Flash of Red and Black

Chapter XXVII

I sat up in a sudden panic when I woke and found the bed next to me empty, but as I looked around, I noticed a still-warm breakfast sitting on the bed stand. My panic faded and a pleasant warmth spread through me as I ate, smiling quietly to myself.

It wasn't long before only crumbs remained of the meal, and I headed to the office once I finished getting ready. But before I even made it off my street, I felt someone pounce on me.

"Hokage-sama!" Yuu called into my ear, grinning as his arms wrapped around my neck.

"Good morning, Yuu-kun," I laughed as I maneuvered him so that he wouldn't choke me.

"Good morning, Naruto."

"'Morning Neji" I greeted as he walked up next to us. I looked him over as he approached, but he didn't seem to have any pain despite being so injured only a few days before. Apparently he noticed my concern.

"You don't need to worry. I've healed thanks to you and the med-nin," he told me.

"Are you sure you should be up and about, though? Shouldn't you still be taking it easy?"

"Moving around some is fine. I was just brining Yuu-kun here to the Hyuuga residence for his play date."

"It's training!" Yuu exclaimed, giving a glare at Neji before turning to me, eyes begging me to believe him. I laughed out loud even as I nodded.

"Mind if I tag along, then?" I asked, looking at the two. Yuu's eyes lit up before he looked over at Neji.

"I had planned to invite you anyway. You aren't one to stay home and rest like you should," he said, giving me a stern look. I just grinned sheepishly and scratched my head, making him sigh before he continued towards his home, and I followed behind, listening to Yuu's excited ramblings.

The moment we arrived, Yuu bolted from my arms and ran towards the group of young Hyuuga clan members. I couldn't keep myself from chuckling as Neji and I followed behind.

"Good morning, Hiashi-san. Sorry for the intrusion," I said smiling at the man.

"Hokage-sama, it's a pleasure. Please join us," he said, gesturing for me to sit with him. I nodded my thanks and sat down, gratefully taking the steaming cup of tea that was handed to me by a white-eyed woman who quickly disappeared again after handing Neji a cup of his own.

"Has Yuu-kun been coming here often?" I asked looking at Neji and his uncle.

"He's come every day since you were last here," Neji said.

"I hope he hasn't been causing too much trouble," I said, slightly worried, but the two shook their heads.

"It's no inconvenience, and it's good for the younger ones to have someone outside of the clan to spar with occasionally," Hiashi said, and I smiled as I watched the young group take turns throwing weapons at the wooden post.

"That's good to hear," I said as I analyzed the form of each child as their turn came. At the very least, they were all better than I was at their age.

"I am glad that you have the time to visit today. I heard that you have been very busy lately," Hiashi said after a while. Neji didn't move in the slightest at his uncle's remark, and I followed suit, simply sipping my tea before responding.

"I underestimated the amount of paperwork involved in the job," I said simply, and Hiashi smiled a little.

"Though it seems that you do much more than just paperwork," he replied, feigning nonchalance, but out of the corner of my eye I saw Neji's shoulders tense. I smiled. I never really was one for secrets or beating around the bush, even if that was basically a shinobi's job description.

"I wonder who told you?" I mused to myself quietly before finishing my tea and turning to the clan head. "I never have been one to be left out of the action, but I'm sure you understand why this is something that can't be spread around," I said to the man. His eyes widened with surprise for a moment, and Neji's did too, apparently not expecting me to come out with it so easily, but then Neji smiled and his uncle nodded.

"Of course. I am just glad for everyone's safe return," the elder Hyuuga said calmly. My expression fell slightly, and I saw worry flash through Neji's features, but I nodded.

"Thank you, Hiashi-san, but I'm sure you've already heard that not everyone was able to return safely. Ebisu's funeral is tomorrow," I said, looking into my empty cup.

"Yes. I was sorry to hear of his loss," he replied solemnly, and I just nodded, absently watching as weapons sailed towards their target while my mind wandered through the mission we'd just completed.

"Naruto," Neji called, his voice just barely betraying his worry, and I was suddenly snapped back to the present, only just noticing that my grip on the tea cup was too tight. I looked over, forcing myself to calm down.

"I didn't get to thank you for saving me during the mission," he said, his calm restored, and I cocked my head to the side, confused.

"You don't need to thank me for that," I told him. If anything, he should've been mad at me for creating the situation that allowed him to get hurt. Neji frowned just a little, but his uncle smiled slightly.

"Correct me if I am wrong, Hokage-sama, but I think you believe that it was your fault that he was injured," Hiashi said carefully. My eyes widened a little, but I grit my teeth and met his eyes before looking at Neji directly.

"It was my fault you got injured. I'm sorry that I didn't prevent it. I will do a better job next time," I apologized, and I was about to bow to the two, but I found that I couldn't move when each of them put a hand on my shoulder.

"Naruto, I was unable to meet your expectations and was injured in the process, and because of that I caused you worry. I apologize. I will see to it that it does not happen again," Neji said seriously, looking straight at me, and I couldn't keep the surprise from my face. I was the one who needed to apologize, after all.

"You don't need to—"

"Hokage-sama, I also want to thank you for saving him. I understand that you believe that you do not deserve our thanks, but you are placing more of a burden on yourself than necessary by blaming yourself for his injury, and the injuries of any of the shinobi, for that matter. Forgive me for speaking out of line, but your job is to simply assign these missions in order to protect the village. It is ours to complete them, no matter the cost. If we are unable to successfully complete the mission you have assigned to us, we are the ones who were not able to meet your expectations. It is not you who has failed to meet ours. On the contrary, the entire village has seen how hard you are working to keep everyone safe, and you have far surpassed the expectations that are placed upon the role of Hokage," Hiashi said, and Neji nodded in agreement. I just stared at the two of them, not sure what to think, but after a while I gave a nod.

"Thank you. I can't say that it'll change anything, but I'll keep that in mind. Sorry for worrying you," I said, giving them both a small smile, and they returned the gesture.

"I know that you do not expect our gratitude, but we had something prepared for you, if you would follow me," Neji said, standing.

"You really don't need—"

"If you can't accept it as a token of gratitude, please think of it as a birthday present. Your birthday was a few days ago, was it not?" Hiashi cut in. I just looked between the two of them for a moment before sighing and pulling myself up too.

"I understand. Thank you," I said, slightly exasperated, though I gave them both a small smile anyway. They nodded and Neji led me around the compound in silence for a while until he finally stopped at a building that was on nearly the opposite side of the residence from where Yuu and the others his age were training.

He slid open the door to reveal a rather large room that overlooked another courtyard. He ushered me inside, and I just seemed to automatically relax from the calmness of the room's atmosphere and the tranquility of the courtyard. Other than a few arranged flowers and a painted screen, the only furniture in the room was a tall, cushioned table in the center.

Confused, I looked to Neji, but he was already sliding the door shut behind me. Sighing, I walked to the other side of the room and stared into the little pond, watching the colorful fish swim around, but I wasn't standing there for long before I heard quiet footsteps approaching.

"Hokage-sama, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting," the Hyuuga said, her voice just as soothing as the atmosphere. She set the basket that she was carrying down as she greeted me.

"I don't mind, but, um… What exactly am I doing here?"

"Hiashi-sama has arranged for me to give you a chakra massage. My name is Mitsu. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you," she said, bowing politely.

I managed to keep myself from laughing and nodded instead, though I couldn't keep the smile from my face.

"I see. It's nice to meet you, Mitsu-san. What should I do?"

"Please undress and lay face-down on the table. This basket has blankets with which you may cover yourself since the weather is cool," she said, and I nodded. Then she moved the basket next to the table before turning to me again.

"I will return in a few moments. Please let me know if you need anything else," she said, bowing again before leaving.

I started doing as instructed, but I paused when I was halfway undressed, suddenly self-conscious.

Won't they all be able to see me? I wondered to myself, glancing around despite knowing that no one was there. Everyone living there had a Byakugan, right? So that meant they could all see through walls… And they would all be able to see me naked. My face heated as I stood there, looking for stares that I would never find.

Wait. If they can see through walls… They can see through clothes too, right? So…They would all be able to see me naked anyway?! I wondered, feeling the heat in my face spread to the back of my neck and my ears, but as awkward of a thought as it was, it made me feel a little better about undressing since it wouldn't make much of a difference either way, although telling myself that did nothing to rid my face of the heat that had spread through it.

I didn't get to think on my new realization long before Mitsu returned. (That was probably for the best.)

"Hokage-sama, I'm coming in," she called before entering. In the corner of the room, she lit some incense, only adding to the soothing atmosphere.

"I will begin now. Please try to relax," she said softly. Then I felt her hands deftly start massaging my muscles through the blankets, and it wasn't long until I totally relaxed into the cushioned table.

After a while longer, she rolled the blankets down from my shoulders, and before I could feel chilled from the cool air hitting my skin, her fingers, humming with chakra focused on each tip, prodded at my muscles and chakra points. I couldn't help sighing with pleasure as I turned to mush on the table.

I smiled to myself, absently wishing Kakashi was there to enjoy it too.

Then my smile turned to a grin and I let myself enjoy the rest of the massage as my mind wandered and planned.

Once it was over and I was dressed, I headed to my office, but the Suna ANBU captain and one of my own ANBU stopped me at the door.

"I apologize, Hokage-sama. Shikamaru-san and Ino-san have asked us to bar your entry," the Suna captain told me, her shoulders lined with tension.

"'Go home and rest,' was the message, I guess?" I asked, looking at Dog.

"The rest of us agree," he said, and I frowned.

"Sai-san, Shikaku-san and Tsunade-sama are in your office, taking care of everything for you for today. They also asked for you to rest at home," the captain said, trying to convince me to do as my friends told me. I stared at them both for a while longer, but then sighed and nodded.

"Fine. But none of you are allowed to overwork yourselves either. Tell them to call me if anything comes up," I ordered, and the two nodded. The Suna captain immediately vanished, leaving to relay my orders.

"It's late, but happy birthday, Naruto," Dog said before following the Suna captain's lead and vanishing, and I smiled in spite of myself as I left.

oOo

"I guess we won't be going to Ichiraku for dinner, then," Kakashi said once he walked in, watching me put the last dish on the table.

"I just wanted to spend dinner at home with you," I said, grinning at him, though I felt my cheeks redden. His expression softened and he returned the smile as he approached and wrapped his arms around me.

"Shouldn't I be the one to cook since it was your birthday?" he asked, tickling my neck with his breath as he spoke.

"You took care of my on your birthday, so I want to take care of you today," I said, shrugging a little. He squeezed me to him and kissed my cheek before pulling back, smiling.

"Then what's for dinner?" he asked. I smiled and pulled him to the table and we ate our fill of our favorites. (Ino gave me a cooking lesson or two after Kakashi moved in together, as a sort of apology for spreading the news. I didn't really care, but I figured that learning how to cook more than just cup noodles couldn't hurt anything.) Once we finished and cleared everything up, I pulled him into the spare bedroom, grinning. He followed obediently, though I was sure he was confused, and then he just stared when I stopped in the doorway, looking into the room that I rearranged before dinner.

"I was at the Hyuuga compound today, and Neji pretty much forced me to get a chakra massag. But it actually felt pretty awesome, so I had the lady teach me some things once she was done 'cause the whole time I kept thinking that you might like to try it too… if you want. I probably won't be as good as her since I don't have a Byakugan to see all your chakra points and everything, but she taught me what she could, so I think it could still be okay if you feel like trying it," I rambled, trailing off as my face heated.

I may have come to realize the difference between protecting people and taking care of them since starting this relationship with Kakashi, but I was still never really sure if I was doing it right, especially since he seemed to be able to take care of me all the time with no trouble. (Of course, I knew that was just how he was with everything, but that didn't help me feel like any less of an idiot.)

After a few moments of quiet, Kakashi's lips grazed my cheek before he walked towards the table in the center of the room, undressing as he moved.

"How should I lay?" he asked, pulling off his shirt.

"O-on your stomach," I stammered, feeling a blush spread to my ears when he glanced at me. Somehow his nonchalance while undressing made me nervous. I'd seen his body countless times since we'd been together, sure, but his total openness at that moment was both nerve-wracking and heart-warming. I still remembered when trying to see beneath his mask was a huge challenge, so for him to so easily show so much more made me happier than I could explain.

He finished undressing as casually as he began even though I was sure that he knew I was staring at him, and laid down, getting comfortable. Once he was on the table, I let go of a breath that I didn't realize I was holding before pulling a blanket over him and starting out gently prodding the muscles the way Mitsu had, and I couldn't keep a smile from my face as he relaxed more deeply into the table.

I moved slowly, carefully warming his muscles before pulling the blanket down. Then I concentrated my chakra into each fingertip and started gently massaging his skin, trying to find his chakra points.

Apparently I found them because I heard him groan with pleasure, and I couldn't help grinning broadly as I applied more pressure and trailed my hands up to his neck, already knowing his sensitive spots there. When I heard him hum happily I quickly brushed my lips against his cheek, unable to help myself, but he was faster.

Suddenly, his hand was at the back of my neck pulling my lips to crash against his.

"I'm the one who should be doing this for you, shouldn't I?" he asked, releasing his hold on me. I smiled and kissed him again.

"I just want to focus on the person I care about most," I whispered. Then I focused my chakra onto my fingertips again and kissed him as I massaged the back of his neck. He gave another pleasured moan, but pulled away after a moment, looking up at me.

"I hope you didn't learn this from the lady who gave you the massage earlier," he said with a serious tone, though I could see a smile in his dark eye. I laughed.

"'Course not, but you know that I'm good at improvising," I said, grinning. He smiled back and sat up to kiss me again.

"I can't say you're always good at it, but this is definitely one of your better moments," he grinned. I was about to pout, but he captured my mouth again, and I had no interest in resisting as he pulled me closer. I was surprised, though, when I felt chakra-tipped fingers sliding under my shirt and running along my spine.

I felt myself practically melt against him as I kissed him, feeling content, but then a rush of competitiveness suddenly rushed over me.

I crawled on top of him, pushing him back down onto the table, trailing my chakra-covered hands down his neck and chest, reveling in each reaction I earned along the way.

"I already told you, I'm taking care of you today," I muttered as I kissed down his neck, but he wrapped a hand around my neck and pulled my lips against his again.

"I see nothing wrong with making it a mutual endeavor," he said, his usual lazy drawl thick with want. I smirked and grazed my teeth against his bottom lip as my hands continued their exploration.

"You know that I won't give up that quickly," I told him, kissing along his jaw, but suddenly I felt the table against my back and one hand pinned above me.

"Even if you're Hokage now, I can't let my student beat me so easily," he said, apparently accepting my challenge, and I couldn't wipe off my grin.

"You should've just let me take care of you, old man," I goaded, using my free hand to trail from the back of his knee to his neck and prodding each chakra point along the way. I earned a moan when I hit an apparently extra-sensitive point on his hip, but he recovered quickly and crashed his lips into mine before trailing down.

"Well luckily for me, I'm still in my prime," he mumbled against my chest, glancing up at me.

Something in that look made me feel like I'd just provoked a wolf, but I kept smirking, not backing down.

"We'll see if you still think that in the morning."

Sorry for being slower on this chapter! I'm going to try harder to get 28 up more timely this weekend, and hopefully it'll be a little longer.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it and will be looking forward to the next!