Struck: A Kakashi Hatake Fanfiction

Chapter Five: Ready?

It was still dark when I rolled out of bed. I'd spent the previous morning nursing my hangover and trying to convince myself that I hadn't been a complete fool in front of Kakashi. On a good day I was quite the persuasive girl, but not even I could erase the blush from my face. So I then spent the afternoon in a training field kicking my own ass to make up for it.

Now I was not only tired from lack of sleep but I was also stiff from overdoing it and I was pretty sure Kakashi Hatake has lost all respect for me. Super. I sighed and did a few deep stretches. Not that it matters. I'm not going on this mission for him, I'm going for them. Granted, things might go better if it wasn't awkward but...I growled aloud then and double checked my bag before getting changed.

I stood in front the mirror and studied myself. At least I didn't look like the train wreck I felt.There were traces of purple underneath my dark green eyes, but other than that no one would know.

I tied my hitae-ate loosely at my throat so it would meet the top of my high-necked tunic. Mom always said this color looked good on me, icy blue. I smiled at the memory and then chuckled at the next. Ryoto on the other hand never did like the neckline that came along with this top. It wasn't too revealing, it only showed a hint of my cleavage but he felt it was more suited for a Saturday night. He was always a little overprotective though.

I glanced at the clock—I would've thought he'd be here by now. I went to the door to take a look outside and ran smack into the man himself when I opened it.

"Ready to get going then I see?" he said with a hand on the back of his head.

I cleared my throat as I backed into my apartment to grab my bag from beside the door. "Yeah... yeah sorry about that," I said as I strapped it to my back.

"After you," he said holding out an arm. I quickly locked the door and started down the stairs.

XXXXX

The sun was setting now, and a cool breeze blew around us, hinting at the winter that wasn't so far away anymore. We'd travelled all day, mostly in silence, taking only one break. As soon as we'd stepped out of the Leaf, a determined look came over Emi's face and it hadn't faltered since.

"We'll start at the Fukuda's," I said as we sat down to eat by the small fire.

She nodded and studied the rice ball in her hands. "We're only about a day and a half away. They live pretty close to the border." She said after a moment but she still hadn't touched her food.

"Are you ready for all of this?" I asked. I wasn't about to forget the other night so quickly. It was like she hadn't even cried until then.

Her eyes flashed to me from underneath that halo of golden hair. "You don't have to worry, Hatake. I won't have another outburst. I...I should've been able to pull myself together that night. I'm sorry." She gave me a half smile. "I blame the sake."

"I'm not blaming you for grieving, Emiko. But we don't know what we're going to find when we get there."

"I have been on recon missions before, Kakashi," she snapped, attitude seeping into her voice.

"This is different, don't be a child."

Her gaze changed to a glare then with a furrowed brow but her voice was soft. "Is that the problem, Hatake? You just see me as the little girl you used to know?"

"No that's not..." I trailed.

"No you're right," she said before standing up.

"That can't be it," she continued as she stepped in front of me and knelt down until her face was only inches from mine.

"Because you definitely didn't look at me like a little girl the other night, did you?" she whispered.

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I was grateful as usual for the mask that hid it. I opened my mouth to speak but she lifted a finger to my lips to hush me.

"I have to find out who did this to my family. So let's pretend that you never questioned my ability to maintain my composure, and we'll get along just fine."

I titled my head. Did this woman just simultaneously threaten and seduce me? When I didn't reply, she smiled and stood up.

"I'll take that as an agreement. Goodnight."

I watched as she unpacked her sleeping bag and crawled inside.

She may not be little anymore, but she's still a pain in my ass...

XXXXX

I curled up in my sleeping bag with a smirk. We don't know what we're going to find on this mission, about that much he was right. But to suggest I couldn't handle it after we've already left the village? After the Hokage herself made her decision clear? Tch, I feel no remorse for shutting the man up.

Just as I had closed my eyes, his smooth voice called "Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Emiko. And if you do happen to cause any problems, I will happily haul your ass back to the village kicking and screaming."

"Not sure you could handle that job, Hatake," I jabbed.

His low chuckle was the only reply I got and it sent a delicious chill down my spine.