Author's Notes: Hello and welcome to yet another story! I think I have to warn you again that this is an AU fic. And as for updating my other fic, 'A Future Remade', I can only say that the chapter is now half-written… please don't kill me! I gotta say that I like this storyline waaaaay better than that one so I think this one will be on my high priority list. Anyways, Hope you enjoy and onto the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything… truly.
Chapter 1:
The sun was just barely peeking over the horizon as the twenty-year-old jumped from rooftop to rooftop in the early hours of the morning, his feet barely touching the surface before he leapt to the next. He forced his tired muscles to keep working as he made his way to the Hokage tower. The fact that he had just returned from a week-long S-ranked mission completely forgotten in favor of getting to his destination as quickly as possible to attend the urgent summon he received. He muffled his pained groan when his foot throbbed horribly. Despite being well-known by now for being late, Sandaime had made it quite clear that being tardy this time was out of the question. He hoped that whatever mission that the Hokage thought couldn't wait was actually worth all the pain he was enduring just to get to the place. He almost let out a sigh of relief when he finally made it to the door of the Hokage's office. He knocked twice and went in when he was allowed. He bowed respectfully before straightening and waiting for whatever the Hokage had to say.
"Hello, Kakashi," Sandaime greeted, not waiting for a reply, he continued, "I'm sorry for bringing you right after your mission, but this is a matter of utmost importance," Kakashi shrugged, "And if everything goes according to plan, it means that Fire Country will get a major economical and military boost," he continued, "You see, the Samurai in the Land of Iron are now willing to forge an alliance with one of the five great countries. Considering that you're one of the best jonin in the village, I figured you'd be perfect for this," Kakashi nodded, it only made sense to send someone like him to convince the Samurai that Konoha was the best choice of an alliance.
"So my mission is to do whatever it takes to persuade the Samurai to be our allies?" It sounded simple enough to him.
"Quite right… but," the Hokage paused and smiled weakly, "It's not all the Samurai you're going to convince… nor is it their leader," Kakashi was now confused, he didn't have to wait long as the Sandaime answered his unasked question, "You have to convince a woman actually… that you're her perfect husband…" Kakashi was pretty sure the horror was plainly showed on his face. His lips beneath the mask but no sound came out, he was positive his eye pictured what he felt inside perfectly anyways. However, the village's leader either didn't notice or decided to ignore it while he searched the many files sprawled on his desk.
"All the mission details are in there, but I'll go over them anyways," Hiruzen said, "Her name's Princess Emiku. They say she's quite beautiful. Of course, neither you nor the other candidates will see her. The Samurai were clear that their Princess will not be seen by anyone until she's married. The people you'll be competing with are all in there," Kakashi finally found his voice.
"But I don't want to," he stated bluntly, his face now back to the emotionless façade.
"I'm afraid it's a little too late for that," Sarutobi retorted, "I've already sent word that you were the one applying,"
"Shouldn't you have taken my consent first?" he argued.
"There was no one else. All the other jonin are either married, engaged or in a relationship, you're the only single male jonin and that's exactly what the Samurai want,"
"What about Ibiki? Genma? Raidou?" he was fighting a losing battle, and he knew it, but that didn't stop him from trying anyways.
"I believe that all three names you listed would not satisfy the Princess," the Hokage said as he waved a hand.
"And I would?" Kakashi questioned in amazement.
"Well, you're a far better choice… and Konoha needs this alliance, Kakashi. Don't let us down,"
"I can't," he tried again, "You know I already like someone," he said in a whisper. The leader sighed.
"Kakashi… it's been three years. Even if we didn't find a body, she's either dead or being slowly killed as we speak," the silver-haired man tensed, "It's time to let go and move on," Yes, it has been three years… but the two he'd spent with her were heaven. Despite her infamous insanity, she had a side of her that he only saw. And in return, she was the only one to ever see him without his mask, both visible and hidden. Maybe it was time to let go, a part of him nagged at the back of his mind. He immediately squashed that line of thought. She might still be somewhere out there, he argued mentally. Even though he thought this was unfair to him, he definitely saw where the Hokage was coming from. The Samurai, the people who took no sides yet were a powerful force, were asking for an alliance with one of the hidden villages. In that shadow, his problem with getting married to this unknown Princess Emiku seemed petty.
"Why are the Samurai asking for this alliance?" He asked.
"I don't know and neither does any of the other Kage. They said they will tell you everything once you're there. So does that mean you're taking the mission?" Kakashi held out his hand to take the file from the Hokage, his head bowed and eyes filled with remorse and the slightest twinge of hurt, both emotions he wasn't able to control with his fried mind and aching body regardless of his shinobi training. He ignored the apologetic look the old man gave him by bowing and moving to exit the room.
"You have three hours before setting off. Make sure you give that file a read before heading out," the Hokage called out after his retreating back.
"Hai," he replied before deciding to take the long way to his house. Thus, he went down the stairs that seemed too long and walked in the breezy, cold morning that should have been warm with the sun now higher than it was before and the mid-summer breeze. His feet dragged him to the Memorial Stone and he divulged his latest misfortune to his deceased teammates and sensei. He imagined Obito laughing teasingly, Rin giving him a dazzling smile with eyes full of life saying that it might not be as bad as it now seems, and Minato ruffling his hair telling him that Rin was probably right and things might actually get better. He couldn't waste more than half an hour standing in front of the stone like he always did. The Sharingan ached under his slanted hitai-ate, and he wasn't sure if it hurt from his own pain or not. He quickly unlocked his door once he got to his apartment and made sure not to trigger any of the traps surrounding it. He crashed onto the couch and clutched the mission file. He wondered if sleeping would be a good idea. He didn't have the time to think about it as his exhaustion from his most recent mission seeped into his already tender body and equally tired mind. He stretched out on his worn out couch and reminded himself for the umpteenth to buy a new one to replace the faded one he had. His fatigue prevented any dreams from plaguing his mind, and for that he was grateful. He woke up later to find that he had slept for only two hours. Thirty minutes before moving out…
He splashed cold water onto his face before settling on having a speedy, cold shower. He pulled on a clean uniform and made a hasty breakfast of ramen before finally opening the file. At the beginning, he read the mission briefing the Hokage gave him again. Then, he moved on to the other 'participants' in this 'contest'.
From the Village Hidden in the Cloud: Killer Bee.
From the Village Hidden in the Mist: Ao.
From the Village Hidden in the Sand: Baki.
From the Village Hidden in the Rock: Akatsuchi.
And that was it. No information whatsoever about any of them. He wondered why the Hokage asked him to read it if it didn't contain anything about his opponents. He flipped to the next page and was surprised to find a list of requirements. Just as he was about to begin reading, he was interrupted by a knock on his door. He opened the door immediately once he sensed the Hokage's unique chakra signature.
"Hokage-sama?" he prodded.
"So are you ready, yet?" Hiruzen asked as he shoved a bag into his arms.
"I was just about to finish reading the file," the Hokage nodded.
"The items you need are all in that bag," the Hokage said, "The requirements are now fulfilled. I believe that was the last page in the file," he said as he walked inside and checked the file, "It's time to go now. Do you have what you need for the trip?" Kakashi packed enough ration bars and excess water bottles. He double-checked his pouch for the weapons he might need and finally nodded.
"Very well, then," his visitor said, "It's time to leave,"
Author's Notes: Reviews are much appreciated and questions even more so! I'll make sure to answer them all either by pm or in the next chapter! Constructive criticism is also welcome!
Important: Do you think I should change the character's from the other hidden villages or not? And if yes, then which characters should I put instead… I didn't want to put any unnecessary OCs.
And finally, who do you think Kakashi likes and is most probably dead? People who get the correct answer will get a reward of their choice! I've hinted who it is in this chapter and it's pretty easy!
Thanks for reading and please review!