Chapter Nine.
Chōjūrō had just finished making his report t the Mizukage when an echoing knock was heard on the large door to her office.
"You may enter." She called out and the door opened to reveal the young group of leaf shinobi, she ushered then in and to sit by pointing to the chairs in front of her as she had done before. They came in quickly and silently sat in their sits, well, except for Hinata.
As she sat down she felt something cool and hard underneath her and not the soft, warm cushioning of the seat. Her eyes enlarged slightly and turning her around, noticed the grinning eyes of Kakashi Sensei.
"Kakashi-Sensei!" She called out, almost jumping off his lap. "I-I'-I'm so sorry." She said, bowing to him and going maroon red. Kiba and Akamaru grinned and snickered. Shino's expression remained the same and un-alarmed. The Mizukage's face lit up and holding her hand to her face, silently giggled into it whilst Chōjūrō wasn't sure what to feel, embarrassed on Hinata's behalf or amused at the scene. Kakashi merely raised both hands behind his head, revealing a book that was lying open and cover-up on his lap. Hinata rose up slightly from her bow and realising what she had sat on was the spine of book and not … something else … made her inwardly go "Phew!" in relief.
"Trust me Hinata, nothing to be sorry about." Kakashi said, and moving his hands back down and turning to face the Mizukage spoke.
"I am sorry for having come so unexpectedly." Hinata stared at him as he said this and he could feel her eyes upon him… he liked it. "I wanted to give you this sword." He then pointed to the large Kubikiribōchō, the sword that Suigetsu had taken from him and had once belonged to his brother, Mangetsu , who had become one of the Seven Swordsman of the Hidden Mist and in fact had helped train Chōjūrō.
"It belongs here in Kirigakure and though I must say it saved my life umpteen times during the war, now we have been at peace for quite some time I think it should to be here."
The Mizukage smiled – many would have simply taken the sword for their own gain and never even think of returning it.
"You are very kind, Kakashi-Sama. Chōjūrō, you are the remaining swordsman of the 7 original 'Swordsman of the Hidden Mist'. I leave it you as to its fate."
"Thank you, Mizukage-Sama. Kakashi-Sama, are you sure no longer wish to have her? By all rights I believe you to be the true owner of Kubikiribōchō."
"That is very thoughtful and indeed an honour," Kakashi replied. "But I am no swordsman and could give the full dedication a swordsman can."
"Well," Chōjūrō sounded slightly troubled and pushed his glasses more firmly onto his nose in irritation. "Mizukage-Sama, I would then like to make a proposition. I would like to train Suigetsu to be a worthy owner of Kubikiribōchō." Everyone seemed shocked by his decision.
The Mizukage however looked closely at her protector; she could see a determination and a resolve in his eyes. She smiled for a moment before asking him to explain.
"What do you have in mind?" she spoke gently and with curiosity as to what Chōjūrō intended to do.
"His brother was my brother and teacher too." Explained Chōjūrō. "Mangetsu-Sama was the owner of Kubikiribōchō after Zambuza died. I know he would want his brother to have her. But at this time, he is not worthy. He sees Kubikiribōchō as a trophy to be collected and next as the legendary sword she is. If I can help him be a worthy member of the 'Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist', I then know his brother, my mentor, could rest in peace."
"That will be a very hard task," The Mizukage said. "Suigetsu has been a dangerous missing-nin for a long time now. His blood lust makes him incredibly dangerous. Are you sure he can change?"
"Mizukage-Sama," Chōjūrō's voice softened and it made her heart melt. "I want to at least try. Everyone deserves the chance to change and baring in mind they way he grew up, the way we all in Kirigakure had to grow up …" she then left her seat and walking up to Chōjūrō embraced him.
"I understand." She said calmly and with sincerity, before releasing and looking at everyone, unabashed and proud at her guard, she nodded. . "Then we will do that. The sword Kubikiribōchō will remain under protection at my house until Suigetsu is a worthy enough candidate to wield her. It was then they noticed a warm glow coming from the sword and Chōjūrō smiled.
"She agrees with you, Mizukage-Sama." Chōjūrō added, making the Mizukage smile.
"Then that is settled. Kakashi-Sama," she said, looking at the man in the chair who was transfixed with the cover of his book. He then looked up at her and apologised quietly. She found it thankfully amusing, especially after seeing what the title of the book was from where she was standing. "Everyone here has been invited to come to my house tonight for dinner. Please count yourself included."
Kakashi's eyes bulged slightly in shock before he quickly closed them. "Mizukage-Sama, thank you!" This indeed was a very rare thing to happen with any Kage and to find the Mizukage so admirable and friendly had been a great relief to him.
"You're welcome. So, it is now two o'clock. I suggest you all rest and tonight at six o'clock, I shall see you again."
They all smiled and bowed to the Mizukage, thanking her for her kindness. As they left, Hinata's face was still slightly red and as Kakashi opened the doors for the young ninja to leave with him, without anyone seeing he pulled slightly on Hinata's jacket so she would stop and let the men go first. He then placed his hand on the small of her back, pushing her forward ever so slightly as he closed the door behind them with the other, making him etch closer to her and making her gasp. When did I start getting so bold? He wondered and then letting the smell of violets hit him from her body, he remembered. It was a good memory and one that had haunted him beautifully for nearly a year. It kept him warm at night when he was at his most lonely and happy when he felt all was lost.
Hinata felt Kakashi slowly let go of her jacket and turning scarlet, felt unsure what to do. He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly.
"It's okay," he said and she couldn't control her body from shivering slightly under his touch. It may have been a long time but she remembered, he body remembered, her heart remembered. "I would not do anything to embarrass you."
"You never have," she whispered back and the gentle, husky voice made it his turn to shiver. "You've only ever made me very happy." His hand stayed there a moment longer and noticing her friends were moving on and hadn't looked back, begrudgingly moved his hand away but he did so slowly. As if he were caressing… no, he was caressing her back and the outline of her spine with his finger, feeling her pant slightly from the touch and making wanting so very much to do more. But he couldn't. He let the hand drop gently just as his finger had reached where her hips lay and trying to control himself, let Hinata move away.
She was breathing hard and fast, letting out a small whimper when he had stopped. THAT made his scrunch his eyes closed in happiness and after waiting a few moments to move on a few strides ahead did he feel composed enough to follow her and them.
Chōjūrō had arranged for Kakashi-Sama to stay in the fourth room he had originally set out for Akamaru and Kakashi was amazed at the size of it as the four young shinobi had been with their rooms.
"Were these originally created for the Kages of other countries?" Kakashi asked Chōjūrō and blushing with a smile, Chōjūrō nodded. Everyone gasped in amazement. "Your Mizukage and you have been extremely kind to us. Thank you, Chōjūrō-Sama." Chōjūrō felt so honoured for the great 'Copy-Cat Ninja, Kakashi Hatake' to call him that.
"It's our pleasure." Chōjūrō said grinning. "I will leave you all to rest."
"Chōjūrō," Shino called out just as Chōjūrō was about to leave and so Chōjūrō turned back to his friend and responded. "Yes, Shino-Sama?"
"Where are you staying at the moment?" He asked. "Your room was extremely, badly damaged by those men."
Chōjūrō then went blood red around his cheeks and rubbing the back of his head with his right hand, his eyes closed, he told Shino.
"You are thoughtful, my friend. The Mizukage has allowed me to stay with her t help guar the sword with her." Shino uncharacteristically smiled and you could see his grin from the laughter lines travelling up his cheeks and the shaking of his shoulders as if he were giggling.
"That is good to hear. Kiba said, winking at Chōjūrō and making his laugh nervously. They all then laughed together, breaking the tension. So what? Thought Kakashi. Who cares if there was a class or age gap. It was obvious Chōjūrō was as much in love with his Kage as… He looked at the laughing Hinata, though he could see she totally could relate to what Chōjūrō was feeling and felt embarrassed for him a little as her cheeks went pink. It made Kakashi stop laughing and start thinking deeply, perhaps too deeply.