A/N: Hello everyone, thank you again to those who followed and favorited this story! Here is the next chapter for you all. There's a bit more "romance" in this chapter, but it's gonna be a bit of a slow burn story. Thanks again and enjoy!


Chapter 3: Hokage-Sama


Emiko's POV

Man, it's good to be home. While I love missions, and they are what I am good at, sometimes they can be tedious. Like the one, I just got back from. Escorting Princess Mei of the Land of Tea to the Land of Fire so that she can marry the Daimyo's son. All she could talk about the whole time is how Hokage-Sama has been voted Kunoichi Weekly's most eligible bachelor two years in a row. Speaking of, I have to report to him now. "Ah Wolf, how was the mission?" He asked as I entered the office. "A success as usual," I reply. "Good. I would expect nothing less from the wielder of two powerful kekkei genkai." Oh. I wasn't expecting that. This means he read my file. Most people, even in the ANBU only know about one. "I assume you have read my file then, Hokage-Sama," I said, knowing the answer already. "I have. And your story, along with my own thoughts allowed me to answer the question you posed last time we spoke. It is better to have loved and lost." I knew he would say that. Good for Hokage-sama. "Well then are you going to pursue your dream?" I ask. I hope he can find happiness. It will make my job a little bit easier. "Yes. Though I am afraid there aren't many women in this village crazy enough to marry me." He replies signing some documents. Is he insane? "Oh please sir, you could have any woman in the village. Firstly you're the Hokage, second that mask adds mystery, and third, you're a war hero. Not to mention you've been voted the shinobi world's most eligible bachelor for the second time." It's the truth. Most women would pee themselves if it meant marrying Hokage-sama. "Interesting. I am well aware of the female attention I get, however, it's not the kind I want. I want a wife who will love me for being Kakashi Hatake, not for being Hokage or a hero." Well, I understand that. "I understand, sir," I say about to leave. "Wait, Wolf. I noticed that you are unwed. If you don't mind me asking, why?" Ah. So he wants to know that. Well then. "Several reasons. Firstly, most shinobi men are only interested in my Kekkei genkai. They want power, not me. And most civilian men don't like marrying Kunoichi because they hate women who are more powerful than them. Also for many years I was so focused on the ANBU that having a family was a distraction. But now things have changed. I have done my first duty as a Kunoichi, perhaps it's time I do the second." Wow. I rarely open up to people. There's just something about Hokage-sama. "I see. I'll be busy until around 6. Wanna grab dinner at Ichiraku?" What? Is this a date? Whatever. "Yeah. I'll meet you there."


Naruto's POV

Man, there is nothing like a bowl of Ichiraku Ramen after a long training session. I parted the cloth covering the entrance of Ichiraku. The smell of my favorite food wafts up. I looked around the shop, Ayame and Tenchi were behind the counter, making ramen. A few academy students sitting in a booth in the corner began to whisper when I came in. That's typical. What I don't expect to see is Kakashi-sensei sitting at the bar, a woman with dark brown hair by his side. And she's smiling. Kakashi-sensei is at Ichiraku ramen sitting with a woman who is smiling. "EHHHH?" I shouted and ran out of there as fast as I could. I run as fast as possible to the gates of Hidden Leaf Hospital. I'm pretty sure sensei is on a date. My forever alone, smut reading, now the Hokage, weirdo, sensei is on a date. Sakura will know. Sakura will know if it's a date. "NARUTO! How many times have I told you that I can take care of myself?! I don't need you to walk me home after my shift." Sakura's voice says and I duck just in time to avoid her chakra filled punch. "Geez Sakura-chan, I'm not here for that! I was at Ichiraku's after training to get some ramen, and Kakashi-sensei was there!" I say jumping up and down for emphasis. "So what if sensei was there? You're the one who got him addicted to the stuff." Sakura replied as she began walking down the street. "I did not! Anyways, Kaka-sensei was there with a woman! I think he was on a date dattebayo!" I say and Sakura stops mid-step. "First of all Naruto, it's really none of our business if he was. He was probably there on business with the woman, I mean he does run the village. And third, good for sensei if he was! We both know that the forehead tap Sasuke-kun gave me when he left meant something, and don't even get me started on you and Hinata! I know you just admitted your feelings a month ago, but everyone in the village knows where it's going! There will come a day when all of us are married and have families and jobs of our own to think of. It would be good if sensei has someone then." Wow. Sakura is jealous. Though I don't blame her. Sasuke has been gone for too long.


Sasuke's POV

Teme,

Get your ass back to the village. Sakura-chan hasn't been herself lately. I think it's because everywhere she looks there are couples. Hinata and I, Shikamaru and Temari, Ino and Sai. They are officially together now apparently. Hell, I even think that Kakashi-sensei is seeing someone! I know you love her. I don't care that you're denying yourself because you know you don't deserve her. She needs you. Don't abandon her when it matters most.

Naruto

I turned the other way and headed for the village.


Emiko's POV

"Taketori-San, thank you for meeting me. I asked you here because I want to ask you a few questions." Hokage-sama said, sliding into the seat next to mine. Interesting so this isn't a date. Not that I care. "Very well, ask away. Considering you read my file, there's not much you don't already know." I reply, knowing it will probably be about my connection to the Uchiha clan. "How do you cope with it all? With every successful mission you smile, and your comrades in the ANBU say you are always friendly." Ah, so he wants to know why I act the way I do. "It's simple really. I learned a while ago that it's better to let people in than it is to shut people out. If you smile, it really does make you feel happy. People like me, and from the nature of the question you asked, and people like you, who have experienced trauma and loss at such a young age, never fully heal. And that's okay. It's okay to not be okay. But as you know, people can fill the holes left in our hearts. It's not like I'm happy all of the time, I still have bad days. But I have found that there are little things I can do every day that makes me happy, and that makes it easier to cope." It's the truth. People aren't as bad as we think they are. Hokage-Sama was looking at me wide-eyed. Of course, he was surprised, most people are. "I think I understand." He replied, looking down at his now-empty bowl of ramen. I gave him a warm smile and placed money on the counter. "I have to go. I will see you soon, Hokage-Sama." I replied as someone yelled EHhh in the distance. "Kakashi is fine, call me Kakashi."


Kakashi's POV
For some reason when Emiko smiles, my chest feels warm. Maybe it's because she went through the same pain I did, and is happy. She's been in the ANBU for years, years longer than I ever was, and she doesn't seem lonely. Could she be right about my dream? If she is, where do I even start?