I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 2
Kakashi sipped coffee, staring out and over the village. He sat cross legged on the edge of the Tower's roof. Midwinter's breeze did him a solid and flipped the page of the book he was scanning.
More than two years had come and gone, the war behind them. Peace was established, walls were rebuilt and families reunited. Bodies had long since been buried and memorialized forever on polished stone. The last war's loss of life still hovered over all who survived but gratitude of what and who remained pushed everyone forward. The war's conclusion was a positive force that kept peace between the shinobi villages and the wishful desires of the Shinju's genjutsu were put away in the back of everyone's dreams. Spirituality and morality were at an all-time high.
Today, Konoha celebrated the Shinobi-Civilian Winter Festival. It began decades ago to break barriers between ninja and non-ninja—but mostly because the Shodai Hokage had loved all things bonding. Kakashi had never minded it, however; speeches were not his forte and the Hokage had to make one every time half the population gathered. Two years ago during his impromptu inauguration, the elders had disapproved of the peace sign he threw up for lack of knowing how to end a fairly impressive speech about teamwork and perseverance. Tsunade had laughed and laughed and then ran off on vacation faster than Shizune and Tonton could pack.
Finishing the coffee, Kakashi set the mug and book aside. The sun was nearly to its highest position in the sky but January's chill had come and was here to stay until spring. Besides the New Year, the festival was Konoha's most looked forward to annual celebration. Kakashi remembered back in the day when his father would take him to such things. There were races with ninja and civilians partnered up in pairs—games, contests, performances, and a lot of food. The event was absolute madness, but the heart of it was why everyone joined the fray. Long ago, those who had mastered chakra and those who had not could not coexist. Clans were feared and ostracized because of kekkei genkais or other unworldly abilities. Just the same, many humans without the ability to harness their chakra became the victims of many of those who could. Ever since Kakashi could remember, the world had always been a dark place (it probably would always be). But he had to admit, the society he was born into was less hostile to ninja and non-ninjas than the one before.
He thought of Ichiraku Ayame and how she was most definitely not a shinobi nor someone who could manipulate chakra in any shape or form. He remembered the Akatsuki attack and how being a shinobi had meant nothing to her as she tried to help everyone. How she tried to help him.
Kakashi sighed, recalling the most recent encounter with Ichiraku Ayame. It had barely been a week and he had yet to excuse his behavior, never mind doing right by her. He wanted to, and he would, but the fact that she had left him without a word made him falter.
He didn't have much free time as a kage. He had to oversee the employment of countless shinobi every day and keep vigil on the barrier around the entire village continually. Still, he could not say there was no free time at all. He eyed the empty mug, wishing it was something else. He only barely managed to keep a cap on his guilt with the knowledge that she had been the one to essentially smash it and stash it.
"Good morning, Hokage-sama."
"Good morning, Shikamaru."
The young man bowed. "With all due respect, lunch is over. You're late."
"One can only hope." Shikamaru, in all his intelligence, seemed mystified. It had not taken long for Kakashi to understand why Asuma had cherished the boy so much. Well, a young man now. "You'll get used to me," Kakashi encouraged as Shikamaru eyed the book he had been reading.
"I…don't know. It's been two years" he said offhandedly. Considering the book, he said, "This is about history. Before the shinobi villages were established." He was surprised at the choice of reading material. Kakashi didn't blame him. For the last week he had stayed far, far away from his usual form of literary stimulation.
Kakashi got off the ledge and both the book and mug disappeared in a poof. Walking off, he said, "Have you read it?"
Per usual, Shikamaru followed four steps behind and slightly to the right. "I have."
"What do you think?"
"It's not exactly the happiest part of history."
Kakashi chuckled as they made their way to the office. "We've come a long way. What do you think about the relationships between those with chakra control and those with none in the village?"
He pictured Shikamaru shrugging as he answered. "Konohagakure exceeds in it, if I were to compare it to other places." He was right of course. Their village considered both people groups as one and the same. A difference in career was nothing but a personal choice. As far as Konoha citizens were concerned, the only notable difference between shinobi and civilians was the occasional choice of rooftop traveling.
"Hmm, better than Suna?"
Shikamaru did not reply immediately, easily catching Kakashi's intent. "Yes," he finally answered as they entered the office. "Oh," he said and Kakashi agreed.
Oh, indeed.
Uchiha Sasuke stood in the middle of the office. He wore the same cloak from his short-lived visit two months prior, hair longer than Kakashi had ever seen it. His rinnegan was partly hidden by overgrown bangs swept to the side, and hanging from his belt was the illustriously slashed Konoha forehead protector.
"Sasuke," Kakashi said, feeling lighter than he had all week. "It's good to see you."
"Sensei." Sasuke inclined his head respectfully. Not leaving Shikamaru out, he repeated the greeting. The Nara genius mirrored the gesture. Pride swelled in Kakashi's chest. Sasuke was changing. The traveling was working.
Kakashi approached him and clasped him on the shoulder. "What brings you to the village?" Sasuke wordlessly handed him a folded paper. Scanning the contents, Kakashi raised a brow. "The wedding was last weekend."
Sasuke nodded. If Kakashi didn't know better, he would say the Uchiha looked disappointed. Not as much as Naruto had been, discovering his closest friend would not be present on the most important day of his life. "Where is he now?" Sasuke asked.
Kakashi considered the question. "I'm sure he's on his way back from the honeymoon. They wanted to return in time for the festival. Have you seen Sakura? I sent her letter alongside the invitation. " She had not believed he had, especially since the Uchiha had never replied nor showed up to the wedding.
"No," Sasuke said, "I haven't seen her." Then, from inside of his cloak, he pulled out a pink frilly paper. Shikamaru coughed, suppressing a laugh as Sasuke eyed it warily. "But I got her letter, too."
Not for the first time, Kakashi wondered about Sasuke's hesitation towards Sakura. He never seemed to know what to make of their sole female teammate. "Will you stay for tonight? You would be able to see both of them. They've missed you, Sasuke. Naruto might start a fight since you missed his wedding."
Kakashi did not ask if he was back for good. He had a feeling the young man would not permanently return anytime soon but he could encourage the Uchiha to see the other two. He had gone so soon the time before. Naruto and Sakura had been devastated when they returned from retrieving Hyuuga Hanabi and discovered Sasuke had come and gone. Despite everything, Kakashi was not sure Sasuke understood how deeply he was cared for by those two. But he supposed that was why the Uchiha was traveling—to understand a world he had dismissed due to the unrelenting grip of hatred over his life.
"I will stay," Sasuke finally said and Kakashi smiled. The Uchiha then addressed Shikamaru. "There is something I wanted to speak with the Hokage about. In private."
"Oh?" Kakashi mused. There was no beating around the bush with Sasuke.
Shikamaru sighed. "Call me when you're finished."
Ayame scrubbed and scrubbed at the sofa's stain but it would not entirely come out. Instead of red, it was now a dull brown. She had put it off all week until Otousan had reminded her of a 'special' guest he would be bringing over for lunch. The plan was to enjoy some of the afternoon festivities after they ate, before Ayame had to work. She technically had off. Being one of the main chefs and the owner's daughter entitled her to have holidays off. But all she wanted to do for the past week was work, work, and work. So when one of the chefs had conveniently called off 'sick' on one of Konoha's most celebrated days, Ayame had eagerly volunteered her services.
She had her guesses on who Otousan's 'guest' would be but either way, she couldn't exactly let her father see a big bloodstain on the sofa, never mind what the guest would think. She ultimately took the sofa cushion out of the pillowcase and threw it in the washer. She added bleach and softener. She probably added too much bleach but at that point she had given up. The physical reminder of that night paled in comparison to the emotional one. She stared as the pillowcase swished around in the washer, remembering how Kakashi had trailed his knuckles from the base of her throat to her bellybutton.
He had seemed so enraptured—utterly enthralled with her body and with her every reaction to his bold touches. It had been days but…but he hadn't come back to her. He visited her home and took something she wasn't ready to give. Now she was alone. He had been drunk and she hadn't discouraged him. That next morning, she fled her own home. She awoke, overwhelmed with shame and utterly afraid of the rejection that was sure to come. She ran away. She didn't want to stop running.
"Please don't leave me."
She swallowed the sudden nausea that the rotation of the washer brought her. When closing the machine's lid didn't help, she slowly walked to the bathroom. Was she going to—oh yep she was definitely going to—she ran to the toilet and barely made it before she threw up the morning's breakfast. She wrinkled her nose at the fact that oatmeal still looked like oatmeal after being regurgitated. The lumps were there and everything. She threw up again and blamed it all on her incoming period. She felt slight cramping in her abdomen.
"Urgh" she grumbled. She put a sanitary napkin on just in case her little red friend decided to visit early. Too bad she couldn't take back the off day. Working with only men during these times was always fun. Returning to the living room, she put the middle cushion back in the center of the couch and opted for a frilly quilt over the entire sofa. Good as new. Otousan would arrive any minute and she had to set the table. She hoped she could keep lunch down.
She finished up the preparations when there was a knock at the door in a very specific rhythm. It was a tactic her father had suggested to let her know it was him. He had been so hesitant about her moving out a couple months ago that she had encouraged the suggestion and even acted like it was the greatest of ideas to get him to relent. Considering the blunder from last weekend, maybe she should have stayed living with her old man. Kakashi certainly wouldn't have stayed the night if she lived with her Otousan nor would she have decided to stain things would blood let alone do that.
Without looking at the peephole, Ayame opened the door, best smile in place. When she saw who was at her father's shoulder, Ayame experienced a lightness she had not felt all week.
"Raiden-kun!"
"Aya-chan!" The full-grown man grinned that grin that usually had older women melt into a puddle of their own estrogen. His expertly trimmed circle bread made his smile that much more charming. He wore civilian clothing with long sleeves that she knew covered a multitude of tattoos. Ayame bypassed her laughing father and into the awaiting arms of her oldest friend.
Raiden held her at arm's length. "Look at you, kiddo. All grown up. What's it been, three, four years?"
She hugged him again. "You look the same!" He truly did. He was taller than her father and always kept his black hair in a close cut.
Her father joined their embrace and the three of them laughed at the sweetness of the overdue reunion.
Kakashi, in full Hokage attire, walked down streets filled with vendors and festive games. Sasuke quietly walked alongside him. Civilians and shinobi alike wore yukatas and kimonos. Children wore masks and customs too, running around with candy-filled shish kabobs and pinwheels. One small boy accidentally ran into Sasuke's legs with a sparkler. Kakashi curiously watched as Sasuke knelt and steadied the child.
"Careful," he said, handing the fallen sparkler back to the boy. The boy grinned widely in thanks. He was missing four front teeth and ran off to catch up with his friends.
Kakashi found himself smiling at Sasuke and the young man simply stared at him.
"What."
"Oh, nothing." Kakashi remained smiling.
"Right."
They continued their walk and the kingyo-sukui stand caught Kakashi's eye. Ichiraku Ayame was bent at the knees trying to scoop a goldfish with poi paper. She wore a dark yukata with leafless white branches and a yellow obi. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail with a white ribbon. She was concentrating very hard while her father and a man leaned over her shoulders, cheering loudly. When her poi scoop broke and dropped the goldfish, she turned around screaming and threw it at them. Kakashi's smile dampened, passing the stand. He went unnoticed by her.
Of course, his invisibility did not last long as he continued down various festival stands.
"It's the Hokage!"
"Good afternoon, Hokage-sama!"
"Hurry, fix your hair. It's the Hokage!"
"Good day, Rokudaime."
"Say hello to the Hokage, sweetheart. He's waving at you!"
"Hi-hi, Hokagg-sam!"
"A free pinwheel for you, Hokage-sama."
When Kakashi and Sasuke reached a less crowded area, the Uchiha turned to his former teacher. "Is that every day?"
"What's every day?" Kakashi said, blowing at a newly acquired pinwheel from behind his mask.
"You're evasive as ever." Sasuke meant it as a passing observation, but Kakashi remembered a certain ramen chef and felt a little convicted.
He felt the need to explain. "Well, I'm not out every—"
"Sasuke-kun?"
Both men looked towards the voice and found a shocked Ino to be the source. She was hand holding with Sai, and of course, Sakura was with them. Sakura dropped the cotton candy she had been eating as she gawked at Sasuke. In its decent, the sweet cotton rubbed down her kimono, staining it with red crystal flakes.
"Sakura." The Uchiha decided to greet her as if he hadn't been gone for over two years. The customary 'Sakura' and nod of the head wasn't exactly the warmest of greetings but Kakashi couldn't tell him that now.
"...surprise," Kakashi said, wondering if he should have given her a heads up after all. Sasuke had sensed her first so they'd come this way. Next to Sakura, Ino and Sai exchanged worried glances. Ino released Sai's hand to approach Sakura.
"Hey, you okay?" Ino frowned.
At first, Sakura smoothed down her bangs and then went to pat down invisible wrinkles from her kimono but stopped midway. Snapping out of her shock, she settled for a neutral expression. "Sasuke-kun, you're here." She addressed Kakashi. "You sent the letter after all."
"Yeah." Kakashi chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. She was angry.
Sasuke stepped forward, arm extended with his pointer and middle finger at the ready. Kakashi vaguely recalled the gesture being present at the couple's last goodbye. Sakura tightened her fists. But then she relaxed them, expression deflated. "Welcome home," she said, "Sorry...I need a moment." She calmly walked away. Ino did not hesitate to follow closely behind, calling her.
Sai studied Sasuke. "This is where you go after her." Kakashi was more than sure he had learned the romantic advice from Ino. Or a book, perhaps.
Sasuke lowered his arm, looking for all the world like a man whose punchline had been stolen. It was interesting, but not very like him. "I should go," he said to Kakashi very seriously. And Kakashi knew he would not run after Sakura. It was not as if she had left angrily.
Kakashi shook his head. "Give her a second. She's in shock. It's been a long time." And then in a flash of yellow that gave Kakashi a rush of nostalgia, Sasuke was nearly knocked from his feet into an embrace.
"Sasuke!" Naruto cried happily, stepping back to assess his old friend. "You're back! This is so great!"
Sasuke let himself smile. "Congratulations."
Naruto pursed his lips and suddenly looked annoyed. "Oh yeah."
Sasuke sobered up too. "I tried to come as soon as I could, but I was far and some things came up."
"Hmm," Naruto mumbled, "I guess I just gotta forgive you then. Though, Sakura might not be as merciful. She wrote a letter. She was really hoping you'd be her date." Naruto laughed at his own sly words, grinning at a wary Sasuke.
"She did see him," Sai interjected. "And then she ran away."
"Very observant," Kakashi encouraged. "Anything else?"
Sai nodded. "Sasuke-san did not chase after her."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Kakashi. Naruto looked between the three men. "What's going on?"
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata ran up to them, catching her breath. She deactivated her byakugan. "You ran so fast. You were saying something about—oh! Hokage-sama!" She bowed. "Oh! And Sasuke-kun's here too!" She bowed again.
"And he didn't chase after Sakura," Sai added.
Hinata blinked and then frowned. "Is she okay?"
"We can only hope she hasn't jumped off the mountain yet."
Hinata gasped and looked for all the world like she would cry. "Oh no! We have to stop her! She had written that letter and been so excited about it." Kakashi's brows rose. Did everyone know about the letter?
Naruto pulled Sai by the collar. "What're you saying to my wife?!"
"Perhaps I've taken my sarcasm too far. Forgive me."
Kakashi watched as Sasuke's neutral expression grew more annoyed by the second. That was Kakashi's cue. "I hate to cut this happy reunion short, but speeches don't monologue themselves."
The festival ended and most were home. It had been a long day but Kakashi had one more stop. Conviction was not a thing to take lightly.
It was closing time at Ichiraku's and a little birdy with an Anbu mask reported that Ichiraku Ayame had the closing shift. Kakashi approached the ramen bar and saw her. She was diligently wiping at the counter. She must've been on some sort of stepping stool as she hovered over the bar. The light from the red paper lanterns made her pretty features glow. Her expression reminded him of earlier, as she scooped goldfish. Her brows were furrowed in concentration and lips pressed together in a stern pout as wisps of hair fell out of her bandana to haphazardly join her bangs. The radiance of the red lights made her lips rosier and Kakashi moved his eyes elsewhere.
Behind the bar with her was an elderly man. He wore the standard hat and apron. Kakashi was sure his name was Otori. If Teuchi was not working, Otori was usually the man in charge. The old man held a notepad close to his face, presumably trying to read without the spectacles that were on his head. "I think this says five-hundred-person catering. Woo-wee!"
Without looking up, Ayame spoke to him. "Your seeing glasses are on your head again, Otori-san." Despite her choice of words, Ayame had spoken gently and with a polite smile. It did not reach her eyes. If she was old enough to have laugh lines by them, they wouldn't have wrinkled. If she was old enough. Kakashi tried not to think of her age. He had at least ten years, two wars, and the Hokage title over her.
"Oh! Silly me. Here they are. Ah. Fifty-person catering. That we can do."
Earlier in the evening, Sasuke had intently spoken with Sakura by the Academy pond and Kakashi felt a little inspired. Though arriving at the ramen bar, he still chose to sit on the stool furthest from Ayame. He placed his fire hat on the counter.
The old man was the first to notice him. "Rokudaime Hokage-sama! What an honor." He bowed as Ayame startled right off whatever stepping stool she was using. Kakashi winced as she disappeared behind the bar with a sharp scream.
"Aya-chan!" The old man went to help her but she jumped right up like something straight out of a comic book.
"I'm okay!" Facing Kakashi, she bowed too. "Hokage-sama!"
Kakashi opted for basic social manners. "Good evening to the both of you. Are you sure you're alright, Ayame-chan?"
Keeping her head lowered, she nodded but held onto the rag in her hands with white knuckles. He could already see a bruise forming on the inside of her left wrist. It was scratched red by whatever she had grabbed to hold herself up. The injury was close to an older one, scarred white with time. The falling meteor-like keloid was small, insignificant in size really. It had been obtained during the Akatsuki's attack.
"I see." He dismissed the hesitancy in which he spoke with.
Old man Otori bowed again, holding the stance with Ayame. "Hokage-sama, please forgive us. We've stored all our ingredients away but if you would give us at least fifteen minutes we could prepare whatever you'd like."
"That won't be necessary. I'm not very hungry. Please, be at ease the both of you." They straightened and while Otori looked at him with an awe attributed only to the older generation, Ayame maintained a lowered gaze. It was a common gesture of respect but before today she would simply look at him with a smile, blush prettily tinting her cheeks.
"If I may, Hokage-sama," Otori said, "perhaps a light dish?"
"Whatever is most convenient for you, Otori-san." The man truly wanted to serve the kage and Kakashi would not deny him.
The use of his name only made the old man grin harder. "Vegetable rolls won't take but six to eight minutes. Our rice paper is the best in Konoha."
"If it's not too much trouble."
Otori gave a hoot. "None at all! It truly is an honor."
Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "Thank you."
"Well, I'll be! The Hokage thanking me. Never in all my days. Aya-chan, be a dear and get this fine man a drink while I go prepare in the back. I'm sure you'll be prettier company than these old bones." Otori chuckled as he disappeared through the side threshold. Orange and red beads that hung from the doorframe's ceiling clattered in his wake.
Kakashi turned his attention towards the ceramic ruffling underneath the bar. He held back the temptation to peek over. Ayame reappeared with a stone cup and kettle, avoiding eye contact. This was not her. Last weekend had also not been her. Where was the woman from the kingyo-sukui stand? The woman that laughed at his jokes during the wedding without a care in the world? He had done this.
"Green tea?" she said under her breath, and he ignored the ache in his sternum.
"Yes, thank you." He watched as she went about pouring water in the kettle and setting it over the stove's blue flame. It was now or never.
"I came to speak with you." She quickly glanced over her shoulder with those enormous eyes and back to the stove, hands frozen at her sides.
She did not speak.
A great amount of guilt swirled within the points where his chakra lived. The feeling reminded him of a time when he had handed Sakura over to Tsunade without a fight and Naruto and Sasuke were lands away trying to find what Kakashi could not provide for them.
"Ayame." Saying her name plainly had her turn to him. She could not look him in the eye and her hands trembled, but he had her attention. "I know…my position as your Hokage may prevent you from speaking freely or honestly, but at this moment I hope this conversation consists of only those two things. Between a man and a woman." He did not ask for it but when she agreed with a nod, he relaxed a bit. "The other night...I behaved inappropriately towards you. I should not have...I should not have."
"Me too." Her voice was the smallest he had ever heard it—most of the time she was at least ten notches below Naruto, which was still incredibly high-spirited. "I should not have. You...were drinking."
He had the decency to look embarrassed. "Yes, I had been."
"I didn't." Kakashi waited for her to continue. She turned red a couple of times before she could speak again. "I don't...like sake. Or any drink like that. I didn't have any at the wedding. But you did. And I knew that." Ayame turned off the stove but the kettle had yet to go off. "I'm sorry."
Kakashi stood, floored that she had somehow completely blamed herself. "I assure you I do not feel taken advantage of." Her shoulders tensed and he wanted to reach over but he could not. That mentality of hers needed to end. Immediately.
"As a man I take full responsibility. If there are certain commitments you want from me, I understand."
She spun back around. "What?"
"I can't promise you an ideal lifestyle, but I can give you a good one."
Ayame stared wide eyed at him, stunned. It reminded him of the expression she wore when she had opened the door for him. And for whatever misguided reason, she was incredibly pretty like that, frayed nerves and all. He probably had to reevaluate his preferences but there they were, all blended together in a simple, strong-willed young woman who could be surprisingly anxious at times. A sole tear fell from her and he followed it like a hound until it disappeared somewhere under her chin.
"I just want to forget." Her voice trembled as it tried to keep even.
He was disappointed. "Is that what you want?"
"Yes," she whispered. "Please...Hokage-sama."
He could not deny her. "I understand. We'll go back to before." But there was no before and both parties knew it. The past only consisted of stolen glances and accidental caresses. Many times, yes, there were moments of laughter. With Naruto around, Teuchi was kind and full of humor and she didn't fall far from the tree but occasional joking and miscellaneous social interaction did not excuse the incredible leap he took with her. In the past year, he could count the times he had seen her on his hands. Most of those instances were linked to Naruto or ramen, if not all.
"It's what I'd like," she said.
He was the Hokage not a mind reader. He was not sure if she was being completely truthful, but he could do nothing without her verbally communicating. He tried to think of something else to say but he could not. She hadn't heeded the prompt to speak candidly, but at the very least she had allowed him to say what he wanted. If she sought to avoid confrontation and pretend nothing had ever happened between them then he could not force her. He supposed he had done enough to shame both of them and it was time to go. She had abandoned making the green tea and he could take a hint.
He reached within the sleeve of his robe and pulled out a bag of coins. He placed it on the counter. "Please apologize to Otori-san for me."
She only looked at her feet without response. She appeared as miserable as he felt. He was suddenly glad for it. He grabbed his hat and took his leave. No one could say he had not tried to make proper amends. Technically, they had both apologized but neither apology had been accepted. He offered her anything. He could truly do that for her but he could not forget. The one thing she asked for was the one thing he could not do. Perhaps with time, but—
That night had been a mistake. It was inappropriate on every social level he could conjure up and he should not have followed her home. But knowing and accepting it as a mistake did not erase how he felt. He had been scared out of his mind touching her. And when she had cried halfway through it, he did not stop nor had she asked him to. She had only held on, and he put away all hesitancies in favor of making them feel good—to forget the world around and within themselves. That night, her silent cries had turned into something else and that was all the sake in his veins had needed to follow through.
Kakashi had not always been as virtuous a man as he would have liked. Pre-team seven, he had accumulated enough failings to make a seasoned assassin flush, before and even during Anbu. It had taken a few of the Sandaime's lectures and some slaps from the toad sannin to straighten Kakashi out. Being forced out of Anbu and told to take on a genin team had done wonders for his moral compass.
He had convinced himself that his private life had been acceptable if missions were completed, teamwork established, and Konoha lived to see another day. But looking at twelve year old Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had reminded him of other things. Things he had left behind—like love. It had taken Kakashi very little time to love them, to adore them. Everyone had noticed and after everything hit the fan, everyone had also noticed how much he had suffered for love of them. And now he was Hokage. If he didn't hold basic moral standards, no one in the village would. Tsunade had been interestingly clear about that.
Ayame poured the unused water into the floor drain. What the heck was that? How could he say those things as if it were okay? A week had barely passed and he wanted to talk about it? She could barely believe it happened in the first place! And now he wanted to make amends by offering her stuff? He managed to ruin in five minutes the happiness Raiden's surprise visit had salvaged. How had she ever thought it was okay to crush on Kakashi, let alone do that with him? Her mother would be so...ashamed. Ayame did not even want to think of what Otousan would say if he ever found out.
Otori stepped through the threshold beads with the rolls neatly organized on a plate and Ayame smiled sadly. "Hokage-sama had something to take care of." She lamely gestured towards the money bag. "He left that."
Otori frowned and then good-naturedly shrugged. "Well, he's not the busiest man in Konohagakure for naught. It wouldn't be the first time a shinobi leaves in the middle of a meal. Busy, busy, busy. I suppose we could just take these home." Suddenly he got that weird twinkle in his eye. The one he usually got when unrelenting ideas were born. He laughed and then grabbed the bag of money, weighing it in his hand by moving it up and down. "Better yet, we'll take some to the Tower for the rest of the week. What do you say?"
"That sounds like a great idea." She couldn't agree more. Kakashi had left a lot of money and he could bet his little Hokage hat that she would not be taking one cent from his pocket.
"And when you get there, make sure to tell him it was from his loyal subject 'Otori-san'!"
Ayame backtracked. "What? Me?"
"Who else? The rest of us are men and uglier than the bottom of a retired shinobi's foot."
She tried not to smile but failed. "You're not that ugly, Otori-san."
Otori laughed with her. "I'll leave your father a note so he knows to have the goods ready before lunchtime tomorrow. When your shift starts, you just come by and take the meal straight to our honorable kage." Knowing there was no use in trying to dissuade him or Otousan once he got whiff of the plan, Ayame agreed. It was not like the Tower administration would give her an audience with the Hokage. She would drop the food off and be on her merry way.
If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.
-William Shakespeare, 'Twelfth Night'
