A/N: So sorry everyone, things have gone nuts once again for me, including preparing for a trip I'll be taking in less than a month now.
Anways Turtlegm: You will be happy to read this chapter!
Okay so Kakashi had messed up...again...of course, he just couldn't tell her, maybe he'll be more lucky this time.
And as a treat for everyone, especially for being patient, I have made a character sketch of Akane! Yay and here's the link: so go there if you'd like to see, I also have a semi-realistic picture of Kakashi up if you go into the gallery.
Please review and enjoy!
Chapter 10: Addmission
"Kakashi-san?" He stopped when he heard her call him from behind. "Can we stop?"
They had finally entered the boundaries of Konoha and had stopped near the training fields. Both were still very exhausted from the night before, Kakashi more than she, but still very tired. That morning he had indeed woken up with a headache he'd never forget, and a happy cheery Akane to make it worse. He knew he deserved it, and she was only helping his punishment more…although he did distinctly remember the word cat…and then Akane breaking down…but he wasn't sure if the two were related. Actually he was sure they weren't since he remembered everything since she broke down and nothing except 'cat'…and he didn't really like cats…well not really. Now it was mid afternoon and his splitting headache had passed. They had been walking all morning and were just outside training ground three. He also noticed that morning the snow was melting and really the two were lucky to make it as far as they did without much trouble on the path.
"Why not?" He placed his pack down by a large old tree. "We're almost there though. Ten more minutes." He muttered as she walked up next to him and placed her pack beside his.
"I want to train a bit, is that okay?" Kakashi blinked at her in shock. She wanted to train…in the slush?
Is she insane?
This is even conditions I would avoid. Not even Gai would do this.
"What?" He said sarcastically. "You want to train now?" He pointed at her in utter confusion.
What has gotten into her?
"Is there something wrong with that?" She glared crossing her arms.
"Ah…no…well…maybe…no." He sighed. No was the answer if he wanted to live that is.
"I thought it would be best to gauge where I am, if I need more days or not."
"Ah…well okay…" He wasn't sure what to do; she didn't even have any weapons on her; for their level that was a must. "Akane-san?"
"Hmm?" She looked up waiting for an answer. For some reason, he wasn't sure why. He found that moment a very strange one. There was no light glancing off her features, or anything spectacular, but still he really wanted to reach over and pull her close so he could…
Idiot! Calm down.
He shook his head as if trying to get the thought out of his mind. Was he seriously thinking of kissing her…right here…that wouldn't do.
"Ah…you have no weapons." He was blushing but the mask was covering it and that made his life all the more easier.
"Sure I do." She shrugged.
"Where?" He crossed his arms, this he wanted to see.
"Right here." She suddenly lunged at him with a fist, of course missing him.
That was bad even for you…wait…she didn't…no way…damn it!!!
He knew something was wrong when the Akane before him vanished in a puff of smoke and his foot suddenly gave…and he flew up.
"What's with you?" She asked walking around the tree. "That was a funny look on your face there a second ago…what was that?"
"Not telling…" He crossed his arms again and hooked the loose foot behind his snagged leg.
"Why is it you never learn?" This was the old Akane, the one that taunts him until he wants to scream at her and….well do things, but that wasn't the point here.
"You stole my twine!" He glared. "And a kunai…" He knew his pouch was lighter for some reason that morning.
"Yep, last night when you were sound asleep." She grinned.
"You planned this!" He growled.
"It was the only way to get you hyped up to do as I want." She too crossed her arms and leaned on one hip. The effect was doing just as she wanted but hyped wasn't the word.
"I don't get 'hyped up'." He snorted indignantly. To think someone felt he would get excited over a battle….she was absolutely…right.
He sighed, trying to relax himself. There was no way he could get down right off. He had to work on cutting the twine and moving himself away from the tree; it meant not landing on the ground. It was tricky but at least it wasn't the type of twine she used. Her's was far worse!
He heard her dash into the trees. She only really had two minutes, as was his guess before he was after her. Lucky for him it was the third training ground.
Glancing down he realized his initial guess was right. Hitting the ground at the base of the tree was not happening. There nestled in the grass was a loop of his twine, he knew it well and chose to avoid it.
With that there I have two choices. Swing myself and cut myself down at the upswing away from the tree…where I'm pretty sure there's a pit, or cut myself loose when I'm on the opposite upswing and use the chakra I can gather to my hands to stop myself from hitting the tree.
He choose the last, it was faster and safer should anything be waiting for him. He had to give her credit, she had better skill than most at setting traps and thinking ahead, but he still had one advantage.
Swinging himself Kakashi reached for the tree. As soon as his hand stuck as he planned he cut the twine. He knew it was a mistake but he would risk a sprain to get down.
He grunted as his hand twisted and grabbed hold of the tree as best he could. Although it looked silly he slid down a few inches and finally stopped, he knew her well and if he had hit the ground…he would be back up again.
Climbing into the tree he dashed over the branches and into the forest.
It only took moments before shuriken were whizzing past his head. He hadn't even had any in his pouch, and that worried him.
"Where did she find those?"
Running across one branch and stopping Kakashi watched as something large suddenly appeared ahead of him. He wasn't sure what it was at first but as the whistling of the object got closer he could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
"You have got to be kidding me?" He stared as the thing got closer. "She managed to get that….how…was it a clone like Naruto's?" He jumped out of the way just as the thing took apart a branch above him. "No, that was real…how?"
Running in the direction it came from he came to the open field of training ground three. This was not a good place to be. There were open places as well as treed areas. Here she could bait him with clones and attack from out of nowhere.
Deciding to do what was best he clasped his hands together and vanished.
Akane glanced around her. The field had changed since she had trained there so she knew disorientation was the issue all she had to do was…
Her thought ended as a hand shot out of the ground. As quickly as it appeared she moved away. She watched as the man she had been running from climbed out of the ground grumbling.
"You're to fast."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Do want me to slow it down?" She snarled. Something about training with Kakashi got her frustrated. He was persistent and good, no one else she trained with would drive her this mad, and however at the same time she enjoyed it.
"Well that would be nice." He rubbed the back of his neck. He then rubbed the dirt from his hair.
"Nope." She grinned. Like hell she was going to let him get the upper hand. "Besides, that would be like handing myself over." She smiled.
"Yeah sure…sure it is. As much as I can lose to Naruto."
"Watch it Kakashi…you just might soon."
She watched him mull that over. "Good point." He sighed. "Seriously this is silly."
"Not really." The one before him 'poofed' just as she appeared behind him with the kunai to his back.
"Foolish woman." The clone shook its head and vanished replaced by a barrage of kunai headed straight for her.
Ducking so low her chin nearly hit the ground Akane got up and dashed as quickly as she could for cover, but he was now in her path.
"This time this is really me, and I'm not letting you into the trees." He growled. There was something about a mad Kakashi that made her want to giggle. It was probably his little speeches. Something about rules and the like.
"You fight me with Tai-jutsu here on out, no more pulling weapons out of the blue."
"Too bad." She growled back and pulled both arms before her. This gave her a strange look from him.
"Ooo…what is that for?"
She grinned as slowly she summoned chakra to her hands and imagined her swords in his apartment; she remembered them next to the box of vaccines in his closet.
"Take…this?" She stared at her hands as nothing appeared. "By chance before we left…did you clean up?" She gritted her teeth, seething with anger.
"Oh…I did." He smiled tilting his head and doing the extremely annoying thing with that one eye.
"Where did you put my swords?"
Then she watched as his eye flew wide and worried.
"I…I'm not telling." He chuckled. "That's what you were doing…makes sense." He then ran right at her. "But you won't win."
"Ha right." She dodged his fist as a foot came up and nearly hit her head.
"Damn it woman hold still." He grunted as he tried once more.
Oh that was really not well said, it sounded quite dirty!
She decided to play along, more curious as to what would happen if she did.
"Ha ha I wish you did the same." His foot suddenly came up a little to close to her face, deciding the best to do she bent her back far enough to avoid it and managed to save face by turning a fumble into a flip.
"Nicely done." Kakashi stopped for a moment and glanced to the sky. "I'd say you're fine."
Akane grinned from the bush behind him. Silently she crept as close as she could…within two inches. Her fist connected with…a block of wood.
"Geeer...you liar!" She spat as she shook the hand that hit the block of wood. "That's not fair!"
"You did the same." A cool voice announced behind her. She felt his arms around her waist pinning her arms and she knew there really was one thing left for her to do, and she didn't want to…but she wanted to win.
Gritting her teeth she fisted the hand closest to him and swung it back hard enough into his groin, earning a grunt and herself loose. She decided then that cover was best.
Kakashi doubled over and clutched at himself in shock. He had never in his career as a shinobi been attacked quite like that by anyone. Men rarely did such things to each other unless it meant life or death…it just wasn't done. Women never did it because the thought of such an action was…just wrong.
"You're something else." He muttered as he finally regained his breathing. Standing stiffly he listened to the trees around him.
That was cheep and dirty…but it was some sort of self defense…but definitely not tai-jutsu that's for sure.
He heard a rustle but decided it was too small to be the woman he was looking for. He needed something bigger. And then he saw them.
"Shit!!!" He blinked for a moment to make sure he was really seeing was before him and when they didn't vanish he ran as fast as he could as far as he could. However he was still to close and the blast effectively knocked him to the ground and sent him sliding a few feet.
"That was not normal!" He glared at the burnt patch of trees. "Those weren't normal exploding tags…where is she getting all this. Her arsenal is larger than mine and mine is back at my apartment." He watched her shadow as it appeared out of the tree line.
"You give up yet?"
Kakashi mulled it over. They had been at it for an hour and his guess was they had two more hours before they had to think about eating.
"Ma…I think I do…"
I need to get you to Iruka-sensei…and finish my plan.
"You don't look tired or injured?"
"No…I had plans for tonight that's all, I think I need those few hours before dinner to finish them." He picked himself up from off the ground and dusted off his…rather muddy uniform. Akane herself didn't look so great either. She had dirt and mud all over her. It looked rather bad if the two of them were seen together he realized.
"That means…." She frowned.
"Yup…you get to spend time…"
"With him again…" She sighed.
Kakashi cocked his head wondering what was wrong with her being with her so called best friend. He knew they had history but it wasn't a threat…not really to them…at least he hoped. He watched her more though and noticed the uneasiness in her chakra.
"Something the matter?" He asked.
"No…not really. It's…its just he's so busy he really has no time."
Kakashi sent her an incredulous look. "It's his day off Akane-san" He mumbled at her and watched as realization hit her.
"Ah…it is isn't it?" Then he saw the smile he liked so much. The mischievous one that meant just about anything could happen.
"He'll have some time for you." Kakashi smiled and then jumped when he felt her arms around him. He liked her hugs he really did. When they were ANBU it was what she did when no one was looking. She just liked to do that to him…he had no clue why. All he knew was although he normally never allowed it…this he did and would never end it no matter what.
"Thank you." She mumbled into his chest. The sound he could feel vibrating through him and it sent a distinct shiver down his spine.
"It's nothing Akane-san."
"No, that's not true. You never do this for others." She said pulling in closer and remaining there. Now he liked it a little much and his mind was beginning to roam. He thought of ways to turn this around, ways to get what he truly wanted, but even he knew better. Still he couldn't stop his arms from wrapping around her nearly as tightly she held him. For some reason all the stiffness he had shown her before was gone. All there was was familiarity, nothing more.
"I should be the one thanking you." His voice was low almost hushed. "You've shown me how to be myself…no one else does that." He smiled as he held her head and breathed in the smell of her hair. "Nothing can take that experience away from me." He was dangerously close to telling her but still…it just wasn't the right place or time. He knew better, anyone could be there.
Still the chance to tell the one woman he loved the truth about his feelings, his odd behavior…was almost too tempting. After so many years in ANBU he wasn't sure if he could trust himself with such emotions without hurting someone. He hadn't known Akane was still alive. But when he had found her…the very thought of seeing her the next day and the next…was almost too unbearable. He loved her that was for sure. He would never admit it to anyone else but the strongest shinobi, the most untouchable person in the village had lost his title as such to a woman he had known so long ago. She was what people called the one. He used to laugh at that, he used to think it was a silly wives tale…but when you find that person they truly are the only thing on your mind and for him just the chance to stand there and be in the same room with her or to hold her like this was a dream. He would never tell her he had dreamed of this since he was nineteen…no that was something he would never tell her.
This one day was the last day he would see her for a long time and he knew sooner or later they both had to face the facts…that the world just wasn't going to simply let them have as they want. He had to set his foot down. He had to tell her today, it was his last chance before he would lose her in that way forever.
"Ma…we should go hmm." He said pulling away, "Iruka-sensei needs someone to distract him from marking for one day, even if it's only for a few hours." Kakashi chuckled.
"You really have it out for him don't you?" She glanced at him side ways.
"What ever do you mean?" Kakashi looked away towards the village. "I would never think such a way of such a humble man as himself." Kakashi said the last part but felt more like saying, loud, annoying, constantly on his case, and very violent…but Iruka was shy and humble and probably the only shinobi in the village Kakashi could rely on fully.
"Yeah yeah…let's go bug him already."
"Good." Kakashi grinned and a bugging he will get.
"Kakashi-sensei…put that down!" Iruka growled as Kakashi had picked up a paper. He knew where he had taken Akane and he was not impressed. He had told Kakashi to tell her but a bathhouse was taking it a little far. Actually from the looks of things…no one told anyone anything. He really wondered if they really did feel the same…or if they spent the whole time skirting the issue, and never admitting to themselves that just maybe they both felt the same? Nah they would never do that, well Kakashi would never do that anyways.
Iruka grumbled as the very same page he had yelled at Kakashi over was dropped and floated quietly onto the pile.
"Well…thank you for all your help Iruka…sensei." Kakashi said in a cheery tone. "I have a few errands to run and I need you to baby-sit."
"HEY!" Akane growled from the other room. "I heard that!" Of course Iruka knew the snicker when it came but knew what to do.
"Not a word Hatake…seriously." Iruka sighed and ushered the silver jounin out of his apartment and shut the door behind him. "I should kill you!"
"For?" Kakashi was now very serious and had crossed his arms glaring at the smaller man. For Iruka this made him quite nervous.
"You took her to the bathhouse….what were you thinking. A man doesn't just take a woman to a bathhouse and share a room…just for a bath…people will be talking." Iruka looked around.
"No they won't." Kakashi had looked back out into the village. This made Iruka wonder where he was going. "People have an image of me…that scene in itself only perpetuates the lie." He smiled then tilting his head towards Iruka. "It was fun." He then started to walk away.
Iruka lunged and caught his sleeve. "Did you tell her?"
"Tell her what?"
"Hatake!!!"
"Ah…its okay I…never had the chance. I will though soon."
"You had better, or else I'm going to be hunting you down." Iruka growled and noticed Kakashi pale.
"What the hell are you two doing out here?" She was standing behind them with her hands on her hips and not at all to impressed.
"Ah…we were…."
"Just discussing a mission report that I needed to clarify with Tsunade-sama later…that's all." Kakashi grinned like a fool.
Iruka tried to fight the urge to let his jaw drop. Kakashi was insane or really really smart. He could lie so easily it made Iruka wonder if letting him even try to confess to Akane was a good idea at all.
"Okay we'll be here…so don' take too long." Iruka had plans that night and was not going to miss them.
Turning, he then looked her up and down. He was astonished when the two of them had appeared at his doorstep…completely covered in mud and grime. Kakashi seemed completely at home with it really. He seemed unphased by the fact that his hair was a mess and there was mud…all over him. Even Akane was the same.
"What the hell were you two doing?" Iruka muttered as he pushed her into his apartment, hoping none of his neighbors, most of which were shinobi saw her.
"It was just a bit of training…honest…what are you, my mother?" That was answered with a harsh slap over the back of her head. "Ow!"
"As your friend I can do that, now lets get that all cleaned up." He pushed her into his room.
"What don't want me to dirty your…hey." He had shut the door to his bedroom on her face.
"There's some stuff that will fit you in the top drawer, and the towels…you know where they are." He sighed heavily. Every time the two of them were together, one or other were extremely annoying. Well that wasn't true really. He could tell Akane had been getting more rest than usual, and that made her more difficult to live with. Kakashi…was just naturally annoying.
"What has gotten into her?" Iruka wondered as he walked into his kitchen took his discarded cup of tea and sat at his table with more of his papers. He heard the shower turn on and smiled. It meant he had…maybe fifteen minutes to finish…he was almost done anyways.
Akane wandered out of the bedroom with a towel draped over her head. It still felt strange to be inside Iruka's apartment, almost as if things had never changed between them, but she knew better than to give into that.
"Hmm…I can smell that tea a mile away." She grinned sitting next to him, earning the towel bing dropped into her face.
"Let me finish grading already." She knew better than to think she could interrupt him. Iruka was as close as a person could get to obsessive compulsive when it came to the academy. He did all he could and then some. She herself would have had a hand in the academy had she remained. Although had she remained she wasn't sure what would have happened. She knew her relationship with Iruka would have ended, but would they have remained as close as they were now still…probably not.
"Ah…done." He set the pen down and sat back. "One thing I hate is being stuck inside all day marking these." He pointed to the large pile.
"Wow…how did that happen?" She stared. Normally Iruka marked the tests from his class but this looked like a few papers, some assignments and the usual tests.
"Well…there was that mission we went on to get your brother…Shikamaru isn't allowed to grade the work from our classes, only help teach. Grading is part of the training you get once you pass the age of sixteen; you know that, you were there."
She nodded. Yes she was there and that was a strange day in itself, she was seventeen, Iruka eighteen, much older than most. That was also the day Mizuki had run off from them. She never liked him, he was a snake in the grass but even then she felt sorry for him
"Speaking of which have you seen that crazy traitorous friend of yours?" Iruka then shot her a glare.
"Akane-san…that's not…he…he was confused, messed up. One day he'll realize that."
"Yeah and one day you'll have a kunai in your back." She scoffed.
"That's why I have you around, to watch my back." Iruka grinned. Then a knock sounded at the door. "Who?"
"I…"
"Don't worry about it." Iruka then got up opened the door and in a flurry of orange…Akane had never seen so much orange in one spot…well unless it was a tiger, she watched as Iruka hit the floor hard.
"Guess what!!!!" The boy grinned.
"Ah…Naruto…" Iruka sighed pulling the boy off him, although he was having troubles.
"We're leaving to get Sasuke next week…isn't that….eh?" The boy's head turned to Akane. She could feel her face turn red. She had moved from the table out of curiosity. "Hey…is that your sister?"
"WHAT!?" Akane growled and whacked the boy over the head.
"Ow ow ow! I didn't mean to insult….you just look like…Ow ow ow" She had hit him over the head once more. Iruka actually had to pull her away from the orange clad boy to stop her from causing some kind of permanent damage.
"I get no respect!" She scoffed as she padded into the kitchen,
As much as Iruka wanted to see Naruto the more he wanted to send him away, especially with Akane around.
"Um…Iruka-sensei…who is that?'
"Ah…" Iruka looked behind him and then smiled. "That is a friend of mine…"
"She hits like you…" Naruto rubbed his head and winced.
"Ah…yes…she was the one who taught me a lot…"
"Cool…is she your girlfriend?" Naruto sneered.
Iruka's face turned beat red, he could feel it. "Ah…no no no she's not…heh my girlfriend…"
"That picture sure says so." Naruto pointed to a very old photo. "That's her right? She has the same eyes…almost…like mine." Naruto muttered suddenly. "I've never seen her before…"
"No…you probably would never have. She comes from a village up North. It was…ah…destroyed." Iruka played along with Kakashi's story, but he found he had troubles lying to Naruto he would have preferred to tell him the truth.
"She's been through a lot…" Naruto had noticed something.
"As we all have." Iruka ruffled the boy's hair and directed him to the kitchen. "How about I introduce you two properly…maybe she'll forget your comment."
Naruto nodded and followed Iruka into the kitchen.
He was so excited that they would be leaving soon to get Sasuke. He wanted so badly to show the Uchiha that he…Naruto the drop out could out do him and be successful as a shinobi. It wasn't completely unheard of.
He liked how things have changed though, he liked the new him he liked the way people looked at him, especially Sakura.
"Why is she here?"
"Well Kakashi-sensei found her injured and he had a few errands to run, so he left her with me."
"But she's your friend?" Naruto stressed friend to make his point.
"Well…yes she is…" Naruto didn't get it. If she was his friend then why didn't his sensei…let her stay with Iruka? It wasn't making much sense to him.
"Then she should be staying with you…"
"Ah well you see…it's very complicated." Iruka smiled and walked into the kitchen. Naruto stood by the threshold staring at the beautiful woman cutting up vegetables and popping them into a pot.
"Akane-san…this is Naruto…I've told you a little about him…" Iruka waited as she slowly turned towards the boy and smiled.
"Say it again…" She taunted. Naruto paled.
"Ah heh…cut it out Akane-san," Then he watched the knife get put down and the girl walked closer. Naruto was feeling a little strange with her around but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"I'm sorry…I just don't like that…"
"I should be sorry." Naruto smiled. He held out his hand and she just stared at it dumbly. Slowly she took his hand.
At first everything was fine he shook it once…but then his hand felt as though it was on fire. As if she had acid or something on her hands.
What the hell?
"Kill her…" A voice hissed in his thoughts.
Naruto's world went blank for only a moment. He could see the cage. He could feel the chakra. He could smell him.
"Why would I do that?"
"If you don't kill her she will kill you."
"What if I don't want to? She hasn't done anything mean to me. She hasn't hurt anyone." Naruto glared at the cage. "She's a friend of my sensei's why would I hurt her…it would hurt him."
He watched as bubbles rose to his feet.
"She brings trouble with her where ever she goes. She is a monster, more frightening than I am. She will destroy everything important to you."
Naruto watched as the bubbles gathered.
"All you need is my power. You can crush her in a single blow with it. She wouldn't feel a thing."
"How come I know you're lying?" Naruto glared into its eyes just as they formed. He never liked the Kyuubi. He hated it. It made him a monster to his own people, but at the same time he learned it was a necessary evil.
"I can show you."
The images around him changed to a small village nestled in a ravine and covered in snow. There he saw the woman, or something that looked like her. All around her flames licked at her feet but none burned. Instead her hands came forward and the flames jumped onto the nearest building. He could hear screams of pain, or agony. He could see people die as the flames engulfed them only to literally reduce them to ashes. All the while the woman walked forward through the flames until she came upon a child.
The image then faded.
"She will kill all you hold dear to get to you; she is an intruder in your village."
"How do you know that?"
"I just know. She does not smell like the others from here. Her aura is far too harsh to be of this village."
"I…I won't do this, until I have real proof" Naruto watched the bubbles recede.
"Do as you wish, the time will come when you will realize you should have done as I told you."
Naruto turned his back on the creature with the pointed ears of a devil.
"I won't stoop to using your chakra to harm others." Naruto turned. "I won't hurt my friends because you tell me that." He then walked away from the cage.
Shaking his head slowly Naruto looked up at the girl. She was pretty. She seemed kind, he saw that in her eyes but he also saw pain, was she hurting?
"It's nice to…ah meet you…Iruka sensei I'm starving lets go for Ramen! She can some with us." He then noticed Iruka's frown.
"Ah…how about later."
"But…" Then he looked to the woman who grinned.
"I don't see the problem; it's been years since I've been to Ichiraku's for ramen." He watched as she turned to Iruka. Naruto had had the time on his mission to learn a few things and seeing Iruka apprehensive…was not a good sign.
"Common Iruka-sensei…it would be fun. She said so herself." He waited, and then pouted.
Peeking through one eye he noticed the tired nod.
"Alright, what's a few minutes at the ramen stand?" But a heavy sigh followed. "He's going to kill me."
Naruto frowned as he left the apartment with the pretty woman's hand in his. What had Iruka-sensei meant? What did he mean by 'he'?
Iruka muttered as they walked, rather briskly. Akane glanced over and patted his shoulder. "It's only a few minutes, relax. I've been out in public before." She then laughed.
"He's going to kill me if we don't get back before he does."
"Ah…it'll be fine. He's not that strict you know. He'll shrug it off you'll see." She then smiled at Naruto.
"So Naruto any new jutsu you leaned?"
She smiled as he looked at her with an astonished look.
"How would you know that I'm working on new jutsu?"
She stopped. "Iruka-sensei tells me many things…ow!" She glared at Iruka who had hit her in the back of the head but acted as if nothing happened. Instead of ignoring him she gave him a firm slap in the arm.
"Wow so he writes you letters?"
"Yes, sometimes I get a picture or two…but none of you, only stories." She laughed. Many of the stories she knew were from when the boy was still in the academy making Iruka pull his hair out.
Well she could see it, but then again she made him want to pull out his own hair too.
"I finished one, but my body has troubles keeping up with it." Then he stopped. "Wait are you even a shinobi? How do you know all this?"
"Heh." She laughed nervously. "Well I am a shinobi…but it's a secret…" she smiled."I really can't let anyone know because only I'm supposed to know as well as a handful of people." She then continued walking. She heard Iruka urge Naruto on.
Soon the boy was walking next to her. "Akane-san…what village do you work for?"
She glanced to Iruka who pointed to the ground. "Ah…this one Naruto, but no one is allowed to know."
"Why?"
"I don't know…the Third told me my job would best done if I were a secret." She wasn't lying there. Her job was a secret to Konoha. No one not even Kakashi was to know her true purpose.
"Wow. So you're like Kakashi-sensei then, you're a jounin?"
"Yup." She said ruffling his hair
At the ramen stand Iruka couldn't help but constantly look over his shoulder. He wasn't supposed to do this. He could have had he and Naruto go out and bring it back, but no she had to go she had to go outside where people were.
She's going to get me killed one day!
Iruka held his head in his hands and sighed. She was out here where people…anyone could see her any one. ANBU, Jounin, chuunin, civilians, Ibiki, and Anko…all of them would see her.
I can see my death now...ugh he's going to be mad.
"Hey this is really good!" He ignored that.
Of course its good, you've been here before.
"Really! You don't have ramen where you're from?"
"No…we have to make it ourselves if we want any…although it is a little healthier."
Iruka sighed as he picked at his own. A few minutes at the ramen stand never lasted a few minutes…it was more a few hours when Naruto was involved.
"Say Akane-san how many bowls did you have?"
"Eh…three?" She looked at the tiny stack and burst out laughing. "You're a bottomless pit!" She pointed to the six bowls.
"Heh…you don't have to say it that way." Naruto rubbed his neck bashfully.
Iruka looked down at his one bowl. Since he'd gotten older one maybe two bowls was his limit. Akane and Naruto though were in a league of their own.
"You two do realize I have to pay for these don't you?"
He was lucky it was only past lunch and so dinner wasn't going to be spoiled. Thing was he wasn't sure yet where his dinner was, only that Kotetsu and Izumo both decided he needed to get out more…and when those two were involved it was just like two Kakashi's at once.
"Iruka-san you okay?" She asked looking over to him. He saw her concern but waved it off.
"I'm fine. Just worried you know me." He laughed nervously.
And no I'm not fine, you're going to be the end of me one day.
Time passes and soon Naruto had eaten nine bowls, with two bathroom breaks and Akane had cut herself off at three. Still Iruka found the three of them still sitting at the stand talking. Naruto was as animate as ever just a flurry of motion as he told Akane the story of his mission to wave country that took place three years ago. Amazingly the story started to take on new proportions. He was no longer the only hero, but he mentioned Sakura and Kakashi and even Sasuke. However everything was still dramatized with whooshes and sound effects. The whole time Akane sipped her pop and nodded and oh and ah-ed at him as if she were really interested. Although he knew her well…she was interested in the stories. Iruka though was still dreading the decision to go here in the first place.
"Ah then…Iruka…sensei?" Naruto paused.
"Huh?" Iruka looked up from his musing and noticed both were looking at him suspiciously.
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes Naruto?" That came out rather nervously. Iruka wanted to bang his head on the counter countless times.
"You're sure."
"Yeah…really…I'm sure."
Then the last name in the world he expected to hear was called out.
"Ah…Hi Kakashi-san!" He watched Akane as she giggled nervously. Even she knew they were supposed to be where he left them.
"KAKA-SENSEI!!!" Naruto waved frantically.
"Ah…Naruto…" Kakashi then glared to Iruka.
"They did it not me!" Iruka pointed to the two other people he was with.
"Ahhh is that so?" Then he was glaring at Akane.
"What…I didn't have lunch." She then grinned like a Cheshire cat, which in Iruka's opinion always had the effect of making her more suspicious than she was.
"I see…you know you really aren't good at following directions." H eyed her. Iruka could feel his chakra; it was not a good thing. Normally Kakashi had his chakra reeled in but in this case it was lashing out around him.
She laughed nervously, and for the moment Iruka was glad it was her he was focusing on and not him.
"Ma!" Kakashi barked for a moment. "Best we get going." He then grabbed her rather stiffly by the arm and dragged her out from under the curtains.
Both Iruka and Naruto stared at the empty space, both not really sure just what happened.
"Is…what…how…eh?" Naruto stuttered.
"He dropped her off at my place so he could get some stuff." Iruka muttered. "And now…I totally ruined his trust in me." He sighed and looked to Naruto sideways to see a goofy grin.
"What?"
"Ah…you still like her!" Naruto chuckled from two seats over.
"I do not." The blush on his cheeks was betraying him he knew that much.
"Uh huh." Naruto nodded.
"I do not." Iruka folded his arms on his chest and then sighed. "That was a long time ago; those feelings are hard to forget." Iruka then got up. "Well I have something to do tonight so…I need to go to get ready."
"Okay, I think I'll go and tell Sakura-chan when we'll be leaving." Naruto got up and then grinned.
"Yeah yeah clean out my wallet will you." Iruka muttered. He was too tired to tell Naruto off for free loading on the bill.
"Thanks sensei!"
Then he noticed the old man. He was giving him a strange look.
"What is it?"
He simply shrugged. "It looks like Hatake-san still likes that girl…"
"What does that mean?" Iruka stared at him confused.
"Ah he used to bring her here a long time ago, when they were working as ANBU. For two years they would come here once a week and just talk."
Iruka glared at the seats. Then that meant…
What the hell! He…he ruined my relationship with her…he tried to…why does that not surprise me.
"Ah…I never knew that…" Iruka thanked the man and walked back to his apartment. He couldn't help but be upset over the new information. The old man meant well, he was only stating a thought he had had, but if that was the case Kakashi had been scheming this far longer than Iruka could plan anything. He had to give the man credit he was persistent, but if that was the case then why hadn't he told her his feelings for her sooner. What the hell was stopping him?
Kakashi lead Akane to his apartment complex, up the stairs and to the door. He was not pleased she had left Iruka's apartment and was really not pleased that Iruka had gone along with it. Although he was no fool and he had watched them for long enough to notice the paranoid glances the chuunin made over his shoulder. However it upset him more that she and Naruto were talking. Chances were Naruto would say something.
He had yet to open the door he realized. Instead he had his head against it and he heaved a heavy sigh.
"What were you thinking?" He asked sullenly. "Why is it you always risk everything over the smallest of things?"
"Kakashi-san?"
"I'm fine…you just…worried me that's all." He looked up and grabbed her hand. "I spent half an hour trying to find you. The ramen stand wasn't my first guess." He looked to the ground.
"I'm sorry…"
"It's fine." He then looked up and smiled. "I don't think I can be mad at you, I understand. Had you remained behind Naruto would have gotten suspicious of you."
"How's that."
"He'd wonder who on earth in Konoha didn't like ramen…for him that's as bad as being an intruder." Kakashi then chuckled. "Lets get inside, I already set up dinner."
When Akane entered the apartment she noticed the changes right off. Her old pack was gone but instead a new one was placed next to the couch with all her belongings sitting next to it for her to go through and place in the right spot. Next to that were her swords. Although she noticed one was sitting further from her stuff. She was really hoping he wasn't going to take it away from her.
Walking into the kitchen she noticed the food. He really was planning something like a feast, or what she would call one. Here it was normal to cook such large amounts of food. In Canyon it was all saved.
Nestled on the table was a beautiful vase with white lilies mixed with a few smaller flowers; like her mother had when they lived in Konoha. She was shocked to say the least and yet she knew he had done this all for her.
"I thought it would be fair since it's your last day…"
Akane couldn't get the words out but instead she let him lead her to the table and she sat down completely in shock.
The man before her she realized she knew little about. He never would show anyone this side of him unless he truly wanted to. She never knew he could be a good cook, she usually saw him at restaurants and eating take out. She never knew he could be so gentle or even as kind as he was. He made her laugh and even when things weren't really working out he managed to make them feel better.
"Kakashi…" He had cut her off. She stared as he pulled his hand from her lips and placed the food on the table.
"This is the last day I see you…for a long time. For once I want to do something right." He smiled then.
Right? What had you done? I don't get it...
She smiled back. "You've never done anything wrong!" She then looked to all the food. "Wow…you made all this?"
"Yes, it took almost all of that time, and then some." He then held out a dish for her.
"I really don't deserve this…really I don't."
"Of course you do, you've done more for me than I can ever repay you."
Kakashi was finished quickly. He himself couldn't get over the shock of what he had just done. He had single handedly made a meal he would never make if he were alone, and his goal…was a hint, a hint to what he really wanted to talk about. He tried several times to tell her, he really did. As she ate he tried to work himself up to it but then found he had no words.
"I…"
"Hmm?" She asked.
"Ah…never mind." It wasn't like him to not be able to find the words. It wasn't like him to stutter either. But the more he watched her the more he began to feel his heart in his throat and the more he wanted to get up walk across the room and just do what he wanted to tell her. He wanted to hold her like he had earlier that day, he wanted to kiss her, and he wanted…far too much that he could ask for.
Yet the words to start or end those feelings…just weren't coming to him.
"Wow that was so good!' She sat back with a tired look on her face.
"Yes it was. I even amaze myself." He smiled. "Today was a long day…" He watched as she glanced at him oddly.
"Yes a long day…so explain…what are you planning with my blade there?" She pointed to the sword he had placed away from the other.
"Well I was hoping you would let me keep it actually."
"Kakashi-san I really should keep it…you know that." He sighed that was true she did need it.
"I just…"
"Stop worrying. I've lived with that condition most of my life. If I find I'm really in trouble I can call you." He nodded that was true. She could.
"Ah yes speaking of which." He got up and walked behind her. He bent so his face was close to her ear. "I thought you might want this back." He felt the shiver that he never missed. It meant he was on the right track. It meant he might just be right…that he might be doing the right thing.
"Oh…thank you."
"I renewed the jutsu on it. Apparently it dissipates after its been activated once."
"Oh I'll keep that in mind."
She then stood up and stretched. "This time I can help you with the dishes…and I'm not taking no."
"Ah Kakashi-san!" She held her arm in the way from the bubbles that flew at her.
"But you started it…" He huffed as he finished with the last plate.
"Maybe but now the floor is a mess." He handed her the plate and she dried it. She was never a fan of cleaning dishes, but with Kakashi was a little more fun.
She managed to put it back in its place but as she closed the cupboard her foot slid.
For a moment she was really worried. Worried she would hit her head on the floor or the counter. But as soon as she began to fall forwards Kakashi was there.
She felt his arms wrap around her waist and soon she found herself smashed into his chest. For a second both weren't sure what to do.
But as soon as the second passed they were apart once more, although she was blushing crimson.
That's weird. We always seem to get into those situations. Its weird, but when they happen I keep thinking of this morning.
The hug she had shared with him was still on her mind. She couldn't get his scent out of her mind. She really had troubles forgetting how warm he was or how he trembled when he held her. He had a very odd effect on her.
She quickly retreated into his bedroom. She didn't want him to notice what she was feeling, let alone thinking.
However her retreat was cut very short as she felt his hand close around her arm.
"I was wondering…since you'll be leaving tomorrow morning….can I have my book back?"
"No."
She watched as his face darkened. "You have it don't you?"
"Actually not on me no." She then smiled at him cheekily. "You're welcome to search but I doubt you would get far.
"Ha…try me." He then pushed her into the room.
The problem with men is they think they can throw their weight around.
It took her a second to get away but soon she found his arms around her waist and her feet off the floor.
"Ow…watch the elbow; I want to keep my right eye thank you." He grumbled as he threw her onto the bed.
"Well sorry for being the one you decided to pluck off the ground." She growled.
He then sighed and looked around the room.
"Where did you stash it?"
"Well maybe it would be more fun if you look and I watch…I can tell you if you get closer."
She waited, but he seemed to be on to her. How he knew she was lying was beyond her but she wasn't too impressed with it. She wanted to win the game they were playing not him win. There was no way he'd win, he's won enough. Or so she decided.
Getting up she sauntered her way closer to him.
"I told you, I don't have it so it must he here somewhere." The problem with Hatake Kakashi was not that he was smart or even handsome; it was that he was paranoid, stubborn and always looking for suspicion.
"Yeah…I think so…seeing as I didn't feel it on you."
When those words left his lips she whacked him over the head, not hard but enough to get her point across.
"And people tell me I have a dirty mind." He rubbed the spot she had hit grudgingly. Akane decided to go do something else while he searched.
"Ow!" A hand had pinched her where it really shouldn't have.
"Did you just…?"
"No it wasn't me." He shook his head.
"Who else was it?" She crossed her arms and glared him down. It was one thing to lie to her but it was another to continue the lie.
"Okay okay, it was me."
"Why did you do that?" She asked. She really wanted to know.
"It was payback for earlier."
She stared at him, at first it took a moment to register what he was talking about. Then it hit her.
"Oh." That word alone hung heavily in the air around them.
"Yeah that hurt by the way."
"You weren't supposed to be standing so I could do that. It was a natural instinct."
"Yes to punch me in the groin." He muttered looking away, "I'm hurt."
"Well I was sorry."
"Good to know now." He then smiled as he walked towards her.
"What are you doing?"
She started to back up. He was fast she gave him that and she really had troubles stopping the silly giggle she got when he made her nervous.
Suddenly she was slipping again and she wasn't sure on what. In a split second he had her but it was to late both of them fell flat onto his bed.
If any other moment was more compromising this one beat them all by a long shot.
"Ah…" She looked at him; there was something odd about him, the way he was looking at her.
"Now I know where it is…" He said slowly but there was something else there.
"Yes you found…it…Kakashi-san…are…you alright?"
"Of course I'm fine. I just realized how foolish I've been.
"Right you're always foolish…"She rolled her eyes but then soon found his hand over them.
"Ah! Hey! Let go!" She batted at his hands but she knew she'd lose there.
Kakashi stared down at her. The situation was not the best but this was enough for him to get to his point for once and for all.
He watched as she tried to pull his hands off. He didn't like that she was struggling, especially since her leg was a little to close and he was enjoying the friction she was causing him, he had to get her to stop.
"Akane-san, relax, just close them for a second." He felt her relax more like felt her go limp with frustration but this was the best way to go about it.
Pulling his hands away he made sure they were shut.
"A long time ago…" He began as he pulled off his mask. "I met a girl she was very sweet, always kind and always laughing. At the time she was working under me. I was not allowed to have anything to do with her outside of missions. It hurt me a lot, and soon I heard she was dating a chuunin. I was mad, angry, and jealous. I wanted her to myself.
So I got her kicked out of my team and broke up her relationship with the man…a year later I was about to tell her how I felt for her…how I cared for her how…I loved her…but then the day I was going to tell her…everyone told me she died." He let out a shaky breath,
"Recently I found her again, she wasn't quite the same person I remembered, I realized that quickly, but instead she was better…she was stronger the pain was not as strong anymore and fear didn't rule her life."
He felt her shift under him uneasily. She knew he was talking about her.
"Then she was gone…I couldn't sleep, or eat without her there…I realized that. I was like that because I couldn't tell her because I was scared she'd die before I could tell her the truth, how I felt.
It was unbearable and before long I learned I was meant to be alone, a day later a letter came. I noticed she was not much different emotionally from me.
When she came back…I was so happy…I wanted to tell…her…" he leaned down.
"I don't know where it will go; I don't know how long it will last. I just want her to know the truth to why I do what I do, not what it is I'm doing but just why." He was now an inch away and he really couldn't seem to slow his heart down. It was pounding in his chest so hard he was sure he was about to burst.
Leaning so his lips barely touched hers he could feel her shudder, but she didn't fight it.
"I want her…I…want you to know…I waited this long…to tell you…" He really couldn't say it…he wasn't avoiding it this time, it was he couldn't wait anymore!
His patience wore to a close as he slowly and very lightly pressed his lips to hers.
His wildest dreams couldn't even compare to this. Just as he hoped her lips were soft and yet supple. They were sweet to the taste and warm to the touch.
Akane's mind went in circles as he told the story. At first he was telling her something she didn't know. Something she didn't recognize until he spoke of how he had found the girl he liked so much once more.
When the kiss came though she was taken aback. She really had no clue he felt so strongly. She wasn't sure he had really waited that long….she had she knew that but she never thought it would happen that he and she…would be like this.
She liked it. He was gentle and the fact it was his lips in hers not his mask that made her heart race. At the same time she felt his own heart hammering in his chest. It beat so quickly she was worried for a moment, however if there was such a problem he would have stopped. Right?
Soon both pulled away for air. Both panted for moments as they looked at each other both still very red in the face.
It was her first time seeing his face. Her first time able to see what he hid. And really she had no clue why he felt he had to do that. It was pointless.
There was the face she agreed, most girls would kill for. He had a long slender nose, a long face and a mouth that seemed to smirk almost always. Also she noticed the smile that suddenly spread across his face; it was just one of those smiles that made everyone want to smile back. She blushed as he looked down at her like that.
"I took my sweet time I know…" He then looked away. "You can reject me if you like." She had no clue why he would think that of her. She didn't like him for his features, she liked him for him, and although it was sudden he had done what she had waited for, for almost eight years of her life.
"Why…why would I do that?" She asked as he looked down at her in shock."I'd like to hear what you really wanted to tell me."
Then the smile got even wider, it was a real one, with his eyes, not exaggerated at all.
"Ah…Well I wanted to tell you…" He leaned down once more. "That...I'm not letting you take that sword."
She stared at him in total shock...that was not what she wanted to hear, it was nowhere close. That was nonsense.
"Wha...what?"
"I placed a jutsu on it so you can't use it with chakra, its now just a normal sword."
She still couldn't believe it. "Anything else?" She asked.
He looked up and smiled back down at her with a funny grin. "No..."
He wanted to smash his head in the wall. What was so wrong with telling the girl you like the truth?
Idiot, why can't you just come clean about it? Why can't you tell her the truth? Nooo you have to tease her longer.
Well that wasn't entirely it. He wanted to be sure this was right. He wanted to be sure one day he could have her as he wanted, but even then he knew he could, just somehow he could.
"So...?"
"Well..." He felt a little uncomfortable after he did that, it felt out of place but he needed to do that.
"You really meant that?" She seemed unsure herself.
He nodded and watched her face turn scarlet red. "Yes and you really shouldn't blush like that."
"Why?"
"I might...do it again." He leaned forward but then found a pillow in his face. Wide eyed he felt her move away from under him and sit up.
"You know what can happen right?" she asked looking at him more seriously.
"Yes I understand the consequences." He nodded once more.
"You really want to do this."
"I believe we both do." He smiled. From both their actions it was clear it was both who felt the same.
Just agree and then we can move on from this awkwardness...we both can do this we both know it.
"You do realize this has to be a secret..."
"I do, and I must say I can hold them better than you can, so I don't think you need to worry about my side of things." He smiled and touched her cheek gently earning a slight blush.
"I have no idea how this will work." She sighed heavily, "But I can't deny I feel the same."
"No even I knew..."
"You sure acted dumb about it."
"Hey!" But she was gone in seconds. He knew she would do that. She needed time to think and as did he. There was no way they could just jump into this. He would have to discuss it with her later.
TBC
A/N: I will make a better announcment on this later but, there will be one more update and then five weeks of nothing, so please everyone review. I will update chapter 12 sometime after the 4th of June when I;ve come back from my trip.
Please review!