After eating Sakura went straight to bed as did the guys but I laid awake for a long time before deciding to go to the baths. I gathered my things making sure not to disturbed Sakura tip toed out of the room. The baths were open aired which was great but what was even better was that they were natural hot springs. As I sank down into the water I couldn't stop the sigh of apparition that slipped out my lips. I scrubbed down all the while wondering about the mystery girl that Kakashi liked. I had asked out of total curiosity because even if I knew that I was only pretending to be his girlfriend didn't mean I didn't have feelings for him. He had been really sweet since the beginning and I was at ease around him. Of course the fact that I trusted him also swayed me to him. There weren't a lot of people I trusted these days. Especially enough to cry in their arms I don't think I've even cried in Gaara's arms before I thought as I sank deeper into the waters. I was lost in my thoughts till I heard the splash as someone else entered the bath. Since we had finished the mission soon after Kakashi was knocked out I didn't get to tense. If it was just another person who wanted a midnight soak I wouldn't chase them off. When they headed my way that's when I got tense. I slipped underneath the water and grabbed the kunai that I had dropped there while washing. I watched the distorted image of someone coming closer and closer. They stopped close enough for me to touch them. They looked around as if miffed as to where I had gone. I bunched my legs under me and shot out of the water slamming into the person's chest knocking them back into the water. The person came up sputtering and I saw that it was Kakashi before me. "Kakashi what I thought I told you not to sneak up on me".
He laughed as he gained his feet "you did but I ignored the advice. Last time I do that".
I shook my head offering my hand so he could steady himself. As I did so I noticed that I was visible from the waist up. Not that I had a problem but by the way Kakashi hadn't looked at me yet told me he was. "You're still so easy to embarrass" I said sinking back under the water to hide myself from him.
"Thanks" he said sitting down next to me.
"For what" I snorted "nearly getting you killed or drowning you"?
He looked up at me with a serious exasperation. "For saving me. Don't do that someone else could have done it better. I saw my back when I was coming to the bath and there is no doubt in my mind that you did a better job than Tsunade. Don't belittle yourself so much".
I am unable to meet the intense look in his eyes so I turn away. I don't know where this fluttery feeling is coming from or why but it is making talking to Kakashi rather difficult. "Look Kakashi it's late I had best-."
I made the mistake of looking back up at him and I stopped. His hand reached down cupping my chin. His other hand was reaching up to his mask slipping it off while I watched mesmerized. I see his face without the mask and wonder why he would wear a mask in the first place. He leans down and before I respond his lips are settling over mine. The kiss causes my knees to tremble and I know if it weren't for his arm I would have fallen into the hot springs. His tongue glides across my lips making me gasp. He then slips inside and explores me as no other has. A moan escapes me without permission and Kakashi chuckles against me. He pulls away gently leaving me without the real use of my legs. My hand is gripping his shoulder it's the only thing holding me up at the moment. His arms are wrapped around my waist pulling my flush against him. It also allowed me to feel ALL of him including parts that I wouldn't otherwise need to feel.
I blush and push away from him unable to think with him so close to me. "Wh-why did you do that" I asked softly.
For a moment he doesn't answer than "I did it because I wanted to see if you taste as good as you look."
My blush deepens and stammering out some excuse I blot from him running flat out for my room. I manage to get in without waking Sakura or injuring myself. I debate contacting my brother but dismiss the thought. He would undoubtedly sense my unease and come for me without hesitation. I decide I will talk with him in the morning after sorting out what had happened. I spent the rest of the night reliving the kiss from the springs and thinking my father couldn't find a better hell for me if he tried.
KakashiI watch her flee from me and feel a mixture of satisfaction at watching her behind swing and sadness that I scared her so badly. I sink down into the waters wondering what my next plan of attack will be. I had decided after seeing her so distraught over me that I would try to confess my feelings to her. I could only hope as I courted her that she would develop feelings of her own for me. And hopefully they would be the same as mine or this was going to be painful for me and her. I climbed out of the hot springs dried off and headed to my own room. I lay down but no sleep came as I replayed her kiss and the moan that she had produced. I could feel the blood boil in my veins when I heard that beautiful sound. Sighing I turned over and tried to push these thoughts from my mind long enough to sleep. I managed this feat and welcomed sleep with open arms.
We were about an hour out from the village when Naruto said something that caught my attention. "Sensei there's someone following us."
I extended my senses and sure enough there is someone behind us and coming up fast. I hear a gasp from Kagome then a delighted laugh. I turn to her as she spoke for the first time this morning "Gaara."
And he seemed to appear before her as if by magic. She flung her arms around him hugging him tightly which he returned with just as much enthusiasm. I felt a faint pang of longing but pushed it aside as Naruto greeted Gaara in his typical fashion. Sakura responds and I watch the familiar skit play out before me. The siblings pay little attention, their eyes are locked on one another and I can all but see the silent communication passing between them. Kagome's eyes become grim and she cuts off Sakura mid rant. Something I had never been able to do. "You saw him Gaara why didn't you tell me earlier."
Her voice is ice cold that was what stopped Sakura in her tracks. When Kagome talked like that it was hard to believe that she was anything but what she said she was a demon. Gaara sighed unhappily "I wanted to take care of it without you knowing. I know how much pain and misery he brought you before and I wanted to take care of it before your memories could surface. To do that I had to keep you in the dark."
I saw the way her eyes narrowed oh shit I thought there goes Gaara's head. An insane image of the Red Queen from the story 'Wonderland' popped in my head. It was the scene where she screams "off with his head" when some unfortunate guy wasn't fat enough for her. I in all the worlds would I want you to keep this from me? If you had been the one to tell me a lot of things would not have happened. One I would not have been sent here I would be out there looking for him with you. And I wouldn't have had to he would be dead by now."
She pulls breath for another go but is post-poned by a menacing presence that engulfs us. A large white cloud descends from the sky to land not far up the road from us. The white fluffy stuff dissipates to reveal the imposing figure of a man. He stands at least six feet tall with long silver hair and bright gold eyes that are colder than Kagome's voice. A blue crescent moon rests on his forehead with magenta strips on his cheeks.
His hand extended towards Kagome as a sneer spreads across his lips. "Kagome how long I have been without your beauty. My little flower please come and take your place by my side where you belong."
My vision blurred for a moment when he referred to her in such a manner. How dare he say something like that to my intended I snarled and it surprised me a lot. The strange man turned in my direction but dismissed me instantly. Just like everyone always did it was a talent. "Sesshomaru" she breaths her voice so quiet I wonder if maybe she hadn't meant to speak aloud.
I remembered the night when I had first heard that name and understood. So this was the guy who did all those things to Kagome. When I looked back at her she seemed to be lost in some sort of memory a bad one at that I thought when her face twisted. "Gaara I get Kagome out of here you take care of this guy."
Gaara nodded while I scooped Kagome up in my arms before she could protest. I ran off with the others blocking Sesshomaru's path to me. I ran some distance before she even realized what was going on. She struggled but I was able to carry her a little farther before she twisted out of my grip and hit the ground with a thud. She looked up at me and I could see she was about to start yelling. I crouched and placed my finger against her lips. I ignored the sensations this caused locking eyes with her. "Don't even start that little rant that you got going through your head. You froze up at the sight of him so I don't want to hear it got it? Good" I said when she nodded miserably "I don't expect you to stay here but until you can face him without freezing your are not going to fight him and if he is killed before than to bad."
I lifted my finger turned and left her there in the dust before she could respond. I knew later she would be pissed but right now I could care less. All that mattered was that she was kept out of danger till she could face it.