The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Ten- Invasion

A/N: The song is intended for the next scene, after the ***** break.

Meilani rose from the couch at sunrise, already wide awake. Kicking the twisted blanket off of her, she quietly opened the front door and made her way up to the rooftop. Her night was a restless one, with maybe an hour or two of sleep. Most of the late night hours consisted of watching the ceiling, and listening to the ticking of the clock. Or reading a book under a dim lamplight.
The cold morning breezes brushed Mei's untied curls across her face. The bun she had upon her head last night was now hanging beside her ear, loosening with every step up the staircase. By the time she reached the top she shook her hair free from its tie.

"I can't wait to move." She jumped to the rooftops of the taller apartments beside them, landing with one knee touching the floor. Her brown eyes scanned the horizon, reflecting the pink and orange tones that were brushed into the sky by the sun. She took a deep breath in, already smelling hints of bread and smoked meats. Meilani didn't spend any longer than 3 minutes up there. It was all she needed, deep breathing and fresh air with the Konoha sunrise. And now, to get ready for the day.

Meilani was still unsure why the Hokage had abided by Orochimaru's threat to not cancel the Chunin Exams. Perhaps he saw it as a way to lure him into capture. Unless, he was afraid of Orochimaru? She wasn't aware of any fears Sarutobi had other than the safety of the village and his family, such as his son and grandson.
Regardless, she decided to wear her Shinobi uniform. She pursed her lips as she eyed her hair, unsure of the style she wanted for the day. Groaning at the sight of her hair already drying, she sprayed a water/conditioner concoction onto it and added her favorite creams and oils. A sleepy grumble snapped her out of her thoughts and she peaked out of the bathroom to see Naruto turning away from the light beginning to peak through the windows.

Realizing that he would be awake soon, she left her hair down and made her way to the kitchen. Naruto sleepily sat up, rubbing his eyes with his left hand while stretching his right arm. After a few sleepy blinks he stood and made his way to the bathroom.
"Is this why it smells like coconut?" He picked up the forgotten curl cream on the counter, observing it for a moment before tossing it in her basket.
Meilani had begun to fry some bacon when he came into the kitchen dressed and ready for the day.
"Morning, kid." She smiled. "Food's almost done. Ready to beat some Hyuga ass today?"
"Heh, you bet!" He gave a thumbs up, although his tone was not convincing.
"Remember what we talked about. Don't give up, and don't give in."
"Right."
Meilani cracked a few eggs and tossed the shells in the trash. She eyed her brother watch the steam rise from his tea cup as she washed her hands. After drying them, she knelt in front of her brother and cupped his face.
"Hey, you're going to do great. So what if this kid is the top of the class? You are Naruto Uzumaki, and the sooner you become a Chunin, the closer you are to becoming Hokage."
He smiled at her words.
"You're right, Mei. I guess my nerves are trying to get the better of me."
"Well, tell those nerves to shove it." She removed the eggs and bacon from the heat. "After breakfast I have to run a quick patrol and talk to the Hokage. I'll definitely be in the audience before it starts."
"No problem, I can finish the dishes."
"Thanks, kid." Meilani shuffled his hair, much to his dismay.
"I just combed it!"
She laughed as he slapped her hand away, backing off.
"Sorry, sorry. Eat up and head out soon. I'll see you when it's all over, cool?"

*****

Naruto groaned sleepily as he emerged from the genjustu Sakura broke. She hunched over him protectively, eyes searching for an intruder.
"Naruto, where is Mei?"
Naruto was barely wiping the drool off of his face when she turned to Shikamaru, who had been faking sleep the whole time.
"W... What do you mean? She was right here wasn't she?"
"Last time I saw her she was running to the stairwell to go find you." Sakura screamed as a sound ninja appeared behind Naruto, who was saved from a backstab thanks to Guy.
"We have a mission, Naruto. An A-rank..."
Naruto wasn't listening fully, his mind occupied by the battle in front of him.
"What about my sister?"
"She's a jonin." Shikamaru cried out. He pulled Pakkun off of his hand. "She's fine."
"If she were fine she'd be right here hovering over me!"
"Naruto!" Sakura pulled him by his shirt. "Sasuke needs us. I'm worried too but Meilani would tell us to follow orders. Let's go!"
With one last look around, Naruto followed Pakkun and his group towards Sasuke.
"You think they'll be alright?" Guy asked.
"I do." Kakashi answered. His eye scanned over the stadium, and the empty seat where Meilani sat before the attack. "Did you see where Mei went?"
"She went to go find Naruto, that was a minute before he found us."
Kakashi gritted his teeth, why didn't they realize it sooner?
"Neither of us can leave, we need to protect the civilians."
"Right!"
Shino listened from around the corner, hidden from all. His brows scrunched towards his nose as though they were going to touch his sunglasses. In his palm, a small group of his tracking insects gathered briefly before spreading out. He teleports through the ground, landing in the floor below. His eyes watched his shoes for a moment as he listened to the muffled clanging of kunai and explosions. If he focused more....