Hotarubi

by Karasunaki

As a child, her father told her that she was like a firefly, glowing fervently to help guide the lost back home. But she never once thought that she would ever be lost in the dark herself. Kakashi/OC, Gaara/OC, Itachi/OC

10. Nine: Walls

Chapter Nine
Walls

Haruka ran.

She ran so hard and so fast that all sight was lost to her. Her heart hammered against her chest, the roar of blood pumping wildly throughout her body drowning out the pained slap of feet as they smacked against the slick branches. The world was a blur of motion around her; dizzying images of brilliant snow-peaked hills, transparent icicles clinging with a desperate air to the harsh trees. Each breath was a shuddering gasp that ripped from her icy lungs painfully. Frigid winds stung at her eyes, chilling the tears that collected instinctively.

Panting, she landed with a thump on the ground, white snow flying upon impact. She swayed, unsteady for half a moment before recovering herself in a stock-still pose, clutching her damaged arm close to her body. She listened with bated breath; would they come after her?

After a moment of desperate silence, Haruka shrugged her thick cloak more firmly over her trembling shoulders, using her hand to tighten the fur-lined hood about her face. She had long since abandoned her lustrous kimono for something far more fitting; it lay ripped to shreds in an unceremonious pile by a kunai Kakashi had so gallantly lent her.

A twig snapped. Refusing to stop and think that it may have been Kakashi, Haruka was up and flying, her right arm flapping uselessly at her side. She was careful, mindful of the blood that trailed from her elbow. The last thing she needed was to leave a trail for her angry pursuers.

It wasn't until she neared the edge of the forest did she wonder how things had gotten this bad. Not until she saw the vast lake that stretched for miles, frozen solid, did she pause and consider that maybe she should've thought out her tactical approach. A worry that had tingled nervously at the edges of her subconscious darted to the forefront of her mind. It flitted anxiously from thought to thought.

Please let Kakashi be safe, she prayed anxiously, though she was certain he could handle his own.

A distant roar alerted her to her surroundings and Haruka shook free from her thoughts. Still, a part of her heart was weighted with anxiousness. It never occurred to her that maybe she should be worrying about her own safety rather than his...

---

A few days earlier found Haruka furiously scrubbing the staggering stack of dishes in her kitchen, a most calm expression smoothing away the lines of concern. She couldn't box away the suffocating feeling that she was drowning in worries of both her own and others.

Haruka made an irritated noise and scratched an itch that erupted on her forehead. Soapy suds trailed between her eyebrows and she hastily wiped them away with the back of her hand.

Why was everything so damn complicated? Placing a clean plate on the rack to dry, she grabbed a pot and silently wished her dishwasher was working.

As it was, Haruka knew she was caught in a number of dilemmas, the first of which involved the infuriatingly baffling Hatake Kakashi. Haruka could not afford to fall in like with someone. It was, simply put, a bad time for a relationship/possible one-night stand, what with a nervous breakdown looming precariously in her future. Her hypocrisy was aggravating.

She also couldn't afford to overlook the fact that she was a spiteful little bitch who deserved to be put down for the way she treated perfectly innocent people. Kakashi had not done anything. He was the victim of circumstance, a witness to a disgusting family affair. Haruka hated herself for holding it against him, but pride and stubbornness kept her from seeking him out and apologizing. Again! How many times was she going to apologize? Hayashi Haruka did not apologize to just anyone, and Kakashi was close to the bottom of her list of people she should probably apologize to.

And to make matters worse, she still want to bang the man. Dearly. She wanted to feel every inch of him, taste every part of him; she wanted to touch him, to stroke him, to make him feel that lightheaded, breathlessness she felt whenever he was around. Kami, she wanted him inside --

Haruka felt the blood rush to her face As a flurry of fantasies erupted in her mind, a warmth spread quite deliciously from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Coughing uncomfortably, she splashed a little water on her face to jolt herself from the daze and chastised herself.

"Shit, it doesn't even matter, does it?" she muttered to herself, bowing her head as she resumed the scrubbing. If there was any chance of any sort relationship (of the sexual sort, preferably, but it didn't matter since she was the aforementioned spiteful little bitch who would probably never get any again this lifetime), it would only rip apart Gaara's desperate attempt to get on better terms with Konoha. The villagers needed it, the country need it, Suna needed it... And Haruka would ruin it all if she crossed the boundary SHE had originally set between her and the stupid half-willing Kakashi.

Him and his stupid near-kiss...

Like that mattered either. All of her relationships were of the disastrous, destructive kind, and somehow, it was always her fault. She was married to her job, she was too explosive, she was too distant, she wasn't giving enough... Haruka didn't think she would remain alone for the rest of her days, but she knew relationships were beyond her and she would continued to shy away from commitment. Besides, sex was just too good too ignore.

Bring on the horny commit-a-phobes, Haruka will gladly take your offers!

Ugh, she was so revolting.

Haruka frowned, ignoring the fact that if she continued to frown, she would get the ugly wrinkles she had grown up hearing her mother complain about. Bah.

She was sure Kakashi would be no different than the rest of her failed relationships. Once she had destroyed the last shred of good will between Suna and Konoha, she would be shunned, thrown further into disgrace, and Gaara would probably demote her to chuunin rank. Akemi would dismiss her from her service at the hospital and Haruka would be left to fend for herself on the streets, a homeless, miserable memory of what might've been a legacy. Matters would escalate and through a series of unfortunate events, Isamu would find out that she knew of his abuse towards Manami and Kurou and hunt her down in the middle of the night to brutally murder her and dump her malformed corpse deep into the desert.

Kakashi was such a troublemaker.

Haruka let out a long and mournful sigh. "Well, if it's for the good of the village..."

Thinking about Isamu brought on another headache. Worries, more worries. Haruka found it hard to believe that her squad leader, before her unwilling induction into the Suna/Konoha program, was beating his widowed sister-in-law. Asano Isamu, Asano Manami, Asano Takuma...

Stupid Asano clan, she thought with half-hearted distaste. Haruka was reluctant to think ill of such a beloved clan of Suna. Hell, she remembered attending Manami's wedding two years ago; she remembered never seeing two people as in love as her and Takuma and thinking nothing could tear that apart. She remembered Isamu's pride and love for his younger brother. She also remembered his unfortunate death two months into Manami's last trimester.

What a year of deaths...

Inhaling deeply, Haruka recalled the grief that had spread throughout the shinobi of Suna. Takuma had been well-known and well-liked; he had been helpful and considerate, an all-around good guy that had made his mark on Sunagakure, just as his older brother had done. And Manami, she did not deserve the card dealt to her. Raising little Takara on her own couldn't be easy. Haruka hadn't been eager to help at first, but Manami's plight resounded well in her heart. It was just too similar to her own sister's situation just before her death.

And Asano Isamu... Haruka had worked closely with the man throughout her life as a jounin. When Akemi had been too busy in the hospital to teach her as a genin, he had brought her into Team Isamu to teach her. He was the one who had helped her perfect her accuracy with her senbon needles, shuriken, and kunai. He was the the poor victim who suffered through her baking when she had suddenly developed an interest in desserts. Hell, the man was like a doting uncle!

Haruka suddenly slumped against the counter, her body falling limp as she dropped the sponge in the sink. She could hardly hear the running water, filling the sink when the plate blocked the drain... Desperate doubt rang loud in her ears.

The front door slammed open, shaking the walls and Haruka's thoughts. Her neighbor banged the wall in protest, and Haruka returned the favor.

"I am so pissed!" a vibrant Raya shouted, striding briskly into the kitchen. Haruka glanced at her, blank-faced and unsurprised by the sudden visit.

Raya was indeed pissed. Her face was flushed – a new shade of red as she so often put it – and she was breathing heavily, her nose flared, her eyes a livid, poisonous green. Haruka pushed her lips out so she looked like a duck, for no reason other than to look silly, and turned back to her dish washing.

"What happened?" she asked in a somewhat blasé voice, but Haruka remained half-interested in what had triggered what could easily be described as a delicate temper that could escalate to explosive proportions. Haruka just had too much on her mind.

Which reminded her, she really wanted to redo the kitchen... The pale blue was becoming more than a little depressing. Her landlord probably wouldn't like that though. Asshole.

Grumbling audibly, Raya paced the kitchen, a space that was already cramped with Haruka's diminutive form by the sink as it was.

"Gaara-sama! He happened!" she shouted suddenly after a minute of nonsensical ramblings. "It gets me so mad! You know me, I'm an easygoing person, aren't I? But holy shit, he can be so goddamn patronizing sometimes!"

Sometimes? Try all the time, Haruka thought with a mental snicker, her gaze flying towards her infuriated friend.

Raya had halted in the middle of the kitchen and was heaving deep breaths that reminded Haruka of some sort of tribal chanting. For a moment she pictured a pack of Raya clones dressed in skimpy fur with vibrantly colored headdresses, the kind with lots of plumage, dancing wildly around a bonfire.

Wow... If I continue spacing out like this, Raya will notice that I'm actually not paying complete attention and kick my ass. Haruka frowned.

"What happened to your dishwasher?" Raya looked puzzled. Glancing at the purple-haired sixteen-year old over her shoulder, Haruka made a face.

"Broken," she replied, adding a pot the rack to dry.

Scratching her wrist idly, Raya loped towards a dry counter and pulled herself up. "Why don't you fix it?"

Haruka paused in her dish washing and turned around to face Raya, her gaze thoughtful. "Because I'm lazy. And pretty busy. Oh, yeah, and cheap. But mostly lazy." She turned back to her task, grinning.

"Cheap? It's not like you don't have the money for it," Raya mumbled with a pronounced roll of the eyes.

"Beside the point, kiddo." Haruka really didn't wish to impart the embarrassing fact that her father had left the family in debt and that she'd inherited no more than the books he'd so desperately cleaved to his whole life. "Now, what exactly did Gaara do? Honestly, Raya, I'm surprised. It's not often you come to me, ranting about the love of your life." She glanced sideways at Raya, who had scooted nearby and was now drying dishes with a cloth to free up space on the rack, her face tight with vexation.

The expression flickered like an extinguished candle and the girl let out a long and broken sigh. "He assigned me a mission with Naruto and Genma. Did you know Naruto was spreading those rumors about Hiro being my son? Baka. I kicked his ass for it."

Laughing out loud, Haruka passed her a dish. "Temari told me about the rumor. Sounded more like a misunderstanding than a rumor. She got plenty of free food that she was supposed to pass on to you," she replied with a giggle that faded away into grunt when she noticed how much her hands resembled shriveled up prunes. Repressing the urge to sigh as Raya was once again doing, Haruka leaned forward and glanced out the kitchen window.

Few people walked the sandy street. Haruka was about to look away when a familiar flash of orange caught her eye.

Ohmygod, what is Kakashi doing on my street? Struggling to control her suddenly frantic breathing, Haruka bowed her head and returned to her dishes with a determination that had eluded her before. She wondered how long he'd been lingering there; had he been watching her? Could he even see into her window? Haruka threw a secretive glance towards Raya. Luckily, the girl hadn't noticed the sudden change in her behavior and was once again rattling off about how disgusting she felt Genma was.

" -- slimy pig, ugh. Well, I complained a teensy bit, and then Gaara launched into this full on lecture about preferential treatment and how I shouldn't be abusing my friendship with him and stuff. Can you believe that!? He told me, the one person that never asks for anything, not to abuse our friendship! What a load of shit!"

"That's nice, Raya," Haruka murmured, too preoccupied with the fact that Kakashi was seated across the street on top of the opposing apartment building. God, couldn't the man let anything go?

Obscured as he was by the shadow of the rooftop entrance, Haruka could not see his face. Feeling incensed, she pushed his unexpected presence as far from the front of her mind as she could and dropped her gaze.

I don't care, his business is his business...

Haruka quickly looked up and found that he had shifted so the light cascaded over his face, illuminating a brooding gaze. Haruka stared, transfixed by the image.

"What the -- " Raya frowned at her friend. "Are you even listening to me? Are you agreeing with Gaara-sama!? Haruka!"

"Completely, Raya, I totally understand..." Haruka was not listening, not even in the slightest. Kakashi had moved again and suddenly she could see his hands glowing in the late morning light, signing something in quick, sharp movements. Eyes narrowing, Haruka had no problem translating it from this distance.

Meet me at the cliff entrance tomorrow at six for the mission.

Shit, shit, shit. Yet another worry tried to push as far away as possible. Her heart plummeting, Haruka realized she'd had it coming all along. Her horrible behavior to Kakashi, her insubordination towards Gaara, her blundering inability to be a decent kunoichi – it was karma coming back to get her for all the rotten things she'd done in her life by throwing her sinful temptation!

Scrubbing extra hard, Haruka absently glared into the frothy depths of her sink, Gaara's words from earlier reverberating inside her cluttered head.

"Snow Country. I thought you'd be best suited, seeing as you've visited the place numerous times. No, Haruka, don't give me that look. If I didn't think you were up to it, I wouldn't have asked. As it is, this mission directly pertains towards the Hayashis..." Gaara paused, rubbing his weary eyes with a poorly-masked sigh. Clearing his throat, he continued, his voice frank.

"Himura Tsuyoshi. I'm sure you've heard of him. Not much is known of him, except he deals in trade. He's the believed to be the leader of an unknown crime organization and is suspected of grand theft, piracy, murder, and now, it seems, a rather public kidnapping. Our client prefers to keep his identity undisclosed, but his plea is urgent – rescue his daughter at all costs.

"Tsuyoshi is not asking for a ransom; no price has been named, but there is no doubt that Tsuyoshi is involved – it stinks of his work. He denies allegations that he has kidnapped our client's daughter, and if anyone has any knowledge, they keep quiet. There is a rumor that he will make an example of our client's daughter, but I have reason to suspect that Tsuyoshi is looking into the slave market. Many would pay a steep price for her.

"Tsuyoshi is throwing a 'party' of sorts, as he does every year to showcase his 'goods' to his wealthy customers, and it remains as exclusive as ever. As extravagant as he is, he has been a long-time customer of the Hayashis', and his upcoming plans are no different. He has requested a seamstress from your family's shop – your family has chosen to cooperate with us and it is crucial that you arrive in Snow as a Hayashi seamstress.

Don't even begin to complain, Haruka-san. You were the one begging for more missions, so be glad I've but you back on the roster. I suggest you and Kakashi-san get over your dislike for one another."

God, Gaara could be so infuriating. She could agree with Raya on that at least. Dropping the last dish on the drying rack, Haruka rubbed her pounding forehead with damp hands.

"Fricking a," she sighed, turning her back to the window as she flashed a gesture of agreement subtly. She was unable to see if Kakashi had seen her acknowledgment, nor did she remotely care.

Or so she told herself...

"What?" Raya's brows furrowed as interest took hold. She squinted at her. "I know that look. You're not telling me something."

Haruka stared at her, mind scrabbling to find the optimal words to keep Raya's probing questions at bay. Like she really wanted to bring Kakashi, of all people, into this conversation. It was just too tiresome and would probably lead to more revelations and lectures.

Raya waited, impatient since her discovery that Haruka had not been paying attention to her rant.

Nothing was coming to mind. Shit. Haruka haphazardly decided to blurt out the first thought that came to her.

"Daisuke's banned me from his family," Haruka said without pause. The second it was out of her mouth, she panicked, appalled by her own stupidity. What was wrong with her? That was the last thing she wanted to say to distract Raya from any Kakashi-oriented conversations!

Crap, crap, crap.

Raya's irritation fell away like a curtain and her mouth dropped open – just the reaction Haruka had expected and had dearly wished to avoid.

What!? He can't – he just told you you couldn't visit?" Raya cried, her voice filled with shock. "Are you shitting me!?"

Haruka nodded her head warily, wiping her hands across her slacks before sauntering towards the fridge. She berated herself silently for letting the cat out of the bag, but she couldn't deny that letting it out was exactly the remedy she needed. Still, each step made Daisuke's words more real to her until finally, the weight of it all – Isamu, Kakashi, Kimiko – came crashing down on her.

For a moment, she couldn't breathe. The screams festering within, clamoring for attention, they grabbed with iron-like grips at her, holding her deep inside. And then reality rushed through, hacking the hands away and sweeping her back on her feet; inhaling deeply, Haruka nodded her head again as she reached into the fridge.

"Yeah. He basically forbade me from hanging out with Suzume and Sayuri so he can save them from 'future heartbreak', apparently. Direct orders from the mother. Ramune?" She offered a bottle of the strawberry flavored soda with a hand that shook imperceptibly, but Raya shook her head. Shrugging, Haruka popped one open, a cool but slight relief washing over her as marble clinked glass.

"The hell with that! Daisuke can't do that! Sayuri's not even his kid!" Raya protested, grabbing Haruka by the shoulder to wheel her around so she could face her. Haruka looked at her with half-lidded eyes and raised the bottle to her lips, taking a deep drink.

"Yes, he can. He's Sayuri's legal guardian. Fuck, he can do whatever the hell he wants," she replied quietly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Haruka's eyes closed and she slumped her head against Raya's shoulder. "I should've seen this coming. She has to have everything her way, doesn't she? She couldn't control me, but she was always able to control some of the most important aspects of my life. I'm such a fucking dumb ass, Raya."

"Aw, no Haruka, you're not a dumb ass. Well... Maybe a little," she countered with a small laugh. Haruka imagined she was grinning shakily. "But not because of that. You're only stupid when it comes to taking care of yourself. Stop beating yourself up over everyone else's shit, especially your mom's, because you're worth more than that." Raya put her arms around her in a comforting embrace that calmed Haruka's racing heartbeat the slightest.

"I'm not beating myself up," she muttered, her voice muffled.

Raya scoffed. "Trust me, Ha-chan, you're beating yourself up. I know how stressed you are. You collapsed from exhaustion the other day, you idiot. If that isn't a clear sign, I don't know what is. Worry about yourself instead of everyone else, just this once! Please?"

"But – there's so much -- Do you even know... Manami still needs me -- " Haruka protested.

"Shut up," Raya interjected firmly, eyes glittering dangerously. "Manami can wait."

No she can't, she thought bitterly. Haruka growled, unmistakably cross, and tried to move away but Raya held her tight. Haruka half-wondered when she'd gotten so strong; she'd always been able to take Raya down. "Not until you promise," she demanded, her eyes unyielding.

Sighing, Haruka rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. "Fine. I'll worry about myself. Now, if you let me go, I have a mission to prepare for."

She could feel the surprise jolt through Raya as she released her. "Mission? But... Aren't you still recuperating from your dehydration? And didn't Akemi tell you to take it easy!? Why are you back on the mission roster so quickly?! Haruka, answer me!"

Haruka rubbed her suddenly aching temples. "Akemi-shishou has no control over the mission roster. Honestly, I'm happy for a break from the hospital. I've needed it for god knows how long... And I'm fine. You done with the inquisition!?" Laughing under her breath, Haruka took another swig of of her drink, delighting in the fizzy goodness that settled in her stomach.

"At least I'm not a dumb ass with attention deficit disorder!" retorted her purple-haired friend. Haruka snorted and laughed, louder this time, as she forced Raya out of the kitchen.

"Yeah, guess what, I don't have ADD. That's a behavioral disorder, hon. Besides, I heard everything you said..." Had she? Haruka struggled to recall it all then lit up with a victorious grin. "Ignore Gaara. He's been acting crazy lately. I'm sure he only said it because he was stressed and spread thin. I mean, c'mon, he's the Kazekage," she said with enthusiasm. "Besides, he's always had a soft spot for you."

"Okay, you've proved yourself to me," Raya responded jokingly, but anxiousness flitted across her pale face. "But... did you mean that? He has a soft spot for me? That's not true... Right?" She looked towards Haruka for affirmation.

Haruka let out a long laugh that was laced with the exasperation she felt. "Goodness, Raya, yes! He's always been looking out for you! If he hadn't, I'm sure you'd still be where you are now, but he probably made things a heck of a lot easier. Now, if you excuse me, I need to prepare for my mission!" Haruka shook her head with great amusement and disappeared into her bedroom.

"I still think you have ADD..." Raya frowned deeply, her eyes filling with a ponderous look. "Hey! Where are you going!?"

"Mission confidentiality!" Haruka called back as she snatched up the pack by her bed. Grinning to herself, she silently counted down.

Three, two, one...

"Just tell me!"

"Snow!"

Chuckling, Haruka shook her head and set about to stuffing her customary spare clothes in her pack. The last thing she needed was an awkward situation involving a lack of clothes with Kakashi. Cliché as such a notion was, Haruka would not risk humiliation because of some rare circumstance found commonly in the typical romance novel.

Still, a wild and fantastical part of her mind was very keen on entertaining a scenario that involved little to no clothing whatsoever.

There was a brief silence and then Raya was leaning against the door frame, watching her curiously, arms crossed over her chest.

"A bit twisted, don't you think?" she asked, her voice quiet and ruminative. Haruka did not miss the hidden inquiry: are you really fine with this preposterous mission?

Haruka snorted and tossed her kunai pouch and shuriken holster by her pack, half amused by Raya's sudden somberness despite the fact the mood was already steeped deep in her mind. "Extremely twisted," she drawled, scrambling with the distress rising within her. "Think I'll run into my grandparents?"

"Oh, most definitely. At the very least you'll run into some long lost family members. The Yukimuras' are a very populous clan, are they not?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, prompting a laugh that was only slightly strained from Haruka.

She really wished Raya would stop staring at her like that. Uncomfortable, she began to tidy up her room. She quickly tossed clean, unfolded laundry onto her unmade bed, coughing the second her hands were free. "Well, let's just hope they're not there to fuck things up like usual." Haruka paused, glancing towards Raya and wrestling with the idea of coming clean about everything. But why should she worry the girl further? Raya had her own things. Haruka could deal.

Raya smiled at her, completely unaware of her friend's plight. "You'll be fine."

Haruka glanced out the bedroom window, towards the smooth, blue sky and the silver head that was still perched on that lonesome building.

Let's hope that, she thought miserably.

---

Kakashi was two hours late. He suspected Haruka might be a little angry at having to wait, but he had to concede that she was already mad at him to begin with, for reasons he still wasn't sure about. Yeah, he might've impeded a bit on affairs he had no business impeding on, but who wouldn't have?

A more intellegent man, countered his ever-hateful mind.

No matter. Strolling through Suna at eight in the morning, he found himself enjoying the sweet and spicy scents that wafted through many of the bazaars. But baked goods were not really what he was looking for...

Pausing, he took a quick moment to think of any seedy establishments that were sure to exist in Suna, when he found the solution to his dilemma in the building right before him. Feeling decidedly happy to have found a place that sold nudie magazines, Kakashi made to go indoors when a vice-like grip hindered him.

"Oh no you don't!" the young woman snarled, and she tugged him along in the opposite direction.

Fuck. He knew that voice.

Kakashi sighed and let Haruka lead him towards the village's gates, trying not to feel too disappointed. So there'd be no dirty magazines in store for him, it wasn't like he'd die. Sure... Without much to distract him from a certain girl, he might go crazy both mentally and physically, but Kakashi could deal.

Haruka was livid, however, as she pulled him, steam practically blowing from her ears. He could practically hear her whistling like a kettle. Not that he could blame her. She did end up waiting two hours for his sorry ass, and for that, he would not take out his pent up frustrations on her.

"Kami, you're such a pervert Kakashi..." she muttered, throwing him a dour glance. The image was almost frightening until she stuck her tongue out at him. And what a pretty little tongue it was... "All you men are the flipping same! Now, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and tell you that you can probably go a couple days without that trash. You have your fucking 'Icha Icha' after all... Dumb ass," she added under her breath, making it a point to sound as maddened as possible. "Completely worthless series..."

"Good morning to you too..." he replied in an unimpressed voice.

Reevaluating his stance on taking out his frustrations on Haruka, Kakashi decided he had absolutely no qualms about staring at her tight, round ass as she walked. How could he resist, anyhow? She made something as unsexy as a pair of black jounin pants suddenly look very appealing, the way they slung low over her hips, skimming what he could only imagine were a pair of very nicely toned thighs...

Haruka snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Up here, big boy," she drawled, rolling her eyes.

His mouth quirked amusedly. Was that a note of smug satisfaction he detected in her voice? Kakashi raised an eyebrow in mock surprise as she resumed walking, trusting him to follow.

"How can you deem it worthless without ever having read it?" he inquired lightly, surveying her swaying hips with a discreetness that eluded many.

She turned and frowned at him, wrinkling her nose. Kakashi quickly banished the dreaded word before it could pop up in his mind. "I just happen to know it's worthless, okay?" she replied, an itchy irritation infused in her voice.

"And how would that be?" he pressed, though his interest in the topic was waning fast, transfixed as he was with the way she moved. She had to be doing it deliberately, knowing he was studying her every move with great pleasure. Women did not move like that unless they knew they were being watched and liked it.

Oh you naughty little thing, he thought, the corner of his mouth turning up into a hidden smirk as he secretly savored the sight of her smooth and slender neck. Was it possible for necks to look graceful? Kakashi wasn't sure, but there was a definite elegance and refinement to her pretty little throat, especially when her thick hair was bundled up like that, soft wisps of hair escaping to frame her pretty little face. How he'd love to be the one to leave a trail of love bites on such a neck...

Haruka glanced back at him, her dark eyes sheepish. God, how he loved that bashful innocence, especially the way her gentle and innocent blush belied her sultry physique. It was so hard not to stare when she tugged on her lips like that, inviting him to taste – shaking his head abruptly, Kakashi found it hard not to believe she was a machine meant to torture the likes of his perverted self.

That's what you get for flaunting your love for porn, his mind seethed, still irked that Haruka had inconveniently interrupted his search for dirty magazines.

"Uh..." She scratched her nose, pursing her mouth. "Well, for one thing, the plots continue to be nothing better than crap."

Suddenly attentive, Kakashi fixed her with a ludicrous, skeptical gaze, colored with a touch of twisted delight. "So the truth finally comes out," he teased, his eyes twinkling. "Haruka-chan, closet pervert!"

Her blush deepened and her shoulders hunched up the slightest as she bristled with offense. She looked just like an angry cat, hair standing on end. "I am not a pervert!" she protested vehemently, her voice rising into a squeak. Kakashi simply grinned at her, quelling the urge to laugh as he loped up alongside her. It was particularly comical, considering the pair of them were trying to shovel past the considerably awkward circumstances two days before.

And Haruka sincerely was trying to ignore it, he could see. There was a reservation in her eyes, a distance that told him she was only half-immersed in their conversation. Watching her closely, he briefly wondered what was weighing so heavily on her mind before shaking his head.

"I'm deeply sorry to inform you that everyone has a little pervert in them, and you, Haruka, are no exception. I suggest embracing it like the rest of us," he said, chuckling when she turned her nose up imperiously, crossing toned arms across her chest. Kakashi tried not to stare at her luscious breasts, pushed up so deliciously by her arms.

Can she really not know what she's doing? Shit... Kakashi looked away quickly, jamming his hands into pockets for lack of anything better to do.

Haruka threw him a look that said likewise. "Are you implying that celibate monks and pious hermits and whatnot have, as you so wonderfully put it, 'embraced' their inner pervert?" she countered with an impish smirk.

"You know, you're too cocky for your own good," he replied bluntly. "I'm sure this isn't the first time you've heard this either, so soak up my advice while you're still listening to an old man like me: cockiness really doesn't suit you."

She let out a laugh that was charming to the ears. He especially like the way her nose scrunched up and freckles stood out. Kakashi found it hard not to join in, but he did have an aloof persona he had to maintain after all. It had nothing to do whatsoever with the tiny but growing fact that he was forming an attachment, really.

Right, droned that sardonic voice.

"And your advice is just so valuable, isn't it?" Haruka snickered, shaking her bangs over her eyes, then sweeping them to the side. "Wow... And I'm the cocky one. Can you believe this guy?" she asked one of the chuunin lounging about the front gates, apparently listening in on their conversation. "What an asshole."

"Hey," he defended, a small chuckle escaping him despite his better judgment. "At least I'm not a closet pervert..." he trailed off, his voice suggestive. The chuunin let out a barking laugh that ceased abruptly when the petite woman threw him a venomous look. It slowly turned towards Kakashi.

He was not fazed. How could he be when she was pouting so --

NO, he shouted firmly at that dark and wicked bit of himself, laughing so nefariously in the corner of his mind.

"Oh, like being openly perverted is any better? And I'm not a closet pervert!" she cried, throwing her arms up in utter exasperation. All that was missing was her foot stomp from their conversation at the hospital.

"Sure Haruka-chan. Sure." Kakashi winked at her, amused when she blushed in spit of her anger. "You can deny it all you want but it still won't change the fact you're as perverted as the rest of the world at the end of the day."

Haruka's cheeks were flaming by now. The urge to giggle was overwhelming him, but men did not giggle. Which was sad because stupid things made him giggle like a child all the time... What the hell was he turning into?

"Haha. If you're done ridiculing me and -- " she shot the chuunin manning the front gates a vehement glare, " -- telling lies, I think we should get a move on. We're two hours behind schedule because of you."

Kakashi frowned the slightest. What schedule? He opted for the bothersome route rather than voicing his thoughts aloud. "Now see, you can't go blaming the delay on me. Such an inconvenience could have been avoided if you hadn't run away whenever I stepped within a hundred feet of you."

Haruka whipped around and fixed him with penetrating stare. Her eyes were incredulous. "How is your being latemy fault!?"

"Didn't I just tell you -- " he began, but Haruka cut him off.

"No, no, you don't get to say anything, you great big fart!" Nose flaring, she looked over her shoulder at the bemused chuunin and hooked her finger around the corner of Kakashi's jacket, urging him away. "You were the one searching for porn, not me! You're the late one! You said six o' clock, you loon!"

"Did I now?" he mused, tapping his chin in a curious manner. "I could've sworn I didn't speak to you at all yesterday."

If Haruka's eyes widened any further, Kakashi was sure they'd pop out like they did in those ludicrous horror movies his old students liked to watch these days. With her face so flushed and livid, she made for a ridiculous sight.

"So now you're going to be a pedantic little ass? Fine then, we may not have spoken, but I saw you on the rooftop yesterday -- "

"You saw me?" He shook his head, sharing an embarrassed laugh with the chuunin, who did not know whether or not he should stay or run off, lest Haruka should rip his head off. "Really, Haruka-chan, I understand your sentiments towards me, but you can't go following me everywhere..."

Haruka released him as if his touch scalded her; a hurtful concept, surely, but Kakashi wasn't about to fret over a girl's aversion to him, especially when such an aversion consistently flipped back and forth. He was mildly curious, however, by the hidden outrage in her eyes and her body language – he was certain her tongue pressed against her cheek was not a good sign. For a few silent moments, he stared at her whilst she resolutely avoided meeting his eyes.

Kakashi wondered if he had pushed her too far.

And then she was smiling prettily at him, crossing her arms behind her back and pushing out her succulent breasts so they rubbed against his arm, rocking to and fro on the balls of her feet with a tender shyness that had not been there before. "But Kakashi-kun," she sang softly, eyes alight as she reached out to brush her fingers in a light, inconstant pattern across the inside his elbow. "You didn't seem to mind so much last night..."

The girl had the gall to suck the corner of her lip, slowly and sweetly, her face filled with a coyness that, coupled with her trailing fingers, wet mouth, and smooth curves against him, nearly made his pants go tight. Behind him, the chuunin smothered a laugh.

Old man in a bikini, old man in a bikini, he chanted mentally, more than a little distressed by Haruka and what he hoped was not his glaringly obvious horniness.

"Uh..." Kakashi's mind blanked out, short-circuited from what he could only ascertain was a sexual attack. Could he report her for sexual harassment? Hell, he'd take sexual harassment from her any day. Damn her! "Really?"

Something distant flickered in her eyes and the 'I'm-an-innocent-virgin-who-wants-you' look slid like water from her face. In its stead came a not-so-genuine disgust.

"Ugh. Men," she spat, stepping back with a scowl. "You all think with your penis." She glanced at the chuunin and turned away. "Put that in the fucking log, squirt. Hayashi out!" she snapped, throwing up the peace sign with her hand.

Kakashi watched her diminutive form walk away, small, consistent steps trailing in her wake. Stunned, he scratched the top of his head, thinking he may have just fallen in love.

"She scares me," whispered a small voice. "Does she really want me to log that?"

Kakashi didn't acknowledge the bothersome voice behind him. He was still reeling from the unexpected situation that had just occurred. Haruka continued to waltz off, each step more smug than the last. Shit, her ass was almost hypnotic.

With an imperceptible intake of breath, he shook free of the trance he'd fallen under. So we're playing dirty now?

Narrowing his eyes, Kakashi set off after her, purposefully pulling his trusted copy of 'Icha Icha' from his hip pouch. A familiar look of lazy indifference settled over his shoulders, completely changing his stiff posture to one that was more at ease. His gaze, however, belied his wicked and filthy thoughts.

Well, two can play at that game.

---

Haruka was on top of the world. She had kicked Kakashi's ass. She knew it. He knew it. He knew she was aware of her victory, and the fact she knew that just made her want to throw back her head and embark on a crazed laugh-fest. Each twitch of that impossibly gray brow would evoke an annoyance, and each twitch would be instigated by her self-satisfied demeanor. Oh, how she yearned to proudly wear the grin that itched at her mouth... How she wished to jump in front of him and make silly faces and call him stupid names...

Except there was no irritation on his face – or, at least, on the bits she could see. There was, rather, a methodical glimmer in that impossibly beautiful and indolent eye that made her slightly nervous and dimmed her absolute triumph, bringing her feet back down to what she would call a cold and hellish earth. Feeling remotely uneasy, Haruka snuck what could easily be described as a millionth look at her tall companion.

And with that glance, she had to bite back a heady sigh for the rascal. Haruka liked her men rugged, and Kakashi was certainly a rugged, rugged man that she wanted to do more than just taste. Trying not to rejoice in the delicious tingle of butterflies and warm pleasure, she let her gaze drop along the sharp, clean cuts of his wiry physique, biting her lip as she focused, quite uncharacteristically, on his ass. She was, after all, immensely fond of biceps and shoulders. And noses. But asses were good too. Especially his.

"Shit -- " Haruka tripped and nearly fell face-first onto hard and cracked sand. Through a series of arm flails and comical efforts to balance herself, Haruka halted the potential disaster with no more than a scrape across her palm. Breathing deeply, she brushed the dirt off her pants, she quietly prayed Kakashi had not seen a thing.

An amused chuckle – one that was growing all too familiar with her – resounded in the air. "Are you alright?"

Damn! She'd never catch a break with this guy, would she? He just had to witness all her embarrassing moments. Always falling. Could she not walk straight? Moaning with mental exasperation, Haruka kicked herself. My legs are fucking warped, she screamed in her mind.

Keep it together, baka!

"Uh – Yeah." She flashed him what she hoped was a confident grin. "Peachy."

Ah yes. She did not fail to notice his gaze drop to her breasts. It was so empowering to know how she could affect him. All it took was a tight top and some sultry eye tricks and wham! Like putty in her hand...

He was frowning. Haruka suppressed her own frown – men did not frown when they gazed upon breasts, unless they were gay and Haruka was stubbornly sure the man was not a homosexual, despite how much Genma tried to disprove her.

"There's a cricket... thing... on your..." He uselessly flapped his hand around his own chest.

Huh? What the hell is wrong with --

Haruka's eyes widened and she quickly looked down at her chest. Fear jolted through her, shocking her into a sudden stillness.

Holy fuck. Something... is.. crawling... on... my boobs.

"There's a..." That was when she started to hyperventilate. "O-oh my – shit... I-It's moving." Her eyes expanded until she was sure they resembled saucers, but she didn't care. "Kakashi, there's a bug on my boobs!"

The way he was staring, she was certain he'd noticed. Not that he'd pointed it out or anything...

While she screamed mentally in her head, she inhaled sharply and raised her chin in a futile attempt to escape the – what was it? Like she fucking cared. It was crawling, so slowly, inching upwards, towards the unclothed skin of her collarbone. And Kakashi was... snickering?

Oh, was he gonna get it...

"You fucktard!" she squeaked, though it was honestly more of a half-squeak-half-wheeze that often arose in her voice when she was distressed. "Don't laugh at me!"

He was full-on laughing now. Haruka was too petrified to appreciate such a warm sound, and that bugged her beyond compare. Damn it, she should be able to relish his laughter when she was lucky enough to hear it!

Stupid bugs. They were creepy and crawly and had way too many legs and shit, they were just so damn ugly with their spindly limbs and jerky movements and overall ugliness. Now that she thought it about it, she was kind of like a bug when she was younger...

Heart racing beyond its limits, Haruka raised her hand slowly, pulling her sleeve down over her fingers until they were fully shrouded. She swallowed hard and poised it above the grotesque creature that she was sure would feast on her if it reached skin.

Smashing her hand down, Haruka prayed, with all her might, that it was gone, squealing very loudly as she did so. Swift brushes over her chest and Haruka stumbled away, falling flat on her rear in the process. She wordlessly checked her boobs and heaved a great sigh of relief when her search revealed nothing more out of the ordinary. Feeling quite confident, she pumped her arm victoriously.

"Take that, you stinking son of a bitch!" she screamed at the lost insect. And then she fell back, head against the hard sand, staring up at the sky as she reviewed what was a contender for another humiliating situation.

Two feet planted beside her face, pale toes that reminded her of sausages wiggling almost experimentally in the hot, summer air. Not to mention they reminded her doubly so of her utter failure as a kunoichi. And was that a gray hair on his big toe? Haruka forced down the urge to snort.

Nose flaring as silver-haired toes bobbed in and out of through her mind, she tilted her head up to squint her eyes at Kakashi and was instantly glad she was already on the ground. She'd have probably collapsed from a sudden swoon anyhow. Seriously, the man looked even sexier when he was looking down at you, so large and finely muscled, making you feel as if you were the only one in the world to him. Haruka swallowed, fighting off the sizzling awareness of his utter nearness.

Then she recognized the mirth on his hidden face. He watched her, his secretive mouth crooked and amused against his mask. "I never knew you were so fond creepy crawly critters, Haruka-chan."

Smart ass. She scowled at him, eyes narrowing and brows sharpening. "Alliteration won't make you look smarter, jackass," she retorted, sitting up. She doubled checked her hair and back for any more surprise bugs.

None. Breathing a sigh of relief, she leaned forward, fingers curling around her ankles as she debated ever standing up again. It sure as hell would save her a lot of embarrassment, what with her constant tumbles. But they did have a mission...

"Perhaps I have the heart of a poet?" He chuckled, just barely suppressing a smirk when her mouth twinged with sarcasm.

His eyes shimmered. She glowered at him. Fruitcake, she thought unforgivingly. Maybe if she glared at him enough, he would get the hint and walk away so she could think lethal thoughts about him.

Though if Haruka were to be honest with herself, she simply wanted another change to ogle at him and his fine ass. But if she was going to be honest, she'd have to admit that she really didn't want to be honest with herself. After all, Haruka was a perpetual liar. Or maybe it was just that she avoided the truth and liked to keep things hidden.

Whatever. The truth of the matter was that she did not like pointing the truth out to her egotistical self. It just saved her so much humiliation.

How could such ghastly thoughts run through her mind? Haruka's eyes narrowed at him. The ass was turning her brains to mush!

"I'm sure your flowery words and wonderful manners enchant the ladies with great success," she muttered. Her mouth fell open in mock surprise. "Wait a minute, what manners?"

"They're sitting at home in a trophy case if you're gonna look for them," he replied seriously.

Haruka nodded somberly, playing along for the heck of it. "It never occurred to you that perhaps you'd need manners in Suna?" She tsked with disapproval. "Bad move, Hatake."

A hand popped up in front of her nose. Haruka scrutinized it, perhaps taking a little longer than necessary to imagine all the wonderful things those fingers could do. They began to wiggle impatiently. Watching her own guarded gaze in the mirrored back plate, Haruka hesitated to grab it.

"So now you whip out the charm? Ass," she muttered. He merely chuckled. Hiding her blossoming grin, Haruka grasped his hand and tried not to dwell too much on how fiery his touch was.

He pulled her to her feet in a quick and fluid motion that jolted her senses for a few moments. Perhaps he held her hand a moment more than was necessary, but she found it hard to focus on that fact when his silent gaze was fixed on her, roving her face with an undisguised hunger that set her body ablaze and her heart racing. Kami, she wanted him. He probably wouldn't object if she shoved him down on the ground and wantonly ripped his clothes off and had her way with him. Maybe she could fuck him and get on with her life, without completely destroying everything she had carefully built thus far.

Who was she kidding? What life? Everything was slowly being taken away, one by one. She'd end up with no more than her career to look forward to.

Coughing, she slipped her hand out of his comforting grip and let it fall with a bleak finality to her side. Such thoughts were hard to shake off, but if she simply recalled his touch, she found it was much easier to forget. Still, Haruka knew their mission would be doomed to fail if they continued to play this game of cat and mouse.

"So... Snow, huh?" Haruka stared into the horizon, trying not to let on to how uncomfortable she was.

"Mm. Snow," was all he said, moving alongside her.

Haruka ground her teeth and stiffly began to walk, silently adjusting her pack to a more comfortable and accessible position. A moment later, his footsteps joined the steady beat of her own, just a few paces behind her. She could feel his gaze boring a hole in her back. Perhaps she was being paranoid and obsessed, but she couldn't shake off the self-awareness she suddenly felt. He was a flipping shinobi for goodness sake. Haruka knew he was more subtle than that.

Maybe he didn't want to be subtle. Haruka may have only known him a short while, but he had quickly made it evident to her that he was not a man to be trifled with. He wasn't going to court her with flowers and pleasantries; there would be no pretty words and romantic moments that would sweep her off her feet. It would be awkward and hard and possibly aggravating, but something told her that there would never be a dull moment with him around. Especially not with his heated gaze and overwhelming presence.

Haruka slapped a hand – quietly – over her face. She was seriously losing it. Haruka had never reacted to any man in her life as she did around Kakashi. Men were creatures she only deigned to be with, mostly because she couldn't wrap her head around the idea of really trusting one enough to form any relationship. But Kakashi, he was as hidden from the world as she and that intrigued her. Was he shy, or did he simply value his privacy? Haruka had a feeling it was the latter.

Why was he even still talking to her? He should've been giving her the cold shoulder for the way she'd blown up at him two days ago. Not only that, but she found it incredibly odd they avoided talking anything deep. All the better for her, she supposed.

God, why was she even thinking about him? He was such a distraction! She'd probably be too busy ogling at him and impale herself on her own kunai in the middle of some unpredictable battle. Not to mention she'd probably run into her grandparents or one of her great uncles in the middle of their mission and both their covers would be blown. Then they would be captured by an enraged Tsuyoshi and the young girl they were supposed to save would look at the pair of them sadly, wondering how two competent (okay, one genius and one semi-competent) shinobi were captured when their task was easy peasy lemon squeezy, just before they were all slaughtered brutally before a captive audience.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy? What the hell is wrong with me!? Haruka stared at the cracked ground, aghast.

"You look tense," he murmured beside her.

Thankfully, she didn't jump at the sound of his voice. She threw him a tight smile, taking in the sight of his salacious book. "I am tense," she said briskly, keeping the strain that threatened her at bay.

"It's just a mission. We go in, get the girl, and bring her back." He licked a finger and turned a page in his book. Haruka caught a glimpse of a generous bust and heavily dolled-up face and gagged in her head. Ew.

Still... Haruka glanced down at her own breasts. They weren't huge like the picture or even Hanajima, but she'd always been pleased with their size and the few guys she "dated" seemed to like them. Was Kakashi a boob-guy? He'd seemed so at the front gate, but that could've simply been all her charm and some of her sex appeal pooling together for a good cause. She secretively glanced at him. Geez, she was too inquisitive for her own good.

Kakashi noticed her quick look and threw her one of his own, his eye just as curious and doubtful. "Are you really that nervous over a mission?"

What!? Haruka looked at him like he was the biggest idiot she'd ever seen. "I'm not nervous about a mission!" she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest indignantly. Kakashi simply stared at her for a few moments before silently turning back to his book.

Watching him, Haruka seriously considered drop-kicking the man. After a few minutes, she was forced to dump the idea by the suffocating silence. She threw her arms up in the air, exasperated.

"Are you really just going to read that dirty book the whole mission!?"

Coming to a stop, he fixed her with a unreadable look and was silent for a few moments. "That depends," he said finally. "Do you have anything better to do?"

Haruka swallowed hard. There was no mistaking the insinuation in his voice, especially when his eyes raked over her body so painstakingly, undressing her so informally. Her breath caught in her throat and his eyes jumped to her mouth.

Holy shit, how did he do that? Hadn't she just been thinking about causing him physical pain? Feeling very warm, Haruka scratched her suddenly itchy elbow, alarmed by her reaction to a simple stare. "Uh... Not really," she said softly. "Did you have anything in mind?"

She would not be cowed by his sex appeal. She was strong. She could withstand the temptation.

Oh frick, who was she kidding? Haruka couldn't possibly count the times she'd given in and eaten that last piece of chocolate cake in her fridge. That was what he was, the last piece of chocolate cake that would go straight to her thighs and make her feel like a monstrous hippo: delicious, certainly, and definitely not good for her.

Feeling lightheaded, Haruka avoided his gaze, failing miserably when she heard him hum thoughtfully. Her head snapped up.

And then he looked her in the eye, his mouth slowly curling into what had to be one of the sexiest masked smirks she'd ever witnessed. "A number of things, actually," he murmured, his voice a low rumble. There was a definite smugness to his demeanor, a dark arrogance that vexed her like an itch she couldn't scratch, but attracted her like a moth to a lamp all the same. She found herself licking suddenly dry lips, dealing with a hammering heart.

Oh God. She was cowed by his sex appeal. What was wrong with her? Her fantasies were coming true, and all she felt was a sudden breath-stealing fear. Could breath be stolen? Haruka was momentarily baffled by that thought before her attention leaped back to the present.

Then it hit her and she narrowed her eyes at him, a simpering smile stretching across her mouth. She shook her finger at him. "Ah... haha... You... You're good."

He had the gall to look baffled. His eyebrows shot up. "I am?"

Haruka laughed to herself, shaking her head. She could feel Kakashi's eye on her and she successfully resisted the impulse to squirm under such scrutiny.

Looking up at him, she grinned at him, albeit a bit suspiciously. She pursed her lips. "I know what you're up to."

Kakashi breathed a sound of amusement and turned his attention back to his book. "And what exactly am I up to?" he asked, just barely suppressing the humor from his voice.

Haruka shook her head. "Nuh uh. You're not flabbergasting me again!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Flabbergasting?" Chuckling, he licked his finger and turned a page. Haruka was quite suddenly transfixed by the simple action of tongue meeting fingertip, especially when she recalled the one-fingered push ups she'd spied him completing from a distance a couple days earlier. Strong fingers... Holy cow, Haruka could just imagine what she'd like him to do with his index finger...

"NO!" she shouted, coming to a halt and clamping her hands on either side of her head in a futile attempt to stop the warm flush of fantastical images. "You will not intrude on my thoughts, you flabbergasting bastard!"

Kakashi didn't stop. In fact, she was sure his stride had doubled, and she was doubly sure she heard him snigger as he passed.

Haruka had the sneaking suspicion that the awkwardness she currently felt was only the tip of the iceberg.

---

"For the last time, Genma, no, I don't want to know. I'm feeling a little nauseated as it is," Raya muttered, slapping a hand over her eyes sullenly.

"Your loss," the senbon-toting man remarked cheerfully, his voice crackling over the radio.

Raya suppressed a groan. She knew it was no use harboring piteous feelings for herself, but really, there was no other way she could feel. Haruka had been little help, surprisingly, but Raya knew she was dealing with her own problems.

Squirming uncomfortably, Raya wondering for the millionth time how her friend was faring on her own mission. Was Kakashi driving her mad? Or was it the other way around? She knew how annoying Haruka could be, especially when she was in a tiff. And whoo, she had certainly been in a tiff when Raya had said her farewell.

"Raya-chan!" Naruto's voice, exuberant as ever, pulled her back into the odious reality that was her god awful mission. Seriously. Monitoring a road? Raya hated waiting, especially when there was no promise of any real action. At the most they'd find some petty rogues with stolen goods they planned to sell. Really. Raya wanted a challenge.

But no. Here Raya was, lying in a ditch surrounded by dry foliage and listening to a lecher and an idiot bicker over a radio. The only excitement she got was the occasional fire ant crawling up her shorts.

Sighing, Raya touched the transmitter at her throat. "Yes, Naruto?" she asked warily. If it wasn't Naruto asking her stupid questions about Gaara or Konoha, it was Genma with what could possibly be perceived as an innocent comment, if you were really that naïve. She wasn't sure who was worse to talk to.

There was a hiss of static, but no words. He'd probably picked up on her tone of voice and figured better of pestering her. He'd been like that since she dealt with his mindless spread of rumors.

"Ah... nevermind."

Raya huffed, carelessly tossing her hair over her shoulder as she squinted through the brush. If she stood up and looked way down the road, she might've spotted Naruto and his fluorescent jumpsuit, but sheer laziness and duty kept her glued to the dusty ground. She shifted to a more comfortable position and looked over the road again.

Still no sign of activity. It was gonna be a bust, she knew it. They'd lie around, waiting for hours like they had already done. Turning onto her back, she stared up at the cloudless sky and silently wished it would rain. She liked the way the rain felt, so gentle as it pattered down on her skin. She liked to think of the rain as a good ol' bath, washing away the troubles of the land.

Wow. That sounded stupid, even to her.

A half hour passed in silence. It seemed Naruto and Genma had gotten a clue. Raya breathed a sigh of relief, only half-enjoying the peace since she was, after all, baking in the sun. Really, she knew she should've put sunscreen on, but it had honestly fled her mind... Haruka would probably scold her when she returned home, red as a beet.

Another half hour passed, with more peaceful stillness and the infrequent rumblings of a starving Naruto and a bored Genma. Raya entertained the idea that they were dumber than apes for awhile before discarding it in a fit of boredom. Every now and then there was a false alarm as a small caravan would pass by, on its way to a nearby town.

Raya was drawing pictures in the sand with a stick (of her wringing Genma's neck happily) when the radio hissed to life. The sound was so unexpected after so long a silence that she jumped.

"Four guys. Mediocre skills, I'd say. I'm sure they're the target. Going..."

Not listening, Raya tried not to feel too embarrassed by the fact she'd jumped. Luckily, she was alone.

"WHOO! Finally, some action! I see some of 'em!"

"Shit, Naruto, get back here now or I'll rip your balls off and stuff 'em down your throat!" As if to punctuate his threat, a cloud of dust rose far off in the distance. Birds screeched and took off in a flurry

Raya glared across the road, lying flat on her stomach, feeling all the effects of roasting, frying, baking, and broiling and complete jealousy. Ignoring that uncomfortable fact as much as she could, Raya focused on an especially ugly shrub with what looked like a dead stick of flower with much bitterness. It did occur to her that it was slightly – no, incredibly – odd that both Naruto and Genma happened upon what could only be their target at precisely the same moment.

… No way...

She frowned, suddenly alert. Something was wrong. The frightened birds continued to shriek in haste, flapping their wings earnestly. Towards the fight. Frowning, Raya crouched lower in the ditch, her finger poised above her radio.

"Need any help?" she whispered, her voice cracking as excitement rushed through her.

"We're good," Genma grunted through the static.

She hesitated for less than a moment before taking off towards the dense wood that surrounded the road. Raya wasn't about to let them steal all the glory, especially when she was near certain that more men lurked inside, doubtless to catch Naruto and Genma unawares. Raya grinned and moved faster, leaping from branch to branch, reveling in the shade that now covered her sweating body.

There was no movement; she sensed no one nearby, a fatal mistake that only an amateur or a complete idiot would make. Thrilled, Raya dropped to the ground and knelt behind some bushes. She peered out and did a silent victory dance, counting six jeering men as they made their way towards Genma and Naruto.

It was as she turned, all smirks and smugness, that she felt the blade press against her throat.

---

Kakashi scratched his chin, wondering how many demands she had for the innkeeper. The man, a stringy creature with the slim build of something like a swimmer, was nodding his head emphatically, taking in Haruka's every word. The woman in question was waving her arms to show just what size a suitable pillow really was.

To be fair though, all Haruka had really asked for was a stack of pillows and some miso. But Kakashi really didn't feel like being fair, tired and grumpy as he was.

Tuning out her voice as she once again told the keeper that flat pillows were no good, Kakashi wondered how his day could get any worse. The previous day had been filled with unresolved tension, Haruka stubbornly eluding any of his subtle attempts to fluster her. How boring. Any conversation they had was short and bland, Haruka resiliently picking at her nails with the sole intention of shunning him. There had been nothing better to do than to read his book – which was wonderful, by the way – whilst trying to ignore the tempting presence beside him.

He'd thought that she'd grow bored of her new game long before they arrived in Snow, but apparently that wasn't the case. She'd kept it up even when they'd crossed the border, entering the land of chill and ice. Every now and then she'd engage him in conversation, but she made it clear that she was the one calling the shots and marking the boundaries. And inevitably, he'd step over the boundary and she would frown at him – with that adorable pout of hers – and return to the act of shunning.

She was testing him. She had to be.

Luckily, he got some piece of mind when she went to sleep, ungraciously taking his silent offer to keep watch first. Of course, that wasn't fair of him either, because he still wasn't sure if that was a soft 'thank you' she murmured or 'asshole'.

Sleep completely changed her. Gone was the anger and dislike, the patronizing, suspicious glances she had a tendency to throw towards him, replaced instead by a sweet calmness that reminded him of... water. Night changed her to an undisturbed lake, where her troubles with family and his own obnoxious self were submerged, temporarily forgotten. Daytime brought the return of the hurricane.

Was it strange for him to want to get closer to the hurricane? He must've been going mad.

"Geez, Kakashi-kun, get out of your head." Haruka poked his hitaite gently, jerking her head towards the door the innkeeper must've went through.

"Ouch," was all he said, his voice wounded. Haruka's mouth twitched, as if she wanted to laugh, but she seemed to think better of it.

That was annoying. God, he wanted to rip that mask off her.

"C'mon," she muttered, slipping through the door, her sylph-like body swaying with each step. Kakashi took a deep breath and followed her, gathering himself as he moved.

The inn was a gaudy place that strove to replicate that home-sweet-home feel. Kakashi wasn't feeling it, and judging from Haruka's tight expression, neither was she. The hall the keeper led them through was tall and narrow, with a colorful, flowery wallpaper and golden lights that creaked the slightest as they swung. It wasn't long before the keeper proudly showed them their adjacent rooms. After assuring Haruka that yes, she would get her abundance of pillows and miso, the man left them to their own.

Kakashi looked at her, the image of leisure with his shoulders slouched back, his hands jammed into his pockets. Haruka returned his gaze, resolute. Neither of them spoke, too encompassed with the silent war that waged between them.

She was the first to buckle. Coughing into her fist, she looked away casually, shifting her weight. "So... I don't know if you were listening, but I asked the innkeeper how far Shiromura is from here and it's only a couple hours, so we could probably make it there by late morning or noon if we leave early." She peeked over at him.

"Mm..." Kakashi shrugged. She bristled for a second, as if to berate him, but a moment later she deflated, as if too weary. Something tugged at him, a sudden compulsion to know just what had flashed in her eye.

For a moment, she hesitated, torn between making the next move or surrendering. He could feel it; she was so close to opening up, breaching that black void that stood between them... And then, with a sudden howl of wind from outdoors, she was gone, back behind her walls.

"See you in the morning then," she said flatly, turning.

Something snapped in him.

---

A sound of utter infuriation met her ears and suddenly Haruka found her back pressed against the cherry oak door, Kakashi's strong arms blocking any path of exit. His face loomed before hers so ominously, his eye dark and unreadable. Haruka could feel the tension rolling off him and she swallowed audibly, unable to tell if he would rip her throat out or ravish her senseless. She dearly hoped it was the latter.

The sudden fear must've read in her eyes, because a moment later he eased up, muscles relaxing slightly as his head bowed. An angle of silver hair flopped down, tickling her nose.

Haruka pushed herself closer to the door, concerned but nervous none the less. All pretense had been forgotten, the game abandoned. "Are you alright Kakashi-kun?"

A strangled sound escaped him; it took her a moment to recognize it as a delirious laugh that reverberated throughout the narrow hall. It was so different from the luscious laugh she secretly loved. A chill unrelated to the icy weather swept over her.

"No," he rasped, looking up at her without moving; the effect was a bestial one that set her heart racing with a thrill and panic. "I'm not alright."

Haruka was confused, hesitant to let him see that his behavior was frightening her. "O-oh," she said finally, after an interminable moment of silence. There was the hum of a heater somewhere, but even that seemed to quiet in the wake of their conversation.

And despite the awkward ice that clung to the air, Haruka could not stop herself from admiring his muscled arms. Holy hell, she'd seen him training. Secretly. She knew more than a dozen points in the city where she could catch him unawares so as to admire his lean physique. It was an arousing experience itself just to watch his fluid exercises.

Shit, she was a pervert...

A humorless chuckle escaped him. "How the hell do you do that?" he suddenly asked, honest curiosity ringing in his low tone. Haruka was surprised by how open and candid his voice was. It was mildly disconcerting, to say the least, and it made her feel just a tad shameful since she didn't have the guts to let herself loose around him. Just when she thought she had him figured out, he'd throw her a curve ball.

She frowned at him, quelling the peculiar urge to stroke his cheek with a tenderness she did not want to be perceived as weakness on her part. Like she needed to come off even more batty, in lieu with her newfound perversion. Okay, maybe not 'newfound' so much...

"How do I do what?" she asked, unable to stop her voice from dropping to a whisper. There was no one around, after all. Why the hell were they whispering?

"Confuse me," Kakashi responded in a raw whisper. A barely suppressed gruffness was evident in his words.

Haruka opened and closed her mouth, unsure how to answer. What did he want her to say? That she confused a lot of people on a daily basis, that this was nothing new for her? Brows knitting together, she struggled to think of a suitable response that wouldn't send him hiding behind his armor again.

All thought promptly fled her mind when his forehead fell against the smooth part of the door beside her head, his chin grazing her shoulder the slightest. In that instant, Haruka felt something crawl away from her in an attempt to hide. She had never before felt further away from someone so close. It was amazing how even when he had her pushed up against the wall, Kakashi could still alienate her; he maintained a somewhat specific distance from every part of her body, pushing himself away from the temptation. Her body tingling, Haruka entertained the idea that if she simply swept in a deep breath, her body could meet his, that her chest could brush against his...

A sharp intake of breath and she was glaring at his ear. He was unwittingly transforming her into a horny sex fiend!

Bite his ear, her mind growled quite seductively. Lick him, taste him, fuck his brains out --

Kakashi's voice suddenly rumbled in her ear, tickling her skin and sending a shiver racing down her spine. Her breath hitched – was he aware what he was doing to her? "I don't understand you at all," he muttered, almost to himself. He was unable to completely hide the aggravation from his voice.

He doesn't understand me? I don't understand him! Crazy bastard. Why the hell do we have to understand each other? She struggled to contain an irritated grunt from escaping her. Just do me, you idiot!

A small chuckle escaped her, though the last thing she like doing was laughing. She'd much rather have this man thrown down onto the ground so she could have her way with him.

"If it makes you feel any better, I don't understand you either," she responded quite bluntly, trying to shove away the strong desire that pounded through her relentlessly.

His smooth laugh fanned across her skin like a burning wildfire and her heart skipped a beat. Holy shit, his breathing alone could give her a heart attack, and it was already being filtered by a bloody mask. If she did die that way, Haruka had no doubt she would've died a most happy and pleased person.

Something clicked inside her. Compulsion tugged at her heart, pulling down her barriers.

"Kakashi-kun," she began gently, pausing with a small smirk when she felt him stop breathing. He was so rigid and tense, his jaw tightening visibly as she could see from the corner of her eye, but he was listening with an attentiveness that made her swell with importance. "You need to relax."

He sighed, the straightforward act causing her heart to flutter yet again. "I can't," he growled, his voice rent with something she couldn't recognize.

Haruka rolled her eyes. Obstinate man. "And why is that?" she inquired, trying to keep her voice light and friendly. Beside her, she could feel Kakashi calculating her question and it almost made her laugh and cry at the same time.

It's so simple, you stupid, stupid man!

A long groan escaped him; Haruka struggled to dismiss such a carnal sound, but it was so hard when all she could do was imagine his rough, calloused hands on her skin and his hot, moist mouth trailing all over her body.

She drew in a long and shallow breath, her wide-eyed gaze looking past his shoulder and drilling a hole in the opposing door.

"I'm trying so hard," he muttered darkly after a long moment. Haruka was certain he was talking to himself now. Alarmed, she watched his fist clench and unclench beside her; a guilt swept through her when she realized what it was he meant and what it was doing to him. Her eyes squeezed shut and it occurred to her that they were both treading unfamiliar territory. There was no doubt in her mind that she was as strange to him as he was to her.

She wanted to change that. She didn't want to be a stranger to him, or a gawky child, or even just a comrade. She wanted to rip off that platonic label and replace it something so much wilder.

Without a second thought, Haruka wound her arms around his shoulders and gently drew his face towards hers; an excitement scorched through her veins, empowerment rushing through her. Combined with his musky scent, the effect was that of being lightheaded and unlike herself, but she figured that was just the boost she needed to cross the line – a second time – with this alien man.

Her gaze caught his; he was watching her with bated breath, measuring her, still striving to understand her. What was so complicated about her? She was plain and simple Haruka!

Her heartbeat was all over the place as she raised a hand, all but aware of his unwavering, wary gaze trailing her digits. A finger twitched, curling and catching against the hot fabric of his mask. Kami, he was so close she could feel his breath through the damned thing and it was making her lose focus!

Biting her lip, she briefly wondered if he would stop her. She pushed that thought away before it could nag her and tugged the mask down in a sweeping movement, bringing with it the final wall that stood between her and Kakashi.

The face she saw was one so familiar that she couldn't speak for a moment. There was a normalcy she hadn't expected, especially in the day-old stubble that had begun to graze his strong, sharp chin and the faint tan line his constant mask-wearing had created. The long and sharp profile she had found herself admiring ever so often was one that angled out nicely, straight and flawless, save for a small nick on the bridge that she dearly wanted to tweak – goodness, was she a sucker for scars. His mouth was a wide and sensuous one, pale and slightly parted, crooking with a bitter amusement and revealing the makings of a most adorable dimple she desperately wanted to poke. Haruka's heart skipped a beat and she anticipated a witty comment that never came.

Hesitantly, her fingers skimmed across his jawline, tracing high cheekbones, the bottom half of the ragged scar that ran through his left eye. The other had closed at her touch, but when she stopped it opened to fix her with a curious stare.

It didn't matter to her that what she was doing was incredibly wrong and out of line – he was, after all, a colleague, a teammate, and a foreigner from a country that was a wary ally of its rough and sandy neighbor. He was absolutely free to stop her. All she could think about was erasing the small line that was creasing between his pale eyebrows. And so she stood on the tips of her chubby little toes, her hands still holding his face so endearingly, and brushed her lips across his in the lightest of kisses.

"Then let go," she whispered against his mouth, smiling slightly. Holding her breath, she slowly raised her gaze and met his, unsure of what she would find.

His eye was hooded, a monsoon of emotions that sent a twist of excitement knotting through her belly. There was a pause in which both of them stared, unblinkingly, at each other. Haruka forgot she'd been holding her breath and she let it all whoosh out in a single gust, forgetting for the moment that her mouth was practically touching his and that she might have really bad halitosis.

Of course, all previous thoughts became null when he kissed her. Really kissed her. His hand slipped up, tickling her wherever it brushed until finally, it curled around her neck, so hot against her skin. He didn't have to move much, as close as they were, but Haruka found herself leaning forward in eager anticipation.

His mouth moved over hers, and she responded with fervor, the world spinning away in a haze of desperation.

Everything happened so fast, and yet, seemed to last forever. Every touch and caress, each sigh and moan, every laugh, every whisper, they all rang so clear in her mind. Clothes rustling gently as they were tossed carelessly aside, skin meeting skin, warmth, friction, ecstasy... She couldn't, for the life of her, remember when they had slipped into a room.

She gazed up at Kakashi, breathing heavily. A part of her tried to protest, but sheer loneliness prevailed, quelling her better judgement. The candid look in his eyes, his beautiful, mis-matched eyes, left her breathless and Haruka found herself letting go as never before in the cold veil of night.

His fingers trailed across her stomach, rough and gentle at the same time, dipping closer and closer to her bundle of nerves, touching, brushing, tweaking. Haruka tried not to cry out as wave after wave of pleasure bounded over her, proud as she was. She knew she was a goner when his head disappeared between her legs, the ghost of a smirk lingering behind.

The first dart of tongue and her resolve shattered. She cried out over and over, stumbling over his name as all sense fled her. And then he was up again, licking his lips as if he'd just enjoyed a five-course meal. Had she the strength, Haruka might have laughed, or even kicked him, but she was suddenly aware of something hot and heavy against her.

She looked up at him; he was watching her, half-wary, as if she might go ducking back into the woods. She laughed, and he smiled, and she had to stop herself from poking that dimple.

"Are you sure?" he asked. Haruka was comforted by the rasp in his voice.

"I think it's a little late to ask that," she laugh, raising an eyebrow.

"Even so, are you sure?" he asked again, insistent. All jokes aside, Haruka looked up at him and met his smoldering gaze dead on. He knew her answer, but she did not fail to see the battle in his eyes and she was suddenly struck by the immovable fact that he was just as unsure as she.

Swallowing away all her fears, Haruka nodded once.

---

Dreams evaded Kakashi that night. For the first time in a long while, his sleep was an easy, restful one. No guilt-ridden dreams, no sight of lost loved ones, no malicious whispers... It was a far cry from the sleepless nights he was used to, but he wasn't complaining.

The same could not be said for Haruka. Beside him, all through what little night was left, she tossed and turned, mumbling inaudible things, sighing with such great fatigue, curling into ball and then uncurling suddenly. Restless as she was, he knew she tried hard not to waken him when she rose just before dawn.

Lying on his back, he watched her lope towards the bathroom with half-lidded eyes. It was hard not to admire her from this angle, especially when she knelt to swipe up an armful of rumpled clothes. It was almost enough to rouse him entirely.

Kakashi willfully told himself no.

With a barely repressed sigh, she swung the door to a close with her foot. There was a blink of light under the door, the brief sound of rushing water, and then a heavy silence.

No... Kakashi frowned. She was muttering something, again and again. He strained to listen.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid... God, Haruka, you fucking idiot..." There was a strangled sound and a slight thump. "You'll never fucking learn, will you?"

And then the light was off, the door swinging open with a gentle creak, but Haruka did not return. Kakashi could see her figure in the darkness, lingering in the doorway. She was silent, her breaths slight as she stood, unmoving.

"I know you're awake," she murmured suddenly. Kakashi hid his surprise, though the dark did that quite easily.

He watched her, eyes glinting with curiosity. "What gave me away?"

"You're too stiff to be asleep. Besides, I can tell by your breathing, and I've got it from a trustworthy source that you're a bad liar. Did I wake you?" She moved closer and perched on the edge of the bed. She'd changed back into yesterday's clothes, eliminating any morning quickies, lest he persuaded her. But from what he'd heard, that was the last thing she wanted. Kakashi repressed a mournful sigh.

"Hmm... Naruto's mouth is too big," he murmured to himself with a frown. Shaking free from the thought, he threw her a grin. "Don't worry yourself, I needed to wake up. I had far too nice a sleep."

She was blushing. Even in the pitch dark he could tell. A good sign, he hoped.

"And that's a reason to wake up?" she questioned, her voice filled with disbelief. He liked how attentive her eyes were to him, watchful, inquisitive, filled with a great charm.

"Nah. Have you already forgotten our prior engagement? Tsk, tsk, Haruka..." He chuckled. "The beds are, however, quite comfy..." He winked at her, knowing she was watching him close enough to notice.

It was enough to elicit the warm and hopeful response he wanted: Haruka laughing. Yet another good sign. He surveyed her with a bleary eye, noting her small hands – oh the things they could do – smoothing away at the wrinkles in the bed sheet.

Such nervousness, still, and yet it remained endearing. It lay to question Haruka's experience in such things. She snorted under her breath. "Are you kidding me? This hotel is so sleazy..." she muttered.

"It's not sleazy," he corrected, his low voice still thick with sleep. "It's seedy."

He imagined her rolling her eyes at him. "I meant what I said," she shot back, though there was humor in her words. "This hotel – as well as most others – is sleazy! But I will admit, it does have a seedy vibe to it..."

He was silent for a moment, measuring her words and loving the way she squirmed impatiently for an answer. So he had managed to coerce her into normal conversation, the latest in his string of good signs that told him he was on the right track with the unpredictable tsunami of Haruka's world.

"How can a hotel be sleazy?" His gravelly voice was dissipating, thank goodness, but he could not hide his incredulity. Maybe it was the sleep.

"If everyone does the things we did, then I daresay this hotel is sleazy, no matter how empty this place is." The corners of her mouth turned up in a winning smirk, her eyes alight with mischief.

The night replayed itself in his mind – every touch and sound – and he grinned at her, forgetting his promise to remain on his best behavior. "So naughty, Haruka-chan. Is that an invitation?"

"Dirty old man!" She slapped his leg. "We have a 'prior engagement', or have you already forgotten Kakashi-kun?" she teased, struggling and failing to hide her grin in the fading darkness.

Kakashi let out a remorseful sigh, stretching his arms behind his head. "Is that a no then?"

"You bet your ass its a no, Kakashi. I wanna get out of here as fast as possible before anything horrible happens." She watched him closely, all business now. "You don't know Tsuyoshi. He's been a thorn in everyone's side for so long, secretive in his dealings, bringing down his enemies in a single strike. Just getting one girl out of his hands can prove to the families he terrorizes that there is a chance of bringing down this mofo..."

Sniffing disdainfully, Kakashi returned her ever-watchful stare. "You weren't this passionate about the mission when Gaara-sama assigned it you. Why the change of heart?"

Haruka sighed and glanced away, out the window where light tufts of snow drifted from the cedars. "I hate coming here. Too much bad blood and all, and something always goes wrong when I'm in Snow," she murmured, shivering the slightest. She slowly looked at him, her gaze searching his for a moment, measuring him. "I came here a lot when I was a kid. My mom was born here and when she was older her family emigrated to Suna, but the rest of the Yukimura clan resides in Snow as well."

Kakashi watched her reaction closely. "That's why Gaara-sama chose you," he observed quietly.

"Yeah. It's been two years since the last mission though." She sighed, dragging a hand through her bed-tousled hair. "My mom used to drag me here in the hopes of stamping out my determination to become a shinobi. That backfired though," she laughed softly. "My grandmother was all for it, said girls should be learned and skilled and independent. But like the word of one cracked old woman mattered, right? Hell, I've hated Snow dearly all my life.

"But... being here again, after so many years... All I want to remember is the good." She glanced out the window, at the lightening sky, a canvas of purples and red brush strokes. The first vestiges of the sunrise were beginning to hit her face, illuminating her stubborn jaw and reminiscing eyes. Kakashi was entranced, until she shook her head quickly, as if shaking off the moment. "Shit, I'm going on again, aren't I? I do that a lot when I'm nervous..."

Kakashi breathed a chuckle, secretly cursing Haruka's determination to be a wall, no matter how cracked it may be. "I thought you weren't nervous about the mission?" he quipped.

Haruka looked at him oddly; the expression was a strangled one and was gone in the next second. Her smile dimmed somewhat.

"I'm not," she replied resolutely. Her eyes met his and he saw the need to come clean, to let out whatever it was that was bothering her. The scary part, to him, was that he had no problem being her confidante. Something was coming over him, and Kakashi was not sure if it was good or bad.

But the mission was calling with every second the sun rose, and once again, the mission was the dominating force in his life. Though he was torn, Kakashi eventually pulled himself away from his feelings, more than a little disgruntled.

It could wait, he told himself. After all, Haruka wasn't going anywhere.

Clearing his throat, he looked away and stood up, stretching with a barely disguised groan. "We'd better get a move on if we want to hit Shiromura by noon."

She nodded her head, but her prying eyes never left him. Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that he'd missed something.

---

Inhaling deeply for the millionth time, Haruka wondered why she had been roped into a Snow-oriented mission yet again. After her father died, she'd promised herself she'd never return, and how many times had she gone back on her word? Two years, it'd been, and she was already back for more shit in a country she despised.

And the memories... everything came rushing back to her. Every passing glance to the shimmering, wintry scenery brought on a tumultuous rush of emotions. How many times she'd traveled these very roads with her family, pranking Daisuke with an impish Miyako in tow, begging her father for stories, pestering her mother with her silly antics...

Remorse filled Haruka, but she pushed it away, her face betraying no emotion. She was a hard-headed, haughty seamstress traveling to meet a cold-blooded man, not some weak-willed little pansy ready to cry because a few trees and a little snow brought back recollections of the past.

She slapped herself mentally, squared her shoulders, and threw her nose up in the air. Recalling her mother's lessons, she swept past Kakashi with an elegance that had evaded her most of her life.

After Kakashi had slipped into the shower, Haruka had pulled out her kimono and set about to putting it on, a task she'd always hated when her mother announced they were going out for dinner or visiting friends. A rusty copper with a gold crane pattern and a scarlet trim, Haruka was reluctantly pleased with the result, though she did need Kakashi's help with the deep red obi.

They'd gone over the plan, which was surprisingly straightforward and simple. Haruka would go in and play the part of a huffy seamstress for Tsuyoshi while Kakashi, her hired mercenary, would scope for the client's daughter, Momoko. Haruka told him the plan was very basic and filled with flaws and Kakashi had retorted it was a work in progress. What if something went wrong, she'd snapped, what if they couldn't get Momoko out and their identities became threatened and it was impossible to sneak back in to snatch her? Would they break her out immediately and flee or would they wait for the opportune moment and then bust out? What if Kakashi fell and broke his neck and she was forced to choose between saving him or Momoko?

Kakashi had swatted her head with his book. He called her a pessimist and promptly informed her that he would never fall and break his neck because he was simply too awesome a shinobi for that.

"Geez Kakashi, you're so full of yourself," Haruka muttered back in the present, whirling around to survey him. Not caring to question what sounded like an offhand comment, Kakashi flashed her a peace sign, his gaze never once leaving his book.

Such a simple gesture, and yet Haruka could not shake off the feeling that he was distancing himself from her. Oh the irony. Rolling her eyes, Haruka recalled all the dating advice she'd been given and wondered if she'd relinquished herself to him too soon. Not that she'd planned on ever dating him, but still, shouldn't there be some connection between them, especially since they'd finally gone and done the hot and nasty?

Good God, she thought in horror, a wave of nausea rolling over her. I'm thinking like some naïve little girl.

Still, it was hard to dispel the strong current of emotions she'd felt last night. She could almost feel his body moving with hers, every thrust bringing a throbbing, aching need between her legs.

Snap out of it! Nostrils flaring, Haruka clenched her thighs together and forced Kakashi from her thoughts. A difficult task, since he'd just caught up with her slowing steps. It was so hard not to stare, especially now that he'd shed his mask and hitaite. Seeing him in full on sunlight was an almost religious moment for her.

How infuriating. Haruka had so many other things to worry about, and this oaf, no matter how sexy and undeniably cool, kept returning to the forefront of her mind. So stupid. Haruka had no need for a man in her life, not now, not ever, and she wasn't going to let her little slip with Kakashi hold her back from that. She'd been so foolish with Kakashi up 'till now, letting him catch her so emotional. It was the dreams, she knew it, because though Miyako had always haunted them, new guests had arrived, each concentrated her shortcomings. Manami, Raya, Hanajima, her mother.

And now, her father.

Shit, she was stupid. So stupid. She was a stupid, stupid girl with too much on her plate.

Focus on the mission, she told herself shakily. Forget everything else. Forget Manami, forget Raya and Hanajima and mother and Kakashi, forget dad, forget it all...

And that was just what she did. She traveled with Kakashi in voluntary silence, chilled to the bone not by the cold, but by the gravity of the mission. The fear she felt was not for anything Tsuyoshi could do, but for the influence of her family lest they recognized her. As the sun crept higher into the cool, gray sky, she and Kakashi came closer to the secluded Shiromura, and their inevitable meeting with Himura Tsuyoshi.

It was not until they were just outside of town that Haruka spoke. Masked from sight by a scattering of pines and cedars, they halted for a brief review of the plan. Timidly drinking her water, Haruka only half-listened to Kakashi.

" – catch us in town since they'll consider me a threat, but once you verify that I'm with you, it'll be fine. They won't take us to Tsuyoshi right away, considering you're not the seamstress they expected. They'll question us separately, see if our stories are straight, but they won't really risk anything with you. We'll be separated after that, but I'll contact you when I'm able to locate Momoko. We won't be able to get her out for a day or so, probably not until Tsuyoshi's party. They'll expect jailbreak before or during the party, but if we hit them just after, before anything can happen to Momoko, we should be good... Got it?"

Haruka nodded her head. Kakashi kneeled in front of her and put a hand on her shoulder. Struggling not to jerk away from such a familiar touch, Haruka avoided his gaze.

"You okay?" he asked. She could hear a worried rumble in his voice and she tried to ignore the warm feeling that bubbled inside her.

She smiled at him weakly. "I'm fine. And no, I'm not nervous." Biting her lip, Haruka leaned forward, bridging the gap between them. "But don't you get the feeling that we're walking into something?"

His eye searched hers and the warm, bubbling feeling expanded to envelope her entire body. Feeling on edge suddenly, Haruka looked away, trying not to linger on the fact he'd seen and explored every inch of her. After a long moment, he sighed and straightened up.

"We're always walking into something, Haruka. We've got no other way to get the girl than to go in ourselves. Now come on. We've got work to do." He offered her his hand and after a brief moment's hesitation, she took it and let him pull her up.

Feeling substantially better about the mission, Haruka followed him, watching as he stowed away his book and stuck his hands in his pockets. She continued to feel something was a miss, however. All the whispers around town did little to calm her nerves as well. They were everywhere, ominous words about the grisly murder of Tsuyoshi's sole son, about the rival clan that had committed the deed. She heard the murmured question of how Tsuyoshi would retaliate, how it would indeed be horrific.

Just as Kakashi predicted, they were barred from further passage by a pair of burly men; Haruka disliked the look of them, with their bulging muscles and visible weapons and roving eyes. They were pulled aside and questioned and Haruka felt she played the part of a high-and-mighty woman exceptionally. She exclaimed in all the right places, wrenched her arm away at the right moment, demanded to speak with their advisor when the situation finally called for it. Her bags were searched, their stories checked, and finally, finally, they were taken to the compound.

It was not the fearsome place she expected. In fact, it was quite the opposite, built with grandeur and magnificence in mind, but Haruka did not fail to see the strategic advantages of its location. A small canyon that overlooked the the dale of Shiromura, covered by falls and protected by bluffs, Tsuyoshi's compound was certainly a logically-built structure with questionable intentions that only a fool could miss.

Still, it was breathtaking experience with the combined effect of mist, fog, and snow. Haruka knew she would not be satisfied until she returned and captured the great dale on canvas.

What was she thinking? They were trying to bring Tsuyoshi down, not paint his home. Swallowing her silly thoughts, Haruka and Kakashi followed the burly men deep into the compound. There, they were separated and one final glimpse at Kakashi as she was led away told her that he had this down.

Haruka would've preferred to stay with him, but duty called.

"I'd like it if you kept him alive, boys," she cried extravagantly. "It's distressful how many pretty-faced hires I lose to your lot!" The muscled men exchanged smirks and Haruka turned away from Kakashi, throwing in a last minute prayer for his welfare.

A servant girl with pretty blue eyes took her to her rooms and shyly pointed out the dining hall. Tsuyoshi would not need her now, she told Haruka somberly, not until the morning since she'd arrived so late. Haruka merely nodded and waved the girl away with a sniff.

The second her bags were set down and the doors slid shut, Haruka's shoulders slouched and she heaved a great sigh. "Yeesh, my back is killing me," she muttered. Rubbing the aforementioned wearily, she set about to inspecting the room thoroughly for any bugs and found one hidden under the bed.

She left it there and sat on the bed, frowning to herself. Tsuyoshi wanted it known he was listening, probably to instill fear in his house guests. That, or he was a very kinky man. Smoothing her hands over the silken sheets, Haruka sat back and threw a lazy eye over the room.

Lavish seemed too small a word for the room. The room was excessive. From the luxurious rugs and curtains to the ornate furniture, gilded in gold, Haruka was a little nauseated to think how Tsuyoshi had managed to pay for it all.

He'd pay. They'd find Momoko, save her from whatever it was Tsuyoshi had planned for her, and bring enough dirt from this rotten place to take him down for good.

Smiling to herself, Haruka's final thought was of Kakashi before sleep took over.

---

He'd found her.

Kakashi was a little surprised it was so easy, but he figured it was simply his talents at work. Still, maybe it had been a little too easy, especially considering the fact the girl was not locked away in a cold, dank dungeon with no more than the clothes on her back.

In fact, she looked pretty cozy for a prisoner. Prisoners did not traipse about their captor's home dressed in finery, but then again, looks could be deceiving. There was a decided heaviness to her gait, a reluctance in her every footstep.

Hm. Kakashi took a bite out of his stolen apple and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. It was a little weird without the mask, but he was able to manage. He was like a chameleon, adapting to his environment.

Shifting his weight, Kakashi leaned against the wall and surveyed the girl as she walked down the hall, her dusty rose kimono whispering across the marble floor as she moved. She was a small thing, kind of like Haruka, only much slimmer. Alarmingly slimmer. Her round face would've been attractive if not for the hollows in her cheeks and the taut pull of skin at her jaw.

"She smells different," remarked the small dog by his leg. He looked up at Kakashi, perplexed. "Not like a normal female. You sure this is the one, Kakashi? She looks like walking death."

Kakashi took another bite. "Take another whiff and tell me yourself," he mumbled through the apple. The dog shifted impatiently at his feet.

"I know. But she smells funny." The dog sighed aloud, stirring a grin from Kakashi.

"Maybe it's her shampoo," Kakashi replied blithely, his eyes still on the girl. She was running her fingers along the wall. Out of the corner of his eye he counted four men keeping an eye on her. "Maybe that Floral Green stuff you use has finally dulled your senses, Pakkun." He punctuated his remark with the crunch of his delicious apple.

Pakkun bristled with offense. "My senses are perfectly fine, you – " He stiffened and sniffed. "Someone's coming," he hissed.

"I know." Kakashi bit the apple again, reveling in its sweetness. Ah, how he loved apples.

Pakkun stared at him, his head tilted to the side. "Aren't you gonna do something?"

"Nope." The gray-haired man absently wiped his mouth, unworried.

Rolling his eyes, Pakkun shook his head slowly, sensing Kakashi knew something and was not telling him.

"You'd better go." Kakashi flicked his fingers at him in a feeble wave, all the while watching as the girl turned the corner, her hidden escorts following suit. "Bye-bye."

Pakkun exhaled tersely and vanished in a puff of smoke. Chewing another chunk of juicy apple, he waited very patiently for the intruder to arrive.

"Hey you!" hissed a voice behind him. "What're you doing wandering 'bout?"

There you are.

Kakashi waved his apple in the air. Swallowing hard, he threw a sheepish look over his shoulder. "Midnight snack," he explained, apologetically. A single glance told him this guardsman, an inept shinobi at best, was no threat. With a pock-marked visage, beady eyes, and a miniscule stature, he did not make for a very frightening sight.

Of course, that was what he wanted Kakashi to think. Having had more than a single glance, Kakashi gave the man a once-over and deduced that he was dealing with a professional. He counted more than six flat-knives on his body and had no doubt there was skill enough to match that number.

He'd certainly pose an interesting challenge.

The man narrowed his tiny eyes at him. "Yer not supposed to leave yer quarters," he snapped.

Feigning innocence, Kakashi gestured to the hall below, where an audible clang sounded as double-doors slammed shut. "Really? Because it seems like everyone's doing just that."

The man paled and a vein throbbed on his head. Kinda like Haruka too. Goodness, everyone was reminding him of her. With a mental shake of the head, he caught the last half of the man's words.

"You don't have the same privileges as that guest! Get back to your room!" He jabbed his finger in Kakashi's general direction, lips tight. Kakashi took a step back, hands up, silently commending the man's act while processing what he'd just said.

Priveleges?

"Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going..." Stepping around the man, he began walking towards a pair of doors down the corridor. It was a nice corridor too, furnished with a heavily embellished side table and a flashy vase that looked like it cost a pretty penny. Not to mention the crystal light fixtures and heavenly rugs... Kakashi stopped suddenly, scratching the top of his head.

"I forgot how I got here," he said, shamefaced.

The vein leaped. Kakashi swore it did. The man deserved an award, keeping such a great temper in check. Haruka could use a few pointers.

Shit.

Glaring daggers at him, the man pointed towards the doors opposite the ones Kakashi had been walking towards.

With a nod of thanks, Kakashi waltzed towards the ostentatious doors, a light skip in his step, apple still in hand. He took a great big bite and chewed loudly, more than certain that the crash he heard was the sound of a shattering vase.

God, he loved apples.

---

"Tachibana-sama?" came a small voice in the doorway.

Haruka almost snickered out loud. She really loved oranges. They were so much better than apples.

Recovering quickly, she threw an incensed look over her shoulder, studying the feeble servant with a shrewd eye. "What is it? Be quick about it!" Cursing silently, Haruka quickly stuffed the mission scroll she'd been reviewing in her kimono and turned to face the girl impatiently.

Though it was fun to be mean, Haruka did feel a little guilty when the girl visibly shrank back. She probably hadn't asked to work in such a rotten place.

Pulling herself together, the girl straightened up. "Himura-dono requests your presence," she responded firmly, her gaze level with Haruka's. Haruka stifled a grin, admiring her backbone.

Still, she couldn't suspend the sudden anxiety she felt. She had no reason to let Kakashi know their mission had her scared shitless.

Masking her fear, Haruka lifted her chin and glided towards the grandiose mirror in the corner of the vast room, double-checking her hair, wound into an elegant knot, and made a show of touching up her make-up. Let the girl think she was a prissy woman who care more about her looks than her job...

Snatching up a pair of dark-rimmed spectacles (Haruka would not let a soul know that they were her real reading glasses), she waved her arm dramatically at the girl.

"Take me to him."

With a nod, the girl led the way, taking Haruka through the house in a great maze of hallways and corridors and staircases. Haruka took note of her surroundings, locking each door into her memory with a sharp eye. They passed through the foyer into a tremendous room with a number of people lounging about in a great variety of intricately carved tables and luscious couches and sitting chairs. Haruka counted nine men who were not the loungers they pretended be.

Though she pretended to ignore them all as she and the servant girl swept through the room, Haruka fixed them all in her mind.

The girl led her to the end of the room where a group of people sat quite comfortably, each garbed more extravagantly then the next. Four men, three women, each watching her with disdain.

"Himura-dono, Tachibana-sama has arrived." A woman with glittering eyes waved the girl off. Haruka hardly spared a glance for the fleeing girl, too occupied with seeking out Tsuyoshi. She struggled to control her pounding heart.

Someone chuckled to her far right, a ways from the haughty group that stared at her.

"Miyako-sama, I don't believe we've ever met..."

---

Author's Note: Wow. Um. A year. Um. Yeah. *scratches head nervously* I'm so sorry it took me a year. Just, it was a hectic year and I restarted this chapter 6 times at least. The only bit from the original chapter 9 is the opening. Goodness. I am by no means proud of this chapter, but I knew if I ever wanted to finish this story, I had to force my way through the mess that is this chapter.

Oh yeah. Sorry for the half-lemon. I just... couldn't do it. There'll probably more opportunities for that though.

And the whole apple-orange thing, haha... I think Tachibana means ... 'wild orange', 'mandarin orange'? Not sure, but that's why Haruka was giggling like an idiot. :P

Once again, I'm sorry!