The silver haired jounin stepped closer and stayed on the left of his former student. Anko was still confused and blinking in disbelief, he was enjoying how easy was to pull the strings and make her fall directly to any sort of trap. Yugao noticed the change of humor on his sensei but decided to remain silent, after all she knew that the less she speak the better. Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand and closed his eye, how much fun he was having. He decided to play with fire a little more.
-Were you trying to eat that helpless poster over there?.-pointing at it with his left index and staring at her.
Anko blushed lightly, no normal eye would have noticed this but he had no normal eye. She avoided his gaze and placed both hands on her hips.-What if I was?
He shrugged.-Be my guest.-crossing both arms over his chest and staring her expectantly.
Anko gulped and looked at the poster that was next to her, she knew that he was playing with her again and stupidly she fell for it. She was trapped and if she backed off he wouldn't let this go and would annoy her for the rest of her life. With her right hand she took the poster off the wall and stared it in disgust, now that she got a closer view and in those conditions it didn't look that tasty anymore. She gulped and glanced at it for the last time before opening her mouth and pulling it closer to her. Her teeth were about to have a bite of it when a high-pitched scream filled the place.
-WAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!
The three shinobi looked at the place where the scream came, in fact the whole place turned their heads at the origin of that girly yell came from, even the little cat that was napping over the counter. Confused Anko put the poster down and before she could do anything else she felt a pair of arms wrapping her chest tightly.
-Don't eat that!!!
-Gai?.-blinking in shock and looking at the green jounin.
-Anko-chan! If you have constipation issues, better use raisins than chromo paper.
Anko blushed and tried to hide her face with the poster on her hand, Gai was still holding her tightly while speaking aloud some tips for her "digestion problems". Anko wished that in that instant the earth cracked in two and swallowed her along with Gai, but on a second thought he deserved to die slowly for making her the buffoon of the restaurant. Asuma and Kurenai got there before Anko could took a kunai from her pouch, Asuma tried to pull off Gai from Anko but the green beast put some resistance in staying where he was. Kakashi frowned a bit but relaxed after, noticing this Yugao smiled pleased. With the help of Kurenai they managed to separate Gai from Anko, the manager stepped closer and asked if everything was fine. Kurenai apologized and with a bow she dragged Anko with her left hand and Asuma with the other. Not quite understanding, Asuma copied her and dragged Gai and Kakashi with his hands, Yugao simply followed them to the exit. Once they were outside they released what they were pulling, Kurenai took a deep breath before glaring at her comrades.
-You do realize that we were just kicked out from the most famous restaurant in Konoha, right?
Confused Anko looked to the sign above them and read "The golden fork" under it there were smugly couples glancing at them through the window of the building. The kunoichi couldn't understand what was the big deal? It was just a restaurant, they could go to another one to have lunch in. Besides the prices were ridiculously high and the menu was poorly assorted. She glanced at her friend but aside the fact that she was fuming and arguing heatedly with Asuma about their behavior, she felt guilty because deep inside she knew that to her friend the place meant something. Fixing her clothes, she approached the couple and cleared her throat. Asuma arched his left brow while Kurenai placed both hands over her hips. The three remaining shinobi looked at the kunoichi with great interest.
-Sorry for screwing up lunch time guys.
Asuma gaped in surprise and his cigar fell over the floor, the greatest foul-mouth tough kunoichi in Konoha, was actually saying sorry? Even Gai looked astonished. Kurenai relaxed her muscles, patting Anko friendly on the shoulder she smiled. Anko smiled back for a brief moment before grinning in her usual way, rubbing her scalp with her right hand. Kakashi rested his back on the nearest light post, while staring at Anko with both arms crossed over his chest. Anko sensed his gaze and ignore it, trying not to blush in front of her friends. Asuma knelt ant picked the cigar from the floor and trashed it on a bucket near them. Pulling another cigar from his vest and lighting it in less than a second, he sighed.
-Well… What now? I'm still hungry.
Gai who was fixing his hair with a comb and looking at his teeth on his headband, rushed onto them and smiled joyous.
-I know where we can cheer and boost up our youthful spirits!
Kurenai arched her right brow and Asuma gazed him in disbelief. Kakashi merely rolled his eyes and sighed heavily, while Yugao remained silent and observing the surroundings.
-No Gai, we're not gonna burgle your mom's place.
-That would be a lovely idea Anko-chan if we weren't that many.-clearly not getting the idea and doing his nice guy pose to his violet friend.-But this place, I can assure you my friends, would be perfect for a group of youthful spirits such as ourselves.
Anko rolled her eyes and placed her hands over her hips, arching her right brow.-And that is?
Gai chuckled and smiled wider, making them almost blind due to the humongous shine, emanating from his teeth.-Just follow me, my dearest friends! If we skip there we would get sooner and tone up our thighs!
Even Kurenai sweat dropped, Kakashi sighed and glanced at his former pupil, her lips were bending slowly. Snorting he walked closer, frowning he glared her.
-Don't even think about it.
-You sure know how to spoil somebody's fun, eh senpai.-crossing her arms over her chest and walking behind Kakashi.
---
Anko rubbed her belly, grinning while chewing a toothpick she laid back on her chair. Surprisingly the place Gai picked for them was delicious, the prices were reasonable and it had many types of dishes to serve, but their specialty was the takoyaki. The kunoichi spotted the last takoyaki on the table, glancing at the others she smiled and leaned forward to grab the last fried octopus ball. Taking out the toothpick from her mouth and digging it on the yellowish ball she tried to pull it to her mouth but the ball refused to cooperate, Anko frowned and tried harder but somehow the takoyaki was glued on the plate. Refusing to give up and let the little ball mock her, Anko gained all her strength and pulled for the last time, however getting the takoyaki on her mouth wasn't the only thing she succeeded on.
-Anko!
The kunoichi saw how stars began dancing in front of her eyes, she scrubbed her eyes with the back of her hands but the glittering refused to dissipate. Anko managed to see the blurry faces of everybody through the shining. They looked worried, she couldn't understand why. After all this wasn't the first time she collapsed on the floor, it wasn't that special. Everybody falls once in a while, but this was the first time the floor greeted her with mellowness. Wait! What the-!? Panicking, she stood up and realized that in fact the floor didn't greet her in a different way nor did it change to smooth her downfall. On the floor was Gai, apparently unconscious laying on an awkward angle, Anko checked the place were he was and realized that if he didn't interfere with her fall by using his body as a shield, she would be in the hospital with a concussion for breaking her scalp with the big flowerpot next to her.
-You okay, mate?.-asked Asuma while standing up and kneeling next to the green Jounin.
-No problem, my dearest fellow. This is nothing compared to the time I fought this humongous drunk sumo fighter. No need to worry! It would take more than this to bring down Maito Gai, the Konoha's green beast!
Asuma smiled relieved and offered him a hand to help the green jounin to stand up, nodding Gai accepted the offer but when he tried to use his right leg to stand up, a moan escape from his lips. Anko jumped from where she was and landed next to the green jounin, shocked Asuma started checking why Gai wasn't able to stand up. Kurenai called the waiter and asked him, if he could bring some ice. Anko took Gai's head and placed it over her lap while gazing Asuma and waiting for his verdict. Asuma palpated Gai's legs and when his hand rubbed the ankle, Gai left another groan filled the air. Anko tried to calm Gai by brushing his hair with her right hand, Asuma frowned and tossed the cigar off his mouth and stood up.
-Twisted, as I thought.
The waiter appeared with a little bucket filled with ice, Kurenai thanked him and knelt next to Gai. Anko continued to whisper things to Gai in order to calm him, while Kurenai brushed his right ankle with the ice. Asuma glanced at the silver haired jounin and without words Kakashi nodded and disappeared with a puff of white smoke, Yugao approached the other two kunoichi and knelt next to Anko. Taking her pouch from her hips she pulled out some bandages and a transparent box. Anko blinked in confusion when Yugao opened it and with a quick gesture she opened Gai's mouth and poured its contents in his mouth. Anko blinked in shock and tried to complain, but in the same instant Gai swallowed the strange powder his face relaxed. A pop sound brought everybody's attention, there was Kakashi holding a stretcher with both hands.
-Ladies please step aside.
The three kunoichi nodded and stood up, letting Kakashi place the stretcher next to the green jounin. Gai opened his eyes and smiled goofily at his rival.
-Ey my dearest but eternal rival, how's Pakkun doing?
Ignoring the green jounin babbling, Asuma and Kakashi placed Gai over the stretcher with a quick but gentle gesture. With a nod both shinobi pulled up the stretcher and began walking off the restaurant. Anko took the wallet from her coat and gave it to Kurenai, before the red eyed kunoichi could say anything Anko was speeding up to the exit and following the two shinobi. Kakashi saw a glimpse of violet hair approaching them and in less than a second Anko caught up with them. Gai continued babbling and looking at the surroundings amazed, grinning at everything that met his gaze.
-Oh Anko-chan! I missed you so much! You know that everything seems paler and dull without your graceful and sophisticated violet hair on the screen.
Anko blushed a bit, but shook her head after, Gai was doped obviously he didn't know what the heck he was talking about. Gai smiled wider and took Anko's right hand with his.
-Anko-chan you are beautiful, even that white smoke my dearest bearded fellow is emanating from his nose is beautiful. My rival is beautiful, everything is beautiful!
Anko laughed nervously, Gai held her hand tightly and started brushing his face with it. Anko blushed a bit, she thought that murder him in that moment was in order but once again he wasn't in his senses.
-Anko-chan, I love you! Be my wife.
Anko froze, blinking in disbelief she tried to fade the crimson from her cheeks by breathing deeply.
-What do you say, my sweet violet spirit fighter?
Anko gulped and sweated dropped, squeezing his hand gently she smiled.
-We'll discuss that later.
---
Shizune was looking at the weekly report, the nurses gave her each time she paid a visit, when the trio arrived. Frowning she walked closer and without saying a word, she pulled out Asuma's cigar and tossed it on the trash can. The bearded man was ready to complain when Anko interrupted by stepping in front of him.
-Save it big guy.-glaring at him.- Ey Shizune, come here for a sec.-taking her hand and dragging her next to Gai.
Gai was grinning like a kid that just received a humongous lollipop, Kakashi merely glanced at the doped green jounin and with a light nod he greeted Shizune. The medical kunoichi smiled and started checking Gai, she frowned a bit and started pressing her finger on his scalp. Anko was about to tell her about the twisted ankle but in that moment Shizune walked to the front desk and spoke with the nurse in there. Before any of the three jounin could ask something, three nurses appeared and without hesitation they took the stretcher from them and walked away, fading away with quick steps along with Gai's childish jokes. Anko sighed relieved and walked to the nearest couch on the room, landing on it she rested her head on the wall and closed her eyes. She felt a couple of stares on her but she was exhausted to even bother to respond at them, instead she cuddled and decided to nap a little.
Kakashi was glancing at the kunoichi when a rough hand shook his shoulder lightly. Asuma grinned and patting him on the back he left the hospital, the silver haired jounin blinked confused but shrugged and walked to the couch were Anko was sleeping. If they were going to wait for the green beast to heal up, better do it comfortable. Time passed painfully slow, once in a while a nurse appeared and chatted with the nurse that held guard on the front desk. Kakashi already memorized how many dots and cracks the ceiling had, Anko snored softly next to him, somehow when he was counting the 1,789th dot of the ceiling for the fourth time her head landed softly on his right shoulder. He knew that the stupidest thing for a male to do, was to wake up a woman during her napping time. Even though she had an unhealthy, bizarre fanaticism of tasting her victim's blood and enjoyed greatly each time she got the chance to use her creativity in torturing the enemy in many painful ways before murdering them with a simple strike and a wicked smile on her lips, she was still a woman… somewhere deep inside of her, really deep.
The silver haired jounin was about to start counting the cracks of the ceiling for the seventh time, when Shizune appeared with a smile drew on her lips, Kakashi checked if Anko was still sleeping when she opened her eyes lazily and after realizing who was coming towards them, she jumped excited.
-How's he?!
Shizune smiled warmly and nodded softly, Anko sighed and grinned in her usual way. Yawning the violet haired kunoichi glanced at the clock on the wall and blinked in horror, glaring at the jounin on her back and mumbling something like "wait until we're out, porn freak" she looked at the medical ninja. Shizune continued smiling with her eyes closed and holding a tiny sheet of paper. Anko blinked in confusion and took the little paper, after reading it she frowned and glared at the other kunoichi, Shizune remained there smiling like nothing happened there but now with both hands on her back. Scratching her head Anko turned and faced the lazy copy ninja who was counting the dots on the ceiling for the tenth time. Kakashi blinked when a hand blocked his vision of the 2,378th dot, frowning he looked at the owner of the hand and arched his right brow.
-Give me your wallet.-shaking her hand in front of him.
Kakashi blinked heavily and arched more his brow if that was possible. Anko tapped the floor with her right foot but her hand stood there frigid and expectantly. Seeing there was no point in arguing, he took out his wallet from his back pocket and before he could give it to her, she took it off his hand and faced Shizune again but this time giving her almost every single coin Kakashi held on his wallet. Sighing he scratched his scalp and resumed his little game when again something blocked his vision, a little angered he looked up. Now what? There was Anko's face frowning and with a little hint of a wicked smile on her lips. Before he could say or do something, she pulled him by the collar and dragged him literally out of the building, making every nurse and doctor in the hospital to stare at them, shocked and confused.
It was already night and the restaurants were illuminating the street with many different light colors, their scents filled the air and the constant voices of the kids and adults having a great time broke the night's silence. Anko was still dragging the silver jounin when they arrived to her destination, her favorite spot to buy dangos. With a simple gesture she placed Kakashi next to her, he seemed quieter and docile than ever and then she realized that the thing she was dragging all the way around was a scarecrow. She was ready to yell when she remembered something, searching frenetically in her pockets and grinning manically she pulled out a leathered object. Snickering she opened it but in that instant someone stole it from her grip. Confused by the sudden disappearance she looked at the place where the thief ran, the only thing her eyes caught was a glimpse of something silver shining under the artificial lights. Grinding her teeth and shaking in anger, Anko kicked the floor in fury.
-DAMN YOU KAKASHI!!!
---
Anko jumped to the top of the last building of the street, glancing every possible direction where the copy ninja could have run, she sighed. Where is he? The night sky was getting dimmer each second and most of the people on the streets were heading back to their respective houses, while others got inside other stores or bars. Feeling a little tired the kunoichi jumped over the tank of the building and sat in Indian style over it, now she got a perfect view of the village. She watched how couples came out of restaurants, holding hands and smiling while looking at the night sky, unaware that they were been watched by a lone kunoichi. Anko felt how her stomach made a soft flip and her chest ached, not sure why she decided to watch something else, finding some shelter on the night sky.
It was a clear view, nothing seemed to spoil the landscape. A soft breeze chilled her spine, instinctively she hugged herself and wrapped her coat around her. The breeze flowed around her, making her violet hair to dance along with it, she breathed softly still looking at the night sky. The village was getting darker and quieter each second she spent on that spot, but she felt no humor in moving at all. In fact, she didn't feel in humor for nothing else but just stay there and watch the time flow, along with the breeze that chilled her feet. Softly she pulled her legs to her chest and hugged them, trying to hold some warmth in her. Ignoring the voices of the cheery voices of couples or gangs of friends under her feet, she buried her face on her arms and tried to block her mind, away from the village, away from the night, away from everything.
Flashback
-Why are you crying?
A younger Anko rubbed her eyes furiously, trying to hide the fresh tears of her eyes and sniffing soundly.-I'm not crying! Crying is for pussies!
-Oh… what a foul-mouthed girl I just found.
-Shut up, geezer!.-rubbing her eyes for the last time and glaring at him.- What the hell do you want?
He grinned and knelt next to her, Anko instinctively stepped back and started looking for a kunai on her pocket. The man chuckled and before the little girl could do something else, he snatched the weapon from her hands and aimed her neck with it.
-Do you fear death?.-hissing on her right ear and grinning wickedly.
Her eyes dried instantly and her heart skipped. Anko felt his lips caressing her ear, his voice chilling her back, to her surprise she didn't tremble. Snickering he pulled apart and placed the kunai over her hands, with his right hand he patted her hair and caressed her cheeks. The man stood up and walked a couple of steps before turning his head over his left shoulder, smiling.
-Come… you won't be harmed anymore.
---
Anko was gasping and sweating, crawling on the dark and searching for something to calm the pain. Feeling numb, she collapsed over the floor, her chest ached and her hands shock frenetically. Her forehead was bathed in sweat and her stomach flipped like she was on a rollercoaster. A door opened slowly, she tried to move but her body hurt so badly that the only thing she could do was look up to the man on the door. Her mouth was dry, she tried to speak but the only thing that came out, was a soft whine. The man at the door chuckled and walked next to her. Swallowing and concentrating all her strength she straightened up, his eyes pierced her face and trailed down to her neck, she could feel his cold eyes piercing her skin. Her neck burnt and the young Anko fell over the wood floor, her eyes drowning in tears, the pain was too much to bear for a single child. Feeling her mind revolving and her body twisting in pain, she glanced at the man on the room for the last time.
-Why…?
The man laughed, freezing the room with his cruel laughter he knelt next to her.-You're just a toy I like to play with but now you're.-caressing her hair.-Nothing… anymore.
End of flashback
Anko lifted her head, warm tears flowing down her cheeks. Her chest ached, she found it real hard to breathe. Anko buried her face on her arms, trying to erase the tears off her face. She took a deep breath and looked up again, finding the same night sky staring at her but this time it was painfully silent. Realizing that it was getting really late, she rubbed her eyes with the back of her right hand and stood up. Glancing at the almost dark and quiet village, she jumped off the building and walked towards her apartment.
Some drunk men on the streets glanced her, trying to nude her with his eyes. Normally the kunoichi would just beat the crap out of them, with one of the torture lessons Ibiki taught her, but she was in no mood for that, instead she placed both hands on her coat's pockets and walked silently. The streets were almost dark and even though she normally wouldn't have a problem with it, she disliked it in that moment. It was so quiet and chilly that brought her back memories that she thought were buried deep in her mind. Anko kicked softly a tiny rock, she found on the floor and continued walking, swimming deep on her mind and trying to breathe calmly but her chest was still aching.
Before she could think and process of how she got there, she was staring at the KIA memento, the Hokage's monuments shone under the bright moon along with the great black stone in front of her. She blinked in confusion, looking at her surroundings and sighing once, she realized that her own feet betrayed her and brought her there. Snorting she scratched her scalp and decided to head back, she didn't need in that moment to feel more depressed by the sight of her parents names over the stone. She was heading back to the village when a presence made her stop, frowning the kunoichi closed her eyes tiredly.
-Not in the mood for hide and seek you know, just come out ok?
A presence appeared in front of her, she didn't need to open her eyes to know who it was. Kakashi unfolded his arms and walked closer, the kunoichi held position with both arms in her pockets and her eyes still closed. The silver haired jounin frowned, once he realized that she wasn't attacking him, not even looking at him, in fact she wasn't doing anything to him… this surprisingly made him wonder if everything was fine. Not only she didn't follow him after he took back his wallet from her, he couldn't seem to find her once he realized that she wasn't tracking him as he thought she would. Kakashi stopped looking for her once he noticed that it was pointless, instead he decided to go back home but before that he decided to pay a visit to Obito's grave, for his amazement the same person he was looking for moments ago was standing in front of him.
-Got tired of looking for me?
Anko didn't respond, instead she looked up and faced him with a serious look. Kakashi felt a pinch on his chest, her eyes were piercing his and somehow he felt uneasy. A silence felt over them and Kakashi found it hard to breathe. Trying to keep it cool and continue smiling he looked to the shining moon over them. Black shadows danced around them, but the jounin ignored them and continue gazing at the white star.
-It sure looks fine, don't you think?
Again the kunoichi didn't respond, she was still gazing at him, piercing his skull with her brownish eyes. Kakashi dared to look at her again, she was emotionless with her brown orbs watching his moves, but somehow he knew that she wasn't even paying attention. He stepped closer but she didn't move again, daring he placed his left hand over her right shoulder and squeezed softly. The kunoichi glared him, but he didn't step back, instead he remained there still looking at her eyes, trying to find something unusual. Even though she didn't like how near he was of her, she didn't push him back. Anko waited patiently for his next move, but it never came. Finding this irritating, Anko glared him defiantly and pulled apart, releasing from his hand. The silver haired jounin undeterred.
-What do you want?
Now it was Kakashi's time to stay silent, Anko tried to analyze him by just looking at him, but his body and face showed no sign of movement. How could she figurate out someone who doesn't show any type of emotions to the others? Is that even human? Yeah she was a shinobi too, a talented one. But even though she got training on her emotions department, she didn't annihilate them entirely. Besides the training was to use it against the enemies, not for the ones that are your friends. Not for the ones that reallycareabout you… Anko glared him, still expecting something to happen but nothing changed. How could he be so calm and say nothing at all? Is not like nothing happened between them right? How could he be so straight faced when they just shagged? Anko grunted and clenched her fists in anger.
-I said, what do you want?.-stepping closer so she could have a closer view of his face.
There was Kakashi with his silver hair shining under the moon's light, the breeze shaking his hair smoothly and his deep grey eyes watching her. His mask covered most his face but even though she was so close and could see his lips, they were emotionless. Anko frowned and dug her nails on the palms of her hands, hurting them and making light scratches over them, blood coloring her nails. Even though he smelled her blood spreading lightly on her hands, he didn't say anything. Infuriated Anko with her bloody hands took him from his shoulders and shook him hardly.
-Tell me!.-shaking him furiously, her eyes glaring at him.-What do you WANT!?
Anko stopped shaking him so she could hear his answer, his face was stoic and empty as usual. The jounin was just looking at her, blinking lazily. The kunoichi felt how her hands shook in anger. Desperate she started punching his chest, trying to get him to answer or do something, instead he let her do whatever she felt like to, she punched him harder but he didn't do nothing to stop her. Her hands hurt, she felt how her body was getting sore and each punch she gave was weaker than the one before. His eyes continued piercing her skull, Anko couldn't take anymore and slapped him. Her hand ached and she could tell by the pain on it that this really hurted the silver haired jounin face. Kakashi rubbed his left cheek with his left hand, still looking at her with the same gaze, emotionless. Anko gasped but continued glaring him. Kakashi caressed for the last time his cheek and turned over, placing both hands on his pockets he looked up his shoulder and glanced at the kunoichi.
-Nothing… anymore.
-.-.-.-
A/N: OH BOY! Finally I was able to put this down! Since I heard Stroke of Luck from Garbage this scene popped in my mind and I couldn't get it out until now. Sorry folks for taking this long but I just got back to school and mixing this with work and the usual chores… NIGHTMARE! Well hope you liked this so far, told ya about the thing changing in a way that you won't like them at all, but be realistic! Not every relationship is peaches and cream, something nasty has to appear right? Anyway I'm just trying my best in not spoiling the characters here and also I'm not sure if Anko's parents are really dead but well let's cope with it ok? Not that this fact is relevant but well it sort of work here for a bit hehehe XD Anyway thanks again for reading my story and reviewing it! 70 reviews! Oh god! Didn't see that one coming! I'm so honored and joyous thank you so much T.T I decided to draw another scene of Gelato, still thinking in which any ideas or suggestions:P Well better dash, got a lot of homework to do before Monday, so take care and I'll try to reply each review but it seems that f f . n e t is not working properly anymore T.T yikes well see ya next Sunday!
P.S: Thanks again Prophet for helping me with my grammar and encouraging me to continue this also to TwoTails who's spreading the word of this story (hehehe free publicity XD)
P.S2: Check my profile, I got news for you in the "Let's draw a scene of Gelato as a gratitude present for you" department!