Hey there, look, it's an update!

AU: The time line is the same as in canon, set a few months after Team 7 is made official. This story also features Fem!Harry so if you don't like it, please click off. This is just a hobby and I don't want serious stuff around here. I wrote this fic for fun, I hope you understand.

Pairings: Fem!Harry x Kakashi. The story is mainly going to be focused around these two.

Warnings: Some angst (?), grammar mistakes and errors, author being over dramatic with her writing because she's listening to sad music while writing and music triggers her, bad writing skills because the author's first language is not English (I tried). There's nothing really serious about this story though. It's your normal rom-com shoujo manga chic-flic fic.

Notes: This story's development is slow. I want it to be slow, I have a lot of things planned for Kakashi and Hari so they'd have to get to know each other first before we see the full-on romance. Expect at least twenty chapters before they get together officially. I'll be dropping hints of romance though so don't worry.

Off with story!

Sweetener

CHAPTER II: I WONT GIVE YOU THE ANSWERS YOU CRAVE
Mystery Makes A Woman Interesting

"The only question worth solving,"

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"Like I said Kakashi-san, I'm really just living in the forest. I'm not an enemy!" Hari exclaimed; hands slamming on the table making their tea slightly clatter due to the impact. This world's tea was bitter and different; it did not suit her taste buds. The shinobi looked like he was used to it though. "Also, I'm not a spy. I'm here to buy some groceries and flower seeds…" she sat back down, arms crossed, paper bags long forgotten beside her feet.

Seriously, what's up with this guy? Hasn't she explained herself enough?

"The lake, the shunshin and your owl… explain," Kakashi said, trying to break it down in more simple parts. He had no intention of letting her go until he had his answers. "I'm a ninja of Konoha," a jounin on top of that. "I'm tasked on eliminating any kind of threat. You seem like you have no ill intent but your actions are suspicious," strange and very, very, suspicious.

Hari flinched before she sank on her seat and tried not to look at the male.

"You're bad at lying," he said, sighing at her body language. Even if the other countries sent her as a spy, she would be a very bad spy. She was way too obvious. Also, with an appearance like hers— Kakashi glanced, noticing conflict in those emerald eyes, wavy red locks tucked behind an ear.

"We're not obliged to report every single suspicious thing to the Hokage," but they're tasked on investigating and identifying if that thing proves as a threat to the village and their safety. "So as long as you provide me with reasonable answers, I won't report you," he added on, knowing that the process was fairly simple. If you had nothing to hide it would be easy.

"W-What would happen to me if you report me to the Hokage?" the red-head asked, fingers laced together in deep thought, eyebrows furrowed in concern. Were they going to kick her out of the forest? Make her pay a toll for living on a certain lot without permits? Take all of her possessions and sell her to slavery? Hari knows that it's bad; it's going to be bad.

Her question just made her more suspicious to be honest. Why can't she just answer properly?

"You will be thrown into jail, interrogated and you'll only be released once you they know that you're innocent and a family member comes to fetch you,"

Fuck.

"I'll be interrogated?"

"Yes,"

"In what manner?"

"They'll ask you a few questions. If they think that you're too wishy-washy they might call in one of the Yamanakas, they specialize in mind-body transfer jutsus. They can infiltrate your mind to go through your memories to make sure that what you're saying is the truth,"

Oh dear.

First of all, if they try to invade her mind they'd just be repelled since she had training with occlumency. Unless the man is as strong as the Dark Lord, they would not be able to see anything. Them not being able to see anything would make her more suspicious. Even if they did see something… they'd see that she's not from here either. Both results are not in her favor. Also, she does not have a family member to fetch her!

Cold sweat dropped from Hari's brow, lips pressed into a thin line due to too much thinking.

Damn you, Hatake Kakashi.

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She stared at the man in front of her.

He doesn't look evil; he doesn't look like the type to act out of interest either. Based on first impressions, he seemed like the type that's married to his work— loyal. It would be good not to make an enemy out of this guy. Also, judging from the civilians' reactions, he was well-known and respected around here.

Great, that meant that he was a strong ninja. Way to go Hari.

"It's not my fault that I look and act suspicious,"

Hari for once wanted to rip out her hair.

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"Can I hold my peace?"

"Yes, but I'm sure that they'll make a Yamanaka look through your memories,"

What the hell? It's basically the same thing then!

Hari sighed before she straightened her back and sat up properly.

"If you really want to know then we have to switch locations. I can't tell you in this place," the walls have ears and the girl knew that ninjas, these people are trained to hear and remember every single detail. When she saw that the man was about to reply, she continued, "We can't talk inside the village." It's dangerous; it's too dangerous for her.

Kakashi stared at the woman, a bit taken aback at the fact that her situation seemed much deeper than he thought.

"Are your secrets that big that you can't tell me with other people around?" at this point his suspicions of the girl being undercover came back. This method was not unusual in the shinobi world, she's luring him in, waiting for him to bite so that she can pull the line and make sure things go her way. This girl… is she that confident with her skills? She didn't seem phased at the sight of Hatake Kakashi.

"Yes, they're quite… intriguing,"

Kakashi eyed the woman suspiciously. He did not expect this turn of events.

"Are your secrets a threat to Konoha?"

Hari flinched at his question before she shook her head, "No, they are not."

The silver-haired jounin remained silent for a while before he sighed, "I'm afraid that I can't do that. Whatever you have to say, you can say it now." Too many risks, it might be a trap. Kakashi noticed how restless the other seemed to look. Hari was biting her lower lip, eyebrows knitted together and eyes focused on the man in front of her while thinking.

It did not take her long to formulate an answer, "I guess that you won't be getting answers for your questions then, Hatake."

Kakashi is a second too late with extending his hand, emerald eyes peering at him before the space in front of him cleared.

And just like that, she vanished again.

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"Gold coins!? I can't take this, Hatake-san!" the shop owner panicked, waving his hands around. Even if he combined today's earnings, he wouldn't be able to give Kakashi his change. "And there's two!? For fifty-cents of tea!?" the old man looked like he was ready to faint, hands holding the two gold coins that the shinobi handed him.

"She left that there for payment so you should take it," Kakashi replied, hands full with groceries that the woman left. Truth to be told he was also shocked when he realized that she left such a massive amount to pay for tea. As he thought, the woman was suspicious, really suspicious. That gold isn't their currency and it's not from other countries as well.

The old man shook, overwhelmed while his granddaughter tried to calm him down.

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"So how was your date with the pretty lady?" Asuma asked, cigarette between his fingers and a grin on his face.

It wasn't often they saw Kakashi with a woman so they needed details. They— mainly him, Kurenai, Gai and Anko, were more than happy to give tips and tricks just to make sure that things go smoothly for their friend. They knew that Kakashi finding a possible partner was god sent. It's practically blessing presented on a dinner plate especially since the man does not usually show any interest in romantic relationships. Imagine their relief when they saw him with a woman.

"It wasn't a date," it was something work-related. "I was interrogating her," which earned a laugh from the other.

"I-Interrogating?" Asuma wiped the tears from his eyes, only pausing when he saw the serious expression on Kakashi's face. Seriously? "You're joking," he frowned, not pleased with how things were turning out. He really doesn't want to believe what his friend is saying but then again, this guy wasn't the type to joke around frequently.

"I'm not joking,"

"It wasn't a romantic relationship then?"

"I found her at the forest during the patrol," referring to that night all jounin shinobi of Konoha went out to track down Iwa invaders. A scroll was stolen from the Hokage's library, nothing of importance but theft was still a theft. "She's not a shinobi but she's suspicious. I'm keeping my eyes on her just in case," she could be a spy for all they know.

Asuma's happy expression immediately shifted into something he wore during work, "And she hasn't told you anything yet?" Reasons as to why she's living in the forest. "Have you checked the records?" if she was in Konoha's registry and if she signed papers upon entry. If she wasn't in it then it would make things much more difficult. Kakashi said that she wasn't a shinobi then why— how did she get past the gate? Civilians needed permission upon entry.

"She's not in it," Kakashi's reply made the other groan. "But were not allowed to report to the Hokage about simple matters like this either. I'll figure her out," Asuma nodded at the other's statement.

True. Reports were only made for events that were urgent. Civilian matters like these were usually handled by the chunins, simple matters that can easily be resolved without getting the higher ups involved. They'd have to make a report right after but Kakashi, a jounin, was more than enough to solve this for now.

"If you think that she's a threat then don't hesitate to report her," Asuma reminded Kakashi with a pat on the shoulder. The shinobi nodded.

There were three rules upon determining whether an individual poses a threat to Konoha: First, they must be violating at least two of the ground laws— trespassing, theft, violence, forgery and deception. Second, they possess something, an object or a skill, that if used could harm someone without the acknowledgement of the Hokage or the title of shinobi of Konohagakure. Last, the act of leaking information to an outside source. An individual needed to tick off all three boxes before being considered as a threat.

Kakashi wasn't sure if the woman could indeed do a shunshin similar to Shisui's so for now...

Hari only broke one of those rules.

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It would be a big threat if Hari knew how perform the perfect shunshin.

There was only one shinobi known to do a perfect shunshin— Uchiha Shisui, then again, he wasn't completely able to erase his presence. There were subtle traces of chakra which Kakashi was able to detect during their time. This woman, Hari on the other hand, all traces of her vanished.

It was either what he was thinking or some sort of jutsu he hasn't heard of before.

As ninjas, their job was to hide in the shadows and conceal their presence for most of the time. Hari, if she did indeed know how to do the perfect shunshin, would be the most suitable shinobi to be sent as a spy from other countries. Her skin was beautiful and unmarred, long hair and elegant poise— she'd more likely pass as a noble than as a shinobi. Unless that's what their enemies want them to think.

Although the shunshin wasn't an offensive technique, you'd be able to go from one place to the other and relay information—

Information that could be vital and crucial to a village, confidential ones that outsiders and civilians, more or less other leaders should not know.

With Konoha on edge with the recent Iwa invasion, it was understandable how Kakashi found the woman suspicious.

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Today was Kakashi's best shot if he wanted to meet her again— to find answers of course.

He glanced towards the entrance before going back to reading.

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Hari's mouth hung open, eyes blown wide when she saw a silver-haired jounin standing outside the forest's entrance. Noticing her presence, an orange book shut close before Kakashi slowly started to walk towards the woman, the red-head panicking on her feet before she rushed back to the woods.

"What are you doing here!?" Kakashi did not need to exert much effort in following her. The shinobi merely observed the woman that struggled with lifting her dress off the ground, taking at least ten seconds to get past the large root of a tree. She managed to lose her balance frequently, feet clumsy and basically tripping everywhere.

She was suspicious but surely, she isn't a threat to Konoha right?

"You disappeared again the last time we met,"

"You said that you were going to report me!"

"I didn't say that I was going to report you. I wanted answers,"

"Well you're not going to get any today, sir!"

Thud.

That's the third time she fell down.

Teary, almond shaped emerald eyes— her eyes, probably the most beautiful Kakashi had ever seen, glared at him underneath uncontrollable waves of red locks. He bent down so that he's on the same eye level as the other, Hari backing up against the bark of a large tree, sitting down on the ground since she had tripped one too many times.

"Please get away from me," she said with her voice a bit raspy and obviously mad at him.

Kakashi extended a hand to touch Hari before he saw her flinch, inching further away from him as much as possible. His fingers halted before he drew them back and sighed, "Your foot is swollen." It was bruised purple and he could see her knees bleeding as well. She was scared of him. She was running away from him. She was this desperate.

"What do you need?" Hari's head was facing the other way, eyes looking at anywhere but Kakashi. "Leave. I am not the ninja that you are looking for," earning a low hum from the male because she had said that quite a few times before.

"I know that you're not a ninja,"

"Then there you have it. Please stop going after me,"

"I want to talk to you," Kakashi figured that telling her honestly was the best way to approach this. "I want to ask you questions and I want you to answer them. After that, you are free to go. You're making things much more difficult by not complying," Hari gritted her teeth because as much as she hated it, this guy had a point. Then again, she did not know this guy and her answers… her answers although honest would just confuse him even more.

If she answers his questions she's basically opening a whole new set of inquiry. It'll be much deeper, more complicated— basically telling him things that are impossible to do. This guy… Hari glanced at Kakashi whose attention never left her. This guy will never believe her.

"I knew that sometime soon you'll be coming out of the forest to shop. You left your groceries behind last time," and the only possible dates he'd be able to see her was yesterday or today. She'd probably be starving to death if she didn't go out. "I only have a few questions," questions that wouldn't take too long to answer.

"I won't hurt you and I'm not going to report you, I promise," Kakashi said, Hari peering up at him with curious eyes.

"Trust me,"

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Hari's face turned red when her stomach growled in front of an enemy.

Of course she was starving, she left her groceries at the tea house two days ago! She had to make do with what she had but obviously, it wasn't enough. The red-head turned her head to the other side, ignoring Kakashi's stare on her face. He had just finished wrapping up her swollen foot. Ninjas were quite handy, carrying gauzes, bandages, medicine and knowing first-aid in case of emergency.

Hari's lips pressed into a thin line before she used her hand to cover her eyes, cheeks as red as her hair.

"You need to go home and rest,"

"And risk the possibility of you trailing after me, please no,"

Kakashi sighed and at this point he had already stopped counting, this girl was stubborn.

Also, seeing how she went out of the forest, she probably had no food at home as well.

"Well, if you want, we could go get lunch…"

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"This is humiliating," Hari mumbled against Kakashi's shoulder, hiding her face as much as possible as they walked through the village. "This is utterly, despicably humiliating," she said, cheeks heating up as she tried to ignore the stares— stares that she could only feel, not see. "If you can, please do walk a little bit faster," because she could hear the civilians giggling, most likely towards them.

"I can't, you're heavy,"

"Excuse me!?"

Beneath his mask, Kakashi smiled a bit while Hari went on a rant about how shinobi are supposed to be quick and agile. "It's not my fault you can't walk. Also, you chose this position," he replied with an unemotional tone. True, this was Hari's choice. Nonetheless, in her defense, she was given the opinion of being carried as a princess or on his back. Of course she picked the less embarrassing option.

Hari's arms around Kakashi's neck tightened into a choke hold.

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Kakashi stared at the woman who was in a daze in front of him.

Is this the first time she's seeing barbecue or what?

"Itadakimasu," she mumbled under her breath, slowly chewing on her food while glaring at the man.

Truth to be told, the scowl on her face was as intimidating as a newborn kitten's threat.

It was kind of cute so Kakashi ought to let it pass…

"You're really not from here," the shinobi blurted out of the blue. Hari narrowed her eyes at him before nodding and taking another piece of meat. Kakashi blinked at how easily she admitted that to him. "Where are you from?" and why do you live in the forest? How did you get past the gate and why isn't anyone looking for you?

Hari remained silent for a while before she gathered her thoughts and glanced at the male, "Do you promise not to tell anyone?"

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the red-head. Promise? Why would she make him promise that?

"If it's something bad then I won't be able to help you—"

"Like I said, I have no ill intentions," she cut him off, eyes sincerely telling him that no, she was not evil and that she meant no harm towards Konoha or any of its citizen. Any trained shinobi could tell from one look that this woman was honest. Then again, her background was what made her suspicious. "Unless you promise that you won't tell anyone, I can't say where I'm from," she said in a serious manner.

Kakashi contemplated on himself before he nodded and replied, "Alright, I promise." It's not like she'll find out.

Hari extended her hand— her pinky finger rather, towards Kakashi. The man looked at her weirdly before he decided to humor her with it.

Is there a point to this or something?

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"The Hidden Hot Water Village?"

"Wrong,"

"The Land of Lightning?"

"Incorrect,"

The Land of Water?"

"Further,"

"The Hidden Mist Village?"

"Much Further,"

"I'm pretty sure that I mentioned each village and country we have," Kakashi said, wondering what this was all about. The woman smiled at him before she shrugged her shoulders and mouthed try again. The shinobi would've lost his focus and continued to stare at her if it weren't for his curiosity about where she came from. He tried to think of other places before he sighed.

"There aren't any places outside the Elemental Nations…" Kakashi said, loud enough for only the two of them to hear.

Hari simply tilted her head to the side and asked, "Are you sure?"

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Kakashi was certain that this woman was toying with him.

It was the glint in her eyes and the way she tapped her fingers on the table that convinced him she was having fun with this.

"Yes, I'm sure that there aren't any places left to mention,"

Hari giggled, lips curling into a charming mischievous smile.

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More than a hundred favs and follows for the first chapter, ahhhhhhh, thank you very much!

I also read and appreciate each of your reviews. They fuel my inspiration to write new chapters. As promised, here's this week's update. I plan to update this story every Friday or Saturday, whichever fits my schedule. I'll also try to update snippets and short stories during holidays as a bonus (scenes that I want to add in the story but I am unable to since it would mess with the plot).

(1) Last chapter updates and edits - Kakashi thought that Hari performed the hiraishin but I changed it to shunshin (I remembered that Hiraishin needed marks and seals, it was simply unsuitable for Hari since she does not do seals. A shunshin was more logical in this case.) Chapter 1 has been updated and edited. Kakashi thinks that Hari performed a shunshin similar to Shisui's, one that doesn't leave smoke before disappearing.

(2) Hari - in this story, Hari will be quite secretive about her past and origins. I do plan on letting her give Kakashi a few answers during the next chapter though. Anything beyond that, they'd have to grow closer before more secrets are revealed. Her magic will be revealed in chapter 5 or 6.

Thank you for reading!