Chiisai groaned and opened her eyes. One didn't seem to open though, and throbbed when she frowned. There was also pressure on her chest. Did something happen to her lungs? No, she realized as she blinked, Tori sat on top of her as if he had dominion over her and the whole room. Chiisai rolled over, knocking the cat off. She placed a hand on the night stand, feeling for the lamp switch. Her eyebrows furrowed though when she found paper instead.

'Went to get more medicine and bandages. Food on stove. Don't do anything stupid. -Farm Boy'

She dropped the paper back on the nightstand with a moan. It even hurt to read. At least Farm Boy wasn't a dream. Slowly, she dragged herself out of bed, forcing the cat to move. Damn, she hurt all over. And her breath smelled like death.

"Meeeooow."

Chiisai half stumbled over Tori and trudged towards the bathroom. How long had she been asleep? What day was it? Her hand reached for the light. Her eyes blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness. Another groan escaped her as she gazed in the mirror.

Her hair stuck out in all places, she was covered in bandages, and she had a black eye. Nose running, her fingers found the toilet paper and tore a piece before blowing her nose. She grimaced at the blood staining the tissue, and groped for the sink as the dizziness worsened. She needed a shower, but she wasn't sure if she could stand the whole time. She needed to sit. Tired, hungry, and sore, Chiisai brushed her teeth and gargled several times.

But her throat stung, and when she looked in the mirror under the light, there were white spots on her tonsils. Alright, that explained the sore throat and clammy skin. But her hands had been steady when brushing her teeth. She had been assaulted last night, right? Shouldn't she be shaking from fear or shock? Maybe it was just the drugs. No, she knew why. She had had much more bruises when she was younger, and her hands automatically went to the side of her stomach, feeling the outline of her scars. No, there would be no shaking, no shock. Not when her childhood had been much worse-

Chiisai came to halt and took a step back into the living room, her jaw dropping at the sight.

"No no no no…."

Farm boy had cleaned. Everything was neatly tucked away, even the books were alphabetized and returned to the shelves. How the hell was she supposed to find anything now? The bills were located halfway through the third pile, and the stack of books had been her to read list. Sure, maybe he had been trying to help, but it only showed her that farmers unexpectedly had a severe case of OCD.

Her stomach rumbled in impatience, and with a regretful groan she stumbled into the kitchen. Everything was meticulously clean, but gratitude shown as she glanced at the now empty sink. She had put that off for days.

Ignoring the cat's consistent noises, Chiisai pulled out a bowl, being careful to not burn herself as she spooned out some ramen. How did she get home again? She certainly didn't walk home. Farm Boy must have done that too. Six Paths, why couldn't she remember everything?

The warm noodles soothed her scratchy throat, though she couldn't really taste. She took a gulp of air between spoonfuls, forcing food down her throat though her stomach turned in protest. And still, the cat continued to meow.

Her eyes followed the sound to the top of the cabinets where Tori sat. "Look," she said, "I know I didn't feeb you last night, but hab some patience with me."

The cat meowed again, dragging its claws hard against the wood. Chiisai bolted to her feet and yelled, "Hey! You know not to do dat!" She stumbled toward the sink. But now that she noticed what cabinet Tori sat on. She didn't want to think of it.

The cat pawed again, staring down at her. Could Farm Boy, no, why would he open that cabinet? He did put the dirty dishes up though.

Fear from long before settled back into her chest. It wasn't possible, Farm Boy couldn't have known. But as crazy as it sounded, she knew Tori had been specially given to her years ago, and his instincts had gotten her through difficult times.

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the counter. Swallowing, Chiisai hoisted herself up. She swayed, catching herself on the handle. Adrenaline pumping through her sluggish body, Chiisai reached up and opened the cabinet.

The first journal was missing.

Rage boiled in her sick body. These were her secrets, her personal demons. No one should ever read them. Chiisai had stopped those dreams a long time ago, and she didn't want them coming back.

"Thab Farm Boy, when I get my hanbs on him, I'll-"

"You'll what?"

Chiisai lost her balance and fell back. She braced herself, waiting to hit the linoleum. But then she was in a man's arms, his gloved hands now on her back and thighs. He raised an eyebrow as she met his gaze, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

Chiisai tried to smile. "Uh, thanb you for mabing ramen." And then she sneezed on him.

Kakashi stood there, holding the woman who had just sneezed on him yet again. "I thought I told you not to do anything stupid." The jonin pulled her up in one smooth motion, releasing her as he wiped her spit off of him.

Tori jumped off the cabinet, hissing at Kakashi. The ninja ignored the cat, picking up and placing a paper bag on the counter. "Here's your medicine. I'll show you how to re-bandage your wounds later."

The journals were fresh on her mind still, and with a huff of frustration she said, "You've got something up your sleeves, Farm Boy, and I'm on to you." Her energy exceeded its limit. Pain splintered her skull from her own voice, and she groped for the table to balance herself. Gods, why was she like this?

Kakashi sighed and stepped toward Chiisai. "First of all, what I have up my sleeve is kunai." He smiled as the weapon appeared in his hand. "And secondly," he placed the weapon on the counter, "just let me take care of you." He scooped her up then and carried her back to her room. His fingers were on her thighs again, and she furrowed her brows, saying, "This is unnecessary."

He replied, "It looked difficult for you to walk. Was I incorrect?"

She opened her mouth, paused, and closed it. Kakashi smiled under his mask. He placed her on the bed, left, and came back with a glass of water and medicine.

Chiisai hesitated but took them from his hands. After the last gulp, she placed the cup on the nightstand and asked softly, "Why are you really helping me, farm-boy?"

Kakashi shrugged and said, "Do I have to have a reason? Maybe I just want to scold you for not letting me walk you home."

Her tone was serious as she said, "I know you read it."

Kakashi stopped, lifting his head over his shoulder. For once, the woman's eyes were clear as night.

"Read what?" He asked with a leveled tone. Surely she hadn't figured it out yet. How could she possibly know?

"You stole it." She pulled the covers over her as she let out a defeated cough. "Ib's a good thing you're a farmer and nob a ninja. You're a bad snooper."

He shook his head. If only she knew. "Is it true then?"

"Whab, Farm Boy?"

"You dream other people's dreams."

She pulled the covers all the way over her head now, and there was a moment of silence. "Ib was."

Kakashi sighed and left the room. He would have to wait to get answers it seemed. But to think that someone had glimpsed into his mind, saw the nightmares lurking inside. No wonder she couldn't look at him at the bookstore.

Kakashi placed the glass in the sink, eyeing the cat that stood on top of the cabinet. This apartment stunk of secrets, and Kakashi was going to discover every last one.

He had sorted through her files. She had had several psychiatric evaluations at various times in her life. One before her parents' deaths, and two after. At first, she had been tested and diagnosed with Dissociative Disorder. After her father's mysterious death and her mother's suicide a week after, PTSD, depression, and agoraphobia were added to the list. Upon a physical evaluation at the time, her torso was noted to be covered with scars. Lord Hiruzen was also involved, but to what extent he didn't know.

The phone rang, cutting off his thoughts. After a minute of debating, he picked it up.

"Hello? Chiisai?" A male's voice came through.

He was already regretting his decision. "She's not available right now."

"Oh," there was an embarrassed cough. "She never misses work, so I knew something was- wait, who is this?"

The man's tone was protective, he noted. A boyfriend? No, Chiisai's apartment showed no signs of a relationship. "Kakashi," he replied. "Chiisai is sick at the moment. I'm afraid she forgot to call."

"Sick? Is she alright?" The man's words were rushed. "Why are you at her apartment?" Anger showed in his tone. "How does she know you?"

Kakashi scratched his head. The man was over-protective- he obviously had feelings for Chiisai. "Well, she was assaulted the other night, and I happened to be walking by. I took her to the hospital. I'm afraid she won't be able to come into work this week."

"Assaulted?! I thought you said she was sick? You lying bastard, I'm coming over."

Kakashi groaned inwardly. "I think it'd be better if-"

CLICK

Kakashi placed the phone back down, wanting to bang his head against a wall. Now he had another person to deal with, and clearly the man had no respect for Kakashi's rank. But he needed to keep an eye on Chiisai, especially if what he believed was true. With nothing else to do, Kakashi walked into the kitchen, pulled out the second journal, and began to read.

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KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Uuughh." She pulled the covers back. Tori's meows now joined in with the knocking, and she growled with frustration. Who was at her apartment? Only her co-workers knew her address, and they never-

She had missed work.

Chiisai threw off the covers and stood, swaying on her feet. She needed to get dressed and head to the library. She was the one that kept everyone in order, working there for so long. What day was it? A new group was supposed to use the meeting room this week. Had she told her coworkers? Her hand gripped the drawer and pulled it open, looking for a clean blouse. Bra- she needed a bra. Gods, she needed to shower too. Her hair was a greasy mess. Wait, she wasn't even wearing pants right now! She must have shoved them off in the bed.

Voices filled the hall, sharp and piercing, and Chiisai winced from the noise. Crap, she had to get back in bed. Why was it so hot? Their footsteps grew louder as she stumbled to the bed, and she barely had the covers pulled over her when they opened the door.

"It's a lot cleaner than what I expected, you know. Chiisai's usually such a- oh shit." The brunette made his way to her. "So he wasn't lying. Are you alright?" He crouched down beside the bed and felt her forehead. "You're burning up."

"Oi, Koshuu," she swatted his hand away. "I'm fine." But her breath was short, and her legs were already sticking to the sheets from sweat.

Kakashi rubbed his temples and replied, "You were assaulted and contracted strep throat in one night. You are clearly not fine."

Koshuu's hands were clenched in fists. "What happened to her attacker?"

"He's in custody," Kakashi replied.

Chiisai sniffed and said, "See? Nobbin' to worry 'bout." What she needed was for them to leave.

Koshuu turned to Chiisai. "You were attacked. You have a concussion and you're sick as a dog. Does that sound like nothing to worry about?"

Her eyes widened for a moment. He was angry, she realized. Chiisai looked away and muttered, "You don't have to care about me, baka."

Kakashi, shaking his head, said, "Don't take it personally. The drug she's taking is strong."

"No, she's usually like this," Koshuu replied. He bent down next to the bed, worry etched across his face. "So you're going to be out at least a week, eh?"

"You know I just heard that," she replied. "And I'm coming in tomorrow. Ya'll can't survive without me."

He massaged his temples and muttered, "Gods help us. We'll be fine."

Kakashi sighed. "Given how bad her memory is right now, I doubt she'll even remember this conversation tomorrow."

She narrowed her eyes. "Look here, farmer," Chiisai said. "My memory is perblectly fine."

Koshuu frowned, glancing from Chiisai to Kakashi. "You think he's a farmer?"

She pointed at him, replying, "Ob course he is!"

Koshuu glanced back at the jonin and grinned. "Be glad she thinks you're one. She hates ninjas. They never return books on time."

Chiisai rubbed the side of her head. She had talked too much, and her throat was already dry and scratchy. Chiisai mumbled, "You'be checked in on me, alright? Now both ob you get out of my room."

Koshuu shook his head as she pulled the covers back over her. "There's the Chiisai I know. You realize Mizuki's going to be worried sick about you, right?"

"I'm fine," she said again. "I'll be there tomorrow."

"If you come I'm turning your right back around. You sound awful," he said. "You should really prioritize your health, baka."

She didn't respond, her fingers going to her side again. Her health had never been a priority in any time of her life. Koshuu sighed and stood. He scratched his chin and said to Kakashi, "Sorry about earlier. She doesn't let anybody over, so I was surprised to hear a man's voice."

Kakashi nodded. "It's understandable."

"But, I am curious," he said. "You're one of the top ninjas in the village. Why are you helping her?"

Chiisai sunk deeper into the bed, her heart picking up pace once more. Hadn't Farm Boy read her journals? Her mind was getting fuzzy again.

But Kakashi only said, "There were no contacts listed on her hospital record, and I felt responsible."

She breathed a sigh of relief, ignoring Koshuu's response. Of course that was all it was. Gods, it must be the medicine doing this to her.

"Bye, Chiisai. I'll call tomorrow, alright? Mizuki will want to bring something over."

She didn't respond, but glanced up when she heard him leave. But Kakashi was still at the door, and he met her gaze. She didn't know what to make of the expression hidden in his eye.

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Kakashi slowly removed Chiisai's bandages. Her forehead was swollen, bruised, and still oozed blood, though not as much as before. She sat on the toilet seat with him crouched in front of her. Every now and then he placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her swaying form. She asked, "How bad does it look?"

Kakashi was hesitant as he removed the last bandage around her head. "I've seen worse."

"You had brouble at the farm?"

He shook his head and sighed, "I'm a ninja, remember?"

Chiisai glanced at his clothing, pressing her hands against his chest. "Oh. I guess bat explains the vesp. Whab's your name again?"

With his free hand, he removed her hands from him. "Hatake Kakashi." This was like babysitting a child. Her memory seemed to be struggling more and more.

She frowned, giving a wince as he gently pressed harder on her forehead. "Oh, I know you. You were red in my dreams."

Kakashi removed the cloth and laid it back on the sink. He tilted his head up, trying to catch Chiisai's eyes. "I was red in your dreams?" At least he was finally getting some information.

She nodded, lowering her head slowly so that their faces were centimeters apart. "Yep." Her hand reached up as her fingers grazed the cloth covering his eye. "Red here." Her other hand found his right hand, her fingers intertwining with his. "And red here. It was your hand through her chest, ober and ober and ober again. I cried ebery time."

Kakashi froze for a moment, his mind flashing back to the moments of his comrades' deaths. The nightmares haunted him for years after, even to this day. The fact that someone else had seen them, had known what he dreamed…Wait, she had cried for him?

He then noticed how close they were to each other. Her hands lingered on his eye and hand, feeling the pressure of her touch through the cloth. Her face was so close to his, though swollen and scratched as it was. He met her eyes, which were half dazed under her long eyelashes.

Then her head snapped forward, colliding with his as she sneezed. Her forehead slammed into the metal on his headband. He caught her as she slid forward, her body now limp in his arms.

"Yo, Chiisai." Her forehead bled now, running down her face. Kakashi cursed and grabbed the cloth again. He lifted her hair back and pressed the washcloth to her forehead. "Chiisai." What she needed was a proper medic-nin.

He shifted, half cradling her in his arms. Finally, she let out a soft moan. Her eyes fluttered open. She lifted her hand towards him and asked, "You real?"

Chiisai shoved the palm of her hand into his face, thrusting his head up. Where did she get the energy to do that? Kakashi shoved her hand back down and sighed. This was like dealing with Naruto.

"Hold still. You're bleeding."

"So yourrreal?" Her hands were on his face again, and pinching his cheeks. Her fingers curled around his mask as he went to grab her. They stared at each other as she yanked his mask down. She even pulled down the mask underneath the mask.

Chiisai grinned, her fingers resting on his jaw. "You're as handsome as you are in your dreams, Farm Boy."

He wasn't sure how to respond. His ears were suddenly hot. She grinned, and he felt a sly smile form on his face as he said, "You know, you're the only one that's gotten away with that."

She smirked, "Well, I already knew what you looked like. So you should just keep your mask down around me."

"Be careful, you're sounding as if you like me. It's a very dangerous thing," he replied. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips again.

"Mmm. I've always cared about you." Her eyes went to his scar. Her voice softened as she said,"Your nightmares never went away, no matter what I tried." She dropped her head suddenly, her hand going to her forehead. "Is it supposed to hurt dis bad?"

"Oi, hold still." Kakashi tended her wounds in quiet, making sure the bleeding had stopped before wrapping her forehead in bandages. Her eyebrows furrowed as he lifted her back up. She curled into him with a shiver, and air shifted between them. Slowly, he carried Chiisai back to bed, concern growing in the back of his mind. Chiisai couldn't take care of herself, especially at this rate. It seemed to be getting worse.

The ninja tucked her in as Tori hopped on the bed. He meowed several times, ignoring Kakashi as he rubbed his face against Chiisai's cheek. But her heavy breathing was the only response. Frustrated, the cat pressed his face into the side of hers, but she still didn't move.

Kakashi trudged back to the bathroom. He threw the dirty bandages away, and soaked the bloody cloths in the sink. Red glinted in the mirror. Staring back at himself, Kakashi saw blood staining the symbol on his headband.

You were red in my dreams, that's what she had said.

Chiisai knew far too much about him. She probably knew far too much about every villager in Konoha. And falling into the wrong hands was not an option.