Chapter 36

Bright light flashed through the curtains. The rain streamed down the windowpanes in distorting sheets. As the thunder rumbled, Kakashi's eyes popped open. He carefully shifted, putting his feet on the floor while adjusting the covers so that he didn't disturb Mei. He was slipping on his shoes when there was a soft knock at the door.

Kakashi grabbed his cloak and crossed the room with silent steps. He eased the door open when he reached it.

"Lord Hatake," Kaiholo greeted in a whisper. The guard gave Kakashi a sheepish grin.

"I heard," Kakashi replied in his own soft tone. "Sorry for my late start." He glanced back at Mei for a moment. She was thankfully still asleep. "Make some excuse for me if she wakes up and asks why I'm not there."

Kaiholo blanched. "What exactly do you want me to tell her?"

Kakashi shrugged, "you think of something." Kakashi started down the hallway toward the stairs with quick strides. If the guard had come to get him, it could only mean that Shun and Yamazaki were already there.

The Mist jonin paled further, trailing behind Lord Hatake.

Kakashi looked at the guard's pale face. "What? You've never lied to Mei?"

Kaiholo firmly shook his head.

"Oh," Kakashi replied, the realization pulling him to a stop. "Well that's good, keep it up." He continued down the hall and entered the stairwell.

"But Lord Hatake," the guard hissed. "You said I wasn't supposed to tell her about this until the time was right!"

"Then I expect you to come up with something truthful yet diverting," Kakashi called back without turning.

Thunder rolled and Kaiholo resisted jumping. He turned back to look down the dark hall, afraid that an avenging Mizukage would be standing behind him. The guard breathed a sigh of relief, there was no one there.

They were all playing a dangerous game, Kaiholo knew. However, if what Kakashi had told him was true, it would be worth it.

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A few days later, the couple was walking down the road, enjoying Mei's early afternoon off. The sun shone, burning through most of the mist, making the humidity that much less of a burden.

They had to stop every few minutes to speak with people or acknowledge their bows. It was a tedious way to travel but Kakashi didn't mind the interruptions. This was Mei's life, all the time. He could handle their walk getting interrupted and used that time to observe his wife.

Mei had a special grace when interacting with her people. Her unwavering attention when they spoke made each citizen feel complimented before she even opened her mouth to respond. Kakashi knew it was the part she played. Although she did care about her people, Mei usually kept that feeling on the inside when in private. She used those feelings to spur her on while she worked long hours behind a desk. When she was in public though, the Mizukage had to act out that part in a visible way. It was taxing but, Kakashi felt, it was worth the effort. Although it was easier for him to believe that when his reactions were less important.

All the Mizukage's husband really had to do was listen and fill the role of silent support. He felt lucky, knowing that that role was one Mei envied. She'd much rather listen, straight-faced, filing what was told to her away for later. Instead, part of her energy had to be put toward her facial reactions and body language. Appearances were everything for the Mizukage. Kakashi knew that both he and Mei found it to be cumbersome but they went through it every time they stepped outside. It was becoming a habit for Kakashi even though he didn't care for it.

The Leaf ninja was calm and gracefully played out his role, until a particular comment reached his ears.

"Lady Mizukage, my wife and I were so fearful for you the other night. We were watching the thunderstorm from our window and, in the distance, we saw your tower get struck multiple times by lightning. It was uncanny and frightening."

Kakashi was only shocked for a moment. What was visible of his scarred face settled into a neutral expression.

Mei's confident reply came quickly. "I wouldn't worry. The tower has multiple lightning rods that channel those strikes harmlessly into the ground. There's little danger that the tower be damaged by lightning."

The concerned villagers accepted this explanation happily but Kakashi felt guilt once again. Kakashi knew those lightning rods well. He hoped to use them in the future to collect lightning in some sort of automated fashion, although the seals he needed to accomplish this eluded him. The rods Mei spoke of were still in place, for when the three were not there collecting lightning, but he had just inadvertently made the Mizukage lie to her people. That made him question, again, the worthiness of keeping the surprise from his wife.

"You're quiet," Mei commented several minutes later when they had a moment to themselves.

"Mah, I have a lot on my mind."

"Like the price of broadcloth?" Mei teased. The last villager had asked about trade prices. Kakashi had seen his wife's smile become strained with her answer.

Kakashi thought about that, about how the Mist's economy had been suffering for years because they'd been bogged down in paying off other debts. His resolve stiffened and he smiled at his wife. "Yes, like the price of broadcloth, in a sense."

Mei frowned at him in thought but did not ask for him to elaborate. She made a nod to the right at a fork in the road but didn't say anything else.

As their walk continued, Kakashi noticed the part of town they had just entered. They were nearing the power station when a man with graying blue hair strolled down the street opposite them. He gave Kakashi two hand signals before turning down an alley and disappearing.

Kakashi glanced at his wife. She didn't appear to have noticed Yamazaki's signal. Just the same, it would be best to exit the district before answering his summons. A few more blocks later and Kakashi cleared his throat. "Mei, I'm afraid I'll have to cut this walk short."

Mei blinked at him in astonishment. Kakashi interrupted her before a roguish smile finished adorning her face.

Seeing that look, Lord Hatake greatly regretted his next words. "I have to go."

Mei's coquettish grin fell like a stone. "Why?"

"I have some business to take care of," Kakashi tried to leave it at that.

"What business?"

"Stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Business stuff, listen Mei I really need to go." Kakashi gave her a swift kiss, not caring if anyone saw. Mei blushed as he pulled up his mask.

Then he was gone and Mei was irritated. She could have chased him of course, but Mei knew from experience that Kakashi was better at hiding his trail than anyone she knew. Former Hunter though she was, Mei estimated that she would have lost him within a few blocks. She'd rather not try it and prove herself correct. This way she could convince herself that she could if she wanted to catch him. Still the question remained, what was her husband hiding from her?

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Kakashi's grueling schedule continued for weeks. Between the secret project, jutsu training and sparring with Mei, running with Orino, swordplay with Chojuro, researching at the library, and tutoring Naak, the last Hatake was stretched rather thin.

Kakashi spent a part of each day writing out new storage scrolls for the following evening. Once he was sure Mei was asleep that night, he would sneak away. Meanwhile, Orino or one of the other guards would accompany Shun and Yamazaki to the roof where, together, they would attempt to collect lightning from any strikes they could channel their way. It was strenuous and nerve-splitting work.

One night, during another seasonal thunderstorm, things came to a head. Orino and three other guards stood on the rooftop, watching Kakashi and the two other lightning users through heavy rain. Orino was getting better at dealing with the rolling thunder but the sudden lightning strikes, even when he could tell that Kakashi was teasing one with his outstretched fingertips, still startled him.

From Orino's perspective, a bolt appeared out of nowhere, blinding him momentarily. He blinked away the shadow of the flash and wiped the rain from his eyes. Kakashi had his hands down on the waterproof paper spread across the table, the ink of the seal glowed brightly under his hands. Shun and Yamazaki lowered their own arms to assist if necessary. Kakashi turned his head to the side, saying something to them as the inked pattern dimed back to black.

Kakashi straightened with effort, picking up the scroll to shake the water off before rerolling it. He leaned it up against the others that were under a roofed structure that held mechanical equipment for the building. There were three finished scrolls there. Kakashi had harvested two strikes and Yamazaki captured his first bolt that night. Shun was eager to catch up.

Although Shun didn't completely trust Kakashi, the young Mist ninja couldn't deny the benefits this venture would bring to the Mist. Yamazaki's friend at the power plant had been helpful in making Kakashi's plan seem less fantastic and more attainable. The three lightning users were in it together now. The more scrolls they accumulated, the sooner they could proceed with more practical experiments at the plant.

A few moments later, after they'd set up another scroll across the table, a bolt of lightning came down to meet Shun's waiting hand. The young man was startled but, reacting at the speed that was typical among those with an affinity for lightning, he channeled the force of the bolt through his arms and down into the waiting scroll. Before the ink had begun to dim, he looked up at his companions, cheeks flushed. Yamazaki laughed at the expression on the man's face. Kakashi nodded approvingly, the rainwater dripping from his silver mop.

The Last Hatake's movements were sluggish, Orion noticed, but it wasn't too much worse than normal. Then again, the guard relented, exhausted was the new normal for Kakashi. He'd been burning the candle at both ends lately. He worked at night while also keeping up appearances during the day with the Mizukage. It was easier for the others to hide but Kakashi saw Mei every day.

Orino watched as Yamazaki spoke to his companions. Kakashi had already set up another scroll. They looked at the older ninja. Yamazaki gestured at the door back into the tower. Shun slashed his hand through the air and rain, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he replied. Kakashi looked down at the scroll he'd just unrolled. It was the last one he had prepared for that night. While the two others spoke, another guard approached to see what was going on.

Kakashi looked up as the other two gave their attention to the newcomer. All of the Mist ninja turned to Kakashi as he spoke. Orino couldn't hear the conversation above the rain but Kakashi had a single finger up. The guard nodded and retreated to his former position.

As the two lightning users moved to return to the circle, Kakashi, who was still standing at the table, quickly put his hand in the air. Immediately there was a flash and crack. A bolt came down to meet Kakashi's fingers and he rushed to put his other hand to the seal. In that fraction of a second, Kakashi's concentration wavered. The scroll exploded. Yamazaki and Shun ducked, the table taking the brunt of the impact. Kakashi was thrown backward onto the roof. The scroll he had been working on caught fire, burning brightly in the dark night as it rolled.

Shun was quick to scramble up and kick the burning scroll away from the other, completed scrolls. Orino's eyes were on Kakashi though. The Hatake had not tucked into a roll as he fell and now he was slowly pushing himself out of a puddle. Orino cussed and rushed forward. Yamazaki was already there, helping Kakashi stand. The last Hatake blinked at them, holding a hand to the back of his head. Orino was finally close enough to hear what they were saying.

"I'm fine," Kakashi replied to another guard's inquiry. "Is everyone else okay?" Kakashi met their eyes to check on those around him. Orino saw the bone-deep exhaustion there.

Orino glanced around to see Shun and Yamazaki's nods. Still, he turned to another guard. "Go get a medic." The man was off before a word of protest could be spoken.

"Let's get inside," Yamazaki suggested, not for the first time that evening. The older man was ever cautious but hard working. Shun's eyes were still wide with fright but he picked up the intact scrolls and headed downstairs with everyone else.

The group trudged into a rarely used meeting room on the floor just below the roof. The rain still pounded above them but at least they were inside and dry. Kakashi shucked his soaked cloak and plopped into a chair. Shun followed suit after setting the scrolls in a corner. By the time they were loosely settled, the medic had arrived.

She was short and thin, with a fierce bone structure that made her look like a hawk. Her eyes narrowed at Kakashi as she entered the room. The guard, who'd given a vague, muttered explanation about an experiment and a mishap, gestured at the three lightning style users.

The young woman stepped forward, her movements precise and to the point. She ran a glowing hand over Shun and then Yamazaki. Shun made a joke about the weather that made her smile.

Once she was finished with the Mist ninja, the medic turned to leave the room. Orino frowned. "Medic, we'd like you to check on Lord Hatake as well."

The woman stopped in her tracks at the words, as if she smelled something unpleasant. Then she turned on her heel until she was facing the lightning users again. With clipped steps, she strode over to Kakashi.

Attempting to ignore the young woman's behavior, Kakashi leaned to look around her approaching figure to address Orino. If she didn't want to give him the time of day, then Kakashi would ignore her in turn. "I'm fine Orino, I just over-exerted myself."

Orino raised his eyebrows, the picture of a mother hen. He spoke slowly. "I would feel better, if the medic cleared you." Even as he said these words, the medic's hand glowed briefly several inches from Kakashi's green flak jacket before she stepped away again.

"It's as he said," the medic stated, turning away as quickly as possible. Her nostrils flared. "He's just over-exerted himself."

Shun gawked at the medic, as if she was some creature that he'd never seen before. He knew that of the three of them, Kakashi looked the worst off, but she ignored him. She treated him like…like a Leaf ninja. His frown deepened as he looked between his new friend and the medic's retreating back.

Orino's eyebrows rose in an expression of surprise that could turn to anger in a moment. "You will address him as-"

"Orino," Kakashi whispered, cutting him off. The medic had already stormed out. "Let it go."

Red eyebrows furrowed over pale blue eyes, all concern had flown from the guard's face. He turned to one of his companions, gesturing with a hand, "stop her and hold her." The other Mist guard was gone in a second. Orino addressed Kakashi again, "I will not let this go. She blatantly disregarded your health when we specifically asked her to check on it. Not to mention her insubordinate attitude."

Shun and Yamazaki slowly edged out of the room. The pair nodded goodnight to the other guards as they went.

"And having her detained is going to change that?" Kakashi argued tiredly. He could barely keep his eyes open. This was the last conversation he wanted to be having at that moment. A warm place in bed next to Mei called to him mournfully.

Orino crossed his arms. "This has happened before?"

Kakashi nodded. "Not with her every time obviously."

"How often?"

"Not everyone fought on the front lines of the war Orino. Not everyone can forgive as easily as Naruto. I don't blame Mei's people for that." Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck, half to relieve the tension there and half to keep himself awake with the movement. "Can we discuss this later?"

Orino sighed. He could see how fatigued his friend was. This conversation would go nowhere beyond escalating into short tempered barbs. However, the Mist ninja was quite certain that if they didn't talk about this now, they never would. He met Kakashi's tired but determined gaze. Sometimes he hated his job. Orino nodded. "Get some sleep, after the medic clears you properly. I want to know, tomorrow at the latest, how many times this has happened. I want a list."

Without agreeing to anything, Kakashi slowly got to his feet, collecting his cloak. Orino stepped into the hall. Although he tried not to listen, Kakashi could hear Orino's barely restrained fury as he conversed with the medic.

"I'm not certain you understand the position you're in, so let me lay it out for you. We asked you to check on the health of these ninja-"

Orino stopped speaking abruptly as if he'd been interrupted but Kakashi couldn't hear what she said over the rain.

Orino's voice replied, louder than before, "he's as good as! And if you interrupt me again I'll have you pulling D ranks for the next year, do you understand?" After a beat Orino continued, his voice deadly calm, "now let me lay this out so that it's clear to you. If Lord Hatake is concussed, the first person who's going to find out is Lady Mizukage herself when he doesn't wake up tomorrow. So unless you want her to find out exactly who said her husband was 'fine', I suggest you go back in there and complete your evaluation of his health."

Kakashi cringed and sat, knowing what the medic would choose. He almost wished she wouldn't come through the door. However, the door opened quietly and the kunoichi stepped in with Orino on her heels. She marched over to Kakashi, flashing eyes avoiding direct contact with her patient. Glowing green hands came close to Kakashi, taking care to not actually touch him. She paid special attention to his head but after a moment, she put her hands down and as much distance between herself and the Leaf ninja as possible. She repeated her previous findings and slid out of the room without waiting to be dismissed.

Orino frowned after her but didn't comment. "I want a list," Orino repeated to his friend, eyes never leaving the door.

Kakashi shrugged, not wanting to commit. He stood and went to get the scrolls.

"I'll take them to the power station tomorrow morning." Orino offered. He saw the grateful look in Kakashi's eyes when he turned in surprise. "Go to bed."

Kakashi nodded silently and trudged off. Orino looked after him, frowning.

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The next morning, Mei woke up ten minutes before her alarm, as usual. The Mizukage sighed and stretched, leaning over to look at Kakashi. Normally her morning stirrings would rouse him but he didn't even shift. He was stretched out on his side, his hair messier than usual.

Mei smiled at his still form. "Kakashi?" She whispered gently. "I'm getting up."

Kakashi shifted onto his back, his eyes twitched but did not open. His vocal reply could narrowly be classified as a hum.

Mei smirked. He was terribly adorable when asleep. Still, business demanded that she depart. Since he didn't seem inclined to get up with her, she'd do her best to leave without disturbing him.

"Dream on my darling," Mei whispered, kissing her husband's cheek. "I'll see you later."

Mei didn't see her husband again until the early evening. When Mei did see him for their pre-dinner sparring, she grew concerned. He looked ragged, despite his extra sleep.

"Are you feeling alright?" Mei asked as they stretched.

Kakashi blinked at her. "I'm fine, a little tired. Why do you ask?"

Mei frowned at his answer. It seemed robotic, as if he hadn't actually considered her question but instead had answered on impulse. She finished stretching and folded her arms in front of her. "You look tired but I know you slept in this morning."

"Ah, well, I just didn't sleep well, that's all." Before she could say anything else, Kakashi snatched a rock from the ground. He held it up pointedly and asked, "ready?"

Mei reluctantly nodded. Kakashi tossed the rock and when it touched the ground, they began.

Mei and Kakashi enjoyed trading blows in their usual circle of green among the weeping willows. Few dared to enter the area these days but not because of the couple's taijutsu training. After seeing Mei's foreboding cloud and feeling their hair literally rise with static, even the most hardened ninja steered clear.

The three guards with Mei that afternoon stood by lazily, senses outstretched, as they appreciated the exchange of blows. Lord Hatake was better at taijutsu, they'd admit, but that only made sense. The Mizukage was a long to mid-range fighter by choice. Although Kakashi had the ability to maintain a long-range battle, he was better at mid and close-range fighting. Besides, these exercises were less about winning and more about improving themselves.

Kakashi took slow, even breaths, controlling his breathing as they continued the exercise. He was feeling a bit worn down that day, like the worn center of a hallway carpet looks longingly at its plush edges. Still, he was functioning and that was what was important. Mei needed to see him acting normal each day for their surprise to work. She'd just commented on his sleep, which wasn't a good sign. He resolved to be more careful with his sleep schedule.

While Kakashi was distracted with these thoughts, his kick went higher than he'd intended and struck Mei in the head instead of her shoulder. His mind snapped back to the present and he winced in sympathy. The last Hatake hastily withdrew a step, going into a ready stance until she recovered. Mei landed in the dirt and lay still. Kakashi waited, arms up, until she collected herself. Mei remained immobile.

Kakashi frowned, shifting his feet in uncertainty. Mei had done this to him before, twice before in fact. He got in a good hit and she'd played possum. When he'd rushed forward to see if she was okay, she'd kicked him in the gut. There was no shame in fighting dirty if the result was survival. However, theirs were friendly spars and Kakashi had rebuked for her it. She'd grinned cheekily in response. Not this time though.

"Mei?" Kakashi asked, shifting his stance again. "Mei, if this is another trick, I'm not going to tell you the new idea I had."

Mei still didn't move.

Kakashi slowly lowered his arms and stepped quickly to his wife. "Mei?"

"Are you guys alright?" Nariko called from her section of the tree line. The guards always liked to give them lots of space for sparring, just in case jutsu were thrown.

Kakashi waved them over before kneeling in the grass. "Mei?" Her eyes were closed and she didn't react to his call. He touched her cheek with a hand, pushing her bangs out of the way so that he could see her face. There was a large, red mark on the left side of the Mizukage's face. Kakashi frowned when he saw it, knowing that he was the cause. Still, Mei was breathing and under his touch she began to stir as the guards arrived.

"What happened? I wasn't looking," Kaiholo said when he ran up behind Nariko. Sho was still coming in from the other side.

"Lord Hatake got a hit in and the Mizukage went down," Nariko summarized.

Sho winced when he saw the bruising skin that marred Mei's cheek bone and traveled farther up into her hair above her ear.

"Ah, spousal abuse, I've seen it before," Kaiholo nodded. His voice took on a mocking, sage-like tone.

Nariko rolled her eyes while Sho face-palmed in exasperation. Kakashi ignored all three of them. Mei's eyes fluttered open.

"Mei, can you hear me?" Kakashi asked, remorse soaked his voice.

"Ow," Mei responded, a hand going to her jaw. She tested it out, slowly opening and closing her mouth. "You surprised me with that one."

Kaiholo leaned in conspiratorially. "You don't have to take this Lady Mizukage. We can have Lord Hatake arrested. You just say the word and-"

Nariko tapped Kaiholo on the arm to cut off his tirade. "Stop it. Sparring is not abuse so quit joking about it." She refocused on her Mizukage. "Are you alright Lady Fifth?"

Mei nodded. Kakashi gave her hand a squeeze and she turned to him. "I'm fine, really." Then she laughed at his expression, even though the reaction made her jaw throb. "Now quit it with that puppy-in-the-rain look. You'll make small children cry."

Kakashi wiped all expression from his face. He resented being told that he looked like a puppy, no matter how adorable and sympathetic it made him appear. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Mei resisted rolling her eyes as she stood. Her husband really did overreact sometimes. Practice fighting can end in injury, every academy student knew that. "Besides the pounding in my head? Yes, I'm fine. I would like to swing by and see Miki before we head to dinner, just in case."

Kakashi nodded, glued to his wife's side. "I think that's a good plan."

Nariko dismissed herself and the other guards. They returned to their positions, giving the couple privacy without letting them out of their sight as they re-entered the village proper. According to the usual schedule, it would be dinner after this and then possibly jutsu training and reading. Nariko, Sho, and Kaiholo followed the pair like the lengthening shadows that stretched across the village.

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"I have a new idea," Kakashi said after dinner as the couple walked out to their area of the training grounds. They had continued to jutsu train there in the evenings, despite Kakashi's more recent and random disappearances.

"Oh?" Mei asked. Kakashi was always coming up with a different way to manipulate their new technique, convinced it could be improved upon. "Are you sure? You've been hitting the books pretty hard again today and I'm still not convinced I didn't get you sick." Not to mention his misstep during their spar earlier.

Normally the Mizukage would have brushed off the inconsistency but this was slowly becoming a pattern. Mei glanced at Kakashi again, trying to see him with fresh eyes. What she saw concerned her. His eyes were a little too wide, the ghosts of missed dreams darkening the skin beneath them. She couldn't help but ask, "have you been sleeping well? Besides last night I mean?"

Kakashi shrugged her comment off.

Mei dug her feet in, physically stopping to get his attention. He turned back to look at her. Miki hadn't healed Mei completely and the bruise was still yellow, giving Mei a two-toned face. "Kakashi, we won't be practicing anything unless you can tell me how much sleep you got last night."

"I told you I didn't sleep well," he tried to defend.

Mei's green eyes flashed at her husband; that wasn't an answer.

Kakashi blinked at her slowly to give himself time. He did some quick math in his head to come up with a credible number but then stopped. Lies wouldn't help him now. He gave her the best estimate he had. "I don't know, two hours?"

Mei seemed to inflate slightly, anger filling her entire form. Mei turned on her heel. "We're going home."

"You just said that we'd practice if I told you!" Kakashi protested, trailing after Mei's hurried steps.

"I said no such thing," Mei snapped back. "And you're too observant to make that passing mistake. You're sleep deprived and your chakra has got to be low."

"I'm fine," Kakashi cried. He was starting to feel like a broken record. Why would no one listen?

"You are not fine. We're going home." Mei began marching back to the heart of the village. Kakashi quickened his step to keep up with her angry pace. He took a breath to say something else but Mei rounded on him, putting a single pointed finger to his chest. "Don't make me get Miki to put you into a medically-induced coma. We're going home and taking the night off."

Kakashi was about to get upset but then his eyes caught on the sight of his wife's bruised face. He let his anger go in a rush. The Leaf ninja mentally took a step back from the situation and realized he was being a little irrational. Mei was right, although he refused to admit it out loud.

Resigning himself to his fate, Kakashi walked at Mei's side back to the village. As they stepped into the tower, one of the guards stationed there almost commented on their early return but Mei's look silenced him. Behind her, Kakashi signaled that he wouldn't be doing any lightning collecting that night. He had a feeling that Mei wasn't going to let him out of her sight. Much like how he'd kidnapped her the other day when she'd been sick, he was now her prisoner.

Back in their room, Kakashi was instructed to lay out on the bed. "What are you doing?" Kakashi asked as Mei pulled a dusty, brand new book from her shelf.

"I'm helping you relax," Mei said as she cracked the book open. "A doctor I had years ago said I should try this." She frowned at the book. "I'm going to," Mei tried not to cringe as she spoke the next part, "massage your feet." Kakashi blinked at her but then she shoved a pillow at him. "You can lay on your stomach and hold that if you like. It might be more comfortable." She began flipped through pages of the volume.

Kakashi slowly pulled the pillow to his chest and rolled onto his stomach. He was more than a little confused. "I hope you realize how much willpower it's taking to trust you to do this." His toes unconsciously curled in.

"I hope you realize how much willpower it's taking to touch your feet," Mei said as she flipped another page.

You haven't even touched them yet, Kakashi thought indignantly. But then a sudden bang like a thunderclap made him jump. Mei had thrown the book. I must be more tired than I thought.

"I'm just going to wing it," Mei declared, grabbing a bottle of hand lotion from the bathroom. "From what I can see, it doesn't matter which part of your foot I go after. I could work on the whole thing and it's bound to make something better." She scooted closer to Kakashi on the bed and eyed his feet with distaste.

"You know Mei, you don't have to do this. I'm perfectly relaxed," Kakashi said. His feet inched themselves away from her as if they were independent of the Leaf ninja's legs.

Mei steeled her nerves. Her hand reached out and snatched one of Kakashi's feet. "It'll be like that time I massaged your scalp, remember?"

"You mean the time you gave me a concussion?" Kakashi teased but his sentence ended with a sharp intake of breath. Mei popped his big toe knuckle a little harder than was necessary. She proceeded down the line until she'd popped each toe.

"Oops," Mei said, glancing at the book that now lay on the floor. "I think that said something about how I was supposed to 'greet the foot' before starting. Oh well."

"You seem a little more cheerful about this than you should be," Kakashi muttered into the pillow. He clutched it for moral support.

Mei moved on wordlessly. After the cracking experiment, she sandwiched his toes between her thumb and forefinger, one at a time, rubbing circles over the zone between the ball of his foot and the pads of his toes. This made Kakashi's whole foot tingle pleasantly. He closed his eyes and his head relaxed into the pillow he still clutched.

Mei was encouraged by this and pressed on. When she began rubbing the arch of her husband's foot with her thumbs, his whole body relaxed in a way she'd rarely seen. Instead of a bundle of tense muscles, the famous Copy Ninja was now made of gelatin. Gelatin that was quickly becoming one with the mattress.

Mei pressed tiny circles into the hard calluses of her husband's heel. Her thumbs traced the tendons on the top of his foot. When she ran out of ideas, she switched to the other foot and repeated the process. If she thought of something new, she switched back to briefly give the first foot the same treatment.

It was unclear to Mei when her husband fell asleep. His moans of appreciation turned to deep sighs until they became the steady, even breathing she knew so well.

When she was finished, Mei rushed to the bathroom to wash her hands free of lotion and foot residue. The Mizukage loved her husband and that love included his feet. Nonetheless, she still found feet detestable at the best of times. She briefly considered a shower before brushing the idea aside as irrational. Instead she reduced the lighting in the room down to the single lamp next to her bed. She climbed under the sheets next to her, now insensible, husband to read until she was tired. The Mizukage wasn't reading long.

Before turning out the light to sleep herself, Mei took one last look at Kakashi. He was still dead to the world. His jaw was slack and a little drool dampened his pillowcase. Mei gently ran a hand through his silver locks. He didn't stir.

With a satisfied smirk, Mei hoisted herself up and turned the light off. Good night Kakashi.

That night there was a thunderstorm but no one was on top of the Tower to collect any lightning. No guards scratched at the Mizukage's door to get Kakashi's attention. Orino spoke to the ninja that reported to help. Nobody argued that they were all in need of a break. Everyone had been working hard to do something great for the Mist Village, even though some of them were at a loss as to what that greatness would entail. Soon enough, Kakashi's plan would be revealed in full, but not that night.

Author's Notes:

1. Thank you all for reading this story. I hope you're enjoying it.

2. Thank you to DimiGex and MGB for their continued support.

3. Happy September!