( after the nine tails attack, couldn't find a proper angle to write it from. )

Meiko sighed heavily as she pushed herself out of her bed, only after attaching her metal leg to her stump. She walked over to her closest and got dressed, putting on her official Jonin uniform. Nearly a year after the attack on the village, Meiko was finally promoted to Jonin.

The pants she wore went all the way to her ankles, and she made sure to wrap her entire fake foot in bandages so that it wasn't noticeable. She then slid on her ninja shoe, long sleeved blue shirt and standard flak jacket before she moved onto the bathroom.

Once in the bathroom, she stared at herself. Her dark brown eyes stared back from her reflection, and she sighed while she grabbed a hairbrush; beginning to brush her once again long hair. Her father had asked her to grow it back out, because he liked it better long. So she did, even though she was miserable.

Meiko pulled all of her hair up into a tight bun on top of her head, and then tied her headband around her head, a few pieces of her bangs overlapping the cool metal material. She brushed her teeth and did anything else she needed to do to finish getting ready.

With a sigh, she moved into the living room and sat down on her couch, a book in her hands. But she wasn't going to read this book. No, the girl just stared at the pictures on her walls. The pictures of her and Asuma, pictures of her and her father, but lastly... pictures of and Kakashi.

Kakashi had pulled himself away from Meiko after the death of Minato, the last member other than Kakashi who was still alive from their squad. But after Kakashi lost the only other member, he pulled away from Meiko.

But that isn't to say that Meiko and Kakashi didn't have good time when they were together. They were happy, being themselves in the apartment Meiko had gotten herself. They would stay up till all hours of the night, just talking about bullshit and enjoying each other company. Sharing random, passionate kisses and long nights together.

But now, Meiko spent all of her time alone. She rarely saw anyone anymore. Kakashi took tons and tons of missions, so he was always gone. And even when he was home, it seemed like they avoided each other.

A knock at her door drew her attention from what she was staring at, and she made her way over to the door slowly. She opened the door and there stood her father. She smiled at him.

"Oh, hi dad. Do you need something?" She asked, and Hizuren nodded his head slightly.

"I know it's early, but I have a mission for you. I need you to go to Suna, there you will meet with Kazakage. He is going to appoint you to someone who can further the training you already do. There in desperate need of more shinobi for now, so I'm sending you." He said.

"I don't have a choice in this?" She asked, and Hizuren shook his head.

"I'm afraid not my girl. I already sent them your file." He said and Meiko just nodded her head sadly.

"Okay. Thanks dad." She said before she shut the door in her fathers face. She turned around and made her way to the bedroom to start packing.

| * | * | * | * |

Meiko finished packing everything she could need, including medication and all of the things for her leg. She sighed heavily as she took a few pictures off the wall and put them in her backpack as well. That was it, she had everything that she was going to bring with her. She looked around at the apartment for the last time for a while, before she walked out of the door.

Meiko had her backpack firmly on her back, and she let her eyes take in every last detail of Konoha as she walked down to the village gates. She took in as the children played, stopping as they smiled at her and she smiled back. She took in the sweet aroma of the town, the love that she had for the village. She watched people laugh and smile, and it almost seemed as if they hadn't ever been affected by the fox those few years ago.

Meiko smiled at the village as she got to the gates, where her father and brother stood. To her left was Izumo and Kotestu, their eyes meeting with their old best friend. The sadness in their eyes was swimming in large proportions that Meiko didn't see, because she refused to look at them.

"You'll do Suna good."  The third said, and Meiko just nodded slightly.

"Thank you."

Asuma grabbed his sister, and pulled her close to him. He hugged her tightly, and she hugged him back tightly. The siblings hugged each other for a while before they pulled back and gave each other a small smile.

"I love you." They said at the same time, causing both of them to laugh.

"Will you tell Kakashi that I'm sorry I could bid him goodbye? And that I love him?" She asked her brother, and he nodded his head slowly.

"Of course." He said, and Meiko hugged her brother one more time before she looked at the gates one more time. She nodded slightly, mentally preparing herself before she began to walk out of the gates.

"I love you guys, I'll write," She said, and they both replied 'I love you too.'

| * | * | * | * |

Meiko had been walking for a while, the eighteen year old trying to figure out what was the easiest and quickly route to Suna, truth being she had only been there one time before that. She didn't leave the village often. Not as often as she should have.

"I'm gonna get lost. I don't even know where Suna is..." She muttered to herself as it was becoming dark outside.

"Yes you are." A male voice said, and Meiko grabbed a kunai from her pouch and turned towards where the voice came from. And there, in all his glory, was Kakashi Hatake in his Anbu uniform.

Meiko relaxed, and smiled at him. She walked towards him as quick as she could and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Kakashi's hands were placed gently on her back, pulling her close.

"So you were just gonna leave without a goodbye? Without telling me that you love me?" Kakashi said jokingly, and Meiko laughed to herself before nodding.

"You know I'm terrible at goodbyes." She said as she stared up at him, placing her hands on his face. They were not actually together, they never had been, but it did seem like it. They acted just like a couple, though they never put a label on it.

"I know." Kakashi said quietly, and Meiko smiled at him. "How about you let me escort you to Suna? I wouldn't feel alright just letting you stumble around the forest all alone." He said, and Meiko gave a hesitant nod.

"Fine." She said. "But let's camp now."

"Alright." Kakashi said as he began to make a fire, and Meiko set up a sleeping bag with a small makeshift shelter. Once they were both done, they settled in on the sleeping bag, staring into the fire with their fingers intertwined.

"I love you, Meiko Sarutobi." Kakashi said quietly as he played with her fingers gently. "You should feel special. I hate almost everyone." He said, laughing.

"I love you too, Kakashi Hatake." Meiko said as she looked up at him, and quickly pulled down his mask so that his face was visible to her. Normally he would have freaked out, but Meiko pressed her lips against his before he could.

The kiss started out gentle and loving, soft and sweet, but soon grew to a long, passionate kiss. A kiss that was only broken when the two of them removed a piece of clothing. It was no surprise that Kakashi and Meiko had slept together before, as they were almost in a relationship. But tonight, tonight was the first night they made love to each other.

And it was a beautiful thing.

| * | * | * | * |

Meiko woke up in the morning, nude and tangled up with Kakashi. A blush formed over her cheeks as she started to look for her clothing, quickly putting it on her body. She then laid back down beside of Kakashi and ran her fingers through his silver hair as he slept.

It would be hours later before Kakashi woke up, and the first thing he did was get dressed. He then helped her pick up the camp sight they created, and they were on their way.

They walked and walked for what seemed like forever in silence. But not an awkward silence, a comfortable silence. They were just enjoying each other's company.

Finally, the reaches Suna after another day, then making small talk and saying 'I love you.' randomly. But when they reached the gates of Suna, Kakashi gave Meiko a huge hug, and a final kiss on the head.

"I'll write to you. And I promise I'll see you whenever I can." Meiko said quietly, and Kakashi gave a firm nod.

"I love you." Kakashi said.

"And I love you." Meiko replied, before they walked their separate ways. Meiko into Suna, and Kakashi back towards Konoha.

But neither of them knew what the next few years would hold for the two of them.

\\\\///

AND THAT IS THE END OF BOOK 1.
I'm sorry for the late updates guys. I have school, lessons, musical, and work, and I just get behind and overwhelmed. But don't worry, I'm writing chapters ahead of the now. 🌺

BOOK TWO will be out within the next day.

Love you guys. 💖💖