Caranril: Thanks to everyone who's been following along and putting up with my seriously long ficcy. And my unfortunate mountain of homework that I happen to have every night but tonight. Hence the new part. Enjoy!

Legolas: I think it should be a law that if you read more than one chapter, you hafta review.

Caranril: Work your magic, Princeling!

disCLAIMER: While I do not own Naruto nor any affiliated subjects therein, Kishimoto-sama does and therefore he owns my soul.

Chapter 1: The Impossible Mission

April started in Konoha with a bitter night chill that threatened to destroy local crops and hinder any construction. On top of that, the civilians discovered the startling incident of the foreign girl injuring Uchiha Sasuke and nearly killing the genius ninja Hatake Kakashi. Rumors of a dangerous beast being locked up until the Council decided what to do with it ran like wildfire. Even those in Sunagakure for the Chuunin exams caught wind of trouble back home. More startling than that was the Hokage's sudden departure from the all-important exams to tend to things back in Konoha. Tension ran high, but then a certain shopkeeper who happened to be up early one morning started another rumor. He claimed that several ninja, among them being the Uchiha and Copy Ninja Kakashi, escorted the foreign girl from Konoha and intended to take her out of the country. While several genius ninja were in the party, the citizens didn't worry about protection with the Hokage and the main force back in Konoha. And for once, peace settled back in the ninja village as a celebration for two new Leaf Chuunin took place.

Akumako Kaori wasn't counted among those two. She'd received her promotion quietly and was now sitting at a campfire laughing hysterically at Uzumaki Naruto's antics. Once again he'd managed to make a fool of himself yet maintain absolute dignity. Sort of. Attacking squirrel was hardly dignified. It had latched onto his ear out of rage and wouldn't let go. Naruto was afraid it'd take a chunk with it if he yanked too hard. He whimpered as Sakura eased the squirrel into a sleepy state and carefully detached its jaws.

"You really are an idiot," Sasuke smirked.

"It's not my fault!" Naruto whined. "I didn't know squirrels hated being squirted with water!"

"How would you like it if someone did that to you?" Sakura asked.

"I'd get 'em back!" he replied proudly.

Kaori covered her grin as Sasuke grabbed his bottle of water and squeezed it forcefully. A stream hit Naruto right in the crotch.

"Ahhhhhhh cold! Sasuke-teme! It looks like I pissed myself!" Naruto froze mid-swing when he caught Kakashi's I-dare-you-to-try eye. Grinning goofily, he backed down and unzipped his pants.

"Eh, it'll dry quick by the fire." He yanked his pants off and lay them near the fire. Sakura scolded him for his indecency as he stood there in bright orange boxers. Kakashi returned to his book, Shikamaru rolled his eyes and made an excuse to go check the perimeter, and Sasuke and Kaori exchanged amused looks.

"I don't see what the big deal is. They're just boxers," Sasuke muttered.

"It's not the boxers, it's the colour," Kaori suggested. Sasuke and Kaori snorted in unison, which started her laughing hysterically again and earned her several staring eyes.

"What are you laughing at?" Sakura asked in a snotty tone. That shut Kaori up immediately.

"It's just...well Sasuke...snorted." It wasn't that funny, but it had been amusing when it happened.

"All you can do to get his attention is that huge fake laugh? That's pathetic."

Time stopped. The air crackled with an intense dislike. Sakura was pissed, and Kaori suddenly felt very meek.

"What? No! It really was funny," she said lamely. She shook her head. "What's your problem anyway? You've treated me like shit ever since we left. I thought we were friends?"

"Why would I want to be friends with someone who might try to kill me?"

Kaori lowered her head, abashed. Naruto tripped over his drying pants and crashed to the ground with a yelp. Kakashi pretended to keep reading, surreptitiously peering over the edge at the scene. Sasuke stood abruptly.

"What gives you the right, Sakura?"

"Sasuke-kun, she could have killed you," Sakura said pleadingly.

"First of all," he said in a commanding tone, "you didn't become cruel to Naruto when you discovered he housed Kyuubi, did you?"

"But he didn't try-"

"To kill you?! Yes he did! Second of all, she is my friend. You know what happens to people who hurt my friends, don't you." It wasn't a question.

"B-but Sasuke-kun..." Sakura's eyes welled. "I thought...I thought I was your friend." She couldn't bring herself to meet his stern gaze. What was wrong with her? She'd convinced herself she didn't love him anymore...Sasuke turned and stalked off. She watched his back for a moment before choking back a sob and running the other direction into the woods. Naruto started after her, stopped, then turned back for his pants and tried to put them on as he pursued Sakura.

Shit. Kaori sank her head into her hands. She knew Sakura had been uncomfortable, but she hadn't realized how much she hated her now. Shiiiiiiiit. And now she thought Sasuke preferred Kaori's friendship rather than hers, which had finally returned to a healthy relationship after the whole Sasuke-turning-evil thing.

"Don't feel so bad, Kaori-san," Kakashi said cheerfully. "It's that time of month. She'll be testy for a few days."

She didn't want to know how Kakashi knew that. "She hates me," she said morosely. "And it was so nice to have female friends too! You have no idea how few female sailors there are. All other girls hated me cause I was the Akumako."

Kaori buried herself in her thoughts.

"Kaori-san?"

"Hm."

"About that night at the bar..." Kakashi watched her stiffen.

She groaned inwardly. "What about it?"

"I want to apologize for my actions. I drank a little heavier than usual and my judgement was...blurred."

She didn't answer.

"I realize it happened awhile ago, but I want to make sure that you were alright."

"Why wouldn't I be alright?"

You're such a liar. Kakashi returned to his book. "Just wanted to make sure."

The fire snapped. With that came a horrifying notion of being alone again. She'd pondered it for a bit back when she first came to Konoha, but it hadn't crossed her mind since. And what with the recent events, the severity of these qualms increased.

"Tell me the truth," she said in a strong voice. "Are we going to my country to connect with the government? Or are we going to find out my past? Or...are you guys taking me back...and leaving me there?"

Kakashi closed his book and tucked it away. With an inward grunt he heaved himself from his sleeping bag and sat next to Kaori on the log.

"What do you think is the purpose of our mission?"

"I don't know. I just don't know anymore."

"I believe a mission is what you make it. You can either go at it with all you've got, or hang back and miss out on the rewards. There's always the risk of losing your life, but what would be the point of being a Shinobi if you weren't willing to give your life so others can live? But, uh, personally, I'm kinda curious about your past."

Kaori looked at him. "...Me too."

"The real big-wigs of this government thing are Sakura and Shikamaru and the Sand ninja meeting us. Mostly, I'm here because I'm your sensei. I'm here to watch out for you. And teach you new things, because you have an awful lot left to learn. Hey, you'd be lost without me." He closed his eye in his trade-mark smile. Kaori allowed her own smile, but lost it as her heart thumped hard. Before she could react to the thought, she grabbed his head and kissed him right through the mask. Kaori was mortified, but after that brief moment of absolute horror her pounding heart rose as his warm lips parted and returned the kiss. Slightly shamed, she kissed harder, rewarded with an equal pressure. Fingers grasped her neck and lit on fire at the touch. He eagerly pressed his tongue against the mask, met by her own. The mask was hot and moist but also a serious hindrance. Kakashi slipped his other hand under her Chuunin jacket to the small of her back and pulled her closer.

Reality slammed into them both at the same time and they jumped up and away from each other. As if they had been burned. Kakashi panted through the wet mask and Kaori held her breath, both very flushed.

"Sorry!" Kaori turned heel and ran for her life. Common sense told her that if Kakashi really wanted to pursue there'd be no chance in hell she'd outrun him. But there was also no way in hell she'd face up to what she'd just done.

"Idiot!" she screamed across a lake. The cry echoed eerily. The water reflected the moon right up to the dock. She'd run until there was no more solid land to run on. If she'd learned to walk on water, she probably would have kept going.

Kaori knelt and scooped some cold water into her hands. With wretched voracity she scrubbed the blush from her cheeks. After a moment of staring into the pool of moonlight, she plopped down and removed her sandals. The water chilled her feet, but it was a pleasant distraction from the guilty thoughts flooding her mind. She'd kissed Kakashi, and what's more, he'd kissed her back. She was in a shit-load of trouble.

"Who's the idiot?"

Kaori yelped at the voice behind her. Sasuke stood there with his hands in his pockets, gazing at the moon-dappled waters.

"Me."

"Why's that? Besides the obvious." Sasuke sat beside her and unstrapped his sandals.

She wrinkled her nose. "I did something reeeeeeeaaaally stupid."

"I'll bet you a bowl of ramen it's nothing as stupid as most of the things Naruto does."

Kaori didn't answer. Anything she said might give away her grave mistake. Sasuke was incredibly intuitive, and he just might know what would disturb her the most. They sat in silence for awhile, feet in the lake, each in their own thoughts, Kaori's more tortured than his. Then she cracked.

"I kissed Kakashi-sensei!" Kaori yanked her feet out of the water and buried her head in her arms and knees. Just saying it aloud brought a fresh bought of blushing to her ears. She heard Sasuke inhale sharply.

"Just now?"

"Mmmyeah," she whined.

"Wow."

"Please don't judge me from this!" Kaori pleaded, coming up for air.

"Why would I judge you?"

"Because it's only natural for someone to judge a girl who makes out with her sensei!"

"So you made out?"

"Ack! Erm, yeah I guess."

"Wow."

"Oh shut up." Kaori buried her face again. That went so well. She flinched as a cold hand touched the back of her neck.

"You shut up," Sasuke snorted, gently massaging the tense muscles. "Didn't I just defend you from Sakura? Didn't I just call you my friend? I'd only judge you if I had been after Kakashi for myself. And anyway, if I was after him, I'd win."

"Huh?" Kaori gaped at him. Sasuke smirked.

"Gotcha."

"Idiot." She couldn't say it very crossly as his other hand joined in kneading her shoulders. It was pleasant, but he obviously had no idea what he was doing.

"You hafta do it harder, Uchiha. Like you mean it."

"I've never done this before. Leave me alone."

"Never?" Kaori peered back at him.

"Hn."

"Then let me show you how it's done." Kaori scooted away from the edge and prodded Sasuke to take her seat. She yanked off his Chuunin jacket so she could have proper access to his broad shoulders. Then she set about to coaxing the muscles to relax. That was when she saw it. The strange, faded tattoo on his left shoulder.

"What's this?" she asked curiously. Sasuke stiffened and slowly reached up to touch the spot.

"Old battle scar."

"That's a scar?"

Sasuke was silent for a moment. "Several years ago, a man named Orochimaru bit me there. It left a poisonous seal that prevented me from summoning Chakra. It's been awhile and he's lost his power, so it's faded, but it's still difficult to do certain techniques. It's rather...annoying. And it eats away at my life. I've probably lost ten years already."

"That's...that's...that's..." Nothing would come out. She couldn't pity him, or comfort him, or even poke fun at him. He resigned to his fate of having a short life. "Is there any way to get rid of it?"

"Kakashi contained it at first, but that didn't work. At this point, it doesn't matter. Orochimaru is the only one who can release the seal. But he'd never do it. Heh, I'm not sure he could do it even if he wanted to."

"This Orochimaru guy...he's the one who set up Otogakure?"

"Yeah. There's nothing left though. The perverted old man deserved everything Naruto gave to him. I'd have killed him myself, but after fighting Itachi..."

Kaori absent-mindedly continued her ministrations to Sasuke's back. She kneaded lower, following the tense cords lining his spine. He jerked forward suddenly. When he arched his back, Kaori knew exactly what was up.

"Uchiha...don't tell me you're...ticklish?" She tested her theory. The jolt that ran through him proved it.

"Don't do that!" he growled threateningly.

"I'll bet you never knew yourself until just now!" Kaori crowed. "That's what you get for never letting people touch you." She grabbed his sides. With a Naruto-like yelp, he jerked away and fell smack into the lake. The glare beneath the dripping raven locks was priceless. There was a failed attempt to hide her grin as she offered her hand. Sasuke reached up and yanked her so hard she flew over his head and face-first into the cool water. Even as she spluttered indignantly, Sasuke was climbing onto the water and walking back to land. That had to be the weirdest thing she'd ever seen.

"How'd you do that?"

"It's like walking up a tree, but a little different. Summon enough Chakra to your feet to bring yourself to the surface. A Genin could do it. A Chuunin should definitely be able to do it."

Kaori made a face and focused on her Chakra network. Figuring water-walking to be a tricky thing, she made sure to summon plenty. With a violent blast she shot from the water and into the air, shrieking as she went. An evergreen branch broke her plunge back down to the earth. Sasuke's gasping laughter could be heard below. Kaori landed beside him, very sticky from sap and wet and not very pleased.

"You're a cheater," she growled, grabbing her sandals from him and stalking back to camp.

"That was great! Can you do it again?"

"No!"

He laughed all the way back to camp, refreshing the hysterics every time he pictured the Kaori Rocket. Everyone else had already returned to the camp, each one staring at the soaking pair and the disturbing switch in expressions. Kaori had a sizzling glare plastered on her face while Sasuke grinned like a cat.

"I don't want to know what happened," Shikamaru sighed.

"Kaori-chan, what's all over your butt?" Naruto inquired.

Kaori checked. The seat of her pants was covered with dirt and bark. Great. And that started Sasuke up all over again.

"I'll be back," she seethed, turning for the lake to wash off.

As Sasuke managed to breath normally again, Kakashi scratched his head.

"I'm not even going to ask," he said.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

The spring night was chilly, Kaori's breath just visible. She felt strangely alert, her body reacting to the importance of being on watch. Her mind was on edge too. The campsite and been nothing but awkward: Sasuke casting looks between her and Kakashi, Sakura glaring alternately at Kaori and Sasuke, and Naruto just wondering what the hell was up with everyone. That's when Kakashi ordered Kaori to relieve Shikamaru on watch. She was more than eager to comply.

Besides the memory of a kiss that made her blush, Kaori's mind pondered Sasuke's predicament. She hadn't heard anything good about that Orochimaru guy, but despite all his evils she felt like if anyone could approach him, it'd be her. She was in Sasuke's debt for hurting him, and if anything she'd shortened his life even more. That would not do. As the irrational thought prodded the back of her mind, her self-loathing approved of the plan. The teams didn't really need her help back home if Temujin was there. Her past was of interest to her, but it wasn't necessary. What was necessary was Sasuke being able to live the life he deserved; a genius ninja didn't deserve to have a painful seal hindering him from developing his true powers. If she could do anything to remedy that...

She sensed him behind her. He made a silent approach, but Kaori was used to his presence and could feel him anywhere.

"Get some shut-eye," Kakashi said quietly.

"Hai." She turned to leave, but Kakashi grabbed her arm. That strange fire from his hand could be felt through the sleeve of her uniform. She tried not to gasp.

"I apologize for earlier."

Kaori's face went up in flames. "I-it's not your fault, really."

"Please, just accept my apology." Kakashi's voice was grave, but his masked eye faced her.

"Of course." The hand released her. Kaori rubbed her arm. His grip had been like a vice.

Kakashi refused to allow her to see his eye; he feared she'd be able to read his expression. She stayed a moment before hurrying back to camp.

Sigh. Even heavier sigh. He was losing his damn mind. Too long since he'd been with a woman, and that night at the bar didn't count. After Kaori had imbedded a heeled boot into his shin, he'd sobered up enough to leave the bar and get some air. That was when he realized what a dip-shit he was. A little too much alcohol and he was alienating his pupil. Violating. Except he'd been completely sober those few hours ago. She had initiated the kiss, but he didn't have to pursue it. He could have just rejected her gently (or rudely) and she'd more than likely get over it. The fact that he didn't reject her was torturing his mind. He couldn't imagine what it was doing to her.

What tortured him even more was the wonder if she really wanted him in that way. It made his heart flutter at the concept. He sighed at his silly thoughts and scratched them away from his silver head. If he really wanted to settle down with a nice girl and have a family, Kaori would definitely not be the ideal type.

Who are you kidding, old man? You don't have time to be picky. He could resign himself to being a bachelor til the day he died. It was so much easier that way. But for once in the adult years of his private life, he didn't want to take the easy way out. What the hell kind of mission had he gotten himself into?