Author's Note

This is the second part of a plot I started in my story called "Love Knots", so if you enjoy this please feel free the visit the precursor to this :)


[Kakashi looks up at the sky as the rain begins to fall. It's been eight months since Masami left on her mission for Tsunade. Six since Naruto left to train with Jiraiya. Four since Kakashi and Masami caught up with each other in the Land of Hot Water, and caught a brief respite together during the midst of each of their missions. He reads her letters over and over again, he can almost see her hands as they delicately writing on the parchment. When the messages initially arrive to Kakashi, they always smell strongly of jasmine. Over time as the smell fades, it makes his heart ache. Kakashi continues on with his missions because he can't spend his time mooning over her. When he comes back from a mission there's usually at least one letter there. Sometimes two. And painfully sometimes none at at. Masami has signed a summoning contract with owls, so Kakashi is always delighted to see an owl swooping through the sky because perhaps it is bringing him a message. Because she is always on the move and she can never share her location, it is hard for Kakashi to send letters back, but many times Masami leaves owls to wait for him. He's been greeted by lovely tawny owls, sophistcated barn owls, and once a cranky screech owl who made a horrible mess on Kakashi's balcony. As he arrives to his apartment today, he sees a polite elf owl waiting patiently outside. Sliding the door open, the tiny owl bows, then hops up to a table and extends a dainty leg. The message is brief, but keeps his heart alight]

Hello Darling

I've recently had an opportunity to visit my parents. They noted that I look happier than I have in a long time. My only response being a smile, they asked when they could meet the man who makes me radiate so cheerfully. I told them I was unsure, but would make my best effort. Let me know what you think? The weather here is beautiful, I wish you could be here with me. Til then, I'll see you in my dreams tonight.

Yours Always

MiMi

[Over the course of time as their relationship developed through letters, she began affectionately addressing him as "Darling", while he created the pet name "MiMi". The monikers along with the vague messages maintain the security, but also leave a lot to be said still. While he is falling deeper and deeper for her, it has begun to bother him that no matter how many times he told her that he loves her she would only reply back "same" or some other clever way to get around saying the word "love". It keeps his passion burning brighter though, knowing there is still a next level to their relationship. The owl tilts its head and looks curiously at Kakashi. It's familiar in the way Masami looks at him sometimes, so he can't help but smile. The owl chuckles at Kakashi, waiting for a response. Considering the small size of the owl, Kakashi trims down a piece of paper and replies briefly. He fastens the note to the owl's leg then opens the door so it may return to it's summoner]

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[Guy has been back on active duty for five months now. It had taken him three months since the incident to convince his counselor that he was stable enough to handle the rigor of missions. Today he's leaving the hokage's office after debriefing on a mission, then he stops by Yamanaka Flowers on the way home. Guy ducks into his apartment building just as the rain comes down. He jogs up the steps, taking care not to damage his bouquet. Unlocking the door, he listens to the rain drumming on the roof. He feels a little guilty having spent so much time away, hence why he brings the flowers. As he opens the door, he turns on the light and calls]

"I've returned to you my sweet lady!"

[A psuedo feminine voice answers]

"I've missed you my sublime green beast!"

[Guy walks into the dining area and sees she's still sitting at the table, reading a home decor magazine much the same way as he left her. Her eyes sparkle seeing him, and Guy takes in the sight of her. Her hair is is simply styled, her lips a beautiful rouge. A strand of pearls adorns her neck, as it peeks through the collar of her button down dress. Around her small waist an apron is tied before it, along with the dress flare out in an A-line. She sees the flowers and says]

"Oh Guy! They're lovely!"

"Not as lovely as you!"

"Oh, you old snake charmer! Would you put them in water for me please?"

"Of course my beloved!"

[Guy enters the kitchen as she continues to sit there, the flowers he gave her when he left have since dried, so he pitches them into the trash and rinses out the vase for the new bouquet. He turns on the radio as he sets the arrangement on the table in front of her. Hearing a familiar song come on, Guy scoops her up out of her seat and begins to dance with her. His chakra control has gotten better so now she can move in time with his steps. Her head rests on his shoulder as they move slowly. Tilting her chin up, he kisses her painted lips and as he does feels himself becoming aroused. Guy takes her back to the bedroom so they can break their days of abstinence. As he's panting and thrusting his body, she cries out]

"OH GUY!... OH GUY!... OH GUY!..."

[Soon enough he finishes inside of her. As he falls down next to her on the mattress he re-positions her body and holds her close. He kisses her on the top of her head, and moves her hand to his chest. They begin to fall asleep listening to the sound of the rain, he whispers to her]

"I love you Masami"

"I love you more Guy"

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[The air is salty blowing in off the ocean as it tangles into Masami's hair. She misses the warmth of the sunlight as she wanders the misty islands. Although she has enjoyed visiting her parents, her diplomatic mission to the lord of the Land of Water didn't go as well as she hoped. Masami barely had the opportunity to say she was a representative of the Hidden Leaf Village and give the lord a token of peace before he politely yet hastily informed her he wished to continue keeping his land out of the political affairs of the other four major countries. It went as well as it could though she supposed. Her next mission is to visit the Village Hidden by Mist. Masami is not terribly keen on the idea because the mist obscures her long distance visibility thus preventing her from using her supreme speed jutsu. If for whatever reason she needs to make a fast getaway, she'll need to come up with a plan. Packing her things to leave, a small elf owl flies into view. Having sent the owl three days ago, she's surprised at it's relatively quick return. Unrolling the paper tied to it's leg, the owl quickly poofs and returns to where she had summoned it from. Masami reads]

Hello MiMi

I would be privileged to meet your parents. Your jasmine bushes are doing well on my balcony, they help keep you close to me. It's been raining more often here lately as the seasons begin to change. It's almost as if the weather is responding to how I feel without you. I'm sure your position keeps you very busy but I'm hopeful you will return to me soon and chase away the storm clouds from my heart.

Love

Darling

[Masami holds the letter close to her heart and sighs. He is so romantic! She's glad he's not there watching her read the letter now, he'd probably tease her a little bit about how she's swooning. Masami unrolls the scroll she keeps all of Kakashi's letters in and seals away the newest addition. She repacks the scroll, then bids farewell to her parents as she sets off on foot for the hidden village.]

[Traveling alone through the varying visibility of the landscape, Masami summons a Great Gray Owl to use it's keen hearing to be aware of any unseen threats. Masami arrives uneventfully in the village and is pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by the mizukage. The peace token is received well as the mizukage sincerely seeks to strengthen diplomatic relations. Masami supposes her great surprise comes from the differing attitudes between the lord of the land and the mizukage. The mizukage encourages Masami to stay and rest for the evening, but Kakashi's letter encourages her to return to Konoha. She figures if she hurries, she can catch the last boat off the island and be on her way to a place she can use her jutsu]

[The darkness of the evening settles faster as the mist blocks out more of the light. Masami's avian companion hoots nervously as it cautiously flies in front of her. Before she can ask the owl what is wrong, it is snatched out of the air and Masami is left in a cloud of feathers. Her immediate response is to release her zanbato and as she wields it, she sends her purple chakra down the blade. A mans voice speaks to her]

"A lady shouldn't travel alone, especially not in these weather conditions or at this time of day... I suppose however you think you're well protected behind that zanbato. Lets see how it compares to mine, shall we?"

[Stepping into visibility, a tall man wears a chin-high collared long dark cloak, that is patterned with red clouds. On his forehead protector, the symbol of the Hidden Mist Village is defaced. From what she can see of his face, he has shark-like eyes, and sunken in, gill-like cheeks, with clammy gray skin. As if his appearance weren't terrifying enough, Masami could immediately determine his affiliation by his wardrobe; Akatsuki]

[The man swings his bandage wrapped zanbato towards her, and she blocks with her own. As the swords contact, the stranger's weapon seems to suck the chakra right out of hers and grows in response]

"Yes, Samehada likes the taste of your chakra. It's unlike anything else we've ever sampled before... I'd like to try some more"

[As the stranger prepares to swing again, another male voice commands]

"Stop Kisame."

"What is it?"

[While this second man's appearance was not nearly as intimidating as the first, his hard piercing stare bores fear straight into Masami's soul]

"Can't you see that she is special?"

"Don't tell me you've fallen for a pretty face now, Itachi"

"Beautiful is a more correct term, but no. I'm talking about her chakra. It's far beyond anything ordinary"

[Itachi blinks and his eyes change from his sharingan to his mangekyo sharingan. From there he invades right into her mind as she's frozen in place. In her head, Masami struggles against him futilely. He flips backwards through the pages of her memories. Starting from just moments ago, he buzzes through all of her recent travels but stops when he sees something familiar; Konoha. He scrutinizes these images more carefully, watching as she pledges her loyalty to the village and viewing her incredible abilities. Masami fights harder against Itachi, but he easily subdues her and continues prying into her mind. He finds something that interests him; Masami is intimate with Kakashi. Itachi murmurs]

"This could be useful, lets see what else you're hiding..."

[He pores over the development of her elemental chakras, and further backwards into her nomadic childhood, then visits the destruction of her village. Still in her mind, Masami falls to her knees as her eyes fill with tears. Itachi approaches a giant black door, trimmed in gold]

"What have you got locked behind here?"

"I don't have anything else, you've already seen everything" Masami says between sobs

"This barrier would indicate otherwise, let's take a look, shall we?"

[Itachi forces open the door which initially blinds them both with light but then Masami is assaulted with a barrage of flickering memories she doesn't understand. Itachi seems able to keep up with the furious pace of the images racing by, but Masami is confused by everything she sees. Itachi stops on the image of a pale skinned snake-like man with long dark hair and yellow eyes. Itachi speaks again]

"Very interesting! Come now, I have a plan for you..."

[He grabs Masami by the wrist and leads her away from the bewildering scenes. As they exit back out of the black guilded door, it slams shut behind them and Masami immediately forgets everything she's seen. He returns her back to a more recent memory where she and Kakashi are having a close physical bond. Itachi makes Masami relive what should be a pleasureable memory but he manipulates it by warping Kakashi's face into his own. Masami drums her fists against him, but Itachi doesn't stop. In her original memory she doesn't want Kakashi to stop, so now in this aberration Itachi doesn't either. Giving up Masami just cries and waits for it to be over. Back in the physical world, Itachi kisses Masami on the lips before freeing her from her mind]

"Now go. You can still catch the last ferry off the island if you move with haste."

[Masami takes off blindly through the mist, using her speed jutsu recklessly until she reaches the harbor. She quickly boards the boat before she sinks down and hugs her legs close to her body, then she presses her face into her knees and cries]

[Kisame and Itachi walk together slowly, penetrating the fog. Kisame questions]

"What was that about?"

"If one seeks to achieve a great goal, one must always have a contingency plan"

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