Kakashi stood by the gates, once again accompanied by Tsunade, Shizune and Shikamaru. They are seeing off the leader of the Land of Snow and her entourage.
Kakashi bowed before the lady, "My greatest gratitude for your efforts and assistance, Koyuki-sama. May you have a safe trip back home."
The young leader bowed back, "I thank you for your hospitality, Hokage-sama. I hope to return to your village one day under a more pleasant circumstance."
Kakashi grinned behind his mask, "Perhaps someday, Koyuki-sama. I congratulate you on your betrothal. May your marriage be filled with happiness."
Koyuki-sama smiled teasingly, "And yours too, Hokage-sama."
He grimaced under his mask when the leader turned back and entered the carriage, accompanied by her Jounin escorts. Kakashi and his company turned back, as well.
"I must say," Tsunade started as she walked in front of him, "she's more reasonable than any other daimyo I've met before."
Kakashi chuckled as he fell in step beside Shizune, "You nearly bit her head off, Tsunade-sama," he commented.
The blonde scoffed, "Oh, please. I'm just trying to see if she's going to bend. Turns out she's harder than I expected. Anyway, I'm going home. I need to read the books sent by Suna and Kiri," with that, Tsunade left them and turned towards Senju Compound.
Shikamaru turned to face him as well, "Hokage-sama, I'll be going as well. I need to check on something with the Academy. We received an urgent request from Iruka-sensei about a needed repair on one of the floors and I need to inspect it with the foreman," he explained.
Kakashi nodded, "Go ahead, Shikamaru, thank you."
That left him and Shizune alone, walking towards the Tower. No one can see it because of the mask but Kakashi kind of felt awkward; he doesn't know how to talk to her. He doesn't know how to talk with women, in general. The most interaction that he had with a girl is with Sakura. Thankfully, she spared him the awkwardness.
"It's a lovely day, isn't it, Hokage-sama?" she asked, her face turned towards the sky and her lips settled in a content smile. The sunlight had illuminated her face, lighting up her dark brown eyes, the shadow of her chin casting over her neck and the way that her head was tilted exposed her jawline.
Kakashi couldn't stop his smile at what he's seeing. Her beauty was not in the likes of Tsunade, who was bold, or Kurenai, who was mysterious. Hers was more subtle, making her seem fade into the background but hers had a uniqueness of its own. Kakashi appreciates subtle beauty more than any loud appearances. And Kakashi couldn't help but feel drawn to her.
"Yes, it is," he answered, eyes still on her form, voice ringing with reverence. He must've sounded odd to her because her gaze snapped to his, worry evident in her eyes.
"Are you alright, Kakashi-sama?" she queried.
Kakashi gave her a reassuring smile, "I'm alright, Shizune." Just enjoying the view.
She still looked disturbed but she smiled nonetheless, "Alright. If you feel dizzy or anything, tell me right away, okay?"
Kakashi gave her a mock salute, "Yes, ma'am!"
She laughed at that, "Don't do that, Kakashi-sama! Between you and Chihiro, I swear…"
"Who's Chihiro?" he inquired as they neared the Tower.
She smiled, "Oh, he's one of the resident pathologists in our hospital. He's usually making fun of me and calling me that just to rile me up."
He smiled at her as they made their way up the stairs, "He's correct, in a way."
She chuckled and stood outside her office, facing him with a smile, "Well, if you need anything, I'm right here."
I'm right here.
His eye twitched when she said those words. It felt like he heard that one before.
Kakashi, I'm right here.
The left side of his head throbbed, right where his head wound was located and he closed his eyes tightly, in vain hope that it will go away.
"Kakashi-sama? Are you alright?" she asked worriedly. She removed his hat and gently placed her hand on his wound. The pain intensified and he groaned, his hand reaching blindly for the wall and leaning against it.
"You need to sit down," she announced, slinging his arm over her shoulders and wrapping her arm around his waist for support. Slowly, she entered his office and sat him down on his chair behind his desk. The pain had somewhat subsided but he can still hear the words inside his head.
Kakashi, I'm right here.
"Shizune…" he hissed. Her warm fingers gently laid against the side of his head and he can feel her iryo chakra flowing into him. Vaguely, he felt a sense of déjà vu at the gesture; as if he had numerous experiences just like this.
"It's going to be alright, Hokage-sama. It must be a headache triggered by something," she explained. Slowly, the pain began to recede as Shizune continued her treatment. When Kakashi opened his eyes, he found her face close to his, her bottom lip drawn between her teeth and eyebrows knitted in concentration. He found her adorable this way. They stayed like that for a few minutes, with Shizune keeping up her iryo chakra against the side of his head until he can no longer feel the sharp pain going through his head.
"Thank you, Shizune," he whispered.
She straightened up and gave him a smile, "Don't worry about it, Kakashi-sama. Please call for me when you feel dizzy or feel like that again so we can treat it immediately."
"Sure. Thank you, Shizune."
She gave him another smile and turned to leave, closing the door gently behind her. Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment before picking up his pen and the first paper from the stack in front of him. He can't get those words out of his head, he can even hear it being said in Shizune's voice. He put his pen down for a moment and looked up at the ceiling. Is he remembering something that she said while they were in a relationship? Was he constantly reminded of those words that he can still hear it being said on his head? Kakashi honestly doesn't know but, if that's the case, he rather liked the sentiment.
Picking up the pen again, he started his work for the day. For the next few hours, he alternated between signing and reviewing papers and answering emails on his desktop. Around noon, Shizune came in, carrying a tray of pot and a covered bowl. She set it down to his left and removed the cover of the bowl, revealing the steaming bowl of mabo-nasu.
"Please eat your lunch, Hokage-sama," she said as she poured him a cup of what smelled like chamomile tea.
Kakashi smiled at her gratefully, "Thank you, Shizune."
She straightened and held the tray against his chest, her lips stretched in a grin, "You've been thanking me since this morning, Hokage-sama. Please, don't worry about it. I am your assistant, after all."
He smiled back as he picked up his chopsticks and cracked them apart, drawing the bowl in front of him, "Still. You're doing all you can, Shizune," he stated, his words heavy with meaning.
Besides, I should thank you for more than what I've thanked you for. For being so understanding of me. For simply being here.
He can feel Shizune's gaze on him as she tried to uncover the meaning of his words. She seemed to let it go after a moment.
"I'll leave you to your lunch, Hokage-sama," she smiled and turned to leave.
"One last thing, Shizune," he called out. She faced him once again.
"Drop the 'sama' part."
She laughed and left the room. Kakashi stared at the door for a moment and then dragged his mask down to eat his food. The mabo-nasu tasted divine in his mouth, the spice and the savory flavor of beef delighting him and he wondered if Shizune cooked the dish herself. He glanced at the remaining paper works and quickly finished his meal, realizing that he doesn't have the time to savor it. He washed it down with the tea and went back to work.
He was in the middle of a mission review when Shikamaru got back from the Academy. It turned out that a part of the ceiling in their auditorium was on the verge of collapse since it was already decades old. Luckily, Iruka had noticed it and immediately called upon the attention of the Hokage Office. Shikamaru and a few workers had come to inspect and they instantly set to work. Shikamaru also reported that the repair was expected to be finished around noon tomorrow.
Kakashi smiled. He had become reliable these past few years, "Thank you, Shikamaru. Are you done with the mission assignment?"
"Yes. Let me get it from my office first," the young man said and he exited the office. He went back a few moments later with the clipboard.
"Here it is, Hokage-sama," he said as he gave him the clipboard.
"Thank you, Shikamaru. You can go and oversee the progress of the repair," he said as he skimmed over the assignment. The young man nodded and left the room. He put the clipboard down and poured himself some tea. He could really use a break.
After a brief meeting with Genma and Iwashi, he resumed his work. Dusk was almost settling and he only had a handful of papers to review and sign.
He looked up when the door opened and Shizune entered with a fresh pot of chamomile tea and another covered bowl. She gave him a smile and replaced the empty pot with the one she's carrying, putting down the bowl next to it.
"You really like preparing chamomile tea for me, don't you?" Kakashi asked with a grin.
She smiled as she held the pot on one hand and the tray on the other, "It helps with headaches, Hokage-sama. And they can also help you sleep soundly."
He smiled gratefully, "Thanks, Shizune. You can go home now."
"Please don't overdo it, Hokage-sama," she cautioned, "We still don't know what triggered your headache this morning and you may have one again tonight."
Kakashi was touched at her concern. Perhaps it's a natural thing for her to worry or be concerned at his well-being; nonetheless, he was moved by the way she takes care of him in the little ways that she can.
"Don't worry about it, Shizune. There's only a few papers left and I don't have a headache anymore. You can take your rest," he reassured her. She smiled.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I'll go now," she gave him another smile and left, shutting the door behind her. He lifted the cover of the bowl and was greeted by the smell of Chinjao Rosu. He smiled and hurriedly finished his paper works. He dug into his meal, tasting the savory beef and satisfying his hunger. It was already dark outside when he finished with his meal. He stood up to stretch his legs when a knock came from the door.
"Come in," he called out. Gai entered with his usually bright grin. He's alone and he's carrying a bottle of sake on his lap.
"Ah, Eternal Rival! I see you're working late again!" he exclaimed as he wheeled his chair close to his desk. He stopped a few inches in front of the desk and set the bottle on top of it .
Kakashi smiled at his best friend, "Nah. I just finished with my work. I'm ready to sleep in."
Gai gave him a cajoling look, "Then how about a bottle of sake before you go to bed?"
Kakashi laughed and sat behind his desk, "Don't even think about it. Tsunade-sama warned me not to drink anything alcoholic since it may trigger a headache. And don't you dare drink a single gulp! You're alone and in a wheelchair, we don't want any accident here in the Hokage Tower!"
"That's where you're wrong, rival! TenTen will come and get me here after an hour. Besides, sake will help with sleep!" Gai announced as he procured cups from a bag dangling on the handle of his wheelchair. He poured himself a cup and drank in one gulp.
Kakashi gestured at the pot of tea that he had, "I already have tea right here."
Gai raised an eyebrow, "Tea? Chamomile tea?"
Kakashi nodded as he poured himself a cup of tea to let cool and Gai chuckled, "She's still at it, huh."
The Hokage frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Shizune's been preparing you that tea for more than a year now. I'm glad she's still doing so."
Kakashi's hand stop its motion and he looked quizzically at his friend, "What?"
Gai poured himself another shot of sake, "Shizune had been making you chamomile tea for more than one year to help you sleep."
Kakashi set the pot down and looked at his cup of tea, contemplating. He wouldn't deny that he's attracted to Shizune; she's beautiful to his eyes, after all. But he doesn't know how to act around the female population, especially with regards to romantic relationships.
"Gai," he started, "How was I… when I was with Shizune?"
The Taijutsu expert gulped his sake down before speaking, "It was kind of funny at first. You didn't know how to talk to her, let alone ask her out!" the man laughed, "But, after keeping it under wraps for a few months, you finally let us know. And, get this, whenever we're out drinking, all we'd hear from you is 'Shizune-this' and 'Shizune-that'! It was amusing to see this shinobi, feared among nations, become so love-struck with his assistant."
Kakashi was wearing a bewildered look on his face. He never saw himself as the one who talks about his girlfriend.
"Wait, are you two back together?" Gai asked.
Kakashi sighed, "I told her that it would not be best to continue our relationship. But that I would like to start from the beginning as friends."
His companion nodded in understanding, "I agree. All good relationship start with a good friendship, after all."
Kakashi nodded. He can't say anything to that, anyway.
But, while Kakashi laid awake in his bed that night, he realized that he doesn't just want her friendship; he wants more than just that. He wondered if it's possible to retain your emotions when you have amnesia. Is that even possible?
He's getting alarmed at this emotions swirling in his brain but it doesn't stop him from wondering. He wondered about her favorites, her little quirks. He wants to know more about their relationship, he wants…
He wants to be able to touch her, to kiss her, to keep her close to him. He wants to know every intimate detail that he had come to know about her when they were together. He wants more.
Kakashi turned in his bed. It's going to be another sleepless night for him.
A/N: thank you very much dear readers! i hope you liked it! :)