**idk but i hear frank ocean's lost playing in the back of my head when i read this chapter lolol**

I spent the rest of the day quietly relaxing at my apartment. My plants had all died from being on a mission and then in the hospital for so long.

I debated on getting more but decided against it. I'd probably start being gone a lot more often now that I was on an actual team and the Akatsuki were back.

I sighed as I looked in my closet for something to wear... I couldn't even remember the last time I wasn't in either my ninja clothes or pajamas. I barely even had any normal clothes at all.

I really wanted to back out of tonight, but Guy's deal was just too tempting. I needed him to keep training with me.

I knew his work ethic alone was enough to push me to get better, and to mix that with the taijutsu practice, he would make the perfect trainer.

I decided on black loose jeans and a laced, cropped black cami. I kept my hair down and added some makeup before putting on my shoes to leave.... black chunky boots.

I never liked dressing up much, but it was cute enough for me.

I walked slowly to the restaurant, enjoying the warm breeze of the night and the clear sky. Many of the houses and buildings still had their lights on for the night, and the chatter and laughter of families filled the empty village streets.

I smiled happily as I thought about my own family and the many nights I had spent with them, enjoying their company in the same fashion.

Shinobi weren't often lucky to have stable families, but I was... Not only were my parents even alive, but they always made time for me. It was a luxury that I had taken for granted too many times before.

I braced myself before walking through the restaurant doors. I wasn't sure why, but an overwhelming sense of nervousness began to wash over me as I thought about seeing everyone.

I wasn't really the going out type, yet here I was.

"Hey! We're over here!" Asuma called out as I walked inside and began to look around. I was surprised to see there was a part of the restaurant closed off just for some jonin, most of who I didn't know.

"Hey," I smiled softly as I approached the table. "Who're all these people?"

"We're celebrating! It's Kenzo's birthday," Kurenai smiled.

"Kenzo? From the Inukuza clan?" I asked as I sat down next to Kakashi.

"Yea! You know him?"

I shook my head, "Not really, which makes it pretty weird that I'm at a dinner for him."

"Oh, it's totally fine! We're going to go to a get together after this too, so it's really casual. Anyone can come!"

"One of your suitors?" Kakashi asked in a low voice so only I could hear.

I rolled my eyes as the server approached us and asked if I wanted anything to drink. The truth is, he actually was one of the names my mom and the elders had sent me, although I had only met him once. And it was for something completely unrelated to an arranged marriage, thankfully.

"Mm, can I have a whiskey? And just like, keep it coming if the glass gets empty. Thanks," I gave her a small smile before she left again.

Asuma smirked at me, "Whiskey? Really?"

"Yea... Not really big on crowds of people," I laughed nervously.

"Really? But you're so personable," Kakashi teased.

"Very funny, Kakashi. Didn't realize you had a sense of humor."

"I can be a lot of fun, Y/n," he smirked at me and I saw the top of his cheeks were flushed a slight pink. It looked like he must have started drinking long before this.

My heart raced a bit as I looked at him in his normal clothes. He dressed pretty simple too, but I loved seeing his style.

Along with his mask, he wore a black long sleeve underneath a dark green shirt with a printed design on it and black pants with sneakers. His hair swept down in front of his face, and it was the first time I had ever seen it down before.

Guy sat with us once he finished making his rounds, and it was fun to sit around and talk with them. I was surprised to see all these leaf shinobi being so casual.

I was hard for me to relax since my team was on a mission, and I couldn't help my thoughts from drifting to them.

"You doing alright?" Kakashi asked as he rested his head in his hands.

"Yea, I'm fine," I smiled at him. "I think I'm going to step outside for a minute."

I got up and left the restaurant. I was planning on just getting some air but I saw a fellow ninja smoking, so I asked the stranger for a cigarette before he went back inside.

I hadn't smoked at all since I left the village with Naruto, but right now, it's all I wanted to help calm me down a bit.

"I thought you quit?" I looked over my shoulder to see Asuma approaching me.

I laughed, "I thought I did too."

"I guess I didn't realize you didn't like being around groups of people."

"Well, you've never really seen me outside of anyone other than just us or one or two others."

"And these days, I hardly see you at all."

I glanced over at him as I took another puff, "You and Kurenai?"

"You noticed?" he smirked at me.

"Kinda hard not to," I laughed softly. "Does she knows about us? Is that why she's been all over you?"

"She knew there was a reason I hadn't gotten more serious with her, and I think she just put it together."

I shrugged, "Mm, so she's smart and beautiful? Nice catch."

"You and Kakashi?" he asked in a soft voice causing my face to quickly heat up.

"N-no... It's nothing like that."

"Yea? And does he know that?"

"Hmm? I don't know what you mean."

"I've been friends with him a long time, Y/n. It's pretty obvious there's something there."

I laughed, "It's definitely not so obvious to me, but if you say so."

"So how do you feel about him?" he asked in a rather serious tone.

Suddenly, a drunken girl burst out of the restaurant and threw herself onto Asuma.

"Asuma, honey, what are you doing out here!? You left me all alone," she pouted playfully.

I put out the cigarette and turned to the canoodling couple, "Thanks for inviting me, Kurenai, but I think I'm going to head out."

"But the night just started!" she whined.

"Tell everyone I said bye, yea?" I smiled at them both. "Have a good night!"

I took the long way home, wanting to enjoy the night on my own. A few hours had passed, so the village was quiet now. I walked with my arms behind my head, so that I could rest it as I looked upwards at the stars.

"You look beautiful, tonight," a familiar voice cooed, and I looked forward to see Itachi. He wasn't in his normal robe, but instead wore all black to blend in with the night.

If I hadn't drank a few glasses, I definitely would've been freaking out, but the alcohol had relaxed me. In fact, I didn't feel much at all as I looked at him.

"Mm, and you look much better without that cloak you're always wearing," I smirked.

"Fun night?"

"Well you know I've never been one to enjoy crowds."

He started taking small steps towards me, "It looks like someone's had a little to drink."

"Do you remember what alcohol always does to me, Itachi?" I called out in a flirty voice.

He spoke in a low voice as he stood directly in front of me now, "How could I forget?"

I lightly caressed his face and he nuzzled into my hand, "You've always been so handsome."

"I've missed you so much, Y/n," he breathed out with his eyes closed, bringing his hand over mine.

Out of habit, I inched my face closer to his, stopping right in front of his lips. "Show me," I whispered.

He smirked at me through half-lidded eyes and slowly closed the distance between us. A drunken heat rushed over my body as I felt his tongue slide in my mouth.

He held me tightly as his lips traveled down to my neck, kissing me softly.

"Itachi," I moaned out. He was being so gentle, and it was driving me crazy. He always knew exactly what I liked and how I wanted it even before I did.

"Do you still love me?" he purred into my ear.

"Always," I moaned back, pulling his face back down into my neck. I didn't want him to stop.

In a split second, I felt his body disappear. My eyes snapped open, and I looked in shock to see that I was completely alone.

Itachi had vanished.

"Y/n?" I heard a voice call, and I turned around to see Kakashi walking up to me.

I looked back and forth between Kakashi's approaching body and the place where Itachi had just stood.

Did I imagine him? No, that'd be crazy.

"You ok?" he asked again.

"Hmm? Yea, uh, I'm fine... Just had a bit more than I'm used to I guess. I've never been much of a drinker honestly."

"Would you like me to walk you home?" he offered.

I felt the stinging sensation of tears reach my eyes as I stared at him. Itachi was just here, I knew it. I knew that it wasn't just in my head. And yet, as I looked at Kakashi, he was everything I ever wanted.

My drunken mind was spinning out of control with thoughts of confusion as I looked at the beautiful white-haired man I had started caring so deeply for.

"Hey," he grabbed my hand softly. "Everything's ok. You're safe now. You know that right?"

"I-I have nightmares. When I try to sleep," I whimpered out. "They won't stop ever since Itachi's genjutsu."

He looked at me with sad eyes, "I know what you mean. I had them too."

I quickly brought my body to his and hugged him tightly, letting myself cry into his chest. He held me close and rubbed my back gently.

He obviously hadn't seen Itachi, and I was grateful. I didn't want Itachi. My mind knew that, and now I just needed my heart and body to catch up... although, it seemed like my heart was a lot further along than my body.

I was ready for whatever Itachi wanted to do to me just a few moments ago.

"Let's get you home, ok? You need to rest. I think you've overworked yourself today."

I nodded silently as I wiped the tears off my face. He held me the entire way to my apartment.

"Thanks, Kakashi," I smiled softly at him. "I'm sorry you're always the one saving me."

"Honestly, Y/n. There's no place I would rather be than with you."

I bit my lip as I looked into his beautiful dark eyes. They were so calming and peaceful, unlike anything I had ever experienced.

I brought him into another hug.

"I feel the same way Kakashi," I muttered into his chest, and he gave me a soft kiss on my head.

"Goodnight," I smiled at him before entering my apartment.

"Goodnight Y/n."