Kakashi wandered past the Yamanaka Flower shop with his head buried in the familiar pages of Icha Icha. This was the third time this morning he had looped around the village on this particular route. Yamanaka Flowers marked the intersection where the Yamanaka district joined the main street. From his peripheral he could see Aimi slide over to walk behind him. Good. He needed to talk to her, but didn't want to purposely seek her out. Aimi would take too much pleasure in knowing he came to her for help.
Unfortunately he had limited options. This matter required a woman's opinion. He couldn't ask Kotori as it concerned her. Kurenai, Yugao and Ayumu had been considered, but ruled out in favour of Aimi. After all, she knew Kotori the best.
The things he was willing to do for his girlfriend.
Aimi peered over his shoulder. "His throbbing member penetrated her cervix. Well that sounds painful."
He ignored her, turning the page. Icha Icha's sex scenes had greatly improved from the first book to the many sequels. However the first was fun to read for nostalgia and if he didn't think too hard about the practicalities of it.
"No foreplay either. I really hope you don't use it as a guide."
He and Aimi purposely antagonized each other when Kotori wasn't around. Kakashi could never tell where he stood with her so in turn kept her on unequal footing. He couldn't help but feel uncomfortable around Aimi. Her questions could probe a little too deep and she seemed to find information even with his non-answers. He feared one day she would uncover that he was not worthy of her friend's love. Or perhaps she already knew and was waiting for him to slip up.
"Did you say something?"
"You know I did. So, what's the plan for next Thursday?" Aimi brightly asked as she fell in step beside him.
He could not help himself. "What's next Thursday?"
Aimi looked scandalized. He smiled beneath the mask. Of course he knew what day was next Thursday.
"You have access to Kotori-chan's file right?"
"Mhmm." He went back to reading his book to annoy her.
"Have you ever checked the first page? Right under date of birth?"
"Mhmm." He flipped another page.
Aimi seemed to relax, content that he was aware it was Kotori's birthday next week and that he was just messing with her. Kakashi had meticulously planned the day and had several contingency plans. He had manipulated both of their mission cycles so they'd been off the week and unlikely to be called away for a mission. There was one tiny flaw in his plan. He had no idea what to get her for her birthday.
"What did you get her?" Aimi pestered. There was a knowing glint in her eye. "Kotori-chan is insanely difficult to shop for. I've known her since we were like five."
"Ah, well, nothing yet," he sheepishly admitted. He scratched the back of his head as Aimi raised her eyebrows. "I've seem to run into that problem."
He had tried snooping through her apartment for ideas. However while Kotori's apartment managed to feel warmer and cozier than his, she was just as minimalist. She had few worldly possessions beyond the basics.
He had attempted to take her shopping under the pretence of needing to replace some of his ninja tools. He watched her the entire time to see what drew her eye. No luck there. Kotori had cheerfully picked out a gift for Ensui and Kosuke's newborn daughter and replaced her shuriken and ninja wire.
So now here he was looking to her best friend for help.
Aimi dramatically sighed as she linked her arm through his. "The things I do for my bestie. Hmm well, I always get her plants, but that's kind of our thing. Sensei gets her practical gifts. Weapons, books, medical supplies - "
Kakashi perked up. That he could do. He could find a nicely crafted set of kunai. She had mentioned after her last mission needing to replace hers.
Almost as if she were reading his mind, Aimi said, "Oh no you don't. Boyfriends don't gift weapons. She's a kunoichi, she has enough of those. You want to get her something fun or romantic! Something she wouldn't buy for herself."
Kotori wouldn't buy nice kunai for herself, he thought to himself, she would stick with the practical and economic ones everyone bought. However Kakashi had come to Aimi for advice and he would listen. No weapons. He was back where he started.
Fortunately, Aimi seemed to have ideas in mind as she dragged him from shop to shop. Perhaps it was because they had a common goal, but he found Aimi to be helpful for once. She had over a decade's worth of observations on Kotori's preferences. Eventually he came to a decision that was enthusiastically backed by Aimi. The pair of them waited as the shopkeeper disappeared in the back to wrap the gift.
"You don't have to pretend to be an asshole around me," Aimi quietly said as they waited.
He employed her own tactics against her. She crossed her arms and awkwardly shifted, being uncharacteristically quiet. It didn't take long for her to break it. Aimi had always seemed loud and impulsive to him. Now her words were subdued and carefully chosen.
"I was the dead weight on my team and I knew it. They always had to cover for me. Sayuri-chan's d - " she stopped herself, still unable to say the word, "gone and I have no idea what kind of missions Kotori-chan does, but I know they're dangerous and I can't do anything. I just have to sit home and wait every time she's gone."
Her voice was bitter. Most of the shinobi in Intelligence rarely took missions outside the village. Their work was essential to the village, however most of it could be done in Hokage Tower. Some of the regular forces made fun of it as being a 'soft' option for those who couldn't fight.
"I'm good at reading people though. So I watch her back in the village. Make sure some asshole isn't taking advantage of her. It's just how our friendship goes, we guard each other's weak spots."
Her lips quirked in a humourless smile as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He nodded, accepting the offer and returning one of his own.
"You don't have to worry about having her back on missions," Kakashi quietly said. "I have it."
"I know."
The shopkeeper reappeared, breaking the sober atmosphere. Kakashi slipped the gift into one of the internal pockets inside the standard flak jacket. With the gift decided and plans tentatively set for the day, he was feeling optimistic. He ran through the rest of his plans with Aimi to be met with approval.
"We always went to Yakiniku Q on her birthday," Aimi delicately said once they were outside. "S- Sayuri-chan and I would take her when she was in the village or whenever she got back. I don't know how you want to handle that."
Kakashi had no idea if they should stick with established tradition or if that would upset Kotori. She kept her grief private. There was a silent understanding between them that she didn't like talking about her clan or Sayuri and he didn't like talking about his father or genin team.
"Well, we could do a dinner with a few friends," Kakashi slowly agreed. That part of the tradition would surely be important to her. "Maybe let her decide where to go."
Aimi perked up. "Ooh, isn't your entire team off this week? I'm sure Yugao and Genma will come out. Who else is there?"
Kakashi internally groaned. Aimi wasn't supposed to be so involved with their team. She wasn't even supposed to know there was a team to begin with. "I can't tell you any of that."
"Yeah, yeah. Genma already told me he's off next week. So is Kotori-chan. So are you. I can connect the dots."
Now this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "And why are you so familiar with his schedule?"
"We're just friends," Aimi coyly replied before she shifted the conversation back on topic. "So here's what we're going to do! You focus on spoiling your girlfriend all day and I'll take care of the evening festivities!"
The sparkle in Aimi's eye had him hesitating to agree to this revised plan.
"Don't do anything too crazy," he warned her. "Dinner and drinks with a few friends. I trust you know who she's close with."
"Nothing too crazy," she promised, "I'm thinking only half-crazy."
Kakashi was left standing in the middle of the street wondering what exactly he had gotten himself into.
xXx
Kotori woke up one morning to the soft touch of kisses being trailed down her body. She sighed in contentment as Kakashi dragged her panties down with his teeth. Morning sex was one of the nicest ways to be woken. She basked in the happy afterglow as he kissed her temple and wished her a good morning. She dozed a little, only to be woken by the smell of someone cooking breakfast and an empty bed.
Kotori yawned a little as Kakashi pushed a cup of green tea in her hand before handing her a plate with an omelette. It was their day off and she had expected a lazy start to the day. Not that she was complaining. It seemed that luck had won out and neither of them were off on a mission on her birthday this year. Her last one had been spent trekking through the Land of Rivers during their rainy season. She hasn't even known the date, only realizing it had passed when she returned to Konoha and Aimi and Sayuri wanted to celebrate.
She was now twenty years old. So much had changed from last year to now, she reflected. The year had brought her some of the worst lows and best highs.
"Anything special you want to do today?"
Kotori tilted her head, carefully considering his words. His tone was inconspicuous enough. The same thing he asked whenever the two of them had a day off. She wasn't entirely sure if Kakashi even knew the occasion. He had never asked and she had never informed him. She knew he didn't like making a big deal of his own. A small part of her hoped that he was asking because he already knew. Kotori didn't like to make a big deal out of her birthday, but still wanted the day to be acknowledged by those closest to her.
"Not really," she admitted. "Did you have something in mind?"
His eyes closed into a happy arch that matched the smile on his face. She loved seeing him smile.
"I was thinking we could take a little hike," he said. He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "The cherry blossoms are finally in bloom."
So it was decided that they would hike back to the place where they had their first date. For once, Kakashi didn't summon his hounds. It was just the two of them as they walked at a leisurely pace. The field was breathtakingly gorgeous now that it was all in bloom. The curtains of pink cherry blossoms hide them away from the world, transporting them into their own magical place.
Kakashi was awkwardly shifting, he reached out and took her hands in his, holding them in a firm grip as he looked her in the eye. Kotori felt oddly bashful in that moment.
"Three years ago, Lord Third pulled me into his office and told me I was promoted and would be given my own team. I didn't want the responsibility. I didn't want to lead a team of people who I knew I would like. And I definitely didn't want the little genin I had pulled out of the wreckage years ago."
"Chunin," she corrected with a cheeky grin. "I was promoted a few months before."
Kakashi gave her a mock glare. "The little chunin who I had pulled out of the wreckage then. That team was one of the best things that's ever happened to me. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I, ah, I love you Kotori."
Kakashi was a man of actions rather than words. Kotori could usually interpret his actions, especially when it was regarding her. She had always known on some level that he loved her. That there was nothing in the world he would not do for her. Perhaps they had only been together for eight short months, but she had always felt the depth of his feelings since the beginning. Every action, every touch, every look. She returned it just as passionately, hoping he felt it too.
"I feel the same," she whispered. "I mean, I love you too."
There was a blush over the tops of his cheeks and he adverted his eyes. He pulled out a thin, rectangular box from one of his pockets and handed it to her.
"So did you get everyone on the team an anniversary present?" She teased, trying to lighten the intensity of the moment.
"No, I just got you one," Kakashi said. "I'd be a poor excuse for a shinobi if I couldn't figure out it was also my girlfriend's birthday."
She laughed as he kissed her forehead through the mask. So he did know. She gently unravelled the bow and sliced through the wrapping paper along the side. The box inside contained a beautiful necklace. Her fingers touched the pendant. It was a white flower with a pearl in the middle. It was pretty and dainty and not something she would feel comfortable wearing during training or missions. It was something she could wear in the village on dates or special occasions.
"Gardenias again?" Kotori asked. "You're not going to run away on me?"
"Never," he promised. "Let me put it on you."
Kotori lifted her hair out of the way while Kakashi fumbled with the clasp. The necklace sat along her collarbone. He kissed the base of her neck before spinning her around to face him. He cupped her cheeks as he kissed her. Gently, at first. And then passionately as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangled in his hair. She jumped up and he caught her legs, holding them in place as she wrapped them securely around his waist.
Hours later the two of them were still laying underneath the branches of the tree. Kotori had stolen Kakashi's jonin shirt and rested her head on his bare chest, content to listen to the steady beat of his heart. Despite being outside the walls of the village, she felt peaceful and safe here. Like the two of them were lost in their own little world.
"We should just stay here tonight," she whispered to him. As far as May went, it was a warm evening. They could sleep under the stars. Kakashi probably had enough supplies on him to set up camp for the night. No shinobi left home without the basics.
"And be late to your own birthday dinner?" Kakashi teased. "Aimi's going to think I ruined you. We're suppose to meet her for seven."
It was almost six o'clock. They had at least a two hour hike back to the village if they went at a normal pace. They were going to have to run at shinobi speeds to make it back, especially since she would want to shower and get ready. Kotori poked him in the side, trying to tickle him to vent her annoyance. Kakashi caught her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
They were only twenty minutes late. It would have been ten if Kakashi hadn't distracted her.
Aimi had managed to contain herself with the dinner invites. Genma, Yugao and Hayate had all been invited. Kotori appreciated that it had been kept small to just her closest friends and their significant others. Although Aimi had not been able to contain herself with inviting any and everyone out to the bar later that night. The place was packed. Kurenai and Asuma had saved them a booth and they gratefully slid into it.
People Kotori had not seen since she graduated from the academy were there. Someone - possibly Kakashi - had managed to tip off Tenzo. He had quietly joined their table as if he had been there all along. Izumo and Kotetsu were sitting with Anko and a large group of chunin from their year.
"Aimi - !" Kotori hissed at her friend. "What did you do?"
"I told everyone this place was going to be on fire tonight! What a good turn out!"
Kotori sincerely hoped Aimi hadn't told them all it was her birthday. Within five minutes it didn't matter what Aimi did or did not tell people.
"The eternal love of my eternal rival, the beautiful little bird of Konoha!" Gai brightly greeted her. His booming voice easily cut across the music and chatter. Kotori could feel her cheeks burn at suddenly being the centre of attention. "I'm honoured to celebrate the springhood of your youth and wish you many more happy years!"
"Um, thank you." Kotori still had no idea how to react to Gai. He was not what she would expect out of Kakashi's closest or oldest friend. He cheerfully gave her a thumps up with a large smile in response.
"Sensei sends his regards," Aimi told her. "He says he'll have us over for dinner one night next week and that he's 'too old to be closing down bars with twenty year olds.'"
Kotori and Aimi shared an amused grin. She happened to have it on good authority that between his newborn and energetic toddler, Ensui didn't sleep much these days. She had asked if he banked enough nap time during their genin training to make up for it. Ensui had irritably told her to fuck off.
Yugao returned to their table with a round of shots, sliding in next to Hayate, across from Kotori and Aimi. Between the music, the company and the booze, Kotori felt warm and fuzzy inside. It was quite possibly one of the best nights out she had ever had.
By the end of the night, Yugao and Kotori had somehow managed to convince Tenzo to try karaoke. The two girls taught him classic songs and the three of them drunkenly stumbled over the words together. Kakashi and Gai had spent the entire evening engaged in a rather intense drinking competition. Anko's table was particularly loud and boisterous as they egged on their competition. She noticed Genma and Aimi had disappeared together while Kurenai and Asuma had cozied up in a booth.
"Hayate, moon of my life!" Yugao dramatically greeted her boyfriend. She then broke into a set of giggles as she collapsed into Kotori's side. Kotori passed her the glass of water that Kakashi kept bringing her and insisting she drink. She didn't understand why. Kotori could still walk in a straight line and touch her nose. Yugao seemed to need it more than she did.
Hayate patiently smiled as he hoisted Yugao over his shoulder to take her home.
"Come along you," Kakashi said as he helped her stand up. Kotori felt a rush go to her head and swayed a little on the spot.
"I can walk," she stubbornly insisted as he wrapped an arm around her and guided her out the bar. All around she could see groups dispersing into the night. She cheerfully waved at Izumo and Kotetsu as they left the bar together.
"I'm sure you can." She could feel more than hear the rumble of Kakashi's laugh. "But I might need help."
That seemed reasonable. Kakashi's usually pale skin looked flushed over the top of his mask. His pride meant that he had accepted Gai's challenge and matched him drink for drink. It didn't help that Yugao and Genma took full advantage of the rare opportunity to see their team captain smashed and kept ordering rounds of shots for their table. Letting him guide her home was doing him a huge favour. It had nothing to do with the fact that she kept veering off to the left.
"Kakashi?" She wrapped her arms around his middle. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too."