Summary: The Kakashi that everyone knew was a laid-back, masked, hid an eye and had this crazy gravity-defying hair that one couldn't help but stare at upon meeting him. Now, what better choice could you possibly make when you needed someone to go undercover in Konoha without anyone knowing? After all, all that Kakashi needed to do, was to unmask himself. That the Jounin didn't like doing so? Well, Tsunda thought, he would just have to deal with it.

Hocus-pocus-quick-idea-that-appeared-in-my-head-and-wouldn't-let-me-rest. Obviously no beta. Also, I don't own Naruto... Nor Kakashi.

Tweaked the title a bit to make it sound more... odd. Also thanks for the support! Please continue to enjoy!

Unmasked Cover

Chapter 2 Transformation

Today Hatake Kakashi had been appointed a fake mission that would last the duration of his undercover assignment. It was an A-rank that had sounded much better than his current B-ranked one. The smug look that Tsunade had given him while reading out the fake assignment in the presence of a couple of other shinobi made Kakashi wonder if she was making the fake mission sound more attractive than it was. If so, he wondered what he had done to irritate her.

He had only been ten minutes later than normal – which was about an hour later than he had been told to be there.

"Don't let me actually consider demoting you Kakashi." She said as he left, making him decide that, yes, he should make sure to be five minutes earlier next time.

"What would you do without me?" He had answered charmingly as he left – a random scroll barely grazed his hair as he ducked out of the window.

"Brat!"

They both knew that his cheekiness was his subtle form of revenge for forcing him to unmask himself – as she was somewhat using the situation to her advantage.

So towards his bare home Kakashi went, going as far as packing his usual equipment for the fake mission.

The Jounin had even gone as far as to say goodbye to Sakura-chan, who had even given him a hug to wish him well. Listening to a short rant about being careful with his leg – seriously, he hadn't been hurt there that much right? - made him feel slightly guilty that she would have to worry about him. After, he had also gone through the whole process of making a show of checking out at the main gate – the usual wishes being thrown his way once more – and then run for a few miles.

It felt good to stretch his legs.

He glanced at the sky to estimate the time and made up his mind. His hands ran through the motions without any difficulty before slamming them onto the ground. A puff of smoke later, his familiar companion appeared before him.

"Did you miss petting my fur that much?" Pakkun greeted him dryly and Kakashi couldn't help but smile humorously at the dog.

"Who can resist anything that soft?" He humored the little dog as he scratched him behind the ears – something he rarely did out in the open.

Pakkun growled in appreciation but narrowed his eyes nonetheless.

"What's the mission?" He asked somewhat warily, hoping that this was not one of those S-ranked missions that might get Kakashi killed. It wasn't the first time that Kakashi summoned him for a little comfort before risking his life… again.

The dog tensed as the man let out a deep sigh and retracted his hand. Was it that bad? – the dog worried - Maybe it was an SS-ranked missi-

"It's a B-rank." The man grumbled, patting the dog's head to sooth his worries.

The dog slumped forward in relief before it frowned as he realised what exactly had been said.

Pakkun gave the shinobi a pointed look.

"Have you been demoted for running late again?"

Kakashi let out an amused chuckle. "My thoughts exactly, but no I-"

Meanwhile, Pakkun had circled the man searchingly. As he sat back down, he interrupted him.

"It this about that leg you keep injuring?"

The Jounin sighed. "She said it wasn't. No she needs me to go undercover."

"…"

Kakashi smiled somewhat weakly at the look that he received form the dog.

"It's ok Pakkun…"

"She's unmasking you, isn't she?"

"…"

"She is, isn't she?"

"Well…"

"The last time you did that it didn't go well…"

The man shrugged absently. "That's a long time ago."

Pakkun dismissed Kakashi's argument with a similar gesture but decided to change the subject for the moment.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Konoha?" Pakkun asked, a tone of incredibility in his voice.

He didn't reply and the dog sighed.

"A mission is a mission, I know that. Still, you tend to hold onto your past than can be called healthy, Kakashi. We know that. Be careful."

The man tensed and seemed to rebuke Pakkun's comment but in the end he didn't. Instead, he crouched down next to the dog and started petting him again.

Pakkun didn't comment and let him be. Allowing him a moment of peace and meanwhile enjoying his presence and attention.

After a while the Shinobi stood up again – composed and well.

"Thanks Pakkun."

"Any time Kakashi. How about a run with the rest of the guys? They have been eager to stretch their legs."

Kakashi nodded in agreement and moved to summon the rest of his allies. After greeting every one of them properly and checking up on their health, he sprinted off without warning. The group followed him and caught up. Soon everyone had found a good rhythm and they continued to move as one.

For a moment, Kakashi's stirring memories were soothed and a small smile quirked his lips.

After deciding that he had put enough distance between him and the city, Kakashi bid his allies farewell and searched for a good hiding spot – he already had had a few options in his mind. Crouching down, he maneuvered himself into the hollow tree. Covering the entry with a few plants, the Shinobi took out two scrolls that was used during the Chuunin exams, opened them and put them on the floor. Crouching over the paper, he activated it with his blood. The kanji and swirls glowed for a moment, before returning to their original black color.

Ready for transportation, Kakashi stepped onto the paper, trying not to get it dirty. He stood there for a while and waited.

And waited.

It took longer than he had expected, causing him to haunch his shoulders before putting his hands in his pockets.

He rolled his eyes.

'Is she paying me back for letting her wait the whole ti-?' The Jounin started to wonder before his thought was cut off by a familiar tugging at his chakra core and-

He was in one of the check-up rooms, which seemed to be sealed off as expected. His chakra automatically stuck him to the ground, giving the impression that the trip hadn't made him feel like puking at all – while in reality it actually did. He quickly shook his head, removing the fuzziness that remained.

"Long time no see, Hatake." Tsunade greeted him with some amusement.

"You look as young as ever, Hokage-sama." Kakashi dared to tease her nonchalantly and dodged a playful swat in his direction.

"Tch Brat. Flattering me won't change my mind."

"Isn't there any way that I can-"

"No."

"But it is not like-"

"No"

"Why wouldn't-?"

"Shut up brat. You are known for its hiding that face of yours."

"Still…" The jounin sighed and quickly tilted his head to dodge the swipe.

"Stop acting like a child."

Kakashi pouted at her and shrugged. Keeping his hands in his pockets, he looked like a grumpy teenager, causing Tsunade to roll her eyes at him. She knew he was simply fooling around.

"Let's get started Hatake. Chakra first."

With a sigh, the now serious Jounin shook off his vest, followed by his long-sleeved shirt and the top underneath. He ignored the scars that were now visible on his body, but he felt Tsunade check them automatically as she waited for him to get ready for the process.

He sat down on the bed, stubbornly keeping on his mask, causing the woman in front of him to shake her head.

"I have seen you mask-less countless of times Kakashi. No need for you to be shy." She told him, less reluctant to banter now that she didn't need to play Hokage behind her desk.

"I'm just relishing the moment." He drawled in reply, holding out his right arm for her.

"It's less painful to pull out a kunai quickly than slowly…"

"Just humor me."

She snorted, but didn't comment and stepped closer, tools in hand.

As soon as everything was stalled out, the Sannin started the complex process of putting chakra-depressor seal on the inner side of his arm. In contrast to the chakra-seals that were used to T&I, his chakra still needed to be able to freely flow in his body. Neither of them wanted any of those nasty side-effects of having your chakra frozen like that. Plus, this seal allowed him to release it himself, which the Jounin appreciated very much.

"I will activate it now." Tsunade warned him, going through a few hand seals.

Kakashi forced himself to relax as she active the seal on the inside his right lower arm. He gritted his teeth as his chakra protested – which was the reason why it was so dangerous to do it yourself.

After a minute, the seal had been activated and his arm felt numb. That would fade away in time though.

"Great." The slug Sannin nodded and then studied him, sensing his chakra.

"The depression helps, but there is still some familiarity to your chakra should people know you well." She told him and walked over to the desk in the room. "Luckily I already thought that would happen. So here – " He caught the silver pendent that she threw him – "that will mask your chakra just a little bit extra. Put some chakra into it and it will active."

He did and felt the pendant – which looked somewhat like a medallion – warm up. Different chakra signatures seemed to blend with his current nearly neutral one and created a unrecognizable signature. Nodding, he drew the cord over his neck and let it drop to his bare chest.

Tsunade nodded in approval.

"Now…" The medic started and actually started to grin somewhat sadistically. "Normally I don't really care about giving people make-overs but you are an exception of that rule. "

"I feel honored." He drawled and she chuckled rather mischievously.

"Of course you are. Now go change and then take off that security blanket of yours, Shizune will come by to take care of your hair."

He grumbled slightly at her use of words – 'security blanket'… Tsk.- but couldn't deny it.

"Isn't there any way that I can-" He tried again.

"No. You are known for its hiding that face of yours." She replied again.

He had expected that answer but he couldn't help but try.

"Don't make me turn it into an order Hatake." She told him when he opened his mouth again, which actually indirectly turned her demand in an order anyway.

Grunting, Kakashi took the clothes that the woman handed to him. It was an completely different outfit than he usually wore, but he hadn't expected otherwise, seeing as that was the whole point.

The Jounin changed out of his dark pants and stepped into the brown light-weight pants that a bit more baggy in contrast, while Tsunade leaned against the desk to give him some space.

"You haven't done many undercover missions have you?" The medic spoke up, flipping through one of his many files for whatever reason.

"Not many. Sandaime-sama wanted me to do more seeing as they were quite successful, but my skills were preferred elsewhere." He answered bluntly but Tsunade knew that he wasn't one to brag.

"He mentioned that to me once."Tsunade nodded. "It can't help but make me wonder what more you are actually hiding underneath that mask of yours." She bluntly told him.

"It makes me wonder how much the famous female Sannin really needs to drink before she gets slightly drunk." Kakashi coolly stated in return, though not denying her statement.

Their eyes met, both knowing fully well that even in the safety within the villages many ninja coped by playing a part; a role they were comfortable in. It were only the people close enough that would see through it.

"Heh." The Sannin chuckled, not denying her superb ability to filter any alcohol out of her system either.

They fell silent as Kakashi wrapped the endings in bandages as was common among the ranks.

"Still, I am looking forward to this famous transition of personality of yours." She said somewhat smugly. "Already got a character in mind?"

"Hai." Kakashi replied and accepted the brown tank top that the medic handed him. "You will have to forgive my behavior at some moments. I might have to act to the extreme at first." He said, actually looking somewhat awkwardly.

Tsunade looked at him curiously. It was well-known that Kakashi could go to the extremes if he felt that it was necessary. Undercover missions were more difficult for people because they had to 'become' the character that they had developed. It was not something everyone could do either. Some ninja were just very good at acting, but even they could eventually be found out. It could only took one slip to be exposed.

Kakashi's reports had been very promising though, as had the Sandaime's comments, so Tsunade was not worried.

If anything - as she just commented - she suspected that Kakashi had slowly stuck to one of the characters that he had developed, having been comfortable in the mindset and unable to shake it off completely. If she remembered correctly, it had been one close after his retirement from the ANBU forces. Maybe that's why the Sandaime had shifted his skills elsewhere.

Still, she believed that this assignment would force Kakashi to show aspect that he would normally never show as the Copy-Cat.

In a way, it would be a little bit of freedom for the Jounin.

Though he probably wouldn't agree with her.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ end chapter ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Happy (belated) Easter! Don't forget to please show some support – for the poor Kakashi – and review!