Another Nine-Tails?!

Surveillance

(Keep in mind while reading this; this doesn't follow the plotline in either the manga or the anime. I decided to add Yamato way before he's supposed to be because he was quickly added to my top favorite list (among Gaara, Kabuto, Kakashi, Suigetsu, and Sakon, and Ukon, I like the weird/crazy ones). He goes by Tenzo when he's in the ANBU so that's what he's gonna go by in this)

Akiko rummaged through clothes, but nothing popped out to her. She knelt down, spotting Shiba sniffing at a pair of dark blue, calf-length sandals. "I already have shoes, you know. I don't need another pair."

"If Kakashi's paying for it, you should get more just to make his wallet hurt." He grinned up at her, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

"And here I thought you were on his side," she smiled at him. "You are a harsh little dog."

"Is that a bad thing?" He tilted his head back.

"Maybe." The girl shrugged, going back to her browsing. After a moment, the girl sensed something off about the canine. She wanted to question him, but thought better of it. Maybe he didn't want to talk. She glanced to her right and spotted a dark-blue, short-sleeved kimono-like shirt. As she went to grab it, she released it was a blouse, not a shirt, and it had a lighter blue embroidered border. She didn't hesitate to grab it.

She spotted a short, white skirt to her left. "I'm not wearing you by yourself." She spotted a pair of black, form-fitting shorts. "Bingo." She returned to Shiba and found him laying beside a pair of mesh armor leggings.

"Thought these might do some good for you." He moved the leggings towards her with his nose.

"Thank you, Shiba." She knelt down, rubbing the black fur on his head, and grabbed the mesh armor.

"There you are." She stood up, turning to face Kakashi. He eyed the clothes she had chosen. "Is that it?"

"Yep."

"Good." He took her clothes and they made their way to the front of the shop. He dug into one of his pockets to pay the shopkeeper, but stopped as his nose picked up someone's scent. He scanned the shop before quickly paying. He led his group out, bidding goodbye to the shopkeep. Shiba disappeared as soon as they exited the small building.

"Is something wrong?" Kakashi hummed, looking down at the teen. He pulled out an orange book, not giving her an answer. "What was the pause when you paid about?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a cat."

"But you looked alarmed. Like it was more than just a cat." Karma let out a growl as they passed an alley, warning her host of someone following them.

"Is something wrong?"

"Someone's following us." He immediately noticed the unease in her eyes and in her voice. He gave her her clothes and walked into the alley, making sure she stayed close.

"Come on out. Unless you want to face me."

"I'd expect nothing less from you, Kakashi." The jonin recognized the voice instantly. He slowly looked up, gazing at his old friend in irritation. The masked-man jumped down, showing himself to Akiko. He wore a cat mask with red and green marks. "I'm not here to fight you. The girl behind you was last seen with Orochimaru." Kakashi moved in front of the girl so she was hidden fully behind him. "She's a hazard to the village."

"If she was, don't you think the village would be damaged by now considering she's been here since this morning." The Anbu sputtered a little bit. "Besides, we were just on our way to visit the Hokage." The masked-man was silent for a moment.

"Alright, fine. Let's go then."

Kakashi turned around and began to push Akiko out of the alley, still hiding her from the man behind him. He spoke in a hushed voice. "I told you it was just a cat." He seemed extremely pleased with himself. The girl held herself back from fidgeting, her nerves almost getting the best of her. She held back because she was scared.