Author's Note: Hey guys, here's the first chapter of the full-length Kakashi/Mei romance story that I promised. Just remember, I never promised it'd be good. I'm hoping updates will be every two to three weeks or so but no promises.

For those of you who were unaware, this story is not connected to The Kakashi and Mei Conglomeration universe.

Kudos to my beta DimiGex.

Also shout out to my husband who always encourages me even when I feel my stories are disasters.

Chapter 1

The setting sun painted the summer sky in the Village Hidden in the Leaves. The shades of gold and orange were clearly visible through the Hokage's office windows. Kakashi and the Fifth Hokage stood facing each other. When Kakashi had entered the office, Tsunade rose to meet him and walked around her desk to stand in front of him. Kakashi knew the situation was going to be bad. But this news might be more than he could bear.

After Tsunade finished they were both silent for a time. "Do we really have a choice?" Kakashi said, running a hand through his hair. The rare show of discomfort in her office made Tsunade's heart ache. She had asked him if he would do it, as if the choice were really his.

"It won't be so bad," she tried to encourage him even as her heart sank. "You're unattached, you'll be keeping the village safe-" She paused. "Brat, you are unattached right?"

Kakashi nodded, looking out on the village below, a mask of indifference already settling over his features. The war had ended but the old grudges had not. Despite Naruto's best efforts and the teamwork that the villages had shown when united during the war, the balance of power was now nonexistent and the elemental nations as a whole were not happy about it.

Tailed beasts ran loose throughout the countryside. The Hidden Stone in particular was furious when it came to light that all of the beasts, theoretically, could be welded by one Leaf ninja. The one beast in the Cloud seemed inconsequential in comparison. Naruto refused to allow the tailed beasts to be the balance of power in the world. He would not see them imprisoned again. He just hadn't understood what that would mean for him and his friends.

Naruto was a constant target, Sasuke was imprisoned, and suddenly, according to some grumbling politicians in the other Hidden Villages, the Leaf was stuffed with living legends. Each ninja village had their own heroes from the war of course but the Konoha 11, with almost the entire group surviving the conflict, drew a particular amount of jealousy. There were already rumors of Sakura being married to a jonin in the Cloud. Every time Shikamaru went to the Sand, Ino and Choji feared he wouldn't be allowed to return. The list ran on.

Then there was the Mist, who had a famously single Lady Mizukage. A kunoichi who happened to be the same age as Kakashi of the Sharingan himself. With all of the backhanded deals and rumors of deals that had been made in a rush to build a system of "Naruto deterrents" throughout the lands, it wasn't long before the Mist began making demands. There was too much power in the Leaf, all of the villages cried. They had no protection if Naruto decided to conquer the world. The peace would not last unless a balance was reached.

Tsunade wanted peace. Naruto wanted peace but didn't know how to make that a reality. But Kakashi knew what that peace required. The Fifth Hokage knew as well.

Tsunade shifted nervously. "You'll be married upon arrival. It'll be a small ceremony I should think. The Mist doesn't like to draw attention to itself these days."

Kakashi nodded mutely. He was still looking out the window at the village, his village.

"Damn it Kakashi would you say something?" Tsunade growled.

The jonin turned and looked at the kunoichi standing in front of him. "As you wish, Lady Fifth."

When it was clear he wasn't going to say anything other than that, Tsunade huffed. "I'm going to miss you too brat."

Kakashi nodded his acknowledgement. Then, "my team will not take this well." He was thoughtful for a moment. "Yamato will understand," he trailed off and glanced at Tsunade sharply.

"Yamato will not be moved from this village while I'm alive," Tsunade promised. Tenzo had finally found a family in Team Seven. Neither in that office was going to let him be sold off to a different one.

Kakashi nodded, continuing, "Yamato will understand and he'll make the next generation understand if I can't. Naruto will most likely-"

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"You're doing what?!" Naruto screamed. Normally the blonde would throw his hands in the air, point, jump around, something. However, after his astonished question he simply stood there in shock, mute.

Tsunade had left her office to give the team some privacy. Yamato, Sai, Naruto, and Sakura stood in a semi-circle around Kakashi. He'd told them plainly what was going to happen to him, where he was going. His words had come out flat, emotionless. He'd relayed the information like the obedient ninja he was.

Sakura simply stared, green eyes swimming with tears that she refused to let fall. Her fist clenched and unclenched rhythmically as she processed the news. Sai's mouth fell open slightly but he recovered immediately and showed no more reaction. Similarly, Yamato's eyes only widened for a second and then firmed into a stony expression.

"Are you sure about this senpai?" Yamato asked tentatively.

Kakashi gave him a fake eye smile but his words rang true, "I'm trusting you to take care of everyone here."

Yamato grew completely still. His eyes dampened for a moment before a long blink tucked the tears away. "I will," Yamato said, looking his senpai in the eyes. An understanding passed between the two long time comrades. Nothing more had to be said.

Naruto's jaw went slack, looking between the two older ninja. "You can't be serious?! This is all wrong! Why should you have to go marry the Mizukage?!"

"Balance of power," Kakashi answered, almost sounding like a sensei again. "Wars often end in discontent, spurring on new wars. Peace requires a different kind of sacrifice." Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair as the blonde blinked back tears.

"I'll change it," Naruto said firmly.

Kakashi nodded. "I believe you will. But right now, this is what has to happen." Naruto opened his mouth but Kakashi interrupted him. He had to make this clear. "Even if you came with me and convinced the Mizukage, on the spot, that she didn't need to marry me there are other things in play. There will have to be another meeting to air her grievances. She will not want to wait until the next conference can be established, the date picked, the venue settled, the ambassadors chosen, the invitations sent and responses received, the preparations, the travel, and the pleasantries paid to each delegate. She has a village to think of too. We will be married as soon as I arrive. That is what they have demanded."

Naruto stood numb. Then anger rose within him, lacking a vent. He held it in his stomach, letting it stew into pain. This will be my reminder, he vowed. I will find another way. Aloud he said, "you won't have to live there forever sensei. Just you wait, I'll figure something out."

Kakashi gave them all a sad smile. Before he let his emotions overwhelm him he shoved them back down with a stern reminder. This is what has to happen. This is what I can do to keep them safe. It's the only thing I can do now.

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Kakashi hastily packed his belongings in the darkness of a new day. Luckily he was paranoid and had an excessive amount of storage scrolls sitting around.

His potted plant, weapons, and clothes were all meticulously sealed away one after another. Even his team pictures were set out and sealed without a moment's hesitation.

The next stop was the memorial stone. Kakashi stood there for hours, tracing the names over and over again. Normally he would say something, update his friends on how life was in the village, tell them what he was up to. That morning he had no words. He couldn't make it real by speaking aloud what he was about to do. The fog hung low over the grass, waiting to be burned away by the dawn.

The sun rose, casting shadows over the Village Hidden in the Leaves. The fog evaporated leaving only dew on the grass then that too, burned away. Kakashi knew he was late, knew but couldn't bring himself to care. After tracing his fingers over Minato's name one last time, Kakashi turned and headed for the main gate.

His Leaf and Mist entourage were waiting for him with a frazzled Shizune by their side. While the Leaf ninja did not look concerned with his tardiness, the Mist ninja looked angry.

"What took you so long," one of the Mist ninja demanded before Shizune could get in a word of greeting. He was tall but not as tall as Kakashi, with broad shoulders and a shaved head.

Kakashi eye-smiled. In his most bored, unapologetic voice he said, "I was saying goodbye to some old friends."

The Mist ninja swallowed a grimace. "You were instructed to say your farewells last night."

Shizune arched an eyebrow at the man's tone but said nothing.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head, unruffled by the man's anger. "Well, the farewells started last night and kind of went into this morning."

"Maro," the other Mist ninja said, cutting off his partner's grumblings about partying Leaf ninja, "let the man be."

Maro grunted. "We'll expect you to be on time from now on."

One of the Leaf ninja stifled a chuckle. The other one bristled. "Hatake Kakashi is not a child to be ordered about by the likes of you."

"I will treat him like a child if he acts like a-" Maro retorted but his partner cut him off again.

"Maro, hold your tongue or I will take it from you." This Mist ninja was older but shorter and lean in build. He had a sword strapped to his back and wore plain faded black clothing. His curly brown hair, just beginning to acquire flecks of silver, was bleached blonde at the tips from long hours in the sun. His wiry muscles stood out beneath his tanned skin.

Maro paled and bowed his head. "Understood Riku."

"Shall we?" Kakashi said. He noticed some familiar chakra signatures hiding in the trees nearby. He wanted to leave before his team made a scene.

Riku nodded curtly and turned. Kotetsu and Izumo were sitting at the gate that morning, their faces like stone. Both gave Kakashi respectful nods which he returned.

As the group of five started down the path, Kakashi could almost feel the gates close behind him, barring him from the world he'd spent his entire life protecting. He took a breath, reminding himself to stay calm. The Mist ninja were no doubt watching him every minute for signs of a ruse. He must play his part.

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"You're late," the Mizukage said, unamused. She appraised Kakashi as the Leaf ninja exited her office. Their departure was Kakashi's last attachment to his home. He kept his eyes forward on the Mizukage; he refused to watch them leave.

The Mizukage stood tall and proud before him, her long layered hair flaring out behind her like a cape. As Kakashi watched he noticed that Mei moved the fingers on her right hand in a pattern. At first he thought they were hand signs but then discounted the idea. The movement was purposeful but not the same way hand signs were. She pushed her index finger forward, lower than the rest, then returned it so that it was even with the others to do the same thing with her middle, ring, and pinkie fingers. Then she flexed her entire hand out wide and then made a fist. Kakashi filed the strange habit away for later.

His visual inspection continued to Mei's attire. She wore the same type of blue dress that Kakashi had seen her wearing during the final battle. No formal attire then, Kakashi mused, observing his bride-to-be. Aloud he greeted her with a formal, "Lady Mizukage." He inclined his head and was bending forward for a full bow when he felt something move behind him.

Apparently he hadn't been bowing fast enough for Maro's taste. The man was moving to push him down low, if not to the ground. Stressed already and fed up with the man's abuse, Kakashi turned, grasping the man's wrist between his thumb and forefinger. He pressed his digits into the top and bottom of Maro's wrist, pinching a nerve.

Maro nearly cried out when his hand seized up. Fire blazed in his eyes but Mei's voice cut through the haze of anger already clouding his mind. "Maro, what are you doing?"

The man grunted, pulling away as Kakashi released him. Shooting the Leaf ninja a glare he said, "nothing my Lady."

"That's interesting because it appears that my fiancé thought you meant him harm. Why would he think that?" Mei's tone bordered somewhere between bitter cold and seething. In a distant corner of his brain, Kakashi took notes on that critical balance of extremes.

"I do not know Lady Mizukage," Maro muttered at the floor.

A single eyebrow raise from Riku was all the answer Mei needed. She'd get the full report from him later about his partner's conduct. She'd miscalculated who to send for Kakashi's retrieval and that annoyed her.

"Let's get this over with," Mei said. She was speaking to Kakashi.

Kakashi leveled his eyes at the kunoichi as if analyzing an opponent, then he nodded.

As if on cue, a fragile elder shuffled into the room. Mei's eyes softened when she saw him but the hardness returned when he asked the couple to cross hands. They stood next to each other as he wrapped a blue sash around their forearms. The cloth looked older than even his leathery skin.

Kakashi didn't pay much attention to the words being said. The man spoke of union and the lifelong dedication of their lives to each other. When Mei withdrew her hand and the cloth was folded away Kakashi was shocked to realize that it was over. In his surprise he said, "that was quick."

Mei was already returning to her desk chair and looked up, surprise almost appearing on her features before she smothered her emotions. "Here in the Mist we don't draw things out. Marriage is more of a public announcement anyway. A couple can be together and committed to each other but when an actual marriage takes place, announcing it to the community and having the people acknowledge the union is more important than the ceremony itself."

"I see," Kakashi murmured, feeling empty. He realized that he'd never been to a wedding, ever. Asuma and Kurenai's had been private and they'd only told everyone else after the fact. His village and his country had customs for such things, he knew, but he had never witnessed one or knew what they entailed. Now he was married in another land and would probably never see such an event. He'd always supposed he'd see his students wed but now… He pushed the thoughts away, shoving them down onto an ever-growing pile.

Mei shooed the guards and elder out with a word and before Kakashi knew it, they were alone. Mei stretched her right hand once more and then she invited him to sit with a wave.

Kakashi sat down in a chair opposite of hers, taking a breath. Mei spoke first. Her words were straightforward, the meaning kind, but the tone was unfeeling. "This is how this is going to work. We're married now, that's the political arrangement, that's fact. But as one person talking to another, I realize you must have given up a lot to be here so I'm going to be as accommodating as I can." She turned to a small stack of papers to her left. "Now would you like a manservant or a maidservant?"

Kakashi blinked but recovered quickly. "I won't require either."

Mei glanced up, her green eyes piercing him. She nodded in approval. "Let me know if that preference changes. Still, I would feel better if you had someone you can rely on for questions and help around the village in general. So would you prefer a man or woman?"

"Man," Kakashi responded immediately.

Mei scribbled something on the paper in front of her and put it to the side. Almost as soon as the page was laid to rest, someone knocked and the door to the office opened. An aide hurried in to collect the page. After glancing at it she said, "I'll let Orino know that he's wanted." She bowed and exited.

Mei continued, "Orino will show you to your quarters. He'll be assigned to you from this day onward. If you need anything, he'll be around to assist you in any way, including if you prefer him to be reassigned. He won't take it personally."

"Thank you," Kakashi said, a numbness filling him up. He was going to be a prisoner here, a show animal kept in a golden cage. He knew it was coming but the realization still hit him hard. He focused on his sense of smell and hearing to distract himself. Everything smelled unfamiliar and he made a mental note to begin categorizing the scents.

"Similarly, if we have any functions to attend, such as our wedding celebration this evening, Orino will inform you of those as they come up."

"Yes Lady Mizukage," Kakashi replied robotically.

Mei frowned. "Although I appreciate the honor you pay me, we can't have you calling your wife Lady Mizukage all the time. You'll have to call me Mei."

"Yes, Mei," Kakashi said. Saying her name was like pulling teeth. A phantom pain went through his jaw.

Mei raised an eyebrow. Her husband looked and sounded as if the words gave him pain. "You may want to practice that."

"Yes Mei."

The Mizukage's expression soured for a moment but then she blinked and the look was gone. Her business-like attitude returned in full force. "I'm not known to be affectionate so you won't have to worry about..." Mei trailed off as if she was embarrassed by what she was about to say. "We won't have to be in physical contact at all. Just walking by my side and speaking when you're spoken to will be sufficient."

Kakashi nodded and there was a knock at the door. Mei gratefully turned back to her paperwork as a ninja entered. He had orange hair, a thin face, and a pronounced widow's peak. His blue eyes stayed on the Mizukage until he bowed low. "Orino will show you to your room," Mei said as both an introduction and dismissal.

Kakashi bent at the waist and Mei looked up sharply. "No more of that Kakashi. You don't bow to your wife. And if someone doesn't address you as Lord Hatake after our union is announced, let Orino know." The dangerous way in which she said it almost guaranteed that Kakashi would never mention if someone called him Lord or not. For one thing it was embarrassing but he also feared what Mei would do to someone who was disrespectful to her husband.

All these thoughts flew through Kakashi's mind as he froze and turned his movement into a nod. "Yes, Mei." He gritted his teeth.

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The wedding celebration wasn't as uncomfortable as Kakashi had feared. As promised, he and Mei only had to be seen together, nothing more. There was the occasional hand-brush and they stood in close proximity, but Kakashi could tolerate that. There were clients he'd guarded that he'd been forced to stand closer to than he did his new wife. In this case the client was the Leaf Village and he would do anything and everything required of him.

The old habits and manners came easily to him: when to bow, when to smile, it was like a dance. He and Mei whirled around and around, repeating the steps, not missing a beat. They pleased everyone but themselves.

"What a fine couple."

"The last of his clan you say?"

"Lady Mei looks so happy. I'm so glad she's fina- um, I mean I'm so glad she's found someone."

"The Copy Ninja himself!"

Eventually, as the night drew on and Mei sensed it was time, she excused herself and her new husband. Some of the less subtle guests exchanged looks or winks with each other. The gathering as a whole wished them a good evening and the new couple withdrew.

As soon as they were inside and out of sight, Mei's bright smile fell from her face. She strode ahead, not caring if Kakashi kept up. She quickly pulled away from him and he let her, wanting space himself. His steps slowed almost to a stop and Orino seemed to materialize out of a nearby hallway. He wore the same outfit as before, a dark gray tunic with gray striped leg warmers poking out the bottom.

"You must be tired," Orino said. "I'll show you the way back."

Kakashi caught one last glimpse of Mei as she rounded a corner far ahead of him. She did not look back. Kakashi was not tired in the least. He felt on edge. There was no one here who cared for his safety, no comrades, and no hope of return to the place of his birth. In enemy territory, he expected a knife in the back any minute. He took a breath. Do what is expected of you. He nodded and Orino led the way upstairs.