Chapter 2: We're Going on a Trip and We're Bringing…

"So you've been experimenting with inter-dimensional travel?" Kakashi clarified when Luna had finished her explanation. "That's very dangerous, even if we know that Dumbledore did it before."

"But we did know that you were out here. I am fascinated by the other worlds that Professor Dumbledore described. And I got multiple magical ministries to back the project since no one wanted to be left out if contact was made with peoples from other worlds." She turned and looked at her partner. "That's why Viktor is here from his ministry, although he doubts his own skill at the task."

Viktor frowned but finally said, "quidditch was less demanding in many ways but it's a younger wizard's game." He absently scratched at a scar on his arm.

Quidditch? Ministries? "What exactly are you proposing now that you have found us?" The Raikage interjected. Kakashi had been wondering the same thing but didn't want to horde the political inquiries. In this situation he'd serve everyone best as a bridge between groups rather than an official on just one side.

Luna turned to the mountain of a man. "A delegation from your various nations, however large or small you choose, to meet some of our officials in our world."

"Wouldn't it make more sense for your ministers to meet here?" The Raikage protested. His eyes were narrowed in suspicion.

Luna only smiled so Viktor said, "the British Ministry of Magic is the only one that is aware of your peoples' existence. Convincing the others with simple testimonies but no solid proof-" He trailed off. "Kakashi's team was very good at remaining hidden."

"We had help," Kakashi said, deflecting the compliment.

"Anyway," Luna picked up. "Your people are more trusting of Kakashi's word than ours will be of Viktor's and mine."

"The word of 'the boy who lived' isn't enough?" Kakashi asked, half joking. The Raikage was lost again but didn't dare show it. He maintained his thoughtful scowl.

Viktor shook his head. "Harry refuses to comment officially on any of it. He says he owes you your secrets."

Kakashi smiled with his eyes in response.

"I assume you know what that means?" Viktor asked, curious now.

"Let's just say I've kept a secret or two for him," Kakashi replied casually.

A suspicion of what the Hokage could mean bloomed in Viktor's mind and he dropped the matter. "In any case, the rest of your team could return if-" Viktor stopped, suddenly unsure. Concern darkened his already gloomy visage.

Kakashi's smile was wry now. "Yes, we're all still alive. Although some of them may be busy." He was thoughtful for a moment. "But others-"

000000

"I'm not going Kakashi," Kurenai said flatly. She, Ebisu, Yamato, and Guy were assembled in the Hokage office. Kakashi had returned from the Cloud a few days ago after the wizard and witch departed to make the travel arrangements.

"I think it's important that at least most of us go, and Yamato can't," Kakashi countered.

"And frankly if one of us shouldn't go it should be me," Yamato put in. "You four made far more connections than I did while in the wizarding world. I'd be out of place at the reunion."

"Fine. Kakashi, Ebisu, and Guy can go, that's still most of us," the kunoichi continued. Her tone had become overly defensive and she mentally checked herself.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Is there a reason you wouldn't want to go?" The room grew silent. They all knew why. "I think we're done here for now." Kakashi turned to the boys. "Could you give us a minute?"

The three ninja nodded and exited the office. The years seemed to fall away and Yamato couldn't help the feeling of déjà vu that rose within him. After the door clicked shut Kurenai's anger smoldered. "What is this about Kakashi; why are you pushing this?"

Kakashi put up a front of mock innocence. "Why am I pushing this? I thought we'd all be excited to go."

Kurenai shook her head dismissively. "I have too many responsibilities here. Who would watch Mirai? Who's going to help at the orphanage?"

Kakashi held up a hand. "The orphanage will get by without you for a couple of days. As far as your daughter, Shikamaru and Temari have already offered to watch her while you're gone."

"But-"

"Kurenai what is this about?" Kakashi cut her off. He lowered his voice, "are you really that worried about the possibility of seeing him again?"

Kurenai's back stiffened. Old hurts, some more recent than others, reared their heads like dragons.

"That's what it is, isn't it?"

"What? No!" Kurenai held her arm with her other hand. She looked at the floor. Her voice was still steady but it softened in tone. "I don't know. I haven't thought of him in-"

"Kurenai," Kakashi said. He cut straight to the matter, "I know you and Asuma discussed him."

The kunoichi looked up at him, surprised. "How do you know that?" She demanded.

"Because he asked me once, by name, who Cedric was."

000

"Look Kakashi I know you're busy so thanks for, you know, this," Asuma said nervously, chewing on his cigarette.

Kakashi looked around the tea house. They were seated at a table for two. "I'm not entirely sure what 'this' is," Kakashi replied, looking bored. He leaned back, crossing his arms over his ANBU vest. "For all I know we're on a date so maybe you'd better get to the point."

"Right, sorry," Asuma frowned. Then he opened his mouth and dropped the bomb. "Who's Cedric?"

Kakashi blinked wide eyes in surprise. He quickly regulated his features but Asuma had seen.

The Sarutobi was more curious than ever. "Who is he Kakashi? You've got to tell me."

"There are only a few places you could have heard that name," Kakashi evaded, fishing for solid ground to stand on. Helping a friend was one thing, betraying Kurenai's confidence for that friend was another.

Asuma acknowledged his predicament. "Kurenai told me about him but I couldn't help but feel she left some things out." His brow darkened.

Kakashi opened his mouth but then stopped himself. He chewed over his words, swallowed them, and formed new ones. "What did she say exactly?"

"I should have known better than to ask you," Asuma grunted. He leaned back and crossed his arms, unintentionally mirroring the Hatake.

"Then why did you?" Kakashi leaned forward, eyeing him over his tea.

"Because you were the team captain. You of all people! I know you wouldn't have let anything," Asuma sought for the correct word, "inappropriate go on."

Kakashi quirked an eyebrow, "inappropriate?"

"Are you going to tell me about him or aren't you?" Asuma demanded.

Kakashi sighed and sipped his tea. "Cedric is one of the people we guarded while on our ten month long missions. One among many."

"But she's in love with him?"

Kakashi's eyebrow quirked again. "What makes you say that?"

"She told me she does!" Asuma burst out. He sighed, "or did."

"She was unfaithful to you?" Kakashi queried. He'd long supposed that Asuma and Kurenai had been dating but they'd never given him any confirmation.

Asuma sighed. "No. We are not together and haven't been. That's why this came up." He washed his face with his hands.

"Explain," Kakashi asked. He waited.

"When Kurenai got back after this last time you were gone, I asked her if she'd go on a date with me," Asuma said. "I realized what an idiot I'd been and that I wanted us to be together."

"But?"

"She broke into tears," Asuma said, sighing again. "She said she liked me but there was another guy who…she wasn't sure what her feelings were. She spent hours talking about Cedric. I listened but wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. I like her Kakashi but if she likes this other guy…I just want to know who he is."

Kakashi wished he were anywhere but in that tea shop. "Cedric is," he stopped himself, looking Asuma in the eye. "You understand I can't tell you anything about the nature of our mission?"

Asuma nodded as if that was implied.

Kakashi nodded and proceeded. "Cedric is a nice young man. He and Kurenai shared a bond while we were stationed to watch over him and the others. By the time we left after the second mission they were quite close. I had to- remind Kurenai where her duty lay and that it was impossible for the two of them."

Asuma's eyes widened. "That was kind of harsh Kakashi."

"Life is harsh," Kakashi replied, staring at the table. After a moment he said, "I wasn't happy about it. Cedric is a good person and he and Kurenai-" He trailed off. "But that doesn't matter, I'm sure we'll never see them again."

000

Kurenai stood in stunned silence. Kakashi looked her in the eye, waiting for her judgment.

"I'm sorry I put you in that position," Kurenai whispered. "It was stupid to tell Asuma all of that, I was upset I-" She stopped speaking, her thoughts drifting to memories. "That was a long time ago."

"But you worked it out and were very happy together." Kakashi said, attempting to make his voice bright. "But Kurenai, knowing what Asuma knew, I don't think he'd hold it against you if you tried to find out."

Kurenai looked up at the Hokage. She was defensive again, her arms stiff at her sides. "Tried to find out what?"

"If it could have worked," Kakashi finished. "Kurenai you have a second chance here, a chance to see-"

"No," Kurenai ground out, eyes blazing. "I won't do it. All this is, is an opportunity to tramp on Asuma's memory. How could I? How could you imply that I should?"

"Because I think Asuma would want you to be happy!" Kakashi said a little louder than he'd meant to. The statement echoed in the silence that followed it. They both were surprised by his outburst and looked at the floor. In a softer voice Kakashi said, "we all lost a friend when Asuma died. But he wouldn't want us to stop living on his account."

Kurenai's eyes were shining. She glared at the floor. Different emotions churned inside of her. She wanted to see her old friend, see Cedric. But the way she'd left things, and Asuma and her, and what if- The whole thing made her head hurt. This was never supposed to be a possibility, that's the thought that had comforted her as she'd slowly let go of the smiling boy with grey eyes.

Cedric probably didn't even remember her. I shouldn't be making such a big deal about this, she scolded herself. But she had been haunted by that particular 'what if' for more of her life than she'd care to admit. If there was a chance that Cedric felt the same…but no, that was ridiculous. Why would he? He probably had a wife of his own and children.

Kurenai was plagued by thoughts of what her daughter would think. She'd told Mirai stories about her father, but who would this new man be to her? No, it'd be better if she didn't go. Then Kakashi's words rang in her ears, Asuma would want you to be happy. Kurenai covered her eyes with a hand. Something easy to do was not always the better thing to do.

Kakashi broke the silence when Kurenai continued to stand before his desk, mute. "I won't order you to go but I would like you to think about it."

Kurenai nodded in acknowledgement and teleported away without looking at him.

Kakashi walked around his desk and sat heavily down in his chair. He washed his face with his hands. You screwed it up before. Did you just do it again?

There was a knock on the door and Kakashi looked up. "Enter," he said, slipping his bored façade into place behind tented fingers.

Naruto opened the door and stepped inside, "you wanted to see me sensei?"