A/N: Okay sorry for the long delay, it's been a rough week...I seemed to have misplaced my boyfriend (um yes seriously...he went missing...so I have to find him...that sounded so corny.) Anwyas...

As you read this I want to make this clear. The first few paragraphs may seem odd, you'll understand if you read it carefully. Also there's a bit of a time gap as well. This will start happening a lot now, and you'll soon find out why. (aside from not much happening...it's not like we want to read...he got up, ate breakfast, walked around and went to bed...to boring for me anyways).

So enjoy the chapter, I believe there's one or two more left and then 'gasp' a surprise...well I wouldn't say that but you get my point.

Enjoy and please review.(my email is pretty empty ;) )

Chapter 23: Sun Rises

The wind didn't make it past the rock wall, Kaji was glad it didn't. For a day now they had been trapped in the cramped space waiting for the storm to pass. It had come so sudden he was sure there was someone controlling it. Luckily it was just a regular occurrence for the area. Still he found the howling winds foreboding and creepy. Storms weren't new to those in Canyon Country but none had the intensity of this one.

He glanced over to the group of people sitting by one of the fires. One of which was still out cold from a fever.

He had found Iruka and his team two weeks ago on a nearby ledge, trying to revive one of their teammates.

The man was badly injured and Kaji wasn't sure if he would make it. He had suffered a major blow to the head, a deep gash in his shoulder, a broken leg, and a possible fractured hand. Technically he should have died given the amount of blood he had lost, but somehow they had managed to get his heart going again.

Akane had arrived later and seemed upset by the scene. She spent hours sitting next to the stranger and healing all she could and then some. He had told her several times to stop for fear she would end up in the same situation; but he also knew deep down somewhere she wanted to keep going, even if it killed her.

There's something about this man. Something she seems to see in him that I don't. I was away after all, I don't even know who he is.

She was still with him even now. Kaji could see her remove the cloth from the man's brow and place it back in the cold water. The worried look wasn't easy to miss. He was worried she would do something foolish if the man dies in the night.

Kaji was shocked when he first saw the injured man. He had seen many shinobi in his life but none like this one. He was tall and lithe but yet he knew even this man could out do him in strength. Most of all it was the silver hair that made him uneasy. Few shinobi had hair like this. It was rare and unusual for someone so young. The only other person with hair that color Kaji knew was Kabuto and he was sure neither one of the two had anything to do with each other.

Who is he? No one would really tell me. I guess they were so worried about him, and Iruka seemed almost overjoyed to see me…he's been acting weird though.

To Kaji though the thought was an understatement. Iruka was normally a very calm person, well mostly; there were times when Iruka would explode but it usually passed quickly.

Lately though he seemed more worried than usual and also paranoid. He fussed over both Akane and the stranger and at times tried to help a little too much. To stop this Kaji had given Iruka something to keep his mind busy while Akane worked on their teammate; whoever he was.

Looking to Iruka he frowned.

They had spent months finding this cave, this mountain, this location; and yet they found only a scroll with more clues and mysteries to where the object he was looking for was. However he was positive now that he had to go to Konohoa anyways.

Of course news of the Hokage requesting he come there was also new to him. He hadn't really expected to be called on. Few people knew he was alive, and he actually liked it that way. Now things were going to change forever and he wasn't sure if he liked it. He was called for helping defend Konohoa from Orochimaru and his possible attack. Little did the Hokage know that Orochimaru had been trying to destroy his village for years now. If he left things would be tight. Akane could handle it but she'd need more people to make things work.

It's suicide. If I go no one can help her or protect her. I was there to help her…why does everyone seem to want to split us up?

Yes Akane was his twin but she was very important to his people and even Fire Country. She may have been kicked out but she still did what she could, which at the moment wasn't much.

"Something bugging you?" Genma's voice crashed through his thoughts.

"Huh? Oh not…yeah." Kaji rubbed the back of his neck trying to loosen all the tired muscles. Being on watch wasn't helping much.

"It's the summoning from Hokage-sama?"

"Yeah. They should have asked for my sister with this one; they'd only need her and no one else. The rest of our people belong here to defend our village."

"I know…but if you really look at it. If we can get rid of that creature then no one will have to worry."

"Not true." Kaji knew better than anyone killing Orochimaru only made an opening for someone else to try to do a better job. "If he's gone ROOTS will be the major problem."

Genma scrunched up his nose in disgust. If anyone hated ROOTS it was him. After all it was because of them he had lost his closest friends and through years of working in ANBU had taught him even if you were Konohagure there were still dangers from those in your own village. "I know but…"

"Even the Hokage can't stop them if they decide to make a move. There aren't many but they're very strong. Akane would never stand a chance."

"What I don't get is why are they after only her now. It used to be the entire clan." Genma was right but Kaji had known the question was coming and had also asked it himself.

"Power Genma-san. They want her power. She not only has a gift, but she has the most chakra in the entire clan, and most of all people love her, even if she does piss them off from time to time." Kaji smiled. He liked the way his sister was. She never kissed up to anyone and if they expected it she usually did the total opposite. She even had guts enough to do it to her parents. In a way he was glad she wasn't the one going to Konohoa, if she had then there could have been major problems. After all Akane was no diplomat.

"If only things were different." Genma glanced over to Akane. She was leaning over the stranger for some reason.

"But they aren't and saying if only won't fix what's happening. We have to make do with what we have even if it isn't much." Kaji realized he had never asked anyone the stranger's name yet.

"Hmm…" Genma was still content on watching Akane.

"By the way, who is he?"

"Who?" Genma looked up surprised. He obviously wasn't really listening.

"The man there. You were all so busy these past days I just forgot to ask." Kaji laughed uneasily. They had all been busy. Iruka's team was busy with the stranger, while some members of his team aided them. The rest were with him exploring the cave deeper. At the time he had wished Akane hadn't insisted on being with the groups staying behind, since she knew more than anyone about the cave, but no one could make her move.

"His name is Hatake Kakashi. He's a jounin from Konohoa; one of the best." Genma smiled. He seemed to like this man.

"A friend?"

"Yeah I guess so." He laughed nervously. "The thing is he'll never admit it out loud that he even has friends."

"Sounds a bit stuck up if you ask me." Kaji grunted.

"He may seem that way but he's not. He tends to watch people rather than join in on conversations. I think the only person he's ever spoken to before assessing was your sister, but I'm not really sure about their past. They knew each other already before this mission."

Kaji didn't doubt it. Akane seemed to know everyone.

"She's really worried about him for some reason."

"She cares." Genma said simply.

"I gathered that." Kaji grumbled. He wasn't sure why but there was definitely something Genma wasn't telling him. "He's from the Hatake clan?"

"Yep. The only one."

"How…?"

"Uh…" Genma didn't seem to want to talk about it for some reason.

"What?"

"Well his father killed himself when Kakashi was ten."

Kaji's eyes went as wide as saucers.

Ten this man has been living alone since ten…that's longer than Iruka. I hope he isn't messed up. This means…it happened just before we left…why did father not tell us? The white Fang was on of his closest friends…did it hurt that much?

"He's a good guy." Genma simply stated as he stood to leave.

If his sister was acting this way then that was definitely the case. Iruka had told him earlier what happened and if this man had really tried to protect her then he did a better job than anyone could. Not only was Akane able to get away but also she was able to bring help. Still the price this Kakashi paid was high. Kaji was still convinced he wouldn't make it past the night.

"Kakashi run!" Obito's voice was so close. Turning Kakashi ran as the boulder came down from above. He knew he wasn't far enough from it to escape he hadn't even seen it, due to the new blind spot.

Suddenly something collided with him and sent him flying. He could hear screams from in front of and behind him. He wasn't sure who was screaming, or even if it was him who was screaming.

"Oh god no not Obito!" He heard Rin scream as she scrambled down the debris. Sitting up Kakashi stared at the sight.

With half his body pinned under the boulder lay Obito his teammate. Blood splattered the ground almost making a sick mark of just how hard it hit his friend. He could hear Obito rasping for air as he struggled to get air in his crushed lungs and stay conscious.

"Rin…I never…Kakashi…I never gave you a present."

"Be quiet Obito." Rin whined. "We'll get you out."

"No Rin I…"

"Shut up dope we'll get you…" Suddenly Obito coughed. Blood was now running down his chin.

"I won't make it. Please take my eye."

"What!" Kakashi was not going to do this.

"Rin please. I want to give it as a present…I won't need it."

……………

"If I give it to you, will you stay out of this country." For some reason those words hurt him more than he expected. A lump slowly formed in his throat as he tried to swallow it back.

"I can try."

"No, you can't, never…just stay out. I don't want to see you here."

"What the hell!" She was mad at him. He couldn't blame her for it. He felt as though he were rejecting her. How could he feel like that even though he wasn't in a relationship with her, or anyone for that matter.

"I…it's too dangerous. There's already a team out looking for you."

"How do you know that?"

"I'm to join them starting tomorrow." He looked away; he couldn't look at her. For some reason he felt like crying.

"You?"

"They know I've engaged you in battle a few times…I don't want to kill you. Not once have you given me reason to. Everyone thinks I do but I can't do it. I tried for three years…"

"So, you're telling me this because you want me to live?"

"Yes damn it. Are you that slow? I want you to live, I don't know why…there's something about you, some strange way you are, it just makes me want you to live."

"Oh." He just made no sense and he knew it.

"Look I'll give it to you, but seriously stay out, at least for a few years, when everything is quiet I'm sure you can come back, but not now."

She glanced at him once and looked away. "Fine, give it to me."

Untying the cord Kakashi gave her the scroll. He watched her as she took it from his hands. He felt stupid kneeling over her and watching her, as she looked it over.

Something changed in him. He had no clue why he did it but he felt it best for them both. Carefully so as not to scare her he gathered her up in his arms and held her close.

"What are you doing?" She wasn't really startled, more confused.

"I don't really know." He tightened his grip on her. Now he didn't want to let her go. "Don't die okay."

"What?"

"Don't die I said." He let her go and held her at arms length, her mask still had that weird glow to it, the one that made him feel as though everything would work out.

"Of course I won't." She sounded pretty sure of herself.

"Promise?" He said…he felt stupid. He never did the things he just did.

"Yeah I promise…"

"We'll see each other again, after all, you seem to get your nose into everything." He said this as he bopped the beak of her mask. "Stay safe." He said as he left her sitting alone in a pile of leaves.

... ... ... ... ...

This time he could hear Ororchimaru's taunting voice.

"So you think you could kill me Kakashi-kun. Isn't that a little rash of you?"

He could feel his skin crawl at the sound of that voice. He could feel the cold sweat running down his face. Could he really face a man like Ororchiamru and still survive. The room around him seemed to have grown darker as the man before him stared coldly into his eyes, calculating his every move.

... ... ... ... ...

This time he could see Akane smiling at him. She seemed to always smile so radiantly when he was around. Every movement and gesture was genuine. He had no clue just why he felt like this about her; he hadn't known her for that long.

Then he found himself close to her leaning with his hand at the back of her head pulling her slowly towards him. He could hear his thoughts going around and round as he realized just how long he had waited to have the moment he was now experiencing.

Suddenly the wind picked up in the small clearing. He noticed Akane's worried look. She was in pain. He could see the tears running down her face but it eluded him to just why she was in pain. Had he done something wrong?

Pulling her close he hugged her to him like he had so many years ago. Still she cried more. He could make out the choking sobs and the pain imbedded in them. He remembered suddenly how rare it was to see her like this.

What was it that made her cry like this?

In an instant the woman's body in his arms went cold. He could feel something wet on his hands. The world around him went dark as shadows crossed in and out of the trees.

Looking down he noticed a red substance. What was it? Looking up he noticed her vacant stare as her body fell lifelessly to the side. A long blade had stabbed through her gut.

He watched in horror as a blade was slowly pulled back. Looking up he noticed Orochimaru grinning like a maniac at what he'd done. Horror wasn't the word for what he saw next though.

Slowly the effigy of Orochimaru transformed into Sasuke.

"How would you feel if I killed someone you loved?"

Tremors raced through Kakashi as sobs over took him. He tried his best to keep himself in check and to try not to give in but he couldn't hold the scream back. He could feel the scream coming up his throat, he tried to fight it but he couldn't hold it back any longer.

"Ahhhhhh!" Sitting bolt upright Kakashi let lose the very sound he was fighting not to give into, but he couldn't handle the pain he had felt that moment and even as he realized what had happened and that it was only a dream, he couldn't help the sorrow he felt for what he had witnessed.

It seemed for him like seconds before he felt a hand over his forehead.

"Are you okay, Kakashi-san?" Wide-eyed he stared at the woman kneeling before him. She looked worried but yet relieved at the same time.

Wha... I'm confused...a dream...just a dream?

Shaking his head he tried to clear his thoughts but for the moment all he felt was joy for finding her alive and well.

Without warning or any inclination as to why he did it, he lurched forwards and hugged her as though he would never see her again.

"Okay...Okay... Kakashi-san...ack...I can't breath." Slowly he let her go.

"Forgive me." His voice rasped from days of no use. "How long have I been out for?"

"Two weeks." Akane smiled at him as though she found it funny.

"Two..."

"Yep, and you were lucky we had some help." She said as she waved a hand outwards towards the interior of the cave.

Turning his head to see around him Kakashi found people he had never seen before surrounded him. The shock was hard enough to hide, and in his state he didn't really care.

"Who?"

"My brother. His team was out on the cliffs further up from here when they saw the snake. They came down to take a closer look and found Iruka carrying you."

Kakashi glanced down to his hands. He felt horrible to be holding the mission back once again. What was it about this mission that made his life feel like it was a living hell?

And she saw me like that...I can't believe it. I must have babbled something at Iruka.

"I guess this means you'll be going home soon." She looked down sadly.

"Depends on what Kaji-san wants to do." Kakashi mumbled, as much as going home was now his personal mantra, he found it hard to admit he wanted to leave. He found it more like he was talking himself into staying.

I have to fight the urge to stay here with her. I can't believe I was thinking about staying.

"I'll get someone to bring you some soup, I have a quick recon to do." He nodded slowly as she got up and left him. He had wanted to talk with her, but she seemed to keep away from him. He knew it was an excuse to get away but why?

Is she upset because I'm leaving? I doubt it, she has family and friends to worry about, and I did a lot of things she would never forgive me for.

It was late night when Akane had returned from her recon. Kakashi had spent the entire time, to see if she had made it back safely. Of course if anyone asked he wouldn't admit to it. What was it about her that made him behave this way?

He was still unable to walk on his own, but for Kakashi that was only a minor difficulty that could be solved by whining at the chuunin sleeping next to him.

"Iruka-san…I'm thirsty…water?" Kakashi whispered waking the younger man.

"Again? You drink more water than a camel…I'm not going to help you out there later…bug someone else for that." Iruka sighed shaking his head. Kakashi was sure he heard the word idiot somewhere in the sigh…it was Iruka's name for him.

As the other man left he watched Akane literally fall over in her bed. She was tired and it didn't just show in her actions. He had noticed the scratches on her arms and the tears in the pants she was wearing. He was sure she had no spares. It seemed all the people from the Wind Village had very little. They were like a skeleton crew, with very little left for them to use. Were they that poor, to not be able to supply the elite shinobi?

Whatever it was he didn't care. He wanted to talk to her. He had to tell her what he wanted to tell her before he had blacked out for over two weeks. However there was no hurry either. They weren't going to split up until he was able to walk at least.

Iruka came back in moments with a canteen of water and threw it to him grumbling the entire time.

"Now can I sleep."

"You may." Kakashi smiled. "Thank you." He then opened it, turned away and pulled down his mask.

It was hard to find the time to even tend to himself. He hated the fact he had almost no privacy. If he was better he could go outside and do what he wanted without someone staring at his back, as Iruka was doing now.

"What?"

Obviously the words finally reached the chuunin.

"Sorry. I…never mind." Iruka then turned and went to sleep.

Kakashi smiled. He really didn't care if Iruka had said anything. He was sure the younger man got a good look at him but chances were it didn't even register in his mind.

Looking back to Akane he watched as Genma came to check on her. It seemed Genma was telling the truth; he really did treat her like she was a sister.

Time passed and slowly Kakashi had fallen asleep without even realizing it.

The next morning Akane awoke to the quiet snores of her brother's team and Genma. Iruka who was a few feet away slept soundly but she was sure Genma was the one who was making the most noise out of them all. She was positive that was what had woken her up.

Looking around she noticed there was something missing. At first it hadn't struck her just what it was until She noticed how Iruka was sleeping. Normally when Kakashi was there he slept rigidly as though he was afraid the jounin would do something to him. Akane found that rather amusing.

Today though he was sprawled out completely oblivious to how strange he looked and completely relaxed, something he wasn't when Kakashi was around.

This meant one thing, Kakashi was not there. Akane stood and looked around frantically. He was still to injured to handle himself if anyone found him and attacked him.

This is bad, I don't have the energy to protect him if something happens. What the hell is he thinking?

First checking the cave Akane found no sign of the silver haired man. She looked in the back of the cave, but still no sign. With nowhere better to look she went outside to try her luck there.

She froze the second she made her way around the bend. There he was standing at the edge of the cliff looking out to the valley. She stared not even daring to breath. The sight before her was one she was sure she would never see.

The sun was just coming up over the mountains opposite the one they were on and highlighted the jounin's hair, making it shine silver. The wind played with his hair making it move in any which direction. She had never seen him like that. He looked so different from the lazy man she often teased and fooled around with. She had never seen him relaxed like this, he was just…it left her at a loss for words.

Slowly he turned towards her.

"Ahh…good morning Akane-san." He smiled.

She just stared at him completely confused as to just why he was like that.

Is he really smiling at me or just doing that to make me feel better?

She tried to come up with something to say but just opened and closed her mouth. She wasn't used to this. She was usually in control. This was definitely not her in control.

"Are you alright?"

"Um…yeah.just what the hell do you think your doing?"

"Looking at the sun why? Is that bad?" He looked at her with the single eye, the other remained closed and for that she was glad. The smile was still there.

"What?"

"Oh nothing." He snorted as he looked back to the sun. The stupid smile still on his face…well rather his eye, Akane wasn't too sure just what to call it.

What has gotten into him? Has he lost it?

Moving next to him Akane surveyed the area and decided there was no immediate danger, at least none she could see or sense.

"I think too many people take it for granted."

"You only say that because you almost died." She muttered trying to ignore his strange attitude.

"Well I always thought that actually. What do you know about me?" This he said teasingly.

"No one takes the sun so serious, it goes up and they grumble about it wishing it would set." She herself liked to watch it set more.

"Hmm true I have been like that myself, but I try to appreciate what I can while I can."

"Well lucky you, I don't have time. The second I'm up it's a mission for me. Breakfast is on the go." She really wasn't in the mood.

"I was meaning to ask you."

"What now." She wanted to get going. They needed the plan the next day and she was dreading it.

"I noticed how stretched your supplies are."

"We don't get much because of the image people made of us. People don't want to sell us things and when they do they give us low quality merchandise. Especially weapons. Some have been working on coming up with a technique to make our own."

"I guess if no one is willing to help you, you have no choice but to learn to survive on your own. It sounds like the missions give you good pay though."

"Nope. We get dangerous and cheap missions." She looked back to him and smiled. "It's better than nothing and we all make do with that."

She had never seen the look he was giving her now before. He looked worried.

"Just how dangerous are they."

"Most teams don't make it back with some of them." She smiled but the effect was lost she could see the concern. "My team is the only team that has lasted as long as it has. Even my brother has lost people."

"If things were different, you'd be safer in Konohoa."

"But they're not Kakashi-san and I have to make do with what I can. There's nothing else I can do."

He looked back out to the sun. "I know." He sighed then. "There was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh and…"

"AKANE-SAN…COME BACK WE NEED YOU." It was Iruka. Kakashi sighed audibly. She didn't miss it.

"Sorry, it has to be something important for them to call me like that." She bowed slightly out of politeness but also felt strange having to leave him there.

Kakashi watched her go and felt his heart grow heavy. It was hard to tell someone something important when they were always being whisked away from you or attacked, or both. He was getting tired of it.

I'll never get to tell her. I might as well forget it.

Sitting down and letting his feet dangle against the cliff-face, he couldn't help but feel she had given him a few hints.

She was mad when she found him and wasn't pleased that he had left without someone with him. It showed she was concerned for his well being but so were many people.

She smiled at him a lot and told him about herself or her people, but she trusted him. Just what was it about her that made him think she was feeling the same way as he was?

What do I do? Do I ignore it and keep going?

He had no clue, all he knew for sure was he couldn't forget her easily. She had been a part of his life a long time ago. Then she was gone. He had a hard time getting over her then and now she was back again.

I need to think this through clearly. Is there more to this than just attraction. I doubt it, but then why the hell does it feel different than before? I've been attracted to women before. Why is it I can't resist her?

He knew full well these emotions were different. They were deeper. He enjoyed her company, but he also enjoyed the way she would make faces when she was thinking. Little things like the way she would bite her lip when thinking, or when she would play with her chop sticks at dinner; most people ignore it, however Iruka was a problem there. He even enjoyed watching the squabbles she had with her best friend. Most of all though it was her company. She was great conversation and a good listener. She would add things in but rarely interrupt unless she couldn't hold back.

Either way at this rate he would have to ignore it.

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the silver necklace he had bought. It reminded him of her but there was a reason he bought it and it wasn't for him to keep. He wanted to give it to her, he knew that now. Before he thought he was being selfish but not anymore. He had the urge to help her at times, when it was clear she didn't need it. He felt the need to talk to her console her and even himself. But where does he end it? How does he end it?

I'm screwed as far as I can see. I've made that one fatal move a few weeks ago and I'm paying for it.

He was sure now that they were leaving the next day but he didn't want to leave her behind, he wanted her to be with him. He wanted her as his own. Then he stopped.

No no not keeping her, not happening. There's no way the Hokage would let her in the country even. She's a wanted shinobi, not a missing nin though; I guess that's good.

There was no way he would decide completely and he knew it. He had dug himself in so deep and listened to his emotions too much. He had done what he tried not to do and he was going to pay for it and dearly.

TBC...