A/N : Well, last time it took me a month to post another chapter, but now I'm on a binge. Ha ha. But, yes, I hope you are enjoying how the story is progressing. And don't forget, I love to hear comments! Good or bad, I don't care. Just Rate! Thank you!

And I don't own Naruto. (Once again bows to Kishimoto)

Chapter Three: Mask

(happens parallel to chapter two)

Amidst the dancing spots of light under the trees in the forest outside of the village, Kakashi strolled in the cool shade, hands in his pockets as always. The trees here were thicker, showing their great age. There was no path among all the roots and high grass, but Kakashi seemed to know the exact path his feet should take. Then, with a bright gleam of light off of his striking gray hair, Kakashi stepped into a bright clearing. Before him, the ground sloped forward in a great dip that must have been over a hundred feet in diameter. It looked as if a great crater had once scarred the land, though the tall grass and a few small trees masked the damage that once existed there. Coming into the bright light, Kakashi squinted and glanced around the clearing, though he did not move from the edge of the trees. He was familiar with this place, that was obvious, and now he was looking for something.

"Yo. Ghost-san. I know you're here." He called casually, barely raising his voice above its normal tone, placing a hand to his mouth to aid the sound.

"Hello, Kakashi-sensei." Kakashi turned, somewhat startled that the voice was so close. The greeting had come from a high place just behind Kakashi. Tilting his head upwards, he found the source, standing upon a branch about thirty feet off the ground. The figure stood, leaning against the tree's trunk for support, arms crossed, and the wisps of hair around her blank mask waived lightly in the gentle breeze along with the loose lower portion of her clothing. Half of her body was gripped by the shadows that hung from the leaves, making the girl look, for lack of a better term, cool. "Long time no see."

With one step, the girl allowed gravity to take control of her body, now off of the support of the branch. As she fell, her long braid trailed behind her. The balls of her feet hit the ground hard, just beside Kakashi, and she bent her legs to soften the impact. In one smooth motion, she rose again. Kakashi's body was facing the forest, hers facing the clearing. Kakashi's head turned to hers, two feet from his, and he was met with only those two blank slits, though the sight did not match the mocking tone of the voice that came from behind it. "What's with the 'Ghost-san'?"

The girl, 'Ghost,' was almost two heads shorter than Kakashi, though her stature was truly about average for a teenager. The tall man turned to her, his visible eye showing a look of amusement at the actions of the young girl before him. By instinct, one hand went back and placed itself on the back of his gray mop of hair.

With a mild note of amusement, he said, "Isn't it customary to give respect to your superiors?"

Ghost's arms crossed and her body took a stance as if to scold Kakashi, though her voice gave the impression that she was smiling behind the mask. "Heh. You're beginning to remind me of your old self, Kakashi-sensei. Just call me Ghost-chan as always."

The two take a moment to chuckle to themselves at their strange greeting. After a moment, Kakashi sat down heavily on a nearby log that had long been downed. Ghost, opting to stand instead, leaned against a tree just a few feet away. They both stared off onto the clearing. The bright grass there would wave every few minutes in the light breeze and it sparkled as the sun hit the blades.

Kakashi, sitting with his elbows on his knees as his hands hung listlessly, wasted no time before imploring the other for information. He barely looked over to her as he spoke. "So, Ghost-chan, when did you get back? How long has it been?"

If there had been any expression or look in Kakashi's direction, it could not be seen. Ghost just seemed to stare right off into the blue sky ahead of her. Her voice was more serious now. "I got back just as you saw me before. I haven't even visited Tsunade. Or Sandaime…. I… I've missed a lot over the past year, haven't I, Kakashi?"

She paused, seeming to expect a response.

"…." Kakashi didn't respond. He wasn't sure how to.

Ghost continued. "You've gotten some new students. Finally. And then the attack…." Her head shifted downward. "I should have been here."

Kakashi waived a hand loosely to brush off the girl's serious comment, as if such needless guilt was an old habit of hers. "You can't blame yourself. You were away on a mission. You never could have known."

She didn't move, but her voice drifted. "But I still wonder... sigh"

Her tone changed suddenly as she changed the subject and her head drifted back toward the sky. "But you have quite the team, Kakashi. Both an Uchiha and Uzumaki Naruto. That's an odd combination." Her head shifted in his direction. He could feel rather than see her eyes peering at him through the slits. "Kinda reminds me of the stories of you and Obito…." Kakashi's eye cast downward unintentionally. Seeing this, Ghost went back to her speech quickly. "Plus that Haruno girl seems to have a head on her shoulders, provided her eyes don't stray too close to Sasuke..."

"Ha ha." That brightened Kakashi up on the spot. He couldn't help himself from emitting an audible laugh. "Exactly my thoughts when I took them as my students." He scratched his temple instinctively. "They've been a real handful lately though. Naruto and Sasuke... Well, you saw for yourself."

"Hee hee hee." Her shoulders shook as she laughed quietly. Her voice was back to that almost mocking tone. "They're certainly entertaining. I wonder how well they'll work together…." She drifted off thoughtfully, though a note in her voice leaves a hint that there may be more to her words.

Kakashi caught the hint. He turned to her, eyebrow curving curiously. "What's that?"

"Nothing, nothing. Just a thought…." She responded, a laugh on the edge of her lips.

Kakashi turned, speaking a little more accusatory. "You're not the type to think out loud. What is it?"

"Nothing, nothing. Hee hee."

Sigh. Kakashi, with a look of defeat in that one eye, sought to get back to the previous subject. He implored, "So, why is it that you came back?"

"Ha. Very perceptive, as usual, Kakashi-sensei. I suppose I can't just come back to visit you?" Her voice had a bite of sweetness to it, though her sarcasm overpowered it.

"No. You're too dedicated a ninja. Why have you come back?" Kakashi looked at her, serious this time; it was time to get some answers.

"You know me too well..." Her tone changed as well. "Well, my present mission has just happened to lead me back here. Not to mention I was called here by Tsunade-sama the first day she took office. It seems she has a new mission for me..."

"Any ideas what it could be?" This question was more forceful. This almost sounded like an interrogation.

"I have a good idea."

"Does it have to do with Naruto?" He stared at her as if trying to look right through her, seeking the answer.

Ghost failed to fold under that stare. She shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. We'll both find out soon enough, I'd guess…." She kept her answers vague, as usual.

After a short pause, she lifted her weight of the tree heavily. She spoke as she began to walk off into the clearing, though she did not turn her head. "I'll be going to visit Sandaime. It really has been too long…."

She strolled lazily in the sun, breeze pulling at her hair. Kakashi pondered for a moment before standing and calling to her, still a short distance away.

"Ghost-san."

Ghost didn't bother to stop or even turn. She only raised her arm and waved back to him. "I told you not to call me that, Kakashi-sensei." she said, mockingly.

He ignored her and asked, half calling the question due to the increasing distance. "Why do you still wear that mask? No one would recognize you now."

Ghost stopped on the spot, mid-step. She paused, head tilted to the ground.

Kakashi stared at her back which bore the symbol of her clan. It was a circle containing a triangle which further held a shape with three protrusions, not unlike a pinwheel. To Kakashi's surprise, he saw her hand move behind her thin frame to her face. She half-turned, making her face visible though her hand with the mask was not far from her face.

Her face was striking. She had a straight, well-chiseled nose, full cheeks and a strong, thin chin. Her lips were a pale pink that stood out on her incredibly pale skin. Her eyes were a dark blue and incredibly chilling, though they had a sad look to them. The lashes were long and framed those dark orbs perfectly. On her left cheek a long vertical scar dared to mark upon her beauty.

When she turned, she smiled openly to Kakashi. Openly…. Or was it hollow? It was hard for Kakashi to tell. She said sweetly, "Which mask might you be referring to, Kakashi-sensei?" After a moment, she disappeared in an instant, still smiling.

Kakashi just stood there for a moment before his hand drifted to the back of his head again and a sweat drop fell from his forehead.

"Oi. She's cryptic as always..."