"Hatake!" Tsunade's Ex-Hokage Voice was ten times as authoritative as Kakashi's scariest Current Hokage voice. "OUTSIDE, NOW. This is a medical issue. I'm taking charge. Step away from the patient." The buxom medical ninja fist's were balled on her hips and her face fixed in a gorgeous scowl.
Kakashi raised his hands, palms out. "Look, Tsunade - it's not what…"
Tsunade pointed to the door.
Kakashi glared. "This is my house…"
"That's my patient," Tsunade retorted. "Hokage or not, you're in violation of Public Health Statute 19-1! I'll give you five seconds to move away from the patient and step outside, Kakashi. Otherwise…" The lady sannin pushed up one sleeve. In her other hand she held a huge syringe full of some kind of fluorescent green serum.
Kakashi swallowed. He glanced at Hanare. She was staring at Yugao and Tsunade with wide eyes and clutching the hospital gown over her bare chest. "Hanare…" he said. She looked at him with an expression that said you're all crazy! Kakashi sighed. "This is Lady Tsunade, whom I'm sure you've heard of. And Captain Yugao - I believe you two met already?"
Hanare nodded cautiously. Kakashi stood up. "Are you alright if I leave you with them?"
Hanare nodded again. "It's actually better, Kakashi - it's easier for me to be… to, um, have women around for matters like… this…" Her voice trailed off. Tsunade and Yugao exchanged looks. Kakashi nodded. No one noticed the heaviness in his dark eyes.
"I understand," he said. "I'll be right outside until it's alright for me to come in again." He wanted to reach out and touch Hanare's shoulder in reassurance - she looked so pale and nervous - but thought better of it. He clenched his hands in his pockets instead, stepped around the couch and exited the house, closing the door softly behind him.
"Men," Tsunade gritted, shaking her head. "When will they learn." She slowly approached Hanare. Yugao picked her mask up off the floor and took up position next to the front door.
Tsunade sat down carefully on the couch near Hanare's legs. "They're always poking around, hassling you when they're not wanted… and then when you need them - surprise! Nowhere to be found." A sad but good-humored grin crossed Tsunade's face. Hanare gave a small nod.
"So you're the spy who snared Kakashi," Tsunade continued, tone turning curious and speculative. Hanare clenched her teeth. She tried to take a breath to focus and...
"You don't need to pretend," Tsunade chuckled. "I'm bound by medical oath to keep your secrets. I know I look great but I'm almost twice Kakashi's age - he's like the nephew I never really wanted. This turn of events is fascinating, is all…"
The sannin's voice was throaty and warm Hanare wanted to believe her. It had been a long time since she'd had a woman to confide in… there had only been Ji, and after the tea house mission she'd never seen her again… Hanare but her lip. But then, what about the rumor Karin had…
Tsunade frowned at Hanare's hesitation. "They didn't tell you that ridiculous jutsu implantation fable did they…?!" When Hanare blushed and looked sideways Tsunade growled in disgust and slapped a palm to her forehead.
"Unbelievable! This town is just a cesspool sometimes… smut peddlers, perverts and filthy gossips!"
"It was probably Karin," Yugao drawled from behind Tsunade.
"I don't recall giving you permission to speak," Tsunade snapped. "And yes, I suppose it probably was."
"Well, at least… it sounded like a good story…" Hanare ventured with a weak smile.
Tsunade looked at her in silence a moment, then broke into guffaws. "I suppose it's flattering. I suppose I could make a pretty penny off a novelization, if only Jiraiya…" Tsunade trailed off. Hanare watched, fascinated, as the older woman's gaze turned faraway for a split second.
But then she was back. "Now don't try your charms on me, missy," Tsunade said. Hanare raised her eyebrows. "That's right. I've been around a spy or three in my time. Plus… I know women. None of this fainting damsel, ingenue airhead act around me, you hear?"
Hanare inclined her chin slightly. Tsunade hmphd in approval and started to feel up Hanare's legs, examining both thoroughly and taking extra time at the site of the cave-in injury. There were a lot of mmms and hmmms and some light chakra scans. Since Hanare was already mostly undressed Tsunade could conveniently check everything and did so in a competent and efficient manner. Hanare was no stranger to examinations. Tsunade was easily the best doctor she'd ever been around.
"Ok. So," Tsunade said after about fifteen minutes of prodding, groping, and scanning, "You've made a very rapid recovery - that is, from the blunt trauma to your leg. You're stronger than you look!" Tsunade smiled at her patient, then her tone shifted.
"But, Hanare - it's obvious you've experienced a lot of other trauma. You know what I mean. Tell me, how goes that recovery?"
Hanare's mouth went dry. She opened it, closed it, swallowed, tried again. She blushed and looked away. "I… I…" she swallowed again. "Everything… works fine. If that's what you mean," she finally managed.
Tsunade nodded. "That's great. But I'm more concerned with those chakra networks - the delicate webs that signal whether something is enjoyable, or not, and can even affect how we perceive or remember an event. According to my scans, your networks are a little frayed in those areas. Meaning, the damage hasn't been fully repaired."
Hanare blinked. She felt angry at no one in particular except herself. I should be stronger…!
Tsunade shook her head. "It's not your fault," she said gently. "I want to help you achieve whatever recovery goals you might have. My office doors are always open to you."
"Thank you," Hanare whispered.
"And I have this advice: staying here, with Kakashi, might not be the best idea," Tsunade said bluntly. Hanare looked up sharply.
"I never wanted to be here -"
"Yes, but you are now," Tsunade chuckled. "Look. All I'm saying is - even the most well-intentioned partner can become confused when it comes to putting their loved one's needs before their own. This is especially critical when one or both partners are trauma survivors."
Hanare was silent.
Tsunade sighed. "As far as I know, Kakashi isn't some kind of deviant creep. But even if it's just a case of infatuation, the last thing you need, Hanare, is someone making demands of you. You deserve to give yourself all the recovery time you need."
Hanare bit her lip and nodded.
"Do you want us to move you back to the hospital?" Tsunade said.
Hanare blinked. She felt the weight of the decision like sand in an hourglass. Do I? What do I want… So much of her life had been just taking orders, and then, simply surviving… stringing one sunrise into another. Living for a dream that would never be attained… Hanare glanced around the room. It was conspicuously clean and tidy, rousing her suspicion that the dirty laundry must be stashed somewhere out of sight. Deceptive. So like a ninja… The bookshelf near the desk was full of photography how-tos and some respected classics and sci-fi, but everything had a layer of dust except for the Icha series. That is where he escapes most often, then… The curtains were dark blue, like the Konoha uniform, as was the couch and rug under the coffee table. He never really leaves work. But the bed coverlet had been green - a sign of a passionate and earthy nature. The furniture was plain and serviceable, not junky but not flashy. He is less vain than people think. The handwriting on an unfinished checklist showed a blocky scrawl. But he can be narcissistic, and stubborn… The fridge, freezer and cabinets had all sounded empty when Kakashi had checked them… and there was nothing hung on the walls. A place to live, then… not really a home.
"Hanare?" Tsunade looked at her expectantly.
Hanare felt flushed. Her heart raced. Through the window, she could see the tops of Konoha buildings. It might not be the best idea - but for better or worse, this was the most important mission of her life. She knew it with a certainty that filled her gut with resolve and her chest with effervescent fire. For the first time since a day long gone in a distant valley, Hanare felt alive. For the first time ever… she was free.
"I'll be staying here," Hanare said. "Would you mind handing me that sweater?"
