Chapter 23 - Falling

Trevor Daniel

Author note:

Alrighty readers we are getting into the final stretch of this story. Thank you so much for all the people willing to write reviews. You all rock, and I read each one multiple times while smiling. If you have enjoyed it so far please continue to leave reviews. I would very much appreciate it! Here's a juicy chapter for you all as we head into the last lap of this story. Enjoy.

"You wanted to speak to me?" Ren asked Tsunade when they were alone in her office.

Tsunade was busy rifling through papers on her desk, but when she saw Ren she put them aside and gave Ren her full attention. "Yes, Ren I have a special mission for you." She motioned for her to take a seat.

Ren sat down and waited for the assignment. Tsunade laced her fingers together and put them in front of her mouth before speaking.

"Ren, I need you to go back to your other world."

Ren shifted in her seat anxiously, not sure what prompted this abrupt demand.

Tsunade continued. "The truth is we are inevitably headed towards war, and the thought of this country going through another is abhorrent to me. I've gone over in my head endless times, the information you gave the Third Hokage, and I can't help but think that you are the key to preventing it."

She stared at Ren, gauging her reaction.

"I need you to get me that information about Tobi's plan. This is available in your world isn't it?"

Ren nodded slowly.

"If we could know what he is planning it would change everything, and it would save thousands of lives."

Ren spoke. "Hokage sama, I would be willing to do that for you, but... I don't have my mother's necklace to do so."

Tsunade stared at her intensely.

"I know." Tsunade finally said. Ren knew what she meant by that.

Ren sat silent for a while, not sure how to approach the next part of the conversation.

Tsunade continued it for her. "I need you to bring back Orochimaru and get that necklace back from him. The fate of our village depends on it."

"Pour me another one."

"Me too."

Ren heard the conversation among her fellow shinobi play out in the bar. She found herself staring at the bottom of the cup, her face reflecting her fears for the morrow. She swirled it to mess up the image and took a drink.

"I need to get home and see my wife… who knows if I'll ever see her again." Ren heard an older man say as he got up to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow Kaji," his friend said to him.

The mood was dismal. Several missions were heading out tomorrow, and with the current situation not many were making it back home it seemed. Ren agreed to her mission reluctantly, not that she was really given a choice. To make matters worse she was to head out with none other than Anko Mitarashi. That fact alone was enough to cause her anxiety, but Ren couldn't believe her ears when Tsunade told her that she wanted them to find Kabuto and use the DNA he had implanted in himself to resurrect Orochimaru. Ren imagined that Anko wasn't too happy with those arrangements either.

Tsunade had finished the conversation by smiling and telling Ren that she trusted her to be able to accomplish the mission. Ren wished she could go back to when Tsunade was suspicious of her every move instead…

A familiar voice spoke. "What brings you here?" Ren turned around. Kakashi was standing behind Ren's back.

She stood up too fast. "Oh, you're here?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I didn't think I would see you before I head off tomorrow…" She couldn't help but feel her eyes get dewy without permission.

"Mm… I didn't think so either… But Guy was determined to make it back for this get together of his." His eyes scanned the room and the unenthusiastic crowd.

Ren looked over towards Guy sensei who had just walked in. He seemed to be the only one in the room who was enjoying himself. She realized her arms were still around Kakashi and quickly removed them. "Would you like a drink? I'm buying," she asked.

"No… I need to keep a clear head." He looked away. His cheeks already looked pink and Ren wondered whether he already had a few drinks. She motioned and Kakashi took the seat next to her.

"What do you want?" The busy bartender asked.

"Nothing, thanks." Kakashi said again. The bartender looked relieved.

Ren stared at Kakashi. He looked nervous, which was rare for him as he usually exuded an indifferent confidence.

"A yenny for your thoughts?" Ren asked with the last sip of her drink. Kakashi looked at her confused; obviously not familiar with the adapted English expression.

"Just thinking about the future… At least I think that's what you are asking." Kakashi stared at Ren for a moment too long and then looked away. "Actually I think I'll have that drink."

She smiled at him and motioned the bartender for one more. He passed her one and she slid it over to Kakashi.

He took a sip and placed his cup on the table. "Can we talk for a second?"

"Sure."

He looked around. "Can we go outside?"

"Mm." Ren nodded.

They walked out the door and stood by a nearby fence which looked over a small canal. The moon was high in the sky tonight and the air was chilly, but not cold. In any other circumstances it would have been beautiful.

"Ren, I just-" Kakashi began.

"WELL LOOK AT THAT!" Guy sensei came up from out of the bar and placed one arm around each of them. "Look at this guy. He drags me all the way from my warm bed to attend this party, only to be antisocial. The party is inside! Eh Kakashi?"

Kakashi was not amused.

"Ja-" Kakashi attempted to speak.

Guy interrupted him. "He was like- Come on Guy, it will be fun. AND BOY IS IT." Ren wondered how someone could get drunk that fast. Kakashi pushed Guy away back towards the entrance.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head and with a squinty smile said, "On second thought, how about I walk you home instead?"

Ren smiled. "Sure. Let me go pay the tab and we can head out." Ren answered, reaching for her wallet.

"I've got it." He went inside before she could enter.

…

They walked mostly in silence. She knew from experience that there was no point in prodding Kakashi. He would say what he wanted if you gave him the time.

"You didn't drink much." He stated.

"No… no point in getting a hangover before tomorrow." She replied.

More silence.

The crickets chirped and the grass swayed with the gentle wind.

Kakashi spoke. "So… I heard about your mission tomorrow."

"Yeah…"

"I wanted to see you before you left. You can do it Ren."

She was grateful for his confidence, but lacked the internal trust within herself. They made it to her apartment.

"Ja… well, it would probably be good for you to get some rest before tomorrow. So…" he trailed off.

She didn't want him to leave.

"Okay." She smiled and the alcohol gave her permission to grab and squeeze his hand. "Be safe while I am gone…" She said and willed herself away awalking up the stairs to her front door.

"Ren -"

She looked down the staircase.

His cheeks were blushing and his hand reached for the back of his head like they always did when he was uncomfortable.

Ren stepped slowly back down the staircase, as her heart began to beat faster.

"... I just want to let you know…" They were eye to eye.

"Yeah?" Ren posed, her eyes wide and searching.

Time seemed to slow down. The moment was full of infinite possibilities and Ren let herself believe that they were possible. Finally after what felt like years, Kakashi spoke.

"I... care for you…" He said.

Ren's heart filled with warmth. It was an indescribable feeling to her.

She leaned forward and pressed her lips tentatively to his mask, feeling the vague outline of his lips. When she pulled back they stared at each other for a moment. Neither intending for the night to go this way.

Then with one smooth practiced movement Kakashi pulled his mask off and wrapped his arms around Ren's waist pulling her in for a close embrace. Her arms reached naturally atop his shoulders as her fingers gently slid through his hair, caressing the base of his head. Their lips touched, soft and tender.

Ren pulled away and whispered into his ear. "Let's go inside." They separated and looked around for peeping Tom's as if nothing had happened, walking into her apartment with a respectable distance between the two of them.

She couldn't close the door fast enough before Kakashi had pinned her against the wall, one hand cupping her face and pulling it closer to his, the other gripping her hip. His lips found hers again and their mouths ebbed and flowed as they discovered a rhythm all their own.

Ren playfully bit Kakashi's lip. He pulled away with a small moan and eyed Ren's couch with a mischievous look. She smiled back and led him gently by the hand to the seating area.

She slowly lay back on the couch and waited for Kakashi to follow, feeling suddenly very vulnerable. He carefully lowered himself on top of her and she felt the weight of his body surround her like a warm blanket. He kissed her tenderly just under her jaw below her ear and then once more on her lips.

When he pulled back, Ren thought her heart would burst.

She looked up at him, her hands gently trailing down his face and said, "I love you."

He smiled and kissed both of her cheeks before raising his head up.

"I love you, too." He said.

Their lips found each other again deepening the kiss, not knowing whether they would have the chance again.