A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Twenty Six

"Thank you for your support, Lady Hokage." You said gratefully. "Please understand, my country is in dire need of assistance. I know I am in no position to ask you this, but please reach a conclusion quickly."

The woman unlaced her hands, sighing. "I understand your haste, (Y/N), but these things take time. We must carefully lay out the facts and examine them. It will probably take several months to reach a conclusion, but I promise I will make this issue one of my top priorities."

You felt another surge of gratitude toward the woman. She could be the key to saving the Land of Shadows.

"And just be on the look out, the Anbu may approach you for questioning now and then."

That reminded you of something. "Will I be arrested?"

The Hokage frowned. "For what?"

You looked down. "I... have committed murder..."

The woman shook her head. "Due to circumstances, I cannot arrest you. If you are speaking the truth, then this murder is written into the law of your country, no longer making it illegal. Secondly, I have no evidence that you did in fact kill anyone, although I'm positive you're telling the truth. Besides, I don't really want to arrest you."

You raised a brow. "Why not?"

The Hokage looked down at her desk. "Well... I've had the Anbu observe you now and then to monitor your behavior. Just as a safety precaution, I mean, I do the same with any shinobi guests allowed into the village. From what I've been told, you have been nothing but helpful to the village and to your students. So if-" She sighed deeply. "So if you ever consider becoming a teacher, I would approve of it."

Your eyes widened in surprise and Kakashi's did as well. Technically, the Hokage had just approved of your internship. From this point, you could become a full fledged teacher.

"But please keep this between us. I'm already saying too much as is..." She rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Anyways, I promise that I will keep this information confidential. Other than my advisors and assistant, no one will hear a word about this... issue."

You bowed to her deeply in thanks. "I can't convey how truly thankful and blessed I am that you are willing to help my country."

The blonde woman seemed a bit flustered, waving her hands back and forth. "No need to bow so deeply, this is a humanitarian crisis for goodness sake! It's my job to take it seriously."

Kakashi stepped forward, standing beside you. "Even so, I am also grateful that you are willing to help (Y/N) and the Land of Shadows."

Lady Tsunade nodded. "Of course. I guess we should wrap this up now. My council is probably hounding Shizune for details on why the meeting is cancelled. I'll go help her and bring this issue to their attention." She stood up, brushing herself off.

You looked up at Kakashi, smiling at him gratefully. "Thank you for the support, Kakashi."

"Of course." He replied gently.

Lady Tsunade glanced between both of you, raising a brow. "So you two are a thing now?"

Both you and Kakashi's faces turned bright red as you both stuttered out your denials.

The Hokage laughed, shaking her head. "Don't worry about it, your secret's safe with me." She winked before grabbing a pile of folders off her desk. "And don't even try to deny it again, I know what went down last night."

You coughed loudly, nearly choking on your spit. "You did-a-what???"

"Pervert." Kakashi mumbled under his breath. He crossed his arms and stared the Hokage down.

She only smiled awkwardly, shoving us toward the door. "I mean, an Anbu told me that they saw you both enter (Y/N)'s apartment late at night and that neither of you came back out until morning. No one saw anything go down, I just assumed." She laughed nervously. "I like to think of myself as a romance-expert."

Kakashi scoffed. "Now you sound just like Jiraiya."

"Ugh!!! Don't compare me to that perverted sage!" The Hokage protested.

You were currently confused. "Who's Jiraiya?"

"One of the legendary Sannin that likes toads and spying on naked women." Kakashi explained casually. Lady Tsunade nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, shortie, you'll probably meet him one day." He said in response to the even more confused look on your face.

"Um... now I don't want to meet him..." You responded.

The Hokage cleared her throat. "Anyways. We all have places to be. You two head back to your team, you don't want to keep them waiting."

All three of you shuffled to the door.

"And for now, just stick with the mission. If something related to this 'issue' comes up, I'll send an Anbu to let you know." Lady Tsunade looked directly at you as she spoke. "I'm sure I don't need to remind you both not to tell anyone a single word on what went down in this office today, but I guess I still have to just in case."

You and Kakashi both nodded, silently promising not to say a word.

"Good." The Hokage sighed in relief. "Now go on, before Naruto and Sasuke kill each other. Or was it Naruto and Sakura? I forget who's worse enemies with that blonde knucklehead."

You chuckled in response.

All three of you exited Lady Tsunade's office, the Hokage going a separate direction from you and Kakashi.

"Well that went alright." The silver haired man commented.

You wrapped an arm around his waist, nuzzling into his side. "Yeah, thank you for staying."

Kakashi wrapped his arm around your shoulders, kissing the crown of your head. "Anything for you, love."

You blushed in response.

You both made your way back to the training field, to your waiting students.

As you walked down the sunny paths of Konoha, you felt yourself fill with true hope for the first time in years. Your people finally had a chance to start over. You were finally fulfilling Haru's final wish. You prayed that your friend was looking down at you, proud of your work.

Even so, your work was not yet done. You wouldn't be finished until the sun would rise in the Land of Shadows. You wouldn't be done until a new age of hope and redemption dawned on the country buried in secrets.