Disclaimer: Don’t own Naruto

Chapter 16

Kakashi knocked on the door to Katrina’s apartment feeling awkward and out of place and it had nothing to do with the chilly weather. He was about to deliver bad news, news he didn’t want to give her.

The door swung open revealing a glowering Uchiha. “What do you want Kakashi?”

“Is Katrina-san in? I tried calling her but kept getting voice mail.”

The raven-haired man raised an eyebrow and moved out of the way to let him in. “What’s going on? You don’t look too happy. Did she do something again?”

“Not exactly.” He dug his hands in his pockets to hide their nervous trembling.

“She’s in her room watching TV.”

“Thanks.”

Katrina was lying on her stomach, her eyes glued intently on the screen. Her mouth was curved upward into a smile.

Kakashi glanced at the TV and noticed a very familiar show. It was a popular shojo romantic comedy series. He was surprised Katrina was watching it. “Ouran High School Host Club? I didn’t know you watched stuff like this.”

Katrina glanced up. “Oh, professor. I wasn’t expecting you.” She clicked the TV off with the remote. “So, what’s up?”

“Uh, well you see…” He trailed off and scanned her bedroom uncomfortably, wishing he were anywhere but here at the moment.

Dear Kami, this was going to be hard. Katrina was going to find out one way or another and he preferred it was from him rather than one of the other teachers. Tsunade had granted his request but he was half-tempted to sprint out the door.

Kakashi shuffled his feet. “I spoke with your professors… and do to recent events you’ve been dealing with…well, you have missed several classes…and, uh…you’re failing.”

“I see.” She said slowly, giving him no indication as to what was running through her head.

He swallowed against a lump in his throat. “And since the semester ends four weeks from now…there’s uh no way you can possibly…pass any of your classes. So…the dean asked that I tell you this.”

Katrina shrugged. “Oh, well. I guess there’s nothing I can do then. Dad will be pissed off but he’ll get over it.”

“Don’t you care at all?” Kakashi asked incredulously, not understanding her nonchalant attitude.

How could she react calmly about this, like it was no big deal? If he were in her place he would be panicking.

“A little bit, I suppose.” She admitted grudgingly. “It is kind of unfair to fail me because I was injured several times and had to miss classes. I take it you guys don’t give incompletes like American colleges.”

“No, we don’t I’m afraid.”

“In any case, I planned on going back home anyway. All these weeks I’ve learned I don’t belong here. This place is totally insane. I-I just want to go back home and have everything return to normal.”

Kakashi wanted more than anything to voice objections but he knew she was right. Out of all the foreign exchange students he had come across, Katrina had never found a niche to perch in like the others. She was too different and unique and didn’t fit into Japanese society.

If returning home would make her happy and provide a sense of normalcy then it was probably for the best. However.... “I respect your wish, Katrina-san. But I would be lying if I said I wanted you to go. I'd like you to stay for awhile longer.”

Katrina shook her head vehemently. “I don’t think so. Even my dad thinks I should come home and he’s the one who sent me here as a form of punishment in the first place.”

“Punishment?” Kakashi cocked his head to the side in confusion. Punishment didn’t seem like something Ryan Flynn would do. He was too bubbly and air headed.

She sighed heavily. “Yeah. My dad’s great most of the time but I got into a fight with my dance partner over the summer and it was on national TV. For some reason it really bothered him enough to act out of character but I don’t know why.”

“National TV? Just who are you exactly?” He demanded sagely.

There had been something off about Katrina that he could never quite put his finger on. He never mentioned it but when they first met he thought she looked vaguely familiar but he couldn’t place her face.

“A performer.”

Not what Kakashi was looking for but probably all he was going to get. There was always the internet to research his suspicions, but then again it might make him come across as a creep and that wasn't an image he wished to portray. He was no Madara Uchiha nor did he ever wish to be a psycho like him.

Well, whatever. He would decide whether to type her name into a search engine later.

A small tabby kitten jumped into Katrina's lap and curled up in a ball and looked up at Kakashi with curious blue eyes.

Kakashi frowned. "Why do you have a cat? I thought I told you pets aren't allowed here in the dorms."

She grinned sheepishly. "I didn't go out and get her. C.J. was a gift."

"From who?" He asked.

"Maddie Dearest insisted I accept her as a token of admiration." Katrina said dryly and scratched the kitten's chin eliciting a purr from the fluff ball.

"For being a performer?"

She shrugged. “I guess, but I think its more involved than being a fan of mine.”

Kakashi doubted that was the vile snake's motive. He was trying to win her over and it wasn't at all a comforting notion. “Stay away from him if you can. He’s dangerous.”

“I know. Believe me I know that now.” Katrina muttered under her breath. “I told him flat out to stay away from me. Whether he‘s capable of controlling his libido or not remains to be seen.”

Madara always seemed to piss her off. Kakashi wondered who she despised more Sasuke or him? “Madara was bothering you again wasn’t he?”

“Pretty much being his usual stalker touchy-feely self, but times that by a hundred. He even took my cell phone away from me.”

C.J. hopped out of Katrina’s lap and twined around Kakashi’s legs seeking affection. He ignored the cat in favor of the anxiety flaring up inside him. It explained why he got nothing but her voicemail all this time. This was getting serious. Madara was displaying the beginning characteristics of a stalker. From here on out things would only get worse.

Katrina tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think I should head to registration now and drop my classes so they won't be a permanent blemish on my transcript."

"The office is open for about another forty five minutes, but it'll be dark soon." Kakashi pointed out. "I'll go with you, we don't need another repeat of the Yakuza incident."

The workings of Katrina's mind were visible on her face as she mulled his suggestion over. Kakashi, though no longer apart of the military, did not negate the fact he was a trained soldier. He was more than capable of handling any problem should it arise.

"I guess that makes sense." She admitted reluctantly then brightened. "Are you going to bring your Uzi? I've never seen a machine gun for real in person."

Kakashi coughed to hide his amusement. Her earnestness was just too cute. "No, I'm not licensed to carry on campus but I could show you some other time I suppose."

"Then its a date, Kakashi." Katrina proclaimed a little too enthusiastically.

"Sure, wait a minute-what?"

OoO

Katrina bustled around Hinata's kitchen with a mixing bowl full of chocolate cake batter in search of a whisk. Cooking was something she couldn't do at all. Baking, she had some experience because her dad owned a bakery but the stuff she knew how to bake was really limited like to three things chocolate fountain cake, pineapple upside down cake and cheesecake.

Anything domestic Katrina hated doing because she thought it was sexist, but this one time she would make an exception. Kakashi had done a lot for her the least she could do was shelve her pride this one time.

It was actually Hinata who suggested cooking something for him. Japanese men, especially bachelors, loved it when they received home cooking as a gift.

She had been doing a lot of thinking and realized Kakashi was amazing. He never failed to be there for her when she was having a tough time. He really was a great guy.

"D-Don't forget to add a 1/2 cup of milk." Hinata reminded her before she poured the whipped mix into the pan.

"Damn, that would have been disasterous." Katrina cursed and reached for the measuring cup and gallon of milk. "Thanks for catching that Hina."

"N-no problem." The shy girl stuttered. "I-I'm happy to help. When you told me you went to the store to buy ingredients I thought it was a good idea to make something for N-Naruto-kun."

"So, he finally asked you out huh?" Katrina poured the mixture in a circular pan and smoothed out the top evenly.

Hinata ducked her head blushing furiously. "Y-yes, he asked m-me l-last w-week. B-but I-I fainted."

Katrina sighed but refrained from commenting on her friend's squeamishness. Looks like their relationship was still pretty much nonexistent and just when she thought things would be alright when she sent Naruto on his way to Hinata.

"H-He has Kendo practice tomorrow so I thought I would make him a lunch to take with him."

"That's very thoughtful." Katrina shoved her cake into the oven and dusted off her hands with a rag. "There, the last one. It should be ready in an hour and then I'll hunt Kakashi down."

"I'm sure he'll enjoy it. "

OoO

Kakashi finished red inking the last paper and tossed it onto the growing pile on his desk. Jiraiya had disappeared again and left the grading to him. Sometimes being a TA sucked ass.

He wondered what Katrina was doing. Not homework, obviously. Maybe hanging out with Itachi? Those two always seemed to be together. It made him feel jealous occasionally because he couldn’t be so casual with her. Of course, everything has changed now. Kakashi could be as damn friendly as he wished to be and not get into any trouble.

A knocked sounded and then the door opened without waiting for a response. Madara Uchiha scowled back at him, not hiding the animosity he felt for the silver-haired man.

Kakashi glared right back.

They attended school around the same time. Madara was a couple of years older than him and was in the Kendo club when he joined. A bitter rivalry had formed between the two of them over Kendo, women, and pretty much every petty reason imaginable. And the rest was simply history as they say.

“What do you want Uchiha-sama?” He ground out through clenched teeth.

“Ah, a simple question and yet full of such deep profound meaning.” The Uchiha mocked with a light laugh. “Well, I’d love it if you’d stay away from my Katrina-chan. You seem to always stick your nose in business that has nothing to do with you.”

“Katrina-san is my business. I have been her teacher for the past couple of months after all.” Kakashi replied sharply.

“But that’s no longer true.” Madara reminded him with a stab of vindictive pleasure. “I heard she’s failed all her classes which means she’s no longer your student and has no further use for such a lowly peasant.”

True, Kakashi didn’t come from a rich family with all the privileges like Madara but he had made an honest living for himself.

The fucking bastard thought he could waltz in her and insult his honor and pride. Sadly, there was nothing to be done about it. Madara’s influence over the school kept Kakashi’s tongue in check.

He took a deep steady breath to calm his nerves. “I’m not her teacher but I’m her friend. Until she tells me otherwise, I have no motivation to change that.”

Madara rested against the desk, leaning back on his arms. “Challenging me yet again over a woman. How pathetic. As much fun as it would be to go back to old games for a fond trip down memory lane this time its vastly different. We’re grown men now Kakashi-kun and such childish behavior should be behind us.”

“I won’t stand by and let her become another one of your conquests to toss aside like garbage.” Kakashi spat.

“Oh, I have no plan of tossing her aside. In fact, I intend to keep this one.” Madara raked fingers through his long hair. “I’m twenty-eight. Its time I settled down and started a family. At least with Katrina-chan I‘ll never be bored. She‘s so damned entertaining.”

This was a prime example of why Kakashi despised Madara. He was too self-assured and confident. This only further confirmed the conclusion he had come to the first time he met the other man. Madara was certifiably insane and belonged in an asylum instead of running a multi-billion dollar corporation.

Kakashi pointed at the open door. "If there is nothing more you have to say, then leave."

“Am I interrupting something Kakashi?” Katrina appeared clutching a large pink box to her chest wrapped with a white satin bow. Her smile wilted around the edges. “Madara, what are you doing here?”

“Kendo business. Nothing to worry about, my dear.” The Uchiha assured her, lying through his teeth. “I have to get going but before I do, here.” He pulled out a cell phone from his pocket. “Here’s your phone back.”

Katrina swiped it out of his hand as quick as a striking snake. “Thanks for nothing, fucker.”

Madara laughed, shaking his head. “You never cease to amuse me.” He raised his hand in a mocking farewell to Kakashi and kissed Katrina on the cheek before making his grand exit.

The red-haired woman stiffened and wiped her cheek with her hand. “Disgusting, conceited, fucking asshole.”

“My sentiments exactly.” Kakashi agreed wholeheartedly, but was still seething over Madara‘s sneaky and underhanded tactics.

OoO

Kakashi was obviously in a bad mood. It didn’t take a fucking genius to figure out why. Madara seems to leave hurricane level damage in his wake where ever he went.

Katrina set her gift down on the desk in front of him. “Open it.”

“Hmm?”

Katrina sighed exasperatedly and grabbed his hands placing them on either side of the gift box. “Just open it. How many times must I repeat myself?”

“Alright.”

He gave the ribbon a half-hearted tug and lifted the top of the box.

Three desserts were arranged professionally on those little doilies. One was a chocolate cake, dripping with hot fudge and cherry syrup. The second was a decadent cheesecake with a few strawberries and blueberries arranged prettily on top. The final dessert was a pineapple upside down cake topped with clotted cream and coconut.

They were all mini-size of course because full sized cakes would have been absolutely ridiculous for one person.

“What on earth is this for?”

He looked at her directly for an answer but Katrina looked away embarrassed. “Look, you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty for me. Its not much but I was just trying to say thank you.”

“Did you make these?” Kakashi asked disbelievingly.

Katrina flushed a little. “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not completely useless at everything. These are the only thing I can make so I thought you might like to try them. I recommend eating the chocolate one right away. Its best with the hot fudge and syrup when its warm.”

"I didn't mean anything by it." He apologized. "You don't seem the type of woman to have house wife tendencies."

"Damn straight on that one."

"Well, thank you. They look good but I don't have any silverware to eat with."

Katrina smacked her forehead. "I knew I was forgetting something."

"Don't worry about it, I was just about to head home." Kakashi hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Why don't you come with me? I mean you said you wanted to see the Uzi, right?"

"Sounds good, I've got nothing good going on." She snapped her fingers an idea coming to her. "Say, have you seen any of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies?"

Kakashi pulled on his jacket and latched his briefcase and picked up the cake box. "Can't say I have."

"Perfect. We can stop by my room and I can get them and we can have a movie night!" She exclaimed and latched onto his arm happily. "Trust me, it'll be fun. And you won't have to stress yourself over hanging out with me. We're not teacher and student anymore!"

Kakashi perked up noticeably. "Yeah, we're not."

Katrina was glad to see the dark cloud hanging over his head was lifted. Normally she didn't give a damn about other people but she was glad he was happy.

OoO

Katrina plopped down on the couch after inserting the DVD into the player. She curled her legs underneath her and relaxed. The apartment Kakashi rented was very nice. It wasn’t luxurious or anything like Madara‘s hellhole, but simple and quaint with no excess furniture. Her kind of place.

In his room he had this fucking sweet hidey-hole for his Uzi. Like in the movies when the super hero or special agent would push a panel in their wall and it would open to reveal a shiny display of high-tech guns. Kakashi wouldn’t let her hold the Uzi for fear she would injure herself or him and she didn’t argue because she probably would have.

After obtaining a fork and a dessert plate for his cakes, Kakashi joined her.

"Do you want some of this?"

Katrina shook her head. "No, I'm not hungry."

"Alright."

The movie rolled on with the usual previews. Katrina usually skipped them but Kakashi seemed content with watching them so she endured the long fifteen minutes until the main menu appeared.

Occasionally as the first film progressed, Kakashi would make a comment about the characters. He thought Elizabeth was a whiny spoiled brat and figured Will could do way better than her.

Frankly, it was true, but by the third movie his opinion would change. She knew hers had. By At World’s End Elizabeth actually evolved into a likeable character whom Katrina could admire for being a strong authoritative woman.

“Jack’s an idiot.”

Katrina smiled. “Really? I think the idiocy is an act. You got to admit he’s pretty clever. He’s the best character in this movie.”

“I like Will better.”

“That’s only because he’s got a hero complex like you.” She teased. “Against a fun loving pirate there’s no contest who’s the better.”

Kakashi grinned back. “I wouldn’t have to play the hero if you wouldn’t always get yourself into trouble.”

“Its not my fault all those things happened.”

“No, I suppose not.”

OoO

Kakashi hadn’t felt this at ease with Katrina since they first met. Even back then he could tell there was potential chemistry between them but he ignored it.

All the tension and pressure of being teacher and student had dampened things considerably, but without that crutch holding them back everything was drifting back to the way they reacted to each other during their first meeting.

He glanced at the woman out of the corner of his eye. Nothing was in their way now. They could be friends or more. Whatever they wanted. If only he had a clue what went on inside her head. What did she feel for him?

Katrina flirted and teased and he was pretty certain she was attracted to him but she wasn’t a very open person. For that matter, neither was he which made things more difficult than they needed to be.

Kakashi had always found her impulsive and intense nature intoxicating. She was lovely with a deceptively nice outside package. However, the moment she opened her mouth all illusions of being delicate and frail vanished from the mind. She was strong-minded and direct as any man.

Sometimes, he found it off putting what with being raised around girls with an entirely different mindset and demeanor. But other times, though he didn’t like to admit it, it turned him on and led to some rather interesting dreams at night.

Katrina yawned and stretched her arms over her head. “One down, two more to go.”

“Let’s take a break. I’ve got to feed Pakkun.”

“Pakkun?” She questioned. “Is that some kind of bird.”

“Not exactly. He’s kind of shy around strangers so he’s probably hidden under the bed or something. But the moment he hears the bag of dog food open he’ll come running.”

Katrina paled. “Did you say dog food?”

He looked at her strangely. “Yeah, Pakkun’s a dog.”

“Fuck.”

“Is there something wrong?”

She gulped. “Nope. Nothing at all.”

Kakashi wasn’t particularly convinced but let it slide. “If you say so.”

He retrieved the food from the pantry and reentered the kitchen shaking the bag. A minute later, a small pug charged out of his bedroom at a gallop. What happened next only further convinced him Katrina had been lying.

At the sight of Pakkun Katrina screamed bloody murder. Her violet eyes were wide with terror and her face was pinched with anxiety. She drew her knees up to her chest and huddled on the couch trying to make herself as small as possible, but it didn’t disguise the trembling of her body.

Pakkun bypassed Kakashi and trotted over to Katrina his tail wagging. He was curious why she was upset and wanted to see if he could help in his canine way. Dogs had the habit of doing that.

“So, you’re afraid of dogs, Katrina-san?” He asked.

She glanced at the dog and let out a whimper. “Keep that thing away from me.”

Sighing, Kakashi filled the dog’s bowl and clapped his hands. “Come here, Pakkun. Supper time.”

The dog’s ears pricked at the sound of his voice and he gave Katrina one last curious sniff before trotting over to him panting excitedly. Kakashi ruffled the dog’s fur before the little glutton began gorging himself.

Kakashi sank down by her and hesitantly put an arm around her. "Pakkun's a good dog, he won't hurt you. I promise."

"I-I believe you. But I can't help being scared."

"Everyone has their fears, its nothing to be ashamed of."

A shaky smile found its way onto her face. "There you go again. That hero is shining through. Sometimes, your old-fashionedness makes me want to kiss you."

Kakashi froze.

"Ugh, there I go again saying something stupid. But nothing can top when I told Minato he was hot I suppose-"

He pressed a finger to her lips, effectively silencing her. "Don't worry about it. I realize lecturing you is useless because you say what you want anyway. I'm not angry. In fact, you've made me pretty happy."

"You want me to kiss you?" She said incredulously.

Kakashi thought about it for a second then nodded, deciding to be impulsive. "Yeah, I think I do."

"But why? I'm leaving in a few weeks so nothing will come of it." Katrina reminded him.

This hesitancy was not like her at all and completely baffled him. It seemed he would have to be direct and take the first step. "Look, its just a kiss. I like you, and I'm pretty sure you like me. I'm no longer your teacher so neither of us needs to hide the fact we're hot for each other. There's no need to over complicate things. Whatever will be, will be. We're only human beings and have control only over so much."

"Maybe you're right. I am being stupid." She inched closer to him until she was practically in his lap. "I'm not normally apprehensive. Usually I just kiss someone without thinking about it. I don't know what's been up with me lately."

Katrina placed a hand on either side of his face and a pleasurable shudder ran all the way to his toes. She leaned forward and kissed him with the same intensity she always exuded.

Sparks flew, fireworks exploded, the whole shebang. Actually, that didn't do it justice. A meteor shower or a volcanic explosion was more accurate. Kakashi drew her closer and deepened the kiss enjoying the little jolts of electricity he felt with her soft feminine curves pressed against his body.

Oh, hell yeah he wanted her. Kakashi felt the joy the freedom gave him to finally admit it. He had no intention of dragging her into bed right away. She simply wasn't a one night stand to him otherwise he would have no qualms about it. The exhilartion, the rush was unlike anything he had experienced before.

Katrina broke the kiss first looking equally as stunned as him. She blinked slowly, then rearranged her features into a neutral expression. "Well, that was nice."

"Yeah, it was."

"Want to start the next movie?"

"Sure."

I know this is turning out differently than other stories I've written. I decided to go for a more western approach to the romance aspect rather than the usual Shojo manga one. Hence, the kiss this soon. But don't worry, things aren't going to be rainbows and kittens now that they got a little physical. Its going to be a lot more complicated, especially with Madara being a complete psycho over Katrina. The million dollar question is will Katrina stay in Japan the rest of the year or will she go home? Well, that's my little secret.