[Kakashi and Masami continue their journey starting early the next morning. By midday they reach the coast and hop on a ferry headed towards the island Masami's parents live on. The evening has already settled and the mist thickened when the ferry reaches the island. Masami steps off the boat and hesistates and Kakashi notices]

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, Lets hurry"

[As they walk through the village, the common people appear like specters suddenly floating in and out of the fog. The density of it quickly begins to saturate Kakashi and Masami's clothes. Masami summons another Great Gray Owl, she kisses it on the head and says to it]

"I'm sorry about your family, do you forgive me?"

[The owl hoots and rubs it head against her jaw, before proceeding to fly in front as a guide]

"What happened?"

"When Kisame decided to make his presence known to me, he violently took my other friend"

[Masami says this through gritted teeth, a mixture of sadness and anger reads across her face. Kakashi hesitates from comforting her because of how they normally keep their relationship discreet in public and if any enemies are watching them right now, his feelings for her could be used against him. Masami speaks]

"Lets stop at an inn for tonight. My parents won't be expecting me to arrive after dark and I don't want to be on the receiving end of one of their surprises"

"Surprises?"

"Yes. When we were nomads, my parents headed up security and they had some clever traps for any would be attackers. Now even years after having settled down and taken the life of farmers they still have protections set up against pests and theives"

"I see"

[Kakashi and Masami stop at an inn at the outskirts of the village. Once inside thier room, Masami goes to draw herself a steamy bath in the overly large bathtub. Kakashi can see through the cracked door a view of Masami's bare back as the towel wrapped around her body has dipped precariously low. He can't resist, he enters the bathoom and places a cool hand on her skin, giving her goosebumps. Kakashi tenderly massages her shoulders while the tub slowly fills, Masami closes her eyes as she takes in his nurturing touch. Once the tub is full, she drops her towel and lowers herself into the water. Seeing her nude backside arouses him, and he's having a hard time restraining himself.]

"Do you mind if I join you?"

"Come on in"

[As Masami moves over to allow Kakashi room, she turns to look at him. She watches as he pulls his shirt up over his head, the hem of his shirt grazing all the smooth contours of his upper body begins to excite her. When his face reappears, she smiles at him then bites her lower lip. As he moves to take off his pants, she turns back around. Masami feels the disturbance of the water as Kakashi enters, he slides in and takes a seat behind her. He scoots close to her and she can't ignore his hardening need against his back. Her breathing quickens as he kisses the back of her neck and shoulders while wrapping his arms around her front. Flashes of Itachi begins to invade her mind but she pushes them away.]

[Masami has finally decided she won't let him prevent her from being with Kakashi anymore. She turns around in his arms and kisses him passionately. This, a kiss like this is what he's been needing so desperately from her for months now. Masami aggressively presses her body into Kakashi's and even gives him a little nip as she's kissing him. He feels between her legs and finds she's more than ready and she reciprocates with a vigorous grip of his own; It's more than the trigger he needs before going on a sexual rampage. Breaking their kiss, he turns her around and lifts her up out of the water then bends her over at the tub's edge. Kakashi's fingers dig into Masami's hips as he eagerly thrusts into her. She white-knuckles the edge of the tub as she screams out in ecstasy, the rhythm of her cries matching that of the movements of his body. After a few minutes, he withdraws from her and panting, instructs her to move to the bed. Equally out of the breath, she obliges him, but there things only get more athletic. Masami straddles Kakashi and she rides him vigorously until her muscles burn and ache. Noticing her pace slowing down, he spins her around again so that her back is facing him, and while still underneath her, he grips her waist and begins moving his own hips to push up into her. The pain of the new depths he's hitting causes her to lean forward and hold onto the sheets. He takes advantage and moves his legs into a new position so now he's fully on top of her and he places his arms on either side of her body as begins to drill into her. Masami presses her face down into the mattress and bites the covers trying to muffle her screams. When Kakashi finishes, he collapses on top of her. Together they're a sweating, panting, heap, Kakashi feels like he's on fire and Masami is enjoying the soreness while she feels him throbbing and unloading inside of her. After recovering together, they return to the bathroom to clean each other off, then dress and ready themselves for bed.]

[Kakashi is ready to go comatose now that his energy and testosterone is spent. He feels Masami rest her head against his chest as he holds her as close to him as he can. He hopes he's the only man on her mind as she falls asleep, but he'll have no such luck]

[In Masami's subconscious, the black and gold gilded door cracks open. She is immediately submersed in what she sees. Masami can see in the distance her former village, but directly in front of her is a pale skinned, snake-like man. He's holding a bundle of swaddling cloths then speaks to her]

"Tsk, tsk, what a waste. Did you do this yourself?"

[Using speed jutsu, she removes the bundle from his arms and puts herself a short distance from him. Glancing down in her arms she sees a stillborn infant wrapped in the cloths. She calls out the snake man]

"Of course not your heartless bastard! I have a feeling your meddling resulted in her being born this way"

"I see... I shall have to try different methods next time"

"There won't be a next time Orochimaru!"

[Next Masami performs a jutsu she's never seen or known before and instantly becomes engulfed in flames. It takes only seconds before she and the stillborn are rendered completely to ash. Orochimaru steps forward, but the wind suddenly picks up and scatters the ash infinitesimally.]

"MASAMI! WAKE UP!"

[She bolts upright breathing heavy in a cold sweat. The early morning light creeps into the room as she recognizes a panicked look on Kakashi's face]

"I thought you couldn't use any fire jutsus!"

"What are you talking about Kakashi? I don't have any ability with fire chakra"

"The purple flames you just tried to incinerate me with would imply otherwise"

[Looking around the room more thoroughly, Masami notices the light is entering the room from a new hole in the ceiling]

"No way..."

[She steps out of the bed and examines the charred beams which are still smoldering.]

"You were tossing and turning in your sleep, then you yelled something about Orochimaru and literally fired off that attack"

"I don't know what happened..."

"Why haven't you told me before you've encountered Orochimaru?"

"I have no idea who that is!"

"That opening in the roof tells me differently"

"Kakashi, look me in the eye. I'm being one hundred percent honest with you. I have no clue who that is and I don't understand what I was just dreaming about"

"Tell me what you saw"

[After recounting her dream again, Kakashi sits back thoughtfully and puts his chin in his hand. Masami sighs in frustration then says]

"I'm not much for wanting anymore sleep now. Lets go ahead and get back on the road"

[They pack their things and prepare themselves in silence. Kakashi is still trying to figure out Masami's dream as she's still trying to forget it. As they start down the road he finally speaks, breaking the quiet]

"Orochimaru is an extremely powerful albeit twisted and sadistic ninja. He has been known to perform human experiments and if your subconscious is revealing things you can't ordinarily remember, I would wager that you are one of his victims"

"To be honest, I'm not sure that I want to remember"

[Kakashi looks thoughtful again as they walk. The mist clears as the sun rises in the sky, they leave the village and start passing by farmland. As they aproach a grove of mango trees, Masami sighs. After a couple more minutes of walking, they approach a large bell at the head of a road that cuts into the middle of the grove. Masami pulls on the large rope to ring it then proceeds to walk down. Kakashi looks at her questioningly]

"It's to announce we're here so no one tries to spring on us as we head towards the homestead"

"Ah"

[As they walk together, various workers attending to the trees peer around and some recognize her, calling out]

"Hey Masami!"

"Back so soon?"

"Welcome home!"

[Kakashi asks]

"Are all these people your family?"

"No, they're mostly villagers who work here for my parents, but some are fellow nomads who traveled with us. My parents got to be quite prosperous selling the fruits and the fruit products, but being the humble folk they are, they couldn't help from distributing the wealth with others by offering job opportunities to all. These mangoes are actually not native to this land, but were brought here as seed pods by my parents. The trees have done well here in the fertile soil and have done a great deal to bolster and strengthen the community"

"I see"

[As they approach the homestead they find a collection of small homes with the largest although still modest home in the center. A tall, thin, older man with platinum blonde hair and warm brown eyes is working on a tractor parked at the front of the houses. Noticing movement the man looks up and smiles. He wipes oil off his hands with a rag and approaches them with arms open]

"Masami! I didn't think I'd see you again so soon!"

"Hello Father! I didn't think I'd be back again so soon!"

[The man hugs Masami then gestures to Kakashi]

"And who is this strapping young lad with you?"

[As the man says this, he gives Kakashi a solid heavy pat on the back that almost winds him]

"Father, this is Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi, I'd like you to meet my father, Sho"

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Tachikaze"

[Kakashi extends his hand and Sho, and Sho firmly shakes it. Kakashi can tell it's a test of strength, but Kakashi doesn't back down]

"No, the pleasure is all mine m'boy! And please, call me Sho. Now where has my wife gotten away to? AMAYA! HURRY QUICKLY!"

[A similarly tall, thin, older woman with darker blonde hair and green eyes pops into the air next to Sho]

(Kakashi thinking) "So that's where Masami gets it from..."

"Oh Masami! What are you doing here?"

[The woman rushes Masami and hugs her, then steps back to inspect Kakashi]

"I reported in to the hokage and she decided to give me some time off, so I figured I'd come back here and introduce you to Kakashi. Kakashi, this is my mother Amaya"

"He is handsome Masami! And tall too! And here I was just telling your father I was worried you'd never bring a man home!"

[Masami is clearly embarrassed]

"Mother..."

"Well I was! It's a delight to meet you Kakashi! You may call me Amaya, no need for formalities here"

"It's very nice to meet you Amaya"

[Kakashi can't ignore the obvious differences in their appearance. While Masami is only of average height, has dark hair, beautiful violet eyes, and has a very womanly build, both of her parents look quite similar in their tall heights, slender frames, fair hair and eyes of more average colors. Masami seems to pick up on what he's thinking, but before she can say anything, Amaya cuts in]

"Goodness! This is so rude of me to keep you all standing out here in the sun! Please come inside for some refreshments! I'm sure you'd like to rest after your journey!"

[Masami and Kakshi follow Amaya. The house is cozy and decorated with trinkets from various lands. Masami and Kakashi take a seat at the kitchenette as Amaya pours them both something to drink and offers them some fresh cut mango. Then she tasks herself to preparing some lunch]

"I'm sorry it's not much, but it's what we have"

"No, it's wonderful, thank you. And your house is lovely"

"Thank you very much Kakashi! You are such a nice young man, I like you already! Did you know Masami has never brought a man home to us before?"

[Masami is embarrassed again]

"Mother..."

"I recall you mentioning that outside, I hope I'm the last man she brings home to you too"

[He slides his hand across the table and places it on top of Masami's. She blushes in response]

"You are so smooth"

[Masami says as she winks at Kakashi. Amaya begins to gush]

"Oh, young love! It seems like ages ago when your father used to do anything to make me smile. And he really used to make a fool out of himself sometimes too! Enjoy it while it's here Masami! Pretty soon you'll end up like me, with Sho always babbling on about "Amaya, have you seen this? Amaya did you move such and such? Amaya did you do that?" I'm lucky if I get a "Hi, how are you? Good morning" anymore these days!"

[Masami smiles at her mother]

"So, how long will you be staying this time?"

"Oh, I figure about five days. We're due back a week from when we left Konoha, so leaving on the evening of the fifth day gives us enough time to travel back home."

"Daughter of mine, do my ears deceive me or did I just hear you refer to a place as home?"

"Well, I suppose you did"

[Amaya cheerfully claps her hands]

"Oh my, you really are settling down! Does this mean I'll be hearing wedding bells in the future?"

[Kakashi and Masami get simultaneously uncomfortable. Masami chuckles then speaks]

"Well Mother, if I hear anything I promise to let you know"

"Delightful! You know I can't wait for grandchildren! Masami, that biological clock just keeps ticking away-"

"MOTHER THAT'S ENOUGH!"

[Masami is bright red from a combination of anger and embarassment while Kakashi laughs nervously]

[After lunch, the rest of the day is spent peacefully. Masami gives Kakashi a tour of the grounds from the grove where all the produce is grown, to the warehouse where it's inspected then either shipped out fresh or turned into juices or preserves. Later that evening after dinner, Sho, Amaya, Masami, and Kakashi sit outside on the front porch chatting, whilst other homesteaders do the same. The children and dogs play out in the open area in the middle of the houses as the light quickly fades out of the sky. Kakashi speaks]

"So, I can't help wondering where Masami gets those beautiful eyes of hers"

"It's something we've always wondered ourselves" Sho answers

"Masami was blessed to have two mothers, the one who birthed her and myself" Amaya adds

"You knew Masami's mother then?" Kakashi asks

"No. One night a poor, wretched, wraith of a thing showed up on our doorstep begging us to take care of her baby. I couldn't even tell you what she looked like because she was dressed in a drab robe with a large hood, but she looked like an angel to us. For years we had prayed for a child that seemed as if it would never come. Clearly it didn't take a lot of convincing for us to say yes, and just as soon as we did the poor woman was gone. Since that day, Masami has been our most precious gift." Amaya continues, her face beaming with happiness

"I see" Kakashi says as he nods his head

"I only wish I wasn't such troublesome child" Masami states

"Well I thank the heavens we found Monk Isao, he certainly contributed to your success as an adult" says Sho

[Masami glances downward and smiles]

"Yes, he certainly did."

[The conversation continues on late into the evening before everyone finally retires for the night. After Masami falls asleep in his arms, Kakashi gently lays her down before crawling back out of bed to think. His mind has been heavy thinking about Masami's dream last night. With the revelation of her adoption, Masami was clearly very cherished by her parents and they would have never let her come to any harm as a child. Perhaps during Masami's adult travels she encountered Orochimaru but either her subconscious or the evil man himself sealed away the trauma of her memories. After a couple hours pacing the room, Kakashi gives up for the night before settling in next to his love]

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