If Only Things Were Different

PROLOGUE

It was one fine, sunny day at Konoha and people are getting busy as the clock will soon strike 12 and shops would be packed by people who will have their break from work. The students at the ninja academy are ready to have their lunch break and hang out with some of their friends from other classes.

Kakashi Hatake, the ninja who is famous for owning the Sharingan despite being not an Uchiha himself, and for being the son of Sakumo Hatake, the famous, feared, White Fang of Konoha. Kakashi, also known for being such a fine, intelligent, talented, young Jounin who loves to be alone and reads his book and who never let a team pass through until Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura came making them his first and only team. He also is the only non-Uchiha who's copied thousands of jutsus earning the title of the copy-ninja, is on his way to Ichiraku to have his lunch when he stumbled upon his student, Naruto Uzumaki, the one and only knucklehead, unpredictable genin in Konoha.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei!" The blonde student greeted his sensei with enthusiasm.

"Oh! Hi there, Naruto," he said, still stoic. His nose buried deep into his book.

"Did you have your lunch, sensei?"

"I was about to."

"You're going to have lunch here in Ichiraku?"

"Yes, why you ask?" he said, bringing his book away from his nose to look at his student.

"Can I choose your ramen for you?" Naruto suggested.

"Uh--sure?"

The kid excitedly pointed out the newly added dish on the menu board and also suggested to take it with hot dumplings.

After ordering his sensei's lunch, Naruto said his goodbye and left to the training ground where he would meet with Rock Lee, a thick-browed-student of also a thick-browed-sensei, Maito Gai which always have them mistaken as father and son.

Kakashi let out a sigh before taking his lunch. Once he's done, he put the payment on the table with a little bit of tip as he enjoyed his meal and in peace.

He took out his book from his pocket and started reading where he left off. He has read his Icha Icha Paradise for probably a hundredth time and had memorized every line and the plot perfectly but still find it interesting that he reads it over and over waiting for the next book to get published.

Kakashi decided to enter the book store he passed by during his lazy stroll and looked around the young adult section when he spotted a new face. His brows met, thinking he had seen each and everyone's face in their village and find it odd to have found a new one. His face heated in embarrassment as the person calmly traced the books from the adult section. He wanted to take over and look at the books he could possibly buy but he's too embarrassed to ask the person, the lady rather, to move over to let him scan the books himself.

He decided to walk past behind her and just come back later when she's done and went to the romance section. He's trying to find a decent story he'll be interested in from the summary at the back of the sealed books. He took the tenth book and read the summary of the plot when he noticed the girl was already at the counter with a basket full of books. He sweatdropped as he thought if the books were all from the adult section. 'She could probably take the interesting ones with her.' He sighed.

Kakashi absent-mindedly brought a book from the romance section to the adult section. Finding nothing, he walked towards the counter and paid for the book he thought he picked up from there. As soon as he got home, he flopped on his couch after taking his shirt off.

Peeling off the seal from the book Kakashi started reading his newly bought book. He jumped right through the prologue and read the first paragraph when he noticed something's off. He jerked and sat up. He read the book title, 'Why did I have to love you?' his eyes widened when he realized he picked up a book from the romance section. He brushed his hand right through his hair and decided to continue reading the book. It has been a while since he read such stories. It got him curious if it'll be interesting when he gets to the middle. Without him realizing, immersed with his new book, his stomach rumbled letting him know its late at night and he needs food.

The next morning, Kakashi took his book and idly sat on his bed not thinking of shower and work. He wanted to finish the book soon and he realized he never felt the feeling of what the author is trying to say. He got curious, 'when did I fell in love?'. Finishing the book, Kakashi stared at the ceiling for a good amount of time realizing how lonely he was. He thought of Asuma and Kurenai, he let out a grin, he's happy his friends fell in love with each other. But what about him? He is not alone, Gai, Anko, Genma, Kotetsu, Izumo, and more Jounins their age didn't settle down nor got into a relationship. Most of them have the same reason, it's either they haven't found someone to settle with due to the busy schedule, or it's because they're afraid to fall in love because of the kind of work they have. And both seemed to make sense for Kakashi.

He decided to get up and shower before grabbing an apple and stroll down the village on his way to the lake. When he entered the little forest, Kakashi jumped from tree to another and found a perfect, cool spot to sit and re-read the book he mistakenly bought yesterday thinking he might have some pointers if he ever find a person he'll experience the same way how the author was telling the story.

He grabbed a pen and jotted some words down to some pages where he thought would be helpful in his journey. He never in a million years would think he would need this kind of books other than Icha Icha. He sighed, still writing when he heard a rustle and a quiet hum. With his good hearing, he got to listen to it clearly and found the person's location. He silently got down and took a closer look at the person when he realized it was the same person from the bookstore.

He was about to leave when he stepped on a small branch and made a sound causing the lady to look at his direction, "you again?"

What the lady said took him by surprise, "me again?"

"It was you from the bookstore, is it? You looked at me for a while before passing by me. You were still there when I paid for my books."

"Oh," he said, "it was all just a big coincidence."

"How?" he thought she wasn't buying his explanation, he better tells the truth.

"I wanted to buy adult books but you were there so I just waited for you to finish."

"Is that why you bought that book?"

"This is boring. I bought it by mistake."

"You find my book boring?" She asked surprisingly calmly than she should be.

With wide eyes, Kakashi shook his head fast.

"It's just not my cup of tea."

"Then why did you write something in it?"
Kakashi didn't move, not knowing what to say and before he could react, she took the book from his hand and read what he wrote.

"Oh, so you were inexperienced," she commented bluntly.

"I am not! I was just busy is all!" He snatched the book back.

"I don't know why you're being defensive. We don't know each other."

"Yeah. Sorry."

The lady left without saying a word leaving Kakashi dumbfounded. He got curious who the girl was and decided to make it a mission while he waits for the Hokage to give him instructions which is strange for him taking this long break. He usually gets overnight as his break before setting on another mission.