You're It For Me (Kakashi Hatake love)

Chapter 3: The mission

It has been months since I left Konoha and my heart doesn't feel any better than it did back then, if anything I feel worse. 'Maybe I should have stayed... And what watch him sleep with every brunette in the village?... No, I needed to leave...' I sigh. My mission was to locate and track Itachi Uchiha, he had been spotted around town a couple times and was now classified as an S class criminal. The Hokage and ANBU believe he is gathering intel on the village but I honestly think he was checking in on Sasuke. I mean come on if he can slaughter an entire clan without anyone catching him I'm sure he can gather some information just fine. Unfortunately, no one wanted to listen to my reasoning so fallowing the eldest Uchiha around was my new past time.

From time to time my mission brought me to the border of town and every once in a while I catch sight of Kakashi and team 7. Each time I see the silver haired man I have to stop myself from running to talk to him.. I still haven't read the book or letter he wrote me. I don't know why but for some reason reading the last book seemed to final for me so I just carried it around. The boys look happy and I can't help but smile at the memories of Kakashi, Rin, Obito and Minato that they bring out in me.

For the past few months Itachi hasn't moved very far from the village but he has always stayed one step ahead of me. 'He is good... I wonder if he is doing this habitually or if he knows I am following him...' something had changed in his movements though because for the past week I had been following him to the land of the mist, finding evidence of minor battles here and there. Each one seemed off, they were sloppy and obviously had more people on his side but the areas showed no signs of Itachi's fighting style at all... If I didn't know any better I'd say it was Kakashi and his team but they are only Genin.. 'Did he gain some allies? Or is he tracking someone too?...' It was too hard to tell but I knew these battles were at least few days old. 'I need to pick up my pace.. whoever these people are they are in trouble..'

I made it to a very poor village wondering why Itachi would come here when I spotted him.. 'Kakashi..'

I hated how my heart still fluttered. I quickly put my hood on and blended into the crowd. 'Sasuke.. He is fallowing Sasuke.. but for what purpose..' For the next week I stayed close to Sasuke, hoping to spot Itachi while I did so. I watched as Naruto and Sasuke learned chakra control, finally reaching the top of the tree and saw how much the two pre- teens had grown. The two's rivalry reminded me a lot of Kakashi and Obito and the boy's strength was impressive. I was shocked to see the huge difference Naruto had made in just a few months.

I tried my best to ignore Kakashi but no matter how much I wanted to save myself the heart ache I couldn't. I noticed that that not much had changed, he was still just as handsome as ever and I was both glad and depressed by it. The next morning Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura allowed Naruto to sleep in while they went to guard the bridge builder when I sensed him 'Itachi!' I darted in his direction cutting him off his path to fallow Sasuke.

I threw myself in front of him and allowed myself to go crashing to the ground "I am so sorry." I said. I was dressed in a casual light blue dress and heels; my long hair was tied up in a loose bun and my head band and weapons nowhere to be found. To my surprise he held his hand out to me. I looked up and tossed him a carefree smile and took his hand. "Are you alright?" He asked in a soft emotionless voice. I tilted my head and smiled softly at him "Me? Oh, yeah I'm fine." I said as I took a step and let my ankle give out. I let out a little yelp as I begun to fall again. Itachi's strong arms caught me, instantly wrapping around my waist and drawing me into him.

A blush that I wish would have been fake bloomed on my cheeks. "Uh.. Thank you.." he nodded and bowed his head slightly "Is there somewhere you are going? I will assist you." He said in the same soft voice. "I was just going into town to meet my father... I'm afraid I'm running late" I said smiling. He put my arm around his shoulder and slipped his arm around my waist and slowly begun to walk in the opposite direction of Sasuke, towards to village. "You must think I am weak huh?.." I said in a laughing tone. To my surprise he shook his head "No.. I.. I think you are brave for going through the forest alone.." my blush deepened 'He is very sweet..' I softly chuckled "Well youre the only one... hum looks like my father isn't here yet either." I said as Itachi set me down on a bench. "Well miss?.." I looked up at him "Emi." I said smiling. "Emi... I think this is where we part ways." I sighed and bowed slightly "Thank you... Uh may I ask your name?" He froze for a moment and I wasn't sure if he was going to respond "It's Itachi..." I smiled brightly "Well thank you Itachi.. You are very kind" He looked at me again with an unreadable look. "I find you to be quite attractive.. Your hair is my favorite color.. and you smell nice.. like lavender... And sunshine.." I am sure my face looks like a tomato at this point and before I could respond he suddenly disappeared. I felt his chakra signature fading in the opposite direction of Kakashi's. 'Wait Kakashi's chakra is running dangerously low... Why?' I quickly got up deciding to check up on them before I continued to fallow Itachi.

When I got to the bridge all I saw was bodies everywhere and unease set in. I jumped down onto the water and ran across the surface to the other side of the incomplete bridge to remain undetected. When I got back to the top of the bridge I saw that an old man was standing with a distraught look on his face and Sakura was bowed over someone crying hysterically. All reasonable thought left my mind as I realized Sasuke was on the ground unmoving. I jumped into action with tears streaming down my face. "Who are you?" I heard the old man ask but I was focused on the boy who reminded me so much of the man I loved. I instantly started checking for a pulse and leaned in to listen for his breathing when Sasuke came to. "Sakura I can't breathe with you on me." I sighed a breath of relief and looked across the bridge at Kakashi who was breathing heavily on one knee with a safe Naruto standing at his side. 'They are alright..' "Emiko? What are you doing here?" Sasuke asked. Kakashi's head spun around upon hearing my name his mismatched eyes landed on mine.

I sighed "Eh.. I was in the neighborhood." I said nonchalantly as I ruffled his hair. Naruto came running over to me and gave me a big hug "Emiko!" I chuckled "Hello Naruto.. you both sure have grown." I said smiling. "Wait... Who is she?" Sakura asked. "She is... Well she is like a big sister... Yeah a big sister to Sasuke and I and... She lives with Kakashi- sensei... Hum. Hey sensei what is Emiko to you? Is she your girlfriend?" Naruto turned to the approaching Kakashi, my face heated up in embarrassment and I turned to see what Kakashi would say to the children. "What? No... She... Uh.. Well she is my... Uh... She is just my friend.." 'Ouch with the "just" again... Damn it.. I should go I'm losing ground on Itachi..' I quickly averted my gaze and gave Sakura a jar of ointment. "Here Sakura be sure to lather this thickly on everyone's wounds okay? I must be going." The pink haired girl gave me a soft smile and nodded. "Wait Emiko won't you at least get dinner with us?!? Please it's been forever!" Naruto yelled. I smiled and kissed his cheek "I am sorry Naruto but my mission is elsewhere, I only happened upon you on by accident and had to make sure Sasuke was not dead.." I then turned to Sasuke and kissed his cheek as well "I love you boys so don't go getting yourself killed okay." I stood smiling "yeah yeah.." Sasuke said in a board tone but had a small smile. "We will be alright! Believe it Emiko!" Naruto shouted.

I chuckled and turned to Kakashi seeing his gash across his chest from Zabuza's sword. "Messy as always huh?" I sighed laughing lightly. He scratched the back of his head and chuckled "You know me, I like to be a little dramatic.." I smiled the first real smile in months. "I must be going... I'll be seeing you." I turned to leave but was stopped short by Kakashi "Emiko..." I turned and waited for him to continue but he never did. I sighed "Goodbye Kakashi... Take care of yourself, yeah?" I said softly while looking down at my feet. "Yeah... You too." I nodded and transported out of there with my heart heavy...

Itachi's started moving further and further away from Konoha for some reason. Years went by without seeing my home and my three-favorite people and I would be lying if I said I didn't miss them but every time I thought of going home my mind would bring back the image of Kakashi leaving with that brunette and my heart would hurt... 'Until that pain leaves I cannot go home..' I thought. 'That decision is no longer my own anyway..' I sighed as I sipped my sake, when the Third Hokage passed and Lady Tsunade took office she deemed my mission one of priority and since I had been successfully tracking Itachi for the better part of a year at that point she.. well let's just say she made it pretty clear that I wasn't going to be coming home for a while.

The only times I have been within those beautiful walls are when I go check in every six months and I don't even have the time to see anyone else or risk losing Itachi's signature. I froze as I spotted Itachi and his partner coming close to the hut I was in. 'What is Itachi doing with these clowns.. He doesn't look well..' I sigh as they moved away. I noticed that Itachi's health has slowly been weakening and for some reason I have not let the information slip to Lady Tsunade but I can honestly say that I do not understand this guy. I know he is after Naruto and that he almost killed Sasuke and Kakashi but what I don't get is why he didn't... It's not like he was cramped for time.. I worry for the two Uchiha brothers, Sasuke is getting stronger and stronger with each passing day and I have personally seen Itachi be good and purposely hinder the Akatsuki's plans.. I am torn in between what I think of Itachi and what I've been told and let me tell you it isn't a good place to be in my situation.

'I should head back to give a report.. Lady Tsunade will want to hear about the Tailed beast that the Akatsuki apprehended'. With that thought I paid for my meal and headed home... 'Maybe she will allow me to stay for a few days this time..' I thought smiling...