Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Final back at the shop, finally back home.

The gods currently wouldn't leave you be too happy.

A wet you stands at the entrance of you shop fumbling with the keys as you grumble about being wet. Kinu just shakes her now wet glossy coat of fur splashing more water onto your face. Using your hand to wipe of the fresh layer of water of your face. Sighing to try to calm your nerves. Fiddling with the keys once more it finally went in. "UGH! Finally," and with that you turned the key hearing the click you turn it back and pull out the key. Your hand back on the doorknob, turning it, it opened. "Finally! Salvation." Quickly entering you let Kinu into the front of the shop. Letting her take in the sites of anime posters and comic book covers as you relock and latch the door. Then you unhooked her leash.

Turning back around after checking the door was completely locked. You see her sniffing the air then trotted over to the back door that separates the storefront the rest of the backrooms and everything up stairs including a full bathroom and your bedroom.

Sitting in front of it she looks at the doorknob then back to you. It's easy to tell she wanted the door opened. "I bet you're hungry. I'll get you something to eat." Walking towards the door she stands and backs away to let you get to the door.

Opening the door, she sniffs again and then runs strait to the back door and waits for you to open it. 'That's very strange behavior for any normal dog. She must be trained,' you thought as you turned on the hallway light. After untying the bag from your waist and dropping of the keys on the counter you go to the back door and unlock it.

Looking down at Kinu, she stood as if ready to run at a moments notice. 'Strange… how strange indeed…' Opening the door didn't seem like a good idea but it was as if she were looking for something. Opening the door halfway, she nudged it open and bulleted off into the foliage. She was definitely looking for something. But what?

About to step outside to look for her a loud thud, a man yelling, and the sound of some of the DVD cases falling. Turning around to look through the door on the other end of the hallway you see a blurred Kinu that ran from the back door to the main shop. The sound of clattering metal hit the floor of the hallway. Looking closer it was a smaller version of a Leaf Village headband and two-rusted kunai. 'The heck?! Where the hell did that come from?! Ugh! There's no time for this! Someone's in the shop!'

Running through the door you switch the lights on in the shop. You stopped dead in your tracks as you see… a talking dog? No. Make that two dogs. One looked like Pakkun from NARUTO, in fact you where pretty sure it was Pakkun, the dog had the same pug face and all, and the other was Kinu. "WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS GOING ON?!" The yelling wasn't helping. You where going into a crazy panic mode. You grabbed your head and staggered back into the shop wall and slumped to the floor in complete disbelief of the situation. Curling up into a ball you ask aloud, "Why are dogs talking? Why is Pakkun in my shop? Why am I talking to myself? Am I in my bed asleep? Am I going crazy?"

"Just take a deep breath and let it out." You obliged, shaking as you took a breath and let it back out and calmed your nerves. Your breath returning back to its normal pace you look at the pug sitting in front of you. "You okay now?" You give a simple nod.

"As for your questions, it's because we're specially trained ninja dogs. I'm in your shop because Kakashi and I got sucked through some kind of wormhole. I don't know why you're talking to yourself or why you're not in your bed asleep. As for you going crazy…you where sure acting like you where a minute ago... but that's just me."

"Pakkun say what?" This was pure insanity.

"You heard what I said. I will not repeat myself miss." Half shielded eyes stared at you. A small growl came with it.

"No, that's not what I mean! Kakashi is also here? What wormhole? Are you sure I'm not asleep? " This isn't making any sense…

"As I said before Kakashi is here also. We came through a wormhole and landed in your shop. Do you want me to bite you?" A hint of his teeth gleamed through the small smirk on his lips. "I wouldn't mind in the least."

"Um… no thank you Pakkun, I think I'll be fine without having any bite marks." No wanting to get bitten like Shikamaru, you got up to supposable be at a safer distance.

"Right, but answer me this, miss." He stood up giving a glare as if he was going to attack if I said something wrong. "Why is Kinu here and how is it you now my name. Are you one of them." Jumping onto the counter to get leverage. "Tell. Me. Now." He said through gripped teeth.

It was no question. It was a command.

"Whoa! What a second," backing into a corner trying to further the space between you and the angry Pakkun that was seeing you as a potential enemy. "I'm not an Akatsuki member or a part of Orchimaru's group either. I'm not even a ninja. So please don't attack me. I just found Kinu injured in the dog house out back about a week ago." Holding your stance, flailing around your arms like mad. How in the world where you going to explain how you knew his name. You couldn't exactly say 'I know you from a popular anime show and even have a plushie sitting under the counter you're standing on.' Things just don't work that way.

But luckily somebody could support your case. Kinu herself.

Standing at your feet. She stared up at Pakkun. "It's true Pakkun. She did find me out in the doghouse injured. And thanks to her my wounds are healed. I even discovered that that there's no such enemy ninja in this realm and that animal's don't usually talk here either. Reason being why she is freaked out." This was definitely true. Most people would go insane and put in the loony bin if they spouted out such information to the public. "She is handling this information better then I expected though compared to the last person I talked in front of." She lowered her head and let out a little sigh. 'That must have been from self-experience. That's for sure. Must have ended horribly.' Giving a small sympathy smile to her she continued. "She is no enemy Pakkun. She just knows more then the average person here. Reason being why she more excepting of the fact that we can talk and why she knows your name." 'Wow. She's very observant.'

Pakkun gave a look of understanding to her. "Thank you for the report Kinu." A small bow of the head to her as commend for her investigating. You relaxed your now stiff and cold wet muscles to be stared at by a suspicious Pakkun once more. "As for you miss, I'll have a word with you later."

'Great… just what I need. To be interrogated by Pakkun for being an Otaku.' Rolling your eyes at this Pakkun just stared at you some more trying to figure out how you knew what you know. Jumping off the counter he landed on the other side. "But right now, I need you help."

"Help? What do you need my help with?" stepping around the counter your nerves now calm and mind at eased and prepared to help. Following after Pakkun with Kinu at your side.

Walking to the far side of the store you could finally see what DVDs had fallen off the shelves. It was the hentai section. Pakkun stopped in front of the isle. He turned around to face you and pointed. "Kakashi is out cold." With that you leaned into the sectioned off space.

There lay a face-up Kakashi, a couple of shelves worth of merchandise on the floor and a bag of books and DVDs in his left hand with a book in his right. His face slightly cringed.

Stepping in to get a closer look. Pakkun walked to Kakashi's side to make sure Kakashi was at least not defenseless in his given condition. Kneeling down on his other side. Pakkun gave a small warning growl but you just brushed it off.

Picking up Kakashi's head your fingers felt a metal object sticking out of the back of his neck. Turning him onto his side. The metal gleamed in the light. A small amount of white fluff coming out of one end as the needle end was stuck in to his masked neck. There was no other way thing that it could be. It was an animal tranquilizer.

Looking up at Pakkun. "What the heck happened?" Eyes gleamed with tears of worry.

Pakkun sees the worry in your eyes for Kakashi and finds you trust worthy for at least some information. "An Akatsuki member attacked us on our way back to Kakashi's place. Neither of us where prepared. Kakashi was shot and almost instantly down for the count. They tried to capture me for this new technology." Holding his right paw up a small piece of metal swirled around its pads. "It allows us to move from our realm to this realm into a small general area. It's only experimental so not all of us have it." Being to curious you looked closed and he put is paw back down. "I used it to get us away from them before they got a hold of Kakashi and or the new devise. Sadly, this is just the prototype and only worked once. It shut down after we were through the wormhole."

"That sucks, but at least the Akatsuki didn't get a hold of it." If they did get a hold of it you'd have more trouble to deal with then just this.

"That's true but now we have no way to get back." He looked at the ground in despair.

"Didn't Kinu use one to get here in the first place?" They couldn't all have been proto types.

Kinu steps forward also looking in despair also. "Mine also broke it was more advanced but it broke soon after I got here. It doesn't take moisture well."

'Wow. Now that's really depressing. What could I do to help them? They literally saved Boise and Pakkun protected Kakashi. There must be something I can offer…' And then it donned you. You could give them a place to stay until help arrives! "How about I give you three some help until they send help. You'll have a place to stay, food, and nobody's a ninja here so you don't have to worry about being attacked. How does that sound?"

"Really?!" Kinu's tail waged with excitement at the small but large act of kindness. "Can we really stay?!" Her eye's wide with amazement.

"Yes of course you all can stay here." Putting your hand on her head you scratched behind her ear still holding Kakashi's head with the other. "I would never throw you guys out into the rain just for doing your duty and protecting yourself and others." Moving your hand back down to Kakashi's neck you made sure there was a steady pulse. "I'm going to need some help with Kakashi though. Kinu get me two towels form the back room in the lower cabinet. Pakkun, grab the medical kit from the counter you where standing on earlier. I need to get Kakashi to the guest bedroom." Pakkun gave you a second look as Kinu got the towels, but went and got the medical kit with out saying a word.

This was not going to be easy. Kakashi was about a head taller then you and unconscious making him even heavier and even harder balance with. Hoisting him up by the shoulders. Dragging him out of the aisle you maneuvered him to your back. His arms over both shoulders and his legs held up around your waist by your arms. Hunching over you started trudging to the hall with Kakashi piggyback riding.

Pakkun now in view, gave you an awkward look with the medical kit in his mouth. I bet the site looked pretty weird but that wasn't important right now. "Move Pakkun," grudged out of you as you tried to balance with Kakashi. Pakkun stepped aside.

Moving down the hall finally at the door to the guest room dropping one of his legs he started to tip. Quickly opening the door you re-hooked his leg.

Finally at the bed, turning around you gently lowered him down to the bed. Grabbing his arm you make sure not disturb the needle just yet as you set him down.

Kinu strolls in with the towels as you are pulling off Kakashi's vest. "Thank you Kinu," Grabbing a towel you wipe of the water from you hair and some from your clothes. "Pakkun, kit please." Pakkun drops the box on the bed. "Thank you." Opening the box you scavenged for the bandages and disinfectant. Turning back you realize you'd have to remove his mask. Completely. Smacking your for head. 'Duh! How could I possible for get.' Staring down at the unconscious Kakashi, 'I don't want to him to get angry at me for privacy issues.' Intruding into a ninja's privacy was not a good idea.

'Mask…mask…mask… of course! I can use a flu mask!' setting the bandages and alcohol and went back to the kit. Shuffling through it once more you finally find one. It was still in the packaging. It was perfect!

Ripping off the plastic you fitted it to his face and put the straps around his ears after removing his headband revealing his scar and another slightly cringed eye. Your eyes tear-up for the mere thought of him being in pain. Taking a deep breath you calmed your nerves. The emotions of worry and curious embarrassment washes over as you realize you have to still pull Kakashi's mask off.

Heart pounding, mouth watering thoughts ran triumphant through your mind as you slowly reach to pull back the only piece of fabric away from the face of the one person who you always dreamed about. Yes. Kakashi Hatake.

You couldn't even count how many times you woke with blushing cheeks. But this was no time to be thinking of that nonsense when the actual Kakashi is in the flesh right in front of you and in a much more important situation.

"Gulp." Head still pounding but you had to do this.

Hooking the edge and dragging it down you looked away a little as it revealed his nose. Re fitting the mask you pulled id down the rest of the way down past his chin. A wave of relief washed over you at seeing the flu mask hid his visage still. Fixing the mask once more it was time to get to the needle in his neck.

Turning him on his side you propped him up with pillows. Grabbing one of the towels you held it at the bottom side of his neck. Opening the bottle of alcohol you pour some at the base of the needle. Some small bubbles formed and his shoulder twitched once.

You wipe you hand on the area to clear it. Having the bandages at the ready you grab the needled dart and slowly pull it out. It came out smoothly. Luckily it wasn't barbed.

Pulling the mask down the rest of the way to reveal the impact point you pour more alcohol on it and applied pressure as it started to bleed out a small line of life down his neck. His back hunched but relaxed after about 10 seconds.

After using a medium sized cotton ball and bandages around his neck, you removed the pillows to let him lie down properly on the bed. Then put everything back in the medical kit and closed it. Looking back you see Kinu and Pakkun waiting in anticipation to know about Kakashi's condition. You just gave them a thumbs up and a weary smile.

Kinu jumps onto the bed with Pakkun following in behind her. She sniffs at the bandage, then the needle lying on top of the towel and looks up at you. "Are you sure he'll be okay."

Patting her head, "Don't worry. He'll be just fine in no time."

"He better be," Pakkun grumbled under his breath as he checked Kakashi's pulse.

Standing up and stretching your arms and legs. "I'm going to take a shower and get some sleep. If you need me I'll be up stairs. I'll leave the door cracked for you. You can stay here with Kakashi or grab the couch in the room across the hall. Oh! One more thing." Walking to the counter you pick up the bag you put down earlier on the counter. As you walked down the hall you pull out the two raw hides. "As your reward you can have these!" They sniffed at them and then grabbed one each. Kinu started gnawing on hers as Pakkun just set his down.

"How come you're so calm about all this," Pakkun asked.

"I guess it's because I own a comic book shop and I daydream a lot sometimes."

"We're still going to have a talk later miss."

"Yeah. I know." Walking away from the door of the guest room you walked back to the hentai section of the shop. The DVDs still lay on the ground, but that was something to do in the morning. Grabbing the bag that Kakashi was holding you checked its contents.

"OH… MY… GOD…NO WAY!" The bag consisted of all of the Icha Icha Paradise books and movies! Grabbing the book Kakashi had been reading and skimmed through it. It was in English! The fangirl inside of you screamed. Quickly checking the rest they where also in English! "This is just too perfect." And it was. The shelf next to you tips back and falls. Now staring at, "I really hate equivalent exchange." 'It's just another mess I'll have to clean up tomorrow.'

Taking the bag of yummy books and movies with you. Turning off the shop light you closed the door behind you. 'This is going to be one night I'll never forget.' Walking down the hall you past the guest room door as quickly as you could to not get caught with your new little mind goodies.

Slinking up the stairs after closing the back door and setting the kunai and the small headband on the counter. Before turning off the hallway light. "Good night." Echoed through the now calm and empty hallway. "Night." was all that was replied back by the to ninja dogs down stairs. And with that you closed the door.

Now 11 o'clock…

After a nice hot shower and brushing your teeth of all possible grime. Dressed in loose PJ's and you headed for bed after cracking the door open, and switch the main room light off.

Clicking on the bedside lamp you grabbed your newly found treasure. Inspecting the cover and back seeing every detail of the orange book. The edges of the pages worn by a combination of time and usage by Kakashi were soft and allowed the pages to only brush and not cut through your un-callused skin.

Lifting the cover, you see the title page in black ink provingits name and its author. Jiraiya's name printed under the title. You actually squealed at the though of being able to read one of Jiraiya's books. This is literally a dream come true.

Opening to the first page you read slowly and taking in everything and every word not knowing if you would have the chance to ever read it again. As if you were drilling it into your brain for when you woke from this 'dream' you would recall it clearly and perfectly accurate down to the last punctuation mark.

-(Mean while- Downstairs in the guest bedroom)-

"I'm still not sure if we can trust her…"

"God. Pakkun, why is it you always seems you jump to conclusions when someone knows more than you though they knew. She couldn't possibility even be compared to any of the Akatsuki members. I even heard them say she was called an 'animal hero'. You can't even put animal cruelty as a reason to not trust her. Just get to know her at least before you start marking her down as an enemy. You can at least give her that she-", Pakkun cuts her off.

"Kinu, do you even know her name?"

"Uh…no… but that's not my point!"

"But that is your point. How could we trust her if we don't even know her name. As far as we know she might be plotting something right this second."

"I bet one T-bone steak I can prove you wrong that she's has no intent in harming any of us! In fact I bet she also hates the Akatsuki! No, not hate, but despises the Akatsuki! If I am right, you will apologize to the both of us for thinking she's an enemy."

"Fine. It's a deal then. I'll give you one week to prove her trustworthy. If so I'll apologize to both of you, but if she's not you'll have to get me one T-bone steak. Is that clear, Kinu?" Pakkun holds out his paw towards her.

"Crystal clear." She also puts her paw out and they make a handshake like motion, making the deal official. Whoever proves their point first wins.

And their 'race' begins.

End of chapter 3… finally.