Part Two

Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto were looking up at a large billboard, Naruto scratched his head, "What's so interesting about this?"

"It's Ria, she has a new album out and it looks like she's touring, tickets are already sold out for her concert in Konoha, I really wanted to go, she's so beautiful," Sakura mused her eyes big and bright as she looked up at the face on the boards.

Naruto shrugged, "I think you're prettier, Sakura, look it's probably all just makeup or whatever. Nobody looks like that and sounds like her, it's all fake, I bet she has a big head and isn't very nice at all."

Pakkun snarled darkly at Naruto overhearing his words, "Nobody talks about my Ria like that!"

"Your Ria?" Sasuke frowned catching the words.

"You know Ria?" Sakura was surprised looking at Pakkun.

"Of course we do," Pakkun glanced up at Kakashi.

Naruto barked out in laughter, "There is no way Kakashi-sensei knows a celebrity like her."

Kakashi rubbed his neck, "Why not?"

"Well for one, she is a famous musician that tours the world and you're you," Naruto sniggered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kakashi was confused.

"Oh don't listen to him, he's being stupid," Sakura pressed her hands together her eyes bright, "How well do you know her? Well enough to be able to get tickets to her upcoming concert?"

Kakashi glanced up at the board, "Oh yeah, that. Sorry, they've been sold out for a long time now."

"See," Naruto grinned, "He doesn't know her."

"Come on, let's go to lunch, this conversation is going nowhere," Sasuke sighed, Kakashi agreed and led the group off whilst Sakura was glum.

Neji, Lee and TenTen were training with Gai when Neji stopped for a second glancing about his byakugan in full force, "What is it Neji?" TenTen asked.

"There is someone…" he was stopped when a woman landed beside him, she saluted at Gai,

"Sorry for being late Gai-sensei, what drill are we on?" she grinned making Gai blush red along with the other two boys who choked.

"Ria!" he shrieked and pulled her into his arms swinging her around as she giggled tears streaming down his face, "You're home!"

Neji and Lee couldn't stop staring at her, she was beautiful, it was hard to look anywhere else, she just had that sort of aura that drew you in, it was enchanting, TenTen suddenly shrieked covering her mouth, "You're…you're…"

Gai grinned brightly his arm around Ria's shoulders as he pulled her in close to him, she was smiling her eyes on him, "This is my best friend in the whole world."

Ria turned to the three, "This is your Team, Gai?"

He nodded, "Yes, TenTen," he pointed at her, "Neji and Lee."

"You three are very lucky to have Gai as your Sensei, he was mine too, well I should say he still is my Sensei," she grinned cheekily at Gai whose eyes welled up,

"My best student."

"You were Gai-sensei's student?" Lee was trembling as he spoke to her, he couldn't imagine anyone like that being taught by Gai.

She nodded, "Gai taught me Taijutsu, granted I'm nowhere near as good as he is, but if he can teach an absolute idiot like me than I have no doubt you three are going to be legendary shinobi in your own right."

"Aren't you a singer?" TenTen mumbled starstruck.

Again Ria nodded, "Yes."

"That's right, aren't you supposed to be on tour right now?" Gai asked her.

She giggled, "I changed some dates around, I heard your Team was going to be in the Chunin Exam and there is no way I am missing that."

"You came for me," his eyes were bright.

"I'd always be here for you," she said sweetly and touched his cheek, it made the three stare even harder, they could not understand how someone so famous and stunning could be so close to Gai, "It's been so long since I have had time to be at home and with you, so let's have dinner, tonight. I am meant to go see Kurenai later."

"Have you seen Kakashi yet?" he asked, she shook her head,

"I just got here."

"And you came to see me first?" his eyes sparkled at that.

Ria laughed, "Rivalry still going strong I see," she ruffled his hair, "I'll see you tonight then, and guys," she glanced at his team, "I'll be rooting for you, you can't let our amazing Sensei down," with that she ran off leaving them stunned.

Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto had just sat down to order they were looking at the menu when someone dropped down beside Kakashi, "You know what I like."

He nodded, not reacting in the slightest, "It's always the same."

She grinned, "It was the first thing I learned to read, it's special to me."

"You're…you're…" Sakura spluttered her eyes wide and in shock.

"It's nice to meet you too, Sakura," Ria said politely, "Sasuke," she glanced at Sasuke and then Naruto, "Naruto," she waited for Kakashi who nodded making her grin, "Yay, well I'm Ria, Kakashi probably told you nothing at all about me."

Kakashi shrugged, "Not much to say, they all have their view on you nothing I say will affect it, Naruto thinks you have a big head and that you can't sing, what else was it Naruto?"

He had gone bright red, purple when Ria looked at him, she was silent for a moment then burst into giggles as he squirmed, "I didn't, I didn't mean…"

"It doesn't matter Naruto, you can think and say what you want, maybe you are right."

"You're so pretty," he breathed staring at her breathless.

"Well keep your hands off, this lady is mine," Pakkun jumped into Ria's lap making her laugh happily,

"My Pakkun," she hugged him tightly, "How's my favorite boy?"

"Happy you're home now, how long are you staying?" he asked her.

"Till the end of the Chunin Exams," she replied.

Sakura was still staring at her in awe unable to say anything so Naruto dived in, "You are going to watch the Chunin Exams?"

She looked up and smiled nodding, "Of course, I heard that Kurenai, Asuma, Gai and Kakashi's team was competing this year, I had to come to support them. Then I have back to back dates in my touring calendar so I'm completely busy."

"You know Kurenai-sensei, Gai-sensei, and Asuma-sensei?" Naruto was surprised, "Aren't you just a singer?"

"She's not just a singer!" Pakkun snarled.

Ria held him tight, Naruto balked but Ria smiled warmly, "I'm not shinobi if that's what you mean, but yes I do know them, Gai and Kakashi were my sensei's too, so I have to root for my sibling students," she grinned cheekily.

"Kakashi-sensei was your sensei? How?" Sasuke asked, his curiosity peaking.

Kakashi sighed, "No need to be dramatic, Ria, I only taught her to read and write."

"And the Summoning Jitsu," she added, "And how to break out of Genjutsu, Gai trained me in Taijutsu."

"You taught her all that," Naruto stared accusatorially at Kakashi, "And she's not even shinobi!"

Again Kakashi sighed, "Ria's easy to teach, unlike some," he narrowed his eye at Naruto, "She actually listens."

"And you sing amazingly, and you play every instrument there is, and you write your own songs and compose them, you are so amazing," Sakura breathed in awe.

Ria blushed, "Music is just something I'm not useless at."

They chatted over dinner, Kakashi staying his usual distant self, Sakura leaned over feeling a little braver, "So, Ria, do you think you can get us tickets to your concert in Konoha? Seeing as we are Kakashi-sensei's students?"

Ria thought for a moment but then shook her head, "Sorry Sakura," she slumped back down, depressed, "It really is sold out and has been for months, it's a health and safety issue."

"Oh, I thought you were close friends with Kakashi-sensei," Sakura mumbled.

"You could have just told me your students wanted tickets," Ria glanced at Kakashi, he shrugged,

"I didn't know till today either."

"I don't see why I can't just add another date to my tour, I'll do a special date for you guys and whoever you want to bring, invitation-only so we can cap the amount," she glanced at Sakura, "It's that okay?"

"A private gig?" she repeated shocked, even Naruto and Sasuke were surprised.

She nodded, "What about tomorrow night? I would say tonight but I have dinner with Gai, just let me know before the end of today and I'll organize it."

"You are actually going to do a gig for us?" Sakura couldn't believe it.

She smiled, "I'd do anything for Kakashi and Gai, they saved my life so it's the least I can do, if I had known you were interested in coming I would have saved you seats. Don't ever hesitate to ask me anything again, I am always happy to help."

"You saved her life?" Naruto glanced at Kakashi.

He shrugged, "She's being dramatic."

"Kakashi we both know I'm not," Ria corrected calmly, she looked up at the clock, "I am going to be late to see Kurenai and Asuma, I have rehearsals till 7 then I'm meeting Gai for dinner, let's go for drinks after," she glanced at Kakashi who thought about it then nodded, "I'll see you then, bye Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, I'm taking Pakkun with me," she grinned holding him as she ran off.

Naruto sighed, "She's amazing."

"She really is," Sakura sighed.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "Why does she have scars all over her back?"

"You noticed," Kakashi didn't bat an eyelid.

"Well she's not exactly hiding it," he replied, "It was all over her arms and back."

"Ria isn't the sort to hide herself, she is who she is, she hasn't had the best of past's and that is a massive understatement, but she still finds a way to smile and look forward, you would like her a lot more, the more you get to know her, she might not be shinobi but she has the Will of Fire," there was pride in Kakashi's voice as he spoke about her.

How long have you known her?" Sakura asked.

"Since she was 12," he answered, then tilted his head, "So it's been 14 years, wow times flown."

Sasuke frowned, "Didn't she say you taught her to read and write, she couldn't when she was 12?"

Kakashi nodded, "I did say she did not have a great past. She learned very quickly though, because she has focus and determination to succeed in her. Ria is a product of her own hard work and now she is one of the most famous faces in the world, and she isn't some big shot or a snob," he glanced at Naruto who gulped, "Other celebrities are surrounded by guards and keep their fans at a distance, Ria does everything for her fans, like adding another tour date despite the fact she hasn't had any real time off for the last 8 years. She makes time for everyone and she still regards Konoha her home, she's invested a lot of her money in our schools and hospitals, she is a genuinely good person. She hasn't forgotten her roots or her friends."

Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura were creeping up behind Ria, their eyes on her many scars, she was watching Gai and his team train, they took a break with Gai going to get drinks as Neji, Lee and TenTen came over to Ria. Neji narrowed his eyes at Team 7, "What are you guys doing?"

Ria answered before they could, "They are just looking at my scars."

"You knew we were here?" Sakura breathed.

"You didn't even turn around?" Naruto pointed at her.

She smiled, tilting her head to the side, "I might not be shinobi but I do know a little about sensory perception, and I noticed Sasuke notice my scars at lunch yesterday I'm not surprised you are looking too."

"What scars?" TenTen scratched her head.

Ria turned her back to them and lifted her hair up to show them all, sure enough her back was covered with silvery scars, "What happened?" Lee whispered.

She turned back to face them, "When I was born my parents sold me to a child trafficking ring," they all dropped to the ground,

"What?" they gasped, they were not expecting this story, she said it so matter of factly it didn't even seem real.

She nodded, "I was essentially in a prison from the moment I was born, I was forced to learn an art which for me was music and dance, every day, every hour all I did was sing and dance, sing and dance, a slave earning money for my owner if I did anything wrong I was beaten. Never on my face, or my hands or I wouldn't be able to sing or play music. By the time I was 8 years old, I was being thrown around to become a bride to one of my admirers, trafficked for my face and voice. I fought each person they tried to sell me to till I was 12 when they found a buyer in the Land of Fire, a powerful man who paid for Leaf Shinobi to escort me from the Land of Grass to his home."

"Leaf Shinobi?" Neji stared in disbelief.

Ria smiled, "I was lucky, the Leaf Shinobi that were paid for the job were Kakashi and Gai, of course they didn't know what they were doing, they thought they were just escorting me, not trafficking me. I managed to steal one of Kakashi's kunei and when I got to my new prison I used it to run away, they found me along with Master Jiraiya one of the legendary Sannin in the forest, when they found out the truth they saved me. They bought me here and gave me a new life and home, and freedom. I think the doctors said I had the worst torture injuries he had ever seen on a living person, I lost the feeling in 90% of my body, for months I had open wounds the number of clothes I destroyed and the bandaging," she sighed remembering, "It didn't bother me much as I couldn't feel anything but everyone else was convinced I was being annoying and hiding my pain. I managed to get incredible medical treatment through Master Jiraiya they managed to close all my wounds, all I have are the scars left, I still can't feel anything but its better than bloody clothes."

"You were tortured and imprisoned?" Sakura stared at her.

Ria smiled and patted Sakura's head warmly, "It's the past, mine was filled with darkness, pain and hate. I honestly believed the only way it would end would be if I killed myself. But Kakashi and Gai," her eyes brightened, "And Master Jiraiya, they gave me a life worth living. I came here a scared, suicidal 12-year-old. I was illiterate and weak. I couldn't even sleep because I was afraid someone would take me again, I was afraid I was living a dream and I'd wake up in my prison. Kakashi taught me the summoning jitsu so I could have his ninja hounds protect me whenever I was scared, they guarded me as I slept for years, he taught me to read and write, Gai taught me to fight so I could protect myself, Master Jiraiya helped me to create my own music they helped me separate my lives and become someone I wanted to be. It's been 14 years and I can't thank either of them enough for everything they did for me, it's also why I am so happy for you all, you don't know how your actions can affect those around you. It was Leaf Shinobi who made me who I am, who gave me a life, you can do that for many more."

Kakashi gripped the rails his eyes out at the village whilst Ria leaned her back against it, her eyes lowered, "I can't do it, I can't…after Rin and Obito…the way Gai feels about you, I can't be that person, it would crush him if I…I can't lose another friend…I can't…"

She touched his arm, "I know," he looked down at her, she smiled at him, "I haven't said anything so stop putting yourself in an imaginary difficult position, nothing has happened and nothing has been said."

"But," he began.

She stopped him, "As much as you don't want to be in that position, neither do I. You all mean a lot to me, and I couldn't stand if there was any animosity between any of you because of me. That's not who I am."

"Ria…" he mumbled.

She turned to face the village smiling sadly, "I wish things had been different, that I'd been born here and become a shinobi grown up with you all. I would have liked to have known you as an equal as opposed to a victim. But there is no use wishing for useless things, we aren't children," she stood up straighter, "No matter what happens I'll be here for you, both of you, you'll always be important to me, so do me a favor, stay alive and protect one another."

Gai looked at Kakashi, "There is something I've always been meaning to ask you."

"What?" Kakashi glanced at him.

"I asked Ria out when we were younger and she rejected me, it was the nicest rejection I ever got…"

"She rejected you?" Kakashi looked at him sharply his heart pounding.

"Of course she did," Gai nodded, "Anyway I wanted to know why you never asked her out, yourself? I mean you two would be great together and other than my eternal rival there is no one else that I think would be better for her. I'd probably kill anyone else that tried to go near her, but you, you've always cared about her."

"I…" Kakashi stuttered.

"What's wrong with her? She's beautiful, funny, she's caring and loving, you two are so similar…"

"I love her," Kakashi mumbled then went bright red covering his mouth.

Gai gasped, "You, what? Have you told her?"

Kakashi shook his head and looked at the floor dejectedly, "I couldn't."

"Why not?" he frowned.

"I didn't want to be that person who gets between two others, not again…"

Gai took hold of Kakashi's shoulders and violently shook him, "Cut it out, man! For one this is not the same thing that happened with Obito and Rin, and even that had nothing to do with you. This girl is Ria we are talking about, this is the girl you love, you are meant to fight for her not let someone else walk in regardless of who it is, and don't you ever think I wouldn't be happy to see you and her happy. Please tell me you, you haven't kept away from her because of me?"

Ria smiled a little shock in her eyes when she arrived at the meeting spot only to see Kakashi there, waiting, she sat down beside him, "It's not like you to be early and Gai to be late."

He jumped seeing her, his heart racing, "Oh um, Gai's not coming."

"Why?" she frowned, confused, "What happened? Is he okay?"

"No, no it's not like that, do you have a problem with eating alone with me?" he was worried, making her laugh,

"Of course I don't let's go, I'm starving." she got up, he immediately took her hand and led her in a different direction, "Where are we going?"

"Not in the village, we are going somewhere else."

"Okay," she replied a little unsure where this was going, but she let him lead her, this wasn't like Kakashi at all. They ended up in a distant restaurant that was completely private meaning there was a very slim chance they would be noticed by anyone they knew. Kakashi was a fidgeting mess throughout the meal, Ria tried her best to ignore it, it was clear he wanted to say something but needed time to figure out how to say it, when they finished eating and were just waiting for tea to finish it all off, Ria motioned for the waiter to pause for a moment. She took hold of both of Kakashi's hands making him freeze,

"Okay," she said gently, "What's wrong Kakashi? Why do you look like you're going to be sick?"

"Nothing's wrong," he squeaked shaking his head, "I just, I don't know how to say it."

"Breathe," she ordered and then smiled, "Why do you always find it so difficult to talk to me?" it hurt a little making her smile falter, "You know everything about me and I you, yet even then you get so nervous when you talk to me…"

"It's because I love you," he blurted out making her freeze and stare at him her eyes wide, "I have loved you from the moment we met and I still love you," he lowered his eyes unable to look at her as he continued, "All I want is to make you as happy as you make me, when I'm with you all the pain and darkness in my life just goes away because next to you I feel strong, I feel as if I can do anything, you make me want to be better. Every time I'm with you I know you are the only person I ever want to be with, the only person I want to live the rest of my life with you are the only person who has ever made me feel this way, I am just an idiot who loves you so much he freaks out in telling you how he feels."

Ria moved from opposite Kakashi, his head still lowered, he didn't know if she had left for time or in disgust, "Ria…" he began but he felt her sit down beside him, his heart went crazy as she took his face in her hands, she reached up pulled down his mask and kissed him, his hands automatically going around her waist his skin turning bright red. It was the most amazing thing he had ever felt, she was above him having moved on to her knees her arms around his neck as they deepened the kiss out of instinct, they broke away for air her head resting against his, their hearts beating in synch, "I love you," she whispered, "I love you Kakashi."

His eyes lit up he hugged her causing her to move down so she was in his lap he didn't ever want to let go, he touched her jaw to make her look at him both with so much love in each other's eyes, "Will you marry me?"

She couldn't help but smile and nod, "Yes, yes!"

Gai and Ria sat side by side near the top of Hokage Rock, he wanted all the details, "Tell me this Ria," he said suddenly his eyes looking out at the village, "When did you fall in love with him?"

Ria reddened, glancing up at him, she followed his gaze silent for a moment, "I don't really know, Gai. I don't think there was a single moment that made it happen, I don't really think love works like that. When I came back to the village after the 9 tails attack, after Minato and Kushina…" she couldn't really finish the sentence, "When I saw him and saw the pain he was in, I realized what he meant to me. Kakashi always keeps everything to himself, he pretends to ignore the pain and hurt for everyone else's sake, he takes everything on himself and it's not fair. He should never have had to deal with all this burden, apart from you, everyone around him demands so much from him, just thinks that he will solve everything because he's Kakashi, he's a genius, he'll do it. It's also why he never speaks about what he wants, what he likes, or even what he thinks. It hit me then, that day, that this was the boy who stopped me from killing myself, who was the reason I learned to sleep, learned to read, to write, to smile, he freed me from my pain and I wanted to do the same for him, but I was too much of a burden."

"He loves you," Gai said softly looking at her.

She lowered her eyes, "He cared so much about your friendship, admired and respected you so much he overcomplicated everything and chose to get hurt as opposed to talk."

"But he is talking, now, isn't he?" Gai needed to know, he was worried that Kakashi hadn't spoken to Ria.

Ria smiled, "He is," she leaned her head against his arm, "Thank you, for everything," her voice was soft.

Gai smiled putting his arm around her, "I'd do anything for you, either of you."

Kakashi arrived sitting beside Ria, "You both are unusually quiet."

Ria pulled him down so his head was in her lap, she played with his hair making him smile and relax, "Did you tell him?" Kakashi mumbled enjoying having Ria's fingers in his hair, it was always soothing to him.

She paused and blushed a deep red hiding her face as Gai frowned, "Tell me what?"

"Gai, will you do the honor of being my best man?" Kakashi asked him suddenly as he sat up, his eyes directly on Gai.

"What?" he jumped up hitting his head on the rail wincing as he rubbed his head, "Best man? What for?" his eyes fell down on Ria's hands which were covering her face, he shrieked and pulled her up, "You…you and Kakashi…you said…" Kakashi stood up and nodded,

"After we talked I thought I'd ask, there is no point delaying anything is not like we are in the Springtime of our Youth anymore…"

Gai burst into tears hugging Ria tightly, "You're getting married! My best friend and my eternal rival! And you want me to be your best man! Come on, come here, join the hug," he looked at Kakashi who paled backing off,

"No way Gai, it's not happening."

"Don't be shy," Gai began chasing Kakashi who dodged his every attempt running around Hokage Rock as Ria giggled still blushing, "Come here Kakashi…" their laughter was infectious and lightened the mood, Kakashi grabbed Ria and pulled her into his arms using her as a shield against Gai.