soul

“I think it will work.” Sasuke muttered quietly under his breath, his voice barely audible but filled with a quiet certainty.

Sakura turned her head sharply to Sasuke, her eyes wide with curiosity and a bit of excitement. She leaned forward to Sasuke slightly, her expression brightening as she nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah totally! Kakashi sensei really has the hots for pretty Miss [Reader]!” She smiled, cupping her face dreamily.

“Although it would interfere with Kakashi's relationship with [Reader].” Sasuke added.

Sakura's lips curled to a pout. “Yeah…” She replied with a sigh.

Naruto was quick to get up again despite being just punched. He approached them again with a thinking look. “Surely we can use my new jutsu in some way! I didn't spend all week just for it to be trashed!”

Team seven was quiet for a moment before Sasuke broke the silence, “I have a plan.”

Then it was followed by Naruto’s stomach grumbling, “Can we eat ramen first? I haven't eaten breakfast. What Miss [Reader] left me was vegetables.” He looked sheepish for a moment, scratching the back of his head.

Sakura threw him a glare which made Naruto shiver in fear. “DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH PEOPLE SPEND TIME COOKING?! YOU'RE WASTING FOOD.”

✎ᝰ.‧₊𖥔 ݁📚⋆.˚

“That's Kakashi sensei…!” Sakura spotted the white haired jonin who was sprawled lazily on a nearby bench, completely absorbed in a book titled Icha Icha.

Naruto, now disguised as [Reader], walked to the jonin while the other two genin hid their chakra, watching in a distance, perched on a sturdy thick tree branch.

Naruto snatched the book from Kakashi's hand and looked down on him with a smirk. “Aren't you getting tired of that book?”

Kakashi looked at the woman up and down which made Naruto doubt his disguise for a moment.

‘He even used her chakra to hide his own chakra, huh. Must be sasuke's work.’ Kakashi thought, smiling a little. He sat up, making room for Naruto to sit to. “And you aren't too engrossed in your own research?”

Naruto relieved a sigh mentally as he caught his sensei smiling like he used to with [Reader]. He sat down beside him, the icha icha book on her lap, a gifted wooden bookmark by a certain woman is in between the pages. “No. My brain needs a break sometimes, ‘ttebayo.”

The word slipped on his mouth before he could stop himself. Thankfully, Kakashi did not seem to notice. “Naruto is rubbing off on you.” Kakashi commented.

“It is catchy.” Naruto chuckled.

Kakashi nodded, he was starting to like this. “Why are you here?”

Naruto went silent for a moment, trying to act like [Reader], looking at the book on his lap. He traces the outlines of the book, he searches his mind on whatever Sasuke's plan was.

But no memory came as his eyes scanned the book, trying to buy some time to think of possible answers so kakashi would believe him.

To be honest, [Reader]'s research for new jutsus are hard so he doesn't really comprehend what she's saying so he can't add that as a reason so it'd be realistic. So it's best for Kakashi to be caught off guard,

“…I miss you.”

And boy, he did get caught off guard.

The two genins too, Sakura's jaw could practically drop on the ground and Sasuke's eyes were widened in shock.

Sakura panicked. “That wasn't on the plan!” She whispered-shouted.

Sasuke put a hand over Sakura's mouth to silence her before she could get too carried away. It caused her to instantly melt in a flustering mess at the lips-to-skin contact with her crush. “Wait, it's going well.” Sasuke continued to watch the two interact.

Meanwhile, Kakashi was still adjusting to everything. Kakashi blinked a couple of times, he was tongue tied. His face was unreadable, but his eyes betrayed his thoughts. “Huhh…” he cleared his throat.

He did not think Naruto would say that but he guessed more surprises would come, he already concluded that they were after his unmasked face after all. “… well, that is a valid reason.”

Naruto grinned, his eyes staring at his sensei. “…Would you care to have a date with me?”

Kakashi was even more tongue tied. This plan sure is genius… if he weren't a jonin.

His mind battled for a moment if he should say no or amuse them. It was… actually nothing's wrong with it unless dating allegations from the village start attacking him but [Reader] would probably find this funny too…

“Sure.” He replied with a calm voice and a grin was displayed on Naruto's face.

“Okay, let's go.” Naruto stood up and handed Kakashi his book.

“Right now?” Kakashi took his book and hid it inside his flak jacket.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, “Yeah, why not?”

Kakashi sighed, he stood up too. Looks like his team was too eager to unmask him. “Nevermind.”

✎ᝰ.‧₊𖥔 ݁📚⋆.˚

The two men ― ehem, Kakashi and Naruto as [Reader] are sitting down together at the Yakiniku Q restaurant. Naruto was staring at Kakashi who appeared to seem unbothered, he was occupied with his stupid book.

Naruto needed to commence some flirting, not just some casual boring conversations old people do, Naruto dubbed. He cringed slightly at the idea that he had to get all mushy instead of just throwing his sensei a harem jutsu. But this was the purpose of the plan. He just needed to fake leaning in for a kiss so that Kakashi would pull down his mask and he would quickly pull away, not kissing him truly of course, whilst the other two would see and take a picture of their sensei's unmasked face.

Speaking of the other two, they were near just to hear their conversation a little. Some indoor plants and a small shoji covering them while they listen in.

Before [Reader] could try and get ‘mushy’ a waitress soon got to their table, “What would this lovely couple want?” The waitress teased, her tone light and fun. Kakashi kept his icha icha book on his flak vest again.

Naruto ― [Reader] smirked. ‘Since this is a date Kakashi sensei will pay for the food and I can eat a lot!’ he thought, a smug smirk sprawled on his lips.

After placing their order, Kakashi was starting to regret this… his wallet was beginning to feel lighter than expected.

Naruto saw his sensei's slight distress on his face as he looked at his wallet. Kakashi put his wallet in his pocket and looked back at the woman in front of him, [Reader]. Naruto's transformation jutsu of [Reader] was a good replica but not any good enough at the real one though.

[Reader] gently placed a hand atop of Kakashi's hand and faked a loving gaze.

‘'Hm. They're really going in lengths with this one.’ Kakashi was gonna lie if the thought of [Reader] doing all of this doesn't flatter anything in him at all. Kakashi would've loved a date with her.

This was all fake though, this wasn't [Reader].

“Here it is!” The waitress smiled and arranged the dishes on their table neatly. Naruto didn't take long to dig in after saying “Itadakimasu!” with his usual grin now plastered in [Reader]'s face.

Kakashi's eye scrunched a little, his masked lips tugging upwards. It had been awhile since [Reader] and him got to hangout alone, both were senseis of their own team now… maybe he'll say their genins need a joint training some time.

“‘Loverboy~?” Naruto used [Reader]'s nickname to his sensei, he tried it with his most suggestive imitation of [Reader]'s voice as his cheeks were half filled with food.

Kakashi stiffened at the nickname. Naruto, oblivious to the subtle change in his sensei, continued smiling unknowingly. “Yes?” He responded. On the opposite side of the small, cramped shop where two other genin sat, they watched the scene.

Kakashi maintained a neutral expression, he focused his attention downward, absentmindedly poking at a piece of food on his plate with his fork.

Meanwhile, Naruto noticed the subtle signals flying between Sasuke and Sakura across the table. The two nodded, signalling him to continue.

Just as Naruto turned to look away he caught sight of the same woman who he was disguised as. Sakura and Sasuke took care of the situation though.

✎ᝰ.‧₊𖥔 ݁📚⋆.˚

[Reader] had only intended to grab a quick lunch for her team. Her plans were delayed when she sensed the presence of four familiar chakras ― Team Kakashi.

As [Reader] stepped inside, she immediately noticed two of the team members already sitting at a corner table, with their eyes fixed intently on her, Sasuke and Sakura… Oddly, her eyes then caught a brief flicker of her own reflection, but it was not herself as she knew her; it was her looking back at her while dressed differently. Before she had even taken a step further, Sakura recognized her first. With obvious enthusiasm, Sakura waved energetically and called out her greeting. And she eagerly gestured for [Reader] to come over.

[Reader] nodded politely, returning Sakura’s greeting with a faint smile. She kept her attention divided, soaking in every word Sakura was saying while her mind was elsewhere. Then Sakura was waving for a waiter to order for [Reader].

She ordered a dish recommended by Sakura and also the take out food for her team.

She couldn’t shake the unsettling scene from earlier.

Sitting with Kakashi…

A clone that's an exact replica of her?

She recalled that team kakashi's genins were trying to unmask him… why's she involved though? Using her friendship with Kakashi for their own advantages…? That's not very ethical.

Now who would think of someth―

…

That Naruto!

He's the only one missing from this team. Plus who else would copy a woman's appearance?

She felt her blood rushing and boiling but she was quickly calmed with a thought, Kakashi's still going on with the play.

Just what was entertaining about this?

The waiter returned with her to-go food, a neatly packed bag filled with steaming dishes and a few utensils tucked inside. She thanked the man as she took the bag from him. Afterward, she reached for a plastic cup filled with lemon tea from the bag and sipped on it.

Her eyes drifted toward the other side of the restaurant while Sakura and Sasuke engaged in a conversation, mostly whispering to each other, that is probably about this certain situation.

[Reader]’s gaze lingered on Naruto, who was leaning toward Kakashi and flirting in a way that seemed almost open. His very actions intended every detail, the way he would squish his arms together making his woman disguise's breast pop. Then, Naruto leaned even closer, saying something in a seductive whisper that made Kakashi chuckle.

Naruto was flirting with Kakashi…?

Her breath hitched in her throat. Her body reacted involuntarily, and she choked, her cough coming out sharp and uncontrolled. Her head bobbed forward slightly as she struggled to breathe. Sakura was immediately quick and attentive to support her, patting her back.

“Are you alright [Reader] sensei?” She heard Sakura ask.

[Reader] nodded weakly, trying to steady her breathing as her airway gradually cleared. “Yeah.” she finally managed to say, her voice a bit hoarse.

Sakura smiled in relief and sat back on her chair.

While Naruto butchering into her friendship with the Hatake is fun. Why shouldn't she butcher his play to make it more fun?

She felt giddy at the idea, already having a play in mind, hardly hiding a smirk on her face.

Her hand moved to the food bag, where she carefully placed her empty cup before grabbing her drink, holding it. “I need to get going.”

✎ᝰ.‧₊𖥔 ݁📚⋆.˚

This is it!

The two genin were glad the [Reader] issue was gone, she had already left to go to her team. Naruto's killing it ― or more accurately kissing. He leaned in closer to Kakashi, a lock of [Reader]'s hair falling to his face. Their eyes locked in a sticky gaze, their hands brushed against each other as if by accident at first, then more intentionally.

Kakashi seemed to be clueless on the case ― or what the genins think at least. He was trying to keep distant but not enough to be noticeable. His hands were beneath the table, a knife in grasp. As he cut his thumb lightly, blood trickled out only enough to draw a faint smear so he could summon his ninken.

Then suddenly, a poof goes and Naruto's outfit changed. Kakashi's eyes widened at the sudden change, not knowing what Naruto would be doing in this situation. His eyes darted all over him, from head to toe, he still had his [Reader] disguise on, only the outfit changed.

The woman's hand swiftly got to Kakashi's mask ― almost too professional of an action to be a genin. Her other hand grabbed the back of his neck gently and swayed it to the right angle so his students wouldn't see his face as [Reader] acted as the wall blocking them from seeing his face. She tugged off his mask.

Kakashi quickly caught a grasp of [Reader]'s wrist but the strength of it didn't stop her from pulling his mask, his full face on display for [Reader]. His plan of making Naruto kiss his ninken instead; ruined.

then…

He kissed him.

…

Naruto kissed him…?

Kakashi pulled away and quickly pulled up his mask. He stared at the woman ― man? In front of him with disgust. He looked to the direction of his other two genins to get some type of answer but he found three mouth agape genin instead.

Naruto's with Sasuke and Sakura.

The temperature of his cheeks rose up. He looked at the woman? In front of him. “N-naruto…?” Kakashi stuttered as he distanced himself.

“I thought you would be more delighted kissing your lover, sensei~” She said to Kakashi in a teasing tone.

“[Reader]?” The name slipped between his lips before he could assess the situation more clearly.

“Kakashi~” She batted her eyelashes at him, teasing him in a way that made his lips twitch beneath his mask. Then, without warning, she leaned in closer and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. Kakashi's cheeks immediately flushed a deep shade of red.

“HEY! You totally ruined my plan, neesan, ‘ttebayo!” Naruto pointed accusingly at [Reader] with an angry glare. His lips puckered into a pout, His brows knit tightly together, and his eyes squinted as if trying to decide whether to be angry or embarrassed.

Sakura smacked Naruto’s head before he could continue on. “NARUTO!” Naruto flinched, his anger turning to a sort of sulky one as he murmured to himself.

[Reader] let out a chuckle. “Oh, I thought it's a win.” She said mischievously. “I definitely made him pull off his mask, ‘ttebayo~”

As Naruto argued with Sakura and [Reader], Sasuke and Kakashi only watched.

‘[Reader]… used her hiraishin to replace Naruto with herself.’ Kakashi and Sasuke concluded.

[Reader] was still close to Kakashi, her playful demeanor not faltering. His blush stayed more than a few while as he remained silent. She poked Kakashi's masked cheek. “So what do you think of your Kakashi sensei's face?”

Naruto was still angrily pouting. “WE DIDN'T SEE IT! ‘Ttebayo!”

Sakura nodded in agreement. “We didn't and we worked so hard, we know it's a prank but it's harmless…!” She reasoned.

“It will not work anyway, Sakura.” Sasuke joined in the argument. “Kakashi was gonna summon his ninken and let Naruto kiss the ninken instead. So you should be thankful to [Reader], Usuratonkachi.”

“WHAT??!” Naruto and Sakura yelled in unison before Naruto felt disgusted and started feeling nauseous. On the other hand, [Reader] was laughing and the boys had little smirks on their faces.

Sakura then yelled, interrupting the argument, “WAIT ― are we just going to ignore the fact that [Reader] sensei really kissed our Kakashi sensei?!”

“OH! YEAH! YOU TWO ARE ALREADY DATING?!” Naruto's voice rang out. That anger from earlier vanished fast, replaced with happiness. But his voice was so loud the other people at the restaurant looked at the scene. Sakura apologized and glared at Naruto. But it didn't falter Naruto's attitude, just his voice was more soft as he continued to gush more quietly about their relationship. He was very much happy that his sensei he admired would be with someone special as his older sister figure.

Kakashi and [Reader] shared a long look at each other.

Their friendship was… to say it was indeed just friendly was an understatement. They carry a deeper bond between them, it's just that they have been both scarred. They’re scared to fully open up because they fear getting hurt again, fear that love might only lead to more pain. But this path brings longing that keeps in-between them.

They looked at the three genin.

Without saying anything, Kakashi was about to shake his head… but,

[Reader] kissed his masked lips.

The three genins gasped.

“YOU TWO HAVE BEEN DATING SECRETLY?!” Sakura tried to minimize her own voice, thankfully the customer minded their own businesses, already used to the loud voices at this point.

“It’s honestly not a surprise.” Sasuke commented and Naruto agreed.

“Well then, we shouldn't bother the two now. They're on a date.” Sakura concluded as she dragged Naruto outside and Sasuke followed.

When they finally got off the scene, [Reader] poked Kakashi's masked cheek again. “I’m surprised you haven't commented icha icha moves~”

“Your flirting skills… need work.” Kakashi huffed, his body rigid, trying to get distance from her.

[Reader] raised an eyebrow. “Your red face says otherwise.”

Thank you for reading!