Chapter 12

A Delivery for Naomi

I'm really not sure how I feel about this chapter.

Arashi was in her room, perusing through her scrolls and doing some additional tweaking for her new fuinjutsu. She needed to incorporate it into her pre-existing medical seals to fuel the system. Unlike Kakashi, she did not have a low chakra pool – siphoning a portion into storage for it to be converted later would not be a strain on her system. That was the purpose of the addition, but she hoped that it would serve to also condition his body into producing more chakra. It would be a long-term gamble, but it would be invaluable for the Jounin if it worked.

"Arashi!" Naomi yelled from downstairs.

The kunoichi sighed, slid out of her chair, and poked her head out of her door. "What, Mom?"

"I need you to deliver something for me to a customer!"

"Make Kazika do it!"

"Can't! He's in class!"

The kunoichi blinked and realized she had lost track of time. "Fine!"

With one last glance back toward her work, she left her room, walked down the stairs, and found her mother in the spare room she had converted into a workroom of sorts. Numerous wigs were positioned on stands on a shelf against one wall. Another portion of the room had become storage for additional products and supplies. If Naomi got an order for a wig that needed a specific color or cut, she often prepared it in this room instead of doing it in her salon. It gave the illusion of spending more time at home than she would, otherwise.

Arashi leaned against the door, pursed her lips, and watched her mother as she fussed over one of the wigs that she had moved away from her collection. "What's up?"

The middle-aged woman made a few more snips and placed her scissors on the desk. "I've been working on this since yesterday evening and I think it's ready to go. He didn't have a lot of specifications for it, but I didn't have anything meant for a man."

Naomi lifted the wig, its stand, a couple hairnets and some wig glue, and then placed it into a box. From there, she closed the package and tied a large ribbon around it to hold it shut. A wave of nostalgia ran through Arashi – her love of bows and ribbons as a child had been a direct result of her mother's love for them.

"So, would it be alright if it took me a few days to deliver it?" The kunoichi commented. "Y'know, just forget about it for a bit."

"I already told you I was sorry about that." Naomi huffed. "And you can tell Kakashi-san I'm sorry and it was my fault you were late for their mission. The wig is for him."

"Uh, what? Why would he need a wig?"

"I don't ask into my clientele's lives. If they tell me, good. If they don't, I'm still getting paid."

"Fair enough." Arashi eyed the package. "It's just sorta weird."

The woman shrugged. "You can always ask him when you see him. It might be a fun way to spark a conversation between you two. He's such a mysterious man, isn't he?"

"Mom." Arashi rubbed her temples. "He's basically my superior."

"Oh, all the more exciting!"

The kunoichi sighed, took the package, and left with her mother cackling at her expense.

Once again, Arashi found herself in front of the Jounin's door. He was inside, which was more convenient than having to find him somewhere in the village while carrying a box.

Well, I should just get this over with.

She knocked twice and waited.

When he opened the door and saw her there, he closed his eye in a smile. "Well, hello there."

"Mom sent me to deliver this to you." She thrusted the package toward his face.

"Ah." He accepted the box from her. "Tell Naomi-san I said thank you."

"Sure will." Arashi replied. "What are you going to do with a wig, by the way?"

"Oh, nothing too exciting."

She crossed her arms and leaned toward him. "Even though it's wild, you have some really nice hair. Just be careful when applying the wig glue because things can get messy if you get careless with it."

"Uh," Kakashi eyed her for a moment before drawling, "thanks."

"I could help you with putting it on when you need it, if you'd like?"

He held up one hand to stop her. "That's alright. I'll be fine by myself."

"Okay. Well, if you do need anything, Kakashi-san, just let me know. Do you have any missions planned for Team 7 and will they be in the village?"

"I have something planned for them today, but it's more like a, hmm," he rubbed his chin with his free hand. "Quick training exercise? Of sorts."

She pursed her lips. "Sounds fun. I'll leave you to it. Just don't skip out of the village without telling me, okay?"

"Ehm, sure."

Arashi could have tried to ask for more information, but she doubted he would answer. Regardless, she needed to touch bases with Team 8 and Team 10. Instead of returning home to continue her research and development, she set out after Asuma and Kurenai.

The kunoichi's luck continued that day – she found both of the Jounin together. In a restaurant. Without their students.

Despite their protests of it being nothing, it was obviously a date. She left a questionnaire with them and told them to enjoy their time together. She thought they had the makings of a good couple and that they would have talented children if a relationship blossomed into something serious.

Beyond that, she had no opinion of it. There was a different question occupying her thoughts.

What is Sensei doing out at this time?

Once she was back on the street, it was impossible for her to miss Ibiki watching her through the crowd. He stood at the entrance to an alley, leaned against a building. His lips were pressed into a stern line and there was tension around his eyes as he peered over at her. The civilians continued to go about their business but kept a wide berth around him. The chances of them knowing who he was were slim, but his appearance was enough to keep them at a distance.

Hm. That's odd.

Instead of going to him, she turned and began her trek down the street away from him. If he wanted to speak to her, he would make it happen. Otherwise, she could unintentionally distract him from something more important. Morino Ibiki's time was valuable and she did not make a habit of wasting it. She figured it was the least she could do to show her respect for him as her Sensei.

He followed her.

Ah, well. I guess he is after me.

Arashi slowed her pace but did not stop. His strides were long enough that he caught up to her within a few moments and they continued walking together. Now that he was by her side, people cleared out of their way in the same instinctive manner that they avoided him before.

She began to speak but her cut her off, "I've already eaten."

"Glad to know you're taking care of yourself." She snorted. "How can I help you?"

"I've found some work for you to do." He replied.

"What kind of work?"

"The Chuunin Exam is going to be hosted here again before long. ANBU will be tied up with their usual duties and keeping an eye on anything that the other villages might pull."

"The usual, then."

"That leaves us pulling from established Chuunin to help proctor the exam and keep an eye on the competing teams. I want to pull you into it this year."

"Will you be doing a written test again or will I be involved with other portions of the exam?"

"All of the above."

An uncomfortable feeling settled in her stomach. The kunoichi had made her peace with what happened to her during the last part of the exam when she killed Satoshi, but there was no fondness associated with any step of it. She had other duties – specifically Naruto – to worry about, as well.

"Why me?" She asked. "Are you all having a shortage issue with manpower?"

Ibiki pinned her with a scrutinizing look. "You're a damn fine kunoichi, Arashi, and you need to get more active. I'm not going to sugar coat anything for you – you've had enough time to come to terms. Your talents are wasted on this stupid Academy study and showing nurses how to stitch up tricky lacerations."

"Yeah, I know."

"At least we're on the same page, then."

"I'm in." She sighed. "What kind of timeframe can you give me for it?"

"I'll stay in touch with you."

"Thanks, Sensei."

"Think nothing of it."

At that, their ways split apart. Ibiki would never admit it, but she knew he worried about her. His comfort was in work; therefore, he found work for her to do. Her mother found comfort in gossip and boys while her father found comfort in healing the wounded. Sarutobi Hiruzen found comfort in texts, his pipe, and a cup of tea.

At least he doesn't force the pipe on me.

"Did you see how ugly that woman's blouse was?" Naomi whispered.

Arashi looked up from a pair of shorts to find her mother trying to covertly watch people over a clothes rack. At no point did the kunoichi remember agreeing to a shopping spree but protesting had no effect on the woman. As such, they were now in one of several clothing stores in that portion of the village. The project she wanted to return to was left on her desk, once again put off until a later time as it was the day before.

"Mom, they can probably hear you."

"Good. It might help with future purchases."

The medic looked down at her clothing. "Do you think I look bad?"

The woman eyed her. "No. You could improve a little, though. Your hair is fine, the little makeup you wear has the desired look, and your choice of clothing is practical without being ugly. It does look like you wear a lot of spandex, though."

"Well, I need to stay mobile." She mumbled as she ran her hands across her black undershirt and shorts. "And they breathe easily."

"I said it's not bad." She narrowed her eyes. "But I have no idea where your obsession with scarves came from. Don't you get hot?"

Arashi sighed. Her parents were still unaware of the hideous scar across her throat.

"What?" Her mother asked. "I'm not a monster. I just make a living off being vain."

"Sure." She glanced around the store. "Why did you drag me along, anyway?"

"You've been moping in your room for what? Days? A week or two?"

"I've not been moping. I've been working on a couple jutsu, and I've also been out to keep up with another project I have." Arashi replied. "I do stay busy, even if it doesn't look like it."

"Your father mentioned you haven't been to the hospital in days."

"I'm working on something for the Academy."

"Mm."

Arashi rubbed her temples. "What?"

"You need some hobbies, girl. Maybe some female friends around your age." Naomi thought for a moment, her eyebrows knit together. "I know you prefer other shinobi. I'm thinking there's one that looked very friendly and stylish. She had red eyes and brown hair. I put some layers in and trimmed some of her ends a while back."

"Kurenai?"

"Yes – I believe that was her name."

"She's a little older than I am and is probably busy with her Genin team."

"Pfft. Busy is a poor excuse – you make time for what is important to you. I own and run a business while being a mother."

The kunoichi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she fell in line behind the woman and trailed after her as she flitted from one rack to the next.

I just need to remind myself that this makes my mother happy and maybe getting out a little more will be nice?

They visited every clothing store in the village, as well as several establishments that acted as competition for Naomi. Arashi nearly broke out in a sweat as she watched the intense way that her mother and other hairstylists stared each other down. In a systemic manner, she would look through all of their offered products and styles, making comments that on the surface would not be considered rude, but her competitors knew what she meant. 'Cute' stood for tacky. 'Humble' meant homely in a bad way. 'Unique' meant terrible. The kunoichi would have preferred active battle.

Once they had finished with her mother's intimidating regime, they found a café to get something to eat.

"Mom, you do know that you're a bully, right?" Arashi commented.

"What a terrible thing to say to your mother." Naomi threw her nose up in the air. "I just like to keep them on their toes."

"Mhmm."

"So, what did Kakashi-san say about the wig? You asked him, didn't you?" She leaned in; her eyes bright with curiosity.

"He didn't tell me. I could tell he didn't want to talk about it." She replied. "I offered to help with putting it on when he wanted to use it."

"You never told me about what it was like to be on a mission with him."

Naomi loved gossip – no one could deny that – but there was something fanatical in the way she wanted her daughter to find someone to date.

"It went well enough and we came back alive."

"So, nothing exciting?"

"Nothing."

The woman sighed in defeat. "I have a future of grandcats to look forward to, I'm sure."

Arashi narrowed her eyes. "I'm not against marriage and children. I just want to focus on my career and my current duties."

"Oh, you're no fun." She shrugged. "Maybe it's for the best. Your father doesn't like Kakashi-san, anyway. I don't think he'd approve even if you did manage to catch the man's eye. You just seem to like the quiet, odd ones, and he's the son of the White Fang, so I had hopes."

The medic blinked. "Dad doesn't like him?"

"Mm, doesn't like him, at all." Naomi repeated.

"Why?"

"There was an incident when Kakashi was much younger. Your father tried to tutor and teach as many people as he could to be medical shinobi during the war. One of the kids that he taught around that time was named Rin. Due to something unfortunate happening, the girl died on a mission that Kakashi was over or something along those lines. I know that there's more to it, but I don't remember all of the details."

"People die. I don't know why Dad would hold a grudge over it." Arashi mumbled.

"You could always ask him. I'm sure he'd tell you."

"Maybe I will."

Escorting Naomi and appearing interested in the Village's gossip while shopping was tedious, but it was going well. Arashi wanted to be wrapped up in a blanket with a scroll on her lap, but she knew she had time for that later. She had a hunch her mother worried when she locked herself away to devote all of her time to something specific and this was her way of doing a wellness check. Regardless, Naomi got what she wanted, when she wanted it.

She probably just wanted someone to carry bags for her.

The kunoichi glared down at the bags hanging from her arms. It was excessive.

At this point, they were walking for leisure. Naomi's high heels clicked against the road and Arashi wondered how comfortable she could be after the ground they covered that day. Out of habit, she scanned the area to verify that Naruto was in the village and determined that Kakashi was nearby, but not with his team. They were set to cross paths soon. Since no one seemed distressed, she mentally shrugged and returned to appearing interested in what her mother was talking about.

"-she needed to rethink the type of makeup she was buying, you know?"

"Uh, yeah." Arashi replied.

"I think people should look their best, but they also need to do it in a way that's healthy for them and their skin. The foundation she was using was destroying her complexion, but what do I know?"

"People don't care to think into it."

"Oh – they don't. Most people are pretty clueless, really." Naomi agreed.

It was at that moment that Kakashi came into sight, but he was not wearing his normal attire. There was no green vest or mask. If not for her sensory abilities, she doubted she would have known who he was. In fact, despite knowing that it was his signature, she still did not react until they were several feet apart, just in case she was mistaken.

"Erm, ANBU-san?" Arashi mumbled.

Kakashi – unmasked, wearing the wig, and dressed in a disguise – stared back at her. His eyes were wide, his mouth was slightly open, and his hands slowly raised into a defensive position in front of him. There was no jutsu in effect; only purple strips under his eyes, eyeshadow, and she assumed contacts. His facial structure was what she expected from the outline she observed when he was masked, but a measure of disappointment rushed through her. As a child, she decided he was ugly and that was the reason he hid his face.

Adult Arashi had just stumbled across the fact that he was handsome. There was nothing wrong with his teeth and his mouth was… she tried to not focus on his mouth.

Face to face, she reached out and rubbed at a small mole on his chin. "oh, kami, it's real."

He stuttered for a moment – unsure of what to say now that he was caught.

Naomi stepped in. "Ah, Kakashi-san! You look so much like your father, even with the wig. I hope it has been serving you well?"

The Jounin's signature fluctuated in a way that she assumed was in displeasure at the comment – like a record-scratch stop.

"Ah, ehm, yeah." He replied.

"You know, I always loved Sakumo and that kind heart of his." Naomi chattered on. "The older you get, the more like him you become."

The fluctuations pulsed more erratically – despite his mask of embarrassment, he was frustrated by her comments. The kunoichi was both pleased and mortified to find something that made Kakashi angry.

"Are you doing an exercise with your team about disguises and infiltration?" Arashi inquired to interrupt her mother.

"Well, sort of." He scratched at his cheek.

"I'm feeling more than a little personally attacked that you're not hideous."

His embarrassment melted away into an annoyed look.

"Arashi – don't be rude!" Naomi scolded.

Ignoring her, Arashi poked the camera hanging from the man's neck. "Is this a hobby of yours?"

He pressed his lips into a thin line and leaned back.

"Oh, don't let her make you feel weird, Kakashi-san." Naomi narrowed her eyes at her daughter. "She never developed the best social skills. Come to think of it, she's always been weirdly forward with you, hasn't she?"

Arashi's face burned. "I just like getting to the point."

"Hey! You!" A man bellowed from down the street.

The three turned to see Might Gai, dressed in his green, full-body suit running toward them. The spandex showed off the ripple of each muscle and every line in his form. Arashi had seen him from time to time in the village but had interacted with him only once on a mission, but he was one of the most recognizable individuals in their land. She had nothing but negative memories around that time and seeing him left a bad taste in her mouth.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but you look very familiar to me." Gai announced once he came to a stop in front of Kakashi. "Do I know you?"

"Uh, no. You don't." He replied, sure to change the tone and pitch of his voice. "My name is Sukea."

"I don't think he's ever seen you in his life." Arashi added.

"You most definitely do not know him." Naomi joined in. "This is my future son in law that you're talking about."

Both Kakashi and Arashi looked like they wanted to disappear.

"Congratulations on the engagement." Gai peered over at the kunoichi and his thick eyebrows furrowed. "But, you seem familiar, too. Have we met?"

Kakashi's eye twitched.

"Hmm. I don't think so." She shrugged. "You might have seen me while I was working in the hospital. That's where most people see me."

"I don't often have to visit. My overwhelming youth keeps me on my feet and at tip top shape!" He struck a pose and shot a blinding smile her way. The pose served to emphasize areas of his body that no one wanted to see.

Naomi grimaced in disgust. "What are you wearing?"

"Oh, so you've noticed!" He ran his hands down his sides. "It's perfect in form and has beautiful curves, does it not? Not only is it splendid to look at, but it retains moisture while still being breathable. I have spares, if you would like one for yourself!"

"I'd rather die." Naomi replied with a smile.

"That is not a youthful thing to say!" Gai scolded her.

"I'm honest to a fault, I suppose."

"Honesty is good, but a positive outlook is better."

Arashi grabbed Kakashi by the scarf and tugged him into a run at her side. With one finger pointed toward a copse of trees and bushes, they adjusted their course and made an escape while Naomi distracted Gai. With how vain and critical the woman was, she hoped that the strange Jounin would forget about whether or not he knew them.

They stopped running once they were concealed behind the vegetation. While trying to not stare, she observed him. The clothes were wildly different from what she would have expected him to choose, but she figured that was the point.

"So, how do you know that lunatic?" She whispered.

"It's not important."

"Fair enough."

Arashi chewed at her lips and he avoided making eye contact with her.

"Thanks for helping me get away and all, but would you mind letting go of me?"

"Uh, yeah." She had not realized she was still holding onto his scarf and released it like it burned her. "Sorry about that."

He ran a hand over it to smooth the fabric and leaned against a tree.

"Have you dressed up like this to test your team before?" She prodded. "I mean, it's brilliant. You know they've been dying to know what you look like."

There was a pause as he considered whether or not it was worth his time to deflect her question or to be honest. He chose honesty.

"Yesterday was the first time." He admitted. "I figure they'll only fall for it one or two more times."

Arashi smothered a laugh behind her hand. "I didn't expect you to have this sense of humor, Kakashi-san."

He peered down at her from the corner of his eye and his lips curled in a tense smile. Without the mask, his expression did not have the same lazy cast she was accustomed to seeing – there was something almost amorous about it. While his signature had fluctuated with displeasure before, it was now back to its normal rhythm. It drew her in and made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

"You know, you look kinda sassy right now." She commented.

He arched an eyebrow at her and there was a slight flare of his nostrils. "I'm glad you're enjoying this."

"Oh, believe me, it's a treat."

One thing that she had forgotten about Gai was how fast he was. While she was distracted by Kakashi, the Jounin had broken away from Naomi. Not to be deterred by decency or leaving someone alone when they did not want to be bothered, he had set off to find them.

"As much fun as this was, I think I need to get going." Kakashi kicked away from the tree to leave.

"Get down!" She hissed and tackled him.

He shot a nasty look at her but crawled under a bush with her. A moment later, Gai landed where they had been standing. An expression of bewilderment contorted his face as he glanced around to find all of the shopping bags scattered on the ground.

Peering through the leaves at Kakashi, a feeling of mischievous exhilaration rushed through her – something that had become alien to her. He noticed her gaze and scowled. His disdain did nothing but encourage the smile that tugged at her lips. The situation that they were in was ridiculous.

"Hmm." Gai hummed and rubbed his chin.

At a loss, he began to gather the bags together. Arashi found herself holding her breath as he took a couple steps toward the bush they were hidden under. She felt Kakashi stiffen by her side, his muscles coiled in preparation to take action, but Gai paused. What spurred the man's impulse to look inside the bag, Arashi would never know, but he chose a bag at random and fished out an article from within – one of the lacy thongs that Naomi purchased. A whimper of embarrassment nearly shot from her chest, but Kakashi covered her mouth and smothered it under his hand.

Gai blushed, stuffed it back into the bag, and cleared his throat.

"I have a plan." She signed to Kakashi.

He blinked in surprise, but signed back, "I'll follow your lead."

The kunoichi rolled out from under the bush and approached Gai. In an attempt to make it less suspicious, she donned her best sheepish expression and scratched at the back of her head.

"A-hah! There you are!" He squinted his eyes at her. "If only I could… remember your name."

"Think nothing of it – I just wanted to thank you for finding my bags!" She moved in closer to relieve him of some of them. "Y-you didn't look into any of them, did you?"

The man turned red and looked away. "Of course not!"

Arashi saw her opportunity and pressed a chakra filled hand against his temple until he collapsed on the ground. Out of apprehension, she stepped back and watched him for a moment to make sure he would not jump back to his feet.

"He actually fell for it." She muttered.

Kakashi appeared by her side to stare down at the unconscious man. "I don't think that's how you're supposed to use that jutsu."

"I was never told to not use it for that." She replied. "Anyway, help me with getting all these. My mom will kill me if I lose any of this junk."

He sighed, but did not argue. They gathered the bags together and he helped her arrange them on her body in such a way that she was not at risk of dropping them. She could not miss the calculated way that he made sure the weight was close to equal on both of her arms.

"Want me to help you get back to your apartment without any more awkward run ins?" She asked.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You don't think I can manage?"

Gai spluttered in his sleep and Kakashi threw a skeptical look in his direction.

"I'd be glad to help, you know." Arashi pressed. "I've already went out of my way and I don't like stopping until a task is done."

"Mahh – fine."

They walked out of the copse of woods side by side. The trip to his apartment was uneventful with her guiding the way. They cut through a few streets, shot down an alley, and avoided the main route that he would have taken. Upon entering his home, they had managed to make it there without encountering anyone that would identify Kakashi.

"That was fun." She commented.

The Jounin removed the camera from around his neck and placed it on his desk. She found her eyes drifting around until they settled on a picture of young Kakashi with his team. She assumed that the girl was Rin and a prick of sadness sobered her as she took in her soft features.

How sad. He still has their picture and he keeps it near his bed.

Kakashi eyed her as she stared at it. "Did you need anything?"

"Uh, not particularly." She pursed her lips. "However, since I'm apparently engaged to Sukea, you have to include me the next time you pull this stunt on your students."

He gave her an eat shit look.

She smothered a laugh in her palm and continued, "I can help make your story more believable. Maybe drag it out to three or four more times of successfully pulling it off."

"Sure." He drawled out – it was clear that he had no intention to include her.

"All joking aside, I'd really love to know you better, Kakashi-san. I could see us being good friends."

"Aww, that's very sweet." He replied with his eyes closed and a perfect smile spanning across his face.

Before she could say anything else, he pushed her out of his apartment and closed the door.

Arashi wanted to be mad but was instead pleased. She had gotten some information on the man that could make their interactions smoother – or at least more interesting. From what she had observed that day, he had issues with his father, a tragic teammate death when he was young, and a peculiar sense of humor. He did not mind someone knowing roughly what he looked like as long as they did not know it was him or if it served a purpose in some form. Without a doubt, he was an intriguing person and she did want to get to know him better.

Even if he slammed doors in her face.

There we have it. This chapter has been sitting and collecting dust on my computer for a very long time. I never quite got to a point of being happy with it, but figured I should just post it and move on.