"Let's grab a drink," Kakashi said, as he patted Sasuke's shoulder.
"Now?"Sasuke glanced at him.
"Yeah. Mission's done. You earned it."
Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder and used Flying Thunder God. They reappeared outside a quiet tavern in the back streets of Konoha.
They entered and found a private booth in the corner. It was quiet, with only a few drunk chunin and off-duty ANBU scattered around.
Kakashi ordered some sake for himself and juice for Sasuke.
"Still underage," Kakashi smirked at him.
"I don't care about drinking."Sasuke sat back with a grunt.
"I know. I brought you here for something more important." Kakashi said.
"What?"Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"Your crush."
Sasuke froze. His hand stopped mid-air.
"I don't have one," he muttered.
Kakashi gave a relaxed smile and took a sip of his sake.
"It's okay to have a crush on Shizune." He said in a teasing tone.
Sasuke's eyes widened. He turned red.
"W-What? How-"
"I saw how you looked at her while she was treating you," Kakashi said casually. "That soft, spaced-out stare? You didn't even blink."
"That doesn't mean anything."Sasuke looked away.
"Also, Tsunade told me you visit the hospital even with scratches." To be honest, Kakashi had never thought that the cold-faced Sasuke would fall for Shizune.
"…She's kind."Sasuke rubbed the back of his neck, flustered.
"And cute."
Sasuke didn't say anything.
"So?" Kakashi leaned forward. He was curious how Sasuke would handle it.
"…Is it weird?" Sasuke stared at the drink in his hand.
"To like someone older?" Kakashi asked.
Sasuke nodded.
"No," Kakashi said. "Look at me and Tsunade. Or even me and Kurenai. Or Anko. Or Mei."
"…You're not helping." Sasuke gave a flat look.
Kakashi smirked. "Okay, fair. But seriously, age isn't the issue. The heart wants what it wants."
Sasuke nodded slowly.
"But don't tell Tsunade I said any of that." Kakashi raised a finger.
"I might," Sasuke smirked.
"Don't push it." Kakashi pointed at him.
The two shared a quiet laugh.
"But seriously," Kakashi said. "What about Sakura?"
Sasuke fell silent.
The atmosphere changed just a little. Sasuke lowered his eyes and placed the cup down.
"I know she likes me," he said quietly. "But… I don't feel the same."
"Because you like Shizune more." Kakashi nodded.
Sasuke nodded once.
"You care about Sakura though, right?"
Sasuke looked at him. "Of course. She's always been there. She trained hard. Got strong. She's an important friend and companion."
"But I don't feel the same way she feels for me."
"So I don't know how to handle it." Sasuke sighed.
There was a long pause.
Sasuke then looked up again.
"…Sensei, you have four women who love you, right?"
"Yes?" Kakashi blinked.
"How do you make that work?"
Kakashi leaned back. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment.
"…It's not easy," he said. "It takes trust. And honesty. And a lot of patience, and being a beast in bed."
"Did they all agree?" Sasuke asked ignoring the last words.
Kakashi smiled softly. "Eventually, yes. It took time. But I loved them enough to wait. And they loved me enough to try."
Sasuke nodded. He looked like he was thinking hard.
"Sakura… might not agree," Kakashi said. He knew Sakura's obsession with Sasuke, and there was no way she would share him with anyone.
Sasuke raised his eyes. He also knew that Sakura had a strong personality.
"She loves you that much. If you're honest with her, she might understand and let you go." Though that's unlikely given her obsession.
"…But there's still time, right?" Sasuke gave a thoughtful expression.
"Plenty." Kakashi chuckled.
Just then, the waitress came by and set their food down.
"Two chicken bowls and dumplings. Enjoy."
Kakashi nodded and thanked her. Sasuke picked up his chopsticks.
They ate in silence for a while.
Kakashi sipped his sake between bites.
"Shizune's a good one," he said.
Sasuke looked up, chewing.
"She's kind, responsible, and smart," Kakashi went on. "She'll keep you grounded."
Sasuke chuckled. That's why he had fallen for her.
"So. What's the plan, loverboy?" Kakashi asked as he leaned in.
"I don't know yet. Just… thinking." Sasuke shrugged.
"Thinking's good. But don't wait too long. Girls don't like waiting forever."
Sasuke nodded.
They ate quietly for a bit more.
"Did you ever like someone and never tell them?" After a while, Sasuke looked over.
Kakashi stopped chewing for a second. He glanced out the window.
"…Yes," he said, remembering that gentle girl.
"Who?"
"A long time ago," Kakashi said. "Before I met the four nightmares I live with now."
Sasuke smirked.
"It never worked out?" he asked.
"No," Kakashi said. "I was too closed off. Too busy being the perfect shinobi, and being an emo brat just like you. Didn't realize what I wanted until it was too late."
"I don't want to be like that." Sasuke nodded, ignoring the emo brat joke.
"Good," Kakashi said. "You're already better than I was."
They ate the rest of the meal in peace.
…
Later, after they left the tavern, they walked under the quiet Konoha moonlight.
The lanterns flickered above them, casting soft orange light on the street.
"Thanks for today," Sasuke said.
"Anytime. Just don't make Shizune cry, or I'll break your legs." Kakashi glanced at him.
Sasuke laughed. "Noted."
"And don't forget to make things clear to Sakura."
"I won't."
"And don't tell Tsunade I said anything."
"No promises."
Kakashi sighed dramatically.
They walked a bit more.
"You're growing up," Kakashi said.
"Was I not before?"Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"You were. But now… you're living. Not just surviving."
Sasuke nodded quietly.
"…Thanks, Sensei."
Kakashi smiled under the moonlight.
"Anytime, Sasuke."