Gaara's Keen Eyes

Kakashi woke up feeling unusually warm. He usually sets the temperature in his apartment low because he feels hot most of the time. One side of his body was especially warmer. The wide firm but comfortable bed also felt foreign to him.

He hastily opened his eyes and looked at the right side of the bed.

That's right. As of yesterday, I am now a married man.

He and Shirainee lay so close to each other that their arms were touching.

He savored the moment of waking up beside his wife for the first time. Her mouth was slightly open. If it was another person, Kakashi was sure it would look unsightly. But it was Shirainee and unlike other people he had seen sleeping with their mouths open, Naruto and Guy, for instance, she looked so alluring instead. Her slightly parted lips seemed to be inviting him for a kiss.

He almost did until he remembered how he had exhausted her the previous night. When he recalled what happened, he felt a very slight stinging on the triceps of his both arms. He took a mental note to wear one of his long sleeves shirt with a mask attacked. He doesn't know where else Shirainee had marked her stamp of ownership - as he would like to think of it.

He looked at the digital clock on Shirainee's side of the bed and carefully got out of the bed to prepare for his meeting with the other Kages during the afternoon. There was also some paperwork he failed to finish because his mind kept wandering off as his wedding day approached. As the Hokage, sadly he didn't have the luxury to take a leave of absence from work at this time to go on a honeymoon.

He dropped by the main Hotate house and found the cousins in the dining area pretending that they were not curious whether the newlyweds were awake or not.

"Good morning, Onii-sama, or should I say good noon?" Keiji was shameless enough to ask him in a teasing tone. "Where is your dear wife?"

"Don't newlyweds usually glue themselves to each other?" Hiromi chimed in as she sipped her tea.

Kakashi could not conceal his embarrassment. He was going to take a quick lunch before going to the Hokage tower but he now wanted to get out of the dining room quickly.

"Stop teasing the Hokage," Keichi reprimanded his brother and smacked Keiji's forehead.

He was looking on the pristine floor while thinking of his next course of action when a plain blue fabric with a silver embroidered logo met his eyes. He recognized the diamond-shaped crest resembling a sectioned farmland. It was the Hatake family crest.

He looked up meeting Yuriko's eyes with his inquiring ones.

"I packed you some lunch, nii-sama. You don't have to eat here if you feel awkward."

Hiroki scolded his younger cousin.

"You mentioning the word awkward only reminded him that he was feeling awkward. Now the situation is more awkward because of what you said Yuriko-chan."

Without knowing how to react, Kakashi looked around the room and noticed Naruto's absence. Good thing his previous pupil and now cousin-in-law is not there to add to the awkwardness of the morning after his and Shirainee's first night together.

Kakashi heard Yuriko clearing her throat so he looked at her again. "I also prepared and packed some fruits and herbal tea cakes that you can share with the other kage," she almost whispered in a shy tone.

Kakashi has his suspicion about Yuriko's kindness in packing him lunch. She might not be thinking about saving him from awkwardness after all. Her real intention is to have him delivered snacks to whoever she was crushing on. The Raikage and the Tsuchikage are obviously too old for her. It could be the other kage's envoy.

Well, she's still too young to be serious about love.

Kakashi nodded before disappearing from the room with a poof.


Shirainee slowly opened her eyes. She woke up feeling hungry. It is not surprising considering she spent her night doing a calorie-burning activity.

She winced when she felt a pang of pain upon stretching. Though she guessed she woke up so late that she missed breakfast, she was going to take her time preparing for the day before heading to the main Hotate house to dine.

Ah, the first day of being a wife and I'm already lazing around.

With a silly grin on her face, she turned to look at the alarm clock on the bedside table. Seeing that it has been two hours since lunchtime, she jumped out of the bed and ran to the en-suite bathroom to wash up and get dress.

Kakashi's meeting with the other kage must be over in a few minutes. If she hurries and leaves right away, she would arrive at the Hokage Tower with enough time to spare to prepare and serve the afternoon tea.

She knows that trivial thing such as having afternoon tea with visitors from other villages was not really done before. There were far more important tasks that occupied what little free time the leaders of different shinobi villages have. She could not help though but follow her parents' example.

Shirainee grew up seeing her father serving the afternoon tea while her mother preceded over political meetings. Her father used to say: "Disputes and problems are easily resolved when the parties involved are in an amicable mood. And having a good cup of tea puts everyone in a better mood."

After getting dressed in her usual attire, white dress with gold and blue woven belt, she quickly brushed her long hair, grabbed one of the hair sticks Kakashi had given her and fashion her hair in a half-bun style. With light quick steps, she proceeded to the kitchen in the main house and grabbed a large woven picnic basket.

She ignored Keiji's teasing and probing on why she got up so late. Yuriko seemed to have guessed her intention to serve afternoon tea to the kages. She helped to put a can of powdered matcha, cups, and other various tea ceremony utensils.

"Ah, ano... Onee-sama, if you need help I can assist you in serving tea."

She was about to decline Yuriko's offer but she has such an eager expression on her face that Shirainee didn't have the heart to turn her down. She nodded and grabbed one of the two baskets before heading out.


A giggle escaped from the Hokage's lips. Gaara and the other village leaders looked at Kakashi questioningly.

"I'm sorry but what is funny? I know that things are more peaceful now but the security during Chunin exams is not a joking matter," the Mizukage snapped while throwing daggers at Kakashi's directions.

With the unification of the five Great Shinobi nations, they all came up with a standardized three-part test. It is not convenient this year for the five villages to have a joint examination, though they are hoping that it would be possible soon. Suna and Konoha will have a joint Chunin examination, as what they have been doing for years now.

For the last part of the standardized Chunin exam, they had decided that it will be open to the public as usual and they were discussing security precautions and crowd control.

"Nothing!" Kakashi denied hurriedly. "I am just remembering the past Chunin exams."

The Tsuchikage chuckled. "I think I understand. You were married just yesterday so that put you in a much happier disposition."

This changed the Mizukage's mood for the worse. If she was irritated before, she's now angry.

"And I don't understand because I am not married?"

It was fortunate that before she spits out lava out of anger, someone cut the tension in the door with knocking. Keichi entered the room together with his brother, Yuriko, and Shirainee. Since the kidnapping incident, Keichi made it a point to accompany Shirainee whenever she goes out of the Hotate compound.

"Lords Kage," Keichi paused to look at the Mizukage. "and Lady Kage, Onee-sama, I mean Lady Shirainee wished that you continue your meeting over tea and cakes."

"Good timing," the Raikage pounded his good hand on the table. "This never-ending discussion made me hungry."

With the mention of the word "hungry", Kakashi's thoughts started wandering to what had transpired the night before.

People had often judged him as a shameless perv because of his love for the Make-Out Series but nothing could be further from the truth. He always had tight reigns over his lust. Not once did a kunoichi succeeded in gaining the upper-hand by seduction and it was common to encounter a scantily clad kunoichi. However, he had always felt appreciative and mildly interested but never lustful or uncontrollably aroused.

It was clearly not the case with his Shirainee. The things that Shirainee's relatives did to "aid" them during their first night together was not necessary. It made what supposedly an unforgettable night a hazy memory of him and his wife grabbing, groping, and clawing each other.

Kakashi's hand involuntarily touched his still stinging triceps.

His musing was interrupted when he had a whiff of the pleasant scent that has become familiar to him. A ceramic bowl of matcha was laid down in front of him followed by tea cakes on a leaf-shaped ceramic saucer.

Kakashi smiled at his wife in gratitude, careful not to show too much affection in case the other people in the room would feel awkward. She smiled at him demurely in return before serving afternoon snacks to Gaara who was seated beside him.

"Uzumaki Shirainee," Gaara greeted his wife with a nod.

"Kazekage-sama," Shirainee acknowledged before putting down Gaara's bowl of Matcha and saucer of tea cakes. "Oh and it's Hayate Shirainee now," she gently reminded.

Kakashi moved a little closer to Shirainee and whispered. "Aren't you tired? Sleepy?"

Shirainee's face turned crimson before she furiously shook her head; whether to say "No, I'm not tired" or "Don't ask about last night here" Kakashi doesn't know.

Seeing that every Kage, including their escorts and assistants, had been served with tea and cakes, Shirainee started to excuse herself and her cousins so the meeting can continue over tea. Gaara turned to look at her as it was the polite thing to do when someone is speaking. His eyes fell on a small bruise on Shirainee's collar bone.

The bruise was partly hidden by her dress' collar and hair. It wouldn't have been obvious if she did not slightly bow when she served him snacks. At first, he thought it was an irritated area because of an insect bite but considering the time of the year, that seemed unlikely.

He wanted to express his concern and offer a soothing balm from Suna but then he remembered where Shirainee was originally from. She may have a better bruise remedy considering she was from the Herb Village. He contemplated for a split second whether to ask after her welfare. She is after all the only living relative of his dear friend Uzumaki Naruto.

He decided to keep his mouth shut and give his undivided attention to the matter they had yet to conclude. What his brain had decided, however, was ignored by his mouth and he called out to her before he could stop his lips.

"Shirainee..."

Shirainee paused and turned to look at him. It was too late not to say anything now.

"Are you all right?"

Shirainee looked puzzled by his question.

"You have what looks like an insect bite here." He gestured to his right collar bone. "Are you hurt? Is that a bruise?"

Shirainee blinked a few times, seemingly digesting what he said, then her face turned the reddest shade of red he had ever seen on a person. She had drawn a sharp breath and opened and closed her mouth repeatedly. When no words came out, she started to take backward steps before bowing deeply and blurting out, "enjoy your afternoon tea!" She then bolted out the door as if her feet are on fire.

"Ahuh... ha... ha... ha..."

Gaara glanced at Kakashi who's laughing awkwardly, his soul seemingly left his body. He looked at everyone in the room. Kankuro and Temari were blushing as if his inquiry about his friend's cousin's well being embarrassed them.

"Wh-what? Did I say something wrong?"

Temari was shaking her head at him from across the room, signaling he should drop the subject.

Shikamaru broke the awkward silence by clearing his throat. "I suggest we continue with our discussion. We should plan the Chunin exam parts well so it will be safe, smooth, and successful that it will leave a mark in history."

He heard Kakashi whispered beside him, "Yes, leave a mark indeed."

Gaara could feel that the atmosphere in the room had become more awkward but he could not understand how or why.

Was it something I said?