Sanura bey- Thank you for your review! I'm glad you are enjoying the story :)

With a little bemused smile Itachi replied, "It'll be less scary next time."

And despite the circumstances they started to laugh, his presumptuous words tickled her into releasing a carefree kind of giggle she hadn't heard from herself since she was young. But it didn't last long, the reminder of the impending death match awaiting her forced a concerned frown to push her eyes into a fierce glare, she didn't want to lose whatever it was that had grown between them, she had to protect him from that man.

"Kumiko." he smoothed some hair that was damp from sweat from her eyes, "I'll protect you.I promise."

Her heart almost stopped beating, her mouth was hanging open in disbelief at the sworn oath just made between them in that wardrobe. There was a determined glint in his passionate onyx orbs that didn't allow her to doubt, he was a man of his word, a kind an honourable man that had gladly offered to put his life on the line for her. She didn't realise that her lips had curled upwards into the most powerful weapon she could ever use against Itachi- her smile.

There it was, the same angelic beam that had ensnared his heart in the Hokage's office.

He didn't need to use his Sharingun to see that she trusted him, why else would she allow her guard to slip so often?

Itachi understood because it was the same for him, with Sasuke he could be happy but that was a given among siblings, the smile that he repeatedly presented to her wasn't something that had been displayed before, it was a smile just for Kumiko.

Itachi 'suddenly remembered' his little blade, slotted through the tiny gap between the doors with great skill and forced the stubborn old latch up. Kakashi appeared as the doors swung open with an eyebrow so raised it was practically in his hair. What a convenient time for the sly Uchiha to open the doors.

"Do I want to ask?" Kakashi pointed to the wardrobe but avoided looking inside, he was too afraid of finding any sort of evidence, physical or bodily, that would confirm his seeded suspicions.

"Senpai, where are the others?" Kumi made sure the antique was just as they had found it whilst she spoke, he tossed back her mask and she slipped it quickly over her flushed cheeks.

"Arresting Kujimara as we speak. Turns out the dagger is the tip of the iceberg, he's been dabbling in human trafficking aswell." Kakashi had no idea what they were dealing with, three Anbu were no match for what was dwelling upstairs!

"Senpai, please give me permission to assist!" He hadn't seen her so animated in a long time, whatever the reason it unnerved him enough to agree right away. Kakashi barely had a chance to finish his nod before she had disappeared back up the drop that had almost crippled her earlier. Her heart was racing along with her legs at the same manic speed it had scared her with when Itachi had leant in to kiss her but this time the source wasn't excitement it was apprehension. She settled for three hastily concocted tactics for what would undoubtedly be the hardest battle of her life before bursting through the hanging scroll. Now wasn't the time for stealth.

Kujimara's home had not only been invaded by Konoha shinobi that evening, the same fog from the borderlands of the estate had snuck in aswell. Its disregard for the laws of nature meant that it was a Jutsu after all, his Jutsu just like last time. Her eyes would be useless because of its wooly thickness and thanks to an improvement in density she also doubted the use of her ears. What she needed was the one thing she despised. Just as the thought crossed her mind it appeared at her side, startling her. How did he always manage to sneak up on her?

"Sorry." Itachi apologised softly for both his Sharingun's presence and the surprise of it. His hand dangled against hers and she couldn't believe what a comfort it actually was, her heart beat returned to a more human rhythm. Her confidence was soaring, he was there to remind her that she wasn't alone.

"Can you see anyone?" Kakashi asked, he too was ready for battle with his forehead protector repositioned above the Sharingun he had inherited from his best friend. Unlike Itachi though his body tired more easily from its use and its insight wasn't as clear as an actual Uchiha bloodline should be, he would have to rely on his team members a little more this time.

"Three bodies, I'm not sure if they're dead. Also there is a bunshin technique in use. Four, five...no six of the same man are positioned separately throughout the mist. Does this sound familiar, Kumiko?" he asked the body shuddering against him, she squinted as though his words stung but continued nodding through her own reluctance.

"He won't hold it for long once he sees me. He preffers close combat." she shifted to the doorway and peered out until the fuzzy images were captured by her determined stare. Kakashi didn't reprimand her for planning to act alone, he had been the one to find her following the battle last time, the images from that night still disturbed him, he remembered wondering how she had managed to survive the blood loss. If she wanted to reclaim her pride then that was fine because this time she had two of the strongest men in the village by her side.

'Futon Shinkûjin' (wind style vacuum blade)

Kumi breathed her wind ininfused chakra onto the six shuriken expertly balanced between her fingers and launched them at their own individual targets with perfect precision. The vortexes of wind swirling around each of the blades cut through the fog, dispelling every inch of white until Kumi could see the only figure left standing.

"Hello, Kumi." he grinned.