A/N: Hi again everyone. Time to move the story along. Can you say "emotional turmoil?" Kakashi's about to experience some. Enjoy!
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As Kakashi and Asuma turned the corner to the hallway that led to the Hokage's offices, they saw that Shizune was not in the office like she normally was. Instead, she was outside it talking with Genma. Kakashi thought it's a good thing that fuck is talking to Shizune now. If he'd have asked Anko out again after he found out we were dating, I'd have tied his dick in a knot – if I could find it.
Shizune and Genma both turned when they saw the two shinobi coming toward them. Genma instantly had a look of dread on his face as he saw that one of the two was Kakashi. He nervously said, "Hey, guys. What's going on?"
Asuma looked sideways at Kakashi and smiled. He thought it was hilarious that Kakashi was still steamed about Genma asking Anko out. He watched while Kakashi slightly scowled at Genma. But Kakashi behaved himself; he made no move to speak, or injure Genma in any way. Asuma said, "The 5th's sending us on a mission. Are you coming with us?"
Kakashi said in a menacing tone, "Yeah Genma. Coming along?"
Genma began to sweat profusely, straightened up a bit and said, "No. Just talking with Shizune. We're reviewing my treatment. Still having some trouble with my lungs."
Shizune, sensing a bit of tension in the air, stepped in front of Genma, effectively shielding him from Kakashi's glare. She said, "I've been treating Genma ever since you came back from your last extermination mission. He's developed scar tissue in his lungs because of the stuff he inhaled. We've been working at it for a week now, and he's getting better. It'll just take a little more time. No missions for him right now I'm afraid."
Kakashi said, "I could give him a mission. He could bathe my hounds for me, since they helped save his ass."
Asuma said, "Easy there big guy. Those dogs take care of themselves and you know it. Let's go see what Tsunade wants.
Kakashi still looked threateningly at Genma, who watched from behind Shizune as Asuma pushed Kakashi through the Hokage's door.
Asuma said quietly to him as they went in, "You're acting like an animal. Cut it out!"
"You know he asked Anko out!"
"Yeah, but ever since he found out, he hasn't done it again. He's terrified you're going to kill him!"
Kakashi glanced over his shoulder and said, "Good. If he knows what's good for him, he'll stay away from her."
Asuma laughed.
"What the fuck is your problem Asshola?"
"Never in a million years Hatake, did I think I'd EVER see you act this way over a woman."
Kakashi thought funny, neither did I. He said, "Never mind. I'll let him live as long as he stays away from her."
"That's a good boy. Now be quiet. We need to find out what the 5th wants."
They walked into the 5th's office where she was seated at her desk, with Tonton ever present on the desk beside her. Tsunade looked up, "Kakashi, Asuma. Where is Shizune? SHIZUNE!" Shizune came through the door quickly, Genma-less. "Good, we're all here. I have a special assignment for you two, one that only the two of you may be able to pull off."
Kakashi and Asuma looked at each other suspiciously. Tsunade continued, "I've chosen you two because you have the characteristics that fit this mission better than anyone else who is available. Because of your skill levels, and looks,"
Asuma said, "What? Looks?"
Tsunade growled, "I'm not finished! Yes, I said LOOKS! Your mission is going to be to try and obtain information from two sisters who worked for Orochimaru. They are both research scientists. We have received word that they no longer work for him, but fled him after he injured one of them in an angry fit. They are currently being hidden in a small village, but will be moved in a few days' time to a safe house, and then they will disappear – permanently into a protection program designed to save their lives. So far they have refused to speak to anyone about Orochimaru's plans for our village, most likely because they fear retribution. Therefore, I am sending the both of you to gain their trust and get the information they possess by any means possible. The welfare of our village may hang in the balance."
Kakashi thought a minute and said, "What do you mean, by any means possible?"
"Use your imagination Hatake. ANY. MEANS. POSSIBLE."
Asuma said, "But what do our looks have to do with it?"
Tsunade said, "They're young women, and I want to send some rugged-looking men there to work on them. They will probably see you as protection against anything Orochimaru may try. You two fit the profile."
Kakashi was getting a little nervous because of this information. He asked, "What about Ibiki? He's about as rugged looking as they come." Asuma nodded.
Tsunade shook her head and said, "Ibiki is scarred from torture. I'm sending rugged, not mutilated. No, it's you two. Now, there are some things I have to be sure of before you go."
Both Kakashi and Asuma listed carefully to what Tsunade was saying, "I realize that you both have, "significant others," in your lives. When I say by any means possible, I mean it. If you have to befriend these girls and flirt with them to get them to trust you, and do whatever it takes to make them talk, do it. I know this may put either one or both of you in a very uncomfortable situation. I'm not saying you HAVE to take them to bed, and screw the information out of them," Shizune looked longingly at the Hokage's office door, "but if it comes down to that, for the sake of the mission, could you perform?"
Kakashi felt sick. Asuma didn't seem to be handling it as badly. Asuma said, "How long do we have to decide?"
Tsunade responded, "I'd prefer that you tell me right now that you'll take the mission so I can send you out."
Asuma continued, "When would we leave?"
"Day after tomorrow."
Kakashi looked at Asuma, and then back at Tsunade. He said, "All due respect Hokage, but I will need to think about this one."
Tsunade said, "You never had any problem accepting this type of mission before Kakashi. But I understand why your feelings may have changed a bit. It's Anko isn't it?"
Kakashi said flatly, "Yes, quite frankly it is."
Tsunade closed her eyes and folded her hands on her desk. Shizune looked at Kakashi with a sympathetic look. Even Tonton looked like she understood what was going on in the room. Tsunade said, "Fine. Kakashi, go home. Go talk to Anko about it. I expect your answer by tomorrow morning. As for you Asuma, have you made your decision?"
Asuma said, "I have no problem taking the assignment Hokage." Kakashi looked at him like he was nuts. He thought he's seeing Kurenai, yet he's willing to run off and possibly mess around with other women? How does he do it? I feel like shit about this, but it is my job. A shinobi never reveals his feelings, but does that still count since I've just found out that I actually have some?
Kakashi was confused to his very soul. He needed to talk to Anko about this mission, but first he wanted to talk to Asuma and find out how the hell it was so easy for him to accept this mission. Tsunade interrupted his thinking and said, "You two are dismissed. Think it over Kakashi. If you get the information we need, we may be able to stop Orochimaru's next move before he even executes it." Kakashi felt as if a very heavy weight had just been put on his shoulders.
He looked at Tsunade and said, "I'll let you know tomorrow morning."
"Very well. Dismissed." Asuma and Kakashi turned and left the 5th Hokage's office. As soon as they got outside the door, Kakashi turned to Asuma and said, "What the fuck was that?"
Asuma said, "You and me – we need to talk." Asuma led him outside to a secluded part of the training grounds where they would not be seen, heard, or interrupted.
Before Asuma could begin, Kakashi practically shouted at him, "How can you do that? How can you just accept that mission knowing what it might do to Kurenai? Don't you care about her at all?"
Asuma said, "Just settle down. You're new at this couples thing. You and Anko are still in the "honeymoon phase" of your relationship, where you're both crazy about each other, and you're trying really hard not to do or say anything to offend each other. Am I right so far?"
Kakashi hated to admit it, but Asuma was right. He nodded.
Asuma continued, "Listen. We're shinobi. Tsunade was right, you've done this before, and you know what's involved. It's you job Kakashi, and I know perfectly well, that nobody and I do mean NOBODY does your job better than you do. Especially, when it comes to getting information out of people of the opposite sex."
Kakashi sat there silently. He thought back to the other missions he'd done when he'd been asked to do just that – befriend a woman to get something out of her, be it information, goods, whatever. He'd always succeeded. He knew what women liked and what they wanted to hear. And if they'd wanted to get physical with him, he was more than happy to oblige. But that was before. Before Anko.
It had always been "the job" before. He'd also always been single before when he was doing "the job." But things were a whole hell of a lot different now, and by going through with it, he may lose the trust of the only woman he'd ever loved. He was at a serious crossroads in his mind. Does he do the job, because he knew he'd do it successfully, and possibly break his girlfriend's heart, or does he refuse the mission, thereby refusing to the job they pay him for?
Suddenly he looked at Asuma and he said, "Tell me how you do it."
"How I do what?"
"How do you do this – connive information out of women, because I know you've done it before too – and still look Kurenai in the eye?"
Asuma said, "Listen. Kurenai and I have an understanding. Sure, we're together, but we both know we have jobs to do. She's been asked by the Hokage at times, to seduce men to get to them too. I have to stand back, because I realize, it's part of the job. It means nothing. I know she's coming back to me, just like I'm coming back to her. I guess we've both learned how to separate "home" and "work.""
"I still don't know how to do this. Anko's going to . . . I barely know how to tell her that I have to go on a mission to possibly seduce a woman into telling me Orochimaru's secrets."
Asuma sat down on a rock and said, "Just go to her and tell her. You can always refuse the mission."
"Yeah, I guess. But Tsunade said we're probably the only ones who may be able to pull it off."
"I'd have to agree with her on that one. So, what are you gonna do?"
Kakashi had no clue what he was going to do, so he decided to go tell Anko about it the proposed mission immediately. "I'm going to Anko's. If Tsunade looks for me, tell her I'm there."
"I don't think she'll have a problem with you going there now. Go on. Talk to her. And if she wants, I'm sure she can talk to Kurenai about it if she needs to."
"Thanks man. I'll talk to you later."
"If not, I'll see you back here tomorrow. Think about it Kakashi, it's only part of the job. It means nothing."
"Yeah. Right."
Kakashi left Asuma there, and headed back to Anko's apartment.
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A/N: Turmoil! Emotional frigging turmoil! It can tear a person apart. How will Kakashi fare? You'll see!
Next up: Kakashi goes to talk to Anko, and her perfect "do nothing" day turns to shit. See you soon!