A sign for Delicious Delights swung gently in the breeze of the morning sunlight. But unknown too many outsiders, the bakery had been awake well before dawn. The bakery itself had been hustling with bakers who were hurrying to finish the morning treats before it was time to open the doors, and among them was the owner and found of Delicious Delights, Airi Mae. “Overhead!” She shouted, pulling a baking pan from the stone fireplace and holding it high above her employee’s heads. Dangers were nothing new at the bakery and the possibility of catching on fire and burning yourself was an everyday live action probability but… that’s the worst that could happen.

“Under!”

“Behind you.”

“Don’t step.”

“Stay still.”

The tiny kitchen full of six people including the owner kept busy but they were working together well, after nearly five years of active service feeding the community of the Hidden Leaf Village’s heavy shopping and work district is should come as no surprise that the little shop that could kept itself busy.

Hard work always paid off when the stores hours begun and the people flooded in to make their purchases. Laughter, talking and greeting all echoed throughout the small bakery and restaurant as the patrons showed their love and support for the young girl’s business. Some showed their enjoyment of her goods for the fact that they were delicious while others… the more informed individuals supported her business as a way of showing thanks and respect for the former Chuunin and the devastating loss she had happen so many years ago.

Her loss was the loss of her chance at the Jounin exams, and while… while she could have gone to complete the exams at a different, the busy bakery took up her ability to return to the Ninja field. After that fateful day and that horrible accident out with her comrades Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy it felt as though her dreams were taken from her. But the dreams soon became a distant memory as the demand for her baked goods sky-rocketed when she opened the store-front and the smiling blonde did her best to not let her sadness get the best of her. However… it was not uncommon to find her out in the woods continuously training her body and mind in the ninja way. That was Airi Mae for you, never one to let life get her down.

“Phew!” She exclaimed wiping her brow from her head. “Looks like we’re all restocked!” She announced as the breakfast rush finally departed and the rest of the kitchen supplies were loaded into the front of the shop.

Returning from the back she stepped out into the shop front and waved at her staff with a large basket on her arm. “I’m off to make the delivery, I should be back shortly.” With that and a polite white smile, the blonde haired girl in the white apron over her flower printed summer dress started her walk towards the academy.

There was never really an explanation on why the academy requested baked goods for the staff from her shop every three days but… she wasn’t going to complain. A lot of her old friends were active Chuunin and enjoyed talking with her along with sharing stories and complaints about the students; to which she would respond with laughter as she sat with people and talked. Some learned a long time ago that it was actually okay to talk about the active life of a Chuunin but others were still weary that even after all these years, it would be a sore subject.

There was… admittedly some jealously that they were able to take on students and teach them the ways of the ninja but… this was the path she had chosen and the path she will take. Arriving at the academy, she made her way to the Sansei’s lounge and began to set up the treats she had brought for the staff members.

Castella
Kuzumochi
Monaka
Karinto
Namagashi
Red Bean Soup
Suama
Tokoroten
Taiyaki

Once everything was out on the displays with labels on the serving table, the blonde began to look around the room. She didn’t bring plates but she knew there was some but where… “Hmmm…..” Airi pondered to herself, tapping her chin as she looked That was until her blue eyes landed on a set of plates on a high shelf, “There you are!” She said as she grabbed a chair and pulled it over to the high shelf. Standing at 5 foot 4 inches, she needed the help of stools and chairs to get around in her daily life but it wasn’t anything new for her, her small frame and short height did come with its advantages.

Climbing onto the chair, the blonde reached up and grabbed the plates, however she leaned a little far back as she pulled the plates down bringing them to her chest and then felt the chair move from under her, “Oh no!” She yelled as the legs stared to lean back pulling her back with it. Oh… oh this was going to hurt!

Kakashi currently was walking through the village before starting to pass the academy, the scent of baked goods filling the air. He needed to go to his students but... he could always make up an excuse? They could wait. He also decided to get some baked goods for himself and his team. Opening the door he walked inside. He heard a yell before using his teleportation skill.

He had arrived just in time, it seemed, to catch the girl, his old friend, Airi. He held her in his arms for a moment before catching the plates barely a second later. Setting her on her feet, the silver-haired man giving her a smile. “Be careful there, short stuff~ you’ll end up breaking something,” he teased. He held the plates however. “Allow me to carry these.”

He walked with her toward the place encould smell the food from. He set the plates down on a table and put his hands back in his pockets. “So, how are you, Airi-Chan? It’s been a while since we’ve last talked.”

Oh shit oh shit oh shit, this was going to hurt. Airi braced herself for impact against the ground below the chair. Her blue eyes closed tightly as she braced herself only to find her body being braced instead. Peaking slowly to the slits of her eyes, she saw that she had been caught. Her long flashes fluttering open as her head turned to see her old friend Kakashi holding onto her bridal style. This man always had good timing and the appearance left a surprised look on her face as she stared at him… that was until he extended out his arm and caught the plates that had went airborne in her fall.

After she was placed on her feet she crossed her arms under her chest with a small playful huff. “I burn myself more in a single day than a normal person does in a year; a fall on the butt never hurt me.” His teasing was the same as ever, along with the ever straight forward point of how short she was. Compared to him, she was practically a walking armrest, which she was reminded of on more than one occasion. Reaching forward to take the plates from him, he declared he would carry them for her and she nodded as they walked back to the table.

“It has been a while Kakashi-Chan.” She said with a bright smile across her face. “I have been well. The bakery is keeping me very busy and people really seem to enjoy the sweets more than the breads and muffins but… can you honestly blame people?” Giving a small shrug, she pulled the strap of the summer dress back onto her shoulder before taking a plate and offering it to him with a tender smile. “I’d love your opinion. I haven’t seen you in a while so I haven’t had any vic… I mean taste testers friends.” Her teasing tone echoed throughout the room before she brought up a question. “I heard you graduated students, and you’re training them.” Her voice was filled with a bit of surprise. There was no hiding the fact that Kakashi never passed any of the students he was given so, considering he had passed them and was training them, the word got around fast. “How’s that going?”

Kakashi grinned behind the mask when she told him how she was doing. "That is what I like to hear." He raised a brow at her and chuckled. "Well, I've tasted your sweets, Airi. Who wouldn't hate them?" He took the offered plate and chuckled. "You make it sound ominous. I fear for my life," he joked again. He took a bite and he blinked for a moment. "I...It's quite delicious." he said sincerely.

When asked about his new team a drop of sweat fell down his face. "Uhhh, well...They are all kinda stubborn. Especially Naruto." He snickered. "I wasn't going to pass them but they seemed so much like my old team when we were kids...So I gave them another chance, and they pulled through." He chuckled. "I guess I'm just a big softy, aren't I?" He looked at Airi with one calm dark eye.

“I’m glad you like it!” Airi said, her blue eyes twinkling and chest puffed out slightly with pride. Like a typical girl, she liked getting flattered and since she was putting a lot of time and energy into her new craft so getting praised meant a lot. However, she didn’t mention her engagement to Guy… Did Kakashi even know? Has Guy gone around telling people or is it something he had kept under wraps. He came to her parents about 3 months ago and asked for her hand so they haven’t been ‘together’ for very long much less seen each other.

Crossing her arms under her chest she nodded, “I heard you ended up with Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, I’m not all that surprised.” Opening her big blue eyes she looked up at her old friend. “With a pair like that it’s no wonder you’re so soft on them.” Her eyebrow rose in his direction as a smirk moved across her face, “Don’t tell me you’re so soft on them that they’re getting away with things during training.” Tilting her head to one side, she gave him a gentle nudge with her elbow.

There was no denying Kakashi’s kindness. If anyone knew about that it was Airi, she spent a lot of time around him and knew him well. He had helped her through hard times, fought beside her and even carried her injured body back to the Village Hidden in the Leafs a few times when she got to reckless and injured or ran out of chakra. “You should let me come watch someday Kakashi-Chan. I’d like to see what it’s like—what your training style is like.” Not to train students… that wouldn’t be the reason. No, not at all.

Kakashi chuckled and ruffled the girl's hair. Truth was, he knew about Guy's "Engagement" to Airi, as the guy wouldn't shut up about it. He then rubbed his forehead and looked down at her. "Ehhhh.....The two have a rivalry worse than mine and Obito's was." He seemed exasperated. "Naruto reminds me of Obito..." His eye that showed got a bit of a faraway look in it. His hand started to go to his eye as he reminisced. But then he put it in his pocket.

He chuckled a bit as he then said, "Naruto also reminds me quite a bit of you." He smirked in her direction behind the mask and poked her nose. "Miss reckless." Then he listened to her request, blinking. So she wanted to see him train them? Oh boy...He'd never hear the end of it if he did...on the other hand, he did like her...

The silver-haired man sighed and ran fingers through his hair. "Well...Alright, I'd be glad to let you watch. Just be prepared to hear teasing from the kiddies. They'll never let us hear the end of it." He winked a bit at her, sighing again. "Eithr way..I'm late enough for training as it is...I'd better start going." he looked a bit annoyed at having to be going.

Even through his masked face, she would see some of the unstated emotions crossing his face. The thought of Obito and everything he had gone through washed over him and she read it like a book. Her face dropped in response, feeling pain for her friend’s sadness; but as quickly as the situation came, it ended as they both were back to smiles. Especially when he poked her in the nose and called her ‘miss reckless’; her face scrunched up resembling that of a rabbit as her head jerked back. “Reckless, me? Never…” She said dragging out the word and uncrossing her arms to wave a hand in ‘argument’ before straightening her fussed with hair.

“Someone teasing you? You, of all people Kakashi –chan, no way.” She said with a playful eye roll before giving him a small nudge with her hand once again. It was hard to believe they hadn’t seen each other in so long and yet, here they were chatting, laughing, joking and picking on each other like they had done in the past. It was just like old times and they had fallen back into their same routine, something she was happy about! Compared to other people, they were like two peas in a pod and never had a moment where they did not enjoy giving each other a hard time about something.

“I can handle teasing, the question is can you. Much less from your own students who you will see every day.” A giggle left her as she turned and started towards the exit. “Handle it or not you’ll just have to deal with it because I’m coming today.” Looking over her shoulder with a bright smile she added, “I expect to see you in tip-top shape Kakashi-chan, Don’t get lazy on me. Oh and don’t worry, I’ll bring something that will help dodge the teasing and maybe motivate them a bit more.” With that she shot him a wink and left the room.

About an hour later the blonde walked patiently through the forest around the hidden leaf village. “Now… if I was Kakashi, where would I be hiding…” In a small voice, she spoke to herself, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she walked. Stopping in mid-step a thought came to her mind and her head turned. She knew exactly where they were.

Sure enough, the blonde arrived to the training ground of Kakashi’s squad who seemed rather surprise to find a girl in a sundress emerging from beyond the trees carrying a basket that smelled delicious. “Hello.” She said brightly.

@Nikki Moonlight

An hour later Kakashi was whacking Naruto on the top of his head, the younger blond yelling at him before hearing Airi come toward them. His gaze became questioning before looking at Kakashi. "SENSEI!! I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD A GIRLFRIEND!" Kakashi's eyes went wide and Sakura smacked him on the head. "Naruto, you idiot! They're old friends, remember?!" Kakashi rubbed his head. "Ah, Airi-chan, welcome." He looked at the Genin. "Well, Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto, this is my old friend Airi. Airi, meet team seven."

Naruto ran up to Airi. "Wowwww! You're so pretty! How did Sensei get a friend like you? He doesn't seem like he'd have a friend, much less someone who seems so sweet!" Kakashi now smacked him on the head with his book. "Naruto, time to quiet down. Now, Airi has something for you three...BUT...Only if you get this stuff right and do well." Naruto could smell it. "A-are those sweets?! AAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW MAN, Sensei!!!!"

@Nikki Moonlight

The sudden arrival of a newcomer turned the teams attention to her but that wasn’t what surprised Airi, what surprised her was the call of the blonde haired boy! Her head jerked back in surprise and her cheeks flushed an uncomfortable red of embarrassment as her gaze moved instinctively to her friend. The surprise reflected in both of their faces but was short lived and replaced by laughter as the pink haired girl raised a fist and planted it against the blonde haired boy’s head who seemed to crumble to the ground at the weight of the hit.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.” She stated with a bright and cheery smile as she arrived to them carrying the basket.

The banter between her friend and the students made her give a genuine smile. He seemed almost at ease with the students and as someone who gets handed S rank missions, it’s wonderful to see him in such a calm manner; he deserved it.

At Naruto’s complaining she chuckled. “I’m told Naruto, that you are a lot like me when I was younger. So that must mean you’re funny, talented, and a charmer.” To that the blonde seemed to blush as he turned away from her.

The next to speak up was Sakura. “Excuse me Airi-Sempai, may I ask what’s in the basket?”

“Oh.” Airi said, her attention to the basket as she opened the flap and tilted the basket to show the eager people the contents inside. “Freshly made Karepan; it’s a roll that’s coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried, filled with a center of smooth sweeter curry.”

“They look like the ones sold at Delicious Delights.” Sakura said following her nose like everyone else.

“That’s because they are; I own Delicious Delights.” Airi’s answer was a simple statement that left the three children in shock that their Sensei would know someone who owned the popular bakery.

As they got closer she slammed the lid shut with a force, causing the three students to jump back. “You each get one once you’ve completed the task Kakashi-chan has set you to do.” A nod rose and fell her head as she started towards a small grassy area. Turning she set down the basket and sat beside it, “Oh and Kakashi-chan,” She said reaching into the basket and pulling out a Karepan, “I have one for you as well. But, you get yours when your students are done.” With a slightly twisted smile she took a bit of her Karepan and watched the training session.

Karepan Image.

Kakashi watched the three students go closer and chuckled when she slammed the lid close to their faces. Then looking at her with a shocked face he groaned a bit before saying, "Alright, kids, c'mon, let's get this done." He had chosen to teach them the finer points of teamwork. Naruto was constantly complaining about having to work with Sasuke but he ended up doing it anyway, making Kakashi snicker a bit.

The mission for the three was to use their strengths to cover each other's weaknesses to land a hit on him. The three were also instructed to avoid obstacles and traps he'd set up beforehand while trying to get to him. After they got ready he said, "Go!" The three came at him, each of them using their strengths well, and keeping their weaknesses covered.

Finally it was Sakura who had surprisingly landed a kick to his arm. He grunted, being pushed back a bit, landing on his feet beside Airi. "Alright, good job, you three!" he clapped his hands. All three of his students were sweaty and exhausted.