A knock on my front door startled me awake, snatching me away from my restless dreaming. I had fallen asleep in a strange position on my couch, and my neck hurt. I rubbed it gingerly and then stretched, pulling my clothes back into their correct positions. The back of my shirt was still wet with the dew that had formed on the memorial stone hours before.

Day two of wearing the same outfit I guess. It doesn't look like it, so it's fine.

I was slow to answer. Shibi stumbled back as I opened my door, catching himself on the doorframe and dropping a pen and piece of paper in the process.

"Kakashi! You are home."

I scooped his things off the ground and skimmed the paper as I handed it back to him. The note had been started several times. "Dear", "Dearest", "To my", and "To" had all been written and scribbled out across the top line before it finally started with 'Kakashi, please join me for lunch at', followed by a sharp line of ink.

He must have been leaning against the door to write.

He accepted the note and pen back, tucking them into his pocket hastily and without looking at them. His face was creased in barely checked anxiety.

"Thank you."

"No problem. So, that said something about lunch?"

"Yes, something has come up unexpectedly and I was wondering if you could join me."

I looked him over.

What could be causing him to seem so uncomfortable?

He was unharmed. His clothes were neat and clean, and his hair was unmussed. He was standing as straight as always.

If it was about Shino, he would have told me by now.

"Of course."

Will you explain yourself on your own, or do I need to work it out of you?

"Thanks I…I could really use your support."

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him and tucking his head in against my chest. He looked down at my arm and saw my watch. A cloud of beetles exploded out of his coat and swirled around him quickly. He stepped back and thrust his arm sharply to the side, calling them to disappear back into his sleeve as suddenly as they had appeared.

"Is that the time!? I am so sorry, I have got to go. Lunch will be at my place. 12:00 sharp, okay?"

"I'll see you there. Can I help with anything before that?"

"Just being there helps, I'm sorry I don't have time to explain, but..."

He reached out and clasped both my hands in his, squeezing them gently before releasing them.

"It means a lot. Really."

He was already backing away, vanishing quickly down the street.

I could follow him…or I could shower. I don't have time for both.

He turned a corner sharply and was gone.

I guess that makes my choice for me.

I went inside to clean myself up and prepare for my mission.