The immediate stumbling over her uncertain choice of words was something Kakashi could relate to, especially when the situation was as sensitive as it was. He had handed the conclusion of this situation to her and, only when he saw her fumble, did he regret doing so. As her mentor he should have been the one to clear this up from the start. The temptation of an incredible discount was much too favorable for him to refuse. Even Sakura, in the middle of her decision, had to agree with him on that. He could tell just by looking at his student that it wasn't so much the decision that was difficult, but the consequence that would come with denying it. The both of them weren't obligated to make someone feel ecstatic about a misunderstanding, yet the way this gentle woman approached them and saw something she saw as magical between the mentor and the student had touched him. Not once in his life was he ever related to a comrade as a lover. Here he was though, in this well-kept restaurant with a precious student, being mistaken for her boyfriend. There was a first time for everything after all.
On the verge of sparing Sakura more discomfort, Kakashi took her shrug as a sign of complete uncertainty and cocked his head to the woman standing over them expectantly. He was just a moment away from ending the situation's discomfort at the expense of the kind woman's fantasy before Sakura had reached for his hand, resulting in Kakashi sharply turning his head back to her. With her next words she had cemented the situation entirely - they were a fresh couple, still getting comfortable with one another as more than just acquaintances. It was a reasonable explanation for their hesitance in responding to her. Feeling her grasp tighten around his hand, Kakashi turned his hand over so their palms met. He returned the squeeze firmly in understanding, agreeing with her order and thanking her for shielding the contents of his wallet with such a sacrifice. The way he saw it this woman kept her fantasy, leaving the two shinobi to enjoy a cheaper meal for the evening. No one lost.
The woman offered her input on the two further, considering the meal they were to eat as perfect for the two budding lovers. After looking between the two of them, she suggested Sakura come beside him so they could share their meal side by side. Scooting over slightly to allow her more room and listening with embarrassment as the woman described just how happy they were going to make one another, he only breathed a little easier once she was gone. With her departure the now very close Sakura looked to him and playfully commented on the details of their mission. He admired that even after a situation as tense as that one she could bounce back so well. That attitude was one Kakashi would return kindly.
"I think training would be the least of our worries. If I can't take my eyes off of yours during a mission, my performance could drop significantly. Tsunade might not let me see you at all if she knew the affect you'd have on me." He replied smoothly, all while meeting her eyes with his own. The closeness they now shared had done nothing to negatively impact the flow of his words, nor the sincerity behind them.
"The best case scenario is obviously getting your parents' blessing. I've still got to work that part out for myself, don't I?" he finished, holding back a chuckle at the imagery: On his hands and knees, begging for her parents to accept him as her lover while Sakura stood by, hand on her heart, hoping for success - that the parents who loved and raised her would accept this person as someone who could make her happy.
"The master and student who fell in love ...it could make a thrilling story." Kakashi mused before settling his back against the cushion of the booth. The situation he was in now was both humorous and thought-provoking, yet the way he was looking at her was still a subject of interest in the back of his mind. A complete stranger to them suspected their relationship was beyond that of normal friends just by first glance. She was married, likely even had a good eye in recognizing strong affection. That left him puzzled; Sakura couldn't have seen it either, she was interacting just as much as he had and the tone of their conversation didn't exactly shift to anything very personal. The more he was trying to wrap his head around the two of them, the harder it was becoming to think about it. As of right now he was picturing them as more than master and student, when prior to this visit he hadn't even given Sakura a thought beyond her role as an active shinobi and his student. So why was it that only when someone pointed it out to him, that he was looking at her with so much affection and pride, that he could no longer see her as just a student?
As much as he tried to conceal it with this short break in conversation, his eye wandered back to her again, studying her and trying not to infer anything as he did so. From her unique and eye-catching color of hair, to the eyes he just jokingly referred to as distracting - a hazard during his mission. He was only mildly aware of the fact he was lingering on them now, taking her face in with her eyes being the center of it all. As her teacher he had always done his best to acknowledge her strengths related to being a ninja. It had taken just one outside observation for him to begin considering that Sakura was just a much a young, developing young woman as she was his student. The misunderstanding could have been his fault entirely. Sakura had a crush already, leaving there no reason for her to look at anyone else differently. Sasuke was the one she cared for most, this was a fact since day one of Team Seven's formation. To protect her true interests, it would be up to him to try and prevent these misunderstandings in the future. Her eyes were only for one other, and that affection was something he wanted to allow her to have. In that way, Sakura reminded him of someone very important from his past.
Rin..."Here you are!"Snapping out of his stupor, he took notice of the woman from just before carrying two separate plates that held their meals. After setting them down in front of them, Kakashi thanked her for her quick preparation and efficiency, which he knew was likely due to what he saw between Sakura and himself. The woman had shown surprising restraint in saying nothing further. She set down two glasses of water before departing, all while gushing in silence at the pair she admired from afar. Looking down at the hefty meal before him, the Copy Ninja drew in the strong aroma of their meals with his mouth watering in anticipation. Taking a spoon and looking between the rice and curry, he looked to Sakura once more and smiled. With his free hand he had reached for the very edge of his mask. Pulling it downward and past his chin, he had revealed the
face that was once a mystery to the entirety of Team Seven. Sakura now had bragging rights of her own when she reunited with Naruto, and hopefully Sasuke. Lifting the headband over his Sharingan up, her mentor kept the eye closed for obvious reasons. Without the mask on, the headband just felt a little strange on him.
Kakashi didn't react much to the reveal, and instead brought focus to the meal in front of him.
"Eat up. And be sure you save some room for dessert - it's free after all." He had begun to eat, reacting to the flavor of the curry hitting his taste buds with a low moan of satisfaction. The speed of the cooks did not take away from the result. Chewing and swallowing with a short exhale afterward, satisfaction was etched upon his newly revealed features. The confusion of their status was set aside in favor of a fine meal, one he hoped Sakura would enjoy as much as he was.
Taka
Dane
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