Walking out of the Analysis department, Kakashi glanced at a clock on the wall as he headed down the hall, then created a clone and disappeared.
Appearing right behind Mei inside the quiet warmth of her bedroom, Kakashi wrapped his arms around her waist. He chuckled as, instead of tensing, she leaned back into his chest almost immediately.
"Did you know that I can feel the mark flare when you're about to teleport to me?"
Mei asked, not wanting the information to be the reason Kakashi is potentially hurt or, Sage forbid, killed.
Kakashi leaned forward and rested his head on her shoulder.
"I can make it so they don't feel the mark react in any way, but with you…. I'd rather not be consumed by lava or boiled by your mist."
Kakashi sighed; this woman relaxed him just by being with her.
"Anything exciting happen lately?"
Mei hummed, turning her head and pecking Kakashi on the cheek.
"Not really, just preparing; everyone is getting stronger, taking tougher missions, academy standards raised, that sort of thing. What about you? I've heard rumors from traveling merchants. A port, expanding the village, anything else I missed?"
"Do you trust me?"
Kakashi asked, feigning a wince when Mei pinched his side.
"You're too smart to be asking me questions like that, love."
Mei turned slightly in his arms, just enough to look into his eyes.
"Did you ask this because you need to show me with your eyes?"
Kakashi nodded, Sharingan flaring to life before he showed her everything: the revivals, Tazuna, and the encounter with the Akatsuki.
Mei's eyes widened as the memories poured in.
"Well… Then I best update the information on the Akatsuki."
She said absentmindedly, already thinking about other things.
Kakashi caught the distant look in her eyes.
"What's on your mind?
"Would you be upset if the Mist copied your port idea?"
Kakashi shook his head with a hint of amusement.
"The other village copied Konoha when it was created, copied the academy system, and even partially copied the black ops, but with different names and systems. No, Mei, I wouldn't be upset if my wife used my idea to help her people. Now who's the one asking silly questions? You can bet that the Tsuchikage and Raikage are already trying to build something equivalent. You either move with the times or see yourself get left behind; for leaders, no one wants to be left behind."
Mei suddenly giggled, clearly amused by something, unable to contain her laughter as Kakashi held her; her laughter, like the rest of her, was beautiful.
"Do you think that old fart, Onoki, will have a heart attack once he learns who's back?"
Kakashi shrugged with a slight, amused tug at his lips. "Maybe. Or he could throw his back out again if he's lucky."
"So," Mei began, reluctantly pulling back just enough to look at him face-to-face. "Did you come here just to see me, or did you have a purpose for coming today?"
Kakashi placed a flat palm over his heart, feigning a deeply wounded expression. "And why would I need a reason to come see my wife?"
Mei rolled her eyes playfully, entirely unbothered by his theatrics. "We both know that you never do anything without a reason. But I also know that you would visit me without one; this just happens not to be one of those times."
"Nothing gets past you; it makes my life easier."
Kakashi's Mangekyo flared before two vials of his serum appeared in his hand, and he handed them out to her.
"This is for whoever you wish to give them to, but I would suggest Haku as the first one."
Mei nodded, knowing from firsthand experience what this serum did for Kekkei Genkai users like her, silently wondering what the serum would do for Haku.
"The reaction it will have is not something I can predict without having others with the same circumstances also having it. For example, clan techniques passed down from generation to generation subtly shift the chakra alignments of those in clans. Nara are more aligned with Yin, while the Akamichi are more in line with Yang. Some civilians will see huge improvement in their physiques and chakra, but others will see less of a boost in chakra and body, though they'll gain something of equal or greater value. Only those with a complete lack of talent, like bandits, will see fewer gains, and even they will be significantly empowered, to the point that they can physically compete with Chunin with mediocre chakra reinforcement alone."
Mei nodded, raising her right hand and watching it shift into lava, like how the Hozuki clan used the hydrofication technique to turn into water.
"Yes, it's quite the serum, but do me a favor, dear, and do be careful. The only one allowed to take a chunk out of you is me."
Mei flirted shamelessly before her arm reverted to normal, the heat from her lava arm gone just as fast as it arrived.
* Mei Hatake
* The Unique Upgrade: Lava Elementalization and Corrosive Boil Secretion.
* The Effect: Mei can transform her physical body into molten lava to dissolve and reform through physical trauma, using a magma-based variant of the Hōzuki clan's hydrofication mechanic. Her second upgrade allows her to secrete highly corrosive Boil Release vapor directly from her skin, creating an immediate defensive aura that melts incoming weapons, projectiles, and close-range attackers unlucky enough to be caught in her range.
"I'll be sure to remember." Kakashi chuckled as Mei tossed both of their Kage cloaks onto her dresser before pulling him back onto the bed.
The heavy cloaks slid off the wood and pooled on the floor, leaving their titles outside the room. Mei settled onto the mattress beside him, her auburn hair spilling across the dark sheets.
Kakashi let out a long breath as his back hit the very nice mattress.
Mei leaned over him, her fingers tracing his jawline.
"Let's relax here for a bit, not as the Hokage and Mizukage, just as us."
"Sounds… far less exhausting."
Kakashi closed his eyes as Mei continued tracing his face with her finger, the both of them relaxing in companionable silence.
- Chapter End -
I'll try to work on Ch. 120 soon.