A/N;; I blame this belated update on moving, school, and having no steady internet connection. I know I'm terrible. Love me anyways. I'll do better, lol. ^^

Kakashi waited until the door clicked shut behind them, flipping the lights on tentatively. The breathtaking view was all his to take on, yet nothing ever seemed real. The entire Leaf, each civilian, each shinobi, each child.. his sole responsibility from then on. Until he got ready to retire.. or died.. or until he decided Naruto was ready to take on the title of the Seventh. Preferably the latter.

"Well, Mr. Hokage, how does it feel? Still sinking in? Are you ready for this?"

"Not really."

Then maybe you should've listened to me, stupid ass. Anko took in the view beside him, blinking until her eyes could get used to the brightness illuminating the office. Against the background of a dark, otherwise depressing night. A deadline approaching quicker than they'd both imagined. Everyone being asleep in their quaint little homes, anxiously anticipating the inauguration ceremony of the Sixth. The most nervous had no hope or luxury of sleep.

"Well, why not?"

He dismissed her sarcastic tone, using the desk as a prop. He knew she still hated him for being kept up. He felt scarily unprepared to tell the truth, but it was kinda late for last minute doubt. Half past midnight and he should've been well-rested. Not so sick with nerves that he wanted to bury himself underground. In a few short hours, he would be officially sworn by oath. But that was too close for him to comprehend, so he didn't even try.

"Kakashi!" She paced the desolate office, stealing his attention from the outside world. "you should have someone redecorate in here for you. The paint is peeling right off these walls. The amount of dust on these shelves is ridiculous. Do you know much filth I breathed in the other day? You should have seen the stuff Tsunade had hoarded to the ceiling."

She lost him after the word 'redecorate', but for once she didn't get on to him for poor listening. Because maybe, he guessed, she was able to sense his worried body language. Women were good at that sort of thing, right? And he would accept pity in that form of definition. Sympathy instead of criticism? Sure, why not.

"Anyway... Seems like a pretty unromantic place to fool around, but we can make it work," Anko said after he zoned out, smiling mischievously. "maybe you could have a secret room put in for private use. Hell, why don't you just turn the whole place into an X-rated adult lounge?"

"I don't think that would do me any favors politically," Kakashi crossed his arms, subconsciously imagining the hours of entertainment. The idea had potential in a more suited setting.

"Oh, come on," She paused at the back corner, creating a mental image. "what about a fancy wine cabinet where I'm standing? Stock piled with imported bottles.. now that would get you in good with anybody. Don't believe me?"

"Hmm, better not," He sighed. "knowing Naruto, he'd find a way to break in here and throw some irresponsible party with his friends."

"Aww, you're no fun. Let kids be kids," Anko was trained in fluent pressuring, running her hand down his left sleeve as she made herself a seat next to him on the desk. "they're young and stupid."

"Not very cute any more, are they," Kakashi brooded, stiller than a statue. He couldn't ignore the twinge of guilt eating away his conscience. The way she questioned him when they were alone. The way she patronized him some days and not others, the way she looked at him with hopeful eyes, after having the serious nerve to ask him to turn such a position down. Was he really her problem? She had to know she would never convince him to actually go along with it.. even if he did consider the option once or twice. The way she made him doubt himself. The way she seemed disappointed at his decision to become who he was.

"Please, they never were," She scooted closer, "you are, though."

"When you have students you'll understand."

"What?" He ruined moods like no other. "You know I don't like kids."

"You're just impatient. I'm willing to teach you a thing or two."

"Yeah? " Anko turned bitter, "when do you think you'll be free? Next spring?"

He rolled his eyes, wearily resting his forehead on her shoulder. "Not this again."

"Kakashi," She became annoyed with his lack of emotion, holding the sides of his face with both hands. "listen to me. Think of all the fun stuff we'll be missing out on. You don't have to.."

"Don't," He cut her off, because he was tired of hearing it already. She didn't agree with him, and that was fine. He was a man who had learned to accept plenty of things as years went by. He understood respectful disagreements, he understood his own hesitance, and most of all, he understood exactly what he was doing. And he didn't need her to tell him he was killing himself with responsibility. Out of all the times he cheated death and almost didn't make it.. he was sure he could get out of this one alive.

"You can still change your mind."

He was tense under her touch, getting a hold on her elbows. They had had so many different versions of the same conversation. But he was going to explain it again. Slowly. "Look. I promise. Everything will be fine."

She was worried about that bastard and he didn't even give a damn! "So you're really gonna do it, then."

"Hey, someone has to," Kakashi let her hands fall, lost in self-assurance. Was he supposed to change his mind the night before or something? "I'm not like you, Anko. I'm careful. Nothing's going to happen."

"Are you saying I'm not careful?" She suddenly felt short of breath, pleading with herself to stay calm. She wasn't going to cry in front of anyone. Especially not then. She was doing so well keeping it together. She wouldn't risk his opinion of her. She was not some weak little girl. The last person she had cried in front of had been.. well, it had been so long ago that it wasn't even worth fucking mentioning.

"I did imply that, yes," He almost flinched when her grip strengthened on his wrists.

"Why am I so nervous for you?"

"I don't know," Kakashi didn't budge, lost in self-assurance. She didn't look like she believed him, so that was hard to see. Why was he the only one believing himself? "I'll be fine."

Anko didn't speak for what seemed like eternities, working her fingers underneath his gloves to reach bare skin. She hated him for being so stubborn, so unyielding.. a confidence she loved to express in herself, but too hard to embrace in others. He just wouldn't understand that she was scared to death of losing him. He was used to being on the other end, protecting comrades and not always putting himself first. She told herself that he must like being alone. He must want rid of her. Why did he have to be good at everything he did? Maybe if he weren't someone so adaptable, maybe if he had known what it was like to stay down after being pushed around, if he knew what it was like to have no trust to spare.. they could go back to being colleagues, just Kakashi Hatake and just Anko Mitarashi. Convenient lovers, nothing more. Freely enjoying their company and dumb predictability. She almost wanted to hate him. He was the reason their relationship would have to survive over Konoha, behind heavily guarded doors. If everything could only stay the same.. she wouldn't be so scared of falling in love with him.

"I want to make this village proud. I want to build it back up to where it was before, give people a future they can count on. That includes you," He paused thoughtfully, "if you'll let me."

Anko traced her fingers over half-healed blisters, trying to find the words to stun them out of a stupidly sappy moment. She might have lost the fight if she tried to hold that notion. He made good sense, so she added that to the list of things she hated.

She had her why, he had his reason, but neither of them understood.

The memory of blue electricity flying from his hand haunted her vision with a suddenness, and she startled the both of them when she jumped. The memory of him lashing out at her, pieces of crushed wall collapsing around them. And for a second, she could have sworn she saw killer intent behind those black eyes.. No.. what was that? Was she really fucking crazy? She was seeing things now? Was she that sleep-deprived? Was there something messing with her mind?

"What's wrong?"

She could have sworn she felt a heat, as if the two of them touching had produced a spark.. it brought her back to that nightmare. That awful, gut-wrenching nightmare. She had never had one like it before.

"Did you... I just.. Nothing. It was nothing.."

He seemed to let his guard back down as easily as it went up, not in the mood for the usual back and forth. "You're funny sometimes, Anko."

"Milady! Do I need to remind you again? You cannot behave like this on such a day, not this day, of all days.. you simply cannot! Do you understand?" Shizune fought with Tsunade over chilled bottles, losing as the blonde held one high to propose a toast.

"Calm down, Shizune! It's my last hour as Hokage and I will make damn sure it's celebrated!"

"Fine, but no more after this, okay?"

"Alright, ladies!" Tsunade boomed so that the entire bar could hear needlessly, "hours of preparation aside, weeks of delay, and forthcoming months.. Cheers to infinite years of prosperity and grace under new leadership!"

"Let me spare you all the tearful farewell.. I know how difficult it will be to replace a great someone such as myself.."

"She's hilarious," Anko whispered to Kurenai behind her menu.

"It won't be easy to live up to those standards," The other kunoichi agreed, "Kakashi is nowhere near the strong personality."

"I know, right?"

"Are you two gonna cheers or not? I have places to be!"

So they cheered to whatever it was. Anko had been listening to some of the conversation, but she was spaced out after a few drinks. She was just happy to have something to celebrate. After stressing on Kakashi's behalf, she felt about ten years older. And she couldn't afford to get any older before her time..

"Anyways, like I said, the crowd will be impossibly huge. When I say everyone, I do mean everyone," Tsunade rambled on, "I remember this day all too well. Hmm.. poor sucker."

"Konoha Eleven should be in attendance," Kurenai didn't call for refills like the other women.

"What's left of them, I guess," Anko chimed in with depressing news, bringing the atmosphere down a peg. Was Kakashi rubbing off on her so soon? He had many positive characteristics that were admirable, but God, she did not want to think like him. She paused to think about the Konoha Eleven. Kids.. they would always be considered kids in her book. "What about that Uchiha anyway?"

"I can't imagine he'd miss it," Tsunade leaned back, nonchalantly sliding her shirt up to cover the excessive cleavage she hadn't noticed had been showing. "He is Kakashi's student."

"Oh, right," She laughed when nobody said anything, "since when did he come back to the village? He never did, did he? So what was he for all those years?"

Anko stole another drink as more were gestured for. Nobody wanted to respond to that.. She figured the boy had to outgrow traitor status along with his previous teacher. Their shared former teacher. She wondered how much was the same and how much had differed compared to the time she was taught. If she got to see more of his technique, she could've weighed in more. Kakashi cared about him, that much was clear, but she couldn't say the same. He was talked of highly by many. Disregarded was the fact that he left to train under a walking menace to society. However, Anko could empathize with the incredible want and quest for power. That promise seemed to be typical for the unsuspecting souls. She had just never decided to abandon her morals completely.. she had never turned her back on a village that meant so much. She had to hold that against him.

"He's a good threat to have on our side," The Fifth said of Sasuke, sending for appetizers. Her tone sounded skeptical nevertheless. "don't worry. He'll make up for his betrayal."

She turned her head just in time to lock eyes with aforementioned Uchiha. An intimidating, spine-chilling gaze that was capable of breaking spirits. He was far enough away to be out of earshot, but close enough to where that glare.. and it was a natural gifted glare.. enough to kill her buzz. She wasn't used to such hateful looks. She was only slightly more accustomed to giving them. And she knew exactly where he had learned.

"Anko," Kurenai nudged her, "are you alright?"

Blood froze in her veins as she took in the sight of the duo, former student and former teacher. Right there, right in her line of splendid perception.

What the fuck do you think you're lookin' at, kid?

She waited for the words to come out, not expecting to be first to sever the stare. Orochimaru never changed. The same yellow topaz irises, the same ebony hair against an ivory skin tone. Age had not made him any less fearsome.

"Good afternoon, ladies."

It was only her world that had stopped spinning. She could practically hear the adrenaline racing up to suffocate her insides. And then her eyes finally left Sasuke.

The blonde greeted with more tease than anything. "So even you wouldn't miss the show, huh."

"Did I miss yours?" He asked, voice tingling with sarcasm. "still a little upset, I see."

She couldn't hold back any longer, she couldn't take that glare.. It was just like her youth all over again. "What business do you have here?"

"Anko," Tsunade tried to diffuse, keeping a close watch between them.

It felt like the first time he had ever listened to her, but he always looked sadistically pleased with any confrontation. He seemed extremely pleased with her reaction as he repeated the same line. "Still a little upset, I see."

"You son of a bitch."

"Why are you never happy to see me any more?" Orochimaru said listlessly, as if he lost sleep over it. "is that any way to treat your once-esteemed mentor?"

Anko had been on her feet since the first acknowledgement. There was nothing that would stop her from making that bastard regret his existence. Those words were like a trigger.. Something she'd heard before. Why are you never happy to see me any more?

Sasuke raised his arm instantly, ever so sure of himself. As a threat to her.. A barrier, some unbelievable act. Damn well determined to protect a waste of space like Orochimaru.

"Get the fuck out of my way, brat," She growled, clashing metal against his sword without another moment's notice.

How dare he. Little traitorous, Orochimaru-clone, backstabbing Uchiha son of a bitch. Shit, was she sick of hearing about Uchihas. Playing bodyguard to a worthless murderer that she knew better than him. And why was it his place to step in anyways? She would slice through him just to get to Orochimaru. And she wasn't like Konoha; she could give no less of a damn if he was the last surviving of his clan. Especially after that. Like two renegades in one, disgusting, faithless partnership.

"Sad to see only Sasuke is still loyal to me," Orochimaru pretended to look hurt, "but I suspect you are as well. Under that resentful exterior, perhaps."

"Compare me to that traitor again," She slammed her fist on the table for dramatic effect, glass immediately shattering at their feet. "I dare you."

"Enough of this!" Tsunade stepped in, threatening to both sides. As if they were children. "I've heard enough. Separate. Now."

Those dreams she kept having.. Or could they be hallucinations? Nightmares? Whatever the hell they were, she was almost positive he was responsible.

"Trash roaming the village pretty openly now, I see," Anko couldn't resist one last snide comment. "why don't you go somewhere you're wanted?"

"Maybe the trash was invited by a particular Hokage."

She didn't need to look back to know he was giving purposely vague hints. And suddenly, she was free of her plans for the day.