You slept alone last night. Kakashi wasn't able to sneak in like he usually does. It wasn't his choice, but there was a mix up with rooms at the resort which left him sharing one with Konohamaru. If only he had been there for you during your horrific dreams, you probably would have spared everyone the hindrance that came after.

Instead you had nightmare after nightmare. The ones that paralyze you or make you unable to run or speak.

One particular dream stood out to you.

You stood in the middle of an ice covered valley with animals surrounding you. At first they looked deceased, their heads hanging low unmoving with gouged out eyes. Their backs hunched over, mouths puffing with cold air. But their legs did not match the creatures hovering over them. They were a half breed of animal and human watching you. Waiting for you to make a move.

Instinct kicks in, you scream but nothing comes out. The only sound is a feline's growl that shakes the frozen cliffs surrounding you. You were a cat in a wolf's den, alone, scared, and losing control of yourself. You switch between cohort form and human form, battling the two as they close in.

Resisting the urge to let your cohort take over, you fight her with everything you have. In your mind you repeat, who you are. Hana Hoki, kunoichi of hidden leaf, member of the Hatake clan.

You scream at her "NO!" She growls back. "IT IS THE ONLY WAY!" She says in a two toned voice.

The nightmare is so real and so terrifying you wake up screaming and let go of energy building in your stone. It tears apart the room around you and everything made of glass bursts into particles of dust and sharp shards. The lamps beside you crush instantly making you jump out of bed on the defense. You tumble to the floor, slicing yourself open broken glass and splintered wood. Unable to move, you sit as the dust settles into your hair, sticking to your skin from the sweat and tears dripping down your nighttime attire.

"Hana!" Kakashi calls you through the closed door.

"Hana! Are you ok?" Konohamaru pounds on the door.

"Open the door!" Shiro shouts.

But you can't do anything except sit in your mess of broken nightmares.

"I can't get up!." You reply, and begin to sob quietly while trying to lift your kneeled down body off the glass that is stabbing into your feet and legs from your weight.

Through the door you hear the others joining the group outside.

"What the hell happened? I heard an explosion!" Shikamaru asks in a panic.

Sakura knocks on the door.

"Hana! Can you hear me? Are you hurt?"

"Yes." You reply painfully as you try to get to your feet. Yet the glass shards buried into your soles bring you back down to your knees forcing more into your legs. Through the pain you keep replaying the nightmare, lifeless animals surrounding you in a wasteland of ice and cold. There is a feeling of dejavu coming with the vision, as if you have been there before somehow.

A slam on the door interrupts your thoughts.

"Ufff.." Shiro grunts.

"There's something blocking it!" Konohamaru shouts.

"Alright everyone, step back, I'm going in!" Kakashi says. And the feeling of electricity buzzes through the air.

"Stay away from the door Hana." He warns.

Luckily you are far away from the door shielded by the now broken bed you were sleeping on. Kakashi unleashes a fair amount of lightning, disintegrating the door and everything blocking it and steps through looking around at the disarray.

"Gods...Hana..." 

You whimper, knowing that comment means you have completely destroyed the room.

"I'm sorry." You cry.

Which perks his ears. He comes around the bed stepping over shards of glass from the windows and lamps and peers down at you. You sit in your mess of blood and destruction unable to meet his eyes.

"Hana." He says in a soothing voice.

Suddenly Konohamaru rounds the corner of the bed and gasps.

"Well don't just fucking stand there!" He scolds Kakashi and rushes to your side.

He picks you up in his arms, cuddling you and consoling you. Yet all you can do is stare at Kakashi. You plead him with your eyes to take you away from this man, all you want is Kakashi right now and Kakashi knows it. He glances at Shikamaru who approaches his left then looks back at you, sitting uncomfortably in someone else's arms.

And all he can do at this moment is manage the situation with delegations.

"Sakura, can you look at Hana's wounds once Konohamaru has found a safe place to set her down?" He rips his eyes from you, trying to keep himself busy while Konohamaru takes care of you like Kakashi should.

"Jeez Hana, you're all cut up." Kono says looking at your feet and legs.

Reluctantly you lower your head onto his shoulder wishing this wasn't happening right now.

"Let's go to my room." He suggests and before anyone can protest he walks you out the door and down the hallway.

He pushes his half ajar door open and walks into his room, laying you down on the bed.

Sakura rushes in behind.

"What happened, Hana?" She asks frantically, pushing Kono out of the way.

You hesitate to answer, searching the room for Kakashi, but he is yet to appear through the doorway.

So you call for him.

"Kakashi!"

No answer...

He must not be able to hear you from where you are now. So you call him even louder.

"KAKASHI!"

Konohamaru begins to argue about having him here just as Shikamaru enters the room.

"I'm here, Hana. You don't need Kakashi. He's not much help anyways..."

You scowl at him and call for your sensei once again.

"KAKASHI HATAKE, I NEED YOU HERE NOW!"

He suddenly appears beside you with a puff of white smoke looking down at you with a mask covered smile.

"I was gathering some of your things. Are you ok?" He sits down beside you and Konohamaru huffs loudly. "Tell me what happened?"

Now that your comforting person is beside you once again, you can finally calm down your nerves enough to explain.

"I had a nightmare. I...well...I think I was fighting for control with my cohort while I was asleep. It was terrifying..." you begin to work yourself up again thinking about it. At this point Shiro enters the room leaning up against the wall listening.

Kakashi's brows furrow with concern.

"Hmmm....well you're safe now. Do you remember destroying the room?"

You nod and feel the tears swell in your eyes.

"I woke up and...I had to release the energy or it would have pushed me over the edge." Unable to keep your tears from spilling down your cheeks, you hide your face with your hands and breath through your breakdown.

Kakashi looks around at everyone.

"Alright, everyone out! Except for Sakura."

And Konohamaru loses it.

"I'm not going anywhere! Not while she's hurt like this."

Shiro growls and approaches him.

"Listen here, when your superior tells you to do something you fucking do it. Or you might as well pack your shit up and head home!"

Konohamaru glares at him clenching his teeth.

"Don't come at me with that shit! It's not like you're following orders these days either. So piss off!"

"Move or be moved!" Shiro challenges him.

Konohamaru puffs his chest taking an offensive stance and surprisingly Sakura steps in.

"As of right now you are all very distracting, and I'm having trouble focusing on healing Hana. Could you all please leave the room and take your bullshit with you, that would be great...."

"I got no problem here." Shikamaru states, eying up Konohamaru and Shiro as he walks by them, heading out the door.

The other two finally back down, but not without cursing at each other and leave the room angrily.

Once the door is shut you sit up and latch desperately onto Kakashi who does the same. He curls his big arms around you hugging you tightly making everything go away. Even the pain in your legs seems to ease up.

Sakura watches you both closely, admiring the affection. It is not something she is used to, as Sasuke doesn't like being touched much. However, when he does show her affection, it is beyond anything she can ever imagine.

"There, that's exactly the medicine we needed to start the healing process." She giggles and Kakashi tenses up remembering she is in the room too.

Immediately he releases you. His cheeks turn red and he tries to change the subject with sarcasm.

"You know Hana, if you wanted a break from tree hopping, you could have just asked. You didn't have to go and injure yourself."

You gasp at him and Sakura laughs.

"I did not, do this on purpose!"

He rolls his eyes playfully.

"Right, right..."

Sakura comes to his side.

"Mind if I take over here?"

"Sure thing boss." He salutes her and rises to his feet.

"You're lucky to get hugs from Kakashi. He doesn't give them out to just anyone...." Sakura winks as she says that.

Kakashi clears his throat trying to brush it off like it was nothing.

"Uhhh...well...comforting her before she goes berserk, seemed like the best thing to do."

"Hey! That is not what was happening!" You argue and begin to pout.

"We can't take any chances, Hana. Now...before you get all worked up over a hug from a handsome shinobi and blow up this room, I'm going to go settle things with the front desk. I have a feeling I'll be leaving them a larger tip than anticipated."

You curse under your breath imagining the bill Kakashi will be receiving for the damage you have caused.

"I leave you in Sakura's capable hands." He says and leaves the room.

You look over to Sakura who is beaming at you.

"What?" You ask.

"You two are just so cute!"

You blush as she comes to your side to start healing the cuts on your feet.

"This won't take long. It's not as bad as it looks. Tell me about this dream."

You begin to explain the nightmare in detail.

————————————————-

Four hours later you are standing at the front doors of the resort with your crew of misfits. You are no longer welcome at the resort and we're told to wait outside until Kakashi settles the bill....again?

"Great job on healing my sister." Shiro says, patting her shoulder.

"It's what I do." She replies.

He comes around to your side and wraps a thick arm around your shoulder.

"You ok, sis?"

"Yeah...just a bad dream"

You are still embarrassed by the whole event, although you have this strange feeling about it all. "Sucks that I trashed the room."

"Ehh...it happens. I've done it once or twice. Not in the same context but we completely destroyed the room."

You roll your eyes, knowing that his room demolishing most likely involved a random woman and some heated sex.

"Of course you have." You reply.

The large double doors to the resort opens and out walks Kakashi with your bag and his swung over his shoulder, along with some souvenirs from the gift shop. Shiro lowers his arm off you as Kakashi hands you your bag. You take it and notice how much more organized it feels. Kakashi took some time to make things easier for you.

"They gave us some souvenirs! And a discount on our rooms!." He says with excitement.

Everyone's jaw drops open.

"How the hell did you manage that?" Shikamaru asks in disbelief.

"Yeah....I'm very shocked by this. Did you use genjutsu or something?"." Konohamaru asks.

Kakashi hands over the bag of goodies to Sakura and explains with a triumphant grin.

"Nothing like that. It was my undeniable charm and good looks...I can sweet talk anyone, you know...."

He looks directly at you and winks. Boy is he right about that...you blush and bite your lip feeling special that he is yours and nobody else's .

Shiro taps his arm with his tiny plush koi fish souvenir.

"You have to be my wingman! Or at least my sweet talk sensei!."

Kakashi chuckles.

"I'm sorry but that super power cannot be passed on to another."

"Oh come on! I need a lady Kakashi!"

Kakashi walks by him, chuckling.

"It is a watch and learn process. So pay attention."

It was then you realized what his sweet talking actually entailed.....flirting with other women...also that lovely mouth of his, and quite possibly that scent which is a little stronger right now....He is taking this way too far....

"Alright! I will be right beside you, every step you take...sensei." He says catching up to him.

In monotone he replies.

"You sound like Hana...." And everyone laughs.

You scowl at everyone and watch as Kakashi pulls something from his pocket.

"I am just lucky the majority of the front desk were ladies. Here you can have this." He hands a small piece of paper over to Shiro and one to Konohamaru.

That makes your stomach turn.

Shiro gasps.

"They gave you their number?!"

"Yup and a discount on our rooms." He replies smugly.

You become very self conscious as you watch Shiro snatch up the small piece of paper.

Then Konohamaru says the words that Kakashi should have been thinking while swooning ladies into getting a fucking discount.

"I don't need any numbers from spa women. I have my eyes on someone already and they don't compare." Konohamaru takes the piece of paper and tears it up and throws it into the air, sprinkling it over Kakashi's head. You watch the backside of Kakashi unaware of the sudden guilt written all over his face.

Sadly you lower your eyes to the ground trying your best not to picture Kakashi sweet talking ladies your age. Quickly that sadness turns into jealousy and you can't help but take a jab at him.

"So which number did you keep, Kakashi?" You ask Kakashi bitterly.

His shoulders very noticeably tense up and immediately he responds.

"None. I'm not interested in spa girls...they're way too high maintenance.."

Shiro glances at you, noticing your stone glowing slightly and things finally click in for him..... idiot....

You continue to scold Kakashi using indirect sarcasm.

"Is that so...you must have some pretty high standards then. Although, I assume they were in the right age group for you . "

He chokes on air at your comment and  his ears turn a bright shade of red.

Konohamaru laughs loudly and doesn't hesitate to exploit his lady game.

"Kakashi is a player and always will be."

"I'm not a player, Kono." Kakashi argues.

"Oh yes you are! I saw you buying flowers for some girl a couple weeks back. I doubt they were for Hanare. Not only that, you got those on discount for complimenting the store owner on her blonde hair." He states. "So I heard...."

Blonde hair? He likes blonde hair? You catch a strand of your red colored hair and feel absolutely heart hurt over it.

And you come at him with a substantial amount of jealousy. You just can't help it...

" So to summarize...Kakashi likes young blondes and flirts with women for discounts." You reply to Konohamaru in disgust.

"Exactly." Kono confirms.

This is painful to think about. You now feel as if you are just another flavor of the month for Kakashi and this month is strawberry... ouch... then again, he wouldn't have given you his clan name if you were nothing more than a fling....right? This just leaves you extremely confused and hurt by his behavior towards women.

Kakashi is starting to lose his patience with this conversation.

"None of that is true. You both have no idea what you're talking about so I suggest you stop making assumptions."

You grow quiet and listen as Konohamaru stirs the pot even further.

"It's not an assumption, it is literally who you are. You've always been like that."

You continue to watch Kakashi's backside as he walks ahead of you and Konohamaru. Shiro glances back at you shaking his head. But you're unsure what he is shaking his head about. Then he taps on his chest and points to you.

You look down and see your stone glowing faintly through your shirt. You need to calm down before you blow up something else today....although you  half hope it will be Kakashi...

"Well, Konohamaru. I believe it is time for a change in my behavior. It is obvious my reputation can leave a bad taste in everyone's mouths, you're welcome for the discount though...."

And Konohamaru couldn't agree more.

"You got that right. Although I highly doubt you can change. It would take a miracle. And I already planned on covering the cost of my room and Hana's. You know I'm making six figures now..."

And that was shocking all on its own. Konohamaru is rich?....

"Miracles happen all the time." Kakashi says and looks back at you. But all you can do is shake your head and look away. You are extremely angry with Kakashi right now.

Despite the circumstances at the resort, Kakashi has no right to be hitting on women when he is with you. He is right about changing his behavior. You sure as hell won't stand beside a man like that.

Kakashi continues walking ahead through the thick of the rainforest and everyone in the group follows silently unsure of what to say next.

"We are behind schedule in our mission by a few hours. We won't be making it to the next village in time for check in." Kakashi says breaking the eternal silence.

"So we're sleeping outside?" Sakura asks.

"Yes. We will find a place to camp. There is another problem we will be facing. The terrain is getting steeper, and we will soon be walking into colder weather."

"I take it we're setting up camp at the border?" Shikamaru asks.

"Correct."

"Well, I call dibs on Hana, for a cuddle buddy." Shikamaru jokes, trying to lighten the tension.

Sakura laughs.

"You get the left side, I'll take the right."

Shikamaru fist bumps her.

"Deal."

"I'm ok with that." You reply.

Kakashi scowls.

"I'll take first watch then."

"I got second." Konohamaru replies competitively.

"I have third." Sakura volunteers. "Shikamaru can take fourth."

"I guess that leaves me as the fifth watch." You state.

Kakashi shakes his head.

"No, I want you to rest, Hana. You've been through a lot today."

Oh good...now he's being extra with you most likely because he feels like a complete dick about his shitty behavior.

"I can handle a watch, Kakashi." You snap.

"Not tonight." He argues.

"I will do my duty as a ninja just like everyone else. Thank you very much.."

Kakashi stops mid step and turns around to meet you with a very serious look on his face.

"You will listen to me on this. I need you well rested and ready for the next step in our mission." He points an authoritative finger at you.

You look around at everyone's surprised expressions. Sakura is cringing at you. You sigh backing down. Even though all you want to do is tear a strip off him.

"Fine." You say with tone.

His expression softens.

"Thank you."

But you keep your stern glare on him and for a few seconds you both stare at each other trying to read one another until Kakashi lowers his eyes shamefully.

"Let's pick up our pace, and no more conversation. I don't want to hear anymore shit from anyone today." Kakashi turns from you and walks away.

His behavior really sucks ass right now. You follow behind everyone re-thinking what you've gotten yourself into with Kakashi. If you could only pull him aside and question him properly, maybe you could come to a resolve with him. But only two out of the four shinobi know about your relationship and with Konohamaru here, there is no doubt he won't try to pull you and Kakashi apart using his reputation and shinobi rank.

This is the worst......

You spend the next six hours silently walking along the rocky road towards the land of frost trying not to come up with hurtful scenarios involving Kakashi and young blondes.

———————————————

"Hey! Do you see that?" Sakura asks, pointing up ahead.

Kakashi squints his eyes through the dimming light.

The sun has almost set at the border of the land of frost. A thick cloud cover has rolled in and a dusting of snow has come along with it. It was cold...damn cold... thankfully Kakashi had packed you a white fur lined jacket which you didn't hesitate to throw on top of your cheongsam once it started getting nippy.

You and the others were about to set up camp once Kakashi had found a good spot, until Sakura stumbled upon a village up ahead.

You clutch onto your hood, holding it upright against the wind while looking out over a small valley.

"Is that a village?" Shikamaru asks.

"It is." Kakashi replies, sounding slightly suspicious.

Which Shiro picks up on.

"Is there not supposed to be a village here?"

"It's been a few years since I have been out this way. It could be that a settlement has started here." Kakashi replies.

"Well, I don't know about you guys. But I'm ready for a nice hot bowl of ramen and some warm sake." Shiro says, rubbing his hands together.

And you couldn't agree more. Infact, you had planned on sitting by a hot fire, drinking tea and eating something warm once camp was set up. But this is even better.

"I'm in for all of that, Shiro." You say and march onwards towards the village.

Kakashi hesitates for a moment examining the small village. There must be about ten homes and a few larger buildings. Something tugs at his intuition...he has a bad feeling about this. He was strict on his rule to only stay in allied villages so as not to blow their cover or run into any enemies along the way and here he is following the love of his life into unknown territory.....Baka...

"Hold up!" Kakashi says and everyone stops.

"What now? I'm hungry and cold, Kakashi." Shikamaru complains.

"I don't care. And I was very specific about staying in villages outside of our allies. I don't know this village, so..."

Everyone groans annoyed and Kakashi continues on.

"So...we will rest for a short time, eat and warm up. Then we will be on our way. We camp at the edge of that cliffside beyond the village."

"Alright. But I'm stealing some blankets if I see any." Shiro snickers. "Cold is not my friend. How are you holding up Neko?"

In all honesty you aren't doing very well. You're still pissed at Kakashi for his behavior at the spa...and any other times he has flirted with women without your knowledge. You feel played in so many ways and Kakashi is fully aware. It's not like you were hiding it. To the others your one word answers were normal considering the environment you are in and what had happened to your room earlier. But to Kakashi it was really starting to bother him. You could tell by the way he would hang back every chance he got just to walk beside you. Or his consistent glances back at you, sometimes playing it off like he is making sure you're keeping up with the group. In those moments you either ignored him or would find someone else to walk beside. Kakashi would curse under his breath and walk on ahead.

So as of right now, are you ok? ...no not really. You are dying for a break and something warm to eat and sake is starting to sound pretty good right now too.

"I could use a pint of hot sake." You reply in a sour tone.

Shiro laughs.

"A whole pint?"

"Yes a fucking pint!"

"How about we start with some food and a small glass first." Kakashi suggests.

You roll your eyes at him.

"Sure....whatever you say sensei."

He squints his eyes watching you walk by to join your brother up ahead.

.......

It took thirty minutes to get to the village and the sun had set completely. The only visible light was either inside the homes parallel to the street or hanging on outside lanterns burning with orange flames.

The streets were now blanketed in crystal clear snow with a subtle icy breeze that carried it across the main street.

"Almost there! Can you smell that?" Shiro asks, stretching his arms over his head and resting his hands on the back of his neck.

You suck in a deep breath.

"Smells like freshly baked bread and something roasting over a fire!"

It smelled so good you had to wipe the drool from your mouth several times already.

You approach a large building on your right with a sign hanging from a flag pole reading.

" The broken barrel inn ."

"Check out the sign!" Sakura points to it giggling with excitement.

The only ones who don't seem all that excited are Konohamaru and Kakashi. They cautiously scan the area, stopping occasionally to listen to sounds coming from the homes and down the alley ways.

You faintly hear a whisper from Konohamaru in Kakashi's direction.

"I don't like this place."

"Me either." Kakashi agrees.

"Keep an eye on the girls." They both whisper at the same time.

But you haven't gotten any strange feelings other than something nostalgic. Aside from the cold and snow, it was common to find small villages like this in the land of wind. Which you and Shiro would stop at each and every one of them.

"Oh stop it you two. Let's try to have some fun here, god knows we need it." You scold and brush by both of them heading towards the door.

You stop beside Shiro. Live music and laughter fills your ears. This place is packed full of people dancing and singing, sharing drinks together. This may be the fun you've been missing for quite some time. The last place you had enjoyed live music was the gala, and you wish you could erase that entire week. This time around it is going to be fun, whether anyone disagrees or not.

Shiro grins at you and nods, setting the tone. Exactly what you used to do before entering a bar in a random village with random people. Almost every time you would enter a place like this with Shiro you had a blast. With him by your side you were safe, and with your power he was safe. No need to worry.

Shiro rips the door open and walks in. His heavy boots hitting the hard wood floor. Before you can go any further Kakashi grabs your arm and pulls you back.

You gasp at him and how aggressive his grip is.

"Hey! That hurts!" You complain, scowling at him. He loosens his grip immediately and Sakura pauses.

"Everything ok Kakashi?" She asks.

"Everything is fine. I just need to talk to Hana about her stone for a minute." He replies.

"Ohhhh right. Pep talk. I get it." And she walks right in leaving you alone with him.

Shikamaru and Konohamaru enter the inn and shut the door behind them.

It is now you and Kakashi outside in the dim light staring at each other.

"Hana, I'm.." but you stop him there.

"Look, I don't want to hear this right now. If I wanted to talk I would have pulled you aside and right now all I want to do is go inside, eat, drink, have fun and be me for once. Can you put your shitty behaviors aside and let me do that?"

He loosens his grip slowly until his hand falls away from yours. He searches your eyes before responding simply.

"Ok."

You furrow your brows in confusion.

"That's it? Just ok?"

"Yeah. Go have fun." He skirts by you, opens the door and waves you through. But something isn't right about this. His tone makes it seem like he has an ulterior plan or is devising one as he watches you enter the door. But what does it matter? You're not going to let him ruin this.

You storm in through the door and look around. Your crew has found themselves a table and are being greeted by a cute blonde waitress....oh good...just what you were hoping for.....

Burying your jealousy you unzip your coat, pull off your hood, and take your jacket off swinging it over your arm.

It was then the room went silent. All eyes are on you, especially the young men hovering around the bar. But you are far too focussed on the blonde flirting with Shiro at your table than anyone else. Let's hope Kakashi doesn't decide to get another discount here.

You make your way to the table and sit down in the chair beside Sakura placing your pack down beside hers. The room seems to go back to normal and you are greeted by goldy locks and her green eyes.

"Hi there traveler! What can I get you!"

Boy does she sound rehearsed.

In a tone similar to her high pitch you reply.

"Hi! I would like a pint of sake please."

She double takes at the words pint and sake put together.

"Like a whole pint?" She asks, her voice fluctuating in that annoying high pitched I'm pretty but dumb tone. Ok maybe you're taking your jealousy a little too far.

Then Kakashi walks over to your table and the blonde blushes instantly. She ignores you and begins talking him up.

"Hello, my name is Alli, can I get you something?"

He scowls at her shaking his head.

"A menu, please." And sits down in the chair beside Shikamaru, across from you. He rests his hands on the table not taking his eyes off you. With a straight face of authority and seemingly  unimpressed.

Nervously you tap your thigh trying to ignore him.

"I'll take that pint, Alli."

She barely glances at you before settling her focus back on Shiro, Shikamaru and Kakashi.

"A pint...right...I'll go grab you a menu, sweetheart." She places a gentle hand on his bicep, squeezing it slightly making you want to set her on fire.

In your mind you roll your eyes and as she walks away Konohamaru just has to say something stupid.

"Hey Kakashi! Alli's got a thing for you, why don't you try sweet talking her and get us some drinks on the house?"

He shoots him a death glare before responding.

"Why don't you use that six figure paycheck to buy us all a round?"

Konohamaru laughs and shakes his head.

"I can do that. I was going to grab the ladies a drink anyway."

"Perfect."

The waitress returns with a menu and not your pint of sake. She hands it over to Kakashi bending over showing off her pushed up breasts to him.

"Here you go." She says and winks. "Let me know if there is anything else you would like."

He takes it from her hands and places it on the table leafing through it.

"Did you not hear my friend when she asked for a drink?" His tone was strange, very impatient and condescending. It was making you nervous.

"Uh...umm..." she begins to stutter. "I-I'm sorry. I must have forgotten what she said."

She tries to laugh it off but Kakashi, who is nose deep in the menu, responds, shocking everyone.

"Maybe you should listen to your customers when you ask them a question. She asked for a pint of hot sake...do you remember now?"

Finally he looks up at her with an unreadable expression.

Her face turns a deep shade of red you can feel and she stares at him.

"Y-yes I remember. I'm sorry I will go get that right away."

"I believe the rest of my friends are waiting for their drinks as well. You know, being a waitress really isn't that hard of a job. Unless you have a disability, I would assume that whatever they are paying you... it is too much."

And Shiro bursts out laughing. The girl becomes completely embarrassed and storms away towards the bar to get the drinks.

Now this....this.... is a side of Kakashi you have yet to see. A cynical, overly critical, I can end you with words, side of Kakashi. Not only can he sweet talk anyone he can also traumatize them with words...frightening...

"Oh man....I think you made her cry, Kash." Shiro says.

Sakura agrees.

"Yeah...that was a little harsh."

Kakashi doesn't respond, he continues to read from the menu ignoring everyone.

"They have ramen. And pan fried saury."

Shikamaru gasps.

"They do? Which page are you on!"

Kakashi leans over and flips a page of his menu and points to the section.

"Right here."

Shikamaru smiles with delight.

"That's what I'm getting."

Alli returns hastily with the drinks and sets them down in front of everyone. Surprisingly she gets the orders right.

With a fake smile she asks everyone if they would like to place an order for food. Each of you say the same thing, except for Kakashi who adds saury to his order.

With your order in and everyone talking amongst themselves. You decide to go freshen up in the bathroom.

"I'll be back." You say and get to your feet, hooking your coat into the back of your chair.

Kakashi immediately asks where you're going. 

"To the bathroom." You reply and walk away before he can say anything else.

You pause for a moment scanning the room for a bathroom sign and finally find it to the left of the bar. Onwards you go, passing by a group of young men dressed in strange clothing. Some were quite handsome and didn't hesitate to run their eyes over you as you walked by. You hear one whistle behind you.

Internally you're smiling at that and hope Kakashi saw every bit of their obvious gawking.

You push open the door to the bathroom and pause to look in the mirror. Your hair is tousled and has loosened from its braid, your upper half looks pretty decent in your cheongsam, but your lower half is clothed in baggy unmatching pants. They gotta go....it was time to show Kakashi how hot you can be. You may not be blonde but you know you have curves far better than Alli out there.

You strip off your pants and adjust your thigh high socks under your boots, straightening things out. But something has to be done about your hair. You untie it from your braid and marvel at how wavy it is. It flows down to your lower back with that thick black streak in the front. You sweep it over to one side, letting it hang over your eye then tousle it further to give it volume.

One more once over and you are ready. With the right tools you could look much better, but this will still cause some ripples in the pond. You smile deviously, pick up your pants and walk out of the bathroom.

The group of men who were previously swooning over you haven't taken their attention off the bathroom you were in..... snicker... and the minute you exited the door they fell apart.

One drops their drink on the floor, another leans back in his chair to get a better look. You can hear two others comment.

"God damn."

You make your way back over to the table and find your ramen steaming in a bowl just waiting to be devoured. Kakashi looks you up and down.

"Where's your pants?" He asks in that authoritative tone.

"Right here!" You hold them up for him to see. Then hook them behind your chair with your jacket.

Kakashi chews on his cheek, his mind spiraling over you right now. But he deserves this for flirting with other women. He needs a good reminder of who you are and what you are to him.

You dive into your ramen, savoring every warm delicious hug it gives you. Then Shiro suggests something intriguing while you slurp up the rest of your noodles.

"Hana! They have a band playing here. Maybe you can convince them to let you play a song?" Shiro suggests.

You look around at the makeshift stage to your right and smile. Off to the side is a guitar resting against the wall. That gets you all over excited.

"I don't know if they will let you play." Konohamaru replies, nervously.

And you take this opportunity to jab at Kakashi. With the band being all men it shouldn't be a problem convincing them to let you play.

You look directly at Kakashi and reply.

"Oh, but I can sweet talk anyone." Then wink mimicking him.

Kakashi leans back in his chair as if your words had slapped him across the face he scoffs and finally looks away, eying up the band. It was a group of three men, two your age playing a drum and Guzheng and one Kakashi's age who is singing. They had an authentic feel to them, like bard music with a twang and a low baritone voice. A female voice would be a good balance. So push your ramen aside and rise to your feet, drawing Kakashi's attention again. He shakes his head at you. You ruffle your hair again and simply ignore his stare as you walk by towards the stage. As their song fades and the room erupts in applause you approach them. Their eyes catch yours and they smile.

"Hi." You say as cute as can be.

A younger man with amber eyes looks up at you. Black smooth hair pulled back in a ponytail drapes over his broad shoulders. He places his drum down and approaches you. He was well built and a handsome man, wearing a simple long sleeve white shirt with crystals carved in arrow heads draped around his neck on herringbone chains. Then something catches your eye on the stage. There are three chairs placed together most likely for the band to sit and take a break on. Swung over the back of those chairs are animal pelts similar to the ones in your dream. Eyeless, hanging just the way they were over the bodies that hovered around you.

"What can I do for you, lovely lady?" The young man asks, pulling you from your thoughts.

Your eyes flick back towards him.

"Uhhh..." You smile sweetly. "I see you have a guitar over there that needs to be played."

He looks back at the guitar resting against the wall.

"You play?"

You clasp your hands behind your back acting as sweet as possible.

"I do, and I sing."

There is a noticeable glint in his eyes.

"Well lovely, let's see what you can do." He comes around to your side, placing a hand on your lower back, guiding you over to the guitar. He picks it up, spinning it in his hands before placing it in yours. You gasp.

"Is this a Luna Flora?"

He nods.

"So you do play. It's all yours for the next hour....go ahead and play something."

By now the rest of the band has gathered around you coaxing you to the stage. You can't help but drool over this guitar. It was something you had always wanted to play, but could never afford to buy. You position yourself at the center of the stage and the room grows quiet.

Looking out at everyone, you start to notice more of those animal pelts draped over chairs or being worn by others. But shake it off as just coincidence and begin to play. You strum loudly and the crowd whistles or applauds making you smile.

"Show'em what the land of wind is all about!" Shiro calls to you. He is now standing near the stage beaming at you. However, stormy disapproving eyes draw your attention. You look at Kakashi who is still chewing his cheek watching you and the rest of the men at the bar who are going wild over you.

"I'm taking you home tonight!" One yells.

You shake your head and laugh.... over my dead body....

You strum the chords again and choose your song. A very fast paced Norento that comes from your hometown and was the first song you have ever mastered.

You strum several more chords amping up the audience, while singing in a higher voice, wide open matching the tone of your guitar. Excitement breaks out all over the bar and the dancing begins. Shiro does what he's always done. He grabs the most beautiful woman closest to him and dances with her, guiding her through his movements. That is another thing about Shiro you loved, he was always the first one on the dance floor. He always knew how to have a good time too.

The rest of your group stand up to join in except for Kakashi and Konohamaru who have suspicious looking expressions. They constantly watch the men fall all over you and whisper amongst each other about it. You wish Kakashi would try to have some fun. Yet he is too deep into your quarrel to feel anything lively and fun.

You take your guitar out into the audience playing for random people, pumping up the room. By now everyone has joined in either clapping to the beat or hollering for you. Gods you missed this and with Shiro here it was even better. Just the way it used to be when it was you and him against the world.

He catches your attention and a wild grin grows on his face. He is having the time of his life right now. Even Sakura and Shikamaru are having a blast.

You pick up your pace ramping up for a guitar solo. Hopping up on top of a table you play your heart out to everyone. Swishing and swaying your hips, singing until your heart's content. The entire room is stomping to the beat singing along, or dancing.

And as the song fades you slow down your pace and let your voice sing out the last chords. The room erupts in cheers and applauds. You raise a fist into the air and the crowd follows cheering with you.

Finally you make your way back to the stage and bow respectfully then hand over the guitar to the long haired man who had given it to you. He doesn't hesitate to sweep an arm around your waste, pulling you in close to whisper into your ear.

"I haven't seen talent like that in a long time. Why don't you ditch your shinobi over there and come traveling with us. We could move mountains together."

He looks you deep into your eyes. You shake your head and laugh.

"I'm sorry but I am fully committed to them." You push him away. "Until we meet again, sir."

You wave your hand and bow. He grins and bows just the same.

"I have a feeling we will be meeting sooner rather than later."

Giggling, you say your goodbyes.

"Well, until then. I bid you farewell."

"Farewell, lovely lady."

With a confident smile you leave the stage feeling like a million bucks and make your way back to your table where the two grumpy ninjas sit scowling at you.

Kakashi leans back in his chair, hanging an arm over the back of it watching you approach.

"You look pleased with yourself. Everyone in the room has succumbed to your overpowering sweet talk . Especially the men. Are you enjoying the attention you've brought to yourself?" He asks in that condescending tone he voiced to Alli.

You stand directly in front of him with your hands on your hips.

"Of course I am! I can see why you sweet talk women all the time."

His scowl fades into shame and you immediately regret saying that.

In a gruff voice he replies.

"It's time to go. We still have a camp to set up."

He stands and flicks his hand at Sakura, Shiro and Shikamaru who are chatting amongst themselves not too far away.

Konohamaru approaches you.

"Why did you go and do that? Now you've gotten everyone's attention. You don't even know if these people are our enemies or not!"

He clenches his fists.

"I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but I'm not liking the Hana I'm seeing."

And for the first time ever Konohamaru was right. Being a jealous freak isn't all that cool. Now you feel embarrassed for getting up onstage, for fixing yourself up for these people. Let's hope you haven't made a huge mistake and karma doesn't come back to bite you in the ass.

"Flaunting yourself is shameful. I don't like it. Could you please put your appropriate clothing back on so we can get going?"

Jeez Konohamaru is pissed at you. Although he is being very respectful the way he talks to you he is also making you feel like a complete tool.

"Alright, Kono. I'm sorry. I was just having some fun."

His eyes seem to soften.

"I know...Though I don't think you've noticed something very disturbing here."

He comes in closer to whisper into your ear making sure no one is listening. His paranoia is wracking at your nerves.

"I don't think the people in this place live here. They are travelers just like us..."

And a realization takes over.

"Is it them?"

"I don't know. But I think we should leave...like now...."

You glance at Kakashi and share a moment together. He nods and tilts his head towards the door. Everyone quickly picks up their things. Konohamaru throws a pile of bills and coins onto the table and you leave the Inn. But not without the men from the bar cat calling you.

"Hey baby! Where you going?" One calls.

"Don't leave!" Another says.

You are quickly ushered out the door by not only Kakashi but Konohamaru as well.

Shiro was the last one to leave, as he was trying to get a number from Alli. Which he failed miserably. He storms out the door and slams it closed.

"That was fun! But why did we leave so quickly?" He asks.

"Shhh.... We talk when we are clear from here. I want silence until then." Daddy Kakashi says.

Shiro glances at you with a questionable expression. You give him a signal, the same one you have used in the past when you were in trouble and needed his help. He understands right away and approaches you doing exactly what he's always done. His muscular arm wraps around your shoulder, a dagger appears in the other hand, and he walks with you until he feels it is safe to leave your side.

The rest of the group join you and Shiro quietly. Only the crunching of snow can be heard in the empty streets. Kakashi and Konohamaru were right, something is terribly wrong with this village. You put two and two together. Ten homes sit nestled into a freezing valley, yet the number of people in that bar does not match up. There were at least twenty and only a few looked as if they were related to each other. Not only that, the homes lit by candle are vacant. The curtains are wide open with no visible movement inside. It was a ghost town aside from that bar.

Your mind runs wild through so many scenarios as you walk away from it all. Thankfully, Kakashi and Konohamaru were on their guard. If not for them...who knows what would have happened. You look over to Kakashi, he walks alone to your left analyzing the disappearing clouds up ahead. You feel all kinds of guilt for your own shitty behavior.

"Something's wrong with the sky." He states.

"Yeah I see it too." Shikamaru replies.

Suddenly a gust of cold wind whips around everyone. You curse loudly and pull up your hood.

"Two more minutes." Kakashi says randomly.

Two minutes for what?

Just as you begin to contemplate over that thought the cold breeze lifts and the chill subsides. The clouds in the sky clear, revealing a sparkling starlit landscape lit by a large blue moon. It was so bright you could see everything in the valley as far as cliffs in the distance reflecting off the blanket of fresh snow.

"Wow." You gasp.

"Yeah...." Kakashi points off in the distance. "Another hour we will be at those cliffs. We have a choice. Camp here in the open or find coverage in the cliffs."

"The cliff side is ideal." Says Shikamaru.

Konohamaru shakes his head.

"The temperature is dropping fast. Starting a fire and getting into our sleeping bags would be a better idea."

"I'm with Konohamaru on this one. If we stay in the open no one can sneak up on us." Sakura says jumping in.

"Yeah but if we are out in the open we have a worse chance of being surrounded." Says Shiro.

You look out in the distance trying to come to your own conclusion. If it weren't so damn cold out here.

"We should change into our white ninja gi. Keep your regular gear underneath and fur coats on top." Kakashi suggests.

Everyone seems to agree on that and drops their bags pulling out their clothing.

"Be mindful of where you place your weapons, preferably where you usually have them." Kakashi says and comes to stand in front of you.

You look up at him.

"I can help you find your gi...if you like."

Sheepishly you reply.

"I would appreciate that."

He holds out his hand as you pass him your bag. Then crouches down, opening it up.

"While Hana was distracting everyone I managed to swipe a couple wallets from two men at the bar."

"The ones who kept cat calling her...." Kono explains further.

You crouch down meeting Kakashi and he hands you your white shirt first..

"Did you find anything?" You ask.

"Not enough to prove they are our targets."

You curse.

"But it is enough to cause suspicion. Both IDs show they are highly ranked jonin from the land of earth."

You take off your jacket feeling the cold instantly and quickly pull on your shirt. He hands you your pants next, then your white balaclava.

However you don't get as far as lifting it up over your head before you hear the sound of a woman screaming in the distance. 

"What the hell was that?" Shiro asks while scanning the valley.

"Nothing good." Konohamaru replies.

Another scream echoes around you but this time it sounded more like a child's scream.

Sakura points to her left.

"Look! Over there!"

More sounds join the screaming, however these sounds were more like growls and yips. You search the valley to your left and see a figure in the moonlight running. Behind them is a pack of wolves tearing after the person.

"It's a child." Shikamaru says.

Kakashi strokes his chin watching the child run for their life.

"Strange...."

"Don't just stand there!" You snap in your panic.

Kakashi lifts a hand to you and the group.

"Wait! Nobody moves until I say."

The child screams in fear again. You watch her trip over a deeper section of snow tumbling to a stop. The wolves slow their pace and circle her. She covers herself as best she can and calls for anyone to help.

"We have to do something!" You shout.

Kakashi holds firm.

"Not yet."

A wolf lunges at the child latching onto her arm. You can hear the fabric of her jacket ripping apart as she is yanked about.

"Kakashi!" You plead.

He looks up at you and a small hint of panic flashes in his eyes.

Another scream pierces the air and Kakashi finally gives an order to do something.

"Everyone stay together, do not split up. Understood?"

Everyone nods and in a fraction of a second you are on the move, barreling towards the child.

By now three wolves are on top of her tearing through her clothes. Her strangled screams push you forward to save her.

"Hana, get the child. We will take care of the wolves." Kakashi says.

You nod and set your target on her. But before you can reach her your cohort instinct growls loudly in your mind warning you of something else. It was enough to bring you to your knees.

"Hana, are you ok?" Kakashi asks, skidding to a stop in the snow a fair distance away.

But you can barely hear him through the roars in your mind. Visions flash before your eyes, but not your visions. It is her visions.

The same hooded creatures as your nightmare. The same valley of ice. A cold breeze picks up and you are exactly where you were in that dream.

You scream. "STOP! IT'S A TRAP!"

Everyone skids to a halt and the child disappears along with the wolves. Suddenly a violet circular grid opens up below you and the rest of your group. It glows with an unnatural aura as symbols appear in the middle rotating clockwise inside. Instantly your team becomes frozen, unable to move.

"Shit!" Kakashi curses.

"What the hell is this?" Konohamaru asks.

"I don't know but I can't move my legs." Sakura complains.

"It's a grounding jutsu. Earth style." Kakashi reveals.

For some strange reason you seem to be unaffected by this. You can move just fine and rush over to your team.

You latch onto Kakashi.

"It's a trap. We need to get out of here!"

And for the first time ever Kakashi looks terrified.

"Hana, I....I want you to get out of here. Stay hidden until this is settled."

You shake your head in disbelief.

"What? No! I'm not going anywhere!"

"If you lose control...." Kakashi begins to say only to be interrupted by a males voice.

"She's right, she's not going anywhere."

Kakashi's eyes flick up to the voice behind you, they grow wide with fear.

You turn on your heel to meet the voice and see your exact nightmare unfolding before your eyes. Dead looking animals, their heads hanging low, even the puffs of air seeping out their mouths. They stand on human legs surrounding you. But now you understand what they really are. Shinobi cloaked in animal pelts, each carrying weapons of all sorts. Each powering up with chakra ready to attack.

The man approaches you and stops only feet away. You can see a faint smile peeking through the hood of his pelt.

"That was quite the performance, lovely. It is too bad you refused my offer. We could have moved mountains together."

Kakashi growls at him behind you.

He lifts off his hood and so do the rest revealing themselves as the same group you had just shared drinks and sang with.

"Fuck." You curse.

Behind you Kakashi tells you to run.

"Use your body flicker to get out of here."

You clench your fists.

"I'm not leaving you, so stop saying that!"

The man smiles.

"There's that devotion I need."

He walks towards you, but instead of taking a defensive stance you play their game until you can figure out how to get everyone out of this ambush. You pretend their jutsu circle is holding you in place just like the others.

The man stops in front of you, his long hair fluttering behind him in the wind.

"You have some resistance to our jutsu. I guess I'll have to up the strength." An arrow head crystal dangling from his necklace begins to glow brightly and a rush of heaviness falls over everyone.

Kakashi grunts at the feeling trying with all his might to keep himself upright. The minutes falls to his knees is the minute he loses in this standoff.

You fake your own struggle in front of the man.

"Ahhh...much better." He reaches out to you. You flinch as his hand rests on your cheek. "Such a beauty." He sweeps his thumb over your lips. "The land of wind is home to beautiful women it would seem. It is too bad you won't join us. The offer still stands though."

You glare at him.

"Over my dead body."

You turn your head from him and he lowers his hand analyzing you.

He laughs at you as if you were all some type of joke.

"Strip them of their chakra. I want it all. But keep the women alive, they may be of use to me."

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