Takeshi led Narumi along hidden paths, her hands bound. She was acting nervous. She wanted him to feel that he had more power over her than he really did.

This is what they had been waiting for. All this time. He had made his move. Kakashi had found the final piece of the puzzle. He found the network used to smuggle these women, and by now, he should have killed most of the culprits.

He would be lying if he said it didn't give him some sick pleasure to stalk the creep, knowing where all of this was heading. It felt personal.

She stumbled a little bit and feigned dread. "Where are you taking me?" Hinata whispered shakily.

Takeshi's voice was harsh in the cold tunnels, "stop your sniveling, and walk. I'm taking you to meet someone. We can't be late." She felt his hand press against her lower back as he prodded her forward.

Hinata honestly couldn't wait to kill this man.

They walked along in silence for a while further, and then made their way into a larger cavern. Then they sat and waited.

Kakashi had one of his ninja hounds, Biscuit, tracking the man known as Condor, who was meant to recover the stolen women from Takeshi. The rest of his pack was scouting around the compound and suppressing any thugs that Kakashi had missed. The feel of his mask back on his face was comforting. He was getting tired of not recognizing himself in the mirror.

Kakashi found a few other women stashed at the main site. He told them to keep calm, stay put, and that he would be back to save them as soon as he finished taking care of the traffickers.

It was time.

He went after Biscuit. It was time to give Hinata some backup. Kakashi was sure she could handle Takeshi and Condor on her own, but he wanted to be there to help support her if she needed it.

He caught up with Biscuit quickly, and he watched as Condor made contact with Takeshi.

His eyes were drawn to Hinata. She was an amazing actress. No one could have doubted her for being an undercover assassin. But he saw as she moved as graceful and fast as air, her hands skillfully unbound, and struck a fatal blow on Condor's heart before he could react.

Takeshi, who she rightfully determined to be the weaker of the two, just stood and watched in shock as the man fell to the ground after a light pat from the fragile girl.

Hinata turned her fist on the flabbergasted man. "Goodbye, Takeshi."

She hit him square in the chest. They were as easy as pie to get rid of. She had to wonder why Tsunade had sent her and Kakashi both for such an easy group of foes. Perhaps she was expecting worse.

She crouched down to search their pockets, and called out, "I know you're there, Kakashi. Is it finished?"

He stepped out from the shadows and nodded his head. "Yes. I found some women there. I think you would make them feel more comfortable. We will need to come back to do a final sweep of the compound, but we should return the women to the village first."

Hinata hummed her agreement, but she also felt a bit bummed about their mission drawing to a close. "We will have to go back to Konoha now, won't we?"

Kakashi closed the distance between them. He hugged her from behind, his masked lips kissing the nape of her neck, "we could probably wait a few days before going back. No one would know."

She leaned into the embrace, and closed her eyes, breathing in his scent.


They returned the women back to the village they had settled in. No longer were they wearing their village attire. Both Kakashi and Hinata sported shinobi gear. They no longer needed secrecy. Their mission was complete.

The women would be taken into the care of the village elders before they could be assisted to their respective homes. Many were from nearby villages.

Kakashi had bowed his head respectfully, his words were strong and comforting to those around him. "Our Hokage tasked us with this mission on behalf of Hi no Kuni. We have taken care of the smuggling network here. The daimyo has recently become quite passionate about ridding trafficking from his territory. There should be no need to worry for now."

The village elder's chin quivered. The pain of being unable to protect the most vulnerable among them had weighed heavy on his heart. His eyes traveled from the strong man to rest on the young woman in front of him. Her eyes were different than he remembered. His breath drew in, "I have not seen the eyes of the Hyūga since I was a boy. Your Hokage honors us with such respectable and able soldiers. I offer you my deepest gratitude. I have grown old, and we have managed the odd ruffian just fine… but organized crime is a whole other beast." He looked back to Kakashi, "You and your wife are always welcome here."

Kakashi almost blushed. He forgot that they were still wearing their rings. He looked over to Hinata, who had also glanced his way. She let a small giggle escape her lips at his expression.

"Thank you Elder, though we have not been married yet. But… It feels wrong to take it off." Hinata looked down at her ring finger and smiled warmly.

Yet.

Kakashi didn't miss her wording. He felt fondness and love and adoration bubble up as he watched her smiling face.

Kakashi cleared his throat, "The people here were very kind to us during our stay. I have sent word that our mission was successful. We will be leaving in the next day or so. We have some cleanup still to do."

The elder opened his mouth to protest, "Surely you cannot leave without us celebrating. Please allow us to do this. To show our appreciation."

They looked at each other. Hinata nodded her head softly, "Yes, we can stay a day longer." They were certainly in no rush.

Kakashi gave a curt nod and said goodbye to the old man. He reached his hand to lightly touch Hinata's back as they turned to leave. He didn't want to return to their village without the right to touch her so casually. He didn't want to pretend that they were merely acquaintances anymore. Before this mission, they didn't really have the resolve, but now everything was so different.

They returned to the cave system where the women had been kept. His pack had gathered the bodies in one area, so he pulled out several sealing scrolls and stored them all away. Hinata had scanned the compound and located the offices that held their computers and paperwork. She worked to take anything that seemed relevant, and destroyed everything else. They did a final sweep, then they sealed the entrances and left.

They made it back to the little house they had lived in for the last two months. It was by no means extravagant. Kakashi watched as she ghosted her hands along the furniture. She had grown to like this place. It held many irreplaceable memories.

Kakashi set down his packs and caught a lock of her hair in his hand. It slowly slipped through his fingers. "Is it bad that I don't want to return just yet?"

He just wanted to stay there and breathe her in. Soak up her lovely presence. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He didn't want the complexities they would find on their return.

She had a slight shake of her head and drew up close to him. Her hands rose up to pull down his mask. "Not at all," She spoke softly as she studied his face. Her hands brushing gently along his cheeks. She stretched up on her toes to reach her lips to his. His arms reacted instinctively, wrapping around her.

"We should find a temple." She breathed out as she pulled away.

"Already? That isn't too soon for you?"

She shook her head, "No. I want to be married before we return… if we can."

Amusement flashed through his dark eyes, "Your family will think I'm a scoundrel. Stealing their heiress while off on a mission."

Hinata had a slightly worried expression on her face, "I know they won't be happy with me, exactly… but I really don't want their input. I've dedicated my entire life to their wants. But this… I want to be selfish for once. I want to be free to marry the man I love with no one else's calculating opinions forced on me. Do you not want to?"

Kakashi felt a smile tug at his lips. "I've honestly never cared what others have to say about my actions. How could I not want to? I just don't want you to do things in a way you might regret. We can find a temple, if you're sure."

"I am."

His hand reached up to cup her face, and his thumb brushed under her eye. She was perfect.

Her hands followed the scars that marred his flesh under his clothing. He hadn't felt the pull to cut himself since she had accepted him into her arms all those weeks ago. Her presence had overwhelmed his senses so fully.

How had he managed to attract such a perfect being? He never thought he would attain such a wholesome love. Or that a woman would look at him with so much comfort and reverence.

"I love you." She whispered.


That is exactly what they did. They stayed to celebrate with the villagers, and then left that night. Kakashi's hair was starting to return to his natural color. Oh, how she had missed it.

They traveled for a day and a half before stopping at a lovely temple, and there they were married, and stayed an additional night with their hosts showing them every courtesy. They were, apparently, big fans of love.