They couldn't date, obviously. Kazuko was still undercover as a married woman, so it would look extremely odd if she started dating another man. Not that Naoko hadn't tried to persuade her to do just that. He was constantly inviting Kakashi over before making some lame excuse as to why he had to leave, leaving the two of them alone in the house. Kazuko didn't appreciate his efforts and she told him so very forcefully, with her fists. Multiple times.

"Jeez, Kazuko. I'm just trying to help a sister out." He whined after one such attempt. "Since you can't date openly in public, the least I can do is let you have the house to yourself."

Kazuko groaned. "You're an idiot, Naoko. What would people think if they saw Kakashi come into our home and you leave a few minutes later? Do you want to start a scandal halfway through our mission?"

"Come on. It's not like you can be all affectionate together out in public now that you're official. All you do is watch his team train. Doesn't that get boring?"

"We are not official," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "This is the worst time to start a relationship, when we're so close to catching the Night Demon."

Naoko looked almost sheepish and he scratched his cheek, averting his gaze from his partner's. "We're not that close to catching him," he admitted. "We haven't been able to find any good leads. Even with your description of what he looks like, we haven't had much luck. For all we know, he has already left this village."

Kazuko didn't believe that. She had a feeling the Night Demon wasn't going to leave until he finished what he had started the night of the festival. Which didn't bother her at all. Just try it, jackass. "Don't worry. I'm sure the ANBU will find something useful soon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get ready. Kakashi is picking me up and we're going to have ramen with the team before they start their training."

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Kakashi took more liberties with Kazuko now that he had confirmed her feelings. She couldn't get mad at him like she did with Naoko, but she still didn't like him being overly affectionate. Especially in public, with his team around. They may be kids, but she wouldn't put it past at least two of them figuring out what was going on.

Somehow, Kakashi had managed to eat his food without anyone seeing him take his mask off, and he sat quietly while he waited for the others to finish eating, his hand clasped with Kazuko's under the table. She had tried to extract herself from his grip, but he refused to let go, squeezing her hand tighter and sending her a bright smile.

Naruto bickered with Sasuke about something—Kazuko had realized that zoning them out was the best option for her sanity—and Sakura continuously shot frustrated glances at the pair. Or, rather, at Naruto, Kazuko guessed. She didn't think the young Genin could be annoyed at Sasuke even if she tried.

Kakashi leaned close to her, his face bare inches from her ear, and Kazuko glanced up in alarm at the ramen owner—Teuchi was his name, she remembered. His eyes shot away from hers the moment she looked at him and he fiddled with something on the bench as he tried to ignore them.

"Naoko tells me that you don't want me visiting anymore," Kakashi whispered. He sounded sulky and Kazuko's lips twitched at the knowledge.

"I don't think it's a good idea," she replied just as softly, refusing to turn her head to face him. He was so close that their noses would touch if she did.

"You can always come to my place."

Kazuko was glad she didn't have a mouthful of food, since she would have spit it out at his comment. "That would be worse," she hissed, face reddening. "What would people think if a married woman entered the home of a single man?"

He huffed and sat back in his seat, finally giving her space to breathe. Kazuko glanced at the three Genin, but they were still arguing over something, Sakura having joined in, and she was currently shouting at Naruto, defending Sasuke against the blond.

She felt bad, although she knew she shouldn't. Kakashi was smart enough to know why they couldn't openly date—or date at all, for that matter. Not yet, anyway. Which was a weird thing for Kazuko to think. She hadn't wanted to date anyone after her cheating ex-boyfriend had broken her heart. Instead, she had decided long ago that she would remain single for the rest of her life. Then Kakashi had come along and teared down her walls, and Kazuko realized she didn't want to be alone anymore. She was able to see a future with the ridiculous and charming Jounin, and she longed for it to come true.

They finished lunch and the three Genin continued to argue all the way to the training grounds. Kakashi breathed a long-suffering sigh, but his eye twinkled as he watched his students, and Kazuko knew that he cared deeply for them all.

Once they had arrived at the clearing, Kakashi barked an order for them to start warming up before he moved to where Kazuko stood, leaning against what had become her favourite oak tree. His eye crinkled in a smile as he approached, and he stopped much too close to be considered appropriate. If the kids were to see them, they would know something was up.

"Sorry you can't join in," he said, his eye intent on hers. "I would like to see you in action, one of these days."

Kazuko smiled, something she had done more with him than she had in the years since her sister died. "One day. But for now, you have students to train. Go." She pushed against his shoulders in an attempt to shoo him away.

He caught her hands and tugged her closer before leaning in to steal a kiss. It was different, with his mask on. Of course it was—the cloth obscured his soft lips. But she flushed at the contact, her eyes like saucers. "What if the kids see?"

Kakashi shrugged, his eye sparkling with mischief. "They're busy. Besides, it's not like I get a lot of opportunities to kiss you, since you refuse to spend time alone with me."

Kazuko rolled her eyes but relented somewhat. "Fine, you can come over sometimes. When Naoko is home." She gave him a stern look when he tried to protest. "I don't want any rumors going around that you're a homewrecker. Now, will you please let me go before your students see us?"

He kissed her again before letting her go and stepping back. The twinkle in his eye stole Kazuko's anger and she shook her head with an exasperated laugh. As she watched his retreating back, Kazuko smiled, feeling content for the first time in years.

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Pounding at the front door had Kazuko frowning, and she stood up from the couch. "Kakashi, what did I tell you about coming over uninvited?" she called as she made her way to the door. "I told you that there's no reason to babysit me today. Naoko is here." She frowned when she opened it to find no one standing there, her lie dying on her lips. "Kakashi?"

Glass shattered in the kitchen and Kazuko whirled around in time to see a shadow fly across the room, heading directly for her. She dodged, cursing that once again she didn't have her weapons pouch handy. She had learned from last time, though, and had hidden weapons around her house in case he came back.

She was glad she did. Skirting around the couch, Kazuko pulled a hidden kunai from behind a cushion and aimed it at the masked intruder. She had guessed he might try to attack her during the day, but she had to admit, she had hoped to have backup when it happened. Though, knowing the Night Demon, he had made sure Kazuko would be alone before attacking.

Kazuko threw the kunai. He dodged easily, as she had expected him to. But it had afforded her the chance to create a genjutsu illusion for her opponent. The room remained the same, but he would no longer be able to reach her. Her specialty made it so her opponents could run and run but would never get to her—like a dream where one is running down a hallway, but the door at the end seems to be forever out of reach.

The Night Demon lunged for her but came up short, his hands clutching air. Kazuko noted his confusion but knew he would soon realize what was happening. She didn't have long. He managed to dodge the next two kunai that flew at him, but the third struck. It thudded into his shoulder and he swore, ripping it out and flinging it back at her. When it clattered to the ground in front of her, he realized what was happening.

"You little bitch," he sneered. He made a hand signal and dispelled the genjutsu, glaring at her from behind his mask. "You think you're so smart. But you're just as pathetic and weak as your sister."

Kazuko wasn't planning on listening to his little speech, her mind working overtime on a plan to defeat him, but she came up short at the mention of her sister. Her eyes cut to his. "What?"

"You think I don't know who you are?" he sneered. "I heard about the pretty little white-haired ANBU that was gunning for me. Not many have hair quite like yours, but your sister did."

Red spots appeared in her vision and Kazuko found herself shaking in rage. "Don't you dare speak of her," she seethed, voice trembling with emotion.

Her anger seemed to fuel him, and he laughed. "Why not? Don't you want to know what her final moments were like before I slit her throat? How she begged me to stop, pleading for her life. How she cried out for her dear sister to save her from me."

"Shut up!" Tears streamed down Kazuko's face and she screamed, charging towards him with more anger coursing through her than she had ever felt before. The grin on his face told her she had made a mistake. He wanted to rile her up. Wanted to make her mad and act rashly. And like an idiot, she had.

His hand encircled her neck and squeezed so hard her vision went dark around the edges. Her body instantly sagged, the power seeping out of her much quicker than it had last time and she realized, just before she blacked out, that she wasn't going to be able to get out of this one.

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It was just on dusk when Naoko walked through the door, a bag of Chinese food in hand for him and his partner. He felt bad she could no longer help the ANBU with their investigations due to her bodyguards, but he couldn't deny he felt lighter knowing she wasn't putting herself in the line of fire. Knowing she had protection from the Night Demon was the only reason he had decided to stay in Konoha after she was attacked.

The takeaway bag slipped through his fingers as his wide eyes took in the carnage around him. Naoko flew through the house, ripping doors open as he called out his partner's name, all the while his heart beat a panicked rhythm in his chest.

Gone.

The house was empty and Kazuko was gone. How did this happen? She was supposed to leave the house the same time as him to meet with Team Seven, so how did this happen?

A thought struck him, that maybe Kazuko had left and this was just a simple ransacking, but he knew that was just wishful thinking—the blood on the floor told him that much. No, something had definitely taken place here. His stomach heaved at the mere thought of what the Night Demon would do to her.

He had to tell Kakashi. Naoko would inform Kakashi of the situation and then he would assemble the ANBU so they could track what happened. Surely in all this carnage, there would be clues as to where the Night Demon had taken her.

Feet pounded the concrete, barely touching the hard surface before pushing off again. Naoko had never run so fast in his life. But then again, he had never been this scared before. Kazuko was his whole world. She had been his best friend most of his life and had been his partner since they were Genin. He loved her like a sister, and he had promised himself a long time ago that he would protect her with his life.

"Naoko—" Kakashi's shock at seeing him morphed into alarm as the ANBU's features registered. "What happened?"

"She's gone."

Kakashi shook his head in disbelief, but his breathing grew rapid, his eye widening at Naoko's words. "No, she can't be. She was with you."

"She's gone, Kakashi!" Naoko wasn't one to lose his temper, but he also wasn't one to lose his best friend to an S-ranked serial killer. "The house is a mess. There's blood—I don't know if it's hers."

"Calm down, Naoko. Take a deep breath and tell me what you know. Because as far as I know, she was spending the day with you."

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Kazuko's head was throbbing. Her tongue felt thick in her mouth and her throat was so sore it was as if she hadn't had a drink in days. The room around her was damp and cold, and she shivered, attempting to rub her arms to warm them.

Her eyes flew open when she couldn't move her arms. She heard the clinking of metal and looked up to see her hands suspended above her to a chain connected to the ceiling. With a groan—this day just kept getting better and better—she looked down her body to see that her feet were similarly chained to the floor. She was suspended in the air. At least I'm wearing clothes, she thought wryly. She had to focus on the small victories.

"Ah, good. You're awake." The Night Demon stepped out from the shadows and Kazuko wondered if he had done that for effect. She had to admit, he made looking evil and menacing look easy. He brandished a long, sharp tipped kunai in hand, and he stroked its edges as he watched her carefully. "I didn't want to start the fun without you."

"That's so kind of you." Kazuko had meant it to be sarcastic, but her voice came out in a raspy croak and she finished the sentence with a coughing fit. Which, she found out, was very painful when suspended in the air.

She allowed her gaze to take in her surroundings. She was in some sort of old warehouse that had obviously been unused for many years. Light filtered in from multiple holes in the ceiling, as would the rain, going from the musty fragrance she had smelled upon waking up.

More alarming than her place of confinement, though, was the array of weapons that were laid out on the table in front of him. Throwing needles, kunai, multiple katana's in varying sizes, a pair of ninja sais and a whip with several tips embedded with metal sat on an old, worn out wooden table. In the back of her mind—the small part that hadn't started freaking out that he had multiple weapons that he intended to use on her—she wondered if he had brought these weapons along with him, or if he had found them here in the village. His MO didn't include torturing his victims beyond rape and cutting off their fingers and slicing their throats; there had never been any other wounds on his victims. Which meant, whatever he planned to do with her was different.

He stepped forward, trailing a finger over the weapons. "Now, which would you like to try out first?"

None, Kazuko replied internally. She was really starting to regret her earlier decision to stay home by herself. She had wanted a day on her own, without Naoko or Team Seven hovering over her. She had begun to feel suffocated and had decided a day to herself would help her feel better. Well, that idea was a complete bust.

"How about," he stopped in front of the half dozen throwing needles and picked them up, rolling the metal through his fingers. "this. If you can dodge them, I'll let you go." His malicious grin cut to her and he flicked his wrist, loosing one of the needles. It pierced her thigh and she winced at the pain. He didn't let up, and the other needles soon struck her shoulders, legs and stomach.

Kazuko tried not to show any sign pain in front of the criminal, knowing he would take even greater satisfaction in that, but she couldn't help wincing as the needles lodged deeply in her flesh. "Why the hell are you doing this, anyway?" she asked through gritted teeth. "This isn't the method of torture you normally use."

"True. But I wanted to do something special with you, since you have caused me so much trouble. After I'm through with you, I'll be leaving this village for greener, less hostile pastures."

"You're never going to leave the village alive," she sneered. "The ANBU will have your neck before you make it to the front gates."

The Night Demon laughed in response. "Those idiots? I've been two steps ahead of them this whole time. I highly doubt they will even know where to look for me. Now," he turned back to the table again, taking his time in choosing the next weapon. "I've been waiting too long to watch you bleed. Why don't we take this to the next level?"

Kazuko strained against her bonds and tried to keep her breathing even as she watched him finger the weapons in thought. "Or we could take things slow. Like, real slow. Baby steps slow."

He picked up a long knife Kazuko had never seen before—it was jagged on one side, like a saw one would cut trees with—before making his way to where she hung, his eyes landing on her chained hands. He grabbed her right hand and pried her fingers free of the fist she had it balled in. She thrashed, trying to fight him, but she was no match for him and soon he had her fingers splayed out in front of him. "I usually do this after I slit their throats, but I want to hear you scream for mercy while I cut your fingers off, one by one."

Bile rose up her throat but Kazuko held it back, refusing to show any sign of weakness in front of this despicable excuse of a human being. "You'll just be wasting your time," she spat back at him. "I won't scream for you."

"Oh, we'll see about that." He ran the blade down her cheek, applying just enough pressure to break the skin. Kazuko felt the warm blood drip down her cheek but she didn't react, and continued to glare at him. He lifted the knife, holding her pointer finger still and she began to thrash against the chains again, her flight instincts kicking in at the knowledge that he was about to cut her finger off. "This will be very painful for you."

That had been the understatement of a lifetime. The pain Kazuko felt while the criminal literally sawed into her finger was beyond excruciating, and she had to bite down hard on her lip to keep from screaming. No way in hell was she going to reward him with that. Tears pricked at her eyes and ran down her face, an involuntary motion she couldn't stop.

Blood poured down her arm and over her once clean shirt. Kazuko thought that maybe she would get lucky and the pain would turn into numbness, but she felt the saw-like knife all the way through the bone, until he stepped back with a twisted grin, finger held up like a prize. "One down, nine to go," he said, so calmly he could have been talking about the weather. He must have noticed her eyes lose focus because he tutted. "Don't faint on me. I want you awake the whole time, so I can hear you scream. If you pass out, this will just take longer."

Kazuko felt woozy, both from the blood dripping down her body as well as from seeing her finger in his hand. The thought that he had just crudely amputated one of her precious limbs should have infuriated her, but she was in so much pain she didn't have room to feel anything else. Her eyes drooped shut and she managed to whisper, "Go to hell," before she passed out.

This one took me a while to do. I'm not great at the fighting scenes, as I'm sure you noticed. Anyway, we're getting to the end of the story. Stay tuned.

Reviews are appreciated. Thank you for reading.