"Why stop here?"
"It's on the way, so I don't see what you're complaining about."
"I don't wanna. It's late, I'm tired. Let's go."
"You can go home! Or you can shut up."
Genma Shiranui exaggerated a crestfallen sigh, having to hold the senbon in two fingers to achieve the sound he wanted.
"You shut up."
Anko knelt in front of the infamous Memorial Stone, squinting at the engraved names carefully.
"Hm," He slouched lazily with both hands in his vest, "depressing place."
"It's important to remember those who have passed," Her stare landed on Hayate's name, "you know that."
"I know that," Genma echoed, nervously fiddling with the tool hanging from his mouth. He muttered around it to form words. Avoided eye-contact.
It turned out to be very likely that they had completed their last mission under the Fifth. Even though moonlit sky fell upon them, and they should be catching up on rest, Anko couldn't tame frenzied thoughts. She knew everything was about to change, possibly in a dicey way. Nobody could be sure of what would happen. The headstone represented something of stability to her.
"I can't seem to understand.." She tightened her grip on the concrete. The thought of change never sat well within her mind. "The Leaf with so many new leaders in what feels like a short time frame."
"It's kinda been years, but whatever," He mumbled on purpose, "Tsunade's practically an old woman under that guise."
"So you won't care when she's gone as Hokage?"
"I'll miss her rack, but that's about it," Genma jested, appreciating the reaction.
Anko's jaw lowered, "I cannot think of a more disrespectful thing to say at a time like this! You just called her an old woman!"
"Hey, no disrespect intended, it's a compliment," He defended his wisecracking, "truth is, Konoha needs a younger leader. Kakashi fits the bill, but let's face it, he's nothing to look at."
Sneering at his hypocrisy, she returned most of her attention back to the memorial.
Obito Uchiha.
Anko rubbed her fingers along the print, shivering slightly as she rose upright again. The climate proved temperate, but it almost seemed cold where they were. The standard attire of a vest and full coverage were rare for her, but they donned the same uniform; Genma didn't look the least bit bothered by the chill, so it must have been imagined.
"Obito was one messed up dude," He concluded at last, breaking the unwarranted silence between them. "see the trouble he caused for all of us. Even as kids, I could tell living in Kakashi's shadow really bugged him. Saying he'd become Hokage one day? Talk about sweet irony."
She noticed that everyone had their own unique theories on why Kakashi Hatake was the way he was. Usually his former teammate played a huge role in determining the personality. Maybe it wasn't too far off. Formulating one-sided ideas were a lot easier than getting to know the guy behind the mask. Even she didn't know him well enough to decide which answers felt rumored or true. But she wouldn't freely admit to it. They were close on another level, not to mention picking apart someone's entire persona was a different story. She couldn't confidently steer everyone in the right direction because it was a mystery she hadn't solved. Was it worth solving? She couldn't explain his behaviors or attitudes, no matter how much she thought about him. Which was a lot. So that left others to their own deducing, which inevitably came out more judgmental. Living through such a tragic past, he was bound to be hiding something.
"Care to join us?"
He wore the picture of skepticism, hinting towards a clear no. "Actually, I was just on my way out. It's nice to see you guys all in one place."
"This may come as a shock to you, but we are in the same place more often than not," Anko relayed swiftly, "being from the same village, you know.."
He hardly looked as if her sarcasm offended him.
"Please join us, Kakashi!" Guy pushed in an effusive manner. "Let us catch you up on our lives!"
"Later would be a better time," He procrastinated, truthfully having limited interest. "thanks for the offer, though."
"Jeez, what a prick," Anko shook her head in disbelief as he exited the restaurant.
Asuma frowned, disapproval evident in his gaze, "Anko, don't say that. Kakashi is part of the ANBU now. I'd say free time in that organization is nonexistent."
"Okay, so?" She leaned over the table, picking at the food apathetically. "Acting like he's better than the rest of us. Who cares? Fuck. Doesn't give him the right to blow us off like that."
"I believe he is a very misunderstood guy," Kurenai said gently, "I feel sorry for him. He must feel so alone."
Guy nodded solemnly, "He has isolated himself even further from us. Sadly, I cannot follow his way of thinking."
Anko selfishly grabbed numerous leftover sticks of dumplings, throwing her share of money down. "Whatever the situation, he's the one sinking himself faster. Not our lives. Not our place to tell him how to grieve... or whatever it is he's got going on."
"Try to have more sympathy for a friend," Asuma contended, "maybe we don't know everything. It's not easy to express yourself in this kind of situation."
"Yeah yeah, I'm leaving now," She fastened her overcoat, bracing against the nippy air outside. "tomorrow it'll be drinks. Save me a seat."
Desperately trying to save as many dumplings as possible by shoving them in her pockets and being slapped by the wind simultaneously, she hadn't expected to see the tall silhouette propped against the wall of the restaurant. Since he turned out to be so close in range, she wondered if it was just a game of eavesdropping this whole time. Not that she cared either way.
"Want one?" Anko knew better than to bargain for a comeback, dangling a treat in front of his face.
"No."
She kept a smug smile, because she never wanted to share to begin with. He'd have to take off that damn mask, so it wasn't like he would ever accept it. "Fine. You don't look like you got very far on your way out."
Kakashi's eye remained downcast, and she realized then what a despondent vibe he emitted. Not for the first time, of course. She guessed he would go through the remainder of his adulthood as an extremely somber man.
Anko wondered what went through his head in that moment, not sure if she could say anything of meaning. He could be more friendly if he tried.
"I know that you guys want me to quit ANBU," his one visible eye suddenly caught her off guard.
"Don't assume I'm part of it," which sounded a little more hateful than she intended. "and so what? It just shows that your friends are worried about you."
"I'm not someone to worry about."
"Pretty self-righteous, though," Anko glared into his line of sight the best she could manage. "maybe you should quit. Spend time with your friends. Don't you want to have some fun? Let go a little."
Kakashi hid signs of being irritated very well. "I wish it were that easy. You don't know the first thing about me."
"Look," She shrugged, not denying fact. "Maybe I'm not as experienced on matters like these. But I do know it's probably a bad idea to push away people who want what's best for you. They're always here for us. And I'd like to think if I needed someone to talk to, you would be there for me. You'd be there, right?"
Anko's speech might have struck a chord somewhere, but it was hard to tell. She wondered if he looked just as pensive without the mask. She wanted to tell him that it was okay to not be happy, which seemed to be something she understood well. Why didn't he say anything?
"I'd be lying if I said it made any difference to me what you do," She started the trek home, freezing when she heard him inch closer. "I don't care. Make your own decisions."
Kakashi's voice was low, "I'd be there, Anko."
She couldn't overlook the way he said it. A tender, more pleading tone that sought comfort. Wished she could take back the coldness she abused moments before. Didn't regret it enough to apologize, but she felt bad.
"Okay, here, only because I'm feeling generous," She produced one of the sweetest sticks, the one she had been holding onto because it looked best. Held it out decisively before she could change her mind. "Take it!"
After somewhat of a delay, he finally took it from her hand. What was this? Some sort of weird sacrifice? Her way of showing remorse? He wasn't sure.
"I see where you come from, so I'll give you a chance. Don't make me regret it," She smiled, the best attempt at showing compassion yet.
"Uh, thanks I guess," He deadpanned, still confused about the way their conversation ended.
Dissatisfaction crept up as she stood there, realizing how awfully wooden and ungrateful he was. "No, Kakashi, you shouldn't bother yourself with walking me home. Please act less concerned. Thank you so much for offering. I'll be fine, glad you asked. Good night."
"I need to know," Anko stepped back. "what do you think of Kakashi as Hokage?"
He gave the impression of being a little dumbfounded at the sudden inquiry. "It's nothing to think about."
"Do you think he'll bring prosperity and peace? Destruction or more war? What? Tell me."
Genma yawned, knowing his opinion on the matter was particularly useless. "Who knows for sure. Hopefully he can manage well enough."
She crossed her arms for warmth, "What do you mean?"
"Kakashi doesn't even have the Sharingan any more," He slowly went into detail, "wasn't that what made him feared by nations in the first place? Besides that, who knows what kind of grudges there are against the son of the White Fang. With his best asset gone.. other villages could see him as a power to take down. An influential position like that will bring risks no matter what. Worst case scenario, he goes into battle and we aren't able to save him."
Anko suddenly got a feeling of resolution, seconds dragging into minutes. That couldn't happen. "No. Kakashi is strong. He will be a decent Hokage."
"Think so?"
"He will."
"The guy's got crazy talent, I'll hand it to him. But I wouldn't switch lives with him if you paid me. Not a chance. A guy that's went through all that has to be busted up psychologically."
She had been seeking certain alleviation from Genma Shiranui, hoping he would erase her doubts with thoughts of wisdom. Though they were on virtually opposite ends of the spectrum personality-wise, she regarded him as a good friend. Graduating from the academy together and working with one another frequently, she took his opinion into consideration. Only to realize her subconscious knew best. What she believed in wasn't right occasionally.
"This is absolute bullshit!" Fiery disposition might have been the only way she could ever express herself.
Anko cussed as they descended the staircase from the Hokage's tower. Accompanying her storm-off were five other similar individuals.
"I can't believe this," She turned to her friends once they reached the bottom. "We work our asses off and he wants to say we need more recommendations? To become Jōnin?! We should all be there by now, appointed or not."
"That's just how it works, unfortunately," Ebisu fixed his glasses.
"Time for a new system then," Anko announced. "we're more than qualified, so what the hell is this recommendation stuff about? I'm over it!"
"During the war, they needed as many high-ranking ninja as they could get. Now that we're able and ready, they wanna raise the standards," Genma agreed, "whatever, I guess."
"It's not fair!" She exclaimed, looking to the other three for support.
Asuma Sarutobi shrugged and grinned, letting it roll off his back. "You're too intense, Anko. We'll make it eventually."
"Yeah," Kurenai piped up. "It is a long decision-making process."
"There's no decision to make! This is ridiculous."
"Hey, what about Kakashi? Hasn't he been a Jōnin for years now? We could ask him," Ebisu suggested factually.
Guy lit up at the mention of his rival. "Kakashi! Yes! I'm certain I could take him now! Therefore, proving my worth as a Jōnin! Great idea!"
"The reason he's been one for years probably has to do with the village needing more reinforcements at that time. Warm bodies. Only to hold him back during the invasion. Kind of contradicting."
"Nothing's fair about it, anyway," Genma pointed out scornfully. "some of us have unfair advantages."
Anko raised an eyebrow, feeling targeted. "And those would be?"
"Well, Kakashi trained under the Fourth, who had training from one of the Sannin," He removed the senbon from the corner of his mouth. "and you trained under a Sannin as well. And Asuma's old man is the Hokage, obviously.."
"You fucking serious?" She boiled with anger, pulling her collar down. "yeah, I learned so much from him! A few tricks and a curse mark that flares up from time to time! But because I got it from a Sannin, it must be some wonderful thing, right? If we have such advantages, why are we still the same rank as you?"
Anko wouldn't refute the envy they had toward the Hatake. He had desirable skill. But to group her in with someone simply because they both received special training? A scathing attack on her character.
"Hey, hey," Asuma lit up a cigarette, ignoring Kurenai's fussing. "We're all grown adults here. Let's go have a drink or something."
"You wanna take this somewhere?" She tuned out the voice of reason, fully prepared for a fight.
"I ain't hittin a girl like you," Genma pursed his lips, rejecting the request with a flicked wrist.
"Elite status is something to be earned, not bought or inherited. It might take more hard work and dedication, but we'll get there together, guys." Asuma assured with a certain finality.
"I was gonna kick your ass," She laughed in the middle of reminiscing. "as if I wasn't upset enough that day."
"You didn't threaten me," He had to go back years. "either way, I would have lost. Beat up a girl an' get criticized. Lose to a girl an' get criticized."
"I'm assuming you mean woman. Anyway, we might have been promoted years ago, but it feels like yesterday, doesn't it?"
Genma let her wallow in nostalgia, reading a few names to himself.
"Will you continue to serve under him?"
"Probably," He twisted the trademark senbon with his tongue, "he'll need bodyguards. What about you?"
Anko walked in slow steps, trying to not look back. Closest adviser, she wanted to remark. "I'm guessing more tracking missions. Nothing extraordinary."
"Man, we see too much of each other," He said suggestively as they made their way through the harmless night, "it could be fun if you wanted it to be."
"Want what exactly?" She choked on a quiet laugh, "you?"
"'Ya know," Genma winked, eyes of a cool burnt umber, inarguably his best attribute. Boasted a soothing look to them. "two tokubetsu Jōnin, both precious slaves of the Leaf, above-average appearances.."
Not getting the response he aimed for was disheartening. "Come on, this sexual tension can't be partial to just me. Don't tell me you haven't had urges all these years."
Anko went pink in the face more from embarrassment than agitation. "Please, I'm not the cheap ride you're used to. No man can control this woman, trust me."
Not even a few years ago, she could have thought to act on desires Genma presented, but it wouldn't be genuine. Years before that, she never worried over a boy's affection. She garnered substantial attention being a vivacious young woman, not afraid to talk back and with shapely proportions. Not that she minded being admired from afar. Or up close, depending on who was doing the admiring. A great self-esteem booster. As a budding kunoichi in the past, she only ever craved one individual's attention. That lone soul had meant absolutely nothing to her for years.
It must have been a satisfying answer, because he dropped the pursuit. "Alright, we'll reschedule."
She always kind of was the type to pass up good things.
A/N;; Purposefully expanding on this generation. More of the main pairing next chapter.. Promise, haha. Appreciating the feedback from everybody~