Disclaimer: i own nothing.

Shizune can feel that her shoulder and neck were already sore at the uncomfortable position that they were in. Watching over Kakashi last night, she couldn't help herself from dozing in her sleep. She didn't sleep a wink last Tuesday night, so did Shikamaru and Tsunade, from all the administrative work that they had to do. Wednesday morning was even busier, with helping Tsunade with the paper work, coordinating with the hospital staff in regards to the autopsy of the rogue nin from Yukigakure and arranging and planning the meeting with the leader of the Land of Snow, Kazahana Koyuki. Shikamaru was the one to talk to the advisor of the young leader and the meeting was scheduled a week from now.

Shizune had been with him since yesterday afternoon when Tsunade allowed her to. Hinata, Sakura and Naruto had returned from their mission this afternoon and were also there to visit for a little while. She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest as he slept peacefully, hoping to see his eyes flutter and open for her. At around midnight, Shizune gave up and laid her head on the bed beside Kakashi's head, using her arms as her pillow.

Shizune groaned slightly and raised her head. It was already bright outside the window, sunlight seeping through the curtains. When she looked at her patient, he was already awake and staring at her.

Shizune blinked, thinking she was dreaming before she shot up, exclaiming, "You're awake!"

She moved to throw her arms around him but the bandages still around his head reminded her of his injury. Her lips were stretched in a huge grin; she was so happy to finally see him open his eyes.

"How are you feeling?" she asked instead, gripping the sheets in an effort to stop herself from throwing herself at him or, worse, bawling her eyes out.

"I'm fine," he answered, his voice ragged from sleep and more than 24 hours of not speaking. His eyes showed confusion when he asked, "Shizune, what happened? What am I doing here? What's going on?"

Her eyebrows knit in confusion, "Don't you remember?" When he shook his head, she explained to him what happened, "You were attacked by a rogue nin from Yukigakure and though you managed to kill him, he still managed to hit you on the head hard enough, you were unconscious for a day."

His forehead creased in confusion as he tried to remember that night. Tsunade had warned her that head trauma can also cause temporary memory loss and that, if he wakes up and not remember what happened, she should explain it to him in the most concise way as possible.

Kakashi put his hand on his head, on top of the injury and froze, as if he recalled something. Shizune put her hand on his arm but, unexpectedly, he flinched away from her touch. She withdrew her hand and tried not to feel hurt.

He began to look around the room, obviously searching for something, "Where's my mask?" he asked, obviously miffed that his mask is gone. Shizune quickly turned towards the drawer beside the bed and pulled out his mask, giving it to him. He tried to put it over his head by himself.

"Do you need help?" she offered but he shook his head again.

"I'm good, thank you. By the way, how long was I asleep?" he asked as he managed to slip the mask over his head without injuring himself.

"The whole day yesterday."

"Oh, I see. Did everyone submit their presents?" he inquired as he put his mask in place.

She frowned in confusion, "What… presents?"

"Yeah," he replied cautiously at her confused tone, "The… presents? For the wedding?"

Her frown deepened. Why would he look for wedding presents?

"For Naruto and Hinata's wedding?" he elaborated.

Her frown turned into a look of shock as she realized what Kakashi was talking about. He's looking for the list of submission of presents. The one where they would choose which one should be invited to Naruto and Hinata's wedding.

"Shizune?" he said, "Is everything all right?"

She had to be a medic now, she can worry about emotions later, "Kakashi, what exactly is the last thing you remember?"

His forehead creased in confusion again, "Well, I do remember that I announced to the shinobi that we need them to submit their proposed gift for Naruto and Hinata since we can only choose who to invite. And… and… well…" the crease on his forehead deepened as he tried to remember what happened next.

Shizune's mind was going a mile a minute. If that's the last thing he remembered, then this is not a simple case of temporary memory loss.

She ran to the door and immediately called the attention of the nearest medic, "Call Tsunade-sama now! Tell her it's urgent and she's needed immediately!"

When Tsunade had arrived at the hospital looking harried, everyone stayed out of her way.

"What is it now?!" she thundered when she entered the room, only to see the Rokudaime sitting up. He raised a hand in her direction in a wave.

"Tsunade-sama," Shizune said softly as she took the older woman by the arm and to the corner of the room. She had not yet explained her theory to Kakashi and she hopes against all odds that she's wrong.

"Well, he's awake now! Why don't you look pleased?" Tsunade asked her with a grin. It soon faded when she saw the lost look on her face, "Shizune, what's wrong?" she whispered, touching her elbow.

Shizune took a deep breath, bracing herself from what she's about to say, and brought her eyes up to the older woman, "I think Kakashi has amnesia. The last thing he remembers was the announcement he made to the shinobi about the presents for Naruto and Hinata's wedding."

Tsunade stared at her blankly before she felt the hand on her elbow tighten, "That was more than a year ago!" Tsunade hissed.

Shizune nodded, "Yes, I know. And that's the last thing he remembers."

Shizune can literally see the gears turning in the older woman's head and she let go of her elbow and stalked to the patient's bed.

"Do you know who I am?" the blonde demanded.

He chuckled, "Godaime, please stop joking around. How's your trip? When did you get back?"

Tsunade slowly turned towards her and Shizune almost wanted to drop dead at the moment. If he cannot remember the past year, then he most likely did not remember about their relationship.

"Kakashi," Tsunade turned back towards the patient and, straight to the point said, "It appears you have amnesia."

For the next hour and a half, Tsunade had explained to Kakashi what happened in the past year, including Naruto and Hinata's wedding and his apparent condition. For that hour and a half, Shizune stood behind her mentor, a statue, frozen at the implication of his condition.

"You have to be here at the hospital for a while. We need to observe your condition, at least until the end of the week, before we can allow you back to work," Tsunade explained. He merely nodded his approval, looking almost bored, but Shizune can see the frustration in his eyes.

"We have to make an announcement with regards to your condition," Tsunade determined, "Are you alright with every shinobi knowing about your amnesia?"

Kakashi shrugged, "Yes, I suppose. We can't really keep it as a secret for long, you know."

"I'll make the announcement today, then."

Tsunade looked at her questioningly, and she nodded. This is the moment that she had been dreading.

The older woman left the two of them, with Shizune clenching her fists and gathering courage for what she needed to do. The patient, however, was looking out the window.

"Amnesia, huh?" he mumbled behind his mask. Shizune can imagine the grimace that his mouth had set into from his current predicament.

Shizune fiddled with her obi when she finally blurted out, "We were dating."

His head snapped back to look at her, his eyes wide with shock and confusion, "What?"

Shizune gathered her courage and stepped closer to his bed, "We were dating. We're a couple, you and I. In the past year, we have been living together at my apartment.

"I… I…" he stuttered.

"I know you're no longer comfortable with that arrangement, so I'll be taking your things back to your quarters at the Tower later. Don't worry, I'll continue being your assistant and advisor, I can handle it," she declared bravely but her hands were shaking. He continued to stare at her wildly, without saying anything.

She continued, "I know that this is too much to take in but I want to clear the air between us by being honest with you. I don't want to hide anything from you. I'll continue my duty with you and see you through this."

He's still not saying anything so she gave him a brave smile, "It's a lot to take in, I know. I'll go now and leave you to it." She turned to leave. He did not call for her.

When she shut the door behind her, Tsunade was waiting for her by the door with her arms crossed over her chest. Shizune stood still beside her, not looking at her. She clearly heard every single word.

"That was harsh," the older woman commented. Shizune sighed.

"I know. But we both need it."

Shizune trudged back to her apartment by night. On top of finding out that your boyfriend has amnesia, there comes all the administrative work that had to be taken care of.

Tsunade first called an ANBU and told him to call upon the village elders, the clan heads and the civilian council for an emergency meeting at the Tower immediately. Then, she gathered the hospital staff. She explained his current situation but instructed that they keep it under wraps. She ordered them that Hatake needs round the clock care and, if anything happens, they should contact her immediately.

Once they were out of the hospital, Tsunade rushed back to the Tower to meet with the village elders, the clan heads and the civilian council to let them know of the Hokage's state. All of them were shocked but all of the attendees have sworn themselves to secrecy. They were reassured by Tsunade that she'll be researching about his condition with their available literature about any possible treatment. Koharu even suggested that it may be a good idea to consult their ally villages for any information about amnesia, as well.

She ordered Kotetsu and Izumo to gather all the shinobi at her disposal, from Genin to Jounin to ANBU, even the ones guarding the gate. She made the announcement precise, leaving no room for questions and making it clear that this should not go out into the public and that he will be back to work by next week, if he's feeling better and no other symptom shows up. She even ordered ANBUs to be kept at the hospital around the clock to ensure the safety of the Hokage.

With the help of Shikamaru, Shizune drafted the letters that had to be sent to other villages, asking for their insight about amnesia and if any treatment is available, though they didn't reveal yet who's the one that needs treatment for such case. After having Tsunade approved of them, they sent the emails to the respective villages.

All the while, Shizune stood by her lady's side and wishing that Tonton was still with her. Her little pig, who had given her comfort all those years on the road with Tsunade, died a few months back due to her old age. That time, Kakashi was the one to comfort her. Who will comfort her now?

Shizune entered her dark apartment, turning all the lights on. She had not been here since Tuesday night and she's not sure she wants to be here right now. Every where she looks, she can see memories of him.

She looks at the couch and she sees him dozing there after a long day at work. She looks at her small table and she can see him grimacing at the sweet cookie she managed to get him to try. She looked at her kitchen and saw him coaxing her to taste the food he cooked. She closed her eyes as memories began to invade her mind and tears began to form behind her eyelids. She shut her eyes tightly, willing them not to fall.

She opened her eyes determinedly and made her way to their – her – bedroom. She came here for a reason and she will do it. She turned on the lights and she couldn't help the tears that began to fall from her eyes. More memories began to flood her mind as she stared at their shared bed, his bedside table containing a lamp and a framed picture of the two of them. She opened the closet and saw his clothes, which she neatly hung up just last Sunday. With a shaky hand, she took one of his shirt from its place and put it to her face, a sob making its way out of her throat. Blindly, she stepped back and collapsed on his side of the bed, his pillow still smelling like his hair.

Shizune took a deep breath and cried. She could no longer keep the tears at bay; she'd been holding herself together since she figured out what's happening to Kakashi but now she snapped. What if he has nightmares; who will comfort him? What if he can't sleep; who will be there for him?

She cried her heartbreak, the memory of the past year, the tender moments that they shared in this very bed. She hugged his shirt tight against her chest as she sobbed and curled in on herself, tears coming out uninhibitedly onto the pillow. It felt like her heart had been wrenched out from her chest and squeezed tightly, leaving her breathless and helpless.

She didn't know how long she stayed like that – maybe an hour, maybe an eternity – but when she exhausted her tears and only dry sobs coming out of her, she stood up, took his suitcase from under the bed and packed his belongings with robotic arms.

She made her way back to the Tower and asked Tsunade for the key of the Hokage quarters. If Tsunade noticed her puffed eyes or her hoarse voice, she didn't say anything. Shizune made her way towards that room, put the key in and turned the knob. Putting the suitcase just inside the door and the ones that no longer fits the suitcase on the bed. Locked the door behind her. When she gave the key back to Tsunade, the older woman suddenly spoke.

"Let's walk home together," she proposed, though it sounded more like a demand than a request that Shizune had no way of refusing.

They walked in silence, night claiming the streets. There are a few stragglers who greeted Tsunade, to which she'd politely nod. When they were outside her apartment door, the older woman gathered her in her arms. In dire need of comfort, Shizune wrapped her arms around the Sannin's waist. It's been a long time since Tsunade had hugged her but it still feels the same: warm, safe and motherly.

Tsunade swayed them back and forth, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Shizune," she said and Shizune was surprised when her voice cracked at the end.

Her own arms tightened around the older woman's waist. She rarely called her any endearment, but this was the name that she was accustomed to call her years ago and when they're alone, "It's okay. I'm going to be alright, mom."