A Hummingbird's Prey (TLU Book 2)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Heading Out

Meilani had continued to be silent after they arrived home. She remained seated at the table glossing through the folder while Kakashi prepared dinner. He hummed quietly to himself, chopping vegetables as he waited for the simmering pot to finish cooking rice. The fish itself wouldn't take long to pan fry, and a little marination would go a long way.
"Dinner will be done soon," he noted. His hand massaged the back of her neck loosely, melting the tension she didn't notice before. Mei exhaled through her nose and leaned into the contact.
"He'll be okay." Kakashi leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "And if there is any trouble, we'll be there to help."
Mei did her best to not think of or speak the worst outcome. And she knew Kakashi spoke opposite of his feelings for the sake of helping her feel better. She watched him go back to cooking and humming, her chest warming a bit seeing him so comfortable.

"I think I'll go train after dinner." She set aside the folder. The fish sizzled once he set it down on the heated pan.
"You sure? You've trained a lot today."
Mei approached him, peaking over his arm as hers snaked around his torso. Her lips pressed together as he continued.
"I think rest is the best thing for you. We have quite a journey tomorrow." The hot oil began to pop and slightly coat the stove with tiny specks. Kakashi covered her arm with his as he gently shook the pan.
"It won't be long. As captain, I need to be at my best."
He turned the rice pot off and removed it from the heat. Mei watched him flip the fish effortlessly, adding the vegetables and lowering the heat before covering the pan.
"Oh, yeah?" He turned and held her waist. "Is that what we've decided?"
Mei felt heat rise in her cheeks, ignoring his waiting stare.

"He's my father, Stardust. It only makes sense that I take responsibility for this."
She looked at him with a neutral expression, her eyes flickering back and forth from his closed eye to his open one.
"Even so, Captain, having a connection to the objective could lead to..." He countered, breaking contact halfway to check on the fish. "Complications."
"Really?" Her arms crossed. "So do you think Tsunade made a mistake sending you to retrieve me when I was kidnapped? How about the island?"
Kakashi paused, meeting her fiery stare with his own annoyance.
"I'm just saying, it seems like she wanted a co-op." Mei allowed him to guide her away from the stove as he removed the pans lid. She moved to stand across the counter to give him more space. "Which I'm sure we can do."

The crease on his forehead dismissed the tension in her glare. Leading her to exhale steadily and nod.
"Can you just promise me something?" He asked sincerely, taking her hand. "If this is because of who we think, you let me take over."
Mei pursed her lips, one nostril beginning to scrunch. She sighed, squeezing his hand.
"Maybe." She muttered, pulling herself away to find cutlery. They sat down together and said thanks.
Seconds later Kakashi was finished, leaving him plenty of time to watch Mei with a hand resting on his chin. She noticed from her peripheral vision, fighting a smile between bites.
"I think a picture will last longer." She commented.
"You're beautiful." He replied, grinning at her blush. "I can't help but look at you."

Mei tucked a strand behind her ear, finishing the rest of her meal and taking their plates to the sink to wash. The rest of the night consisted of cleaning the kitchen and preparing for tomorrow's traveling. Both discussing what they need from the market before leaving.
It didn't take long for Kakashi to fall asleep, and Mei laid beside him with a loud mind that refused to grow silent. She thought of the folder's intel, which indicated that Meiji was planning to observe the families within the Land of Tea and see if tensions had settled or not. Given that they were familiar with Leaf Shinobi, Tsunade had asked a favor of Meiji. Since he was already branching out to different lands for Isao (in hopes of forming alliances and trade), he thought it would be a perfect reason for observation.

However, the last Tsunade had heard of him was when he was half a day's journey from the village. With a promise to keep steady contact. As a Dowager King, it was unnatural for his promise to not be held. And the timeline of his absence matches with the unsettled tension Mei has felt in her stomach recently. She thought of every time she felt this same way; when her mother died, when Sasuke left the village and Naruto was almost killed, basically any moment someone she loves drew close to death or their life was in danger.