Caranril: Uwah I'd finally written another chappy and wasn't working for several days! But it's all betters now and here's another one for your entertainment. Or dissatisfaction. Whichever my evil ploys produce.

Legolas: We'd very much like to thank Meira Evenstar for sticking through with us. If it wasn't for this useless authoress, we'd have plenty of chapters written by now.

Caranril: Isn't there something you can talk to Manwe about, like making me able to last a week without sleep? Cause then I'd actually get all my homework done...

Legolas: I shall put in a good word for you...only if you promise to give me back my confetti.

Caranril: Don't wanna.

disCLAIMER: While I do not own Naruto nor any affiliated subjects therein, Kishimoto-sama does and therefore he owns my soul.

Chapter 6: Wrench in the Works

Boredom ran rampant through the ship. The fair winds had died and despite every little adjustment the sails would not catch the slightest breeze. The motor had been damaged during the raid, and without the proper parts the machine would do them absolutely no good. None of the Shinobi had helpful techniques to use in the situation either. Hikido assured them that it was only natural to happen upon a bit of foul seas, but the uneasiness was difficult to quell. It didn't help when they had to ration out the rum.

Saru dug out an old Shougi board and challenged Shikamaru to a game. A small audience watched intensely as a genius and a crazy old man battled silently with a sweat-inducing intensity. Naruto and Sasuke ignored the people below and continued their fast-paced time trials aloft, curses floating down occasionally. Kakashi smirked at the blur of competitive ninjas. Ah, best friends.

Asuma flashed through his mind. Kakashi honoured the memory of his friend, but allowed the image to pass. He couldn't linger on those he'd lost, for there had been so many, and it was the only reason he hadn't gone mad.

"Kakashi-san, how long have you been a ninja?" Hikido asked as he leaned against the tiller. It made no difference, for they were going nowhere.

"Hm? Let's see...since I was five, so it's been..." Kakashi cleared his throat. Perhaps revealing his age wouldn't be necessary. "A really long time."

Hikido burst into laughter, which caused every person to glance in his direction before resuming their activities. Kakashi wondered how he could stand to guffaw like that.

"A little self-conscious of our age, are we?" he chortled.

We are? "I don't really keep track of my birthday."

Hikido nodded. "I understand. I'm a career man myself, obviously. We lose ourselves in our jobs. Not a bad thing, if you like your job. But then you start to wonder why you shook hands with that man, or why you kicked that animal, or why you didn't marry that girl. You do things and then you have regrets. All cause it's part of the job."

Did he have regrets? Of course. But did they affect the way he acted now? Never. But the captain had a point that his career chose his path in life. That was the way of the Shinobi: being a tool for a greater good. Or a greater evil, depending on whose side you were on.

"You know, I talked to loads of other captains and crew who dealt with pirates and raids and stuff. I had to brag that the Inazuma was never raided. 'Twas the dragon's pearl,' I told em. But then we got hit. Worst attack in the history of the harbor too. Took weeks and loads of money to repair her. We lost some good men too. Kaizoku lost..." Hikido glanced around. "Ah, she made us swear not to mention him again, but...it really was a shame."

Kakashi stared at the big man. Kaori had lost someone? Someone who worked with her ono the Inazuma? He knew so little about her. Had a man actually captured her heart?

"Who was he?" Kakashi questioned.

Hikido had already moved on. The subject was apparently too taboo. "Second hit we took we fought back, a little better prepared. Temujin was aboard, so were a couple other passengers. That would've been really bad. But Kaizoku...she did this weird thing with her hands. Made swords out of light. And slaughtered them all. It was amazing and horrifying and the same time. We got a good haul from that pirate ship too." Hikido pondered a moment. "Reason I'm telling you this is Kaizoku thinks she's the reason we've gotten raided. Shortly after the second hit she got really tanked blabbered on about how every time we were raided someone she cared about was on board. No one really blamed her, but after this third time, I wonder if what she's says is true. I don't hold it against her, but the whole demon child thing keeps coming back."

"Do you think she's a demon child?"

"I think the better question is, do you?" Hikido looked at him evenly, his blue eyes stabbing at Kakashi conscience.

"Senchou!" Kaori bounded to the quarterdeck happily. "Main course!" She froze at the serious expression on the men's faces. "You're talking about me aren't you." Not a question.

"Of course! We can't resist such a fascinating character!" Hikido made to snatch her into another choke-hold, but she pranced away easily.

"I'm gonna eat all your steamed rice!"

"Ah! You mutinous slug! I'll throw you in the brig for that! She'll do it too," he muttered.

Kakashi shook his head and descended towards the hold.

"Kakashi." Sasuke stood on the rail next to him. "I have something important to tell you."

The older man couldn't help but feel amazed at how calm Sasuke was as he spoke of his drunk encounter with Kaori a couple nights ago. He might as well have been reporting that squirrels had decided to nest in the Hokage's office. The seal's reaction to Kaori's body experiencing pleasure sounded like something the sadistic Orochimaru would develop. Why he chose Kaori for the experiment didn't make much sense though. Unless he knew something about Kaori that he didn't.

He agreed to look into the situation once they reached land. He'd find a large empty room to perform a sealing technique. He stifled the fleeting thought of how far he could take Kaori's body before the seal killed her. That was completely inappropriate. Too bad he was so damned curious. Perhaps he could make a sort of experiment out of this. Purely...scientific.

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The pale boy ran for his life. He wasn't terrified, but if he didn't make haste he was sure to be caught and tortured to death. He'd done it. He'd made his escape. He pretended to be unconscious, then as his father had bent over to undo the restraints, the dagger he'd wrapped his tongue around and slid down his throat shot up and caught the man in the jaw. There had been lots of blood, and he had no idea if the sadistic man was still alive or not. And the boy wasn't about to stick around to find out.

There was always a ship on the wharf, and fortunately they were loading cargo, making it easy to sneak on board. The figurehead caught his eye as he settled into an empty barrel. The image of the crying woman holding a pearl filled his mind as he sighed in apprehension. After all, should he be caught, the sailors would most likely execute him. Or they'd use him as a cabin boy, which would mean he'd leapt from the frying pan directly into the fire. He wouldn't let anyone use his body like that again!

As orders were made and the crew put to work, the gentle lull of the bay eased his nerves and he relaxed slightly. Maybe he could just sleep for a little while...

"Land ho!"

He awoke with a jolt.

"Land ho!"

Kaori sat up with a jolt, crashing her head into the rack above her.

"Owwwwww."

A blond head peered down at her. "Are you okay?"

"Mmyeah. I just forgot where I was." She rubbed her head and rolled out of the rack.

"We're there already?" Naruto asked, hopping down beside her.

"Guess so." She climbed from the fo'c'sle and blinked in the early morning sun. After several days of completely dead air, an easterly had finally picked up and sent the Inazuma flying in her desired direction. She had been unconscious for much of that time, so she wasn't nearly as stir-crazy as her fellow ninja. Kankurou stood on the rail, staring eagerly at the looming land mass. He was itching for a good run.

Tall flags in the distance indicated that another ship was docked at the port. This could be good for trade, plus they may have more help with repairs. The Inazuma had been pieced together with the help of the ninja, but she needed fresh wood, tar and paint. Kaori affectionately ran her hand along the scarred railing. She would love to stay, but since her teammates insisted that she was still a Konoha ninja, then she had a mission to complete. She wondered if Temujin would be waiting...

"Free hands to the land lines!" Hikido Senchou called from the helm. Kaori eagerly took the bow line. This was something as routine as getting dressed or eating breakfast; she could do it in her sleep. The sails furled and the lines tossed. Hands on the dock belayed the lines to the moors, the fenders making indignant squeaks as they rubbed against the wooden dock. It had been dangerous work, for without the motor they couldn't simply glide into place. But the experienced crew handled the situation beautifully, and within seconds of being stood down, ditty bags were snatched and a cabin-feverish crew bolted from the rails. Port Lost was home to many of the sailors.

Kaori sighed and leaned against the rail, taking a moment to steady her racing heart as she gazed upon the familiar yet hostile port town. Would she even be recognized by those who'd once shunned her? By those who thought she was a demon-child due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding her birth? By...

"Temujin," she whispered, catching sight of the long-blond haired youth striding towards the ship. With a tremendous leap she plopped on the dock on all fours and scampered towards her friend. His tanned face scrunched slightly at her approach.

"Wha..."

"Temujiiiiin!" she attacked him with a Naruto-esque hug. He stood there a moment, sagging slightly under her weight. He pulled back and stared at her, recognition dawning once he saw her eyes.

"Kami-sama. Akumako Kaori? What happened to you? You look so different! And you've never hugged me like this before!"

"I've learned a few things in Konoha," she grinned, squeezing him even tighter.

"Naruto-kun!" Temujin embarrassedly pushed Kaori down so he could clasp hands with the younger ninja.

"I did it Temujin. I made Kaori-chan a Shinobi," Naruto said proudly.

"You didn't do it by yourself," Kaori retorted, poking him in the side.

"No. I just encouraged the only person who could do that." Naruto placed his hand on her head and grinned. Kaori's heart swelled and returned the grin.

"And guess what, I can read and write now too!"

"I didn't know you couldn't before," Temujin replied with mild surprise.

"They never let me go to school here," Kaori said bitterly. There was a brief moment of discomfort as the mood plummeted.

"Ah! Speaking of school," Temujin's eyes lit up, "I have someone I want you to meet. She's studying to become a teacher and knows a lot about the goings-on around here. I thought she'd be a great help to you guys." He gestured to the woman who stood several meters behind him. Neither of the ninja pair had noticed her watching.

"Kaori-san, this is Tomi, my fiancee."

Kaori and Naruto gaped at the tall woman, who looked very out of place in her elegant attire and sophisticated glasses. No wonder Temujin looked so clean-cut now.

"You're...you're getting married?" Kaori said in disbelief.

"Eventually, but right now we're waiting for Tomi to finish school." Temujin gazed at her lovingly. "But she's worth the wait."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Well I'm happy for you and all, but why don't you show us some good ramen stands? I've gone forever without my ramen!"

"Remember how neither Kaori nor I had had ramen before? It's because it's not a delicacy here."

The following indignant "eh?" resounded across the harbor. Sasuke appeared next to Naruto and clocked his head.

"Idiot. We're not at sea anymore. You should shut up."

"You shut up, bastard." Naruto swatted his hand away.

Temujin watched the pair in amusement as they glared at each other. But Kaori and Tomi weren't watching the men. They were staring at each other, both having the strange feeling that they knew who the other was but couldn't quite place it. And both felt a jealously toward each other. Kaori's friendship and Tomi's love weren't compatible.

"Temujin-san!" Sakura strode up to join the group.

He stared blankly at the pink-haired young woman. "Sakura-san..." He was dazed, for despite knowing who she was, he couldn't recognize her. She was...ripped.

"You didn't say hi when you came to Konoha," she said with a grin. "I was kinda sore about that."

"Ah, well, I was in a hurry and had many things to do," Temujin said, blushing at her smiling face. Now Tomi ceased glaring at Kaori and was firing daggers at Sakura.

"Ah, Temujin-san." Kakashi meandered to the group and shook his hand. "I'm afraid any meetings will have to wait, cause everyone took off, including the Sand nin."

"I don't blame them. I know exactly what it's like to be trapped in a boat."

Kaori scowled, and Tomi held a slightly imperceptible look of triumph. In some small way she'd won that round.

"You are all dismissed, but behave yourselves. Kaori-san, I must speak with you in private." Kakashi's tone broke through Kaori's irritation towards Tomi. Temujin clasped her shoulder before departing back to town with Naruto and Sakura on either side of him, Tomi trailing behind. Sasuke watched Kaori and Kakashi walk away for a moment before disappearing to find some sake. He knew that Kakashi planned to try sealing Kaori's curse, and after that ordeal anyone needed a drink.

"Something wrong, Sensei?" Kaori asked distractedly.

"Oh my. You haven't called me 'sensei' in a while. Perhaps I should ask you if something's wrong."

"Ah, it's just that Tomi girl. Something about her is off."

"Or maybe it's you that's off."

Kaori glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Sasuke told me about what happened with the seal."

It took a moment before this information sank in. A blush crept up her cheeks and embedded itself in her ears.

"I'm gonna punch him in his big mouth," she growled.

"He did it for your own good." Kakashi opened the door into a building and guided her in. "He was worried about you and knew that I could help."

"What exactly can you do?" Kaori eyed the enormous warehouse. Completely empty.

"I can seal it up and it will reduce it's effects on you, although you must want it to help. I can put the seal there, but it's up to you to keep it there. Understand?"

Kaori nodded.

"Now, first I need to see exactly what causes this problem." Kakashi's heart quickened slightly, but Kaori was too distracted to even notice his nervousness. Could he really get away with this? He unzipped his jacket and set it neatly to the side. Then he pulled his shirt over his head. Kaori stared at him in disbelief.

"What are you doing?"

"You must trust me. I need you to tell me when it first starts to hurt, and then I can adjust the degree of strength needed to complete the seal." At least this much was true. Kakashi stepped closer, his naked torso practically glowing in the dimly-lit room. There was this void where the mask enveloped his neck and lower face.

"When it first starts to hurt?" Kaori gulped.

"Yes," he whispered soothingly, circling behind her. He drew close until his body was just barely touching hers. His hands rested on her shoulders as his nose gently prodded her scarf. He traced the sleeves of her tunic and rested one hand on hers, the other sliding neath her other one. Her hands were so cold against his. The left hand guided her own as it slid across her stomach and up her other arm. Over the shoulder and gently sweeping across her chest. Then back down between her breasts.

So hot. The barely-there feel of him against her back and his hands against hers. And the pain. It was incredible but entirely worth it to be in this situation. Taking the hint from his left hand, Kaori moved his right one with her own. His large hands were slightly awkward, but the touch was anything but. Her breaths came in short gasps as she took pleasure in the ministrations and quelled the pain in her chest. She let out a light moan as his hand slid down the front of her thigh and then raked its nails up the side. Her heart shot icy veins deeper through her. It was almost too much...

That moan wasn't much, but it stirred the liquid fire in Kakashi's stomach. Stifling a moan in response, he gripped her hips and pulled her firmly against him, pressing his swelling groin against her rotund backside. The scream that followed made him break all contact with her as she pitched forward. He knelt by the writhing woman.

"Ah, ah, it's so cold it burns!" she gasped. Kakashi touched the flaming red symbol and jerked away at the icy texture.

"I told you to tell me when it first started to hurt, not when you couldn't handle it anymore," Kakashi said seriously.

"But, but," Kaori continued, finding her breath, "but it had been so worth it."

This brought a blush of satisfaction to Kakashi's face. Despite the danger she'd put herself in, she wanted him to touch her like that. It was...arousing.

"You may not like this too much, but I need you to remove your tunic." Kakashi stood up and pulled out six kunai, placing five at various points about the room.

"What?!"

"The fabric will distort the characters and I need them to be accurate for this to work right," he explained, using the last kunai to cut his forefinger. As the blood dripped to the tip, he began the complex sealing technique. It took so long to draw the necessary characters in a circle and then in lines from the kunai to a smaller circle around Orochimaru's cursed seal. He bandaged his throbbing finger and quickly formed the seals. Kaori's body temperature was significantly lowered by this cursed seal, and with only bindings on her trunk she was shivering. If she moved too much she could ruin the technique and they'd have to start over.

"Fuuja Houin!" He slammed his palm into the seal on Kaori's chest. She roared in pain as the technique absorbed all the characters into a single circular symbol surrounding the evil seal. She stared blankly at the dark ceiling for a moment before passing out in Kakashi's arms. He stroked his good finger along her face, which was free of pain. Her body was so cold! He gently put her tunic on and carried her back to the Inazuma. He assured the captain that she was going to be alright and created a shadow clone so he could safely transport her into the fo'c'sle. As he tucked her into her rack, the strangest feeling washed over him as she sighed in her sleep.

He was in love.