Sakura looked up from the patient's form that she is studying when she heard her office door open. Kakashi entered the room, his presence drawing her attention. He had a small smile on his face as he approached her desk.

"Hi," he greeted her.

Sakura returned his smile, setting the paperwork aside. "Hey," she replied. "What brings you here?"

Kakashi leaned against the edge of her desk, his gaze fixed on her. "I was thinking, maybe we should go and grab some lunch?"

Sakura looked at the silver-haired jonin, and remembered that it all started with a lunch. She will never fall for it again. "I already told you that you should stop trying to win me. I just need you to be there with Hana."

Kakashi sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I know, Sakura. I'm not here to win you back. I just want to spend some time with you, as friends, and also to be there for Hana. She's been through a lot, and I want to be a better father for her."

Sakura regarded him for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, lunch sounds nice. But it's just lunch, Kakashi, nothing more."

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Of course, Sakura. Just lunch." He smiled softly. "Let's go."

Kakashi brought her to the restaurant where he brought her for their first date. And Sakura narrowed her eyes to the man.

"What are you doing, Kakashi?" Sakura asked the man sitting in front of her.

"Having lunch." he gave her his eye smile. "And besides you love the food here."

Sakura couldn't help but feel a mixture of nostalgia and discomfort as she sat in the familiar restaurant with Kakashi. The place held memories of their first date, a time when they were still comrades, almost still teacher and student, before everything became complicated. She had to remind herself that this was just lunch, as she had emphasized.

Kakashi ordered their food, and they engaged in casual conversation, talking about their work, the village, and even Hana's recent adventures at the academy. It was almost as if they were two old friends catching up, and Sakura found herself gradually relaxing in Kakashi's presence.

As they talked, Sakura couldn't help but notice that Kakashi had changed. He seemed more open, more willing to share about his own experiences and feelings. It was a side of him that she hadn't seen in a long time.

"I'm glad to see you being involved in Hana's life," Sakura admitted, looking at Kakashi with a mixture of gratitude and relief. "She really wanted to know her father."

Kakashi's eye crinkled in a small smile as he looked at Sakura. "I'm glad I can be there for her now," he replied. "I want to make up for the lost time and be the father she deserves."

Sakura nodded, her heart touched by Kakashi's sincerity. "I believe you, Kakashi. Hana deserves to have both her parents in her life."

Their conversation continued as they enjoyed their meal. They talked about their experiences, their aspirations, and even some lighter topics. The atmosphere became more relaxed and comfortable, and it felt like a step forward in their journey towards rebuilding a semblance of friendship and co-parenting.

After they finished their lunch, Sakura leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of contentment. "Thank you, Kakashi," she said. "This was nice."

Kakashi returned her gratitude with a small nod. "I'm glad you agreed to lunch, Sakura. It means a lot to me."

As they got up to leave the restaurant, Kakashi held the door open for Sakura, and they walked out together. It was a simple gesture, but it signified a step towards mending their relationship and focusing on their daughter's well-being.

"Sakura," Kakashi stopped her from walking. When she turned to him, she can see that he is scratching the side of his cheek, just above his mask. "Uhm, well, if I give you something would you accept it?"

Sakura looked at Kakashi with a curious expression, not sure what he had in mind. She was still cautious about their interactions, but she was willing to listen to him.

"What is it, Kakashi?" Sakura asked, her emerald eyes studying his masked face.

Kakashi seemed to hesitate for a moment before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, wrapped package. He held it out to Sakura, his visible eye showing a hint of vulnerability.

"I wanted to give it to you before I was supposed to go away on mission." He explained. "But I learned that it was the most dangerous mission that Tsunade would hand out, so I didn't. But you left on my steed, I kept that so I can give it to you when you return."

Sakura reached for it, and when she opened the wrappings and the opened the box, she saw a beautiful ring. It was a dainty silver ring, but the middle stone is in a shape of a flower with a big pink stone in the middle and the petals were diamonds. The stones where the color of their hairs.

"What is this, Kakashi?" She asked, looking intently on his lone visible eye. "Why are you giving this to now? We are done."

Kakashi hung his head. "I know. But I don't expect that you will come back to me." He said. "I just wanted to give that to you, its yours anyway. Even if you don't wear it, just accept it please."

"I can't expect you to give me a ring and not ask for anything in return." Sakura answered back. Thinking of the possibilities of what would Kakashi asked to compensate for the ring.

"I don't expect anything, Sakura." he voiced out. "I just really want to give it to you."

"Kakashi - "

He sighed. Sakura may be older, but she is still the same hard-headed girl he knew as a genin. "Okay, how about this. I will never really going to stop pursuing you, no matter what you say." he look at her, gauging her reaction but her face remained carefully blank. "I just love you too much to just give you up. You keep the ring. Don't wear it until you accept me back." he propositioned. "I will wait for that day, Sakura. Even in my deathbed."

Sakura stared at the ring in her hand, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. The ring was a beautiful piece of jewelry, but it carried so much history and significance between her and Kakashi. His words touched her deeply, and she realized that he was not going to give up on her or their relationship.

She looked into Kakashi's lone visible eye, and it held a sincerity that she couldn't ignore. Despite their complicated past, she could see the genuine love and determination in his gaze.

"Kakashi," Sakura began, her voice soft, "I don't know what the future holds for us, but I can't deny that you're still a part of my life and Hana's life. I'll keep the ring, and I'll think about your proposal."

Kakashi's eye crinkled in a small smile, and he nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Sakura. I know it's a lot to ask, and I'm willing to be patient."

They stood in silence for a moment, both lost in their thoughts and emotions. Sakura slipped the ring into her pocket, and as they turned to walk away, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future, even if it was uncertain.

As they walked back to their respective duties and responsibilities, Sakura and Kakashi knew that their journey was far from over. But they were willing to take it one step at a time, for the sake of their daughter and the possibility of mending their relationship.