Chapter 2

Kakashi woke slowly. Everything felt fuzzy, warm and he comfortable, despite the aches and pain lingering through his muscles. Kakashi kept his breathing even, managed to pretend he was still asleep, but he couldn't smell anyone nor sense them.

He was alone.

He tested his hands and feet and was surprised to find he wasn't bound. Kakashi decided to give in and open his eyes, far too curious about what the hell was going on.

It was dark. The room only lit up by a few candles and a fireplace. It was also spacious, with a seating area that had a low table and large, plush cushions around it. The bed he currently laid in was huge, almost drowning him even. Kakashi found himself buried beneath blankets and snuggled into a ridiculous amount of pillows. The mattress was soft, a blessing, considering his wounds left everything aching.

Kakashi managed to shove back the blankets, his arms a little unsteady, to examine himself. He wasn't exactly happy to find himself out of his ANBU uniform, nor was he happy to think that somebody had changed his clothes. No matter how comfortable the yukata was.

His injures had all been treated though.

Alpha was here! Alpha saved us. He's a good Alpha.

Kakashi startled. His Omega sounded awfully pleased, and which Alpha was he talking about? Kakashi had no idea who would save them and bring them here. No, a Konoha ninja would take Kakashi to hospital.

He asked his Omega what happened, but of course it was too busy purring away, content. Kakashi rolled his eyes and carefully stepped out of bed, his legs took a moment to find their strength, but eventually he managed to stand. Kakashi's throat was dry, so he cautiously sipped at the glass of water by his bedside. He deemed it safe, there was no funny smell or taste, so he drank the full thing as he struggled to straighten out his thoughts.

He should have been Kumo's prisoner, but according to his Omega, an Alpha had saved them. But who exactly saved them and what did they want?

Why wasn't Kakashi restrained or even under guard? He couldn't sense anyone close by. Kakashi searched for his things, but sadly his armour and weapons were gone. He was stuck in a yukata. A lovely yukata, something Kakashi could imagine a Lord or Lady wearing, but didn't help when he was trying to escape wherever he had been taken.

Kakashi decided he wouldn't find any answers in the room and crept out, sliding the door open by the tiniest inch. The hallway was empty, so he stepped out, but damn he had no idea where to go.

Back to bed. Alpha gave us a nice room.

Kakashi scowled. One thing, he didn't know who this Alpha was, nor did Kakashi know exactly what they want.

But we need to be somewhere safe. They drugged us, remember? Our heat is due to arrive very soon. It's probably why we're awake.

Kakashi grimaced. They had to get somewhere safe. That was true. But he wasn't just about to trust a stranger to have their best interest at heart.

He only managed one step away from the room when he felt something shift behind him. The lightest touch of feet stepping on the ground. He tried to leap forward, but hands latched on to his wrists and he was shoved back against a wall.

Kakashi winced when his back met the wall. An orange masked man with a long, green scarf and dark armour easily held him in place, pinning his wrists above his head. Kakashi scowled. Maybe he'd get lucky and strangle the bastard with his own scarf.

"I leave you alone for barely a few minutes to take care of business," the man said, voice rich and deep. "And you finally wake up. Typical."

"Who are you?" Kakashi frowned, testing the grip, but the man's hold remained strong.

"I imagine you have a few questions," the man said dryly.

"Oh yes. Who are you? Why did you save me? Where are we? And especially what kind of jutsu was that?" Kakashi huffed. "You came from nowhere."

"It's none of your business jutsu," the man said dryly. "Highly advanced stuff. I doubt you would be even able to comprehend it."

Kakashi snorted, amused. "Perhaps not. It's certainly got me curious. Now though." Kakashi cut out any amusement he had. "What do you want with me?"

"Let's go downstairs and have a meal. You haven't eaten in two days-"

"Two days?" Kakashi startled.

"Yes. You've been unconscious for a while. You needed the rest." The man lowered Kakashi's hands, but didn't release his wrists. "Now, don't bother putting up a fuss. You're fast, but you have just seen a mere speck of my teleportation technique. I will catch you if you try to escape."

"Maa, maa, I'll behave, Mr. Ninja, or Mr. Stalker? I could call you Mr. Kidnapper if you like instead-"

He swore he could feel the man's eyes (or eye? He did only have one eye hole in that mask) roll.

"Just move your damn ass, Kakashi."

Mr. Kidnapper it was then.

Mr. Kidnapper yanked Kakashi forward, keeping him just slightly ahead as they headed downstairs. The owner was setting up a table, and threw them a dazed smile, his eyes glazed over. Genjutsu then, huh? The owner bowed his head.

"I've set up the table closest to the fire. If you like, I can clean your room while you eat?"

"That would be good." Mr. Kidnapper nodded.

"Very well, sir." The owner smiled pleasantly, gesturing to the table. "Please, enjoy the meal."

Mr. Kidnapper pushed Kakashi into the booth first, before sitting down beside him, boxing Kakashi in against the wall. The inn keeper bowed before heading off. There was so much food, the smells made Kakashi's mouth water, and his stomach grumble.

Dammit. He felt shaky and weak. He didn't like this.

But Alpha's being good to us, and we need this to recover!

That was true. Kakashi wasn't bed bound thankfully, but he didn't feel well. He needed to take advantage of the good treatment before plotting an escape route. He needed to get back to Konoha, and to his little genin. He could count on Izumi to keep them distracted for a while, but she'd no doubt get bored soon.

There was also the possibility she might set Naruto on fire for back chatting her too much.

"Did you rent out a room at a guest house?" Kakashi asked, smirking. "Well, aren't you a nice guy."

Mr. Kidnapper huffed. "Shut up. You're too chatty for a prisoner."

"I thought it was apart of my charm."

"Urgh, just shut up. Eat your food."

Kakashi tilted his head at the multiple bowls with a wide variety of food. "I don't think I can eat all this myself."

Mr. Kidnapper scoffed. "Just eat what you wish then. No need to fuss over it."

Kakashi blinked. He could smell a brief flare of Alpha coming from Mr. Kidnapper. It had a hint of determination and pride swirling within it. All because he was feeding him? Kakashi stared blankly at Mr. Kidnapper who looked away, grumbling something sullenly.

This was just too weird, but so far his kidnapper had been nothing but kind. Well, apart from the whole kidnapping thing.

"Feeding me too?" Kakashi could help but tease. "Is this some sort of weird date you kidnapped me for, Mr. Kidnapper?"

Mr. Kidnapper's scent flared, a pleased note to it. Oh, he was definitely an Alpha then. He had such a strong scent to him, and Kakashi's Omega purred at the smell of fire, smoke and yet somehow oddly earthy scent. It felt refreshing and sent pleasant tingles down Kakashi's spine. But Mr. Kidnapper sounded annoyed when he next spoke, distracting Kakashi once more.

"I could just tie you up and gag you instead, Omega. Be grateful for my kindness and shut your damn mouth before I lose my patience. And seriously? You went with 'Mr. Kidnapper'?"

"Alright, alright, Mr Kidnapper." Kakashi raised his hands in surrender, delighting in the Alpha's groan. "May I ask what happened at least?"

"I rescued you from Kumo ninja. Your hound is safely back in Konoha, complaining about me of course," the man snorted. "He doesn't seem to like Alphas very much."

"Pakkun's alright?" Kakashi breathed out, relieved.

He had heard Pakkun snarl then yelp, while his vision had blurred in and out. Kakashi had tried to get up, tried to move, but everything had quickly grown dark and he had passed out.

"Your hound was fine when I checked up on him. Rather angry and protective, but fine."

Kakashi couldn't help but relax. If Pakkun had died he would have had no idea what to do. Pakkun was his oldest friend. He didn't want anything to happen to him or the rest of the pack-

"Your village doesn't seem to be very capable of defending you, does it?" Mr. Kidnapper mused. "I thought they would have been more protective, considering all the Omegas they lost during the war."

"I'm supposed to protect my village, not the other way around." Kakashi frowned, munching on bits of the meal.

Mr. Kidnapper was oddly polite, looking away to let him eat in peace.

Mr. Kidnapper snorted. "Ah, yes, the brainwashing."

"It's not brainwashing-" Kakashi protested, stunned.

Mr. Kidnapper sounded amused. "No? Let's see, the Clans train their children the moment they can walk combat, and then all children are put in school to learn all about the superiority of the ninja arts. Many other professions are mocked by peers, family and teachers. Tell me, did you ever dream of ever becoming anything rather than a ninja?"

"No," Kakashi said automatically.

"I didn't either. I would have laughed at the notion in fact," Mr. Kidnapper reached for the teapot, pouring out two cups. "Drink your tea."

"This is an interesting subject," Kakashi mused, even as he obeyed. "But you haven't answered any of my questions."

"Indeed I haven't. Perhaps you should just be grateful you aren't in Kumo right now, held prisoner or being bred, or whatever it is they decided to do with their captives."

"True. Still curious though."

"Your squad was attacked, I rescued you and brought you here to recover."

Kakashi huffed. "That's a terrible explanation."

"You're a terrible explanation."

Kakashi chuckled. "That doesn't even make any sense!"

"You don't make any sense. Keep eating. You're obviously wiped out and need sustenance."

"And what about you?"

"I don't need to eat."

Kakashi blinked. "That must be handy, Mr. Kidnapper."

Mr. Kidnapper groaned. "You're such a pain. Seriously, you're sticking to that name?"

Kakashi cursed himself. He was being way too playful here. He had no idea what was happening, only that his Omega was oddly happy and felt safe. Kakashi hadn't felt this safe in so long and it was leaving him disorientated and off guard.

He needed to focus.

Alpha!

An overwhelming sense of pleasure rushed up his spine, causing Kakashi to flinch. He whined, dizzy and hot- They needed Alpha- his head swam. Immediately arms wrapped tightly around him, pulling him close, the Alpha's scent smothering his own.

"Take it easy. You're fine," Alpha soothed. "Your heat's starting-"

"No," Kakashi growled, trying to shove the hands away, but they remained put. "I'm not due for another-"

"Week, yes, but the Kumo ninjas drugged you. Do you remember being injected?"

It had been the first thing to happen, the warning of an ambush. A dart had hit his arm.

Wait, how did this guy know about his heat?

"How do you know about my heat cycle?" Kakashi frowned.

"That doesn't matter."

Of course it bloody did but before Kakashi could protest the man pinned him in place. Mr. Kidnapper buried his head into the crook of Kakashi's neck, his mask shifted aside as he inhaled his scent. Kakashi gasped, a pleasant rush running up his spine. His Omega stirred, purring in delight. Mr. Kidnapper nuzzled his scent gland gently, and Kakashi melted against him, his Omega cooing happily.

Alpha. Alpha. Alpha, his Omega called.

His Omega had never been this enthusiastic before. What the hell was going on? Kakashi tried to speak, but he felt far too relaxed and sleepy.

"Relax," Alpha soothed. "I'm going to return you to your room. You can eat more later."

"B-But..." Kakashi shook his head, trying to clear it, but it was so foggy.

"You're safe here under my protection."

Kakashi tried to speak, but his Omega was clouding his thoughts from sheer joy. He felt drunk, his thoughts hazy and distant, and he purred when a warm hand petted his hair gently, before tugging him up out of the booth.

Kakashi hadn't felt this relaxed in years, and his Omega was drowning him in it.