Author's note: This chapter is from Kakashi's point of view. I have a working plot-line going right now, so bear with me! It's going to make sense soon xD

Update: Had to make a slight adjustment on a typo. All better now ^_^

What's black and blue and has no intention of ever recovering? My ego.

To think I would bend Tenzou so far that he would actually snap at me like that is unbelievable. I never intended for that to happen. Doesn't he realize that my heart is aching just as much as his? If not more. I had planned to distance myself from him a little, but that visit from Danzo I just could not have seen. How can he expect me to— "Oh forget it!" I shout up at my ceiling. It is about 6 in the morning, and I am literally having to give myself a pep-talk as to why I shouldn't just skip the mission altogether and stay in bed all day.

I didn't get much sleep last night. Tenzou's face kept flashing in my mind. Every time I got close to falling asleep I could hear him screaming my name, and I'd jolt back awake.

"Kakashi!"

That kid has never once used my name before now. I've really messed up this time.

I must have dozed off, because when I woke up I was staring at an alarm clock telling me it was past 8:30. Shit. I'm late. I get up, wash my face, get dressed, and rush out the door hoping with all of my might that the tiny string the rest of my willpower is on wont break the second I see Tenzou.

"Senpai, you're late. Again," Tenzou scolds, as I get to the village gates.

"Yea, yea, I know. Sorry."

"Senpai, I'm shocked."

"What?" I ask, completely confused. I apologized didn't I?

"No whitty excuse about a gang of squirrels or mob of butterflies?" Tenzou asks, half sarcastic and half trying not to die out laughing.

Oh, now I understand. "Not today, Kohai. We have to get going or we won't make it in time," I say, trying my best to smile at him. A little reassurance couldn't hurt. Even if the reassurance is for myself.

Tenzou immediately looks away. I know he's confused. I know he's angry. Upset. He has every right to be. I've been such a total prick lately that I don't deserve his attention. He doesn't deserve to be with a guy like me. And I'll tell him that one day. When I get the courage to break both of our hearts.

"Ready?" I ask.

He nods.

"Then let's go," I say as we dart into the trees.

It's going to be a while before we reach our destination, but I don't think either of us is in a talking mood. The Hokage told me before we left that this was going to be an especially dangerous mission for him. And now I understand why. Sending this innocent child to go hunt down the very fiend who's the root cause of all his problems… that's not right! I just can't tell him. I can't.

"Umm… Senpai?"

"Hmm?"

"You never did tell me where we were going."

I grit my teeth. I can't tell him. "We're almost there," I say.

Every time he asks me where we are going, I grit my teeth and tell him we are almost there. I'm sure he's figured out by now that I'm not going to tell him. I imagine he's just doing it now so he has a reason to speak to me. It's been nearly 6 hours since we set out. I figure now is as good a time as any to rest. Tenzou is exhausted, but he makes us a place to stay. He never lets me down. Sometimes I wish he would. Just once, Tenzou, do something wrong. It's okay. I promise.

"Senpai."

"Who's there?"

"Senpai."

"Tenzou? Is that you?"

"Senpai, I don't regret it."

"Regret what, Tenzou?"

"What we had was perfect. It's okay now."

"What's okay, Tenzou? I don't understand!"

"It's okay to leave me."

I jerk awake in a cold sweat grabbing my heart. Just the thought of that dream makes my whole existence hurt.

"Senpai?"

I jump. I was so absorbed in my own little world that I completely forgot where I was. Tenzou was now staring at me, worry written all over his face. Poor thing. Does he realize his nightmares are ten times worse than this?

"Sorry, Tenzou. Bad dream. I'm alright now. Go back to sleep."

He hesitates for a moment and then lies back down. Tomorrow will be a long day. He needs his rest.