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Chapter Text

The night sky was heavy with smoke and sorrow. Flames flickered across the distant mountains, casting an ominous glow that illuminated the wreckage of what was once the peaceful village of Godai. Unknown enemies had descended suddenly—raiders, assassins, or perhaps forces driven by motives cloaked in secrecy—leaving devastation in their wake.

Within the chaos, a girl no older than fifteen was running, her dark brown hair tangled and streaked with ash. Her grey eyes shone with a fierce mixture of fear and resilience. The torn fabric of her clothes fluttered behind her as she sprinted through collapsing buildings, dodging debris, her every step driven by a desperate hope.

Her name was Shanari Nakano. Her lineage was rare—her Elemental Convergence bloodline, allowing her to control all five elements without hand signs, a gift passed down through her family. For years, she'd been trained to protect her people, guided by her father's old friend and mentor.

That mentor was Sakumo Hatake, a legendary ninja whose reputation stretched across the Hidden Leaf. A hero of countless battles, Sakumo had once been her father's closest friend—and her early teacher. Though he'd always been busy with missions and duty, she had trained under him briefly during her childhood, learning the fundamentals of combat, discipline, and control.

Tonight, he was nowhere in sight, but his teachings echoed in her mind. His voice, calm and unwavering, had often told her: "Power alone isn't enough. You must learn to control it, or it will consume you."

Her trembling voice whispered the name of her mentor as she fled:

"Sakumo..."

Behind her, the enemy was closing in, shouting in their foreign language, blades flashing. She summoned her elemental powers instinctively—water flowing from a nearby stream, flames bursting into existence, winds howling at her command, earth rising to shield her. Chaotic and raw, her powers flickered like a dying flame—her adrenaline her only fuel.

Her mind drifted briefly to her childhood memories—her early training days under Sakumo's watchful eye. She remembered how he had emphasized control, patience, and strength. Though he wasn't here now, his lessons had become part of her blood.

"You must be stronger than this," her mentor's words echoed softly in her mind, tempered with the seriousness that had always characterized him. "Control your power... or it will control you."

Her heart thumped fiercely as she stumbled into the forest beyond her village's outskirts, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. The destruction back home—the screams, the flames—burned into her memories. It was more than loss; it was a desperate need to survive, to carry on, to protect those who couldn't.

She pressed her trembling hand against her chest, clutching her pendant—a family heirloom and talisman that had been with her since childhood. She vowed silently that she would endure, that her pain would not define her.

And somewhere deep inside, a flicker of hope ignited. She was a survivor, a protector in the making. Her time would come again—she just had to hold on, no matter how dark the night.

In the shadows beyond, a young ninja watched cautiously—Kakashi Hatake. Just sixteen, but eyes that knew too much for his age. His gaze lingered on the distant flames, sensing that everything tonight was more than the destruction of a village. It was the beginning of a new chapter—for her, and for himself.

Chapter Text

The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, bathing the quiet streets of Konoha in soft light. The village was waking slowly—merchants opening their stalls, children laughing as they played, and ninja practicing their skills in the training grounds.

On the outskirts of a less-frequented part of the training area, a girl approached quietly, her tall figure almost blending into the early morning haze. Dark brown hair fell past her shoulders, slightly tousled from the night's sleep. Her grey eyes, calm but introspective, flicked over the surroundings as she tried to find her bearings in her new home.

From a nearby corner, a young boy with spiky silver hair leaned against a wall, idly flipping a kunai between his fingers. His visible eye studied her with calm curiosity—the relaxed stance, distant gaze, but a sharpness that betrayed an acute awareness of his surroundings.

She hesitated, then approached him slowly. Her voice was soft but confident. "Hey."

He looked up, raising an eyebrow beneath his mask. "Morning," Kakashi said lightly, tilting his head as he regarded her.

She paused, sensing that he might be different from the others around him, then decided to speak. "Do you... happen to know where I might find Sakumo Hatake?"

Kakashi's eyes widened just slightly, a flicker of surprise passing over his face. The name—the legendary White Fang. The stories and tales of Sakumo Hatake's heroism had long been spoken in hushed reverence across the village.

He hesitated before answering, the weight of the question evident in his voice. "Sakumo Hatake is... dead," Kakashi said carefully, almost reluctant. "He's gone. He died years ago—his sacrifice saved a lot of lives."

Her face fell, the questions in her grey eyes flickering with sadness. Her voice, barely above a whisper, trembled when she responded. "Oh... I see. I... I thought maybe I could find him. Thank you... for telling me."

She looked away, her expression clouded with grief. Her fingers clutched her pendant—a family heirloom—and tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly shoved the feelings down. She couldn't afford to break now.

Kakashi observed her silently. For a moment, he debated whether to say more. Then, softly, he spoke again.

"He was my father," he admitted quietly, voice heavy with reluctant honesty.

Her eyes snapped back to him, surprise and curiosity flashing across her face. "Your... your father?"

Kakashi met her gaze, his visible eye shadowed with emotion. "Yeah. He. We're... connected in a way I guess I'm still trying to understand. But he's gone. Died... because of the burdens he carried. Things he couldn't carry anymore."

Her expression softened, but sadness remained. "He helped me when I was little. Trained me to control my powers—taught me to be strong, but responsible. It's because of him I still want to protect."

Kakashi looked away briefly, some inner storm flickering behind his one eye. "He was a hero... but he struggled too. After he... mission failed, after he chose to save his comrades over his own reputation, he saw himself as a failure. It broke him. He couldn't forgive himself, and... he took his own life."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with the unspoken pain.

Shanari's eyes shimmered with something close to compassion. "That's... so sad," she whispered, clutching her pendant tighter. "He was my mentor. The one who made me want to get stronger—to control my bloodline, so I wouldn't become a danger to others."

Kakashi nodded slowly. "My dad... he was more than just a hero," he said quietly. "He was the best. But he was also haunted. Sometimes I wonder if I'm following in his footsteps—to be like him, or to escape what he left behind." His voice lowered, almost a whisper. "He was a legend, but I can't seem to shake this anger inside me—about his death, about everything he went through."

She looked at him with understanding—two teenagers, both burdened with their own legacies and scars, finding comfort in their shared pain.

"I'm sorry," she finally said softly, "for your loss. And for all you're still fighting inside."

He met her gaze and offered a faint, pained smile behind his mask. "Thanks

Kakashi looked away briefly, a flicker of inner turmoil flashing behind his visible eye. "He was... the best. My hero. But I guess... I'm still trying to figure out what kind of hero I want to be—that's if I want to follow his path or forge my own."

Shanari's expression softened as she listened. "It's hard to carry someone's legacy when you're still trying to find your own way," she admitted quietly. "But I believe he'd want you to be true to yourself... not just a shadow of his greatness."

Kakashi turned back to her, a little surprised by her words. For a moment, neither spoke, the silence filled only with the faint sounds of distant training and morning life beginning anew. Then, Kakashi offered a faint, rare smile—more genuine, now.

"You remind me of him," Kakashi said softly, eyes steady beneath his mask. "Not just because of what you said about him—though that's part of it—but the way you seem to carry his lessons. Like... you're trying to find yourself in all of this."

Shanari blinked, surprised. "Really? You think so?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I think he would be proud—of both of us, actually. That we're still fighting to be better, no matter what's happened."

A gentle breeze swept through the training area, stirring leaves and carrying the first whispers of a new day. In that quiet moment—two teens, each haunted by their pasts but forging their own paths—found an unspoken understanding. Neither knew exactly where the road ahead would lead, but they shared a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could become more than the shadows left behind.

She looked down at her pendant, then back at him, voice calm once more. "Thanks... for listening. Maybe we can help each other... learn how to be stronger."

Kakashi smirked faintly, a rare glimmer of warmth beneath his mask. "Yeah. I think we will."

As the light of the new day stretched over Konoha, the two teenagers felt the first sparks of a bond—a friendship forged amidst pain but built on hope. Neither knew how much their paths would intertwine or how their shared struggles would shape their futures.

But in that moment, all that mattered was the quiet promise that they wouldn't walk the road alone.

Chapter Text

The midday sun beat down on the training grounds as Kakashi and Shanari moved in sync, their chakra intertwining in a dance of practice and focus. The air was filled with the sound of water splashing, wind howling, and the scrape of shuriken hitting their targets.

Kakashi, ever the relaxed observer-turned-teacher, had suggested a joint sparring session that morning—an opportunity for both of them to learn from each other. Shanari, eager to grow, accepted without hesitation.

"Let's see what you got," Kakashi said with a smirk beneath his mask, tossing a small, glowing orb of lightning into the air before revealing his Sharingan. "Try your best."

She nodded determinedly. "Alright. Watch this."

Focusing her chakra, Shanari summoned a concentrated orb of water and wind, merging her control over two elements. Her grey eyes flickered as she manipulated her chakra with precision, then released a powerful jet of water infused with swirling gusts—an attack designed to overwhelm her opponent.

Kakashi easily sidestepped, amused. "Nice. But let's see how you handle this."

He raised his hand, summoning a bolt of lightning that streaked through the sky with a crack. In a flash, he released a swift series of lightning-shuriken, aiming at her.

Thinking quickly, Shanari altered her technique, surrounding herself with a shield of earth and wind, her elemental powers swirling into a protective barrier. Sparks collided with her shield, forcing her to back up but also showing her resilience.

They paused, both breathing heavily but grinning at each other.

"That was impressive," Kakashi said, her eyes narrowing with a focused gleam.

"You too," Shanari replied, a smile breaking through her calm exterior.

"Balance—you've got potential," Kakashi said, cracking his neck. "But remember, controlling your elements is one thing. Using them wisely, that's the real challenge."

She nodded, eyes steady and hungry for more. "I want to learn everything I can. I'm tired of holding back."

Kakashi looked at her, a different kind of respect in his eyes. "Good. That's how you improve."

They went back into their spar, adjusting techniques and pushing each other's limits, testing boundaries and discovering new strengths. The sun moved higher, casting long shadows as they trained, sweat dripping from their brows.

As the morning turned toward early afternoon, Shanari paused, lowering her hands. "Let's take a break," she suggested, sitting on the grass to catch her breath.

Kakashi sat beside her, the relaxed expression on his face fading into quiet contemplation. "You know," he said, "We're both trying to find our way. But I think we're on the right track—learning to trust ourselves, and each other."

She looked at him with a small, determined smile. "Yeah. I think this is just the beginning for us."

They sat in silence for a moment, the sounds of the village thriving all around them. Despite everything—loss, uncertainty—they'd found common ground: a friendship founded on shared effort, mutual respect, and hope for the future.

And as they challenged themselves and each other, neither realized just how far they would go, side by side, on their path to become the shinobi they hoped to be.

Chapter Text

The seasons had changed since their first meeting. Now, a few months into their training partnership, Kakashi and Shanari had grown more comfortable around each other. The days were busy—missions, practice, and the constant grind of becoming stronger. Yet, beneath Kakashi's relaxed exterior, doubts about his future and what sort of ninja he wanted to be still lingered.

They often met in the quiet hours after training, away from the noise of Konoha's bustling streets. Today, they sat atop a hill on the outskirts of the village, watching the sunset paint the sky in streaks of orange and pink.

Kakashi absently twirled a kunai between his fingers, eyes unfocused. "You know," he started, breaking the comfortable silence, "I don't really care much about Hokage or titles. It's not what drives me."

Shanari, sitting cross-legged beside him, turned her gaze toward him. Her grey eyes, calm yet probing, sparkled with curiosity. "So what do you want, then?"

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, a faint smirk under his mask. "Honestly? I just want to get stronger. I want to be someone who can protect people—not for fame or power, but because I'd hate to see anyone suffer the way I have."

She nodded slowly, understanding reflected in her gaze. "That's what I want, too. Not fame, not titles. Just to protect my loved ones—those I care about."

Her words lingered between them, a shared truth they'd both come to understand. Kakashi looked away, eyes clouded with doubts he hadn't yet fully voiced.

"I've seen what leadership does to people," he continued, voice quieter now. "When you're Hokage, everyone expects you to be perfect—so much responsibility. Sometimes I wonder if I've got that in me. I just... don't feel like I need that kind of title to be strong."

Shanari reached out, her hand briefly brushing his sleeve. "You're already strong in your own way. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. What matters is what you want—to be the person you can look in the mirror and say you're proud of."

Kakashi looked at her, expression unreadable behind his mask. "Maybe I don't want the fame. Maybe I just want to keep training. Keep becoming better so I can protect the people I care about. But... sometimes I feel like I'm running in circles—like I'm wasting time."

She smiled gently, the warmth of her gaze steady. "You're not wasting time. Every step you take gets you closer. And I'll be right here, helping you along the way."

Their eyes met—silent promises passing back and forth. In that moment, amid the fading light and the hush of the approaching evening, they found a connection deeper than words—a bond forged through shared struggles and unspoken understanding.

Kakashi finally broke the silence, smirking beneath his mask. "You know, I don't actually care about becoming Hokage. It's just... a matter of duty sometimes, I guess. But if I had my way, I'd just keep training with people like you. That's what makes me feel alive."

Shanari's smile widened. "Then I'll make sure you keep going. We'll both find our way—no matter what others expect of us."

The wind stirred gently, carrying away their doubts and fears. Together, they sat quietly, watching the stars begin to shimmer in the darkening sky. Neither of them knew exactly how the future would unfold, but in that peaceful moment—away from titles, expectations, and burdens—they understood that their journey wasn't about becoming legends. It was about facing their battles, together.

And that was enough.

Chapter Text

The moon's gentle glow bathed the hill in a silver hue, casting long shadows across the grass where Kakashi and Shanari sat side by side. The night air was cool and still, the silence thick with unspoken words and quiet longing.

Kakashi's eye remained fixed on the stars, but his mind was elsewhere—on the past year, on the pain he'd carried, and on the strange pull he felt whenever Shanari was near. The bond they'd forged was more than friendship now; it was something he dared not name aloud, afraid it might crumble if exposed too soon.

Shanari sat quietly beside him, her grey eyes absentmindedly tracing the constellations beneath the darkening sky. Her thoughts fluttered between hope, doubts, and the unspoken desire that had grown over their long weeks together. She had learned what it truly meant to trust someone—to lean on them, to feel safe in their presence.

Finally, softly, she broke the silence. "It's been a long year," she murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. "So much hurt... and so much growth. I used to think strength was about power. But now I see... it's about knowing when to hold on and when to let go."

Kakashi turned toward her, a faint smirk playing beneath his mask. "Yeah. I've learned that sometimes, even in the middle of a fight, it's okay to pause and just breathe. Especially when you're with someone who makes you feel like it's okay to do that."

She looked over, her expression softening. "I never thought I'd find someone like you. Someone who would understand the pain, the doubts. Maybe that's why I feel so comfortable with you—like I can finally be myself without pretending."

His heart thumped wildly, yet he kept his tone even. "Me too. I've spent so much of my life fighting to be strong... to prove I'm enough. But with you, I don't have to pretend. I can just be... me."

Her gaze flickered to him, filled with cautious hope. "That's all I want—someone I can trust, who accepts me for who I am. I want us to face whatever's coming together. No more running away."

The space between them seemed to shrink in that fragile, suspended moment. Kakashi shifted slightly, hesitating—to reach out again, to close the distance. His fingers hovered near hers, unsure if it was fear or respect, whether he should take the chance.

She noticed. Her breath caught—heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she moved her hand, brushing her fingertips just lightly against his. The contact was brief but electrifying, igniting a warmth that neither dared to voice aloud.

They neither pulled away. Neither broke the quiet spell of intimacy that had settled over them. The stars above seemed to listen in reverent silence, bearing witness to the delicate flowering of something more—something tentative but real.

In that still darkness, with only the moon and stars shining softly to light their path, Kakashi finally spoke, his voice almost trembling.

"I don't know where this is heading," he admitted, eyes searching hers. "But I think I want to see where it can go... with you."

Shanari's eyes shimmered with emotion. She nodded. "Me too. No matter what comes, I want to face it—together."

A gentle breeze swept past, stirring their hair and clothes. It carried away doubts and fears, leaving only new hope—fragile but barely discernible in the night, yet powerful in its promise.

They sat together in silence, their shoulders touching, hearts pounding. Neither knew what the future held, but what mattered now was they had taken the first step—in friendship, in love, in the promise of tomorrow.

And under the watchful stars, love and hope quietly bloomed, delicate yet unstoppable.

Chapter Text

A few months had passed since that quiet night beneath the stars. The weight of loss still lingered in Shanari's heart, but her resolve had only grown stronger. Each day, she threw herself into her training with a new fire—driven not just by a desire to protect but by a yearning to ensure she never felt helpless again.

The field where she trained now echoed with the sounds of her elemental jutsu—fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning—blending seamlessly into destructive displays of mastery. Kakashi often watched her from a distance, admiration and concern flickering behind his eyes. She was pushing herself harder than ever, her control sharper, her purpose clearer.

Today, she was called into the Hokage's office. For the past few weeks, her efforts had earned her promotion—she was now officially a jonin, recognized for her skills and leadership potential. Her eyes sparkled with quiet pride, but she knew her journey was only beginning.

When she stepped into the room, Hiruzen greeted her with a warm smile. "You've made great progress, Shanari. Keep that fire alive. The world needs strong shinobi... and you have the potential to be among the greatest."

She bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I won't let you down."

Leaving the office, her thoughts drifted to her team. Kakashi's team. She had fought alongside him for months now, and their bond—although still fragile—had deepened into something more meaningful. And yet, she also knew that her new rank meant new responsibilities—and possibly new disadvantages.

The next day, as she entered the training grounds, she heard voices—the familiar voice of Kakashi, and a new one. A team was forming—a squad led by Kakashi himself, under the banner of "Team Ro," a squad designed for high-priority missions. Shanari's heart fluttered unexpectedly.

Kakashi spotted her in the crowd and nodded. "Shanari," he greeted, a bit more formal now. "Good to see you. I wanted to tell you—welcome to Team Ro."

Her stomach tightened with a strange mix of pride and apprehension. Joining Kakashi's team meant she'd be working alongside new teammates, and—more complicated—her feelings for him. She'd thought they had time, but now, everything felt more urgent.

Kakashi's expression softened, but she could see the hint of something else—care, maybe, or conflicted emotion.

As the team gathered—alongside a few other shinobi, handpicked for their skills—Shanari noticed how Kakashi's gaze lingered on her just a moment longer than usual. That glance, heavy with unspoken understanding and perhaps a hint of unspoken tension, made her heart race.

Over the following weeks, she threw herself into her missions, pushing her limits, determined to prove herself. But her focus was also torn—her feelings swirling between admiration, hope, and the fear that her relationship with Kakashi might be strained by the demands of duty.

Late one evening, after a grueling training session, Kakashi approached her, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

"This team... it's different," he said quietly. "It's good, but it's also tough. We're gonna have to rely on each other more than ever. But I don't want you to feel... pressured—or that I'm pulling away."

Shanari looked at him, her voice trembling slightly. "You're not. I just... I want to become stronger. For us. For everything."

He reached out, lightly brushing her hand—an act full of unspoken promises. "We'll get through this. Together."

But beneath that gentle reassurance lurked an undercurrent of tension—a reminder that duty could threaten to pull them apart just as they'd begun to understand the depths of their feelings.

In this rising storm, their bond was tested once more—their hearts fighting to stay connected amid the chaos of the path they'd chosen.

Chapter Text

The early morning air was thick with anticipation as Kakashi's team made their way through the quiet outskirts of Konoha. The mission was simple in theory: reconnaissance along the border of a neighboring village known for secret alliance talks with hidden factions. But the weight of what they carried felt heavier than usual.

Kakashi led, his posture relaxed but alert. Shanari moved nearby, her eyes sharp and focused. The mission required stealth, precision—qualities they'd been honing for months. Yet beneath all that, a different tension lingered—an unspoken awareness that this was more than just another patrol.

"Stay sharp," Kakashi said softly, glancing over his shoulder. "The enemy could be hiding anywhere."

Shanari nodded, her expression echoing her resolve. She remembered the past—how close she'd come to losing everything—and felt that same fire fueling her today. She would do whatever it took to protect her new home.

They moved silently through the dense woods, every step carefully calculated. Suddenly, a faint flicker of movement caught Shanari's eye. She signaled to Kakashi with a subtle hand motion. Instantly, they split, flanking the unseen threat.

Two figures emerged from the shadows ahead—enemy scouts, cloaked in dark cloaks, their eyes wary and suspicious.

"Identification," Kakashi commanded, voice calm. His Sharingan revealed in an instant, analyzing the intruders' chakra signatures.

The scouts hesitated, then made a break for it. Without hesitation, Kakashi threw a shuriken, the weapon slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. The scouts retaliated, but Shanari was faster, summoning a gust of wind infused with lightning, halting their escape.

"Stop them!" Kakashi ordered, drawing his kunai as the enemy team closed the distance.

A fierce skirmish erupted. Kakashi's speed was nearly impossible to track, each strike calculated and precise. Shanari's elemental control surged. Fire and water clashed in her hands, her mastery turning the tide as she restrained and disarmed the enemy.

Once the dust settled, they found the scouts unconscious, chakra signatures destroyed but clues of a larger conspiracy evident in the strange symbols carved into their cloaks.

"They were just scouts," Shanari said, catching her breath. "But I get the feeling this is bigger than we thought."

Kakashi nodded grimly. "This wasn't just some random attack. Someone's pulling strings... and I think it goes all the way to the border of our allies."

As they prepared to move out, Shanari's gaze lingered on Kakashi. The years of training, loss, and discovery had brought them closer—she knew now her feelings ran deeper than simple friendship. Yet, uncertainty still pressed against her, making her cautious.

Later that evening, back at the village, the news of the scout's capture ignited whispers of an emerging alliance—a dangerous coalition threatening Konoha's stability. The stakes had never been higher.

And as the shadows grew darker, so too did the doubts, fears—and potential of what would come next.

The Hokage's office was tense with incoming reports. Hiruzen sat at the head of the table, flanked by senior shinobi, as the team's reconnaissance mission was relayed through a series of quick, clipped updates. Kakashi, Shanari, and their teammates stood before him, their faces grim.

The scouts they captured had revealed a fragment of disturbing information: an alliance between the rogue groups of the Land of Earth and a secret faction of rogue ninja from the Land of Wind, working together to destabilize Konoha from within and beyond its borders.

Kakashi's visible eye was focused and intense—the mission had been a success tactically, but the implications rippled far deeper. Shanari kept quiet, her thoughts swirling. Her training was good, her powers sharper, but her feelings—conflicting as ever—kept her restless.

She caught Kakashi's gaze across the room. Their silent connection wasn't lost on either of them. The danger was real. The pressure mounting. And yet, deep inside, her heart fluttered—this was more than just mission success. It was about holding onto hope, even when everything suggested otherwise.

Suddenly, an aide reported from the window. "My Hokage, there's someone watching our borders—cloaked and concealed among the trees. They seem to be observing us now."

Hiruzen's face grew serious. All eyes turned to the window as faint shuffles and whispers came from the dark woods outside.

"Enemy spies," Kakashi muttered, angling sharply. "They're gathering intel—probably part of the same alliance."

Shanari's grip tightened around her armrest. The weight of her past—the loss of her homeland, the fear of betrayal—pressed down on her. But more than that, the feelings she'd fought so hard to suppress surged anew. Her gaze flickered toward Kakashi's, a mixture of longing and uncertainty.

In that silence, she felt the invisible threads binding them—still fragile, yet unbreakable. The outside threat was growing, and so was her internal battle: how to solidify her resolve while facing her growing feelings for him.

Kakashi's voice broke softly, "We need to stay alert. If they're watching us, it means we're on their radar—and that means we're close to uncovering something big."

Hiruzen nodded. "We must act swiftly. And we must prepare for the worst. I'll send teams to patrol the borders—stay vigilant."

As the team prepared to leave, Shanari stayed behind a moment, watching Kakashi gather his gear and give quick orders. Her heart fluttered despite herself—these moments, delicate and uncertain, marked a new chapter. The alliance was dangerous, yes, but so was the bond forming quietly between them.

She wondered: Was love just a distraction? Or was it the strongest weapon they had—something that could give them courage when everything else seemed lost?

In the dark night, beneath the looming shadows, they each carried their fears—and their hopes.

Because tonight, the shadows deepened, and the fight for the future—as well as their hearts—had only just begun.

Chapter Text

The wind howled softly through the alleys of Konoha as dawn broke. Despite the early hour, Kakashi's team moved swiftly through the village's outskirts, on high alert after the previous night's intelligence reports. An unknown cadre of spies was watching them; the enemy's plans were finally beginning to unfold.

The team's mission was to patrol the borders and gather intel—an essential task for Konoha's defense. But beneath the routine, a darker plot was taking shape: an alliance between rogue factions seeking to strike at the heart of the village.

Kakashi's eye traced every shadow, every tree branch stirred by the wind. Shanari, walking beside him, kept her senses sharp too, her elemental chakra humming quietly beneath her skin, ready for action.

Suddenly, the air shifted.

From the dense forest ahead, figures cloaked in dark robes emerged, moving with calculated purpose. Their chakra signatures flickered like distant flames—alive, dangerous.

"Enemy patrol," Kakashi whispered, already drawing his kunai. His eye glinted with a sharp focus; his team readied themselves.

"Get ready," he ordered quietly. "They're close."

Without warning, the enemy ninja launched projectiles, shurikens and explosive tags designed to disorient. Kakashi swept forward with incredible speed, intercepting attacks with precise movements. Shanari summoned a shield of water and wind, deflecting the incoming assaults and creating space for her teammates.

The fight was fierce but brief. Kakashi's speed disoriented the enemy, and his lightning-fast strikes subdued two opponents with tactical efficiency. Shanari's elemental control turned the tide—fire surged from her palms, water froze into deadly spikes, and her mastery over lightning kept her enemies on edge.

As the dust settled, the enemy ninja retreated into the woods, their dark cloaks blending into the shadows.

Breathing heavily, Kakashi glanced at Shanari. She looked exhausted but unwavering, her eyes burning with determination.

"That was close," she said softly, already resetting her chakra. "They're not just spying—they're testing us."

Kakashi nodded, eyes still on the dark woods. "And I think they're just the surface of something bigger. Whatever power's behind this, it's planning something terrible."

The team pushed forward, deeper into the borderlands, their senses sharpened. The threat was growing, and their small victories came with a heavy reminder: darkness was gathering in the shadows—hidden, but dangerous.

Later that night, Hiruzen sat in his office, reviewing the reports with a heavy expression. The signs of alliance formality between rogue ninja factions were becoming clearer—and more targeted.

The Hokage's mind flicked to Kakashi and Shanari. Their bond, tested in battle, was also the force that could unify or divide them in the days ahead. He hoped—more than ever—that their trust in each other would be enough.

Because after tonight, the shadows would unveil their true purpose. And Konoha's future would hang in the balance.

As the night stretched on, Kakashi's team retreated to a hidden rapport in the forest, where they could regroup and assess what they'd just faced. The flickering of campfire light cast shifting shadows over their faces—every member aware that the enemy was growing bolder, and their presence closer.

Kakashi sat on a fallen log, rubbing the back of his neck as he studied the scattered reports. Shanari crouched nearby, her eyes flickering with the faint glow of elemental chakra that rippled beneath her skin, ready to spring into action again if needed.

"They're testing," Shanari murmured, staring into the fire. "They're trying to see how far they can push us before we break."

Kakashi's expression was serious now. "They're playing a game—one where the stakes are higher than we thought. Whoever's behind this isn't just some rogue ninja. It's someone with real power."

Her gaze flicked toward him, eyes burning with resolve. "We need to find out what they want—they're planning something. We can't let it happen."

Kakashi looked at her, noticing the faint tremble in her voice—an unspoken reminder of everything she'd lost. "We've come a long way," he said softly. "But the real fight's just starting. Whatever they're preparing, it's not just for us—it's for everyone in Konoha."

A tense silence settled over the group, broken only by the crackling fire. Outside, the sixth sense that Kakashi and Shanari had developed warned them: they weren't alone. The enemy was watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Suddenly, faint footsteps sounded outside their hiding spot. Kakashi tensed instinctively, reaching for his kunai. Shanari's fingers shimmered with faint lightning—their signals of readiness.

From the shadows emerged a figure—cloaked and hooded. Stepping into the dim light, a quiet voice greeted them, its tone low and deliberate.

"You're smarter than the last patrol," the stranger said, eyes glinting beneath the hood. "But you're too late. The next move... it's already begun."

Kakashi's eyes sharpened. "What do you mean?"

The figure paused, then pulled back the hood. The face beneath was bruised but determined. "The alliance... they're planning a major strike. Not just against Konoha, but all of our allied villages. We've been watching their movements—they aim to destabilize everything."

Shanari's breath hitched. "And why now? What do they want?"

The stranger's expression darkened. "Power, influence. And chaos. They want to draw Konoha into a war... and with it, dismantle everything. They're just waiting for the right moment to strike—when our defenses are down."

Kakashi nodded, eyes fierce. "We need to warn Hokage. We've seen enough. We're going to get caught up in a war we're fighting to prevent."

The stranger hesitated, then nodded. "Be careful. They've already begun moving—your team might be their next target."

As he vanished into the shadows, Kakashi looked at Shanari, his face grim but determined.

"The shadows are gathering," he said softly. "And this time, it's not just patrols and spies. It's a full-blown assault, and we're at the center of it."

She squeezed her fists, summoning her elemental chakra once more. "Then we fight," she whispered. "No matter what. I won't let them win."

Kakashi looked at her, a flicker of something warmer—and uncertain—hidden behind his expression. He knew this battle was only the beginning, and together, they'd have to face a new darkness—not just outside their walls, but within themselves.

Because the shadows had begun to reveal their true purpose. And their fight for tomorrow was just about to deepen.

Chapter Text

The wind rolled softly through the canopy of the forest, carrying the scent of earth and moss through the still air of the hideout. The campfire had burned down to embers, its glow illuminating Kakashi’s half-shadowed face as he scanned the map laid before him. His jaw was tight, his visible eye flickering with tension. Shanari stood a few paces away, arms folded, the moonlight catching in the silver lines of her tribal armwraps—worn remnants of her fallen clan.

“You’re grinding your teeth again,” Shanari said, arching an eyebrow. Her voice was teasing but laced with concern.

Kakashi didn’t look up. “Am I?”

“You only do that when you’re overthinking. Which means... you’ve already considered five worst-case scenarios, made backup plans for three of them, and decided to shoulder everything yourself.”

He glanced at her finally, expression unreadable. “You really are good at reading me.”

“I was trained by the best,” she replied with a soft smile.

That quiet declaration settled in the space between them, heavy with shared history. Kakashi looked at her for a moment longer—drawn, as he often was lately, to the calm steel of her gaze.

“You really meant that, didn’t you,” he said quietly. “You and my father.”

Shanari’s smile faded, replaced by something tender and haunted. Her eyes turned toward the fire as if it might conjure the past.

[FLASHBACK – YEARS AGO, VILLAGE OF GODAI]

The courtyard shimmered with morning mist, the tiles slick beneath her tiny feet. A six-year-old Shanari stood trembling, her breaths ragged. Her chakra was surging uncontrollably—cracks forming in the earth beneath her, water collecting in the air, sparks dancing along her arms.

Before her stood Sakumo Hatake, arms folded, calm and steady despite the wild swirl of elemental power around her.

“Again,” he said gently.

Tears welled in the child’s eyes. “I—I don’t want to hurt anyone!”

“You won’t,” Sakumo replied, kneeling before her. “That’s why I’m here.”

“I can’t stop it,” she sobbed. “It’s too much... it’s always too much...”

Sakumo took her small hands in his. His voice was low, reassuring. “Then we’ll learn together. The storm inside you isn’t a curse, Shanari. It’s a legacy. Control comes from understanding, not fear.”

She blinked up at him, lips quivering. “But what if I hurt you too?”

His smile was quiet, but firm. “Then I’ll get back up. And we’ll try again. You don’t have to be perfect. Just brave enough to try.”

The air settled around them—just a little. For the first time, the chaos in her began to listen.

[PRESENT – KONOHA BORDER HIDEOUT]

“I was just a kid,” Shanari said softly, the firelight dancing across her face. “But your father... he saw me. Not the princess, not the bloodline freak. Just me.”

Kakashi's gaze had softened, his fingers curling slightly as if resisting the urge to reach out. “He had a way of doing that,” he said. “Of seeing the person behind the pain.”

“I still hear his voice sometimes, in battle. Telling me to breathe, to focus. He was the reason I wanted to be better—not just stronger, but better.”

Kakashi leaned back against the log, arms behind his head now, his mask angled toward the stars above.

“Wish he’d listened to his own advice,” he murmured, voice bitter. “Instead, he left me with nothing but silence.”

Shanari turned her body toward him, one knee tucked up. “You’re wrong,” she said gently. “He left you with more than that. He left you with your instinct. Your heart. Your honor. The part of you that still fights, even when it hurts.”

Kakashi looked at her, something unreadable in his eye. “You always do that.”

“Do what?”

“Cut through the crap I hide behind.”

She smirked. “Well, someone has to. You’re impossible to crack with that mask.”

“I’m very mysterious,” he replied dryly.

“And modest too,” she shot back.

They both laughed—quiet, breathy amusement that lingered in the air. The tension, for once, ebbed.

Shanari’s gaze fell to the line of his jaw beneath the fabric. “I ever get to see what’s under that thing?” she asked playfully.

Kakashi tilted his head. “That’s a high-level secret. Might require... persuasion.”

Her eyes sparkled, grey irises catching the light like polished steel. “I’m good at persuading,” she teased.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. “Dangerous words.”

Their eyes met—and held—for just a moment too long. The world around them blurred. The silence was no longer tense but intimate, filled with heat unspoken. Her heartbeat thrummed in her ears, his gaze unwavering.

He reached up slowly, fingers brushing his mask—then paused.

“Not tonight,” he said, his voice husky with restraint. “But soon.”

She smirked, slowly rising to her feet. “Tease.”

“You like it,” he muttered under his breath, watching her walk away.

Shanari looked over her shoulder with a knowing grin. “Maybe.”

As she moved toward her tent, the embers flared, casting golden light over her departing figure. Kakashi let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and leaned forward again, eyes on the fire.

He hadn’t expected her.

Not her stubborn fire, her quiet strength, her effortless way of finding the pieces of him he thought long buried. And maybe, just maybe, it was exactly what he needed.

Tomorrow would bring more battle, more danger—but tonight? He allowed himself to feel it. The spark. The possibility.

The beginning of something more.

Chapter Text

The morning after their late-night talk, the mission assignment board was unusually packed with curious eyes and eager genin. But Shanari stood back from the crowd, arms folded, observing from beneath the hood of her sleeveless cloak.

Kakashi appeared beside her in his usual silent way, hands tucked in his pockets, slouched but alert. His visible eye slid over to her. "You're up early. Again."

Shanari arched a brow. "You say that like you weren't already lurking in the trees watching me train for half an hour."

He gave a one-eyed shrug. "You make interesting sounds when you're frustrated."

She narrowed her eyes. "You mean grunting at a stubborn fire release scroll is now entertaining?"

"Very." A hint of mischief laced his voice. "Though if you're that bad at fire jutsu, I could give you a few tips."

She smirked. "Is that before or after you stop pretending your water style is stronger than it actually is?"

The corner of his eye crinkled—a masked smile, familiar by now. "Touché."

The banter masked the warmth beneath their exchange, but it lingered in the way they stood slightly closer than necessary. Kakashi leaned against the post while Shanari pulled a scroll from the board. Her expression shifted.

"C-rank patrol in the borderlands. Chūnin team support. No real danger but..." She trailed off.

"But close enough to get a taste of tension," Kakashi finished for her, reading over her shoulder. "You volunteering?"

"I already did." She rolled the scroll and tapped his shoulder. "You in?"

He hesitated for only a second. "Only if we're paired."

They set off within the hour, accompanied by two other chūnin—one far too chatty, and the other painfully quiet. The group traveled swiftly toward the outer forest edges, where Konoha's influence thinned into neutral territory. Shanari's sharp gaze stayed on the path ahead, but her mind wandered.

The green canopy above gave way to bursts of light filtering through like golden ribbons. For a while, all was silent—until a flash of silver hair caught her attention from behind.

Kakashi had fallen back slightly, watching her instead of the terrain.

"You've been quiet," she said, matching his pace.

He shrugged. "You looked like you were deep in thought. Figured I'd let you wrestle your demons alone."

Her voice dropped low. "I was thinking about him again."

Kakashi didn't need to ask who.

"There's this one memory," she continued, "I keep coming back to. I was six..."

Flashback

The sky had cracked open with storm clouds, and a little Shanari—barefoot, soaked—stood on the muddy slope outside the Godai village training field. Her raw chakra had surged out of her in a burst of emotion she couldn't control.

Lightning cracked far too close.

"Stop crying," she told herself through tears. "You'll drown the whole valley."

But then he appeared.

Sakumo Hatake.

His hair was rain-plastered silver, and his cloak clung to his tall frame. But his presence was calm. Unshakable.

He approached gently, like one might calm a wounded animal. "You're not dangerous, little one," he'd said, kneeling. "You're just strong. That's different."

Her tiny hands trembled, holding up a waterlogged pendant. "I... I didn't mean to. I didn't want to hurt anyone."

He put his hand over hers—large, warm, steady. "Control comes with time. But the will to protect? That's already in your heart. That's what makes you different."

She had believed him.

And for the first time, the storm in her heart stilled.

The forest came back into focus, the memory fading like mist in the breeze. Shanari didn't realize she'd stopped walking until Kakashi touched her wrist lightly.

"You alright?"

She nodded. "I was remembering what he told me. How strength without control isn't failure—it's potential."

Kakashi was quiet a moment. "He said the same to me. I just... didn't hear it until recently."

They stood still on the path, the other chūnin moving ahead unaware. Their fingers brushed again—tentative, familiar now. The tension between them hummed, faint but growing stronger with each shared truth.

"I think," Shanari said quietly, "we're both still learning how to believe him."

Kakashi's voice was lower, serious now. "Yeah. But... I feel closer to him when I'm around you."

She looked up at him, heart fluttering, unsure if it was the woods, or the nearness of his voice, or the heat in his gaze—but something in her pulse shifted.

"And I feel like I'm finally safe when I'm with you," she whispered.

Kakashi held her gaze, unreadable—but his hand brushed against hers again, lingering this time. The contact was gentle, yet charged with something neither of them dared act on fully yet.

Not here. Not yet.

But soon.

The trees rustled around them, the moment stretching as their feelings remained suspended—unspoken, but undeniably real.

"Come on," he finally said, clearing his throat. "Let's catch up before the talkative one gets us lost."

Shanari smirked. "Only if you admit I'm the better tracker."

"In your dreams," he muttered, stepping ahead—yet casting a sideways glance that shimmered with more than annoyance.

As they disappeared deeper into the forest, their shadows blended, two paths winding slowly—inevitably—toward one another.

Chapter Text

The morning mist clung to the trees just outside Konoha's southern edge, cool and silent. Shanari stood on the path that curved into the woods, her arms folded, eyes distant. The events of the previous night still hummed beneath her skin—Kakashi's hand brushing hers, his words echoing in her chest.

She had barely slept.

Kakashi approached quietly, his steps light, but she sensed him before she heard him. "You always this dramatic at sunrise?" he teased, leaning against a nearby tree, arms crossed.

She shot him a sidelong glance. "Only when I'm being stalked by overly cool shinobi with perpetual bedhead."

He smirked, pushing off the tree. "I'll have you know this is calculated dishevelment."

She chuckled softly, but it quickly faded. Her hand drifted to the pendant around her neck again—the same one Sakumo had given her years ago.

Kakashi noticed the change in her expression. "You've been quiet since last night. More than usual, anyway."

Shanari nodded. "Something's been weighing on me... something I remembered. A moment I had almost buried."

Kakashi waited patiently as she exhaled slowly and sat on a nearby stone. "It was the last time I saw your father. I was six. Just a kid."

FLASHBACK: GODAI, NINE YEARS AGO

The village of Godai slumbered beneath the heavy breath of dawn. Mist rolled through the trees like whispered warnings. Inside the Nakano compound, the air was still, but something in it felt different—tense.

Six-year-old Shanari sat on the stone steps, her bare feet swinging as she hugged a wooden training staff almost as tall as she was. Her wild dark hair was only half-braided, a casualty of the morning rush. Her eyes—curious and serious even then—were fixed on the man kneeling before her.

Sakumo Hatake, dressed in standard jonin armor, tightened the strap on his bracer before looking up. His silver hair was tied back, and his chakra flared with calm precision, but there was something unspoken in his gaze. A goodbye he couldn't quite say aloud.

"You're leaving again?" Shanari asked. Her voice trembled, but she tried to keep it steady.

Sakumo's smile was gentle, warm. "I am, little shadow. This one's important."

"More important than my lightning kata?" she challenged, folding her arms in tiny indignation.

He laughed, not at her, but with something close to affection. "Barely. But I need to go. People are counting on me."

Shanari's fingers tightened on the staff. "Will you come back this time?"

He paused.

Then slowly knelt, lowering himself to her level. He reached into the pouch at his hip and pulled out a small silver pendant etched with the symbol of the Fivefold Unity—a rare Godai relic. "This is for you. When you wear it, remember what I taught you."

"That strength is only real when it protects," she whispered, finishing his lesson from memory.

He nodded. "Exactly. And that you are already stronger than most grown ninja I've met."

"But I'm just a kid."

He tapped her forehead lightly. "A kid who will do great things. One day, maybe even save others the way I try to."

Her chin trembled. "Promise you'll come back."

Sakumo hesitated. His eyes, usually calm, flickered with something darker. A storm of doubt.

Then—softly, too softly—he lied.

"I promise."

He rose, ruffled her hair, and walked away.

The mist swallowed him before she could call him back.

She waited at the same spot for a week, clutching the pendant, watching the horizon.

He never returned.

PRESENT DAY – KONOHA

"I remember waiting by the road every day for a week," Shanari said quietly, her fingers brushing over the pendant. "I kept thinking I'd see him walk out of the trees, smiling like always. But he never did."

Kakashi's face had gone still. His visible eye darkened—not with anger, but understanding. "That was the mission," he said. "The one where he saved his comrades... and lost everything else."

Shanari looked up at him, her voice tight. "I think he knew. He knew it might cost him everything. But he chose to go anyway."

Kakashi sat beside her, close but not touching. "He was already carrying too much. And the world... the world didn't forgive him for choosing people over politics."

There was silence, broken only by the whisper of wind through leaves.

"I hated him," Kakashi said suddenly. "For a long time. I hated him for leaving. For breaking."

Shanari turned toward him. "But you don't anymore."

He shook his head. "No. Not after I learned why he did what he did. I just... I wish he'd trusted that we could still love him, even broken."

Her breath caught at that. "Maybe he saw something in us... something he hoped we'd grow into. Maybe that was his real mission."

He gave her a long, searching look.

The silence between them now was different. Charged. Full of unspoken understanding—and something else. A tension that crackled just beneath the surface.

"You know," Kakashi said, his voice lighter, a teasing glint in his eye, "you really need to stop saying such profound things first thing in the morning. It's unfair to the rest of us mortals."

Shanari arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And what will you do about it, oh moody masked one?"

"Maybe I'll just have to knock you off your pedestal during our next spar."

She grinned. "Good luck with that. Last time, you were still dazed from my wind strike."

"I let you land that."

"Sure you did."

They stood, shoulders brushing as they faced the path ahead. The past still lingered, but it no longer loomed. It was something they carried now—together.

And though they didn't say it, both felt the shift between them, quiet but undeniable. Something was changing. Deepening. Building.

It wouldn't be long before their bond ignited into something more.

Chapter Text

The forest was too quiet.

Shanari crouched low on a branch, her ANBU mask resting against her hip, unused for the moment. The moonlight filtered through the trees in fragmented silver patterns, casting eerie shapes onto the mossy ground. She didn't flinch when Kakashi landed beside her, silent as a shadow.

"They're on the move," he said, his voice low but clipped. "Eastern path. Four of them. One's using a chakra suppression technique, but I caught a flicker."

Shanari nodded. "The decoy squad?"

"Possibly. But it's not their style to split up like this. Feels like a trap."

She exhaled slowly. "It's time to flush them out."

Below them, Tenzo signaled from the forest floor, and Genma was already melting into the trees with his senbon glinting between his teeth. This wasn't just a high-level scouting op anymore. The enemy—rogue remnants from the Rain Village and ex-Root operatives—had been moving in erratic, violent patterns along the border. Konoha's intel was fractured at best.

And this time, the mission was personal.

They moved together, silent as breath, circling the enemy. Kakashi brushed against Shanari's shoulder briefly as they split to flank, a small contact—grounding, reassuring.

As they closed in, the ambush came.

Explosions tore through the trees, lightning-fast kunai rained from the canopy. The rogue ninja were prepared—more than prepared. Chakra flared as smoke and fire erupted in tandem. Shanari's instincts screamed.

"Scatter!" she yelled.

But too late.

She was forced to disengage from her mark and roll to safety. A wire trap nearly took her leg, but she slashed it away with a burst of flame chakra, landing hard on her feet.

Across the clearing, she caught a glimpse of Kakashi surrounded by three masked assailants. He was fending them off with his usual calm ferocity, but even he was being pushed—one of them was fast, almost matching his rhythm.

She launched herself forward—hand signs blazing. "Raiton: Kuro Kaminari!"

Black lightning cracked through the air and struck the nearest enemy, buying Kakashi a breath of space. He met her gaze for half a second and nodded.

"Your timing's getting better."

She smirked through the adrenaline. "I aim to impress."

They moved as one.

Together, they broke the enemy's formation. One by one, the rogues fell—until only one remained, the one who had been hiding his chakra entirely until now. He dropped from the trees, mask cracked, a chilling grin spreading across his face.

Shanari froze. She knew that jutsu signature.

"That's... no. That's Shikuma," she whispered, eyes wide.

Kakashi stiffened. "You know him?"

"From Godai," she said, trembling. "He was one of the exiled. Betrayed the council before... before the fall. He studied under the same mentor who taught me sealing techniques."

Shikuma's eyes gleamed with twisted amusement. "Look at you now, Nakano. Hiding behind the Leaf's lapdogs. I always said you'd break once you saw how weak your ideals really were."

Kakashi stepped in front of her slightly, protective. "She's not breaking. And you just made a mistake showing your face."

But Shikuma was already weaving hand signs—too fast.

Shanari threw up a wall of wind and chakra, shielding them as a barrage of chakra-forged shuriken screamed through the air. She turned to Kakashi, breath coming fast.

"We can't overpower him. Not head-on."

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "But we can outmaneuver him."

Their plan formed in an instant. Kakashi surged forward, drawing attention with a barrage of lightning, while Shanari disappeared into the earth with a technique she hadn't used in years—one Sakumo had taught her to control, to tame.

She emerged beneath Shikuma like a ghost, grabbing his ankle and searing a seal into his leg with a flash of blinding chakra.

He screamed—crippled by the sealing mark.

And in that second, Kakashi was on him, blade drawn.

It was over.

Shanari knelt on the scorched ground, heart pounding, hand still smoking from the chakra burn of the seal.

Kakashi stood above her, offering a hand. "You alright?"

She looked up at him—battle-worn, blood-spattered, and beautiful in the moonlight. "I'm fine," she said breathlessly, taking his hand.

He pulled her up, closer than necessary. For a moment, the night went still again—just the sound of their breathing, the crackle of fading chakra, and the steady rhythm of their hearts.

"Thanks," he murmured. "For saving me back there."

"You'd do the same for me," she replied.

"Always."

She looked at him, heat rising in her chest, in her cheeks. The blood, the battle—it was all still too close. But so was he. And it felt right.

Their fingers lingered together for a second too long.

"You smell like scorched pine," he said, deadpan.

She rolled her eyes. "You smell like ozone and sweat."

He smirked. "So romantic."

"You love it," she muttered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Kakashi tilted his head slightly. "Maybe I do."

Their moment was interrupted by Tenzo's arrival, limping slightly. "We've secured the area. Interrogation team's inbound. You two alive?"

"Barely," Shanari replied. "But alive."

As they walked back through the ravaged forest toward the regroup point, Kakashi fell into step beside her, close but not quite touching.

"After this," he said, voice low, "you and I need to talk."

She raised a brow. "About what?"

"About what happens... when the mission ends."

Shanari didn't answer right away. But a slow, knowing smile curled her lips.

"Yeah," she said softly. "We do."

Chapter Text

The wind howled softly through the trees surrounding the ANBU interrogation compound, carrying with it the scent of blood, smoke, and rain.

Shanari stood just outside the threshold, arms crossed, back leaning against the damp stone wall. The mission was over. The intel was gathered. The enemy was dead or captured. But peace didn't follow.

Not this time.

She had watched Shikuma dragged into the bowels of the interrogation chamber, bloodied and bound, his face still twisted in smug defiance. Watching him brought something dark and restless bubbling to the surface inside her. Rage. Shame. A flicker of helplessness that hadn't surfaced in years.

He had known her name. Known her village. The betrayal that had burned Godai to ash had not been as distant as she'd pretended—it was alive and festering in men like him.

"Thought you might be here."

Kakashi's voice was low behind her. Familiar. Steady.

She didn't turn right away. "He used to train with my father. He knew all our elders... He knew my people. And he still turned on us."

Kakashi stepped beside her, hands in his pockets. "That kind of rot runs deep. He made his choices. They don't define you."

She let out a bitter laugh. "But it still feels like part of me went rogue, too."

He tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully. "You're not them. You're not your past."

Her jaw tightened. "I wonder if you believe that when you say it to yourself."

Kakashi went quiet.

The silence between them was thick, weighted with everything they didn't say—everything they didn't know how to.

"I'm sorry," Shanari muttered, finally glancing over at him. "That wasn't fair."

"You're right, though," he said after a moment. "I don't always believe it. I've buried a lot of names... worn a lot of masks."

She looked at him then, really looked. His face was angled just slightly away, but she could see the weight in his shoulders, the flicker of exhaustion beneath his usual composure.

"You're not the only one with ghosts, Kakashi," she said quietly. "But maybe... maybe it's time we stop running from them."

His gaze met hers—quiet, searching. "You think we can?"

"I think we already are," she whispered.

He stepped closer.

The tension between them wasn't sharp this time. It was warm. Slow. Like the hush that followed a storm. His hand brushed against hers—tentative but lingering. She didn't pull away.

He leaned in, close enough for his breath to stir the hair near her cheek.

"You saved me back there," he murmured. "I think I owe you something."

"You owe me nothing," she said. "But if you're offering... I'm listening."

His eyes flickered down to her lips—just for a second.

"Not here," he said softly.

Her breath caught.

"Then where?"

—

Later, in the quiet of her apartment, she sat beside him on the narrow bed, still in her undershirt and half-zipped flak vest. Her hair was down, damp from the rain, curling slightly around her face.

He was watching her like she was something breakable and burning all at once.

"You don't have to stay," she said.

"I want to."

She met his gaze. "You always keep your mask on around others. Why not with me?"

He reached up, slowly pulling it down.

Her breath hitched.

It wasn't the scar that surprised her. It was the way he looked at her with nothing in between them anymore. No fabric. No walls.

"I've lost a lot of people," he said quietly. "But I keep choosing to stay."

She leaned in and kissed him.

Soft at first. Just a whisper of lips, but it deepened quickly—hungry, aching, real. His hand slid behind her neck, pulling her closer. Her fingers found the edge of his flak vest and pushed it off his shoulder, her breath shivering against his mouth.

She didn't want to stop.

Not this time.

Not when everything else in the world was so uncertain.

Later, they lay tangled together, her head resting against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat grounding her.

But peace, as always, didn't last.

The next morning, the mission debrief came with more than intel. It came with orders.

Kakashi Hatake was being reassigned—removed from ANBU.

The fallout from the Uchiha massacre had shaken the village to its roots. Root was dissolved. Trust was fragile. And the Hokage needed his best ninja elsewhere—not in the shadows.

When Shanari heard the news, something in her chest tightened.

She found him again, standing near the old shrine to fallen shinobi.

"They're taking you out of ANBU?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

He didn't look at her right away. "It's time. Hiruzen thinks I've spent too long in the dark."

"And what do you think?"

"I think..." He looked over finally, "I don't want to leave this behind."

Her eyes searched his face. "This?"

"You," he said simply.

She didn't respond right away.

Then she stepped closer. "Then don't."

He cupped her face in his hand, his thumb brushing her cheek.

"I won't," he said. "Not if you still want me."

She leaned into his touch. "I never stopped."

Their world was shifting. The shadows growing. But in that moment—just for a while—they had each other.

And neither would walk away without a fight.

Chapter Text

The candle burned low in the small room where Shanari sat, staring at the scroll in her lap.

The ink had dried, the orders sealed. Her next assignment—reaffirmed ANBU placement, codename: Kitsunebi. Reinstated for a long-term covert unit specializing in border surveillance and assassination support.

But Kakashi was gone.

Not dead. Not lost.

Just... elsewhere. Reassigned to join the Jonin Command Council under Hiruzen's direct orders. Out of the shadows. Out of her world.

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, but it did little to warm the chill spreading beneath her skin.

The knock at her door was soft.

She didn't need to ask who it was.

"Come in."

Kakashi entered, still in uniform but without the ANBU armor. His posture was loose, but his eye was sharp, scanning her immediately.

"You got your reassignment."

She gave a small nod, holding up the scroll.

"You're staying," he said. It wasn't a question.

"I don't know yet," she replied, gaze flickering to the fire. "They want me to lead a new ops cell. Small, deep-cover. I wouldn't return for weeks at a time."

His eye softened. "You don't have to."

"I do," she said, standing slowly. "Not for them. For me. For Godai. Shikuma's secrets—his betrayal—he said others survived. Others who might be using forbidden seals. The Council wants to bury it, but I can't."

Kakashi stepped closer. "Then we find them. Together. I may not be ANBU anymore, but I haven't forgotten how to fight in the dark."

She met his gaze—so steady, so painfully familiar.

"I'm afraid," she admitted. "Not of dying. But of losing myself out there. Of becoming someone you won't recognize."

He touched her hand. "Then take something with you that reminds you who you are."

She looked down at their joined hands.

Then back at him.

"I already have."

—

Two Days Later — T&I Division, Konoha

The room was dim, sealed with chakra-suppressing fūinjutsu. Shikuma was shackled to the chair, breathing ragged but alert. His face was pale now, stripped of all arrogance. Torture had worn him down—but hadn't broken him.

Until Shanari entered.

He looked up slowly, recognition flaring in his swollen eyes.

"Princess Nakano," he rasped.

Her voice was calm. "Tell me about the survivors."

Shikuma coughed. Blood spattered across his chin. "So many dead. But not all. You think Godai burned to the ground, but its secrets lived. Buried. Hidden. Guarded."

"What secrets?"

"Your bloodline," he said, voice cracked with malice. "You think your power came from noble lineage? You think the Nakano name was all clean wind and sacred fire?"

She stepped closer, ignoring the stab in her gut.

"What are you saying?"

Shikuma leaned forward as far as his chains would allow. "You were created, Shanari. Bred from two elemental lines. Chosen for balance. A weapon of harmony to stabilize the clan's wild chakra divergence. You were engineered—not born."

Her hands clenched at her sides. "Liar."

But part of her knew.

Knew the way the elders had spoken in riddles. Knew the way she'd always felt different. Designed.

"Who else knows?" she demanded.

His smile came slowly. "More than you think. There are others like you. Failed experiments. Hidden... or worse."

Kakashi's voice broke the silence from behind the barrier curtain. "That's enough."

Shanari didn't move as Shikuma was dragged away.

But something had changed.

Something in her bones had shifted.

—

That night, Shanari stood on the Hokage Monument, cloak flapping in the high mountain wind. Kakashi appeared beside her with no sound—just presence.

"You heard?"

He nodded. "Everything."

"I'm not who I thought I was."

"You're still who you chose to be," he said. "And who I choose."

Her breath caught.

"You choose me?"

"Always," he said.

The wind whipped between them. She stepped closer.

"Then hold on," she whispered. "Because I'm going to find the truth."

His arms wrapped around her without hesitation.

And for a moment, the world stilled.

Two warriors on a cliff's edge. No longer running. No longer pretending.

Just together.

Chapter Text

The amber sun dipped low over the Hidden Leaf Village, casting long shadows across the rooftops as twilight settled in. A gentle wind swept through the trees, rustling their leaves like distant whispers—a reminder that change was coming.

Shanari stood atop the Hokage Monument, the wind tugging at her dark brown hair as she looked out over the village. Her fingers played absently with the pendant around her neck, the cool metal grounding her. Tonight, she would leave—return to the ruins of Godai for the first time since it fell.

Behind her, footsteps approached quietly, though she had sensed his chakra long before he came close.

"You always pick the best views," Kakashi said, his voice warm and teasing as he came to stand beside her. "Trying to sneak away without saying goodbye?"

Shanari gave a faint smirk, her eyes still fixed on the horizon. "Wouldn't dream of it. You'd just track me down anyway."

Kakashi leaned against the edge, close enough that their arms nearly touched. "You know me too well."

They stood in silence for a moment, wrapped in golden light and the knowledge that this goodbye wasn't like the others they'd faced before.

She turned to him, her expression soft. "It's time I faced what's left of my clan. The elders... whatever remains. I need to understand what was lost—and what I carry inside me."

Kakashi nodded, eye serious. "Your bloodline... the elements... You think there's more to it than what you've already mastered."

"There is," she said quietly. "The elemental affinity I was born with—it's tied to something older than chakra control. My mother used to speak of a bond between the Nakano blood and the Five Sacred Wells of Godai. Before she died, she told me I'd understand when the time came."

He glanced at her. "And you think that time is now."

"I can feel it. Like a pulse under my skin. Something calling me home."

Kakashi hesitated, then gently reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then go. Find what you need. But don't forget... Konoha is your home now too."

She looked up at him, breath catching. "I haven't forgotten. I couldn't, even if I tried."

For a moment, neither of them moved. The tension between them—months of glances, half-spoken words, the quiet comfort of shared pain—coalesced into something palpable. The distance that had always lingered between them felt like it had finally closed.

"I'll be back," she whispered.

"I'll wait," Kakashi said, voice low and firm. "But before you go..."

He leaned in—not rushed, not hesitant, just certain. His hand slipped gently behind her neck, drawing her forward. Their lips met in a kiss that was slow, aching, and inevitable. A quiet fire that had been smoldering between them for so long finally sparked into flame.

Shanari melted into the kiss, fingers curling into the fabric of his flak jacket. The world around them—sunset, village, legacy—faded into stillness. All that existed was the warmth of his lips, the steady strength of his presence, and the unspoken promise between them.

When they finally pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, her voice a breathless murmur. "Guess that makes the goodbye a little harder."

He chuckled softly. "You'll just have to come back quicker then."

She pressed her forehead to his, lingering for a moment longer. "I will."

As the last light of day dipped below the horizon, Shanari turned, her silhouette framed by the orange glow. She leapt from the monument, vanishing into the trees like a whisper on the wind.

Kakashi watched her go, heart steady but heavy, already counting the days until her return.

Chapter Text

The forest thinned as Shanari stepped into the valley that once housed the Hidden Village of Godai.

Her boots crunched softly against the moss-covered stone, and though decades had passed, the air still hummed with elemental energy—earth, wind, fire, water, and lightning, each pulsing faintly beneath her skin like a heartbeat she hadn’t known she missed.

The ruins spread before her, crumbling remnants of temples, watchtowers, and family homes. Vines and time had claimed much of it, but the soul of Godai remained.

She paused before the cracked archway that had once marked the entrance to her clan’s compound. Memories stirred. Her mother’s laughter. The scent of cedar incense. Sakumo’s calm voice guiding her through chakra control exercises at six years old.

And in the center of the old training grounds stood what she had come for: the Sacred Stone Circle—a relic of the Nakano clan said to hold the echoes of the first elemental bloodlines.

Shanari stepped inside the circle, removing her cloak. She kneeled and pressed her palms to the earth. Chakra surged through her, not forcefully, but like an old friend finally recognized.

Visions flared behind her eyes—past matriarchs of the Nakano line, each wielding the elements with reverence, not dominance. The first Nakano, binding her chakra to the land. A whisper from her mother: “You are more than a wielder… You are a vessel. A bridge between harmony and nature’s force.”

Shanari gasped as the wind rose around her, sweeping in a spiraling vortex. The old power responded, and for the first time, she didn’t resist. She welcomed it.

“Balance,” she whispered, tears welling. “That’s what it’s always been about.”

She stayed there until nightfall, soaking in the ancient rhythm of her clan. Then she stood, stronger—elementally attuned in a way she had never been before. It was time to return.

Meanwhile, back in Konoha…
“You’ve been staring at that same cloud for ten minutes.”

Kakashi blinked. Genma grinned from where he lay on the bench next to him, idly flipping a senbon between his fingers. “If it’s shaped like Shanari’s hips again, just admit it and move on.”

Kakashi gave him a dry look. “I was analyzing its movement for potential weather disruption during missions.”

“Sure,” Genma smirked. “Weather. Right.”

Kakashi returned to his book, but turned the page without reading it.

Not far away, Guy was doing one-handed push-ups. “Ah, Kakashi! Do not fret over distance! Youthful love must be tempered by patience and passion! Would you like me to compose her a haiku in the meantime?”

“No.”

“Too late, I’ve already begun—‘Like wind through the trees, / your absences wound his soul—’”

“Please stop.”

Asuma puffed on his cigarette nearby, amused. “Bet you five ryo he checks the village gates again tonight.”

“I’m not checking,” Kakashi said flatly. “It’s part of my evening patrol.”

Kurenai smiled over her tea. “You’re allowed to miss her, you know. You’ve never been this transparent. It’s actually kind of… sweet.”

Kakashi pulled his book up higher to hide the flush in his cheek. “You’re all insufferable.”

Genma snorted. “And you’re in love.”

Kakashi remained silent for a moment. Then quietly muttered, “...She better come back soon.”

At dawn…
Shanari moved silently through the trees, the Konoha gates now in view.

She carried with her a fragment of Godai stone, engraved with her family’s elemental crest, and a peace she hadn’t known she needed.

But more than that—she carried clarity.

The power she had long feared… was hers to command. And now, she knew who she was.

A Nakano. A kunoichi. A daughter of five elements.

And someone who was, undeniably, on her way back home.

Chapter Text

The village gates creaked open with the morning shift, letting in the breeze of a sunlit summer.

Kakashi stood leaning against the Hokage Tower balcony, dressed in his standard jonin uniform, one gloved hand resting on the rail. He’d long since memorized the exact rhythm of his heartbeat when it quickened at the thought of her. But this time, it didn’t just quicken.

It roared.

Shanari moved through the gates with the grace of the wind itself—her cloak billowing behind her, long hair tied in a warrior’s braid, Godai crest fastened over her shoulder. She looked sun-kissed, leaner from travel, and undeniably stronger.

But all Kakashi saw was her.

She spotted him even from a distance. Their eyes met. Neither said a word.

He was gone in a flicker of smoke.

She barely had time to brace before he landed in front of her, breathless, like he’d sprinted from another continent.

“You’re late,” she said with a sly smirk.

He pulled down his mask and kissed her—no hesitation, no teasing. It was a kiss that tasted of months lost, of sleepless nights, of worry, of missed laughter.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, deeper. He pressed her back against the stone pillar beside the gate, his forehead resting on hers when they finally came up for air.

“You’re home,” he murmured.

“Godai gave me what I needed,” she whispered. “But I missed what I wanted.”

He chuckled, breath warm against her skin. “I tried not to count the days. Failed by the third.”

“You’re such a liar.”

“You love that about me.”

“I do.” Her voice caught slightly. “And you?”

Kakashi pulled back just enough to look her in the eye. For once, there was no quip, no defense.

“I love you, Shanari.” His voice was quiet but steady. “I’ve loved you since you first told me I reminded you of him. Since you saw me—not just as his son, but me.”

Her breath hitched, and for a heartbeat, she simply stared—until a grin curled across her lips.

“About damn time, Hatake.”

They kissed again—deeper, slower. This one tasted of promises made and kept. Then, reluctantly, she pulled back, brushing her fingers across his jaw.

“Now go,” she said with a teasing grin. “You’ve got a new squad to traumatize.”

Later That Morning – Hokage Tower
“Team 7… where are they again?” Kakashi asked, flipping lazily through the file as he strolled through the tower.

Genma passed him in the hall. “They’re on the roof waiting. Try to be less than two hours late this time.”

“I make no promises.”

He turned the corner and nearly collided with Shanari.

“Ah,” he said, smiling behind the mask this time. “You stalking me now?”

“I’m assisting Hayate and Anko with chunin exam logistics,” she said sweetly, adjusting her clipboard. “But sure—let’s say I’m stalking you.”

They passed each other with lingering eye contact, tension electric, until—

“Kakashi-senpai,” came Naruto’s distant voice from the roof, “Why are you always late!?”

Shanari snorted.

“Oh, they’re going to be fun,” she murmured, sauntering past him.

Kakashi grinned. “Let the games begin.”

Roof of the Academy
Kakashi appeared before his new squad with his classic eye-crinkle smile.

“My first impression of you all is… I hate you.”

Cue uproar.

Shanari watched from the rooftop across the street with a steaming dango stick and a smirk. Anko leaned over beside her, licking sauce off her thumb.

“So, is that officially your boyfriend now?” she asked with a grin.

Shanari chewed thoughtfully. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

Anko arched an eyebrow. “Well, you two have the same brand of emotional damage and a disturbing habit of vanishing in smoke. It's a match made in shinobi hell.”

“Thank you,” Shanari said. “We think so too.”

She looked back toward Kakashi as he began his now-infamous bell test introduction. He was doing his best to look disinterested, but she could see the way he was holding back a grin when Naruto ranted at him.

Let the world think what it wanted. Let the kids guess and squint and speculate.

Shanari Nakano and Kakashi Hatake were no one’s business but their own.

But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t have fun with the guessing.

Chapter Text

The spring rains came and went, sweeping through Konoha with the smell of earth and new beginnings.

Weeks had passed since Team 7 left for their first high-stakes mission beyond the Fire Country's borders, and though Shanari had kept herself busy—coordinating with the exam proctors, sparring with Anko, refining surveillance protocols with the ANBU Black Ops—there was a subtle, undeniable void in her days.

And her nights.

She didn’t admit it out loud, of course. Not when Genma smirked at her every time Kakashi’s name was mentioned. Not when Kurenai teased her over tea, or Asuma raised an eyebrow whenever she lingered too long by the Hokage Tower stairs—where Kakashi often disappeared from.

“Miss him yet?” Genma asked lazily one afternoon as Shanari finished her third set of push-ups on the training field.

She rolled her eyes, sweat dampening the collar of her shirt. “Miss his half-baked excuses for being late? Not at all.”

“Uh-huh.” He tossed a senbon between his teeth. “And you totally don’t check the gates every morning.”

“I’ll kill you in your sleep,” she muttered without heat.

Even Gai had gotten in on the teasing, challenging her to a flames-of-youth endurance match that ended in Shanari hurling a fire jutsu at him mid-sentence.

Still, in quiet moments, she found herself lying in their bed, hand resting where he used to sleep, staring at the ceiling and wondering if he was cold. If the kids were safe. If he missed her half as much.

Two Weeks Later — Konoha Village Gates
The patrols announced their return at dawn. Shanari didn’t rush to the gates—not because she didn’t want to, but because she’d promised herself she wouldn’t.

Still, when Kakashi stepped through the main road, his mask dusty and uniform damp from the road, her breath caught in her throat.

He looked exhausted—but alive.

He found her on the rooftop of their shared apartment that evening, soaking in the last rays of the setting sun.

“You’re late,” she said softly, not turning.

“I brought souvenirs,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

“Unless it’s dried blood and chakra exhaustion, I’m not interested.”

He chuckled, his voice brushing against her neck. “Twelve-year-olds are surprisingly dangerous. And loud.”

Shanari turned in his arms, fingers brushing the side of his jaw. “But they made it.”

“They made it,” he confirmed, eyes somber. “They saved a bridge builder. Fought a demon. Saw death up close.”

“And you?” Her voice lowered. “You saw it again too, didn’t you?”

He nodded once. “They remind me of us. Me, you… Obito, Rin. That age. That raw, terrifying edge between childhood and war.”

She pulled him down into a kiss before the memories swallowed him whole.

Later that night, with limbs tangled beneath worn sheets and the moonlight slipping through half-open curtains, they lay in silence.

Kakashi spoke first. “I’ve never told a genin team they were ready for the next step. But I did.”

“You believe in them?” she asked, fingers tracing lazy circles across his chest.

“I’m starting to,” he admitted. “Even if I hate myself a little for letting them walk into what comes next.”

Shanari kissed the corner of his mouth, then whispered, “You gave them a chance. That’s more than most ever get.”

Three Days Later — Hokage Tower
“The Chunin Exams?” Shanari raised a brow, flipping through a manifest of registered genin teams. “That was fast.”

Sarutobi nodded, pipe in hand. “We’ve invited the Sand and Sound this year. We want Konoha’s strength on display.”

Shanari hummed. “So, do we trust Orochimaru’s lackeys to play fair, or are we just pretending again?”

“I need your eyes on the floor,” the Hokage said simply. “You and Hayate. Anko will monitor the second round in the Forest of Death.”

She accepted the clipboard with a nod. “And the Hatake brats?”

Sarutobi chuckled. “He’s nominating them.”

“Of course he is,” she said, tone fond.

That Evening — Team 7's Nomination
Shanari leaned against the Academy window as Kakashi broke the news to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that they’d been registered for the exams.

She watched from behind the glass, amused at Naruto’s enthusiasm, Sakura’s panic, and Sasuke’s stony silence.

“You’re evil,” she said when Kakashi emerged from the classroom.

“They’ll thank me later,” he replied, hands in pockets. “Or kill me.”

She grinned. “Bet on the latter. You want me to rig your tests?”

“You’d make it too easy.”

She smirked, stepping close enough that her voice dropped to a murmur. “Or maybe I just want to see how they handle your impossible standards.”

He caught her wrist and tugged her close, their bodies pressed together in the shadows of the hall.

“If they pass,” he said softly, “maybe I’ll let you take me on as your next mission.”

“Oh, sensei,” Shanari whispered near his ear, “you’re already my most exhausting assignment.”

Chapter Text

The morning sun spilled through the open window of Shanari’s apartment, brushing soft golden light across the rumpled sheets and the two figures tangled in them. Konoha had awakened hours ago, but inside this quiet sanctuary, time moved slower—gentler.

Kakashi stirred first, blinking sleep from his eye. The weight beside him shifted, a soft murmur of contentment muffled against his bare chest. Her hair—wild, dark, and sweetly scented—fanned across his shoulder as she nuzzled closer in her sleep.

He didn’t move.

For a long moment, he just stared at the ceiling, letting the warm weight of her body and the quiet rhythm of her breathing soak into the corners of his soul still dulled by the Zabuza mission. It had been brutal. He had nearly lost his students. He had nearly lost himself.

But then he had returned—and found her waiting. Just as she'd promised.

“Staring again?” Shanari’s voice was husky with sleep, low and teasing. Her hand trailed along his side, drawing lazy lines across the scarred muscle.

“I was appreciating the view,” Kakashi replied smoothly, brushing a kiss into her hair. “You can’t blame a man for getting attached to what keeps him sane.”

Shanari laughed softly against his skin. “Mm. And here I thought you’d come back with frostbite and trauma. Turns out all you needed was a warm bed and a willing woman.”

He chuckled. “The warm bed was yours. The willing woman, however... was a delightful surprise.”

She rolled over on top of him, straddling his waist with a practiced smirk. “Careful, Hatake. I might start thinking you actually missed me.”

“I did.” His voice lost its teasing edge. “Every day.”

Her expression softened. “Then say it.”

He looked up at her, unmasked and bare in every sense. “I love you, Shanari.”

The words hung in the air between them. Not uncertain, but weighted with truth.

She bent forward, brushing her lips to his—slow, reverent. “I love you too.”

Later that morning, they walked through the village together, side by side but with the practiced subtlety of two shinobi who weren’t technically supposed to be anything. Of course, that didn’t fool anyone.

“Well, well, look who finally emerged from hiding,” Genma drawled, leaning against the mission board like it owed him a favor. “I was starting to think Kakashi got lost in the fog of Land of Waves—or tangled in someone’s sheets.”

Guy appeared behind them in a dazzling blur of green. “My eternal rival returns victorious and clearly victorious in love!” He gave Kakashi a thumbs-up that made villagers five blocks away flinch.

Kakashi didn’t blink. “It’s good to know you’ve all been keeping yourselves busy in my absence.”

Asuma and Kurenai strolled up next, smirking. “You look well-rested, Shanari,” Kurenai observed with amused subtlety.

“I sleep better without Kakashi hogging all the blankets,” she replied coolly.

“Mm,” Asuma added with a grin. “Pretty sure half the village heard otherwise last night.”

Kakashi deadpanned. “Should’ve used a genjutsu barrier.”

“I told you,” Shanari muttered under her breath.

By afternoon, the teasing had faded as official business resumed. Team 7 had returned with the mission debrief filed, and Kakashi was summoned to the Hokage’s office.

Shanari stood near the training fields with Anko and Hayate, reviewing genin registrations for the upcoming Chūnin Exams. She was technically still ANBU, but her dual role now included assisting in proctoring. It suited her: sharp, stealthy, and unpredictable.

She caught sight of Team 7 from across the square—Naruto waving dramatically, Sakura sighing after him, Sasuke brooding as usual. Kakashi appeared a moment later, nose in a book.

They didn’t see her, but she saw them. And more importantly, she saw him—and the subtle flicker of a smile that tugged at the corner of his masked mouth when he felt her chakra nearby.

It was enough.

That evening, Shanari returned to her apartment to find a note slipped under the door in Kakashi’s handwriting.

“You’re trouble. The kind I’ve come to crave.

K.”

She smiled, tucked the note into the drawer beside her bed, and pulled the curtains closed on the last quiet moment they would have before the exams began.

Chapter Text

The Forest of Death lived up to its name in every sense.

Dark, thick, and humming with life both dangerous and unknown, it pressed down on every participant like a living beast. Shanari stood high on a branch above the restricted training ground, her eyes narrowed beneath the sweep of her dark bangs. Even in the shadows, her presence was calm and collected, watching from a distance as Team 7 made their way deeper into the forest.

Technically, she was just assisting proctoring duties alongside Anko and Hayate. In practice, however, she had chosen to trail Kakashi’s team—just to observe, of course. Not because she missed “Kashi’s” dramatic eye rolls or the way he got adorably grumpy when Naruto was too loud. No. Definitely not.

The thought made her smirk.

She adjusted the band on her arm, her chakra flaring faintly to repel an approaching snake. She didn’t flinch—snakes didn’t scare her. In fact, if Orochimaru showed himself, she wouldn’t mind giving him a little something to chew on.

Below, Team 7 moved with caution. Sasuke was sharp and focused. Naruto loud and impulsive, but he was improving. Sakura had sharpened in ways Shanari hadn’t expected. They were growing—faster than she’d thought. That worried her.

“Kurenai says you’ve been staring after them like a mother hen,” a voice teased lightly behind her.

Shanari didn’t need to turn. “And Genma says you’ve been snacking on dango so loudly that it echoes off the trees.”

Anko dropped down next to her, chewing obnoxiously and grinning. “Touché. But seriously—you’re hovering, Ri. Let them do what they need to.”

“They’re kids in a snake pit,” Shanari muttered.

Anko tilted her head. “So were we.”

Shanari’s mind drifted then, not to the team—but to Kakashi. Kashi. The way his voice dipped lower when he used her nickname. The way he’d brushed a hand along her collarbone just before he’d left with Hayate for a separate patrol. She hadn’t missed the soft “Stay safe, Ri,” or the brief, warm kiss he’d ghosted just behind her ear when no one was looking.

It had become a habit now, using each other’s nicknames only in quiet moments. Private things. Intimate. And yet…

Last week, he’d let it slip—"Ri"—while speaking with Gai and Genma. She hadn’t even turned red. But he had. And naturally, that had sent the entire friend group into a spiral of jokes and bets.

Kurenai was already threatening to throw them a wedding “just to get it over with.” Gai swore on his youth that he’d write their vows himself.

And now—Team 7 was starting to notice.

Meanwhile, Deep in the Forest
“Naruto, quit yelling,” Sasuke hissed, crouched beside a hollow tree.

“I’m not yelling,” Naruto whisper-yelled. “But Sakura said she saw someone above us, and I swear they were watching!”

Sakura rubbed her arms nervously. “It wasn’t just someone. It felt… I don’t know. Familiar? Weirdly warm.”

Sasuke rolled his eyes. “Focus.”

They had just stolen a scroll and were hiding when another genin team had ambushed them. The fight had been short—but the tension lingered. That was when Sakura had felt eyes on them. Watching.

“Maybe it’s that silver-haired guy’s girlfriend,” Naruto muttered, snickering.

“What?” Sakura blinked. “Kakashi-sensei has a girlfriend?”

Naruto shrugged. “I dunno, but he said ‘Ri’ the other day when talking to Genma. Then blushed. Like, actual human blush, Sakura. I think it’s serious.”

Sasuke didn’t respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

“I bet she’s super scary. Probably prettier than anyone in Konoha,” Naruto added, almost in awe. “And totally way out of his league.”

Elsewhere in the Forest
Kakashi crouched on a branch, arms crossed loosely over his chest, his eye fixed on the clearing below. He sensed Shanari’s chakra a moment before she appeared behind him, silent as ever.

“You left your post,” he murmured, teasing.

“You let your team get ambushed,” she shot back, leaning into his space.

“They handled it.” He tilted his head. “You worried?”

She shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe I just missed you calling me ‘Ri’ in front of everyone again.”

Kakashi groaned behind his mask. “You’ll never let that go.”

“Nope.” She grinned.

There was a charged beat of silence—Kakashi’s eye on hers, the forest buzzing with heat, insects, and the tension that seemed to crackle whenever they were too close too long.

“You know,” she murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear, “I like when you call me that.”

He caught her hand gently, drawing her close until their foreheads almost touched. “You’re evil.”

“Mhmm.”

“I’m trying to maintain a reputation here.”

“Too late. Kurenai’s already picked a color scheme for our reception.”

Kakashi chuckled low, the sound warm and rare. “She’s not serious, is she?”

“She mentioned lilac and midnight blue.”

“...I could live with that.”

They shared a moment there—close, quiet, and almost tender. But duty still called. Shanari stepped back, brushing her fingers down his arm once before vanishing again into the trees.

He watched her go with a fond shake of his head.

That Night – Forest Border Camp
As the proctors gathered at the outer watch point, the mood was tense. Two teams had dropped out already. Word of Orochimaru’s interference was spreading through the ranks like wildfire. Shanari’s face had tightened the moment the reports reached them.

Orochimaru was here. Hunting.

The forest had become far more dangerous than any of them could have anticipated—and she knew Kakashi would do everything to protect his team. But she also knew how far Orochimaru would go to claim what he wanted.

Anko stood beside her, arms crossed, gaze sharp. “He’s going after the Uchiha kid.”

Shanari didn’t blink. “And if he hurts Kakashi doing it, I’ll bury him under this forest.”

Chapter Text

The Forest of Death had fallen silent. Unnaturally so.

Kakashi’s team had made it to the tower, but the way they carried themselves—tense shoulders, guarded expressions, and Sasuke’s barely veiled fury—told Shanari everything she needed to know.

Orochimaru had made his move.

Standing in the Hokage’s office, Shanari’s arms were folded tightly across her chest as Hiruzen relayed the events with grim clarity.

“A cursed seal,” he said quietly, watching her carefully. “On Sasuke Uchiha. Kakashi has already begun suppressing it. But Orochimaru… he’s after more than just a vessel.”

Shanari’s jaw clenched. Her voice was calm, but low and icy. “And you waited until now to tell us he was back?”

Hiruzen exhaled slowly, his age showing in the lines etched deeper than ever into his face. “There are things I believed were buried in the past. I was wrong.”

She wanted to yell. She wanted to demand why no one had prepared Kakashi, why he’d been left alone in the forest to face a ghost of their past. Instead, she turned on her heel and left without another word.

Team 7 – Training Grounds, the Following Day
Naruto lay face-first in the dirt, groaning dramatically. “Why is Kakashi-sensei making us train more? We already survived the creepy forest!”

“He said something about suppressing ‘dark urges,’” Sakura muttered, watching Sasuke closely.

Sasuke, meanwhile, was unusually quiet. Shadows rimmed his eyes, and a new, dangerous energy pulsed faintly beneath his skin. The cursed seal.

Kakashi stood a short distance away, arms folded, his eye narrowed as he watched his team.

“You know,” Naruto grumbled, “I bet Kakashi-sensei’s cranky because he hasn’t seen his mystery girlfriend in a while.”

Sakura perked up. “You mean ‘Ri’?”

Kakashi blinked once.

Naruto smirked. “Yup. He definitely said that name in his sleep once.”

Sasuke, against all odds, made a sound that almost resembled a snort.

Kakashi sighed, rubbed his temple, and muttered something about teenagers with no boundaries.

Elsewhere – Shanari and Gai, Walking the Streets of Konoha
“You look like you’re going to explode with worry,” Gai said casually, sipping tea.

“I’m not worried,” Shanari said, tugging her hood lower. “I’m pissed. He fought Orochimaru and barely tells me anything afterward.”

Gai’s grin widened. “You love that about him though.”

She groaned. “I hate how well you know me.”

Gai bumped her shoulder with his. “He’s strong. You’re stronger. And you’ve been through worse.”

She was silent a moment, then nodded. “Yeah. But next time, I want to fight beside him. Not hear about it after.”

Flashback – Years Ago, the Night of the Uchiha Massacre
The sky over Konoha burned red.

Shanari had been on a mission, arriving just as the last flames died down. Bodies. Silence. The aftershock of an internal earthquake. She hadn’t even removed her mask when she found Kakashi slumped against a wall, his ANBU armor streaked with blood—not his own.

His Sharingan had been dull. His voice monotone.

“Itachi did it.”

She’d kneeled beside him and said nothing, only placing a hand to the back of his neck until the shaking stopped.

Now, years later, she remembered that night with a sharp clarity. The fear of losing him. The knowledge that pain would keep shaping them both.

Later That Night – Kakashi’s Apartment
Shanari entered without knocking. Kakashi looked up from his couch, a book resting unread in his lap.

“Took you long enough,” he murmured.

“I had to yell at the Hokage,” she said, kicking off her boots.

He set the book aside. “You win?”

“No. But I felt better after.”

She crossed the room and straddled his lap without hesitation, curling her arms around his neck. He leaned into her touch, arms sliding around her waist.

“You scared me,” she whispered against his ear. “You always do this. Carry everything on your own.”

“I had to make sure they made it through,” he replied. “That cursed seal… It’s going to pull at Sasuke’s worst instincts. I had to act.”

“You shouldn’t have to do it alone.”

He pulled back slightly, his eye meeting hers. “I’m not alone. Not anymore.”

She kissed him then—deep, slow, and grounding. And when they parted, he exhaled softly.

“I love you, Ri.”

It wasn’t the first time. But it was the first time he said it like this—without fear, without apology.

“I love you too, Kashi,” she whispered.

They didn’t sleep much that night—not with the weight of the world pressing down on them. But for a little while, wrapped in each other’s arms, they found quiet in the storm.

The Next Morning – Hokage’s Office
Hiruzen looked up from his paperwork as Kakashi entered.

“You’re submitting your team for the final stage?” the old man asked.

Kakashi nodded. “They’re ready. Whether they believe it or not.”

Hiruzen’s eyes softened. “And you?”

Kakashi thought of Shanari’s warmth, her voice in the dark, the feel of her fingers brushing through his hair after nightmares.

“I’m not alone,” he said quietly. “That makes all the difference.

Chapter Text

The final round of the Chūnin Exams loomed, but tension thickened in Konoha long before the first match began.

Shanari stood on the upper walkway of the exam arena, her grey eyes scanning the training grounds below. Anko stood beside her, arms folded, a familiar scowl tugging at her lips.

“You saw it too, right?” Anko asked quietly. “Orochimaru’s mark on the Uchiha boy.”

Shanari nodded. “It’s not just a mark. It’s a leash.”

Anko’s laugh was humorless. “You’d know. You were there when he tried to brand me too.”

Shanari turned slightly to face her. “You broke free.”

“Barely.” Anko’s voice dipped into bitterness. “He wanted my blood, my clan. Same thing he wants now from you.”

Shanari’s fingers twitched unconsciously. “He knows I survived Godai. That I carry secrets even I don’t understand yet.”

“Then maybe it’s time you found out what exactly he’s after.”

Flashback – A Month Before the Godai Fell
A younger Shanari knelt in the Nakano shrine, watching her mother burn paper seals, her voice chanting in a dialect long forgotten by most. The scent of incense and chakra-rich herbs filled the air.

“Your bloodline isn’t just one element,” her mother said. “You carry the root of all five. That balance is rare—and dangerous.”

“Why dangerous?” Shanari asked.

“Because people crave what they can’t control. And Orochimaru… he wants to make your balance his weapon.”

Present – Training Grounds, Team 7
Kakashi leaned against a tree, watching his students. Naruto darted between logs, exhausted but determined. Sakura kept steady notes while Sasuke trained silently in the distance, sweat glistening down his spine.

He'd been watching Sasuke more closely since the encounter in the Forest of Death. The cursed seal flared with each outburst, a cruel reminder of Orochimaru's interest in power—especially Uchiha power.

“You’re brooding again.”

Kakashi didn’t flinch as Shanari dropped onto the branch beside him.

“Not brooding,” he said. “Observing.”

“You get this quiet when you’re worried,” she teased. “Or when you’re hiding something.”

He turned his head slowly, eye half-lidded. “And you get flirty when you’re trying to distract me.”

She leaned in, her voice soft. “Is it working, Kashi?”

He looked away with a huff of amusement. “Only entirely.”

Below, Naruto shouted, “SENSEI! You’re supposed to be paying attention!”

Shanari grinned. “Busted.”

The Shadows Move
Meanwhile, Kabuto walked the corridors of the medical tower with a professional’s air. No one noticed the glint in his glasses or the way his chakra signatures flickered. His master was watching. Through his eyes, Orochimaru observed not just Sasuke... but Shanari.

“She’s more stable than I expected,” Orochimaru hissed from his lair. “Her elemental harmony is almost perfect. And her proximity to Hatake… mm, interesting.”

Kabuto smirked faintly. “You always did love breaking the ones that glow too brightly.”

“But what fun is breaking someone,” Orochimaru replied silkily, “when I could twist her into something divine?”

Evening – Kakashi’s Apartment
Shanari padded barefoot across the tatami floor, toweling her hair from a recent shower. Kakashi lounged on the couch, his nose buried in Icha Icha Paradise, pretending not to watch her from the corner of his eye.

“Stop ogling,” she teased, tossing the towel onto his head.

“I was just appreciating,” he murmured, catching her wrist and tugging her into his lap.

She straddled him, cupping his jaw. “Sasuke’s mark. Orochimaru’s gaze. Your team heading into a trap. We should be more worried than we are.”

“I am worried,” Kakashi replied, arms wrapping around her waist. “But I also know we’ve faced worse and come out breathing.”

She rested her forehead against his. “You’re my calm in the chaos, you know that?”

He smirked. “And you’re my chaos in the calm.”

A long kiss followed—slow, deep, laced with all the comfort and quiet desperation of two soldiers between storms. They stayed there for a while, wrapped in warmth, until a knock broke the silence.

Kurenai’s voice filtered through the door. “Kakashi! Your team’s matchups are posted. Also—Shanari, Hayate says Anko’s losing her mind in the arena. Something about a snake in the walls?”

Shanari groaned into Kakashi’s shoulder. “Guess that’s our cue.”

“Duty calls,” he muttered, pressing a final kiss to her shoulder.

The Chūnin Exams Continue
As the next round began, the arena buzzed with tension. High above, shinobi from every major village watched.

And in the shadows, Orochimaru’s gaze lingered—on Sasuke, on the other promising genin... but most of all, on the Godai heir whose balanced chakra burned too brightly to ignore.

Chapter Text

Konoha Arena – Final Round Preparations
The Chūnin Exam finals were days away, yet the village pulsed with unease. Foreign dignitaries arrived in waves. Banners were hung. Streets were swept. The illusion of peace shimmered over a kettle ready to boil.

Shanari stood with her arms folded, leaning casually against the upper wall of the arena, eyes trained on the reconstruction of the fighting platform. She said nothing as Genma walked up behind her, chewing a senbon.

“You’re wound tight,” he said, flicking the toothpick aside. “Worried about your boyfriend’s students?”

She smirked. “Worried about the air. It feels… like something’s coming.”

Genma squinted at her. “That Godai instinct again?”

“I was raised to read chakra shifts like tides. And this tide is rising fast.”

He gave her a long look. “You know, the elders say when a storm brews, snakes come out to bask.”

Her gaze darkened.

Flashback – Godai Ruins, Two Months Ago
Shanari’s boots crunched over broken stone. Weeds had reclaimed most of the inner sanctum, but the pulse of ancestral chakra still echoed faintly. She kneeled before the fractured statue of the original Five Guardians—each etched with a different elemental mark.

She pressed her palm to the central glyph. A rush of heat and wind surged through her, stirring long-buried visions:

A hooded shinobi whispering her name to Orochimaru.

A blade slick with Nakano blood.

Her mother sealing away a scroll glowing with five elemental seals.

She gasped, stumbling back. The statue whispered in an old dialect:
"When balance shatters, the serpent thrives."

Present – Konoha
Kakashi stood outside the Hokage Tower, watching his team leave with nervous energy after a briefing.

Sasuke walked ahead, quiet and coiled. Sakura followed, lips pressed in worry. Naruto bounced beside them, uncontainably loud.

“He’s doing better,” Shanari said as she appeared beside Kakashi. “The Uchiha boy. But that seal… it’s breathing with him.”

Kakashi sighed. “I see it too. But if I treat him like a threat, I’ll lose him.”

Shanari reached over, brushing her hand against his. “You won’t lose him. Not if you keep being the sensei you are. Besides…” she smirked, leaning into his ear, “...you’re the cool one, remember?”

Kakashi chuckled, and across the square, Naruto definitely saw them.

“HEY! KAKASHI-SENSEI! YOU’RE BLUSHING! WHO’S THE LADY?!”

Shanari didn’t move. “Think he knows?”

Kakashi turned his head, completely calm. “No idea who she is. Just another fangirl.”

Shanari kicked his shin under her breath, and he grunted.

Sakura narrowed her eyes. “Wait a second… didn’t you call her ‘Ri’ last week?”

Naruto gasped. “Sakura! Do you think… are they DATING?!”

Sasuke muttered, “Took you long enough.”

Shanari winked. “I’m just his sparring partner. In many ways.”

Kakashi nearly choked.

Forest Edge – That Night
Shanari stood in the trees just outside Konoha, eyes scanning the horizon. She had taken to patrolling alone since the increased foreign presence in the village. The wind carried the scent of oil. Burnt metal. Too many outsiders with too many secrets.

Suddenly, her vision blurred.

She clutched her temple. A memory? No—a genjutsu. She flared her chakra, dispelling it.

But the image lingered: golden eyes. A serpent smile. The voice of her nightmares.

“You've grown, little Godai heir.”

She whipped around—but no one was there.

She crouched low, chakra pulsing in her palm, heart pounding. “Show yourself, Orochimaru!”

The trees answered only with rustling leaves. But something was watching. Waiting.

Elsewhere – Orochimaru’s Lair
Kabuto set a folder before his master.

“The Godai girl is waking up,” he said. “Her balance is nearing perfect synchronization.”

Orochimaru traced a clawed finger over a blurred image of Shanari. “It won’t be long now. Her chakra is a map. I’ll unlock it—and then… immortality.”

He turned a page, revealing a diagram of the Chūnin Exam arena. “And once chaos begins, she’ll have to choose: her village... or her bloodline.”

Konoha – Kakashi’s Apartment, Late Night
Shanari returned to find Kakashi already dozing on the couch, book on his chest. She tiptoed closer, pulling the blanket up over him. As she leaned in to kiss his forehead, his eye slid open.

“Caught you,” he mumbled sleepily.

“You were faking it.”

“Maybe I wanted to see if you’d kiss me.”

She straddled him with a smirk. “What if I wanted more than that?”

His hands slid to her hips. “Then it’s lucky I always sleep shirtless.”

Their lips met in a slow, heated kiss—long enough that she forgot the cold outside, the danger beyond the walls, the fangs waiting in the dark.

For now, it was just the two of them, entangled in each other’s presence.

And just before they drifted off to sleep, Kakashi whispered: “Stay close during the exam. Promise me.”

Shanari’s voice was soft. “Always, Kashi.”

Chapter Text

Konoha Arena – Final Round, Chūnin Exams
The energy in the stadium reached a fever pitch as the long-awaited match began: Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara of the Sand.

Even from her vantage point in the shadows above the arena, Shanari could feel it—the tightly coiled chakra in Gaara’s gourd, the sharp edge to Sasuke’s movements. Something was brewing beneath the surface, and it wasn’t just the rivalry between two powerful genin.

Beside her stood Anko and a visibly weary Hayate.

“Sasuke’s faster than he was in the prelims,” Anko commented, chewing on a dango stick. “Guess training with you-know-who paid off.”

Shanari’s grey eyes narrowed. “Gaara’s not stable. He’s slipping. Watch the way his sand flinches.”

Hayate coughed quietly. “He’s suppressing a tailed beast. That kid is walking dynamite.”

“Or a time bomb,” Shanari muttered.

Kakashi – Rooftop Overwatch
Kakashi observed from above, sharing a lookout post with Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai. Though his face was unreadable, his mind raced.

He scanned the crowd.

Too many Sand and Sound jōnin. Too many strangers in places of authority.

He reached for his earpiece. “Ri, check the west perimeter again. Something’s not right.”

Her voice crackled in response. “Already moving, Kashi.”

He smiled softly beneath the mask, even as tension prickled his spine.

Gai elbowed him. “You’re smiling. Thinking about that special someone, are you?”

Kakashi deadpanned. “Thinking about your fashion sense, actually.”

Even Asuma chuckled.

The Match Reaches Its Climax
Down below, Sasuke launched a Chidori, screeching toward Gaara. His hand pierced Gaara’s shoulder—blood exploded in a flash of crimson sand.

The crowd gasped.

And Gaara screamed, monstrous chakra bursting out of him like a broken dam.

The gourd shattered.

The ground trembled.

And then—everything collapsed.

Chaos Ignites
Feathers fluttered from the sky.

The crowd began to slump forward in their seats, eyes glazing.

“Genjutsu!” Shanari barked.

“Sound and Sand shinobi—everywhere!” Hayate yelled hoarsely.

Shanari moved like a whip, dropping into the arena as ANBU and proctors surged into action. Sand ninja shed their disguises. Explosions tore through the upper gates.

Kabuto—briefly disguised among the medics—locked eyes with Shanari before vanishing into the smoke.

She hissed a curse. “Anko, get to the genin! Hayate, northeast flank!”

“I got ‘em!” Anko yelled, summoning a nest of snakes.

The sky turned black with kunai.

Flashback – Godai, Years Ago
Her mother knelt before her, six-year-old Shanari blinking at the symbol etched in the center of a stone altar.

"If Orochimaru comes, run. The Godai legacy is not his to twist. You carry five elements in balance—he seeks to unmake that harmony."

Shanari had nodded. But she would never run.

The Tower – Orochimaru Reveals Himself
As chaos erupted, Kakashi bolted toward the Hokage’s tower.

He saw Orochimaru’s face peel away the Kazekage’s.

His stomach dropped.

“Hiruzen…”

But there was no time to reach him.

Behind him, explosions rocked the rooftops. Summoning scrolls burst open—giant snakes, sand storms, and puppet soldiers filled the arena.

Shanari – Intercepting Kabuto
She found him again on the eastern spire, flanked by Sound nin.

“Still playing shadow to your sensei, Ri?” Kabuto called, smirking. “Does he know what you really are?”

She summoned the crystal-fire whip from her chakra scroll.

“He knows enough. You, on the other hand—talk too much.”

They collided in a clash of elemental fury and surgical strikes.

Team 7 Scattered
Sakura dragged Naruto’s unconscious form from the arena floor.

Sasuke—wounded—vanished into the forest, chasing Gaara.

Kakashi’s clone appeared beside them, shielding them from an incoming jutsu with a wave of lightning chakra.

“Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura yelled. “Where’s Sasuke?! What’s happening?!”

“Stay together. Protect Naruto,” the clone ordered.

And vanished again.

Kakashi and Shanari – A Brief Reconnection
In a fleeting blur between battles, their backs touched mid-fight as they fell into sync.

“You alive?” he asked.

“Barely. You?”

“I missed your coffee this morning.”

She laughed breathlessly. “Flirt later. Snake now.”

They broke apart again—war in every direction.

The Hokage Falls
From the edge of the tower, Shanari watched in horror as Orochimaru struck the final blow.

And then—

Silence.

Then a scream.

Not hers.

Kakashi’s.

It cut across the battlefield like a kunai to the heart.

Her breath caught.

Not the Old Man… Not him.

Chapter Text

Konoha – Aftermath of the Invasion
Smoke hung in the air like a thick curtain, stifling and bitter with the scent of ash and scorched stone. The once-proud Chūnin Exam arena was a ruin of broken walls and bloodstained earth. Medics darted between injured shinobi, genin were being pulled to safety, and ANBU units cleared out any remaining Sound or Sand resistance.

Shanari’s armor was singed, her arms cut and bruised, but she stood unmoving at the base of the Hokage Tower, staring up at the hole in the roof where Hiruzen Sarutobi had died.

Her mentor. Her last link to peace.

Her fists clenched as Kakashi stepped beside her, quiet as always. He didn’t touch her, didn’t speak immediately—just stood in solemn silence. A part of him knew if he opened his mouth, something raw and broken might come out. He wasn’t ready for her to see that just yet.

Finally, she whispered, “He’s gone.”

“I know,” he said, voice low. “He protected this village to the end.”

Shanari’s eyes flicked to the blood staining her gloves. “I should have been there. I should have done more.”

“You did everything you could, Ri.” Kakashi turned to her now. “He made his choice. Just like we will, one day.”

She looked at him then, her silver-grey eyes stormy with grief. “Do you ever get tired of surviving everyone?”

He didn’t answer. He just took her hand.

Elsewhere – Team 7 Reunites
In the medical tents, Naruto stirred awake, groggy and aching.

Sakura hovered beside him, relief plain on her face. “You’re okay!”

“Ugh… What happened?”

Sasuke hadn’t returned yet.

And when Naruto saw the damaged state of the village around him, his expression darkened.

“We lost,” he muttered.

“No,” Sakura said. “We survived.”

Konoha Memorial Grounds – The Funeral
The Leaf gathered.

Jonin, chunin, civilians. ANBU stood silently in the shadows. The fire of the Third Hokage’s funeral pyre flickered against the windless sky.

Konohamaru sobbed uncontrollably, held by Iruka.

Asuma stood on the edge, silent, his cigarette burned to the filter.

Gai saluted tearfully.

Even stoic Kakashi didn’t wear his mask over his eye. Not today.

Shanari stood between Anko and Genma, her hair down, black armband tight over her jonin vest. When she caught Kakashi’s gaze across the crowd, he nodded once. They didn’t need words—not now.

Later – The Rooftop
That night, back at their apartment, the weight of the day finally caught up to them.

Kakashi pulled off his vest and slumped against the wall, exhausted. Shanari stood at the balcony, moonlight bathing her bare shoulders in silver. Her long hair whipped in the wind as if the gods were mourning too.

She turned slowly.

“I keep thinking about what the Old Man told me,” she said. “Before the exams started. He said I’d find my purpose in the middle of fire.”

Kakashi rose and crossed to her, placing his hands on her waist.

“You did,” he said softly. “You saved people today.”

She leaned into him, forehead against his. “Then why does it feel like I lost something bigger than I can ever get back?”

Kakashi kissed her.

Slow, deep, full of grief and gratitude.

When he pulled away, their foreheads stayed pressed together.

“We still have each other,” he murmured.

Her arms wrapped around his neck.

“Don’t ever make me live through losing you,” she whispered.

“Never,” he said.

But neither of them believed it—not really.

Elsewhere – The Next Threat Brews
In a hidden chamber far beyond the borders of Konoha, a man with long dark hair and a twisted smile watched a crystal orb.

Orochimaru, weakened but alive.

“He’ll break, just like his father,” he whispered. “And she’ll shatter right behind him.”

The shadows around him stirred.

And elsewhere, the Akatsuki began to move.

Chapter Text

Kakashi’s Apartment – Days After the Funeral
The silence in the room wasn’t heavy. It was… comfortable.

A kettle whistled softly in the kitchen, steam rising into the lazy morning light filtering through the paper-covered windows. Shanari stood by the counter in one of Kakashi’s shirts, sleeves hanging well past her hands. Her dark curls were tousled, and she hummed a barely-there melody as she poured tea for two.

Kakashi leaned against the doorway, watching her.

Her soft brown skin caught the gold of the morning, and the curve of her hip peeked out from beneath the shirt hem as she shifted. He smiled behind his mask, always a little stunned that this incredible woman—the fierce, brilliant, maddeningly stubborn Shanari Nakano—chose him.

Chose to stay.

She noticed his stare and cocked a brow playfully. “You're staring again, Kashi.”

He walked toward her, arms sliding around her waist from behind. “Can’t help it. You look like trouble.”

“That’s because I am trouble,” she teased, tilting her head against his chest. “You knew that when I melted your sandals during our first fight.”

He chuckled at the memory.

Flashback – Months Ago: Their First Fight
It had been about a mission. Something stupid—protocol, oversight, timing. Kakashi had pulled rank. Shanari hadn’t liked it.

They’d yelled. Argued. She threw a scroll at his head and stormed out of their shared apartment.

He hadn’t chased her immediately. He’d brooded. She'd trained. Then, late that night, she returned, soaked from the rain and still burning with pride.

Neither spoke at first.

Then came the storm—words, confessions, truths unfiltered.

Then came the quiet.

And the pull.

Their lips had found each other in the tension’s aftermath. Their anger turned to heat, to need, to passion. What followed was raw and intense, yet underneath it all—there was care. Devotion. Relief.

A truce forged not with words, but touch.

They never fought like that again.

Not really.

Present – Morning Light and Gratitude
Kakashi kissed the top of her head, her scent grounding him.

“You know,” he murmured, voice softer than usual, “I don’t say it enough, but I really do appreciate you, Ri.”

Shanari blinked, surprised. “That’s uncharacteristically sweet of you. Should I check for genjutsu?”

He laughed, and then more seriously: “I mean it. I don’t say things easily. You know that. But you… you keep me together. Even when I don’t want to be. Especially when I don’t deserve it.”

She turned in his arms, setting her tea down.

Looking up at him, her fingers toyed with the hem of his shirt. “And you keep showing up for me. Always.”

“Of course,” he said. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

She smiled, that genuine kind of smile he only ever saw when it was just the two of them.

“I love you too, you know,” she whispered.

“I know,” he replied, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “But it still hits different every time you say it.”

They stood like that a while, wrapped in the quiet before the world called again.

Because it always did.

Outside – The Storm Approaches
Far beyond Konoha, foreign clouds gathered. Movements in the Land of Wind whispered of Kazekage politics gone strange. ANBU chatter suggested new faces stirring in Rain. The name Orochimaru resurfaced among the burned rubble of the stadium.

And somewhere in the shadows, Itachi Uchiha stared at a small file that included Shanari Nakano’s name.

Chapter Text

Konoha – Hospital Rooftop
The sky churned above the Konoha Hospital, the winds as restless as the storm brewing between Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki.

A week had passed since the invasion, and though the village was healing, Team 7 was not.

Sasuke stood at the edge of the rooftop, his hands clenched tight. His injuries had healed—but not his pride.

“You’ve been getting stronger,” he said coldly, his Sharingan spinning slowly.

Naruto looked puzzled. “What’s your problem, bastard?”

“You think you’re better than me now, huh?” Sasuke snapped, stepping forward, his chakra flaring in challenge. “After everything…”

“I never said that!” Naruto fired back, but he was already charging forward, blue chakra forming in his hand.

Sasuke responded without hesitation, lightning dancing up his arm.

Rasengan met Chidori.

And Kakashi was there in an instant, grabbing both their wrists mid-air, chakra flaring around him like a barrier.

The resulting shockwave blasted the nearby rooftop tiles, but the boys' jutsu were redirected—one into each water tower.

A moment of silence.

Then the water from Naruto’s tower erupted in a collapse, the entire structure blown out.

Sasuke’s remained intact, a mere crack hissing with steam.

He stared.

He said nothing.

But his silence was deafening.

Shadows Watching – Adjacent Rooftop
From a nearby perch, Shanari watched, crouched beside Yamato, her sharp eyes not missing the smallest movements.

“That’s twice now Kakashi’s had to stop them,” Yamato muttered.

“Next time, he might be too late,” Shanari said softly, her expression unreadable. “Sasuke's losing his center.”

“The curse mark?” Yamato asked.

Shanari nodded. “And the fact that Itachi is still out there. Kakashi’s keeping it from him—for now—but the tension is building.”

Yamato exhaled. “We need the Hokage involved.”

Shanari looked away, jaw clenched. “We don’t have one.”

Later – Kakashi’s Apartment
Kakashi stood near the open window, mask pulled down, eye fixed on the grey skyline. His thoughts were elsewhere—haunted by shadows with names like Obito, Rin, Sakumo, and now… Sasuke.

Shanari, towel still in her hair, walked up behind him. She slid her arms around his waist, chin resting lightly on his shoulder.

“You okay, Kashi?”

“No,” he admitted, voice low. “He’s slipping.”

She turned him gently to face her. “You’re doing everything you can.”

Kakashi’s eye searched hers. “He reminds me of… me. Back then. Angry. Broken. Alone.”

“You weren’t alone,” she whispered. “Not always.”

His fingers grazed her cheek. “Neither is he. But I don’t know if it’s enough.”

She leaned up and kissed him—soft, lingering.

“Then we stay close. Both of us. Until we find a way to reach him.”

His breath hitched at the way she looked at him. The years they’d shared, the battles they’d fought—together. She was his anchor, even when he couldn’t admit it.

“I don’t deserve you,” he murmured.

“You’re damn right you don’t,” she teased with a smirk. “But I’m generous.”

Elsewhere – Hidden Sound Base
Far from the Leaf, Orochimaru’s laughter echoed down the long, damp corridor.

Kabuto bowed as he relayed news. “Uchiha Sasuke is beginning to fracture. As you predicted.”

Orochimaru’s golden eyes gleamed. “He’ll come to us soon. With the right push.”

And that push… was coming.

Chapter Text

The news hit like a kunai to the chest.

Itachi Uchiha had returned to Konoha.

Shanari’s blood ran cold the moment the report reached her ears. She burst through the door of the Hokage's temporary offices, heart hammering in her chest. Genma barely had time to step out of her way as she stormed down the corridor.

“Where is he?” she demanded, chakra already flaring.

“Kakashi’s in the hospital,” Asuma said grimly, catching her arm. “Itachi and Kisame ambushed him. He's unconscious. Sasuke... didn’t fare much better.”

For a moment, Shanari couldn't breathe. Her knees nearly buckled, but she forced herself upright and ran.

The room was quiet, sterile. Kakashi lay on the hospital bed, pale and still, his body hooked up to monitors that beeped rhythmically, betraying the chaos of the battle that had left him here. A mask still covered the lower half of his face, but the bruises and chakra burns along his arms spoke volumes.

Shanari sat beside him in silence, gripping his hand as she fought the tremor in her own.

"You idiot," she whispered. "You promised you'd be careful."

The door opened softly, and a figure stepped in. Shanari turned sharply—then blinked.

“Lady Tsunade?”

Tsunade nodded once, golden eyes sharp. “I was summoned. Apparently, your idiot boyfriend can’t stay out of trouble.”

Shanari huffed, though relief washed over her. “Can you heal him?”

Tsunade walked over and placed her hand over Kakashi's chest, green chakra blooming to life. “He’ll live. Lucky for you.”

Shanari exhaled, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes.

Flashback: Three Days Later
Kakashi stirred, eye fluttering open as the afternoon light filtered through the hospital window.

“Ri,” he rasped, voice hoarse but coherent.

Shanari had been perched at the edge of his bed, dozing slightly. Her eyes flew open, and her chakra flared with raw emotion as she immediately leaned forward.

“You’re awake,” she breathed, brushing his hair gently from his forehead. “You’re actually awake.”

“Can’t miss the fun forever,” he muttered. “Was hoping you'd still be here.”

Shanari exhaled sharply—relieved, exhausted, and completely emotionally drained.

“I thought I lost you, Kashi. I kept seeing... I kept hearing the monitors. I thought they’d flatline. I’ve seen too much loss and I—” Her voice cracked, tears slipping down her cheeks despite her best efforts.

He lifted a weak hand and placed it over hers.

“Hey... I’m not going anywhere,” he said softly. “You hear me?”

She nodded, barely able to hold it together.

Kakashi’s brow furrowed as he watched her struggle. “You’re always the strong one. Let me be that for you now.”

The dam broke. Shanari sank against him, sobbing quietly into his chest as his arm wrapped around her shoulders, fingers threading through her hair.

After a long silence, Kakashi murmured into her hair. “Come home with me.”

She blinked. “What?”

“When I’m out of this damn bed,” he said, managing a faint smile, “move in with me, Ri. I don’t want to spend another night wondering if you’re safe somewhere else. Or worrying if you’ll vanish when I blink. I want to be the one you come home to.”

Shanari stared at him, stunned.

Then, quietly—softly—she nodded. “Yes. Okay. Yes.”

Present Day
Later that week, they stood in their shared apartment, now lined with both his dusty Icha Icha collection and her array of elemental scrolls, spices from Godai, and half-finished tea blends. It felt like them.

She stepped into the kitchen one evening and found him shirtless, trying to figure out how to open a jar of pickled daikon.

“Need help, hero?” she teased.

“Please don’t emasculate me in my own home,” he deadpanned.

She leaned in, snatching the jar from him, twisting the lid with a satisfying pop. “That’s what you get for teasing the woman who can bend water with her mind.”

“Fair,” he murmured, then leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the base of her throat. “Still, you’re stuck with me now.”

Shanari smiled, her heart full, her walls down.

“Good,” she whispered. “That’s exactly where I want to be.”

Meanwhile, tension boiled within Sasuke.

His loss to Naruto during training, the sight of Itachi, the seething ache of his own weakness—it all churned in his chest like fire.

He grew more distant by the day, brushing off Kakashi’s efforts, ignoring Shanari’s quiet support. She’d offered to help him channel his Sharingan, to calm the storm. But he refused, again and again.

And one day, just like that—he was gone.

Kakashi stood beside Shanari on the edge of the village walls, looking into the forest where Sasuke had disappeared. “I failed him.”

“No,” Shanari said quietly, linking her fingers with his. “He made his choice. All we can do is be here... for when he finally comes back.”

Kakashi closed his eye. “I hope we’re not too late.”

The wind stirred around them, heavy with the promise of storm.

And far in the distance, the gears of fate continued to turn.

Chapter Text

The Hokage Monument glistened under the morning sun, dew still fresh on the village rooftops, but Konoha was anything but at peace. Sasuke’s defection had left behind a wound not easily healed. The entire village felt off-balance—as if mourning the loss of something sacred.

Shanari sat at the top of a training field cliff, watching the breeze roll through the trees, absently spinning a kunai between her fingers. Her outfit clung sleek and dark to her frame—a black long-sleeved turtleneck top, form-fitting and elegant, paired with a black upper-thigh skort that allowed easy movement in combat. Her Konoha headband was casually nestled behind her bangs, partially hidden beneath her freshly cut shoulder-length hair, the new look giving her an effortless allure that hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Especially by a certain silver-haired shinobi.

“You know,” Kakashi had murmured the first time he saw the haircut, “if you were trying to kill me with hotness, you’re succeeding.”

She’d smirked. “I was trying to keep my hair from catching on fire during missions.”

“Mission accomplished. Now I’m constantly distracted.”

Flashback – Three Days Prior
The crowd had gathered before the Hokage Tower. Some watched in wary silence, others with hope barely hidden behind skeptical eyes. Tsunade stood tall in her green robe and diamond-marked forehead, gazing over the masses with a calm authority born not of ego—but of battle-earned strength.

Kakashi stood with Shanari at the back of the crowd, arms crossed. He leaned toward her just enough to whisper, “Think she’s going to punch her way into policy?”

Shanari elbowed him in the ribs. “Don’t poke the slug. She will flatten you.”

He smirked, his gaze drifting to her new haircut. “You look incredibly hot when you’re threatening.”

She rolled her eyes, but the soft curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.

Back in the present, Shanari pulled her hood up as she descended the cliff, heading to the Hokage Tower. Despite the shift in power, there was still so much rebuilding to do—politically and emotionally. Inside the tower, Tsunade was already knee-deep in reorganization, barking orders at both ninja and administrative aides.

Tsunade looked up as Shanari entered. “You again?”

“I figured you’d need someone to keep the scroll monkeys from crying.”

Tsunade arched a brow, then gestured for her to sit. “You’re not wrong. Let’s get to work.”

They made a formidable pair—two women cut from different molds but forged by the same flames. The dynamic was instant. Mutual respect. Mutual grit.

“You know,” Tsunade said during a pause, “you’re the first person in this village besides Shizune who doesn’t stammer when I raise my voice.”

“I don’t flinch at strong women,” Shanari replied coolly. “I flinch at cowards.”

Tsunade chuckled. “Good. I’ll need you during the next round of council meetings.”

Later that night, Shanari returned home exhausted. The second she stepped into their shared apartment, Kakashi looked up from the couch where he’d been reading Icha Icha Tactics and gave her a slow once-over.

“You’re wearing that shirt again,” he noted.

She raised an eyebrow. “It’s comfortable.”

“It’s tight.”

She sauntered toward him. “You complaining?”

“Only that I can’t concentrate on my book when you walk in looking like that.”

“You never concentrate on your book when I’m around.”

He closed the book. “That’s your fault.”

She leaned down, pressing a kiss to his masked cheek. “I’ll take the blame.”

They curled up together on the couch, the quiet hum of village life beyond their window—and the distant storm that was only beginning to build.

Meanwhile…
Naruto had taken Sasuke’s departure the hardest.
Training relentlessly. Sleeping minimally. Yelling at the wind and punching trees.

Shanari caught him mid-swing, fingers closing around his wrist.

“Violence isn’t going to bring him back.”

His eyes burned. “I didn’t try hard enough.”

“You did what you could,” she said gently. “But when someone chooses to walk away, all we can do is be ready for when they finally turn around.”

Naruto’s fists trembled... but he nodded.

Final Scene
Later that week, she and Kakashi stood at the gates of the Uchiha district. Empty. Hollow.

Kakashi placed a hand against a support beam, the wind rustling his silver hair. “I’ve failed so many people.”

“You haven’t failed me,” Shanari said quietly. “You never will.”

He turned to face her, brushing a lock of her shortened hair behind her ear. “Still can’t get over how sexy this cut is.”

She smirked. “Maybe I did it just for you.”

“Maybe I should start carrying a fan.”

They stood there in silence, letting the memories echo—but not consume them.

Chapter Text

Konoha buzzed with activity. The aftermath of the invasion and Sasuke’s departure still echoed through the streets like ghostly whispers, but hope had not left the village. With Tsunade now Hokage, a quiet resilience had begun to rebuild the leaf from its foundation.

But today… things were shifting again.

Naruto stood at the village gates, packed and impatient. “How much longer do I have to wait?!”

“Patience,” came Kakashi’s familiar voice, lazy and dry. “The toad’s never early.”

“He’s always late!” Naruto whined.

Behind Kakashi, Shanari approached with a small box in hand. She wore her signature black turtleneck and a black skort that skimmed her upper thighs. Her shoulder-length hair—newly trimmed—framed her sharp features, and more than one passerby gave her a second look.

Kakashi certainly had. Several times.

“Here,” she said, handing Naruto the box. “Trail rations. And a new sealing scroll for extra kunai. You forget things when you’re excited.”

“Thanks, Ri!” Naruto grinned, taking it.

She ruffled his hair before turning her attention to the approaching figure of none other than—

“Jiraiya-sama!” Naruto shouted. “Finally!”

The Toad Sage approached with his usual grin, his eyes narrowing the moment they landed on Shanari. “Well, well. Konoha’s most beautiful kunoichi awaits at the gate. Lucky me.”

Shanari smirked, but Kakashi shifted noticeably beside her.

“You’re late,” Kakashi muttered.

Jiraiya waved a hand. “I had a few… distractions. But now I’m rewarded.” He turned his full attention to Shanari. “You’re looking radiant, Ri-chan. That haircut? Ravishing. You’ve made my research ten times harder—I can’t look away.”

“Oh? Flattery this early in the morning?” Shanari tilted her head. “You sure you’re not the one getting flustered, Jiraiya-sama?”

“Flustered?” He stepped closer, smiling roguishly. “Never. But I am inspired.”

Kakashi coughed. Loudly.

Jiraiya grinned wider. “Relax, Kashi-boy. Just admiring your fine taste. Tell me—how do you handle all that fire, hmm?”

“She likes my cool detachment,” Kakashi replied evenly, eye narrowed.

Shanari’s lips twitched. “Actually… I like the way he pretends not to be jealous while burning up inside. It’s adorable.”

Kakashi shot her a flat look.

Jiraiya laughed loud and long. “You’re too much fun, Ri-chan. You sure you don’t want to come with us? I could use a clever, beautiful assistant.”

“She’s busy,” Kakashi snapped.

“With what?” Jiraiya teased. “You?”

“She has higher standards,” Kakashi returned.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Shanari said with a playful shrug. “Watching two legendary shinobi squabble over me sounds like a good time.”

Even Naruto turned red.

Jiraiya gave Kakashi a knowing wink. “Well played, Hatake.”

Kakashi, betrayed by the heat crawling up his neck, grumbled under his breath.

Naruto, meanwhile, looked between the adults with growing suspicion. “Okay, what is going on with you two? You're always being weird!”

“Like what?” Shanari asked, feigning innocence.

“Like—like you keep teasing each other!”

“Maybe we do,” she said with a wink. “Maybe we like it.”

“You’re all nuts,” Naruto muttered.

“Gaki,” Jiraiya said, clapping a hand on his shoulder, “welcome to adulthood.”

Later that evening…
Their apartment was quiet, bathed in the golden tones of early sunset. Kakashi leaned against the kitchen counter, flipping a page in his novel, but his mind was elsewhere.

“She’s too much sometimes,” he muttered aloud.

“Who, me?” Shanari asked, strolling in barefoot, still drying her hair from a shower. The towel slung over her shoulder made her look sinfully domestic.

“Yes, you,” Kakashi replied, pretending to read. “You flirted with a Sannin.”

“Correction,” she said, walking up to him and slipping her arms around his waist. “I let a Sannin flirt with me… just to watch you squirm.”

His hand slid over her back, lips brushing the crown of her head. “You're evil.”

“You like it.”

“…Unfortunately.”

She chuckled, her breath warm against his neck. “Besides, you're the only one who gets the real rewards.”

Kakashi sighed dramatically. “What did I do in a past life to deserve this torment?”

She kissed him lightly. “You probably died young. I’m your reward.”

Elsewhere…
In the dark corners of Sound, Orochimaru stirred.

“The Leaf regrows,” he hissed. “But even thriving trees can rot from within.”

Kabuto adjusted his glasses. “Shall I prepare the next phase?”

“Soon. Very soon.”

Chapter Text

The village had settled into an uneasy peace.

With Naruto gone and Sasuke defected, a strange quiet had fallen over Konoha. But underneath that calm lay shifting embers—plots whispered behind enemy borders, preparations made in secret, and the slow rebuilding of what was broken.

For Shanari and Kakashi, it was the first real stretch of stillness they'd had in months.

And they were making the most of it.

Mid-morning. Kakashi’s apartment.
The sun cast warm stripes across the wooden floor. Shanari lay on the rug in a loose black tee and shorts, her legs lazily crossed as she scratched behind the ears of a large, burly white hound that was sprawled across her lap like a spoiled child.

“Uhei,” she murmured, “you’re not subtle, you know that?”

The ninken grunted contentedly and nudged her hand for more ear rubs.

Across the room, Kakashi watched from the kitchen, arms folded, coffee in hand, eye narrowed with suspicion. “He didn’t even greet me.”

“You’re old news,” she teased.

“He’s my summon.”

“You don’t rub his belly like I do.”

“I’m not rubbing anyone’s belly,” Kakashi muttered, deadpan.

A sudden pop of summoning smoke filled the air. When it cleared, Pakkun stood proudly in the center of the living room, followed by Bull, Bisuke, and the rest of the pack.

“Oh no,” Kakashi groaned. “Not all of you.”

“Boss,” Pakkun drawled, “we had to make sure she’s still spoiling everyone properly.”

“She gave me beef jerky,” Bisuke mumbled through a mouthful.

Bull, tail wagging like a small tree in a hurricane, headbutted Shanari gently and dropped a stick at her feet.

“She’s not your playmate,” Kakashi grumbled.

“On the contrary,” Pakkun said, hopping onto the arm of the couch, “she’s perfect pack mom material.”

Shanari blinked. “Pack mom?”

“Alpha’s mate. Boss’s girl. Lady of the Den. Call it what you want.”

Kakashi nearly choked on his coffee.

“She bathes us,” Bisuke said dreamily.

“She bakes treats,” Urushi added.

“She sings to us,” said Guruko, lounging like a prince.

“I do not sing to you,” Shanari said, flushing.

“You hummed,” Guruko corrected.

“You hummed and smelled like sandalwood,” Pakkun said sagely. “That’s basically a lullaby.”

Shanari looked up at Kakashi with a wicked grin. “Hear that, Kashi? I’m officially their mother now.”

Kakashi ran a hand down his face. “This is my worst nightmare.”

“Oh, relax,” Pakkun said, tail flicking. “You should be proud. We’ve all agreed—you finally did something smart for once.”

“Excuse me?”

“She’s smarter than you, better-looking than you, and twice as patient.”

“Thanks, Pakkun,” Shanari said sweetly, feeding him a bit of jerky.

Kakashi deadpanned. “Traitors. All of you.”

“You’ll survive,” Pakkun said. “And if you don’t, she’ll be a lovely widow.”

“Pakkun.”

The pug snorted. “What? She’s a catch.”

Later that night…
The dogs were gone, summoned back with a grumble and a swish of smoke, but the warmth they left lingered.

Shanari sat curled up in bed, one of Kakashi’s older shirts hanging off her shoulder, reading a scroll with quiet focus.

Kakashi emerged from the bathroom with a towel around his neck, drying his silver hair. He paused in the doorway, watching her, that familiar, private look softening his features.

“You’re dangerous,” he said finally.

She looked up. “Because I’ve domesticated your summons?”

“Because they like you more than me.”

She patted the bed. “Then I better make it up to you.”

He was across the room in three steps.

Chapter Text

The Hidden Rain border.
Always too quiet.

Even in summer, the valley clung to a damp stillness—mist curling in soft spirals between the trees, muffling chakra signatures and cloaking movement like a veil of breath over glass.

Shanari crouched on a ridge above the river, her grey eyes narrowed beneath the hood of her cloak. Rain soaked through her shoulder-length black hair and left beads clinging to her black turtleneck, which hugged her form beneath her gear. The breeze carried the faintest trace of ozone.

She placed a hand against the bark of the tree.

Fresh chakra residue. Controlled. Heavy. Not ours.

“We’re not alone,” Anko muttered behind her, her expression tight. “I hate this place. Feels like walking into a grave.”

Isaribi, kneeling on Shanari’s other side, nodded. “The animals have all fled. This silence is deliberate.”

Anko’s voice softened, just for a moment. “Hayate used to say places like this were made for ghosts.”

A beat passed between them.

Shanari said nothing, but her jaw tensed. Hayate’s name still stung, even now. She had fought beside him. Buried him.

“I know,” she murmured finally, standing. “That’s why we move carefully. Eyes sharp. No unnecessary chakra.”

Anko gave her a dry grin. “Right behind you, boss.”

Konoha. Meanwhile…
Kakashi leaned against the railing of the mission board tower, the wind ruffling his silver hair as he stared at the far hills. The clouds promised more rain.

“You’re brooding again,” Kurenai said, approaching with two steaming mugs of tea. “That look says you’re imagining her being ambushed in a dark forest with only her blades and sarcasm to protect her.”

Kakashi accepted the tea with a nod. “She’s fine.”

“She’s terrifying,” Kurenai corrected. “But you still miss her.”

Before he could reply, Genma strolled up with a crooked smile. “She’s only been gone three days. You act like it’s been a year.”

“Feels like a year,” Kakashi muttered.

Asuma raised a brow from behind his cigarette. “You called her Ri again in front of Tsunade.”

Kakashi didn’t even flinch. “She didn’t notice.”

“Oh, she noticed,” Genma said. “She just respects your ability to keep your private life professionally secret... barely.”

Gai appeared in a blur of green and energy. “KAKASHI! Have you written Shanari a poem expressing the true power of your love while she braves the battlefield alone?!”

“She left on an intel retrieval mission,” Kakashi said dryly. “Not the Third Shinobi War.”

“Still,” Kurenai said, sipping her tea, “a little romance wouldn’t kill you.”

“I’m sure Shanari’s planning to kill me when she gets back,” Kakashi muttered. “With affection.”

Hokage Tower.
Tsunade stood with her arms crossed, watching the rain slide down her office window in steady rivulets. She didn’t turn when she heard Kakashi enter—just gestured toward the chair in front of her desk.

“Sit down, Hatake.”

He did, wordlessly.

“I cleared your schedule while Shanari’s on mission,” Tsunade said, voice even. “Figured you'd spend it pacing holes into the rooftops.”

Kakashi said nothing, only offered the faintest eye-crinkle of amusement.

“She’s capable,” Tsunade went on. “One of the most naturally balanced elemental users I’ve ever seen. Brilliant tactician. Doesn’t flinch when lives are on the line. And gods help me, she keeps Anko in line.”

“I know,” Kakashi replied softly.

Tsunade finally looked at him.

“I respect her. Deeply,” she said. “I know how rare it is to find someone who doesn’t just fight beside you—but gets into your bones, stays there. So don’t waste time pretending you’re indifferent. Or that it doesn’t terrify you.”

“It does,” he admitted. “More than anything.”

She leaned forward.

“Then don’t take what you two have for granted. It’s hard enough to survive this life. Loving someone in it is damn near impossible. So don’t waste a second.”

Kakashi was quiet a moment.

“She’s the only thing that keeps me grounded,” he said finally.

Tsunade nodded, her tone gentler. “Then when she gets home… make sure she knows that.”

Rain Border. That Night.
The forest pulsed with tension.

Shanari stood watch while the others rested. Her senses, honed by years in ANBU and sharpened by instinct, prickled with awareness. Something was off.

Too much silence.

Too little life.

Her hand drifted to the charm Kakashi had tied around her neck before she left—a small polished stone from the hot springs near Konoha.

“For luck,” he’d said, voice low against her ear.

He didn’t believe in luck.

Which meant… it was something else entirely.

She closed her hand around it.

Then, movement.

Shapes flickered between trees—too many. Their chakra signatures were masked but not perfectly. She felt it—something ancient and wrong. Chakra that left the air colder after it passed.

And then she saw it.

A figure cloaked in black. Red clouds outlined in white.

Akatsuki.

Shanari stepped back, hand already summoning her elemental chakra.

“Anko,” she called sharply, eyes narrowing. “Wake the others. We’ve got company.”

Chapter Text

The forest screamed with silence.

Shanari’s chakra surged to her fingertips as shadows closed in around her. Three Akatsuki members? No. Two illusions, one real. She clenched her fists, feeling the burn of the storm element crackle along her skin. She could hear Anko and Isaribi behind her, their blades already drawn, breath controlled, poised like wolves bristling against the dark.

"Form triangle. No hesitation,” she said sharply, eyes locked on the mist-draped enemy. “They want us scattered.”

The real one moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

The sheer pressure of the chakra crashing down on them made Shanari’s knees nearly buckle. But she held. She always did. And then—

Boom.

The ground cracked as she released the elemental seal at her collarbone, triggering the Godai technique passed through her bloodline — a fusion of wind and lightning that twisted into a blinding spear of raw energy. It arced with a scream across the clearing, tearing through illusion and tree alike.

Anko whistled as a charred Akatsuki cloak fluttered to the forest floor. “Hot damn, Princess. You sure you’re not trying to marry me with moves like that? If Kakashi doesn’t wife you up soon, I just might!”

“Get in line,” Isaribi muttered, flicking a kunai into the underbrush where another illusion tried to reform.

Shanari rolled her eyes, cheeks faintly flushed. “Less flirting, more running.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Anko smirked as they broke formation.

They darted into the thick of the trees again. Smoke bombs. Flash seals. A drop into the ravine river path, just as planned.

Bruised. Bloodied. But alive.

Two Days Later – Konoha Gates
Rain was still falling when Shanari passed through the gates, limping slightly, her cloak torn at the shoulder, chakra reserves burned nearly to fumes.

Kakashi was already there.

He didn’t speak as he stepped forward — didn’t wait for her to explain. His hand gripped her wrist as if grounding himself, then pulled her against him.

Shanari buried her face into his vest, trembling only now that it was over. His arms were around her instantly, anchoring her back to solid ground. She felt his lips brush the top of her head.

“You’re okay,” he whispered hoarsely.

“I’m okay,” she whispered back.

That Night – Hatake Residence
The storm outside howled as thunder cracked the sky open. Inside the dimly lit bedroom, warmth radiated from the soft flickering fire in the hearth and the heat of two bodies that couldn’t bear distance any longer.

Kakashi traced his fingers gently over the bruises blooming along her thigh. “You scared the hell out of me, Ri.”

Shanari, now wrapped in nothing but his shirt, smirked softly. “You’ll live, Kashi.”

His eye crinkled — amusement, relief, adoration all tangled into one look. “Barely.”

She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. “I could feel your worry. All the way out there. I swear it pushed me forward.”

He kissed her, slow and searing, hands tangling in her still-damp hair, his breath heavy as her body molded against his. The urgency between them was no longer just lust — it was need, tethered to fear and fury and the unspoken truth: they could have lost everything.

“I missed you,” she murmured against his mouth.

“Prove it,” he whispered back, voice husky.

She did — hands tracing every scar and line of him, kisses slow then urgent, lips pressed to the hollow of his throat, the curve of his shoulder. His touch roamed in return, reverent yet hungry, until they collapsed into the mattress together, breathless, tangled, whole again.

Later, curled under the covers, her head on his chest, she murmured, “Next time I’m gone more than a week, you’re coming with me.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” he said, voice thick with sleep. Then, quieter: “I didn’t want to let go of you again.”

She looked up, smirking. “You’re getting clingy in your old age.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

Chapter Text

The clouds rolled thick and low over Konoha as thunder rumbled in the distance. Rain lashed the rooftops like nature itself was restless, agitated. And so was Kakashi.

Inside the Hokage’s tower, the tension was palpable—but not from danger.

“Ri-chan,” Jiraiya drawled, leaning a little too comfortably against Tsunade’s desk, arms folded, eyes gleaming. “You know, I’ve been around the world, met plenty of beautiful kunoichi… but none quite like you. Elemental bloodline, ANBU rank, and that sharp tongue? It’s downright poetic.”

Kakashi, who had just walked in, froze mid-step.

Shanari didn’t even glance at the Toad Sage as she sipped her tea calmly. “Flatter me again, and I might let you live this time.”

Tsunade chuckled behind her sake cup. “Careful, Jiraiya. She’s the reason half the western border stayed intact during the last skirmish.”

Jiraiya grinned. “That just makes her even more appealing. Dangerous women are my weakness.”

Kakashi cleared his throat with dangerous casualness. “Funny. I thought your weakness was peeking through bathhouses and running from angry women with sandals.”

Shanari’s lips twitched.

“Oh ho!” Jiraiya laughed, eyes narrowing at Kakashi. “Is that jealousy I hear, my young student?”

“I’m not that young,” Kakashi replied smoothly. “But I’ve learned when something’s mine, I don’t share.”

Shanari raised an eyebrow, amused. “Yours, am I?”

Kakashi didn’t answer. He just held her gaze until the smirk faded from her lips, replaced by something far more potent—awareness. Heat.

Jiraiya raised his hands with a whistle. “Well, I’ll leave the two of you to sort that out. You’ve got a border recon mission anyway. Try not to kill each other before you leave.”

Three Days Later – Returning from the Northern Border
Mud caked their boots, blood speckled their vests, and the cold rain had never felt so welcome. The rogue missing-nin ring they'd been tracking was neutralized with minimal casualties, but not without close calls.

Shanari was quiet on the way back. Not because she was tired. Because of how close Kakashi had come to serious injury again.

And he knew it.

They didn’t speak much as they crossed through Konoha’s northern gates and filed their report. But the tension between them? Crackling. He didn’t even let her change out of her gear before dragging her home.

That Night – Hatake Residence
She stood near the hearth, pulling off her gloves. Her skin was still chilled from the downpour, her shoulder stiff from a chakra burn.

Kakashi stepped up behind her, hands gently gripping her waist.

“You didn’t like the flirting,” she said quietly.

“No,” he answered truthfully, voice low. “Didn’t like seeing another man look at you like you weren’t already spoken for.”

She turned to face him, arching a brow. “And what exactly do I belong to, Kakashi?”

His fingers brushed along her jaw, tilting her chin up.

“To me.”

The words were possessive, rough. She barely had time to react before his mouth was on hers—hungry, consuming, unapologetic.

He walked her backward, one step at a time, until the back of her knees hit the edge of their bed. She fell, breathless, pulling him down with her.

“You’re mine, Ri,” he whispered against her collarbone, fingers already working the clasp of her vest. “And I’m going to remind you exactly what that means.”

She smirked. “Then stop talking, Kashi, and do it.”

He did.

Later…
The rain had dulled to a soft whisper against the windowpane. Shanari lay tangled in the sheets, her hair a wild halo around her flushed face, her fingers idly tracing the tattooed scar on his left shoulder.

“You’re still jealous of Jiraiya?” she teased.

“No. I’m satisfied.”

She laughed softly. “You’re lucky you’re good in bed.”

“Please. You’ve been ruined for anyone else.”

“Cocky.”

“Only when I’ve earned it.”

They lay together in silence, the storm finally passing—outside and in.

Chapter Text

The sun hung high over Konoha, unusually warm for early spring, casting a golden light through the Hokage's office window. But the news that had just arrived chilled everyone to the bone.

“He did what?” Sakura asked, jaw slack.

“Sasuke,” Jiraiya confirmed, arms folded, standing in front of Team 7 and the gathered jōnin. “He killed Orochimaru. Took him out while he was weak. I’m still verifying the details, but the intel’s solid.”

Naruto’s fists clenched. “So… he’s getting stronger. Fast.”

“Too fast,” Kakashi murmured beside him, his uncovered eye narrowing.

Shanari stood behind him, silent. Her eyes didn’t show surprise. Just unease.

Later That Day – Training Grounds
As Team 7 prepared for the new bell test, Jiraiya lingered in the shade of a tree beside Shanari, arms crossed, a grin twitching at the corners of his mouth.

“I’m just saying,” he mused aloud, “if I were just a couple decades younger, and maybe a little less of a flirt…”

She raised a brow. “You’d still be hopeless.”

“Ouch. You wound me.”

“Besides, you’re not my type.”

“Why? Because I don’t have gravity-defying silver hair and a mysterious past?”

She gave him a flat look. “Exactly.”

Kakashi, standing a few feet away, raised an eyebrow at them. Jiraiya caught the glance and smirked devilishly.

“Oh, he’s brooding. Someone’s jealous.”

Before Kakashi could reply, Shanari turned, arms folded. “Kashi, you can’t be jealous, remember?”

Kakashi tilted his head warily. “What do you mean?”

She turned fully now, arching a brow. “You kissed another woman.”

There was a beat of silence. Naruto and Sakura looked at each other. Jiraiya grinned.

“Wait, what?!” Jiraiya looked gleeful. “Kakashi, you idiot—you stepped out on this?!” He gestured to Shanari with wide, incredulous hands. “Have you seen her?! That’s grounds for chakra lobotomy!”

Kakashi flailed slightly. “It wasn’t like that!”

Flashback – The Hanare Incident
Kakashi returned to Konoha looking exhausted. Shanari stood at the gate with her arms crossed, clearly waiting.

“I heard you kissed someone on your last mission,” she said coolly.

“I was blindfolded,” Kakashi deadpanned. “And it was her who kissed me. I thought it was a distraction technique. Which—it was.”

She took one long step forward, eyes narrowing. “You couldn’t smell her?”

“It was raining!”

Shanari grabbed the collar of his flak vest and yanked him down to her level. “This mouth is mine.”

Kakashi gave a half-laugh. “Possessive much?”

“Yes. Try me again and see what else I lay claim to.”

Back to the Present
Kakashi groaned, dragging a hand down his masked face. “You’re never letting this go, are you?”

Shanari gave a radiant, evil smile. “Not even a little.”

Jiraiya clutched his side from laughing. “Oh, she’s perfect. You better hang onto that one, Hatake.”

That Night – Hatake Residence
Kakashi was sprawled on their shared futon, book resting on his chest. Shanari curled beside him, her fingers playing with the hem of his shirt.

“Kashi?”

“Hm?”

She smirked. “Page 87 of Icha Icha Tactics.”

He turned his head slowly. “You read that?”

“Borrowed it. Did some… light studying.”

Kakashi stared at her for a moment. “I’m in so much trouble.”

She leaned in, her voice low against his ear. “You love it.”

“I love you.”

She smiled. “I know.”

The Next Day – Training Field
Naruto and Sakura stared in disbelief as Kakashi once again dangled the infamous bells.

“Oh come on, sensei!” Naruto shouted. “We’re not kids anymore!”

“You say that,” Kakashi replied, “but I still don’t see either of you with these.”

He vanished in a blur, and the test began.

Shanari, leaning against a tree at the edge of the field, laughed under her breath. “He lives for this.”

“Sadistic little bastard,” Jiraiya muttered with a grin.

Hokage’s Office – That Evening
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, glancing at Jiraiya over her desk. “So… they’re still together?”

“As much as two stubborn, emotionally constipated ninja can be,” Jiraiya said fondly. “Though I think Shanari might be the only one who could’ve tamed the Copy Ninja.”

Tsunade chuckled. “She’s grown into something exceptional. I respect her more than she knows.”

There was a quiet moment.

“You ever think,” Jiraiya added softly, “that could’ve been us?”

Tsunade’s expression turned wistful. “Maybe. If things had been different.”

He reached out, brushing his fingers along the back of her hand. “We’re still here.”

She didn’t pull away.

Chapter Text

The tension in Konoha had begun to shift.

With rumors of the Akatsuki spreading like wildfire and sightings reported in neighboring villages, the peaceful lull after Orochimaru’s downfall was beginning to crack. The threat hadn’t vanished—it had only grown bolder.

The Training Grounds
“Why do I have to babysit him?” Naruto groaned, arms behind his head as he eyed the pale, silent boy in front of him.

“You’re not babysitting,” Kakashi replied mildly. “You’re building team cohesion.”

Sai, the newest addition to the team, tilted his head. “That sounds inefficient. He’s clearly emotionally volatile.”

Naruto gaped. “What did you just—?!”

“Emotionally volatile,” Sai repeated blandly, “and unrefined. But at least he has a lot of energy. Like a disobedient dog.”

Sakura stomped her foot. “Okay, that’s enough.”

Sai blinked. “Was that offensive?”

“Yes!” Naruto and Sakura said in unison.

Shanari stood at the edge of the field, arms folded as she watched the chaos with a bemused smirk. Kakashi, next to her, gave a low sigh. “This is going to be a long day.”

Sai turned toward the couple, eyes narrowing slightly. “Are you two sleeping together?”

Naruto choked. Sakura screeched. Even Kakashi did a visible double-take.

“I—excuse me?” Shanari asked slowly.

Sai tilted his head again. “You have highly synchronized non-verbal communication, casual physical closeness, and he adjusts his mask more frequently when you’re nearby. Statistically, those are indicators of an intimate relationship.”

Naruto was on the ground flailing, kicking up dirt. “I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!”

Sakura’s eye twitched. “I told you something was off between them—wait, sleeping together?!”

Kakashi blinked. “I feel like I should deny it on principle but… that was uncomfortably accurate.”

Shanari was stifling laughter now. “Is it bad that I’m impressed?”

“Deeply,” Kakashi muttered.

Later – Ichiraku Ramen
Sakura, Naruto, and Sai sat at the counter with steaming bowls in front of them.

“She has her own apartment,” Sakura whispered.

“She hasn’t stayed there in weeks,” Naruto added, brows furrowed in deep investigative thought.

“I saw him buy tofu once,” Sai said. “Single men don’t buy tofu unless they’re cooking for someone.”

“That’s it,” Naruto slammed his hands on the counter. “We’re forming a team. We’re gonna find out the truth.”

“Didn’t we just find out the truth?” Sai asked.

“Don’t ruin the drama, Sai!” Naruto snapped.

Operation: Spy on Kakashi & Shanari
That night, half of the Rookie 9 were huddled together on a rooftop.

Ino had binoculars. Kiba brought Akamaru, who was wearing a tiny spy bandana. Shikamaru looked exhausted. Tenten and Lee were strangely invested. Even Neji stood silently beside them, pretending not to be curious.

“They haven’t come home yet,” Ino whispered, scanning Kakashi’s window.

“They could be anywhere,” Shikamaru sighed. “This is so troublesome.”

“They’re probably at her place,” Hinata mumbled, cheeks red.

From the shadows, Shanari peered over at Kakashi, crouched beside her on a higher rooftop. They were both wearing ANBU cloaks for dramatic flair.

“You think they’ll figure it out?” she whispered.

“Doubtful,” he said, eye smiling. “They’re not exactly stealth specialists.”

“I say we give them a show.”

“I say I follow your lead.”

Chaos Ensues
A light flicked on in Shanari’s apartment.

Through the open curtains, the Genin saw two shadowed figures. One clearly leaned in for a kiss. The silhouette was unmistakable. Kiba screamed. Ino dropped her binoculars. Sakura fainted. Naruto was halfway through climbing the building when Kakashi opened the window and stared directly at them.

“Careful, Naruto,” he said calmly, “you’re going to fall and ruin your recon mission.”

There was a long silence.

“Abort! ABORT!” Kiba yelled as Akamaru howled and everyone scattered like rats in the street.

Kakashi turned to Shanari inside the apartment, both of them smirking.

“You think that’s enough psychological warfare for one evening?” she asked.

“Oh, definitely.”

“Still,” she added, wrapping her arms around his neck, “it’s cute that they care.”

That Same Night – Hokage’s Office
Tsunade sighed as she stared at the latest Akatsuki reports.

“Another attack in River Country. They're testing the waters.”

Jiraiya entered through the window, his expression grim but steady.

“They’re hunting the jinchūriki,” he confirmed.

Tsunade leaned back, fingers steepled. “Then it’s time we prepare. Konoha needs all its strength.”

She glanced to a nearby framed photo of Kakashi and Shanari, recently taken after a mission.

“Good thing our strongest hearts are already aligned.”

Chapter Text

Kakashi’s Bribe
Kakashi leaned on the windowsill of the training field command post, arms crossed and voice low.

“You’re really going to make me beg, aren’t you?” he asked.

Shanari sipped from a bottle of water with deliberate grace. “Begging implies I haven’t already said no three times.”

“It’s Naruto,” he said simply, pulling out a tiny velvet box from his pocket and cracking it open.

Inside was a charm: obsidian black, edged with silver, carved into a miniature spiral gust—her wind element sigil.

Shanari narrowed her eyes. “You’re bribing me with elemental jewelry?”

Kakashi leaned closer, murmuring in her ear. “To help my student… and to watch you train. In that black skort I like.”

Her face flushed. “You’re the worst.”

“You love it.”

“I do,” she admitted begrudgingly, snatching the box.

Naruto’s Training – The Rasenshuriken
Sweat poured down Naruto’s brow as he stood in the clearing, hands trembling from exhaustion. He glanced up at Shanari, who stood across from him, calmly manipulating a sphere of wind chakra into a floating dagger-like wisp.

“I don’t get how you make it look so easy!” he groaned.

Shanari gave him a patient smile. “You’re trying to overpower it. Wind doesn’t obey force—it follows intent. Let it guide you.”

Naruto closed his eyes and refocused. For a moment, the wind listened.

Flashbacks: The Bonds They’ve Shared
As the clone beside him dissolved from overexertion, Naruto dropped to his knees—and memories flooded his mind.

Shanari, crouching beside him when he was younger, treating his scraped knees after training.
Shanari sneaking him extra dango when Iruka was being strict.
Shanari at the Academy gates, tousling his hair and calling him “Troublemaker” with fondness.
Shanari telling him, the first time he failed, “Fall as many times as you need to. Just don’t forget how to stand.”

She had always been there.

Never afraid.
Never hesitant.
Never treating him like anything other than Naruto Uzumaki.

Present
“I’m glad you’re here,” Naruto said quietly, breath catching as he looked up at her. “You… you feel like family to me. You, Sakura, Kakashi-sensei—you’re the only ones I really have.”

Shanari froze.

The tears came like a tide—unexpected, unstoppable.

“Hey—Ri—wait, are you crying?” Naruto asked, panicking. “Did I mess it up?!”

She laughed through it, shaking her head and hugging him tight. “No, you idiot. You made it perfect.”

That Night – Kakashi and Shanari’s Home
Shanari lay in their bed, wrapped in Kakashi’s arms, cheeks still damp from earlier.

“You okay?” he asked gently.

She nodded against his chest. “Naruto… He’s got such a big heart.”

Kakashi traced lazy circles on her back. “I saw the way you looked at him today. You’ve been a part of his life longer than he realizes.”

“He called me family,” she whispered, breath hitching.

Kakashi kissed her temple. “He’s not wrong.”

Shanari turned toward him, eyes glimmering. “I’ve never had this much before. A village. Friends. You…”

Kakashi reached over to the nightstand and pulled out a second, smaller box. “Then maybe it’s time you had a little more.”

Inside was a matching pendant—this one a silver flame to pair with the wind symbol she already wore. He clasped it gently onto her necklace beside the one from Sakumo.

“A flame to match your heart,” he murmured. “And a reminder that you’re stuck with me.”

She blinked at him, overcome.

He smirked. “You must have some powerful chakra. First my father, now me. Two Hatake men completely spellbound.”

Shanari laughed wetly. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m yours,” he replied simply.

And she kissed him like he’d just handed her the world.