Sparks 11

"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."

― Benjamin Franklin

In the two weeks Kakashi was partnered with the strange blonde woman, he had noticed a handful of things about her. She didn't care at all about what he looked like behind his mask. She didn't bother him outside of the missions they were assigned and she no longer purposefully avoided him either. But, most importantly, she didn't move like a ninja. She didn't run like them. She refused to wear the sandals. She didn't even jump from building to building. He had asked her one time why, and she had said that she "wasn't a squirrel".

So far, it wasn't a problem - they hadn't left the village for any big missions that needed her to be above ground level (the kill zone). However, he had a feeling the Hokage would be assigning them more serious missions soon enough. Although he was strapped with the strangest woman in Konoha, he wasn't going to allow her to die because she wasn't a squirrel.

So far, they were getting along okay. She still flirted with everything and everyone, calling them love and giving that grin of hers. It was as if she had a secret that no one else knew. Those green eyes of hers just danced along with her smile. It was only mildly annoying now. He had gotten to the point where it wasn't as noticeable. He had tested to see if he flirted with her if she would flirt back. She did. That woman had no idea what she was talking about. "You'll know if I flirt with you." Please. She flirted all the time. She just didn't like being called out on it. Guy told him it was just who she was when he mentioned it. She really shouldn't be that way, but what could he do about it?

She wasn't as jumpy as he first had thought, thankfully. When she wasn't engaged in some verbal battle with him, she was somewhat pleasant to be around (but only the smallest amount). She didn't push him for more information than he was willing to give and she didn't broadcast whatever she knew about him to others. He was pretty sure she knew more about him than she was letting on, but he frankly didn't care. People talked. He had no interest in participating in it, so he stayed in his trees reading his books.

He heard that the final book to one of his favorite series would be released some time next year. He was looking forward to it. That series had helped him through some dark times. The main character was someone who he could personally identify with. It wasn't often he found a book like that.

And he had gotten word that Jiraiya was working on a new Icha Icha book - that he was ecstatic about. It had been some years since Jiraiya had released one. He couldn't wait to jump into the pages.

For now, he had his hands full with the blonde known as Tami. He had poked around with what information Ibiki had given him. Ibiki was known for his ability to understand people - and so far the information he was given was good. She used jokes to diffuse situations, couldn't tell when she was being tailed and she had good instincts. He tested each and every one. The first was obvious - she did so daily. The last, he found out within the first couple of days. And the second one? It was true - the woman was terrible at telling when someone was following her. He did so one day before their scheduled meetup. He followed her from her apartment, to their meet up location and to where-ever she cared to wander after while waiting for him to find her (little did she know). He was a little insulted. She didn't even wait two minutes when she noticed he wasn't there. She just turned right around and wandered off. He could very well have been five minutes late (okay, maybe not. But she didn't know that). She didn't notice anything. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts and wandering the streets she didn't even notice him at all. He even followed her more in the open at one point (if she looked she would have seen him), but there was no reaction from her. So, he kept quiet and after about 45 minutes he "found her" to begin their missions.

He had also been warned about her delay with her chakra. It was a strange thing to have to struggle with but she never gave any indication she had problems. However, once they were out in the field it certainly mattered. He doubted she would ever tell him a thing about it.

Over all, he was glad she wasn't the wilting flower he met months ago. Kakashi still didn't know why she had reacted that way. He avoided asking as the first time didn't go well and he was thankful for the peace they had now. Guy had told him at one point it was because she had heard about him while she was outside Konoha working for Jiraiya. It didn't make sense - she was very logic driven. Why would she be that afraid of him while being on the same side? In the end, it didn't matter for him to know for the time being. She passed Inoichi, Ibiki, Jiraiya and the Hokage's tests to be where she was. While Kakashi had personal thoughts on all of them he knew he could trust them in this. He would allow Tami to have her secrets, especially since she was allowing him to have his.

So, now, he knew he would have to figure out an effective way to convince her that she needed to become more like a ninja and teach her what he could. Hopefully he wouldn't be stuck with her for much longer. But for the time being, she needed to be better. Even students knew to stay off the ground. He would have to figure out something. He supposed at best, she was helping him figure out how to teach other Genin when it came to it.

For the past two weeks, I had been trying to keep up with things. Jiraiya had been right - the scroll wasn't much but a simple summoning jutsu. It wasn't as complex as what I imagined what was done to me. However, it was a piece of a puzzle and I filled it away.

Teaching Naruto the basics was… well, it wasn't going. I had hoped that I could convince him to slow down but he was so set on being impressive that I had to work him down. The first three days I had to argue him down from throwing more than one shuriken at a time. I then had to stop him from attempting to create made up jutsus. It was a delicate dance, trying to encourage him where he had no confidence while trying to have him focus on his basics. More often than not he would grow frustrated either with me or his lack of Sasuke-esque skill and storm off. I would give him a little while before going off to find him. I would have to talk him down before we even tried again. It was… grating on the nerves.

I had only just begun working with Kurenai as well. She was incredibly kind, and often provided an understanding ear to my struggles with helping Naruto. We were in the bath house one day - I sorely needed it, what with dealing with Naruto and the silver-terror named Kakashi. Bath houses were a new concept for me (somewhat similar to the gym class girls room, but more bathing and less gym).

Kurenai wanted girl time, so we hung out after our little sessions and soaked.

"I simply do not know what I'm going to do about him."

"Which him?" Kurenai asked. She knew I has having trouble with two men in my life. Sasuke was blessedly simple as of late. He still came by, but he wasn't causing me any sort of grief. Naruto wasn't wanting to learn and Kakashi - well, some days I felt like I was under a microscope with him. I couldn't explain it but he seemed like he was trying to get a read on me. He would do something and just watch like I was an ant under a microscope. It was the strangest thing. His behaviour would change after, so he was learning something. I hoped it wasn't for my downfall. The man was so strange. The only book I'd ever seen him read was Icha Icha Paradise. That alone was odd.

"Naruto. But at this point, either would count." I said, slipping deeper into the water.

I never had been as thankful for Kurenai as I had been then. She was a godsend, she was.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. Your response to genjutsu is getting better." She said encouragingly. She had been putting me under so many genjutsus that the usual 5 second delay was down to 3 seconds for her. I was getting better at spotting the issues in her genjutsus as well. She had few and far in between but because of my delay they were easier to spot. I had also found that once I got used to new skills the delay wasn't as bad. The chakra knew where to go, what to do and did it's job quite well. Kurenai, knowing how to manipulate the pathways, was getting to that point too.

"Luv, you simply know the best things to say." I replied, peeking at her with one eye open. Kurenai smiled at me.

"You know, I think you would be a good genjutsu user." She said suddenly. I quirked my brow at her, what?

"I doubt that, luv. I'm not -" I began, not sure where to even go with the thought. I never even thought of learning genjutsu myself. I only wanted to make sure I could get out of it.

"You have excellent chakra control. I'm pretty sure you could learn this too." She insisted. I turned my head away - learning another pretty skill could tie me to Konoha more securely. Or it could help get me home. I didn't know which.

"I… perhaps, luv. I'd rather not wear my welcome thin with you." I gave her a grin. Kurenai scoffed and flicked water in my direction. I ducked into the water to avoid it. We shared a laugh when I resurfaced.

"Never, Tami-chan. " She swore.

My. Kurenai was a gift - I'd fight anyone who said otherwise. I was about to say something when I heard a noise behind me. It sounded like a deep chuckle - like a man. Normally I wouldn't have thought much about it except for the time I spent with Jiraiya. He was notorious for watching women bathe. Certainly there were others.

I froze for a brief moment, and did my best to focus on the sound. Ah, yes - it was a man behind me. Somewhere on the other side of the wall behind us. He was guys to himself, muttering under his breath. I wondered how often that had happened while I was unaware. Kurenai and I had been going to the bath house after training for some time. I tapped my lips with a finger and swam over to Kurenai.

"Giggle like I said the best joke." I murmured to her. She forced a giggle, shooting me a strange look. "There's a man watching us. Can you put a man under genjutsu without seeing him?"

Her look turned to shock, "Tami… I mean,I need to make eye-contact, but.."

"Listen, luv, he's been watching us for who knows how long and he deserves far worse than a little Jedi mind trick." I told her, "If he can see us, I bet you there's a way to catch his eye so to speak."

I glanced behind, seeing a hole in the wall.

"Tami, what are you doing?" She whispered.

"Being a good distraction. There's a hole in the wall. Catch his eye and get him." I said with a grin.

"What are you-?" Kurenai cut herself off as I straightened up in the pool. The man could only see my back - it wasn't much of anything to look at. But to a closet pervert like the one watching us? Priceless. I could hear him behind me, through the wall. He was laughing to himself again.

Suddenly, Kurenai moved and I could see it in her eye that something happened. Her fingers slipping right into the classic shinobi pose. I could hear a man's scream, followed by other women gasping in the bath house. Well, now that he was taken care of.

"I hope you got him good." I said, snapping up my towel. I suddenly had a hankering to see our little spy.

"As best as I could through a peephole." She muttered.

"Shall we find our little peeping Tom? I confess, I'm rather curious as to see who it is." I started getting ready to leave. Kurenai let out a sigh.
"What if we work with him?" She asked, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Mm - stare him in the eye until he has the decency to look away in shame." I said simply. Kurenai chuckled at me and we got out. By the time we left, the mystery man was gone. Kurenai and I shared a look - the man was clearly a ninja to recover so quickly.

"Well, now that that mystery is unresolved…" I muttered, glancing at Kurenai. She smiled at me and we soon bid goodbye. Tomorrow, I would have to see Kakashi again. We didn't have a mission scheduled, but he was insistent on meeting up. I kept trying to get out of it, but the way he was talking was as if he would just pop in out of nowhere and drag me off to wherever. It was easier to just humor the man than to try to fight him. He would do those eerie eye smiles and try to argue his way. He was trying to be sneaky about it but I saw through it. He was up to something, and only time would tell what it was.

The following morning Hatake and I didn't meet at the scheduled time and place because the man clearly had no care for time. I found myself parked on a bench and people watched to pass the time. I had wandered all over Konoha by this point. I was nearly to the point of not even showing up at the designated place (it just seemed like an unnecessary burden).

I settled in, watching people go by wondering what sort of life each were living. I confess I was a little jealous. Each of them were home. Everything was familiar to them. The people, the architecture, the food, the way of life - it was draining. I missed going and getting dinner with my Uncle. I wished Robert was still around with those stupid jokes of his (we were still friends, despite our mistake of a relationship). I would have done anything to get into another argument with my cousin; I missed him and that strange logic he held. I slumped in my seat, staring at the sky. I hoped that soon I would be able to return home but the prospects looked dim. It would be some time. I barely had anything yet. I only wished I could have left when things had gotten strange in the living room. I should have told Maya later and just left. Then I would be home still. Then the world would be normal. I wouldn't have a scar that acted up for every thunderstorm. I wouldn't have a strange man as my partner. I wouldn't be living in a world so foreign it escaped the ability to explain.

It was then when partner dearest decided to arrive. He was nearly an hour and a half late. He arrived via poof, balanced on the armrest as if he weighed nothing. He was doing that fake eye smile again. I hated it far less than I used to, but it was still annoying.
"If you fall I take no responsibility for laughing at you." I told him.
"Is that so?" He asked sweetly. Now he was pushing it. That man was planning something. But he wasn't going to tell me and I certainly wouldn't know until it was far too late.

Well, it wasn't like I was unused to taking gambles on my own life. Hopefully his little plan would expose itself soon enough.

"Come on, Tami-chan. I have something to show you." He said charmingly. The man really was plotting something. He never called me Tami-chan unless he was being rude or wanted something. Instead of calling him right out, I leaned in and gave him a charming smile.

"Onward we go." I said, standing up. What was he planning? We walked in step, him leading the entire way. We finally stopped in the middle of the forest. There were towering redwoods all around us. Kakashi started leading me to one, trying to get me to climb it. However, instead of climbing it he started walking right up the trunk. I stared at him like he was crazy.

"What are you doing?"

"I want to show you something." He pointed at the top.
"No, I mean - shouldn't you have three points of contact?" I questioned. He blinked at me and did the fake eye-smile again.

"Maa - Tami-chan, you have the strangest ideas." He said sweetly. He was buttering me up. If that man pushed me off this tree, we would have problems. "Are you not able to walk up?"

"No I can but it seems awfully unsafe." I grumbled - there went my Spiderman dreams. I followed him up, my hands stuffed in my jacket pockets. Spring was in the air but it was still rather chilly. He was taking me all the way up to the very top. I tried my best not to look around, tightening my jacket around me. I didn't like being up so high just walking up a tree. It was just wrong. Finally he took me up to the last sturdy looking branch and pointed to the next tree over. There was a branch jutting out about twenty feet away.
"Jump over to that one." He told me.

"No." I stared at him as if he were insane. He was insane! I wasn't going to do any such thing!

"It's fine. Jump over. We do this all the time."

"I am not jumping out of this tree! I can't believe you even brought me up here for this nonsense!" I snapped. I couldn't even see the ground - oh. My stomach turned and I forced myself to look at him.

"I'm not a squirrel!" I told him. I saw his facade of cheer fade and irritation set in. He tried to push me! Looking back he was probably trying to encourage me to jump over, but at the time it felt like he was trying to shove me from that blasted tree! I clung to that stupid jacket of his, using chakra so he couldn't push me away. I wasn't even connected to the tree any more, besides my tip-toes which tried to cling on.

I could hear him heave a big sigh but… something was missing. Kakashi didn't have a heartbeat.

Oh no.

I turned to look at him in horror.
"No. Don't you dare. Don't you dare." I begged. He gave me an eye-smile and POOF. The shadow clone was released.

I was falling. I fell through tree branches and twigs. I was screaming as I went, though my mind was in overdrive.

Friend Killer Kakashi.

Time to test that theory. It was the best time. If he let me fall to my death - I was going to storm into Hiruzen's office and demand a different team or partner. Knowing I didn't have the time to use my own shadow clone, I decided a substitute would work best. I did so just in the nick of time. I got myself situated under a large branch and watched as my substitute continued the descent.

I was betting he would just let me fall but sure enough I spotted him dart out from the top branches. There was a tension in his shoulders that I'd never seen before and a panicked look in his eye. I watched as he saw my substitute nearing the ground and used wire to try to catch it. When the illusion broke he jerked back, his head swiveling until he found me and my hiding spot. The tension in his shoulders dissipated and he appeared far more exhausted than I thought I'd ever seen him.

"You're an arse!" I growled at him. Rarely had I ever used such language but the man deserved it! He just poofed me out of a tree!

But it answered my question. He probably wasn't a friend killer. Maybe at one point. But now? He took a risk and thought it backfired. He was going to try to fix his mistake. That was genuine fear I could see in his body language. Who knew what the man was thinking, but he clearly didn't mean for it to go to that length.

He jumped over to me, looking me over for damage. I sent him a scathing scowl which he soundly ignored.
"Are you okay?" He asked. I turned my face away and crossed my arms stiffly. He deserved every bit of that panic. Without a word, I stood to my feet, dusted myself off primly and walked right down the tree to the bottom.

"Walker-san you need to start moving like a ninja." He tried. I ignored him further. Rude. He could at least apologize!

"You cannot walk everywhere." He tried again. I continued to ignore him until he appeared right in my face. I scowled at him. He wanted to have the conversation now? Fine.

"Don't you think that warrants a conversation?" I asked, my tone was incredibly unfriendly.

"I did talk to you." He snapped back. I paused, trying to think of any time we had ever had any kind of conversation like that. Once - last week, when he asked why I didn't jump from roof to roof. I told him the only thing I could think of. Why would I be jumping from rooftops in the first place?!

"That is not a conversation." I growled, "a conversation goes as follows: Tami, as your superior and fellow team member it's come to my attention that you are not exhibiting the correct behavior! It is my wish for this to be corrected! I would like to help!"

He glared back at me.

"You don't listen."

"You - you didn't even try." I snapped, "You haven't apologized for tossing me from that tree and you haven't even spoken to me about- about any of this!"

He continued to glare, finally turning his head away. He knew I was right but didn't want to admit it. Clearly.

I knew nothing good would happen if I stayed there. I left, storming away. I'd figure out what to do after. The man clearly had screws loose! Fractured man, indeed! Hiruzen was lucky that Kakashi actually attempted to save me after his little stunt. Had he not, Hiruzen and I would be having a very frank and uncomfortable conversation. I needed to calm down before even trying to think further on the topic at hand. I had to be fair and impartial to the man because I had to work with him. It was clear he didn't mean for things to go wrong, even though they did. Severely.

He was a professional, he knew far more about being a ninja than I. I needed that bit of understanding that he had. Perhaps he saw me as dismissive of him? He said I didn't listen… perhaps. Maybe that was why he was buttering me up. He was trying to get me to listen to him and thought that was the best approach. It wasn't, but for a child-soldier like his history stated he was - worse could have happened. As time went on and a day passed, I was able to calm myself down and I knew the unfortunate bit of news that had to happen: I'd have to get back into that blasted tree.

Because we had nothing scheduled, I went off to find him. From what little I knew of him, he tended to stick around the memorial Stone or at the graveyard. I don't know who he visited, and why but it was clear it wasn't only his father who he had lost. I didn't pry. If he wanted me to know, he would say. For all I knew he may have been visiting that friend who's death he was blamed for. Like Uncle said, a man had a right to his private thoughts. I wouldn't pry. He wasn't there, unfortunately. So I started looking around town. Nothing and no one. I tried not to get irritated, knowing he was probably far off of the ground where - oh.

He had been trying to teach me how to do what ninjas do. I sort of knew it at some level, but if he would have just said so. Mind you he was right and I probably wouldn't have listened, but still. I tried not to groan in frustration as I continued my search. Maybe he was in competition with Guy? Nope. Eventually I found him wandering the streets alone. I didn't know where he was headed or what he was doing. Instead of asking what he was doing, I looped my arm through his and tugged him towards the forest. If I was going to learn how to do what they did I would have to do so now. If I waited any longer, fear would set in and I would have further issues.

"Why, Partner dearest - I thought we had plans." I said just as sweet as he did the day prior. He jerked back, turning to stare at me as if I grew a second head.
"Plans?" He echoed.

"Death defying leaps from trees." I explained. Suddenly I wasn't dragging him and he was walking in step. Soon, I let him go. He wasn't much for physical contact.

"What brought this on?" He asked, his lazy eye studying me.
"The fact that I know I can be - challenging at times. Had you not tried to rescue yours truly, we wouldn't be having this conversation. You're right." I said firmly. He ahhed and scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"Say that last part again, I missed it." He murmured.
"And you'll miss it again if you don't behave. You still poofed me out of a tree." I warned. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"About that…" He began, glancing at me. There was an apology in his eye. I just watched him expectantly, waiting for it to come. He let out a sigh knowing I wasn't going to let him off the hook, "I apologize."

I had found that Kakashi wasn't a horrible teacher. He was just very hands off for the most part. Him being the verified genius that he was, I supposed it made sense. It took far too much time for me to be comfortable with jumping from one tree to the next but I was able to do it. Another note for Kakashi - he was a killjoy. When I made my first jump successfully I may have done a little dance.

"Congratulations. You can do what children can." He said dully. I pointed right at him.

"You! You don't get to rain on my parade!" I told him. I could hear his sigh from all the way over where I was. We continued on for a time before we finally parted ways. He scheduled another time to meet up for missions, telling me to practice.

So I did.

If children could do this (the running around on rooftops bit), Sasuke and Naruto certainly could as well. We may or may not have played a round of tag. Sasuke was the resounding champion, as I was still getting used to the idea. That little Uchiha was quicker than I gave him credit for. Naruto wasn't able to catch him, and while I could, I didn't want to discourage Naruto any more than he already was. I could tell Sasuke knew it and wasn't happy with me. But what could I do? Rock and a hard place, me. Later on Naruto and I were going through different throwing things.

"I don't see why I gotta throw only one." Naruto complained. I had been trying to restrict him to one until he had gotten that down pat.
"Because if you keep things simple, they're easier to grasp." I said. Naruto's face scrunched up as he scratched the back of his head. I bit back a sigh and shook my head, "Just humor me, my love."

"What's that mean?"

"It means you don't believe me, but you'll do it anyway." I explained. Naruto nodded.
"Yeah. Okay." He agreed. I ruffled his hair and we continued to work on his progress. He was very good with throwing Kunai. Shuriken? Not as much but he was getting better.

"When can I add another kunai?" He asked.

"When you can hit the target ten times in a row." I told him. He pouted at me but I didn't back down. It would be some time before he was able to do so, but he would get there. I eventually could see Naruto growing tired and frustrated that he couldn't get hit the target more than four times in a row so I called it quits.

"What? Already?! No! I almost got it!" Naruto protested.

"We can practice after. Don't ever practice while you're frustrated, you'll learn far less. Come. We'll get dinner." I said to him as we picked up our mess. I ruffled his hair while he asked for ramen again. I vetoed it, finding some other restaurant on the way.

Part of the reason I think Naruto liked going out to eat with me was that I paid for him. He would grin real big and kick his feet back and forth. He looked like a kid. There wasn't even a glimmer of that broken child I met nearly a year ago in the store. Sasuke was probably right that I indulged Naruto far too often but I couldn't help it. I would have done the same with Sasuke but he didn't allow it. Perhaps one day when he let down that guard of his. His brother did a number on him.

That night Naruto stayed over, listening to tales of Superman. A child adopted who came from the stars. Naruto loved to hear about Superman - he would jump around the room, pretending to be able to fly. It was adorable. Eventually he would settle down and go to sleep.

I readied myself for bed, pulled my backpack over from its place in the window (solar power charged, luv. Don't leave home without one*) and plugged in my phone. Although it wasn't used much I was incredibly thankful for the normalcy it gave me. It was like me - out of time, out of place yet defying the odds. I went to bed right after.

Soon enough I should be meeting up with Hatake. I still at least saw whether or not he was there at the meeting place at the right time. Knowing that man, one of these days he would just show up at the right time and lord it over me for ages. He'd just whine how I wasn't there and he had to wait. Again, he seemed the type.

Instead I wandered off to the grocers. Maybe I could find some ingredients for spaghetti before Kakashi came to find me. On average it took him at least an hour. I started perusing the shelves, poking around. I could potentially use soba noodles for spaghetti noodles, and make the tomato puree myself. I would have to use fresh herbs and…

Ooo, I could do this. It might make both boys happy. Sasuke liked simple dishes, and Naruto liked Ramen. I might be able to make both happy. Maybe I could even make garlic bread! Oh, I was thrilled. After months of this unusual cuisine, I would be trying my hand at another home classic. While I was purchasing my goods I could swear I heard a chuckle. It sounded exactly like the chuckle at the bath house.

I was about to go and hunt down the pervert when Kakashi arrived. I nearly bumped into him when standing up.
"Oh could you please not do that!" I complained.

"Do what?" He asked.
"Your little appearing trick." I waved my hand, looking around for the peeping Tom. He watched me, his hands not leaving his pockets.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to catch a peeping Tom." I muttered to him. "Some creep was watching Kurenai and I."

His eyebrow nearly hit his hairline, "You could tell someone was watching you?"

"Rather hard not to, he was laughing loud enough." I defended myself. I knew very well I was horrible at telling when I was being followed. Did Kakashi know as well? Oh I hoped not. That man would be even worse!

"Maa..." He sighed. I rolled my eyes, there he went again. "Come - the Hokage is waiting."

"You were late. And I'm buying this." I told him with a sniff. He only stared at me. As he wasn't forcing me out the door, I assumed that meant he was fine with it. We got in line for the cashier. Behind us was a man Kakashi knew. They greeted each other and talked while I was making my purchase. His name was Ebisu. He was a strange man - wore sunglasses indoors and something about his grin was off. The way he was looking at me was a little unsettling until he finally pushed his sunglasses up. He seemed to pull himself together after that and bid us good day.

Kakashi was actually kind enough to let me drop my groceries off before we headed to the Hokage to get our assignment.

"What are you making?" Kakashi asked me on the way.
"Something… oh, something I learned while out there. I thought Sasuke and Naruto might like it. I'm trying to get that boy to eat anything beyond ramen." I explained.
"With tomatoes?" He questioned.

"It's a pureed sauce, luv. Sasuke loves tomatoes, Naruto loves noodles. I'm hoping it's a win-win for them both." I explained. He hummed and I suddenly felt incredibly rude for talking about this without even inviting him.

"Ah - if-if you'd like to come you're more than welcome." I offered. He didn't respond. He just gave a half hearted shrug and I let out a sigh. Yep. He wasn't interested. Probably just making small talk. I didn't even know why I tried. I shook it off and we continued on.

We went through more rounds of simplistic missions. I was pleased to see I was able to keep up with Kakashi's bounding from roof to roof. By lunch Kakashi and I were sitting at a picnic table eating our respective lunches. I was sitting across from him, picking at my food while he was waiting for me to finish.

I could see a child behind his shoulder staring at me with wide curious eyes. I gave the little boy a smile, and while looking away I did a little magic trick to entertain him. The moving thumb trick. Kakashi suddenly scoffed, his frame and eye practically sang in annoyance.

"Would you please stop flirting with everyone." He complained. He still thought I was flirting with people? Well - perhaps he would have to learn. I dropped my little trick and looked him dead on. From what I could see around us, there was no one who I knew or he knew. Oh, the game was on. I stared him down, my eyes half lidded and a small smile playing on my lips. I could see his annoyance suddenly drop and Kakashi suddenly seemed very alert.

Good.

He had best be paying attention. I only wanted to do this once.

I pushed myself up slowly. With practiced ease, I slid a hand right under his jaw, luring him toward me. Despite his body tensing up, he was like a putty in my hand. I climbed towards him, placing only one knee on the table, while my other hand rested on his flak jacket. I pulled him in more. He was standing at an awkward angle, and I could see a growing blush visible on his face. I could hear him breathing under that mask. It wasn't calm and bored - the image he liked to portray. No, it was something far different - something I wasn't interested in investigating further. The man read smut, his mind was probably long gone in some gutter. It had little to do with me, I was sure. I leaned forward to whisper in his ear.

"Oh, Kakashi-kun~" I practically sang in a husky tone, my fingers playing with the zipper of his jacket, "were I flirting, you'd know it."

Suddenly Kakashi was gone. I couldn't say where he retreated to or where he decided to hide. I primly sat back down and continued on with my meal. We had other minor missions to complete. When he was ready he would show up. Probably not for some time. I just invaded his personal bubble, and practically embarrassed him out in the open. In fact, I would be impressed if he showed up again for the rest of the day.

He did eventually show up again, as cool as a cucumber. He didn't look me in the eye and I gave him that. However he chose to act after what I pulled would be fine. Surprisingly he didn't do much of anything, besides be incredibly distant and keep things short between us. Odd. But I imagined he wanted to pretend the whole thing didn't happen. I was fine with it, so long as I never heard how much of a flirt I was ever again. In fact - I don't think he ever mentioned flirting to me after my stunt.

He didn't talk to me directly for the rest of the day. We finished our missions, I gave the report and we parted ways soon thereafter. All in all - Kakashi was a strange man. I knew he would get over what I had done. It was harmless, compared to being poofed out of a tree. I just didn't know how long it would take.

But I had other things to focus on. An amazing meal for my two boys! I picked them up after school let out. The moment I told Naruto of my plans he was elated. Sasuke was less so, but I could see he was happy on some level. I played with his hair (not messing it up) as we carried on. The preparation took time. Naruto had fun helping me puree the tomatoes while Sasuke oversaw the noodles. I even made meatballs, which they both had fun making with me. I may have made a small square one, sending Sasuke a knowing wink. He rolled his eyes.

The final verdict? Sasuke enjoyed the meal while Naruto was entirely sure it was trying to be a less impressive version of ramen. They enjoyed the garlic bread and meatballs well enough. Overall, we had a grand old time. Now, if my other problem would be solved as easily I would be elated.

AN: Well, that happened xD I nearly wanted to skip the last chapter because so much happens in this one. But I'm glad I let it be built up like this. Kakashi is a fun character, tbh. I keep having to go check which one I'm dealing with. He's different before gaining Team 7 (he's a lot more sad and withdrawn, a jerk), after Team 7 he's still very wounded and tends to use very dramatic ways to throw off his enemies and his team alike. Then in Shippuden he is a little different throughout. He has a lot of growing to do in a short amount of time. He's not very kind right now, and his ruffled feathers are nearly poking poor Tami in the eye ;) But he'll grow. Between the two of them they both have to.

*This was mentioned in chapter one that she had this but only once. A friend asked how she was using her phone and I realized I hadn't mentioned it at all since. So, that's how she has a semi-working phone :P

Also - thinking about maybe tossing in an extra chapter if anyone wants to ask their favorite character a question. Maybe when I hit 100 follows? It's an idea I've been debating about. But we'll see.
Also, only one person seemed interested in hearing what Ibiki had to say - I think I might write it up some day and post it as a series of side stories. There's quite a few little ideas I've had for this that didn't end up being used so I might type them up and put them there :3 Might be fun!

Thank you everyone for the reviews, follows and favorites. You don't know how much I enjoy seeing that you're enjoying this story and I hope you're having as much fun with it as I am. Thank you and have an amazing day! Stay safe!