"I would reconsider this Hokage thing if I were you."
"What if you finally crack under the pressure?"
Muffled sounds of acknowledgement prompted the open discussion further.
"I'm not saying you would be horrible at it. But you are kind of a slacker when faced with responsibility. I just don't see it."
Anko Mitarashi stared fiercely ahead, resting her forehead against the windowpane. The night was mild, tranquil as ever in the village of the Leaf. "Maybe Naruto can dive right into the role. He's always wanted it, hasn't he?"
Rustling of paper suddenly forced her back to reality, head snapping to the side.
His nose was buried in that explicit novel, blatant disregard for anything other than. How long had she been talking?
"Kakashi, you casual asshole!" She glared, accusing tone and all, "Did I really just waste my breath this whole time?!"
He stretched out comfortably across the bed, not loosing hold of his book. "No, no, I heard some of what you were saying."
"I'd kick you out if this were my place."
"Sorry," Kakashi apologized robotically, not meaning one syllable. "You sound distressed. Maybe lie down for a while."
Anko briefly turned her back to him, admiring the view from above. It was nice to be at peace. Everything was so quiet, nothing unusual nowadays.
Their source of light being a combination of dying candles, a dim lantern, plus the whiteness of the moon. She slowly moved toward the bed, relying on senses besides eyesight.
He remained as still as a statue, feeling the spine of the book slide upward and out of reach.
She disposed of it to the floor carelessly, ignoring his protests.
"Now aren't I more interesting than a fictional universe," Anko answered for them both, pressing her mouth to his left cheek.
Kakashi expected nothing less from the Mitarashi, supporting her body as she leaned into him. "You were listening, so you'll do what I said, right?"
He held back against her tantalizing kisses, using his arm to drive a wedge between them. "I can't turn this down, Anko."
Through the darkness, he could see she had stopped in her tracks. Probably thinking of another way to patronize him.
"Why not?" She wanted to hear a good reason, because she hadn't thought of many. "you can."
"Do you doubt my leadership?"
Anko fell silent, the noise of their breathing occupying the air instead. She knew her version of the truth might unintentionally wound him.
"Not really, I.." She trailed off, turning to the edge.
Kakashi sat up then, propping himself up with one elbow. "I'm listening."
She broke under the pressure of his direct attention, growing flustered. "Nothing but bad things happen to the Hokage."
"Nothing bad should happen to me."
"It might, and I think you know it. You're choosing ignorance."
Cool fingers touched her shoulder, a gesture that was an attempt to calm her down. "I appreciate your concern, Anko. Your worries come from a good place. It's a way of showing how much you care."
Shocked at his overall analysis, she closed her eyes and tried to understand. "I urge you to not worry about me. I'm quite capable of looking after myself. I have a will to protect this village and everyone in it. The war completely changed my mindset."
Anko glanced over at him, unable to get a reading from his face. She obviously knew who he was referencing. His old teammate, Naruto, the Fourth, people who meant something to him.
"Also.. Naruto is still too young to accept such a title. However, I would like to be the one who passes it on to him."
Maybe I could have witnessed some of this heroism had I been conscious, she thought bitterly. Comparing her sins and troubles to his, the fact was that he had been through a lot worse. Those he loved were mostly dead, but then again, her family was gone too. His students no longer needed him. He was no longer a mentor. She entertained the possibility of there being some other reason he was hesitant to become Hokage.
It wasn't like there was some bond of trust linking them, so she didn't demand to know his darkest secrets. He was a private guy; she could respect that. She wouldn't want to dig up any painful memories regarding his past.
"You're real proud of those brats, aren't you," Anko kicked off her sandals, noticing the gleam in his eyes when he spoke of Team 7. Especially the two boys.
"I suppose," He shrugged.
"You know, when I lead a team of my own, they're gonna kick ass. So don't go thinking yours is the best. I just haven't had the chance yet."
Kakashi seemed amused, smiling beneath his mask, "You'd be comparing two different generations so it wouldn't really matter anyways."
"Shut up, Hatake," She slapped his hand down as he bent over to retrieve the book. "I know you're going back and forth about this, so just talk about it before I get pissed."
"Honestly, I've never given it a second thought. You're the one conflicted here."
Anko visibly wilted, failing to sway him. Her blessing was not given. "Do you think you'll be happy?"
Kakashi unstrapped his metal headband, gray bangs falling unevenly. "I do. I'll be fine."
She could tell she was tiring him out mentally somehow, so it was time to temporarily forget it. "Well then, I hope you know once you become Hokage we won't see each other any more. I wish you the best in loneliness and solitude."
"Don't be like that," He reassured, "I'll see to it that you're one of my closest advisers."
Anko blew out the flickering candles, allowing her eyes to become acquainted with sheer darkness. "And if I refuse?"
He let her pull him in, their midnight routine brewing. "Then I'll have to ask you to reconsider."
A/N;; I'm on a high of ideas.
Before writing this, I was like.. Who do you even pair Kakashi with? Why is he so badass? Anko is badass, and I could see them having some sort of relationship. And it's pretty hard to navigate around that mask lol. I don't even know what he would look like. Just what is he hiding. Haha, anyways, tell me how it was~
