Ch130- I Want You In My Life
Kai delved straight into the matter, his tone firm but devoid of any flamboyance, “I’ve already declared a war against the Akatsuki.” He glanced around at the gathered Kage, his eyes subtly searching for their consensus on the matter. “Have you reached a conclusion?”
Tsunade nodded affirmatively. “We have. We’ve established the Shinobi Force and decided upon the divisions and their leaders.” There was a sense of finality and determination in her voice, reflecting the shared resolve of the Five Kage.
Kai merely acknowledged this with a brief nod, uninterested in the hierarchy or the distribution of responsibilities. He had a clear understanding that when the decisive battle arrived, it would boil down to him and the major players in the Akatsuki.
“So, what’s our next move?” The question came from the Raikage, his voice laced with restrained power and concern.
Kai spoke, his words clear and succinct, "We've put Akatsuki on the back foot when we thwarted their attempts on Gaara and now, Fu. This will spur them to escalate their actions. I plan to locate all Jinchurikis and bring them together. We’ll prepare and wait. Akatsuki's base remains elusive unless they utilize extensive chakra. When they launch their attack, we will be ready."
Silence lingered for a brief moment, but no words of dissent filled the air. The Kage were well aware of Kai's capabilities, the dimension they currently occupied serving as a silent testament to his powers. They understood that if he decided to hide all the Jinchurikis in a separate dimension, it would be nigh impossible for anyone, even the Sage of Six Paths, to find them.
"So, we gather our forces and we wait," mused Tsunade, her voice filled with a quiet determination.
Gaara nodded, “Yes. We concentrate our strength and remain vigilant.”
The Raikage leaned forward, his voice a rumble, "And when they come, we strike."
Kai utilized Kamui, a space-time ninjutsu, to transport each Kage and their aides back to their respective villages. His first stop was the Hidden Leaf Village, where he sent Tsunade, Tayuya, and Fu. The swift departure was paramount, as Fu required immediate medical attention, and Tsunade was best suited for the job.
Without missing a beat, he then directed Kakashi towards the Hokage Tower. The impending war would demand every ounce of the veteran shinobi’s strategic expertise.
Each successive teleportation was quick and efficient. The Tsuchikage was sent back to the Hidden Stone Village, followed by the Raikage to the Hidden Cloud Village, and then the Kazekage to the Hidden Sand Village.
The final destination was the Village of the Mist. As Kai emerged into the Mizukage's chamber, Mei and her two aides swiftly took note of their surroundings. But before the aides could process the situation, Mei gently clasped Kai's arm. "Leave us," she commanded, her tone firm yet not harsh. The aides, recognizing the authority in her voice, promptly exited the room.
Once the door clicked shut behind them, Mei turned her gaze towards Kai, a mixture of seriousness and concern evident in her eyes. "Can we talk?"
Kai nodded, sensing the depth of the conversation Mei was intending to initiate. "I..." she stammered, her body gravitating towards him until she embraced him, her ear pressed against his chest, lost in the rhythm of his heartbeat. Kai remained still, allowing her this moment of closeness, a wordless consent lingering in the air.
"Do you forgive me?" Mei's voice was a whispered plea. The remnants of her past actions, using her allure to entice Kai to her village, cast a shadow over her being. It was a futile attempt; Kai had told her so, but she hadn’t heeded his words. The potential bond that could have grown between them lay dormant, mired in her misjudgments. Now, in this silent, heavy moment, Mei sought redemption and the hope of rebuilding what could have been.
"There's no need for apologies," Kai replied, his voice steady yet infused with a subtle softness, "You acted in the interest of your role as Mizukage."
Mei shook her head, the movement slight against his chest, "But I failed to act in the best interest as Mei."
The room was steeped in a quiet tension, the echoes of unspoken feelings and unsaid words filling the spaces between them. Kai broke the silence with a simple, "Mei, we are both bound by our duties, by our roles. We make decisions that we believe are right at that moment. That doesn’t mean we are free from making mistakes."
His words, while straightforward, held a quiet understanding. His gaze met hers, a silent assurance that forgiveness was never a question.
Mei, feeling the weight of her actions and the unspoken forgiveness in his stance, took a step back. "Kai," she said, looking into his eyes, a mix of regret and newfound resolve within her own, "I want to make amends. I want to be someone who can truly stand by your side, as Mei, not just as the Mizukage."
Kai granted Mei a small, sincere smile, subtly tucking an errant strand of her hair behind her ear. The gesture drew a light blush from the Mizukage, as she remained close to his chest. "That would be nice," he said quietly. His response sparked a moistening of Mei’s eyes, her embrace tightening, to which Kai responded in kind, his actions speaking volumes more than his words could convey.
Mei, feeling a semblance of solace in his response and his embrace, allowed a moment of silence to envelope them, relishing in the closeness. Eventually, she pulled back slightly, her eyes still clinging to his. "Kai, I… I want to help, to really be part of this, part of your life, your family."
Mei was already aware that Kai had multiple companions in his life, and this reality seemed acceptable to her. The distance and time spent away from him made her realize that sharing moments with him, even if not exclusively, was more valuable than being without him.
She then lifted herself slightly, her eyes, a swirl of complex emotions, lingered on his, and their lips met. It wasn’t a moment of passionate flame or a prelude to any discussions. It was a shared moment, a silent conversation, a promise, and an acceptance all rolled into one simple yet profound gesture.
Mei's lips were soft against his, and her hand reached up to gently cup his cheek, fingertips barely grazing his skin. Kai responded to the kiss, his hand finding the small of her back, pulling her closer. The kiss was their form of an unspoken bond, a connection that transcended the spoken word, a covenant sealed not in ink but in shared breaths and intertwined destinies.
The kiss broke naturally, leaving a shared warmth between them. Mei looked up into Kai's eyes, seeking assurance, finding solace. "Kai," she whispered, her voice coated with a myriad of unvoiced feelings, "I want to be with you, truly be with you."
Kai, adhering to his usual reticent self, didn’t voice his myriad of emotions. He didn't delve into poetic affirmations or lengthy proclamations. Instead, he simply nodded, allowing his hand to gently cradle the back of her head, his fingers tangling softly in her hair. His actions, that silent, reassuring nod and the softness in his eyes, conveyed his acceptance and shared yearning.
"Being with you, standing by your side, even if it’s not as the only one, it’s enough for me," Mei confessed softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I don't need titles, validations, or assurances; your presence is enough."
Kai could sense the sincerity in her words, the depth of her emotions, and her willingness to embrace the unconventional structure of his life. He let out a soft sigh, a hint of his internal turmoil and unspoken thoughts, and pulled her closer, embracing her warmly.
"I want you in my life, Mei," he said quietly, his words holding more gravity than volumes of declarations. He wasn't one for grand speeches or elaborate promises. His world was built on actions, on silent promises, and on shared moments.
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