Three Months (A Naruto Fanfic)

Revelations

Kakashi's attention was caught the moment Kurenai walked into the small bar. As far as he knew, she didn't frequent bars. A small stiffening beside him and he knew his companion had noted the odd tension in the genjutsu user's body as well.

The copy-nin raised a hand and indicated that there was a spare seat at their table without even bothering to check with Hana.

To her credit, there was no protest as the young Inuzuka vet scooted over for Kurenai to join them, only a small neutral smile as she cleared out some of the scrolls in front of them.

But Kurenai didn't sit down immediately, she smiled sadly at the two and shook her head. "Don't let me interrupt."

Hana shrugged. "We're just going over the yearly physicals for his nin-dogs. Kakashi makes sure they are well groomed and cared for, so it's a short meeting." She explained truthfully.

The silver-haired shinobi shrugged. "Actually, they mostly take care of themselves."

"Still, I'll just sit over …" Kurenai didn't get a chance to make an excuse to leave before Kakashi pinned her with a stare from his one visible eye. "Nothing's wrong." She said quickly, too quickly.

Hana didn't know the genjutsu jounin half as well as Kakashi did and thought it might be a good time to slip away, allow the two friends to talk. "We can finish this later." She offered, looking back and forth between the two.

"Fine." Kakashi said and Hana started to stand, until Kurenai's hand on her arm stopped her.

"Stay. I'm leaving." Kurenai said quietly, though not to Hana. Her red eyes were solely upon Kakashi.

But the copy-nin didn't acknowledge her statement, instead he poured her a cup of tea and sat it down in front of the empty chair. "I thought we were beyond that look."

Kurenai sighed and sat down, knowing she'd never elude this particular friend. "I am, I mean …I was …oh shit. Kakashi, I miss him."

Hana nodded. No name needed to be said, they all knew she was speaking of her husband, who'd died too soon and before seeing his son born. Asuma.

"Anything in particular bring this on?" Kakashi asked, not letting worry or concern cloud his voice, knowing she wouldn't appreciate that.

The pretty genjutsu specialist shrugged and sipped her tea. "Young love is blooming in the village."

Hana couldn't help the smirk on her face. "Kiba is …" She laughed, shaking her head. "He's actually paying attention to his clothes and his hair these days. He's still the same boy, but …now it matters. Mother was surprised at first, then thrilled."

Kurenai sighed and gave a weak grin. "Tsunade's betting they'll break up soon. She thinks Sakura and Kiba are too volatile together and that they won't last. I hear it was a decent sized bet too."

Kakashi grinned as Hana gave an outright bark of a laugh. "I'll tell Mother to start preparing the wedding contracts then. Tsunade never wins a bet!"

The copy-nin watched Kurenai closely. "All three of your former-students are now in relationships, some which look extremely serious. Hiashi looks positively smug these days and Choza, well, he's always happy, but now he almost beams."

"That's not the problem." Kurenai sighed and finished her tea. "I'm thrilled for all of them. Even Shino seems happy these days, and that Sand kunoichi? The Kazekage has sent a proposal for Temari to teach at the Konoha Academy this year."

Hana's eyes widened at that bit of news. "Wow."

Kakashi nodded sagely. "Serious stuff indeed. I can see why it might be a bit … unsettling for you."