"Oh- dear! The girl, she's gone!" A search was now set out. Unfortunately for the girl, Kakashi had kept watch over her and his dogs watched her when he could not. So when she had awoken and fled the hospital, Kakashi knew immediately.

She collapsed in the moonlit street. She'd kept hidden during the day. A lot of people had been searching for her, asking around. She had no idea where she was but she wanted to get far away. She wanted to keep running. God, don't let her have to go back.

"Are you okay?" She nearly screamed- the voice was so close to her. She looked up to see a silver haired man staring down at her. He held his hand out to her. She flinched, the memories still too close to the surface. He saw her discomfort and withdrew his hand.

"You shouldn't be moving around so much in your condition."

She opened her mouth but no sound came out.

"I'll take you back"

"No!!" She screamed as he prepared to pick her up. Her voice shook in fear. "Leave me alone."

"You can't stay here."

"I'm not going with you."

"Are you in any condition to do otherwise?"

She glared at him but Kakashi could see the tears and fears she was fighting.

"I'm not gonna hurt you." She turned her head away. "I'm the one that brought you here."

She looked back at him. "You're safe here, okay?"

She sneered. "Safe from what?"

"Anything you fear." She stared at him. The comment had surprised even him. But it worked. She was calming.

"I have nothing left to fear. I can go anywhere."

"You're very lucky then- and have a good sense of imagination. But I'm telling you, you're not going anywhere in that condition."

"Yes I-" Before she could finish her argument she felt herself grow very tired.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Touch me and die."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. It was bad enough he had to chase her down in his own apartment. Then again, why wouldn't she be pissed at him? Technically he had kidnapped her- twice. And now she was curled up in a corner, knees drawn up against her chest. She was nearing defeat.

Her tone had been serious, but he knew nothing of her actual strength. Wounded animals tended to act fiercer to help protect themselves. He squatted down in front of her. She tensed and moved away a little, though she tried to hide it. "Do you really intend to kill someone?"

"If I have to I will."

"You must be a shinobi then."

The hatred in her eyes said otherwise. "I hate your kind and their need for power and control and destruction." Raw nerve there. Kakashi took note of that. He was interested more now, but he remained his usual collected, stoic self. "We need to get these taken care of. The bandages need to be changed and cleaned."

"You did this?" She questioned.

"The bandages, yes. The damage, no."

She was silent and distant.

"Really, they can't stay on more than ten hours." Kakashi warned and stood up.

She looked at him, the fight gone. "Why did you take me? Are you going to sell me? Or use me?" Her voice grew quiet, almost breaking.

"No." It was said both simply and warmly. She didn't smile or thank him but he didn't mind. All things in time. He held out his hand, "Come." She looked at his hand waiting for hers then stood up on her own.

He withdrew his hand and commented, "Stronger, are we?"

"More then you know." He nodded and led the way to the table. She sat on the chair and Kakashi went to wash his hands. "I'm Kakashi Hatake." Silence. Well, at least he tried. He gathered the equipment and headed over to the girl. He rolled up her pant leg. He made a note to buy her some new clothes. The hospital gowns had been too much for him and she was currently wearing some of his clothes- but he wasn't going to tell her that.

"Kakashi?" "Hmm?" He asked, concentrating on the deep cut.

"Could I call you Kashy-kun?" Kakashi's hand almost froze at the old nickname. He looked up at the girl. She had her head hanging low, clenching her hands. "I'm sorry. I was rude. Never mind."

"It's been a long time since anyone called me that. I've missed it." He smiled his wrinkled smile at her. She looked up; a little shocked at his kindness. She laughed along with him. Kakashi was more relieved to hear that then he imagined.

"And what should I call you?" He tried again, being more straight forward this time.

Her face fell. "I don't know." Kakashi stopped cleaning. Should he press the matter or let it be? He saw a tear run down her cheek.

"Don't worry. We'll find a name for you."

"Like you do for animals?"

"No. I was thinking of something that would represent you and be unique to you and that I could talk to you with. Let's give it time, maybe you'll remember." She nodded. She hadn't been crying really. Just that one tear.