Overview: I don't consider myself a writer, and I've never written any stories before. I hope I can write this story well so that it revolves around Kakashi's struggles and how his relationship with Anko helps him overcome them. I am looking to continue. Yes? Please review.

I've lived a bit in Japan, so I try to bring out some of the Japanese culture in this story, including things like the soccer club, and respect towards seniors.

The amazing cover photo is all thanks to permission from kickbass77 on deviantart. (I changed it to one by gendou123 on deviantart)

Enjoy~


The school bell rang as the clock struck 3. Kakashi already set ran out of the classroom, racing down the stairs towards his bike. He accidentally hit Asuma on the shoulder as he sprinted through the hallways receiving a threatening grunt. He really had to get to work today.

"Oi! Bakakashi are you ditching?" screamed Obito as he caught Kakashi about to bike out the front gates of Nishigawa Middle School. Drats.

Captain Shisui was going to kill him for skipping yet another soccer practice.

No turning back now.

"Later Baka!" Kakashi yelled as he shoved his helmet on biking away down the narrow streets of rural Japan. He made his way through the packed honking cars, arriving at the small familiar mom-and-pop shop, "Harbor's Crafts". The incident was a good 6 years ago, and he'd started working for rent ever since. They say only time can heal heartbreak. Yet his mental trauma seemed to only get worse and worse as the years past. Lately not even his job helped him take his mind off his past.

As he opened the door to the small tavern, he was greeted by an enthusiastic flash of yellow.

"Hello! I'm Minato at your service! This might not be the biggest store in town but we have handmade goods made with lots of love! Over here we have a collection of amulets! And here, yes, this is my favorite part too, we have a variety of lucky cats! Buy one and you're sure to get filthy ri- oh it's just you Hatake-kun."

Kakashi sweat dropped as Minato finally realized that it was none other than the middle school woodworker. Sighing Minato returned to the counter in the empty warm store.

"Kakashi. How many customers do we get a day about?" Minato asked suddenly.

Kakashi looked up surprised. "I'm not sure sir. Probably 4? I wouldn't know since I'm in the back most of the time. Probably a lot more-"

"We get 2 average Hatake-kun." Minato interjected curtly. Sighing once more, Minato started, "I know how much this store means to you. But with our current sales, I just don't know how much longer our business can keep up. So please just bare that in mind."

Kakashi said nothing as he made his way to the woodworking table behind the store.

Maybe I was a bit too straightforward. This is the kid's only family after all... But who knows how much longer this store can keep up, Minato thought sadly as he watched the silver haired teen start his daily crafting schedule. It's not like he wanted to put stress on Kakashi. But he thought it would be better to forewarn him of the danger, rather than Kakashi having to deal with it on the spot.

Kakashi was by far fortunate. Having lost his family at a young age left with little to no financial aid, he had to work his way to make a living since he was a kid. He even lived in his own small apartment. Minato still recalled the day the kid had showed up at his shop requesting a job.

"I can't take you in, you're just a kid!"

"I don't have parents. I'm completely on my own. I need a job, now. I'm willing to do anything, and I'm a quick learner." the boy with the mask reasoned.

"Well... I guess I could have you learn to woodwork. I can teach you, but you're gonna have to work hard." Minato tried to say as seriously as he could. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the kid.

In fact it was only until Kakashi became a middle school student that Minato had allowed Kakashi to work at the store for pay. Since Kakashi had asked of his own free will, Minato was more than happy to welcome the young worker. But more than anything Kakashi was talented. Having inherited his father's skill in craftsmanship, Kakashi was a natural, and Minato would never have allowed him to waste such a gift.

"Hatake-kun how was your day," asked an auburn haired girl as Kakashi walked through the door to the wood room.

"It was fine Rin. How did you even get here before me?"

"See the taiko captain let me take a break today, so I left early!"

"I see."

Kakashi quietly grabbed a block of wood from a cabinet and began hacking away first to get a general outline of the snake he wanted to carve. Then after about an hour of chipping a way, there was a crack. The wood split in two ruining any possibility of carving a smooth reptilian creature. Grimacing, he picked up his knife, inspecting it suspiciously. The white tool was slightly chipped due to Kakashi's abusive treatment of it as a kid. It was a memento of his father, who had died leaving Kakashi bitter. Dull useless blade, he concluded.

"Hatake-kun?" Rin asked, shaking him out of his thoughts.

"Mhm?"

"I just forgot I have an errand to run. I'll see you later!"

"See you, Rin..." the silver haired boy said absently, as Rin made her way to the door.

Rin looked back worriedly at the disheveled, pondering teen one last time before stepping out the back door.

Kakashi sighed and exhaled as he sunk into his small chair. Suddenly he heard Minato's burst of enthusiasm on the other side of the door in the shop. Was it a customer? Kakashi walked back to the store through the door standing at the cash register, spotting Minato excitedly talking to a small girl who had just walked through the door. He observed the thistle-eyed girl as she stared in wonder around the store. She was about his age, which was strange since every kid around here attended Nishigawa Middle School, and yet he hadn't ever seen this stranger. She wore a plain burgundy shirt and khaki shorts, her violet hair tied back in a careless messy ponytail.

As Minato just about finished his practiced walkthrough of the store, he addressed Kakashi who was staring off into space at the counter.

"Kakashi. I have to leave now, so please stay with our customer until she's satisfied and ready to go. Alright?"

Kakashi nodded absently waving goodbye to his boss.

Minutes, and maybe hours went bye as the strange girl walked around slowly over and over through Harbor's Crafts. Her pale brown eyes didn't miss a single detail as they scanned through even the smallest trinkets of the shop. Kakashi even found himself staring at her soft features as she smiled at his creations dangling from the ceiling and walls.

"Did you really make all of these?"
Kakashi snapped out of his daze as he realized she was addressing him.

"Sure did."

"This place is beautiful..." she whispered trailing off. "Oh ... I'm sorry for having to make you stay here for so long. I know you're probably busy.
"No problem. I really don't have anything better to do."

She smiled. "See you later... Kakashi wasn't it?"

"Right." Kakashi lazily waved getting one last glimpse of her soft purple hair as she bounded out the front door. Huh. I didn't catch her name...