THE CAMOUFLAGE NINJA REVEALED

Chapter 3: Bits and Pieces of Rememory

After Sakura and Sasuke had found her within the time limit, Kayomie had excused herself to hunt down some meat. She was currently stretched out on a hilltop not too far from the woods, the bag of game a couple of inches from her arm.

Why had Kakashi suddenly had to show up now, after all these years? Last she checked, they had been pretty close, so why didn't he search for her? Kayomie had been a little preoccupied with raising Naruto, so she hadn't had time to. Maybe he didn't care after all…

"So this is where you've been hiding," Kakashi's voice came.

"So what if it is? It's not like you should care anyway. The only reason you're here is because the Hokage sent you," Kayomie snapped bitterly as she turned away from his sitting form on the grass beside her.

"You do know that I could have refused, right? There was a bit of a chance that you would attack anyone who came after you," he said, looking at her curved back gently. "Besides, you were starting to get lonely, weren't you? You never were able to be away from people for too long."

"Why would I tell you? You couldn't even bother to track me down while I was in the village."

"You didn't either," Kakashi pointed out.

"I was raising Naruto and you know it! Besides, I thought you had died during the attack like everyone else I knew…" Her voice choked with tears. (I'm assuming that Kakashi was involved in the whole fox demon thing.) "I had already given up hope of ever being happy before the Hokage gave me Naruto…"

"You think you're the only one? I was ready to disappear before I heard about you. I just figured you wouldn't want another nuisance around," Kakashi replied. "So, I was happy keeping an eye on you." He paused. "What exactly happened before you left?"

"I'm not talking about it, Kakashi," Kayomie replied tartly.

"Why's that?"

"Because I don't want to and besides, I don't even know how to put it into words myself… Now, could you take the meat and go? I want to be alone for a little bit."

Kakashi sighed with a small smile. She had always been stubborn when she was emotional. "All right. I'll see you back at camp," he said as he squeezed her shoulder. He quickly kissed her cheek, grabbed the bag of dead rabbits, and left.

Kayomie blinked a couple of times as she put a hand to her cheek. Did he just-? No, there's no way! Wait…. I g-guess it IS possible… Highly unlikely, but I know he kissed me… Woo-hoo! Kayomie smiled to herself as she rolled onto her back, only to have the smile fade as a phrase echoed in her head:

'The source of your happiness will be found, and he will be lost to you forever.'

"I won't ever let that happen again."

A younger, slightly warmer Kayomie carefully walked down the hallway. The only parts of her showing were her bangs and her narrowed green eyes. Her body was on autopilot as she worried about her younger brother at home. I hope Naruto is behaving… This will be his first night away from me since he was three.

Her chakra sensed the traps ahead making her pause to consider how she would do this. The walls held pits where various weapons would be hurled at her. Oh, well. No way around it, better make my move! She darted out, her trained and graceful body moving easily through the traps. She paused at the end, a pair of swords that had almost gotten her in the hailstorm in her fists. Now, on to my target.

"Camouflage jutsu, shadow fly," she whispered, as her body faded to look like a fly. I HATE this form! The fly flew into the empty room and landed on a scroll near the window, forced into human form as soon as it touched. Kayomie was frozen in her crouched position, the only part of her able to move on its own being her face. "What the-?"

"It seems you fell for the bait, my leopard cub. That was far too easy," a young man said as he emerged from the shadows. He had long, black hair, pale skin, and golden eyes. His body held a lean and muscled frame, easily visible in his ninjitsu suit.

"Who are you! What do you want with me!" she demanded fearfully as he approached her. He gently pulled her hood back, making her unbound golden hair fall around her in waves. He also removed her mask.

"My, you are a pretty one, aren't you?" he asked as he lifted her chin to get a better look at her. "and I'll answer your question with this: I want your happiness. Listen, and listen well: the source of your happiness will be found, and he will be lost to you forever…" His raspy voice faded as he lowered his gaze to the scroll beneath her and smirked. "So, your leader wants someone who can read thoughts? Well, it looks like he has his candidate and then some."

Kayomie arrived at the camp and quickly ate her fill of the food they had left her. She paused as she saw the extra half of a rabbit. "All right, which one left me half?" she demanded as she glared at the group.

All of the genin pointed at Kakashi, sitting off by himself near the fire. She chuckled. "Really?" He glared at his students evilly.

"Tattle-tellers," he muttered under his breath.

"Hey, you had it coming, copy cat. So don't whine at them for your own mistakes," Kayomie told him as she crawled into the tent, followed by the group. "Just pick a spot away from mine, and I'll be happy. G'night."

"Good-night, nee-chan. G'night, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi," Naruto called from the corner opposite of where his sister was curled up with Sai and Kurai near her for warmth.

"Good-night, Kayomie and Kakashi-sensei. Goodnight, Sasuke. Good-night Naruto," Sakura called from near the entrance near Sasuke.

"G'night."

"Goodnight, everyone," Kakashi muttered from where he was leaning against Sukai in a semi-sitting position.

Sukai gently shifted her position so Kakashi would be comfortable against her ribs. Her sharp eyes caught sight of Kayomie pulling her knees closer to her chin. The cougar nudged Kakashi awake by moving her side so he would fall over.

"Wha-? Sukai, what was that for?" he sleepily asked the cougar before following her eyes to Kayomie. "Oh… Thanks for letting me know, Sukai." The cougar purred in response as she moved to Kayomie's side to rest a paw over her feet. Kakashi sat by the cougar again. "All right, what are you thinking about, Kayomie?"

"Nothing for you to worry about, Kakashi-san. Now, leave me alone."

"Not gonna happen, sweetheart. Now tell me, or I won't shut up and I'll wake Naruto."

"Big baby. Fine. I'm just thinking about something that happened to me a while ago, okay? Otherwise, nothing too bad."

"What was it?"

"Something an old master of mine did. Nothing you should worry about, Kakashi. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Kayomie."

As morning dawned, Kayomie stirred and cautiously slipped her ankles from under Sukai's heavy paw. The woman had something to retrieve and she needed some help to do it. She gently woke Sai and Kurai and motioned them to follow her quietly.

The two canines followed obediently until they were out of earshot when they began whining for her attention. Kayomie rubbed behind both of their ears with a smile. She knew those two would never help her if she didn't give them some petting first.

"Okay, guys. That's enough. I need to retrieve my Konoha village headband, okay? Do you think you can smell it out? The scent will be a little faded, but it's mine with a mix of cut cedar okay? Think you can find it?" The fox and the wolf nodded and licked her hands. "Good. Now, let's go."

They immediately began smelling the ground for it, leading her to a large, old oak tree. "This is where I left it… Now I remember. Thanks, guys." Kayomie said as she bent and began digging between the roots for something. She found a small cedar box engraved with dragons all over the surface. She opened it to see her headband as well polished and clean as she had left it. "Amazing how well it kept after eight years…" Kayomie removed her bandanna and replaced it with her headband. A few different sized collars with the same metal plate were also hidden in the box.

She lifted them out. "Remember these? Your moms used to wear them until they died. Now, it's your turn." Kayomie whispered as she reverently placed one on Sai's neck and Kurai's neck. "Lord knows that you and Sukai have earned them… Come on. We need to get ready to leave anyway."

The two canines followed her footsteps closely, proudly displaying their collars that their mothers had left behind. Sukai was already awake and awaiting their return when they got back. The cougar purred softly as she caught sight of Kayomie. "Hi, girl. I have something special for you," she said as she drew near the cougar and pulled the collar out and tied it around the muscular neck. Sukai glanced down at it and met Kayomie's eyes. The cougar licked her hand gently. She smiled at her as she rubbed behind her ears. "I know. You've earned it many a time, Sukai, but I wanted to make sure that you were ready. All of you proved it yesterday with your behavior towards our guests. I'm so proud of you three." Kayomie wiped her eyes softly as she slowly left the tent. "You're so much like your mothers…"

Sai followed Kayomie while Kurai lay down by the dozing Sasuke. The fox paused by the woman as she started breakfast. The faint smell of bacon and eggs drifted through the air. Kakashi was the first to stumble out of the tent. His eye widened slightly at the headband proudly displayed on her forehead.

"Good morning, Kakashi. Is there something I can help you with?" she said numbly as she continued cooking in the cross-legged position without even removing her eyes from the pan.

"Not really… Nice to see that you still have your headband," Kakashi replied as he sat down across the fire from her.

"Any ninja worth their snuff would always keep theirs. I just hid mine because I didn't want anyone stealing it and… well, I didn't want any rival ninja attacking me because of it."

"You were waiting until someone came and got you before you put it back on, weren't you?" Kakashi accused in the slight silence, minus Naruto's snores.

Kayomie stood as she wiped her hands off. "That's right." She replied as she pulled out a bowl of water and doused the fire. "Didn't seem to be much of a point to where it all the time when I'm by myself after a while anyways. Sai, would you wake Naruto up for me? I need to go see something and if he doesn't wake up, he'll miss breakfast. I was nice enough to make ramen for him." The gold fox barked and slipped into the tent to attempt to awaken Naruto. She quietly left, only to be followed by Kakashi.

"Why are you following me?" Kayomie demanded as she leaped from tree to tree, determined to shake him off or get him to leave.

"To make sure that you honor your promise. You said you would go with us and I want to make sure you do," Kakashi replied as he kept up the backbreaking pace she kept.

"A ninja is as good as her word. I'm not going to break it, scarecrow. You worry too much," she replied grumpily as she stopped near a clearing in front of a large cave with three large stones and mounds of dirt in front of it.

"Where is this place?" he asked softly, suspicions as to where they were.

"This is where the first Sai, Sukai, and Kurai lost their lives as they fought for mine. I buried them where they fell. This is their memorial, especially since they weren't technically ninja," Kayomie replied softly as she knelt in front of each and laid a small bouquet of different colored flowers in front of each grave.

"The Sai, Sukai, and Kurai back at the camp are their daughters, the runts of the litters and the only survivors. They know Naruto's scent and face because I taught them both. I just wish that their moms could see them grow up…" she whispered sadly. "They would be so proud…" She sniffled slightly before wiping the tear away and turned to meet Kakashi's sympathetic gaze with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry. I know how you feel," he replied as he walked forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know… Thanks, Kakashi…" Kayomie returned as she gave his hand a friendly squeeze. "We better get back or we'll miss breakfast. Come on," she stated as she vanished in a blur.

Kakashi paused, glancing at the graves before quickly bowing respectfully to each of them. "Thank you for protecting her, Sai, Sukai, and Kurai. I hope that you know how she regrets every time she may have been mean to you, but…" he paused. "I'm glad you were able to protect her. Thanks." He followed Kayomie's example and left.

A small glow emanated from the three graves, revealing three animals almost exactly like Sukai, Sai, and Kurai at camp, save for a few more scars on their faces. They smiled at Kakashi's retreating back. "We know… Just take good care of her, Kakashi-sensei."

Team 7 led the way back through the forest, Kayomie carrying the supplies and tent of her campsite on her back, her green eyes glazed in thought.

"Hey, Nee-chan, something wrong?" Naruto asked as he glanced back at her and met her gaze.

"Hmmm?" Kayomie lifted her head. "Oh, no, little brother, I'm fine. Just thinking, that's all." Sukai managed to pull the full tent pack onto her own shoulders. Before Kayomie could try to put it back on, she quickly took up a spot just in front of Kakashi. The woman growled irritably. The cougar knew that she wouldn't go near Kakashi for fear of recalling memories she didn't want to visit. "Cheater," she mumbled.

"Kayomie-san?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, Sakura?" she replied as she hiked the bag up a little more.

"We're getting close to the village. Maybe we should take walk along the outskirts," the girl suggested to her.

"We can start out from the gates just so long as we move away from any crowds," Kayomie stated with a small shiver.

"Hmph." Sasuke replied as he tried to move ahead of Kurai, who only increased her pace to match his. Kayomie snorted in amusement.

"Nice try, Sasuke. That won't work with Kurai. She's stubborn when she thinks someone needs her like that. She won't leave you alone until you break down and talk to her. So, I suggest you either get used to her or talk to her privately as soon as we stop," Kayomie called after the boy as she moved to just behind her little brother. Kakashi glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

I don't think we have any festivals, but we better stick close to her. I don't know my days of the year as well as I used to, so we might just be walking into a landmine for her. The thought came unbidden by her slightly fearful face. "Kayo-chan?"

"Yeah, copy-cat?"

"Maybe you should stick by me. Naruto could lose you a lot easier than I would."

"I'll pass, copy-cat, I prefer to stick with family, no offense," she replied as she refused to meet his gaze.

Kakashi shrugged. "Suit yourself," he stated as the gates slowly opened for them. The group quietly walked in, Kayomie glancing back at the closing doors before returning her gaze to the front to see a large crowd a mere mile in front of her.

"Oh, no," she muttered as her face grew pale. This was going to be a mess on her mind if they walked into that. Naruto thankfully helped lead her in another direction of the crowd, bringing a small sigh of relief from her.

Unbeknownst to her, a slightly older man grinned as he watched her. Too bad she hadn't taken Kakashi up on his offer, it would have been a lot harder for him to separate her and get her into a crowd. At least this way, he didn't break a sweat. He quietly focused his chakra into a part of her mind, causing her to pause and glance around briefly. This allowed Naruto to walk too far ahead for her to call out to in such a large place with so many people.

A large crowd had gathered while Kayomie had glanced around for the source of that cry. Her head furrowed before the onrush on her mind began. She could have sworn… She suddenly groaned with her palms pressed tightly against her temples. Too many thoughts… When did this crowd get here?

A flash of black attracter her barely open eyes. They widened slightly. "No… You're dead… There's no way…"

"Oh, there is a way… Just like this is a way to bring you to your knees, Latoro Kayomie. Get used to it," the man replied with a smirk. "I'm going after your happiness, Kayomie. You better be prepared to lose it." With one final grin in her direction, he vanished.

The onslaught continued, bringing her to her knees. All the thoughts in the individual minds of the crowd pressed against the barriers of her mind before they broke through. Kayomie collapsed to her knees, her groaning getting louder. More thoughts crowded inward, making her scream before she finally welcomed the darkness as a relief from the ground. Echoes from Kakashi's mind entered before she completely lost consciousness. Where is she? She couldn't have gotten far… If anything's happened to her, I don't know what I'd do… Kayomie!

Kakashi quickly scanned the crowd shortly after Naruto had noticed her absence. His mind was a blur with worry. He not only didn't want her hurt because he wouldn't have done his mission correctly, but she was a friend of sorts and he didn't like having his friends harmed.

Where is she? She couldn't have gotten far! How far could she go in this crowd with that phobia of hers! If anything happened to her, I don't know what I'd do.

He noticed a woman falling to her knees with her hands clenched to her head. As she fainted, he noticed her shimmering blonde hair. Kayomie! Kakashi darted over to her, picked her up, and returned to a rooftop near where his team was searching.

Kayomie's face was pale and tense with pain. Her various muscles twitched as she curled against Kakashi instinctively. Sukai met Kakashi's worried gaze with her own before roaring softly to get him thinking again.

"Kakashi-sensei, what happened?" Sakura asked as she rushed to the worried man.

"Nee-chan!" Naruto yelped as he moved to see her. "Is she gonna be okay?"

"Shut up, bozo. Of course, she'll be all right. Did it look like she's dead?" Sasuke demanded quietly. Kurai growled at him rebukingly with a look in her eyes that said 'shut-up-before-I-do-it-for-you.'

"I don't know. She just collapsed with her hands clutched to her head… We should probably get her to the Hokage's office. Maybe he knows something that he didn't want to tell us," Kakashi replied as he jumped to another building, closely followed by Sukai carrying Sai.

Finally! It is finished! Review and tell me what you think! I apologize for taking so long and for not putting some of your reviews up, people, but I'm worn out today….

Naruto: We finally find out why Nee-chan is so crowd-phobic. She tells us that she's of a special class that was forced into service of the guy that Hokage sent her to steal from. Finally, I get the whole story! Hey, Whaddya mean that I would have avoided people too? I wouldn't have needed any help getting people to ignore me! Besides, you're more important than what the others think! Next time on Naruto: Camouflage of the Heart: Chapter 4: The Tiger's Mouth. This is going to be harder to get outta her than I thought!