It All Started With A Smell

Clap On The Back

Kakashi's POV:

An unusual thing had started to happen. Guy had literally knocked him unconscious when he realised that Kakashi hadn't fully recovered after his literal death experience, though that was not the unusual thing. He had finally gained consciousness, not truly feeling recovered anyway, and had managed to break out of the wooden restraints that were no doubt made by someone else now on his list of people to torment.... Well torment more. But once he was up and about again, and ninjas started being discharged from the hospital with their injuries bandaged he found people clapping him on the back, or shaking his hand, telling him that he had done a good job. This was the unusual thing. Normally, people avoided his eye or with one particular Chunin he couldn't remember the name of, run from him with an unnecessary scream.

He certainly didn't feel like he had done a good job. From everything he had heard about Naruto's battle with the Pains, any damage he had inflicted had been shrugged off by the enemy. Considering that he lost his life in that battle he really hoped that Naruto had punched Pain extra hard. He wasn't sure how he felt about the fact that his killer was the reason he was alive... instead he chose to give the credit to Naruto. Still, he definitely didn't deserve admirations.

Coming back from border patrol with Guy, Kakashi yet again received a 'good job' and a handshake. In a daze, he turned to his friend, hoping he had an explanation. When he only received a shrug, he sighed. He went to find Shikaku who was currently in charge of handing out missions and accepting reports. He found him at his makeshift office which was a tent not too far from the hospital tents.

Many would look at Shikaku and think that he was handling his new duties well. Since Lady Tsunade was in a coma and Shizune was weakened from having her soul removed and then returned, Shikaku was the stand in Hokage. He was the leader of the Jonins and had the most control over Jonin a promotion, so choosing him to step in until one or both women were healthy again was a rather obvious decision. However, Kakashi could see the tiredness and the stress lines marring Shikaku's face.

"Have they decided what to do about the Hokage?" Kakashi asked, not bothering with formalities.

"We're going to hold a meeting soon. I've been putting it off. If they village heard that some started pushing for a new Hokage, even a temporary one, only days after the battle they would think we expected Lady Hokage to never recover. Danzo has accused me of trying to usurp the position. Unfortunately, the longer I try to put off the meeting, the more he will look correct." Shikaku sighed. "So, be prepared, Kakashi, you might end up as the Sixth Hokage until Lady Tsunade is on her feet... If she ever recovers."

Kakashi groaned, making Guy laugh and clap him on the back.

My back is going to be bruised by the end of the week.

"You are going to have to learn to smile more or you'll scare kids. We can't have kids thinking the Hokage is terrifying."

"Wouldn't he have to uncover his face for them to see the smile?" Asked an amused voice.

The voice instantly caused a slight blush to blossom across Kakashi's face, making him curse. Thankful that his cheeks were covered, he and Guy turned to see Aaliyah Akimichi smiling at them. She had a scroll in her hand, and dirt was clinging to her glossy hair, making its midnight colour a dusty gray. True to her Clan, Aaliyah showed no care at her appearance. Her smile was just as bright and disarming as ever, something that unnerved Kakashi as much as when he first met Aaliyah.

Guy laughed again. "That's not going to happen. After all these years, I've never actually seen his face."

Aaliyah chuckled. "I have. An enemy cut his cheek with a rusty knife and I had to literally pin him to the ground to get the mask off his face for me to clean the cut."