Flash of Red and Black
Chapter V
"Is everyone here?" I asked, walking into the room in my new robe. (I decided to go without the hat, but the robe made me feel pretty badass, so I figured that I'd keep it for a while.) Everyone sat down promptly and I nodded, glad to see everyone was on time. I sent out summons to everyone for the meeting time first thing in the morning, and since the meeting time was only about an hour after they would have gotten the summons, I was a little concerned that some people would be late, but it seemed that my worries were left unfounded.
"Alright! Well, first of all, you're all jounin now. Once this meeting ends, I'll be signing all the paperwork granting you the official status," I said, smiling at everyone. The announcement was met with a few cheers, but the room quieted quickly.
"Anyway, you all should know that I'll really be relying on you a lot. I have a lot that I have to do, and I need you all to help me get it done," I said, looking around the room, checking everyone's reactions. I only saw confidence and eagerness which increased my own confidence even more.
"Lee, I know I said that I was leaving you to training, but I was hoping you'd help prepare this guy for the Chuunin Exams," I said, grabbing a file from the inside of my robe and handing it to him.
"Of course! I will consider this training for my new genin team! If Udon-kun doesn't become a marvelous chuunin, I will ask you to return my status to that of a genin as well!" he said, flames of youth burning in his eyes. I smiled, glad for the reaction and nodded.
"You'll be great, I'm sure. He's also on a team with these two, Konohamaru and Moegi," I said handing their files to Tenten and Choji.
"I hope you guys will also help these two with training for the Chuunin Exams. They were a few years behind us at the Academy, and since I've moved you all up, I think it's time for them to move up too," I said, looking at the pair as they looked over the files.
"Sure, Naruto, but why not just promote them like you did for us since you're so sure that they'll become chuunin?" asked Tenten, with Choji nodding in agreement.
"I thought about it, but they still need to get through at least this exam themselves. They didn't fight in the war like you guys, and though they really helped a lot back during the Pein invasion, they haven't really been in the tight situations that will give them the confidence that they'll need from here on."
All three looked at me and thought back to their own experiences for a moment before they nodded in agreement.
"Got it. I'll do my best," Choji said, and Tenten agreed similarly.
Just then, a knock came from the door and in filed Sai, Neji, Kakashi and Tsunade. I smiled at them and waved them in. I summoned them to come too, but asked them to come just a little later so that I could get those other details out of the way. What was most surprising, though, was that Kakashi actually showed up on time. I was floored, really, but I didn't let it show for very long as I continued.
"Well, next thing then. I'll be calling another meeting in a few days with Konoha's entire shinobi force to relay my plans, but I want you guys to hear them first and help me perfect it, okay?"
"We're here to make your plans happen, Naruto-kun," said Hinata.
"Of course! Whatever it is, we'll get it done," said Kiba with the rest of the room nodding in agreement.
"So, tell us the plan, and we'll fill in the gaps and make it happen," said Shikamaru, closest to me. I smiled at the room, glad that they all had my back.
From there I started explaining the purpose of the med-nin training school and why I was sending Tsunade and Shizune to Suna. Once I explained everything, there were some suggestions and tons of questions, but I'd expected as much. After all, it was going to be the first training program of its kind, and I'd hoped that they would all look at my plans critically enough to be able to patch up any problems that I didn't think of. (Surprisingly, there weren't very many problems with the basics of my idea, so I was pretty happy.)
"I'll be discussing all that at the Kage meeting later today too, but I'm glad you guys are on board with the idea. Of course, we will have to ensure the safety of all the shinobi, so I'm relying on you there, Neji."
"Of course. I'll make an outline of the security system for the program."
"Thanks. Now, since the Chuunin Exams start in a month, I'd like to be able to officially announce the opening of the program during the finals. I'll discuss that with the Kage later today, and I'll keep you all updated on what is decided at the meeting, but basically this means that we'll be on a tight schedule to get it started, two months at most. I need everything done as quickly and thoroughly as possible."
The room stilled at the mention of the fast deadline, but Sakura was the one to speak up first.
"This is your plan, right? So we'll give it our all. As long as you can get us the help that we need, we'll have everything done for you," she said, and the rest of the room nodded, their concerns vanishing with her confidence. I smiled and nodded.
"Thanks, guys. Tell me what you need and I'll have it. Baa-chan, I'm afraid that you won't have much time to relax in your new place here since I'll be having you and Shizune be traveling a lot for the program," I said, looking at her apologetically. I knew that she really deserved time off, but I really needed her help.
"Well, I'll just be doing what I was before I became Hokage, except this time I'll be getting paid for it, so it doesn't sound bad," she said, smiling. I smiled back, glad that she wasn't upset about it before continuing.
"Thanks, Baa-chan. And since it's like that, Sakura, you'll be holding that position as acting head medic for a while, so I hope you like it," I said, smiling at her.
"I'll do my best," she said, smiling back.
"Good! Now, Hinata, Kiba, Shino, I don't really have much for you guys for in-village assignments. I'm just really going to be relying on you guys for higher-rank missions and taking care of your clans. In the next few years I'll probably have you three taking on genin teams, but until then you'll mainly be on active-duty. If any of you want to go into ANBU, though, let me know, and I'll fill out the paperwork immediately."
"Sounds good! No way do I want to be out of the action!" Kiba said enthusiastically.
I smiled and nodded, looking at the other two.
"I will execute all missions thoroughly," said Shino. The guy was still creepy sometimes, but he was definitely dependable.
"I'll help however I can, Naruto-kun," Hinata said, smiling at me.
"Thanks, guys. Now, as you guys know, Danzo was a pretty shady to guy. He had Sharingan eyes implanted all over his arm and ordered Sai to try to kill Sasuke a few years ago, but what you all don't know is that he also was the one that ordered Itachi to kill his entire clan because they were planning a coup d'état. No one knew except for Tobi, and Tobi told Sasuke which led to him hating Konoha," I said, cringing at the thought while trying to ignore the pain in my chest while explaining it.
I was met with total silence for a while before Shikamaru spoke up.
"How do you know that? I thought that the investigations of Danzo's dealings haven't had any results."
"Tobi told me just before he declared war at the Kage summit. At the time, Kakashi and Yamato told me to stay silent about it since there wasn't any evidence and he could have just been manipulating us, but as it turned out, it was true. Itachi himself confirmed it when he was brought back using Edo Tensei during the war," I said, still cringing at the thought. Really, Itachi was a ninja to be inspired by, dattebayo.
Again, I was met with a shocked silence by those who didn't know.
"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Sakura asked after a few more moments of silence. I could see the hurt in her eyes, and I couldn't help feeling bad.
"Until yesterday, I didn't have the clearance to mention it to anyone. And I know that something like that never would have stopped me, but after Itachi confirmed it, I didn't have a chance to talk to any of you about it until after it didn't matter anymore," I said, forcing my voice to be void of emotion. I knew that I was going to get sorrowful looks from everyone in the room anyway, but I didn't want to add fuel to the fire.
"So why are you revealing this now?" asked Sai. He already knew the truth, but he was obviously confused about why I was telling everyone the few facts known from the investigation he was now heading.
"Nothing like that will ever happen again. I'm going to make sure of it, dattebayo," I said, maybe too forcefully. Tenten and Ino looked a little frightened for a second from the nearly growled statement.
I sighed and relaxed while ruffling my hair as a nervous habit.
"Basically, I wanted you all to be in the know about the reality of the situation. I'm having Sai look into the rest of Danzo's activities, and Shikamaru and his dad will be advising me on it. I'm going to bring it up at the Kage meeting later too, but what I'm really debating is whether or not I should make it known to the public."
Everyone looked around, some confused, until Choji spoke up.
"Why wouldn't you?"
"If it's made known that a top official made an ANBU kill his own family and then fled Konoha as a missing-nin, even if it was because of a coup d'état, everyone that worked for or with the Sandaime would be distrusted and his reputation would be tarnished in a way that could never recover," Shikamaru said, stepping in for me. I nodded, but I still had more to add.
"Also, Itachi's hope for taking on the mission was that the Uchiha could keep their honor and that he could protect his little brother. I already failed him on one count, so I'd rather not do it again," I said, staring into the table in front of me. I really didn't want to let him down totally, and the rest of the room sat in another painful quiet for a while.
"I believe that it should stay as a need-to-know basis. There is still much to be found from the investigation, but it will take a while longer. I will try to produce results as quickly as I can, and once I have solid evidence that Danzo was alone on this, then maybe it would be possible to reveal the truth to everyone in a way that does not tarnish the Uchiha reputation further," Sai said, finally breaking the silence. I looked around the room for reactions and several nods from everyone clenched the deal for me.
"Alright. I'll be counting on you Sai," I said, giving them a small smile. They nodded again. Then I turned to the rest of the room and smiled more broadly.
"Good! Then that's settled for now. One more thing, and then you're all free to go. I want to know if you guys have any ideas. Not just right now, but in the future too, if you think of something that might help strengthen Konoha or our relations with other villages, let me know. I'll be saying this later at the meeting with all the shinobi, and I know that I already have at least one stack of papers on my desk that's full of requests and suggestions, but I really want your opinions," I said, smiling at everyone. Everyone looked happy to be recognized and a few people went ahead and offered up their suggestions, but once everything seemed to be sorted out and I promised that I would talk to the people it concerned, I dismissed everyone. Then I headed out of the meeting room and headed to my office, deciding to launch my first attack on the paperwork already invading my office.
I only finished filling out the first couple papers granting people their new jounin statuses before Kakashi suddenly appeared in the room.
"So, why exactly is it that you had me go to that meeting?" He asked, leaning lazily against my desk as I continued filling out the paperwork. I knew all the paperwork would be monotonous, sure, but with all the huge tasks that I still had lying in front of me, I welcomed the simple work that still allowed for beneficial changes.
"Honestly, I didn't expect you to show up until, like, now. So if you keep this up, I'll write down the time that I actually need to see you, not three hours ahead of that time," I said, looking up at him with a little grin before turning back to my task.
"Well then, what do you need me for now?" he asked, more seriously this time, but I knew that his expression was indignant, like I didn't say something totally justified.
"How do you feel about ANBU?"
"Well, I've liked their gloves enough to keep wearing them all these years."
I looked up at him with a deadpan expression.
"You know what I mean."
"You want me to go back in? I'm not twenty anymore, you know. I may still have plenty of kick left in me, even more since my vision is back thanks to taking Obito's other eye, but I don't know if I'll be as effective as I used to be," he said, looking at me seriously.
I smiled a little and stood in front of him. I pushed up his headband and gently ran my finger over the scar that covered his still-closed eye.
"I'm sure that I'm not the only one making my dad proud," I said softly.
Kakashi's dark eye widened and he pulled me into a hug.
I smiled and stayed like that for a while before I kissed his temple and pulled away, tugging his headband back down to its usual position.
"So, will you go back into ANBU for me?" I asked, back to business though I still smiled at him softly.
"You're not ordering me to rejoin?"
"I will never order someone into ANBU. If it weren't necessary, I wouldn't even have ANBU do anything but security. But as it is, this world still isn't safe enough for that. There are still Akatsuki-sympathizers and hideouts scattered across all the nations, and Orochimaru's hideouts and the people he experimented on are still out there. Not to mention regular missing-nin scattered everywhere. I probably won't be able to accomplish total peace in my lifetime, but there won't be any more war if I can help it," I said seriously, my eyes far away as I thought of all the problems that still plagued the world.
"I'll rejoin ANBU, then."
"You're sure?"
"If that's how I can best help you, then I'm positive," he said, kissing my cheek through his mask.
I smiled and nodded. It worried me to no end having him back in Black Ops, but I knew that he would be able to get things done. I just had to trust him to take care of himself while on missions. But that didn't mean that I wouldn't worry.
"Then you should probably go ahead to headquarters and get whatever gear you need. I want you to be in the shadows at the Kage meeting later, but don't bring your ANBU mask. You'll be there for advising, if necessary, since the other Kage trust you as much as they trust me, if not more."
Kakashi smiled and patted my shoulder.
"Don't sell yourself short. I'll see you at the meeting," he said before poofing away, leaving me with a smile as I sat back down to do some more paperwork, hoping to at least make all the promotions and Kakashi's return to ANBU official.
After filling out a lot of paperwork, including rejecting several bad requests and approving a few good ones, the Shika-Cho parts of the triad of both generations finally showed up to escort me to the Kage meeting.
"Ready, Naruto?" asked Shikaku. "Are you ready to address the Kage as their peer for the first time while convincing them to trust you with your plans?" was the real question, but I much preferred the shorter version.
I smiled nervously and nodded before heading to the formal meeting room, still in the Hokage tower. At the door of the meeting room stood Neji and Sai, ready to do their duties. I nodded at both, and Sai followed me in while Neji stayed as the only visible guard in the area, but I knew that he'd assigned plenty of unnoticeable guards all around.
Inside, I took my seat at the circular table and smiled at all the Kage that had arrived just before me. After taking a deep breath, I started the meeting.
"Thanks for coming, everyone I hope your stay here has been comfortable so far," I said, surveying all the shinobi that the other Kage brought. I didn't limit the number of guards that each Kage could bring this time, nor did I refuse to allow them ANBU guards. However, everyone brought only one or two guards instead of several like I'd expected.
"Congratulations on becoming Hokage, Naruto. It's no surprise, but I'm glad that you have gotten the recognition you deserve," said Mei, smiling sweetly at me, her usual two guards standing behind her. I smiled in return.
"Thank you, Mei, However, this meeting isn't for patting myself on the back or to prove that I am one of your peers now. I asked you all to come so that we can discuss the future of the newly-formed alliances between our nations. I do not want the bond that so many sacrificed themselves for to fade away. My hope as Hokage is to continue strengthening this alliance and to make all of our nations stronger and more prepared for new threats that are sure to arise," I said, looking at everyone in the room seriously, trying to make my intensions clear.
"Well said, Young Hokage, but why should this alliance endure? We no longer have any threats that are facing all of us, so why should the Land of Lightening work with Fire instead of strengthening our forces on our own?" asked A. I wasn't surprised at the question. I knew that either he or Kitsuchi, the recently-appointed Tsuchikage, would be the first to challenge me.
"Strengthen your village on your own all you like, but together, we will always hold stronger. We learned that from the war, and continued cooperation will only strengthen our nations even more," I said calmly. My nerves were finally starting to die down. After all, convincing people to have faith in me was something that I was more than used to.
"Then how do you propose that we work together with no known threat looming, Hokage?" asked Kitsuchi, right on cue.
"I am founding a med-nin training school in Konoha, headed by one of Konohagakure's best medics, and I am sending my predecessor and her apprentice to Sunagakure to help start a similar program. You all know of Konohagakure's reputation for highly skilled med-nin, and you all witnessed the truth of that from not only this recent war, but previous ones as well. Though for the moment we don't have the resources to send teams to your villages and start programs there as well, I will be more than happy to accept both students and teachers into Konohagakure no Sato once the program has fully started," I said, hoping that I was explaining well enough, but I knew that Shikaku or Shikamaru would step in for me if I messed something up.
"So you're willing to just give away the secrets to your reputation to us, just for the sake of preserving the alliance?" asked Mei, obviously surprised. Still, I could tell that she was interested in the idea.
"No. I'm willing to do this so that more of our shinobi can be saved. After fighting in the war together, we are no longer enemies or suspicious allies. We are comrades, and I want to protect all of my comrades as best I can. By sharing what were once Konoha's secret medical jutsu with your villages, the techniques can only improve and become more effective, and by having a program like the ones that we are just starting in every village, eventually we will have many more med-nin, and we will be able to place a shinobi with medical jutsu know-how on every high-ranking mission, which will cut death rates significantly. I don't remember the exact percentage, but every life will be worth it to me."
"Tsunade-sama suggested that it could be up to a sixty-percent decrease in lives lost on missions," Shikaku cut in for me. I nodded my thanks quickly before looking back at everyone else in the room.
"You're young enough to have not had to live through multiple wars. You haven't seen your own people be killed by those sitting across room. Will your elders be as willing to think the same way?" A challenged again.
"The most recent war began for the sake of protecting Killer B and me. I know that the circumstances changed to be for the protection of the world as we know it, but I still feel every single one of those deaths on my shoulders. And I will not let them be in vain. I have convinced more stubborn people to accept more difficult things. I will not be opposed on this within Konohagakure," I said with a small, knowing grin at A. I convinced him to let me fight in the war, I wasn't going to let him deter me from making sure that such a thing would never be necessary again.
A grunted stubbornly in response, but I knew that I had already begun to convince him.
"Well, the Land of Water will be happy to help your training program in any way we are able, Naruto. Of course, if Sunagakure would like additional assistance, we will aid there as well," Mei said, giving both Gaara and me a smile. I smiled in return and Gaara nodded, his expression minimally lighter, expressing his pleasure at hearing it in a way that would take a magnifying glass to notice. Still, I'd spent enough time with him now to figure it out. After seeing his face totally void of any expression and his body as cold as ice, noticing his emotions became easier and made me glad that I was able to save him, even if it wasn't in the way I had originally hoped.
"Can you assure the safety of those traveling here?" asked Kitsuchi. By his line of questioning, I could tell that he wanted to agree, but I understood his concerns.
I glanced back at Sai and he immediately understood and disappeared for a moment as I turned back to Kitsuchi.
"I informed my Head of Security and asked him to start drafting a security system for the program," I said just before Sai reappeared behind me with Neji next to him.
"Hyuuga Neji is my new Head of Security. I have total confidence in his abilities and in his leadership. He is also in charge of the security for this meeting and the Chuunin Exams coming up. So you will be able to take the exams as a test of his abilities," I said as Neji stepped forward. His expression was carefully serious, but I could feel the pride in his aura at my confidence.
Neji bowed to his audience before speaking.
"I will protect your shinobi as dedicatedly as I will protect those from Konoha. If you have specific concerns or any advice, I will listen to them carefully. If you feel it necessary to have your own shinobi review my security plans, I will welcome having another opinion. I am more concerned with the safety of all shinobi under my protection than I am concerned about your approval," he said seriously.
"Well, you certainly have a group of youngsters leading your village now, Hokage," A said, scoffing a bit at the age of my new Head of Security.
"We may not all be your age, Raikage, but the previous generations have left it to us to lead this village, and we are making sure that the next generation will also be ready to step up when their time comes. That is the Will of Fire that has allowed to Land of Fire to grow strong," I said, staring A down. I was not going to stand for having those that I trusted relied upon to have their abilities questioned. They were the reason that I was able to become Hokage, and to distrust their abilities was to distrust mine.
A huffed again but backed down, and I relaxed into my seat.
"I would like to have Kankuro review the plans for the training school between Suna and Konoha, Naruto, since he has experience," Gaara said, glancing at Kankuro for a moment before looking between Neji and me.
I looked over to Neji too. I'd left it to him, so I would leave this to him too.
Neji paused before bowing again.
"Your guidance will be appreciated," he said before stepping back again. Really, I was glad that Gaara spoke up. I knew that Neji could more than handle it by himself, but he with help he would be able to learn even faster, and help from another nation would be able to give a fresh perspective.
"I suppose I have nothing left to argue. When will the program be ready?" asked the Tsuchikage.
"In Konoha, it will be prepared by the finals of the upcoming Chuunin exams."
I was met with the same disbelieving silence that rang through my earlier meeting.
"Will you really be able to have it ready by then?" asked Mei.
"I was assured that it would, so I have no doubts. I will officially declare its opening at the finals, so I suggest that you all start thinking about how you will conduct the program in your own villages," I said looking around at the looks of surprise and disbelief on the faces in the room.
From there I was questioned more, but it wasn't anything that I hadn't expected, so finally I was able to change the discussion to explaining the situation of Danzo and Sai's investigations. Shikaku explained the concerns, and I stated that help from the other villages would be appreciated. For this, the Kage all agreed, saying that they would begin their own investigations and keep us informed about their own findings. Then I continued with one last thing that was recommended in the meeting I had earlier.
"Akimichi Choji suggested to me earlier that our academy students should have a field trip of sorts to the other villages every so often prior to their graduation from the Academy," I stated, looking around as Choji stepped forward from behind me.
"The students in the Academy right now didn't go to war with us and may have grown up with their parents or grandparents fighting in the previous war when we were enemies, not allies. The easiest way for bonds between two nations to strengthen over time is to have those who will one day be in power to become friends long before they are set to lead, like with Naruto and Gaara," Choji said after bowing.
"So we let some snot-nosed kids come to our country just to become all buddy-buddy with our own shinobi?"
"If the students gain rivals and friends before they even become genin, they will work harder to improve during the time that they don't see each other. Then, once they reach the Chuunin Exams, the skill level of the shinobi will be even higher because they won't just be competing against the embodiment of rumors of what shinobi of other villages are like. They will be competing with their friends and with people that they have already seen the skills of years before. It will be moving the teachings of textbooks into their own lives," said Shikamaru, who obviously backed up his best friend. I smiled slightly and nodded in agreement before looking back at the room.
Again, concerns arose and were debated, but eventually each leader consented and the meeting drew to a close.
"Well, thank you all for coming. I will have an escort prepared for you when you leave. Until then, enjoy your stay and if you have any concerns, don't hesitate to come see me," I said grinning at everyone. I was exhausted from the meeting but I wasn't going to let it show. I finally made it through my first meeting with the other Kage, and I was one step closer to the world that the Ero-senin hoped for.
I waved goodbye to everyone and headed back to my office before collapsing into my chair and staring out the window. It wasn't quite evening yet, but it already felt like a very long day. I planned to do some more paperwork until the sun set and then get some grub on the way back to my new home, but for just a while longer, all I wanted to do was sit there.
Shortly after I sat down though, Kakashi appeared in full ABNU attire minus the animal mask.
"You did a fine job. I think it went well," he said as he walked over and sat on a corner of my desk that wasn't covered in paperwork.
"Thanks," I said smiling tiredly up at him. He gave an eye-smile in return before looking serious again.
"So, I'm sure that sitting in on meetings wasn't the only reason that you have me rejoin Black Ops. What's my next mission?"
"Tomorrow, Kakashi. Tomorrow," I said before leaning forward and resting my head against the side of his leg. I really didn't want to give him any mission but to act as my personal guard, but I knew that he had skills that couldn't just be shelved. I still needed him to work for the sake of Konoha, no matter how much I needed him just for me.
The room was quiet then and he patted my head gently, running his fingers through my hair. Really, it was infuriating that he was so calm while I was at war with myself, but I tried to ignore it. He was always the type to seem calm, no matter what was flying through his head.
"You're worried about me being back in, aren't you?"
In response I fisted the material of his pant leg, but said nothing.
"I'll be okay, Naruto. You put me back in because you know that I'm good enough to still be there. And soon we will have many more med-nin, and since you'll be prioritizing them for teams with high-level missions, I'll have a little extra security. You won't be sending me to my death," he said, still stroking my hair. I cringed at my worst fear being verbalized, but I nodded slowly. He pulled down his mask before kissing my forehead quickly. Then he replaced the cloth and slid off the desk.
"Well, I'll leave you to your work. Your new house still needs groceries," he said smiling at me before disappearing. The guy didn't even give me time to argue that it should be our new house.
I sighed, grumbling about stubborn people before turning back to my desk and working on what I knew would be an endless battle for a clear desk.
After a few hours of success in my fight against paper cuts, I finally got up and left for the night, heading home. At home, I was surprised to find a delicious-smelling dinner set out on the table. (It wasn't Ichiraku ramen, but it still smelled a hundred times better than anything Sakura could ever cook—not that I'd ever mention that to her. I valued my life.)
Then Kakashi appeared from the kitchen with a big bowl of fruit, probably meant for dessert.
I took off my shoes and walked in, eyeing all the awesome-looking food.
"What's all this for?" I asked, nearly drooling at all of it. For the second day in a row, I didn't eat lunch since I was so busy, so I was really hungry, and smelling all the food only made me hungrier.
"Well, since we didn't have any groceries yet, I didn't get to make you a congratulatory dinner last night," he said as he set the bowl down on the table. Then he walked over to me and kissed me for a few moments before pulling back and smiling at me. (The sight of him smiling without his mask was something that I still hadn't gotten used to yet, so I couldn't help but smile back every time I saw it.)
"Congratulations on becoming Hokage, Naruto. You'll far surpass your predecessors"
Then he gave me another quick kiss before pulling me to my seat and filling a plate for me.
"You know, I have a feeling that your eating habits are only going to get worse now that you're the Hokage," he said, apparently trying to chastise me for not eating lunch two days in a row, but he was still smiling, so it wasn't much of a scolding.
"Well, if you keep cooking and forcing me to eat vegetables, and I'll be healthier than ever!" I said grinning at him as I happily accepted the plate. Once he sat down with his own plate, we dug in and I raved about the deliciousness every few bites.
After I finished off my third helping, I was completely stuffed and sighed contentedly.
"You can go ahead and take a bath. I'll clean this up since you cooked," I said smiling at him. He gave me a small smile back and headed to the bathroom as I got up and started piling up all the dishes into the sink.
Kakashi finished just before me and he stepped out in his towel, calling to me that the bathroom was all mine as he headed into the bedroom to get changed. I thanked him and finished putting the last few dishes away before heading into the bathroom myself, relaxing into the warm water as my mind started to wander.
Finally the water cooled and I sighed as I got out. Once I was dressed, I found Kakashi sitting out on the couch with a book and I sat down next to him, smiling.
"You know, I haven't seen you reading any of the Ero-senin's books lately. You didn't even pull it out while we were getting dinner with Iruka-sensei last night! Have you finally gotten tired of those boring things?" I asked, grinning at him. He looked back at me and rolled his eyes before turning back to his book and hiding most of his face in the process.
"Well, I haven't really had any reason to read it lately."
"You finally realized how interesting I am, huh?"
That earned a small chuckle, but he didn't look away from the strategy book currently in his hands.
"Well, it is because I'm with you, yes."
After another moment or two, something in my head clicked.
"Wa-wait a minute, deba! It's not because you—because I am like… because we do that—I'm not a perv!" I exclaimed, panicking a bit.
Then Kakashi actually burst out laughing and he finally set his book down his cheeks were a little red.
"Naruto," he said, placing his hands on my shoulders to try to keep me from flailing so much.
"I don't need to read them anymore because of you, yes, but not specifically for that reason," he said, giving a maskless eye-smile at my pout.
"I used those books as a barrier, something to keep me from getting close to everyone else. It made it so that I didn't need to date and get close to someone that way, and I used it to ignore people in normal situations too. But since I have you, I'm attached to you instead. Although yes, because of you I don't need those books for sexual purposes either. I do maintain, however, that those books were masterpieces," he said smiling at me, though his cheeks were even redder. I could feel my own face turning a little warm, but I smiled before tackling him with a hug.
"Well, I guess I'd better make sure that you don't have any interest in ever bringing those books back out," I said, grinning before I started kissing all the places that I knew he liked best.
"Let me help you, my Hokage," he said before he pulled me closer and kissed me.
I'm pretty sure that he planned it out so that I would have to fight a blush every time someone called me "Hokage" for the next few days.