Somehow I managed to finish off my Thesis and took a day or two off from the computer. BUT I'm back now folks! Regular updates should be uploaded from now on. Thanks a bunch for your patience.

Can't believe we just hit 100,000 words!

Massive thank you to everyone reading.

Just wanted to say a special thank you to XiiiKakashi, Yochan123!, & BatmanForPresident for your lovely words. Really makes my day to hear.

And as ever, enjoy!

Kakashi

a few days later

Ame had been discharged from the hospital and ordered to recuperate. The sun was setting over Senju park as she and Kakashi sat on the river bank watching the steady waters flow past. They read their books side by side. Kakashi thanked the stars for his good luck with missions. He guessed Hiruzen was keeping him off the rotor for the bigger mission next week but he found himself, for the first time, glad that he hadn't had a mission since. They had been almost inseparable since too, they stayed mainly at his place. They barely left his apartment for the first 4 days but by day five they figured they should probably get some fresh air. Ame feeling much better agreed to train in the morning and then they grabbed late lunch and ended up where they were.

At some point, Kakashi pulled his gaze from his book and found the kunoichi leaning on his shoulder asleep. His body flooded with a comforting warmth as he looked down at her. Her full lips slightly parted as soft breaths escaped her. He didn't know how long he watched her like that until a familiar voice called out.

"Kakashi, been looking for you" Asuma's voice called from the path above the river bank.

"Yo," he called out without looking at him. His eye didn't leave Ame's sleeping form.

"The old man wants to see you." A small pause carried between them, "Hey Aki" Kakashi fought the glare he wanted to give to Asuma.

"She's asleep," Kakashi murmured staring at her perfect sleeping face. He heard the heavy footsteps of Asuma descending the bank. Kakashi couldn't help the warm contempt that he was feeling as his friend rounded them and looked directly at their sitting figures.

"You two look cosy,"

"We were," he said dryly earning a low single chuckle from his large friend. He pulled his eye to his friend for just a moment to see him looking down at Ame too. "Just look at her," he almost whispered it as he stared down at her, sliding his Sharingan open without noticing.

"Come on, I'll walk with you," Asuma took a drag of his cigarette and shoved his other hand in a pocket.

"What does he want?" Kakashi made no effort to move as he marvelled at how she hadn't been roused.

"Mission I think," Asuma took a long drag between his sentence, "didn't seem too pressing." Kakashi sighed appreciating the final moment as the orange light filtered onto her.

"Ame," he spoke louder now, more of a normal volume whilst he squeezed her shoulders with an arm that looped around her. She murmured but didn't wake. "Ame, wake up" he couldn't help but chuckle at her incredibly un-ninja-like behaviour.

"Huh?" her eyes blinked slowly looking at Kakashi. His favourite lazy smile stretched over her face as her eyes remained heavy. He felt his heart palpitate in his chest.

"Hey Aki," Asuma broke the tension. Ame's head snapped to him but she didn't move off of Kakashi's shoulder.

"Ya! Asuma. Hey," she greeted him warmly and gave him a charming smile. She seemed to give them so easily to some people. "What brings you here on this fine evening?" he watched the amusement glint in her eyes.

"Kakashi has been called in for a mission." He flicked his cig butt to the floor and stomped it out. The copy nin saw her face falter for just a second. He didn't know why but he liked that it was because he had to leave. She leaned away from him then and smiled sweetly up at him. But, he could see through it.

"Be safe," her words were genuine, he felt his heart pull in his chest. When had he last heard someone care for his safety? He nodded to her and brought her wrist to his masked face, planting a kiss on the centre of her palm. The light blush that stained her cheeks sent his gut rolling. He might've lingered a little too long as Asuma cleared his throat.

"I'll wait for you," Kakashi spoke as he rose to his feet. He made his way to the path above them and felt Asuma walk in step beside him.

Kakashi didn't know the last time he and Asuma had hung out. He tried to distract himself from leaving Ame, it began to feel weird that she wasn't with him.

"How is everything with lord 3rd?"

"Same old," Asuma shrugged, "dear old dad and I won't ever see eye-to-eye." Kakashi hummed in response as he buried his hands in his pockets, watching the sky turn to Ame's shade of purple. He faintly wondered whether he should ask about Kurenai but couldn't bring himself to invade his privacy.

The two of them made their way through the streets of Konoha to the tower at a leisurely pace. It didn't seem urgent and Kakashi was almost always late anyway, Asuma probably wanted to use him to annoy his father anyway.

Kakashi's eyes fell onto a glass frontage of a store that was closing and found his feet stopping. Asuma turned back to look at him and reversed to his side. His own eyes widened as he followed Kakashi's gaze.

"Bro, that's crazy." Asuma stared wide-eyed into the shop window as did Kakashi.

"I've lost all sense, I can't think straight. I do irrational things. My mind and body are constantly at odds." It came out confidently. He didn't mind it one bit.

"Damn, are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

"In preparation for the transport, they've requested that they keep their involvement as quiet as possible. They've never had to transport non-civilians and fairly have asked for a rundown of their role in the mission." The Hokage sat behind his desk leaning forward in his chair. He peered over the hands held in front of his face as his elbows rested on the desk.

"I'll write it up and turn it in by this evening, Hokage-sama." Kakashi bowed thinking that would be the end of it only to be halted by a raised hand by Hiruzen.

"That won't do I'm afraid. They don't want anything that could trace back to us. They even went as far as to ask us to burn our own documents." He laughed singularly only his eyes showed no amusement.

"Talking to a shinobi is more conspicuous than sending a letter. They could just destroy it on their end, afterwards?" Kakashi argued.

"Don't bother I've already gone over it with them. They're not changing their mind. It shouldn't be more than a day and it will be good for us to scout and brief them. They'll meet you halfway, near marker 4." Hiruzen looked back to the documents on his desk and arranged them back into a neat folder. Probably for the mission next week.

"Leave at your leisure, they're expecting you tomorrow. It should only take a day or two. Prepare your team."

"That's not necessary, Hokage-sama. Tenzo will suffice. Amaya should rest until next weeks mission"

"You can't protect her from everything, Kakashi."

"With all due respect, Lord 3rd, she doesn't need protection." Kakashi wanted to bite his tongue after he blurted that out with fierceness in his tone. The Hokage held his gaze and the copy nin didn't falter.

"Tread very carefully, Kakashi."

"Hokage-sama." Kakashi bowed, bidding Hiruzen farewell, before turning on he heals and leaving.

Kakashi leapt through a dark Konoha heading home to change and pack for the mission. As he made his way towards Tenzo's apartment he felt sort of relieved that it was Tenzo helping them out. He never asked Kakashi anything too personal and didn't pester him too much either. They worked well together.

He brought his knuckles up to the glass and rasped harshly three times. A light flickered on and he could hear his footfalls on the other side of the thin curtain. They screeched against the metal curtain pole as Tenzo revealed himself.

"Yo," Kakashi held onto the roof with one hand and gave him a two-finger salute off his brow with the other. His feet pressed into the wall without the need for Chakra.

"Taichou." Tenzo yawned. Kakashi knew he had plastered on his bored expression but seeing his old teammate sleeping before 10 pm brought out something childish.

"We have a mission. Low rank will only take a day. I'll fill you in on the way unless it's past your bedtime" Kakashi found himself sliding his anbu mask over his face to sit atop his head, giving him his classic closed eye smile. Tenzo stood straighter and walked towards his closet.

"Yes, taichou." He began pulling his gear and small pack.

"We'll head out at 3 am." Kakashi offered. Tenzo looked at him quizzically. "I just need to do something first" his teammate nodded as a blush stained the whole nin's face and Kakashi effortlessly pulled himself back onto the roof and made it to Ame's.

Kakashi seemed to have woken both of his teammates as a sleepy Ame greeted him at the door. The way her face lit up made a strange weight in his chest swell.

"I didn't think I'd be seeing you so soon," she rubbed her eyes as a warm smile played on her pretty features.

"Yeah well, there's a bit of time before I have to leave, if you don't mind?"

She shook her head and opened the door for him, offering him a little refuge with her.

He began debriefing her on the team's mission and now he had about 4 hours left. Watching her saunter around in nothing but one of his old T-shirts was killing him. He decided he was going to spend most of it hearing his favourite sounds only Ame could produce.

He made love to her slowly and fully, communicating everything he hadn't said aloud. Watching her face contort with pleasure for the third time is what made him release. He collapsed on top of her as they panted softly in silence. Faint aftershocks caused her to tremble under his weight. He didn't think he would ever tire of her. The atmosphere was warm and thick between them. The comfortable silence seemed to grow as he stared down into her eyes. Seeing her underneath him, flushed and fucked with her heavy eyes was too much. He burned it into his memory with his Sharingan before planting a lingering soft kiss onto her full and soft lips.

"I've got to go soon." He murmured not far from her mouth, unable to open his eyes. He felt her warm hands encompass his cheeks gently.

"At least get some sleep before you go," she whispered and the weight of concern hanging in her words caused his eyes to open. "Please," Oh Kami how could he refuse anything she asked. He gave her a warm small smirk before laying down behind her. She wriggled her form back into him as he spooned her. She hugged his arm that was draped over her waist up into her bare chest and his member twitched limply behind her butt. She wigged again into him, messing with him.

"Wriggle anymore and you won't be sleeping, ojou-sama." He whispered into her ear and her whole body responded. The smell of sex hung in the air combined with her scent. He didn't know how to think straight around her. "Night, Aki."

"Night baby." She whispered in an aching seductive way. He groaned internally and pulled her closer to him. How was he going to sleep after hearing that?

Ame

Ame wadded around her apartment as the soreness between her legs reminded her of last nights events. She wanted to smile at the thought of it but just found that waking up without him left a colder feeling in her chest.

She hadn't realised how familiar they had become and waking up to see his sleepy face or hear his morning voice was certainly becoming a fast highlight in her day.

She began tidying things away to distract herself from her ridiculous woes when something orange caught her attention. She padded over to her futon that she never put away and spied a very familiar orange book sticking out under her pillow. She frowned as she realised it was the book she'd brought for Kakashi.

She bent down and pulled the book out and a note he left in the front of a book slipped out. Her features pulled down as she stared at the note floating to the floor. Maybe he had mistakenly just left it here? She shouldn't go through his things, right? The note landed with the text facing her and she took it as a sign and leant down to read it. When had he put the book here? She read it over as she picked it up.

It read:

Keep this safe for me until I get back.

Page 346, line 4, words 3,4,5, &6.

I'll be waiting for you.

She frowned harder. He was so odd at times but she found her heart fluttered in her chest and a smile on her face that refused to leave. She held the note in her fingers as she scanned the book. She found page 346 and flicked back to the note for the line and words. She scanned the text and found the words he'd told her to read.

Her eyes went wide and a deep blush rose from her neck up to her cheeks. They positively burned as she read the words:

'…girl. I love you.'

She snapped the book shut and chucked it back onto her futon, pretending it didn't happen. She looked in the opposite direction of the book, her eyes still wide as she processed the information. Her heart was racing beneath her chest. She swallowed hard before her eyes looked back to the book. She couldn't take it anymore. She raced over and dove to the book on her bed. She flicked back to the page he'd indicated.

"…girl. I love you."

And squealed like a child, kicking her legs into the air. She read it again, and read his note, and read the words in the book again before laying it open over her chest. She let out a content sigh as the smile on her lips stretched out further.

He loves me.

Ame trained for the rest of the day but the warmth swelling within her didn't dissipate. She was in a glorious mood. The spring sun was setting before she headed back to Konoha, aching and sore but a smile on her face nevertheless.

She stopped at Taiyo's for curry, boasting at her culinary prowess now she could cook at least one of them without a recipe card. For all her hard work Taiyo generously gave her extra smoked sausage free of charge.

"You really shouldn't be giving away food of this quality for free, Taiyo-san," she spoke as she shovelled It into her mouth anyway. He raised his eyebrows at her giving her 'the look' of saying one thing but enjoying it anyway.

"Slow down, you might choke on that free food." He cocked an eyebrow as he continued to faff around his kitchen.

"Maa maa, I just appreciate the chef's ability. You wouldn't deny a girl a full stomach wouldya Taiyo-sannnn?" she pouted like a child in jest and prised a laugh out the old man.

"Wouldn't do that to my favourite customer, now would I?" he quipped back and she chuckled. It was always comforting seeing Taiyo.

"I've got a long mission coming up," she spoke after pondering it for a long moment.

"Ah, is that so." Taiyo looked back to his pot of curry, something she couldn't place washed across his face.

"Hm," she nodded singularly, "about 2 weeks probably." He didn't reply to her for a moment just continued to stir the pot.

"Stay safe, won't you? Don't take any unnecessary risks."

"Me?" she smirked, "never." A slight smile pulled at the old man's features.

"I'm expecting to be treated to dinner when you're back. After all, I didn't do all that work on the recipe cards for free." He joked and gave her a pointed look. Ame feined offence and held her hands over her heart.

"I would never extort an old man," she dropped the act and winked.

"I'm not that old." He argued.

"We'll agree to disagree. What is your favourite? Shall I attempt curry?"

"No, not curry. I'm a bit sick of curry." He shrugged his shoulders as he moved to the fryer.

"Sick of curry? How is that possible?" she was shocked.

"The real question is how you're not sick of curry. You must be 80% curry at this point." He laughed at his own joke and she found herself laughing along.

"I'm pretty good with fish, miso and rice now?" she offers.

"Sounds good to me." He nodded turning back to her, "perfect meal for an old man" he joked.

"Old man, young heart." She winked as she finished off her curry. He offered his hand and she lifted her plate into it. "Thanks,"

"Anytime." He began washing it straight away. "Speaking of old men, how is that tall fellow with the grey hair doing?" He spied her curiously whilst trying to keep his tone casual.

"Real smooth, Taiyo-san." She rolled her eyes rotating the stool from side to side. "He's not old, we're near the same age." She offered.

"So, well then I take it?" he began drying her plate and she couldn't help but roll her eyes at his insistence.

"He is a pretty great guy." She admitted with a sigh. Her eyes began to stare into nothing as memories flew past them. She didn't realise she was smiling a little until Taiyo broke the silence.

"What's his name?"

"Hatake."

"Ah, Sakumo's son. I don't doubt he's a fine shinobi then." Taiyo looked towards the roof as if remembering something.

"You knew his father?" she was curious now.

"Of course," he nodded not looking at her. "Everyone knew of Sakumo and lots knew him personally. He was a great guy and an outstanding Shinobi. I'd never witnessed anything quite like him honestly." He smiled at the memory and looked back towards the now dry plate. He put it back in its place with a clank and rested his hands on the counter in front of Ame.

"Sounds like Kakashi." She murmured. Taiyo nodded at her, content with what she said.

"Good, I can rest easier knowing you and him are as formidable as you are."

"How would you know if I was formidable or not?" she gave him an 'I don't believe you' look.

"I have my ways. I'm still a ninja you know. A bit out of practice I'll admit." She laughed lightly at his words.

"You should train with me and show me what you're made of. I bet you've got many tricks to teach a youngster like me."

"Oh ho, I'm not sure I'm up for training but it would be nice to see if I've still got a little something in the old shinobi department."

"Deal then." She smiled. She rose from the bar table and dug into her pocket for the money. She left it on the table as he turned around knowing he'd refuse it. "I'll see you round old man." She joked and watch him wave a spatula in the air waving her off. She laughed as she turned and headed back to her apartment.

Ame has trained again all day and stopped at her place to shower before fetching some groceries. She glanced out the window next to the door and noticed the sky burned orange as the sun was setting. She couldn't wait to see it fully. She pulled the front door open as she adjusted the tote on her shoulder but faltered as she step out of her apartment.

Kakashi sat on the railing outside her flat nonchalantly, his head looking up to the sunset. She paused at the sight before her. The rays of orange light filtered through his silver hair. He breathed deeply and calmly. He was a picture of serenity. Her heart flipped in her chest and she suddenly grew warmer.

He breathed in deeply once and spoke without looking towards her.

"You still smell like me," a smirk twitched at his lips as he looked over his shoulder at her. She blushed aggressively, blinking through the scene. He swung his legs around in a fluid motion and strode the single step between them, and grabbed her lithe frame. He pulled her into his warmth. She welcomed it but the warmth began to make her body felt voltaic. He pulled back slightly to look down at her.

"I missed you" his voice was low and gravelly. It went straight between her legs and she found she couldn't respond verbally.

She pulled at his anbu vest and met his lips.

"You're here," she breathed.

"I told you I'd wait for you."

Her mouth crushed against his again. She realised he was covered in dirt and smelled of Kakashi and sweat. She could barely part his lips from his as she realised he came straight from his mission to hers.

"Shower" she panted between deep kisses.

After lying in late the two of them strolled through the streets of Konoha. Kakashi had retrieved his book somehow and currently had his nose stuck in it with his other hand in his pocket. She blushed at the note he had left her whilst he was away. They hadn't discussed it and she began to feel incredibly nervous around him. The heat she felt started to feel uncomfortable and she began adjusting her play-suit.

"Want to train?" Kakashi's voice startled her as he spied over to her without turning.

"Yeah, yeah sure I'm up for it. Sounds good." She rambled and his eyes narrowed.

"Go on a date with me." He didn't look away from his book as he carried on casually as he always does. She wondered how he could blurt out things so casually as the heat bloomed in her face.

"D-date?"

"Are you familiar with them?" he mocked and laughed singularly. The sound of it making her stomach do flips.

"Ha-ha. Fine, but it best be the best date I've ever been on then." She smirked trying to make him feel nervous.

"Not for free." He spoke with a deadpan face. She felt her eyes narrow in suspicion.

"And, what would the fee be?" she glared at him but excitement bubbled within her.

She halted as he suddenly stopped as if he was pretending to contemplate something. His eyes landed on the gloves she wore on her hands. She had been wearing them pretty much since she got them. Ame quickly held them behind her back and pretended not to know that they were his from their first mission. Her eyes found the sky and pretended to admire what little clouds hung in the spring sky.

"They're mine, aren't they? I was wondering where they'd gotten to." She could feel him giving her a knowing look but she let her eyes take in the street they were on.

"Wow look at this," she ran up to the nearest lamp post and he came to stand next to her. "It's the spring festival!" she announced.

"So it is," he said dryly.

"It's in three weeks." She said in defeat wondering if they'd be on the mission or not then.

"You have the worst luck in timings of festivals." He sighed.

"Seems it's all used on my lovers." She smirked at him and a glint shone in her eyes.

"Lover." He corrected her seriously which caused her to laugh. She shouldn't have enjoyed his jealousy but warmth swirled in her gut.

"I stand corrected. Want to go if we're back in time?" she was glad that the subject had been steered away from her gloves.

"Again, what will I get in return? Maybe my gloves?" he smirked down to her under his mask. She gulped not realising how close he had gotten to her. Her body sang at his closeness, his scent engulfed her senses.

"they're mine now," she insisted half-heartedly.

"That's not a fair deal."

"What do you want in payment?"

"Well, you already owe me a date." She narrowed her eyes as it was in fact the other way around. He pretended to think, playing a curled finger on his chin.

"Marry me." He held her gaze and seriousness rolled off him. Her mind seemed to think of a thousand things and nothing at all. She couldn't tell if he meant it or not. She couldn't tell if her heart had stopped in her chest or it beat so fast that she couldn't sense it anymore. The whole world seemed to slow around her, she probably could've heard a pin drop.

"Kakashi! Aki-channn!" Gai's voice saved her from the fainting feeling that passed over her. If Kakashi felt anything at the interruption he didn't show it. He shoved his hand back into his pocket and pulled the little orange book out and continued to walk.

"Hey Gai." Her voice came out weak and breathless as her head swam.

"Fancy running into you two here, I was just off to train. Care to join?" Gai offered enthusiastically throwing an arm around Ame. She saw Kakashi's figure halt not far ahead as Gai's arm landed around her. Something dark and smirking passed through her.

"Sounds good, I'm not busy." She smiled up to Gai easily.

Her form was suddenly yanked away from Gai and she was standing next to Kakashi. His face held the usual bored look he had in public as if he didn't just do something outrageous. She stood her mouth slightly agape.

"She's busy." He didn't look up to Gai from his book. Gai didn't seem to notice anything and began running on the spot enthusiastically.

"I believe you to be misinformed old friend. She just told me she wasn't busy so we're going to train." Gai moved near here and offered his elbow for her to take. So gentlemanly.

She went to hook her own arm around smiling up to Gai when she was moved to the other side of Kakashi. He now stood between her and Gai but he still hadn't looked up from his book. She wanted to laugh at the whole scene as a smile played on her lips looking up to Kakashi. He refused to acknowledge anything keeping his nose in his book.

"You need to share Kakashi," Gai pointed dramatically at Kakashi with a wide stance. His voice booming.

"I refuse."

"Kashi," Ame couldn't help the bubble of laughter at his ridiculousness.

"She's just trying to get out of our conversation,"

"Am not! I'm just willing to help out a dear friend,"

"Did you hear that Kakashi? I'm her dear friend. Now, unhand her."

"Never." Kakashi yanked her back and swept her into a bridal carry. He looked down at her and she felt the heat ripple over her features. His face said 'I'm going to tell you off until you can't walk straight in the morning', and she couldn't help the way her insides coiled. But- that would have to wait. She smirked slowly at him and watched his eyes widen as she formed a single two-finger seal, trapping him in her shadow reaper jutsu. He wriggled against the coiling shadow as she jumped out of his arms to Gai.

"Don't you dare." He warned stuck in her Jutsu. He stopped fighting against it. She smirked at him before turning back to Gai.

"I'll race you." She offered to him before jetting off towards the training ground. She heard Gai's voice booming in the background as two pairs of footsteps approached from behind. She put everything she had and assisted herself with chakra trying to pull away from them but to no avail.

She hadn't even made it to the edge of the village line when Kakashi had leapt in front of her. She skirted around him trying to use it to her advantage but she soon felt a hand wrapping around her bicep and suddenly poofing out of existence.

She crouched over onto her knees panting, trying to catch her breath as Kakashi had teleported them to his favourite training ground. She looked up to him as she crouched and she was met with a dark glare. Ame couldn't help the breathless laugh that came out of her.

Both of Kakashi's hands were placed in his pockets but he stood tall glaring at her. She couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled up to her lips. She regained her breath a little and stood taller herself.

"Come on we can't leave Gai." She offered the laughter still coating her words. The very grumpy Kakashi only lowered his glare.

"Maybe I wasn't clear enough before, you're mine, Ame." Her laughing ceased at his words and she gulped hard. She looked up to him as he stalked closer to her. His sheer presence made her body sing for him. She suddenly needed fewer clothes and more Kakashi.

"I've just got you." He smirked down at her as he neared her ear. "I'm afraid of losing you to another man." He purred into her ear sending warmth straight to her gut. He had the uncanny ability of making her instantly ready. She squeezed her thighs together slightly and his eyes traced down to them. She felt heat rise to her cheeks as he breathed in deeply. She knew he could smell her and her throat went dry at the thought. She leaned into him, her mouth tracing over his ear.

"Want to show me how afraid?" She whispered in his ear.

They spent the rest of the day training after an impromptu romp in the forest. The sun had set and they were relaxed near an opening in the trees. A comfortable silence hung in the air as she gazed at the bright night with the stars littering the sky above them.

She flinched as Kakashi suddenly got to his feet, placing his little orange book in his trouser pocket.

"Dance in the moonlight with me?" Did she hear him right? Her smile dropped at his words.

"What?" She turned to him. He stood out of the nightshade and into the moonlight, a hand stretched out towards her.

"Dance in the moonlight with me, Ame." His face was serious. She didn't know why the heat rose to her cheeks, she felt embarrassed and turned away.

"No," she replied, she heard him sigh behind her and could hear his footsteps approaching her. She turned and looked up to him. She could feel the guilt on her face. He looked down at her with a face of stone.

He inhaled deeply once before ducking in front of her. She squealed as he grabbed her around her thighs and threw her over his shoulder. Laughter bubbled out of her as she thumped lightly at his back.

"Let me down!" she laughed, barely able to form words. She wriggled under his grasp and he smacked her lightly on her ass and she laughed harder. "Kakashi!" she laughed.

She could feel him laughing underneath her and gave up and went limp as he carried her towards the centre of the exposed grass.

"I shouldn't have bought you that damn book, after all, seems it taught you nothing about romance. Moving me around like I'm nothing but a sack of potatoes."

"Best looking sack of potatoes I've ever seen," she could hear the smirk in his words but she couldn't help the blush that stained her face.

"Still don't know how to flirt I see," she uttered.

He picked her up off his shoulder effortlessly and held her against his front, chucking her in the air for a second to get the right hold on her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and his strong arms held her thighs.

"How about this?" he smiled at her as he asked rhetorically.

"I think you just skipped a few steps, but I can't complain." She couldn't help the smile that was playing on her features.

She brought both her hands to either side of his face and his features dropped. The world fell away as she returned his gaze. He stared at her like he'd never seen the stars before, and she held the universe in her eyes.

"I got your note," she whispered breathlessly, his gaze didn't falter. "Did you mean it?" she asked, staring at the beauty of his face, breathless at the man behind.

"Believe me when I say it, Akari." Her heartbeat grew stronger as the anticipation grew with his pause. "I'm in love with you." He spoke so softly it made her heart wobble. Hearing those words fall from his mouth would be her undoing. "Tell me you like me, baby." He closed his eyes softly, and tenderly trailed the tip of his nose over the tip of hers, slowly, back and forth. She felt her own eyes closing at the tenderness, savouring the moment. She didn't think she'd want anyone to call her baby, but Kashi could call her anything and it would melt her.

"Kashi," she whispered.

Two chakra signals dropped down next to them and their gazes snapped open.

"You two need to report to the Hokage's office immediately."

They looked at each other exasperated and she unhooked her legs from him, jumping down to her feet. They nodded to the anbu, masking their expressions.

"Lead the way," Kakashi ordered. Regret hung in her stomach. She should've told him sooner.

The three of them stood in the Hokage's office. Tenzo in his Anbu gear but Kakashi and Ame yet to change. They stood tall as the Hokage rounded his desk towards them.

"I wish you three the best of luck. I don't need to remind you of the gravity of this mission." He held the file out to Kakashi who took it promptly.

"Yes, Hokage-sama." They all came to attention and bowed.

"Report back on your immediate return." Kakashi nodded and they all turned to leave.

As they left the office Kakashi's voice broke the silence.

"Half an hour at the Northern gate." His voice was level and held command. She couldn't help her eyes lingering on him. His words rang through her and emotions tumbled through her. She knew her own feelings and only regretted not telling him immediately. His eyes didn't meet hers as they all left and separated.

She soon changed and packed annoyed that she didn't have enough time to prepare proper food. She shoved the mission rations into her pack and pulled on Kakashi's gloves again. She stared down at them remembering his question. He couldn't have meant it, right? She picked up the large bag of pre-packed civilian clothing containing fancy robes that ladies of lords would wear and headed out.

She made her way to the gates and dropped down to the two forms already there and geared up.

"Ready?" Kakashi looked back at her as did Tenzo. Her masked face nodded towards them both.

"Hai, Taichou."