The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Three- Running Errands

Meilani waited until Naruto was fast asleep to quietly locate the hidden floorboards. It wasn't so much as a secret to where they were, only a place to keep her most private possessions. She checked the money pouch from her traveling pack that held every saved penny she earned through her journeys, and added a bit more before placing it in the spare space below.
Through the years she made sure to send money to the Leaf for her brother with every side job she accepted. Between missions given by Jiraiya or Lord Third she scavenged for any honest work that could help hone her skills. The rest she saved meticulously, and when it came to herself she spent only what was necessary.
Mei pursed her lips and wondered if she should use a bit to treat herself to something nice. Unlikely, given that she'll need a bed first. For now, a spare futon will do.
As much as she wanted to, she couldn't avoid glancing at her small collection of photos. One of her and her parents when she was 2 years old, her hair a wild mess that stuck out in every direction. Her mother mid laugh and her father smiling crookedly while trying to remove his hair from young Mei's grip. She quickly flipped to the next one, it was a picture of her family farm taken in the flower garden. The tallest flowers bordered the lower half of the house's tan walls. The next, 8 year old her smiling shyly in front of the Academy, her sensei smiling proudly beside her. His right hand had been patting her head while he gave a thumbs up to the camera with his left. She smiled at the memory, she was one of the older students to start the Academy late. And yet, she exceeded everyone's expectations.
"He looks just like you, Minato." She sniffed quietly, and flipped the next one. Her thumb lightly grazed over the picture, specifically Obito and Rin. Her eyes glanced at Kakashi's momentarily, before she hovered her finger over his face.
"I'll never be able to show my gratitude to you guys. In this life, or the next."
It took a mere glimpse at the next one, 12 year old Mei holding newborn Naruto in front of the Hokage mountain, for her nose to feel that trickling sensation she hated so much. She stared at her younger self, who stared at the camera with tired and lifeless eyes. She didn't have the energy nor the care to smile more than halfway. Her parents, both biological and adoptive, were dead. And at that point just about friendless, with a newborn brother to care for.
She peaked her head around the corner to see if her sniffle alarmed Naruto, and chuckled when she saw him snoring with an open mouth.
"I missed you so much, fish cake."
Meilani returned everything to it's place, including the new additions of abandoned Icha Icha excerpts Jiraiya had given. Another method of income, she would review and revise his edits through their years of traveling. Under those were some shells and preserved flowers, and a scarf she was gifted from a small child. She decided to save the rest of memory lane for another day. Tomorrow, after her morning exercises and Naruto's training, she'll take them shopping.

***

Kakashi had been taking his time strolling to Team 7's training grounds, his favorite book in hand. His bored expression hid the giddiness he felt while reading a rather scandalous scene. Then, his imagination grinded to a halt, thanks to Might Guy's loud, obnoxious gasp.
His eyes flickered over to see his Team surrounding their captain with their backs turned as they searched for the danger that startled their sensei.
"What is it, Guy sensei?" Neji asked, his Byakugan forming.
"Quick, Team, follow my lead!"
Neji and Tenten shared perplexed glances when their sensei jumped around picking up wild flowers.
"Is... This a training exercise?"
"Yes!"
Kakashi's eyes followed Guy's gaze to find a hunched over Meilani. She seemed to be catching her breath from something. The hike of death, judging by her clothes and the tall ragged mountain behind her. He let out an deep exhale and looked back at the pages.
"He's still pursuing her." He mumbled, turning the page. Still, he was slightly interested in the scene about to play out. He lingered behind the next tree he passed to watch.
"As I live and breathe," Meilani jumped and held a hand to her chest, startled by Guy's booming voice. Kakashi's jaw slightly clenched after she recognized the man and actually smiled at him, dimples and all.
That's a real smile.
"Team, engrave this moment in your memory, for it is the moment that you meet an actual, youthfully divine, angel in the flesh!" Guy knelt before a scarlet-faced Mei and offered her a large bouquet of pink and white wildflowers gathered by the team. "Meilani Ishida has returned to Konoha at last."
"Might Guy, you are the sweetest gentleman." She gratefully accepted the flowers. "Thank you, it's nice to be home."
Guy stood proudly as his student Rock Lee knelt before Mei, his forehead touching the ground. His teammates groaned in embarrassment.
"It is an honor to meet you, beautiful angel. I am Rock Lee, these are my teammates Neji and TenTen."
Meilani's wide eyes moved back and forth between Guy and Lee, and then smiled gleefully.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Please, call me Meilani."
Kakashi began to feel that his observation was getting creepy, and debated on whether to leave or not.
"I am sorry to have to cut this short, my youthful goddess, but we must continue our training. However, if you would do me the honor of taking you out on a date tonight, I would love to hear what tales you have from your mission."
"Gee, I've never heard Guy sensei ask anybody out on a date before." TenTen murmured to Neji.
"It's... Unsettling." He replied, a crease etched in his brow.
"Actually, Guy, I have dinner plans with my brother. But I'd love to catch up soon over some tea, would tomorrow morning work?"
Kakashi nearly slammed his head into the tree he was hiding behind. Guy beamed with his contagious smile while his students nearly fell back.
"Absolutely!"
Kakashi held a steady pace as he walked away, no longer interested in his book or the conversation.
Why do I feel like such a coward?
The feeling could not be shaken off. He knew it was what she wanted, for her to be non-existent to him and vice versa. And he knew exactly why, but it still felt... Wrong. He thought of his sensei, and wondered how he would feel about the situation.
He'd tell me to mend the broken bond. And probably say that if only we got along, because all we have left from the past is each other.... But is that a good thing? Do I even have a chance? After the last thing I said to her, I'm not sure I deserve one.
Kakashi continued his internal struggle until he realized he was approaching his team. He didn't even come up with an excuse after Naruto's snippy remarks.
Naruto, hm... The copycat ninja thought about yesterday, and the success Iruka had once Naruto came into the picture.
He is a handful sometimes... Maybe that can break the ice.