Chapter 7
Akira's Point Of View
The village was in ruins. Stores, houses, restaurants, buildings everywhere laid crumbling having been subjected from everything from paper bomb explosions to a giant snake attack. The streets were filled with the moans of the injured and the blood of the dead. No one knew who was alive, who was dead, and the village was still with the aftershock of the disaster. Those of us who were left focused on helping the injured, and at the moment it didn't matter whether they were friend or foe; we were all shinobi who had just battled our best. I was just coming out of the hospital when my worst fear was proven unfounded.
"Kakashi!" I cried, recognizing that distinctive head of hair, and he turned as I ran to him.
"Akira," he breathed, relief evident in his voice, and he drew me into a choking embrace, which I returned with just as much force. Neither of us needed to say anything; we knew exactly what the other was thinking for they were the exact same thoughts that had been going through our heads as we looked at each new dead body, that half second of wondering whether the motionless face would be the face of the person we'd come to care most for over the last couple months. After a few much needed moments we turned to Kakashi's companions. Might Guy was staring at us.
"You two are – ?"
"Like I said, Guy," Kakashi replied, one arm still tight around me, "Feel free to win your little competition. I've got everything I need."
Guy clenched his fist. "Curse you, Kakashi, it's your nonchalance that gets you such beautiful women!"
"Does he always talk to himself like that?" I murmured to my lover and he nodded tiredly.
"I'm afraid so. Makes things terribly awkward for the rest of us."
"Ryusaki Akira, right?" Kurenai approached us.
"Yes. Yuhi Kurenai, correct?"
She nodded. "I fought near you several times today. You are quite impressive. Though I can't help but wonder, why fight for us? This isn't even your village."
"I've been to many places in this world, many countries, many villages. I see things here that I haven't seen anywhere else, special, wonderful things. Although I've only been here a short time it seems I've come to love this village, for when it came down to it, running away and leaving you lot here wasn't even an option." Kakashi's arm tightened around me and Kurenai's eyes widened in surprise. The others nodded approvingly.
"I see. Well thank you for your help."
"Of course."
Suddenly an ANBU member appeared before us. "The barrier is down," he informed us, "The third Hokage is dead."
Stunned silence.
The funeral was beautiful. As a nonmember of the Hidden Leaf Village all I could do was to watch from the mountaintop as the mournful procession deposited their flowers. Kakashi was positively listless the moment he entered the apartment, dropping his stoic façade and falling into his bed still wearing his rain soaked clothes. I knelt next to him and began to strip off the dripping wet clothing, leaving him in only his underwear. Next I slipped off the mask and the headband, placing them carefully on the nightstand. I laid down next to him and put an arm around him, pulling him close. He laid his head on my chest and I gently ran my fingers through his hair and after a few minutes began to hum the ancient lullaby that my mother had learned from all the Ryusaki women before her. Within minutes Kakashi was fast asleep.
"You're being sent as a diplomat to the Sand Village?" I repeated in disbelief.
"Yes. They've made overtures of peace and I'm the only Jounin in the village right now." A couple weeks had passed since the disastrous destruction of the Leaf Village and the place was swamped with rebuilding, debt, and perhaps even more missions coming in than before.
"Kakashi," I said, "Do you realize how dangerous that could be?"
He gently kissed my forehead. "Dangerous is part of the job, love."
"But seriously…you? A diplomat? What are they thinking?"
"I can be perfectly diplomatic," Kakashi protested, affronted.
I snorted. "Right. Well one thing's for certain, I'm coming with you."
"Akira, don't be ridiculous."
"Who's being ridiculous?" I looked him straight in the eye. "Kakashi, this is a time where people of this village are turning to their own for comfort. Outsiders are extremely unwelcome. There's no place for me here right now, but there is with you."
"The elders would never allow it."
"Who says they have to allow anything?" I grinned. "I'll leave today and perhaps it will just so happen that we run into each other on the road towards the Sand village."
"You're a frighteningly devious girl sometimes, you know that?"
I winked. "Of course. In fact, I quite pride myself on it."
True to our plan Kakashi and I left on separate days, meeting up some distance outside of the city. We reached the Sand Village in the expected three days and were led through its impressive walls to the Kazekage's building where its council met. We were greeted by none other than Baki, whose eye widened upon seeing me with Kakashi.
"Well this is awkward," I said, rubbing my neck.
"You were sent here for peace negotiations?" The man asked, dumbfounded.
"No, that's me," Kakashi raised a hand.
"I'm just along for the ride," I smiled.
The Sand Jounin cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Then perhaps we should start over."
"That sounds like a lovely idea." I held out my hand. "Ryusaki Akira."
"Baki."
"Hatake Kakashi, if anyone cares." I stifled a laugh and Baki turned towards him, brow raised.
"Hatake Kakashi. The copy ninja. It is an honor."
I blinked. "You're famous?" Kakashi winked.
"Well," Baki clapped his hands together, "You've had a long journey, you must rest. Negotiations will begin tomorrow, but for now I'll show you to your rooms."
"Room," I corrected. "We'll only be needing one."
"Oh. I – I see." It took all of my self control not to laugh at both him and Kakashi's well hidden but still deep blush as we were shown to a large, well furnished room.
"You had to do that?" Kakashi sighed as I closed the door behind us.
"What can I say," I grinned, "I like to make you blush." My lover shook his head, stripping his clothes off and heading for the bed. The sky was well dark by now and so long spent traveling was catching up to us. It was warm enough that we needed only a light sheet and as we snuggled up comfortably next to one another it took us only moments to fall asleep.
