"It's peaceful tonight." Kurenai had a small smile as the two of them strolled past a quiet flower shop, its lanterns glowing softly in the evening haze.
"Indeed," Kakashi replied, closing his book and letting the light breeze drift the scent of petals over him. "Nice change of pace."
They kept walking in silence, shoulders brushing, until they reached a less-traveled street. Kurenai paused by a gently worn staircase leading up to her apartment.
"This is my place," she said softly, glancing up at the building's upper stories.
Kakashi looked at her, then at the building, then back at her. She hesitated, torn between leaving and inviting him inside. Would he think I'm too forward?
He sensed her pause. With a chuckle and a tender kiss on her forehead, he murmured, "It's alright. I understand."
Kurenai's heart fluttered. Without another word, she closed the small gap between them and kissed him, a soft, slow, affectionate moment under the glow of a streetlamp.
But just as their lips met-
"Gasp!"
They broke apart, startled. There, not four feet away, stood Mitarashi Anko, her purple hair spiked back and fishnet mesh peeking from under a trench coat. A half-eaten dango skewer dangled from her mouth.
"What the, Kakashi? Kurenai?!" she exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh no…" Kurenai took a breath, arms still wrapped around Kakashi.
Anko grinned. "I didn't know you two were… a thing!"
Kurenai held her position calmly. "It never was a secret," she replied with half a smile, leaning closer to Kakashi.
"Well, well," Anko said cheerily, "I live just above you, Kurenai. I'll be your friendly neighborhood watch."
Kurenai laughed softly. "I didn't expect you to have—" She cracked a playful grin. "—peeping hobbies, Anko."
Kakashi lightly waved. His eyes, though, watched Anko carefully, he couldn't help but note something… that Heaven Seal chakra from Orochimaru still flickered faintly around her neck.
He wanted to study it properly, with his Formula Reconstruction technique and spot any new developments, and also have that snake summoning contract. Summoning jutsu would be cooler than his dogs. Way cooler.
Anko, misreading his gaze, bristled. "Why do you look like you want to poke me with chakra?"
"Just thinking," Kakashi replied evenly, palms raised in surrender.
Anko shrugged and strolled off, dango in hand, still chuckling.
"She never changes," Kurenai said with a soft laugh as she leaned into Kakashi's shoulder.
Kurenai slipped inside her apartment, and the moment the door closed, she sank against it, breath catching. She gently touched her lips, still warmed from Kakashi's kiss, and smiled widely.
Outside, Kakashi walked away, hands in his pockets. He paused and gazed at the moon before fading into the nearby shadows.
…
In the bright morning sun on Training Ground Three, branches rustled above as Kakashi stood ready, two small shinobi bells hanging from either side of his belt. A simple lunchbox rested atop a nearby stump.
As Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura bounded in, full of energy, Kakashi greeted them with that signature eye-smile.
"Good morning."
He gestured them forward. "Here's the test: Take these two bells from me."
Their jaws dropped.
"There are only two," he said plainly, "so one of you will fail. If you fail, you go back to the academy."
"What?!!"
Naruto's face turned red.
"Begin," Kakashi ordered.
Naruto lunged, but Kakashi moved so fast that the aim was moot. He tied Naruto to a post before he could blink.
Sasuke tried next. He sneaked in silently, but Kakashi effortlessly dodged, sidestepping and thwipping his foot to send Sasuke sprawling.
Sakura approached, timid hands raised. Kakashi smiled innocently… and flicked his finger, triggering a subtle genjutsu that made Sakura faint with worry at seeing Sasuke upturned on the ground.
This test was not about defeating Kakashi. It was about working with your teammates and following the rules. He watched them flounder, then he tied Naruto back to the post, then left. Naruto scowled, arms pinned behind him.
Then Sasuke and Sakura, feeling sorry, offered their snacks to Naruto.
Kakashi stepped forward, feigning sternness. His voice softened. "You pass."
The three stared at him. "Huh?"
"The test was about teamwork. Breaking the rules is one thing. Abandoning your comrades, that's worse than breaking rules."
Relief and pride lit their faces.
"Now," Kakashi said still serious, "starting this afternoon we'll start taking real missions. You need to gear up, kunai, shuriken, scrolls, whistle, etc."
"Got it!" Naruto beamed as he patted his pouch.
"Me too!" Sakura chimed, adjusting her backpack straps.
"Hmph. Yeah," Sasuke agreed flatly, though his eyes gleamed with determination.
"Good. Now… who's hungry?" Kakashi grinned.
"Ramen! Ichiraku ramen!" Naruto perked up instantly.
Sakura nodded in agreement. Sasuke shrugged noncommittally.
"All right, ramen it is!" Kakashi laughed.
Suddenly Sasuke and Sakura both blurted, "Barbecue!" in unison.
"Barbecue? What's that?" Naruto asked in confusion.
As Naruto asked that question Sasuke and Sakura looked at Naruto with pity.
Sasuke certainly understood why, as he knew Naruto was poor and everyone shunned him so he may not had many delicious meals like them.
Sakura looked at Naruto strangely and was about to speak but Kakashi saw this and quickly intervened, afraid that she would say something stupid.
"Don't worry it is delicious you are going to love it!" Kakashi said as he ruffled Naruto's hair.
"So let's go," He said as he led the way.
He led Team 7 down the busy street. They turned a corner, and the smell of grilled meat filled the air. It was the same restaurant Kakashi had visited with Kurenai the night before.
Just as they reached the entrance, Kakashi saw Asuma and Team 10 walking in.
Inside the restaurant, the two teams met.
"Asuma," Kakashi greeted with his usual calm tone.
Asuma turned and nodded back. "Kakashi."
His voice was steady, but inside, his feelings were mixed. He had always liked Kurenai. He had hoped something would grow between them.
But before anything could happen, Kakashi had stepped in. Still, Asuma was a grown man. Kurenai had the right to choose. He pushed away the pain and gave a quiet blessing in his heart.
"Come join us," Asuma offered. "There's space for your team too."
Kakashi gave a small smile. "Thanks. We'd be glad to."
As they all settled into a room together, Ino looked at Kakashi, then at Sasuke. Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Sakura," she whispered with a pout. "You're so lucky."
Sakura blushed a little, proud and shy at the same time.
Ino then looked at her teacher, Asuma. She was curious. Did he feel anything about Kakashi and Kurenai? But Asuma's face was calm, unreadable. Ino sighed quietly. "Experienced shinobi are hard to read…"
Naruto waved to Shikamaru and Chōji.
"Hey, guys!" he said excitedly. "Let's eat a lot!"
"This is such a drag…" Shikamaru gave a lazy wave.
"Barbecue is the best!" Choji smiled big.
Sasuke said nothing. He sat quietly, arms crossed, looking out the window. He didn't show much interest, but he was still part of the group.
The waiter brought in hot grills and trays of meat. The smell made Naruto's stomach growl.
The smell of sizzling meat filled the air. Everyone sat around the table while the waiter placed more dishes on it, beef, chicken, vegetables, and dipping sauces. Kakashi helped place some slices of meat on the grill.
"Whoa! This smells amazing!" Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Be careful," Kakashi warned. "It's hot."
Naruto didn't wait. He grabbed his chopsticks and reached for a piece that was still cooking.
"Idiot," Sasuke said quietly, watching him.
Naruto yelped and dropped the meat back on the grill, shaking his fingers.
"You never learn, do you?" Sakura sighed.
Across the table, Choji was already stacking meat into a bowl of rice. "This is the best," he said with his mouth full.
"Troublesome, but tasty." Shikamaru as he lazily flipped a few pieces
Ino was still stealing glances at Sasuke, who stayed quiet but cooked his meat carefully.
Kakashi watched them all with his usual relaxed smile. He didn't say much, but he was listening to everything. Asuma helped turn the meat on the grill while keeping the mood light with small jokes.
The teams slowly started enjoying themselves more. Naruto finally got a well-cooked piece and grinned from ear to ear.
"This is the best day ever!" he shouted.
Everyone laughed. Even Sasuke gave a small smirk.
After everyone finished eating, both teams leaned back, full and happy. The plates were empty, and the grills had cooled down.
"That was amazing," Naruto said, rubbing his stomach.
"Yeah," Chōji agreed. "Best meal ever."
Team 7 and Team 10 stood up from the table.
"Well, we're done for today," Asuma said to his team. "Good work on your last mission."
"Can I go home now?" Shikamaru he said as he yawned.
"You already are," Ino teased.
Asuma waved goodbye to Kakashi. "Good luck."
"Same to you." Kakashi nodded.
Team 10 walked away, leaving Team 7 behind.
"Alright," Kakashi said, "Let's head to the Hokage's office and get a mission."
"Yeah! I hope it's something exciting! Like protecting a noble or fighting bandits!" Naruto jumped everywhere expecting a very cool mission.
Kakashi smiled. He already knew the mission would be a simple one. But he didn't mind. These small missions gave him time to train them properly.
They reached the Hokage's office. The Third Hokage greeted them with a warm smile and handed over the mission scroll.
"A D-rank mission," the Hokage said. "You'll be cleaning a river in the village."
Naruto's face fell. "What?! That's boring! I want to fight bad guys!"
"Old man, don't you have something cooler?!" He ran up to the desk and loudly asked Hiruzen.
Kakashi grabbed the back of Naruto's collar and pulled him away. "We'll take it," he said simply.
They left the tower and walked toward the mission site. After a short walk, they reached the river.
When they saw it, everyone stopped.
The river was full of garbage. Bottles, paper, boxes, and even broken toys floated around.
"This is the worst." Naruto groaned.
"Let's just get it done." Sasuke sighed
Sakura looked annoyed but nodded.
"Time for you three to get your hands dirty," Kakashi said as he went to the nearby tree and sat there. Watching the three of them with a smile on his face.