Author's Note: So, this is the 10th chapter of my story, and I felt like making it a special chapter for you guys to celebrate X3 Also, it's almost Christmas, so think of it as my gift to you ;p Anywho, I included Team Gai in this chapter for you who wanted to see them, and I honestly sat there for a while trying to come up with a way to incorporate them X3 I hope you enjoy, and I especially hope you enjoy the cliffhanger at the end ;D It's definitely going to be interesting to read this chapters reviews ;3

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The next morning, Kakashi was surprised to find Erza still asleep on the couch, her face relaxed save for the various instances where it would twitch as she dreamed. He smiled at the image, figuring it was something not many people saw. He assumed she was beginning to trust him, and that made him surprisingly happy.

Looking into the barren kitchen with a frown, his mind began to work as he thought of ways he could make her even more at ease around. Smirking as he thought of just the thing, Kakashi headed out into the village with a mission in mind.

Later on, Erza awoke with a small yawn, rubbing at her eyes as she tried to wake up. Something on the coffee table caught her attention however, stealing her gaze as she let out a small gasp. On the table was a slice of strawberry cake, like the one she had eaten last night, and apple, and a cup of tea. Blinking in surprise, she wondered when Kakashi had had time to do this, almost jumping when she heard his voice.

"Morning, sleepy-head." He said with a smile, coming to stand next to the couch. "I felt like surprising you… I hope you don't mind." He added sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "After all, today could be your last day here." The white haired ninja added, looking away as his smile dropped a little.

Erza smiled in response, showing her teeth as she looked at him happily, "Thank you, Kakashi… I honestly don't know what to say… I really appreciate it." She said, bowing her head to him in gratitude. It was thoughtful, and she found herself smiling like an idiot as she moved to eat.

"Ah, it was nothing…" He assured her, scratching his cheek as a blush colored them, causing him to look away in embarrassment. "Anyway, you should probably hurry so we can get out there as soon as possible to look for clues." The ninja reminded her, sounding business like as he headed to look out the window.

Erza nodded, finishing the food as quickly as her body would allow her to. Changing into her ninja garb, the wizard glanced over to Kakashi with a smile, titling her head. "Ready to go?" She inquired, placing a hand on her hip.

Kakashi nodded, leading the way to the door. On the way to the site, neither spoke a word, feeling awkward about the situation. Secretly, they both hated the idea of having to say goodbye to one another, but neither were able to admit it.

Once they arrived at the site, Erza began to look around, feelings for any signs of magical energy that remained in the area. A particularly strong sensation drew her to a spot in the field, a small leaf glowing with an odd aura. Intrigued, the wizard lifted it up to see a small magic circle engraved on its underside, glowing orange against the green of the leaf.

Kakashi knelt down beside her, studying it with interest. "So, I'm guessing that's a magic circle?" He asked, not taking his eyes off of it for a minute. It was different than anything he'd seen before, odd runes etched on it that he'd never seen before.

Erza nodded, trying to figure out if she could reverse it. "Yes, a powerful one at that. I wouldn't be able to crack this on my own, but something tells me that this is the reverse spell. I need to study it a bit more, but I'm sure if I put my own magical energy into this circle, I would be transported back." She explained, almost sounding reluctant to voice her thoughts.

The ninja nodded, also disappointed at the news. Does that mean she would be leaving him soon? "I think you should study it more as well, it would be awful to find out that it just transported you to an entirely different place." He agreed with her earlier statement, hoping to get more time with her.

The red-head was thinking along the same lines, surprisingly, and nodded her head. "Agreed. I will continue to study it at your apartment." She said as she stood, placing the leaf into her pocket before turning to head back.

Kakashi quickly followed, both of them silent as they headed back so they could just enjoy each other's company. They walked close to one another, keeping just enough room so that they're skin wouldn't touch.

"Kakashi-sensei! Erza!" They heard a voice call, recognizing it as Sakura's before the pink-haired ninja came bounding up to them with a smile.

"Hello Sakura." The wizard smiled in return, Kakashi merely smiling at his apprentice.

"What are you guys up too?" The Genin questioned, a suggestive glint in her eyes as she looked between the two.

Blushes covering both of their cheeks, despite the innocence of their pairing, Kakashi was the first to speak, "We were just looking for clues on how to get Erza back home, that's all. We actually found something and we're heading back to examine it now." He explained, almost laughing at Sakura's disappointed expression.

Waving goodbye, Kakashi couldn't retain the sigh that escaped him as he thought of the girl. "I really don't understand why she's so interested." He muttered, earning a giggle from Erza as she smirked up at him.

"It's a girl thing… I wouldn't expect you to understand." She said with a chuckle, an amused expression on her face.

Kakashi frowned at her, "What's that supposed to mean?" He questioned, growing indignant when she refused to answer him.

When they reached his house and she sat on the couch to examine the leaf, he joined her, silently watching as she muttered quietly to herself. It took her a while before she gave a quiet sigh, setting it on the table. "From what I can understand, it is, in fact, a reversal spell." She announced quietly, glancing over to him.

The ninja fought the frown as he forced a smile onto his face, "That's great… Will you be going home, then?" he asked, sounding slightly disappointed.

"I suppose so… I mean, there's no reason for me to stay any longer…" She agreed almost solemnly, unable to look at him as she stared at the leaf.

Quickly wracking his brain for a way to stall her, he instantly sat up as he came up with a brilliant idea, "Want to say goodbye to everyone first? I'm sure they would never forgive you if you left without saying goodbye." He offered with a smile, raising an eyebrow. That could stall her for a good while, and he could put off saying his own goodbyes.

Erza brightened at the idea, nodding quickly, "Yes, let's do that." She decided, standing up to join him as he went to search for the three Genin.

When he found them, they were sitting at the training field, seeming to be waiting for the team that was currently practicing. Kakashi almost groaned when he realized just whose team it was.

"Kakashi!" The man called out, waving him over with his green latex covered arm. He had a wide grin on his face, and he looked over Erza as she approached with the ninja. "Well, hello… I don't believe we've met before, my name's Gai." He grinned, throwing her a thumbs up.

Erza smiled reluctantly, instantly put off by the man as she glanced at Kakashi, "Oh, hello. It's wonderful to meet you Gai, I'm Erza." She explained, looking to the three students who had stopped practicing when she'd approached.

Gai smiled, instantly gesturing to his three apprentices, "These are my students, meet Neji, Tenten, and Lee." He introduced, pointing to them in turn.

"Nice to meet you." Neji said quietly, arms crossed as he examined her.

"Hello, Erza!" Tenten smiled politely, a kunai in her arms as she watched the proceedings.

"I, Rock Lee, must declare that you are one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met!" Lee declared, standing in front of her with a love-struck expression, "I know I am young, but I we're both so full of youth that we would be perfect for each other!" He grinned, causing Erza to look at him wide eyed.

Gai interrupted, putting his hand on the youths head, "Now Lee, I don't think you're quite man enough to be what Miss Erza here needs. Obvious I'm the better match for her." He smirked, winking at Erza while Kakashi mentally sweatdropped. Neji and Tenten had both facepalmed at their instructor's remarks, while Lee just cried his agreement.

"Of course, Gai-sensei! How could I be so dense?!" He wailed, both of them acting crazed to Erza's eyes. It was almost like an insane version of Elfman.

"Uh… Right… It was a pleasure…" She said politely, laughing nervously as Kakashi quickly ordered his apprentices to come with them.

"Tough luck, Gai. Better luck next time." Kakashi smirked at the man as he walked off, leading Erza and the others away from the lunatics.

Once they were a safe distance away, they decided it was time to share the news with their apprentices, telling them of the leaf and how it was Erza's ticket back home.

"Wait, so you're leaving us?!" Naruto gaped, quickly rushing up to hug her, "Don't go Erza! We like having you here!" He practically bawled into her shirt, clinging to her tightly.

Sakura was also tearing up as she glanced between them, paying special attention to Kakashi's expressions as she tried to find sadness. His face was expressionless though, having begun to entertain his mind with different thoughts.

A few teary goodbyes were said, Sasuke even giving her an actual 'goodbye', Erza felt as if she herself would cry upon leaving this place. It had its own charm, and now she even had friends here that she had come to love. Looking at Kakashi and noticing that he wouldn't return her gaze, the wizard frowned a bit, "Kakashi…?" She asked, wanting his words more than anyone's.

He looked at her reluctantly, pursing his lips before giving a sigh and smiling sadly, "I guess this means goodbye, Erza… I'm actually going to miss having you around, I've kind of gotten used to your goodnights… It's going to be pretty lonely without you there, I'll admit." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

Erza gave a small smile in return, throat dry as she moved to say the words herself, "Thank you, for everything, Kakashi… You made it almost easy to adjust to being here, and you were so helpful in getting me back home… I just… Goodbye, and I hope that one day we'll meet again." She finished instead, dropping what she was going to say before. Holding out a hand for him to shake, she felt herself tearing up despite all of her attempts not to, ruining all of her plans.

Kakashi noticed, skipping the handshake to give her a hug instead, "Goodbye, Erza…" He said again quietly, smiling to himself as she hugged him back while saying another goodbye of her own. After a few moments, it was finally considered strange if they didn't part, but they seemed unwilling to do so.

Holding the leaf in her hand, Erza stepped away from them, her real eye letting out a single tear as she allowed her magic energy to flow into the leaf, activating the circle as she began to glow, disappearing without a trace.

A loud cry of her name was heard as she sat up and rubbed her head, blinking open her eyes to see her guild standing over her in awe. She realized that she sat on a table, right in front of Levy who had obviously been trying to reverse the spell before she showed up.

Natsu had been the source of the cry as he came up with a grin, stopping as he actually examined the table. "Uh… Who's the weird guy?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows as he looked past Erza.

The wizard was confused, what 'weird guy' could he possibly be talking about? As she thought this she heard a groan sound from next to her, causing her to whirl around to find the source of the noise. Lying beside her was non-other than Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja.