don't own naruto. . . .

i'm not liking this story as much as the other but here it is anyway- thanks for trying it!

He landed silently on the dirt floor. He looked around but saw no guards.

The soldier silently rounded the corner and down the dark hall. Kakashi heard voices coming form the next room. And one of them belonged to his assigned target.

"Tell me where I can find a demon!" The air as filled with the sound of beatings. "Tell me, now girl." Kakashi peered into the room. It was a dungeon, with only one cell occupied. In the cell stood the target, three of his goonies, and a prisoner. It looked like the girl had been there for some time. Her clothes were shredded and bloody and she was far too thin. "You have nothing left to live for. They're dead. They can't hate you for giving up their secret." The man sneered. The girl stared up at him from her knees and shook her head. "No, it is beyond your understanding." The man cursed in rage at her comment and one of the bystanders drove a knife into her side. Only enough to hurt her but not kill her- yet. She yelled in pain. The man folded his arms, amused. "Now tell me."

The girl stood, on shaking legs, obviously the victim of many beatings, not just today's.

She looked the man square in the eyes. "Togróidh sé."

"What?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Togróidh sé. It means 'he will choose' ". She regained some of her strength. "A demon chooses only one to serve in their life. And based on your personality- you're not going to get any takers."

Another time was the knife drawn down her back. She gave a small noise and collapsed in the floor. " Togróidh sé? Togróidh sé?!! It's the same thing the other one said! It's a demon- it has no feelings, no mercy. It's the ultimate fighter." He kicked the girl once before exiting her cell. "Take care of her in the morning."

"Yes, Sir."

Kakashi waited for the goons to clear before he made his move. He snuck into the room and before the man knew he was being targeted, he was struck. He gasped as Kakashi held the knife in. He had some questions for the man before he finished him. "How are they connected to demons? Why her?"

The man laughed, "You too? She's a wild one. Tame her, would you?"

Kakashi twisted the knife. The man howled in pain.

"Tell me."

The man answered. "She lived with two demons but never controlled them. Imagine the power she could have had! She could have had anything she wanted. Instead, she let them get killed and now she's going to die too- all because she was a coward and let them live equal to her. She could have had everything!"

"How do you know she didn't?" And plunged the knife deep, finalizing the mission.

He couldn't leave her like that. He found a sheet and kneeled beside her. She was barely alive. He turned her towards him, her eyes slowly focusing on him. He voice was faint but it struck Kakashi.

"Hey Dragon."

"Hi." Kakashi said, playing along.

"Dragon- Remember Arashi? I'd like to see him again. That would be nice."

Kakashi froze. No, no. She couldn't have known that man. But she was unconscious now. His mission had been simple. Kill the top dog and go home. That was it. But this girl- that name- how? Hopefully Tsunade wouldn't demand his soul in exchange for this. That woman could be very frightening at times. He scoped the girl up. Blood was no concern for him, being a shinobi. But her wounds were severe- she needed care. He looked once more at her face. Had she really known sensei? She was not a leaf villager. He would know soon enough. He would question her when she was awake.

The journey back was slowed by the extra body but Kakashi still managed good timing. He landed near the hospital. He needed the upper level care for her. Upon seeing her in the light, he could see how beaten she truly was- malnourished with deep cuts from being chained. Kakashi placed her on the bed.

He visited her everyday but she didn't wake up. Her cuts were being treated and she was on fluids. She was looking much better.

"Well, well. If it isn't little man Kakashi." Kakashi lazily lifted his eye to greet the speaker. "I hear your girl's doing better- you come here often?"

"She's attracted my attention."

"Now Kakashi, don't victimize young unconscious girls! Bad Kashy!" She scolded.

Kakashi stared ". . . . ."

"Could I ask the real reason?" Tsunade's voice turned serious. "I know you're not a people person and you're not really the dating type, so why kidnap her from her home?"

"She has no home." Kashy said bluntly.

"How do you know that?"

"It was the only leverage he had over her to keep her weak enough to control. As to why I'm so interested in her- it's because of a name she mentioned."

"Oh? And whose name could that be? I've told Jiriaya to control himself but he never-"

"Arashi."

"Kakashi- how-?" She was dumbfounded. Kakashi just shook his head. Tsunade took a deep breath. She couldn't take this away from Kakashi. She didn't fully understand why he wanted to reopen those wounds but so be it.

"It won't change anything."

"I know." Kakashi smiled, crinkling his mask. Tsunade looked at the two of them, wondering how far this would damage them.