Cheers to everyone who is reading this still and thank-you so much to the wonderful review by KakashiKrazed it was simple but it really made my day. So virtual muffin to you! XP

2 reviews so far, ok but please send them in with suggestion or even to say you liked it (hope you do anyway) This chapter is mainly Kakashi's PoV and tried to make the dialogue between the two slightly witty and funny- I don't think i succeeded but if you like it or agree with me that's what reviews are for.

I will update after 2 more reviews (that's all! most people ask for 10 or something x) Virtual cupcakes with sprinkles this time for everyone.

Riverflowstoyou


To kill a loved one is hard, but to kill a friend must be harder. A childhood friend you didn't know you had is now your bull's-eye target. All the memories left unearthed. What's the difference? Is he a stranger or is he something more? Moments ago you didn't know his name, now a whole world of memories has opened up. Why is it now a whole new situation? You've killed many men before, but you never got attached or had a past with them. Now this man with one touch, in one second has changed everything.

Damn you Kakashi Hatake!

Damn you!

Kakashi's PoV

We were shrouded in silence the whole way to the apartment. It was odd for the streets to be empty at this time in the afternoon but for precaution I took the longer, inconspicuous route. Not that I was going to complain- it gave me a chance to get my thoughts together. Here in my arms was not only one of my greatest childhood friends, but also a girl that had a terrible life and the last time I saw her she was being chased by the village soaked in blood. I shook off that last memory. I looked down at the woman in my arms. She was petite and still so much smaller than me. I couldn't stop thinking how much her thick, deep purple hair had grown. She had grown a side swept fringe that at the moment covered her left eye. Her face was free from any possible blemishes- like porcelain but she had a natural rose hint in her cheeks. Her big eyes that fitted her head better now she was older and her face had grown, but the overall impression of a delicate china doll was still prominent.

She hadn't been delicate when she was younger though, I thought looking away from her perfect face. Looking up at the clouds I sighed at the memories. She was always the feisty member of the team, almost the joker in some circumstances. I chuckled softly to myself as I recall the fights she and Obito had got into with dominance issues (how they got into those arguments when I had been team leader made me chuckle louder) and even me and her had our own arguments over small issues that seem pointless now. I ignored her when she looked at me eyebrow raised due to my chuckles. I look down and smile noticing her blush as she looks away and closes her eyes. She could be sweet and delicate as well though- she just hated to show it.

I looked up at the red sky as the sun began to set. The long route had taken longer than expected, probably as I had been walking slowly due to obsessive thinking. We finally reached the apartment, I looked down at Shizuka who had her eyes closed but her breathing indicated she wasn't asleep, probably just thinking. I used the opportunity to look down at the arm that wasn't wrapped around my neck. It was pale and perfect like her face and surprisingly clear of scars or other physical injuries. He hand was slim and elegant even when it was covered with a leather glove she had pulled out earlier. I opened my eye fully as I now fully recognised it- after all this time she still had them. I closed my eyes then in frustration as I suddenly remembered why she wore them and why my touch earlier had caused her pain, I wanted to slap myself there and then at my stupidity. Her eyes suddenly snapped open and looked confused at my face.

"You stopped?" Oh so she had been meditating, using my regular movement as others would use music or running water.

"Yeah this is home." I held her slightly tighter to use one hand to turn the door handle. I stepped inside my apartment I quickly scanned the room to check it wasn't a mess for some unknown reason. All clear. I looked down at Shizuka who looked just like a puppy, curious and bright eyed yet she also looked lost in her own world of thoughts.

"Hey Kakashi" she squeaked. I snapped back into reality, "You can let me down now," she laughed.

"Just as I was starting to enjoy myself" I joked to avoid looking like a complete idiot. I walked in a couple of paces before setting her down carefully on the sofa.

"Well at least now I know that you get your kicks holding injured girls," she joked.

"And now I know you get yours from crashing into men and holding onto their necks when they've already put you down." I retorted.

She looked at her arms that were still around my neck and her cheeks filled with a scarlet blush and let go quickly. Turning her head away to do her cute pout. I straightened up and poked her on the back of the head, causing her to fall off the sofa.

"Ahh cut it out Kakashi, that is so childish!" she sulked but I could see in the corners of her lips the concealed smile.

"Maybe so but pouting is equally childish Shizuka."

She used the sofa to pull her self up; I outstretched an arm that she clung to. She looked up at me and blushed again.

"I can also see you've not lost your sense of balance,"

"Humph, you wish I've been on shoulder pills all day and I'm ready to collapse. The ankle isn't helping either!" She snapped back, grumbling something under her breath that I guessed had something to do with obnoxious giants.

I smirked under the mask and fought back a laugh. I was glad to see she hasn't lost any of her feisty spirit. Or she was just being a female?- it was always hard to tell with any of them.

"Hey Kakashi?" her small voice pulls me out of my thinking. I look down and see Shizuka, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?" I ask.

She looks up at me, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"I'm so sorry Kakashi, please forgive me."