Despite wanting to keep up appearances, it was difficult to so.

She hadn't ever had a relationship before so she was only guessing how a couple would interact together. The daydreams about Sasuke or anyone else, hardly counted as experience nor did some of the fiction she read when her schoolwork had been completed. Sakura felt uneasy about lying but there was no feasible way of turning back now. She just hoped the meal went by smoothly without any hiccups. It would be impossible to endure the aftermath if the woman found out they were lying just for her sake. So for now, the girl had to rely upon the person sitting beside her to help make sure they were on the right path, avoiding any holes or bumps. Letting out a laugh that was half fake, half genuine, when Kakashi mentioned how distracting she was on a mission and how Lady Tsunade would of course not take kindly to such muddled performances.

Sakura tilted her head when his next comment mentioned her parents. [color=f6989d][b]"Oh, I know they'll adore you."[/b][/color] She insisted gently. [color=f6989d][b]"Not as much as I do, of course."[/b][/color] Sakura added as she placed her hand on his arm and squeezed a little. It felt weird to her, it felt obviously forced but she knew she would need to try a little more since she was the one who didn't correct the woman. Then again, Kakashi hadn't either. They were both at fault. And of course both of them would try to get through the unusual situation together. The man openly mused about how a teacher and student falling in love would make for a good story. She considered the idea. It held some weight, it was a little unorthodox, but stranger things had certainly happened. [color=f6989d][b]"True, though we're still in the early chapters I think it has a promising ending."[/b][/color] 

Looking back to the table, she began to move over her items so that they were next to Kakashi's. She finished resetting the table and glanced to Kakashi, finding him rather quiet all of a sudden. [color=f6989d][b]"Everything alright?"[/b][/color] Sakura asked him. He was staring at her and she wished she knew what was on his mind. A small blush fell across her cheeks as she licked her lips, but yes, she actually did want to know what he was thinking. The line between them was blurring tonight and Sakura wondered if this would be her chance to get to know him as a person, rather than just a teacher. In her mind, if he was really uncomfortable with the ruse, he would have set things straight but like her, there was hesitation for some reason. It was a very odd concept to mull over but he was more than a teacher and surely had relationships in the past.

Kakashi was considerably younger than most teachers and she didn't suspect he'd have trouble finding a date if he wanted one. She still couldn't recall seeing him with anyone since Team 7 had formed and then disbanded, which was strange. He was a nice guy, pretty good looking and obviously a talented ninja. Sakura had to just assume he was too busy for anyone else, which was likely the sad truth of the path of the shinobi. If you wanted to throw yourself into your missions and training, being able to settle down and have someone to come home to, was a pretty rare privilege to behold. Sakura wondered where she would be when she was his age, would she still be a ninja or would she have thrown it away to be with someone and not feel so lonely all the time? 

Thankfully the woman reappeared and both people snapped out of their thoughts.

After setting down the drinks and plates, she fluttered away and Sakura glanced to Kakashi, just now realizing she might actually get to see what he looked like underneath the mask! Naruto, Sasuke and her had been so engrossed that they once stalked the guy and even put on some awful disguse all to see what he looked like. Of course the skilled man was evasive as ever and almost seemed to not notice but Sakura knew he wasn't as absent minded as he pretended to be. Her attention was on him, not bothering to hide her possibly rude stare, as he removed the mask and then his headband. Sakura continued to stare, not sure whether or not she was dreaming or hallucinating. That mask did no justice what so ever, his jawline was incredibly solid and he had a rather beautiful face when it was all put together, as opposed to presenting only a fourth of it to the outside world.

Her face went totally red and even without tasting the curry, she felt like she was on fire. 

Words failed her, even basic motor-skills failed her as she tried to swallow but couldn't. Sakura studied his face, having already forgotten the bragging rights this would issue her. [color=f6989d][i]'Holy crap! He's fucking gorgeous! No wonder he wears a mask, he'd be too busy getting some to even have time to go on missions, let alone teach! Kiss him right now! Don't let this opportunity go to waste!'[/i][/color] Her Inner Self swooned and fell over to fan herself with her hand. Sakura tried to collect her thoughts but even when Kakashi told her to eat up, she found herself rather distracted, to say the very least. [color=f6989d][b]"Y...mmm right."[/b][/color] She quickly grabbed her glass of water and took several gulps to wet her very dry mouth. She set it down and turned her attention to her plate of food. It smelled wondered but it was by no means as attractive as the teacher pretending to be her date. Her mind was whirling and she was even more confused now than before. 

After taking a bite, Sakura let out a hum of approval. [color=f6989d][b]"That's really hits the spot."[/b][/color] She took another bite and soon found her face return to a more normal color. The meal was spent with them making light conversation. Nothing of their mission came up but she figured they had spoken enough of the mission for the time being. And personally, Sakura didn't like mixing work with meal time, something she was sure Naruto would agree with. When they were done, the woman came back and by that point, the man's mask was put back on. The pair shared their praise with her and she said she'd be right back with the dessert: a chocolate cake with ice cream. While they were alone, Sakura didn't dare ask about the mask and just kept things superficial. 

Ten minutes passed and the woman came back with a small chocolate cake in the shape of a heart. On the side were some berries and vanilla ice cream. The woman gave them a smile before she was called back to the kitchen. Sakura sighed, a little relieved that their facade was nearly over. But at the same time, she couldn't deny how comforting it had been to sit with someone and make cute small talk. It made her pine for that kind of relationship where you were happy and safe and wonderfully nervous, except she wanted it to be real. She wanted Kakashi to be someone who looked at her and felt joy, not someone who looked at her and saw someone inferior or childish. Someday, she was sure she'd be able to meet the kind of guy she could be an equal with. Deep down she knew, that someone couldn't be Sasuke, nor could it be Naruto.

Piercing the cake with her fork, a chocolate molten river of fudge emerged and she took a bite. [color=f6989d][b]"Mmmm, I can't say no to chocolate."[/b][/color] She smiled and picked up the other fork and a raspberry and then some chocolate and held it up for Kakashi to have a taste. [color=f6989d][b]"If we get the recipe, I could make this for you when you get back from a long mission."[/b][/color] She offered. He took the fork in his hand and lowered his mask down and ate the bite. The pair continued to eat on the free dessert while a few more people wandered into the restaurant. When the last bite arrived, Kakashi fed it to Sakura and she smiled. They wiped their mouths, took a drink of water and the woman came back as Kakakshi's mask went up. [color=f6989d][b]"That was so good! Thank you so much."[/b][/color] She said and leaned against Kakashi's shoulder. [color=f6989d][b]"This was a perfect date night."[/b][/color]