A/N: Hello, and welcome. I hope you all enjoy this story. I just wanted to let my readers know to expect shortish chapters, but there will be a lot of them. This will be a slowly progressing story so don't expect any naughty parts off the bat. You should find yourself saying, "just fuck already!" quite a bit.

Anywho, enjoy. And reviews are always appreciated.

Chapter 1

"Kakashi, a majority of the village seems to favor you," Homura said.

Kakashi remained quiet. They didn't summon him ever to congratulate him. Something unpleasant was coming, he could feel it.

"Those that are shinobi, that is," Koharu finished the thought shrewdly.

"The villagers know you as a hero and a great ninja but question your compassion and care for them, as non-shinobi."

Shizune seemed shocked. "That's nonsense! No one doubts Kakashi-sama's love for the village!"

Kakashi put up a hand to shush her. "What are you suggesting I do?"

"Hokage in your position need to uphold their current reputation as head of the shinobi power, but also be more present in the public as a warm admirable figure."

Kakashi's half lidded eyes were unchanging, he had yet to hear a suggestion from his council.

"The last Hokage was able to be both, as a woman the role was easier."

"Lord Hiruzen, the Fourth, the Second, and even the First had a way of holding public opinion through their wives."

Kakashi realized where this was going.

"You will hold the office, be the head of power, she will be the face of kindness and compassion to the village."

"We've made arrangements."

"We've found three candidates that would be best for the position."

"Of my wife," Kakashi finished. He sighed and stood. "I will have to think about this."

They nodded as if to say they understood.

Kakashi walked out, Shizune following slightly behind him. "U-um, I don't think you should have to marry if you-"

"Thank you, Shizune," he interrupted. "It's late, you can take the rest of the evening."

"Oh, b-but I've got-"

"Goodnight, Shizune," Kakashi said before closing the door to his office. He walked to his desk and sat down. He stared at the stack of papers for a second before picking one up.

His advisors did make a whole deal of sense. Maybe that's what upset him the most.

He thought of Obito as a child, the way he won over the hearts of the villagers. He himself would never accomplish such a thing. His reputation was that of a shinobi, fierce, strong, and dutiful. It wasn't warm hearted and open, he would never be that.

He sighed, setting aside the final paper. He turned his chair to look out the window at the sleeping Konoha, they had no idea what they were putting their new Hokage through.

"Oh!"

He turned quickly back to the body now in his office.

"K-Kakashi-sama," Iruka bowed, talking to the floor, "I didn't think anyone would be here at this hour."

"So what are you doing here, sensei?" Kakashi asked back.

The blushing chunin stood straight, holding out the stack of papers. "I- was bringing the daily reports up. I didn't mean to bother you."

Kakashi waved him over with a sigh. "Maa, set them here. I'll go through them tomorrow morning."

"Yes," he nodded and did as he was told.

Kakashi stood, stretching. His legs weren't used to sitting so long. "How is Naruto's jonin studying going?"

"Oh, um, he's struggling with the written portion," Iruka answered. "I wish I had more time to help him but with classes and my shifts here I have him doing most of the studying on his own."

"You shouldn't stretch yourself so thin, sensei. Would it be helpful if another teacher took over some of your classes?"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to impose on another instructor. That'd be unfair. I'll be fine," he insisted.

"It'd be no imposition, Kurenai-sensei has asked me to consider her for a position in the regular forces. It would be a good way for her to wade in," Kakashi picked up the report on the top of the stack, reading it over.

"Oh," Iruka blinked. "In that case, it would be more than helpful, thank you, Hokage-sama." He bowed again.

"You're so polite, Iruka," Kakashi mused.

Iruka blushed and touched his scar. "I- um, I suppose so."

"Kind too," Kakashi went on.

"I- thank you, Kakashi-sama." Iruka was clearly confused. He wasn't sure this conversation had a point.

"Well," Kakashi set the paper back down. "I suppose I've done enough work today." He started walking towards the office door.

Iruka bowed again as he passed.

Kakashi paused. "You'll be able to keep me up to date with Naruto's exam preparation."

"Yes," he agreed.

"Goodnight then."

Kakashi reached the Hokage's compound, waving to the ANBU guards at the gate. They bowed their heads in return.

There was once a time in his life he thought he'd never have a home again.

He moved into an apartment after Rin's death. Being outside the village, left alone with his thoughts, it only hurt. When Minato made him ANBU it was decided. He moved into an apartment to be closer to the Hokage tower and his missions.

Still it wasn't home. He thought he wouldn't know that again.

This place was comfortable. His last apartment had been that much.

Maybe that was the curse of the shinobi, not knowing a home.

He sighed and finished his tea. He closed his eyes. The usual photograph-like memories trapped in the sharingan didn't come to him. He no longer had it.

He opened his eyes again and looked out the open screen door to the small garden. For a minute he wished he could see Rin's face again.

It was lonely without his memories torturing him.

Maybe taking a wife wouldn't be completely terrible. If it was what was best for the village and his place in it he would comply.

The next morning he was greeted with the usual voices in his office. Shizune had his mission assignments to delegate to the shinobi he assigned. He had yesterday's finished mission reports to go through.

He smiled behind his mask, picking up a pattern in penmanship. Every four or five reports seemed to of been read through and approved by the same shinobi in the mission's room.

Iruka was a dutiful little worker bee, he was also kind and well-liked by both other shinobi and the villagers he came into contact with. That was the sort of person his advisors wanted him to be.

Kakashi didn't know how to do that.

He told Shizune the next day to arrange another meeting with the council. He would be willing to learn about the women they selected.