The Lost Uzumaki (Kakashi x OC)

Chapter Thirty Eight: Sworn Oath

Meilani sat on her balcony watching the sun melt into the dusk. Her smoking pipe, filled to the brim and untouched, remained in her hand as she stared ahead. The chilly air and the music in the background went unnoticed, and it's been that way since everyone left this morning. The tightness in her stomach refused to leave, in fact it only increased as the hours passed. The reality of the situation and Tsunade's impending summoning felt as though it were pushing down from all angles. It was almost like she was stuck in a balloon that was slowly deflating.

She decided to try and sleep longer after all of Team 7 left. Though, despite the comfort of her bed she tossed and turned with a huff every time. Each time she did manage to fall asleep, she was immediately plagued with a nightmare she couldn't recall once she woke up. There was no motivation to train, to eat, or even read. Mei used smoking as a last resort to get herself to feel hungry, but even the shimmery green flora packed to the brim didn't look appealing. Eventually she forced herself to smoke the whole bowl, knowing she'd hate for it to go to waste.
"I need to go kick something."
She changed to navy joggers and a white long sleeved top. Skipping the front door, she observed the streets below her from her balcony rail. Crisp wind tickled her nose and cheeks and when she breathed in, and her breath hitched just slightly at the nip it gave.
Yamato pursed his lips behind his mask, unsure of how to address her. He knelt from the rooftop above.

"Milady?"
He deflected her tiny potted succulent, catching it with ease. Meilani's shoulders lowered and her hip cocked to the side.
"Anbu members can be real creepy, you know that?"
"I'm... Sorry?" He handed it back, watching her set it down. "I'm just doing my job."
Mei crossed her arms, turning her head from the sun. "Did Lady Tsunade send for me?"
"She did. You missed the bird just as you went inside." He offered his hand, withdrawing it when Mei leaped high and landed beside him.
"Let's get this over with." She sighed, darting to the next rooftop.
Tsunade, Shizune and Meiji stood in the offices patiently. Mei braced herself mentally as Yamato opened the door for her. They both stepped inside and bowed to Tsunade.
"You look comfortable." Tsunade commented in a weak attempt to break the tension. Mei raised a brow but kept her hands held behind her.
"Should I have changed to my uniform?"
Tsunade shook her head and ignored the thick feeling lodged in her throat. "No, not today at least."
Mei's eyes stared at Lady Fifth's sandals below the desk. "So, I take it you both came to an agreement."
Meiji lowered his head, signaling the Hokage that it was best that she drive the conversation.

"Yes, we have. Meilani, you're one of Konoha's best Shinobi. You're genjustu levels are nearly pristine, as well as most of your forms of ninjutsu. And while you believe your taijutsu is the weakest, I can't possibly agree when you've trained with Might Guy since the two of you were children."
Mei's brows scrunched together and her heart quickened. Why is this starting to sound like goodbye?
"The will of fire runs through your veins. Today, I ask that you use that will to fight with our new allies. Because of the risks, I truly believe you are the only one capable of completing this mission."
"And that mission is?" She asked. Tsunade's eyes begged for forgiveness.
"To track down and retrieve the sacred Rainbow Moonstone."
Yamato couldn't see Mei's face since she was just out of his vision. That didn't mean he couldn't sense the dread she radiated. Meilani forced down the tension in her throat. While she had expected the decision, it doesn't make the acceptance of it any easier. She would have to leave Naruto again, and Kakashi. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, this was something she would have to face alone.
Meilani told herself to breathe, her concealed emotions remaining capped.
It could be worse.
She thought of Itachi, and the horrors he had done for the sake of the Leaf. The terrible choices he had to make, giving up his bond with Sasuke, both will forever go unnoticed. How she wished she could tell him over and over that she appreciates him greatly. That he still has her, despite the two of them knowing what blossomed in their childhood could never come to fruition.
The only way to honor his sacrifice, is to continue to defend the Hidden Leaf. And to do so without pitying herself.