12 – The Drinking

Who likes filler chapters? :D Okay nobody, I'm sorry. But let's face it. Kiruma hasn't smiled since Chapter 1 when her mom said she could keep the dog. Am I a cruel author? Yes. Yes I am. Enjoy!

The funeral was beautiful, in a sad, heartbreaking sort of way. It didn't rain, but overcast clouds hung in the sky, as if the sun were hiding from a joyless day. And a joyless day it was. Kiruma walked down the street, hands shoved deep into her pockets, trying unsuccessfully to relax on her day off.

She felt someone grab her in a headlock from behind and she whirled around and grabbed her unsuspecting attacker by the neck, forcing them to the ground and pulling a kunai from her pouch, holding it to their neck with a snarl until she realized she was staring into the wide eyes of Yuhi Kurenai.

"Kiru-chan," the girl squeaked, caught totally off guard. "I think you need to relax a bit." Kiruma stumbled back, releasing the black haired girl, and Kurenai rubbed her neck, pouting.

"You're scary when you're on edge, Kiru-chan," she remarked with a shiver. "Come on! Asuma stole some sake bottles from a cranky old blonde lady and we're all gonna party it up!"

Kiruma wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"I'm nine," she stated in disgust. "And you're ten. Why on earth are you getting into alcohol?"

"Oh, come on, Kiru-chan, lighten up," Kurenai dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Everyone knows we've all grown up too fast. Maturity wise, I'm about twenty-six, and you're like, eighty something. Don't look at me like that," she retorted at Kiruma's glare. "We both know you've been through hell and back, even if you won't give me the details. And we've all lost a friend, so we need to perk up."

"I don't drink."

"Well come anyways," Kurenai insisted, dragging Kiruma with her.

Kiruma protested, but Kurenai was adamant. They went to an abandoned bar, where a few others had already gathered.

It went quiet when the two of them entered.

"You actually got her to come?" Rin asked with disbelief. Kurenai grinned wickedly and leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"If you try to escape, I have enough blackmail to end you."

She had to be lying, but her tone sent a shiver down Kiruma's spine.

"I get it," she answered, growling slightly and turning to the others. Rin took Kiruma's hand with a smile and led her to the others.

"I'm glad you came, Koizumi-san," Rin said, smiling sweetly. Kiruma just nodded awkwardly, unused to social situations. And by unused to it, she meant she avoided them like the plague. This was not her cup of tea.

"Did someone get Kakashi?" Kurenai asked.

"We sent Gai. He's the only one that stands a chance."

Kurenai snorted.

"Good, he should be here any minute."

As if on cue, Gai barged in the door, a practically unconscious Kakashi in tow.

"I have completed my mission!" he sang as he leapt inside.


Twenty minutes later, the party was in tow. Only Kakashi and Kiruma had abstained from drinking. Even Rin was hiccupping, her cheeks rosy.

"Why aren't you joining in?" Kiruma asked Kakashi uncomfortably, taking a seat across from him.

"This isn't the… atmosphere I was looking for," he answered carefully. She understood completely. After a death Kakashi seemed like the kind of person who would look for a quiet place to think things through, rather than drink away his issues.

"What about you?" he questioned. She shrugged. He narrowed his eyes.

"Still full of mysteries, and no answers, it seems," he drawled accusingly. She shrugged.

"Why do you care?"

"You seem to know all about me," he noted.

"You never tried to hide anything," she answered dismissively.

He got up and returned with two glasses of water.

"It's a little stale, but it's not sake," he muttered, handing her one. She took a sip, grimacing.

"Thanks."

Kurenai ran over and threw her arms around the two of them.

"What are you two doing over here by yourselves?" she bubbled, her words slurring slightly. Kiruma gagged slightly as the smell of alcohol hit her. The rush of memories that came with it was just… painful.

"Go dance with Asuma," Kakashi suggested, pulling the girl's arm off of his shoulders.

"Okaaayyy!" she flounced off and hugged a blushing Asuma. Suddenly really needing that water, Kiruma downed the glass, trying to clear the smell out of her system. He offered her his drink, and she took it with a muttered 'thanks'.

"That against alcohol?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow. She shrugged.

"Why?"

She sighed quietly, hesitating before answering.

"My father… was an alcoholic," she answered finally. Kakashi glanced at her, recognizing the past tense.

"Oh. Is that the only reason?"

"It made him shoot me," she answered bluntly, rubbing the scar on her neck. "What other reason do I need?" He glanced at her in alarm.

"Your father tried to shoot you?"

"Does it really surprise you?" she asked. "I don't have the greatest personality, Scarecrow." She took another gulp of water.

"Kami, this water sucks."

He took the glass from her and took a cautious sip, spitting it back out. It was spiked with alcohol, and something strong too, judging by the redness beginning to appear on Kiruma's cheeks. He sighed. Kurenai could be quite the malevolent one.

"Don't drink any more of this," he suggested. She put her head in her hands, already beginning to feel dizzy.

"I feel weird."

Kakashi kept talking to Kiruma, wondering if she would make an angry drunk. She was already angry most of the time, so would she be… angrier? He shuddered at the prospect.

"Why did your father…?"

"Hell if I know," she cut him off with a shrug. "He just yelled at my mother that I was demon child, said I wasn't his daughter, and bam," she mimicked pulling a trigger. "Fired the gun."

"How old were you?"

"Six."

She blinked at Kakashi, looking down at her hands.

"I've been talking… a lot," she said quietly, her eyes confused and slightly ashamed.

"You haven't, you've just been talking more than usual," he answered carefully.

Her gaze snapped up to meet Kakashi's.

"You… I shouldn't have… talked so much… You don't need to listen to all that…" she stood, looking mortified.

"I don't want to bother… anyone," she insisted, covering her eyes with her hands. "I need to leave."

"Koizumi, calm down," Kakashi said calmly.

She turned around wordlessly, about to walk away, when Kakashi caught her elbow gently.

"Koizumi," he addressed her. "Let me take you home, okay?" She whirled around, tripping over her feet slightly.

"W-what?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"I'll make sure you get home safely. You got tricked into drinking tonight," he paused to glare at Kurenai, "and I'm sure you can take care of yourself, but just in case, I'll walk with you. Okay?"

She frowned.

"You can't."

"Why not?"

"I don't want… other people going there."

"I can keep a secret, Kiruma. I'm sure whatever is going on will be fine."

She jumped a little at the sound of her first name. Kakashi looked surprised at himself. It had slipped out without him thinking about it.

"I guess," she agreed reluctantly.

"No no no, you guys aren't escaping yet!" Kurenai exclaimed excitedly.

"Here, Kiru-chan, you look a little thirsty." She handed Kiruma a glass and Kiruma frowned at it.

"Water?" she questioned hesitantly.

"Yep, there's water in it!" Kurenai winked at her as Kiruma took a cautious sip and scrunched her nose.

"Kakashi-kun, do you want to visit a bit?" Rin questioned, gently taking Kakashi by the elbow.

He watched Kiruma with concern.

"Kiruma, don't drink-"

"You worry too much, Kakashi-kun!" Kurenai interrupted. "We won't give her too much!"

His expression darkened. They understood nothing. They didn't understand the emotional toll this would have on her.

"Kakashi-kun?" Rin asked sweetly. He turned towards his team mate reluctantly.

"Not right now, Rin," he replied, his voice strained.

"Please?" she asked, hiccuping slightly. "I think we should talk, y'know…about our team."

He sighed slowly.

"That's a conversation for when you're feeling more… alert."

"I am alert!" she insisted heatedly.

"Of course you are." He frowned and turned back to Kiruma, who was now holding an empty glass.

"Smile wide for me, Kiru-chan!" Kurenai instructed. Kiruma just looked confused.

She stood, swaying slightly, and moved away from the middle of the crowd, and away from Kakashi, to the other side of the bar, where she took a seat at a table. Looking slightly put out, Kurenai shrugged and moved back over to talk to Asuma. Kakashi put a hand on Rin's shoulder, firmly telling her that they would talk later, before crossing the room to check on Kiruma.

She glanced up at him, surprise flickering in her eyes.

"It's you."

"It's me." He sat across from her.

Her cheeks were really rosy now.

"Thank you, for what you said earlier," Kakashi muttered. He knew she most likely wouldn't remember the next morning anyways.

"About Goggles?" she guessed. "I'm glad it helped. Contrary to popular belief, I don't actually try to make peoples' lives miserable."

"Then why are you so…"

"Hellish towards people my age?" she questioned, smirking slightly. Her voice was easygoing and oddly gentle, making her seem… normal. She looked down at her hands.

"I have a lot to hide. When people get too close…" she grimaced. "They find out things."

"You're full of mysteries, Koizumi."

"Aren't we all?"

"Let's playyy strip pokerrrrrr!" Kurenai exclaimed, waving her arms around.

Kiruma laughed out loud, her eyes shining with amusement. Kakashi was transfixed by her smile and the music of her laughter. Perfectly straight, white teeth that made her features glow when she laughed.

"What's funny?" he questioned.

"Strip poker," she told him, still smiling. "I am nine years old. Who the hell wants to see kids like us strip?"

He snorted slightly at that. She was right.

"We're not kids, though," he remarked.

"Just because I've been abused, shot at, almost raped, burned, beaten, stabbed, and bullied doesn't mean I'm not a kid," she teased lightly, flicking Kakashi on the forehead. He blinked, then looked at the ground. How did his life compare to hers? She suddenly seemed much, much stronger, and nobody knew, because she didn't tell anyone.

She stood and pulled him to his feet.

"Do you want to dance with me, Kakashi?" she asked with a friendly smile. He turned red.

"Uh, not really-"

"I won't force you to," she assured him.

"I think I should just sit this one out…" he trailed off awkwardly, glancing at Rin out of habit to make sure she was alright. She caught his eye and waved cheerfully.

He met Kiruma's eyes and looked away again awkwardly. She giggled. His head snapped back around.

Koizumi Kiruma had just… giggled. He couldn't wrap his head around it.

"Sorry," she apologized, covering her mouth. "You just… your face is so red. Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

"Of course not," he answered immediately. He was just unused to her being… happy.

"Really?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. "I would be embarrassed to be seen with me. The dirty delinquent off the streets." She smirked. "What would happen if she were seen with the prodigy of the Academy?"

"I don't care," he answered slowly, eyeing her. She smiled at him again, making him pause so he could watch the way her face lit up.

"Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind you playing strip poker," she teased, making him blush even brighter.

She touched his face.

"Then we could all see what you looked like under here," her voice was soft this time, but she grinned again, poking his mask.

"Ne, Hatake, would you lose your boxers or your mask first in strip poker?"

His face was now rivaling that of a tomato. He grabbed her hand and pulled it from his face, keeping her from touching him.

"Did you decide you want to dance after all?" she smirked, looking at their intertwined hands. He glanced at their hands as well, surprised. Hers were small, and he could feel the worn bandages wrapped tightly around her thin fingers.

"I guess one wouldn't hurt," he relented. Her eyes widened.

"You're full of surprises, Scarecrow," she observed in slight wonder.

"So are you," he muttered. He would never admit that he just wanted to see her smile again. Not because he was attracted to her… just because it was so rare… and it was kind of beautiful.

"When do you start working again?" he questioned as they moved.

"Tomorrow," she answered, some of her light cheeriness slipping away at the prospect.

"So soon?"

"I'm in high demand," she said grumpily. "Because I've never failed a mission."

"I see."

Rin suddenly appeared by them, grinning.

"Kakashi, let's have a drink together!" Kiruma glanced at Rin, and then at Kakashi, and then at their hands still intertwined. Kiruma jerked her hands away, eyes widening.

"S-sorry," she stammered to the two of them. Rin smiled at her, thought there was tension in her expression.

"Nohara-san… Scarecrow… I…" she took a hesitant step back

"Why don't you talk to Kurenai for a little while? You look like you could use some more water," Rin suggested kindly, winking at her.

"No," Kakashi interrupted. "No more drinking anything with Kurenai." He took a protective step in front of Kiruma, whose expression was conflicted.

Kiruma looked at Kurenai, who was avidly talking with Asuma, and Genma, who was brutally losing in a pushups contest with Gai while Anko laughed at them.

"This isn't really… my crowd," she said, feeling out of place all of a sudden. For a moment she had felt like she'd had a friend, someone who… understood, but Kakashi had to look out for Rin, and she… she was a loner. Always alone.

"Koizumi-"

She whirled around with a forced smile.

"Why don't you grab that drink with Rin, Hatake?" she suggested. "Thank you for talking with me, it was nice."

She turned and walked towards the bar, slightly unsteady. She sat at a stool and put her head in her hands, trying to clear her head. Suddenly thirsty, she downed a glass sitting out on the bar, hoping it was water. The bitter taste of alcohol burned her throat, and she coughed. It was stuffy, and uncomfortably warm. She needed air. She needed to breathe. She walked outside onto the patio, gulping in the cold air. She leaned on the railing, putting her head in her hands.

I don't belong here, was all she could think. The others, Rin, Kurenai, Asuma, Gai, Anko, Genma, Kakashi and everyone else… they knew how to socialize. They were all friends. She on the other hand…

"Yo."

Kiruma whirled around in surprise.

"You again?" she asked incredulously.

"Me again," Kakashi replied almost guiltily.

"Nohara-san…"

"Passed out from drinking, Genma is taking her home."

"Oh."

"You're not looking too good yourself, Koizumi," he observed with concern.

"I don't belong here," she sighed, resting her chin in her hands.

"Hm?"

"I'm a soldier, not… all this."

"Even soldiers are allowed to lighten up sometimes," he told her gently.

"Coming from a workaholic like you?" she asked, lips twitching.

"You're one to talk," he returned evenly. She shrugged.

"I have to work hard. Otherwise my family will be separated." He blinked at this new piece of information.

"I wish I could," she said suddenly, watching the night sky.

"Wish you could what?"

She smiled sadly at him. It was a heartbreakingly beautiful expression on her features.

"I wish I could let myself be friends with all of you, let myself care, let myself fall in love…"

"Why can't you?" he asked. She looked down at her folded hands, her smile fading into a sad sort of pain.

"Well," she sighed. "That is a very long story."

Suddenly she winced, putting a hand to her head.

"Koizumi?" he questioned. She sank to a crouch, pressing her palm to her forehead.

"Hatake, I know I don't ask for many favors… but could you please take me home?" she was cradling her head in her hands now, eyes closed tightly.

"Of course," he answered. She tried to stand and he wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her tiny frame. She walked clumsily with him, her teeth clenched together.

"Koizumi, where do you live?" he asked.

She either couldn't hear him or couldn't answer.

"Oi, Koizumi, don't go out on me now," Kakashi protested, pausing to check on her. Her face was flushed, eyes closed, short gasps escaping her lips. Her knees were beginning to give out beneath her and he pulled her onto his back, not sure which direction to go. Deciding on his apartment for the time being, he took off towards his place, leaping from roof to roof. Her head fell on his shoulder, her soft hair tickling his cheek.

He hoped she didn't have alcohol poisoning. She was only nine, and hadn't ever had alcohol before. He growled in frustration. Kurenai was such an idiot. They weren't adults, not even close. Not physically.

He reached his apartment and unlocked the door, sitting on the bed and prying Kiruma's arms from around his neck. The red haired girl collapsed on the bed, and he checked her pulse quickly. It was fast, but not too fast. He frowned. Her skin almost burned to the touch. She was radiating heat. He pressed a hand to her forehead. She was feverish. Very feverish. He pulled the covers over her and placed a washcloth on her forehead, sitting in the corner of the room with a sigh.

It was about time he got a couch or something for times like these. The lack of furniture was… inconvenient. He rested his chin in his hand, watching her chest rise and fall evenly. He recalled dancing with her and that bright smile he had never seen before. He shook his head, mask hiding his own small smile. He wanted to see it again, but without her having to drink. What was her story? He remembered that heartbreakingly sad smile. He sighed heavily. What was he getting himself into? He needed to protect Rin, get stronger, for Obito. There was no time to be looking out for a little redhead that couldn't stay out of trouble. He frowned in thought, eventually deciding to mull it over later.


Kiruma woke up before Kakashi. She took one look at the scarecrow painting on the wall and groaned inwardly. He had saved her ass again. Other than a mildly throbbing headache she felt decent, so she made the bed, folded the blankets, and put them away, opening the window and sitting on the ledge with one leg dangling out. She glanced to the side as Kakashi stirred, opening one eye. He blinked in recognition when he saw her sitting in the window.

"You weren't supposed to help me again," she told him with a scowl, turning her gaze to look at the rising sun. He yawned, squinting in the sunlight.

"You asked me to," he answered, standing and stretching.

"Even if that's true, you shouldn't have."

"You don't remember?"

She didn't answer.

"Regardless, I don't remember ever taking orders from you," he stated calmly. She bristled, recognizing her own words. Her eyes narrowed.

"Stay away from me, Hatake," she warned him, her voice little more than a growl. With that last sentiment she leapt from the window and vanished.

Kakashi watched her leave impassively.

Make her smile without being drunk? He shook his head. Last night had almost made him forget how she acted around everyone. It was only when she let down her guard that he would have a chance. Unfortunately for him, that was never. Deeming his wish a lost cause, he retrieved his forehead protector and changed his mask with a clean one, ready to begin the day.

Kiruma went to the tower tired and annoyed. She remembered majority of the night, due to her nearly flawless memory that had only improved since she became a spy. But the fact that she had consumed alcohol, even if it was unintentional, repulsed her. Shoving the memory aside, she donned her mask, leapt through the window and inclined her head towards the Hokage, who folded his hands at his desk.

"Fox," he addressed her, his eyes serious and sad. "You are the only one from Info and Intel that came in for work today."

She didn't answer, shifting her weight uncomfortably.

"I know I just said to take yesterday off, but my dear, you've lost a comrade. Why are you here?"

"To receive my mission, Sir."

"Before yesterday, when was the last time you had off?"

"Eight months ago, Sir."

Sarutobi frowned, clasping his hands and resting his chin on top of them.

"My dear, how old are you?"

"…nine, Sir." Kiruma's lips pressed together in a tight line. She didn't like all this questioning. She was here to get her mission, and that was it.

"…I think you should take at least another week off. We are at a lagging time in this war, and have most of the information we need. I cannot have overworked, half dead spies going on missions, and I especially cannot have those weighed down by a loss such as this one."

"I'm here to retrieve my mission," Kiruma answered bluntly.

"You cannot block out your pain by staying busy forever."

Kiruma sighed inwardly.

"Hokage-sama, with all due respect, I did not know Uchiha Obito well. To be blunt, he was the class nuisance in my Academy days. We did not develop a friendship, and though his death is a loss to Konoha, countless shinobi die on missions. To single out this one simply because he was a child is disrespectful to the others who lost their lives. If there indeed is a lag in the war, then the number of Intel missions should only be increasing. Without the intense fighting, this is the point where information is crucial so that we can end the war as soon as possible. I will say it one last time, I am here for my mission. And nothing else."

She had allowed an edge to creep into her voice. She had lied about her relationship to Obito, but she was also tough. She had never failed a mission so far. Not once. It was unfair for him to deem her unfit based on her record because her record was flawless. There was a long silence as the Hokage assessed her, comparing her wisdom and skill to her age.

"I will say this one last time as well," the Hokage answered finally. "Take the week off."

He also was apparently testing her ability to take orders. She hesitated, but nodded reluctantly.

"Yes, sir," she answered stiffly. She vanished from the office and tore her mask from her face angrily, storing it at her base and walking towards her home.

"KIRUUU-CHANNN!" Kurenai's voice made her wince. She glanced to the side and saw Kurenai, Kakashi, Gai, and Rin, sitting at a table a few yards away.

"We were just talking about last night! Come here!"

The sick and repulsed feeling instantly returned.

Just like your father. The words branded themselves in her mind, practically burning holes into her soul.

She shoved away the part of her that instantly wanted to join them and kept walking, pushing her hands into her pockets.

"Oh, no you don't," Rin smiled sweetly as she approached her, looping her arm through Kiruma's.

"Your days of avoiding us are over."

"I don't want to," Kiruma snapped, the lie coming out instantly.

Rin blinked, hurt, before covering it with a smile.

"Too bad!" she answered, sticking her tongue out. She winked at Kiruma and pulled her over.

"-would've won if I hadn't been distracted!"

"Your pushups didn't even meet half of Gai's."

"So not true!"

"Yes it is!"

"You simply need to be more youthful, Genma!"

"Shut up, Gai!"

Rin giggled and sat down, pulling Kiruma next to her.

"Well I think you both did wonderfully."

Genma blushed and Gai puffed his chest out proudly.

"Kiru-chan and Kakashi-kun danced with each other!" Kurenai giggled hysterically. Kakashi and Kiruma both remained perfectly straight faced, not even glancing in each other's direction.

"Andddd," Kurenai nudged Kakashi with her elbow. "Kakashi was sober the whole time!" That line sparked Kiruma's curiosity, and also caused a faint redness to appear on Kakashi's face, though other than that subtle sign he remained entirely passive.

"Kami, alcohol is the best," Kurenai sighed, making the others laugh. Kiruma's stomach churned.

"You look a little green, Kiruma-chan," Rin noted quietly. "Are you feeling alright?"

Alcohol, dancing, parties, Kiruma's head was spinning. Alcohol, her father, the scent of it in his breath, the gun, her brother, pulling the trigger, and blood, blood everywhere.

Suddenly feeling like she was going to throw up, Kiruma jumped up roughly from the table, knocking the chair over.

"Koizumi?" Kakashi questioned quietly. She glared back at all of them.

"Next time, keep me out of your stupid parties," she snarled.

"What's your problem?" Kurenai asked, standing with her hands on her hips. "Are you anti-fun, too?"

Kakashi wapped her lightly on the back of the head for that comment. She whirled around angrily.

"Oi!"

"You don't know what you're talking about," he answered.

"And you do?" she demanded hotly.

Kiruma turned and leapt to a rooftop, vanishing.

"Come on," Kurenai ordered, grabbing Kakashi's wrist and pulling him after her. He frowned, but followed her to a back street in the shade of a building, finding Kiruma slumped over a chain mail fence, her fingers digging into the metal links so hard they were beginning to bleed.

"Kiru-chan?" Kurenai asked worriedly, immediately shifting from angry to hesitant and concerned. She ran over to the shaking nine year old and tried to pull the redhead to her feet. Kakashi watched warily from a distance.

"What's wrong with you?" Kurenai asked, gritting her teeth in effort. Kiruma lifted her head to glare into Kurenai's bright red eyes.

"Get the hell away from me," Kiruma snarled. "Both of you."

"Why?!" Kurenai demanded, refusing to let go.

"Kurenai-san, alcohol has a bad history with her family. It doesn't bring back pleasant memories." Kakashi's voice was quiet.

Kurenai almost dropped Kiruma in shock, before narrowing her eyes at Kakashi.

"And how do you know that? Since when did she trust you to talk about things?"

"Maybe because I was talking to her rather than spiking her drinks with alcohol," he answered with a shrug.

"So you took advantage of the fact that she let her guard down," Kurenai snapped.

"Both of you." They froze, turning to Kiruma. She pulled away from Kurenai.

"Don't talk to me like I'm not right here." Her voice was perfectly calm, but her eyes were raging.

"Kurenai." Kurenai blinked at the sound of her first name. "I don't drink. Listen next time."

Her glare passed over Kakashi.

"I thought I told you to stay away from me," she said quietly, eyes still alight with fury. "You two seem to have a difficult time listening." Her anger was steadily growing, making both Kakashi and Kurenai tense.

She opened her mouth to speak but a voice cut her off.

"Hey, Red, long time no see." Kiruma whirled around, seeing none other than Salem heading towards her, a grin on his face. Her anger dissipated in an instant.

"Salem!" She hadn't seen him in what seemed like years. She would never admit how relieved she felt, seeing him walk towards her with that unmistakable wolfish grin.

"Hey, bud. Someone piss you off already?"

"No," she answered defensively, her lips forming a small defensive pout.

"Oh really? Your hands say otherwise."

She glanced down at the bandages wrapped around her fingers. They'd been set ablaze and were curling up and falling to the ground in ashes.

She blushed.

"That's not-"

"Yes it is," he interrupted, smirking. He gave her a hug that she didn't return but didn't resist, and rested an arm on her shoulder, turning to face the other two.

"Who're you?" Kurenai asked bluntly.

He grinned a crooked smile.

"Salem. And you?"

"Kurenai. And this is Kakashi."

"Well, I'd love to keep chatting, but Red's never mentioned you, and we have places to be." He smirked at Kiruma and winked at Kakashi, whose eyes narrowed slightly.

Kiruma rolled her eyes.

"Let's go," she muttered, nudging Salem.

"Yes, ma'am." That earned him a second, harder punch, and he grinned, taking her hand and pulling her onto the roof.

"Later," he called over his shoulder before the two of them vanished.

"Thanks, Salem," she said quietly without looking at him. He nodded.

"Wouldn't want another fire accident," he answered quietly. She averted her eyes, guilt coursing through her. Her stupid red fire still wouldn't bend to her will.

"Really have missed you though," he told her with a genuine smile. Her lips twitched.

"Yeah, it's been a little quiet without you, too." He smirked at that, knowing that was probably the closest he'd ever get to her saying she missed him.

Kurenai's mouth was hanging open as she stared at the place they had disappeared.

"Have you ever seen Kiru-chan so…"

"Trusting?" Kakashi guessed. "No." He felt a small pang of jealousy, but he shoved the feeling aside. Such emotions had to be buried. It would interfere with him getting stronger and protecting Rin. When the blue haired boy had winked, like he knew something… Kakashi shook his head. No more dwelling on it. He needed to focus on Rin.

"Let's go back," he suggested. She nodded, and they left.

Author's Note: Please review, y'all are wonderful sources of inspiration and I would love to hear anything positive or negative or in between! See you next Monday!