The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Twenty-Seven: I Want You 🍋

A/N: A bit of an earlier update for y'all. Longer chapter but worth it. Song is for the 🍋 scene.

"Excellent work, you three." Tsunade commended Kakashi, Kurenai, and Genma. The hands in Kakashi's pockets pulled on the thread inside; he kept thinking about the woman on the other side of the office doors. "You retrieved Meilani and captured all the culprits in the process."
"It's... More complicated than that." Kakashi commented.
"So I see." Tsunade continued to read through their statements. "And they're not answering interrogations?"
"They're refusing to speak to anyone except the Princess," Genma answered, observing the cobwebs in a ceiling corner. "which you've forbidden, milady."
"Let me talk-"

"No, Kakashi. The medical team said you cracked the young man's sternum after he was already detained." Tsunade put aside the paperwork. "And he can't talk if he's dead."
"There'd be 4 other bodies to interrogate."
A soft knock caught their ear. Meilani entered, face neutral. Her curls had returned, appropriately pampered, and she smelled like his body wash. There was a faint hint of smoke lingering on her as well. They watched each other as he tried to determine which he liked better, her normal scent, or when she smelled like him.
He didn't even notice Anko behind her.
"If I may, milady," She spoke calmly. "I don't mind questioning them. You've seen from the reports, they're not the real enemy. At least, that's what they say. And I'm ready to figure out what the hell is going on. I'm sure you are, too."
"Leave us." Tsunade ordered. The woman narrowed her eyes at Kakashi when he hesitated. "Did you hear me?"
Mei gave a reassuring nod as they stared at one another. Tsunade watched him depart, and Mei's eyes lingered on his back before the doors shut.
"Ah, now I get it." Tsunade mouth hinted a smile. "Damn, I lost again."

Mei's head moved in a double-take. "You bet on us?!"
Tsunade pulled out a pouch and threw it out the window. Mei scoffed in disbelief as Jiraiya's hand caught it. "He's known about it for weeks, you know!"
"JIRAIYA!" Tsunade yanked him in by his collar. His grinned cheekily, eyes glued to her leaning chest. "The bet doesn't count if it's rigged to begin with, you fool!"
"You're both unbelievable." Her face flushed red behind her palm.
"We don't mean anything by it, kid." Jiraiya fixed his vest with a chuckle. Tsunade rolled her eyes and picked up the next set of paperwork.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"No, but I need to. I have a plan, Auntie. And for it to work, I need you to listen to everything I have to say."
Anko, outside of the offices, finally caught up to Kurenai. "Hey, Kurenai."
Her crimson eyes met Anko's, a light brown that always reminded her of warm beach sand. "Hey, Anko. What is it?"
"Did... You see Hatake back there, or am I crazy?"
Kurenai remembered something, and shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know what you mean. Sorry, Anko. I forgot there's something I need to drop off."

***

Mei ran her way to her brother's hospital room, where he was bandaged yet again.
"Surprise, brat." Mei announced herself in a singsong voice. Along with extending her arms out theatrically.
"Oh, hey your royal bubble butt." Naruto scrunched his nose up, preparing for the eventual nose flick.
"Bubble- Shut the hell up." She waited until he peaked an eye open to flick his nose. Mei squeezed him gently, taking in the notes of his citrus shampoo. "I heard you beat Kabuto's ass again."
"Not good enough," Naruto muttered before perking up again. "Sakura is okay, so that's something. What about you, kick some kidnappers ass?"
She sat beside him, crossing her legs. "Not exactly.... Ugh, kid. You won't believe the crap I learned."

***

Kakashi peeked within the hospital windows and saw Naruto and Mei talking and laughing. It had been hours after he first checked on them before he decided to go home and nap for a bit. The weight he's carried these past few weeks was finally off of his shoulders. Now, according to Tsunade, he's earned a little time off. Something he wasn't usually fond of, but at the moment it was everything he wanted.
As long as he can spend most of it with her.
Mei finished helping her brother with his dinner and promised to be back after her errands in the morning. She fixed her hair, now slightly frizzy, and said goodnight to Naruto. Kakashi teleported to the bridge in front of the hospital and sat on it's ledge. He read for a few minutes, feet dangling over the edge, until she passed by.
"Hey,"