Love Song

Chapter 8: Chunin Exams

It had been a week since that day at the memorial stone and Kakashi and Hanare were still living together. In fact the topic of her moving out had never been brought up once. Both were enjoying living together too much to change it now. Today was a bit different for Kakashi, there were no missions or training, but it was an important day.

Currently Kakashi was on his way to the Hokage's office, it was finally time for the jonins that had students to say if they would compete in the chunin exams. Kakashi felt that his team should go into it, sure it was dangerous but so were actual missions. Their last big mission was proof of that, they needed to see just how the world was in order to let them gain some much needed experience.

They're teamwork was going well and he felt that they could pull through this. It didn't matter if they won. Truth was he wasn't sure they could go all the way. It was rare for a team to pass first time through, but they needed this to know what to expect, to prepare them from the future. They needed to learn things that only competing in the exams could teach you. There were just things that you couldn't really teach someone, they had to be experienced.

He opened the door to find that he was the last to arrive, not that he cared, it just meant that he didn't have to wait around for things to start. It was amazing that no one had ever figured out that was one of the reasons he was always late.

"Well surprise, surprise," Asuma stated with a smile. "Not surprised that you're late but what is it this time? I hope it's something more creative. Or does it have anything to do with your 'roommate'?" Asuma didn't really mind that Kakashi was late, he had been having a nice talk with Kurenai so the longer the masked man took, the longer he could talk to her.

She really was an interesting person once you got to know her.

"Hanare? She's fine, although I might need to get a new mattress for the bed soon." Kakashi swore that you could hear a pin drop at that. What was so odd about that? The mattress was getting old and both he and Hanare noticed that it was dipping in the center. Kakashi had already turned it over a couple of times but it was starting to get the point where you might wake up with aches from sleeping wrong.

Of course this innocent little sentence was taken the down the opposite way, mostly into the gutter. Already blushes were formed on all those present as they were all wondering, just what did those two do at night together to actually break a mattress? Kurenai was trying very hard to stop blushing, she couldn't believe that Kakashi would just go around telling people personal side of the sex like that Hanare and he had. Then again, Hanare never really talked about it, she was wondering if he was embellishing the truth or…she made a mental note to get Anko and have a talk with the woman at some point together.

Asuma nearly dropped his cigarette, he was no stranger to the arts of passion but now he was wondering just what kind of things Kakashi was capable of.

The Hokage himself was a bit more controlled but at this moment he missed his time as a young man when he was with his wife. That first year of marriage was unforgettable although he and his wife had never done that.

"Damn you my eternal rival!" Gai shouted out pointing his finger at him. "You should not speak of such unyouthful things in front of others! Although you are still ahead of me, I will catch up and when I do I will use up two mattresses!"

Kakashi blinked in confusion, he still had no clue what Gai was going on about so he fell back to one of his old habits. "Oh sorry were you saying something Gai? My mind wondered there for a second."

"That hip and too cool attitude of yours is so unyouthful Kakashi," Gai told him.

Asuma quickly learned closer to Kurenai to whisper to her. "I kind of hope that he doesn't get a date anytime soon, if he tries to do that with a woman they both might end up in the hospital."

Kurenai blushed at the implication but quickly covered it up. Gai really could go too far at times and she hoped he wouldn't try to out do Kakashi in the bedroom as well as getting a girl himself.

"Anyways," The Hokage said to everyone around. "Today we are hearing about the candidates for the upcoming chunin exams…"

-Later-

Kakashi was currently making his way home, he had given his students the entrance papers and now it was up to them. He was a little worried about Sakura's hesitation about going into the exam. The girl needed more confidence in herself and he hoped this would help bring that out. She had a good head on her shoulders and he thought that if she gained more confidence and more focus she could do something with her life. Naruto needed to learn patience most of all, enthusiasm is all good but he rushed into things way too much. Sasuke, well he was slowly opening up and the boy needed a challenge but also learn that he wasn't as alone as he thought.

Kakashi was hoping this would teach them all lessons that they would take to heart.

The masked ninja was currently taking the rooftops home, mainly it was just a way to avoid Gai. He had been a bit extra energetic lately about his challenges and the man's behaviour today was another example. So he wanted to avoid the man today, Kakashi certainly didn't feel up to another of the man's insane challenges. Plus it was Gai's turn to pick and with how he was acting there was no telling what the man would choose.

He was on one of the taller buildings looking around for bright neon green when he noticed a figure on the top of the apartment complex he lived in. From a distance he wasn't sure but it looked like someone was exercising. Nothing too out of place like that, a lot of ninja did that since there were only so many training grounds you could use.

Kakashi with no sight of Gai, quickly made his way there. It wasn't long before he figured out it was Hanare. Not many women lived in that apartment building that had her figure and long hair. He quickly landed on the roof and stopped as he couldn't help but stare.

There she was, in a tight top and matching black shorts. She was currently on her knees and stretching her body in a way that gave him an eye full of her rear end sticking up at him. He had never really noticed but she really did have a great…backside. Feeling a little heat under his collar he coughed to get her attention.

She looked back quickly but any tension eased up, "I didn't even notice you there, you are very good."

He smiled at her compliment as she went back to her exercises. "Thank you, so what are you doing?"

"It's a combination of yoga and endurance training," She told him as she got into a sitting position. She got her legs into the splits very easily as she then lifted her body off the ground. Her arms strained but she kept her legs out. Slowly she tilted her body forward until she was doing a hand stand. Her legs slowly closed up and with practiced ease she bent her legs and feet slowly until her toes hit the ground behind her head. Then she quickly pulled up with her stomach muscles as she was now in the standing position.

Kakashi had to admit, she was a lot more flexible than he had ever thought. It was also something that was kind of erotic when you thought about it. He quickly pushed that thought aside, something he found himself doing more and more lately. "You do this often?"

She rolled her shoulders, "I got into the habit. Remember when I told you I had to pose as a dancer at times? This was part of that training, I even had to blend into a circus once. So I got into being agile, you'd be amazed how well it wan work to your advantage at times."

Kakashi nodded it made sense that you had to be agile, then he noticed that she was favouring her left arm and saw the small bruise there. "When did that happen?"

She looked down and smiled a bit, "I had a sparing session today with Anko, I managed to give her a few but straight up combat is something I need work on."

"You're training with Anko now?" Kakashi asked her. He knew that she had made friends with Kurenai and Anko, the first day after she had made friends with them. That had been the first thing she had talked about. He was happy that she was making friends in the village and those two were good people so he didn't have to worry about anything. Although he knew that Anko could be a tough opponent when she wanted to be, she was the type that liked to come at you from the sides instead of straight on sometimes.

"Well I train sometimes when we're both free, I've even trained with Kurenai as well," Hanare went into a set of fighting stances to practice. "I never really got to train with different styles before. I was only taught how to fight in my village's way and that was it. I enjoy it plus it lets me be a better ninja for this village."

"Then would you like to train with me sometime?" Kakashi wasn't sure why he asked. Maybe because he wanted to see more of what she could do. Their own little fight at the bridge hadn't been really much of a fight between them. That and maybe it was because it was a way to spend some time with the woman outside of work.

Hanare stopped and looked at him with a smile that could light up a room. "I would like that very much. Although it might have to wait a bit, I still feel a little sore from today."

Kakashi chuckled, "Yes, she's known for being a little rough at times but she never takes things too far."

Hanare nodded in agreement, "Although I wish I had known she could summon snakes, that took me by surprise. I've always wondered what it would be like to have summons of my own, but there is a limited number of animal summons and most are already taken by others."

Kakashi got an interesting look in his eye as an idea hit him. "You know I don't think I've ever introduced you to my team."

"But I met your genins," Hanare was confused now, he knew that she and the others had met several times already.

Kakashi chuckled, "Not that team, my other team." Kakashi went into the seals and slammed his hand onto the ground. He called out the summon command as the large black seal showed up and there was a large puff of smoke. When it cleared, a group of eight dogs of various kinds, sizes, and all wearing blue vest and Konoha headbands around their necks, with the exception of one small dog where he wore it like a headband.

"Hanare these are my Ninken team," Kakashi made the introductions to all eight animals. "Guys this is Hanare, I figured she might like to meet you."

She smiled as she sat down and looked at them. "They're all so cut."

She reached out to stroke the fur or to pet them, if Kakashi didn't know any better; he swore a few of them might be doing the dog version of blushing as she got to know them. At least they seemed to like her which was nice.

"If you don't mind me asking, what is your relationship with Kakashi?" Pakkun the pug asked her.

"Oh, we're living together for about a couple of months now." Hanare told him.

The dogs looked at her and then at their summoner, Kakashi wasn't sure what was going through their minds but the looks he was given was almost like they couldn't believe what she had just told them. What was so unbelievable about helping someone out? She had nowhere else to go so why wouldn't he help her out?

Although what he didn't know was that they were thinking that Kakashi had finally found himself a girl. They had smelt his presence on her, after all living in Kakashi's apartment, sleeping in his bed and wearing his shirt to bed, she hadn't know that a part of his scent was on her by this point. At a distance a dog couldn't tell but up close, they had wondered at the smell.

Hanare picked up Pakkun looking at the dog, "You know I've never gotten to know summon animals before you, thank you for taking the time to meet with me."

"Don't worry about it," the dog told her. "If you're with Kakashi then we should get to know you. Here, you might as well try out my paw, it's really soft." He raised his paw so the padding there was showing. He was really quite proud of how he kept them so soft. Being a dog and an active ninja, it wasn't easy.

She rubbed a finger over it and giggled. "It really is soft, you must be so proud of it." She smiled at him and Pakkun, who was usually wearing a depressing expression on his face, actually seemed to beam with happiness.

Slowly the pug turned to Kakashi, "You really should keep this one."

"Huh?" Kakashi just didn't know what was going on with some people at times. He felt like he was missing a piece of information that everyone had but him.

Hanare placed the small dog back on the ground and said her goodbyes as the dogs went back to wherever they came from. Kakashi smiled as she seemed to really like dogs, he was glad for that. He wasn't sure how often he would call on them with her around, but the fact that they both got along, for some reason made him feel good about it.

"You know I always liked dogs," Hanare told him as they left for the stairwell.

"Oh?" This was news to Kakashi.

She nodded her head. "I remember seeing a small puppy once on a mission. It was a long term one, and the place I was staying a little stray was in the alleyway of the apartment I was living in. I found it hungry and alone and I couldn't help but feed him. I couldn't take him in, but for every day I would feed him, talk to him."

As they walked down the stairs he would see her eyes tearing up.

"That dog was the first outside comfort I had but I knew I had to leave and couldn't take him with me. I wasn't allowed any pets. I often wondered what happened to that dog…sometimes I wished I had had one growing up then maybe…"

'Maybe I wouldn't have felt so alone all this time,' she thought to herself. Having something to care for and to love and to be loved in return growing up would have been such a joy. But she had been denied such things, so she had learned to take pleasure in the little things. But still, that dog had been the closest thing to a friend she had had for years.

"I'm sorry," she wiped her eyes, "I shouldn't get so worked up over something that happened years ago."

"No it's okay," He told her as they had reached the apartment. He let them in as he continued, "My summon dogs are like people I can always count on to help me out and the bond between us is more of friendship than anything else."

"That sounds nice," Hanare told him.

Kakashi had a thought, he would have to talk to his dogs about it of course but given the way they were with her, he felt that they would agree. Now he just needed a special way to give her it, well this was a present in a way, what better day to give one?

"You know I never thought about it," Kakashi stated as he took a thinking pose. "But I never asked what your birthday was."

"I don't know." She answered honestly.

Kakashi looked at her surprised, "You don't know?"

She shook her head," They never told me and I don't remember anyone celebrating it." She smiled and laughed. "I didn't even know people celebrated their birthdays until I was fourteen when I infiltrated a small village when the mayor's son was having his birthday."

Kakashi never really celebrated his own birthday but at least his friends liked to drag him off to celebrate. For her to never had one, well that just seemed wrong to him. "So pick a date."

"Huh?" she looked at him confused.

"Pick a date and that will be it," He smiled at her.

She smiled and she answered without nearly thinking about it, "March 21st."

"That was kind of fast, any particular reason behind it?" he asked her honestly.

"It's a special day to me," She told him coyly. That had been the day she had first met Kakashi, she had remembered the date like she remembered everything else. Her memory was nearly flawless and so ever since that day, March 21st had always been her special day. If she choose a day to celebrate her 'birth' she thought that day was perfect for her.

Kakashi nodded his head. That was a couple of months away, plenty of time.

"Well I need to shower, can you get everything ready in the kitchen?" She asked him as she left for the bathroom.

"Sure thing," He told her. By the time she got out, dressed and nearly dry, Kakashi had set up everything as she went to the fridge to start getting ingredients.

Kakashi asked if he could help but she just shooed him away. Dinner time was her time and he could use a shower himself after the day. He didn't seem to argue the point and quickly did just that. As they eventually sat down to eat later they talked about their day. It was always nice to sit and talk with the other about their day. For the both of them, it was something neither of them had done in the past. Although the little game of Hanare's to try and see Kakashi's face was long over thanks to the infamous 'shower incident' that both never mentioned again.

Kakashi figured since she had already seen his face, there wasn't much point in hiding it. So at meals at home he would pull it down and eat normally. He kept the mask up while in public if they ate together of course, but he didn't see much point in keeping it on now. Although it was nice not having to hurry and eat, he could take his time and her cooking always was great.

Hanare did like that he ate without the mask and she still kept stealing looks, he really was a very handsome man. She felt her cheeks burn sometimes as she looked a little too long sometimes.

"So I gave my students a chance to go for the chunin exams today," Kakashi told her.

"Oh yes, Anko told me that after our training together she had to go and prepare for that," Hanare looked up and smiled. "She seemed really excited about being in charge of the second part of the exam. "So how well do you think they'll do?"

Kakashi thought about it, "I think if they work together they can help each other get past the second stage, they can be surprising when they work together and use all their strengths combined. But after that, well things can get a little tricky. After the teamwork part, its every ninja for themselves and that's when they'll really be tested."

"But this is something they need to really need to experience. In order to grow they'll have to experience hardships and challenges and learn how to overcome them." He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. "I think it better they do that here than while on a mission with combat, where there are no rules and can be a lot more lethal."

Hanare thought about it, it made sense to her. Missions were very dangerous, every time she had been sent on a spy mission could have been her last. Like with here, she had been captured, and interrogated. Granted that was all part of the plan, but still, that hadn't been pleasant. That scared man was very good but she had been trained to ignore physical pain. At least in Konoha they had more limits with what to do with female prisoners.

That was something she had always feared but thankfully never had experienced.

"Well I hope they do well then." She told him honestly.

He smiled at her, "Oh I think they'll do fine in the long run. I'll keep you updated on their progress."

"I'd like that," Hanare then asked more about what these chunin exams were like. Smaller villages like hers didn't always compete, they promoted within. Although the chunin exams were a big deal, not everyone could compete because of either special circumstances or for security reasons. So she had never experienced this herself sadly. The whole concept of being with a team and working together was something she had learned to like in her new home.

Kakashi explained how the exams were always different, how this one was basically set up although he didn't know all the details. He did tell her about his own exam, how his team had done very well and how he earned his first promotion. Hanare loved hearing these stories, especially about Kakashi and his time on his genin team. She could already imagine the loud Uchiha, the medic girl, and a more by the book Kakashi. It was a cute image in her mind it helped when Kakashi had shown her some pictures of those days the day after they had talked by the memorial stone.

A part of her wondered what her life would have been like if she had left with Kakashi that day they met, just went with him to Konoha. Well that was the past and no matter what she enjoyed her life now. She was happy and glad she had come to live here with Kakashi.

"Well at any rate," Kakashi said finishing off his plate. "This year's chunin exams look to be very interesting. Three rookie teams and Gai's team are all competing along with a few others from Konoha. It should be interesting to see how this generation is going to do with so many of them in."

"Is that odd? To have so many teams?"

"A bit," He told her. "But like I said, it should be an interesting exam this year."

Little did Kakashi know, just how interesting things would get.

Chapter 9: Trouble on the Rise