The study reminded me of every other office I'd ever seen, if better decorated. There was a heavy desk with a well padded chair and two matching chairs for guests. The man himself reminded me of the idiots I was in charge of, with his straight back, slight frown, and meticulous clothing.

He gestured at a chair, "That will be all, Kazuko-san. Please see that we are not disturbed." The butler bowed out and I sat on the very edge of a chair as the man started to speak, "Hatake-san, I hardly expected to see you here."

"I never thought to be here," I shrugged, "but I find myself at the head of a problem."

His brows rose as he came around and sat at the chair behind the desk, "A problem you believe I can help you with?" He chuckled slowly, "By all means."

"You've heard of the Lord Hokage's newest proclamation?"

He shook his head, "Nothing that would cause you concern, so I suppose you know something I do not. Please, do tell."

I rubbed my forehead, "My Lord Danzo will announce his plans to rebuild the village via marriage and eventual childbearing." Hiashi hadn't been expecting that, judging by the size of his eyes. "Which..."

He interrupted with a finger raised, "I wish to show you something, Kakashi." He mimed me moving my hitai-ate to uncover my sharingan. I frowned, what in the world could he want to see that for? Wisely keeping my mouth shut, I raised the cloth. Allowing the eye to adjust, I noticed that Hiashi was flush with chakra as he made some hand signs that the sharingan recorded and predicted a seal or a protective jutsu was about to be cast. It was both, if the sudden flare in the walls were any indication.

Hiashi lowered his hands, " We are safe, Kakashi. I will tell you a truth and then you will tell me one. " I nodded wearily as he continued, "I am not Danzo's puppet. I know you must have or are going to organize a resistance movement." Hiashi's bright eyes stared directly at me, "What did you come here for?"

"Are you telling me that you are resisting? I find that hard to believe."

The older man leaned forward, his menace was almost palpable, "I am protecting Konoha and my clan. I wish for that dirt bag to be executed or put behind bars permanently. I tell you now, I voted for your ascendancy. Now, answer my question"

I was taken aback. I knew that there had been some scuttlebutt about my becoming Hokage, and I can't say how happy I would be to serve in that way, but I would have done many things differently. "I support the fourth's son."

"Uzumaki. Yes, I am aware of all he has overcome, and had Tsunade lived for another five years, I would have happily voted for him. If he is safe...?" I nodded, "Then I support him as well. Is that enough truth for you, Hatake?"

I considered him. He looked angry, that much was evident, but I could see the touch of fear in his eyes that told me he was telling the truth. I took a deep breath, "Since you are part of the resistance, I should tell you that I have informed Naruto of Danzo's plan. Your daughter is in danger. Danzo means to marry all females, regardless of clan or station unless she qualifies for sanctioned widowhood or is under the age of sixteen."

He sat back, his face averted, and blew a long gust of air from his lungs, "My dearest Hinata. I will not be able to save her from this, will I?" I said nothing, which was answer enough apparently. "I thought not." He tilted his head quizzically, and I could almost see him putting two and two together, "She is not the only young woman left in the village who needs protecting. So, I ask you once more," He turned to me again, "Why. Are. You. Here?"

"I have come to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage." His eyes bored into mine, "Naruto feels that she needs special protection, and I can provide that."

"She loves him." It was simply said, and Hiashi looked toward where Hinata was still probably painting her toenails, "My grandfather had some interesting notions about inter-village marriage with shinobi who had high chakra levels. He was scorned, and died somewhat earlier than expected." Hiashi's lips curled in a way that made me believe there was a lot more to that story. He continued, his voice lowering, "When I first found that she loved the boy, I was furious. She has a perfectly serviceable second cousin that would make a suitable match. Then, I thought about her great grandfather, and how much I really love my daughter. The young Uzimaki would have injected some much needed fresh blood into the clan. Plus, I knew he had the village behind him, like his father did. Wife to the Hokage," he paused to shake his head. "It would have been quite a feather in our cap."

I rubbed my temple, being up close to yet another person who thought Hinata should have been with Naruto. My headache had little to do with using the sharingan. "It sounds like you're not against it."

"Since you wish to marry her, I will not stand in your way, but you will ask her."

I shook my head, and raised my hands, "I don't!"

"I cannot vouch for her safety with anyone I can think of." He sighed again, "Since I doubt very much that she would agree to marry her cousin, even if I could guarantee where his loyalties lay. She might have consented to marry Neji..."

I seized onto that, "He's gone, then? Naruto doesn't know where he is."

"Out of sight, out of mind." He folded his hands, "It was a terrible decision, made in a moment I regret daily. He's in our private cells."

I sat up straight, suddenly angry, "Neji is locked up? You have private cells where you've locked up one of Konoha's treasures?" I slammed my hand down on the desk, "Insane!"

"I am aware. Nonetheless, I cannot let him go now. If Danzo were to catch him, my chances to undermine his authority would dry up." He looked back over his shoulder, "If you would consent to help Hinata, I could help you with your...shadow problem."

That sweetened the pot, not that I had a choice, now. "I agreed to ask her."

Hiashi nodded, and touched a stone turtle on his desk, the room brimming with his cold chakra for a moment, "Now, when I leave, simply touch this statuette. That will resume the ward, and you shall have..." he paused, considering me as I met his eyes, "ten minutes to convince my daughter to marry you." I nodded, and he touched the turtle again. He strode to the door, throwing the shoji hard into its slot, "Hinata!" He called, his voice angry and loud, "Come here this instant!"

I clenched my teeth. Good thing I was trained to be a consummate actor. Otherwise, I'd be so embarrassed, I would have hid under the desk. Hastily, I drew the headband back to its usual place, concealing my sharingan and the flush I could feel climbing under my mask.

Hinata ran into the hallway, the speed I had witnessed at other times fully evident as she raced to obey her father. She tipped her head, "You called, father?"

"Hatake-san has given me some surprising news, and I think you should speak with him before I return." He gripped the girl's shoulder, "I cannot abide secrets, Hinata. Ten minutes, then he leaves and we have our own chat." With those panic inducing words, Hinata gulped and nodded, her eyes wide and full of confusion. Hiashi glanced back before he walked away. His face was full of love.

Hinata entered the room, tiptoeing to sit in the chair next to mine as her father slammed the door home. I leaned over the desk, touching the statuette to reactivate the ward. I gave her a smile, and she tried to return it, failing miserably. "I'm sorry for that, it was just a scene."

"S-scene?" Hinata stumbled over the word in her nervousness, "Wh-why would father do something like that?"

I had heard through eavesdropping and Kuranai that Hinata had not lived a charmed childhood, but I got the uneasy impression that she'd heard and endured far worse than angry words from her father. I sighed again, "We don't have much time, and I-," I drew a deep breath, "Hinata, what do you think of me?"

Now she was truly confused, her mouth opened and closed before she answered, "I? What do I think of you?"

"It will be faster if you just answer," I encouraged softly.

"O-okay..." she bit her underlip faintly, "I guess..." She smiled a little, "Well, Sakura talks about you being a pervert and always late, but I never noticed that when we've been on missions. I think you seem dependable."

My brow crept high, that wasn't at all what I expected. "That's..." I shook my head, "How about on a more personal level, Hinata."

She tipped her head the exact angle her father had, "Patient?" She shrugged, "I don't know what you're looking for, sensei."

I almost gave in to the urge to just tell Hinata to marry that second cousin, but out of respect for Naruto, I simply looked at her as objectively as possible. She was short, barely over five foot unless I had lost all perception. Hinata's skin was pale as fresh cream, and just as smooth looking. She was lovely.

"I think you are quite beautiful, Hinata."

She immediately froze, her face blushing red, "Wha-"

"I know you're a strong shinobi, and have a gentle disposition."

"Ka-Kakashi-san?"

"There is going to be an edict passed that requires all females and males age sixteen and over to marry unless they qualify for certain village benefits. Neither you nor I qualify."

She looked downright horrified, "Are..." she coughed, "Father knows? Why me?"

"Yes," I answered, "And as to why you..." I paused, "Does it really matter? I promise not to hurt you, Hinata, and to be honorable with you. That's more than many other women will get."

Her brows drew together, "How very sweet," she said acidly. "I am being cast off again." Her hand clenched into a fist, and banged her knee, "Do I have to say yes?"

I realized I had stepped in it, but, what could I say to make things better? "Hinata, you are special to someone I love. I could not bear to see you with someone who is loyal to Danzo or just a straight up creep. It would kill us both." Oddly, I felt my heart lurch as I realized that everything I said was true. I stood, pushing the chair over. I looked at her for a moment before dropping to my knees, and grabbing her hand. It was smooth, more so than any other kunoichi that I could recall. Her heart rate was rocketing as I lifted that hand to my masked lips. "Hinata, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I felt the material between us, and regretted not having removed the mask for the moment I had created.

Hinata was breathing heavily, and I thought she was hyperventilating, but she spoke gingerly, "Kakashi..." She tried to pull her hand back, but I grasped it firmly. "Naruto-kun..."

"He's not here. And until he arrives, I can keep you safe, Hinata. I promise that everything I said is true."

A tear slipped down her delicate cheek as she nodded, "I will."

I released her, and retrieved the chair, "I'm so very sorry." I grasped my mask and her eyes followed the movement, "You shouldn't have said yes to a masked man; let me be as honest as I can from the very start." Like ripping the scab from a wound, I revealed myself to her, and gave her an awkward smile. "I hope you weren't down for 'buck teeth," I joked.

She shyly shook her head, her gaze roaming my face, "N-no, Neji-nii and I were excluded."

AN/ the length of this chapter really says I should have pruned the last one... LOL Anyway, please review! I read each and every one.