A/N: Hi again everyone. You know how I'm famous for clifhangers? Yeah, it's that time. I've been nice so far, so now, it's time. Anyway, Kakashi's getting a present today, and Anko and Ibiki are busy working. We learn a little more about Ibiki too - just a little glimpse into his personal life. I think you may get a chuckle out of it. So onward! Enjoy!
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The morning dawned in Konoha much like any other morning ever had. Anko was in her bed almost awake. As her head cleared, she felt a hundred emotions fill her at once. She laid there as feelings of happiness, exhaustion, elation, fear, dread, apprehension and anticipation pounded her from all directions. Dread especially took control of her. She dreaded knowing what happened to Kakashi and Asuma on this mission. She feared the nightmare she'd had may have had to become real. She dreaded feeling anything other than love for the man she couldn't let go. One fact kept her sane as so many thoughts filler her – she trusted him – that was a fact nothing, and no amount of fear or dread would ever shake.
She decided to get to work as early as possible and hopefully find Kurenai, so they could keep each other occupied until the men returned.
After a quick breakfast, followed by a quick shower, and a quick trip to her explosive underwear drawer, she dressed and left for work. She looked around at the waking village and was tempted to go wait at the gates for Kakashi to return. Then she was tempted to just go get him – meet him on the road somewhere and find out what happened. Instead, she got a grip on her feelings and continued in the direction of where work awaited her.
Kakashi woke early and freshened himself up a bit. He put on his uniform because it was the only thing clean he had left to wear, plus they weren't going back through the small village, but would travel back to Konoha ninja style, as soon as the girls were safely in the hands of their guide who would then take them to the safe house.
He was happy for many reasons. The first reason was, the mission was going to be successful, as soon as Harumi gave him whatever it was she wanted him to have. The second reason was that he didn't have to do anything physical; painful or pleasurable or any combination of the two. The third and most important reason, was he was going home to the woman he loved. It was a good day for Hatake Kakashi.
When he was satisfied with his appearance, with complete uniform and leaf headband in place, he put his favorite picture and the black scarf in the pocket close to his heart and packed the rest of the few things he'd brought with him.
He finished packing and was ready to go to the kitchen where the ever vigilant Akie was already milling about from the sounds he was hearing. He stepped from his door and as soon as he did, Hanami and Harumi met him in the hall. Harumi smiled warmly at him and said, "We've done some talking and we've decided to give you this," she handed him the pack she carried yesterday.
Kakashi said, "What is all this?"
Harumi said, "What my sister and I saw and what we worked on with Orochimaru. This is a history of what he wanted so desperately, so he could destroy your village."
Kakashi looked on in amazement as the girls smiled at him. He said, "But you said that what you were working on was incomplete."
Hanami said, "It was. We finished it last night. The things we had worked on separately, we brought together and we finished it. It's all in there for you."
Harumi said, "We trust you to use it against him as you see fit."
Kakashi was almost speechless. The sacrifice the girls made to trust him – putting their lives on the line to save the village, totally impressed him. He took the pack and put it inside his own.
Harumi asked him, "Don't you want to see what's inside?"
He said, "The Hokage of my village wants to see what's inside. I'm just here to deliver the goods to her. I'm sure I'll ask her what's inside out of curiosity though." He paused a moment and said, "Thank you both for what you've done. You may not realize it, but you've saved a lot of lives today."
Hanami said, "We're happy to do it, considering the things we've already done."
Kakashi asked, "What changed your mind?"
Harumi said, "When you trusted me enough to show me your secret, I figured, I could trust you with mine. When I told Hanami what you did, she agreed to give you the information you asked for."
Asuma met them in the hall and said, "Akie has breakfast. Any idea when your guide will arrive to take you to the safe house?"
Harumi said, "Naoto mentioned that if all the timelines are met, we should be traveling before noon."
Asuma said, "Then we'd better have breakfast and get packed." The girls nodded and disappeared into their room, Harumi shot Kakashi one more look before leaving the hall.
Kakashi said, "Asuma – I've got it."
"What? What do you have?"
"All of it. They gave me a pack with all the information we need inside. It's in my pack."
Asuma said, "That's a relief. We can ease up now and wait for the guide to take over."
"Yeah. I just want to get home."
"Me too."
Both shinobi went to the kitchen where breakfast and Akie awaited them.
Anko and Ibiki were comparing notes on the latest prisoners the Hidden Leaf Village had captured, questioned and released. They were looking over the files to see if any of them matched anything having to do with Orochimaru's most recent movements. They weren't making much progress, 1.) Because Ibiki was enjoying re-reading the torture details – some of which he himself had inflicted, and 2.) Because Anko was totally preoccupied. It was getting closer to lunch time and she had a serious case of the butterflies. She kept thinking where is he? Is he even traveling yet? Should I go look for him? No, it wasn't a dangerous mission. I'm sure he's fine. I just want him back here now, so I can find out what did or did not happen! I seriously can't wait much longer!
She closed her documentation and said, "Ibiki? Ibiki!"
Ibiki was smiling to himself and mumbling, "Oh, that was a good one. I told them that thumb screws still had a purpose, but do they listen to me?" He continued giggling and mumbling to himself until Anko practically shouted, "IBIKI!"
He slammed his hand down on the part he was reading as if to hide it from her view. He said innocently, "Something you need Anko?"
"No, I'm going to find Kurenai and have some lunch. You go back to whatever it was you were doing. Want me to bring something back for you?"
Ibiki said, "No food – I have some. Just bring back another couple of these torture, I mean, interrogation logs, when you come back."
"Ok," Anko said. She thought that man derives entirely too much pleasure from other people's pain. I bet his bedroom looks like a scene right out of "S&M Monthly", not that I'd know anything about that. She saw Ibiki's eyes glaze over as he started to read again, so she left him and tried to find Kurenai.
Kurenai was in fact on her way to find Anko. They met in the hall outside the lunchroom. Anko said, "Hey, I was just looking for you."
"I was going to look for you too, but I figured if I came here first I'd save some time."
"Why do you always associate me with food?"
Kurenai said, "Do I really have to answer that?"
Anko rolled her eyes and said, "Shut up! Have you heard any word about Kakashi and Asuma?"
Kurenai said, "Nothing yet."
Anko thought a minute and said, "Maybe the 5th's heard something?"
"Wanna go check?"
"Yeah."
They didn't get too far when they ran into Shizune. Anko said, "Shizune! Do you know if Tsunade has gotten any word yet from Kakashi or Asuma?"
Shizune said, "Nothing yet – they're probably on their way back."
Kurenai asked, "Where's Genma? You two have been attached at the hip lately."
Anko thought at least he's sniffing around her and leaving me alone – he'll live longer that way.
Shizune answered, "Tsunade sent him, Kotetsu and Izumo on a mission. Just a quick one, but they've gone already."
Anko said, "If you hear that Kakashi and Asuma are on their way, or that they're back, will you let us know?"
"Sure. I've gotta run. With Kotetsu and Izumo gone, Tsunade's got me doing all their work. See you later!"
Kurenai said, "See you Shizune. Well, I guess that answers our questions for now. Lunch?"
Anko said, "Sure." They walked into the lunch room, both waiting to hear if the mission the men were sent on was successful or not.
Everyone was packed and ready to go. Akie had fussed over her nieces and loaded them down with food and a little money to get them through their journey. Asuma was still stunned that Kakashi had managed to get all of the information they sought. Kakashi just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
As they waited in the kitchen, a knock finally sounded. Akie went to the door and opened it. Naoto came in and joined the party in the kitchen. He said, "Hanami, Harumi, are you ready to begin your journey? Your guides await you outside."
Kakashi looked at Asuma and said, "I thought it was supposed to be "guide," not "guides." Asuma nodded – he didn't remember any mention of more than one guide either.
Kakashi stood up and said, "Naoto, are you sure these guides are the real thing? You're sure they're the ones you were supposed to lead here, because we were under the impression that there was to be one guide."
Naoto said, "They are who they say they are. It was decided to send more than one, since there is more than one person to guide."
Even though this made sense to Kakashi, he still wasn't buying it. He said, "Asuma, come on." He and Asuma left the stunned group and ran out the door. What they saw there shocked them.
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A/N: Cliffy time! I had to. But there's more, oh so much more yet. Only a few more chapters, but still much more story.
Next up: The "guides" tell Asuma and Kakashi some news that makes them both panic stricken. Kurenai and Anko have a little "heart to heart" while walking. And finally the dramatic return of Asuma and Kakashi to the village. What waits in store for them? You'll see! See you soon!