Chapter 25

Naome sighed as she sunk deeper into the warm water surrounding her. She had been in the hot spring for a while, and she figured she should probably leave now that her fingers were nice and wrinkly, but she didn't want to go out and face an angry Kakashi.

The mission, despite the messy start, was ultimately successful. Naome and Kotetsu arrived into the small town with about 15 of the girls who were all kidnapped, and returned them home safely. Kakashi and Izumo joined them a few hours later after having defeated all the shinobi in the establishment and captured the owner. They dropped the owner off with the nearest Konoha patrol team to be sent back to the Hidden Leaf for further interrogation.

As a team, they too began to make their way back to the village when Izumo and Kotetsu suggested to stop by an onsen as a treat for completing a successful mission. Naome agreed and Kakashi didn't disagree, so the decision was made. The only problem was, the best friends had insisted that the other two share a room in order to break the tension, and "mend their friendship and teamwork."

Naome had stayed in the women's onsen until her skin began to prune. She still didn't want to get up because she knew that she was in trouble with the copycat ninja as soon as she returned to the room. Afterall, he hadn't spoken a word to her the entire time, and at every small glance she took of him, he looked furious.

When she started getting light headed from the warmth and the steam, she finally decided to suck it up and head back to her room. She slipped into the bath robe that the onsen had provided and threw her hair up in one of the clean towels. Grabbing her clothes, she made her way out of the change room and down the hall to her and Kakashi's room.

The older man was expecting her when she walked in. He sat on the bed, glaring at the door with his arms crossed. His mask and headband were gone which emphasized the deep frown lines on his face. She could tell he was disappointed in her which made her feel all the more guilty.

Dropping her eyes to the floor like a kicked puppy, Naome approached the shinobi. "Hi…"

Kakashi stood up, towering over the tiny kunoichi. As he stepped forward, she backed up until her back met the wall of the room. The intensity in his eyes made her shrink a bit.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered.

"Do you know what you're sorry about?" It was her first time hearing his voice directed at her since the folding of the brothel. He was rougher than usual. She'd never heard him so tense before.

"Sorry for...getting captured and putting the mission at risk?"

He gave a frustrated grunt and grabbed her by the shoulders. The force of his hands made Naome flinch slightly. "Really? That's your answer? Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?"

"Well I'm safe now. Besides, how else would we have found them if I didn't get myself captured? Even the hounds said that they couldn't track the girls through the cover."

"To hell with the mission! What did they do to you while you were there?" Kakashi asked as he inspected her briefly.

"Nothing!" She pulled her robe tighter around her body, being self-conscious of his gaze. "I think you're underestimating me again."

He put one hand in his hair in frustration. "I'm not underestimating you. Do you know how many male shinobi were in that complex? Both guards and customers? Do you see the way they dressed you? You went in with no weapons. You were drugged, and you had no idea what the place even was!"

"And then I single-handedly took down at least 50 of them, and freed all the girls from their rooms-"

"And then what happened?" Kakashi interrupted. "You could have been dead if I arrived even a second later."

Kakashi's eyes were red and almost teary. His breathing ragged as he caught his breath and looked down at the girl in front of him. Naome's gaze softened, seeing how distraught her teacher was. She placed a palm on his chest and leaned in. "I'm sorry I put myself in danger. I'm sorry I went ahead without listening to your orders. But I'm safe now...so let's just relax okay?"

His grasp on her shoulder lightened but his gaze still remained intense as he looked her in the eyes. "I can't. I can't relax when it comes to you." He sighed. "I don't know what you want me to do, Naome. I really don't. I asked you - begged you several times, to keep yourself safe. But everytime I turn away, it's like you're running into danger. I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"What do you mean?" Her eyes scanned his, trying to decipher his words.

He closed his eyes, breath trembling as he spoke. "I mean I can't spend another moment worrying about your every move. It's causing me anxiety to think about what could happen to you."

"You don't...want me anymore?"

He shook his head. It broke him to the core to even consider that, especially now that he was beginning to succumb to his feelings for the girl. "Quite the opposite. I can't imagine what my life would be without you. I've lost and lost and lost every single person important to me in my life before. It would literally kill me if something were to happen to you." He pressed his forehead against hers, holding her tightly around the waist.

"So I beg you one last time. Please don't do anything that would get you in trouble. I'm not underestimating you. I've told you a million times how strong you were already. Hell, I'm proud beyond belief of how you took all of those shinobi and rogue ninjas down, but do it for Shikamaru, do it for yourself, and do it for me. Please, no more. Don't do anything reckless anymore alright?"

She closed her eyes as well. While one of her hands stayed on his chest, the other one went up to trace his scar. "Okay."

Kakashi gave her one last pleading look before pulling her into a tight embrace. His lips pressing against her's almost desperately. She responded to his actions with the same amount of unbearable emotion. For some reason, it felt like Kakashi had been more vulnerable with her today, like he was giving her hints of himself, and possibly even hints of his past. She wanted to ask about it, but for now, she accepted all that he was able to give to her.

Kakashi had lost his mind when he had found out that Naome had gone off on her own. He followed the sound of the whistle, well ahead of his team, and his heart stopped when he found her blood leading in a thick trail on the floor of the forest. He had never run so fast in his life, even for Rin, as he followed the trail into the unknown.

When he found her, he could barely contain his need to break in recklessly and rescue her. He had barely hatched a rescue plan with his team before he set it to action. His blood ran cold when he saw for the briefest of seconds that Naome had been held at knife point.

As he kissed Naome, he had all sorts of flashbacks. The way Rin died by his hand. The way that Naome had almost died right in front of his very eyes. He couldn't care less that this most definitely confirmed his love for his student, because in that moment, her life mattered to him more than his own.

He was angry. So unbelievably angry that she ran off without him. Shaking almost, he held her tighter, his grip so strong that it could leave bruises on her skin. He bit her lower lip, hearing a loud gasp from her in response.

He slipped Naome's robe down past her shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor and pool at her feet. He pulled her hair free of the towel and took a deep breath. He melted as he took in the sight of her bare and vulnerable form in front of him. He loved the way her wet and unbrushed hair fell over her shoulders and onto her chest. Her body fit in his arms as if it was molded perfectly for him. Her brown eyes, round and glistening as she looked back at him with all the love in the world. Her long eyelashes. Her lips. Her body. She was beautiful. She was his.

When the morning came, Naome awoke to the feeling of Kakashi tracing shapes on her bare arm with his finger tips. Naome's eyes fluttered open. A feeling of joy flooded her as she noticed Kakashi hadn't made a move to distance himself from her.

Every time they had spent an intimate moment together, she would wake up on edge, unsure of whether or not it would bring them together or draw them apart. Today, she relished in the feeling of Kakashi's naked body pressed against her own.

"You're awake."

"Yeah…" Naome replied with a yawn. "What time is it, do we have to get up soon?"

"No. We have maybe another hour before we meet Kotetsu and Izumo at the front."

Naome found herself chuckling at the sound of the two shinobi's names. Kakashi raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking that they were correct. Sharing the same room did bring us back together…you wouldn't think they're suspecting…"

"No… I doubt they'd suspect it." He eyed her collar bone. "Although...you might want to hide that mark…"

Naome gasped, her eyes widening in horror as her hand flew up to cover the spot that Kakashi was staring at. "Are you serious Kakashi? I always tell you to not leave any marks!"

He chuckled, giving her a playful kiss on the lips. He trailed his mouth down with little butterfly kisses until he reached her collarbone again. He smirked against the sensitive skin. "I'm just kidding. There's nothing there...unless you want there to be." He gave a playful bite to emphasize his point.

Groaning at his joke, Naome pushed his head away. Kakashi only retaliated more with a mischievous grin on his face. He rolled over, pressing his naked body onto hers as he supported his weight on his elbows. Naome flushed bright red when she felt his morning wood brush against her leg.

"You know...we have enough time for round two," he suggested. To be honest, Kakashi wasn't planning on actually doing anything, but he enjoyed the opportunity to make Naome as flustered as possible. If it meant he could also get rid of his problem down there, then that would be a welcomed bonus. The usual snarky student of his was rendered speechless as she stared up at the man in front of him.

Kakashi closed the distance between them, capturing her lips with his. His hands began to roam the familiar body, causing Naome to whimper whenever he reached a sensitive spot. Just as Kakashi was about to make a move, a quick knock came on the door.

"Kakashi. I just received news from the village. We are summoned to report to the hokage as soon as possible. It seems that there's an emergency."

Naome's eyes widened at the sound of Izumo's voice. She had only prayed over and over that he would not barge in. A loud moan escaped her mouth as Kakashi gave a particularly hard pinch on her sensitive nub. Her hand came flying to her mouth in response.

With a smirk, Kakashi replied the man at the door. "What's the emergency?"

"I'm not sure. The message didn't specify, but it seems that Lady Hokage is calling for you and Naome specifically."

This made Naome's eyes widen and Kakashi to stop his actions entirely. The heated moment was over as dread filled both of their systems.

Kakashi sighed and rolled off of the girl. He gathered his clothes from the floor and picked up his mask that was on the counter. "Okay." He called to the other side of the door. "We'll leave as soon as possible. Meet us at the front when you are ready."

When silence came on from the other end, Naome finally remembered to breathe again. "Kakashi...you don't think…."

He walked over and pecked her lovingly on the forehead, trying to calm the panicked look in her eyes. He would be lying to say he wasn't thinking it as well. "No. There might be something else happening. Don't worry about it."

Still, the worry didn't fade from Naome's mind. Afterall, it's not like they were particularly discreet about their extremely close friendship. They often walked around town together with just the two of them. As she stared blankly at the wall, imagining all the different consequences if they were to be found out. Would she be banished from the city? Would she lose her job? Even worse, what would happen to Kakashi? Would he be sent to prison? Lose his rank?

"What do we do if it is…?" Her voice was shaking.

Kakashi turned to her with a soft, reassuring smile. "Then we'll figure it out together."

His heart fluttered as a small grin and a blush grew on the kunoichi's face. If it were any other day, he would have had his guard up, and maybe even suggested ending the relationship, but their conversations the night before only proved to him how much he was falling for the girl, and how determined he was now to make it all right.

He quickly pulled on his shinobi outfit and his mask before grabbing his headband off the counter as well. As he was tying it in place, he turned to the kunoichi who was still laying in bed, stunned.

"So...are you going to get up, or did you really want round two?"

Naome shook her head profusely. "I just can't get up with you standing there is all."

Kakashi scoffed and walked over next to her. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before whispering into her ear. "I've seen it all already babe."

Pushing the perverted ninja away, she got out of bed and grabbed her clothes from her bag. She threw them on as quickly as possible, being fully aware of the set of eyes that were watching her the entire time.

In moments, the two were out of the room and back in business. Their brief playful and romantic moments as well as their worries were pushed aside as they raced back to the village with their team for the matter that was awaiting them at home.

When the team arrived back to the hokage's quarters, Sakura, Naruto, and Shikamaru were already standing there. Naome, Kakashi, Kotetsu, and Izumo had all expected at least some sort of congratulations on a successful mission, but the look on Tsunade's face was grave as she sent the best friends home.

Looking at the people who were left in the room, Naome's blood ran cold. This was it...the hokage must have called them to disband the team and discipline her and Kakashi. She took one wary glance at Shikamaru who was standing on the side of the room. The male merely yawned as if it was another typical day.

"You called us here today milady?" Kakashi started. His demeanor was still as calm as always. Naome wondered how he did it as she was so anxious she was about to faint.

Tsunade looked up and eyed everyone, a solemn look on her face. Her eyes settled on Naruto's before she avoided eye contact again and stared at her desk. "There were recent reports about the leader of the Akatsuki residing in the Hidden Rain Village."

Naome felt Shikamaru's sudden peak of interest as he looked at her at the mention of her original village. Realizing this wasn't about her and Kakashi anymore, Naome let out a deep breath in relief. Her shoulders relaxing, but still alert at the seriousness of the topic at hand. With a heavy breath, Tsunade continued.

"Jiraiya went to find the leader called Pein. He went on his own to gather information."

"So where is he now?" Naruto's raspy voice cut in. "Where's the pervy sage?"

Closing her eyes, and clenching her fists on top of the table, Tsunade spoke with a shaky voice. "Jiraiya….he died...at the hands of Pein."

A long, extended silence filled the room. Kakashi and Sakura's head dropped in response to the tragedy. Naome, still not knowing Jiraiya that well, felt a heavy weight on her chest as she turned to look at a frozen Naruto.

"Stop….Stop joking around granny. Where's the pervy sage?" Naruto's body was trembling as he stared down at the floor in front of him. Naome's eyes only softened in sympathy. She looked over at Kakashi, knowing just how broken she would be if she found out her own master had died in the line of action.

"I'm afraid she's not joking, Naruto boy." It was the first time that Naome noticed the tiny green toad sitting on the corner of Tsunade's desk. The older toad hadn't spoken the whole time until now. "I was there when Jiraiya boy was fighting Pein. They were too strong...There were six of them and we got ambushed. We managed to only take one down and bring the body with us before...well….before…"

"Boy?!" Naruto screeched. "Don't call him a boy you geezer toad! Have some respect!-"

"Naruto that's quite enough." Tsunade reprimanded, only to have the blonde shinobi glare at her in return.

"How could you granny Tsunade?! How could you send him on such a dangerous mission? You knew how deadly the Akatsuki are! He would never allow you to go on the mission if he was in your shoes. HOW COULD YOU?!" Naruto broke down as he began making his way out the door.

Sakura stepped up, making a move to stop him, when Tsunade called her back. "But milady…"

The door slammed shut behind the broken ninja, reestablishing the solemn atmosphere in the room. Naome could tell just by the look on her face that Tsunade was grieving beyond belief, just as much, if not more than Naruto was. Her respect for the hokage only grew as she watched her handle her emotions with humility and a masked sense of calmness.

"Shikamaru." She called.

The lazy ninja straightened up, taking his hands out of his pockets. "Yes lady Tsunade."

"I would like you to take a look at the code on Lord Fukasaku's back. I need you to do what you can to decipher the message. It's the only clue we have from Jiraiya about fighting Pein." Tsunade said, with her chin still resting on her hands.

"But milady, I have other-"

"Shikamaru, please." Sakura hushed her classmate with a soft voice. "Lady Tsunade also has a lot on her plate. If anyone can do it, it's you."

Naome examined the look on Shikamaru's face. It wasn't like him to say no to authority, but she could tell from his body language and the circles under his eyes that he was exhausted. She knew that Shikamaru had been working tirelessly on the treaty between the Sunagakure and Konohagakure, as well as trying to contact other nations to extend partnerships between nations. She couldn't blame him for not wanting to take charge of this investigation either.

WIth a long sigh, the shinobi caved. "Alright." He said. "I have to leave now if I want to get it to the Cryptanalysis Team before they get off work."

"Please do."

As Shikamaru walked up to the desk and grabbed a photo of the code to be deciphered, Naome brushed her hand against his as a sign of comfort. On the way out the door, he gave her a warm smile despite the heaviness of the situation. Naome knew it must have been hard on him lately being busy with all of his work, and now even more so with the added pressure of decoding Jiraiya's final message.

"Milady, is there anything else we can do?" Sakura asked, her brows furrowed in concern. Tsunade shook her head.

"No. Not right now. But prepare yourselves, I feel uneasy about all of this…"

"Okay." Sakura said, "I'll go support Shizune with the autopsy then."

She walked to the door and bowed to everyone before leaving.

Sensing the end of the meeting, Kakashi spoke up. "If there's nothing else, I would like to request to be dismissed milady. I think the two of us should rest up so that we can better assist in the investigation tomorrow."

"Yes, of course." Tsunade replied with a shaky voice. All she wanted was to be left alone for a moment but her duties called for her. Maybe after this, she would have a chance to properly mourn. "And congratulations on another successful mission, Kakashi, Naome. Sorry I didn't get a chance to say it before."

Kakashi gave a strained "thank you," before turning to Naome, motioning for them to go. Giving Tsunade one more worried glance, Naome bowed deeply in front of the broken Hokage and the two of them left. The teacher-student duo split ways once they reached the entrance of the Hokage's building.

"Go home and rest up. We'll see what we can do to help tomorrow." Kakashi said. Naome knew despite his words, Kakashi was a workaholic at times and he wouldn't be resting. In fact, he would probably be doing his own investigating or visiting Naruto once they parted. She also knew though, that she wouldn't be able to stop him even if she tried..

Giving her backpack a tug, Naome turned in the direction of the Nara mansion. She figured someone would have to let the family know that Shikamaru would be home late. She stopped briefly to speak with her sensei. "We're still training tomorrow?"

"More than ever," Kakashi confirmed. Tsunade was right. There was an uneasiness in the air, and he knew he had to get both of them prepared for it.