sunshineverse | [Closed] We have to stop meeting like this.

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[Closed] We have to stop meeting like this.

Who: Tenzou and Kakashi

When: July 14th

Where: Entrance to Hokage Tower

What: Tenzou encounters Kakashi for the first time since his reassignment. Names and roles are questioned.

The novelty of filing paperwork in the daylight hours had still to wear off and Tenzou smiled softly to himself as he meandered back to the towers exit. A good majority of his life had just been filed for the archives and his ANBU status changed from ‘active’ to ‘request only’, his fate as a mentor and regular shinobi finally sealed.

Lord Obito had been incredibly persuasive in his argument and if he was honest with himself, Tenzou was simply glad that his reassignment was due to his competence rather than failing.

His musing continued as he made his way out into the tower courtyard; idle thoughts of lunch and a possible trip to the library, the only other thoughts that encroached his mind.

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Exempt from missions for the day in order to recover from his previous one Kakashi had spent his morning lazing around the village, basking in his sheer lack of responsibility. It was a rare feeling and one that he cherished... so the grim reminder of the mission report tucked away in the pocket of his uniform when he went to clean his clothes came entirely unwelcome.

Nevertheless there he was making his way in a perfect facade of an aimless wander toward Hokage tower to hand in his missive. It was a pain; The Hokage knew he was alive and well if his visit the morning before was anything to go by, and the mission had been uninteresting and uneventful - was his signature on a slip of paper really necessary?

He sighed, turning a page in his book as he approached the door, stepping out of the way of someone exiting the building with a polite "Excuse me."

Edited 2014-08-26 22:02 (UTC)

Tenzou pushed open one half of the double doors and narrowly avoided a collision on the other side. He apologised automatically; stepping aside to let his fellow Shinobi pass, but the familiar voice and shock of silver hair gave him pause and he stopped in the doorway, blinking in surprise.

"Senpai?"

It felt like a lifetime since he had last uttered the honorific, but standard issue uniform and curious orange book aside, there was no mistaking his former ANBU captain for anyone else.

At first Kakashi didn't respond, not thinking twice about the moniker as anything that should relate to him. As he moved to climb the stairs, however, he suddenly realised that he was the only other person in the vicinity and turned, eyebrow raised in lazy interest at the call.

He blinked his pale eyes back at the large almond ones surveying him, and a small smile crept onto his face. No-one had eyes like that. Faceplate, dusky hair, uncertain expression. Yep, this was definitely...

"Tenzou," Kakashi greeted with a light laugh at how surreal it seemed to bump into him here of all places. He came close and stretched out his hand, patting the other man on the shoulder. Then, he did a double take. "My god, what in the world are you wearing...?"

Tenzou rubbed at his neck with one hand and glanced down, smiling self-consciously at the question.

"A little different from what you're used to, right?" Bright laughter bracketed his words and his head tilted playfully "But I could say the same for you! I still can't get used to the change in uniform.."

Up close for the first time in many years, Tenzou found himself studying his captain; mind attempting to catalogue the full list of subtle changes about the man and furiously trying to reconcile then with the memories he had of Kakashi back in ANBU.

Edited 2014-08-26 23:10 (UTC)

Kakashi's visible eye disappeared as he smiled, hastily storing his book in his pouch before tucking both hands neatly back into his pockets.

"Don't sweat it, I assure you it gets easier," he nodded knowingly. He remembered his transition from ANBU armor to flak jacket all too well, though somehow he couldn't see Tenzou giving up his role in the same way. From the snippets he'd heard tell Tenzou had been incredibly successful in Kakashi's absence; something he prided himself in given that he was once his captain.

"So what brings you here dressed like that?"

Tenzou flickered his gaze away and dropped his hand, catching his opposite elbow in a loose crossing of his arms before he explained.

"Ah! Well, The Hokage has transferred me from active ANBU duty until further notice.." His expression sobered slightly, eyebrows furrowing bemusedly "..I'm to become a mentor to a new recruit, Neji Hyuuga specifically."

He huffed a soft chuckle, not sounding entirely convinced of his next words "My integration into regular village life is apparently, well overdue."

Kakashi rose an eyebrow at Tenzou's words.
Transferred... Well, at least he hadn't left for the typical reasons shinobi usually left ANBU - those concerning death or trauma. Kakashi couldn't help but find himself relieved, if still a little uncomfortable to see Tenzou looking so civilized out of his armor, mask and cloak. It endeared Kakashi to see that apparently Tenzou shared his opinion, if the little quirk of his eyebrows was anything to go by. So the transfer was entirely Obito's choice. Interesting.

"Hyuuga, eh?" he muttered. "Impressive. You'll have your work cut out for you."

He wandered back out of the door he'd just entered through, then looked over his shoulder at his old friend.

"Are you hungry?"

Tenzou brought his hand up, tapping his chin as he considered "I suppose. We have yet to meet, but if the Hokage thinks Neji is fit for ANBU, I'm not about to question the assignment."

His eyes lit up with surprise at the next question "I could eat..Why, are you offering, Senpai?" The teasing tone of his voice is coupled with a wry smile, as if he was already prepared for the inevitable hit to has wallet.

When Tenzou spoke, Kakashi had already turned back around to make his way slowly through the courtyard.

"What takes your fancy?" he called as if he hadn't heard the second part of Tenzou's reply due to being out of earshot, an equally dry and somewhat nostalgic smile tucked away beneath his mask. He slipped his hands into his pockets, silently musing as he waited for the other man to catch up.

It was strange to see Tenzou so.. grown up, he supposed. It had been five years since he'd last seen him, save for a couple of glimpses between, and in that time Tenzou seemed to have morphed into a new man; a professional, mature and completely capable man, a far cry from the young hopeful with a serious case of hero worship.

Edited 2014-08-27 15:46 (UTC)

Tenzou dropped his arms with a sigh, eyes going skyward in an expression of 'give me strength' at Kakashi's behaviour; it didn't, however, stop him from obediently following after the older man, trotting down the path to catch up.

"Hmm, I'll defer to your better knowledge of the Village in the afternoon, just nothing fried please." He made a face and quickly fell into step beside his former captain; subconsciously matching his easy gait as if their last meeting had only been yesterday and not five years previous.

On the outside, it seemed as if Kakashi had changed little, but there was a calm about him now that Tenzou had not expected. In fact, if he didn't know the man better, he would have almost said that he appeared peaceful, but that couldn't be right, could it?

He mused quietly on the thought, casting surreptitious glances at Kakashi as they walked; No, he was certain that the ruthless, no nonsense captain who had forged him through ANBU was still lurking somewhere beneath the surface, he just had to be patient.

When Tenzou came as expected to meet his side, Kakashi regarded him calmly like they had been walking together all along. In all honesty the copy-nin was relieved to see that not everything had changed - that Tenzou still took his attitude with a pinch of salt after all this time rather than over-reacting and calling him rude like most would, and that beneath the suddenly mature exterior, the tentative boy from his memory still resided, peeking up at him from behind shaggy bangs.

He nodded in response to the request and jerked his chin toward the distance before them where a bright sign emblazoned with yellow flashing bulbs advertised 'Yakiniku Q'.

"How does barbecue sound?" he asked. "It's a good restaurant for a special occasion."

Tenzou looked up to follow Kakashi's gesture, taking in the sign and noting the delicious smell that practically surrounded this part of the village. "Ah, sure! I don't think I've ever been here before.."

He began to ponder their location, mentally ticking off his meagre list of places he visited in the evenings, but stopped mid thought at what had been said.

"..Special occasion? Have I missed something, Kakashi-senpai?" Genuine confusion twisted his tone and Tenzou eyed the other man curiously.

Kakashi chuckled, leading Tenzou to the entrance and holding off his answer till they were just about at the threshold; keeping him curious like he would with a puppy.

"We haven't seen each other for years," Kakashi finally divulged, giving Tenzou a lazy glance with his visible eye. "And now we're going to be seeing each other much more. Don't you feel a celebration is in order to welcome you to this new chapter of your life, to catch up at least?" he asked as he stopped outside the entrance and turned to give his companion an expectant look, pale eyebrows raised, almost disappearing under his hitai-ate. "It's alright if you don't, I can eat alone."

Edited 2014-08-27 17:50 (UTC)

Tenzou blinked owlishly at the silver haired man, showing that, clearly, the thought that this should be something to celebrate had never once crossed his mind.
He briefly floundered for words, fighting off the red touch of embarrassment that was threatening to break across his cheeks.

"A-ah, no! I just didn't think.." What, that his transfer was worth such fuss? That /Kakashi/ would be the one be the one making a point of it?

Yes..that was it. His stomach fluttered oddly at the thought and Tenzou couldn't help but be a little exasperated at himself for it. Barely a half hour in his former captains presence and he was already reduced back to a giddy rookie, clamouring for recognition..

Oddly enough, the thought brought a rueful smile to his lips; nostalgia wearing down the sharpness he should have felt at his own reaction and ducked his chin in agreement.

"..It has been a long time, hasn't it?"

Kakashi watched and waited patiently, a keen eye trained on Tenzou's face to scrutinize even the slightest reaction. It all seemed like a test where Kakashi would challenge which weaknesses Tenzou still hadn't manage to stifle and use every trick in his arsenal to catch him out. He didn't mean it like that, of course, he was only curious.

The pink speckling that lit on Tenzou's ears caught his attention first, and he smiled under his mask.

"A very long time. Too long, in fact." It was strangely comforting to have Tenzou at his side again. Typically Kakashi would lock thoughts of his past - particularly those of ANBU - away in his head only to emerge when he was feeling particularly pensive. Tenzou was different, though. Despite their entire relationship being built on the foundations that ANBU set in the two of them, their friendship had been something that transcended the job; and he was thankful to find that remained true even now.

He held his arm out, gesturing to the entrance way. "Shall we go in, Tenzou?"

Tenzou's hands went behind his back, left hand catching his opposite wrist in a loose hold and smile broadening.
The teasing he had expected for the slip up, never came and he felt strangely light for its absence as he stepped forward to follow.

"Lead the way, Senpai."

Kakashi moved into the establishment, letting his arm drop. He was courteous enough to offer Tenzou entrance before him, but he wasn't stupid enough to insist. Tenzou's politeness was unrivaled, and in the face of his self-titled senpai, Kakashi couldn't imagine that argument ending too quickly.

He led Tenzou upstairs, obviously well informed on the best places to sit from all the times he'd visited in the past. He picked out a green furnished booth close by a large window that showed the surrounding streets basked in perfect afternoon sun, and slid into one side with ease.

From here there was a faint breeze, and the smell of sizzling meat and charcoal wafted across the restaurant floor from the small cooking grills built into each table. He lifted his chin to better snuffle the air, once lazy expression now alert and interested.

"Something smells good, eh Tenzou?"

Tenzou followed Kakashi, glancing around as they ascended the stairs and only then realising just how hungry he was. He settled into the booth with a sigh, briefly admiring the view, before turning a smile on the other man and plucking a menu from the table with keen interest.

He gave the list of dishes a cursory look before replying "Everything smells good. It's going to be difficult to choose.."

Regarding the menu again, Tenzou noted that they served his favourite tea, along with one of two other things he recognised "Any suggestions, Senpai?"

Edited 2014-08-28 23:09 (UTC)

Kakashi rested his chin on the back of his hand, glancing along the line of tables framing the room to peek at what the few other patrons present were eating. It was still early, so the restaurant wasn't as full as he'd seen it, but nevertheless he managed to spot the crowd favourite being served toward one of the booths near the back.

"This isn't bad," he commented, peering over the list in Tenzou's hands and jabbing a gloved finger at the meal. "And we'll get sake, hm? It won't be a celebration without it."

Tenzou hummed in agreement at the suggestion, looking over the mixed grill option and smiled as his stomach gurgled in agreement.
The look quickly turned sour, however, at Kakashi's beverage suggestion and he eyed the Jounin suspiciously over the menu.

"..You do remember the last time we drank sake together, don't you, Senpai?"

Celebration his right foot. That had been the excuse at the time as well and naive fool that he'd been back then, he'd stumbled right into it.

Edited 2014-08-31 15:23 (UTC)

Kakashi settled back in his booth, calm eyes regarding Tenzou with a muted smile tucked away under his mask.

"No?" he shook his head, his voice and visible eye tag-teaming to successfully feign innocence. "What happened, was it fun?"

Tenzou didn't buy Kakashi's act for a second and he levelled his most unimpressed look at him in response.

"Is your memory failing in your old age, Kakashi-san?" He dead panned the words, setting aside the menu as he leant back in the booth, arms folded and eyebrow raised in question.

Kakashi deflated at that, shoulders sagging a little under the harsh coldness of Tenzou's tone.

"Ah, Tenzou, you didn't have to be mean about it..." he almost sulked, not far off looking like a kicked puppy as he flopped his head forward. Earlier he'd been quietly brimming with pride over how far his meek little kouhai had come, but now he was seeing the repercussions in full force. Did he not respect him anymore? Had Kakashi grown so disillusioned that people saw him as soft and old? Would he have to face an enforced retirement soon? He slumped. It was a dark, dark day indeed when even Tenzou lost respect for you.

Tenzou blanched at Kakashi's reaction. He'd expected a return in banter or a swift kick under the table as had been the usual fair in their ANBU days, but a hang dog expression was nowhere on his list.

The serious expression dropped from his face, replaced by an awkward smile and waving hands, as if he could shoo the mood away from them with a gesture.

"A-ah Come now, Senpai! I didn't mean it like that, there's no need to look so glum!"

"Aaah, Tenzooouuu-" he whined in his own quietly dramatic way, throwing his head to the side to cast a hurt look toward the floor.

He was about to berate his companion with further sulking mumbles when a server appeared, polite and a little awkward, beside their table. He turned to her, his previous dark cloud seeming to dissipate as quickly as it had come, and ordered their respective meals without letting Tenzou get a word in edgeways. He did, however, make sure the smile under his mask was all too obvious when he ordered the sake.

Once the server had left, Kakashi rounded on Tenzou.

"Sorry, what were we talking about?"

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