The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Eighteen- Forced Vacation

Lady Tsunade had been staring off into space for a few minutes now. Her hands had remained folded under her chin the entire time she sat there listening to the events of the mission. She didn't see her office space, or Kakashi or Kurenai in front of her. She didn't smell the dusty windowpanes or the steaming tea beside her.
"Milady?" Shizune called nervously, tightening her hold on Tonton.
The Hokage's eyes snapped forward to Kakashi.
"That's all they were able to say before they died?"
He nodded. "The others were too dangerous to be kept alive. They were dead set on murdering us both."
Her brows creased together further. "And the remains?"

"Near volcano ruins in the Land of Rocks. Kiba and I dusted them in ash for good measure." Kiba nodded beside his Sensei. Akamaru barked in confirmation.
Lady Tsunade nodded. "That should buy us some time to figure out a plan in case of an attack. Meanwhile, I think it's best that Meilani remains in the village. And we keep the.... Information we've discovered within this group. Understood?"
"Yes, Milady." Everyone agreed. Except the small timid girl angled just behind Kakashi and Shino.
Hinata's face turned tomato red when they all looked at her. "Um, Lady Tsunade?"
Tsunade's first lightly hit the desk.

"Hinata, you didn't!" Kiba snapped. She backed up nervously behind Shino, who turned and stood aside.
"Th-they cornered me!"
Kakashi pinched his nose, avoiding Tsunade's glare.
"Where's Naruto? Kakashi, bring in Team 7 at once!"
"Sasuke doesn't know! Only Naruto and Sakura. I swear." Hinata whimpered. Kurenai placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, her expression remaining stern.
"Whatever, just get them in here now!"

****

Meilani forced her droopy eyes open once she felt a sign of consciousness. Her eyelids fluttered to adjust to the sunlight peering in from the semi-closed blinds. They scanned the vent on the white ceiling, the plain blue walls with a basic calender. Her toes twitched as she wiggled her sore feet and legs, and her hands gripped both the rough hospital blanket under her, and a hand. She turned her head to find her sleeping brother, his head beside their intertwined hands buried in the crook of his elbow. Her eyes swelled with tears, and she squeezed his hand gently as she hoisted herself up by her elbow.
Naruto lazily opened his eyes, and rubbed them with his free hand.

"About time you woke up." He gently grabbed her shoulders and laid her back down. "Don't move. You've been out for 4 days."
Her heart sank as she realized she missed the fireworks. Meilani turned her head and rubbed the silent tear into her pillow.
"I was gonna talk to you when you came back, you know. You didn't have to go and get yourself poisoned."
She chuckled humorlessly. "I'm sorry. Guess I'm just a drama queen."
"A drama Princess, at least."
She didn't understand him at first. As she remembered, she turned her head back to her brother. "That was real?"
Naruto shrugged. "I guess so. Hey, I.... I'm sorry for the things I said. You're not selfish, and you're the most trustworthy person I know.... But I'm still a little pissed off."
"You have every right to be. I'd be pissed too. But when I said I had no choice, I meant it."
Naruto leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "Can you at least tell me why you can't say anything?"
She pursed her chapped lips. "Any chance I can get some water first?"
He rolled his eyes, and poured her a glass. She sipped it gently before speaking.

"He never told me specifically why." She ignored the burning in her dry throat. "During one of our last conversations I asked him about it." She squeezed his hand gently, looking into his saddened eyes as she did so. "There are people out there that would stop at nothing to get to you if they knew who you are, and who dad was. People you are not yet ready to face if you were to go out there and find them. You're not going to be in the dark forever, Naruto. One day, everything will make sense."
He looked off to the side, his lips turned to a frown. He twiddled his thumbs together as he processed her words.
"Okay."
She tried to smile, but couldn't bring herself to do so. "I love you, kid. I'm so sorry for the pain I've caused."
Naruto opened his mouth, but the door creaking open stopped him from talking.
Sakura peaked her head in nervously. As she locked eyes with Mei, she gasped. "You're awake! Naruto, we have to go tell Lady Tsunade."
"Why don't you?" He snapped.
"Because she wants to talk to the both of us, idiot."
He grumbled under his breath while standing. "I'll be back, Mei. I'll even get you some food."
She sighed, and laid back down. She counted 10 full minutes before the door was thrust open.