VII: Dinner Disasters

To say I was nervous was an understatement. It had been well over four hours since we sent off the Genin to the first part of the Chuunin Exams and we had yet to hear from them. Kakashi, after realizing how irritable I was at the lobby of the exams, had literally thrown me over his shoulder and carried me back to my house.

Hence, I was hurriedly pacing the floor, every now and again going over to chop of a bit of meat or vegetables for the grand dinner planned for the Genin when they returned. Everyone was ordered to rendezvous at my place, which was a wiser choice than Kakashi's ridiculously small bachelor pad, but they were taking their sweet time in the issue.

"Would you sit down, Sayomi?" Kakashi sighed for the umpteenth time, nose buried in that little orange book of his. The biting glare he received shut the man up fairly quickly, causing a nervous laugh to fall from his throat. Oh yes, he did not want to deal with me right now.

"Makes you wonder just who this woman is, doesn't it?" Youko grumbled, speaking just high enough to Kakashi for me to hear snippets. "One minute she's taking a hot bath with a man's severed head in a bag beside her, and then she's pacing back and forth, worried out of her mind if her Genin died in the writing portion of the exams. Funny, ey?"

"We'll be eating you for dinner if you don't shut the hell up," I snapped, grinding my teeth at the fox. He chuckled, the noise sounding close to a wheezing bark, and put his head down on the table. Turning back to the water boiling on the stove, I placed my foot against the metal angrily, though howled in pain shortly after. Of course, without chakra embedded in my feet, this caused a rather sharp pain to shoot up and caress my throbbing limb. "Damn it..."

"Alright lady," Kakashi grumbled, grabbing my shoulders and steering me to the mats on each side of the table. He pushed me down, forcing my legs to fold over themselves and my rear to touch the cushion. "Here, just sit and calm down before you either break your foot, pace a hole in your floor, or destroy the oven."

Right before another sharp comment could be jibbed towards the man, the door burst open and Naruto bolted in, a cheesy grin plastered over his welcomed face. Sakura and Sasuke were not far behind though the girl was panting and screaming insults towards the blonde. Obviously he had ran here leaving Sakura and Sasuke to follow. Fortunately, Sasuke was quite intelligent and had obviously not run.

"Kakashi-sensei! Sayomi-sensei! We passed! We passed!" Naruto was dancing about my kitchen now, holding up a piece of paper and wildly flinging it about. Kakashi gently retrieved it from him, holding it out to me after a moment. It was his pass for the second part of the Chuunin Exams, which would begin in the morning. That was the time I would really be panicking.

"Naruto almost completely killed it for us though!" Sakura scolded with a glare. "At the very end of the test, he gave some long winded speech and I thought for sure Ibiki-sensei was going to throw us out for good. Until the woman that wasn't really wearing a shirt popped in."

"Anko," Kakashi laughed to himself darkly and took all three of the papers from the kids. "Good, now your female sensei can stop pacing. She was about to injure someone or something around this house if you hadn't arrived any sooner."

"No, I was about to take your head and go have a hot bath," I snorted, standing up and wrapping my arms around Sakura and Naruto. I congratulated them, a blush scattering their cheeks, then turned to Sasuke when they were not looking. "And a special congratulations to you, Sasuke," I whispered sweetly, wrapping my arms around him as I did so. He obviously did not return said gesture, but once I pulled away, a dark red tinged his face. I laughed lightly, hiding him behind my back when I turned to the others.

"Sayomi-sensei, would you like some help cooking dinner?" Sakura murmured, seeing the disaster my kitchen was in with wide eyes. To be honest, I was a decent- sub-par, from what Youko claimed- cook, but with all this stress I had not noticed the state my counters and stove were in.

"It would be an honor, Sakura. You three sit over there or go in the living room, alright?" I pointed to the table, then hurried to pull on an apron with my female student. The two of us set to work, creating a superb meal- which Sakura deserved absolutely all of the credit for- and sett it all out in front of the guys on the table.

Our food was truly delectable, each piece melting in my mouth as I hurried to eat it when none were looking. Thankfully, the children were so famished from their exhausting day they did not even realize when Kakashi and I swiveled our heads before coming back masked once more. Of course, we made sure to keep it where neither of us saw the other. That would make things much more difficult, ne?

I turned my face forward just as a set of chopsticks collided over the sushi I had made. A single piece was left, and Sasuke and Naruto were glaring the other down for it. "Let it go, asshole!" Naruto screamed, tugging on the little piece, "I want Sayomi-sensei's last piece of sushi!" Sasuke's glare became darker, electricity shooting between them both.

"Should we stop this before it gets out of hand?" Sakura questioned cautiously, her voice loud and yet unheard by the two warring parties. I shrugged, shaking my head to allow this little battle to continue, wondering how far the other was planning to go for said food. They were acting childish, but it could not be helped for shinobi as young as the two of them.

Of course, I had become a kunoichi when I was about six years old, progressing in the ranks swiftly from there. My greatest feat was not becoming a Jounin at fourteen, but instead a Shinobi Hunter by the time I was seventeen years old. ANBU had been at age sixteen, though I preferred not to dabble in their sundries.

"Naruto, stop being an idiot. I had my chopsticks on it first." And that did it, for Naruto leaped across the table and onto the Uchiha. The two rolled about, beating each other up- though, I'm proud to say that Sasuke was winning- before Kakashi pulled the feuding kids apart, holding them up by the collars of their shirts. I chuckled and sliced the sushi in half before walking up to them.

Kakashi set them on their feet and as soon as they turn to face me, I shoved a half in each of their mouths, laughing softly. "Sharing is a good thing, you know. Teammates shouldn't fight like the two of you do. It's unhealthy. Besides, dinner is done with and all of you need to go home and get your rest before the big part of the test tomorrow."

"Do you know what we are doing, Sayomi-sensei?" Naruto's eyes grew into saucers, his mouth full with the small bit of food and nearly spraying me with part of it. His blush returned, quite dark, and Sasuke scolded openly him for the rude action.

"Kakashi and I have an idea of what it is, yes," I cryptically smirked, stretching. "Now, all of you go home and get your sleep. Pack and be ready. Remember, they said you'd be gone a few days on this one. Shoo!"

"Bye Sayomi-sensei!" Naruto gave me a quick hug and I returned the gesture, then he bolted out of the house and towards his own. Sakura stayed just long enough to help me with the dishes- despite my protests, mind you- and then headed off to her own home.

That left Sasuke, Youko, and Kakashi in my home as I put on a pot of tea. The three males were in the living room, giving me time to finish up the lovely smelling drinks. I handed them off to the humans, curling my legs underneath me on the couch on the opposite side of Kakashi. Sasuke was in the lounge chair, sipping silently- as always- on his steaming liquid.

"I don't like Kabuto," I finally said aloud, narrowing my eyes. "Something about him is a put-off. Be wary of him, alright Sasuke?"

"I didn't even know you had met him," Kakashi added softly, raising his exposed brow at me. I nodded, retelling the story to him from the exams, before he had dragged me home because of my worrying.

-( Trust is a Sacred Vow )-

Flashback

I had just returned from the bathrooms, having met an entrant in the exams from Sunagakure that went by 'Temari', as I recall. She was a nice enough girl, though with a fierce attitude about her. She had never known of a 'Sayomi of Kirigakure', which was how things needed to stay in my book. After all, the shinobi world knew Za Youma, my alias, and it was rare I was talked about by first or last name basis.

A boy, older than most at these exams, nearly bumps into me as I rounded a corner, looking heatedly at a set of cards he carried. He stops, apologizing kindly, and then decides to hold a conversation with me, staring as if I had two heads. It felt as if he was gazing upon the markings down each side of my nose, his eyes straying from them once he noticed the look given on my part.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to nearly run into you, Miss," he murmurs. "I'm Kabuto, a Genin in these exams. I'm just a bit nervous. What's your name, if you don't mind me asking? I didn't know anyone older was in the exams besides me, after all."

I shake my head, stepping to the side a bit. "I am not a Genin. I am a Jounin from Kirigakure." My hand taps the hitai-ate around my neck. "Sayomi is my name. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kabuto." I was about to walk off, my back to him, when his next set of words stopped me cold in my tracks.

"Where did you get those markings on your nose, Sayomi-senpai?" Did he know of these markings? I wanted information on my past, and if this was how I would attain it, so be it. A simple Genin would never know of the reasons, unless there was something more to this kid.

"I've had them since birth. Why, have you seen them before?" Cerulean eyes, blazing and narrow, turn to him with avid irritancy. His next answer would decide how the future went in this hallway, and I was lucky none were around.

A knowledge was within his own orbs, and I wanted to take his head with the way I was being scrutinized. It would be frowned upon, certainly, and I did not want to screw things up between Kirigakure and Konoha. "No, just simply wondering if they were tattoos or not. See you around, Sayomi-senpai."

He pushes his glasses up on the brim of his nose, causing a glare effect. With this, he turns, leaving me to stare after him, wondering just what this boy knew that he did not want me to find out. I would have to speak with him later, somewhere he would not be able to run so easily.

End Flashback

-( Trust is a Sacred Vow )-

"He knows something about my history, of that I am sure," I growled, glaring into the half-full glass beneath my fingers. "I sometimes wonder if you know something as well, Kakashi."

The silver-haired Jounin had not let his eyes stray from his own mug until my confession, now lifting the single exposed orb to my face. He noticed how hard my stare was indeed, for the room grew silent around us. I had not noticed how late the hour had gotten in my tale, so absorbed now in another dilemma.

"I believe it's time I headed home," Sasuke grumbled, standing swiftly to his feet. I joined him at once, placing a hand on his shoulder and swiveling him to face me.

"I don't mean to impose Sasuke, but would you like to stay here for the night? I have two extra rooms, and I'm sure you would like a nice breakfast in the morning before the exams, no? It would be a gift to wish you well in your exams." My mood had turned from dark to soft in that instant, hoping with all my heart he would not walk home right now, and if so I would certainly accompany him. "If not, I'll be glad to walk you home. It's just really late and all..."

He hesitated, mulling over the idea in his head and wondering what would be the best option. I also figured he thought ulterior motives were at work, but my heart was pure in such a situation. I was being honest with the boy, speaking as I wished and praying he would not leave. I enjoyed his company, and knowing he was here would put my worries to rest.

Truthfully, I did not want him returning to such a house as the Uchiha Compound. The mood there was overwhelming, the only light coming from a single tree that shone even in the night. It was a terrifying place, one I would not wish any single person to live. Not with the horrors that surrounded it, or the dark tidings and ominous dealings that had occurred in years past.

"Yeah, I'll stay," he murmured, and I clapped my hands with glee. "I don't have any clothes here though."

A knowing smile came to my face, and I led him towards the room with me. I opened up a dresser drawer, exposing a set of fine black pajamas that were sure to fit him. Sasuke gave a stare up at me, silently questioning why I would have such a set of clothing in his size in a room I did not use. "Well, I was actually hoping you would be willing to stay with me sometime, so I bought these in a little shop yesterday. There's a set for Naruto or Sakura too, though I don't know if either will ever stay over. I really like the company, you know. Youko can get so irritating after all."

I swear, the boy actually smiled, though it was turned into a smirk moments after it was given. I almost feared it was an illusion, but my hopes held on that he had perhaps given me such a rare treat. "Now, get changed and let me know when you are done, alright? I'm going to put on my own set of pajamas and I'll be right back."

I closed the door, moving to the living room and seeing Kakashi heading towards the entrance. "Kakashi, wait a minute." I stepped up beside him, placing a hand gently on his forearm and not moving the appendage. "I did not mean anything by my assumptions earlier. If you know something, you may keep it quiet all you like. I will find things out in time, and even if I don't, at least I have what family I do now. Please, would you like to stay as well? I know how lonely that apartment of yours must get, and I'm offering the last spare room for you to have whenever you like. Please?"

I knew Kakashi was smiling under his mask, rubbing the back of his neck with the hand I did not have in my grip. "Isn't that a bit inappropriate, Sayomi? I mean, after all, I am a pervert, remember?" He laughed, and I share the small moment with him, chuckling to myself.

"Well, having your own bed is certainly better than having a lovely lady sleeping on your floor, after all," I smirked, moving my hand from his arm once I realized it had been left there. "Now, how about you stay too? I'll make sure your clothing is washed in the morning and that you have a nice breakfast. I'm actually not bad at making eggs and pancakes, if you'd believe it."

"If you insist lady, I guess I don't have much of a choice." He moved around me, heading towards the last spare bedroom. I grinned, bounding after him and then into my own room. I changed into a set of simple black shorts and a blue tank-top, socks on for the cold floors, and then hurried towards Sasuke's room.

With a gentle knock, the boy pulled open the door and I grinned down at him. The pajamas were satin, solid black and shining, with a long-sleeve button-up shirt and loose pants. His feet were bare, and his hair looked like it had been combed through before I had come back. I entered the spacious room, pulling back his blankets and ushering him in. The boy reluctantly followed my whims, and I pulled said blankets up around him and tucked him in properly.

"Good night Sasuke. Sweet dreams. I'll wake you bright and early, alright?" I smiled, leaning over where he could barely see my face and pull my mask down, placing a kiss on his temple. Sasuke was blushing, but I pretended I had not seen it due to the darkness of the room.

"You too, Sayomi," he mumbled, and I closed the door behind me. Next, I ambled along to Kakashi's room, knocking lightly on the frame. He opened it, dressed only in his boxers, and my face heated up in embarrassment. I suppose he had not expected me to come back by his room...

"I just wanted to give you a proper good night, Kakashi," I laughed nervously, the chiseled chest hard not to look upon. I forced myself to stare into his face, his hitai-ate gone and showing his Sharingan, the scar jutting down across the same eye. "Well, good night. Sweet dreams and all." I was going to hug him, but found the idea of it a bit inappropriate after all, and instead tapped him awkwardly on the chest.

"Good night Sayomi," he laughed too, pulling me into a short hug. I could feel every muscle rippling between us, my face now beyond its previous tint by leagues. Kakashi released, allowing me to give one last nervous laugh before bounding into my room. Boy, did that man look amazing without a shirt on...

"Stop blushing. It makes you look cute. A kunoichi like you should not be cute!" Youko scolded, curled up in a pet bed I had gotten him. He always grew irritated when I rolled over on him whenever we shared a bed, and preferred his own little arrangement. "I swear, you make me wonder if you are the same Sayomi here and on our hunts."

"Oh shut up you grouchy fool. You always become an asshole right before bed," I scoffed, but lean down and kiss his head nonetheless. He nuzzled briefly into my shoulder, and then nipped at me to go away. I grinned, ruffling up his fur for good measure before crawling beneath my own sheets.

And honestly, it was the best sleep I had ever had... A house filled with good people, and a warm bed to call my own. What more could a woman really want?

I suppose I was too brutal of a person inside to really love anyone, though I knew somewhere- deep, deep down if you squinted really hard- inside I wanted it just as badly as any other soul did. The love of a family, the love of a man, the love of a child... These sorts of things were all so foreign to me, and even knowing I was a bit silly in some ways when I was in a place I considered 'home', that did not change how I felt on things. I was worried I would get in too deep here, the way I was beginning to feel about Sasuke and such. I wanted to give him love and compassion, like that of a mother or even a sibling, but I knew he was afraid. And in all reality, I was afraid as well. The only person in this world, besides Youko, that I would honestly give my life for was Terumi Mei, and not because she was my Mizukage either.

Kakashi, well I suppose I considered him a friend even. It was hard to come by for me, friends that is, and the only two I really had were mentioned a moment ago. Kakashi would talk with me for hours, and though we related on a lot of things we also differed on twice as many more. He was a sweet man, and he deserved a sort of happiness one such as him could probably rarely attain. I knew of Obito and Rin- I believe that was her name at least- and even his sensei, the Fourth Hokage, along with his father. They had been touchy subjects for the shinobi, ones that he probably rarely shared, but he had disclosed after I had given some of my own secrets away.

At first, I wondered if Konoha was trying to pull information from me, but I had decided long ago that was not the case. These people in this town were mostly good-hearted and compassionate for one another, both adults and children alike, and welcomed me with open arms. I'm sure some found my strange appearance and scars perplexing, some even frightened by them, but I was still treated no differently by any I had come across.

As I finally drifted off to sleep, a smile on my lips, I dreamed a dream of a world where things were different for the two in my home, a dream where all of us could be happy and know all the things we yearned for. I dreamed of Naruto, of Sakura, of Youko, of Mei, and especially of Sasuke and Kakashi. Oh, how I wish all could be happy endlessly, how I wish for that sort of shared loved between all. I suppose I was a terrible kunoichi, a sick fool...

But inside, I did not want to be any other person in this world, in this life, or even in the next...

Next in 'Trust is a Sacred Vow':
Well, Sayomi had hoped to make friends and meet people secretly in the dead of night, a forlorn want and a dream she once believed unattainable. Yet, Kakashi had other plans for the kunoichi and had decided- without her consent really- that she would join him and a few other nin for a night on the town. Drunken slurring and debauchery ensues...