Chapter Two: About Time

Retirement had taught Mei how long a day could seem. Years of her life spent fulfilling her duty to her nation and comrades had gone by in the blink of an eye. Now, the hours within each idle day stretched spent in the constant companionship of her overactive imagination and overthinking mind.

Today, she welcomed their company. Mei couldn't remember the last time her thoughts had been so happily occupied. She lingered in bed-a new favorite pastime since retiring-with the morning sun shining on her still-closed eyelids. The thrill of anticipation at what the day might bring surged all the way down to her toes. She curled in on herself, enjoying the softness of the bedding that covered her, and allowed herself to think about the Rokudaime Hokage in ways she hadn't dared to before.

She pulled the blanket up to her cheeks, imagining what it must feel like to always have half of her face covered, like Kakashi's. Did it ever get hot, or damp, or uncomfortable under that mask? She supposed he was accustomed to it, after wearing it for so long. Yet, she smirked at the vision of him struggling with an itchy nose. She wondered if it was odd to be so attracted to a man without knowing what his face looked like. As quickly as the question came to mind, she decided it wasn't odd at all, and even if it were, it wouldn't stop her attraction. It occurred to her that she was more curious about his reason for wearing the mask than she was about what it covered.

Mei's imagination traveled below the mystery of the previous Hokage's face. Too many times she'd caught herself staring at his broad shoulders during the meetings they'd attended over the years. She rolled onto her side and pulled one of the firm pillows on the bed against herself. She rested her temple at the edge of it, visualizing his shoulder in its place. Pressing her torso flush against the pillow, she traced the fingers of one hand slowly down the length of it. She fell deeper into the fantasy of what it might be like to stroke his chest that way while being held close by him, and against him.

Mei's fingers brushed the side of her breast, still pressed into the pillow. Her body tingled, and her breath quickened at the thought of Kakashi's fingers touching her that way. She wanted to know how he smelled, what his skin might taste like.

Her own hand lightly caressed the dip of her abdomen, the swell of her hip and ghosted to between her legs before Mei realized that she still wasn't sure if Kakashi had asked her on a date. There was only one way to get the answer to that question, and she opened her eyes to check the clock on the nightstand beside her bed. Seeing it was past seven, she pushed the pillow from her body and kicked the covers away. Her fantasies threatened to make her late to meet with the man that inspired them, and now Mei was in such a hurry that she couldn't spare a moment to feel embarrassed about it.

It was after eight when Mei emerged from her quarters. She had memorized the name and address of the tea shop before leaving, but she wasn't familiar with the streets of Konoha. She'd never walked through the village unattended, and she didn't want an escort now. However, she still needed to have someone point her in the right direction if she didn't want to be late to meet with Kakashi at nine.

Mei considered who she could consult. She didn't want to ask any of the other visitors, in case they decided to come with her. This need for discretion narrowed her list of possibilities of who to ask for help down to one person. Luckily, that very person was walking towards her as she approached the exit from the Hokage Tower.

"Good morning, Lady Godaime Mizukage." Shikamaru Nara bowed his greeting to her.

"Good morning, Shikamaru. You are just the person I was looking for," Mei quieted her voice as she glanced around to ensure they couldn't be overheard.

Shikamaru's voice matched hers in volume when he replied, "the Rokudaime Hokage asked me to give you directions to a tea shop he thought you might enjoy. However," his lazy eyes lit with amusement, and he smirked as he continued, "I think I'll suggest a more scenic route for you to take. You see," Shikamaru stepped closer to her and lowered his voice further, "in Konoha, Lord Sixth is famous for running late."

"Is that so?" Mei couldn't prevent the irritation that briefly skirted across her face. She was thankful that Kakashi had sent Shikamaru to help her find the tea shop, ensuring that she wouldn't have to go through the awkwardness of asking around on her own. It proved he certainly wanted her to meet him, but the idea of having to sit and wait alone for him to show up made her feel like her importance to him had diminished.

Happy that she could trust Shikamaru to present the perfect solution to her, she smiled warmly at him. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness. What path would you suggest I take?"

Mei enjoyed not only a lovely long walk but a pastry along with it, thanks to Shikamaru's recommendation of a bakery on the way. Her nerves had calmed down for having had something to eat. She chuckled to herself that the head of the Nara clan was always solving problems for everyone; no wonder he was forever tired.

It was nearly nine-thirty when she rounded the corner to her destination. Mei stopped when she saw Kakashi. He was standing near the door, with his hands stuffed in his pockets, looking in the opposite direction.

"Hi." Mei hoped she didn't sound as breathless as she felt.

"Hi." Kakashi pulled his hands from his pockets as he walked towards her. "I had asked Shikamaru to give you directions here, but I guess you didn't cross paths with him." His eyes creased sheepishly. "I'm sorry for the trouble, and I'm glad you found your way here to me."

The words Kakashi chose to use further stole what remained of Mei's breath. She recovered quickly, blushing as she confessed, "he did give me directions." She folded her hands together in front of her, and looked down at them before she went on, "Shikamaru said you were known for your tardiness, so I took the longer route he suggested." She raised her eyes to meet his. "I hope I haven't left you standing here for long."

Kakashi closed his eyes as he dropped his head. He gently shook it as he softly chuckled at himself, apparently. "I deserve that, I suppose." He reached out one hand to brush at hers, still clasped together in front of her. "But, you are someone that I wouldn't want to keep waiting, Mei."