Child of the Moon

Revelations

The Third stepped out of the hospital room and noticed Tsukiko leaning against the opposite wall, her eyes a dull red, indicating the other entity was in control.

"I gather Shigeto is in the village," she said by way of greeting.

"Would you be able to track him?" the Third asked, as she fell into step beside him.

"I've already attempted to do so," she responded. "He has likely used a technique to hide his presence and that of Orochimaru's."

"I see," the Third chewed on the end of his pipe. "Kurai mentioned that Shigeto was being used, but it was implied Orochimaru is not the one in control."

"Of Shigeto, perhaps," she answered.

"Oh?" the Hokage looked over at her from beneath the brim of his hat.

"Orochimaru doesn't have the power to change someone so drastically, and still control them," she explained. "I have observed the memories that Kurai has of the event. He is clearly mad, yet there was a brief moment of lucidity. Shigeto was trying to communicate something to Kurai, but it seems that was the extent of his free will."

"You seem unsurprised by that," the Hokage pointed out.

"During our time with him, there were moments when he would almost be... Shigeto," she said. "Or at least, close to who he was before the change. They passed quickly, and he was always crueler after those moments than before."

"I see," the Hokage sighed.

"For now, it might be best to ignore his presence," she said. "To avoid unsettling Tsukiko."

"The safety of the village is my main concern," the Hokage reminded her.

"Which is why Orochimaru must be your focus," she said. "Shigeto is likely a distraction, to keep Orochimaru's true intentions hidden."

The Third sighed heavily. "You are likely right. For now, I must speak with Anko."

"Of course," came the response, before Tsukiko's eyes, returned to their natural green. She stumbled with a surprised gasp. "Lord Hokage... what...?"

"Ah, Tsukiko," he said, good-naturedly. "I trust you're doing well?"

"Um... yes?" she looked around herself. "Did I... do anything... Strange?"

"No, no," the Third chuckled. "You were about to go see Kurai, though I was about to inform you that he needed his rest."

"Oh," Tsukiko blinked, and could not read any deception from his thoughts, so she shrugged it off. "In that case, I think I'll check in on the Chunin Exams. There should be some squads back by now-"

"Ah, Tsukiko, Lord Third."

Tsukiko was mildly horrified at the fact that Kakashi simply appeared, set her face ablaze.

"What the hell is wrong with me? It's just Kakashi! Up until lately, I've been just fine around him, and now it's like that time I tripped and knocked Shisui down!"

She internally cringed at the memory. She couldn't face the Uchiha for a week after that.

"Kakashi, I take it you've come to see Kurai?" the Third said.

"Something like that," he answered. "I came to find you. Asuma mentioned something that's been bothering me for a while now."

"I'm afraid he is resting now," the Third said. "Perhaps it would be best for both of you to come by later when he is awake."

"In that case, Tsukiko, a word?"

"Ugh." "Yeah, sure..."

Tsukiko was unable to discern what was going through Kakashi's mind since his mind seemed to be focused on... ahem... quality literature.

"So," he eventually said, as they walked through the village. "Asuma pointed it out, but I'd begun to become a bit suspicious of it myself."

"What?"

"His damn mind is still in that book, what does he want?"

"You've been avoiding me," he stopped, turning to face her, standing outside her apartment.

Tsukiko blinked and thought back on all her interactions with him.

"Holy crap, you're right," she blurted aloud. "Uh... I mean - wait, what?"

Kakashi chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You seriously didn't notice?"

"Well, no," she admitted. "Though apparently everyone else has, and that's been awkward as hell."

"I guess then, you probably haven't noticed much else, huh?" he said, a strange glint in his eye.

"Noticed what?" she frowned.

He sighed, though, by the one eye visible, she could see he was smiling.

"If you're gonna talk in circles, then stop thinking about that dirty book, and let me know what's really going on," she snapped, planting her hands on her hips and pouting childishly.

She blinked, and Kakashi had her pinned between him and the door behind her, as he stared down at her with an intense expression.

"Oh," she said in a small voice, Kurenai's words coming back to her.

"Oh?" he said, raising his eyebrow, and tilting his head slightly.

"You've let your guard down!"

She caught his mask and pulled, but rather than jumping away as he normally did, he dipped his head and caught her mouth with his own. Her eyes widened momentarily, before drifting closed with a soft noise of surprise escaping her.

"Point one to you," she thought absently, her hands releasing his mask, so she could wrap her arms around his neck.

"What was that?" he said against her mouth.

"Shut up," she grumbled, as heat flushed her cheeks.

Kakashi smirked, resuming the kiss.