Hinata

When Kazuko came with a kitchen boy carrying our meals, I had Kakashi on his stomach, rubbing his lean-muscled thighs with my chakra-laden ointment. My fingers were sticky, and Kakashi was giggling in a way that made me think that the half morphine I had given him was more than he needed. Or he was extremely ticklish.

"My lady?" Kazuko was smiling, I could see the laughter she'd bottled bubbling in her eyes. The helper looked as if he'd swallowed a bug. He surely had never seen someone in the main house in such a silly situation. Kazuko motioned impatiently to the boy who set our platter on the dresser, the only place in the room with even the smallest bit of space.

"I have to finish this," I blushed then, realizing that to anyone else, it would look very strange indeed. Me, rubbing an older man, who was writhing on his stomach. Except that he'd stilled and gone silent at their approach.

"Of course," She entwined her fingers at her waist, "Is there anything else, my lord? My lady?"

"Did she just call me 'my lord'?" Kakashi asked his pillow quietly.

I glanced at her, and her cheeks now had high spots of color. She'd obviously been instructed to treat Kakashi as if he were already part of the family, and him questioning her, or worse, making a comment that sounded like he was unhappy with her service were both slights to a woman like Kazuko.

I shook my head, "Yes, please make arrangements for my father to come to us in an hour or whenever he's at leisure. Also, there should be documents either in those packed boxes from Kakashi's apartment or still there that he needs."

"They're in a folder. On my desk, or, they were."

"Could you find them for me?" I frowned at Kakashi's nude back, his yukata discarded so that I could work on the wounds. I turned, a smile ready, "We all have a lot to get used to." I said it loudly and cut my eyes back to Kakashi. "Thank you, Kazuko-san."

She bowed, and went to the living room to check the boxes that had been brought with Kakashi's things for the folders he needed. I finished with the ointment in silence, Kakashi obviously still nervous with Kazuko's presence. We could both easily sense her, and he never let anyone see that silly side of himself. Neither did I, but Kazuko...

"You hurt her feelings, Kakashi." It was a gentle reprimand as I stood, and he grunted, rolling to his side so he could face me, "She's our servant, but more importantly, she's both trustworthy and my friend. Being a Hyuga will take some getting used to, but please endure it." I bent my neck to him, still looking at his surprised face through my lashes. I straightened and turned to leave to wash my hands and bring him his breakfast.

"Hinata, I'm sorry. I never thought..."

"It's alright, though you should speak to Kazuko-san. She's the one who needs an apology."

I turned away, and went into the water closet. I took care of my business and while I was washing my hands, I heard the murmuring of Kazuko and Kakashi. I waited patiently for her to leave, and came back to find Kakashi still turned on his side, his eyes far away for a moment. I was strongly reminded of the day he proposed.

"Getting lost?"

He shook his head, then let it fall to his pillows, "I've never had anyone treat me with that much respect. I've led ANBU teams, diplomatic details, even been lead on cover missions where I was pretending to be a lord."

I hummed, no one really understood what living like this entailed. Not in Konoha, anyway. Even the Uchiha, the next largest clan before it had ended, hadn't installed the trappings of nobility into their houses. Coming onto Hyuga land must make others feel like they've come to an alien planet. Kakashi wasn't even from a clan at all, the closest he ever came to living like he was in some kind of special society must have been when he was in ANBU.

"What can I do to get you ready for the meetings?"

Kakashi sighed, a gust that nearly stirred the curtains, "Dressed, fed, and shaved."

"Uh..." I quailed again, and my fingers snapped together, "Well, that is to say, I am sure I don't know how to shave a face..." I blushed and tried to keep eye contact, but instead ended up staring at his lips.

They moved, and I watched them as he laughed aloud, "I didn't expect that, but I can teach you if you want to learn?" I shook my head, "Then I just need a basin of hot water, two hand towels and a razor. Shaving cream, and a mirror of course."

"Let's eat first." I smiled, relieved that he didn't want me to attempt that just yet, though I was intrigued. How much trust must a shinobi place on a person to allow them to do something so intimate with sharp objects. It was gratifying in a way.

I picked up the tray and brought it back to his bedside, sitting in my chair, "Can you sit up?"

He nodded, suddenly serious, but this was necessary, he had to get better, and that meant that he had to try and do things for himself. Besides, his arms were strong and uninjured. He scooted up and then sat by increments, making himself a pillow throne again.

He smiled at me, and I returned it, handing him a saucer of miso and a grilled saury. "Ikadesamasu." He echoed me quietly, and ate with gusto.

"Is there more?"

I nodded, "I'll call the kitchen." Then I giggled, remembering our conversation earlier, "I suppose I will have to learn to cook."

"That would usually be enough but the Ho..." He trailed off, "Tsunade-sama says that healing begins in the stomach."

"I'm sorry."

He just shook his head, "I just don't like thinking about everything that went down after Pain's attack. You were injured, too?"

I popped a morsel of fish into my mouth, and chewed thoughtfully, "Yes. Pain took an intense dislike to my effort to stop him from hurting Naruto."

"I'm glad I was able to come back. I really don't want to think I could be killed so easily."

"You died?" I set my plate on my knee, "I heard you were only gravely wounded."

"Grave being the operative word." He ran a finger over his plate to pick up the stray morsels, and I wordlessly handed him mine. I don't like fish for breakfast anyway. "I died. It was so awful. Not the dying, not even how it happened, just..." He ripped off a strip and ate it, "I saw my dad, like he was waiting for me. It was a disappointment."

"Seeing him?"

His brows drew down as he shook his head, "I liked seeing him. It felt good to get some things off my chest." He snorted softly, "I just wish I had one more time to see my mom. I barely remember what she looked like."

I could feel tears welling up, we'd both lost a mother at a young age. "Father says I look like her; my mom, that is."

"You do," Kakashi surprised me. "I remember when she came to the village. She'd come from the capitol, and everyone wanted to see her and the two others that came as well. A beautiful young woman. Just like you."

He handed me his dishes, and I stood to take them away. "Thank you. That really means a lot to me." I smiled, though I could feel the sting of unshed tears. I put the dishes up and took a moment to wipe away the pain.

"Shaving is next?" Kakashi groaned, probably trying to sit up straighter.

I nodded and went to the guest room, the room that would be mine, and grabbed a small framed mirror off the wall before depositing it on Kakashi's bed. I went back to the bathroom and rustled under the cabinets for any shaving supplies that grandfather may have left behind. I came up with a shaving mug with a stiff brush, a straight blade, and a lot of dust in it. I pulled drawers, not quite wanting to call any more servants to come to my rescue. I found a round cake of soap that was still in its box.

I showed him my bounty, "I had better clean the mug and check the razor, but I have no idea about anything else."

"You managed to find some real museum pieces there!" He chuckled, obviously the morphine still had him in a fine mood. "When the cup is clean, put the soap in, and add a skim of hot water. Rinse out the brush, but just bring it all over here with the basin and towels."

I did as instructed, and delighted in a scent I remembered so well. My grandfather scooping me up for a hug before he died. I brought the basin and everything else Kakashi asked for, helping him to arrange it all so he could give himself a shave.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to call the main house and get some people to start moving my stuff out here." Kakashi peeked around the mirror he was holding while he whisked the soap with his other hand, "Father should be here soon, and I'm going back to the house to shower and get re-dressed." I chewed my underlip, "Unless you needed me here while you talk to him?"

"I wouldn't mind." He shrugged, and I watched him sweep the brush over his cheeks, making them foamy, "But, no. I have to deal with him sometime." He flicked the razor through the hot water, and held it against his skin while staring intently at the mirror, "Getting Sai here is the biggest problem." He drew the razor at an angle though the whiskers and foam with a crinkle that made me stare.

He rinsed the razor and chuckled at my expression, "It's referred to as blade song. Sometimes we're so far away from civilization, and an itchy beard is just another handicap. So," He angled his neck and took another swipe, making more blade music, "Minoto-sensei taught me how to shave with a kunai."

"I'm going to find you some clothes." I felt suddenly awkward, this silly bit of personal information filing itself in my brain. Is this what it's like to really get to know someone? I had admired Naruto for years. He'd saved me as a child, and I'd always considered him as someone to aspire to. But, did I know him? I only knew what everyone else did. I was startled, and I felt a little more empty, but at the same time, a tiny corner of my life filled in. It was a strange sensation.

I could feel my brow scrunch, so I turned around, and let my feet carry me to Kakashi's boxes. I thought about moving them to the room, but for the moment, I just flipped the lids until I found one with his normal clothes in it. I selected the uniform, so to speak, of a long sleeved navy top with attached mask, matching pants and his hitai-ate. He should have it and not an eyepatch.

I brought it back, and laid the clothing on the bottom of the bed. I watched him finish shaving, a quiet moment before I had to get him back out of bed and dressed.

"Kakashi?"

He glanced up, "Yeah?" He touched his cheek, and examined his profile in the mirror. Checking for strays, I realized. I smiled in spite of myself.

"I thought of a way to get Sai here."

He laid the mirror down and flopped back into his pillow nest, "Enlighten me."

"You said you wanted Hanabi-nee and I to get jobs, if we could?" One sober grey eye peered at me, "After checking in at the hospital, I could relay a personal thank you. Sai-kun was very upset yesterday."

"It's not a bad idea." He nodded absently as he mulled it over, "Honestly, since this incident has probably put our Hokage in a good mood, he won't be keeping tabs on him today." He sobered, "But please be careful. Danzo is still a powerful man, and paranoid on top. Sai is one of his favorite targets. He will notice if he's missing when he's not supposed to be."

"Should we sign up as couriers? I wouldn't mind furthering my medic skills."

"I will leave that up to you. Sai should be idling in the Hokage's tower. If he's not there, he's at his apartment. He's not really allowed to do anything else."

He piled up all his shaving things and I put them in the bathroom to take care of later. When I returned to help him get up again, he'd already gotten a leg off the bed and gave me a sheepish smile, "Thank you for everything, Hinata."

"It's okay," I hurried to his side and waited for him to direct me. He held out a hand and I grasped it, and let him pull and maneuver himself. The massage must have worked better than I thought, since he barely even groaned. He untied the yukata, and let it fall to the floor. He really was nice to look at. Slim and fit with less scarring than I thought he'd have. Really, beside the lumpy bandages and red stripes decorating his skin, he looked younger than I thought.

"You're staring," he said quietly.

I startled, "S-sorry. I-I-I guess I'm still getting used to having the copy-nin in my home." My blush fired hotter than a teakettle, "Nearly undressed..." I bit my lip, I could feel my ears burning as I turned right around and started at the wall in mortification.

"Must be the same way I'm feeling about having an heiress in my room."

I peeked over my shoulder and he was smiling, but his eyes were on the gardens outside again. We both needed to work on this. Yet another thing we had in common. "Do you need help?"

"No..." He faced me again, "It would be best if I could do it myself. I'll probably need your help later though."

"Are you still in pain?"

"Yes, but you need to leave and get ready too. I'll live." I nodded and gave him a little smile before leaving for my room one last time.

Kakashi

After Hinata left, I carefully stretched, making sure to really turn up the churn on my chakra. I could feel it, satisfied and calmer than usual. That gave me pause, wondering if it was the serene surroundings or the young woman tending me. I settled on Hinata. For some reason, she seemed to have a knack for making me feel good.

I hobbled out to the living room, and dug around in the box of clothes for fresh boxers too. I wouldn't have wanted to change them in front of her, but they were crusty with ointments and dried blood. They had to go. Stripping out of them was the problem, as I simply couldn't get my back to bend. Well, I couldn't bend without feeling like I was back on that damned wall.

With clenched teeth, I yelped and could feel the cuts stinging and breaking open. I was going to catch hell, so it might as well be as much as I could get. I pulled on my boxers and then in the same comical crouch slipped into my pants. I straightened, all the while sucking air through my teeth, pulling the pants all the way up and tying them off before slipping into my shirt and pulling up the neckband. I smiled at Hinata's thoughtfulness as I removed the eyepatch and slipped my hitai-ate on, pulling it down to cover my eye.

Since I was up, instead of receiving people in my bed like an invalid, I flopped into Hinata's chair and tried to catch my breath. Not a moment too soon, I mused, since I could hear the front door open and close, Hiashi's distinctive gait coming into the front room.

"Hatake?" I heard him flip a few lids on my boxes, "Are you awake?"

"Back here," I called and waited for him to join me. "Thank you for coming."

"Danzo did not take the news well."

I snorted a laugh, "No, but this is the best case scenario now that I know more about Hyuga property."

The older man sat on the foot of the bed, not even flinching at the wrinkled, blood-spotted covers. He folded his hands, "I considered telling you to go find someone else to marry." I opened my mouth, but he continued, "Don't worry. I will not. I know this is important to a great many people. Neji is well taken care of, regular meals, exercise and even training. I will bring him to help you hash out the plans for getting him to the exiles this evening after full dark."

I nodded, "Thank you." I decided to broach another subject, "I am having Sai brought here today as well. He is one of the best men I know. In order to get all the key shinobi to Naruto, I will need them to break Haruno and as many others as they can out of prison. The confusion and subsequent security lockdown coupled with the wedding will make Danzo very angry. Losing Sai will not help. But it will keep him from doing anything rash."

"Yes. The announcement and recall of all jounin not on special detail has been announced." Hiashi grinned, "He will have to cover up the prison break to save face. I think you must be seen to be too busy to pull it off. When?"

I scrubbed a hand through my hair, "I'll let you know."

With that the other man stood, "Get some rest. Some boys will be in and out this afternoon moving your things." He paused, "Hinata has asked that her things be moved as well."

"That isn't necessary. I believe the other room was used as a guest room? Have your guys set it up as an office." I felt my heart flutter a bit. It was real, all too real, and more so each moment. "I'll tell her it's better to wait."

Hisashi gave me a look, "As you say. I think you will not find her as biddable as you wish."

I shrugged and then chuckled, "That's good."

Hisashi merely shook his head and walked out of the room. I waited for the sounds of the outer door closing and smiled again, pulling down my mask, "I wouldn't have it any other way." I stripped out of the shirt, but kept the pants, another visit to pain central could wait. I practically fell back into the bed's embrace and napped.

I woke a few hours later, the back of Hinata's hand on my brow. She startled, but her hand didn't move.

"How do you feel?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "I'm feeling better," I started. "I could use some herbal tea or something to take the edge off."

She removed her hand, "Sure. Give me a moment. Sai is here by the way. He's been helping us move your things. I spoke to your landlady. She says you owe her for the rest of your lease."

"I've lived in the same place since I was sixteen. You'd think she'd go easy on me."

She pressed her fingers together, "I reminded her that she's not allowed to force you to pay a lease, just a by-the-month thanks to the Shinobi law code. Then I kindly allowed her to say that she'll refund you for this month." Her fingers disentangled and she reached into her pocket, pulling out a check with the amount of my rent printed on it.

"Wow." I raised my brows, "You're just full of surprises. I spoke with your father, and you should stay at the main house until we get married. It's proper."

Her eyes rounded, "I'll go get the tea started." She put the check on the bed stand and she turned on her swift feet, but looked over her shoulder. "I will, if that's what you want, but I have a stipulation."

"And that is?"

"When my duties and yours permit, we eat meals together. And I want to go on a date."

"Done." She smiled and hurried off. I slipped my hitai-ate on and pulled it to cover the red eye that would remember how earnest and beautiful Hinata was in that moment forever.

Sai took her place at the bedside, lowering himself to the chair with his usual effortless grace, though he had dust marking his clothing and streaked along one cheek. I assumed he'd found all the dirt I'd missed during my marathon clean.

"Sensei." Liquid black eyes regarded me, "Are you healing well?"

"I'll be on time Tuesday."

He hunched in, "That's not what I meant, Sensei."

I reached over, giving the younger man a pat. The boy had lived without the comfort of another person's touch for most of his life, and I knew he treasured even the simplest gestures.

"I know. How are you?"

He straightened, "Nothing to report." He hesitated, his half-gloved fingers drumming an off-beat on his knees, "Congratulations. Hinata-san is an unusual choice."

Kami above, but he could say that again. "Thanks, Sai." I delivered it in the dead-pan that the comment deserved, "Have you worked with Hyuga Neji before?"

"I have."

"Good. He and you will be escaping sometime between tomorrow and Saturday. I have some information on the prison layout since I've been there a few times in the past. Sakura-chan is watched and chakra warded, but…" I outlined the plans that had been percolating in for the last day. Sai listened carefully, and Hinata delivered my tea, staying to make some astute comments and suggestions. Since she knew Neji's limitations, her advice was priceless.

"Neji-san will be brought up to speed tonight. Can either of you think of anything else?" The tea was spreading through my system, making me feel warm and a little spacy. They both shook their heads in the negative, "Then I am going back to sleep."

I woke again, this time to the sounds of Hinata and another female voice talking in the house somewhere. The curtains were the dark of early evening, and my stomach grumbled at me. I tossed back the comforter, and looked at my stripes. I felt better than I had any right to, so I chanced getting up without help. Carefully, I maneuvered to the edge and dropped one foot then the other. I sat up fully and took a deep breath. My back, chest and thighs were still throbbing fields of pain, but it wasn't unmanageable. I stood as straight as I could, and though it caused a grunt of discomfort, I was sure now that another day of rest like this one would make it so that I could dance attendance as ordered.

I made it to the bathroom, and then back out to put my shirt back on. I should have known I wouldn't go unnoticed.

Hanabi, the younger sister, stood at the door jamb, her large pale violet eyes were perfectly framed by dark brown hair that hung over her shoulders nearly to her waist. I smiled at her as I pulled on my shirt and pulled the mask up.

She shook her head, "You might as well leave it off, you know." She unnecessarily adjusted her haori, "Hinata is cooking. She sent me to ask if you needed any help."

"I'm fine," I said, "I thought Hinata told me she doesn't cook."

"My sister can do anything she wants to," Hanabi came back airily, "She's amazing."

I nodded, unable to stop my widening grin, "Then I'll just have to see if she needs help."

"She doesn't."

"Be nice, Hanabi!" Hinata's soft voice had a laugh in it, obviously these sisters were on good terms. "Come set the table. Kakashi, go ahead and set down, I'll be done in a minute."

Hanabi sniffed and threw her hair back in a shiny wave. I followed my nose to the kitchen to find several bowls and platters already set there and Hinata tasting a thick, golden sauce.

"Wow," I thumped into a chair, and looked at the dishes already set out, "We won't be able to eat all this!"

Hinata smiled, and added a large spoon to the pot she'd been sampling. "You're healing, remember? And I couldn't help myself!" Her whole face lit up, "Neji-nii will be here, too! I haven't seen him in months." Her voice turned tremulous, but her face was still set in happy lines. "I made curry." Hanabi smirked, but Hinata laughed, "It's not that spicy. He'll like it."

I watched them talk, and thought back on when I was Hanabi's age. I hadn't had a family. My father was already dead, I was already in ANBU and just learning to treat people with respect. I felt sad for a moment; at Hanabi's age I had just gotten Obito's gift. I was broken out of my reverie by the sound of displaced air and the scent of teleportation smoke.

Hinata and Hanabi abandoned me, but returned moments later with Neji. He was hooded, though he pulled it down before hugging his cousins. His eyes, a close match to Hanabi's, swept the room. His gaze lingered on me, "Taicho."

"Uh, no." I thought about standing, but my back did not want to cooperate so I patted the seat next to me, "Not a captain. Are you staying?"

He lifted a tactical bag, "Uncle brought me a couple changes of clothes. Looks like you have a chaperone."

Hinata clapped her hands together, and Hanabi plopped down in the seat that would be next to Neji's. Neji dropped the bag, and carefully settled in the seat next to me. He turned his gaze back, though, "You know if you hurt her in any way I can kill you."

Hinata gasped and I laughed, ah! Death threats and dinner. Just another day in my life.