A/N: Thank you to TipsyRanconteur for having beta'd this fic! I appreciate all of the input, suggestions, and flailing she provided to me, 3
The rest of this fic will be posted on the days of the Tumblr KakaMei Event on May 5-6 2019.
I do not own these characters; I've had a wonderful time exploring them.
Prologue
"There's no reason for you to be nervous, Mei. You already know Naruto, and I'm sure you've at least met some of the others."
"Yes, but," Mei wrung her hands together in front of her as she sighed and continued to walk beside Kakashi. "I attacked one of the others."
"No one's going to hold that against you," Kakashi chuckled, transferring their blanket over to the arm that carried their picnic basket as well. He covered Mei's fidgeting hands with his newly freed one. "We've all attacked him."
"I suppose that's true," Mei softly replied, clasping Kakashi's hand with one of hers. "I know how important they are to you and I want to make a good impression."
"You'll be able to do that without trying." Kakashi squeezed her hand gently to reassure her.
"Kakashi-sensei! We found a great spot over here!"
Kakashi looked up in the direction of Naruto's voice. "He really doesn't have to call me that anymore," he muttered under his breath as he nodded at the current Hokage.
"I think it's sweet," Mei replied, waving her free hand at the group that turned to greet them.
While Mei issued a warm, calm smile, Kakashi felt her grip on him tighten. He wondered how often she'd buried her nervousness with that smile and gently squeezed her hand again. "They're all excited that you're here, Mei. It'll be fine. I want you to enjoy this too."
Before they'd gotten much closer to the group, little Himawari came running towards them. "You're late, Ro-r-ro-roku… Lord Old Man Kakashi!"
Kakashi looked to the rest of the group that waited for them. Hinata looked at him, horrified and embarrassed. Naruto had turned his back to them, bent double and shaking with laughter. Sakura covered her mouth, but couldn't suppress her mirth beyond that, and beside her stood a smirking Sasuke. Behind them, Sarada and Boruto paused their shuriken practice to look over their shoulders at the commotion.
Kakashi sighed, and that cracked Mei's composure as well. While she choked back her snickers, he replied to the girl, "You can drop the 'Lord,' Himawari. And the 'Old Man' while you're at it."
Behind his mask, Kakashi smiled. Mei's hand had relaxed in his, and he was grateful that her tension had been broken; even if it had come at his expense.