A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Tsuyna, Dobbyhasnomastr, Guest, SquareMom, Miss Laury, and U3fan. Thanks so much everyone! It's the best feeling to check my notifications throughout the day and see all of your reviews! :)


...return immediately to Konoha. I conferred with Shikaku Nara, and he agrees we should keep Lady Tsunade out of sight until her memory returns. I will examine her when you arrive in Konoha, and we will continue to discuss what must be done then. We have the border guards on high alert, but so far there is no sign of Orochimaru.

-Shizune

Kakashi spread his fingers, incinerating the message in a burst of fire. He glanced at the hotel's front door, but still no sign of Naruto or Tsunade. He'd prefer to give Tsunade more time to recover before traveling back to Konoha, but Tsunade had seemed better since she'd woken up.

Well, besides the fact that her memories were gone. But he couldn't deny that seeing Tsunade as she used to be intrigued him. She still had the spark that was only Tsunade, but she seemed softer. Not as harsh. He supposed that made sense, seeing as she didn't remember the events that had caused her to leave Konoha in the first place.

Still... he'd already seen a glimpse of that softer side on their mission. She hadn't lost it. She'd just gotten better at hiding it. And, somehow, she had allowed him—of all people—to see it. Which only made him wonder if—

"Contemplating life's problems?" Tsunade's amused voice in his ear nearly sent him up onto the rooftop. Tsunade stood a couple feet away, arms crossed and smirking. She still wore his extra—and very baggy—jōnin uniform, her blonde hair back in a high ponytail, and again without her usual pink lipstick.

Kakashi swallowed, fighting the same reaction he'd had yesterday. What was it about this woman wearing his clothes? Somehow, she managed to make even a jōnin uniform look cute—he firmly broke that thought off. "Ah. Good morning. When did you...?"

Tsunade waved dismissively. "Don't worry, I've been out for several hours. Couldn't sleep." Her golden-brown eyes darkened. "I tried, but I couldn't get any of my memories back."

"I'm sorry." He was, and not just because Konoha was in desperate need of its hokage. Not being able to remember twenty-nine years of your life... he didn't want to imagine it. Kakashi narrowed his eye at her. Had she been watching him this entire time? He hadn't done anything embarrassing, had he?

Tsunade's smirk faded, and her gaze grew wide and hopeful. "Maybe if you tell me some of my past, it will help me remember?"

An uncomfortable heat built in Kakashi's chest. When she looked at him like that... he found his willpower rapidly weakening. He cleared his throat. "Maa, I'm sorry. I don't think that's a good idea. Besides, most of your lost memories I wouldn't know either."

Tsunade's mouth twisted, and she dropped her gaze. Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck, glancing toward the hotel again. This time—thank the shinobi gods—Naruto headed toward them, squinting sleepily. "Ah, good. Naruto's here."

Naruto yawned hugely, but his blue eyes, rounded with concern, fixed on Tsunade. "How are you feeling today, Tsunade-baachan?"

Tsunade's blonde eyebrow twitched, probably at Naruto's insistence in calling her a grandma. "Much better, thank you, little gaki."

The last thing he needed was more bickering, so Kakashi quickly inserted himself back into the conversation. "I received a message this morning requesting us to return to Konoha, so we should pack up."

Tsunade only huffed, but he didn't miss the glint of interest her eyes. Likely, she was curious to see how Konoha had changed in the last twenty-nine years. Naruto, on the other hand, beamed. "All right, Kakashi-sensei! I'm ready to go. Wait till Sasuke and Sakura-chan hear about the mission!"

Kakashi pinned his student with a stern look. "Nothing about the hokage, understood?"

Naruto was already charging back toward the hotel, but he hollered over his shoulder, "Hai, hai, I know!"

When they finally left Mao's town behind, Kakashi kept a careful, even pace as they sailed through the trees. He kept an even more careful eye on Tsunade. But she seemed to sense where his attention was focused, because he felt the heat of her glare between his shoulder blades more than once.

As soon as the sun touched the tree tops, Kakashi halted. If he'd had them go at the normal pace, they would already be in Konoha. But Tsunade's condition being what it was, he couldn't risk it. He only hoped Naruto and Tsunade hadn't realized it. He flicked two fingers downward. "We'll stop here for the night."

"Eh, what?" Naruto exclaimed, and Kakashi sighed inwardly. His student scowled. "We could easily make it to Konoha tonight, Kakashi-sensei. Believe it!"

Tsunade's suspicious gaze darted between them. Though she tried to hide her heavy breathing and trembling legs, Kakashi wasn't fooled. But if he didn't want to deal with an irate Tsunade, he had to come up with a reason for Naruto, and fast. He rubbed his chin. "Well, Naruto-kun, I thought it would be nice if we took a moment to appreciate the sunset before bed. Sometimes you need to enjoy life, eh?"

Naruto groaned. "Of course, you think so, Kakashi-sensei. Who cares about sunsets?"

"Maa, I do. Let's go." Kakashi leaped down, and surprisingly, Tsunade followed without objection. Even stranger, she had a slight smile.

However, Tsunade's unexpected good mood faded after they set up camp and Kakashi again refused to tell her any of her past. His fingers tightened on the worn cover of Icha Icha Paradise as he met Tsunade's annoyed glare across the campfire. "I can't."

"At least tell me about Nawaki." Tsunade's golden-brown eyes begged him. "How is he? Does he have a team of his own yet?"

Kakashi's stomach churned, and he had to look away. Why was fate so cruel? He couldn't even imagine if he had to go through Obito's and Rin's deaths again. "I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama."

"You're more stubborn than Jiraiya," Tsunade muttered. Her lips pressed together, and she stared off into the trees. "Fine." She stood and started off into the forest at a clipped pace, tossing a parting remark over her shoulder. "I'll return later. Don't wait up."

Kakashi watched her go, and sighed at the hollow feeling in his chest. Well. Had he really expected "younger" Tsunade to be any easier to deal with than the Tsunade he'd been with the past few weeks?

Naruto crunched on his rations as he, too, watched Tsunade leave, forehead furrowed in concern. "I hope Tsunade-baachan gets her memory back soon."

"Hai." But when she did, when she had to relive the trauma of Nawaki's and Dan's deaths, what would happen? Kakashi lifted Icha Icha Paradise to continue reading, but he couldn't focus on the page. Too many other thoughts assailed his mind. Besides, he hadn't been able to enjoy Icha Icha since... that night.

Midnight approached, and still Tsunade hadn't returned. Kakashi had long ago given up pretending to read his Icha Icha, and instead sat in a tense silence. It might have been peaceful, except for Naruto's snores. Finally, Kakashi couldn't stand it any longer. Tsunade wouldn't appreciate an intrusion on whatever she was doing, but as far as he was concerned, she didn't have to know he'd come to look for her. He'd make sure she was all right, then return to camp. He prided himself on his ability to move unseen, after all.

Kakashi slipped into the trees, all senses on high alert. Once Naruto's snores began to fade, he honed in on the sounds of nighttime forest. Leaves, rustling in the slight breeze, an owl, swooping among the branches, and... crying. He froze, pulse jumping in his throat. Not just crying, but deep, brokenhearted sobbing.

Tsunade.

He approached cautiously, and stopped well into the shadows of the trees. Tsunade was crumpled on her knees at a small stream bank, face buried in her hands as her shoulders shook with sobs. "Nawaki... why? Why couldn't I make it in time?"

A painful vice clamped around Kakashi's chest. She must have gotten some of her memories back. He doubted she wanted company, but instead of silently leaving, something compelled him a few steps forward. Tsunade seemed so small and vulnerable; a feeling he had experienced more than he cared to admit. He stopped behind the nearest trunk, hesitating. He knew what it was to be alone in grief, and he wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially Tsunade. But he, for all his experience in trauma, knew nothing of comforting others. In all likelihood, he would just make things worse.

Or, he could quit being a coward and offer Tsunade what he'd never had. Kakashi stepped out from behind the tree, and cautiously sat cross-legged next to Tsunade. "I, ah, couldn't help but overhear. I'm sorry."

Tsunade's mouth compressed, and she viciously tore at the grass beside her knee. "I—I thought I wanted my memories back." She sniffled, fisting the grass with both hands. "It was my fault, you know. He was caught in an explosion. I heard it, but I... I couldn't get there in time. He was already gone."

Kakashi closed his eyes, fighting the images of Obito's dying face; of his hand plunging through Rin's heart. "Maa, it wasn't your fault. Sometimes... things just happen. Things you can't control."

If only he believed his own words. But no, he deserved to live with the guilt he felt every day. Because in his case... it was his fault.

Tsunade shook her head fiercely. "I am the best medical-nin in Konoha. I could have saved him, if only—if only I'd been there." She shot him a glare, eyes watery and red-rimmed. "Why are you even here? You couldn't possibly understand."

Kakashi stared at the gurgling stream, water glistening in the moonlight. He'd never voluntarily told his past to anyone. But he would do anything to ease the ache in Tsunade's heart, and to show her that he did understand. "When I was twelve, my teammate saved my life on a mission—sacrificing himself in the process. A month later, my other teammate took a blow that I meant for the enemy, killing herself by my hand. After that, I took a position in the Anbu, and my sensei gave me the task of protecting his pregnant wife. But I failed him too, and he and his wife were killed." Kakashi lowered his chin, swallowing past the tightness in his throat. Even so, finally speaking the past after fifteen years felt…freeing. "Sometimes, I still can't live with myself. But life goes on."

Tsunade was watching him silently, a tear tracing down her cheek. He met her gaze, and saw his own grief reflected there. She understood, just as he understood her. "Thank you... for telling me."

Kakashi offered a nod. Tsunade's slender hand slid into his gloved one, sending a tingle up his arm. He stiffened, unable to decipher what—He mentally shook himself as he realized the gesture for what it was. She needed comfort, and if he were honest, so did he. He tightened his fingers around hers, and they sat silently by the stream bank until the early hours of morning.


They reached Konoha before the sun had risen above the rooftops. Kakashi glanced at Tsunade out of the corner of his eye as they wandered down the darkened streets. Where could she stay that would keep her out of sight?

Unfortunately, only one answer came to mind.

No one had stepped foot in his apartment in years, let alone stayed there. Kakashi jammed his hands in his pockets. Not that he had much choice in the matter. It seemed he was going to be stuck with a roommate for the next few days. Though, strangely, the idea of a roommate didn't seem as bad as it might have earlier.

"It's good to be back!" Naruto stretched his arms above his head. "Kakashi-sensei, can I go find Sakura-chan and Sasuke?"

"Ay, go ahead, Naruto-kun." Kakashi watched the student take off in the direction of the hospital, all too aware that he was now alone with Tsunade. She'd been quiet and despondent since remembering Nawaki's death, and he couldn't blame her. From what he'd gathered, that was the only memory she'd been able to recover, and it had taken a lot of effort. If that was what she had to do for all twenty-nine years of memory...

"So, where are we going?" Tsunade asked as they walked toward his apartment. Her voice rasped, as if her throat was raw.

"Maa, well..." Kakashi stopped in front of his apartment building. Several of his fellow shinobi lived here as well, and he pushed down his urgency to get inside before any of them saw him with Tsunade. "I was thinking you could stay at my apartment. Since, ah, you should stay out of sight until your memory returns."

Tsunade stared at the three-story building in front of them, expressionless. "This is your apartment?"

"Hai." Kakashi decided that was as close to an agreement as he was going to get, so he started up the stairs on the left side. "This way."

As soon as he set his hand on the door knob, he regretted not sending Pakkun ahead to tidy things up a bit. Not that he was messy like Asuma, but he was pretty sure he'd left some dishes in the sink. And there was probably dog hair on the couch. All in all, not the impression he wanted to give the hokage.

Or... Tsunade.

Just open the door. Kakashi shoved the door open, and extended an arm for Tsunade to enter first. "Ah, welcome to my home."

Tsunade walked in, and Kakashi followed her, trying not to fidget. He scratched the back of his neck as she took the sparse living room and connected kitchen. "Maa, I know it's not much, but it'll just be for a little while."

Tsunade faced him, eyebrows furrowed with... suspicion? "Is that the only bedroom?"

Kakashi's gaze darted to the open doorway leading into his room, even though he knew that it was, in fact, the only bedroom. "Well... hai." At the thunderous expression on Tsunade's face, he immediately knew he'd said the wrong thing. "I—I mean, it is the only bedroom, but it's yours. I intend to take the couch."

"Oh. I... um, never mind." Tsunade's cheeks flushed and she cleared her throat. "Thank you, Kakashi-san. For letting me stay here."

Kakashi could feel his own face burning. He needed to get out of here. "Maa, it's no trouble." He rubbed his masked chin. "Make yourself at home. I have to go attend to a few things." Like meeting with Shizune and Shikaku Nara to figure out what they were going to do.

Tsunade only nodded. Grief and exhaustion hung over her like a cloud, so Kakashi ducked out before he did or said something he regretted. She probably wanted some alone time to grieve for Nawaki, anyway.

Kakashi made his way to the hokage's building. Shizune and Shikaku were already waiting for him in the hokage's office. He offered them both a nod, and shut the door behind him. Even though she'd only been hokage a few weeks, the office felt strange and empty without Tsunade sitting at her desk.

He gave them the rundown of the mission, what he knew of Orochimaru and Zabuki, and finally, Tsunade's memory loss. "It seems to take a lot of effort to bring back just days of memory. It could take months for her to recover all of it."

Shikaku tapped his chin thoughtfully. "You say this chakra-absorbing seal is the likely cause?"

"Hai." Kakashi fisted his hands in his pockets. "Is Jiraiya-san available? He may be able to figure out a way to remove the seal."

Shikaku grunted. "I'm afraid not. He just left on an important mission. I expect he won't be back for at least a week. But if the problem isn't resolved by the time he returns, he could certainly be an asset."

Shizune was pale, probably at the prospect of acting as Tsunade for several weeks. "Tsunade-sama is very knowledgeable in sealing as well. I fear that if there was a way to remove it, she would have done so before her memory loss. But I'll come examine her, just to be sure."

"Of course," Shikaku agreed. "We must be prepared if it does take the Godaime that long to recover. Shizune, you will continue to act as Tsunade for now, and I will help you with any major decisions." His dark eyes fixed on Kakashi. "I think it would be best to keep this knowledge to as few shinobi as possible. Therefore, if Tsunade-sama could continue to stay with you for the foreseeable future, that would be best."

Kakashi couldn't deny Shikaku was right, though the thought of Tsunade living with him indefinitely made him uneasy. He was going to have plenty of opportunities to practice his self-control. Perhaps the shinobi gods had a sense of humor after all. They were certainly laughing at him right now. "Hai."

Shikaku cracked a smile, and even Shizune seemed to be suppressing her amusement. "Well," the jōnin commander observed, "I think we can all agree that you have the most difficult assignment, Kakashi-san. Try not to make her mad, eh?"

Kakashi took the opportunity to nod and escape the office. He ran a hand through his hair as he descended the stairs. Shikaku didn't know how right he was, though for a completely different reason than he had in mind. Having the woman Kakashi was very attracted to around every day... it would test his willpower, indeed.

He shoved his hands into his pockets. But never let it be said that Kakashi Hatake was afraid of a challenge. Kakashi nodded to himself. He just needed to treat his time with Tsunade as a mission. That would keep his mind on track. Everyone knew, in spite of his laid-back attitude, how seriously he treated his missions.

Confidence restored, Kakashi couldn't help whistling a jaunty tune as he strolled home. After all, he'd managed to conceal his feelings for Tsunade so far. Mostly. How hard could it be?

"Kakashi-san!"

Kakashi halted and turned, hands still in his pockets. Shizune hurried after him, medical scroll in hand. She caught up to him, panting. "I would like to examine Tsunade-sama now, if you don't mind."

"Maa, sure." The sooner, the better. Kakashi continued in the direction of his apartment. "This way."

Shizune quickened her pace to keep up with him. "How—how is she? You said the only memory that returned was of Nawaki's death. How... did she take it?"

Almost unconsciously, Kakashi's fingers curled at the memory of Tsunade's hand in his. "Better than I expected. At first, she blamed herself, but she did listen when I shared some of my own past. I think it helped."

Shizune stared at him in surprise, then blinked and hastily looked away. "That was good of you. Even with me, she never spoke about Nawaki's death, and that was years after it happened. I—I know Tsunade-sama can be quick-tempered and harsh, but... be gentle with her. Especially now. "

"I would never do anything to hurt her," Kakashi said immediately. Then winced inwardly at Shizune's odd look. He'd spoken too fast. "That is, I will respect her as my hokage."

"Of course!" Shizune's voice rose with alarm. "I didn't mean to imply that you wouldn't, Kakashi-san. It's just that... since she will be living with you, I wanted you to be prepared for things you may not know."

"I understand." Though Kakashi had meant to reassure her, Shizune only seemed more nervous. Was he that intimidating? Perhaps he was too used to traveling with Tsunade, who wasn't intimidated by anything or anyone. He studied Shizune from the corner of his eye, and mulled that he didn't really know much about her, except that she had traveled with Tsunade as her assistant. "If I may ask, how did you meet Tsunade-sama?"

"I don't mind." Shizune held the medical scroll closer. "Tsunade-sama dated my uncle Dan Katō for three months, though I only saw her a couple of times before his death. When he died, Tsunade-sama took me under her wing. I'm not sure why; perhaps because I reminded her of him. Anyway, I trained under her in Konoha until I became chūnin at thirteen. Then one day, soon after the Third War began, Tsunade showed up at my house covered in blood, though it wasn't hers. She was shaking and incoherent, so I cleaned her up. She then said she was leaving, and she wasn't coming back. I owed her everything, so of course, I went with her. I never found out what happened to her that day." She sighed. "Thankfully, Jiraiya and Naruto found us fifteen years later. Otherwise..."

So, Tsunade had left Konoha that day. He'd suspected, but... Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck. "Maa, that blood was mine. If she hadn't found me that day, I would have died."

Shizune gaped at him. "You? But..."

"We're here." Kakashi nodded at the rusted stairway that led up the back of the apartment. Maybe it had been rude to interrupt, but he really didn't want Shizune to ask about his relationship with Tsunade.

Shizune took her cue, and hurried up the steps. Kakashi followed her up, then stepped past her to unlock his door. Or attempted to unlock it, anyway. After his key stuck in the rusted lock for the fifth time, he was sorely tempted to just kick the door down. Behind him, Shizune cleared her throat, clearly trying to hide her amusement.

Then the door swung open, revealing Tsunade standing in the doorway and still wearing his extra uniform, though slightly rumpled. She huffed. "Can't anyone get any peace around here?"

"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune dove past Kakashi and wrapped Tsunade in her arms. "I'm so glad you're all right!"

Tsunade stood rigidly, making no attempt to hug Shizune back. Her glare over Shizune's shoulder silently ordered Kakashi to get her out of whatever he'd gotten her into. He suppressed a smile, and set a hand on Shizune's shoulder, gently tugging her away. "Maa, remember, she doesn't remember you."

"Oh!" Shizune smoothed the front of her kimono. "I'm so sorry, Tsunade-sama. I forgot, and that's the reason I'm here."

Tsunade crossed her arms a little too tightly, but she stepped back to allow them inside. "And you are?"

Shizune blushed. "Sorry. I'm Shizune Katō, and I am a medical-nin who was personally trained by you. I'm here to examine your chakra seal and see if there is a way to remove it."

Tsunade's blonde eyebrows lifted. "If I trained you, then I suppose you must be competent. But—" she turned away, revealing Kakashi's table covered with papers, all scribbled with medical script and sketches— "that won't be necessary. I've already confirmed that the seal can't be removed." She shot a narrow-eyed glare at Kakashi, as if accusing him of doubting her abilities. "What did you think I'd be doing while I was stuck here?"

"Maa..." Kakashi had no idea. But he was beginning to see how Tsunade had become the greatest medical-nin in the shinobi world. "Sleeping?"

A muscle in Tsunade's forehead twitched. "Excuse me?"

Shizune's nervous gaze darted between them. "What brought you to the conclusion that the seal cannot be removed?"

Tsunade turned away and walked to the table. She adjusted some of the papers. "The contents of the seal, in this case, a chakra-feeding disease, can't just be unsealed. The disease would then be free to run rampant again. The only way to get rid of the disease itself is to essentially stop feeding it, so that it 'dies.' However, that is impossible, as I require chakra to survive." She sighed heavily. "I've been trying to come up with another way to 'kill' it, but so far I have nothing."

A heavy feeling sank Kakashi's stomach, and he took a half-step forward. "You will find the answer, Tsunade. I know it."

Tsunade glanced at him, and too late, he realized he hadn't used an honorific. Her cheeks pinked, but she only said abruptly, "I think I'm going to go get some sleep. It's been a long day."

Without waiting for an answer, she strode into Kakashi's room and shut the door. Kakashi stared after her. Well, so much for retrieving a change of clothes. It seemed he would be sleeping in his uniform tonight.

"Good luck, Kakashi-san." Shizune stood at the door, her hand on the knob, and her dark eyes gleamed with a knowing look. "You're going to need it."

Kakashi blinked as the door shut behind her, leaving him standing alone in his living room. Why did he suddenly feel... abandoned? He sighed, and sat heavily on the couch. But Shizune was right about one thing: he was going to need all the luck he could get.


A/N: Obviously, we don't know Shizune's surname, so I decided to go with Katō. I know, super creative. XD


Tsuyna: Thank you! I will admit, I don't really care for romance in a story unless it's slow burn. And random, but I had the opportunity to go to France last year, and I absolutely loved it! It's a beautiful country.

Dobbyhasnomastr: Thanks for the review! I felt that certain things wouldn't happen without Tsunade losing her memory, so we'll see how it goes. Poor Shizune, lol. She definitely didn't sign up for this.

Guest: Thank you so much! Kakashi has his work cut out for him, for sure. I did feel a little bad about putting Tsunade through her past again, but she does have Kakashi this time around... so maybe it'll work out for the better? ;)

SquareMom: Ahhhh, thank you! I appreciate it so much. Yeah, Tsunade's definitely feeling something... guess we'll see if her memory loss helps or hinders. I'll do my best not to break hearts, but no promises. :) Ironically, the chapter I'm currently working on (it's several ahead) I've titled Heartbreak...

Miss Laury: Thank you so, so much! Your praise means a lot. :) Wow, 6 am? I'm impressed-and honored!-that you're up so early to read my chapters. You're definitely motivating me to keep it up! And you guys are so awesome, it's the least I can do to reply. I'm glad my story is making an impact!

U3fan: Thank you so much for the review! Kakashi certainly has the best timing, lol. Guess we'll see if he decides to act on these feelings... Regardless, I'm excited for you guys to read these next couple of chapters!