Akayama Outpost overlooked in a remote valley to the country's north. During the spring thaws the valley was considered a tactical asset. In late December it was a virtual dead zone, but a lack of regular reports was still cause for concern.
Kakashi scaled the outer wall of the cube-shaped building, dodging glasslike patches of ice as best he could. Sai would be flying in from the other side, and Naruto and Sakura had walked in the front door.
Even with gloves, his fingers were stiff as he finally found a window to heave himself through. He and Sai were meant to be gaining intel by stealth while Sakura and Naruto opted for old-fashioned charm, and right now he knew which he'd rather be doing. He moved through darkened rooms as quickly and quietly as possible, searching for any evidence that something was amiss.
The sound of laughter from a few levels down caught his ears, and he edged closer to the balcony that looked down on the inner courtyard. From the shadows he could see Naruto and Sakura, seated at low tables with what must have been the entire force of the outpost surrounding them. Naruto was regaling the men and women with stories from the war, occasionally pausing to ask thoughtful questions about the outpost. As for Sakura, she was seated a little ways away, and all of the ninja surrounding her were men.
A giant barrel of sake sat in the middle of their table, and Sakura lifted it like it was a thimble. With the delicacy of a geisha, she poured out two cups and handed one to the man sitting directly opposite her. The man was several feet taller and broader than Sakura. He reached for the cup with unsteady hands.
"Twenty-nine," Sakura said, knocking back her drink.
The large man tried to do the same, but when he moved his hand half the sake sloshed over the side of the cup. He tried again, leaning over on his elbows. Kakashi watched in helpless fascination as the table collapsed under the man's weight and sent both man and sake flying.
There was a half second of silence before one of the other men grabbed Sakura's hand and raised it overhead. "The winner!" he cried, and the cheers echoed around the rafters near Kakashi's head.
He should have gotten back to his own task, but he couldn't drag his eyes away from the scene below. Two men were hoisting Sakura onto their shoulders, parading her around the room. One man's hand skated across the small of her back and Kakashi's own hand flexed involuntarily.
What was he so worried about? Sakura was laughing, and it was becoming fairly clear that none of the shinobi crowding around her had gone rogue. Was he just feeling overprotective because it was Sakura's first mission back?
He grit his teeth. He was meant to be re-establishing the boundaries between them before missions got more serious; or before Tsunade went public with her announcement. After that happened, their growing dependence on one another would become a liability. He needed a plan, something stronger than the current chain of command.
"And so it turns out they were just cold and tired. Morale was at an all-time low so soon after the war, but meeting Naruto really seemed to raise their spirits. We've got their reports for the last few weeks with us; they wrote them, even if they didn't send them."
Tsunade took the scrolls from Sakura and tossed them into her in-tray. "I'm glad it wasn't anything more sinister, but if their next report isn't timely there will need to be consequences. We're all cold and tired."
It didn't escape Sakura's notice that Tsunade's gaze had flickered to Kakashi, nor that something unspoken seemed to pass between the pair. But they had been dismissed, and Naruto was tugging on her wrist as they all left the Hokage's office.
"Listen, we should all go to Hatsumode tonight!" He looked between Sakura, Sai and Kakashi. "It's been so long since we all hung out together."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "We just trudged through several miles of snow to collect a report together."
Naruto rolled his eyes, but it was clear his enthusiasm was not to be dampened. "Missions don't count, and that one was boring anyway. Come on! Sai?"
Sai shrugged. "Sure. I like visiting the shrine at night."
"And Sakura, you'll come won't you?"
She had to laugh. Naruto's eyes were so wide that they were almost literally sparkling with emotion. "Sounds like fun to me. Plus, I want to start the new year off with as much good fortune as possible."
"Right!" Naruto nodded fervently. "Kakashi?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Sorry, I'll be busy."
"What?" Naruto threw up his hands. "What could you possibly be busy with that late at night?"
"You wouldn't know them," Kakashi replied, and Naruto scoffed.
"As if! You're just making up excuses to get out of spending time with us. You can't do that once you're-"
Kakashi shot Naruto an uncharacteristically sharp look, and Naruto's mouth shut with an audible click. The blond sighed. "Fine." With a final wave to Sai and Sakura, he headed off in the direction of his apartment.
Sai turned to Sakura. "What was that about?"
Sakura shrugged, turning to Kakashi...or at least, where Kakashi had been a second ago. She sighed. "How should I know? Nobody talks to me anymore."
The first shrine visit of the New Year was an important event for shinobi and civilians alike. It was a chance to cast off any latent negativity from the previous year, and stock up on fresh good fortune for the year to come. Sakura had braved the cold in her usual standard-issue fatigues, but had added a red beanie and scarf from the back of her closet. Both her therapist and Ino had been encouraging her to expand her wardrobe, but she'd yet to find something that didn't make her feel dysphoric.
Naruto and Sai were already waiting for her at the base of the shrine's stone steps. Sai gave his usual catlike smile, but Naruto still seemed to be in a bad mood.
"Seriously, what's wrong with you?" Sakura asked, punching him lightly in the arm. "It's not like this is the first time Kakashi has flaked out on us, you know." She tried to sound light-hearted, but in truth her gut twisted with uncertainty and half-buried memories.
They made their way up the hill upon which the shrine rested, admiring the beauty of the trees. Konoha's namesakes were blanketed in snow so thick that even with the growing crowds of shrine-attendees, the world seemed muffled. With the orange glow of the lanterns lining the path, the overall effect was otherworldly.
"Hello."
Sakura turned, and it took her a moment to recognise the woman standing behind them. Hinata was wearing full kimono, with her long hair swept up and pinned in place with a pair of silver combs.
"Damn, Hinata," Sakura whistled, "You look just like you did on your wedding day."
Hinata's brows creased in polite confusion, and it took a half second for Sakura to realise why. "I just mean, you look really nice. That's all." She tugged her scarf higher to hide her blush. Her friends knew about her dream and the toll it took on her, but she had omitted a lot of details.
"Oh. Thank you." Hinata smiled, and turned to Naruto with a shy smile. "Hello, Naruto."
Naruto stared at Hinata with an expression that could only be described as 'startled.' Sakura watched with mixed amusement and disgust as his eyes flicked down from Hinata's face and back up again. She waited for Hinata to blush or perhaps keel over, but to her surprise it was Naruto's face that suddenly burned scarlet.
"Are you cold, Hinata-chan?" He was unzipping his jacket before Hinata could even respond, throwing it around her shoulders.
Sai spoke up. "Hinata-san looked so elegant before you ruined her outfit with your ugly jacket, Naruto."
Naruto glared at him. "Shut up, Sai. You can't pretend to care about fashion if you only wear the same thing every day."
"You're one to talk, orange boy."
"I don't mind," Hinata said quietly, tugging the jacket around herself. "Thank you, Naruto, but won't you be cold now?"
"Nah," Naruto grinned. "I've got Kurama's chakra protecting me. Want to join us for Hatsumode?"
Hinata gave a delicate shake of her head. "I'm meeting Kiba and Shino at the shrine, but I can walk with you until then?"
Naruto smiled. "Sure."
They continued on down the path, Sai veering off to inspect a particularly gnarled tree while Hinata and Naruto forged on ahead. Sakura watched the pair with a rueful smile. As much as she had always wished for them to get together, their dream-marriage hadn't been without flaws. The real Hinata didn't have to keep loving Naruto just because he was the first boy she'd noticed; and just as she herself had outgrown her love for Sasuke, maybe Hinata was growing into a woman who had other priorities.
"Why are you staring creepily at Naruto and Hinata?" Sai had doubled back to her.
She laughed. "I just realised that Hinata had grown into a beautiful young woman with her whole life ahead of her, and it made me really happy."
The main courtyard of the shrine was packed with twice as many stalls as usual, to meet the demand for good luck charms (omamori) and paper fortunes (omikuji). Despite the crowds, Sakura found it easy enough to follow the sound of Naruto's loud voice.
"Wanna buy an omikuji?" He asked the others. "If I'm destined for any more bad luck then I want to be forewarned, at least."
"You know those things are bullshit, right?"
The group turned at the sound of a familiar voice. Shikamaru stood a few feet off to the side of the festivities, and Sakura wasn't sure what was more surprising; the fact that he was wearing full winter kimono, or the fact that Temari was standing by his side.
"Hey guys," Temari waved. "Long time no see." She was wearing a black dress instead of a kimono, but she still looked regal and elegant. Sakura began to feel a little self-conscious in her fatigues.
"Hi Temari," Hinata waved, "What are you doing in Konoha?"
"Freezing my ass off," Temari grinned. "And getting the world's most boring tour from this guy." She nudged Shikamaru, who grunted.
"You're the one who said you wanted to go to Hatsumode," he said. "I tried to warn you it would be cold and dull, but you insisted."
Temari shrugged. "It was worth it just to force you to wear a kimono."
"I live to amuse our foreign guests."
"Well I'm gonna go get my fortune," Naruto turned back for the stalls. "Like I said, if my luck's already run out for the new year then I want to know now."
Temari and Shikamaru glanced at one another, before shrugging. "We'll tag along. If the great Uzumaki Naruto is out of luck, then that affects us all."
Sakura placed her money in the shrine's coffer before shaking one of the wooden boxes provided. After a few seconds, a thin rod fell out of the hole in the top and revealed her number: fourteen. She withdrew a paper fortune from the fourteenth draw and held it up to the lantern light to read.
"What did you get?" Naruto craned his neck anxiously.
Sakura raised her eyebrows. "'Great Fortune.'" she held it up for him to see, feeling surprisingly reassured. "How about you?"
Naruto held up his own fortune with considerably less enthusiasm. "'Curse.'"
"Ah, that's a shame." Sakura tried to sound sympathetic even as she tucked her own fortune carefully into her pocket. "But it's like Shikamaru said, these things aren't exactly perfect."
"Easy for you to say, Miss Great Fortune." Naruto headed over to a nearby tree where dozens of bad fortunes had been tied to its branches. "This is all Kakashi's fault," he muttered, tying his own fortune off.
"What? How?" Sakura frowned. "Because he wouldn't come out with us?"
"No, because he's going to become the next Hokage and leave me waiting another two years!" Naruto wailed, before clapping both hands over his mouth.
"He what?"
Naruto stared at her, eyes wide. "Pretend I didn't just say that."
Sakura's head was spinning. "Since when? Why didn't he say anything? Why didn't Tsunade say anything?" The image of Kakashi from her dream bubbled to the surface: a Kakashi with a face of stone, staring out over Konoha with tired eyes. "He would hate being Hokage."
"Nothing is confirmed yet," Naruto glanced nervously at the passersby. "But apparently Tsunade doesn't want the title forever; she wants to spend a few more years travelling, and leave the village to the next generation. But she doesn't want to name me her successor until I'm at least twenty." He grimaced. "Something about making sure I know what I'm really getting myself into."
That, at least, Sakura could agree with. "Still, Kakashi really agreed to step up if Tsunade steps down? I don't believe-"
"Shh!" Naruto poked her in the arm as the others approached. "About time, guys!" he called with exaggerated cheerfulness. "What did you all get?"
Hinata held up her fortune. "'Future Blessing.'"
Sai patted his front pocket. "Mine said 'Small Blessing.'"
Shikamaru and Temari both grinned and held out matching slips of paper. "'Middle Blessings' for us."
Naruto scowled, his conversation with Sakura seemingly forgotten. "You said you didn't even believe in them, Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru shrugged. "I don't, but it was worth the hundred yen just to see the look on your face. I take it your fortunes weren't great?" He glanced meaningfully at the tree.
"Oh look, it's Kurenai-sensei." Hinata pointed off toward a stall for good-luck charms. "I bet she's returning the pregnancy charm we got her last year."
It was common practice for people to dispose of their old charms before replacing them with new, 'fresh' ones. Kurenai was standing in line with Anko, Gai, and a handful of other jounin Sakura recognised. In such a group, Kakashi's absence was more notable than ever.
She watched as both Hinata and Shikamaru made a beeline for the woman, leaving the others to follow.
"Hello Sensei," Hinata said. "Have you seen Kiba and Shino by any chance?"
"Where's Akira?" Shikamaru asked, and the baby's name still gave Sakura a little jolt of vertigo.
Kurenai smiled at the group. "Hello, everyone. I haven't seen the boys yet, and Akira is home with the babysitter. It's too cold out here for him."
"I could have looked after him," Shikamaru protested. "You could have asked me."
"And have you miss out on Hatsumode?" Kurenai's scarlet eyes with filled with mischief. "Besides, you look so handsome in your kimono."
Shikamaru blushed, and Temari laughed.
Kurenai turned to her. "Ah, Temari-san, I didn't realise you were in Konoha. Did you come here with Shikamaru-kun?"
Now it was Temari's turn to blush. "Technically…"
Sakura's eyes drifted away from the group. She hadn't needed an entire dream to tell her that Shikamaru and Temari were an item; that was old news even before the war started, as much as they tried to keep it a secret.
She spotted another charm stall, one with a shorter line, and peeled off to take a look. Classes were starting up the day after tomorrow, and it wouldn't hurt to get a 'success in studies' amulet.
She eyed the other amulets. Whatever his reason for missing out, it seemed a shame that Kakashi couldn't be there. It was absurd, especially because she had only seen him earlier that day, but she found herself missing his company. Perhaps a charm would help remind him that no matter what he was facing, Sakura would be there for him just as he had been for her.
There were amulets for luck, love and safe travels; there were even amulets made especially for shinobi, though these were usually more popular with their civilian friends. Sakura was about to purchase a green charm with a gold arrow that was supposed to be for 'career success' (if Naruto was to be believed, Kakashi may need it in the coming year), but then she spied something truly perfect hidden at the back.
"This one, please." She held out the charm and her money.
"Excellent choice," the vendor smiled. "Is it for you?"
"No, it's for a friend."
"Lucky friend. It's the simplest messages that always have the most power, don't you agree?"
Sakura rubbed a thumb over the silky pouch of the amulet. "I hope so."
There was something hanging from Kakashi's front door when he stepped outside on the first day of the new year. It was small and red, and when he carefully untied it from his doorknob he could see the word 'happiness' was embroidered on the front in silver thread. Someone had left him an omamori.
He glanced at his neighbour's door. Sakura was probably still inside, sleeping in after a late night at the shrine. Part of him wanted to barge in through her door and wake her up to thank her, the same way she had occasionally surprised him when she was first adjusting to reality. But he knew he never would. Instead, he pressed the charm to his masked lips before slipping it into his pocket.
"Thank you," he murmured. "And I'm sorry. You deserve a better friend than me."