The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Twenty-Eight: An Agreement

Yuri sniffed the air wondering where in this hellhole could someone be baking. Her back stiffened against the concrete wall as the door opened.
Her brow raised at a beaming Meilani, a basket of chocolate croissants in tow.
"Good morning. Are you hungry?" Mei sat at the table in the center of the room. "These are my second batch. My brother got first dibs, but I figured this beats the food pills you're refusing."
Yuri scoffed, but eyed the pastries hungrily. Her stomach betrayed her when Mei bit into one, filling the room with a satisfying crunch.
"Holy hell, I made this?" Mei wiped the corners of her mouth. "It's fluffy on the inside, yet still crunchy to the bite. It's both buttery and rich. Just look at that airation-"
She smiled victoriously when Yuri nabbed the closest one to her and devoured it. "There's some bread and cheese in there too. That's from the market, though."

"You made these?" Yuri asked skeptically.
Mei nodded, her curls bouncing. "Early morning, I couldn't sleep. Baking helps me clear my head, you see. And I haven't really been able to do that since Lord Third died." She thought about taking blueberry muffins to Asuma. "Plus, it always reminds me of my birth mother."
Yuri chuckled, picking at a second one. "Birth mother? What, you got adopted here?"
"You already asked a question, it's my turn."
"I asked about the pastries."
"It still counts." Mei leaned back, crossing her arms. She observed Yuri's perfect posture and the pendant resting on her collarbone. It looked similar to the ones Habiki and Nintoku had. "So you're a royal too?"
"A noble. This is my family's crest, I suppose..." Yuri traced the frosted fir tree. "Why'd you spare us?"
"Because you said a lot of things I'm trying to set straight. How long have you been a medical ninja?"
Yuri counted the years in her mind. "Since about 16, so almost 12 years. What happened to Habiki?"

Meilani gulped. "He and Nintoku were teamed with 2 others during their undercover time. When we met, he threw them off our trail for a while. But something happened, and the other two caught on... I'm sorry."
Yuri gulped down a piece of cheese nearly too big while her head shook. "I'm sorry for the twins," she ripped off the next piece before eating it. "But he swore a duty, it's part of the job. Your turn."
Mei took a moment to steady her breath. "Where's my birth father?"
"Dead." Yuri answered quickly, a finality in her tone. "Did that angry man kill Isao?"
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Mei shook her head. "No, he's alive. Why is your leader searching for me, when he has a rebellion to lead?"
"We're not rebelling, we're resisting." She corrected. "Ingyo mutinied your father's reign when you were 2. But the old kingdom has been fighting for our land back for 23 years."
"And your leader thinks I can help because...?"
Yuri put the slice of bread and cheese down. "I can't say, I'm sorry. You can't use your genjustu on me either. Mine won't allow it."

A genjutsu? And also a medical ninja? Mei wondered. "I don't like using my genjustu. I prefer honesty, plus my jutsu isn't suitable for everyone. Any more questions for me?"
"Where are the twins?"
"They're safe, and not far from here. I asked the Hokage for them to be left alone. Inoichi can be intimidating." She watched Yuri's shoulders relax slightly. "Do they know why your leader wants me?"
Her eyes widened slightly. "Leave them alone."
"I'm tired of all the mystery."

"We don't know! We don't question him, despite his overdramatic antics. All we know is that he wants speak with you, and he didn't think you'd willingly meet with him."
"That's foolish. As I said before, the Hokage would've been more than willing to help."
"Up until recently we were under the impression that the Hokage was that old man. You know, the one that was hiding your identity from you."
Mei's face was now was expressionless as hers. "I have a proposition," Yuri's right brow rose, remaining silent so Mei can continue. "I wrote a letter to your leader, both Lady Tsunade and I. We send the letter with the twins and should your leader accept the proposition in the letter then you, your sensei and Isao will escort me and my team to meet him at a mutual location. No kidnappings, no hostages, just a conversation and we part ways after."
"Just like that, you'll let us go?"