A Shinobi Story

by Hack Interrupted

Team seven befriends a beautiful wanderer and she makes Konoha her home. Spoilers

1. Chapter 1

Chapter One: The Gypsy That Stole a Ninja's Heart

"How much longer until we get there?" Naruto whined. He was sick of walking through the forest and about to go out of his mind. "This is so totally boring!"

"We'll be in Densun sometime early tomorrow I imagine," Kakashi answered patiently. He knew these sorts of missions were boring to his students, Naruto in particular. "Being a ninja isn't always about fighting Naruto. There is also diplomacy."

Sakura chimed in. "Yeah and patience and manners. Both of which Naruto has none of." She rolled her eyes and chanced another peek at Sasuke. He was strolling behind Kakashi, quiet as usual. Sakura sighed. She was just as bored as Naruto, but she certainly wouldn't let the others see her boredom.

"Naruto will learn patience and ethics in time," Kakashi replied in an even tone. "Sometimes such abilities are…harder for young men to learn."

Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, cuz we just love to fight. Right Sasuke?" He grinned at his friend walking beside him.

"Whatever," Sasuke grumbled apathetically.

"Come on Sasuke, you know you just want to," but Naruto didn't finish. Ahead of them Kakashi had stopped in his tracks with one hand raised to halt them. Naruto froze listening. A second later he heard a scream. "Nani?"

Kakashi had heard the first scream and stilled himself. A woman…There was shouting a second later. A man's voice cried out Run Haru! and the woman's scream came again. "Looks like you won't be bored any longer. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura let's go." He pointed them in the right direction and broke into a run. His genin obediently followed him.

The bandits had forced her further away from the carriage. One of the more daring guys had finally caught hold of Bugsy's bridal and another hurried to help him subdue the stomping horse. Kuso… She bounced her gaze from the bandits holding the horse back to the one trying to bully her back off the road. They got to Bugsy so this damn whip is only good for one thing…

"Doushita no?" the lead bandit tormented the troublesome woman. "Your horse can't dance to your whip anymore." He cocked his head and leered. "Is that all you got bitch?"

Gene tried to sit up. His daughter was in big trouble now. These guys weren't going to just rob them, they meant to kill them. "Haru, run! Get away from here now!"

For just a moment she didn't hear or see her father yelling up at her from his place in the dust of the old road. Shanihmaru… Haru dug the high heel of her shoe into the ground. "Shut up old man!" She brought the whip back remembering the way Shanihmaru had sliced the orange in half with it. I'm going to do that to this guy's face. She gnashed her teeth together. "Bitch huh? You'll see what kind of bitch I am you shitty bastard! I will haunt you from hell!"

Time seemed to stretch out as it often does in such tense situations when adrenalin has taken over the brain. Gene called out again in protest but Haru was already making her move. She charged the leader snapping the whip in her hand. She watched its business end cutting through the air going after the bandit's surprised left eye.

Haru barely had time to think I did it! before the leader caught the whip. For just a moment she was eye to murderous eye with him. Shit… She was so focused on his scary eyes she didn't notice his fist come up until it was too late.

"You bitch!" he brought his fist forward fast and hard. His fist connected just below her right eye and the force of the blow knocked her off her feet. The bitch went flying backward and then… "Nani?"

Before she could smash into the tree she was hurled at, Kakashi stepped in and caught the woman. He frowned at the guy who had just knocked her into next week. "Oy oy, that's no way to treat a lady."

"Disgusting," Sasuke grumbled suddenly appearing behind the bandit holding the horse.

"And they call themselves men?" Sakura appeared behind the man who had been kicking the old guy. She pressed the tip of her kunai against his back.

Naruto appeared in front of Kakashi and pointed at the guy that had just hit a girl in front of him. "Hey you, jerk off! I am going to kick your ass for doing that. I, Uzumaki Naruto will not tolerate that kind of shamelessness!"

Kakashi sighed. "Shamelessness ne?" He felt the woman he caught stir and he looked down. Is she really conscious after a hit like that?

Haru's vision was dark around the edges. She heard a kid screaming at the bandits. Someone was holding her up. What the hell? Are we saved? She wasn't sure if it hurt to move; she had lost the concept of time. Haru looked up at the person that had caught her. The punch had rattled her brains a bit, her vision blurred and straightened. Haru looked up at her savior. What… "What the hell?"

Kakashi blinked at her. Well that's a fine how do you do. What a thing to say when you first meet someone. Kakashi put on a happy face. "Daijoubu desu. It appears that you've taken quite a hit to your head…"

All Haru could see as the darkness closed in was just one eye looking down at her. Is this guy… really real? "Where…the hell is…your face?"

Kakashi watched her fall unconscious. Her head lolled against his chest. He lifted an eyebrow. She sure did say some strange things for meeting someone for the first time. He looked over at the old man. Sakura had bullied the bandit away from him at knifepoint. The old man was looking around in surprise. These people are not ninja, they must have been fighting for their lives yet she didn't abandon the old man even after he told her to run. "Naruto!"

"Yes Kakashi sensei!"

Kakashi straightened lifting the woman into his arms. "I do not want to see such shamelessness go on unpunished in front of me either. Go ahead and beat them up now. Remember that these men were intent to kill defenseless people and rob them of everything they had in the world. Such a crime is beyond shameless even for scum like them. I'm sure you know what to do."

Naruto pounded his fist into his hand. "Yosh!" he knew exactly what he was going to do. "Just stay out of it Sasuke, I'm gonna beat these guys up."

"Keh, do whatever you want," Sasuke brought out his Sharingan and rolled his eyes toward the closest bandit. The guy startled and took a generous step backward.

There were only five robbers, he could have taken them all by himself but, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto released a dozen more hims. The robbers staggered in amazement. Naruto pointed at the leader again. "Hey you, old guy. We're going to beat you up first!"

"What the… what the hell are you guys?" the guy in front of Sakura blurted afraid.

The Naruto's moved and the bandits ran. They didn't get too far from the road and Sakura could hear the pummeling from where she stood. "Eh, that Naruto kun takes things too far sometimes." She looked back at the old man she had guarded. "Are you alright ojiji san?"

Gene gawked up at the girl with pink hair. Who the hell are these weird kids? He blinked and suddenly the man that had caught Haru was standing beside her. Gene looked up at his masked face. What in the fuck is up with that guy?

Sakura addressed Kakashi right away. "Kakashi sensei, the old man seems alright." She looked at the woman sensei was holding. Sakura had seen the blow. She frowned a little; she could see where the strike had landed. "Is her face…?"

"Nothing is broken; she's just had her brains scrambled a little." Kakashi looked down at the gawking old man. He could see a slight family resemblance; they had the same high cheekbones. The old man is her father. "Her head must be as hard as a rock ne old man?" Kakashi squatted down to pass the man his daughter.

Gene eased some as the weirdo in the mask lay his daughter down beside him. "You have no idea just how hard headed she is son." He looked from Haru back up to the strange guy that had caught her. "I better thank you for saving my daughter, you and all your…weird friends here…" his eyes went back to Sasuke, but the kid looked normal now. What the hell was with his eyes? They were red just a second ago!

Kakashi tried not to sigh too loudly. This guy doesn't know anything about ninja. Kakashi smiled. "Think nothing of it. I am Hatake Kakashi and these are my genin Sasuke and Sakura. I would like for Sakura chan to take a look at your daughter if that's alright with you. She's very good at treating wounds on the battlefield."

"Just who the flippin fuck are you guys," Gene's mouth went ahead of his brain.

Sasuke snorted a laugh at the look on his sensei's face. Kakashi composed himself quickly. The old fart certainly said some strange things upon meeting someone for the first time too. "It's alright; we're shinobi of this country."

Gene frowned. "Shinobi? Is that like army? You boys and lady there enlisted guys?"

Kakashi waved a hand. "Something like that. Will you let Sakura chan have a look at your daughter…" he gestured for his name. Clearly this guy was a foreigner.

"I'm Gene. This is my daughter Haru."

Kakashi nodded. "Gene san?"

Gene moved back a little to let the girl shinobi look at Haru. She looked pretty banged up. Haru wouldn't go down without a fight. "Yes, thank you."

Sakura knelt beside Haru and examined her face more closely. Her eye was bruising up and her teeth had cut the inside of her mouth, but her cheekbone was miraculously intact. "It's alright, but we should probably get something cold on it to keep the swelling down. She might want something for pain too; she's going to have one mean headache when she wakes up."

Kakashi felt a little better that Sakura had confirmed what he was guessing at. "Gene san, might you have something to hold ice in your carriage?"

"Sure, Haru's got alotta that shit in there." He stood up shakily on legs that didn't want to obey. He tried to ignore the pain in his chest or at the very least to will it back no not now. The kid with the color changing eyes was suddenly holding Gene up.

"Take it easy old man, you're injured. Sakura can get it for you," Sasuke nodded at Sakura and eased the old guy back to the ground. Keh just what's with this old fart?

Sakura hurried to the carriage and popped her head inside. Things were thrown about some in here but she found a scarf about the right size on the seat. She hurried back to the group. "Sasuke kun, would you cast an ice jutsu for me? Your skills are simply suge!"

Sasuke feigned disgust. "Honestly Sakura can't you ever do anything yourself."

"I've got it." Kakashi quickly performed the hand seals and made some ice. Sakura smiled at him as she put some in the center of the cloth and tied it closed.

Gene was staring at them dumbfounded. "How did you do that son?" he asked the one wearing the mask. Kakashi, he said his name was Hatake Kakashi.

Kakashi smiled down at the old man while Sakura hunkered beside Haru and iced her cheek for her. "It's just a simple ice jutsu really."

"That some kind of voodoo magic?"

Kakashi had never heard of ninjutsu being likened to magic or voodoo whatever the hell that is. "It's just a technique. There's no magic to it, just concentration of chakra."

Gene lifted his bushy eyebrows. He didn't know what chakra was, but it sure looked like magic to him. "Whatever you say son." He turned his attention back to his daughter.

Naruto came walking back up to the road with a huge grin on his face. "Oy, Kakshi sensei," he greeted rejoining his team. "I kicked the crap outta those guys. They won't be bothering anybody for a while."

Kakashi nodded in approval. "Well done Naruto."

Naruto looked down at the woman Sakura was tending to. She was pretty and dressed in strange clothes like none Naruto had seen before. Her skirt was long, colorful and appeared to be made of a light fabric. Her shirt was cut short. Naruto could see midriff and cleavage. He smiled a little proud of himself for avenging such a lovely lady. "Is she alright?"

"She'll be okay," Sakura directed up at Naruto.

"Naruto, this is Gene and his daughter Haru," Kakashi introduced the last of team seven to the old man.

Naruto turned his smile on the old guy. "Uzumaki Naruto. It's nice to meet you."

Gene blinked at the kid who had made copies of himself. "What happened to the rest of…you?"

"You mean my clones?" Naruto chuckled. "Well I let them beat those guys up too."

These kids know magic too I see. "Yeah well, thanks kid."

Kakashi looked at the sun. It was beginning to set. I can't just leave these two alone. Someone might come after them for revenge after it gets dark. "Gene san, I was thinking that maybe my team and I would stay by you this evening. We can all make camp together. How would that be?"

"Safety in numbers right?" Gene replied. He wasn't really sure he wanted to spend the night with these odd magicians, but the highwaymen might come back and in greater numbers. For now he would just have to accept these people's help.

Kakashi nodded grateful he wouldn't have to badger the old man into accepting their temporary protection. It's just one night. It won't be too much trouble. "We should probably move on down the road a little way, just in case those bandits send someone looking for you."

Gene nodded and let Sasuke help him to his feet. The pain in his chest was like fire. Gene reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small tin. He removed a tiny white pill, one of three left I'll have to grab some more from my bottle later and placed it under his tongue. "Alright then son, if you can get Haru into the carriage I guess we'll move on down the road a piece. There's room for ya up in the driver's seat with me. The younglings can ride in the carriage with Haru."

Kakashi saw Naruto's bottom lip push out in a pout and Kakashi stepped on the boy's foot before he could open his mouth and say something stupid or offensive. "Sounds good. Naruto, Sasuke get the baggage that came off the carriage and secure it to the roof again wont you?"

Sasuke tried to look put out. "I guess," he grumbled.

Naruto looked at Kakashi suspiciously for a moment and then moved to help Sasuke gather up Gene and Haru's scattered belongings. "Sure thing Kakashi sensei."

Kakashi had seen the pill Gene had popped into his mouth and dry swallowed. He wondered what it was. "Sakura chan, why don't you give Gene san a hand up into the driver's seat ne? I'll get Haru san into the carriage."

Sakura stood up and passed the ice pack off to Kakashi. "Sure." She turned to the old man and smiled. He looks a little peaked himself. "You can lean on me Gene ji san."

Gene smiled at Sakura. She reminded him of his daughter just a little bit. "Thank you young lady." Gene let Sakura lead him back to the carriage and help him up into the seat while the boys finished securing the bags back on top of the carriage.

Kakashi hunkered to pick Haru up. He took a brief moment to size her up. She's very pretty. Her belly chain sparkled in the sunlight. Haru was shapely and her clothing emphasized her feminine features. Too bad we didn't meet under better circumstances. I might have had to ask her out on a date. Smiling behind his mask Kakashi lifted Haru into his arms and headed for the carriage.

The sun was almost down when Haru finally came to. She was aware that they were moving again, she was lying on the seat in the carriage. Haru groaned and opened her eyes. Her cheek was hurting some. She turned her head and to her surprise saw three kids sitting across from her on the other seat. A girl sandwiched in between two boys. "Who…who are you?"

Naruto grinned at Haru. "Daijoubu nee chan. We're the ones that saved you and your otasan from the bad guys." Naruto blushed a little as the pretty woman stared at him. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. This is Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura. Your name is Haru right?"

"Uh…yeah." Haru sat up and tried to shake off her pain. These guys…Then what about..? "Was there a guy with you that," she wasn't sure how to proceed. The masked man might have just been a figment of her imagination. Something her rattled brain cooked up before she passed out. "A guy with no face?"

Sakura nodded. "You mean Kakashi sensei."

"Sensei?"

"We're ninja," Naruto proudly boasted. "Team seven at your service."

Ninja? These kids? Then that guy with no face… "You guys saved me and my da. Thank you, umm domo arigato gozaimasu." Haru bowed her head a little.

Sasuke lifted a suspicious brow. "So you can speak the old language ne?"

Haru looked at the dark haired ninja. "A little bit. I've studied a few languages since I hit the road with my da. It makes things easier if you can understand the local language and customs."

Sakura smiled. Haru san must be pretty smart! Sakura had already decided that Haru was pretty cool. Anyone who dressed that sexy had to be. "So you know about shinobi then nee chan? Your father seemed sort of confused by us."

Haru swung her feet to the floor so she could face the ninja better. "Sure I do, but my da doesn't pay attention to that stuff. He's always too busy taking in the sites."

"Have you been traveling long?" Sakura was wildly curious about Haru. She didn't look that much older then Sakura herself.

Haru rubbed at her sore cheek. "A little over five years now. Since I was fifteen."

Naruto tried to do the math. "Sou da, that makes you…"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "She's twenty one, baka."

"I knew that," Naruto snapped back at Sasuke. "I can count baka."

"Cut it out you two," Sakura chastised before they could really get going. "Don't be rude and annoying in front of Haru nee chan. You'll give her a bad impression of us damnit!"

Naruto frowned at Sakura. "He started it."

Sakura threateningly brought up a fist. "Naruto," she warned.

"It's okay," Haru interjected. "Sakura chan wasn't it?"

Sakura returned her attention to Haru. "Yes, that's right."

Haru smiled a little. It looked like Sakura had the young men under her control. "So, where are you guys from? We haven't been in fire country all that long, only a few months. I'm not familiar with a lot of the towns around here, but we have passed through a few. We left Densun earlier headed south."

"Densun?" Naruto piped up. "That's where we're headed. It's close then?"

"Yeah, just a few hours away from where we were waylaid by those goons."

Naruto flexed his right arm and pat his bicep with his left hand. "Don't worry nee chan; I beat those guys up for you. I sent them home with a rupture!"

Haru laughed. She couldn't help it, Naruto was amusing. "Thank you Naruto kun."

He blushed wildly and giggled. Haru nee chan called me Naruto kun!

"We're from the shinobi village of Konoha," Sakura answered Haru's question.

Haru's eyes got bigger. "A shinobi village? Is it nearby?"

"It's a hidden village," Sasuke reminded his team mates. "We don't get a lot of tourists."

Haru's eyes went to Sasuke. He's sure in the throws of teen angst. "Is it forbidden?"

"No, I don't think so." Naruto looked at Sakura for confirmation. "Is it Sakura chan?"

Sakura shook her head negative. "No but there is only one road leading in or out of Konoha and visitors are checked out at the gate before they come in."

A hidden and guarded village of ninja eh? That I would love to see. "What is your village like? Is it big? Is everyone there a ninja too?"

For the next hour or so Naruto rambled on about Konoha and its people. Haru hung on his every word fascinated. Twilight had come when Gene pulled them off the road to make camp for the night. Haru set to laying out blankets for them to sleep on and the genin went looking for firewood. Gene tended to his elderly horse giving Bugsy some oats with a bit of maple in them. Kakashi started a campfire and Haru put a big pot of stew over the fire to warm up. Its mouth watering aroma filled the clearing they made camp in.

After a satisfying meal the travelers relaxed around the campfire making small talk. Naruto and Sakura were trying to explaine to Haru about chakra. Sasuke occasionally interjected something relevant before falling quiet again. Kakashi sat near Gene listening to the old man talk about his daughter and the places he and Haru had been. Kakashi concluded that Gene and Haru were gypsies. They had been wandering for years. One by one Kakashi's team drifted off to sleep as the hour grew late. Gene dozed off as well. Haru went to check on Bugsy once more before she crashed for the night. She was scratching the old horse's nose when she heard Kakashi coming up behind her. Haru turned to face the masked ninja.

"Oy Haru san," Kakashi greeted. His genin had hogged up most of Haru's time this evening. Kakashi wanted to chat with the yeah, she's very pretty woman a little bit himself.

Haru smiled a little. "Good evening Kakashi san. I haven't had the chance to thank you yet for helping me and my da."

Kakashi shrugged and smiled. "No need to thank me. I just love it when a beautiful woman falls into my arms."

Haru blinked startled. That's right; he was the one who caught me. Her cheeks darkened some. "Uh… well thank you for all of your help."

Have I embarrassed her? He lifted one hand and rubbed at the back of his neck nervously. "Think nothing of it. We were glad to help. Naruto was getting a little bored with nothing to do." Kakashi laughed a little and Haru seemed to relax. Kakashi studied her in the moonlight. He thought she was very pretty indeed.

"Boys will be boys I guess," she said with a smile. "Naruto tells me that you're their sensei."

"That's right. Do you know much about the shinobi Haru san?"

She laughed a little. "Naruto and Sakura taught me quite a bit this evening. "You're a jonin and they are genin assigned to learn from you."

Kakashi nodded pleased. He had noticed the way Haru had intently listened to everything his genin, Naruto in particular, had to say. "Your father mentioned to me that you're very well read, scholarly even."

"Did he say scholarly or did he say nosey?" Haru rested a hand on her hip. She knew her da well.

Direct isn't she? Kakashi chuckled. "Maybe he did say nosey a few times, but he said it with love."

"Humph. I'm sure." She took a step closer to Kakashi to see him better in the light of the half moon. "They told me about your village. It sounds like a pretty cool place."

"It's peaceful," Kakashi conceded.

Haru locked her hands together behind her back and looked up at the moon. "Maybe me and my da will stop by for a visit. We are heading south."

Kakashi lifted an interested eyebrow as Haru pushed her chest out and arched her back a little to stretch. Now that is a nice view. "Konoha is pretty quiet compared to some of the places you've been Haru san."

"My da gab your ear off?"

"No, not really. Gene san is quite a story teller."

Haru looked at Kakashi. "Tell me about it." She wondered why he hid his face behind a mask, but she was afraid she might offend him if she asked. For all she knew he could be hiding painful unsightly scars.

Kakashi noticed the curious look in Haru's eyes. "Is there… something you wanted to ask me Haru san?"

How did he…? Can Kakashi read minds? Haru had to think of something quick. "No I was just wondering…if you enjoyed the stew."

The stew had been delicious, the best Kakashi had tasted since his mother passed away. "It was heavenly Haru san. You're a terrific cook. You'll make a good wife someday."

Haru felt her heart sink a little. Wife…Shanihmaru. Haru brought her hands out in front of her and looked at the left one. She had stopped wearing the engagement ring her lost love had given to her about a month ago. She had mourned him long enough. Shanihmaru wouldn't want her carrying on in such a miserable way. She rubbed her hands together pretending to warm them. She didn't want the ninja to think she was odd, staring at her hands like some drugged out weirdo. "Thank you Kakashi san."

Kakashi could tell that he had upset her. Haru's mood took a nose dive. "I've said something to upset you Haru san?"

She smiled wistfully at Kakashi. "No not at all. I just get embarrassed when I'm complimented."

Kakashi doubted that a woman that dressed that seductively would get embarrassed over a simple complement. Don't pry Kakashi; it's none of your business. But he felt bad for making her sad. "I see. Sorry," he played along. He didn't know why Haru was hiding her feelings, but she must have had her reasons.

Haru shook her head. "Don't worry about it. It's getting late. Looks like Bugsy is all set and everyone else is already asleep. We should turn in ourselves."

I blew it. She doesn't even want to talk to me now. Kakashi nodded and Haru favored him with a pleasant smile. "You've had quite a day Haru san. Does your face still hurt? I can make some more ice for you."

Her smile became more genuine. The ninja seemed concerned for her. "I'm alright Kakashi, but thank you for thinking of me." She stepped closer to Kakashi on her way to her blanket by the fire. Haru paused at Kakashi's side and he looked down at her with his single exposed eye. Haru reached up and kissed Kakashi's covered cheek. "Thank you for helping me and my da today Kakashi. We would have been in real trouble had you all not come along."

Though it was just a little peck on the cheek Haru kissed me… it was enough to make Kakashi blush. "Thank you Haru san, for the wonderful meal and the pleasant company." Haru moved away and went to her blanket to lay down between her father and Sakura. Kakashi watched her from the corner of his eye smiling beneath his mask. It wasn't often a beautiful woman cooked for him or gave him a kiss either. Haru san, you really are something aren't you? After a while Kakashi turned in himself to get some much needed sleep.

After a good nights sleep under the stars all were ready to head out again early the next morning. Gene and Haru were heading south, team seven was heading north.

"Perhaps we'll run into each other again." Kakashi hoped they would.

Gene shook the weird ninja's hand. "Maybe Haru and I will visit that village of yours."

Haru hugged her new found ninja friends goodbye, including their blushing sensei, and then the two parties went their separate ways.

Team seven arrived in Densun later that afternoon. Kakashi delivered the documents to the daimyo's clerk and picked up the scrolls he had to take back to Konoha. Spending some time with such gregarious people had put Kakashi in a fine mood. He even treated his genin to a late lunch at the local ramen shop. The ramen was good, but it paled in comparison to the lovely gypsy's home made stew. After they ate the shinobi set out for home again. Naruto rushed them along; he was hoping to catch up to Haru nee chan.

As the afternoon wore on, Kakashi took notice of the increasing number of rain clouds. It would be best to find adequate shelter to ride out the rain in before nightfall. The terrain was pretty flat though, that ruled out finding a hillside cave. Kakashi kept them close to the road in hopes of finding a manmade shelter. Sunset was changing into twilight as the first rain drops began to fall. Not far ahead Kakashi could make out a structure. Two buildings side by side; a way station. There would be one building for travelers to rest and a stable for the beasts of burden. Kakashi hurried them that way before they got drenched.

As they came closer to the way station Kakashi saw a familiar looking buggy out in front of the stable. There was light coming from the rest house window as well. Someone had a fire going. Gene san and Haru? Kakashi smiled to himself behind his mask thinking of the hug Haru had given him. "Oy Naruto, look whose here."

Sakura jumped ahead of Naruto. She recognized the carriage too. "Haru nee chan!"

"Yosh!" Naruto exclaimed. "Maybe she'll make us dinner again!"

"Keh!" Sasuke teased, "I don't think dinner is the only thing you want from Haru nee san, ne Naruto?"

Naruto frowned at Sasuke over his shoulder. "Nani? You got something to say to me Sasuke?"

Sasuke returned Naruto's frown. "You act like you've never seen a woman with boobs that big."

Kakashi's step almost faltered. He had noticed too that Haru was rather well rounded especially with her back arched. "Now you two," Kakashi warned his boys.

"You talked about Haru all the way to Densun and you've mentioned her six times since we left there this afternoon," Sasuke threw at Naruto trying to make his point.

"You're just jealous Sasuke," Naruto turned his nose up at Sasuke. "Haru likes me better then you."

Sasuke turned his nose up too. "The whole world loves a clown," he sneered.

"Alright you two that's enough," Kakashi commanded. "If you want to continue your argument you can both sleep in the barn. Sakura and I will stay with Gene and Haru san in the rest house beside a nice warm fire. Make your choice now; a nice warm fire and perhaps Haru san's cooking or sleeping on straw in a cold damp barn with a leaky roof surrounded by old turds. Which is it going to be? "

Sakura hid her smile in her hand. Sasuke and Naruto both fell gloomily silent. That got them alright damnit! Way to go Kakashi sensei. She giggled as quietly as she could.

Kakashi took their silence as surrender. "Alright then, let's go."

With one last burst of speed team seven arrived at the way station. Naruto ran up the stairs to the door with Sakura on his heels. Sasuke hung back with Kakashi letting his excited team mates go in ahead of him. "It's not true ya know. Haru san doesn't like Naruto better. My second helping of stew last night was bigger then his."

Kakashi chuckled quietly and followed Sasuke inside. Gene was seated in a beat down looking reclining chair smiling at his daughter and the genin standing next to the fireplace. Sasuke wandered over Haru's way and she greeted him just as warmly as she greeted Naruto. Kakashi waved at Haru and worked his way over to Gene. "Konbanwa Gene san," Kakashi greeted cheerily.

Gene sat forward and extended his hand to Kakashi. The ninja took it and they shook. "Whatever the hell that means. It's good to see you too Kakashi," Gene chortled.

Kakashi took a seat on the well worn sofa near the chair. "I'm glad that we caught up to you Gene san."

Gene was too, but for reasons other then having a good time. "Me too." He looked at Haru as he called to her. "Haru, bring me my good bourbon and start some dinner for these kids. They're probably hungrier then I am." Haru started to move to obey her father. "Bring me two glasses; no wait make that three." He shifted his eyes from his impatient daughter back to the masked ninja. "I know Haru don't mind havin a drink once in a while with an old fossil fuck like me, but she'd probably find you better company to knock one back with. Ya don't mind if us grownups warm up with a drink or two do ya?"

Kakashi was rather amused that Gene had called himself a 'fossil fuck'. "I've never had bourbon," Kakashi admitted. "I'm looking forward to trying this sake of yours."

Gene laughed. "That's right. People up in these parts make their booze with rice don't they?"

Kakashi was moving beyond amused. He liked the old man. Behind his mask he was smiling. "Hai."

"You can hold your liquor can't ya son?"

Kakashi laughed out loud. "Sure I can."

Haru poured her da and Kakashi three fingers of bourbon and set to work making dinner. Sakura helped, peeling potatoes and chopping onion. Naruto conversate with the busy ladies about different jutsus. Not to be out done by Naruto, Sasuke showed Haru is Sharingan eyes. While the younger crowd occupied themselves talking and cooking Gene finished his first glass. Kakashi noticed the old man's hand tremble slightly as he poured himself another. It was damp and cool outside, but in here it was warm and comfortable. It wasn't cold making Gene shake, it was something else. Kakashi wondered what it was.

After dinner Haru poured herself a glass of bourbon and refilled her da and Kakashi's glasses as well. Kakashi thanked her trying not to stare at her cleavage when she bent to set him up with another round. On a whim Haru took her Fortune Cards out of the bag she had brought in. She sat on the floor with the genin in front of a roaring fire shuffling her deck.

"What ya got there Haru san?" Naruto asked grinning at Haru.

"Cards dumbass," Sasuke needled.

Naruto glared at Sasuke, but Haru laughed. "They're not ordinary cards though. These are used for divination."

Naruto scratched his head. "For what?"

Sasuke sighed putting as much annoyance into it as he could. "For seeing into the future, for looking into people's hearts and souls. Isn't that right Haru ne san?"

She smiled and nodded at Sasuke. "Mmm hmm. Most of the time it works pretty good for me too. I can sum up just about anybody with one card."

Sakura was eyeing the deck curiously. "Really? How do you do that?"

"The cards will respond to the energy of the person to be read. That person will cut the deck and put their spiritual imprint on the card that rises to the top. That is the card that defines them."

"Suge," Naruto was entranced by the shuffling cards. "So you can find the card that is supposed to be me?"

"Go ahead Naruto kun, try it if you don't believe me," Haru held the cards out to him with her right hand. "Take them with your left hand, cut the deck and tap the top card three times. Hand them back to me with your right hand."

Naruto looked from Haru to Sakura and Sasuke. They were watching him curiously. Naruto turned back to Haru. "Yosh!" he took the deck and did as she instructed. "I'm not scared of your hocus pocus." He tapped the cards and handed them back to Haru.

Haru rolled her eyes. "Like you're one to talk about hocus pocus. You're the one that does ninjutsu, not me." She set the cards down and flipped over the top card. "Ahhh, interesting." She laid the card of Justice flat for Naruto to see.

The card depicted a noble looking fellow in a chariot being drawn by two horses. "What is it? What does it mean Haru nee chan?"

"The Chariot is a good card Naruto. It means that if you work hard, you will achieve well deserved success and victory throughout your life."

Naruto smiled and looked up at Haru. "Really?"

She laughed at him. "Yes. Good news ne?"

Naruto chuckled. "I'm going to be the greatest hokage Konoha has ever seen!" He turned to his friends seated by the fireplace. "Sakura, Sasuke you guys should try this. It's pretty cool."

Sakura moved closer to Haru. "I'll try it Haru nee chan, if you'll do it for me."

"Sure," Haru replied and set to shuffling the cards. She repeated the process with Sakura and turned over the Queen of Waves. Haru smiled. "You have quite the romantic outlook on life don't you Sakura?"

Sakura blushed a little. "The card says that?"

"It also tells me that you're very influenced by that which is around you, your surroundings the people close to you. You're just a little bit psychic too." Haru smiled at Sakura.

Sakura stared at the queen on the card for a minute and then peeked up at Sasuke. "You gonna try it Sasuke kun?"

Haru picked up the card and began shuffling them again. She shifted her eyes from Sakura to Sasuke. "How about it Sasuke kun?"

Sasuke looked up at Haru. Kakashi sensei was watching them all quietly from behind her with some degree of interest. He held his hand out for the cards and Haru passed them to him. "I don't really believe in any of this stuff you know."

Haru shrugged. "Then think of it as just for fun."

Sasuke nodded. That he could easily do. "Alright, I will." He did with the cards what his companions had done and passed them back to Haru. I wonder if this gypsy even believes in this shit. She seems smarter then that. The corner of his mouth twitched into a smile as he studied Haru. Older then us, but younger than sensei. She's pretty too.

Haru felt something "off" the moment the dark haired genin handed her back the deck. She set the cards down and flipped over the top one. She hid her unhappy reaction pretending to scratch an itch on the bridge of her nose. You gotta be kidding me. This kid…? She took a quick drink of bourbon letting her mind work to find something good to say about this card. "This card is the Tower."

Sasuke glanced at the card. It was indeed a tower, but it was being struck by lightning and two bodies were falling from its ramparts. What the hell? "So what does it mean?"

The card was the symbol of sudden violent loss. Disruption, conflict, big change, but in the end… "Enlightenment and freedom," she put a positive spin on her voice.

Behind Haru Kakashi dropped his eyes to the card. The man and woman falling from the tower wore a look of sad surprise. It made him want to shudder. Not just that Kakashi lifted his eyes to Haru. She was looking at Sasuke and he studied her profile. Her voice and posture is different then it was with Sakura or Naruto.

"Keh whatever," Sasuke scoffed. The card was creepy and he flicked his eyes up to his sensei. It looked like he was sizing the gypsy woman up pretty good. "Yo Kakashi sensei, you try it. Let's see what you're all about." He smiled smugly as Kakashi turned to him.

Kakashi blinked at Sasuke. He doesn't seem bothered by the card. "Me?"

Haru gathered up the cards and tucked the Tower away. She shuffled trying not to wonder just what the hell had happened to Sasuke, or what was going to become of him in the days to come. She twisted around and faced Kakashi. "Well?"

Kakashi looked down at Haru and smiled. "I don't really believe in that stuff either." He laughed lightly trying to let go of his tension.

"It's just for fun," she reminded and smiled. Kakashi seemed a nice enough guy and her father seemed to like him. Haru had her suspicions about this guy though. She wasn't sure she could trust a guy that hid his face and carried a copy of Come Come Paradise in his pocket. The thought almost made her laugh.

Kakashi took the deck from Haru and felt for a good spot to divide the cards. "Alright Haru san, I'll humor you," Kakashi teased a little. Kakashi cut and tapped the cards. He handed them back to Haru.

This time Haru peeked at the card before turning it over. "Hmm, why am I not surprised?" Haru smiled crookedly at Kakashi and flipped the card around to show it to him.

Kakashi looked at the card. It depicted a beautifully drawn woman draped over a huge lion. She was nearly lost in the beast's luxurious golden mane. Both the woman and the lion looked content. Kakashi couldn't read the word written on the card; it was in an unfamiliar language he thought might be runic. "Which card is this one Haru san?" he inquired interested.

Haru looked Kakashi in the eye. "This card is Strength."

He returned her smile from behind his mask. "And its meaning is?"

"You're courageous determine generous and optimistic." Her smile became just a little bit devious. "The power of love compels you and you have the ability to control your more passionate instincts."

Kakashi felt his cheeks heating up. Haru was most defiantly enjoying teasing him in such a way, but the card was right on. "Passionate instincts ne?" he laughed a little.

Gene was pleased with the card the ninja had drawn. If his card was Strength, Kakashi was really one hell of a guy. Gene sipped his bourbon. "I guess that means its safe to let you around my little girl."

Haru rolled her eyes. "I'm not a little girl anymore," she reminded her father. "I think you're getting senile ya old geezer."

Gene laughed. "You'll always be daddy's little girl Haru."

The genin behind Haru giggled and she sighed defeated. "If you say so." She picked up her glass and finished her bourbon. Outside the storm was kicking into high gear. She decided she would have one more drink and then step out to check on Bugsy. The old horse hated thunder storms and had a habit of kicking holes in the wall when he was agitated. Haru lifted her empty glass and Kakashi poured her another drink.

By the time Haru finished her second glass this is the good stuff she had a warm buzz going. She got up and headed for the door. "I'm going to go check on Bugsy. You know how he gets on nights like this."

Gene cut his eyes over to Kakashi, but he didn't need to say anything. Kakashi stood up and set his glass down on the small tabletop next to the bottle. "I'll accompany you if you don't mind Haru san. I could use a little air and a young lady shouldn't go wandering around at night unattended."

Haru lifted an eyebrow. "Your duty as a man?" she picked.

Kakashi shrugged and smiled. The booze Gene gave him was affecting him some. It felt really warm in here. "Something like that I guess."

Haru smiled. Kakashi was just being a gentleman. "Okay then, suit yourself." Haru headed out and Kakashi followed. It was a quick dash to the stables, but it was a downpour and the rain was cold. Haru hurried into the barn breathless and wet. "Damn that's cold!"

Kakashi hurried under cover behind Haru. "Well that was sobering."

"Bugsy you shitty bastard, this is all your fault!" Now that she was no longer surrounded by virgin ears Haru let the curses fly. She stepped in front of the stall she had put him in. Bugsy whinnied at her. "What do you gotta be such a chicken shit for huh? Like a storm is really gonna hurt your old fat ass."

Kakashi chuckled. "My my Haru san. Such language," he feigned shock.

"Ne?" Haru turned and looked at Kakashi. "You think I'm gonna let a guy that reads dirty books lecture me about my language?" Haru teased back. She stepped away from Bugsy smiling a little. "Come Come Paradise, it's a little racy isn't it?"

Kakashi chuckled slightly embarrassed. "Oh you noticed that did you? Well, I do have a reputation to uphold." He laughed as he rubbed at the back of his neck nervously. It had been quite a while since anyone had called him out on his reading material, ages since a woman; especially such a good looking one, had teased him.

Haru lifted her eyebrows. "Oh? Are you the lecher of your clan?" Kakashi blinked stupefied and Haru laughed at him. She shook her head a little. "Lighten up Kakashi; I'm just picking on ya. Don't ninjas have a sense of humor?"

Kakashi smiled. Haru's good natured teasing was amusing and sort of fun. "Not all of us. I know some guys that need to perform a jutsu just to get a joke." It was a bit of a baited response. He was curious to know what she might have picked up already about the shinobi.

Haru knew what a jutsu was. Kakashi's genin had explained a lot of things to Haru. "Not a very imaginative bunch ne?" She eyed Kakashi thinking his comment was a bit of a test. "You're wondering how smart I am, how much I know aren't you?"

Busted. He smiled and nodded in concession. "You seem to be pretty smart Haru, I was just curious."

She put a hand on her hip. "If you want to know something Kakashi, ask. That's how I find out just about everything." She laughed a little. "My da tells me I'm too nosey all the time, but," Haru shrugged her shoulders. "I can't help it. It's like there is a part of me that just wants to know everything."

Just ask ne? Kakashi liked Haru's direct and honest candor. "Everything? Sounds like a lot." His teasing was congenial.

She rolled her eyes in feigned annoyance. "Well, there's a lot to learn. People, places, culture, history," she couldn't help but get excited thinking about how much there was to learn. "It's a big world."

Haru's eyes seemed to light up. She loves learning. "So what are you studying now Haru san?" He had seen her with three different books in her hand since their first meeting; one was in a foreign language.

"Fire country of course." She giggled at Kakashi. "Ninja too I guess."

"Have my genin created a monster?" he liked joking with Haru like this. He figured Gene's booze had loosened her up some. It had done it to him. Their playful banter was sort of fun.

Haru lifted her hands in a surrendering gesture. "I can't help it that I have such a curious nature." Which reminds me… Haru took a step closer to Kakashi. Sasuke had told Haru that his sensei had a Sharingan too, one that he couldn't just switch off like Sasuke could. That's why he covered his left eye.

The look Haru was giving him made him raise a brow. Nani? Haru was smiling, but there was a devious gleam in her eyes. Looking down at her like this afforded him a nice view of her cleavage. "Haru san?"

Kakashi straightened as Haru stepped closer, but Haru kept moving. "Can I… see it?" She brought her hands up as she stepped into Kakashi catching him off guard for just a minute. Her hands went to his forehead protector and she pushed it up succeeding in exposing his left eye before she felt his hands close over her own. Kakashi's hands felt warm and strong, but his hold was surprisingly gentle. Haru stared at his Sharingan, her own eyes just inches from its strangeness. He really does have two different eyes!

Kakashi was too stunned for a moment to do anything. He stared down at Haru. She was transfixed on his eye. Her body leaned into him as she studied his eyes. They were almost nose to nose, close enough so that if his mask weren't in the way he could almost breathe into her mouth. He could smell the sake they drank between them. Oh boy…Kakashi swallowed hard and guided her hands back down covering his eye again. Haru blinked at him and Kakashi stepped back releasing her hands and letting his own fall to his side. "Has your curiosity been satisfied Haru san?" He relaxed his shoulders doing his best to remain calm and sound unbothered.

Haru stood staring for a moment. So cool! And he's handsome too… Her heart beat had picked up the pace in her chest. Kakashi sounded calm, but she wondered. "Have I made you angry with me Kakashi san?"

Outwardly he was calm, but inside his mind was working. He was sure that when he looked down at her with both eyes he had felt her heart beating against him. "Why would you think so?"

"Because I wanted to see it; your Sharingan. Sasuke kun told me you had an eye like his." Lightning flashed outside and Bugsy stomped at the straw once. "But you can't turn yours off or however it works."

Sasuke ne? He showed her the Sharingan then. "Using the Sharingan is tiring. It uses a lot of chakra. The scar is unsightly and the eye… is disturbing to some." Haru didn't look disturbed. She was still watching him, biting at her bottom lip a little as she regarded him with something that looked like awe.

"It's wicked cool! It doesn't scare me or gross me out or something like that." Haru smiled and turned back toward the stall. She favored Bugsy with a scratch on the head. "If you were expecting me to squeal and run away, sorry to disappoint you." Haru laughed a little as she felt her cheeks heating up.

Kakashi watched Haru petting the old horse. Outside the storm was getting worse. The sound of the rain hitting the roof seemed to get a little louder for a moment. "That curious were you?"

"I am pretty nosey." She peeked at Kakashi from the corner of her eye. He didn't look mad, but maybe a little flustered. Haru was wondering if maybe the way she had leaned against him had made him feel something strange too. Haru hadn't expected that being so close to the ninja would discompose her.

Haru san is blushing. She was smiling and trying to make light of things, but Kakashi suspected that their close encounter had done more then just fascinate her. "I see."

Maybe it was the drink getting to her, but Haru couldn't stay quiet. "Your eyes are…beautiful Kakashi. Both of them." She was quite sure that her cheeks were red. Haru shifted her eyes back to Bugsy and tried to look busy petting him.

Kakshi could feel his cheeks heating up as well. All of you is beautiful Haru san, outside and within. "Thank you Haru san. I don't think anyone has ever said that to me before." His tone was humble, slightly embarrassed.

"Really?" Haru turned her delighted smile on Kakashi.

He smiled back at her. "Really."

It made her almost giddy to think she had made Kakashi happy. She gave Bugsy a final soothing pet and stepped back over to the ninja. "I think Bugsy will be alright now. We should probably go back inside and warm up before we catch cold."

Kakashi nodded. "Sure." Haru's eyes met his for a moment. "You have some very pretty eyes yourself Haru san. They're so… alluring, so full of warmth and life." The words poured out before he could still his foolish tongue. Haru's cheeks turned a darker shade of pink. Kakashi realized that this time his words really had embarrassed her. He cleared his throat and straightened. "Forgive me. I've said too much."

Haru was a bit dazed. The only man that had ever said such passionate things to her was Shanihmaru and he had been resting in his grave for nearly eight months now. "No, it's okay," her voice was soft and small.

Kakashi barely heard her over the sound of the rain. He was still staring down into her eyes, losing himself in what he saw there. Pull your head out of your ass Kakashi! You've only known Haru for two days. Just what the hell are you thinking? But he knew what he was thinking. I bet her lips are warm and taste like bourbon… He realized he should stop now before the lecher in him decided he wanted to taste her lips and find out for himself firsthand. "Shall we get back to the others then Haru san? It's getting late."

"Right." Haru tore her eyes away from the ninja and hurried back through the driving rain to the rest house. Kakashi followed.

Inside the rest house the genin had got comfortable on blankets in front of the fire, Gene had put his feet up, relaxing with his drink. "How's my ol' stud," Gene asked his daughter as she came over with the ninja.

Haru laughed. "Bugsy is about as much of a stud as you ya geezer. He's fine."

Naruto bounced his gaze from Gene to Kakashi waiting for the old man to speak to his sensei. While Kakashi was out in the barn with Haru Gene had make the genin an offer Naruto didn't want to refuse. Come on ojiji, ask him already!

Haru set to pouring a fresh drink for herself and for Kakashi. She handed him his glass and went to sit by the fire to warm up. Kakashi took his seat on the sofa again. He took notice of Naruto's pleading and impatient stare. What's with him? Kakashi's eyes moved over his genin. They were all staring at him. "Nani?"

Gene answered for the kids. "Hey Kakashi," the masked man looked at him. "I was talkin to your kids here while you were tending to Bugsy. Why don't you let me and Haru give you guys a lift back to Konoha?" Gene smiled at the surprised look that appeared on Kakashi's face. "Why walk when you can ride right?" Gene sipped his drink. All eyes were on him now, Haru looked surprised too. "You wanna see their ninja village don't ya Haru?"

Haru was taken aback. Go straight to Konoha? Skip going to Betterton? "Well, yeah…" It was odd that her da would deviate from their route. He rarely passed over a resort town.

"Can we please Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked now that Gene had proposed the idea.

Kakashi looked back at the group in front of the fireplace. His genin were begging them with his eyes. Sakura's hands were clasped together in front of her and Sasuke was trying to hide his crossed fingers in his lap. Haru looked surprised, but pleasantly so. "Uhh… well…"

"Please Kakashi sensei," Sakura jumped in. "It would be rude not to accept Gene san's kind offer and I know Haru nee chan really wants to see Konoha."

Kakashi moved his eyes from Sakura up to Haru. Take her home with ne? Kakashi laughed a little. "Alright, I can see you guys really want that carriage ride. Fine then, its okay with me." He nodded at the old man. "Thank you Gene san."

"No, thank you Kakashi. At least when we pull into town we'll know somebody there."

"Yosh!" Naruto was thrilled. "We can all go to Ichiraku Ramen!"

Eventually Kakashi's excited genin lay back and got some sleep. Haru finished her drink and lay down to Sasuke's right. With a warm buzz it didn't take her long to doze off. Gene and Kakashi sat up making some more small talk while they nursed another glass of Bourbon. The men relaxed and got comfortable around each other.

After a while, Gene brought the conversation around to his daughter again. There was something he needed to talk to the ninja about. "I know Haru won't be one to say none too much about it, but she's lost plenty. Her momma and her little brother six years back. She lost the man she loved less than a year ago. Maybe that's part of the reason I've been tryin to hold on fer so long. I guess I'm still worrying about her."

Kakashi nodded hiding his surprise. Haru didn't appear to be depressed enough to need a chaperone. She didn't really seem unhappy at all. It's a father's worry, only his eyes can see the sorrow in her heart. "Her betrothed passed away?" he kept his voice low and complacent.

"Haru and Shanihmaru was gonna get married. The beach in tea country was what they wanted, but damnit if somebody didn't do him in before we cleared the country of Rain."

"He was murdered?" Kakashi watched the old man's frown deepen.

Gene let out a heavy sigh. "Shanihmaru got in the middle of a scrap between some kids. Got himself stabbed, but we didn't think the wound was anything serious. Few days later, he died. Turned out the knife was poisoned." Gene grimaced some at the memory. "It took the poor kid three days to die. Haru was…" Gene looked away from the ninja for a moment. He had to compose himself. The memories were painful, but now was not the time to fall apart.

"I'm very sorry to hear that. It must have been a hard thing for your daughter to see him go through something like that. Hard for you too Gene san," Kakashi was sympathetic. If the poison took three days to kill him, he must have suffered horribly. Watching him die like that was no day at the beach for the old fart or Haru either.

Gene collected himself and returned his attention to the ninja. He studied Kakashi in the orange glow of the fire light. Can I really trust this weird guy? He and his kids saved us, Haru seems to like them and Kakashi did draw a good card…"Kakashi, all you ninja guys are strong right? The people in your village are like you and yer kids there?"

"There are many ninja in Konoha, yes."

"And all you ninjas, you protect your village and all the people living there right?"

Kakashi raised a curious brow. What's he on about? "Yes we do."

Gene nodded and looked away again. He pulled his pipe and his bag of tobacco from his inner pocket. "Then I guess there is something I gotta ask ya son."

Kakashi watched the old man packing his pipe. His hands moved with the smoothness of experience. "What is Gene san?"

With his pipe packed Gene reached for his box of matches. "A favor." He lit his pipe and shook the match out.

The smell of sulfur and tobacco penetrated Kakashi's mask. "What can I do for you?" he tried to remain casual, pleasant but there was something unnerving in the old man's eyes, something pained and serious.

"Listen kid, I know that I said we'd take you to Konoha and all, but the truth is I aint gonna make it that far."

Kakashi ignored being called a kid for the moment I'm almost thirty pops. "What do you mean?"

"You seem to be a man worthy of my trust Kakashi; there is something I need to tell you. I'd like to keep it just between us men if it's all the same to you."

Kakashi sensed the old man tense up. This really is something serious. "Certainly," he nodded once at Gene.

"Past couple a years, I've been takin nitro on the side for my ticker. Haru didn't know that. I've been able to keep it from her, but… Damn if deception aint a vengeful bitch." Gene scowled aggravated. "I lost my pills son, after we left Densun. I think it musta happened when those highwaymen come a callin and threw our stuff all over the damn place."

Kakashi knew enough about the effects of nitro on the body to understand the problem. So that is what he took that time. Kakashi remembered Gene popping a pill after team seven came to their aid yesterday. "How often do you have to take one of those pills?"

Gene leveled his eyes on Kakashi's exposed one. "Quite often lately. I always try to keep a half dozen or so on my person and stash the bottle in with my stuff that Haru never goes through. The bottle is nowhere to be found and I've only got one more pill left. Had to swallow me one of my last two earlier when you went to check on Bugsy with Haru. Without them, it's over. I don't think I'll be seeing your village."

Kakashi had to concede that Gene could be right. If he were to have a heart attack while they were traveling, it could be the end of him. "Gene san…"

Gene put up a hand and Kakashi quieted. "It's Haru. I can't go dropping dead on her on some back road and leave her all alone in the middle of nowhere to bury me. Then what would happen to her? It's dangerous for a woman to be traveling the road alone, no matter how obstinate she is."

Kakashi shook his head. "We have medical ninja in Konoha."

"I aint gonna make it Konoha son." He stared at the ninja for a moment and then took a leisurely pull from his pipe. Gene had already accepted his fate, now it was Kakashi's turn. "Now I might not be able to take you all the way home, but I think it would be a good idea if Haru did. Let her get her bearings and not be on the road alone right away."

"I see." If there was nothing Kakashi could do to prevent Gene's death, he could at least try to honor his last request. He wants Haru someplace safe, he doesn't want her to be all alone. "If something happens we will see Haru to Konoha. My genin and I can try to convince her to stay in the village for a while."

Gene smiled sadly. "You're welcome to try but my Haru don't like to put down roots nowhere for too long. That's my fault too. I drug that poor girl all over gods green earth. I was hoping that might change after she got herself married, but…"

Kakashi nodded in understanding. Haru and her father had been living a gypsy lifestyle for years. Wandering was a hard habit to break. She seemed to have a curious nature; the inquisitive liked to wander. "You would like for her to stay in Konoha?"

"When I leave this world, Haru is gonna be all alone. Aint got no more family; she's the last of us. Traveled around too much for her to have friends to fall back on." He shook his head sadly. "I just want my little girl to be safe. I want her to be okay. You understand don't ya son?"

"I do." Being the last and being alone were things Kakashi could relate to very well.

Gene took another puff off of his pipe "Haru and I passed through a Shinobi village a few years ago. If I remember right, she was just fascinated with the school. That what do you call it school?"

"The Ninja Academy," Kakashi offered.

Gene nodded. "Not to be rude son, but that Naruto kid of yours, he never shuts up does he? Well I s'pose it's alright. I've always told Haru she was far too nosey. She's eating up every word that kid says. Maybe you and that kid can use her own fascination against her, so to speak. Haru has always had a great passion for learning. She can pick up a language and culture just like that," Gene snapped his fingers. "I reckon if she thought she might be able to learn something in that ninja village of yours, she just might stick around the place for a while."

Kakashi suppressed a smile. "Are you suggesting we try bribery?" Pretty clever you sneaky old fart.

"It's about the only thing I can think of, unless you got a comfortable pokey back home."

That was a new term. "Pokey?"

"Jail son. As in locked up." Gene sighed tiredly. "But I guess I'd be hating myself if something like that really did happen. I just don't know what else to do. Even if old Bugsy went tits up on her Haru might still continue to wander."

Kakashi couldn't help but find Gene's precocious candor amusing. "I will do my very best to try and keep Haru in Konoha. She seems to be very smart. Perhaps Iruku could use a hand at the academy?"

Gene smiled a little. "Now that would be an offer I doubt she could refuse."

Kakashi certainly hoped that Gene would make it to Konoha, but if he couldn't, "I'll see what I can do."

It would take three days to follow the road back to Konoha so the party set out right after breakfast. Gene let Kakashi take the reigns for a while showing the ninja how to properly handle old Bugsy. Bugsy was easy going but sometimes he liked to stop of his own accord, especially when he smelled alfalfa. Kakashi kept one eye on Gene watching him for signs of ill health. Sasuke and Naruto rode on the roof resting their laurels on suitcases and keeping an eye out for trouble most of the day. Inside the cab Sakura gave Haru a crash course on chakra. By the time they camped for the night Haru thought she could feel the energy Sakura was talking about.

They set up camp and Haru showed Sakura how to make some delicious dishes with dried and preserved vegetables. Naruto and Sasuke watched them prepare dinner interested and hungry. The travelers spent an enjoyable and mostly uneventful evening around the campfire. Both Gene and Kakashi were amused by the little competition Naruto and Sasuke had to see which one of them could impress their new friends more with their jutsus. Gene seemed to get a kick out of Naruto's show stopping Harem no jutsu, but Sakura was so embarrassed she punched the boy on the top of his head sending him sprawling in the grass. When Naruto regained himself he offered to teach the trick to Haru; it earned him another thump from Sakura and it worked a scowl out of Sasuke.

Haru sat up with her father and Kakashi for a while after the genin fell asleep. Eventually she went to get some sleep too and soon after Kakashi followed. That night before the moon went down Gene woke from a fitful sleep and took his last pill. I'm sorry Haru… but it looks like you'll be okay with your new friends.

No one knew the next morning when they set off again for Konoha that today would be the last day Gene traveled with them. Gene let Haru handle the driving; Kakashi sat beside her on the bench and the two conversed freely, mostly about literature. Though neither would come out and say so, they were equally impressed with each other. They even flirted just a little bit. Naruto spent most of the day on top of the carriage laying back and staring at the clouds. Sasuke kept an alert eye open for signs of danger as he dangled his feet from the roof. Sakura kept Gene company in the cab listening intently to his stories of the many places he and Haru had visited in the past few years. All in all everyone had a good day.

Their evening was equally as amiable. Gene enticed Kakashi into a few shots of peppermint schnapps. The jonin found it to be quite good. The genin vied for Haru's attention and she tried to involve them all in the cooking and clean up of their evening meal. Naruto and Sasuke raced to see who could peel a potato faster; Naruto lost miserably hacking the thing to pieces in the process. Haru and his team mates had a good laugh at his expense.

Kakashi was the last to drop off to sleep that night. Before turning in he looked over the sleeping party contentedly. Traveling with the gypsies had turned out to be a lot of fun. His team enjoyed Haru's company almost as much as Kakashi did. He enjoyed his flirty conversations with Haru almost as much as he relished in their passionate book discussions. Haru was very well read, self taught and intelligent; and she was beautiful too. Kakashi suspected his boys had a bit of a crush on her. The thought made him chuckle to himself. Maybe he was just a little infatuated with the lovely gypsy himself. Even Sakura seemed to look up to Haru like a big sister.

Kakashi thought Gene was a hell of a nice guy too. Exceedingly generous if not somewhat outspoken, the old man had been more then accommodating to Kakashi and his genin. Admittedly, Kakashi had been keeping Gene under close observation since they left the way station. He was worried about what the old fart had said to him about his heart medication and not making it all the way to Konoha. Gene had shown no signs of the sweats or tremors that usually proceeded or came in conjunction with cardiac distress. They should arrive in Konoha by early evening tomorrow and Kakashi would take him promptly to the hospital for an examination and a new prescription for his ticker. All the old man had to do was keep on living just a little longer.

The gypsies had been very kind to Kakashi and his team. He wanted to repay that kindness ten fold if they would let him. Team seven would show them Konoha and make sure they enjoyed their time there fully. It was almost depressing to think of old Bugsy pulling them away from the ninja's home. In the few short days he had spent with Gene and Haru, Kakashi had come to think of them as friends. He was certain his students felt the same. Sleepy and warmed from the drinks he had with Gene, Kakashi laid back himself. Soon enough he too was snoring up at the stars.

Just before dawn Kakashi woke to someone shaking his shoulder. He opened his eye and looked up at Sasuke. The boy looked pale in the early morning light and his brows were knitted tightly together as he frowned. The jonin knew at once that something was wrong. "What is it Sasuke?" Kakashi asked sitting up.

Sasuke had been the first one up; the need to pee had brought him out from under his warm blanket. On his way back to the burnt out campfire he had noticed something wrong with the old man. He was still half asleep when he turned his Sharingan on Gene for a closer look. To his shock and horror, "Gene san is dead."

Kakashi snapped his head to the right and looked for Gene in the sunrise. "Kuso!" Kakashi threw his blanket off and hurried to Gene's side with Sasuke at his heels. Everyone else was still sound asleep. Kakashi could make out Naruto's distinct snore above the females' softer ones.

"I got up to take a leak," Sasuke relayed still feeling a little creeped out, "and I found him…"

Kakashi reached Gene and squat down beside his head He pushed two fingers against Gene's carotid artery feeling for a pulse. There was none that he could feel and the old man's body was cold. Kakashi sighed and sat down in the damp grass. "He's dead. Gene san must have had a heart attack in his sleep."

Sasuke's eyes had already told him the old man had passed on. "Kakashi sensei, what should we do? Haru nee chan… What about Haru?" Sasuke was sure his pretty new friend would be crushed. Her father was her last living relative, all she had left in the world. Haru will be all alone now. Sasuke sadly bowed his head.

Kakashi pulled the blanket up over Gene's face to cover his corpse. "Daijoubu Sasuke, I'm sure Haru san will be alright. She has us to look after her and besides," he took his eyes off of Gene's covered face and looked at his distressed student beside him. "Gene san told me that he had a heart condition. He didn't think that he would make it back to Konoha with us so he asked a favor."

"He wanted us to take Haru back to Konoha with us if something happened to him, didn't he?"

"Hai. He didn't want for Haru san to be alone so soon after losing her father. He asked that we find a way to convince her to stay in Konoha for a while. At least until she…" Kakashi didn't finish, he didn't need to. Sasuke understood the situation fully.

Sasuke nodded. "I understand." Unfortunately for him, Sasuke knew what it was like to have your parents die.

Of course Sasuke understands. His own family, his parents… Kakashi stood up and took in their surroundings. Luckily not far from them he could see an old and crumbling stone wall in the mist. "Let's check the carriage for a shovel. We need to dig a grave. The rocks from that wall can serve as a top layer."

"Hai, but what about Haru nee chan?"

"I'll deal with Haru when she wakes up. There is no need to rouse her just yet." Kakashi felt terrible. Her father's death would doubtlessly be hard for her to handle. Kakashi started toward the carriage. Haru, I'm sorry. I really am so sorry. Sasuke followed him in silence.

Kakashi found a pick axe and a shovel in a chest with some of Gene's various other tools. He instructed Sasuke to go wake Naruto as quietly as possible. There was no good reason to wake Sakura or Haru just yet. Kakashi preferred that they wake up on their own. It would give him and the boys some time to work on digging a proper grave for Gene. With a heavy heart Kakashi wandered away from the road and found a patch of soft earth. He and Sasuke started digging while a rather miserable looking Naruto started collecting rocks.

Naruto sullenly gathered the rocks for the top of Gene san's grave. For a little while he didn't say much, but finally he had to say something. "Kakashi sensei," Naruto addressed his teacher as he dropped another armful of stones into the pile he was making. "We are going to take Haru home with us right?"

Kakashi heaved another shovelful of earth. "Yes that's right Naruto. I think our problem won't be convincing her to continue on to Konoha, but to stay in the village for a while."

"Gene san wanted her to live in Konoha?"

"He wanted her to settle somewhere at least until she could continue with a clear mind."

Naruto stared at the grave being dug. "The old man knew he was going to die didn't he?"

Kakashi nodded and kept shoveling. "He asked me for us to persuade Haru to stay in Konoha. He understood that she would be safe in our village."

"Haru nee chan is an orphan now."

Sasuke cut his eyes over to Naruto briefly. Sasuke knew that was the case now, but it was still hard to hear. Haru is like me now. She's lost the parents who raised her. Sasuke swung the pick axe loosening the soil.

Kakashi heaved another chunk of dirt out of the hole and onto the pile he was making. "You boys should understand how Haru san will be feeling when she wakes to this situation. I'm counting on both of you to help me convince her that Konoha is a good place for her to be right now."

Naruto nodded and turned back toward the rock wall. Sasuke muttered "Hai," and kept working.

Less then ten minutes later Haru woke up. She stretched and sat up then looked around. Sakura was still snoring, but the boys were gone. She turned and saw that Kakashi was also not in camp. There was something else odd; her father was completely covered with his blanket. What…? Haru got to her feet and started toward her father. As she moved she noticed how still and quiet he was. Da snores badly…what the…? Haru felt her stomach plummet and she broke out in goose bumps. No… it can't be… She moved a little faster.

Haru was almost to Gene. Kakashi dropped the shovel and sprinted her way. "Haru san," he called to her.

He's dead…Haru dropped to her knees beside her da. With a shaking hand she reached for the edge of the blanket covering his face. She heard Kakashi call her name, but he was too late to stop her from pulling the blanket back. She tugged the blanket down and looked at her father. His lips were blue. The air rushed out of her and Haru wavered. He is dead… my da…

Kakashi made it to Haru and hunkered beside her. He put an arm around to steady her. "Haru san," he searched for the right words to say to comfort her.

Haru turned and looked at Kakashi. "My da is dead."

Kakashi sighed. "I'm sorry Haru san. It appears he passed away sometime in the night."

"My da is dead," she repeated. She felt cold and tingly all over.

"Daijoubu Haru, we're going to help you see to Gene san properly." Haru stared at him with sad eyes. It hurt him to see the usually happy cheerful woman so distraught. With his free hand he pulled the blanket back over Gene's face. He didn't want Haru to gaze upon his corpse any longer then she needed to.

Haru bowed her head and swallowed the lump in her throat. "We have to bury my da…don't we?"

"I'm sorry Haru," Kakashi wished he could think of something else to say, but he was at a loss.

Haru stood up and looked over to her right. She could see Naruto and Sasuke. They were standing beside a partially dug grave my da's grave looking at her with mournful eyes. Kakashi stood beside her, but Haru didn't even look his way. She pointed herself away from the others and took off running.

"Haru san!" Kakashi called waking Sakura.

Naruto made a move to chase after Haru but Sasuke grabbed him by the wrist and halted him in his tracks. "I'll go," Sasuke said stepping past Naruto to chase after Haru himself. "I know what it's like to lose your father." He let go and broke into a jog perusing Haru.

Naruto frowned at Sasuke's retreating back. Just because I didn't know my parents it doesn't mean I don't know how Haru is feeling. I know what its like to be alone in this world too Sasuke. Kakashi sensei came over and Naruto rolled his eyes up to him.

"Let Sasuke handle this Naruto." Kakashi rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "We have work to do."

Haru wasn't sure why she was running, it wasn't as if it could bring her da back. She stopped to catch her breath leaning against the trunk of a huge old tree. Damn you old geezer…. Why did you have to go and…

"Haru nee san, wait!" Sasuke called to the gypsy hurrying to her side.

Haru looked at Sasuke. She could see the concern in the young man's eyes. "Sasuke kun…"

"I'm sorry about your father," Sasuke got his condolences out of the way first. "I lost my parents a few years back so I know what you must be feeling."

Haru startled. She remembered the card Sasuke had drawn from her magic deck; the Tower. Lost his parents… Was that it? She straightened and faced him. "I'm sorry to hear that Sasuke kun."

Sasuke shook his head. "It was a long time ago. I just wanted you to know that you aren't the only one who has had to go through something like this. There should be at least some consolation in knowing that Gene san left this world in the most peaceful and painless of ways."

Haru frowned some. Sasuke was right; Gene had looked serene in death. "I know."

Now that Sasuke had got the small talk out of the way he moved on to the issues at hand. "We will see to it that Gene san is properly put to rest then we shall continue on to Konoha. You can stay in Konoha for a while."

The stressful reality of it all was tearing Haru apart inside. Just leave my da…stay in Konoha… "I can't. I can't do that Sasuke. I can't just leave him!"

"What do you intend to do? Take up residence beside his grave?" It was a harsh thing to say and Haru cringed a little. Sasuke didn't want to upset her anymore then she already was, but he knew Haru had to move on. "There is no reason to linger here. There is nothing more you can do for Gene san here."

Haru narrowed her eyes at Sasuke, but he held his ground. "So I should just leave him in some unmarked grave by the side of the road?"

"Yes," harsh, but the truth.

Haru shook her head in anguish. "How can you be so damn cold Sasuke?"

It hurt him a little to hear that come from Haru. Sasuke was really beginning to like her, to think of her as a friend. He had thought the feeling was mutual. "I guess that's just how I am." He shifted his feet and crossed his arms over his chest. "There is something that you can do for your father though Haru san. He wanted you to go to Konoha. He wanted you to stay there for a while. He said as much to Kakashi sensei."

Haru was taken aback. Wait a minute…what? "What do you mean he said that to Kakashi?"

"Gene san was concerned for you. He asked Kakashi sensei that if something happened to him that we would take you to Konoha and get you to settle there for a time."

"My da…he knew he was going to die? Kakashi knew?" her sorrow was turning to anger in her gut.

Sasuke noticed her right hand become a shaking fist. "It's no use getting angry. Both your father and Kakashi sensei only have your best interests in their actions. Gene san asked that Kakashi take you someplace safe and Konoha is. Your father didn't want you wandering alone. He was worried about what could happen to you. That is why he asked Kakashi sensei for all of us to look after you nee san."

Haru let Sasuke's words sink in. She knew how her da was, he still thought of her as his precious little girl. It made sense that he would ask someone he thought was strong and trustworthy to look after her. And my da thought that someone was Kakashi… I guess he really did like him. Haru sighed. "I see."

"So you will come to Konoha with us then? You'll stay for a while?"

If that is what her father wanted, it must have been his last request to Kakashi… Haru nodded. "I'll take you all to Konoha and see the village, but I can't promise to stay."

Sasuke was just going to have to be satisfied that he had made some progress with Haru. He would have to leave getting Haru to linger in Konoha up to his clever sensei. Sasuke thought Kakashi might want Haru to stick around him for a while longer. The student had caught his teacher checking the pretty gypsy out a few times. "Very well then." Sasuke turned to go. "You can come back to camp when you're ready." Sasuke walked away and left Haru to collect her thoughts.

She waited until he was out of sight before Haru sagged against the great tree. She was trying to get her mind around it all. Her father had entrusted her to Kakashi and his genin because they were capable of protecting her and because she had befriended them. Kakashi had accepted the challenge because he liked her da and Haru too she supposed. She thought it might have something to do with the honor code of the shinobi as well. He couldn't turn down a dieing man's last request.

Haru sighed heavily. She couldn't help but wonder about her fathers health. He had never seemed ill before, how was it he knew he was going to die? He was hiding something from me. Her father had told Kakashi, someone he had just met, things that he would not tell his own daughter. It aggravated her, but Haru knew that her old da was just bursting with male pride. It should come as no surprise that he kept his ailments from her, but for him to tell Kakashi… Da trusted him and his genin. He must have thought that they would take care of me.

She sat lost in her thoughts for a while longer. Haru tried to think of the good times she had with her da these past few years. Thoughts of her lost love, Shanihmaru, crept into her mind as well. They were both gone now and Haru was truly alone. That's why he wanted Kakashi and the kids to take care of me. He wanted me to make them my new family so that I wouldn't be all alone. He wanted me to stay in their village with them. He knew I would be safe there, that I would have friends.

Haru fought the urge to cry. After Shanihmaru had died, her father had made her promise not to mourn him as well when his time came. Her father had told her then that he had lived a full life and had no regrets. Haru wondered if her da had known he was ailing back then. She thought that maybe he did.

It took her a while longer to compose herself, but Haru finally got it together and stood up. She wanted to be there when they laid her father to rest in the ground. Heartsick and anxious Haru made her way back to camp.

Haru and her ninja companions committed her father's body to the dust of the earth. The ninja bowed their heads in silence while Haru played her da's favorite tune on her flute. Her way of sending him off to heaven. After their impromptu funeral service they loaded up the carriage and headed for Konoha. They headed home.

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