Drace:: hey, this isn't chapter 2. this is actually more like chapter 3 or 4 or somthing. i just wanted to see what you guys thought about this tone and interaction between naruto and kakashi, cause a few of you were really not liking the kakashi in the prologue... this is kinda how it's morphing... soooo let me know what you guys think about this. kay??

please review feedback! i want to know if this is worth going or if i should rewrite it again! thank you!

It was a very quiet and still night. Blacker than most due to the new moon and approaching storm clouds swollen with rain already beginning to waft mists. Most of Konohagakure was tucked into bed, or was unfortunate enough to have patrol duties.

Due to this, Kakashi found himself drawn to the serene figure that sat at the base of a tree near the memorial stone. It was obviously ANBU from the white vest visible, yet the cloaked hood was drawn so far over the head that it hid the distinctive pattern of the mask.

"Yo." the figures head moved slightly to one side to view him.

"...Wolf." was the soft muttered response. Kakashi was stuck for a moment about who this was, and it wasn't till he stood beside them and saw the unusual claw weapon attached to the arm guards that he knew whom he was talking to.

"...first time I've seen you in the village Caine." He remarked quietly. An unsettled feeling was stirring in the depths of his stomach.

"Mouse-sensei." was the sole response. The feeling curled and gave a tight squeeze in his gut. Suddenly, that coming rain sounded quite nice. A huge screaming raging storm sounded just right. Caine was entirely too still. Too much like he was the dead one. Kakashi wasn't sure how he manage to speak like his own ghost weren't haunting him and grabbing at his pant legs and asking. 'Why? Why weren't you there to save me? Why!?'

"...how did it happen?"

"The council was too stupid to approve of the division distinction policy that the tactical department was pushing to have in place. Some fool jonin thought he knew better battle planning that Mouse-sensei. The whole team except for the healer was killed.

The fool ran them straight down the throat of a trap and triggered it. Mouse-sensei managed to save the healer and nearly one of the other jonin by using common RAT tactics to divert the attention to him while they got away. The jonin died before they made it here, and the med-nin nearly didn't make it either.

She said that Mouse-sensei argued with the task leader for an hour before they left, saying that it was suicide and that they would be killed if they followed his plan. He told Mouse-sensei that he was just some stupid sub-rank ANBU with a dumb code name and no talent. He was in charge and Mouse-sensei would comply or be killed for defection. She said she wished that she had killed the fool of a leader.

Hokage-sama has signed the papers for the division distinction and sub-class creation for ANBU. The council will be faced with the deaths of four jounin and one ANBU at the hands of ignorance as reason why, should they question it. Mouse-sensei would be pleased that it finally happened." Caine talked with a steady voice, soft and low, but steady. This was death of someone important to him. Yet somehow it wasn't touching him. Or had already come out.

Or, kakashi thought as he looked at the mask hiding the face of the man. He wasn't letting himself feel anything yet. Hiding behind the mask that didn't feel anything. Kakashi remembered the talk that he and the other ANBU had had during that mission so long ago. Perhaps it was in a way fitting, that it would take the death of one of the ANBU who was promoting the decree for it to come to pass. Sad, but some how poetic.

"What will happen with you now? I know you were always paired with Mouse if it wasn't a solo. Will you be partnered up with another RAT agent?" kakashi wondered to himself why he'd ask that. It wasn't really something to make the poor man think about. He was all but shoving his face into the fact his mission partner, friend, and sensei was killed.

"No. I wont be. The new sub-divisions remember? I'm not classed RAT and CAT agent now." Caine responded without any apparent joy or sorrow. Like a lifeless doll just answering whatever it was told without feeling. Just giving up the facts.

"So I'll be Wolf the WOLF I suppose. Mouse never mentioned what you would have been if you'd been in the newer sub-division classification." He couldn't drop the dead mans name. Somewhere in the back of his head, he had a feeling that Caine didn't want Mouse's name skirted around.

"I'm a FOX." was the quiet reply. Kakashi didn't find much to say after that. Mouse had been most angry that the creation of FOX wouldn't occur. He had said that FOX agents were usually popped into other divisions when they belonged into a group that worked on a totally different level.

FOX agents worked under surprise, plotting and in the heat of the moment. FOX were made for high level missions as a means to keep the team alive when things went sour, or to keep things from going sour. In his last moments, Mouse had acted like a FOX agent would have. He distracted the enemy and allowed for the escape of his teammates.

"It suits you." Kakashi managed after hours had slipped by in silent darkness. The rain bitter and heavy as it fell. No lighting, just deep heavy bitter cold rain.

Caine rose from his sitting position on the ground. He stood and looked towards the carven stone, before speaking softly and walking back into the village.

"Drink to Mouse-sensei next time your at the bars."

Kakashi found himself looking at the stone as he gave a quiet "ah." in response.

It was a still night.

Drace :: please remember to tell me what you liked or didn't like! i'm still trying to get the plot beaten down! now is the time to tell me what's working and what to hack out! thank you!