A/N- Seee, I told you I'd update soon. anyways. this chapter takes place 5 years before the prolouge. Yippee! It's the first time Anko meets Kakashi. Wooooot! My apologies for any OOC-ness. Moving on,

Lots of love, hugs, and buttered toast to my lovely reviewers! You guys have seriously feuled my fire for this story. Extra kudos for Dreamer-by-Day, my first reviewer! yea!

Chapter

5 years earlier…

This party was a drag. All the parties held by the notably wealthy were, but Anko didn't care. She was here for something far more valuable than social appearances. Good thing she wasn't here for the small talk and distinguished guest, although the champagne was quite nice. Finishing off another glass, she scanned the room for the discreetly placed security guards. Five. This was way too easy. Gliding silently through the guest she headed for the exit next to the restrooms. No one ever guarded the restrooms, especially the ladies restroom. With her eye on the prize she sped up the pace, that is until a tight hand around her wrist stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I know who you are, and I know exactly what you're about to do." Thinking on her feet she turned to face the person who had interrupted her.

"I realize going to the bathroom can be quite dangerous, what with the possibility of falling into the toilet, but is that really any reason to stop me from going?" A pair of black eyes (A/N- they're black aren't they? I was getting seriously confused. Just correct me if I'm wrong) glared back at her.

"Don't even try that excuse. You know what I'm talking about."

"Enlighten me."

"I'm talking about the fact that you're about to steal a very valuable set of bracelets from my friend Asuma's new bride." Asuma….that name sounded familiar. Oh, right, that was the guy who owned the house she was on her way to raid.

"What the hell are you rambling on about?" better play dumb and figure what else he knows.

"My people have been tracking you for a year, ever since you stole the Hokage necklace at Lady Tsunade's annual sake tasting social. Sorry Anko, but I can't let you steal from my best friend."

"Right, but every other person was inconsequential." No point in denying it any more, he knew everything.

"Either you leave, or I report you." She weighed her options for a moment. The hand around her wrist tightened.

"Hey Kakashi!" some bearded man, who had impeccable timing no doubt, decided to come over and interrupt their little conversation.

"Asuma!" Kakashi's voice was strained.

"Kurenai has been bugging me to go over and talk to you all night." Asuma walked over and studied Anko for a moment. "Why I don't believe we've met." He extended his hand in a greeting, but noticed that Kakashi had a rather tight grip on the woman's wrist.

"This is Matarshi Anko. Anko, this is Sarutobi Asuma."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Anko." Forcing a smile, she nodded her head.

"Hate to cut this introduction short, but this lovely lady and I were just about to dance." Kakashi turned to Anko, shooting her a 'just go with the flow' sort of look.

"Well don't let me stop you!" Asuma chuckled as he stepped to the side allowing Kakashi to pass. "I'll talk to you later." He added, indicating that Kakashi would have some explaining to do. Kakashi just nodded in response as he guided Anko out onto the dance floor.

Wrapping one hand around her waist, and sliding the hand around her wrist into her palm, Kakashi led her in a rather slow paced waltz. In any other case it would have been quite romantic, but this was a special case.

"What exactly do you know about me, Hatake Kakashi, owner of the Chidori diamond." Kakashi smirked at her subtle way of letting him know that he wasn't the only one that was well informed.

"Matarshi Anko, the notorious, yet highly mysterious thief. You steal prominent, but relatively obscure pieces from the distinguished wealth of Konoha. Specializing in jewelry and precious stones, you often steal items in the middle of large gatherings, right under everyone's nose. Most of the rich and famous know very little about you, and never needed to since your taste is so critical. You're hardly a threat to most."

"But I am a threat to you." She interrupted. "Other wise you would be just as ignorant as your friend Asuma. What is it you're so desperate to protect Kakashi?"

"You said it yourself, my prized diamond." Eyeing him suspiciously, she looked for any hint that he was lying.

"Come on, everyone knows about that diamond. Why would I steal that?" Instead of answering, Kakashi lowered her in a dip, and then swiftly brought her back up, crushing her against his chest.

"Maybe I secretly just wanted to get to know you better?" A gulping noise was emitted from Anko as she swallowed the unwelcome frog that had appeared in her throat. Seeming pleased at her response, Kakashi just smirked. "This room is a little crowded for this type of discussion. What say we head out to the guest house?" Anko debated whether or not she should follow this man. Upon deciding that there may be some valuables in the guest house, and that this would be her only opportunity to steal them, she followed him towards the exit on the far left of the ballroom. Sure, valuables. That's why she was going.

The guest house was just as big and over the top as the main house. Crystal chandeliers, high ceilings, posh furniture; the living room alone was bigger then Anko's apartment. Circling around, she took in the full view of the extravagance and splendor she stole, but could never indulge.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Oh please. Sunsets on the beach are beautiful, starry skies are beautiful, this, this is overkill."

"Geez Anko, is the cynicism necessary?"

"Well actually….." When she had spun around to face him his appearance cut off her sarcastic jest. "Why are you wearing a mask?"

"Security blanket." He said it as if there was absolutely nothing weird about wearing a mask. "I don't wear it to parties naturally, but relaxing at home is a different story."

"You realize you're insane right?"

"I have money. That makes me eccentric."

"Oh great, I'm alone in an unfamiliar house with an eccentric stranger." Anko mumbled while rolling her eyes. "It's like a dream come true." "Hey!" she exclaimed as a forgotten train of thought pulled up to the station. "You never did tell me what it is you're hiding. It's got to be a hell of a piece if you're willing to keep tabs on little old me."

"Don't be so modest. You're quite the threat when you want to be."

"Flattery will get you no where."

Kakashi frowned, and then started to walk towards her. "How far will this get me?" With one swift motion, he had pulled down his mask and crushed his lips to hers.

Damn his lips. Anko was lost momentarily, her brain on autopilot as she unwilling kissed back. Admittedly, he was a pretty good kisser, but wait! There were much more important things to do right now. For instance stealing those twin diamond and ruby tennis bracelets she was supposed to have stolen a half hour ago. Sensing she was trying to disengage, Kakashi moved one hand to the back of her head, entwining his fingers with the roots of her violet hair, the arm around her waist hugged her closer.

"Mmph! Mmphmamee!" Translation: Hey! Kakashi! Talking around someone else's lips was more challenging then she originally thought. Thinking that she needed air, Kakashi freed her head from his hand. Finally being able to get oxygen to her brain, Anko realized that she was extremely angry.

"I'll tell you where a stunt like that'll get you! It'll get you a free foot up your ass!" After that angry little outburst, Anko swung her right fist directly at his face. Of course Kakashi dodged, but after being distracted by backing into the coffee table that he could've sworn wasn't there a minute ago, Anko managed to drive her knee into his stomach.

"Happy now?" Kakashi asked, doubled over from pain.

"No." Anko replied smartly. "I was aiming lower." She made another move towards him, but this time he swung his leg out in a futile attempt to trip her. "Not to bad." She complemented upon jumping over his leg. Her foot came in from the side, trying to kick his head, but he blocked, holding up an arm. After she retracted her leg, he stood up.

"Picking fights with strangers isn't very lady like."

"Randomly kissing strangers isn't very chivalrous."

"Touché."

She waited in her defensive position, but another attack never came. Instead, he just relaxed his posture and slipped back on his mask. A moment of awkward silence passed as he stared at her, and she stared nervously back.

"What!?" She finally asked. A sigh was the only sound indicating he heard her as he stepped toward her.

"You know Anko; we should really do this again sometime." She tried to step back but his hand grabbed the back of her neck and pushed her pressure point. The last thing her suddenly heavy eyes saw was the glittering chandeliers that hung on the ceiling. "Don't worry." He whispered in her ear, the sensation barely registering as she slipped into unconsciousness. "I'll make sure you get home."

Wait, he knew where her apartment was?

Next time...

Being the slightly modest person she was, Anko asked for a dressing room. "Oh don't be so shy." Sakura chided. "We've all seen you naked anyway." A look of pure horror painted Anko's face. Oblivious Sakura continued rambling on. "It's so weird; I feel like I already know you. I guess in makes sense considering Kakashi-sensei had Sasuke-kun tracking you all these years." Pausing for breath, Sakura finally noticed Anko's horrified expression. "Don't worry; I had them delete the stock footage so they couldn't watch it over again."

The next chapter will be uploaded Before friday. See ya then!

Reviews are loved, but feel free not to. No flames please, I'm extremely sensitive. Constructive criticisim is accepted with hugs.