Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.

As always a big thank you to my Beta cheekylips.

A/N: For those of you who noticed the incorrect spelling of Sasuke's name in Chapter 27 I apologize. The mistake has been noted, corrected and I have since revised the chapter. A big thank you to the reviewer that pointed it out it's a flaw that should most defiantly be corrected.

Chapter 28 Devotion and Duty

From where the evening left them moving forward was prohibited by both. They each went about understanding it in their own way however the perception was the same.

Maiha pulled back in, her actions were more out of avoidance keeping space in between them. The wound was still fresh and deep so she reverted back to her old ways to deal with it.

I let this happen. Lack of control... "Ugh what is it when it comes to him, I just can't help it." She snatched up a pillow and pulled it into her chest hugging it fiercely in frustration as she rocked backward into the corner of her couch. She picked at the corners loose threads exhaling as her mind jumped tracks. He wouldn't just use me for... No, she shook her head assured. But why does he just leave? Having never been in a relationship before the only thing she had to go on was stories of blissful mornings or the beneficial pact between two people. She could obviously say it wasn't the former since he was absent when she rose with the sun but the latter? He wouldn't, she exhaled heavily and tipped her head backward. Her tea had gone cold as her mind was deadlocked in the lengthy monologue attempting to understand the relationship between the two. Though everything between them was confusing, she had realized that they could not go on as they were. They would have to discuss it sooner... or later.

He noticed her elusion when they were in the vicinity of each other and the scarcity of her presence; he couldn't help but shoulder the blame, after such intimate relations he had just up and left, not once but twice. He stared at the memorial with his hands in his pockets. After a moment he exhaled forcefully annoyed with himself. "What am I doing? Of all the things I've faced when my back was against the wall, outnumbered, overpowered, this is what I choose to run from." Kakashi contemplated on how he should approach her, he too had concluded that though there was something more between them it lacked definition. Carefully and cautiously, would be best, she seemed unsteady, most likely unsure about the state of their relationship, but wasn't he? What was it? A whirlwind romance? Friends with benefits?

No, he couldn't do that to her, or himself. His feelings were so strong now and with Maiha avoiding contact he felt as if her were losing her all over again.

They had returned from their respective missions nearly at the same time. Maiha was leaving from her debriefing and Kakashi was on his way to his. They made eye contact in the crowded hallway of the Hokage tower and both stopped, separated only by apprehension. The same thought echoed in both their minds, Initiate contact while I have the chance then go from there.

"Maiha."

"Kakashi."

They spoke at the same time before pausing on hearing the other begin. Kakashi opened his mouth quickly to cut in holding himself accountable for the burden he had put on their relationship. Maiha leaned in.

"Kakashi," Genma called for his attention in a firm voice.

"Maiha I... "he continued ignoring him.

"I'm sorry," Genma turned to Maiha as he approached the two. "Kakashi," he continued as he looked back over "Kakashi you need to come with me."

Kakashi looked over to Maiha.

"You should go Kakashi, it sounds important," she gave him a nod. "We can catch up later,'' she forced a smile. "I'll see you," before she turned to go her eyes glanced to Genma and she gave him a nod with the same smile. Maiha continued on toward the exit.

He watched her walk away sighing as she rounded the corner moving out of sight. He knew her well, she was hurting her body language gave her away. Kakashi made up his mind, after his debriefing he would confront her, set things straight and then, well, move forward? The situation could be extraordinary or damaging destructing their relationship, but with the way it was presently there was no turning back. He would push his own vulnerability aside, tell her what lie in his heart and then let her decide.

Kakashi entered the Hokage's office with Genma; his ambition, to rush through his debriefing and go straight to Maiha. "I've come to debrief my mission, Lady Hokage and..." he paused as his attention was drawn to the six ANBU members standing in the room, three a side. The sight was all too familiar.

"Your mission report can be presented in written form. There are more important matters to attend to." Tsunade's serious expression alarmed him.

His rush after Maiha was halted; the situation would have to wait. "Yes Lady Hokage."

S-rank and ANBU, this mission was high risk, extremely important and had no guarantee of return, just as his earlier days behind the porcelain mask. Slated to leave the following evening, he would tell her tonight.

Kakashi's briefing was extensive and detailed lasting well into the evening, but when he exited the Hokage tower his focus turned to Maiha. It was now more important than ever to express what he felt for her, no regrets; he would never forgive himself had he not, in life or in death.

Kakashi stepped out onto the street into a torrential down pour of rain. He looked up into the night sky as his clothing soaked up the large droplets that fell. "How fitting," he sighed and continued on to her apartment slowly disregarding the rain, his mind consumed by how he would tell her and if his feelings were well received and returned, leave her yet again.

Maiha had spent the evening sitting on the sill of her window listening to the rain. The weather had overloaded the power grid of the village cloaking it in darkness and she made her way around the apartment by candle light. She was startled by a knock on her door. Ugh, he's back again. How many times do I have to tell this new landlord that everything is fine. She reached her door and opened it.

"Hello again Maiha-san, I just wanted to check on you and let you know the report is that the power will be out at least until morning. Please let me know if you need anything." the young man nervously assured her.

"Yes, thank you I will." He turned to leave and she closed the door. Maiha headed back to her room and the windowsill. Just as she settled back into a comfortable position there was another knock at the door. She grunted, Oh for Kami's sake! This guy is really getting on my nerves. If I weren't so worried about his father raising the rent I would have detoured him more aggressively a long time ago. Irritated, she made her way to the door, collected herself with a deep breath and a then opened her door.

There he stood looking completely disheveled. His hair matted down and his clothes were over-saturated dripping, forming a puddle of water at his feet. She stood in disbelief and then snapping out of it pulled him through the door gently closing it behind him.

Kakashi was apprehensive, how would he begin? "I have a mission tomorrow night…" he couldn't finish the rest of the phrase before she cut him off.

"Let me get you a towel if you stay this way to long you'll catch cold." Maiha spun on her heel and hastily made her way to the bathroom. She returned quickly. "You're completely soaked, what were you thinking walking around out there?"

"I had to see you," he drew out.

"Why, to tell me about your mission? If you don't leave until tomorrow night it could have waited until morning." Maiha lectured him as she started to dry him off. It wasn't long before the towel she was using was just as wet as his clothing. "We have to get you out of those clothes." He stood still as she stripped him down each article of clothing splattering as it hit the floor. Now in just his boxers she grabbed a second towel and began drying him off again. She felt his forehead and briefly touched his skin searching for signs of a fever. "You're freezing! Let me go get a blanket," she started toward her room to grab the big puffy comforter off her bed. In one quick movement he grasped her arm and spun her around pulling her into his chest. She looked up at him startled and focused in on him.

"Maiha, you're the only warmth that I need."

His words stole her voice, his gaze hypnotized her. She stood there in his arms unable to move her body though her eyes searched his face. Had it not been for an involuntary action her breathing would have stopped.

"I never wanted anything like this, avoided it at all costs, it was absolutely out of the question. But it happened anyway. You have always been here beside me, I just refused to see. I don't know how I missed it or why… all that time I wasted," he paused somewhat annoyed with himself and exhaled, his voice returning to a softer tone "I can't make up for the time lost..." He stopped; his thoughts were in disarray, jumbled inside his head. Kakashi lifted his hand stroking the side of her face gently, "I need you Maiha, if you don't share the same feelings…" The tears leaking from the corners of her eyes interrupted his admission as they reflected the light of the flickering candles. He cupped her face in his hands and moved in closer to her lips, "Maiha, I love you."

The words she wanted to hear and now they rang in her ears. Her bottom lip quivered as a rush of emotions washed over her. He ran his thumb over them relieving the tremor before placing his lips softly upon them. Maiha pressed her mouth back into his after recovering from the shock of his declaration. She pulled herself in closer wrapping her arms around him, he responded locking them in an embrace. The kisses following his admissions were sweet and sensual, he knew she felt the same, he could feel her emotion through her touch, her kiss. It was surreal for both, something neither thought would be until that moment. Maiha pulled away searching for breath and when found spoke, their lips dancing around each other, "Kakashi, you're everything to me, you have my heart, my soul my… forever."

Forever… something Kakashi wanted but could only promise tonight. Love had been absent from his life and now he knew what he would miss if he didn't come back; how crewel this life. But they had tonight. "Maiha," he slipped in, calling for her attention. She slowly opened her eyes meeting his soft gaze. "Let me love you tonight, let me show you."

She was caught in the moment, the emotion, his touch and his words, she was intoxicated. She nodded slightly missing the enunciation that he put on time.

He held her there in his gaze as he pulled at the satin tie releasing the waist of her bottoms and the light material floated down to the floor. She had already surrendered to him, allowing him to move her body about as her hands softly roamed about his. He wrapped her arms around his neck taking in her lips once again. His hands slid over the material of her top. Reaching its hem he slipped his hands under stroking the soft skin of her back. He took it up slowly over her head between breaths discarding it to the side. Returning to her, his hands reached for the clasp at her mid-back freeing her breasts from the restrictive article. Maiha dropped her arms down and with one delicate push from his fingers the item slid down dropping to the floor. He reveled in the skin on skin contact, the friction, her features pressed up against him; the heat escalated spurring movement to the bedroom.

Kakashi moved her arms around his neck once more and he grasped her bottom sliding his hands down further and underneath parting her legs and picked her up wrapping them around him, their lips never missing a beat as he made way to her bed. He loved her lips, their taste, their feel, the way she moved them against his own. Though a simple feature, it was one that could make him crumble no matter where they touched his body.

He laid her down softly leading with one hand sliding over the surface of the sheets as the other supported her around the waist. Feeling the bed underneath, she settled into its firmness loosening her grip on him. Maiha could feel his length as he pressed it up against her showing the desire his body had for her. He pressed harder, increasing the friction between them, she was losing her senses. She pressed more forcefully against his mouth, gripped his skin trying to pull up in handfuls, he felt the lust she had for his body but this time it would be different. It was only her body reacting. He slowed her, brought her back to him, this wasn't about gratification.

He left her mouth placing gentle kisses on her neck and shoulders as she tangled her fingers in her silver hair. Further he traveled between her breasts to her stomach. She bit her bottom lip slightly taking pleasure in the moment, his gentle touch, his moist lips and soft tongue. Kakashi reached for the lacey material, the only thing left covering her skin. He kissed her hips over each thin string before hooking his fingers over them. Maiha lifted her hips slightly aiding in their removal as he pulled them downward slowly sliding them off her legs and tossing them aside before he shed the only piece of clothing he had left.

Kakashi moved slowly back up her legs, the silken legs he loved to have wrapped around him, stroking them delicately and settled in between. He leaned forward finding her lips taking them in softly, gently caressing them with his own.

Maiha ran her fingertips down his back, his hips and then a hand between reaching for him, she helped him, guided him. Slowly he pushed, both of them mewling into each other's mouths through each drawn out second. He paused as he could move no more, the moment compelling, almost vital the most intimate they could be. From there every movement was slow deep and in sync; possibly one last night of love he would make it last. Kakashi covered every square inch of her body with his mouth, his hands; the warmth of her body wrapped around him, the smoothness of her skin, the softness of her lips, her scent, he wanted to remember everything, maybe it would see him through.

He waited until he thought she was asleep before moving. He sat on the edge of her bed resting his head in his hands. What now? He confessed his love, she had returned it and now he would leave her, possibly never coming back. He couldn't disclose the mission she would understand that. However, not being able to tell her that this may be the last time they could see each other deeply hurt him; it felt like betrayal.

Maiha watched him as he sat. He seemed so deep in thought. The mission, she inwardly sighed. To see him acting this way after such an intimate, emotional experience didn't sit well with her. She inched her way over to him slowly. Feeling movement on the bed he slightly turned his head. She stopped, kneeling next to him. "Stay tonight," she spoke softly. He turned to face her, their lips coming within inches of each other. Maiha looked quickly to his lips and then glanced back up to his eyes, "With me… stay."

Kakashi sat contemplating; he didn't want to leave her. 'Forever' echoed in his mind. If forever in life could only be tonight he would spend every moment with her. His fingers stroked the side of her face slowly and he moved in pressing his lips into hers. Turning he wrapped his arm around her waist slowly lowering her down onto the bed, and they began again. Together, there in the flickering candle light their shadows danced in the dark.

Morning arrived and Maiha awoke to the sunlight streaming in through the curtains wrapped up in Kakashi's arms. She smiled, feeling his breath on her bare skin. She lightly ran her fingers over his arm gently pulling him out of his dream state. His hand softly caressed the curvature of her body and he lightly kissed her neck and shoulders. A pleasurable hum escaped her lips. Maiha turned over and propped her head up on her hand as he did the same.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," she replied and sent him one of her beautiful smiles.

"That smile of yours," he exhaled as he brushed a few strands of hair from her face.

"What?" her smile widened as a blush tinted her cheeks.

"It always seems to draw me in," he moved closer.

"Now that I have seen it, I can say the same thing about yours," she leaned into his waiting lips and then pulled away with a smirk, "It's time to get up and get moving."

"Really? It's still so early," he drew out in a slight whine as he flopped back down on the bed.

Maiha chuckled lightly, "I forgot you're a late riser." She hopped up out of bed. "Well, I am in need of a shower," she stretched as she walked to the bathroom. "There's room enough for two if you want to join me."

He popped up in front of her using his body flicker jutsu, "I think a shower is a grand idea." Startled she flinched slightly and then burst out laughing.

"Breakfast, go to see Ai then, well, I dono I don't have anything planned today, Naruto and Lee are already out on missions and Sasuke said he was in preparation so I have no training partner today. I guess I get the day off," she smiled as she thought out loud dressing casual for the day. "Oh, your clothes they are probably still soaked!" She remembered the state of his arrival the prior evening. "No matter," she smirked as she retrieved her fan. He held each article up and with a few small gusts of wind she air dried his clothing.

"Hey, that comes in pretty handy."

"Yeah you never know when you have to dry the clothing of a shinobi that shows up on your doorstep soakin' wet," she poked fun at him as he dressed.

Kakashi just chuckled and shook his head. "If you don't have any big plans today would you like to go out to the lake with me after you see Ai? I have to go to the Hokage's office to get some things in order for tonight and then I will be free for a bit before the second briefing."

Second briefing, what kind of mission would need two briefings? She put on a smile for him "I'd like that Kakashi." She leaned in to him and looked up, "I'll see you later…I love you," and snuck in a sweet little peck on his lips.

He chuckled, "I love you too," returning the same affection then smiled before pulling up his mask and heading out the door.

Maiha was walking on the clouds. Everything was finally perfect, they were together and he had proclaimed his love, she melted when she thought about his voice saying those words to her. It was defiantly going to be a difficult day for her to stay grounded but she set forth to complete her tasks.

Kakashi headed over to the intelligence building and checked in to pick up the standard ANBU mission gear. "Thought I'd never have to wear this again," he said as the attendant helped him gather up his equipment and put into a large black bag to conceal it's contents. "I see there have been some advancements made in the armor," he picked up the chest plate, "lighter than I remember."

"And more durable too," the attendant pointed out as he reached out to pick up a mask.

"No need for that, I still have mine."

"Yes sir. Well, I think that just about does it, good luck."

"Yeah, thanks," Kakashi nodded and headed home to drop off the bag before he headed out to see Maiha.

She had arrived at the lake first and sat on the end of the dock swinging her legs back and forth over the edge. Still smiling from the morning she soaked up the sun and briefly looked up to the blue sky above only to see Kakashi standing over her.

"Oh hello," she sent him a warm smile.

"Hello," his eye crinkled as he smiled under his mask. "You seem and bit… distracted."

"Hmm, I suppose I am."

He sat down next to her placing his arm behind her and she affectionately leaned into him. At the moment the contact was essential. Maiha was still riding the high from the prior evening, Kakashi however, was absorbing every minute he still had with her. Though it made the thought of leaving her even harder to bear every second etched her place on his heart for eternity.

They stayed for a while, held light hearted conversation until he announced that he had to leave for mission preparations. They both stood and he wrapped his arms around her tightly with her shortly following suit. It was hard for him to say the phrase they had repeated to each other mission after mission so he modified it. "Take care of yourself Maiha, I love you."

She smiled brightly hearing the last three words as there were still ringing in her ears. "I will Kakashi, I love you too. Be safe."

Her happiness cut him like a knife. He was no stranger to pain but leaving her proved to be the most agonizing thing he had ever endured. He placed a long passionate kiss on her lips before pulling away slowly holding on a little longer before parting. He bounded away shortly thereafter but not before taking one last look at her beautiful smile burning it into his mind.

"Good luck gentleman, the village is counting on you to infiltrate this rouge group of shinobi and dismantle the organization before they have a chance to strike." Tsunade saw them off.

"Yes Lady Hokage," they replied.

"Second Captain are you ready to move out?" the ANBU officer asked as he turned to Kakashi.

"I will meet you at the designated departure location in fifteen minutes," he responded.

"Yes sir," He turned to the ANBU squad "Move out," and they were gone in a puff of smoke.

Kakashi looked over to Genma whom was standing next to the door at attention. "This will be hard on her… Maiha," he exhaled. "Watch over her for me."

"You have my word," he nodded.

She floated around her apartment self-absorbed, drunk on the euphoria his admission had brought her. As the sun set her mind wondered off onto thoughts of their future together. "Let's see… what kind of tea shall I have tonight," Maiha stood on the tips of her toes looking around in her cupboard. Her eyes caught a familiar silver tin and she smiled. Though it was given to her as a peace offering it was still from him. She grabbed onto it and brought it down to the counter. Just as she dropped the bag of tea into the cup there was a knock at the door. She looked at the clock, it was late. It has to be him, maybe his mission was cancelled! Her face lit up with the possibility as she made her way to the door. She opened it ready to greet who ever had come to call.

Maiha stood in disbelief; it was an ANBU member standing at her door. The smile drained from her face as she focused on the porcelain mask. She knew it was him the canine avatar and the silver hair was a dead giveaway. The knife already plunged in his heart, had twisted with her reaction. He directed her back through the doorway and closed the door behind him. Once inside, Kakashi removed his ANBU mask and pulled down the material covering his face.

She stood there speechless just looking over his armor.

"Maiha I…" he began.

"ANBU?" she drew out barely.

He exhaled, "Once ANBU you are a reserve."

"Then last night was just…"

"Last night was love." He brushed the side of her face with his fingers and continued. "I want forever, each moment whether we are together or not is part of that."

Maiha gathered herself and reached up to her neck removing the trinket that rarely left her body. She moved forward to him with it in her hands.

"Maiha," he sighed.

"This is not up for discussion Kakashi," she latched the necklace behind his neck. Maiha looked in his eyes, "I know we will be together again." She paused, "She will bring you back to me."

At that point he knew she understood, it was even more likely that he may not come back from this mission. She would stay strong for him not allowing him to see her distressed.

"There is no one else for me Kakashi. My heart and soul are yours." She pulled herself into him, "Take care my love, I will see you when you come back to me."

One last kiss an exchange of 'I love you's' and he was gone. As the door latched shut she broke down, her knees buckled and she crumbled to the floor sobbing as she buried her face in her hands. There would be no comfort tonight, only racing thoughts of worst case scenarios and relentless waves of emotion carrying her away from the dreams of their future she had only moments ago.

I know I know, I am being mean. I keep pulling them apart and putting them back together, but I seriously love every one of you for hanging with me.

In any case, I hope you are enjoying the story. I got a little more brave and let more out, again I hope it wasn't to repulsive and it makes up a bit for my actions.

Up next… The mission x2.