Note: It helps if you listen to this first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVsLcuVmgL8

Travelin’ Soldier
By Zelda Mistoffelees

Chapter 1:
Talking in the Café

I was working at the Konoha Café one day when Kakashi sensei came in.
“Oh, hey Kakashi. Haven’t been here in a while,” Shichiro, the owner, said to him.
“Yeah, sorry. I’ve been busy lately,” Kakashi said.
“ ‘S alright,” Shichiro said.
“Zelda!! Got another customer!” he the shouted.
“Coming!” I called from the back.
I quickly dashed out from the back.
“Yes sir?” I asked.
“Take Kakashi to a table and get his order will ya?” Shichiro asked.
I glanced as Kakashi sensei and said with a smile, “Yes sir. No problem.”
“Right this way, Kakashi sensei,” I said taking a menu then leading him to an open table.
He sat down as I handed him the menu.
“Do you want me to come back in a little or do you want to order? It seems like you’re a regular customer,” I said smiling.
“But I’ve never seen him here,” I thought.
“Sort of. I was hoping you were working today,” he replied looking down.
“You were?” I asked confused. “How did you know I worked here?”
“Shichiro told me, one of the days you had off. He said you’re his best employee,” Kakashi explained.
“Wow, I would’ve never thought that,” I said laughing a little to myself.
Kakashi kept looking down, but soon said,
“When do you get off? Or can you take a break soon?” he asked seriously.
“Uhh, sure,” I glanced at the clock, 7:38. “Is 7:50 soon enough?”
“That’s fine,” he said finally looking up at me.
...
“Shichiro-san, can I have my usual break?” I asked walking up to the counter.
“Yeah, sure. What’s the time?” he asked.
“7:49...nevermind, 7:50,” I said.
“Alright, go ahead,” he said.
“Can we...?” I motioned up.
“Yeah, I’ll take things for a while. Is it ninja business?”
“I’m not sure yet, he hasn’t said.”
“Take as long as you need then, no hurry.”
“Thank you,” I said and walked over to Kakashi sensei’s table.
He looked up at me and I said, “I’ve got as long as you need.”
“Good,” he replied.
“Follow me,” I said and he stood.
I walked to the back of the shop and went up the stairs with him following behind. We went out on the roof where a few chairs and a small table were set up.
I walked over to the railing surrounding the roof and leaned on it and asked,
“Isn’t it a great view from here?”
“It is,” he agreed.
It was quiet for a moment then he said, “Zelda, I need to talk to you.”
“I’m going on an important mission starting tomorrow in the morning and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.” I turned around and looked at him shocked. “Lady Hokage told me that I have to check in every once in a while. I want you to get the messages from the gate and deliver them to her,” he explained.
“Why me? Shouldn’t Naruto or Sakura? Not saying I don’t want to, but Sakura’s training under Lady Tsunade and Naruto knows her better then I do. They’re actually your students,” I said.
“Who better to do it then my number one fan?” he asked smiling.
I looked to the side and blushed as my ears twitched once.
“I hope Shou won’t mind. That’s his name isn’t?” he asked.
“That’s right, but don’t worry. We broke up, it just wasn’t working. We’re just going to be friends now,” I said. “There never really was a connection between us to begin with.”
“Oh I see,” he said.
“Yeah,” I said.
“I’m sure it won’t be too long until I’m back,” he said then walked over to the rail and leaned on it like I had. “Who knows, maybe I’ll send something just for you.” He smiled as the wind blew over us making his silver hair dance. Some sakura cherry blossoms drifted off the trees and swirled around us.
My face reddened and I nodded softly.

Chapter 2:
Departure from Konoha

I woke up early the next morning, although it was hard. I’m not much of a morning person. I rushed down to the kitchen and immediately began working. Getting the ingredients, the pans and other utensils, and setting the stove didn’t take too long. I was set.
“I’m going to make this best ever!” I said determined.
I could hear Jemmima fall off the bed upstairs. She does that occasionally. She’s not used to having such a big area to sleep on.
Soon Jemmima came down the stairs drowsily.
“What are you,” she stopped to yawn. “You doing up so early, Zelda? It’s three in the morning,” she said.
“I know, I gotta get this made for Kakashi sensei. He’s going on a long mission and I want to give it to him before he leaves,” I said.
“Oh, I see,” she said and soon began nodding off.
“Go back to bed, Jem,” I said pushing her back up the stairs.
“O-okay... is Shikamaru coming too?” she asked.
“Uhhh not that I know of Jem. I think he’s sleeping,” I said.
“What’s she talking about? Must be dreaming,” I thought.
“I want to... I want to,” Jemmima repeated as she stumbled down the hall with me steadying her. “Shika...” she mumbled.
I tried to hide my laughter as we entered her room and she flopped on the bed. I pulled the blanket over her and smiled.
“She’s so crazy for him. I hope someday she’ll be able to talk to him,” I thought.
I went back downstairs and finished cooking. I grabbed a container from the cabinet and cut it into pieces and rested it inside.
“There. Hope he likes salt-fried sauries,” I said smiling to myself.
I put a lid on the container and rushed up stairs and back into my room. I shut the door behind me out of habit and went to my dresser. I pulled out my black and orange striped shirt, my black “scratched” pants, my grey and black striped toe socks, and pulled my goggles off the top of the dresser. Kakashi’s shirt went off over my head and fell on the bed. I put on the pants first and then pulled on my shirt. I pulled my goggles over my head and pulled my gloves over my hands. I grabbed my headband from my computer desk and tied it around my head tightly.
Then I sat on my bed and pulled on my socks. I hurried out of my room and downstairs. I grabbed the container off the table and slipped into my black sneakers waiting at the door.
It was cold out for a summer day so I grabbed my black hoodie and slipped it on as I shut the front door behind me.
I ran to Konoha’s front gate swiftly and soon saw it ahead.
I stopped there and looked around for Kakashi sensei.
“Looking for someone?” Kotetsu asked.
“Yes, Kakashi sensei. Did he already leave?” I asked back.
“Yeah, just a minute ago,” he answered.
“Ya just missed him,” Izumo said.
I looked out of the gate and sighed sadly. I took a couple steps and looked around to see if I could see him. Suddenly Kakashi jumped out of one of the trees and landed in front of me.
“I thought you would come,” he said.
“Yeah, I’m your number one fan aren’t I?” I asked smiling. “Reporting for duty!”
I saluted in a cute fashion as he smiled back.
“Oh! I made this for you,” I said holding out the container.
“You did? Thank you,” he said taking it.
“It’s salt-fried saury, I hope you like it,” I said blushing a little.
“How did you know?” he asked.
“Know what?” I asked back.
“That’s one of my favorites,” he said smiling.
“Oh really?!” I asked excitedly. “I just learned how to make it a couple days ago and wanted to try making it again.”
“Well, I’ve got to go. I’ll enjoy this I’m sure,” he said.
“Goodbye, Kakashi sensei, and good luck. I hope you come back soon,” I said glancing back and forth between the ground and him.
“I’ll try. See ya,” he said and took off back into the trees.
I smiled as I watched him disappear into the forest and after he vanished walked back into the village.
“Number one fan, huh?” Izumo asked.
“So what’s the story with you two?” Kotetsu asked.
“Nothing. We just know each other. He’s helped on some of my missions and he’s taught me a little too,” I said.
“Hm, that’s funny,” Kotetsu said resting his hand on his head.
“Why’s that?” I asked curiously.
“Nothing I just heard Kakashi’s really secluded. He doesn’t get along with people much, and doesn’t like people a lot. He sounded like an a**, but I’ve never really been around him much,” Kotetsu explained.
“How dare you?!! That’s Kakashi sensei you’re talking about!! He’s the Copy Ninja!! So what if he doesn’t like people much?! That doesn’t make him an a**!! He’s a great ninja, a great man! He doesn’t need to be socially active or popular with a lot of people to be good at what he does! He’s the best!! So don’t you dare say anything like that again!” I shouted. “Or you’ll have me to deal with.”
As Kakashi jumped from tree to tree and my voice got farther and farther away he smiled again.
I turned my head and began walking back to the village.
“Man, she’s got it bad,” Izumo said.
“Yeah, tell me about it. ‘S been a long time since I’ve seen one get it that bad,” Kotetsu agreed.
“And over someone who’s not ever her sensei,” Izumo continued.
Busu Busu! A bunch of shuriken and kunai went into the wall behind their heads.
“Well at least I don’t spend my whole day in a wooden box or carrying books for the Hokage!!” I shouted angrily.
“Good one,” they both said as I went on my way again.