[The last week of Masami's mandatory sabbatical flies by quickly as it's filled by getting together with Kurenai, domestic interactions with various villagers and shinobi, Masami finding and furnishing her own apartment, and mostly spending time with Kakashi. Ever since she finally told him that she loves in return, they've been keeping their relationship ultra discreet which only makes their private time together more invigorating. Masami's apartment is on an upper level of the complex with windows which face out onto a busy street below. She moves her jasmine bushes from Kakashi's balcony to her fire escape, and her steady care of them draws the attentions of her admirers. They often call out to her from the street below and she only ever politely responds with a wave and smile; it's just enough to keep them constantly coming back for more. The affections of the people keep Kakashi healthily jealous but excited at the same time. He feels special knowing he has someone unique that many others would love to be or have and he enjoys the suspense stealthily of sneaking into her apartment.]

[Across the road is another apartment building with windows that almost parallel the complex Masami lives in. Masami often leaves her windows open because she enjoys the breeze and her neighbor directly across the road has noticed. He almost swears that she knows better and she's doing it on purpose just to unease him but he's realistic in accepting that she has no idea and he hates glancing out across the window because more often than not it gets his heart racing. He's seen her wake up in the morning wearing only a camisole and panties and he admires the smooth contour of her rear as she stretches. He's watched her graceful movements as she flutters around her apartment throughout her daily routines. And he tries his hardest to ignore the feelings stirring in his chest because he knows nothing will ever come of it. He's taken up running after strenuous training so that both the physical exertion and just being out of his apartment will distract him from what's welling up inside of him.]

[He's completely exhausted and drenched with sweat but he's still not ready to go home as the stars begin to spread across the sky. He sighs because he knows he doesn't have a choice, but he's hoping perhaps Masami won't be home. He's in luck, her windows are dark as he walks up his building and enters his abode. He drags himself into the shower and lets the hot water soothe his muscles before he gets ready for bed. He puts on some sleep pants and is towel drying his hair when he hears a commotion outside on the street. Many people are leaning out of their windows to observe the ruckus below. It seems two vendors going opposite directions on the street have crashed into each other and are getting quite loud and argumentative over whose fault it is. He unwittingly glances across the street and sees Masami has arrived home while he was in the shower and she too is looking out onto the scene. She notices him across the street then she calls out his name and gives him a big smile and wave. He blushes and reciprocates before crawling back in his window and closing his blinds so he won't accidentally see her anymore. Iruka climbs into bed and sighs miserably]

(Iruka thinking) "It's not fair..."

[Masami is finished people watching out her window after she's seen Iruka across the street. She had been drunk the last and only time she had been to his apartment, and she wasn't as familiar with the village then, so she didn't realize she'd moved in so close to him now. She sighs and pulls the curtains]

(Masami thinking) "That man is beautiful with his hair down and no shirt on! He almost made me lose my concentration and fall out the window! Oh heavens this could be trouble... Hopefully Tsunade will clear me to return to missions tomorrow morning... Ugh, what is this nagging feeling? Guilt? Doubt? Wait, why? Because I just ogled another man who isn't the one I'm committed to? Or because that man is Iruka? It means nothing. Absolutely nothing. I love Kakashi and that's all there is to it..."

[Masami senses a change in the room and when she turns around Kakashi is there. She tilts her head and bites her bottom lip before she leaps onto him and squeezes his waist with her legs. She kisses him deeply and when she leans back out of it, he speaks]

"I missed you too!"

[He laughs as he carries her back to her bedroom; as soon as he snuck in he covered all the windows so no one will see. The sound of his laughter makes her heart flutter, and she can't contain her smile as he lays her down. All the shadows in her mind are cast out by his presence]

(Masami) "He's so close to perfect it isn't funny... Kakashi Hatake you are the only man for me..."

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[In the wee hours of the morning when the first beams of light begin to streak across the sky, Kakashi and Masami tenderly kiss each other goodbye. Kakashi is leaving on a mission today and Masami is hoping to follow suit so she won't have to miss him as much. They spend too much time saying farewell, and it's mid-morning before they finally leave each others' arms. The team Kakashi is on assignment with is annoyed he's running late again, but they expected it. After carefully dressing and styling herself, Masami trots down to the hokage's office. She passes the academy doors quickly hoping to avoid Iruka as she hurries up the stairs to Tsunade. Masami smooths out the front of her clothes before knocking]

"Come in!"

[Masami enters and see Tsunade is speaking with a group of the academy instructors. Masami politely nods at the group and smiles, Iruka blushes, and Tsunade catches it]

(Tsunade thinking) "That poor fool still cares..."

"Thank you for coming Masami. The rest of you are dismissed"

[As the others file out of the room Masami keeps her gaze ahead to Tsunade while Iruka puts his hands in his pockets and stares at the ground as he walks out. Tsunade waits for the door to close before she speaks]

"After speaking with your counselor I believe you are fit to return to duty. I wish for you to observe relations at the villages hidden in stone, grass, and valleys to see what, if any interactions they may be having with the Village Hidden by Rain. All three of these villages are in minor countries between the five great shinobi nations and are therefore susceptible to influence from the Hidden Rain. You will need to be especially inconspicuous while in the Hidden Grass Village because they are known for their great prowess in the analysis of both people and politics. If they have any business with the Hidden Rain Village, they will keep it closely guarded and especially so if you are found to have affiliations with another country. After visiting the Village Hidden by Valleys, I would like you to linger in the Land of Rivers close to the border by the Hidden Rain Village to see what commerce is traveling back and forth between the two villages. I have sent a three man cell with no medical nin to try to infiltrate the Village Hidden by Rain; the purpose of you traveling to the three aforementioned villages is two-fold in both observation and being on stand by in case you are needed. The reconnaissance team is there to gather intel and return any missing nin who may be hiding there, they have been instructed to avoid conflict at all costs. I would like you to begin in the Hidden Grass Village then travel northwest into the Land of Earth and follow it's border southwest toward the stone. After you're done there, move south into the Land of Wind before turning southwest towards the Village Hidden in Valleys, after which you will station yourself in the northern area of the Land of Rivers. Please leave as soon as possible and you will need to take this female beetle with you, this is how Shibi Aburame will find and contact you if you are needed. Are your orders clear?"

"Yes Tsunade"

"Good. I would like updates sent to me after you've reached each of the villages, however wait until you reach the Village Hidden in Stone before you report to me about the Hidden Grass, we will need to keep you anonymous to them as long as possible. My recon team is traveling by more conventional methods, so if you utilise supreme speed, you should already be in the Grass Village this evening before they are halfway to the Hidden Rain. They've been given two weeks to gather as much information as they can, so gauge your time wisely on this mission. Even if there is not an incident where your medical skills are required, they are still to rendezvous with you in the north of the Land of Rivers before returning here. You are dismissed"

"Yes Tsunade"

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[Masami's stomach rumbles as she exits the office and it's close enough to lunch time anyways she figures she'll grab a quick bite at Ichiraku before leaving on her mission. Teuchi, like many others in the village, is rather sweet on Masami so when her order is ready there are extras of her favorites in there. She smiles and thanks him, and as she's cracking open her chopsticks someone takes the seat next to her; it's Iruka]

"Oh, hi Iruka!"

"Hey Masami"

"I'm a little surprised to see you here"

"Really? Because this is my favorite restaurant..."

"No, no. I meant talking with me... After the last time we spoke I really didn't think you wanted anything to do with me"

"Oh yea, about that... I'm sorry. I was being kind of a jerk. You know, you make it really hard to stay upset with you when you're so kind and friendly all the time"

[She smiles at him and he melts on the inside. He takes only a second to regain his composure]

"Anyways, I just wanted to tell you that I'm happy for you and I'm glad you decided to make this village your home."

"Aw, thank you Iruka"

"Do you mind if I buy you lunch? I'd like to make it up to you for being so hard-hearted before and as sort of a welcome present to your new place"

"Sure, that would be very nice. Thank you"

[Masami smiles again and it gives Iruka flutters in his stomach. Teuchi doesn't know that Kakashi and Masami are in a relationship, so he becomes very jealous that his opportunity to be alone with her is being encroached upon by Iruka. Teuchi's enviousness results in Iruka's bowl being very skimpy on the meats and vegetables, especially in comparision to Masami's over abundance. Iruka looks confused as he scratches the back of his head and asks]

"Hey Teuchi, do you mind if I get more-"

"NO! We just ran out!"

[Masami smiles then offers]

"That's a shame! Here Iruka, have some of mine. I have more than I can eat anyways and I would hate for it to go to waste"

"Gee, thanks!"

[Iruka gets a big grin on his face as Masami cheerfully lifts some of the meats and veggies out of her bowl and places it into his. Teuchi turns with his back facing them as he has tears streaming down his face]

(Teuchi thinking) "Oh Lady Masami! You are far too sweet and gracious!"

[Iruka and Masami's conversation is light and amiable as they eat their meals. When they get ready to leave, Masami remembers something]

"Oh hey Iruka, can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, what do you need?"

"I'm getting ready to leave on a mission, would you mind watering my plants for me while I'm gone?"

"Not a problem! Do you know how long you'll be away?"

"At least a couple weeks... You can bring them over to your place so it isn't a hassle for you to remember to stop by everyday"

"Okay, I've got a few more minutes right now before I have to return to the academy if you'd like me to get them now"

"Great! Let's head on over that way then"

[Iruka offers his arm and Masami takes it but he can feel there is a far greater distance between them now than there was before. He sighs because he's not sure why he's being so overly nice to her when he knows she's unlikely to ever be with him. As they walk he thinks to himself secretly in the back of his mind that perhaps she'll break up with Kakashi and want to be with him again. When they reach her apartment, he's surprised by how it looks on the inside. He waits politely by the door and admires the unique decor as she fetches the shrubs off her fire escape. Iruka has to refrain from commenting how much different it looks from this perspective because he doesn't want her to think he's a stalker that spends his free time staring into her windows. When Masami returns with the plants in her arms, she hands one to Iruka and she notices his interest in her wall decor]

"These are all things I've collected as I've wandered; a habit I picked up from my mother. She taught me the art of fuinjutsu but in time I excelled and surpassed her in it. So now I've amassed quite an expansive collection of things I've sealed away into varying scrolls. I think now that I actually have a permanent residence I'll have to try to rotate things in and out so I can appreciate them more"

"I see"

[They walk across the street to Iruka's place and she stops at the door and hands him the other plant. He notices her hesitation at coming in and he can understand why so he doesn't push the issue]

"Well thank you again for being willing to take care of my shrubs for me"

"Anytime, just let me know if I can help"

"Great! Well, I better get ready to leave. Tsunade needs me out on the road asap"

"Okay, have safe travels!"

"I'll do my best! See you in a couple weeks"

"See you then!"

[Iruka watches Masami turn and walk away. He closes the door and sighs, his heart feels heavy. When he moves to set the plants outside his window, he sees Masami crossing the street back to her building. Although they have been pruned and are much more modest now, Iruka recognizes these bushes as the ones Guy gave her when she was hospitalized after the centipede's attack. Iruka sighs again as he smells the fragrant blooms, he now wishes he could take back his decision from then and maybe he would be with her now.]

[The rest of the day passes quickly and all too soon Iruka is getting ready for bed. He sighs as he looks out across the street and notices all of Masami's lights are off and her windows are closed with the curtains drawn. The aroma of jasmine fills the air as Iruka shuts his eyes. After a few minutes he hears a noise. He opens his eyes again and looks around at the dark. Someone is in his apartment. He sits up silently but before he can swing his feet off the bed, a figure appears in his bedroom door. Bathed in the bright moonlight he sees Masami standing there in a very short trench coat. Her hair shimmers as it flows freely past her shoulders, she smiles seductively and winks at him as she removes the coat revealing the sexy black lingerie she's wearing underneath]

"I'm sorry Iruka... I couldn't help myself anymore..."

"M-m-masami? What are you doing here?"

[From the foot of his bed, she crawls on her hands and knees until she is straddled over him. Her thighs are against his hips as she sits back and wraps her arms around his neck. He begins to sweat and he takes a big gulp as Masami leans in close to his face. Her eyes are glittering and full of intent as she gazes into him. When she speaks again her voice is hushed and full of want for him]

"Iruka, I can't lie to myself anymore or deny that I want you"

"But what about Kakashi?"

"What about him? Being with him is a farce. You're the only man I feel this way about"

[She kisses him forcefully and her lips are full and delicious to Iruka. He stops and pushes her back]

"Please wait, this isn't right-"

"It isn't wrong either! Put your hands on me, I want to feel you all over my body tonight"

[Masami leans back into him and he doesn't fight her. When her tongue enters his mouth, it sends him over the edge. He wraps his arms around her back and presses his fingertips into her skin. When he breaks their kiss, he bites onto the sensitive area between her neck and shoulder causing her to cry out sensually into his ear. It drives him even further beyond reason and he slides his hands over the supple curvature at the end of her back and removes her panties. He pushes her onto her back and dives face first into the hot, yearning place between her thighs where they join her body. His efforts quickly get her to climax and her moans make him burn with desire. Iruka can't stop himself as he kicks off his pants and pushes himself deep into her. Watching her head tilt back as she moans out her pleasure is almost more than he can bear. He spends the night being both agressive and tender in his love making to her with intervals of rest in between. When he wakes up in the morning, he's alone and clothed. He grabs the other pillow off his bed and smells it, but there's not a trace of her on it at all]

(Iruka) "I don't remember getting dressed last night... was it all just a dream? Damn, it must have been or else I wouldn't hurt this bad from having been aroused so long... I shouldn't have bothered to have lunch with her yesterday because now she's invading my dreams... Dammit, this is all my fault..."

[Iruka walks into his bathroom and looks into the mirror at his back to see if Masami's claw marks are there. To his disappointment they're not, further solidifying everything he experienced last night was nothing more than just a nighttime fantasy. Even though he cleaned up before bed last night, Iruka starts up the shower again this morning. He lets the steam fill the room before he steps into the water and relieves his aching erection then cleans himself so he can start his day. When Iruka leaves his apartment building for the academy, he looks up longingly to Masami's apartment where the windows and curtains are still closed. He sighs]

(Iruka) "Oh Masami... Will I ever get the chance to be with you and share that you are the woman of my dreams?"

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