The first rays of dawn filtered gently through the tall pines surrounding Konoha, casting golden beams across the misty village.
Birds chirped softly in the distance as the dew glistened on rooftops, and the hustle of the day had yet to begin.
Mei stood at the front gate, dressed in her traveling cloak and high-heeled boots, her luggage neatly stacked beside her.
Chojuro stood not far, yawning as he adjusted his oversized sword on his back. His eyes were slightly red, clearly still groggy from being up too early.
Mei, on the other hand, looked calm and composed. Still, there was a faint heaviness in her chest.
She was leaving.
Just as she turned to say something to Chojuro, footsteps echoed from behind.
She turned.
Kakashi was walking toward her with a calm gait, his long dark cloak billowing slightly behind him in the early morning wind.
His silver hair gleamed in the sunlight, and his expression was relaxed, but sharp-eyed, as always. Over his shoulder hung a light travel bag, and his hands were tucked into his pockets.
"You're-?" Mei blinked.
"Coming with you, of course." Kakashi stopped in front of her and gave a soft smile.
"You weren't kidding last night?" Mei's eyes widened, but then her lips curled into a small smile.
"I rarely joke about travel," Kakashi replied dryly, then pulled off the small shoulder bag and, in one smooth motion, pressed his wrist. There was a soft glow, and poof, the bag disappeared into thin air.
"A storage seal?" Mei raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Kakashi turned his wrist to show her the faint glimmer of a seal, not a tag, but a tattoo. Barely visible, almost seamlessly blended into his skin.
"Not just any seal," he said. "It's something I developed. Compact, invisible, and has ten times more space than any standard scroll seal."
"You have to teach me that." Mei's eyes sparkled.
"Or I could just give you one." Kakashi gave her a lazy grin.
"Your wrist, please." He held out his hand.
Mei didn't hesitate. She pulled back her sleeve and offered her smooth wrist.
Kakashi placed two fingers against her skin and focused. A soft blue light shimmered as complex lines spiraled across her skin, forming a perfect, invisible seal that vanished a moment later, blending with her skin tone.
"All done," Kakashi said. "To activate it, just press chakra into it like this-" He guided her gently, showing her the flow.
Mei followed, and a moment later, her bags disappeared one by one with quiet puffs, sealed effortlessly into her new tattoo. Her mouth dropped open slightly in delight.
"This is so much better than carrying everything like a civilian," she said.
"Told you," Kakashi smirked.
Chojuro, who had been silently watching the interaction, adjusted his sword awkwardly. "Um… I'm fine carrying mine. I don't need-"
"Give it," Kakashi interrupted, holding out his hand.
"But"
"You'll thank me later."
Reluctantly, Chojuro removed his modest pack and handed it over. Kakashi sealed it into his other wrist with a flick of chakra. Chojuro blinked as it vanished.
"…Thanks," he said, surprised.
"No problem," Kakashi replied.
At that moment, Tsunade, Anko, Kurenai, and Karin arrived to say goodbye. They looked surprisingly awake for the hour, though Anko had a half-eaten Dango in hand, and Tsunade held a travel flask that definitely wasn't filled with tea.
"Leaving already?" Tsunade said, stopping in front of Mei.
"Time to return before my village falls apart." Mei nodded.
"I give it a week before they send another panic letter," Anko grinned.
"I give it three days," Kurenai said.
"Thanks for the barbecue. And, uh… don't steal Kakashi-sensei. We still need him." Karin stepped forward and gave Mei a quick hug, surprising both of them.
"He's just visiting." Mei laughed softly and nodded.
"For now," Kakashi added with a mischievous smirk.
"Try not to kill anyone on the way back." Tsunade gave Kakashi a quick kiss on the cheek, then looked at Mei and said.
"No promises."
Then, with all goodbyes said, Kakashi stepped forward and placed a hand on Mei's shoulder and another on Chojuro's.
"Hold on," he said.
A flash of chakra surged through the ground, and swoosh! In a blink, the three vanished, space distorting slightly as the Flying Thunder God technique activated.
They reappeared in a quiet clearing near the southern border of the Land of Fire, the wind swirling gently from the teleportation.
"Ugh… everything's spinning…" Chojuro wobbled.
"Side effect of your first time," Kakashi said casually.
"Teleporting really cuts down the journey." Mei stood tall, unfazed. She looked around and smiled.
"Only for the first stretch," Kakashi replied. "Now we travel the rest on foot. No known markers in Water Country yet."
The three of them began walking east, toward the coast. The day was peaceful, the road quiet save for the sound of birds and the crunch of dirt beneath their boots.
They passed through small villages and thick forests, taking time to rest at clear streams and eat snacks from Kakashi's sealed inventory. Mei enjoyed the serenity; she hadn't had a quiet walk like this in years.
Chojuro grew more relaxed with each hour, occasionally chatting with Kakashi about swords and techniques. Though still shy, he seemed genuinely interested in Kakashi's perspective on combat and tactics.
Mei stayed close to Kakashi, occasionally brushing her hand against his as they walked. He never pulled away.
By the time the sun began to set, casting the skies in hues of orange and pink, the group found a small inn along a quiet country road. It was an ordinary-looking place with a wooden sign that read: "Sakura's Rest Inn – Hot Meals & Beds".
"Looks like a decent spot," Kakashi said.
"Let's rest here for the night." Mei nodded.
Inside, the inn was simple but cozy. The old woman running the front desk greeted them with a warm smile and offered them a hot meal as part of their stay.
"I'll take one room with two beds and one with a single bed," Kakashi said, pulling out a few Ryo.
"You planning to sleep alone?" Mei glanced at him.
"I thought I'd let Chojuro have a night without worrying," Kakashi smirked.
The poor boy turned bright red but said nothing.
Dinner was surprisingly good, rice, grilled fish, soup, and pickled vegetables. Mei practically devoured hers while Kakashi quietly sipped tea beside her. Chojuro tried his best to enjoy the food while subtly keeping watch for any trouble, but there was none.
No ambushes. No spies. Just quiet.
Later that night, as they all retired to their rooms, Kakashi stood outside for a moment, looking at the stars. Mei joined him, leaning on the wooden railing of the second-floor balcony.
"Thank you for coming," she said softly.
"You didn't even ask me to," Kakashi replied. "But I'm glad I did."
"I think I'll miss this part of the journey the most." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Then let's make it last a bit longer." Kakashi placed his hand over hers.
They stayed there, in silence, under the open sky.
And on that peaceful night, between the chirps of crickets and the rustle of leaves, a small part of them wished this trip would never end.