"Yeah, Koshuu. I'm alright." Chiisai sat on the bed, her feet crossed. She had wrapped the phone cord around her twice while trying to get comfortable. The rest of the cord stretched around her arm and finger as if it were a snake.

Kakashi sat on the other end of the bed. A routine had gradually been formed between the two, and when Kakashi came to visit he would pry a book loose from a shelf and join her in the bedroom. Of course, there was nothing sexual involved, but it was nice to have someone who respected quiet as much as he did, at least when she wasn't sneezing. It was apparent that Koshuu brought out more of her personality, and he called every day.

It was almost relaxing to have her beside him though, and sometimes she would comment on the novel in his hand, or ask what crops he grew on the farm. It was the medicine that made her so groggy, but he had to admit it was entertaining. If their lives had been different, they could have been unlikely friends. Tori had even snuggled in his lap this morning.

"Naw, don'b come over. I can only handle one OCD male at a time." She gave a yawn and continued, "Yeah, Farm Boy's with me on the bed." She switched positions, using her foot to stretch the cord. "Stop yelling, Koshuu. He's just reading his sex book."

The ninja bolted to his feet, much to Chiisai's surprise. As Koshuu's voice boomed through the device, Kakashi lifted his hand. "Give it to me."

"No," she replied with a scold. Kakashi hand reached out, but the sick woman tugged the phone away. The cord tightened around her body as her eyes glared up at Kakashi. In one swift motion, he snatched up the phone from her hands. Chiisai cried out as she fell forward. The force had pulled the cord, pulling her along with it.

Kakashi lunged and caught her with one arm. "What was that?" Koshuu's voice rattled through the device. "What was that sound?"

"I'll call you back," she muttered. "I'm tied up."

As Koshuu yelled again, Kakashi slammed the phone down on the receiver. Tori looked down from the bed, letting out a meow.

Kakashi sighed to himself. "The damage you cause in such a short time." He picked up the phone and began unraveling the cord around her. She blinked up at him and said, "How old are you?"

"Twenty nine." Her eyes widened as she tried to move under the cord. "But you're hair's as whibe as Jaraiya's."

"It's hereditary, like his. Hold still." Kakashi reached around her and pulled at the wire, almost enveloping her in a hug. "Did you take any more medicine while I was gone?"

"Just a couple- the loopy ones." She rose into a sitting position, her hair still over her face while the ninja placed the phone back on the nightstand. Chiisai mumbled, "I got my hair from my father. I don' like ib though."

He frowned and crouched down beside her. Brushing her hair out of her face, he said, "You're hair's quite nice, Chiisai." It was almost the color of Rin's. His eyes widened at the thought and he quickly shook his head.

"I should dye it, maybe white, like yours. Was your father mean?" She blinked up at him. He paused for a minute, his hand resting against her cheek. Finally, with his eye downcast, he whispered, "No, my father was a great man." He scooped Chiisai up with a sigh. Spending time with her had dulled his senses it seemed. He was ninja, not a nanny. This girl was distracting, a growing nuisance, he told himself.

"Thab's nice," she replied as he placed her down on the covers. "I wish mine had been like dat. He told me too never trust a ninja. He was a ninja." she ended with a hard cough. "I don't miss him."

Kakashi turned away with Tori at his heel. "I'll get you something to drink."

He quickly returned, her words turning in his mind. Her parents must have known of her abilities, possibly used it for their own gain. Had Chiisai somehow gotten her revenge on them?

Upon seeing Chiisai, his face reddened. "What are you doing?" He placed the drink down, his eye startled by the scene before him.

"I'm gonna shower, duh." Her hands were behind her back, trying to find the clasp to her bra. Kakashi was almost impressed that she had the coordination to take off her shirt. But he paused on seeing her exposed abdomen. Rough pink lines ran across her sides in different lengths and widths, scars only a ninja exposed to torture should carry. And Chisai was no ninja.

Kakashi stepped over her discarded clothes and laid his hands on her arms, forcing her to stop. "Maybe you should go to the bathroom first," he suggested with some optimism.

"Naah," she sniffled, "I'm good."

"No, I insist." Before she could complain, he hoisted her over his shoulder and headed to the bathroom. His fingers dug into her bare skin, pressing against the rugged scars. The ninja quickened his pace, trying not to shove her in as he slammed the door. He pressed his back against the wood, releasing a long exhale.

There was a knock from the other side. "Clothes."

"Uh, just stay inside. I'll get them."

There was silence. She must have approved, because the shower turned on.

Kakashi searched through the drawers, grabbing whatever baggy clothes that were flung half-hazardly in. Her undergarments were another matter. Interesting, he noted, but clearly needed to be avoided. Sixth Paths help him, he was turning into her personal slave.

Back at the bathroom again, Kakashi gave a knock. "Chiisai. I'm leaving your clothes at the door."

He knocked again as Tori trotted up, but there was no reply. Worry crept under his skin. Did she slip and hit her head? She could barely stand as it was. With Chiisai on those meds, it really seemed possible that she could drown in her own bathwater.

When no response came, Kakashi opened the door with Tori following. Steam filled the room. He heard no movement as he laid her clothes on the sink. Why was the shower curtain so solid? Kakashi's hand halted in front of the curtain, temptation hovering at the edge of his fingertips. Surely he wasn't as perverted as his student's claimed. Of course, what if she lay unconscious?

Thankfully, he heard her feet squeak against the tile. He let go of the curtain with a sigh of relief. Then Chiisai jerked the curtain back and peeked her head out. "Thanks, farmer." She pulled the curtain back in place, leaving Kakashi staring at where she once was.

Chiisai hadn't realized how tall he was, or taken into account the angle in which he stood. The outline of her curves now stained the back of eyelids. Kakashi wasn't sure how long it took before he was able to move again. Eventually, the jonin found himself in the kitchen, where he downed several glasses of water.

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"It feels good to finally have my mind clear."

Kakashi sat beside her on the couch, keeping his eye on the book in hand. She did look better, especially now that her strep was gone. Her auburn hair sat straight and brushed, her nose no longer bright red. It was the first time she'd spoken clearly in six days. After the shower incident (which she had no memory of), he had called Koshuu to come and stay with her the rest of the day. A line had somehow been crossed during this mission, one that he had not foreseen. She was clearly attractive, but he had worked with and protected much more attractive women before. What was different with Chiisai? He didn't want to know, and he didn't want to find out.

And yet here he was, still sitting beside her. He couldn't help but glance at her. She was wearing an over-sized pink sweater today, and it kept falling off her shoulder. Kakashi pulled at his vest and looked away. This was ridiculous- he shouldn't be so distracted.

Chiisai gripped the glass mug in her hand and said, "You know, you're nicer than what I thought you'd be. Helping a stranger for a week seems uncharacteristically chivalrous of you." She glanced at the page he was on and added, "You're not going to like the ending."

"Spoilers," he warned. "And I couldn't pass up your massive personal library. Besides, a shinobi helps his village any way he can," Kakashi replied. It seemed her now healthy state had left her alert, and she was already suspicious. He laid the book down on the table and asked, "How much do you recall of this week?"

She frowned and sipped her coffee. "Well, I remember yelling nonsense at you. And you made great ramen."

He raised an eyebrow. At least her mind was finally functioning. "Though your attacker was found at the scene in action, you will have to eventually give a report."

Chiisai gazed down at the mug, counting the number of kittens on it. After a moment, she said, "I saw you at the bookstore, I left the bookstore, and I took a shortcut home. I didn't see whoever it was. But I remember being pulled deeper into the alley. And there was pain, and that's it." She looked back up at him, but he was staring at her shoulder. She tugged her sweater back up, and he blinked, as if snapped out of a daze.

"Anything else?" So she hadn't seen the man attack her. Kakashi's thoughts drifted back to the interrogation. Could the man be telling the truth? It would insinuate that she had been under a genjutsu then, but who would possibly put her under one?

"No," she whispered. Chiisai leaned her head back against the couch and stared up at the ceiling. "It seems surreal that I was attacked. In a non-ninja's life, it's something abnormal, especially in a ninja village. It almost feels like a dream. Or a nightmare." She immediately regretted her words, knowing that dreams and nightmares were far worse than her current predicament.

True. Hidden Villages like the Leaf were expected to have low crime rates. But violence happened everywhere, and it came in all shapes and forms. Unfortunately, that wasn't the aim for the conversation. So Kakashi added, "Especially if you dream other people's dreams."

He noticed her fingers tense, her body rigid.

"So you did read them," she nodded quietly. "I guess I didn't dream that after all." Her eyes rose to meet his, but she didn't move away from him. "Do you plan on using me for the village or for yourself?" Anger welled up within her chest as she took in his uniform, remembering all the times she saw that outfit on her father. "Because it would be very much of a disadvantage for the latter."

"I've already spoken to the Hokage. You seem to have a well of information about the village, and that information can't fall into the wrong hands," Kakashi replied evenly.

"I've managed to keep it a secret this long," she said. "But I guess I'm already property of the village, aren't I? Like a jinchuriki." Chiisai's voice was hard like ice, and her grip tightened on her mug.

"I would say you're more of a concern," Kakashi replied. He gazed down at her, taking in the tenacity in her eyes, the stall of her movements. Though tension hung thick in the air, he was glad to see her alert, her intelligence finally showing through.

Chiisai shook her head. "Or a liability. How does it feel knowing that someone knows the most intimate things about you?"

She was trying to get under his skin, he realized. Kakashi replied, "It's not a pleasant feeling, but I'm much more concerned for you mental health." Kakashi saw her blink in surprise. "You've seen nightmares from everyone in the Leaf. It must be difficult."

Chiisai swallowed hard and glanced to the window. There was a moment of silence. Tori lay in the corner of the room, staring at Kakashi. Finally, Chiisai laid her mug on the coffee table, and her sweater slipped from her shoulder again. "I need you to leave."

He tilted his head at her change of tone but rose to his feet. "You can't run from this. It would best if-"

She stood, anger welling in her chest. "Leave."

There was pain in her voice, and Kakashi paused. He wasn't sure why his heart sank at the tears in the corner of her eyes, or that she couldn't meet his gaze. And her shoulder was showing again."Chiisai-"

Her eyes widened at the sound of her name on his lips, but she quickly turned away, replying, "If you don't leave, I'll make your dreams more of a hell than they already are."

He furrowed his brow. Could she possibly do that to him? Kakashi took a step back and turned towards the door. "My dreams are already in the deepest pits of hell," he replied. "Nothing you can do will make it worse."

And with that, he was gone.

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Blood dribbled from her mouth as her eyes shown wide. His arm had ripped through her chest, and her body shuddered from the impact. Her black eyes gaped up at him, her fingers slowly grasping his arm. But the girl's hair wasn't short, it was long, her black eyes beautiful and widening as she parted her lips.

"F-farm Boy…"

"Chiisai!"

She tried to smile up at him, but only coughed up blood. Kakashi watched in horror, his eyes brimmed with tears. He grabbed her by the shoulder and yanked his arm out. It was covered in her blood.

Kakashi caught her as she crumpled, holding her tiny frame against his body. Her hand found his, and she slowly intertwined her fingers with his. "Red…here…" Her eyes wandered to his face, her other hand raising up and pulling his headband up. "And red here." His eye opened, his Sharingan spinning into place as her hand went limp. He grabbed a hold of it, squeezing her hand as her eyes stared blankly ahead. He brushed a strand of her hair back, leaving a streak of blood across her face.

Her body shuttered and then shattered like glass in his arms. Kakashi tried to grab hold of her, to make her hold on longer. She wasn't supposed to die.

His hands now held nothing, and he was left grappling for the bits of glass, knowing that this was his fault. The shards tore into his skin, but he didn't care. And then the shards were gone, and in it's place were red flowers. He was sitting in a field of them, and he saw a tree in the distance with shining orbs of fruit.

His skin prickled at the feeling of being watched. Kakashi stood and turned back with kunai in hand, but stood still at seeing Chiisai standing 10 meters away. She was barefoot, and her pink sweater hung off her shoulder.

His mouth was stuck, trying to suppress the emotions as realization sank in. He had seen her wear that before. His Sharingan took in the sight of her, and her chakra flared in a multitude of colors. She was real, and he was dreaming, and she was in his nightmare.

He stepped towards her and said, "So, you followed through with your threat."

Chiisai shifted her gaze and crossed her arms. "Believe what you want, but I hate nightmares. I wanted yours to go away."

Kakashi yanked his headband down and replied, "So you can manipulate dreams."

Her fingers pushed her hair back as she replied, "Yes, and the seal keeping me from doing it is broken." She stared down at her open hands and continued, "I'm here to warn you. It was sealed for a reason. Something bad is going to happen, and your Sharingan can see through whatever I can do. I don't...I don't want to hurt anyone."

She was afraid, and he had no idea what was going on. Was she in his mind, or was he somewhere else? And if she could slip into his mind through his dreams, then she was more powerful than she realized. Kakashi stared across at her and replied, "So your abilities act like a genjutsu." It made sense, if his Sharingan could work against it. "We need to get the seal."

He turned suddenly as a sound pierced his ears. It was an inhuman cry, and his widened at the sight. It was massive, a twisting blob of oily darkness. No eyes, no mouth to be seen; just dark spindles bursting from its surface, shooting towards them at an alarming speed, bubbling like hot tar.

Her eyes wide, Chiisai pointed at the monster. "That. That's the bad thing."

He acted on instinct. He pulled her up in his arms and fled. "What is that?"

Her voice was shaky. "I don't know. I think it lives in whatever place dreams live."

"You're not making sense." He dodged an oily tendril, cursing under his breath. They needed a plan.

"It's why my powers were sealed, I think." She twisted in his arms, her gaze now fixed over his shoulder. Her hand rose, and in the distance, a wall of fire sprung up, forming a blockade against the monster. The monster reached through the barrier, it's tentacles seeping through it. With its darkness, the fire wall extinguished into smoke, leaving an open path for the creature. The red flowers withered under its touch and turned to ash.

"Plan B perhaps?" Kakashi asked.

Chiisai clung to him, digging her fingers into his vest. "You're the ninja! Aren't you supposed to be strategic?"

He almost laughed. He had no idea where he was, or how any of this worked, and Chiisai herself seemed confused. "Aren't you the dream expert?"

Her eyes lit up, though he didn't see it. "Kakashi," she said, "Well, um, I'd like to apologize for yesterday. I-I shouldn't have said those things, or told you to leave."

The monster was almost on top of them now, rearing a shrill of a battle cry.

He didn't know how to process her words. She knew more than she was telling him, but her voice had broke talking to him. She was more than afraid, she was terrified.

Her voice was a whisper now. "I'm sorry."

Kakashi wanted to tell her to stop apologizing, but pain flared in his stomach, and he staggered. At first he thought the monster had caught up to them. Chiisai slipped from his grasp, but his eye widened when he saw her hold a bloody kunai. Had she stabbed him? He doubled over, still trying to reach for her as the darkness swallowed him up.