oOo 8 Years Later - Maiko is 28 oOo
"Is he free?"
I didn't look up from the letter I was writing. I needed my best calligraphy for the daimyo. "I'm sorry, I don't understand rude speech. What was that?"
Naruto huffed but corrected himself with the force of habit of years spent under my tutelage: "Good afternoon, Maiko-nee-san. We finished our mission. May we see the Hokage, please ?"
"Much better," I approved as I finished a kanji and put the brush away. I looked up and smiled at the two teams gathered in front of my desk. "Good afternoon, Team Seven."
Sasuke and Sakura bowed slightly, while Kakashi waved two fingers in my direction without looking away from his book (it was a good one, and he didn't have much time to read nowadays).
I turned toward the Suna shinobi waiting patiently. "Baki-san, I hope you and your team are satisfied with your visit to Konoha."
The sensei of the Sand siblings nodded. I had to observe his students to gather clues. Gaara seemed calm, which was the norm since his seal had been fixed. Temari didn't look more exasperated than she usually was in Naruto's proximity. Kankuro was playing with a mask that looked like one of those sold by a popular artist of Konoha. Apparently, they had made at least a purchase and seemed satisfied enough. Good. Their participation in the Chuunin Exams was a unique opportunity to continue the rapprochement between our villages.
"Let me inform the Hokage you're here," I said as I reached for the intercom seal. Once it was activated, I announced: "Hokage-sama, Team Seven and our Suna guests are here to see you."
Chakra pulsed under my finger in a defined pattern for "hold", and I looked up to translate: "He'll be with you in a moment."
Naruto slouched against my desk and whined: "Who is in?"
"Someone who will give you an earful for me if you don't behave."
"I'm behaving!" Naruto said hastily as he straightened. "See? I behave. Don't tell Iruka-sensei."
I had no idea why Naruto was more afraid of Iruka than me. Was it because I was regularly showering him with affection? Or because Iruka could make his life miserable with a well-designed seal? To be fair, every Academy student was highly respectful and slightly terrified of Iruka. I wondered sometimes what he showed them in those special fuuinjutsu lessons recently added to the curriculum. I'd ask Daichi as soon as he got one.
The door to the Hokage's office opened to let Iruka out. The three Konoha genin saluted their former sensei in unison. As I watched, I thought — not for the first time — of becoming a teacher at the Academy. It reminded me of my previous life and made me wistful, but I knew I wouldn't leave my job for anything. I was content in this position, near those I cared for and at the center of decisions. Maybe in another life.
Iruka left after a few words to the genin. Part-time researcher and part-time teacher, he was a renowned fuuinjutsu expert and a quite busy man. We would see him next Sunday for our monthly family lunch.
Both teams of genin went in to meet the Hokage. Kakashi waved at me as he closed the door behind them.
oOo
"I'm home!" I called as I stepped into the Hatake clan house.
Pitter-patter echoed as a pack sprinted toward me, and I braced for the traditional welcome.
Kaori reached me first. At four years old, the brown-haired girl was fast and nimble. She jumped high, giving me no other choice than to catch her before she collided head first into my belly. I lifted her on a hip and she held on tightly without a word — her lips were closed around a lollipop, but if it wasn't candy it would be something else. Weaning her off her pacifier had been hard. She was truly her father's daughter.
Dogs, more or less young, followed next and jumped around my feet excitedly, but they were more interested in chasing each other than in me, and they easily parted way to let the last two through.
Having just learned to run, Minako and Masaki hold on to my legs to stop their momentum, giggling like the excited toddlers they were. Grey eyes looked up at me and silver hair fell into their round face as they called for me. If you weren't aware that Masaki was a boy and Minako a girl, they looked like identical twins.
"Hello everyone."
I crouched to kiss them and fell on my butt at their enthusiasm. They immediately clambered into my lap, soon followed by puppies. I had no chance to stand up anytime soon.
"Need a little help?" Kakashi asked amusedly from the doorway of the living room. Somewhere around his hip, an identical face popped up and judged disdainfully the mess in the entrance.
"Sure, but first tickle your son for me, would you?"
Daichi tried to escape, but he had no chance against his father. Kakashi caught him by the waist, lifting him and tickling tender skin despite his protests.
"Your mother's orders," Kakashi pointed out with a laidback shrug. "You know the rules. It's either the mask or the judgemental stare, you can't have both."
The seven years old boy reached for his mask and pulled it down before asking for mercy. Since he had started the Academy, he had insisted on wearing a similar mask to his father. While I had refused at first, he had been so determined that I had to agree, on one condition: that he stopped being so haughty. I refused to end up with a little antisocial genius like Kakashi had been at his age.
His father had agreed to my compromise, puzzled that his son would want to emulate him so much — the idea that he was a model for his children still surprised him.
Daichi surrendered and joined his father to fetch his siblings. He lifted Masaki with a put-upon air, but readily caught a puppy at his brother's request. Kakashi took care of Minako and scattered the rest of the dogs.
Now able to stand up, I stepped into the living room and glanced in the kitchen to find Noriko. Genma's mother, now retired, took care of her grandchildren when we were working. She was delighted: this was everything she had hoped for after losing her own children and husband. My mom sometimes joined her when she was in good enough shape and mood to help with small kids.
"How many lollipops did you give Kaori?"
"Only one, for stopping Masaki from eating a bug," Noriko cheerfully replied as she prepared dinner (she was a godsend).
"That's my girl," I whispered before kissing Kaori's temple. She was the wisest of her siblings (she took after me).
"Mommy," Kaori said after taking the lollipop stick out of her mouth, "when is daddy coming back?"
"Tonight, sweetie, but you'll be asleep," I explained as I went to take out the dishes for dinner. Genma was on evening guard duty.
Kaori scrunched her nose, and her lips wobbled dangerously.
"Do you want to ask your father to tuck you in bed tonight instead?" I asked preemptively. At her nod, I let her down. She skittered toward Kakashi. He was sitting at the kotetsu with the twins on his lap and Daichi by his side as he read them a story. When Kaori tugged on his shirt, he paused and looked up questioningly.
"Father," she murmured, "can you make the monsters go away tonight?"
"There are no monsters, sill—" Daichi started before Kakashi could reply.
"You better not finish this sentence, Daichi!" I shouted from the kitchen, glaring daggers at him. He hunched and went quiet. Since he had started the Academy, he pretended to be brave and fearless, and he tended to disparage his sister when she shared her fears. We had to have several talks with him on the subject. At least, he didn't talk back anymore when I warned him.
Ignoring the interruption, Kakashi lifted an arm in a silent invitation for Kaori to cuddle against his side. "Of course, I'll take care of them," he promised while giving her a reassuring eye-smile. Surrounded by his pack of kids and dogs, he went back to the story of a wolf summon protecting his young master from the cold and the bad shinobi threatening them.
Half an hour later, once we were all sitting around the dinner table, I asked: "How was school, Daichi?"
"Boring."
I held back a sigh. With his intellect, school held little interest for him. He had skipped a year, but I had refused he skipped more: he needed the socialization, his father was a clear proof of it.
I had hope, though, in the shape of a little girl a month younger than Daichi.
"How was Atsuko-chan?"
"A boy bothered her. I took care of him." At my inquiring eyebrow, he elaborated: "I just made him fall on his butt, and no one saw me."
While making sure Masaki didn't spit out his rice, Kakashi held out a hand to tousle his elder's hair in approval. Daichi straightened proudly at the gesture. I didn't comment.
Atsuko was Rin and Raidou's daughter (our simultaneous pregnancies hadn't been planned, but it certainly had been nice to share the experience with a friend, and a medic-nin at that). She was the sweetest girl I had ever met, with warm hazel eyes like her mother's. Daichi and she were best friends. She needed the protection until she learned to stand up for herself, but we also had to teach Daichi to temper his anger. I was glad that he cared so fiercely for someone, but there was no need for him to become overprotective.
"She was worried for her mom," Daichi said. While he tried to pretend this didn't bother him, his frown betrayed him.
"Rin is tired," Kakashi admitted, "but she'll recover quickly. Her wound is healed and the poison's out of her system."
Daichi nodded and didn't ask anything more: by now, he knew he wouldn't get any answer on how his auntie had gotten hurt. Personally, I only knew it had been during the mission for Sasori's execution, which had been successful and improved the relationship between Suna and Konoha. Kakashi had been leading the mission, and he had come back shaken. For a while, until the Suna medics managed to find an antidote, he had thought he would lose his teammate (several of them actually, as Yamato had been hit too).
From the other side of the table, I could see this haunting him as he stared at Masaki without really seeing him.
"Kaori, sweetie, give a kiss to your father for me," I asked while wiping Minako's chin.
Kaori dutifully rose to her feet and leaned on her father's shoulder to reach his uncovered cheek (he didn't wear his mask at home). Brought out of his thoughts at the touch, Kakashi compliantly leaned down to help. He chuckled when she made a "chuu" sound to accompany the gesture and turned toward me for approval.
"Thank you, honey, that's a job well done."
She grinned and sat back beside Daichi, looking like she would go back to her meal before she suddenly darted out to kiss her brother's cheek.
Daichi groaned in annoyance and wiped his cheek fiercely, before catching his sister in a fierce sideways hug. "You're sticky!"
"I'm not!"
"You are!"
"Father! Tell him I'm not!"
Smiling at their antics, I focused on Minako when she gaped, distracted by the fight, and let her food trickle out. I loved my kids, but I would be happy once the twins were a little cleaner.
oOo
"You two aren't sleeping yet?" Genma asked as he slid open the bedroom door.
"Couldn't. We decided to wait for you," I replied sleepily. I was lying against Kakashi's chest so we could read at the same time (it really was a good book, I liked the female protagonist), with him propped up against the wall.
Genma had cleaned and changed in the bathroom as the boys always did when they came home late. He slipped between the sheets in his usual sleepwear, a boxer (this one had a dog pattern, because Genma liked to pretend that being a Hatake meant you had to stick with the theme as much as an Inuzuka). "Something wrong?"
I shrugged. "You know, the usual: insomnia for me, nightmares for Kakashi. Same old, same old."
"What a pair," he commented fondly. He stretched along my side, and his arm covered Kakashi's around my waist.
"It's a good thing you can sleep whenever and wherever you want, so one of us can be a functioning being," I pointed out with a smile. "I'm afraid Kaori didn't take that from you, though."
"Bedtime was bad, uh?"
"She needed a while to settle," Kakashi replied, resting a little more weight on the top of my head. "I had to leave Bisuke and Uhei with her."
"Ninken are ten times more effective than teddy bears," I commented with a chuckle.
"But I am less effective than Genma," Kakashi pointed out. He wasn't upset. Genma was Comfort Daddy. That's just how it was. And mummy might bring comfort too, but monsters weren't scared enough of her, apparently.
"What can I say? I'm just that good," Genma joked.
I hummed and rolled over him. Our noses brushed together, and I murmured with a low sultry voice: "Are you?"
"Ooh, so that's why you were waiting for me," he teased with a grin as his hands settled on the back of my thighs and pressed me closer.
"Between Kakashi's mission to Suna and your evening duties, it has been a while since we had time," I murmured with a pout. "Why did you have to go and piss off the ANBU general, idiot?"
"Now, Mai-chan, you can't ask an idiot to go against his nature," Kakashi snarked, but he was putting away his book with unusual promptitude.
"Fuck you, 'Kashi," Genma replied with a rude gesture.
"If you insist, but ladies first."
oOo
The mornings were always a lively time.
Daichi and Kaori were bickering in the bathroom with Pakkun playing referee and reminding the eldest to mind his strength against his little sister. In the living room, the twins were busy climbing all over Bull, who still somehow continued to sleep, just like Genma who was taking advantage of his day off to sleep late despite the noise. Kakashi had disappeared for an early run while I made breakfast.
I put rice porridge, fruits, and all their favorites on the table, and then rung the bell calling for them (shouting in this house was as ineffective as it was annoying).
Bull stood up and scuffled toward me with the kids holding on to him in delight. I freed him of his burden, sitting the twins on thick pillows in front of the low table, and rewarded Bull with a scratch under his chin for his trouble.
A moment later, although I didn't hear footsteps, the shoji door slid open to reveal a wide figure holding an exasperated (Daichi) or giggling (Kaori) kid under each arm.
"Ah, good morning Gai-san. Will you join us for breakfast?"
"Maiko-san!" He bowed to the waist, the children protesting at the move. "Good morning! I don't want to abuse your hospitality—"
"Yes, he will," Kakashi interrupted as he appeared behind his friend and pushed him forward.
"Alright. Take care of the twins for me while I add a seat, would you? Masaki, no . Don't touch the knife."
"Maa, it's fine, Mai-chan. It's not sharp," Kakashi replied as he took over while I went to the kitchen. He recoiled when I was in his face a second later, glaring at him. He chuckled nervously and grabbed the knife out of Masaki's reach without a glance. "No blades of any kind around the handsy babies. Got it."
Satisfied, I left to fetch a bowl and chopsticks.
"You weren't so strict about it with me," Daichi pointed out as Gai let him down. He grabbed the knife to make a point.
"I was. It's with your fathers I wasn't strict enough, and look how that went."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, offended.
I looked over my shoulder and stared at the knife pointedly. "How many blades do you have on you right now?" As he slowly put the knife down and didn't reply, I added: "If your siblings even brush one before they learn how to properly handle them, you're on babysitting duty until you're chunin, Hatake Daichi, is that clear ?"
"Yes, mom!" Daichi replied hurriedly, slapping Kaori's hand away from his kunai pouch (the little minx loved to get him in trouble).
"So much protectiveness," Gai whispered with gleaming eyes as I handed him over his bowl.
"Gai, don't start," Kakashi interrupted him, "it's too early for you to fawn over my wife."
I hit him in the back as I went to sit on the other side of the table. " You , don't start. It's too early for you to bait him into a rant about his faithfulness to my mother. Gai-san, ignore him and serve yourself please."
"It's too early for him full stop," Daichi muttered in his porridge. The two slaps which reached the back of his head gave him a nose covered in white. He slowly looked up, trying to glare at his parents, only to be met with raised eyebrows daring him to say another word. Sighing, he went to wash his face at the kitchen sink.
I leaned forward to murmur to Kakashi: "Is it an abuse of power if I ask Hokage-sama to put him in a chuunin team with just the nicest, most polite sensei and teammates?"
"Pretty sure, yes."
"I don't care. He needs a good influence. Stop rubbing off on him!"
"What about you? The sass comes from you."
"Barely!" I hissed before thinking better of it and tilting my head in acknowledgment. "Just a bit. Okay, maybe I should stop mouthing off in front of him too."
"Can you?" Kakashi shrugged again. "He's our son. That's just how he is."
"What are you muttering about?" Daichi interrupted as he sat back down next to me.
"Ah. Nothing, sweetie," I said cheerfully before succumbing to an impulse and kissing his cheek. "Come on, eat well, and don't forget your bento for lunch."
"Stop being creepy," he grumbled.
"Watch the way you talk to your mom, kid." Genma leaned on the open shoji panels, rubbing his tousled hair and stifling a yawn with sleepy eyes. "Hi, Gai."
Gai's greeting was covered by a chorus of "Daddy!"
I held back Kaori before she could topple the table in her eagerness to hug her father. Genma came to kneel beside her and lifted her into his lap so he could take her place at the table instead. She made him bend his head so she could kiss his cheek. On his other side, Minako made grabby hands to get the same. Her twin brother was focused on trying to catch Kakashi's hand while he fed him.
"Good morning, my little princesses. Who's smelling good today, uh?" Genma teased Kaori, nuzzling her ear and getting giggles in reply. In retrospect, I had realized he had suggested her name — Kaori meaning 'fragrance' — just to be able to say that. What a goof.
Everyone settled down, and the meal passed more calmly.
Afterward, Kakashi and I took Kaori and Daichi to the garden and left the twins with Genma and Gai. The weather was warm and dry enough for us to do our ritual stretching outdoors. Like every ninja family, we accustomed the children to simple exercises early on, not necessarily to prepare them for a life of fighting (I wasn't even sure that Kaori would go to the Academy: she didn't seem very eager, and we wouldn't force her), but because it was our own habit and a good one to share.
Daichi could already do a lot, and he followed his father's example religiously, adjusting to his corrections promptly. Kaori was less nimble, and I led her through simple stretches and coordination games. She liked it as much as her brother, but they had a different approach to it. He was intent on perfection. She was enjoying herself. Knowing how much she liked to watch me dance (when I had the rare occasion to indulge) and how eagerly she asked to join me, I wondered if that wasn't the path she'd rather follow. It was much too early to guess. She had time to explore.
Holding her hand, I let her jump up and down the stairs until she was so tired she lay down on the patio like a starfish. By then, the boys were done too. Sitting on the edge of the patio, Daichi asked:
"Do a taijutsu spar."
"Mh? Did you say something?" Kakashi asked nonchalantly.
"Spar together, please ."
"I guess I have time for a short spar," I agreed.
We faced each other in the courtyard, like many times before. Genma and Kakashi took the time to teach me so I could ensure my own safety and that of our children. I was quite proficient at taijutsu, had learned to detect and resist simple genjutsu, and had mastered a few water jutsu. I wouldn't be on par with any jounin, even tokubetsu jounin, but I had a good level for a chuunin and an excellent one for someone coming from the Genin Corps. I felt confident in my own capacities, and that made me prouder than I would have ever thought when I told myself I didn't need a jounin sensei anyway — I was wrong.
Daichi liked to see us train. I still managed to hold his interest even when I wasn't at his fathers' level. I had a few years yet before he could beat me.
As we traded blows, jumping and twirling around the courtyard, Daichi shouted: "Why are you moving so much?"
I couldn't afford to speak as I fought, but Kakashi replied: "Why do you think?"
"You don't move so much when it's you and dad, but you both do when it's with mum. So it's about her. She… dodges a lot more. Also, she uses her legs more than dad."
"Correct," Kakashi approved, blocking a side kick. "Your mom relies more on agility than strength. Forcing her opponent into chasing her and using her environment and nimbleness is in her favor. Always play by your strengths, Daichi."
"Yes, father."
I jumped and tried to grip Kakashi at the neck to unbalance him, in a Natasha Romanoff move (I would have never thought I could try that one). He grabbed my thighs, held them away from his neck, and flipped me over his head.
Swearing, I landed awkwardly out of this involuntary front flip, with a knee to the ground and an ankle bending uncomfortably.
Kakashi's hands were on me before I could recover. He pulled me up, rested my left hand on his shoulder, and kept the right in his. The next moment, we were waltzing around the courtyard.
Daichi groaned in exasperation. "Why do you always do that?!"
"Do what?" Kakashi asked innocently.
"That! The… dancing thing!"
I laughed quietly.
Kakashi's eye crinkled in delight. "Because your mother likes it."
"And because you like teasing your son," I murmured, amused.
"That too," he agreed softly but cheerfully. Louder, he said: "You should get ready, Daichi, or you'll be late to pick Atsuko-chan."
oOo
"We're running late on our projections."
"Time is of no matter. Success and low casualties are my main concerns, and on that record, we're doing well." The Hokage glanced at the ANBU general. "Look on the bright side. We're winning time with each success." He paused to accept the cup of tea I was offering him, thanking me with a smile.
The group of five men gathered in the Hokage office was what I called the "dealing with Maiko's revelations" team. Jiraiya, Shikaku, Minato, Kakashi, and the ANBU general had organized mission after mission to deal with what I had revealed to them, Akatsuki being first and foremost.
Sasori was the last success, defeated by Kakashi, Rin, and a team from Suna. The success of this collaboration played a big part in Minato's good mood.
Before the puppetmaster, Hidan had been burnt to ashes by Itachi and his ANBU team (I wasn't supposed to know it was Itachi, of course, but who were we kidding? I could identify two-thirds of the ANBU corps by now). Kakuzu was next on the list, but he was a shrewd old slippery man and the reason for the General's annoyance (he had escaped his spies several times).
Deidara had left Iwa only months ago, and it had been decided he wasn't an urgent threat. As for Kisame, he had been recruited by Utakata, somehow.
Then there was Konan and Nagato. That was a complicated issue. It was personally dealt with by Jiraiya and — when it hadn't been enough and the sannin had gotten injured trying to reach his old students — Minato himself. Together, they had finally been able to speak to the leaders of Ame. From what I knew, they had gone back two more times before they weren't assaulted by sharp papers at each attempt. It was only recently that a tentative understanding and correspondence had been established.
"How was your meeting with Nagato-san, Jiraiya-sensei?" Minato asked.
"Good, good. He only asked me twice to bring you next time. Like, seriously, why does he like you more than me?"
"That's a rhetorical question, right?" I said in a low but dubious tone as I filled his cup.
He made a hurt face and clenched his hand over his heart. "Mai-chaaan, you hurt me." More seriously, he took something out of a pocket and held it out to me. It was an origami of a dancer. "By the way, they want to meet you too. Konan made that for you."
Kakashi frowned. "You told them about Mai?"
"Relax, Kakashi," Jiraiya replied with a lazy hand wave. "They just know she's Minato's assistant and… a few tidbits."
"Like what?" I asked as I admired the pretty folding.
"They like you because they think you kick Jiraiya's butt on a daily basis," Minato replied candidly.
I made a skeptical face. "What kind of reputation are you giving me?"
"A fearsome one," Jiraiya stated with a firm nod.
"Right…"
"Anyway, I think they're willing to listen to us about Zetsu, but Nagato still refuses to talk about the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. We're on the right track though. If we prove to them that Konoha is Ame's ally, we'll get their trust and be able to deal with this together," Jiraiya said seriously.
I hid a smile at his decided tone and posture. He was greatly determined to redeem himself toward his old students. This mattered to him dearly.
"I agree," Minato said. "There is no need to rush. We need their cooperation for the rest."
"On the matter of Kakuzu. We need to decide on a team to be sent as soon as his location is determined," Shikaku spoke up.
Kakashi lazily raised a hand.
"Kakashi will lead the team," Minato said before tilting his head in thought.
"Uchiha Itachi," the ANBU general volunteered.
"Agreed."
"Tenzou," Kakashi asked.
"Granted."
"That's lightning, fire, earth, and water. You need wind," Shikaku pointed out.
"Asuma," Kakashi immediately offered.
I straightened. For me, Asuma being anywhere near Kakuzu didn't seem a great idea, but I relaxed as Kakashi glanced at me calmly. It would be a balanced team, one which would be considered overkill for anyone else. With such good teammates, Asuma wouldn't get the same fate as I remembered. I nodded in understanding and went back to taking notes.
oOo
Monthly family lunches had evolved over time. It was now a standing invitation for every friend and family: they could come to the Hatake mansion every first Sunday of the month, bringing any kind of food or drink of their choice.
Today, the weather was sunny, and the garden was packed. As I brought a fresh carafe of water from the kitchen, I looked around.
Izumo and Kotetsu were playing with the twins, their giggles filling the air. Midori, my aunt, and Noriko were chatting near the buffet table. Sitting on the patio nearby, Minato and Iruka were bent over a scroll. Naruto was chasing Kaori around a tree. Rin and Raidou were sitting on the grass, watching their daughter compete with Daichi in a hand game.
"Maiko-san."
I turned around to smile at Itachi and Sasuke stepping into the courtyard and bowing in greeting. "Welcome! It's good to see you Itachi-kun, it has been a while. Sasuke-kun, I hope your injury is healing well." At their polite answers, I chuckled and waved them toward the table. "Go on, don't let me keep you away from the food."
Sasuke rather went immediately for Naruto, who stopped tickling Kaori to jump at him. Itachi put down the onigiri he brought on the table before looking up toward the roof where Kakashi was lying down, being asocial to finish his latest book. A moment later, Itachi was sitting by his side with a plate of food on his lap and silently started to eat after greeting his senpai. Kakashi grunted in reply. I would sweatdrop if I didn't know this was great socializing for them.
"Ah. Are we late?"
"You know you can come anytime, Shikamaru-kun," I replied without turning around, too busy looking at my feet to gently push a puppy out of my way. "But weren't you supposed to be at this clan meeting with your parents?"
"Troublesome. I didn't want to go, so mum said it was either the meeting or coming here."
"And you chose here? Aww, I'm touched!"
"You let me nap."
I laughed and looked up. "Oh! Choji-kun! He dragged you here? Welcome! It's always a pleasure to see you. Go ahead, enjoy yourselves, boys."
"Will Neji come?"
"I'm afraid not. His team left for a mission yesterday. But look who's happy to see you..."
Kaori had skittered toward us. Although she was a very friendly kid and liked everyone, Shikamaru was one of her favorites. They often played quiet games together. She bowed politely before reaching for Shikamaru's hand and pulling. "Shika-kun. You said you would teach me go."
"Aah. Right. I have to eat first, though."
"Why don't you show Shikamaru the mackerel sushi, Kaori?"
"Yes, kaa-san!"
I followed them to the table, where I picked yakitori done by Raidou. Biting into the meat, I was going to check on the twins when Genma appeared in my way. He caught me with a grin before I could collide with him.
"Hello, darling. Sorry, I'm late. Did I miss anything?"
I swallowed and shook my head.
He pecked my lips and went for his own food. "I met someone on the way. Come on, Tenzou. Help yourself. You know the rules."
I glanced in the direction he was talking to and took a step back when I saw how close Tenzou was standing. He bowed to me shyly — despite Kakashi and Genma's best efforts, he was still rather self-conscious around me. I suspected it had to do with the whole episode of 'someone wearing his identity to put me under a genjutsu'. Taking pity of him, I let them to it and went to check on the kids.
Half an hour later, Naruto found me lying on the grass with my head on Genma's lap, eyes closed to enjoy the sun.
"Ne, nee-san. Tell Sasuke-baka that I'll be Daichi's sensei!"
Shielding my eyes with a hand, I looked up at the genin, a little bewildered. "I think you'll be too young for that when he becomes a genin, Naruto-kun."
Naruto groaned in disappointment, ignored Sasuke's satisfaction, and pleaded: "Kaori's, then?"
"Don't get so hasty, kid," Genma said. "Kaori's only four and more interested in dancing and puppies than kunai and jutsu."
"But, who'll be Daichi's sensei then? It has to be someone good! You can't trust any jounin with him," Naruto complained, crossing his arms.
"Don't worry, Naruto-kun, I have the best in mind," I stated, eyes closed once again.
"You do?" Genma asked in surprise.
"Who?!" Naruto inquired.
"Well, Itachi-kun, of course."
"What?! Where is he? Itachi!" Naruto ran toward his new rival, shoving Sasuke in annoyance when he tried to mock him.
"Uh… You're aware Itachi isn't on the jounin sensei list, right?" Genma asked me.
"Yet. We have four to five years to change that."
"There is no way the General is going to let Itachi go."
"It's a good thing that his opinion isn't necessary then."
"What's this I hear about Itachi being Daichi's future sensei?" Kakashi crouched beside us, his book dangling from his hand.
"It's Maiko's plan."
"It's a good plan. Don't you think, Kakashi?"
"Did you ask him?"
"Oh, I forgot. Let me rectify that." I turned toward the jounin walking toward us with two excited genin and a curious Academy student. "Itachi-kun, would you mind transferring on the jounin sensei list when Daichi becomes a genin?"
"Not at all, Maiko-san. I would be honored." There was a little smile at the corner of his lips which told me he wasn't fooled by my scheming but willing to go along with it nonetheless. I could say safely that Itachi was fond of me and consequently quite indulgent of my quirks.
"Thank you, Itachi-kun! Please take care of our son." I beamed up at Genma in victory, and he threw his head back with a soft laugh.
"Mum, you said only the Hokage could decide the genin teams," Daichi protested, although he was badly hiding his hopeful look toward one of his heroes. Itachi had once incapacitated an assassin in front of him, which was enough to win the heart of any shinobi in the making.
"Yes."
"Then how do you know Itachi-san would be my sensei?"
"Ah, yes, I forgot that too, didn't I? You might want to go and ask the Yondaime if he would consider putting you under Itachi-kun's care," I suggested with a cheerful smile.
"Yes, okaa-san!" Daichi caught Itachi's hand and eagerly led him toward Minato.
Once they were out of earshot, Kakashi commented: "Remember what we said about abuse of power?"
" I didn't ask the Hokage anything," I replied candidly.
"Insider influence," he pointed out.
"Listen. I got saddled with a lousy jounin sensei, but you two had the best men you could hope for, so I don't think you understand how lucky you were. If being the Yondaime's Assistant as any advantage, it will be to ensure that my son gets the fucking best, alright?"
He eye-smiled. "It wasn't a criticism." He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "Well done, Hatake-san."
oOo Omniscient PoV oOo
The Genin Corps' building filled with chatter when Hatake Maiko stepped in. She had become the idol of the Corps, a role model, an example, and an aspiration. For most of Konoha, she was just the Yondaime's assistant, but to them, her life's story was the first thing genin were taught when they joined. It was a story of hope: hope that even they could reach a good position with enough work, dedication, cleverness, and ambition.
Despite her duties, she regularly came by, offering encouragement and kind words, doing her best to learn about them, just like she would for any member of the Jounin Corps.
"Maiko-san, welcome!" The Corps Commander was a recent successor to Akimichi Kuma (who had retired to work with his wife in her grocery). He was the first member of the Genin Corps to ever lead their group. Beforehand, they had been considered unqualified to lead, even if no one else but an ancient member of the Corps could know how best the group worked. He had been chosen by the Hokage on Kuma and Maiko's recommendation, and he was yet another example of possible success and change. Knowing to whom he owed his position, he was extremely enthusiastic whenever Maiko visited. "What can I do for you?"
"I thought I should give you a forewarning."
"On what?"
She smiled mischievously. "On the Hokage's inspection."
The Commander's eyes widened slowly before he turned around, shouting orders left and right to ensure everything would be in order.
The Genin Corps never got inspections! A Hokage only came by once after his inauguration to have a look, as they did for every other division, and that was it. They were promptly forgotten.
The Yondaime's assistant watched the pandemonium she had provoked with a self-satisfied smile and the feeling of a job well done.