Air for life

by thebeagle

A story that follows the ninja girl Toshi who's a rebelious orphan. When Kakashi and team 7 is assigned to capture her, they find out that she's quite a handfull, especially for Kakashi. Will she end up in prison? Full summary inside. KakashixOC

21. Air for life Chapter 21

So... Finally I new chapter is up. A long waited one.

A late christmas gift I guess, haha.

Again, so sorry for being slooooow at updating. I hope you enjoy!

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To say the least it had been a long time since I had slept so well, despite the hot mess of an elite ninja laying with his arm around me. There was and always would be some kind of safety in being tugged close to Kakashi. Not just because he was the strongest ninja i knew, but I was sure it took a lot of trust for him to ever lay with anyone like this so casually. I realized in my morning haze that he probably felt safe around me too. That was surely a flattering thought.

His arm squeezed me slightly though his breathing still indicated he was asleep. Through the window, the sun shone brightly, I registered through half closed eyelids. I stirred slightly and Kakashi did as well, his free hand moving across my ribs, his fingers claiming the flesh right above my hip absently.

A longing sigh escaped my mouth instinctively and his body reacted to it, tugging me closer and leaning his chin into the hollow of my neck. With my back to him I felt every inch of his body against me, his breath in my ear and a sigh escaped me once more... A knock sounded on the window overhead and both of us jerked up in alert confusion. With the worst morning hair and groggy look I looked around and saw an ANBU squatting outside Kakashi's window waving politely. The copy ninja didn't waste a second, amazingly like he had been awake for hours, and rushed to open the window.

"Good morning master Kakashi." The lizard masked ANBU greeted, concealing the awkwardness of the situation to his best.

The ANBU turned his head towards me "Well, this was not the place I expected to find you Shiori."

The feeling was dreadful. I just laid there, trying to cover myself up, about to go the walk of shame, trying madly not to blush.

"Uhm... Yeah. This is not what it looks like." Why was I even trying to explain myself?

Kakashi was just standing there looking dumb, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"... Sure." The ANBU seemed mildly uncomfortable.

"So, what is it you wanted?" Kakashi asked.

"Right. The hokage is requesting your presence immediately Shiori." The ANBU said, nodding once and disappearing in a second after a curt nod.

I almost jumped out of Kakashi's bed, disheveled and confused.

"That was so awkward!" I muttered, starting to gather my clothes, realizing too that I only had my dress to wear.

"Shit!" I hissed starting to buckle on my bra under the t-shirt.

The gorgeous copy ninja ran a hand through his hair, basking in the light breeze that came in through his window. By kami, he was so hot, his bare chest rising and falling tentatively.

"I wonder what the hokage wants with you." He pondered, seemingly unaffected by the whole situation.

Well, none of us really had much time to talk or think about the previous night as it was now.

"Can I borrow a pair of pants? I can't run around in this dress like some... Some..." By lack of better words I trailed off, taking his silence as a yes.

Some kind of fling, I thought to myself. Meanwhile Kakashi had snuck up on me and I bumped into his chest when I spun around after having put on pants that were way too big for me.

"Toshi." He said simply and hesitantly and put both hands on each of my shoulders. Quickly recovering from the sudden bump in, I looked up at him, the hokage suddenly forgotten for a moment.

"I'm sorry if I scared you last night... I just-" He looked away as if he was embarrassed, an odd emotion to see him display- "I was just drunk obviously and I suppose I forgot that you're not into too much physical contact. I'm your mentor I shouldn't have assumed - I mean - I don't usually get so vulnerable with colleagues-"

It was about time to cut him off. His speech was killing me. Sure I'd panicked and stopped him from making me going any further, but deep down I was ecstatic about this development... To think that some one as Kakashi desired me. Well that was just arousing and flattering in so many ways.

"Kakashi, stop. It's alright. It's not like you're the first guy to approach me like that. I'm actually kind of flattered." I said.

He tilted his head "See that's the problem. I shouldn't be 'just another guy throwing himself at you'. You should be feeling safe around me, not be thinking that I'm hitting on you. I was just drunk and you've kind of grown on me... It was a mistake and I'm sorry."

I gave him a confused look "A mistake?"

He paused for a second "... Not like that. It was a mistake on my side to-"

"Kakashi, it doesn't matter right now. I'm kind of in a hurry" I had to interrupt him. He was literally killing me inside.

"Right." He replied sort of taken aback as I went around him.

It was obvious he was feeling guilty, embarrassed, something he usually didn't feel - at least not when it involved me. Nonetheless I wanted to remove myself from this awkward situation as quickly as possible. I had to be alone to swallow what had transpired between us. I opened his window holding my dress, crawling up before looking back at him. He was running a hand through his hair seeming to be deep in thought. A tug of longing for him surged through me, but I put it aside quickly.

"I'll see you around." I said and jumped out before he could reply.

.

"You look tired." The hokage commented absently.

"I went to bed late this night." I answered.

I'd tried to freshen up quickly by spraying water in my face and change into the ANBU uniform, but apparently that didn't help looking any fresher. The old man raised an eyebrow unimpressed.

"Since you're late I'll have to tell this a second time. I've already told the rest of the ANBU team that I want you to patrol the city this week as the chuunin exams are about to start and our allied will pay us a visit and participate in the exams." Hiruzen chewed on his pipe and blew a ring of smoke out before continuing.

"Yugao will be your team captain, so report to her when you're done here."

"Of course." I answered simply and bowed respectfully.

"I'll be announcing the beginning of the exams for all jounins later today. Soon the city will be buzzing, so take that into consideration. It is your first time experiencing the exams after all." He muttered comfortably.

I nodded once again, preparing my mind to tune into another mode than my previous Kakashi-filled state of mind.

"You can go."

After his dismissal I went to find my team, porcelain mask back in place over my face. A quick briefing in areas, persons of importance or interests we split up to patrol the streets from the shadows.

It gave me some time to get away from my thoughts of what had happened between me and Kakashi. Watching people and watching newcomers usually was a good distraction but the thought of being pressed up against the wall, giving in just for a moment to the desire for him, passed my mind over and over again. For some strange reason I felt more confident with myself, even if he had thought it was a mistake. What had happened couldn't be taken back and I had felt the consuming desire that was in him. Knowing Kakashi, the 'mistake' could easily have been an excuse for whatever he thought had gone wrong.

I slapped my forehead, trying to focus on doing my job. Somewhere in the distance I spotted Naruto's top of blond hair disappear into an ally. It had been a while since I'd talked to the kid. With a shrug I decided to shadow him hoping he would lead me across anything out of the ordinary. Surely I would soon see that my instincts had been right.

Crouching in a nearby tree and chewing a soldier pill, I watched a rather unusual scene unfold between Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and a pair of newly arrived Suna ninjas. One, an older kid wore a black, baggy, full body suit with a red and yellow circle on the front. He also wore a black hood which covered his head completely, and had cat-like ears and his forehead protector on his forehead. He had a triangular face-paint design in red paint and seemed to have a short temper with the kids.

The other, female, ninja had sandy blonde hair, which was gathered into four consecutive ponytails. Her outfit consisted of a single light purple-coloured, off-the-shoulders garment that extended to halfway down her thighs, with a scarlet sash tied around her waist. In addition to incorporating fishnet worn over her shoulders and legs, specifically on her right calf and her left thigh, she also wore her black forehead protector around her neck.

I was only slightly on edge when things seemed to turn aggressive and their bickering became worse. But that wasn't what had the hackles in my neck rise. No, it was the odd chakra signature that suddenly appeared, emitting a strange sensation similar to Kisame, just not as pleasant... I tilted forward to see better when a kid with auburn hair appeared in a tree hanging upside down... Yup, it was definitely the same strange feeling I got around Naruto.

My instincts told me to remove myself from his presence. But my mind was too curious. Had I seen that kid before? The wind blew and stirred the leaves, whistling peacefully in my ears.

A short boy with fair skin and short, spiky, auburn hair... I moved to another tree to get a better view. He had pale blue-green eyes and no distinctive pupils or eyebrows. Realization dawned upon when I remembered the kid with the tattoo on his forehead I'd seen and mentioned to Kakashi on our trip to Suna. Essentially he had two very notable traits in his appearance: firstly, he had tanuki-like black eye rings. Secondly it wasn't a tattoo, but a carved kanji "love" on the left side of his forehead.

"Shut up.." The boy said to his Suna teammate.

His voice was dangerously pleasant, even bordering to creepy. I shifted in my crouch to listen better but the distance was too great. The black dressed guy that was picking a fight suddenly seemed to cower. At the same time I registered three other genin in a nearby tree, listening and hiding. Surely things in the city was starting to become interesting with the sudden competition.

"Or I'll kill you." The threat evident in his voice gave me feel of dread. A murders intent was oozing out of the lopsided kid.

My body tensed up instinctively and I suddenly feared for Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura.

This guy is serious business, I thought to myself ready to intervene at any moment as he spoke to Sasuke. For the shortest of seconds his ice blue eyes moved in my direction and I froze... The short kid dissolved into sand, spilling down and drifting off in the wind and reappearing in the street by his two teammates. Coiled tight as a spring I waited in anticipation, but seeing that the situation didn't worsen, I decided it was about time I patrolled some other areas while contemplating on the high level of competition the kids were going to face.

.

The day after I was overlooking the market district, knowing that some of the other guys from the team were keeping an eye on different selected groups of newcomers. Sometimes it was strange to watch the people I usually talked to, working and going about their daily lives without knowing the silent guardian watching them.

A familiar sensation had my heart rate picking up. I remained unmoving, my eyes searching for the familiar grey mop of hair anywhere in the crowd.

"Hey..." Stealthy as he was, he came to my right on a alley rooftop.

Squatting in shadows of another roof I straightened up slightly, trying not to show my surprise. His very presence had me more than unfocused, considering how we left.

"Hey Kakashi." I answered as he made his way towards me.

"How are you?" He asked, mindfully squatting down beside me to not reveal my position.

"On duty." I said simply, trying to distract myself from the sweet, consuming scent he gave off.

"Snappy." He remarked jokingly "I can see that."

I shifted uncomfortably wondering if he was going start where we left off. I couldn't quite muster the conversation right now, even if my insides were screaming at me to jump him right here and now.

"Are you coming to watch the team attend the exams?" He added. Something about him seemed desperate to keep the conversation going, and I found that kind of flattering.

"So you signed them up? I was wondering if you were going to do that." I pondered looking at him out of the corner of my eyes.

Seeing him all clad in his usual clothes made me bite my lip and I was suddenly glad I was wearing a mask. My mind couldn't help but undressing him, imagining his bare broad shoulders, the feel of his neck, his chest pressed against me...

"- So as you can imagine Iruka wasn't thrilled with the idea. He's going to test the kids later today to see if they're ready."

I blinked when I realized I hadn't been listening to what he was saying and forced myself to refocus on the streets bellow.

"So he's mad at you?" I asked.

"Obviously. But he has always disliked me for some reason. I don't think he likes my methods." The copy ninja said, seeming to sigh the slightest.

"Someone disliking you? Can that be true?" I said, finding myself smirking at the sarcasm evident in my voice.

"You would be surprised." He answered simply, ignoring my sarcasm.

I snickered softly, finding the conversation easy and light. It made me relax again as I had no intension of discussing our previous night together. Silence fell over us again and I got the feeling Kakashi was anxious and uncomfortable in the silence. Something that definitely wasn't like him.

"So... Tomorrow the preliminaries are beginning. Are you coming?" The copy ninja said after some shifting around on his feet.

"I didn't know there were any preliminaries. When is it?" I asked.

"Tomorrow morning at the hokage's building." He answered curtly.

"... I suppose, I'll see if I can get someone to share my shift. I only have 7 hours of freetime in which I have to eat and sleep. I kind of need those two things." I explained and continued "Anyways, do you think they're ready? I mean the competition looks pretty tough. Even Gai's team are more advanced than your bunch of kids."

Kakashi's eyes grew cold and distant for a tiny moment. It made me uncomfortable, on edge. Had I struck a nerve?

"I have faith in them. I'm a little worried about Sakura. I'm not sure if she'll turn up tomorrow." He said

"But if a member of the team is missing can the remaining participate then?" I looked at him fully now, trying not provoke that cold look in his eyes again.

"Yeah... That's why I'm a little worried. I wanted each of them to make their decision solely on their own, without being influenced by the others on the team. I could only do that by not telling them that they all need to show up in order to participate in the exams." He sighed and rubbed his forehead suddenly showing how tired he actually was before adding:

"The other jounins didn't agree with me. They think it's too early for them to participate. But I know what I'm doing... At least I hope so." The copy ninja muttered the last thing.

"I trust your judgement." I answered, rubbing my hands together anxiously.

He looked at me from the corner of his eyes, seeming to take in every detail of my mask, my body language, my eyes... I looked away sensing that he was reading me all too well.

"You shouldn't always do that." He said in a low voice "... You look tense." He added

I shifted a bit. Did I really? Maybe it was just his presence... Maybe it was the long hours of watching.

"This job is starting to get to me I suppose." I answered reluctantly.

"Remember to keep your head straight. Your mental health is what keeps you good at this job. I know you're working without much sleep these days... If you're starting to see enemies everywhere, please talk to me, or at least your captain." The ex-ANBU informed me, worry seeping through his indifferent voice.

But the issue he was addressing was far more complex then that, he knew that. Threats came from everywhere and nowhere, at anytime of day or night. For every hour of fighting, an ANBU spent ten thousand hours watching, waiting, standing silent in the shadows.

"Right... I know that. Don't worry. It's only when I loose a finger my mind goes crazy." I flashed him a smile, briefly forgetting he couldn't see it.

He chuckled lightly, agreeing in his own way and letting go of his worry. Somehow I could feel that. I had noticed that I felt his mood a lot easier, when he allowed them to show. There was the dreams too... I guess we were connected somehow. Maybe through that tiny amount of chakra I had left inside of him the second time I entered his mind.

"Well, uh, I'll see you tomorrow then." He said, standing up straight, showing how tall he actually was.

"I can't guarantee anything." I answered.

"Yeah, I know."

.

Today was a windy day, Kakashi noted. He opened the door into the large circular waiting room seeing his two fellow Jounin's Asuma and Kurinai was already seated on the long red benches around the room. Asuma, relaxed as always was leaning back, a cigarette in hand alongside an ashtray.

The grey haired copy ninja was satisfied, but nervous. Sakura had shown up and it was only now he was really starting to second guess his decision. He halted and looked around for Toshi. To his reluctant disappointment, she was nowhere to be seen. He held his cup of tea tight for a moment and moved forward.

"Hey Kakashi." Asuma greeted.

"Hey you two." He answered, taking a seat opposite of the two and leaned back finally realizing the kids fait was out of his hands now.

"It's quiet without the rookies around." He added after a moment and snickered ironically-"I almost miss them."

"Don't worry. Chances are they'll be back again sooner than you think." Asuma answered.

Kakashi felt Toshi's presence and his body heaved a relieved sigh, without showing. As much as he hated to admit it, after that night, he simply couldn't stay away from her, and her very presence seemed to satisfy him somehow.

"Why is that?" He asked and leaned forward. Asuma was about to answer when the door creaked open and Toshi stepped inside, dressed as a regular ninja.

"Hey Toshi. Glad you could make it." He said, trying not to sound too enthusiastic.

Still, what had happened between them was a mystery to him. They hadn't talked about it yet, although everything seemed completely back to normal... Which was what he didn't like. He was conflicted as to how to approach her. Did she just see him as some perv now? He wasn't sure of anything, only that he desired her badly.

"Of course." She replied simply, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. He watched her out of the corner of his eyes as she strode elegantly forward, perfectly balanced as always. She looked good he noted... She always looked good. Greeting Asuma and Kurinai, she took seat beside Kakashi, if a little awkward and looking tired before leaning back with a sigh. He could smell her scent of fresh air and apples, but was distracted by the distinct sound of Asuma flicking his cigarette off of ashes.

"I heard the first examiner this year is Ibiki." The large bearded jounin said, answering Kakashi's question from before.

"Huh?" He blurted, showing his surprise in a sudden realization. So, already their chances of passing look iffy, he thought.

"Grea-t" The copy ninja said sarcastically and leaned back, putting his left arm on the armrest, almost touching Toshi's shoulder. "Sticking them with that sadist is right off the bat."

"What sadist?" Kurinai responded.

Asuma chuckled while Kakashi saw Toshi shift beside him. Obviously she knew him. She had to being a part of the ANBU squad.

"I forgot you're a new jounin Kurinai. Otherwise you wouldn't have to ask that." Asuma said.

Kurinai's eyebrows furrowed the slightest, showing her annoyance.

"So I'm ignorant. Who is he?" She demanded her red eyes seeming sharp all of a sudden.

Kakashi, still leaning back relaxed decided to answer: "He's what you might call, a specialist."

"Oh yeah? In what?" The black haired Kurinai asked.

Asuma heaved a sigh through his cigarette and blew the smoke out while seeming in thought before he looked straight at Kurinai.

"Interrogation and torture."

Kurinai gasped the slightest while Toshi lifted a leg to rest her chin on. Kakashi wanted to sling his arm around her to let her rest against his shoulder, but he knew that was only a fantasy.

"Of course he won't be using physical torture during the test. He won't need to. It's not really his thing anyway. He works on people's minds, not their bodies. He's famous for it. Everyone knows of the head of the ANBU torture and interrogation crew of the hidden leaf village, Ibiki Morino." Asuma continued.

Toshi snorted crossing her arms - "That's just mean."

Asuma looked down, trying to suppress a smile.

"You see this guy, Ibiki, he's a master of interrogation because he understands how the human mind works. He knows just where to prope to uncover your weaknesses. The thing is, he's so good at his job he doesn't use physical torture, he doesn't need to." Asuma paused looking around at everyone - "He just messes up your head so bad you torture yourself."

Silence fell between the four. Kakashi's doubts were starting to grow. He glanced at Toshi and she glanced back. The way she looked at him made him uncomfortable. Even she was starting to doubt the kids after Asuma's explanation.

"So who's the next proctor for the second exams?" Toshi asked, her green eyes averting to Asuma.

"Anko. You all know her." Asuma answered with a smirk.

Both Toshi and Kurinai looked startled. Kakashi knew they were all on friendly terms with the loud-mouthed woman, so everyone knew exactly what was going to happen.

"Toshi, you look tired... Are you alright?" Kurinai asked.

Everyone looked at the sleepy blond and she raised her eyebrows in response.

"Yeah... Just haven't gotten much sleep lately." A yawn halfway interrupted her sentence although they all understood.

Kakashi felt an urge to tell her to go get some sleep, but stopped himself when he remembered her current job. She has really worked her way up, he thought, partially proud, partially intimidated knowing how strong that sleepy, cute blonde beside him actually was.

"Well, the exam should be over soon." Kakashi answered.

"Hopefully." She answered blinking a couple of times when she put her chin on her knee again.

They all waited for a while longer, Toshi's head sometimes bopping to on side when she was falling asleep, clearly comfortable in her current company. He still found it strange to have that urge to tug her close to him and let her sleep properly and he seemed to battle it every second.

.

By some great miracle the kids passed the first exam. It was a quick, short lived victory before they were off to the next with Anko. I only had few minutes to congratulate them before I had to return on duty. Seeing Kakashi still put me on edge, and even though I was beyond tired, he still send my heart racing whenever we had eye contact.

.

It wasn't easy to fight my sleepy body when sitting in a tree, high above where light breezes wafted through the leaves, humming a soothing lullaby. By kami I really needed some sleep. Insects buzzed around me, lazy dragonflies and glistening green wasps and stinging midgets almost too small to see.

Engulfed in the present, a cold sort of energy woke me up, sending chills down my arms, followed by the smell of death. I craned my neck, immediately trying to locate the direction. The graveyard, I thought feeling my pulse rise immediately. I sped towards the direction, my heart pounding in fear and excitement. The sharp metallic scent of blood wafted in the air and I stopped temporarily and performed a zeal, summoning Nephtys. The slender black leopard appeared in a haze of smock, her piercing eyes looking expectantly at me.

"Nephthys, please find the exam overseers and return them to this location immediately." I commanded curtly.

Without another word the cat disappeared into the nearby forest as I made my way towards two bodies lumped on the ground. Momentarily I held my nose, the ripe smell of death overwhelming my sense of smell. Blood was splattered across a nearby Buddha and the ground as well, as if the strike had been quick and violent. Whoever did this was surely lazy, leaving body and blood like it was mere waste.

"We came as quick as we could. What on earth happened here?" A voice came from behind.

Kotetsu, the black haired overseer with a bandage across his nose came up from behind with two of the other overseers.

"I don't know why I didn't sense this before. They have been dead for hours." I said, getting angry with myself for being so sleepy. Perhaps I could've prevented this.

Kotetsu walked closer, squatting in front of the white clad body and examined it.

"It seems to be a grass ninja." I pointed out.

"That is no way to treat a Buddha." One of the others commented.

"What do you think? It's some kind of ninjutsu isn't it?" I asked Kotetsu, knowing he was more skilled than what he gave off to be.

"I don't know. But whatever it is, it's a problem." He answered, scratching his hair tiredly.

The others agreed silently, "just when things were running so smoothly... What a drag." he added.

"We need to report this. Go get the proctor." He started after a pause.

Nephthys brushed herself up my leg and I absently ran a hand over her soft fur. The wind started blowing harder and leafs fell along with the questions rising.

One of the overseers disappeared quickly to find Anko and in the meantime me and Kotetsu could make some use of our time. I went to one of the bodies and examined it with my eyes. Perhaps I could find identification on the body... I rolled the body over reluctantly and immediately let go with a gasp in pure horror.

"What the..." I heard Kotetsu mutter surprised.

Where a face should've been on the body, now only skin remained. No facial features was evident, like his face had been whipped clean. I'd never seen anything quite so disturbing in my life.

"What is this?!" I spat and turned to the other two bodies to turn them as well.

"This reeks of problems." Kotetsu commented and started searching their pockets.

I blamed myself for not getting enough sleep. I hadn't been paying enough attention to my surroundings. This angered me. Besides who was this good at leaving no trails but still leave behind such a messy crime scene. Kotetsu came to my side to compare identification. It seemed they were all participants in the chuunin exams. A sense of worry fell over me. What about the other students? Were they trapped in that forrest with some kind of psychopath? Kotetsu handed me their identifications, knowing my rank. It was odd sometimes, to have other people trust so much in your abilities. Not many minutes later Anko arrived with heavy steps. I sensed she was feeling moody, trying to keep up a facade.

"We went through their belongings and found their identifications. Ninjas from the hidden grass village. All three of them were registered for the chuunin exams... They weren't just killed. " Kotetsu said.

Anko's frown grew deeper. She looked almost pained.

"All their faces..." She said calmly. "They're gone."

I wrinkled my nose involuntary behind my mask, watching how the temperamental woman became even more agitated. This worried me.

"Yeah. There's nothing where their faces used to be, like they melted or something." Kotetsu said.

Anko moved a hand to her shoulder, unable to hold up a brave facade anymore. I was immediately sent into alert mode. It was as if she knew something I and the others didn't. I stepped forward, watching how she stared intensely at the bodies.

"Anko. What is it? Do you know something?" I tried to demand.

The wind blew harder while she ignored my question. An eerie feeling emitted off of her and her breathing had picked up. My heart started pumping. What could be so troubling?! In a sudden rush she turned around facing all of us.

"Okay! I need photos of what these three used to look like. Where're their ID's?!" She commanded all rilled up.

"Right here." I said and handed her their ID's, trying with all my might not ask what the hell was going on.

She ripped them from my hands and starred at the photos with gritted teeth, seeming to be deep in thought. She was recalling some memories again, I could tell.

"We've got big trouble!" She whipped around yelling. "Okay, get moving, tell lord hokage exactly what happened here-" she turned fully to me now -"And while you're at it tell your ANBU captain that we better get a couple of convoys to the forrest of death!"

"Anko tell me what's going on! What do you know?" I started getting frustrated of not knowing what was happening.

The woman turned around, speaking even louder "We don't have time for that! Mean while I'm gonna head in to these guys, alright? Go!"

I bit my teeth together, telling myself that I should put my own curiosity to the side at the moment. Reluctantly I turned around and ran with all my might to fetch my captain.

.

The forrest of death was way larger than anticipated. Warm vapors rose from the earth, shrouding the trees in their moist breath. Every inch of the ground was overgrown with moss, half-buried beneath blown dirt and fallen leafs and treacherous by thick brown roots pushing up from underneath. That was why we jumped through the trees. Akio was a tall, muscular and robust man, jumping in front while behind me was a lean smart mouthed guy named Haruki. Tracking Anko in this wilderness took it's time and darkness was descending upon the sky.

An eerie, creepy chill ran through me at times, like a cold unnatural energy was about to collide with us at times. I wish I knew what it was. I wish I knew what Anko knew. But I was left with no knowledge whatsoever and to just go with the flow for the time being.

We passed a clearing and in the ray of sun I saw a team and made eyecontact. Not too late I realized it was the ninjas from Suna, ice blue eyes watching me from afar, followed by the two others.

"What's the black ops doing here?" I heard the painted one mutter.

A tree blocked my view and gone was the clearing as we sped along the branches. The red headed kid with the love scar had made an impression on me, even if i didn't want to admit it. There was just something about his energy...

It had been hours since Anko left inside the forest and as expected her trail was less than existing, but existing nonetheless.

"She should be near." I said as the forrest started opening into a vast tundra. Akio signaled to stop just at the tree line, and we watched silently, listening to wind in the trees and the soft smell of early night dew.

By now I felt the exhaustion of being an ANBU. But there was no quitting, nothing that could make me excused. Everyone was carrying their load, even Aiko with the monkey mask and Haruki with his eagle mask.

Haruki put a hand on my shoulder and pointed at a set of stones out in the open. Aiko, observant as ever noted the same thing, and we all watched a figure emerge from behind a set of boulders. It was Anko and judging from the way she moved her body, she was wounded and exhausted.

A stealthy smooth energy passed below us and a stick cracked. Not seconds after a deep growling could be heard and only barely I could make out the orange color of a tiger passing. There were other tigers as well, at least two more. Aiko made a few hand signals urging us to move, and so we did silently without being noticed.

I crouched on a branch when the tigers moved out of their hiding towards Anko. They were large, just about my size when I was in Eien's form. It was like they were overgrown somehow. With growling snarls the big cats moved in on Anko. Haruki signaled to Aiko an I, that he had things under control. Well, he was mostly looking at me as I was already about to interfere. I felt tense, watching as Anko crumbled slightly in pain. A roar thundered through the landscape and before the tigers could attack, Haruki had performed a paralysis jutsu.

I had yet to not be amazed by my teammates abilities. The tigers was frozen in place. Anko looked around herself confused.

"It's a paralysis jutsu." She commented.

"So there you are Anko." Haruki said as we made ourself visible from atop a thick branch.

She had a look of surprise in her face as silence lingered before we jumped to her. I wanted to greet her naturally, but remembered to maintain my professional composure.

"Man, you ANBU goons took your time getting here didn't you?!" She scolded.

Haruki, perched on one of the boulders was the one to answer, "Well there's no need to get snippy."

Anko grunted suddenly, bending over in pain before she fell to her knees and crumbled up on the ground with agonizing growls. We all reacted, moving to her in concern.

"Anko?! Are you alright?" Haruki jumped to her side just as I did.

"Take it easy." I said in worry, stunned that such a strong ninja as her could be so exhausted or wounded.

"Hm?" Haruki moved slightly forward looking at her neck, "The curse mark has appeared."

"What?" I muttered and looked at where he was looking.

Three round dots, similar to the sharingan dots was marked like a tattoo at Anko's neck. The chills of feeling ignorant ran up my spine. Even my teammates knew more than I.

"That means..." Haruki spoke "Orochimaru."

"What here!? No!" Aiko said in surprise.

Everything in me stopped for a moment. That was the name of the man I had been reading about... The name of the man in which some of my missions had been involved. The man Kakashi was genuinely scared of...

"Hurry lets get you up." Haruki said, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Don't just stand there! Help." Aiko was looking at me... I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath.

"We'll carry you to lord hokage. We have to" He added softly, now speaking to Anko.

"No! No... Take me to the tower." Anko insisted.

"What're you talking about?! You know we have to raise the alarm at the first sight Orochimaru. It's more important than the chuunin exams." The muscular Aiko said angrily.

"I know but... " She answered defeated.

"Anko, you have to tell me what's going on! And you guys, you have to fill me in on Orochimaru. My knowledge about him is very limited." I finally managed to say.

"Calm down Shiori. We need to get someplace safe first. Don't be such a rookie." Haruki snapped at me.

I bit my lip, strangely embarrassed and offended at the same time. That surely put me in my place.

"Alright then, summon lord hokage to the tower. I'll explain everything there." Anko breathed in defeat.

.

"This is turning into a real mess." Anko muttered sullenly.

Looking at the ground she sat on a couch in the office at the tower in the middle of the forrest. The room had a traditional wooden interior, both floor and walls, but had a cold neglected feeling too it, as if it was rarely used. The hideous blue sofa Anko was sitting on was an indicator to how little this tower was actually used nowadays. But it wasn't that hard to imagine that the building could've had its prime days years ago. The building could've been vivid with life and lights, but now it was grey, boring and left to its own... Somehow it gave me the creeps. In the predawn gloom the tower looked like a silent grey ghost standing still at the center of the forrest.

Anko was done telling us about her encounter with Orochimaru and a few extra - important - details about the fact that she was his pupil! I was honestly shocked that he could overpower her and was starting to understand why Kakashi feared him so much. Orochimaru was one of the legendary sannins and Aiko told me that not even Black Ops would stand a chance. Somehow it reminded me of my encounter with Kisame. I could possibly, very soon, die if I was so unlucky as to run into this guy. It gave me the chills, send my heart beating fast in adrenalin.

"But there's no way we can cancel the test." Anko added.

"What do you mean?" Haruki asked in his gruff voice.

In that instant the door to the office was opened, ripping everyone out of the secrecy. Another overseer with a goat-beard stood in the door with a stern look in his face.

"Huh? What do you want?!" Anko snapped irritated, "We're talking about something important." The short haired woman had never been one with much patience or tolerance.

"Uh, I'm sorry-" the overseer looked surprised at the tone for moment before recovering, -"but it's this tape, you have to see it."

I wondered what could be so important, but as I was still inexperienced in working in such a vast team of people, I kept mostly silent, listening and watching what Haruki and Aiko were doing.

"What is it?" Haruki asked, not hiding much of his distress anymore.

The overseer walked to the old box of a TV standing in the room and propped in the tape, turning on the screen as he crouched by its side.

"Okay now, when you watch this pay special attention to the time." The bearded overseer said.

I took a step closer to screen and crossed my arms when a picture came up. At first I was expecting to see Orochimaru, but when I saw three figures I came to realize it was the sand kids we had run by in the forrest not many hours ago. I looked at the clock, not knowing exactly what to expect from the video.

"I saw those kids when we were searching for you." I absently commented.

Anko gasped, "But that means..."

"That's right Anko. This is recorded from inside the tower. It's unbelievable." The overseer said. "Those ninja finished only an hour and thirty seven minutes after the test started. They completely destroyed the record for finishing the second test."

Anko stood up, a look of disbelief plastered all over her face. All these odd things going on at the moment put me on edge. I didn't like not knowing what the hell was going on.

"That impossible." She breathed.

"It took just ninetyseven minutes. Nothing like this has ever happened before. No one's even come close. Those ninja from the sand village are way above genin level. They beat the record by four hours." A look of worry crossed the overseers face when he spoke.

I recalled having watched Kakashi's team run into the sand village genins - or not-genins - thinking how lucky it was I was there watching them... I just hoped the team was alright out there.

"I'm afraid it's not just that." Anko said, a restrained calmness filling her voice.

"I don't get it. What do you mean?" The overseer answered and looked back at us. I was just glad I wasn't the one to ask questions.

"It's ten kilometers from the test entrance gates to the tower-" Anko said and started walking towards the window -" and in between are ferocious animals, poisonous insects not to mention the other ninja. Could they really have avoided all those things?" She paused looking out the window in thought.

"Especially the red haired kid in the front." She ended with gritted teeth.

I looked back at the screen remembering his piercing blue eyes. The few times I'd seen him I knew there was something about him... Some kind of feeling or energy I couldn't explain. I scanned the tape, noting every detail about him. He had no scratches whatsoever. That was impressive... Aiko and Haruki was silent and watchful, I followed their example.

"What's so special about him?" The overseer asked.

"You mean you didn't see?" Anko bristled.

Everyone looked to the screen once again except for Anko.

"Interesting. That is quite a surprise." The muscular Aiko said thoughtfully.

"I still don't get it. What am I supposed to be seeing here?" The overseer retaliated.

"It's what you're not seeing. Look closely at his body." The temperamental woman replied.

The overseer turned to the screen and looked intensely at it. Speaking of having no patience, I wanted to just tell him it was the no scratches Anko was referring to. But I just kept silent like I was supposed to.

Not a moment longer and a small smirk crossed the overseers lips, "I see it now."

"Not one single scratch. And I haven't even been able to spot one little speck of dirt on his clothing." Anko muttered.

I didn't know much about the level of the genin in these exams but I had surely seen the forrest and it wasn't an easy terrain. And if Kakashi's team was setting the standard, well I suppose those sand ninjas was quite too good for the competition.

"He must have some special ability." Haruki said.

"It's been a long time since we've had such a promising candidate. But his eyes are pure evil." Aiko followed up.

Silence fell between us. I fought the urge to go and tell Kakashi, fill him in on everything that had happened. But as things were I couldn't leave my post or pass on any information I had. A pang of guilt hit me. Orochimaru could make even the famous copy ninja scared, and I knew his reaction when hearing the mysterious villain was in town, would be less than pleasant... Damn I wanted to leave my post at the moment.

.

"You should get some sleep Shiori." Aiko told me when we arrived in our assigned rooms.

"Yeah you've been up for long now." Hariku agreed removing his mask with a sigh.

"Right, I guess we have a few hours or maybe days to stand watch while we wait for rest of genins." I said and yawned loudly.

"I wonder why that Orochimaru guy has come to the village now." I pondered out loud as took my arm protectors off.

"I heard rumors that he's out for the Uchiha. Maybe it's the kid he has come for." Haruki answered, looking out the window with hands crossed.

"You think so?" This guy was becoming a bigger and bigger enigma for me.

Anko's dark eyes played before me. I wondered how she was feeling. To be used as test subjects by ones teacher and mentor... And being the only survivor. The thought was bone freezing. To imagine if Kakashi ever used me like that. My pride and self worth would go right down the basement.

I knew the Hokage was on his way to the tower along with sensei's of the different teams. That meant Kakashi would be here soon... The thought of him sent butterflies writhing through my stomach. The longer I was away from him, the more I longed for him and thought of our last time together. I should've said something to him then, talked about what this was. I mean I could possibly die at any moment if Orochimaru decided to stop by again.

Hariku and Aiko left the room leaving me to myself. I didn't remove much of my gear, in case I needed it suddenly. But sleep was much welcomed. As soon as I laid down in the bed, my eyelids felt heavy as ever...

.

I woke with a gasp and grabbed for my katana when a noise woke me up a day after.

"Wow, easy Shiori. It's just me Aiko." A manly voice assured when I was about the sheath the sword.

I squinted, the sleep still making my eyes blurry and looked at a shadowed figure standing in my door.

"Aiko?... How long have I been asleep?" I asked confused.

It felt as if I'd been sleeping for hours, heavily and dreamless.

"Uh, for about six hours I suppose." He answered, still holding his hands up in defence.

"Oh... " Was my only reply as I looked around the room.

"Uhm could you maybe..." Aiko sounded unsure.

He blinked through his mask, pointing at the sword.

"Oh, right. Sorry." I apologized sheepishly and sheathed it again.

Aiko snickered shortly "You're so confused. It's my turn to take a nap."

"Right." I answered, still groggy.

Seriously, how much could I have needed this sleep? I couldn't remember when I had slept this heavily... Well alone I suppose. I pang of need hit me at the thought of Kakashi. I wished he was here and I could go back to sleep with his arms securely around me. He would exude warmth, he would breath in my neck and in much need of sleep still I would just close my eyes and fall asleep.

"Are you gonna get up or what?" Aiko asked, starting to remove his arm guards.

"Yeah yeah, sorry. I'm on my way." I said in a rush, feeling slightly flushed that I let my mind wander off.

I started putting on my arm- and leg guards, Aiko yawned and stretched behind me.

"The hokage has already arrived along with the jounins. You're supposed to stand guard outside the building with Hiruka."

"By kami, I've slept through much." I muttered in agreement and fastened the katana to my back.

Inside I was writhing. This meant Kakashi was in the building and he had been for some time while I was sleeping like a pig. Now I had a chance to warn him about Orochimaru unless he had already been warned. The thought kind of made me impatient as I put on my sandals. I really wanted to be the one to break the news to him as I knew how he felt about Orochimari.

"Good nap." I called as left out the door and into the rounded hallways.

I concentrated on the minds in the building, though I couldn't reach that far I picked up a small hint of a signature on the other side of the hallway. With hastened steps I walked, hoping I could make it fast although I missed him more and more. Round and round the wall stretched until he came into sight, walking alone and caught up in his book. Upon hearing my footsteps he looked up perplexed.

"You..." He said, making sure not to speak my actual name.

I halted, "Hey..."

Now when I was actually standing in front of him I wasn't quite sure how to break the news. I mean I couldn't just start telling him without asking him how he was or something.

He closed his book, "I heard you were here. I was kind of hoping to speak with you."

Seeing his tall frame, the grey hair, feeling his presence made my heart skip a beat.

"I have to tell you something first!" I almost snapped and took a step closer to him, wishing I didn't have the mask on at the moment.

Reaching out, I put a hand on his arm in order to get closer and talk in a hushed voice.

"Orochimaru, he was here in the forest and-" I started but was interrupted.

"I know I've already been filled in." He said simply.

"Oh... Good. I was kind of worried about you." I admitted, glad the squinted lines in the mask was hiding the emotions my eyes actually gave away.

"About me?" He repeated.

"Yeah... Well, with the team running into him and your apparent reaction to him the last time you heard his name." I said.

His eyes faltered ever so slightly but went back to the relaxed mode as usual.

"You should probably be more worried about Sasuke or Anko, but your concern is flattering I guess. You shouldn't worry about me though." He said, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Are you doing alright? This is quite another kind of duty than what you're used to." He added.

I let go of his arm and brushed my own unsure. I hadn't had much time to sit down and feel how I was.

"I'm alright. I mean, I endure as usual. Although this Orochimaru business is kind of creepy. I feel like everyone knows his strength except me." I answered in thought.

"Yeah. I can tell you now, if you run into him, don't try to fight him. Just get as far away as possible. Not even ANBU are strong enough to take him on." The elite ninja said.

"Right... But I would be a bad ANBU if I just ran. You know how it is when I'm on duty." I said.

"... Please-" He was the one to put a hand on my arm now, moving even closer, looking down at me with that one grey intense eye -"Of course do it with style, but promise me you won't engage in combat with him."

Kakashi looked genuinely worried, like my life was worth more than some ANBU rules. This coming off in waves from the ex ANBU captain. It took me aback for second. The man who always wanted to keep me in check. The man that had always been worried I would rebel against the city. The mentor who had always been reluctant to spent time with me... That was a long time ago, but I realized how much I had worked my way into his soul by showing him who I really was... And now he wanted me even closer, now he desperately wanted me alive.

I released a breath of air I had been holding, "Yeah yeah alright. I won't. But only because it's you who's asking."

He looked at me intensely, trying to see my eyes through the slitted cracks in my porcelain mask.

"I - uh - you make me flustered when you look at me like that..." I placed my hand back on his arm, mirroring him "Don't worry okay. I'm stronger than you after all."

A smirk reached his revealed eye and the moment seemed to beg for some kind of comforting hug. He was like towering over me, his hand holding my arm tightly. The pull to him was magnetic and I could tell he felt the same way... Apparently upon our last night together, what he had felt that night, wasn't gone entirely. I had never been comfortable with physical contact but it was becoming more and more natural in relation to the skilled ninja in front of me.

I sighed and leaned into the inevitable hug we both so badly wanted. He caught on almost immediately. Mirroring me, one arm behind my neck and one around my back he almost crushed me against himself. Feelings swirled up in me. He tilted his head towards my hair and breathed in deeply. I held him as tight as I could, not daring to release a single breath in pure intensity. A feeling ebbed out of him, a feeling of longing, not in a sexual way, but like when you miss someone, as if this was the last time we would ever see each other again. I breathed out and heard him sigh silently. This was so inappropriate considering I was on duty. For an ANBU to show such a display of affection in... Well, I couldn't help it. I simply clung to him trying to savor the moment.

"Right... Anko asked me to attend the opening ceremony. They might have need of me... In regards to Sasuke. "

"Yeah... I don't like that one bit. They're going to hold a preliminary test now. Apparently there's too many who passed the second one." Kakashi said.

"I heard... Well, I'll see you around." I said, suddenly feeling like I was in a rush. I had to get away from the feeling of that hug.

.

Lined up in rows of four the victorious students stood in the big hall of the tower. twenty one making it so far was apparently a large number according to the statistics. In the tribunal I watched silently with arms crossed as the hokage was about to make his opening speech. My eyes fell on Kakashi who was standing behind Hiruzen along with the other jounin, proudly looking at their teams for having passed the forrest alive. The copy ninja looked relaxed as always... And handsome too.

"First of all, congratulations on finishing the second exam." Anko said proudly in the speaker.

There was a buzzing of chatter around the room, students and sensei's talking. Gai was there too, looking like he was having a very upsetting conversation with Kakashi, their usual bickering - or whatever it was - continuing even in a place like this.

"Alright now, pay attention. Lord hokage is going to explain the third exam to you. You better listen carefully maggots." Anko yelled out, looking all military.

She turned to the hokage "Lord hokage. They're all yours."

I caught Kakashi's eyes from afar and felt my cheeks heat up, averting my eyes immediately to the hokage who was stepping forward with hands folded behind his back.

"First: before I tell you what the third exam entails, I want to explain something about the test itself. Listen closely now. It's something all of you need to understand." The hokage said, coursing some perplex around the room.

"I'm going to tell you the true purpose of these exams. Why do you suppose our country holds these exams in conjunction with our allies. To raise the ability levels of the shinobi and increase friendship between allied nations to be sure. But it's important that you understand its true meaning. The exams are so to speak, uhm.." The hokage held a short pause, blowing out smoke from his pipe.

The rest I tuned out, watching the room and getting the feeling of it, only now and then picking up bits and pieces from the hokage, wondering if they purposely had left me out of this exam because they didn't want neighboring nations to know about my powers. Now and then one person or the other would look up at me with suspicion, wondering probably, what an ANBU was doing here.

The new proctor, Hayate Gekko interrupted the speech and introduced himself and started to explain some other formalities about the preliminaries. My eyes wandered to Kakashi who looked like he was completely in agreement of the hokages speech. There was some kind of gap between us, I realized. He belonged down there as a part of a large team, as a proud part of Konoha. I on the other hand was hiding in she shadows, not trusted or sought out as he was. He would always belong here, but I on the other hand would never belong to any place really.

My eyes snapped to Hayate when he started coughing violently.

He stopped and continued "Like I said, if there's anyone who doesn't feel up to it, now is the time to raise your hand."

A spiking eerie sense of energy almost made my heart jump. I looked towards the kids, wondering where it had come from and what it was. I felt Kakashi's eyes on me. Apparently he was very much in tune to any small kind of action I took, even if it was just my head snapping in different directions now and then.

Sasuke was clutching his shoulder. Apparently I wasn't the only one to notice that.

"It's just as I feared." The hokage said.

"What do we do with him?" Ibiki replied.

"We take him out of the exams, hand him over to black ops and let them keep him locked up. We have to keep that zeal under control-" Anko commanded more than suggested, but was interrupted by Kakashi.

"Ooh, and he's just going to quietly go along with all of this, huh? You really think so?" His voice was condescendingly pleasant as it tended to be in situations like this -" You're forgetting. He's of the uchiha clan."

Anko turned in fury, obviously ticked off with Kakashi "I don't care if he is! If he stays, he's a danger to everyone!"

I bit my lip. It was almost embarrassing to yell at him like that. It was exactly why other jounins tended to be angry with him. He simply pissed them off with his nonchalant attitude, strong opinions and high rank. Yelling or shouting at him only made him look so much stronger. I used to do that though... The thought embarrassed me, and I clenched my fist, hoping Anko would stop.

"Don't you see, as he gets stronger so does the curse mark! That thing is feeding of his chakra." The temperamental woman touched her neck and lowered her voice -"It's a forbidden jutsu that devours the one who bears it. It's incredible the kid's still standing. By now he should be dead... Lord hokage!"

I looked around the hall again, with mixed feelings. Kakashi wanted Sasuke to participate, Anko wanted me to take him to observation.

"Okay you got me. I'm out." A guy with glasses said, raising his hand to forfeit.

"Uh..." Hayate started looking through his papers -"Kabuto Yakosi, leaf village, right? Okay you can go on and step back."

"Gotcha." The young man replied.

The name rang a bell in my head... But from where I couldn't remember.

"Kabuto!" Naruto shouted.

Right... I had read the name in the hokages files. He was the spy kid. He was the one who had failed a large mission.

"Seems to me I've seen that one before. If memory serves, this isn't the first time he's dropped out before a battle. What kind of game is he playing?" The hokage said.

"Anko." Ibiki demanded.

"Oh, right." The slightly confused woman searched through her papers.

"Kabuto Yakoshi. Says here he has failed six time in a row."

"What do you have on his background." The hokage asked.

"His time in the academy was not what you would call impressive, average grades. Took him a full three tries before he passed the graduation exam. As far as the missions he has carried out since then, there has been two C-ranks and fourteen D-ranks. It's not exactly a battle record to write home about." She paused -"However, there's something before his time in the academy. Do you remember the child? The one that was found after the battle of Kikio pass? The only survivor."

"I remember the story." The hokage said in thought, "It was said a small boy was found among the enemy dead on the battlefield. He was found buried alive and brought back by a jounin from the medical unit. You're saying this is that boy?"

Why did they have so little information about Kabuto? Surely I knew that the hokage knew just as much as I did. I mean I had been reading his notes from his private archive for crying out loud. Kabuto was supposed to be a spy for the hidden leaf... Something didn't add up. A surge of adrenalin ran through me. Kabuto had encountered Orochimaru before... This was simply fishy. But accusations shouldn't be thrown around. If lord hokage knew the same as I, he probably had it under control...

"I'm still concerned about what Orochimaru said... Allow the boy to continue the exams and we'll see what happens." The hokage said after blowing out smoke.

"What?! Hokage!" Anko gasped.

"However." He continued, " At the first sight of the curse mark growing or getting out of control, you will step in and stop it."

"But I!..." Anko exclaimed bewildered, but calmed down quickly, "As you wish."

This was my cue to leave and go stand guard. Quickly I left the hall and went to the rooftop to find

.

A soft dusty rain poured down from sky. The air was ripe with smells of plants and earth, foggy still in the thick forest. Everything seemed grey and dim. I looked across the roof and into the distance where Hariku stood silent as a statue and watchful as a hawk. It had been an hour or maybe two, I wasn't sure, since I left the hall. After gulping down some rice and vegetables I felt slightly more refreshed, but still on the side of tired.

A sense of dread filled me all of a sudden, shaking me to the core. I gasped and looked frantically around, not knowing what on earth was going on, until intuition told me that it had something to do with Kakashi. I never felt this sense of dread from another person before and wasn't quite sure wether to act on it or not, but decided in a panic to do so. A wind blew across the roof as the sense of the adrenalin he was feeling surged through my body, making my breathing uneven as I crawled through a vent. Being cramped together made me even more desperate to get through, the tension building, growing, until I opened a hatch, holding my breath in exploding anticipation.

From in between pillars I looked down from the ceiling and into the center of a room. Kakashi's back was towards me and in the shadows another person was lurking.

"Stop! Don't come any closer!" The grey haired ninja warned alarmed, not to me but to the intruder.

I recognized Kakashi's stand, slightly crouched over with his right arm stretched downwards and his left hand on the right arm to support his chidori. It flared up, sparkling blue and whistling like a thousand birds. It was then I saw the face of the intruder. An eerie sense surged through me. He was a tall man with extremely translucent-looking pale skin and long black hair. He had a long face with pronounced cheekbones, golden eyes with slits in his pupils, purple markings around his eyes and fang-like teeth. There was no doubt this was the Orochimaru everyone feared so much.

An instinct urged me to jump down and help, but I immediately hesitated when Kakashi's words from earlier this day echoed in my mind.

"I don't care if you are one of the sannin's, the three shinobi of legend! I swear, take one more step towards Sasuke and one of us will die here!" Kakashi growled.

I felt paralyzed, watching from my peeping hole in the ceiling. Hearing Kakashi throw such threats out in such a desperate manner was completely new to me.

Orochimaru snickered pleasantly, sugar sweet and venomous until it grew into a maniacal loud laughter filled with insanity. Kakashi glowered, tilting his head downwards while holding his position.

"Funny is it?" Kakashi hissed.

"Pour Kakashi, all you noble efforts, all in vain." Orochimari glowered back, his voice a snake-like whistling.

"What?" Kakashi bristled.

"Do you really believe that a zeal will hold, do you think you can keep him? - From what he truly desires. You know I'm right. A heart like his that hungers for only thing, will not be denied. No matter what obstacles you put in his path, he's an avenger isn't he?"

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. Why was I so out of it?... I felt like the pale Orochimaru was talking about me, his words cutting doubts in everything I had build so far... And for once truly putting into words what Kakashi was thinking about me.

"You think you can take advantage of that?" Kakashi bristled, tense as a spring coiled tight.

"Not Sasuke. You cannot stop it. At some point he'll come to me." Orochimari turned around smugly and started walking -" In search of power."

Kakashi's chidori died as the snake man's steps echoed throughout the grand darkened room.

"Unless of course you carry out your threat to kill me... Now is your chance. Take it, if you dare!" Orochimaru hissed in a voice dangerously threatening.

I heard Kakashi gasp, his eyes wide in fright as the sound of Orochimaru's footsteps disappeared. Never in my life had I seen the elite ninja like that. There really had to be something about that snake man, and I hoped I would never see it with my own eyes.

Kakashi was like frozen to the spot, gasping as if he had been holding his breath. Feeling safe to reveal myself, I jumped down, making my way towards him.

"One of us must die here... I must've been out of my mind." Kakashi said to himself before he straightened up and let out a deep breath.

"That was brave" I commented, stepping into the light of the light room. He looked over at me, not surprised.

"So you saw that huh?" He said.

I nodded in a agreement "He must really be something to get you rilled up like that."

I stopped a good distance from Kakashi and looked at Sasuke's sleeping form on the floor. The grey haired man started closing the distance between us, but then again not entirely. He was professional after all.

"Thank you for not interfering. I was worried I would have you to worry about too." He said, his expression not matching the worry in his tone.

"I'm flattered. But you know I would've interfered if things had gotten bad." I answered and knelt down beside Sasuke to check his pulse.

Kakashi seemed to chew on that sentence before he answered, "I guess i can't always tell you what to do. In that way, we're both too alike."

I looked up at him noticing the sweat glistening on his forehead.

"Are you alright? Something tells me this encounter wasn't a first of it's kind." I asked, suppressing the urge to go to him and touch him.

Despite his efforts to conceal it, I could see how shaken he was.

"I am now... The last time I met Orochimaru. My whole body was paralyzed in fright of him. I did nothing. I just let him pass by, knowing I should die. But, he didn't as much as touch me." He sighed deeply, eyes flickering ever so slightly.

I got up and moved closer to him. The tension between us was vulnerable. Like one wrong word would make everything crumble. He was open at the moment... Completely. I watched him through my mask, his eyes were fierce, determined... longing. It felt like ages ago I could barely read him. Now i read him easily. God, I was so in love with the tall man in front me. It was unbearable. Kakashi was about to make a motion, but stopped:

"Hey you two, what's happening. I came as quickly as I could." Hiruka's voice came from in the front where Orochimaru had disappeared.

Aiko was tagging along, not in any way looking like had been sleeping. I'd called them silently, on our hidden radios and they were quick to respond as always.

"Orochimaru was here." Kakashi turned to look at them. "I want you to take Sasuke to the hospital. Guard him with all you have."

This meant that I was the only ANBU left behind to watch the tower. Parting with Kakashi was hard, but quick, as ripping off a bandaid. Outside and inside the tower I patrolled, even watching as Kakashi left, after everyone from his team was done fighting. I wanted to go with him, but with no such luck. I was the last to leave the tower.

.

Upon all the events the recents days, being home in my small silent apartment was surreal. Besides the frequent creaking of the old house, even the family was silent downstairs. Darkness had already fallen upon the sky when I made it home, and as I sipped a cup of warm tea I pondered upon everything that had happened. This thing with Orochimaru. Kakashi and our attraction and where he was. I'd heard he had run into Kabuto at the hospital where Sasuke was hospitalized. They'd been in a fight and that was what I knew. Apparently my hunch on Kabuto being somewhat a sketchy type, was right, if that wasn't an understatement.

I moved to my bed feeling restless. At the moment I felt like I was missing out on so many things. Although the danger and the exams was over, the eminent threat of Orochimaru wasn't, and being off duty all of a sudden felt strangely empty.

On top of that, there was this mad attraction between me and Kakashi alongside with my doubts about our differences. I still didn't know who I was a person, but something inside me kept telling me I was certain kind of person. A person that didn't belong anywhere. A person that would eventually move on and leave everything behind. Yet that had not happened. It was yet to define me.

I got up and started putting on my night-shirt, hoping to get a good long night of sleep. Kakashi was always on my mind, and it was annoying as hell. Especially when I was alone with my thoughts.

Maybe I should just go along with it if I had another chance to kiss him. Just say, to hell with it all, and just do it, enjoy the moment and take the trash afterwards... Yeah, I was telling that to myself now but when I was actually in the situation I would probably turn out to be a wuss as always.

The familiar scent of the my sheets, my pillow and my duvet was relaxing as I crawled under them, snuggling down even though my apartment was already warm and cozy despite the windy dark weather outside.

.

I was sure I was being attacked when I woke up. With a gasp, I almost rolled out of bed gripping for anything that could be used as weapon. But as I realized there was no danger evident, I saw the figure outside my terrace door, Kakashi.

Tiredly I turned on the light of my small nightstand and slipped out of the warm comfort of my duvet and crossed the floor almost soundlessly. When I met kakashi's eyes through the glass door my heart almost skipped a beat, my mind finally catching up to what was actually happening.

A frown formed on my forehead as I turned the lock, still holding his gaze. The tall man was still in Shinobi clothes and he looked tired... If not, a little confused or bewildered.

"Hey, what're you doing here?" I asked in a low tone when the door opened with a sigh.

"Hey-" I shivered when the cold wind mixed with the heat of my apartment and he noticed before continuing.

-"I just finished debriefing with the hokage and the other shinobi." Was his explanation.

"Okay?" I rubbed my arm, still not understanding.

"I uh... I wanted to check up on you. See how you were doing upon all the events that transpired today." He said, his eye shifting slightly as if he were in doubt himself about what exactly he was doing here.

His behavior was slowly sinking in. He was being insecure about seeking me out, even after what had happened at the festival...

Right, the festival, it came rushing back to me, and I felt that magnetic pull towards him full force.

"Oh... I'm fine." I answered suddenly lost for words to say. I gulped;

"What about you?" I added, my eyes flickering involuntary..

He seemed to have an answer ready but hesitated, running a hand through his hair while looking away from me. It was a black night I noticed and suddenly remembered my manners.

"Come in." I said quickly and moved away from the door to let him pass.

The grey haired ninja looked surprised for a moment but corrected himself and accepted the invitation. I sat down on a chair by the small dinner table, feeling both tired and nervous. Kakashi bend down at started taking his shoes off, seeming to be in thought.

"You seem a little bit on edge. Does it have something to do with Orochimaru?" I asked when he was done taking off his shoes.

Standing in front of the door, he looked misplaced and a little unsure about what to do with himself... But he looked handsome. So damned handsome towering there in the dim light of my apartment, being slightly vulnerable. I felt like giving him a hug.

"I do?" He looked surprised. "I guess I am. That sannin used to petrify me."

He loosened his headband and put it on the kitchen counter.

"I guess I'm sleep deprived and a little bit shaken. But I was worried about you. Three ANBU black ops died today at the hospital and since we've been different places this week I had no idea how you were doing. So I thought I would stop by." He explained and pulled down his mask, letting his eyes wander around the room.

"Yeah I heard... No one I knew that well. You work yourself pretty hard don't you? You should take care of yourself. I think I'm more okay than you." I answered, noticing how he inhaled the scent of the room deeply.

It was hard for him to admit that he felt more troubled than I... I'd always been the troubled one. Now our roles were reversed.

Kakashi snickered ironically and sat down beside me, facing away from the table like me. His legs was almost touching mine as he was ankled a bit towards me. I didn't know what was going on in his mind, but it was like he collected himself a bit and directed his gaze to me, keeping it there. My heartbeat raised automatically. I wanted to get up, crawl onto his lap and hug him tightly. The one eye looking at me was so intense, so full of thought and restraint... Years of training to keep emotions at bay.

My eyes fell on a cut above his eyebrow, not a bad one, but one that should be treated.

"You haven't been to the hospital after meeting Kabuto?" I asked, breaking the silence, and some of the tension building between us.

He seemed perplexed for a moment, "No?"

I gave him disapproving look, "Kakashi, it's important. You have a cut above your right eye."

"Really." He took a hand to his eyebrow and touched the cut without flinching. "I guess I do."

"So irresponsible." I muttered "Come on, I think Hanah have something to clean it with downstairs." I got up, trying to get away from my body's reaction to him.

"I don't think that's necessary." He said and scratched his hair, a smirk forming on that gorgeous mouth of his.

"Yeah it is. Come on." I waved him along.

"Fine." He sighed and got up, as if his body was suddenly heavy.

Downstairs the house seemed even more quiet. The kitchen seemed even larger in pitch dark, except for the streetlight streaming faintly in through the windows from backyard. I felt hyper aware of Kakashi as if there was static electricity between us, even from a distance.

The copy ninja leaned against the counter while I looked for the first aid kit. It was hard to concentrate. Like the tension was too much to be silent in. As if we would suddenly get pulled to each other like magnets at any moment.

My hands were shaking, I noticed, when I found the kit in a drawer. Silently I put it on the counter, afraid to wake up the family. Subtly I looked at Kakashi's side profile as he stared out the window into the backyard.

The kitchen had a cozy and warm feeling to it, I thought, trying to distract myself. But every time I took a breath it was as if I was breathing in the butterflies of desire all over again.

With surgical spirit, a cloth and some water I moved to him, meeting his eyes, watching me silently and intensely.

"You look so worried." I said, trying with all I had to break the tension.

"I have a lot to think about." He answered after a moment, not moving an inch when I put my things right by his side.

I squeezed the cloth for water, moving slightly in front of the handsome man. The tension grew tenfold immediately between us at the proximity. Water dripped from the cloth when I ran it gently over the cut. I tried to control my breathing. At this proximity he could easily feel it on his skin... Feel how nervous he made me. How he made my heart beat so hard. He was standing perfectly still, his arms open, slightly lowered because he was leaning. The grey eye was watching me... The red one too.

I hadn't squeezed the cloth hard enough and became flustered, moving it to squeeze it better over the bowl.

I gulped, "What exactly?" I said, cursing myself when the words came out almost out of breath.

I moved back, this time without thinking placing my feet on each side of his right foot. Using my left hand as support I placed it on his shoulder and started washing the cut gently again.

"Your complexion... Your undivided attention. Your unique ways. Why it affects me so much." He said in all honesty.

I met his eyes, shortly, before I looked away again, completely taken aback.

"Okay?..." I tried, now reaching for the surgical spirit without moving.

I gulped again and cleared my throat, once again feeling like running away, the tension becoming too much. It was inevitable not to feel the desire coming off of him too.

He shrugged and I felt vulnerable under his stare, especially knowing his sharingan was watching me.

"I don't know. Meeting Orochimaru, I guess I'm afraid to loose you. It kind of dawned upon me." He continued.

"That's sweet of you." Now I was saying things before thinking them through.

"You know, you don't have to worry though." I added and started brushing the antiseptic over his cut.

Since when had I moved my left hand to his chin? I realized, in the dim light I had moved even closer, practically leaning against him.

"That's not something I can just not do." He said and looked ahead.

His breathing had changed too, very subtly, but it was changing, more slow as if he was trying to control himself.

By kami, he was so attracting. I wanted to attack him and run away at the same time. It was that calling for a hug again, like the moment we had shared in the tower inside the forest of death. I pulled away a bit and looked into his eyes. He was being vulnerable... So was I.

"Why did you open your sharingan?" I said almost in a whisper.

From this distance I could easily feel his breath on me... Even smell the sweet scent of it. I had to remind myself to breath.

"... I can see all the different colors in your eyes this way. It calms me." He answered, his voice husky and low.

I tried to not let my eyes fall to his mouth, but it was hard... I wanted to feel his lips against mine so badly. I had never wanted to kiss anyone as much as him. A moved my hand across the shirt, over his chest, lost for words. He still wanted me. Not just drunk Kakashi, but him with all his walls up. He was also afraid somehow. Maybe afraid of his own desire, or afraid to scare me. I sighed pulling in his shirt, letting my expression subdue to the frustration I felt.

I leaned in to a hug, and he reacted immediately, pulling me closely into him. He sighed deeply into my neck and I hugged him back equally as hard. It was a satisfying release. I almost didn't care anymore. I tilted my head and breathed him in, running a hand up his neck gripping his hair, feeling the butterflies stir and wanting more. His breaths, my breaths, his body, my body, we were so close there was no difference. He stirred and stifled a groan when my hand ran up his neck. We stood still like that for what seemed like forever, eyes closed and holding each other tight.

He loosened his grip slightly and I leaned away instinctively, holding my breath as our eyes met once again. His hands stayed on the side of my hips, his eyes hungrily, vulnerable eating me raw. I wanted to run away, the panic starting to show itself. This raised heartbeat, the quickened breaths could only be cured by running away... or going further to satisfy me more.

Upon our last night together he wouldn't dare to try anything again, due to my reaction... I closed the distance between us again, leaning my forehead against his. I could barely resist anymore. He was there, gorgeous, unmasked, holding me, breathing on me, wanting me for who I was with all my flaws. The doubts were disappearing, I didn't care anymore what would happen afterwards, if this was only a one time thing...

I tilted my head slightly, feeling his nose against my nose. He was taller than me, looming heatedly over me almost not moving his head.

Our lips brushed and my breath almost hitched. Again they brushed. Thrice, this time he took the initiative. The desire grew thick and our lips caught and held each other. His arm was around my back and suddenly everything seemed to explode. It was as if all the frustration I ever felt was taken out on him. We grabbed each other hard, as we kissed over and over. He grabbed me, turned me around in one swift movement and lifted me on to the counter, one hand going up my thigh and grabbing my bottom hungrily. He slid his tongue over my lips playfully, wet and soft and our kiss deepened. Our tongues slid wetly, thrusting and sucking. My body was acting on it's own accord, my hands moving in under his sweat shirt, his undershirt and felt the skin over his abs and up to his chest.

We separated to catch our breaths and for the first time I asked myself:

"What's happening?" Or maybe I said it out loud.

"Something that feels incredible." He breathed.

Our lips caught again, savoring each other in muffled groans. Some pots tumbled to the floor when he lifted me once again, our kiss never breaking. He slammed into the opposite wall next to the staircase and he broke the kiss, digging in to me neck, biting and kissing. I ran my nails up his neck and into his hair and he groaned out loud, grabbing me harder.

I felt his member hard and rubbing against my abdomen, sending feelings and shivers through me I had never felt before. How could it feel so good to kiss someone, to be this close? If I'd just known way before.

Kakashi pulled away and looked up at me, lips wet and eyes dazed, full of desire. I brushed his hair with my fingers and he closed his eyes in pleasure. It was as if lava was running through my veins, burning all over my body. I pulled into a kiss, this time a long deep, slow one and it turned me on so badly that my hips moved on its own accord against him. He groaned again, and pulled us away from the wall, walking effortlessly up the stairs while still holding me.

The ex ANBU captain put me down at the top of the stairs and suddenly he seemed taller than I remembered. He walked around me and took my hand, following me into my apartment.

It gave me enough time to comprehend that fact that this actually happening. That I was making out with the man who had abducted me, put me into jail, beaten me, been my enemy, cared for me, helped me, been kind to me, who had changed me... He wanted me... That man desired me.

I closed the door behind me and turned around to see him watching me silently. A giggle forced its way through my throat.

"What're you laughing at?" He asked, smirking as I closed the distance between us.

I pulled in his shirt and he willingly followed, closing the distance between us. He caressed my cheek, watching my mouth. Once again our lips met in unspoken agreement, hungrily sucking at each other. Somehow we made it to the bed and skilled as he was he turned us around pulling me with him down to the bed so I was sitting on him, straddling his lap.

Our kiss stopped and he leaned away and looked me up and down as if admiring me. He grabbed my sides:

"You're so beautiful. You don't know how many times I've been thinking about kissing you and touching you. It's like you have your very own gravity pulling me in all the time." He breathed and a deep dark voice.

It made me blush beed red and l seemed to loose the art of speech. A smile crept its way to my lips as I thought of the countless times, probably more times than he, I had been thinking about him.

"You're right. I didn't know until recently." I said, not able to hold the smile at bay.

He pulled in my hips, leaning in for another kiss. I wanted him so badly. The kiss quickly turned heated once again and his hands started traveling inside my t-shirt leaving burning marks of desire, longing to be touched again. My hips moved on their own against him, rubbing and creating a friction that left me embarrassingly wet, I realized.

Kakashi was much in charge. He moved and did everything with confidence, while I felt like I was just tagging along. I gasped when suddenly the elite ninja had me on the mattress, moving on top of me, sheets all around us.

My hands was now all over his body, pulling off his shirt, leaving me to marvel at his bare arms and partially bared upper body. I ran my hand up his arm, admiring the hard muscles holding him above me. His wife beater had to go too I agreed with myself, and started ripping it off. He looked surprised for a moment, but started kissing my neck. I ran my hand up his back, savoring the feeling of hard muscles that worked under the skin. His hand moved under my shirt again and up, more up... I gasped when it slowly moved to caress my breast. I'd never allowed anyone there. He hovered closely above me, his hips slowly thrusting against my abdomen, while his supporting arm, on his elbow, was going past my hair and to the back of my neck.

Involuntary a moan escaped my mouth when I felt his tongue lick the sensitive skin around the pearl in my neck. A thump brushed over my nipple at the same time, sending me into submission. Somehow he had my shirt off in a moment and I was completely bare to him, bare for him to look at me breasts. It excited me and scared med at the same time. What if he didn't like them? He looked down at me with a sigh.

"I can't remember the last time I was this turned on." He breathed darkly, cupping one of my breasts, admiring them as I had been admiring his arms.

I looked down his chest, to his abs and to the twin robe of muscles that disappeared into his pants... And the bulge laying against my abdomen. I realized I wasn't sure how far I wanted this to go. I was still a virgin, and certainly felt like one... Despite taking things this far. Despite actually aching to feel him inside me... Feel more down there.

"Kakashi... I'm not very comfortable with this." I said hoarsely.

He tilted his head slightly as if he didn't understand.

"I mean, with taking it further. I- I'm not sure if-" I continued until he cut me off.

"Toshi, we don't have to. I'm just enjoying you right now. It doesn't mean we to take it further. This is more than satisfying for me. And for you too I hope." He said, and caressed my cheek with his long hand.

Well, he sure knew what to say, I had to give him that. He lay down beside me, and pulled me close so we were facing each other. The sudden slowing down in tempo left me wanting more.

"It is. I would've jumped you a long time a go if I knew it was this satisfying." I said, giggling once again.

He snickered, smiling the kind of crooked smile.

"I would've like to see how that would've turned out." He pondered.

"You couldn't have resisted me." I teased, and leaned closer to kiss him again.

Every time we kissed it was impossible to stop again and the kiss quickly became heated. When we agreed to sleep we would end up kissing again, touching, dry humping, almost to a point where I considered actually just letting him take my virginity.

"Okay, really we have to sleep now. I've been sleep deprived for days." I said.

"Alright. We'll sleep. For real this time." He smirked, "Turn around."

I gave him a questioning look, but did as he asked. He tugged me close and I basked in his pine-like scent.

"Goodnight." He whispered in my ear.

"Goodnight." I said, turning my head slightly and we kissed yet again.

I pulled away quickly, or else it would continue.

It took some time before my body settled down into a comfortable relaxed mode, but eventually I could hear his breathing settle to sleep-mode, so mine did as well.

I couldn't remember ever when I'd felt this relaxed and comfortable. I felt like I could conquer anything, embraced by Kakashi Hatake, who I'd been in love with for so long. Always this feeling of safety he gave off... My thoughts didn't go much further than that before I fell asleep.

---

Hope you liked it! I have no idea when the next chapter will be up.

But I'll work hard as always and always answer PM's :)

Also, I hope this chapter is satisfying, I know many of you have been dying for a scene like this and I'm definetely not done with more of these scenes, hehe :D