A sign for Delicious Delights swung gently in the breeze of the morning sunlight. But unknown too many outsiders, the bakery had been awake well before dawn. The bakery itself had been hustling with bakers who were hurrying to finish the morning treats before it was time to open the doors, and among them was the owner and found of Delicious Delights, Airi Mae. “Overhead!” She shouted, pulling a baking pan from the stone fireplace and holding it high above her employee’s heads. Dangers were nothing new at the bakery and the possibility of catching on fire and burning yourself was an everyday live action probability but… that’s the worst that could happen.

“Under!”

“Behind you.”

“Don’t step.”

“Stay still.”

The tiny kitchen full of six people including the owner kept busy but they were working together well, after nearly five years of active service feeding the community of the Hidden Leaf Village’s heavy shopping and work district is should come as no surprise that the little shop that could kept itself busy.

Hard work always paid off when the stores hours begun and the people flooded in to make their purchases. Laughter, talking and greeting all echoed throughout the small bakery and restaurant as the patrons showed their love and support for the young girl’s business. Some showed their enjoyment of her goods for the fact that they were delicious while others… the more informed individuals supported her business as a way of showing thanks and respect for the former Chuunin and the devastating loss she had happen so many years ago.

Her loss was the loss of her chance at the Jounin exams, and while… while she could have gone to complete the exams at a different, the busy bakery took up her ability to return to the Ninja field. After that fateful day and that horrible accident out with her comrades Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy it felt as though her dreams were taken from her. But the dreams soon became a distant memory as the demand for her baked goods sky-rocketed when she opened the store-front and the smiling blonde did her best to not let her sadness get the best of her. However… it was not uncommon to find her out in the woods continuously training her body and mind in the ninja way. That was Airi Mae for you, never one to let life get her down.

“Phew!” She exclaimed wiping her brow from her head. “Looks like we’re all restocked!” She announced as the breakfast rush finally departed and the rest of the kitchen supplies were loaded into the front of the shop.

Returning from the back she stepped out into the shop front and waved at her staff with a large basket on her arm. “I’m off to make the delivery, I should be back shortly.” With that and a polite white smile, the blonde haired girl in the white apron over her flower printed summer dress started her walk towards the academy.

There was never really an explanation on why the academy requested baked goods for the staff from her shop every three days but… she wasn’t going to complain. A lot of her old friends were active Chuunin and enjoyed talking with her along with sharing stories and complaints about the students; to which she would respond with laughter as she sat with people and talked. Some learned a long time ago that it was actually okay to talk about the active life of a Chuunin but others were still weary that even after all these years, it would be a sore subject.

There was… admittedly some jealously that they were able to take on students and teach them the ways of the ninja but… this was the path she had chosen and the path she will take. Arriving at the academy, she made her way to the Sansei’s lounge and began to set up the treats she had brought for the staff members.

Castella
Kuzumochi
Monaka
Karinto
Namagashi
Red Bean Soup
Suama
Tokoroten
Taiyaki

Once everything was out on the displays with labels on the serving table, the blonde began to look around the room. She didn’t bring plates but she knew there was some but where… “Hmmm…..” Airi pondered to herself, tapping her chin as she looked That was until her blue eyes landed on a set of plates on a high shelf, “There you are!” She said as she grabbed a chair and pulled it over to the high shelf. Standing at 5 foot 4 inches, she needed the help of stools and chairs to get around in her daily life but it wasn’t anything new for her, her small frame and short height did come with its advantages.

Climbing onto the chair, the blonde reached up and grabbed the plates, however she leaned a little far back as she pulled the plates down bringing them to her chest and then felt the chair move from under her, “Oh no!” She yelled as the legs stared to lean back pulling her back with it. Oh… oh this was going to hurt!

With one leg dangling off the side of the roof, Kakashi Hatake appeared to be a man who had nothing of importance to do. With his left arm draped across his stomach, his right hand cradling his favorite series Icha Icha Paradise, Kakashi exuded relaxation. Much to his disappointment, Jiraiya said there would be a few more months before a new installment would hit the bookshelves. Kakashi did have students to talk to but in his mind, they could do with a bit of waiting in anticipation. More often than not, a shinobi spent most of his or her time waiting and being patient for the right time to attack or gain information from an enemy while hidden.

Iruka had asked him to come into class and say a few words about hard work and dedication but Kakashi knew the kids who needed to hear it, needed a good kick in rear, wouldn't care. And the others who didn't need a reminder, didn't need their time wasted by him. a simple Jounin. One of his new duties was to have Genin of his own, upon their graduation. That was approaching but teaching was something the silver haired man wasn't too worried about. He wanted to prepare any new ninja for the reality of going on missions. His old teammate Obito had died on a mission and had in turn, granted Kakashi the Sharingan. For a long time, Kakashi had struggled to live up to his father's legacy and to also embrace his own Ninja Way.

He was thankful he had people like Obito, Rin, Minato, Iruka, Guy and Airi in his life.

Flipping a page with his gloved thumb, Kakashi finally reached a point where he could stop. Even though he had read the book already, he still found it to be a good way to let his mind wander and relax. Closing the hardcover orange book, he pushed himself up and moved to dangle both legs over the edge of the Academy. With a quick slip, the man jumped down to the ground with ease, using his chakra to ensure he landed softly and safely. He slipped his book in his back pocket and slipped his hands into the pockets of his green plush vest. Walking back toward the heart of Konoha, Kakashi thought about how he might spend the rest of the day. It was quite nice out, which is why he found himself spending much of the morning perching on the roof avoiding noise and people.

But he wanted to do something fun.

Ever since he had heard about Guy and Airi's engagement, he had only seen Airi briefly in passing. Upon his newly appointed Jounin status he had been given a few interesting solo missions so he hadn't had much time to spend in the village. That said, he felt like he and Airi hadn't gotten a chance to really hang out like they used to. He and Guy still trained together when they had the time but Kakashi had yet to bring up the engagement around Guy. He was happy for his friend but didn't want to say too much on the matter, hoping that whatever happened, was for the best for both of his friends.

Deciding to finally go see Iruka and the class as promised, he headed into the school and went up to the second floor. From the sounds of it, the class was on a break so he quickly made his way to the lounge where Iruka was bound to be. To his surprise, he saw a certain blond who seemed intent on not letting her short stature get the better of her. Even if it meant falling over or getting hurt. He quietly walked up behind her as she was getting some plates down. Without hesitation, the man held out his arms, already knowing what was about to happen. Catching Airi, he held her before he carefully placed her feet back on the floor.

"You should let someone else do that, Airi." He said to her, his tone light and playful. "Someone taller perhaps." He added as he took the chair and set it back where it had been so no one teachers tripped over it. Kakashi glanced toward what treats she had set out. "I believe as a token for my heroism you might give me one on the house." Kakashi mused aloud. While he wasn't sure if she had time to chat or not, he was still glad to have gotten to see her. She made some deliveries so sometimes she wasn't in the shop. Soon several of the instructors enter the lounge and began to mingle, glad to have a tasty break. Kakashi lingered by Airi as Iruka approached them.

"Where have you been?" Iruka asked, more concerned than annoyed.

"Ahh. I overslept, I can still speak to the students if you'd like." Kakashi replied with a shrug. "I think it might be interesting if Airi said some words to the students too, so they know their path can change." He advised Iruka who looked to Airi, not sure if she had time once the lunch break was over.

Airi had braced herself for the impact, knowing full well that she was going to land on the ground and it was going to hurt. It had been upwards of 5 years since she practiced her training as a Chunin so it should come as no surprise that the blonde had lost touch with her inner warrior as she was currently fighting the bakery battles on a daily basis. Now she was paying for not practicing and it was going to be in pain.

That was until she felt a pair of arms catch her back and her eyes open in a startled way to look up. “Kakashi?!” Her voice was filled with surprise as she gazed up at her silver-haired friend who seemed to know all too well that she would have fallen to her back.

After being placed on her feet, she puffed out her cheeks in response to his comment about letting someone taller than her get the plates. “Hardy har har,” was her playful response back to him before taking the plates over and setting them down on the table. His musing aloud left her to roll her eyes as she picked up one of the taiyaki and dropped it onto a plate. “Oh really?” She said turning back to him as she offered him the plate. “You think so?” However his reach was in vane and she played a small game of ‘keep away’ with him teasing him with the temptation of the taiyaki with little comments of ‘What? Can’t get it?’ and ‘I didn’t think tall people had these problems’ before she relinquished the plate to him with a bright laugh.

The teacher’s lounge filled with people who bustled over to the sweet-filled table and hurried to get their helping. A bright smile moved across her face as she watched the teams of teachers gather and chatter away while munching on her baked goods. Even Kakashi seemed to be enjoying himself… until Iruka arrived.

“Hello.” She greeted him with a friendly smile which was returned before he began to question Kakashi of his previous whereabouts. Her blue gaze squinted at her friend, had he been slacking… again. There was nothing funnier than how much of a slacker Kakashi was yet; he was the most reliable guy you could ever want around. It’s odd to think he would be so… one way and another at the same time. Then he, of course, recommended her to join. Iruka’s eyes sparkled at the idea and Airi let out a defeated sigh, she couldn’t say no to Kakashi and he had a good point, the kids should know that if it doesn’t work out there are always other options.

Airi was never ashamed about turning away from the ninja life and most people who knew the depression she dealt with when she missed the Jounin trails understood her reason for not returning. Yet no one held it against her and for that she was grateful. She missed a lot… a LOT about her life as a Chunin but she lived vicariously through her friends. A nod rose and fell her head in agreement, “Alright.”

“Thank you thank you thank you!” Iruka pressed his palms together and bowed his head gratefully as the bell rang for them to return to class. He turned and started towards the door pulling it open for her only to find that Airi had left her side.

She had gone back and grabbed Kakashi by his ear. “Don’t think you can use me to get away from doing this too.” Her voice was teasing and playful as she gave him a pull towards the door. When they reached the exit of the lounge she let him go and fell into step with him. “I heard you got a group of Genin, a group you actually passed; not to mention you have Uzumaki and Uchiha. How is the training going?”

More than happy to accept the plate, he gave Airi a smile though the only real way to know the masked ninja was smiling was by the crinkle in his closed, only visible, eye. His eye opened when he noted the plate had been retracted before he could grab hold of it. Now she wasn't being fair at all. Kakashi let out a pensive hum as he kept trying to take it from the pesky woman. "You are so stubborn." He teased her. "You're fortunate you're cute." He teased once more before she finally allowed him to take the plate of taiyaki. "Mmmm." Kakashi grinned to himself, finding him quite hungry and in need of Airi's delectable creations.

Being ever so careful, Kakashi eat and soon finished what had been placed on his plate. He wondered if he could sneak another but before he could explore that possibility, Iruka arrived. Thankfully Kakashi's proposition was well received and he was glad to know he wouldn't suffer alone. Dealing with students wasn't something he took a lot of pleasure in. He knew his standards were exceedingly high and he doubted many would be able to live up to what he expected. Kakashi was certain that by having a lovely person like Airi there, students would understand that a ninja could be more than a ninja and that goals could change. But also that a failure didn't mean one had to give up, it just meant changing one's approach.

Already eager to head to classroom, Iruka was heading for the door while Kakashi was scoping out the table of food when he felt something pinch his ear. "Owww." He grimaced. Only Airi would be so bold. He swatted her hand away from him. "I was going to catch up with you two, I swear." He said though it was an unconvincing attempt to assure her. The silver haired ninja followed her out of the lounge and into the hallway. By now Iruka had gone back up to his classroom, leaving Airi and Kakashi to go at their own pace. He rubbed his ear, "I have half a mind to ask you to kiss it and make me feel better." He muttered.

When she brought up his new team, he let out a sigh. "Well Uzuamki is a handful but Uchiha and Haruno are quite exceptional. I feel Uzumaki has potential too but it's a matter of getting him to fully focus. His attention is on his teammates and not in a good way." He told Airi. "They are quite bright and keep me on my toes." He concluded. "If you'd like to join us for training, you're more than welcome." Of course if she did, he might give himself a few extra hours of sleep. Kakashi folded his arms, feeling like Airi might like to join Team 7 if she had a free morning or afternoon. "I believe you'd be quite an asset not just talking to students here but even helping mine or Guy's."

Of course he understood if it might be too painful for Airi, even if she might not admit it. Or maybe she was happy to leave that part of her life behind. Still, Kakashi didn't want Airi to feel like she had to pick between one life and another, and he would always support her, wherever her interest settled. He began to walk them toward the stairs to head up to Iruka's. "And I'm not just asking because I think you'd bring us something good to eat." He added before she could comment on that possibility. "...That would merely be icing on the cake."