Kakashi stood by the village gate with Tsunade, Shizune, Shikamaru, Izumo and Kotetsu, wearing his Hokage robe and hat, staring calmly at the oncoming convoy of Kazahana Koyuki.
Since Tsunade had deemed him well enough, they decided that it would be a good idea to personally welcome the leader of the Land of Snow. They told him that they had not disclosed the fact that he has amnesia but it's in his discretion if he wants to tell her the truth.
The entourage, from what he can see, were grandiose as was expected from a daimyo. The carriage, which was pulled by two horses, was an elegant mix of white and silver, signifying their origin. A coachman was holding the reins, a forehead protector of Yukigakure on his forehead. Several shinobi surrounds the carriage: five on the left and five on the right. No doubt there are also shinobi escorts inside the carriage.
That morning, he had a meeting with Tsunade, Shizune and Shikamaru. They told him of what had happened the night he was attacked, based on the report of one responding ANBU and they showed him a photograph of the corpse. The familiar purple hair and green, teal eyes that were staring back at him lifelessly were vaguely familiar to him; he looked like that ninja from Yukigakure that he fought while they were in a mission in Land of Snow at least 10 years ago.
The carriage stopped a few feet in front of them and one of the shinobi opened the small door to escort the young leader out, followed by two more shinobi. Kazahana Koyuki was every bit of an heiress: her kimono looked like it was made of silk, colored white from the shoulders that darkened to blue when it ended at her ankles. White lotus flowers were stitched at the hem and a blue obi was securing her kimono closed. Her icy blue eyes were warm as she regarded them.
Kakashi and his company bowed their heads in respect, "Koyuki-sama, we welcome you to Konohagakure."
Koyuki and her entourage bowed their heads as well, "I thank you for your hospitality, Hokage-sama," they straightened and she gave him a grin, "And, please, don't be so formal."
Kakashi grinned back, "Thank you for coming and I apologize for the hasty request and short notice."
She gave him a friendly and genuine smile, "Please, Kakashi-sama, it's a small price to pay. I'm indebted to your team and your village."
"Thank you, Koyuki-sama. And, please, drop the 'sama' part."
She laughed at that, "You continue to call me with honorific so I'll continue to do so."
Kakashi glanced at his companions, "Koyuki-sama, may I introduce to you my company," he gestured to Tsunade, "Senju Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."
They bowed to each other as Koyuki said, "Pleased to finally meet you, Godaime-sama."
"Pleasure is mine, Koyuki-sama."
Kakashi gestured next to his advisors, "These are my trusted advisors, Nara Shikamaru and Kato Shizune, who's also our Poison Specialist," the two of them bowed to the leader, who respectfully bowed back.
"And members of my elite Jounin, Hagane Kotetsu and Kamizuki Izumo."
"Welcome to Konohagakure, Kazahana-sama!" they chorused as they bowed and she bowed back.
"Thank you very much for your hospitality, Hokage-sama. Anyway, where can Haru park these horses?"
Izumo stepped forward, "If you can please follow me, I'll lead you to the stables."
"Thank you," the coachman replied and urged his horses forward.
"Your shinobi must be tired. Kotetsu, can you kindly escort them to their house?" Kakashi requested.
"Right away, Hokage-sama," was the prompt reply. More than half of her entourage followed Kotetsu, leaving behind three shinobi to escort Koyuki.
Koyuki glanced at her remaining company and blushed, "Oh, how rude of me! Allow me to introduce you to my Jounin escorts. This is Ryota Nobu, our Taijutsu expert."
The blonde one with forehead protector tied around his neck bowed, "Hokage-sama."
"This is Sota Miho, my personal guard," the man with black hair bowed but didn't say anything.
"And this is Mao Kyoko, my apprentice," Koyuki finished with a proud smile, placing a hand on the black haired girl's shoulder.
Kyoko bowed deeply in front of him, "Pleased to meet you, Hokage-sama!"
Kakashi grinned at her behind his mask, "Welcome to Konoha, everyone. If you'll please follow me, we can move to a more comfortable position at the Tower."
Refreshments and snacks were already laid out in the table at the Meeting Room, as was instructed by Shizune to the remaining staff at the Tower. The seats were replaced by couches to accommodate more people.
Koyuki sat at the couch, while her three Jounins remained standing behind her, still alert. Kakashi and Tsunade sat down opposite of them as Shizune and Shikamaru stood behind them.
"Hokage-sama, you've requested us here to your village because of a crime committed by one of ours. If you can please disclose to us what happened?" the playful and bright woman he met at the gate was replaced by a serious and business-like woman.
Kakashi nodded, "On Tuesday night last week, I was attacked by a rogue nin bearing a forehead protector of Yukigakure. From the report of ANBU, a disturbance was caused just outside the village gate, presumably by this man, to distract them and delay their way back. He attacked me while I was alone in my office and engaged me in battle. Though four ANBUs managed to get back, he incapacitated them with a Shinobi Gauntlet that he had. I managed to kill him but he still injured me with a blow to the head with his rod. Thankfully, Godaime-sama was here to make sure that I'm fully recovered from my wound," Kakashi recounted the events that transpired that night as told by the surviving ANBU.
Tsunade reached inside her coat pocket and pulled out the photograph of the enemy he killed, "Do you recognize this man?"
If the young leader was shocked, she didn't show it, "Kyoko? Can you identify this man for me?"
Kyoko studied the photo for a moment and confirmed, "Koyuki-sama, this is Roga Katsuo, Roga Nadare's son."
Kakashi frowned at the mention of that man. So that man had a son. That could possibly mean this is an act of revenge.
Koyuki nodded, "Hokage-sama, if you remember, almost 10 years ago, Roga Nadare was a loyal follower of my late uncle, Kazahana Doto. Even after I took on my rightful claim, there are still his followers that remained loyal to him, regardless of the fact that he was dead. We offered them amnesty and though most of them accepted our offer, there are still ones that followed blindly with their wrong beliefs."
She sighed, "Roga Katsuo was one of them and he took the few shinobi that still believed in Doto to a place unknown, even to us. We branded them as missing nin and we've been hunting them for years now with a kill on sight orders. Though, to our knowledge, the handful that are still alive is now in hiding."
"To your knowledge?" ever the short-tempered one, Tsunade asked the younger woman with an edge to her voice as scrutinized the young leader.
Koyuki stared back at her, undeterred under the glare of the older woman, "Yes, Godaime-sama. Please be assured that we are continuing the search for them and that this accident will not happen again."
Tsunade fell back on the couch, crossing her arms. She can't really have more say to that.
Kakashi cleared his throat, "Thank you for your assistance and assurance. Please count on the fact that Konoha is supporting your actions and decisions against these rogue nin. Which reminds me, will you take the corpse back with you to Yukigakure?"
Koyuki glanced back at her escorts, as if asking for their advice.
"Hokage-sama, Koyuki-sama, if I may speak?" the black haired Jounin, Miho, spoke. They both nodded approval.
"The journey back to our land will be long. It took us five days to get here and the corpse may rot on the road. Also, it is a common funeral rite in our land to cremate the dead and be kept in an urn since it's cold almost all year round and it takes too long for the soil to thaw. It may be wise if cremation is to be performed here at your village and the ashes brought back to our land in a container or a jar of sorts and given to the man's mother," he explained.
Kakashi nodded, "That would be reasonable. I'll have the hospital staff informed of the decision and immediately have the body cremated."
Miho nodded, "Thank you for your consideration, Hokage-sama."
Koyuki smiled, all traces of business gone from her face, "Now that all's said and done, you mentioned a village tour, I believe?"
After Kakashi asked Shizune to inform the morgue staff of the cremation, Tsunade had opted out of the village tour. Shikamaru also opted out since he had to work on the remaining mission assignment on his desk. That left Kakashi the duty to show Koyuki around the village with her three escorts. A few villagers bowed or greeted them, to which they would both smile and wave in acknowledgement.
"I forgot to ask, but where are your former students? The ones that were with you on that mission in Yuki? Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke, if I recall correctly?" Koyuki inquired, her hands behind her back as they walked.
Kakashi smiled, "Naruto's probably home with his wife right now; I think Sakura is on duty at the hospital today and Sasuke is… on a single mission right now."
She nodded, choosing not to acknowledge his hesitation about Sasuke's whereabouts.
They were walking along the Academy just when the classes were dismissed. The kids greeted him and some even walked up to him for a high-five. All the while, Koyuki seemed amused.
"You are clearly loved and adored by your villagers, Hokage-sama," she commented as they passed the Academy.
He chuckled, "Maybe it's because of the attire."
She laughed, "Perhaps."
There was a beat of silence as they walked, with him gesturing the important places along the village. It was after a while that she spoke again.
"You know, I'm wondering, you're clearly good with kids. Why are you not married yet?"
He chuckled mirthlessly, remembering the relationship that he was supposed to have with a certain kunoichi, "Maybe it's not on my mind yet?" his statement had tapered at the end, making it sound more like a question.
Koyuki hummed and was silent again for a while. What came out next surprised him, "Perhaps you're looking for someone younger?"
Kakashi stared at her in bewilderment. Is she…? What is…? He's old enough to be her father!
She noticed his alarmed expression and she laughed, "You misunderstand me, Hokage-sama, it was meant as a joke!" She laughed harder, drawing the attention of the passing villagers, "You're old enough to be my father! And besides, I am already betrothed to the man I love!"
Kakashi sighed in relief, "I apologize for misunderstanding."
She waved her hand dismissively, "No worries about that, Hokage-sama. I am still, however, curious about your non-existent love life."
Kakashi sighed. He does need somebody who he can vent to and trust enough about his condition and… relationship aside from the people around him without judgment. In a completely uncharacteristic move, Kakashi began to speak.
"Koyuki-sama, I'm about to tell you something that is not known all throughout the village, and most certainly not known by neighboring lands. Can I trust you to keep this a secret?"
Koyuki stared at him, puzzled, "Of course you can. Hokage-sama, what is it?"
Kakashi lowered his voice, not wanting her escorts and the villagers that they passed to eavesdrop, "The blow that was delivered by the rogue nin not only injured be physically. It also injured me mentally."
She frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I have amnesia, Koyuki-sama. I have no memory of the past year, nor the fight that happened between me and Katsuo. What I have recounted to you at the Tower was an account from one of the surviving ANBU."
She managed not to gasp though she blinked at him and looked at him like he's otherworldly, "I – I see."
"And there's more. Apparently, I had a girlfriend in the past year and I have no memory of how we were together," he sighed. Koyuki had been silent for a long time and when he glanced at her, she was looking down, a contemplating look on her face.
After a few moments, she asked, "How did you take in the news?"
Kakashi grimaced at that, "I told her that I'm not ready to continue our relationship the way that it was, but that I'm willing to start with friendship. She agreed to it."
She nodded, "What the two of you did is the right choice, and a mature one at that."
He blinked, "You think so?"
"Of course! I know what you did was not easy for the both of you but you would end up hurting her more if you continue your relationship without the assurance that your memories will come back." She explained.
Kakashi smiled in gratitude, "Thank you, Koyuki-sama."
Kakashi led her through the village until dusk began to settle. He led them to their temporary apartment and he bowed before her.
"Thank you for your time, Koyuki-sama," he said as she too bowed.
"My gratitude as well, Hokage-sama," she smiled and entered the house with her escorts. Kakashi turned back and started his walk back to the Tower, wanting to change out of his Hokage attire and drop by Ichiraku Ramen.
He was deep in thought while he walked. It's true that what him and Shizune agreed to is the right thing to do, but he can't help but wonder if she was hurt by it. She was a human, after all, and he'd understand if she would want to distance herself from him or leave her post as her assistant. However, her calm visage while they talked and the way she interacted with him since that day was still the same: professional, even friendly at times.
Kakashi admired that about Shizune: her dedication at working by his side, making her moves at the shadows. She was always ready to lend him a helping hand at any given situation, be it for paper works or preparations for an arriving delegation or simply informing him of the little things that he needed to know about the village and their alliances. He was still reeling from the fact that he lost a year worth of memories but he's eternally glad and grateful that Shizune is there to help him.
He entered his office and draped his robe over the chair. When he placed his hat on the table, he noticed a pot of warm, chamomile tea and a bento box was waiting on his desk. He opened the box and found a few pieces of sushi, egg rolls and a ball of onigiri. He smiled. So he doesn't need to eat ramen tonight.
A/N: im so sorry about any grammatical and spelling mistakes this was not proof read I finished this chapter at 2am in the PH im so pumped with coffee so yeah sorry about that XD
also chapter 7 may be delayed. theres a few revision that i want to do for that chapter and i may not be able to upload that one on wednesday. but i'll still try :)
thank you very much my dear readers! your support really warms my heart! long live Kakazhizu!