The sing-song hum that emanated from Sakura’s throat told Kakashi all he needed to know. The quality of the meal was definitely high, a lot more than what one might have expected from certain joints around the country. As he savored every portion of the meal, his eye had traveled to the corner. Capturing Sakura’s satisfaction as she ate had made things even more pleasant than before, and for the remainder of their dinner he had even managed to forget that they were simply pretending to be so close. 

If one were to look from a distance and truly admire the way they were conversing and looking at one another, they would be just as mistaken as the kind woman who was servicing them. Becoming aware of just how gentle he was with Sakura was nearly enough to make him blush. Unconsciously Kakashi continued to joke with her about Lady Tsunade and her parents’ viewing their relationship as unconventional. It had become a story they were crafting from scratch. Sakura believed that Ino would be understanding, which left Kakashi looking to his own close comrades opinions about their love – Gai would obviously approve, never one to judge someone too harshly. The topic continued to shift around other topics until they had finished the rice and curry. Sighing with contentedness, Kakashi lightly brushed at his mouth with a nearby napkin and wiped it away before placing his mask back on instinctively. The woman from before had returned with Sakura wasting no time in asking about dessert, making her vanish as quickly as she had appeared.

After ten minutes of conversation with Sakura, the woman had returned with a small chocolate cake in hand. Kakashi took notice of the shape and with it the accessories at its side. It looked as delicious as the aroma it gave off smelled. [color=0072bc][b]“Definitely worth the wait, it looks amazing.”[/b][/color] He complimented the woman before she was called off to the kitchen once again. 

Sakura was the one who did the honor of taking the first piece. Watching as she took her bite, the tensing in her cheeks had given away her response before she had given it. Not only was he discovering that she was a girl who loved her chocolate, but he was also growing more and more aware of just how cute she was when she smiled. It was an emotion he didn’t think he brought to her enough. Naruto and Sasuke being unable to master tree climbing before she could was probably the last time weight wasn’t in her heart. His last student was full of love and affection. All he could hope for now was that she never lost that part of herself during her pursuit of strength. She saw firsthand, the day Naruto and Sasuke nearly collided their jutsu on the roof of Konoha’s hospital, just what the pursuit of power and the belief of inferiority could do to someone. Thinking about it now, Kakashi was left to wonder if her feelings for Sasuke were the same as before. It was insensitive to ask or pass judgment based on where her heart was, not to mention it wasn’t any business of his. He chose instead to just focus on her lips tugging apart in a genuine smile that raised his spirits even further.

Grabbing another fork to gather up the goods, Kakashi was momentarily stunned by Sakura holding it up to him as she did before. Taking the fork and lowering his mask, he too felt elated about the cake, nearly as much as he did the rice and curry. His expression was much similar to hers when she first sampled the dessert. His face had lit up, with his eyebrows raised in a way that said to any passerby that what he ate had been nothing less than exceptional. From his reaction Sakura had proposed somehow getting the recipe, which prompted him to consider a means of getting it to her before her offer had even taken root in his mind. Sakura taking the time to prepare him something like this when he was off on missions she couldn’t even begin to fathom. The thought of returning home with someone dear to him wishing for his safe return …it was almost enough to make him tear up. Sakura would never know what it was like to come home to no one eagerly awaiting for her to return safe. And he’d keep it that way, even if it cost him his life.

He promised her mother, after all. 

After taking equal share of the ice cream, the berries, and the cake itself, the last piece of cake had been left behind on the plate. Kakashi took it in his own fork and held it up to Sakura’s lips, keeping his free hand beneath it just in case it had fallen. Where he had expected a polite rejection, Kakashi was pleased to have Sakura take it from his fork. It was just a passing moment that shouldn’t have meant a thing to him, however he had been very keen on watching her do this. Adopting the role of a false lover had come so naturally to him that he was growing curious as to why Sakura herself didn’t seem stunned by his actions and decisions. Selling this relationship had been cake – pun intended. 

Finishing the last of his water beside Sakura, Kakashi had returned his mask to its rightful place just as the woman returned to them. Sakura followed up with an enthusiastic thanks for the delicious cake, then leaned against him to stress just how great a date she had. Kakashi wouldn’t allow her to do it alone this time. There was a short pause before his next action. Taking the arm she had leaned against, he had slowly raised it over Sakura and brought it around her shoulder, allowing his hand to gently come around her collarbone and lean into her more than she had him. It was nearly enough to send the spectating woman into a blushing fit. She had to look away at least twice during the entire set up, likely trying to resist telling them what to do. It wasn’t as if they were puppets for her fantasies – even so, Kakashi felt good helping a woman relive her days of early youth, as well as give Sakura an interesting evening unlike any she had ever had. 

[color=0072bc][b]“I couldn’t agree more.”[/b][/color] Kakashi replied, his eye settled on Sakura’s before meeting the woman’s reddened face. [color=0072bc][b]“My girlfriend is a little shy, but she wanted to be able to make the very same cake you gave us. Would it be too much trouble if we could have a copy of the recipe?” [/b][/color]

[color=f6989d][b]“N-not at all! I’m …I’m honored!”[/b][/color] The woman shook with excitement. As much as she tried to endure it, what she felt seeing this couple was making her self-control evaporate. [color=f6989d][b]“Two ninja from the Hidden Leaf wanting my recipe? What will my friends say? Or my family!?What about—“[/b][/color]she rambled in an excited panic, leaving Kakashi speechless. He had broken her. The possibilities of this story had made her mind scramble in an attempt to find the greatest possible outcome. Kakashi had nearly snapped his fingers to make sure her mind wasn’t entirely lost. Fortunately another man had shown up. He was burly and, despite his career as a chef, based on his smudged apron similar to the woman beside him, looked like he could handle himself in a fight. With a rounded face and an uneasy smile, he tapped the woman on her shoulder and began to laugh nervously. 

[color=a36209][b]“Honey …h-honey—“[/b][/color]

[color=f6989d][b]“Yes, dear?”[/b][/color] The woman emerged from her rampant state without a struggle. [color=f6989d][b]“I was just chatting with the couple I was talking to you about. Guess what? They want my special cake recipe!”[/b][/color] the woman turned back to Sakura and smiled warmly. [color=f6989d][b]“This young lady wants to make it for her handsome boyfriend,”[/b][/color] she looked back at her husband, [color=f6989d][b]“isn’t that something?”[/b][/color]

[color=a36209][b]“Oh?”[/b][/color] The husband’s eyebrows raised in surprise, attention settling on the young lovers.[color=a36209][b] “You know my wife made that same cake for me when we were dating!”[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]“I-is that so?”[/b][/color] Kakashi asked. 

[color=a36209][b]“Yes. You two must have left quite the impression if she’s considering it. It takes a lot for her to ramble.”[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]“You don’t say?”[/b][/color]

[color=a36209][b]“Yup! I remember one time—“[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]“Actually,”[/b][/color] Kakashi interrupted quickly, [color=0072bc][b]“I was hoping for one other thing: Information. Have you two happened to see any strange people pass through here in the last couple weeks? Anyone who really stands out?”[/b][/color] he didn’t want to reveal too much about their mission.

[color=a36209][b]“Strange? Hmm, we did have someone pretty intimidating pass by a few weeks ago.” [/b][/color]Based on Kakashi’s continued interest in the conversation, the husband continued. [color=a36209][b]“He was pretty average in height. Long, sand blonde hair …a headband from …I think it was from the Sand, but it wasn’t clear. There was this long ugly scar over it—“[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]“That’s the one.”[/b][/color] Kakashi replied. Releasing Sakura from his hold, he dug into his pocket and pulled out the money to pay for the meal, complete with a sizable tip. The woman appeared to forget that she had the bill in her hand the entire time, yet upon seeing what Kakashi was doing had set it down beside the money anyway, chuckling with embarrassment. [color=0072bc][b]“Thank you for helping us out. We’re on the lookout for a dangerous man, but I’m afraid that’s all I can really tell you.”[/b][/color]

[color=a36209][b]“Don’t worry about it. I’m always glad to help out if it mean’s bad people get put away.”[/b][/color]

Kakashi wasn’t sure this foe would just stand around to be arrested, but that wasn’t something he’d bother to get into now. Sakura scooted out and he followed after her, standing up and stretching his arms. The woman had taken a notepad out from her pants pocket and drew a small, hidden pen that was tucked in her right ear. She was scribbling down the recipe that she kept in her memory, and handed the notes to Sakura, offering her words of advice that wouldn’t fit on the notepad itself – mostly related to keeping her materials as authentic as possible. Brand materials may be a little more expensive, but there was a reason for that.

[color=a36209][b]“There was one more that came after that guy, actually.”[/b][/color]

Kakashi broke his focus on Sakura receiving her own tips to hear the man out.[color=0072bc][b] “Another?”[/b][/color]

[color=a36209][b]“Yup. I couldn’t tell for sure, but I think it was a man. He had this magenta cloak around him, y’see. Under the hood though, there was this light, but I could only see it from a certain angle as he passed through.”[/b][/color]

[color=0072bc][b]“Light?”[/b][/color] Kakashi gave it some thought, [color=0072bc][b]“Glasses?” [/b][/color]

[color=a36209][b]“It’s possible. I’m sorry, I couldn’t get a very good look, and I’m not the type to be too nosy. I just make good food and help keep a good atmosphere around here. I wish I could be of more help.”[/b][/color] The man’s cheerful demeanor faltered slightly. 

[color=0072bc][b]“No, you’ve been more than helpful already. Thank you for this.”[/b][/color] If he were to grow more suspicious of the possibilities here, they may never allow these good people to get back to managing a restaurant. As he turned to leave, the woman cleared her throat and took his hand. Taking Sakura’s as well, she had brought the two together. Kakashi’s hand closed around Sakura’s firmly, and he gave her a knowing look. Although their false relationship was nothing more than a means for a cheaper meal – and he reflected on this frequently in his mind – he didn’t find himself so discomforted with having Sakura take that role. A look of contentedness said as much. 

[color=f6989d][b]“Have a good evening, both of you!”[/b][/color] The woman said cheerfully.

[color=0072bc][b]“We will, thank you,”[/b][/color] Kakashi inclined his head respectfully before he turned one last time and exited the warm, cozy restaurant to meet the cool night air. The little light that was left in the sky offered them a beautiful sight to admire on the way home. Crimson was a beautiful color when it met the approaching night sky. 

[color=0072bc][b]“You can hold on to me if you’re cold, I won’t mind.”[/b][/color] He looked to Sakura, still holding her hand and offering her its warmth and comfort. The façade, while technically concluded, was still a lot of fun for him to enact with her. He hoped she’d be able to laugh about it with him for a very long time.