Sparks 27

I blame Doctor Who. Mr Spock. The Scooby Gang: both the ones in the Mystery Machine and the ones with the stakes. I've spent my life with stories of people who don't walk away, who go back for their friends, who make that last stand. I've been brainwashed by Samwise Gamgee.

Andrea K. Höst, Stray (Touchstone, #1)

The day of the exams, the atmosphere in Konoha was stretched thin. In the hidden crevices, there were various nin hiding throughout the city. We each had a post. In fact, many of the T&I forces would be around. We were split between key points. Mine was within the stadium. Once the battles started I could watch, but before I was regulated to directing traffic. I knew Ibiki hadn't wanted me there, but I switched with someone (promising a favor, and a free cooked meal). Ibiki wasn't a fan, but he remained quiet about it,glaring at me in passing.

I had to promise not to do anything stupid. I wasn't quite ready for the events that I knew were about to unfold. Who knew what would happen? The little I knew kept me on edge. The death of the Hokage. I still couldn't believe he still was choosing to go through with this.

For now, best to act like everything was fine.

That morning, before the hubbub, I went to walk Naruto to the stadium.

He looked a bit alone when I found him. I could hear the general excitement from those who didn't know what was about to happen.

"Hey, sweetie." I greeted him. He gave me a big grin.

"Hi, Tami-chan." He said.

There was something on his mind; his smile didn't last and he was focused on something unseen in the distance. I would have thought it was his match, but his battles never left him so thoughtful. He was glancing over at me from here and there.

"Have something on your mind?" I asked. He laughed boisterously, looking away. He was clearly trying to cover up something.

"Nah! I'm good! Just excited for the match!" He exclaimed.

I hummed, looking down at him curiously. I suppose he wasn't ready to tell me.

"I'll be a little late to watching your fight, but I'll be there. You show that kid what you're made of, ah?" I told him. He gave me another wide grin until slowly it fell from his face.

"D'you…. d'you think Gaara gets talks like these?" He asked, peering up at me.

Gaara?

Why did he want to know about Gaara?

"Probably not. From the look of it, his team is rather afraid of him." I said.

Naruto's face dropped and he stared at the ground.

"He's like me." Naruto muttered.

How on Earth did Naruto come to that conclusion? They had very little in common. Different attitude, different behavior, everything.

"Why would you say that? I've yet to see you carry around a gourd." I said lightly.

"No, he's a Jinchuriki." He said.

Oh.

Oh.

That's why. Of course he would think that way.

I nibbled on my bottom lip. That would be why Naruto would say so. And I bet that the kid was dealt with much like Naruto. Probably isolated, attacked, and ignored otherwise. It made sense why he was so - so very angry.

"His dad killed his mom and tried to kill him too." Naruto stated.

I flinched. I felt that one. Mind, my father never did go out of his way and do anything. Certainly not to mother; she was high profile. But it was well known he didn't want me.

"Sometimes families aren't what… they don't work like they should." I replied gently.

Naruto looked up at me curiously. "How'd you know?"

It was probably time to tell him the truth. Probably. If I was staying I couldn't continue the lie any more. Not to him; and certainly not to Sasuke. I nodded over to the stadium we were approaching and said, "in a moment."

We found a room. It was off to the side and empty. I knelt down in front of him.

"So when I arrived, the Hokage said I wasn't to remember my past." I said. Naruto scowled, crossing his arms at me. He peered at me through narrow eyes.

"But you said-"

"I know. I lied. I'm very sorry about it. I thought - it might be best. You always wanted a family and my immediate family was… tragic." I said.

Naruto was just waiting for me to finish. I could see he was getting impatient.

"My father didn't want me either. There's a, ah, procedure to get rid of children before birth. Father wanted that done. To me. Mother fought, but… well. After I was born, I was shipped off and left with a nanny. I went to private schools and lived far from my family. It wasn't until Uncle came into the picture that I even had something of a family." I explained.

Naruto's scowl slowly dropped. He was mulling it over, his little hand rubbing his arm.

"So you were alone too?" He asked.

I nodded, sitting before him.

"I was. Uncle came in and did for me what I did for you. I couldn't leave you be. Not when… not when Uncle always told me that I should be the person I needed when I was a kid." I explained; slowly he was unwinding.

"But you're still leaving, huh?" He questioned, this time he was challenging.

"I can't. Not anymore, I don't think I could bear it. Besides - I have to make sure your nose stays clean!" I told him with a grin. He breathed in sharply and wrapped his arms around my neck in a tight hug. I squeezed him back.

"Wait - why'd you decide to stay?" He pulled away with another scowl, "it's not 'cause of Kakashi-sensei?"

My jaw dropped, and I quickly looked away with a clearing of my throat. He called it far too quickly. How did Naruto know? I knew that team 7 had been up to something, but…. Maybe he was more aware than even I realized.

"What?! No way!" He shouted, "I wanted you with Iruka-sensei!"

"The heart wants what it wants." I muttered, pushing my hair out of my face.

"I guess he's okay. He's kinda cool. I guess it's okay." Naruto grumbled under his breath. I ruffled his hair.

"I didn't know I needed your approval." I said playfully.

"Of course ya do!" He insisted. "Gotta make sure he can do his job right! He's late all the time!"

I chuckled at him, weaving my fingers through his hair and smoothing down the chaos he called hair.

"He is, but we work around it."

"How'd you do that?" He asked.

"Mm, he comes to find me when he's ready. We did work together." I reminded him.

"So that's how you did it." Naruto huffed, crossing his arms.

"How do you deal with him?"

"Yell. He's such a liar. Saying he helped some Grandma!" He said grumpily.

"Mmm, perhaps." I began, "however, other than that - I think the world of him."

Naruto rolled his eyes at me. "I guess he's pretty cool."

"Your sensei told me you gave him not only a little doll you made, but a little plant too. A very proud and dignified Mr. Ikki." I tapped his nose. "For so many protests, you certainly do care about him too."

He shifted uncomfortably, a small smile showing up on his face.

"Okay, yeah." He agreed. I smiled at him and glanced at the clock. Ah, time to go.

"Alright, well. Go show that Neji boy what you're made of. I'll be cheering you on." I told him. He didn't respond but grinned widely again. We parted, me going to my post and him readying to battle.

I had thought when I went through the finals it was stressful; this time? This time it was worse. Maybe it was knowing there was a plot to kill the Hokage. Maybe it was knowing he was letting it happen.

I stood at my post, helpfully directing people. Most of them had score cards and we're talking amongst themselves about the match up. Most of them didn't take note of Naruto. Most were excited to see the three skilled combatants fight. Gaara, Neji and Sasuke. Of course Shino was on the list somewhere in the excitement as well as the others. Naruto wasn't even mentioned much. But what did they know? I knew him working with Jiraiya would prove to be beneficial. And I knew no matter what Sasuke would have to finally admit Naruto's skill.

As soon as I could, I left my spot. I did try to find Sasuke and the ever mysterious Kakashi. However, they hadn't quite arrived yet. I had a feeling Kakashi was going to pull one of his last second arrivals. Probably.

I found Sakura and Ino who had saved some spots for us. I would have sat with Kurenai and Asuma, but I made a horrible third wheel. I smiled at both girls in greeting.

"Have you seen Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked. Ino turned to me with hope in her gaze.

"Ah, no. Not yet. I'm sure they're in their way, luv." I slid in beside her. Sakura deflated, her shoulders drooping.

"I was hoping to see him before the match." She admitted. She wasn't the only one.

"I'm sure he's fine. Probably on his way now." Ino said. I hoped she was right.

"Mm, I'm sure we'll see him after, even if." I said, trying to keep an eye out. I hoped they would arrive soon. Hopefully.

"How were you this month?" I asked Sakura. I barely even knew the little girl Kakashi taught. I probably should have checked in on her; however my other duties kept me rather busy.

"Oh, okay. It was kinda quiet." She told me.

"Mm- it was, wasn't it? With Naruto gone and Sasuke not there to fight with, it's probably been very quiet."

She giggled at me, covering her mouth daintily.

"You're right."

"Those boys do tend to cause quite the ruckus." I added.

"They do!" She agreed.

We shared a grin as the matches began. I had missed all the opening pomp and introductions.

Naruto and Neji were up first. Hayate laid down the law and explained the rules.

"There's no way Naruto can win this." Ino said. Ever since her fight against Sakura I'd begun to see her in a different light - however she did still rub me the wrong way on occasions. I didn't see her much, but I knew a change had happened. Or maybe? Maybe it was just me seeing her differently.

"I wouldn't count him out yet." Sakura said firmly. I hummed; there we are.

"Naruto will do well. I can't say if he'll win, but he'll give that Hyuga boy a run for his money." I said.

Sure enough, Naruto fought hard and well. However, the Neji boy was very skilled, and very talented. His blows were direct and focused while Naruto was just holding on by pure force of will. It wasn't until half way through that the tables turned. Neji took the time to explain, to rant about how no one could change their destiny. How losers stayed losers. Naruto wasn't even listening to the mantra that bit was trying to sell him.

This wasn't just a match for Naruto.

I didn't even think he thought of it as an exam anymore. Instead, it was a chance to prove himself to his peers.

It was a chance for him to validate his very existence. To prove he could do what everyone said he couldn't.

I had promised myself I wouldn't be too much. That I wouldn't obviously cheer him on. However both Sakura and I had the same idea. We both started cheering loudly for him. I started whistling, carrying on.

I couldn't say what happened - but the very air changed. The hair on the back of my neck started to raise, and I could feel it. A different chakra source. Naruto's were blocked but - but not that beast's.

Every ninja in the area looked to be on edge; those older grimaced. If I looked closely, I could see it; waves of red chakra swirling around Naruto. He suddenly didn't look as tired anymore. He stood straighter. Taller.

Jiraiya had to have taught him how to access the beast's chakra.

I didn't know what to think of that.

We watched as Naruto gained his second wind and outfoxed his opponent. The boy had been so shocked to lose. Naruto stood confidently there on the field. Neji had to be carried from the field.

From what Neji had said, from his background and the curse he bore - that kid had quite the reason to be upset. It was probably best Naruto challenged him and his ideas. Even though they both lost sight of the end goal, the exams… I couldn't fault either of them. They chose a better battle. The battle over destiny, over who they would grow up to be.

I could see Sakura droop beside me.

"He's gotten so much stronger in such a short time." She muttered to herself.

"Yeah, well, that's Naruto for you." Choji said. He had arrived sometime within the match with bags of crisps. He was already working on his second bag.

I hummed, eyeing the field and surrounding area. Sasuke was nowhere to be found. He was up next, and his opponent was…. It was Gaara. I bit my lip. I hoped Sasuke would drop the match. And Naruto. But I told Kakashi I wouldn't interfere. I wouldn't. Not unless… not unless I had no other choice.

Again; Naruto, I knew, lasted long enough and grew to be Hokage. Sasuke? I didn't know. He did leave, but I didn't know when that was. For all I knew, it could have already happened before this. Somehow I doubted it, but I didn't know. There were too many what ifs. The only thing that I knew for certain was that Sasuke was in trouble if he faced off against that boy. I could only hope Kakashi taught him well.

Another ninja popped down to Hayate to talk to him, as the crowds raged for their fight.

Instead of disqualification, Sasuke's match was shifted to the end.

The next battle should have been up, but Kankuro of the Sand Village, gave up before the battle even began.

Why would Kankuro do that?

He had to be a part of the plot. Or maybe he knew something. He had to be. Gaara going to these Exams had to be something…. He was far too advanced. Far too advanced.

There was little reason why he would - or should.

The next fight was Temari and Shikamaru. From the looks of things, the boy didn't want to fight at all.

Ino was enthusiastically cheering on her teammate. It was adorable; perhaps I had been too harsh on my idea of who she was? Probably. She had been younger - and I was a terror her age. Far crueler and mean when I wanted to be.

Choji however was sure his teammate would drop out. He was sure that the lazy genius would be just that; lazy. He wouldn't want to continue and would bow out.

Fascinating.

Looking at the boy, he didn't seem interested in the battle. Temari was far more focused than he. Just looking, I couldn't for sure say what would happen. Shikamaru didn't seem to know, or even care. Instead I just leaned back and watched. No matter what, this would prove to be interesting.

Sure enough, it was.

Shikamaru and Temari faced off - her wind was fierce but his intellect was more-so. And the boy…. That boy was on par with Sherlock himself. From the looks of things, how he hid in that tree and his fingers steepled? He had his own mind-palace too. It was then, right when he almost had his win that he gave up. I saw it in his figure a split second before he stated it.

Interesting.

He complained about chakra loss and using too much so he bowed out of the battle and exam. I doubted it was what he said. He very well could have won and left at the next battle.

Naruto was shouting at him from the box, yelling that he was horrible for leaving the competition like he had. Instead of jumping into the field, he ran down to meet Shikamaru on the ground level. There he yelled at the other boy from the doorway.

With that… Sasuke's battle with Gaara was next.

There was no one else arriving, but Guy and Lee. Both men took in the field with appreciation.

"Have we missed much?" Guy asked.

"Naruto-kun won against Neji-san, Shino-kun and Temari are moving on. Sasuke-kun hasn't arrived yet." Sakura told them.

"Naruto-kun won?" Guy marveled. Both he and Lee shared an astonished look.

"Come on, then Guy. Don't you know? Can't keep a good man down." I said with a grin. I gave the boy in crutches a solid stare. I got a sparkling grin from Guy.

Lee nodded firmly.

"I believe you are right." He said, "it must have been the power of will alone."

I stood and made my way over to the duo, waving them to move down the bench. It took a second but they did so.

"Imagine what other uses it has, ah?" I said. Lee nodded again.

"Has Kakashi-kun arrived yet?" Guy asked, he was looking over the field trying to figure out where his rival was.

"Mm, methinks not. You know how he is; he may be waiting in the wings for the last second. Trying to keep us on our toes." I said with a grin. He hummed, rubbing his chin.

"You think he does it on purpose?" He asked.

"Wouldn't put it past him." I assured him; Kakashi was a bit of a diva. Or at least pretended to be. I then turned to Lee and gestured him to sit. "Go ahead and take a breather. I'm sure those crutches are less than comfortable."

"Oh no! I am fine." Lee said.

"If you're sure. It will make me feel better." I said.

The little boy blushed and looked down. It took him a minute more to settle down in his spot beside Choji.

I stood beside Guy.

"I do wish Kakashi would stop these last second nail biters." I said. He grunted, evaluating the scene before us.

"He used to be very timely." He said.

"Before everything?" I asked. He hummed in agreement.

I supposed with that many traumas, time became a fickle, useless thing. Although his concern about being too late recently showed me there was a change in him.

The crowd was restless again; no one threw anything, but it was still a ruckus. They were shouting, hoping for the match to begin.

The same ninja as before leapt down to speak with Hayate.

Ten minutes.

They had ten minutes.

I breathed out slowly. It wouldn't be the worst thing if Sasuke missed this match. I just wished it would happen sooner rather than later. Actually, I preferred it. I didn't want

Sasuke in the middle of this. But he had chosen this life.

However, that posed a question; why had their fight been rescheduled twice? What plan was unfolding? Surely he should have been disqualified.

Sure enough, they finally arrived. I nearly could have thought Kakashi timed it. He and Sasuke arrived for the match with mere seconds to spare.

When he joined us in the stands, I did my best to at least look displeased. However that battle I surely lost, if his expression was anything to go by. He regarded me warmly.

"I thought you were stationed in the city." He said.

"Well, I may have switched with a co-worker. I couldn't just sit elsewhere as the party carried on here." I said.

Guy puffed up his chest, staring at his long-time rival.

"It's good to see you again, Kakashi-kun. It sounds like your student had done well. But I'm sure it was only a one time win." He said confidently.

Kakashi hadn't even acknowledged him yet, until finally turning to Guy. "Did you say something?"

"Agh! You and your too cool attitude!" Guy said.

I rolled my eyes; Guy was far too sweet to call Kakashi out like I did. It was too bad. It would be fun to see it if others did.

As the match began, worry began to eat away at me. I glanced back up at the boxes where the Hokages were. I wondered if the plot had begun.

Looking over at the Sand-nin? Those kids? They looked nervous.

Things were about to hit the fan. This wasn't… things were about to get rough.

I could see the confidence in Sasuke's stance but…

I didn't know. And I didn't know about what I should do about Gaara.

I felt a comforting squeeze on my shoulder. I turned and saw Kakashi there - his patented eye-smile in place.

"He'll be fine. He's like me; a survivor." He assured me.

I smiled back at him but watched the match.

What would Kakashi have done? If he knew what I knew? Follow protocol or…?

"I know. But you two are very different." I said to him quietly.

"Oh? Both geniuses, both gifted, and both…." He drifted off; the word alone fluttered in the air unspoken.

The boy in question was fighting below. He's speed nearly rivaled Lee's. It was stunning, but I still was unnerved.

"Sasuke is angry at the world. His judgement's cloud his reason. He doesn't often question enough what's in front of him. If it benefits him, he often lets it be." I said.

"And yet… nothing on that list I can't name for myself." He said; another eye smile.

"It's not the world you're angry at." I told him quietly. I was only loud enough to ensure he was the only one to hear me. Kakashi didn't react; and he didn't do me the disservice of pretending to not hear me.

I found his hand and gave it a quick squeeze. I didn't say it to be rude, but knowing who he was. I had hope that one day he could forgive himself.

That was when Naruto arrived with Shikamaru. He ran right to Kakashi and I.

"You gotta pull Sasuke-kun out! That guy… he just - he killed two guys in the hall! I never- Tami was right! There's something wrong with him!" Naruto snapped.

"Stop it." Kakashi ordered, "you're going to worry Tami-chan and Sakura-chan. He's fine."

"But Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto burst out.

"Naruto-kun, stop." Kakashi told him. The little blond boy scowled at him.

"He's a Jinchuriki. Like me." He said. With that the air changed. I bit my bottom lip, and turned to see Shikamaru.

"What's your take on this?" I asked. The men around me shifted. Kakashi glanced from me to the quiet boy and back again.

Shikamaru scratched the back of his head.

"I think he's crazy. That kid's unhinged. I've never seen - man, this is a drag." He grumbled.

That was when I could hear it - the chidori.

"You taught him?" I asked Kakashi. He stood a little straighter.

"You taught him the chidori? That's reckless." Guy stated.

Both Kakashi and I gave him a look; although I wasn't 100% okay with Kakashi teaching Sasuke that technique but Guy truly was the pot calling out the kettle. I swore I wouldn't get involved with Kakashi's teaching methods.

"You don't have room to talk." Kakashi said cheerfully.

I watched the scene unfold as Sasuke did want only the chidori could do - get through Gaara's defences.

It wasn't long after that, everything went wrong. First, it was like the sounding of a bell ringing gently across the humm of the crowd. I saw people dropping before I felt its effects. It was dispersed easily enough.

An Anbu stood before us and sound nin leapt out from their hiding spot.

There was an explosion from the Hokage box.

Everything happened so fast after that.

Gaara and his team left, pursued by Sasuke. Kakashi instructed his team to leave and follow Sasuke with Pakkun. It was all I could do to keep up.

I clashed with the sound ninja, fighting them as best as we all could.

I could hear rumblings in the distance. Everything was going wrong. Everything.

But it soon got worse.

Kakashi, Guy and I were standing in the field, the leader of the sound nin and the mysterious Anbu member stood there. Kakashi had just called that little worm out and Kabuto took off his mask. He chuckled to himself.

"I had hoped for more carnage, but…. You know, I wondered if we were doomed." Kabuto said, "I wondered if those crazy ninja years ago were right."

"What do you mean, doomed?" The Sand Jounin snapped.

"Calm yourself. This has nothing to do with you. You knew, didn't you? You knew who I was. You said it was reading me. But they knew. The guard wasn't posted like we expected. Konoha expected us."

The men around me stared right at me.

I stood impassively. Breathing slow and even.

"I've no idea what you're talking about." I said.

"Yes you do." Kabuto insisted.

"It's not her fault you let in a spy." Hayate said. Kabuto laughed at that, eyeing me with distain.

"We're not letting you leave. You will talk to us, or to the T&I." Kakashi said.

Kabuto laughed, "not today."

With that, that little worm and the sand Jounin were gone.

I looked up - the barrier over there Hokage box had vanished.

The invasion was over.

However, the Hokage's plan was complete.

He did indeed die by the hands of Orochimaru. But, from the state of the snake himself, being carried off like a rag doll? He was left incompacitated.

It was then I saw a new weight on Kakashi and the others. Even in myself when I looked in the mirror.

Maybe I should have done more to stop the events? I didn't know if I could. Both the Hokage and Orochimaru were far out of my league in battle. Even out of Kakashi's. But the fact that… the fact that I knew?

There was a bit of guilt there. Maybe I should have done more. But what could I have done?

I hoped his sacrifice would prove to do well. I hoped. I could only hope.

I shared a look with Kakashi.

It had been a fool's dream to schedule our talk after the exams. As if either of us would want to talk.

We worked tirelessly for the next few days; getting things clear and safe again. I hoped my knowledge had prevented casualties and kept the numbers low. We had lost some great men that day, but between their plan falling through and Jiraiya guarding the wall…. Konoha had stood tall. Naruto was so very sad; he lost someone close to him. Sasuke? He was only withdrawn from me. He hadn't lost anyone, but he seemed so distant, so wary of me. But he was doing well. Konoha was already healing.

All but one.

I could see that Kakashi was mourning. He hid it well, but the day of the funeral? I couldn't find him anywhere. Not at first. He wasn't home. He wasn't at the funeral, nor the cemetery. It was pouring rain, as if the county itself knew that the Hokage passed.

I should have known it was the Memorial Stone he would be at.

He stood there, his head bowed staring at the names engraved. I could see the weight in his shoulders once more. He looked like he hadn't gotten sleep at all. He'd been working relentlessly since the attack.

I knew that he was already aware of my presence. He always was. From the look of him, he'd been out there for some time. He was soaked. I approached him quietly, trying my best not to interrupt him. I couldn't keep my distance for long. I couldn't help but come up behind him and wrap my arms around his middle. He didn't do anything to stop me, but he didn't acknowledge me for the longest time.

"How long have you been here?" I asked quietly.

"Since dawn." He said.

"Did you sleep?"

Silence was my answer. I held him a bit tighter, keeping quiet. Eventually one if his hands joined mine.

"You were right. It's not the world I'm angry at." He said. "I come here and… I made so many mistakes. Lives were lost."

"They weren't your fault." I said.

"And how do you know?" He looked at me over his shoulder.

"Have you forgotten already? We worked together. I know you well enough to know if you could have - you would have single handedly stopped it all."

He turned back away and stared at the stone.

"Would you introduce me?" I asked.

Kakashi pulled me around gently and pointed out the names of the people who haunted his conscience.

Uchiha Obito

Namikaze Kushina

Namikaze Minato

He stood there telling me about these people, who they were and the impact they had on him. He didn't delve too much, keeping it vague. He didn't know but I could see he was probably seeing them through rose colored glasses. It made me realize why he loved Icha Icha so much. It was a simple, emotional and cheesy romcom. Sure there was smut, but it wasn't - it wasn't hard core porn. Kakashi probably wished his life was a little more like the pages, where things were simple and light.

"Come on you two. We're already late for the funeral and you're both about to give me a toothache." A voice said. I glanced over and Jiraiya was there. I could feel the heat rising in my face as Kakashi lazily pulled away from me.

"Tonight, right? For that talk?" He asked.

"Yeah, yeah. Come on. We don't got all day." Jiraiya grumbled with a grin.

We carried on and went to the funeral.

The Sarutobi family were clearly having trouble. I could see Asuma looked just as exhausted as Kakashi himself. With how close Kurenai stood to him, I had a feeling she was helping him through this time. I'd have to send them something, a meal perhaps? I found my place near Naruto and Sasuke while the memorial carried on.

There was a little boy beside Naruto just crying up a storm. The boy looked up to the blond, and from what I knew was Hiruzen's grandson. I hoped the Hokage had spent a long time with his family beforehand. He had to have. Naruto was struggling too, he was trying to keep himself together.

It was Kakashi who comforted them. And me.

He spoke about those giving sacrifices for others before us.

I supposed Kakashi would know soon enough how true that was for Hiruzen's choice.

I spent my afternoon with Team 7, reminiscing and looking forward to the future. We went to that Ramen stand just to chat and be.

Sasuke was still distant. I'd have to check in on him. Certainly he was fine. Kakashi had scheduled a lunch with him, and Naruto was already griping that they hadn't been able to battle. I ran my fingers through Sasuke's hair - he tensed, glancing at me.

Was it just that he was stressed? Or…?

We'd have to have that talk. Until then….

Until then I spent my time with them. Finding a new friend in Sakura, and settling in beside who I hoped would be part of my future. But until that future came, other things had to happen.

Kakashi and I would have to hash it out.

It was later that night when Kakashi went to Tami's home. Each time he went it felt so very different. They would be having another talk; she'd be telling him who she was and hopefully where they stood. He could only cross his fingers at this point. She had to stay with him. She had to feel something for him. Especially with how concerned she was about his reaction to the truth.

He was sitting on the couch while Tami stood. Jiraiya had pulled a chair in from the kitchen and sat in it across from him. It was odd. But with how Tami was already concerned about his reaction? Understandable.

Jiraiya was leaning back in his chair, regarding them both.

"Go ahead and sit down, Walker. This part you don't know, might as well start at the beginning." Jiraiya stated. She hummed and sat down across from Kakashi on the couch. She curled her legs under her, glancing at him with uncertainty. She was fiddling with her fingers as if to keep herself occupied.

"So this all started, I don't know, couple months before you showed up?" Jiraiya said, glancing at the woman, "I'd been hearing reports about some missing ninja from the Village hidden in the Clouds talking about different worlds. How they thought that using another world would get them relevant information for this one."

He stopped for a moment before continuing on.

"It was stupid. I didn't believe it at first. Word was, these shinobi were going to anyone for help. It wasn't - it wasn't until we found a body that anything added up. There was a man we found. He had stuff we'd never seen. Even - he even had a scrap of a book that we found. A cover, where Naruto was on the front. A drawing. A comic book drawing."

Kakashi pulled back for a moment.

What?

That didn't - he glanced between the two around him. Tami was scared and Kakashi didn't like the way the talk was heading. He was expecting an alternate world but this?

This was something else. How did they have a photo of Naruto? And why did that matter now?

"I returned to Konoha, and told the Third about what we saw. He had two Anbu assigned to me, and we hunted the missing nin down." Jiraiya explained, "it took a while but we got them. We found this little cave they were hiding in. They'd just summoned their second target."

The older man gave Tami a pointed look.

From there Kakashi heard the rest of the tale between both of them. Where Jiraiya couldn't tell, Tami explained. A story. Kakashi was part of a story. He didn't know how to feel about that. It didn't mean much to him. He had other things to worry about. Although it did make him wonder if the people in Icha Icha were real somewhere too. That, he liked.

However, that brought up how Orochimaru knew - how Kabuto knew. Those missing nin probably went to Orochimaru first. Although how did he know?

Tami looked different, but not that different.

"I was at home when they took me. I don't think they were aiming for me. My roommate knew more about… well, she knew more. When I came, I didn't understand anything being said." She told Kakashi. She still hadn't met his gaze. "It wasn't until I arrived in Konoha and Inoichi gave me the ability to understand this language that - that anything made sense."

"And then they called me in." Kakashi said

"We needed to know if she recognized you, at least. She didn't react for anyone else. She didn't even know who I was. We didn't know if she was a plant or otherwise. And she hadn't really seemed to realize she was in another world. She didn't know me, and the only one she knew about was…." Jiraiya turned to Kakashi and watched him carefully.

"Why me? Did you…?" Kakashi turned to Tami, eyeing her carefully. She ran a hand through her hair. Kakashi wanted to calm her, but he had to get to the bottom of it.

"My roommate was a fan of the story. I know, knew next to nothing. But she was a fan of two particular characters." She said, "you and… and another."

"The other?"

"Itachi."

Kakashi scowled.

"I'm not a fan either." She commented in a light tone. She was trying to take the edge off, but it wasn't working.

"Did you know anything about me then? Before this."

Jiraiya and Tami shared a look. He shrugged and she turned back to Kakashi.

"I knew nothing about your past. Nothing. But I do know something about who you become." I admitted.

"That doesn't mean it'll stay the same." Kakashi began.

"We knew about the invasion. Because of Tami, we knew." Jiraiya said.

"Why didn't we stop it?" Kakashi asked.

"The future we're looking at is worth the cost. The third Hokage knew it. With his sacrifice, we know what's coming our way, roughly, for the next twenty years. Right now, it's bad. But it gets better. A lot better." Jiraiya said, giving Kakashi a meaningful look.

"What do you know about me?" He asked.

Jiraiya laughed to himself, crossing his arms. He only grinned at Kakashi. Tami fiddled with her hands.

"You won't like it." She said. He sighed.

"Will it endanger me?" Kakashi couldn't imagine why she wouldn't just tell him. A small nervous giggle burst from her lips and she shook her head.

"No you just…. You become Hokage. After the next. After Tsunade." She said.

Kakashi had been right on track with her until she said that. He frowned at her. He didn't even think Tsunade wanted to be Hokage, let alone him.

"That's not funny." He said flatly.

"I wasn't joking." She responded; she was telling the truth, he was sure of it. He glanced at Jiraiya who was just grinning.

"Yeah, kiddo! You get to be the sixth Hokage!" The Toad sage declared. Kakashi felt his shoulders drop. "So that's what you needed to tell me?"

"There's a bit more. Just one thing."

Jiraiya started laughing again.

"Oh, I gotta know how you're going to tell him this." He said. He sat back into his chair, just seeming to enjoy the upcoming events.

Tami heaved a big sigh and pulled in closer to Kakashi.

"I, ah… so you know how you think you don't know my past?" I asked.

Kakashi's brow furrowed for a moment.

"Yeah. What about it?"

"You do know my past. You just don't know it belongs to me." She said simply.

"Well that's vague." He said.

She moved in close sighing.

"I was born to an Opera singer from a county called Wales, and an American ambassador*. I was sent to another country, away from home. My uncle, who is my father's brother, stepped into my life at the age of ten after my father didn't want anything to do with me. I was very angry and I started helping him with his mysteries while he did his best to be the father I never had. He worked as a detective. While he didn't like me helping, he allowed it. On the side, I honed my acting skills while working as an actress. I've had two failed relationships, where one cheated on me and the other tried to change me. I remained friends with the cheater - who taught me some boxing. I also have a roommate, whose tastes differ from mine and I helped her out of a sticky situation." She said, listing off her past.

Kakashi hummed to himself, thinking about it. It did sound familiar. Very familiar. In fact - he froze.

No.

She couldn't be.

She couldn't be that character.

"Your name is different." He said

"Yes." She admitted.

"That can't be you."

"It follows private conversations."

"That character died." He said. He had hated it when that had happened; the characters had been a bit of realism and hope to his bleak day. He preferred Icha Icha's joy, romance and simplicity but it was a good read. Until his favorite character died.

"That's why I talked to the author. Because I didn't." She said.

Kakashi remembered that. He remembered when she had left. She said -.

Oh.

That was her lead to her past.

"That girl from the book, when she showed up she looked exactly like that one on the cover. Exactly." Jiraiya added in.

"That case, that final book - that's what my Uncle and I were working on before I left." Tami told him. "I spoke with the author. He killed off the character because she disappeared."

Kakashi bowed his head. Was this why she wouldn't talk to him and tell him the story?

He knew that character, Natsumi. She'd never choose to leave her remaining family. He had hoped she would give him a chance to have her choose him. But she would be choosing against what she wanted. The way that she was looking at him made him wonder.

Jiraiya stood, straightening his clothes and chucking to himself.

"Well, I'm gonna leave you kids alone now. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" With that the Toad Sage left.

Tami rolled her eyes and turned to Kakashi.

"That man." She muttered.

He didn't know if he should leave yet or not. He didn't want to, but if Tami told him she was still leaving? He couldn't stay.

"Are you going?" He asked. He turned his face away. He couldn't watch her say she wasn't staying with him.

Instead of answering, she inched closer to him and he felt her hands on his face lifting his chin toward her. She waited until he finally meet her gaze.

"I'm not leaving." She said.

"You're staying?" He couldn't believe it. She was almost in his lap again.

"I wouldn't… I wouldn't have kissed you otherwise. I may be a flirt sometimes, but I'm not cruel." She told him. He pulled her into his lap.

There was one thing that he wanted. Well, a couple things.

"Can you show me? I want to see where you're from." He said.

It was one of the first things on his list. He had to see for himself - test her. He wanted to know for sure if he could trust her. Jiraiya did, as did the others; but he needed to make sure someone so very close to him was telling the truth. Especially about something so serious. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't just blindly accept her word.

Tami paused, he could see her thinking about it.

"I… a genjutsu?"

"If you can. Pull me into an illusion. Show me." He insisted.

She lifted his chin again to look her in the eye.

"I'll do my best." She promised.

He watched her as she began. She'd gotten better as they had parted.

Kakashi watched as the room faded away around them. It was replaced with another one. It was larger, bookcases lined the back wall. There were two doors behind the couch they were sitting on, and an armchair off to the side. The TV was large and thin. Tami pulled away as he sat up.

"This doesn't look so different." He said, eyeing the surroundings.

"Yet." She commented.

"Yet." He agreed.

He went to the bookcase, investigating it; he couldn't read any of the titles.

"What's this one?" He asked, pointing it out.

"Treasure island."

And this one?"

"The Hobbit."

Kakashi hummed - he saw the kitchen. He went in deeper. It was different, still bigger than he was used to. Different appliances, and things he hadn't seen.

"What's this?"

"Dish washer."

"Machines wash your dishes?"

"Well, we've no fancy jutsu to get by. We do what we can." She said. She was there leaning on the doorway.

"So, where's your room?" He asked.

He wasn't concerned about seeing that roommates room. But he did want to see hers. Would it be different?

"My room is the first one on the right. Maya's is the next." She said.

He hummed and went to go to her room. She stopped him.

"Hers first." She said.

Kakashi frowned; she couldn't see it but she could probably read it.

"Her room first. There's a surprise in mine." Tami said.

"Oh? Trying to seduce me already?" Kakashi sighed, moving away from her door. He could tell the way the illusion rippled he got to her. He suppressed a grin. It was fun messing with her again.

"That's not what I meant!" She protested.

"So you don't want to seduce me?" He continued. He turned to see her from the corner of his eye. She was there fuming; so cute!

"You!" She huffed. She tossed her head and moved to Maya's door. "If I wished to seduce you, you would be seduced!"

It was much more fun getting under her skin than getting bothered with all the fluttering feelings rolling in his gut. Far more fun.

With her insistence they went to Maya's room.

Sure enough, Kakashi found images of himself there. He was on a poster, looking relaxed. It was a profile shot. He also saw a figurine of himself; he recognized the Anbu uniform he wore.

There were other posters. One of a blond with a red coat; he didn't know that kid. But he did see the girl also had a poster of Itachi. He looked almost the same as he remembered.

"Okay. And yours?"

With her trying to keep it a mystery, he wanted to see even more. She rolled her eyes and he followed her to her room.

Her room was filled with little trinkets. Long silky scarves and clothes he'd never seen before. She had a little area for jewellery. One of them was an emerald necklace.

He was about to tease her about his finds when she had stood over at the windows.

"This is what you need to see." She told him.

They weren't windows but doors. She led him out to a balcony. It was night, and the city looked alive. Her world was far different than his. The city itself was lit up, even though there weren't any stars. The buildings were far taller than the ones in Konoha. He just stood there, marveling at the scene.

He knew enough about Tami's genjutsu that they weren't actually moving around the illusion. They were still there, her on his lap.

He held out his hand and looked out to the city.

"Let's go." He said. She took his hand and they jumped from her balcony.

For the next while, he learned about Chicago. She took him to see the Skyscrapers and what she called the bean. She took him over to see Navy Pier.

By the end of the night, they were climbing a skyscraper to sit at the top. He got there first, and pulled her into his lap. She looked a bit surprised. He enjoyed that a little too much.

He was satisfied with his findings.

She was telling the truth.

There was no way she could make up such an intricate world like that. She was smart, and good at thinking off the cuff, but… but she wasn't creative. Not like Naruto was. Not like Jiraiya. She didn't have the ability to just make up an entire world.

"You think you're so smooth." She said to him. Kakashi hummed, and put his chin on her shoulder. He gave her a moment. She could get away if she wanted.

"And yet… you haven't moved." He stared at her, watching her squirm. It was nice. He was getting a hold of this flirting thing. It was nice to see her flounder for once.

"Well, maybe I like men who think they're smooth." She said.

He really didn't care what he was, so long as she stayed. However there was something that was bothering him.

"Where are the stars?" He asked.

"Too much light pollution. They aren't seen here." She explained.

"So that's why you always watched the stars."

"They're beautiful. In Konoha, it's almost like they're alive."

Kakashi had never thought about it like that before. They just were there.

Tami released the genjutsu and once again they were in her living room in Konoha. She was still in his lap.

"So where does this leave us?" He questioned. They shared a look; she was beautiful. Those green eyes of hers were sparkling. She didn't say a word. "I-I want… I mean, I'd like it if… if we were…. Can we?"

Once again he was a stuttering mess. Great. The couple in Icha Icha made this seem easy. He couldn't even dream of telling her how he felt.

She didn't mention anything was off, instead she leaned against him.

"I want to be with you." She said simply.

Why hadn't he thought of that?

"Me too." He said.

They went over rules. Hers were simple; she wouldn't sleep with him until he committed himself to her via marriage and if he ever didn't want her anymore - she needed to know. No matter the pain it caused her, she needed to know it.

Kakashi had a few of his own; if they worked together again, work and their relationship would be kept distinctly separate. They both needed to keep their mind on the mission at hand. He also had her agree to not use flirting as a tactic any more. It was effective, but he didn't think he could watch her pull that. Not anymore. He would have asked to give him warning if she didn't want him anymore, but he couldn't form the words.

They stayed there in each other's embrace after. Tami may have been content with it, but he wasn't. He'd been waiting for this moment for so very long. He watched her, staring down at her quietly before sliding out a kunai. The light was still on and he wasn't going to be moving anywhere. Not until he was ready. The movement gained her attention. Her mood shifted as she studied him. Without a word spoken they both knew what the other wanted. He threw his kunai, the back end first to turn off the light. The moment the light was off Kakashi yanked his mask down and pulled her in for a kiss.

It was passionate, her fingers weaved in his hair; she'd already pulled his headband off. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in as close as he could. It wasn't really fair, what with the butterflies in his stomach and how she just pressed right back into him. They moved in unison, gentle but needy caresses. He had to pull away eventually. He wished he could have been calmer, more bored and care free, but he couldn't. He was breathing heavy by the end of it, and so was she.

That night he didn't stay, even though he wanted to; needed to in some sense. He agreed to her terms and she agreed to his. If he stayed, he doubted he could honor his word. Not that night.

Especially with the few other kisses they shared before parting. Far tamer than the other. They shared one last one at the door before he'd turn on the lights again. She was warm and compliant. It took him the restraint he had left not to pull her into anything more intimate. Regretfully he pulled his mask back into place and turned the light on. They parted slowly, neither of them able to say a word. He could feel her watching him as he left. He didn't want to go, but needed to. They'd see each other again soon.

An/: so, just to be clear, Lee sees Tami as a doting big sister lol. Anyways, here we are! Another chapter. I nearly put this second half in the next chapter, but because one of Orochimaru's plans didn't end up making this chapter, I switched it. It will be explained how exactly he knew she wasn't from their world and what his plans are concerning her.

So, yes- Hayate was supposed to die originally, but considering they already knew stuff and the fact that Kabuto wasn't able to walk around freely any more, I didn't think in this version he would die. So he's been spared.

I don't know who else will be saved or not. There's quite a few I want to save but… it depends on if it works out that way.

Thank you guys again! Love you all! Stay safe and have an amazing week!

*So, he's always been an ambassador, I just forgot the word ._. that's why Tami struggles with the idea of where she's from and who she is. She's been thrown all over the place.

PS. Also, it's been brought to my attention I made a mistake with the jutsus in chapter 15/16 I think? I'll be fixing that soon.