The dinner took place in a small beach town three hours south of Konoha.  Standing outside of the restaurant, Kakashi’s mouth watered. He checked that the loops of his paper mask were secure before stepping inside. Tsunade had reserved the entire restaurant for the Charity Dates.  The restaurant had been sectioned off for privacy with flowery curtains. Aburame Shino stat in a chair near the entrance, nodding at Kakashi when they made eye contact.

Kakashi’s mission scroll had mentioned that there would be a date supervisor on the scene to report. Tsunade wanted to ensure both parties would be on their best behavior during the dinner. Kakashi believed it was Tsunade’s way of ensuring the participants showed up in their mission-mandated attire.  Yes, the restaurant had a nice beach theme going on. But Tsuande could have let them wear a shirt along with the swim trunks.

“Reservation B,” Kakashi said to restaurant worker who standing at the podium. One of the interior pockets of his jounin vest was rubbing against his nipple; he resisted the urge to scratch it.

“Right this way,” the server responded, who didn’t seem at all surprised about Kakashi’s random attire.

The server parted the curtain to allow Kakashi to step in, to an empty room with a table set for two. A cheery fire in the corner of the room gave enough light to see, but still provided a sense of privacy and coziness. And a line of sconces lined the wall with hanging flowers. Kakashi unzipped his jounin vest and draped it over the seat of his chair before sitting down.

Kakashi rubbed his chest, trying to get rid of the goosebumps that had erupted over his skin. Moving aside the pineapple centerpiece, he picked up the menu.

“You’re still wearing your mask.”

Kakashi skimmed the entrees, looking up when Sakura’s footsteps stopped.

Oh

“Is that a coconut bra?” Kakashi asked as he took in Sakura’s attire, or lack of it. He suddenly felt a lot less self-conscious about being shirtless.

“This isn’t a real date so I thought I would have a bit of fun and go along with the theme.” Sakura twirled in place, causing her bathing suit sarong to flutter. “It’s not too much, is it?”

Too much?

“It’s perfect,” Kakashi replied after finding his voice. He stared at her chest as she took a seat, his mind open to new, wonderful possibilities. He poured Sakura a glass of water as he took a deep breath, trying to ground himself back into reality. This was Sakura, after all. No need to lose his cool yet.

“You better not try to charm your way out of showing me your face, Kakashi.” Sakura waggled her finger at him.

“Maaa, that’s not fair. I am required by Tsunade to be charming during this dinner. If I’m not, she might stick me in the missions’ office to take reports for three months.” Kakashi slid the menu in her direction after pointing out what he wanted to the server. “I’ll take the mask off when dinner is served. This face is only for you.”

Sakura bit her lip and looked away. “What did I just say about the charm? You don’t have to do that. This isn’t a real date,” she said as she looked down at the menu.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. That was an odd statement to say twice. It sounded an awful lot like Sakura was trying to convince herself. He observed her as she scanned the menu. Sakura had grown her hair out since the last time he saw her seven months ago. She had curled her hair in soft waves that came down mid-back. It was pinned away from her face with a large tropical flower behind her ear. And while it wasn’t unusual for Sakura to wear make-up, her choices this time around were definitely bolder. 

‘Especially her lipstick,’ Kakashi thought, as her lips formed a pout.

Sakura plucked at a lock of hair by her ear. “Is there something wrong with my face? You’re staring.”

“I was”—Kakashi hesitated, hoping he was reading the signals right— “admiring.” He tilted his head to the side. “It’s not just the Tsunade-mandated charm. You really do look lovely.”

A blush bloomed on Sakura’s face as she laughed; Kakashi watched the flush crawl down her neck. He wondered what it would take to make it trail further down to her chest. Feeling warm, he polished off his ice water.

Damn coconut bra.

Fortunately, the server stepped into the room to deliver their food. Kakashi used the opportunity to evaluate his situation. On one hand, he could be reading the signals wrong. He might ruin their amicable, but somewhat distant, relationship. Tsuande wouldn’t care about it and put them together on frequent missions, leading to months of awkwardness. On the other hand, Sakura was very handsy with him during the bidding auction.

On a third hand, they both weren’t wearing shirts, so it could be the beach setting.

Sakura squirmed in her seat as the server returned with their plates, practically vibrating in anticipation for his face reveal. Kakashi chuckled as the server vanished behind the curtain. “Impatient?” he asked as tugged at one of the earloops.

“I’ve been waiting half my life for yo—” Sakura’s jaw dropped as the mask came off. Kakashi smiled, delighted with her reaction. “Unngh. You—uh—houfff.” She covered her face with her hands.

Kakashi chuckled as he reached for his chopsticks. There was no use in letting his food grow cold while she recovered. He caught her peeking at him between her fingers as he took a bite of food. She squeaked.

“Is something wrong?” Kakashi asked, wondering why she was acting so timid. Where was the woman who had struck fear in him the night of the auction?

Sakura took her hand away from her face to glare at him. “Don’t take the innocent route. You know very well how attractive you are.” She moaned, a sound that little to stave off Kakashi’s growing interest. “What the hell is up with your teeth? Are you an Inuzuka?” She poured some alcohol into her cup and slammed it down.

Kakashi nibbled at his roasted eggplant. “My nose is sensitive because my great-grandmother was a branch member. I have to wear a mask because don’t have any of their clan jutsu to control it.”

“You’re so hot,” Sakura said miserably as she refilled her glass. “I wish you were wearing a shirt. How the hell can I concentrate on my food when you nipples are right there?”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. Interesting. Charity Auction Sakura had definitely been on the tipsy side. Maybe Sober Sakura was just a little shy? He raised an elbow on the table so he could rest his chin in his hand. “I’m sure you’ll manage. I would love to hear about your six-month trip to Mist. Did you try the mackerel?”

Sakura laughed, the tension in her shoulders melting away. “Oh my god, that stuff is disgusting.”

“It’s definitely an acquired taste. The only people who like the seasoning they used are from the country.”

“It was a long six months. I was making antidotes the entire time, and it was so boring. Most of it was stuff that I had learned how to make five years ago. I spent everything I earned on that mission on this date—I mean— this dinner.” Sakura poked at her food. “Ino had bought the dinner ticket and a bidding paddle for me. I had tossed the paddle in the lobby trashcan so I wasn’t planning on bidding. I had to dig it out of the trash when you changed the rules. I came back into the room and heard Tsunade was about to close the bidding. I didn’t know what was the final number, so I bid as high as I could afford. If anyone deserved to see your face, it was me, and not some old bat from another country.”

“I hope you think it was worth every Ryo,”—Kakashi gave her a sly smile— “to have me for the entire night.”

Sakura’s chopstick froze halfway to her mouth as her jaw dropped. “What?” Kakashi’s responded with a wink. “Oh my god, are you flirting with me?”

Kakashi kept eye contact as he finished chewing his food, and then deliberately trailed his eyes down to stare at her breasts. He was fascinated by her fuzzy bra. Was it made from a real coconut or was it synthetic? His hand twitched, eager to find out. “Yes. Do you want me to stop?”

Sakura blinked, her mouth stilled parted. Her eyes flickered down to his chest; Kakashi flexed his pecs.

Sakura laughed in delight, her hand rising to cover her growing smile. She turned away to look at one of the sconces on the wall. He waited patiently for her response as he continued eating his rice. If she said no, he would continue as they always had, sticking to conversations about missions and jutsu. After dinner, he would put his jounin vest back on, and walk her to room as he told her goodnight. Then, he would avoid her for three months so the awkwardness could pass.

If she said yes, Kakashi would do everything he could to find out what was hiding behind her coconuts.

Sakura turned back to him, her hand returning to her chopsticks. He smiles on her face had turned dangerous, a coy smirk that Kakashi was compelled to return.

“Do you want me to stop?” he repeated as Sakura took a bite of her food.  A bit of sauce ended up on the corner of her mouth.

“No,” Sakura replied, slowly dragging her tongue over her lip to wipe up the sauce. Kakashi clenched his fist at the provocative gesture; there was no reason for her to act like that so early into dinner. 

Sakura fluttered her eyelashes.  “Is something wrong, Kakashi?” She took another slow bite, her mouth parting to show her pink tongue.

“No,” Kakashi said, his voice deeper than had been a moment ago. He hated that she was already pulling at the delicate threads of his sanity and it was only the main course. The erection that had been threatening to grow since she walked in the room could no longer be willed away. “More water?” He raised the pitcher, topping off his own cup.

“I’m good,” Sakura pointed to the bottle of sake next to her.

“Excellent.” Kakashi poured the pitcher of ice water directly on his chest, wincing as the cool water pooled onto his crotch. He grabbed one of the ice cubes in his lab and rubbed it along his upper body, giving extra care to each of his nipples.

Sakura was panting from across the table. “Oh my god!” Her hand reached for the sake and she slammed the rest of the bottled back. “I’m done with my dinner, are you?”

Kakashi took a look at his half-eaten plate. “I think so.” The ice cubes in his lap clattered to the floor when he stood. He held his jounin vest in front of his crotch to hide the damp spot. “Lead the way, Sakura."