A/N: There this chapter is now fixed. There weren't nearly as many mistakes in this one as I thought there'd be.

Anyways please please please reivew

Chapter 11: Talk

A ninja was required to always remain unseen and unnoticed. That was something Kakashi used to live by, but he also learned quickly that if one seriously wanted to hide or ambush, the best way was out in the open. Most of these lessons he had learned the hard way and this was not an exception by any means.

He hadn't actually been in the tree long before the woman had noticed him. So he replaced himself with a henge and snuck closer where she wouldn't expect him to be. He had earlier lost the ANBU he was chasing but was sure he could question the object of his stakeout.

Just as he came close he caught pieces of the conversation. It sounded like the two people talking were very close. The way they jested between each other reminded him of how children behave when they have...what was it...oh yes a crush.

They tease and taunt to get the other flustered and unable to forget them. Of course the victim, which can be both in some cases; believes this person either hates them or does it just for the attention from others. However that was what it was a way to get attention from the person they liked. The difference between the two people was they both seemed to know about the emotions among them so Kakashi fell on the rational conclusion. These were not friends they were lovers.

Listening closely he could have sworn he recognized both voices. The woman's he could figure out, it seemed clear and crisp, he knew few people with voices like hers. Melodic but strong and aggressive when needed. Very few he knew were like that, and none were in Konohoa. The man's however he had heard in Konohoa quite a few times...but where.

Creeping even closer he heard the woman tell him to stop worrying over her and a few other comments. As though on cue images began to take form in Kakashi's mind.

The academy in Konohoa, the mission room, a ramen stand, and the Hokage's office...That wasn't someone he didn't know at all it was a chuunin a certain fiery chuunin with the ability to scare even the most seasoned jounin.

What the hell was he doing here? How? This woman?

Looks like I have two people to interrogate, the woman and Iruka-sensei. He's going to hate me even more now for this!

Soon the conversation turned and a small fight began and just as it stared the woman ended it by telling him she'd b fine and that he should get rest too. Obviously she knew the chuunin well enough to know his habits to worry. Kakashi had seen it countless times through Naruto.

How the hell did he meet her? Doesn't he know the risks of consorting with another ninja from another village? There were strict rules for a reason. Wait didn't the chuunin lecture him about this a long time ago? He did.

Looks like someone doesn't take well to his own advice! I should probably deal with the woman first. I can easily over power her if it comes down to it. Iruka-sensei could be more difficult to talk to at this point. But then again once I'm done interrogating her he would be just as difficult.

There was a problem. If the woman and Iruka were seriously intimate this could cause Kakashi to make a lot of serious decisions that could endanger the mission.

If he dealt with the woman first he could get straight answers and fewer unknowns. The major issue was Umino's feelings towards her. If he hurt her then things could get even uglier between him and the chuunin.

However he was told the chuunin-sensei was called out of the mission in the last second and replaced by a hunter-nin so how the hell did he get out here? Better yet where's the hunter?

The thing was if he approached Iruka first then the woman would be the problem. He had no clue of her abilities and he was sure she was no push-over, since she could handle Iruka without flinching.

No it had to be the woman first. There was no matter in this. Iruka he could deal with easily, he knew his skill level and how the man thought, or so he believed he did. Using the man's emotions against him was far easier than working against an uncertain variable such as the woman.

Slipping under the window Kakashi listened for the sounds of the woman sleeping. Of course her being a high rank nin; he was guessing, was bad. She could sleep almost soundlessly but sure enough the sounds of sleeping drifted towards him.

Good I can finally spring the surprise. Grab her and leave as fast as I can. I can't afford to make any sound so I should be fast. The sooner I grab this one the sooner I can find that hunter. She can tell me where they're hiding her.

Jumping up into the window sill he came face to face with the woman.

"Hey" she said with a dull look on her face. What made it worse was she looked really sick almost half dead.

Startled Kakashi only managed a choked sound and fell backwards unceremoniously landing flat on his back in the grass below the window.

Groaning loudly he rolled to his side and froze.

Held in her hand was a large Fuma Shuriken. Something told him he wouldn't get away unscathed from this one.

"Just what do you think you're doing under my window?"

With nothing else to say Kakashi shrugged. "Sneaking." What else could he say? Yes it was stupid to say that but he seemed to be constantly saying stupid things lately. And it annoyed him to no end.

Why the hell can't you keep your mouth shut dumb ass? He scolded himself.

"Sneaking eh? Well I've seen academy students who sneak better than you." She sneered. Somehow all the facial expressions she made seemed to suit her, not a single one was out of place or made her look remotely ugly. That was really unnerving. He watched as the sneer took over her features. It suited her, and this made it all the more effective. He gave her credit, she could definitely use fear tactics well.

"Well they're also a lot shorter and lighter." Kakashi pointed out. He wasn't sure where this was going. Was she going to kill him? Or was she going to let him go? Or he might just kill himself at this rate. This mission was sure to be a failure.

She seemed to dismiss his cheeky comment and moved on to something else.

"Why are you here?"

HUH? Shouldn't she know?

She seemed to notice his stare. "Oh sorry." She smiled as she put it down.

Damn I don't like that smile. It's too nice. Too warm. She has something up her sleeve, there's no way she'd unarm herself just to make me feel better. She must be dangerous to totally dismiss me like this. Either that or she's really stupid.

"Hmm" Looking up he clutched his chin in one hand and thought carefully for a moment. "I'm looking for someone."

"Oh and who is he?"

"She." He added quickly.

She's playing dumb here even I can tell, she's being too sweet. If it were possible with her voice so scratchy.

"Why?" She was a curious one as well. Not good she could coax information out of him with out him knowing it. He had to somehow take away her control of the situation.

"Oh well I wanted to ask her something." He looked at the woman more closely, she seemed to be deep in thought. Her eyes narrowed and then went back to the characteristic smile she seemed to have.

"Like what?" She asked with a tinge of curiosity still remaining.

"Oh, well that would be between her and I, not you." He smiled trying to play along.

"Oh common."

"Nope not sharing." She seemed to smile even more as she watched him. Was she actually smiling at what he said or at him?

She's staring at me, it's making me nervous.

"Why did you come here? I don't think she's here, I'm the only woman in this house right now." She looked confused. If she was lying then she was a good actor.

"Well I saw her come this way and I'm worried about her, she was injured and I thought she came here asking for help." He felt stupid. This woman was playing a mind game and he was running out of excuses.

"Injured? How?"

"Well if she were here you'd know."

"Heh. Well as you can see I've been in this room for a while." He had come forwards more and was close enough he could see in fact that it looked as though the woman were telling the truth. The room was cluttered with medicines and wrappings and a few odds and ends an ill person would need. But something seemed off. She was good at this game and he was out of practice that became clear.

"Well then if she isn't here may I ask you one question before I leave you to rest?"

"Sure, ask away."

"Why is Umino-san here?" That got her. The woman froze. Obviously he wasn't supposed to notice that.

"How...eh he's here to visit. He comes when he has days off and from the way he came here he needed it." Once she had said that she sent him a nasty glare. So she had heard of him from the chuunin.

"So you know him."

"Yes." Her head sank. "Is there something wrong with that?"

"No not at all, I was just wondering why..." For some reason his body just went numb. "He was here." He finished after the pause.

"Oh well we write back and forth and he was worried about my illness that's all."

"Why are you telling me?" He winced. What was happening? He felt odd; his legs were losing their feeling.

"Because you need to know." She smiled. "Are you alright?" She seemed to notice the change in his posture and breathing, that was not good.

"May I ask a favor?"

"Depends."

Wait a minute; I said that to the...no that would be a coincidence, she'd have to do it again.

"Would it bother you if I stayed here for a few days, it seems you know a friend of mine so..." Something was wrong with him he realized that before but now the world started to spin.

"Are you alright?" She looked concerned now...She wasn't uncaring he had to give her that. If he could he'd let her help him but he just couldn't. "Why not you can sta..." But before she finished her sentence the world gave one final nasty heave and he could feel his body hit the ground painfully.

Damn it's my chakra I used it all up. I can't keep conscious much longer...

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Akane stared in bewilderment. Just a few seconds ago the jounin was standing and looked fine and the next he groaned and fell flat on his face.

Okay he obviously hasn't fully recovered...Of course he didn't, I'm still in recovery from it and I had it two weeks ago. Poor guy really. To think he seems so familiar. I mean he is the guy that escaped but...I know him from somewhere else.

Akane sighed. Iruka will be mad at her for this but there's no way she can carry the copy ninja into her house in her current condition.

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Iruka liked sleep. Actually he liked it so much that he was cursed to never get any. Lying on the bed in the room he was given, the same room he always got when he came to this village; he couldn't help but think that there was something about to happen that would upset the quiet in the house.

The home his friend lived in was no mystery to him. He had been in this house many times before. His family used to come this way for visits when he was really young but at the time he had only seen Akane a few times. It was then that he had met her brother.

To say the two were twins was one thing but to think they'd act the same was another. Sure they complete each other's sentences but Akane does that to everyone. Sure they can tell where the other is most of the time and their emotions. But to say they were the same was wrong. Kaji was a calm boy when he was younger and remained much the same as he got older. Akane his twin sister on the other hand was loud and obnoxious and sometimes a little slow on the uptake, much like Naruto. Just like Naruto she had a knack for making people like her no matter what she did. To her life was meant to help and make people happy, not cause harm and sadness.

Being around her reminded him so much of Naruto that the banging on his door was no surprise at all.

'BANG BANG' "Iruka!"

Figures

"Go away I told you to rest!"

She never listens to me. He sighed

"I know but you might want to see this."

No not really.

Sighing Iruka got up and opened the door forcefully to come face to face with the worried twin.

Wow I wasn't too sure if she can show that emotion but there it is. I wonder what put her in such a distress.

Frowning he looked to the floor and back up to her face. "What is it?"

At first she looked like she was going to cry...Akane crying would be a sight to see. As soon as the look on her face appeared it was gone and a smile crept up across her features making her look almost childish.

"Come see what came to my window." He wasn't into games he just wanted to know.

"Can't you just tell me?" Iruka muttered. Right now she was as bad as Kakashi with the riddles and jokes.

"No way that would ruin the surprise, common!" Grabbing is arm she pulled the reluctant chuunin down the hall.

Someone remind me never to agree to listen to her. I swear she's gone crazy! Wait she's always been like that.

Stopping at her door the woman flung it open and dragged Iruka over to the window only to see a passed out Kakashi lying on the wet grass.

"He passed out!" She smiled.

No kidding Akane, I never thought that was a good thing but okay...

"I can see that. So why not bring him in the house?" Iruka scratched his scar at his nose in thought.

Why didn't she bring him in? It's not like her to go get someone. Akane was the last person to ask for help.

"I want you to bring him in. He's heavy and I doubt I can handle his weight." She sighed. Iruka could tell she hated admitting it.

"Besides he might be happier to see you than me right now."

Iruka flinched. No he can't see him, no way. She's crazy down right nuts. There is no way he's going to do this. As though on cue a voice appeared from behind

"Yo! Uh what are you two looking at?" Genma!

Yes! He can do it, I don't want to.

"Genma-san help me with something for a second, would you." Iruka had to help him though. "I need you to help me carry in Kakashi-san"

Genma just stared blankly. "...what! Is that..." He asked as he looked out the window and saw the jounin in the grass. "Oh man he won't be too happy."

"Nope, don't worry he'll be mad at me and not you guys so much. I'm to blame here." Akane pitched in sounding disappointed. She wasn't fond of anger but it normally never fazed her, she'd seen it too much as a child.

Jumping out the window, Iruka walked over to the prone figure. He looked horrible. Judging from the cuts and bruises he had been through a fight recently and from Akane's reaction to the man he now knew more or less what had happened to her earlier.

"Genma!"

"Huh? Oh sorry." Genma jumped down and grabbed an arm. Slowly both men dragged the jounin to one of the near by entrances to the estate.

-----------------------------

He was tired. That much was clear but being tired after waking up was a bit odd. Yawning Kakashi risked opening his eye. He had no clue where he was but it wasn't a hospital that was a good sign.

"Hey!" The voice was familiar but he couldn't quite place it yet. Glancing over he found the owner.

"You gave us all quite the scare." Genma. So he was here all along. The problem was where was here?

"Where?" Kakashi winced as he heard his own voice, if he kept using it now he'd lose it for a while and just hearing it was enough to make him feel like dying.

Again the senbon took a life of its own and bobbed happily in its owner's mouth as he spoke. "You're in an estate on the west side of the village. The village leader was gracious enough to allow us to stay here."

"When did you..." His voice hurt him; it was annoying to say the least.

"Find you? Well the woman that you scared senseless last night got us to get you in. She was surprised that you made it this far in your condition actually."

"Us?"

"Oh that's complicated." The needle sank.

He's trying to hide it...So he knew before me.

"Umino-san?"

Genma flinched. The senbon sank even further.

That's what I was looking for. So he did know.

Genma cringed and let out a long shaky breath. "Don't hold anything against him, he's doing his job."

"Like hell he is." Kakashi muttered turning his head away from his companion.

"Listen he wasn't called off the mission but that's all I can tell you the rest is up to him to explain on his own terms."

"Raidou-san?"

"He's here but busy with Akane-san." Genma grinned as Kakashi's eyes shot back to his own.

He knows her well from the way he said her name. So I came face to face with this infamous Akane. Then that means...she was the woman I spoke to earlier, the woman with the mind games. Could she possibly be the hunter from years ago? I have to keep an eye on her.

"Where?" Kakashi asked as he tried to get up only to be pushed down.

"Don't worry she said she'd come talk to you...but you have to promise to stay here in bed." Genma was worried he could see that but was he more worried about the woman?

Kakashi nodded slowly closing his eye and let out a breath he had unknowingly held in.

"Get some rest." Genma patted his shoulder and left smiling to himself.

---------------------------------

Sighing to himself Kakashi awoke, this time in a bad mood. It seemed all he did on this mission was either pass out or sleep. It was frustrating. He was a shinobi and one of the best how could he...

"Wow you woke up! I was worried you'd sleep forever." A calm voice announced next to him. "And in a bad mood to boot. I like that, Nariko will have fun now." The voice chuckled with amusement. Deep down Kakashi could feel he liked this person. They had a wicked humor.

For Kakashi driving the medic nuts was just a perk to being put in a hospital. Now that he was in a home where this woman seemed to live, would prove to provide him further entertainment if he so chose to take up the offered idea.

"Akane-san" A nervous voice warned the feminine voice. He could barely recognize it.

Slowly Kakashi opened his exposed eye to see only blue orbs staring back. He blinked...

Who?

The orbs suddenly disappeared as a scuffle went on right next to him.

"He told you to BACK OFF!" A sterner voice screamed making him wince. He knew that voice well. It was the crazy doctor from earlier.

"No he just blinked at me." The seemingly younger one sneered.

Great she sounds a lot like Naruto...this could be a problem. I don't think I cold live through another person with the same personality.

"Not him, Iruka-san!" The doctor screamed at the missing person. He really wanted her to stop that, it was loud and annoying, it made his head hurt. He'd rather hear the voice that spoke like Naruto now than this one.

Sighing, the woman glanced at him, now he got a good look at her.

What he saw shocked him. This was the woman from before but in the bright light he could easily see her features. She wasn't much different from the doctor. She was slightly shorter than the other man in the room, who he made out as Iruka. Her eyes seemed to have a sort of energy hidden within them. Her facial features he noted weren't too much of a surprise. Her nose was well defined and at the moment her lips were in a pout. He thought for a second she was actually cute. But he pushed the thought aside as she glanced at him. He could see she was really ill not to long ago. She was pale and drained. Somehow he wanted her to be better and soon. He had no clue why.

Wait real in that last thought. Not good Hatake. This is the woman Umino seems to be fond of. Not to mention she's hiding something.

He had no clue why he did what he did but slowly he reached up and touched her face. The woman flinched but stayed still as she watched him. Her skin was soft even if it looked a little washed up and pale. Realizing what was happening he pulled his hand away quickly.

DON'T DO THAT AGAIN! What are you thinking? She's an unknown and obviously involved with Umino.

What happened next surprised him further. She smiled at him. "Good morning Hatake-san. I hope you slept well?"

"Akane! He's sick let him be" That must have been Nariko, the older sister he guessed.

The woman next to him scrunched up her face. Making her nose wrinkle and darkening her eyes. It was almost a complete transformation. From seemingly innocent to mischievous.

"Well so sue me for saying something nice for a change. I would feel better if someone told me hello rather than grumbling about how uncooperative I am, pfft." She pouted again.

In the background Kakashi made out Iruka's chuckle. "I'm sure you're immune to it. Just wait till he's up and about Akane, you'll see." What that meant he had no clue, there must have been some previous conversation he missed while he was asleep.

"Sure sure you say that about me too."

"That's because you're not a morning person Akane. If I say one word to you, you bite my head off."

"Well duh! You get all giddy in the morning I really wonder how you manage I mean you usually go to bed grouchy." Okay it was clear she spoke her mind. That was not only mean, but almost rude. Kakashi winced getting her mad was a bad idea she could do more damage with words than she can physically.

Looks like Iruka-san isn't too mad at me now...I wonder how these two met, that would be quite the story.

"Well if you didn't drive me nuts last night it may have been different." The woman shrugged as Iruka came forwards.

"I'm very sorry Kakashi-san but you'll have to put up with her for a few days. Hopefully you'll be on your feet tomorrow." He smiled nervously. Kakashi could clearly see that the chuunin didn't want him there, or was it the action he did earlier. He had not meant anything by it, so why was he glaring at him?

"Who is this?" He asked as Iruka narrowed his eyes at his address of the woman next to the chuunin. His voice still hurt him when he spoke and from the way it sounded it was getting worse.

"Oh forgive me, this is Akahoshi Akane and the woman there she is her older sister Nariko." He guessed that, there was a noticeable resemblance there. Still Iruka was only being polite; the glare had intensified the second he opened his mouth to ask.

"Ahh..." Kakashi now met the woman both men seemed to be taken with...but why was she so special. Sitting up he tried to get a better look at her.

Her clothes were a variation of the Leaf jounin uniform instead with a black vest without any scroll pockets.

So she must be either chuunin or jounin, my guess is jounin.

Her hair was tied low in a ponytail, but still an unruly mess.

Obviously this woman has never heard of preening. Figures she looks down to earth.

Her eyes though still caught him. They were so much like Naruto's that he seemed to visualize her making almost the same mischievous face as the sixteen-year-old made often enough. Light seemed to be trapped within them and glimmered more as she smiled.

I have to admit she's not unattractive. Umino-san is no fool.

Watching her he chuckled. She was so energetic that it radiated off her. He was attracted to it for some reason but somewhere in the depth of her eyes he could see intelligence and a lot of it. There was no way she was not an idiot.

"Do you want something to eat? I can get you some rice and some water possibly?" The older of the two women said.

Kakashi tried as hard as he could to stifle a laugh as the younger imitated the older rather badly. "Maa...some water would do." He croaked and then winced, his voice was still raw.

"sheesh" everyone looked to Akane. "She's got this crush on you I tell you!" She snorted. Iruka laughed.

I'm surprised at how comfortable he is around her. Normally he stutters and blushes when he's around other women. Why is she so different?

"Well actually he is kind of good looking...but still..." She was cut off.

"What!" Iruka's glare came back to Kakashi.

"Eh?" Kakashi was confused. Obviously the chuunin had feelings for this woman. However she seemed to ignore it. Is she so ignorant not to see it? No there was something going one between them. There was a certain air of intensity between the two.

"Sorry." She muttered next to him. "I seemed to have unleashed the green monster."

"Y...You talked to him?" Iruka now did his characteristic annoyed stutter

"Um yes, it's customary to speak to people who come to see you...mind you it was unexpected...and he came to my window...weird." She smiled.

Iruka sent Kakashi a disgusted look. "I should have expected that from you."

"Heh...well you see it was the only place I could find someone that was close by." Kakashi tried his best not to cower behind the woman. Iruka was scary to say the least in a bad mood, but this...this was livid, he was really mad.

"Uh huh nice excuse." Iruka muttered as he crossed his arms in a pout. Akane seemed to ignore it.

"Anyways to change the subject..."

"Here you go." Nariko had come in almost at an astonishing speed and knocked her sister off the stool she was sitting on.

"Eh...thank you Nariko-san." He smiled and looked down at the younger sister who sat on the floor facing away from him with her arms crossed.

"Are you alright?" He asked. The girl glanced behind her and made a huffing motion.

"Yeah, she does that all the time. I'm used to it."

"Well you do get in my way a lot. I just learned how to get you out of it." Nariko growled. He almost felt sorry for the younger woman. Not only did she have Iruka doting on her but a sister that seemed to push her around a lot.

Everyone was silent for a while as he drank his water. The whole time Akane sat away from him and made imitations of Iruka. Kakashi watched as the man got upset at her now.

"ARE YOU DONE?" He screamed. It seemed he got tired of it.

"Nope. I have lots more."

"I can't believe you. Will you ever grow up?"

"Um yes but bugging you is more fun." She laughed. "Besides I think too many people have forgotten what it means to grow up." By what she meant he had no clue...he'd have to ask her later, it sounded interesting.

"Bug me later." Iruka muttered.

"Okay!" She seemed easy to please, Kakashi mused with a chuckle. He liked her. She wasn't a fool but she wasn't stiff either. All she was doing was trying to lessen the tension and for that he silently thanked her.

"Well I think you should rest some more." Akane suddenly stood up. How did she know he was done?

"He just..." But Nariko stopped. "Yes you're right. I guess you know this better than anyone here."

Akane just simply nodded.

Once they all left the room he noticed her still standing where she was before.

"I'm very sorry about this, I didn't mean for Nariko to behave the way she has. Here she acts differently than at the hospital. She wanted to make you feel better but she's a little odd when she tries to hard."

"Don't worry about it, and thank you." He smiled at her. She seemed taken aback by it.

"For what?"

"For not treating me differently."

"Oh, well I don't like giving special treatment, I've been given a lot of it as a child and unfortunately it wasn't very nice treatment." She smiled though and nodded. "Get some rest, I'll come and check on you. Nariko may be a medic but I know more about this illness than her."

He couldn't really say anything to her for that comment. He wanted to make her feel better but he had no words at the moment and decided that closing his eyes was better. He had to admit she was a personality he'd like to learn to understand.

TBC...