-

"Itsuko? What are you doing here?" Kakashi asked, confused. He placed his hand on the bed, trying his best to get up only to have his body fail him and drop back into his pillow. All those years, ever since Minato left the world, their relationship was nothing more than comrades.

"Relax. I heard from the Anbus that you were hospitalised, I came over to check on you. What happened?" Itsuko looked at him calmly, taking a seat on a chair nearby.

"I over-used my mangekyou sharingan and ended up using up too much chakra." He replied formally, wrapping himself up inside the cold hospital blanket. He felt embarrassed to show such weakness in front of her. It made him feel wee.

Itsuko laughed softly at his act, already knowing the details on the mission. "I know that. I meant, why, why did you end up doing that?"

He sighed, gathering all his strength, using his whole body to sit up right. Just as he was about to fall again, Itsuko helped him out, allowing him to be able to sit up. He gave her a saddening look before he tucked his hand into his right pocket. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "Could you close your eye for awhile?"

Itsuko shot him a doubtful look before she gently closed her eye lid. Kakashi leaned foward, his finger tips both held onto an end of a string as he tied a small knot with it, helping Itsuko put on the necklace. He gently removed his hands, lowering his mask before he gave her a kiss. His soft lips, delicately pressed against her lips but he pulled away, pulling back his mask, way too soon for either of their satisfaction.

His body was tense, his muscles were tight, his heart was pounding so quickly and his lungs desperately searching for oxygen. His eyes darted everywhere but never reached Itsuko's. It was completely silence for what seemed like eternity before Kakashi spoke. He wasn't sure of himself, he was hesitant but after all these years, he wanted to take a step forward.

"W-Would you go out with me?" His words stuttering, he couldn't trust himself to say anymore than a simple, straight forward sentence. He felt as if his cheeks were burning, he had never been this shy in his entire life.

Just then, Kakashi caught a tear rolling down her eye. He panicked, "I-I'm sorry."

She sniffed, whipping away her tear, laughing at his expression. "I'm sorry, it's just that, just that..." She spoke, only to break down in tears again.

Kakashi relaxed for a moment, patting her shoulder to calm her down. His hand slowly reached towards her cheeks, whipping away her tears.

It took her awhile but eventually she calmed down. "I'm sorry, it was so sudden. I-I couldn't control myself."

Kakashi gave her a reassuring look, "I should be the one apologising, I shouldn't have done that."

"No, don't. It wasn't your fault. It just caught me off guard, that's all. Also, about your question, my answer is..." Itsuko said, purposely trailing off, making Kakashi anxious and tense.

She got closer to Kakashi, so close that a slight push, they'd be kissing. She leaned forward a little more, lowering his mask. He wouldn't have let her done so but he could care less at the moment. He could feel his cheeks burning, he was excited yet he was worried and scared. They could feel the heat of each other's breath but there was no contact between each other's skin.

"I didn't think you were the type to ask someone out." She whispered, purposely leaving Kakashi hanging on the edge. She chuckled, hiding much emotion behind her eyes. Instead of an answer, she placed her hand on the back of his head, pulling him in and gave him a fierce, satisfying kiss before pulling away with a smile. "You have your answer."

Kakashi smiled back, pulling his mask back on. He was calmer and his body wasn't as tense as earlier either but his heart was still pounding and his cheeks were still blushing. "I'm still sorry for making it so sudden."

"I thought I told you to stop apologising, Kakashi. Anyways, what's this?" She asked, her hands holding up the light cylan pendant that was hung along the string-made necklace Kakashi helped her wear. She felt happy get apologetic towards Kakashi. She avoided him all these years but he never gave up on her despite of her actions.

"It's a reward I got from the last mission where I over-used my magekyou. It was only a pendant but I made it into a necklace as a gift for you. You can connect to the pendant, filling it with a small amount of your chakra. It keeps you from dying by lack of chakra since it's like a separated storage for your chakra." Kakashi replied, lying back onto his bed. He was tired from the strength he had to gather earlier and the intense scenario.

"Thank you, Kakashi. But why me? You have a tons of fans from the Anbu, they're more suitable for you, you deserve more than just this." Itsuko said, revealing a saddening expression. She didn't feel like she deserved any of this.

Kakashi looked at her sympathetically, "I've liked you for a long time. The Anbus can't really compare to you, they're too desperate and their personality aren't really my type. What about you? Why accept me? Almost all men in the Anbu would dream to have you, you could choose anyone."

"Well, they never managed to catch, my attention. I didn't reject you because..." She trailed off, "I don't know actually. Perhaps I just felt that you were worth it."

He smiled again, "thank you."

"Get some rest, you'll be needing more energy when Naruto returns."

But the ironic thing was, they ended up talking, joking and ranting. It was a chance, a chance for them to restart their friendship, as a relationship.

-

"Good morning, Kakashi." The door creaked opened with Tsunade casually walking in. She held a file in her hand, reading it.

"Good Morning, Lady Tsunade." Kakashi replied, glancing over at her for not more than a second.

Finally looking up from her file, she saw something shocking she never thought she'd be seeing.

"Isn't she a beauty?" Kakashi fantasised, his hand stroking Itsuko's hair as he stared at her. She fell asleep while sitting on the chair, her head hurried in her arms on the edge of the bed.

"You sure you should be doing that?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, taking a chair, sitting down at the other side of the bed. She'd be able to imagine Itsuko waking up to rampage on Kakashi for doing that.

"I don't see why I can't." Kakashi replied, not even giving her the slightest attention. His eye was fixated on Itsuko.

"I really don't understand her." Tsunade sighed, slamming the file down on the table beside the bed.

"Of course you don't." Kakashi replied, not taking his eyes off Itsuko, as if he was afraid that if he did, everything would instantly vanish like waking up from a dream. "She doesn't trust you. I've known her for a long time. There's only very few she would trust."

"Then she must trust you very much to fall asleep like that." Tsunade said, narrowing her eyes, still unbelieving.

Kakashi smirked, "she's probably tired. It's not easy living a life like hers."

"Tell me about her past, how bad could it have been?" Tsunade attempted to find out once more only to be rejected again. "I can't, not without her consent."

Tsunade slammed the table, "Hokage's orders."

The loud bang woke Itsuko up. Kakashi removed his hand from her hair. "Morning."

"Morning, Kakashi. What's she doing here?" Itsuko frowned at the sight of Tsunade. It had annoyed her how she was so keen on learning her past.

"I was came over to check on Kakashi and found him fantasising over you. Now, would you care to tell me about your secretive horrible past?" Tsunade stood up from her chair, crosong her arms.

"I told you already, no." Itsuko answered impatiently.

"Oh never mind, I'll just get Kakashi to tell me." Tsunade grinned, shooting a devilish glare at Itsuko.

"He wouldn't." Itsuko replied confidently, not flinching one bit. Even Kakashi was shocked at how trustful she was towards him.

"You're a complete different person when it comes to relationships." Tsunade laughed. "I'll just make him."

"Let's see, I could start a war. Or get my Anbu to cause trouble for you. Pick your choice." Itsuko said with a stern and strict face. It may have sounded like a joke but if Tsunade have really picked, Itsuko wouldn't hesitate to implement.

"Why of all people did you get the position of Anbu captain? You don't do anything but use them to your own gains do you?" Tsunade argued, her statement angering Itsuko.

"Oh? That's what you think? Replace me then, I know you're itching to do it." Itsuko gave Tsunade a cold harsh glare.

"I will, I'll make sure you come back on your knees apologising. I wonder now you'll survive without your job." Tsunade snapped, stomping out.

"Itsuko..." Kakashi sighed. "The Anbu won't last without you."

"I know. That's why she'll come to me begging for my return." Itsuko chuckled, holding Kakashi's hand. "I'm sorry but I might have to leave. Remember the time when I told you to pass something to The Third? I didn't come back for a whole week after that."

"Where did you go?" Kakashi asked, his thumb stroking the smooth skin of Itsuko's hand.

"Not trying to interrupt you two lover birds, but Naruto went into two tails form during his fight with Orochimaru. I took care of your memories this time since there wasn't much." Kurama suddenly said, interrupting.

"Thanks, Kurama." She briefly answered before returning to reply to Kakashi.

"Let's just say I spent my time outside the village. That wasn't the first, I've been doing it as soon as I was capable of it. But I haven't done that ever since Tsunade came in charge. She's taking advantage of my obedience." Itsuko huffed, ruffling Kakashi's hair. "Don't miss me too much."

"Could you at least stay to help out with Naruto's training?" Kakashi sighed, asking. He didn't want to keep her from doing what she wants but he couldn't bare to let her leave so quickly. It was like a dream having her go out with him and he was afraid the dream would end once she leaves.

"Don't give me that look. It's not like I'm going to leave you forever." Itsuko gave him a softened look. She was confident that she wouldn't do that to him but deep down, she was scared of being dumped again. She supposed Kakashi felt the same.

"I love you."

"I love you too."