A/N: Sorry for my absence. Senior year was mighty busy, but hopefully I'll be updating more on both of my stories and possibly add another one. Only time will tell. Enough of the author's note, time for the good stuff.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its licensed characters…blah, blah, blah.

Here ya go…

Kakashi sat there with his arms wrapped around Ayane's waist. Her body was bent over to rest her head on his shoulder. The oddly comforting position was too much for him to take after a few minutes. This was too close for comfort. A myriad of things had transpired since she left and you just can't expect for things to return to normal. It just doesn't happen like that.

He pushed Ayane's hips away and stood up, "It's time for bed. I'm sure it's been awhile since you've slept comfortably so I'll take the couch." Ayane nodded softly, grabbed her bag, and walked towards the bathroom, leaving Kakashi standing alone in his living room. She emerged within minutes, dressed in black cotton shorts and an old shirt. She stood in the doorway as she pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail.

Kakashi looked her over. This Ayane was different, but yet she still displayed the qualities of that girl he know six years ago. He looked her over once more and his eyes rested on Ayane's right thigh. A scar ran from the top of her thigh to the inside of her leg, marring the attractive skin. "Was that his doing?" Kakashi asked.

Ayane knew what and who he was referring to without having to trace Kakashi's gaze, "A run in with some Akatsuki, but not him. This is the most recent one."

"There's more?" he questioned.

"A young woman traveling alone is a tempting prize, Kakashi. Goodnight," Ayane headed towards the bedroom and closed the door. Satin sheets were quite the luxury to her and she couldn't wait to sink into the comforts of a warm bed. She was asleep within minutes. Sadly, the same thing couldn't be said for Kakashi.

Ayane tiptoed out of the room toward the couch in Kakashi's living room. She couldn't help but release a chuckle as she looked at his sprawled sleeping form. His mouth hung open and one leg dangled of the side of the furniture. His other leg peeked out from the sheets that were obviously not long enough for his tall, lean form. She sat down on the edge of the couch and brushed his hair away from his normally shielded eye. She lightly traced the line of his brow using her thumb. She slowly bent down to his ear, "Rise and shine, Kakashi-kun." She shuffled towards his kitchen and began rummaging around his cupboards, looking for anything that resembled a cup or some coffee. She glanced over at the couch, not recognizing any movement from the legendary copy-nin. Studying the layout of the living room, Ayane smiled wickedly. Seeing as how the couch rested in the middle, it gave her just enough room to achieve the perfect running start. She took a deep breath as she stood in the kitchen and then took off at a sprint. She reached the high back of the couch, vaulting over it, and landing directly on the sleeping ninja's stomach. She heard a loud 'oof' from the man beneath her as he sat up suddenly. "I believe I said rise and shine," Ayane reminded him, "Now get up, so you can help me navigate your kitchen."

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why on earth would you do something like that? And to a sleeping ninja no less," he half asked, half yelled.

"We have an important mission and I'm not going to let it start off on the wrong foot just because you can't get your lazy ass out of bed," Ayane scolded.

Kakashi sat up, throwing his legs over the side of the couch. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and reached for his headband on the nearby coffee table. "You don't have to cover that around me, you know?" Ayane told him.

"I've been doing it for years, Ayane, and to be honest, I'd rather keep it that way…especially around you," he replied somewhat coldly.

She sighed, still looking around the kitchen, "What am I doing? We don't have time for coffee. Get packed up, Kakashi. I'll meet you outside." Ayane walked back into the bedroom and changed out of her pajamas. She quickly changed into a tight, black, long-sleeved shirt and matching capri leggings to allow for easy movement. She slipped on her standard sandals, grabbed her bag, and walked out of the room. She walked past Kakashi and left the apartment, hoping to meet up with the rest of the team before the mission started.

As she descended the stairs, she ran into a familiar face, "Morning Genma, odd seeing you up so early."

"Better not tell anyone, Ayane," he joked.

"Not a soul, promise. I'm off for another long mission. It was very good to see you after such a long time, but hopefully we'll be able to actually catch up a bit more when I come back," Ayane put her arms around Genma in a tight hug. Their farewell embrace was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat behind Ayane.

"Morning, Kakashi," Genma greeted as he quickly parted from Ayane.

"Let's go," Kakashi grumbled as he walked out of the complex. Ayane gave Genma one last brief hug and jogged to catch up with Kakashi, who was obviously in a foul mood for some reason or another. The two met up with the remaining three team members in Konoha park for a quick briefing before they left the village; Sasuke was brooding as usual, Sakura was trying hard not to stare at Sasuke, and Naruto was holding his stomach while it growled loudly. Ayane greeted them cheerfully and immediately began going over a checklist for the mission. "The Hokage said that we have the authority to send you home. I know this mission is going to become extremely dangerous and there's no doubt that I will have to eventually send all of you back, understand?" Kakashi added.

The three adolescents displayed their share of mixed emotions, but Kakashi was in no mood to deal with any protesting. He quickly turned around and led the way out of the village with the rest of the team in tow.

Itachi walked the grounds of the Akatsuki base alone, mulling over the recent events in his mind. The brief appearance of Ayane was definitely pleasant, but a repeat of those events would not be welcome. 'If she's a smart woman, she'd listen. Hmm…woman.' Itachi had to admit it felt a little strange thinking of Ayane as a woman, but that's what she had become. She definitely was no longer a little girl anymore. Things were no longer simple.

"Itachi," Pein called out as he approached the stoic member of the Uchiha clan, "It seems we have a problem. I have received word that your little kunoichi is on the move. I thought you had taken care of this dilemma?"

"Apparently not," Itachi responded, unmoved by Pein's news.

"Yes, apparently. She is now accompanied by three adolescents, one of which appears to be your brother, and Hatake Kakashi. I would like for this to be dealt with immediately," Pein added.

"How do you know about this?" Itachi questioned.

"Do not question my methods and I won't question yours," Pein said with finality as he left Itachi.

Itachi entered the Akatsuki building, opening door after door after door. "Kisame!" Itachi yelled. Within seconds, his partner emerged from an adjacent room.

"Pack a bag, we're leaving."

It's a bit shorter than what I usually write, but it's better than nothing at all. Please read and review. Let me know on how I'm doing with capturing personalities and what not. Looking for a beta reader if anyone's interested. Until next time…

-Tinyminx

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