"There's a kage summit coming up in the Land of Iron," Kakashi stately plainly.
Mei was surprised and let it show on her face. The news about the kage summit was interesting but it wasn't a question. She responded with an, "oh?"
The summits were biannual, now that the world was at peace. One of the things that had been discussed at Mei's last summit was the switch to alternating one meeting relayed over video and the other in the Land of Iron. This reduced the burden of hosting and travel. There had been discussions about doing all summits remotely but this idea hadn't taken hold just yet. If that had come to pass sooner, Mei mused, she and Kakashi may not be married now.
"I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?" Kakashi asked hesitantly.
"As your guard?" Mei was confused.
Kakashi's eyes laughed. "As my guest. It's the closest thing to a vacation together we're going to get, until I retire myself. You said that we spent more time together when we were both working?"
Mei nodded, remembering. "That was after the kage summit meetings had concluded, when we'd all have dinner together."
"Exactly, so we'll just do that, only it'll be the two of us."
Mei liked the idea of spending all that time with Kakashi. Her husband made a lot of time for her once he was done with his office work for the day, but he was on call 24/7. His time was never really his own. If he was at a summit, his official working hours would be more defined.
Still, Mei couldn't let go of how this would affect her husband's political career. "We got a lot of side talking done with Gaara and the other kage during those dinners. If you spend all that time with me then it might put you and the Leaf behind. And if I'm at the dinners themselves then Chojuro might feel upstaged. I just don't know if it's a good idea."
Kakashi nodded, considering what his wife had said. "How about this, I still do all the things I'd usually do with the current kage including dinner, but you and I will still have the hour or so after dinner before bed and all that travel time together. It'll be at least four days on the road."
Mei brightened at that thought. "That's true," she still wasn't convinced.
Kakashi's eyes softened. "I'll handle it Mei, you don't need to worry."
Mei took a slow breath. Kakashi had said those words before. She wanted to let go and not worry but sometimes it was hard. "Okay," she breathed out. "When do we leave?"
Naruto and Mei were ready to go on the appointed morning. Kakashi was nowhere to be seen.
"I should have known he'd be late," Naruto complained. He had his fingers weaved behind his head, elbows in the air.
"It's not what you think," Mei smiled. "He had some last-minute work to do. He'll be here. And Saika's late too."
"They're probably together," Naruto commented offhandedly.
Mei frowned at that. Before she could give it more thought, the pair in question appeared.
"Everyone ready?" Kakashi asked before the leaves could settle.
"Yeah, twenty minutes ago," Naruto yelled, not truly irritated. He hadn't been out of the village since his last Sasuke forum mission and he was happy just to be going.
Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair, which the jonin tolerated. "Sorry Naruto, I didn't think I'd kept you waiting too long." He glanced at Mei for confirmation of this but only for a moment. His attention was drawn away when Saika asked her Hokage something in a half whisper. Kakashi chuckled at whatever she'd said. Mei's frown deepened.
Mei knew that Kakashi would have staff along on this trip besides Naruto. She'd thought it would be Guy or Yamato though, not some sweet little kunoichi with their pixie cut hair and cute boots. Mei blinked in surprise at her own jealousy. Saika had worked with Kakashi in ANBU, that was why she was an aide, that and because she wasn't fit for regular duty anymore. Mei couldn't remember why that was, she'd browsed those files so long ago, but she functioned well as an aide and performed well in all of Shikamaru's drills. Saika looked perfectly fit to Mei. The retired woman grimaced, eyeing the kunoichi's form-fitting armor. Maybe Guy's training session wouldn't have been so hard on her if she had stayed in better shape, Mei thought with a frown.
"Let's get going," Kakashi suggested. "We have a lot of ground to cover." He stepped to Mei's side and she managed a smile for him. The four of them went through the gate and hit the open road.
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"So I was thinking we'd maybe stay at some hot spring inns on the way back," Kakashi suggested to Mei as they walked.
Mei glanced up at her husband in surprise. He remembered she enjoyed hot springs, even though she'd only mentioned it in passing. Considering the things they'd had to meticulously work out as a couple, Mei's enjoyment of hot springs had made about as much sense to Kakashi as his lack of concern about snuggling did to Mei. Some things defied logic.
Naruto brightened at this. "Are you buying sensei?"
"Technically the village is 'buying'," Kakashi answered. "I don't think we stayed at any inns the last few times I've been to a kage summit so we can probably splurge a little."
"I'll see if it can be worked into the schedule," Saika spoke up.
Mei's brow furrowed. As if the schedule was up to Kakashi's aide! Who did she think she was? Acidic comments rose to her lips but Mei restrained them.
Mei stewed for several minutes until Naruto said. "Why don't we spend the night at inns the whole way?"
"Because the village isn't made of money," Kakashi put kindly. "I prefer to finish business before enjoying myself but this is a vacation of sorts for my wife. This is how I thought it best to serve both purposes."
"I'm sure you're correct senpai," Saika looked pointedly at Naruto while Mei glared at her.
Kakashi and Mei had BOTH discussed the trip but now Kakashi spoke about her like she was just tagging along? She was, but Mei didn't want the aide to think that! Mei was embroiled in angry thoughts the rest of the day.
When they made camp, Naruto went off to use the bathroom while Saika volunteered to gather firewood. Once Mei and Kakashi were alone, he turned to her. "Are you," he stopped and started again. "I'm worried you're unhappy about something."
"What gave you that idea?" Mei snapped.
Kakashi's eyebrows went up. He waited.
"It's nothing, I'm- it's nothing." Mei didn't feel like explaining something so obvious. She might say something she'd regret. It was better to keep her mouth shut.
Kakashi frowned at her answer. "Are you sure everything's okay?"
Naruto stepped back into the clearing. Mei quickly said, "I'm fine." She ignored Kakashi's concerned looks the rest of the night.
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The next day of travel was uncomfortable. There was an underlying tension in the group that kept everyone quiet as they walked. Naruto tried his best to liven things up with ridiculous hypothetical questions.
"What would you do if you could fly?"
"Like the previous Tsuchikage?" Saika asked.
"In any way," Naruto offered. "Fly like a bird, like Gaara on his sand, like old man Tsuchikage, anything."
"It would really matter in what way," Mei answered thoughtfully. "And how much stamina it would take."
"I don't think that's really the point of the question," Saika offered.
"Who asked you?" Mei shot back.
Saika stared for an astonished moment, apologized, and went silent. Kakashi and Naruto traded a look of confusion that did not go unnoticed by Mei. This infuriated her even more.
"Let's take a break," Kakashi suggested. "Mei, could I have a word with you?"
Mei followed Kakashi into the woods, annoyed. She felt like a student getting called out of class.
"Are you sure everything's alright?" Kakashi asked once they'd found a log to sit on. "If you're tired, you and Naruto can go back to the nearest inn."
Mei was horrified by the idea of Saika and Kakashi going on together, unsupervised.
"No! I'm fine, really."
"Do you have a problem with Saika then?"
"No," Mei only felt a little guilty about lying. She did have a problem with Saika, but she couldn't explain why, which would have been Kakashi's next question. She knew she was being unreasonable but she couldn't pinpoint why. It'd be better to leave it alone than dragging all that up with Kakashi right at that moment.
"Okay," Kakashi said, still eyeing his wife. "Then could you explain-"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Kakashi shut his mouth and stared at his wife for a moment more. Then he said, "okay" again and left her alone.
Mei was generally aggravated for the rest of the two days of travel. Who did Saika think she was? And Kakashi kept questioning her when he should know what's wrong. Mei knew he was smarter than that so why did he bother asking? Did she have to spell it out for him? Angry, jealous thoughts swirled and darkened in her mind like a muddy puddle. Mei tried to adjust her behavior, being kinder to everyone, but couldn't make herself feel genuinely cheerful. She knew she was causing trouble but couldn't reign in the jealous thoughts in her heart. Kakashi seemed to sense her dark thoughts and kept his distance, which made her feel worse. She wanted Kakashi to comfort her but he was part of the problem! This started a new round of angry thoughts, mostly involving Saika. Mei eventually went silent for fear of lashing out at someone.
At last they arrived in the Land of Iron. Naruto, Kakashi, and Saika freshened up and headed to the summit while Mei toured the capital city. Despite the journey, she wanted to stretch her legs and cover some miles on her own. She needed time to think and viewing the city as a tourist kept her from stewing alone in the room. There were various shops to look into, parks, and towering architecture, but once she'd cleared her head, Mei grew lonely. She wondered what she'd miss at the kage dinner that night. With that to remind her, she started to search out a place to dine with Naruto and Saika that evening.
Mei frowned when she thought of the other woman. What was it that bothered her so much? Kakashi worked with kunoichi on a regular basis, obviously. It would be strange if he only worked with men. Still, since she had seen Kakashi interacting with Saika, she wanted to spew lava at the woman. Mei wanted to be the only woman Kakashi saw, ever. She worked through her irrational feelings on that as she walked.
Mei had never really felt true jealously before. She'd thought that she didn't get jealous or that jealousy was a prick of annoyance that quickly went away. This was like a grease fire. It burned through her in a spitting rage, making her want to rip Saika apart. Mei could tell this reaction was irrational but she couldn't stop the feeling. Every time she saw Kakashi and Saika together she wanted to punch something. Why did Kakashi smile at her? And who did Saika think she was anyway? Maybe that was it? Mei knew the nature of Tsunade and Sakura's relationships with Kakashi, for example, but what was his and Saika's history? Mei processed all this as she continued to walk. The more she thought the more agitated she got and the faster her steps.
When the sun began to set, Mei made her way back to their inn. Saika and Naruto were waiting for her. "Finally," Naruto declared. "I'm starved."
Saika shot him a chiding look but said nothing. Mei had noticed that Saika spoke with the blond casually and they appeared to have a decent working relationship. Saika had apparently nicknamed Naruto "hero" at some point; the term was sarcastic or friendly depending on the situation. Mei also noted that it didn't bother her at all when the aide interacted with Naruto.
"I was looking for the perfect place for us to eat," Mei explained. "Unless something has already caught your eye?" The two shook their heads. They looked drained from the day's meetings. "Then I think I found a restaurant we can all enjoy."
The three of them had a surprisingly nice dinner together. Naruto and Saika described the day's proceedings but only up to a point. Mei didn't expect them to share sensitive information in a public restaurant. She could guess at a lot of the things discussed and who said what. She could almost hear Gaara's quiet voice, Kurotsuchi's fiery tone leashed by a front of indifference, and A's irritation at officially being the oldest kage currently serving. Mei smirked at the thought. That would never bother Kakashi the way it would A. It was strange how Kakashi was so comfortable with himself and yet so demeaning to himself as well. Was he only comfortable when demeaning himself? Was he just humble? Was it a defense mechanism?
Mei was brought out of her musings by a question from Saika. "Do you miss it?"
Mei was momentarily surprised that the kunoichi showed any interest in the Mizukage's personal thoughts. Then Mei paused a moment to consider the question. "I do, but not in the way I'd imagined. I thought I'd miss the struggle, the work, but really I just miss my peers." Mei had wanted to call them friends but "peers" was probably more accurate.
"Gaara's awesome," Naruto agreed. "But I don't know Lord Chojuro or Lady Kurotsuchi at all."
Mei smiled. "I don't know Lady Tsuchikage that well either. Even if I'd delayed retirement, it wouldn't have been the same."
"It's like your ANBU team getting rotated," Saika spoke up. "You always say you're going to keep in contact, but you often don't see much of each other after the team breaks up."
"I suppose," Mei half-heartedly agreed. She really didn't know what that was like. Hunters typically worked alone.
"Do you miss any of your teammates from the Mist?" Naruto asked.
Saika stiffened at the question, shooting Naruto a warning glance. He didn't see it.
Mei smiled bitterly. "We don't really do teams in the Mist, not the way you're imagining."
"Wait a second." Naruto frowned. "Were the other kage the only teammates you've ever had?"
Saika stared at the Mizukage, wanting to hear her answer even though she'd already guessed it.
"I suppose you could say that," Mei took a drink. The dinner had been going well but suddenly the Mizukage wished she'd dined alone.
Saika cleared her throat. "Naruto, what do you hope to accomplish as Hokage?"
"Huh?"
"Lady Mizukage did a lot with her time in office. The Mist had problems after the Fourth Mizukage's reign but Lady Mei put her village in order. You, on the other hand, have Kakashi-senpai to smooth out most of our post-war struggles before you take over, so what do you hope to accomplish while in office?"
Naruto grew quiet as he contemplated this and Mei was silently thankful to the kunoichi for changing the subject. Mei didn't even get annoyed that the woman hadn't addressed Kakashi as "Lord". Saika was probably one of those people that Kakashi had told to address him as she always had. Saika was an old subordinate from ANBU so naturally she'd refer to him as senpai. Mei knew now that Kakashi was simply following his sensei's example in that regard. Knowing that, and knowing Kakashi's circles better, Mei could now figure out who'd refer to him as Lord Hokage and who wouldn't before they spoke. They finished their dinner in contemplative silence.
When Mei got to see Kakashi that evening, she took him to see some of the sights around town. He was eager to look around but he was also tired. After only a few stops they went back to their room to talk.
Kakashi was a little more forthcoming with details than his subordinates had been. He knew a large amount of what Mei did and how to present the non-classified information so that she could fill in the gaps herself. These evenings were comfortable, even after the stress on the road. They got some time alone to hold each other and talk. They had the assurance that no one was going to burst in to say the village was being attacked, but Kakashi's mind was also on the issues being discussed behind closed doors. They'd traded one form of work for another. It wasn't the vacation either of them hoped it would be.
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The second to last day in the Land of Iron, Naruto and Saika burst into the suite, startling the Mizukage. Mei had had her fill of the city and, anticipating the walk home, chose to stay in and relax.
Both ninja paused to stare at the Mizukage. Mei stared back, confused by their expressions. Naruto wore one of astonishment and then acute embarrassment but not for himself. Saika looked shocked for a moment before hiding her feelings. They clearly had not been expecting Mei to be in the room at this time. "Did something happen?" Mei knew Kakashi must be alright, the pair wouldn't be there if he wasn't.
Naruto and Saika traded a look. "Something did happen," Saika said, rewording Mei's question into an answer.
Mei raised her eyebrows, waiting for more information.
After a moment of silence like water building behind a dam, Naruto sprung a leak. "The Raikage was being a jerk and sensei totally put him in his place," he burst out.
Mei's mouth parted but she had no words, only shock. Jerk or not, and A had his outspoken moments, it wasn't like Kakashi to lash out. Her green eyes shifted to the kunoichi, looking for confirmation or a denial.
Saika only added, "I probably would have phrased that differently."
"How? Make it all official? The Hokage threatened the Raikage at the meeting?" Naruto retorted. He was keyed up and didn't know what to do with his hands. They twitched a little at his sides.
Mei's heart raced even as the blood drained from her face. "What happened," she demanded. She remained seated but her whole body was tense, ready to spring.
The two fell silent again and the screaming need to know filled her mind. Mei glanced between Naruto's guilty look at bringing it up and Saika's face as she schooled it into blankness.
"Perhaps Lord Hokage should be the one to tell you," Saika offered.
Saika was being official, calling Kakashi by his title; she's putting up a wall. Mei's eyes zeroed in on the blonde. "Naruto, tell me what happened." It was not a request.
Naruto turned to Saika for support but she folded her arms and looked down her nose at him. This was incredible considering Naruto was a head taller than her. "You're the one who brought it up. This is on you, hero."
Naruto began, unable to contain his emotions. "The meeting was almost over and the Raikage said-" Naruto stopped.
"He said?" Mei prompted. She was teetering between frustration and alarm. The Mizukage fought to keep herself calm.
"He said," Saika looked at the ceiling, annoyed that Naruto wouldn't finish what he started, "that 'on a personal note, it looks like the Leaf has gotten into bed with the Sand as well as the Mist, although with the Mist it was literally.'"
Mei didn't gasp but her heart stilled and she sucked in a silent breath. She tried to remember how to think. Had A really said that? That didn't seem like him, boisterous and outspoken though he was.
Mei and Kakashi had previously discussed how the Cloud and Stone would react to the Leaf and Sand's new trade agreement. Ever since the end of the war, the Stone and Cloud didn't have the relationship they once did and that had been bothering A. Lashing out against the Leaf and Sand's partnership was new though. And to call Kakashi and Mei out personally was definitely out of bounds for what even A would consider to be proper etiquette.
"And so," Naruto continued, "sensei got all scary." Naruto shuddered at the memory. "Then he moved so fast I didn't see him and he was in the Raikage's face. Then sensei asked how A could say something like that?"
"Lord Hokage said," Saika grew annoyed at Naruto's misquotation, "that you are a peer and if the Raikage ever disrespected you like that again, he would personally end him."
Naruto continued his narrative, nodding at Saika's corrections. "Yeah. Then the Raikage started to laugh but no one else was laughing. And sensei did that scary glare he does that makes me think I'm going to die. And Lord Chojuro was so mad he couldn't talk and the Raikage apologized to him. The Raikage said that he didn't mean it, that he was just testing sensei. And that it was a good sign that Kakashi-sensei got so mad."
"What Lord Raikage said," Saika was starting to wonder if she should have just told the story after all, "was that he meant no disrespect to you or Kakashi-senpai. The Hokage's reaction was all the assurance he needed. A wanted to be sure that it hadn't just been a political marriage, that you two really cared about each other."
"Right," Naruto agreed. "Then Lady Kurotsuchi said some stuff about their personal lives being nobody's business and Gaara agreed. Then sensei told the Raikage that he appreciated the Raikage's concern for your happiness but perhaps next time he could just ask?" Naruto looked at Saika and she nodded her agreement, no corrections needed. Then Naruto laughed at the memory. "Sensei still looked pretty mad. When we left them to go to dinner, he asked us not to tell you about it."
Mei frowned. "Lord Raikage wanted to know that we were…happy? Why?"
Naruto shrugged. "Maybe he really does care."
"That truly seemed to be his intention," Saika added, "although the way he went about it." She shook her head. Saika had thought Kakashi was going to kill the Raikage right there. The aide had had a profound moment of panic. She would die for her Hokage, no question; it was a sacrifice she was willing to make. However, the possible confrontation forcefully brought to her attention how damaged she was as a ninja.
"So why did you tell me?" Mei broke the kunoichi out of her thoughts.
"Because you deserve to know," Saika said simply.
"I thought it was because she caught us off guard, being in the room and all?"
Saika shook her head at Naruto while half rolling her eyes.
When Kakashi got back from the kage dinner, he didn't say anything about the incident. Mei casually asked how the meeting went and he gave her all the usual details, but there was nothing about the Raikage's statement. It was like it never happened.
Finally Mei just said, "do you think A really cares if we're happy together?"
Kakashi twitched once and then turned to face her. His dark gaze locked her in place. "How do you know about that?"
Mei met his eyes steadily. "Naruto and Saika told me," Mei replied. "Why didn't you?"
Kakashi sighed. "Because his intention was to rile me up, which he did." Kakashi admitted this grudgingly. "He smoothed things out over diner. I believe A's concern was genuine and personal and not just a political ploy." Kakashi rubbed the bridge of his nose. "When I pointed out how such a comment was disrespectful to you, he immediately apologized. He probably thought that I wouldn't give an honest answer if he simply asked. It's also embarrassing, I shouldn't have reacted that way."
Mei had been thinking about that. "You wouldn't have failed to mention him dropping hints about a Mist/Leaf partnership throughout the week would you?"
Kakashi hummed. "The first couple of times I wasn't sure if he was directly accusing us of something. When he kept going, I tried my best to ignore his insinuations. Then today-" he trailed off with a bit of a growl.
"It's sweet that you want to defend my honor but he was insulting you too," Mei commented. "You'd be selling yourself for an alliance just as much as I would be."
Kakashi shrugged that off. It was really typical that he wouldn't think about defending himself. Pointing it out to him was a start, it's something else they can work on.
Mei nodded, letting it go. Then she asked with a smirk, "did you really threaten the Raikage?"
"Only a little," Kakashi replied, answering her smile with one of his own.
"Do you think you could take him out?"
"Openly? Very unlikely. Head-on battle is not my strength nor is it very smart even if it was. I would have either snuck into the Cloud and killed him in his sleep or possibly injected poison into an orange intended for him. Have you seen him eat an orange?"
Mei nodded. A ate his oranges whole and it was pretty wild to watch. Then Mei's eyebrows went up but not at the orange comment.
Kakashi caught on to her look. "You never thought about how to kill another kage?"
"Most of my mental awareness went toward making sure I wasn't assassinated in office," Mei retorted.
"Oh," Kakashi seemed genuinely confused by this.
"Does that mean you've considered how to kill me?" Mei asked.
"Yes," Kakashi replied simply. "Before."
"And?" Mei was professionally curious. This conversation didn't actually bother her in the least. Kakashi had no reason to assassinate another kage and therefore conceiving any of their deaths was purely a mental exercise for him. He'd probably worked the whole thing out during one of the Tsuchikage's speeches.
"Something similar, but I'd have to research the Mist Village. I've never infiltrated it before."
Mei was impressed. "You've snuck into the Cloud? How?"
"Free climbing."
Mei was unfamiliar with the term and said so.
"Free climbing for a civilian is climbing without equipment, like ropes and harnesses. Free climbing for a ninja is climbing without chakra. You can hide from sensors but it takes a lot of stamina and it's dangerous."
"That can't be practical on a real mission," Mei argued.
"That's what makes it useful," Kakashi countered. "No one thinks you can so no one defends against it. Frankly, besides Guy and me, I don't think anyone's bothered trying."
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The part of the trip that Mei was really looking forward to had finally arrived, the return journey! The work was done and she and Kakashi could spend all day and night together. Naruto and Saika were along but what did that matter? They'd be in a separate part of the suite and besides, Mei was starting to warm up to the kunoichi. That didn't make them friendly.
A fire still burned in Mei when she saw Saika and her husband near each other or heard them talking. Saika was Kakashi's aide, they had spent a lot of time together before now. Why was Mei so upset about it on this trip? Mei had had time to think about it and she was starting to get to the bottom of her own feelings. She supposed that what bothered her the most was that she and Kakashi had to work so hard on their intimacy in private but then he appears to be so at ease with another woman, in this case Saika, in public. That was what Mei was jealous of, the ease of their interactions, their relationship, it hurt in ways she didn't realize it could. What made Mei feel even worse was the thought that maybe Kakashi would be happier with Saika or some other woman.
Once they were checked in and settled in their rooms, Mei was the last to head to the baths. She was ready to soak her angry and pathetic thoughts away.
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Mei went through her usual bathing routine at the first available washing station. She rinsed herself a final time, sprayed down her station, wrapped her hair up, and went out to the pools. She quickly stepped into the water, ignoring the other women. Mei was self-conscious of the scars and muscle tone that marked her as a kunoichi. She looked forward to getting into the water and letting the heat work away at her nerves and sore muscles.
The water was hot, rich, and soothing, the air steamy with the fragrance of the springs. She closed her eyes and felt her muscles relax. There were a few gossiping friends off to her right so she half walked half swam in the other direction, where it was quieter. The steam obscured everything but Mei could only make out one figure on the left side. Mei found a comfortable spot and settled down. Only after the woman spoke did Mei realize who it was.
"It must have been lonely, growing up without teammates," Saika spoke clearly and directly. The steam swirled in the air and parted; the women were suddenly visible to each other.
Mei's half-closed eyes popped open. Had Mei realized that blurry form was Saika, she never would have gotten so close to her. The recently relaxed muscles in Mei's shoulders tightened. Mei slapped on a neutral expression. "It was what it was."
"I don't think I would have made it," Saika confessed.
"You would have, because you wouldn't have had a choice, it's that simple." Mei said shortly. There was nothing heroic about the life Mei had been forced to lead.
Saika thought about that. By the time she thought of something to say, the Mizukage had moved away.
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When she exited the pools half an hour later, Mei made a decision. She would confront Saika. The woman liked to be direct, so Mei would do the same. The two women ended up in the locker rooms at the same time. Mei was fully dressed and prepared to handle the situation.
"I don't like you being near my husband," Mei declared when they were alone.
Saika froze in the middle of tying on her weapons pouch. She turned to stare at the Mizukage, then her eyes narrowed. "How would you propose I do my job then?"
"I'm not worried about you seeing Kakashi as Hokage, just seeing him as a man."
Saika took that in for half a moment and then huffed out a laugh. The exhalation was short and quick. Her shoulders shook as she finished with her holster and straightened up. Mei saw that her eyes sparkled with tears, but they were tears of mirth. "You're jealous of me?" Saika snorted and choked with laughter. "How?"
Mei frowned, taken aback by this reaction. What did she mean 'how'? Was she messing with her?
Saika held up a hand. She took a breath and steadied herself with trained efficiency. "Okay, to be fair, if you'd said the same thing say, ten years ago? I might have had a different answer." She shook her head, still smiling. "I'm not that person anymore and frankly neither is senpai."
Mei was suddenly concerned and confused. "What do you mean?"
"You may remember I mentioned an ANBU team breaking up?"
Mei nodded.
"Kakashi-senpai went to teach those kids of his. He's the reason our team broke up and I'm still kind of mad at him for it, in a way. I respect him and I'd follow him anywhere, but the star-struck fangirl died with his abandonment." She held up a hand. "That's how I saw it at the time." Saika smiled. "I've grown a lot since then, learned things about myself. You never stop learning."
Saika's smile turned stale. "I'm having a hard time learning from this though." She stared at her hands. Just thinking about performing hand-signs made them shake a little. She clenched her fists. "My old captain knows that I'm useless now. That's why he assigned me to be an aide."
"No one is useless," Mei said firmly. "It's simply a matter of finding how you can best contribute. Kakashi knows how to direct his people, that's what made him such a good commander. Do you disagree?"
Now it was Saika's turn to be taken aback. She clearly had faith in Kakashi's judgement as a leader but she hadn't considered how that applied to herself.
"Kakashi chose certain people to be his aides because he trusted them without reservation to get the job done. You are one of those."
Saika closed her eyes slowly and took a breath. "I'm sure you're right Lady Mizukage." The words came out flat, unbelieving.
Mei frowned. "No need to be so formal, it's just the two of us." Mei could feel the kunoichi shutting her out. That hadn't been her intention.
"Goodnight Lady Mizukage."
Mei stared after the woman. She wondered what she should have said and resolved to be more supportive next time they spoke.
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Mei didn't realize the next time she and Saika would speak would be only moments later. They were the first back to their rooms. There was a moment of awkwardness when they realized they were alone again. At least this time it wasn't a public place. This time the aide initiated the conversation. She didn't want to talk about herself but she thought she needed to make something perfectly clear.
Saika faced the Mizukage squarely. "You need to know that you're foolish to be jealous. Kakashi-senpai cares very deeply for you."
Mei hadn't been expecting this. She'd given the kunoichi her full attention but now she looked away, embarrassed. "I know, I just, he's so-"
"Crazy about you," Saika cut her off and finished the sentence.
Mei's eyes widened.
Saika snorted. "It's right in front of you, in front of all of us actually, and you don't see it?"
"I- I mean sometimes-"
"Nope, all the time. Senpai never made time for any one person the way he does for you. And the way he talks about you? We kind of wish he'd stop." She laughed, either at her own joke or Mei's face. The Mizukage wasn't sure.
Saika was always very direct and honest; Kakashi had mentioned it before. Mei never fully appreciated it until now.
The aide continued, "maybe it seemed like a gradual change for people who were seeing him on a regular basis when you first started dating. But for people like me and Itsuki and the rest of us who were with him in ANBU, it's night and day." Saika smiled. "I never thought I'd see him like this, ever, and you see a lot of sides to people in ANBU." She repeated, "like night and day." She trailed off, lost in memories.
Mei didn't dwell on the comment about "when they'd been dating". Neither Saika, nor anyone else for that matter, knew that that period of their relationship didn't exactly exist. There was their friendship, the marriage contract, their courtship, and now their married life.
Mei couldn't imagine dating being better than the married life they were currently living. When someone dated, she supposed, there was the thrill of missing each other and the anticipation of meeting up again. But while dating had the highest highs and the lowest lows, at least in Mei's experience, marriage was more a steady thrum of love. It was continuous and comforting. The pitch would change from time to time but it never stopped. She would take their marriage over dating any day.
Saika's chuckle brought Mei out of her musings. "I can see you love him too. That's sweet. And that's good too because we'd be very-" she paused, searching for the correct word, "upset if you didn't." Saika used the word "upset" but she'd said it like she meant slow and torturous murder.
Mei smiled in return, having nothing to hide. "I'm grateful that Kakashi has such loyal allies. I'm afraid he takes too much upon himself."
This response seemed to make the storm clouds around the aide clear. If Mei had responded defensively, it would have not only made her look unsure but insincere in her affections. Saika mentally nodded her approval.
"I hope he doesn't make your work too difficult, for you and the other aides I mean?"
Saika snorted. "Only in that we're trying to keep up with him. It isn't really that different from working under him in ANBU. It's demanding but rewarding as well."
Just like training with Guy, Mei thought suddenly. It was no wonder they were best friends.
The two continued to discuss their work and the various subordinates and captains they'd suffered over their careers. When Kakashi returned from the hot springs that night, he found the two kunoichi talking amiably. He and Naruto exchanged a confused glance but neither dared comment on it.
000000
Too soon the trip was over. The group of four returned to the Leaf without the married couple having one night to themselves. Even with their own room at the inns, Kakashi and Mei still didn't feel that they had enough privacy to practice any marital relations. Kakashi brought this up the next time they were alone.
"I'm afraid that the summit trip wasn't exactly what you had in mind for our vacation," Kakashi spoke first during dinner.
Mei waved him off. Naruto and Saika, unobtrusive as they had been, were not conductive to the mood. There had been a distinct lack of alone time to be had with her spouse and that had been a disappointment. What Mei had gotten was a lot of extra time with Kakashi. They'd had their cozy evenings and she was always grateful for those. The Mizukage had also made a new friend in Saika and she wouldn't trade that for any vacation.
Mei wondered if she should introduce Saika to Sakura. The two would have common ground to build a friendship on and could probably help each other. Maybe Saika could come to the next girl's night? Mei made a mental note to talk to Tsunade about it later.
Kakashi's voice interrupted Mei's thoughts. "What about a makeup? Like a day-trip? Just the two of us. I think the village can do without me for that long."
"Really?" Mei replied, her voice pitching high in her excitement. Her thoughts on girl's night were suddenly tabled.
Kakashi frowned, "does the Leaf seem to be in shambles to you?"
Mei laughed at Kakashi's stern face. "No, no, it's not that. It's you, suggesting you take time off to relax. Good for you!"
"Well Shikamaru and the aides will have things well in hand for a few hours. I'm sure it will be fine."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"
Kakashi scratched the back of his head nervously. "I've never left the village for anything besides business." He looked at the ground, suddenly unsure.
"You're like a parent getting a babysitter for the first time." Mei practically cooed. "It's so cute!"
Kakashi's serious face was back. "I am not cute."
Mei cocked her head, interested in his reaction. "Did I strike a nerve?"
Kakashi shook his head, seeming to shake away his irritation as he did so. "Just a childhood pet peeve. Don't worry about it."
Mei nodded, accepting this explanation. "So when do we leave?"
"Day after tomorrow alright with you?"
Mei nodded, already thinking about what to pack.