A/N: This is the first part of a somewhat unusual Naruto fanfiction which I started quite some time ago. So far, it's been extremly fun to write it and I hope that you'll enjoy it just as much! Still, fair warning in advance: The actual romance will not start before way into the third part. I am very fond of the characters and hence inclined to give them their space for development instead of rushing things. But please feel free to stop me if I should get too carried away! (I've been told this does happen quite a lot.)

(!) Also I would like to point out that Fuu is not the the jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails but an OC character. Thanks to Threws for pointing this out since I missed mentioning it in the Summary!

That being said, please enjoy!

Music: For the first setting, I came up while listening to "Time Is the Enemy" by Quantic - it's a beautiful, yet haunting instrumental song.

PART 1

- Chapter 1 -

The Smell of Sunflowers

Now, with the whispering rain covering Konohagakure like a camouflage cloak, the already faint trail was bound to vanish within the hour — and along with it went their chances of successfully capturing those who had so easily slipped across the borders of their Hidden Village.

Only the civilians remained blissfully unaware of the danger that had entered their hometown with the first signs of dawn. Cozily tugged away, they easily slumbered through the worst of the rain and the occasional aftershock whenever the chakra ranges of the moving sensors happened to overlap.

They were perfectly oblivious to the shinobi who now searched every alley and backyard in an attempt to track down the unwelcome visitors; to spot a single movement that wasn't merely a whim of the weather.

Two full hours into the search, it had more or less turned into a desperate witch hunt.

After all it wasn't like there was even a single clue that might give away an objective, number or origin of the intruders. All that stood out was the absence of everything and anything. By now even their chances to single out one of the raindrops still pelting down from the skies were greater.

And there happened to be a silver haired jonin who was only too willing to change the odds in their favor.

For quite a while now Hatake Kakashi had been fighting the urge to join the hunt. His deeply ingrained sense of duty as well as the promise of justified violence promised him a mix just about potent enough to pull him out of his exhausted daze.

And yet, he hesitated.

It wasn't necessarily because he was stronger than the need inside of him. The dark and greedy thing that dared to challenge him even then to abandon his position and retaliate against the enemy. It was what he lived for. Those few moments where he was finally able to seize control. Over his enemy, the surroundings and also his own thoughts.

Still, it wasn't like Kakashi could just ignore that strange sense of premonition.

It hung in the air as heavy and uncomfortable as the humidity; a small tug somewhere behind his navel that prompted him to take a moment and think this over. He remained on his spot above the archives; numbed by the continuous downpour that effectively smothered all of their efforts.

'It's as if I am about to spark off an explosion with even one wrong move' he thought to himself before lifting his benumbed fingers to cover his left eye with the headband.

Shifting a little, the jonin felt just how much of his body heat had been drained due to his drenched clothes — the steady stream of water running down his back was no longer lukewarm as it disappeared beneath the collar of his flak jacket.

Soon enough he would need to move so that he could warm up. His chakra levels were quite low since he had returned from a longterm mission just a few hours ago. Like many of his patrols over the last months it had consisted of nights spent on guard duty and rain to cover him up during the few hours of wakeful sleep.

There was no time to recover his chakra now — one of the reasons why he had only called for one of his ninken to join the tracking squad so far. Kakashi knew that if he were to encounter an enemy later on, he now needed to cut back on to save what little he had to spare.

Frustrating, and yet it did give him enough time to find the one thing they had apparently missed.

Only one sensor had been on guard duty at the time of the 'attack' so there was little to no information. While the enemy's chakra was apparently not only unfamiliar in its signature, it was also of an unknown nature. The experienced sensor had admitted to never have come in touch with anything quite like it.

Kakashi still remembered the look of confusion upon the chunin's face; how he had barely been able to gloss over the thin layer of awe in his voice. It was something apparently nobody aside from the silver haired jonin had noticed and it only confirmed his suspicions that, whoever it was they were dealing with, was no mere spy.

'Not that I mind' Kakashi added as an afterthought and just before he could throw his own reservations into the wind, the outlines of Konoha blurred in front of him.

The curtain of grey threads opened to reveal a drenched Maito Gai and much to Kakashi surprise, he actually featured one of his rare, serious expressions.

"Despite our supreme effort, we weren't able to catch them. The groups surveying the streets had nothing to report. No attacks, no sightings — not that they could've landed a hit with our guards up! Since we are the youthful pride of our village! Right, Kakashi?"

Although the rain was glistening on Gai's face, he still managed to strike a pose, widening his stance with his fist raised triumphantly and that blazing aura of his.

Kakashi felt no need to answer. He knew that, eventually, the rain would cool the head of his self-proclaimed rival. Even if it wasn't able to ruin that unfortunate bowl cut.

As expected Gai soon enough settled for a self-satisfied grin, one hand on his hip.

Kakashi remembered his own theory which linked Gai's special behavior to the tight body suite and hence the bad blood circulation; yet the sight of what the rain did to the spandex suit quickly sobered the silver haired jonin so he turned away.

For many years the copy ninja had been irritated by Gai's presence. It was only when time passed that a part of Kakashi had finally been able to admit that he became merely… uneasy around this strange guy; especially when witnessing the bright and unrelenting attitude of his fellow shinobi. No one else was as honest with his beliefs as Maito Gai.

"Soon we'll know where our enemy is hiding!" Gai then proclaimed with slightly puffed cheeks; the way he decided to put it hardly left any room for doubt. "That scoundrel will pay for messing with us!"

Kakashi frowned slightly at Gai's words before eventually returning his attention to the streets below them. A member of the Inuzuka Clan stopped in a narrow turn to allow his ninken to sniff on the ground. After a moment they took off without a hint.

Intruders without a scent.

Intruders who masked their chakra so perfectly that even their sensors were at a loss.

Intruders who didn't head for the destinations an enemy of their village would strike first…

Now, with the massive wall of steel-grey clouds that descended upon them, the Kakashi found that his own irritation started to resemble an itch he wasn't allowed to scratch. This would wreak havoc amongst the anxious ninja after they had finally started to leave the war behind them.

'If I were them, I'd give myself a pat on the back' Kakashi acknowledged and felt how the muscles in his face tighten beneath his mask.

"Gahh! Kakashi! What's with your attitude?! Tell me, what do you think these guys are up to?" Gai almost whined, seeing as his friend refused to share his thoughts with him.

Again he wasn't rewarded with a satisfying answer, but the distant look in Kakashi's visible eye warmed enough to reassure Gai. It wasn't the usual nonchalant reply, but anytime his friend deigned to at least give him some sort of reaction, it was usually a good sign.

Sometimes it was hard to believe that the cheeky boy of old was hidden somewhere beneath the cold amor that he now wore like other ANBU their masks. The porcelain face was simply another layer that he put on to turn into a merciless killer.

Gai had never wanted his rival to turn so cold, but at this point even the man of big words couldn't come up with an answer. Ever since the deaths of both the fourth Hokage and his wife, Kakashi's mind seemed to dwell in darker places and although some time had passed there were but few improvements.

Although it was quite unusual for him, Gai couldn't help the dramatic sigh for which he promptly received an appraising side glance. After long years of practice, Kakashi had developed some sort of sixth sense when it came to that particular trail of thoughts concerning any disapproval for his behavior.

Right before Kakashi's annoyance got the better of his reluctance to speak, however, the smallest of the jonin's ninken announced itself with an annoyed grumble.

"I picked up something strange near the old Uchiha district. Can't say what is though" Pakkun stated after he had shaken off most of the rain.

Exchanged a quick glance with Gai, Kakashi straightened before he addressed his ninken, "Guide us."

They quickly found themselves in front of the moon gate marking the entrance to the Uchiha district.

The red and white fan above the round opening stood against the grey of sky and rain, burning its memory into the face of Konoha. Knowing that only a few weeks ago these streets had bustled with life, gave the impression that fate was now grimacing at all of them.

To be erased by the hands of one of their own, the grand Uchiha Clan had met a cruel end.

Kakashi remembered how the atmosphere had weighed on all of them and to this day he wasn't quite sure whether it had been the lurking fate of a dying clan or the grim expressions of its members when regarding the rest of Konoha. Their unrest had spread like a disease and more than once the Hokage would sigh gravely upon hearing news from the prideful clan.

Especially after the Council had decided to pen them all up in this district, separated from the rest of Konoha.

With a small grunt Pakkun stopped to set his nose on the ground, before turning to look at the two shinobi. "It tickles… Reminds me of sunflowers, though I can't tell what's hidden beneath it."

"How many and what about their origin?"

"I only smell one human who has recently traveled to the Lands of Lightening and Water" Pakkun offered after lowering his muzzle to ground once again; finding it increasingly difficult to follow the trail with the growing puddles. "The female doesn't have a distinct origin, at least none that I recognize. There are some sunflower fields close to the sea but this scent lacks the saltiness. Can't tell you more, boss."

Raking his fingers through the flattened mess of his hair, Kakashi eyed the gate cautiously, "So one of them's a kunoichi."

"Possibly a mercenary" Gai suggested; for once pairing a plausible thought with the befitting seriousness.

"I'll have a look inside. You should check the surrounding streets, Gai" Kakashi decided, already heading for the round gate. "And take Pakkun with you."

Gai's face puckered up as he swallowed his retort with some difficulty. Pakkun on the other hand didn't seem to particularly mind his master's order. The glance he stole over his small shoulder, however, definitely showed signs of worry. Even if it was a bit harder to spot with all the wrinkles around his small muzzle.

Eventually the duo decided to take off and Kakashi waited until their presence faded, before he faced the empty streets.

The pavement showed the paths of hundreds of feet which had been wandering around this district every day. Now even those remaining traces of life were already buried beneath the fresh green of gras and the moss lining the old cobblestones.

Empty windows stared at Kakashi with lifeless eyes; their expression one of disbelieving awe at what they had been forced to witness.

Searching for a shadow upon the rooftops, he found another painted fan on the wall left to him. Before he even noticed, the memories of the terrible events started to mix with older ones, drowning him in one big swirl — some moments shockingly clear against the blurry mess of colors, emotions and loud voices.

Prior to his visit to the scene of the massacre, Kakashi had been here to pick up Obito's personal belongings. None of his clan members had wanted them, even threatening to clear the 'trash' out to reclaim the old house.

Thankfully Obito's grandmother had no longer been around to witness this.

Touching the old paint on the wall, Kakashi listened to the beat of his own heart — quite deafening despite the hiss of rain. With the stone beneath his hand, the flash of a memory passed before his eyes.

A boy standing in front of a group of students at the academy entrance ceremony; the orange goggles shielding him from their stares. He too had been wearing the colors of this clan with the fan on his back.

However, after the death of his grandmother, the only help Obito had received from his clan was the permission to stay within their district.

What had it been like? To live next to your own blood — only to be avoided for some unknown reason?

Kakashi shook his head slightly, water flying to both sides. Right now was definitely not the time to reminisce about —

katakatakata - kata-kata - kata - ... kata - ka...ta - …

— in a second Kakashi was on top of the next building. Crouching on the roof ridge his eye quickly searched the other mansions; his ears desperate to catch the direction to which the clattering feet had disappeared to.

Kakashi could however only hear the splutter of water — so painfully loud in his ears.

The adrenaline now gushing through his veins brought back the warmth and he focused to find the person whose presence had flickered for only a second so very close to him. But either his stricken memory now played tricks on him or the other party attempted to draw away his attention.

He chose to follow his instincts and quickly crossed the district to reach the accommodations of the servants.

The ground in-between the traditional houses had been softened by the rain. While he checked his surroundings, Kakashi trusted his feet to find a solid stance in case of a conflict.

However, once again the drumming of rain was the only companion to follow him down here. There was nothing aside the well kept greenery. No shadow, no presence to face… There were only the signs of tending hands visible around him.

Swallowing Kakashi forcibly pushed the air out of his lungs. Not long ago, these must have been the gardens where the servants grew the vegetables for the members of the Clan.

Slowly the jonin approached the accommodations. It was a simple building, designed to reflect the status of the former inhabitants in the way it cowered in between the main family's houses. The number of people serving the Uchiha must have decreased over the years, but the building itself showed how many had once lived under its roof.

Kakashi's grip on the kunai in his hand loosened slightly as he stepped out into the open to cross the yard. He could tell that the rain was getting heavier, yet failed to notice the new weight pulling on his weakened body.

It was here, under the pressure of countless raindrops, that Kakashi admitted to himself that he would've liked a fight. The wonderful haze of tension and blood, clashing weapons, forgetting for once about the glum of his life... endangering this life to defeat his fate. Doing the one thing he believed himself to be capable of, the one which he had in control.

As soon as the trace had laid itself out in front of him, Kakashi had barely been able to conceal his excitement. Not much that exited him nowadays. Even less that kept him from slowly coming… apart.

Kakashi sank against an old tree and closed his eyes for a second.

Sleep had been a penalty game of either nightmares or the images that kept appearing in his wake mind. The recent events here at the Uchiha district had snuck into the pattern — if only to give his grief a new diet.

Kakashi was just about to drift off as the rain seemed to stop, picking up a continuous drumming rhythm which was oddly enough louder than before. The lingering smell of sunflowers kept growing stronger too, and, remembering what Pakkun had said about the kunoichi, he lifted his heavy head.

Instead of the fatal blow, Kakashi actually believed that he had fallen asleep. But then again the sight was so very unlikely to appear in either his dreams or reality.

In front of him stood a little girl. As if she had… mushroomed. In her small hands she carried an umbrella raised to shelter both of them from the rain.

She regarded him with mindful eyes, inclining her head before gently raising her voice, "I am sorry to disturb you, Mister. But you are going to catch a cold if you were to fall asleep here."

/... / Thank you for reading!