Chapter Two

Of Friends and Enemies

Kakashi stared at the face of his childhood teammate. He had aged – but there was no denying this man was indeed Obito Uchiha.

"How?"

Obito placed his hands on his hips. "After all this time and that's it? How? You disappoint me Kakashi. After all – you're supposed to be the genius aren't you?"

Kakashi shook his head to try and clear his mind. "You were dead. You were crushed under tons of rocks. We held your memorial. You're name is carved on the stone."

Obito walked to Kakashi's desk and sat on its chair. "You assumed I was dead. Did you ever once go back to check? If you had – then maybe you would have been the one to find me in the pocket of space that was created during the avalanche. Maybe you should have bothered to make sure I was dead before moving on."

"Moving on? Is that honestly what you think I did, Obito?" Kakashi crossed the room and sat on the edge of his bed – feeling he was in a dream – but not letting his guard down fully. After all – Obito was wearing the robes of the Akatsuki.

The black-haired man crossed his arms behind his head and tipped the chair back until it was teetering on two legs – a move he used to do back when they were younger. "Let me think about that one Kakashi . . . you are still alive – you seem to have made more than a few friends – and you have the respect of your students . . . wouldn't Minato-sensei be so proud of you . . ."

Kakashi cringed at mention of the Fourth Hokage and narrowed his eyes. "Why are you here Obito?"

Obito settled the chair back on the floor. "So – still all business I see. I guess some things never change, do they Kakashi?"

"Well?"

Obito met Kakashi's gaze, stood up and smiled – which looked twisted amongst all the scars criss-crossing his face. "To ask you to step aside."

Kakashi's eyes went wide. "Step aside?"

Obito's smile grew more twisted. "Yes. Step aside."

Kakashi stood up. He was still shorter then Obito – even after all these years – but just like then he was hardly intimidated by the man. "Why would I ever do that Obito?"

"Hmmm . . . for starters – if you don't then everyone you care about will die."

Kakashi laughed. "That threat has been made before Obito. It didn't work then – what makes you think it will work now?"

The smile left Obito's face. "We killed the old man. What chance do you think the rest of them have against the power of the Akatsuki?"

Kakashi's gaze turned dangerous. "You should know – better than most – how capable the Leaf village is Obito . . . or did those rocks addle you more then you already were?"

"Would you care to lay a wager on that Hatake?" Obito's hands went into the folds of his Akatsuki robe.

Kakashi pulled out a kunai and crouched at the ready. Obito moved swifter than he'd ever moved as a youngster. It was all Kakashi could do to avoid being hit by a flurry of shuriken. The throwing stars made a dull thud as they embedded themselves into the wall of the room and Kakashi knew his former teammate was out for his blood. Especially when he followed immediately with a series of small fireballs aimed straight for him. He narrowly avoided this attack as well – the flames setting his dresser on fire instead.

Kakashi sent a volley of his shuriken toward his one-time teammate. "I see you've learned that trick from your cousin Itachi. But it didn't work for him either."

Locking his gaze on the enemy, Kakashi experienced an odd feeling when his sharingan was met by its mate across the room. Obito's eye had fully matured - much as its match had done in Kakashi's body. Three black commas were set within the blood red iris – and Kakashi wondered if Obito had mastered the Mangekyo potential as well. He'd have to be careful.

Obito was calmer then Kakashi ever remembered him being. "What makes you think I learned it from him? In truth – Itachi learned from me."

Kakashi tensed. If this was true - then the boy once known as a disgrace to the Uchiha blood had grown into someone most dangerous. "Obito – it's not too late."

Obito laughed maniacally. "It's not too late? You always were an idealist Hatake. It's been too late since the moment you, Rin and Minato-sensei left me behind. All that babble from Sensei about teamwork . . . and he never came back for me either."

Obito launched at Kakashi and pinned him to the ground. "Did you even miss me once I was gone Kakashi?"

Kakashi pushed the man off him and scrambled back to his feet. He responded with a voice that was tight in his throat – only partially being caused by the smoke filling the room."Every time I look in the mirror and see your eye I think of you Obito."

The dark-haired man came at him again – this time Kakashi blocked each hit. "You thought of me? How kind – but I notice you never said you missed me."

Kakashi sent a flurry of his own attacks at the Akatsuki member. "It was hard to miss you when I was reminded of you every day of my life."

Obito latched onto Kakashi's wrists and pulled him in close. "You could always give it back – then you won't have to think of me again."

Kakashi swallowed. "That's why you risked coming here? To get your eye back?"

Obito pushed Kakashi's arms behind his back painfully. "No. It was to correct the mistake made by my colleagues." He leaned in close to Kakashi's ear. "You weren't supposed to outlive the old man."

Kakashi's eyes went wide. He had to get out of Obito's grip or he was done for. He brought one knee up sharply into Obito's groin. He felt the man's grip release in reaction to the hit and Kakashi swiftly pulled free and tumbled to the far side of the room. The flames from his dresser were spreading and the thick smoke was making it hard to breathe.

Obito's voice held the edge of hatred in it. "You never did play fair Hatake."

The two faced off again – more balls of flame set what little furniture Kakashi owned afire while Kakashi jumped and dodged – trying to land at least a few hits on Obito. The ease with which the robed man avoided his attacks made Kakashi wonder just what training the other had gone through in the years since they'd parted company.

Shouts from outside caused the two shinobi to pause in their battle. "Fire! Quick – call the brigade in! Hurry up and get some water before it spreads!"

Obito narrowed his eye and stepped toward Kakashi's window. "I guess this will need to be settled later Hatake." He placed his red swirled mask back on his face. "But rest assured – it will be settled."

With that, Obito jumped through the window and bounded away over the rooftops of the village.

Kakashi resisted the urge to give chase – noticing the flames were growing close to the bookcase where his Icha Icha books were stored. He put his kunai away and walked over to retrieve what had originally brought him back to his room – the second volume gifted to him by Jiraiya. He gripped the book tightly, looked around the burning room once more and sighed. He then jumped out his window and back toward where he knew Shikamaru was waiting for him.

--

Shikamaru was beginning to think Kakashi wasn't coming back when he heard the door open. Kakashi shuffled in with his hands in his pockets, a copy of his favorite book tucked under his arm and a far-off look in his eye. It wouldn't have sparked Shikamaru's curiosity at all except for the fact that there was soot smeared across the jonin's face and his clothes smelled of smoke.

It was bothersome – but it appeared perhaps he was about to be pulled into another adventure with the Copy-ninja at the lead.

Shikamaru tipped his head to the side and sighed. "I take it you found what you went looking for?"

Kakashi shrugged. "You could say that."

He tossed the volume of Make Out Paradise to him. Shikamaru looked from the volume in his hands to Kakashi's face. "I don't really get this stuff you know. It's pretty much a bore."

Kakashi sat down next to him and picked up a handwritten copy of Jiraiya's code. "I have a theory that I need to test out. Turn to page nine."

Shikamaru did as he was asked. He skimmed the page and blushed at what he was reading. He looked up at Kakashi. "You actually read this stuff?"

Kakashi shrugged and scratched the back of his head. "It really has a well written plot if you read the whole thing."

Shikamaru doubted that – based on the small sampling he just read. "Right . . . so what exactly were you hoping to find here?"

Kakashi opened the pouch at his waist and pulled out his original copy of the book. He flipped it open with one hand and placed it on the floor. "Let's see if there's any difference between the two, shall we?"

The light finally came on in Shikamaru's mind – and he understood where Kakashi was headed. He placed the volume is his hand next to Kakashi's and together they poured over the words.

Sure enough – there were subtle differences between the two copies. Shikamaru reached behind him for the highlighter he'd been using earlier. Every word that differed was marked in the gift version and soon they could see the beginnings of a message emerge. When they finished with page nine, they moved on to the next number in the code and did the same thing. But the words from this page made no sense in the changed volume.

Shikamaru scratched his head and looked to Kakashi. He looked just as confused. They were missing something again . . . they both knew it.

Shikamaru glanced at Kakashi's copy – the glimmer of an idea forming in his mind. He took the highlighter and marked the corresponding words in the original copy. This time the words made sense.

Kakashi chuckled. "Leave it to Jiraiya to make certain we'd have to pay attention to both copies."

Shikamaru sighed. "This will make it even more bothersome."

By the time they were finished, both he and Kakashi rubbed at their eyes. Shikamaru grimaced and stretched his arms over his head, twisting his body from side to side in an attempt to loosen his muscles. "That was troublesome work, but I guess it was worth it in the end."

Kakashi nodded and reached for a blank scroll. He transferred the messages from both books and then leaned back to meet Shikamaru's eyes. "No one can know of this – do you understand?"

Shikamaru saw an edge in Kakashi's gaze that made it crystal clear that the jonin could and would do anything it took to keep this message safe. He swallowed – knowing with certainty that would include keeping him from sharing the message with anyone if it came to that.

"No one will hear anything of this from me Kakashi-sensei. I swear."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed – as though he was trying to judge whether or not he could trust what Shikamaru just said. Shikamaru reached down and closed the two books. He handed them to Kakashi.

"These need to be dealt with."

Kakashi took the books from Shikamaru's hands and nodded once. He moved to the far end of the room and held the books up to eye level. Kakashi let loose a large sigh and then placed the two volumes onto the grate in the fireplace. A few hand signs later and Shikamaru watched a small fireball engulf the books. Kakashi and Shikamaru watched silently until they were certain ever bit of the books was destroyed.

Kakashi then removed one of his gloves and drew the tip of a kunai across his palm. He thrust the bloody palm to the floor and summoned one of his ninja dogs. This was one Shikamaru hadn't met before. The bulldog stood higher than Shikamaru's waist and wore a collar with spikes longer then his spread hand. His fur was a dark gray and the front legs were wrapped in bandages – one of them had a Leaf village headband tied around it.

Never a fan of dogs, Shikamaru stayed in the background and watched. Kakashi stepped forward and scratched behind the dog's ear, speaking to it as though it was his best friend.

"Ah, Buru – I'm sorry to get you involved in this – but you are my best defense."

The dog pushed his head into Kakashi's body making the jonin chuckle and hug the beast. Kakashi pulled the scroll he'd just created out and fastened it inside Buru's collar – making a hand sign to seal it in place. He stepped back and met the dog's eyes.

"Don't show yourself unless something happens to me – understood?"

The dog whimpered.

"Shikamaru, come here."

Shikamaru hesitated until Kakashi turned toward him and waited. He walked over to the man and his dog.

Kakashi stood up. "Buru - this is Shikamaru. Shikamaru - this is Buru."

Shikamaru looked the dog in the eye. "Glad to meet you."

Kakashi chuckled. "Let Buru smell your hand. He needs to get your scent."

Shikamaru wrinkled his nose but put his hand out for the large bulldog to nuzzle his snout into. Once he finished, Shikamaru wiped his hand on his pants and shoved it back into his pocket. Kakashi smiled and turned his attantion back to the dog.

"Buru - this is important - this is the only other person you should let near that scroll - understand?"

The dog barked once - nearly knocking Shikamura to the ground from it's volume. Kakashi scratched the bulldog's head once more and sent it away.

After a few moments of silence, Kakashi turned back toward Shikamaru. "Let's go. We need to be out of the village before nightfall."

Shikamaru shoved one hand into his pocket. "Are you sure you need me to go along? I mean this is liable to be very bothersome isn't it?"

Kakashi shoved his hands in his pockets. "Yeah – well it'll be more bothersome if we don't do as Master Jiraiya instructed. Now come on – you need to get your field pack – and we need to gather a few more people before we can leave."

Shikamaru tipped his head to the side. "Shouldn't we stop at your apartment too?"

Kakashi shrugged. "There's nothing there for me anymore."

Shikamaru reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. "Then perhaps you'd like to remove the final traces of it from your face."

Kakashi's eyes went wide and then he laughed. He took the cloth and wiped away the soot which had been smeared across his face since his arrival. He returned the handkerchief and Shikamaru took it with his index finger and thumb by one corner and held it between them – his nose wrinkled.

"I think it's best if we just leave this behind, Kakashi-sensei."

They shared a laugh and headed for the door.

--

While Tsunade thought about all Kakashi had just told her, he waited in silence – his hands in his pockets. She leaned forward on her desk and placed her chin in her right palm.

"Let me get this straight Kakashi. You and Shikamaru have solved Jiraiya's code?"

He nodded.

"But you won't share that with me?"

Kakashi placed one hand to the back of his neck and laughed nervously. "I can't Hokage."

She leaned back in her chair and narrowed her eyes. "Can't? And why on earth can't you Kakashi Hatake?"

He shrugged. "Because you'd try to stop me."

She sighed and looked at Shikamaru. The chunin stood at Kakashi's side, one hand shoved in his pocket and an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips. She was struck by how he looked like a cross between Kakashi and Asuma in his mannerisms.

"I don't suppose you can tell me what's in the message Shikamaru?"

She watched Shikamaru glance over at Kakashi – who didn't move at all – and then back at her. He shrugged – again reminding her of the man to his left.

"I should probably tell you what I know - considering that you are the Hokage. Although it's annoying, I really can't."

Tsunade glared at the young man. "And why would that be Shikamaru Nara?"

He pointed toward Kakashi with his thumb. "Because he scares me more than you do."

Tsunade raised her eyebrows in surprise at Shikamaru's honest answer. In truth – Kakashi scared her a little at times too. She turned her gaze back to the masked jonin.

"I don't like this Kakashi. You're asking me to approve an S-ranked mission for you and Shikamaru, but you aren't able to tell me where you're going, what you'll be doing, or even how long you'll be gone."

He nodded again.

Tsunade scanned the rest of the shinobi gathered in the room – all of whom looked like they knew even less than she did. "On top of that you want me to authorize Sakura, Naruto, Sai and Neji to go as well?"

Kakashi gave his nervous laugh again. "Yeah – that about sums it up."

"And if I say no?"

She watched all the color drain from Shikamaru's face while Kakashi's eye took on a hard edge that she'd only seen a handful of times. She shivered while he responded.

"Then the Leaf village will cease to exist and everyone in it will die."

He'd said those words with such conviction that every person in the room swallowed. Tsunade closed her eyes – wishing with all her heart that Jiraiya was still with them. She opened them up again and locked her gaze with Kakashi's.

"All right, Kakashi. I'll give you the go ahead – but so help me – if you or any of these kids don't make it back in one piece – I'll kill you."

Kakashi bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Hokage – if I don't make it back – I'll already be dead."

With that said, Kakashi and his newly formed team left her office and headed out of the village.

Tsunade watched them go, then reached for the sake she kept in her drawer. Pouring herself a cup, she brought it to her lips and paused.

Dammit Jiraiya – what the hell was in that message?

She tipped her head back and drank the cup dry before reaching for the bottle once more.