Despite the less than stellar beginning, it actually proved pretty easy to placate Anko and Gai with a thorough explanation and a very nice, very expensive dinner. The former gave the couple a rowdy congratulations, before slapping them both on the backs and managing to make at least twenty-three lewd jokes about newlyweds before the meal had finished.

And Gai's sincerity rang through in every single word of congratulations for his friends. Masako had always had a soft spot for him, if only for the way that he respected Kakashi as a person and a ninja. In seeing the way the taijutsu fiend was really happy for them, she couldn't help but return his bear hug with twice as much enthusiasm, along with a heartfelt 'thank-you'.

"I promise I'll get you a wonderful wedding gift!" Gai declared as they parted. "It will encapsulate the greatness of your love!"

Before either of them could give a gentle but firm 'no', he left them behind in the dust, leaving the two to speculate just what he had in mind.

As always, their friend took it to extremes only he could.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but it's a bit…much," Kakashi said the next day, when they woke up to an eight-foot-tall teddy bear adorned with roses and chocolates on their doorstep. "Should I ask where he managed to find all of this in less than twelve hours, or are we better off not knowing?"

"But we're keeping it, right?" Enraptured by the fluffiness of it all, Masako turned to her husband with both hands clasped in front of her heart — she knew he wouldn't say no. "Just for a week?"

(Just like she knew he would, Kakashi agreed, and Mr. Kuma stayed for two months before Masako admitted they needed the space.)

Their other peers proved to have more conventional reactions.

Asuma had pulled both of them into one-armed hugs, wholehearted in his approval. "I'm glad – we're all glad – you're happy. Even though there's been a significant group of mourners now that you guys are off the market."

Kakashi had never cared for his romantic admirers and everyone knew it; Asuma found it hilarious, so the ribbing was always inevitable.

"That so?" Just as inevitable was Masako goading her friend on. For her, it was less about lording it over the competition and more about seeing if she could exasperating Kakashi, or making him blush. "Has there been gnashing of teeth? Has anybody challenged me to a duel?"

"The duel part, no—"

"Don't give people any ideas," the long-suffering ninja cut in. Handling Gai's challenges were enough; he didn't need any delusional would-be suitors thinking they could jump him. It would intrude on his thinking time.

"As I was saying, no duels, yet. But the gnashing of teeth – I overheard some hearts breaking very vocally in the Hyuuga compound."

"The Hyuugas? Huh, I wouldn't have guessed. For me or for him? I saw one of the main house members making eyes at him the other month." Masako giggled a little at Kakashi's soft groan.

"It's a pretty tight race, but I think your faction's got the edge in numbers."

The great Copy Ninja wondered if getting Gai to chase Asuma around the village for a one thumb pushup challenge would be petty.

"Congratulations, you two," Kurenai said, ignoring Asuma and beaming at her friends. "Tomorrow night, Masako, I'll buy you dinner and you have to tell me everything."

It was left unsaid that the dinner would just be the two of them, but everyone in the conversation understood.

"I can't wait!"

The promised dinner came, and Masako relished the opportunity to tell her old friend about how deeply in love she was.

Kurenai was regaled with repeated declarations about how Masako knew that Kakashi was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, even though he ate like shit, and he cheated when sparring, and sometimes he fell asleep in the shower and wasted all the hot water, the idiot.

In fact, the new bride was so blissfully happy at being able to freely talk about him, that she didn't even mind when a tipsy Kurenai admitted that she'd placed a wager on how 'you two blockheads' got together.

"At le-heast—" Masako hiccuped, eyeing the rest of the bottle of wine, "—at least tell me you betted on me…not him, me. Asuma thought he'd confess first? Tch!"

"Trust me," Kurenai said, her entire face sporting a scarlet flush. "As soon as I can, I'm getting my money, and I'll get us the good stuff." This declaration was punctuated with a large gulp of sake that almost missed its target.

"Alright, I think you two have had enough."

Groaning, the two kunoichi paid their bill and left; after saying goodbye, Masako was just cognizant enough to notice that Kurenai was going in the complete opposite direction of her house.

Guess someone's wallet is gonna be a little lighter tonight, she thought, stifling a laugh.

As soon as Masako flung herself back into their house and into his arms, Kakashi was informed about the bet; though he wanted to be a little offended at the lack of faith, he took great pleasure in knowing Asuma lost money.

"You didn't tell them about the flowers, right?" It was a cop-out that he would never hear the end of, if people got wind of it.

"Yeah, because I'm heartless. 'Course I didn't! Just us two'll know. Just our little secret." Masako kissed the tip of his nose before flopping onto the bed and passing out like a light.

Heaving a sigh of relief and affection, Kakashi made sure that his wife was tucked underneath a blanket before stepping into the shower. Letting the warmth wash over him, he closed his eyes and smiled.

This is good. More than good.

Over the next few weeks, everyone got past the novelty of the two of them being together and life began to settle much in the same way as it had gone before.

However, there was one well-wisher who threw them for a loop.

"Been a while since we've been called to the Hokage's office together," Masako said when they received the summons. Truth be told, she kind of missed being partnered on the occasional mission; but the timing was suspicious.

"If he wanted to complain about this, he would've done it right after the ceremony." Kakashi's tone was indifferent, with only Masako able to discern the note of unease. "And if he's calling us to complain now, we don't really have to listen. Not much they can do about it."

That part was true. Even without the shortage of shinobi, the village wouldn't risk losing their famed Copy Ninja or an ANBU captain for something as small as a marriage.

Still, walking into the Hokage's office was a vivid reminder of Masako's Academy days, when she was constantly pulled in front of the headmaster for a prank or a barrage of smart remarks.

At least now you could comfortably say that you did nothing wrong, she told herself with slight amusement.

"Hey." The whisper was directed towards Kakashi as they waited, a respectable distance between them. "I bet you never had to be called in for punishment at school. Never heard you get into trouble once."

"I was only there for a year."

"Yeah, we all know that. But a lot can be done in a year, if you have the will." Though Masako had fond memories of her high-spirited antics, her adult self had developed a healthy awe of her mother's patience. If their places had been switched, Masako was sure she'd have a hundred premature wrinkles.

The former star student snorted, clearly on the same train of thought. "You certainly did. So notorious for it, everyone heard — Iruka told me once that he took inspiration from some of your funnier exploits."

He, too, didn't speak above a hushed tone; with neither of them looking at each other, Masako's mind likened it to them passing notes in class. Imagining their kid-selves doing that made her smile — though of course, as a child Kakashi never partook in such frivolous things.

By now, Kakashi was reminiscing too. "I'll never get over the surprise I felt when we were told that the most promising stealth assassin in years was joining and I found out that it was you."

Masako did remember; the look on Kakashi's face when he saw her in ANBU gear was one of her favorite memories. The shock had barely left him when he was told that they were to be partnered together for a month-long mission.

"Remember when you refused to rest for a week on the way back from the place with the redhead and her crazy inn, and I had to threaten to put you to sleep and carry you back to the village?"

The side of his mask shifted, a surefire sign he was smiling. "That was almost perfect timing, my chakra reserves failing just as I was telling you that you were being ridiculous."

"Imagine if I had to come back and tell everyone that the prodigal Kakashi was taken out by a river." Though Masako could — and did — laugh about the whole farcical situation, the panic at him falling under the current was seared into her mind. "You were lucky."

"It wasn't luck. I had you."

Smooth bastard, she thought, feeling her heart give a great big thump. Masako was sure that even if a hundred years passed, Kakashi would still be able to make her melt with nothing more than a few sincere words.

Before they could continue retracing old stories, however, the Third's assistant gave them their cue to enter.

Sarutobi stood in front of his desk, hands folded behind his back as his sharp eyes took in the couple before him.

"I understand that there's congratulations in order?"

Other than a quirked eyebrow, Masako's face was impassive; she was still apprehensive of what the meeting would bring.

Their silence didn't faze the old man in the slightest; picking up a folder from his desk, he held it out to them.

"We've received reports of an extortion ring being run in several inns on our country's borders. Preliminary intel indicates that it may be the work of the same forces behind the Sāto case from a few years back."

Pausing, Sarutobi looked at the both of them, leaving room for comments. When none were forthcoming, he continued.

"We could wipe out the hired mercenaries, but it's only a temporary solution. The people that hired us want them dismantled, for good, and that involves a little more work. That's where you two come in. Pose as guests, gather information, and when you find out who and where the head is, you strike."

Masako sucked in a sharp breath – infiltration missions weren't her favorite, but they were more than doable. Blending in, lulling everyone into a false sense of security, those were skills she'd honed over time.

However, it would be a lot more difficult if Kakashi – the famous, masked, sharingan-wielding Kakashi – was supposed to be her partner. There was a reason he was never sent to do this kind of work.

Furthermore, for the two of them specifically to be given a long-term mission, especially when they now worked in different forces – this was definitely a test.

"With all due respect, Lord Hokage, are you sure—"

The old man didn't seem to be in the mood to hear her objection. "You know, it's a funny thing. Whenever I hear that phrase, it seems that it's followed by a healthy amount of disrespect."

Masako wanted to roll her eyes. "Fine. Are you sure that that's the best idea?"

Judging by Kakashi's silence, he didn't disagree.

"Considering both of your combined experience? Yes." Sarutobi's stern face broke into a sly smile. "Besides, it's almost like an all-expenses paid trip; think of it as a wedding present! The inns are really good – mixed baths, good food, everything newlyweds would want. You're welcome."

As he was wont to do, Kakashi broke his silence with a well-placed observation. "But we'll still be working."

"Yes, there's that. Anyway, I'm a busy man and you two have to prepare for the journey."

Dismissed, the couple began to make their way back to their place.

"This is a test." Kakashi was always more prone to cynicism than his wife, but on this occasion, she agreed.

"Definitely. The timing…we're not even on the same force. Like they're trying to remind us of the 'your interests versus the good of the village' problem."

"Do they not comprehend the possibility that we've already thought about that?" They were now entering their front door; both of them took a brief moment to case the room.

"Hmph. A decade of stellar work and there's no trust. That's the ninja way." This was far from the first mission they'd been partnered on since getting together, but Masako would be damned if it was the last because higher-ups thought romance had addled their brains.

Reaching forward, Kakashi gently brushed the corner of her frown with his thumb. "It'll be fine. Once this mission is over, they won't bother us about it again."

Sighing, Masako leaned into his touch for a moment before straightening.

"I'll start getting ready."

The mission started off well enough. Entering the first inn as a quiet couple on their honeymoon was as close to her adolescent fantasies as she could conceivably get, although the heavy disguise took away from the romance somewhat.

Sarutobi made some good points, she thought, letting the hot spring work away the dirt of the journey, careful not to get her wig wet. This is pretty heavenly.

It was impossible to feel anything approaching relaxation, with the voice in the back of her head constantly reminding her that this was a test – but Masako tried as hard as she could to enjoy spending time with Kakashi, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Unfortunately, the only information they could glean about the extortion ring were the terrified whispers of the owners as everyone retired for the night.

"Not a total loss, though," Masako told Kakashi as he took first watch, as he always did.

"Not quite," he agreed, and they allowed themselves one kiss before Masako drifted off to sleep.

It was a week later, when they approached the third inn, that everything crash-landed into disaster. Someone had tipped off the heads of the whole damn operation, and a good fifteen mercenaries were stationed just inside the door.

"Well, looks like our cover's blown."

"I'm never agreeing to infiltrate anything with you again," Masako griped in response to his quip. "This is the first time this has happened to me in years."

Kakashi pulled off his hat and the bandages covering his sharingan, ready for battle, but he still took the time to throw her a lopsided smile.

"Should I be the one to tell the old man it was a terrible distribution of resources, or should you?"

"It'll sound better coming from you." Jerking her head towards the clumsy trap ahead of them, Masako asked, "I'd say the head was here, but they've already run. It's almost a waste, but we'll have to find a lead somewhere. I'll incapacitate them with Temple of Nirvana."

"I'll cover you."

Giving one quick nod of agreement, Masako jumped onto the roof, silent. Closing her eyes, she concentrated as she cast the genjutsu.

Unfortunately for those inside, they'd left the windows open.

As the wind whistled through the building, the thud of bodies dropping reverberated through the inn.

Too easy, Masako thought, smiling to herself. After she heard Kakashi's coded knock, she swung herself in through the nearest opening.

"Which one of these should I wake up first?" he said as she landed next to him.

"Try that one." Masako pointed to the slumped figure closest to them. "I'll maintain the genjutsu while you do your thing."

Whatever Kakashi said to the man he dragged outside, it worked. Within two minutes, the silver-haired ninja came back in, apparently satisfied with the information.

"I have a name, Watanabe. A location too, which is only ten minutes away from here at our top speed. We could've skipped the whole infiltration thing, to be honest."

"What did you used to say? Hindsight is the best foresight?" After glancing around the room, she flitted towards the window again. "Lead the way."

The informant wasn't lying, and ten minutes later they were scoping out a house that was obnoxious in its opulence. Kakashi used his sharingan once more, taking careful note of the chakra signatures.

"There are less of them here, maybe four or five," he said, pulling down his forehead protector as he finished. "That's not a good sign."

For a powerful person to have less people watching them meant that their guards were a lot more skilled than the average mook.

"Missing-nin, do you think?"

"Most likely."

Any question of stealth was thrown out of the window when three figures landed around them.

Shit.

Both of them twisted away from the barrage of shuriken as the unknown trio closed ranks.

An alarm sounded from inside the house, and Masako swore. From the way they dodged the onslaught, they'd landed on the far side of their attackers, away from the entrance; if the two of them were tied up with the front-guard, Watanabe would get away.

Catching Kakashi's eye, she shouted, "Go!"

He only paused for a second, before disappearing.

"Ito, get the—argh!" The one on her left had begun to snap out an order before Masako crushed her windpipe.

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Masako flickered between the ninja and their goal. "You're not passing me."

"I'll be the judge of that," one said, light glinting off his katana as he charged.

Dodging the blow with ease, Masako forced him back with a flurry of kicks; in the shadows, she saw the other two fall into formation again, pulling out scrolls.

Not very creative, she thought, disparagingly. But stupidity was easy to take advantage of.

Another wall of weapons were flung towards her, but this time she was prepared. Swiftly, Masako signed a series of hand seals and released a devastating barrage of wind – her opponents were forced to flail in the air in order to dodge their own shuriken.

Right where I want you.

Before they could land again, Masako formed hand seals one more time – sweeping her arms in front of her, a torrent of water streamed from her fingertips; her victims had no choice but to fall into the trap.

"Fmmfh!" All three of them were suspended in front of her now, hanging upside down in the swirling whirlpools she'd summoned.

"Shut up."

One by one, she pummelled them into unconsciousness. In her simmering frustration, Masako was more vicious than was strictly needed – the blood on her fists were testament to that.

Kakashi.

Now that she had taken care of them, Masako flickered inside, following the trail of destruction; she found the half-destroyed safe-room just as Kakashi was tying up the man that she could only presume was Watanabe; his guards were strewn about the wreckage, barely breathing.

"It's done," Kakashi said, a slight strain in his voice as he met her eyes.

Even with most of the lighting destroyed, she could see him sweeping her body for any sign of injury; she did the same.

Only after they were both certain that the other was alright, Masako realized that Watanabe was screaming profanities at them.

"—and you! I'll have them gut you from head to toe, you pathetic excuse of a woman! I'll make your partner watch as you—"

There was no gracefulness or technique behind Masako's swing, but that didn't stop his bone from shattering under her fist.

"Shut up, asshole," she spat at him as he shrieked through the pain of a broken jaw. "They want you alive, but that doesn't mean I have to listen to your shit."

The sooner we get back, the better.

Both of them made sure that the worthless man was gagged and as uncomfortable as possible while they dragged him back to the village.

Even though the mission was a success, Masako was still in a bad mood, tapping her foot impatiently as they briefed the Hokage on the events.

"Excellent, excellent. I always have faith in the both of you," Sarutobi said, satisfied with their report. "Anything else to add?"

Yeah, like did we pass this stupid test? Are you happy? The words were like bile in her throat, but saying it wouldn't do anyone a favor.

"No more infiltration missions for me unless absolutely necessary," Kakashi said. It really, truly was a decision that hadn't made sense.

With the Third promising to take Kakashi's request into mind, the two of them left the whole damn thing behind.

Wordlessly, they made their way to their special grove, by the river.

"Hey, are you—mmf!"

Kakashi wrapped her into an aching hug, holding her tight; Masako buried her face into his chest, close enough to feel his heartbeat.

"I left you, back there," he whispered into her hair.

She refused to let him feel guilty for that, this time or any other. Situations like that were going to happen, whether or not they wanted it to; still, he was almost always the one who had to press forward. Masako didn't envy the necessity of his decision.

"You went ahead because it was the best choice and you trusted me, like every other time."

"And every time, I hate it," was his reply. Masako felt his grip loosen just enough for him to look at her, but still she remained pressed against his jacket. Breathing deep, she let the scent of him wash over her as he continued talking; he smelled of clean soap, simple and comforting.

To her displeasure, he pulled further away.

"—ko? What about you?" he was saying, worry written on his brow. "You and Watanabe. That's not like you."

Finally looking up at him, she struggled to give shape to her thoughts.

"The whole thing bothered me from the beginning. The asshole was just what made me snap," Masako said. "I didn't want people to see us being together as a weakness. I know what we said before, but…they're watching more closely now. In case there's one wrong move. This mission went well, but what if one of us gets injured next time? Or what if someone from the village takes that information, and it gets into the wrong hands? And then our enemies will have one more thing to exploit, and all anyone can do is say 'I told you so'."

It was a grim scenario, but not an entirely impossible one. Anyone with enough ambition and no scruples wouldn't hesitate to use one of them against the other.

Kakashi hesitated before he replied. "You're right. Things haven't changed; we knew it was always going to be difficult, moreso after we went public. But we've made it this far, remember?"

He wasn't wrong. They'd found themselves in far graver missions than that one, and each time they'd made sure that both of them had gotten back, more or less intact - though not without some fresh horrors to add to their ever-growing roster of nightmares.

"And every time I remember, I hate it," she said, echoing his words back to him.

His fingers brushed back the hair that had stuck to her face. "It took me too long to understand the importance of bonds, and now I know that I'm stronger because of what I have with you. That is worth the price of being open. We just have to be careful."

"You're right," she said, leaning into his embrace again. "I just needed to hear it again."

"I love you," he murmured, stroking her back.

"I love you too."

After a while, calmness settled over Masako, and she found that it was no longer unbearable to be parted from him.

"Let's go home."