Sorry for the delay, everyone!

/

Kakashi's POV

A loud thump turned Kakashi's attention from Gaara and Lee's fight to the people beside him. Shizuru was on the floor; she seemed to have just dropped down there.

"Uh, Zury?" he asked, squatting down next to her, unsure of what was going on. Sakura and Naruto were looking at her with wide eyes.

"Wha-what happened, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked. "She just fell over!" The sensei felt for her pulse and examined her face.

"She just passed out. Idiot probably over-exerted herself. Again," he told them in a half reassuring and half annoyed tone. But her limit is usually 12 hours. This hasn't even been a fourth of that. What really happened? he wondered, though keeping his thoughts to himself so not to worry his students.

"Will you two be alright? I'll just take her to the infirmary," Kakashi said.

"Sure thing, sensei!" Naruto told him with thumbs up. Picking his friend up from the ground, Kakashi thought to put her in a fireman's hold but thought better of it. Her eyes are completely bloodshot. She doesn't need any more blood rushing to her head. Instead, he held her bridal style and Sakura giggled.

"What's so funny?" Naruto asked her.

"They're so cute!" she told him. Kakashi ignored them on purpose and left, thinking his student was just being her usual girly self.

"You really are an idiot, you know?" he murmured to her sleeping body before going back to the match. One of the main reasons other ninjas watched the chunin exams was to see the techniques of ninjas from other countries. For example, the Sand ninjas were proving to be quite informative and more than interesting. And this match was even more intense because Guy had taught his student how to open five of the eight inner gates. Kakashi couldn't believe he would do such a thing to one so young. Even Kakashi had to wait until he was older to learn to open the first few. It wasn't until Gaara nearly killed Lee and won the match that he left Sakura to go check on Sasuke; Naruto was on the ground with the rest of the genin going on to the next round.

Kakashi found Kabuto hovering over Sasuke as the boy breathed rapidly into his oxygen mask. Kakashi quietly walked in, not making a sound. The next he knew, a scalpel was hurled at him, though he caught it with ease.

"Well, well, Kakashi. Foiling my attack by striking from my blind spot," Kabuto commented with amusement. "But now are you ready to take me on? Next time, you should station at least 10 guards," he challenged, still facing Sasuke. The ANBU black ops unit I assembled was defeated so easily!

"You're no ordinary genin, are you? You got a whiff of me and readied your weapon. Quite impressive," Kakashi told him, grudgingly meaning it.

"You overestimate me," Kabuto said with mocked modestly.

"So what do you want with Sasuke? Finding you like this, I outta haul you in for questioning."

"What, just you?" Kabuto asked with a smirk as he turned around to face the copy ninja. "I wonder if you could." Kakashi's body tensed even more.

"Are you looking to take me on? I know who you are. You're the Leaf medical corp. chief's son. You're name, what was it? Kabuto Yakushi. What are you, one of Orochimaru's puppets?" he asked tightly. It was a harsh accusation, but he knew something major was off with him. Kabuto sneered as he pushed up his glasses.

"Even if you did take me into custody, you'd never be able to prove I had any connection to him." Kakashi demanded that he answer the question.

"And if I say no?" he asked haughtily.

"I'm the one asking the questions," the jonin snapped. "Now give me some answers."

"Look, you'll have your answers soon enough, even if I'm not here," Kabuto said with an uncaring air. "So why don't we skip the middle man and let me go?" Kakashi sneered behind his mask.

"You smart-aleky little brat. I'll teach you to mess around with grown-ups," he told the young man darkly, branching his kunai. Kabuto chuckled.

"Come on, give me a break. Don't be so arrogant," he told Kakashi as he readied his own kunai. Who's calling whom arrogant? "The cards are clearly in my favor here," he went on as he moved his curved kunai to Sasuke's throat. The breath caught in Kakashi's lungs. Oh, god. But at the same time he thought it, he noticed that the young man was nervous; sweat dripped down his face but it was decidedly cool in the room. He tightened his grip on his blade so Kakashi reacted, lunging for him with lightening speed. Kabuto reacted as well and raised his arm to stab the defenseless student. Kakashi knocked the kunai from his hand as Kakashi swiveled so his right leg could kick the traitor's right side. At the same time Kakashi used his left arm to pull his right leg out from under him. Using Kabuto's momentum against him, he fell to the floor and the copy ninja sat on his back, holding the young man's left arm behind him with his kunai poised at the neck. To Kakashi's irritating surprise, an ANBU guard got up and ran for the door. I should have known. Quickly, Kakashi created a clone that appeared outside the door to block his way. He got off the now inanimate Kabuto and blocked the guard's way from his other side. The jonin and his clone closed in on him as he looked back and forth. But another ANBU jumped up and escaped through the window. Rushing to look, the jonin saw as the ANBU withdrew his mask to reveal a smirking Kabuto as he fell through the air. Damn! I can't believe I let him escape. A thump made him turn around; the first ANBU had fallen and his clone disappeared.

"Impressive," Kakashi muttered as he felt "Kabuto's" body. Just as I suspected. A dead soul jutsu. Being raised as the adopted son of the chief of the med corp. is a powerful asset of his. If it turns out that someone as good as him works for Orochimaru, I've got to work harder. Muttering darkly, he went to check on Shizuru. His heart stopped.

She was gone.

Damn it. Kabuto doesn't have a reason to take her. Does that mean that he's back? If he's so much as touched her… he thought murderously as he ran down the hallway.

Shizuru's POV 15 minutes before above scene with Kabuto

I woke up in a bed that wasn't mine. What the hell? Ah, buggar. I overdid it again, didn't I?

"Great. I hope I didn't miss too much of that match. I really wanted to know what happened," I muttered to myself. I hopped out of bed and pulled out my walking stick then went to find out where I was because I definitely wasn't at home. "Hello-ooo," I called and waited for a response.

"Miss Imamura? You should be lying down," a young lady's voice informed me.

"Why? Where am I, anyway?" I asked, trying to keep the annoyance from my voice- I didn't like not knowing what was going on.

"You're at the hospital. According to your ah, 'friend', you just passed out."

"Friend?" I asked, not liking the insinuating tone she used for the unknown person.

"The same one that brought you in last time. Kakashi-sensei," she replied, obviously surprised.

"My side affects?" I inquired, diagnosing myself just to be sure.

"You were out for fifteen minutes or so and your eyes are bloodshot. None, other than that," she replied slowly. That's it? Worry-wart.

"Oh. Well, I'm going now," I told her with a wave.

"But-"

"Bye!" I called and found someone to show me the exit. "What I need is a nice, long bath. Water always did help with my recoveries. And what better place for that than a bathhouse?" I asked myself merrily. Heh heh, Kakashi is going to kill me when he finds me gone. Well that's what he gets for checking me into a hospital without my say-so. I'd have been fine if he left me alone. And what's with that nurse referring to us like that? The way she danced around the word 'friend' was like she was calling us lovers and mocking us at the same time. Even if we were lovers, it'd be nothing to make fun of- we're both adults. What's her deal? After a long walk and many stops for precise directions, I arrived at the bathhouse and settled in for a relaxing time.

Half an hour later, I got out, towel clinging to my body. My eyes felt better, just like the rest of my body. I didn't know or care how a bath would always make me feel better and rejuvenate me to the point of bursting with energy. Maybe I absorbed natural chakra being surrounded by the water in such a vulnerable state. Maybe if I took my family's training, I would know. Whatever. But again, I didn't care. One of the ladies in the water told me that my eyes weren't bloodshot anymore but didn't mention where the clothing room was. I felt my way along the walls. Seriously. Where are my clothes? I wondered, not about to even try to use my eyes for at least another day yet. I think it's through here... It was cooler through the door I went through but I was still able to feel warmth on my skin as if it were...Sunlight?

"Heh heh. Hey baby!" a warm, robust voice said to me.

"EEP!" I squeeked and ran back inside the bathhouse. WRONG DOOR!

"Aw, don't be that way, Kiuchi!" he called after me.

"Wait, I know that voice," I murmured to myself and stuck my head out the doorway. "Jiraiya-sama?" I asked.

"The one and only!" he replied, happy I hadn't completely run away.

"You remember me?" I asked, very surprised as I tightened my towel around me just in case.

"Of course I remember you. How could I not with a rack like yours?" I gave him my flattest look.

"Nice to know you remember what counts," I told him dryly, "I'm going now." Ignoring the toad-sage's complaints, I did just that.

Ten minutes later, I managed to find my way out and found that Jiriaya was still there, peeping no doubt.

"It's Imamura now," I told him. He chuckled, not paying attention, then asked me to repeat myself. I complied. He said he didn't care so long as I didn't change my body then invited me out for a drink. If he wasn't a sanin, I might've hit him. "Yeah, that's ok," I pervy old man. "I'm going home now. Don't get caught," I warned and left, finding my way with the help of my stick. Happy I wasn't going to tattle on him, he went back to being the peeping tom.

When I got home, I found the door already open.

"That's odd," I murmured and drew my kunai as I went in slowly, listening. Someone was in there, opening and closing doors quickly and rather loudly. Footsteps got louder and I tensed, but the presence was familiar- I recognized the chakra.

"Zury!" Strong arms wrapped around me and my cane clattered to the ground.

"What's wrong, Kishi-kun?" I asked, pretending to be confused. I knew very well I had worried him. But he was so cute when he was worried!

"Why did you do that?" he demanded, holding me at arm's length with a tight grip.

"Do what?" I asked, batting my eyes.

"You disappeared from the hospital without a word! You were gone! I would have been there shortly. I thought that…" I frowned. This was rather paranoid of Kakashi. And his voice was a little shaky.

"What happened? What did you think?" I asked, serious. He hesitated. "Kakashi," I said reproachfully.

"Sasuke was attacked a while after I took you in."

"Is he ok? What happened? Who was it?" I asked quickly, wondering what Sasuke's attack had to do with me.

"Yes, yes, he's fine. His name is Kabuto Yakushi. I think he is one of Orochimaru's assassins. What's the matter? You're pouting like you wanted something to happen to Sasuke."

"No, but now I know what's different about Kabuto. I wanted to figure it out for myself."

"Nice to know you have your priorities in order," he commented then realized he was still holding on to me. Clearing his throat, he let go and stepped away; I found that I missed the feeling of his urgent hands. "So, um, where were you?"

"Out," I told him, deciding that if he was going to withhold information, I would as well.

"'Out'? Wow. I didn't think to check there," he said sarcastically. I attempted a half smile.

"Yeah, well, you know." He snorted and patted my shoulder as he walked past me, arms a little tense.

"Sorry to ruin your fun," he told me. There was still an edge to his voice.

"Hey, Kakashi?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks for worrying about me," I whispered, a little embarrassed.

"Sure thing," he replied gently from the door. "Oh, would you mind giving Sasuke a boost soon? I'm supposed to train him for the last part of the exam and we need to get to work." I frowned slightly. Well, he didn't ask me to heal the boy; he knows I might not be able to. And what was he so worried about? What's he keeping from me? Oh well. If he doesn't want to tell me, then there's no way I'm going to know.

"Just a boost? Yeah, I can do that...So you'll be going to the old training ground? Your little rock climbing area?"

"Perhaps," he replied evenly. That means 'yes.'

"And you'll be gone the whole month then?"

"Most likely," he replied. "Why? You going to miss me?" he teased. His voice was back to normal now.

"What? Of course not. You're the one that's going to be pining for me," I told him with a wink. He chuckled.

"What are you talking about? It will be like a vacation." I stuck my tongue out at him but laughed anyway.

"Whatever. I could be saying that to you. It will be great without you ragging me all the time! Ha ha ha!" I picked up my tessen from my dresser and went to the door where Kakashi was still standing. Givning him a friendly swat on the butt with my fan, I told him to lock up my apartment when he was done playing around.

The next day, around early afternoon, I was called in with the rest of the chunin and jonin to see the Hokage.

"You know what this is about, Iruka?"

"No. But I don't like it," he murmured. I nodded.

"Something's up and it isn't good," I murmured back from my sitting position next to him. Finally, the old man spoke.

"Some of you may not yet have heard the news. The body of Hayate Gekko was found near Kikyo Castle." Hayate? The lead proctor at the third exam prelims? But I liked him! He did such a good job, overseeing the matches with calm and cool judgment. I heard he was amazing with the katana, too. Poor man.

"Hayate?" Asuma remarked, astounded.

"He-he's dead?" Kuranai asked, unbelieving. Even Ibiki, the interrogation chief, couldn't believe it. Anko insisted that it was Orochimaru's doing.

Kakashi replied to her from my left, "As likely as that may seem, let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We think Hayate was on the trail of a Sound village spy named Kabuto." I frowned slightly, not liking that Kabuto might have had something to do with this, though I knew him to be a spy. "No doubt that Orochimaru is up to something, but we don't know for sure that-" Raido Namiashi cut him off.

"Well I say we cancel the Chunin exams." He's the one with the big scar across his left cheek. Pretty serious guy. And this complication definitely hasn't helped his mood.

"No I think not. You see, Orochimaru revealed himself to Anko and warned her not to cancel the exams," the Hokage told him. Figures. "These exams have brought together ninja from every allied nation," he went on. One of the two council members, the male, spoke next.

"What do you think it means?" he asked, addressing the Hokage.

"There are two things we know about him: that he bears an abiding grudge against our Hidden Leaf Village and his power is great- great enough to crush a village on his own. Certainly great enough for every village to prefer to have him on their side rather than against them." I sighed. This is bad. I wish I could remember him though. No female could forget Jiriya, no matter how hard she tried, but Orochimaru...he left a creepy impression, but nothing else. I don't know his jutsu or attack style, nothing! Little help I'll be as of now. Raido spoke up again.

"Impossible! No village in the alliance would betray another. And showing forces with that fiend," he spat angrily. I shook my head at his naivety.

"Well, the alliance treaty is only as binding as any verbal agreement," I told him, looking in his vague direction.

"As we found out during the last great ninja war," Kakashi put in sadly.

"In any case, until we are able to find out more, this is only speculation," the Hokage said firmly. The second council member finally spoke, a female this time.

"We dispatched ANBU black ops to every village to collect information. We would be fools to act too hastily. That might just be what our enemy is aiming for."

"And besides," Hokage said, drawing out a long silence. "I have complete trust in every one of you," he said with conviction. "When and if the time comes, we will gather the strength of the Hidden Leaf Village and fight if we must." It was a dismissal and everyone knew it. Quietly, I left, as did everyone else.

A hand caught mine just outside the door and my heart skipped a beat.

"Yes?" I asked the gray haired jonin.

"Can you boost Sasuke now? We need to get to work," Kakashi murmured to me, voice unreadable. I nodded then vanished.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

"Alright, Sasuke. Let's see if I can still do this," I murmured over his sleeping body. The boy's injuries weren't so bad anymore- I could actually heal those if I set my mind to remembering how to do it. But what he really needed was pure energy. Anything he had left was being used to heal his body and left him totally drained. I put my left hand on the boy's abdomen and pointed my right fore- and middle-fingers at the window. There I had left a burning torch perched upright in the ground. The Uchihas are known for their fire jutsus, so what better energy to boost him with? Pulling energy from the fire's chakra, I used my body to channel it to Sasuke's. His heart rate and breathing became regular and warmth was coming back to his body. Might as well. Wouldn't want him to think I was doing a shoddy job, I thought bitterly and allowed the chakra to heal what was left of his wounds, seeing as they weren't too bad. Sasuke groaned so I removed my hand and smiled. "How ya doing, sleepy head?" I asked brightly.

"Fine," he replied and my shoulders slumped.

"Only 'fine'? I put a good deal of work into you, you know?" I asked, pretending to be hurt.

"I'm just as well as I was before I went into the Forest of Death. Happy now?" he replied.

"Yes. Get your things together and I'll get you to your training ground."

"Will you be training me?" he asked, surprise evident in his voice as he picked up a bag that had some of his stuff in it; someone had brought him his things for when he woke up.

"Psh. Me train somebody? As if I could or would. No. Kakashi-sensei is going to meet you at his old training spot. Now move it or lose it, kid. Out the window. They don't know you're going anywhere and they'll kill me if they find out what I did," I told him as we slipped outside.

"What did you do? And why is there a torch with colorless flames outside my window?"

"Don't ask questions. I don't feel like explaining myself," I told him and ran, knowing he'd be right behind me.

About 45 minutes later, I had Sasuke on top of one of the many plateaus outside the forest where the village was hidden.

"He'll be here shortly. If I remember right, Kakashi-sensei usually times himself an hour to climb this thing."

"An hour?" Sasuke asked skeptically.

"He does it with only one hand. I don't know. It's his little tradition. One I should have had you do, but if you don't tell, neither will I." I put my hand to the ground and felt for Kakashi's familiar chakra. "He'll just barely make his time limit. That gives you 15 minutes. Be good...and don't die," I told him cheerfully then vanished.

Kakashi's POV

Kakashi worked on getting up the rocky side of the tallest plateau. As usual, he only used his right hand, the left having been tied behind his back. The further up he got, the harder it was. Why is this so much harder than it used to be? I must be getting out of shape. Time's almost up. When he placed his foot firmly on the next ledge, it gave way and crumbled, leaving him dangling by a few fingers. Kakashi took a deep breath to help his stomach, which just dropped a few feet by the feel of it. His fingers started to slip. That's an awful long way down. Closing his eyes, he focused on the first gate- the gate of opening. OPEN! A surge of strength enabled him to push off with only those two fingers and send him upward a good 10 feet or so to latch onto the rock there. A shadow appeared in front of him. Looking up, he saw that it was Sasuke.

"What's up?" he asked. Kakashi's expression softened.

"Look who finally showed up," the sensei told him, smiling slightly at the joke. Pulling himself up the last few feet, he tried to make it look effortless. "Now Sasuke," he started as he unbound his left hand. "I don't want you to be worrying or thinking about the competition, your teammates, whatever. I want you entirely focused on training because that's the only way we're going to be ready." Sasuke smirked.

"I'm always focused. When have I done otherwise?" The jonin chuckled.

"Then let's begin."

Shizuru's POV

Bored, I went to see if Iruka needed some help with his class. Or just if he'd tolerate me bothering him. But his classroom was empty.

"Huh?" I asked and went out of the room. One of the other teachers told me that he was giving a history lesson of the Hokages outside in front of the stone faces.

"Thanks!" I told her and ran off.

Using my ninja stealth, I sneaked up the viewing platform and perched on the fence that surrounded the edge. Holding up a finger to my lips, I indicated I wanted to surprise their sensei.

"So Iruka-sensei, who's the fifth Hokage?" one of the little girls asked. He pretended to think about it, holding his hand to his chin. Idiot doesn't even know I'm here. I don't know whether I'm that good or he's that bad. We'll say I'm that good so both our egos are safe.

"That hasn't been decided yet. Maybe it'll be your favorite teacher!" he replied with a crazy laugh. I chose that moment to jump him, going for a sneak attack. He didn't seem surprised or phased by it; he flipped me over his him, making me land flat on my back. He just kept laughing. So he did know I was there. Bravo.

"Head in the clouds, I see," I commented and stood up. "Pay attention to him, though," I instructed his students. "Always be ready for a sneak attack and never let it break your stride."

"Ah, working in an occasional joke to make an interesting history lesson, eh, Iruka-sensei?" the Hokage himself asked as he came up the stairs. I'd forgotten how well he hides his chakra. I didn't even notice him. Iruka jumped and scratched the back of his head.

"Oh! Lord Hokage!" he exclaimed, obviously embarrassed. Konohamaru jumped up and demanded to know why his grandfather was there.

"I just wanted to look at the mountainside images like you students are doing," he replied pleasantly.

"Well, you came at a great time. Would you care to join us?" Iruka asked. The Hokage complied and walked up to stand in front of the class with me and Iruka. The teacher turned to his class.

"This is the man whose likeness is carved up on that mountain. He's the great third Hokage." He went on to explain a little more about the leader of the village. Then a few of the boys in the front row asked the Hokage if he really was that strong because he didn't look it. Iruka practically exploded on them, making me giggle.

"If you're granted the title of Hokage, it means only one thing- that you're the strongest in this entire land!" One of the boys stood up and declared that he would be the fifth Hokage. Iruka chuckled.

"Well you won't make it with the grades you have now," he commented, earning a giggle from the class and another from myself.

"Be nice," I told him with a playful swat to his head. After all, he knew better than to undermine a child's confidence, not that this kid was lacking. The Hokage talked to them about them being young and not wasting their lives.

"You have but one life so don't waste it. No matter what route you end up taking, remember to protect the ones that are precious to you." My heart skipped. I had forgotten what an inspiring speaker he can be without even trying.

"The ones precious to us?" one kid asked, not understanding.

"Yes, the ones you appreciate the very most, and trust and love with all your heart." A few of the children went around saying who they had who were precious. Then one asked the three of us. The Hokage said he had his grandson and all the people of the village. They turned to me and Iruka.

"Are your families precious to you two, too?" Udon asked. My smile shrank.

"Actually, Shizuru-san and I, like so many other ninja, are orphans. But our friends make up for it, becoming a new kind of family of sorts, right Shizuru-san?" he asked. I smiled and nodded.

"That's right. Our own kind of family is precious to us all the same, even if we aren't tied by blood."

"Like Kakashi," he whispered to me when the children started talking amongst themselves again. I flinched slightly.

"Yes, and like you too," I said, unsure of why I felt the need to cover up for the flinch or why I even flinched in the first place.

"Sure," he agreed, but there was something else to his voice. Pushing it away, I told him I should rest my eyes and made my way to the bathhouse, trying to place that tone.

Two weeks later, I was bored again. The Hokage had given me a mission- an assassination- but I returned successful and once again without anything to do.

"Hey, Shizu!" a familiar voice called. I turned around and examined the woman's chakra. Anko, huh?

"Hi," I greeted her. "You know, most people that shorten my name usually use Zury."

"Alright then, Zury," she said with a laugh.

"I'm headed over to the ramen bar if you want to come. I invited Iruka and some others as well, so they might show up." I smiled broadly. Something to do!

"I'm in!" I said happily.

"Here you go, ladies," Ayame, the waitress, said as she placed our ramen bowls in front of us. "And your sake, miss," she continued, placing a bottle in front of Anko.

"A drink this early?" I asked her.

"Early? It's past dinner time." I blinked.

"Really?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Here. You like sake?" she asked, putting a small glass in my hand. Actually, I had only had a little once, when I overused my eyes after I was first blinded- it severely dulled the pain and gave me a little headache the next day. But I couldn't really remember how it tasted. I took the offered glass and downed it. It was very strong and had quite a kick to it. I liked it.

Iruka's POV

Iruka came up to Ichiraku's ramen stand and ducked under the awning.

"Sorry I'm late. I'm getting as bad as Kakashi," he said with a laugh.

"No problem. Zury decided to join us, but Guy politely declined, Ibiki had other things to do, and Kakashi was nowhere to be found," Anko told him.

"Ruki-kun!" Shizuru greeted him with enthusiasm and near fell off her stool. "Ruki-kun"? Where did that come from?

"By the way, she's a bit tipsy," Anko informed him with a laugh.

"Tipsy?" the chunin asked. "Just how much has she had to drink?"

"Four cups. That's it." Iruka shook his head.

"You're not serious?" he asked, taking a seat.

"Oh I am. She's the biggest lightweight if I ever saw one! And watch this. Hey, Zury?" Shizuru looked over and giggled.

"Hic- yeah?"

"So what do you think of Iruka over here?" He blinked. What's she doing?

"Hee hee. I think he has a nice ass. He's a very good man. But he's a little too strict sometimes. -Hic- He should loosen up sometimes, ya know?" she replied, seemingly forgetting that he was right there.

"Ok, more than just tipsy. But see? She's rather truthful. I've been having a lot of fun getting stuff out of her. You wanna try?" Anko asked. It's now or never.

"Shizuru, what do you think of Kakashi?" Shizuru seemed to ponder this for a while.

"I don't know," she finally said. "I like just -hic- being near him and I have to say, he's reeeeeally good looking. I mean, -hic- I could get pregnant just looking at him! Ha ha ha! But I know what he's -hic- like when it comes to distractions and I don't want to get hurt again. So I don't think about it. Hee hee," she said with a goofy grin. Anko sighed.

"That proved to be a waste. I really thought she liked him. Kureni thinks so, too."

"I wouldn't call it a waste," Iruka objected. "We just learned that she liked him before and even told him as much but he shot her down. He's grown up a bit since she left the village so it might turn out differently this time." Kakashi mentioned she used to live here, so it must have happened then. Why did she go? A ninja leaving the village isn't an easy thing. Anko eyed him strangely.

"You're pretty adamant about getting those two together. Why?" He shrugged.

"They're my friends. Kakashi wants her, it's obvious, but for some reason he holds back. The man has saved my neck countless times and in more ways than one. This is just a little something I want to do for him. And Shizuru...I don't know. It's something about her that draws me in. She can be so open, but I still don't have a clue as to what she's thinking half the time." Anko snorted.

"I don't think she even knows what she's thinking half the time." Iruka laughed and looked over to see if the woman in question was even paying attention to the conversation- she wasn't. Instead, Shizuru was completely absorbed in eating her ramen. Remembering that was why he showed up, the chunin ordered some dinner as well. "Well, just be careful messing with someone's feelings," she warned, "cause it can get really messy." Wait. Where is Kakashi anyway? Sasuke is gone too...I wonder.

"Hey, Shizuru!" She looked up; a ton of noodles were hanging from her mouth.

"Hm?"

"Where's Kakashi? And have you heard anything about Sasuke?" She took the time to swallow her ramen and exclaim how great it was before answering.

"Secret."

"What?" he asked, obviously annoyed.

"It's a secret."

"Are they ok?" he asked eagerly. She has to know something!

"How should I know? I just know that Kakashi told me that -hic- told me to keep his where-a-bouts secret. That all." She's not talking. Or she really didn't know. Interesting. Iruka told himself that Sasuke was fine and not with Orochimaru like some of the jonin were saying, though not sure if he believed it. If Shizuru had anything to do with it, I'm sure that Sasuke is fine. After all, he's one of Kakashi's students and she wouldn't let Kakashi down. I know that for sure.

Shizuru's POV

Two days later, I was in the mission assignment room at the Academy, ready for my new mission.

"You were very effective in your last mission. Your next is an S-class as well," a chunin told me from behind the desk.

"Another assassination?" I asked.

"Yes," he told me, handing me a scroll.

"Read it to me. Just the target, where, and when by," I told him, putting my hands in my pockets casually.

"Ma'am," he replied. "The Feudal Lord of the Hiyki district- 40 miles South of the Village Hidden in the Rain." I frowned slightly.

"Someone in another Land wants us to take out one of their feudal lords?"

"Looks like it," he replied.

"This is too sensitive for a team. I go alone. If I'm caught, then you can deny the mission and say I'm a rogue ninja. That won't work with a team. When is my deadline?" I asked.

"The first of August. Good luck." I nodded and left, wanting to finish so I could get back before the deadline; I wanted to cheer on everyone at the Chunin exams.

"This is going to be fun," I told myself with a smile.

/

Thanks for sticking with me this far. Special thanks to chibichibi98 for reviewing last time and thanks to everyone who favorited.