Chapter Nine: A Little Problem

Kakashi sped through the darkness, eventually stopping at a small park. It was a good spot, he decided, checking the map. He could reach the gateway in less than five minutes, it wasn't too close to buildings, and it even had a few sturdy trees. Bounding up the trunk of one, he rested in its branches, placing his book across his face and hoping that would deter anyone from awakening him. Even as he settled down to sleep, he remained ever alert for Itachi's presence.

-----

Something tugged at the edge of Kakashi's consciousness. Finally he realized that someone was nearby, immediately springing to his feet, in his haste dropping the bright orange novel he constantly carried. Concentrating chakra to his feet, Kakashi swung around the branch and caught the book before it reached the ground, hanging upside down.

A small gasp of suprise drew his attention. A little girl of no more than four years stared back at him. "Are you lost?" Kakashi asked in English. The child seemed confused. "Sakura-dis," she replied timidly.

Switching to Japanese, Kakashi asked, "Is that your name?" She nodded. "Daddy's on a trip to Ha-wa-ii," she pronounced slowly, "and Mommy's at work, but she hasn't come back yet and I'm scared." The little girl began to cry. Kakashi sighed to himself. This was not the best time to take care of a stray child. Not that he was good with kids to begin with. Resigning himself, Kakashi questioned her, "Where do you live?"

Pointing to one of the houses behing the park, Sakura sniffed and snuggled Kakashi's leg as he stiffened at the unexpected contact. "I'm scared. When's Mommy coming back?"

Kakashi winced. He had heard that question far too often. "We're going to look for her right now, so don't worry, S-Sakura," he reussured, stumbling slightly over the name of his student.

Slipping through an open window, which was probably how the girl got out in the first place, Kakashi left a message to her parents in Japanese stating that he had taken the child to the police station and that they could pick her up there. Lifting Sakura to his shoulder, Kakashi set off for the station. If only they weren't after him, this would be a whole lot easier, but... "It can't be helped, I guess," he muttered, increasing his speed slightly.

Kakashi finally sighted his goal. He was just about to sigh in relief when Itachi's presence hit his senses like a brick wall. Wheeling about, Kakashi sighted the Akatsuki member standing on the roof. "Why did he have to show up now?" Kakashi thought furiously. He slid to a stop across the station as Itachi stepped in front of the building's entrance, facing the white-haired nin. Cursing such bad timing, Kakashi had Sakura sit down in front of a streetlight. "Stay here," he told her firmly, never taking his eyes off of Itachi.

"What's going on?" the little girl asked, frightened.

"Don't worry; I'll protect you."

---

Cars and people sped by, oblivious to the silent battle wich would soon erupt violently. Glancing at a nearby clock, Kakash became alarmed. He only had three hours left!

"Shoot, I guess I have no choice," he muttered, pulling a scroll out of one of the pockets of his vest. He reached his hand into the kunai holster on his right leg and carefully sliced his thumb. Spreading out the scroll, he wiped his thumb along its length, calling out his nin-dogs and sending them after Itachi as soon as they appeared. "Pakkun, if you would stay here to potect the child," Kakashi requested, "I would be able to fight him more comfortably." Looking at the strange surroundings and Itachi blocking the way ahead of them, his Akatsuki cloak standing out even in the crowd, Pakkun commented, "Sometime you'll have to explain what happened here." Nodding, Kakashi replied, "I know, but it's a long story."

-----

Kakashi panted heavily. It was incredibly hard to fight without the Sharingan, but unless he was forced to, he would rather not depend on its power. It took too much chakra to be used frivolously. Fortunately Itachi didn't seem to mind.

By now all of his nin-dogs had vanished except for Pakkun,who was still protecting the little girl. Soon Kakashi heard the sirens signifying that police had noticed - finally- the two men fighting directly outside their station.

After discovering that bullets didn't work because the men would just dodge them, the police called in bigger equipment. As a helicopter flew overhead, several armored cars drove in, surrounding the two nins, the regular traffic having long since been diverted. One of the police was shouted something in an amplified voice, but as far as Kakashi knew, Itachi couldn't understand English, and his own attention was needed elsewhere, so the message went unheard. Eventually the people got fed up. One approached Itachi, who ignored him. The man fired the mechanism he was holding, sending volts of electricity through Itachi's body. Irritated at the distraction, Itachi struck the taser out of the way and began to choke the man. The white-haired nin took advantage of this opportunity and summoned his chakra. Kakashi shoved up the hitaiate to reveal the Mangekyou Sharingan.

"How? How is it possible?" Itachi cried incredulously.

Kakashi continued to focus his chakra. "You never know what will happen when you try."

"You mean you acquired the Mangekyou just now?!" Itachi demanded.

Shrugging Kakashi replied, "I guess that about sums it up. Looks like the 'you must kill your best friend' requirement was just a lie to test Sasuke's dedication to killing you. That wasn't very nice of you."

"But how?! You're not even an Uchiha! You don't deserve to wield the power of the Sharingan!"

Shaking his head in mock disappointment, Kakashi sighed, "Even after you killed your entire clan you still hold on to their selfish way of thinking? I'm suprised at you, Itachi. I expected better."

As Itachi seethed with silent rage, Kakashi turned his eye on the nin. "Now sleep, for this is your last battle."

---

While the Akatsuki member fought the Mangekyou with his own, the man who, until recently, was being choked by a furious Itachi, revived and once more used the stun gun on the Uchiha. As Itachi was on the ground, twitching from the electric shock of the amplified taser, Kakashi quickly closed the Sharingan and pulled the hitaiate down. If he wasn't careful he would collapse, unable to move - or reach the portal.

The man tried to use the taser on Kakashi as well, but since the nin had already witnessed its purpose, he was able to avoid it easily.

"I appreciate your assistance in capturing a dangerous criminal," Kakashi stated calmly, pretending not to notice the astonished expression on the man's face, "but I must ask yet another favor of you." Pointing to where Pakkun stood guard, he explained his request. "This young girl's name is Sakura. I was taking her here to wait for her parents, but this guy attacked me before I could get inside," Kakashi stated. One of the policemen spoke then, drawing the nin's attention immediately. "I remember that girl. We arrested her mother yesterday for arson. The father was supposed to take care of her."

The man's friend supported him, saying, "Oh, yeah, the Japanese woman from the Kessler case! I remember that too."

"Kessler?" Kakashi repeated, recognizing the name and trying to recall where he heard it. " Oh. That fire was sort of my fault." he apologized as everyone stared at him. The nin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Er, sorry?"