holding onto mine, waving it back and forth while the other one does tighten on my hand. It takes me squeezing back at least a little bit to keep my hand from breaking in her grip. "U-uh...I don't think I should".

"Oh, come on Cross! We haven't heard you play in forever!" Kurenai pleads, red eyes wide like a puppy's, "Allow us to hear you again would you?"

"I don't think so," she insists.

I lean down to speak in her ear, "Do it, and I'll take off my mask. I know you want to know what I look like under it," good enough leverage, right?

It seems so, because her golden eyes look to my single black one with a curious intent, all nervousness gone. "Is that a promise?"

"It's a promise," I tell her, holding out my hand for her to shake, which she does, "Now. Go up there and play. They're looking for another contestant".

CROSS' POV

I stare at Kakashi for one more moment before releasing him completely, "Fine. I state," and turn to walk up to the stage.

"Are any of you sure that you don't want to give this a go? Please! Come on up! Play for us! Make us dance! Three songs per a contestant! Come please!" A young man speaks over the voices of the crowd.

"I'll go!" I state, golden eyes meeting vibrant green, raising a hand in the air.

"Ahh! A beautiful lady! Please miss, tell the rest of us, what's your name? Where do you come from?"

Once fully on stage, I speak up to let all hear, "I come from Konoha- I'm a shinobi there- my name is Cross".

"A shinobi?! It's rare that your kind manage to find time to come here. And do you have an escort?" The young man casually prompts.

I nod once, and point to Kakashi, "Yes. His name is Kakashi," I tell the man.

"Well, we thank both you and Kakashi for coming here. And in advance we thank you for playing for us. Feel free to sit and begin when you please". It's then that the green eyed man comes off the stage, and gives it to me entirely.

I sigh, and look to the instrument sitting there, and then take in another shaky breath. I sit on the unfamiliar bench, and then run my fingers over the unfamiliar white keys. Okay Cross. Just like when you're alone. No one else is there. Calm down...Calm...My fingers splay and my eyes close as I let out another calming breath. My eyes barely look down at the keys, eyes slightly opened from their closed position. And then...I play. I rock with each note, letting my fingers do the work of making the music, and letting my emotions decide on which songs to play. The first is called Mirai Nikki. It is a gentle song, a love song at the very least, and one that I personally love with all my heart. I pause, letting the last note drop from the piano's string. And then I jump into another song. This is one of the ones I can never tire of playing, due to the fact that it explains the life of a shinobi- myself included- so god damn well. The Game of Life. A perfect song for those who are forced to endure such a hard game, until their part in it is over. Fast paced and dramatic as my life has been. The third song I play has a beat that is also dramatic, but not as fast paced as the last song. This one is called Aeon. It's one of those inspiring songs that really lifts up my heart when I'm feeling worried about an on coming mission. It effects me in a way that even when I can't play it, I can listen to it in my head, and it still has the same effects. It's one of maybe five songs I know that I actually sing to. And even then it's not really singing, it's just letting my voice harmonize with the piano. When I'm done, I'm silent, and I stand before bowing to the crowd with closed eyes. It's silent. And then, cheers. I smile, the nerves coming back as I leave the stage and walk back to my friends.

"Cross that was amazing! I didn't know you could sing!" Kurenai beams to me with those red painted lips of hers.

"I uh...I don't sing often. I only know like five songs that I willingly use my voice with. It's not the best," I tell her with a small smile. I look around, feeling eyes on my back. "Can we get out of here? Being stared at by so many people makes me feel uncomfortable". Mainly because I just played in front of a bunch of strangers.

"Alright," Kakashi smiles to me, "Let's go home".

The journey home was a longer one than it was to fly, but I didn't mind. Kurenai and Asuma stayed behind to enjoy the festivities a bit longer. But Kakashi and I were ready to leave so we did. It's on the journey home that I tell Kakashi of my day before I got ready and came to meet him at the festival.

"So...He has an obsession for you; a hero complex," good. He came to the same end as I did. I've just finished telling him about my encounter with Sasuke.

I nod lightly with a sigh, "Yea...".

"And you told him what you did...Why?"

"Because I figure that if the was going to so much as leave for his version of 'love' when not even power kept him here. Why not use this 'love' for me that he has, keep him here? Hopefully he'll soon realize that he shouldn't have tried to defect in the first place and he'll stay for good without his 'love' for me having to keep him with us," I explain. I walk with my arm twined with Kakashi's, something I decided to try when I saw Kurenai and Asuma like that. It feels...Nice.

Kakashi raises a single silver brow, "And you think that'll work? What happens if you do get a boyfriend and he does beat him? Will you honestly leave your boyfriend then?"

"Hell no," I state, "I'm not shallow. However, I'm hoping what I mentioned kicks in before three years are up. That'd be nice. But if he does try to fight my boyfriend then...I'll just have to break his heart or something, I guess".

"Unless your boyfriend is stronger than him. Then you won't have to worry about Sasuke beating him. Right?" Kakashi prompts. By now, we're home. I don't know why he's walking me to my room. Maybe it's an alternative to the 'walking the girl home' thing I've heard about.

"Yea...But I don't know where I'd get a boyfriend like that, nor who it'd be. It can't be Itachi. He's like a brother to me. And if I date one Tsu brother, I date all three of them which would be kind of...Unfair no matter how okay they are with it," I sigh and shake my head. "Iruka wouldn't stand a chance, and Asuma I'm pretty sure has his eyes set on Kurenai after what I saw today. Guy is definitely a no...Damn it".

Kakashi is silent as we stand in front of my bedroom door. "What about me?"

My eyes fly to him from the floor where they were looking as I thought. "Hah?"

"I could be your boyfriend," he tells me casually, unlatching our arms and taking my hands in each of his own.

The intensity with which he looks at me makes my heart speed up, and my face become warm. God damn it. It's just like earlier today! Stupid blood flow! Calm yourself damn it! "B-But we only went on o-one date! Th-that's not enough to decide, right?"

Kakashi shakes his head, "No, it's not. But I decided a long time ago that I liked you more than just a friend, Cross," he steps closer to me, and places one of my hands over his heart. "Nothing other than a stressful fight can make my heart beat like this," his heart is pumping blood rather fast. "And yet here you are, making my heart beat as it is". He lowers his face to look into my eyes better, "What do you say? Give it a try".

Why...Is my heart beating so god damn fast?! It's beating faster than his god damn it! Too close. His face is way too close! And yet...I can't bring myself to look away or push him away. My muscles are stuck between staying as they are or pulling him closer. I don't dare leave the gaze that rests on mine. Give it a try? I take in a deep breath through my nose, only for my heart to beat faster. The scent that I take in a second time is...Intoxicating. And it's coming from Kakashi. I thought Itachi smelled good? Kakashi is the god of smelling good in comparison if that even makes sense. He smells of musk and jasmine. My god.

"Are you alright, Cross? You keep on taking deep breaths," his as always calm tone rings in my ears.

I blink and am pulled from my thoughts. My mouth moves before I can tell it not to, "Has anyone ever told you that you smell amazing?"

He's silent for a moment, "No. But thank you. May have an answer to my question?"

Oh. That. Right. That's why we're so close in the first place. Give it a try...? I bite my lip and ponder through my thoughts. Why should I, first of all? Well...Kakashi has been with me all these years, having saved my life and gone so far as to teach me the basis of everything I know. He's a great guy, with a good sense of humor when he wants to have it. He's strong, smart, good looking, a pretty good chef. Okay...Now why shouldn't I?...I find no reasons. Seriously. I could say that he's older than me, but that's not an issue and it's only by two years. That's the only reason I got. I meet his single eyed gaze one more time before, "...Yes. I'll give going out with you a try, Kakashi".

Kakashi's eye widens in slight surprise. Is that...utter glee I can see dancing those depths? That's what it looks like. Just how long has he been waiting to ask me out? "Good," he lowers his face closer to mine now, "Then I have no qualms at all about offering to take off my mask in turn for you playing the piano tonight". His hands release my own. And while one wraps around my waist and pulls me closer, the other reaches up and pulls down the black fabric that's been hiding his face from me for eight years. I have little time to look at his completely exposed face. However I don't need a long look to say that he's an utterly attractive man. His jaw line is thin but strong, his lips not too thin nor too full, and his face over all is clean shaven- not a hair to be seen. My eyes widen as I feel a pair of lips touch my own in what I've seen before and know to be called a kiss. Like with so many other things, I follow my instincts, and close my eyes, arms wrapping around his neck to pull him closer and pushing my lips against his in a returned kiss. I thought him just kissing me felt good. But this...This...This is heaven. We separate, but for once I don't care that my face is bright red. A black eye and a red and black eye meet my two golden ones. "Good night, Cross".

I smile lightly and nod. "Good night, Kakashi".