Sorry for the lateness... there's a reviewer out there who told me to watch "Ouran High School Host Club" and I did in a couple of sittings (the whole show)... and wow! It had me laughing so hard... (Kyouya, I love you!) :D I thought I'd die. That coupled with the philosophical show "Ergo Proxy", the thriller "Blood Lagoon", the supernatural show "Speed Grapher" and my essays... and work... man... how do I fit GL in? I don't know...
THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED!
I APPRECIATE IT – YOU CANNOT BELIEVE!
PLEASE READ 'N' REVIEW IF YOU LIKE IT!
Lady Distain: Just got to say that I FINALLY managed to get ahold of Conjure One – and it is beautiful! Thanks for sharing that info with me – their songs certainly do have a lot of reference to the ideas that I have in my fic! My favorite songs were "Center of the Sun" and "Tears of the Moon" remixed and original. I'm probably going to do a Blood+ AMV to "Center of the Sun"...
IlovJesus123: I'm glad you liked the monster!Kakashi portrayal... he's got issues... but the climax is coming soon... so sit tight and enjoy! (I hope...)
SweetAssassin: Yeah... machoness with intervals of insanity and vulnerability... I like my male portrayals to be real humans... not just some sort "leave it to beaver" chaps... although... you're right... it makes for good drama... but.. all good drama comes to an end...
Alexis Walker: I'm glad you liked! I hope this chapter isn't going to be so confusing – although at one point I wrote it in such a manner that if you get slightly confused and then understand as you go along – that means I did my job! Hope this hint helps! Hope you enjoy!
Eyeliner0tears: to be honest, the whole Kisame/Kabuto thing also worried me... but I think it's going to work out... I think... anyway... yeah... I'm glad you enjoyed the ojii-san – and the freak out of Sakura... it was really tough writing that chapter b/c I knew that people would be like 'whoa!' what's going on here... but ha! It's a mystery!
Shadow Dragon Boss: You don't like seafood or country music? Wow! Awesome! My sister kinda likes country... which is... ewwww... just wrong... like "Like the time when the lights went out in Georgia and they killed an innocent man' blah blah blah... the most country-ish I get is the 1 song (ONE, only) - "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and it's more of an Oldie than Country Music. Right now my favorite OSTs are "FFVII: Advent Children"; "Black Lagoon OST"; "Loveless OST" and "Kingdom of Heaven"... oh yeah, and "Full Metal Alchemist"... Ooops... I've gotten carried away! Hope you enjoy this chappie!
Sabireru: Maybe your acceptance of Yukio is like that thing that victims have toward their kidnappers? Hee hee hee! But Yukio is heart breaking if nothing else. I hope this chapter gives you that feeling...
Ox King: Hmmm... yeah... the climax is the next 1-2 chapters... as for Yukio's fate... I can't say...
sakura hatake kakashi's grl: Thanks for the encouragement! Hope you enjoy this chappie!
Kasai Ame: Hmmm... yes... well, as I told someone else... once before, I wrote out the blue print before I even started writing... so Sakura's attitude is explained later (ergo this chapter) – whether you feel her explanation justifies her reaction or not... hmmm... we'll see... but... on the other hand... yeah... Yukio has an interesting part to play... and does he die? Do you really want to know? Hahah! I'll tell you privately, if you want the details...
Zenna: Thanks alot! Hope you enjoy this chappie!
Jemiul: I'm glad you found this chapter to be fantastic! I found it to be much tougher to write... but hopefully I'm fulfilling everyone's (and my own) expectations... I've found that I've had to rewrite stuff in the plot line in small details – but otherwise... there's still method in the madness! Hahaha! I'm glad you're enjoying it! It's great hearing from you as always!
Perscripto13: Thanks! Enjoy!
KakashiLuverIAm: Wow! Love the name! I hope you don't get in too much trouble on my count! But I'm glad you consider my stuff worth risking life for! Ahahahaha!
Lotisflower: Sakura is starting to put more on the line for her sensei... it's not only a story about the restoration of Kakashi – but the blossoming of Sakura, the opening of Hinata, the daring of Naruto, the growth of Sasuke, the maturation of Raido... etc etc etc etc... V. involved to be sure...
inquisitive: Yep! Kakashi's past is coming up with a vengeance! Gah! So emo! Oh well... and yeah... a lot of the time Sakura is so – so passive! Gak! But I wrote this plot in such a way that she starts to put more into her sensei emotionally – and so... she's starting to feel the loss... at least, that's what I'm going for. And of course, what she gains, Yukio loses. And one wonders if it is right... oh! The horror! Ahahahaha!
Melissa Norvell: I know what you mean! Writing is horrible when it gets squished between things! Especially work and school! Good luck with writing! I'm looking forward to your "Freak Out Kakashi" fic!
Rogue solus: WOW! A new reviewer! I'm so glad you liked! Thanks for taking the time to review! Wow! Well! You're one lucky person to read it all in one go – you've got a real feel for what it's all about, then! I'm glad you liked it as a whole, regardless – and I hope you enjoy this upcoming chappie! Thanks again!
THIS IS ONE EMO CHAPPIE! I HOPE YOU'LL FORGIVE THIS!
The emo-ness is to be blamed on Ergo Proxy.
The lateness is to be blamed on Ouran High School Host Club.
Theme: Due to "Sleep" by Conjure One...
WARNING: Male/Male, Violence, Non-con, Swearing
I do not own Naruto... sadly...
Gentle Lesson
Chapter 27
Open These Eyes
"It wasn't like her, did you say, Sasuke?" Naruto asked seriously, looking up at the training room's high rafters. "She was – crazed? How so? Hasn't she been always a little crazy?"
His joke fell flat in the silence. Sasuke, lying beside his sparring partner, wiped the sweat off his brow with his towel.
"You sure it wasn't just – you know – that time of the month?" Naruto pointed out delicately.
Sasuke blinked.
"What time?"
"You KNOW."
"No. I don't... which is why you need to elaborate..."
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"You're pulling my leg."
"Yeah."
"BE SERIOUS, BASTARD!"
The ebony-haired Uchiha sighed.
"I am..."
"Sakura was -"
"Totally out of control," Sasuke shook his head in disbelief. "She bit off everybody's head – and totally tongue-lashed the operative -"
"The guy who was toting the Rock farmer?"
"Kuro-SAMA."
"Yeah... whatever... that guy?"
"The guy who was carrying him -"
"Rikki or something like that..."
"That guy got seriously laid into. She was almost... there was no reasoning with her..."
"Wow..."
"But then... she always gets that way around sensei..." Sasuke rolled onto his side with another sigh.
"Really?" the dumb blonde blinked. "No way!"
"C'mon – that 'I'd have his kids' comment? Totally in love... or at least, crushing with some sort of golden past image..."
Naruto's blue eyes widened.
"She's in love with THAT fucked up pervert?"
"Stranger things have happened... like Shikamaru and Temari... in fact, this whole thing – I'm surprised it hadn't happened earlier... most kunoichi have SOME sort of feelings for their male shinobi teachers... well... Kiba had the biggest crush on Kurenai for some time..."
"That's..." Naruto's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Seems... wrong..."
"Hmmm..."
There was a long silence at the thought of Sakura dating Baka-sensei.
"It's weird..."
"Hmmmm," Sasuke frowned. "But then, he isn't our teacher anymore... so... he's fair game..."
Another pause.
"You know-" Sasuke said. "That man – I've seen him before... I kinda felt familiar with his voice..."
"Kuro-sama?"
"No, idiot... Rikki-san..."
"Don't call me idiot – cocky bastard..."
"Who are you calling cocky bastard, idiot?"
"Rikki-san."
"Yeah... big mouth on that guy... he's... annoying," Sasuke frowned. "Which is why I noticed him..."
The dojo's doors slid open noiselessly.
I was an idiot, Sakura sighed, looking up at the blue morning sky – from the comfortable silence of her balcony.
I made that man defensive. That man...
Slumping forward to cradle her head in her arms, Sakura closed her eyes replaying the words she had so childishly shouted at him.
I'm getting that LOUD and CLEAR, old man, I guess I couldn't tell what with all that 'I-know-he's-hurt-but-no-medical-care-please' attitude... and obviously, you are not encouraging him to leave ANBU.
That was... totally out of line...
But – but -
I just... the thought of him staying there, running himself continually into the ground for something that he can't even experience. It's pathetic. It's – it's wrong...
I need to talk to Tsunade about this.
"We have to get him out. NOW." Sakura banged her fists rather heavily down on the Godaime's desk, ignoring the other people in the room who were still there from some important conference -
No doubt about Rock... but this... is more important...
"Geez... Sakura," Tsunade sighed, head propped lazily on the palm of her hand, as she lazily twirled a pen in her fingers. "Please refrain from damaging my desk any further... I can't afford to get a new one..."
"That's because she broke her new one a week ago," Kotetsu whispered sotto voce to Shizune and Izumo, who were trying to look official despite the rather informal private meeting that was taking place in a very public setting.
Ibiki turned at the sound of desperation in the top medic's voice.
Sakura... is she talking about...
No way...
Gai, Asuma, Jiraiya and Genma frowned, their eyes darting at the Hokage. The Fifth didn't look too put out...
Kuro-sama and the village elders paused in their discussion, ears wide open.
What could have upset the normally unflappable kunoichi?
"Sakura-chan... what're you talking about?" Genma asked kindly, sidling up with a wink. "Maybe I can help you? Is there a problem? Is Naruto doing something stupid again?"
Sakura wilted under their stares.
"I – I'm so sorry..." She paused as her situation began to sink in. "I heard that you guys had stopped..."
"For a break," Asuma smiled with a small wave. "It's okay, if you come in... It's nice to hear something new – other than strategies and shit like that..."
I'm sure, Sakura grimaced. You just want to tell Kurenai something juicy.
"Sakura," Tsunade leaned forward, speaking in a lowered tone whilst giving Genma the 'evil eye' (translation: I'll throw you out of the window like my chair last week).
Genma backed away. Slowly.
"I know how you feel -"
"You can't possibly -"
"I know," Tsunade said softly. "So... when this is all over," she waved her hands at the stacks of maps and scrolls littering the table. "I'm pulling him out..."
Sakura nodded, pulling away with a soundless sigh.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama..."
"I'm worried, too. We're all worried."
Sakura smiled, eyes a little watery.
"I'm so sorry... I better go..."
"Good luck."
"Eh?"
Tsunade laughed softly, rubbing her hands.
"Never mind..."
Jiraiya lumbered over as Sakura left the room.
"She's not skipping with joy – but she's definitely more happier... what did you talk about?"
"Someone we're all worried about."
"Ohhhh..." Jiraiya nodded. "That... Yes... About that..."
"I've made the lists," Tsunade said, looking at the four Jounin in front of her.
Sakura, having left, the council had once again taken their places in her newly enlarged office. On one side sat Kuro-sama and Jiraiya, on the other, the two village elders. Before her sat her four captains for the oncoming clash with Rock.
"Ibiki, Genma, you're leading the charge. Asuma, Gai – you're flanking them. According to Kuro-sama, the only resistance we'll find will be any followers of the Three."
"The Three?" asked Genma.
"Hmmmm... Yes." Tsuande sighed. "The Three. We've identified only two of them. One is Kabuto, the other, Kisame."
"WHAT THE HELL?" Genma's eyes widened.
"This is bad..." Gai rubbed his chin. "But..." He smiled and chinged his teeth at Tsunade and Kuro-sama. "With the power of love, the Fire of Leaf can overcome anything!"
"Oi. Gai... Don't destroy this treaty with your – never mind..." Tsunade winced.
"Those are S-class criminals," Asuma repeated the obvious.
I've bumped into Akatsuki – and – that was one experience I never wanted to undergo again...
Izumo, taking notes, shivered.
Why are they in Rock?
"Yes." Tsunade sighed. "Kuro-sama and ANBU think that the prime objective of the Akatsuki is to stir things up again – to bring to the forefront any Jinchuuriki – their master is one of chaos..."
Jiraiya nodded.
"The dark shadow behind them has never been revealed – perhaps, never will – they are the common enemy that, despite our various attempts to cut it off, regenerates over and over again..."
"I hate patch jobs," mumbled Genma.
"Which is why I am leading a team of specialist ANBU with you," Ibiki spoke up.
Genma twitched.
"That makes me feel a whole lot better," he mumbled.
"What?"
"Never mind..."
There was a silence.
"Well... sounds good to me," Genma spoke up again, rolling his senbon lazily from one corner of his mouth to the other.
Kuro-sama watched it with fascination.
Tsunade nodded.
"High praise in deed from Mr. Examiner." The irony wasn't hard to miss. "Joking aside, with this information of Kuro-sama... this shinobi of great importance will be warned by our ANBU operative tonight and will mobilize all Rock nin who are faithful to the old Kage."
"When will we be moving out?" asked Asuma, puffing on his cig.
"By tomorrow afternoon -"
Genma choked on his senbon, Asuma dropped his smoke and even Ibiki's eyes narrowed. Gai merely burst into flame.
"YOSH! WE CAN DO IT!"
"Yes..." Jiraiya sighed at the man's enthusiasm. "We're going over the strategies with Shikamaru tonight... we hope to mobilize all the units necessary by tomorrow afternoon... Those lists we made up this morning are going to be your teams."
"Where are we to meet?" asked Genma getting over his surprise quickly.
"At twelve o'clock in front of this building. Got it?"
The men nodded.
Tsunade smiled.
"I thought you would. Now get to it!"
The men saluted and disapparated in blurs.
Tsunade rose. "Well – time for some dinner, Kuro-sama."
"Yes," The man smiled. "Thank you again, Hokage-sama. You don't know how much Rock appreciates your spirit of peace and concern."
"It's important," Tsuande said softly, moving over to the window, to look at her most favorite view of the town.
"We all want peace. A chance to heal. A chance to grow. This hostility is bad. But wiping Rock out, not only would drain our resources, but also destroy the delicate balance of the continent – again... Let's just say -" Tsuande thought of the dead, the dying the wounded – crippled – emotionally scarred.
"Let's just say – war is a nightmare no one wishes to dream of again..."
Sakura stepped into the room, green eyes downcast.
"I'm sorry -"
"Whatever for?" Naruto asked blankly.
"For two days ago... I shouldn't have... been so unprofessional..."
"It's okay, Sakura-chan." Naruto smiled, leaning forward, his blue eyes earnest. "We're more worried about you, in fact."
"Eh?"
"You normally are the voice of reason in our group -" Sasuke said wryly. "I hoped you'd come to us if you were so bothered -"
Sakura shook her head.
"You can't help this -" She placed her hand over her heart. "This -"
This feeling...
"Sakura-chan..." Naruto breathed. "Why -"
Sasuke glared daggers at his sparring partner.
Naruto fell silent as Sakura sagged forward, falling onto her knees, fists clenched and trembling on them. Silent tears fell.
"I – I don't know." She said tightly.
Sasuke shifted over beside her, placing a large hand on hers.
"Don't worry – we're here to help -"
"I don't -" Sakura gulped, trying to calm herself. "I don't want him to know." She rubbed away her tears, looking up with pleading eyes. "Please."
Sasuke and Naruto nodded solemnly.
"Naruto! Naruto! Sasuuukkkeee! SAAAAKKKURRRAAA! FORE HEAD GIRL!"
"Ino-pig!" bellowed Sakura, suddenly coming out of her blues – as she ran to the window, leaning out to yell at her close friend.
"Aha! Forehead girl!"
"Pig back to you! Geez! Can't you just call me -"
"Enough of your whining," Ino snorted. "I've got news! Sasuke and Naruto will want to hear it too!"
"Eh? Eh? What news? I'm being nominated as Hokage?"
"I'm up for ANBU?"
Ino rolled her eyes at the boys.
"As if – no... it seems," here the Jounin-sensei dropped her voice. "As if there's going to be a big expedition to Rock!"
"Rock? No way! There ARE troubles there?" Naruto blinked.
"Idiot... where have you been? Under a ROCK?" asked Sasuke sarcastically.
"Sasuke-teme!"
"Oh boy, oh boy..." Ino sighed. "Can't be serious for ONE second?"
"So that's what they were planning in the council this morning!" Sakura smiled.
"You saw them?" asked Sasuke.
"Who? Who?" Naruto clamored with curiousity.
They wandered out the door of the dojo to Ino and started to walk down the main street slowly.
"Well..." Sakura thought for a second. "The two village elders. Kuro-sama – you know – the guy we picked up from 'Rikki-san'... and then there was... hmmm... Jiraiya-sama. Tsunade-sama... Shizune, Kotetsu and Izumo for note taking and food dispensing and errands... and then there was... Ibiki... Asuma... Genma... Gai-sense... uh... that's about it, really."
"Wow... this is so exciting!"
"Idiot." Sakura sniffed. "What's so exciting about war? People are going to get hurt!"
"But – but – Sakura-chaaannn... I'll be able to show my newest moves!"
"Just like you to worry about that..."
"Who are we under I wonder," Sasuke mused.
"Oh! There's Chouji-kun and Shikamaru!" Ino waved at the two Jounin.
Shikamaru slouched over, hands in his pockets – too lazy to wave. Chouji followed slowly, licking off the remaining dango sticks he had in his hands.
"What's up," Naruto asked. "Do you have the inside information, Shikamaru? About the upcoming invasion of Rock?"
"Really, Naruto," Shikamaru sighed. "Keep it down... it would be seriously troublesome if somebody found out that you were gossiping about important village matters... still... Asuma came to me today and told me I was in his squadron – with Ino and Chouji of course... I'm sure you guys won't be left behind – I wish I could..."
"That's because he wants to see Temari," whispered Chouji.
"Ah ah!" nodded Naruto understanding immediately.
"Idiots..." mumbled Shikamaru.
"YO!" A hearty voice said suddenly – all six Jounin jumped – screaming like Genin.
"GENMA!" Screamed Ino. "You nearly killed me there with fright!"
"Don't sneak up on ladies like that!" Sakura yelled, breathing fire, as Genma's arms wrapped themselves around her.
"Genma! You bastard! What're you doing to Sakura?"
"Oi, oi!" Shikamaru sighed. "If Raidou sees you hugging Sakura, you're going to be in deep shit..."
Genma drew away from his big bear hug with Sakura and sighed.
"You guys are waayyy too tense... mmmm... I guess you were talking about stuff you aren't supposed to be talking about? Hey? Hey? Ah well... back when I was young -"
"Blah blah blah," Naruto interrupted rudely. "What do you want, open pervert?"
"Just a mission..." Genma said blandly. "Which I'd like to talk to you about..."
"If it's about Rock, I'm up for it," Sasuke said blandly.
Genma raised an eyebrow.
"Absolutely!" Naruto smiled. "I can't wait to show my new move off."
"If it means the end of war, I'm up for it too," Sakura nodded.
Genma quirked his senbon.
"Geez... you guys... don't even know what you're signing up for... but hey, that's youth and simplicity for you -"
The Specialist Jounin stopped at the sight of Sakura's scary white eyes.
"Right, right, you better come with me so that our group can meet properly..."
"Hai, hai," sighed Sakura. She turned to her blonde friend. "Bye, Ino. See you tomorrow, I guess!"
"Good luck, forehead girl!"
"You too, pig..."
Genma winced.
"Ouch... are they always like this?"
"Yes," chorused the boys.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
It was getting on his already taut nerves.
Drip. Drip. Driiiip. Drip.
That monotonous sound unending, unvaried – as steady as a ticking clock – as steady as time – as a heartbeat -
It was a reminder of life somewhere – somehow.
Depressing.
Somewhere water was leaking from a tap... or perhaps -
Drip. Driip. Drop.
A leak, maybe, from somewhere above him – a plumbing problem...
It was too exhausting to think of really.
And rather dumb all things considering. It's like a frog contemplating a worm while being pounced on by a snake...
Ahhh... where IS that noise coming from?
Drip. Drip. Drop.
He couldn't tell. He couldn't find out. He was sitting there – back to a dam wall – arms spread apart above his head (so he couldn't complete any seals) -
Wrists chained tightly to the wall...
Drip. Drip.
It was damn annoying.
He shook his head with a sigh and then frowned as a mass of grey hair flopped in front of his eyes – dirty and greasy – and ticklish. Rubbing against his shoulder, he tried to get the heavy grey mop out of his face – unsuccessfully.
Damn.
But in his belly, he knew lurked that feeling – focusing on the inconsequential isn't going to work here -
He tried to ignore the snake of fear crawling up his belly. Tried to ignore the damn cold. The whole atmosphere was cold and dank -
And dark.
Suffocating.
Driipp. Drop. Drooooppp...
Someone passed by the door. Opening his mouth, he wheezed – voice weak and hoarse -
Hoarse... how -
The thought died at the memories.
Hoarse from continual screaming?
Kakashi winced at the fragmented memories.
As he sat there in the dark, he shut his eyes to even more dark -
I'm not here – it never happened -
Nobody has -
"Awake, beautiful?" asked a freezing voice.
Kakashi flinched, automatically trying to pull his knees to his chest – trying to wrap himself with his arms -
To cover his -
A knee fell between his legs – spreading them – making him vulnerable -
It's a game.
I hate it.
I HATE – I HATE -
The incoherent thoughts died as a clean, pure, narrow face came into a rather fuzzy view. Just the strain on the Sharingan to predict -
So dizzy -
He saw the hand trailing down the side of head, fingers gliding down his thinly muscled neck – over his slim torso – the broken and barely healed ribs – down past the starved stomach – down, down to -
Kakashi flinched at the man's intimate touch.
No.
His eyes refocused on his personal tormentor.
No.
It's no happened yet but -
A pair of domineering lips descended on his helpless ones, forcing his teeth open – scraping around his dry mouth -
His cracked lips tried in vain to accommodate the bruising mouth on top of his – some blood trickled down his chin slowly. Iron and bitterness in such a loving act.
He moaned.
Air.
I need -
Kakashi's whimper spurred the nin on. Pain spread down his straining wrists, scrunching his eyes shut, tears glimmering on the edge of his lashes -
And the man's hand -
- trailing down the side of head, fingers gliding down his thinly muscled neck – over his slim torso – the broken and barely healed ribs – down past the starved stomach – down, down to -
Kakashi flinched at the man's intimate touch.
Then the lips drew away – Kakashi half-sobbed in relief – shame – self-hate -
I deserve this.
I deserve THIS?
No... I – I can't -
"Don't -" He whispered brokenly.
His half-closed, tired eyes watched as pale lips curved upward cruelly.
"Stop what? This?"
Kakashi bit down on his tongue, trying to silence his sudden need as the man's hand moved.
"But you know you want it so much..."
Ten minutes later, the man stood, quietly, laughing as the Copy Nin tried to regain his breath, drawing his dirtied legs up to himself for some warmth and coverage.
The guard entered, stared at the prisoner dubiously, and laughed – while keeping a fair distance from the ANBU Torture and Interrogation Squad member.
"Fool..."
"Seko-sama..." The guard asked respectfully.
"Heh. You've no idea..."
Seko seemed to be talking more to himself than anything.
"Eh?"
"To hold a man like that," the ANBU said softly, picking up his mask and placing it back on hi face. "So fragile – it's – beautiful, really..."
The guard said nothing – but his face told all:
Sick. That man is sick.
"You don't know. But he'll be broken – and then – I'll put the pieces back – the way master – no – I want him to be..."
Kakash bit his lip, drawing blood – the pain waking him up enough to stutter -
"B-b-bastard..."
Someone's boot buried itself into his exposed ribs.
The dark was so welcome, Kakashi smiled.
He opened his eyes.
It was still dark.
Why is it always this way? He wondered. When will I wake up?
Yukio sat there watching Kakashi.
Sleep... I heard that sleep is often like death – it's a moment of vulnerability... And watching him – he's so – weak... like a child... so young...
As the Copy Nin stirred restlessly in his sleep, rubbing against the sash wrapped around his head to close the ever watchful Sharingan, Yukio frowned.
He's got a bad dream? Don't we all... it's sometimes hard – sometimes so hard to tell whether you're waking or sleeping – sometimes the nightmare continues after you wake up...
"No – no – don't – b-b-bastard!"
Yukio jerked forward as Kakashi's eyes opened.
His dark eyes focused on nothing – Kakashi didn't seem to see Yukio there – Yukio leaning forward, arms wrapping the shivering ANBU up – pressing hot lips on a sweaty neck.
"NO!"
"Kakashi – it's me! You've had a bad dream – here – let me get in with you -"
"Let me go!" sobbed that grey-haired child. "Go away!"
"It's for your good," Yukio said, pinning his friend down. "Now just let me -"
"S-s' – kura -"
Kakashi's fist connected somewhere on Yukio's jaw, causing his friend's face to darken.
"You ungrateful little -"
Mouth turned down with gritted teeth, the ANBU forced Kakashi down on to his back, pinning him down.
"Listen... you want that bitch here instead of me – when it was I who hauled your skinny ass out of that dungeon - a year or so ago - despite going against orders? WHAT CAN SHE GIVE YOU THAT I CAN'T?"
Kakashi fell silent – his eye raised – focusing on his teammate's face, in total recognition.
"Get off me."
"No. Answer me."
"No. Get off!"
The Copy Nin tried to raise himself up – arching his back -
Up against the older man's aroused body, which pressed him easily back down.
"You shouldn't say 'no' when you have no power to back it up..." leered Yukio, his hair falling down around his face – obscuring -
A dark devil.
And in his belly, the snake unfurled – it was always lying there waiting – in Kakashi's belly – those feelings -
"C'mon," Yukio's voice fell into a gentle whisper. "You know you want it – when's the last time you had it?"
That voice -
Seko-san -
Kakashi grunted as any move he tried to make ended with his wrists pinned on either side of him. Ignoring his tears of frustration, Kakashi shifted only to find one of Yukio's knees planted firmly between his legs.
Damn.
"You can't do much – you're too tired... do you know how much chakra you went through with that last stunt?" Yukio asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Shut up. Like you care."
Yukio pouted.
Fake. Or not...
Kakashi sighed.
I never could understand...
As warm lips sought his cold ones, Kakashi sighed, trying to tell himself not to melt – no surrender – no – no -
Damn it all... I understand – but – not – not -
Gods... I'm dirty...
Yukio took advantage of Kakashi's laxness to take both of the Copy Nin's hands into one hold, while pulling the rest of the blanket off.
Kakashi's eye widened – it made Yukio laugh -
"YUKIO – YOU BASTARD!"
"What – you want to sleep in your bloody uniform – I sent it to the dry cleaners – you should be thankful -"
"Damn you..."
Yukio bent down and silenced the younger man's protests. The dark enveloped them – the dark enveloped the battle, the surrender and the victory -
The dark...
Later on that night, Kakashi staggered out of the bed in a desperate attempt to get away from it all -
Clothed in a baggy pair of pants and old smelly shirt, he hobbled his way out of the small apartment – his lower back giving sharp stabs of protest -
Damn you, Yukio... when I get back – you'll never know what hit you...
The village was dead – every now and then, Kakashi could feel the sharp chakra flare – like a beacon in the dark night – of the guards, random ANBU coming home from a mission. Or Jounin staggering home half drunk.
Kakashi watched Genma, Raido and Asuma stagger home in celebration of something.
"To Kurenai."
"The lady!"
"The New Mama!"
He stood them watching them grow smaller and smaller down the road – walking away – and he couldn't say anything.
Even if he moved his lips and reached out – they just -
Couldn't hear him.
All he could see was those lips descending – no – not lips – a knife cutting into his skin – no, his kata blade, sweeping through the young bones – the soft skin of the young children – no – it was Obito's white face, and the eye -
The eye that saw the future.
The eye that cried.
Even with this eye, I still can't see it, Obito. What do you want me to do?
With a shuddering sigh, Kakashi turned away, wiping a stray tear that slid down his cheek from under the black sash.
All I can see are -
Those nightmares. My whole life is a nightmare! And those moments -
Sakura, leaning forward – her bright smile. Sakura, dancing in his arms – no – that didn't happen did it – Sakura, her warm arms around him -
What pleasant dreams – if only I could find them again – I'd never want to wake up -
Wake up.
If only I could wake up from this nightmare...
Wake up.
"Wake up! Kakashi-senpai!"
Kakashi's eye blearily focused on some brown hair – some black hair – one of them had a pony tail...
"Kakashi! Damn it! What're doing in this pile of garbage? You stink, man!"
"Sempai!"
"Are you okay, Kaka-sempai?"
Great.
The deathly Duo and my personal emissary from Hell.
"It's important you get moving as soon as possible," babbled Ichiro. "There's to be a spear head today into ROCK!"
"Yes!" his companion interrupted, obviously excited and freaked at the same time. "And WE'VE BEEN CHOSEN AS IBIKI-SAN'S GROUP! Right up front! WOW! It's so good working with you, Kakashi-sama!"
"Urgh..." Kakashi tried to open his eyes again, slowly sitting upright.
"What with your rough night, and your wanderings – and your rather – hard bed... we'll have to get you to spa for a couple of hours to relax and get some muscle control back. I'll get a nurse to help release some of your stress – and let's see... how does your chakra amount feel – you think you can take this battle so soon after the last one?" asked Yukio – disgustingly cheery.
Kakashi glared at the man – but his sleepiness detracted from it – he only looked cuter in Yukio's eyes.
"Kaka-sempai had a rough night?" asked Makoto, dopily.
"Ehhh... I didn't know you'd let yourself get THAT drunk... what do you think you were doing..." Ichiro shook his head, scolding his (obviously careless) sempai, while pulling him to his feet.
"Kakashi..." Yukio shook his head mournfully. "You heard them... and you may never get battle ready -"
"YOU ASS HOLE!" Kakashi yelled, slugging Yukio so hard, the ANBU left a deep imprint in the alleyway wall behind him. "It's not my fault that -"
Kakashi paused at the wide eyes of his underlings. Forcibly getting his rampant feelings under control, he shut his eyes and counted to five.
"Let's go," he said in the iciest tone possible.
Ichiro and Makoto said not a word as they passed their unconscious teammate, contenting themselves only with trading meaningful looks.
Those two, Ichiro thought with puzzlement, act like they're in a totally different world. Like they're operating on a totally different plane from the rest of us. I wonder if we'll ever get there – Makoto and I...
"Fill me in on the mission," Kakashi said sharply, uncomfortable under their eyes.
"Uh..." Makoto bit his lip uncertainly. "All we got from Yukio – he's the one who's got the orders... but – uh -" He petered off as Kakashi turned his head enough to glare at the younger man. "Well... it seems as though the Hidden Village of Rock has been taken over by Three men. One, Kabuto. The other, Kisame. But – you guys know that already – you two did the reconnaissance, didn't you? So you should know Tsunade-sama's reaction. We're spear heading an attack on the Village to assist the loyal nins in a coup against the present corrupt council – and then – hopefully, Rock will complete the treaty and we can all get out of the whole ugly affair of war – completely this time."
"Yes..." Ichiro sighed. "We'll all be able to relax in the sun – fold our hands – close our eyes – all this will just be a bad dream."
"This is the bad dream?" asked Kakashi.
The two newbie ANBU blinked uncertainly.
"A bad dream..." Kakashi repeated as he walked back to his apartment.
"You okay, Kaka-sempai?" asked Makoto.
"I'm fine," the leader said shortly. "My chakra is fine – I feel great..."
With that, Kakashi jumped away – in the direction of his apartment.
"He's okay," a firm voice said behind them – the two young men jumped and turned to see Yukio, rubbing his sollen jaw tenderly. "I expected worse – but it seems all he needed was a good night's rest..."
"It seems like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Makoto pointed out dryly.
"Ahahaha!" laughed Yukio.
Ichiro and Makoto joined in.
"Kakashi-sempai, as you call him," Yukio said, walking away, waving his hand. "Is the hardest to understand – but... one day you'll realize – that life isn't so easy to define as reality – and sometimes – every day is a -"
Bad dream you are dying to wake up from.
NEXT EPISODE:
CLASH WITH ROCK! PIECES FALL APART – and then... TOGETHER!
Just some stuff about me...
Favorite Clothes: Jeans and T-Shirt
Hair Color: Dark Brown with faded Blonde Hi-lights
First Anime Seen: Cardcaptor Sakura
Amount of siblings: 9
Favorite types of books: Science Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thrillers
Pet: Female Black Cat called Freddy (don't. ask.)
Favorite Drinking Spot: Tim Hortons (haha! Canadian, eh?)