Pairing: eventual Kakanaru; some SasuNaru, some KakaTenzou
Rating: PG-15
Disclaimer: All characters depicted in sexual situations in this post/fanfiction/fanart (including material in the comments) are fictional and are intended to be and considered to be by the author of said material of the legal age of consent in the United States state of California, regardless of what age these characters may be in the material they are derived from. Also, song is "Just Hold Me" by Maria Mena.
Notes: I did make the Whirlpool Village have the Kansai dialect; but it won't play much of a part, but I thought I would mention that it is a true dialect. Un-betaed.
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Comfortable as I am
I need your reassurance
And comfortable as you are
You count the days
Throughout the night Keiko found it hard to sleep. Not only had he told the Jounin what his name was, but the ANBU as well. It was supposed to be privileged information. Eventually, after he had taken his turn at watch he fell asleep next to Kakashi. The comfort he felt from the nearness of his Sensei wasn't much, or at least that's what he told himself. In the back of his mind he acknowledged he wished Sasuke and Sakura were also curled up nearby, but he brushed it aside. The circumstances did not allow for Genins, he would have to do without. When Keiko awoke in the morning he yawned beneath his mask and stretched, sitting up in the process. Kakashi mumbled something that sounded like 'is it my watch yet?', but Keiko ignored it in favor for taking in the surroundings and setting his mind to the problem at hand.
An hour later and everyone else was waking to the sound of a fire crackling and breakfast being cooked. The ones on watch had eaten, the chef being Namikaze Keiko: still dressed in orange. Gai poked a sleeping Kakashi in the ribs to wake him, the reaction being a punch that was narrowly dodged. Kakashi sat up, mask still in place.
Another half hour passed as everyone ate. Whether Anko and the Lion were able to apprehend Endo Kaya or not, the group needed to proceed in some manner. Keiko, without thinking about it, plopped himself down next to Kakashi for the talking. Normally one would have ventured over to the ANBU Captain, but Keiko preferred to have Kakashi's help.
"So with Kaya, the leader, in Konoha and scattered troops, assuming the information of her large following being correct, where does that leave our small legion?" Normally Keiko would also introduce himself, but it felt so natural to just start talking. Kakashi, for his paused start, did seem a bit taken by the fact that the Hontokage had sought him out, but quickly recovered from the fact when Gai sat beside him.
"We could split into two, form a base and have the other group proceed." Gai's voice was an unexpected one to answer, but still brought up a good point. Keiko hunched over, placing his elbow on his knee and chin in his hand. Sapphire eyes stared out of the mask's eye slits, towards the two Jounins.
"I have a bad feeling about splitting up. If the offense gets too far from the defense we have no radio; Endo Kaya is--was--a Hontokage, she would take advantage of something like radio silence." Keiko responded while Kakashi pondered. Having not said anything as of yet he took in the information and put it into his own suggestion.
"If we went in a wave that was purely offense we could take them out, but that would spread us thin. Admittedly this could become problematic: say if our numbers lessen even more." Keiko seemed to smile behind his mask.
"Good thought. However, you're in the company of highly trained individuals. We shouldn't lose too many, especially if they have captured Endo Kaya in Konoha. If they haven't we'll need to have myself and at least one other to combat her when the time comes." Keiko's gaze rested firmly on Kakashi as he continued, "I would like it if you were that other individual."
Kakashi knew that he was a nominee for Hokage, but being chosen out of a group by the Hontokage had to mean that he was exceptional. He wasn't sure he agreed with that. He frowned slightly behind his mask before he spoke.
"I accept only if you're positive you have chosen correctly."
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But if I wanted silence
I would whisper
And if I wanted loneliness
I'd choose to go
And if i liked rejection
I'd audition
And if I didn't love you
You would know
In Konoha the situation was surprisingly in control. As Anko and the Lion both attested to the same accounts of what happened when the Konoha aid and the Hontokage met, Endo Kaya was captured in the hospital and sent to ANBU headquarters, Ibiki's ward. Kaya and Ibiki sat across from one another, the Hokage watching from behind a pane of glass. It was boring, as Kaya was not talking, but Ibiki was prepared to wait it out.
The Lion and Anko, both anxious to return to the group working on subduing Earth Country, were told to remain in case of another breach. The Sandaime didn't have the Hontokage for protection right now, so it was imperative that he have at least two people he could trust.
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And why can't you just hold me
And how come it is so hard
And do you like to see me broken
And why do I still care
still care
Back at the camp ANBU were packing things up; Keiko, Kakashi, Gai, and the ANBU Captain were talking out their plans. Keiko, ensuring that Kakashi would be paired with him, spoke about the suggestions given to him.
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You say you see the light now
At the end of this narrow hall
I wish it didn't matter
I wish I didn't give you all
There was plenty of time while Kakashi was left alone to sharpen his weapons in preparation for this new mission. In that time his thoughts lingered on the Hontokage. How was it that he thought so highly of Kakashi? He didn't feel special in the least. So what if he had a sharingan eye and was a nominee for the next Hokage? He knew why the sharingan was helpful, but other than that rare specialty jutsu he wasn't useful. At least, he didn't feel useful. Keiko, laughing at something one of the ANBU operatives said, approached him shortly after his thoughts concluded. Kakashi's single eye turned up to see the orange-clad young man sit beside him, a grin hidden behind his ceramic mask.
"Have you ever just spun around, watching the sky?" Kakashi found this question odd, but rewarded him with an answer.
"Once or twice I suspect, when I was a child." Kakashi spoke in an even tone as Keiko just continued to smile in his direction.
"Then you're the right one for this mission. Stop doubting yourself." Keiko might be strange, Kakashi concluded, but he was admirable in many different ways. As Keiko sat beside him and told lame and tasteless jokes, Kakashi relentlessly prepared his weapons.
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Poor little misunderstood baby
No one likes a sad face
But I can't remember life without him
I think I did have good days
I think I did have good days
Keiko knew what he was doing would have repercussions. With a man as smart as Kakashi, just give him time and he would sort out the riddle of Namikaze Keiko's life. That's why, after this mission he would stay well away from Kakashi while he was Keiko, and distract him with Naruto. Sapphire eyes darkened slightly, so he told another joke.