Author: I apologize in advance for any out-of-character behaviour on Kakashi's part. I try, I really do. But...it's hard to switch from feral to pervy and intellegent quickly. Be kind. And review! Please, please, please PLEASE review. I live off reviews. They keep me going. Now...I hope you enjoy the story!

The months passed, and Kawao began to grow restless. Those eyes haunted him in his dreams, but never was bought into traveling to Konoha. Both he and the fox believed Fate was working against them, but both knew that eventually they would end up in Konoha.

It was almost eight months to the day when he met those eyes again.

Apparently, he was supposed to be doing an undercover operation, but Kawao was drawn to him as soon as he saw him. He made his way to him only to be brought up short by how he gently brushed the hair out of the eyes of the woman next to him. That gesture was affectionate, loving, and spoke that the two were not just friends. A deep, rumbling anger filled his chest, and he scowled darkly at the ground.

How to get him to himself?

The situation was made even more complicated when two others joined them; a man with silver hair and one eye covered by a hood, the other the same girl he had seen with those eyes earlier. The silver-haired man seemed to feel that they were being watched, and looked about covertly until he made eye contact.

Kawao saw his one eye widen, and it was in a mixture of amazement, puzzlement, a slight tinge of cautious fear, and interest. Kawao allowed himself to wonder what the man(a name was on the edge of his conciousness, but how could he know one? He was pretty sure he'd never met yonder man before) saw when he looked at Kawao.

---

Kakashi had felt an itch of recognition since he had entered the town, a muted, muddled chakra signature that he felt he should know taunting him constantly. He had arranged to meet with Sakura, Sasuke, and Kumori(Sasuke's girlfriend), to talk over any information that they had gathered about the wayward guide-for-hire. The moment he met up with Sasuke, he felt that they were being watched...no, not all of them. Just one person in particular. The feeling was too focused to encompass the entire group. He looked around slowly and, in time, caught eyes that held him, and made him suppress a shiver.

Blood red eyes with slitted pupils. Dangerous, murderous eyes. Demon eyes. But their anger was not focused on him. The emotion from those eyes towards him were simply of amusement and an uneasy almost recognition. No, the ire in those eyes was centered on someone else. He looked at their group, and traced the line of sight from that eerie glare. He decided that the owner of those eyes was really, really pissed at either Sasuke or Kumori. He tuned his senses a little further and decided on Kumori.

But, why? She was a medic-nin and was sent on more diplomatic missions than battle-oriented ones. Kakashi turned back to look for the demon-eyes, but found that the man was gone. He frowned marginally(not that people could see, his mouth being under his mask and all), and thought. Those eyes, that power...felt eeriely like a certain demon fox that had been sealed 18 years ago.

And that was very, very bad news.

If the Kyuubi had managed to survive while Naruto died...that meant ill for Konoha if the demon was ever to meander that way again.

There would be no Yondaime this time around.

---

His waiting paid off, finally, in this city. Someone(not the group he had seen, a small group of merchants, he believed) approached him about traveling to Konoha and he had accepted. After arguing a wage, of course. The group was to set off in three day's time.

He had three days to capture those beautiful, haunting eyes.

He was currently mulling over how to do so in a small ramen stand, absently slurping up the noodles.

Well, the first obstacle was that...woman. She was attached to those eyes, perhaps even his girlfriend. Kawao scowled darkly at that thought, and the Fox nudged an idea into his mind. While killing her would make Kawao happy and effectively free up those eyes for him, he felt he would be suspected by the other man. No, right now he had to find a way of isolating the two. Then he could take those eyes, make them his, and never let go of them again. His eyes flashed red briefly as he looked down at the noodles, the flicker of a smile on his face. He knew this city well; better than a group of Shinobi would. There were ways of getting people lost so that they didn't find their way back to where they had started for hours. He also had contacts here, who would also prove useful. Poor little Cloud Shinobi(how had he known she was from Cloud?). She would be so confused.

The man from earlier came in and sat down a seat away from Kawao, and a name was once again almost on his lips. The mask hiding the face...one eye covered...the other seeming perpetually bored...the hair...

'Hatake Kakashi...' the Fox whispered to him, recognizing the man immediatly. The Fox had been around Kakashi enough times to recognize his Chakra pattern in an instant.

"It's not polite to stare," Kakashi said off-handedly, but he turned to look at Kawao, also seeming intrigued. Kawao gave the ninja a wry smile.

"I'm sorry. You just don't often get the chance to meet the Copy Cat ninja everyday."

Kawao saw Kakshi's visible eye narrow slightly.

"I think you mistake me for someone else," he murmured as he recieved his bowl of ramen. The two turned to their respective bowl of food and ate in silence. Kawao finished first and gave a hearty belch of approval before smiling sweetly under the scolding of the woman behind the counter. He made small, soothing talk with her and paid. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Kakashi's voice.

"Wait. It's not everyday you meet a world-traveler like yourself. You're very elusive."

Kawao's eyes became suspicious, but he simply shrugged. "I like to keep on moving. There's always more adventures to have."

"My group and I are interested in the layout of certain areas. Could you draw us a map?"

"If you pay me well enough. I'd be giving up a chance at services later if I drew it in as much detail as I think you want me to."

"Asking price."

"Right. When do you want me to...?"

"I don't have the specifics with me currently. If you'll wait here until I get them..."

"No, I'll go with you. It would save you the effort of walking to and fro."

Kakashi felt there was another motive, one that had ill intentions towards a certain Cloud kunoichi.

"Very well."

Kakshi paid for his finished meal and stood. Kawao followed him just a step behind, remembering every inn that was in the city. He was brought to one that was mid-priced, nice enough, but not lavish. The perfect inn for travelers.

Or ninja that didn't want to be known by anyone except the very, very observant.

The other three ninja were waiting in the main room, and were pleased to find Kakashi return, but wary when they saw someone was following them. Kakashi made a brief introduction, and had Sakura explain their 'situation'. Kawao listened, nodding every now and then. He was provided with paper and a pen, and he began to quickly and efficently draw a map, explaining the important landmarks, and labeling them in meticulous handwriting.

Kakashi had a feeling that he was doing a better job for them, and had only agreed to the job in the first place, because it would bring him close to Kumori. He finished, making a small compass rose, and looked at Kakashi.

"You said you would pay asking price."

"...yes."

Kakashi had a bad feeling about this.

Kawao sprinkled some dust on the map, letting it sop up the extra ink, and then looked slowly up at Sasuke.

Sasuke supressed a shiver, for not many people look at them as if trying to memorize them. When their eyes finally locked, Sasuke saw the briefest flash of a bright blue before the color evened out to a tawny.

"Give him to me for a night."

"What!" was the reaction on both Sakura and Kumori's parts.

Kawao looked at Kakashi dryly. "He's the price. I will return him to you in good health and complete this time tommorrow."

Kakashi was about to protest, but when he saw the uncurling of a deeper red in the tawny, he sighed.

"Very well."

All three younger ninja stared at their teacher. Kawao gave Kakashi a small smile that told him that Kawao knew exactly what he had seen in Kawao's eyes. Kawao reached out and gently took Sasuke's forearm. His grip was light, almost a caress, but Sasuke had an impression of hidden strength that would be used if nessacary.

"C'mon. I've got a lot I want to show you," Kawao purred.

Finally. Those eyes were his...for the time being. But Sasuke would be marked as his before he returned the young man to the rest of the group.

Oh, yes. He had a lot that he wanted to show those eyes.