Previously:

"I don't want to!" She yelled furiously. "Stop making me feel this way! I hate you!"

"…You hate me?" He let go of Chiisai. Kakashi leaned forward, his body looming over her, forcing her to heed his words. His voice was quiet but full of authority as he asked, "Do you hate looking at me because it stirs something inside you, making you feel emotions you forgot existed? Is it because no matter how hard you try to hate me, to push me away, you just can't?"

She took a step back. "How did you…"

He moved closer, his expression for once showing through. "Because I'm describing the very things you do to me."

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Chiisai held a hand up to his chest, her heart in a turmoil of emotions. "Stay away."

"I don't think I could if I tried. Please, I need you to come with me."

"I don't want to," she backed away. "You can't make me!"

"Unfortunately, I can." He grabbed her hand again, dragging her back to society. "You're hurt over a misinterpretation. I wanted it to be a surprise, but…"

Kakashi barely heard her. "You called me a demon."

The ninja stopped and stared down at her. For a moment, all was silent. The agony she felt sat evident before his eyes, and he recalled their times in the dream world. Back then, she had mentioned her parents believing her possessed, fearing the monstrosity they called daughter. Anyone who knew her secrets eventually turned against her, maybe all save the Third Hokage. At least Kakashi had Gai during those horrendous years of his life, though most of the time he pushed him away. But Chiisai…Who had stuck with her throughout the years?

Kakashi pulled down his mask, allowing her to see the words form on his lips. "If I ever called you a demon, if the thought ever crossed my mind, it would be because you constantly plague it. You tempt me without trying to. You've taken a hold of me, and no matter what I do, I can't get free." He sighed. "You've broken me, Chiisai. I don't know how you did it, but you managed to break an already broken man."

It was soft, but Kakashi could hear the faint breath from her. "You're laughing."

Chiisai stopped as the tears slid down her face. "The one person I want to help the most I end up breaking. Seems fitting," she whispered, "don't you think?"

He shook his head, offering, "Some things you have to break down in order to build back up."

"Do you really want me to help in that process?" She gave another bitter laugh, remembering all the times she failed at every relationship presented to her. Her parents came to mind, and she muttered, "Knowing me, I might break you beyond repair…"

He sighed, dumbstruck at her plummeted self-esteem. "Chiisai, haven't you heard a single word that's come out of my mouth?"

"Why are you yelling at me?"

She was probably the only human that could wear away his calm demeanor. He rubbed his temples, saying, "Because you're stubborn as a mule when it comes to the way you think. You're going to have to stop doubting every person that has feelings for you because of the past."

"Look who's talking. You're stuck in your own world of gloom, and you don't think you deserve any happiness because you marinate so much in the past. You do the same thing!"

"You're right."

She blinked. "What?"

"I said you're right. You want to know something?" He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I believe we balance out very well."

"Ah, yes," she nodded sarcastically. "You with the perfect body who always remains calm and actually enjoys cleaning. And then there's me, the one covered in butcher marks who's never calm and never washes dishes. Considering I'm everything but a ninja, I guess I would be your best match."

His posture slumped slightly, and he shook his head. "I believe there were several moments where you were the calm one."

"Oh yeah?" She crossed her arms. "When was that?"

He gazed at the ground for a minute, his eye now downcast. He spoke softly, "…When we were fighting your father…Before you died in the dream world, you were smiling at me. You were content with your fate of sacrificing yourself." He closed his eye, recalling another friend who did the same thing. "My life was repeating all over again in that moment, and there was nothing I could do but watch the life being drained out of you. And then only to find you chained up and asking for death again…I don't think you realize how much that affected me." He smiled sadly. "I guess I liked you more than I thought too."

His eye didn't meet hers. She remembered the scenes all too well, and it filled her heart with hurt at the memory. But his words echoed in her head, and she couldn't help but whisper, "What did you say then? I won't abandon you, so don't abandon me?"

Kakashi stiffened but soon relaxed. "Hai, I remember." He twirled a strand of her hair and asked, "Are you still up for that?"

Chiisai turned her head away, her face burning. She crossed her arms and muttered, "I still hate you."

"I know." He kissed the top of her head. For him, it was enough.

"Don't kiss me! I'm mad at you, idiot!"

"Oh, but I think kissing will help both of our esteems, wouldn't you agree?" He crouched down in front of her and yanked her sweatshirt up. She went to shove his hand away, but he caught hers in his. He pressed his lips to a scar and said, "I do, however, have to address one of your many insecure ramblings. These scars signify more than just "butcher marks." He kissed another, saying, "They're a symbol of your resiliency. And now that I think about it…" His mouth trailed down her waist, his lips pressing against her hip bone. "…They remind me of stripes on a tiger."

"Wait- Kakashi," she inhaled, losing the words her thoughts conceived. Her skin quivered under his kisses, and he smiled into the curve of her waist. "Did that make you feel better?"

"St-stop being a pervert!"

He finally stood up. Kakashi pulled his mask up and teased, "I wasn't the one grabbing some ass last night, now was I?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Ooooh," Chiisai glowered, "we are never speaking of that again, okay?" She placed her hands on her hips. "I wasn't thinking clearly then because I just had a traumatic experience."

She was getting back to her usual self. The jonin took her hand gently. Chiisai frowned at him, still unsure. With a tug from his arm, she finally sighed and followed. He said, "Now come on, Little Tiger. I'm going to show you the real "demon" I was talking about."

"Just so you know," she muttered, "I do not approve of that nickname."

He smiled down at her reddened face. "Too late."

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"She's managed to make all the ninken fear her. I'm not a cat person myself, but Tōmorokoshi is a ninneko I wouldn't mind having in a fight," Hana informed them. The Inuzuka turned to Kakashi and Chiisai, saying, "She's surpassed all of my tests, and I have to give her a medical exam in a few days. She'll be able to sense your seizures. Do you want to meet her?"

"Um…" She glanced at Kakashi, still not believing what he did. "Oi," Kakashi replied, "go ahead. You do understand who I was talking about now, right?"

"I do." She pulled his face to her and kissed him through his mask. "And I'm so sorry for-"

"Eh, I know," he nodded down at her. "Next time, just trust me, okay?" He wiped her tears away and nudged her forward. "And don't hate yourself over this either."

"Follow me," Hana smiled. Chiisai nodded and walked with Hana down the hall. "I must say, Kakashi was very persistent in finding a ninneko for you. He had to go to the cat fortress himself I believe."

She raked a hand through her hair and attempted to hide her self-loathing. "Do you know when he did it?"

"He came to me Monday morning. And the next day Tomo arrived by herself." Hana glanced back at Chiisai. "Oh, she goes by Tomo. Tomorokoshi is too long a name for her liking."

Monday…That was the morning after she had a seizure and fell on glass. She had told him about Tori…This must have been the "errands" he ran all day. "Is that her real name? Tomorokoshi?"

"Hai. She loves corn," Hana nodded. "She doesn't talk much, but when she does it's usually about you. She's quite taken with you."

"But we've never met."

She shrugged. "I guess Kakashi put in a good word. It takes a lot for a ninneko to leave their fortress I've heard."

Kakashi just told her not to hate herself, but how could she not when hearing all that Kakashi did for her? Damn, she was an idiot. A severely selfish and insecure idiot.

"Ah, here we are. She usually hangs out around here somewhere…I will warn you, she's rather moody." Hana opened the wooden door. It was the backyard of the veterinary clinic, and beyond laid a training ground. "Tomo," Hana called out. "Kasaru Chiisai is here."

The air shimmered in front of her as the black and white ninneko appeared. Her golden eyes blinked up at the woman curiously. Chiisai noticed her white paws and chest, along with a white diamond that sat in the middle of her black forehead.

"You look like Tori," she whispered out loud.

Her tail flicked and she responded, "He was my grandneko." Her soprano voice was as graceful as she was.

"Wait. You're his…?"

"My mother said he gave up his shinobi life to help a human. Did he die trying to save you?"

Chiisai crouched down in front of Tomo. She lowered her head and whispered, "Yes, he did. And I miss him dearly."

The feline observed the woman, taking in her sorrowful eyes. "He would have wanted to go down fighting."

"Tori was the only constant in my life. A ninja named Itachi brought him to me."

"Hai, I know the story well." The tuxedo cat sat down. "Your human came to him with a plea. Tori was struck by the human's wisdom and his fervent desire to help his friend. My grandneko gave the Uchiha a proposition by letting the boy fight him. The human won, so he kept his promise and came. When he met you, he understood the Uchiha's request." She flicked her tail again and said, "And now it seems I'm doing the very same thing because of the pale-haired man."

"Kakashi?"

Her eyes flickered to Chiisai's. "The masked one? Yes. I don't care for the ninja personally, but he's rather fond of you and did not doubt my abilities. And I also wanted to meet you."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not very impressive."

"You are interesting." She twitched her tail and gave Chiisai a curious look. Her tone changed, and she spoke seriously, "I expect you to have more confidence if you're going to live with a cat like me though."

Even the cat could notice her insecurities. "Self-confidence is already my work in progress." Chiisai paused and frowned, "Why did Tori never speak?"

"It is said he did not like the human language." Tomo yawned, "I'm tired of talking, but I am glad you came. I'm looking forward to living with you, but the pale-haired man I do not like." She scrunched her nose and said with distaste, "He smells of ninken." She stretched her limber body and finished, "Now if you'll excuse me, I believe it's time for a nap."

The cat shimmered and disappeared, leaving Chiisai crouching beside Hana. Hana scratched the back of her neck. "That's the most she's talked this week. She's actually almost nice around you."

"Well," she offered, "I am a cat person."

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"Kakashi-"

"For the umpteenth time, I forgive you." He flicked her head and said rather bluntly, "Anyway, seeing how upset you were just verified how much you love me."

"W-Who said anything about love?!" She threw her book down and stood up from the couch. Kakashi smiled to himself on seeing her blush. He pulled her to him. Chiisai shoved him away and said, "I don't love you, I ha-"

He drew her back, her chest flushed with his. It would be a long time before Chiisai would be comfortable with the word love. His mouth grazed her ear as he whispered, "I know. I can wait."

Her eyes widened. Chiisai sat rigid as he pulled away. Kakashi's eye narrowed when he saw her. He brushed her hair back, but this wasn't the reaction he intended. "Chiisai, why are you crying?"

Her hand rose to his face as her fingers traced his jaw. Her eyebrows furrowed and then she slapped him, saying, "Why do you have to make me feel so much, baka?!"

Kakashi sat dazed for a few moments, feeling the sting radiate on his cheek. Chiisai gave a frustrated groan and yanked him by the collar, pulling him back so she could kiss him. She muttered, "You make me feel as if I'm jumping off a cliff."

He shook his head at the woman in front of him. He interlaced his fingers with hers and replied, "Then I'll happily jump with you."

She could only hang her head at his reply. "Damn you and those sappy comebacks…"

Kakashi patted her on the head affectionately. "Do you want to skip meeting Gai, Kurenai, and Asuma tonight?"

"Oh…crap. That's tonight?" She faceplanted into the couch, her legs splayed on Kakashi's lap. So much had happened this week she completely forgot. "I can't deal with emotions and socializing all at once."

He leaned back and took advantage of the view. She had finally started to gain some weight back and it was thankfully filling out her bony frame. "We can skip. It's not like I've haven't done it before."

"No…" She turned her head out of the cushion. "No, I do want to meet them. Their dreams have me curious." She rolled over to her side. "Asuma and Kurenai aren't in an official relationship, are they?"

He shook his head. So his suspicions about them had been correct…

"Humph. Can you wake me up in a couple of hours? I know it's my fault, but I'm drained."

Kakashi laid his arm on her legs, contemplating, "How do I wake you up? How do you even wake up?"

"I can sense people's dreams, stupid. When it comes sunrise, the dreams start disappearing, so I know what time it is. I can't know when everyone's awake."

He tapped his fingers on her calf. "You still didn't answer my first question."

Chiisai sighed and mumbled, "…Pain always gets the job done."

His eye skimmed over the purplish mark on her face. "I don't want to hurt you again," the ninja grumbled. "Pick something else."

Her head fell back into the couch. "Then you're going to have to find some other type of arousal, Farm Boy."

"Arousal?"

She could hear the implications in his tone. "No," she started to get up, "that's not what I meant!"

"I see…" He said mischievously. Kakashi moved her legs and sank on top of the curve of her spine, pinning her to the couch. He popped his fingers. "So something like this?"

His fingers danced up the sides of her rib cage. She arched her back, shouting, "Hey!" She choked back the laughter, but her lungs couldn't stop. Her body shook with giggles underneath the jonin. "Huh," he mused, "you're really ticklish, aren't you?"

"Shuttup. I can't breathe!"

Kakashi released her. Her body heaved underneath him as she fought for breath. He forgot how fragile she was. He slid off of her, allowing Chiisai to roll over. She closed her eyes and grabbed at her chest.

"Chiisai, are you alright?"

She opened her eyes, noticing that Kakashi was distracted. "I…" She slid her knees up slowly, aiming to get in the perfect position. She panted, "I'm…"

Then Chiisai pounced on him, colliding with him and knocking both of them to the floor. She laughed as she propped her elbows on his chest. "I'm fine now."

His arms curled around her. "Playing my emotions to your benefit I see..."

"Sorry," she said, "but I have to beat your physical prowess somehow."

Kakashi sighed, "If you're going to keep on apologizing, you might as well do it more creatively." He pulled his mask down and brought his lips to hers. "Every time you want to say sorry, say it with a kiss."

"I'm sorry for a lot of things," she replied softly. Her hair fell over them as she said, "We'll be doing this all day."

"Precisely," he smiled and kissed her again.

"Kakashi."

"Hmm?"

Her finger absentmindedly traced his collarbone underneath his shirt. "Will your friends…like me?"

"Are you worried about that?" He rubbed her back and rolled his eye. "Gai already likes you. Of course they'll like you."

She didn't look at him. How was this man not even upset for what she did today? "How do you know?"

He simply stated, "They'll like anyone who can make me smile."

Chiisai couldn't help it. A hint of a grin showed on her face. "Me and my idiotic assumptions make you smile?"

"Kiss me and find out."

Of course, all he got was another slap.

END

Thank you for the reviews and follows. It makes my heart happy! XD I hope this story is still somewhat interesting and not totally sporadic like the thoughts in my head. ^^