A/N So this is the end of my story. Kakashi has successfully completed his mandate, but is he happy with the outcome Now I'll get to work on my next story, which takes place about 8-9 years after the start of Shippuden. A new generation of ninja awaits a new hokage. Thanks for reading, and as always, comments and other things are welcome.

Chapter 11 : Worthy?

Once again Kakashi found himself dressed entirely in black, but this time his usual forehead protector and face mask combo was intact. For almost ten minutes he'd been alone at the k.i.a memorial. When Anako had been commemorated he'd come straight here.

It felt right to remember Obito at times like this. Foolishly he'd once valued the mission above his team mates, and his late conversion had cost him dearly. If he had been with his Uchiha friend from the start, he could very well be alive today. His last mission had been to rescue Team 14 and prevent the exposure of the Konoha.

Only partly completed, he thought. Anako had been dead when he arrived, the other members rightfully discouraged from escape by the execution of their friend. Kakashi swore to himself that he'd make it on time, that another nin wouldn't die from his negligence.

"Kakashi-san?" a hand touched his forearm and his attention was dragged away from the black stone, as were his eyes. Shizune lowered her head slightly rather than meet his gaze, her eyes now fixed on the memorial.

"You're blaming yourself," she said, and they both knew it was never really a question. "You're thinking if you'd have reached them sooner, you could have saved that boy." Her eyes never moved, but she gave a long sigh and added, "He was dead the day you were dispatched, not even you could have changed that."

"Is Hokage-sama ready to debrief me?" he enquired ignoring her words, she looked so different out of her usual robes, somewhat less confrontational, he thought.

"I mean don't get me wrong," her voice cracked a little when she gave a stiff embarrassed laugh, he wouldn't divert her, "you are an exemplary Jonin, Kakashi Hatake. But," finally she turned and met his gaze. "A deity? No."

"Shizune, what are you trying to accomplish here?" he asked, ready at any second to justify his angst.

"Obito Uchiha is dead." Slowly and steadily she took his hand in both of hers, " Kakashi Hatake, Sharingan Kakashi, The Copy Ninja, under one name or another you are in just about every rival Jonin's Bingo Book. You've proved yourself worthy. Worthy of Obito-kun's gift. Of his memory. Obito blood was never on your hands, and neither should be Anako's."

Her hands squeezed his before she released it, he felt a pang of guilt as she lowered her eyes and turn to leave. How long had she cared? He wondered.

"Tsunade-sama will see you now." She never looked back as she left him.

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"The Hyuga clan had issued you with an official thank you and apology, interestingly in the same letter. They are grateful for the return of the Heiresses, both of whom were almost entirely unharmed. Hiashi would like to apologise for Neji's behaviour, both insulting you and endangering you."

Tsunade still hadn't moved from her desk, she sat with a few papers on her desk flicking through them as she spoke.

"Neither were needed," he assured her.

"Your mission was a success Kakashi-san, and we should expect payment from the Kazekage for Hinata's original mission any day now. The kid's death was unfortunate but unavoidable. I trust you secured our position?"

Kakashi rested against the wall, the ball of one foot pressed against it, and gazed out the window. From this office you could see all of Konoha, he liked the view.

"The Jonin and two of his subordinates I dealt with myself. I trusted the Kunoichi to Hinata-kun and she came through as expected. The only person who knows it was leaf ninja, is safely under the protection of Gaara and his people."

"Good" the blonde sanin stood from her desk and stepped between Kakashi and window. "Tenzo tells me his identity was compromised, and the mysterious ninja took some blows meant for Neji. So have Sakura look at your wounds, I didn't tell him it was you."

Tsunade looked utterly relieved; with a faint smile on her face she reached over and pulled Kakashi in to a brief hug. Blonde bangs swished in front of her face as she shook her head at him.

"What would we do with you?" she half teased.

"Less shouting, more running?" he ventured and then turned away from her.

The sigh reached his ears as he walked away, and under the mask he'd felt incomplete without he smiled.

"What's going to happen to Neji?" he called, almost at the door before he remembered.

"He's prohibited from taking on a team of his own until he proves himself worthy of his Hokage's trust. He's to be partially supervised by Guy until such times as I'm satisfied he's learn his lesson, and humbled himself to the bigger picture."

"Ok. I have a message for Shizune. Could you give her it?" he reached into his pocket and removed a small scroll and flicked it through the air, Tsunade caught it with ease and gave him a quizzing look. Then he was gone.

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Looking at the memorial stone, it struck Kakashi just how many names had been engraved on it. How many people had given their lives in the service of Konoha, and how many people must have grieved for them?

Would his name be engraved of the eternal black stone? Kakashi Hatake K.I.A? Would anyone grieve for him should the time come were he hadn't the skills to return to his people? His train of thought was interrupted by footsteps in the grass. He turned to face the approaching Ninja,

"You came"

A nod, and a dipped head was their only reply.