Kazuhiko closed his pocket watch and returned it to its rightful place. He would have not gone anywhere near to the Kitsune leader's chamber if that was not necessary. Not many people, or even immortal would have the privilege to pay their visit to the Lady's room, when the said lady was actually a very private person in some aspects. If he wasn't the vampire's assistant, as the little brother of the Namikaze's leader, he would never dream of staying in the Kitsune territory. If the vampire leader come out like the usual time, as he stated, then he would not be border to come over. It has been more than 3 hours and it's unfashionable late for the silver haired. Murmurs echoing at the end of the corridor and so he slow down his pace, trying to figure out the words.

"That's the Namikaze," he heard a female spoke softly, "I was expecting he would be quite different... Even though he is quite handsome, polite and educated, I kind of still think that there would be more... I don't know... Just something more?"

"He is a mortal, afterall..." another female replied. "You're too young, you don't see the bond between An-sama and his assistant. The way that they interact, the way that An-sama looked at the man, you can tell something inside the man that An-sama valued."

"But that's nothing compare to Misoka-sama, does it?" the voice raised, "I just don't see why An-sama would choose a mortal, let along the fact that he is a man, the same genital as An-sama. Our lady would have been the best match for An-sama, the perfect Lady for the Sasaki."

"That's why I said you don't understand at all," he heard the second female hushed. "Don't let anyone to hear this... There was some arrangement between our Lady and An-sama, but not many known by now as the human have died off... In fact, I am not sure whether Kazuhiko-san would have known or not..."

As a matter of fact, Kazuhiko only heard of the arrangement between the pair till now. He never asked, never wanted to clarify anything, just like other issues that lied between the vampire and himself. He knew that they were more than associates, maybe quite close friends... But marriage arrangement? He wondered. Jealousy began to ferment inside him as time passed by. He began to wonder how long he could have hold himself back, pretending there was nothing wrong between them. He took a deep breath and pretended that he heard nothing at all, as he cleared his throat and greeted the maid politely, "has An-sama come out yet?"

The younger maid obviously could not hold her look and kept her head down. The older maid simply shook her head in a small angle. "Not yet, Kazuhiko-san, would you like to take a seat? They should be out any minute."

"Sure. Thanks." Kazuhiko took the couch which face directly to the door. He waved softly as the maids excused themselves out. Jealousy was never his thing, even though he could see it in Naruto's eyes sometimes, just like his aniki. If he would have been the jealous type, the relationship would not able to hold in a long term basis at all. It's only a paper work, a title and others recognition, he comforted himself. Nothing more.

As Kazuhiko was trying to stablise his emotion, the door opened from inside. A strong scent of ume rushed out, as the silver haired vampire made his way out.

Kazuhiko joined the vampire and took the small corridor that lead to the kitchen. He leaned forward and dig his nose near An's ear. The waff of ume somehow tricker his anger. He kissed the vampire violently, forcing the latter to open his mouth. He wanted to be assured. He wanted to let others aware of the fact that he has been the vampire's life long partner, his clan assistant. He wanted to jump the vampire, claiming the immortal his.

"Ka...kazuhiko..." An pushed the man away, in annoyance, "what's wrong with you?"

"Yea, of course," Kazuhiko replied huskily. "I just heard that you have arrangement, martial arrangement with Misoka san. Is that true?"

"And what about it now?" An replied crossly. He didn't understand. Totally not seeing what was it in Kazuhiko's mind. Even though he wanted the man to care, wanted the man to reveal his jealousy... Yet, when the man exposed his green-eyed monster, he felt frustrated. It was never the same for him and he wondered whether he began to regret. He sighed as he calmed down, feeling sorry as he saw the angry in Kazuhiko's eyes became sad. "It was long gone, Misoka-san and I never feel it that way..."

"Even if that's the case, maybe I should aware of it, as your assistant, or even if you ever have take me as your lover?" Kazuhiko hissed in a low voice, not wanting to draw any more attentions from the servants.

"Kazu-kun..." An called softly. He would have reveal the arrangement, but just it was not the right time. He would have tell the man one day. He would, he assured himself.

"Not when you smell so strongly of the ume... When she all-over you..." he stopped, and turned his head away. He released his grip, bit his lips hard. "Dinner," he stated in monotone, "let's get dinner, I think the boys would be hungry."

An nodded softly, and they never say a word to each other since that night.

If he has the chance to reverse what he has committed all these years, maybe he would have choose to revert his act on that day. But only if he knew what would happen next... If only he knew, then he would not let the vampire go. It was the first time ever that he felt so frustrated. The first time ever he wanted to examine his attitude carefully. Only if he never deeply in love with the vampire.

ooo oooo ooo oooo oooo oooo ooooo ooo ooo oooo oooo oo ooooooo ooo oooooo oooo oooooo ooo oooo oooo

Author's Note

Really sorry for postponing the updates... not a writer's block, but simply lack of time and possibly slothfulness... I suppose. As I said previously, few chapters before, this story is actually finished inside my brain, as An-niisan whispered the story softly by my bed side... The whole outline is done, its only down to verbalise it out in words.

Anyway, even though Kazuhiko was the main character in this chapter, he and An-niisan would have step down as the story pushed forward, revealing the final stage of this story, when Kakashi and Naruto are able to join as one, preventing Medusa to act as their obstacle again.

Once again, thanks for reading it.

Writing in the heat of Singapore,

Vi.

p.s. Prescripto13: well, as Kakashi is a vampire in this tale, I doubt I would be writing him as a Sennin any soon, as it's kind of conflicting(?!) the nature of a vampire. And in Kishimoto sensei's tale, then I wish that he would be one, but it would be a total headache to decide what Sennin he would be as Ero sennin already been taken by Jiraiya. LOL XDD