Pounding echoed between your ears. Every echo leaving a stab of pain its wake. With a groan you reached up to sooth the pain in your head. However, your hands never reached their destination. Groggily your eyes opened. They needed a few seconds to adjust to the incoming sunlight, the pounding in your head protesting at the sudden lack of darkness. "Why am I-" you groaned and squirmed in the restraints wrapped around your body. It was tight, hot and sweaty. You eyes suddenly fell on the still resting man.

Twitching and turning had your body in a caterpillar position. A strong kick was all it took to fire your torso up and landing on the peaceful resting Kakashi. He groaned and glanced up, his mask covering most of his face but it was clear that he was not amused by the way you awoke him. "Hey... last thing I know I was" you paused to let the pounding in your head subside, "in the bath. What happened?" you questioned, looking clearly confused as to what you had done to deserve being restrained.

Kakashi groaned as he sat up, you rolled onto his lap in the process with a grunt of pain in the head. "You tried to rape me" he stated dryly, carefully lifting you into a sitting position and began unwrapping you.

"No seriously, what happened?" you asked, not believing his statement. He sighed and eyed you tiredly.

"You came on to me and didn't back down" his eyes turned to the blanket he was unwrapping.

"I'm sorry? Why didn't you go into my teasing?" you questioned confused, since you both were in a relationship. Right?

"I am not laying my hands on someone intoxicated" he stated matter-of-factly. You hummed, watching him unwrapping you, layer by layer. A light curiosity was sparked at the fact that he was wearing his mask again. It was odd, when you woke up he wasn't wearing it. Or was he? Maybe the headache was playing tricks on you.

A small smile appeared on your lips, looking adoringly at the gentleman, carefully unwrapping you without stirring your body. "Thank you". He waved it off as if it was nothing to him.

He unwrapped you till the last towel that covered your body, there he stopped and stood up. "What are the plans for today?" you asked, hoping it was nothing so the headache could slowly settle down in peace. "You will tell me what happened" he glanced over his shoulder. A drop of sweat run down your back at his stare. It seemed his usual bored one, but underneath you could see his frustration, anger. "Yeah" you whispered looking down dejectedly. "Can we-"

"We will do it over breakfast" he stated, knowing you would ask about that. With a grateful nod you stood up and walked over to Kakashi's closet, stealing a turtle neck and a pair of jeans, which you had done for the past month. Even though you had clothes of your own, his clothing was a lot more comfortable, and his scent calmed your nerves which sometimes acted up.

Kakashi was already downstairs when you finished pinning your hair out of your face. You took this chance to look into the bathroom for any damage. Relieve filled you when there was no broken stuff. Vague memories of drunken episodes in the past had told you that you were a violent wasted person.

With steady steps you descended the stairs and looked around the wall of the doorpost to see Kakashi preparing pancakes in silence. Your stomach grumbled causing the Jonin to turn around. "Eat something before you take the pills" he stated and dropped one pancake on a plate at the bar. Your eyes followed him and realized that two pills and a glass of water stood next to the plate. "Thank you" you whispered gratefully for the outlook of relieve from pain.

After taking a seat you took small bite of the sweetened pancake. Kakashi didn't seem bothered by your presence as he continued as if your weren't present.

"I'm sorry for yesterday, for whatever I did that I can't remember", a sudden realisation hit you like a slap across the face, "and sorry for doubting you by someone else's words". Your eyes cast down while guilt filled your very being.

"You are very susceptible for what people tell you when intoxicated" he turned around with two full plates and put one in front of him, across from you, at the bar and the other was poured on your half empty plate. "So that, I blame on Guy. What I would like to know is: Why did you leave the hospital without me knowing?" his voice was low, as if he tried to hold back on revealing more of his emotions.

"I didn't think much of it" you admitted guiltily, your hand reached for the pill but decided against it and looked up at Kakashi, "Guy offered to treat me to diner. I hadn't really thought of.... How worried you would be". Kakashi's stare became harsh, "you hadn't thought of how you disappeared into nothing? (y/n) I searched for hours only for Guy to tell me you were brought to the hospital in life threatening situation" his voice rose as he spoke. You swallowed and shrunk on your seat. "I'm sorry" you whispered.

Kakashi took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "How did you end up like that?" you could have imagined it but it felt like there was and undertone of regret in his voice. "I was dimension hopping". Kakashi opened his eye, confusion apparent mixing with frustration. "Dimension hopping?"

"That's what Kuro called it. I was suddenly in the snake dimension with no way of breathing. I barely managed to summon Kuro to supply oxygen" you took a deep breath, your hands fidgeting in your lap. The pounding of the headache increased, making it more difficult to speak. You focused on the chipped wood of the table edge. Unconsciously wondering if he had used it to open up beer bottles. You spoke, "I don't know how long I was there. Time seemed irrelevant as shadows moved around us. Somehow, by recalling the feeling of going to that place I managed to come back, using all of my chakra in the process" you sighed and closed your eyes, scared to look up, to meet his eyes. "Guy told me he found me" you concluded.

The silence felt tense, like a simple provocation could snap it. At least, it felt like that to you.

"I am glad you are alright" Kakashi finally spoke. Your head snapped up, his features were gentle and relieve filled both of you. The pounding headache slightly subsided. Taking this as a sign you took the pill and swallowed it, gulping water behind it.

A pair of warm arms surrounded you. You glanced over to the side to find Kakashi's head resting on your shoulder. "Are you feeling better?" he asked softly. You chuckled and leaned into his touch. "Keep holding on and I might" you mused. A low chuckle rolled of his lips and made a feeling of comfort settle.

After a while of just enjoying each other's presence, Kakashi let go and went to his plate. You straightened and began eating as well.

After breakfast you helped Kakashi clean the utensils.

"I think I'll visit the Hokage today" you stated while drying a plate. Kakashi looked up with light surprise, "are enough memories returned?" You nodded with a small smile, "enough to get back to work. I can't live off of you forever. I also need to think of moving out".

A loud clatter had your head snapping up. Kakashi calmly bowed down and picked up the pieces of the shattered plate. You kneeled and reached out to help him but he put his hand on yours with a gentle smile. "I got it" he said before returning to picking them up. "I understand you don't want to sit around and wait for all your memories. But how come you want to move out?"

You watched his hands move. "I want to have my own spot, my own place" you stated shrugging. Kakashi nodded slowly, as if he had difficulty accepting your reason. He stood up and wrapped the pieces in paper towels before throwing them in the trash bin. You stood up as well and ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, even if I'm not here you will see me plenty" you teased. He rolled his eyes and returned to the dishes to finish it all up. "Don't you have to go to your team?" you questioned. He gave a reluctant shrug. "I'll be 2 hours to late in half an hour".

You rolled your eyes. "Thanks for the breakfast. I'll be off" you smiled. When he turned to you to say goodbye you stood on your toes and kissed his lips. "I'll see you tonight".

"Till tonight" he smiled. You turned heel and after changing in your own clothes you left the house for the Hokage office.

It took 47 minutes and 30 seconds before you were allowed to enter the Hokage's office. At the sight of you a small smile appeared on the old man's face. "(y/n), it is good to see you" he folded his hands over each other. "Same here Hokage-sama".

"How are you feeling? I heard you were admitted in the hospital with a critical condition" he questioned a hint of concern in his voice. "Something happened, but next time it does it will end better" you gave a reassuring smile, but he didn't seem too convinced with that. Nevertheless he trusted your judgement and let the matter rest, instead he questioned if your memories had returned already. "Not everything, I still have big gaps, but I know enough to return to work" a smile tugged at your lips. The old seemed relieved and rummaged through his desk, grabbing a few forms. "I would like you to read these thoroughly before signing them. When these are handled you can take missions again" he explained. You nodded and took the papers, scanning over them. They seemed regular, explaining the risks and the terms of employment. You sat back down and began to read through them. The Hokage smiled gently, understanding you wanted to handle it as soon as possible and just continued on his own paperwork until you had finished reading.

Taking the laid out pencil you signed underneath it. It was good to know that your rank of Jonin had not changed. The exams weren't that much fun to take part in, especially if you have to take Chunin exams. Surrounded by children way under your level wasn't on your wish list.

"Thank you Hokage-sama" you said dutifully with a light bow. He chuckled, "you are welcome. Have a good day". Taking that as a dismissal you said a polite goodbye and left the office.

"(y/n)! Are you here to join me on a mission of youth!" an obnoxious voice greeted you. Memories of yesterday had your gut boil with annoyance. Turning towards Guy with a sinister smile you spoke, "No, definitely not".

Faster than a second your fist met his gut, causing him to double over and gasp for air. "And that is for yesterday" you huffed, striding past him towards the mission locket.

Putting the slip of approval from the Hokage on the table you smiled. "I would like to get back to work". The brown haired Chunin looked up at you and gave a gentle smile. His brown hair was bound in a pony tail, high on his head. The signature forehead protector sat on his head and a scar ran horizontal over his nose. "Ah (y/n) good to see you again" he smiled. Panic fluttered inside your mind, wondering if you could, once again, not remember an old friend.

Seeing you panic he waved his hand in dismission, "Kakashi came by earlier and informed me about your condition" he reassured you. That didn't help the unsettling feeling to leave though, the fact that you didn't remember him stayed.

He rummaged through some documents until he found one and slide it towards you. "D rank mission? You do realize I am a Jonin, right?" you frowned looking at the form.

"Yes, but since you were only released from the hospital yesterday this is the most appropriate mission to get you used to working again" he said, still with a sweet smile. You, however, glowered at the paper while picking it up. "And who concluded that?"

"Kakashi" the man answered. You suppressed a groan of annoyance. "Thank you" you forced a smile, "I didn't catch your name yet though".

"Oh, I didn't realize you didn't remember me. I'm Iruka, in the past you helped me training whenever you had time to spare". The smile turned genuine, "nice to meet you again".

He nodded, "success" he motioned to the mission in your hand. With a mocking salute you left the mission office.

The mission was basically finding a cat that walked away from its owner. Shouldn't be that difficult. You bend your knees and fired yourself off to a roof and looked over the grand city. "This will take a while" you sighed, realizing the cat could be anywhere. The cat's name was Tora, ironically since it meant Tiger. The cat was a female and brown-haired. A black stripe ran from its head down to its tail, three stripes ran straight through it on his head. She should be recognizable by a red ribbon on her left ear. "If I was forced to wear that I would run too" you mused.

"If I was forced to wear that I would run too" you mused. "Even so, a cat should stay with its owner!"

"That's what you deem right Ebisu, not what the cat deems" you huffed. Said boy tipped his glasses a bit higher up his nose.

"Let's catch that youthful cat!" Guy exclaimed. Your eyebrows scrunched up at his energy.

You chuckled at the memory. "Guess history repeats itself" you mused. Quick hand signs and a small drop of your blood caused a puff of smoke to appear. "What do you need me for Milady?" a bored voice yawned. "We need to find an old acquittance. At least, I think it is" you said looking down on the black cat. His golden eyes looked up at you, interest flickering across them. "Who might that be?"

"Tora".

"Ah Tora, a beauty if I may say so. Her chocolaty brown fur really brings out her amber eyes" he mused, his tail twirling. You rolled your eyes. "I take you can find her?"

"Find her? What do you take me for? A dog?" he hissed. You rolled your eyes at his antics.

"Kuro, you know you are way better than any dog".

"And you know it" he huffed and stood up. Just as he wanted to run off he stopped and looked back up at you. You arched a brow in question, "something wrong?"

"I should be the one asking that. Is something bothering you?" he asked curiously.

"Yeah.... How did you-"

"Know? Well Milady, your eyes seem to have lost their lively spark" he stated expertly. You sighed defeated, "I realized that I forgot someone... again. And he seemed really nice" your shoulders slumped at the thought of the brown haired Chunin.

"You could always retrieve your memories" he shrugged, already losing interest on the matter.

"I am trying to regain them you know!" you snapped.

"I meant going back to my home. The elders probably can retrieve them for you" he said, his eyes narrowing at your outburst.

"..... They can do that?" you looked stunned at the midnight black creature.

"Yes, probably".

"And why did you never inform me? 8 months have passed since I returned here!" you exclaimed.

A smug smirk appeared on his lips, "you never asked".

A growl rippled from your lips, "let's just find Tora and get it over with. The faster this is done, the faster I can go to Mount Nekono" you grunted.

"As you wish Milady" he mock saluted you. "Don'tpush me" you growled. His smirk broadened but he wisely held his mouth shut. 

---------------------------------------------------

I, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired

And letting these negative thoughts collide

Why betray my mind when I know the control is mine

"ýou are actually letting her leave without telling me?' *kakashi glares*

"You shouldn't have been so childish"

"I am just looking out for the only person i have left"

.........

Sorry.......