Disclaimer: i own nothing.
Tsunade stared at the man laying on the operating table sadly. They just finished Cell Activation Jutsu on his head, which is still covered in bandages. His head wound was long and the final blow of his enemy had left a hairline crack on his skull. Fortunately, she was still in the village to help him out.
The ANBU that arrived at the scene of the fight had reported to her that Kakashi had successfully killed his opponent but the Hokage was severely injured. The four ANBUs that first responded were alive but were mortally wounded as well. Tsunade instructed them to get Shizune from their apartment and wasted no more time to rush to the hospital.
What she saw was a gruesome sight to say the least.
The Hokage was brought to her bloodied, his white hair so covered in blood that she can't see a patch of white. Tsunade knows that head wounds tend to be bloodier, but this is something else. She immediately called upon the medic ninjas to tend to the ANBUs and gathered the skilled surgeons working the night shift, giving out orders and instructions for the operation of Kakashi. The surgeons had just dispersed to carry out her orders when Shizune burst into the emergency room, panting from her obvious run.
"Where is he?" she said between ragged breaths and she started to walk towards Tsunade. She quickly drew the curtains around the bed of their patient, not wanting Shizune to see the gore that her lover is in.
"He has a head wound. Blunt force head trauma from the looks of it. Don't worry about it, I already ordered the surgeons to prepare the OR and we're getting ready for Cell Activation Jutsu," the older woman answered curtly as she tapped her foot impatiently. Where the hell are the surgeons?!
Shizune's eyes widened and her hands began to tremble as she took in that information. That jutsu in only used on worst case scenarios and if they are going to perform that on him…
"Tsunade-sama, I'm going to help!" she exclaimed, determination burning inside her.
But Tsunade knows her more than anyone. She can see the slight tremor going on the younger woman's body, can see the agony shining on her dark eyes. She knows that Shizune is a skilled and professionally trained medic nin: one who can separate emotions from work but, right now, what Tsunade needs is for her to calm down.
"There's no need," Tsunade said almost flippantly when surgeons finally arrived and drew the curtains back to transfer Kakashi to the operating room, wheeling the emergency room bed at high-speed. Shizune only needs a glance over her former master's shoulder to see the state that the Hokage is in.
Tsunade saw the carefully placed walls of her apprentice start to crumble as her eyes followed the wheeling bed and Tsunade felt her heart softened. Shizune was her only companion for years and she had come to see her as her own daughter. To see her so distressed left a bitter taste in the former Hokage's mouth.
"Shizune, look at me," Tsunade demanded in a firm voice once they're alone and placed her hands on Shizune's shoulder to get her attention. The younger woman's eyes were unfocused and brimming with tears as she met her eyes, "He's going to be alright, okay? What I need you to do is to interrogate the surviving ANBUs and find out what happened," she instructed her firmly.
"But, Tsunade-sama! I can - " Shizune protested but was immediately cut off.
"No buts, Shizune! We can save him, alright? I'll do what I got to do and you do what you got to do, understand?" Tsunade insisted. Shizune opened her mouth to argue but she saw that she's not going to win this one. She sighed and nodded.
Tsunade gave her a confident smile, "Now, go and let me do my job. I'll let you interrogate them as long as you want and send for you once we're done."
She turned to walk away when a hand on her haori stopped her. Shizune was gripping the end of her green haori tightly and looked at her with desperate eyes, "Please save him, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade faced her once more and gave her a tight, reassuring hug, "Don't worry. He's tougher than he looks," she whispered against the black hair of her apprentice. She let go after a moment.
It's been at least three hours and Tsunade was absolutely exhausted. Kakashi is now transferred in the Recovery Room with Tsunade doing her final check ups on his injury. From the report of one of the medics, Shizune is already in the Waiting Room, having finished asking one of the ANBU survivor with lesser injury.
The common effects of head trauma are partial paralysis, confusion, diminished or complete loss of coordination and severe recurring headaches; but these are just textbook results. They can't be certain until their patient wakes up from his recovery.
Tsunade felt her hands clench into fists on her sides involuntarily. She's sure that Kakashi is going to be alright, but why is there a heavy stone of dread settling at the pit of her stomach?
When she finally decided to enter the Waiting Room, she found Shizune pacing and twiddling her thumbs but she's not alone. Shikamaru was also there, talking to someone in his mobile phone in a hushed tone. Tsunade is sure that, if only Naruto, along with Hinata and Sakura, were back from their short mission in the border of the Land of Fire, they'd also be here. Shizune's head whipped towards the door and immediately rushed to her side.
"How is he, Tsunade-sama?" she asked.
Tsunade smiled, "He's in recovery. We'll transfer him into a room after a few hours."
Shizune heaved a big sigh of relief, plopping herself on the seat and slumping her shoulders just a bit, "Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade sat beside her, looking at Shikamaru, "Who's he talking to?"
"He's talking to the Admin Staff of the Tower, trying to get the contact information of the leader of the Land of Snow," Shizune answered.
Tsunade's eyebrows knit in confusion. Land of Snow is far away from Konoha, "Land of Snow?" She inquired.
"Yes," the younger woman affirmed, "From what I gathered from one of the ANBUs, it was a rogue ninja from Yukigakure that had a personal vendetta against Kakashi. Shikamaru's trying to contact Kazahana Koyuki, the leader of the Land of Snow, to enlist their help in identifying the man and to transport the corpse to their village," she explained and folded her hands over her lap. That moment, Shikamaru put his phone in his pocket.
"Godaime-sama," he greeted as he sat down opposite of them and she nods in acknowledgement, "How is Kakashi-sama?"
"He's in recovery," she repeated and then sighed, "Though, I have to be honest with you: effects of head trauma varies widely. He may sleep for three days or a week or even a year. His personality may change, he may be paralyzed, he can go into a self-induced coma. Right now, all we can do is hope that he wakes up soon so we can examine his condition and over-all being of his brain."
Her two companions sat silent for a long time, taking in the information that has been dumped on them. Tsunade noticed the hands of the younger woman beside her were trembling slightly.
"Godaime-sama," Shikamaru began, "The council also called earlier while you were in operation. They deemed it appropriate and necessary that you take on the position of Hokage in the time that Kakashi-sama is recovering."
Tsunade glared at the boy – man, her mind corrected – in front of her but Shikamaru's eyes didn't avert from hers and met her gaze head on. Most men would've caved in when casted with her glare, but Shikamaru is not like most men. Tsunade sighed and looked upwards.
"I don't really have a choice, do I?
When morning came, Tsunade marched up the Hokage Tower and into the Meeting Room, Shizune right at her heels, where council elders Homura and Koharu are waiting.
"Tsunade-hime," Koharu spoke in her brittle, old voice as she sat down on the couch opposite them, Shizune standing behind her, "I suppose the young advisor had informed you what needs to be done?"
Tsunade rested her arm at the back of the couch, looking at them evenly, "Yes. But can we not appoint Naruto yet?"
"It's true that Naruto is a very likely and a suitable candidate as a Hokage," Homura concedes, "however, from what we've gathered from his sensei, Iruka, Naruto is only halfway through with his studies and politics of being a Hokage."
Tsunade bit back her sigh, cursing Iruka in her thoughts, "I know he's kind of an airhead but isn't his knowledge enough to be inaugurated? You did it for me."
Koharu frowned, "It's true that he's the village hero and that he saved the world. But he cannot forego the necessary learnings, the in and out of politics and the laws governing every land and village. You were exempted from that requirement due to the fact that, aside from being a student of the Sandaime, you were also the granddaughter of Shodaime and Nidaime Hokage. We're confident enough in your name and influence, as well as your ancestry that brought you knowledge to let the Daimyo appoint you as Hokage."
Tsunade didn't bother stopping her sigh this time, "I don't really have a choice, then," she concluded. The elders stood up, bowed before her and left the room.
Tsunade tilted her head back and looked towards the ceiling, "What a drag," she exhaled.
Shizune took the seat vacated by Koharu, "We need you here, Tsunade-sama."
"I know. Just like the last time, huh?" Tsunade joked, referring to the time when Sarutobi-sensei died and Jiraiya practically dragging her ass back to the village to become a Hokage.
Shizune, ever perspective, knows that but her eyes were downcast when she spoke softly, "That, and other things too."
Tsunade studied the woman in front of her and stood up, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "He's going to be alright. Don't worry."
Shizune looked up at her and her usually cheerful eyes had dulled with worry but she managed to mumble, "Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
Satisfied, Tsunade turned back and left the Meeting Room, knowing full well that Shizune will follow her. She entered her former office, hers again for the time being, and saw the neatly stacked papers on the desk.
Tsunade resisted the urge to whine. Paper work. Again.
"Alright," she said with a sigh, "Let's get this over with."
It was nearly seven in the evening when Tsunade finally put down her pen. Shizune had left the tower at around three in the afternoon to watch over Kakashi and Tsunade let her with the promise of finishing work. Normally, Shizune would not be inclined to leave Tsunade alone at work, knowing that she'll probably sneak in a gulp of sake in the middle of a mission review, but her mind was so pre-occupied with the condition of her boyfriend to think twice if Tsunade will keep her promise (though, to her credit, Tsunade did finish the work without sake).
With work finished, Tsunade is now craving for some alcohol. She reached down towards the bottom drawer, where she usually kept her sake hidden from Shizune when she was still a Hokage, only to discover that it was locked. Tsunade sat back and looked at the drawer, only to remember that Kakashi is now the resident of this office. She sighed. She wants her sake now!
And then she remembered that she has a spare key of that drawer with the keys to the Senju Compound. Quickly digging through her pocket, she took the key chain and searched for the right key. It took a few tries and, finally, one key fits and managed to turn the latch.
Tsunade grinned when she opened the drawer, only to frown again when she saw nothing but papers. Did he just throw away her sake? She took out the entire drawer and sifted through it, hoping to find a single bottle. What she did find, however, is a small, velvet box at the very back of the drawer. She stared at it for a moment, before realization dawned on her.
Did… did he hide the engagement ring in his office?!
Tsunade set the drawer down onto the desk and carefully took the box between her fingers. Opening it, she saw that it was a simple ring, with one diamond at the top and two smaller ones beside it. Tsunade knows that Shizune would prefer something that's not too flashy.
She closed the box, put it back where she found it, and returned the drawer to its slot, making sure that the latch was secured. She swiveled the chair around and stared at the night sky.
Tsunade chuckled as she remembered how Hatake Kakashi, feared shinobi in various villages, stuttered and sweated in front of her as he asked for her blessing to ask Shizune's hand in marriage two weeks ago. After the whole sermon and threats of 'If you hurt her, I swear – and take this seriously!', she reluctantly gave her blessing.
Kakashi told her that he would propose to Shizune on the day of their anniversary, Friday, but with the events that transpired on Tuesday night, it appears that everything will not go as planned for everyone.