He had been talking to Gai, trying to refuse another rival challenge. In his efforts to end the conversation, Kakashi turned to walk away. He found himself too late stepping directly into someone else's path. He rarely allowed his blind side to effect him like this. Either way, they would collide. But Gai would likely overreact, giving Kakashi enough time to escape.

And right on cue, someone- a woman- tripped over his foot. With the swiftness of an experienced shinobi, Kakashi reached for her shoulder and straightened her stumbling frame. Her eyes widened, and she let out a cry as she clenched the cup in her hand. The lid popped open from the force, spewing its contents all over her chest.

"Ah, sorry. You okay?" Kakashi asked. He glanced down at her soiled jacket, frowning at seeing the milk. That wasn't the most common beverage to travel with, after all. But at least it hadn't been hot coffee.

"I'm fine," she managed to say. She shook her hand, flinging milk away from her. The jonin was more than a head taller than her, with only one eye visible against his fabric-cladded face. She took a step back. It was Hatake Kakashi, the elite copy ninja of Konoha. But she had already made eye contact with him. Red images flooded her vision then, stealing her breath away.

"My deepest apologies for my friend!" Gai grabbed her hand and wiped it with his sleeve. "Do you need assistance?"

His touch pulled her back into the present, and she finally took a deep breath. "No assistance needed," she said. The woman gave him a faint smile before sliding her hand out from his calloused grip. For once, she was thankful for the physical contact.

Might Gai pointed a finger at Kakashi and yelled, "This is exactly why we need a challenge! Your skills are withering right in the springtime of our youth!"

The jonin barely responded to him, rather, his eye remained fixed on the woman in front of them.

"Oi, Kakashi."

"Hm?" He raised his head.

"You're staring," Gai whispered loudly. He glanced back at the dark-haired woman, about to apologize again, but he now blinked down at her. "Wait," he said, "I've seen you somewhere. Doesn't she look familiar, Kakashi?" He turned to his friend, who shrugged again. Both now studied her, much to her growing unease.

She paused for the briefest of moments, her eyes meeting Kakashi's. Her body seemed to seize up with tension, her eyes brimmed with tears. No sooner had Kakashi noticed, than the woman had blinked them away and turned to Gai. "We both jog early in the morning. You've passed me at least three times a day for the past four years."

Gai looked her up and down once more. "Hm, no, I don't remember passing anyone."

She took another hesistant step back, refusing to look at Kakashi. "At your speed, you probably don't notice," she suggested. "But it's rather impressive." She glanced down at her shirt again and sighed. "I have to go. It was nice-" She shook her head and said, "um, goodbye."

Kakashi and Gai both nodded, watching her until she hastily rounded the corner.

"Well, there's at least one woman in the Leaf who dislikes you!" Gai clapped his friend on the back, and Kakashi stumbled forward. "Now how about that challenge?!"

Kakashi dropped his head and sighed. His plan had backfired in every way possible.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Kakashi stepped into the bookstore and headed to his favorite genre section, peering through the shelves in search for a book he hadn't read. After all, the weekend's forecast called for 90% chance of rain, and he didn't have a mission. What else was there to do ? It was nights like these where, if left to his own devices, he would dwell all night on the past- especially given this year's recent events. Third Hokage dead at the hands of Orochimaru, Lady Tsunade in charge, and now each of his old students were under the tutelage of each Sannin. Kakashi shook his head. If only he had talked to Sasuke sooner, had helped his students better. Would things have turned out different?

It was always the same thought process. Would things have turned out different if he had swallowed his pride and befriended Obito? Or Rin? If he had helped sooner, when they needed it, needed him. And now, his team was gone from him again, splintered like an ax on wood.

Kakashi stepped into the next aisle and paused, blinking in surprise. It was the woman from last week- that weird one with the milk. Her small frame leaned against the bookcase, gazing down at a scandalous book. Kakashi remained still, taking in the way her hair hung over her face as her forehead pressed against the wooden shelf. Who knew she had a taste in such...interesting material.

Her head was down, body hunched, oblivious to all around her as she read each sentence. She at least seemed at ease here. It was more than ease, her guard was completely down. And her scent itself smelled of cat and books- like books yellowed and worn with age. It was likely part of her occupation- the library? Or the scroll archives?

The woman snorted at the novel and shook her head. Kakashi stepped towards her, noticing the familiar book. "I wouldn't recommend that author."

She immediately straightened, the movement causing the book to tumble out of her hands. Kakashi raised an eyebrow as she rushed to catch it, only to bang her head on the shelf in front of her. It was a loud sound, and someone from the other aisle peeked over to see what was going on. The woman winced as the book hit the floor with a thud. It was quiet for a moment. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and muttered, "You just love startling me, don't you."

"Sorry, sorry." Kakashi picked up the book and handed it to her. She mumbled a thank you before asking, "Your name has something to do with farming, right?"

A weird woman indeed. He raised an eyebrow and replied, "Kakashi. I never caught your name."

"Chiisai." She took one last glimpse at the book and placed it back on the shelf. The jonin gazed at the novel still, much to her embarrassment. Chiisai ran a hand through her hair and explained, "I'm trying to read a book from a different genre each week. It's just hard to find something not so...intense." Really, you think a bookstore would separate romance from erotica . Not that she personally disliked the genre, she just didn't want to read it this week.

"Oh? What kind of romance?" This was a challenge easily accepted.

Chiisai crossed her arms. She shouldn't have felt the need to explain herself. And now, the ninja was curious. "No really, I'm fine. You've…helped enough."

Well, that was the first time he had heard someone say that to him in such a tone. But her defensive reply and nervous look most likely meant she didn't want to tell him, which meant...

"So you are into them," he commented with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course not!" She glared up at the ninja, and the faintest hint of pink colored her cheeks. "You really want to know?" She crossed her arms. "It's cheesy. Awful cheesy romance."

Kakashi smiled at her frazzled expression, biting back a chuckle. A blush rose on her cheeks and she turned away with a huff. "No need to make fun of me." Gods, she hated ninjas.

He waved a hand and replied, "No, no. That's not it. I think I have a book in mind." Icha Icha was out of the question, but if he recalled correctly, there was one book that had him both gagging and blushing at the same time. It was one of those feel-good books.

She watched him stop as his finger traced a spine. He pried the book loose from the shelf and trudged back. "This should have all the 'cheese' you're looking for. Ever heard of 'Dreaming of Love?'"

Chiisai blinked down at the novel. She ran a hand through her dark hair and said under her breath,. "Ironic." Chiisai tilted her head and said, "You really must read a lot of romance novels."

He shifted his eye away and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I've read a few."

She shrugged and smiled, saying, "I find it difficult to discriminate against literary genres- it's part of my job. Thank you for the suggestion."

Kakashi blinked down at her, mildly surprised at her response. He had expected her to scold him, even though most knew of his immoral habit. Not to mention their last encounter together. Surely she hated him to some degree.

She met his gaze, tensed, and quickly turned away. She held the book up in the air and said, "Thanks again. This was what I came for. You know, rainy weekend and all."

"No problem," he smiled. He could already hear the rain pelting the roof. He surprised himself as he asked, "Can I walk you home? It's already late."

Her eyes widened for a moment, but she recovered and smiled, "It's alright. I don't live very far." Chiisai added, "I appreciate it though." She backed away and turned to leave. "It was nice seeing you again."

"Same," he replied, but she was already out of sight. The ninja scratched his head for a moment, trying to figure out the woman who pretended not to know his name. Everyone knew who he was, though maybe not for the best of reasons. Chiisai still couldn't meet his eye, but it wasn't out of fear. It certainly wasn't out of admiration, like other women who 'happened' to cross his path. But it wasn't anger either.

He shook his head, alarmed at his obsessive thoughts. To distract himself, the man eyed the shelf nearest him, scanning for any unfamiliar books. Chiisai's hesitance at meeting his gaze was off-putting for some reason.

Kakashi sighed after a few minutes and drew his hand back. That girl was going to be on his mind tonight it seemed. He headed back towards the exit, waving at the cashier as he went by. The rain had already started, the cold raindrops splattering on his shoulders and face as he stepped out into the darkness. Was it really almost ten? It was unusually quiet for a Friday night, but the weather wasn't for one to take a stroll in. The wind picked up, bristling his unkept hair and raising goosebumps on his exposed skin. Kakashi paused mid step and sniffed the air, his body tensing at the familiar smell.

He knew the scent of blood- and it was fresh, barely starting to fade in the rain.

His shoes slushed against the soggy ground as he sprinted down a side road. He could hear a body hitting solid concrete, a cry forced silent. Kakashi flickered into a side alley, taking in the scene before him.

And immediately slammed his fist into the attacker's face.