I.

Following Shuryou's death, there wasn't anyone else that the KTIF could take information out of. Miyamoto Ryuunosuke was brought once again before Morino Ibiki, the master interrogator, to clarify the deal with the suspicious letter that had misleadingly thrown the blame on Tegami.

The man was anxiously glancing right and left as his whole body shook with fear. The instant he opened the door, Ibiki could tell that his client was beyond frightened.

"Well, hello there, Miyamoto-san. We meet again." The interrogator grinned. To Ryuunosuke, it was the most terrifying grin in the world. Especially now that Shuryou was dead.

"I—I'll tell you everything!" Ryuunosuke suddenly shot up from his chair, cold sweat dripping down his jaw.

Ibiki seemed amused. "Please do so."

Ryuunosuke sat back down, his face drained of any vitality. "I…I don't know with what I should begin…"

"Well, let's see," Ibiki mused, "what about that letter? Did you or did you not put it in the envelope?"

Ryuunosuke gulped, "I didn't. I didn't even know about my wife's letter. I do know that she writes to her children regularly but I don't really care about it."

Ibiki nodded, "So far, so good. Then how did it get there?"

The frightened man shook his head, keeping it down. "I don't know. But that white-haired guy I told you about…he came to me…and told me that if anyone asked, I should say that I put the letter in there myself. That I was told to do so."

Ibiki pursed his lips thoughtfully, drumming his fingers on the table. "Was that the only lie you told us?"

Ryuunosuke nodded ever so slowly. "Yeah. Everything…everything else besides that is true."

They sat in silence for a few moments. "All right, Miyamoto-san," Ibiki said at last, "you're free to go. But don't expect there won't be any repercussions. Your false statements have caused a lot of pain to your family and we don't readily tolerate lies. Do you understand?"

"I…," he swallowed his tears, "I understand."

"Good. Take him out." Ibiki left the interrogation room and went straight to the Hokage's office. He couldn't wait to report to her about it.

With his hands in the pockets of his coat, Morino Ibiki was victoriously smiling.

II.

It was two days after Shuryou's surprise attack when Tegami was finally able to speak up. She had woken up the day before but after being told that she should rest some more, she hadn't been allowed to do any kind of strenuous activity.

A day later, even though she wasn't fully recovered, she had built up enough stamina and determination to finally let everything out. Besides, her brother had also just returned from his mission and she had really wanted him to be there to listen to her.

"Lady Tsunade said she'd pay you a visit later," one of the nurses informed her, "for now, your family is here."

Tegami sat up, smiling, and the nurse fixed her pillow. "Who has come?"

"I'll tell them they can come in," the nurse said and left. A few seconds later, a knock on the door was heard before her parents came in.

Much to their daughter's surprise, it was just the two of them. "Mother? Father? Is it just the two of you?"

Yuuma grinned as Yoshie sat on the bed, taking her daughter's hand. "Yeah, for now," the man replied, "we're taking turns to avoid wearing you out."

Tegami blinked confused, looking from her father to her mother and back again. "That is…unexpected."

Yoshie caressed her daughter's face with such affection that it moved Yuuma to tears, almost. But he told himself that he couldn't cry. Not in front of those two women.

"How do you feel, Tegami?" Yoshie asked softly.

The younger woman smiled, "I'm well, mother. There is absolutely no need to worry."

Yoshie tenderly kissed Tegami's forehead. "I'm glad. I'm really so glad." Her bright green eyes were filled up to the brim with tears. The poor woman had been put through so much for the past two weeks that she just couldn't hold it in anymore.

She hugged Tegami and cried at her chest, hating her weakness but unable to stop. Tegami gingerly ran her fingers through her mother's hair, without saying a word. There was nothing that could comfort Yoshie more than being able to hold her daughter in her arms once again.

"I'm really so glad," the woman repeated, slightly tightening her grip on Tegami's torso.

Even though they were curved into a crooked grin, Yuuma's lips were quivering. He also sat on Tegami's bed and leaned his forehead against hers. "I knew it all along. That's my girl." Her ruffled her hair with one of his hands and put his other arm around Yoshie's shoulders.

It was the first time Tegami had ever experienced such a thing. At that moment, she was thinking that the only one missing from the picture was Kitte and she really wished that he had been there.

Which was why she broke the comfortable silence by asking, "Has Kitte returned yet?"

Yuuma smiled, "Yup, he just came back. But he had to report to Lady Tsunade first. And after that he went to change his clothes because he said he wanted to look presentable."

Tegami let out a snort, "That guy, really…Presentable for what?" She tried to look annoyed but ended up chuckling. "I hope he gets here soon."

But both her younger siblings and her grandparents had come and gone without any mention of Kitte. He was in fact anxiously waiting outside, inquiring after his sister's health and disposition.

He was nervous, and worried. He'd disappointed her a while ago and was afraid to talk to her, considering how the situation had developed. At long last mustering up his courage, he burst in, falling on his knees as soon as got near her bed.

"I'm sorry, Tegami!" he desperately cried, "I'm sorry! Even if I apologize a thousand times, I don't expect you to forgive me but I want you to know that—"

He halted in the middle of his sentence because of the sudden warmth in his cheeks. Looking up, he saw his sister above him, and reaching to his cheeks, he felt her fingers caress him.

"Tegami…"

Coming across her tender gaze, he hugged her waist and buried his face in her stomach but she gently pushed him away, wincing because of the pain. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, withdrawing to his former position.

Tegami watched his remorseful mien with fondness. "Don't worry. I didn't know it back then but now your behavior is understandable. You must have been aware of the ANBU keeping an eye on me. Rejecting me like that was the right thing to do."

"I felt terrible then," Kitte murmured. "Everyone had turned their backs on you and I was being just as selfish…I really—"

But his sincere confession of guilt was harshly interrupted by the Hokage's dramatic entrance. "Tegami!" she thundered, "We're all here to hear the truth." She stomped towards the patient and stopped with her hands on her hips. The two members of the Konoha Council along with Shizune, Kakashi, Ibiki and Anko were backing her up.

Tegami bowed as much as her condition allowed her to and scanned the faces of the crowd. She was particularly interested in Kakashi's expression and was happy to see that other than his usual impassivity, there was also this air of silent, concealed satisfaction about him.

"And what would you like to hear, Lady Tsunade?" Tegami leaned comfortably against her pillow to prepare for a long speech.

Tsunade frowned, "All of it. I'm especially curious about what passed between you and Shuryou at that hideout."

Tegami's eyes darkened upon reminiscing of that day. "Very well. I shall tell you." She let out a heavy breath and looked out the window, at the sky and the drifting clouds.

III.

"Oh my, oh my…" One of the bandits licked his lips as he headed towards the trapped Tegami. "I would've never expected this, not even in my sweetest dreams." He cut down the net and his fellows quickly took hold of the kunoichi.

"What a fine blade you have," one of them said, taking Tegami's sword out of its sheath. She was then relieved of the rest of her possessions and carefully restrained.

Tegami was then lead inside, through a bunch of wild, cheering men. She soon laid eyes on a smirking Shuryou and shook her head once he grabbed her chin. However, his other hand shot up to her hair and his grip on her jaw was tight enough to make her look him in the eye.

"I don't want to be disturbed," he muttered to the guy closest to him and dragged Tegami to his office. He even locked the door and cut the ropes on Tegami's hands, smiling. "Welcome!" he then cried with arms wide open.

Tegami frowned. "This isn't a courtesy visit, you know."

Shuryou began sauntering about her. "It might not be but I am delighted to have you here. It works perfectly with my plan."

"What plan?"

"That of killing your beloved Hokage, of course."

Tegami gave no response.

"I am very glad to have you here, my dear," Shuryou continued, "because you are a wonderful addition to my already great plan." He stopped behind Tegami and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She shook him off but he took hold of her wrists and pushed her against the wall. "You will help me, won't you? Darling."

"I never would!" she angrily replied.

"Not even if I tell you that your oh-so-beautiful family is in danger?" he retorted with menacing slyness.

"What?" Tegami hissed.

"Your mother and your younger siblings…The others might be strong but those three are quite vulnerable. Not to mention my dear friend Ryuunosuke. He's in prison right now and I just so happen to know someone there as well…"

Tegami slumped at the base of the wall, remembering about Hisashi and the helpless members of her family that were still in the village. Shuryou lifted her up in his arms, despite her resisting, and she ended up falling on the floor. He then pulled her up on his desk, standing in-between her legs. His face was closing in on hers, causing Tegami to grimace.

"If you take one wrong step, if you say anything other than what they're expecting to hear…You will have a chance to meet your family in the afterlife," he whispered.

"Don't screw—"

Shuryou cut her off by grabbing her cheeks and forcing a kiss on her. She tried to push him away but in vain. He circled her torso with his arms, holding her firmly in place. Shortly after that, the ceiling suddenly shook and fell. Kakashi, Sakura and Neji came down through the hole, much to Tegami's astonishment.

It was hard for Tegami to bear seeing Kakashi's incredulous and shocked expression, with a hint of disgust. Shuryou took advantage of the momentary lapse in the ninjas' judgment and ran away. Tegami was way too stunned to even think of making a move to stop him. Neji, instead, set on the chase immediately.

"Where do you think you're going, you bastard!" Sakura thundered as she followed suit.

Tegami was shivering under Kakashi's disappointed stare. Her fists were tightly clenched, her knuckles white, and there was a thin trail of blood dripping down her chin because of her biting down on her lip.

"Why didn't you stop him?" Kakashi's composed voice caused her to look up from her feet for a split second but it was enough for her remorse to increase tenfold.

She didn't respond. Tears formed in her eyes and quietly slid down her cheeks.

"Why didn't you stop him?" he repeated loudly, "Why?"

She didn't know how to reply. She had nothing to tell him. Whatever she might have said at that moment would have sounded as an excuse, which she was sure it wouldn't satisfy him.

Stomping towards her, he twisted her wrist, making her look at him. She was crying, because of the pain, because of the disgrace, because of the guilt. She couldn't discern the sadness in his eye.

She then felt a strange pressure on her nape and blacked out.

IV.

Kakashi's feelings were more and more confused as her story progressed. On one hand, he felt relieved that she was innocent, but on the other, he felt bad for having even slightly doubted her. And not to mention hurting her.

"I figured he might have threatened you somehow," Tsunade said once Tegami finished speaking, "but you should've let us know about it."

Tegami averted her eyes. "For a while after that incident I couldn't think clearly. And I was later secretly informed by one of Shuryou's disguised men that he had many accomplices in the village. If anything I would have said to you had leaked to him, my family would have been in trouble." She gulped. "I didn't dare to take the risk."

Tsunade sighed. "Well, that's understandable."

"I apologize, Lady Tsunade. I know I shouldn't have but I have put my personal feelings above my duty towards the village." Tegami gravely bowed her head. "I will, therefore, forfeit my position as a shinobi."

Everyone in the room stared agape at her. "You don't have to do that, you stupid!" Anko yelled, outraged. "You just—"

"Anko-san," Tegami interrupted. "I have done a mistake. Through my senseless actions, I have caused harm to the village. My duty as a shinobi was to protect it and yet I have failed it. I feel that I have no right to be a shinobi anymore."

"Do you really feel that way?" Tsunade asked, frowning.

Tegami nodded. "You might say that I am choosing the easy way out but I don't have the confidence that I won't repeat the same mistake later on."

"Well, that's just stupid," Kitte intervened at last after having kept silent the whole time. "Everybody makes mistakes at some point in time. It's human nature. We just have to get over it and move on, and improve."

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness," Tegami responded with a smile, "but…I also have my own, personal reasons for this. So please, Lady Tsunade," she turned to the Hokage, "allow my early retirement."

"If that's what you think is best, then I'll think about it. But keep in mind that I won't let you off the hook so easily!"

"I wasn't even wishing for it."

"You stupid woman," Anko muttered one last time before going out.

Tsunade also spun on her heels and left with a snort, followed by Shizune and Ibiki, as well as the two elders.

"I think it would be best if you dismiss her completely," Koharu said to Tsunade, "she did indeed place her personal safety above that of the village, thus she does no longer deserve your trust, or the villagers', as a shinobi."

"Her personal safety?" Tsunade sneered, "She was tortured and thrown into prison—"at this Ibiki slightly cringed—"and almost got killed a couple of days ago! For the sake of her personal safety? I highly doubt it. Come, Shizune."

With that, she hurried to the HokageMansion, forgetting all about the troublesome elders.

V.

"Well, I'll go share the news with the rest of the family," Kitte announced, "and I hope we'll also get to hear your personal reasons soon." He left after exchanging a meaningful glance with his twin sister and saluting his senpai.

"You must have been rather startled," she said once she and Kakashi were alone.

"That would be underestimating it."

Tegami smiled. "I've put you through a lot. I apologize."

Kakashi raised a brow. "That should be my line."

She shook her head, "No, Kakashi-san. You have nothing to apologize for. I have caused you such harm that cannot be forgiven. And I assure you it's not going to happen again."

He eyed her curiously, "Does that have anything to do with your quitting?"

She took her time answering. "I still remember, Kakashi-san, how I asked you to believe in me, no matter what. It was a selfish thing to ask of you but you consented to it nonetheless." She made a pause, gulping. "More than anything, I have failed you, Kakashi-san. The look on your face when—"

She halted with a gasp, seemingly attempting to abstain from crying. "It was horrible—I felt horrible. But then I got to think about it. While in prison, I realized that my job had always been like that. Tricking and deceiving people. And the first step to successfully fooling your enemies is fooling your own friends."

She wiped her cheeks, avoiding Kakashi's eye. "My friends aren't that many but I know that they believe in me and I'd hate having to betray their faith. Who knows how many times such a thing like this one would happen again if I didn't put an end to it now?"

"Tegami…," Kakashi whispered but she couldn't hear him.

"Seeing your hurt mien pained me more than Ibiki's tortures. Kitte's suspicions made my heart ache more than that man's forceful attentions."

"I understand," Kakashi said at last, "I understand so stop dwelling on it."

He sat on her bed and pulled her in a tender embrace. She wrapped her arms around him, clinging on to the back of his vest. At that moment she shed tears of relief, regret and happiness and no longer distanced herself from him because of the awkwardness. There was no more awkwardness.

Kakashi caressed her hair and patted her back, resting his chin atop her head. "I was so worried, Tegami, so worried…," he murmured, holding her close. "But now I'm so relieved."

She looked up at him with a remorseful countenance. "If only I could ever make it up to you, Kakashi-san."

He fixed her big, brown orbs staring up at him as if they were urging him to make a wish which she could fulfill. "Well, there might be a way…"

His fingertips reaching to the edge of his mask, he cautiously pulled it down and pressed his lips against hers. Her wide, astounded eyes only relaxed when he cupped her cheek and put his hand on the small of her back, sending shivers up her spine.

When he broke apart, Tegami didn't dare to take her eyes off her hands, placed gently on his chest. "Are you sure that's all right, Kakashi-san?" she mumbled shyly. His kiss had reminded her of Shuryou's. "These dirty lips of mine…" Her fingers clenched on his vest.

"Then I guess we'll just have to cleanse them." He craned his neck, nibbling on her upper lip and subsequently biting softly on her lower one.

It was the first time in years Tegami could indulge herself in a kiss and actually respond to it willingly. Her hands had already gone up Kakashi's nape to his hair. His hands were all over her back and occasionally her arms.

There was a pang in her side as she straightened up to gain more access to Kakashi's mouth but she ignored it. He noticed her slight wince, though, and removed himself from her, insisting that she should rest some more.

"I'll come again tomorrow," he said as he walked to the door, hands in pockets as per usual.

"I'll be waiting," she replied, her eyes sparkling brightly like never before.

There was also a glint in Kakashi's eye as he slid the door open, but it vanished soon, as well as that hint of a grin concealed by his mask.