The Curse Of Hatred ~Book 2~

Chapter 14: Lazy Ninjas

Months passed. The snow settled blanketing Konoha in layers of white. The days were cold the nights were freezing. Kakashi and Yuzuki had been on two more dates since the first. Katsuko had rarely been around due to anbu duty and missions outside of the village. And surprisingly enough, Kakashi was assigned a genin team from this years Academy graduates, and not surprisingly enough, Kakashi failed the team. "They lacked team work." he said.

Several more months passed and the spring finally returned to melt the pestering snow days away. The flowers blossomed, and the birds soared the skies once more. It was nearly reaching a year since the Uchiha Massacre and Yuzuki was itching to get back to fighting and missions. If she sat on her couch any longer she thought she just might become the couch.

Yuzuki and Kakashi both stood before the Hokage who ciphered through documents and missions along with other council members. Hiruzen would read over one and hum curiously. Yuzuki would lick her lips nervously and then Hiruzen would set aside that missions to look at the next. It was beginning to make Yuzuki agitated.

She cleared her throat and Hiruzen glanced up from the papers sprawled in front of him. He sighed and picked up another scroll. "A D-rank mission." he announced. Yuzuki's shoulders dropped in disappointment. "Simply deliver this box of goods to a family residing in the Village Hidden in the Sand. The contents is a gift." Hiruzen read aloud. He reached behind him and presented forth a small box wrapped in decorative paper with a bow. "Should be easy enough." he gave the box a light tap.

"Yes, Lord Hokage." Yuzuki clapped her hands. "Finally, somewhere warm."

Kakashi stepped forward. "We'll leave in the morning." Yuzuki slowly turned her head to gaze at him. She cocked an eyebrow. She wanted to leave now. She was itching to leave the village and he knew it, yet here he stood saying they should leave in the morning.

"Why not now?"

"We need to restock. Get supplies. It's a weeks trip to the Hidden Sand, plus we need to sleep if we're going to leave for a trip like that." Kakashi stepped forward and claimed the gift box. "Thank you, Lord Hokage." he turned and grasped Yuzuki upper arm before she could dare to suggest for a higher ranked mission.

"Hey, Kakashi." she scolded once they left the room. "What was-"

"You're lucky he even gave you a mission." Kakashi turned on his heel to face her. "In my opinion you shouldn't even be aloud to leave the village."

Yuzuki crossed her arms. "Oh, come on."

"No, Yuzuki. I know you'll give me the story that you're all better, but I don't buy it. You can't sell that to me anymore. You just want to leave the village for the sake of leaving. For god sake, let your body heal." Kakashi turned with the box in hand and attempted to leave. Yuzuki leaped forward and grabbed his sleeve.

"It is, Kakashi." she said coming in to step with him. She was forced to take long strides to keep up with him. "You've heard Hiko say it to. If I don't start building my strength back up..."

"... Your body won't heal the same, blah, blah, blah. I know I've heard it all before."

"Why are you being a douche for?"

Kakashi stopped with a heavy sigh. Yuzuki folded her arms expected an answer. "I'm just trying to keep you safe. Okay?" he confessed. "Is that illegal because as far as I'm concerned you want to get back out there and hurt yourself again."

"Hurt myself?" Yuzuki shoved him only enough that he stumbled. "Kakashi, all you do is take risky missions in hopes that someone might kill you! Why? You make me worry every time you walk out of those gates. And then you stand there and accuse me of the same thing, Kakashi, when you're doing the exact opposite. If you go and get yourself killed, then what? Where am I left? Alone. Just like before. Is that what you want or am I not good enough?"

Kakashi fell against the wall clutching the gift box in his arms. No matter how smart he was, Kakashi didn't have an answer for Yuzuki. Everything she said was right. Yuzuki raised an eyebrow waiting for him to say something. "That's not what I want." he managed. "You are more than enough." he pushed off the wall and she stepped back. It made his heart sink.

"Well I don't fell like that right now. You're being a terrible boyfriend."

"Well..." he looked to the wall. "How can I make it up to you?"

"I don't know, prove me wrong." she crossed her arms. "And stop telling me what I can and can't do. I'm capable of going on missions now."

"I know you are, it's just, I worry is all."

Yuzuki looked down at her feet and kicked the carpet. "I know." she pushed for a smile. Kakashi shook his head and slung a lazy arm over her shoulders to guide her along side him. Women are so emotional, he thought to himself.

Yuzuki welcomed Kakashi's warmth when they exited the Hokage building and into the chilly air. There was stirring feeling within herself which made the smile drop from her face. This feeling of dread made her stomach churn. It made her feel cold and isolated like the happiness was drained from her. Yuzuki swallowed the bile rising to the back of her throat and took in a deep breath.

This feeling dwelling inside Yuzuki was Jurun stirring. She knew it. She can feel it.

"Jurun?" she tried calling with the voice inside her head. All she received back was a grumble and the feeling settled. Whatever was happening just stopped. Almost like Jurun was stirring awake from his year long slumber but decided to sleep in.

Kakashi and Yuzuki made it to the street where they would part ways to each others apartment. "Jurun's waking up I think." Yuzuki announced.

Kakashi looked to Yuzuki beneath his arm. "Are you sure? How can you tell." he dropped his arm from around her still holding the gift box.

"I'm not sure, it was a feeling. I expect he might wake up soon."

"He's been asleep for awhile now hasn't he?"

Yuzuki nodded stepping in the direction of her apartment. "I'll see you in the morning, It's almost time to pick Sasuke up, anyway." Yuzuki turned away without giving Kakashi a chance to say goodbye. He watched after her as she turned the corner in a hurry.