Author's Notes: In answer to a couple of the reviews -

This series of stories is not canon, which means I can pretty much do whatever I want ;) but I try to keep everyone in character and not do anything too farfetched. Neji being adopted by Hiashi is not as crazy as it sounds. Hiashi recognizes Neji's skill and probably feels a lot of guilt about his brother's sacrifice. This story takes place about 11 years after the current timeline so who knows what can happen during that time. I like the idea (even had a dream about it) so I incorporated it into this series mostly for character development and for a plot twist in story#3 (Kakashi and the Raikage of Thunder Country) that I'll explain a bit after this chapter. Neji is tough to write for since he normally doesn't say much.

I downloaded Bleach but never got the chance to watch it. But after the comment about my OC, I immediately started watching the 24 eps I had (pretty good, but not great like Naruto!) and Rukia does look quite a bit like what I imagine my OC to be, even with the hair across her face, personality is similar too. They're also both adopted and feel like an outsider. But I see Rikako as having a slightly softer, more ethereal look, especially in the eyes. Her personality was originally modeled on Eriol from Cardcaptor Sakura. In the first story (Kakashi and the Kunoichi from Thunder Country) she starts off as a very mature, polite kid who is hiding something. After completion of my first story I realized she's like Kabuto who seems to be such a considerate guy but has his own agenda and is sarcastically formal. Visit my site (animefamily. com) for some character sketches. All my stories except this one are posted there with pictures :)

One of the reasons I started writing these stories was the sad lack of (non-yaoi) believable romantic stories with Kakashi who is admittedly very difficult to pair. In order for a relationship to be believable, the OC has to be believable which is why I spent a lot of time on building her character in the first few stories (which I might completely overhaul in the future). Ok, now onto the story…

…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…

The Plan

The team waited until late afternoon when the shadows were longer before they made their move. After running a quick errand in the lodging village, the team separated, with Neji and Naruto staying in town, while the rest of the team headed up the mountain.

The guards in the watchtower saw Kakashi approaching the immense gates of Hidden Cloud Village alone and signaled to the two guards below, both young men armed with swords and attired in the grey Cloud shinobi uniforms. Kakashi presented his special visitor's pass issued by the Raikage herself. The guards already knew him by sight, but that didn't prevent them from giving him a hard time and purposely making him wait while they certified his credentials. Their Raikage should not be consorting with the enemy. Although the Fire and Thunder countries had been allies for decades, all allies were still potential enemies. It didn't matter that officially he was the Leaf Ambassador.

"We're trying to inform the Raikage of your presence, but at this time, her location has not been determined. We've been ordered not to let any foreign shinobis enter without her personal approval, no exceptions," said guard#1 with a tone of disapproval.

Kakashi, used to this treatment, shrugged, and settled down on a nearby slab of stone and took out his book. Those two again, he thought, silently observing them while pretending to read his book. The one with the brown hair and crescent shaped scar on his chin, he was her chuunin exam opponent so many years ago. The other with the darkblue hair and pale eyes, he was from back then as well. Bet I can still whip their butts at my age, just like I did last year.

The two guards eyed him suspiciously and resentfully. They spoke in whispers just loud enough for Kakashi to overhear if he wanted to.

"It's him again," guard#1 (with the crescent scar) said while glaring over at Kakashi.

"Yeah, I remember him," the other nodded.

"Should we…"

"No, we'll get in trouble."

"Why do you think she's involved with a guy like that?"

"Good question. I think it's because he's useful."

"Useful?"

"Yeah, you know, maybe she gets secret information about Konoha from him."

"Ah, I see…that must be it. There can't possibly be another reason why she puts up with a guy like that."

"Hah, look at him. Look at what he reads in public…"

"That's so embarrassing, so humiliating…she deserves so much better."

"We really should teach him a lesson."

"It didn't go so well the first time we tried…"

"But that was a long time ago, we've improved since then."

"Still, she won't be pleased. I wouldn't want to make her mad."

"No, me neither. Did you hear about the latest punishment she handed out?" guard #2 asked with a shudder.

"Yeah, handed is a good way to put it," guard#1 laughed uneasily.

The two guards lapsed into silence and dispelled any ideas of harassing Kakashi after they realized what punishment they could be subjected. Kakashi raised his eyebrow at the last comments. How long ago was this?

Nearly an hour later, she appeared, looking every bit the Raikage in her pearl grey robes with silver filigree. Her dark neck length hair curled flatteringly around her heart shaped face. Kakashi quickly studied her without looking like he's looking. Before he could give her his usual greeting, a simple wave and a nod, she ran up tohug him warmly. He knew as soon as he held her, that it's not her. Rikako never hugged him in public, especially not in front of other shinobis. And this one was wearing a hint of perfume. Rikako believed in soap only.

"You're way early, I didn't expect you till next week," she said smiling, like her.

"I just couldn't wait, and there's no mission at present," Kakashi nonchalantly replied.

"Well, I'm really glad you're here."

"I have a surprise for you." He raised the picnic basket in his right hand. "Picked this up at the lodging village. You busy now?"

"Perfect timing, where do you want to go?"

"How about by the waterfall?"

"Super…"

…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…-

Shikamaru and Ino waited, hidden behind the clefts among the many large rocks by the waterfall. They had made their way separate from Kakashi, using their camouflage techniques, while Kakashi drew the guards' attention. They were also careful to keep their mind blocks up even though no one was in sight.

Shikamaru thought and thought. This was not a typical kidnapping. No ransom note, money is not the objective. No one in their right mind would abduct a Kage for money. The objective was to replace the Raikage, but for what purpose? Was it a small conspiracy or a greater one? Over a decade ago, Orochimaru had taken the Kazekage's place to instigate a war. No one noticed. But the young advisor knew it wasn't the Raikage. What about the other advisors? Her friends? Did anyone else suspect? Were they too fearful to do anything, or they didn't care, or were they in on the conspiracy? Sakai did not mention anyone else, still there should be others who suspected. But if someone took Ino's place, how long would it take myself to realize it? What we know of someone is from what we observe. A good mimic could imitate gestures and speech. Only those truly close to her would be aware of the subtle nuances in her change of moods, in her reactions...I would know immediately if Ino were replaced. Kakashi should be able to tell immediately as well. He staunchly believes she's still alive. He could just be in denial, but her chances of being alive might be better than I originally calculated. They might be holding her as a hostage, in case their plans go awry they can use her as a bargaining chip...

At first, Ino was pleased to observe the beautiful scenery around her. The golden sun in the blue sky reflected off the colorful rocks slick with water. The mist formed from the waterfall projected a multitude of rainbows. She was lost in her reveries of being a princess of an absurdly ostentatious pagoda-style castle. Lots of shinobis would challenge each other for her hand in marriage, but she would refuse them all and send them on dangerous missions until just her one true love returned with a rare perfect blue rose. But after an hour, the sun started to dim, the novelty wore off and Ino reverted back to reality as she looked over at Shikamaru. Sigh, there will be no chivalrous shinobi on a white horse, only a court jester.

Ino yawned, "How long do we have to wait? I'm so bored!"

Shikamaru replied, "Longer the better so we can rest and think."

"Haven't you thought enough already?" Ino muttered.

"Maybe you should try thinking more. You and Naruto give blondes a bad name…"

"How dare you! How dare you lump me in with that idiot!" Ino exclaimed. Ino tried to use her mind powers to make Shikamaru's legs give way, but Shikamaru quickly bound her shadow before she completed her seal.

"Hah, see how predictable you are! I knew you were going to do that!"

"Release me…I promise I'll be good," Ino said sweetly.

"Sorry, I'm not falling for that one. I think I'll hold you here until Kakashi-sensei gets back."

"But you'll be wasting your chakra on me!"

"That's true. Hmm, maybe I'll choke you a bit with my shadow neck hold to knock you out so I'll finally have some peace and quiet to think…"

…-…-…-…-…-…-

Kakashi is early, suspicious, brought a picnic basket, even more suspicious, cheap lazy bastard. But I'm willing to play his little game for now…

-…-…-…-…-…-…-…-

"They're coming!"

Shikamaru finally released Ino and turned his attention to the two dots in the distance. The dots approached to form the figures of Kakashi and a pretty, petite dark hair young woman in a fancy silvery robe.

"Oooh, she's quite attractive…and sophisticated. No wonder Kakashi-sensei fell for her…" Ino said enviously as she watched the robe shimmer in the waning sunlight.

"Pffft, women like that are nothing but trouble…too cool and too smart for their own good. You're much better Ino…" Shikamaru replied and added to himself, and you have a bigger bust!

"Thanks…hey! Wait a minute…did you just insult me?"

"Quiet, they're almost within range…"

Kakashi calmly and carefully spread out a sheet and took out various utensils from the basket. Then he distracted the counterfeit Raikage with a passage from Jiraiya's latest book, "…Did she really love him or was it just because she had been obsessed with him for so long, she could not turn her attention or affection away to another? But at this moment it didn't matter, he was finally with her. As Sano drew her into his arms, Juna released her mind of all doubts and let his touch wash over her…"

Shikamaru and Ino were a good 50 yards away, Shikamaru's shadow limit with the addition of the mountain shadows. His shadow crept out slowly, pausing among the rocks, then approached the Raikage from the back. His shadow connected to hers, binding her before she was aware of its presence. Kakashi immediately punched her in stomach, knocking the air out of her diaphragm, as Ino quickly approached and transferred her mind into the Raikage's body. To pass through the gates of Hidden Cloud and to have access to the Raikage's office, they needed the Raikage. Ino's mind transfer might not be strong enough to overcome another with mental powers, so Kakashi had to knock her out, but without any visible bruises.

As Ino's body went limp, Shikamaru released his shadow's hold to catch her body.

Kakashi asked Ino-Raikage, "How long can you hold her?"

"Maybe 20 minutes since she's knocked out, but she feels pretty strong," Ino replied then frowned and coughed, "My stomach hurts!"

"All right let's move quickly. Shikamaru wait here and take care of Ino's body. We have less than ten minutes to search her office."

...-...-...-...-...-...-

On their way, Ino asked Kakashi "So this is her sister Rei. Why can't we just force her to tell us where she is?"

"This could be part of a greater conspiracy. She may not know. Even if she does, she may rather die than tell us. Shikamaru's idea to find her calendar or appointment book is the best chance we have right now. If we don't find anything, then we can resort to force. Besides we need to talk to Sakai without her knowing."

Flashback to Shikamaru's discussion with Kakashi while traveling:

"If that guy says she's been acting funny just about 3 days ago, then the exchange is still fairly recent. For a mind reader to be caught unawares means it was orchestrated by someone who knows her, whom she trusts. It's likely that she's not being held at Hidden Cloud. She was probably lured somewhere. If she kept an appointment book, maybe something there could give us a clue. Whom did she meet, where did she go?"

Kakashi nodded, "Yes, she was fanatical about keeping notes on everything. It might be in her office, unless she took it with her." Kakashi had not told the team of all his suspicions. He wanted a fresh perspective. But seeing that Shikamaru came to the same conclusions, he told them all about her sister Rei.

The Office

Ino as the Raikage and Kakashi as himself walked pass the gate guards. Kakashi gave them his customary friendly wave. Ino ignored them, the way the Raikage would. She was careful not to look like she was marveling at the sights around her, and careful to let Kakashi subtly take the lead since she had no idea where the Raikage's building was located. Unlike Konoha, the buildings were not made from wood but from stone. The homes and common buildings were plain beige, mostly limestone and travertine. The official buildings however were built with blocks of speckled granite and gneiss. But most impressive of all was the Raikage's. A beautiful 2 story building of translucent pure white thassos marble that sparkled in the sun.

Once inside the Raikage's suites, they headed toward her office, and past her secretary. Ino tried to open the door but it was locked and secured by a chakra recognition seal.

Kakashi suggested, "Try generating some chakra. It might react to her chakra signature."

Ino passed her hand over the door. "It's not working. I think I'm generating my own signature."

"Try using your mind and projecting some brainwaves…Oh, screw it…" Kakashi started a mini-chidori and broke in through the wall. Luckily no alarms sounded.

"Couldn't we just ask her secretary about her past appointments?" Ino frowned at the unnecessary destruction and the noise.

Kakashi shrugged. "Perhaps, but isn't this more fun? Besides, she may have additional appointments not known by her secretary."

Kakashi and Ino quickly went through the office. Ino walked around the room looking for anything that stood out. So many shelves of books! How could anyone have time to read them all? And they all have boring titles. Lots of medical texts, historical records…just looking at them makes me sleepy…

Kakashi went directly to the desk, piled with stacks and stacks of reports and documents waiting for the Raikage's signature. The desk had 3 drawers on both the right and left sides and one in the center. He instinctively forced open the middle locked desk drawer using brute strength. A very slight tingle in his chakra caused him to leap aside immediately. In a flash, five senbon needles flew out. Four had poisoned tips and one an explosive tag. The needles punctured the wall behind him, then the tag exploded.

Ino turned her head to see smoke coming from another hole in the wall. I thought this was supposed to be a secret undercover mission. He's making as much noise as Naruto!

When the smoke cleared, Kakashi reached in to grab the little black book. He ignored the chakra shocks it emitted to the unauthorized viewer and turned the pages…but it was completely blank.

"Damn it! She must have used special ink where you need her chakra to view it, or maybe she burned in the info with her chakra..." Kakashi lifted up his headband to expose his sharingan and examined the book from all angles. He flipped the pages to where he thought would be the last entry based on the flatness of the pages and the bent of the spine. Another search of her desk found a number of sharpened pencils. Kakashi proceeded to break off the points and crushed them to a fine powder, which he used to lightly dust a few pages. With his sharingan he could make out the faint impressions. There were many entries that were checked off but the ones on the last pages he dusted were not. There was one entry that appeared to be "?K!" circled with a heart and dated for next week. How sweet, I didn't think she's the kind to draw little hearts. But what's with the question mark? Did she think I'd be late again or not show up or did she plan to cancel? She'd be so embarrassed that I know about this… he allowed himself a small smile thinking about how little things like that would annoy and embarrass her while she had a saint's patience and a rhino's skin for other, greater, more mortifying things. (What kunoichi would debase herself to using sexy-no-jutsu? But Rikako reasoned it wasn't her own body on display.) I'll have to remember to tease her about this later.

There appeared to be no recent entries. Apparently Rei hadn't bothered to add anything since taking over. She probably let the secretary remind her of all her appointments. The last entry with a checkmark was dated 6 days ago. "mA-R,14."

He was familiar with her handwriting and shorthand. This must refer to an appointment/meeting with someone named "A" and or about someone named "R" at 2:00pm… her uncle Arai, the director of the asylum in the mountains of Cirrus, where her sister Rei was receiving treatment. Who else could it be? Like Shikamaru said, it must be family. He must know something. "Let's find Sakai," Kakashi said to Ino.

But then the secretary appeared, concerned about the noise from the destruction of the walls. The old man looked at the two of them, and then at the sizeable holes, quizzically.

"A lover's quarrel," explained Ino easily. "Please summon Sakai immediately." The secretary scurried away as Ino's brow furrowed. "We'd better hurry, I'm not sure how much longer I can hold her back," she said, feeling the original owner's presence bearing down.

Someone approached them, but it wasn't Sakai, it was Rikako's elder advisor Yashiro, aka Hizashi. When they first met, Kakashi had his suspicions about him, an older man with short sleek black hair, a badly scarred face, one blue eye and one white eye, and had pressed Rikako to confirm them. She swore Kakashi to secrecy - one of the reasons he left Neji in the valley with Naruto.

Hizashi bowed formally. "Kakashi-san, I'm glad you've come." He took a quick look at Ino. "I see you brought one of the Yamanaka clan. Good choice."

"You were the one who sent Sakai?" asked Kakashi, directly getting to the point.

"Of course, I knew as soon as I saw the Raikage that something had happened. Their chakra levels and auras are completely different. Sakai suspected as well, given…well…I can't take action on my own against the Raikage, but I knew you'd think of something."

"It seems Rikako's uncle Arai was the last to see her. Your counterfeit Raikage is her sister Rei," Kakashi said unperturbed.

"I see…that would make sense. You must leave immediately." Rikako had not discussed her uncle or her sister with anyone. But Hizashi knew Dr. Arai was the head of the special shinobi facility. And he knew there was an incident with an escaped patient last year, important enough for the Raikage to take care of personally. It was his job to know. A sister…a genetically engineered sibling? She should have trusted me with this information. Now look what's happened. Still, this could be to my advantage.

Hizashi gave Kakashi the directions to Cirrus, the fastest route. "It's already been 6 days? A lot can happen in that time," he said ominously.

Kakashi ignored his comment and asked, "So what do you want us to do with Rei once this is over?"

Hizashi thought for a bit before replying cautiously, "Let Rei go. Don't let her know about my or Sakai's involvement. I think it would be best to return Rikako to Konoha…for a while." But he thought to himself, if she's still alive, she would be in no condition to be Raikage. "She didn't want the position in the first place. This is her chance to give it up if she so chooses. Thunder Country is doing well enough, so she's no longer required at the moment. We still need to keep up the appearance of having her as Raikage or there will be further chaos. We can't afford to look weak. Besides, Rei hasn't done any harm so far as Raikage. Let her have her fun for now. I'll keep my eye on her." And she'll be easier to manipulate.

"I'm sure you will," said Kakashi with a cynical look in his eye.

Hizashi - Kakashi knew how he faked his own death, how he worked as an itinerant seer, how he became an advisor in Rain Country, how his face was scarred, how he plotted his revenge, how he met Rikako, how he forced her to return to Thunder Country, how he used her. He had no love for this man who was the source of their separation. But Rikako had decided to retain him, to use him as he used her, instead of justifiably killing him.

…-…-…-…-…-…-

On the way back, Ino was confused that the elderly advisor knew of her clan and asked Kakashi, "How did he know about me?"

"Luckily guess probably," Kakashi said evasively. Good thing Ino's not too sharp.

"His white eye kind of looks like a byakugan. Hey, did he get one surgically implanted like you?"

"Er, no, I think he's blind in that eye."

"Oh, funny though how the Hyuuga clan all look blind!"

"Yeah, hah hah," Kakashi laughed uneasily and thought, Hope she doesn't mention this to Neji! What would Neji do, how would he feel, if he found out that his father was still alive? Would he still admire the man for his sacrifice and cunning or would he be furious at his absence and deception? The last thing Kakashi needed was to have one of his team members distracted.

…-…-…-…-…-…-…

Kakashi and Ino came upon Shikamru hiding in a small cave, sitting by Ino's body. Sitting too close to my body, Ino frowned suspiciously. But there was no time to pick a fight over the disorderly clothes. Ino returned to her body but only after allowing Kakashi to tie up Rei's body tightly. Kakashi loosened the ropes around her hands just long enough for Ino to perform her release seal. Then he quickened tightened the special shinobi anti-chakra molding ropes.

Rei's large dark eyes blinked slowly as she regained consciousness. Her first vision was Kakashi standing over her menacingly. Damn it, I knew something was up. They must have had mind block conditioning. I should have brought an escort but that would have been even more suspicious. Someone must have told Kakashi. A traitor... Anticipating Kakashi's interrogation, Rei spoke first, "I won't tell you anything, even if you torture me to death. Pain is nothing to me, I've lived with it all my life. I can separate my mind from my body and feel nothing," Rei said calmly, defiantly.

The two of them are so much alike in so many ways, Kakashi thought, noting her cool tone of voice. "You can have your fun for now, but stay away from Rikako and Konoha, if you value your life."

"Hah, you see that's the problem, I don't. I don't value my life, that's the whole point of all this, I want her life."

"Well, you can have it…"

Rei felt she didn't have a family, or anyone who loved her, or cared for her, or anyone that she could care for. Her parents were dead and her uncle treated his kin like lab rats. But she did have family - she had a sister who could have loved her and cared for her, if only her own disturbed mind would acknowledge it, and if only the other had the prescience to direct her attention to it. But life is full of "ifs" that are never resolved, that lead to tragedy, that cannot be avoided.

Kakashi unfurled a scroll. "This sleep spell will knock you out for a few days, enough time for us to rescue your sister. You better pray she's all right or you'll have to answer to me!"

They left the bound body in a small cave and blocked the entrance using an earth justu, leaving enough space for air to circulate. Kakashi said coldly, "If we find Rikako alive, we'll let her live, otherwise…"

…-…-…-…End of chapter…-…-…-…-…

Next up, Naruto and Neji hang out.

Author's Notes: Okay, maybe this is farfetched, but Hizashi is still alive! (see the second and third stories for particulars – Kakashi's Stolen Sharingan and Kakashi & the Raikage) To quickly explain, the basis of this entire series is how Kakashi's last mission in Thunder Country leads to the adoption of Rikako by a retired Konoha medic, the kidnapping of Hinata (see first story Kakashi & the Kunoichi from Thunder Country) and Hizashi's supposed sacrifice. Arai and Rei were introduced in story#4 (Kakashi & the Counterfeit Kunoichi). Rei is Rikako's older, slightly deranged sister, but as a character she's used as a mirror to Rikako. Sound interesting? Please read the previous stories ;)

Also, please excuse the unoriginal names of my OCs. Except for Rikako (means child of Rika or divided child of fire) I name my characters after other anime chars or from books I'm reading. Easier for me to remember them that way.

Other notes: In Japan, doctors are called "sensei" as with teachers, but I prefer to use the "Dr." address to distinguish them.

Thanks for reading this far!