It Takes Two to Tango

Chapter 13

He stared silently out of the chopper's window. Outside, the sun was falling, a brisk cold wind promised a cold night. His head rested against the cool glass surface, eyes fixed on nothing, and ears deaf to the world. Yet, he was conscious of everything around him.

The way the strong air currents whipped his auburn hair about, and the sound of the metal blades slicing the atmosphere. Beside him was Asuma, the one who had brought him up, in the co-pilot's chair was Kurenai, and even though he couldn't see him, Kakashi was in the pilot's seat.

"Airbase 11, this is Chopper LX 63."

His ears picked up the crackle of the radio and Kakashi's smooth voice over the wind.

"Chopper 63 this is Airbase."

"Requesting permission to land."

Fei heaved a sigh and sat up straight.

"Chopper 63 you have clearance."

It was time to face the wolves.

The chopper's engine was still on when he decided to jump out. He only heard the slight protest of Asuma but aside from that nobody stopped him. The wind slammed violently against his body, but he refused to be pushed back. Finally, he got to the metal dome that was the airbase.

The inside was as bleak and bleary as its outside; cold machines sat silently waiting for their chance at the sky. But he ignored all of these and headed further into the airbase, towards a black door.

"Fei."

Kakashi's voice echoed in the metal building, he turned to look at Kakashi over his shoulder. "Yes?" Passive golden eyes stared in dark gray ones.

Kakashi took a step towards Fei, and reached out for him, pulling him into his chest. He furrowed his brows and buried his nose into Fei's mane. Fei rested his forehead lightly on Kakashi's vested chest, he breathed in deeply, and then pulled away from Kakashi.

"You should go home. It's late." Fei smiled softly.

Kakashi frowned, "You don't have to do everything alone you know? I'm here for you! Why can't you get that?" Kakashi's voice elevated in pitch, a desperate look on his face.

Fei looked at him, turned, and walked away, leaving Kakashi standing alone in the cold, and solitary air base.

"Tobi!"

Pein's steely voice rang throughout the room. The Akatsuki members all stood straight and alert as their leader stormed into the meeting room.

After the past events, all Akatsuki members had been called in for a meeting in the white room. Everybody was sitting around an ivory black table, the tension crawling everywhere, but nobody dared speak. Itachi looked around the table at the head members of each branch.

The way the Akatsuki was organized was the following: first in rank was the leader, after were the branch heads or captains, and then were the workmen. Each branch leader had a color, by which their branch was named after. When assigned a mission, the branch leaders would pick their most suitable man to complete it. Missions were also given to branch leaders, but those usually involved more dangerous tasks. When these missions were to be assigned, the leader usually called all branch members into the white room, and then chose a suitable person to carry out said mission.

When they had all gathered, black plastic folders were set in front of three seats.

The called out Akatsuki member looked at the leader. "Yes sir!" He stood and saluted in a childish manner.

"Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, Konan, Zetsu and you are dismissed." Pein said.

The mentioned members stood, bowed their heads respectively, and left the white room. Only Sasori, Deidara, and Itachi were left.

Pein turned his gaze towards the three of them. "Sit down."

Like dogs, they did as said, and looked expectantly at their leader.

"Everyone please take a folder."

They did as said and opened the folder. The first item was a picture.

"The picture that you are all seeing is a picture of our next target."

The room past the black door was so small it almost seemed like a broom closet. But the table in the center and the people sitting behind it, made it clear that it was no janitor's closet.

"Fei. Come in child, close the door behind you."

One of the people at the table said to him. Fei nodded and silently closed the door, he walked towards the table, and bowed his head respectively.

"Good evening Hokage and Council Elders." He said without looking up.

"Sit child." The same person said.

"Thank you Hokage-sama." Fei sat but still didn't look up.

"Now then, do tell us what is going on." The Hokage said.

Fei looked up to meet with the Hokage's eyes. "I am afraid it is still not in my convenience to divulge that information."

"My dear little Fei. We have ANBU, Black Ops, Root, and the Uchiha's all breathing down my and the councils' backs. I believe it is time you tell us what this little game is all about." The stern tone could already be heard in the Hokage's voice.

Fei sighed. "Very well. But it is a long story to tell."

Kakashi sat in the empty chopper, looking out into the just as empty airbase. There were two small airplanes, one chopper, and a couple of crafts in repair, but aside from that there was no other sign of inhabitance.

He heaved a sigh and look towards the black door, wondering what was going on behind it.

"Worried he can't handle his own against them elders?" Asuma leaned against the chopper, an unlit cigarette in his mouth.

Kakashi grimaced. "He can take care of himself."

Asuma took out his lighter and lit the cigarette. "Why so worried then?" The smirk could be heard in Asuma's voice.

Kakashi turned to glare at his friend. "I'm not worried. There's nothing to worry about!" He snapped.

Asuma looked at Kakashi and then belted out in laughter. "Oh yeah buddy. You got it bad, you got it real bad!" Asuma wiped at the corner of his eyes.

"What has he got dearest?" The soft voice came from Kurenai, who had come back from putting the tools away in a storage closet.

"Our friend here has got it bad for the little pup!" Asuma waved his cigarette from Kakashi to the black door.

"Oh?" A small smile appeared on Kurenai's face. "Is that so? Our little scarecrow is in love with the wolf? Couldn't say it wasn't obvious." Kurenai grinned.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kakashi's voice raised as his two friends chuckled in amusement.

"Honey, it's more than obvious that you want the little thing." Kurenai smiled as she took Asuma's cigarette away from him.

"Yeah! Hell I've never seen you so bent over anyone. Not even that little bluenette…what was his name…Misaki?" Asuma pouted as Kurenai dropped the cigarette and smushed it into the floor.

"His name was Mizuki and he was just a fling." Kakashi jumped off from the chopper.

He turned to look at his longtime friends. They had met in school; Kurenai was an art major while he and Asuma were studying martial arts. When they had gotten out of school, they had parted but soon found themselves brought together again by their jobs. All of them ended up working for the Hokage.

Kakashi knew that his friends were right, but he did his best to deny it. Nothing good would come out of it if he admitted to loving Fei.

Kakashi had been so lost in thought, that when the black door opened with a harsh sound he couldn't help but jump in surprise.

The first two people to leave were the council Elders; Koharu and _, then came the Hokage, and finally Fei. He seemed to be lingering, dragging his feet, as though unwilling to leave yet.

Immediate worry invaded Kakashi as he searched Fei's eyes; they were in turmoil.

Once the Hokage reached the three of them, he greeted them, and then turned back to Fei. "Very well Fei, I will see you Monday then."

Fei stayed silent but nodded in answer. The Hokage gave them a nod and then started walking past them. "Oh! And Fei?" He turned to look at Fei who did the same.

"I do hope your project with Itachi is going well."

Fei's eyes widened and a slight blush dusted his cheeks. "Yes Sandaime-sensei. Everything is going well."

Sandaime nodded and then left.

The four were left without a clue of what to do.

"Well, the days still young, who wants to go out for a drink?"Asuma said in his loud voice.

Kurenai shook her head in frustration and Kakashi looked at Fei. After seeing the tired expression on his face he turned and said, "No thank you, Asuma. I think we'll call it a night.

Kurenai nodded and said goodbye, then dragged Asuma along with her. That left Fei and Kakashi in the cavernous airbase.

Fei still had the slightly dazed look on his face, he was staring at the ground, but not seeing it. Something was turning in his head.

"Fei?"

Kakashi said in the softest and kindest voice. Fei couldn't help but look up at the eyes of his lover.

"Kakashi….." The name rolled off his lips in an easy and accustomed manner.

Kakashi frowned and took Fei by the hand. "Let's go home."

Fei nodded silently and followed after Kakashi.

"Is this a joke?" Itachi couldn't help but say it in an angry voice.

The black folder sat in front of him, opened to the first document, which was a picture. The person in the picture had blonde wavy hair, and tanned skin, but their eyes were familiar. They were a golden brown color.

"Do I look like I'm kidding." Pein said in a serious voice, with his steely gaze.

Itachi snapped his head to look over at the other two. "You two knew, didn't you?"

Sasori said nothing, simply looking on with bored eyes; Deidara lowered his gaze. Itachi could feel anger rushing through his body, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Now then Itachi, you know that you are in no position to not accept. So I suggest you get over it and start thinking about how to go through with it." With those last words Pein stood from the table and headed towards the door.

"Oh. And Itachi?"

The Uchiha turned his glare to his leader. "I do suggest you be careful about getting emotionally involved with him. It might just be your downfall."

The door was the closed with a silent click, leaving the three Akatsuki members in the meeting room.

He took in a deep breath and then looked up at the other two. "Very well, what is your plan?"

Magi: So after a very long wait, chapter thirteen is finally up. Please forgive me, I know it took such a long time and that this chapter is of poor quality but I'll try harder the next chapter. C: I also really hope that I can have my beta working with me by the next chapter! :D So long! :3