Disclaimer: I never and will not own Naruto and Corp.

Author's Note: I would like to dedicate my heartfelt appreciation for PineappleDemon, squirrelmaster, pikashoe, wrecked apocolypse, hatake1337, grey 0 mage, Christine, 1010'jin and Kitsune6 for reviewing the previous chapter. I couldn't express with words of how much I really feel and also how you guys and the readers have become my sole source of inspiration.

Part 4: The Shattered Walls

He fumbled with the keys to her room. He made juggling between opening a door and carrying a half-conscious girl in his arms looked so easy when he managed to do it in less than 45 seconds. At first he thought it would be easier to send Temari first then Sakura, until Sakura remembered that she had to pick up something for her mother before she goes home. He trusted Kiba to accompany Sakura, while Sakura reluctantly agreed to let him take her friend back to the inn she was staying.

"Are you sure about this, sensei? Coz I'm not." Her emerald green eyes gave out the hints of forethought.

"Don't you trust your own teacher, Sakura? Since when have I done anything out of normality?"

Several mental images appeared inside the young Haruno's head. Scenes that witnessed Kakashi arriving late at any occasion, Kakashi reading his orange perverted book, Kakashi doing a One Thousand Years of Pain jutsu on Naruto, Kakashi having a 'Rock, Papers, Scissors' tug of war with Gai…

A few sweat drops formed on his bare forehead that instant, as if knowing what was playing inside his former student's head. "Okay, what I meant was have I hurt anyone especially girls at any time at all?"

"I don't think so." Sakura had to admit, even though Kakashi seemed to be unreliable at times, he was a really honest man. He won't take advantage of any unsuspecting, defenseless girls. 'Heh, more like those girls would be the one trying to take advantage of him.'

The girl gave her teacher the last look before turning around and finding someone by the name of Inuzuka Kiba inside the club. "I trust you, sensei. Don't let anything happen to Temari-san."

He nodded silently, still holding a brambling, cock-eyed young woman in his arms. Sakura parted ways from them just outside the club's entrance. And thirty minutes later, he reached Temari's hotel room at the Hiryuu Inn with a little bit ease, just because he earned several nosy stares from the senior citizens of Konoha along the way.

The golden-haired female, upon sensing that she was dropped at a certain place had tried to stand, albeit shakily. Her restless eyes blinked frenetically, trying to assess her surroundings.

"Hmm…what…is this…place?"

"This is your room, Temari-san. How do you feel?"

"Like hell. I need...bed…whatever…"

He chuckled deeply just when her head lolled around in random directions. Her eyes were sealed shut and it was totally obvious she was completely smashed.

"Well then, it's better if I take my leave now. Good night, Temari-san."

"…" The girl remained stoic and still, not bothering to say anything in return. She was too dumbfounded to think of anything. She wasn't even conscious when the person who brought her home walked out of the door.

Kakashi made his way out and closed the door behind him. He was about to walk out from the inn's main entrance, when he felt that he was holding something foreign tightly in his right hand. When he looked down, he could make out that it was a small white purse with intricate designs of golden lilies embroidered on it.

'Oh shit. I forgot to give her purse back.'

He knocked and found out that the door was not locked like it was supposed to be. Curiosity took over his logical mind and he pushed the door opened only to be greeted by Temari's form standing rigid in front of him. She looked like she had been standing there for the past 10 minutes after he dropped her off.

Her head bent low, her hair covering her face and she seemed to have fallen asleep.

That is, if it wasn't for when he saw a few drops of water fell onto the floor. Kakashi tried to hold back the amusement he felt. 'Is she drooling?' He planted his hands on her shoulders and called out her name. After receiving no response, he lifted her head up and he was slightly taken aback with the image he received.

A few tears were flowing down her reddening cheeks, her eye lids were half opened as if whatever the pain she's suffering would be materializing in front of her.

"Temari-san…"

"I've never felt so alone before…so unwanted…"

'Wait…is this her or is this the alcohol talking?'

"You never even smile at me. You never see how I tried to look beautiful and 'girly' enough for you tonight."

"….What? Temari-san, although I've no idea what you're talking about but you do look gorgeous tonig-."

"You promised to send me back but you walked that blonde girl home instead….I kept waiting…for the moment when you'll look at me as someone you can trust but-…"

Kakashi came to a conclusion that she had no idea and not exactly aware of what she was talking about. She must have been talking about another person. In particular, his best friend's student.

Her shaky hands shot abruptly and clutched at a certain spot on his shoulders. "You keep breaking promises and you don't even feel sorry about it, you lazy ass…hnn…and I don't know why I keep chasing you…keep hoping that you'd look at me, even for once." Her voice sounded so feeble, so desperate.

He knew or, at least he thought he knew what type of woman she was. She was a tough, vigilant and prudent female and letting her guard down would be the last thing she'd ever do. However, he forgotten about the fact that a simple drug like alcohol would tear down a person's defense and reveal the hidden truth or feelings that one kept to themselves.

Somehow in the middle of his reflection, he was certainly glad that he took the responsibility to take her back safely to her own room that night. Who knows, she was in a very vulnerable state and any drunk (or horny) man would leapt upon this opportunity.

Truthfully, he was worried-no, more like felt compassionate for the younger girl. It should be hard enough for her to rebound from the attack that fateful night and having another man trying to rough-handle her again would be making things worst.

"Why aren't you talking, Shika? You suddenly realized that you're breaking my heart?" In the midst of glistening tears in her eyes, she could see that most of the man's face was covered in a black cloth.

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed in an inquiring behavior. 'Had she regained consciousness?'

Temari placed her hands on his face, fingers slipping through the edges of the mask. "Shika, why do you cover your face? Oh…I know. You're afraid that people will see that you're sending me back right?" She giggled childishly when she got no response from him.

His lips formed a tight frown. 'Alright, maybe not.'

"Stop hiding. I want to see your face right now. There's no one here, Mr. I'm-Too-Cool-To-Be-Seen-With-You."

Wow, she could think of some really clever nicknames even in her state of drunkenness. She should have been proud that her sarcasm had not disappeared even after downing a few shots of beer.

His heart beat rapidly in his chest. Surely she won't be thinking of pulling his mask off right now? She had mistaken him for another man and he had to stop her before he accidentally hurt her with the Sharingan eye, if it was ever revealed.

"Temari-san, you're making a mistake. I'm not-"

"Shh…" A dainty finger rested on his lips and he could feel her shivers absorbing through the dark cloth. "I'll make you see that I'm worth to look at, Nara Shikamaru. I'm worth it. I really am."

She pulled his head down and she closed her eyes when she felt the coarse material of the dark cloth brushing against her lips. Kakashi was too surprised with her actions but when he saw the helplessness and fragility on her face, instead of pushing her back he dared his hands to settle themselves around her exquisite frame, stopping at the curves of her well-formed hips. Her tears were flowing back down on her flushing cheeks and he did not have the heart to make her cry again. If pretending to be someone else would help to stop her from shedding more tears, he would do it.

Besides, how long has he been imagining himself with her in such position? Well, he was a normal man and sometimes he can't stop himself from thinking such thoughts. Especially after their previous sparring session the last five days. He kept trying to forget it but in the end, his mind would cook up an imagination which was more treacherous than before. Scenes that would compliment the sole question that had been haunting him ever since. What would've happened if she didn't run away or he managed to catch up with her? His answers came in scenes that involved a tree, a person tied to that tree and several other kinky notions.

'You're not thinking about that right now, Kakashi? Matter at hand. Matter at hand. Those were fantasies and not meant to be real.'

That was his brain talking and how he was glad that it didn't let him down that moment.

'Isn't this what you've been thinking of? Look at her.'

Kakashi took in that up close; she had almost feline-like eyes, a cute button nose and luscious, pinkish lips. Despite being tear-stricken and intoxicated, her cheeks were flushing a dark crimson; tempting to be touch. How he wished to do so. He wanted to know what it feels like under his touch and what does those kissable lips taste lik-…

Okay, that certainly wasn't his brain anymore. It was his…uhm…'another part' conversing to him and he did not dare to think and let alone say what it was. But he made a silent resolution that second; he will not do anything foolish or stupid either to her or himself. Ever.

Without him expecting, his mask was pulled down hastily till it revealed his well-concealed face. Temari's lips inched closer and closer to his thin ones. Her eyes shut deeply in a dream-like spell.

She reeked of alcohol but then again, he could smell the faint scent of vanilla on her warm skin. Pakkun was right. Temari did have a really nice smell.

'I don't think one innocent lip-touching would hurt.'

Hesitantly, his head dropped lower and both of his eyes closed after debating for another five seconds inside his head. He was ready to accept her and he felt her face approaching nearer by judging from the sounds of her quickening breaths.

In a few seconds, their lips touched in a gentle friction. It was purely chaste at the beginning but after a few seconds, a tongue (he was fairly sure it was hers) licked his lower lips open. He wanted to put it to an end before it led to another but he couldn't do so, especially after hearing a low moan escaping her assaulting mouth.

'Kami-sama, this is not right!' The ever-existent voice of reasoning inside him screamed out loud.

Suddenly, she pulled back and covered her mouth with both hands. Her body bent down and she clutched her stomach tightly.

"Temari-san, are you okay?"

A few gagging sounds formed in her throat as a reply to his questions. She made a mad dash towards the bathroom, slamming the door open with a loud bang. He followed soon after only to find her keeling over the toilet bowl, fighting between the urge to hold her breath and throwing up.

After almost three minutes of struggling, she quickly flushed it down the loo and although it's gone, the faint scent of vomit was still stuck inside the small space. She pulled down the seat cover and her hands rested on it, cradling her pale and sweaty face. Ah, it felt so good to get the alcohol out from her system but there's one thing about Temari that not many people knew, she gets drunk fast but she gets sober back faster than most normal people would. As unbelievable as it seemed to be, it seldom happens but when it does, Gaara and Kankurou would be the ones who keep her back on her feet. But now that she's alone without them…

She could feel the presence of another person in the room and post a momentary glance from the corner of her eyes. Oh, he must be the one who helped her get back as she noticed that she was in her own temporary residence. He might just be a stranger but he totally didn't have to watch her getting sick inside the toilet! "I smell horrible. Thank goodness you've had your mask on, Mister…heh…"

Wait. Did she just say 'mask'?

She slowly snuck a fleeting look at the large bathroom mirrors on her left side to assess the stranger's physique.

Silver hair? Aww, damn. Is he the person she thought he is?

"Err…Kakashi-san?" 'Please don't let it be him. Kami, please don't let it be him!' She begged mutely to herself when she covered her face back in possible embarrassment.

The 'stranger' cleared his throat. "Hai, Temari-san. I guess you're starting to become clear-headed now."

'Aww, shit!' No words could explain what she was feeling that time. But all she knew, she didn't want anyone to see her in that sorry state. Especially by a reputable man like him. Kami, she could not remembered what she did after she saw Shikamaru smooching with that blonde girl and not that she really wanted to know about it but she hoped that she didn't do anything stupid apart from drinking to her heart's despair.

Can she kill herself that instant?

Okay, maybe not in front of him.

"Kakashi-san, do you mind stepping outside for a moment? ...Emm… I want to…" 'I want to what?' She clawed gently on the hard surface, trying to come up with a lame excuse from her recovering brain. Temari didn't even dare to turn around and face him. "…I want to…freshen up. Yeah, that's it." Oh goodness, she should just bang her head on the toilet cover instead of looking like a dope.

"I'll wait outside but I hope you're not thinking of committing suicide or something."

She could hear the smirk on his face from the tone of his voice. In that state one couldn't help but gawked upon seeing the fearsome Temari of the Sand blushing furiously in total mortification. And hearing a low snigger from her yet again, 'savior' had only made things most awful.

Her so-called cool and well-kept image was tarnished! Kankurou would be having a ball if he ever heard about this.

She heard the door closed with a soft click.

"Aww…" She groaned loudly when her head landed moderately hard on the lid.

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Kakashi leant against the wall beside the bathroom door. He was extremely amused when he heard the unmistakable words of 'Stupid', 'Damn' and 'Temari' coming from the other side of the burgundy-colored door. He slipped his hands into the depths of his coat pockets and formed a tight knuckle.

Thank god that the kiss was stopped in the middle. Why on earth he couldn't control himself around her? Heck, he'd been in the company of other women, more attractive and more daring than this one. But why couldn't he stop himself from thinking betraying thoughts about her? And why did an extremely small part of him screamed in disappointment when the kiss ended so suddenly?

Maybe because it wasn't him that she wanted and she had hoped for.

Aw, come on. He shouldn't think of anything that should've happened because it didn't and it was best forgotten for their sake.

He took out his usual orange-colored book with hopes of being distracted but alas that would obviously be an idiotic idea. The pages were spread wide but none of the words registered into his mind. The only thing that could help him think of something else would be recalling back the scene at the club and what exactly happened that time when he wasn't around?

In the end, it will always come back to her.

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Along the streets of Konoha, a pair of young teenagers was seen walking side-by-side. The moon was a brightly shining crescent on the velvet sky, surrounding them in a tranquil and peaceful illumination. It was a perfect night for a romantic stroll indeed but nevertheless the surrounding was too good to let go even for plain friends.

For Sakura, she had always dreamt of being in such situation with the boy that she had fallen in love with. Oh, how she wished that he would still be here and had never left the village. It had already been two years since she last saw him and it happened to be on a night like this. 'What are you doing right now, Sasuke-kun?'

Her companion's slit-like eyes held a spark of concern deep within as he sneaked a passing glance once in a while towards the pink-haired girl. He could've guessed what or rather, who was playing inside her head that it engulfed her in such a somber mood. Her head hung low all the time and there were only silence since they stepped out of the club. Her feelings that she harbored for the Uchiha renegade was never a secret but he understood it very well. He was there at the gate when she came to ask for Naruto's help in retrieving their teammate back. At first, he thought she was just like most of Sasuke's fan girls but when he saw her cried, he realized the possibility that she was not like a typical girl with a silly crush. Crying meant weakness in a shinobi's eyes but who knew how disappointed and heart-broken she was. Those tears were not worthy for someone who could not appreciate and understand them.

She loved him so much that she had worked hard to become stronger and stronger each day. She resolved to improve herself not just physically but also mentally so one day…maybe one day, she'll be able to save the people that she cared about.

Perhaps that was the reason why he wanted to be friends with her, especially ever since Naruto was away training with the Toad Sannin, Jiraiya. He wanted her to feel that she always had somebody that she could talk too.

The two of them walked together with their gazes fixed straight to the nearly deserted road upfront.

"Sorry I had to drag you along with me, Kiba."

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and rooted his hands in his pockets. "Nah. No problem. Besides, it's not nice to let a lady walk home by herself especially on a night like this. Although if anything ever happens, I wouldn't worry much for you."

"Why did you say like that?"

"Heh…" The brown-haired Inuzuka heir grinned, exposing his canine teeth in the process. "No one would want to be messing with the Godaime's student. By the way, how's your training going on?"

"I think I'm doing great, so far. How about you?"

"Same 'ole. I'm going on my first mission ever with my sister next week, away from my team."

Her head spun around towards him that instance. "You don't sound so excited."

"Well, I should be but just imagine if you had to go on a mission with your sister AND a guy who happened to be her boyfriend."

"Wait. Who is he?"

"He's a Chuunin too. His name is Iwashi."

"Oh, I remembered him. He's a nice guy."

Kiba sighed inaudibly. "I hoped so."

"Do you have a problem with him?"

"Nah. He's okay, at least better than the other guys. At least, he had the decency to ask for my mother's consent when he wanted to court Hana."

Kiba might not want to admit it but he was just being protective of his one and only sister. Being the only man in the family had somewhat made him to be more responsible towards the opposite sex. Growing with them all of his life actually taught him to be respectful towards women and girls alike. One of the proofs would be him, volunteering to send Sakura back to her home safely.

A swift night air blew away the strands of her bangs aside. Goosebumps started to appear on her fair skin and a small hiss came out from her slightly trembling lips. "Hey Sakura, are you cold?"

"I should've brought my coat along with me but I guess I just forgot."

He took off his fur coat that moment and hand it to her, causing the girl to stare in disbelief.

"You don't really have to do that."

"I insist."

"You don't have to practice your machismo with me, dog-boy."

He grinned smugly while crossing his hands behind his head. "I don't need to be one but still the girls just lu-uv me."

"Yeah right, Kiba." Sakura rolled her eyes to show her faint disgust but failed when a small giggle escaped her lips.

"Aww, come on. I'm not the village's heart-throb but I'm not that bad either."

"Hmm…you're okay, Kiba. You're okay."

The two teenagers burst into fits of laughter, breaking the ice between them. Fairly, Sakura never expected the Inuzuka boy to be a really nice person to hang out with. For all this time, she thought that he was just another loudmouth especially after the first Chuunin preliminaries when he went against her teammate, Naruto.

She guessed, sometimes you need to broaden your horizon and maybe you'll see the grass is greener on the other side.

Or, whatever it was supposed to mean.

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After tying her hair up into its usual style, the bathroom door was cracked open with slow and 'painful' motion. At least, it was painful for her since it kinda involved her humility and self-image. Secretly, she hoped that Kakashi would already left. Or, maybe she could stay for another half an hour inside the bathroom and pray that he'll grow bored of waiting.

But wait, what made her think that he's still waiting outside? He had lots of other things to do than 'caring' about someone like her. She frowned. As much she hated Kankurou's antiques, she still wished she had him with her here. At least she knew she got someone to watch her back.

"There's only one way to find out, Temari." Speaking to herself, she took in a deep breath and stepped out from the door.

The moderately-sized bedroom was dimly lit by the table lamps on the nightstands. The Kyodai Sensu was still in its original position; on top of the dressing table. Everything else was in place and she couldn't sense his presence anywhere.

"Aah…I see you're ready to come out from there." A voice spoke up from behind.

"Yikes!" Her body stood rigid, frozen in unadulterated shock. How could she have forgotten about it? Lesson number 150: Stealth and Hatake Kakashi were a flawless combination. And also, lesson number 002: Don't ever drink so much, it'll blunt your senses and mess your chakra system. Oh, and your brain too.

"Are you feeling better?"

She nodded silently and she dropped her gaze to the floor when he moved towards a spot in front of her. Her face felt hot ever since she came to her senses. If only she knew that she had been crying just now, it would totally be the end of her.

Why did she always lose her cool in front of him?

His visible eye lingered around her reddening face. "Is there anything else I could help you with, Temari-san?"

"Iie…I'm alright."

She might say like that but he knew better. Like he did all the time.

"If everything's alright, it's better if I take my leave now." With that said, he began to take his leave towards the door. Just a few more steps and he was reaching for the door knob when she called out to him.

"If-it's-not-bothering-can-you-stay-for-a-while-coz-I-think-I-need-to-talk-to-someone…"

A grin formed under his mask. He got the message alright, but he found it quite funny to hear her blurting the sentence hastily. He turned around to see the impulsive girl tucking her hands behind her. The customary remote demeanor had returned back to her face but her eyes revealed all the authentic emotions that she held. He'd love to stay and offer his company and although the notion was tempting, it won't look good to the others if they ever found out. She's a kunoichi and all but outside their line of duty, she was still a decent lady. It would not be appropriate for him to hang about when there would be eyes and ears around. At least, not in her room.

No, not after what happened just now. It won't seem right.

Not to him.

"You know, coffee would do great to assist with the hangover."

"Heh…" She smirked upon realizing his indirect statement of acceptance. "I hate coffee. It's gonna make me sicker than before."

A calm laughter responded to her statement. "Actually, I have a better idea."

She looked back at him quizzically, "…?"

"Do you still remember about the 'treat'?"

Both of their memories came back to the moment when they traveled back to the village with Pakkun and Shiro. "What about it?"

He snuck a glance at the clock on the wall. 11.30 pm. 'Good. That place should still be open.' "If you don't do good with coffee, there's another better option. And I think all girls love it."

"All girls love it?" 'Why did it sound so suggestive?'

"You'll see."

Temari bit her inner lips. The invisible 'walls' of ice that had always been her companion was starting to crack.

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And now they were sitting face-to-face in a small coffee house with him looking at her, staring at the square-shaped chocolaty desert like it was the most 'abnormal' object on earth.

She blinked at the eccentric cuisine on the white porcelain plate, her mouth curved into a form of utter revulsion. "What do you call this…er…horrendous 'muddy-pie' again?"

Kakashi took advantage of her undivided attention by getting a quick sip from his tea cup. "It's called Tiramisu, Temari-san. It's an imported delicacy but it had been the local café's best dessert."

Hesitantly, she lifted half a spoonful of it and decided to sample the so-called foreign dessert. "It tastes like…" She licked her lips a little and delighting in the taste of "…coffee?"

"What do you think of it?"

"Not bad. Still to strong to my liking, though."

She fibbed but in fact, she actually enjoyed it. Very much. And the older Jounin knew it because who wouldn't if she had already starting to call the waitress for another helping?

While she was so engrossed with her newly-found fascination, Kakashi stood silently with his crossing hands cradling his covered face, gawking at the younger woman in front of him. Right that moment, she resembled more of a small and innocent child having an outing with her parents instead of the cold, distant young woman that she was.

'What kind of childhood that she had?'

"I don't think you want to watch someone stuffing their face and eat like a pig." Her words broke his train of thoughts that instant. Spared him from the trivial but nevertheless inexplicable ponderings to him. Upon realizing that he got lost into his own mind again, he hid a reserved grin under the black mask.

Temari, on the other hand were having a few questions of her own.

'What did I happened to do at the club? Did I strip myself or kill someone?'

For all she knew, the only person she wanted to murder would be a certain pineapple-haired boy. Killing would be the least better than stripping herself in public. Heh, not that she wasn't comfortable with her body but if she wanted to do so, it would only be out of her own free will.

"Anou…Kakashi-san, I want to know what happened at the club before? Well, I mean…did it involve public humiliation to either me or someone else?"

Still maintaining that mysterious smile of his, he replied, "You don't have to worry about that. I've seen worst, Temari-san."

"Worst?" 'Why can't you just tell me what it is!' The younger Jounin's mouth clamped onto the spoon, teeth gritting on the cold metal in deflation. She already had enough embarrassment in front of him, what if she had also humiliated herself in front of the public in Konoha? Mentally banging her head, she calculated the few (very 'optimistic', isn't she?) possibilities if something like that ever happened.

One, everyone as in including the Godaime Hokage would hear about it.

Two, if the Hokage heard about this, the news would soon reach the Kazekage.

Three, the Godaime Kazekage was her brother. Good God.

Four, this won't look good on her record & she didn't think Baki-sensei would approve either.

Five, Shikamaru would think of her as a freak. Heh, as if 'bitch' or 'troublesome girl' wasn't enough.

Six, Kankurou had an excellent opportunity to blackmail her.

Seven, she's bringing Sunagakure's good reputation down in the eyes of its alliance.

Seven reasons and all of them pointed towards one same (damn) conclusion.

'I'm so dead. You're a living disgrace, Temari.'

"Are you okay, Temari-san?"

Her turquoise eyes blinked perplexingly at the silver-haired man. "Huh? What?"

"Don't let it bother you at all. People will forget what happened. Trust me."

In normal circumstances, she would've whacked that person's head with anything that she was able to reach in time (and usually it would be her fan) but somehow…the words that came out from his mouth seem so right and reassuring.

"I guess."

A long silence ensued and all that was heard were the chattering of the other patrons in the small, western-themed café and the noise that came from the clanking utensils of the hosts and staffs. On the other hand, Kakashi apparently had been occupied with the ever-present orange book in his hands while Temari just toyed with the dish in front of her, eyes glancing warily at the book cover as if her vision could penetrate it and revealed his well-guarded face.

After 60 seconds of eerie stillness between them, Temari decided to voice out some random matters just to fill in the 'distance'.

"Aren't you mad at me for running away that day?"

"Which day?"

The golden-haired girl held back the urge to shove the spoon she was holding into his nose and could only huffed out in mere frustration instead. Really, this man is totally unbelievable!

He slid the book down a little bit, revealing a portion of his visible eye and his forehead protector. "No, I'm not. Why should I?"

And her 'walls' had been breached that moment. "…Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to be nice to me when most of the villagers here still despise me for being a ninja from the Sand? And, why am I talking like this? Not that I really care what you think or what the others thin-"

"Calm down, Temari-san. You're not making sense."

"So what if I don't make sense? That's what most people saw in me. They don't want to see me for who I am…" She cupped her face with her hands as she realized that she was losing 'it' again. "…Oh god, I don't know what I'm talking about. Dammit. I need beer, sake or whatever…"

"Temari-san, drinking would not solve your problem. I'm doing this because I don't want you to keep all the disturbing things inside to yourself."

Her eyes widened in skepticism. "Why do you care? Why should I trust you? I mean, we don't even know each other. Who knows I might be planning something sinister to your village!"

"I believed that you won't be doing such things that will jeopardize our alliance but the point here is, I trust you. Not just me, Hokage-sama and the rest of us trust you and Sunagakure too."

She shook her head gently, forcing a bitter smile on her face. "This is weird, Kakashi-san. I don't think I can believe what you said."

"Alright then, let's just push our responsibilities as ninjas just for tonight and assume our role as normal humans. Look around, Temari-san…" Both of them took a quick look around the premise together. "…these are normal people although I believe that some of them are shinobis. They are just enjoying their time with friends, families and even plain acquaintances just like a normal villager would."

"I just…" 'Oh god, what was the word again?' "I don't want to be seen as weak. I've been holding on to the rule that a ninja should never show any feelings ever since I've started out in the academy. There's no way I'm gonna change that, Mister."

He closed the book and tucked it into the safety of his jacket before his face inched closer towards her enraged but rather attractive one across the table. "A ninja is not allowed to let his feelings get involved during their duties and responsibilities. Yes, a ninja should be professional but a ninja is still a human being. You can't stop your emotions when the time is right." He saw her eyes hung low, staring at a random spot on the table and he realized how he badly wanted to lift her face up so he could understand what she was feeling right at that moment. "Temari-san, sometimes it's okay to be weak because it takes a lot of strength and courage just to admit that you can't be perfect all the time."

Her forehead wrinkled as a sign that she was still unsatisfied. By what? She wasn't sure about that either. But she could confirm one thing, though. She was totally puzzled with everything. Why did she always do something that was out of her normality whenever she crosses paths with the Copy Ninja? Why did a part of her well-contained sentiments suddenly had the compulsion to lose control? And why him, of all the men that she least expected to have a care for her, would even bother to talk to her from the first place?

"Why, Kakashi-san? You don't even know me, so why do this?"

"This?"

"I mean, being nice. What? You think that I'm so miserable and pitiful, do you?"

"No, I don't. You're giving yourself less than what you deserved. Temari-san, I may not know you that much but I knew one thing for sure…we both have insecurities. At least that's what we have in common."

"You have insecurities too?"

"We'll save it for another day, but right now, we're talking about you."

"Oh well…it's just that I…" She paused, feeling a bit hesitant but he urged her to continue with a nod of his head. "…feel sort of like…empty. I don't know how else I could say this."

She looked up towards his face, hoping that he didn't have the kind of look that said 'That's it?'. Fortunately, he did not but behind the mask he was donning, he held the look of understanding and concern.

"Well, you're the only one who knows what you are feeling and I understand if you don't want to talk upon the details right now or even with me but you should know that if you want something very badly, you should never give up on it. One day, it'll surely come to you without you knowing. Who knows by that time, you already had something better than you sought before?"

Temari wasn't the type of person who'd adhere to 'idiotic' and 'mindless' (according to her) words of advice but in some way, she felt at ease and maybe, calmer when his words registered into her mind. It's like he knew exactly what she was keeping to herself. That ignited her curiosity. 'Is he a mind-reader?'

"So, Temari-san…do you want to try anything else here?"

"Hmm…I'm gonna get broke this month if I still want to order for something else. Trust me, the old men in the financial department back at Suna are really stingy when it comes to our payment."

"Don't worry about it. Just enjoy anything you want tonight, it's on me."

"But why?" The word came out for the umpteenth time from her lips that night.

"Well, I-" But before he could give his answer, she quickly cut him off.

"You want something in return do you, Kakashi-san?"

He nodded his head slowly, all the while without lifting his gaze on her.

"In fact, I do…"

"What…" Temari's inner voice had already started to scream and cussing inside of her. All men are the same; they would be nice only when they wanted or needed 'something' from a woman. If they don't get it, they'll take 'it' by force.

"Temari-san, I want you and me to…"

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Next Chapter: Vice City pre-affairs. An investigation mission opens up a new opportunity for him. While she found the courage to chase after the ultimate goal in the game of love.