Kagome mentally sighed as she walked through the forest, Kakashi walking beside her. It has already been two weeks. They have set a wonderful, solid pace. Walking during the day, while he rested at night. That was not much of the problem, but something else was. She was trying to ignore it, but she could no longer stand it. She had to do something about it.

She suddenly stopped and her ears twitched, finding what she was looking for she smiled. The man realized she was not moving, and turned to her.

"Something wrong?"

"Yes. Something is horribly wrong." She answered. "Come with me." She ordered and turned to the right, walking away from the dirt road.

Hearing footsteps follow behind her, she smirked. At least he has learned to listen, sometimes. After several minutes of walking, the noise grew louder. She smiled as she looked down into the river, her reflection staring back at her. Perfect.

"What are we doing here?" He asked. She wanted to snort at his question.

"We are going to play a game." She was being sarcastic of course, but he took her literally.

"Oh? What kind of game?" He questioned. She could tell he was smirking underneath that mask of his. He finds enjoyment in pissing her off, doesn't he?!

"Well..." She started off, raising her hands. "First you jump into the river..." Her hand jumped into her other palm, using them like puppets, demonstration her words as if he were a child. "Then you scoop up some water..." She placed her hands together, pretending to scoop air. "Then you take it, and rub it on yourself..." She started to rub her bare arms. She could see his eyes shining with amusement.

"And what is the point of this game?"

"Hmm…" She paused as if thinking. "Not to smell like ass crack!!!" She growled at him. He just chuckled at her out burst.

"Are you implying that I smell?"

"Yes, you stink! Horribly so! Now get in there before my sensitive nose has to endure anymore of your human B.O!" She ordered.

"Why am I the only one who has to bathe?" questioning her. "You have been walking just as much as I have." He stated

"My perfectly sculpted demon body does not sweat from such small things like walking. I have to be under battle, or intense training to even break a sweat." She smirked, gloating.

"You're quite the show off." He told her.

"Shut up and get into the water." She growled at him.

"Hmm..." He seemed to be thinking it over. "But it looks cold..."

"Of course it is, it's a river!" She sighed, and rubbed the bridge of her noise.

Though she would never admit it, she wished to bathe as well, but she was quite picky about her washing habits. She liked staying clean even if she did not smell, or was not dirty, but that does not mean she would bathe inside a cold river. She sighed. Then why let him do it?

"If my memory serves me correctly..." She spoke softly before turning away. "There is a hot springs a few hours away. It's off course, but it will be worth it." She confessed, and she could hear him chuckling at her.

Ugh! He makes her so angry sometimes. He knows just how to press her buttons! She paused, before smiling to herself. Her tail started to move back and forth in joy. That is what makes him so alluring, he is quite the challenge indeed.


She was practically screaming in happiness inside her head, when they finally came upon the springs. It seemed to take forever and if she had to stand beside this stinky man any longer, she would probably pass out from the odor! Just being around his grimy and filthy body, made her feel as if she needed a good scrubbing herself. She then looked at the spring more closely, it has not changed since she was last here.

It was rather large, the water coming to your navel. There was a rock barely breaking the surface in the middle of the spring, like a divider. She took a deep breath, trying to relax herself. She sighed, feeling calmer, and looked towards him. She raised an eyebrow, seeing him already taking off his vest. He must have wanted to bathe more then he let on. She shrugged. Reaching up, she slid off the sleeves of her dress. She made her tail keep the cloth in place at her waist, while she reached behind her and started to unravel the bandages, constricting her chest.

"I didn't know I'd be having company." He spoke behind her. She could hear the humor in his voice.

"Do not kid yourself." She told him, bursting his bubble. "I need a relaxing bath to clam my nerves from being around you for so long." She heard him chuckle at her words. "Humph." She snorted, before hearing splashes behind her, signaling he got into the spring.

"You are not shy, are you?" He noted. She brushed off his words, not caring.

"The spring is big enough for the two of us." She stated. "Just keep your back against the rock, and your eyes to yourself. If you do this, things should be fine." Hearing another small laugh escape his lips, she couldn't help but smile to herself. His chuckle was deep and manly. She was quite fond of it, actually. To bad he doesn't do it more often.

She stripped herself of her clothing, before sinking into the water. She placed her back against the warm stone, sighing as she could practically feel her body slowly relaxing inside the soothing liquid. She closed her eyes, it was pure bliss. She really needed this...

It was several minutes before she finally moved, cleaning herself. She started with her tail. Running her hand across the silky fur. She listened to the man behind her, hearing the soft splashes she figured he was washing as well. She loved being a demon, yet she feels a sense of emptiness when she looks at a human. It has been a long time, but she was once like them. Hard to believe she was small and naive. So carefree, yet dependent on others for protection. Now look at her, everyone around her either cowers in fear, or looks up to her in respect.

Her life was missing something, and she knew it. The spark that was once there when she was human was gone. The fear of living on the edge, wondering if every breath she took would be her last. Knowing her life would be short, and her presence would not mean much to the world. She was just one human after all. A speck, molded within the other dots of the world. She sighed in regret, looking at her clawed hand. She was a demon, and yet her life was still as meaningless to her as ever. She was bored with this long and dull life. Aging and getting old meant nothing to her, yet time seemed abundant and slow. The life she has now...

"Was it even worth it?" She whispered to herself.

"Hmm...?" Hearing him shifting behind her, her eyes suddenly hardened.

"Don't even think about it." She snapped at him.

He caught himself just as he was about to turn around. The air was calm, yet his heart beat loudly in her ears. The sound was quite soothing. She could tell he was tense. She sighed. Probably shocked she spoke to him in such a way. She has been talking to him on almost equal terms, treating him as a companion, finding his presences enjoyable and his fighting skills something to be respected as such. She was a little cranky, but there was no reason to speak to him in such a cold tone.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

It was rare, but she was not so proud that she wouldn't apologize when she knew she was in the wrong. She respected and treasured other people's feelings. It was a little part of her that never truly went away, even after all these years.

There was a tense aura around them for a few moments, before she heard him continue his bathing. She took that as a sign of 'It's okay' and she continued to wash as well. After several minutes of silence, she could not take it anymore. A quiet bath was nice, but when someone was with her, she wanted to start conversations with the person. It was a bad habit, but she found that many people relaxed during baths. Maybe he will understand?

"What is it like, being a ninja?" She spoke up. There was a long pause. Thinking she was not going to receive an answer, she sighed.

"It is tough." He replied.

She faltered in her scrubbing, taken back. Did he just--? He finally gave her a straight answer for once! Holy crap! Stop the presses! He actually answered her question! A blush appeared on her face as a heated feeling flowed through her body. She started to purr in pleasure, and her frame started to shiver in delight. She knew his name, his favorite color, and he just answered another question, peaking her interest. If this keeps up, she could find out everything about him in another 40 years! She still had time! She must ask him more questions while he was willing to answer them!! Quickly, think of something!! She started to fiddle with her fingers trying to think.

…………………………?

Damn! She was drawing a blank! Nuuuuu!

"What's your favorite color?" Crap! She already knew that one! Ugh, she is such an idiot.

"I believe I have already told you that." He chuckled at her.

"Umm..." She paused. "Are there many ninjas in your village?" Ha! She thought of one!

"Yes." He answered. Her purring got louder, and she ran her fingers through her raven tresses in thought.

"Are they as powerful as you?" She soon found the questions slipping off of her tongue naturally.

"No. Not really." He paused. "But I know I will be surpassed one day. Many new faces have gone beyond normal expatiations, and they will be stronger then anyone could have imagined." She took in his words and her tail started to splash in the water with glee.

"You speak as if you know them personally." She stated.

"Three of them are my own students." He confessed.

"You have students?" She was surprised by her new findings. "So you are teaching your skills to the next generation?"

"I have taught them how to be a true ninja. It is not in my job description to teach them my techniques or abilities. I am just a stepping stone to their teachings. They must find real Masters, and learn their own skills and abilities from them." He paused in thought. "They have to learn things on their own, I cannot be there forever." She purred at his words.

"You sound like just like him..." She told.

"Him?" Just by his voice, she could tell he was curious. She smiled to herself.

"Yes, My Master." She closed her eyes, as if remembering. "He said those same words to me. Teaching me basic defense and attack moves, then when trouble showed up he left me to fend for myself." She laughed at an image of her almost pissing herself while hordes of demons surrounded her. Good times... "When I would scream for help, he would say: 'You disserve your punishment, for your lack of training.'" She sighed. "Such fond memories. I almost died... several times."

"Now I know why you are, the way you are." He spoke.

"What is that suppose to mean?" She questioned.

"Even though I have not seen your skills, you are proud and you walk with confidence. You must have gone through a lot to be that way." He stated. "Not to mention the fact that you, literally, threw me out to the demons, not helping me at all." He chuckled at his own statement.

"I suppose your right..." She soon found herself laughing along with him. When she finally stopped her laughter, she spoke again. "So tell me, great teacher, what are your pupils like? They must have given you a lot of trouble." Hearing him shift and then his muscles twitch, she realized he shrugged at her question.

"They can be a handful, but it is worth it. They have grown much, though I am still training them. They believe in their skills, and stick together as a team. That is all a person like me could hope for in his students."

"A team..." Her voice trailed off. Her ears drooped and she looked at the sky. Back then, they were a team. They lived together, and would have died together if it meant completing their goal. Each one had a different motive, yet they all found themselves together, fighting for the same cause. There was a long silence between them, before she whispered.

"I was in a team once."

"Oh?" He sounded surprised. "I would not expect this from you. You look like the type of demon who likes to be alone."

"This happened long ago." She told him. "I was young, simple minded. Everything was in black and white."

"What made you change?"

"Grey." She sighed, closing her eyes. "Lots and lots of grey..."

"I see." He did not speak of it anymore and for that, she was glad. She did not want to think about it. Not now. Her ears suddenly picked up a sound and she wanted to growl. Right when she was enjoying herself too…

"You smell good enough. It is time to leave." She ordered.

"And I was just starting to relax…" Hearing his comment she smirked. Quietly she turned around and leaned over the rock. She closed her eyes, not wanting to invade his privacy, before she whispered into his ear.

"But this spring is making me very hungry…" She let her warning fade as she slowly trailed her tongue along the back of his ear. He instantly tensed and the smell of fear flowed into her nose. "So stay if you want to, but I won't guarantee anything…" She smiled when she heard him sallow in nervousness. Taking the silence as his answer, she turned around.

She picked herself off of the spring, and wrapped her tail around her waist. She just loved it when he got like this. Scared, yet so curious as to what she would do. Wondering: Will she really eat me? She grinned. So much fun.

When she was finished dressing, she turned around to face him. He had his back towards her, and he was putting his vest on. She smiled to herself just before a large snake demon burst through the tree line. It hissed at us, before lunging forward at Kakashi.

He dodged at the last moment, and turned in midair. He did some kind of weird moves with his hands, and then he blew out hot air, literally. Flames shot out of his mouth and burnt the demon to a crisp. She stared at him as he walked up to her. To say she was impressed was an understatement, she had no idea he could do something like that. That was the first time she saw it. Humans were starting to learn things like this? When did this happen? She mentally rolled her eyes. The moment she gets back home, she was going to check on the humans more often. How could she miss something like this?

Feeling him stare at her, she looked up at him. She knew he had a smirk underneath that mask of his. He was waiting for her to compliment him. So, she gave it to him…

"Your reaction time was .0034 milliseconds to slow. Your aim was off by a mile, and your move was too flashy." She pointed out is obvious flaws. Seeing the disappointed look on his face, she smirked. "What? You were hoping for something like: Ahem" She cleared her throat, and changing her voice to a higher pitch. "Wow, great job! That was Neat-o!You're the greatest and awesomest human EVA! Wow-eee!"

"Well…" He paused. "Yes."

"Sorry to disappoint you kit, but that did not impress me." She lied.

"I see." There was a long pause and he looked as if he was thinking something over. "Did you get me out of the springs because you knew he was coming?" He asked. She rolled her eyes at him.

"You should stop overworking your brain, you might hurt yourself." She snapped back. "Why would I want to do something like that?" She huffed. "Really…"

"Yes. Why would you do something like that? I must have been mistaken."

"Of course you were. Now let's go." She turned on her heel. Hearing his deep laugh, her cheeks took on a rosy tint as she walked away.


Kagome looked at the night sky and sighed. She felt alone-- More then usual, anyway. Kakashi was asleep, and she had no one to bother. Her tail flicked through the air as it was dangling off of the branch. There was a long pause before she looked down at the slumbering man. He fell asleep rather quickly, even though he was fully clothed. She knew he was in a light slumber, he was never completely relaxed. Always on guard-- You must be in this world. She rolled her eyes. He probably thinks she's going to eat him, or some nonsense. Of course, she would never do such a thing. She only said that to tease him. She loved it when his heart sped up, and fear mingled into his lovely sent. But she would never,really,eat him. But he doesn't have to know that. She smirked. Keeping him on his toes was a great way to pass the time. He amused her all through the day, and most of the night. But while he slept, she found her mind wandering back into the emptiness of her real life. Such a dull experience, feeling so bored...

She closed her eyes and her ears twitched. The man's slow breathing lulled her. Glancing at him, seeing the peaceful look gracing his features, she smiled to herself. Who would have thought that he could look so ... tasty like that. She licked her lips. He was just begging for her to do something...

She smirked, and softly jumped down from her perch. She quietly walked up to him, and kneeled down beside his sleeping figure. Her ears twitched, noticing any changes in his body. She was not going to be caught off guard this time. But he has not awakened yet, like he usually does. It seems he has gotten more relaxed around her then he let on. Well, we'll just have to change that, won't we? Got to keep him on his toes after all. She grinned, one of her fangs poking out of her lips. Now, what to do first? Should she scare him? Him waking up to her biting on his neck might give him a good fright. She tried to hold in her smirk as she pictured it inside her mind. Or maybe she could play a prank? Placing him on a branch would bring great amusement to her, when he rolls over and falls out of the tree. Her grinned widened. So many things she could do...

She looked upon his calm face. After a moment, her grin slowly lowered and was replaced by a small smile. He really does look different in this light. His face holding a sort of warm feeling. Her eyes softened. He is so relaxed. She never saw him like this before. Her red orbs gazed onto his body, taking it all in. He looks like a normal man, laying there. Watching his chest raise and fall with his breathing, she questioned herself. When did he start taking off his vest at night? She never even noticed-- She didn't notice many things about him, now that she was looking.

A small movement made her shift her gaze to his hand, lying at his side. His fingers twitched again. She smiled to herself. His hands... She slowly reached out and touched the tips of his fingers. She paused, waiting for him to react, but he didn't. She sighed before continuing to touch his hand. She followed his fingers down to his open palm. She tested the size against hers. They were large, easily engulfing her own, and rough to the touch, she noted. Calluses were on his hands from his weapon no doubt. He put so much effort into his training. He is quite the hard worker. She continued to brush her fingers across his hand, until her ears picked up a sound. It was faint, but his heart sped up just for a fraction of a second. Ah, so he has awakened? She was surprised when several seconds passed, yet he did not stop her. She smiled at the thought. So he does not mind her touching him? She looked at his face, seeing him still in his peaceful mode.

Before she knew it, she reached up and touched his cheek. She immediately filched away. What was she doing? He was awake after all. She looked back at him, seeing he never moved, yet his heart was beating faster then usual. She sighed and then touched his cheek again. She slowly drew a circle around it, before bring her finger to rest above his eye.

"So handsome..." She whispered. She knew he heard her, yet she did not care. He was handsome, and she was not afraid to tell the truth. She brought her finger down his nose, till it touched his mask. "Yet he hides himself…?" She sighed in disappointment. She was curious to know what he looked like, but she knew it was not her business to pry into something so personal. So she left it and instead chose to bring her hand up to his hair. As she gently ran her fingers through the tresses, she frowned. How is this possible? It was so prickly looking. "It is softer then mine…" She stated, annoyed by this. Almost unnoticeably, his body tensed. She smirked. Must be trying to hold in his laughter-- So he finds it funny, uh? She rolled her eyes.

Her hand fell, and touched cold metal. His headband? She leaned down to get a closer look at it. She porously made her nose almost connect with his. Though she was not bothered by the closeness, after all she was not the one being touched, now was she? She was in control, and that is how she liked it. She smiled to herself before blinking at the swirl on the plate.

"Such a strange symbol…" She whispered, before trailing her finger along the lines.

After a few seconds she got bored with it, and returned to his face. She rose back up, and tilted her head. She had to wonder: Why does he hide so much of his features? The mask she could understand, but the band too? Her curiosity soon got the best of her, and she slowly pushed the band up. The moment she saw it, her hand flinched away. There was a large scar going down and across his eye. Her red orbs were glued to it, mesmerized. She reached out and gently touched it, slowly going down the long gash, careful not to hurt him.

"A scar that never heals." She spoke softly. "I know this all to well…" Her voice held much sadness. She sighed as she pulled away, before touching her hip. Her ears twitched as a sound thumped into them. "Hmm…?" She turned her gaze back to him, yet he looked the same. "His heart has sped up." She stated. Wanting him to know that she heard it, without giving herself away. "What could he be dreaming of, I wonder?" She smirked, placing her hand on top of his chest. His heart was practically thrashing against her touch. "Must be a wonderful dream…"

She smiled to herself before she gently ran her hand over his chest, exploring it. His body was built quite nicely. His muscles underneath his shirt were not big enough to slow him down, yet were toned, showing strength. She has seen this many times on others, yet it suited him best. Smelling something sweet mixed in with his sent, she smiled. It seems he enjoys her touches more then she thought…

Might as well have some fun with his discomfort. To keep him on his toes, after all. With that in mind, she reached up and placed her hand next to his throat. His pulse was beating rapidly against her fingers. She sighed before leaning down, and pressing her nose next to his neck.

"It must be an arousing dream, for I can smell it." She stated. "Such a sweet smell only adds to his already tasty sent." A purr erupted through her chest, showing her joy. Her tail ran up his leg, before resting on his lap. "I wonder." She mumbled to herself. "If he is this pleasing to my nose, how much more pleasure I would get if I tasted him?" She showed her thoughts, by pressing her enlarged fangs against his neck. Her tail wrapped around his waist, preventing him from escaping. "I'm sure he won't mind if I just take a little bite…" She whispered.

Suddenly a spike of fear wafted into her noise. Her eyes pulsed red for a spilt second, and she growled softly. Though it was the reaction she wanted, for some reason she was not pleased by this.

"What's wrong with me?" She whispered, questioning herself. She unraveled her tail from around his waist, and backed away from his neck. "I'm having trouble controlling myself…" She voiced her thoughts. Her beast wanted in on the action, and that was not good. She frowned, taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself. This only served to make her feel light headed. His sent was over powering everything, making her dizzy. "Maybe you bathing wasn't such a good idea…" She mumbled, before placing her hand over her face. "It's so strong--" She growled. "Damn it. Would you stop smelling so good? Its making me feel weird." She quickly stood up, and turned away from him, heading out of the camp. She needed to get as far away from him as she could. She paused, looking over her shoulder at the sliver haired man.

"Kakashi…" A red tint appeared on her face as she spoke the human's name. She shook her head from any strange thoughts, and walked into the dense forest, alone.

Unbeknown to her, a small blush showed itself upon the copy ninja's cheeks…