Sparks 17

"Ignorance is the parent of fear."
— Herman Melville

The months that followed after the Chunin Exams were far slower than I expected. Life was getting back to normal, in a sense and finding a new rhythm was all part of the game.

I had another series of deliveries from Jiraiya. I glanced them over but ended up tucking the scrolls in my apartment for safe keeping. They had little to do with what I was looking for. It wasn't that I had given up on my goal - far from it. I just figured Lightning Country was where the details I needed lay. I needed that. But I wasn't crazy enough to just go there on my own. Ever since the Chunin Exams, far too many people knew who I was and knew that moniker Jiraiya gave me. Mind, it was perhaps 5 nin outside of Konoha and random others - but it was still far too many for my comfort. Kakashi never said anything about it, but there were days I swear he was humming Don't Stop Believing. I swear it. However any time I would even look at him or try to ask he'd give me that eye-smile of his and stop. If I dared to ask again he would say, "Tami-chan, I don't know what you're talking about".

The Troll.

In other news, Sasuke was starting to be nicer to Naruto. I swear I caught them once going through the finer details of ninjutsu. Sasuke being the impatient teacher and Naruto the infuriating student. The moment I walked on the scene they both pretended nothing was going on.

Indeed, men were strange.

Sasuke himself was starting to seem a bit friendlier with me. His smirks were slowly becoming more like smiles. Although rare, I welcomed the change.

Naruto on the other hand - the Chuin exams had an effect on him. He had somehow gotten himself ninja wire and started playing with it while I wasn't around. On one occasion, I found him in the training grounds reenacting my final battle with the Mist nin. It was a good thing I came across him as he ended up entangled in his own trap. Poor boy was far too embarrassed at being caught.

"It's fine, Tami-chan! I meant for this to happen! 'Ttebayo!" He told me through his nervous laughter. Cute, but terrible at lying.

"Ah? That so? You did do a splendid job at being caught." I told him teasingly. He turned red.

I may have taught him the basic idea of a cat's cradle after this, just so he wouldn't get wrapped up again. I think he was more thrilled that he alone got this lesson and Sasuke didn't.

I was still hearing about the ever lovely Sakura. Mostly Naruto wanted to know what kind of gifts he should give her. I tried not to give him firm answers. It sounded like Sakura wasn't interested. Whenever the subject came up, Naruto would glower at Sasuke who would ignore him right out. They were getting better, but it was still a struggle some days.

When the boys' respective birthdays arrived, we had a ball. Mind, they both didn't understand the fuss I made about it. Sasuke told me firmly that he wasn't a baby. While Naruto agreed he was more open to the idea. His mind didn't change until the idea of cake was brought up and then Naruto was far more interested. For Sasuke, he barely let me do a thing. The best I could do was take him out to eat at a restaurant. For Naruto? Well, we had cake and I tried my hand at making ramen. I got the recipe from Kurenai, and was in the middle of preparing it when the strangest thing happened. There was a crow at my window, staring at me.

Mind you; birds come and go. Most don't stare. This one? It followed me as I moved.

"Shoo." I waved my hand at it. It only ruffled its feathers, tilted its head and continued to stare. It probably just wanted the ramen. "This isn't for you. Go on. Go find another window to darken."

The bird surely had a mind of its own as it only hopped closer it's gaze darting from me, to Sasuke who was coming up behind me. It's head bobbed and took off shortly after. Odd.

Apparently Sasuke had a hidden ability - scaring off crows.

It was one of those strange things I didn't try to dwell on. Overall, the world I was living in was odd. What could I do about it?

My friendship with Kurenai was growing. She was tickled pink over my win. We would meet at my place at times for tea. We would talk about all sorts of girl-topics. But for now, she's talking about my least favorite topic.

"I can't believe you were able to beat him. With wire." She said. "How did you do it?"

I smiled awkwardly and fell deeper into my seat. I really didn't like the attention over this.

"Oh, you know. Luck." I muttered.

"That wasn't luck." Kurenai said. I sunk further into the couch. She laughed at me, shaking her head.

"Come on then. Have mercy, Kurenai." I whined.

"Fine - fine. I'll stop." She said with a smile. I should have lost when I had the chance.

Missions came and went. They were relatively simple - the council preferred us to focus on gathering intel where possible. Only now it meant sneaking into places we really didn't belong. Sometimes it involved fighting other ninja - sometimes it meant charming just the right person. Working with Kakashi after the Chunin exams was an adventure. He didn't hover nearly as much anymore. He rarely wanted to play with my phone (the games' charm wore off). He wasn't as bad anymore, his trolling became almost friendly at times. Now that he wasn't attempting to push me out of trees and being a general pain, we actually got along. Although what we talked on was nothing important. Personally, I knew nothing more than what I had learned the night before we were assigned to work together. Which, honestly, was fine.

He was the quiet sort over all. And, it was probably best to keep things professional. And then, again, that bleeding heart Asuma accused me of having started acting up.

We were on mission, bouncing from city to city when I noticed it. I tried not to notice anything concerning him. We were following paper trails of some man. We had gotten into a few alterations with others which were dealt with rather swiftly. I didn't think much of anything until I started seeing Kakashi wasn't sleeping well. He never really gave any signs of anything, however the next morning his eyes had bags and he seemed rather sluggish. I ignored it for the first couple of days but by day four my concern was mounting. So I started paying a bit more attention to him.

Between cities, we would run from point A to point B. In the middle of it, he would be rubbing his neck more often than not. Stress. It was stress. I didn't know from what, but that's what it was. It could have been a variety of reasons. The lifestyle, things going on with him, or any slew of reasons. I couldn't even guess - he was still as reserved as when I first was partnered with him. But I could help him with this. I supposed I was being a good partner.

We were sitting in the middle of nowhere for the night when I finally decided what I was going to do. His nose was in another Icha Icha book, this time it was Icha Icha Violence. I could only guess the contents. His one hand was resting on the back of his neck while the other was holding the pages open.

"So~" I began, "The next night - we'll be in a hotel, ah?"

"Should be." Kakashi muttered. I was rather surprised he could both read and talk at the same time.

"Grand - I rather miss the access to the finer things." I murmured. Like chairs. I wasn't going to continue my plot here, out in the open, without any chairs with no backs. I needed him to be relaxed. Not in the wilderness, where we could be attacked at any moment. I needed to reduce the amount of stress he was going through.

Kakashi glanced up at me with his eyebrow quirked. "Not enjoying the great outdoors?"

"Highly over-" I began in an even tone but squeaked when I noticed an eight-legged thing making its way towards me. I leapt up and put distance between me and it. Kakashi watched me as I went. It was the third time in a week I'd seen the things. Beetles, spiders and those nasty giant centipedes.

"I'm rather done with the crawlers." I said, staring down at the eight legged death that tried to do me in. "Could you kill it? That thing is giant. It has its own zip code."

"It isn't even poisonous." He said dully.

"I don't care." I said, staring down at it. "It's looking at me cross."

I could see amusement shining in his eyes as he turned back to his book. "You should argue with it. Maybe it'll run away."

"Hatake Kakashi." I muttered, crossing my arms around myself. The thing was making its way away from the fire, but I still didn't trust it. It was evil. Probably plotting my downfall.

"Walker Tami." He countered. He didn't even look up from his book.

Instead of sitting back where I had been, I sat near him - arms length away. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye. I stuck my tongue out at him and he went back to his book.

Good. We would be going to a hotel - poor man needed to relax and I needed to get away from the crawlers.

The night at the hotel didn't come soon enough. We, of course, had other things to deal with. Mostly poking about and getting into other people's business. We had only tossed our things in the room before heading out. It wasn't until late when we finally returned. I entered in before him. He was lagging behind, still rubbing the back of his head.

I snagged a chair from the desk and pulled it out. He stood there watching me like I presented him with a new puzzle.

"Right then. Sit." I said, tapping the back of the chair. Shoulder rubs were a normal part of theater work. The work could be stress inducing and we needed to relax - it was a simple part of the job. While I wasn't amazing at it like some of my ex-coworkers I was sufficient. That little nothing skill would help here.

Kakashi looked to me, at the chair and back at me. "What?"

"You're carrying far too much tension. Shoulder rub." I said firmly. He paled. And then turned red. Interesting. I must have embarrassed him.

"Aaa- Tami-chan, I think…" He began, trying to move around the chair, "I really think that's a bad-"

Ugh. He was going to fight me on this? I knew he wasn't much for physical contact, but my. I went to block him and he was still trying to get around me.

"It's just a shoulder rub, luv. Nothing to it. I've done this before." I said waving away his concern. He groaned, his hand still scratching the back of his head.

"Listen - if you're just concerned about my being that close to your neck - I'll take my weapons off. No one's here - no one will see a thing. You've nothing to be concerned about. I won't even bring it up again." I carried on. He tried to go around me again, via bounding over the bed but I went to block him there too. I wasn't as grand as he was at copying others, mimicking his movements, but I was able to get him frustrated enough to finally respond.

"You aren't going to let this go, are you?" He asked. I could hear the frustration building in his voice.

"Why? Am I that apparent?" I said cheekily, "sit down. It'll be over before you know it."

He let out a low groan and made his way to the chair like a man being led to the guillotine. He just plopped himself down in the chair in exasperation, glowering at me from his one eye.

"Right then. Half the job is done. Do tell, how do you think I'm going to be able to work through that flak jacket? The sweater though-" I began, drumming my fingers on my chin in thought. He shot me another icy look and started unzipping his jacket and tossed it off. I was about to tell him that I could work through the sweater-jacket he wore when he tossed that off too. He kept his headband and fingerless gloves on. He then plopped back down in the chair and glared at me as if I made him do the unimaginable. I was kind of surprised by what he wore under the standard issue wear. His mask wasn't just a mask - it was part of his very top. It was almost like spandex, form-fitting and sleeveless. I could even see his tattoo stating he had been in the Anbu. The tattoo was clearly faded - he had it for at least ten years. How old was he when he became one? He must have been young. And - embarrassingly - I must report that his uniform did nothing for his figure. His uniform made him look like a grumpy grandfather in a large bathrobe. In that spandex undershirt of his? The man was pure muscle and sinew. He looked like he was built for speed itself. From working with him, I knew this to be fact. The muscles in his back? His arms? I glanced away, pushing my hair out of my face. I had never seen him without his jacket off - I almost felt like I was seeing something I shouldn't.

I cleared my throat, forcing my thoughts elsewhere and made my way to stand behind the chair.

"Right then. So, just so you are aware - I'll be working here, right here and there." I told him, pressing my thumbs lightly against the base of his head, his neck and shoulders. He hummed. He was so tense, even now. It was going to be like massaging a rock. I should have done this eons ago. No wonder he couldn't sleep. It was going to take time, but we had that and he needed to relax.

"I'm not going to mess with your mask-shirt, luv." I said. I hoped it might help him let go some of the tension, but none of it left.

"I know." He grumbled.

With that I began my work. It took a long while for him to relax. But slowly I watched as his figure started to lose some tension. I saw it in his legs first, him adjusting the way he sat to more of a sprawl. Soon enough his arms hung limp in his lap. I continued going, working quietly for a long time. By the time I was done he was breathing deeply, the picture of relaxation. He had to be asleep. He hadn't moved for ten - maybe fifteen minutes. I couldn't just let him sleep there. Not after all the work I had done. He would wake up with a crick in his neck and all my work would be undone. So I slipped his arm over my shoulders and led him to his usual bed choice and typical side (he was rather habitual for a ninja). I tossed aside the covers and laid him down. That was when I realized the issue; he hadn't taken off his sandals yet, let alone his headband or gloves. Again. The work I had just done? He could at least get a decent night's sleep.

"I am sorry about this. I'm sure you rather not have a partner in your business. You can be upset with me later, if you'd like." I told him in a soft whisper. He didn't move. I reached up and slipped his headband off first. I did so as smoothly as I could. I did have to work around his bush-shaped head of hair. My fingers slipped right through that head of hair he had. It was surprisingly soft for how it stuck straight out. I folded it up and set it aside on the nightstand. His gloves were next. I gently worked them off. His hands themselves told the story of a fighter - so many knicks and scars. Mostly they were thin little white lines across his thumb - evidence of him summoning his team so often. I placed his gloves beside his headband. It wasn't until I worked on taking his sandals off that he even remotely twitched. I wondered if he might be even remotely ticklish; that thought alone nearly destroyed his deadly appearance. Kakashi seemed still fast asleep, even though. I gently worked off his sandals one at a time, my hand holding his heel while the other shifted off the sandal itself. I took his shoes where he usually kept them just so he'd be able to find them when he awoke. Soon thereafter I pulled the covers over him and found my own way to bed. I hoped he would be able to sleep well.

Kakashi lay there, listening to his partner finally go to sleep. It didn't take long. She fell asleep not long after. While she was a great actress, she wasn't as deceptive as, say, he was. He sat up, turning to see her sleeping form there. She looked so peaceful - so quiet. She told him he could be angry with her? Nothing could be further from the truth. Kakashi had never been held or touched like she had just done. At first he thought she was going for his mask and was getting ready to stop her at the last second. Instead she went another direction and he had to fight to remain there still and unmoving. Her fingers through his hair? He didn't recall the last time anyone was so familiar with him - or so gentle. It was nice. Her nimble fingers working at his gloves was probably his favorite way they'd ever been taken off. The fact that she even took his sandals off - it surprised him and he nearly blew his cover. He had never been caressed like she had just done, like she was holding something so very important. It was agony.

Kakashi was losing his heart to a blonde with a sharp tongue and gentle hands who planned to leave. He didn't know what he was going to do. He couldn't do anything but help her get home. She might have someone. What other choice did he have? She wasn't making it easy on him and she didn't even know. She never showed any interest in him, not like Rin had. She never showed him she loved him besides being sweet like she was with anyone else. It would have been easy to think it was just her being a flirt. That she was involved in some scheme. But, he realized Guy had been right. That's just how she was. She barely even knew what she was doing - her eyes sparkling and her grin bright.

Kakashi already had a plan formed - she wanted to return home and he would help her. He already was trying to figure out the puzzle presented before him. He was guessing she was from another time or country entirely - probably both. By the time she left, if things continued… Well, he wondered if there was another level to the Sharingan that hadn't been discovered.

But, for the time being - he would do his best to keep his distance, damage control. He would have to keep his guard up. Kakashi didn't know how well he would be able to do it. That shoulder massage alone…. Tami drew him in so easily. Like a moth to a flame. That stunt she pulled after he failed the genin - she had so much faith in him. She didn't question his decision to fail the students while he gained nothing but looks from others. He could see the stress in Guy's smile. The concern in the Hokage's gaze. Tami didn't even flinch at his rage at the new recruits. She agreed, backed up his decision and did her best to distract him. Then the Chunin exams came and Danzo started poking around. She finally stepped up and fought. He had thought it was just a lack of self confidence, and that's why she wouldn't fight him at her true capacity. He had thought that the moment she won, she would brag. Instead Tami pretended it never even happened. She was embarrassed by any attention she received for her skill - like she was unused to it and didn't want it. She was clever in a way he didn't see very often. He didn't know at the time how just seeing Danzo scared her, but she had been shaking when she grabbed his arm. Kakashi didn't know how to feel to know she sought him for comfort when she was scared. He couldn't even dream of having hope that she might-.

She had figured out Danzo in seconds of meeting him. There was nothing to read. He was strongly beginning to believe that she wasn't just good at reading people. She was an empath. She wasn't just reading them, she was reading their very aura. That was why she understood everything so easily. Why she knew his moods when she said she wasn't trying. That was why she couldn't fight at her best against others. And that was why she would be horrible in Anbu; why she couldn't be in Torture and Interrogation.

So, he would do his best to guide her without her knowing. He would play an intricate game of cat and mouse, with himself, with her, with anyone who would try to corrupt her. It was bad enough she became a ninja. Tami didn't belong in that line of work.

There were days - there were days she reminded Kakashi of someone. He just couldn't believe there was someone like that out there. How cruel was it that now that he found a woman like that, she would be leaving?

The following days of the mission Kakashi seemed fine. He looked far better, well rested. Just odd - he continued to be the ever distant house cat. I figured the shoulder rub made him uncomfortable. He didn't avoid me persay, not like the flirting incident. But he had his nose in his book more often than not. He didn't pay me much mind. Which was fine. It was fine. But it felt like he was stepping away from what friendship we had. It shouldn't bother me like it was. It was for the best. It was for the best. Perhaps he knew what I knew. Best to be professional.

Our mission ended soon enough and the moment we crossed the Konoha gates Kakashi was gone.

Ah. Well.

Ever the distant housecat was Kakashi. He wasn't my problem to solve, but my partner to work with.

So instead of dwelling on my odd partner, I carried on and waited until I could go pick up the boys from school. I waited quietly, watching the doors. I was getting less glares since my Chunin win, and more curious glances. One specifically was a chubbier sort. I don't think I ever saw him without a bag of food in his grasp, or without his who nearly always had a glower on his face. The chubby one had been watching me carefully for weeks when I picked up Naruto and Sasuke. Him first, and then eventually his friend started shooting me looks too. That was the day I finally found out why.

I had been waiting off to the side - as I usually did. I was trying to figure out how the rest of my day would go - trying to figure out the plan. Naruto was being held back to be spoken to again and Sasuke had found me. That was when the one with the crisps came up to me. His stance alone told me it took a lot of pluck for him to come over. His friend flanked him, appearing far too irritated.

"Choji…" Sasuke muttered as he came up. Ah. So that was his name. I knelt down to look him in the eye.

"Can I help you?" I asked, glancing from Choji to his unnamed friend. His friend's hands were deep in his own pockets, his shoulders slumped forward - my goodness. Was he a distant relative to Kakashi? One could only wonder.

"I was just wondering." Choji began, darting a daring glance at Sasuke and back to me. "Why - I mean, how come-"

"Why did you befriend Naruto?" His friend asked right out, irritation clear in his gaze. He had to be related to Kakashi - honestly, if the boy had silver hair it would be hard to say he wasn't. Maybe a distant cousin? Nephew?

"Well, why haven't you?" I countered, glancing from one to the other. Choji ducked his head, and the other scoffed and turned his gaze away, muttering mendokusē.

Here we go again.

"Because, simply, just because someone says one thing, doesn't mean that it's the case. I make it a point to investigate things myself. Just because people say Naruto is what he is, doesn't mean he is so." I said, "Best to use the tool between your ears before it rots out your head, ah?"

"Best advice I've heard here in years." A man's voice rang out. I glanced up and saw a man standing there, scars on his face. He looked near identical to the little boy before me - the unnamed one.

"And from a woman, no less." He spoke again, evaluating me once more. Ugh. He could have stopped right before the sexist comment. I stood up to regard him and then noticed he wasn't the only one there.

It looked like Choji's father had come up too - they were both rather plump.

"What can I say? Once in a blue moon we suddenly gain a mind of our own and can use it. Strange, I'm sure. But it does rather even the playing field, ah?" I said dryly.

"Women are supposed to be sweet and docile." He complained, a firm frown on his face. My, he sounded like my father - women are to be seen and not heard.

"Tried it. I traded sugar for spice. Worked far better - attracted less flies and only true friends." I said with a grin.

"Inoichi was right about you. You certainly have a way with words." Choji's father said with a small smile.

"Ah, friends of his." I said, staind standing up. "Rather good to finally meet you. I would assume you are illustrious Akimichi Choza, and you would be the ever famous Nara Shikaku."

Choza smiled and Shikaku frowned at me.

"I'll be talking to Hatake about your attitude." Shikaku told me.

"Please do. He needs a support group." I replied. In more ways than one.

Choza chuckled while Shikaku scowled. That was when Naruto came up, inching his way around the two men to stand by my side. His face was drawn into fierce concern.

"Shikamaru? Choji?" He asked, worry filtering into his tone. I ruffled his hair.

"We're making new friends over here, ah?" I nodded to the men around. I could hear Sasuke scoff behind me.

"Indeed." Shikaku grumbled and led his son away. Choza, far friendlier, gave me a tiny wave before departing.

The rest of the day was normal. And even the following. I continued my training, continued to practice. I had to. I had to get home. Uncle would never stop looking for me. I wasn't even there to be found. No body, no nothing (at least I assumed). We had both seen enough to know anything after 48 hours was - nothing good happened. Nothing. I knew what had happened - but Uncle? He had no idea. For all I knew he was using his free time to get thoroughly sloshed. I couldn't be responsible for that. I had to get stronger if only to get home.

I was in the middle of practice when an unknown voice disrupted my peace.

"So very few are as dedicated as you. Even fewer only had little over a year's knowledge." A man said. I spun and saw that evil man from before. Danzo - his name was Danzo. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise up. This one. I didn't like him. There was something so very dark about him. So very vile. I doubted he even bled red.

"I've good teachers." I responded, looking away. This one - I felt like I was walking on thin ice, any moment I would fall through. Any crack and it would be exploited.

"So good you won the exams." He said.

"Kakashi knew the best way to win." I hedged. Kakashi had little to do with it, but perhaps I could fool this one.

"And you were able to execute his plans. Still a feat." Danzo continued. Ah, not what I wanted. "Perhaps, we could work together. I'm sure you and I could be of use to the other. In fact - I'm sure I could find your family. Easily."

Ah. He wanted what? To combine forces? For what? I didn't trust the man. He was vile. While the offer was tempting, Uncle taught me well to never deal with these sorts. He had something hidden deep in those sleeves of his. Something bouncing around in his head. I had no interest in finding out what, or whatever he thought he could or would do. If that wasn't it, there was something about him that so reminded me of my father - of his ambition. Something about this man told me he would do anything to achieve his goals.

"Forgive me. But I doubt I would be able to do much for a man who's so clearly far exceeds my own capabilities. Certainly, a foolish little thing like myself has no use to you." I turned my head away, trying to think of the best way to deal with him.

"So hard on yourself?" He carried on, trying to sound sweet and charming. It was like a snake itself was trying to hypnotize its victim before strangling it to death.

"The truth hurts. I'm a mere nobody." I said with conviction. He was about to carry on when Kakashi's abrupt appearance stopped him and startled me. The man had leapt from the trees and onto the ground between us both. I had never seen him act that way off of the battlefield.

"Danzo." He said. He didn't even seem to realize I was there.

"Kakashi. Good to see you again. How is it working under the Lord Hokage?" Danzo asked, his tone light but hidden with meaning. Ah. All my work was gone, as I watched Kakashi's shoulders tense and coil. There was something in that barb aimed directly at Kakashi. Something relating to Hokage Hiruzen.

"Thank you. For the offer. I'm afraid I'll have to decline working with you. You see I'm partnered with this one. I'm not the sort to have divided loyalties." I said in my best charming tone. I stepped closer to Kakashi, needing that bit of calm he had. It was then he reminded me of the Doctor - the Oncoming Storm. If that wasn't Kakashi, with his lightning in his hand - I didn't know what would be.

Danzo didn't smile. He didn't frown. He only gave a small nod and left.

Kakashi and I didn't move for a long time after he left. Neither of us spoke.

"What did he want?" Kakashi asked.
"He wanted to team up. I tried to dissuade him. He still wanted to use me, it seems. I bet he wanted a puppet more than anything." I explained quietly. He still hadn't looked away from where Danzo had disappeared off to.

"Stay away from him." He told me.

"I'm well aware he's bad news. I've no interest in gaining any more attention from him." I said.I placed a hand on his arm. The moment I did, Kakashi jerked and his full attention snapped to me.

I gave a mild shrug, and looked away.

"Besides. I do prefer working with raggedy scarecrows than evil, vile men. Truly, he's the wicked witch of the west." I said playfully. His gaze warmed for just a moment before he turned his head.

"Come on." He said, leading me away. We ended up getting lunch. As usual he finished his food far too quick while I was still picking at mine.

"Thank you, for coming when you did. He was going to try to force something one way or the other." I said.

"He doesn't force. He coerces. Manipulates things so you think he's right and everything else is wrong." Kakashi told me softly.

"Mm." I thought back to the conversation - true. He had been trying to. "All the same. Thank you."

He hummed, not saying a thing about it. Idly, I started thinking about the previous comparison I had made to the Wizard of Oz. I could never do Kakashi the disservice of comparing him to the Scarecrow there (he both had a brain and used it very well) but the gist of the idea fit well. I, Dorothy, him the Scarecrow - Pakkun would have to be Toto. Naruto could be the Lion who already had courage. Sasuke, the Tin-man who was slowly gaining back his heart. All we needed was Glenda, the Good Witch. Although I doubted my partner would find my idea as fitting as I did.

I continued to pick at my food, trying to figure out who Glinda was when I noticed my partner had taken out another book to read. I had thought it was another Icha Icha book, but it wasn't.

Natsumi: The Lost Hope. The title itself, I had seen something similar to it - only the book bind with the title but… I didn't know if I should have looked further then or not. The reason for my concern? My very face was on the back cover. I almost didn't recognize me - some of my features were off. However, they had used my work attire. The navy blue bangs and pink hair. The purple gaze and all sass. Even my signature cheshire grin. My outfit was a touch different, similar but like seeing your own culture reflected back at you from another lense.

Without even thinking about it, I reached out to pluck the book from Kakashi's hands. He jerked it away.

"Hey!" He said, holding the book above his head. "I just got this. It was released just yesterday."

I stared at the book and then glanced back to Kakashi.

"O-oh? A-a new series then?" I asked, hope trying to make itself known in my voice. Maybe Inoichi took my tales and wrote a series? Or maybe Jiraiya under another pen name. Ibiki didn't have an artistic bone in his body. That couldn't - I couldn't be….

"No. Been out for ten years, at least." Kakashi said. I could see him slowly unwind and bring the book back down.

Ten years. Ten?!

"New character?" I gestured to the back of the book.

"No - she's the main character." He corrected me.

The main character? No. No, no, no.

"Could you - could you tell me about the story?" I asked hopefully. Maybe it was all just a coincidence. I hoped it was. It had to be. "I might like to pick it up. Looks interesting."

Kakashi closed his book and put it in his back pouch.

"It's a story about a daughter of a high ranking political figure. She grows up alone, and is forced to leave her home when she's ten years old. Her Uncle takes her in - becomes the father she never had." He explained.

"Do tell." I said hollowly. He seemed to take it as a reason to continue on.

"It's a beautiful story. She solves mysteries with her Uncle while he curbs her tendency to rebel." He said.

"How - how many books are there?" I asked.

"Five. The first focus' on her Uncle and her more than anything." Kakashi told me. "I have them if you want to…."

"Please." I said.

He stopped for a moment, studying me carefully. He was trying to figure out why I was so - off. I knew it because of the touch of concern I saw there.

"It just sounds like such a good story." I said. He led me to his apartment. It was smaller than mine, just a studio. I stood there in the doorway, leaning against the frame as he picked out the books. I tried to calm my own nerves. This could be nothing. It had to be nothing. It was nothing. Not until I found out for myself. I took the time to distract myself by looking at his room. Everything was in its place, not a thing just laying any which way. It was as if he lived in one of those home decor magazines without the decor. He had very little personal effects. No photos of his father. However, there was a picture on his shelf near his bed where a photo of him as a child with two others and a blond jounin stood. He looked -cute, in a word. Far less aggressive and unapproachable than usual. His walls were near empty save for - save for that blasted poster Jiraiya had to have made for my album. It looked like he had a record player and only one record in his possession. So that's why he had been humming don't stop believing. Ugh, that man. He was dedicated to embarrassing me.

Kakashi returned to me only a moment later, the books in his hands. "Don't bend the pages. Or the spine."

"I won't." I promised.

The following days I buried myself in the series when I could. I did my best to keep up appearances that all was well. The book was - it was horrifying. The finer details of my life were different. However it was me. My Uncle, my cousin. Everything. What was different was the fact that the names were wrong and mostly things seemed to be set up in the world of Naruto - although things were missing, like the ninja and various other lifestyle choices. I was a movie extra who had some major roles in minor films. Uncle wasn't a detective but a war veteran and officer.

Overall, it was stunningly close. So much so, it echoed conversations, friendships - everything. Maya's name in the series was Mayu, and the series followed private conversations I had with her. We met because she had been in a rough situation at home. Her mother had ran away and her father was an angry drunk. She fell into the wrong crowd and I came across her because of it. I couldn't not help her - just like I couldn't stop myself from helping Naruto or Sasuke.
Uncle, the grumpy but loving man he was helped where he could. There were times Maya and I had to talk about her specific case. I promised her that I would conveniently forget whatever she didn't want me to know. Now that promise was between me and her and how many other hundreds had read the book. The only thing it seemed to miss was Naruto, and Maya's love for anime. Instead, she was a fan of kabuki theater.

The book went into stunning detail of my life before my Uncle - the isolation, the loneliness. Everything. It focused on my post-father-rejection anger and the slow healing that came from it. My foolish relationship with Robert (again, named something else). Even my co-worker Axel, who tried to make it his life's work to fix me. Even my catchphrases were different. I called people dear in the book.

Kakashi knew all of my sordid secrets and personal pain. All written in the series he borrowed to me himself. He knew it all. And I only knew one of his - how unfair was that? Perhaps I should have watched Naruto far before this. Then I might be on equal footing with the man. However, it seemed no matter how hard I tried - Kakashi was one step ahead of me. That - that… that man. I didn't know what I was going to do about him. I didn't know where this left me. As soon as I could, I went and bought the new book (after dropping off the four books to Kakashi).

The new book was - was depressing.

It detailed the case I had been helping with my Uncle before I was taken away. According to the book, I wasn't taken away after talking to Maya. I had continued on. I went to complete the case and Uncle and I got into some trouble. According to the series, I took a knife to the chest meant for my Uncle. I had jumped in front of him to protect him. I died there in his arms. The book followed the story until after the burial. My father made a fool of himself, going on about how loved I was. Uncle decked him (good for Uncle. I would send him artisan beer if I could). Charles stepped in and helped his own father more. The book ended in a somber tone but hopeful.

Was that what really happened? Had I died and not known it? Or was it my own memories the correct version of events? I knew what I knew. My memory wasn't known to fail me - ever. I would have known if - if that had happened. Maybe those missing nin saved my life. Maybe they helped me in ways I didn't know. Or maybe? Maybe. I didn't know. I wished I could say I had the courage to find out. The answers I wanted could potentially throw everything off. Instead I buried myself in being attentive to Sasuke and Naruto. Sasuke noticed but didn't question me. He knew I was odd. Naruto, well, he loved the extra attention. And the movie nights that came with me needing a distraction (he loved popcorn). Sasuke was over more often, but I doubted it was because of his own concerns and sleepless nights. He didn't say. I never asked.

I had been sitting on my own just processing the events when Kakashi came up and sat next to me. He was silent for a time. It probably took him ten minutes to finally speak.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I said simply. "Ah.. good - good book recommendation. Sad ending."

"Yeah. It's a shame it ended like that. Natsumi and her Uncle were my favorite characters. He should have punched his brother years ago." Kakashi said. He had no idea how much I agreed with him.

"Probably." I agreed hollowly. Kakashi turned to me, looking at me with concern. He didn't say anything else but patted me on the shoulder. It was then when I wondered who ended up with the man beside me. Whose heart he would win. Out of everyone I had met, he deserved it. Hang what Owl thought. This one needed a happy ending.

AN:/ Another chapter! Again! I had a bit of a time figuring this out. This part of the story where she had found out about the book originally took place either next chapter or the chapter after that - but it worked well for here and now. The idea was inspired from a Gundam Wing fanfic I read. I loved the idea, but kind of wanted to put my own spin on it. I tried finding it, but I've lost it unfortunately. It was such a sad story, but SO GOOD. I liked the idea for here, because well how funny is it that Tami knows nothing about him, but he knows everything about her and doesn't know it. It might be a bit much - but that's why this is a fanfic :P

I hope you guys loved this chapter! Again - thank you so much for the reviews, and favorites and follows (My favorites are nearly at 100. :O I can't believe that.)
ALSO - the scene before the shoulder massage was a little different. I nearly added it but I decided the conversation would be saved for another time in the story. However, I didn't have the heart to destroy it so I'm going to post another story as "Sparks Outtakes" and put it there.

I hope you all are doing well, safe, happy and remain that way! :3

Note: Tami isn't actually an empath. Kakashi is just trying to reason how she can do what she can do. She actually uses her skills as an actress to put herself in someone else's shoes to understand that person. It's close to what an empath is, but empath's tend to feel the emotion as if it's their own. Tami doesn't do that :P