AN: I am extremely sorry, for how late this update has been. I just got a new job, and the schedule has been ever changing (with college also in the mix). Fortunately, I've everything figured out and am ready to present you a new chapter.
AN2: This fourth chapter was a rather tricky one for me to come up with. I was always going back and forth between ideas and constantly rewriting this chapter. One idea did stand out to me, and it is a rather interesting one; sadly, it does not fit with the current story I'm telling and it will have to be told for another time (so stay tuned for that). This chapter will elaborate on what's happening to other characters in this universe, give a feel as to how their lives are. It will also give insight as to what they think about Kakashi and Kurenai's situation.
Chapter 4:A Painful Dance
"Alright", Naruto exclaimed half-heartedly as he, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Sasuke, Karin, and an ANBU Black Ops (Konohamaru) set out on an incredibly important mission.
"Geez Naruto", Shikamaru lazily said as he yawned, "you don't have to be so sarcastic this early in the morning".
However, everyone in the group secretly agreed with Naruto's sarcasm. 'I'll admit this though', Shikamaru thought, 'it's such a drag'.
"Where is the Princess anyway", Kakashi finally spoke.
The mission was to escort the Fire Lord's daughter, Asuka who was around Konohamaru's age, to a diplomatic meeting with the priestess Shion.
'That girl, Shion, didn't she ask of something incredulous from Naruto that he blindly agreed to', he thought as his gaze turned towards Naruto, 'this should be good'.
"Sorry I'm late", Asuka yelled as she came running, "I see that everyone I handpicked is here".
Asuka had the brilliant idea of handpicking the Leaf's best as her escorts. The Leaf's hero, Naruto. The Son of the White Fang, Kakashi. A top medic-nin/sensory type, Karin (Sakura kindly refused for various reasons). The Leaf's top strategist, Shikamaru. One of the Leaf's Co-Leaders of the ANBU Black Ops, Sasuke (the other leader being Sai) and a top ANBU ninja that he handpicked, Konohamaru.
If this were an S-Rank mission that involved international super-criminals then everyone (especially Shikamaru) would be impressed. However, the ridiculousness of this mission left everyone secretly wanting to die. Nevertheless, everyone did treat this as an S-Rank mission and were fully prepared for anything, though they doubted anything would happen.
"We're already behind schedule", Kakashi spoke as the leader of this mission, "let's head out".
...
They have been walking for around five hours now, and with no sign super s-rank criminals (unsurprisingly to everyone) Kakashi told everyone to start treating this as a normal escort mission.
"Finally", said the two Uzumaki said at the same time.
Naruto looked around. Sasuke seemed to be having a conversation with Ryu (Konohamaru's code name). Karin seemed to be annoyed about something, 'probably about something Sasuke did recently', Naruto assumed. Kakashi was talking with Asuka as to why they had to lower their guards. Shikamaru was looking at the clouds and letting tired sighs. He visibly had bags under his eyes, and Naruto had seen him take a food pill for energy before they set out.
"Girl problems Shikamaru", Naruto cheekily guessed, "is it Ino this time or is it Temari".
Shikamaru let out a deeper sigh.
"Both", Naruto said rather loudly as he chuckled, all the while attracting the others to their conversation.
"Shut up will you", Shikamaru lazily replied, "women...they're so troublesome".
"Well that's what you get for being so indecisive about your feelings", Naruto added, "and for practically dating two women at the same time".
Shikamaru noticed the others attentively hearing their conversation.
"You'd think that the Leaf's lead strategist would figure out a way to have an affair without the other noticing", continued Naruto.
"I told you already", said Shikamaru in an annoyed tone, "they both came on to me individually and I had nothing do with it", he sighs, "it's just the after part that's such a drag".
"That's what they all say", Karin sharply joined in as she was looking at Sasuke as she said so.
Everyone's attention had now shifted to Sasuke's response. They all had been secretly wondering as to what's going on.
"As I told you already", Sasuke said in his usual cool demeanor, "it was for a mission and I had to take one for the squad; besides, it's not like you haven't done things in the past before I recruited you".
"Tch", Karin reacted to her defeat in the argument, "I still don't forgive you, so you better treat me to something nice when we get back".
"Heh", Sasuke breathed out. Naruto could've sworn that he saw a rare grin from Sasuke.
"There's an idea Shikamaru", Naruto came back to it, "treat them to something nice".
"Oh Naruto", Kakashi surprisingly joined in, "that's something you might have to do once you talk to Shion".
"Why'd I have to do that", Naruto seriously asked.
'So he did agree blindly', Kakashi thought. "Well she asked you to basically help her with the work of making a future priestess"
"Yeah so", Naruto said non-chalantly.
"Idiot", Shikamaru murmured.
"It means that you agreed to help conceive and be the father of that future Priestess", Kakashi said.
"Huh", Naruto said in confusion.
Karin face palmed and made everything clear to Naruto, "it means that once we get there you're going to have unprotected sex with this Shion person so that she can be pregnant with your daughter".
"WHAT", Naruto yelled in realization.
"That's right", Asuka said, "as a representative of the Land of Fire, I am formally handing you over to the Priestess...this is the real reason why I'm here, so I thought it was obvious when I handpicked you".
Everyone burst in laughter. Naruto looked around and was expecting Sasuke's usual face-palm, but he surprisingly was laughing as well and that embarrassed Naruto even further.
"B-but I'm supposed to wait until I can finally be with Sakura", Naruto said in worry, "and I'm so close to it, I can feel it".
"That's our number one knuckle-head ninja for you princess", Kakashi said as he turned his attention to Naruto.
"Don't worry Naruto", Kakashi said, "we're only teasing".
"You really are an idiot", Shikamaru said, "Kakashi told everyone about what you blindly agreed to beforehand, and we've just been waiting for the opportunity to tease you about it".
"So Asuka is just going there for political reasons then", Naruto asked in relief.
"Yes Naruto", Kakashi said with a smirk under his mask, "though if Shion asks about it, jut tell her the truth".
"Wipe that smirk off from under your mask sensei", Naruto said in retaliation, "I wasn't going to bring it up, but why don't you have your copy of Make-out Paradise with you"?
That immediately shifted everyone's attention towards Kakashi. Even Sasuke was unusually intrigued by this. After all, Kakashi always brings a copy with him.
"Um well", Kakashi said without success. He really had no idea why.
It's been four months since Kakashi first had tea with Kurenai, and somewhere within that time frame Kakashi had unconsciously stopped taking his copy everywhere with him. He's even stopped reading it to the point that it's rare to him. All for reasons that are unknown to him.
"I honestly don't know why", Kakashi bluntly said.
"Men", Asuka said aloud with Karin nodding her head, "you really are clueless".
All the guys turned their heads towards the young women.
Asuka continued, "when a man stops looking at such lewd things, it's because he's found someone special in his life".
'Have I', Kakashi asked himself.
"It's about time", said Naruto with everyone nodding, "you're not getting any younger".
"So who is it", asked everyone in unison except for Sasuke and Shikamaru.
For the first time in a very long time, Kakashi was speechless about his feelings. 'This is not me', Kakashi thought to himself, 'what's happening to me'. His mind went back to the question at hand; suddenly, an image of Kurenai and another outing they had as friends popped into his head and he remembered why he's feeling so lost for words.
...
One Month Ago
It was an unusual feeling for Kakashi to return from a mission after the sun had set. It was a Saturday evening, and the Village was bustling. 'To call it a Village anymore would be a mistake', Kakashi thought to himself; indeed, the Leaf's reconstruction was making it seem more like a modern city. It wasn't quite as grand as the Fire Nation's official Capital. 'Still', Kakashi added, 'it sure is beaufiful, especially at night'. For better or worse, Pain's attack meant a chance to remodel the Leaf and thanks to the crater the attack left, the view of the Leaf was spectacular. At the center, was where all life gathered during the day. At night, however, the nightlife exceeded all that (provided that you were at a right age). New restaurants had opened, that attracted many clients. Old restaurants were given spanking new buildings. Ichiraku's is a paradise according to Naruto. Coincidentally, Choji thought the same of BBQ. As for the Bars, well let's just say that Lady Tsunade does a tour of all the bars at least once a month in one night. The Leaf also got something that was brand new to them, the Nightclub. Something that was popular with younger Ninja and citizens of the Leaf. As Kakashi made his way through the gates, the lights of the Leaf's center were dancing in his eyes. Which also left off a distinct aura on the heads of the Hokage in the distance.
Around the center, was where the Leaf was most beautiful during the day. Along with local grocery stores and markets, new housing arrangements were made, and you could tell where was where from the gates. You could see where the Hyuga compound was, and its distinct regal look. That was also the area where the Leaf's wealthy lived. Close by was the Nara household, and all its various herbs and spices grown there that go towards helping the Leaf hospital (which wasn't that far away from them). Mainly hospital workers and older medic-nin live near there, and not far off was the Akamichi clan's land which mainly provided herbs and spices for food pills. At another part of town you could see the Yamananka house, and their gardens. This is where most families and married couples lived (along with Sakura's parents). At another part you could see the brand new Vet hospital run by the Inuzaka (they also run a dog training school). This is where they and the Aburame clan call home. It wouldn't be the Leaf if there weren't any trees. Trees were strategically planted throughout the newly rebuilt Leaf, and it came out amazing according to the citizens. Despite all the new things, it still felt like home. Somewhere in the Leaf was reserved land for the Uchiha and Uzumaki. For now, however, they're just normal fields for people to run around in. Most of the younger folk and Ninja lived close to the center and this where Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai shared an apartment. Not too far from them was the apartment of Rock Lee, Choji, and Shikamaru. Close by was the apartment of Ino, Sakura, Hinata, Karin and Ten-ten (apparently they somehow convinced their landlord to combine two apartments into one). Trendy housing arrangements were built to attract them there, and it worked (Shino and Kiba lived with their families, because of what they bring with them). Kakashi lived close to the place where he wass heading. Some of his comrades/friends also live in that area like Yamato, Guy, and Shizune. He decided upon a house, and he certainly had the means to build one thanks to the Hatake fortune and the money he's amounted from all the various missions he's taken. In the distance the was crown jewel of the Leaf, the new Hokage tower which soared over the new Leaf, and that's where Kakashi was heading.
As Kakashi coolly made his way through the Leaf, and towards the new Hokage tower, he thought something was funny. The new ANBU headquarters was directly under the Hokage tower. Seems like Lady Hokage literally wanted them under her direct control. It was partly funny to him, because Yamato, Sasuke, Sai, and himself planned it that way. Not far off was the Leaf's border security and the new Leaf Ninja Police Department which also works directly under the Hokage, well not literally under.
Not far off was the newly reconstructed and redesigned Ninja Academy. 'Everything sure does have a reborn feeling to it', thought Kakashi. Indeed, the Leaf was breathed in some new life. Kakashi then looked up at the Hokage heads and paused at Minato's before resting his eyes at the empty space next Lady Tsunade's. 'He's done us proud Sensei'.
"Evening Kakashi", said a familiar voice.
Kakashi turned his whole body to the pleasant sight of Kurenai, "Hey".
"I take it you just got back from a mission", Kurenai deduced as she gazed upon his ruffled up ninja flak and uniform; though her gaze may have been resting on his built arms for a little too long.
Kakashi grinned under his mask (by now he's grinned like an idiot so much that he doesn't notice it anymore). "I have actually...which reminds me", Kakashi felt the scroll in his back pocket, "wait here I'll be back in five", and poofs away.
Kurenai could've sworn that it was only seconds when in fact it was around five minutes, but Kakashi came back in his civilian clothes and showered. She could smell it, 'I like his smell'. She could feel the guilt stewing deep within her as she admitted that. Suddenly the smell of burning cigarettes tickled her nose.
Kakashi let his eyes dance on her. It was a painful dance, however. 'I don't like admitting this', he could feel his heart tightening and his throat getting a suffocated feeling, 'but it hurts whenever I look at you Kurenai'. Of all the pain he's known in his life, this song which is Kurenai that his eyes have been dancing to is one worst pains he's felt. 'When did I get so sappy', he thought to himself.
Nevertheless he brushed his pain aside and asked Kurenai to join him on an evening stroll around the center of the village.
"Of course", Kurenai said without hesitation.
"Where were you coming from", asked Kakashi as they made their way towards the center.
"Well little Asuma wanted to stay at one of his friend's place for the night so I just dropped him off there", answered Kurenai.
A small breeze blew and Kakashi picked up Kurenai's distinct flowery smell. For reasons unknown to him it electrified him.
They stopped by a brand new food stall that became the talk of the Leaf. It was unsurprising that many people were there. The massive crowd suddenly became overwhelming once they got there; coincidentally enough. Not wanting to be separated Kakashi put his arm around Kurenai's waist without thinking and perhaps held her a little too close to him. He had noticed what he had done and was waiting for Kurenai to hit him or at least nudge away from him, but neither ever came.
All the while Kurenai's heartbeat was going faster than the speed of light. 'What IS wrong with me', she thought to herself, 'I feel like an academy girl all over again'. Her flustered state quickly turned into an uneasy one. It felt so wrong, but at same time so right for her.
Kakashi could feel the uneasy vibe coming from Kurenai. 'Who could blame her for not pulling away', he thought, 'the crowd is so concentrated that even I can't pull away even if I wanted to'.
He decided to liven up the mood by telling a story as they slowly made their way to the stall. "The last time I had to hold someone, because of a massive crowd was during a mission". Kurenai seemed to be paying attention. "Oh and I wasn't holding a woman, it was Guy, but of course you could see the misunderstaning right". Kakashi rhetorically asked as Kurenai nodded her head chuckling a bit. "Well to make matters worse, Guy got startled by something and ended up holding me too tight and practically grinding on me". Kurenai was trying really hard to hold her laugh. "Then it reached its worst, we were undercover and some people got the idea we were honeymooning, and so they chanted kiss...and so we did, but only to keep our cover".
Kurenai burst out laughing as she rested her against his shoulder without thinking. 'Her laugh', Kakashi gently thought.
The people around them could've sworn that they were a couple.
They finally bought the food and walked towards a nearby bridge that held a nice view of the village center.
Kurenai started to eat and thought she'd be clever. "Mmm I guess this what you'd call a food-GASM". 'Dammit Kurenai, that wasn't funny at all'. To her extremely pleasant surprise he genuinely laughed to her lame joke. 'Not even Asuma would laugh at them', she thought to herself. She's never been so confused before and never has she missed Asuma this much; maybe it's the guilt.
Kakashi looked at the village center and thought to himself about these unusual feelings he gets around Kurenai. 'Could it be-', however his thought was interrupted.
"I miss him Kakashi", said a vulnerable and teary eyed Kurenai, "I miss him so much". She couldn't dare bring up the guilt part of it.
A part of Kakashi felt as if a kunai had been stabbed through his heart, but the better part of him knew exactly what to do and hugged her. "I know...I miss him too, Kurenai". he genuinely said.
She felt a sense of relief with his hug, "thanks for being such a good friend Kakashi".
'A friend huh', thought a deflated Kakashi, 'I guess that's what I need to be even though I don't know if I want to be".
"No problem, Kurenai".
