"It's a nice night out."

"..."

"Kakashi?"

"Mm.."

"Don't you think it's a pretty night?"

"I suppose," He finally agreed with her, dropping the kunai he had been using for target practice.

She rested against a tree, watching him in a bored manner. "So why are you out here all alone?"

He answered with silence, and she could tell there was something weighing on his mind. Something depressing, surely. She doesn't work hard to understand his moods.

Sne really hated that. When he had the personality equivalent to a stump.

"Kakashi.." The sky grew blacker and blacker with each second. She tried a gentle approach first. "I haven't seen you in a while."

He finally turned toward her, right eye hooking the two. "I know."

"You're so busy," Anko crossed her arms, forever annoyed by his nature. She sighed. "and you'd rather be out here playing in the dark than spending time with me. Okay, seems fair."

She misunderstood. He can't express to her how much he needed to be alone. Why he wanted to be alone. Why he must be alone. Why fending off his thoughts was a daily obstacle. Why he regularly denied her his company.

To not burden somebody else with his problems.

It would only affect her negatively.

It's impossible to be there for the both of them sometimes.

He knows she doesn't need him but.. he doesn't want to stop seeing her. The little of the part she played in his life.. he liked to believe she did need him.

Because he was about to break that rule.

"Say something, for God's sake," She became frustrated easier than most women, barely able to make out his form. "what's wrong with you? Why are you so calm all the time? Do you have any more emotions? I swear you don't do anything except read garbage books and hang out with those brats."

Used to her jealousy by then, these assertions didn't offend him. He never stopped listening, though.

"And when they're not around, you jump at the chance to be by yourself."

"It was a waste of my time to even find you," Anko dusted herself off and rotated swiftly on her heel. It was a waste of breath. Fuck him. He wanted to be alone, well, he could have that and more. He was too annoying to deal with. "I'm going home."

He apparently had the ability to piss someone off by barely saying anything.

"What do you think Orochimaru's true intentions are?"

She halted in place. That name always got her attention.

"With Sasuke," Kakashi fixated, waiting on her reaction. He didn't know of anyone better to ask.

"I don't know. What makes you think he told me?" Anko simply shrugged, staring at the moon. "Your guess is as good as mine."

"Please, Anko," He wished she would turn around. "you know him better than most."

She wondered how long he'd been holding his curiosity in. How long it took him to work up the courage to ask her. Why he cared so much in the first place. Why he troubled himself with something he had no control over. She couldn't help but be brutally honest. "He's a pawn who's being used as speak."

"Orochimaru's interest in Sasuke is obsessive."

"Orochimaru is a bastard," Anko doesn't step around feelings. "and if he wanted to kill your little student, he would have by now. He fucking won't, okay? He has some ulterior motive concerning Uchihas, obviously. His bloodline is too valuable to be killed off."

She took a breath.

"It's something he's after—the kid should be ready to get tossed aside once he's of no more use to him. Just go ahead and accept his death for what it is."

"Sasuke will not die," The Sharingan user maintained, "..Do you think he would let him go willingly?"

"I don't think he'd have to," She spoke on impulse, "Sasuke is a traitor, Kakashi. You should come to terms with this. He left, he stayed gone, he doesn't want to be found. He doesn't care about you or this village. It's over."

"He's a little.. misguided."

She spun around at last.

"He's an entitled little prick who only has his own interest in mind."

Kakashi doesn't dispute her, shockingly enough. Because if you put it very bluntly, she wasn't wrong. He couldn't take the blame for the Uchiha's actions, but he also couldn't deny the feeling of responsibility for his former student. Always failing to be a good influence, he tried to ignore it. But he had to ask the right questions.

He can't ignore the torn-up look in her eyes.

"I know how this goes, believe me," Anko was terribly insistent. "Sasuke is just his newest pet."

"Anko," He closed his eye, opening it again slowly. Her hatred was consuming. "don't you—ever think of forgiving Orochimaru? For what he's done? I mean, wouldn't it be easier on you?"

She gave him a dumbfounded gawk. Did he seriously just ask her that? If she would forgive someone who had brainwashed her from the beginning? Someone who turned on her at the last moment? Someone who made her feel like she was useless? Someone who continued to lie and cheat innocent people? Someone who dedicated himself to destroying freedom and a home she loved? Someone who had the chance but never apologized? Only he could think of asking something so out of the blue..

"No, Kakashi. I don't."

He said nothing for a long while, knowing better than to push the subject. ".. Do you think he'll ever come back?"

"It's been over two years now," She felt somewhat bad for him, but it's a sympathy she can't express aloud. He's so pitiful in such moments. She hated how he brought up shit that couldn't be changed. Couldn't he accept it for what it was and move on? She hadn't yet, but she was trying. He should understand better than anyone that the past couldn't be changed. Just painfully accepted and occasionally looked back on.

It wasn't her fault he blamed himself. But still, she wanted say something to make him feel better, to let him know it wasn't his fault, offer him some kind of consolation.. but she didn't.

"You should get some sleep."

The senior Jōnin seemed stuck in a world faraway, and she lost the will to snap him out of it quickly. He could sense the impatience. Any moment now.

"Come on, Kakashi."

Two worn out, emotional souls.

"I think I'll stay right here."

Anko was above begging him to act reasonable. He wouldn't get the answers he wanted to hear from her.

"Fine."

Could he get any more contrary?

Kakashi half-expected her to continue arguing, to convince him, to stick around and comfort him, to stay when they both wanted to leave.

But she doesn't and he was only a little disappointed to see her go.

He's used to that.

"Good night."

How could he do this to her?

Better question.. how could someone do this to anybody? With no deliberation or warning whatsoever? Was it some foolish strategy? Was it a whimsical decision made to humiliate her? To reap his revenge for all the things she'd said against his students in the past? She refused to believe it.

"Move, dammit!"

Genma and Raidō however, do not move, and her fury only became more obvious.

"Anko," Raidō didn't know of her problem, but he no longer had the luxury of caring. "you cannot pass. The Hokage is-"

She gathered his vest into her right hand harshly, not taking into account their height difference. "Listen here, you have about three more seconds to fucking move! I'm not messing around with you guys, this is a serious matter. I need to see Kakashi personally. Right now."

"For what exactly?" Genma backed her off his partner, "what's so important?"

"None of your concern!"

He was sure it could wait. "Fine, then don't pass."

Damn.

She was seconds short of throwing herself at the door and not asking for entry. No, that would draw too much attention. She had drawn enough attention to herself for one day. And it wasn't like her to just give up, but..

Maybe it was best that she didn't confront him with two bodyguards and such a hot head.

Why should she throw Konoha into a last-minute state of frenzy? Relying on something as unpredictable as her emotions..

Logic is what stopped her.

Orochimaru is back in the village.

That should have been enough. But they already knew of her past and she wouldn't be able to get them to move willingly. And plus, it was two against one.

Later, then.

Fuck this, honestly. Is that how it would be from then on out? Reinforcements around 24/7? Hell, she knew that was how it'd be from the start. And as good as she was at sneaking around, she wasn't going to play twenty questions.

"Put in an urgent word that I wish to speak with him."

"We can do that," Genma spoke strictly on business, thankful she no longer pressed the issue. Doesn't explain the fact the Sixth would need to be under heavier surveillance the first few weeks anyway due to security reasons. Because he assumed she already knew. "see you at the ceremony."

She doesn't bother to correct him.

Anko was fuming visibly as she stormed her way out of the tower, intercepting the reformed Team Seven before they could slip in behind her.

"Stop right there."

"Uhh, A-A-Anko, hi, how's it going!?" Naruto stumbled over his words, cowering behind Sakura as if facing ten live snakes in the flesh. She still frightened him to no end, and any other time she would have been flattered. Good to see his perception of her hadn't grown much.

"Naruto," The authoritative tracker began, ignoring the other two, particularly the cheerful greeting from the female. "hello."

"You look good today, sensei!" He said sheepishly, "Not overly scary or anything like that, hahaha!"

These kids. From a first glance, they were nothing special. The Uchiha survivor was forever brooding, seeming unfazed as could be by the threats made against him mere hours before. He wasn't a big talker, but she could tell he was the sharpest of the bunch. To deflect her sudden movement so quickly.. those eyes. Yes, it must have been those eyes. She had forgotten and underestimated him.

The girl was too nervous, awkwardly positioned in the middle of the two boys as if tasked with keeping them grounded. She gave the impersonal one a smile now and again, trying to gauge his reaction.

And the Uzumaki was.. well, too Uzumaki. Annoyingly Uzumaki.

To Anko, it's a team that had clearly stopped being a team years ago.

Kakashi had put them above her so often, she can't help but wonder what there was to be too crazy about. But that one.. he was surely destined to be the next Hokage.

"Calm down, kid," Anko stepped toward them, "I just need you to relay a message on to your beloved teacher."

"About Orochimaru?"

Her focus closed in on Sasuke, boasting a dangerous tone. "Bodyguard to everyone now, are you?"

Naruto looked back and forth with a confused expression. "What..?"

"Quiet," Sakura shushed him.

Sasuke didn't back down, fearsome eyes capturing hers. He was not the same kid he was at the Chūnin Exams, and the proctor no longer intimidated him like before. "Well, am I wrong?"

"I'd be careful around here, Sasuke," Anko enlightened, "a majority of this village still views you as a traitor, no matter what Kakashi says. Speaking of, you're lucky to have such a valuable connection. Just know he won't be the only say so in Konoha. You hear me? Your name will never be cleared completely. Labels don't wear off easily, so just remember that. Step down from your high horse before somebody knocks you off."

He settled for silence, knowing better than to make waves with someone of her status. He couldn't get afford to get on anyone's bad side yet. Her threats went empty against him, regardless.

"It won't be me," She smirked evilly, hiding a tinge of sarcasm. So he didn't have much to say, after all. "I'm the least interested in you, don't worry. That old mentor of yours is an entirely different story."

If there was anyone she desperately wanted to knock off their high horse, it was Orochimaru.

Satisfied with these final words, she peacefully cleared their way. "Have a nice day—Team Seven."

"Wait!" Sakura called out after her. "what about.. your message?"

"On second thought," Anko raised her hand halfway, walking by them leisurely. "never mind that. I'd hate to cast a shadow on his big day."

"Come to think of it, I'd rather deliver the message myself."

She doesn't mind the suspense buildup.

Good.

It's like eternities have gone by before nightfall. Everything had been closed due to the ceremony and she made herself wait it out in a more deserted part of town. Such important events were global. The celebratory cheers still rang in both ears. But she doesn't regret missing out.

She had lived to see a few in her lifetime, after all.

Nothing was that special about the process.

Still, she waited for hours.

The agitated sniff at her feet was hardly surprising.

But luckily, she knew a thing or two about tracking herself. Because most of their scent was probably lurking, she had ditched her usual kunoichi attire in favor of Konohagakure's standard uniform. She hoped she inconvenienced him to the fullest extent.

But she didn't want to make herself too hard to find.

That's right, she just had to make him come to her.

"Finally found you," The ninken panted, "took long enough."

"Yes. Well done, mutt."

They exchanged forthright glares before the summoning could be released, and she felt simmering anger resurface to a boil.

Feelings were never so hard to repress.

"No wonder you were so difficult to locate," He sounded more worried than annoyed. "Anko."

So there she was, face to face with the newest Hokage.

She wondered if his team had brought up her name.

"Oh, yeah, my bad."

"I was told you needed to speak with me," Kakashi made an ignorant stride closer, overlooking the way she jerked back. "what's wrong?"

Just try and touch me, you bastard.

"Lose the obnoxious hat, won't you?"

"Really," He was relieved to be out of the spotlight, removing the stringy hat with his palm. "I was sure you'd like it."

"What took you so long?"

"Genma informed me a little late, but I had to stay a lot longer than expected."

That was it, huh.

She had to settle for less.

"Hey, you're a busy man now," Anko's eyebrows knitted together, "don't pretend to worry yourself over me."

He started to ask before deciding against it. Figured she was just being dramatic again. "Well.. how did you think I was?"

"How did I think you were?" She sprung to her feet. How long did he plan on playing dumb? She wanted him to break that damned seal of calmness, for once.

"—Yes."

"Really," Anko laughed vindictively, "you think I actually went?"

"You.. didn't?"

If she weren't so caught up in her own animosity, she would have cared to note how he seemed more desolated than angry. But she didn't care. His expression gave her a morbid satisfaction. The proper amount she needed to continue.

Because she was hurt, too.

"I can't imagine you not being there. Even after how you behaved all this time."

"Believe me, Kakashi," Anko snapped, "I wasn't. Looks like you'd rather have somebody else there instead."

He didn't need much convincing, and his hardened eyes were enough to bore holes through her.

Fuck, don't lose it now.

He wouldn't make her feel bad any more.

"You know, I couldn't imagine you doing what you did to me, either."

He unfroze, treating her with the best cold shoulder.

"To let a criminal back into the village without asking me first.." They could scowl at each other all night, if that's what he wanted. "you never asked how I felt, so why should I care how you feel? I guess I was wrong about you all these years."

"Since when do I need to ask your permission?"

Anko backfired instantly, "I can't believe you! So that's—that's how you want it, huh?! You're all high and mighty since you're the Sixth Hokage now, right?"

He doesn't move a muscle, preparing for her worst.

"Go to hell, Kakashi! I knew this sort of self-righteousness would only come from you!"

"Anko," He had heard enough of her outburst, but the look of betrayal is what winds up hurting him the most. "let me explain."

"Orochimaru hasn't changed. You're stupid to think he won't fuck this village over in the end!"

"So I'm confirming your doubts already?"

It was answering a question with another question that broke her.

She had finally seemed to put a well-earned crack in his barrier.

"How could you do this to me?!" She demanded sullenly, "Why would you do this to me.."

Did he want to destroy her? Mentally, inside and out?

"You're overreacting."

"Don't you dare tell me how to feel!" Anko only then came to the realization she was wiping tears on her sleeve vigorously. So that was why he sounded so apprehensive. Because they both knew she couldn't do anything. It was literally the worst part. Her stubbornness had gotten the best of her, and there was no going back now. He was the fucking Hokage now. He never had to care about her feelings back then, and for that matter.. never again, but the fact that he made it seem like he did.

"Because I never told you.."

He expected her to shove him back when he reached out, watching as her aggression transformed into agony within seconds.

"Just tell me why.." She cried, collapsing momentarily against him in an effort to push herself away. "please—just tell me why."

"I'm not thinking of myself, Anko," He wanted to touch her, to console her, to stop her pain. But he doesn't. "I'm only thinking in the best interest of the village."

"And yours."

She opened her eyes, leaving his shoulder stained with hot tears. She was sure she didn't deserve that. Her best fucking interest?

"You listen," Anko cried vehemently, "I'll never work things out with that son of a bitch!"

Kakashi stepped back, fully understanding he was fighting a losing battle at that point. "Well, it's a shame you feel that way."

"You're damn right," She had seen every shade of red if possible by then, "I'll be honest, I had my doubts all along. I just hope you realize that Uchiha is only playing to your feelings because you're the one at the top. As if he never chose Orochimaru over you years ago."

"Don't go there right now, Anko. This has nothing to do with Sasuke."

He had always preferred those students over her.

It had hurt her the most back in the day.

"Choose them over me for the last time," She wasted too much breath to go on screaming, "just twist the knife and make it clear that you never respected my feelings."

"As you never respected mine."

Anko was done, then. She had been done. She had been done listening, crying, accusing, insulting.. all of it. But to say she never respected his feelings when she had done just that in the end.

And she had trusted him.

She wasn't the one who broke it.

"You're already making every wrong decision, Kakashi."

They didn't go after each other.

"I hope you forgive me, Anko," He said at last, long after she made her exit obvious. Her words stuck with him like a wretched virus. "I wish you could see things differently."

But he wasn't sorry.