Chapter 65 (Epilogue)

The closing ceremony was more pomp than Mei would have liked, but it was expected after the multi-day tournament. She thanked all the participants for their effort, the other villages for their friendship, and the nobles for their patronage. And just like that, it was over. Months of planning ended with a few heartfelt words.

Some of the visitors departed immediately, intent on getting home, bursting with stories to tell their local village or friends. Others lingered for a few days afterward. The members of the original Team Seven were some of those that lingered.

"I'm going to be Hokage soon," Naruto explained as the four of them walked together. "I might not have the chance to do this very often anymore."

"As if we won't be at your coronation," Sakura argued.

Naruto shrugged. "If you can't, you can't." He looked at Sasuke meaningfully. Now that approval had gone through for Sasuke and Bee to hunt down the Baransu, the last Uchiha would be away from the Leaf for months at a time.

Sakura caught the look and bristled. "Sasuke," addressing him by name for the first time in a long time, "you are not missing Naruto's coronation."

Sasuke wouldn't meet her fiery gaze. He kept his eyes on the road ahead of them as he replied. "If I'm needed to hunt down the Baransu at that time then-"

"Forget the Baransu," Sakura cut him off, "if you miss this then you're going to have to worry about me killing you."

Naruto and Sasuke both looked like they were about to protest when Kakashi cut in. "If the Baransu will be anywhere stirring up trouble, it will be at their target's coronation. Surely the other villages can see the logic of both Sasuke and Bee attending the event?"

Sakura's anger evaporated and she grinned at Kakashi. "Exactly," she agreed.

Naruto frowned in thought, wondering if he was allowed to accept such an easy solution. Sasuke just looked at Kakashi, wanting to be angry but unable to summon that emotion. Warmth filled him instead.

"And I'll be there too," Kakashi added. "Although I can't guarantee that Mei will be able to get away."

Naruto nodded. "I understand if she can't, as a fellow kage." Naruto grinned like a child.

Sasuke scoffed lightly. "You aren't Hokage yet."

Naruto rounded on him. "What did you say?"

"You heard me."

"Sasuke," Sakura reprimanded. "Don't bait Naruto! Naruto? Don't fall for it." She crossed her arms, irritated at them both.

Suddenly Naruto started laughing, holding his sides, struggling to keep his mirth contained. Sasuke looked at him quizzically.

"What is it Naruto?" Sakura asked. She seemed to be on the border between angry and confused, just as likely to fall in either direction depending on the Uzumaki's response.

The blonde stifled his chuckles enough to say, "you scolded Sasuke too, not just me. It's awesome."

Sakura and Sasuke glanced at each other before quickly turning away. Sakura tucked a pink strand behind her ear. "It is a little funny I guess."

Sasuke hummed noncommittally but there was a smile in his light eyes.

Kakashi watched his three students, thinking about all that had changed since the end of the Great War. Then his mind went back further, to the day when he'd promised Sakura that things would be like they were before. Looking at his students now, thinking of all they had, he realized he'd been wrong. Things weren't like how they'd been before. They were better.

000000

The Mizukage and her husband sat in bed, reading together. Suddenly Mei put her book down and glanced around the bedroom. Kakashi's things were intermixed with hers on the dresser, walls, and floor. She turned to look at the man she'd married by contract four years ago, the man with whom she'd fallen in love.

"Are we in a rut?" Mei asked suddenly.

Kakashi glanced up from his own book. He responded with a questioning hum.

"I know you heard me," Mei replied, a half smile on her lips. "Answer the question please."

Kakashi put the book down in his lap, keeping a finger on his page. "I suppose you could say that." He turned to look at her. "Is it a problem?"

Mei's lips parted but then closed. Suddenly she felt guilty for wanting to complain. Things were good. No one was at war, she and Kakashi were both healthy and happy together, and the Mist had put in a good showing at the chunin exams. With the majority of the visitors gone, the village had begun the post-exam cleanup in earnest. It was a happy chore however. The merchants were that much richer after having so many visitors in the village, and once things were cleaned up, everything could return to normal. Despite the economic boom and the relief of finally having the exams over with, Mei still felt discontent. Perhaps she was just tired, or coming down from the high of the exams was getting to her.

The Mizukage closed her book. "I think I'm going to turn in early tonight."

"Mei," Kakashi said, closing his book and setting it aside. "Is everything alright?"

Mei had shifted away from him to switch off her light but turned back at his question. "Yes, why?"

"You never answered my question," Kakashi pointed out. His face was unreadable.

Mei thought through their conversation backward. Then she looked at him again. "No, it's not a problem. I just, I don't know." She fiddled with a strand of her hair. Her pendant was on the dresser. "I'm spoiled by the peace I guess. Worrying about things being too boring."

Kakashi's eyebrows lifted so that they hid behind his hair. "We could make it less boring."

Mei snorted at his implication and gave him a half-shove. "Not tonight my love," she turned out her light and gave Kakashi a kiss before settling down onto her pillow. Mei looked up at her husband. Kakashi hadn't shifted his focus from her. Mei waited for him to speak.

"We could go on a second honeymoon," Kakashi suggested. "To give you some time to unwind now that the exams are over."

Mei smiled up at him. "Less political? And shorter?"

"Much shorter," Kakashi agreed. "But not too short."

Mei nodded thoughtfully, her smile impish, "and a little more intimate."

"No need for guards," Kakashi added with a smirk. "Just the two of us."

Mei grinned in the dim light. "We'll talk about it more tomorrow."

"I look forward to it." And to every tomorrow with you, he added in his head. Kakashi turned out his light and also made preparations for sleep.

"Kakashi?" Mei asked in the dark.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Kakashi smirked. His mask did not hide it, only the darkness. "I love you too."

The End

Author's Notes:

1. Thank you to DimiGex and MGB for their continued support both as betas and readers for the last three years.

2. Thank you to all you favoriters, followers, reviewers, readers, and lurkers out there for supporting this story with your views, reviews, etc.

3. Some of you have asked, both in the past and more recently, if I plan to write a sequel for Boiling Point. I do not, nor do I plan to expand the BP universe in any way. This story was a three year time commitment and I knew that going into it. I am not in a position to make any time commitments to fan fiction for the foreseeable future.

I have three shorter stories that are half or over half done that I've been working on the side. One of those stories (silly as it is) has been around for longer than Boiling Point. I intend to finish those three at my leisure and then I will probably withdraw from fan fiction for the most part. My husband and I have a baby on the way and our family will take priority over any writing that I do.

4. Thank you again for your understanding and support. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.