Summary: They had been seeing each other in secret for a reason. They wanted something that didn't involve their family. They already had to deal with expectations and the impending uncertainty of their graduation. Sadly good things have to come to an end.

Pairing: Kagome/Sasuke

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to it's respected owners. All mistakes are my own, especially today. I'm a sleepy person. I didn't think that I was going to post this month. I was going to try to tackle the entire Zabuza arc in on chapter, but I decided against that. More thoughts at the end.

.

.

.

.

"Target acquired," Naruto said into his mouth piece, as he peered from behind a tree. The target darted from bush to bush in a zigzag.

"It's going for the phone pole," Sasuke watched as the blur scattered up the pole, little claws leaving small scratched along the pole.

"I'm on it," Kagome scaled the structure and followed the cat as it ran across the power lines. She crouched down with a hand offered in an effort to attract the orange blob of an animal. That thing looked too much like Buyo for her liking. With practiced steps she tipped along the powerline. The cat hissed at her teeth bared, back arched, hair angled in every direction.

"C'mere you little idiot," hand offered toward the frustrated animal. She retracted her offer to avoid sharp claws, it offered another hiss before scampering to the next pole. Knees balanced on the wire, she inched forward.

"Be careful," her sensei's voice came through the ear piece. What wasn't careful about shimmying along a powerline on one's hands and knees? She reached out her hand in offering and held her body still, the only movement was from the wind whipping her hair around her face. This time the cat meowed at her. Moments passed, Kakashi was on the wire behind her, with Sasuke and Naruto on either side. Her hand was about to drop when the cat surged forward with a graceful step, only to slam its face into her hand with a loud purr.

"That's it, I'm friendly," She sat back on her knee, as the other hung. Coaxing the cat into her arms didn't take long. Standing with the lump in her grasp without causing distress was tricky. Once she was standing she reached another issue. How was she getting down? It was a good four story jump, and there was no way she could make it without getting her throat clawed out. She felt the cat kneading her sweater. Supporting the animal in her left arm, she shrugged her way out the garment. The cat hissed in warning as it was swaddled by the fabric.

"I'm coming down with the target," Jumping down didn't go as planned as the cat began to get free. She landed with a roll, cat gripped tightly to her chest.

"Target acquired," she said through grit teeth as the cat imbedded it's claws into her collarbone.

"I got it," Naruto grabbed the cat but that made it even more angry. After being furiously scratched, Sasuke took the creature into his arms. It immediately calmed down and purred into his chest.

"You okay?" he asked, and Kagome nodded as she placed a hand over the cuts on her chest.

"That cat's evil," her brother said but he was promptly ignored by his other teammate while Kagome placed a hand on his shoulder.

After the turned in their mission they could see why the malicious creature ran away to begin with. They watched as an elderly woman who was a bit on the heavy side and wore an eye bleeding amount of pink; practically strangling the cat to her chest. All the while thanking them with a high pitched voice.

"There's a group of children that need to be watched, or would you rather harvest herbs?" The Hokage read from the papers in his hand before he looked up, pipe hanging from his mouth.

"Neither old man, when are we going to see some real action," Naruto grabbed his headband, "We didn't earn these to only do dumb chores around the village."

"Starting genin only receive Rank D missions, if you prove yourselves you could have a C-rank mission in a couple more months," Iruka said with a bright smile, while the Hokage smoked his pipe.

"Hokage-sama, with much respect I think my team can handle a mission of a little higher caliber," Kagome froze after the sentence left her mouth. Why was she being so forward? Well she was tired of the snoozefest missions they kept getting. Shisui didn't push her to her limits for her to waste them on babysitting kids or catching cats. Hokage-sama's gaze wasn't helping the slight unease she felt for backing Naruto's statement.

"There is one mission, it's an escort to the Land of Waves. It's a C-ranked mission, so no enemies are expected. It should be a smooth, easy mission," Kagome smiled, though it wavered as her back marking flared to life. Why would that happen now? It stopped by the time their escort was escorted into the room by an ANBU.

Their mask was shaped like a weasel with a red triangle coming down the forehead. The haircut was familiar. She split her attention as the Hokage introduced the rude drunkard they were escorting. That high collar couldn't be standard edition. With ANBU their high collars usually looked like it was painted on their skin. But there was space, like a cone, an Uchiha? It was until they were about to leave that another ANBU joined the other. The animal shape was hard to distinguish, it was feline themed. The hair she could place anyway, curls that defied gravity, she was certain it was Shisui. Then the other's identity came to mind, it had to be Itachi. When she turned her attention fully on the Hokage, he gave off an eager vibe. Before she could dwell on it, they were dismissed.

"I can't believe that we're getting a mission outside the village," Naruto said voice giddy.

"I know," Kagome smiled, "Aren't you excited?" She asked as she nudged Sasuke.

"Hn." Was all she got, she could tell though even if his face was schooled that he was happy about it. Before she could press she felt a presence following them. The other two either didn't notice or care. Then she looked to Kakashi, his face was buried in his orange covered book. His form didn't give indication that he noticed the presence. She felt the tingle of her Wood Release. Ever since she had gained water, activating the other elemental release didn't hurt, the skin just felt sensitive.

Her eyes dulled as plants fed her information, she scanned the many angles. She grabbed Sasuke's hand so she didn't get lost or run into people. Until she spotted a figure that kept to the rooftops. The person was wearing ANBU clothing. They had a short stature, short chopped black hair, gaps in armor revealed almost translucent pale skin. The person was either a woman or someone around their age, which couldn't right. Maybe she was being paranoid. There was no way, the ninja was following them. Right? She dwelled on the shadow as she walked with Sasuke. Naruto walked home. She would have gone with him, but her grandfather insisted that she spend more time in the Uchiha compound.

She wouldn't mind it, but they didn't hide their distaste for her being in their walls. Some of the men from the police station had taken to watching when she trained with Shisui. Taking any and every failure as a chance to scoff at her existence. They thought her abilities were cute, but had no practical use. Her wood creatures were numerous and stable but flammable. Her lightning strikes were just light shows. Her flexibility and dancelike fighting style suited more for the bedroom than a battlefield. Even when she had used a water release powerful enough to reduce Shisui's fireball into steam, they called it a fluke. She couldn't win. Having a record of misconduct also didn't help her case.

The ANBU stopped following once they entered, but she kept her sight on it. Her eyes snapped back to the sight in front of her when something hit her forehead. Eyes crossed as they followed the expanse of muscular arm to the familiar black high collared shirt. Shisui smiled down at her. She flexed her hand and felt the residual heat of a hand no longer there. Looking past him she saw Sasuke give her a wave as he walked away with Itachi.

"You need to stop walking around blind, and pay attention to your surroundings," He said as he used his hand to roll her head around. She grabbed his arm and with swift fingers tapped out 'Followed...ANBU', before she pushed his arm away with a huff. His demeanour didn't change, except he folded his arms above his head as red eyes lazily observed the area.

"I heard you got your first mission outside the village," he said as he turned to walk towards a training ground. Kagome learned pretty quickly that at least fifty percent of the compound was training areas.

"Yeah, I'm excited for the change of pace," she said, but her mood didn't increase as they approached the Konoha Military Police Force building, "Why don't we train by the river?"

"You'll earn the clan's respect quicker if you train around them," he said as he held the door open for her, "Also don't need you spacing out and almost killing us again."

"I said I was sorry," she looked back at him with a pout.

"And I accepted, but,"

"Shisui are heading to the training grounds? Because I could a few rounds after all the paperwork," a tall man, dressed in a dressed in flak jacket with a lieutenant band around his arm, stepped out from behind a desk. He stopped the permanent frown on his face deepening when he noticed Kagome. Uchiha Inabi, one of the most vocal about his disapproval of her. Dark eyes that showed so much disgust at her mere existence.

"Actually, I was" he said placing a hand on her shoulder, "Would you like to join us?"

"No, I'd rather not share space with that feeble child," Kagome bit her cheek to stop the insult from tumbling out. She'd been called worse.

'That worm wouldn't last in my flames.'

Kagome's eyes widened and she looked over her shoulder. Maybe that was someone, because it couldn't be. Shisui started to talk, though his voice was stifled.

'It's not like anyone here would talk to you. I say burn down their precious compound, show them the true Will of Fire.'

'Stop.' She didn't need this right now. She tried to concentrate on the conversation The amount of Uchiha around them had multiplied and she didn't know why.

'I'm a flame that will not be ignored any longer.'

"Kagome, you alright?" she looked at Shisui and just nodded as she felt a familiar dull searing ache but this time focused on her left leg. "Hope you don't mind Inabi and a couple other offices will be joining us."

The field was big enough that everyone to have their own space. But that's not what happened. Shisui picked an area for them and the rest loitered in a lazy circle around them. Their eyes gaze them away, Sharingan's blazing waiting for any mistake.

"We'll start like normal," Shisui said as he set an alarm clock, placing it on a ledge the cut off the patio like area that was behind the building.

Kagome slipped into her fighting stance, and could hear the jeers starting. She had around fifteen minutes to hand a hit, if she didn't they would train until she couldn't stand. And if she did manage to him, she wasn't sure because she's never done it. She's come close, but only because he had been teasing her.

'I could burn the smug looks off their faces.'

'Stop, they're specialty is fire.' She called upon her elemental releases.

'How can we help mistress?' She didn't respond right handed extended to grab for the bow that emerged from the ground.

"Haven't seen this in awhile," he said as he cracked his knuckles. It was her weapon of choice. She knew it alienated her further in front of shurikenjutsu users, but lightning danced and cracked around her left hand begged to be used.

"I wanted to try something different," the bow was shouldered for her to use later. She had a plan, and hopefully it would work today. Charging fast fist raised, she faked out when he held out his flat palm in an effort to stop her. Vaulting off his wrist and with a twist of her body, feet planted firmly on his back. She jumped off and let a small grin grace her lips at the dusty footprint on the back of Shisui's shirt before he shushin'd away. Swinging her leg down for a kick, not feeling disappointment as it went through the remnants of his illusion.

They fell into the pattern of rapid punches, kicks, and blocks. She flipped to regain her footing, when she noticed his hands moving through hand signs.

'Yes, finally bring on the flames.' A force overcame her, feet that refused to move. She watched with wide eyes as reds and yellows clashing in a dance of destruction and heat. It was an alluring sight. Her leg felt like it was igniting. So full of passion, unashamed, beautiful. As it was about to hit, the spell broke. The searing sensation dulled.

A wide arcing somersault kept her from being hit. She continued to weave around the trees to avoid the flames, even resorting to ducking under them to avoid them. Everytime she felt the heat, her body pulsed with joy. She had to push herself to avoid being hit.

'Let yourself be consumed.' the voiced purred as she narrowly avoided another burst of fire.

"I told you anything she accomplished was by accident," she didn't know who said that and she didn't want to.

"You know Shisui, probably lied to her about how strong she was,"

"Poor little girl, she wouldn't last a minute outside the village," There was a nasty chortle they shared.

She bit her cheek as her bow slipped from her shoulder. She had half a mind to aim this shot at her unwanted audience.

'Then why don't you?'

Bounding up the closest tree that wasn't on fire, string drawn tight. With one final leap, above the tree line she fired. The bolt released took on the form of a dragon, it gave off a mighty roar as it headed for Shisui. As expected he shushin'd away, leaving behind clones. She could feel his chakra from behind the tree she'd jumped from, two could play that game. Falling to the ground her bow, lost it's ridge state to form a whip. She didn't brace herself for impact. There were gasps in shock as her body broke down into flower petals.

The white petals with pink specks floated on the wind. This was not a trick of genjutsu, she discovered this by accident in one of her rare moments of clumsiness. She fell from one of the highest aerial silks in the gymnastics center. She hadn't secured her foot, and she had been prepared for the hard impact. Imagine her surprise when she had a moment of weightlessness and was on the ground without anything wrong. With some experimentation she learned neat trick, that her powers could still be used. Lightning ripped through the petals, piercing the clones.

She rolled as she took solid form, markings on her back activated, whip lashed towards her sensei's position. As he jumped away the splintering wood, she went through a series of hand signs. With a quick apology to the earth, water drained from all the plants leaving them brittle and withered. It formed free floating bubbles of water

"Tornado of Water," she called, bubbles crashed together whirling madly into a sprout. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the Shisui with the footprint on his back. The vortex gained velocity and mass as the last of the water melded in. Over head storm clouds rolled in fat with the rumbles of thunder. She took a moment to relish in the hopefully stunned silence from her observers.

'I can't wait until you harness me with such finesse.'

With a tilt of her head the vortex ripped through the area towards the older man. As Shisui focused his attention on avoiding the sprout, her whip wrapped around her waist as she balled

her fists. She rushed forward using the water as cover, the sport lashed out with wispy appendages to distract him. With a feeling that he was mostly concentrated on not getting hit, she charged lightning illuminating the growing darkness. Excitement was short lived as his chest puffed before he released a mighty fire ball. Steam consumed the field, that quickly shifted to thick fog. She stopped, she couldn't see far in front of her. Panic rose in her chest when she didn't get feedback from any plant life. She cursed to herself, she had killed them for this. She felt Shisui, faintly, but he was there.

Before she gave up, anxious clouds rumbled. She reached up a hand to call to them. The response was muffled. She felt that it released it's cargo, but the bolts did little if any help. Actually it was none because the light being reflected by the fog blinded her. Letting out a small gasp in pain, she rubbed her eyes in an effort to soothe them. She heard it before she saw it. The whoosh of intense flames. She tripped over her foot that was rooted to the ground, she groaned as her butt hit the ground. Eyes squinted as she braced herself for the impact. She felt the pressure of flame, the heat, the suffocating loss of oxygen, but there was no burn.

She gawked in awe at the flames that surrounded her. They were beautiful, but why wasn't she at the very least singed. Shisui was calling her name but it was muffled by the sounds of fire. She felt him come closer. The fire swirled from the intenses reds and yellows to varying degrees of blue. She winced as the sock and shoe on her left leg was burned away. Black marking etched flames that started at her ankle curling around her calf stopping at a curve above her knee. Staring at the marking in awe, the fire broke apart. It swirled in front of her, before it floated to the ground and took the shape of a bird.

'I'm yours to use, mistress. May your passion guide me.' With extended wings, it let out a caw before the blue flames dissipated. The clouds rolled away, sunlight flitted to the ground again. On the log the clock's shrill alarm alerted the field that the fifteen minutes was up. It was cut off by a fist banging the button with too much force.

"What is going on out here?" the voice commanded everyone's attention. They turned to look at a disgruntled Uchiha Fugaku.

"Just a little training," Shisui was the first to answer.

"I know why you are here. But why are the rest of you?" Most of the remaining Uchiha hung their head, "I come down to check for reports and all my active officers aren't on the floor," They took the hint and scurried off back to their posts. However they stopped short of the door as he turned his attention onto her. His Sharingan locked onto her leg, "When?"

"A couple minutes ago," she said as she did a backflip to stand.

"Hn," He crossed his arms, and used the arm on top to gesture to the area. She looked and remembered. Crouching down she channeled her chakra into the ground, she didn't have to look up to know when everything had been restored. There was a feeling of ease. When she was done, he placed a hand on her shoulder to usher her to his office. As she sat in the wooden chair that was in front of a desk that had several piles of high stacked papers.

"That was quite the show you put on," he said, "I wasn't aware you had progressed so much. I heard that you were able to beat Sasuke. But you were giving Shisui a run for his money," he frown lines lost their intensity, it wasn't a smile, but it was close as she'd seen so far.

"He still outsmarted me,"

"Of course he did. He's an older prodigy, but an impressive attempt nonetheless." He reached for a book that was hidden by a pile. She recognized it as the one she stole from the archives a couple months ago. "I was going to return this as soon as I confiscated it, but it proved to be an interesting read. You're grandfather and father have done a disservice to the Higurashi name they've established in Konoha," she pressed her hand flat against her shorts, she felt anger as the marking on her leg flared to life. She looked up when Fugaku let out a deep chuckle. A couple stacks on his desk were lit a flame by blue flames.

She wasn't how but she got them to end just like they started out of nothing. Smoke from the ember of scorched papers rose in the office. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright, just confirming something I read. I knew that it wouldn't be a fire I couldn't contain, what's a few lost papers?" He gathered them in his hands and dumped them into the wire bin beside his desk. "I would like to over see you're training with Fire Release," he raised a hand making her bite back her comment. "If there's anyone who can help you control fire, I am the best teacher."

Alright there we go. This did not go the way I thought it was going to or what I had planned. I was going to just write to the entire Zabuza arc in one chapter. Around page five I realized that it wasn't going to happen. Because one of two things was going to happen either a)where I have something longer than chapter fourteen but less cohesive and jointed as I flesh out relationships and powers, or b)there'd still be a pacing issue but also I lose my steam like I did after chapter fourteen and won't be able to get to the Chunin Exams. Which I also planned to bang out in two stocky long chapter. I don't want to drag out these arcs because this is where people tend to stop and I don't want to be one of them. So I will get them done in a timely fashion in long chapters, I'm going to limit the Zabuza arc (including this chapter to three chapters) and the Chunin Exam to six at the most to factor in the quest for Jiraya and the rest of the month gap and the invasion. I can't wait to get through these parts because I have things planned, I just need to get passed this.