Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Cat's Eyes ❯ The Mask ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter Ten

 

The Mask

 

Kakashi stood off to the side allowing Sakura to warm up first. Suddenly she looked over, a thoughtful expression on her face.

 

“Kakashi when we get to the Water country are you going to take off your mask?”

 

Kakashi blinked, whatever he'd been expecting her to say that was not it. His hand came up to his face and traced the mask thoughtfully.

 

“Probably not.”

 

“Why?”

 

Kakashi could see where this was going, he smirked, “How about this, if you can catch me before sun down I'll take off my mask today and keep it off on the trip, if not then it doesn't come off at all.”

 

Sakura's eyes lit up at the challenge.

 

“You're on.”

 

Kakashi chuckled, “Alright you have till midnight tonight to catch me. Good luck.” And with that he vanished.

 

“Shi'i'na” she called, “now would be a good time to teach me how to use my cat skills.”

 

I think not Kitten this is your hunt, you will teach yourself and we will guide you to that learning if we see you are getting close or are in danger.

 

Sakura stuck out her tongue. “Fine, be a spoilsport.”

 

On her own, Sakura leaped into the trees, and instinctively tried to catch Kakashi's scent. Suddenly her senses sharpened and she was pummeled by various sights and smells she hadn't noticed before.

 

“What's happening?!” She cried out as she fell back to earth.

 

Do not be alarmed Ki'li'na'ra we have been blocking your senses to help you cope with the change. Had we left them with you, you probably would be deaf by now. Come now you have a hunt in progress learn how to use your senses to your advantage.

 

That's right little sister show that human what we cats can do.

 

That is enough Ha'ki'to, you have said more then enough.

 

Yeah, so shut your trap, Ki'li has a male to catch.

 

Sakura blushed, and set out again. With her incredible eyesight she was able to circumvent many of the traps Kakashi set. She smiled, she was gaining on him. The forest went utterly silent. Sakura froze not even knowing why she did so and concealed herself in the shadows.

 

Your instincts are good, Cat-kit.

 

Sakura blinked, before her stood a male lion in all his glory. Sakura tilted her head to the side and responded tentatively in the cat tongue.

 

Thank you… Who are you exactly?

 

I am merely curious cat who came to see if all the fuss the council was making about you was warranted. I find it is.

 

Thank you. Sakura muttered unable to think up a more appropriate response.

 

Well I will leave you to your chase then. Good hunting.

 

With that he disappeared. Sakura sat back on her haunches. “That was strange.” She muttered.

 

Not entirely unexpected though. You have caused quite a stir among our kind Ki'li'na'ra.

 

Sakura shrugged and scented the air again. She grit her teeth in frustration, in the time she had taken to converse with the stranger, Kakashi's scent had faded. I need to try another way. Sakura thought for a moment before an idea dawned on her. She hadn't used her Nekogan since she named it. Sakura focused her chakra to her eyes. And suddenly the world took on a much more colorful perspective. She could see the thermal patterns of everything each tree, rock, even insects. Sakura sat still for a moment trying to accustom herself to her new vision.

 

Well done Ki'li'na'ra we didn't think that you would think of this so soon. Well done.

 

Who are you trying to kid. Ki're'na we were told that she wouldn't get this for awhile but we knew Ki'li was much smarter then the idiots at the council gave her credit for.

 

She'li'na do not insult the members of the council. Shi'i'na hissed aghast.

 

Um, could you two argue later? Our little sister has just left on the trail of her human guardian.

 

All the female cats turned to him. What?!

 

Meanwhile Sakura, who had gotten tired of listening to her cat kin argue, had resumed her search. Using her newly developed sight she had honed in on the biggest source of heat and started toward it. Kakashi watched from a distance as she was stopped by another cat. But the second she resumed her chase, he'd vanished.

 

Sakura scorned the forest but she seemed to always be two steps behind him. Unfortunately while her eyes could always find him, they could not always see his traps. So she was forced to switch back to her regularly enhanced eyes till she lost him. Then switch back to her Nekogan till she found him and then back again.

 

At sun down Sakura stopped. She had lost the wager. However it was not a total loss, she was now proficient in switching her eyes back and forth and had even figured out how to adjust the intensity of her sight no matter what form her eyes were in. She had also learned that if she focused on her finger tips she could grow claws.

 

Kakashi arrived in the clearing not a minute later. “Looks like I win our wager. But I think today's training was successful.” He grinned ruefully at his arm; four long cat claw marks decorated it from shoulder to elbow. Sakura smirked. “I think so as well.”

 

Little sister! There you are.

 

Ki'li'na'ra please do not do that again.

Kitten you really worried us.

 

If I didn't know you better Ki'li I'd say you did that on purpose.

 

Kakashi looked at the felines, then at Sakura. “Sakura what got them in a tizzy?”

 

“Its nothing Kakashi,” Sakura smirked, “I just eluded them all day while I chased you.”

 

Kakashi blinked then shook his head in amusement. “Amazing, you are simply amazing.”

Sakura blushed and turned to look up at him. “You think so?” Kakashi gave a smirk of his own. “I do.” Then almost as if an unseen force compelled them they stepped closer together.

 

Back off human you are getting to close!

 

Shut up, you said she could keep him. She'li'na hissed.

 

That doesn't mean he is worthy to touch her. I merely meant he has his uses, Ha'ki'to defended.

 

Shut up both of you. Shi'i'na snapped Just watch Ha'ki'to they aren't going to mate yet, just look at the way he looks at her. He likes her and she likes him and you are not going to interfere.

 

Ha'ki'to didn't say another word.

 

Sakura ignored her guardians and continued to focus on Kakashi. He slowly drew her into his arms pulling her tightly against his chest. “Close your eyes.” He whispered into her ear. Sakura's eyes fluttered closed. Kakashi pulled down his mask and slowly lowered his face to hers. He gently began to press kisses down the side of her face till he found her lips. Sakura gasped, Kakashi took advantage and sealed their lips his tongue slipping stealthily into her mouth. Then it ended. Sakura opened her eyes to find his mask back up and her guardians staring or in Ha'ki'to's place growling at them.

 

“It's late. We need to head back.”

 

Sakura taken aback by the abrupt change nodded docilely and followed him back to his apartment. They didn't speak merely readied for bed in awkward silence.

 

Then as Sakura lay down on the couch she looked directly at Kakashi and asked “Can we do that again soon?”

 

Without thinking Kakashi responded. “Sure, maybe after training tomorrow.”

 

Sakura nodded contentedly and turned over. Kakashi entered his bedroom, and as he turned out the lights and lay down he couldn't quite figure out what it was he agreed to do.

 

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Comments:

 

I'm back! It has been awhile but as I promised I will not be abandoning this story. I apologize for my long silence; I'll try to return to my normal schedule. If ever there was one.

 

Murphy says:

 

If there is a worse time for something to go wrong, it will happen then

 

Notes:

 

Thanks again to all my wonderful reviewers it was you who prompted me to return. I really appreciate all the feedback.

 

Ja ne

 

Shinobi Princess