soft spells from forest heart

Kakashi as your boyfriend

Pros:

- so strong, so brave, so smart, so badass

- but pretty laid back at the same time — in everyday life he seems just chill

- he would gladly die for you

- very loyal

- very caring

- will move in with lots of dogs

- if you want even more dogs, he wouldn't mind

Cons:

- always late

- always working

- has trouble speaking his mind when something is not right

Love language:

- physical touch — when you're alone, he's the happiest glued to you; hugging you from behind when you're doing something, holding your hand when you're reading together on the couch, napping with his head on your lap

- acts of service — there is nothing he wouldn't do for you; he's a great listener and always notices when you need or want something

Flowers:

- he likes to gather a small bouquet of wildflowers for you from time to time, knowing how happy it always makes you

Feelings in public:

- nonono

- he has this strong fear that being known as his girlfriend is not safe for you, so in public you mostly act like friends

- but those close to you know, of course

Jealousy:

- it's not really his thing — he trusts you and is pretty confident when it comes to your relationship

- but it doesn't mean he won't notice if someone is being too touchy; you can be sure he would be by your side in a heartbeat in that situation

Intimacy:

- when you're alone, he's very affectionate

he kisses you a lot, touches you a lot, is obsessed with your body

- loves to make out with you for hours, on the rare occasions when he has time for that

- when you can't see each other for a longer time due to his missions, he comes back home starving for you; sometimes you won't even make it to your bed, hungrily fucking on the living room couch, on the stairs, on the floor

- when it comes to sex, he's open and creative, loves to tease you and dominate you a little, but at the same time will shower you with praise if you ride him when he's too tired to move

- being injured is not a problem for him — he would try to seduce you even in a hospital bed tbh

Sleeping together:

- loves to cuddle with you

- you can sleep with his chest as a pillow, he doesn't mind

- you have to turn off his reading light a lot at night since he falls asleep to his comfort novels

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Sasuke as your boyfriend

Pros:

- hot, strong, determined — it's impossible to be as cool as him

- he doesn't like anyone, so his affection for you feels very special

- he's that kind of man who will burn the whole world for you if needed

- deep down very emotional

- cat person

- cute when flustered, which is not hard to accomplish

Cons:

- dramatic with a capital D

- you'll have to force him to talk every time something is wrong — he tends to shut himself down

- cocky, full of himself sometimes

Love language:

- acts of service — he's definitely the kind of person who seems like he doesn't care, but he listens closely and does everything in his power to help you with whatever problem you come across

- 0% talking, 100% doing

Flowers:

- always unexpected — for example a single flower he picked in the middle of a mission and hid in his pocket because it reminded him of you (yes it's ruined when it finally makes its way to your hands)

Feelings in public:

- he hates showing affection when others are watching

- because he feels it's a soft side of him he doesn't want others to see

- and because he's shy and when things are getting even slightly intimate, his ears turn red

- but there is one exception

Jealousy:

- he doesn't mind showing others you're his girl when he's jealous

- and he's jealous a lot

- anyone who gets too friendly with you suddenly starts to feel uneasy, only to find Sasuke's deadly glare piercing through them

- he casually appears by your side out of thin air, one arm wrapped around your waist, no smile, no words — only a stare from cold, dark eyes

Intimacy:

- when you're alone, another side of him starts to show: more vulnerable, not so confident, disarmed in some way

- because when you're close, putting your hand on his chest and locking eyes with him or suddenly laying your head on his lap, he forgets to breathe

- in one second his world shrinks to you — your eyes, your smile, your touch and scent

and it always catches him off guard, he just can't get used to it

- that's the only time when he's acting without thinking, when his instincts take the wheel, and sometimes it scares him

- he thought once or twice that you're the only person that could kill him due to your effect on him

Sleeping together:

- he's not really a hugger, but doesn't mind if you snuggle into his side — he's sleeping on his back anyway

- he breathes so quietly you're sometimes checking if he's still alive

- cold feet

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Shikamaru as your boyfriend

Pros:

- the smartest man in the village

- will always put you in first place, above work

- dry, sarcastic humour

- knows all the best places for cloud watching and avoiding responsibilities

- deep conversations late at night

Cons:

- the laziest man in the village

- complains 90% of the time

- hard to beat in any game

Love language:

- words of affirmation — if he sees you need it, you can count on a pep talk anytime

- he makes sure you know what a great person you are

Flowers:

- wildflowers picked spontaneously on your lazy dates on the meadow (which include napping and making out on a blanket among the tall grass)

Feelings in public:

- nah

- but he will steal kisses from you when no one is looking

Jealousy:

- he will be, if there's a reason — someone getting too close to you, or you giving someone too much attention

- but he won't tell you, he will just observe

Intimacy:

- he's very affectionate and touchy when you're alone

- he loves slow, lazy makeout sessions — on the couch, on the bed, on the blanket in the wild

- passionate kisser

- but doesn't like to move too much and is the happiest when you ride him

- sometimes agrees to use his shadow jutsu on you when you crave some dominance, but not often as it takes some effort

Sleeping together:

- his favourite activity

- he bonds through shared naps

- he likes when you tangle your legs with his

- you can be his little spoon anytime

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Naruto as your boyfriend

Pros:

- golden boy with a golden heart

- if you're important to him, he will turn the whole world upside down to make you happy

- the best cheerleader, will always make sure you know how great you are

- always knows how to make you laugh

- great hugger

Cons:

- impulsive and reactive

- if there's a fight, there's a high chance he's involved

- speaks before thinking

Love language:

- words of affirmation — giving pep talks is his strength

- acts of service — he would do anything for you without a second thought

Flowers:

- he likes to pick different flowers from the flower shop — the more colorful, the better; for him it's a way to cheer you up

Feelings in public:

- absolutely, he doesn't see anything wrong with it

- often holds your hand, hugs you from behind resting his head on yours, kisses you on the cheek

- being with you and not touching you seems unnatural to him

Jealousy:

- yes, but in short bursts that quickly pass

- he doesn't like when someone tries to get too close to you, of course, but when he sees something like that, he just acts immediately and clears it up on the spot

Intimacy:

- he shifts smoothly between joking around and being silly to kissing you very seriously — his giggle replaced with gasps and moans, his playful tone with a deepened voice

- he's not shy, so being intimate with him comes naturally

- quite wild, will try every place and position with you

- ready whenever you are

Sleeping together:

- not for the weak

- he's all over the bed

- talks in his sleep

- likes to cuddle, but will switch positions a lot — you can fall asleep in his arms and wake up to his feet on your pillow

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Gaara as your boyfriend

Pros:

- powerful, intimidating shinobi — in the end he's the youngest kage in history

- he has actually worked through his trauma and put effort into healing and changing for the better

- tough warrior with a vulnerable side

- soft and romantic at heart

- awkward in a really cute way

- will write poetry for you

Cons:

- doesn't always know what to do in social situations

- sometimes needs quiet days just for himself

- doesn't know a lot about being a boyfriend (but will gladly learn)

- very busy with work

Love language:

- gifts — as his girlfriend, you'll have everything you'll ever need or want

- he's paying close attention to things you like, no matter if you tell him about them or he notices the light in your eyes at the sight of them

Flowers:

- a lot of them, without a special reason

- big bouquets sent to your house when he has to stay in the office longer

Feelings in public:

- he'll always hold your hand, even during official events

- but nothing more in front of other people, he's a private person

Jealousy:

- he's not jealous

- if anything, he'll get sad and scared your feelings might fade away

Intimacy:

- whimpering boy 😌

- he's always considerate about you, first and foremost caring about your pleasure and comfort

- a giver

- tries to be delicate

- keeps eye contact

- loves to cuddle after

Sleeping together:

- he can't imagine sleeping without you

- perfect to cuddle with, he's never too hot

- a small spoon

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Kiba as your boyfriend

Pros:

- he's really fun to be around, always up to something

- has lots of friends, very social

- confident, cool, funny

- was raised by strong women

- can read your mood and knows what point in your cycle you're at just by your scent

- very protective of you

- loves animals

- Akamaru

Cons:

- sometimes can be impulsive and a little reckless

- loud and full of energy all the time, which can be a good thing but can also be a little overwhelming

- can be overprotective

Love language:

- physical touch — he likes to show you affection, is always touching you in some way

- quality time — he likes to take you on adventures, like camping together

Flowers:

- sometimes, on special occasions or when he wants to take you on a date

Feelings in public:

- he has no problem with it, will gladly show everybody that you're his girl

- sometimes you have to stop him from showing too much affection

- he really doesn't mind people watching

Jealousy:

- very jealous, sometimes it's really annoying

- wants to know whose smell he's sensing on your clothes and remembers all your friends' scents

- he's not accusing you of being unfaithful, but has trouble dealing with others around you

Intimacy:

- always ready, just say a word. Or sigh in the right way. He'll know

- dominant wolf boy

- likes to bite and to be bitten

- loves to make love outdoors — camping under the stars, on a walk in the woods

- loud lover

- great with words, can make your knees weak with one sentence

Sleeping together:

- cosy cuddles with him and the dog

- he snores

- moves a lot in his sleep

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Rock Lee as your boyfriend

Pros:

- hard worker, so strong, fantastic stamina

- kind, respectful — it feels so nice to be around him

- will protect you no matter what

- cute and shy in romantic scenarios

- affectionate, caring boyfriend who will show you love in a hundred different ways

- he will always put you first

Cons:

- very strict with himself, which leads to overworking

- doesn't know the word "rest"

- sometimes doesn't show himself the kindness he has for others

- very busy with training

Love language:

- gifts — always knows what will make you smile and he lives for your smile

- words of encouragement — no one believes in you the way he does

Flowers:

- a lot — big bouquets at every possible occasion and even without one

- he knows what flowers are your favourite

Feelings in public:

- just a little, as he's shy and easily gets flustered

- just grabbing his hand or kissing him on the cheek makes him all red

Jealousy:

- he tends to doubt himself, but he trusts you

- if he sees you having fun with others and feels a little sting of jealousy, he gets sad and quiet

Intimacy:

- though he's shy, physical contact is very important for him

- he needs some time to get used to being intimate with you, because it overwhelms him

- but he's an excellent kisser and a very giving lover

- always thinks about you first, fully focusing on you

- can go on for hours

Sleeping together:

- sleeps like a rock

Kakashi

- it takes him a while to realize, because he tries to avoid catching feelings for you

- loving someone was always too risky for him

- he knew he liked you a little too much from the beginning, but he gaslit himself into thinking it was only friendship

- but then comes the hardest time of the year for him, around Obito’s death anniversary - and he becomes more avoidant than usual, hiding from everybody

- he doesn’t expect you to look for him, so when you show up at the cemetery and just stand with him without a word by Obito’s grave - he can’t control his feelings anymore

- his heart is pounding, his mind racing

because you remembered, and you’re here, in a place where he feels the most alone

- he shows nothing, standing still with his hands in his pockets, but if you could see his burning heart in that moment

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Sasuke

- oh boy

- at first, he convinces himself he hates you

feelings that intense have to be hate, right?

- what other reason would make him so frustrated around you, r i g h t?

- he finally figures it out when you’re in danger during one of your missions

- it’s hard to pretend you despise someone when you’re so scared you’ll lose them

- he’s definitely not happy with that realization

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Shikamaru

- for a long time, he can’t figure out what his feelings for you are

- because when it comes to you, logic is out the window

- he likes being around you, he likes looking at you, the thought of being alone with you does something to him

- but is that love, or just attraction?

- one day, your team faces a tough problem and you come up with a clever solution, and Shikamaru has this weird desire to kiss your beautiful brain

- and that starts the whole avalanche of evidence that he is, in fact, in love with you

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Naruto

- he’s not the one to wonder about his feelings too much - when he likes someone, he likes someone, end of the story

- and it really is that simple - he’s aware of his crush on you, he notices how perfectly you two get along, and how quickly you become someone very important to him

- it doesn’t change much how he acts around you - he’s still goofy, loves to make you laugh, simply includes you in his everyday life like it’s the most natural thing in the world

- but sometimes, when you’re not looking, he just stares at you quietly as something blooms in his chest

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Gaara

- it takes him a while to figure out why he’s feeling so strange around you, because it has never happened to him before

- as with most things, he keeps his thoughts to himself for the longest time, just observing his own reactions to you

- he tries to explain everything to himself step by step - why he seems to care so much about you, why something flutters in his stomach when you’re close, why he wants to see you again immediately after you leave

- he asks Temari, but she just shakes her head in disbelief and tells him to figure it out by himself

- he asks Kankuro, and he sighs deeply and explains it the best he can

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Kiba

- he’s quick to notice his attraction to you, but at first he treats it lightly

- you’re in the same group of friends and he likes being around you, but it’s not that uncommon for him, as he gets along easily with everyone

- something changes when he’s having a bad week - he almost fails a mission due to his own mistake, and, worst of all, Akamaru gets hurt and needs medical attention and a lot of rest

- you show up for him immediately, so concerned about his dog it almost makes him cry

- and you help him with the overwhelming feeling of guilt and sadness, sitting with him through the worst of it

- it makes him feel softer, vulnerable - but for some reason, he doesn’t mind

- you become his safe place, and it just stays that way

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Rock Lee

- I think he falls for you hard when you call him yours

- of course, he knows he liked you a lot before that, but

- something in your words - in the fact that you casually called him “my Lee” while talking about him to one of your friends - catches him off guard

- he feels like his heart is suddenly growing and growing, to the point where it’s hard to breathe

The chase was on them again, and he had a bad feeling about it. Running during the day, with the terrain becoming less and less friendly, wasn’t ideal. The best he could do was run as fast as possible toward the safest place he could think of.

The land ahead was rocky and empty, full of obstacles that would only slow them down. He chose to climb the mountainside for a while, but changed direction as soon as they crossed the brook and headed toward the forest lying at the bottom of the valley. He hoped it would mislead their pursuers and buy them some time.

When they reached the first trees, he realized he had made a mistake. Half a second too late.

A rain of kunai poured over them, forcing Kakashi to abruptly change direction and drop low - so Jun wouldn’t fall from his back. She immediately jumped off, giving him room to fight. He heard her sharp gasp when a group of shinobi appeared before them - revealing that the Hidden Village of Rain had been the one chasing them.

*

Jun froze, unsure if the faces in front of her were even real. It probably hadn’t been that long since she had seen them last, she thought. And at the same time, it felt like another lifetime. Faces that had once been the most familiar, the closest thing to home. And now…

*

There were four of them, but only one carried a strong chakra signature - the long, dark hair falling down his back, the sad, tired face that made him seem older than he really was. He stared at Jun intensely, and she didn’t look away, but her pale face told Kakashi enough.

“Be careful,” her lips barely moved.

“So you’re responsible for our prisoner disappearing,” said a different shinobi, short-haired, a katana on his back. “Or should we be thankful you got her out of the Sound Village? Either way—the adventure is over. We’re taking her from here.”

“I don’t think so,” Kakashi replied.

“Gato,” the long-haired shinobi rasped, as if he hadn’t spoken in a long time. “You see who he is. I’ll make sure she doesn’t run. Inform Shigure.”

“Sure.”

Gato gave Kakashi one last smirk and vanished into thin air.

The long-haired shinobi stood motionless in front of them while the other two rushed to the sides. Kakashi knew he could grab Jun and run through them without much risk - but something felt wrong.

“Kakashi,” Jun’s voice was weak. “I can’t move from here. But you’re fine. Just don’t get close.”

Then he noticed it - the ground where she had landed was covered in symbols. An explosive tag? Or something else?

*

“So you’re worried about him?” asked the shinobi on her left - Giru.

“Look at her. Konoha emblems on her sleeves. And you still weren’t sure she was a traitor. Stupid,” Mirai said from the right.

“I just don’t get it. Why Konoha? Why won’t you help your homeland?” Giru’s voice shook with anger.

She didn’t need to answer. She had told them countless times already - calmly, crying, screaming, begging. They had never listened.

“I still can’t believe a traitor walked beside us for so long,” Giru continued.

Jun tried to ignore them, but it was hard. Especially with those dark, haunting eyes watching her from a distance - Tora's eyes.

*

Kakashi summoned his ninken. They surrounded Jun, careful not to step on the seals. He wanted them to separate her from the two younger shinobi while he handled the strongest one.

He lifted the headband covering his left eye.

“Fighting you alone is not something I ever wanted, Copy Ninja,” the long-haired shinobi said. “But I can’t let you take her.”

“You’re a wise one, I see,” Kakashi replied. “Release the seals and I’ll spare your life.”

“I don’t mind dying. In fact, I’m sure I will - by your hand. But I’ll slow you down long enough for my sensei to catch up. That’s enough for me.”

“So be it.”

The long-haired shinobi attacked - fast and quiet, with a finesse that spoke of natural talent. Cautious, observant, quick enough to keep Kakashi away from Jun.

*

Jun tried to stand straight, but the seals had a specific effect - they sucked chakra out of anything caught inside. She knew that feeling too well.

Tora was no ordinary man. Captain of her former team; the best in their class since childhood; their sensei’s favorite. And hers, for a long time. Strong, calm, intelligent. Loyal, she had thought.

She was afraid Kakashi might underestimate him, but the Copy Ninja seemed fully focused. Their fight was silent but intense, constantly shifting pace, testing each other’s limits. She already knew how skilled Kakashi was. But she had witnessed countless times just how deadly Tora could be when he needed to.

“Scared for your new friend, traitor?” Mirai hissed, stepping closer. Her mind-jutsu was familiar to Jun too. She knew the girl wouldn’t come close enough to cast it - not yet - with the ninken guarding her and Tora’s seal still active. She was there as a plan B, to make sure Jun wouldn’t resist.

“So they finally put you on the team after I was gone?” Jun asked. Petty, she knew.

Anger flashed across Mirai’s face for just a second.

“I think those loyal to their village are worth a thousand times more than those who betray it,” she said. “And all of them - Tora, sensei - they think the same. Does it hurt? Or are you rotten enough inside not to feel it?”

Jun already knew what they thought of her; they’d had enough time to tell her in the Rain’s prison. Back then she hadn’t known whether their words weren’t worse than the physical pain. Now she understood - she was a traitor to them, and nothing would ever change that.

Shiba growled at Mirai, forcing her to step back. Jun focused on the dogs, thinking of the nights full of warmth and cuddles - the first time she had felt safe since her nightmare began. Even if she had no long-term allies - she knew that was impossible - in that moment, they were guarding her. Not only physically.

*

Kakashi knew the fight couldn’t last long. The name Shigure didn’t ring a bell, but risking a more dangerous encounter without any intel was unwise. He noticed Jun fall to her knees, pale and weak, and figured the seal must have been draining her.

The long-haired shinobi only grew faster and more precise with each passing second. Sharingan helped Kakashi predict his movements, but it wouldn’t be enough to win.

*

Jun tried to hold on to hope. This wasn’t the first time she’d been trapped, powerless to change her fate. But this time, someone was fighting for her - someone she had grown to trust enough to believe he wouldn’t let her be hurt if he could help it.

Tora was growing stronger, feeding on her chakra. Thankfully, she wasn’t the best source right now. He was too smart to take too much - he knew it would kill her. What she had left wasn’t enough to defeat Kakashi. And the thought that Tora knew this too - that terrified her most.

A shadow clone placed at the right moment wasn’t enough to deceive Tora, but it served a different purpose - Kakashi sent it to Jun. The moment it touched the seal, it vanished, returning with information.

So he was siphoning chakra from whoever was trapped inside. And the seal would likely release upon his death.

Kakashi summoned a chidori in his right hand, pouring all his strength into the next strike. The long-haired shinobi dodged exactly the way Kakashi had hoped. Another shadow clone pushed him back toward Kakashi, forcing him to use a stronger jutsu to escape the chidori. An earth-style shield rose in a blink. Kakashi noticed Tora dart a glance at Jun - as if checking on her.

He couldn’t let her die. If Kakashi pushed him hard enough, he would have to break the seal. But… wasn’t that too risky?

Another chidori. Another shield. Blue lightning crashed against rocky boulders with deafening force, harder each time. Tora didn’t slow down, but sweat beaded on his brow, and his eyes flicked toward Jun more and more often.

*

Jun wasn’t sure when she ended up on the ground, but suddenly the cold, hard surface was under her cheek. Her mouth filled with metallic taste.

“Tora,” Mirai’s voice trembled.

“I know. Giru—the dogs. Mirai—Jun. Just avoid a vital spot. Three… two… one…”

Everything happened in a blur. She heard the dogs yelp - and felt their presence vanish. The draining force disappeared at the same moment. Someone jumped onto her, forcing her onto her back - Mirai’s pale face appeared above her, kunai raised high. The blade fell toward Jun’s chest before she could react.

But it never reached her. Something slammed into Mirai, sending her out of sight. A choked-off scream. Silver hair. Worried eyes. And a horrible feeling blooming in Jun’s chest just a heartbeat before a long blade pierced straight through Kakashi’s body.

For a moment, everything was silent. Kakashi’s masked face. Tora in front of him, both hands on the katana’s hilt.

And then Kakashi lifted his hand - lightning gathering at his fingertips - and drove it straight into Tora’s face.

A body hit the ground. Kakashi pulled the katana from his chest with a sharp, brutal motion and used chidori one last time - on Giru, who had rushed at him. Giru fell lifeless between Tora and Mirai.

Her team and Konoha’s had been forced to cooperate due to a series of unfortunate events. Since Hatake Kakashi had the most experience- and a reputation as the deadliest among them - he naturally became their leader. She could accept that; it was a logical decision.

What she couldn’t accept was him deciding on his own to risk their lives without feeling any need to consult her. That alone proved he had no trust in her as the captain of her own team. Not to mention how little their lives seemed to mean to him.

She wasn’t the type to stay silent when her people were put at such risk, no matter how much she hated verbal confrontation. Especially with someone like him - intimidating and, to her misfortune, painfully attractive.

She wanted to stay away from him for as long as possible. So when, after a heated argument - after she lost her composure and screamed at him exactly what she thought about his decisions - he came up with the idea to dismiss the others and lock them both in a random room in a random inn where the teams were staying for the night, she was furious.

Because that idea hadn’t been consulted with her either.

Now she stood in one corner of the room - a small bedroom with a fireplace - arms crossed over her chest, anger boiling under her skin. Kakashi positioned himself in front of her, back against the door, mirroring her posture. He was hard to read because of his fucking mask and the one hidden eye - yet another reason his presence made her uncomfortable.

“This is ridiculous,” she spat. She felt trapped, and that only made everything worse. What the hell was he thinking?

“Mizukari,” he began, his visible eye seemingly indifferent. “I know this cooperation isn’t convenient for you. I can see you’re uncomfortable with the power imbalance this situation has created between us. I’m aware that your team’s safety is your top priority. But I need you to accept me as the leader for this mission. I can’t allow you to undermine my tactics - it could lead to disobedience, and as a result, to unnecessary deaths and a failed mission. So you and your team need to show me some respect. At least - or I won’t have a choice but to take you before the Daimyo as traitors.”

A long speech full of lies, meant to scare her - that's all it was, she thought.

“I don’t see how pointing out the weak points in your plan is disrespectful, oh mighty leader,” she hissed, barely clinging to the last threads of her composure.

Kakashi simply watched her, waiting for more.

So she gave him more.

“We don’t know each other. Yes, the situation is specific, and yes, it’s inconvenient for me. I agree - you’re our best option for a captain. But that doesn’t mean you know everything or that you can just throw our lives away. I don’t know how things work in Konohagakure, but in my village, my companions matter. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe we can die, because to you we’re just worthless shinobi from some distant land.”

He didn’t take the bait. And that only fueled her fury - not logic anymore, just raw emotion. She was angry at him, at the situation, and at herself. Not because she doubted her argument, but because she was losing her temper too easily in front of him. She knew it wasn’t helping her credibility as a captain.

And deep down, she wanted him to acknowledge her experience. The fact that his opinion mattered to her pissed her off the most.

“I have no intention of sacrificing your team - for that reason or any other,” he said calmly. “If it helps build trust between us, I can modify the plan and mix our teams. I just thought you’d work best with your own people.”

“We will. But I still don’t understand why your plan has to be this risky. I suggested more cautious moves, but you didn’t listen.”

“I’d appreciate it if you trusted my experience,” he replied. “I’ve said this too many times already. If you can’t obey your captain, you fail as a shinobi - and you endanger your teammates far more than my plan ever would.”

The words hit her like a slap. For a moment, all she could hear was her heartbeat. Her cheeks burned, muscles tensing. Her hand brushed instinctively against the kunai hidden at her hip.

It was stupid. Dangerous. It could land her in prison.

But she couldn’t take another word.

Kakashi didn’t move, posture relaxed, still blocking her only way out. But he noticed.

“You’re impulsive,” he said quietly. “That’s not a great trait in a shinobi.”

That was it.

“You don’t know shit about me!” she shouted as something inside her snapped. “You twist everything to fit your own assumptions, you’re deaf to my arguments, and I could never trust someone who’s willing to risk my friends’ lives without explaining anything to their captain - and when that captain objects, you threaten to throw us all in jail!”

She didn’t remember when the kunai ended up in her hand. The thought of using it came a second too late - Kakashi was already moving, slamming her wrists against the wall behind her.

“Do I need to tie you up to finish this conversation in peace?” he murmured, his voice low, close enough to her ear to send a shiver down her spine.

His body pressed her into the wall, leaving her no room to move. She glared up at him, fury blazing - until she realized the tension coiling inside her was turning into something else. And it showed itself in the most inconvenient places.

Their faces were too close. She could feel his breath, the solid heat of his body, the weight of his words.

It made her hot.

The desire came out of nowhere, sudden and suffocating.

“Why do I get the feeling you like the idea?” Kakashi asked, his voice different now - curious.

“I do not,” she snapped, her voice too high. And she knew she’d given herself away.

“Really…”

He forced her fingers open; the kunai hit the floor with a metallic clatter. With one hand, he pinned her wrists again and pulled down his mask. Her gaze dropped instantly to his lips.

“Is that why you were so angry?” he asked softly. “Because you wanted me that badly?”

The words reignited her anger. She struggled against his grip, but he didn’t let her go.

And she felt it - the pressure against her lower belly, unmistakable proof that she wasn’t the only one reacting.

“Let me go,” she said, lacking conviction.

To her surprise, he did. He stepped back, and only then did she realize how weak her knees were. The wall was the only thing keeping her upright.

“I wasn’t expecting this conversation to go this way,” Kakashi said, removing his headband and vest.

“What… what are you doing?”

“Getting comfortable. It looks like we’ll be here for a while.”

Her mouth went dry.

“I want to leave.”

“I won’t let you until we reach some kind of compromise,” he said calmly. “But I don’t think you truly want to.”

The mix of anger, desire, embarrassment, and confusion drained her completely.

“Could you stop pretending you know everything about me?” she asked, leaning heavily against the wall, forcing herself to breathe. She needed her common sense back. Now.

“Sure,” he said. “I’m just telling you what I see.”

“You’re such a dick.”

“And you’re so stubborn it’s driving me insane.”

How was he so good at hitting exactly where it hurt?

“How am I the stubborn one here?!”

She punched his chest, once, twice. He let her before catching her wrists again.

“Feel better?” he asked, that infuriating smirk back on his face.

“No!” she shouted. “I can’t stand how you think you’re so much better than me!”

She didn’t expect what came next.

He pushed her back against the wall, one hand cradling the back of her head as his mouth crashed into hers.

His scent, his warmth, the taste of him - it all shattered her remaining control. She opened for him instantly, kissing him back with desperate heat that drew a low moan from his throat.

Hands became impatient, stripping away whatever they could reach. Their mouths refused to part, bodies pressing closer and closer, as if trying to erase the last inch of space between them.

He undid the buttons of her shirt and bared her breasts, his large, rough hand closing around them. She moaned, grinding her hips against his, fingers tangling in his hair as she deepened the kiss.

He pulled down the zipper of her skirt. His fingers traced a slow path over her stomach, slipping beneath the fabric of her underwear, brushing the aching heat between her thighs.

Pleasure shot through her, leaving her breathless, needy—more undone than she’d ever been.

And then he stopped.

*

“You weren’t very nice to me,” he muttered, stepping back and leaving her leaning against the wall—legs trembling, eyes half-lidded, lips parted in the most alluring way he’d ever seen. “Why should I be nice to you?”

“Because… because you want this as much as I do,” she replied, her voice weak and raspy.

He was so hard it almost hurt.

“Are you begging me for it?” he asked, knowing damn well it would make her angry. He couldn’t help himself.

“I’m not begging you for anything,” she hissed, cheeks flushed as she tried to cover her exposed chest with sharp, frantic movements. He stopped her.

“I could make you,” he said quietly, locking eyes with her.

The blush spread from her cheeks down her neck. Her chest rose and fell with every rapid breath, pulling her shirt open again. She was all fury and fire, but in her eyes he saw wild hunger.

“Then try me,” she said in a single breath—and that was all he needed.

Her feet left the floor as he swept her up in one strong motion. She gasped, both in surprise and desire. Sensation flooded her, head spinning—how had she become so weak in the hands of a man she’d wanted to hurt only moments ago?

For a heartbeat, their faces were close, his hold almost intimate, like they were lovers.

Then he threw her onto the bed and pinned her down, knee sliding between her thighs, hands braced on either side of her head. A moan tore from her throat as he lowered himself, his powerful thigh pressing against her most sensitive spot.

He grabbed one breast and kissed her deeply, drawing her body into a desperate arch as she clung to him. His arm slid beneath her waist, pulling her closer, increasing the pressure at her entrance. Her head fell back, exposing her neck. He bit her without thinking, then moved to her breasts, sucking and biting at her nipples, drawing more and more sounds from her.

Hearing her voice—once sharp with fury, now broken with pleasure—made him feel unhinged. He wanted her so fucking badly.

“Hatake…” she whined, hands digging into his back, trying to pull him impossibly closer. Her touch was chaotic, like she’d been waiting forever to feel every muscle, every scar beneath her fingertips.

“How long have you wanted me, Mizukari?” he asked, voice low, roughened by the way her body reacted to him. And it reacted beautifully—goosebumps rising, nipples hardening, sharp gasps, darkened eyes, thighs tightening around his leg.

“Shut up,” she groaned, arching as she tried to tug his shirt over his head. He pushed her hands away and did it himself. Her fingers immediately clung to his bare skin again.

He caught her wrists and pinned them high above her head. She arched with an impatient moan, which he swallowed with another kiss. The way her lips parted so easily for him made him groan in return.

“How long,” he repeated, shifting his weight as his free hand slid between her thighs. His fingers pressed against warm, aching softness beneath her lingerie. Watching her tremble and whimper, craving him, was deeply satisfying.

Just as satisfying as the way her slick heat made his cock twitch.

He slipped his fingers beneath the fabric and slowly spread her open.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled—already lost, too needy to keep fighting him.

“I think you do,” he said, pushing one finger inside her.

She cried out, stretched between his hands and his touch, thoughts dissolving completely.

He added a second finger. She spasmed, hips bucking instinctively, trying to take more, to steal what he was deliberately denying her.

“No.” He withdrew his hand and pinned her hips down with his knee. “That’s for good girls. And good girls answer my questions.”

She knew exactly why her body responded so desperately to those words. His control over her did something to her—left her utterly undone.

His fingers circled her entrance again, teasing, relentless.

“I… I’ve always found you attractive,” she admitted hoarsely.

“Oh?” he murmured. “I thought you despised me.”

“Because of your actions,” she protested—but it melted into a moan as he pushed his fingers back inside her, thrusting faster, fucking her with them until her hands clawed at the sheets.

“Then why do you want me to fuck you so badly?”

The familiar pressure coiled low in her belly, stealing her words.

“I—”

He pulled out again. She cried out.

“Be a good girl for me.”

“I don’t know!”

“You do.”

“You’re… frighteningly intelligent,” she gasped. “And I’ve never seen anyone fight the way you do.”

He paused.

“That,” he said after a moment, “might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

He released her wrists, stripped her of the remaining fabric with impatient hands, and buried his mouth between her thighs.

She was pretty sure she saw stars from the unexpected pleasure - his lips caressed her with hunger, his tongue flattened against her pussy, licking her like she was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. Her hands sank into his silver hair, pulling his head closer - he sighed, pleased.

Watching his head between her thighs - eating her up with an enthusiasm that contradicted his earlier behaviour - made her mind glitch. She didn’t have time to process it - his tongue found the perfect pace and the perfect spot. The built-up tension took her over, boiling under her skin and spilling from that tight spot into her whole body.

She muffled herself with her own palm, teeth sinking into the skin. It was not an ordinary orgasm she would normally build up carefully on her own or with the few lovers she had had before - but an out-of-control wave that made her shake and spasm with pleasure, finally leaving her exhausted.

But he didn’t get his closure.

He lifted his head, an even stronger desire in his eyes than before.

“See? It’s nice to listen to me for once, isn’t it?” he said, wiping his mouth with his hand.

“You’re such a dick,” she murmured, eyes closed, unable to move.

“I’m really curious what you’ll call me after I’m finished with you,” he said calmly, standing up from the bed. She watched as he unzipped his trousers, releasing his dick.

Her body let her know she was far from being appeased. Just the thought of taking him inside made her moan.

“Still want me, beautiful?” he asked, his voice softer than before.

She nodded.

“Use your words.”

“I want you.”

“Good girl.”

He hooked her leg up with his thigh, leaning over her. Their gazes met, locking on each other as he pressed the tip to her entrance. She gasped, breath rapid, body trembling in anticipation.

He moved closer, deeper, sinking into her fully. Her walls clenched around him—the stretch, the fullness, the pressure were overwhelming her.

And she wanted more.

“Please,” she whimpered.

“Please what, beautiful?”

“Please, fuck me.”

“So nice to me,” he groaned, leaning toward her ear, making her shiver. “Asking politely to wreck you. I don’t recognize you, Mizukari.”

“Kakashi…” she cried. He wasn’t moving an inch, and it was making her so needy she was ready to beg him.

“I like how you say my name like this.”

And he moved—slowly at first, just to tease her more. But she sounded so beautifully desperate, crying from pleasure with every thrust; her half-closed eyes were begging him for everything he could give her.

Something snapped in him, and his composure disappeared completely. An instinct begged him to fuck her wildly, fast, with all of his strength—and he obeyed.

He backed off and turned her onto her stomach, one hand pressing between her shoulder blades, the other grabbing her hip. Her moans sank into the bedsheets as he thrust into her without hesitation. She got louder and louder with every move, hands grabbing the pillows, her whole body trembling under him.

She was falling apart, forgetting where she was, who she was. The constant pleasure of him filling her so deep, stretching her so wide, hitting just the right places, turned her into a weak, whimpering mess. His strong hands keeping her in place were like a fuse—igniting another burst of pleasure, burning through her and leaving her in ashes.

He fucked her through her orgasm, not slowing down when her walls were spasming around him, closing on him so tightly. He needed more.

She cried, oversensitive and overstimulated, writhing under him. It was too much - and not enough.

“You can take more, beautiful,” he said, and oh, she could. His voice sent her over the edge again. The second wave lasted longer - only after a while did she realize she was moaning his name over and over.

He pulled out and turned her quickly onto her back. Both his eyes were open; the red Sharingan pierced through her. She watched as he stroked himself over her body, muscles tense, brows furrowed. Warmth spilled over her belly and breasts.

Kakashi collapsed onto her, his cock sliding against her belly for a moment. Finally, he stopped moving, trapping her beneath his weight and burying his face against her neck.

They were both panting, exhausted, unable to move or form a thought for a while. Finally, he spoke without lifting his head, his voice muffled by her hair.

“Can we talk now?”

She sighed.

“Will you make me angry again?”

"Jun, wake up. Time to go."

She didn’t want to. It was the best sleep she’d had in months, and she wished it could last forever.

"I promise it’s not your last sleep in this life — if you move your ass."

She sighed and opened her eyes. The ninken were gone, which made her a little sad.

"They’ll come back in the morning. If you behave like a good girl today."

"Konoha’s jōnin have the weirdest methods of enforcing obedience on their hostages," she muttered.

"Glad to see you're feeling better. Can I get my shirt back? Your clothes are dry. And I want to check your stitches."

She turned away and pulled the shirt over her head. If it were up to her, she’d keep it — the fabric was not only warm, but it smelled nice, too.

"Doesn’t look too bad," Kakashi said after checking her wounds. He covered her back with her old blouse. She dressed quickly.

"Take a blanket too. Your uniform is really thin."

When they left the cave, the sky was already growing dark.

"I slept all day," she noticed.

"My dogs must be a good influence on you."

"I like dogs. That was probably the coziest way I’ve ever fallen asleep."

"Well, I see the bar is disturbingly low," Kakashi said. "But for what it’s worth — they enjoyed it too."

"We’re going on foot today. We’re safe for now, and your back needs a break. Can you manage without shoes? I know it’s brutal, but I think I can fix that if we reach a certain place."

She didn’t know how to respond. Until now, nobody had cared whether she had shoes or not. And he wanted to do something about it? Well, he was probably just worried she’d slow them down. But... other shinobi would’ve just dragged her along.

"Why are you staring at me again?" he asked.

She didn’t answer.

---

At first, they moved at a decent pace — Jun had clearly regained some strength thanks to the long sleep. He regularly shared food and water with her. Sometimes, she reminded him of a cautious stray animal — always expecting an attack, always surprised when treated kindly.

But she was still cooperating without much resistance, even if his first attempt at getting information had gone poorly. It was hard to tell what she was thinking.

They weren’t talking much as they trudged through the dark forest. Jun followed in his footsteps carefully, and sometimes he heard a quiet hiss whenever she stepped on something sharp. But she never complained.

After a few hours, the surroundings began to change. The forest thinned and turned mostly coniferous. They had to go uphill more often. Rock formations appeared from time to time, slowing them down.

Before dawn, he decided to set up camp in a small gorge. As promised, he summoned the ninken. Six of them stayed with Jun. They immediately prepared for a nap — shamelessly yawning and stretching — before he’d even gone out to scout.

---

Just as he’d hoped, the next night they made it to a place he remembered from the past. After a few minutes of searching, he found an old ANBU stash hidden in a narrow crevice.

The backpack contained a few kunai, some bandages, and a spare outfit — including shoes.

Jun was tough, but he’d seen the condition of her feet while she was sleeping.

He handed her the sandals without a word. She tried to stay calm, but he saw her fingers tremble as she bandaged her feet and put them on. They were too big — but she didn’t seem to mind.

"Can I take that shirt too?" she asked hesitantly, as if it were a huge request.

"Sure."

She quickly pulled it over her head with a sigh of relief.

"I was freezing," she explained when he looked at her questioningly.

"Why didn’t you tell me?"

No answer. She put her wall back up, hiding inside the sweatshirt with Konoha emblems on the sleeves. It was far too big on her, and he caught himself thinking she looked... cute.

He quickly turned around — before that thought could show on his face.

---

It had been a couple of days since she’d left her cell. Unbelievably, she was starting to feel better — and not just physically.

Kakashi was treating her well. It was obvious he wouldn’t let her go, and she reminded herself she was still a prisoner — just in a different setting.

But every day he made sure she slept, that she could recover. He even hunted a rabbit for them. It tasted awful, but it was her first warm meal in what felt like forever.

She slowly started to feel comfortable around him. It was hard to believe, but it seemed like he really didn’t want to hurt her. As long as the journey lasted, she was safe.

Every time she thought about the destination, her brain went into full panic mode. She knew the peace was temporary. Pretending everything was fine was easier.

Was it healthy? Probably not. But it was the only way to cope — especially when she felt like she was losing her mind.

Maybe that’s the plan, she thought, following Kakashi through another night, staring at his broad shoulders. Make me feel human again, so the next prison can break me.

If that was Konoha’s strategy, they’d chosen the right man for the job.

Because even if she didn’t want to, she liked Kakashi. Sure, he was an incredible warrior — and easy on the eyes.

But it was his compassion and care that made her heart beat faster.

He was gentle. After his first attempt, he never tried to question her again. He didn’t push. At the first sign of discomfort, he backed off.

Every day she reminded herself that there wasn’t a single person on this earth she could trust. As sad as it was — it was the truth.

But every morning, he summoned his ninken so she could sleep in peace, and he wished her sweet dreams.

He had been right that night: her bar was low.

---

Jun looked better with each passing day. Sometimes Kakashi glanced at her while she slept. Guruko had caught him a couple of times and the whole pack turned it into a joke.

The swelling was gone and the bruises faded, revealing her pretty face. She gained a little weight thanks to regular meals, even with their limited supplies.

He noticed how long her lashes were, how they cast soft shadows on her cheeks — and how delicate her lips looked.

"You should go back to reading Icha Icha, Kakashi," Pakkun snorted.

---

Shiba was the first to sense danger. He quickly returned and reported a group of unfamiliar shinobi heading their way.

"No rest today," Kakashi said and dismissed the ninken.

"Get on my back, Jun. We need to run. I think your wounds have healed enough."

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. It had been a few days since they’d touched, and now... it felt different.

She was glad he couldn’t see her face as it turned red when his hands grabbed her thighs and lifted her. But it got worse. His scent — a very pleasant one — reminded her just how fried her brain was.

She felt betrayed by her own mind.

Now was definitely not the time to be thinking about his body between her legs.

"Who's after us?" she asked, trying to cover her embarrassment with a harsh voice.

"No clue. Could be a regular patrol from the Stone. Or maybe the Sound found us."

"Or the Rain. Or any other village."

"Who are you, Jun?" he asked softly.

The answer was bitter.

A traitor.

A cursed one.

The river offered much-needed support. It could cover their tracks, replenish their water supplies, and allow them to clean themselves. And its roar would drown out the screams — because he was sure: the girl would scream.

He had no idea how she’d made it through the journey in her condition. He knew she was injured, but not to this extent. Her back had been cut into raw flesh.

Sunset caught up with them by the riverside, flooding the churning stream with warm light. The current was fast, but in one place it seemed shallow enough. Large boulders scattered in the water might help them stay upright — at least he hoped so.

"I'll go with you," he said, taking off his vest and shirt.

The girl stared blankly at the water.

"Hey, you okay?"

"I can't swim."

"It's alright. We'll hold on to those rocks, see? It’ll be safe."

She nodded, clearly unconvinced.

Kakashi stepped into the water first — it was ice-cold. He reached out for the girl. She hesitated but eventually took his hand and followed him.

The current nearly knocked her over, so he pulled her closer. There was no time to adjust to the temperature — he led her deeper, letting the river wash away the dried blood on her skin.

Trembling from the cold, she submerged almost completely, her fingers digging into his skin like she was afraid he might let go. When she surfaced, her lips were blue. It was time to get her out.

Climbing back onto the riverbank was the harder part, so he put an arm around her waist and helped her. Her head barely reached his shoulders; her wet hair clung to his bare chest.

They made it to shore. She was breathing heavily, visibly exhausted.

Kakashi spread the blanket on the ground and turned around to give her privacy. She called out when she managed to take off her blouse and lie on her stomach.

Her body looked fragile — like glass. Emaciated, wounded, pale. It was hard to look at, especially when she lifted her hair to reveal the full extent of the cuts — running from her shoulder blades to her hips.

"This is going to hurt. A lot."

"Then do it now. I can't feel my body from the cold anyway."

He obeyed and started stitching the first wound.

He’d done this countless times before — on himself, on teammates. But this time, it was harder. He could feel her pain beneath his fingertips.

The river drowned out her screams.

*

She was pretty sure her body couldn’t take any more. Everyone has their limits, and she had long since passed hers. It was possible that the cold and exhaustion would finally end her. The thought brought her a strange sense of relief.

But Kakashi seemed determined not to let that happen. After tending to her wounds, he found a small cave for shelter. He gave her his warm, dry shirt, convinced her to eat, and lit a fire. He knew exactly what to do to keep them safe.

As she sat by the fire, barely conscious from the pain, she noticed something had changed — the indifference in Kakashi’s eye was gone. Now, his gaze held curiosity.

She felt lightheaded. Everything was happening too fast. Breaking out of the Sound prison, teetering between survival and surrender, being passed from one village to another with no idea what came next — it was too much.

So when she caught herself staring at Kakashi’s exposed arms as he added wood to the fire, and felt a strange flutter in her stomach, she wasn’t even surprised. Her brain was probably fried.

It felt so bizarre — feeling like a normal person with normal desires, even for a moment. Like she wasn’t this cursed being, doomed to pain with no way out.

But this little escape was as sweet as it was unexpected. So she let herself pretend — just for a while — that she was Jun from the past, daydreaming about a strong shinobi from a distant village, who not so long ago had held her close to his bare chest.

Definitely a fried brain.

She noticed the scars on his skin, and an unsettling thought about her own body crept in — but she pushed it away. Focusing on Kakashi was calming. He had a tattoo on his arm. It was nice to look at him, even if he still wore his mask. And his headband.

She once had a headband too — until they took it from her.

Focus on the man, for fuck’s sake. A pretty, muscular man who just stitched your wounds, lent you his delightfully warm shirt, and is genuinely trying to keep you alive.

It would be really nice, if only he weren’t leading her to a new prison.

*

Kakashi watched her through the flames. She sat curled up, her arms wrapped around her knees, staring into the distance. The cold water had helped with the swelling, and now he could see her face clearly. She looked not much younger than him. Her hair, when not caked with blood, was dark brown and wavy. Her eyes were intense and dreamy all at once.

"Who are you?" he asked.

Her gaze focused on him.

"I'm... I'm Jun."

"How much did you tell them — when they were torturing you?"

She flinched as if he’d struck her. She shut down immediately — body tense, eyes vacant.

"It's okay," Kakashi said quickly, raising his hands. "I'm not blaming you. It happens. They hurt you badly. I just need to evaluate the threat to my village."

But he had misread her completely.

"I didn’t tell them anything. And I won’t. No matter what you do to me," she said slowly.

"Who are you?" he asked again, softer this time.

"I'm Jun."

She looked straight at him, fire in her eyes — like she dared him to test her. He was surprised she still had any fight left in her, after everything she’d been through.

And that was when he began to wonder if there might be more to her. Maybe they really hadn’t broken her — not in Rain, not in Sound.

But how had she survived?

*

She woke up screaming. Again.

Kakashi was by her side in seconds.

“We need to do something about this,” he said when she calmed down. “Or we’ll be pretty easy to find.”

"I can't control my dreams."

He formed a seal with his hands and pressed them to the ground. The cave filled with smoke — when it cleared, Jun saw eight dogs of all shapes and sizes.

“Pakkun, Shiba — with me,” Kakashi ordered the two smaller ninken. “The rest, stay with Jun, please.”

The dogs surrounded her, sniffing curiously.

“I’ll check the area,” Kakashi said, heading for the exit. “My ninken can protect you if needed.”

And watch me too, she thought.

*

The escape route Kakashi had chosen seemed to be working. He found no sign of Sound shinobi nearby.

There were downsides, of course — they were farther from help, Jun needed a better medic, and the longer journey meant she might regain her strength… and become a risk.

The greater distance from Konoha also increased the chance of encountering other shinobi — from enemy villages, or worse. For now, the priority was keeping Jun hidden.

Pakkun and Shiba returned with good news. The area was safe, at least for the night.

But when Kakashi entered the cave, he stopped in his tracks.

Jun was sleeping peacefully, curled up in the middle of the ninken pack. The biggest, Bull, was serving as her pillow, snoring loudly. Guruko was lying across her lap.

“Little bastards,” Kakashi muttered, shaking his head.

When she regained consciousness, it was hard to tell dream from reality. Warmth was the first confusing thing — she hadn’t felt warm in months. But then came pain, slowly creeping back, proving she wasn’t asleep — or dead. That realization made her open her eyes.

A gray blanket was tightly wrapped around her. She was high above the ground, sitting on a wide branch of a massive tree, her back resting against the trunk. And in front of her — there he was. The silver-haired jōnin with a mask over his face, reading a book.

"Are we still in the Rice Country?"

It was the first question that came to her mind.

"Yes," he replied, not looking at her.

"You’re taking me to Konoha," she stated.

He nodded.

"Are you the one who’s going to interrogate me?"

This time, he lifted his one visible eye. Since her life had turned into a nightmare, she had encountered only two kinds of gazes — aggressive or indifferent.

Kakashi’s face was a perfect example of the second.

"You seem to be feeling better," he said, ignoring her question.

"You should eat something."

That was even more confusing. Her experience with imprisonment — and this was the third time — had always involved hunger. Constant hunger. Weak and malnourished, she never had a chance to run or fight back.

But maybe this shinobi — the one she had heard terrifying legends about — didn’t need to rely on such methods. Maybe, even strong and well-fed, she still wouldn't stand a chance against him.

"Go on, take it."

He handed her a piece of bread.

"I know they don’t feed well in the Sound prison."

Her stomach twisted painfully with hunger.

She took the bread with trembling fingers and slowly began to eat.

Kakashi returned to his book.

The last months of her life had been filled with interrogations, violence, pain, and despair. It wasn’t over — she was sure of that. With the information she held, her fate was sealed. But even the briefest break from a cell and chains was priceless.

And this tiny glimpse of normalcy — warmth, food — felt almost… surreal.

But maybe that was the plan.

To make her think she was safe.

"You’re staring at me," Kakashi said without looking up.

"I don’t... I don’t know what to expect next."

"But you already guessed - I’ll take you to Konoha."

"I don’t want to go to Konoha."

"Oh? It’s a safe place."

Was that some kind of cruel joke?

He put the book down and lay on his back, looking up at the sky through the leaves.

"My mission is to get you to Konoha in one piece. I’ll protect you and I won’t let anyone imprison you in the Sound Village again."

"I don’t care if I’m in Sound, Rain, or Leaf prison," she blurted, with as much anger as she could summon.

"I’d love to talk with you about that… next time."

*

Kakashi wasn’t worried she would try to escape. Not in her condition, and not here, in the Rice Country.

She didn’t trust him — not that it was surprising. One look at her told him enough about what she’d been through.

Gaining her trust was beyond his orders anyway.

Her anger was a good sign — it meant she hadn’t completely given up, which had been his concern at first.

She let him help her, making it easier to keep her alive. Besides, she wouldn’t try to run if staying with him gave her a better chance to survive.

Her breathing deepened - she'd fallen asleep again.

He stayed alert for hours, until dawn found them.

*

She woke up with a scream.

Someone’s hand covered her mouth. A rising panic made her freeze.

"It’s me. Don’t move," Kakashi whispered into her ear.

"They heard us. We need to run. Now."

Before she could react, he lifted her — still wrapped in the blanket — and leapt from the tree branch, into the darkness.

Soaring through the forest, unable to seeing anything, made her dizzy - she closed her eyes.

Kakashi was fast — but judging by the crackling and rustling in the distance, the enemy was right behind them.

Something flew past her head with a frightening whistle. Kakashi dodged, spinning mid-air.

She noticed fast-moving shadows getting closer with every second. It was obvious they didn’t stand a chance like this — not in the air. Kakashi needed to find a place to fight back. Carrying her, he couldn’t do much.

"Put your arms around my neck," he ordered.

She obeyed.

He hoisted her higher, shifting her weight onto one shoulder. His free hand released a kunai into the dark with a quick, precise motion.

A sharp scream echoed through the trees.

"Good girl," Kakashi praised.

"When we stop — hide. Don’t move."

They reached the ground in a more open area. He let her down, grabbed the blanket, threw it over his arm, and leapt toward the attackers.

She ran for the trees and hid in the shadows. The most important thing was not to get caught by the Sound shinobi.

If Kakashi didn’t plan to hurt her — at least for now — she could deal with him later.

The jōnin from the Hidden Leaf might be her only way to freedom. If he survived.

And from what she’d heard about him, maybe it really was possible.

*

There were only a few Sound shinobi — probably because of the rush.

Kakashi repelled the first attacks holding a log wrapped in the blanket, pretending the girl was still with him. By the time they realized the trick, it was too late. Taijutsu was more than enough to take down the last two.

The forest fell silent again.

He returned to the place where he’d left the girl and listened.

"I’m here," she said softly.

"Glad to see you’re cooperating."

"Doesn't seem like I have a choice."

"Get on my back and hold on tight."

She obeyed.

He grabbed her by the thighs, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

*

It was a long run.

Her entire body ached, but she understood — Kakashi wanted to get as far as possible, as fast as possible.

She had never met anyone with stamina like his — not in the Rain Village or anywhere else. Even with the extra weight, he kept the same pace for hours, his breathing calm and steady, as if it cost him nothing. Her body was completely numb and exhausted.

Finally, when she thought she couldn't go on, Kakashi stopped.

They were still deep in the forest, but the trees grew denser here, offering better cover. She could hear the distant roar of a river.

Her legs failed her when she tried to stand.

Kakashi caught her and set her down on the mossy forest floor. He gave her the blanket again - and she was grateful.

"Are we going to the Earth Country?" she asked.

"You’re good with directions."

"That’s a much longer route to Konoha."

"Yeah."

Kakashi sat down and pulled out his book.

She couldn’t believe her eyes.

A moment of rest was priceless, but she couldn’t sleep — the pain was too strong.

"Eat something," Kakashi said, nodding toward the bag within her reach.

No further encouragement was needed.

She was starving.

"I can’t give you another painkiller so soon. Can you manage?"

She nodded quickly.

So far, she'd managed — even without food or blanket.

"Are you injured? I mean — anything serious?"

It was hard to tell. Her entire body felt broken — the battered face, bruised ribs, the wounds on her wrists and ankles… but her back was probably the worst.

Sharp pain radiated from deep, long cuts — they were likely reopened.

"I think my back is bleeding."

"Let me see."

She wrapped the blanket around her front, revealing her arms and back. Kakashi stepped behind her and gently tugged at her blouse.

She shuddered — the fabric stuck to her wounds. The jonin exposed just a bit of her skin, and she heard him inhale sharply.

"We’re going to the river once you’ve rested a bit," he said.

Kakashi

- after all the teasing and all the moments where you both pulled away - because of the avoidance issues and because you were secretly falling for each other - I can't imagine something different than the most passionate kiss, desperate even

- neither of you planned it, even though you'd both been yearning for it for ages

- "kiss" doesn't even feel like the right word - it's more like your bodies desperately searching for a way for your souls touch in their limited way

- he pulls you as close as humanly possible, holding you like his life depends on it

- and it's a deep kiss right away; one look in eachother's eyes a second before tells you both there's no room for softness or shyness anymore

- it's too late for that - it already happened too many times in your heads, when one of you backed away at the last moment

- and this hungry kiss lasts long, until you're both nearly out of breath

- it feels like lightning strikes through your bodies, releasing months of built-up tension

- and it could destroy you or give you a new beggining - a peaceful new world where you can finally let your feelings bloom

‐-----------------

Sasuke

- for a guy with so much suppressed anger and such a tragic backstory, a first kiss with him would be... surprisingly gentle

- because he finds so much peace and softness in you

- and it allows him to be calm and tender - for once in his life

- he wanted to kiss you for a long time, but he always found reasons not to

- reasons like "it's better to be alone", "if you don't love, you can't get hurt", "what if she doesn't like it"

- and he's shy when it comes to you

- but he finally makes a decision, and in the middle of a conversation cups your face and kisses your lips

- and because it's so delicate and pure and unexpected - and because his lips are so soft, and he smells so good, and he's suddenly so close - you're knees go weak

-------------------

Shikamaru

- this kiss has been hanging in the air for a while now

- the tension between you grew slowly as you both began to gently cross the boundaries of "just friends"

- like looking into each other's eyes a second or two too long, letting your knees touch under the table, sharing a cigarette

- so when you end up at his place - both tired after work, and he suggests a lazy evening in front of the tv - you can feel it's going to happen

- especially when it turns out the tv is in his bedroom and you'll be sitting on the bed

- so when he puts the movie on, you can't focus, because you're so aware of his closeness

- and your arms touch, you look at him - and he's already looking at you with eyes even darker than usual - and then he finally kisses you

- it's a slow, passionate kiss, letting you explore the shape of eachother's lips, taste each other

- and it deepens gradually, growing more intense, and turns into a long, lazy make-out session

--------------------

Naruto

- being kissed by the fox boy is like being kissed by the sun - you can feel his smile, hear his giggle, see the light dancing on his lashes

- he kisses with his whole body - arms around you, lifting you slightly, swaying a little, holding you close

- it's sweet, but not innocent - he slowly explores your lips and doesn't wait for an invitation to go deeper, making your knees weak

- it's a long kiss, so long you lose track of time and feel your brain completely melt

- you are both out of breath, cheeks flushed, eyes dreamy, drunk on each other

---------------

Gaara

- he needs a clear sign before getting that close - he doesn't take physical contact lightly

- even holding hands took him time to get used to - just closing his hand around yours, intertwining your fingers together felt so intimate he was blushing

- you kissed him on the cheek once, and he couldn't stop thinking about your lips afterward

- you had no idea how many times he was gathering the courage to finally kiss you

- one day he seems restless, sighing, eyes softer than usual - so eager for you it almost hurts

- when you ask what's wrong, he reaches for your face, brushes his thumb over your lower lip, and kisses you

- he's gentle and shy, but he craves you so much he can't stop tasting your lips

- and he holds your hands all the time, caressing your palms and wrists with his long fingers

------------------

Kiba

- your first kiss is spontaneous - during something ordinary, like putting groceries in the fridge

- one second you're laughing, the next he cups your face with both hands and kisses you so well you drop everything you were holding

- he kisses you wildly, mind-blowingly, with hunger and worship that makes you forget which year it is

- you feel his canine teeth graze your lower lip, and your legs nearly give out - you end up leaning into him completely

- so he picks you up effortlessly, presses you gently against the fridge door, towering over you, and he doesn't stop, making your whole body tingle

- you kiss for so long, in silence, with lemons and apples scattered all over the floor

------------------

Rock Lee

- he thought about kissing you every night before sleep for god knows how long

- he wanted it to be perfect, and the pressure made him so shy you almost thought he lost interest

- he was terrified it would be bad - his palms sweaty, mouth dry everytime you got too close

- eventually you gather your courage, walk straight up to him, and kiss him on the lips

- he freezes - completely shocked, paralized

- so you take a step back

- that snaps him out of it; he grabs your hand and closes the space between you, your lips meeting again

- he's nervous and you're confused, but it doesn't take long to discover how well your bodies understand each other

- his heart races wildly when you wrap your arms around his neck

Mission rank: S

Target: Prisoner of the Hidden Village of Sound

In possession of dangerous information

Do not kill; capture and transport to Konoha

Warning: Other hidden villages may attempt to interfere

He found her before anyone in the prison raised the alarm. The crouched figure chained to the wall looked like she had been through a lot. In the ruined outfit, he recognized the uniform of a Hidden Rain Village shinobi.

She flinched when he lifted her head. Her swollen eyes and the blood-streaked hair clinging to her cheeks made it hard to tell her age. But she was alive, which meant they hadn’t gotten everything out of her yet.

“I’m Hatake Kakashi. I’m going to get you out of here,” he said when he saw awareness in her eyes.

“Hatake Kakashi,” the hoarse voice repeated. “Kill me. Please.”

He didn’t show what those words stirred in him. Instead, he deftly freed her injured wrists and ankles from the shackles and lifted her into his arms. Her malnourished body was limp, and he wondered how bad her condition really was. First, he had to focus on getting her out of the underground.

He left the cell and ran down the stone corridor, passing unconscious guards. Still no alarm. If no one found out who had taken their prisoner, getting back to Konoha would be much easier.

He heard voices far behind him. The chase could begin at any moment.

The girl trembled and sobbed quietly in his arms. He leaned against the wall and pulled a vial from one of his pockets.

“For the pain,” he explained, biting off the tip and holding the glass to her lips. She swallowed.

If it came to a fight, he would have to be very careful. Her death would mean mission failure.

Shouts rang out. They knew she was gone. Time to move.

He doubled back to gain time. With the girl in his arms, he couldn’t move as stealthily as he could alone.

The raised alarm soon took its toll. Sound shinobi were already approaching from the opposite direction.

He gently laid the girl down, propping her against the wall, and drew a kunai from his pouch.

---

Jun couldn’t move. She didn’t know if it was from exhaustion and numbness or if her body had simply given up for good.

Think, she scolded herself. You feel pain. It’s not paralysis. Just weakness.

The liquid the shinobi had given her was bitter, but it spread warmth through her stomach.

The shinobi. Hatake Kakashi. She had heard of him.

Think!

Hidden Leaf Village. How did they treat their prisoners? She had no clue. Surely they knew everything about her already, which meant they wouldn’t kill her.

Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was so tired. She just wanted it all to end.

Her half-closed eyes could barely make out anything. She sat helplessly against the wall while fighting raged around her. Screams and metallic clashes echoed through the corridor like an army was battling. But when she managed to focus, she saw Kakashi taking down three shinobi by himself. One of them collapsed right beside her – in the lifeless face, she recognized the guard who usually held her down during torture.

Kakashi leaned over her.

“Better?” he asked, lifting her from the ground.

She didn’t have the strength to answer, but yes, it was better. The pain had lessened.

“Try not to fall asleep,” he added, pressing her against his chest and taking off again.

She didn’t understand how she could possibly fall asleep – she hadn’t slept in days, tormented by hunger, fear, and pain. And now she was being taken from one prison to another. Again. She was certain that dreaming was a privilege she had lost long ago. That death was the only escape.

And yet... the potion dulled the pain, and Kakashi’s body was warm. It had been so long since anyone had held her without trying to hurt her – at least for now – that her body began to relax involuntarily.

Stupid. Don’t let your guard down, she told herself, but her body wouldn’t listen. It desperately wanted to rest.

Suddenly, the warmth was gone. She was on the cold floor again, surrounded by the sounds of battle. A shiver ran through her.

Watching how easily the Leaf shinobi defeated her tormentors, she felt utterly helpless. She had no chance of escaping – not from them. Not from him.

---

One of the enemies had escaped while the other sacrificed himself trying to threaten the girl. Chasing the survivor would only lower their chances of escape. It was time to vanish.

He would have to change their escape route. His plan accounted for this. They had to get as far away from the prison as quickly as possible – ideally out of Rice Country. As long as they remained in the area, finding safe shelter would be nearly impossible.

He wasn’t tired yet, but the girl desperately needed rest and medical attention. She kept slipping in and out of consciousness. That meant he couldn’t carry her on his back and had to hold her in his arms, which slowed them down.

The foggy marshes surrounding the prison were both a curse and a blessing. They could hide in them unnoticed, but movement was slow and required constant caution. The girl had no shoes and was dangerously cold, but lighting a fire was out of the question. He had to keep her alive until they reached safety. He gave her a strengthening dose of medicine and some water.