It was two years after the war when she started to notice something different about him.

She would be running around the village, and he would be there. She would be in the market restocking her supplies and he would be there, sometimes he would offer to carry her bags and walk her home.

At first, she didn't notice it. He is a shinobi too, so it's not that strange to cross with him. But when he started to appear in the hospital for his regular bi-yearly physicals and after mission cheack-ups that she noticed the anomaly in his behavior.

"So, my favorite patient is here, huh?" Sakura commented when she saw Kakashi sitting in the patient's chair across her desk. She had gone out to do her rounds and it was a surprise when she found him sitting, reading that accursed book.

"Seems so." He answered back. "And do you call every single one of your patients your favorite?" he asked, peering above his book to look at her with his two matching grey eyes.

Sakura chuckled, shaking her head. "No, just the ones who make my job more interesting. What brings you here today, Kakashi? No major injuries, I hope?"

He closed his book, revealing the faint smile on his face. "Not this time, thankfully. Just the usual check-up after a mission. You know the routine."

Sakura nodded, moving to her desk to check his records. "Of course. Well, did you kick any bad guy's backside during your mission?"

"Confidential. You don't have the clearance." He said in a bored voice.

"Oh, come on, sensei." She huffed his previous honorific. "Can't you just give me something to make my day interesting?"

Kakashi leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement in his grey eyes. "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. You know how it is, Sakura."

She rolled her eyes. "You're such a tease, Kakashi. I swear, you get more secretive with age."

"Are you saying that I'm old?" he asked her, scandalized. "I'll let you know that I'm just 33."

"And I know that." Sakura held up his medical records. "And I'm 19, so to me you're ancient."

Kakashi feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart. "Ouch, Sakura. That hurts. I'll have you know that age is just a number, and I'm as spry as ever."

Sakura grinned, enjoying the banter. "Spry, huh? Well, you might want to consider updating your wardrobe. That jonin vest isn't doing any favors for your youthful image."

He looked down at his attire, a mock-serious expression on his face. "I'll have you know this vest is a classic. Timeless, even."

Sakura laughed, shaking her head. "Well, remember that fight with Kakuzu?" she asked, and saw him nod. "Your vest was burned and you're only clad in the navy blue long sleeves that you wear under it, you look more handsome in that get up." She commented before she stood up and placed him under a diagnostic jutsu.

Kakashi tilted his head to look at her better. "Handsome, you said."

Sakura blushed slightly, trying to maintain her professional demeanor. "I meant in a purely observational and medical sense, of course. Now, hold still. This won't take long."

Kakashi chuckled, seemingly unperturbed. "Observational and medical, huh? I'll take the compliment, even if it's just about my wardrobe."

As Sakura performed the diagnostic jutsu, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kakashi's behavior was becoming increasingly peculiar. His frequent appearances, the banter, the subtle teasing – it was all out of character for the typically aloof and mysterious shinobi.

Once the diagnostic was complete, Sakura stepped back, her expression turning more serious. "Well, everything seems to be in order. You're as healthy as ever, Kakashi."

He nodded, the faint smile returning. "Good to hear. It's hard to fight without the advantage of the Sharingan, although a vast chakra pool in return is as good as that eye."

Sakura nodded in agreement. "True, your chakra reserves have always been impressive. But now that your borrowed eye is not draining it, you have a more sizeable chakra in your disposal." She looked at the clock. "Do you still have something for me to check?"

Kakashi shook his head. "No, that's all for today. Just the routine check-up. Thanks, Sakura."

She nodded, closing his medical file. "Alright then. I also need to leave. It's getting late, I still have to meet with Ino." Then a smile graced her lips. "Well, do you know that Sai and Ino are getting married?"

Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise. "Sai and Ino? Really? Well, that's unexpected news. When did that happen?"

Sakura chuckled, enjoying Kakashi's genuine reaction. "It's been in the works for a while, and they finally decided to make it official. Ino's over the moon about it, and Sai... well, he's Sai. But they make a great couple."

Kakashi grinned. "I never saw that coming. But it's good news. Please pass along my congratulations to them when you see Ino."

"Will do. Stay safe, Kakashi."

He smiled at her, and even though she can't see it because of his mask, his eyes told her. "You too, Sakura."