Chapter Two: The Southern Migration

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The music was too loud for conversation, and even if it wasn't, Sakura's table-mates were only talking about the wedding that would take place in five months. Sakura didn't come out with her friends to hear about how they were growing up and doing adult things while she'd been stuck in a rut. All the while, during the twenty minutes since they had returned to the table, Sukea sat with his chair next to hers, leaning forward to hear the conversation better with his muscular forearms braced against the table and his broad shoulder faintly brushing against hers the whole time.

Did he know they were connected? Sakura felt a zing of electricity from his proximity. His skin was warm under his long-sleeve shirt. She wondered if he had tattoos. He seemed the type that might. He had that artistic edge to him.

Maybe she was a little too obvious in her interest in the older man. He ducked his head close to her ear. "Would you like to go back to the dance floor? Your friends seem nice and all, but I'm getting bored."

"Yes, please," Sakura agreed. Her heart clenched when Sukea smiled down at her, slipped off the chair and took her hand to lead her back to the dance floor again.

Seven songs. They'd danced seven songs together. For thirty minutes, Sakura found herself in Sukea's embrace, his hands' position ranging from her hips, up her back, and even down her arms to her hands, depending on the beat of the music. And not once did their flow feel awkward and her toes were still in pristine condition — not a single stomp on her foot.

"I'm feeling a little dizzy," Sakura admitted as the seventh song bled into the eighth song.

"Let's take a break and hydrate," Sukea suggested. He kept hold of one of her hands, his palms were still dry even after all that physical exertion. What kind of stamina did this man have? She knew he was at least a little tired, there was one bead of sweat that trickled down the left side of his face.

As they approached the table again, four sets of curious eyes scrutinized them. Without a word, Naruto shoved a couple of glasses of water at the two. "I've never seen you on the dance floor for so long, Sakura-chan," Naruto murmured. He shook his head and a familiar smile spread across his lips. "How come when Lee or I ask you to dance, it's only to one song? Sukea got seven!"

"You were counting?" Sukea asked, his tone a mixture of incredulous and amused. He set his empty water glass on the table and then turned back to Sakura. "Feeling better?"

She nodded and offered a shy smile. "Thanks, Sukea. I had a lot of fun."

Sukea smirked at her, raising one of his light brown eyebrows. "I could tell. But, then, I had a lot of fun too."

"It's probably because you have no dancing talent," Sai explained, turning towards Naruto, answering the earlier question. "Clearly Sukea has skills. You tend to step on Sakura's feet and since Lee is overly exuberant at the best of times, he tends to jerk his dancing partners around and lacks finesse." He settled his arm over Ino's shoulders and pulled her towards him. "Wouldn't you agree, Beautiful?"

Ino's gaze was pulled away from Sakura and Sukea and she snuggled against her boyfriend. "As always, your observation skills are spot on, Sai." Ino picked up her cup of sake and tapped it against Sai's and they drank in unison, their cheeks were both glowing red under the influence.

"I don't stomp on Sakura-chan's toes." Naruto crossed his arms over his chest petulantly. He turned towards Hinata with his eyes wide. "Hinata, do I step on your toes?"

Hinata flushed and her eyes widened. "Um—well—you see." Her hands twisted nervously in her lap.

"I can teach you," Sukea offered. "If you're getting married, you'll want to do a dance. You're the hero of Konoha. It won't take much for you to turn the skills that help you on the battlefield into skills on the dance floor."

"You'd do that?" Naruto asked, staring back at Sukea.

Sukea shrugged. "It's not a big deal." He turned back to Sakura. "Do you want to return to the dance floor or should we show them here?"

"Show them?" Sakura blinked in confusion. She thought her dance partner was ditching her for Naruto. She was trying not to be a jealous, little girl about it.

"Yes. Hinata needs to learn as well. Otherwise, she will faint as soon as Naruto puts his hands on her," Sukea explained. "The crowd is thinning out, so there is plenty of room on the dance floor now." He gestured towards Ino and Sai. "What about you two? Do you have any skills you can teach them?"

Ino flipped her golden hair arrogantly over her shoulder. "Of course! Who do you think taught Sakura to dance?"

The three couples spent another two hours at the bar/club. And by the end of it, Naruto was actually quite a bit improved. When Sakura had danced with him while Sukea worked with Hinata after the first hour and a half, her blond teammate managed to not step on her toes once!

Sakura had been only a little disappointed when Sukea didn't walk her home. Not that she asked! But he didn't ask either. When she left with Ino and Sai, Sukea had hugged her goodbye and they made plans to meet at Tami's cafe early the next morning.

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OoO

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It was the first day of October, the autumn leaves had transformed the green forests into a red, orange, and yellow explosion of color. It also brought about the annual migration of the butterflies as they traveled south for warmer climates. It was the perfect setting for a photographer.

It was also the perfect setting for an unofficial date.

Kakashi was almost giddy when he left his shadow clone to man the Hokage desk that morning. He wondered how long it would taken Genma to figure it out. There were no days off when you were the Hokage, but you did get to sleep in late on Sundays. Unfortunately, today was a Saturday. Which happened to coincide with Sakura's Saturday half-day schedule where her shift didn't start until one in the afternoon.

He might have memorized her schedule, but usually it was so he could arrange to avoid her outside of the office. He didn't want her to catch him staring. He really couldn't help it. His attraction to her had been a gradual change over the past year.

One day, she was his slightly less annoying teammate. She'd always been his favorite, mostly because he didn't have to worry about her killing her other teammates. Though, to be fair, she was a bit harsh to Naruto. Though, it had been at least two years since she'd last punched the number one unpredictable ninja — right around the time he started dating Hinata.

Then about six months ago, he realized he saw her as more than a friend. He'd stand in front of Obito's name on the Memorial and have an imaginary conversation about the rosette woman to his former teammate. The Obito in his head had a lot to say, considering they fought alongside each other in the battle to save the world. Imaginary Obito was very Pro-Sakura. When Kakashi wandered a little farther into the memorial area, Rin was quietly supportive in his mind. She just wanted him to open up enough to let someone else in. Master Minato and Kushina wanted him to at least try and see if something was there. Then he'd finish up with a talk with Asuma.

Asuma was less supportive of the idea.

Kakashi flipped off Asuma's imaginary spirit and reminded him that he'd left behind a pregnant girlfriend, so he wouldn't be taking his advice.

"Seriously?" Genma asked. "You really thought I'd fall for your clone?" He stood in the doorway of the bathroom as Kakashi finished styling his wig. He'd already applied the purple face adhesions and the light brown color over his silvery eyebrows.

"As long as you don't let anyone else know," Kakashi reasoned. He scanned his image in the mirror. The dark green long-sleeve shirt paired with the dove grey slacks and vest made a good combination with his brown wig. He'd have been washed out wearing so much grey with his naturally silver hair. "I won't be going far. Just the edge of the forest near the butterfly sanctuary."

"Ah. That is a good spot," Genma said, nodding approvingly. "I take it last night went well?"

"Aside from somehow getting hired to be the photographer for Naruto's wedding and giving an impromptu dance session— yeah," Kakashi mused. He looked at himself once more in the mirror and ran his fingers along his jaw to make sure he hadn't missed any spot when he shaved. A silver beard would ruin his game prematurely.

Genma hit his own chest to keep from choking on his laughter. "Wow. How do you plan to pull that off? Can you even take pictures?"

"I'm actually a very good photographer. But, don't worry, I'll find a suitable substitute closer to time. It's months away," Kakashi reasoned. "In the mean time, it will give Sukea a good reason to visit the village from time to time." He grinned at Genma. "And visit with my cousin, Genma Shiranui."

"Now, you're dragging me into this," Genma sighed. "Kakashi, this is going to blow up in your face." He massaged his fingers over his forehead. "Remember the time I pretended to be my own cousin so that I could date those twins a few years back?"

Kakashi grimaced. "Yeah, Shizune really wanted to leave you with that scar as a reminder."

"Exactly!" Genma threw his hands into the air in exacerbation. "And Sakura is much scarier than Shizune."

"It will be fine. I'll be back after lunch." Kakashi slung his camera bag over his shoulders and then saluted his friend before vanishing in a swirl of leaves. He and Sakura had agreed to meet at her favorite cafe— a sweet shop ran by her friend Tami. He'd wisely secured the date while they were at the bar. He'd wanted to offer to walk Sakura home, but apparently Sai and Ino didn't trust Sukea. Those two had insisted on walking Sakura home themselves. When he'd started to ask, Sai's warning glare had changed his mind. He didn't want to be too pushy. There was no hurry.

Maybe Ino and Sai didn't trust Sakura with him? After the way her body practically melted into his while they danced, he didn't think Sakura was nearly as patient as him.

He smiled faintly at the idea.

Sakura was already waiting inside the cafe. Kakashi resisted the urge to check the time, he knew he was early. Was she even more early because she was eager to see him again? He hoped so. But, part of him was disappointed that she'd been so quick to fall for the charms of his alter ego. The larger part of him wanted her to be angst-ing over his indifferent behavior as himself.

Kakashi pushed open the door to the bakery and a tiny bell chimed upon his entrance. "Good morning, Sakura. I'm not late, am I?"

"Sukea," Sakura sighed in relief. "No, not at all. I was just worried I'd be late, so decided I'd rather be early." She smiled at him nervously. "I really hate when people are late. It's one of my pet peeves. I feel it's very disrespectful to those that are supposed to meet you."

"So, dislikes — being tardy," Kakashi wheezed as he pulled out the chair across from Sakura to sit. His throat was already starting to hurt from his fake Sukea voice. He looked up at the menu posted on the wall. He would definitely be ordering some green tea with lemon to help his abused vocal cords. "Anything else I should avoid?"

Sakura pressed her index finger to her lips, her jade eyes grew distant in thought.

He pulled out his camera and snapped a candid shot of Sakura's pensive expression. Kakashi looked down at the digital image and grinned. He held it out for her to see. She looked absolutely adorable with her pretty pink hair curled loose about her shoulders and a simple pale yellow sundress. Hopefully, she wouldn't get too cold.

"I normally hate pictures of myself," Sakura admitted, smiling shyly at him. "I guess you really are a good photographer."

"I try. It helps when I like the material," Kakashi admitted. Tami, the owner of the cafe, came over and took their orders. Kakashi drummed his fingers over the tabletop. "So, I guess we should dive right into the typical first date banter. I suppose the typical question of hometown would be the same — Konoha. Tell me about your parents."

Sakura leaned back and crossed her legs at the knee, showing very toned legs that Kakashi appreciated very much. "Well, my parents are civilians. My dad was a genin during the third war and met my mother. She's a great cook and a bit of a neat freak. Sometimes, she helps at the Ino's family's flower shop. Dad is an engineer— really loves math." She twirled a strand of pastel hair around her finger. "I got my hair from Dad." She grinned. "How about you?"

"My parents passed when I was young," Kakashi started, deciding that as Sukea he'd focus on his relationship with Master Minato and Kushina as parental figures. "So I was mostly raised by my uncle and aunt. Which, unfortunately, they passed during the Nine-tails attack. He was good at everything and also extremely kind. She was very opinionated and very caring."

Sakura didn't press further. "Pets? Dogs or cats?"

"I have a couple of dogs," Kakashi answered. His ninja hounds counted, right? "What about you?"

"None right now. I like dogs," Sakura assured him. "But, I think I'd do better with a cat. I'm hardly ever home and cats are better at entertaining themselves than dogs."

"Favorite color?" Kakashi asked.

"Green," Sakura answered, reaching across and fingering the sleeve of his dark green shirt.

"Really? Aren't you normally decked out in red?" Kakashi asked. "My favorite color also happens to be green."

Sakura shrugged. "I like red too. I guess since the Leaf uniform is green I wanted to pick something else. I wanted to stand out." She smiled. "I'm surprised yours is green too."

Kakashi brushed his hands over the long sleeves of his forest green shirt. "It's peaceful. I favor Earth chakra."

"Oh? Is that the chakra you're affiliated with?" Sakura asked, leaning forward eager. "Earth was the first chakra I mastered."

Kakashi held up his hand. "I know you're part of the Neo-Sannin and all, but can we not talk about shinobi things? I'd like to get to know Sakura, not famous Team Seven member."

"Um, sure. Well, this is probably the medic in me. But what's your blood type?" Sakura asked.

"O," he answered.

She nodded. "Me too. I guess if we're in a pinch, our blood is compatible."

They finished up their breakfast and tea. Kakashi paid the bill along with a generous tip. He looked over at Sakura in confusion. "What?"

She shook her head. "Nothing, sorry. Another one of my pet peeves are when people stick others with their bill. I didn't intend for you to pay for my share too."

"Sakura?"

"Yes, Sukea?"

"I invited you to join me for breakfast. This is a date, is it not?" Kakashi asked. When she nodded. "Then, please, it's my treat." Jeez, her two peeves are a couple of his most notorious habits. "Any other peeves I should avoid?"

"Think you can not read porn in public?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi covered his mouth in a cough to hide his reaction. "I, uh, think I can avoid doing that."

"Good." Sakura's gaze drifted towards the entrance. More customers were starting to crowd inside the cafe. "Now might be a good time to leave before it gets uncomfortable in here. It's a nice place when there aren't too many people, but the ventilation isn't the best when the morning crowd shows up."

"Sounds good to me." Kakashi stood and offered his hand. He waited for Sakura to take it and he threaded their fingers together and led her passed the eager patrons. "I wanted to visit the butterfly sanctuary with you. The fall foliage and the southern migration of the different species of butterflies are one of the reasons I came to Konoha." He smiled over at her. "I assume you like butterflies?"

Sakura nodded. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a woman that doesn't like butterflies."

"Speaking of hard pressed," Kakashi said. "I really enjoyed our dance last night."

Her cheeks grew warm with the reminder. "Me too."

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OoO

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For Twenty-one years Sakura lived in Konoha and not once had she observed the butterfly migration. She remembered once as a teen Choji talking about it. She also remembered Shino mentioning it before, but she'd always been too busy to venture out to the outskirts of the village and watch.

There were at least four different species of butterflies fluttering about them. They landed on the tall flowers and fueled up before the next leg of their migration south. "Do they come back this way when they head north too? In the Spring?" Sakura asked.

Sukea snapped a photo of her. She was looking towards him with a bright blue butterfly resting on her index finger, the wind blowing her hair gently. "No. They have a different path for that," Sukea explained. "I'm not sure where exactly, but not here."

"Where are you staying at, Sukea?" Sakura asked. "And how long will you be here for?"

"My cousin Genma is letting me crash with him," Sukea explained. "And unfortunately, I head out today. But I'll be back next weekend. Would you be okay with seeing me again then?"

Sakura nodded and watched as the butterfly fluttered away. Another pair of yellow and orange butterflies chased each other in front of her nose. "I'd like that — yes."

Sukea snapped another photo of her.

"You know, it would be better if we could have a photo of the two of us," Sakura complained.

"Hold that thought." Sukea unzipped his camera bag and pulled out an extendable tripod. He positioned it a few feet away and focused the camera on Sakura. Then set a timer and hurried to her side. "Smiles," he murmured.

The camera flashed.

Sukea rushed back and looked at the image. "Okay, let's do another one. Let's do something silly."

He set the timer again and hurried back to her side and they did the victory sign and made silly faces.

"I want something cute this time," Sakura suggested.

"Alright." Sukea set the timer again and this time stood behind Sakura, his arms around her waist and his chin tucked over her shoulder, their faces touching cheek to cheek. The camera flashed again. He walked back to the camera to inspect and smiled. "Yeah, these are pretty good. I'll get them developed and bring you a copy next weekend."

"Can I see?" Sakura asked. She still felt chills from being bereft of his arms around her. The scent of his aftershave was enticing.

Sukea shook his head and grinned at her. "No, ma'am. I want you to be surprised."

Sakura pouted and turned her back on him to look over the dozens of nearby butterflies. It really was beautiful. "Have you seen this often? The butterfly migration?"

"I haven't seen the butterflies in many years, but I thought now, so many years after the war, with things settled and at peace, it would be a good time to revisit the memory." Sukea had placed his camera back inside his bag and moved to her side, his arm casually draped over her shoulders and hugging her to his side. "I used to come with that uncle and aunt of mine. She absolutely loved this time of year."

"I wish we could stay here all day, but I have to work this afternoon," Sakura said, leaning her head against Sukea's chest.

"You want to grab lunch together beforehand?"

She sighed wistfully. "I'll have to take a raincheck. I won't have time. I need to go home and get ready for work." She angled her head up to look into his eyes. "Remember that wayward teammate of mine? He'll have been stuck in his office all day. He works too hard. I wanted to pick him up some lunch and maybe eat with him. Otherwise, I'm afraid he might not eat at all."

"It sounds like he works pretty hard," Sukea mused, his tone neutral. "It's probably for the best. You are very kind, Sakura. It's one of the many things I like about you. I should wrap up the actual business that brought me into Konoha." He squeezed her against him once more and then released her from the hug. " I'll return next weekend if you're okay with seeing me again?"

"Most definitely," Sakura said, nodding. "Thanks for this." She gestured towards the tall sunflowers in the field around them with the numerous butterflies fluttering about. "I'll never forget it."

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OoO

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After walking Sakura home, Kakashi booked it back to his penthouse. He'd struggled to remove the wig, contacts, and facial decals. He showered quickly and knowing that he smelled like fresh forest rather than ocean spray, and ran down the stairs back to his office, dismissing his shadow clone.

Genma started laughing. "Your hair is still wet, you know?"

"It's fine," Kakashi muttered, reaching up and making sure his mask was properly secured. He'd barely settled into his chair when there was a loud knock at the door.

Izumo, one of the Hokage retainers, pushed open the door and ducked his head inside. "Lord Hatake, you have a guest. Sakura Haruno."

"Let her in," Kakashi said, leaning back in his chair and watching the door as Sakura walked inside, no longer wearing the pretty yellow sundress from earlier, but her normal red top and black pants.

"Good afternoon, Kashi. Genma," Sakura said, carrying a trio of bento boxes. "I brought lunch. I asked Izumo to bring some tea."

Genma pushed away from the wall and eagerly approached her and took the top box. "Thanks, Sakura. You're the best!" He opened the box and smiled broadly. "My favorites," he murmured.

"You're welcome," Sakura said, flashing the bodyguard a grin. She set the other two boxes Kakashi's desk.

Kakashi had yet to say anything. He was still feeling a little breathless from his rapid transformation out of his alter ego. He was also reeling from the fact that Sakura called him Kashi. He liked it. "You didn't have to bring me lunch," he said, staring down at the tempura, rice, and steamed vegetables.

"Have you already eaten?" Sakura asked, still standing across his desk.

"No, he has not," Genma answered for him, his chopsticks digging into his meal.

"Would you like to eat with us?" Kakashi asked. Normally, when she brought him lunch — usually at least once per week the day after he skipped their team dinners — she hurried out the door. And he certainly didn't stop her. He preferred when he didn't have to wear his mask when eating. Otherwise, he ended up wolfing down his meals.

Sakura blinked at him, surprise evident in those pretty jade eyes of hers. "I appreciate the offer, but I have to get to work. I'll eat in my office."

Kakashi pointed towards her box. "Won't it be cold by then?"

"It's not that far of a walk," Sakura said, rolling her eyes. "Just be sure to eat, okay. I worry about you." She started for the door and glanced over her shoulder. "Don't forget to sign off on those documents I brought yesterday."

Kakashi stared dumb-founded as she walked confidently outside of his office.

"Okay, that was different," Genma acknowledge. "For months, the tension between the two of you was so dense I needed a sword to carve into it. But that, was a woman that didn't give flying fudge about your cold shoulder."

Kakashi pulled down his mask and started eating his lunch, his mind pondering the latest interaction between him and Sakura. Apparently, her date with Sukea put Sakura into a better mood. It put both of them into a better mood.

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OoO

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That evening, Kakashi busied himself developing the film from that morning's visit to the butterfly sanctuary. The one of him as Sukea and Sakura standing together, cheek to cheek caused him to catch his breath. It would have been better if he'd been in his normal appearance, but it was still good.

However, his favorite photo was of Sakura — the wind in her hair, a laugh on her lips, a twinkle in her eyes, and a butterfly on her finger.

He framed the two photos. The one of the two of them he put on his nightstand. The one of Sakura, he'd put on his desk — even though he'd have to hide it in the drawer.