A/N: I'm sorry guys. I meant to upload this chapter so long ago. I was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the last chapter so this one had been sitting half finished for quite a while. I do still plan on working on it! And to answer your questions, yes this is multi chaptered. I have at least 30 chapters planned out.
So please please leave a review and comments about anything. Whether you liked it or not, I want to hear your thoughts!
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It had been only five days since the end of the 4th Shinobi War. Five days to asses the totality of the situation and scrape together the survivors to try to establish control over the situation. It was no small task. Tens of thousands were dead. Thousands more were missing or presumed dead. Side effects of the infinite tsukiyomi were affecting people across the world. The kage were making massive strides towards at least mending the situation as best could be. But it was not without hiccups.
"This is ridiculous," Ay's fist slammed into the table making the wood shudder.
Well strides at least. Mei internally sighed as the issue was rehashed yet again.
The Raikage continued, "You expect us to believe a literal god descended from the heavens and was defeated?"
Mei looked over at Tsunade as she glanced up at Kakashi, who was assigned as her aide for the day, and nodded. Kakashi took a step forward, hands in his pockets with his eyes half closed as if bored. "Black Zetsu used Madara to summon Kaguya." Ay scoffed causing Kakashi to wait momentarily before continuing in a monotone, "It was only with the combined efforts of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that provided the successful sealing of Kaguya." Mei frowned slightly at hearing the words or rather the lack of certain words.
"All Leaf shinobi." The Third Tsuchikage cut in, "All the more reason…"
"Lord Onoki!" Tsunade angrily growled out while staring at the man. Tsunade turned to Kakashi and in a softer yet still frustrated tone, "You're dismissed, Kakashi."
Kakashi had a small furrow of confusion in his brow but bowed before leaving the makeshift meeting room. Tsunade turned back to the Tsuchikage once the jonin had exited, "I would appreciate a little tact when discussing sensitive topics, especially around people whom it may concern."
Onoki scoffed, "We have lost so many in this war. Four lives being impacted in such a small way are insignificant compared to that."
Tsunade scowled again and was about to retort when Gaara, ever the mediator, spoke, "Lord Tsuchikage, it would be rude to bring up the subject in front of one who it would affect. Especially when last the vote was tallied, it was still not to be passed."
Ay grumbled under his breath while the other four kages turned to look at Mei. "At this time, I am still voting against the proposal," she addressed the group, "However, I am still awaiting a decision from my council as they will have the final say and as you all know, communication channels are…behind."
Mei observed how Tsunade sighed slightly in relief while Ay and Onoki frowned at her announcement. Gaara, for his part remained impassive to her words.
Tsunade, eager to move on from the potentially unpleasant subject, "Then the total stands two too three still and it is declined. Now on to…"
Another stifling hour of the kage meeting dragged out until finally the group disbanded for the day. Mei stepped out of the cramped building and blinked into the blinding light of the midday sun as she stretched her cramped limbs.
Glazing around, she watched the busy movement of the various civilians and ninja in the village moving around. To Mei's somewhat surprise she did not notice Chojuro or Ao waiting for her with more paperwork or new tasks to be completed. With a small smirk, Mei decided to be a tad selfish today. Just for a a while she told herself. Besidesshe would probably trade it for less sleep tonight anyway.
Mei quickly strode in the opposite direction she normally took as she headed towards the village outskirts. Within a few minutes she was outside of the village entrance and walking down the path in a clear field. Sensing no one nearby and even glancing around to verify, she quickly leapt into the field. She had spotted a large tree overlooking a small pond and decided that would be the best place to self-indulge in a little time away from the world.
However, as she approached she noticed a single leg dangling lazily as it swayed with the gentle breeze blowing through the area. Mei internally frowned. What were the chances of someone already occupying her selected spot. She was about to turn away and find someplace else when she followed the leg and saw who it belonged too. Sitting there with his arms behind his head, eyes closed as he leaned against the tree, was Kakashi Hatake.
His company she could tolerate, she mused, as she wandered closer.
"Good afternoon, Lady Mei." He greeted her without opening his eyes as she drew close. He had not turned to look at her and there was no way he recognized her chakra signature. Was it her steps she wondered? Or perhaps he noticed her before she saw him?
"And to you, Kakashi." She returned, "Mind if join you here?"
Kakashi freed one hand and gestured vaguely at the tree, "Of course not. Your company is most welcome."
Mei gave a small smile as she settled with her back to the base of the tree as she sat. For a while neither of them spoke. They simply sat enjoying the warmth of the day as the sunlight filtered through the branches. The soft breeze shaking the tree limbs making the leaves rub together. Mei closed her eyes and titled her face up to capture more of the cascading sun rays. She allowed her thoughts to drift as she relaxed amidst the peaceful afternoon.
Kakashi's voice broke her from her reverie, "Have you been able to give yourself any time since leaving the hospital?"
"Yes," Mei did not even open her eyes, "Right now."
She could almost feel his gaze lower to look down at the top of her head in disapproval. "That doesn't seem healthy."
"I'm sure it's not." A small mirthless chuckle escaped her lips, "But given our circumstances…. I can handle some full days and sleepless nights."
A small grunt was the only reply, whether it was to signal agreeance or disagreeance with her, she was not sure. A quarter of an hour passed in amicable silence. The pleasant breeze combined with the warmth of the day gradually eased the tension in her body. Her breathing began to deepen as she sagged into the embrace of the tree trunk. With a jolt, her eyes popped open as she realized she had almost fallen asleep. Her breathing was heavy for a moment as she gathered her bearings and assessed the area for threats. But the only presence she felt was the cool and calm presence of Kakashi. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Mei knew that the silver haired ninja had noticed the change in her breathing. She appreciated the fact that he did not mention her lapse in judgement and carelessness. She was also surprised that she had even allowed it to happen in the company of a foreign ninja. He was an ally and it was not like she had zero trust in him… but still. He was a ninja from another village. An unknown quantity in a very shaky world.
A slight adrenaline bump still in her veins, she decided to make conversation to keep her awake, "Were your students always such strong shinobi?"
A small chuckle came from above, "Not at all. They were three of the biggest knuckleheads I've ever known. Especially Naruto."
Mei recalled heroic images of Naruto on the battlefield and could not imagine him in any other way. "I find that hard to believe."
"I can see how it would be for someone who didn't know him as a child." Kakashi's voice held a hint of mirth, "But many times I felt I had bit off more than I could chew and wouldn't be able to get them off each other's throats, much less to become ninjas in their own right."
"I guess they were lucky to have such a great sensei then." Mei replied with a small smile.
There was a long moment of silence before he spoke again, his voice lacking the previous levity, "I wouldn't say that. They would have excelled no matter who was teaching them"
This time Mei did tilt her head to look up at the man above her, "Why do you do that?"
"Hmm?" Kakashi's black eyes peered down from the branch to meet her gaze.
"That." She gestured vaguely, "Refusing to accept praise for your accomplishments. You did the same thing at the kage meeting."
His eyes were full of genuine cluelessness at her words, "I am happy to accept praise when I think it's warranted."
"You were clearly a good sensei for your team. Look at what they've done for the continent." Mei wasn't sure why she was pressing the issue but she did not like the way the man seemed to view himself.
Kakashi hopped down from the tree and stood before her. His black eyes bore into hers as they seemed almost…empty. "You don't know of what you speak." He shook his head dismissively. "Everything they've accomplished in not because of my teaching but rather in spite of it."
Mei was not sure how to reply or even if she should, afterall she barely knew Kakashi, his students, or their backgrounds. But what little she had seen told her he was wrong. Before she could say anything, Kakashi gave her an eye smile, "We've been gone a while. We should get back before they accuse me of kidnapping the Mizukage."
Mei stood and dusted herself off, "As if you could." Her retort earned her another smile as the two made their way back towards the town.
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The return to Konoha was a hectic and jubilant but short lived experience. Almost as soon as the fanfare faded, it was a headfirst sprint into work. Missions were so backlogged that even retired shinobis were being requested to complete lower ranking missions.
Kakashi was never a slouch when it came to grinding missions, although for varying reasons over the course of his life. This one stemmed from necessity but not for him, rather the village and citizens as a whole. And he had to admit, it was miserable. He had not slept in his own apartment in over a month since returning from the war.
He wearily jumped rooftops in the village as he headed for the Hokage office. He looked longingly through the window as he passed by his own residence and wished he could just sleep there for a few hours. With a heavy sigh he continued his journey to the office. In just another few minutes, he arrived at the outer doors and was processed through ANBU security.
"Kakashi," A pale hand waved him over with its owner not looking up, "Welcome back."
Kakashi gave a slight bow as he held out a scroll, "Lady Hokage."
With barely a glance up from her paperwork she grabbed the scroll and read over it in a few seconds. With a huff she set it off far to the side, seemingly in an unimportant pile of paperwork. Five days of his effort for such a seemingly meager response. He lazily placed his hands in his pockets as he slouched his shoulders and waited. Tsunade continued hastily writing in a scroll with a furrowed brow.
A few minutes later she rolled up the scroll and sealed it. She finally looked up at Kakashi with an uncharacteristically serious look in her eyes. She glared at him for a slightly uncomfortable amount of time.
"Lady Hokage?" His voice did not break her intense gaze but did prompt a response.
She picked up the scroll she had just filled and placed it on the front of the desk towards him. "I need you to take this to the Village Hidden in the Mist."
Internally Kakashi groaned, wishing for just a day of rest. On the surface his eyes gave away nothing as he shrugged. "Of course." His hand reached out for the scroll but before he could grab it, Tsunade placed her own hand on it and stared sharply into his eyes. Kakashi looked questioningly at her.
"I…. this scroll…." Tsunade finally looked down, avoiding his line of sight, "You can leave tomorrow. Rest in the village tonight."
Kakashi was grateful for the reprieve but Tsunade's strange hesitation left him a little concerned and puzzled. However he ignored the stutter and instead pocketed the scroll in his flak jacket and gave another bow, "Lady Hokage."
Once Kakashi had left her office, Tsunade continued staring at the door he had just exited for several minutes. She finally looked away and rubbed her eyes and muttered to herself, "Forgive me."