This is not meant to be a lemon and so have avoided actual acts of sex in case this offends anyone. However, it does have sexual contact in it and would like to advise you all in advance. Thank you and Happy Valentine's Day again.

Chapter Twenty One.

"Did you notice that someone was missing from the meeting?" She said, safely nestled into the crook of Kakashi's right arm.

"Yes." He spoke in almost a whisper. His body was still twitching and he couldn't wait for it to stop so he could finally rest, but it was worth it. Even the burning pain in his left calf after pulling the muscle felt now warm and bearable.

"Do you think Joleen-Sama had to report something?" She tried to shrug away the feeling of fear the word 'Hokage' now gave her. Kakashi kissed her on the head and turned with a small groan so he could look at her, face-to-face.

"In a sense… she went to see Captain Yamato. If there is one man she trusts and who can help Konoha and Naruto, it's him. He can sense the spirits in Naruto best and when he changes to what level he's at. Naruto trusts him and at the moment, he needs to figure out his feelings and how to deal with them."

"It's my fault…"

"No," He kissed her gently on the lips, his voice before just as soft as he lips were on hers. "You gave him everything. He just didn't know how he felt and didn't realise he was hurting you for not responding to you. When he realised we were more than simply friends, he couldn't take it. The idea of anyone being with you would have created the same situation. You did NOTHING wrong."

"He found out about us before this happened, didn't he?" She looked worryingly into his eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

He grinned and she loved his smile. It made her beam back at him and her eyes shone like shiny silver coins. "No. He reacted a little, hence the lovely Risengan back tattoo but instead of killing me, he challenged me. He challenged me so if I won, I could be with you and he'd be the one to marry us, if you wanted. If I lost, I could never see you again." This was a shock but then she understood something else.

"Darui was helping you prepare." Hinata kissed his nose and Kakashi laughed at the ticklish sensation, picking her up as he turned onto his back and placed her on top of him. She looked unusually man-eaterish in that position and he loved it as she crawled along his body, laying her naked body completely against his, her chest buried into his.

He groaned as he felt trace her forefingers along the sides of his upper body, making him squirm and cry out in uncontrollable laughter. "Kakashi-Sama, you didn't answer the question…"

"YES." He nearly pulled the right calf muscle as he strained not to burst into louder laughing. He was in her bed, in her family's home. If he got caught, death by Risengan would be a blessing.

"That's really…" She slid herself up his body so he could feel every part of her against him. "…Really…" She now had her face opposite his and she kissed his nose. "… Sweet. I love you."

He couldn't explain the joy he felt when she said the 'l' word or how excited he was when she was with him. She could read him like a book, and if he was a book, it had two covers: the outer one, "The Art of War" and the inner one," Icha Icha Tactics" or "Make-Out Paradise".

He put his hands around her lower back and kissed her as he ran his fingers alone her spine. He opened his mouth and tilted his head back silently as he loved hearing her moan and shiver on top of him.

"So, I think we are engaged?" Hinata asked, winking at him.

"Yes, but you're a bit too good looking for a Mrs Scarecrow."

"You'll have to roughen me up then." She tried meekly to suggest but the innocent act didn't quite take in this situation and Kakashi kissed her lovingly again.

"I would never do anything to you. Hinata, you are perfect. Don't ever change... I love you being you."

She sighed happily and turned her body over his so she was now back by his side. "Thank you for loving me."

He sniggered slightly turning to face her again. "Thank you for loving and being with me." Why is she thanking me? "You never have to thank me for something that is so selfish on my part. I am so much older than you."

"I think you just proved you aren't." Hinata nudged his arm affectionately and his smile grew again as he laughed happily.

"You make me so happy." He said to her, seriously and honestly.

"And you me. I'm going to miss you after you have escorted me back to Kirigakure."

"I'll be back to see you there in 2 weeks time." He held her arm loosely and traced out the characters 'beloved' with his free hand. She stared at his face, the scar clearly visible with the left red Sharingan eye shining as brightly and as beautiful as the right dark eye opposite it. "By that time, I would have asked your family's consent, won the duel against Naruto and be back in time to officially propose to you."

She pulled away from him so she could get up and change but felt her legs unable to move as Kakashi (though gently so he didn't crush her) lay on top of her back, kissing from the top of her spine down to her tail bone. She wondered what he was thinking of doing next when she felt him grab her buttocks with both hands and blow raspberries on them as if she was a baby.

She laughed hysterically, putting her hands to her face to stop her from laughing out loud. He stopped for a moment before continuing once more and after a minute he helped her up and he stood with her, taking her into his arms once more.

"Just something to remember by…" He winked at her and she looked astonished but was smiling.

"Oh, I won't forget… just hope you haven't met your match with me."

He wanted to ask her 'What do you mean?' but she promptly help him sit on the bed and kneeling down, picked up his foot and rubbed into the ball of it. As she rubbed, she then activated her Byakugan and hit a chakra point in the foot, sending the sensation of being rubbed hard to his lower back.

"Ah!" Kakashi couldn't control the sound from his mouth as she then touched and ran a forefinger along the whole width of his foot and he felt his body spasm again as the feeling of being traced hard from the top of his spine to the base of his buttocks made his sigh in ecstasy. She then put his foot down and saw him lie flat on the bed, looking extremely satisfied and smug.

"When we next see each, I'll explore every chakra point in your body with you." She then took some clean clothes from her wardrobe and proceeded to go to her adjoining shower room to clean herself and get dressed, while he took 5 minutes to recover.

"So, Naruto let his anger get the better of him and nearly created not just a national but an international incident as well?" Yamato asked Joleen.

"Yes brother." Ever since she was brought to Konoha, he had taken care of her as a little sister.

"Thank goodness you and the others were there."

"Shino-Sama calmed him down and Nina-Sama helped Hinata get to safety." It was a difficult situation and she didn't want to make things difficult by saying or doing the wrong thing.

"You got them the others there quickly, Joleen. And by coming to me now, it just shows your worth to you country and to prevent this from happening again." Joleen smirked at the compliment but appreciated his kindness.

"Kiba wound him up and I wished I knew how but it seemed to make Hokage-Sama better?"

"They are friends and rivals. They've known each other since they were children and are quite similar in some ways. That's how they get on and show their care."

"It's different, Tenzō-San." She said sighing and Yamato patted her on the back.

"Sounds like you've gotten bit emotionally involved. You know, you can tell me anything."

She sat back into the leather chair was sitting and her brother took his arm away and sat opposite her in the other one across the Hokage's desk.

"Kiba is sweet, loyal, kind but at times such a goof ball." She said, smiling. "He accepts me for what I am and even what I look like. I am not a girly-girl; I am bad with emotions and find it easier to push people away than to be around them and bond with them."

"That's not true. Look at us. Look at the friends you have now… in 2 countries, may I add."

She smiled and looking him in the eye told him another thing that had happened. "I found my sister. My natural one. The one who killed my mother and brought me to that… place."

Yamato looked scary for a moment and she shuddered in her chair. His expression softened over the passage of a few seconds and he asked something.

"What happened?"

"I turned her to stone. She's still alive but is now on the streets of Kirigakure, imprisoned there until I release her."

"We need to know what will happen to her. The Mizukage has the authority to claim her if she wishes, but I suggest you go back and ask her yourself. I am confident you will be successful."

"But I'm not that good with people." She said, her arms openly gesturing as she was talking.

"Again, that's not true. You see to doubt your worth so much… you are a clever, pretty, strong konoichi and you are going to do well. In regards to Kiba, give him some time and see how things go. Not everything has to be set in stone and you have both only just met."

He pointed to the wolf mask that was lying on her lap and advised further. "Joleen, wolves are pack animals. You are strong, independent but are best suited with others around you. You don't have to be a cat-man like me."

She laughed at his self-description and shook her head.

"Now, THAT is untrue. I have heard about you and that nurse in Konoha General Hospital."

"What?" His mouth drooped open so large a tennis ball would fit in.

"Kaori. I know Rock Lee introduced you both to each other last Valentine's Day and have been seeing each other."

"Not my fault she's a cat lover and in her 30's."

Joleen laughed at the smug expression on Yamato's face. It was a picture.

"So, if things go well, are you prepared to officially meet Kiba as my … respective other?"

"Only if we can double date." He retorted.

Before Joleen could reply, Naruto was back. He had been busy attending many meeting to assure everyone nothing bad had happened. He waved for them to sit down seeing them shoot up in his presence and promptly slumped into his seat, his head slumped over the back of it and his and legs stretched out akimbo.

"Hokage-Sama, we know you must be exhausted and will not waste your time. SS has found her sister in Kirigakure, she tried to kill Inuzuka-Sama but SS stopped that from happening by turning her sister into a living stone statue. We request your permission to ask the Mizukage to bring her back her to be safely confined.

"Sure, but why did you save that jerk?"

"Because he's good, funny, loyal…" She realised as she was defending Kiba how much she felt she was saying was true. It reassured her. "… I think he's worth saving, Hokage-Sama." She blushed and Naruto thankfully did not see it – his head was still looking at the ceiling.

"Hokage-Sama," Yamato began. "I would like SS to begin her mission now. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, sure." He stayed stagnant in his chair and Joleen left, realising that there were massive differences between Kiba and the Hokage.

"Right, Naruto-Sama." Yamato clapped his hands loudly and Naruto bolted upright.

"WHAT WAS THAT?" Naruto screamed out.

"Me." He replied. "You need to quit this act… it's not good for you or our people. I bet the tailed-spirits wish they were somewhere else

"Oh YES!" They seemed to chorus in his head.

"Look, this has been a very weird day. I totally lost control of myself, lost the woman I love, caused problems both home and away and I don't know what to do."

"I think I have an idea. But we are going to need some cash."

"What are thinking about? Clubs? Strip bars? Not my deal." Naruto said, shaking his head and folding his arms.

"I was more thinking about getting Iruka Umino, Konhamaru and us going to get some ramen."

"RAMEN!" He snapped back to life and smiled at the idea.

"You're a genius Yamato!" He then unfolded his arms, grabbed his frog purse from his pocket and counting the contents smiled. "Well, I'm buying. Shall well?"

The two then walked off together to get the other men and to head out for the best noodles in the village - Rāmen Ichiraku.

Nina had just gone out for a walk with Shino and he took her to visit his home and he was nervous as hell. He had never taken anyone here accept his team mates and a lot of the villagers were afraid of his family, thinking they were 'creepy'.

As he approached the small grounds of his family's home, Nina looked at it and felt happy. It was not big but it looked 'homely'. There was a small training post at the front of the house near a big tree and as she and Shino entered through the gateway, a man wearing glasses and a thick moustache was opening the front door.

"Shino, please introduce me?" Shibi Aburame asked.

He said 'please'? Why is he being so polite? This is really unusual for him.

"Of course. Dad, this is the Mizukage's niece, Terumī-Sama."

His father's eyes grew large enough to be seen over his dark glasses. He smiled and bowed lightly.

"Nina-Sama, this man is my father. The former head of our clan and without doubt one if its best members." His father felt strange at the sound of his son's unnecessary praise but it was still a refreshing thing to hear.

Nina bowed to her Shino's father and smiled. "It is so good to have met you. My aunt told me of the four noble clans of Konoha… and here I am at your home."

"You've heard of my family before we met?" Asked Shino.

She blushed and nodded quickly. "You could say that being here is a little fantasy of mine."

Shino's head throbbed at the innuendo that she seemed to so unintentionally say and his cheeks flushed.

"Son, are you okay?" Shibi asked and Shino quickly nodded.

"He was like this at my aunt's home, Aburame-Sama. But as soon as I got him into bed he seemed to feel better."

"Really now." Said Shibi, almost smirking but trying to make sure he didn't hurt the girls feelings. "Thank you for taking such good care of him, Terumī-Sama."

"Please call me Nina and he was a pleasure to be with."

Shino then fainted, Nina catching him just before he fell to the ground.

"Does this happen to him a lot, Aburame-Sama? I am worried about him?"

"Oh, don't worry Nina. Please call me Shibi and you could say this is a trait that all the Team 8 members seemed to have shared. He'll be fine." He took his son from the young woman under one arm and offering the other to her, showed her into their home.

"Mum, I would like you and Hana to meet someone in a few weeks time. Is it okay if I invite you all to a meal, would you come?"

Tsume Inuzuka uncharacteristically put down the dish she was washing carefully, ran up to her son and hugged him.

"At last." She squeezed him tight before letting him go to look at the blushed, almost coy looking man.

"Oh mum!" He said, laughing slightly. "I feel like I'm a total idiot around her … I know I act like one. Can you tell me how to get a grip and be less of an arse around her?"

"Is my brother asking for love advice?" Hana asked, walking into the kitchen as she had changed out of her work clothes and wanted to join them.

"Yes." He said wearily. He didn't mind the teasing if they could help him and then they both looked at him adoringly.

"The alpha male has certainly grown up." Kuromaru, Tsume's companion and dog said from his basket. Next to him lay Akamaru who whined slightly in agreement before going back to sleep.

He blushed even more, his family were teasing them but he felt they meant it. They were showing their care to him when he really needed it and the teasing actually made it easier for him to do. He expected it and if they had not, he would have felt strange.

"What's she like?" Hana asked and they went to sit at the large kitchen table. Kuromaru got up and went to sit beside his best friend whist Akamaru dreamed of chasing rabbits and Pekinese dogs.

"She's an ANBU member. Her abilities are very unusual and because of her upbringing, many find her hard to accept."

"Can you tell us?" Tsume asked and Kiba nodded.

"She's beautiful, orphaned as a baby, experimented upon by that traitor Orochimaru and rescued by Captain Yamato before anything else could have happened to her. She was then brought here and raised by Yamato. She can fly and turn people to stone with her voice, though it changes her physically. I think that someone said something really stupid to her because she keeps herself hidden from people but she REALLY is wonderful. She's funny, she's loyal, she's kind…"

A woman wearing a wolf-shaped masked walked through the open doorway of the kitchen. Kiba looked like he'd seen a ghost and went bone-marrow white. She took off the mask and revealed a smiling face.

"I'm Joleen. It's nice to meet you all."

Tsume stood up and welcomed her to a chair with them. Kuromaru was wagging his tail happily and Akamaru lazily got up from his basket to greet her. Hana went into the kitchen and prepared tea and snacks as they all then sat together and chatted.

Joleen didn't quite know what to feel but one word crept into her mind and made her feel warm… family.

Hinata had just come from the shower to find a dressed Kakashi sitting on her bed, reading a copy of 'Icha Icha'. She blushed madly and Kakashi laughed lightly.

"Hinata,,, how did you manage to not only get this book but got a 1st copy?" He asked curiously.

"By treating Shino to dinner every night for a week." Hinata replied and they both grinned, though Kakashi's smile was once again veiled.

A loud bang was heard at the door and Kakashi waved goodbye before disappearing in a cloud of smoke, the book bouncing on top of the bed. She smiled and went to answer the door. Neji was on the other side, furious as hell.

"What's taking so long?" He walked into the room as she opend the door. "Hinata-Sama, what the hell were you doing in…" He saw the book on the bed and smirked. "Hinata-Sama! I know you don't date but to get into porn at your age is really not necessary…"

"What?" She exclaimed, turning crimson.

"The book on your bed. I recognise the cover… no wonder you were laughing your head off earlier..."

"Brother I… wait a moment. How come you can recognise the cover?" It was then Neji's turn to go red.

"Well, it doesn't matter. What we do in our rooms as our own business but please keep your laughter to a dull roar."

"Sorry Brother." She said sheepishly before he closed the door and tried to not to 'laugh her head off'.

"Shino? Son?" His died asked, seeing Shino was at last coming around ."

"Nina!" He yelled and shot up, his dad caught his arms and he spoke calmly to Shino.

"She is extremely well and sitting in the front sitting room. I just said I would check up on you and you just came around." His father spoke in the same monotone, controlled way that Shino did. "The Mizukage's niece has come here, of all places." He noticed the small smile on his dad's lips and Shino became slightly flushed.

"Nina-Sama seems to have this affect on me… I just can't seem to keep my senses around her."

"It's okay son." He slowly let go of his son and looked at him. "This is how males in our family act around their selected mate… well, the fainting part is unusual but the blushing and uncontrollable feelings.. yes."

"Selected mate?" He queried and Shibi nodded.

"Your bugs are attracted to her as well, that is why they are trying to signal to her via making your cheeks red and act defensively. They want their offspring to be with her offspring too."

Shino felt for the 1st time a little creeped out by what his dad said. "They want her to be with me?"

"Yes." Shibi replied. "And it's easy to see why. Her hair is red, a colour that attracts many insects and her disposition, mannerisms and nature make her very appealing."

"Is that how you felt about mum?" Shino asked unobtrusively. They never really talked about his mother since she died on a mission a few years after he was born.

"Yes." Shibi then broke out into a whole smile and Shino smirked. "Nina-Sama and your mum share the same nature… it's almost like having a part of your mum back when I talk to her."

"Dad, did you tell Nina about the ants that live just outside the living room?" Shibi and him then quickly moved from Shino's room and hurried towards the living room where they saw Nina giggling as 100's of ants were carrying tea, cakes and dishes to her and laying them by her feet. When she saw Shino, she beamed at him, got up and hugged him and then Shibi.

"I love your home so much." She said and her grin was infectious. Shibi and Shino were both bushing now and smiling back at her.

"Looks like you've made quite an impact on all of us, Nina-Sama." Shibi stated and Shino helped Nina back into her seat, before sending the ants away.

"You really are the most amazing woman I have ever met." He removed his glasses to show his fly-like black eyes went down onto one knee and asked her a question. "I know I am not like other guys and scare ordinary people easily with the way I am. You are the future Mizukage and I am nothing … not even from the same land as you. But I love you, Nina. I want to find a way to build my dreams around yours and be with you always. Can I ask your permission to speak with your aunt and plan us having a courtship?"

Nina wrapped her arms around him and jumped up and down. "Yes!"

He then jumped up and down with her. Shibi, looking slightly embarrassed at the outbreak of emotion, quietly smiled and pointing to the kitchen down the hall wall quietly excused himself.

"I'll just get some more tea." And walked out of the room, hands in his pockets, whistling as he walked.

Everyone was now gathered at the gates of Konoha where Naruto, Yamato and Konohamaru approached them.

"I was a complete embarrassment to everyone and shamed all of us. Hinata-Chan, I am so sorry."

"It doen't matter, Naruto-Kun."

"Yes it does. "Kiba said and staring at Naruto, spoke to him. "I am glad you said what you did, Hokage-Sama. But if you come near Hinata, Joleen, Nina or any female unaccompanied or without a good reason, I'll cut your balls off with a kunai. No offense, Naruto-Sama"

Neji and Shino shared a smirk at their friend's words. Sometimes, Kiba just had the perfect way with words and it was good he just said what they wanted to say so badly to him.

Naruto smiled at Kiba. He knew Kiba could just say what was needed to be said and he nodded. "Agreed. I will make you all feel you can trust me again. I promise." Naruto turned to Kakashi and the natural smile on his face twitched slightly. "Kakashi-Sensei, we'll meet each other when you return. Is that agreed?"

"Agreed, Hokage-Sama." Spoke Kakashi quietly. He wanted to escort Hinata back to Kirigakure with the others but to ensure he could make the preparations for meeting her there, he could only take her as far as the crossroads.

"The Mizukage's bodyguard will be waiting by the crossroads to meet everyone and take them back there. Shino-Sama, Kiba-Sama, there is no need for you both to go as well."

"Yes there is." They said at the same time.

"I would not be satisfied until I have seen Nina-Sama safely back home."

"And I would like to make sure I can help SS regarding her request for her sister to return to Konoha."

"Very well." Naruto said and handing Joleen a scroll, advised her. "SS, this is a requesting the Mizukage for permission to take custody of your sister. Yamato will come with you to help Kiba and yourself to help contain and bring her here."

"Thank you." She said taking the scroll from him, noticing the eagle-eyed expression on Kiba's face to ensure no contact was made between them.

"Terumī-Sama, I am sorry for any embarrassment or hardship you've been through since you've left Kirigakure."

"Not at all," Said Nina-Sama. "I can understand how Hinata's family felt and Shino showed me a real good time here." Her eyes were closed as she spoke happily. Shino felt dizzy but the smack from Kiba on the side of his head brought him back to his senses.

"We should get going." Kiba said smiling and as everyone turned and walked away, Konohamaru and Iruka placed their hands upon Naruto's shoulders.

"Sexy Jitsu contest followed by ramen?" Konohamaru said to his friend, sworn brother and leader.

"You're on!" Naruto yelled and the two dashed off towards the middle of the village, Iruka rubbing the back of his head. I hope my nose will withstand the bleeding.