Chapter One:
A pretty, young girl awoke to golden rays of sunlight filtering into her room through her window. A silent yawn escaped her sleepy mouth as she stretched and ran a tired hand through her dark, chocolate brown locks. One deep blue eye opened lazily to peek around her room, now bathed in the sun's early morning glory.
It was a nice, but simple room with peridot green walls and oak wood floors. A large window opened to the east to let the sun in each morning. Along the adjacent wall a door stood partially open to the rest of the house, revealing a small hallway. Between both of these was the bed accompanied by the presence of a nightstand, upon which an alarm clock proudly pronounced the time to be 6:05 in large, glowing red numbers.
The room was littered with ninja weapons and various scrolls, all showing signs of recent use and plenty of wear. Clearly the small brunette was a kunoichi in training. It was obvious by the look of the room that she spent much of her time training and studying.
Further investigation would reveal a favorite past time of hers: music. A dark blue electric guitar stood back to back with a simple contemporary one made of a light, honey colored wood between the bed and the window. An open violin case displayed a beautiful spruce instrument and was laid on the top of a large dresser directly opposite the bed; beside this, sat a simple but elegant silver flute, shining in the bright light. In the corner stood a keyboard and a stool to match. Various sheets of music were scattered about the room with scribbles and notes, showing works in progress or famous pieces.
What her eyes lingered on longest, however, were the three pictures that took the honored spot directly next to the alarm clock on her nightstand. The first was a picture of a younger version of the girl – perhaps about five years in age – clinging piggy back style to a silver haired, masked man who looked like he was trying to hide his amusement at her crazy smile and wave to the camera. The second was one that had been taken just after her acceptance to the Ninja Academy of Konoha with a girl that quickly became her best friend. The two stood smiling, side-by-side, the brunette confident and the dark-blue haired Lolita blushing shyly. She had strange, yet stunning lavender eyes and smooth porcelain skin that made her look like a living doll. The third and most recent of the photos showed the brunette standing with another boy her age. His eyes were a lighter blue than hers and his hair a blond, spiky mess atop his head. He wore an odd orange jumpsuit (though his jacket was tied around his wait revealing his white t-shirt) and green goggles and had his arm slung around her shoulders as he attempted to give her a noogie, much to her apparent hilarity. Both of them were smiling like there was no tomorrow.
A soft sigh echoed about the room momentarily, followed by the soft rustling of sheets and the muted sounds of someone padding barefoot across the wooden floor.
This young girl's name was Hatake Mari, adopted daughter of Hatake Kakashi. She was ten years old and the top girl in her class, second only to the famous Uchiha Sasuke – some guy she barely bothered to notice in her day-to-day life. She could still remember the day she met Kakashi –or Kashi as she called him.
She had been three years old when nineteen-year-old Kakashi had found her stumbling through the woods, running for her dear life and bleeding profusely from multiple cuts and scratches all over her body. He had stopped her against her will and gotten her to explain frantically that she had been running from someone bad, but for the life of her she couldn't remember who. She was alone, injured, and very afraid. She didn't remember anything at all. Just darkness and laughter and a strong, heavy killing intent that had sent her running for the hills; though of course she didn't even remember when she had began to run.
Kakashi, pitying her for her apparent lack of home and family, took her to Konoha to see the Hokage about finding her a place to stay. However, he never expected that he would insist on being the one to take care of her.
*Flashback*
"Kashi? How come your hair's so pwetty?" An innocent voice inquired from behind the Jounin. Kakashi looked over his shoulder at Mari who was clinging to his back as she supported her legs piggy back style.
"What do you mean?"
"It's all silver and soft and stuff. How'd it get like that?"
"Well…I don't know. It's always been like that."
"Really?" The childish wonder in her voice didn't escape him. "I wish my hair was like that."
Kakashi chuckled as they continued down the path that led to Konoha.
"So what Kohana like?"
"You mean Konoha?"
"Yeah! That! Is it big? Are there lots of people? Do they all have hair like yours?"
"Konoha is very big. It's one of the strongest Shinobi villages in existence. So yes, there are lots of people. As for hair, the people there have all kinds of hair though I have yet to meet someone with hair exactly like mine."
Mari seemed to think about this for a moment.
"So you're a ninja right?"
"Yes, I am."
"Can I be a ninja?"
"If you decide to attend the Academy and you get admitted."
"Good, 'cause I wanna be just like you Kashi!"
*End Flashback*
It had only taken thirty minutes to get him attached. Thirty minutes for them to bond so thoroughly. It was an unanticipated, but not an unwanted, outcome.
The Hokage had readily granted the young child citizenship and permission to attend the academy when she was of age. When it was inquired as to where she would like to stay, she proudly proclaimed that she wanted to stay with "Kashi". The Jounin had no objections for the time being and so it was settled. Mari would be staying with Kakashi until she was old enough to get her own apartment and take care of herself. But once again, time changed this.
It was only two years later when Kakashi proposed adopting her. Not because he necessarily wanted a daughter, but because with his will or against it she had wriggled her way into his heart and become like family. The five-year-old was ecstatic of course. She was generally a happy person, though Kakashi's lazy, laid back attitude had rubbed off on her some, even at such a young age. The two of them couldn't have imagined it turning out any other way.
A/N) I know it's short but I've had a lot of stuff to do with the holidays and all. I've already started on the next chapter so I'm doing my best! Special thanks to AnimeLover5125 for alerting my story and konohaninmiharuchan for favoriting! *cries* You guys are the best!
R&R Please!