Kakashi looked down at the sleeping beauty next to him. He didn't know what it was that drew him to her, all he knew was that he didn't want to let her go. He lightly traced her cheekbones, down her jaw and her lips. He leaned toward her and softly kissed her lips. When she returned it he knew that he had been fooled into thinking she was asleep.
Shiori smiled into the kiss knowing that he thought she was still sleeping.
Kakashi traced her lips, nipping at them softly to ask for entrance. She complied, and this time he let her take control. Pulling back only when the need for air became a demand. Shiori rolled to her back taking Kakashi with her, and they repeated the actions from last night.
The day already being half over by the time they showered, dressed, and they went in search for lunch.
"What should we do? I already got the information from our target." Shiori asked.
"We could head home..." Kakashi paused, causing her to look up from her ramen. "or we could stay here for a few more days."
Both of them were thinking the same thing. Stay longer and enjoy each other's company or return home early.
"I'd like to stay." Shiori said with a smile.
"Me too."
So they stayed the rest of the week, and half of the next. Repeating the same actions every day. Nothing was questioned. On the morning of the day they were leaving, Kakashi stopped Shiori before they left the room. Leaning his forehead against hers he whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too Kashi." Shiori replied leaning up to place a kiss on his lips.
The journey took a longer amount of time, as they both knew it would be hard to keep a relationship. They are both ANBU captains with their own teams.
When the gates came into view they dropped their hands and separated a few feet.
"Come in." Came the voice they hadn't heard in over two weeks when knocking on the Hokage office door. Stepping through and returning the smile Shiori leaped forward and gave him a hug. "I missed you."
"It hasn't been that long. I missed you too though."
Glancing between them Minato saw a difference, but didn't mention it.
"How did the mission go?"
"Successfully as always." Shiori replied a little cocky.
"Something seems different about you."
"I realized how strong I am. I placed a powerful genjutsu on our target to force the information from him."
"Good. Then we had nothing to worry about it then."
"Not at all." Kakashi replied letting them know he was still in the room.
"Great. Well I expect a report from both of you in three days. Go rest up and I'll see you later. Will you be by later Kakashi? I know Kushina would love to see you again."
"I'll try to be by. See you later." He turned letting his gaze linger on Shiori for a second before walking out.
"Now what really happened?" Minato questioned finally being able to voice his concern since they walked in.
"We found the target and I tried to get close to him by working at his usual spot. It worked. Kakashi wasn't too keen on my plan but when it worked he pouted about it. I don't think he's over it." Shiori said without batting an eye, laughing to herself.
"Sounds like him."
She looked down at her feet and Minato noticed.
"Is there something else?"
She jumped. "No. I'll talk to you later about it if I need to."
"Ok. Don't let something bother you if I can help with it." He said then placed a kiss on her forehead. "Go home. Kushina's waiting for you."
~time skip-2 weeks~
Shiori was sent on another mission, but this time to assassinate someone, and without Kakashi. Even though things didn't change between them publicly, things were different when it was just the two of them. Small dates or just get togethers.
The journey was going as planned, quickly moving through the trees. Upon landing on the next branch she felt sick. Dropping to the ground she tore off the fox mask and threw up in the bushes.
"Hey!" The captain shouted to get her attention. "Are you gonna be ok?"
Taking a few seconds to breathe she managed to say, "Yes. I'll be fine. Let's go." Replacing the fallen mask back on her face she took off. 'Was it something I ate? Or is there a sickness going around?'
Even on the way back to home she was sick. 'What the hell?! This is gonna get old fast. I've never been sick...well throwing up sick. I hope it passes quickly.'
The moment the four man squad landed on a rooftop the captain gave an order, "Kitsune, go home. No arguing. You were sick on a mission." Nothing could change this guys mind, he was the biggest asshole in all of ANBU.
The rest of the squad appeared in front of the Yondaime.
"Where is Kitsune?" Minato questioned with a look.
"I sent her home sir."
"Why?" He raised his voice.
"She was sick on the mission. Twice to be exact."
"Sick? Since when? She's the healthiest shinobi in the village." Minato was a little shocked. His girl has never been sick sick.
"The mission was a success, sir." With that the three ANBU disappeared.
~time skip-2 more weeks~ (a month total)
It seemed to never fail, whether it was on a mission or at the hospital Shiori got sick. Sometimes in the morning, evening or around lunch. 'Damnit I just can't get a break.' She thought after becoming sick yet again.
"Are you OK?" A fellow Medic asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine." She gave a curt reply.
Those times were reported to Minato as well.
That night Minato asked Kushina. "Do you think something is wrong and we just don't know?" Kushina knew he was worried, she was too, but she also had an idea.
"I think she'll be fine soon. It can't be anything serious, can it? She keeps going on missions, completing them and still goes to the hospital."
"She's dedicated. Shiori will do anything for anybody. Maybe I should take her out of ANBU. I've been told that she's become like Kakashi, when he was younger, a cold blooded killer."
"ANBU is meant for that. She does her job as a shinobi and doesn't let it affect her private life. If you're that worried talk to Kakashi. Didn't you tell me that they're going on a mission soon?"
"I know it is. She's the best there is, next to Kakashi. I think I'll do that. Thank you for listening love."
Minato told Kakashi what had been going on. "Keep an eye on her. If anything seems different, let me know as soon as you two get back."
"Yes sir."
The mission lasted two weeks. Shiori was sick once or twice every three days. 'At least it's not as bad.' She thought.
The weeks passed and she started feeling better, although still a little different.
~time skip-4 months~ (total amount together)
Shiori woke with a start. A scroll falling off her chest. 'When did I start to fall asleep while writing a report.'
Having a quick shower she started dressing in the ANBU uniform. Everything went on in an order- underwear, pants, her bra, shirt and then the flak vest. Only one problem, it didn't want to fasten properly. Getting mad, she tossed it on the bed. "Damnit!" She shouted. Not realizing she wasn't alone.
"Are you OK in there?" Kushina questioned. Knowing something had to be wrong in order for Shiori to shout like that.
"Yes. I'm fine just stubbed my toe." Came a quick reply. 'My damn vest won't fit now. What the fu- Oh my kami how could I be so stupid.' She placed her hands on her own stomach and let chakra flow. 'How am I gonna tell anyone? Who am I gonna tell first? Kushina? She probably already suspects something. Minato? He has been the father figure I've always wanted. Kakashi? Would he even want- no its better to not think that. I'll go see Minato.'
Gathering her mission report she left the room.
"Is Minato-sama at the tower today?"
"I'm sure he is. Do you need something?"
"I need to tell him something." Shiori answered while slipping on her knee high boots.
On her way there she ran into Kakashi, literally.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asked while steadying her.
"I'm fine." Was her quick response.
"Are you sure? You're more distracted than usual and your chakra doesn't seem normal." She had never heard him sound so worried.
"It's just a bit of stress." She lied, hating herself for it.
He leaned his head forward closing the distance between them and tenderly captured her lips with his own. Her soft lips formed to his perfectly as he deepened the kiss.
Pulling back he said, "I'm worried about you. So is everyone else."
"There's nothing to worry about. I've just been pulling double shifts at the hospital." Trying to reassure him and herself at the same time.
"And avoiding all ANBU missions." Shiori glanced up into his grey eye, clouded with emotion. 'Shit. Minato must of told him.'
Seeing the flash in her eyes he quickly said, "No one told me anything. Your name has been taken off the active roaster. Minato-sama said it was because you've been sick." Kakashi voiced with worry.
"I've been sick a few times on missions. The captain always reported it. At home I was questioned about it." Shiori finally confessed.
"How many missions total?"
"Including the one with you, seven total. Since we came back from that one mission four months ago, I've only been on fourteen missions total "
"Half of your missions you went on being sick. Why do that to yourself?"
"We're shinobi. We take risks everyday. A little sickness never killed anyone."
He pulled her closer to him, "I can't survive without you. I need you. You're the only one left from my team." He whispered in her ear.
"You still have Minato-sama." She replied smiling.
"It's not the same. You've made me be a better person."
"I told you I'd be there for you." She said while thinking, 'You just can't be there for me, like I want you to be. You don't know how much I love you, Kakashi.'
"I want to be there for you, always. It just seems like you're pushing everyone away lately."
"I'm not trying to, I promise."
"Prove it, by letting me in."
Shiori smiled at Kakashi before pulling his mask down and pressing her lips back to his, taking control this time.
Pulling back before things got too heated, in a public place. Replacing his mask she said with regret, "I have to go see Minato-sama."
"I'll see you later." He said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Come in." Came the reply she was kind of hoping not to hear.
Opening the door and sticking her head in she saw Minato at the desk pouring over scroll after scroll. Looking up he smiled at her, "What can I do for my second favorite girl?"
"I need to talk to you... in private." Shiori said with a serious tone.
With a flick of his wrist the unseen ANBU left. "What is it? And why don't you have the full uniform on?" Minato questioned while taking in her full appearance. Her eyes didn't seem as bright as the usually do, and she looked exhausted.
"I'm not in full gear because the vest doesn't fit." Seeing him open his mouth she quickly continued. "Please let me say what I need to before you talk."
Nodding his head he understood. She was nervous, this had to be something big.
"That mission that you sent me on four months ago, something happened."
His eyes lite up, he knew that something had happened. Waiting for her to continue he thought about what to say.
"Minato-sama, I'm pregnant."
There was silence for a good five minutes. Finally having the courage to look up from her feet she was surprised. Minato had moved from his seat and was standing in front of her. He didn't look angry...kind of happy.
"Who's the father?"
"He's..." She never got to finish as the window slid open.
