A soft light falls over him. With it brings a familiar energy, one he can't quite place as he struggles through his distant dreams. It is strong enough to rouse his awareness but too weak to bring him out of his deep sleep. That is, until he feels a shift in the mattress to his right. Slowly he comes back to reality and opens one eye to the room.

Quickly he shuts it, cursing at how bright everything is.

Is it morning already?...

He gives it another try, hoping the light has dimmed. Still squinting he opens both eyes and looks over to where it begins. And as it fades away, it leaves a heavenly silhouette of a beautiful woman.

He must be dreaming....

He rubs his eyes in disbelief, as usually there is a big black asshole laying beside him, not a human being. Once his eyes adjust to the body in that paling aura, long crimson colored hair begins to spread out over his sheets. His heart skips a beat...

Soft skin smoothes the lines of a tight curvy body he has craved for what seems like an eternity. His eyes wander over you in denial. He had almost forgotten how devastatingly beautiful you are.

He tenses up...fearful that if he moves you may disappear, or he may wake from another tormenting dream...That is...until you sigh sleepily, turning your head towards him. He hadn't noticed how plush your lips are until this moment, or how cat-like your eyes really are. Or how badly he had fallen for you...he knows he loves you, but up until this moment he hadn't realized how utterly in love he really is.

With a shaky hand, he reaches towards you just to see if you are real. If you are truly lying beside him... or if his mind is just playing tricks on him. That hand falls onto your shoulder and the reality of your existence hits him hard. He gasps and rises up off his pillow.

Sitting up straight he looks down upon your beautiful body. You stir in your sleep and he immediately pulls his hand away unsure of what to do next. He wants to take you in his arms and feel you flush against his body. He wants to kiss you until he is gasping for air. He wants to hear your sweet voice again. There is also that primal part of him that wants to make love to you until you scream his name. And then there is that part of him that wants to burst into tears over the pain he had gone through in losing you.

All of these emotions are quietly mixing themselves together in a recipe for disaster. But before he can put those emotions into action you groan softy and shift below him. You roll onto your back, bringing up a hand to rest on your forehead.

Then you say something that fills his heart with happiness and devastating relief all at the same time.
"Hmmm...smells good...."

He knows exactly what smell you are talking about. You had constantly made comments about his cologne, even going as far as spraying it all over yourself when he left the room. He had told you many times you could use it whenever you wanted, yet you continued to use it in secrecy for some reason, which he had found adorable.

Unable to hold back any longer he lowers himself over top of you, supporting his weight with one arm secured beside your ear, making sure not to rest it on your hair. He draws the back of his free hand down the side of your cheek, taking in your beauty while coaxing you awake. He pulls down his mask and presses a soft and slow kiss to your lips. Your cat-eyes flutter open and adjust to their surroundings. He rises up and waits patiently for you to come to your senses, although all he wants to do is kiss you more.

Finally your eyes meet his and your mouth drops open.
"This better not be a fucking dream..." You whisper to yourself.

He chuckles at your cursing.
"Shall I pinch you just to make sure?" He replies, renewing the notorious playful banter you both share.

You laugh and look deeply into his eyes and say.
"Hi." So simply.

"Hi, kitten..." He replies in a daze.
He lifts his free hand and drags it down towards your breast, looking for a perky nipple to pinch to prove you are not dreaming. Yet all he finds is a strange looking top secured around your chest by strips of bark. He fixates on the textures, examining the rough patches of leaves and your knot work which isn't half bad.

"You brought the jungle home with you." He remarks, while tugging on one of the strands.

"Take this shit off me and burn it!" You reply. Making him laugh harder.

"Don't mind if I do."

It was then he notices Naruto's hokage robe and its vibrant orange color layed out underneath you.

"I think we should return this though." He tugs on the material.

Your eyes grow wide.
"Naruto!" You gasp.

He huffs at you feeling slightly jealous that Naruto had come between your rendezvous with him.

"He's fine. Now pay attention to me." He replies softly, sticking his tongue out like a child. He takes your delicate hand and places it on his cheek, kissing your palm gently.

At that you fall apart. With watering eyes and a shallow whimper you grip the back of his head and pull him into a crushing embrace, pressing his cheek into your shoulder. And he welcomes it. He curls his arms around you, squeezing you back with equal strength and equal desperation.

He immediately notices the change in your appearance. It seems like everytime something drastic happens, you return as something new. Something reborn.

Although this time you have come back to him far more slender and much weaker. He can feel the trauma you have been through in the week you spent in the jungle and it breaks his heart. That being said, your more slender figure also further accentuates your curves, if that is even possible. There are tattoos in intricate designs branded into your shoulders and arms, running along the sides of your hips. And your eyes are something to lose yourself in. Bright golden eyes you can see from miles away, far more prominent than before. You still have the same scent despite the underlying smell of earth and minerals from being in the jungle for days. He breathes you in and sighs heavily into your shoulder then squeezes. This time drawing a painful groan from you.

"You're hurt." He realizes.

Then you say something very interesting to him.
"No I'm just sore...I body flickered into a tree."

He rises up off you releasing you from his tight grasp.
"Body flicker? I don't remember teaching you that."

You nod, your cheeks dusting pink.
"Yeah, well...watching you with Shirou...I picked up on some things."

That brings a smile to his face.
"Smart girl...aside from hitting a tree.... That poor tree...."

"Smart is the last thing I would call it, I also body flickered an entire pack of hyenas and they tried to eat me." Your cheeks become a shade of red he rarely sees on you which in turn makes him burst out laughing.

"Those poor hyenas too. They must have been terrified." He replies.

You scowl beautifully and flick his forehead.
"You dummy, if Naruto didn't show up I would have been eaten alive."

And that brings a more serious tone to the conversation. So Naruto saved you...
He sighs, feeling like the delinquent.
"I'm glad he was there. Although I wish it was me."

"Yeah me too, his ego went up ten levels after that..."

Kakashi chuckles and watches as you shift uncomfortably beneath him. It would seem those primitive clothes you have on are causing you problems.
"Let's get you into something more comfortable. Maybe something nude in color..." He replies feeling smug over his clever play with words.

And you couldn't agree more. In fact you tear at the bark straps until they snap then throw the top to the floor, leaving your phenomenal breasts to bounce back into place before his eyes.

Drooling at the mouth he licks his lips and asks.
"Do you still need that pinch?"

You cock a brow in response, smiling slyly.
"We should probably make sure."

He drifts his free hand over one breast and spreads his fingers to capture as much flesh in his palm as he can before squeezing it. He watches you close your eyes and bite your lip  at the feeling. He smoothes the skin letting it fall from his grasp until the tip of its peak settles between his fingers, where he pinches hard enough to draw that little squeak he has been dying to hear.

He must confess.
"That noise...." He pinches again, replicating the sound from you. "Fuck...that noise drives me insane.." He thinks back on his first mission after making love to you for the first time. That little sound had stuck in his mind and distracted his thoughts so badly he had almost taken a throwing star to the head.
"That noise almost got me killed on my last mission." He finishes but not without feeling heat rising into his own cheeks.

You laugh sweetly, then shock him with a quick witted response.
"Well...jerking off in the woods isn't the best idea...especially on a mission.."

He smiles wide and shakes his head, praising that sharp tongue of yours. It has been too long without it.
"Hey...there's nothing wrong with getting intouch with nature.."

You raise that brow again and burst out laughing.
"If I saw that I would throw something sharp at you too."

And you have him at that. His face heats up instantly. He buries it between your pillowy breast to hide it and also to get his fill of you. You let him paw and nip at you while you hum and sigh at the occasional prickling of your skin. Especially when he bites with the precise amount of pressure he knows you like. It is undeniably hot how you get off on a little pain. It makes things far more interesting for him. He was growing bored of the same boring routine Hanare would force him to do.

But not you...no...you would let him fulfill every fantasy he has ever dreamed of if he asked.
You smooth the hair on the back of his head enjoying the attention is giving you. But Kakashi is starting to want more and he can tell you want it too by the arch in your back and the shift of your thighs, pressing together as you try to make your own friction.

He rises up off you and positions himself between your legs, growing hard in an instant at the way you look right now. Cheeks flushed, with shaky breaths of sexual tension. He can tell you're wet already and he wants to feel it. So he snaps the twine holding the loin cloth together and pulls its entirety from your body, revealing your slick wet pussy. He gawks at you for a moment, staring shamelessly at everything you are.

He must confess again as he runs a flat hand down your front, stopping at the slit of your pussy.
"You know...There are times when I can barely breathe just looking at you...

He sighs, feeling vulnerable all of a sudden.
"I...missed you more than you could ever know...I'm sorry for everything..."

It was then the horrific events leading up to this point fills his mind, setting him off again. " I wish I didn't lead us into that village...I should have known better. And treating you the way I did at the hot spring was...I'm so fucking dumb...I have so many regrets...."

And that feeling of falling apart bubbles up into his chest. Tears swell in his eyes. He moves his hands to your waist and watches his thumbs sweep over your ribs back and forth as he spirals down all the self-destructing paths he has grown used to. Your skin becomes dappled with wet drops and he smoothes them away trying to pretend they aren't there.

"Kakashi." You whisper sincerely and rise up onto your palm placing your hand on his chest, aligning your eyes with his. You clutch his shirt and pull him in closer. For a moment your eyes flit about him. Taking away all the pain he is victimizing himself with. You are here now, and that's all that matters. He doesn't have to hurt anymore. He won't ever make those mistakes again...ever.... And you kiss him gently, with care.

He focuses on how you taste and the way your tongue feels brushing against his own. His hands find their way to rest against the nape of your neck, holding you steady, not surrendering you to anything...that is until his front door to his home suddenly swings open, crashing against the wall startling you both.

Kakashi reluctantly pulls away from you, turning his head towards the sound. Boots thump against the vinyl plank flooring, heading down the hall straight towards you two. Then his voice bellows from the kitchen.

"Kash! What in seven hells did you do to your kitchen?" Gai shouts.

Kakashi curses loudly and looks back at you. You are now sitting in an adorable position, eyes glistening with excitement over who just stormed into his house without a phone call or even knocking first. You bite your lip and wiggle with anticipation at the pounding of boots growing closer.

"Go away, Gai! I'm busy!" He replies very annoyed.

"No way! We need to talk buddy."
And just as the door handle jiggles and it opens, Kakashi body flickers appearing beside it. He slams it shut right on Gai's face earning a few loud swears through the door.

"What? you not decent or something?...come on Kash don't be shy..." He says sarcastically in a voice two octaves higher.

"Gimme a sec." He growls.
Kakashi points at Naruto's robe still lying beneath you.
You snatch it, giggling quietly and cover yourself up.

Gai knocks on the door.
"Hey! You better not have a girl in there! I won't cover your ass when Hana finds out!"

Kakashi smiles, appreciating his allegiance to you. Once you are covered up he swings the door open and welcomes his obnoxious interruption.

But Gai bypasses him completely once his eyes fall onto you, sitting on your knees, hair flipped to one side looking ever so gorgeous.

"Hana?!" Gai gasps.

You nod and open your arms up to him, beckoning him for a hug. Which he doesn't hesitate to throw himself into your grasp. He cups the back of your head praising the gods you're alive and well. This is the only man Kakashi feels comfortable putting his hands on you. Gai is respectful and honest, a true friend and would never cross any lines. So this right now, is ok for him.

Gai holds you out in front of himself to get a good look at you.
"You're looking a little thin...princess. You need a cheeseburger or two..."

"A burrito would be better." You reply just as your stomach rumbles loudly.

Kakashi chuckles.
"I'll go heat up some chimichangas...it's the one thing your cohort despised strangely enough."

He makes it out to the hallway then hears you throw out a number.

"Six." You say.

He pauses.
"Six?"

"Yes, six please. With salsa and sour cream and a soda if you have one."

He laughs to himself, shaking his head and makes his way into the kitchen while you two play catch up.
Six it is...

———————————————
As Kakashi leaves you to cater to your needs Gai gets right down to business, reminding you of all the things you would rather not discuss right now...

"A lot has happened since your Panther self took over...like you don't have enough going on, did you know that the land of iron is holding one of your Bloodclaw clan members?"

You nod sadly.

He shares a sympathetic look with you before his expression turns dark.
"And..there's something else. Arufa..."

You pause him there, knowing exactly what he is going to say.
"I know....Naruto has filled me in with everything. I have agreed to it."

He suddenly grips yours shoulders and shakes you.
"You agreed?!"

You stare into his beady eyes.
"Yes. It's the only way, Gai."

His unibrow tightens and his eyes grow sad, he sighs heavily.
"But what about Kakashi?"

It was then that Kakashi walked into the room with no tell-tale signs of any worry, interrupting the conversation.
"I have a plan in the works." He places a tray of goodies you're already drooling over beside the bed which you don't hesitate to dive into.

"Don't tell me you're planning on overthrowing an entire dynasty." Gai states with a skeptical look.

Kakashi shrugs.
"Maybe....There's something I know that can throw this entire charade into the trash. I plan on using it when necessary, you won't be in that wedding dress for long...." He walks away as confident as ever and stops at the door way. "Hana, coke or Pepsi."

You smile at him. He is just so cute when he plays house with you.
"Pepsi, thank you."

He winks and leaves you two again to discuss this new information. You pick up a burrito and take a gigantic bite, savoring it as if it was your first time eating a burrito.

"I wish he would tell us what his plan is." Gai complains.

You swallow it down and reply.
"I do too, but I also know that he is holding back for a reason."

Gai sighs.
"I believe that. Things always work out when Kakashi is around, don't they?."

"They sure do. So, I'll go along with whatever needs to be done, knowing that Kakashi will get me out of there."

Kakashi returns with the drinks and offers one to Gai.
"My plan is solid. All we need is your good looks and excellent persuasion skills, Hana."

You down another burrito thinking about it. Yes you have a knack for getting your way, but under pressure like this you're nervous about it. Kakashi notices your anxiety and comes around to sit down beside you opposite to Gai.
"Hey, you'll be fine. If there is anyone who can persuade the world into believing something it is you. Everyone will fall in love with Hana Hoki once they see you all dolled up and talking sweetly."

You huff at that, reminding yourself that you have a dirty mind and a mouth not much cleaner.
"I'm going to miss swearing and making threats..."

Kakashi and Gai chuckle, sharing grins with each other.
"You can still do that, just don't get caught on camera."

You finish another burrito wiping your hands clean on a napkin.

Gai begins to pout.
"I wish I could come with you. But I'm teaching for another month or so."

"I wish you could too." You reply sadly.

"I'll be there, Naruto wants to talk about that sometime today. He has some plans of his own." Kakashi states as he checks his watch for the time.

Gai stands and pats your head.
"It's going to be ok, we will get through this. But I should go and leave you two to catch up." He looks over to Kakashi. "Let me know if you need me."

"Sure."

Once Gai had left and the front door shut Kakashi was back to caressing you in his bed in no time. With half a burrito still in hand and a Pepsi in the other he positions himself between your legs again, dragging his hands up and down the back of your thighs in anticipation. He is like a dog hounding for some attention, which pleases you in so many ways.

You watch him smugly as he tries to inch his way closer to his favorite spot. He looks up at you begging with oversized eyes.

With a mouthful you giggle and chastise him.
"You're just like a puppy."

He scowls at you and begins to whine just like one.

"I should call you puppy." You pat his head.

He Immediately stops whining and glares at you.
"Don't you dare."

You snicker and swallow your mouthful then take a sip of Pepsi with Kakashi watching you patiently.

"Can we play now" He asks with another wiggle of anticipation.

And you just have to tease him further.
"Mmmaybe...have you been a good boy while I was gone?"

He grins wildly.
"I'm always a good boy for you."

It was then Kakashi's cell phone began to ring beside you on the nightstand. He growls at it (just like a puppy), taking a short glance at the name on the screen.

"Naruto always has the worst timing...." Ignoring the phone, he takes the Pepsi can from your hand and finds a secure place for it. He comes back to you, still positioned between your legs and begins to grind against you. He locks his lips with yours letting the ring on his phone fade away. However, that ring comes back again and again despite the arousement building between you two.

He reluctantly pulls away at the third ring and curses.
"Fuck sake..."

"You should probably get that, I think it's important."

He rolls his eyes.
"Alright....."

He grabs the phone and brings it up to his ear. Naruto, being as loud as he is, can be heard through the speaker.

"Hey! I was getting worried that Panther ate you in your sleep or something..."

"Nah, I'm fine..." Kakashi replies in monotone, while stroking the back of your thigh impatiently.

"Good! But Kakashi, we need to have that talk."

Kakashi sighs and looks down at you sadly.
"Yeah....ok...I got something to tell you too."

"Great! I'll see you in an hour." Naruto replies and hangs up before Kakashi can protest.

He throws the phone onto his bed and runs a hand through his hair in frustration, flexing his body. God you missed him....

You try to comfort him as best you can, but you're feeling torn as well. All you want to do is spend the day lying in his bed loving him. But there are more serious matters at hand. It is starting to feel like there always is. He slumps his head down onto your stomach complaining.

"You haven't even been back an hour and I'm being taken from you..." He slides his hands up to your sides where he rests them on your waist, occasionally squeezing you just to feel how small you are in his grasp.

You blow out a breath just as frustrated and entangle your fingers into his soft silver hair.
"I'm sure once everyone knows I'm here they will respect our time together." You reply, trying to stay as positive as possible. But the more you think about being apart from him again, the more you spiral into anxieties of things to come. Your eyes start to water, your heart starts to ache.

You listen to his complaints and his own spiral of anxieties.
"Why can't we just be left alone...it seems like everytime I am with you something is pulling us apart."

The hitch in your breath catches his attention and he rises up off you just as the tears begin to fall.

With wide eyes he tries to console you.
"Please don't cry. I hate to see that....I'm sorry I shouldn't upset you like this."

"It's ok...it will be ok." You whisper, but you know it isn't. None of this is ok. What is coming for you is beyond both you and Kakashi and it may end what you have together. Even with this plan he has, you can sense the fear behind it. The fear of it failing is weighing on you both. It is something you are both realizing for he says the words you are thinking.

"I just...don't want to lose you again..." He wipes the tears from your cheeks.

Yet you continue to whisper hopeful mantras to him, just to save his feelings. You don't want him to feel so lost, so powerless.
"It's going to be ok, I promise. You always make sure of that." You reply and force out a smile.

He stares at you in disbelief.
"How are you so strong?...you're always so strong. Even in the worst situations, you're always fighting through them...." He presses his forehead against yours. "You really are something Hana. I will do whatever it takes to save us."

You sweep a hand through his hair, memorizing his handsome features. And a tiny spark of hope filters through the despair. Which quickly festers into a feeling of self empowerment. He is right...you are strong. You have gone through hell and back and are still fighting just to live. You are something, a very big something.
"I know you will. But Kakashi...." You search his eyes trying to come up with the right words. "I need you to start trusting in me too. Maybe I have my own plans, ones that are just as good. I can't always be cared for, and I can't always rely on everyone to fix my problems for me."

He stares at you stunned for a moment before rising up off you. You can see the wheels turning in his head, as if you had dislodged his ego from the cogs of his brain.
Then shame hits him hard. He grows quiet and removes himself from between your legs, slumping down on his back beside you.

You consider your words for a moment before letting them out. As this part may be hard for him to hear.
"I'm not going to sit by and have everyone tell me what to do. Let's work on this together. I know you have your solution and maybe it's time to share it."

He suddenly sighs and covers his eyes with his forearm.
"Hana...I want to...I really do. But I can't tell you yet. It would change far too much, it has to be done at a precise time or the entire plan will fall apart. There is more than one person involved. And I promised them not to reveal things just yet."

Your heart sinks. This is so frustrating. But if there is someone else involved and they have asked not to tell you just yet, then it is most likely someone you care for who also cares about you. Which makes it a situation to be respected.

Both of you blow out a long breath at the same time.
"Alright." You reply. "But after this....no more secrets."

He removes his arm from his eyes and looks over to you.
"If it makes things easier, these secrets are only in place to save us. And after this is over I will never keep anything from you again."

You look over at him.
"I hope so. I won't hide anything from you either."

He smiles warmly.
"I know....I guess I should get my ass out the door soon."

He kisses your forehead before getting up out of bed. And you reluctantly let him. But not without reminding him to set aside some time for you both.

"You're mine tonight though."

"Damn right. And no one will interfere."
You watch him walk into his bathroom and begin his shower routine.

——————————

Fast forward to his meeting with Naruto....

They met in a more secluded part of the hokage Tei. A small garden area in the middle of the building that only the
current hokage has access to.

Kakashi watches as the last cherry blossoms fall from the trees surrounding them. He snatches a petal in his grasp, feeling its velvety texture in his fingers, reminding him of how soft Hana is. He hasn't been able to pay much attention to Naruto. His thoughts of Hana have run rampant through his mind. He can't wait to get back home to her....

"I have something to ask of you." Naruto says, finally coming to the point of this discussion.

It catches just enough of Kakashi's attention for his ears to twitch and his mind to push away the lewd thoughts of her naked body beneath him.

"What is it?" He asks.

A heaviness grows between them. He notices the grave look on Naruto's face as he shifts uncomfortably beside him.

"Hana has agreed to marry Arufa. Once she gets out of the land of jungles and back into this world she will have to leave almost immediately."

He huffs at that and replies sourly.
"I know that. But that's not what you're asking about, is it."

Naruto shakes his head.
"No it's not....I know you will want to go with her..."

As the tension builds between them, Kakashi's mind begins to make assumptions before Naruto has even finished.

"You're asking me not to go...." He says with far too much tone.

Naruto pauses for a moment, sharing a concerned glance.
"No that's not it... I know you will go no matter what orders are in place."

Kakashi leans back resting his hands on his palms while sighing.
"Yup, I can't say I won't.."

"To avoid the risk of someone seeing you out there, especially someone who you've run into on your last mission with Hana, you must stay hidden."

Kakashi's brows knit together in confusion.
"What do you mean, stay hidden?"

And he responds with a daunting reply.
"Well...There was a time when you wore a mask to hide your identity."

Flash backs of his time with the black ops run through his mind. Subconsciously, Kakashi rubs the tattoo on his left arm.

"I know it's a lot to ask of you. But Hana will be escorted by the Anbu to the land of iron. This must be a formal representation of Hidden Leaf Village, as our reputation is on the line. Do you understand?"

He pauses for a moment trying not to dive too deep into the trauma of his past
"That mask....damn it... thought I left that shit behind...."

"I know...and I'm sorry. But It's the only way. You'll want to wear anything else that disguises you. Your hair color is an issue."

Kakashi rolls his eyes. This is a lot to ask of him. But if it means tagging along with Hana and being able to protect her then he will do it.
"Alright...I'll do it, and I have a solution for my hair...." He smiles, fondly remembering the time he dressed up as a photographer to fool Naruto and the rest of team seven.

Naruto grins happily.
"Thanks Buddy. I know this isn't easy for you."

"Anything for her..."

Naruto huffs at that.
"You know, she is still considered a danger. When she returns, she will be under supervision. As of right now, with her track record, she could still lose control of herself...." He replies.

"You don't trust her? After all that she has done? She has proven..." and Naruto stops him there.

"She has proven that she is still vulnerable to her cohort, especially the Sunaneko form." He pulls on the collar of his hokage robe revealing a small scar from one of Hana's bite wounds. "That is also why I am sending you with her. To stop her from losing control and ruining everything we have set in place."

Kakashi drops his head low.
"She won't lose control anymore, I'll make sure of it."

"We will see. I'm counting on you to keep this together." He places a hand on his shoulder, which Kakashi instinctively shrugs off.

With what kakashi has in store, there is no doubt Naruto will gain confidence in her.
"She will earn your trust eventually. I promise you."

At that Kakashi rises to his feet, more angry than anything. He will make damn sure she finds her control. She's almost there......as he makes it to the glass door of the solarium Naruto stops him.

"Hey! I'll see you tonight, it's time to bring her back.." He says with a weak smile.

Kakashi laughs at him and shakes his head. He opens the sliding door and steps through then says one more thing before he slams it shut cutting off the conversation.

"She's already here, Naruto."

And he body flickers out of sight, leaving him scrambling to find him.

———