I do not own Naruto. (Bottom lip quivers)

The next day started out as any other. I took my morning walk, stopping at a few places along the way. I knew someone had been following me for a day or two now. I just assumed it was a group of students, brushing up on their stealth skills. Little did I know...

(Scooby-Doo flashback)

Kiba stretched his legs and cursed the dew covered ground that was soaking through his pants. He'd be uncomfortable all day if they didn't get out of here soon. Akamura yawned widely, his massive jaw cracking as he did it.

"Do we have to sit here in the wet grass and wait for his late ass? I'm gonna get a rash"

"You sh-should have w-w-worn shorts." Hinata replied quietly.

Shino snorted and Shikamaru shook his head. Sakura was sharpening her kunai Naruto snored.

"I didn't think we were going to bleed him?" TenTen commented, watching Sakura smile as she lovingly touched the tip of her weapon with her tongue then continued to sharpen it.

"We aren't." Shikamaru intoned.

The pink-haired girl spun the kunai on her finger then slipped it into the pouch on her thigh. "Sorry, but Kakashi can be... troublesome..." Shikamaru shook his head again. "I just like to be prepared."

Drool ran down Naruto's chin and Sakura wiped it off with a leaf. She turned to catch a glimpse of Hinata giving her a dagger like stare. What was that about?

"I've got him."

Everyone moved to Shino who pointed toward the long path over a sloping heel. A lone Kakashi sauntered over said hill and moved toward the monument at the center of the tiny valley. They all watched as he stood in front of it and started talking. Kiba and Akamaru perked up as if listening then yawned.

"He's just talking about his week. Something about new reading materials and... uh oh." Kiba went quiet and Akamaru took on an aggressive posture.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.

A tree branch snapped overhead and everyone looked up to see Kakashi squatting in the branches and smiling. One of those damned Ich Ich books in his hand.

"Looking for me?"

And then the tree was gone. Again, everyone blinked as Sakura tore the tree in half with a fist, sending Kakashi flying into the field. The copy Kakashi vanished from the monument in a puff of smoke as Naruto took off into the open bowl after him.

"Well, that went well." Shikamaru murmured.

TenTen leaned against a tree as Hinata activated her Byakugan and searched the area.

"There are at least four more. Two coming up on Naruto and two more from the west." Hinata said.

Shino paused. "The real one is coming up on Naruto. We should worry about that those two."

TenTen looked puzzled. "How do you know that?"

Kiba grinned and hopped on Akamaru's back.

"We passed yesterday on the way to dinner. I slipped one of my females on him. I guessed he never took off the mask. I was right."

Shikamaru grinned and TenTen shivered slightly as the thought of sleeping with bugs in her hair made her itch a little.

"You had better hurry Kiba." Hinata said lightly.

"I'm on it." He and Akamaru galloped from the trees into the fray. The copy that had engaged Naruto was long since gone and he and Sakura were looking slowly around the area. Neither looked uncomfortable, nervous or even tense.

"Why are they just standing there?" TenTen asked from her tree perch.

"I could ask the same of you." Shikamaru griped.

"You said we couldn't bleed him. There's not much else I can do at this point."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and waited for the signal. Hinata yelled, "Behind you!" And Naruto jumped in time to miss the hands coming up from the ground as well as the Kakashi leading with a kick to his middle.

"Kakashi, you are sooo predictable." Naruto taunted. Then hit the ground as another Kakashi smacked him on the back of the head.

"Kiba and Akamaru bounded into the Kakashi that had just knocked Naruto to the ground and it disappeared. One well placed hit and the second Kakashi disappeared as well. The underground attacker was still at large.

"He's around here somewhere." Sakura murmured as she helped Naruto to his feet.

The blond rubbed the back of his head then stood perfectly still.

"You feel that?" Kiba asked.

Sakura smiled. "Oh Yeh."

She spun suddenly, her foot making contact with the ground and sending projectiles of dirt and grass in all directions. Kakashi punched from the ground seconds before the widening crack would have revealed his position. Sakura was smiling as she Naruto, Kiba and Akamaru advanced on him.

"I really don't know what you guys are up to, but I'll applaud your efforts. It really was quite a workout and ..."

He stopped, motionless. Arm held up to his shoulders and feet spread a little wider than shoulder length. His overly dark shadow extended into the trees behind him and Shikamaru stepped out with a cocky smirk. Shino, TenTen and Hinata followed in his wake.

"Surprise!" Sakura squealed.

Kakashi looked stunned. Sakura walked up to his frozen form and smiled. He started to sweat. She smiled harder.

"Uh... Sakura?" Naruto began.

Sakura reached up and thumped Kakashi in the forehead. He blinked then slumped. The shadows pulled away and he dropped to the ground.

"What was that for?" Shino asked, mildly shocked.

"He'd have fought this and I can't help myself." She reached down and rolled Kakashi to his back.

"Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" Naruto asked with a smile.

"Yep! What was the bet again? Buck teeth or fish lips?" She reached down and hooked her finger into the material at the bridge of his nose.

"This is so... dirty." TenTen sighed as the group moved in close to watch.

Sakura slowly pulled the mask down Kakashi's face. Prolonging the moment until all eyes were riveted on the site. It cleared his chin and Sakura stood to look down at the face of her former sensei.

They all stared. And stared. And stared.

Minutes ticked by as the group of shinobi stared in varying degrees of fascination at Kakashi's unmasked visage. Heavy rapid breathing was coming from somewhere in the group and a few whimpers could be heard though no one knew if it was Akamaru or Kiba doing it.

"I never thought..." Sakura spoke dumbly

"Who would have guessed?" Naruto spoke in awe.

"I-i-i-i..." Hinata breathed.

Another moment of silence and Shikamaru stepped up with shaking hands to slow slip the mask back over the copy ninjas face.

"What are you doing?" Kiba asked as he shook himself.

"I can't concentrate and Shino is hyperventilating." Shikamaru said tonelessly.

Kiba looked over at Shino who had gone to one knee but was still attempting to look at the now covered Kakashi.

"We need to get him back anyway. Before someone comes by." Shikamaru continued.

There were several nods of agreement and then a wail from the back of the ranks. All eyes turned to see TenTen practically bouncing in place, staring with rapt fascination at Kakashi's prone body.

"What is it, TenTen?" She stopped bouncing and grinned.

"Just one more peak?"

Everyone looked at Shikamaru. Silence.

"Alright. Just one more."

"YES!!"

Sorry it's short. Next chapter will be the start of some mild lemony goodness. Read and Review.