Caranril: So sorry it took so long guys! I have one more final left and it is performing a play, then I will be moving back home for the summer. Manwe willing, I'll be able to finish the up during the break from school.

Legolas: Lemmee text him, see if he agrees.

Caranril: Wooh. Texting the Valdar. Nice.

Legolas: Oh yes and thanks to Xaras Uchiha and Meira Evenstar. We lurvs you guys.

Caranril: My brain's mush from studying and such, so while my creativity may be at an all-time low this chappie, at least it transitions me into the part I've been wanting to write for a REALLy long time now.

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

Chapter 9: Dream on, Dreamers

"Gyahahahahaha! Did you see their faces? Those ugly human faces? Priceless!"

Sakura bolted, the raspy chortle startling her awake.

"You suck."

"I never cease to be amazed by them! They could entertain me forever! Ah, to have all my tails again."

Temari wasn't on her futon. Sakura didn't dare call out for Kaori, for she was the one having the conversation with herself.

"I'll never let you."

"What can you do, hm? I can take over at any time, you know. That curse helps me just as much as it hurts you. I'll have to thank the old man for giving it to us."

"Damnit! Don't mention him!"

"Ah, but we feel so...longing...for him, don't we? Must be a side effect of this thing? Make sure we always come back to him?"

"I won't to go back. Ever."

"That's not true. You know you liked what he did to us..."

"Shut up shut up shut up shut up..."

Sakura stood by her futon. The deeper voice was frighteningly familiar. She reached to shake the other woman awake, but her hand stung against the dark flesh. A subtle Chakra field licked about her body.

"I'll kill all your friends. Hell, I'll kill people who aren't your friends! Oh what treasures await!" A terrifying diabolical laugh.

Sakura scooted away, completely at a loss. Kakashi would know what to do. Why did Temari have to choose now to fuck around with Shikamaru? She padded out of the room and pounded on Kakashi's door.

"Kakashi-sensei? Kakashi-sensei!"

Groan. He staggered to the door and cracked it open. Sakura could smell the sake on his breath.

"Sakura-chan. What is it?" he spoke slowly, still drunk.

"Kaori's talking to herself and I can't wake her up. She burned me." Sakura held up her hands, which were bright red.

Shit. "Go wake the others," he ordered, becoming somewhat more alert. As he drew to the room, he could hear raucous laughter.

"I'll kill you slowly, a little at a time. Eventually all traces of the Akumako will be gone and all that's left is Juubi. Yes, yes I will regain my title! I'll kill that Kyuubi and take all his power..."

"No, no NO! Shut up you monster! You touch Naruto I'll kill you!"

"Doesn't that mean killing yourself?" the creature sneered. A moment of silence. Then, "Bitch! Don't even dare think of that!"

"You leave me no choice, you bastard! I won't let you hurt my friends again."

"Friends. What's all this nonsense about friends? You didn't care before."

Naruto entered the room, his arms around Sakura, who was trembling slightly. She was a brave woman, but only when facing what she could see. Kankurou, sans make-up, was insanely curious and followed along. Shikamaru and Temari had heard the commotion and decided to make an appearance. Sasuke stood at the back of the room, his arms crossed and looking stoic.

"So what? I care now. And if you try anything..." Her hand clenched around her own throat.

"Ack! You little cunt!" it choked.

"Leave...the sailor talk...on the ship!" she squeezed harder.

"Somebody do something!" Sakura gasped. "Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi had no idea what to do if he couldn't touch her. That burning Chakra brought back eery memories of being nearly drained to death. He took a breath and summoned all his wit. "Akumako Kaori!" he said sternly, like he was scolding an Academy student. The gasps for air stopped and the hand lowered. Then the eyes shot open, blood red and bulging. Her head suddenly jerked towards him and grinned largely. Kakashi fell back, startled. He sensed the others around him jump. Then the head turned back to the ceiling, closing its eyes. When they reopened, Kaori had control. She sat up and took notice of all the people in the room. Naruto's face was cold as he comforted a shaking Sakura. Kankurou cleared his throat and looked away. Shikamaru and Temari whispered to each other. Sasuke stood back, aloof, his face expressionless. And Kakashi on the floor, a slight sheen of sweat on his naked torso.

"What's wrong?" she asked, completely unaware of her morbid conversation.

Without a word, Naruto escorted Sakura out, followed by Kankurou, Temari, and Shikamaru. Kakashi sat on his knees and tilted his head.

"Ah, Kaori-san, you were talking to yourself again."

"Why was everyone so serious then?"

"Ah, well," Kakashi scratched his head, "the creature threatened to kill all your friends and then you threatened to kill yourself and then you actually tried."

"Tried killing myself?" she squeaked.

"Hai."

Kaori stared at her hands a moment before ducking beneath her blanket. It wasn't fair. Why should she suffer? All her life. Then she met these wonderful people. And she still suffered. And made them suffer.

"Maybe I should stay here," she mumbled.

"Why would you do that?" Kakashi asked.

"Duh! One day I won't be able to control my own body and then it'll kill you all. I couldn't stand that. I'd rather die. Kami-sama. Who put this thing in me?" Kaori felt dreadful, and the tightness in her chest made the seal throb slightly, along with it the intense longing for Orochimaru. It drove her nuts. It was silent for some time, and she never heard if Kakashi or Sasuke had left. But the blanket was getting hot and she couldn't hide any longer. She breathed in and out with a whoosh as she pulled the blanket away from her head. Kakashi had his eye closed and looked like he was praying. Sasuke still stared at her. She glared back.

"What?"

"Crying Akumako?" he sneered. "I thought you didn't cry."

"I'm not! I mean I haven't. I mean..." she rubbed her aching heart. It felt different than before. "I don't know where I belong anymore."

Sasuke squatted at the end of the futon. "Temujin said he found your father."

Kaori's breath stopped. That had been the last thing she'd expected to hear.

"We're going to take a team to this so-called cursed city and see if we can't find him. Maybe you'll belong with him." Sasuke stood and headed out the door. He paused. "Of course, you really belong in Konoha. No matter what." And he was gone.

Kaori's pain dwindled as it sank in that she had family still alive. A real father. A real family. She covered the grin forming on her face.

"Ah, that's the goofy expression that I love," Kakashi said with a smile. "Course I also love your pissed expression. It's so cute."

"Wha...?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm still drunk." He blushed, somewhat aware of what he'd said.

"Yeah I smell that."

"Would you still kiss me if I tasted like sake?"

"Huh?!" Kaori's heart quickened. No, it was the alcohol talking...

"You shouldn't be sad. It makes me want to kiss you." Kakashi crawled closer on his hands and knees. Kaori was too stunned (or was it reluctant?) to move.

"Ahem." Sasuke stood at the door, giving Kakashi a stern look. "Kakashi, I realize you're drunk and horny after playing around with that guy, but that's no reason to take advantage of Akumako. Off to bed."

Chastised, the older Shinobi stood and wobbled out of the room, his inebriated state giving his slim hips a little more swivel. He gave Sasuke a half-heartened glare before returning to his room.

"Kakashi had sex with a guy?!" Kaori said, her mouth hanging open.

"No he didn't. But almost. Stop drooling." Pause. "Are you going back to sleep?"

Kaori shook her head. "I'm too...yeah. I don't want to."

"Scaredy-cat."

"Shut up, Uchiha. I tried killing myself in my sleep. 'Course I'm scared."

Sasuke bowed his head. "Go to sleep. I'll stay and wake you if you do anything funny."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you gonna watch over me?"

"Haven't we already gone over this? I promised to look out for my friends from now on. And don't think you're getting out of that deal."

"Don't you need sleep?"

"I've gone days without sleep. You'll be stressing out when we look for your father, so I suggest a little rest. Sleep."

"You know I can't sleep on request," she grumbled, settling into the futon and turning away from his smug face. How annoying. Sasuke sat against the wall with a smirk. Her breaths grew deep and steady within moments. Despite all the bravado, she was really too simple. Sleep when tired, eat when hungry, fight when angered. The life of a ninja.

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Although she felt asleep quickly, Kaori kept waking herself up with the fear of losing control. So she did a lot of tossing about, and in turn Sasuke didn't sleep because of his vigilance. Sakura was kept awake by Naruto's snoring, but he didn't sleep well due to nightmares. Temari and Shikamaru kept each other up, and Kakashi felt ill from all the alcohol he'd consumed. Essentially, Kankurou was the only one who got a decent sleep.

The meeting during breakfast revealed that Shikamaru, Kankurou, Temari, and Naruto would continue meeting with officials and discussing an exchange system with Temujin and Tomi. The engaged couple didn't show up to breakfast; Tomi refused to be anywhere near Kaori, and Temujin was too shamed of his kiss with Sakura to show his face. Sakura would travel with Team Kakashi, packing a large amount of medical supplies that would most likely be needed in the secluded village.

Team Kakashi packed their supplies and checked their weapons. Since Kaori'd lost her pack in Orochimaru's cave, all she had were her swords and a few kunai stuck in a bandage around her thigh. She'd managed to procure some more appropriate clothing, for although the sailor's tunic was comforting, it didn't move well for a ninja. Make-shift fishnet lined her arms and legs underneath the body suit. She wore Naruto's spare blue Jounin shirt, although it was a bit big for her but worked well enough.

"Ready?" Kakashi dusted off the tops of his sandals.

"Hai." Sakura adjusted her pack and smiled tiredly. Sasuke's eyes were alert, but his more-than-usual silence indicated his fatigue. Kaori just yawned in response. Kakashi smiled, feeling a bit hung over himself.

"Let's go."

The first leg of the journey was easy: the land was fairly flat and spacious, making it simple to run quickly through. As they approached the hills, the golden plants whithered away into uneven, stony ground. Anything that did grow was mangled and disgusting. The hazardous roads disappeared altogether and the team was left with picking their way up a rocky incline. Leaping from stone to stone would be disastrous, for one wrong step and the whole hillside would tumble down. As the side grew steeper, so did the foul smell of carrion. Sakura handed out cloths to use as masks over their mouths and noses, although that didn't help too much. The air thickened and weighed down upon them, and Kakashi began to believe this village was actually cursed. Uneasiness lingered in the pit of his stomach, and the feeling strengthened when they reached the top and looked down into the valley. For the briefest moment, the stench was so strong he nearly vomited, and his blurred eye caught the site of a decimated village with not a living soul. Yet even as he blinked, the reek went away and the dreary grey landscape began bustling with townsfolk.

"Wha..." Sakura had seen it too, right before everything changed. Sasuke's Sharingan flared up and swept the area. Kaori didn't notice anything and was simply relieved that the stink of dead things was replaced with food. In particular, ramen. Where oh where could she get some ramen?

"Ah!" Kaori dashed forward, her stomach taking control. A strong grip from Kakashi's hand on her arm stopped her from going further. She tried protesting but stopped when she saw his Sharingan. His silver brow was knit together as he pondered the situation. He motioned for Sasuke and Sakura to come closer.

"Something's wrong here," Sakura said, her spine tingling.

"It all changed when we reached the top," Sasuke agreed.

"I'd say it was a genjutsu, but I'm not detecting anything, and even if it was, what are the chances that there's a ninja here? And what would their purpose be?"

Kaori barely payed attention to the discussion as Kakashi's hand remained tightly on her arm. Whether he did it to keep her there, or because he wanted to touch her, or if he simply forgot to let go, she didn't know. But that pleasant heat seeped into her skin and made her very nervous.

"Kakashi-sensei." Sakura nodded towards the town, where a few of the citizens had noticed them and approached. The team stood upright and faced the people, Kakashi finally letting go of Kaori. A pleasant elderly man greeted them with a toothy smile.

"Not often we get visited from outside these parts," he said with a distinctive accent. "Heck, I don't even thing you're from the other town!"

"We come from across the sea, from the Land of Fire," Kakashi said.

"Land of Fire? Never heard of it," the man mused. "But may I be the first to welcome you to the Land of Dragons! My name is Kyouhei, but everyone here calls me Jiisan. You're more than welcome to."

"We are Konoha Shinobi. I am Hatake Kakashi, and this is my team."

"Hm, never heard of a Shinobi before. But it looks important, because you all look like formidable people. Especially that one with the red eyes." Kyouhei pointed at Sasuke.

"That's just cause he didn't get enough sleep last night," Kaori muttered, intending only for Sasuke to hear. Unfortunately, Kyouhei burst out laughing.

"Oh my. That one has a mouth on her." The old man's laugh broke the tension and several young women drew close, hovering around Kakashi and Sasuke. An old woman presented Sakura with a piece of teal cloth that flattered her eyes. Kaori's eyes immediately went to the bowl of ramen presented to them.

"As much as we would like to receive your hospitality, we are here on a mission and should complete it as quickly as possible." Kakashi offered an apologetic eye-smile.

"Certainly even illustrious Shinobi such as yourselves need food and rest!" Kyouhei clapped his hands, summoning a pair of twin boys. They had gangly limbs and mischievous smiles, their thirteen year old eyes frolicking over Sakura and Kaori. "These two will take you to a place to stay. Whether or not you sleep or eat there is up to you, but the room is available should you choose to use it. And perhaps we shall have a celebration in your honour. Although I must admit, we use just about anything as an excuse to have a celebration." He laughed again.

"Come on. Come see, come see." The twins held hands, then one grabbed Kaori's hand and the other grabbed Sakura's. The women exchanged amused glances as they were tugged down the street. Beautiful women fawned over Kakashi, but those gawking at Sasuke admired him from a distance, for his angry red eyes were very intimidating. He kept searching with the Sharingan, knowing something was very wrong yet completely unable to pinpoint anything. And it drove him nuts.

They reached a small building that had a sign saying "PUB" hanging over it. The team was led upstairs to a small room they'd all share. It would be a tight fit, but it was all the small town could offer. The team could have separated and each stayed with a host family, but Kakashi was against it and figured they wouldn't be there long enough for it to matter.

"If I may ask, what exactly is your mission here?"

"Initially we're here to make connections and perhaps start some sort of exchange system. But right here and now, we're looking for someone."

"Ah, well I know every face in this village. I'm sure I could find anyone for you."

Kakashi glanced at Kaori, who was still trying to shake off one of the twins. "Well, we're looking for her father."

Kyouhei frowned. "I'm afraid unless you know his name I can't help you. Was she an illegitimate child?"

"I have no idea. And she doesn't either. All we know is that her mother came from this direction before ending up in Port Lost. We heard she looks a lot like her father."

Kyouhei's expression grew taught. "I can honestly say that no such person exists in this village. However, there are several folk who live in the outskirts of the valley, out in the wild. Perhaps this man is one of them. I shall have my men look into it."

"Thank you, but there's really no need. We're here to do it ourselves. Plus, it's good training." Kakashi felt Kaori could use plenty more of it.

"As you wish." Kyouhei bowed his head. "Rin and Min can help you out whenever you need it. They live here as well. Though if you ever figure out which one is which, you'll be the first."

Kaori gave up struggling with the boy and let him grip her arm tightly. She glanced at Kakashi, forlorn, only to catch Kyouhei's eye. Her heart felt leadened and she began shivering uncontrollably. As he turned away, a shadow fell across his face, and Kaori swore she saw his flesh melt away and reveal a decomposing skull. For the tiniest moment the smell of a rotting corpse invaded her nostrils, and she gagged at the strength. Then Kyouhei was gone, and Kaori hugged herself tightly, trying to get warm. As her vision faded, the images of Rin and Min on either side of her faltered, and ragged skeletons with decayed flesh dangling from the bones wavered.

"D-dead?" she gasped, once again overcome with the stench.

"Kaori! Pull yourself together!" Sakura tried to shake her, startled by the paleness of her teammate's face and the death-like iciness of her skin.

"What...the..." Kaori sighed and passed out, falling onto Sakura, who barely managed not to fall over. She ordered the twins to leave and laid Kaori on the futon.

"Bring me bowl of cold water!" she barked, covering Kaori with blankets. Despite her skin being so cold, her shoulders and head were feverish. Heat radiated from the curse on her chest.

"What's going on here?" Kakashi asked seriously, noting how his own seal was beginning to fade.

"I don't know," Sakura said grimly, accepting the bowl from Sasuke. "But I think it's safe to say it has something to do with Orochimaru."