Blinking rapidly, the girl could not believe her very eyes. What the..... Her mind was still a mess as she tried to think straight.
"I just wanted to make sure you okay" the inquisitive voice came back, from his perched position on a tree branch.
Her eyes averted in the same puzzled expression she frowned.
"And that gives you the right to come up to MY apartment, outside MY room, when my boyfriend is sleeping just yards away from the window?" she snipped, her voice trailing off, she didn't want to wake Genma. Hell would just break lose even more so.
"Sorry...I felt bad for just vanishing earlier"
"Sorry isn't enough!" she pouted now, pursing her lips. "Do you even know the time? Its 1am for GOOODNESS SAKE" she almost roared, finding it impossible to keep it down.
He didn't know what to say, except to stare on, awestruck by her sudden attitude.
"And not to mention how this would look. It's kind of perverted don't you think, spying on a girl sleeping. And I though you just read porn" she tutted, her veins in head popping.
Seeing him just brought all up the pent up anger to the surface once more. Why did he have to come at a time like this and ruin her stability? Sure, seeing their brought back all those feelings again and she'd love more than anything than to jump out that window and head off into the distant. Although that would be very stupid and foolish of her to think that.
With one sharp eye glancing to the bed at the far side of the room, he could see the other jounin stir.
"Now, now. You'll wake him up." he whispered, hand lingering on the branch.
Looking at him briefly, he was right.
Chuckling slightly, she furrowed her brow.
"That surely was something"
"Oh really, have you never met a girl who can stand up for herself"
"Yes but none like you. You have truly got worse over the years. "
"And you haven't..." she uttering sarcastically, this recent escapade running in front of her thoughts.
"Well back to the point.."
"You're a pervert? Case closed" her hand circled her plain night dress, the draft chilling her legs.
"No, look. Let's talk, you still haven't told me all the details yet" he pondered and she continued to pout. Wow, women were really as troublesome as Shikamaru first said.
"No I'm staying in my comfortable home with my boyfriend, in the safety of my own be---"she started as her hand was pulled on, being hoisted onto the silver haired jounin's back. A familiar wave of déjà vu hit her, the events of yesterday not wanting to fade. Nope, not at all.
"Let me GO!" she struggled as he flitted down from the tree.
"It could be easier if you agreed to talk?" he turned his head to face her annoyance.
Huffing, she looked away.
"Fine, we'll talk" she gave up her protest officially
Releasing his grip, she slid down to her feet, crossing her arms across her chest.
Glaring at him, he looked on blankly.
"You could at least let me go change first. You can't let me be exposed to the world like this, even in the cover of darkness" she pouted.
"I would say yes but how would you suppose you get back up into the room and change quickly before he wakes up?" he questioned the female who just glanced up to the tree. She could not help but notice how he changed his tone at that word.
"I'll just swing into the room and throw on some clothes. Don't worry about Genma. He's a heavy sleeper. He could sleep through an explosion without realising. Trust me; I'll be quicker than you can say 'Porn" her lips raised into a cheeky grin.
"Can't resist can you?"
"Not at all" she replied.
"Just get changed before you get attacked by perverted watcher" his voice taunted.
"Your right. I wouldn't want the biggest pervert in Konoha spying on me. He could be anywhere!" her expression mocked shocks by the quick little gasp.
"Just go Ayaka" he heaved a sigh.
"I'm going! Keep your mask on" she tormented with her grey eyes widening as she raced up the tree, perfecting her charka concentration without so much of a thought.
Quickly jumping through the window, the snores came again. Ayaka sneaked into the shadow infested bedroom, attempting her very best effort not to wake the sleeping jounin from his slumber.
Going down on her knees, she picked up her shirt and skirt that she had peeled off earlier and slid them on.
A sudden toss to the side made Ayaka's heart plummet.
It was only when the snores continued she could relax. Fishing on her sandals, she glimpsed down at Kakashi.
A smile rose to her pale lips as he looked on bored. It was something out of a fairytale. The princess trapped in a high tower with only a prince to rescue her. By his current facial expression, he didn't look like much of a prince. Nether less, it was almost her perfect fairytale, just with a few major obstacles in the way. Checking for the cost to be clear, letting go of her inhibitions, the girl jumped.
Stumbling to her feet, she placed a hand to swoop back her fleeting hair.
"Well?" her mouth pursed in a tight line.
Taking her hand, he turned to the side.
"I was thinking of somewhere more private.
"Like?" she pondered just before she was being pulled.
"You'll see" he teased, his expression lighting up.
She couldn't do anything but give in as they raced to the destination.
Her heart thumped as they did so, under the dark starless night. This wasn't what she planned, not in the slightest. Though her life hadn't been simple for a long time.
Her swished down her back, the cool night air sending shivers down her spine. Her shirt was only short sleeved and without the protection of the green vest, the cold air hit her harder
Shivering more, all Ayaka wanted to do was get this stupid thing over with. Not that she knew what it was about anyway.
A vision of green ran past them, the leaves of the trees swirling underneath her feet.
Her eyes adverted as the female noticed their pace was slowing. She would have asked where they were headed, although it was obvious it wouldn't be much of a point in it. An argument would ensure, preferably with her ofcourse stating his abnormally huge interest in porn.
Trying to take in the nearby scenery as they stopped by a secluded filed, just by the forest, she gasped.
"You remember it?" the male voice questioned the now speechless black haired jounin.
"How could I not." a grin spread on her face as the grey pupils of her eyes fixated on the surroundings. Despite the overpowering darkness, it could not be any more familiar. The big billowing tree by the west side, the array of wildflowers and bluebells scattered among the grass and the flat round rock just by the entrance to the forest, things a girl could never forget.
Strolling to the rock, her cheeks burned red as her hand was still warm in his. Retracting it, she knelt on the cold marble like surface.
"I'm surprised you could recall this place after all this time" he knelt at the edge, facing her.
"It will always be in mind, it's hard to forget..." her mind wanted to wander before he spoke.
"Yes, it wasn't the most romantic date though. Not with the intruders we had to slaughter beforehand" he lightly chuckled.
"There was blood all over this rock" her eyes staring at the grey stone, convinced she recognised small sparks of fading red.
"And your vest!" he laughed, the mood easing.
"I don't know what you were talking about, your mask was covered" she smiled, impressed on how she was talking to him like this.
"It was"
"I think that's the first time I saw you without the mask" her fingers lightly traced the stone edge.
"I bet you can't remember my face" he started. Of course she could. The chiselled jaw line, flawless pale skin, it was stuck in her head forever though Ayaka had only seen his face a few times. He really wasn't keen on hiding, for no real reason. He was gorgeous.
Scoffing, she looked at him. "Of course I do you idiot. I just don't understand why you don't take it off completely. I mean it's not like your ugly or anything."
"And I'm supposed to take that as a compliment?"
"Yes indeed as that's all you're going to get" she teased once more.
"You're the nicest girl in the world, you know that right?" he ridiculed in a sarcastic fashion.
"Uh huh" she beamed, taking the sarcasm in her stride.
Turning to her, his face was serious. "Back to the point for this conversation, I wanted to talk to you remember?"
"Ah that's right. About?" she encouraged him to expand on this feeble point.
"About what happened at the hospital? What did she say? I didn't get a chance to ask her"
"Hmm well not much" she tried to hide her emotion, though could not help but glance down at the visibly strapped arm. The cool air left her whole body frozen. Expect from that part. It was dead, dead to the touch and dead to her. Missing it was evitable.
"It looks like the damage is permanent. But Tsunade did say she could try out the surgery on me. It isn't completely affective but it might work" offering false hope, he didn't buy it. Worry edged the corners of his visible parts of her face.
He didn't bear to look up. It was too much, his fault. His stupidity caused this. "Hmm, so when you are going back there?"
"Next week. Hopefully I'll be kicking your ass shortly!" she beamed, his expression unchanged.
"Hopefully isn't definite" he sighed.
Her black hair shone in the moonlight. "It's all I got"
"I know. And it's my stupid oversight. I could not see it coming. I wrecked your life" he spat, his face at the ground.
Her eyes swelled. There was no denying this was her hurting her. She made him feel so awful for her mistake.
"Stop it! I don't want you ever think like that" her eyes welled up, tears refusing to oblige to her whim. She'd seen how his friend's deaths affected him. Grieve like that overnight. She didn't want to add to his pain, despite what he did her messed up sanity.
"I'm sorry, so sorry. I've caused you too much pain" he whispered, the stillness of the night haunting.
"It doesn't hurt" she replied calmly, a tear falling down her cheek.
"I know it does. The look on your face reminds me every single day" his eye met hers now.
It didn't take much for her to realise what he was on about. It was too clear now. Recovering herself she kept her eyes on his.
"It's not your fault"
"I'm sure it was. I didn't mean to cause you any pain, I really didn't. But I should bother with excuses, it's all done now. Now I realise why you hate me" he retorted.
"I'll never hate you. You're too loveable for that. "An affectionate hand rubbed his shoulder.
"And your too forgiving" he grinned as the silent wolf howled in the distance.
Neither of them said many words, it was too difficult. Neither could say anymore. Just being there, realising, understanding, helped her mind move on despite the screaming in her heart wanting to vent it all out. The silence helped the throbbing of her heart die down to a gentle flickering.
The morning light rose streamed through the window. Raising a palm to her head, the space next to her was now empty. A simple note explained a mission. Typical, that's what he had to do. Rising from the bed, her head tilted to the side.
Last night was really something. She could hardly recall getting home. She was so exhausted. It must have been about three hours of arriving at the field that they left. An emotional rollcoaster to say the least, it had drained her.
A quick unguarded look at the clock beside her revealed her annoyed expression. Time to get up and dressed.
Slipping on a clean black shirt and beige skirt that hung in the closest, the girl attempted to get ready. She took her time, knowing it wouldn't mind to be late; after all it was a casual affair to say the least.
Combing her hair by the small oval mirror, her lips paled in the sunlight. Her eyes flickered as the rays blinded the apartment.
Sighing, her arm started to spasm. It wasn't easy brushing one handed. You couldn't just switch hands. So it took longer, not the girl minded.
Messing around with her hair till it was straight and tangle free, she got bored. I'd better go now if I want any dango the jounin emerged from the wooden chair. Ayaka fitted her sandals once more to her tender toes, before rushing outside into the breezy winds.
Slipping in and out between villagers, it was just an average day. It was hard to get used to, not being stopped. Like the past two days. Now it was much quieter and her mood sombre.
It couldn't last that long, not where she was going. Detecting the tea house in sight, she headed on forward, dreading it all. The quaint tea house was lovely. It was peaceful and had the most incredibly dango. Dango was one of her loves, which she had to thank her friend Anko for. Living without it wasn't an option anymore. That's how sad her life had got these past few months.
Ayaka wasn't far from the place in question when her lips tightened in the range of that voice.
"Can we get more dango over here?" the impolite shrill voice rattled.
Bracing herself, she paced to the table of currently two.
"You came!" kind red eyes greeted her as the purple haired female opposite smirked.
"Having fun with lover boy?" Anko began to mock.
Frowning, she sat down beside her best friend. "I'm guessing she told you" her eyes averted straight to the raven haired jounin.
"Who else would it be?" Anko grinned, slipping more dango into her mouth.
"Sorry?" Kurenai offered her best sympathetic look. Unfortunately it was not working this time.
"You'd better be" Ayaka warned, ordered some tea as the lady came round.
"Anyway technically it was Asuma who let that slip not me" she tutted, trying to dispel the blame.
"You should tell your damn boyfriend to keep his trap shut for once or I will, and I shall not this for further reference, cram those stupid polluting cigarettes down his throat!" Ayaka's eyes widened at her little rant, half serious. She was really pissed at him. His mouth never seemed to shut up. He was ten times worse than his girlfriend here. Plus the smoking! There was alot of things she could ramble on about. He was not one of her particularly favourite people.
Anko burst into a fit of chuckles. "Wow amazing! Please don't go back on your word; I want to see this pan out"
Kurenai openly frowned and looked away. Not that word again. "I can't say he'll listen. And stop saying that" she couldn't look her friends in the eye for the fear of the colour rushing to her cheeks.
"Anyway" Anko started trying to divert the conversation into something less argument style. "How have you been? I haven't seen you in like, forever" she exaggerated sipping her tea.
"Forever you mean last week?" Ayaka chimed in, when they bumped into each other, naturally here.
"Yeah, but, but, we haven't had a good proper chat in ages" she grinned, flinging the stick to the ever-growing pile.
"She's right you know. We never talk anymore, like just us girls." Kurenai rejoined the conversation.
"I know but I've been so busy and so have you" she turned to her, sipping the fresh tea put in front of her.
"Which would leave me on my own as usual? I need to find a guy." Anko answered.
"I don't have anyone..." the crimson eyed jounin added innocently as both girls just ignored her. She still didn't admit it, though it was so obvious, hard to miss.
"But you have Iruka?" Ayaka responded.
"Well, he's nice and all but I don't know..." Anko sighed, playing with the sticks on the table.
"You make such a cute couple!" Kurenai cooed as Ayaka joined in.
"He's clingy as hell. That puts me off" she retorted.
"And your fickle as hell" Ayaka grinned eating some dango, before Anko could steal it all.
"Yup" Kurenai nodded in agreement.
"Well, so who cares? Oh I know!" Anko grinned, usually not a good sign.
"What?" Kurenai asked.
"You know, we haven't had a girl's night out in ages. A night where we can forgot the stupid guys and just party" her eyes lightened up as the other girls just looked on.
"But I'm not in the mood to get drunk out of my mind. You know what happened the last time" the raven haired female added.
Giggling, Ayaka couldn't forget. "It was so funny and hilarious!"
"I thought we swore not to talk about this ever again?" she sniped.
"But it was so not you!" Anko chuckled. "I still think I have that-"
"NO! I thought we got rid of all the pictures" Kurenai shouted.
Ayaka and Anko both shoot each other quick glances. "Yes..." Anko snorted, dango almost slipping out of her mouth.
Ayaka on the other hand just chuckled. "You still have it don't you?"Kurenai anxiously asked.
"No..." both girls chimed in, innocently.
"I will find out!"She roared as the giggling fit stopped.
"About what?" a voice bellowed from behind as the tall male stood behind them.
"Oh nothing, just a funny thing about your girlfriend here" Anko grinned, her tongue hanging out cheekily.
What would she do without her crazy friends?
(A/N): sorry for the late updtae, I alyways seem to get get up in the festive season! Anyway here's the latest update who you like.
Oh and before I forget, I'd like to thank my dear reviwers, ILuvOdie, Vailnor's Twilight and RevelationWave, who kindly reviewd the last chapter^^ Thanks guys! and to everyone who has reviewed , favourited, story update and read this story^-^ Free cookes for all! Continue to read and review! Thanks!
