My heart is pounding in my ears as the smoke clears. I strain my eyes to assess the newcomer. Spiked, silver-grey hair that seems to defy gravity. One visible piercing onyx eye is the only uncovered facial feature he possesses. I'd recognize him anywhere, even without his other eye. Kakashi Hatake on the Sharingan, otherwise known as the Copy Ninja.
"What are you doing here, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto's yelling does nothing to soothe my tension. The ninja in question appears aloof, as if he hasn't a care in the world.
"You're late Naruto. Who's your friend?" Even his voice is steel.
Naruto tries to push his way forward to stand beside me, but I keep my feet firmly planted and elbow him back. Sensei or not, I don't like the vibe being put off right now. Kakashi keeps his eye trained on me.
"What are you doing, Mei? It's just Kakashi-sensei." Just Kakashi-sensei. It's like this kid has no idea what he's capable of.
"Ah, Mei is it?" A soft lilt replaces the cool steel. "Yes, Lady Tsunade informed me we had a new immigrating shinobi. I apologize if I may have startled you." He pulls his hands from his pockets and holds them up with his palms facing me in a mock surrender. My stance doesn't falter. Naruto has gone eerily silent. Another beat of silence passes before Kakashi slowly drops his hands. "Look, you obviously know of me and I'm willing to wager there's very little you could actually do to stop me if I were a threat to either you or Naruto right now."
"While that is a valid point," I lower my own hands and relax my stance, "you were obviously following us and listening for quite some time." I can't say I blame him considering he knows next to nothing about me and I'm keeping his student occupied. "You are certainly a formidable and renowned shinobi, but I am an unknown in your village. Of course, your sudden appearance would be perceived as a threat," I snap curtly. The tension hangs thickly in the air.
"Uh, Mei? Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto. He's been so quiet that I forgot all about him.
"I'm sorry, Naruto." I take a step back and collect my bags from him, keeping one eye carefully trained on Kakashi. "I believe your sensei requires you. Thank you for helping me this afternoon." Turning to Kakashi, "I apologize if I kept him from anything important. He seems to have a knack for running into me."
"Yes, he's talented in that area."
"Hey! Quit talking about me like I'm not standing right here!" shouts Naruto.
"Come along, Naruto," chuckles Kakashi. "We have a few things to do today, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. See you around, Mei!" Naruto takes off running down the street. Kakashi gives me a nod before sauntering off after his student. I wait until he's out of my line of vision before finishing the walk to my apartment. Once inside the door, I drop all the bags and slump against the front door, the stress from the previous interaction making my body heavy. Checking my watch, I notice it's now almost 3pm. Sighing, I pull off my boots and set about putting up the groceries. At least I won't have to rearrange Iruka's cabinets. I pitch anything suspicious or spoiled and clean out the fridge and cabinets before refilling them with the newly purchased items.
Satisfied with my work in the kitchen, I move my shopping bags into my room. Iruka said not to get a wardrobe so I guess I'll just leave my clothes in the bags until he gets home. I guess I can catch up on laundry. Changing into a new, warm-weather appropriate outfit consisting of a loose-fit navy pair of shorts and a yellow t-shirt before gathering up my dirty clothes. Stepping inside the bathroom, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I go to throw a load of clothes into the washer. I'm still wearing my mask. I guess now is as good a time as any to wash it. I guess I should have bought an extra one today. Splashing some cool water on my face, I decide it would be best if I went through the materials Iruka left for me.
Settling in on the couch, I begin flipping through his course outlines. These are incredibly meticulous. I only bother to skim through concepts I know I have a solid grasp of—if I have any issues with geography after traveling a majority of the continent over the last several years, then I don't deserve to be shinobi. Stopping on a lesson plan titled The Shinobi Rules, I skim through the extensive list. A shinobi must never show any weakness. A shinobi must always put the mission first. I set the thick packet to the side, making a mental note to ask Iruka if I'm honestly expected to memorize all of these rules for a basic exam. Half an hour later and I'm feeling much more confident than I had before. Geez, how was he working like this yesterday? I've barely spent any time hunched over on this couch but my neck is already stiff and sore. Attempting to work out some of the ache, my fingers catch in my hair. It's a disaster from being loose all day. I pull my hair forward and try to untangle the knots with my fingers. I learned a long time ago that combs and brushes stand absolutely no chance when facing this lion's mane in the state it currently exists.
I've gotten about halfway through a loose braid when I hear the telltale clicks of a lock turning. It's only 4:15. I wasn't expecting Iruka to be back until closer to 6. Panic flashes through my veins for an instant, prompting me to peak through the blinds covering the window behind the couch. He isn't alone. That mop of yellow hair has to be Naruto and if my assumptions from earlier are correct, Kakashi Hatake will be nearby. The panic is really setting in as I realize my only mask is still in the washing machine. Bolting across the apartment and into the bathroom, I hastily sift through the wet clothes. Come on! Where is it? My hair has fallen loose and partially obscured my vision. If I could guarantee Naruto was the only one with Iruka, I could let it slide. But Kakashi Hatake understands the importance of concealing one's face as a shinobi; no one has ever seen the face face behind his mask and the only person that's seen mine is Iruka. I hear the hinges squeak as the door swings open. Aha! It's cold and still damp, but I'd take anything over exposing myself.
"Mei?" Iruka calls. I step out of the bathroom with a basket full of my freshly washed clothes.
"You're home early." He's also alone. Where's Naruto?
"Ah, good you're home."
"Wasn't Naruto with you?" I ask.
"Ah, y-yes," he stutters. "Your hair is different today." I raise my eyebrows at him. Is he always this easily flustered? "Never mind. Naruto is just outside with his instructor." So Kakashi is with him. "I know I didn't warn you about guests, I didn't really know I would be bringing any home until after I left today, but I wanted to give you time to get ready if you needed it." He furrows his brows and follows me into my room. "You know you don't need to wear your mask in here, right? I thought you were getting comfortable yesterday."
"I could spot Naruto's mop of hair from a mile away," I jest. Your blinds stand no chance of hiding that shade of yellow." I throw up a makeshift clothesline made of wire between my bedpost I and the window.
"Right, right. Sorry about that, but he offered to help me out this morning." I hum in understanding and start hanging my clothes out to dry. "I'll just go let them in." Not but a moment later, I hear Naruto huffing followed by a soft thud.
"How did I wind up carrying this thing the whole way here." He must've gotten saddled with carrying the wardrobe Iruka was telling me about. Guess I should go thank him, maybe offer to treat him to a bowl of ramen tomorrow.
"You didn't think this would be challenging enough for you, remember?" Hatake goads.
"Now look at you," chuckles Iruka. "You're all out of breath."
"I'll have to take you out to Ichiraku's sometime to thank you for all your help today, Naruto." I meet the boys in the living room, the older two turn to meet my gaze.
"Oh, I'll definitely take you up on that offer haha!"
"Would you mind helping me out that in my room?"
"Sure thing!" He lifts the massive wardrobe easily and I carefully guide him down the hall and into my room. We push it into the corner and make our way back into the living room. Kakashi and Iruka are seated at the kitchen bar.
"I'd love to hang around, but I'm meeting Shikamaru and the others for barbecue. See you guys later!"
"Thanks for your help, Naruto!" calls Iruka as the boy sprints out the door, leaving me stranded in the kitchen. There's a pregnant pause. Hatake is subtly glancing between me and Iruka. Iruka is looking anywhere but at me. Kakashi is the first to break the silence.
"When you said you had a new roommate, I didn't think you would've been this bold." Just who does this guy think he is. I mean obviously I know who he is but what the hell? He doesn't even know me!
"Just what is that supposed to mean?" Iruka demands. Good. I don't want to be on the Copy Ninja's bad side just yet. Hatake props his head up with one hand, elbow resting on the counter.
"Just that I'm surprised you're letting a complete stranger and a kunoichi at that move in with you." Well, he's got a point there. "I guess I should have pieced it together, what with catching Naruto with her on this street just a few hours ago and you being her sponsor."
"Oh, so you know Kakashi then," Iruka directs toward me.
"I'm willing to wager that there are very few who don't know Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan," I say in a clipped tone.
"We may have gotten off on the wrong foot earlier," he placates. "Again, I'm sorry for my demeanor earlier. I really didn't mean you any harm."
"I suppose if you had, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you right now."
"Alright, well this has been a fun little interaction. We won't keep you Kakashi, I'm sure you're a busy man." Two points for Iruka!
"Nonsense. You don't honestly think I'd willingly miss out on Yukiko's cooking, do you?" And no points for Iruka. Who's Yukiko?
"Is Yukiko the older woman that lives in apartment A?" I ask.
"Yes, we ran into her on the way up. She's invited all of us to dinner." said Iruka. All of us. Great. "She really is a brilliant cook and I couldn't possibly turn her down, but if you want to stay here I can cover for you." Thinking back to the kind old woman I met this morning, I can't help but feel guilty for even considering not showing up for dinner.
"No, if I'm going to live here I should make nice with the neighbors." I glare at Hatake. "However, you do not live here so you have no obligation to be at dinner."
"Just who said I didn't live here?" He baits.
"The apartment next door is out of commission and Yukiko lives below us. I'm positive Iruka would have given me a warning if you were to the occupant of Apartment B." He stares me down, but I refuse to crack.
"Fine, you've got me there." Ha. He makes for the door. "But, I was invited and I don't have to cater to you, so I'll be seeing you both at dinner tonight." And just like that, he's gone in a puff of smoke and gentle breeze of leaves. I throw my head in my hands and groan. I was already slightly dreading this interaction, but throwing Kakashi Hatake into the mix might as well make this evening a waking nightmare.
"I'm sorry about that. He's pretty much unstoppable once he set's his sights on something. You really don't have to go tonight if you don't feel comfortable." He really does have much too big of a heart.
"No, I need to go. It won't do me any good just sitting up here." Dinner is at 7 and it's just now 5. "I'm going to take a quick nap, wake me up around 6 if you don't mind." He nods in agreement and I head back into my room. My bags are still on my bed and my clothes are still hanging. Sighing, I quickly take down what's dry and arrange in neatly in the wardrobe before tossing the shopping bags to the floor. Sleep first, then I'll put everything away.