Kakashi sighed as he put his pen down and massaged his numbing fingers. Shinobi from missions are beginning to arrive and mission reviews had piled up on his desk and Shizune had strictly instructed him to read them thoroughly.
He couldn't help the small grin that came over his face at the thought of his assistant. After rekindling their relationship the week before, he's been feeling giddy all the time. Maybe he never forgot about how he felt for her and had always held a special place in his heart for her or maybe he simply regained his feelings with time.
Nonetheless, Kakashi wouldn't want to trade this with anything. After everything he had been through, having someone care and dote for him is a refreshing change and a more than welcome diversion from the almost monotonous days his life had fallen into.
Kakashi wondered if he had also felt this way when they first started dating the year before but he stopped his train of thought. He's done wondering about the past year; he can't long for something that is already lost permanently. He resolved with himself that he will make new, more memories with everyone, especially with Shizune.
He was about to pick up his pen again when the door to his office burst open and revealed the fuming face of Tsunade, her face red with anger and he can practically see smoke coming out of her ears. He saw Shizune behind her, chasing after the older woman. Tsunade quickly slammed the door shut, ignoring the frantic cry of 'Tsunade-sama!' that came from the other side. The blonde quickly weaved signs to place seals on the door, making sure nobody can enter. She strode to him and slammed her hands on his desk, rattling the scrolls neatly stacked on the table dangerously. Outside, Shizune pounded on the door.
"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed, her hands gripping the edge of the table with so much force that hairline cracks began to form beneath her fingers.
He tried to smile confidently, though he can feel the rage radiating off the older woman, "Godaime-sama! To what do I owe this pleasure?"
She growled and took hold of his collar, "What do you think you're doing?" she repeated, her chakra making the air cackle around her.
Kakashi held his hands up, torn between being sarcastic in his retort or saving his life. He decided to choose the latter.
"Tsunade-sama," he caught her attention with a calm but confident voice, "If you please sit down, we can talk about your matter in peace. Wouldn't want anyone outside to hear about it, would you?"
She frowned, contemplating, and then released him. She didn't take a seat, instead she began to pace in front of him, almost like a lioness ready to pounce.
"Tsunade-sama…" he began but he was cut-off.
"What were you thinking, Hatake?" she snapped as she continued pacing, "Or are you not thinking at all? Did the accident took your senses, too?"
He frowned, confused at her words.
"I'm not sure I follow," he said, confusion and worry evident in his voice.
Tsunade growled lowly, menacingly, as she stepped closer to his desk, "Shizune told me," she said lowly, "that you're dating again."
He nodded slowly, still unsure of where this is going. Though they were not really keeping their romantic relationship a secret, they also didn't announce it to everybody they know yet. So far, Shikamaru is still the only one who knows about it. They decided to let nature take its course and, besides, word travels fast.
"Are you taking advantage of her feelings to have someone warm your bed?" she accused, arms crossed under her breasts.
Kakashi bristled at the insinuation. Though he wants nothing but to take Shizune every time they're alone together, he still respects her boundaries and he would let her take the lead if she wants to step up their relationship.
He stood up, his hands clenched on his sides, "With all due respect, Tsunade-sama, I must let you know that I respect Shizune. She's my assistant and my most trusted advisor. I would never scorn her nor disregard her feelings, if that's what you were thinking," he spoke with firmly.
"And, Shizune… she's more than a friend to me. She's someone who understands me and I would want to keep her close to me at all times. There are many reasons why I want her and I would stay right by her side as long as she wants me," he finished, staring the older woman in the eyes. He wants her to see that he's telling the truth, without any deception in his words.
Tsunade glared at him, smiled, and then started to laugh, as if she found what she was looking for. Kakashi stared at her, bewildered, wondering if the woman had probably gone mad.
She was still giggling when she started to speak, "You know Hatake, you're really not the most romantic person around."
He merely shrugged. He's not aiming to be romantic, anyway, he just wants to be truthful and convey his feelings.
Tsunade uncrossed her arms and stood in front of his desk, "I guess I owe you an apology. For what I said."
Kakashi smiled easily behind his mask, "I understand, Godaime-sama. You're just worried about her."
She laughed again and pointed her thumb over her shoulder, toward the door still being pounded by the woman they both care about, "She's the only companion I had for years when I was in roaming the world. It's impossible not to treat her as my own family."
"I understand that you love her like your own daughter. Don't worry about her; I promise I'll keep her as safe as I can and be right here as long as she wants," he replied with conviction. Tsunade stared at him with something akin to admiration and then grinned, patting his shoulder and then turning back towards the door. After weaving signs, the door opened and Shizune entered hastily.
"Tsunade-sama!" she nearly shrieked, as she slammed the door shut, "What did you do?!"
The older woman merely shrugged, clearly unfazed by her panic, "I absolutely did nothing! Look, he's still alive!"
Shizune's dark eyes turned to his and he smiled reassuringly behind his mask. She strode over to his side and quickly scanned his form.
"Are you hurt? Is there any bruises? Cracked ribs?" she asked and her hands roamed his arms and torso.
Tsunade scoffed, "Oh please, Shizune! If I did anything to him, he would not be standing right now. Besides, I think you're just finding an excuse to touch him," the older woman teased. Shizune blushed and dropped her hands.
Kakashi chuckled and took her hands in his, "I'm okay, Shizune. Tsunade-sama just wanted to have a few words."
Tsunade huffed, "You two are getting too lovey-dovey right now so I'm leaving. I'll be in my compound, probably getting drunk," the woman declared and left the office, closing the door behind her. Shizune was about to chase after the blonde when Kakashi held her hands firmly.
"And where do you think you're going?" he asked, a playful tone in his voice as he sat down, still holding her hands.
She looked down at him, "It's only three in the afternoon, far too early for anyone to be drunk!"
Kakashi laughed and, suddenly, he yanked her towards him, catching her in his arms and settling her in his lap, "Come on, Shizune," he said lowly, his fingers lightly stroking her knee that had been exposed by the opening of her yukata and his other arm wrapping around her back, "She's a grown woman enjoying her retirement. Besides, I need you here."
Shizune flushed red but her hands went to his shoulders, squeezing lightly, "And what does my Hokage need?" she asked inquisitively.
He drew his mask down and grinned at her, "Well, I can think of a few things," he replied lowly and brought his face close to hers. Before he can kiss her, though, frantic knocks sounded on the door. She giggled, dropped a kiss on the tip of his nose and jumped off his arms, standing off to the side and out of his reach.
Kakashi sighed and put his mask back on, "Come in."
Shikamaru entered, "Hokage-sama," he greeted, "Shizune-san, the hospital called. They need you there since Sakura is in a mission. Something about needing a poison expert."
Shizune stood up straighter, alert and nodding at Shikamaru. She bowed in front of him, "I'll go now, Hokage-sama."
She left without another word, leaving the two men in the office.
Shikamaru spoke again when he's certain that she's no longer within earshot, "The team of Genin and their sensei that was sent out on a mission to Takigakure was attacked by masked men on their way back. They barely managed to escape but one of the kids was struck by a poisoned senbon. According to the conscious ones, those men were wearing blank masks and white cloaks."
Kakashi set his elbows on the desk, clasping his hands together, "You mean like the one that the ANBU described? The one that attacked me?"
"We can't be certain now since the team didn't see any forehead protector but, right now, it's the only logical explanation we have," Shikamaru replied promptly.
Kakashi nodded and started giving out instructions, "All right. Put additional shinobi at our gates and walls. Widen the perimeter of our ANBU outside the gates so they can immediately report to us anything suspicious. If those Genins were attacked on their way back…"
"Then they're probably making their way to the village," Shikamaru finished the thought.
Kakashi nodded, "Exactly. We also need to contact Yukigakure about this. We must notify them that we may have a lead on the whereabouts of those rogue nin that they were hunting."
"Right away, Hokage-sama," he replied and turned to leave when the telephone on Kakashi's desk rang. He motioned for Shikamaru to stay and put the call on speaker.
"Hello," he greeted.
"Kakashi-sama, this is Shizune," she replied, sounding distressed.
He leaned forward, worried, "Is something wrong?"
"Yes," she answered promptly, "The poison used on the ninja, it's no ordinary poison. It's a slow acting one but is very deadly and attacking the boy's nervous system. I cannot make any antidote for it without the ingredients we need. Unfortunately, we don't have that here. I know what plants we need but Sakura is on a mission right now."
Kakashi knows where she's going with her words, "Absolutely not."
"Hokage-sama! No one is more applicable for this mission than I am!" she argued.
"Then draw the plants on a paper and I'll send somebody -!" he's stubborn as ever.
"It's not that easy! It looks very similar to every other plant there is! Besides, were out of time!"
"Shizune, do you even know the dangers?!"
"Yes, I do! But if we don't take the risk, who will? If we don't gather these ingredients, what will we use if there are more victims like this? It will not even take three days, these plants are abundant just before our border with Kusagakure."
Kakashi rubbed his forehead in frustration and it took all his self-control not to smash the telephone, "Shizune…" he warned.
"Kakashi," she spoke gently but her voice was laced with determination, "We're on a time limit here. Do you want me to leave with escorts or do I have to do this alone?"
Kakashi growled, knowing that he lost. That's Shizune. When she knows that she can do anything to prevent death, she will do anything to do so, even if the risk is her own life.
"Fine," he resigned, "I'll have Lee, Kiba and TenTen accompany you. I'll contact them for the instructions and you'll need to leave within two hours. Drop by before you go."
If she was relieved, she managed to mask it well, "Thank you, Hokage-sama," she replied and dropped the call.
Kakashi ran his hand down his face, dread settling in his stomach. What if something happens to her? What if they ran into those rogue nin? It is strategic and well known that, if the medic is taken down, the mission and, ultimately, the whole team will go down.
"Hokage-sama, shall I call those three now?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yes, please," he nearly groaned. The young man turned to go but then hesitated.
"One last thing, Hokage-sama," he spoke, glancing over his shoulder and smiling at him, "Stop worrying about Shizune-san. She's a strong woman fully capable of protecting herself. Besides, her escorts are fully capable of protecting her."
Kakashi sighed and put his hand down on the desk. His worries were not fully abated but he can't let his anxieties affect him now, "Thank you, Shikamaru."
The young advisor nodded and left. Lee, Kiba and TenTen arrived shortly after and he quickly explained the objective of their mission. He also instructed them that keeping Shizune safe is of utmost importance, since she's the one who knows of the plants that they need to make the antidote. He told them that they have to be ready within the hour and wait for Shizune at the gate.
When Shizune arrived a little over an hour later in her mission gear, he stood up and locked the door behind her. He gathered her into his arms, burying his face against her neck. Her own arms circled his torso.
"Kakashi," she whispered against his shoulder, "I'll be fine. Lee, Kiba and TenTen? They're going to protect me just fine. Besides, it will be just by our border with Kusagakure; it'll be a quick mission. Please stop worrying."
"I can't help it, Shizune. I – those rogue nin who attacked them, they could be…"
"I know, I know," she soothed him, hands running up and down his back, "Those shinobi told me. But we have to save the kid and to stock up on our inventories, as well. We never know when we need to use these again," she explained.
He sighed against her neck and pulled her tighter against him. She had a point and he can't really argue.
"This is exactly opposite of what I promised to Tsunade-sama," he mumbled.
She hummed, coaxing him to elaborate.
"I promised her that I'd keep you safe. Not send you on a potential suicide mission."
She chuckled tiredly, "Kakashi, it's not your responsibility to protect me. I can do that myself. Besides, we both know that this is the life of shinobi."
He sighed again. He knew that. The life of shinobi is not an easy one. They could die at any given time without any warning or preamble. They could leave their village whole-bodied, only to return with a missing limb or worse, a missing head. Or no body at all. The threat will always be looming above their heads.
He pulled her at arms' length and drew his mask down. Desperately, he kissed her, their lips meeting in a bruising kiss as he grabbed her face between his hands. They were both breathing heavily as they pulled away. He leaned his forehead on hers, their breaths mingling as he stared deeply into her dark eyes, memorizing every part of her face.
When he spoke, his voice was thick with emotions, "Take care of yourself on the road, eh?"
She nodded and smiled reassuringly. Giving him another chaste kiss, she pulled away and left.