The morning dawned gray and cool, the smell of rain coming over the mountains tickled my senses as I walked down to the Three Blossom Cafe. Hinata had come back with a place and time to meet before my big meeting with Danzo. When I approached, she was already there, a tea cup cradled in a steeple of fingers.
"Hey," I started as I pulled out a chair and slumped in it, "Sorry about making you get up so early."
She smiled, contemplating her tea cup, "I usually do anyway, and I'm glad, I really needed to talk to you before..." she sighed, lowering the cup to the table and raising her eyes to me, "Before we decide to tell everyone and make this official, I have to know." I raised my brows and she continued, "Kakashi-san, are... are you aware of Hyuga marriage customs?"
I shook my head, and she nodded, "We don't really make a big deal about it, and it's been family protocol for decades that clan business is clan business, no outsiders." She took a deep breath, "Divorce is not taken lightly, Kakashi. I will be your wife until you say I am not. I thought about this, and I think that even my father would be willing to divorce us as soon as he could, but..."
"You're serious," I interrupted quietly. She licked over her bottom lip, "You should know, I admit I had thought that I might just do what you said." I blew a stream of breath through my teeth, "I don't do the commitment thing." I looked away from her big lavender eyes, surprised to feel shame washing through me. My voice was small and miserable, "I wish Naruto would have never asked me to do this."
"What do you mean?"
"Loyalty." I signaled the waitress, "When I was a kid I didn't care who I hurt or why. Then, life happened, and I learned that there was more to living than just the next mission. I did many things after that might be confused for a lack of loyalty or even friendship, but those lessons are in my heart, Hinata." I shook my head when she opened her mouth to reply, "I thought about it from every angle; how could I escape? I doubt very much that I could marry you, stay in the same home as you, have a million and one conversations with you while in the back of my mind, knowing I would leave." A sleepy-eyed waitress took my order and I looked at my to-be bride, "Funny thing is, I was going to ask you if you were serious."
She tentatively reached out a hand, her fingers resting on mine with the slightest pressure, "You may have to be patient with me, but yes." Her gaze pinned me, "I won't hold you to it, not if you don't want to. If it weren't possible." She blushed and scanned the scattered patrons quickly before continuing, "I've never..." She took a deep breath and spilled, "I've never even dated, or been with a man, Kakashi. I haven't even.."
She closed her eyes tightly and I gripped her hand tighter, "I somehow knew." I smiled when she blinked owlishly at me, "I promise to be patient with you." The waitress wrinkled her nose as she drew near with our plates. She probably thinks I'm a big pervert. So will everyone in Konoha soon enough. It was my turn to heave a sigh, "We're engaged now, Hinata, we need to make sure people see us together, and think we're in and have been in love for a while. Do you think you can help me be convincing? That may mean that we'll have to be embarrassed and do things a little quicker than either of us want."
She slowly nodded, her blush retreating as she drew her hand away, and started to pick at her breakfast cinnamon roll. I shook my head, how in the world could you start a productive day with all that sugar? "How can you eat that first thing in the morning?"
She rolled her eyes as she pointed a gooey fork at my black coffee and grilled salmon nested in rice. I had a moment where I wanted to draw it close to avoid possible contamination, but I leaned forward with interest when she spoke, "Did you know that in some places it's actually considered a morning pastry?" She snatched her fork back, "Oh, I'm sorry, I..." She looked down and away, "I spoke without thinking."
"That's good. I never want you to have to say the right thing in front of me, okay?" She resumed cutting her roll while I inhaled as much fish as I could before I had to go. Finally, I stood, and she followed me with over large eyes expressing relief better than any words could have. "Since we're in love," I smiled wryly at her, and she returned one that wobbled, "just follow your heart. It will lead you better than all the etiquette books in the library. Well, I better get going, can't be late to Lord Danzo."
"Okay," her voice was soft, but she looked closer to her usual self than she had moments ago.
Stooping over her, I lay a quick kiss on her forehead. With that business put away as well as could be expected, I moseyed over to the Hokage tower. It was time to lay out the proposal.
It was just a scant few minutes until nine and I was already up the stairs and waiting for the rest of the chiefs to come, and the Hokage to call us in. When the heavy doors opened, Danzo was revealed standing in front of the gigantic picture window that had shown generations of Hokage the breadth of Konoha. It was an inspiring sight. Too bad it was wasted on this incompetent jackass.
All of us bowed as our Hokage turned and seated himself. "Good morning," he said, his dark voice grated on my auditory canals. "Kakashi-san, are your plans ready?"
"They are," I unbowed my head, "We worked out most of the issues last night, and Hyuga-dono has the finished outline." I flicked my fingers at the man, and he laid a folder on Danzo's desk. Danzo flipped it open and scanned the contents. "Ah, yes, good. I agree that the honorable traditions regarding widowhood are upheld. I find much pleasure in the idea that the heads of government will get first pick from the eligible men and women."
It took almost everything I had to remain blank faced. He'd been the one that had told me to include that gem. He continued picking through the papers before he looked back up. "This all looks very good, gentlemen. I expect to see copies posted and read at all public meeting places and," he paused, "maybe a full page advertisement?"
The minions smiled and nodded. "Kakashi, a word if you please. Everyone else is dismissed." The others bowed their way from Danzo's presence. He, on the other hand, turned his hoary gaze fully on me. He tapped the folder, "I'm surprised you were able to deliver as quickly as you did. You weren't exactly working very hard on it yesterday."
"My Lord Danzo, I put forth the effort required. The work is done. As far as it needed to be for this particular meeting. As we speak, the others should be compiling lists and this way, we'll be able to get the rest of the village a few extra hours to find a significant other." I shrugged, "I'm very much hoping that we will not have to use those lists."
"If I may ask you a personal question?"
I bowed my neck again, "Of course."
"You went to the Hyuga compound after your trip to the memorial stone."
"Yes."
His voice sharpened, "What business do you have with the Hyuga?"
I searched my mind. I really didn't want to bring up Hinata right now. "I spoke to Hyuga-san about his daughters." Damn, I hadn't wanted to remind him about them, but it was the only reasonable excuse I had for going there. "One has gotten some medical training and the youngest is chunin class, and could be used as a messenger, or if she's as talented as the other, she could also get med training."
"Sound thinking, Kakashi. The youngest is indeed talented, and talent shouldn't be wasted. I will speak to Hiashi about getting her to the hospital for training." He smiled then, "As for the oldest, I'm afraid she'll have other duties to see to shortly. I want her to be given to me."
"I'm sorry?" I could not have heard right.
"Hyuga Hinata, the heiress. I think I should cement the relationship between the Hyuga clan and the Village."
Well, shit. "I..." I swallowed, "Hinata and I started dating a few months ago after the completion of an undercover operation that our teams were assigned to. I mean no disrespect by not answering your question fully, My Lord. When I got this assignment, I immediately thought that I couldn't live without her, and asked her to marry me. Her father witnessed it, and though he was displeased that we'd kept it secret for so long..." I ground my teeth, "I mean, you understand it's such a large taboo... Our ages, and the implied teacher-student relationship..." I sighed, "Love is crazy, but she and I are actually so glad, we had breakfast together in public for the first time just this morning."
"You..." Danzo shook his head, "You went and informed Hiashi about this project."
"No, sir. I just asked for Hinata's hand. I couldn't have borne it if her father had given her to..." 'ugh, you,' I thought, "anyone else."
Danzo smiled, always a dangerous expression for him, like what I imagine a whitetip shark looks like before it bites you in half. "Now, because of love, I'm afraid that I will need to punish you. Maybe a dose of the strap will teach you to keep confidential talk confidential. See to it."
"About Hinata?" I resigned myself, it had been nearly a week since my last beating. I was due anyway. But, I had to assure myself that Hinata wouldn't be touched.
"What about her?" The old man snarled, "She's yours, since her father already agreed to your request. No doubt she would say the same given the choice between you and I." I stood stock still, "Go now, before I find more lessons you need taught."
I walked backward, my head held low, my hands visible at my sides. At the door, I pushed it open and closed it without making a sound. I stood, and rubbed my neck for a moment before speaking to the secretary sitting outside. "I've earned some punishment."
Sai looked up at me, his eyes darkened with shared grief. "I can take him, Mikoto-dono."
"Fine," the secretary sighed, "I've got all this paperwork that needs transcribed, and whatever that project is... I'll have to work overtime to get it all together on deadline."
We both nodded, and Sai led me down the stairs into the bowels of the building. The cells for the most dangerous shinobi were down here. Thankfully, none of my friends had been caught and held here. The few that had been too injured to run were either home, having recognized Danzo - on the surface, at least - or out in the prison safely away from Konoha.
"How're you holding up, Sai?"
The young man shifted his steps, but otherwise showed little emotion, "I am as good as I can be, sensei. He only wanted to give me a few more restrictions that my seal will not allow me to reveal." I raised my brows, surprised that the boy had been allowed to say that much. "I tested some things out, and I believe I can still be relied upon."
I nodded, "That's good, Sai, though I've told you, I care too much about you to risk your life here. You don't have to help."
He smiled then, "Yes, I know, but I need to help too. Don't worry. I've given it a lot of thought." The cells disappeared, and we reached the interrogation rooms, which were heavily bugged and monitored. We stopped talking, and Sai opened a door that led into a stark room. It was lit with a few fluorescent lights and a very bright spotlight that was used to 'grill' a suspect.
It also had an assortment of chains and straps on the wall. Sai led me to the well worn leather straps, "Go ahead and disrobe, I'll send in Moreno and Shinzo." He held out his hand, and I clasped it, "Stay strong, sensei."
"Thanks, Sai. I'll see you soon. Please find Shizune-san, and tell her I've earned a punishment. I'll need healing, I'm sure."
I took off everything, since Danzo requires that all punishments be painful, not only in the flesh, but psychologically. I've been trained to withstand more than this, so, I just leaned against the wall, and waited for the men to come and get things started.
Moreno entered, and I stood, lifting my wrists so he could lock me into place, facing a blood flecked concrete wall. "Where's Shinzo-san? Why isn't the group all together, it's been so long."
"Hah," Moreno barked in my ear as he tightened the straps, "He'll be back soon. I know he's been waiting to see you again. Danzo's secretary called down as Sai left the office. Shinzo and I will have something special for you today, Kakashi." He patted the restraints before reaching into the cabinet that held a thick leather strap, a wooden paddle with holes drilled into it, and a nasty device the man nick-named Neko-chan. When he held the cat o' tails out for me to look at, I barely managed to keep from shivering.
"I get to play with Neko-chan today. She's going to make you scream quickly, I think." That she would. I've seen wounds inflicted by the thing, and it left vicious tears in the skin and even muscle. I was doubly glad I asked Sai to retrieve Shizune. "Ready, Kakashi? Remember, Lord Danzo requires that we all keep confidences for the good of the village. I will ask you to repeat this lesson for me at the end of today's session."
The beating commenced. I howled with the first stroke of her claws. I never really believed in being the strong silent type if no one else was around to hear me scream. That, and it truly hurt more than anything I'd felt outside battle. This was a special occasion, it seemed.
The whipping went on for a time, ten lashes, a break, and then ten more. When Moreno let me out of the restraints I'd never felt so relieved. I could still stand, though my back and thighs were a mess of bloody tears. That's when Shinzo came back in.
"Kakashi!" He greeted me with the devil's own smile, "We're not done here. Apparently, Lord Danzo wanted to make sure of several things before we let you go." He gestured with his chin, and Moreno slapped me hard across the jaw, knocking me into a breathless pile on the cold, dirty concrete floor. "Put him back up, facing outward."
I blinked tears away as the man jerked my arm hard, pulling me upward. He turned me so I was facing the rest of the room, and Moreno reapplied the straps to my wrists. The leather was slick with sweat, and it dug painfully into my wrists. Then they stopped even the small support they were giving, and restraints dug hard into the meat of my hands, causing them to tingle with numbness.
I took a deep breath, ready for some more strapping. That's when Shinzo went to the door, and bowed a slight shape in. Blinking hard to clear the haziness, I saw it was Hinata. At first we stared at each other. Then Moreno swung Neko-chan, and my feet scrabbled ineffectively on the floor.