Chapter 19: Subtle Teases and Playful Flirts*
*Kakashi's POV*
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Tazuna's modest home. Kakashi stirred awake, feeling the soft rays of sunlight on his face. The events of the past few days had left him drained, both physically and mentally, but today he felt a bit lighter, the weight of their recent battles momentarily set aside.
After all, they had survived—no, thrived—under conditions that would have broken most genin teams. But for now, the mission had entered a brief lull. Zabuza had been dealt with, for now, and his team was resting and recovering. It was the perfect opportunity for a bit of relaxation, something Kakashi knew his team sorely needed.
As he moved through the house, he noticed the quiet. Sakura and Sasuke were still resting, while Naruto—unsurprisingly—was already outside, likely burning off his endless supply of energy. Kakashi couldn't help but smile at the thought. That kid was truly something else.
The smell of breakfast wafted through the air, drawing Kakashi to the kitchen. There, he found Tsunami busily preparing food, her movements quick and practiced. She hadn't noticed his presence yet, her back turned as she focused on her work.
"Good morning," Kakashi said, his voice smooth and pleasant as he leaned casually against the doorframe.
Tsunami jumped slightly, turning around to find him standing there, his one visible eye curved in an easy smile. "Oh, Kakashi-san! You startled me," she said, placing a hand over her chest as she caught her breath. "Good morning."
"My apologies," Kakashi replied, his tone light, though his eye crinkled in amusement. "I didn't mean to sneak up on you."
She waved off his apology with a small smile, turning back to her cooking. "It's alright. You're very quiet, like a shadow."
Kakashi chuckled softly. "It's part of the job, I suppose."
Tsunami nodded, her movements graceful as she continued to prepare breakfast. Kakashi watched her for a moment, appreciating the calmness of the morning, the normalcy of it all. It was a stark contrast to the chaos they had faced just a day ago.
As he watched her work, Kakashi decided to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes—lighthearted teasing. There was something about the domesticity of the moment, the simple act of watching someone cook, that made him feel like playing the flirt.
"You know," Kakashi began, his tone casual, "it's rare to find someone who can make even a simple breakfast look so elegant."
Tsunami glanced over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow at his comment. "Are you flirting with me, Kakashi-san?"
Kakashi shrugged, his smile never fading. "Just making an observation."
She turned back to her cooking, but Kakashi didn't miss the slight blush that colored her cheeks. It was subtle, but it was there, and it made him smile a bit wider. Tsunami was composed, that much was clear, but she wasn't entirely immune to his charm.
"I'm sure you've made that observation many times before," Tsunami said, her tone light as she focused on her work.
"Perhaps," Kakashi admitted, stepping closer so that he was standing beside her. "But that doesn't make it any less true."
Tsunami glanced at him again, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"
Kakashi shrugged again, his eye crinkling with amusement. "I've been told that once or twice."
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "I bet you have."
Kakashi leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial tone. "But between you and me, I only use my charm on those who deserve it."
Tsunami's blush deepened, and she busied herself with the food in front of her, though Kakashi could tell she was smiling. "Well, aren't I lucky."
"Very," Kakashi replied smoothly, enjoying the easy banter. It was rare that he allowed himself to relax like this, to engage in such lighthearted conversation. But it felt good, especially after the intensity of the last few days.
They fell into a comfortable silence after that, with Kakashi occasionally making a small comment or observation that earned him a smile or a laugh from Tsunami. He wasn't trying to be serious—this was just a bit of fun, a way to lighten the mood. And if he could bring a little joy to Tsunami's day, then that was an added bonus.
As they finished preparing breakfast, Kakashi took a moment to appreciate the peacefulness of the morning. It was a rare thing in their line of work, these quiet moments where they could forget, even if just for a little while, about the dangers that constantly lurked around the corner.
But, of course, the peace couldn't last forever.
Just as they were setting the food on the table, Naruto burst through the door, his usual exuberance on full display. "Kakashi-sensei! I've been training! You've gotta come see!"
Kakashi chuckled, shaking his head. "Naruto, we haven't even had breakfast yet."
Naruto pouted, but the smell of food quickly distracted him. "Oh, right! Breakfast first, then training!"
Tsunami laughed, watching Naruto with a fond expression. "He's got a lot of energy, doesn't he?"
Kakashi nodded, his smile softening. "That he does. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with him."
As they all sat down to eat, Kakashi allowed himself to relax a little more. He wasn't one to let his guard down completely, not even in peaceful moments like this, but he let himself enjoy the warmth of the moment, the sense of camaraderie that filled the room.
Naruto, as expected, was full of energy and chatter, regaling them with tales of his early-morning training. Sasuke and Sakura joined them not long after, both of them looking more rested but still a bit reserved. Kakashi watched them interact, noting the subtle shifts in their behavior, the way they were slowly but surely becoming more comfortable with each other.
As breakfast came to an end, Kakashi couldn't help but tease them a little. "So, Naruto, what exactly were you training this morning? Trying to impress someone?"
Naruto blinked, looking confused for a moment before his face lit up in realization. "Oh, you mean Sasuke! Yeah, I'm totally gonna outdo him!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smirk on his lips. "You wish, dobe."
Sakura sighed, but there was a small smile on her face as she watched the two boys bicker. "You two are hopeless."
Kakashi chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Ah, youth. Such a wonderful thing."
Naruto puffed out his chest, clearly not catching on to Kakashi's teasing tone. "You got that right! I'm gonna be the best ninja ever!"
"And you're well on your way," Kakashi said, his tone a mix of genuine praise and playful teasing. "Just make sure you don't forget to eat your vegetables along the way."
Naruto made a face, but he obediently took a bite of the vegetables on his plate, much to everyone's amusement.
As the morning continued, Kakashi allowed himself to enjoy the moment. There was something satisfying about these small, seemingly insignificant interactions. They were all part of what made a team a team—these little moments of connection, of laughter, of shared experiences.
And for Kakashi, they were a reminder that even in a world filled with danger and uncertainty, there were still things worth protecting. His team, these precious moments of peace—they were worth every bit of effort, every sacrifice.
As they cleaned up after breakfast, Kakashi caught Tsunami's eye, giving her a small, playful wink. "Thanks for the help in the kitchen. I'll have to return the favor sometime."
Tsunami smiled, her earlier blush returning. "I'll hold you to that, Kakashi-san."
"Looking forward to it," Kakashi replied smoothly before turning to his team. "Alright, everyone. We've had our rest. Time to get back to work."
Naruto groaned, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes. Sasuke nodded silently, his usual serious expression in place, while Sakura straightened up, ready to follow Kakashi's lead.
As they headed out into the day, Kakashi felt a sense of contentment settle over him. His team was growing, both individually and as a unit. They still had a long way to go, but they were on the right path.
And as for Kakashi himself? Well, he still had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, plenty of ways to keep things interesting. After all, what was life without a little fun along the way?
With a final glance back at Tsunami, who was watching them leave with a soft smile, Kakashi led his team out into the world once more, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead—one playful flirt and teasing remark at a time.
