BONDS • k. hatake

•28•

War was approaching.

The village was getting busier and busier.

"Naruto can't know that this war is to keep him safe." I said. My eyes looking out at the streets. There was a meeting and it consisted of the 5 Kage and the head of departments.

I was here as the head of the medical unit and hospital for the leaf.

"If he finds out, there's nothing we can do to stop him from fighting in this war." I turn around to sit down.

"But the war is about you too." Jiraiya sat beside Tsunade.

"I suppose. But they can extract the Nine-tails, they can't take my power. They don't know how, if they tried they would be taking my chakra and killing me. That's not a big risk to the village." I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs.

"We can't afford you to die, Akiara. Your power is out last resort if we start to lose and if you die, that's our backup plan gone," Tsunade faced me sternly.

"But if you let me fight, you won't need a backup plan." I said.

"That's a bold thing to say. What you're essentially saying is that you alone can change the outcome of the war." The Mizukage said.

"Could it not?" I asked. "I wield the power of Akia Senju, my ancestor. I have mastered it and I won't run off of chakra, my medical ninjutsu is as good as Lady Tsunade and no offence to the men in this room, but I am a woman. Women are strong, stronger then most men but we have been forced to channel that power back to let the men shine. I don't do that." I stood up. "I am fighting in this war. I am one of the best you have and if we want a chance of winning, you'll need me and everyone you can get." My eyes shined silver.

"Understood?" I asked. They all looked at me. "Well then, I have to go back to train medical ninjas." I bowed down before leaving.

-------

I was walking home after I had dinner with my family.

Kakashi was a captain so he was training as many jounin and chunin as he could, all of the top jounin were.

I turned the key and opened the door.

Today was eventful.

I went to wash my hair and walked out of the steamy room.

I walked to the living room were I saw Kakashi walk into the room from the front door.

"Honestly, I don't remember giving you the key." I laugh. He holds out one of my bobby pins and I roll my eyes before strolling over to him.

I pull down his mask and pressed a kiss onto his lips.

"You need to shower. You're filthy." I said as I took his jounin vest off and shook the dirt off while he disappeared in the hallway.

-------

I sat in the couch with Kakashi's head laying in my lap. We were reading our own books and I had my glass of wine.

"Aren't you underage?" Kakashi mumbled.

"I'm 22. Turning 23 this year." I said as I downed my last few sips. "Also, I don't think you would be complaining. This make me look older and in return makes you look younger than you are, Mr. 30 year old." His unmasked face was pouting. I giggled and leaned down to plant a kiss.

"Don't worry. I find you incredibly sexy, I like older men." I whispered. He sat up and pulled me into his bare chest.

"You really know how to talk to man, don't you?" He whispered, his voice raspy and rough.

"Call it experience." I winked, a low chuckle escaped from his soft lips. His hands travelled lower down my back, dangerously close to my behind.

A soft blush rose to my face.

"After all these years. You're still embarrassed by these things.." he chuckled before pressing a lingering kiss on my lips.

--------

"You're a blanket hogger today." Kakashi mumbles.

"Sorry." I said, I feathered out the blanket so it covered us both.

"No matter. You can keep me warm, Akiara-chan." He whispered after pulling me to his chest.

"Akiara-chan? What gives?" I laugh, I look up from his embrace.

"You're cute. You're so small." He laughed. His arms could wrap around my whole body.

"Or you're just tall. Don't insult me." I scoffed, fighting the small smile from my face.

"I'm offended that you think I'd ever insult you." He said pulling away slightly. I didn't like that so I snuggled back into his chest. A laugh fell from his lips.

"Shut up and go to bed. I'm tired."

"I bet." He smiles cockily.

"I'm going to kill you someday." I said tiredly.

"And this is why I'm going to shut up now. Goodnight, Akiara."

"Night-night.."

"I cherish these moments because you don't know when these moments won't happen anymore, you won't know if you'll get another kiss from your lover, you won't know if you'll get a hug from your parents, you'll never know if you'll wake up to see another day. Life outside of the village taught me those things and I will use what I have been taught, I've seen hundreds of people who died and left their families in pain and sorrow. I don't want to be on either of those sides.

I love all of them and I will cheris those bonds I've created. I have to.

For the sake of my village and me."