Soo, I'm changing Naruto's birthday. I know, it was meant to be October 10th, but I need it to be snowing and I really need that before the Kyuubi attacks. Therefore, now it is January 10th. Sorry ):

2 – A Celebration

"No. Way."

Kiruma stiffened as a familiar voice behind her made her freeze. She turned slowly, meeting Kurenai's shocked eyes.

"Kiruma? Is that really you?"

For a moment Kiruma was tempted to humor her old friend and say no, but instead she just blinked, wondering when Kurenai had started addressing her without an honorific. She didn't care enough to feel insulted, but...

"Kurenai-san."

"I haven't seen you in ages!" Kurenai ran forward and hugged the girl briefly, holding her at arm's length and beaming into the red haired kunoichi's face.

"I have no idea where you've been, and I know you won't tell me, but this calls for a celebration! It's almost been a year! I'm throwing the annual Christmas Party tonight so this is perfect!"

"Absolutely not," Kiruma deadpanned, storm grey eyes flaring.

"I'm not taking no for an answer," she dismissed Kiruma's words with a simple wave of her hand. She latched onto Kiruma's arm and started dragging her back in the direction of her home, ignoring Kiruma's surprised protests and unable to keep the smile off her face.

"H-Hey!"

"Kiruma, hold still!"

Kiruma squirmed under the kunoichi's grip, a snarl leaving her lips.

"I'm.. not… wearing… that!" Kiruma growled, rolling as Kurenai tackled her.

"Damn straight you are! Stop… struggling!" Kurenai planted her knees on either side of Kiruma and sat on her defiantly, drawing a kunai menacingly. Kiruma's eyes narrowed at the weapon. There was a brief but tense silence.

"Sit. Down. Now." Kurenai thundered, her voice angry and full of determination.

With a snarl Kiruma shoved the kunoichi off of her and rolled forward so that their positions had switched. Kiruma flipped the kunai from Kurenai's wrist and caught it quickly, using her other hand to keep Kurenai down.

"Trying to scare me, Kurenai-san?" Kiruma questioned softly. Kurenai froze. Kiruma released her and stood, tossing the kunai back to the wide eyed girl.

"Screw this. I have better things to do." Her voice contained traces of the old fire that had dominated her attitude, and that ever present stubbornness that permeated her ever word.

"No you don't, damnit!" Kurenai grabbed her wrist. Kiruma yanked her arm out of Kurenai's grip.

"What is everyone's problem?" she demanded, whirling around. "Look at me, Kurenai-san! What about me could possibly mislead you to believe I would go?"

Kurenai looked at Kiruma, slowly understanding what the red haired kunoichi was inferring. Kiruma was certainly maturing in the right places, a petite figure beginning to show through the dark, dirty uniform she wore, though it seemed she was trying to hide it. She was slim, strong, fit, and definitely could be beautiful, but that wasn't what she meant. Kurenai's gaze lingered on the tired, ancient eyes that seemed as if they'd seen everything, assorted scars fading from her limbs, and long hair, dirty and raggedly cut at the ends. Kiruma was a soldier, not someone who wasted time at Christmas parties.

"I thought I… could make you," Kurenai admitted sheepishly. "And then, you would see how much fun being around your friends could be."

"You're not strong enough to make me," Kiruma answered bluntly. "And I don't have friends."

Kurenai slapped Kiruma across the face, lips pressed together angrily. Kiruma's eyes widened in shock. She gingerly touched her face, feeling the sting. It wasn't a hard hit, and didn't hurt her so much as surprise her, but she was still rendered speechless for a moment.

Kurenai seemed slightly surprised at herself too, but she glared at Kiruma, her expression hurt.

"Enough of that. We are your friends. Deal with it."

Kiruma clenched her teeth, turned, and left, slamming the door behind her. This was ridiculous. She looked up only to meet the surprised eyes of Asuma and Kakashi, who, judging by their expressions, had been listening for a while. Their eyes were wide, and Asuma's mouth was actually hanging open. Their gazes lingered on her stinging cheek. She shoved past them, growling when Kakashi grabbed her by the collar, bringing her to a stop.

"If I have to go, you're stuck here too," was all he said as he began dragging her up the steps. She scowled, whirling around and knocking his hand away.

"I don't owe you any favors, Scarecrow," she spat angrily. He just latched onto her collar again and continued dragging her through the door, not even bothering to use words to convince her. She growled a stream of profanities under her breath. He would be the death of her. And people called her stubborn. He pulled her back into Kurenai's apartment and tossed her onto the bed, as if she weighed no more than your average pillow. Kurenai gasped and then clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Kakashi-kun, you're the best! Now, Kiruma, cheer up, ne? I'm going to go get some scissors and we'll start with your hair!"

Kiruma glared murderously at Kakashi.

"We both have to go," he drawled, shrugging in defeat.

"I don't see you getting a makeover," she muttered, still glaring.

"I don't need one," he smirked.

"Yes you do, troll head," she muttered under her breath, making him scowl. Her lips twitched. Kurenai returned with scissors and she shooed the boys into the kitchen.

"Let me work!" was all she insisted at their protests.

"Holy shit, I am good."

Kiruma stared at herself in the mirror, not even recognizing herself.

"Kurenai-san… what the hell did you do to me?"

"I made you a knockout."

"I look like a prostitute."

That earned her a sharp smack to the back of the head. She rubbed the spot, wincing.

"Ease up, will you? I don't want a concussion for evaluation."

"Evaluation? For what?" Kurenai asked curiously. Kiruma blinked. She had forgotten that Kurenai knew nothing of her true occupation, and that she would be responsible for preparing Kakashi for his evaluation for ROOT. Of the Genin, only Kakashi and Rin had known she had anything to do with ANBU Black Ops.

"Nothing, never mind," Kiruma answered, still appalled at her reflection. Her hair was clean, showing that rather than reddish brown, the color was actually bright crimson when there wasn't mud and blood in it, and now framed her face evenly thanks to Kurenai washing and trimming it. Kurenai had cut her bangs so that they swept to the side and evenly framed her eyes and face, and the rest of it was straight, stopping a few inches below her shoulder blades, the layers making it look longer in the back. Her grey eyes were now lined thinly in black, with thick lashes making them look larger and lighter in color, like clouds before a storm. As for her lips…

"Take it off," Kiruma said abruptly.

"No, lipstick suits you!" Kurenai insisted, puckering her own lips into a pout. Just then Kakashi and Asuma walked back in, pausing in confusion.

"Where'd Koizumi go?" Asuma asked.

"Do I need to catch her again?" Kakashi drawled. "You let her run away, didn't you?" he watched Kurenai accusingly, and the kunoichi doubled over laughing.

Kiruma rolled her eyes.

I'm surrounded by idiots.

She sighed and glanced at her clothing in the mirror, scowling. Kurenai had put her in navy blue crop top that stopped at her upper ribcage, leaving most of her stomach bare, and black fingerless gloves that tucked beneath the long sleeves. She despised the way it clung to her curved form. A red scarf hung loosely around her neck, concealing the scar on her collarbone. She was wearing short black shorts rolled up at the hem and fishnet tights beneath black combat boots with white laces that crisscrossed all the way up them. Way, way, way too flashy for her taste.

"What's so funny?" Asuma demanded, his cheeks tinged with pink as Kurenai was nearly reduced to hysterics.

Kiruma crossed her arms and turned around to face them.

"I imagine it's the fact that I'm right here," she snapped, her voice dripping with venom. The two boys' heads snapped up at the sound of her voice, and recognition flickered in their eyes.

They stared. Openly.

Kiruma shifted, slightly uncomfortable. The silence weighed down awkwardly.

Her cheeks now tinged with pink, her hand went to her weapons pouch, a snarl rising to her lips.

"I will knock those faces off of you if you don't shut your damn mouths," she snarled.

Asuma's mouth snapped shut, and Kakashi blinked, both boys instantly returning to normal. Kakashi coughed slightly.

"Aww, is Kiru-chan embarrassed?" Kurenai giggled, dodging Kiruma's swing at her. "No need to be shy, sweetheart!"

She ducked under Kiruma's arm and wrapped her arms around the kunoichi's waist in a hug. She winked at Kakashi.

"Jealous?" she challenged smugly.

He only stared back innocently, as if oblivious to what the dark haired kunoichi was implying.

"Of course not."

Kiruma pulled away from the kunoichi.

"If you make me drink, I'll kill you," she growled into the teenager's ear. Kurenai's face split into a wide smile.

"Deal!" she exclaimed excitedly. "And you can thank Kakashi-kun for the scarf," she told the Kiruma smugly.

Kiruma's gaze turned to Kakashi, who just shrugged.

"Merry Christmas," he drawled uncaringly, though he was watching her reaction from the corner of her eye. She touched the scarf, feeling its soft red stitches beneath her fingertips.

"Awh, Kiruma are you blushing?" Kurenai cooed.

"I've just… never gotten one before," she said flatly, still holding the scarf.

"What, a scarf?" Asuma snorted. She shook her head slowly.

"No, a Christmas present." There was a surprised silence.

Kiruma's gaze snapped up and noticed them staring. Her cheeks colored.

"What are all of you looking at?" she snapped, making them immediately look away.

"N-nothing," Asuma stammered. Out of the three of them, he was the least accustomed to Kiruma's attitude.

"Anyways, let's get going, you look fabulous!" Kurenai insisted.

"I have some things I need to get done," Kiruma told Kurenai. "I'll meet you there."

Kurenai put her hands on her hips, a scowl darkening her face.

"Fine, but if you don't show up-"

Kiruma waved her off.

"I get it, enough blackmail to end me. Sure. Later, Kurenai-san."

"Don't you dare change your outfit!" she exclaimed with a meaningful glower.

She felt their eyes follow her as she shimmered and vanished, but she wasn't afraid of Kurenai's wrath. More, she was afraid of Kushina's wrath if the woman found out she was back and hadn't made time to visit. It was with this thought in mind that Kiruma ran to Minato and Kushina's house. She didn't hesitate to knock on the door, and bit her lip in anticipation as she heard footsteps approaching.

The door opened and Kushina's face peered down at her, first with confusion and then with shock. Then the red haired woman's expression broke into a huge grin, and she threw her arms around Kiruma, hugging the elite ninja tightly.

"Kushina-san, I'm back," came Kiruma's muffled response from within the hug.

"Kiru-chan," Kushina's voice held so much compassion Kiruma felt her battle hardened heart beat a little faster.

"Minato!" Kushina yelled behind her. "She's back-ttebane!"

"Eh? Who?" came the recently appointed Hokage's call.

"Who do you think?" Kushina answered hotly, releasing the small kunoichi and pulling her inside.

Minato's face peered around the corner.

Shock flitted across his face.

"Kiruma-chan?"

"Hokage-sama," she inclined her head politely.

He smiled at her, his eyes forming happy crescents as he ruffled her hair.

"You've gotten taller," he laughed lightly. "Come and sit down, it's been a while."

"Now listen, Kiru-chan, I want you to tell us what you've been up to, and Minato already told me you were in ANBU, so no holding back-ttebane!" Kushina insisted, plopping the girl down next to her on the couch.

"Kushina-san," Kiruma said regretfully. "I did come to catch up, but…" she trailed off, and faced both of them, opening her mouth wide and revealing the seal burned into her tongue.

Kushina stiffened and Minato grimaced.

"I'm afraid I have no choice but to hold back."

"You seem much better," Minato observed, watching her expressions closely. She nodded.

"There are… people… in my occupation that have been supportive of me the last nine months. I have been working hard."

"You look lovely, as well," Kushina observed, getting a good look at the girl.

"Kurenai-san found me," Kiruma answered, slightly grouchily. Minato chuckled at that.

"I can see that. She did a beautiful job."

"I'm meant to go to a party, this afternoon," the girl continued. Kushina laughed lightly, covering her mouth with her fingers.

"How'd she trick you into that one?"

"Scarecrow made me."

Minato chuckled.

"Kakashi-kun, huh?" He was searching for you the past several months. He seemed quite distressed concerning your whereabouts."

Kiruma almost snorted.

"Probably just needed a new sparring target," she muttered. Kakashi distressed about her whereabouts? Not likely. Then her eyes ran over Kushina's distended midsection.

"How have you been?" she asked the red haired woman in a hushed voice.

Minato blinked in surprise but Kushina waved him off.

"Kiruma-chan can keep a secret, Minato. I told her a long time ago. He's doing fine, love. He's started to kick. Do you want to feel?"

Kiruma rapidly shook her head, backing to the edge of the couch, but Kushina took her hand gently.

"It's alright," she told her with a happy smile. "You won't hurt anything." Kiruma watched, eyes wide and round, as Kushina pressed her small, bandaged fingers against her stomach. Minato stood and placed an arm around his wife's shoulder, watching the two with amused eyes.

For a moment there was nothing, and then Kiruma's eyes bulged slightly.

"Did you feel it?" Kushina laughed. She squeezed Kiruma's hand. "You'll help take care of him, won't you?"

Kiruma's mouth opened and then closed, not knowing what to say.

"I- With my job- I…" she looked down at her hands, the bandages covered now with thin black gloves.

"I'll be there… when he or she needs me most," she promised reluctantly. Kushina broke into a wide beaming smile and hugged her tightly.

"I knew I could count on you-ttebane!" she whispered into Kiruma's ear. "Now go to that party, ne? Go have fun!"

"Come back by if you have time," Minato called after her. "I have something for you that you may find useful."

Kiruma nodded and walked to the door, waving as she left, another promise lingering in her mind. Hopefully this one wouldn't cause her too much grief.

Kiruma walked to the party slowly, taking her time. Promising to show up didn't necessarily mean she had to be on time, and she didn't intend to stay long. She strolled by houses with Christmas lights strung up on the roofs and wreaths hung up on the doors, watching in amusement as children ran across the streets hurling snowballs at each other.

She blinked the snowflakes out of her eyes and was grateful for the scarf, though it was still cold with her top stopping at her upper torso. She stiffened as she felt someone drape a coat over her shoulders, whirling around.

Who could have possibly snuck up on her…?!

She inhaled sharply and her breath caught in her throat when she recognized him. Without thinking, she threw her arms around his neck in a hug, surprising both of them.

"Salem!" she breathed, her breath fogging up the air. His eyes widened in surprise, but he returned the hug tightly, breaking into that wolfish smile she loved.

"I thought that was you, Red," he greeted her warmly. He caught his coat before it slipped off her shoulders and draped it over her again, and she accepted it reluctantly, shivering in the cold.

"You look different," he noted, eyeing her new attire. She scowled.

"Kurenai-san. Don't laugh."

"Why would I laugh? You're beautiful." She just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"I'm being forced to go to a Christmas party," she told him, meeting the honey colored eyes she hadn't seen in nine months.

"Who could possibly force you into doing anything?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.

She just mumbled something darkly under her breath, and Salem caught something about 'damn scarecrows.'

She walked towards Kurenai's house, pausing and turning to glare at him when he didn't follow.

"Aren't you coming?" she asked. Salem's heart beat faster, but he kept his expression set at slightly amused.

"I don't remember getting an invitation."

"Well consider yourself invited," she told him flatly, grabbing his arm. "I'm not going into this hellhole alone."

He grinned at her.

"Are you inviting me on a date, Red?" he teased. He actually heard her growl in the back of her throat at his comment.

"These things are more dangerous than missions. I need a fighter," she muttered under her breath. Then louder, "Keep me from drinking. Don't let them slip me anything."

"Yes, ma'am," he answered smartly, earning him a sharp jab to the stomach. He let out a small 'oof'. She'd gotten a hell of a lot stronger in the past few months, and he was pretty sure she'd almost cracked one of his ribs.

"You seem better than before," he noted. They walked in silence for a moment, and Kiruma appeared to be deep in thought. She paused suddenly, turning around to face him. There was a silence as he just watched her, confused as to why they had stopped.

She kept her eyes on the ground, and her voice was unusually hesitant.

"Salem, my mother died."

Salem stiffened, unable to speak. He wouldn't know what to say even if he could. This was so out of character for her, to willingly bring something up about herself… especially something as personal as that. She looked uncomfortable, grey eyes not quite meeting his as she fidgeted. He almost apologized for her loss, almost, until he remembered countless others doing the same when his own mother had been killed. Just because someone was sorry didn't make it okay, and it didn't make anything better. So Salem remained silent, waiting for her to explain.

Snow started to fall as the sound of the icy wind cut through the heavy silence. Finally Kiruma broke it.

"She killed herself, while I was absent long term… and I- I thought you should know." She ran a hand through her hair, feeling her face redden and knowing it wasn't just from the cold.

"It wasn't your fault," he told her firmly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they walked.

"You don't believe that," she replied calmly, trying in vain to keep the trace of bitterness out of her voice.

"Everything you did was for her," he told her sharply. "It wasn't your fault." She didn't answer, but simply grimaced, and he knew it would be a long time before she believed him, if she ever would.

"Either way, I promised to keep you up to date, and that was a long time ago. It's in the past, so…" she trailed off, grey eyes turning to the street in front of her.

"It's time to move on."

"So now it's just you and your brother," Salem guessed quietly as they walked. She nodded absentmindedly, her thoughts elsewhere.

"My family is moving to Suna," he informed her suddenly, sensing the need for a change in subject. "My father was offered a job there in architecture."

She glanced at him quickly.

"Are you leaving too?" He glanced at her in surprise, hoping he hadn't imagined the panicked note of worry in her voice.

Would you miss me?

He shook his head.

"I'm staying here with Ru."

"Ru?"

"The kid from our joint assassination mission."

"Oh." Kiruma didn't remember. She'd killed too many.

"They found his parents, apparently both are ninja who were on a joint mission with Konoha, and when they found out immediately wanted to come back to raise him. They arrived here yesterday, and I think they want to transfer their loyalty to this village, though if the Hokage doesn't approve they want to stay as citizens to be here for him."

"That's good," she replied absentmindedly. He nodded, and they walked in silence for a while.

"It's been quiet here without you, Red." She snorted.

"Bet you guys loved that."

"You were missed."

She just shook her head, oblivious to his eyes following her as she walked up the path to Kurenai's house.

She knocked and mentally hoped that no one would answer, but almost immediately the door opened to reveal Kurenai standing in the doorway, looking flawless as ever with her wavy black hair and perfectly applied makeup.

"Kiruma!" she exclaimed happily, "Finally, you're here. And…!" she drew in a surprised breath. "You brought a date! I can't believe this!"

Kiruma coughed forcefully, grabbing Salem's sleeve and pulling him past the excited girl. She looked like she was about to faint.

"I remember that one. Energetic isn't she?" Salem noted, smirking.

"Mhm," Kiruma agreed absentmindedly, looking around the room. Christmas lights and garland were strung all around the ceiling and up the staircase. The room was huge, and a space for dancing had been cleared out in the center. It was full of both familiar and foreign faces.

Kiruma's stomach sank. She hated this environment.

"Come on, let's catch up about the past nine months," Salem suggested, pulling her over to a table by a window. She nodded, following him and sitting down.

"Want something to drink?" Salem asked, pouring himself a cup of what looked like fruit punch. She blanched.

"Absolutely not."

Kakashi watched the party's proceedings with mild disinterest. His eyes wandered to the corner not for the first time, where Kiruma was quietly talking to that blue haired boy he often used to see with her. She wasn't smiling, but there was a certain amusement lighting up her eyes as he spoke to her.

He found himself wandering over towards them, picking up a glass of water on the way.

"Care for some, Koizumi?" he asked lazily, offering her the glass. Her eyes narrowed.

"Funny," she replied dryly.

"For old time's sake?" Amusement glittered in his one visible eye.

She just rolled her eyes.

"Sa, you've met Scarecrow before, right?" Kiruma leaned back in her chair, returning her gaze to her blue haired partner.

He nodded.

"You two weren't quite getting along, if I remember right," Salem commented quietly, his tone suddenly cool. Kiruma faintly recalled Kakashi's anger towards her, throwing her to the ground, Salem intervening, and the mutual agreement to stay away from each other.

"And look at us now," Kakashi drawled. "Roommates in the same dorm."

Salem stiffened in surprise and glanced at Kiruma, who crossed her arms with a slight growl.

"Temporarily, Scarecrow. You'll be lucky if I stay more than a night."

"You needed a place to stay?" Salem asked stiffly, his eyes suddenly colder. She shrugged.

"Not exactly, but the house was too big for just me, and a bit too… empty," she told him lightly, though there was a hardness in her eyes at the onslaught of unwanted memories as to why her house was so empty.

He understood immediately.

"Why didn't you stop by?" he asked, carefully hiding the small stab of hurt that she'd found this silver haired idiot first.

"Sa," she protested. "I'm not gonna barge in on your family on Christmas Eve."

"What's this, Koizumi?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Are you actually showing concern for others? And here I thought you didn't care."

Kiruma scowled, about to brutally deny it, but Salem cut her off just as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Why don't you take my sister's room when my family leaves?" he offered, grinning at her. "Just like old times, right? But you won't have to crawl through the window anymore."

"R-really?" she questioned, vehemently hating the sudden stutter in her voice.

"Why not? It'll just be me and Apollo soon, so you should join."

She flushed crimson, unwilling to admit that she was touched and somewhat embarrassed by the offer. It was true though that this way she wouldn't be such an inconvenience to Kakashi, who was forced to sleep on the couch, despite his claims that it wasn't a problem.

"Perhaps," she answered finally, willing the heat in her cheeks to die down. She didn't want to intrude on Salem either, but she couldn't deny that she missed her old ANBU partner, and it had been ages since she'd seen her dog.

He grinned his wolfish smile.

"But you can't do anything like you did last time!" Kiruma snarled, her small bandaged hands curling into fists.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Salem answered innocently, his eyes twinkling.

"Did I miss something?" Kakashi questioned curiously, raising an eyebrow.

"You damn well know what I'm talking about," Kiruma hissed, her glare almost burning holes in her blue haired companion.

"You mean that little kiss? Awh, c'mon Red, are you still harping me about that? That was ages ago," Salem replied jokingly, ruffling her hair. She slapped his hand away, eyes murderous. Kakashi blinked in surprise.

"I'm warning you, Inuzuka Salem-"

"Did I hear something about a kiss?" Kurenai appeared out of nowhere, slinging her arms around the two boys, a suspiciously bright smile on her face.

"Which one of you two was the lucky one that pulled it off?" Her grin grew wider as Salem snickered.

"Poor Red," he taunted, "Didn't even know what a kiss was, did you?"

Kurenai's jaw dropped as Kiruma turned bright crimson. Then Kurenai was almost doubled over in laughter.

"Somehow it makes so much sense I'm not even surprised," Kakashi drawled casually, making Kiruma shift her burning glare to him.

"H-h-how?" Kurenai practically choked on her laughter. "Didn't your mother ever teach you about love?"

Both Salem and Kakashi stiffened, but Kiruma seemed unaffected by her words.

"No," she answered simply, her cheeks reddening further when Kurenai started laughing harder.

"Th-this is too good!" the girl hiccupped, before releasing the boys to lean close to Kiruma.

"Ne, Kiruma, don't tell me… You at least know how to make love, right? You know what that is?"

Kiruma's blush faded somewhat as genuine confusion set in.

"What? Kurenai are you drunk? It's impossible to make love. Love isn't an object that's manufactured."

Kurenai's jaw dropped again.

"No. Way. You really don't even know what sex is."

"I'll teach her what it is," Kakashi offered lazily, amusement in his eyes.

"Isn't that just a word for gender?" Kiruma demanded impatiently.

Kurenai was speechless. Kakashi winked at her, and her angry blush returned.

Kiruma stood, slamming her hands on the table and glaring at both Kurenai and Kakashi.

"Fine, Scarecrow," she snarled through her teeth. "Teach me, then. Right now."

Kakashi dropped the glass he was holding in surprise, and a dark blush appeared above his mask. Kurenai practically choked.

"Er- Koizumi-"

"Well?" she demanded.

"Absolutely not," Salem growled, suddenly leaping to his feet and stepping in front of Kiruma as Kakashi spluttered for an answer.

"Red, come with me, we need to talk."

Kiruma suddenly found herself being dragged away from a speechless Kurenai and a crimson Kakashi by her elbow and before she knew it, they were outside in the back, Salem closing the sliding doors behind him.

"What the hell-?!"

"Red, why are you living with him? I thought you two were staying away from each other?" Salem's voice was low and earnest as his eyes searched her face for an answer.

"What? Why does that matter?" Kiruma looked up at him in confusion. His slanted gold eyes were staring at her with an intensity that made butterflies dance nervously in her stomach.

"Answer me," he ordered softly.

"Sa- I don't know, I was coming home from work and planned to move out, and we ran into each other, it was coincidental and he didn't exactly take no for an answer… but why does it matter?"

A defensive edge was beginning to creep into her voice, and she pulled her arm out of his grip, glaring at him. What was he accusing her of?

"The last time I saw the two of you together he threw you to the ground right after you woke up from a coma," Salem hissed, golden eyes boring into hers. "…and you both agreed to stay away from each other, and now… now you're living together?"

"I didn't think that much about it, Sa," she snapped impatiently. "Honestly I don't know why he wanted to avoid me, and I don't know what made him change him mind, and to me it doesn't matter. The fight was right after he lost a team mate. That kind of stress makes people do things they regret. I don't ask about his decisions, they're his business. What are you so angry about?"

"I don't want him hurting you, Red," Salem muttered angrily. "I don't want him touching you." Kiruma snorted.

"As if that baka Scarecrow could touch me if he tried," she muttered, before meeting his eyes, soft grey to burning gold. Then her eyes searched his.

"Why are you so upset?" He grit his teeth and didn't answer, just growling quietly in the back of his throat. She sighed.

"Don't worry so much, Sa," she told him, her voice still sharp but her eyes gentle. "I'm glad that you care, and it's nice that you to have my back, but I can take care of myself. And regardless, I think I will come stay with you. I don't want to intrude in his dorm any longer than necessary. He can't even cook," she snorted.

Salem was quiet for a moment, his chest suddenly feeling lighter. The old Kiruma would have immediately snapped that she didn't need his concern, or anyone else's and never would have shown appreciation for his protection. He liked this new trust she showed him. He liked it a lot.

And she'd accepted his offer.

"Okay," he said finally. "I trust you." Then he remembered the other thing he'd wanted to save her from before things got too far.

"But I don't trust you when it comes to love, you idiot," he growled. "You have no idea what you just asked Hatake to teach you."

She blinked.

"The thing about making love and the word 'sex'?" she guessed with a snort. "Kurenai-san sure makes a strange drunk."

"No, Red," Salem rolled his eyes. "You're just naïve."

He leaned in to whisper in her ear, and had the satisfaction of watching her face slowly flush darker crimson with every sentence he spoke. When he finally pulled away, her eyes were wide as saucers and her blush was nearly purple.

"Now do you understand what you asked Hatake for?" he asked, blushing a little himself. He'd never imagined he'd have to educate anyone in that topic. That was a job for mothers, but of course, that was exactly why Kiruma was having this reaction now.

She was speechless. And then she swore.

"Oh Kami," she gasped breathlessly, actually looking like she was going to pass out for a moment.

He grinned wolfishly and reached out to grab her shoulders, steadying her.

"What... the hell!" she exclaimed loudly, in a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

I don't think I can bring myself to look Hatake in the eye anymore.

"Shh, calm down, Red, you didn't know. They'll understand that."

She pressed a hand against her forehead and covered her eyes, letting out a quiet groan of despair.

"I'm never going to live this down."

"Awh, Red, don't say that," he comforted her with a small smile. He took her hand, pulling it away from her face so that he could look her in the eyes. "You've pulled through everything else, haven't you? And look at you now. You're perfect."

Why do his eyes make me feel so warm?

He saw the small flash of surprise in her eyes at the compliment, and then the warmth that followed, softening her expression.

"I told you I needed a fighter," she mumbled, her disgruntled tone barely concealing the genuine affection and appreciation in her voice. His breath caught slightly as she leaned towards him, almost unaware that she was even doing it.

Her eyes met his, and he leaned down slightly, his hand still wrapped gently around her wrist. He slid it down to interlock with her fingers and waited until she was close enough that he could feel her warm breath on his cheek. It sent tingles through his body in the cold air. Her eyes closed halfway, heartbeat quickening as he copied the gesture.

She seemed frozen in place and he leaned closer, his lips a mere inch from hers, and he could see her tilting her head towards his, their lips just about to brush when she suddenly looked away, her breath catching in her throat as she realized what she'd been about to do.

She lowered her eyes, and there was a silence as Salem felt a small surge of disappointment. She had been so close to trusting him, so close to letting that wall, that constant defense, slip away.

"Salem, I can't." She wasn't looking at him, and her voice was strained, barely masking the pain hidden beneath. "I can't."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly, smiling through his disappointment.

"I know."

She met his eyes, reaching up on her toes, and kissed him on the cheek, before letting her hand slip from his and walking back inside. His face was warm when she went back in, and he couldn't help but feel better, despite the rejection.

He knew, without a doubt, that this was farther than Kiruma would go with anyone, and the simple gesture she had just offered was huge to her. He remembered the days when she would hiss at him for brushing against her as he passed her and couldn't help but grin.

They'd come far. And she'd be leaving the stupid Scarecrow soon.

Things were looking up.

I am more than open to suggestions, artwork, ideas, and summary help (because mine is rather pitiful) and I would love to oblige to little requests (i.e. Kushina moments, Kakashi moments, Fight scenes, jealousy scenes, and fun little filler ideas… you get the picture) because that makes things all the more interesting!

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