Musical Hands: chapter 3

Summary: He heard the unique and soulful melody on the nights of his border patrols. He's listened for the past 4 years, till it stopped for three years. Believing that the conductor had passed, that was until he heard the beautiful melody once more. This time the music affected him emotionally as the musician for the first time played from the heart. What awaits Kakashi as his curiosity gets the best of him and hunts down the creator?

XXXX

"I decided then and there that this place was my safe haven and the next time I went swimming under a full moon was with somebody I wanted to share this place with for a long time." She looked to Kakashi with a small smile. "Maybe, just maybe, you might be that person, Kakashi."

Kakashi's breath hitched. Their personal greeting was short, but it was enough from the years of listening to her play. Kurenai was half correct on her analysis when they chased after Narumi's music. Kakashi knew he was 'falling' for Narumi and he had it bad for the blonde pianist. This wasn't going to be easy for him without scaring Narumi away. Kakashi opted with placing his hand over hers and offered a smiled. "I would be honoured if that time ever comes around." He stood up and pulled Narumi to her feet. "Now, let's get you home before Kira-san starts to worry and searches the village for you."

Narumi nodded as the sun was beginning to set in the distance and allowed Kakashi to lightly tug her towards the forest. Narumi giggled and stopped walking when they entered the shrubbery with Kakashi giving her a look of confusion. "I think I should lead from here, Kakashi. We're going to my place, remember?"

Kakashi looked embarrassed and nodded.

Narumi looked around and started heading in another direction of the forest as she pulled Kakashi along. They walked deeper within the forest before Narumi turned again and headed towards the quieter side of Konoha and soon Kakashi found him-self in the backyard of a large two story home. Kira was sitting on the porch as if he was expecting them.

Narumi's eyes sparkled as she spotted Kira and released Kakashi's hand and ran over to her godfather.

Kira stood up with amused purple orbs and opened his arms as Narumi collided with his chest. Releasing a deep chuckled and ruffled her locks. "I was wondering what took you so long, Kid." Reaching behind Narumi and shook Kakashi's hand once he caught up. "Welcome to my humble abode, Kakashi-san."

Kakashi chuckled and replied. "Thank you for having me tonight, Kira-san." Releasing Jiraiya's hand and unsealed the meat to give to Narumi. He patted her shoulder and nodded for her to go inside.

Narumi gave Kakashi a conflicting look but nodded once she saw his conviction. Leaving the two men alone and went inside to start on the dinner for them. She would never understand a man's pride despite being disguised as one for years.

"I would first like to request that you listen to everything I have to say before you hand out your punishment, Kira-san. Narumi didn't want you to know, but as a man, I cannot hide that I couldn't protect Narumi like you wanted." Kakashi started as he stood before Kira.

Kira's eyes harden and folded his eyes. "You have exactly five minutes to explain what happened, Kakashi-san. Use your time wisely." Cracking his neck in the process. Even if Kakashi explained well within five minutes, Kira was going to teach this jonin exactly why Narumi should never be left alone in public.

Narumi:

Narumi was working diligently in the kitchen and tried to ignore the heavy feeling in her chest for Kakashi's safety. Even if Jiraiya was disguised as Kira, his protective streak whenever she was a girl was to the extreme. Tsunade rivalled his protectiveness that Narumi was always wondering if she'd ever have a normal teenaged life. Like having good friends and perhaps a lover by her side. Of course, that was hard now that her henge had disappeared completely and it was too dangerous to draw up another one at her developing age.

Narumi sighed as she placed the sliced meat within the boiling pot along with the vegetables before she allowed it to simmer and set the table. Narumi didn't want to use this jutsu, but she needed to clean up. "Kage Bunshin." She muttered and created a single clone. "Keep an eye out on dinner and if Kira leaves Kakashi alive, make Kira watch over the pot and disperse to let me know."

"Got it boss." The clone saluted and headed back over to the kitchen.

Narumi took one last look at the table set before nodded and headed upstairs to her room. Jiraiya lived on the bottom and insisted that as a female, it was too dangerous to have her living on the same floor as him encase his old pervert habits come up whenever he was overly wasted. Narumi snickered at the memory as she got clean clothes set before heading into the bathroom. Jiraiya only said that so he didn't have to deal with Narumi's girly stuff like periods, underwear, skin products and whatnot.

Narumi slipped under the cascading hot water and washed away the day's events from her skin. Her pores opening and sighed in relief at being able to relax completely in her own home. Unknowingly singing a light tune as she scrubbed her tanned body clean. "Near, far, wherever you are. I believe that the heart does go on. Once more you open the door. And you're here in my heart. And my heart will go on and on…" Narumi ended her singing as she finished cleansing her hair and felt her clone pop. Turning off the water and wrapped her up in a large towel before walking out to her room. There was a light tune in her hum as she used a quick jutsu to dry her body and dropped her towel to put her undergarments on. She blinked at the clothing on her bed and growled. Kira had snuck in and switched her jeans and shirt out for a casual dress. Narumi sighed and placed the light blue dress on before brushing her hair and left the room. Heading downstairs and towards the two men to find that Kakashi was sporting an ice-pack to his cheek and was leaning more on one leg than the other.

Narumi quickly rushed over to Kakashi and gently pulled the pack from his face with her fingers lightly touching the sensitive area and frowned when Kakashi winched at her light touches. She glared at the innocent looking Kira that was placing the hotpot on the table. "I told you to stay quiet about it, Kakashi." Narumi muttered to him as he leaned against a wall slightly to ease the weight on his leg.

"Allow me my sense of honour, Narumi. We're friends now and I wouldn't want your godfather to think ill of me." Kakashi pulled her hand away and placed the ice pack back in place.

"Will you be able to eat with you jaw like that?" Narumi questioned.

Kakashi sighed lightly at her worry and wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. She didn't seem to notice over her worry for him. "I heal faster than average. Everything will be fine in three days or so."

Narumi sighed at his stubbornness. He could quickly go to the hospital to get himself healed, but no, he was like a stubborn mule. Narumi glanced over to the smirking and smug Kira and called him out. "Ji-san, heal Kakashi's face or you can make you food for the rest of the week." Kira whined as Kakashi was about to protest, but Narumi glared at both of them. Silencing them easily. "We are having dinner together and I'd like to eat civilly. If your prides get damaged, then so be it. Just for tonight, for me, please be nice to one another. Promise me just a nice dinner." she requested hopefully.

Kira and Kakashi looked at one another before nodding. They were powerless under Narumi's disappointment and scolding. Though this didn't mean they were done with one another just yet. Their male pride was at stake.

Narumi clapped her hands together in joy and untangled herself from Kakashi. "Yay! Then we can have beer with dinner then for making me happy." Skipping off over to the mini fridge that stored their alcohol.

Kira slumped over to Kakashi and quickly healed his face enough to eat without pain, but didn't do anything for his limp. Kira wasn't that generous. He warned the copy-nin in a dangerous tone. "You have three chances after tonight, Kakashi-san. If Narumi-chan is hurt three more times, then you can forfeit your life."

Kakashi took up Kira's challenge and didn't back down from his gaze. Despite Kira being a head taller than him and his purple orbs having a heavy effect. "For as long as I'm breathing, I won't let her down. Now, let's have this nice and civil dinner that Narumi wishes for. I'm sure we will see eye to eye later on…"

"For her sake." Kira finished the sentence with both shaking hands. Each trying the break the other's hand in the process, but stopped when Narumi called them over for dinner. The disguised Jiraiya had found his new pastime and that was to scare and challenge Kakashi for Narumi's affections. If Minato was still alive, Jiraiya had a feeling it would be something like this to protect their precious daughter from any man that held an interest in her. Jiraiya wasn't going to make it easy for Kakashi. That boy had to earn his right to be with Narumi/Naruto.

Kira sat at the head of the table as Narumi sat to his right and Kakashi to his left. Though just as they were about to eat, the front door opened with a cherry welcome. "I'M HO~ME!"

Kira and Narumi's eyes widen in shock and embarrassment as a henged Tsunade came through the door. Disguised with shimmering white hair and a pair of deep blue eyes. Her skin was fair and held three moderate sizes. Her height rivalling Narumi's as she was dressed all in black.

Kira stood up with a smile on his face. "Natsu-chan, you're back from your mission already. I've missed you, Beautiful." Moving over to his -wife's- side and pecked her cheek lightly.

Narumi glanced to Kakashi and gave him an apologetic smile, but all Kakashi did was reassure her with a kind smile. Kakashi stood up and moved to greet who he presumed was Narumi's godmother and bowed. "Pardon the intrusion, Ma'am. I am Kakashi Hatake, a new friend of Narumi and will be staying for dinner."

The disguised Tsunade hid her smirk as she bowed back to Kakashi. It was oh-so obvious the boy was smitten. Never had Tsunade known Kakashi to make an effort to get to know another person of the opposite sex without it being a mission or orders. "It's nice to see my little girl is making friends with such a handsome man. Call me Natsu Yuki. I'm Narumi's Godmother and Aunt." She let her smirk show as Narumi released a strangled noise at her comment about Kakashi as Kakashi was able to hide his blush behind his mask as he stood up tall. Natsu sniffed the air and sighed in bliss. "The Hotpot smells amazing."

Narumi already had another set of dishes being placed down beside her set. "Welcome home, Ba-san. How was your mission?"

Natsu grinned widely and pulled Narumi into a tight hug and released a smacking kiss on her flawless cheek. Causing Narumi to squeak, Kira to laugh and Kakashi to chuckle. "I've missed you to, Precious. I'll tell you all about it after you tell me how you meet this handsome jonin." Releasing Narumi and sat to the left of Kira as Kakashi now sat beside Narumi.

Narumi's mouth went dry and narrowed her eyes at Natsu. 'The Old Hag is planning something. I can feel it.' Little did Narumi know Kira was feeling the same way.

"Common, Precious. Tell your beautiful Aunt all about how you two meet. It's not every day Narumi-chan brings home a man and is comfortable around him. Tell me everything." Natsu pushed.

Kakashi found the family of three blondes/white-heads interesting. Kira was the Head with a strong sense of will and leadership. Natsu was the exuberant and talkative wife and Narumi rounded up the family perfectly with her elegant yet, Kakashi suspected, temperamental attitude. He suspected Narumi of being temperamental due to all the times he pushed her about and saw those looks in her eyes of a fiery woman, but she held herself together with her elegance and that trauma from her long-term mission kept her from being her-self around him and in public.

They all dug into the delicious hotpot.

Narumi licked her dry lips and worded carefully. "Kakashi and I meet a few days ago while I was playing in the sanctuary. We met again when Kakashi helped me out with a forceful suitor and we officially became acquainted. Kakashi has been kind enough to offer to help train me and I consider him to be a good friend." She pointedly glared at Natsu. Seeing if the white-haired woman will dare to scare him off. Narumi really wanted some friends.

"Oh? Already on a first name bases." Natsu teased Narumi and made the girl blush as Kakashi fidgeted nervously. Natsu chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Don't fret, children. I'm not going to kill Kakashi-san or anything."

Narumi's eyes snapped up to Natsu's and grabbed Kakashi's arm once she noticed that he felt threatened and wanted to bolt. Narumi pulled Kakashi back to his seat and whispered pleadingly. "Don't leave, please. Just this once, Kakashi. I would like to have a nice dinner."

Kakashi released the tension from his shoulders and reached under the table, discreetly, to squeeze Narumi's knee. This was scary facing Narumi's family already and it seemed the two older caught whiff of his intentions and was testing him. Kakashi wasn't going to give up so easily. He had finally been acquainted with the pianist he'd been listening to years. Even if Narumi was a guy, Kakashi would admit to falling for him. Kakashi released a quiet sigh and replied to Natsu's words. "I assure you, Natsu-san, there will be no need to kill me. I don't mean to sound rude, but my skills are needed for the village and I'd like to live to see another sunrise."

Natsu grinned widely when Kakashi joked back about his death she would give him. "I like you, kid. Treat my baby right will ya."

Narumi sighed.

Kira grunted.

Kakashi held onto Narumi tighter.

Natsu was definitely the worst of the three of family. Narumi, Kira and Kakashi all silently agreed.

XXXX

Natsu handed over two cups of coffee to Narumi and gestured to Kakashi that was out on the porch getting some air. "Go talk with him, Narumi."

Narumi took the cups and eyes Natsu oddly. "Why are you doing this? Everything will start getting suspicious with our family."

Kira moved behind Natsu and placed an arm around her waist and replied. "Trust us, Narumi. Natsu and I will settle everything that needs to be done in order to have our lives straightened out. Just be yourself and remember what I've taught and told you about our family."

Narumi sighed but nodded anyway. "I understand that you two are doing your best to help me and I'm forever thankful for this. I just wish I was strong enough to overcome…"

Natsu placed a hand on Narumi's shoulder. Gaining her niece's eyes. "That was inevitable, Narumi. Any Kunoichi would be going through what you are going through right now. I'll tell you now, it won't be easy and it's a tough and long road, but if you don't give in, you'll be just fine. Now, off you go while your godfather and I talk." Releasing Narumi's shoulder.

Narumi sighed and left towards the porch. Moving past the door and over to Kakashi by the railings and handed over a cup of coffee. "Thank you for staying for dinner and sorry about those two. They're a bit eccentric."

Kakashi chuckled and took the offered cup. "I wasn't that bad. Your Aunt sure has a way with words and has a humours sadistic side. They're good people and care a lot for you." Kakashi placed his cup down and pulled off his vest to pull around Narumi too keep her warm in her dress. "Thank you for the meal. It was delicious."

Narumi beamed under the praise. She loved cooking and cooking for other people. "Thank you for staying, Kakashi. It means a lot to me actually."

"Maah, you make me blush, Narumi." Kakashi chuckled when she swatted his arm playfully and took a sip of the hot beverage. He knew that Narumi noticed he was wearing a genjutsu on his face, but happy that she didn't attempt to remove it. He felt a peace with her around. "Are you free tomorrow, Narumi?" Kakashi asked.

Narumi arched a slender brow. "Don't you have duty tomorrow? I'm not available in the morning. I have to meet an old friend of the family, but I am free in the later afternoon." Tomorrow was the start of her training with Hinata and Narumi couldn't wait to meet the heiress and catch up.

Kakashi smiled. "Then how about after my duties, we go for an afternoon walk with my nin-dogs. I can pick you up from here if you feel safer meeting here."

"Really? That sounds great!" Narumi cheered. "I love animals, but we don't have any at the house since we're always busy and whatnot. I'd love to go on a walk tomorrow with you and your dogs."

Kakashi's smile softened at Narumi enthusiasm. He had to get her out of the house to show that she wouldn't be hurt with him around. "Then I'll pick you up around 4." He drank the rest of his coffee before glancing to the moon. "It's getting late. I should go home now." He saw the dejected look in Narumi's eyes and chuckled. Patting her head and said. "I'll be back for you tomorrow. So smile until then, Narumi."

Narumi sighed and nodded. "Okay then. But if you come to pick me up tomorrow and you're tired, I'm sending you straight home to rest, Kakashi." She warned him and just made him chuckle. She smiled. Being around Kakashi made her worries disappear till he left. "So before you go, mind telling me why you were so distracted today. You said you would tell me."

Kakashi sighed and should've known better that Narumi would remember. "Well…it's difficult to start."

Narumi grabbed Kakashi's hand and led him over to the stairs to sit. Patting his hand and said. "It's better to let things out, Kakashi. Since you've always been there for me, I'll be here for you."

Kakashi moved closer to Narumi as he took a sip of his coffee. "You're too good to a shinobi like me, Narumi." He said cryptically and confused the blonde. He sighed and started. "Well, I lead a team and just this afternoon I was told by the Hokage that one of my students, Naruto Uzumaki, is being pulled off my team indefinitely and was sent out on another training expedition to rediscover himself or so Lady Tsunade says. He won't be returning to my team when he comes home…and just when he returned too. I just wish he told me personally. I am his teacher after all."

Narumi's eyes widen as she forgot all about that. She wasn't allowed to be male-Naruto anymore and it was true that Naruto wouldn't be returning to Team Kakashi. The Naruto they knew of was hyperactive, loud and obnoxious male. She wasn't like the Naruto they knew. Narumi's eyes softened and decided to give something in return to Kakashi. "My family are master infiltrators and Spy Masters. I can fully transform into any person I need to be to complete any mission. My looks are real and no illusion. My chakra network changes and so does my scent. My personality I have to work on with each disguise. I had finished a mission and was on holiday with my family in the Land of Fang when I went to buy food in the local markets. I was taken in broad daylight and kept captive for six days and seven nights before Kira-Ji came raging in and killed everybody on sight. It's the reason for the way I am right now, Kakashi."

Kakashi looked down at Narumi in wonder. He had told her what was bugging him and in return, she had told him about what was bugging her, but on a different level. "Look at me, Narumi." He whispered. Reluctantly gaining her timid eyes and reassured her. "You are not at fault for what those captors did to you. I won't leave you because of an incident like that. As shinobi, we know what the risks are. You are brave for telling this, Narumi. Strong. I'll always be around to help you. Thank you for sharing this with me, Narumi. Really."

Narumi looked Kakashi in the eye and made up her mind. She would leave Kakashi with a thank-you gift that Tsunade told her about. Catching Kakashi off guard, Narumi leaned over and pecked Kakashi's masked cheek and whispered. "Thank you for tonight and saving me today, Kakashi." Narumi's eyes widen as Kakashi had pulled her against his chest in a tight embrace. She wondered what was wrong and wrapped her arms around his middle when he shivered. It was a good thing she finished her coffee a while ago.

Narumi's action had shocked Kakashi. His first instinct was to slam her against railing behind her and ravish her pink lips dry, but his logical side went with hugging her to satisfy his needs as he didn't want to scare Narumi or for her to see him as another one of those vile men. Kakashi was indeed a pervert, but he knew his boundaries. He would need new boundaries with Narumi Yuki. "I should go home." he whispered more to himself than to the blonde in his arms. Committing her scent to memory before he pulled back. Taking one last look in her two-toned eyes before disappearing in a swirl of leaves. He was falling deeper and deeper by the day.

Narumi looked to her frame as she was still wearing Kakashi's shinobi vest. His scent lingered on the material. She shrugged her shoulders and took her and Kakashi's empty cups back into the house. Placing them in the sink before treading to her room and slipped out of Kakashi's vest and her dress and into her pyjamas before heading to bed. She would believe in Kakashi's words about her being brave and strong.