A/N: So here we go with the sequel of 'Haunting Pasts'. I don't think it is that necessary to read 'Haunting Pasts' first, but that's just my opinion.

A new beginning

Prolog

It's been two days since Anko and Kakashi returned from their mission in Grass Country were they had to assassinate a wanted criminal and accidentally found a secret hideout of Orochimaru inside a cave. They would've fought against the sannin but he had other plans and left it to a subordinate to kill the two jounins. However they killed the former Iwa-nin instead of being killed by him. Afterwards Anko broke down because of her juin and Kakashi – because he didn't want her to suffer from it anymore – sealed it while she was unconscious.

The sun was shining brightly over the Hidden Village of Leaf and the sky was clear blue. There were only a few white clouds. All in all perfect weather and a perfect day. And on this wonderful day Kurenai and Anko were shopping. Kurenai just had convinced Anko to try the blood-red shirt on.

"Dunno…" Anko said eyeing the shirt.

"It looks good." Kurenai stated. Anko cocked her head.

"You just like it because it has the same color as your eyes." She said smirking.

"That's not true."

"It is."

"Not."

"Is."

"Not."

Anko stuck her tongue out. The two kunoichi smiled at each other. It was childish but still funny.

Anko turned away to remove the shirt. When she came out of the cabin again she found Kurenai staring at her.

"Something about your juin has changed." The elder woman remarked. Out of reflex Anko's hand reached up to cover the juin.

"You saw it?" She asked.

"Well the shirt didn't really hide it." Kurenai answered with a sly grin. "So what's this mark around it?"

"It's been sealed by Kakashi."

"That's fantastic! How did he do it?"

"Erm… well… dunno." Anko admitted.

"You don't know? But you should've been there when he did it, shouldn't you?"

Coincidentally Shizune had been there and had listened (eavesdropped) to the conservation. Naturally she couldn't resist and went over to Anko and told her a little secret about sealing methods. Then she left quickly, sniggering. Heading back to the Hokage office she saw Kakashi walking through the street reading his 'Icha Icha Paradise'. Maybe she should at least warn him now that she had spilt the secret.

"Hey Kakashi!" She greeted. He briefly looked up and nodded in acknowledgement before he continued reading his perverted book.

"Anko had been unconscious when you sealed her juin, hadn't she?" Shizune asked bluntly barely hiding her amusement. The dumbfounded look on Kakashi's face was enough of an answer – she had been right. "If I were you I wouldn't come too close to Anko in the next time." Kakashi stared at her wide-eyed.

"YOU-"

Before he could say another word she hid behind the first person within her reach. And coincidentally it happened to be Genma.

"Help me!" She half said and half laughed as she cowered behind his back. Genma just raised an eyebrow in question but kept standing between her and the copy-ninja. Latter growled and disappeared in a poof of smoke.

"Do I want to know what you've done?" Genma asked laid back as always.

"No, not really. But thanks!" She smiled at him and he returned the smile.

Xxx

Kakashi jumped over the roofs. He wasn't sure whether what Shizune had done had been a good thing or bad. Ever since he had sealed her juin without asking first he had known that sooner or later Anko would've found out – though he would've preferred later – but it would've been better if he had been the one to tell her. Then again it would've taken him years to just directly say it. Maybe he could talk to her and fix things before it was too late.

He found Anko without any problems. She was talking to Kurenai at the moment. So when she was talking to Kurenai he couldn't just interfere – he would've to tell her another day. A nice excuse. The following days he had many excuses why he couldn't talk to Anko yet. He systematically evaded her and went to wherever she most likely wouldn't show up.

This went on for a week or so when he was summoned to the Hokage office. This was good – if he were away on a mission he would've more time to think about what to do.

"Kakashi!" The Godaime's stern voice cut through the silence. The copy-ninja immediately snapped out of his thoughts.

"I'm listening." He assured. Tsunade shook her head not quite believing him.

"Anyway." She said. "As I've already mentioned your mission will be to protect the castle of Chocolate Country along with its Feudal Lord from a bunch of thieves who had been invading the castle about three times in the past month. We don't know their exact number yet, let alone their strength but it seems that they've got at least some ninjas among them. Therefore you won't go on this mission alone. Your teammate will be…" 'Not Anko, not Anko…' Kakashi mentally prayed. "… Anko. You two shall leave immediately. So go."

Kakashi had serious problems of keeping his cool composure because behind Tsunade Shizune was laughing silently. With a small nod he left.

Xxx

Anko was at home lying lazily on her sofa reading a book. Though in fact she didn't really read it because she was lost in her thoughts. She wondered why Kakashi seemed to avoid her lately. It was bothering her, and it wasn't just her imagination – he was truly keeping out of her way. However someone knocked at the window. She was at the same time not surprised at all and still completely dumbfounded: there was only one who always came through the window – did he even know what doors were usually used for? – but why should he just come here like that after he had been evading her for so long?

"Long time no see." She greeted not showing her surprise.

He nodded smiling. "We've got a new mission." So that's why he had shown up. Then he told her the details of their mission.

Afterwards Anko just went to change clothes before they could leave. She removed her shirt already while she was walking, right in front of Kakashi's eyes, who quickly looked away. Anko had to smile at that.

"Why do you look away? It's nothing you haven't seen before, now is it?" she teased. "Or didn't you like what you've seen?" Anko could practically see the blush through his mask.

"Well about the sealing…" He said scratching his head. "Aren't you angry?"

So that's the reason. "Noo." It was true at first she had been angry but then she had thought about it again. She hadn't had a single nightmare since then and her seal hadn't been throbbing either so she just felt too good to be angry. "Let's just forget about it, okay?" Anko suggested. And Kakashi agreed feeling highly relieved. So only a few minutes later they left Konoha.

TBC

A/N: So the prolog is done. Tell me what you think of it :D

disappears in a poof of smoke