Kakashi woke up next morning with a painful head ache; he rubbed his temples and sat in the border of his bed, trying in not stepping over his Icha Icha Violence copy that was over the floor next to his yellow slippers. The copy ninja stretched both arms in the air and arched his body. A little crack in his back informed the shinobi that his body was fully awoken and ready to start the day, but he felt no desire in leaving the room yet. Yawning openly and covering his mouth with his right hand he walked to the window, the sunrise was about to start. The silver hair shinobi found this unpleasant, not only he wasn't able to sleep well during the night, he didn't found what he was searching the night before. And nothing was more unpleasant for Konoha's genius than not accomplishing his mission.
After drinking a glass of water and two aspirins, he began searching for his clothes over the closet. Summer was always a nightmare for the shinobi, he was thankful that Konoha's weather was usually fresh and windy, an irony for the Fire country in which the village was hidden, but in this particular day his nose picked a humid smell in the air and judging by the way looked, this was going to be a hot day. Zipping his vest Kakashi checked that every item was in its place, he was walking to the door when a flapping sound in his window caught his attention. There was a dark grey sparrow pecking his window, Kakashi walked to the bird and opened the window. Immediately the little sparrow flew over Kakashi's left shoulder and remained there.
-Long time no see, Halla-. Patting the bird's head with his right index.-Same place?
The bird squawked lightly and jumped off, flying around the room and finally landing on the edge of the window. Kakashi smiled and placed both hands in his pockets and walked towards his window and closed it with one hand. Still smiling he patted his shoulder indicating the bird to come over but the sparrow flew and landed over his head instead, Kakashi sighed. Trying to catch the bird with his left hand and failing miserably, he shrugged and walked outside his apartment, locking the door behind him.
---
Anko felt how the sunlight burned her eyelids; she turned over, seeking shelter underneath the pillow. She knew that it was already 8am and she was supposed to be at the tower with Ibiki, filling forms for the next chuunin exam but she was in no humor to deal with paperwork at the moment. Both kunoichi stayed awake for many hours and chatted about almost everything and nothing, until they decided that it was sleeping time. Anko decided to stay in bed till the end of times or until Tsunade sent someone to find her, whatever happened first sounded good enough to take the risk. Anko patted the pillow over her face and grinned, the mere thought of Tsunade yelling at Kotetsu, Izumo or both where was Anko and why she wasn't there got the kunoichi in great humor, after all, those two were Tsunade's favourite lackeys. Even Asuma betted that some day they'll be using a collar with a bell and a bow on it.
Kurenai heard a muffled laugh coming from her room, she smiled and continued preparing her breakfast. Anko tried to sleep once again but her stomach grumbled, eager to taste some decent and healthy food for the first time in 4 days. Muttering Anko stood up and walked outside the bedroom, rubbing her eyes. The breakfast was already on the table, Anko's nose welcomed the miso soup scent and gladly sat on the nearest chair waiting for her friend to come over. Kurenai appeared with two cups in her hands, already changed and smiling she sat down next to her friend.
-Ohaio Kurenai!
-Ohaio Anko-. Placing a cup in front of her friend.- How's your stomach?
-Eager to eat!-. Taking a pair of chopsticks from the middle of the table.-Itadakimasu!
Both kunoichi ate silently, immersed in their own thoughts. Anko noticed that her friend constantly looked at the calendar, that was hanged up over the fridge. It was the second Saturday of the month, Anko grinned knowing that it meant one thing, payment day. Chewing a pickle she looked at her friend hoping that she noticed this too, but surprisingly she was still staring at the calendar. Anko followed her stare, realizing that she was looking sadly at the number that filled the square, the 11th. Anko blinked twice, not quite understanding what was so special in that day, that kept Kurenai in that state. Taking another pickle from her plate and devouring it in one second, she drank without thinking the content of her cup. Her tongue twisted in pain.
-You want me dead, don't ya?-. Standing up and threatening Kurenai with her index finger.- What the heck did you put in my tea!
Kurenai blinked in shock, she gazed at her friend and realized what she was talking about. She smiled and shrugged.-Your medicine, dope.
Anko arched her right brow, fuming she sat and crossed both arms over her chest. Kurenai chuckled and glanced to her right, cleaning her red lips with a napkin she stood up, took her dishes to the sink and watered them. Anko took the last pickle of her plate, chewing it harshly she stood up and copied her friend. Kurenai was drying her hands with a cloth when Anko appeared in the kitchen, the red eyed kunoichi grinned evilly and threw a sponge to her fellow. Anko caught it without a problem and looked back quizzically.
-I made the breakfast, you wash the dishes. Now!
Anko jerked and opened the faucet, soaping her hands. Now I'm sure that she's in fact Ibiki's relative. Kurenai patted her shoulders and walked out the kitchen, heading to the main door.
-Hurry up or Tsunade-sama will have your butt hanging on her wall.
-At least, she'll have something sexy to show off!
Kurenai rolled her eyes before opening the door, revealing the usual morning sight that greeted her each new day.
-Greetings my reddish youthful neighbour, want to join my training?- Performing a couple of push ups.
-Not today Gai, but thanks for the the door
After checking that everything was in order, the kunoichi walked away. Gai shook his head and resumed his exercises, he was about to start some leg stretches when the door was abruptly opened knocking him down. Anko looked both sides and sighed heavily, scratching her nape she tried to get back when she noticed something green and big in her way. Anko bent and pocked it with the sponge she was carrying.
-Oy Gai, snap it out!
Gai stood up quickly and after fixing his clothes, he smiled.- Greetings my youthful companion, want to join my training?
-Where's Kurenai?!
-She left just a minute ago
-Shimatta-. Kicking the floor with her right foot and looking at the green fellow she grabbed him from the collar.-You gotta help me!
Gai blinked in confusion but nodded afterwards. Anko released him and ran inside looking for her clothes, she got in the bathroom and changed quickly. After some minor adjusts she ran outside and closed the door behind her.
-You and I got a lot to do-. Grabbing Gai's left arm and dragging him to the staircase.
---
Kakashi jumped off the tree he was standing and landed softly over the grass. Checking the surroundings he sniffed the air and looked at the bushes in front of him. Bitting his right thumb and performing some hand seals, he touched the ground.
-Kyuichose No Jutsu
A little dog appeared in front of the copy ninja, Kakashi pulled out a kunai and handed it to the brownish pug. It sniffed the weapon and jumped to the nearest tree, Kakashi nodded and started following it. After heading towards east for two minutes, Kakashi stopped abruptly over one branch. Moving his headband and taking out two kunai, the copy ninja waited patiently. Kakashi nodded at Pakkun and with a poof of smoke the dog disappeared. A noise on his back made him jump from the tree he was standing and concentrating some chakra in his feet, he walked over the trunk. Running towards the top of it, Kakashi performed some hand seals and before reaching the end of the tree, he turned back unfolding his mask with his left hand.
-Katon Housenka no Jutsu.
The tree immediately started burning, Kakashi jumped as high as he could, avoiding the fire. A presence went to his back and before he could do something, a strong kick sent him directly to the ground. The stranger landed gracefully next to the unconscious body of the silver haired shinobi, it was about to reach Kakashi's face when a hand on its ankle stopped it.
-Doton Shinjuu Zanshuu no Jutsu
The stranger's body was now buried on the ground only letting the head visible. Kakashi reappeared with a poof of smoke and a wide smile on his lips.
-I'm surprised you fell for that, Yugao.
The kunoichi's head transformed into a log. Kakashi felt the coolness of a kunai pressing against his neck.
-I'm surprised you thought I'd fall for that, Kakashi-senpai!
Kakashi chuckled and clapped both hands.-Doton Tsuiga no Jutsu
Horrified she jumped away from her sensei, trying to avoid any contact with the ground. She was about to jump to a tree when eight jaws emerged from the ground and stopped her. Kakashi turned over and walked close to the immobilized kunoichi.
-Just because I'm no longer an ANBU member, you shouldn't take me lightly-. Performing a single hand seal, the dogs disappeared.
Yugao fixed her clothes, removing the dirt of it. She looked at her former sensei and shrugging she smiled.
-Next time I'll sure catch you, Kakashi-senpai
Kakashi smiled pleased, looking at her brownish eyes. In fact it has been a long time since then.
Flashback
Kakashi was standing in front of Hokage's desk, the Sandaime was smoking his pipe as usual and looking through the window. Kakashi waited patiently, checking if there was any danger in the surroundings. The Sandaime left a big fume escape from his lips, clearing his throat and he turned over sitting on his comfy chair.
-I've heard great things of you, Kakashi. I'm impressed you managed to become squad leader in just one week, since we promoted you as an ANBU.
-It's all thanks to my former sensei, Hokage-sama.
-I see-. Taking a big puff and exhaling it, he gazed at the masked shinobi.-Tell me Kakashi, how do you feel about teaching?
-Never thought of that, Hokage-sama. I'm not sure if I'm capable of doing it.
-Hehe nonsense, you were capable of accomplishing that S-rank mission in half of the estimated time and brought back all your squad intact. Also your superior told me something that I found interesting-. Taking the pipe out of his mouth with his right hand and gazing at the black holes of the cat's mask that the shinobi wore.
-And what is that, Hokage-sama?
The Sandaime chuckled and placed his pipe over his desk.-You can distinguish the things that really matter.
---
-I know that you probably did this in your genin training, but just to be sure, here are the rules. I got two bells and if you aren't capable of taking one of them before dawn, there will be no meal for one day. Any complains or questions?
A raised hand caught Kakashi's attention, he nodded in response.
-If we're able to catch one bell, what will happen?
-Nothing, you completed the mission that's all. Any other question?
Same hand was raised, Kakashi frowned.-Yes?
-If we got both bells, what will happen?
-You'll leave the other one without meal, unfair and selfish but that's all. Any other question?
For the third time the same hand stood up, Kakashi sighed heavily.- Yes, Yugao?
-If we catch you, what will happen?
Kakashi blinked in shock, crossing both arms on his chest he grinned.-I'll let you see underneath my mask.
End of the flashback
Kakashi looked at his former student and sighed dreamily. Time sure goes fast. A squawk broke the moment and before he could do anything a grey sparrow landed over his head. The copy ninja frowned and glared at the kunoichi that was chuckling, at the sight of her former sensei with a bird over his head.
-You should teach her to be more respectful with her owner.
-Not a chance, she looks fine just like that-. Pointing at the little bird that squawked happily in response.-Be thankful that she stopped defecating in your hair.
-I wouldn't have that kind of problems, if my student didn't take my name that literally for my birthday present.
-You'd liked it, admit it.
Kakashi arched his right brow, crossing his arms over his chest. Halla jumped off his head and landed softly over his left shoulder. Kakashi looked at the little bird which gazed him back and with a gentle peck to his nose, the ninja smiled.
-Guess you're right.
---
Anko dragged Gai through all the stores that they approached. She bought many bottles of sake, some groceries and also many snacks. The green jounin was the one carrying all this things, trying not to fall down due to the weight. Anko muttered something and went directly to the next store, writing something on a little notebook she carried on her left hand. Gai didn't understand why she was that hasty and also eagerly to buy this much. Also each companion they found, she approached them and whispered something in his/her ear, this shinobi/kunoichi nodded and disappeared. Gai was following Anko to the next store, when he heard many female screams, confused he tried to look and check what was happening but the groceries blocked his sight. He made an inhumane effort to watch where he was stepping in but his shinobi senses failed him, he heard a last scream before collapsing over the floor.
Rubbing his head he tried to get all the things back to their respective bags. Gai heard a lady clearing her throat and instinctively he look up and saw five ladies with their hands in their respective hips. Confused he looked around and found the reason of that scandal. There was creamy colours all around him, the walls were painted in pale pink and seemed to be only females in the store. Gai gulped when he read the sign hanging over the counter. "Lingerie for all types and tastes". Panicking he tried to run outside, but the ladies grabbed him from the elbows and began beating him to a pulp. The green jounin muffled some apologies, but the ladies weren't listening. Anko who was looking at one red silk baby doll that was hanged in the display cabinet heard the commotion and after glimpsing a green spandex over the floor she kicked the floor.
-Enough!
The five ladies looked at the kunoichi, who was glaring at them with both arms crossed over her chest. The ladies whispered something and resumed their shopping. Anko walked towards the leftovers of the taijutsu specialist and bent, handing him a hand.
-You ok?-. Helping him to stand up.
-Of course I'm ok, it takes more than that to turn off the flame of the youth spirit inside of me.- Smiling and doing his nice guy pose.
Anko sighed, relived she knelt and began cleaning the stuff they bought that was scattered over the floor. Gai knelt also and both began cleaning the mess, after some apologies Anko went outside the store followed by Gai. Both shinobi walked through the main street, not talking just focusing in walking. Gai sensed that Anko was deeply immersed in her thoughts, not quite sure if it was alright he stopped her. Anko looked at him with her right brow arched, hugging tightly the paper bag on her chest.
-Why you stopped me?
-I'm sorry, I just can't stand it when one of my fellows is in great sorrow. If something is happening, no matter how stupid it is, you can count on me always, Anko-chan-. Smiling at her and trying to make his nice guy pose but failing in the intent. After all, both of his hands were occupied by groceries.
Anko laughed, she approached and helped him with one of the groceries' bag, taking it with her left hand and resuming their walk.-Come on you dope! We have a party to assemble.
---
Kakashi was surprisingly in a great humor, that training session with Yugao brought him more adrenaline, than those missions he performed in the last month combined. There was nothing more enjoyable for a former ANBU than feeling the adrenaline running through your veins, remembering how good it felt to be alive. Kakashi looked at the clear sky and at the few clouds in it sailing smoothly, summer time was there. Kakashi glanced at his right and saw a tinny cloud of white smoke emerging from a florist's store. Not quite sure what was he doing, he stepped inside the store and once he glimpsed at the owner of the white smoke, he was happy that he was a curious shinobi. Stealthily he hid behind a shelf covered with daisies and tried to eavesdrop the conversation.
-I don't know, and what if she doesn't like them?
-Oh Asuma-sensei, of course she'll love them. Not only they are in her favourite colour, they're so exotic and beautiful. Also they have a hidden meaning.
-Really?
-Yes, it means… "You're a flame in my heart"
Even from Kakashi's hiding place, he noticed the reddish on Asuma's cheeks. Ino was wrapping the camellias in cellophane along with pinkie paper, she tied them with a white ribbon and gave them to her sensei. Asuma scratched his nape and took out his wallet, paying what she requested Asuma walked outside the store. Kakashi sneak out and followed Asuma, the bearded shinobi was hugging softly the flowers, while looking at the sky deeply immersed in his thoughts. Kakashi hide in the nearest alley and smirked. I know I'll pay for this later but… Kakashi jumped outside the alley, landing in front of Asuma who jumped frightened and screamed.
-Yo Asuma! How my favourite Smokey eh?-. Waving his right hand and scratching his nape with the other and his visible eye closed.
-You asshole! What do you think you're doing, scaring the crap out of me!
-Greeting my friend, obviously-. Smiling he opened his eye.- Oh… you shouldn't have.
-What the heck you're talking about, Mophead?
Kakashi stepped closer and pointed at the flowers.-You're really a nice guy, I'm not sick and it's not even my birthday and you got me flowers, how considerate.
-Shut the hell up, they're not for you, dope.
-So, for who eh?
Asuma gulped and looked away. Kakashi grinned evilly and leaned forward.-For who eh, Smokey?.-pocking Asuma's chest.
-they're-for-Kurenai-. He blurted quickly and tried to hide his blush.
-Sorry, didn't hear you well. For who again?
-They're Kurenai's-. Trying to hide his face in his vest.
-I'm sorry, those percussion bombs sure made me partially deaf this day. Could you repeat it? Loudly this time please.
-For Kurenai, for the sweet mother of Hokage-sama!!!
All the people that surrounded them, looked at Asuma's direction. Kakashi covered his ears with his hands, grinning he looked at his reddish friend.-Ok I got it no need to shout, Smokey.
-Asshole-. Walking away, still blushing.
-Learnt from the best. So where are you heading?-. Following with both hands in their respective pockets.
-To Kurenai's place, I'm helping Anko with the party.
A thunderbolt hit Kakashi's head, shaking all his thoughts and letting him speechless. He found it hard to breath and was thankful that he was wearing a mask or Asuma would have noticed his pale cheeks coloured with a thin pinkish. Kakashi cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
-What party?
Kakashi felt a deadly glare on him and he was sure that Asuma would have been looking for his special chakra knifes, if his hands weren't occupied with those flowers. Kakashi smiled and rubbed his neck with his right hand, trying to apologize. Both shinobi were silent until they heard an unmistakable laughter near them, seconds later Anko appeared in front of them with an almost finished dango stick on her right hand and carrying a heavy paper bag followed by the green beast of Konoha. Kakashi felt how his stomach flipped and begged that no one noticed this, his hands were getting sweaty and his breathing was slowing down. Kakashi closed his eye, trying to remember his training but instead of imagining how a shinobi should behave, humid flashbacks appeared inside his head. He shook his head, opened his eye and realized that Asuma was already talking to the dango lover.
-So you've informed most of the jounins right?
Anko nodded and bit her dango cheerfully.- Yeap, also we got most of the things for tonight, right bowl's head?
Gai appeared behind the paper bag that covered his face and grinned, trying to use his right hand to do his usual pose. Asuma smiled pleased and looked at Kakashi, who was terribly silent. Anko didn't noticed Kakashi's presence until Asuma stepped back a bit, revealing the position of the silvered hair jounin. Anko felt her face burning slowly, his grey piercing eye raped her mind. Her legs started to tremble and she found it hard to breathe normally, her hands were sweating and she felt her strength leaving her body. Gai stepped closer and with a gentle tap on her shoulder the charm was broken. Not sure to thank or complain she looked at the green jounin, who was staring her with a concerned look. Anko shook her head and with a smile she told him that she was fine.
-Ok my youthful fellows, Anko-chan and I got a lot to do before Kurenai's arrival. We'll see you at night, Asuma and of course my eternal rival.
Kakashi nodded and looked again at Anko, but she refused to look him back, finding shelter in Asuma's eyes. She waved him and glanced at Kakashi before saying good bye, catching on with Gai both jounin giggling left a considerate jounin with a really confused copy ninja. Anko-chan?!
-.-.-.-.-
A/N: Sorry guys I didn't post this earlier, my boss got herself a week of summer vacations and well guess who's the one that has to fulfill all her duties? Yeap none other than me T.T Anyway I'm so glad that I still have the touch and also that my brain is working with me finally. It's hard to write the beginning but once I get almost to the end I can't stop writing and well wow finally a long and consistent chapter after many crappy chapters hehehe gonmen if I kept you waiting this long, I just need to get thing ready for the next encounter between this two. So what do you think? Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Also I'm really happy to announce that I got my computer working again, also my Internet connection is working fine so there won't be any more delays I promise. Still the same schedule Monday/Thursday I'm not sure about the hour yet but I'll try to keep it from 8pm Central to 11pm anyway thanks for reading. And a special thanks to TwoTails and Prophet you guys rock my world and make me go around! XD Love you guys!
Notes for the chapter
: It's the plant that is over Kakashi's bed, if you read the manga or watched closely the anime chapters there's a plant. I'm not sure if its name is that one but I got the info from one website that I think is reliable.
Halla: it's an African name for girls that means "unexpected gift". The sparrows as I researched they come originally from Europe and Africa so I chose that African name because well it was convenient for this chapter XD.
I'm not sure when or how Yugao and Tenzo started to being Kakashi's apprentices but in the manga it's quite obvious that both of them were his students. And I think that aside team 7 and Yugao and Tenzo, no one got the pleasure to be Kakashi's pupil. Don't forget that team 7 was the first one to pass the bell test eh!.