The next morning, Kakashi was lounging outside on a rock reading his book, trying to get his mind off what had happened the previous day. As for the genin, they had the day off. It was a comfortable day with a slight breeze tossing the trees. Kakashi had been reading peacefully, or at least trying to read. He would begin to read where he left off, but then his mind would wonder from the words on the page to what the Okami had said to him. He'd catch himself drifting off, sigh, shake his head, and return to reading. Kakashi felt a presence slowly come closer to his spot. A shadowed figure prowled around in the shadows of the forest. Once Kakashi saw the figure out of the corner of his eye, he began to track it silently with his eye. He continued to act as if he was still reading. The bushes rustled and his muscles tensed, preparing for the worst possible scenario.

Then, a grey wolf poked its head out of the bushes. It looked left, right, and then left again. It ducked its head back into the bush, it rustled and the wolf slowly crawled out of the bush. Kakashi noted that the wolf had a konoha loosely placed around its neck. He put his book away and placed his feet on the ground and elbows on his knees.

Kakashi perked up, "Rai?" He questioned the wolf as it slinked closer to him. It crouched low and trotted over to him as fast as its legs would let it. "No… Kiori… No, Chi?" Kakashi tried to correct himself as he silently sniffed the air. The wolf looked up at him as it got to his feet. "Wha- What are you doing with Rai's hitai-ate?" Kakashi asked.

"I have a message from Rai." Chi stated as she lowered her head and allowed the headband to slide off her neck. Once it gently plopped to the ground, she raised her head and sat down. Kakashi braced himself. "I am going to repeat everything Rai told me." Chi explained. She then closed her eyes and cleared her throat. "The deal has been set. The promise will be fulfilled. Nasaki, of the Nikkei, has asked me to be his mate and I must follow through. The ritual will take place on the night of the full moon.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there to tell you this personally, but I'm not allowed to see outsiders. They have agreed to let me come back and see my family and friends. I am sorry, goodbye." Chi then let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and opened her eyes and looked up at Kakashi. Kakashi was still trying to compute with all the information he had just received in the last several minutes. He sat there in shock. When he kept staring at the ground, not moving, and not responding, Chi got a little worried. "Do you want me to repeat that again?" She asked, her ears flat out to the side and a sweat drop going down the side of her face.

Kakashi knitted his brows together, "Full moon?" He questioned himself. Chi cocked her head to the right. Kakashi was still trying to grasp the situation. Phrases ran through his mind like an annoying song that is stuck in your head. 'Deal has been set', 'The promise', 'Nasaki', 'Full moon', 'Mate'! Kakashi muttered out again, "Full moon?" Chi nodded. "But-" Kakashi stammered out, "But isn't that tomorrow night?" Chi looked down. Kakashi shot up. Chi stood up, noting Kakashi's swift movement and trying not to get in the way as he took off past her at full speed. She just stood there, her head following Kakashi's form until he disappeared into the trees. She sighed, shaking her head. She bent her head down and slipped Rai's hitai-ate over her head and walked off after him. Kakashi raced as fast as he could to the cave. He was able to change into a wolf form. He turned into a beautiful silver-white wolf; he had random scars marring his body. However, the most distinct indication it was Kakashi was the konoha around his neck and the scar over his open sharingan eye. Nearing the cave, he became cautious and slowed down to a slow walk.

Rai had caught his scent and mindlessly sauntered out of the cave. She was hypnotized by it. She caught sight of him when she walked about 15 meters into the woods; her whole world came crashing back to reality. She was ready to bolt. He just froze and stared at her. "Rai…" He muttered. She looked like a deer in the headlights and was a breath away from turning tail and running. "Why?" He asked. Rai stood there staring at this man, in wolf form, that she knew. She panicked, then took several deep breathes before she found the courage to speak to him.

"As a friend, I ask of you to come to the ceremony," Rai stated plainly.

"What?" Kakashi questioned. This hit him like a ton of bricks; he was so stunned.

Rai took a deep breath and repeated, "Will you attend the ceremony?" She tried to sound as emotionless as possible, though her throat almost choked her and her heart was aching.

Kakashi stared at her for a minute, "Rai… Why are you going through with this?" He muttered as he stepped towards her.

"Kakashi," Rai sighed in sorrow and frustration.

"NO! I can't have you go through with this!" He demanded, stamping his left front foot. Rai sighed again, turned her back to him, and sat down.

"Kakashi…" She didn't know what to say, "I… I don't think…" She mumbled. "If you're not happy for me… then, you should probably not attend the ceremony…"

This hit Kakashi so hard it made him flinch, "What…"

"Just promise me, Kakashi, you won't ruin it and don't do anything stupid when I'm gone," Rai stated as she stood and began to walk off.

"Rai!" He called out. She stopped but only to take a quick glance over her right shoulder.

"I'm sorry," She muttered. She turned her head, hung it low, and walked away in shame and grief.

"Rai!" He called out again, "RAI!" His voice faded away into the crisp night air. That night, neither of them could sleep. Kakashi was tossing and turning on his bed. He couldn't believe this was happening. It was almost as if this was a dream, or nightmare to be more exact. It didn't feel real at all.