A/N: Here is the next chapter. Can you feel the anxiety growing? Enjoy!

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The next morning, Anko awoke and a big grin worked itself across her face even before her eyes were open. Today. He's coming home today. She stretched in bed, feeling her pajamas shift over every inch of her body. She was already aroused at the thought of Kakashi coming home, and her pajamas barely touching her skin seemed to make it all worse. But she'd wait. She'd wait for him to come back. Waiting would make it all the more explosive when he did come to her.

She started to get ready for work like she always did. Then Anko did something she rarely did, she put on a touch of make up. She decided she wanted to look a little extra nice when Kakashi got home if he comes back to me she thought. The whole doubting thing came back again. There was no way she could tell when he'd be back home. It might be early; it might be late that night. There was no rule dictating exact times to be back. Seven days was seven days. That was when Kakashi's mission was complete. He'd be back when it was done. She desperately wanted him to come back to her like he said he would. She wanted her friend back, along with all his benefits. She went to work, waiting and watching for him.

While she worked, the small hurt inside her grew. It made her extremely anxious. She wondered where he was. He hadn't shown up at work yet, and he knew that she'd be there instead of at home during that time of the day. Maybe he's just not back yet. Or maybe he is and he's avoiding me. Anko again started to doubt. She began to think he was done with her. And her little hurt grew a little more.

She never saw him once at work. She wasn't really worried. He was Hatake Kakashi after all, son of Konoha's White Fang. He was a genius in so many ways. And he ALWAYS came home, sometimes not all in one piece, but he always made it back alive. She didn't worry about him being harmed; ninja just don't work that way. He'd be back. Wouldn't he?

The later it got, the more convinced Anko got that Kakashi had indeed decided that their beneficial friendship was over. The hurt she felt stabbed at her like a dull knife being moved slowly around her heart. It's done. It was fun, but it's done. He's not coming back to me. He's probably home right now. If that's the way he wants it, I guess that's the way it'll be. Maybe I should give him back the unworn underwear. Then maybe he could get some money back or something.

She wandered around her apartment. It was late. She needed to sleep. Sleep would make her hurt a little less; at least she wouldn't feel it when she slept. She went to her door and looked out the peephole, hoping . . . nothing. No one there. No one was coming. She looked at her door and unlocked it saying, "Just in case . . ." and she turned and went to bed.

Anko went to sleep, waiting for Kakashi to open her unlocked door and wake her, and do unspeakable things to her. Instead, the only thing Kakashi did was not show up.

Anko woke the next morning and stared at the crack/scar in her ceiling and sighed, "I've been dumped. This sucks." She dragged herself out of bed and tried to accept the fact that Kakashi wasn't coming back to her. He'd made a decision about their friendship apparently without her consent. As she got ready for work, she asked herself, why? What did I do wrong? Why didn't he come back like he said he would? He could have at least told me it was over, that we wouldn't be sharing "benefits" with each other anymore. I mean, come one – we weren't lovers, we weren't dating, we were friends! He doesn't want to be my friend anymore. I hate feeling like this. Anko felt alone again, devastated, and alone. But she couldn't let the people at work see her like this. She screwed up her courage and put on a stern face and went to work. She wondered what if I see him at work? The last time I saw him, was after we'd had sex over the copy machine. This is going to be super awkward. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

She went to work trying to avoid everyone's eyes, and anyone who might ask her why she looked so depressed. She avoided her co-worker's gazes, knowing that they'd be able to see the hurt in her eyes that mirrored the hurt she felt inside her. They'd be able to see how alone she felt. She didn't want anyone to know. It was personal, and she decided to suffer by herself in silence. If she tried to talk to anybody about it, they'd just tell her she was stupid to have hooked up with Kakashi in the first place. And to think he'd actually do what he said, and really come back to her, she must have been an idiot to believe that one.

In the midst of her self-loathing, she passed the 5th Hokage's office and overheard part of a conversation, ". . . he's not back yet. When he gets back, I'll get the report on that from him and we'll plan our next move. We'll probably have to get Anbu involved. Probably Anko too since she experienced the same kind of resistance. We'll give him a few more days to get back and rest up before we . . ."

Realization stole over Anko's face. She whispered to herself, "He's not back yet. I guess that means I'm not dumped yet."

Genma walked by her and said, "What do you need to take to the dump?"

Anko snapped up her head and said, "Oh, hi. Nothing, I was just talking to myself. Haven't seen Kakashi yet have you? I wanted to see his mission notes."

Genma said, "No. He said we were going to have a few beers when he got back. Haven't seen him yet. Don't think he's back yet."

Inside Anko cheered! Outside she answered calmly, "Oh. Well if you see him, let him know I want to see his mission report."

"Sure. See ya Anko."

"Yeah." Anko wanted to cartwheel down the hall. She was thrilled that he wasn't back yet. There may still be a chance after all! He may still come to her, but when? How much longer would she have to wait? Or would he come over at all? She decided it was best to stop guessing, and just get through the day, and the time it took before she saw him again.

Anko spent the rest of her day slightly preoccupied by the fact that Kakashi was probably on his way home somewhere. He'd be there sooner or later, but he'd be there. She left the academy and went home, got herself cleaned up a bit and after another quick look through her peephole, she went to bed. Her heart was a little lighter, the hurt was a little less, because she still held hope that he'd be there eventually.

Outside the Hidden Leaf Village, Kakashi clung to the shadows. He limped slightly, and held his right elbow in his left hand across his chest. He scanned the surroundings before entering the village gates. His head swam with exhaustion from too much fighting, and not enough sleep. Still he managed to put one foot in front of the other as he stole his way back into the village. One thought kept pushing him on, got to get there. I promised.

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A/N: He's coming, but what the hell happened to him? Why was he late? Next chapter tells all. Review please!

Next up: Excitement, fear, pain, worry, and a little help from a friend. See you soon!