A Hummingbird's Prey (TLU Book 2)

Chapter Ten- Another Incident?

For the first time in weeks, it hadn't snowed overnight in Konoha. The ground was still hardened by the chill, but was easily faulted by a confident step. All that remained on trees and plants were a wintery dew. A damp cedar smell lingered because of it, creating an enjoyable environment for reading while Mei waited for her usually-late boyfriend.
"Sorry, beautiful." he strolled in casually. His hands remained in his pockets underneath his gifted cloak.

Mei looked up with a smile, looking rather warm in her own cloak, a deep burgundy. "I-"
"Got lost on the path of life?" She asked, standing up to greet him. He chuckled sheepishly, kissing her knuckles before giving her a slow peck on the lips.
"No, actually. I helped a cat stuck in a tree branch."
He held her elbows, keeping her close to his chest. His nose hovered a few inches above hers.

"My beloved, a true knight in shining armor." She rose to her toes to kiss him again. "You ready to get your ass kicked?"
His eye narrowed. "Don't get too cocky. Have you thought about what to bet?"
"A little," she pulled away to bookmark her spot in her novel. "If you win, I need to plan the next 5 dates, and you get 3 wishes that I can't refuse. Plus one steamy make-out session."
He hummed, tilting his head. "I'm listening,"
"If I win, the same reward. Just vice versa," She crossed her arms confidently. "unless you wanna add anything to your terms?"
Kakashi removed his cloak.

"Add in a week of no underwear, and I'm game."
Mei smirked deviously, removing hers as well. "You're on."
The two backed apart from each other in the open space.
"You first, Princess." Kakashi held a composed face and stance. But his arms were still at the ready.
Without a second to lose, Mei began darting randomly around them. Stirring the branches and earth with such force that she broke through the Earth's frost and swayed disturbed dirt throughout the air.
Kakashi's brow raised, Mei knew very well that even with the Sharingan covered, he had keen eyes. What's her play?

"Trying to show off your speed?" He called out. His eyes roamed the area for a sign of blue hair, his question met with silence. "Hm, you're taking this seriously. All right then."
He sniffed the air, pursing his lips when all he could smell is the dirt Mei surrounded them in.
Clever minx. He thought, blocking her strike from behind. The next few minutes consisted of the two aiming and blocking in a blur of kicks and strikes. Eventually Kakashi caught her ankle and yanked her towards the ground, only to realize (once a log hit the ground) that it was a substitution jutsu.
Meilani grabbed his shoulders and moved to swipe his feet, but Kakashi's reflexes were fast. He pushed himself off of the ground before he could be pinned. Aiming to knock her to her side he swiped his foot against her butt. He watched her surprised face in order to not get distracted by its jiggle.

"Ow," she grunted, striking his hands away before rolling sideways. "Jerk."
"I can massage it later," he offered, disappearing into a pool of water. Mei jumped onto a high branch away from any snow, scanning her surroundings with an alertness equal to a standard mission. She was aware of her chances against Kakashi, and it gave her all the more reason to fight harder. In fact, maybe she didn't need to fight harder at all, but smarter.
"I think I'll add in another term," she called out. "I get a week of teasing you to the point of agony. But it's hands off the whole time."

"Oh, come on." He muttered under his breath. He watched her tilt her head and move to another branch.
"No answer?" She asked. "I guess that's a yes!"
He sucked in a breath when she darted directly above him and formed her whirlwind blade jutsu, except she held no weapons. Kakashi jumped away just in time, ducking and dodging her every strike.
"You can add another too," she panted, pausing when their wrists met. "We can finally get to your favorite scene from Make-out Violence. Chapter Thirteen, was it?"
Mei watched the pupil of his dark eye expand. Before she had the opportunity to blink, he began to strike his offense moved quicker than earlier. As though her words granted him more adrenaline.

"Wh- wait," she yelped after her foot slipped on some snow. Mei rolled away from him at the last second and used a wind technique to cause a flurry. But Kakashi figured she would do such, and followed the faint traces of blue hair and swiped her ankles from under her. He made sure to cradle her head as he pinned her under him, twisting her pulled ribbon around his palm.
"I win," he claimed, softening his gaze. Kakashi nipped her scrunched nose, and sat up while remaining over her. "Almost had me a few times,"

"When, while you stared at my ass?" She fumed, crossing her arms.
"Well, it- it can be hard to not admire you." He chuckled sheepishly, rubbing his neck. Meilani sat up but kept her legs under thighs. "And your speed caught me off guard as well."
"Are you sure?" She asked before she could stop herself. Kakashi furrowed his brows, tilting his head as she avoided his gaze.
"You disrupting the ground to throw off my scent was a good move. I didn't realize what you were doing until I was almost pinned down."
He tucked a hair behind her ear, and then tilted her hair up.
"I only stared at your butt once. Other than that I was focused on your moves."
She watched his unwavering stare before nodding. "Okay."
Kakashi helped her stand up. "Let's go warm you up with some tea." He offered. "I heard the shop has their winter pastries half off this week."

Mei shrugged, a grin on her face. "Makes sense, with spring approaching. Too bad I missed the winter festival."
"You'll be here for the spring festival." He pointed, helping her with her cloak. His mind formed the next sentence as she fastened it, but the words were stuck in his throat.
"What is it, beloved?" Her big eyes looked up at him innocently, and it made him feel as though he was holding cotton in his throat.
"Just something that I've been thinking about. Let's go have tea, and then I'll tell you all about it." He concluded.

*****

Meilani strided into Tsunade's office, a wide grin on her lips. Tsunade raised a brow when her bow was lower than normal.
"Hello, brat." The corner of the blonde's lip twitched up. "You're later than usual."
"Sorry, I lost track of time." she chuckled nervously. "What did you wanna see me about?"
Tsunade and Shizune gave each other curious looks.

"It's not like you to be late," Shizune commented. Mei held her cheek, unable to contain her smile. "Are you alright?"
"I am. I just finished talking with Kakashi," she stepped forward. "And he wants to start looking for a place to move into together. Once our leases are up."
Tsunade beamed. "How exciting. Just the two of you?"
Mei pursed her lips, her eyes softening. "Well, that was brought up. And it's something I'll need to write to Naruto about. Though, it seems like Kakashi is willing to share the space. And he's mentioned it before. He's very understanding, Auntie."

Tsunade nodded in approval "Well, if you need any help I can search for suitable places. I have an offer for you," Lady Fifth organized the papers on the camel-toned desk, setting them aside. "If you're up for it. I've just read a report from Iruka. Apparently there are a great amount of students that he sees potential in, and depending on how many pass the genin exams we may need more Shinobi to volunteer some time to become a sensei. I understand that Lord Third withdrew your application, but if you're still willing to teach, I'll throw his notice aside and begin a new application process for you."

Mei closed her mouth, not realizing it had been hanging. Her hands clasped together and she pressed them against her chest. "I.... I didn't think I'd ever have the chance again. Yes, I'll do it!"
Tsunade leaned back to try and escape her suffocating embrace, craning her neck to avoid a face full of curls. "Can't. Breathe."
She inhaled deeply once she was released.
"When do I start?"

"The exams aren't for another two weeks so it'll be some time. Once it's determined which students have passed, I'll.... Meilani?"
Shizune waved a hand in front of Meilani, whose widened eyes were in a catatonic state. Shizune took note of the chills on her arms and neck, counting how many seconds she hasn't blinked or spoke. Her warm brown skin has lightened a few shades, and despite her lips parted her jaw was locked in place.

"It's-s, happening. Again." She forced out. "I- c-can't stop it."
Almost a minute later, Mei finally blinked and held her temple. As she struggled to explain to Tsunade what happened, her past events of the same experience came to light as well. Tsunade's brows creased when the explanation finished.
"I'm going to run some tests," she concluded. Tsunade scribbled down notes on an empty sheet of paper and handed it to Shizune. Who left immediately to set everything in place. "Have you talked to your father about this? He might have a better understanding of what's going on."
"No, but I guess I should." Her eyelids dropped. "I think I'll go lie down for a while before doing that."
"Come back as soon as possible. I've never seen anything like that happen, and the sooner we figure out what's happening the sooner I can find a solution."
Meilani nodded, blinking slowly. "I will, Auntie. I'll see you later."