A/N: Hi again everybody! Here's a long chapter for you (by my means anyway)! Lots of story in this one and also lots of detail. The girls have found a way to keep themselves occupied for most of the day, and Kakashi and Asuma have become the sisters' "shadows." I hope you like it. Enjoy!
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Morning came to Konoha. Anko woke to a gray morning at Kurenai's apartment. Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. One of her eyes was pretty much glued shut. She inhaled deeply through her nose and stretched on the couch she was still on. She looked over at her friend, who some time during the night, had gotten all the way back on the loveseat, instead of hanging precariously off it like she had been. No more terrible dreams had come to Anko after the first one she had. After that first horrible dream, she'd been captured by the solid black sleep of the heavily inebriated.
She sat up slowly, testing herself to see how bad she was going to feel the rest of the day. Not too bad, she thought as she twisted her back a bit to pop everything back into place. I guess I slept enough after that horrible dream I had. She pulled her feet up on the couch and sat there for a few minutes remembering some of it. It was all a bit foggy now, but she remembered that it was horrible, and Kakashi was in it. I hope things are going well for him and Asuma. I want them both back here soon. But today is their full day there, and tomorrow the sisters are to be moved. I hope they get the information they need to get. She knew she trusted Kakashi, but that didn't make her miss him any less than she did.
Kurenai slowly stirred on the loveseat. She looked around the room like she didn't know where she was. Then she saw Anko on her couch. She said, "Hey. How'd you get the couch? I'm taller than you."
"This is where I fell, that's where you fell. Well, not really fell, more like claimed, until we passed out. I was under the coffee table for a while."
Kurenai said, "You've got a red mark on your forehead."
Anko reached up and touched her forehead, wincing slightly as she felt a bump. "That must have been when I woke up from a nightmare. I was still under the coffee table then. Sat up, bonked my head, and went back down again."
"You had a nightmare?"
"Yeah. Probably booze induced."
"Was it bad?"
"It was for me. From what I can remember, there were two blond girls there that I think were attacking Kakashi. And he kept yelling for me. But somehow I couldn't get to him."
"That is horrible. You ok?"
"Yeah. I just want him back home."
Kurenai got up slowly and went over and sat next to Anko. She said, "Yeah, I want them both back home. Jeez, you smell like a wine-o."
Anko said, "You don't smell like roses either sweetie." As she mentioned roses, she remembered the chocolate ones Kakashi had sent her and another pang of longing covered her. Luckily, Kurenai redirected her attention.
"Breakfast?"
"Yes please."
"Any plans for today?"
"Anything you can do to keep me occupied so I won't sulk all day would be fine."
Kurenai thought for a moment and said, "I'll think of something."
Both lady shinobi went to the kitchen to whip up some breakfast in hopes of killing the taste of stale pomegranate martinis that lingered in their mouths.
Kakashi stirred as he heard faint noises. He hadn't opened his eyes yet. He instinctively reached for Anko, but she wasn't there. Then he realized he was still on his mission. He thought, I thought something smelled off. I can't smell Anko. He rolled onto his back in the small guest bed and sighed. Then he slowly sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Since his mind wasn't yet preoccupied with the mission he was on, he let it wander to Anko. To fully engulf himself in her memory, he reached in his pocket and took out the picture of the two of them, but it wasn't enough. He had hoped to wait until later in the day, or when he missed her too badly, to bring out the thing he'd swiped from her bedroom. Now ended up being that time. He reached deeply into the same pocket he kept his picture in and pulled out the item he took from her bedroom before he left. He ran the silky black scarf she'd tied him up with between his fingers, as he looked at her picture. He absently tied it to his right wrist and held the dangling ends in his hand. He brought it to his nose and inhaled. He closed his eyes and that's where he found her. He could smell her scent on the scarf. Even though it caused him an almost physical pain, he continued to breathe her in. It hurt him that she wasn't there to touch or kiss or even just to look at. But he felt a little better holding the scarf that was such a personal thing that they'd shared.
He untied the scarf and folded it almost lovingly, and tucked it in the lower part of his pocket again. He put the picture of them back on top of the scarf where it belonged. He thought better get moving. He decided to dress and go see who was moving around in other parts of the house.
After having breakfast, Anko left Kurenai's apartment to get a shower and do something about her teeth. She felt like she had barnacles growing on them from all the sweet drinks and chocolate roses she'd consumed the day and night before. She got to her apartment and went in, not liking how quiet it was. It's always like this when he's away. I should be used to it by now. She was used to it, but that didn't mean she liked it.
She went to her room and sat on her bed for a minute. She did it on purpose so she could look at her picture. Two smiling ninjas – looking so happy. I'll feel like that again soon she thought and she smiled a little. He's coming home tomorrow. Why does each minute he's gone feel like a hellish eternity?
She turned away eventually. Kurenai had promised to occupy her time later in the day and in order for her to do that, she made Anko promise to go home and "de-funkify" herself. She picked some casual clothes out and then went to her underwear drawer. She pulled it open quickly and at least seven random pairs of underwear sprang out over the sides, and tumbled to the floor. The memory of her and Kurenai laughing about this drawer came back suddenly and she laughed hard in her quiet apartment. She was surprised at how loud her voice sounded, so she stopped laughing and picked a pair of underwear off the floor, and stuffed the rest back in the drawer. She then proceeded to the bathroom to take a long soaking bath – Kakashi's favorite. If only he was here, but it won't be too long now. I hope everything's going ok.
Asuma must have heard Kakashi get up because as Kakashi left his room, Asuma did too. He said, "Thought I heard you. Ready to follow the girls today?"
"Yeah."
"Don't sound so excited."
"Asuma, I'm doing the job. I don't have to be excited about it until I've made some progress, or it's done."
"Alright, don't be so grouchy. Let's see who's up."
They walked quietly to the kitchen where Akie was rummaging in the pantry for some food. "Good morning Asuma! Kakashi! I trust you slept well?" Both nodded. She said, "Good, good. The girls are already up and have gotten ready to go."
Kakashi asked, "Where do they go? We've been told that they're often seen in the village, so people don't suspect them of being strangers. But what is there for them to do?"
Akie said, "I don't really know. I know they leave at separate times, and they've promised me that they're not seen together anywhere. I don't really know where they go or what they do."
Kakashi immediately got suspicious. He said, "Please excuse me Akie, I'd like to go freshen up a bit."
"Of course Kakashi. Breakfast will be ready when you get back." He looked at Asuma who nodded. Kakashi left he kitchen and crept down the hall to the restroom. He ducked inside silently and listened. He heard the girls faintly talking in another bedroom down the hall.
"Harumi, we have to help them!"
"We don't have to do anything!"
"But they're going to help us. They're here to keep Orochimaru from finding us."
"I say we just leave now. We take everything and just disappear on our own. That way nobody will know where we are, and we can start again somewhere far away."
Kakashi had heard enough. He splashed some water on his face and ran a washcloth over some parts of his body before drying off and listening again. He heard the girls' door open, and then he heard footsteps moving down the hall toward the kitchen. Asuma was already there, so if they were going to attempt to leave, they wouldn't get past him. If necessary then, he could block any rear escape that they may attempt. They weren't going anywhere without them. He opened the bathroom door and quietly walked toward the kitchen, where the girls were indeed talking to Akie and Asuma.
Akie noticed him, "Kakashi, here is some breakfast for you."
"Thank you ma'am. So Harumi, where are we off to today?"
She looked at him and said, "You're seriously going to follow me all day?"
"Sure am. Gotta keep you safe. Make sure you don't get taken against your will." Or leave of your own free will.
"I won't be doing anything special today, just gathering some things to take with me when Hanami and I are moved tomorrow."
Kakashi said, "I don't mind shopping. Lead the way." Harumi wasn't too happy to have her shadow, but she didn't have much choice, and she knew it.
Hanami said, "Asuma, you're with me today then?"
He said, "I sure am. Anything in particular you wanted to do today?"
"Not really, just like Harumi, I have things to gather before we're moved."
Asuma said, "That's fine. Whenever you're ready, we can go."
After breakfast, both girls said goodbye to their Aunt and with a shinobi each, they left the house and the surroundings through another passageway that was practically impossible to find.
Anko went back to Kurenai's and found her spruced up and ready to go. Both ladies looked very casual, both wearing cargo pants – with a few weapons stashed just in case – and t-shirts. After Kurenai let her in, she said, "Ready go to?"
"What do you suggest we do today?"
"Well, there's a street festival with lots of vendors on the other side of the village. I thought that'd keep us amused for a while."
"Sure. Venders you say? Ooh, I hope I brought enough money with me. They have such YUMMY TREATS all the time!"
"Easy there girl. I'm not carrying you back home with a stomach ache."
"Alright, I'll behave. Maybe I'll just buy extra to take home later,"
"You'll do nothing of the sort. Now, come on, let's go see what's going on."
Anko and Kurenai walked about twenty minutes until they found the streets blocked off and could see beyond the barriers many different booths and street vendors, as well as performers, actors, puppet shows, the works. The different aromas hit Anko's nose and she tried to pull them all into her at once. She said, "Ahhh, now doesn't that smell wonderful?"
"It does smell pretty good. Let's go see what's going on."
Even though it was pretty early in the day, there were many people already at the street festival. People were trying games of chance, and children were seated watching a puppet show where it looked like a leaf ninja was beating the crap out of a puppet Orochimaru. Anko elbowed Kurenai and pointed at the puppets saying, "If it were only that easy."
"Yeah. Hey look over there." Kurenai pointed to a jewelry stand that had beautiful necklaces and rings for sale. Both girls were drawn to the sparkly baubles, some obviously fakes, but a few sparkled like the real thing. They tried on many rings, and even some necklaces that they thought might look nice.
Anko picked up a leather choker that had a few silver studs around it. She said, "I rather like this one. Maybe Kakashi might like it."
"For him or you?"
"Either."
"Looks like a dog collar." Anko looked at her slyly and Kurenai grabbed the choker from her and put it back, dragging Anko away from the stand.
They giggled and walked a while more when suddenly a woman shouted in their direction, "You. Hey, YOU!" Anko turned in a circle around her, wondering who the woman was talking to. Then she looked at the woman and pointed to herself and said, "Me?"
The woman said, "YES, YOU! Come here."
Kurenai said, "Look out, she's a fortune teller."
Anko said, "I don't have time for that crap."
Kurenai said, "Oh go ahead. You know it's all a joke anyway. She'll ask you questions, you'll give away enough about yourself and she'll guess everything right about you. You'll give her a little money so you can get away from her, and that's that. Go on, what's it going to hurt? Maybe she'll tell you how many children you're going to have."
Anko rolled her eyes at Kurenai, who gave her a shove toward the woman. "Ok, but if it gets weird, I'm leaving, and YOU'RE paying!" She stomped up to the woman.
The fortune teller said, "You're lucky!"
Anko said, "I'm lucky? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I can tell you're lucky. Do you know why you are?"
Anko though, here we go, "No, I don't know why I'm lucky. Do you know why?"
The woman said, "That's obvious. You are loved very much."
Anko felt as if a lance had been driven straight through her. But she quickly regained her composure because she realized that just about everybody in the whole festival was probably lucky enough to be loved by someone. She asked the woman, "How can you tell I am loved very much?"
"I have seen many things in this life and very few things are absolutely certain. I've seen this a few times before. You've got it! You have a glow about you that leaps from your skin."
"Probably just my chakra. You are probably sensitive enough to see it."
"No, no my girl. Not chakra. This is different. This is love, and it is not yours!"
Anko looked at Kurenai like the woman was coo-coo.
The woman continued, "Someone has given you their love, and you keep it with you because you love them in return. It's wonderful! That's why you're lucky. To have someone like that in your life is a true blessing."
Anko thought that's sweet. I wonder if it's true. Now, she'll say, "that'll be five bucks."
Anko said, "Thank you ma'am for the nice things you've said." She reached into her pocket, but the woman stopped her.
"No, no, no, I can't take your money! Just touch my hand, so some of your luck may rub off on me!" The woman held her hand out as if she was ready to accept money, but instead, just touched Anko's palm. She said, "Thank you, thank you! I wish you continued good luck!"
Anko thanked the woman again and said, "That was totally weird." But it was sweet. I'll have to tell Kakashi that one.
The girls spent the rest of the afternoon and part of the evening visiting the vendors, playing games of chance, and eating fair food. They even saw Genma and Shizune at the fortune teller lady some time later. Anko wanted to eavesdrop and see if she was telling Shizune the same thing about being lucky. All she heard was that Shizune was going to have a great long respected career. Anko thought hmmm maybe I am lucky after all.
Asuma left with Hanami first. Then Kakashi and Harumi prepared to leave. Harumi said, "If you must come along, it's this way." She led him through the woods to what looked like a shadow on a rock, but it was instead another passage way. They stepped inside, and again Kakashi produced his pen light to light their way. After twisting and turning a bit underground, the path rose again toward the surface. They emerged by a cave. Harumi said, "I have to get some things inside there. Do you mind waiting outside?"
"Actually I do. What if someone's in there waiting for you?"
"I've booby trapped the place. If anyone tried to get inside, the whole place would have fallen in on them. Since the opening is still in tact, I'm confident that there's no one inside."
"I'll wait here then. Don't be long." Kakashi leaned against the side of the opening of the cave and waited. As he did, when he was sure Harumi was well inside doing whatever it was she was doing, he took out his picture again and took a moment to look at it, before putting it back for safe keeping.
About fifteen minutes later, Harumi emerged with a pack on her back that she didn't have when they'd gotten there. She said, "I came here just about every day by myself to work on some things. It was the only place I could be where what I was doing wouldn't be questioned. Hanami does the same thing in another location."
"Just what were you doing in there?" Kakashi asked her.
"Trying to finish things."
"Things you were working on with Orochimaru? Are you planning on going through with his plans yourself, or are you planning on selling him the information in exchange for your life, because if you are, he still won't let you live."
"No. I was trying to finish things so I could work on how to prevent them if our 'project' ever got into his hands." She began walking away then.
Kakashi followed her and said, "I'm sorry I came to a rash decision about your work. It's just that you won't tell me anything. I don't know what you're capable of, but I do know what he's capable of. If you'd just trust me,"
She spun on him and said, "How! How do I trust you! You're practically a stranger to me, and I'm just supposed to put my life in your hands?"
Kakashi softened a bit and said, "I don't want to say it like this, but I'm just about the only chance you've got of getting out of this alive."
She started to storm away, saying, "You don't know what you're saying."
He ran right after her, grabbed her by the arm, spun her to face him and said, "I DO know what I'm saying." He stared into her eyes, trying to convince her that he knew what he was doing. He saw her eyes quiver as she looked at his. She looked like she wanted to say something as he stared at her, but she didn't know what to say. So he took a step back, knowing very well, that she was responding to him, as a woman responds to a man. He had to stop this before she misinterpreted his actions. That was something he wanted nothing to do with.
He said, "Where else do you need to go?"
She looked down and said, "Oh, uh, into town. There are a few things I need to pick up."
"Let's go then." Kakashi let Harumi lead the way back through some paths that led to the little village.
When they entered the village, Kakashi noticed the looks he got right away. He also noticed the looks Harumi got – it seemed that just about everyone recognized her. They stopped in two small shops where she purchased a few things she needed for traveling, then she led him on a side trip to an old house on the outskirts of the village.
As she approached the house she said, "I have one more thing to do before I leave this village. You can come in if you like." Kakashi nodded. She knocked on the door and heard what sounded like an ancient voice say, "Come in." Harumi motioned for him to follow her. She opened the door and a stooped old man sat in a chair at a table. He seemed to brighten as she came in the door. She said, "Hello Jun. I wanted to give you something. I'm leaving like I said I was."
Jun said, "Harumi, do you really have to go? You've been so kind to me. I haven't felt this good in years."
Kakashi looked at the old man who looked like he should have been dead many years ago. Or maybe he had been, and somehow Harumi had raised him from the dead. Again, he became suspicious.
Harumi reached in her pack and said, "Here. This is for you." She handed him two bottles with stoppers in them. She said, "Just two drops a day in your evening tea and you will sleep with clear lungs."
The old man accepted the bottles and said, "Harumi, may you live a long prosperous life. I thank you for everything you've done for me. You could be a great healer some day."
"Jun, I'm a scientist, not a healer. But I'll take your advice into consideration. Rest easy, and if I am ever back this way, I'll check in on you."
Jun said, "Thank you Harumi. May you be blessed on your journey."
She thanked him one more time and led Kakashi to the door. As soon as they were outside, he asked, "What did you give him?"
"Something I invented that clears up pneumonia in the lungs. He's old and was deathly sick when I heard talk about him amongst the villagers. I found him living by himself out here. I wanted to help him because he was by himself, he had no one. Plus, I wanted to attone for some of my sins."
"You're willing to help a complete stranger. That's funny, I'm a complete stranger."
She looked at him and knew what he meant. She said, "You're different. Not a complete stranger." She took her time looking at him before she said, "I'm done now. We can go back to Akie's."
Kakashi said, "Can we talk later? About what you were doing and what you know?"
Harumi said, "I still don't know if I can trust you."
"I don't know what else I can do to prove I'm trustworthy."
Harumi said, "Time will tell Kakashi."
Kakashi thought but time is something we're seriously running out of.
The two of them took the elusive paths back to Akie's house, arriving before Asuma and Hanami.
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A/N: That was lots of story, but necessary to move the story along. I hope you liked it! More to come!
Next up: The girls part ways to turn in early for work in the morning. Meanwhile Kakashi gets pissed at Asuma because the way he's acting, he thinks he may have gotten a little too close to Hanami. AND Kakashi is preoccupied and doesn't see someone standing at his bedroom door. See you soon!