Blaze 7
"Each step you take reveals a new horizon. You have taken the first step today. Now, I challenge you to take another." ~ Dan Poynter
X
Maya found that she did like living in Konoha. Even if there wasn't a dishwasher and she had to clean everything by hand - it was great. It was every fan's dream to go at least once. But living there full time was a different experience entirely. She wanted to stay but she worried that maybe it would be safer to leave. After all, with everything she knew…. it was dangerous.
'It's only a matter of time. I think Tsunade is a little right… eventually I'll be found out. Or killed!' she thought. And it would mean giving up on her father if she stayed.
If she stayed like she planned, she would be considered dead to the remaining family she had. Nana was all she really had. But she passed years ago. Her mom ran away and her dad… he never did get over it. He took it out on anyone nearby. Maya understood him, just like she understood Itachi, or Kisame or anyone else - pain makes people do crazy things. Especially to those closest to them. Sure - she knew what they did was wrong. She knew it like she knew her own breath. But they were involved in some crazy things - of course something was bound to bend, to break even. Maybe if she was there, encouraging them they could change for the better. Okay- maybe not Kisame. She would be shark-chow for sure. But maybe it was best to give up on her father…. But what about Itachi? And now Shisui?
It wasn't like her dad had talked to her in months. Not like Tami's father who every so often called to force her to attend parties with him (he bribed her more often than not). At the time Tami hadn't given up hope. She'd come home angrier than a hornet after though. Now? Now Maya knew it was best for Tami to be in Konoha. Seeing the change in both Kakashi and Tami had been striking. There was a freedom Tami had gained that made Maya wonder.
'Could I - what would I be like here after a few years?' she wondered.
An absolutely magical idea. Maybe then she wouldn't feel like such a failure. Maya just accepted it as a part of life, but - could she be more?
Maybe. She hoped.
Maya picked up another dirty dish from the night before, ready to scrub it clean.
"Good morning."
Maya let out a shriek, dropping her dish and fell backwards. The fallen dish shattered on impact, sending shards across the room. Kakashi sat in the windowsill in front of the sink, staring down at her among the broken porcelain.
"Ah… sorry about that." He commented.
Maya glared at him, "I like you better on screen."
He just smiled at her and climbed in.
"Oh?"
"Yeah! It's not as funny in person! And how you treated Te-B… Yamato!" Maya stumbled over her words while standing up to dust herself off. He was so rude!
"Who?"
"I'm not telling." She huffed. It was then she noticed a shard had gotten itself stuck in her hand. Oh great.
"Maa, come here." Kakashi pulled her hand to him, using Iryo jutsu to heal the cut. She stared in awe - her palm tingled and warmed right up. Why - why did it feel like her big sister's boyfriend was looking after her? Why did she feel so incompetent? When he was done she pulled her hand batch to inspect it. It was as if it never happened.
"That's so weird." She said, "anyway, why-?"
"You said you'd teach me your language."
"Oh! Yeah! Right. English."
Maya rocked on her heels for a moment before showing him to the table and getting some papers. She set him up at the table before quickly going to clean the broken plate. She returned a little after.
"So I don't know what I'm doing." She admitted softly. He watched her impassively, and she tried not to giggle nervously. "So, uhm. British english, or American English?"
"What?"
"Tami didn't tell you?" Maya gasped. How did Kakashi not know? Did Tami say nothing?
"Tell me what?"
"She's British. Oh! No - Welsh, I think? But like, it's the same thing!" She exclaimed.*
"What?"
Maya then took the time to draw out a rough map. She scribbled in a few countries and pushed it to Kakashi to peer at it curiously.
"Okay, so this giant blob is America. I'm from here. This blob is Great Britain. Wait - no… I think that's Ireland or - gosh, I never paid attention in geography. But anyways, Wales is somewhere over here." Maya told him
"What does it matter?"
Oh, she probably was over sharing again.
"Pronunciation. And, like, spelling. They throw u's in words all the time."
"Ah."
"Also - if Tami ever makes you mad, just threaten to throw her tea in the harbor."
"Noted." He said, clearly not understanding a word she just said nor the implications behind it. Tami really hadn't told him anything about their world. "So Tami uses the other English?"
"Yes!"
"So teach me that."
"Okay! I'll do my best."
Maya nodded, idly wondering if it meant Kakashi would pick up her accent too. Maybe not, but him sounding like a midwesterner really made her laugh: oh fer cryin' out loud, he's snockered!
Maya had neither the skill nor the maturity to stop her giggle.
"What now?" He asked her, his brow lowering.
"O-oh. Nothing." Maya stuttered, only half as embarrassed as she should be.
The two started going through basics. Kakashi thankfully knew what to start with, and Maya provided the rest. Within the first session, he knew a few sentences and simple words.
He picked it up stunningly quickly. It wasn't until they got to the writing and spelling portion that he struggled. He didn't complain, but gave her the patented Hatake-judgy-eyes.
"Don't look at me that way!" Maya said, "I didn't make the rules!"
"None of these word rules make sense."
"Well, english kind of jumped like four other languages in a back alley and stole stuff, so…." Maya drifted off, nervously scratching the back of her neck.
He hummed, and returned to looking over her notes.
"What about honorifics?"
"We… er, we kinda have those. But, like, no one really uses them. Like, it'd be like if somebody called you The Copy Ninja all the time. It's just not done."
The man glanced up, and stared for a minute. Maya adjusted her shirt nervously.
"Everything makes sense." He muttered before turning back to the notes.
They continued for a time - until Kakashi looked up at her once again. He had that intense look in his face, so she knew it was serious.
"You didn't know Shisui-kun was alive, would it be possible that Obito-kun…." He stopped and turned his head.
Maya flinched, turning to stare at the ground. "I… I don't know. I mean, Shisui barely was in the series. Like, one episode. Maybe two if you count the fillers. But… but he jumped off a cliff and - and, uhm - nobody explained it. No one could find his body, I mean. Like, he vanished. So - I don't know. Maybe? I mean, maybe he was alive and just no one really knew?"
Kakashi nodded, but didn't look up at her. "Tami and I aren't public right now. Just in case."
She froze - she hadn't even thought of that! Obito would be jealous; after all he had Rin's past affections, and a current girlfriend. Obito would be so angry!
"That…. That's a good idea." She said.
Kakashi's shoulders dropped an inch. He didn't look at her for a time after, and didn't bring up any other questions.
By the end of the first day, Maya saw Kakashi to the door.
"I'll come by later." He told her, never once telling her what later was. She knew they hadn't gone over meals yet. She'd have to be a good friend and tell him Tami's favorite dish.
"Okay. Be safe out there!" She chirped.
It was nice that Kakashi warmed up to her, even just a little bit. Maybe she could befriend Tenzo too. Or even Itachi and Shisui. Maybe she could help them before she had to decide what to do.
X
Tami stood in front of her mirror early Saturday morning, eyeing the hideous jacket she promised to wear. Although she was sure Kakashi meant for missions only and not training with Anbu - perhaps it was best to play it safe and show him she meant what she said.
'You really did it now, Walker.' she thought, critically judging the Michelin-man style puffed jacket and dull green color. No matter how she turned and tried to make it work - nothing did. It was just as unattractive as when she first saw it.
'If you had just kept your mouth shut.' She lamented.
Itachi would pay. Perhaps in the most pettiest way she could. She rarely had the energy for such behavior now, but considering who her target was - he had best watch his step.
The urge to just toss the so called insult-to-armor in a corner of her closet and pretend that the jackets were on back order was so strong. Hatake surely wouldn't check, right?
Although… it was probably best to get used to it now. Even if she absolutely despised the wretched thing.
Knowing she couldn't delay any longer, Tami picked up the remainder of her pride and walked out the door. If she didn't look down, she wouldn't realize she was wearing that jacket. She took a small package of pineapple slices with her. She'd do her best to focus on the good, and ignore the bad.
Going to the training grounds, she met up with Mozuku.
"Where is-?" Tami glanced around.
"He's not here yet." Mozuku said, adjusting his glasses.
"And the dream girl?"
Mokuzu didn't answer, he only continued to adjust his glasses - however a blush worked its way up his neck to his face.
Tami fought the smile from her face and focused on the three men and one woman making their way to them. Shinobu was among them, leading the way. Meeting up with her coworker, she casted a curious look at the other ninja - particularly the purple haired woman.
"Good to see you." She greeted him.
"I've never seen you in that jacket. You're taking this training a little seriously aren't you?" He asked.
"Mm, part of the plan." She started, before quoting to him, "It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near one."
Shinobu laughed, studying the shinobi behind them. "Can't blame you."
The woman stepped out of the crowd. Between the steady look in her face and the impartial gait - Tami's nerves were abated.
"We'll do warm ups first, and then pair off for focused training. We'll end with a team battle." She said in a monotone.
For just a split second, Tami could see who Kakashi had been when she first met him. The cold aura, the no nonsense attitude, and distant body language. The woman before her had none of his hard edges or cold disposition - but she did have that same no nonsense approach.
'Makes sense. After all, with what their job entails.' Tami thought.
The blonde soon found out what the woman, Yugao as she later found out, meant by warm up.
Tami had thought she meant stretches and maybe a run.
Drills. They were running drills. Poor Mozuku wheezed through the activity, and Shinobu fought to keep up. The only thing that allowed Tami even the slightest bit of decorum was that the show must go on. Mostly through pretending all was well as if it were a performance. Even though she was dying inside. The only lick of satisfaction she got was the other Anbu at least were winded.
'This would have been no problem before I started this job with T&I.' Tami realized.
Grand.
She'd have quite the bit of training to make up for.
"We're almost there." Mozuku gasped.
"With the warm up." Shinobu hissed.
"You T&I just crack me up." One of the Anbu said with a wide lopsided grin. He was one of the least winded, and most energetic of the group.
"Junpei! Leave them alone." Yugao snapped.
"But they're just so cute! Like lost bunnies." He chirped.
A bunny? Tami scoffed. This time she decided not to engage with that one. She tried not to talk with the crazies. Anko may have worked out slightly, but this one? She had no idea.
"I am not a bunny." Shinobu grumbled under his breath.
"Junpei, do not taunt them." Yugao ordered. The aforementioned man pouted and continued their drills. Junpei cackled but did as he was told. He would send them looks every so often behind their leader's back.
The drills continued for a time before finally Yugao relented.
Tami may have laid on the ground to catch her breath.
"I told you." Junpei faux whispered to the other Anbu who snickered, "like bunnies."
The first opportunity, Tami planned to shut his trap.
Yugao allowed them mere moments for a reprieve before ordering the group on. The groups automatically paired up and - Tami stood there feeling like a fool.
For the first time, she felt picked last in any activity. As a child, she routinely simply avoided mass activities, and hadn't ever tried out for any sports or teams. She had other things on her mind. Although she wasn't often picked for the lead roles, and usually was an understudy - she never felt like the odd one out.
Except in Konoha, it seemed.
'Truly, I'm rather sure this world is out to embarrass me.' She lamented.
Although she was dating who she considered the best gentleman she'd come across, so it was a considerable win. But, for how long would that last? There were three outcomes possible. Him falling away from her, his true bride entering his life, or… or the dream every little girl wishes. But only time would tell.
She would see it to the end. Bothering Maya about something so petty and nonsensical didn't even register for her. Expecting the look of utter pity sent her way went against everything Tami stood for. Or at least tried to stand for.
All that to return to… to her current dilemma.
Tami turned to her coworkers who apologetically smiled at her, hoping she'd understand that they paired up.
"Over here. Have you fought against a tanto before?" Yugao beckoned her.
"I don't believe I have." Tami answered carefully.
"Now is as good a time as any." Said the woman.
Fighting hand-to-sword was a challenge Tami hadn't been quite ready for. Yugao seemed to know it, and took to keeping things easy on her. Having seen the Anbu during the warm up, Tami was well aware she could do far more. Each time Yugao moved to attack it was just a second slower than she expected it to be.
"As much as I appreciate the handicap, luv, I'd rather go without." Tami said finally. The Anbu only raised her brow. Her impassive face reimagined over all serene until-.
"Make me." Yugao stated. The skilled Anbu leader wasn't daring her to do a thing. Instead, the woman called her out.
Tami, notoriously, preferred to either match the energy given or lay in wait and use her opponent's energy against them. It was the easiest way for her to win or at least learn a better way to take someone out. However, Yugao refused to play her game.
Time for Tami to step up.
'I'm going to regret this.' She thought before pressing into a new attack. Yugao easily danced away. Tami continued to press in, using foot work she hadn't used for months if not a year.
Between defending herself with a kunai and slipping between slices of blades. For the first time in a long time, Tami felt like a cog inside her began to turn again. Though eventually Yugao stopped Tami with a blade held against throat, she felt better for the first time in a long time. Almost like a breath of fresh air.
When the team took a short break, Tami made her way over to her coworkers. As she went she could feel eyes on her. Glancing back, Yugao watched her, steady and studying. Was the Anbu captain reading her? What did she see, Tami wondered.
The group then split up.
Tami, Mokuzu and the other Anbu, Eiji against Yugao, Shinobu, and Junpei.
The exact second Yugao said go, the teams split.
Tami, surrounded by her group, glanced at each face. The Anbu looked irritated and Mokuzu fiddled with his hands before forcing them down.
"I always get stuck with the T&I." Eiji sighed.
"We'll let you know when we pity you." Tami said drily.
"Tami-chan!" Mozuku hissed at her.
"Hey, hey…. Aren't you the one I threw tomatoes at that one time?" Eiji asked.
"Potentially."
He huffed, a sly grin formed in his face. "Oh… that was fun. Best assignment I got for a long time."
"That's great," Mozuku said, "but we need to come up with a plan now."
"We could use one to lure them out. Pluck them off one by one."
"That's cute. Yugao-senpai would see through that."
"And your tactic, oh fearless Anbu?"
"They're probably going to use one of the three basic maneuvers 'cause they got that other guy. I'd play defensive." He responded.
"I… think I agree." Mozuku said.
Tami let out a sigh, "fair. How fast can you pick up which one they chose?"
"A minute or two."
"The second you know, let us know. We'll have to counter it quickly if we've any hope in beating them." Tami advised.
"I don't think we can." Mozuku said.
"Well, not with that attitude." She replied.
She earned a small grin from Eiji.
"They're coming. Time to move." He advised.
The trio parted. Shinobu made his move first - a flurry of carefully thrown kunai exactly where they had just been.
Tami had to admit it to herself - she hadn't quite thought he had it in him.
'good job.' She commended silently, taking refuge behind a tree. Shortly after, he and Yugao found Mozuku drawing out Eiji who lept in to help.
Tami would have jumped in to help, but a voice and a carefully placed kunai against her neck stopped her.
"Hey, Bun-chan." Junpei greeted. He was latched onto the tree above her, staring down at her with a wide grin.
"For an Anbu, you're terribly overconfident." She began, drawing chakra to her throat. He clearly had no idea.
How unfortunate.
"Yeah? And what-"
She let loose a shriek, the Canary Call, knocking him back.
"I told you." Yugao yelled at her teammate.
Tami, not prepared to lose quite yet vanished.
"Bun-chan can scream." Junpei complained.
When Tami had a second to spare she knelt down, getting ready for a genjutsu.
'This, this is a car wreck.' she realized, knowing her team hadn't prepared well.
In short, while Junpei and Shinobu were caught in her genjutsu, Yugao easily broke out. Having been beaten by Yugao not only once but twice hit Tami's pride.
'I really need to get back to training.' She thought, staring up at the violet-haired wonder.
Maybe -maybe, even checking in with Gai and his team. Maybe she should.
After training, the group went to the new bar - a karaoke bar. She was thankful to know not one of the participants asked her to sing. Not one of them sang. She was thankful enough that they didn't bat an eye at her choice in non-alcoholic drinks (the last thing she needed was to start blabbering about secrets they couldn't know).
X
Kakashi didn't know what was different, but his day was weird. It couldn't be the argument with Tami the night before. They clashed from time to time, so it wasn't that. It wasn't learning that strange lesson with Maya or meeting up with Tenzo on the roof after. Maybe it had been Gai.
Gai arrived in the early afternoon with dumbbells and a sparkling grin.
"Kakashi! Good morning! How about a joyous contest where we see who can get more reps?" Gai said.
Kakashi nearly turned around and left. In fact, ever since he came back from his mission, Gai had been acting strange. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Gai…." He sighed, "not right now."
"As my glorious rival, we'll continue on in our springtime of youth!"
Kakashi knew Gai wouldn't let up. More than likely, Tami was behind this one.
"What did Tami-chan tell you?" Kakashi asked.
Gai squawked, and then nervously shook his hands no, "Nothing really at all, Kakashi!"
'I don't believe that.'
Well, he might as well get the contest out of the way. Gai would never back down now.
With a sigh, Kakashi went through with the challenge - and won two and a half hours later. The entire time Gai carried on about the joy of the challenge, and laughing. Kakashi strongly figured that's why his friend didn't win; he was too busy laughing.
The two men found a good place to lounge after. Kakashi, planning on meeting up with Maya at least once more, laid back on the ground in thought.
His friends really did care about him even if they were weird.
"What did she tell you?" Kakashi asked again.
This time Gai answered, "that some past ghosts had come back to bother you."
She kept it simple for Gai while keeping his pain quiet. Kakashi had to respect that.
"Yeah?"
"I don't understand which ghosts and why, but…." Gai didn't finish his thought. He didn't have to. Kakashi knew exactly what the Green Beast meant.
"I'm thinking about marrying her." He said. It had been on his mind for a little while.
"What a good choice!" Gai exclaimed, giving him a bright thumbs up, "although you should replace that poster on your wall with Tami-chan. She could get jealous that there's another woman you like!"
Poster? What did he-. Oh. The poster from the album he put in his wall. He tossed it up as a momento for when she left him, he'd have a fond memory of her. They didn't have a group photo, and he had no other keepsake. Maybe he should get it replaced. She was embarrassed by it.
"You're probably right. She doesn't like it anyways." He replied.
Gai grinned again. "Do I get to go to the ceremony? You said you wanted your relationship quiet."
"Of course."
The Green Beast immediately dissolved into tears, crying into his sleeve. "I'm so proud of you! You have come so far!"
Kakashi smiled weakly, letting his friend air out his emotions. He really never knew what to do with anyone crying in front of him. So, he turned his head and enjoyed the day.
"To think, you used to not even want to hear about Tami-chan! The passion of your youth burns so brightly around her!" Gai carried on.
Kakashi laughed lightly, barely registering his friend freeze and stare.
"You do have an eye for good people." He said. Gai carried on for some time afterwards. He went on about love, passion and the joy of youth. Kakashi let him, laying back and basking in the sun. His friend was odd, but no one could best Gai. Not when he was like this.
Kakashi later popped in to see Maya once more just to ask about recipes. She begrudgingly handed over some, a few had a little star on the corner.
"If Tami's angry with you and you want brownie points, make the ones that have been starred, okay?"
Battered fried fish with fried potatoes or curry chicken.
'I've never seen her eat this. I didn't even think she ate fried food.' He thought, looking at the younger girl over the recipe cards she had given him.
"Just trust me. Geeze! Enough with the judgy-eyes!" Maya cried out.
"Fine, fine." Kakashi replied.
Knowing that he would be gone on mission soon enough, he snuck into Tami's apartment and waited for her to return home. His plan was to get better at cooking the recipes before serving them to Tami. Eventually she came home, sighing as she entered the door.
Kakashi had been reading on her couch, flicking through Icha Icha Fantasy. He glanced up, seeing her ruffling her hair in frustration, wearing-. She wore the jacket. She hadn't gone on a mission, but only a training session. Not only had she listened but wore what she clearly hated - for him.
Her wearing it didn't last much longer as she shed the jacket after her boots. She nearly tossed the jacket at him, until she looked up and saw him lounging on her couch.
"Hey." He greeted.
She didn't answer him at first. Instead she put the flak jacket down beside him and snatched one of his hands.
"C'mon." She tugged him lightly.
Maybe she wants a hug? He reasoned, and put his book down. Mysteries continued as he was led to the center of the room.
"Dance with me." She said.
"Ah… Tami-chan, I don't-"
"I can teach you, I just…. I'd really like… I'd like to dance." She said.
"Do you have a favorite?"
She gave him a weak smile.
"Maybe that wouldn't be for the best. I'd hate to hear what you'd call me because of a simple dance. You'd probably declare me a flirt again."
Kakashi's eyebrows raised, "and why would I call you a flirt for that?"
"I taught the waltz to Jiraiya because it's classic and simple. I prefer the latin dances - the tango is my favorite. However, considering the connection between the participants and their closeness… well, you might be uncomfortable with it."
He stared at her for a second, remembering her idea of flirting vs his own. He knew he was playing with fire, but his curiosity won out.
"Show me."
"Well…" she began softly, pulling him in. She held her hand in his, and her other went to his shoulder blade. Besides their closeness and the eye contact, he couldn't see anything wrong with it. He had to move around carefully not to step on her feet, but she never did back away. He liked it. It was an excuse to get her in his arms. He should have done so ages ago.
"This isn't that bad."
"Mm. It's rather tame for a tango. I haven't done anything untoward. And neither have you." She agreed.
"Like?"
A smile broke out on her face, "I can show you later, if you'd like. I just - this is nice."
"Is it as bad as what you pulled before?"
It was his first real callback to that moment she all but seduced him when they first became partners.
"Mmmm… it could be worse in a way."
"Worse?"
"Well, if I really wanted to, I'd put my leg around your hip." She said.
He nearly stopped in his tracks. He could practically picture her doing it. His shock must have registered because she giggled softly at him, placing her head on his shoulder.
"My culture is a bit more open than yours."
It had to be. For their ideas of what was flirting and what was okay in a simple dance.
"Did you…. Have you danced like this with others?"
Was the dance normal?
"A little. Just for the stage. I haven't really danced like this with… with anyone who meant something to me." She admitted. It made him feel better. The stage was a completely different thing. It was just a job, nothing more. Anything from that really didn't count in his eyes.
"I really wouldn't mind the rest of the dance." He said lightly.
She laughed softly again but didn't respond. As much as he was curious, he didn't want to push the subject.
"How was training?"
"Good. We went against the Anbu. Yugao, Junpei and Eiji. Do you know them?"
"Yugao is a talented kunoichi." He said, "she was on my team."
"Oh? She never said anything."
"She isn't very open."
"A trait picked up in the Anbu, I'm sure."
A smile spread across her lips once more.
"You're probably going to go on a mission with them soon. Ibiki-san always did like to schedule a training session before we were sent out together."
"Mm. Sounds like him." She murmured, her eyes closing. The two were barely swaying now, their dance had settled down to something more intimate and slow.
"Tami."
"Mmmm."
"You should go to bed."
"M'fine."
He chuckled, causing her to pause and glance up at him.
"And the Gremlins?"
"Oh, Darling. They're in the kitchen, where else?"
"Ah. My mistake." He replied.
He could feel her eyes on him, studying him again. Why had both Gai and Tami seemed aware of him laughing?
Did it have something to do with Gai and him carrying on about the joy of youth?
'What are they up to?' He wondered. They couldn't have-?
No. Tami never cared for contests or challenges like Gai did. Maybe it was just a coincidence? Time would tell.
X
After spending her Saturday seeing exactly how far her training had fallen, Tami forced herself to get up early and begin again. She focused her energy on endurance and speed, half the day to running and swimming, the rest to kunai throwing and various other skills that sorely needed sharpening.
Her Darling, of course, came by to watch. Mostly he just told her unhelpful advice from the sidelines until she pestered him for a spar. Within a half hour she lay on the ground, gasping for air. He stood over her, his hands in his pockets - completely unbothered.
"You're an arse." She complained.
"You told me to not go easy on you."
"You're still an arse."
He sent her his best (or worst) eye smile.
"But you like my arse."
"Oh, don't you even dare." She said, pushing herself up. "You're lucky I wasn't trying anything funny."
"You mean flirting."
"If you want to put it that way."
"If you can't win without that, I guess you're not as good as a Kunoichi as I thought." He said blithely.
Tami sighed loudly and forced herself to her feet. He was right, even if she didn't like it. He was lucky she preferred the truth over coddling.
"Fine then. Again."
"No. Asuma wanted to hang out tonight. You made a deal, or something?"
Tami froze. "Oh… yes, well."
"We should go."
"What time is it? I'm sure we could get another spar in."
Kakashi sighed, looking up to think. "I think we were supposed to be there ten minutes ago."
Tami's jaw dropped. She groaned and rubbed her forehead, "I rather forgot about that quirk of yours."
He laughed nervously. No where near the rolling on the ground laugh she had hoped he would have been reduced to by now. She wondered how Gai was fairing in their gamble. She couldn't quite figure out his sense of humor, and how to exploit it best. He laughed, but always soft and contained.
"Come on, then. You owe me later." She said.
"Oh?"
"Mmmm. We're late because of you. And you owe me a spar."
He let out a long, exasperated sigh.
"Fine, fine. But what about me?"
"You?"
"Promising Asuma and Kurenai without me there. Threatening me with flirting. Maa - Tami-chan. All I wanted to do was read my books tonight." He whined playfully.
"Oh, well - I'm sure something can be arranged. Have your people call mine. I'll have mine call yours. We'll get it all squared away, ah?" She teased. The best she got was a snort for that.
As they went, Tami fought the urge to wrap her arm around his. Kurenai had been right - she was tactile. And she missed it.
The rest of the night, the group of four talked and enjoyed their Sunday. After, her Darling walked her home. He kissed her in front of her door. As she retired for the night, she wished it was just Kakashi on her mind.
Uncle….
I hope you're safe out there.
Was he still with Sasuke? Had he escaped yet?
Would it be foolish of her to hope that Sasuke ran away from Orochimaru and brought her Uncle back with him to Konoha?
Come back home.
Monday at lunch time, Tami, Mozuku and Genma headed to the hospital.
"Why do you want me here?" Mozuku asked.
"Oh, just need some files on Naruto that I had been hoping you'd pull for me. And you did say the ever-lovely-"
"Tami-chan!" Mozuku interrupted, flushing as he shot a look at Genma.
"What?" The Senbon welder asked.
"See? He hasn't a care. Besides. I want to meet this Hyuga."
"Yeah, but…." Mozuku glanced at Genma.
"I'm just here so the office knows it's okay to pull the jinchuuriki's records." Genma sighed.
Mozuku's concern faded, and vanished the minute he caught sight of the Hyuga woman who caught his eye.
The Hyuga woman, Hyuga Yui, had a soft smile, and countenance. She was a bit shy, but not as reserved as most Hyuga she met.
"Good afternoon Mozuku-kun." She greeted, barely even registering anyone else.
"Hey! It's good to see you again, Yui-chan." He said cheerfully. The man puffed out his chest, causing Tami to stifle a smile. While the two were clearly busy, the blonde and Genma swapped themselves out with a shadow clone and slipped into the department.
"Was that necessary?" Genma asked.
"Mozuku is a dear coworker of mine. Of course it's necessary." Tami reasoned.
"Yeah, and you're having her retrieve files where we will be."
"The files for the morgue and living patients are separate. "
"How do you know?."
"I've done this before."
Genma grumbled behind her as the two filed into the room.
Tami, knowing they were short on time, pulled the files and started going through them. Armed with her camera, she took pictures of the Uchiha while Genma kept watch.
"Find anything?" He asked from his spot as the lookout.
"Mmmm - yes." She eyed Uchiha Izumi's report critically. Just as Maya had said, not a scratch on her. The report said her heart simply gave out. The speculation noted that the shock of witnessing the massacre around her was the cause of death.
"Important?" He asked.
"Enough."
Her eyes were counted as missing. Post-mortem removal, but before the body had been received.
Tami clicked her tongue. Quite a shame. She wondered if Kakashi remembered the bodies. Would he - no. She couldn't just pick through his brain, right? Who would want to remember that? Did she even want to question him about it? Probably not. How could she ask him anything to do with the massacres so easily? After all he'd been through?
After leaving (with the nonsense files on Naruto as well). Tami and Genma returned to her apartment, pouring over the pictures of the paperwork. She quickly wrote out all the information, while he organized and proofed them against the originals.
"Do you need-"
"No. I got it." She waved her hand.
"How did you even get a camera like this? Seeing a preview before you even print it. And why can't we just develop the film?"
"There's no film." She replied, not looking up from her work.
"There's no - of course there's no film." He grumbled. "How did you even get this?"
"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." Tami said evenly, finally sparing him a look.
Genma scowled around his senbon, "the Hokage-"
"-Knows. She's well aware. If she hasn't told you, that's another matter."
Genma scoffed, leaning back. "So a Chunin knows more than the bodyguard of the Hokage."
"To be fair, this was a decision passed down from Sarutobi. There was only one other who he personally cleared. Now, we've things. Shall we?"
He made a face but didn't say another word. The two worked in silence.
When the entire paperwork had been gone through, he spoke up.
"There's a handful of Uchiha without eyes before they even get at the morgue." He murmured.
"Of those, Uchiha Fugaku was one of them. And, there's at least two killers."
Maya was right. Again.
Not only were there two, but the other had a screw loose. A couple screws loose. The attacks ranged from quick kills to a brutal slaughter.
"Two?"
"Unless Itachi had a psychological break in the middle of his murder spree. We've a death who never had a scratch on her. His father and mother were killed from behind and found covered. Civilians were found carefully placed, most killed in their beds. While the entire police force had been practically butchered. The few from Anbu were slain in pockets, strewn in the streets."
"I mean, this is Uchiha Itachi we're talking about." Genma reasoned.
"Maybe. But the difference is startling. Especially him needing to kill so many in a short amount of time without gaining suspicion. Either he used shadow clones that acted completely different than him, or -. Or there's another killer."
"Can you prove it?"
That would be the tricky part. Everything being so old, there would be nearly nothing left.
"If it were more recent, we could compare tread sizes."
"From the ground?"
"No. From the blood. The elements have probably done away with all the evidence."
Genma grinned, "not a problem. Ask an Aburame. I bet their bugs can find it."
"You're kidding." Tami made a face. Bugs. Why bugs?! Bugs alone were gross, but Aburame allowed them to live inside them.
"Nope. I bet they could."
There were only two Aburame she knew. Shino, Kurenai's quiet and serious student, and Toru, the mysterious ninja she met at the Chunin exams. Shino was far too young to involve him in such affairs. While the Village saw him as an upstanding Shinobi, Tami wasn't about to invite a child into a crime scene. Especially not after looking at massacred reports of children for the better part of the day. As far as Toru went - she couldn't say if she could trust him or not. He could potentially be dangerous, a hanging thread that led to Danzo.
Grand.
"Hey. Tsunade-sama will want an update on this stuff. I'm gonna head out. See you later." Genma said, getting up to go.
Tami watched him as he left. She stayed sitting in her kitchen until Kakashi came by. He hopped into her kitchen from the window.
She didn't even realize he was there, until he came close and blew into her ear. On instinct, her hand covered her ear and shot a glare at him.
Disappointment flickered across his face.
"Yes, Darling?" She asked.
He didn't say a thing, studying her as if she were a broken jack-in-the-box.
"Darling?"
"I just blew in your ear." He said, watching her in utter disbelief.
"Yes. You did."
"You aren't even blushing."
"No… no I'm not."
"Naruto-kun and Gai understood."
"... Darling, why are you blowing into other people's ear?"
He sighed loudly, sitting heavily across from her.
"Maa." He grumbled, sliding their work over to him. "How's the investigation?"
"Fine. Should I be concerned? Blowing in men's ears? Should I be jealous even?"
"How far do you get today?" Kakashi continued to ask, ignoring her questions.
"Are you going to elope with Gai?" She teased. The hoped he would at least snort at the joke. The masterful deadpan stare sent her way caused her to giggle instead. When she sobered, she pulled the paperwork out for him to see.
"It's fine. It sounds like we need an Aburame, but I only know two."
The man sighed, relaxing in his chair.
"Aburame Shibi would be a good choice."
"Oh?"
"But he's allowed someone from his clan to guard Danzo."
"Ah. That would cross some hairs." Tami agreed.
Kakashi took the time to pull the papers over to him, flipping through the stack.
Where did this Aburame Shibi stand regarding Danzo? She'd have to find out.
"Are you planning on interviewing me? I was an eyewitness. I was there, I was partnered with Itachi."
She bowed her head, "I don't - I don't think that's a good idea."
"I knew about Root." Kakashi said.
Tami's head snapped up. "Root?"
"Danzo created a team of elite Anbu who operated behind the Hokage. Root. He tried to recruit me. He tried to recruit you too." Kakashi said softly.
"So… so Danzo, when he came about, he-"
"He might have been trying to recreate Root. I don't think it was because of your win." He admitted.
"Is that so?"
"When you arrived, a lot changed. Jiraiya stayed longer than usual, for just a simple lost girl. The guards were told you couldn't leave - lethal force if necessary. Inoichi-san and Ibiki-san were on the edge. They had Anbu watching you at all hours of the day for your first year. The Third had gotten quieter, and… he wouldn't answer anything regarding you."
"And I was the villain." Tami murmured.
"None of the seasoned ninja ever saw anyone who looked like you. No one knew what you were saying when you first arrived. Life was… nothing made sense regarding you."
"And I played the part. So Danzo just wanted answers." She added on. She paused, thinking it through. "I don't… I think it would be wrong to interview you."
"Why?"
"Professionalism. I'd have to…. We're together, for me to even interview you I'd have to - I'd have to press you more than anyone else. Ask questions, dig deeper than anyone else."
"Then do it." He said flatly.
"I can't."
"Maa." He grunted, "you need to stop babying me, Tami-chan. I'm fine."
She stared at the table, stuffing the papers idly.
Kakashi sighed. He reached over and caught the side of her face in his hand. He gently turned her face to look at him.
"Interview me."
"Darling, I don't know if I can. I don't - I don't think I can ask those questions." She explained. "Uncle did the hard stuff, I just - I just got the paperwork done. Found the key people. I didn't…. I…."
"You can." He said with certainty.
"I'll think about it."
The man sighed, letting go. He sat back. Evaluating her from his chair, he tilted his head.
"I can introduce you to Aburame Shibi tomorrow before I go." He said.
"I would like that. What sort of he?"
Kakashi hummed, scratching the side of his face. "I guess he'd be the good sort."
She laughed. She stepped up, tugging him to her.
"Come on. Dance with me."
"Again?"
Tami laughed as he allowed her to pull him in. Sighing, he wrapped an arm around her and lazily led her around the kitchen.
Kakashi tightened his grip around her and she stepped in. When he dipped her, she gasped. A mischievous glimmer danced in his eye.
Again, he was figuring something out in that mind of his. Those gears in his head were whirling away. Tami probably should have asked him about it, but - but for once she wanted to take the slow road with him.
X
An: I hope this wasn't terribly boring. I enjoyed writing it, but I don't know if it's just me or not. I wanted Maya to step up more than she has, but…. She refuses. She doesn't want to be one of the main characters yet. Which is frustrating! Maya, be a main character x.x please, make my life easier!
Anyways, I'm in a conundrum. I don't know who I'm going to officially set Maya up with. Itachi is always a choice. Shisui could be as well. I've been playing with the idea for a little while, seeing who she has chemistry with. I don't want to just force two characters together just because. So, I guess we'll see. It's how I figured out Sparks. There was a time where I played with the idea of TamixGai being the pairing because they're so fun together but it wouldn't work out long term.
*I may have just triggered my entire UK followers. I mean, if not by now... Hello friends! I know the difference :3 but I'm going for character authenticity. Maya is a little more clueless ;)