"I heard you're doing really well in all of the subjects."

I looked up and smiled as I saw who it was.

"Shizune-san!"

She smiled back. Her black hair reflected the sunlight that was streaming out of the large library window.

I had been studying medical ninjutsu for several weeks under the stern guidance of Tsunade-sama. I could manipulate my chakra easily through the human body and I had already completed the studying through more than half of the curriculum. I knew I was making great progress and Tsunade-sama said I could soon return to active duty as a medical-nin.

"Don't tell me you've been reading these books since morning," she said as she examined the table I was sitting at: books and reference materials were strewn all over as if a small typhoon had come and made a mess of things.

I smiled back sheepishly as I leaned back against my chair.

"What are you doing here today?" I asked.

"I just came to return some books from Tsunade-sama's office," she replied. "I was just about to get a late lunch. Why don't you come with me?"

"I could definitely use some food in my body right about now," I agreed happily.

"So, this new Kazekage is young?" I asked as I swallowed down the last bite of my tuna curry cream puff.

"Very young and very idealistic," she replied.

"How so?"

"He's asked Konoha for help with their medical ninjutsu program."

"Isn't their educational system modeled after ours?"

With a satisfying sigh, I took a large swig of my ice water and rubbed my belly in content.

"Yes, and I suppose after how successful it's been for them, he also wants to follow our medical ninjutsu curriculum."

"Did Tsunade-sama agree to it?"

"Of course she did," Shizune replied. "The only problem is that we need to send someone over there to help oversee the implementation and we only have so many medical-nin to go around. Also, with the present danger of the Akatsuki, we really don't have any people to spare. Tsunade-sama is in a really tight spot."

"If only Tsunade-sama could reinstate me, then I would be able to at least do some lower-ranking missions," I said hopefully.

"Kei, we're still uncertain of your condition and it's better to be safe than sorry."

"I know that... I just feel so useless," I admitted.

"Don't," she said forcefully, "you'll be returning to active duty before you know it. Besides, I'm sure Tsunade-sama will find somebody to send over to Suna."

"Nobody has volunteered?" I asked.

"I highly doubt anyone would since they would have to be a temporary resident of Suna for eight months."

"Eight months!" I exclaimed. "This Kazekage must be serious."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he helps usher in a new era for the shinobi world," Shizune said, "the way of thinking has changed since the last world war. There are more people who strive for peace and this has influenced the way the younger generations are growing up."

"A world without war…" I trailed off.

"Konoha and Suna are far from being true allies. Though, recent efforts have definitely repaired our relationship with them since the Chunin exams."

"I wonder who Tsunade-sama will send…" I wondered aloud.

"It's nothing for you to be worried about," Shizune said.

I smiled half-heartedly as I took a small sip of my water; my head still full of thoughts of the Sand Village and this new, young Kazekage.

"I'll just be taking these," I said to the librarian as I pointed at the large stack of books. After lunch, I didn't feel much like staying cooped up in the library, so I decided to study at home.

After my books were checked out, I slowly began making my way home. The books weren't heavy, but they were stacked so high that I could barely see the path in front of me.

I stumbled for a few blocks before I felt someone come up from behind me.

"Let me help you with those."

I smiled brightly as I saw Iruka's tan face.

"Thanks," I replied.

He took half of the books from the top so that I could finally see. I hadn't seen him in so long that I felt relieved to see him. We walked side by side down the road naturally together as if we were picking up where we left off.

"Do you remember when we first met?" he asked.

Surprised by the sudden question, I hesitated momentarily before answering.

"Of course, I had just become a genin and the Sandaime asked you to watch over me."

Iruka laughed light-heartedly.

"It's funny when you think about it," he explained, "you are the most resilient and independent person I know."

"I think he was more worried that I would be lonely."

We turned into the small alley that led to the street in front of my apartment. The cool shadow that the neighboring buildings cast upon us relieved the heat from my forehead.

"I think he was worried about the both of us," he said quietly. I knew he was talking about the fact that both our parents were gone.

"Have you visited them recently?" I asked.

"No, but I should."

"Let me know when you're going to. I'd like to come with you."

"That'd be nice."

I settled the books down on the dining table and let out a huge sigh.

"Are you planning on reading all these?" Iruka asked.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Well, then. If you're going to be studying hard, you're going to need to eat something."

Iruka walked into my kitchen and began to look through my cupboards for ingredients.

"Iruka, you don't have to," I said as I chased after him. "I just ate lunch."

"Then you can just eat it later. I'd rather you have a nice home-cooked meal then another convenience store bento."

I placed my hand on his arm.

"I said I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me all the time. Like you said, I'm the most resilient person you've ever met."

Iruka stared at my hand that was still on his arm.

"Kei," he said softly. His face turned up until his eyes stared into mine. Seconds passed until I felt his hand gently cup the side of my face.

Without a warning, his lips briefly touched mine. My eyes widened in shock as I stared up at him. His face flushed at my reaction.

"I'm sorry," I breathed out.

He shook his head with eyes closed.

"No, I understand," he said. "You love that man, don't you?"

"What…"

"The man who saved you when you were young. The man who you asked the Sandaime about those many years ago. The man whose name you never knew… You love him still, don't you?"

I looked away from his face and stared out the kitchen window. The sun had begun to set and the colors of the sky and the dying light coalesced together in a hazy mix of confusion.

"Yes."

My chest felt tight as the unsettling honesty of my answer sunk in.

"I should be going now," Iruka stated.

I stood and watched silently as he left.

I ran quickly. I felt as if my feet could not move fast enough.

He has to be there.

The trees flashed quickly through my periphery as I gained momentum.

I need him to be there.

The sky had started to become dark and the clouds loomed heavily over the horizon. The scent of an oncoming shower prickled my nose. The smell of the grass and leaves made me feel nauseous.

I stopped when I finally reached the clearing. Hatake stood with his back to me, facing the memorial. His silver hair looked almost dull and lifeless as it shivered in the light breeze.

I walked towards him. My whole body shook with anticipation.

He turned around and my heart began to thump uncontrollably.

"Kei, what are you doing here?"

Without an answer I walked to him until our bodies almost touched. I could smell the aroma of his clean clothes and freshly washed body and I found it irresistible. I pulled down his mask with shaking hands and placed my hand at the back of his neck. I stood on my toes as I crashed my lips onto his.

Following my lead, he wrapped his arms around my waist bringing me closer to him.

You. I only need you.

My tongue begged to be in his mouth and he let me in. I could taste his saliva at the tip of my tongue and I wanted more. I had to let him know. I had to make him believe. I had to make myself believe…

I felt a few sprinkles of rain lightly hitting us.

I gripped his hair at the nape of his neck as our tongues continued to push against each other.

I wanted to push all my feelings into him. I wanted him to know how I felt. Hatake was the only one who made me feel alive after so long. He made me crave him…

Want him…

We didn't stop even though the rain continued to become louder and harder. I felt a flame burning inside of me that the water couldn't even put out.

With ragged breathing, he pushed away from me. Our clothes had become soaking wet and continuous streams of water flowed down his face. Lightning briefly flashed above us and seemed to mirror the explosive dance and charge his chakra was exuding.

"We can't stay out in the rain," he said in a low voice.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him as I finally heard the loud roll of thunder crash around us.

For the first time, I stepped into his house. It was small, but clean and mostly empty. A made bed adorned the corner and a large window stood in front of us. On the small ledge under the window a picture frame and several miscellaneous items cluttered it.

"I'm going to get us some towels," he said as he walked away.

As I waited for him to return, I walked over to the window and picked up the picture. There were four people in the photograph. One of them was a young Hatake; a mask over his face and his eyes were almost glaring. Another, with bright yellow hair and a soft smile who stood behind them, caught my eye.

The Yondaime…

Shizune was right; he was a very handsome man.

"I miss them."

I turned around and saw Hatake standing behind me with a white fluffy towel. I placed the picture frame back down. I felt myself examining his now naked chest. My eyes traced over his hard nipples and his taut chest. He was still wet and his hair hung down over his eyes.

Without a word, I pulled up my shirt over my head and threw it down. Hatake's eyes roamed over my body hungrily and his chakra enveloped me in a jolting embrace. My hands went to my back and undid my bra. I felt the cool air hit my slick chest as it fell to the ground.

As I reached to pull down my skirt, his eyes met mine. He stared right into me as if he could see and understand my thoughts. I felt myself leaking onto my underwear; maybe from the anticipation or from his deep, unfaltering gaze.

My skirt hit the floor. I hooked my thumbs into my underwear and dragged them down my now shivering legs and kicked them out from under me. With desperation, I ran to him and jumped on him. My legs found their way around his waist and I felt his hard arms grab me by my buttocks. He gave them a hard squeeze and I moaned loudly.

I don't want to be lonely anymore.

Our mouths pushed against each other in a steady rhythm; our tongues probing each other's mouths. My hands instinctively tugged his hair at the back of his head. His chakra crackled against my skin causing my body to swell with goose bumps. He shifted most of my weight onto one arm as his other reached down and unzipped his pants. I brought one hand down to pull down his underwear, momentarily breaking off the kiss. With a swift yank, they dropped down, freeing his erection.

His head poked me, almost teasingly. I could feel that it was burning hot and hard as it begged to be let into me. I looked deeply into Hatake's eyes as I began to kiss him again.

Kakashi…

I yearned for him to understand. I want to be with him. For him to be in me. I want to forget the past. I only want to think of him.

I moaned unashamedly as he entered me. His arms gripped me even tighter as he began to move me up and down. My breasts bounced wildly and my nipples grazed the wet flesh of his chest. His thrusts were quick and deep. My juices coated him, allowing him to easily penetrate me. I felt a fire starting in my belly.

I could hear him breathing hard as he fought to control himself. I cried out as his chakra began to thrash wildly against me. My entire body felt as if it were vibrating like the tension of a tight wire.

He licked the side of my neck as I closed my eyes. I gave loud and appreciative moans. This only seemed to encourage him as he increased his speed.

He backed up until we were up against the wall. I reached out and tried to cling to the walls to give him better leverage. With a slight lift of my hips, I felt him touch me in what seemed the deepest part of me. Every thrust rocked my body with a sweet, delicate pleasure.

Aah…

Before I could stop myself, I shook uncontrollably as my pleasure reached its height. With a large shudder, he soon followed suit; the tight contractions of my insides becoming too unbearable for him.

With him still inside me, he carried me to the bed until I was on my back. He finally pulled out and my sex felt a slight pain from the sensitive state it was in. He collapsed on his side next to me. He reached down and gently held my hand. His palms were sweaty.

"I…" I trailed off.

What was I going to say?

"I love you," he whispered. His eyes closed.

In a matter of seconds, his breathing became shallow and he was asleep.