Always watching you
Chapter 12

Kakashi woke to find Shizune fixing yet another beautiful summer dress as she looked at the full body mirror on the back of the door.

He didn't want to get up. He didn't want their usual early discussion on the mission. He remembered watching her tears as Akihiko died. He didn't want to hear her thoughts about it. But a mission is a mission. Let's face it. They will complete the mission, go back to the village and continue on just as it was before.

He also kept thinking of that dream he had again and again. Running, fearful and panicked with Shizune in his arms. The dream was innocent before, it was more like an embrace of lovers as he ran to find some quiet place to be. But now her body felt cold in his dream and he was scared as he ran. It was turning into a nightmare and for some reason he couldn't shake it.

"Finally! You're awake! I have been thinking my entire watch of how to explain last night." Shizune had fallen to her knees and Kakashi couldn't stop the blush as her skirt slowly fluttered over them. He quickly sat up and avoided the raised eyebrow of Shizune. She obviously had no idea what he had just seen.

"W…We can have breakfast first…"

"No Kakashi! This is important to me!" He inwardly cringed at that. Looks like he had to listen. Hey if he was lucky she might cry on his shoulder and he could catch her on the rebound.

"I know who one of the four murderers is!"

Kakashi looked blankly at her. "I know who two of them are. We killed them remember!" Shizune sported a slight pout and an unimpressed glare.

He really thought she was stupid didn't he! She should just not tell him and make him apologise, or tell him and scoff at his stupidity. Hmmmmm both tempting but at least the latter option was also in line with the mission.

"Yesterday when me and Akihiko were out I met an old merchant who 'apparently' tells the future. He told me the one I love will die…"

"And he was correct." Kakashi quietly said as he tried his best at a sympathetic look. Shizune wrinkled her nose in utter confusion.

"What? No that's not it. I thought how could someone know that will happen and why was Akihiko sure it would come true and yet still want to be with me. I had an idea and so I tested my theory. I pretended to confess my love for the one I knew wasn't you and sure enough that was the one the beast attacked!"

She watched Kakashi's face, he seemed insanely happy. He got the point! He can see how awesome she really is! And then his face fell to confusion. "Wait…start again."

She leaned over so her face was on her lap as she groaned. Kakashi smirked. She sat up so straight and fast it was almost humorous… Okay it wasn't almost, it WAS humorous.

"The old man is one of the murderers! He also doesn't know we are ninja. For some reason we were chosen as targets because of our cover. That explains why after the first murder they did not attack, they assumed we were dead because we didn't show our self for days! They communicate the target and if they don't see them and don't hear from their comrade they assume them dead.
So the merchant told me that the one I love would die to set the trap.
Akihiko said that when he transformed into someone even the smell would change. An animal wouldn't know the difference either.
He was betting that either I would tell you I love you before you die or if he died the beast would attack you. Maybe he had a sign so the beast would know he is the one left alive, but because I grabbed his hand he had no time to perform a sign of any sort!"

"Well done Shizune! That's amazing!" Shizune beamed at the praise. This was the first time Kakashi said something like that and she really didn't care if she looked like a puppy that was just applauded.

Kakashi beamed to. Not just because she was so adorable when she looked like this but because she PRETENDED to confess to Akihiko. And he saw no remorse in her what so ever because Akihiko died!

"So how did you know which was me?" Shizune's happiness stopped dead in its tracks as she wore an unusual expression.

What do you say to that? I stalked you at home so why wouldn't I?

"I-I am observant of course. A-a-and I…" Kakashi leaned over and hugged her.

"Thank you Shizune. I owe you."
He expected her to pull away and scream out the dreaded word 'LINE' in which he would have to conceal yet another smirk. But to his pleasant surprise she hugged him back.

Shizune was so happy he recognised her skills she didn't think twice. She hugged him back with a huge smile on her face. "We finally have a solid lead and this can put us a few steps ahead of them!"

Kakashi was the one to blush this time. He kind of felt warm and comfortable. Seeing her so extremely happy was unlike anything he had experienced. Her anger, her embarrassment, her nervousness was all adorable in his eyes but her happiness…It was something he wanted to see more of. This wasn't the fake happiness she played when in the guise of a married woman this was very much real.
Unknowingly, he had begun to long to see that happiness every moment.

Shizune's mind caught up with her emotions and when she realised she was hugging Kakashi quite comfortably her face burned red. She bit her lip as she silently tried to control her feelings and once the blush was under her control she pulled away, much to Kakashi's dismay, and with her hands still on his arms she smiled as she spoke "Ready to see the fortune teller?"

"No. I think I need another hug!" Kakashi said as he pulled her into a tight embrace. Her eyes narrowed as she repeated her new favourite word "Line."

Kakashi smiled to himself. He may love her happiness most of all but hey, her angry face was still pretty darn cute.


Hand in hand and fingers linked comfortably, our two heroes walked down the bustling street. Their keen hearing picked up the excited chatter of the towns people as yet another night passed and still no murder.

"Do you think Akihiko's 'friend' that controls the beast was watching?" Shizune whispered. Kakashi smirked as he gave her hand a squeeze. "I doubt it. I sensed no one else.….still we never know. He could have been situated on an elevated area where he could see us." He whispered back.

They reached the stall and there was the old man, never the less he was shocked to see Kakashi. To the casual onlooker, Shizune acted nervous, whispering something into Kakashi's ear. Kakashi also looked on edge as they gingerly walked up to the old man.

"E…excuse me sir…may you please tell me my fortune again?" Shizune asked in an uncertain quiet whisper. The man smiled as he spoke "I do not read fortunes, it's more of a strong feeling. Why would you ask me that? It's obvious it has not yet happened."

Kakashi looked at Shizune as she bit her quivering lip before turning around and burying her face into Kakashi's chest. He wrapped his arms around her as he whispered "something…weird happened last night… is there somewhere private we can talk?"

The old man ushered them into the stall and dropped the heavy embroidered curtain so no one could see. He sat on a large pillow and waited for his two guests to also sit down before talking.

"This is very thick rug that I made so no one will hear us talk. They can hear us yell but not talk. So please, explain what happened."

Shizune was acting as a distraught woman; her job was simply to look too distressed to speak and to cling onto her 'husband'. Her 'husband' really liked this plan. She seemed the perfect size and shape to fit snuggly against his body. He would love to relish in this moment for a little while longer, unfortunately he had to remain focused…damn mission.

Shizune enjoyed the excuse to hold on to Kakashi. The image of the beast ripping what looked like him to shreds haunted her every time she closed her eyes. To just know he was there, and that she could touch him was a comfort…that and she could feel his muscles beneath his top. He was RIPPED! Unfortunately she had to focus on acting traumatized… damn mission.

Kakashi as the strong husband acted shaken but able to talk. "Um….Last night… this man gave my wife a note to run away with him. Obviously she wasn't going to go but I felt I should let him know I did not appreciate his audacity in trying to woo a married woman!
But… he a…attacked us. And then…he turned into me! He must be a ninja or something I don't know. I have heard of ninja techniques that can do that but never seen them.
Then there was this…this MONSTER! My wife remembered your words and ran out, hugging him and thinking he was me as she yelled out her love for me, then right before our eyes the monster killed the man. I don't know what's going on I am terrified and my wife has been crying since that moment."

Kakashi held Shizune closer as she inhaled before letting out a broken voice "If…if I had guessed correctly… my husband would have…" she broke into sobbing once more. Kakashi again took over

"We were on our way to inform the lord of what happened. But she wanted to make sure that what you said isn't a definite. Were we lucky? Did we escape fate?"
Inside Kakashi wanted to snicker at the idea of fate. He wasn't a believer in it that's for sure. Yes there has been certain prophecy that has come true but for him that doesn't spell fate. It's just one outcome out of many possibilities for the future. However if believing in fate set their trap he would look like the most devoted believer.

The old man was silent for a moment, almost in slight shock. Then with a sad smile he shook his head. "This feeling is still here but now…it has changed. I don't know which one will die. There is a shrine on the waters below the village. Legend says that if you kiss on the shrine when the moon is at its highest, you will live a happy life together. Maybe that is your only hope? A legend is not much to hope in but…"

"But its hope. Thank you sir for all your help. We will do it tonight! Thank you." Kakashi bowed low to the man showing his full gratitude as Shizune wiped her tears, whispered thanks escaping her lips.


"An old man? I did not think one of the murderers was an old man. How could an old man do such damage?" The lord asked as Kakashi and Shizune sat in front of him.

"Why else would he be so sure? And why make us go at night when it was obviously us targeted by the murderers?" Shizune reasoned. The lord could not disagree with this logic.

"Why you were targeted is still a question to be answered. Maybe because you approached them first? Easy target?" The lord mulled.

"Maybe something more significant than that." Kakashi said as he pulled out a large book. Opening it the lord saw it was hollowed and a small folder sat inside. When Kakashi removed it the lord recognised it as the files he had sent the hidden leaf village when he requested help.

"the 6 deaths before we arrived,
the first was a well-known business man,
the second was the man in charge of opening the water way for boats,
the third was a mother of seven children all under 13 and who was widowed,
the fourth was a well-loved local entertainer,
the fifth was a tour guide
and the sixth was a six year old child.
Each person was a blow to the city either from the economical aspect or the emotional. According to this information as each murder happened more and more people were talking about leaving. Imagine what would happen if a couple come to town for their honey moon. They are very much in love. Then one night they find one of the newlyweds a mess, broken and hysterical. Their partner killed. No one would visit this place again; the town has already lost a lot of business from murders 1, 2, 4 and 5. And the emotional distraught the towns people have watched with murders 3 and 6 as well as this latest one… this city will die."

The lord's eyes widened as he began to tremble, he looked away from the gaze of the two ninja before him as he seemed out of sorts. Kakashi did not expect the Lord to lose his cool but it was obvious the very idea terrified him. Not because he would lose the city but the people would have a horrible time trying to leave and find elsewhere to live. There wasn't much money in the town since these murders so many wouldn't even be able to afford the move.

Shizune reached out and tapped his hand sympathetically. "It's okay. We have stopped them thus far. And if for some reason we do fail, you may tell everyone we left town early due to a family emergency." The lord thanked them and seemed to gain his senses once again.

"Now all we need is a plan to defeat this beast." Shizune said as she looked at Kakashi.