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Chapter 53 - Ch53: Dinner

"Is it working?" Kakashi asked as he stepped out, drying his hands with a towel.

"It's working very well." Kurenai walked closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He kissed her softly and then guided her to the table like a gentleman.

They sat across from each other, the candlelight flickering between them. Kurenai took a bite of the food and raised an eyebrow. "Hey… this is actually good."

"You thought I couldn't cook?" Kakashi gave a fake offended look.

"I thought you lived off instant ramen and dried squid," she teased.

"That was old Kakashi. New Kakashi is domestic and charming." He chuckled.

"New Kakashi is definitely my favorite." Kurenai smiled warmly.

They ate slowly, talking about little things. The mission, the exams, and funny stories from the academy days. At one point, Kakashi reached out and brushed a bit of rice from her cheek with his thumb.

"You've got a little something," he said.

Kurenai blushed and swatted his hand away gently. "You're impossible."

"Only for you."

After dinner, they moved to the small living room with tea in hand. Kurenai leaned on Kakashi's shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her.

"It's peaceful here," she said.

"I like it better with you in it," Kakashi replied, brushing her hair softly.

"You really mean that?" Kurenai tilted her head up and looked into his eyes.

"Every word." Kakashi leaned down and kissed her forehead.

They stayed like that for a long time, just sitting quietly together.

"I never thought I'd get this," Kurenai whispered. "A quiet evening, someone to come home to…"

"You deserve it," Kakashi said. "All of it."

She looked up again, and this time their lips met in a soft, slow kiss that deepened with each second. When they pulled back, Kurenai smiled.

"Best dinner ever," she whispered.

"Tomorrow, I'll make breakfast," Kakashi said with a wink.

"Just don't burn the eggs."

"No promises."

They both laughed.

Kurenai leaned back on the couch, sipping her tea. "By the way, Kakashi," she said, giving him a sideways glance, "you should take responsibility for Anko."

"Responsibility?" Kakashi blinked, setting his cup down.

"You know what I mean. After what you two did." Kurenai raised an eyebrow.

Kakashi sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "I know. I've been planning to talk to her seriously… but she's on a mission right now. Out near the border."

"She's wild, but she's still a woman. If you don't say something soon, she might think it didn't matter." Kurenai crossed her arms.

"I wouldn't do that," Kakashi said, his voice calm. "She means something to me too… just not the same as you."

"I'm not jealous, you know. I'm the one who sent her to you." Kurenai smiled softly.

"I know. That's why I'm lucky." Kakashi gave her a smile. Kurenai might be the favorite woman of a man who wants to be a harem protagonist. Casually sent her best friend to have sex with her boyfriend.

"You better tell her that too when she gets back," Kurenai said, tapping his chest with her finger.

"I will. No running away." Kakashi nodded.

They sat quietly for a while. Outside, the sun had started to set. The peaceful moment felt warm and real.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Kakashi looked over at Kurenai.

"Don't forget it." Kurenai smiled and snuggled closer.

….

It was late afternoon the next day when the door to Kakashi's house was knocked.

"She's here." He looked up from his cup of tea and smiled slightly.

Kurenai was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables. "About time," she said with a smirk.

Kakashi stood up and opened the door. Anko stood there, arms crossed, a little dust on her coat, her hair messier than usual. Her eyes met his.

"Yo," she said casually.

"Welcome back," Kakashi said. "Come in."

"Smells good in here." Anko stepped inside and took a deep breath.

"Kurenai's cooking," Kakashi said, walking beside her. "You're just in time."

"Hey, Kurenai." Anko glanced toward the kitchen and waved.

"Still alive, I see." Kurenai smiled back.

"Barely," Anko said. "The mission was boring. I'd rather fight something crazy than deal with bandit scum."

"You want tea or something stronger?" Kakashi chuckled.

"You know the answer," Anko smirked.

He poured her a small cup of sake and handed it over. She took it, sat down on the couch, and leaned back with a sigh.

"Missed me?" she asked, looking at him from the corner of her eye.

"Yeah. And we need to talk." Kakashi said as he sat beside her.

"Serious talk?" Anko raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. About what happened before your mission."Kakashi nodded.

"You regret it?"Anko tilted her head.

"No," Kakashi said. "I don't regret it at all. But I don't want you to think it didn't matter."

Anko was quiet for a second. Then she gave a small laugh. "You think I'm that fragile?"

"I think you're worth being honest with," Kakashi said, meeting her eyes.

Anko stared at him. Then she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "You're an idiot," she said, "but at least you're a good idiot."

"I can live with that," Kakashi said with a smirk.

Kurenai stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. "Dinner's ready."

Anko stood up. "You sure you're okay with this?" she asked her.

"I trust him. And I trust you." Kurenai nodded. After all, she handed Anko a silver platter to Kakashi.

The three of them sat down at the table.

Anko looked around the warm house and smiled to herself. Maybe things were changing for the better.

"By the way Anko." Kakashi suddenly called Anko.

"What up?" She looked up her mouth full of food.

"You should move in too," Kakashi said. As she was now his so naturally she could stay with him.

"Really!?" Anko asked. Excitement is evident in her tone. She has lived alone forever, and naturally, she is lonely. So Kakashi's words made her very happy.

"Of course. You're mine now and I want you with me here." Kakashi said.

"Yes," Anko responded as she got up and sat on Kakashi's lap, and gave him a deep kiss.

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