Chapter Text
"If that will be all, my Lord Hokage?" I knew better than to slouch in front of the Rokidame. All insolence, whether real or perceived, was punished. In my case, since I'd been not only a contender for the title of Hokage, but friends with the 'slut', Tsunade, I'd had the lesson beat into me. As leader of the underground resistance, I couldn't afford to wait at the hospital today.
"Send in your section chiefs by zero nine hundred. This is not a suggestion, Hatake. The lists will be drawn up and any disputes settled in a week's time." Danzo waved his hand in dismissal, "Please send in the boy."
I bowed low, and backed slowly from the office of the Hokage. When I closed the door, I straightened, rubbing my lower back, and sharing a smile with Sai, the boy Danzo wanted.
"How did it go, Kakashi-san?"
"He wants to see you, Sai. Other than that, just swimmingly." Sai's small return smile was as warm as it could be, considering the scar that ran though it up to his hairline. He'd been labeled as a traitor early in the fight for Konoha. It had been a dismal effort, considering that more than half of her residents had been buried under rubble or comatose. That included myself, but I didn't mind that I had missed the fight. It meant I could do something from the inside to squash Danzo like a bug. With a small, nearly unheard sigh, Sai went into the office.
I shook my head. Sai had learned all he could about emotion, and Danzo had been less than impressed. I just hoped he wasn't in for any more torture today. Sai had it worse than anyone in the village. With those unsettled feelings, I marched down the old ANBU offices, where 'retired' officers had their desks and paperwork for new job descriptions.
Hana Inuzuka looked up, "Hatake-san."
"Hey," I greeted her and walked further into the room, "Are all the chiefs here?"
Six sets of eyes looked up, but Hana answered, "On a Friday? Where else would they be?" She gave the hallway a rude gesture, "Of course, Captain." Her dogs barked in chorus, and she smiled, "They'll be in in a minute." Hana playing at secretary would have made me laugh for a week straight a month and a half ago. Now, since she was a female of rank, she was allowed to have this terrifyingly boring desk job.
I rubbed my eye wearily, “Don’t call me captain,” the sigh escaped before I could stop it, “You know what it could mean.”
Hana averted her eyes and suddenly six pairs of angry doggie eyes were turned on me.
“Sorry, fellas,” I said under my breath. Hana patted them, and they settled as I waited for the chiefs to come.
Soon enough, I heard the tread of feet and the squeak of doors opening. Six men, either trained by or friends of Danzo and his cronies, trooped in. These were my men, and each had a separate duty. ANBU had been a hive of activity and friendship built on trust and blood. This was an office, manned by idiots who'd never seen battle. Which meant they were perfectly suited to run the lives of the citizens of Konoha - not. I almost rolled my eyes.
"Hyuga-dono, please draw up a list of all females and males over the age of fifteen that are not married or excused from special duty."
The tall man squinted his pearlized eyes at me, "Is there an age limit?"
"I'd consult with Shizune-san, but I suppose everyone of childbearing age." That made everyone's head snap to attention. "The Lord Hokage has made it clear that Konoha needs to rebuild its population after the devastating attack by Pain." You could have heard a pin drop.
"But, the Lord Hokage has put a ban on..."
I interrupted the Minister of Morality, a squat monkey of a man who had all his morals intact because no one had thought to divest him of them earlier. "I know very well what has been banned." I ground out, "These are his orders: in one week's time there will be a mass wedding. Everyone not currently married, widowed, or otherwise engaged will abide with the decisions made by us."
The men shifted, but Hana spoke up from her desk, "There's over a hundred years of tradition in my clan, Kakashi! I will take no husband!"
"I am aware, Inuzuka-san. Please remain quiet." It burned my tongue to have to tell her that. "Lord Danzo has indicated that all clans will be included. We have a week. Section leaders will meet with Lord Danzo tomorrow at zero nine hundred to give him a timetable and any updates that you feel he must know. Please have a preliminary timetable ready for my perusal by eighteen hundred. Dismissed."
I turned on my heel, to meet Hana's outraged eyes. Her red tattoos were stark in her too pale face. I shook my head, and she dropped her gaze. I picked up the tattered shreds of my dignity and left the new Ministry offices.
I took a meandering route to the memorial stone where I talked to long dead friends. The wind up wasn’t for my shadow, a ROOT ANBU, but because I needed to burn some frustration. When the ROOT realized where I was headed, and that I wouldn't leave for a while, a green-striped frog’s mask left to meet his girlfriend. I'd known the man for years, and though he was one of Danzo's, he still would respect my privacy. Here, at least. I knew he watched me at home and everywhere else, but here he saw fit to allow me at least an hour of privacy. Just enough time to send Pakkun to Naruto and see what he wanted me to do with this new horror.
I sat in front of the memorial, the grass soft underneath me, and stared at its mirrored surface. I reached down and unsnapped the pouch that held my biggest treasure, my summoning scroll. Hastily, I bit through years of scar tissue, swiped my finger on the scroll, and concentrated on Pakkun. I hate silent summoning but I have had plenty of time to practice it lately.
The small pooch popped into my plane and settled on his back legs, "Boss."
"I need to talk to Naruto."
The dog nodded - well, as much as a dog can nod - and popped away. I switched scrolls, tucking my contract away, and sucked hard on the finger to get the blood flowing. I concentrated very hard on calling Naruto's shadow clone to me, and the blond was suddenly sitting on the raised dais of the memorial. He looked around and scampered down to join me in the grass.
"It's good to see you, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto's clone looked around, "I wish we could meet somewhere less... open."
"Believe me, I've considered a lot of possibilities, but my ANBU shadow only goes away when I come here. They’re very thorough, otherwise."
"I know," he groused good-naturedly. "So, what's happening?"
I liked this new, matured Naruto. He had good men, good friends, surrounding him, and he was learning to be the leader his father had probably hoped him to be. I was proud of him at any rate, and that has to count for something. I cleared my throat, "I'm pretty embarrassed, but I'm getting married."
"Married?" Naruto chuckled quietly, "Who'd want your perverted ass?"
"It's Danzo's new initiative, and even I cannot wriggle out of this one. Everyone above the age of fifteen will be married. Lists are being drawn up right now."
Naruto's eyes widened, and he tensed, "Prisoners?"
Sakura had been arrested just hours before Naruto and a few others had left. Just ahead of an assassination squad. "I don't know. I've got to get Sai out of here, too, though. The sooner the better. His seal only makes it so he can't reveal Danzo's secrets. He will get her to you."
"I have to let me know. Give me five minutes?"
I nodded, and the clone dismissed himself. I sat and unconsciously stroked Rin's name. On the other side, Orbito's name was similarly worn by a million touches. I was almost happy Rin wouldn't have to share in this outrage. Obito, being a Uchiha, almost luckily, would never have seen this day.
Quietly, I sat and thought about it. Me, getting married. The few times I'd been in a serious relationship, it had always ended in tears. My mind drifted on the edges of the thought. I hoped I would get a fellow shinobi, not get saddled with some useless civilian. I buried my face in my hands, hopefully it would not be too much to ask for Hana, or someone else who would be open to having a husband who was in the rebellion.
I figured five minutes had gone by in melancholic thought. I gnawed a different finger, casting the summon for Naruto's clone again. He settled neatly in the grass beside me, his face twisted in worry.
"What's the word?"
"You have to protect her." Naruto's clone looked almost terrorized.
I raised my brows, "Her who? I said I could break Sakura out of her cell. If you want more than that, you'll have to be specific. I'm just a man, after all." He turned eyes streaked with tears to me, and I nearly gasped. I had seen him cry before, but he looked heartbroken.
"Hinata-chan," he whispered, "...she," he hung his head. "I need you to keep her safe, Kakashi."
"Hinata?" It had been a month, but I had thought she'd be with him, I never thought she was being held at the compound. "She'd be killed before I could sneak her to the gates. Even if I had someone on the inside," I protested softly. Hiashi seemingly had welcomed Danzo's xenophobia and supported the man, gaining good positions for his clan members.
"She's precious, and if it's everyone..." He wiped his tears with the sleeve of his coat, "If you can save her, or make it so that she is exempted..."
"There's no exception. She'll be married in a week, just like I will. If I can..." Naruto interrupted with an impatient gesture.
"I know about her family, but they'll be happy if she goes to someone as elite as you, won't they?"
If I hadn't been so stunned, I would have fallen over laughing, "I suppose so, but you are suggesting I marry a sixteen year old girl. He wants to build the population, Naruto. What if he demands proof I'm sleeping with her in every sense of the phrase?"
"If it's you, Kakashi?" He shook his head, "I couldn't live thinking she'll have to be with someone she couldn't trust. You can make her safe and, if you have to, then..." His voice broke, "Tell her I..." He straightened, "Tell her to do it for me; if she loves me, she'll keep herself and you safe."
I shook my head, there was no way in hell I'd ever give an ultimatum like that to any woman. It didn't stop me from questioning him further, "How about me, what should I tell myself while I violate the girl who loves you?"
"Then try and get her out; yourself, too. I need more leaders." He looked stubborn and the emotion in his eyes had turned to irritation.
I sighed, "No, we discussed this. I do more good organizing the resistance here. Getting Danzo's plans to you from here."
The clone just stared stubbornly at me before he too heaved a sigh of frustration, "Please help Hinata-chan. She can help you, too, since her dad is buddies with our new Hokage."
"You're asking a lot."
"Do you need me to put it on a mission scroll?'
I stood, biting back the angry retort on the tip of my tongue. "No, my Lord Hokage." Ok, so I didn't bite down too hard.
"You're my teacher and a valuable asset, Kakashi-sensei. I would never ask you to do something to violate your sense of right and wrong; but you must understand, she's got value. She's beautiful, any man would be proud to call her wife."
"There's other women I could help better and keep myself from feeling like an even bigger pervert in the bargain. Inuzuka Hana for instance. Wouldn't Kiba have something to say about this?"
"He's sitting here, Kakashi. He is mad as hell that Danzo is breaking their clan traditions, but Hana-san is a big girl, and there's others still there. Be a matchmaker."
I had to fight myself from turning my back on him, "So, Hana is a big girl. What about Hinata? She's a shinobi, too. Can't she handle herself?"
"She is, Kakashi. More than anyone I know how strong she is. Kiba was her teammate, he agrees that she'll do what is necessary. Especially with Shino and almost everyone else our age here with me."
They finally had me; out of the remaining resistance members, I could count the men Hinata's age, relative loyalty, and availability on one hand and have fingers left over. That, and Naruto trusted me. "I'm too old for this shit."
Naruto smiled, it was weak, but it existed, "So, you will help her, be there for me because I can't? You are a fate better than an inter-clan marriage, or worse."
"Go let him know. I need some time to compose myself. And clean my kitchen." I rubbed my sharingan eye, "Seems I have a date for a wedding."
Naruto's clone was gone when I opened my eye. I still had time, since my shadow was off having a much better time than me. I plunged one hand into my thigh holster, and withdrew a familiar book with a dark orange binding. Stoically, I sat down to wait for my tracker to get back.
When I sensed him drawing near, I put the book away, and wandered off to get lunch and think about the upcoming jailbreak.
It was a depressing task, walking though Konoha. Since Tenzo had been out on a mission, he'd gotten away with Naruto and a double handful of the shinobi who'd seen the writing on the wall in time to go. Things were being rebuilt, but even able-bodied shinobi could only rebuild a home or business so fast.
Civilians were the most helpful; clearing land, restoring what could be restored before construction teams could get to them. It was this civilian workforce who rebuilt their favorite places first. Therefore, Ichiraku ramen was open, and fully staffed by popular demand. I ducked inside the open ended stall, and took a somewhat rickety stool.
"Ah, Hatake-san, what can we get for you?" The meaty owner leaned over his re-built counter, "I got a good price on beef, got some great cuts."
"Sure, a beef ramen will be fine, toss everything you can find into it." The bowl arrived and I set up the customary genjutsu that allowed me to take down the mask and eat in peace. How no one has figured this out still gives me hours of amusement. The meal disappeared quickly, the only way the genjutsu would work, since a leisurely sit and eat would raise suspicions, like how did I manage to slurp noodles though a mask...
I stood, tossing a few Ryo on the counter, and gave my customary wave. I checked for my shadow, finding him crouched on a rooftop across the street. I smiled up at him, and continued walking. What now, I wondered, Maybe the Hyuga compound? I scowled, glad that no one would see the frustration I was sure was all over my face. With a grim determination, I stalked off toward the edge of the village.
I passed the Hokage tower, and made the mental note to be on time for the appointment I had scheduled. Thrusting my hands deep in my pockets, I resumed the trek. The homes and businesses were more and more whole as I walked. Outside the Hyuga compound, a portion of the tall gate had collapsed, and been reconstructed. Several of the homes were showing signs of renovation and semi-tidy piles of ruined brick, rock and lumber marred the park-like grounds of the land the Hyuga claimed as their own.
A minute or two inside, and the outright curious stares were like to drive me wild. Didn't anyone outside the clan ever visit? I knew several Hyuga and offshoots of the main clan name who had been working with or around the Hokage and the ANBU quarters. Maybe the current regime had everyone on edge. Yeah. I can believe that.
The sprawling two level home that served as the clan seat rose before me. Its gates are carefully stacked and mortared river rocks, almost looking like the earth itself had decided that a great house should be built there. The house itself was different from most places in Konoha. It was almost like going to one of those historic places the capitol has for the amusement of the Daimyo's lapdogs. I shook my head; I was being judgmental, something I never appreciated in others, so I shoved the thought back and strode down the cleverly set walk to the Hyuga seat.
As soon as I had alighted on the front porch, which unsurprisingly wrapped around in both directions, one of the double doors swung open on silent hinges. A woman of surpassing beauty smiled out at me, "Welcome, Hatake-san. Will you please come in?"
Her hair is red; real red, not copper or the color of sunsets, but red like blood is red. It was twisted into a complicated knot at the base of her neck. Her eyes were so unusual as to make me double-take. I thought I had seen every variation of eye possible. Hers were stunning, the color of soft jade chased with the lightest pink. I blinked hard when I noticed that they were Hyuga eyes, pupiless, unless you knew what to look for. "I am Kazuko. Be welcomed to the Hyuga household. If you would care to wait, I will announce you to Lord Hiashi, or if you're looking for someone else...?"
I checked the mental commentary, "No, no, Kazuko-san. Lord Hiashi is exactly who I need to see."
"As you wish," she indicated that I should go left with the graceful sweep of her hand, "The parlor is that way. Lady Hinata is there, so you will not have to wait alone." She smiled again, and I felt my lips curl in response.
I nodded and allowed my spine to go soft, settling into the slouch I was practically famous for. I walked along a short hallway displaying old fashioned ninja tools. I would have loved to stop and take a closer look, but it seemed that destiny was ready for me to meet my future wife.
Hinata was perched on a lacquered bench, it's cushions haphazardly pushed to the side. She was in a royal blue qiapo hiked up to mid thigh as she bent forward and painted her toenail a sizzling red. Her hair was worn loose, the blue in the dress emphasizing the navy tones to perfection. I wished I had masked my chakra just so I could watch the innocently sexy action playing out before me.
Instead, her head jerked up, and her cheeks blushed a furious pink, "Oh! I'm sorry, Kakashi-taicho!" She hastily pulled the material down and rearranged her body to a more ladylike posture. Too bad, really.
"You could have finished, Hinata-san, I don't mind." I plopped myself into a chair, "And I'm nobody's captain now, Hinata. May I call you Hinata?"
She ducked her head, "Oh, yes, of course. I apologize, Kakashi-san." She stole a glance from under her eyelashes, before straightening, "Would you like tea, Kakashi-san?"
"Just Kakashi, Hinata. Thank you, but I'm here to meet with your father."
She nodded, a sudden grin appearing for a split second before she spoke again, "Since I'm not allowed to be a shinobi, I am learning how to be a proper Hyuga hostess. My father makes dreadful tea, anyway. Please allow me?"
I chuckled at her insistence, and stuffed down the moment of anger at her not being a shinobi any longer. I motioned at the tea pot, and she stood to pour. A single cup resting on the tray indicating that it was supposed to be hers. "I'm not drinking your tea, am I? I seem to remember you have a sweet tooth, Hinata, and to be honest, I like my tea strong."
Her brows lifted as she stood upright, "It's not sweet in the pot, Kakashi-san." She leaned over to grasp the handle and poured, "It's Assam tea, known for its robust taste with a hint of fruitiness." She put the pot down, and held the teacup out. "That's why I like it, adding sugar makes it almost a treat."
I stared at her for a second before laughing, "I was going to say you should have the cup, since I never lower my mask in company of one who would then help a student of mine win a bet that they think I don't know about."
She blushed again, then surprisingly she giggled and held the cup to her breast, "The pot is rather high!"
"Is it?" I chuckled again, "If you were to share the winnings with me, I could maybe... No, that wouldn't be fair." Talking with her like this was fun. She reminded me of Sakura, with her easy laugh and blushes. Like Sasuke with her better than average mannerisms. And Kami help me, like Naruto too, with her ability to make me feel at ease. I thought about telling her the real reason I was there as she sat back down and put a single cube in her tiny cup, and stirred languidly with a spoon that must have had no other use but to stir liquid in a tiny cup.
"Have you heard of the Hokage's new initiative, Hinata?"
"Not lately," she sighed, gently putting the cup down and sitting straighter, "sometimes father storms about his ideas where I can hear them, but, no, not really. Why?" She brushed her hair back with a slender hand, and in the middle of the action, I saw her ear tug slightly. She had surprised me once again, giving me the signal we'd worked out the last time team eight and seven had worked together to find and shut down a smuggling operation. It meant 'someone could be listening.'
I nodded, a natural response to her polite question, "I meant the relaxation of the rules for shinobi females to work as medics and curriers." I itched my ear, telling her that I had gotten the message, and smiled appreciatively under the mask. Had anyone caught me parading secrets here, the least I could receive would be a stout beating. Although with the stunning regularity I seem to earn them, I was starting to think Danzo just liked the sight of me naked.
Hinata nodded, "Father did mention it, but I ..." She put the cup down and let a dainty sigh escape, "I never really got the right training."
I felt my mouth tighten in a flash of indignation on her behalf. Sakara herself had told me that Hinata had better chakra control and more patience than any of the other girls who had taken the medic courses. I had seen her resurrect a fish months ago, and sew Akamaru's wounds when the big dog would not let anyone else except Kiba near. Well, if there was one thing I could do for her, I could at least talk to her father about this.
As Hinata sipped her tea, I tried to order my thoughts. Marriage isn't really anything I'd thought about before. My longest relationship ran an astonishing six weeks, probably because I'd been confined to the hospital for two weeks with an obligatory home recovery of a further week. Every single one of these had ended in a spectacular fight over whether I loved her or my work. No question, I loved my village. Which meant that I loved my work, and women... Sorry to say, women who threw themselves at shinobi were as plentiful as sand in Suna.
I looked up, realizing things had been silent for a little longer than I usually considered comfortable, not to mention polite. Hinata blinked her soft lavender eyes at me and a small smile curved even softer lips. Where in the world was I getting this stuff? I stifled the embarrassed smile as Hinata spoke.
"Where were you, just now, Kakashi-san?"
"Lost," I didn't stifle this laugh as it spilled up, "on the road of life."
She cocked her head, "Was it really so bad? You looked a little sad." She gasped, "I'm sorry! I'm a-always s-s-saying things I shouldn't!" She blushed a fantastic pink and tried to bury herself in her cup. It was a poor shield.
I gave a tiny head shake. "Sometimes. That's life, though, good and bad." I reached out, though I stopped short of actually touching her to bring the girl comfort, and brought my hand back awkwardly. "Sorry, Hinata."
The butler bowed into the room, breaking the rising tension. "Pardon, but Lord Hiashi will see you now, Hatake-san." Hinata sat back on the settee, and I rose to answer the summons. I stood and watched her for a few seconds more. Although it probably all added up to the fact I was about to ask for her hand in marriage, I was confused by my sudden urge to touch her. I wanted to break past the careful façade and blush response to reach the person underneath. Instead, I followed the butler back down the hall and through the house to Lord Hiashi.