Hikari fought not to fidget as she waited for any sort of response from him. She felt a little relief when she saw the flicker of light return to his eyes, slowly growing. She let out the breath she hadn't known she'd been holding when he gave her a half smile and told her not to worry. She smiled in response, glad that the warmth had returned to his eyes. She didn't miss that a hint of a chill lingered even though Kakashi was gone. He wasn't fully back to the way he had been before, but she supposed she couldn't really expect him to be. She hadn't expected him to rebound as well as he had, so she certainly didn't expect him to magically rebound to the place he'd been before. After all, it hadn't happened in an instant then, so it certainly wouldn't now.<br/><br/>She picked up her own chopsticks and began to eat when he did, looking up when he spoke again, saying that he should get going soon because it was late. Time had really flown by. The idea that they'd spent almost the entire day together gave her a strange warm, happy feeling. That happiness grew when he suggested that they could potentially hang out again tomorrow. She was more than welcome to stop by his place again? She smiled, sweet and bright, nodding gently. "Okay. I'll do that, then." She replied softly, a hint of happiness coloring her voice. She knew that she, too, would have to get back to missions soon. It was rare enough for her to get a single day off nowadays, so she couldn't hope for much more than that. She had no doubt that she'd be hearing from Lady Tsunade soon enough. Even if she was given a mission tomorrow, she'd still make sure to stop by his place before she left to let him know. She didn't know how much he would care, and she knew she didn't have to check in with him or anything like that, but she had given him her word that she would come, so she would, even if only to tell him that she would be gone for a little while.<br/><br/>She was glad he didn't seem like he wanted to run away and never see her again, not that she truly expected that to be the case. But she was glad nonetheless. She couldn't say why she was so afraid of that outcome, or why she cared as much as she did about him after such a short time, but she did. And when she cared for someone she didn't give up on them. She'd never been very good at giving up or letting go. Why he meant enough to her that she would go after him even if he left, she wasn't sure. Whatever the reason, she had no doubt that even if he had left she would have gone after him. She wasn't that easy to get rid of. She wouldn't be annoying about it, of course, but she wanted to make sure he knew that she was different, that she wasn't anything like the people he was used to. And she wasn't going to let him go that easily. She really wanted this to work. For the first time in a long time she had actually found something, someone, that she thought was worth fighting for. Someone she wanted to be close to. She actually wanted his friendship. And she wouldn't give up on that easily, if she did at all.<br/><br/>She was jerked back to reality and out of her thoughts when he, surprisingly, spoke up again. She finished her own food and placed the chopsticks on the table, her eyes and attention now focused entirely on him as she waited for the words that came next, the words that just about floored her. She couldn't help but smile as he went on, happy that he had enjoyed himself. It was what came next, however, that really surprised her, and made her incredibly happy. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the words and saw that smile on his face. It was different from the ones before and she couldn't help the faint pink that painted her cheeks, or the smile that spread across her face, lighting up her features. Why? Why did she feel like this? Why did something so simple make her so happy? Why did it make her heart run away from her? Why did she have this feeling in her chest? This warmth and happiness that spread through her? It was strange, but not in a bad way.<br/><br/>"I'm really glad you enjoyed yourself." She responded honestly, a happy, sweet smile on her face, the pink on her cheeks lingering as she spoke. "I had a really good time, too. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun. And I can't remember the last time I smiled this much." Her cheeks flushed an even darker pink with this admission. "And I... Well, I'm really glad it was with you, too." She smiled, a sweet, bright, and genuinely happy smile, her eyes bright and dancing as she looked across at him.<br/><br/>After a moment she bit her lip gently before speaking up again. "I hope we can do it again sometime soon." She smiled, this time a little more timidly, despite thinking that he would probably be okay with the idea, all things considered. "And you are welcome to come by here again sometime, if you'd like. But I understand if you don't want to." She added, referencing Kakashi's earlier appearance. She was quiet for a moment after this before she bit her lips gently and spoke up again. "I know this probably goes without saying, and it might sound silly, but..." she hesitated for a moment, her cheeks remaining a pale pink. "I'm really glad we met." She admitted shyly, a tentative, sheepish smile on her lips as she tucked some hair behind her ear and watched him for a reaction. She knew he'd have to leave soon and she felt a tinge of regret at this, but she was glad that it wasn't good bye. She could see him again, and that made her happy, so she wouldn't allow anything to disturb that rare happiness, even their temporary parting.<br/><br/>Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk