The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Two- The Reunion

"Is someone baking?"
"I'm not sure, Lord Third."
Meilani stood attentive in front the Hokage's office doors. When she realized that he was approaching from down the hall, she faced the direction he was coming from. Lord Hokage's stride halted for a moment, and he blinked a little harder before realizing who stood before him.
"Why, I thought you wouldn't be back for another few weeks, Meilani."
"The trail went cold, sir. It was my last lead." She spoke after bowing. She noticed the Hokage eyeing the basket, and offered it to him. "Please accept this offering. Without your kindness, Lord Third, I would have never learned any of the knowledge I have now obtained."
The Shinobi next to the Hokage raised a brow, and bowed when he was dismissed.
"These are.... Fresh?" He beckoned her to follow him into his office.
"Just came out of the oven 20 minutes ago, they're the perfect temperature." She beamed. Lord Hokage smirked, and uncovered the basket in search for the largest muffin.
"I won't lie, the village has missed your baked goods. I, especially."
"I'm honored, sir."
After enjoying a few bites of the heavenly pastry, Lord Third cleared his throat.
"I meant to have one of my sources try to locate you and have you return. However, your lack of letters gave me the sense that you were closing in on your last lead. Did you find what you were looking for?"
Mei has taught herself well over the years to disguise most emotions and reactions. Yet she knew that with Lord Third, she can lessen her guard.
"I didn't find my father, no. After my training for the inherited genjustu, I followed what little we found here. Any and all signs of his existence disappeared after pursuing the last of Intel."
He lowered his head, lips hovering over a cup of tea. "I'm sure that must be disappointing."
"It wasn't meant to be." She answered rather quickly. He watched with curiosity as she spoke. "And I believe it's for the best. Some doors are meant to be kept closed. If I may ask, Lord Third, where is my brother?"
"Young Naruto is on a mission with his team. He should arrive any day now."
"A mission? Is he a chunin yet?" She questioned excitedly.
"A genin, he just recently passed. Though the chunin exams should take place soon. Whether or not he is ready to take them, that is up for Kakashi Hatake to decide."
Mei's hand that was unraveling the parchment around her pastry hovered over for a moment before continuing.
"Kakashi Hatake.... Funny how the fates spun that out."
"Indeed. As I recall, the Fourth Hokage trained the both of you."
"Yes, sir. Lord Fourth not only trained me, he took me in." She reminded, head tilting slightly. "And treated me like his own child..."
"Yes, it's all coming back now. Now, my next question. Did you find more information on the Akatsuki?"
"Nothing more about members that we already know. My.... Source, however, told me that they will be on the move soon."
"I see.... Tell me, Meilani, what do you plan to do next?"
"Whatever my Lord needs of me. You said you meant to bring me back sooner?"
Lord Hokage pondered, he could send her on a handful of missions that would suit her skills, or he could have her train chunin. He bit into yet another blueberry muffin and thought aloud while chewing. "You sure you don't want to retire and open a bakery?"
She couldn't help but giggle. "You flatter me, Lord Third. But I can't retire, I still need to provide for my brother."
"If only my honesty could flatter the rest of the nations. We might actually have a state of peace."
"Perhaps blueberry muffins are the secret to world peace."
They both chuckled. Even in the Hokage's office she felt more and more at home by the minute.
"The other matter has been given to Master Jiraiya to resolve. In all seriousness, Meilani, I would like to see you teaching at the academy."
This surprised the jonin. "Sir? Surely there's something else I can do, a few missions nobody wants to take up."
"Believe me, I plan to have you on missions once in a while, but I thoroughly believe that you will thrive in teaching our children the ninja way. After seeing Naruto's progress both with and without you here, I believe you have a remarkable skill with children."
Something about what he said made her uneasy. She set aside her pastry and folded her arms.
"And how was my brother treated while I was away?" His silence confirmed her suspicions. "I knew I shouldn't have left."
"Now, now. Naruto is a tough kid, everything that happened to him only made him stronger."
"But he is a child, regardless. I don't understand how adults can be so cruel to him. He's just a boy."
"A growing boy. And don't take this as me defending the actions of those who wronged him, but he hasn't exactly made things easy either."
"What do you mean, Lord Third?"
Their conversation continued for some time, it wasn't until lord Third saw that all the muffins were gone when he realized how long they had been gossiping.
"I think I had a meeting an hour ago.... Are you going to finish that?"
Meilani bowed, and offered the last (barely touched) muffin the Hokage had continued to eye. "I look forward to classes next week, sir."
"And I look forward to seeing your students thrive."