The Assignment

Tsunade had no clue when her daughter would arrive. She could only wait, though she was sure she would take her time. She told the Toad Sage to inform her that the mission was time-sensitive, and hoped that would put more haste in her step. Katsume only tends to be late when it's she who has requested her presence, other than that she is quite punctual, so she's told, she hasn't experienced her daughter's punctuality herself.

A beige ceramic mug sits heavily front-and-center atop her desk after just being filled with steaming joe. Black coffee-the darkest roast Shizune could find at the market- bitter and akin to drinking sediment. She could add sugar and some cream and maybe it's just the masochist dwelling deeply within, but she preferred it this way.

The mug is hot to the touch and like any sane person, she ops for the handle on the side intended for such a debacle. She lifts it to her plump lips and the scalding liquid burns her tongue on its journey down her throat, but she pays no mind, the hotter the better-again, it's the masochist. She loves the consistency of morning coffee, as most adults do, it's a routine she would prefer not to live without; wake up, get ready, walk to her office, sit down behind her desk and look over the new stack of documents as Shizune summarizes the day's schedule while pouring the steaming dark liquid into her usual beige ceramic mug.

A light knock sounds-the Anbu stationed outside the door notifying her of the imminent company- before the double-doors swing open. A moment later, in a notoriously relaxed fashion, two-of-a-kind saunter through the doorway. The white-haired father-daughter duo looked more alike than ever before, baffling her that that was even possible. Inherently, it is possible.

She scans over her daughter approaching her, adorning her new forehead protector similar to Jiraiya's. She not smiling now but her features are light in a way that tells her she's smiled a lot today-her eyes are soft, along with the remanence of crinkles in the corners from her facial muscles pushing the skin upwards.

Tsunade is pleased she likes her present. Katsume didn't need to know she had anything to do with it. Jiraiya had insisted she put her "mark" on it so, whether Katsume knew or not, she would always carry a piece of her mother as well. Although her green haori is about four inches shorter now, he was right, a sense of pride flowed within her, along with the love she's come to acquire for her daughter. It was always there but she pushed it away, to selfishly spare the heartache she brought upon herself. She could let it go now-the love-set it free into the air. She'd push it away no longer.

A small brown paper bag is plopped next to her ceramic mug, sending ripples over the dark liquid. Tsunade glances between the bag with the rolled top and the young woman standing before her desk, who is staring out of the large windows overlooking the village, surely just avoiding looking her in the eyes. Tsunade's brow furrow in confusion as she takes hold of the bag and begins unraveling the haphazardly rolled opening.

"It's just a muffin," Katsume announces boredly, her gaze still fixed on the window.

Tsunade's gaze travels from the bag's contents to her daughter once again, hoping to finally meet her goldens but to no avail. They shift from Katsume to a cheekily smiling Jiraiya giving her two big supportive thumbs-ups as he backs stealthily out of the room, leaving the women to conversate alone. She bites her lip to keep herself from smiling too wide and thanks her daughter for the breakfast. She doesn't fail to notice the light blush dusting her features.

The Hokage clears her throat and picks up a folder sitting on top of the new pile Shizune so kindly left for her to assign by the end of the week. It's as if as soon as she finishes a stack of paperwork, another mountain replaces it. It is truly exhausting. She examines the contents of the folder briefly before handing it over to Katsume. "Your assignment is to retrieve a scroll containing a kinjutsu."

Katsume flips through the pages, skimming over the details of the assignment. "A forbidden jutsu, eh? What is so dangerous about it?"

Tsunade laces her fingers together, her elbows resting on the oak desk. "Well based on the reports we've received, it exchanges your life source for a temporary boost of chakra. That's all we really know, unfortunately. So, this mission will need to include a bit of investigating on your end."

Investigation and retrieval. Fantastic. Fantastically boring. At least it's a mission. She'd treat it with the respect she gives every mission and bounty. She should have known that with Tsunade's reluctance to put her back in the field the assignment would be something like this. Figures.

Tsunade clears her throat to gather her daughter's attention. "There's one more thing...We believe the scroll is located in the Land of Water, more specifically, the Village Hidden in the Mist."

Katsume quirks an ivory brow. "I'm not up-to-date on the political standings of every village, so forgive me for not understanding. However, I'm aware that the Mist is not exactly the most welcoming, hence why they are referred to as the Bloody Mist."

"Yes, more recently they have been in a civil war between certain clans. Although we are not sure why they are at war, we know the Mist is a treacherous place to be right now... Which is why you will not be going alone."

The office doors creak open and soft footsteps sound out as sliver locks bounce lightly with each casual stride. For whatever reason, he was eager to see how she would react to being assigned a mission with him as her partner. They've been on small missions with the students, before Otogakure, but since Sakura and Naruto have been training with Lady Fifth and Jiraiya, neither he nor his co-sensei has been assigned a mission in a while. Now they are going on one together...so that'll be interesting.

Katsume shifts her disappointed gaze to her colleague and her goldens lock onto his onyx orb. He's been quite elusive lately. Well, more than usual. It's not that she doesn't want him as a partner. Nothing like that. Honestly, she was just excited to finally have a solo mission. But apparently, she's still not trusted enough for that, which is a bit irritating. What else does she need to do to prove herself? She already died, or...well, almost. Good grief. At least this assignment won't be boring. She unintentionally rolls her eyes back to her mother, her scowl firmly intact.

Kakashi was not expecting that reaction. What did he do to deserve a scowl from the woman? He hadn't intended to avoid her the past few days, situations just kept calling for his attention, that's all. He's been busy...super busy...with many things...super important things.

Alright fine, you got him, he hasn't been busy, quite the opposite actually. He just needed time to himself to figure things out. What things, you say? Well, it's complicated, because he's still not sure. This is what he's come to understand the past few days-One; Katsume has some weird power or persuasion over him, which is frustratingly making him do and say things he wouldn't normally. Two; He's admitted to himself that he's attracted to her, obviously, she's a beautiful and strong woman, but he felt it inappropriate to see his colleague like that, but it's become increasingly difficult as of late. And three; They are indeed friends. That conclusion brought him warmth, but also the one that forced his cold shoulder. He's...well...he hasn't had the best luck with friends.

So, he decided to keep his distance, for her sake and for his.

However, he couldn't avoid the Hokage, who assigned him this mission earlier this morning. If you don't remember, he was also assigned to keep an eye on Katsume when she was originally assigned to Team 7. He was scolded by Lady Fifth who had to remind him as well.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't need a babysitter," Katsume remarks, her pitch increasing with her frustration.

"Katsume," Kakashi warns.

Katsume ignores him, but lowers her tone with a sigh, "I'll be more efficient on my own, not to mention faster," she looks back at Kakashi, "No offense."

"I'm offended." Kakashi remarks sarcastically, his expression lax as usual.

Katsume deadpans and returns her glare to her mother. "I don't understand why after everything that happened, you still can't trust me. You continue to believe I'm incompetent. Kakashi is not coming. If I go alone, I'll be in and out and the Mist will never know I was even there. This is what I do, Tsunade. I can do it." Her dignity screams. She's never begged for anything in her life. This is fucking pathetic. She just wants the chance to prove herself-to make up for her failure in Oto.

Ouch. It's not like he was looking forward to being stuck to her side the entirety of the mission to make sure she doesn't get herself killed, but damn. She's acting childish. She's acting like Naruto. Despite this, he gets the sense there is more going on with her that he is unable to see.

"Katsume," Tsunade sighs, she doesn't have time for this. She should have known she would make it personal. "It has nothing to do with your competency. I have full faith you can do this on your own. I understand how you are feeling and I know you are used to doing things on your own, but you aren't a bounty hunter anymore. Right now, with the state of Mist, I cannot allow you to go into enemy territory alone. You and Kakashi will leave on your assignment immediately."

Katsume sighs but doesn't make a move to leave. "I understand." She then turns to meet her partner's bored expression. "Kakashi, go on ahead, I'll meet you at the East Gate. I have other matters I need to discuss with the Lady Fifth."

Kakashi nods and bows to dismiss himself. As he exits the office, he wonders what matters she is referring to. She better not pick a fight with the Hokage over this damn mission, though that would be an interesting fight to witness. Or maybe...

"Alright...on one condition-you don't call me princess ever again."

He chuckles."No. Pick a different condition. I'm only addressing you appropriately."

Katsume's eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh...you don't know?" He hums in thought, "Well, that conversation is probably more suited to have with the Hokage..."

That was the night she escaped from the hospital. God, that just reminded him how frustratingly stubborn she is. He can't believe it sometimes. She is the furthest thing from a princess. Kakashi pulls out his book as he makes his way out of the Hokage mansion and heads for the East Gate. They are supposed to leave as soon as possible, so she best get that potentially groundbreaking conversation over with.

__________________________________________________________

"I apologize for my insubordination. I'm just exhausted from being treated like I'm this fragile thing that needs to be protected. Maybe you could shed some light on that for me so I can understand where you are coming from."

Tsunade looks up at her daughter wide-eyed. Did she just apologize? It's already a wonder why she's decided to talk to her willingly. First, it was the muffin. Now she's communicating and trying to understand her in a healthy way. What is going on with her today? Maybe she is always like this, and she's just opening up and trying to connect with her now.

Tsunade stands from her chair and ushers Katsume to a seating arrangement in the corner of her office. Katsume sits beside her on the not-so-comfortable pastel couch and observes as her mother lets out a deep sigh. "No, I'm sorry. I should have told you a while ago. It is no wonder you would be curious about your lineage. What do you want to know?"

Katsume chuckles nervously knowing Tsunade will not be too happy about what she's about to say. "I understand your reasoning behind keeping our relation under wraps, however..."

Tsunade narrows her eyes, "However what, Katsume?"

"It's nothing really...I sorta told Kakashi... And well, he made this comment that had me wondering." Katsume scratches the back of her head. God, this is so fucking embarrassing.

"What was the comment?"

She feels the skin of her cheeks burning as she fixes her gaze on anything but her mother. "Well, he...uh...He called me... princess. I thought he was just messing with me but he said he was addressing me appropriately."

Tsunade's eyebrows raise and she sucks in her lips, impossibly trying to stifle her laugh which slips out in snorts at her daughter's explanation. Her expression of utter embarrassment and flaming features are extremely telling of what her and Kakashi's relationship is like. She couldn't even bring herself to be mad about her spilling her secret to him. Kakashi isn't one to gossip anyway, so of all the people, she's glad it was him she confided in.

Katsume stares at her mother incredulously as she uncharacteristically bursts out in a fit of laughter after failing to suppress it. " It's not funny! Just tell me what the hell he meant!"

Tsunade's laughter dies down to soft giggles, "Ahh, I'm sorry. I'm glad you guys are getting along. He is technically correct. I mean sort of..."

"What do you mean?" Katsume asks.

Tsunade thinks for a moment. "Are you aware of how the Leaf Village came to be?"

"Yeah, it was founded by Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. The Senju and Uchiha clans had been clashing for years before Hashirama and Madara came to an agreement and formed the Leaf-the first ever village formed by shinobi." Katsume explains thankful Jiraiya had explained it so simply during their first talk.

"Yes, Hashirama Senju became the First Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. Hashirama is also my grandfather so, obviously, that would make you his great-granddaughter. Because of this, I was often titled "Princess Tsunade". We're not exactly royalty, but my grandfather was highly respected. I suspect this is why Kakashi made that comment."

"I see, so that bastard was just messing with me...I'm gonna kill him." Katsume growls.

Tsunade chuckles. "As I said, he is not exactly wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was just trying to get under your skin. If word gets out, then expect that title to become a normality. I wasn't a fan of it either."

"Is there anything else, so I'm not surprised later?" Katsume grumbles.

"Well, your great-granduncle, Tobirama Senju, was the Second Hokage. Those are the main topics that may come up. This lineage makes you a descendant of the Senju and Uzumaki Clan, like myself. So, technically you are Katsume Senju if you wish. If you want to know more I can bring some history books for you." Tsunade cautiously places her hand on Katsume's knee, causing to gain her attention.

"About earlier...I need you to understand that I do trust you. I know how strong you are, and Oto was not your fault. I just worry about your safety. The Senju Clan, your father, and I have a substantial amount of enemies. You inherited an exponentially large target on your back, and I would be devastated to lose you before I even get to know you," Tsunade says softly, giving her a meek smile.

Katsume stares at the hand on her knee and chews on the soft inner lining of her cheek. Is she saying that is why she abandoned her? No, that's still not it. She seems to want to give her every excuse besides the real reason. Until her mother gets her shit together and comes clean about the real reason, she won't be forgiving her.

Katsume stands and Tsunade's hand falls from her knee. Katsume moves towards the door. She can't even look at her right now. Why did she have to go and make more excuses? She was starting to make some headway in her feelings and now she's gone and made her take a huge step back.

She can mean it as much as she wants, but if it's not the truth...Katsume doesn't want it.

As she opens the door to leave, she turns back, her glare cast on the tiles. "Well, that would be your own fault now, wouldn't it? By the way, I'll be leaving with Jiraiya and Naruto."

Tsunade watches her daughter's back disappear through the door in silence. Her gaze shifts to the blueberry muffin sitting pleasantly at the edge of her desk. But unsurprisingly,

she's lost her appetite.