In the shinobi world, a fraction of a second is the difference between a lifetime of memories and a lifetime of ghosts. What if Kakashi Hatake's life went just a little differently?
The air in the cave was thick with dust and the metallic tang of blood. Rin had just finished the transplant, her fingers steady despite the chaos. The Sharingan pulsed in Kakashi’s left socket, a heavy, hot weight. He stormed out of the cave, adjusting the new eye to the light as warm tears streamed down the left side of his face. He defeated the ninja that tried to bury them and rushed back to his team, but just as Obito had warned, reinforcements arrived.
"Doton: Retsudo Tenshou!" he heard them roar. Kakashi lunged forward, pulling Rin out of the cave just in time before the remaining ceiling collapsed, burying whatever was left from the cave.
"Obito!" Kakashi screamed into the settling dust.
But they were immediately surrounded by enemy ninja. Kakashi felt a surge of cold anger through his body; he would make them pay for what they did. Obito’s gift—this new eye—was the final piece he needed to perfect his lightning jutsu. He would use this eye and all this rage to protect Rin, fulfilling the promise he made to his dying friend, but not before confessing to her what Obito truly felt.
With his sensei's special kunai in his left hand and the screaming light of the Chidori in his right, he prepared to give his life. "Run, Rin!" he commanded before facing the onslaught.
But Rin didn't run.
She stepped in front and stood determined at Kakashi’s left side. "We are a team," she said firmly. Kakashi looked at her, seeing the unwavering fire in her eyes, and slowly put away his kunai. Together, they fought. Rin unleashed a strength she never knew she possessed, fighting side by side with Kakashi as equals as they tore through the enemy ranks.
They fought until the forest was clear of the threat. Kakashi was nearly drained, his chakra flickering like a dying candle. As Rin turned to pull him toward safety, he fell to his knees.
"We have to go back," he rasped, coughing up gray dust. "I’m not leaving him."
"Kakashi, he’s lost too much blood... and the weight of the rocks..." Rin started, her eyes brimming with tears, "I don't think he is still–" but Kakashi interrupted her with a fierce, broken look that silenced her.
"Then we recover his body!" he said, the pain striking his frame with every word.
They turned back into the collapsed maw of the earth and searched the debris. Rin had to support Kakashi as they moved; he could barely hold his own weight.
Finally, they found him.
In a moment of impossible, adrenaline-fueled strength, Rin braced her shoulders against the massive boulder crushing Obito’s right side. Her muscles screamed and the ground beneath her cracked, but she lifted it—just an inch, just enough.
Kakashi, hovering on the edge of a faint, lunged forward and pulled Obito out by his jacket successfully, just as Rin’s strength gave out and the rock slammed back down.
"Obito…" Rin whispered.
Kakashi collapsed to the floor and fainted; as he fell, his sensei’s special kunai slipped from his pouch, landing in the dirt between them.
"Kakashi..." Rin fell to her knees beside her comrades, tears streaming down her face. She felt an overwhelming wave of loneliness, surrounded by the bodies of the two teammates who had given everything to protect her.
Suddenly, a soft whoosh cut through the air. Minato appeared out of nowhere, a yellow flash in the gloom, arriving just as the mountain began to scream once again.
"Sensei?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"We have to go, now!" he said, his eyes landing on the marked kunai before he moved.
Rin hoisted Obito’s broken body over her shoulder, Minato swept Kakashi up, and they jumped into the light just as the cave vanished behind them in a final roar of stone.
The darkness of the cave shifted, bleeding into the freezing gray of the Hidden Mist. The forest was thick with a damp, suffocating chill. Kakashi’s Chidori was a screaming bird in his palm, the lightning casting jagged shadows against the fog. Rin, her eyes wide with the terror of the Three-Tails coiling within her, lunged into the path of the lightning. She chose death to save the village.
But a blur of blue and orange tackled her mid-leap.
Kakashi opened his eyes wide in shock.
He didn't hit her.
A wave of dizzying relief washed over him as he saw Obito’s intervention. He recovered his focus, his protective fury finding the actual target as he drove the screaming lightning into the Mist Ninjas, a storm of concentrated rage that cleared the field in seconds.
Obito slammed into Rin, the impact driving them both into the cold mud. He pinned her there, his hands trembling as he gripped her shoulders. "What were you thinking?!!!" he roared, his voice cracking with a decade's worth of fear. He looked at her with eyes wild and weeping. "Don't you see how much I… how much we care for you? How I feel about you?! You will learn to control this, Rin. We will help you. I will be with you through every single part of it. I'm never leaving you, just don't do anything so stupid again."
Rin clung to him, burying her face in his jacket as she dissolved into jagged sobs. She was terrified of the beast within, but in the circle of Obito’s arms, the crushing weight of her intended sacrifice finally broke. He felt like an impossible, solid wall between her and the darkness. With Kakashi standing vigil over them, the forest no longer felt like a grave.
As the last enemy fell, Kakashi’s knees buckled. He sank onto the damp grass, gasping for air as his chakra reserves hit bottom. He looked over at his two teammates, still locked in their desperate embrace on the ground.
"Obito…" Kakashi said, his voice a broken, exhausted rasp. "It's great you finally confessed your feelings to Rin… but… a little help here, lovebirds?" He managed a weak but genuine smirk, his eye crinkling with the most honest real joy.
Rin and Obito rushed to his side. Rin’s hands began to glow, not with the soft green of standard medical ninjutsu, but with a vibrant, pulsing energy that felt ancient and overwhelming—the resonance of the Three-Tails beginning to stabilize under her touch as she balanced his chakra with her newly acquired determination.
The cold of the Mist melted into the delicious, smoky warmth of a BBQ pit.
The three of them were gathered around a low table, the hiss of charring meat and the sweet-savory scent of sauce filling the air. It was September. It was Kakashi’s birthday.
"Obito, you’re paying for the next round of sake," Rin said, leaning her chin on her hand and giving him a pointed look.
Obito, his right side a map of faded scars but his spirit untouched, looked up with an annoyed pout. "What? Why me? I already paid for the appetizers!"
"Because it’s our teammate’s birthday, you baka!" Rin laughed, flicking a piece of cabbage at him.
"So? Don't you think giving him an eye is a big enough promotio/birthday/christmas/whatever present for a lifetime?" Obito complained, though there was no heat in it. "I’ve been literally watching his back with my own vision for ten years! I think I’ve done my part for the gift fund!"
Rin, unable to contain her laughter, leaned forward, her eyes sparkling in the firelight. "That doesn't count, Obito! You didn't even finish giving him the whole set! You only gave him a half-gift!"
Obito’s jaw dropped in mock offense. "A half-gift?! It’s a Sharingan! It’s an A-rank heirloom!"
"Half-gift!" Rin repeated, her voice rising into a genuine, belly-aching laugh. "You're so stingy! You couldn't even commit to the full transplant!"
Kakashi laughed then—a real, deep-chested sound that felt like it was filling up all the hollow places in his soul. He reached out, his hand steady and warm, aiming for the sake cup at the center of the table to toast to his friends, to his life, to the fact that they were all there.
But as his fingers closed, he felt nothing but cold air.
The warmth of the BBQ pit vanished. The smell of grilled meat turned into the sterile, biting chill of a September morning.
Kakashi’s eyes snapped open. He was in his apartment. It was early. The room was gray, illuminated only by the thin, weak light of a Konoha dawn. His hand was outstretched, hovering empty in the air, clutching at the shadows of a cup that didn't exist.
He slowly pulled his hand back, resting it on his stomach. He stayed there for a long time, the silence of the room absolute. He reached up to wipe his face and realized his cheeks were wet. He had been crying tears of joy in his sleep.
He was alone.
It was his birthday.
And the "half-gift" in his left eye was the only thing he had left of a world that that no longer existed.
A/N: So... I think this is officially one of the angstiest things I've ever written in my life. I was rewatching the episode about the cave the other day and the thought just hit me: what if Rin had stayed? How much could Kakashi's life be different if she had just stood her ground and fought by his side? What if she found that strength inside herself right in that exact moment? And well, here it is.
Summary: After a quick mission, Kakashi runs into Suna and challenges her to a Taijutsu spar at the Third Training Ground to shake off her field rust. Their match quickly escalates from a playful dance into a deadly serious test of skill, culminating in a simultaneous, intimate pin where Kakashi uses his Sharingan and Suna draws a hidden kunai. The moment of charged desire is, naturally, interrupted by the arrival of Team 7, whom Suna immediately charms into a training session, much to Kakashi's surprise.
Word Count: 1,225 (Estimate)
It had been days since Suna and Kakashi last saw each other, and the quiet of the morning felt sweet. Kakashi had just returned from a brief, easy mission. As he walked by the Hokage's tower, he saw a flash of raspberry-colored hair. Suna was there, too, her Jōnin vest subtly dusted with field grime, adjusting her gloves after what clearly looked like a long mission.
"Back so soon?" he asked, a small, genuine smile drawing through his masked face.
She turned, her own smile bright and laced with playful sarcasm. "Ha! ‘Soon’, funny! My assignment wasn’t exactly a quick one."
"Mine was," he replied playfully, making her roll her eyes and shake her head softly, still smiling. "In that case, I assume you’re free and up for lunch?"
Suna’s eyes crinkled. "Only if you’re buying," she teased.
He shrugged. "My treat."
They settled into a quiet noodle shop. The conversation was easy and comfortable, a familiar rhythm they had quickly found. She told him about her assignment, a straightforward intelligence-gathering mission.
"It was fine," she said, her smile fading a little. "Until I started running out of chakra mid-fight. If it wasn't for my partners, the mission would have failed—or worse, I wouldn't be here having lunch with you right now." She shook her head softly, thoughtful. "It’s been a while since I had a proper fist fight, you know? With Kenjutsu or Ninjutsu, I feel natural, but my Taijutsu is rusty. I think I've been relying too much on my chakra."
"I’ve got some free time tomorrow," Kakashi offered, his voice casual. "We could spar."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to bother you, Kakashi. I know you’re busy."
"Nonsense," he insisted, "It would be a good warm-up for me, too. The Third Training Ground, dawn? The loser buys brunch."
She laughed, her eyes crinkling. "Lunch today and brunch tomorrow? You are spoiling me, Kakashi!"
He chuckled softly.
He easily paid the bill, ignoring Suna’s protests that she was only teasing him. As they walked through the village, the conversation flowed naturally, a seamless exchange of professional cynicism and shared wit. Suna realized the comfortable, easy presence of Kakashi made the residue of her recent, stressful mission instantly recede. Even in her torn uniform, the chaos of her week felt distant, replaced by a quiet sense of safety.
"Well, my road turns here," Suna said, pausing as they reached an intersection. "I’ll see you tomorrow at dawn, Sensei." She leaned in quickly, kissed his cheek, and pulled him into a brief, easy hug.
"See you at dawn, Suna," he replied as he let go of the warm embrace.
The next morning, Kakashi arrived at the Training Ground. Suna was already there, meticulously stretching and preparing for their session, a patient smile on her face.
"Sorry I’m late," he said scratching the back of his head with his usual casual tone.
"Don’t worry about it," she replied, her voice laced with amusement. "I knew what I was getting into."
Kakashi chuckled softly. "So," he clapped his hands "show me what you’ve got."
"First, let’s set some rules," she countered, standing tall. "Just Taijutsu. No Ninjutsu or Genjutsu allowed."
"Got it," Kakashi replied."
She fixed him with a challenging gaze and pressed her index finger against his chest. "And don't go easy on me."
"I’ll do my best," he replied, giving her a lazy eye-smile.
"Oh, and no Sharingan," she added, a knowing challenge in her expression.
"Wouldn’t dream of it," he said, noticing the katana hanging on her back. "And no weapons, then?"
She rolled her eyes in response, but with a dramatic sigh and an exaggerated smile, she said, "Oh, fine." She dropped her katana to the grass.
They began by circling each other slowly. Her movements were fluid and graceful, contrasting with his more direct, powerful style. The initial jabs and blocks were light, a careful dance. She still carried a slight shyness, a strange fact considering their shared intimacy, but Kakashi followed her pace, pushing just enough to keep her engaged.
Then, he started the teasing—the part of the match that was purely for him.
"You’re slow, Suna," he taunted, easily dodging her kick. "I’ve seen Academy students with more grit."
She scoffed, a quick, playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, yeah?" she challenged, her voice filled with a mischievous energy. "What about this?" Her movements became faster, sharper. She feinted a punch to his face and followed up with a kick to his midsection, forcing him to take a step back.
"Better," he said, a genuine smile under his masked face. "But still predictable."
Her initial shyness completely vanished, replaced by pure instinct. For some reason, fighting Kakashi now felt easier than battling any other enemy; it was safe to drop her guard. Her movements accelerated into unpredictable strikes and improvised, "out of the book" combinations. Kakashi immediately recognized that her technique was a composite style, drawing on elements he hadn't seen in standard Konoha Taijutsu—a clear sign of a ninja who had refined her skills over years of deep-cover assignments in foreign territories.
Their sparring match became a focused, competitive game. His teasing fueled her, and her renewed intensity pushed him. Their movements blurred into a rapid sequence of blocks and feints, his excellent defense a perfect counter to her agile strikes.
Suna's now aggressive, chaotic, and deliberately deceptive movements created a flicker of genuine danger across his unmasked face. Kakashi's flawless defense against her blend of moves, made her breath hitch, losing the rhythmic calm of the spar.
The next instant was a blur of conflicting light. The glint of steel from her hidden kunai sheath flashed as she lunged, and the familiar crimson glow of his Sharingan snapped to life as he pulled up his headband, a perfect simultaneity of crimson and silver.
The shock of the twin events hit them instantly. In that blinding instant, Suna acted purely on instinct, letting the momentum carry her. Her move was fast, precise, and slipped past his analysis.
Kakashi reacted to the sidestep and low trip, her speed and the distraction were negated by the Sharingan's superior analysis. Her move, intended to instantly floor him, was only powerful enough to slightly throw his balance.
He moved to disarm her in the fall with his right hand. He then grabbed her left wrist with his left hand, using her weight and his momentum, to turn the rotatory motion into a rough pin against a nearby tree.
He slammed her against the rough bark of the tree. Air rushed out of her lungs from the impact. His left forearm crushed into her throat, securing her weight and breath. The dull point of the stolen kunai, held tight in his right hand, rested just millimeters away from the soft skin of her neck. He breathed out, heavy with the effort, believing his victory was absolute.
Until he realized it wasn't.
Suna’s eyes—burning with challenge and not surrender—locked onto his. In that split-second of arrogance, when he disarmed her and thought he had already won, her right hand had drawn out a second kunai. The blade, crackling faintly with concentrated chakra, was pressed against his chest—her left hand braced at the weapon’s hilt, ready to pierce his heart. They were locked, chest-to-chest, the two inches of space between them humming with fatal intent.
They were both breathing heavily, their chests rising and falling in unison. A drop of sweat traced a path down his temple. A coldness spread along her spine from the impact against the tree.
A playful smile spread across her face, "Not fair, Kakashi," she breathed, her voice a soft murmur. "You used your Sharingan."
"Because you brought out a weapon," he retorted, his voice husky with effort.
"I had to bring out a weapon because you used your Sharingan first," she whispered, the heat between them building with every shared breath.
"No, you brought a kunai out first, I had to use my sharingan to evade it" his voice challenged.
"And how did that work out for you?" she teased him, her voice still hoarse with exertion, pointing with her gaze at the chakra-infused kunai against his chest.
He chuckled breathlessly, his focus shattering. In that terrifying lock, she still dared to tease him and he felt the impossible, urgent need for her—a dangerous distraction far greater than the kunai aimed at his heart.
He looked at her, she looked at him, their gazes connecting in a raw desire. Her body was taut with adrenaline, and the crimson glow of his Sharingan only intensified her immediate, raw desire. The moment was electric and inevitable. They forgot about the world around them until a boisterous voice from the training grounds interrupted them.
"EH?! Kakashi sensei!!!" Naruto yelled "Are you kissing Secret-Dēto-Sensei again?!"
"Ugh, Naruto, do you have to be so loud all the time?" Sakura yelled covering her ears. "They are clearly training!"
Sasuke followed, struggling to maintain his typical detached expression. His eyes, though half-lidded, were sharp, missing none of the sweat or the controlled strength radiating from Suna.
Kakashi's eyes widened, and he quickly closed his Sharingan eye. The spell was broken. He and Suna immediately stood apart, lowering their kunais and brushing themselves off as his three students made their way toward them.
"Oh, hello, Team," Kakashi said, his tone a little too casual. "What are you doing here?"
"We waited two hours for you," Sasuke stated, his voice flat with annoyance.
"We were supposed to train today, remember?" Naruto accused.
"And since you said we would train today we assumed you would be here, Sensei," Sakura added, sighing and shaking her head.
"I thought I told you guys to meet here at noon... Oh well..." Kakashi said turning to face Suna and offering a two-fingered handshake. "I guess our practice is over, Suna-san."
"Thank you, Kakashi-san" she said returning the formality. She shook back the Seal of reconciliation and smiled at him. "So, Team Seven," Suna asked, looking at the kids. "Did you kids were able to see if your sensei pulled out his Sharingan first?"
"Or if Suna-san pulled out a kunai first?" Kakashi added, turning the question into a challenge.
"Of course, you brought your Sharingan first, Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura declared, crossing her arms and defending Suna.
"No way!" Naruto roared, pointing at Sakura. "She pulled out her kunai first!"
Naruto and Sakura launched into a heated argument, their voices quickly rising over each other.
"You are both wrong," Sasuke stated, cutting through their noise with crisp detachment. He was relaxed, his hands in his pockets, but a flicker of curiosity lingered in his eyes. "They did it at the exact same time."
Naruto instantly whirled on Sasuke. "What are you talking about, blind bat?! Her kunai came out first! Were you even watching?!"
Sasuke, meanwhile, remained utterly still, observing the scene with tired detachment. After a brief moment of internal debate, Sakura sighed, declared Naruto definitively wrong, and quickly backed Sasuke's assessment.
Suna gave the kids a warm, genuine smile. Her eyes twinkled with mischief, and she couldn't help but notice the exasperated looks on their faces. The sheer, chaotic loyalty of their bickering reminded her of the Genin team dynamics she had tragically lost. For all the darkness in her past, there was a quiet, domestic peace in this moment that felt just as real.
Even under their own discussion the three kids were surprised by Sunas abilities, it was only a couple of times they have seen their sensei struggle in battle and rely on his sharingan for battle.
Naruto, still wired from the argument, pointed at Suna. "Hey, Secret-Dēto-Sensei! You look tough! Train with us! Pleaaaase"
"Yes please Suna-san" Sakura said politely, holding her hands and bowing.
"Hn, it would be... something different," Sasuke said, his pride holding his excitement.
Kakashi immediately stepped in. "Team, Suna-san is very busy. She just got back from a long mission and we've been training since dawn, she needs to rest, and Naruto, can you please stop calling her-"
"I don’t mind, Kakashi-san," Suna interrupted him, her smile widening as she looked at Kakashi's surprised face. "It would be fun to train with you Sensei." She gave him an almost unnoticeable wink that, for some reason, he couldn't explain, made him blush behind his mask. "Besides, you still owe me brunch; you can take me after the training."
The atmosphere at the New Year's party was a blur of noise and color. Music blared from a speaker in the corner, and the familiar scent of sake and grilled pork filled the air. Kakashi, as usual, had no plans to attend any celebrations, but a quiet word from Tenzo that Suna would be throwing a party at her place, was enough to change his mind. Now, he leaned against a wall, his hand in his pocket, a half-empty cup of sake in the other hand, watching her.
For the first time, she wasn't wearing long sleeves or bandages to hide her past; the black shirt left her arms bare, proudly exposing the red ink of her ANBU tattoo. It was a statement of ownership over her own history, and Kakashi found he couldn't look away. As she shifted her weight to laugh at something Anko said, he caught a glimpse of bright yellow socks peeking out above her boots—a small, quirky splash of color that was so quintessentially Suna.
The last hour of the year ticked by in a haze of small talk and clinking cups. As the final minute arrived, a collective roar went up from the crowd. "Ten! Nine! Eight!"
Kakashi's eyes found hers across the room. She was smiling, her gaze fixed on the countdown, a sense of pure, unadulterated joy on her face.
"Three! Two! One! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and congratulations. Sake cups clinked together, and new year wishes were exchanged. But Suna was already moving.
She slipped away from the noise, making her way toward the large back porch that led out to the garden. Kakashi watched as she pulled on a long, military-green jacket that cinched at the waist, perfectly accentuating her curves, and topped her raspberry hair with a bright yellow beanie. The color coordinated perfectly with her socks, a deliberate bit of cheer against the dark winter gear.
Kakashi watched her go, a soft sigh of understanding leaving his lips. It was her ritual, he knew. She was going to see the stars.
He waited a beat, then followed her outside.
The air was crisp and cool, a shocking relief from the heat of the party. Suna was leaning against the pagoda pillar, her head tilted back, her eyes fixed on the constellations above. The moment was one of rare, beautiful stillness in the middle of a celebration.
He approached her, his footsteps silent. The familiar scent of her perfume mixed with the cold night air, an intoxicating blend. She didn't turn to face him, but she knew he was there.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice a soft murmur.
"I don't know," he replied honestly, his own voice a low rumble.
She finally turned, her gaze questioning. "The others are going to see us."
Kakashi gave her a slow eye-smile, his tone full of a quiet confidence. "I don't think so. They're all a bit… busy."
Suna looked around the yard and chuckled. He was right. Across the way, Might Guy had started his New Year's tradition, a single, wild sprint around the village for each month of the coming year, his "youthful vigor" a blur in the distance. Over by the drinks table, Asuma leaned close to Kurenai, his head tilted as if trying to flirt. At another table, Tenzo had collapsed, his head resting on the table as a very determined Anko kept pouring sake into the cup he was still clutching. Iruka was soundly asleep on a bench.
The chaos of his friends was a perfect distraction. Suna turned back to him, a shy smile on her lips. "I see."
Kakashi moved closer, the small space between them closing with every breath. The noise from inside the house felt miles away. He stopped in front of her, his hands coming out of his pockets. Without a word, he reached up, his fingers brushing against the fabric of his mask. Suna's gaze fell to his hands, her heart beginning to pound a frantic rhythm. He pulled the fabric down, slowly, deliberately, revealing the familiar jawline she has memorized by now.
Her eyes met his, and she saw the full expression of his feelings for her. There was a raw, unmasked hunger in his eye, a deep, consuming desire that took her breath away. He was no longer the quiet observer. He was a man who wanted her.
He placed one hand on her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her skin, and with the other, he reached for her waist, pulling her flush against his body. He lowered his head, his lips finding hers in a hungry, passionate kiss that felt like it had been building for months.
She responded in kind, her hands finding his neck, her fingers tangling in his silver hair, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, a reciprocal exchange of longing and desire that was more powerful than any jutsu. The soft warmth of her mouth, the taste of her sake-laced lips... it was all too much. He broke the kiss, a low groan escaping his chest, their foreheads pressed together, both of them breathing heavily.
"Let's go upstairs." he said, his voice husky.
She didn't hesitate. "Yes."
I've been overthinking if I should share this or not but oh well... here it goes, happy new year!
Summary: The escort mission is interrupted by specialized mercenaries, forcing Suna, Kakashi, and Gai into intense combat. Kakashi sustains a severe injury while protecting the client, which Suna only notices later. Suna forces him into her tent for medical attention, where the intimacy of treating his deep wound reignites their passion—only to be hilariously interrupted by an utterly fed-up, non-judgmental Shikamaru.
Word Count: 1,220 (Estimate)
The next morning, the Konoha teams, the Princess, and the Royal Guard left the rebuilt village. They traveled quickly along the circuitous route, pausing only when the injured Asuma, leaning heavily on his makeshift cane or his support, couldn't sustain the pace. They pressed onward for hours.
The team was moving swiftly through the forest when the earth erupted around them. Four shinobi burst from beneath the ground, dust and debris flying. They were clearly specialized mercenaries.
"Cover the principal!" Kakashi barked, his demeanor instantly switching to lethal command. His eyes flashed as he quickly assessed the threats: three close-combat specialists aggressively pushed forward, while the fourth remained a dangerous mystery. "Suna, Gai, each take one of the close-combat specialists," he commanded. "Separate them from the main group. Asuma, Team 10, guard the Princess. I’ll engage the last one and monitor for their leader—go draw them out safely."
One enemy, wielding a massive, jagged sword, stepped forward. Suna’s skill, honed over a decade of Kenjutsu training, surged with a thrilling anticipation. This was not a fight—this was an opportunity.
"I’ll take the guy with the big sword!" she called out, already drawing her katana. "I haven't had a proper dance in months!" She met the charge with a blazing focus, transferring the dense, cooling Night Sky Chakra she had been passively absorbing into her blade, making her attacks faster and hitting with chilling force. This was her element, her time.
Gai, thrilled by the challenge, erupted into a shout. "I shall take the biggest one! I won't let you gain this youthful experience alone, my rival!" He clashed immediately with a muscular enemy focused on hand-to-hand strikes.
Kakashi, his Sharingan blazing to life, took up a defensive position with the injured Asuma. "Team 10! Guard the Wards and your Sensei! We still don't know what to expect from their leader!" Team 10 immediately arranged themselves around Asuma. Kakashi started fighting the remaining close-combat specialist while the leader watched. The leader was a tall, mysterious, masked figure, who stood with his arms crossed, watching the chaos with unnerving calm.
Unbeknownst to all of them, the guard pulled on the Princess's arm, urging her to run into the depths of the woods while Kakashi was busy on his own fight. Kakashi caught a glimpse of the leader moving, but the enemy performed a jutsu so quick that even his Sharingan failed to track it properly. The speed was chilling, reminding Kakashi of his sensei's Flying Thunder God Technique. Making the leader instantly reappeared behind the escaping pair, snatching the Princess before anyone could fully react.
Asuma yelled, his voice strained but firm, "Go get her! The kids can take care of me and the guard!" Team 10 immediately arranged themselves in formation around their sensei and the unconscious royal guard.
Kakashi nodded at Asuma, leaping over the defense line. "Hold the perimeter until I'm back!"
Kakashi pursued the leader and the third mercenary, who were now running. The third mercenary stayed back to slow Kakashi. Kakashi parried and dodged, unwilling to lose sight of the Princess. Eventually, the leader stopped, waiting for Kakashi to catch up.
"You just won't give up," the leader sneered. "I guess I'll have to do it myself," he said, pushing the third mercenary to a side.
Kakashi, now facing both the leader and the third mercenary, fought with an intense focus. A whirlwind of shuriken and kunai deflected attacks, creating brief openings, and trying to keep them both at bay. He moved with a brutal efficiency, pushing himself to the absolute limit against the combined assault. He was forced to engage both, fighting defensively to shield the Princess. It was in this chaotic exchange that the leader struck. Using the same impossible speed that defied the Sharingan, he delivered a brutal, deep slash across Kakashi’s back and shoulder, the deep, tearing cut forcing a choked gasp and dropping him to one knee momentarily.
Just as the two enemies pressed their advantage, a blur of motion arrived from the trees. Suna appeared, having just finished her own brutal fight. Her katana flashed, and she took the fourth mercenary down in a single, devastatingly quiet strike.
Suna saw Kakashi sink to one knee and immediately assumed he was gravely injured. Her sense of duty and protection flared, overriding all other concerns. "You stay with her," Suna commanded Kakashi, her eyes fixed on the leader. "I got this." she said, swinging her katana walking menancingly into the leaders path.
Kakashi, breathing hard, nodded, clutching his wounded shoulder.
Suna cornered the leader against a thick tree. Her Root instincts—the part of her training that demanded intelligence and efficiency—recognized the man’s face from her Konoha Bingo Book related to high-profile political assassinations. With a final, decisive sweep of her chakra-enhanced blade, she ended the fight, the leader collapsing in a silent heap.
In the sudden silence, He tumbled, dizzy, until he leaned heavily against the tree next to the Princess. He took a deep breath to calm himself, and deliberately straightened his posture. The Princess, wide-eyed, rushed to him.
"You're hurt!" she cried, voice trembling. "Thank you, thank you so much! You saved my life." She hugged him gently, being careful not to touch his wound, then kissed his cheek, a soft, slow brush that left Kakashi momentarily flustered, the unfamiliar warmth on his skin causing a faint blush.
Suna sealed the leader’s body into a storage scroll with cold precision. When she finally turned, she caught the tail-end of the cheek kiss, but her gaze immediately cut past the Princess to the deep, black stain blooming on Kakashi’s vest.
"Kakashi, you are wounded." Suna said
"It's just a scratch, Suna," he lied, trying to smile.
The team soon reunited, deviating from their original route to ensure they were in a completely secure, isolated location to set camp.
Later, walking with Kakashi while Suna and Gai scouted ahead, the Princess spoke, her eyes earnest. "I owe you my life, Hatake-san. My father, the King, would grant you anything. Please, allow me to repay you. Marry me. You could become the Prince of a great land."
Kakashi blinked, momentarily stunned. He gently declined, using a polite eye-smile. "That is a generous and flattering offer, Princess. But my commitment is to Konoha. I must keep my village safe."
It was deep into the night at the secure camp. Asuma and the Princess were carefully preparing fish that Team 10 had just caught, along with cleaning wild edible greens over a small fire, while Gai secured the perimeter.
Team 10, despite their exhaustion, attempted to relax by the fire.
"Choji, wait!" Ino snapped, hands on her hips, watching Choji eye the cooked fish. "That's for dinner! Why don’t you help the royal guard cook the soup, that way we would be eating sooner."
"But I'm starving," Choji mumbled, "Too hungry to move" already taking a quick bite of dried meat from his stash.
The Princess, seated by Asuma, watched the exchange, then spoke up, her tone suddenly adopting a tactless air of superior concern. "Yes, Choji-san, you should really take it slow. You might put on weight, and you are already looking rather... fa-."
Shikamaru, who had been lazily observing the fire, snapped his eyes open. He instantly stepped between the Princess and his distressed friend. "Princess!" he interrupted, holding up his hands in a clear gesture to halt her words. "Why don’t you help your guard with the soup?"
The Princess, chastised, went quiet and began organizing the cooking supplies.
"What did she say?" Choji asked, anger already forming in his gaze.
"Oh nothing nothing!" Ino said nervously.
Meanwhile, Kakashi sat on a small log, trying to appear amused by the kids interaction. Suna watched as Kakashi casually reached for his water bottle with his right arm. She noticed the almost imperceptible tensing around his eye as a spike of pain hit him. He froze the motion mid-reach, and with a smooth, practiced shift, discreetly completed the action with his left hand instead. She knew the signs of suppressed pain well.
She stood and approached him. "Your 'scratch' is slowing you down. It's time to check it."
"It's fine, Suna," he insisted, his voice low.
Suna knelt down, her voice dropping to a firm, non-negotiable command. "In that state, you are a tactical liability. Even Asuma is less disabled than you are right now. Get to my tent—now."
Kakashi finally conceded, knowing the truth in her assessment. He pushed off the log and followed her toward the tent. He maintained his stoic composure all the way, still insisting it was nothing.
Inside, Suna pulled her rudimentary medical kit from her backpack. "Strip off," she commanded, her voice firm, the tent flap falling shut behind them. He paused, seeing the small space, and knew there was no room for modesty.
He paused, his jaw tightening. He knelt, resting his weight on his left arm to give her access to his back. The motion caused a spike of pain that he masked with a quick intake of breath. The shirt beneath the vest was ripped and soaked through with dark, tacky blood near his shoulder blade.
"For f—'s sake, Kakashi, why did you hide this?" Suna's voice was tight with anger, but her hands were gentle. She had to help strip off the tight, blood-soaked undershirt, their bodies brushing intimately. He remained silent, his rigid posture the only indicator of his agony. She applied the antiseptic, and after a sharp, immediate burn, the pain finally eased beneath the cool touch of her stabilizing chakra.
"It's not completely healed," she murmured, focused entirely on the wound. "I’m not a medical ninja, but I've had to learn a few things over the years for self-preservation. At least now you can fight, and perform hand signs properly, or even reach a water bottle without your body screaming in silent pain," she said playfully.
As she tightened the final bandage around his chest, her warm hand lingered on his bare skin near his heart, their attraction pulling them closer despite the mission protocols. His heart hammered rapidly against her palm, and a blush crept up his neck.
He lifted his hand, cupping the side of her face. "What is it with you, Suna," he whispered, his eyes locked on hers, "You make me feel… like this." Her heart jumped, and she surrendered to her longing. Her eyes half-lidded, she grabbed Kakashi's hand, and their lips brushed. The air thickened with desire, and the conversations outside momentarily forgotten, they kissed with desperate, familiar need.
Suddenly, the tent flap ripped open, and they both yanked back.
"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt!"
Shikamaru Nara stood there, silhouetted by the campfire light, his face registering total, exhausted annoyance. He saw Kakashi shirtless and unmasked—the forbidden, exposed face laid bare.
"Shikamaru! We—I was just finishing the bandages!" she stammered, scrambling to readjust the already perfectly-placed bandages.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with tired sarcasm. "Yeah, yeah. You don't have to make excuses, I'm not a baby. Ugh, this is so troublesome." He yanked the flap shut. "Food is ready!" he yelled, already walking away.
Kakashi quickly grabbed his blood-soaked shirt—cold and clammy against his skin—and pulled it on with one arm, his visible eye filled with stunned disbelief. Suna watched him, a laugh finally breaking free.
Summary: After successfully reaching the client, the mission team shares a celebratory dinner. Suna and Kakashi slip away to a quiet room where they finally negotiate the terms of their relationship. They agree on a "no strings, purely physical" contract that perfectly suits both their needs, only for their renewed passion to be hilariously cut short by the noisy arrival of the continuing celebration.
Word Count: 1,023 (Estimate)
The following morning, the team continued their journey with focused efficiency. They reached the secluded village before noon, finding a scene not of chaos, but of quiet, methodical effort. Bandaged and leaning heavily on a crude, makeshift cane, Asuma Sarutobi saw them approach and gave a weary wave. Kakashi and Suna immediately converged on him.
"Status report, Asuma?" Kakashi asked, skipping any formalities. Asuma took a drag from his cigarette.
"Bad news: We were ambushed and as a result this village was partly destruyed and I shattered my leg. Good news: The principal and the Genin team are fine, and the escalation is controlled. The young woman we were escorting wasn't a merchant's apprentice; she's a Princess of the Land of Rivers. That's why the bandits went A-Rank overnight." Asuma paused, adding, "The kids and the princess have been helping the villagers rebuild for the last couple of days."
The principal—a young, beautiful woman wearing simple, sturdy traveling clothes, who was focused entirely on the work—was working alongside Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji to move rubble and supplies.
Gai immediately pitched in, fueled by a dramatic sense of mission completion, and began lifting massive, scorched timber with impossible ease, shouting encouragement.
A stern-looking man, who turned out to be a royal guard—the only survivor from the Princess's original security detail—approached Kakashi while Suna checked on Asuma’s broken leg. The guard’s exhaustion was visible in his posture, but his eyes remained sharp. "Thank you. The immediate danger is past," the guard said. He then lowered his voice, his expression heavy with apology. "I must apologize for the deception. Our kingdom has been embroiled in a bitter war over the throne, and the Princess is a key target for factions trying to force the King to abdicate." He explained, "We were afraid to reveal too much information, so we planned to request a regular escort to pass undetected. We hoped to secure temporary refugee in Konoha while the conflict is resolved, but the enemies somehow found out and ambushed us." He finished by quickly briefing Kakashi on the bandits.
The villagers were overwhelmed with gratitude, and by nightfall, they prepared a massive, celebratory dinner: a noisy, crowded affair featuring steaming platters of food and generous servings of sake. Choji, predictably, claimed the seat closest to the food and was already working through his third platter.
"Choji! Slow down, you're going to eat everything!" Ino said with a sharp elbow to his side
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered, rolling his eyes.
The Princess gave a delicate, small chuckle behind her napkin, then risked a quick, discreet stare across the noisy table at Kakashi. Kakashi remained utterly oblivious to the Princess's fixed, shy gaze. Suna, however, registered every stolen glance and the faint blush on the girl's cheeks whenever Kakashi spoke. Suna watched the innocent admiration with quiet, amused satisfaction, knowing she would definitely tease Kakashi later.
Suna fought to enjoy the communal warmth, but after days of mission focus and the charged tension of their near-kiss in the hot springs, the noise and camaraderie became utterly draining. She waited for a booming shout of laughter from Gai and Asuma, using the distraction as cover to discreetly slip away from the table and retreat upstairs to the small, borrowed room.
She opened the window, letting the cool, damp night air wash over her. She settled onto the windowsill, one leg dangling outside, allowing the vast expanse of the dark sky to quiet her mind. Below, the din of the celebration was a dull thrum.
A shadow fell over the opposite rooftop. She felt the presence before she saw the silhouette—a lean, familiar shape moving with silent, predatory grace. Kakashi landed lightly on the eaves beside her window.
"I thought I sensed someone," Suna commented, her voice flat, not bothering to turn around.
"Just doing a final perimeter check, Suna-san," he murmured, his voice a low blend of teasing professionalism and something warmer.
Suna didn't bother with the formalities; her professional guard dissolved immediately. She simply pushed the window open wider, a silent invitation. Kakashi slid easily inside, pulling the sash shut behind him, sealing them off from the celebratory noise.
The room was instantly charged with tension. The flickering light of a lantern from the street below cast shadows across his unmasked face. He moved toward her, stopping just inches away.
"Tell me, Captain," Suna began, a wide, challenging smile on her face. "What's it like having a royal admirer?"
Kakashi blinked, utterly puzzled. "An admirer?"
"The Princess," Suna clarified, her voice dripping with mock sincerity. "She barely took her eyes off you all through dinner. Looks like someone has a crush on the heroic Copy Ninja." She let her index finger graze his chest, a brief, sharp strike that felt like a spark.
Kakashi chuckled, leaning back slightly. "She's just a client. Why, Yamisora, are you jealous?" The unexpected, teasing question made Suna's composure falter for a split second, though her amusement immediately peaked.
"Jealous? No. I've already met my quota of required admiration from royalty during the last decade," Suna teased, letting her fingers gently touch the side of his jaw. "I’m simply checking your perimeter, Hatake-san." She let the amusement fade, her gaze becoming serious as she returned to the real topic.
Suna," Kakashi said, his voice dropping to a serious, hoarse whisper, leaving behind all formalities. "About the other night... about the 'pretend we know each other' part. Are we still pretending?" He pulled her hips gently toward him.
Suna looked up to face him fully, a surge of profound relief washing over her that he was finally addressing the elephant in the room.
"I think we both know what we want," Suna admitted, meeting his gaze directly. "But I must insist, Kakashi. This, us, we are not a thing." She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, making him feel goosebumps immediately. "I don't want a boyfriend. I don't want commitment. I just want... this."
"This?" he echoed, his voice warm with amusement and a smirk drawing on his face.
"The easy friendship, the incredible physical arrangement. I don't want to complicate life right now; I don't want you to get the wrong idea."
Kakashi’s eye crinkled, his smile genuine. He understood completely. He, the man who lived by avoiding emotional bonds, found her honesty profoundly attractive.
"Suna," he murmured, his thumb gently caressing the soft skin behind her ear. "Believe me… I couldn't agree with you more." He leaned closer, his lips brushing hers. "I think," he whispered, lowering his mask entirely, "that we are both looking for exactly the same thing: someone who doesn't ask for forever, but who shows up when it matters. Right?"
They didn't need any more convincing. Suna's lips parted slightly, and she closed the final gap, their mouths about to meet in a kiss that promised to shatter their professional boundaries.
Suddenly, a loud thump and boisterous laughter echoed from the communal staircase outside the room. The celebration was moving upstairs. They froze instantly, the adrenaline of surprise replacing the heat of desire. Kakashi snapped his mask up and pulled back with the speed of a startled wild animal, his body instantly professional and rigid. Suna took a sharp, steadying breath, her eyes wide.
"The party," she whispered, her voice tight with frustration.
Kakashi nodded once, his visible eye filled with regret. He didn't waste a second on words. He gave her a final, burning look, confirming the mission's priority, and slipped silently out the open window, vanishing into the shadows of the roofline. Suna walked over and locked the door. She stood by the window for a long time, listening to the muffled sounds of the celebration below, the frustrating emptiness of the room a silent testament to the rules of their new arrangement.
Summary: The mission takes a strategic detour to a thermal springs resort, forcing Kakashi and Suna into a single shared room, which breaks their excessive professional decorum. After Kakashi wins a thumb wrestling match against Gai to buy them some alone time, they finally confront the reason for their recent distant behavior—only to be violently interrupted by Gai's triumphant return from his self-imposed penance.
Word Count: 1,008
The following morning, Kakashi addressed the team beneath a high canopy of pine needles. “Based on my analysis, we’ll take a long detour around the hills. The scouting reports from other agents are less detailed there, but it keeps us off the main highway, minimizing potential ambushes. We should reach the village by sunset.”
The journey was relentless, punctuated by Gai’s insistence on "youthful" sprints and dramatic bounding leaps. But the real challenge was the internal tension between Kakashi and Suna. They were excessively polite, maintaining an almost theatrical professional distance.
As they paused by a shallow stream for a quick break, Kakashi knelt, using the quiet rush of the water as an excuse to break the silence.
“Suna-san,” Kakashi asked stiffly, holding out his own canteen. “Do you want me to fill your water supply?”
“Thank you, Kakashi-san,” she replied with equally formal care, handing over her canteen while maintaining a respectful distance.
Gai erupted, shattering the bizarre politeness. "Nonsense! Let your rival perform this task of hydration! The refreshing chill of the stream demands a spirited effort! I shall refill both of your supplies!" He snatched the canteens and plunged them into the water with unnecessary vigor.
Kakashi and Suna exchanged a sharp glance. Suna bit back a smile, a flash of genuine, unmasked amusement lighting her eyes as she quickly returned to her indifferent posture. Seeing that unrestrained joy—so different from her professional facade—sent a sharp, inconvenient warmth through Kakashi’s chest, a feeling he quickly suppressed.
Around sunset, tired and covered in trail dust, they reached the village. The small village was famous for its geothermal activity, featuring a rustic but welcoming thermal spring resort.
The desk clerk, a cheerful older woman, informed them they only had one room left—a large suite meant to accommodate a small family. "Not a problem!" Gai declared, oblivious to the twitch in Kakashi's eye. The clerk handed Kakashi the single key, a small map, and a stack of fresh towels and folded yukata for the baths. She briefly explained the separate entrances for the men's and women's thermal areas.
“An hour in the sacred springs to purify the spirit!” Gai declared, stretching his neck until it cracked. “Then, dinner and an early sleep. Mission protocol demands a refreshed body!”
At the thermal springs, Gai declared the day successful,
but Kakashi, needing a moment alone with Suna, quickly challenged him. "A thumb wrestling match, Gai. Winner dictates the remaining hours before sleep." Gai accepted instantly. Kakashi easily won. As penance, Gai decreed he would walk the entire village perimeter on his hands while chanting the principles of Taijutsu. Kakashi sighed dramatically but offered a silent moment of thanks for his rival’s extreme dedication.
Suna chuckled, shaking her head. She stripped off her jacket and entered the women’s section of the bath, sinking into the scalding water with a long, contented sigh. She could still hear Gai’s loud, echoing comments about "youthful flames" and "eternal rivalry," the sounds mixing with the soothing rush of the hot water. The tension that had been locked into her muscles all day finally began to dissolve.
An hour later, Suna was back in their shared room, the hotel-provided yukata draped loosely around her. The fresh cotton was a welcome change after her mission gear, and the steam from the springs still clung to her raspberry hair. The air felt thick with anticipation.
The door clicked, and Kakashi walked in alone. He was also wearing a yukata, which hung loosely on his damp, toned frame.
“Where is Gai?” Suna asked, sitting up straighter on the edge of the futon.
“He lost,” Kakashi replied casually, pulling the towel off and running it through his silver hair. He looked freshly scrubbed, his hair damp and soft. “I challenged him to a thumb wrestling match and he lost. He said that as a self-Imposed rule, he would do 100 handstand laps around this village”
Suna let out a genuine, surprised laugh. “That’s... truly inspired penance.” Her amusement faded, replaced by a slight awkwardness now that they were truly alone in the dimly lit room.
She hesitated, then pushed past the formality. "Kakashi, I need to ask you something." She dropped the honorific, signaling the shift. "Is everything alright? I went back to the dog park Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but you never showed up."
Kakashi stopped drying his hair, the towel freezing mid-motion. He looked at her, his visible eye showing genuine guilt. "Suna. I am so sorry. I was sent out on a short mission since Sunday. I should have let you know. I didn't mean to give you the wrong idea."
"It’s alright, I just wondered what happened. I'm relieved to be honest." Suna said, offering a small, genuine smile. "I know we agreed it was just a one time thing, but I still hoped we could be friends. "
"The best contract I've been offered in years," he said as he walked closer to her, his desire to bridge the physical space conflicting with his awareness of the delicate situation. He wanted to reach out, but kept his hands firmly at his sides.
"It's funny, though," Suna murmured, rising to close the short distance between them. Her hands were tucked into the sleeves of her robe. "For the last couple of days, you've been calling me Suna-san, talking to me like we barely knew each other. I thought I offended you.”
"I thought that was your idea," Kakashi murmured back, his voice husky. "You started it..."
"You were the one who started talking to me like that," she challenged, her eyes sparkling. "Or now you don't remember, Kakashi-san?" She bit her lower lip, her heart beating frantically at the closeness.
The formal challenge snapped the tension. Kakashi closed the final inch, his breath ghosting over her ear. "The truth is," he whispered, his voice thick with desire, "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since that day."
His hands settled lightly on her waist, drawing her flush against his chest. Her breath hitched as their cheeks brushed, the heat of his skin contrasting with the cool air of the room. Their mouths began to find each other, the tension of the day dissolving into immediate, hungry connection. Kakashi was just about to lower his mask—
CRASH!
The door burst inward with enough force to rattle the room’s single windowpane. Gai stood framed in the doorway, soaked and disheveled, but radiating victory.
“MY RIVAL!” Gai roared, pointing dramatically. “The thumb wrestle defeat is erased! I completed the handstand circuit in a new personal best! The youthful strength is vindicated!”
Kakashi and Suna sprang apart, their hearts pounding in unison, faces flushed red from the near-kiss. Kakashi stood frozen, looking utterly aghast.
Suna, recovering instantly, offered a brilliant, forced smile and a nod. “Hello, Gai! That’s wonderful! How was your handstand walk around town?”
Summary: Kakashi, Suna, and Gai establish camp deep in the forest for their A-Rank mission. The flickering campfire exposes the intense tension between Suna and Kakashi, leading to a dangerous lapse in their professional focus. When Kakashi finds Suna alone during her night patrol, their silent confrontation by the river forces Suna to violently uphold the professional protocol and step away from the forbidden closeness.
Word Count: 650 (Estimate)
The first day of the rescue mission was an exhausting reminder of the price of teamwork. Gai, operating at his self-proclaimed “youthful 150%,” insisted on maintaining a relentless pace, punctuated by spontaneous, highly energetic stretching breaks. Kakashi responded with an endless supply of theatrical sighs, and Suna found herself playing the professional buffer between the two rivals.
They established camp just as dusk bled into night, settling near a thin, winding river deep within the Land of Rivers’ forested border.
“Right! The night brings challenges and opportunities for vigorous defense!” Gai announced, planting his fists on his hips. “Since I am at peak enthusiasm, I shall take the first patrol! My youthful flames will ward off any nocturnal villains!”
Gai vanished into the tree line before either of them could argue.
Suna quickly started setting up the camp’s perimeter defense. “A six-day mission. This is going to be fun,” she said, allowing a low, amused laugh to escape while setting a tripwire seal between two large pines.
“Gai is predictable. Exhausting, but predictable,” Kakashi agreed, as he gathered a pile of dry kindling near a tree. He glanced at Suna. "I’m taking the third watch. You should take the second, Suna-san. It’s the darkest. I believe you can take advantage of this."
Suna felt a familiar, inconvenient rush of heat at the sound of his voice. He was deliberately using the honorific as a teasing challenge, a challenge she was eager to meet. "Understood, Kakashi-san," Suna replied with the same playful formality, her head remaining bowed over her work. The meticulous formality of his request, bordering on parody, made Suna fight a private smile. She enjoyed the private game of coded professionalism they played.
She soon finished marking the perimeter boundaries. Kakashi had lit a small fire, and she sat opposite him, their gazes meeting across the low, flickering flames. The firelight reflected the heat of the attraction they felt for each other.
A soft, sudden rustle in the leaves startled them both. They stood up abruptly, drawing shuriken and kunai instantly. The low hoot of an owl echoed, and a dark shape swept over the trees.
Kakashi let out a long sigh as he recognized the sound immediately, but the lapse was already noted: for a full minute, neither of them had been focused on the perimeter, their attention held captive by the firelight and the forbidden tension. The mission demanded better.
Suna took a sharp breath, her professional control snapping back into place. That lapse was a liability. She needed immediate, effective rest. She turned toward her tent, walking away from the fire. When she reached his side, she placed a brief, warm hand on his shoulder and whispered, without meeting her gaze, “Goodnight, Kakashi-san.” The soft sound of her name on his lips made Kakashi’s heart jump, a sharp, inconvenient rhythm against his ribs. He was left with the phantom sensation of her heat, the memory of her hand a burning brand against the cold fabric of his shirt.
Kakashi woke from a placid dream in the tent when Gai returned from his patrol two hours later. He could hear his rival counting in a loud whisper that violated the very concept of stealth while performing exactly one thousand shadow-boxing punches.
"999, 1000!" he could hear Gai whisper. Then he heard Suna’s tent unzip; her shift had begun.
"Hi, Gai," she whispered. "How was patrol duty?"
"Everything in order," he said with a decisive thumbs up. "No one would dare to attack three of Konoha's finest Jōnin!" he laughed loudly
Kakashi listened as they exchanged hushed words for a moment longer until Gai finally entered their tent. Kakashi feigned sleep, but before he could follow his plan—to wait for the snoring and sneak out to meet Suna—he ended up falling asleep for real.
Suna began her patrol shift at 11:00 PM. She moved with silent grace and stealth, checking the perimeter seals and making a wider sweep of the immediate area. The silence of the forest was absolute, broken only by the chirping of crickets. After confirming the area was secure, she doubled back toward the river, where the moonlight was brightest.
Kakashi woke up anxious, one of his usual nightmares still clinging to him. It was still early for his shift, but sleep was impossible. He pulled on his vest, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm, and went looking for Suna. He found her near the river, inhaling deeply and meditating, absorbing the night energy. She looked beautiful, almost radiant under the moonlight. He approached keeping the distance, silent as his training had taught him, he climbed a branch high up in a nearby tree, vigilant.
Suna, her senses sharper in the dark, had felt his presence since he arrived, but she remained still. She let a small smile touch her lips, maintaining her meditation, sensing everything around her.
Her shift ending, Suna stood up, stretching slowly on purpose for the shadow above. She then walked to the camp's edge, stopping right under the branch where Kakashi was hiding.
"You are awfully early for your patrol..." she said, pausing slightly, then added, "Kakashi-san," finally looking up at his precise location.
He jumped down the tree, landing gracefully in front of her. She didn't flinch.
"I was just admiring the view, Suna-san," Kakashi replied, his voice a low, gravelly sound. He ran his eyes over her form, a clear statement of desire.
Suna's cheeks flushed, but she met his gaze with a steady, challenging look. "I see. Tactical observation, then, Kakashi-san."
"Always," Kakashi murmured, stepping closer, closing the distance until the heat radiating from her body was all he could feel. He could hear her heartbeat speeding up to match his own. The silence was suffocating, thick with unspoken demands. Suna fought a sudden, sharp intake of breath, every nerve ending vibrating with the heat of his presence. His eyes, fixed on hers, were a silent, deliberate provocation. She recognized the danger in the way their energy was coiling between them—a chaotic force that had nothing to do with mission success. Her professional control screamed for correction. With an immense effort, she broke the tension, stepping back smoothly. "Good luck on your patrol, Kakashi-san."
Kakashi didn't argue. He watched her turn and walk back toward the camp without looking back. He was left alone on the cold riverbank, the heat of her presence immediately replaced by the chill of the night air.
Summary: Suna is assigned to an A-Rank mission led by Kakashi, alongside the relentlessly enthusiastic Might Gai. Under the Third Hokage's and Gai's watchful eyes, they are forced to adhere to strict professional decorum, creating excruciating public tension, especially after Kakashi is blindsided by a completely irrational and inconvenient surge of jealousy.
Word Count: 895
The summons came shortly after noon on Thursday. Suna, having only been back in the village for a few days, was still trying to recover from the exhaustion of her continuous, various-day mission by attempting to resume her morning routine when she was called to the Hokage’s office.
When she arrived, the only other member present was Might Gai, who immediately stood rigid, striking a pose. "Ah, Suna-san! Your presence is most youthful! May our mission be filled with the fires of shared teamwork!"
“Hokage-sama, Gai-san,” Suna greeted, nodding calmly, acknowledging his enthusiasm. She stood next to Gai while the Hokage began debriefing the mission—a three-person A-Rank rescue. The Hokage was just confirming the details when the door slid open.
The shared silence that followed was broken by a familiar, drawling voice. “Sorry, I’m late. I wasn’t expecting to be called back so soon.”
Hatake Kakashi closed the door and gave the room a vague, half-hearted eye-smile. This was the first time Suna had seen him outside of the intimate chaos of the last week, and the sudden formality spurred her into calculated focus.
"Kakashi," the Third Hokage said warmly. "Now that our team is complete, let us begin. Days ago, a Genin team and their Jōnin sensei on a routine escort mission encountered complications. The complication is that their principal, originally thought to be a regular escort, is a person of vital political importance to the Fire Daimyō, and they've been forced to take shelter in a remote town near the Land of Rivers border. They are safe for now, but the return route is compromised."
"Kakashi, I'll assign you as team captain," the Hokage added, "your mission is an A-Rank strategic deployment: You must first scout and secure a safe path back to Konoha, gathering intelligence on any necessary safe havens before proceeding with the escort. Take your time to strategically locate safe areas."
Gai, predictably, erupted in a fireball of energy. “Ah, my eternal rival! A mission of teamwork and youthful passion! We shall make this the most spirited rescue in Konoha history!” He clapped a hand onto Suna’s shoulder, then managed to clap Kakashi’s, pulling them both into a tight, enthusiastic side-hug.
Kakashi gave an audible, theatrical groan that Suna instantly recognized and nearly smothered with a laugh. She cleared her throat instead, locking her gaze on the ceiling.
The briefing concluded quickly. Kakashi straightened, his demeanor shifting entirely into the team leader. "As team captain, I have secured the basic field information. We will depart from the main gate in exactly one hour to maintain our optimal travel schedule. Gai, Suna-san, please ensure your supplies are secured."
Gai, still buzzing, slammed his fists together. "Hah! One hour is more than enough time for the preparation of the spirit and the body! I shall inform my youthful students of my glorious departure!"
Suna retrieved her file, her focus fixed entirely on the mission details. "Understood, Kakashi-san." She gave him a polite, firm nod, gave a quick look at him, and turned to leave.
Almost an hour later, Kakashi was already at the main gate, leaning against the entrance wall reading his book. He had already visited the Memorial Stone earlier, even before the mission briefing, and his supplies were secured and untouched from his previous assignment, leaving him with no plausible excuse for delay. The mission was all that was left, which made him, quite unexpectedly, early.
Suna approached the main village gate. She was in full uniform, her utility pouch was freshly stocked, her katana sheath was strapped high on her back, and her backpack was ready for multiple days away.
The gatekeepers stood attentively at their posts, confirming departure manifests. Suna paused by the desk, exchanging a few easy words with Kotetsu and Izumo at the gate desk. A genuine, unguarded laugh escaped her, a sound Kakashi had only heard a few times, mainly when Anko was involved. The gatekeepers laughed back, clearly familiar with her.
Kakashi was seemingly engrossed in his book, but he couldn't help but look up, registering Suna's casual intimacy with the guards. A sudden, vicious surge of possessiveness ripped through his calm, an emotion he instantly recognized as illogical and profoundly inconvenient. She knows them? Why is she laughing so freely? He quickly returned to his book, attempting to lock the unwanted emotion down, but he wasn't reading the words on the pages, he was trying hard to understand, to capture the fragmented sound of their conversation.
Suna finally finished her conversation with the gatekeepers, having lingered a while longer to tease Kakashi, before walking his way. She took him in properly, and despite the emotional distance she was trying to enforce, she let out a small, silent gasp. He looked like the epitome of the professional Copy Ninja—guarded, ready, and utterly unreadable. "You are early Kakashi-san" she teased him with formalities.
He lifted his gaze from the book, closed it with one hand and said "Just trying to balance out my lifetime tardiness average, Suna-san. Professional necessity."
He felt the sudden tightening of his jaw, a reflex against the surge of illicit longing. Her presence was a palpable heat, making his own heart pound a frantic, heavy rhythm against his ribs. He imagined she could feel it, too, the frantic beat echoing the undeniable connection between them.
Gai arrived in a sudden burst of green wind, shattering the silence. He immediately launched into a highly visible, explosive set of warm-up stretches that sent dust motes dancing in the air.
The tension was forced to hold. Between Gai's arrival and the gatekeepers standing just feet away, the risk of breaking their professional facade was too great. But standing shoulder-to-shoulder, the memory of the night and morning—the warmth of her body, the feeling of his hands—created a sudden, intense magnetic pull. Suna could feel the tension radiating off him, matching the fierce, inconvenient desire that flared in her own chest. They were both ANBU veterans; they knew how to hide truth and project total indifference.
Kakashi risked a small, deliberate shift of weight, letting his hip firmly collide with hers. It was a silent, split-second expression of his illicit desire, a message only she would register: I want you.
Suna didn't react externally. She simply clenched her jaw, locking the heat and the wanting down, and returned her gaze to the path ahead. They had a mission to focus on.
"Suna-san," Kakashi said, his voice now crisp and authoritative. "Gai. We move out."
Summary: Kakashi wakes up to a panic attack over commitment, only for Suna to preemptively suggest a "purely physical, no-strings" contract. Their agreement is sealed with a handshake and immediately shattered by an irresistible kiss, leaving them with an expired contract, mutual longing, and a complicated start to their week.
Kakashi was the first to surface, yanked from the post-sex calm not by a nightmare, but by the persistent, anxious thrum of his own overthinking mind. He was lying on his back, stiff, with Suna draped across his chest, her raspberry hair fanned over his shoulder. The warmth and weight of her felt profoundly wrong—too domestic, too real, too dangerous. He froze, muscles rigid, desperate not to wake her. A dull, unfamiliar guilt settled in his gut. He was a man who couldn’t sustain closeness. Had he given her the wrong impression? Was she expecting something formal, something that demanded a commitment he couldn't afford?
Before his anxiety could spiral into full-blown panic, Suna inhaled deeply, her eyes fluttering open. She lifted her head, her voice raspy and low with sleep.
“Good morning, Copy Ninja,” she teased, settling her chin back on his chest. “What’s wrong? I can hear your mind running at a thousand miles an hour from here.”
Her directness calmed him instantly. He relaxed his posture, letting a quiet chuckle vibrate through his chest.
Suna pushed herself up, pulling the sheet to cover her front as she sat on her side, facing him. She took a long moment to study him in the soft morning light: his toned torso, the delicate scar on his left eye, and the strong line of his jaw and lips, now revealed. She chuckled, a soft, warm sound.
“What?” Kakashi asked, smiling, a hint of his own nervous chuckle mixed into the question.
Suna shook her head. “Nothing… it’s just…” She let out a soft sigh, stretching her free arm above her head with a deliberately dramatic groan, then settled her gaze on him with a wide smile. “How am I going to explain this to the Kirigakure? That I slept with the target?”
Kakashi laughed through his nose, running a hand through his own spiky silver hair before letting his arm fall behind his head, accentuating his shoulder and the powerful curve of his exposed bicep. The last of his guilt faded, replaced by the relief of her playful candor.
Suna felt a blush heat her neck, but she forced down the rush of heat. The soft morning light was an immediate, unwelcome reminder of her duties, forcing her to brutally fight off the fierce wanting for him again. She had an assignment today, and the intensity of the last few hours demanded she regain her focus immediately.
Ring! Ring!
The sharp, insistent sound of the doorbell shattered the quiet. Suna winced. “Right. Meatball duty.” She scrambled off the bed, hastily shedding the sheet. In that brief, frantic movement, as if time itself stretched, Kakashi's breath hitched—he caught a perfect, fleeting glimpse of her toned curves under the morning light. She pulled on a big hoodie. "I'm coming!" she yelled toward the door, then threw on some shorts. “I have to hand Meatball off to the Genin who cares for him while I'm on assignment.” She explained, giving him a quick, mischievous glance. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be quick.” Then she was gone, leaving him alone in the bedroom.
Kakashi lay there, a slow, satisfied smile on his face, enjoying the silence. The sense of urgency he usually felt after waking up was completely absent. He finally stretched, letting his gaze fall on the dresser. He’d left his utility vest, his shirt, and his pouch downstairs. A sudden, terrible thought struck him: What if the dog walker saw his orange book peeking out of his bag? They would immediately know it belonged to him. What would they think? He only wished, Please don't be Naruto.
He quickly pulled on his pants and slid out of the room, peering down the stairwell. He saw Suna by the front door, handing Meatball’s leash to a young Genin named Shikamaru Nara, who was too busy muttering about the dog's 'troublesome' drool to notice the pouch containing the orange book.
He made his way downstairs, catching Suna’s eye as he reached the bottom step. She closed the door, locking her gaze on his shirtless form. The sight of his fit body, the deep, shadowed lines of his hipbones cutting below his pants, left her momentarily speechless.
“Do you want some tea? Maybe coffee?” Suna asked, her voice calm despite the blush that dusted her cheeks. "Kakashi."
The sound of his name, without the formal san, spoken by her entirely sober, hit him with unexpected force. “After all that sake, coffee would be great, Suna. Thank you,” he said, his voice still a little husky.
Suna chuckled. He watched her graceful form move to the kitchen, preparing two mugs with an easy familiarity that made her seem impossibly desirable. He searched the couch for his shirt and put it on.
Their eyes met over the counter, and Suna frowned playfully. “I liked you more without the shirt.”
He laughs through his nose, sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar. She placed two steaming mugs of black coffee and a plate of toasted bread and tamagoyaki between them.
Suna sat opposite him, looking down at the steam rising from her cup. The domestic scene was shattered by a dense, uncertain silence. After the intimacy of the night, their short, casual conversations felt utterly inadequate for navigating whatever this new connection was. She cleared her throat. "Look, Kakashi, about last night."
He stopped stirring his coffee, his posture going rigid as he met her gaze, a sharp spike of fear piercing through his morning calm. He waited for the inevitable request for commitment he couldn't give.
"I have to say this fast before I lose my nerve." She fiddled with the edge of her cup, avoiding his gaze as her cheeks darkened. "Last night was... amazing. But I'm terrible at this—I honestly haven't done anything like this before." She let out a nervous, self-deprecating chuckle. "This was a one-time thing, right?." She finally met his eyes, biting the inside of her cheek as her leg jumped up and down. "Just… Purely physical. No strings, no expectations... You good with that?"
Kakashi exhaled slowly, leaning back on the stool. A genuine smile softened his face. "Suna," he said, his tone entirely relaxed, "that sounds like the best contract I've been offered in years."
Her tension melted away entirely. She grinned, the sudden joy of shared understanding making her feel weightless. She stood up and walked around the breakfast bar to stand next to him, offering her hand for a handshake "Well, thank you for the sex, sir" she said.
Kakashi laughed out loud, a full, unrestrained sound. "No, thank you for the sex." He met her palm with his own, returning the handshake with a firm, mutual shake.
The handshake lingered, a warm, long claim. Their eyes locked—hazel meeting his one dark eye—and the shared blush vanished, replaced by a desperate need. He pulled her closer, his arm an irresistible weight, and she came willingly, settling perfectly between his spread legs. Anchoring his hands on her waist, he pulled her into a kiss. Coffee mugs and contracts were instantly forgotten; this kiss was a passionate, wordless voiding of their agreement.
The watch alarm shrieked, brutally breaking the perfect moment. Suna groaned, pulling back just enough to rest her forehead against his chest, eyes tightly closed and struggling to contain a smile at the absurdity of their situation.
“Damn that alarm,” Kakashi muttered, tightening his grip on her waist. He acknowledged the agreement, but his desperation to break it was already overwhelming.
Suna pulled back slightly, her breath catching as she stared at him, a confused but brilliant smile spreading across her face. "Well. That was a serious lapse in judgment. Looks like we're terrible at 'one-time only'."
He tightened his grip on her waist, his eye crinkling in a smile. "Looks like my 'best contract in years' expired after thirty seconds." A burst of frustrated laughter escaped her lips.
"I have an assignment today, and I won't be back until Monday morning," she whispered.
Kakashi nodded, his face softening with understanding. "Go. I get it; the village always claims its share." He pushed himself off the stool, forcing himself to move. "I should be heading out too. Important things to do," he lied easily, pulling his shirt straight.
She nodded, pausing to give him one last, lingering look over her shoulder before heading upstairs. "See you around Kakashi?" she asked
Kakashi nodded and watched Suna’s quick departure—the shinobi’s professional autopilot kicking in—and listened to the sound of her rapid footsteps retreating up the stairs. The lingering scent of coffee, sweat, and her perfume still clung to the air. The feeling of her hand and the intense heat of her mouth burned against his skin. They had met for a quiet dinner and ended up with a broken one-night-stand contract and a profound, inconvenient sense of anticipation.
For the first time in years, the thought of Monday morning didn't fill him with annoyance. It filled him with longing.
Summary: Woken by a nightmare, Kakashi finds Suna stargazing on the balcony. In the quiet pre-dawn hours, the physical intimacy of the night before gives way to emotional vulnerability, as Suna's hidden ANBU mark is revealed, and they share a silent acknowledgement of the "deep cover" secrets that have shaped their lives.
Kakashi woke in the dead quiet of the pre-dawn. He sat up abruptly, his body tense, breath sawing raggedly in his throat. The nightmare—the familiar flash of lightning and the sudden, fatal stain of red that always ended the same way—had left him disoriented and clammy with cold sweat. He sat still for a moment, tilting his face back as he waited for his pulse to slow, and fixed his gaze on the unfamiliar ceiling tiles, relying on their solid reality to ground him in the present.
He reached out a hand to the empty space beside him. The sheets were still warm, but Suna was gone.
He noticed the glass sliding door to the bedroom balcony was ajar, a cool breeze rustling the curtains. Kakashi moved silently, pulling on his boxers and instinctively. He stepped outside, the cool air hit his bare skin as he padded to the balcony.
Suna was there. She was leaning against the railing. She wore a simple, oversized sleeveless shirt that clung to her form in some places and draped loosely in others, that revealed a hint of her skin—a sharp contrast to the more constricting clothes she had worn earlier. Her gaze lifted to the deep purple canvas of the night sky. She was entirely still, her posture unmoving, but a slight tension in her shoulders suggested she was keenly aware of his presence.
He walked out onto the cold stone of the balcony, and under the subtle moonlight, he noticed it. Her left bicep, now bare, revealed a visible mark. It was small, round, and the unmistakable remnant of an ANBU mark—a tattoo that had been hidden by her outfit choices during the day. It was something he didn't notice earlier when they were in bed.
He leaned on the rail beside her, mirroring her quiet posture.
He followed her gaze for a moment before his eye returned to the tattoo. "That mark," he said softly, "I didn't notice it earlier."
Suna's head turned, a playful smirk on her lips. "What?" she teased, "You were focused on looking at something else?"
A wave of heat rose to his cheeks, and he lowered his head, a small chuckle escaping his nostrils.
"Just kidding," she chuckled, the sound warm in the cold air. "I usually cover it up. It tends to become the center of a conversation." She shrugged lightly. "I noticed yours, though."
A low chuckle escaped his nostrils, and he moved closer to wrap his arms around her from behind. The cold of her skin was a sharp jolt against his bare chest, confirming she had been standing vigil for some time. The scent of her was a hypnotizing mixture of her perfume and something he could only describe as starlight. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his gaze fixed on the constellations above. Seeing the ANBU mark up close, Kakashi felt a sudden, familiar understanding: this was the weight of a life spent in the shadows. The moment was one of shared peace, a rare quiet between two people who lived lives of constant chaos.
"That's my favorite star," she whispered, pointing to a faint light in the distance.
"Hmm?" he mumbled, still lost in the comfort of her embrace.
"The star," she said softly. "Sirius, inside Canis Major" she pointed and Kakashi followed with his gaze "When I was a kid my grandpa showed me the constellations," she said taking a deep breath "I missed watching the stars from Konoha for so long, it's not the same anywhere else…"
He looked back at her, a hint of a smile on his face. "How come I never heard of you before?" Kakashi asked, the question he had been silently holding for hours. "An operative with that kind of history, you don't just disappear."
"I told you," she said, her voice dropping a little. "I was operating undercover for years. Deep cover. No one was supposed to hear from me, not even from the village. It was just easier that way." She didn't elaborate, and he didn't push. The stars above them were silent witnesses to the new, quiet intimacy they were building.
He nuzzled his face into the hollow of her neck, inhaling her scent, and allowed the rising desire to eclipse the lingering fear of his nightmare. He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her skin, his lips tracing a path down her neck. "Let's go back inside," he murmured, the words a low rumble against her skin.
She released a soft breath, her head leaning back as a fierce, reciprocal longing stirred within her. She didn't say anything, just tightened her grip on his arms, a silent acceptance of his unspoken question.
Summary: After saying goodbye to their chaotic friends, Kakashi walks Suna home. The comfortable silence at her doorstep explodes into nervous tension, leading to a hesitant, masked-off kiss. Suna takes the lead, dispelling the awkwardness, and the night escalates as the couple decides to "move forward" with their feelings.
Midnight was drawing close when the noisy group finally decided it was time to head back to their respective homes. Anko, Asuma, and Kurenai—their voices ringing with boisterous farewells—took off together. Kakashi simply stood there until the clatter of his peers faded. When the silence finally settled, he turned to Suna and offered, "Would you like me to walk you home?"
Suna shook her head quickly, a nervous but polite smile touching her lips. "Don't worry, Kakashi-san, it's too much trouble. It's a long walk, and I wouldn't want to inconvenience you."
Kakashi gave a casual eye-smile. "Inconvenience? Not at all. It's nothing. Besides, I have all night, and I could use the fresh air."
The cool night air was a welcome change after the stuffy warmth of the bar. The sounds of the village had begun to quiet down, replaced by the gentle chirp of crickets. Kakashi walked Suna back to her house, their steps in sync. The initial awkwardness of leaving his boisterous friends behind dissolved into comfortable, easy banter. He found himself chuckling more than he had all evening as she continued her playful teasing.
"So, the great Copy Ninja, afraid of a little friendly teasing?" she said, bumping her shoulder against his. The playful contact sent a small jolt through him.
"I wouldn't say afraid," he countered, bumping her back a little harder. "More… prepared. I'm used to it from my students, but usually, it's about my tardiness."
"Ah, yes, the famous tardiness," she laughed, weaving around a lamppost. "You know, I thought it was just bad luck tonight, but your friends made it sound like a way of life."
He just gave an eye-smile in response, enjoying the easy feeling of their conversation. They weren't talking about missions or fighting anymore; it was just two people having a nice time, walking home under the soft glow of the moon.
The neighborhood grew quieter as they moved away from the village center. The houses were spaced farther apart, each with a small, manicured garden. He noticed hers before she pointed it out. It was a charming two-story house, the front yard filled with lush, well-tended plants.
When they reached the entrance, they both stopped. The front porch light cast a warm, inviting glow, but the silence that fell between them was sudden and tense. "This is it," she said quietly, her voice losing its playful edge. The air was thick with unspoken feelings, the attraction they both felt hanging in the quiet night.
Kakashi, unsure of what to do, scratched the back of his head, a rare display of nervousness. "Nice place," he said, the words feeling utterly inadequate.
"Thanks," she mumbled, "That's what happens when you have nowhere to spend your mission pay for a decade." she smiled, looking down at her feet, her usual confidence replaced by a sudden shyness.
They both stood there, rooted to the spot. They were acutely aware of how little they knew each other, yet the magnetism between them was undeniable. It felt both wrong and entirely right to be standing here, wondering if they should make a move.
"Do you—" Suna started.
"So—" Kakashi said at the same time.
They both chuckled nervously, the sound breaking the tension.
"You first," he offered.
"No, you," she insisted.
He smiled at her, hesitant. His mind raced through a thousand possible approaches—lean in? lower the mask? ask permission?—the fear of the deepening, awkward silence finally pulled him back to earth. He conceded with a sigh. "Good night, Suna," he finally said, the words a gentle release for them both.
"Good night, Kakashi," she replied, a faint sadness in her tone. She turned and reached for the doorknob.
Kakashi, his hands sweaty inside his pockets, turned around to leave, to end the night gracefully, when the sudden, irresistible urge to look at her one last time stopped him cold. He turned back, and his breath hitched. The soft light of the porch framed her perfectly, her raspberry hair a striking contrast to the dark blue of the night. Her skinny black jeans perfectly outlined her curves, a sight that made his heart pound.
Suna suddenly felt a warmth on her back, a presence that made her shiver. She turned around, and there he was, standing just inches away. He stood tall, and she had to look up to meet his eyes. He leaned against the doorway, their faces getting closer. She didn't know what to do, if she should lean in, if he would lower his mask. It was all happening so fast, and yet in slow motion. Without thinking, she simply closed her eyes softly, her lips slightly parted, a silent invitation.
She felt his mask shift, a cool line of fabric disappearing as his lips, unexpectedly warm, settled firmly on hers in a tender, perfect kiss. He pulled away, a flash of fear in his exposed eye. He'd been too forward, too fast. He had panicked. "I'm sorry, Suna-san" he blurted out, a panicked look on his face. "I shouldn't have... I know we barely know each other, I should not have done that. I'm sorry. Good night, Suna-san." He was already a few steps away, turning to leave.
"Kakashi, wait," she said, her voice soft but firm.
He stopped and turned back, his shoulders tense. She was playing with the sleeve of her sweater, her eyes downcast, a blush creeping up her neck. "I know we barely know each other," she began, looking up at him, her gaze direct. "To be honest, I was expecting to get to know you better tonight, but your friends..." she chuckled, a brief flash of amusement on her face. "They stole the show, and i'm not complaining it was really fun." She seemed thoughtful for a moment, and Kakashi felt a wave of uncertainty. "But what if, just for tonight… we move forward. We can pretend we know each other," she said, voice gaining confidence. She wasn't sure if it was the sake or the pure honesty of her feelings, but the words were out. "I find you very attractive, to be honest."
In a beat, he was in front of her. He brought his hand up, stopping millimeters from her cheek. His other hand hovered just above her waist. He looked at her, his dark eye locked on hers, searching for any doubt. "So you mean..." he said, his voice a low rumble.
She nodded.
The hesitation was gone. He took her waist in one hand, cupped her cheek with the other, and pulled her into a deep, consuming kiss. The initial tenderness was replaced by the passion and longing they had both been holding back, the kiss deepening as he reached behind her neck, pulling her closer, their bodies pressing together in the doorway.
They broke apart for air, their foreheads resting against each other. She leaned against his chest, her head tucked under his chin. "Do you want to come in?" she whispered.
"Sure," he said, his voice a little breathless.
She turned, a satisfied smile on her face, and opened the door.
Summary: After a week of careful, awkward morning rituals, Kakashi finally invites Suna to dinner at Yakiniku Q. The date is going smoothly until a familiar, loud trio—Asuma, Kurenai, and Anko—crashes the party, resulting in a shocking, tackle-hug reunion that reveals Suna is not as new to Konoha's wild side as Kakashi thought.
The established morning routine continued for the rest of the week, with slight but meaningful variations. Tuesday brought a brief discussion about a new dango flavor. Wednesday featured a shared complaint about the overly complex naming conventions at Chakrabucks. Thursday, Suna laughed harder than usual when Pakkun, materializing silently from Kakashi’s shoulder, executed a surprise jump-scare on Bisuke, who was resting by Kakashi’s feet. Bisuke yelped and bolted to the opposite side of the park, and Pakkun calmly settled into the now-vacated spot next to Kakashi, looking quite pleased with his dominance. Each day, the distance between them shrank by an inch, replaced by a comfortable, quiet familiarity.
On Friday morning, Kakashi felt a distinct shift in the air, a blend of anxiety and anticipation that surpassed any S-rank mission briefing. He had planned this, reviewed it, and still felt utterly unprepared.
This was it.
He waited until Meatball and Bisuke were mid-tussle and Pakkun was fully absorbed in his sun-drenched nap. Suna stood leaning against the wall, her thumb tracing a slow circle on the Chakrabucks logo printed on the paper cup holder.
This was it.
“Suna-san,” Kakashi started, his voice coming out unnervingly steady.
Her eyes, warm hazel and now easily meeting his, lifted from her cup. “Yes, Kakashi-san?”
He cleared his throat, pushing his hands deeper into his pockets. “I was wondering... since you’re officially settled back in the village now, and since we’ve managed to successfully navigate four and a half mornings of awkward dog park etiquette together...” He paused, and a small, shared chuckle escaped them both at the truth of his statement. “would you consider joining me for dinner this evening? I was thinking Yakiniku Q.”
“Yakiniku Q?” Suna blinked, a momentary flicker of surprise passing over her tired features. Then, a genuine, delighted smile—one that reached her eyes—widened. “That’s a very polite invitation, Kakashi-san. I’d like that very much.”
“Great,” he said, feeling an entirely unwarranted rush of victory. He chose Yakiniku Q because tending the barbecue would hopefully make any silences less awkward. “Is seven too late?”
“Seven is perfect.” She gave him a slight nod, her smile broadening. Her watch alarm chirped, a familiar sound. Then a final, warm smile before whistling for Meatball, "See you later Kakashi-san" she bowed, her usual abrupt departure softened by the promise of the evening. Leaving Kakashi with a racing pulse and a suddenly very judgmental pug.
Kakashi walked home in a daze, tossing his flak jacket onto the small table by the door.
Dinner.
With Suna.
He hadn’t felt this nervous since... well, since never, really.
"So," Pakkun's gruff voice cut through his thoughts. Kakashi looked down at his pug, who was now perched on the armrest of his armchair, fixing him with a knowing stare. "Finally made a move, huh? About time."
Kakashi sighed. "Pakkun, please."
"What? I'm just saying. All that lurking and 'blending in' with us dogs. It was getting embarrassing." Pakkun paused, then added, "She must have terrible taste in men, though. Honestly, the silent, brooding type? It's so cliché."
"You're not helping Pakkun…" Kakashi muttered, rubbing his temple. He was, surprisingly, actually nervous. What did one even talk about on a dinner… get-together? Was it a date? He hadn't been on a 'date' in… well, he didn't even know. He realized they hadn't discussed anything deeper than their dogs and the weather. What would he talk about for a full dinner?
"Just be yourself," Pakkun advised, then snorted. "No, wait. Don't be yourself. Maybe try a little less Icha Icha Paradaisu tonight, eh?"
Kakashi ignored him, heading towards the shower. This was going to be an interesting evening.
Seven o’clock. Kakashi swore under his breath as he checked the clock. He was late already. Rookie mistake. He sprinted through the streets, mentally rehearsing apologies.
He skidded to a halt outside Yakiniku Q. Relief washed over him as he scanned the windows. She was just arriving, her raspberry hair a vibrant splash of color against the dimming light. She seemed to have materialized out of nowhere, perhaps just as rushed as he was. She had changed out of her uniform and was now wearing black skinny pants, a dark gray fitted shirt with a long open front cardigan. Kakashi, regretting his decision to go out in his standard Jōnin flak jacket and dark shirt, felt instantly underdressed and foolish.
Their eyes met, and a sheepish smile spread across her face. "Oh, Kakashi-san! Sorry I'm late! I'm still getting used to navigating around town."
"No, no, my apologies, Suna-san. I just got here myself," he replied, thankful for their shared tardiness.
They settled at a table with an integrated barbecue pit, the shared sense of being slightly rushed creating an immediate, comfortable camaraderie. They discussed village life, her long assignments away, and even shared a few amusing anecdotes about their dogs, the easy work of grilling the meat serving as a natural distraction whenever a silence threatened to linger.
Their laughter was light and easy. After finishing their meal, Suna wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I think this is my new favorite restaurant in the village! Thanks, Kakashi."
“My pleasure,” he answered. “Would you be up for a drink somewhere else? There's a quiet little place not far from here.”
"I'd love to," she agreed, her eyes sparkling.
They walked side by side, their conversation continuing effortlessly. They found a quiet corner booth at a cozy Izakaya, the low lighting setting a perfect intimate mood.
As the sake began to flow, however, the guards began to drop.
“You know,” Suna murmured, swirling the clear liquid in her cup, “I spent so long watching other people live their lives, charting their routines, learning their fears, that I forgot how to have my own. Just sitting here, watching the lights reflect on the smoke... it’s foreign, but nice.”
“It’s a different kind of mission,” Kakashi agreed quietly. “Living without a mask.”
Her eyes, suddenly intense, met his across the low table. “You’d know all about masks, wouldn’t you?” she challenged gently, a ghost of her morning mischief returning.
He gave a soft, conceding eye-smile. “I’m still working on that briefing.”
The sudden influx of noise, confidence, and sheer, loud presence caused every head in the room to swivel. Standing in the doorway were Hatake Kakashi’s peers: Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, and Mitarashi Anko, who was already halfway across the room, shouting.
“Kurenai, I told you that new dango flavor was a terrible idea! Too much sesame, not enough sweetness!” Anko declared, before her eyes landed squarely on Suna.
Anko froze. The massive, raucous smile vanished instantly, replaced by wide-eyed shock. Suna, who had been mid-sentence, went utterly still, the color draining from her face.
A moment of agonizing silence stretched across the bar, broken only by the crackle of Asuma’s cigarette.
“...You,” Anko breathed, her voice a low, rough whisper. Then, with a scream that defied the laws of physics, she launched herself across the intervening tables and chairs. “SUNA YAMISORA, YOU SON OF A–!”
The reunion was violent, loud, and utterly unrestrained. Anko tackled Suna, wrapping her into a tight, nearly crushing embrace while simultaneously punching her in the shoulder with surprising affection. Suna shrieked and hugged back with equal force, and the two friends scrambled to their feet, dissolving into a fit of raw, relieved laughter.
“Anko! I knew that smell of burnt sugar and questionable life choices had to be you!” Suna shouted back, pulling away just long enough to smack Anko hard on the arm.
Anko demanded, "What the hell are you doing back? I thought you were never coming back to the Leaf! You're still causing trouble, I hope?"
"Not since the day I left your side," Suna laughed. She turned to Kakashi, whose visible eye was wide with bewildered astonishment. "So Kakashi-san, you know Anko? We were trouble-making classmates back at the Academy."
Anko immediately clapped on Suna’s shoulder, giving her a quick, hard pat. She then leaned in close to Suna’s ear and muttered, “So you finally went for the quiet, mysterious type, tsk! Suna, you’re predictable!” Anko then turned to Asuma and Kurenai. "Guys, come here! This is Suna. She’s the only other person in the village who knows how to sneak into the Hokage Kitchens without getting caught!"
The small table instantly became crowded. As Kakashi made room for the newcomers, he found Suna now seated immediately beside him. He privately thanked his peers for the sudden, unexpected chaos, which resulted in having her so close. Suna handled the intrusion effortlessly. She was initially polite with Kurenai and Asuma, but quickly matched Anko's chaotic energy, laughing loudly at their jokes. She was a natural, blending her own brand of funny, outrageous storytelling with their established camaraderie.
As the conversation evolved, Suna leaned into Kakashi, her hand casually settling on his lap under the table. The warmth of her touch was a sudden, intense jolt that sent a shockwave through him. Kakashi froze, the loud conversation around him fading into a distant hum. It felt like a genjutsu, dragging him into a reality where only the electric warmth of her hand existed.
Suna looked up at him, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief, her finger drawing a slow, deliberate circle on the fabric of his pants. She whispered, her voice a soft murmur that only he could hear, "So, Kakashi-san, what do you think...?"
He blinked, lost in the feeling of her touch. He had no idea what she was talking about. He just nodded, his throat suddenly dry. "Yeah, sounds great," he mumbled, his voice a little hoarse.
Her hand left his lap, as she ordered another round of sake and the spell broke. The sound came rushing back—Anko’s cackle, Asuma’s deep laugh, the clinking of glasses. Shaking his head slightly to clear the fog, he grabbed his cup of sake and threw himself back into the conversation.
The Suna who wrestled her best friend on the sticky floor of a bar, who was loud, who smelled like sake and genuine, unmasked joy, was entirely new. He was fascinated. He had spent the entire evening carefully breaking down Suna’s walls, only for Anko to smash them down in thirty seconds flat.
This was the light, the warmth, Suna had talked about protecting in her heart—and seeing her fully immersed in it, unguarded, solidified Kakashi's newfound, inconvenient attraction.
When Anko started recounting a wild story from her Genin days, Suna leaned forward, a conspiratorial glint in her eyes. "Oh, you think that's bad?" she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "On a previous assignment, we had to pose as a traveling circus... and my act was the escape artist." She then proceeded to spin a completely absurd, over-the-top tale of escaping from a cage full of venomous scorpions, all with a straight face, making even the cynical Anko howl with laughter.
As the sake flowed, Kurenai and Asuma took great delight in sharing some of Kakashi's most embarrassing moments from their early years. There was the time he got hopelessly lost on a mission he was leading, the time he tried to use a genjutsu on a giant hornet's nest only to enrage it, and his legendary inability to cook a proper meal without setting off the smoke alarm. Kakashi laughed, feigning annoyance as he tried to explain himself, but even he had to admit the stories were funny.
Suna, now completely comfortable, laughed along with them. She leaned over and playfully poked Kakashi's arm. "So, you're the great Copy Ninja, but you can't copy a recipe?" she teased, her eyes sparkling.
The teasing was easy, natural. As she laughed and joked with his friends, it felt as if they had known each other for years, not just a few days. The line between stranger and friend had been completely erased. For Kakashi, who had spent so long building walls, it was both a terrifying and an exhilarating feeling. He realized he was looking not at a potential dinner partner, but at a puzzle box he desperately wanted to solve.
The Hidden Leaf Village was just beginning to stir when Hatake Kakashi embarked on his usual morning stroll. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of ramen and dew-kissed leaves. His eyes, perpetually half-lidded behind his hitai-ate, scanned the familiar streets with a practiced indifference. It was then that a flash of unexpected color caught his attention.
A young woman, a shinobi judging by her flak jacket, walked with an easy stride he didn't recognize. Her hair, the vibrant hue of ripe raspberries, cascaded to her shoulders, framing a face that struck him with unexpected clarity. As she passed, a subtle fragrance reached him—a clean, warm scent of sun-baked cloth mixed with something faintly sweet, like crushed berries—deepening the sudden pull of curiosity. Beside her trotted a stout English bulldog, its broad chest and comical gait a stark contrast to her lithe form. Kakashi felt a quiet, unfamiliar pull—a disruption in his morning walk. He found himself altering his own path, a silent shadow trailing the distinctive pair until they vanished into the dog park's green expanse.
The next morning, as the sun began its ascent around 7:30 AM, Kakashi found himself by the dog park again. This time, he wasn't alone. Pakkun, one of his ninken, padded beside him, offering a quiet, judgmental sigh that only Kakashi would hear. "You're really doing this, Sensei? I draw the line at being accessories for a coffee date," the pug's voice echoed in his mind. "I'm elite mission support, not emotional support."
It was all a flimsy excuse, he knew, but it felt less conspicuous. And there she was again, the raspberry-haired jonin, her English bulldog straining eagerly on its leash. In her hand was a tall, steaming cup, undoubtedly from "Chakrabucks," the village's popular coffee shop. She seemed lost in thought, a faint smile playing on her lips as her dog pulled her along.
Determined, Kakashi repeated his new morning ritual the following day. He brought Bisuke along with Pakkun, hoping to appear less conspicuous and to provide a more normal, dog-like companion. Bisuke was far less sarcastic than Pakkun and had a more playful, friendly demeanor. He even braved the line at Chakrabucks, ordering a simple black coffee, though his focus remained squarely on the entrance to the dog park. True to his silent hopes, she appeared, her bulldog tugging her forward, the familiar coffee cup in hand.
This was it.
Now or never.
As she drew level with him, a tentative "Good morning" escaped his lips.
Her head turned, her eyes, a shade of warm hazel, met his for a brief moment before a polite smile touched her features. "Good morning," she replied, her voice soft but clear, before continuing on her way.
Pakkun, still in Kakashi's side, gave a small, weary sigh. The pug seemed to be making a show of ignoring the entire charade.
The routine was set.
The next morning, he watched her unclip her dog's leash, the bulldog immediately bounding off to greet other dogs. She then leaned against the cool stone wall of the park, pulling out a book and losing herself in its pages. Kakashi mirrored her actions, signaling Bisuke and Pakkun to go play, then leaning against the wall a respectful distance away, pulling out his own well-worn copy of ICHA ICHA Paradaisu.
Pakkun, of course, stayed right by his side, casting a judgmental look at his owner's pathetic romantic intentions. Bisuke, however, seemed to find common ground quickly, engaging in a friendly tumble. The shared quiet was comfortable, punctuated only by the distant barks and the turning of pages.
After a while, Kakashi risked another "Good morning."
"Good morning," she responded, a little more warmth in her tone this time.
The silence stretched, then she broke it, her eyes tracking their playing dogs. "Looks like our buddies are getting along."
"Yes, they are," Kakashi agreed, seizing the opening. "What's your dog's name?"
"Meatball," a genuine smile touched her features, and Kakashi's heart performed a strange, soft flutter, a deeply inconvenient reaction he hadn't experienced since puberty. He felt the familiar rush of blood in his ears, struggling to keep his visible eye placid. She then raised an eyebrow playfully. "What about yours?"
"That one is Bisuke," he gestured to the small dog that was currently wrestling with Meatball, "and this one is Pakkun." He hesitated
"They are so cute," she said. Pakkun shot her a look of utter contempt. He was a dignified ninja dog, not a cute little puppy. Kakashi gave him a look, and the pug settled down, still looking annoyed. "And so well behaved."
"Sometimes," Kakashi said, a wry smile in his visible eye. "Pakkun's a bit judgmental sometimes."
A genuine laugh bubbled up from her, a sound that made Kakashi's heart skip a beat. Her smile was even more captivating than he'd imagined. He smiled back, but the feeling was met by a familiar, withering look from Pakkun.
Kakashi was about to ask more, perhaps about her other dogs, or her book, when a discreet beep emanated from her wrist. Her eyes darted to her watch. A small sigh escaped her lips as she stopped the alarm. "We have to go." She whistled, and Meatball, surprisingly obedient, trotted back to her. After clipping his leash, she gave a quick, "Goodbye," to him and a pat to his dogs, before disappearing back into the village streets. Pakkun, still by his feet, offered a low, mental snort that clearly communicated: Pathetic. The chase continues, Sensei.
Saturday arrived, and Kakashi, driven by a new routine and a quiet longing, followed his usual morning path. But she wasn't there. He lingered, sipped his coffee, watched the dogs play, but no raspberry hair, no English bulldog.
Sunday brought the same absence.
Then, on Monday morning, she was back. He saw her from a distance, her gaze meeting his from across the park. She waved, a bright, happy gesture that was a beacon in the morning light. He quickened his pace, a sense of relief washing over him. As he approached, he noted the faint shadows under her eyes, a sign of exhaustion. "Good morning," he said, his tone softening instinctively.
"Hi," she replied, her smile still warm despite the weariness. They leaned against the wall in comfortable silence, their dogs resuming their playful tussle. A few feet away, Pakkun, having apparently decided that his master's pathetic display was too much to bear, settled with a huff into the grass and promptly dozed off, a tiny, snoring ball of judgment.
"You know," she began, breaking the quiet again, "I asked your dogs' names, but not yours."
A genuine smile softened the corner of Kakashi's visible eye. "Hatake Kakashi," he introduced himself. "And you are?"
"Yamisora Suna," she said, her smile widening. "Nice to finally put a name to the silent type with the cute dogs." She chuckled, and as her easy humor seemed to make her own weariness dissipate, Kakashi felt a quiet warmth spread through him.
"Likewise, Suna-san," he replied. "I haven't seen you much around the village, where are you from?" He tried to keep his tone casual, but his curiosity was sharp. They were both Jonin and likely the same age. It was impossible that he had somehow overlooked a shinobi as unique as her.
She shrugged lightly. "I'm originally from here, but I've been working abroad for years, ever since I was a chūnin. I just came back to settle here permanently last week." A faint, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her, quickly masked by a bright smile. She paused, the movement of her jaw suggesting she was biting the inside of her cheek. "It's good to be home, though."
"Do you like it here?" he asked, genuinely curious. The question was simple, but he found himself surprisingly invested in her answer.
"I love it," she affirmed, her eyes reflecting a profound contentment that seemed to override the fatigue. "It's… quieter. Familiar. I missed the smell of the dango stand, the way the light hits the Hokage Monument in the mornings. You know, the simple things."
Kakashi nodded, understanding. He knew that feeling well, the comforting pull of home after a long mission. "What kind of missions were you on, if you don't mind me asking?" He immediately regretted the formality, but her response was easy.
"Oh, just a lot of escort duty, some intelligence gathering all around the great nations. Nothing too exciting,' she waved a dismissive hand, though the subtle tension in her shoulders told a different story. 'Mostly just staying under the radar for years.' She paused, then glanced at him, a mischievous glint in her tired eyes. "But you... The Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi. Now I recognize the name. Even on deep-cover assignments, your reputation precedes you. I've definitely seen your face on a Bingo Book—Kirigakure's, if I recall..." She winked, dispelling any awkwardness.
He gave a soft eye-smile. "Ah, a loyal reader then?"
Suna laughed again, a light, musical sound. "Something like that. The team I was undercover with always had bets on how many more times we'd see your face with a 'Do Not Engage' warning. You're quite the celebrity, you know."
"A burden I bear with great humility," he deadpanned, making her laugh once more. He heard a mental sigh from Pakkun, even in the distance.
He found himself enjoying this banter more than he would have thought possible. It had been a long time since he'd felt this ease with someone new. He watched her for a moment—the genuine amusement in her eyes, the raspberry hair catching the light. He felt a quiet pull, an unfamiliar desire to know more about this jonin named Suna. This new morning routine, he realized, might just be the most interesting thing to happen to him in years.
