A/N: It's taken me a while to finish this one. The next few chapters will be much better than the last.

Thank you all who reviewed, I really loved the feed-back. Someone told me this was one of the better Kakashi romance, stories...Really? That made me soo happy. At this point I'm trying hard not to make this too cliche, so far so good.

Oh also I need to explain something. I noticed many of my readers don't really like Iruka being in the story. I need to make this clear! Iruka plays a major role. Yes this is a Kakashi romance story, but I want Akane to be a 3-dimensional character; she had a past and she has friends who she finds important and useful to her. Iruka is her best friend and also someone who loves her. So please don't hold that against this story.

Iruka stays so live with it! It's my story! lol write your own...Haaa now that that's out of my system. Seriously I'm writting this for fun.

Well the good news is there's a lot more action comming (I love writting action it's so fun!) And a major jump in time, not this cahpter but possibly the next.

Kakashi: Why is it when you write action I wind up half dead or tied up?

Authoress: I guess it's just fun.

Kakashi: Oo ...

Ahem I guess he doesn't appreciate it...I should be nicer to Kakashi ne?

Well this chapter will be more interesting and frightening at the same time. I hope you all enjoy it and any criticsim will be appreciated. Just remember to review Please, I would love to hear more feedback.

Oh and before I forget Chapters 1-8 or so have been changed a bit, a lot of mistakes have been fixed, but I don't think anyone has to reread them, the information is the same.

Okay okay I am soo sorry...but there is a gore warning...I leave that at your own disgression. I tonded it down a bit but remeber the situation in this story, what's going on isn't pretty

Now to let you read...REVIEW ;)

Chapter 19: Can it get any more worse than this?

Taking in a deep breath Iruka awoke to…an empty camp. He was alone and his teammate was nowhere to be seen. Being left alone like this sent shivers down his spine. At this moment Canyon Country was too dangerous a place to be wandering around alone, sleeping alone in the forestwas even more fatal. What could have made his comrade leave without him?

Laughing hysterically, Iruka looked to where Kakashi was supposed to be. "I can't believe he did this to me, maybe he's gone off for a moment…" Closing his eyes Iruka focused on his breathing and his chakra.

Sure enough he could not sense any of Kakashi's energy nearby. It was strange. Rarely would the jounin leave anyone behind or in any situation where their life was at risk. No, none of this made any sense to Iruka. What ever it was that had happened was totally out of character for the silver haired man.

"Incredible, he just leaves…no wait." From what Naruto and the boy's other teammates have told him, Kakashi would have never left him unless he was absolutely sure his teammates were safe.

Moving towards the tree Kakashi had slept against, Iruka found the cloak…

So he was planning on returning here. This wasn't supposed to be an extended break so... Iruka looked to the sun. He's been gone for five or six hours. Something must have happened.

It was late morning, and from the looks of the camp Kakashi had left long ago, probably after he fell asleep.

So where was he then? Iruka scratched his head as he tried to come up with a reason why the heck Kakashi would leave him alone sleeping in a forest that was obviously very dangerous. Just the reminder of how much the forest had declined made it seem almost sinister.

Maybe he was attacked. I doubt he would leave me alone like that. There has to be something else going on here.

Answering his thoughts a piercing screech filled the air. Iruka knew that voice in an instant. It was the summon he had sent to watch Akane.

Holding his arm out, he let the bird land, wincing as its talons dug deeply into his flesh.

"Ow! Shouta! Do you have to squeeze my arm so roughly?" Iruka growled. He had dropped the honorific, he was sure the bird would make him pay for it later. Shouta loved to take his frustrations out on Iruka, mostly because Akane wouldn't let him get away with it. Iruka often wound up ignored, wounded or ruffled after summoning the hawk, especially if the bird was in a bad mood or if Iruka had done something disrespectful.

"Forgive me but this is urgent."

"I gathered that, what happed to Akane-san?" Iruka asked as he glanced around him, making sure there weren't any infected shinobi or enemies near by. Akane usually got into trouble, so naturally he though it was something that happened to her.

"She is fine."

Iruka's face faltered. He had sent the summon to find her and watch over her, not come back saying she's fine without her.

She's fine…then why the hell is he here?

"Okay spit it out, why are you here now? I sent you to watch Akane-san, not tell me she's okay." Iruka was trying his best to be polite but he was beginning to feel his temper rise. It was like Shouta to do this; he found situations like this humorous. Iruka found times like this annoying and frustrating. He knew before this started he would wind up with a headache.

"It is your companion. The one that likes to snoop and tease you relentlessly." Iruka almost laughed. Shouta got Kakashi down pat, the hawk's observation skills never ceased to amaze him.

Does he have to mention the teasing? I swear one day I'll get that crazy jounin back for it. Even Raidou treats me with the proper respect I deserve, but Kakashi; he treats me like I'm a child.

"You found him? Where is he?" Iruka didn't hate Kakashi, he just felt nervous around the man. He would watch everything Iruka did and sometime he would do it right in front of him. But now hearing about his teammate's whereabouts was almost a joyous moment. The sooner he found Kakashi the sooner he could keep an eye on him.

Figures! It's just like him to get stuck into a situation where he can't get out…or maybe he got hurt. Great now I'm worried about him…he's such…an idiot.

"There's a lake to the east of here, it should take you an hour to get to." Obviously this is where Kakashi had gone off to, and where he still is.

"Thank you. What is his condition?" Now Iruka was having troubles not showing his concern. If Kakashi was attacked again by any of those infected ninja; no one knows what would happen. He could be immune, but he could also get infected again, there were just too many uncertainties at the moment to deal with all at once.

Right now I have to go find Kakashi…Then we have to rendezvous with Akane and her two teams, Kakashi then has to track Kaji, and if all is well we'll drag him back. I don't even know why the hell the stubborn fool went off on his own without telling his sister. Kakashi's just like him too, going off on some wild chase…Damn it I know what he was doing now, he must have sensed Akane…this is not good.

"A little upside down."

"A little what?" Iruka was confused. He stared wide eyed at the brown bird sitting on his arm.

Upside down? What does that mean…I'll never get it, unless I go look."

"May I go now?" Shouta bowed his head as he asked. Again he was being overly polite with Iruka.

"Yeah, I should be able to reach Akane by today or tomorrow and I'm sure she's fine, I guess I should be great-full you disobeyed me, I would have never found him on my own." That was true. Tracking someone as skilled as Kakashi was impossible; he knew this fact for sure. Akane was similar, he tried many times to track her as she tried to train him, and he failed every time. Akane always got frustrated and told him off for how useless he was. Once he had had enough and left her out in the woods for a drink of sake with Genma. The scolding he got from his bestfriend was one he would never forget, and one he wished he could give Kakashi, but the effect he had was much more subdued than the auburn haired girl.

"It's a pleasure like usual." That phrase always grated on his nerves.

"I bet it is." Iruka mumbled the hawk's ability to be so proper made even him seem outright rude.

Waiting for his summon to disappear, Iruka could only come up with one reason why Kakashi had gone off in the way he did.

Now I get it. My summon was watching Akane, so if he knew where Kakashi was then he must have engaged her. So somehow his current condition has something to do with their confrontation.

Grabbing the cloak on the ground Iruka ran in the direction the hawk had told him about.

Hanging upside down Kakashi had a lot to think about. He had already discovered a long time ago that the victim of this type of trap would never get down. He would need either Akane or someone else to let him down. Since he was alone he had to wait until someone came. The question was who, and how long?

I hope Iruka-san comes soon. I doubt he could leave me up here forever. Just staying like this is dangerous, I'm an easy target. I'm sure he would enjoy this...like hell I'll let him ruin my pride though. He'll probably tell me about how I deserve this for what I did to him.

Truth be told he knew Iruka was never going to let him forget this. He not only teased the chuunin but he also chased after his friend. Still he couldn't get over the feeling Iruka thought he was dangerous to Akane. He seemed nervous whenever Kakashi mentioned her or something she had to do with. It all made sense to him. Iruka was scared he would kill Akane because she was Akahoshi.

(Flashback)

"Hatake!" Kakashi looked up when the harsh voice roared through his thoughts. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yes." He curtly nodded, but behind his hound mask he frowned. He hated his captain. The man was cold and enjoyed working as ANBU. Kakashi on the other hand hated it, but he needed the money for his rent. If it weren't for the third he would have told then to only pay his rent and forget the rest, but even that was denied him.

"Good. I want you to join the third ANBU squad tomorrow morning. You'll be working as back up and intelligence, you know more about the target than anyone else." Kakashi sighed.

"What is my target?" He asked.

"There is a group of ANBU from an unknown country illegally working in Fire Country. Your task is to kill the leader and learn everything you can from her. We need all her jutsu and anything about her bloodline limit." This left Kakashi with a sour taste in his mouth. Everyone who worked in ANBU had a good idea of the kind of work squad three did. He had an inkling they were part of Roots. He himself avoided them as much as possible but now he had no choice but to work with them.

Roots were a separate secret organization, usually ANBU members who believed in conservative methods in their work and are ultimately unknown among the men and women in ANBU. Kakashi though had little trouble figuring them out. Most of them were young like he was, but these were shinobi with strange skills. He once was worried they would come for him for the sharingan in his eye but relaxed when he discovered they had no interest in him. Often he ignored them but now he wasn't to sure about that anymore. Could he seriously ignore such a threat?

"So you want me to kill her? Not interrogate her?"

"No." The bear mask glared at him.

"Why?"

The man's posture changed. He appeared more aggressive and dangerous. The chakra wafting off him was static. Most people would fear this man, but it was the man's own fear of Kakashi that kept him from lashing out at the young adult.

"HOW DARE YOU ASK ME! YOU'RE TO FOLLOW YOUR ORDERS WITHOUT QUESTION!" Kakashi backed up, not out of fear but more to get further away from the loud yelling. He was used to this sort of reaction and was often rewarded with it on many occasions.

"I just want to understand my mission better." He said in a quiet even tone.

The taller man sighed and grasped the side of the table. The ANBU mission room was much smaller than the main mission room so noise and movements were easy to hear and often echoed off the walls.

'The entire team is Akahoshi, but it is the leader we need to kill. She has abilities above all the others. If we eliminate her then we raise the chances Konohoa won't be taken by them." Kakashi was dumbstruck. What he just said had no bearing on why he should kill her.

"So because you fear her you want me to get rid of all your nightmares? This doesn't make sense to me. If she was a part of such a family, then why the hell are you not trying to negotiate? If I understand this, killing her will only aggravate the Akahoshi; this would cause the war you fear. I am sure that one person can't be a threat to this entire village."

He had heard many stories about the Akahoshi. He knew a few at one time. His father was friends with the main family and on many occasions Kakashi had found himself in their estate just on the edge of the village. That was a long time ago. After his father's death they were chased out and blamed not only for Konohoa's White Fang's death but the death of many missing men and women. Most of the missing were found near their estate and all dead and missing blood. Since the entire group used blood as jutsu this was the general consensus.

"Don't question your orders. If you don't do as I tell you..."

"Yes I will suffer the consequences in full. Killing me over this wouldn't help you would it."

The taller man glared. Kakashi was now certain he was a Roots member. The mission was dangerous for Konohoa and it seemed they wanted a war. This made more sense, the Third was trying to avoid one, Roots wanted to take over throw the third and this was proof enough in his mind. But what could he, one person do? Sure his skills were better than most but he isone and they are many.

"I will cooperate." But he wasn't going to enjoy this.

Taking the scroll Kakashi left the mission room and fought the urge to gag. He had to warn her and get her out of the country before he was forced to do what he agreed to. He couldn't kill her and he knew that, they'd kill him for not doing it. The consequences for both he and the woman were so high, he was unsure if he could make it out of this mission alive. Still he was going to have to find her and make her leave.

Seeing her by the lake reminded him of that dirty mission. He hated admitting it but he was overjoyed to see her alive. She was a skilled shinobi, not the best, but still highly skilled. She had abilities he himself felt she should hold only to herself. Still there were some things he wanted learn. Why he felt he wasn't looking at her true face, the aura around her mask, and her total control of chakra. These were all nagging on his mind and still he could come up with nothing to explain them.

Exasperated Kakashi closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep, or at least he hoped. There was no way he could think about it upside down like this.

A loud whistle spilt the air. Everyone froze. It was the signal to regroup.

Genma watched as Akane came flying out of the bushes and ordered them all to gear up, which meant they had ten seconds to grab their gear and gather near her. Seeing her like this was rare but it was clear she had been though a scuffle. He could see the bruises on her knuckles and how she seemed to favor that hand. Something told him it was complicated though, and he should stay out of it until she told him herself.

"Kyouchuse no jutsu." Akane called out. As she did so a giant bird of prey appeared.

The beast glanced around with its large golden eyes and realized what it had to do and moved next to the platform.

Genma was awe struck; it was a magnificent creature. Several feet high the animal had feathers the color of sand and wings designed for speed. It was easy to tell that Akane was in a hurry by the looks of the summon.

"Get on her back, now!" Akane called out. Everyone of course complied. Annoying their leader was the last thing anyone on these two teams wanted. Akane was a stubborn person and frightening when angry, the combination was deadly.

"What's going on?" Genma asked as he approached her.

"Iruka and Kakashi moved faster than we anticipated." She quickly glanced back.

"So…" That made a lot of sense, both men liked to get their missions done quickly and efficiently.

"I had him tied up, for a bit. However I want to move now and as fast as I can. We need to get there first and see what we can get out of it. I don't want Hatake anywhere near any jutsu he shouldn't see."

"Ahhh I get it so you want to hide some residual jutsu left from their camp, or an attack."

"That's right, but I want to meet them there, since Hatake is the only one able to track from there on out."

"Okay then that means he knows already who you are?" If he did then things may be easier, but how would he react when working with her?

"Yes."

Genma sighed, he knew it wouldn't work long to fool a jounin like Kakashi. Raidou also had said it would take only a week or two before the taller man's mind would get bored and he'd start investigating the younger woman, she was a perfect target.

Following Akane, Genma climbed onto the bird's back. He had never flown on a bird before, and this was such a large animal. He wondered just where she had managed to get summons like these.

Heh at least the ride will be soft. He thought admiring the soft feathers he had as a seat.

"Make sure you hold on okay, I don't want you falling off. I'd have to fall after you and I don't like having to rely on Katon." Genma nodded. Katon care for Akane but he tended to help just in the last second, a free fall like that would be frightening.

Genma nodded and with wide eyes watched the enormous tan wings open. Just the sight of such an action from the back of a creature as this was astonishing. As if in slow motion they began to flap, gathering air and lift. With each movement the sun would reflect off the thousands of large feathers making the whole scene before him seem completely unreal.

What I wouldn't give to live this moment as much as she does.

Opening his eyes Kakashi groaned. His back was aching from being stretched for so long. Not only that, but he never managed to keep Akane from his mind.

He wondered why she didn't kill him, better yet why did she even bother to assure him Iruka would find him?

I need to keep her from my thoughts for now. I can't let her get her way. I have to follow her.

Noticing the inconsistency in his last thought Kakashi growled.

"No, no following you fool, you need to get to that site and then find the missing man. Returning home is what you want." He said to himself out loud as he began to perform slow stretches. Losing one's ability to move after this long was not something he wanted.

Eventually Iruka will come and cut me down. Then we can retrieve our missing man and leave. The sooner I leave the better, and the sooner I'll be away from that woman.

Finally reaching the lake it didn't take Iruka long to see his teammate hanging by his feet from a tall tree. It was quite the site. Kakashi looked drawn and tired. Hanging upside down like that was hard on the body and Iruka was sure the jounin was feeling it.

Iruka stifled a laugh. Kakashi looked so pissed of, his hair looked as if it were bristling with all his pent up anger.

"Let me guess, you ran off after her didn't you?" Glancing off to the edge of the lake he could see the man's mask. Either it fell off or it was taken off. Somehow he knew it wouldn't have fallen off Kakashi's face. He'd worn a mask like that for at least ten years if not more.

Kakashi opened his eyes and glared. The effect was lessened by his gravity defying state, and only made Iruka laugh more.

"Let me down and we'll see about how much I hate you for this."

"Me? What did I do?" Apparently Kakashi would blame him for something he didn't do. The man was crazy. He didn't tell her to tie him high in a tree, or leave him to hang there.

"She's your bestfriend." Best was stressed as he said this. Kakashi was mad, that was clear but to think he would do something to Iruka was a little frightening.

"Well if I let you down how about you not kill me or Akane-san and I'm sure we'll all be happy."

"Kill her?" Kakashi sounded really confused and annoyed…now Iruka was too.

"Yeah isn't that what you were about to do?" Iruka was now a little more confused. He seemed to be like that lately and it was a state he wanted to keep out of. Confusion usually leads to fear, which ultimately leads to death. Death was the end; he'd seen enough of it and didn't want to succumb to it until he was old.

What was he doing then?

"I came to talk to her, not kill her. Why would I kill her?"

"She's Akahoshi."

"I never listen to that, you should know that."

Iruka scratched his scar and thought about what he had just heard. Kakashi's last words were true, he never listened to anyone. Once Iruka had heard that the man had literally walked out on the Hokage when she was handing him a mission. He had to give Kakashi credit; he had guts. But were there any thought behind those stubborn moments?

If he didn't come to kill her then what was it that was so important?

"That law was placed a long time ago, when I was chuunin." Kakashi started. "I thought it was stupid even then. To think Konohoa would go as far as condemning a clan; an entire clan to death, it's not only utterly wrong but prejudiced as well. They were kicked out because they were framed. Besides that was the past and not every person from that clan can be evil."

"I know but…"

"Iruka-san, look at me." Iruka looked at him; it felt weird to look up at someone who was hanging upside down.

"Do you think I would kill someone because they are from a certain family?"

"No."

"Would I kill for no reason?"

"No…" Iruka felt dumb but Kakashi was right after all.

"Would the Third or even the Fourth come up with such a stupid order? Of all the people they valued everyone, the good and the bad. They wouldn't ban an entire family. They were chased out by the citizens or someone else without the Hokage knowing."

"I know that, but…"

"What?" Kakashi snapped.

"I don't know…you almost killed her once already."

Iruka wanted to scream and punch Kakashi's face to a bloody pulp for being so calm about this. He would have been hopping mad, but still Kakashi's actions made some sense. Getting upset over this was pointless; it would have been a waste of time and energy.

"It was an accident. She made the choice to do what she did. Her injury was a result of that decision and I'm sure she can accept that. She's alive now so what good does getting upset about it now do you?"

"None, you're right." That was true Akane was definitely alive, for now anyways.

Reaching for the release on the seal Iruka allowed Kakashi down. The jounin landed, of course on his feet, in a fluid motion. Iruka wondered how he kept doing that.

If someone cut me down from one of those I would have fallen flat on my face. He also has a bruise on the side of his face…she must have hit him, he's really lucky that was all she did. Did he piss her off or something?

"Let's just forget all this and start over hmm?" Kakashi asked as he eyed Iruka.

"I can't ignore this. You left me alone back there…and then you chased after her. She has her reasons for going ahead of us, so why is it you can't leave well enough alone?"

"Because it's who I am." Kakashi looked around, as if taking note of his surroundings. As he did so both men began to walk back to where they had last made camp. In his haste Iruka had left his pack behind and so retrieving it was the top priority.

"ARRRGGGHHHH…." Iruka screamed. "Can't you just do something normal for once?"

"Where's the fun in that, besides I think you look cute mad like that." Kakashi chuckled as he picked up his mask and checked it over. Satisfied he placed it back over his face.

Iruka blushed, it wasn't everyday you hear a confession like that. Stuck frozen on the spot Iruka was unsure of what he was to say or do about it.

Did he just come on to me? No he said he's not like that, and neither am I…he's just messing with me…again.

"Um Iruka-sensei, I didn't intend it to come out like that, and you complain I'm the pervert." Kakashi snorted, He knew Iruka hated his jokes but still it was obvious he couldn't resist the opening. "I just meant the way you react is cute, not you yourself."

"Oh so I just…never mind." Iruka shook his head. It was better to just drop the subject than get into a heated discussion over it. "Let's just get going. I want to see if we can get there in one day."

"Maaa do we have to?" Kakashi drawled.

Iruka slapped his face. "Do you want to go home or not?"

"Hmm home is better than here. I guess you are right, it is late enough. If we go at a fast pace we can get there by midnight. Can you travel that fast?" Kakashi glanced back at Iruka.

He thinks I'm slow? I'm almost dying to tell him who I really am. He'd never know what hit him.

"Are you kidding, I can outrun you any day. Just try not to slow us down okay." Well he couldn't wearing his chuunin uniform, while the Copy Nin wore the more streamlined ANBU uniform. The tables would turn though if they were both evenly matched. Akane was good for one thing and that was teaching her sparing partners to move quickly, if they didn't they'd lose horribly.

"Easy enough. Lead the way."

As they ran through the foliage all Kakashi could do was think about what would happen when they got to the site.

They'll be there first I know this for certain. What ever it was they were doing it had something to do with getting to a destination faster.

Glancing to Iruka, Kakashi could see the concern written all over the youngerman's face. He was worried about his friend and Kakashi couldn't blame him, but it wasn't him Iruka had to fear, it was the unknown.

Even now as they moved through the trees the evidence of the disease was hard to ignore. The scent of blood and the stench of death was everywhere. Kakashi was trying his best not to feel queasy from the smell. He was lucky his heightened sense of smell wasn't like that of the Inuzuka; if they came here they would be feeling the effects rather than just the smell. Iruka had more luck. He didn't suffer through it as much he had normal senses, however Iruka was still affected.

The trees also showed effects of the disease. They weren't as serine as the ones from Fire Country. Not these, they were dark and dead looking. Vines hung from them covered in moss and a few times Kakashi could have sworn he saw a body on the branches of a tree they had passed.

Shuddering slightly from that last realization, Kakashi returned to the problem needing more attention.

He needs to get it out of his head that I would kill her… I can't anyways I know that now, even if I tried.

No too many things have happened now between them. He had saved her from being hunted, he had practically trained with her on occasion; if their occasional meetings could be called that, and he had even gone as far as keeping a long conversation with her. Now he had seen what she was like outside of mission and in her own home. He had to admit he liked what he saw.

She wasn't a very vibrant person, at least not by habit anyways. Her behavior on the other hand was something entirely different. She liked to joke around and tease. At times he found himself joining in or as the unfortunate victim.Sometimes she was a morning person, though he had learned it was rare. Typically her temper was something that rivaled even Iruka's; often it appeared without warning and scared him senseless. Still even the good outweighed the bad. She was almost entirely innocent, or so she seemed. Still he could not ignore the day she took care of him.

I can't kill someone who tried so hard to make me feel comfortable when I couldn't do anything by myself. One day I know I can return the favor.

As though on its own, an image of Akane sleeping on his chest flashed though his mind. She was so calm and so relaxed; he could never forget the smile that had appeared on her face. Just that smile told him she trusted him enough for her to let down her defenses and allow him to look after her safety. The moment they had shared was far more intimate than he cared for. She had been sick herself before he had arrived and at the time of the single incident he had felt he had to do the same for her. But somehow he felt something else.

I need this mission to end soon. The longer I'm here around that woman the less I recognize myself. Or is it the more I see who I really am? I think I'll just stick to saying she makes me do stupid things.

Hours passed and sure enough they had arrived at the rendezvous point. The trip was long and hard but neither of the men had any troubles. None of the infected ninja appeared. At this stage in their mission both wondered just how many were infected?

They've been here for most of the day. We came around the time I had predicted.

Sure enough before him was a very basic, almost by the book, shinobi camp. The fires were small and gave off little smoke and plenty of heat. He could see bedrolls placed along the shady parts of the tree line. This was to ensure those who were sleeping were hidden. Sleeping completely in the foliage would have left them open for an ambush. With the clearing to one side, those on watch had an easier time making sure there were no intruders. Overall everyone seemed to be in high spirits but it was hard to hide the suspense they were all felling at that very moment.

It only took Kakashi a second to see why they were so jumpy.

Tearing out of the trees ran an infected ANBU; clearly he was from the main village, not this group. His armor was black, his mask was similar to those Konohoa used but this one depicted an animal of some sort, he couldn't recognize it.

Next to him, Iruka flinched back and kept his distance. Kakashi could almost feel the cold fear wafting from his chakra. His own wasn't much farther from that state.

Looks like he's seen them before as well! I'm a little worried myself.

"Don't touch him." The bird ANBU came forward out of the shadows. "If you try to attack he'll attack you, and he'll do anything to get you infected, even if it kills him." She seemed to take control rather smoothly; her posture and the way the others reacted proved that fact. No one dared to go against that order, no one wanted to.

She's a born leader. I'm impressed, but now what will she do?

Kakashi watched in silent horror as the infected man shook with tremors, probably caused by the fever. His mask was covered in blood. Many of the people along the tree line were probably wondering just who's it was, the man's or someone else's?

Glancing to where he had last seen the woman…he found no one. She had managed to slip into the shadows without him noticing. The level of skill he was now witnessing made him worried. If he were to face her as an opponent he wasn't sure if he or she would win. By force he would, but by tactics…something seemed to tell him it would be a stale mate.

The infected man was not small. He was strong and well armed. He seemed to be steady on his feet even though he was shaking. Size never predicted the outcome in a shinobi battle; it was skill. However Kakashi was also worried about the man's arsenal.

He had the usual hip pouch, kunai holder, and sword of the usual ANBU but on top of that he had a string of short kunai, a smaller blade attached to his left leg and Kakashi was certain he had a few exploding tags and other seals with him. In his state he could be a mortar; a walking bomb.

Kakashi watched as a small river of blood flowed from an open wound in the man's side. Someone had obviously tried to kill him, but they must have failed since the target was now standing before them. Or was he the original hunter, and was attacked by the target? No one would be sure; but Kakashi could see the initial wound that started the infection.

Just below the man's bicep was a wound seeping with blood and pus. It was similar to the wound Kakashi had gotten weeks before. Bite wounds were the worst to heal and this one was not just any bite wound; this was a tear. Someone took a chunk out of him and it wasn't healing.

I've seen a lot in my life already, but this? This is something else. This country is going to hell. Can these people even manage to eradicate this? I seriously think they should evacuate the healthy and close the borders and let it run its course, eventually they'd all die off. Even the antidote can't help with as many infected as I've seen.

Bile rose to Kakashi's throat, but he fought the urge to vomit. If he did now, in front of the woman's teams, they would ridicule him.

He felt pity for the poor man who was now suffering in front of him. Even now it seemed the ANBU couldn't make up his mind on who to attack. Was he going to go after the group near the trees, or go after the two men who are closer?

Lookingbehind him he noticed Iruka was shaking severely. Apparently the chuunin did not like seeing anyone suffer. He honestly couldn't blame him, he too felt like that.

It seemed the ANBU had made up his mind the exact second Kakashi looked back and he saw the shinobi coming.

Why me? Why do they pick me? Do I have a target on me?

He could hear the startled shouts of the men by the trees and the sound of swords and weapons being drawn, but they knew better than to move. If they attacked now Kakashi could be killed in the crossfire.

Dodging to his right Kakashi pulled out his sword and sent the man sprawling with a hard blow to the shoulder. Unfortunately it didn't do much. He had almost forgotten just how far they push themselves just to kill. Jutsu would never help in this situation; he'd have little time to create a good illusion or even a well structured attack. He had no choice but to use his sword and his instincts. These were the situations where Taijutsu and swordsmanship would help, and that was it.

Ducking under a punch Kakashi moved as far from the man he could when suddenly the man's head fell off…

Eh? It just…?

Slowly the man's body fell to the ground with a dull thud, revealing Kakashi'ssavior.

You have to be kidding me. At this rate I'll owe her more than my life.

Akane had come up from behind and gave a sharp slice at a weak spot in the man's neck. She had done something Kakashi normally would have to use a lot of force to do.

Okay she's nuts! I need to use a lot of strength to do that, and in order for it to work one has to use the sword so it hit at just the right angle. She must have perfected this to an art.

"Poor soul." She murmured. She was upset by this, that was as clear as day. Without stopping himself Kakashi approached her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You did the right thing." She looked up in surprise but then shouldered his hand off.

"I'm going to kill the bastard who let this thing lose on us." She spat at him.

Okay well then don't get so mad at me about it. I didn't do it.

"Is this the norm?" He needed to understand as much as he could. He knew what the effects were, or at lest the first few symptoms.

Akane stopped. Her mask shone in the moonlight making it look almost otherworldly, or alive. There was something about this mask, or was it the aura surrounding it?

"This is what would have happened to you." She muttered as she glanced to Iruka who had come back out from the shadows still looking pale.

"They creep me out." Irukashrugged, trying to appear carefree; everyone knew he was just as worried if not more scared.

"You have amazing control over your mind and body. You had so much control that the medicine had to be twice as strong to even have any effect on you."

"Okay…" She didn't make much sense to him just then. She must have been a little shook up still. "So what you mean is even with that much control, I would have gone nuts; that even with the medicine I was almost a lost cause?"

"Well yes and no. It depends on the person. You're stubborn. I can say for sure it would take you longer to end up like him. When Iruka-san and Raidou-san found you, you were able to hold back twice as long as anyone."

So I was a lucky one or was I unlucky at the time? I would have killed myself sooner or later if those two hadn't found me. To end up like this man…is worse than death.

Hearing this terrified him. To think he would have been in the same situation if he hadn't been found by Iruka and Raidou. Even Akane had been exposed to this, and somehow he felt more scared.

He watched as she pulled out a combustion tag and placed it on the man. Doing a few seals she waited until the seal lit and the body burned. The stench was nothing new to Kakashi; he knew the smell of burning flesh better than anyone.

This whole disease was only what he could call evil. It destroyed villages, families and people. Even the forest was affected. Nothing grew the way it should, plants were dying, even fruit and mushrooms were hard to find.

Watching Akane walk to the fire Kakashi had an odd urge to talk to her.

I need to know everything…I need to understand her better.

"Akane-san? May I speak with you privately for a moment?" He asked.

Akane stopped and turned. "Sure, this way." She pointed to a path behind her.

What was all that about? Genma thought as he took another sip of his tea.

Akane was the best at field missions. If they were long she made sure there was enough food and water between the two teams that they didn't have to ration. She was thorough, much like the man she had just left with.

I swear there's something between those two. They play games to avoid each other but in the end they get closer, it's like a silly dance. Akane spends her time running, while Kakashi seems more intent on following and chasing. If only they'd admit it.

Genma jumped as Iruka slumped down next to him. The weariness and yellow tinge in the younger man were hard to ignore.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just tired. I pushed myself harder than I'm used to." He sighed. Of course that wasn't it. Genma had seen him shy away behind Kakashi when the man came flying out of the woods.

Poor guy, he thinks he has to prove himself to everyone. He keeps forgetting we all value him. He works harder than any of us and if anyone deserves a rest its him. If there wasn't this disease to deal with then things would have been better, if not more fun.

"Hey man, stop trying to prove to Kakashi-san that you're just as good, he'll figure you out then." If Iruka really pushed himself any further his identity would come out.

"No, no he won't. He thinks I'm just someone who stayed chuunin because he was scared of added responsibility, or being killed." Iruka was a downer when he really wanted to be.

"Now there you're wrong. You have more responsibilities than most of the shinobi in the village. Actually you do almost as much as the Hokage and I'm sure you know her job inside out. Kakashi even trusts you, and that means something. What more can you ask for?"

Iruka snorted and grabbed a cup filled with tea. The shaking was hard to ignore. "What use is that? Oh I can carry papers and use a stamp. I'm no one special. Trust, no Genma I'm entertainment. Someone he teases to get a laugh when he's bored."

Genma wanted to beat it into him but instead talking was better. "No, it keeps the village running. You make sure we take the right missions, that we've completed them and to top it all off you do some that none of us can do for some reason."He chose to ignore the last comment, he wasn't going to elt iruka get away with the self pitty.

"Still it's not enough." Iruka sipped down some of his tea. His hands weren't getting any better. He was upset and scared.

"And with all that you teach children how to be shinobi, now if you ask me I think they'd kill Kakashi…or he'd kill them, I'm not to sure which it is."

Iruka chuckled. "I remember him asking me why I was late for the meeting; he was suggesting they locked me into a closet."

"Oh yeah I remember that!" Genma loved that comment it had an effect no one was expecting.

"They'd never do that to me, I know too many people back home, and chances are I'd know their parents well. Kakashi on the other hand they'd torture the first second they got. I think he'd torture them back only worse."

"Probably, I mean some of the things he's done to team seven were a little over the top."

"Naruto once told me he had tied them up. Of course he had them figured out. Any disguise Naruto comes up with will be easy to see through."

"Ha ha he did?"

"Yeah, they were trying to see his face…I think Kakashi-sangot tired of the game. He knew all along what they were doing." Iruka smiled. It seemed talking about team seven's mishaps was cheering him up.

Yeah sounds like him. Kakashi would play the same game, only better.

"So what's going on with those two anyways? Seriously I swear they have this radar thing going. One seems to know where the other is, or when they're close by." Genma rolled his eyes the second he saw the tell tale frown. Iruka was still jealous. Soon Genma would have to talk to him about it, before he interfered.

"What?" Genma ground out.

"I…It's nothing…I just never thought she'd go for him. I mean I thought he was going to kill her." Iruka was hiding his real reasons for the glare he made.

"Why would he do that?" Here it was again. The stupid assumption people had about the silver haired man. At the beginning of the mission Genma had believed it as well, but as he watched Kakashi interact with her, he felt there was something else going on. There was no way Kakashi could kill her.

"I…don't know. He told me he wouldn't. Can I really trust him?"

"Yep." Iruka looked shocked.

"You must be thinking about a different person than I am." Genma shook his head, o he was thinking about Kakashi. It was a long time since the man had had a relationship and the way he behaved around Akane showed it.

Kakashi tried so hard to forget his emotions that he doesn't see the walls be built around them coming down when Akane was around. He sits straighter when she's around, he talks more, and he even tries to steal glances at her. We all see it, just not him.

"Nope." Genma grinned he loved where this was going. "I can see he likes her. He just doesn't know what to do. Does he tell her, show her or ignore her."

"You're nuts she'd never like him."

"Let me remind you of your 'little' kiss. She really doesn't want to be more than a friend with you." It hurt Iruka but he had to be reminded.

"I realized that." Iruka muttered looking away for a moment.

"Still she's confused, and I know why."

"Tell me." Iruka was going through a lot of emotions and they all showed. He was tired, scared, annoyed, and jealous. It was clear enough.

"He's not from here, and she is; well technically."

"So?"

"It's forbidden for there to be a relationship between two shinobi from two different countries unless the Kage and the other village leader agree."

"I see so technically they can't do anything." Now Iruka looked relieved. Genma felt sorry for them though. He could see they cared for each other, but Iruka couldn't see it, he was more interested in where his relationship with her was.

"Well not exactly no, but what's out of sight is out of mind." This got the chuunin in a fit. Standing up Iruka tried to leave but Genma held him back.

"Relax! Kakashi knows the rules better than anyone. They're just discussing something important to the mission nothing else." It was obvious Iruka was taking not only the rejection hard but also the fact that the woman who he had loved with all his heart was falling for someone Iruka barely trusted.

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm right here." Genma could feel Iruka's arm go rigid.

"You have strange ideas you know that, not to mention you're as imaginative as ever. You big pervert!" The voice was easy to make out. Everyone in the camp burst out laughing. Iruka sighed. He couldn't jsut tell them all to shut up, they'd just laugh harder. Genam saw him make that mistake once and it was hilarious. Iruka's temper was useful, if not to fear then for entertainment.

"Heh…well…uh…"Iruka stuttered unsure of what to say next. Plainly put, he was caught red handed.

"I've heard enough." She said sternly as she sat next to the senbon user.

Ha ha ha Akane has to be the best at ambushes. She must have heard the conversation.

"So where's tall and grouchy?" Iruka muttered.

"Oh I left him behind…I don't think he's noticed yet."

Both men stared at her.

Is she nuts!

"Eh heh, Akane I don't think that was a very smart thing to do."

Sighing Akane grimaced over to Genma. "He was boring me. He just wanted to know if I knew where Kaji was going and what it was I was planning on doing with eight too many people."

"Oh so he was just curious?" Iruka looked overjoyed.

No it was more like he lectured me for taking too many people with me on mission and that it was obvious.

"I guess you could say that." She lied.

"Lair." Genma laughed. Iruka glared at her. Naturally she laughed. Both always seemed to act in opposite ways. One would tell her it was a good idea to do something outrageous while the other told her not to, usually she did it anyways, but still the results were always fun.

"Okay, okay I give. He lectured me. He wasn't too happy about it…"

"What about?"

Akane smiled. "Oh he said 'You have too many people out here. A standard team of four is better and safer. Why do you have eight extra people? No wonder the infected shinobi found you'" She then giggled. She thought Kakashi was funny. He seemed to like nit picking, which meant it gave her someone new to breakdown.

"Okay so he's a little protective." Genma chuckled again

Akane knew he was right. It seemed to her that Kakashi was very protective of the people he felt responsible for. Currently she counted as one such person, and she hated it. She was the one responsible for him and the others not the other way around, they were in her country and that's the way it should be.

He's so stubborn I couldn't argue with him, I don't know him well enough to, but soon I'll be able to get past him on that, I always do.

"Well we should get some rest. The mission starts tomorrow morning." Iruka sighed. Genma yawned and nodded. "I'll go get him and we'll get him a bedroll."

"Good idea." Kakashi still had nothing. Soon Akane would have to give it all back, but still there was something she had to do.

Turning to Iruka Akane narrowed her eyes. There was no way he could fool her.

"Okay you, show me your hands."

Iruka looked at her and held out both hands fisted.

"Open 'em." She spat. To think she would fall for that trick.

Opening his hands they began to once again shake.

"Heh…I'm just a little nervous." He rubbed the back of his neck.

Akane sighed. "Sure you are."

You're scared. I can't blame you. I don't even know how far this disease is spreading. I suspect it stops before we reach the borders. If it reaches a country as large as Fire Country we're all done for.

TBC...

A/N: Phew, that was a long chapter to write, but man I found that fun. I hope you all enjoy.

As you can see Kakashi knows who Akane is. He knew her before and just maybe there's some chemistry going already...maybe. At this moment he's confused by his emotions, love or even attraction are not things someone who has thier emotions as trained as he would know right off what they are feeling. He finds Akane confusing and isn't to sure why he has the feelings he has, for some he barely knows.

Iruka seemed to have a moment where he got a little..tiny..okay a lot depressed. Think about it, he's hiding his true identity and skills from someone he looks up to, he may not like Kakashi overly much but he does trust in his skill. Iruka also seemed to notice the interactiosn between his friend and Kakashi. Natrually he's jealous, Akane used to be his girlfriend for a short time, and he seems to have a hard time letting go. Still he's less confuused about his emotions.

Akane, she's an oddity. She laughs jokes and teases, but is that a cover? No one knows. She seems to know nothing of Kakashi's feelings and is more focused on her mission. It may seem she acts perfect but look at her actions, she ties Kakashi in a tree, almost a free meal to any animals of a free victim for the infected people. She lead Kakashi on for a while, which added to his curiosity, she helped him a little too much, making him pay more attention to her again. So really she's made a string of mistakes. Who knows maybe there's a reason she wan'ts his attention.

Genma...he's just there for the ride and he know's it. He sees Iruka's jealousy and confusion. He sees the obvious emotions between Akane and Kakashi. Over all Genma is the observer in all this as well as a councellor. He hates it but someone has to make sure they all pay attention to what they're doing. But yes he hates it, he'd rather go home and do an easier mission.

Raidou: He's just staying out of it for now, until he's needed. All the pent up emotuons between the three characters confuses him and he'd like to see the outcome as an observer much like Genma.

Kaji: Still no clue on him. Kakashi suspects something.

Katon: Hey look he showed up again! What do you think he is? SeriosulyI want to know what you think he is. I'm sure you'll all be shocked when you find out but lets have some fun with it.

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