Boulders

Emerald

Fluff chapter!! Enjoy!!

(FYI, there is important stuff at the end.)

▪Kakashi-sensei's mask▪

"So, what are we doing exactly?" Toph asked.

She, Sakura, Sauske and Naruto were currently in an empty street. The three Genin were spying on Kakashi, who was walking down an adjacent road.

"Haven't you ever wondered why Kakashi-sensei hides his face?" Sunshine hissed quietly. "What could possibly be underneath it?"

"Um, no, I haven't," Toph said, waving a hand in front of her eyes. "You all look the same to me."

"This is stupid," Sauske said. "I could be training right now."

Toph could almost see the grin on Sunshine's face. "But what if he has... blimp lips?!"

Sauske wavered.

"Or buck teeth!?" Naruto continued, and the stubborn Uchiha was caught hook, line, and sinker.

"All right then," Sauske returned to their little huddle. "What are some things he has to take his mask off for?"

Sakura considered. "Well, he needs to eat, right?"

There was silence, then they all nodded. "Right!"

▪▪▪

"Well this is nice," Kakashi said amicably. "My cute little students, taking me out for dinner."

Toph slurped at her bowl (she had just gotten plain ramen, so it was done first), and waited.

"Well, then. Itadakimasu!"

Toph heard the three leaning in to try and see, their hearts thumping and hardly daring to breathe-

Another team crashed into the ramen stand, blocking their view. Toph listened to their panic with glee.

"No Ino! Get off!"

"Move!"

"AAARGH, I can't see!"

"Hey, Toph."

They were gone a second later, Ino sniggering like the little dream crusher she was. Toph felt Kakashi set down his empty bowl onto the counter.

"Thanks for the meal!"

▪▪▪

"Let's each try tailing him individually," Sauske said. "Who wants to go first?"

Naruto raised a hand. "I'll do it!"

"Okay," Sakura nodded. "If you don't succeed, I'll go after you."

"And I'll be after Sakura," Sauske narrowed his eyes. "Let's meet up at that tea stand in that park on Mita street and Taliya lane."

They all three nodded, then sped away.

They failed so epically that it cannot be put into words.

One after the other after the other.

It was sad.

▪▪▪

"What are we supposed to do!?" Naruto wailed. "We've tried EVERYTHING. And NONE of it has worked!"

Toph snorted. "Calm down there, Sunshine. I don't see what the fuss is all about, but if you try different tactics..."

"Such as?" Sauske hissed. He sounded really annoyed.

The Earthbender grinned. "Watch and see."

▪▪▪

"Hey, Mr Kakashi!" Toph called. The tall jonin turned to glance at her, took note of the genin hiding in the trees, and eye smiled.