A/N:Okay again I have to rewrite this.

Someone has asked me if this story continues inCanyon Country or if it goes back to Konohoa. Yes and No.At this stage Canyon Country plays a major role, there is a reason why theyare there and a reason why the country is in the state it is. I know many of you find it creepy.I can't balme you. I mean how much worse can a situation get for them.

Oh and another note: Akanedoesn't seem to have nearly as many thoughts as the others. She is not stupid...no far from it whichI bet you have seen. She just speaks her mind, but also to a fault.

Anyways enjoy the read and please remember to review

Chapter 12: Fever

The next day was definitely not a good one. Akane had spent most of her morning trying to keep herself from killing the chuunin that was now living in her home. How he managed to be so happy in the morning really escaped her.

He went as far as making her breakfast...in the morning. She wanted to just eat a bowl of cereal and leave it at that. But no it had to be something that HE had to cook. Why her?

He never gets a hint! I just want to eat alone in peace and quiet while I still can. I don't need someone to take care of me. Is he doing this because I'm still sick or because of the injury Hatake-san had given me?

Whatever it was that made Iruka so happy that morning, she knew she'd never get it.

Maybe he's sick? Nah I've seen him sick. He never feeds himself when he's like that, but I'll give him credit, he won't act like a big baby about it either, he just does what he always does.

Either way she sat at the table shoving homemade pancakes into her mouth grudgingly. Enough to make sure the man across from her saw how annoyed she was. It was working better than she thought

Starring wide-eyed he seemed to have forgotten about his own food.

"Eh? Akane...I don't know about you but if you do that any more violently you might skewer you're tongue." He said as he pointed at her.

"Mfff. OW!" She tried hard not to spit the food out of her mouth as she had been to busy glaring at him and not paying attention to what she was doing. She had stabbed her tongue with her fork just as he had mentioned it.

"Well what'd I tell you?" He sighed as he rested his head in his hands in mock defeat.

Smart ass, you think you know it all. You never changed there.

"Go away."

"No." Was his reply as he stood up and washed his plate and fork. "I hate to say it but you're stuck with me until we find Kaji. Oh can you wash that when you're done."

What does he think I am five?

"Yeah sure..." She muttered to herself as she watched him walk out of the room humming a cheerful tune to himself...she really wanted to throw a kunai at him, preferably hitting is throat to stop the singing.

Sighing she just noticed something she couldn't pass up. "THANK YOU FOR GOING AWAY" She called after him.

"NO PROBLEM" He chimed. She slapped her face and groaned. It was impossible to piss him off in the morning. Well no not true you had to do something utterly horrible to actually get him mad on a morning like this.

Looking out the window Akane muttered a few words and then stuffed the last piece of her breakfast into her mouth. It was sunny out. She wanted it to be cloudy, to fit her mood. It can be sunny later. But no the world worked in other ways if not mysteriously.

Getting up she of course forgot her plate and wandered down the hall and stopped. Should she wash it like he said? Nah but she should get a glass of water.

Walking back into the kitchen she smiled to herself.

Ha ha ha I am mean. Iruka will go nuts when he sees the plate.

Grabbing a glass and filling it with water she made a slow retreat for the hall and stopped at a door.

I don't want to face him. He doesn't even know who I am but he might figure me out soon. I might have a few days of freedom but after that I have to disappear and help Iruka search while keeping hidden. While he's confused like this I'm safe.

Opening the door Akane froze and stared.

Kakashi was asleep still but it wasn't that fact that bothered her it was that he was thrashing that scared her. How come no one checked him? He could be relapsing like she had. He might even die and that she wanted to avoid. He was no enemy in her mind and so did not deserve that fate.

Placing the glass down on the nightstand she braced her feet and reached to grab his arms. She knew it was a foolish thing to do but he was a shinobi he could handle the shock.

Even in his sleep he was strong. She fought hard not to be thrown by his struggles to get her away from him.

Grabbing tightly she slowly pulled his arms down to his sides and tried her best to sound calming.

"Hatake-san please wake up. It's okay you are safe. Stop dreaming now."

She knew even before she spoke that it had worked.

Slowly a blue eye opened and stared blankly at her. It was glazed. Not good.

Letting him go she placed the back of her hand on his forehead. Way too hot! She had to do something.

"Can you hear me?" She stared at him for a moment and noticed they had patched up the sharingan. "I guess not."

Reaching for the patch she felt his hand grab her arm. Quickly glancing at him she tried again to reassure him with out words. What good it did she had no clue but reluctantly he let her go.

Untying the patch she placed it on the nightstand next to the glass of water.

She had never seen a sharingan so close up before. She had seen it in battle and even had to deal with the effects but this close it was even more breathtaking.

Slowly the comas spun but nothing happened and she felt glad for it. He had no intent on killing her. So she had nothing to fear.

"I'm guessing when that's exposed you can read my lips?"

He slowly nodded.

Good now I can tell him what I want him to do and what I'm going to do with him...okay reel in that last bit that was wrong...Akane bad wording in head leads to very bad comments in real life...come to think of it don't daydream any more it's interfering.

Carefully she placed her hand back to his forehead, He was burning up, his skin was coated in a cold sweat and flushed just from trying to fight the illness, or disease...what ever it was they called it. She just thought of it as a living hell.

"I have some water for you to drink" She smiled. "I want you to drink it all, you're getting dehydrated and dying now would be foolish."

He nodded again.

Wow Nariko told me he was a pain in the ass to treat, why is he so nice to me?

"Good, can you sit up or do you need help?"

Slowly he tried his best but only managed to prop himself onto an elbow.

Not good. Iruka just left with Nariko...or he said he was going to last night, so I'm alone here with him...I don't want to do this to him...or me.

Nightmares were nothing new to Hatake Kakashi; rather they came with the profession. Actually they were a part of his entire life as far as he was concerned. But something had happened when Akane came to wake him.

He had no clue why but she made him relax. He even wanted to cooperate with her. Why?

Sitting propped up on an elbow he winced back the pain in his throat as he drank the water. He wasn't to surprised he had lost his hearing because of the high fever but there was something else wrong with him that he wasn't too sure if it was a part of the illness or not.

He knew he was having a relapse, there was no doubt to that. The fever had a vengeance of it's own and wanted to hinder him the best way it can, by shutting down his body almost completely.

Placing his mask back on his face he touched the woman's shoulder. She jumped as he did so.

Why so jumpy?

She smiled again and he could have sworn the fever got worse.

Okay not feeling good at all. Is this uneasy feeling because of her?

She looked concerned. He had new found respect for her as it was. When he was drinking his water she had turned away from him to give him the little bit of privacy he needed. She was kind enough to let him keep his dignity. However the look on her face now made him rethink this.

"I'm sorry. I have to do this. I know you can't walk and I'm the only one here to help you. I need to lower your fever and the best way is cold water."

No!

He shook his head. There was no way she was going to do this to him.

"Please understand me. I know this better than you, I don't want to do it but unless you want to make it through this unscathed I need you to listen to me."

Sighing Kakashi knew better than to argue with reason. She knew what she was doing and at this moment he didn't.

"Shall we?"

Standing up she held out her hand, it was almost comical watching her as she fought back the urge to laugh.

Grabbing her hand he tried not to force too much of his weight on her but failed. He had forgotten just how much control he had lost and as he stood he could feel his balance leaving.

Shock crossed her face and he was sure he wasn't much further from the same expression as both shinobi hit the floor. He had managed to put one hand below her head to stop it from hitting the floor, which hurt quite a bit. If she had actually hit the floor she would have been out cold.

He felt bad...no horrible.

Okay that was bad, is she okay? Yes just startled. I just can't shake this uneasy feeling, it just got worse again...am I...no no I'm not it has to be this illness I have, it has to be.

Trying to regain his composure he helped her and himself up as she moved to help him walk to the bathroom.

Akane was startled when he fell on her. It wasn't often a man just happened to fall on her and she was certain he was good looking but still she didn't know him so it made it all the more odd.

Why are you so clumsy? She mentally berated herself over and over again.

Reaching the bathroom she felt worse now for what she had to do.

After this he won't trust me at all. I don't blame him. He's losing his mobility even now; I might have to drag him back to the bed at this rate.

Carefully she maneuvered him to the side of the tub and made sure he could still support himself against the wall.

"Okay I'm going to fill the tub; I want you to relax the best you can. I didn't when I was sick and I'm still paying for it." She tried her best to be nice about this but it was a serious matter. She didn't want him to panic.

Turning on the water she made sure it wasn't to cold. She had been literally given an ice bath when she was sick and it only made things much worse.

Once satisfied she turned to the man sitting next to her.

He was staring at her.

Ehh? Why's he staring at me? I'm nothing to stare at. Well if it helps he can stare all he wants. I don't mind having a handsome...did I just think that?
Glancing quickly at him she smirked.

Yes I guess he is pretty handsome...wait this guy is out of bounds. There's no way I'm going to let my emotions do that to me.

He lost track of time, or something...what was he doing again...oh yes looking at the woman. She seemed to care so much. Why would she do this for him?

"Okay that's set now for the worse part."

He flinched. He knew just what it was and he knew he needed the help.

Please let me try on my own first.

"If you can prove to me that you can stand against the wall here without my help then I think you can do that part alone...so how about it."

Oh thank you...but even you know I can't, stop trying to fool yourself.

He shook his head. There was no way he could do this on his own. It was impossible in his condition.
Sighing, the woman approached him. "Well it all has to come off, I don't want to do this to you but I have to. Sitting in wet clothes is worse for you and will trap the heat inside your body. If you want I'll..." she was cut off.

He had placed two fingers on her lips to keep her from finding an excuse, he knew how it had to be and fine so be it.

But something was wrong still; he didn't want to move his hand.

Pull away damn it. You don't even know her. She's a stranger, didn't you learn anything Hatake? No I guess not.

Just as he had finished his last thought he had moved his fingers and placed his hand on the side of her face. Just touching her made his fever worse.
Why? It eluded him but he wanted to know.

This is wrong I can't possibly be...no I have to stop myself it's the fever I can't think clearly enough.

Pulling his hand away slowly he couldn't help but notice the embarrassed flush pass over his face.

Stupid! Stupid idiot, he cursed at himself.

Sighing he tried his best to stand. Leaning against the wall he attempted to keep his balance but the world just spun as if to think it would help but instead it only hindered him. He could feel his body shake from the exertion alone.

"Are you sure you want my help?" She had seen the trouble he was having. He was annoyed with her for a moment.

Stop grasping at straws, yes I need your help moving my arms like this hurts a lot.

Nodding he turned away from her and leaned heavily on the wall.

He could feel her come up behind him and finger the fabric. He knew she was stalling if not to help him psych himself up, it was to do so for herself.

Slowly he could feel the tight fabric of his shirt being lifted up and over his head. He kept his face away from her. He knew she respected his space so he had nothing to fear of exposing his face but still the thought was there.

Once the shirt was completely off he could feel the cold air on his skin. It was refreshing to have such cool air around him.

The next part was his second least favorite part. Carefully she grabbed the edges of his sweat pants and pulled them down. He felt exposed...he didn't like this, he liked it even less than before. She was trying to be nice about it though and for that he didn't complain.

Next the underwear...the worst of it...or was actually her helping him in the tub the worst...he wasn't to sure but he felt her pull them off too. To him it almost seemed erotic.

As badly about it he felt, he knew she felt worse. Her chakra was so charged with nervous tension and embarrassment, he couldn't ignore it.

Turning as best he could he felt her arms support him and help him into the tub. She had done this before...she was able to not only get him to where she wanted to but still making him feel as comfortable as she could. She hadn't once looked at him; she stared at the floor instead.

He felt her pat his shoulder as a reassuring gesture and walk away. Kakashi felt much better sitting in the water. It was cool and he felt like the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders. Leaning back he let the refreshing feeling take over as he tried to relax.

Watching her as she was reaching into a cupboard he couldn't help but stare at her figure. She wasn't to tall, as he had noted earlier just shy of Iruka's height.

The light was easier for him to focus in. He could see this time that her hair was actually brown. She had it tied in a low ponytail. Some stray strands would frame her face. It suited her completely; it was obvious she only did what she had to with it. His gaze switched to her body. Her figure, he decided she was almost perfectly sculpted. A small waist, her breasts weren't modest but not entirely missing like many shinobi women. It showed she was healthy. Her hips were wide but only just so...

Hatake! Stop now, it's the fever talking. She'll laugh at you if you work your self into that state. Then what she'll think you're a pervert.

But he couldn't stop himself. It wasn't like she would notice.

"Are you done staring?"

Oh shit she caught you. Now what will you do? Make something up, yes do that.

Quickly she tossed him a small cloth he could use to cover his face and glared at him.

Okay I can now say I have seen something worse than Umino-san's glare. That's frightening make it stop.

He just stared back dumbly.

"Okay you know what, here. Wash yourself I can see that your libido is just fine...if you can gawk at me then you can wash yourself." She said this as she threw him a wash cloth, viciously

She even has his temper. But I doubt she'd blow up the same way. She seems to take things in humor more easily.

"AHHHHH!"

Whaa...? What was that?

"AKANE!"

"Oops" The woman before him just smiled sheepishly. I'll get Iruka to help you; you won't stare at him like you just did me."

No no don't...wait no come back...

But she was gone in seconds.

Minutes later Iruka walked into the bathroom and stared at the shinobi in the tub. Kakashi suddenly felt he must have been quite the sight.

"You did it now. She caught you huh?" He said as he crossed his arms and tapped one foot. Kakashi tried his best not to think up the sensei stereotype, something he did everything to avoid, and avoiding it he did well.

Is he trying to be nice or is he admitting it too?

"I'll tell you this now. Akane has a sixth sense when it comes to that." Iruka now knelt next to the tub and smiled...but it wasn't his usual polite smile. Kakashi actually felt as if his life were in danger

Not a confession but close enough. So you do think she's attractive.

Iruka picked up the wash cloth and rubbed the soap on it.

"She's not mad at you. She knew you were looking at her from the start. But you should stop it."

Okay he's scaring me...all these confessions. What is he...Owwww!

If anyone said Iruka was a saint they had obviously never pissed the man off as badly as Kakashi did.

Digging the sponge into a healing wound Iruka sneered.

"I know how she seems to like you, but get his one thing in that thick skull of yours. If you ever and I mean ever hurt her or do something perverted I will kill you."

Okay Umino rule one: DO NOT look at the girl he likes. He'll get even.

Umino rule two: DON'T let girl fall for you, he'll make you wish you were dead.

Sighing Iruka composed himself and started to actually help Kakashi instead of trying to politely impale him.

"I'm sorry."

Sure you are. You enjoyed that.

"I'm just a little tense when guys like you are near her." He was being sincere that he could make out. But his behavior was still off.

No kidding you're tense, you tried to gouge out my liver. Wait guy like me? You don't really know me...gahhh

He wanted desolately to speak; to tell the chuunin what he thought.

"Tell you what!"

Here we go, he's bartering with me.

"If you leave her and me alone I'll just forget any of this happened and..."

"Can you just stop being tense?" Kakashi had tried hard and was working on it since the man came into he room but he was able to spit out those few words. He was attempting to work up the energy to say more.

"...what?"

"You're tense." It hurt. He winced

"She told me you can't talk." Iruka was astonished. His eyes wide and jaw lose. If he said more his lower jaw might fall to the floor.

"I can't exactly...this hurts like hell..." Iruka just stared.

"You're a glutton for punishment aren't you?" He laughed.

"Some may say that." Kakashi winced yet again.
Now Iruka laughed. It was nice to hear it. It wasn't strained and sounded real. "You're still a smart ass even when you have one foot in the grave."

"Can you tell...me?"

"Huh? About what?" He was trying to help Kakashi but it wasn't like he could read his mind so he had to risk it.

"Akane...-san"

"Oh." He seemed less happy again. Actually he glared at him for asking. Obviously there were some feelings for the woman he was unwilling to put away.
Kakashi had the distinct feeling the man loved her. Actually he was sure.

He himself wasn't sure why he wanted to know. He was still trying not to think about her. Asking that really wasn't going to help him forget or stop the thoughts.

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"Rank?"

"Oh jounin." Iruka smiled. He was proud of her, Kakashi could see that.

"Mission?" He wanted to know what was happening. If he was out of the picture completely then things would get ugly. He was hoping the chuunin knew how much danger they'd be in if he wasn't with them in this.

"Oh that, don't worry about it too much we're working as fast as we can...it's a very slow crawl to tell you the truth but I'll tell you more later." He smiled sincerely.

Kakashi returned it, but inwardly cringed. He hated not being in control of the mission. Iruka did seem to know what he was doing. It just felt wrong to him that he was being told what to do by the chuunin-sensei who had far less experience than he did.

Iruka was now working on his back...he was also used to this like the woman. This all made him wonder something.

"You and..." he paused. He would have to stop soon. "Akane-san"

Iruka looked dumbfounded yet again. This was the touchy subject. "Remember the night before the mission at your apartment when we were talking?"
He didn't need to hear anymore, or see in his case. She was the woman he liked so much and had also said he'd protect fiercely.

"Ahhh..."That was it the last of what he could manage.

"I'm sorry for my behavior; it's just seeing her now and in the condition she's in is hard enough."

Kakashi nodded. He understood. He wanted her to look healthy again. At lest she looked better than before.

"Well you're done. Lets get you out and in bed hmm?" Iruka smiled again. It was different again though. As if the weight he had been carrying was gone from his shoulders.

If he felt better, then Kakashi felt safer. The less he had to worry about his hide in the chuunin's presence the better.

"Well lets get you out. If you want I can get you some food. Akane will throw a fit but I think it's the least I can pay her back for, for her laziness." Iruka laughed then and all seemed to be getting better. Kakashi was starting to feel the fever break. The sooner he was on his feetthe better.

TBC...