[Masami stumbles, drunk still, back to Tsunade's home. She's completely ashamed of herself and regrets making the poor decision of drinking so much. Tripping over some unseen obstacle she begins to fall forward. An unseen ninja swiftly moves in and catches her]
"Thank you"
[Masami murmurs before she realizes she's in Guy's arms]
"Never fear milady! Your knight in shining armor is here!"
[a little over excited, he squeezes her just slightly too hard. She burps in his face]
"Oh, sorry about that Guy"
"Nothing to apologize about my dear! Your bodily functions are effervescent and lovely!"
(Masami thinking) "I might be drunk, but you're still weird and lame!"
"Uh, thank you Guy, now if you'll please excuse me I'll be on my way"
"My sweet Masami! A fine lady such as yourself should not walk home unaccompanied this late in the evening"
"No really, it's fine"
[She takes a few more steps forward, but falters again. Guy reaches out to catch her once more, but his poor judgement in hand placement results in him laying hold of her bosoms. Her aggravation immediately sobers her and she slaps him so hard the echo of it rings over the whole town. Guy lays face down in the dirt with his legs up in the air twitching. Masami takes off, and as soon as she's quite far ahead of him, he stands. Half of his face has a giant red throbbing hand print on it. Maintaining the distance he follows her like a sad puppy, claiming he's there to make sure she arrives safely]
[Masami enters the residence and heads straight for her room. She collapses onto her bed still fully dressed and lets the alcohol lull her into a deep sleep]
[Guy feeling even braver than before, doesn't pause to watch her at the window sill this time. He enters the room and sits on the bed, with his back against the wall. He pulls the dead weight of her body into his arms. As she sleeps, he spends several hours just petting her hair and thinking to himself]
"We could be like this forever, just you and me Masami. Your hair is so soft. So pretty. You are my most cherished prize. I will hold you like this forever because you are mine. You are mine..."
[He notices the night beginning to fade so he lays her down on the pillows. He pockets the loose strands he's acquired while stroking her hair, admiring the black and purple tresses before he wraps them neatly and tucks them away. He bends down and presses his face into her neck and takes a deep breath. She begins to stir as more light creeps into the room, so he quickly evacuates out the window]
[Guy gives her one last glance before completely disappearing from the window and thinks]
"I'll see you soon my beloved"
:::::
[Shizune enters Masami's room just a few moments later]
"Lady Masami, I'm so sorry to wake you but it's urgent. Please come quickly"
"Ugh, what? Is it morning? What's going on?"
"I'm sorry I can't speak on it but please dress for combat and hurry with me to Tsunade's office"
[Hearing the word "combat" Masami's eyes pop open. She grabs a scroll out of her bag and jumps into the bathroom. She comes back out dressed in a full body mesh armor under a strapless body suit. At her hips are pouches she starts stuffing scrolls into. She joins Shizune and leaves the residence, heading towards the hokage's office. They enter and many of the village's jonin are already assembled]
"Thank you for your haste. A powerful giant demon centipede has descended into the Land of Fire from the north, coming out of the Mountain's Graveyard. I have already sent a six man ANBU squad ahead to scout it's progress and they have begun battling it because they have determined our village lies in it's path. I have called you all here to begin assembling our forces at the home front. My need for those of you who have genin teams is to prepare them to defend our village. Those of you who do not have any genin are to follow up with Shizune as she will assign you with chunin for you brief with the same task. After you have completed this then you are to assemble into three man teams as follows; team one is Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi. Team two, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Shibi Aburame. Team three Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Lady Masami. As soon as you complete your initial task you are to regroup into the teams I have assigned and leave immediately. The rest of the ANBU will support our regular forces here. You are all dismissed except for Masami."
[The room empties except for the two women]
"Masami, I'm terribly sorry to recruit you without having an opportunity to ask you first. Sadly this threat has called for me to assemble all ninja in the village"
"No, it's alright Tsunade. I am still in debt to you after all these years. It's my honor to help you defend your village"
"Thank you very much. Seeing as how you don't know many chunin in the village you don't need to follow through with Shizune, but please send her back in here when you leave."
"Certainly"
[Masami exits the office and sees only Inoichi left speaking with Shizune. He quickly departs and Shizune approaches Masami]
"Your team said they will meet with you at the entrance of the academy so can depart together from there"
"Thank you Shizune. And Lady Tsunade said she'd like to speak with you again"
"Of course she did. Thank you Masami"
[Masami leaves and Shizune enters the office]
"Lady Tsunade, what did you think you were doing assembling that last team?!"
"They needed a jonin level medical ninja"
"I'm a jonin level medical ninja"
"Yes, but you are also my right hand and I need you here"
"Cut the crap Tsunade and tell me what your tactic is"
"The ferocity of battle can forge deep and powerful bonds. I know how aggravating Guy is for Masami, so I'm hoping he pushes her further into Kakashi's arms."
"That's terrible! I could've gone with them you know. And Masami could've stayed back here with the regular forces"
"And do what? Get closer to Iruka? I don't think so"
"This is absolute madness Tsunade"
"To be perfectly honest, I'm afraid for my village. That's why I've sent the absolute best out there to face this beast. The only reports I've received are that it is poisonous and of a monstrous size. I needed to send my best tactical thinkers out there so they will be able to analyze and assess the beast then strategize a mode of attack. And despite the fact Masami is not yet one of our own, she is one of the best"
:::::
[Iruka wakes up that morning and just lays in his bed staring at the rising sun. Deciding what to do, he gets up, gets dressed and heads towards Yamanaka Flowers. He requests a bouquet of yellow daffodils, white tulips, and purple hyacinths; all of which represent asking for forgiveness and starting new beginnings. He heads for the hokage's residence. When he arrives he doesn't even get the chance to knock on the door because Shizune stops him]
"Iruka, the hokage has commanded that every able bodied shinobi gear up to defend the village against attack. She's already sent out some ANBU and jonin forces, but we are to be prepared for the possibility of attack"
"What are we potentially fighting against?"
"A poisonous giant demon centipede... hey, those flowers are lovely"
[Iruka blushes]
"Uh, yes thank you... They're for Masami. Is she awake yet?"
"I'm sorry Iruka, but she's been sent out with the Jonin forces. I can go put them in water and leave them in her room for when she returns"
"Oh... okay, thanks"
[Iruka hands Shizune the flowers, then sadly turns around and walks away. Shizune feeling bad for Iruka and Masami, does as she promised and hopes Tsunade doesn't find them. Unbeknownst to either of them, Tsunade watched them both from the window of her office. Knowing full well the only person Iruka would bring flowers for, she makes a point to find them later and dispose of them]
:::::
[Guy and Kakashi quickly return to Masami]
"Lets move out triple time" Guy says to Kakashi and Masami
"What is the nearest landmark on our path?" Masami asks
"We head north over the hokage monument" Kakashi answers
"If I beat you to the top, will you buy dinner when we return?" Masami asks
[Guy excited about dinner with Masami, takes off running. Kakashi already knowing Masami's game, races to complete the hand seals and use supreme speed to arrive at the top of the monument]
[At the peak, Kakashi asks Masami]
"I'm guessing you did that to get a moment alone with me?"
"Yes, how long do you think we have until Guy shows up?"
"Maybe 20 minutes"
"I better talk fast then. About last night-"
"I'm sorry. Iruka was being irrational and I should've done better to keep my cool. It's my fault it ended like that"
"No Kakashi, it's my fault. I'm the one who needs to apologize here. Before last night I didn't know whether or not Iruka and I had any potential. There were flirtations that enabled him to feel lead on and it was my fault. I spoke with him afterwards and now anything that might have been is gone. I know you and I were flirting as well and I just wanted to clear the air before anything like last night could happen again."
"You were flirting with Iruka?"
"Yes"
"Did you...?"
"No."
"Would you do me?"
[Masami's eyes burst open, she tilts her head and looks at Kakashi]
"You're being serious?"
"Yes"
"I don't know Kakashi. I'm still feeling burned after last night, both literally and figuratively"
"Oh...will you consider it?"
"If we come back from this mission alive, I will"
[Kakashi has a cautiously hopeful smile. Guy is finally within view, trailing dust behind himself. After a couple more minutes he arrives where they're standing. Panting with his hands on his knees, he speaks breathlessly]
"How... did you... get here... so fast... ?"
"Masami shared her supreme speed jutsu with me. Once you get over the nausea it's actually quite useful"
"Can you... show me... ?"
"Kakashi at least had the benefit of his sharingan. I can show you but if you don't perform it precisely you'll remain here, then you'll have to catch up with us"
"O... kay..."
[Masami shows him the hand seals and explains the importance of direct line of sight. The three of them pick on the next visible landmark and take off. First Masami was gone, then Kakashi, and when Guy performed the seals he closed his eyes before taking a step. When he opened them he was still on the hokage monument]
"Curses! I shall not force my comrades to wait on me!"
[Guy takes off in a furious dust tornado headed towards the landmark they agreed upon. The rest of the journey proceeds as such with Kakashi and Masami having short breaks between waiting for Guy to catch up. Despite all the delays Kakashi and Masami had waiting on Guy, they were still the first jonin team to reach the ANBU squad. They all stopped in awe of the beast; it was the size of a mountain. Despite the ANBU's best efforts, the sheer size of the centipede was besting them. The demon's exoskeleton seemed virtually impenetrable, deflecting all the attacks regardless of their origin - ninjutsu, explosion or weapons based]
[Getting his serious face on, Guy asks]
"So how do you two want to handle a behemothic mindless monster protected in an impervious armor who's only goal appears to be destroying and consuming everything in it's path?"
"Well, every armor's weakest point is any juncture that allows movement, so we try to attack at where the legs join the body " Masami offers
"Right, but there's hundreds of legs. How do we distinguish just one from the others? If we just keep attacking any leg we see the likelihood we effectively cripple one is slim." Kakashi points out
"Hold on, let me see what I have..."
[Masami starts rummaging through her pouches examining her scrolls]
"Ah-ha! I knew this would be useful..."
[Performing fuinjutsu she releases several clay pots from a scroll]
"These pots are filled with a vibrant blood red ink I've picked up on my travels. I can speed my way onto the centipede's back and break the pots over the first joint i can reach. Then we can target the ink stained joint and hopefully begin a take down of the beast"
"Good plan. Guy and I will do our best to keep the demon distracted until you get that accomplished, then we'll begin our assault"
[Kakashi and Guy begin attacking the monster head on, battling it's fierce pincers. Masami reseals the ink back into a scroll. She tries her best to pick a spot on the creature's back to land on, but it's difficult because it is constantly in motion and every segment looks identical to the last. She goes for it anyways aiming close to the head, but because her target was not precise when she arrives she tumbles end over end on the centipede's back. It's slick, shiny body providing no traction Masami can't help sliding halfway down it's length until gravity finally helps her drift off a side towards the legs. Finally reaching a change in the texture of the monster's body, she fuijutsu releases a tanto and digs it deep into the yeilding flesh surrounding a joint. Hanging on for dear life she releases a single jar and smashes into the beast's hinge. Then another, and another, until finally a sizeable area that can be clearly spotted is marked on the centipede. Letting go of the tanto, Masami masterfully flips off the beast and signals to Kakashi and Guy to start attacking. On the ground the other two jonin teams catch up with Masami. She quickly informs the other jonin and ANBU squads of their plan and they all begin to blitz the target. All of their attacks start to weaken the monster, but slows it very little as the demon hastily makes it's way towards Konoha]
[Due to the enormous size of the centipede the village can see it from miles away. The civilians scurry seeking shelter as the shinobi ready themselves for the approaching onslaught. Masami fuinjutsu releases a giant zanbato and gores it into the creature just above the leg joint but under it's armor. A large crack starts from that point spreading around the circumference of it's body. Everyone begins to work on it, the offensive array of taijutsu, ninjutsu, and weaponry is immense, but the crack begins to widen, finally slowing the creatures approach. Just outside the outskirts of town the centipede's body splits in half to everyone's relief. The legs finally stop moving and everyone begins to cheer. The shinobi inside the village breath a cumulative sigh]
[The jonin all leap off the dead demon, but Kakashi and Masami are the closest. Caught up in a elated moment of success they look each other in the eye and kiss. Guy sees this and turns red. But the moment ends too soon, Masami's eyes shoot wide open and she collapses into Kakashi's arms. Behind her a "baby" demon centipede had snuck up and attacked. The giant demon's body begins to twitch and shake unnaturally as dozens of it's offspring pour out. The spawn are twice the size of men and far more agile than it's parent. The plague descends upon the village as the shinobi on the home front begin a war cry and charge towards the invading enemy. The smaller centipedes are still poisonous and have razor sharp mandibles but being newborns their bodies are significantly softer and vulnerable]
[Guy completely incensed now both at the kiss he witnessed and at Masami's injury goes on a mad taijutsu killing spree of the creatures. Slumped forward in his arms, Kakashi watches the blue poison seep into Masami's body. Starting to panic he tries to remember her suspended animation jutsu but then the poison begins to turn purple. At first he fears the worst but soon realizes what he's seeing is her own chakra trying to heal her body. Her breathing gets steadier but he knows she's still exposed. Sensing three approaching centipedes, he unleashes his chidori effectively decimating them all. Looking back at Masami he sees she's driven her giant zanbato into the ground and is using it to support herself to standing]
"Go..."
[she huskily mutters to him, still struggling to heal herself]
"No, I have to make sure you're alright"
[two more centipedes try to spring on her, but one armed she pulls the zanbato out of the earth and swings it, slaying them both in mid-air]
"I've got it, now go!"
[Kakashi races into the village where the centipede's progeny have already begun their attack. Every strong and fit shinobi is out there defending the village. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Naruto wielding the rasengan, Sakura healing a fallen ninja, various clans using their renown attacks; the Hyugas, Naras, Aburames... even Lady Tsunade and her monster strength. He tries to steal a look over at Masami and sees even though she's still unsteady on her feet, she's successfully slicing, bludgeoning, chopping and clubbing any creature within range. He can't help smiling, she looks so small compared to the zanbato she wields, but anyone can see she's skillful and deadly with it. As if she can feel him watching, Masami looks at him and smiles back at him through all the chaos. In slow motion her smile warps into a scream as Kakashi's back is ripped open by one of the monsters. The fighting has lessened as fewer of the beasts remain, Masami still clutching her weapon charges her way over to Kakashi. She destroys the centipede feasting on Kakashi's back and begins healing him even though her chakra is almost depleted and she isn't fully healed herself. Her chakra clouds him in a thick violet veil. His bleeding quickly stops and retreats. Initially it was healing quickly but it slows as Masami's eyes begin to grow dark]
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