A Hummingbird's Prey (TLU Book 2)

Chapter Thirty: The Mission, Pt. 1

"So we're going to the Land of Tea to find out why King Meiji isn't responding?" Nobu walked with spark.
"Yes, it's past the time he was supposed to send word." Mei answered.
"And you haven't seen him since your birthday? Thanks for the party invite, by the way." Sayori huffed.
"You're too young for the kind of party it was." Mei chided in a higher voice. Moriko jogged to walk on her opposite side, scanning the trees.
"When we're old enough, do you think we'll all drink together?"
"I don't know yet." Mei admitted honestly.
"Kakashi-sensei, is it true that you've been to the Land of Snow? What was that like?"
"I thought the land of Snow was just, a land full of snow? Not a village."

Kakashi held in a sigh the more they questioned him and Meilani in the next few hours. Whether it was about the mission, her family, or any random thing such as why did she choose this particular hairstyle today. Although he did wonder the same after it was mentioned. Leading him to wish she would do it more. He thought it looked cute on her.
"I smell rainfall," he noticed after a few moments of an unusual stillness in wildlife. "Why don't one of you climb up and search where the clouds are coming from?"
"I'll do it!" Nobu lifted his hand. His heart jumped at the opportunity to impress Kakashi, a legend according to Moriko. He ran towards the closest tree. And with a steady, determined breath, he focused his chakra onto the bottom of his feet and raced up the trunk as fast as he could.
"Wow," Mei paused and watched the branches shake as he passed them. "He has some spunk today, doesn't he?"

Moriko interlaced her fingers together, waiting for Sayori to move farther away to ask her question.
"Sensei, you're not too mad at us. Are you?"
Mei's hardened expression softened, mainly for the uncertainty in Moriko's tone.
"No, Moriko. I'm not that mad. I admire all of your determination to prove yourself." She held her chin up gently. "I promise"
Moriko chuckled, turning to face the tree Nobu had climbed to hide her reddening face.
"I'd be amazed if she was." Kakashi leaned closed to Mei. "Given your reaction, it seems like you forgot about the time you did the same thing."

Mei's eyes widened, mouthing Kakashi a quick Shut up! before Sayori's head turned back to them.
"She did what?" Moriko asked.
"Kakashi-sensei's right!" Nobu hopped down, almost landing on Sayori. "It looks like it's going to be a huge downfall. Coming from the east! The rain is so dense it looks like there's a veil under the clouds."
"Let's find shelter before we're hit with it."
"Oh, no you don't sensei." Sayori followed her and Kakashi closely as they began to search for a point of shelter. "We gotta hear about this!"

"Look, I just turned into a Chunin. I wanted to prove myself to my dad." Mei gave a Kakashi a quick glare before jumping to higher branches. He followed her, giving an apologetic pout as he moved ahead to scout from on top of a tree. "Which I think Kakashi here would agree that I did just that."
"Not without an argument." He smiled despite her sharp glare.
"I thought King Meiji was your dad?" Nobu asked from a few feet behind. Kakashi pointed in the direction of a hideout, the rest following him steadily.

"He is. I mean my adoptive dad."
The genin looked at each other, almost daring someone to press on. Judging by the swift answer, and the finality of her tone, they all decided to keep quiet this time. The closer they were to their shelter, the louder each rumble of thunder grew. The wind became so strong they all retreated to the ground for the last twenty minutes.
"Everyone good?" Mei asked over the wind. She acknowledged every head nod, before nodding in return and patting all of their shoulders gently as they entered the cave.

"Right on time." Kakashi pulled Mei inside just as a heavy downpour began. His hand lingered on her waist, and he found himself holding his breath as she stared up at him with a relaxed expression. "There should be some firewood in the back."
Mei began to step forward but paused when she felt his hand follow her. Still unwilling to let go. She looked up once more, giving him a reassured grin. His soft eyes blinked, his brows moving up once to show admission.
"Hey, check it out!" Moriko opened a barrel. "There's some dried food in here."
"Is there jerky?" Sayori leaned into the barrel. As soon as their backs turned, Mei rose to her toes and pecked Kakashi's masked cheek.