I do not own Naruto.
America. Get it together. Checks and balances. You'll be fine.
What Makes a Good Thing Good?
Kakashi watched Ayame pick at the food. On the Tower's flat roof, they sat on a two-seater table set up by administration. When they heard the future Daishukujo would be coming to eat lunch, they became beside themselves with joy but mostly incurable nosiness. The lunch they brought up was simple enough but the white canopy above their heads may have been a tad too much, never mind the roses in the middle of the table.
Ayame halfheartedly bit into a strawberry and slowly placed it back in the fruit bowl. He had already finished his, along with the rest of his lunch, ten minutes ago. She poked the half eaten strawberry. Her fingernails were painted florescent pink with each index finger decorated in glittery silver. In the past, the few times he'd seen her out of the chef uniform Kakashi had always considered her to be very feminine. The notion held truer today, with the braids and nail polishes and dresses. He was not sure if he had ever seen her in trousers.
"Not hungry?"
"Mornings are hard on my stomach. It gets better in the afternoon."
"Maybe we could move this to a later lunch?"
She nodded. "I could switch times with one of the employees."
"I'm sorry if it's an inconvenience."
She lightly shook her head. "No, sensei. I know you're doing what's best and I'm grateful." He did not think she was aware of what she called him sometimes. He did not correct her.
"I saw you came in a rickshaw." The locomotives were convenient transportation for civilians.
She nodded again. "It saves time and I noticed I get a little more tired than usual."
"Should I meet you instead?"
"I don't mind either way...well..."
"Yes?"
"My coworkers don't know, so maybe for now I'll come here."
The engagement was national news by now but the name of his betrothed was not. For now, at least. It would only be a matter of time.
"If that's what you want."
"Thank you."
She reached into the cream satchel she brought with and he wondered if she was still upset from last night. She was cordial this afternoon, if not a little stiff, but she was meeting his gaze whenever they exchanged dialogue. Ayame pulled out a manila folder and the blueprints from last week. She placed the documents next to the roses.
"I like the second house."
He recalled the layout and smiled. The house had dorian countertops. It was the most expensive construction piece and she must have known it too, cheeks red.
"It's a good pick," he said. He liked it too.
"The other ones were really great and economic, but this one just stood out and I can chip in. I have money saved."
"There's no need."
She blushed harder, but this time from frustration and he knew he should have not been quick to dismiss her offer. "I knew you would say that, but I work hard for my things. I always have." He called to mind her little apartment and the consideration of every item and design selected and placed within it.
"I don't mind providing for the both of you." He wanted to suggest for her to retire in comfort, but thought better of it. He knew she loved working with her father and honestly he did not know how to tell her the Daishukujo's place was not at a ramen stand.
"I know…I know I won't always be able to work." Her intuitiveness took him by surprise. Her pretty nails lightly caressed the manila folder between them. "Af-after the baby especially, so for now…please let me help in small ways, like furniture and kitchenware. I should be able to do that. I have some ideas…"
"That's no problem." If her apartment was anything to go by, Ayame was a particular designer.
She gave him a little smile and it reminded him of last year, how that very smile would be accompanied by blushes and hopeful gazes. "Thanks," she said and he held his breath.
"I want you to do things, Ayame. As much as you can."
"I wish I knew more about how to act and simply exist as your…fiancé person," she admitted shyly.
He did not want her to think she always needed permission. He was the Hokage, a figure of extreme authority in the shinobi world, but it would be different with her. A kage's authority did not completely cover their spouse, not in Konohagakure at least. Culturally, they would be seen as equals and would share equivalent reverence from those they were over in the village. The Sandaime and his wife had been a great example of this—Minato and Kushina were taken too soon to say.
Indisputably, there were things Ayame would not be able to do anymore, but those limitations were for the village's sake and her protection. Private things like house decorating had nothing to do with political policies or self-preservation. If she painted the house the color of her nails he would not care. It would match the office chair, really.
"You will learn. It's new for the both of us. Everybody, actually," he added the last bit, thinking more about their situation. She would be the first non-shinobi to be Daishukujo, hence the extra protection. Yugao was not the only one hiding in the shadows.
She giggled. "Yeah, it's 'new.'"
He smirked. "That's the best way to explain it, isn't it?"
"It's 'new.'" She laughed some more. "How do you feel today?" she said in a deep voice.
" 'New,'" he said with a lowered octave, knowing where she was going with the joke. She laughed loudly at his quick thinking and he smiled in victory. He had not made her laugh like that since before that night. He was glad for it.
She wiped at the corner of her eye, still trembling with mirth. "Why was that so funny?"
He chuckled. "I don't know."
She laughed a little more, letting the giggles fade and then took a sip of water. A few more laughs escaped before she settled down and Kakashi felt the atmosphere relax with the current mood. She glanced down at the manila folder and gently pushed it towards him. "I thought we should open it together."
"Oh." He wondered. "Should I—"
"You can—" They both stopped talking in favor of whatever the other was going to say but no one continued.
Tentatively, he reached for the manila folder. It must have had to do with the child. He unwound the twine once, twice and it came open. He reached in and between its folds he slid out a glossy black paper with blurred gray and white images. Upon closer inspection, the sonogram took form.
"It looks like a pea."
"It does?!"
She jumped out of her seat and came around. He did not think she knew how close she was. Her chest pressed against his shoulder in her haste to see the glossy scan. The times she would hover very close when he would accompany Naruto to Ichiraku's came to mind. Today she did not do it for his attentions but for their pea child. He smiled and held the sonogram closer. Her scent still carried like cherry almonds.
"Wow," she whispered and he could not help but look at her. Her eyes shun with unshed tears and for the first time since the news of the pregnancy he thought perhaps he had not completely ruined her life.
The way she gazed at it—the way her pink lips curved—that was not the look of a woman whose life had been robbed by a man's lust.
Their second lunch started out not so bad too.
It took place after twelve so her stomach was kind and the lunch stayed down. After they finished eating, Kakashi suggested they walk around the hedge garden in front of administration. Curious eyes were always down there.
"Which one is your favorite?" he asked, strolling into the hedge that represented Suna. He was holding her hand. She had not asked why or stopped him. She had done the same thing days ago, hoping to convince others of their well-established engagement. Of their fondness towards one another.
"Ours," she answered, thinking of the fire hedge they had recently passed. "It's home."
He smiled. She could tell by the way his mask moved. "It's my favorite too," he said.
"The Will of Fire speech always gets to me."
"It's my favorite speech to make."
She grinned. His sarcasm was so casual sometimes others would miss it. "Is it hard?"
He shrugged. "We all basically know the spiel by memory in Konoha, Hokage or not."
She laughed. "No, if it's hard making speeches."
Kakashi considered her, thoughtful. "I am a shy man."
Her shoulders shook with more laughter. "You are not shy."
They stepped out of the hedge, laughing and moving on to the next one. "Speeches are fine. I want Konoha to move forward and if a little encouragement in the form of a monologue is all it takes, then so be it."
He made the statement casual, as if his words were insignificant, mundane truths that everyone should know or abide by. But Ayame knew he meant them—a lot of people in Konoha believed in the Will of Fire and swore by it. The village would have not gotten very far without the deep bonds of friendship and love everyone tried to maintain, especially now during peaceful times. They wanted to leave the past that was full of hate and fear far, far behind.
"You are a good man," she said and he paused, looking at her curiously. She blushed. "You are."
He didn't reply and she was not sure what to say as they stood there outside the Kumo hedge. Why wasn't he speaking? Her heart raced. They were getting along so well just now. She was sure she hadn't said anything wrong. He let go of her hand and she opened her mouth to say something about his weird reaction—
"Sensei, you're getting married!" Sakura appeared out of one of the hedge corners, tears in her eyes, excited. She wore a medic uniform, pretty hair down and past her shoulders now.
"I am?" Kakashi said and legitimately looked surprised. Sakura paused, confusion marring her brow, thinking maybe she had heard wrong. Ayame would have laughed if it he had not just done a one eighty on her.
Sakura frowned, the diamond on her forehead shifting as her brow furrowed. "I heard some people talking about it and then I asked Sasuke-kun if he knew anything. He said you…were…" Sakura's gaze moved to Ayame.
Ayame smiled easily. Sakura was a sweet girl—she'd been a little annoying in the past but that was forever ago. She had blossomed into an indispensable part of Konoha's foundation. Naruto also cherished Sakura and that had always been enough for Ayame to hold the younger woman in high esteem.
"How are you, Sakura-san?"
"Ayame-san! Are you getting married to sensei?" Sakura's chin was basically touching her collarbone, flabbergasted.
Ayame tried to act cool about it, as Kakashi did with everything, but her face burned hot. "Ye-yeah." That had come out not even an eighth of Kakashi's coolness.
"Oh my gosh!" Sakura screamed and ran up to Ayame, embracing her. Oh my—Sakura was rather strong for a petite woman, wasn't she? "This is great news!" She reached out and pulled Kakashi into the impressive hug. The man looked like he had no choice in the matter, Sakura's strength greater than anybody ever, apparently.
"Uh, Sakura—" Kakashi started and Ayame was all too aware of how he was pressed against half her back. What incredible strength this young lady—
"Sensei's found somebody," Sakura cried, voice thick with emotion. "Finally, finally!"
Finally? Ayame glanced up at Kakashi. He wore a mildly exasperated expression. He placed a hand on Sakura's pink hair and for a moment Ayame believed he would ruffle it and then ask her to let go. Instead, he sighed and pressed the crying girl into his chest.
"It's alright, Sakura. No need to cry."
"I'm—I'm just so happy!"
"I know."
"You deserve this."
Sighing again, Kakashi simply dragged a comforting hand down Sakura's hair and then back up. He repeated the motion again and Ayame watched awed at the gentleness he displayed with Sakura. Kakashi caught her gaze and she looked away, feeling many things. Mostly, she was half sandwiched between the Hokage and his top medic, and then there was Kakashi's undeniable fatherly behavior. It stirred something fierce within her—but there was also his previous awkward reaction to being called a good man, ruining the pleasant mood.
When Sakura released them, Ayame tried not to make her step back too obvious.
Sakura laughed apologetically, tucking a silky strand of rosette behind an ear, big green eyes blinking at both of them. "Sorry about that." She was jumpy, obviously excited for the man who had once been her mentor.
Ayame smiled, amused with Sakura's behavior. They were not dissimilar. Ayame had been just as happy when she found out about Yumi's engagement. "It's fine," she assured. "He's your sensei."
Sakura grinned, looking between both of them. "And you're Ichiraku Ayame. Naruto must be really happy about this too."
"Ecstatic," Kakashi provided.
Sakura threw him a suspicious glance, accustomed to the wit therefore easily picking up on it. Ayame noticed. Now that she thought about it, Kakashi's closest people seemed to catch on to his personality versus everyone else. As kids, Ayame wondered how long it had taken team seven to understand their sensei could be a satirical cad.
Sakura rolled her eyes and then grinned. "So when's the wedding?"
Kakashi rubbed at his neck, flexing his neck to the side. "Less than two months?"
"Whoa! Fun," Sakura commented, thrilled. Seemingly unconscious, she scooted closer to Kakashi. She placed a hand over the back of his neck, and without touching, her hand glowed green. His shoulders instantly relaxed. Ayame marveled. Shinobi abilities never failed to amaze her. What gifts!
Kakashi sighed. "Thanks, Sakura."
"You look down too much while your reading."
"I know."
"You need to have a checkup!"
"I know."
"I can't always come to you."
"I know—yes."
"I'm so busy with the psychological program and all—"
"—Of course—"
"—But I really want you to be healthy, sensei. I'll worry for you! And you have Ayame-san now to think about." Sakura's hand turned back into a normal color and she dropped it onto her hip, lecturing Kakashi. "Really, now. A healthy Hokage, a healthy village."
"What kind of program?" Ayame kindly interjected, curious. Seeing the two interact like an aged father and worried daughter made Ayame want to be part of the exchange. It also eased Kakashi's random moment of literally sucking the fun out of the atmosphere before Sakura came and saved the day.
Sakura's eyes lit up. "I'm glad you asked!"
The third and fourth lunch went well enough, if not a little reserved. Talking was only done if necessary and Ayame was not sure what she had done wrong. They took to restaurants close to the Tower and many villagers greeted them. Kakashi was a pro, per usual taking everything in stride. She did her best and used her customer service skills to appease those who approached them shyly, wondering about their story.
They both gave vague responses filled with simple truths.
"He would come by with his students often…"
"She was close to one of my students, you see…"
"He became my friend over the years and…"
"As a boy, my sensei's wife used to take me to Ichiraku's…'
The modest answers were not met with scrutiny or skepticism but with open arms, enthusiasm even. To them, it was easy to believe the Hokage had an ideal love story. In the eyes of the villagers, it was only fit for their leader to fall in love and marry a young woman from Konoha. The fact that young woman was a civilian seemed to excite everyone. They romanticized it out of proportion, really.
Ayame tried not to feel too guilty for secretly taking away their perceived notions of a Hokage's love story. Even she felt bad for taking whatever Kakashi's private idea of marriage was. Ayame herself lamented the loss of her own fairy tale ending.
But regret would not get her anywhere nor would it return normalcy to her life. She would grin and bear it. If she was woman enough to have sex with a man, then she was woman enough to be a mother and take responsibility.
She had a little extra flare of chakra to think about now. And soon, she was slowly beginning to comprehend, an entire village.
After their fifth lunch, Ayame had off so they went for a longer walk than usual. Hand in hand, they were walking down one of many concrete paths with rows and rows of trees on either side. When the latest curious passerby was out of sight, Ayame ripped her hand from his.
"What is your issue?"
He frowned—oh no no no. He was not going to play dumb with her. She would not let him get away with nonchalance as he often did with others when he wanted to avoid any emotional stimulation or verbal confrontation.
"Be honest with me, Hokage-sama."
"Ayame, I have always—"
"Okay, you haven't ever really lied to me but honesty doesn't always mean telling the truth. It also means expressing yourself when the situation calls for it." She waved towards him, as if waiting for him to do just that.
He blinked in response and she wondered if anybody had ever tried to explain basic friendship etiquette to him—or force him to talk about his feelings. Apparently not as he was starting to look a little lost. Her heart melted a bit but concentrated on the matter at hand.
Maybe she could help him out. "Did it take you by surprise when I called you a good man?"
"…Yes."
That was good. Now: "Is it because you believe I'm the last person who should think that of you?"
His eyes narrowed, suspicious. It was the topic of their continuous disagreement.
Ayame smirked, tapping her forehead. "It doesn't always take a prodigy to figure out what a man is thinking." She lowered her hand, becoming serious. "You are a good man. I never stopped believing that. You know I…I liked you for a reason. I'm sure I still do but it's just complicated now. Just please stop feeling bad about it. I'm trying to move past what happened—how it happened. You should too."
By the end of all that Ayame thought she was going to pass out from the embarrassment but she needed to say those things out loud for him and for herself. She wiped at her face, wet from overdeveloped hormones. Tears were her constant companions lately as was the little flare inside of her. Ever since she saw the sonogram, she started to feel a little braver, a little less guilty. She was going to be a mommy. She rested her hands on her flat belly.
"Ayame…" His eyes softened, landing on her hands.
"So much is changing so fast for the both us. I don't know if you meant what you said that night at the park, but let's really do our best and get along. For the village." Even though she was crying, she was glad her voice did not waver. "For our baby."
Kakashi stepped forward and raised his hand, as if to touch her cheek. She was about to step forward to encourage him—she knew how gentle those hands could be—
"Yo is this creep bothering you?" Raiden coolly walked towards them from behind Kakashi. She spotted him quickly.
Ayame gasped. "Raiden, this is—"
Kakashi titled his body towards Raiden, passing him an unimpressed look. "Raiden, is it? Takano Raiden. Child assassin of the Third War. Illegally hid under the supervision of Ichiraku Teuchi for two years. Currently an Ame rogue with a large bounty on his head." Kakashi crossed his arms, apparently bored.
Ayame stared, pleasant atmosphere completely gone. What?
"The hell?" Raiden looked rightly affronted and Ayame questioned the man's sanity. He took a step forward and Ayame made to stop him but Kakashi's gaze did that thing she'd seen a few shinobi do when they were facing down an enemy: the infamous 'killing intent.' Both Raiden and Ayame froze. Her heart dropped somewhere beneath her toes and she prayed Raiden would hurry up and recognize who the heck he was talking to like that.
Kakashi continued with a deceptively calm voice, "You think Teuchi would put his family in danger or commit treason in favor of housing a war criminal? You were under surveillance those two years. Shall I give Ame a call and tell them we have their rogue?"
Ayame swallowed and willed herself to move. This was the Hokage, yes, but it was also just Kakashi: the man she saw as a young boy dragged by Kushina-san to eat ramen and forced to socialize and then as a man be dragged back by that same woman's son. Today, Kakashi was the father of the child she carried. And soon they would marry. They had finally been going somewhere in conversation but then Raiden showed up unexpectedly. He must've misread the situation because she was not a crier. He was just looking out.
Lately she had been mentally practicing how to separate Kakashi the man from Kakashi the kage and she decided right now was as good a time as any to make good on that.
She stepped in between the two men and Kakashi's gaze immediately softened and became one of bemusement. "That's enough, Kakashi." She blushed. Okay maybe that was too much authority.
She heard Raiden sigh behind her in relief and she quickly turned around to whack him across the head. He squatted down in pain, gripping his head.
"Ah-ta-ta-ta-ta!" he cried. "Aya-chan, why!"
"This is the Rokudaime!"
Raiden opened his mouth to simply retort in frustration but then he probably processed what she had just said because the knot between his brows loosened in confusion and his mouth snapped close. He looked at Kakashi in absolute discomfort. "The Hokage?" he said, unsure.
Ayame followed her old friend's gaze. "The Hokage."
"My sincerest apologies!" Raiden nearly kowtowed. Ayame had to look away. "Please, I did not recognize you. I was only thinking of my friend at the moment. Of course you're the Rokudaime. Of course." The red band on Kakashi's arm was hard to miss.
Was what Kakashi said true? Had otousan really informed the authorities all those years ago? If so, Ayame couldn't imagine what Raiden was feeling. He loved otousan so much. They were all family.
"Why haven't you turned yourself in?" Kakashi said. "It's been two years since the war. All shinobi villages have decreed pardons for rogues who aided during the war. We have records that you were among our numbers."
Ayame watched in awe as Raiden actually flushed, sitting on his heels. "There are certain circumstances that prevent me from doing so. Sir."
"I see," Kakashi said. "Then perhaps we could discuss them at a better time. Until then, we'll be detaining you."
"What? No!" Ayame cried as two ANBU suddenly appeared behind Raiden. He seemed resigned to the rapid change of events, as if he expected this or knew there was no fighting against the authorities. No fighting against the Hokage. Why would he try to become a citizen if he thought this could happen?
How had everything changed so quickly? Ayame felt a sudden deep loss of control seeing her oldest friend—her brother—being arrested.
She went to grab him, absolutely mortified for Raiden, hoping to do something—anything—but Kakashi grabbed her forearm and pulled back. In her desperation, she didn't think—couldn't think—this was her friend—and slapped him.
Well, she tried. She'd always been a poor aim and only the tips of her fingers grazed his jaw.
The atmosphere froze in silence. Raiden and the ANBU at her back did not speak or move from whatever position they were in. She all but forgot them. All she could do was process Kakashi's shocked expression. Her throat tightened. She'd crossed a very bold line, in front of his men no less. Her heart raced behind her mouth and she did not know what to do.
She was not strong and had barley nicked him but she could tell she hurt him. Not physically, of course. His head had not moved a centimeter from the position it had been in before she swung.
Maintaining eye contact with her, Kakashi said, "Take him away." And perhaps those words were his revenge. Ayame released a sob. Whatever moment of peace the two had been about to share, and all that could have followed, evaporated in a moment of desperateness.
She spun around to look at her oldest friend but the two ANBU were halfway into a large leap and quickly disappeared behind the trees. She took a few steps towards their direction, feeling helpless and very badly wanting to speak with her father.
"I'll walk you home," Kakashi said, back turned.
Oh she was such an idiot. If only she could control her temper—oh she knew it always got her into trouble. She felt things too strongly. Her father always tried to teach her control but seeing Raiden get treated like that, by Kakashi no less, it frightened her.
She was more than sure he was pissed and she deserved it—but she was mad at him too. She had not liked the way he treated Raiden. He had been patronizing and...authoritative? She supposed there was nothing wrong with the latter considering he was the highest authority figure in the country but the former bothered her. Even Kakashi had his flaws and she knew it. She did not like how patronizing he had been.
Raiden was Ayame's oldest friend. She wasn't looking for special treatment during his arrest because honestly all that nonsense about being a wanted rogue sounded like a lot of crazy her father spared her growing up. Still, she thought as she watched Kakashi's back, there had been a spirit of patronization and she didn't like it one bit. That trait of his was usually harmless but not today.
He said he'd walk her home but she did not want him to. "I'll walk myself home." The sound of her voice surprised her. It was as if she had not drunk water in days.
Kakashi's shoulders tensed and then they relaxed. He did not even look at her as he always did. "Alright."
And then he was gone.
She did not know he would come get her for lunch.
In the middle of a Saturday afternoon, Ayame stood outside the ramen bar with the Hokage of Konohagakure. Chef coworkers looked over the counter in shock and regulars turned on the stools in wonder.
Kakashi had that political smile on and she wondered if attempting to smack the Hokage again in front of his citizens would get her arrested. She stepped closer to him. Bystanders probably thought the action was endearing, a moment between lovers, but little did they know—
"At my job?" she nearly growled through clenched teeth.
"They were bound to find out." He continued to smile, even stepping closer to her, amusing her. But he did not touch her.
"Not anytime soon, they wouldn't have." She asked otousan to let everyone figure it out in time, when the right rumors reached them. She did not mention the incident with Yumi to her father. She did not think anyone else in the world capable of using the news against her as Yumi had, but she wanted to savor whatever semblance of normality she could until it became impossible at her workplace.
"They caught on quick."
"That's because you showed up and said 'I am engaged with Ichiraku Ayame and I'm here to take her out for lunch.'"
He innocently tilted his head, no doubt looking accommodating and placid to those behind her. "I may have said that."
"You did say that." He had said it barely two minutes ago.
He only smiled in response, looking every bit the endearing lover. "The wording was changed a bit."
She stepped closer—she wouldn't win but maybe she could at least get one good—
"Ayame. Hokage-sama." Otousan placed his hands on their shoulders. "It's great to see the two of you get on so well in public, but this is a business. Go on your date now. I'll explain it to the boys."
Ayame deflated. "Okay, otousan. I'll be back in an hour."
Teuchi good naturedly hummed. "Come back in two!"
"Oh no." she groaned. Teuchi and Kakashi looked to her. "Oh no," she corrected with a sweeter voice.
Teuchi raised a brow at her sarcasm, unphased. "You go and work things out with this man."
It was Kakashi and Ayame's turn to look at Teuchi. "But otousan, Raiden-kun—"
"I know. I can't say I didn't warn him. Kakashi?"
"Sir?"
"You'll look out for my boy, won't you? And the other two?"
"Of course." Kakashi's answer grabbed Ayame's attention.
"You two be on your way and figure things out."
She continued to glance at him as they walked through less populated streets, hand in hand. They were not walking towards any of the restaurants or food stands.
"Are you very hungry?" He had to ask before continuing.
She shook her head. "What was otousan talking about? Did you tell him? What other two?"
"Last night I met with him and explained what happened yesterday."
Her eyes widened more than usual. They always looked darker when she wore the white uniform.
"I didn't tell him you tried to beat me up."
Her mouth opened, probably shocked he'd bring it up so jokingly. Honestly, he had been stunned when she tried to hit him (and missed very badly.) It upset him. Showing up melodramatically at her place of work had been a small retribution, really.
She stopped walking and he followed suit, her hand anchoring him. "I'm so sorry about that. I have no right."
He shrugged a shoulder. She had every right, he thought, but would not say it out loud. It would only upset the mood further. It seemed every time they spoke for an extended amount of time they would come out arguing or he would offend her somehow. Yesterday had been Takano Raiden's fault, with his terrible timing—just when the two had been going somewhere.
Kakashi sighed. Now was not the time for those thoughts. "Ayame, come with me. There is something I need for you to do."
She gazed at him, hesitant but curious. "You want me to do something?"
"Come," he said gently, pulling their conjoined hands towards himself. "I'll tell you on the way there. It will be faster if I carry you."
She blushed but nodded. There was that trust again, even after imprisoning her dear Raiden-kun she was blindly trusting him. It was that same look that got them into trouble in the first place. It was not misplaced trust because he would never hurt her, but if she not had it perhaps she would not be pregnant and he would not be forcing a marriage.
She came close and his shoulder dipped, arm carefully scooping the back of her knees. Lifting her securely to him, Kakashi leapt onto the nearest roof. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, unafraid but embarrassed it was not someone other than him carrying her. They hadn't been so close since that night. He met her pretty gaze and this time he looked away, surprisingly embarrassed too. He'd carried countless like this, but not her. It was different.
Cherry almonds infiltrated his nostrils and he held her closer—more than he really needed to. She did not comment nor did he as they leapt to another roof and then another. She was not a short woman or the thinnest. She was quite slender until the flare of hips curved attractively outwards into a generous backside, sloping back into soft, supple thighs. Modestly, her curves were usually hidden under dresses and skirts, but even then her feminine attributes were obvious to anyone with eyes. And Kakashi had two very good ones.
"Sensei?" she whispered, arms holding him tighter, half her chest pressing against his. "Where are we going?" The question brought his thoughts from that night and he nodded, letting her know he was listening.
"We're going to the Interrogation Force."
Ayame entered a cold, concrete hallway with very little light. She looked back to Kakashi and a guard dressed in all gray and a long dark coat. He had scars all over his face too. Pretty scary if you asked her.
"He's not hurt is he?"
Kakashi lightly shook his head, assuring her with a smile through the ever-present mask. "He is fine. No one has interrogated him."
"Or tortured him?" This facility was known for its brutal methods of acquiring intel. Even someone like Ayame knew that. The guard and Kakashi glanced at one another and shared a knowing chuckle.
"Go ahead and see for yourself, madam," the guard offered politely. "Our dear Hokage told us to play nice with this one. So we've been on our best behavior. He's in the twelfth cell to the right. The only occupied one these days. "
Kakashi nodded. "We'll leave you to it."
Ayame nodded and when they closed the heavy metal door, she briskly walked down the cold hall. Passing a few holding cells, she found Raiden. He was standing, probably hearing her the moment that creaky door had been opened.
"Aya-chan?"
"Raiden-kun! You're...okay?"
"I'm surprised too. I heard this place was ungodly. The guys here are actually really nice. Then again, I've only been here one night so there's that."
Despite herself, Ayame laughed. He sized her up.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
Ayame had the decency to blush a little. "I'm...close with the Hokage."
"You slapped the Hokage," Raiden said, recalling the action with shock, maybe a little impressed. "You must be closewith him, since you're not in here right next to me."
"I feel bad about that."
"How are you still alive?"
Ayame looked everywhere but at her friend. "Oh-uh, well. Um. ThetruthisIammarryinghimsupersoon. Yeah."
"What!"
She leaned her forehead on a bar, exasperated. "I know! It's totally weird." When he didn't say anything she looked up to see him giving her a lemon face. "What?" she snapped right back.
"What kind of joke it that?"
She fumed. Was it so hard to believe? "I got access to your holding cell, didn't I?"
"But he's so old."
"He's 33."
"Basically a grandpa to you."
"Not true, Raiden-kun."
"He has gray hair."
"It's not gray, it's silver. He was born that way."
"Wow."
She crossed her arms. "Wow what?"
"Just...wow."
"Raiden-kun, I need you to be a little more specific."
"You seduced a kage level shinobi." Raiden's stare was obviously spectacle. "You're great and all, but this is Hatake Kakashi we're talking about."
"Took you long enough to notice yesterday, Raiden-kun. Geez. What was that?"
"I know. I know. I just saw you crying and didn't care about the rest of the details." He gestured towards her, "You never cry." Then he grew serious. "But, Aya-chan, the Hokage?"
She did her best to look smug. "What can I say? This Ramen Girl's still got it."
Raiden laughed. "Oh God, you're crazy. I respect you. Baker Boy will have a field day when he hears about this. When's the wedding?"
She was sure there was a part of him that wanted to know such details about her life. He had always been curious about the life of civilians, a fleeting desire of the past. He said that when he had been trapped in that terrible tree back during the war he had seen himself live a simple life. She didn't blame him. She had always known shinobi life was complicated, but recently she had had the opportunity to be extremely up close and personal. She understood why many shinobi decided to retire early.
But Ayame thought Raiden was also trying to distract her from the fact he was being detained in a jail cell. "Month and a half," she answered kindly.
Raiden smiled that smile. "Congratulations, kiddo."
"Raiden-kun?" she said. "Why are they holding you here?"
He sighed and closed his eyes. "I won't tell them what they want to hear. Aya-chan, can't you see why your fiancé let you visit me?"
She didn't respond at first, but the nudging feeling at the back of her mind nudged some more. She leaned into the bars. "I have an idea. But if you cooperate, you'll be out. You don't want to go back to Ame? To your family? Kakashi-sensei says they'll pardon you. They're trying to rebuild their village…or something."
"Is that what he said?"
She nodded. "You were there remember?"
Raiden leaned close to her and she held her breathe. "Listen, Aya-chan. I've done a lot of bad things to stay off the radar for longer than you've been born. Back then, being a child meant nothing in the shinobi world. Even if I fought in the last war, I doubt I'll actually be pardoned by Ame. Ever since the Akatsuki were defeated, that village has been a mess. It's not my home. It never was. It hardly matters now. I have a feeling I'll be stuck here until Ame comes to confiscate their property. I'll die in some dungeon."
"That's not true and the Hokage wouldn't let that happen."
"Wouldn't he?"
She didn't know. But she had to believe. "I can make him."
Raiden's brows shot up. "What?"
"I can be persuasive. I'll be his wife, after all."
Raiden grinned. "You pervert." Ayame reached through the bars and whacked him. "Ah-ta-ta-ta!"
"That's not what I meant."
"Well, you could."
If he only knew. She tried again. "I can speak with him. But you have to speak with me first."
Raiden measured her up. And then he scratched at his expanding bread. "Hey, do you think we can talk about something else?"
She deflated. She really wanted to persuade him to listen to the authorities but she didn't want to push him. "Yeah, sure. What do you wanna talk about?"
"How mad is the old man?"
Ayame smiled, resigned to accommodate her oldest friend. "Not mad at all, really."
After a quick chat, the metal door creaked open. "I guess that's my cue."
"Yeah. Probably got tired of listening in."
Ayame considered his words and wondered if they were true. Had they been listening the whole time? It would make sense... Saying their goodbyes and promises to see each other again, Ayame went to leave. Raiden called after her.
She turned, "Yeah?" She hoped it was something that would help him get out of here. He did not deserve this.
"Don't worry about me so much. I know you're bias because we're family, but your boyfriend isn't wrong to lock me up. Don't be too hard on him. I deserve to be put away—it's not fun—but I deserve it."
Her throat tightened with emotion. "Maybe you do deserve it. Maybe sometimes we all do."
"Those are good words, Aya-chan."
She managed a laugh, choked up and sad at the life Raiden must have lived to think so little of himself. She thought of Kakashi and how happy Sakura had been for her engaged sensei. "Good words for a good man."
I live among the cold, the false,
And I must seem like them;
And such I am, for I am false
As those I most condemn.
I teach my lip its sweetest smile.
My tongue its softest tone;
I borrow others' likeness, till
Almost I lose my own.
-Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Stanza III-IV of 'Lines of life'
