Title of this chapter explains why every chapter is fire related.

** from previous chapters are explained at the end.

—

Naruko's POV:

I got up before him. We were facing each other when I woke up but he was sound asleep. A lock of my hair was loosely held in his hand. I rolled over onto my stomach and held myself up by my elbows. He was sound asleep. I wanted to wake him and tell him to run away with me. But I had to fight myself. I had to start thinking for once. Now I know what Pervy Sage meant. At least in this instance, I can't be a fool.

I got dressed and put up my hair as quietly as I could. I almost left but I stopped myself. He was lying there so soundly.

I walked back over my shoulder and wrote a small note, hoping he'd understand. I leaned down and brushed his hair back softly before kissing his forehead.

I started tip toeing out.

He turned over when I was halfway out. He wasn't facing me. Good. I left as fast as I could.

He was so happy. And so was I. And it felt so good.

If I went back, would it be too late? Does he resent me too much? Would he forgive me?

Sasuke. I'm sorry. I want you back too badly.

I'm so confused. I could never be Hokage if I can't control myself. And what I did last night with him was anything but control.

I stopped in an opening of the woods. I need to calm down. I need to stop and-

Sasuke trailing his hands down my body was the first thing that came to mind. Him groaning in my ear was next. He smiled and kissed me.

We laughed together and talked together and...

I fell to my knees.

What have I done? Not only did I not bring him back again but I betrayed him.

He said himself that I was the only one looking, I was the only one who cared. Now look what I've done! I can't breathe.

I have to go back, I have to go to him! Sasuke, please forgive me!

I got up and started running.

"Sasuke!"

My endeavor to go back fell short. My gut hit something hard, causing me to hang over it. It felt like a steel bar.

I widened my eyes as I looked back at the possible threat.

All I saw was a familiar face.

"Kakashi-Sensei? What're you doing here?"

My heart was pounding too loud to make any sense of this.

"Let's go, Naruko."

He dropped his arm as I stumbled to my feet. He started walking ahead. Everything clicked. How could he know where to find me, unless...

"You knew. This whole time. You knew where I was and you didn't do anything? Sasuke was right there and you didn't do anything?!"

He stopped walking.

"I trusted you to deal with Sasuke. Seeing you have the kind of relationship you did, I thought you could manage it on your own. You weren't ready yet and neither was he."

I balled my fists.

"How did you know?"

"Sai noticed you left your post so I told him to send something after you. His rat brought back a message that you had made contact with Sasuke. Yamato and I went to go check it out. I knew Sasuke knew we were there. His team found out first and the other day he tried to wait us out. Yamato went back to camp. I stayed behind."**

I couldn't keep my eyes off the ground. I'm so ashamed of myself.

Kakashi placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Naruko. I know the decision was difficult for you."

I shook my head. I know what he's going to say next. That this is the price you pay for being a Shinobi.

"Kakashi-Sensei, we.. I didn't know we would.."

Tears started slipping out.

"I know."

I fell down but he caught me. I sat there sobbing in Kakashi-Sensei's chest because I'm a bad person. We were more intimate than I'll ever be with anyone. He'll regret being with me because I betrayed him. I can't take it back now. I can't apologize now.

As if reading my thoughts, Kakashi-Sensei spoke.

"Naruko, he will forgive you. Someday. Even if you can't imagine it. His feelings for you will overpower what he may feel at the moment. You both are on opposite ends for the time being. It wasn't time for him to come back yet. You can bring him home another day."

I looked up at Kakashi-Sensei and I could tell he was smiling under his mask.

I gave a weak smile back and wiped my eyes.

"Thank you, Kakashi-Sensei."

He stepped away from me.

"Come on. No one knows what went on. Only you, me, and Sasuke. When we get back, just tell them you got lost and got into some trouble with some bandits on the road, alright?"

I nodded. What else was I going to say?

"Pretend it never happened."

He jumped up into a tree and I followed.

That's the best I can do right now.

—

Back in chapter 9, Sasuke was thinking that Itachi's jutsus we're copied meaning Kakashi was there. He was who the Sasuke and his team were after.

In chapter 5, Karin mentions an extra presence. That is Sai's rat.

Chapter 12, that "something" was someone spying on them