Chapt 1: Trading One Daddy For Another

I had always been a daddy's girl.

At the ages under ten, whenever I got hurt or started crying, daddy would scoop me up in his arms and I would snuggle against his chest saying, "It's alright princess. You don't need to cry. Daddy's here. Beside's, princesses don't cry. They have much better things to do."

He felt so strong yet gentle, warm yet detached so I grew up with a sense that it was ok to feel but at some point you had to face the hard realities one step at a time.

In my early teens when boys would break my heart or something else would upset me on an emotional level, daddy would cook and feed me telling me, "Until you get control of your emotions you aren't ready to feed yourself. Eating isn't just about feeding oneself, it's about feeding the soul."

Before I turned twenty daddy died on a mission leaving a princess without her king, a child without her father, and a void no one else could fill; or so I thought.

Unlike some, I couldn't latch on to a man and desperately worship him beyond reason. I didn't need to because no man could be worshipped more than my dad. Though the love for him shouldn't be the same for a partner, I couldn't help feeling the basic emotions, sense of security and daily interactions should be the same so I continued to stand next to my pedestal and wait for the right man to come and stand upon it beside me.

But that man never came.

By the time I was eighteen I was easily the butt of at least half a dozen friendly jokes from my female friends. They would tease me constantly that my face should be the old maid on the deck when we played old maid. I was always the witch or the evil step sister that never got the man when we acted out scenes from our favorite fairy tales. I was also the one everyone in the village called to watch their kids when they wanted to go out with their significant other.

Eventually I got fed up and decided on my twenty-first birthday to pursue my dream of becoming a medic so men like my father didn't have to die needlessly leaving the hopes and dreams of unknown women behind.

That morning I went to the village chief ready for an argument but left with a letter of recommendation and an audience to see the Hokage of the lead village to discuss my potential.

For most of my days after that I would say that day was the moment my life changed, but I would be completely wrong. My life wouldn't change until a month before my twenty-fifth birthday when I went out on my first mission as a wind medic hybrid to test what I had learned.

The mission should have been easy. It was a C level escort mission and I was with a seasoned team who wasn't expected to need my support if things went sideways. Unfortunately things went more than sideways and we ended up getting ambushed as the sun was setting in front of us causing partial blindness by a group of trained assassins after the person we were supposed to escort; the unknown leader of some major underground slave trade organization.

That was the first easy mission I failed and the one that would change my life forever.

It all happened so fast. One minute we were talking casually on the road, the next our captain's head had been sliced clean off; his body spraying blood that spattered my face and rendered me speechless.

Everything burst into chaos then. The rest of the team vanished into action as I, in shock, gathered the Captains head and brought it to his body placing it on his neck as tears poured down my face. Without realizing what I was doing or what was happening, I began to try to heal him as if somehow I could reattach his head and his soul would just return making everything all better. All the while weapons were clashing all around me and the person we had escorted vanished.

I was never sure how long it took for the battle to end and the rescue team comprised of Kakashi and a few members of the Black Anbu to arrive, but when they did I, emotionally broken, was still seated covered in blood holding the captains head as I kept trying to heal him. Shaking and desperately crying while my team groaned around me or dragged themselves to fallen bodies in a vain attempt to heal them using whatever means they had, I felt just as small and fragile as I did when I was a little girl overwhelmed by something I couldn't understand.

Kakashi had come up behind me then in the dying light of day and asked as he looked down on me if I was hurt. Completely incoherent, I had looked up at him with bloodshot eyes and said, "I just want to go home Daddy."

Despite looking right at him I never saw the look of confused shock on his face as it flushed or registered the slight tremor that shook his body when I snuggled into his chest and neck when he picked up my bloody shell and cradled me against him.

I wouldn't remember any of it ever. Not even when I woke up clear headed at the hospital forty-eight hours later after passing out in Kakashi's arms as he carried me back. All I would sense is that something inside me had healed just a little bit, but I couldn't figure out what or why.

Nor could I even conceive that it would have anything to do with the white haired ninja seeing that our history together was spotty at best. The first time Kakashi and I met was the first day I arrived in the leaf. We were in the Hokage's office as I presented my theories and she accepted me as a student, though we hadn't said a word to each other.

Every time after that was either a random occurrence or involved a mission we were both involved in. We never found ourselves in the same circle or at the same place doing the same thing ever outside of that, which helped dismiss the idea that we could ever be good together when the topic came up in conversation with Ino and Sakura who were hell bent on finding Kakashi a girlfriend for some strange reason.

When Ino asked me point blank one day while we were hanging out if I would ever date Kakashi, I nearly choked to death on the food I was eating.

"Jeez, so dramatic." She said. "I never realized you had such an aversion to him."

I shook my head slightly as I coughed and regained my breath. "It's not that I'm adverse to him I'm just not sure we are compatible. Sure he is very attractive and yes his personality makes him cute and mysterious but he doesn't seem interested in anything or anyone unless it's his books or his work as a ninja."

Grinning mischievously Ino rubbed her hands togetherness "That's not a no."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop Ino. He and I are two totally different people. We don't even have the same interests and besides, I doubt he wants someone several years younger than him."

"You don't know that." She gave an exaggerated smile.

"Please, Ino. Just leave the poor man alone."

She pouted then. "You are no fun. You won't let us set you up with anyone."

"That's right. If I want a boyfriend I will just find one myself."

But I had lied. I did want a boyfriend, but I couldn't find one myself. No matter how hard I had tried they all had come up short. I got that my friends were trying to help me, but I just wasn't able to fall in love. None of the feelings and experiences felt genuine and none of them had loved me in the pure, honest, and affectionate way my father had.

So I remained single as a one hit wonder who was only able to get a first date half a dozen times but never went beyond that as the world around me found the happiness I seemed to be missing.

Or at least that's how I felt before my whole team was brutally attacked leaving mothers without husbands and kids without their precious parents and the trauma of losing my father hit me full force all over again.

With only a few kisses from boys I never got to know to my name, one awkward grope and a bunch of empty promises behind me, I felt rather lonely and afraid. I had thought after all this time that once I became a medical ninja I would become stronger and feel more secure knowing I had the power to save lives so no one had to suffer what I did.

But that day my dream shattered and the only person there to pick me up was the last person I ever expected to take the time to piece me together.

Chapt 2: The Mission

Though not a man of many words, it was extremely rare to render Kakashi completely speechless.

The night he had been sent out on an emergency mission to rescue and recover the group sent out to escort the man named Toshida Hanamora he had definitely not expected to be faced with a situation that would rock his emotional foundation.

When he had arrived on scene it was a blood bath. The injured and dying littered the ground everywhere except the spot where $Name sat balling hysterically as she held the body of the teams captain. Surrounded in a pinwheel of blood that splattered over her face it was impossible to know if the blood on her clothes was hers or just the captains.

Attempting to assess the situation he had walked up to her slowly and asked if she was hurt only to have drawn dead eyes whose crimson veins glistened with tears turn and look at him in abject desperation before the shell of a girl begged to be taken home by her Daddy.

He could tell her mind was broken, tell her soul had been torn to shreds and that something haunted her that was just as bad if not worse than what she had witnessed. What he couldn't tell was if she saw him or the man she wanted him to be. And if she wanted him to be her daddy how did that make him feel?

Though he realized the entire train of thought wasn't rational and that he should probably disregard it as words said in a moment of delirium, something about the way she nestled into him before she passed out suggested the words weren't necessarily untrue.

When he picked her up she had stopped crying; her hand not tucked against his chest had immediately reached up and gently clasped his neck as her nose tucked under his chin. By the way her cheek moved against his chest he could tell she was smiling or at least content and the deep breaths she took were calm as if his very presence was enough to soothe the things that haunted her mind.

When he had brought her back to the village he had taken her directly to the hospital. Though a quick exam had gleaned she had only a few scratches and bruises to her name, she still needed to be checked and receive the rest her body needed.

When he went to place her down on the medical be, her face began to pinch and her mouth quivered as he tried to pull back once she was settled. She began to whimper as well, as tears came to her eyes.

"Unless you plan on sleeping the entire night with her we will probably have to give her gas so she will rest soundly."

Looking up Kakashi met the gaze of the Hokage as he knelt down to ease the girls suffering at being separated from him against her will. No sooner had he lowered his top half to the mattress then she turned on her side in her sleep and curled herself against what parts of him she could; her hand coming to rest on his cheek as her breathing leveled.

Embarrassed by the compromising position, Kakashi flushed while the Hokage placed her hand at her lips and smiled behind it a moment before adding, "I will send someone in shortly. When she is stable come see me in my office. I need a full report."

It would take Kakashi more then several

minutes before the nurse came to relieve him, but during that time as he watched her sleep comforted merely by his presence, the seeds had been planted for him to realize he wanted nothing more than to have her cling to him, find warmth in him, and call him things that might not be appropriate in public.

When he was finally able to open the door to the Hokage's office, Tsunade was leaning against her desk with a look that suggested she was rather proud of herself even if no one else was.

Stepping in and closing the door behind him, Kakashi came to stand a few feet in front of her.

"You know the first day she arrived I had the chance to see the two of you together and I have to say I held the smallest hope that maybe she would be someone who would interest you. It's nice to see my silent encouragement didn't go unanswered."

Kakashi just gave her a bored face doing his best not to feed into her girlish taunting.

"She was quite pretty then all young and vibrant wanting to please, filled with passion. It would be a shame to let her whither especially since she seems to be rather attached to you."

"She thought I was someone else. She was delirious and in shock."

Shaking her head Taunade sighed. I've seen shock and trauma. That was something completely different. Somehow she's been imprinted with a very powerful image of something that seemed to resonate with you. You shouldn't brush that aside. Instead you should nurture it and help it to blossom into its full potential."

Sighing as he rubbed the back of his head -a clear sign of being resigned to something he didn't want to do- Kakashi's reply was exasperated. "I take it that's what you really want to talk about?"

"Partially, but I do still want that report. I need to understand where our information network failed and why we didn't know who we were actually dealing with. The first part, though, does involve the girl or rather your primary mission since I know you will shirk it if you can. I want you to help the girl move past this experience and become the ninja I sense she can be. She has some amazing ideas and for the most part they are sound. I can't afford to lose that talent."

Kakashi remained silent, but Tsunade knew it wasn't because he was trying to get out of what she had told him to do. It was actually a sign of ascent to have him not say anything because it meant on some level he had accepted the task that needed to be done, though she would watch how this particular task developed because something told her it was going to surprise Kakashi the most.

"With that settled why don't you give me that report and you can…get back to more pressing matters."

Kakashi just closed his eyes and crossed his arms. She wasn't going to let this go and it was already annoying.

Chapt 3: Daddy Issues

"You know you can come in she's awake." The nurse on duty bringing $Name her food said to Kakashi who leaned against the wall outside her hospital room door.

Not opening his eyes or moving a muscle, the nurse just half smiled before opening the door and greeting the young woman.

"Good morning dear, how are you feeling?"

When she came in I had been sitting up and staring out the window with my knees tucked into my chest as my chin rested on my kneecaps; the sound of her greeting making me raise my head to look in the direction of her voice.

When our eyes locked, the nurses eyes went from cheerful to sad, the corners dropping slightly and her smile more strained as she watched my body acknowledged her but the soul inside remained cold.

"I'm fine, thank you ma'am."

Eyes dull, hair limp, face drawn with dark circles I looked like the life had literally been sucked out of me.

Trying again, the nurse spoke quieter with a more soothing tone. "I brought your meal. Make sure to eat it and don't let that bully outside keep you from eating."

Confused at who she would be referring to I gave her a tired, curious glance. "Bully?"

The nurse gave me a wink and turned around making sure to flash a stern look Kakashi's way as he entered the room, which he returned with his usual smile before walking past her towards his real destination.

Confused, the food temporarily forgotten, I turned my eyes to meet his and waited for him to settle in.

"I'm sorry if I came at a bad time. The Hokage wanted to make sure you were okay."

A weak smile crossed my lips, "As good as I can be given what happened." Unconsciously my fists clenched and my eyes began to glisten with a sheen of rising tears.

Not good with emotions and not sure what to say to young woman he didn't really know, Kakashi shoved his hands into his pockets. "What happened wasn't your fault. The Hokage is investigating how the information we got about the mission was incorrect. Had we known what the real mission was sooner we never would have taken it let alone sent the team me did. You can't take the results of that on yourself."

Unable to keep my feelings in check, I bowed my head in an attempt to hide the tears that started to fall.

"I should have been able to save them. I should have…" I sniffled and the sobs started "…I should have been able to do something."

Pursing his lips and sighing, Kakashi moved towards the bed and sat down next to me. There was no easy road back from what had been seen. Having watched his own friends die time and time again while he remained powerless to help, Kakashi knew first hand how difficult it was to come to terms with the burden of responsibility for a loved ones life.

Like a moth to a flame, however, all words of wisdom flew out the door for no sooner had he sat down then the crown of my head thunked into his chest;my hands coming up to clench the sides of his vest as tears fell onto his lap.

"Why. Tell me why. Please. I have to know. Why couldn't I do anything. Why did I crack like that and why don't I remember anything clearly?"

Unable to answer in a way that would take away the pain, Kakashi raised a tentative hand to the back of my head and rubbed it there gently.

"$Name…"

"It wasn't supposed to be like this, daddy. It wasn't supposed to go his way. I was supposed to be like you. I was supposed to take care of everyone and instead I sat there and cried like a useless little girl."

His heart broke for her desperation, her feelings of loss and the pain she carried that made her feel inadequate in comparison to the person she looked up to and had molded her life around; feelings he knew all too well.

Unsure of what to say to ease the pain, knowing first hand it wasn't a burden anyone could take away, he placed the hand on my head on the side of my arm and rubbed up and down gently.

Eventually my tears slowly subsided and the sniffles stopped entirely but I didn't raise my head from his chest. Instead I turned to place my cheek there, my hands releasing their death grip on his vest to tuck up against me as I leaned into him.

There was silence for several moments before I spoke again, "Daddy always said not to cry. That princesses don't cry because they have better things to do. With him gone I'm just not that strong anymore. I try but it just feels like my shield against everything negative is gone leaving me to wade through the misery without my guiding light."

I sighed then and pulled away, my eyes looking out the window as if searching for an answer I couldn't find.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like this. You didn't come here to deal with an emotional train wreck. Did Lady Tsunade need something? I'm happy to provide what help I can."

Momentarily rendered mute by the feeling of emptiness he felt when she pulled away, Kakashi said the first thing he could think of like an idiot. "She just wanted to know if you were alright."

I nodded. "I'll be fine. I do need to thank you though." That's when color rose to my pale cheeks. "Ino told me all about how you apparently swooped in and carried me here. You even…lay here with me until the doctors could give me gas because I was showing signs of distress in my sleep. She said it was just like some knight in a fairy tale. I told her she shouldn't listen to hospital gossip, but if you really did do that I appreciate it. The only other man to take care of me like that was my daddy. He would always just swoop in and save me any time I was hurt; holding me in his arms and telling me I was his beautiful little princess and everything would be alright."

I looked up at him then and gave him a light awkward laugh. "But you aren't my daddy and it's not your responsibility so thank you for stepping in anyway." Torn by an indescribable sadness, I turned my eyes away to look at the food. "I hope you don't mind if I eat. I haven't really felt like it until just now."

Able to only nod as he was taken aback by her words that had affected him on a visceral level he could not completely grasp, he stood and headed for the door. When he got there he half turned towards and managed to redeem himself slightly by saying, "Everyone, including the Hokage is glad you are ok."

All I could do was swallow the bite I had just taken and smile up at him. "Thank you again for stopping by. Please let everyone know I'll be fine and will be out of here most likely tomorrow."

He nodded and turned to leave making sure to close the door behind him gently.

Though he had sensed her as soon as he arrived at the door, Lady Tsunade was quicker on the response then him. "You know damn well she isn't alright, but since waking up you are the only one to have gotten her to eat even if it was just so she had something to do with her hands because she was too embarrassed."

Kakashi sighed and looked at her sideways.

"Believe it or not that girl is tied to you now. You have a moral responsibility, even without the mission, to see this through…" then her lips came up to his ear "Daddy Kakashi."

If Tsunade could have died in laughter at his bright red face and jump of surprise she would have. Especially when he growled, "You are the last person I want to hear that from."

"I'm sure. Just make sure not to break her little heart in the process." Then she brushed past him and took hold of the door before entering, leaving Kakashi to his emotional misfortune which she knew only this girl could lead him out of.

Chapt. 4: Sagely Advice

It felt weird arriving home the next day from the hospital. It was like opening the door to a world of innocence that no longer existed. Though nothing here had changed I had, my outlook on life had and the room with its lilac colored walls, clean organized surfaces, small but perfectly round dining table for one, and smell of cedar so reminiscent of my father when he came back from a mission, that it reeked of someone trying too hard to hold their life together under a fa?ade of picture perfect sanity.

Looking over the room, part of me marveled at how delusional I had let myself be and how much I had ignored the pain that had been sitting there since dad died. Trying to always be strong like he had said, I had spent a reasonable amount of time crying after his funeral before picking myself up, dusting myself off, and plastering that smile he loved so much on my face in case he was watching me from beyond.

But I knew better now. I knew I couldn't be that little girl anymore and had to face the harsh realities that dad had tried so hard to shelter me from for so long. So I took one last look at the room and turned right back around. Things needed to change and it needed to happen now.

By the time I got back, the sun had started to set and there wasn't enough light to even think about doing anything to move furniture or repaint the place so all those memories could be out to rest and new ones could be made. I would be twenty-five soon so I mind as well make a fresh start before then.

That same morning $Name was released to go home, Kakashi found himself in an unexpected conversation with Jiraiya.

Having run into each other, Kakashi leaving Tsunade's office while Jiraiya was coming up the stairs, the white haired wolf soon found himself dragged off to a more remote area of the village for a little chat, where the view just so happened to also look out over the women's bath from a very discreet distance for anyone not Jiraiya.

Looking out on the baths with his back turned, his voice was serious. "As a man with experience I have to say…" then he was by Kakashi's side slapping his hand against his back "congratulations on becoming a Daddy!" Then he hangs his head in shame as he clasps Kakashi's shoulder. "Though I have to admit I'm jealous. I've been trying to get the girls in town to call me that for as long as I can remember but they say I'm old enough to be their grandpa and it's gross."

His eyes start tearing and he sniffles once before standing up and pulling a book out of nowhere which he presses against Kakashi's chest.

"I've been saving this for a special occasion. Thought I would publish it on Valentine's Day actually but here is an advanced copy."

Kakashi takes it flustered and Jiraiya turns and heads back the way they had come. "Make sure to put it to good use!" He calls over his shoulder as he waves giving Kakashi no chance to defend himself or change his opinion.

Looking down, Kakashi reads the title. The Daddy In You and The Daddy In Her-Being The Father She Wants and The Daddy She Needs. His face felt on fire while his body felt strangely aroused though not enough to make him hard. Not having given much though to sex or love outside of the novels he read, Kakashi now felt his mind wandering to what it would be and feel like to have a woman want and need him the way the women in the books he read did.

Cursing Tsunade for telling that perv and cursing that perv for putting these thoughts in his head, Kakashi turned and walked back home to see at least what all the fuss was about or if it would be more trouble than it was worth in the end.

At the same time Kakashi made it home the sun had set and the first stars shone in the sky and a knock came at $Name's door. Having just finished setting up what she would need to repaint and reorganize her living space tomorrow, she had some time on her hands and wasn't really looking forward to going to bed just yet.

"Coming!" I yelled from the kitchen area as I grabbed herself a drink before opening the door to see Sakura and Ino grinning like idiots before pushing themselves inside.

"Sooooo…" Ino's inquisitive voice teased. "I hear you had a visitor at the hospital yesterday. Were you planning on taking us?"

Rolling my eyes I tried not to blush; my reply fell awkwardly off my tongue. "There was nothing to tell. Kakashi just checked on me because the Hokage asked him to."

The girls gave their do-you-think-I'm-an-idiot stares; their squinted eyes boring into me making me back away slightly.

"Even if that's true, that doesn't explain the nurse who overheard Lady Tsunade tease him about being called Daddy Kakashi."

Taken completely by surprise and embarrassed, I spit my drink all over the place just barely missing my friends before coughing so much my face turned red.

Sakura squealed, "Does that mean you actually called him that!"

Still trying to catch my breath I shook my head wildly waving my hands in front of my face. "Absolutely not! Why would I call him…?"

That's when it hit me and my face turned so red it was almost purple.

"$Name?" The two girls asked in unison suddenly worried.

"Oh my god. Please tell me he didn't really think I meant…him when I said that." The parts of my face that weren't red were now pale as complete and utter embarrassment hit me as my mind recalled the conversation from yesterday.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" The two girls were suddenly in my face.

Begrudgingly I repeated what I said and the two girls cringed slightly.

"Well, I mean maybe he didn't take it seriously." Sakura tried to be reassuring with a descent measure of disbelief in her voice.

"Is that the first time you have said something like that?" Ino asked curious.

Scrunching up my face, my brow knit in worry, I thought back to the conversations they had had and couldn't find another time I had left that particular element up in the air like that. "Yes, I think so. I don't remember anything from the incident but no one has told me I said anything weird so I think this is the first."

"Good." Was Ino's reply. I'd just play it off as something casual and not worth adding meaning to." That's when she smirked and looked accusingly at her friend. "That's is unless your want him to be your Daddy?"

Unconsciously $Name's legs pinched shut as her clit throbbed and she scrambled to reply. "Why would I want Kakashi as my Daddy? I want a real, normal boyfriend not some casual duck buddy."

That's when Sakura crooned in jealousy, "But think about it. To have that body all to yourself pounding into you telling you you're a good girl, his good girl, or even better his princess, as he touches your body and pleasured you until you couldn't stand…" she groans "…that red eye looking up at you from between your legs as he…"

"OH MY GOD YOU GUYS GO HOME! Or better yet go get laid!" $Name corrals them together before shoving them towards the door.

"You are so lame $Name. There is nothing wrong with fantasizing about a gorgeous man calling you dirty names and treating you like a goddess which I bet money he would do." Ino managed to get in before the two were shoved out my front door.

"Goodnight you two!" Then the door closed in their faces and all I heard was giggling and "Goodnight yourself."

Chapt. 5 XXX Rated Education

That night Kakashi didn't sleep. From

The moment he went back to his place he had laid on the bed and read Jiraiya's book cover to cover three times before heading out to the late night district to find him in person; an act that only took him fifteen minutes as there were only three places he could be.

When Kakashi entered the Blue Orchid and asked for Jiraiya he was taken upstairs to the most expensive suite where the man lay; his head in the lap of one topless woman as she fed him while two others massaged various parts of his body.

Already flushed and with a single focus Kakashi pulled him aside and spoke briefly to him before leaving with a key Jiraiya kept safely tied to a strand of hair at the base of his neck.

Ignoring the crude comments and drunken jests, Kakashi raced to Jiraiya's place before opening the ninja's porn cabinet and selecting the first of many tapes. Popping the one titled Sex With My Little Pt 1 Kakashi watched and studied what it would take to create a DD/lg dynamic with a woman, especially one several years younger.

Knowing full well Jiraiya's stories were all his fantasies and sexual escapades, it was vital for Kakashi to have an educational background to build upon, especially since he didn't understand if the word Daddy was turning him on, if $Name was turning him on, or if he just wanted someone to dominate having been trained to acquire information in such a way.

Sitting on the floor cross legged, Kakashi hit play ready to establish the answers.

The first thing any new Daddy or Dom should always do is set his SMART goals. Make sure if you go the Daddy route that your goals are centered around the concept of maintaining a nurturing environment.

Once these goals have been established you need to figure out if you are a good girl/boy sub, a bratty sub, or a combo. Since new Daddy's need to learn how to be both Dom and Sub, understanding the sexual limitations and preferences of both is crucial.

This and every tape he watched Kakashi drank in with unparalleled interest, not realizing there was so much emotional value to creating a relationship such as this. With each second he watched he felt he got closer to both his own sense of loss and his unspoken need to be a provider and protector; two elements he would build on as he created himself as the Daddy he wanted to try to be.

When the sun came up the next morning he felt he had a good baseline for his own limits as well as his own desires, at least those related to his own sexual gratification. What he still didn't know was how to convince $Name that he had feelings for her and he was serious about finding a way to make it work without demeaning or negating her healing process.

Having gone through several of the tapes, Kakashi had realized that the one thing that constantly came to mind was the image of her desperate and crying both in the field and in the hospital as her eyes and heart searched him to find a man she was desperately searching for. Calling out Daddy had just been a trigger that set in motion his desires making her the catalyst for his own sexual and emotional maturation. What had been the clincher was the sense of security she seemed to find only in him and he needed to figure out if it was just in his imagination or if she had an innate desire to be with him and submit to him; finding solace in him in ways she couldn't achieve elsewhere.

When Jiraiya finally stumbled back to his pad and passed out on the bed Kakashi had locked up the cabinet and left the key on the table with a roughly scrawled thank you on a scrap piece of paper. There was still so much to do and if he didn't hurry Kakashi felt he would lose the chance, and her, in the same shot.

Once back out in the streets Kakashi realized he had no idea where $Name might be. Not knowing anything about her except where she lived, the only relevant hard information he could glean from her file, he had no idea where to start looking or even what you might like that could give him some clues as to where you might be.

After wandering the town from sun up to noon he was rather astonished to come across her by accident right across from the Blue Orchid sitting down and eating while she held a drink, which he guessed was coffee, in her hand.

At that moment all his research and all his ideas just seemed to vanish as he stood there undetected watching her do the most mundane of things. She looked slightly agitated by the pinch of her brow and the intense way she was chewing as if she was trying to digest something mentally and physically but only managing to sate one need.

Impressed with how efficiently she finished and how courteous she was about throwing away her trash and thanking the vendor, he felt drawn in to the nuances of her nature that he never purposefully noticed on others.

Unfortunately, she seemed ready to leave and not wanting to scare her should he continue to follow her like he wanted, he decided to engage her so as not to lose the chance.

"Yo. Going somewhere?"

He had tried to give a greeting like he would give anyone else so he didn't make her uncomfortable, but the tensing of her body and the look of uncomfortable surprise on her face told him she was indeed uncomfortable.

"Just out trying to clear my head. You?" The words were forced, the tone slightly guarded, her posture suggested she wanted to run all signs this had not been a good gamble on his part.

Knowing he had to respond but couldn't say exactly where he had been he said the most neutral and believable thing he could. "On my way back from the training grounds."

Her face changed then and it made his chest clench as her features relaxed and her voice became more engaging as if he had opened the door to a safe space that allowed her to feel comfortable.

"I could never get up that early to train. Dad tried to drag me out but…"

Then it all came crashing down as her face went red and a look of absolute horror and embarrassment flashed in the cinema that played behind her eyes. He could see her scrambling mentally to back track as if she wanted to take it back but knew she couldn't. In truth just the mention of the word dad from her lips had caused a ripple of arousal to course over his body, but he could tell something in that phrase had triggered something she had not come to terms with.

At that moment he wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch her and provide some kind of assurance, but he didn't know how to touch her that wouldn't make it worse.

Then the opportunity slipped away.

"Yeah, you know…I gotta get back. I …think I left the kettle on."

Then she turned and fled, leaving him to watch in silence wondering what had gone wrong and what he could do to change it.

Chapt, 6: Don't Make It Weird

After getting up and dressing I slapped my cheeks at the same time with my palms before heading downstairs to start breakfast. I had a big day ahead of me if I was going to complete this remodel and the last thing I needed was to be mentally side tracked thinking about something that wasn't even a thing.

Giving myself one last deep sigh to clear my head, I turned and headed downstairs to make myself a cup of coffee. Though a normal action, it was one of the few that didn't bring painful memories. Having acquired a taste for the dark colored brew after becoming a student of Tsunade's, it had now become an integral start to my day. Setting my mind both at ease and making me think clearer as I went through the same motions every time I made a cup or pot, I now felt off if I didn't do it as party of my daily routine.

Stepping into the are that held the small kitchenette, I grabbed a cup, portable filter, grinds and measuring cup before setting it all out on the counter and opening the lid. Scooping up two mountains of grounds, I poured them into the filter that rested on the mug before closing the lid and placing both items in their respective home.

With that settled, I took hold of the mugs handle and turned on the water letting the running water become hot before placeing it under the faucet. Adjusting the waters flow so the water didn't overflow the filter at the top, it took only a minute and a half to get the water the correct height to cover the grounds and let them soak while leaving enough room for cream and sugar.

Letting the mug sit, I pulled out the cream and sugar from their respective places while grabbing an extra spoon to stir it with. When the grounds had steeped enough, I pulled them out and took them to the trash before upturning the filter and pitching the used grounds into it; the filter getting washed and placed back on its hook above the sink.

Adding the cream and sugar took seconds; the stirring of the two a secret pleasure that normally was hypnotic and tuned me in to my surroundings elevating a calm a few moments before I would raise and tap the spoon on the edge of the mug releasing me from the spell.

Today though, unexpected thoughts flashed across my mind. Seconds after the spoon began its first rotation Kakashi's arms were around me; his muscular chest pressed against my back as his arms cradled me in his overwhelming warmth and kindness. His lips then brushed against my ear as he seductively asked, "Did you make a cup for Daddy?"

The clattering of the mug as my hands released it and it tumbled into the sink broke me from my trance; my eyes half open and my breathing heavy as I leaned against the counter in front of the sink.

"Fuck." Was all I could say, my coffee forgotten since somehow it had all ended up in the sink.

Despite it being just a daydream, the perceived feel of him against me was so real it made it seem like if I had felt it before in the same way. And that voice. Biting my lip I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Just thinking about him saying that in my ear set me on fire and put me in a light headed state that when I came down I was most definitely ashamed as I had never had a single sexual encounter or even dreamed of having a kink up until this point.

"Daddy." My voice was slightly breathy as I said it and I could feel heat traveling to various parts of my body that it was too early to pay attention to. Unable to focus or catch my breath, I decided the best thing to do was remove myself from the area and gain a fresh perspective. Grabbing my money, I headed out the door not even caring how I looked.

Having lost the opportunity to start my day off in a typical way, I stopped by the local vendor and bought a cup with something to eat. Being wary enough most people weren't out and about, I was able to snag a bench off to the side of the stand and attempt to reclaim my morning.

It had been a while since I had ventured out first thing in the morning without it having to do with a mission so I had forgotten how light hearted the village was as the sun created the sky.

Time slipped easily by and I soon found myself in the beginnings of the early afternoon rush as food stalls and other stores opened or prepared for the lunch rush.

Suddenly anxious to turn over that new leaf I rise and discard my trash before turning back to head home.

"You. Going somewhere?"

Though the tone is different the voice is still the same as the one that seduced me in the kitchen causing such intense shivers to run up my spine that I almost trip.

Gathering myself in an awkward spin. I face Kakashi who looks at me with the same bored expression he always has.

"Just out trying to clear my head. You?" Kicking myself for instigating a conversation I just keep saying in my head "Don't make it weird. Don't make it weird." but my voice is strained and it is obvious I want to be anywhere but here.

"On my way back from the training grounds."

Momentarily impressed but not surprised that he would be up early training, I kept the conversation going. "I could never get up that early to train. Dad tried to drag me out but…" My face went red then as my brain caught up with my mouth.

Why the fuck did I have to go and say that?

My eyes looked anywhere but at him as I said, "Yeah, you know…I gotta get back. I …think I left the kettle on."

It was a lie.

I had made it weird.

Did it really matter? It wasn't like it was anything but a fleeting fantasy. I just needed to reset my living space and get back to training so Inhd no time to think or stupid stuff.

Turning quickly without even saying goodbye, I set off at a jog back home. The blank stare of Kakashi's following me until Inwas out of sight.

Chapt. 7: Intervention

With suddenly more energy than I knew what to do with, I began rapidly moving furniture to the center of the room with a god-like strength that stemmed from my embarrassment when I got back home.

Unable to shake the feeling of Kakashi's eyes on me as I ran back or the thought of him training not entirely clothed -his obscenely gorgeous body slick with sweet as I watched him breathe heavily- spurred me on as I tried to exhaust myself enough to stop thinking entirely.

When the bed, television, small dining table, coffee table, plant, book shelf, and dresser had been moved I collapsed onto the bed and focused on my heavy breathing until I was no longer light headed.

With my breathing mostly stabilized, I rose to set up the painting equipment, making sure to cover the floor and tape the cabinets so no paint fell where I didn't want it. When everything was set I looked around for something to open the paint lid with when a knock came at the door.

Slightly trepidatious that Kakashi might have followed me to my home and would see me in this chaotic state, I opened the door cautiously.

"Hello $Name. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course!" Opening the door without thinking, I turned bright pink as soon as Lady Tsunade's eyes got wide. "Sorry ma'am I'm doing some painting and rearranging. Thought now was a good time to redecorate since my birthday comes up in a few weeks and I want to get a fresh start on life after everything that happened."

She smiled hiding the cogs that were turning in the back of her mind. "I think that is a very good idea. I am happy to see you are bouncing back nicely. On that subject though I would like to discuss something else with you."

"Absolutely ma'am. Let me get you a chair."

Taking my shoulder gently but firmly she stops me before I even move.

"That won't be necessary. Just relax and hear me out."

I nod.

"Now, I'm sorry if some of this embarrasses you but I am speaking from a medical perspective. I want to make that clear."

I nod and begin to fidget with the hem of my shirt.

"Despite your tenacity and given the information we have found regarding the attack you were a victim of, and my concern over your mental health, I think it would be in your best interest to train with me part of the time and Kakashi the rest of the time."

My body went rigid at the mention of his name, my eyes going wide as my brain started whizzing so fast smoke should have come out of my ears.

"I say this because whether you have picked up on it or not you seem to have developed a very unique trust in Kakashi that stemmed from his rescue of you and subsequent care of you after you arrived at the hospital. That trust will be essential to you gaining confidence as you develop your skills in the way you proposed when you first came."

I swallow and my palms sweat.

"I trust Kakashi completely to ensure you develop appropriately and effectively in my stead since the time you and I spend will be focused only on your healing skills due to other matters preventing me from training you beyond that. Does that seem acceptable to you?"

My mouth feels dry and my voice cracks in response. "Yes, ma'am.

"Good. You will begin first thing tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you in the evening."

She smiles and then sees herself out; the door remaining open as my body refuses to move.

Me training with Kakashi? How the hell am I going to do that! I can barely talk to him in the streets now. Groaning inwardly I force myself to move. I still have a room to paint and dinner to make. Besides, if I don't tell Ino and Sakura about all this they will just come beat down my door and harass me once they find out.

Resigning myself to my fate, I close the door, get a knife from the cabinet and finagle the top of the can open; the beautiful red colored paint soothing me much the same way looking into Kakashi's eye did at the hospital.

Back at her office, Tsunade educated Kakashi on her plan and what she expected. Having been given the report from the hospital stating that $Name had shown increased amounts of cortisol and norepinephrine when confronted with certain stressors during her exit exam, it had been suggested that some form of PTSD may have either arisen or been exasperated given the nature of her original response upon Kakashi collecting her. Should this be the case she would need to undergo some type of counseling if not at least rehabilitation if she were to be considered for further missions.

"Due to the results I got back from the hospital and with careful consideration I have informed $Name personally that you will be training her in the morning for everything not medical related while I will do the rest a few hours every evening. I expect to see results by the twenty-fifth of this month or there will be hell to pay do I make myself clear."

Kakashi just sighs.

"I'm not playing around and I'm not just referring to her ninja skills when I say that, Daddy."

Kakashi looks at her, arms crossed, and glares.

"Glare all you want. Jiraiya told me he let you see his temple of porn. There is absolutely no reason you can't figure out a way to make a move between now and then. It's clear by the way you react when I call you that there is some interest there. Act on it while you are still young. Besides, on a more serious note, I don't think she can go back to being a ninja without your help. The psychological damage seems too great. I can't have her caving during another mission."

"I get it." His reply is simple.

"Good. You start tomorrow morning first thing and don't you dare be late. I refuse to have you waste my time."

Kakashi rolls his eyes then disappeared; a wicked smile crossing Tsunade's lips in his wake. For as loyal as he had been and as essential of a ninja as he was, the man deserved some happiness in his life. Sure he liked porn but so did Jiraiya and that man was happy enough for everyone despite everything he had seen and done.

"You two still have time. Don't let it fade away like us old folk have."

Chapt. 8: Boundaries, Punishment and After Care: the Prequel

My life was so much simpler before Kakashi invaded it causing me to think of things and fantasize about things I had accepted would only enter my life once I got married.

When my alarm went off at 5:30 A.M. I was caught in a lucid state where I was half dreaming about Kakashi pinning me down with a "fatal blow" whose heavy petting session was cut short.

Groaning when the blaring sound went off, I slapped it across the room where it slammed into something causing smaller clattering sounds as parts came dislodged.

"Fucking hell."

Rubbing my eyes with my fingers, I sighed contemplating curling back up and blowing the whole thing off. Turning my head I close my eyes and seriously consider the thought, laughing at first at the idea of Kakashi getting stood up except then he comes to find me and comes into my room and sees me curled up naked in bed and…

"NOPE! Nope nope nope!"

Suddenly quite motivated, I jump out of bed and dress, throwing myself together before running out the door. There is no way in hell I ever want to give him a reason to come collect me at home. In fact, I want him as far away from my home as I can keep him.

Dodging crowds I race towards the training grounds ready to get this over with when my stomach growls.

Slowing to a stop, I look around for anything quick. There is no way he will be on time anyway so grabbing something fast won't hurt. When a stall selling candies apples without the core comes into view I jog over and buy two before popping slices into my mouth as I speed walk the rest of the way.

When I arrive at the grounds, I realize I have made a grave error. Seated atop one of the training pylons staring down the path with no book in sight is Kakashi.

Swallowing hard, I walk towards him and give a casual greeting.

"Hey. Honestly I assumed you would be late and since I didn't get much sleep last night I slept in and almost didn't eat. I would have been a mess if…"

Not breaking eyes contact, Kakashi lifts his hand and does a come hither motion with his upturned finger without uttering a single word.

Not sure if I should be terrified or laugh, my food still in hand, I come to stand a foot away from him where he stands and we stare at each other uncomfortably, at least for me.

I can feel my skin starting to quiver under his gaze. If I was a dog I would have flattened my ears in submission and rolled over, his gaze was that intense.

When I finally couldn't handle it anymore I thought about breaking the silence when he interrupts me.

Bending down he reaches out, never braking eye contact the whole tome, to take my hand and bring the piece within it to his mouth. With the apple within reach he takes it from my fingers gently with his lips pulling it into his mouth and chews slowly, the hold on my hand remaining until he places it back into the container with the rest of the pieces and rests it on top of another piece.

Stunned, embarrassed and on auto pilot-my face growing redder by the second but my eyes unable to look away-I pick up another piece which he brings to his mouth and takes delicately from my hand once again.

This continues until all the pieces are gone and he has finished eating; my hand being placed back at my side.

I'm not sure how my heart didn't explode beating out of my chest so hard, but the act of feeding him, of his mouth delicately taking the food as he looked down at me from atop the pylon over and over had me so weak in the knees they actively trembled.

Finally his voice filled the silence while his eye stayed locked on mine.

"I expect you here before the sun rises. If you are not here I will punish you and it will be up to me what that punishment is and when I give it to you. The only thing you will know about it is it will not compromise your integrity nor jeopardize your health."

Here he pauses for effect and I nod without thinking.

"Today, since it was more important to eat then arriving on time, I have taken the liberty of eating the rest of your breakfast."

Then he gives that obnoxious smile. "Make sure you don't do it again unless you want me to punish you more."

If he hadn't been smiling when he said it I would have melted right there; my legs collapsing underneath me so I looked like he was punishing me for real during something much less innocent than this. Instead I just felt like a child being scolded for bad behavior and it made me feel anxious.

Giving him a stern look I blurted out, "Im not a little girl needing to be punished by Daddy. I said I was sorry."

He stopped smiling then as he hopped off the pylon and walked up to me. When he was breaths away he leaned in so his lips were at my ear and said. "By the time we are done you are going to beg for me to be your Daddy because I bet he was nicer than what I have in store for you."

Then he backs up and walks toward the tree to the right where a stash of gear has been laid.

"We are behind schedule. Since I can tell you ran here you have already warmed up. Put those weights on your ankles and give me one hundred on the pylon with each leg."

He then lays down and closes his eyes waiting to see what I will do.

Not understanding what this has to do with anything, I begrudgingly walk to the tree and do as he says before standing in front of the pylon and taking a deep breath.

"One…"

My leg thwacks against the wood.

"Two…"

Thwack.

"Three…"

By the end of our time I could barely walk. Having never had to do this strenuous of training, I lurch to the tree and collapse before removing the weights.

The first one hundred had been too easy so he had me add more weight. When I had completed that, he had me stand on top of the pylon and dodge his attacks without falling off; my legs aching and my balance skewed.

All I could do now was sit there and wait for him to say we were done before trying to figure out how I would get home and rest enough to train with the Hokage later that day.

"Good start but you have a long way to go. You can't take care of others if you can't take care of yourself which means your body has to be strong enough for more than you." He said as he came to kneel in front of me.

Unable to move to resist, I did nothing but watch as he reached out and took my right leg tenderly holding the ankle as he raised the leg of my pants up to my knee to examine my shins. I'm not sure why I thought his hands would be cold but I sighed and leaned back enjoying the warmth of his hands against the soreness and tenderness in my legs; his hands deftly running over the places that had come into contact with the board.

"Seems to just be deep bruising. Do you think you can walk?"

Nodding but not saying anything, I brace against the ground and then try to stand but just end up stumbling forward before being caught in his arms against his chest.

Blushing uncontrollably I try to pull backwards but he somehow gathers me into a princess carry before escorting me via rooftop to my door.

Setting me down at my front door step one story above the street, he makes sure I am stable before removing his hands.

"Make sure to ice those before you see the Hokage. I don't want to be lectured for not taking care of you when you were then one that didn't listen."

That's when he reaches up and ruffles my hair before disappearing leaving me confused by both his reaction and the sudden loss of warmth he had provided that felt like it seeped through my clothes and into my skin to warm me from the inside out.

An Infinite Sky

Kakashi had gotten an earful that night about putting $Name in a state where she could barely walk without looking like she was as stiff as a grandma.

He had told Tsunade the same thing he told $Name, that if her body wasn't strong enough she couldn't expect to support anyone else let alone herself. The Hokage just reamed him out more, but he could tell she was more concerned than mad. Despite that it was still annoying.

Besides, he wouldn't have had to be so rough if she hadn't have pushed his buttons. Simply relaying the scene in his mind made his body shiver slightly at the thought of having her test him like that and to have to put her in her place. If it hadn't been for his extensive training in coercion and discipline he would have forced her into submission instead of providing her the option to save herself while still maintaining the upper hand. Her hair tightly gripped in his hand, her forced to her knees with her head craned so she had to look at him from waist level with those defiant eyes and her lips so close to…

Flushed and feeling the heat in more than just his face, Kakashi dragged his mind back. Nurturing. He had to stay nurturing; an element that was actually quite easy in regards to her given how they had officially met, but that challenging little bratty side got right under his skin and made him want to break the rules.

Smiling slightly he remembered the look on her face as he forced her to feed him. Her pupils had rapidly dilated and eyes gone wide while her face flushed; locking on his as if drinking in the nuances she must be imagining.

There was something there hidden in her eyes of that he was almost positive. Problem was were they cute feelings she kept hidden or did they burn deep within her core? And if they ran deep did they involve him or were they just something she craved without needing a specific person attached to them? Immediately irritated by the thought, he scowled.

Needing a change of scenery he began walking through the town as thoughts of $Name during their training continued to play across his mind. Having kept it strictly professional after putting her on the spot when he ate her food from her hand, he begrudgingly accepted it was best to take things slow especially since these emotions weren't really anything he had allowed himself the luxury to feel and he needed time to come to terms with the elements he was trying not to think about; the idea that he would lose her if he wasn't careful.

Knowing most of what he had studied required there to be some type of formal intimate relationship and in truth wanting her to be the one to admit to him how she felt instead of him telling her, Kakashi found himself at an impasse.

To him there was something so much more arousing about her admitting her feelings and submitting to him and his affections. Having come to the conclusion that he was intimately attracted to her courtesy of some misplaced words and perfectly timed scenarios bringing to light a womanly appeal he was not used to being drawn to, he now struggled with figuring out how to get from step one to step three without omitting two and trying to stampede towards the clitoris so to speak.

Blocking that image out as he felt himself flush at the thought, Kakashi stopped and looked up at the night sky. With its dazzling lights it was easy to gain the perspective that there were a million ways to get to one place and no two ways gave the same outcome or reached the same conclusion.

Having thought about it incessantly that night he had pulled an all-nighter watching porn, Kakashi had realized there was a fine line between the control he had and the control she took from him. The control he had, put her in a awkward or unique space where she was unsure of the correct course of action and was forced to receive what he gave instead of thinking independently.

The control she took involved the way she responded that touched on a nerve, desire or hot button that Kakashi hadn't realized he had, hadn't gotten full control over in that situation, or lost the will to resist against due to a moment of weakness.

And after today he was forced to accept he would have to be diligent if he wanted to stay in complete control because he knew and felt it all rode on a hair trigger.

Opening his eyes and dropping his head, Kakashi continued walking as he looked forward but his mind looked inward; his steps carrying him automatically without him even realizing where he was going. He must have walked that way for an hour as his mind got lost in various thoughts of $Name and his feelings as he watched over and over her reaction in his mind until a voice called him out of his trance.

"Kakashi?"

The world slammed into focus as he raised his head to suddenly see the very person he was thinking about as she descended the outside stairs to her home with a trash bag in hand.

"Why are you here? Did you need something?"

Still on autopilot he said, "Yo" with a brief wave before honing in on the predicament he found himself in. Thinking quickly he gave only the relevant reason he could easily explain.

"I just came back from meeting the Hokage and thought I should stop by to check on you. She gave me quite a lecture on my methods today. Seems she feels I was too rough." His eyes glanced down to $Name's legs. The redness and scratches were gone as well as the swelling. "By the look of things it seems like you got all patched up though."

He smiled then as he put his hands in his pants pockets. "I'll see you first thing tomorrow." He turned then and headed back the way he came but only made it a few steps when her voice called him to a stop.

"Sensei?"

He stopped dead and went rigid, the implication of that word grating on his skin like sandpaper. The way it dismissed the dynamic he wanted to cultivate and turned it into something more innocent and digestible leaving a bitter taste in his mouth."

Turning his head slightly as he looked back at her he waited.

"I'm…I'm sorry Lady Tsunade gave you a hard time. I told her I was fine and that you had been hard but not cruel. You had only pushed me far enough to force me to reassess my pride without breaking my spirit or my determination. I had thought she had left it at that. I didn't mean for you to get in trouble."

Sighing, his heart suddenly gripped by her consideration, he waved it off. "It's fine. She's just concerned about your well being and wants to make sure I don't overdo it even though she knows I won't." Turning forward he began walking again. "Try to get some sleep. I won't go easy on you if you are late or tired."

Her eyes were a comforting presence on his back as he walked away, not looking back, giving him reassurance that despite being conflicted, she was hard pressed to watch him walk away without some feeling of guilt or emptiness. It even made him walk a little slower as he came up on the bend in the road that would lead to his pad; his body wanting her gaze to always be on him but his mind knowing she can't miss something that never goes away.

When he finally got home he sat on the edge of his bed before collapsing backwards. Emotionally exhausted from his lecture from Tsunade and slightly charged from his and $Name's interaction, he was a discomforting balance of tired and restless. Turning his eyes to the bedside table, he picked up the book Jiraiya gave him to read yet again.

It was never too late to learn something new from something you had already done. The key was perspective and the outcome was application because just like the many stars in the sky, no two ways of looking at something ended with the exact same conclusion. And right now his sky was infinite.

Color Theory

By day three of training I had begun to lose feeling in my legs from the hip down. Sure I knew I had legs and yes I could walk, but the continuous abuse and repeat healing of my shins and thighs as well as the muscles around them created a calcification and hardening of the shins that caused a deadening of the nerves to pain.

Between the repeat micro fractures and the rebuilding of bone and muscle, I was cutting my strengthening in almost half. Sure I also had to use a manageable version of shadow clone that allowed me to summon up to twelve versions of myself for as long as it took to execute 1000 kicks per twenty minute break, but I still progressed at a steady pace despite feeing completely exhausted when I was done.

Which is why I was also powerless against the invasion of my personal space my adoring friends seemed to feel they could exploit.

Having not seen my pad since I repainted, Ino and Sakura should have been surprised. Instead, I was the one taken aback by their reaction.

"Seriously $Name? When you said you repainted in a striking new color I hadn't anticipated you would choose that color. Could you be anymore obvious?" Ino's unamused eyes stared at me like I was the biggest idiot.

"You have to admit though, Ino, it is a striking color. On the wrong day it would give me chills." Sakura chimes in slightly more supportive.

"First you barge in and then you insult my paint job. Some friends you are." I stick my tongue out at Ino childishly too worn out to care I was being immature.

"Yeah well if you weren't such an idiot."

"How am I an idiot? I happen to like this color a lot. It's very calming." I pout.

"Gee I can't imagine why. Can you Sakura?"

Smiling widely and laughing awkwardly, Sakura tries to remain neutral. "Well, it could remind her of something in her past from before she came the the leaf village. It also really does brighten up the room and I am sure the sun setting through the window is beautiful."

"Don't be dense you flat chested ape! You know damn well what I'm talking about!"

Glaring at Ino, Sakura readies an insult back but I cut them off. "Enough you two! If you are just gonna fight then leave. You are giving me a headache." I plop down on my bed that I had been sitting on the edge of and cover my eyes with my forearm.

Ino sighs. "Do you really not see what I'm talking about?"

My eyes still covered I shake my head back and forth once. "Not a clue. I just went to the store and grabbed some paint. I picked this because it was a vibrant color that wasn't too dark but still carried jewel tones making the room seem brighter without really trying. I mean I was on the fence in the beginning but the more I painted the more I wanted to be surrounded by this color. It was captivating and made me feel warm and safe." I shrug my shoulders and leave it at that.

"Well at least we know that once you see what we see things should progress smoothly." Ino stands then and heads to the door; Sakura taking the hint and following behind. "Just know you have our support." She turns and smiles.

"Thanks? I still have no idea what you are talking about though." My confusion clear on my face.

"I know you don't. That's part of why we love you so much. Your innocence is so refreshing at the same time it can be just so incredibly irritating. I'm sure that's why others love you too. Just, do yourself a favor and really LOOK at the color you picked and think about what that color means to you before the chance to really touch on something special passes you by." She waved then, before grabbing Sakura's hand and walking out the door.

Turning, I walk to the center of my room and look at the walls that surround me. Though not a color everyone enjoys, it really had livened up the room in subtle ways. It seemed to absorb light instead of dilute it making the entire room warm without even meaning to. It made the dull earth tones pop bringing a sense that the room was a living, breathing environment instead of a dead cold place of rest.

The longer I looked, the more I was forced to also acknowledge a feeling of longing. Like being here surrounded in this color made me want something or want to exist near something I couldn't pin point but felt close to just by being here.

Thinking back on the last few nights I also noticed that despite being exhausted I had woken up rested and refreshed, like being in the room now calmed my restless nights and gave me a peace I had been missing since my father died.

Walking to the closest wall, I reached out and touched the paint as if wanting to feel the pulse behind the color that had permeated my very existence without me really realizing how much or why. Running my fingers lightly over the surface, I smiled softly. Firm but smooth, the texture brought an image of my father but as I looked for ways to attribute the color to him I became more and more sure that the feelings I was having were residual memories of ones we he experienced but didn't fit with the color as it surrounded me now.

Opening up my palm, wanting to feel more and dig deeper, I ran the entire length of my hand over the wall; my mind begging for the answer but my heart keeping it just out of reach.

More. I needed more. Placing my other hand on the wall in the same fashion, I ran them both quickly but gently over its surface; my eyes closing and engrossed in the feel of the color and the pulse of the room as I tried to force the images and feelings to the surface that would provide the answer.

Breathing deep and slightly heavy I was caught completely off guard by the presence entering the room.

"$Name? What are you doing?"

My eyes shoot open and my head turned towards the voice; my mind recognizing I was on the brink of an epiphany while my hands stayed plastered to the wall. Though I knew it was Kakashi before I even turned, the impact of his presence and my awareness of him and I didn't hit until my eyes locked on his, and more specifically his red one.

That's when the light bulb exploded and my heart began to beat so fast it felt like it would break through my chest. It was his eye. The color I chose matched his beautiful red eye. My mind began racing at that point desperately trying to remember when I would have seen it and drawing a blank. My confusion must have shown because Kakashi's voice broke the silence again.

"$Name? Are you alright?"

Jolting back to reality I stumbled out a series of incoherent thoughts. "I was looking for you!" My mind catching up a fraction to late to my mouths declaration I blushed profusely and tried to recover. "I mean, I was looking for a stud." That comment not making it better I groaned and ranted out the rest. "I mean, I was trying to hang a painting and I was looking for a stud but then you came in and now this."

Frustrated, embarrassed, still being pulled by a longing I was no closer to understanding but at least had a point of origin for, I turned and faced the wall; my hand running over the surface unable to glean the same comfort I had acquired before.

"Is that so? Ino and Sakura had said you were in distress over something but weren't specific. All they said was you needed my help so I came and when I saw you, you looked possessed so I was prepared to fight off whatever had you but it seems you were just really focused."

Seemingly nonplussed, a fact that stung for more reasons I couldn't explain entirely, I dropped my head and mumbled. "You could say that."

Continuing to give no inkling that he had heard or had any feelings about what I said, he continued on as if nothing had happened. "Still, if you need help I mind as well help you while I'm here."

Each step he made towards me made my breath catch in my lungs. Each inch closer caused an electric current to vibrate over my flesh. It was painful and exhilarating at the same time and only made the longing worse which frustrated me even more. Then he came to stand behind me -our bodies barely separated as he planted a hand to the right on mine on the wall before placing his left knuckle to the wall- before rapping once.

"Hmmm." Was all he said but it was enough to send shivers down my spine as my mind traveled to indecent images of him whispering it in my ear as I sat on his lap.

Tapping a few more times he finally found a spot that made a dull knock instead of a hollow one.

"That's the spot. Now you have to reach into my tool bag and grab something to mark the wall with while I hold the spot here with my finger."

I bit my lip painfully hard but not enough to draw blood. If I reached back without looking I might grab something I shouldn't. If I look behind me for guidance my ass might bump into something it shouldn't. That left only one option.

Sliding down the wall, I pivot on my toes before rotating one hundred and eighty degrees so my face is now almost eye level with his pelvis. Swallowing heavily, I lock my eyes on his left thigh where his pouch is before reaching out with one hand to slide under the flap; my legs slightly scissored in between one of his and the outside of the other.

Fumbling around a few seconds I found a shuriken. Testing the tip with the pad of my finger I pull it out and hold it in front of me. For a handful of seconds I'm conflicted. Do I hand it up? Do I turn back around and rise so I can mark it myself? Do I slide up the wall and face him; my eyes getting lost in his until I can't think straight and god only knows what happens?

Opting for the safest route, I pivot back around and rise before placing the tip of the star in the wall and drawing a line down; the wall now looking just like the scar above and below his beautiful red eye.

Once marked neither I nor him move for several seconds. His hands still planted where they are and one of mine clenched at my side while the other presses into the shuriken. Acknowledging that I don't want him to move but not knowing what to do about the feelings I am having, I decide to turn slowly and face him.

As soon as I do and my eyes lock on his red one my breathing becomes heavier and the feeling of longing intensify making me want to reach out and touch his face; my fingers delicately tracing his eye as I stare at him.

And without realizing it I am; an action I am only made aware of when his hand reaches up as if to take mine but instead pulls on the edge of his bandana so it covers over his eye.

"Sorry, guess that was upsetting you. I wasn't using it on you. I honestly had forgotten I had uncovered it."

The distress on my face must have been evident, but was clearly mistaken. He pulled away then and I visibly shivered more from the cold my body now felt with his heat no longer there sustaining me than anything else. Unable to find the words as his back turned and he headed for the door, I watched in agony as he got farther and farther from me.

When his hand was on the knob of the door, my mouth opened in a strangled attempt to recall his presence, but once again he cut through my intent as if it were a kunai penetrating through flesh.

"I'm glad I could help. It was actually nice to see a weaker side of you. A side that was willing to accept what someone was offering instead of being met with this bold determination everyone else has to overcome. If you need anything else just let me know. If nothing else, it keeps the Hokage from harassing me about being heartless with how I treat you."

Then the door closed and he was gone; the red rose color of the walls a heavy reminder of the eyes that no longer watched me and the opportunity I had let pass by.

Intangible Heat

Each step away from her had been torture.

Turning his back made the selfish devil inside that he didn't feel he had the right to express claw and scream at the walls his mind had put up to force himself to block her and his needs out so he wouldn't do anything $Name would regret later.

She. Not him. There wasn't a thing in that moment he would have regretted doing. Not taking her hand and lacing their fingers together as he pinned it against the wall behind her head. Not capturing her lips in the next instant to press her against the wall just enough that she knew to submit. Not even the breath he would steal as he left her barely enough to stand up as he stole it over and over with every inch of his body against hers.

Digging the shuriken into his palm after deftly and unknowingly removing it from her clasp, he dulled his wandering mind with the pain that now dripped from his palm having drawn blood in multiple places just to keep himself walking out her door and into the street.

Don't look back. Just keep going.

So close. She had been so close he could almost taste the salt on her skin as she sweated from fear mixed with excitement. But the best part had been when something behind those eyes had come together. He had seen it clear as day in the width of her eyes and the intent stare she gave him but when nothing changed and she didn't act on whatever she had come to realize, he was left assuming it either had nothing to do with him or she was too in shock to do anything.

Like with torture, it was that fine line interrogators rode between gleaning information and breaking the captive. So he had stood there with her passively wall slammed staring into her eyes until she reached up to touch his red one; an act that broke the intensity of the moment and made him self conscious.

Unconsciously, as he continued to walk, he reached up and touched his covered eye with the pads of his fingers on his left hand. Funny, such a thing had never bothered him before. He had never cared what others thought about his eye until that moment but something in the way she looked at him and reached towards him made him want to shrink back.

What was strange was that he hadn't been concerned the day he rescued her and she had seen it; the day he had picked her up and cradled her against his chest after she had begged for Daddy to save her. Unsure if it was just because the feelings he now had hadn't taken hold or if it was because he knew she wasn't herself then so she most likely hadn't even seen his eye, either way it was irritating to think there was now some integral part of him she didn't like, making it harder to feel the connection he desired was entirely obtainable.

Tomorrow. He would have to see what would happen tomorrow during training.

That night the whole room seemed hotter. It was as if the red on the walls had become an intangible heat; cold to the touch but able to permeate flesh to enflame the body from the inside. Just thinking about the color behind closed lids caused me to throw the blankets off just to see if the opposing air from the one open window would be enough to temper the simmering warmth of my body.

Laying there naked, bare to the red heat from the walls and the cool breeze that ghosted over my flesh I fought in vain against the thoughts that crept into my mind. Images that associated the breeze with Kakashi releasing a trickle of his wind chakra across my body in an attempt to torment me; a thought that quickly escalated to the breeze being his breath as his lips rested inches from my nakedness.

Turning away from the wall, I curled into myself and clamped my eyes shut. Why was I thinking these things? What could have provoked such salacious thoughts? That's when the memory of Kakashi delicately eating from my hand, his lips and cheek brushing against my fingers and knuckles as our eyes stayed locked, played across the cinema of my internal theatre causing me to groan slightly.

Since it had happened during training, I hadn't taken much time to think about that scene out of context, but now as I lay clutching myself as my body ached in places I wasn't accustomed to, I began to toy with thoughts I had never considered with any guy I had been with.

Doing the best I could to shove those thoughts aside, I focused again on the redness of the wall which perfectly matched the garnet color of Kakashi's eye. What would have caused me to latch on to such a color and allow it to have so much power over me? Racking my memory as my nails dig into my shoulders -my arms crossed in front of my chest where my hands rested- so I would stay focused, I thought back to all the times we had met and couldn't remember a single one where I had seen him use his sharingan.

It was true we had been on a handful of missions together but they had been more like training sessions than anything major leaving no room for life or death dynamics.

That didn't change the fact that the thought of him looking at me as I was pinned against the wall colored in the same res as his eye made me forget to breathe; my body held

In a mesmerizing thrall that could only be broken by finding the answers that lay behind the source of the heat held within.

"I need to touch it." My voice breaking through the silence softly, caught barely by my ears as my mind dug deeper into the image of his eyes; the weight of my words grazing across my conscious without ever realizing they had come from my own desire to reach a solution.

Then my hand reached out, palm open, to the ceiling before closing around air. I would find out, one way or another, why I felt this way and what would come of it should the answers take me down a road of conclusions I wasn't prepared to come to.

Bringing my arm down to duck against my chest, I took one final deep breath before throwing everything out of my mind and drifting off to sleep; the blankets still on the floor as my body continued to be kept warm by a fire I had only just begun to stoke.

Peek-a-boo: A Game of Trust

Infuriating. Simply and indescribably infuriating. The worst part was it shouldn't even bother me to the degree it did, but it did, I hated it and I didn't know why.

From the moment I arrived at the training grounds Kakashi wouldn't look at me. I had even arrived a little early thinking I could possible catch a glimpse of him unexpectedly which hadn't happened. No sooner had I entered the clearing and whispered his name curious as to his absence since he was being a stickler for time for some reason, he walked up behind me, speaking as he passed right by without visually acknowledging me.

"If you are here early that means we can start early."

Walking to the nearest tree he jumped up to a branch about 15' off the ground and gave me my first instruction as he pulled out some new porn and settled in to read it; one leg hanging casually off as the other crossed over the branch while his back rested against the trunk.

And yes his eye was covered.

Crestfallen. That was the best word to describe it. Though he hadn't plagued my dreams, he was beginning to consume my every waking moment. In fact, the entire time on my way here my mind had been filled with images of last night.

Now that I was here and he didn't seem to care less, I was beginning to feel like a fool. "Nice to see a weaker side my ass." I grumbled. Tearing my eyes from his reclined body, I set my mind to the task. If he truly didn't want to look, I'd give him a reason to need to or make a fool of myself trying.

Part of him wanted her to come early to train needing the validation that something had indeed happened between them last night and it would be enough to make her seek him out in unconventional ways. Her early presence this morning seemed to confirm that, though there was only one way to make sure.

A master of deception, Kakashi had perfected the unofficially named Peek-a-boo technique. Named by Joraiya for completely indecent purposes, Kakashi had reinvented it to allow him to maintain eye contact with his victim while doing everything else but that. The technique allowed him to keep a certain perceived discretion and allowed the victim a certain security of sorts in "knowing" he wasn't watching.

Though not a technique meant to portray detail, it helped fill in the gaps for actions and events that went on around him when he wasn't looking directly at the victim. In this case it allowed him -by accessing $Name's body language, sounds, and position- to watch her every move and thought while seemingly distracted by something else.

For his purposes today, the technique required some additional prep work. Having been in a rather flustered state when he left her place last night, Kakashi had made up his mind to deploy the technique as a way to sate his own curiosity without giving his growing obsession away too easily.

Stopping by Jiraiya's -he now had a spare key which had been attached to the back of the book the sage had given Kakashi- he had grabbed some mirrors of the necessary size and headed to the training area. Gauging the time of day and the angle of reflection, Kakashi then placed them accordingly so a minor shift of his handheld mirror allowed him to capture her features without her knowing.

So seated in his tree with his handheld mirror resting on the left side page, he tilted the book this way and that as if adjusting or turning the page to capture exactly what she was going through as he spouted out directions and accurate instructions of what she was doing wrong without ever looking at her, something he hoped would at least upset her slightly.

Never had he anticipated the amount of frustration and anger she would attempt to suppress as she tried and failed not to look at him through the whole training session. Each glare, caught at different angles, excited him. To watch her bite her lip, grunt as she pushed herself harder, pant, and to see the sweat give her body a tantalizing sheen was better than any porno he had read.

It was clear she wanted at least something from him, the question was what exactly. That, he planned to try to uncover during the noon day break; a respite that would create more questions than it answered.

After watching $Name until she had thoroughly exhausted herself and was running on sheer stubborn anger, Kakashi casually closed his book and hopped down. Tucking the book into his pack, he brushed himself off and walked towards $Name who was visibly panting and stabilizing herself, half bent over, on her thighs; her eyes focused on his feet as he walked closer.

Keeping an air of disinterest, Kakashi addressed her in a dispassionate tone. "Good work. You seem to be improving at an average pace. Take a break. When I get back we will do something a little more to your liking." Still not looking at her he walked past for a second time.

Unable to catch her breath she just stood half bent until she could no longer sense his presence at which point she released the lock on her knees and fell in a heap to the ground.

Feeling she needed about an hour to recover enough to stand as it was easy to tell by the way her body subtly shook that she was about to collapse- Kakashi took his time wandering into and out of town for food. Making sure he was done with no objects that would alert her to his arrival, he snuck back a different way than he has come; a tactic that payed off as he arrived with her seated cross legged facing the path he had walked down while he watched her a moment from an Eastern position.

Circling so he would be able to sneak up behind her, he had decided to test the most obvious thing within his control and the one thing she has shown a reaction to.

Standing less than half a foot from her back, he placed his left hand on his bandanna as his right tapped her shoulder and he said, "Peek-a-boo".

Not anticipating the severity of her reaction as she flung herself around with such force her left arm hit his left elbow and jerked his bandana up faster than intended causing his thumb nail to scratch his cheek slightly as he pulled the fabric up, he found himself pushed backwards onto his butt as she fell partially on him between his legs; her right arm planting on the ground next to him while her left fell short and landed squarely in the center of his right peck.

Both of them now slightly dumbfounded, Kakashi was the first to recover.

"For a girl as tough as you, you sure scare easily."

To be honest he wasn't sure how he was able to eek that out. His mind was racing as his body drank in the supple feel of her wedged between his legs as she half draped over him; her hand pressed securely into his chest as if her very existence was defined by the security his body provided.

To make matters worse that look in her eye -half mesmerized half wanting- spoke of a need he desperately wanted to quench for her right here despite the dirt and the sweat.

Her silence wasn't making it any easier.

"$Name?" His voice was quiet and calm. Even so, all she did was tighten the hold she had on his chest, balling the fabric of his clothes into a fist as her eyes pinched slightly; a clear sign the exhaustion had exceeded her filters ability to keep her emotions in check causing the damed up tears to begin to pool.

"$Name, please don't…" He tried to follow up with but she cut him off.

"Why?" She half asked half yelled.

"Why?" Still looking at her calmly he inquired further even though he was willing to bet he knew where this was going. "Why what?"

Pushing down on his chest in anger she half cried half yelled, "What do you mean why what?" Sniffling she continued. "Why? Why didn't you watch me at all today? Do you even care about me getting better? Do you even really care about teaching me so I can become stronger?"

The tears began to fall in quick successive drops onto his chest and torso now

"Tell me. Tell me why. Why wouldn't you…"

Kakashi sat up quickly then placing his hands on either side of her hips as they unconsciously shifted to take the weight of her upper body without straining her back. His eyes, uncovered, were now staring just at her as their faces remained separated by the distance between two noses.

"…look at me." The tears still fell but $Name's voice was quiet as her eyes locked onto his -more specifically his red one.

Neither one moved nor blinked for several seconds before Kakashi broke the silence.

"I don't need to look at you to know everything about you and what you are doing or are capable of."

Maintaining eye contact, Kakashi set the stage for her to give a little more and confirm what he had unexpectedly been hoping more than anything else.

Caught by surprise, $Name's eyes went slightly wide and her face flushed a soft pink. Releasing his shirt she pushed him in the chest; her hand staying on his shirt as if afraid that letting go would break more than just the contact they shared.

"Do you always say such thoughtless things? A girl could get the wrong idea you know."

Wanting to push her buttons more, Kakashi egged her on "It's only the wrong idea if you don't ask the right questions." His face was serious but not stern, his eyes piercing hers with only a slightly watered down version of his passion that had continually built up since she had found purchase in his lap.

Her hand clenched at her chest a moment, the implications behind his words sinking in rapidly, before she took a sharp intake of breath and reached her right hand out towards his face.

"What is the right question then?" She asked as her hand inched closer to his beautiful red eye.

Not shying away this time, Kakashi watched her hand get closer -the fingers extending slowly out in anticipation of the contact it sought

"That I cannot tell you, but it ties directly into the thing you want to see."

The soft pads of $Name's index and middle finger came in contact then with the slightly ragged flesh associated with the scar under his left eye. Allowing her to trace it and the underside of his eye in silence, he waited for her response

"What I want to see?" The question seemed slightly detached as her finger traced towards his nose and then back towards his ear as it traced the underside of his eye. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes." Was all he could say as he caught to hold back his desire to wrap his arms around her.

That's when her hand lifted from his eye and presses down on his upper lid. "Then if you trust me close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you."

He could hear the struggling embarrassment in her voice as he allowed his eye to close and in turn closed his right. When they were tightly shut he heard her breath in and out once.

"What I want to see is this."

A second split the distance between them before her hands were on his shoulders and her lips pressed into the lid of his scarred left eye. Caught by surprise, he almost opened his right eye but her finger pressed against it a second before his bandana was pulled down to cover both his eyes. Remembering that she had said he couldn't look until she said so, he sat shaking slightly with excitement.

At least until he felt her rise and the heat of her presence rapidly fade. Looking up trying desperately to look through the fabric of his bandana he heard her come to a standing position before rising and stepping back.

Frantic on the inside that she would leave him here emotionally open he fought against his urge to rip off his bandana and rise to chase after her.

She must have sensed his distress because she responded to his panic. Next thing he knew her hand was pulling up the side of

his bandana that usually covered his left eye and said "Peek-a-boo. What I want to see the most is the hidden part of you."

Unspoken Words

There was only one other time Kakashi could call to mind where he had been frozen in his tracks in complete shock. Though the intimacy of the kiss was surprising, it was the emotional agony he heard in her voice as she spoke, the warmth of her lips mixed with the damp cold from her tears as her cheek brushed his nose when she applied an unexpected fluttering of her turbulent emotions onto his scar, that left him spellbound.

It was as much her asking permission to see his eye as it was confessing her desire to have it gaze upon her. Her hand slightly cradling his head as her hesitant lips molded into the splayed and ragged flesh; the plush surface caressing it so lovingly it was like they accepted and forgave in the same instant everything that had come before and resulted after the scars creation.

More than that, the feeling of acceptance spread like a warm heat down his spine and throughout Kakashi's body implying that which was hidden by the bandana wasn't the only thing she wished to see and accept; her awareness of those implications remained hidden however in the emotions that bled through her intimate gesture and in no way shone within the sincerity reflected in her eyes as he stared dumbly back at her.

Not capitalizing on the moment cost him, setting them back emotionally as her face blushed and she curled into herself; her steps carrying her backwards as she quickly backed away to gain distance.

"I'm sorry I don't know what came over me. Just…pretend I didn't say anything. I must still be a little disoriented from everything that happened." Smiling awkwardly, $Name stopped three feet from him awaiting with a fidget for him to rise and continue.

Cursing inwardly that he had fallen victim to disorientation, Kakashi rose effortlessly and reached out an olive branch of his own desperate to gain the connection he had just severed.

"If I pretend it never happened then I deny all the feelings you had in conveying them to me." Dusting himself off and removing the bandana he took a step forward and waited.

Tensing but not suggesting she wanted to run, he held her gaze that contained within it a storm of emotions both realized and not.

"In all the time I have had this scar, no one has handled it so kindly let alone shared a desire to have such a weapon gaze on them for any reason."

He took another step and hesitated. $Name flinched but didn't turn to run or back up to maintain distance. This left two feet between them.

"You can understand why it might have shocked me a little to have someone, especially someone I share a bond with, express such a desire since most fear or dismiss my eye; separating the man from the weapon."

Taking slow steps forward, never breaking eye contact, Kakashi came to stand directly in front of $Name so she looked up at him with a mixture of fascination, embarrassment and curiosity.

"In truth, it would be beneficial if you trained with me while my sharingan was exposed so you are not caught at a disadvantage. Just understand…"

It was a risk he was willing to take as he could tell she teetered know the precipice of fight and flight. It took only a second before he was behind her, her arms pinned behind her back with one hand as the other wrapped around to rest on her abdomen. With her secured, he pressed his lips to her ear and spoke in a low voice laced with hints of his dormant desire.

"I won't go easy on you. Your life belongs to me."

Grazing the lobe with each syllable in a vernacular kiss, Kakashi expressed his own raw sentiments with both his body and mind. Pulling her against him so she molded against as much of his body as her pinned hands allowed, he invited her to desire him hoping the memory of being against him with his voice in her ear would sink into her conscious and make her crave more even if it only lead to excuses for her to see him.

They would still be excuses he could take advantage of.

The silence between my words and his lack of response made my stomach turn. Why had I said that? I hadn't even come to terms with that being something I wanted until last night and here I am confessing to wanting to see his eye.

And with a kiss on his scar no less! What the hell had come over me? With my heart racing and bile rising up my throat, I stepped hurriedly backwards hoping distance would dilute whatever power he seemed to have over me when we were in close proximity.

Once distance was gained, I stumbled out an apology. He needed to understand that it was nothing , SHOULD be nothing, that I was just rambling an internal monologue outside and didn't mean anything by it. But as I looked at his eye I knew deep down that wasn't true.

Somehow that eye held the key to everything I had felt since that fateful mission and was slowly shaping the person I was even without me acknowledging it. I had painted my flat in its color; had slept better than I had in years after doing so as well. I even found myself getting frustrated today when it didn't fall on me at all today, sure it was covered but I knew all I needed was for Kakashi to look at me and that eye would capture me wrapping me in its crimson heat and giving me a piece of mind I didn't know I needed.

That's why I didn't run as he walked slowly towards me. Sure the embarrassed part of me wanted to, but the stubborn part that wanted answers and craved something completely irrational won out. So I stood my ground and kept my eyes locked on his even when my knees began to get weak the closer he got.

I wasn't really listening to what he was saying as he got closer. All I focused on was the intensity of his eye and the tone of his voice. The closer he got and the calmer he spoke the more my body began to relax. Before I knew it he was in front of me staring down with his clear red eye and I…I was completely at his mercy.

In a flash I was reminded of the times when my father and I would train when I was young and I would lose my temper so badly at my failures I would end up exhausted and hurt. Inconsolable like a wounded feral animal hell bent on proving everyone wrong about what I could do I would lash out at him as I cried.

Instead of yelling, dragging me off or abandoning me he would calmly confront me with his kind, unwavering gaze and soft voice until he could get close enough to wrap me in a bear hug while I balled my eyes out in frustration.

Though not the same affectionate gesture, the security of Kakashi's body against mine as his soft voice bore into my brain triggered the same feelings of acceptance and intimacy, evolving as the last words rang out in my mind into something less innocent and pure.

"Your life belongs to me."

Belongs to him. I belong to him. The idea of his red eye and solid comfort possessing me entirely without reservation or hesitation, even on a whim, both excited and terrified me. I had not, until now, been faced with the possibility that the absence of a comforting and constant male presence in my life had such a profound impact on me.

Yes losing a parent, even as a more mature person, is hard to process and accept, but I had never realized until now - and only just slightly- that I had felt starved of male direction, security, and affection to such a degree when he died.

But now, as Kakashi pressed against me with his hand securely but not repressively resting on my abdomen all I could do was let go. Tears began pooling in my eyes and my heart started aching. I wanted nothing more in this moment then to be held by this man and told that I was okay, that I would be okay, and that he would protect me no matter what.

On the verge of ugly crying I leaned back into him and tilted my head up before thinking, my mind too exhausted to comprehend all the overwhelming emotions, 'Daddy, please help me' before the dam broke and the tears fell.

I had never expected him to read my thoughts and say "It's okay princess, Daddy's here" until my mind shot into focus at the sound of his huskier voice in my ear and I realized I hadn't thought that, I had said it.

And I was pretty sure I couldn't take it back or that I even wanted to.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie?

There is a profound moment when reality and perception split and the mind fights for purchase. Slamming against preconceived notions and dense smoke screens it darts frantically around its limitless cavity desperate to find something believable and tangible to hold onto.

Bound by Kakashi's words and held by the vision of a man I needed to let go of but didn't have the emotional strength to establish myself without, I floundered internally in Kakashi's grasp gasping between sobs riddled with terror and sadness as I weakly fought against his grip a few moments before my legs gave out and we crumpled to the ground together; his body encasing mine as his crouched legs spread out to either side creating a barrier to confine my rampant emotions as he continued to hold me firmly.

Still leaning back against his chest -my head turned away from his- I begged him to stop.

"Kakashi, let me go. I don't want this…I don't want you to…"

"Shhhh." He whispered softly. "It's just you and me. I won't think any less of you. Trust me. You are going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay."

His hand tightened around my stomach then so it wrapped entirely around me while the one on my wrists released my right hand before carefully bringing my now sore left around my front so he could wrap me up in both his arms.

Breathing in through the pain of my sore joint, I could do nothing but quietly cry as he held me, my shame mingling with the desperate need to seek affection from him unabashedly in my emotionally weak state.

Feeling small and raw inside I curled into him and stopped fighting, not willing to think what tomorrow would bring.

That's when he began to rock slowly back and forth, a feat that seemed physically impossible in his crouched position with my ass plastered to the ground and my body wedged against him. Unable to think clearly and feeling completely drained, I closed my eyes and relaxed against him.

The next thing I knew I was breathing in the faint scent of lemon as my head rested on the slightly firm surface of a cotton material that didn't register as anything worn by Kakashi. Opening my eyes and sitting up, I felt a stiff towel fall into my lap as my eyes took in my room in the medical ward and the Hokage sitting next to me.

"I'm glad you are finally awake. You were asleep for two days and we had to sedate you the first day when that irresponsible ninja brought you here because you had a very high fever and had become pale."

Disoriented, I looked around for the ninja in question only to be surprised when a pug with a bandana jumped onto the bed.

"Before you worry yourself sick, he's at home with strict instructions to sleep. I'm here in his place and will take my leave to let him know you have recovered enough to wake."

Turning on the small dog with mild fury, Tsunade gave her thoughts on the matter.

"Like hell you will! That idiot needs to stay as far away for as long as possible so she can rest and recover. She was sick because of the emotional strain she was under and if I had to guess it was his fault!"

Turning to me with a deceptive smile, she continued.

"If I hadn't thrown him out he would have been sick as well. He stayed with you the first two days without eating or sleeping worried he had pushed you too far. He wouldn't tell me what happened but judging your symptoms I knew it was more emotional than anything."

She sighed heavily then. "That's when I agreed to let one of the Ninken stay in his place."

Looking down at the dog I smiled and placed my hand on his head to rub it before scratching behind his ears and under his chin.

"I appreciate the company."

The dog just gave a weird snort growl before his jowls turned up slightly in a grin.

"Since I'm not foolish enough to think I can keep him away the entire time, I'll go pay him a visit." Rising she spoke one final time before turning and leaving. "You will be here at least another day before I release you. Try to rest as much as you can until then."

I nod. "Thank you Hokage."

She just smiled and then left leaving me alone with the pug and my thoughts. Laying down on my side facing the door, I continued to pet his ugly cute face, which he didn't seem to mind or seem to be in any hurry to leave.

To say Tsunade was mad was the understatement of the year. Not only was she pissed when she got to Kakashi's place and found he wasn't there, she now had to traipse down to $Name's house and recover the idiot since the Ninken left at his place relayed the message that she never told him he had to sleep at his home, just go home and sleep. Since he couldn't sleep there and he was worried about $Name -knowing full well the Hokage wouldn't release her without visiting him first- he had no reservations about going to the place that reminded him the most of her and sleeping there.

And to be honest it was the best sleep he had in forever. Though her bed was meant only for one, her sheets were soft and warm, her pillow as smooth and pliant as her skin and the faint scent of her was intoxicating, pulling him to sleep as soon as he settled under the covers.

It took Tsunade yelling at him once she entered at full volume next to $Name's bed for him to wake up enough to open his eye and acknowledge her.

"YOU PERVERT! DO I HAVE TO BAN YOU FROM HANGING OUT WITH JIRAIYA AND HER ROOM! WHAT PERVERSITY MADE YOU THINK THIS WAS OKAY!"

Growling at his nonchalant response as he rose to a seated position before covering himself with $Name's comforter as he sat looking at Tsunade, she continued to tear into him.

Would you mind telling me what happened now that we don't have people around?

Kakashi yawned. "Nope."

Tsunade's eye twitched. THAT WASN'T A REQUEST!"

Kakashi just fell back over and closed his eyes pretending to snore wrapped like a burrito in $Name's comforter.

Growling openly she yelled again. "Don't make me send you out on a mission as punishment for your behavior!"

Kakashi sat up and dropped the blanket before uncovering his bandana from under the pillow and putting it on.

"That wouldn't be a wise decision." His voice was dead serious and a chill entered the room.

"At least I have your attention."

"You do realize you are hard to ignore."

Tsunade's eye twitched. "Look. I know she got sick from emotional strain. I just want to know what happened, what might have caused it."

Rising, Kakashi turned to make the bed. "If I knew that she wouldn't have gotten ill. At some point you need to realize I won't tell you because I have nothing to tell you."

Waiting a moment for him to finish and turn around Tsunade spoke softly.

"Nothing to tell me or nothing you want to admit to?"

Glaring at her Kakashi remained quiet.

"Look Kakashi. I meant it when I said you were the only one who could help her. I am and remain completely behind you two. But I have to make sure she remains healthy and happy in the process. That being said, what happened three days ago caused a complete shut down of her body. Whatever you did you have to be careful. She can't take too many more hits like that. It will destroy her bodies ability to fight back and recover."

Turning and walking to the door Tsunade gave one last remark. "If you care about her at all you have to be more careful. And if you find yourself more than caring you can never let her go. It might just kill her."

Then she was gone leaving Kakashi to put the place back the way he had found it before heading to see $Name.

Push Me, Pull Me

Tsunade was right. Kakashi really did come right over. Unfortunately our reunion wasn't exactly what I thought it would be.

Knocking once, Kakashi opened the door and scowled at the sight of Pakkun on his back with his tongue lolling out as I casually rubbed his belly.

"I told you to guard her and notify me when she was awake." His voice was irritated and his eyes hard.

Removing my hand from Pakkun's belly I tuck it into my lap as he rises with a slight whine.

"I'm sorry. He stayed with me because Tsunade said she was going to visit you. He was actually a very sweet and comforting substitute. I didn't mean to get him in trouble."

Still glaring at the dog but speaking to me, he moved towards the bed.

"Watch the door. Don't let anyone in unless it is Tsunade and then notify me if it is her."

Pakkun just huffs and says something under his breath which causes Kakashi to tense as he tries to ignore it.

With the dog outside, Kakashi walked to a chair at the foot of the bed and sits down causing me more distress than I cared to admit since at first he wouldn't look at me and when he did his eye was covered.

Acting as if nothing substantial happened, he began questioning me about my condition.

"Seems like you recovered well. I have to admit you gave me a scare when you passed out and started burning up. It was like your whole body was on fire."

With a brain that had a habit of running full throttle with most things, I quickly went from imagining me hot in Kakashi's arms to me in a hospital gown and Kakashi not leaving for two days causing my face to redden again. Fortunately my eyes also went wide so he didn't think I was relapsing.

"Don't think too hard about it. The nurses undressed you and I stood outside. They let me back in when you were settled."

Relieved and slightly disappointed, I set my face in a expressionless mask. "I see. That's good then."

"Still, it took a day under anesthesia and two after that wore off for the recovery process to yield any results. It seems you had been under substantial stress."

Here his eyebrows pinched slightly and worry crossed his brow making my heart flutter. Was that a sign he was worried? Trying not to react, just listen, I linked my hands together and began idly messing with my fingers.

Silence permeated the space between us then leaving the only sound the noises of the world outside that knew nothing of the chaos that roiled under the surface of this room.

Finally Kakashi asked, "Do you feel okay?"

I just nodded and bowed my head unable to look at the eyes that had lost the intensity I had witnessed a smattering of days ago. "Tsunade says I need to be here one more day and then I will be released. I know that is going to set my training back…"

Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, I clench the sheets in my fists and fought back tears that were rushing in from nowhere. Tears that never fell because my body, just as quickly, was cradled by Kakashi's as he wrapped his arms around me and held me with my forehead against his chest.

"Don't do that. You can't do that."

His voice was suddenly fearful and intense catching me off guard and making me swallow my tears before they could ever fall.

"You can't let yourself get worked up over silly stuff."

Then he pulled back and looked me in the eye never releasing his arms from around me.

"I'm not going anywhere. You have to trust me."

Sniffling and pushing my luck, I said "How am I supposed to trust you if you insist on hiding from me when it's just us?"

We stared at each other and I can see the hesitancy behind his eyes as he battles with something he hasn't shared with me yet. Wanting to comfort him, I reach for his bandana so I can run my fingers over his scar - an unwritten sign of my acceptance I want to ingrain in his subconscious- but seconds before my finger comes in contact with the fabric a loud bark erupts causing Kakashi to dart back to his chair leaving me hanging like a marionette in mid performance.

When the door opens and Tsunade steps in, she locks eyes with Kakashi who retains his expressionless mask causing her to slightly scrunch up her eyes in skepticism.

"I can't let you sleep here now that she is awake you know that right? Besides, the girl needs a break eventually. I'll clear her to walk in the back garden with you but that is as far as you go. Just let me run a few tests first."

Coming to sit beside me, Tsunade takes my temperature, draws some blood, listens to my heart and a few other things that I'm beginning to believe she is doing just to see if she can irritate Kakashi who has pulled out his book and begun to read as he waits.

Slightly depressed that he can just switch off like that and go from potential intimacy to casual every day care free I begin to chew my lip.

Then Tsunade catches my attention as she brings her face close to mine and whispers, "Don't worry, he is antsy. He has read that same page at least five times now and if not the page, then the paragraph. Just make sure you aren't biting off more than you can chew.

Turning my head as I flush slightly, Tsunade finishes.

"There, all done. Just make sure to bring her back and tuck her in before bed."

Kakashi gives no response but Tsunade looks at me and winks before exiting the room.

When we can no longer hear her presence, I hesitantly inquire, "It might be nice to get up and stretch my legs. Will you walk with me outside for a little while?"

Glancing my way we lock eyes momentarily before he sets his book down and walks over to my bed. Holding out his hand he waits patiently for me to take it so we can help me up.

Embarrassed, I push his hand aside. "I'm not an invalid. I can get up and walk my…." Then a Yelp escapes my lips as he leans over and takes me over his shoulder; his arm locking my knees against him as he carries me to the garden.

Once there, he slides me down his chest leaving me slightly breathless and flushed. Beating a fist against his chest I half heartedly voice attempted displeasure.

"Damn you, you idiot. I could do it myself." Stepping backwards I lose my balance and fall back only to be caught and pulled against his chest yet again.

"You were saying?"

Pouting, I turn my head and sulk but make no move to release myself from his grip. Even without putting up a fight he insisted on pushing my buttons.

"You know if you don't want me here I can always take you back and leave you alone."

Turning my face sharply I glare at him. "I never said that."

"Maybe not, but that is what you're actions are telling me now that we are outside. I bet you just used me to get you out of that room."

Part of me knew he was teasing, goading me for a response I too easily was inclined to give him. In truth, if I had more sense then, I would have realized he was begging for the same affectionate validation I was, we just went about it differently. Sadly, my naivety afforded me no such wisdom. Yanking free I stormed over to the tree in the center and leaned against it hugging myself tightly in an attempt to block out the hurtful accusations that should never have upset me in the first place.

But they did, and resting against the tree only validated how dead it made me feel and how lifeless the world was when I wasn't wrapped up in the energy I had when circling around Kakashi. Even if I couldn't see him or touch him, just knowing he was around the corner gave me life, hope, and a sense of solace I had lacked the last several years.

Even if it wasn't anything more than just one sided flirtation, it involved moments I stole from his life that he could never get back. Moments that would imprint memories of me wherever he went.

A one sided flirtation. The thought left a black hole in my stomach. How had this happened? How had feelings for a man I should have no attachment to crept up and overwhelmed me? And why did everyone see it before me?

Leaning farther into the tree I cursed softly. "Damnit."

"You know, princesses are supposed to be ladies and ladies shouldn't speak like that."

Despite no arms wrapping around me, despite our eyes not meeting, despite his lips never touching my ear, I felt the teasing affection behind his words as he came to stand directly behind me.

Wanting nothing more than to press back into him like I had during training I sensed the awkwardness in the space between us so instead I spoke to the emptiness in front of me.

"What are you my father?" It was meant to be petulant jab but instead it backfired.

"No, my dear I am not your father. I would never dream of replacing him. Instead, I intend to be…"

His voice filled my ear then as he bent around me and placed his lips to my right ear. "…your daddy."

Miss Me When I'm Gone

The world stopped then, or maybe it wasn't the world maybe it was just that I was frozen in time and the world was spinning faster than I could perceive. Either way, in that moment, I lost consciousness of everything around me except Kakashi.

Closing my eyes so as to block everything out, I focused all my energy and extended all my senses so they just perceived him. When at first I couldn't feel him, I extended my chakra outward farther wanting to fill the space between us and around us with the solid feeling of his presence. Even then I could not find him.

Frantic, I turned around. How could he say something like that and not explain it? How could he just toy with my emotions and then leave me hanging? Seeing him back at the door to the hospital casually leaning along the wall infuriated me. What the hell?

"I think it's time I took you back in. You need to eat something before bed since you haven't really eaten anything recently."

Glaring at him with clenched fists at my sides I storm up to and then past him heading back to my room. We don't speak the entire way back and he continues to walk behind me which only further irritates me. When I get inside, I want to slam the door shut in his face, but his hand holds the door over my head so I cannot. Clamping my jaw, I walk briskly to the bed before yanking back the covers, slipping under them and turning to face the window as I curl into a crescent shape; my hands hugging the extra pillow to my body.

"I'll go find the nurse and tell her to bring you food. Try not to do anything rash between now and then."

I can hear him turn and head toward the door. My anger increases, but my insecurity remains my driving emotion.

"Care to explain what you said back there?" I desperately want to know but I also am terrified of the answer.

He stops then and pauses for a moment before answering. "If you really want to know, ask me when you are released. Until then, why don't you think about it and try to figure out what your feelings are and what you really want." Then silence again a few seconds before Pakkun jumps back up on the bed and comes to lie down against my back. "Take care of her for me. Let me know if anything happens." Then he opens the door and walks out without even a goodbye.

It had tore at him all three days she had been unconscious. Should he tell her and risk sending her into this state again? Should he keep trying to drag it out of her? The guilt he felt at forcing her hand was palpable and yet he couldn't help but feel a little relief knowing her feelings regarding him had caused her to have such an intense reaction. Maybe she didn't realize it, but she did have some type of attraction to him.

For two days he had stayed by her side with no food or sleep eating himself alive on the inside. Though she wasn't helpless or weak, she was fragile. Her emotions, though fierce, teetered on a fine rope of memories and ideals that couldn't hold her forever. He knew breaking them down wouldn't be pleasant and building them up wouldn't be easy, but he never expected her to be shattered so badly by the whole experience.

The argument he had with Tsunade the day she threw him out was the only one they had in the history of knowing each other that almost came to blows. Not able to think rationally, he had dug his heels in and adamantly defied her telling the Hokage he wasn't going to leave unless he was unconscious or dead; a proposition Tusnade had no problem obliging. The only thing that stopped her was the interference of Jiraiya who had come by to offer support to Kakashi by bringing him a new book that might help take his mind off things. When he saw the two almost at blows, he proposed using a dog as a stand in.

Not thrilled with leaving, but willing to accept the alternative, Kakashi had left Pakkun with specific instructions to contact him when she awoke and headed out of the hospital. Try as he might when we got home he couldn't relax. His flat was so lifeless and it made him realize how empty his life was without $name. Not knowing when he would see her or what shape she would be in when he awoke left him anxious and fidgety. Knowing he should get some sleep, he had another pup watch his house with instructions for Tsunade and headed to $name's to look in on it so she could come back and not have to worry about what had happened to it while she had been out. The rest was history.

Now, as he left the hospital and her room once again, Kakashi was filled with the same anxious insecurity. He had been certain in the garden she had feelings for him and had taken a leap in faith telling her just what he wanted to do hoping she would accept it openly and honestly. Her hesitancy and lack of response had thrown him off and put him on the defensive. Maybe he had miscalculated. Maybe he had jumped the gun.

Giving her space to process and him a chance to regroup, he had repositioned himself by the door before suggesting they head inside and get her something to eat. When her fierce look and grandiose tantrum came in response, he knew he hadn't miscalculated.

Sighing internally, his inside filled with nervous currents charged with his anxiety, he watched with an aloof eye to see just how frazzled by the whole thing she was.

As she came to the door, her foot planted just inside the frame and her body slid slightly right as she grabbed the door, a glaring indication she was considering slamming it in his face. Darting forward he grabbed and failed to suppress a smile as she stormed to her bed and covered up making sure to face away from him.

Such ferocity in such a small package. Making sure she we settled he made good his escape.

"I'll go find the nurse and tell her to bring you food. Try not to do anything rash between now and then."

She didn't bite and truth be told he didn't expect her to. Not turning around, she kept a cold detachment that was a good enough signal to give her space even though he would have bet money she didn't really want it.

But what you want isn't always what you get.

Which is why he told her to ask him again when she was released about what he had said in the garden. It would give her time to think and come to her own conclusions before they took this past the point of no return. With the feelings he had now there would be no turning back if they flew in head first. She deserved a chance to consider and accept what he proposed.

Calling forth Pakkun he set him to guard her before exiting the room and leaving her to her thoughts. It wasn't fair to put her through this and not tell her what she was getting into. It was even more unfair to leave her on her own to figure it out, but in some cases knowledge, like revenge, was a plate best served cold when emotions weren't as high and cooler heads prevailed.

The question was would she hate him for what he was about to do or would it bring her to a conclusion they both could come to terms with?

Fortunately Tsunade was alone in her office when he arrived. Closing the door behind him he made his request.

"I want you to send me out on a mission."

Tsunade stared at him questioningly. "Are you sure that is wise? I take it she doesn't know you are here?"

"She does not."

"Are you sure you want to do this? I can't guarantee when you will be back."

This time it was Kakashi's turn to look questioningly at the Hokage. "Is there a reason I should be worried when I will arrive back?"

Tsunade leaned back in her chair. "I take it you don't know."

"What is there to know?" Raking his brain Kakashi tried to think over why it would matter when he might arrive back. He had just assumed Tsunade would give him something easy to pass a few days giving him ample time to face $Name with a strong reserve."

"You know for a man as diligent as you I would have thought you would have known her birthday is only two weeks away."

Closing his eyes and bowing his head as he sighs Kakashi dismissively says, "Just give me something within the date range."

Tsunade's face turns hard. "Didn't I tell you not to give up on her and to take care of how you treated her? Do you even know how much this little escapade could set you back?"

He just shrugs. "I have to trust my gut."

Growling in frustration, she rustles through the pages on her desk and pulls out a C class escort quest. "This should have you there and back in two weeks with time to spare to do something thoughtful to save your ass." Then she slams it on the table before crossing her arms and scowling.

Walking forward and picking it up, Kakashi gives the paper a once over and nods. "I told her to think while she recovers about what she really wants and what she is willing to accept. This should give her just enough time to do that and me the time to figure out the rest."

Then he disappeared leaving Tsunade drained. Maybe she could come up with a reason to have $Name stay in the hospital. Pinching her nose between her fingers she sighed.

"Why don't you leave her to me. I'm sure between him and I we can sort everything out." Jiraiya entered the room saying.

Though skeptical at first since she hadn't sensed his presence outside the room. though there was no place else he could be and gave knowledge of the conversation, she was inclined to believe Jiraiya was just the person to fill in the emotional gaps those two children lacked.

"Just don't fuck it up."

Laughing before giving his idiot smile Jiraiya did his best to reassure her. "I promise I will be a complete gentleman."

Snorting, Tsunade just shook her head. "No taking her to shady places Jiraiya."

Looking at her seriously he assured her he wouldn't.

Not being one to feel comfortable educating someone in the ways of intimate relationships, Tsunade just waved him off. If nothing else it would be an education of a lifetime. There was no way Jiraiya would force her to do anything. He was actually quite a gentleman. The bigger concern was how she would feel knowing Kakashi left and might not be back in time.

A Rose By Any Other Name

"He's on a mission?" I asked Pakkun outside the hospital as I was released the following day.

"That's right. I'll be staying with you until he get's back. It is also my understanding you will be training with Jiraiya until he returns as well."

My brow furrowed in worry. "He expects to be gone that long?"

"Try not to worry. It's only a C grade escort mission. It should be fine. Odds are he will be back before the month is up."

Twisting my lips to the side I shove my hands in the pockets of my pants. "I see."

More nervous than I was frustrated, I tried not to think that he would have left so he wouldn't have to deal with me when I got out. We hadn't parted on the best of terms, which I was feeling stupid and guilty about. Still, why would he say why he did and then leave? Did he not mean it? Did he change his mind?"

Pakkun and I walked in silence the rest of the way to my house. I had the day off to recoup and get settled, which now seemed an awful lot of time to be alone. As I continued to muddle over Kakashi's absence, I opened the door and walked inside only to be taken by complete surprise.

This was not how I had left my house the morning I went to train and never came back. My floor was spotless, my dishes were all put away, the room smelled fresh, my bed was meticulously made and there were white roses with one red one in the center on the table with a note.

With teary eyes I picked up the note and read it.

$Name,

Here are the flowers I never brought to the hospital because I didn't want to create a scene and a lot of questions; you needed to rest. I came by and cleaned up your place before falling asleep in your bed. I made it before I left. I didn't want you to worry about what might have happened here while you were away so I took care of it for you. Hurry up and get better. We have a lot of training to do and it will be nice to see your smiling, stubborn face.

Kakashi

"Stupid." I was so mad at myself. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" I sat down in the chair and balled my eyes out. I was the reason he left. Me and my insecurity. Me and my inability to see his kindness. Me and my selfish emotions. Burying my head in my arms I cried and cried, not even realizing Pakkun had left and come back with Jiraiya until his hand rested on my shoulder.

"Now, now I'm sure you being this upset isn't good for your health right now."

Slightly embarrassed, I swallowed my tears as best I could and rose my head; taking the handkerchief the Sage held out for me.

"These are quite beautiful aren't they. Especially that red one. It reminds me a lot of his eye."

Leaning my head on my fist I just nodded as my lower lip quivered.

"You know, in the entire time I have known Kakashi, I have never seen him have a meaningful relationship nor vest in another person like he has with you." Removing his hand and coming to sit beside me in one of the other chairs Jiraiya continues as I look at the flowers.

"He even cleaned this place which he never does for anyone else. Tsunade said he actually looked adorable wrapped in your comforter when she was yelling at him after you woke up."

The image hit me and I laughed slightly before sniffling.

"He is taking his time and doing a lot of research to try to figure out how to deal with how he feels you know."

I look at Jiraiya curiously. "Research?"

"That's right." He smiles and nods. "Let me ask you. Did you two fight before he left?"

Turning my eyes down my face pulls into a frown. "Not a fight per se he just said some things I didn't understand and then when he acted like he wanted to take them back I got upset and wouldn't talk to him or look at him."

"I see. Care to tell me what he said that you didn't understand?"

My face turned red as I quickly recalled what he said.

"You don't have to tell me, though considering the information I know about how all this started and the books and materials I know he perused, I'm pretty sure I know what was said."

Jerking my head around to look at Jiraiya I blurt out, "What do you mean what you know about how this started?"

Jiraiya raised his hands in surrender. "Easy girl, you yourself should know what I'm referring to unless you completely forgot the day he recovered you and carried you back in his arms when that mission went south."

Scrunching my eyes, I tried to think back. "I know he brought me back but I don't remember seeing him or him carrying me at all. That's all a blank."

Jiraiya sighs. "I think you just found your problem."

"My problem?"

"Yes. Because you don't remember you have no idea why Kakashi said whatever he did today that confused you, thus creating a tension between you that didn't need to exist."

"Why he said…that?"

Jiraiya nods. "Would you like me to fill you in?"

Eager for an explanation for everything that had happened, I nod. "Yes please."

"Very well just don't shoot the messenger."

The rest of the evening was spent being told the story of what I had said when Kakashi arrived that had triggered his unexpected emotions, the research he had done in an attempt to understand what he felt and what he thought I wanted, and where the course of events had taken us until now. Most of it I spent mortifyingly embarrassed since Kakashi had told these things to Jiraiya in confidence, but it also made me warm inside to finally know about Kakashi's feelings and begin to understand why what he said affected me so much. When Jiraiya finished I was smiling like an idiot.

"Now, does what he said make more sense?"

Nodding I rubbed my index finger absentmindedly over the table. "I'm just not sure what to do or what it means to have him tell me he intends to be my daddy."

Jiraiya whistles and I blush harder.

"He must have thought you were in a good place to accept his feelings. What did you do?"

Half frowning, I reply, "I closed my eyes and tried to reach out with my chakra to fill the space between us so I could feel close to him. I was confused and had a lot of insecurity at that moment and wasn't sure how to respond. When I couldn't find him I turned around and he was leaning on the wall at the entrance to the hospital."

"Colossal idiot." Jiraiya shook his head. "He got ahead of himself and then got his feelings hurt when you didn't overwhelmingly accept him."

Looking up at him with slight fear and anxiousness I ask, "So how do I fix it? What if he doesn't come back? What if he comes back and doesn't want to be around me?" Feeling overwhelmed and scared I reach out and take hold of the vase bringing the flowers to my nose and trying to find some comfort as I breathe in.

"Trust me, he will be back. Didn't he tell you to ask him again once he saw you when you were released?"

I nod slightly.

"Then have faith."

"But it's hard."

"Yes it is. Imagine what he has gone through hiding his feelings as he tries to support you."

I look at Jiraiya awkwardly. "I guess you are right."

He nods. "So I think, starting tomorrow, you need some very specific training so when he comes back things will run a lot smoother."

"Special training?" My face flushes as I envision me sitting down with walls of porn.

"Don't start thinking! I didn't meant like that!"

"Sorry." Was all I said.

"Anyway, I want to take you to meet someone I know. She's quite knowledgeable in this subject and I think would be a good mentor so there are no misunderstandings and things don't get weird."

I sigh in relief. "Ok. Thanks Jiraiya."

He smiles. "You are welcome squirt. Now, try to have a good night and make sure to take extra special care of Pakkun. I love how jealous it makes Kakashi.

He laughs when I blush the rises. "I know it will be hard but try not to worry too much and thanks for opening up." He becomes slightly serious. "Kakashi is an incredible person and deserves all the happiness in the world. As do you. Try to be patient and understanding. This can't be easy for him either. He isn't the most emotionally intelligent person."

Then he smiles and waves before heading out leaving me to gently touch the roses one last time before rising and curling up in bed. The faint smell of Kakashi's scent left over in the sheets pulling me to sleep quickly.

Daddy Kiria Lesson 1 | Day 1: Awareness

"Oh Jiraiya she is just the cutest!" A woman who could be the spitting image of Tsunade squeals next to Jiraiya before turning her head towards him and saying softly, "She is gonna kill that poor boy when I'm done."

Grinning mischievously, Jiraiya introduced me to her as we sit at a table in her home on the South side of town. "$Name, this is Kiria. She and I go way back…"

"We have been going at it since way back you mean." She snickers as Jiraiya turns beat red. "We met while he was coming back from a mission in my hometown. We got a little too drunk and he admitted a little more than he intended about his personal preferences and fantasies." Scratching under his chin affectionately, ignoring his embarrassed sighs of distress, she turns to me.

"That being said, how much do you know about why Jiraiya brought you here?" It was an honest question though her mannerisms were creepily similar to Tsunade's.

"Just that you would be a good mentor for teaching me about…certain things."

Squealing again, Kiria reached over and took my hands since she was sitting next to me. "You are absolutely perfect. Not a single preconception in your body and so innocent. We can use that."

Turning to Jiraiya she waved him off. "You can go. Thank you for the gift now run along. I'll take it from here."

"Yeah, Yeah he said with a slight pout. Before I forget, Tsunade said until her time with me is done $name isn't expected to train with her. That should give you the freedom you need."

Blowing a kiss that turns Jiraiya red again she thanks him, gets up, drags him to the door and shoves him out making sure to lock it behind him.

"Now that that overgrown ball of sentiment is gone we can get down to business. Since Jiraiya didn't tell you but I'm sure you can guess with a few more pieces of information, is that you are here to learn from me what it's like to be someone's little girl as well as what it takes to understand and cultivate a daddy that works for both of you."

I blush but she continues. "There is nothing to be ashamed of. As you can see I have an incredible likeness to Tsunade which is why Jiraiya zeroed in on me in the first place. I have no delusions as to why he and I are friends or what our dynamic actually is. For him, I am a stand in for the relationship he wishes he could have with Tsunade so I help him realize his fantasies. One of which is having a more vulnerable and less confrontational, intimate side to Tsunade as his little girl version of her."

Rising, she walks to the sink and pulls out a glass. "Need something to wash all that down with?"

Completely stunned, I just nod and she pours a glass of water before bringing it to the table where she sits back down, hands it to me and watches me down it before continuing.

"Believe it or not that particular fantasy isn't based on sex at all. Yes there is a lot of passion and yes there is physical intimacy but it is mostly about exploring the trust between two people which is where we need to focus on with you if I have you two's story straight."

I hunch down trying to become smaller in my embarrassment. How can she be so honest about all this?

Humming she leans her head on her wrist and smiles. "Honesty too I guess as well as communication. If you can't tell him what you want and need, which I promise will send him through the roof, this situation won't go anywhere and you both might get hurt. The key is delivery and timing. You have to be able to read his body and know his mind even when he himself doesn't or refuses to acknowledge it."

Looking up with a frown I finally speak. "But what if he rejects me?"

Lifting a finger she chimes in. "Valid concern. Why don't we jump right in and see if I can answer that for you in a way that makes more sense." Reaching her hand out towards me she asks, "Care to go for a stroll?"

We walk in silence down the bustling streets of town. Though our general direction seems to be heading towards the main square, my mind can't wrap itself around the fact that everyone walking by addresses Kiria by name with a friendly welcome. Feeling slightly brazen, I ask.

"How do all these people know you aren't the Hokage?"

She smiles. "I don't have the gem on my forehead and I'm wearing this." Pointing to a charm around her neck with the word wisdom that I hadn't seen before, she winks. "That doesn't mean in the beginning when I moved here there wasn't mass confusion but eventually we all found a way to discern between the reality and the fantasy."

Baffled that someone who seemed so grounded and sure of themselves could have such a double life, I just looked at her in wonder.

Sensing my awe like state, she spoke up. "Trust me when we are done you will understand. Your situation will be no different." Walking to the outskirts of the crowd she sits on a nearby bench. "Look out and tell me what you see."

Looking out and scanning the crowd I respond, "The people around us seem familiar and ordinary. They are both busy and relaxed going about their day with the same energy they always do."

She nods. "A perfectly superficial answer and there is nothing wrong with that but tell me, how do supposed I know Uncle Niriko over there has a dream of creating a super vegetable from his garden that he tends that will revolutionize health and medicine?"

I look at her matter if factly and say, "You asked?"

She bursts out laughing. "Smart ass. I know because of this. You see the color and shape of those veggies in his basket? What do they look like to you?"

Squinting my eyes I look closer. "They are shaped like radishes, but have an orange color and have sturdy green stalks that resemble celery."

She nods. "What do you think that suggests?"

"They are hybrids?"

She nods again. "And?"

Looking deeper for several minutes, I notice the care he takes in arranging the collected vegetables in his basket as he stands and talks to Lady Orime who lives next to him. Lifting my eyes I see the enthusiasm and deep pride etched onto his face as he talks making me focus my hearing to his conversation as he talks about all the methods he has tried and why these are the best of the best so far.

"That his passion is his life and that he is dedicated heart and soul to it." I then point out the things I noticed and she claps.

"Well done. That leads me to my first point. Anyone can be anything if they put their heart to it. The same goes for Daddies which is why Jiraiya brought you to me. Daddies aren't defined by sex they are defined by need. When Kakashi asked you to think about what you needed he was as much asking for you to see if you could accept him as your Daddy as he was asking for you to be his Little."

I turn to her confused. "Little?"

"Yes. By little you wold be defined as his little girl which is the crux of the Daddy dynamic. Every Daddy, be they male or female, is responsible for a little unless they are practicing to be a Daddy on their own in preparation for a little. That requires self exploration which Kakashi seems to have tried to do."

I nod but the look of starting to be overwhelmed must have been evident on my face because Kiria changed gears.

"I can't speak for Kakashi and his feelings with accuracy so my focus is on establishing you within this potential dynamic and testing to see if you and he can support this type of relationship."

Taking in a slow breath she asks, "I'm going to ask you questions and I want you to respond honestly using the first emotions you feel instinctively."

I nod.

"If you were sitting here waiting here for Kakashi and you spotted him walking up what would you want to do?"

Looking out on the crowd I concoct the image before speaking in a soft embarrassed voice. "While he remains at a distance I start to fidget and bite my lip. Once he is close enough I can make out all this features, I jump up and run to him calling his name before jumping up for him to catch me as I wrap my arms behind his neck." Blushing furiously, mortified I would ever admit that, I sit in silence with my head bowed down.

Not skipping a beat, Kiria asks another. "He comes back to your place after being gone on a mission that took several days. He finally arrives around dinner time three days later than he had anticipated in the note he wrote when he finished his mission and sent out. What do you do or what had you done?"

Raising my head I look forward without really seeing as my mind recalls the image of the flowers on the table. "I would have cooked every meal from the time he said he would arrive until he actually arrived. When he didn't show, I would have boxed it up and given it to someone in need the next day as I would have only wanted him to eat something fresh. When he did finally arrive I would have pouted and acted a little mad while inside I would be euphoric. Being also slightly needy I would demand all his attention that day and the next to make up for not arriving when he said."

Firing off another question without hesitation Kiria asks one final thing, "Would you have the heart to love him even when he doesn't love himself? I don't me love him on the surface I mean love his happiness, his pain, his weakness, his fuckups, his injuries, him as he ages, his insecurities, everything. Do you think you could do that?"

We sat in silence several minutes as I recalled our past over the last month. Since I was still trying to sort out how all this came to be it was hard to admit what I felt for Kakashi resembled love since the only love I had was for my father and it was nothing like this. Turning to look at Kiria, I told her the truth. "I'm not sure I can answer that because I'm not completely sure what that kind of love looks like. I've only ever loved my father and this so definitely not that type of relationship."

Kiria smiled and brushed my cheek with her hand. "It is and it isn't, but that's a good start. Now I have an idea of what type of relationship we need to work on."

I cock my head and look at her questioningly. "You do?"

She nods and winks. "Yep. You are a complete brat. My favorite kind."

The rest of the day was spent discussing the different types of Littles, the behaviors of the brat type and digging into more of my feelings about the things that had happened between me and Kakashi; what I wanted to do but hadn't, what I hadn't done and should of and how better to convey my feelings to him within my own comfort zone. By the ens of the day my head was swimming with information but I felt lighter. It was nice to have someone to talk to that didn't treat everything like gossip they were entitled to - nothing against Ino and Sakura mind you.

When I got home, Pakkun was waiting on the bed for me with a rolled up scroll.

"This arrived while you were gone. It's from Kakashi."

Sitting down I hurriedly unroll it.

$Name,

You should be out of the hospital now. I hope you are taking care of yourself. I am a quarter of the way to the destination and have to say training you is far more enjoyable than this. Try not to spoil Pakkun too much or he will never want to do any real work.

Kakashi

I smile slightly and shake my head. "Dismissive jerk." I stand then and place the scroll on my desk before getting out paper and pen to respond.

Kakashi,

I am better thank you and am keeping busy. Tsunade has me training with Jiraiya in your absence and it is rather educational. I am interested to see how what I am learning changes our training sessions once you come back. Please be careful and stay safe.

$Name

Though not a lie, I wasn't ready to divulge my feelings -especially not on paper. Rolling it up and sealing it, I turn to Pakkun. "Can you make sure this goes out after I leave tomorrow to train with Jiraiya?"

"Of course."

I come over to the bed and pet Pakkun's head affectionately. "Thank you Pakkun, you are a huge help."

He just pleasure grumbles.

Suddenly tired, I change into pajamas and headed to bed. Tomorrow, I imagined, would be just as eye opening as today. I would need sleep to be adequately mentally prepared. Nestling with my arm tucked around Pakkun, who began to snore like a small pig dragon, I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

Daddy Kiria Lesson 2 | Day 2: Ground Rules

Day two found me in Kiria's home with ink and paper seated at her table.

"The most important thing in any relationship besides mutual feelings of affection are ground rules and expectations you have or will be communicating. That being said, we are starting out with expectations since we can't create rules if we don't have some form of boundaries. It will also help me understand your comfort level and help guide your acceptance level of this type of relationship." Kiria said as she paced back and forth before coming to an abrupt halt and facing me.

"First, how much experience do you have with the opposite sex on an intimate level?"

Looking down at my paper with red cheeks and nose I quietly say, "Not much."

She slaps her thigh with her hand. "Be. Specific. Have you kissed a guy?"

I nod.

"French, regular, peck, or cheek?"

"Not French." I feel myself getting even more red.

"Have you been groped or felt up?"

I shake my head. "I panic when they try. It doesn't feel right."

Continuing to fire questions Kiria asks, "I take it you haven't been naked in front of a guy or shared touching of private areas either?"

I shake my head violently.

"Oh boy. Okay. Have you ever wanted a guy to be sexual with you or have you ever wanted to be touched or intimately interact with a guy before?"

Thinking back to when Kakashi and I were in my house together "hanging the painting" I nod sheepishly.

"Reeeealy? When was that and what happened?"

I recap the story and she hums while smiling. "There may be hope for you yet." She asks more questions. "Has there been a time where you wanted Kakashi to comfort you?"

I nod without hesitation.

"Hold you?"

I nod again.

"What about tell you he has feelings for you?"

My eyes widen and my mind goes blank leaving me unable to process that concept or respond.

"I see. You aren't there yet." Walking to the table, she sits down reverse in the chair before taking the ink and paper and placing it in front of her. "I'm going to make a list and you are going to red out loud each item and do three things: tell me how it would make you feel, if the answer is yes and if not cross off anything you aren't comfortable with at this moment."

I nod and she begins. When the page is full on one side she stops and slides it to me saying, "Now before each one you have to say 'Do I want Kakashi to' and then each item I wrote, got it?"

I nod and look down reading the first line aloud. "Do I want Kakashi to compliment me in private or in public?" I think for a moment before responding. "Yes to both, though more

In public than private. Something about him saying nice things in public excites me and makes me feel like he sees me and is proud of me. That recognition makes me want to do more things that give that same result."

Kiria smiles "Next?"

"Do I want Kakashi to tease me verbally in public and in private?" I think back to all the conversations we had and realize that even the times he teases me negatively he isn't being hurtful and I am forced to accept that I miss having that connection.

"Yes to both but I would want him to tease me playfully and never tease me harshly."

"That's good! Write that down on a separate piece of paper. That will be ground rule number one."

I do as she says before reading the next one. "Do I want Kakashi to tease me physically in private, public or both?" Turning my head I ask, "physically how?"

She winks, "technically that is up to you to define with him, but I will give you some ideas. Can he play with your hair, poke you, whisper in your ear, slide his finger up your arm/leg/under your waistband, lick your ear, and so on?"

The more she says the redder I get. The thought of Kakashi licking my ear in public or running his hand up my leg is overwhelming. Shifting to the other page with ground rules I write out my stipulations before reading the next.

"Do I want Kakashi to hold my hand or any part of my body in public or private? If so is it only when I initiate it or can he?" Thinking back to the concept of comfort, I give my feelings on the issue and then jot down that I am ok in private but in public I only want it if I initiate it.

I keep reading and writing down my stipulations as we go until the list is finally done. Looking up at Kiria I have a slight smile of triumph.

"Feel good?" She asks and I nod. "Good. This is only a start though. What I think you should do is show this list to him when he gets back and discuss with him that this could change as things change between you two. This will give him an idea of what you are comfortable with because it is his prime responsibility to only do things with you that are in your best interests. That of course requires you to admit you have some kind of feelings for him that warrant a more serious relationship."

I scrunch up my face and set my lip in a worried bunch.

"Can you honestly say after everything you two have been through and everything he has done to show you small fragments of his feelings that you don't have any desire to be with him in an intimate relationship?"

I think back to the bedroom after I came back from the hospital, the beautiful roses on the table of my clean house with the scent of him still in my sheets, and realize that I have not felt lonely or alone since Kakashi and I started this strange dynamic. Thinking back further I carefully reassess the moments where we could have been intimate and get the the same ache in between my legs and from my nipples as I am forced to see just how close we were to something more. My thoughts then switch back to the garden and him leaving the hospital and not saying goodbye before his mission and how hurt that had actually made me.

Looking up and into Kiria's questioning eyes I say, "No, I cannot because even if I can't label it as love I can't say it isn't friendship either. I definitely want to move towards something more but I'm scared of how to do it and being rejected."

Kiria reached up a hand and ruffles my hair. "And if Kakashi told you how he felt even if it was awkward?"

Pursing my lips I closed my eyes a moment before opening them and responding. I want to believe I would accept but tell him we need to take it slow."

She clapped her hands then and squeezed, "I'll take it! Now, let's work on your self esteem and some other personal developments. You don't give yourself enough credit. There is a lot to love about you and being a virgin that is inexperienced doesn't change that. If anything that makes this more special for you both.

Time Waits for No Man

"Two days left and he is either going to make a glorified entrance or be a glorified idiot." Kiria grumbled to Jiraiya who stood next to her in the kitchen after one of her final sessions with $Name.

"I have faith he will make it but I also have no doubt he is going to make himself look like a glorified idiot." Jiraiya's response was matter of fact and Kiria sighed.

"That's why I have a contingency plan."

Jiraiya looked at her curiously sideways.

"That's right. All we have to do is get to him first which means we have to control his destination."

"Why do I feel like I'm going to lose sleep over this?" He moped.

"We all are you big pervert. Now shut up and listen."

There hadn't been a day or minute that passed where Kakashi didn't know to the second how much time he had left to make it back for $Name's birthday. Sure he had blown it off as no big thing to Tsunade, but inside he was a wreck when she told him.

What should he get her? What would she like? How should he give it to her? Would she even accept it? Should he tell her his feelings or just leave things as they are?

After feeling some rejection in the garden at the hospital and his subsequent rapid exit from town, Kakashi found that subconscious guilt was the second worst kind of torture imaginable; second only to Tsunade being right about him being sure he should leave and knowing she would never let him live it down should he admit to it.

It hadn't sunk in until the second day on the road how much he missed having her around. Her innocence kept him grounded. Her wit challenged him and forced him to look at her like an equal instead of his superior or inferior. Then there were the swirling emotions that roiled and raged in the depths of her eyes changing their color depending on her mood. When she was excited the lowlights brightened. When she was mad her highlights darkened. She was the epitome of turbulence and fragility all compressed into an independent and mouthy frame that no one could tame. No one, he hoped, but him.

The more he had witnessed the array of her personality the more he wanted to touch and indulge in every layer he could peel back. Yet here he was, stubbornly doing an escort mission to "help teach her about her emotions" while he punished them both for his frustration at not being able to get her to understand his feelings and the ones he hoped she had that mirrored his.

Now, as the mission came to an end and he found himself two days away from a complete disaster, the only thing that kept him going was the thought that when he made it back things would be different. He would be different. Yes he wanted her to fulfill a role that he hadn't realized he had been open to, but backing her into a corner wasn't the way to do that. If it was one thing he realized with almost two weeks of time on his hands was what his actions looked like from the outside. No matter how you viewed them, he had been in her face with every major attempt and that hurt him the most.

How much of her last episode had been his fault? Had he pushed her that hard? Nothing suggested she would have collapsed if he hadn't pushed her. Groaning inwardly, he wrapped up the final details of his mission and headed home. Two days should be enough if he ran straight through now that he didn't have to make stops. Hell, he had stayed up two days straight just watching over her in the hospital so this should be easy especially given how much anxiety he had about making it in time.

Two weeks had gone by fast. After day two Kiria and I had delved into my emotional onion as she called it pulling back layer upon layer of hesitation and finding out exactly what I was looking for while trying to determine if Kakashi was the right fit and where exactly I fit in with the Daddy dynamic.

Having established a deep seated need to cling to the vulnerable little girl side of me that my father had cherished while exerting a more dominate adult set of needs and emotions I now brandished a familiarity with myself I had never felt comfortable embracing until now.

One question still remained and that was wether my knew found knowledge would hold up against Kakashi's presence or if it would crumble and I would revert to how I was before he left.

At first the thought of meeting him again when he returned upset and angered me. Having finally acknowledged I had some form of attraction to him, I was hurt that he would just leave me to handle things on my own after having stuck by me this entire time.

Coming to that reality, Kiria had smiled. "Don't be surprised if you tell him all about that when he comes back. I know I would. Things like that are useful weapons, just realize they may have unexpected consequences so broach them with care."

I had filed that away and continued with the lesson taking the advice with the sincerity it had been given without question or complaint.

Now, with the morning bringing my birthday and no sign that Kakashi had returned, I began to wonder if once again I would be left behind by the man who had stood as a beacon of hope in my life. Curling up in bed, I snuggled into the covers deeply hoping the almost non existent scent of him would last the night since the flowers had died four days ago leaving nothing but the red walls as a constant reminder of him.

Tsunade couldn't remember such profound silence ever in her life. With only the sound of the clock on the wall ticking to midnight as she sat behind her desk in the Hokage's tower, she was impressed with the many creative ways she had come up with to kill Kakashi the best time she saw him. In just a mere two minutes it would be $Name's birthday and not a single scout had reported back with a sighting of that blockhead ninja.

Practically foaming at the mouth that she had trusted him and not chained him down herself, she did the best she could to remain calm and go about business as usual before the entire area got decimated in a whim. Twenty four hours and one one hundred and twenty seconds was all he had before he wished he had never come back alive.

At twelve o'clock sharp, Kiria was awoken by the soft tickle of whiskers on her face. Opening her eyes, she turned and stared into the small round eyes of Horus, her ferret companion who had been sent out on a very special mission. Rising to a seated position, she stroked his body before asking, "I take it since you are here the plan has moved into phase one?"

Horus chartered excitedly before muzzling her fingers.

Giggling softly she reached into the drawer of her dresser to her right and pulled out a small mass before giving it to the ferret who ate it quickly.

"That is good to hear. We might just be able to salvage this yet. Now go tell the others."

Chittering once, the ferret disappeared leaving Kiria alone in her dark room. Laying back down she closed her eyes and waited, but when no one rushed into her room and the world outside remained quiet, she smiled and snuggled back into bed. Tomorrow would be interesting; at least it should be if everyone stuck to the plan.

Not So Smooth Operator

Having been bread for tracking, assistance in espionage, and item recovery, Chichiri had the ability to use what some referred to as hōkuai (hawk eye). Partnered with a form of heat sensing, limited sonar capabilities, and a heightened sense of smell, the small rodent found Kakashi on his way back to the village very quickly. Though still close to a day away, partnered with Pakkun who was still hanging around $Name's house, the two were able to reach him and give him the run down before he made a complete idiot of himself.

Though exhausted when he finally got back, Kakashi followed Chichiri's instructions to a T knowing full well he didn't want the wrath of two of the villages most influential women reigning down upon him as soon as he entered.

Knocking once on her door at almost ten at night, Kakashi entered Kiria's home and headed straight for the living room knowing full well she was waiting for him.

"Had I not known you so well through our various encounters protecting this village I would have let you burn from this mess you almost made, you do know that right?"

Kakashi came to sit in the chair across from her with his head slightly bowed as her eyes bore into his face.

"You are also EXTREMELY LUCKY Jiraiya asked so nicely and that I happened to acquire quite a fondness for the girl in the process."

Kakashi continued to say nothing.

"Tell me, how do you plan to make things right? You have to know she has very strong feelings for you and that you needing to verbally validate them and not trusting her to tell you with her actions or her body is selfish and detrimental! You almost killed her! Do you realize that!"

Placing his head in his hands as he bent over in shame, all Kakashi could do was take her words and swallow them raw.

"Clearly you didn't. Did running away help? You have to know if we hadn't been here you would have ruined her for life with that little stunt! You selfish child."

Kakashi raised his head and glared at her.

"Don't you turn that eye on me. Turn it at yourself. You caused all this and now you owe us for helping us fix it."

Acknowledging his anger at himself, Kakashi softened. "What do you suggest I do?"

"You are such a lucky little shit. I should have trained her properly. Instead I held onto the shred of dignity you somehow still have in my eyes and will allow you to train her yourself but only with my help."

Kakashi nods.

"You will do nothing without my instruction until I deem you fit to take control do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, and to make sure that stays true that little puppy 'you' gave her will make sure you keep yourself in check. You are welcome."

"Thank you Madame Kiria." His voice monotone.

"Oh shut up you insolent prick." She sighs exasperated. "You are lucky I have such motherly love for you. Now, go see her for the last few minutes she has of today and don't you dare make a move. If she does that's fine as long as it isn't sexual. You two aren't there yet."

Kakashi disappears then, leaving Kiria exhausted but hoping for the best. He had made it just in time. Now it would be up to the two of them with only situational guidance from her as was necessary to carry them through.

Long before Kakashi reached the door, a crystal blue eye locked onto it unblinking as the body it resided within remained unmoving so as not to wake his master for something that wasn't a threat. That didn't mean that the person who opened the door was taken by complete surprise to find a blue chakra orb illuminating a canine face ready to tear their throat out should the intruder misstep.

Hesitant already due to the unnatural level of chakra emanating from her room Kakashi knocked once first softly before making the decision to pick the lock and enter. Once the door opened, however, he stood stock still trying to assess the threat level of what he assumed was the Ninken he had "given" her courtesy of Kiria.

"It's fine." Pakkun said in his and Shiru's mind as he hopped into the ledge of her open window.

Glancing up without moving, Shiru retracted his chakra and closed his eye.

"He can see auras and chakra levels allowing him to gauge the threat level of anything living." Pakkun said quietly.

"I see." Kakashi whispered as he walked towards the bed abs reached out his hand to ruffle the fur between Shiru's ears.

Shiru, having none of it, opened his blue eye again and bared his teeth letting Kakashi know exactly what his tolerance was.

"He knows you aren't a threat but you ARE trying to disturb his master." Pakkun pointing out the obvious.

Kakashi nods and moves closer to $Name's sleeping face before kneeling down to get a better look. She seemed so at peace sleeping there that he was hesitant to wake her, but glancing back over his shoulder at the clock he knew he only had just over a minute to spare.

Pointing a finger at her face, he called forth a sliver of wind that rustled her hair and tickled her nose. Shuddering slightly, $Name shifted and tries to pull the blanket up to her chin more in her sleep but she was thwarted by the pup weighing down the blankets.

Putting a little more breeze to it, Kakashi tried again and this time she whined slightly and opened her eyes.

Smiling and giving her a slight wave before saying "happy birthday" he made good on his promise but just barely.

Waking up due to a sudden chill, my mind froze for several seconds as it tries to process the image of Kakashi in front of me waving and saying happy birthday. Unable to think for several minutes I was only able to assume I was just dreaming still with how exhausted I felt.

Making the most of the dream I thought I was having, I did every irrational thing I could think of. Wanting Kakashi to return as badly as I did and finally coming to terms with the idea that I had an attraction to him I acted on dream induced courage and scrambled out of the bed and into his arms; my arms wrapping around his neck as my sudden movement bowled him over backwards causing a groan to come from somewhere in the bed as Shiru was shoved to the floor.

"Kakashi you made it." My tired voice eeked out. "Thank you so much for the gift. Kiria said to tell you it was a more lovable version of you."

Not giving him a chance to react I wobbled up and planted a kiss on his cheek before nestling up against his solid warmth and tucking my face into his chin.

"I'm glad you are home. Now you can stay with me forever."

After that was a blank.

She had looked so cute just waking up but the moment her warm, soft body slammed into his he was frozen in shock as Kiria's words echoed in his head.

It was okay if she made the moves on him but not the other way around. Trying to stay calm he went to brace himself to sit up when her soft, slightly moist lips came to press against his cheek as her sultry voice rang close to his ear.

"…now you can stay with me forever."

Unable to process her uncharacteristic affection or control his bodies reaction, he lay there stiff as a board with her half draped over him and her lips dangerously close to his sensitive neck. Closing his eyes, Kakashi tried to think of anything but the predicament he found himself in at that moment. Clearly he needed to get up and out her back in bed but the larger portion of him didn't want to.

He has missed her more than he had realized and had selfishly craved her attention just like Kiria said so why deprive himself of this small moment of victory?

That's when the sound of the fridge opening caught his attention before a popping sound broke the silence as four padded feet came to stand at his waist. Confused about why Shiru would be carrying a glass bottle of water and why he would stop between his legs all came into view at one vivid moment of clarity.

Tilting his head sideways, Shiru knelt down and lowered the bottle to Kakashi's pelvis before turning the bottle of very cold water on its side and, with indescribable precision, pouring it all onto Kakashi's pelvis without a drop pouring onto $Name still draped over him.

His eyes going wide as he did his best with his free hand to cover the sounds that tried to escape his mouth Kakashi was temporarily at a loss for words, which were happily supplied by Pakkun.

"He sensed a high levels of energy coalescing in that spot and your aura went from silver to crimson in that area suggesting an abnormal amount of heat. Concerned it might burn $Name, he decided to put cold water on the source to snuff it out." Smiling as he says it, Kakashi just looks up and glares at both his Ninken and the one that did look like a much more lovable version of him as Shiru lolled his tongue abs waged his tail as he stared back at the two.

Realizing he had lost this round now that his mind was much clearer, Kakashi did his best to gather $Name carefully into his arms before replacing her on the bed and under the covers.

Tucking her in but not moving from her side despite being inappropriately wet, Kakashi looked at Pakkun and asked, "Can you grab me a pair of bottoms from the house? I can't head home like this.

"Right." Was all he said before disappearing out the door.

"It would be best if you left some clothes here in the future. I need to get accustomed to your scent anyway and I guess I can tolerate you being here so long as you behave."

Looking towards the dog as he walked to the foot of the bed and flipped down with his eyes closed, Kakashi raided an eyebrow but said nothing.

Fortunately Pakkun was quick about retrieving his pants so Kakashi changed in $Name's bathroom quickly before walking over to her bed and reaching down to run his hand over her hair.

"I'll see you in the morning."

Stroking her hair it broke his heart to leave again even if it was just to go down the village a way. Sighing heavily he pulled his hand back only to have $Name groan and grab hold of it pulling him over her body as she turned to face the window in her sleep.

Scrambling not to walk on her, Kakashi now found himself pressed against the wall facing her with no easy way to escape. The rise abs fall of her chest both arousing and soothing as it tried to lull him to sleep.

"Just stay. She won't sleep well now that she knows you are home subconsciously if you leave. It's just one night. I'll be here to make sure nothing happens."

Grimacing at the edge of the bed Kakashi hears a fluctuating rumble from Shiru's location suggesting the dog was either snoring or laughing.

Adjusting the best he could considering $Name still had his hand trapped in hers as she rested their hands between them, Kakashi closed his eyes and did just that.

Tomorrow would be interesting to say the least. All he could hope was that he didn't get injured in the process of waking up.

What The Heart Wants

I hadn't dreamed anything in a while. I had had nightmares here and there but ever since my father died I hadn't had a pleasant dream I didn't want to end. Tonight that changed.

After envisioning Kakashi coming home and wishing me happy birthday just before midnight causing me to jump in his arms and kiss his cheek, my dream changed. I was washed in warm sunlight the next morning with my hand linked with Kakashi's as he slept soundly. Fighting to remain unconscious as my mind slowly tried to wake up despite me not wanting to wake up and disrupt this simple intimacy between us that I secretly craved but didn't have the courage to express in the open, I lay there with my eyes closed trying to grasp onto the surprisingly realistic elements of what my mind was showing me.

Maybe if I just don't open my eyes…

That's when I groan as two skinny legs come to rest on the bed and a skinny nose starts pushing at my back. Not being a morning person with a brain that registers much of anything once I first awake, I wasn't able to immediately process the reality of Shiru pushing me with the level of my own actual consciousness. As such I didn't realize I was actually holding Kakashi's hand.

Filling in the gaps in consciousness and reality with the idea I was partially lucid, I groan. "Not now Shiru let me enjoy this just a little longer." Then, wanting to believe I was dreaming because how could this be possible, I release Kakashi's hand and scoot towards the spot where my mind has accepted he should be.

When my arm reaches out and my hand bumps against his chest, I sigh heavily and snuggle into him bending my elbows so my forearm rests vertically on his chest allowing my hand to rest on his shoulder.

When the pestering from Shiru doesn't continue, I take a moment to savor my position. Feeling both indulgent and guilty that this is what my subconscious wants and I am taking it out on Kakashi in my dreams, I brazenly decide to work this dream for every second I have.

Craving his warmth and the feel of his strength that ripples over his body from every well defined muscle, my hand at his shoulder begins running its fingers over its broad definition as I raise my head to his jaw and say his name softly and a little needy making sure to press my chest into the length of his side as I say it before kissing his jaw.

This was where he was supposed to roll over and roll me onto my back before kissing me and playing with my hair. That was most definitely not what happened.

An exceptionally loud and strained clearing of throat resounded in my ear as an unexplained male tenor slammed against my fantasy causing it to shatter like glass seconds before my eyes shot open and the world came into view awash in soft sunlight.

What I saw could not be cleared from my mind by multiple exaggerated blinks. Indeed lying VERY close to me, so close our faces almost touched, I found myself staring at a very pink faced Kakashi who was staring so hard at my ceiling a hole should have formed.

Tearing my eyes from his face as my shocked mind rapidly tried to process what this was, I realized my body was exactly as I pictured, pressed firmly against his as my arm rested on his chest, though his breathing was quite forced and deep as he took long calculated breaths.

My mind beginning to panic I was then torn in another direction as Shiru barked loudly on the floor dragging my attention to him and a set of Kakshi's clothes hanging on the chair next to him.

Now officially mortified, I jerked my head back to Kakashi and gave him an uncomfortable once over with my eyes as I affirmed he was indeed clothed. That meant only one thing.

My face turning bright red I then jerked my body over to my side of the bed and pulled up the sheets so he couldn't see what my hands were doing, despite them not moving from the ceiling, and placed my hand at my hips checking to see if I still wore pants and underwear. Sighing heavily when I found them still there I closed my eyes and tried to still my heart which was pounding uncontrollably.

"If you are wondering why I am pinned against the wall It's because you dragged me here last night when I tried to leave after wishing you happy birthday around midnight."

It was my turn to stare at the wall, my mind racing in reverse over everything that happened only to stop at the beginning of the first dream and open my mouth in horror as it put the pieces of what I was experiencing into the outline of the dream to realize I hadn't been dreaming at all. I was taking advantage only partially conscious of a very real situation I in no way was ready to admit to.

Unable to look at him or even stay in bed, I scramble out of the covers and the bed to fast walk into the bathroom where I slam the door and lock it before stripping and jumping into a cool shower.

I had to pull myself together. Maybe he wouldn't say anything. Maybe he would just brush it off. Maybe he didn't hear me call his name out loud.

"Oh god."

Turning the shower colder I cursed. I was completely screwed. That's when a knock came at the bathroom door.

"$Name, the Hokage wants to see us. I'll be outside waiting. Just take your time."

Unable to respond, I listen for the opening and closing of the door before collapsing to the tile floor letting the cold water pour over me in hopes it would grant me some sense.

What the fuck was I going to do now?

Why was getting dressed suddenly so hard! Rummaging through my drawers I throw clothes everywhere, including on top of Shiru who shakes them off before running around to gather all the pieces into a pile beside my bed. This includes underwear which suddenly looks all too plain to even wear though going without it is just not even an option; a thought that causes me to blush as heat rushes to my face and between my legs.

Digging even more furiously, I settle on a simple cotton one that doesn't have anything on it making note to go shopping for something a little less boring yet functional. Running into the same problem with a bra, I manage to find one that matches though it also needs to be replaced.

Now anxious that I am making us late as well as unable to find something other than my drab day to day clothes and training attire, I cyclone through the drawers looking for something to wear.

Eventually I settle on a slightly embellished top that I had bought in a small village a few days ride from leaf village coming home from a successful training mission long before the incident. Though slightly outdated, it still fit well and showed a little more skin than I usually did. Paired with a set of high waters and my sneakers, I did a once over in the bathroom before heading out the door.

Just as he had promised Kakashi was waiting outside leaning against the building with his eyes closed and arms crossed over his chest.

"Sorry it took a second." Was all I could awkwardly say without looking directly at him.

"Well it was kind of sprung on us so I'm sure Tsunade will understand." Was all he said leaving me slightly disheartened that he showed no signs of anxiety or awkwardness like I did leaving me to feel slightly childish yet again.

As we walked, I tried to think of things to say to break the expectant tension, but everything sounded lame. Then before I knew it we were climbing the stairs to her office and I had lost any chance to smooth the ice before coming face to face with reality.

When we stepped inside I was surprised to see Jiraiya and Kiria hanging around the Hokage's desk. I wasn't given a chance to ponder this before the unamused gaze Tsunade was famous for fell on us.

"You're late."

Feeling I needed to justify myself I hesitantly speak up, "I…I had a hard time finding clothes. I seem to be a little behind on laundry."

A strange muffled snort seems to come from Kiria's direction but her hand over her mouth as her eyes twinkle suggests she has something she is choosing not to say, though both Jiraiya and Tsunade look at her sharply, Jiraiya questioningly while Tsunade has more of a glare.

"I don't want excuses. Especially not from someone who is always late!"

Kakashi raises his hands in surrender.

"Now. Care to tell me how the mission went?" Tsunade's tone was exasperated.

"It was a success. Nothing really to report."

Tsunade's eye twitched but she left his underwhelming recap alone. "And now that you are back what is your plan for continuing $Name's training?"

"The man hasn't even been back ten hours Tsunade why don't you give him a chance to tie up some loose strings."

Tsunade turned on Jiraiya. "He had enough time to come home and get some sleep before waltzing in here with his trainee slightly disheveled. I don't see why I can't hold him accountable for his responsibilities."

That brought a bright red tone to my face at the thought that I looked on the outside how I felt on the inside and that Kakashi either was ignoring it or didn't care.

"Tsunade look, you are embarrassing her. Give the girl a break it isn't her fault Kakashi's priorities are slightly unconventional."

I can tell Kiria's grin isn't for me though I appreciate her stepping in and redirecting the conversation. What confuses me more is Kakashi choosing not to exonerate himself. Instead he just lets jibe after jibe roll off as if they weren't meant for him at all.

Instead, it's Tsunade who looks at me before speaking.

"It is my hope that now that he is back, your training can commence. Kiria has informed me on behalf of Jiraiya that your training now only requires supplemental guidance from her so you should be able to resume your sessions with both Kakashi and I. That being said, you will still be required to check in with her regularly to ensure your emotional stability remains level. Is that understood?"

I nod.

"Good. Now as for you Kakashi, I'm requiring you to check in with Kiria weekly as well to compare notes so she can ensure you are correctly interpreting $Name's needs and can develop her emotional strength in a healthy way along with her physical strength."

Kakashi also nods.

"Good. Now if there are no further questions you both can get out of my sight."

Seeing no reason to hang around, we turn and leave.

Once outside, I don't stop walking I just continue down the steps focusing on a point in front of me instead of what was going on behind me. Once again an awkward silence clung between us and I didn't have the faintest idea how to dissipate it.

"So I don't always agree with what Tsunade says, but in this case I think she is right. We should start your training back up as soon as possible. If you think you are up for it I know the perfect place."

Leave it to Kakashi to create the only ice breaker that also forces me to stare my anxieties right in the face.

"I don't see a problem with it." Turning so my back is to the railing I turn my head and look at him but leave my body perpendicular to his.

"Alright just follow me then."

And with that as our only communication since me hiding in the shower we head towards the training grounds.

The Tortise and the Hare

Kiria had said to take it slow. She had said to establish what I felt and feel it out little by little so I grew accustomed to what it felt like to love and be loved. She told me I had a lot of trauma surrounding my father passing and that I had a lot of gaps emotionally as a result. I had never learned to see men as both fathers and partners. I had only seen them as replacements for the man I had loved and lost. That meant the only love I knew was paternal and right now I had to learn what love was all over again while juggling the sensations that came with adult attraction.

Looking at Kakashi, or more realistically his ass, as we bound along the branches of the surrounding forrest all I could think about was wanting to press his body against me in any and all ways possible. After waking up with our hands linked and my length draped partially over his, my body craved that contact despite him not reciprocating in any way.

In all honesty, him not doing anything was a slight comfort because it prevented me from feeling out of control, like I was losing myself to something I couldn't come back from. Though I wanted to indulge in those feelings and sort them all out, I didn't want to lose myself entirely and stop being who I was. Having watched Sakura's infatuation with Sasuke, I knew that type of love wasn't what I wanted and right now I was stuck between what I wanted and trying to figure out if Kakashi wanted any part of it.

Kiria had hinted numerous times that my feelings weren't one sided, but there had been no clear indication from Kakashi on an intimate level to suggest he would want to be anymore than teacher and student.

Clearly too caught up in the maelstrom of emotional debates I was internally having, I misjudged my footing on the next branch. With only my toes touching down on the surface of the branch my weigh was too much for the small purchase I had causing me to slip and fall. My body acted in impulse causing my hands to flail in an attempt to gain purchase while my body fell rapidly towards the ground. Panic filled me then and I tried to cry out but my voice was stollen by my sudden fear as my mind tried to determine a way to protect my inevitable impact.

Frozen and falling, I was only able to shield my face with my arms as I tensed bracing for an impact that never came. Instead I found myself cradled in a princess carry against Kakashi's chest as he knelt on one knee after darting down to catch me.

Opening my eyes slowly, my face blushed slightly as my eyes traveled up his toned chest to the sleek lines of his neck and inquisitive gaze.

"Everything alright? That could have been a nasty fall."

"Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for catching me. I wasn't paying enough attention to what I was doing." The embarrassment I felt was clear though I hoped he couldn't hear the slight waver in my voice as I became all too aware of how desperate I was to stay just like this.

He looked at me skeptically and I tried to put a firm look on my face but all I could focus on was how badly I wanted to nestle into the crook of his neck as he carried me to our destination.

"I'm not sure I believe you. Maybe we should walk the rest of the way." Shifting his hands down he began to lower me to the ground.

"Wait!" My voice was panicked as my hands reached up and clenched the fabric of his jacket.

Stopping suddenly he looked at me with concern.

"I'm worried I…may have hurt my foot when I slipped. Could you possibly carry me until we get to the training grounds?" I hoped and prayed the hesitancy and timidness in my voice didn't sound as needy or as guilty as I felt. I knew I was fine, but I also knew I couldn't easily get to a state like this again of my own free will. I had to take advantage of an opportunity I had been given even if it killed me.

Kakashi looked down at my foot and then back up at me.

"Why don't I take you back and have a doctor look at it. If it is injured-"

"Can you just carry me? I'm sure it will be fine once we get there. I just don't want to walk on it right away is all." My voice was abrupt and frustrated which must have caught him by surprise because his eyes went wide.

"If you don't want to that's fine. I'll just wait here until I feel able to-"

I was abruptly cut off as my ass thunked down on the ground. Startled, I looked at Kakashi who had moved to kneel in front of me with his hands out to his sides slightly.

"Think you can get on my back okay?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I shifted around my 'hurt' foot and sat up on my knees before wrapping my arms around his neck to cross over his chest. With my arms in place he placed his hands on my forearms and stood up carefully letting me dangle down his back.

"Wrap your legs around my hips and I'll grab onto your legs to support you."

I did so carefully and without complaint, biting my lip as his hands gently came to rest half way up my thighs as they took the role of supporting my weight.

Embarrassed and elated, I bring my lips to behind his ear and whisper, "Thank you, you're my hero."

I had never seen Kakashi caught so violently off guard as that moment when he violently stumbled and had to reach out with one hand towards the ground to stabilize us before standing up and continuing to walk.

Though I couldn't see his face, I did watch as his neck went from peach to the color of pink roses as we continued to walk in silence.

Giddy, I decided to indulge myself a little more. Bringing the side of my face to the base of his neck, I rested the bridge of my nose on it as my closed lips pressed against his shoulder; my eyes watching both his face and the world as it passed in silence.

When I did it I hadn't anticipated my nose resting against the major vein in his neck, but now as we walked and he focused forward, I could feel the pulse of his body as it responded to my close proximity.

His pulse was slightly elevated, his breathing forced, his eyes locked forward almost as if he was forcing himself to ignore everything but the road ahead and our eventual destination.

That just wouldn't do.

Feeling drunk on heightened emotions, I pressed my left hand against his chest as I pulled the right one back to rest it on his shoulder. As soon as my palm rested flat on his chest I could feel the strong and rapid beat of his heart. Wanting to believe I was part of the cause of his current elevated state, I softly asked, "Kakashi? Are you feeling okay? Your heart is beating quite fast and you seem to be forcing yourself to breathe slowly."

"I'm fine. It's nothing. We are almost there. We can take a short break then."

I pouted slightly. That wasn't the answer I had been looking for. Removing my hand from his shoulder, I boldly brought it to his hair and began running my fingers through the short locks at the base of his skull.

"You should relax more. You just got back from a mission. I should have been more considerate of your condition and not agreed to-"

Again I was dropped unceremoniously except this time I subconsciously landed on my feet giving off no indication I was injured. Having been startled as I slid down his body when his hands released my legs, my grip on his chest also slackened causing my arms to slide over his shoulders and down his back before coming to rest at my sides.

Taking two steps away from me he looked dead ahead and said, "Glad to see you aren't hurt like you thought. We will walk the rest of the way."

He began walking then without a concern for how I was, though having been caught in my little white lie I was more furious at myself for pushing things too far and forcing his hand.

Still, his actions didn't suggest he wanted or would refuse similar contact only that he would dismiss it and remain neutral since the flush to his skin and the tension in his body suggested what he thought and what he said might be in conflict.

Forcing myself to accept I wouldn't get any further today, I decided to try to keep things slow and steady because what I had to lose was just as great as what I could potentially gain.

He Said She Said

"She didn't!" Kiria asked in absolute shock as she leaned onto her small kitchen table as she sat across from Kakashi with one leg draped over the other exposing a tasteful amount of flesh through her robe.

Kakashi just rolled his eyes and looked anywhere but at the jovial woman as he sat disgruntled facing her.

"My goodness. Seems she has quite a mind of her own." Running her fingers across her lips as she smiled coyly she continued, "And you didn't do anything but put her down and continue on?"

Kakashi turned and glared at her.

"Poor thing. Seems you have your hands full. Care for some advice?"

Leaning back in his chair he linked his fingers and tapped his thumbs together.

"Set boundaries while pushing her buttons. Make her just uncomfortable enough that you force her hand. If she is brazen enough to test you then she is ready for some discipline even if she doesn't realize that's what she wants. She is a petulant child right now begging for attention. It would seem those weeks away worked out in your favor on a subconscious level."

"Is that all I have to work with?"

Kiria sighs. "Alright, what is it you would have done in that situation?"

Thinking back Kakashi imagines what he would have liked to do. "When she told me she thought it was hurt I wanted to reach out and touch it, but not just to check it for injury. I wanted to tease her a little and see what her reaction would be."

Looking at him critically, Kiria says in a monotone voice, "Go on."

"When I found nothing, as I knew I would, I would have suggested I carry her but instead of a princess carry I would have had her piggy back me from the front just to see how adamant she was about being carried. If she was being spoiled or if she wanted to be spoiled."

Kiria smirked. "That's a tough one. Bold certainly but could have been too much though hearing her reaction I would guess that is exactly what she needed hearing how things played out."

"Beyond that I would have had to see what happened. Part of me thinks she would have become shy and gotten down to walk after telling me how unfair I was being as she punched me once gently. The other part, the part that knows she hides some dormant feelings, thinks maybe she would have taken it farther and forced me to shut her down possibly creating more problems."

Kiria nods. "So delicate. What a mess you find yourself in. Still, I commend you for your resolve. You did the safe thing."

Kakashi let out an exaggerated sigh.

"So what happened after that?" Kiria's curiosity getting the best of her.

Kakashi shrugged. "Nothing. We got to the training ground and things progressed as normal. I showed her how to stabilize her wind control through moving water which would ultimately require her to focus entirely on her chakra control so the water flowed around her wind and the wind didn't become the force that disrupted the waters natural flow."

Kiria frowned. "Only you would cock block yourself."

"I decided it was best if she put all that unused energy into something instead of allowing it to leak from her body like it was a sieve causing her to act on impulse instead of a solid deduction she wouldn't regret."

It was Kiria's turn to roll her eyes. "I can't argue with that. You never were one to mix business with pleasure."

"That's how people get killed." His gaze was piercing and his voice strong in its conviction.

"Are you worried about her dying needlessly or you being the cause of her death?" Kiria reciprocated with just as much sincerity.

Kakashi folded his arms in front of his chest. "Honestly, both."

"I see." She makes an exaggerated face of concern. "Well let me know how that works out for you."

"Damnit woman!" Kakashi slaps the table with his hand and Kiria starts laughing heartily.

"Don't get your panties in a bunch Take. You just think too much sometimes. Not everything can be planned in advance and you can't protect everyone against every single eventuality. What you can do is be yourself which is all anyone who loves you truly wants you to be."

Kiria placed her hand over his and smiled.

"What do you suppose she wants you to be right now?"

He frowns. "If I knew that I wouldn't be here."

"And if I were her I wouldn't want you to be anywhere but with me. Even if I refused to admit it. You don't always have to do something. Sometimes just being is enough."

Kakashi squeezed her hand and then disappeared leaving a faint smile on Kiria's lips as the only sign he was there.

What had seemed like such a good idea on his way there now seemed like a half assed excuse now that he was standing at $Name's door. Even more so when he went to knock and heard the shrill voices of an over excited Sakura and Ino. Thinking he should just leave, Kakashi turned only to hear his name.

"Are you serious! Kakashi really didn't do anything except drop you on your feet!" Ino's shock is so obvious the next building over probably knew about it.

$Name groans then and guilty as he knows he should feel, Kakashi can't help blending into his surroundings and listening more.

"Did you push the issue or chicken out?" She asked $Name with a slight accusatory tone.

"What was I supposed to do? He clearly wasn't phased. Maybe waking up next to me wasn't such a big deal and I am just being childish." Her voice was sad and frustrated.

"I highly doubt that. Odds are he just didn't know how to respond." Sakura chimed in.

"Or maybe he was choosing not to respond because he didn't want to over stress you emotionally. I mean you did say you overheard Kiria talking to Jiraiya about how she had reemed Kakashi out for causing your last episode. Maybe he is just being cautious." Ino interjected.

"Maybe. Or maybe he just isn't interested. Maybe it's all in my head."

"Do you want it to be all in your head?" Sakura asks and there was silence for several moments before $Name responded.

"I…I don't think so. I mean, if I try to say yes my chest starts to hurt and I begin to feel anxious. If I say no then I still feel anxious but in a completely different way I don't understand. Why would both answers make me anxious?"

Sakura laughed quietly before Ino's smug voice points out, "Cause you like him dummy and just don't realize it."

There is a brief silence before Ino asks, "What would you do if you saw Kakashi flirting with another woman? Would you get jealous?"

Another long pause and then Ino says, "See? If you get jealous you like him. Ask Sakura she would know."

There is a dull thump as something hits the wall before $Name calls out, "Guys! You will break something!"

Sakura and Ino just laugh until Sakura asks, "So, would you want him to kiss you?"

Kakashi never hears her answer though as another deeper male voice steps in.

"Isn't that your supposed cue Casanova?"

Kakashi looks down and sees Shiru staring up at him wagging his tail.

"Does she know you talk?" He asks but Shiru just barks causing someone to come to the door and open it catching Kakashi by surprise.

"Speak of the devil look who it is $Name." The teasing in Ino's voice is as thick as syrup.

"Shouldn't you girls be training or doing something productive?"

"Look whose talking fearless leader." Ino turns to Sakura. "Come on let's get out of here."

Sakura jumps up and follows Ino out.

"Bye $Name call me later!" Ino yells as the two vanish out the door.

"Remind me why you guys are friends?" Kakashi tries to lighten the tension that is rapidly growing now that the girls are gone and it's just him and $Name who sits tensly on her bed not looking at him.

"They are good people and always honest even if they aren't honest with themselves."

Deciding to follow this train of thought, Kakashi steps inside and closes the door before walking halfway into the room.

"So other than honesty what do you look for in the people you surround yourself with?" His voice is soft and quiet.

"Well, I prefer opinionated people able to speak their mind, but also have a kind heart. I don't like people that speak their mind and their hearts are cruel. Words aren't weapons."

"I can see why you like Ino then."

That gets $Name to laugh and the tension subsides a little.

"I also want to be around people with strong convictions who encourage others and provide a strong support for people who can't always be strong themselves."

"That kind of explains Sakura."

She smiles at that.

"I also want someone I can rely on and be myself with even in my private moments. Someone who accepts me and values me even when I'm not doing anything remarkable."

Finally she looks up at him and her eyes are filled with hesitation and doubt.

Wanting nothing more in that moment than to hold her and assure her he would do just that, Kakashi walks towards the bed coming to a stop just before the edge.

"After last night it seems like I might have that one covered."

$Names eyes widen and her face turns beat red. "You…how much were you awake for?"

She had been bold when she had told him to carry her. Now it was his turn after hearing all this to trust his gut and do the same because even if it didn't work he would rather try and fail forcing him to pick up the pieces then let it fall apart into nothing.

Placing his index finger up to his lips for silence he bent down to her ear and whispered, "Long enough to hear you call my name."

Point Break

The gasp that came from her lips was electrifying sensing shocks down his entire body. Wanting more Kakashi pushed her a little harder. Tilting his head he ran the bridge of his nose from the base of her head to her chin while slowly whispering, "Now why would you call my name as you curled up against me if you didn't want something from me?"

He lifted his head so his lips were barely separated from hers as he looked into her closed eyes and felt her sharp heavy breaths caress his skin.

"If you do, all you have to do is ask." His fingers rise to trace along her jaw on the other side eliciting a shudder that ripples across her skin leaving goosebumps in its wake. "I am completely dedicated to your needs."

She whimpered then and it took everything he had not to crush their lips together and push her backward onto the bed. Instead, he rose slightly and took her chin before pulling it down gently and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"It's also okay if you don't need anything. I'll be here regardless."

It took reserves of willpower to pull back, turn around and head to the kitchen where he began leafing through things to see what ingredients she might have so he could cook and do something with his hands while detracting his mind. When he didn't find much of anything he decided he would need to go acquire some.

"You aren't taking care of yourself. Do you just eat takeout all the time? You know that stuff could kill you right?"

When she doesn't respond, Kakashi turns around to see her hunched over on the bed with her head slightly bowed, face red, and hands balled into fists on her thighs. He can tell she is bothered by something but what has bothered her and how she is bothered remains the question.

Walking back towards her he stops again in front of her before reaching out his hand and caressing her cheek only to have her look up at him with embarrassment, frustration, and confusion in her eyes.

"If you heard that why did you just ignore it and make it seem like it was nothing?"

Kakashi released her cheek. "It didn't seem right to ask abs I didn't want to assume. I figured if you wanted me to know you would tell me why you called my name."

Pouting she turned her head and looked away. "Why would I tell you? All you ever do is play games with me and toy with my emotions."

Stung by that, Kakashi just stares at her for a few moments in shock before answering. "Wasn't it you who called me Daddy first?"

"You weren't supposed to take it like that!" She turned on him and yelled.

Eyes going wide Kakashi feels his chest clench. "I see. Well in the future you shouldn't be so careless with how you use certain words. Otherwise, you might give people the wrong idea."

Kakashi backs up and turns around headed for the door. He feels foolish and angry and wants to suddenly be both anywhere but here and in her face twenty-four-seven until she takes it all back.

"Wrong idea? Who's giving who the wrong idea? You are the one coming onto me and then brushing it off like it was a joke. You did it just now and at the hospital and the training grounds and…" $Name clutches the sheets and her voice wavers. "I don't understand. What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to feel? What do you want from me?"

Torn Kakashi turns back to face her. He can tell she is scared and confused and emotionally unstable, but also knows that there is a plethora of thin ice between the two of them now and if he isn't careful they will both fall in and drown.

Taking a moment to collect his thoughts he asks himself exactly that. What did he want? Yes the kinky, perverted side of him wanted her to submit and allow him to play out his fantasy of her, but there was also something that runs parallel to that and much deeper. Thinking on it he realizes more than anything he wants to be with her and make her happy while knowing he is the only man able to do so. He wants to love her and possess her entirely but to do that he has to be the one to take the risks.

"Don't you dare touch her? She can touch you that's fine." Kiria's words rang out seconds before he reached her.

Reaching out his left hand he reached up and took off his bandana before his right took her chin and lifted it so both eyes could stare at her as their bodies remained inches apart. "I want you. All of you and I will do whatever it takes to have you."

The weight that lifted from his chest was liberating. He had not realized how heavy the burden of hiding his feelings was until now and with them out in the open it was her turn.

For several moments she just stared into his eyes as if she had been hypnotized. Trying to bring her back to consciousness was Kakashi ran his thumb over her lips slowly as he dove into the swirling emotions that were just about to break through her fragile resolve.

Deciding to give her one last push, Kakashi asked, "And what do you want?"

Her body tensed then almost as if she was about to flee, but something told him not to move just to wait.

"Name?" He whispered seconds before she scrambled up to a kneeling position and placed her lips at his ear.

"That's a secret I'm only gonna tell Daddy."

The shift in her personality was profound and caused Kakashi to visibly shudders as the coy words escaped from the lips of a woman who now mentally resembled a child. "I see. Then tell me, how do my feelings make you feel?"

$Name rotated side to side like a little girl about to share a secret.

"I like them. They make me feel warm and loved."

After watching Jiraiya's videos he guessed somehow she had transitioned into the mind of a person taking on the little role. Feeling he should treat carefully he let his voice soothing and calm. "That's good. Would you be okay if I told you how I felt more often?"

She made an exaggerated and very child-like thinking face. "Here yes, outside I'm not sure. I don't want people to get the wrong idea."

Kakashi nods. "That's fine. Would you also be okay if I wanted to spend more time with you?"

She nods. "But right now I need food. Let's go get something to eat. I don't want to cook."

Kakashi smiles. "Alright, let's go." Kakashi stands and backs up so $Name can get off the bed as well. "Any idea where you want to go?"

She shakes her head from side to side. "Nope! You pick."

It all happened so fast Kakashi found his mind struggling to keep up. Trying to think of a place to go he also realized he had used what little money he had left from his mission the day before so he would need to stop by his place to get more.

"We just have to make one stop. I need to swing by my place and grab more money. I haven't had a chance to replenish anything after my mission and out the training session.

Little $Name just nods. "Fine by me! Let's just hurry my tummy is starting to hurt."

"Right.

The two walks outside and Kakashi stops for $Name to lock her door, but she just keeps walking. Thinking this off he almost calls out and then realizes if she is in little space she isn't thinking about responsibilities. That means everyday basics regarding her well being are his responsibility. Making a mental note to make a cast of her key so he can copy it, he opens the door and reaches inside to turn the lock knowing full well he can pick it and get it open again.

Catching back up to her they walk side by side a few moments before $Name reaches up and takes his hand saying, "I don't know where I'm going. You will have to hold my hand and guide me."

There is a sudden ache in his groin at her choice of words as the pervert side of him envisions him guiding her to do a lot of things. Flushing deeply, Kakashi holds her hand gently and leads her through some less well-traveled roads in the city to get to their destination.

When they get to his door he unlocks it quickly and steps inside flipping the light and holding the door so she can enter. "This is my home. I'll just be a second. Make yourself comfortable." Without thinking he turns around and goes to his dresser beside the bedside table and pulls it open before grabbing his wallet and organizing his money. With his funds sorted he turns around to see $Name still standing in his doorway looking nervous and tense.

Kakashi keeps his voice calm. "I got everything I need. We are ready to go." He then walks up to her and holds out his hand for her to take not even realizing the little girl is gone and the woman he had promised to love is back in her place.

$Name doesn't reach for his hand. Instead, she asks, "Did you mean what you said back at the house?" Her voice no longer that of a confident and cheeky little girl.

He drops his hand but keeps his face neutral never taking his eyes off her even though she isn't looking at him.

"I did."

Clenching her fits as she grips the fabric of her pants she hesitantly continues.

"Then if you want me and will do anything to have me-"

She lifts her eyes then and they are full of both fear and expectant love.

"-why don't you come and take me?"

Love and War | The Densetsu Arc

The world suddenly came into sharp focus as the smell of her fear and desire slammed into Kakashi. It was as if by bringing her here he had made her vulnerable in a way neither of them had anticipated. The question was did she want to submit to him here like this or was she coming down from some delusion or high after taking on a more child-like personality that placed her closer to her raw desires?"

Red pulsed at the corners of his vision screaming that he was on dangerous ground, but the only thing he could think of was the woman in front of him practically sanctioning him to take her.

Forcing himself to ground in his spot by biting his lip hard, he spoke carefully. "I won't take you against your will so unless you tell me you want me or want to be with me, I won't force you in any way."

The words felt like nails on a chalkboard. Though true, they hurt to say as they went against everything he wanted at that moment.

"What if I told you I-"

Then a loud banging came on Kakashi's door before Jiraiya's voice came through. "Kakashi, if you are in there the Hokage needs to see you right away."

Growling under his breath, Kakashi storms past $Name and opens the door with a scowl. "Don't be pulling my leg for something stupid you old pervert."

His voice is firm and serious. "I'm not. It's important. Why are you so mad anyway?"

That's when $Name peeks around behind him and waves. "Hello, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya's face suddenly gets fan girl eyes as they jump from $Name to Kakashi and back again. "You didn't tell me you had brought a girl home!"

"You didn't give me the chance." He says in as loud of a whisper as he can.

"Well don't let me disturb you. I'll just be waiting over there." He points to a spot down the street and starts walking that way as he whistles innocently.

"Stupid perv," Kakashi grumbles before closing the door and looking at $Name. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to cut you off, but I have to see what the Hokage needs. You can wait here if you like I'll come right back."

He smiles trying to ease her worry but she still looks at him with fear.

"I promise I'll come right back and we can finish our conversation or go out to eat like I promised. Whatever you want."

She just nods and Kakashi's heart sinks.

"Okay then. If you don't want to stay you don't have to lock it. I'll still come here first regardless."

Then daringly he walks up to her and cups her cheek. "Try not to worry so much. You are so pretty when you smile." He bends down to kiss her forehead.

The only problem is he missed her forehead when she reached up and grabbed the back of his neck to pull him down so her lips could crash against his. Instantly, Kakashi can feel her desperation laced with the remnants of the fire she had been trying to express moments before. Wanting to enjoy it while still reciprocating he tries to move his lips against hers but at that moment she tears them away and stares with murderous intent in her eyes.

"Whatever she wants do not leave me behind."

The anger in her voice mixed profoundly with the passion behind her eyes and Kakashi finds himself in awe. Wanting to shield part of himself from her intensity so he cannot be overwhelmed by it he pulls out his bandana and puts it on covering his eye before saying, "I will never leave you behind again."

Her face softens and a deep blush colors her face before she turns around and stares at the far wall. "You better not." Her voice is pouty and quiet.

"I promise."

His hand reached up and mussed her hair playfully before he turned and headed out the door to what he knows will be an onslaught of annoying questions.

Sure enough, when he gets to where Jiraiya is standing it begins.

"Did you kiss her? Did you did you did you did you?"

Kakashi just rolls his eyes.

"Was it her idea or yours?"

"Does it matter?" Kakashi's annoyance clear.

"Did you try to do more?"

"Why don't you just tell me what I'm walking into you sex-deprived lunatic!"

Jiraiya smiles. "I bet she falls for that blush on your cheeks every time."

Kakashi pulls out a kunai knife and holds it to Jiraiya's throat as they walk.

"As I was saying, It would seem we have finally established the source of the faulty information that almost wiped out $Name's party. Not only was our information faulty but we might have a mole in our ranks."

"Really? What makes her think that?"

Jiraiya's face pinched. "Because when we caught up to the man we were supposed to be escorting, he was one of our own who had defected and had a strange tattoo of the sun as a yin yang symbol on his left shoulder blade.

"Interesting."

"Quite. Tsunade thinks it's a group of people trying to resurrect the Densetsu (Fabled) a group of the most talented people who tried to wrestle control from the government years ago. They wanted to divide the world into five zones where each zone inhabited a certain level of giftedness. Similar to a feudal society, the most powerful would rule on top. The top five most powerful would then control one of the five zones ensuring talent was properly distributed amongst the zone to keep talentless in check. Unfortunately, this meant the talentless were typically used for breeding and slave labor while the powerful abused their power and brought hardship to the realms around them."

"If that was true, why did they attack $Name's group?" Kakashi asked with confusion.

"Because absolute power corrupts absolutely and there is one thing power always wants. More power. The only way to establish this empire was to tax heavily those who couldn't stand up for themselves and control all resources associated with survival. One of those resources also happens to be medics. Control the health of the country and you control the world. Their goal, Tsunade thinks, was to capture $Name and use her skills to acquire capital for the country and then breed that skill into others."

Kakashi's eyes go wide as anger fills him, but he barely has time to respond before a voice in his head blocks everything out.

"We have trouble."

Kakashi's head whips back the way they came. "Shiru." He whispers in fear before taking off back towards the house. "Tell the Hokage we have intruders! Sound the alarm!" Not waiting for Jiraiya to respond, Kakashi races back.

"And here I told her I would never leave her alone and that's exactly what I did." Angry at himself for being lax, Kakashi prayed he would make it back in time and that Shiru's warning had given him enough time to reach them.

Mistakes Were Made | The Densetsu Arc

If it hadn't been for Shiru's warning it would have been worse. No sooner had Kakashi left and closed the door then a low murderous growl reverberated through Kakashi's place. Looking around frantically, $Name tries to establish where the threat is coming from, but it seems the only one who knows that answer can't speak.

"Ten-o'clock." A foreign male voice sounded in her head before a sharp nip comes at her heels causing her to jump to the ten o'clock position seconds before a knife whizzed by and stuck into the floor.

"Down", the voice says again and this time $Name ducks so the knife sticks in the floor behind her and to her left instead of her arm like it seemed to have been aiming for.

"We have to get outside."

$Name just nods before asking, "How do we do that?"

"By keeping your mouth shut and thinking not speaking for starters. I've got enough trouble sensing them and keeping you safe."

$Name looks over at Shiru who is crouched on his stomach on the ground. "So it was you."

"There isn't time for this. We have to get to the door."

Looking around, $Name found herself faced with the fact that, unless she wanted to destroy Kakashi's house and possible others with it, her wind style wasn't going to be much use. She also didn't have a sense of where the attackers were coming from though she definitely knew that they were targeting her.

Darting her eyes between the window and the door to find an opening. With only one path, the immediate path leading to the front door, available given the small amount of space in the room and the window completely suspect as it was the only other point of attack entry, $Name saw no other choice but to make a dash.

"Do that and there is a high chance you will be killed." Shiru's voice resounded in her head.

"Don't do it and I may be just as dead. Besides, if I get out of the house then I can yell for help. Maybe Kakashi hasn't gotten far." I thought loudly.

"He is far enough he won't make it. My estimate is two attackers and in reality, there is only one of us."

"Weren't you supposed to protect me?"

"Shouldn't you have gone with him?"

Stunned by the canines honesty, $Name clamped her mouth shut. It was true she should have trusted her instinct and gone, but she wanted on some level to trust Kakashi. Though she would never admit it out loud, she wanted him to protect her and to be dependent on him like she had been her dad. But she was a big girl now and he had other things he was charged with doing.

Still, why hadn't she just gone?

Shaking her head, she looked for anything she could use to block her path since she had never mastered shadow clone Jitsu so decoys were out of the question. Unfortunately, the only things in Kakashi's abode were a set of chairs, a table, and furniture too heavy to move in a pinch. Ruling out the blanket or the sheets, $Name did the only thing she could think of.

Kakashi had just rounded the corner when a cone of wind shot out of the window of his house and a door slammed. Within seconds there was the sound of scrambling and a dog growling before a female voice cried out in pain.

"Name!" He whispered loudly before running towards the sound; Jiraiya hot on his heels after relaying the message to a nearby Jonin.

When Kakashi got to his door there were dog and human footprints everywhere. There was also blood. Lots and lots of blood. The one thing that wasn't there, was $Name.

"You follow the path heading north, I'll follow around the other way. Let's see if we can cut them off."

Kakashi nodded at Jiraiya before the two went their separate ways. He appreciated being given the path where the blood trail existed so he had something to follow and didn't have to try to stay out of sight and track down $Name and her unknown attackers.

Scanning the area as he went Kakashi noticed continued signs of a struggle not to mention blood streaks along the ground as if something had been dragged or clawed. Wondering how an animal that big could have found its way into the village without anyone knowing was a surprise and one Kakashi would have to make a mental note to investigate later.

Picking up the pace, Kakashi was finally able to hear the sounds of a fight further up the path. Cutting at a diagonal he hoped he would be able to meet the flow of the fight before it managed to get out the North gate, which was where they seemed to be heading. Carrying an erratic pattern as bodies seemed to run one way and then cut across in the opposite direction, Kakashi could only assume the chase was intense or that the attackers had met with members of the Anbu who would at least be stalling them for time.

With a few short changes in course, Kakashi caught up to the fight just inside the front gate where there was enough clearance for a last-ditch effort to ensue, and what he saw came as a complete surprise. Facing off against four darkly clothed ninja of unknown origin was an unexpectedly large adolescent white nine-tailed wolf that carried on its back $Name. Looking closer Kakashi saw that one of the ninja lay dead in the Wolf's jaw; its throat held firm in its mouth as blood pumped from the veins that had been severed. The other four ninjas attempted to surround it, but $Name was keeping them at bay using her chakra, which by the looks of it had almost run out as she slumped and her arm shook.

Knowing his best chance to turn the tide was sneak attacks, Kakashi used his earth release to travel underground and attack from underground. Having estimated the exact distance to each unit, Kakashi appeared above ground behind the first opponent in just enough time to attack and watch as $Name was speared through the right shoulder and jerked off the wolf who threw the body in his mouth at the nearest attacker and spun around to try to chase after her rapidly disappearing body that slammed into houses and scraped across rooftops as it was retracted back to a point unseen.

Slicing through the enemy in front of him, Kakashi turned and joined in the pursuit meeting up with the wolf on the nearest rooftop.

"You are too slow and I am almost out of chakra. I cannot maintain this form much longer. Let the Anbu track here and we will give chase in the morning."

"They could be anywhere by morning! We can follow her now! I'm not letting her go."

Kakashi turned to give chase but his leg was suddenly held firm in the crushing grip of the wolf.

"Move and with the last strength I have I will break your leg and go alone tomorrow."

When Kakashi relaxed, the wolf removed his mouth and continued. "Fortunately Tsunade had gotten far enough in her training to give the girl a skill she didn't know she was going to need."

"And that is."

"She uses Yang release. That means that girl can control vitality and the very growth of something. By instructing her on how to transfer that vitality into another during the healing process she inadvertently gave her the knowledge to enhance the healing properties of her own healing talent by bolstering it with the natural flow of the air around her. Using the particles in the air that are made up of earth, water, and wind $Name can now create false skin from the world around her slowly as a way to temporarily cauterize wounds. That also means, because she hasn't perfected it, she will leave a bleeding chakra trail so long as she has to continue healing her injuries. If she is smart she will heal it slowly so no one notices how far along in her training she is giving us the perfect trail for me to follow. If she is unconscious, however, we may find it harder to discern her chakra trail from the natural flow of the world around her as it will not carry her distinct blood signature."

"By the smell of her chakra I can sense her wound is not fatal. She was also grazed on her side with a kunai upon leaving the house as we anticipated. The enemy was lurking in the shadows of a building across the street. As soon as we ran out, they aimed for her. I was only able to shove her part of the way out of its path, but in the process I too was injured. That is when that idiot of a girl decided to try to heal me and ended up causing a reaction within my body. By infusing me with Yang she ended up awakening the wolf spirit blood that had lain dormant within me. Though there was rumor a transformation was possible, one had not been seen in my clan for many years before its destruction. Now that it is active, however, it would seem I have limited ability to transform and even less knowledge of what else might come with such a development."

"Then how do you know you can track her?"

Shiru snorts and then activates his eye. "Because, white wolf, I can see the blue."

When Jiraiya had caught up to Kakashi and Shiru, the news around town wasn't any better. Small attacks had occurred all around the village as if a large scale distraction effort had taken place. Agreeing the best course of action was to circle back with Tsunade, the team headed back to her office for a report.

Though she wasn't thrilled with the news, the fact Shiru had a way to track $Name was oddly reassuring to her. Having Shiru explain several times the process he intended to use and the theory behind what the girl could do, Tsunade agreed that the three of them could head out before dawn. It took only a matter of time before the final details were hashed out and Jiraiya had gone his separate way with the intention of meeting them at the gate the next morning.

This left Kakashi alone with the mutt.

Having shrunk to his normal size, he looked just like an ordinary white stray minus the one blue eye. Though Kakashi wanted to know more about the canine's rumored illustrious past, the conversation was forced to the back burner as Shiru directed the conversation elsewhere.

"You are lucky I was there. It is my assumption they wanted to injure her enough to incapacitate her but not render her useless. That being said, her body has taken quite a physical and emotional hit. Though I was able to keep her stable while I was with her there is no telling what will happen to her mind if she is kept in captivity long. I expect you to keep up or stay out of my way. Do I make myself clear?"

"I thought you said you were almost out of chakra? Do you really think that tiny body has what it takes to bring her back in one piece?"

"Whether it does or doesn't I am the only one who can find her no matter where she goes. You, on the other hand, seem only good for loving and leaving her. Why didn't you take her with you? Did Kiria's instruction mean nothing to you? She needs to stay with you not be left in the house like some housewife. Do you even really love her?"

To be so openly condescended by a dog was infuriating, yet the mutt did have a point. He should never have told her to stay. He took for granted the fact that there had been no trouble since that original instance and got caught up in his own needs instead of being the person she needed him to be, yet again. Cursing himself, Kakashi turned down the road to his house with a heavy heart.

"Where are you going?"

Shiru's voice was incredulous and Kakashi looked towards his house and then back at the dog. "I'm going home to get ready for tomorrow."

Shiru shook his head. "This is why I'm in charge. If you wish to stay there fine, but I need to go back to $Name's house and familiarize myself completely with her scent. I am going to need to be able to act on instinct and not half baked emotions. Make sure you are here when it is time to go or I will leave without you, and Jiraiya if necessary."

He pads off down the road to $Name's house, his nose sniffing the road until he disappears from sight and Kakashi is left to sort out his priorities on his own.

Pursuit | The Densetsu Arc

The pain. It was almost indescribable. It was both almost enough to cause her to blackout and so intense it kept her conscious. It radiated from her shoulder in waves and had been healed crudely.

After the initial shock of being speared, being slammed into buildings from behind as she was jerked back what seemed like miles, and being knocked out cold once she stopped, $Name wasn't in any hurry to open her eyes and notify anyone she was conscious. Instead, she focused on keeping her breathing even and slowly, painfully working to heal her wound at least internally so she regained mobility even if her flesh remained marred so whoever took her remained in the dark.

Thanking the stars Tsunade had taught her the basics of medical ninjutsu and being obstinate enough to train on her own during the two weeks Kakashi was gone, $Name had a workable grasp of small scale cell regeneration.

Though her technique took it a step farther by using the oxygen in the bloodstream to create pockets of healing where localized cell damage could be healed while keeping the surrounding areas intact or reinforced with external methods - in her case a forced crude flesh repair done to prevent hemorrhage-, it could easily drain her reserves leaving her little chakra should she find herself in a pinch.

The other problem was her healing required almost all of her attention because she had to, in a similar way to how Neiji could view chakra flows, travel the chakra lines in the body and stimulate the damaged areas using that chakra and the elements in the bloodstream that came from the earth -trace metals in the iron, oxygen, water, Etc. Breaking them down on a molecular level using the electric currents in each cell and the charge carried in her chakra, $Name could create a cellular patch of sorts that would cover the damaged areas and stimulate cell growth while mimicking the natural barriers like membranes and skin the body produced.

Limited by her reserves and current power level, however, she was deprived of the uninterrupted time and complete concentration she needed. Even with her captor or captors being quiet since she regained consciousness, there was no telling what would happen once her cognizance became known. As a result, she did the best she could to absorb the shock of being carried while recovering her strength and fighting capacity. Though terrified and fighting panic, she refused to be as useless as she was the first time something like this happened.

With the start of the mission leaving him with a splitting headache courtesy of one very angry Kiria slapping him full force across the face in anger so intense she couldn't even talk, Kakashi had the feeling this would be a very humbling assignment.

As promised, Shiru and Jiraiya were waiting back at the crossroads to Kakashi's and $Name's place. Though the dog seemed nonplussed, Jirai did his best not to laugh by covering his mouth causing Kakashi to glare at him in pained menace.

"Of you two are ready?" Shiru turned and began running off telling both men, "According to Chichiri, the enemy was last spotted sixth kilometers north-north-east of here. They are traveling at a rather even pace, most likely accommodating for $Name's injury."

"How would that rodent know that?"

Kakashi said with surprise as his network hadn't mentioned anything of the sort yet.

At that moment a hawk cried overhead circling once before flying off in the direction mentioned.

"How long have you known Kiri, Take? Don't tell me you don't know why she is called the Mistress of Shadow."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. I just assumed it had something to do with her profession being a lady of the night."

Jiraiya sighed heavily. "It actually has nothing to do with that. She acquired that name because her network of spies is not limited to humans effectively meaning she can glean information from any mammal or insect so long as they either carry her seal or she has come in contact with them before. Since animals have a lower memory retention her information isn't always accurate unless they have her seal which stores the chakra energy of their memories so they can be passed along to creatures like Chichiri with advanced recollection. Over the years her influence has come to expand the entire continent so her eyes and ears really are limitless and most aren't even detected in the shadows because no one suspects an animal."

Pressing his hand gently to his cheek, Kakashi marvels at the knowledge.

"I should also tell you that because of that fact, she isn't too keen on information leaks or situations where her information proves inadequate. Though she blames you for losing $Name she blames herself more for not leaving her with something permanent to protect herself with yes Shiru helped her and did the best he could but if she has left someone like Tsunikame she would have been better off in her mind."

"Tsunikame?" Kakashi was now thoroughly confused.

"Yeah, Tsunikame. You know. He's the armadillo guard that she set at the bathhouse to guard it against people who might take advantage of women while they are bathing since there was an apparent increase in sightings of a dashing pervert sneaking around."

Kakashi's eyes went blank as he envisioned the small-scaled, shelled, long-eared rat that always hung out around the bath.

"Don't make that face Tsuni is a force to be reckoned with. That shell of his packs a punch when he jumps at you full force. It's also totally impenetrable."

"I'm sure you would know." Was all Kakashi said as they continued on their way in silence.

By the time night fell, the team was estimated to be fifteen kilometers from the group that had taken $Name but their stopping point proved problematic.

Seated around each other in a small clearing, Shiru stood chattering with a fox who had come upon the group before sunset.

"It would seem, according to multiple sources, that they have sealed themselves in an abandoned house and warded the area with traps. The animals can't get near in the dark and there is speculation they are using chakra dampening techniques to hide their intentions."

"He really told you all that?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"No, but animals feel vibrations in energy, and those vibrations imprint themselves in their cellular memory and can be passed along chakra channels. While talking with him, I picked up on these vibrations which carried things like the feeling of fear and the sensing of something absent even though it could be touched. As a result, I do not think it wise for us to progress until they have set out for the day. Suki will alert us when it is time to go so try not to sleep too heavy."

Shiru then circled the spot he was standing before plopping down and drifting off to sleep.

"Can't really argue with that. Wolves are the top predators in nature. I imagine he senses more than you or I could even comprehend." Jiraiya lay down and fell asleep too leaving Kakashi to watch until a few hours before dawn when he allowed himself to sleep.

Pursuit | The Densetsu Arc

The pain. It was almost indescribable. It was both almost enough to cause her to blackout and so intense it kept her conscious. It radiated from her shoulder in waves and had been healed crudely.

After the initial shock of being speared, being slammed into buildings from behind as she was jerked back what seemed like miles, and being knocked out cold once she stopped, $Name wasn't in any hurry to open her eyes and notify anyone she was conscious. Instead, she focused on keeping her breathing even and slowly, painfully working to heal her wound at least internally so she regained mobility even if her flesh remained marred so whoever took her remained in the dark.

Thanking the stars Tsunade had taught her the basics of medical ninjutsu and being obstinate enough to train on her own during the two weeks Kakashi was gone, $Name had a workable grasp of small scale cell regeneration.

Though her technique took it a step farther by using the oxygen in the bloodstream to create pockets of healing where localized cell damage could be healed while keeping the surrounding areas intact or reinforced with external methods - in her case a forced crude flesh repair done to prevent hemorrhage-, it could easily drain her reserves leaving her little chakra should she find herself in a pinch.

The other problem was her healing required almost all of her attention because she had to, in a similar way to how Neiji could view chakra flows, travel the chakra lines in the body and stimulate the damaged areas using that chakra and the elements in the bloodstream that came from the earth -trace metals in the iron, oxygen, water, Etc. Breaking them down on a molecular level using the electric currents in each cell and the charge carried in her chakra, $Name could create a cellular patch of sorts that would cover the damaged areas and stimulate cell growth while mimicking the natural barriers like membranes and skin the body produced.

Limited by her reserves and current power level, however, she was deprived of the uninterrupted time and complete concentration she needed. Even with her captor or captors being quiet since she regained consciousness, there was no telling what would happen once her cognizance became known. As a result, she did the best she could to absorb the shock of being carried while recovering her strength and fighting capacity. Though terrified and fighting panic, she refused to be as useless as she was the first time something like this happened.

With the start of the mission leaving him with a splitting headache courtesy of one very angry Kiria slapping him full force across the face in anger so intense she couldn't even talk, Kakashi had the feeling this would be a very humbling assignment.

As promised, Shiru and Jiraiya were waiting back at the crossroads to Kakashi's and $Name's place. Though the dog seemed nonplussed, Jirai did his best not to laugh by covering his mouth causing Kakashi to glare at him in pained menace.

"Of you two are ready?" Shiru turned and began running off telling both men, "According to Chichiri, the enemy was last spotted sixth kilometers north-north-east of here. They are traveling at a rather even pace, most likely accommodating for $Name's injury."

"How would that rodent know that?"

Kakashi said with surprise as his network hadn't mentioned anything of the sort yet.

At that moment a hawk cried overhead circling once before flying off in the direction mentioned.

"How long have you known Kiri, Take? Don't tell me you don't know why she is called the Mistress of Shadow."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. I just assumed it had something to do with her profession being a lady of the night."

Jiraiya sighed heavily. "It actually has nothing to do with that. She acquired that name because her network of spies is not limited to humans effectively meaning she can glean information from any mammal or insect so long as they either carry her seal or she has come in contact with them before. Since animals have a lower memory retention her information isn't always accurate unless they have her seal which stores the chakra energy of their memories so they can be passed along to creatures like Chichiri with advanced recollection. Over the years her influence has come to expand the entire continent so her eyes and ears really are limitless and most aren't even detected in the shadows because no one suspects an animal."

Pressing his hand gently to his cheek, Kakashi marvels at the knowledge.

"I should also tell you that because of that fact, she isn't too keen on information leaks or situations where her information proves inadequate. Though she blames you for losing $Name she blames herself more for not leaving her with something permanent to protect herself with yes Shiru helped her and did the best he could but if she has left someone like Tsunikame she would have been better off in her mind."

"Tsunikame?" Kakashi was now thoroughly confused.

"Yeah, Tsunikame. You know. He's the armadillo guard that she set at the bathhouse to guard it against people who might take advantage of women while they are bathing since there was an apparent increase in sightings of a dashing pervert sneaking around."

Kakashi's eyes went blank as he envisioned the small-scaled, shelled, long-eared rat that always hung out around the bath.

"Don't make that face Tsuni is a force to be reckoned with. That shell of his packs a punch when he jumps at you full force. It's also totally impenetrable."

"I'm sure you would know." Was all Kakashi said as they continued on their way in silence.

By the time night fell, the team was estimated to be fifteen kilometers from the group that had taken $Name but their stopping point proved problematic.

Seated around each other in a small clearing, Shiru stood chattering with a fox who had come upon the group before sunset.

"It would seem, according to multiple sources, that they have sealed themselves in an abandoned house and warded the area with traps. The animals can't get near in the dark and there is speculation they are using chakra dampening techniques to hide their intentions."

"He really told you all that?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"No, but animals feel vibrations in energy, and those vibrations imprint themselves in their cellular memory and can be passed along chakra channels. While talking with him, I picked up on these vibrations which carried things like the feeling of fear and the sensing of something absent even though it could be touched. As a result, I do not think it wise for us to progress until they have set out for the day. Suki will alert us when it is time to go so try not to sleep too heavy."

Shiru then circled the spot he was standing before plopping down and drifting off to sleep.

"Can't really argue with that. Wolves are the top predators in nature. I imagine he senses more than you or I could even comprehend." Jiraiya lay down and fell asleep too leaving Kakashi to watch until a few hours before dawn when he allowed himself to sleep.

Woman's Best Friend | The Densetsu Arc

Lying her down roughly had been the kicker. Assuming they had a decent head start even with a tail, the blacked clothed ninja of the Densetsu had stopped to take a breather and eat. Nod ok we had Rhey dropped her on her side then a shot of pain radiates up into her shoulder causing $Name to groan.

"Looks like you win, she isn't dead or in a coma." Man number one said.

"Doesn't sound like she has many fights left in her. You sure you healed her up enough so she won't be dead on arrival? You know we will be dead too if that happens." Man two interjected.

"Of course I did! I have enough skill to heal her completely but then she might escape so I just roughly knitted all the damaged flesh closed so she wouldn't bleed out after we ripped the harpoon out. Man three spat back.

$Name winces at the thought and bites her lip trying not to make any more noise.

"We need to keep this short if she is awake. Get whatever you need to do done quickly. We leave in half an hour." Man four commanded causing a scuffling of fabric, supplies and feet.

Trying to stay focused but unbelievably tired and drained of chakra, it took all of $Name's remaining strength to just stay awake. Knowing she needed to leave some type of trail that wouldn't be cleaned up or hidden, she grabbed some with her teeth and cheeses it to a pulp before spitting it out by the base of the tree.

If Kakashi was trailing her, which she hoped, she knew at least his dogs if not he would find it or be able to track it.

When the time was up she was yanked back into one of their arms except for this time a bag was placed over her head.

"Wouldn't want you knowing where you are in case you get the bright idea to try to escape." Man two jested.

"Just shut up and moth. The less we talk the better." Man four barked out and the troop returned to silence.

The only sign of their passing an ambiguous wad of chewed grass.

Though they had been able to successfully follow the trail $Name was leaving as she slowly leaked chakra in her attempt to heal her wound, the trail was getting thinner indicating either her exhaustion or far worse.

Trying not to think about it, Kakashi continued to scout for signs of who might have taken or what they might be up against but the trail was completely clean except for the chakra trail that only Shiru could follow.

With day two turning into day three, Kakashi couldn't help being anxious.

"If we press hard tomorrow we might catch up to them before things get tricky. It seems there is a base of operations not that far to the east of our trajectory. If we can't catch them by then we will definitely have our hands full." Shiru remarked.

"And the possibility of catching them unaware at night?" Jiraiya asked.

"There is a slim chance if we can circle around in front of them that we can cut them off, but we have no idea if they have added to their forces or have any type of safeguards ready to deploy. Being this close to home they may not feel the need, but it pays to be cautious."

The damn mutt was definitely right but it still annoyed Kakashi. He couldn't help feeling slightly that she might have really found a cuter more reliable version of himself. The damn dog had been more reliable than he had during this whole mess.

"As far as my power I am not sure if I can summon it without her. She may need to be in physical contact with me and release her chakra into me for the transformation to take effect. If that is the case I could attempt to sneak in and find her so and I can share contact but if that doesn't work we are both sitting ducks."

"Well, we can't wait for reinforcements," Kakashi stated flatly.

"And we know there are at least four of them." Jiraiya

"Guess that leaves only one option." Kakashi swallowed his pride and leaned in

Though at first, the loud, warning sound of the wolf was terrifying and unexpected $Name soon realized it was also familiar. Trying to look around without being too obvious, she shifted her head and slowly rolled her body to face the direction the sound was coming from. At least that was the plan but the origin of the sound kept changing. At first, it was behind and to the right, then a few seconds later it was in front, then the third time it was directly to her left and closer.

Closing her eyes and turning to focus on each noise separately $Name was able to distinguish the calls weren't one but several wolves all working in concert as if an entire pack was out there. Not knowing where she was since the sack had been kept on her head until it had gotten completely dark, $Name had no point of reference or any idea if wolves were even native and hostile to this area.

Now suddenly panicking that she would be trapped and mauled, $Name looked frantically around for a way to cut her bonds as the makeshift camp turned into chaos. Her captors, having temporarily forgotten about her, were shouting orders and attempting to light a fire in an attempt to bring some light and keep the creature at bay all the while the howls got closer.

Desperate, $Name sidled up awkwardly to a tree before attempting to rub the rope around her wrists tied behind her back against the bark in hopes the friction would fray it enough to break. Faster and faster she rubbed as the brush around her began to break and shudder with the sounds of one of the animals stalking towards her.

Coming to a standing position using the tree for leverage, $Name faced off the spot until a voice in her head asked, "Scare you?" seconds before Shiru popped from the brush with his fir matted and tail wagging.

Collapsing back to the ground shaking, $Name's feet washed through her like a tidal wave as Shiru walked behind her and began to bite through the rope. No sooner had he broke the bonds than a burst of blue-white lightning tore through the camp as blades of light arched in multiple directions.

"Kakashi." She whispered relieved.

"Sorry, it took so long," Shiru interjected her thoughts. "Sadly this isn't a time for questions or reunions. We need to get you out of here." Shiru shook his fur before howling which was the signal to the rest of the team that she had been recovered and it was time to leave. It would only be a matter of time before the entire base was barreling down on them with all this noise.

"It's fine. You are right." Glancing back one last time at the spot where the lightning had come, $Name followed after Shiru until the camp was well out of sight.

Though used to working as a team, Kakashi's ninken were slightly more primal during this attack than they had been during previous ones. It was as if the spirit of the wolf had absorbed into them and they had become part of the pack. Considering there were eight and Shiru made nine it wasn't impossible to think the god wolf inside of him hadn't influenced then vicariously through the chakra flows as if providing a buff to each one that would increase attack and agility.

They also had become more efficient at independent attack as a group attacking and taunting the four black-garbed ninjas keeping them herded while limiting their mobility; an element that made it much easier for Kakashi to unleash his lightning cutter which illuminated the camp briefly as it tore through two out of the four foes.

With Jiraiya and three of the dogs managing the others, Kakashi went in search of $Name wondering if she had been found and was safe. Not long after wondering, Shiru's howl tore through the night signaling she had been recovered and the escape was underway.

Wanting nothing more than to see her, Kakashi knew he also had a responsibility to support their rear making sure no one was following or trying to flank them from the side since the dogs were already picking up frantic movement from the barracks not that far away. With first light almost on the horizon as well $Name wouldn't have the cover of darkness for long.

Returning to the fight he assisted Jiraiya in dispatching the last two ninjas before taking any valuable information they could and cleaning the scene. That way even if they were followed it wouldn't be easy to pick up their scent right away ensuring they had a solid head start before seeing combat another time.