Chapter 6

Picnics and Rivals and Kekkei Genkais Oh my!

"Sasuke-chan?" Yukiko called. "Are you here?"

"I'm out here," he said. He was out on the balcony sitting on top of the bars. Yukiko walked to the door and went outside with him.

"Hi,"

"What were you doing with Kakashi-sensei?"

"Huh? Oh, we were shopping earlier, so he walked me home,"

"Oh,"

"By the way, Kakashi and I were going to go to a picnic with Guy-kun, you guys are going to come too, if you want."

"You mean, Naruto, Sakura and I?"

"Yeah, you wanna come?"

"I guess,"

"Great,"

The next day Yukiko was going to meet up with Kakashi and the others at the memorial grounds. Yukiko and Sasuke got dressed and then headed out the door. As they were walking Sasuke said,

"Don't expect Kakashi-sensei to be there for a while. At least 'till everyone else gets here,"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Kakashi-sensei is always late," he said annoyed.

"Oh," she said. They continued walking to the memorial. When they reached it Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks.

"What the hell?" he said. Yukiko looked at what Sasuke was looking at.

"Morning Sasuke," Kakashi said. "You don't seem to happy to see me,"

"Wh-what are you doing here!"

"What do you mean?"

"You're early! Not late!" he exclaimed.

"I'm never late, you guys are just too early,"

"What?"

"Good morning Kakashi," Yukiko said softly.

"Morning Yukiko,"

"WHOA!" Naruto yelled. Everyone turned and looked at Naruto and Sakura.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Kakashi-sensei, you're early!" Naruto said.

"Yeah, you're always late, what are you doing here?" Sakura followed.

"Can we please not discuss my tardiness?"

"Okay…"

"Yukiko-san!" Naruto called.

"Good morning Naruto-chan!" she lifted him off the ground and hugged him.

"Onee-san, limit the hugs please," Sasuke said.

"Sorry…" she put Naruto down back on his feet. His face was bright red.

"Good morning Yukiko-san," Sakura said as she bowed.

"Morning Sakura-chan, how are you?"

"I'm good, thanks!"

"Are we all ready to go?" Kakashi asked.

"Yup."

"Okay then lets go." They all began walking to the training grounds. It wasn't too far away so they only had a short distance to walk. Naruto and Yukiko talked most of the time. Sakura just walked next to Sasuke the whole time but Kakashi was in deep thought.

There's something about her that I just can't explain…I don't know why she makes me feel like this though…it's as if she has me in this completely different world…It's like, I can be with her forever and then it will only feel like seconds, but every second that I'm not with her feels like forever…is that…no…I can't be…but I think I am…I'm in love with her… He turned around and saw her smiling and talking. She was very pretty but he admired her so much more on the inside. She looked up at him while listening to Naruto. She smiled and blushed. Kakashi knew he was blushing so he immediately turned his head back around. (Though it wouldn't even matter because he's wearing a mask…) When they reached the training grounds Guy and his team was already there.

"Guy-kun!" Yukiko called.

"Yukiko-dono!" They ran and hugged each other. Everyone else followed slowly. "Kakashi…"

"Hello Guy,"

"Come now, Yukiko-dono, let's meet my team!"

"Okay," he took her by her hand and led her to the three kids.

"This is Tenten, she's a great kunoichi who is a master with weapons." Ten-Ten waved. "This is Rock Lee, a taijutsu master. He cannot do any form of ninjutsu or genjutsu which is what makes his power even more incredible."

"It is very nice to meet you Yukiko-dono. Any friend of Guy-sensei's is a friend of mine," he said.

"Nice to meet you too Lee,"

"And last but not least this is Neji Hyuga, a byakugan genius," Neji just stared at Yukiko with his blank expressionless eyes. Yukiko's on the other hand were as wide as can be.

"It's really great to meet you Neji-kun," she bowed like three times.

"Y-you too,"

"The reason she's so excited Neji, is because she also uses her own form of the byakugan," Guy said, bragging about everyone.

"Well it's actually just kind of my own version of like the byakugan and sharingan mixed and with my own abilities,"

"What exactly does it do?"

"Think of any number, but don't tell me,"

"Okay…"

"…8, right?"

"Y-yeah, how'd you…?"

"It's called a shokugan."

"Is it your kekkei genkai?"

"It is now,"

"Oh…wow…"

"I also use the Hyuga fighting style, it really works well with my techniques."

"Oh,"

"Can we eat now?" Naruto whined.

"Nonsense, not everyone is here yet!" Guy said.

"Wasn't it originally just you and Yukiko anyway?" Kakashi asked.

"I knew you would want to come, and your team would end up coming too, so I invited a lot of people to have a welcome home party for my Yukiko,"

"Wait, you planned this from the beginning?" Kakashi asked.

"Well of course. I guess that's a win for me?"

"Yeah, sure whatever,"

"Who else did you invite?"

"Well I invited Iruka, Kurenai and her team and Asuma's team,"

"Actually, when I was telling Jiraiya about Yukiko, he said he'd come too," Naruto said.

"J-Jiraiya? One of the legendary Sanin?" Yukiko asked.

"Yeah,"

"Oh my gosh!"

"Well then Lee, bring me the food!" Guy demanded.

"Yes sir, Guy-sensei," Lee went and got the two picnic baskets and the other three bags. He brought them back and put them on the ground.

"Let's set up," Guy said.

"Sakura-chan will you help me?" Yukiko pulled out the blanket and Sakura helped her lay it out. Everyone began helping out. Naruto and Lee poured the drinks. Sasuke helped warm up the food with his fire style jutsus, Tenten set up the piñata (don't ask how they even knew what that was) with some strings and a shuriken, and Kakashi pulled out the food with Neji.

"Hey guys!" called Iruka. He and Asuma's team along with Kurenai and hers were walking toward them.

"Iruka, Asuma, Kurenai. Come over here, we're about to start eating,"

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Iruka,"

"Nice to meet you too! Naruto talks about you a lot,"

"Well he sure would have a lot of stories," Iruka said. Yukiko laughed.

"You must be Yukiko, I'm Asuma. This is my team, over here is Shikamaru, this is Ino and this is Choji."

"Wow, you have a lot of talent on your hands, huh?"

"Yeah,"

"I'm Kurenai,"

"Hi,"

"This is my team, Kiba, Shino and Hinata,"

"Is every team this talented?" Yukiko took a deep breath. "A Hyuga, Aburame, and an Inuzuka all on one team. Is that even legal?" Kiba smiled and Hinata blushed.

"See Akamaru, we're pretty popular," Kiba said as they walked off with the others.

"Hi-Hinata?" Yukiko called. She put her hand on her shoulder.

"Eh…?"

"Can I talk to you?"

"S-sure,"

"Um…when you use the byakugan…" Kakashi watched Yukiko talking to Hinata. She looks more nervous than Hinata usually does… "…Thanks so much Hinata-chan," she picked her up and hugged her. Sasuke shot her an evil glare. She immediately put her down.

"Y-you're welcome Yukiko-san,"

"Oh, by the way Hinata. Naruto's favorite flavor of ice cream is strawberry," Hinata's eyes widened. She blushed.

"Um, th-thank…thank you Yukiko-san,"'

"You're welcome Hinata-chan," Yukiko smiled. They walked back to the others. Hinata sat down and hid herself between Shino and Kiba. Tenten and Lee sat next to Kiba with Neji next to Guy on the other side of them. Kurenai sat next to Guy with Shikamaru opposite her and Asuma, Choji, and Ino next to him. Sakura sat next to Ino and Naruto and Kakashi sat with Sasuke. Yukiko squeezed herself in between Sasuke and Kakashi.

"NARUTO!" someone called. Naruto's head shot up and looked out into the distance.

"Oh, OVER HERE OLD MAN!" he called back. Jiraiya transported himself to the picnic spot.

"Well, I almost wasn't gonna come but…Well hello," he looked at Kurenai.

"Hello Jiraiya-sama," she said. His eyes couldn't focus. Yukiko looked at him with wide eyes and a completely flushed face. He felt the stare and turned his head, he was really glad he did too.

"Well look at what we have here, this must be Yukiko…" Jiraiya said. He was immediately on the other side of the blanket kneeling and smiling at Yukiko.

"J-Jir-Jiraiya…-sama…I um…you," Yukiko couldn't even speak. Jiraiya put a finger on her lips. Her eyes widened.

"I know, you've never met such a man as me. After all I'm famous and this is probably too much for you to handle,"

"I just can't believe that I'm meeting one of the Sanin!" she said.

"I'm also a novelist you know?"

"R-really? What have you written?" Kakashi hadn't been paying much attention, he was of course a little jealous but he couldn't really do much about that. But he immediately looked up when he saw the oh so familiar cover of the book.

Icha Icha Paradise…

"WHAT!!!" Kakashi exclaimed. Jiraiya turned around. He freaked out a little. Kakashi had pulled out his copy of the book and a pen.

"Uh…"

"This is…my favorite book…" Kakashi said.

"Really?" He asked. Kakashi nodded.

"Could you sign it for me, please?"

"Well, I guess so…"

"Oh my gosh, I have to tell everybody! Oh wait! This is everybody! Look guys look!" Kakashi squealed. Everyone stared at him with confused looks.

"That's…great, Kakashi…" Guy said.

"I know isn't it?"

"Here you go," Jiraiya handed it back to Kakashi. He took it and hugged it to his chest.

They continued with their picnic and Jiraiya flirted and made a fool of himself. When it was time to eat the cake Guy stood up.

"Everyone, listen up," he announced. "In celebration of Yukiko-dono's return, I have thrown this party. So, as I have been ordained to do, I've also decided to make this day extra special for her. Yukiko-dono, if you would stand up please," Yukiko stood. "Yukiko Uchiha is one of the greatest kunoichi I've ever met. She's strong, talented, determined, downright gorgeous—"

"I second that," Jiraiya said. Yukiko blushed.

"Guys…" she said.

"Anyway, before she left she was going to be given this privilege and now I am very honored to get to do this. Yukiko," he said as he pulled out something from his bag. "You have been a Chunin too long not to have this, and now you can also be honored to be called one of the Jonin. Here you go," Yukiko smiled. He handed her the jacket and everyone clapped. She took it and laughed.

"I'm so sorry Guy-kun, but I really can't except this."

"Wh-what?"

"Well, you see I've never really been too fond of these jackets…and well, Kakashi kind of beat you to it. See?" Yukiko held up the necklace.

"WHAT!" Guy said.

"Please don't get mad Guy-kun, I really appreciate this," she hugged him.

"We-well I guess I can't be that mad at you," He glared at Kakashi. Kakashi rolled his eyes.

"Thank you so much Guy-kun,"

"You're welcome,"

Chapter 7

Sunset

The picnic was over shortly and it was almost sunset. Yukiko thanked everyone and gave a big hug to Guy and had a surprise forced hug from Jiraiya. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke stayed with the other team members to talk or whatever it is rivals do. Kakashi and Yukiko were finally alone after all this time, and nothing made them feel happier.

"Well that was…fun…" Kakashi said.

"Yeah," she laughed. "But I really do feel bad for Guy-kun y'know…"

"He'll be alright, I guess."

"Well I'm just not so sure about him…probably hurt his pride…he's got a big ego y'know…ah, whatever."

"Yeah, he's always been like that…" he said. Yukiko sighed.

"The sky looks really pretty…I haven't seen a sunset like this in years." She looked up into the beautifully painted sky. Kakashi just stared at her, heartbroken.

"…It really is…" He wasn't referring to the sunset. Yukiko…let me tell you…you're so beautiful…and you're driving me insane…

"Kakashi?" she whispered.

"…Y-yes?"

"Um…never mind…"

"What was it?"

"N-nothing…I just wanted to know if you…"

"If I…?"

"You would show me…your face…" Kakashi looked down. "I'm sorry! I know I shouldn't have asked you that…it wasn't my place. Please forgive me…" she put her face in her hands. Kakashi took her hands.

"Shh…Here," he lifted her hands and put them on either side of his face. She looked at him still questioning. He nodded. Yukiko slowly pulled down the mask over his flawless features. She stared in awe at the man in front of her. It was like a totally different person. She let go and it fell on his neck. Her eyes widened and she unconsciously started to trace her fingers around his face. His nose, his jaw…his lips.

Kakashi grabbed Yukiko by the arm and pulled her to him. He kissed her slowly, savoring the brief moment of bliss. His hand was behind her head holding it and his other on her cheek. Yukiko felt weak in the knees and tried to wrap her arms around him but Kakashi pulled away.

"I-I'm sorry…I shouldn't have—" he started. "I have to go…" he pulled his mask back up and Yukiko stood in front of him with her hand holding her chest. She looked at him, speechless. He stared at the ground and turned to walk away. Yukiko regained consciousness and reached out her hand, it brushed against his jacket.

"Wait…"she whispered. "Don't go…please…" He turned back around and faced her. She looked up at him and then just threw her arms around him and sighed in relief. Kakashi held her tight as she rested her head on his chest. Suddenly, he flipped his head up toward the trees and let go of her.

"All three of you get down here now!!! The rest of you better hope I don't tell your teachers, get out of here!!" The trees rustled a little and they could hear mumblings. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all jumped down from their tree. Sasuke had his arms crossed and Sakura and Naruto hung their heads in disappointment.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kakashi yelled.

"Guys…" Yukiko started.

"Sorry Kakashi-sensei, sorry Yukiko-san," they droned simultaneously.

"Alright then, let's go get some ramen!" Yukiko said.

"What?" Kakashi asked.

"Wha-?" Sakura and Sasuke were puzzled.

"ALRIGHT!!!" Naruto yelled.

"You're all going to have to be well fed before your punishment," she sang. "You're all going to have to FEEL THE WRATH OF MY SHOKUGAN!!!!" Sakura and Naruto screamed and hugged each other. Sasuke had been staring intently at Kakashi for a long time. Yukiko chased Naruto and Sakura around. The sun had been completely erased from the sky. Kakashi motioned to Sasuke and he followed him. They walked away from the playful torture.

"What is it?" Kakashi asked.

"I-it's hard to explain, Sensei…I just…well, Yukiko is like my sister. She's been through a lot. I didn't understand her pain before, and now I do…if you hurt her…" he paused, looked down and clenched his fists. "Just don't hurt her, okay?"

Kakashi put his hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "You have my word, Sasuke." He looked up and nodded. Kakashi turned and walked away.

"Oh, and Kakashi-sensei?" He turned again. "Don't worry, no one saw you without your mask…except me…"

"Well, that's good…so…am I, what you expected?" he asked in a playful tone. Sasuke rolled his eyes, put his hands in his pockets and walked away. "Hey!" Kakashi called. "I was serious!! Do I look good? Sasuke!"