A Hummingbird's Prey (TLU Book 2)

Epilogue

Ocean waves crashed in the near distance, a soft roar along with the sound of seagulls crying. The sun's glow gave a comforting warmth to the white-beige sand. So much that Meilani absentmindedly dug a hand into the shore a bit. Her other hand played with Kakashi's hair, his head resting on her lap with closed eyes. Humming a song quietly while the ninja hounds enjoyed the beach.
Meilani watched Bull dash into a small wave, shaking the water off of him and onto other hounds before running back to the sand to do it again. She exhaled deeply, closing her eyes to focus on the wind around them. Willing the salty air to lighten the heaviness in her chest. It helped perhaps a fraction of what she hoped for.

"What is it, honey?"
Mei looked down at her beloved. A gentle grin curved along her mouth. She traced his cheekbone with a shake of her head.
"I'm just.... Worried."
He turned his head to fully view her face. "About what?"
He waited patiently, his thoughts racing through two possible reasons. Most likely Ingyo, although he won't rule out the lack of a menstrual cycle either.
"We can pick up another test if you don't believe the results."
Mei recalled the result they saw a few days before.

For the sake of a peaceful mind, she asked Kakashi to pick up a pregnancy test for her in the middle of cooking dinner. Intentionally turning the face of the test away from her and leaving the bathroom as quickly as possible. She paced across the bathroom door for two minutes. Glancing at Kakashi once in a while as he watched her from the table. His lukewarm tea in hand. He had been holding onto it for longer than necessary, tapping is finger increasingly by the end of the two minutes the test required.

"I can't look," She uttered, reaching out to him. Kakashi stood, meeting her halfway and cupping her face. And pecked her nose gently.
"Do you want me to?" He asked quietly.
She nodded, covering her reddening face. He whispered an agreement and opened the door. Mei cupped her own jaw, turning to face him but with eyes glued to the ground. She let out a shaky breath when he said;
"It's negative."

She let out a disbelieving chuckle, moving closer to look at the thick blue dash displayed on the tiny result window. He watched her with a small smile, his free hand making its way to the side of her head after she embraced him.
However, he felt his smile falter a bit once he laid his head on top of hers. And the slight ache in his chest confused his thoughts. This is what she wants, what they both want.

He wouldn't know what to do with a child, and Mei would certainly feel like she'd have to choose between her career or raising a child again. She admitted that doing both at such a young age nearly broke her.
So, why did he feel so... Disgruntled?
And why, for a fraction of a moment, did Mei feel a similar, quiet ache alongside him?

Mei looked at the shoreline with creased brows.
"Not that. I'm worried about Naruto, and my Genin. I wonder if I'll be able to prepare them for what's to come. Sooner or later, the Akatsuki will put their plan into action, if they haven't already." She rubbed circles on his bare chest as a way to keep herself from shaking. "If it were up to me, I'd destroy every member myself. But given what happened a few weeks ago.... I question my own strength, my own capabilities to keep myself from.... Being lost."
He rose to a sitting position at the sight of her eyes becoming glossy.

"I feel so numb, Kakashi." She leaned her head on his chest, goosebumps forming despite his soothing arms. "I didn't think I'd feel happy that I killed him. But I hate that I feel so fucking hollow."
He closed his eyes, gripping her tighter.
"I feel like a part of me died with him. And because of that, it feels like he still won."
"He didn't win, Lani." Kakashi pressed his lips on top of her head. "You're still here. All of you."
He cupped the back of her neck, moving back just enough for her to look at him.

"You're not hollow," He assured. "What you're feeling is a valid reaction to everything that's happened. And what you feel isn't going to last forever. I, and many others, will make sure of that."
"How do you know?" Her soft voice quivered. His thumb swiped the tear that threatened to spill in the corner of her eye.
"Because that's what was done for me. By you, by our friends. Being near you, and training Team 7 pulled me out of that darkness."
He pulled her forward so that she straddled his lap.

"I never made it known, and you're well aware of how cold I was. But you going out of your way to find me and make sure I was okay, helped more than I could ever express."
Meilani thought back to their youth, particularly after Rin died. After the night she checked on him, he avoided her for some time. Sometimes even turning the other way once their eyes meet. It wasn't until Minato pulled the two aside that Kakashi's standoffish behavior simmered down.

"I know you're not okay," he swallowed hard, the truth heavy on his tongue. "It's okay to admit that to me. No matter what happens, I'm always going to stand by you."
Mei's eyes flickered around them, as if checking to see if anyone was watching.
"What if I do something you don't agree with? What if I.... What if I can't get past this? Ingyo was just the beginning. I can feel a dark storm coming."
"What could you possibly do that I won't agree with?" He shook his head once. "Unless you plan to turn against us, I don't see that happening."
Mei traced his Anbu tattoo, the idea almost making her scoff.
"I would never. Everything I do is for Naruto and you. For Konoha."
Kakashi lifted her chin, leaning down to feel her lips once more. She pulled his mask down just below his lower lip, sighing as his tongue brushed the top of hers.
"I love you," he swore once they pulled away. "You're the light of my life. No matter what darkness surrounds us, I know you'll push through. Because that's who you are, Meilani. You're a flame, with a fire so strong it puts the sun to shame."

Her mouth lifted to a gentle, warm smile. One he hasn't seen for weeks.
"Without your glow, your valor, I'd truly be lost." She admitted. "You're as captivating as the stars on a moonless night. A guide to home. I love you, Kakashi Hatake."
She's said his name many times and on many different occasions. And still he feels warmth in his chest and cheekbones when she says it.
Mei squealed in surprise when he lifted her up, carrying her into the water.
"What are you doing?!"
Kakashi didn't respond until he was hip-deep into the water. Far enough to even where Pakkun couldn't hear.
"I might be acting out a dream I had."

Her head tilted, but she clung to him regardless. She lifted herself, climbing higher from her position along his torso. Her eyes couldn't stop themselves from soaking in his chiseled body. His perfection, scars and all.
Kakashi gripped her hips steadily, the tips of his fingers almost reaching her sumptuous ass in the cheeky, rouge pink bikini he had the honor of choosing.
"You know, I was thinking," he angled them so that the sun was out of both of their eyes. "With your apartment ready, and Naruto coming back in the next year... We should, probably make arrangements for his return."
Mei leaned back to see his blush. "Hm?"

"I just," he pushed through his stammering. "Well, it wouldn't make sense for the three of us to stay in my one-bedroom. I mean, if you want we can look for another place. I just thought with the familiar setup you'd both be more comf-."
Mei pressed a finger against his lips. Her eyes sparked with interest.
"I know you mentioned it before," she recalled. "That's something you're still willing to do?"
He nodded, a hint of a chuckle under his breath.
"Yeah, it is." He took a few more steps further into the water.

"He'd be constantly asking about your face," she warned. "Even after I tell him to shut up."
"Mhm,"
"And you'll find even more of my hair strands all over the place. And I mean all over."
His head tilted to the side, a loving smile reaching the outer corners of his eyes.
"After living alone almost my whole life, I won't mind the company."
Mei searched for any fear in his expression, her heart lifting when there was none.

"I'd love to officially live with my Stardust." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "As long as you'll have me."
Which I hope to be for eternity. He prayed.
"You're the best thing in my life, Princess." Their noses touched. "As long as you allow it, I'll follow you anywhere."
Don't I know it. She thought to herself.

Soon, Kakashi began to sway side to side, occasionally turning so that they steadily twirled in slow circles. Slow-dancing to a rhythm only they heard. Eventually humming to Kakashi's recent favorite, which Mei has grown to love and hum along with him. For the first time in a while, the heaviness Mei felt was lifted. It was as if the world was just the two of them.
Truly, a moment to cherish. Because after this, real work would begin.
It was not only an end to a darker chapter of Mei's life, but the beginning of an even darker one that has yet to come. A chapter she is determined to be prepared for, especially if it meant that it could be her final one.