A day when Sasuke returned also meant a new night, and with that came a new set of scars she would inevitably see. His body told a myriad of encounters where he had either gotten unlucky or had been extremely fortunate to even walk away. The constant danger that Sasuke faced whilst travelling was not lost on her, yet it was one of the things that she pushed to the back of her mind and preferred not think about, kind of like the massive amount of debt that Kirigakure was currently in.
Thankfully, this was not the time where he was gone permanently, in fact it was quite the opposite. Mei surveyed her, or 'their' room would probably be more accurate at this point. There were little signs of Sasuke all over, certain clothes that he didn't take with him on his adventures, various ninja tools that he no longer had a use for, his... actually that was about it, he owned little and that which was most important to him, he kept on his person. Still, what little touches that remained helped to lessen the physical distance between them, if only by a little.
Perhaps that was why she had taken to buying him new, practical gifts that he could add to his collection. For his current return, she had got him a knife-like razor. It was fitting really, a blade for a cutthroat that could double for cutting throats. To tell the truth, she had an ulterior motive, Sasuke would often come home with a bit of stubble and would be more concerned with locking lips and fornicating, than personal cleanliness. He was an early riser and by the time she awoke from his ravishment and anecdotes, he was shaved and bathed.
With his new present, came a condition. He could give her one chaste kiss when he returned, but was not allowed any mouth to mouth contact with her until he cut off whatever pathetic bristles he had chosen to come home with. He had muttered something while going to trim his sorry excuse for a five o'clock shadow.
The evening air seeped through her balcony as Mei sipped on her tea, she was surprised that Sasuke was taking so long in the bathroom. She would have imagined that he would be feeling quite frisky and do a rushed job in order to appease her. However as the bathroom door opened, she was glad to see him looking as delectable as ever. Clad in a navy, long-sleeved shirt which had the Uchiha symbol proudly emblazoned on the back, he didn't resemble the worn out wanderer that graced her doorsteps an hour ago.
"You had it washed." He noted of his shirt. Crisp and soft, it was the nicest thing he had worn in weeks.
"No I didn't." She responded, bringing a chuckle from him.
"My mistake, you had one of your servants wash it."
"I felt as though you would want something decent to wear when you returned, you're welcome."
"I don't feel as though you deserve my thanks. Perhaps I should go and thank the servant who actually did it."
"Perhaps you should, or perhaps you should keep your mouth shut and be grateful for that blade in your hand."
Sasuke smirked and strode over to her. "Tell me, am I back to my calibre of excellency?"
Mei stroked the freshly shaved and smooth contours of his mouth with her thumbs, before bringing her own lips to his. The first thing she took note of, other than how soft his lips always seemed to be, was his scent. He always had this natural, fresh smell that seriously made her wonder if the man ever sweat.
Sasuke was enticed by her soft moan and the way she yielded to him, opening her mouth to let his tongue venture in. He was tempted to use her new present to cut the straps on her dress and have his way with her then and there, if he wasn't certain that she would break him apart. Or worse, withhold sex altogether, he did not want a repeat of a few months ago. Luckily, she was as lascivious as he was and it didn't take long for her to be jumping his bones again.
Mei gave a little gasp for air as they parted. "I would say so. Tell me what do you think of the razor?"
"It's sharp."
"Thanks for the genius insight there." Mei rolled her eyes.
"It's perfect, certainly beats shaving with a kunai."
Mei visibly grimaced at that line. "You... shaved with a kunai?"
Sasuke shrugged. "Times were tough, I had to make do with what I had."
"I'd almost rather you grew a beard instead of that, it's so... unsanitary. I'm not going to catch any diseases, am I?"
"It happened a long time ago. Also, are you really worried about catching diseases from me at this point? I mean when you think about the amount of fluids, we've exchanged. "
"For such a sophisticated individual, you can be rather uncouth."
"Forgive me madam, I am sincerely grateful for this exquisite offering." He winked at her.
"Tch, I can tell by the amount of gifts you bring home in return."
"Is my company not good enough?" He asked.
"You travel around the world for weeks at a time, bringing back something for your lover shouldn't be that much of a challenge." She said, becoming increasingly annoyed.
Sasuke could see his night crumble right in front of him. He had known Mei long enough to know that once she got irritated, it was only going to get worse. He had to think of some way to save himself.
"I am often engaged in combat, anything I would get you has a high possibility of being destroyed before I return."
"Don't give me that. What is it you're always saying, that you're one of the two strongest people on the planet? If that's the case then you shouldn't be getting hit that much. Look at this room, your clothes washed and pressed, your useless ninja tools neatly organised, a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in along with one of the most beautiful women you've ever laid eyes on. A brand new fucking razor, so you don't have to shave with a bloody kunai."
Sasuke was taken aback, had he been that ungrateful? Was he so arrogant to think that his presence alone was enough to constitute actual effort in their relationship? Was he so self-entitled as to think that the world owed him all that Mei mentioned, merely for saving it? He lowered his head in shame.
"Alright, I take you for granted. I am sorry." He said pathetically. Looking back up at her, he still saw that she wasn't pleased with him. "Allow me to make it up to you, this village of yours, it have any good places to eat?"
Mei's eyes widened in surprise as she realised what he was implying. "Are you planning on taking me out on a... date?"
"Sure, we've been together ten months and I've been here for roughly four, give or take, consider this an anniversary of some sort."
Mei was surprised that he knew the amount of time they had been together, she didn't. It was an intriguing concept, Sasuke and her walking through the town together. Sasuke was not a fan of the public and crowds. He liked to blend in for the most part and whenever he returned to her, he made it a point to effortlessly sneak past her Anbu guards and into their bedroom. Most of their weeks together were spent together in her home, everything was generally provided for them and brought there. The prospect of the Five Nation's most talked about and mysterious power couple making an appearance Kirigakure together was an intriguing one.
"Very well Sasuke, a date we shall have." She smiled.
Sasuke returned her smile, until he realised what the next few hours would entail. High profile movements. People, lots and lots of people, asking their ridiculous questions and sticking their noses in matters that was none of their business. The few people that had managed to recognise him on his travels and asked him the same questions, generally got mixed answers depending on his mood. That would be nothing compared to the volume of people that would flock to them as they walked through the streets.
Sasuke's smile had completely faded, he reflexively and unintentionally tucked his new razor into the same spot where he normally kept Kusanagi.
Sasuke's mood was briefly brightened as he looked at the Anbu team preparing to accompany them.
"I helped killed Kaguya, do you know who that is? Sufficed to say you wouldn't have Chakra if it wasn't for her. Mei fought Madara and almost killed me. If there is a threat that we can't beat, I don't know what good you will do." Sasuke smirked, he couldn't tell because of their masks, but he guessed that they were glaring daggers at him.
"Shin, Nise, keep a low profile and follow us from the rooftops." Mei ordered, the two Anbu nodded and vanished immediately.
"They seem nice." Sasuke commented, causing Mei to laugh. "Do you have a place in mind?"
Mei raised an eyebrow. "Isn't this supposed to be your date? A bit of decisiveness would be appreciated."
"It's our date, I feel as though you should have equal input."
"Oh my God, you suck." Mei shook her head. "Come along Sasuke, my adoring public awaits."
"Is adoring the right word to use, just given the amount of debt that this place is in."
"I will kill you before we get to the restaurant." She warned.
As they strolled through the streets, they caught a few wide eyed looks from passersby, however much to Sasuke's relief, no one approached them. He just hoped it would last. They walked in amicable silence, just enjoying each other's company and the warm breeze.
"So, how long are you planning on stay with me this time?" She asked him.
"How long would you like me to?"
"Ooh, you're really determined to make it up to me, aren't you? Well given the amount of gifts you owe me..."
"Isn't my company good enough, I mean genuinely? Besides, you act as if I have literally never given you anything before. What about all those pearl necklaces?"
Up on the roof adjacent and following the duo, the two Anbu physically cringed at that line, a couple of civilians who also managed to hear choked and looked at Sasuke in disgust, Mei shook her head and the silence returned immediately.
"I didn't feel good about one." Sasuke admitted.
"I can always rely on some high-brow humour from you." She said in a sarcastic tone. "Here, this is a nice place from what I hear."
Sasuke took in the building that looked like it had been painstakingly carved from white marble. Walking inside, Sasuke looked at how immaculate the place looked, while he was struggling to find even one criticism, Mei approached the front desk.
"Lady Mizukage." The receptionist warmly welcomed.
"Hello, we were planning to have dinner in this fine establishment. It's our first date, I believe my boyfriend made a reservation." Mei motioned to Sasuke, causing him to look at her in surprise.
"Very good, and what was the name sir?" The receptionist asked. Sasuke sighed and warily looked at her.
"We doing this then?" He muttered and leaned in close to the receptionist. "Look friend, I really need you to be a favour here. I didn't make a reservation, I was supposed to but I was a little busy fighting a squad of Missing Nin who threatened this very establishment."
"Really?"
"No, not really, but if you don't give me a table I might just start seeing red."
"I'm sorry sir, but we don't provide any extra privileges here, regardless of the person. I'm afraid anger will get you nowhere."
"Oh you misunderstand me, I didn't mean get angry by seeing red, I meant I will use my Sharingan to force you to give me a table."
"Hm, your reputation precedes you Sasuke Uchiha. I'll see what I can do."
Sasuke gave a malicious smile at him before returning to a grinning Mei.
"It seems your name carries weight even here." She laughed.
"If he doesn't give us a table after all that, I am going to burn this place down and cooking us dinner out of the ashes." He scowled.
"Your usual table Lady Mizukage?" The receptionist asked, having not moved an inch.
"That would be most appreciated Chakiro." Mei answered with a smile. Sasuke looked at her, refusing to believe what he was hearing.
"You didn't?"
"If the Mizukage can't get a table in her own village, then she's not much of a Mizukage, is she? Plus, watching you act all tough was pretty hot."
"I wasn't acting." Sasuke gritted his teeth.
Chakiro extended an arm, inviting the Mizukage to lead the way. Sasuke briefly activated his Sharingan as he passed him, causing the poor man to shriek in a rather high-pitched manner, Sasuke rolled his eyes. Walking alongside Mei as she led the way, Sasuke placed a hand on her backside, bringing out that sultry smirk of hers, until he sent a few volts of electricity through his fingers causing her to yelp.
"Bastard!" She spat, drawing a chuckle out of Sasuke.
Immediately the two Anbu from earlier were upon him, swords pointed at his neck. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, if that was what they considered violence towards their Mizukage, he was surprised that none of their love-making antics had gotten him executed yet.
"You mind calling off your attack dogs?" He asked.
"I don't know, I might just keep you in that position while I eat. Dinner and a show, watching you squirm is always entertaining."
Sasuke tilted his head and gave her a look that said: "You really want to do this?"
Mei sat down at their table and crossed her arms. "Dance monkey."
Sasuke shrugged and just as the violence started, Mei began to survey the menu. Ten seconds later, Sasuke sat opposite her.
"So what looks good?" He asked, not even sounding out of breath.
Mei looked up and saw he didn't have a scratch on him. She then peered over his shoulder and saw her two Anbu slumped unceremoniously and unconscious.
"Well, you haven't lost your touch."
"I'm hurt that you thought otherwise."
"I know there is a significant age difference between us and I really hate to say this but you are acting incredibly childish right now." Mei said to Sasuke's back. They were back in bed and he was turned away from her, refusing to speak. Dinner had been, to put it lightly, a disaster.
First, after repeatedly telling her that luxury had never been an option for him, Mei spent the majority of the meal criticising his order for being, in her words: "too simple". Next, the waitress who took their order saw the state of the two Anbu and was terrified of him for the whole evening. Once, Sasuke's tomato-based dish arrived, Mei once again spent a lengthy amount of time berating him. To top it all off, once Sasuke was about to take his first bite, one of the Anbu woke up and tackled him, causing his dinner to go all over his fresh shirt.
Sufficed to say, once Sasuke was finished breaking Shin's arm, they were politely asked to leave. At this point Sasuke was so irritated, that he went home without speaking a word to Mei. He angrily tossed his shirt on the floor and crawled into bed. Mei had been trying to coax him to talk to her, but once he started sulking, he was unlikely to come round.
"I know you're mad, and so am I. I was looking forward to a lovely evening with you, now I have to pay damages to the restaurant, an unconscious Anbu with a broken arm, and an angry Uchiha."
Still nothing.
"I know you can't stay mad at me." She whispered into his ear, before nibbling on it.
"You'd be surprised." Sasuke growled.
Mei sighed. "If it makes you feel any better, that was the best date I've been on in years."
"And when was the last time that you went on a date?" Sasuke asked. This time, it was Mei's turn to be silent, as she decided it would be best if she didn't answer. "Goodnight Mei."
She sighed, before placing her lips on his shoulder and gently kissing it. She then wrapped an arm around him and whispered. "Goodnight Sasuke. This time, I'd like you to stay for two months."
Sasuke's body softened, and he brought his own hand to hers, interlocking their fingers. "I can do that."
A comfortable silence settled over the pair.
"But that counts as your birthday present." Sasuke quickly added, causing Mei to roll her eyes. Shifting her body, she turned him towards her before climbing over him. His hands instinctively placed themselves on her thighs.
"You owe me a lot more than that." She informed him.
"Really, well then I best get started." He rolled her onto her back, while Mei could only giggle the entire time.