Book Of One-Shots

For: Vanessa (KakashixKira One-Shot)

This is a one-shot for a friend of mine, Vanessa. This is in return for both the one-shot's you've written for me, I hope you enjoy the story.

~

The sun shone brightly through the small window in the kitchen as I bustled about, gathering ingredients and lying them out on the counters. Today was a special day, a day that came once a year, as it should. It was Kakashi's birthday, and I figured it would be the right thing to do to bake him a cake. It would be more meaningful to make it myself instead of getting one from a bakery, or I thought so anyway. Kakashi was a good friend of mine, he deserves this. We've known each other since we were little kids. And besides, I don't know if anyone even knows it's his birthday. If they don't, then it'll just give him even more of a shock when I give him his cake.

I paused in my movements, would I even be doing this if it was someone else's birthday? For Sasuke, of course. He was my little brother after all, I had to for him. But there wasn't really anyone else I considered to be 'close' to me. My cheeks felt warm suddenly as I thought this, what the hell makes Kakashi so special? Whatever the reason, he had better damn well enjoy this cake for all the work I'm putting into it.

Shaking my head, I brushed off those thoughts. I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to get this done before it got too late in the day, so I had better get started already. I cracked my knuckles with a grin, this would be one damn delicious cake.

~

Wiping my forehead, I grabbed the piping bag full of blue frosting from my left. The cake itself had taken nearly an hour to bake the way I wanted it to. I had to start over twice already because the other ones burned, which wasn't my fault. It had grown increasingly hot in here as well, prompting me to remove my apron. It provided some relief, but it was still stuffy and I was still sweaty. I was actually nearly done, I only had to finish up the frosting along the edges and write a message on top. I figured writing something simple would suffice.

'Happy birthday, Kakashi!'

That might seem to simple, but it was the best I could think of. I wasn't one for mushy message or heart-felt speeches, so he'd suck it up and deal with it. I dropped the tube on the counter just before I could finish the last bit of punctuation to the message, I heard a knock at the door. I wiped my head again and went to answer the door, I wiped my hands on my pants then opened the door. Behold the one and only, Kakashi was at my door. It was a wonder as to what he was doing here, I hadn't told him I was making him a cake, and I doubt he would have guessed it. He seemed kind of nervous, I could tell by the way he held himself. His posture was slightly more slumped than usual, and he had his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"What are you doing here?" I ask curiously,

"Do you need something?"

He shifts his weight from foot to foot before replying,

"Well, I figured we could hang out today. We both have the day off, and I know you didn't have anything planned."

I bit my bottom lip subconsciously, if I let him in he'd see, if not smell, the cake for sure. Then again, if I keep him away from the kitchen, he won't know it's for him. He snaps me from my thoughts by saying,

"Judging by your silence, I'm guessing you do have something planned. I'll see you later, then."

He turns to leave, I grabbed his sleeve before he could get any further without thinking about it. I don't know what came over me, I don't think I'd like to see him walking away like that, thinking I had rejected him without a second thought. That would never be the case, he was probably...my closest friend.

"No, no, that's not it. You can come in," I say a bit quickly,

"Just stay out of the kitchen, I'm cooking and I don't want you messing it up. Understand?"

He nods once, it seemed like his whole attitude and posture had brightened up once I invited him in. I step to the side and let him go past me, I close the door and we go further into my small home. He sits on the couch in the living room while I went to go back to the kitchen, but not before stating,

"Stay here."

I didn't give so much as glance back as I went into the kitchen, and picked up the piping bag once more. I clenched my jaw and hardened my expression as I went to finish up the last bit of the message for the top, I didn't want to mess this up now. If I did, I'd have to start over. Again. And I really don't feel like doing that. I set the bag down again as I finally finished completely, I stepped back to admire my work with a grin. It was damn near perfect, like I had hoped it would be.

"Who's that for?" the sudden voice made me spin around, only to see Kakashi leaning against the doorway to the kitchen with his arms crossed.

I frowned and walked over to him, I pressed my finger to his chest and say,

"I told you to stay in the other room, you didn't listen to me."

He looks over my shoulder at the cake, squinting his eyes to read the message. It didn't register with me at first what he was doing, but as soon as I did I pushed him back. He didn't budge, however, only prompting from me,

"Kakashi...don't look at it."

"Too late," he says with a soft chuckle,

"I didn't know you knew how to bake, it looks pretty good."

I gave up my attempt of pushing him away with a sigh,

"Since you've seen it already I guess there's no point in trying to hide it, it's for you. Happy birthday."

I stepped backwards and he walks around me, over to the cake and looks over it. I went over and joined him, standing at his side felt...natural. I can't quite explain it, but this felt right. It was also comforting to just be next to him. A gasp passes my lips as he suddenly hugs me, it wasn't like him for sure. He wasn't saying anything, and I was starting to feel uncomfortable from our unusually long hug. Don't get me wrong, it's not as if I didn't like it, I do. It's just being this close to me that's getting to me, I don't think I've ever actually embraced him out of an act of care like this for such a long time.

He pulls away and says,

"Thank you for remembering, to be honest, I kind of forgot myself. It's been a long time since I've had cake on my birthday."

I couldn't help the smile that cracked across my face, it felt strangely satisfying to hear him say thank you. I hit his arm as I reply,

"You're welcome, you big idiot. Since it's done, you want some?"

He shakes his head, he quickly swipes his finger through the icing on the side and wipes it on my cheek. My mouth gaped open, he did not just do that. He stepped back some with a chuckle as he saw how I was practically seething with rage now, he was gonna get it. I grabbed the piping bag and squeezed it with the open end towards him, icing got all over his shirt. It was gonna stain for sure, I knew it would, but I didn't give a damn. He looks down at himself, before suddenly perking up again. I didn't have a chance to react before he closed the space between us and hugs me, getting that icing all over my shirt as well.

I pushed him back and looked at my shirt while muttering,

"You idiot."

I looked up at him to see a relatively happy expression on the visible part of his face as he says,

"Kira...thank you, sincerely."