The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Thirty-Two: Tribulation

Mei's throat had turned dry, and she heard a ringing in her ears. The Anbu caught her as her knees shook under her.
"I hope there is a misunderstanding, or a mistake, Meilani." Isao continued, "But everything I have known so far has been a lie. I could not allow you to go forth with this meeting until you knew-"
"That should have been one of the first things you said!" She shouted. He raised his hand in defense as she was held back.
"Please, stay calm." The Anbu member said quietly. The strength in Mei's knees weakened, pulling her to the ground as her chest heaved erratically. Air struggled to pass through her throat.
"I said it was not my place. Hearing your story go against what I've been told my whole life concluded to making it my place."
Meilani grabbed fistfuls of the dead grass under her, her breath ragged. She flinched away from the Anbu's hands.
"I'm sorry. If you don't believe me, I offer my hand. But first, you may need to collect yourself." He stood with shame and backed away towards the cabin.
Her nostrils flared, eyes seething past the soil while the pieces of secrecy came together. Yuri's quick answer, the codenames, the lack of trust in meeting peacefully. It all made sense. "I'll be back, Isao."

Kakashi had returned from what Tsunade told him was the last mission for the day. He certainly hoped so, he had missed lunch completely and was settling down on takeout. The hand in his pocket wrapped around his coin pouch momentarily to estimate how much he had. Until he remembered he still had leftovers in the fridge.
"Perfect." Tsunade's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "As I said, this was your last mission of the day."
"A bit earlier than usual." He noted. "What about Mizuki?"
"It's being handled."
Kakashi, Shizune, Tonton, and Tsunade all turned their heads towards the windows. From a distance, Mei's chakra had been approaching at a rapid rate. Not only that, it also felt stronger than usual.
Meilani slowed down as she approached the office building, sticking to the side streets to avoid more stares. She saw Tsunade leaning out of the window, analyzing her current state. When she was close enough, Tsunade stepped back and Mei hopped onto the ledge.
"What is the-"
"Where's the file?" Her tone was bordering the line of a demand. Tsunade's honey brown eyes narrowed. "And just who do you think you are talking to me like that?"
Mei darted to the cabinet she remembered Tsunade went to, her curls floating behind her. The hair behind Kakashi's neck stood and his shoulders tightened.
"Mei, what's going on?" He asked quietly.
"Not now, Kakashi."
Her tone and Tsunade's glare made him press his elbows to his sides. He looked between the two women. Kakashi stepped to her side with a few feet of distance. He kept his clammy hands in his pockets as he spoke in an unwavering tone.
"Mei, what file do you need?"

"The one Sarutobi had on me. From when I ran from the farm." Her shaky hands shoved each useless folder away from her angrily. She moved on to the second cabinet.
"Why do you need it?"
She saw her previous last name scribbled on a footnote; Ishida, and snatched it up. Her hair pushed away his hand as it reached out to her. "To fact check."
Tsunade said nothing as she moved past her. She watched Mei hug the files tightly to her chest and flee in the direction of her apartment. "Kakashi, you-"
He was already gone. Kakashi caught up to her within seconds, but she didn't slow down. Once she neared her apartment she fished around her pocket for the key and held it between her fingers. Kakashi felt less fear and more concern for her well-being. He couldn't remember a time when her hair had ever moved the way it did now.
Mei unlocked and closed the door behind her hastily, but he still managed to slip past.
"Kakashi, please. I need to be alone." She pinched her nose, her anger and tears close to bubbling over.
"You looked just about ready to attack the Hokage. Talk to me,"
She tucked the file under her arm, crossing her arms as best she could. With a steady breath, she ignored his almost-demanding tone.

"My love, I know you're worried, but I need time to go back to some things for a while. And I need to be alone to do it."
"But why?" He questioned calmly. Meilani pressed her lips together to keep them from quivering. The sight made his throat constrict.
Hot tears shimmered in her eyes. "Because it'll be easier for me if I'm alone. And I feel like me saying that should be enough for you."
Her hair was calm, as was her tone. He analyzed her resting face, void of hesitation. Kakashi's shoulders lowered, yet his stance remained normal; hips slightly out, and leaning into his left side.
"I don't like the idea of leaving you when something is clearly wrong. If you say you need to be alone, then I'll give you space." She nodded, and whispered a thank you. "But I'm not going anywhere, Mei. I'll sit on the couch, in a different room, even the balcony if I have to. Because you're clearly hurting, and I'd be a lousy excuse for a boyfriend if I walk away from you now... I can see tears in your eyes, Princess."