The man Kakashi and I went to question turns out to be a drug dealer. He had a planner with a list of his customers' names. A fair number of celebrities' names appear on the list.
"This could get a little rough..." Kakashi whispered.
His serious tone of voice alerted me to just how big of a case this really is.
"Okay, let's get this meeting started," Kakashi says, "Shikamaru, you pair up with Sasuke. Use your instincts, and Sasuke's level head and find out whatever you can. Sounds good?"
"Yes, sir," Shikamaru replies.
"Got it," Sasuke says.
"Naruto will be in charge of analyzing intel as it comes in," Kakashi looks at Naruto, "We need your powers of deduction to fit all the pieces together."
Naruto nods, "Okay."
"Sai, Neji, I want you two to be responsible for interrogating our dealer."
They both nod their heads, "Yes, sir."
Everyone describes their investigative plans for the day. Kakashi quickly analyzes their ideas, and puts together a broad plan of attack for the case."
"Haruno and I will check out the other spot we got a tip-off about," Kakashi says, "We leave this afternoon. Get everything ready by then."
I nod my head, "Understood."
"!st Unit is going to be double-checking the case analysis," Kakashi informs us, "and testimonials they get from Naruto."
"Why do we have to help you?" Gaara asks.
"Working with you misfits? How humiliating..." Kankuro says.
"You've gotta be freakin' kidding me..." Temari says.
The 1st Unit detectives look annoyed and mutter complaints.
What jerks!
"Look, assholes," Shikmaru says.
"Shikamaru," Kakashi says in a stern voice.
Angry, Shikamaru stands up. Kakashi raises an arm to hold him back, and looks out at the faces of everyone gathered in the room.
"It doesn't matter if you're in 1st Unit or 2nd Unit," Kakashi says sternly and low, "Right now, we're all investigating the same case. Only amateurs let grudges get in the way of the job. Are we clear?"
Kakashi keeps his voice low, but its power reverberates throughout the room.
"We're all professionals here, so let's keep our personal feelings to ourselves. Right now, we need to come together to solve this case. I'm not making any distinctions between units."
"Pfft... You're all talk," Gaara says.
"I don't think I'm all talk, but even if you do, it doesn't really matter," Kakashi says.
Kakashi looks straight at the three 1st Unit detectives.
"If we can't rely on you to work this case seriously, now's your chance to get out of here and crawl back into your hole."
"Hey..." Kankuro says.
"But if you've got any pride as detectives... stay right where you are and prove it," Kakashi says, "I'm a fair man. Even if you guys do think I'm full of shit, that's the truth."
Kakashi speaks firmly and resolutely to the 1st Unit detectives, and then turns back to face the larger group.
"I'll leave it to you all to work the details out for yourselves," he says, "Don't worry about politics, just do what you think is best for the case."
We all nod our heads, "Yes, sir."
"That's the fastest way, anyway. Leave the complicated stuff somebody else!" Kakashi says and laughs, then looks out over the faces in the room.
"Any questions?"
Kakashi waits a moment before turning to face 1st Unit once more.
"What's up? You guys decided not to go running back to your hole?" he asks.
"Pfft... We couldn't be less interested in working with you losers, but... This does seem like a good opportunity for us to show off our skills," Kankuro says.
The other two 1st Unit detectives nod.
"You've got more balls than I thought. Maybe I was wrong about you," Kakashi says.
Kakashi raises an eyebrow and grins his eye crinkle smile.
The three 1st Unit detectives sit with their mouths agape in apparent shock.
"Next, you guys need to show me what you're made of. Make me eat my words," he says.
Kakashi's dignified gaze makes me want to sit up a little straighter. My heart starts beating a bit harder.
Wow...
Direction, dignity, charisma. If you looked up 'leader' in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure you'd find a picture of him.
"Alright then, meeting adjourned!" Kakashi says.
Smiling warmly, Kakashi picks up some reports and heads out of the room.
He's so cool...
My eyes are glued to Kakashi as he leaves. I try, unsuccessfully, to calm my racing heart.
"Hey!" Shikamaru shouts towards me.
"Huh?"
"Quit makin' that dumb face," he says.
I spin around. Shikamaru and Naruto have been sitting there, their faces cupped in their hands, watching me.
"You look like you just had your heart stolen, Sakura," Naruto says.
"Well, Boss is a good dude," Shikamaru says.
"Do you like him!?" Naruto asks me.
"What!? N-no way!" I exclaim.
Flustered, I deny what they're saying.
"You know, though... Being with Boss could be a pain in the ass," Shikamaru says.
"A pain the ass? Why?," I ask.
"Girls are always into Boss," Naruto replies, "He's only 29, but he's already a lieutenant. Plus, he's good looking. That being said, I've never heard a single rumor about Boss and a girl."
"So, what you're trying to say is that he's not a player?" I ask.
"No, I mean that he's clueless. At least when it comes to women," Naruto replies.
"Clueless!?" I say surprised.
"Yeah, it's like he uses up all of his intuition and observations skills at work," Naruto says.
"I mean, the man seriously doesn't even realize when a chick is into him," Shikamaru says.
"True," Naruto agrees, "There was a girl making some serious eyes at him just the other day. Guess waht Boss said when we told him that."
"What? Like... 'Is she angry at me?' or something? I ask.
"Nope," Naruto replies, "He said, 'Oh, Naruto, all the girls love you! She's definitely looking at you."
"Huh?"
"I can be a bit clueless too, but I can at least tell if someone's looking at me or not," Naruto confesses, "She was definitely checking out Boss."
"Typical Boss," Shikamaru says.
"That's ironic, Boss just called me clueless yesterday," I say.
"He has no idea how clueless he really is," Naruto says.
"Dude's cluelessness goes beyond normal human levels," Shikamaru says.
"Yeah, I don't think he's got a very active love life," Naruto says, "I've never heard a rumor about him having a crush or anything."
"Maybe that's intentional. That could be the impression he wants to give off at work," I argue.
"Uh-uh, no way. Boss is the opposite of two-faced," Shikamaru argues.
"He acts the same with everyone," Naruto implies.
"And even still, chicks freakin' love him. Shit's not fair," Shikamaru states, "I'm the one who *really* knows how to give the ladies what they want..."
"I don't know whether to call you confused or just plain delusional," Sakura confesses.
"What!?" Shikamaru exclaims, "Y-you really think so?"
"You've got your work cut out for you, good luck," Naruto laughs and pats me on the shoulder, "I'm rooting for you"
"Okay..." I say.
Wait, what?
"I mean... No!"
"Huh? No?" Naruto asks with confusion.
"No! You've got the wrong idea!"
"What? You sure?" Shikamaru asks.
"Yes, of course I'm sure!" I say confidently.
"Riiiight," Shikamaru says sarcastically.
"Uh-huh..." Naruto agrees with Shikamaru.
They obviously don't believe me.
"Is just that Kakashi's such a good leader... And I was thinking it's really amazing how good he is at pulling the team together," I confess, "My old unit ran smoothly, but we didn't have anyone like Hatake. I guess we didn't need someone like him, but, regardless, I was... impressed."
"What? Ain't no way you were just 'impressed'" Shikamaru argues.
"I'm serious. This is my job. I wouldn't do anything... inappropriate," I hesitantly say.
"Seriously?" Naruto asks.
Shikamaru points at me, "You are no fun."
"I'm not trying to be 'fun'?" I argue.
I act angry, but inside I feel uncertain.
Is that all? Is that really all I feel?
In the back of my mind, I question myself.
It's the afternoon, and Kakashi and I go to the spot the tip-off mentioned.
"Here? This is where they're selling?" I ask surprised.
"Look that way," Kakashi says.
It's an affluent suburb. I'm a little surprised someone's dealing drugs here.
"This is the place... Looks like they really do have some wealthy clients," Kakashi agrees.
"I'm worried," I confess.
The drug ring must be even more established than I thought.
"Yeah, the guys behind this aren't just everyday thugs," Kakashi says.
"That's apparent."
"Regardless, we've got to get to the bottom of this."
"Yeah."
A few hours later into the stakeout. The sky burns orange as the sun sets over the peaceful neighborhood, and a lone man appears. He wears a suit, but has a sharpness about him that leads one to believe he's no ordinary salary man.
"Hatake..."
"Yeah, he's no civilian. He could be the dealer."
"I knew it..."
The man stops to make a phone call and then walks off.
"Let's follow him," Kakashi commands.
"Okay."
We carefully follow him down the quiet residential street. There aren't any pedestrians to hid behind like there would be in the city. We keep our distance and trail the suspect. Without warning, he breaks into a run. Kakashi clicks his tongue.
"We've been spotted. After him!" he yells.
"Got it!"
We give up on trying to be discrete and take off running after the man.
"Stop!" Kakashi yells.
The man looks back at us. He picks up speed and turns down a narrow alley.
"Oh!" I yell.
My foot catches on a rock. I trip.
"Haruno!" Kakashi shouts.
Kakashi stops and looks back at me.
"I'm fine. Follow him!" I yell at Kakashi.
I force myself to stand and yell to Kakashi. Kakashi nods, and continues running after the suspect.
Ow...
It looks like I managed to twist my ankle. Careful of my injury, I take off in the direction of Kakashi and the suspect.
"Haruno!" kakashi yells.
I look around for the source of Kakashi's voice. There's no sign of the man from before. It looks like he got away somehow.
Damn it. It's all my fault...
"I'm sorry..." I apologize.
"What are you talking about? It looks like you really messed up that ankle."
"I'm okay. More importantly, the dealer... I'm so sorry."
"Don't apologize. Can you walk on the leg? Let me have a look."
At his request I sit down on a nearby ledge. Kakashi squats down to look at my foot.
"Huh?" I say.
Kakashi's hands roll up my pant leg.
"It's a little swollen," he says calmly.
Gently and carefully, he takes off my shoe.
K-Kakashi!
Holding my foot as if it's something delicate and precious, he examines my ankle.
"Does it hurt when I do this?"
"No, that's fine."
My ankle feels like it's on fire. And it's not because of the injury. I feel my body getting hot. It's like heat spreads from whatever spot he touches.
"Okay, how about this?"
He moves my ankle at a different angle and looks up at me with a worried face.
I can't look at your face right now...
The way Kakashi is kneeling looks really uncomfortable.
"That's okay too," I say.
My heart is the part that's not okay...
"Sakura?" he says softly.
"Y-yes?" I stammer.
"Are you okay? Your face is red. A bad sprain could lead to a fever."
Kakashi's expression is serious as he looks into my eyes.
"No, um..." I trail off.
"And your pulse is a bit elevated as well..." he states, "You could get worse."
He takes my pulse at my ankle and frowns even more.
What should I do? I think I'm going to die of embarrassment.
I stand up and try to get myself out of this situation.
"I'm fine! Look!" I confidently say.
I try jumping up and down to cover up the fact that my heart is beating out of my chest.
Kakashi stares at me.
"You're clearly only putting weight on one leg," he implies.
"Haha! You got me! But it'll be fine once I bandage it up."
Are you sure you're not pushing yourself too hard?" he asks worriedly.
"It's totally fine, really. I've dealt with injuries like this before," I reply with a smile.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
He nods, "Okay."
Kakashi looks at me skeptically and sighs. Furrowing his brow, he chuckles and stands up.
"You little..."
Kakashi smiles and tousles my hair.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Nothing. I was just thinking how cute you are."
C-cute! Did he say cute just now!?
I want to scream, but I'm a grown up so I do my best to control myself, and keep my freak out a strictly internal one.
How in the world am I supposed to react to that!
All I can do is try to make it into a joke.
"That's what I like to hear! More compliments, please!" I smile.
"Okay then, you're cute, cute, cute!" Kakashi says with a smile.
"Um... Sorry, I was trying to be funny, but that came out pretty lame... Go ahead, take your best shot at me. i deserve it."
"Oh, okay, sure. Um... you really think you're all that!? You MUST be playin'!"
I just stare at him.
"Took you long enough... And why are you talking like Shikamaru?"
"Haha! Sorry, sorry," he apologizes, "It's just that there's something about you that makes me want to look out for you. You have a puppy-esque quality about you."
"P-puppy..."
So I don't even qualify as human?
"And Shikamaru's always quick with the quippy insults, so I thought of him," he implies.
"Ohhh..."
"Anyway, I'm glad your injury doesn't seem to be too serious," Kakashi says, and puts a hand on my head.
He pats me on the head and smooths my mussed hair.
"You gotta be more careful. Don't make me worry about you."
Kakashi looks at me with kind eyes. I don't say anything, and just look at him with a smile.
Oh... Uh-oh, here I go again...
The pounding heart I had worked so hard to calm starts racing again.
"Here, grab on to me. We should get going," he says.
Kakashi offers me his arm like it's the most natural thing in the world for him to do.
"Uh..."
"You want me to carry you back?" he asks.
Seeing my flustered reaction, a mischievous smile appears on Kakashi's face.
"Uh. I'll walk. I can walk!"
"Okay, then, here, grab on."
I nod my head, "Okay..."
I take Kakashi's hand and start hobbling. I'm 24 years old... I'm not the type to turn beet red and have a mini-heart attack every time I touch a guy. But... for some reason, I break into a sweat whenever Kakashi touches me.
Wait a minute, could I really? This is bad...
My loud heartbeat echoes in my ears.