Kakashi emerged from the basement with a slow, satisfied breath. The air upstairs felt warmer, lighter. He had spent hours submerged in jutsu, genetic blueprints, and beast-body designs with Orochimaru, his mind buzzing with formulas, seals, and chakra constructs. But now… now he was ready to rest.
The sound of soft laughter met his ears as he rounded the corner.
In the living room, soft lanterns cast a golden glow over the women who had gathered there. Kurenai leaned on the armrest of the couch, her long hair tied back as she chuckled at something Tsunade said.
Anko was stretched out lazily on the carpet, twirling a senbon between her fingers, while Tsunade sat in an armchair with her legs tucked up like a teenager, swirling a small cup of plum wine.
Mei sat comfortably between Kurenai and Anko, her long auburn hair falling like silk across her shoulders as she laughed with elegance, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.
Kakashi stopped in the hallway and smiled to himself.
They were getting along. Laughing. Talking. Sharing food and stories like old friends.
There had been a quiet worry deep inside him that Mei, a proud Kage from Kirigakure, might clash with the strong personalities of Anko and Tsunade. Or worse, that Kurenai might feel threatened. But seeing them like this made something in his chest ease.
'They're in harmony,' Kakashi thought. Good. I didn't want my women, and future women, trying to kill each other.
Mei was the first to notice him.
She turned her head and smiled, her eyes glinting. "Well, well. The elusive Kakashi appears. What were you doing down there for so long? Hiding from us?"
"He was with Orochimaru. They've got their little mad scientist lab down in the basement." Before Kakashi could respond, Tsunade leaned forward with a smirk and said.
"Orochimaru? The Orochimaru?" Mei blinked.
"It's not what you think." Anko rolled her eyes.
Tsunade waved a hand casually, enjoying Mei's surprise. "Not the original. This one's a remnant clone Kakashi created. He used part of Orochimaru's sealed soul, cleaned it up like an old sword, and now he's loyal and only answers to Kakashi."
"You recreated one of the most dangerous shinobi in history… and turned him into your assistant?" Mei stared at Kakashi for a moment, then slowly leaned back with an amused breath.
"It's more of a collaboration." Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck.
"You're a real genius," Mei said, smiling now with genuine admiration.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Kakashi took that as an invitation and moved over to sit beside her.
Anko smirked. "Oh, now you show up, huh? When the heavy work's done and the wine's been poured."
"Just in time to avoid Kushina's awful jokes," Tsunade added, taking another sip.
"She already left?" Kakashi let out a quiet laugh.
Kurenai nodded. "She said something about Minato's memorial and slipped out after dinner. You're lucky. She was about to tell everyone the story of you running away from a wild deer when you were six."
"That's a lie," Kakashi said as he rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.
The rest of the evening blurred into warm laughter and easy conversation. They talked about nothing and everything, village gossip, past missions, embarrassing stories, and even strange food cravings.
Anko teased Mei about being too elegant, while Mei teased back that Anko couldn't hold her sake. Tsunade and Kurenai were quietly amused, occasionally nudging Kakashi for his opinion, half just to hear what kind of deadpan wisdom or sarcasm he'd offer.
Time drifted like wind over water.
Before they knew it, the clock neared two in the morning.
Kakashi stood and stretched with a long yawn. "Alright. I think that's enough chaos for one night."
The women got up, murmuring sleepy goodnights. Anko wandered toward her room barefoot, mumbling something about ramen. Kurenai gave Kakashi a soft kiss on the cheek, while Tsunade gave him a playful shoulder bump.
Mei lingered a moment longer in the hallway.
"Here. You can stay here tonight. I figured you'd want your own space." Kakashi turned to her and opened the door to the guest room across from his own.
He smiled faintly. Even if part of me wanted you to share mine.
"Hmm. That's sweet… but are you sure you don't want to join me?" Mei stepped up to the doorway, turning to him with a teasing look in her eyes.
Kakashi paused for half a second, then leaned in slightly, letting his lips hover dangerously close to her ear.
"Gladly. Next time."
His voice was low, velvety. His breath sent a shiver down her spine, and Mei's cheeks flushed with color. She blinked and gave a soft laugh, biting her lip.
"You play dangerous games, Kakashi."
He tilted his head. "Only the ones worth playing."
She gave him a look that was half daring, half playful.
"Goodnight, then."
"Goodnight, Mei."
She stepped inside and closed the door slowly, and Kakashi watched the door for a moment before heading to his own room.
He stripped down to his black pants and undershirt, pulling the sheets back with a soft sigh. He lay down in the middle of Kurenai and Tsunade, while Anko lay on his stomach. Kakashi stared at the ceiling for a moment.
So much was happening at once.
Plans with Orochimaru. New seals. The body for Kurama. The coming Akatsuki. And now… his house was full of powerful, beautiful women who each had a place in his life. Some are more official than others. But none of them felt temporary.
Not even Mei.
The way she blushed tonight… the way she laughed with the others…
She's slipping closer.
Kakashi closed his eyes and let the hum of the night fill the silence.