Chapter Text
The way your body sunk into Asuma’s couch and the amount of alcohol coursing through your system seemed like the perfect conditions for a nap, and Genma could see this as your eyes started to droop despite the ridiculously loud music bumping through the small house.
“Hey. HEY,” Genma reached over, obnoxiously snapping his fingers in front of your face.
You looked over at your very smug, very hammered friend sitting on the couch with you, and you couldn’t help but smile lazily, knowing what he was about to say.
“The fact that you are falling asleep right now tells me you aren’t drunk enough,” Genma leaned towards your face, smirking probably at the fact this happens every time you go out.
You chuckled, lifting your elbow up on the back of the couch and leaning further towards Genma. You shot him a lazy, drunk smile. “I am plenty drunk.”
“Good. Then here’s another shot,” someone said as the couched dipped on the other side of you.
You turned towards Iruka who was holding three shot glasses probably full of something you and Genma didn’t like. He reached over you, handing one to Genma and then one to you. The three of you usually found each other at parties because it was hard to get together with your busy schedules. With Genma being a Jonin, Iruka at the academy and you at the hospital, the only time to catch up with your friends and let loose was Asuma’s parties which only happened a few times a year.
And a party that only happens that often usually ends up being pretty intense.
Jonin and chunin alike were busy shinobi, so there was no time for leisure. Leisure time was spent recovering physically and mentally from missions or jobs. So when a party comes up, no one in there right mind would ever pass up, hence the incredible amount of people in the main room you were sitting in.
“Iruka, what the hell is this,” Genma frowned, sniffing the shot glass.
Iruka smiled, and you could tell that he was pretty drunk with the way his eye lids drooped. He laughed and tried to speak loudly over the music.
“Blue raspberry vodka. It was all I could find.”
“Are you trying to give me a massive fucking hangover tomorrow?”
You chuckled at the banter between your buddies and looked down to ponder at the shot glass that was handed to you. The loud music blasting in your ears, the large amount of people dancing, talking, yelling, moving about the room, the way your t-shirt stuck to your skin because of the overwhelming humidity. You couldn’t help but smile at the way you didn’t have a worry in the world, a rare occurrence in the life of a soon-to-be medical ninja.
Over the years, your life as a shinobi had been difficult. Losing your team 7 years ago and not knowing how to move forward left you in a sort of hiatus - trying to find yourself again and redefining yourself as a kunoichi. However, feeling inspired to avenge your teammates as well as making sure that you could actually prevent your future comrades’ death, you started to volunteer at the hospital. The Godaime’s presence in the hospital encouraged many, including you, to take action to better the village. You spent the last five years studying medical ninjutsu as well as taking the steps to become jonin, resulting in a personal growth you never thought you had in you. It also resulted in no time for friends or going out to bars or parties.
Well, except for now.
“Y/N, what should we toast to?” Iruka broke you out of your thoughts.
“GETTING LAID,” Genma shouted way too loud over the music, causing some people surrounding the couch to look over their shoulders.
You burst into laughter, giving Genma a little shove at his drunken antics and you knew Iruka was rolling his eyes next to you. You looked between the boys that had you smushed into the couch, reaching both of your arms around their necks. You pulled them close to your face with little motor coordination in a sort of hug, careful with the shot glass you still had in one hand.
“Let’s toast to best friends of course!” You said cheerfully, squinting your eyes and smiling way too hard.
Even Genma smiled at this proclamation, and Iruka let out laugh of approval. You un-hooked the arm you had around Genma to prepare the shot glass.
“To best friends!” Iruka shouted.
With your arm still around Iruka and Genma leaning close, the three of you clinked your glasses together, tapped them on your knees and shot back the god-awful drink. You were still smiling, and you thought that you probably wouldn’t stop smiling all night.
Genma let out a noise of disgust, sticking his tongue out. “Fuck, Iruka. This shit is nasty,” he said.
You put the shot glass on the ground, leaning back into the cushions and into Genma’s arm that he had stretched along the back of the couch. “I don’t think shots are supposed to be particularly enjoyable,” you stated, your voice a little high pitched and your words slurring together. “Plus, I’d rather have that shit than tequila ever again.”
“I would rather you have anything than tequila again, Y/N,” Iruka said. “I do not want a repeat of two years ago.”
You shivered at the memory of you puking your guts out all over Genma’s kitchen floor from 5 shots of tequila. You also remembered Iruka and Genma taking care of you that night, a memory you would never quite live down.
Genma sighed and leaned his head on your head. “My point still stands you guys. We need to all get laid,” he said exasperated.
Iruka shot Genma a look. “And why do we need to?” Iruka asked reluctantly.
You moved your head out from under Genma’s and looked at him for elaboration. You ignored the way his face was blurring together with the darkness of the room. That shot was hitting faster than expected.
“Because, while parties are great, sex is a better way to let loose. Every fucking ninja in this village needs some serious action. No wonder we are all so uptight. Especially our little medical-nin here,” Genma smirked at his last statement.
You rolled your eyes but smiled. Usually you would smack Genma for a comment like that, but you were afraid of missing and embarrassing yourself with the state that your motor skills were in.
Genma continued. “I’m serious, Y/N. Have you seen how tense you are all the time? I’m sure some hot jonin could give you nice shoulder massage. Or a pussy massage-“
The next moment, Iruka reached his hand over the back of the couch and smacked Genma’s head. You laughed as Genma exclaimed a loud “OW?” and rubbed his head.
Iruka began his regular scolding. “Don’t talk about our sweet Y/N like that you douche. Maybe she doesn’t want a one night stand,” Iruka defended you.
“One night stands can be an empowering sexual experience,” Genma whined, continuing to rub his head. “Of course I wouldn’t want Y/N to have some shitty scumbag taking advantage of her.”
You appreciated Genma’s sentiment, but you began to reflect on the conversation that was unfortunately happening. It was quite out of the blue, and frankly, you had never even thought about. You were way too busy at the hospital and studying for your upcoming medical exams that a relationship - or even a one night stand - was just not on your radar. In fact, you hadn’t even thought about sexual or romantic endeavors in about 10 years.
Whoops.
Does that make me a loser? Surely Genma and Iruka aren’t aware its been that long…you thought.
“…and they can also be a horrible experience,” you heard Iruka say, bringing you out of your thoughts again.
Genma rambled on. “How long as it been again, Y/N? Like, 10 years or something? Your little fling with whats-his-face when you were like 17 or 18-“
This time you interrupted Genma with a hard smack on the arm. There were way too many people around to learn that you haven’t gotten any action in 10 fucking years. And you weren’t so keen on thinking about it either, your mood slightly dipping at the conversation happening.
Genma winced and rubbed his arm. “WHAT is it with you guys hitting me today…”
You tried to care about Genma’s arm, but you were too drunk and honestly he deserved it. Iruka said something under his breath like “maybe stop being a dick”.
You decided to speak up in this conversation about your love life. “You know guys, while I appreciate your concern for my well-being, I am not interested, NOR available to give my heart and time to a jonin who doesn’t even probably have time themselves,” you sighed, and then realizing you specified “jonin”, you started to correct your statement.
“I, uh, I didn’t mean just jonin, chunin too-“
“AH, so she wants a jonin huh? Got any in mind?” Genma quickly fired back.
You frowned. What a dick.
“I said CHUNIN too you asshat-“ you started but were quickly interrupted again by your dickhead friend.
“I mean, you’ll be a jonin soon too. Let’s think of some options,” Genma tapped his chin.
You wondered why Iruka was being so quiet and not defending you like usual, and you turned to see him rubbing the bridge of his nose, clearly tired of his friend’s drunken words. Genma began to list off jonin in the village and you wanted to punch him.
“What about Riichi?”
You sighed. “He’s…not my type.”
“Asuma?”
You scoffed. “Funny. You’re lucky Kurenai isn’t here.”
“Iroha?”
“Hyuga? He’s nice, but a little too serious for me. Plus that’s like, off limits I think.”
“Gai?
You smiled. “He’s great, but I don’t think I could keep up with him.”
“No one can,” Iruka added. “Except Kakashi, but even he can’t handle Gai sometimes.”
You thought about Gai making you do intense workouts as a couple and almost laughed out loud.
“Oh, what about Kakashi?” Genma slurred.
Your eyes widened and you let out a sarcastic laugh. “That’s a good one, Genma.”
Genma leaned forward to get a better look at you. “Why not? Do you think he’s cute?”
You looked away and hoped your friends couldn’t tell that your cheeks were heating up at the thought of the copy ninja’s looks. You tried to sound nonchalant. “I mean, duh. All of Konoha thinks so,” you said.
Genma’s mouth formed into a sly, sly smirk without breaking eye contact with you. You hated when he got this look because it usually meant he was about to do or say something idiotic.
“You think he’s cute. You think he’s HOT,” Genma said a little too loud. Damn alcohol.
Iruka spoke up. “Kakashi is actually not a bad choice…”
You snapped your head to your other friend. “Could you, I don’t know, NOT encourage him?”
“Kakashi is a GREAT choice,” Genma added with a mischievous tone. “He’s respectable, talented, also probably great in bed with all that porn he reads…”
You plopped your face in your hands and tried to remember how the hell this conversation escalated so quickly.
“He’s also here. We should go find him,” you heard Genma say.
Your head snapped back up from your hands and a little too quickly said “NO”.
Genma burst out laughing, holding his stomach and flailing like a complete fool. Iruka shook his head while trying to hold back a laugh himself. You couldn’t believe your friends were enjoying this agony that they were BOTH putting you in.
Iruka spoke up over Genma’s cackles. “He’s probably with Asuma and Gai playing beer pong or something. Besides, he’s not even the type to take a chance like that-“
“Who’s not the type to take a chance like that?”
All three of you on the couch snapped your heads towards the person who had just spoken, who also happened to be the person in question you were all talking about.
You wanted the couch to swallow you whole.
———
Kakashi didn’t really like parties. He didn’t mind them, but he also didn’t care that much. It seemed like whenever Asuma had one of his rare house parties, every jonin and chunin in the damn village partied like the world was ending. Kakashi had to go though, because Asuma said if he didn’t he would burn all of his Icha Icha books.
Kakashi knew that was bullshit, but he did like spending time with Gai and Asuma. So he went.
It was well into the night and everyone was at peak obnoxiousness, especially Gai. The music that was blasting throughout the entire house somehow couldn’t quite match Gai’s speaking volume, especially because him and Gai were losing beer pong against Asuma and Shikaku.
“WE WILL COME BACK TO DEFEAT YOU LOSERS, RIGHT RIVAL?” Gai pulled Kakashi into what he assumed was supposed to be a hug, but it was more of a headlock.
“I’m pretty sure they’re about to win, Gai,” Kakashi looked at the state of the beer pong game in front of them.
“Come on, Kakashi. Could you sound a little more disappointed?” Asuma smirked from across the table.
At that, Shikaku threw the pong ball across the table and made it, finishing the game. Gai let out a yell of defeat and sunk to his knees. Asuma and Shikaku high fived each other with a whoop while Kakashi looked down at his depressed beer pong partner on the floor.
“All right kids, I better get home. Don’t do anything stupid tonight,” Shikaku spoke up. Kakashi shook his hand goodbye while Asuma thanked Shikaku for coming, even though Shikaku had a home life. Shikaku was one of the only older jonin that came that actually had a family. While Shikaku was a bit older than Kakashi and his group, he was a good friend to all of them.
As Shikaku disappeared from the side room where beer pong was set up, Kurenai walked in and called to Asuma, weaving her way through the crowd of people. Asuma looked over and opened his arms to give her a hug.
To give them some privacy, Kakashi looked down to his friend who was still crying over their loss of the beer pong game. Kakashi sighed and grabbed Gai’s arm to help him off the floor. He could tell while his friend was very upset, he was also very drunk which added to his regular dramatics.
Gai wiped his eyes and Kakashi started to lead him towards a chair to sit down. “Why don’t I get you some water, Gai. You need to hydrate,” Kakashi said as he helped Gai down into the chair.
Gai for some reason, started to cry even harder.
“THAT’S JUST LIKE YOU, RIVAL. PUTTING OTHERS BEFORE YOURSELF! YOU ARE TOO COOL!!!” He sobbed loudly as even more tears started flowing.
Kakashi rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’ll be right back.”
He heard Gai yell something about “true embodiment of youth” as he made his way to the kitchen, which was connected to the room he was already in.
There were barely any people in the kitchen as Kakashi made his way to Asuma’s fridge to grab a water bottle. There were two people having a quiet conversation and a small group of people eating some snacks. The fridge was next to the entrance to the main room, so the music was still pretty loud, and Kakashi could see the insane amount of people crammed together like sardines.
“GETTING LAID!”
Kakashi’s attention was brought to this strange exclamation and tried to figure out where it was coming from. It didn’t take long for him to recognize the voice as Genma and he smiled to himself. What a weirdo.
He then heard two other voices coming from where he heard Genma, and he concluded that the conversation was being had on the couch next to the entrance of the main room. Kakashi was about to go say hi to Genma when he heard something interesting from the conversation.
“My point still stands, you guys. We need to all get laid.”
“Why do we need to?”
That, Kakashi was sure, was Iruka.
Genma went on to say how effective sex was at getting ninjas to let loose because everyone was so uptight all the time. Kakashi continued to listen.
“…especially our little medical-nin here.”
Kakashi probably shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, but there wasn’t anyone around that would be paying attention to him. He wasn’t even sure why he was listening, but who was the medical-nin they were talking about?
Kakashi heard Genma shout “ow” and Iruka spoke up. “Don’t talk about our sweet Y/N like that you douche. Maybe she doesn’t want a one night stand.”
Y/N. He should’ve known since it was Genma and Iruka. You three were pretty close and were always seen spending time together, so it would make sense you were with them too. The fact that now Kakashi could hear they were talking about your sex life made him want to leave even more, but he stayed like the twisted snoop he was.
Genma went on about how one night stands were empowering, and Iruka shot that down real quick. Kakashi was about to leave when he heard Genma again.
“How long as it been again, Y/N? Like, 10 years or something? Your little fling with whats-his-face when you were like 17 or 18-“
He heard another grunt and “ow” from Genma, and he assumed you gave a him a good slap for that comment. Kakashi felt like he was intruding on information meant just for close friends, because now he knew this interesting and intimate detail of your life.
Kakashi didn’t know you too well. He had seen you at most of Asuma’s parties, usually hanging out with Genma and Iruka, as well as Anko and occasionally with Kurenai. Sometimes you would be helping Genma’s drunk ass out of Asuma’s house, and sometimes you would be on Genma’s back passed out as he carried you home. He knew you had started as a volunteer nurse but was working towards becoming a medical-nin, and he knew that Gai would sometimes help you with taijutsu.
And now he knew you hadn’t been laid in 10 years.
Your voice brought Kakashi back to the conversation he was so rudely eavesdropping on.“You know guys, while I appreciate your concern for my well-being, I am not interested, NOR available to give my heart and time to a jonin who doesn’t even probably have time themselves,” you paused and then stuttered. “I, uh, I didn’t mean just jonin, chunin too-“
“AH, so she wants a jonin huh? Got any in mind?”
Genma proceeded to list off several jonin in the village, Kakashi rolling his eyes at his antics. Kakashi perked up at the mention of Gai and his intense nature, because then he heard his own name.
“No one can,” Iruka added. “Except Kakashi, but even he can’t handle Gai sometimes.”
“Oh, what about Kakashi?” Genma slurred.
Kakashi heard you laugh and state, “That’s a good one Genma.”
Kakashi almost frowned at that. Not that he cared.
“Why not? Do you think he’s cute?”
“I mean, duh. All of Konaha thinks so,” you said.
Now THIS startled Kakashi. All of Konoha huh?
But also, you think so?
Not that he cared.
“You think he’s cute. You think he’s HOT,” Genma teased.
Iruka butt in. “Kakashi is actually not a bad choice…”
“Could you, I don’t know, NOT encourage him?” You groaned.
“Kakashi is a GREAT choice. He’s respectable, talented, also probably great in bed with all that porn he reads…he’s also here. We should go find him.”
Kakashi was suddenly aware that if you bunch were to go look for him right now, they would find him leaning against the refrigerator that was suspiciously close to the conversation that they were having about him.
He was also aware that while he didn’t really go out of his way to meet new people, he felt bad knowing such intimate details about your love life and thus obliged him to start walking out into the main room where you sat.
It definitely didn’t have anything to do with him wanting to get a closer look at you. It’s not like he cared that you thought he was cute.
Definitely not.
He immediately found the three of you on the couch, huddled together quite closely and Genma’s arm was slung around you. You guys didn’t even notice him approach.
Iruka kept talking. “He’s probably with Asuma and Gai playing beer pong or something. Besides, he’s not even the type to take a chance like that-“
“Who’s not the type to take a chance like that?” Kakashi spoke up.
All three of your heads shot up to look at him standing next to the couch. Iruka blinked in shock, Genma started to grin like a Cheshire cat, and your eyes widened like you were seeing a ghost.
Well, this would be interesting.
———
No fucking way.
This was not happening, this was not real, there was no way that the copy-nin of Konoha was standing in front of you and your friends when they were JUST talking about possibly setting you two up. Not even possibly. Hypothetically.
You felt the blood drain from your face and you sunk lower into Genma’s arm around you, hoping that the lower you sank, maybe the copy-nin wouldn’t notice you.
But to your dismay, he was literally looking right at you.
Despite his inquiry about Iruka’s comment (that was literally about him), Kakashi looked quite bored. He stood in front of the couch you occupied with Genma and Iruka, hands in his pockets and his shoulders slightly slouched forward. You had never actually spoken to Kakashi, only seen him around and obviously heard of his name quite often around Konoha. You heard stories from Genma as the two were close from being together in the jonin ranks. Other than that, the copy-nin was a legendary figure you felt intimidated by just from the name alone.
Right now, he just looked like a normal dude.
“Kakashiiiiiiiiiiii,” Genma slurred, reaching up to dap Kakashi (whatever the bros do) and resuming his position with his arm around you. Kakashi did the same to Iruka as the two exchanged pleasantries. You just sat there, staring at the exchanges.
Uh oh. You were staring.
You immediately shot your eyes down to your hands in your lap, trying to gain some sense of what was even going on, but it was hard with how fucking hammered you were. You decided to just keep your eyes down as the guys talked about whatever conversation happened to start.
Just keep looking down. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Just wait for it to be over.
You didn’t even know why you were so nervous. Is nervous even the right word? Is it the fact that you were all just talking about him in a sexual way? Was it how cute he was up close? You just wanted this to end so you could continue relaxing with your friends.
“Y/N,” Genma said quietly into your ear.
You looked up and made eye contact with your friend who was not looking at you, but darting his eyes to Kakashi. You dared to turn your face towards him.
He wore, from what you could see, a soft smile behind his mask. He was smiling at you. And then he reached his hand down towards you.
He started speaking, and although the music in the room was still so obnoxiously loud, his deep baritone pierced through, making your heart flutter.
“Hi. I just wanted to introduce myself, since I don’t think we’ve officially met. I’m Kakashi,” his voice lilted towards you.
Despite your drunken state and nervousness, you didn’t seem to forget manners, so you reached your hand out to shake Kakashi’s hand. “Hi. I’m Y/N,” you said quietly, words slurring together a bit.
You noticed his large, rough hand and how it swallowed yours whole, and you hoped he didn’t notice how sweaty your hands were. You let go and looked down at your lap again, trying to ignore the tingling of your hand that had just shaken Kakashi’s.
“So, who’s not the type to take a chance like that?” You heard Kakashi say.
God fucking dammit.
You could immediately hear the mischievous grin that spread across Genma’s face as he started to speak up and you tensed in fear. “Well, Kakashi, I’ll tell you-“
“We were just talking about a student of mine. Doesn’t like to get out of his comfort zone,” Iruka interrupted, saving the day and also saving you from a heart attack. “Being a teacher is hard sometimes when your students won’t cooperate,” he continued. You looked at Iruka, silently thanking him.
Kakashi stood with his hands in his pockets, nodding at Iruka’s statement. It was then that Kakashi got bumped by someone squeezing by in the crowded room, forcing him to move closer to the couch.
“It’s very crowded in here,” Kakashi observed, eyes scanning the room. “I gotta go get this water bottle to Gai in the other room.”
“Why don’t we go with you? I haven’t seen Gai in a while,” Genma perked up. You fought the urge to glare a hole into his head. “Plus, it is pretty loud in here.”
Why, why, why Genma? Why do you torture me so? You thought.
As much as you didn’t want to go because of having a potential conversation with Kakashi, you were content on this comfortable couch, talking with your friends, and not having to use any gross motor skills. You were really quite drunk, as well as your friends, so you doubt they could help you walk even if they tried.
Iruka made eye contact with you as if to say “Are you okay with this? I know you weren’t planning on much socializing tonight.”
You gave him a small smile, although you weren’t even sure you were actually okay with this.
Thank the stars you were too drunk to give it much worry.
Kakashi hummed. “I’m sure Gai would be happy to see you all. Asuma’s in there too,” he tried to say loudly over the music.
“Perfect! Let’s go,” Genma said as he stood up, releasing his grip around your shoulders and reaching over to drag Iruka up. Before you even started to process what was happening, Genma started to walk swiftly through the crowd of people, dragging Iruka along with him, causing him to stumble.
And leaving you alone with Kakashi.
“Hey asshole! What’s your problem?” Iruka said, his voice already fading through the crowd.
Before you knew it, you were up out of your seat too, desperate to catch up with your friends as to not be left alone in an awkward situation.
But you were so drunk.
As fast as you got up, you felt your head spin even faster, causing you to bring a hand to your head and your vision to disappear. It was too late before you felt yourself lose your balance and your feet tip backwards.
Oh shit oh shit oh shit oh shit…
Before you could even brace for impact, you slammed into a very firm, hard chest and two hands landed on your waist. Not even realizing your predicament, you groaned, trying to re-orient yourself and gain your vision back from the head rush.
“Whoa there, champ. You okay?” A deep baritone rumbled against your back.
You would have been alarmed by realizing it was Kakashi who just caught you and now had his hands around your waist, but you could barely focus with how much more drunk you felt standing up. You continued to bear your weight on him as your vision came back.
You looked down at your feet which were blurring together by the second.
“I’m, uh…I’m really drunk,” you blurted out.
You couldn’t even process your embarrassing remark before you felt a low chuckle rumble again against your back. Kakashi began to help you stand up straight.
“Yeah, you are. Let’s go grab you a water,” Kakashi said, keeping a hand around your waist while you two turned into the kitchen.
Vision still blurry and not realizing how much weight you were putting on Kakashi, you followed him into the kitchen while he reached into the fridge. You immediately felt a little better without all of the people as well as more lighting. Looking around, trying to make sense of your surroundings, you found yourself making eye contact with Kakashi.
Up close, you could see his smooth face and dark eyes. Some of his hair fell lower over his headband that covered his sharingan, and you felt yourself wanting to brush it out of the way.
He smiled at you. Which caused his eyes to scrunch up in the cutest way possible and caused your cheeks to heat up and your stomach to flutter. Hello, life alert? Yes I need help…
“Alright champ, let’s go,” he mumbled, using that nickname again. He held your waist a little tighter as you began to walk out of the kitchen, and you had to immediately lean your weight against him again. He held two water bottles in his hand. Big hands…you thought.
NOPE nope shut UP, you scolded yourself. This is not the time.
He led you to another room with a large group of people, but significantly less than the main room. It housed another couch, a dirty beer pong table, and some other furniture.
Before you could even notice the way everyone looked at the two of you enter, especially Genma who smirked at Iruka at the way Kakashi was practically holding you, you felt yourself being lifted into the air by familiar arms.
“HELLO MY DEAR Y/N! I AM ECSTATIC TO SEE YOUR YOUTHFUL SELF AT THIS WONDERFUL PARTY!” Gai yelled while spinning you around in his large arms.
You couldn’t help but giggle at your friend who always made you feel warm and welcomed. The two of you didn’t see each other much, but you would train together from time to time which always ended in smiles and laughter.
“Gai, you can’t just pick people up like that,” you heard Kakashi’s voice mumble behind you.
You were about to protest since it wasn’t a big deal before Gai spoke up. “OH MY, Y/N! I AM SO SORRY!!!”
Gai set you down with a force your body NOR your mind was ready for, and you began to fall backwards like before, head rushing and vision blurring.
And just like before, you fell back into a familiar embrace.
Gai began to yell a string of apologies, grabbing your arms and trying to steady you along with Kakashi. You smiled at Gai’s dramatics and tried to reassure him.
“Gai, I’m okay,” you giggled, vision clearing and trying to stand up straight. Kakashi still kept a hand around your shoulder to steady you. “I’m really happy to see you!” You exclaimed.
Gai’s smile shined brightly towards you. You two were interrupted by Kakashi reaching around your body and shoving water bottles in between you and Gai.
“Gai, you need to drink some water,” Kakashi stated, sounding bored.
“AH YES. My rival is always looking out for my best interest,” Gai took one water bottle as Kakashi brought the other one closer to you, one hand still on your shoulder and standing close behind you.
“Ah, um, thanks,” you said glancing towards him, suddenly feeling shy.
Gai spoke up, gesturing towards a small sofa in the corner where there wasn’t many people. “Here, Y/N! Let’s sit and talk! I want to hear about your recent youthful endeavors!” Gai grabbed your wrist and started to walk towards the sofa.
You wanted to say hi to Genma and Iruka and also kill them for leaving you, but before you knew it, you were sitting down next to Gai and being interrogated.
“So! What have you been up to my dear friend? How is your taijutsu? How is the hospital? Aren’t your exams coming up soon? I know you will crush them with your knowledge!” Gai yelled, fist pumped into the air.
You smiled again at Gai, fond of his intense care for the people in his life. You took a sip of the water Kakashi gave you, needing to sober up a little so you could actually function.
“Uh, I’ve mostly been working at the hospital and studying for my exams. They’re actually next week and I’m nervous, but I’ve studied so much,” you began saying. Gai always asked you about your dream of being a medical-ninja because you always talked about it with excitement. Sometimes, he even cried at your display of “youthful passion”.
You thought that talking to Gai would give you some time to calm your nerves after the encounter you had with Kakashi, still feeling his touch on your waist and arms. However, just as you started to ramble to Gai about your medical ninjutsu, the copy-nin pulled up a chair next to Gai, his body facing towards the crowded room. He gave no indication of listening in on you and Gai’s conversation.
Well that’s a little better, I guess I don’t have to worry as much, you thought. But why isn’t he over with Genma, Asuma and Iruka?
“I’ve heard the exams are quite tough, but there is no doubt in my mind that you will succeed. Have you been able to speak to Lady Hokage?” Gai inquired.
As you sipped on your water and gushed to Gai all about your worries and excitement, you sort of forgot about Kakashi, and didn’t notice he was actually listening to every word you said.
———
Huh. A medical-nin at her age. She must have grown a passion for it, Kakashi pondered.
He learned a lot of things about you that night from eavesdropping again, but this time on you and Gai. He learned that since losing your two other teammates on a mission seven years ago in which you could not help their deadly injuries, you took up studying to be a medical-nin. He thought he remembered you being a genjutsu type, hence why you always trained with Gai to work on taijutsu. Your chakra control must have come in handy when studying medical-ninjutsu. Kakashi listened to the two of you talk for about an hour, noticing you and Gai both sobering up a little from the water. However, you were still giggling at Gai like a maniac and slurring your words together as you spoke.
“Y/N, there is no one I like spending my time with better!” Gai exclaimed. Kakashi glanced over and you giggled at Gai’s remark, covering your face with your hands while shaking your head and probably blushing.
He also noticed you get more and more sleepy throughout your conversation with Gai, eyes droopy from exhaustion rather than alcohol. You kept yawning and rubbing your eyes with the back of your hand.
Cute, Kakashi observed.
Wait, what?
Kakashi didn’t have time to process that thought that popped into his mind, because he turned around to Gai who mentioned his name.
“Well, I have to take that back. My RIVAL comes first and foremost!” Gai shot Kakashi an aggressive thumbs up.
He noticed at the mention of his name into the conversation, you quickly looked down towards your hands in your lap, looking anywhere but his direction. Kakashi was used to people being intimidated by him, though he never understood why. He supposed you were just shy and didn’t know what to say. Maybe embarrassed you basically fell on him because you were so drunk. Kakashi smiled to himself at that little moment you two had.
He wanted to get to know you more, for sure. Maybe if Gai was training with you sometime, he could stop by…
Just then, Genma in all of his drunk, stupid glory stumbled up and threw himself at you. “Wellllll, hey there sweetie. You miss me?” Genma wrapped his arms around your waist and buried his face in your shoulder. You tried to push him off, looking annoyed but also amused. Kakashi didn’t realize that you and Genma were so close, with him being a few years older than you and Iruka, and he tried to recall any times Genma had mentioned you in conversation.
“Fuck off, Genma,” you said while pushing off the drunk jonin. “Go cuddle with Iruka.”
Genma stood up and pouted. “Aw, but I missed you so much. And Iruka is being mean to me,” he said while sitting on the arm rest of the sofa you and Gai occupied.
“Oh, speaking of Iruka, we were gonna go to the bars with some other jonin. You’re welcome to come, but it’s like WAY past your bedtime, Y/N,” Genma smirked at you.
As if Genma’s mention of bedtime triggered it, you let out a giant yawn, your eyes closing shut and your hand coming up to cover your mouth. Genma and Gai chuckled. Kakashi couldn’t help but smile as well.
“Told ya, old lady,” Genma teased you.
You looked away sheepishly, but your eyes started to droop even more. In fact, you leaned back into the sofa with puff of your cheeks. “I am pretty beat,” you said quietly.
“Well, Iruka and I can take you back before we go, we can just tell them to go ahead-“
“GENMA! DO NOT WORRY MY FRIEND!” Gai loudly proclaimed. “We will take sweet Y/N back to her apartment, her safety guaranteed!”
“Are you sure Gai? Iruka and I have no problem-“
“I INSIST WE DO THIS FAVOR. YOU AND IRUKA GO ENGAGE IN YOUTHFUL BLISS!”
Kakashi knew that “we” meant him and Gai, and he wasn’t sure he was prepared to lead a very sleepy, cute chunin he barely knew back to her apartment as well as lead his still very drunk best friend back home.
Speaking of you, he looked over and at some point during Genma and Gai’s exchange you had fallen asleep.
Correction, you were out cold.
Genma looked at you fondly and sighed. “Well, I better go get her stuff. Kakashi, wanna come?” Genma had a smug look on his face and Kakashi wasn’t sure he should trust his mischievous friend, but he also hadn’t had a chance to have any sort of conversation with him during the night. So Kakashi got up and followed him.
They weaved their way through the main room; there was less people but the party still going strong. Making their way upstairs to where Asuma’s close friends had permission to put their stuff, Genma turned slightly towards Kakashi to talk to him.
“Thanks for taking Y/N back, you didn’t have to.”
Kakashi followed Genma into Asuma’s bedroom, several coats and bags piled on the couch. Genma dug around while he found your stuff.
Kakashi cleared his throat. “Well, I didn’t have a choice really. Gai volunteered us, but I’m, uh, happy to,” he said awkwardly.
Genma grabbed a small sweater as well as a colorful cloth bag, both seeming to be yours. Genma still sported that smug smirk, but he almost always looked like that.
“She’s sweet, so don’t corrupt her too much,” Genma spoke with a tone of suggestion. “I think you two would get along, but she’s shy. It’ll take some time for her to warm up.”
Kakashi stared at his sly, bastard friend, trying to keep a straight face and look uninterested in his comments. He didn’t want Genma to think anything was going on at all, especially because nothing was going on.
Not yet anyways.
He followed Genma back downstairs, strategizing how to get both you and Gai home safe and sound.
———
You slowly opened your eyes and felt yourself moving, but your legs were no where near the ground. In fact, each of them was grasped with a strong hand encircling your thigh. Your arms were wrapped around something broad and firm, and you head rested in a soft, slight divot.
You groaned slightly, rubbing your eyes against whatever your head was resting on. You didn’t think too much about it considering how exhausted you felt. Suddenly your vessel of transportation stopped moving.
“Alright champ, we’re here,” rumbled a familiar voice.
You slowly lifted your head to find Kakashi Hatake giving you a piggy back ride while you both stood at the door to your apartment. You felt your entire body heat up at the close contact you were sharing with him, realizing it probably took you fifteen minutes to get to your apartment.
You hopped down off his back with a thud and caught your balance. You weren’t sure if you were drunk, exhausted, or dreaming but after a weird night, all you wanted was sleep.
You didn’t even noice Gai as he shoved your sweater and bag towards you. “Here you are at your home my lovely friend! I had a wonderful time catching up with you! Let’s practice taijutsu soon,” he declared with the same energy he somehow had kept up all night.
You smiled while fishing for your keys in your bag. “I had a great time too, Gai. Maybe after I’m done with my exams we can meet up at the training grounds,” you said while unlocking your door.
You tried not to think about Kakashi, standing there not saying anything. You felt shy and embarrassed for some reason, but you really were grateful for the both of them taking you home. You opened your door and turned around, face already heating up as you addressed the both of them.
“Um, thanks you guys. For, uh, bringing me home. I really appreciate it. Sorry I, um, fell asleep…” you trailed off. You dared to look up at Kakashi.
Which was a mistake, because he wore a kind, soft smile, eyes slightly scrunching up as he looked at you. You flushed even more and had to look away.
Why does he have to be so good looking…
“It’s our pleasure, Y/N,” Kakashi spoke. You looked up at him. “And no need to be sorry. You should probably get some sleep, though.”
You smiled. He smiled.
Oh great.
Kakashi then turned around and starting walking away. He threw his hand up and gave you a small wave. “See ya, champ. Let’s go Gai, I wanna go to bed,” he addressed his best friend.
Gai shot you one last winning smile. “Goodnight, Y/N!” He stumbled after Kakashi.
You watched the two walk away for a second before rushing into your apartment and slamming the door. You didn’t even bother turning on the lights while kicking your shoes off and running to your bedroom. Throwing yourself on the bed, you screamed into the mattress.
What the HELL just happened?
You tried to recount the night and how it escalated so quickly. One minute, you’re relaxing and having a great time with your best friends, and the next minute, the copy-nin of Konoha is giving you a piggy back ride home at 1 am.
And what the hell is that nickname? Champ? I mean, I’m not complaining…it’s actually kind of cute…
You started to doze off, thinking about the events of the night, what was said, what you said, what your friends said, what this means from here on out…
…and a certain handsome, masked jonin who took very good care of you and carried you home.