As the day got later, Kotori walked onto her family's land. It was near the Hokage heads, which, on the hottest days of Summer, would shield the Kuromura home from the burning sun. Their land was quite large, but could not be compared to those like the Nara clan. She moved through to the kitchen, smiling as she sent a playful salute to her mother.

"Mom, can I please go to a friend's house soon?" she asked, "her mom's making apple pie and said I could go!""Me too!" Kotaro interrupted, grinning as he jumped onto the window sill of an open window and Yoshiko frowned, drying her hands.

"Are you sure she won't mind? Who is this friend?"

"Rin! From Team Minato?" Kotori answered, swinging her legs as she sat on a chair. Yoshiko frowned, looking at Kotori. It was that sort of look that parents gave their children when they were disappointed, but didn't want to take control of their lives. Kotori noticed she got this look often from her mother.

"Right." was all she said, nodding and looked back down at the meal she was preparing, "Will you want dinner?"

"Probably not." Kotaro grinned, not taking any notice of Yoshiko's look. Kotori frowned, feeling a tad guilty. It wasn't her fault Kakashi's father was a disgrace, and it didn't Kakashi was going to have an effect on her. Kotori didn't even know if Kakashi was going to be there, and if he was, she would most likely ignore him. Her first impression was not a good one. Before Kotori could say anything, Kotaro yelped as someone grabbing him around the waist, dragging him back outside. A girly laugh was heard and Yoshiko sighed, glaring outside.

"Jin! I told you not to do that to your brother!"

Kotori ran outside, grinning to see her older sister, Jin, holding her twin upside down. Kotaro yelled and kicked, frustrated that he would allow a Chuunin to sneak up on him like that. Jin was someone Kotori also admired in her family; she was confident, if not a bit loud, and was as tough as any guy Kotori had ever met. Her brown hair was cut short, apart from two strands that ended at her shoulders, while the rest was layered. Her outfit had a more Chinese feel to it, with a fishnet top exposed at the collar bone. She wore a turquoise waist-coat like top, with matching trousers that ended at the knee. From there down were knee length black sandals.

"It's not my fault baby brother's deaf!" she giggled, letting him fall onto the soft grass. Even so, he groaned and rubbed his head as he sat up.

"I told you, I'm not deaf!"

"Oh, just dumb?" Jin winked at her and grinned at Kotori, opening her arms up for a hug. Kotori was always happy to give her big sister a hug, especially since she had the strength to haul her up and spin her in the air. Kotori squealed, laughing out loud as she fell to the ground with Jin, nearly flattening Kotaro.

"Be careful!" Yoshiko sighed, looking at Jin, "Have you seen Manabu?"

"Hm?" Jin sat up, rubbing her cheek, "He said something about staying at the hospital… To improve his skills."

Manabu was their seventeen year old brother. He was a soft-spoken boy, preferring to avoid conflict. Even so, he earned his ninja headband and moved onto the area of medicine. He was a fairly competent boy, but knew he had much more to learn. It terrified Kotori to think that soon he would be going out to the battlefield to heal his fellow ninja.

"Well, I'll take up some dinner for him later." Jin compromised, getting to her feet. Yoshiko huffed and got back to making dinner, while Kotaro helped Kotori up.

"We're heading out to get apple pie." Kotaro said proudly and Jin frowned down at him.

"What? That's so unfair! Why can't I come?"

"Because you don't know Rin!" Kotaro stuck his tongue out at Jin, who pouted.

"Keep that tongue out any longer and I'll rip it off!" she threatened, forcing Kotaro to hastily conceal his tongue once more. Kotori and Kotaro said their goodbyes and Yoshiko put her head through the window.

"Remember to bring something for them!" she called after the twins, and Kotaro groaned.

"You can pay for it!""If Rin finds out you paid for it, she'll be impressed." Kotori said immediately, looking at Kotaro. She wasn't willing to pay for a small gift unless she absolutely had to. Kotaro hesitated, his cheeks going red. Kotori smirked and Kotaro huffed, giving in.

The two quickly bought a small jar of honey, decorated with small butterflies and colourful ribbon to keep the lid closed. They made their way to Rin's home, which wasn't as large as theirs, but it was understandable. Rin's family wasn't as big as theirs, as she was an only child with her mother and father, although it turned out her father was out in the battlefield with Arashi. Their offering of honey was appreciated and Rin introduced her mother, who seemed as kind and gentle as Rin. They also looked similar, with the same coloured hair and rectangles on their cheeks, but her mother's hair was longer.

"It's so nice to see Rin making new friends." the woman commented, putting the honey away, "The apple pie is almost done.""Yes!" Kotaro pumped his fist into the air, grinning and looked at Rin, who was setting out plates, "Oh hey, y'know, I got that honey with my own money.""Oh? Well, thanks." Rin smiled and Kotaro grinned, glad he was getting somewhere with her. Rin looked round as someone knocked on the door and quickly ran to get it, and Kotaro rubbed the back of his head.

"So, are you both related to Arashi?" Rin's mother asked, smiling.

"Yeah!" Kotaro grinned, "How d'you know?" he asked, rubbing his nose.

"Well, you have his eyes." she gestured to Kotori, "And you have his facial features. Rin's father is one of his best friends, you know." she smiled, taking the apple pie out of the oven. The smell made Kotori's senses go crazy, and she smiled to herself. The scent warmed her heart. Rin and Obito came through into the kitchen, and Obito greeted Rin's mother happily. They got out the plates and Rin frowned, looking out the window again.

"I'm sure he's just late, Rin." her mother put a hand on the girl's shoulder, and it took Kotori a moment to realise she was talking about Kakashi. Kotaro frowned.

"We don't need him to have fun!" Kotaro smiled at Rin, but she only gave a half hearted smile back. Kotaro frowned, but then Obito burst between them, grinning.

"Kotaro's right, Rin! We can have fun on our own!" he smiled, "We can eat and play a few games, right?" he asked, looking up at Rin's mother. She smiled and nodded quickly, glad these boys were so happy and eager to make her daughter cheerful. Rin smiled a little more and helped her mother set out a piece of pie for everyone, and luckily her mother could have one herself.

"I'll leave you kids alone, alright?" she smiled, taking her piece and moved to a different room, silently closing the door.

"Your mom's so nice." Kotaro commented, chewing a bit of his pie before continuing, "Our mom's really grouchy a lot. She prefers rules to being nice." he snorted and Rin giggled. Obito shrugged.

"At last your dad's awesome. The Storm of Konoha, I wish my dad had a title that cool." Obito frowned, and the four made their way to Rin's small garden, sitting on the porch, "I'll get a title like that when I'm older!" he grinned.

"Oh yeah? Will that be before or after you get your Sharingan?" Kotaro grinned and Obito glared, but then smirked, seeing the childish mockery spark in the boy's eyes. The Uchiha stood up, pointing at Kotaro.

"Once I beat Kakashi, I'll beat you next!" he claimed and Kotaro laughed, getting to his feet.

"Why not try and beat me now?" he challenged and Obito laughed a little, but before he could reply, there was a familiar voice.

"I'd like to see you try and beat me."

The group looked round and, standing on the fence that surrounded Rin's house, was the white haired ninja.

"Kakashi!" Rin smiled, getting up, "You came! We have a bit of pie left for you." she went into the house to get it, and Kakashi jumped down to land beside Kotaro and Obito. Obito snorted, grinning at Kakashi. He wouldn't let this guy ruin his mood!

"you'll see, Hatake!" he cried, "You may be stronger than me, and more well known through Konoha, but I'll fight you and I'll win!"

"Why not try now?" Kakashi asked, taking the plate from Rin as she returned. He seemed extremely confident and Kotori put her plate down, interested to see what would happen. Rin sighed and looked at Kotori, who looked at her and shrugged slightly. They both looked back at Kakashi and Obito, who seemed more than eager to prove his stuff, especially in front of Rin.

"Don't take this too seriously, okay guys?" Rin asked, "I wanted this to be fun!"

"We will have fun." Obito grinned. The two boys walked to the middle of the garden, Kakashi keeping the same stoic expression, or at least that's what Kotori expected him to do beneath his mask.

"What're the rules?" Obito asked, "I know how you just love following them."

"Rin can be the judge to see who wins. Anything goes." Kakashi stated, "If you don't come at me with the intent to kill, you won't get anywhere."

Obito narrowed his eyes and took out a kunai, flipping it in the air and catching it, his other hand pulling his goggles over his eyes. Obito smirked at Kakashi, lunging at him quickly, almost too fast too see, but Kakashi grabbed his clenched fist that was going to punch him and inched his head to the right to dodge the oncoming kunai. Obito grit his teeth and aimed to kick Kakashi, but was too slow and Kakashi grabbed his foot, spinning him round and throwing him to the ground. Kakashi moved back, staring down at Obito, who then threw the kunai at the white haired boy. Kakashi dodged easily, but Obito had just used it as a distraction, running at Kakashi with another kunai in his hand. He leapt into the air and aimed to stab Kakashi again, but he stepped to the side, grabbing Obito by the arm and shoulder, twisting the hand behind the boy's back. Obito grunted and glared over his shoulder, aiming to kick Kakashi between the legs, but he slammed his thighs together before anything could happen and disappeared into a puff of smoke.

"Ugh, a clone." Obito fixed his goggles, looking round. Not left. Not right. Not behind. Where the heck was he?

Rin smiled, "Kakashi's so good at this…" she commented and Kotori crossed her legs, looking at Rin as she continued, "Obito always challenges him… It kind of sucks, but what can you do? Boys are silly sometimes.""Am I silly?" Kotaro questioned, peeking between the girls' shoulders and Kotori frowned, shoving him back with her shoulder.

"Yes!" she said loudly, making Obito look round.

"Never let your guard down." Kakashi's voice was heard from above and the boy dove from a tall tree, and Obito looked up, his eyes widening. He aimed to throw a kunai at him, but it missed and Kakashi landed on him, or at least that's what he thought. Instead, Obito changed into a smashed log with a puff of smoke. Kakashi looked up, glaring and took out a kunai. Rin was tense, Kotori could see it.

"This is boring." Kotaro sighed, sitting on Rin's other side, "I wanna fight next!"

"Fine." Kakashi said flatly, spinning round to look at him. He stayed still for a moment, narrowing his eyes.

"Hey, anyone want more apple pie?" Rin's mother came out and smiled sweetly. Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't know there was enough for a second pie!" Rin smiled, turning to her mother. But there was a 'swish' and she spun round to see Kakashi throwing a kunai at her mother! She gasped, moving to get up, but it was too late and it whizzed past Kotaro's cheek, crating a small, thin cut. Rin's mother moved, but it cut her and she laughed, turning back into Obito.

"How the heck did you see through that?" Obito asked, looking at his cut, frowning a little.

"I couldn't smell an apple pie cooking when I arrived, and an apple pie takes longer to cook than the time I've been here." he claimed and Rin smiled a little, letting out a big sigh of relief.

"Hey, you cut me!" Kotaro stood up, glaring at Kakashi, but he was moving to sit down already, "What happened to our fight?"

"I don't want to listen to you."

"What the hell! What kind of reason is that? You should accept a challenge when you get one!" Kotaro glared, and Obito grabbed him by the shoulder.

"I'll accept it!"

"Obito, please, can't you sit still for a few seconds?" Rin asked, but she was ignored for the moment and Kotori sighed.

"Kotaro, don't waste your time! You'll ruin this pretty garden!" Kotori glared, but she was also ignored and sighed, shoulders sagging, "I'm really sorry in advance for any damage he does." she muttered and Rin laughed a little.

"It'll be okay."

"I dunno, this is Kotaro we're talking about…" Kotori added under her breath, watching.

Kotaro smirked and nodded, shrugging Obito off and backed up. Obito grinned and fixed his goggles again. Kotaro took out three shuriken, smirking and backed up a bit more. The air was tense.

And then one moved.

Obito ran at Kotaro, throwing kunai at the boy, forcing him to use his shuriken to deflect the weapons. Jumping over the colliding weapons, Obito flipped and made handsigns as he spun in the air.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Kotaro's eyes widen as the fiery blaze escaped from Obito's mouth, and the boy barely managed to jump out of the way. As Obito landed on the smouldered ground, Kotaro made handsigns and smirked.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Drive!" he cried as lightning gathered in his hand, uncontrollably sparking along his arm and around him. He ran at Obito with surprising speed, which he must have kept hidden from his opponent, and rammed his fist into Obito's stomach. The lightning ignited around the boy, and he yelled in surprise. Rin stood up quickly, watching as Kotaro drove her teammate into the fence, breaking through it. Kotaro stopped moving, but Obito's body continued on, rolling along the ground.

"Obito!" Rin cried, running through the gap Kotaro had created. The lightning disappeared and Kotaro winced, looking down at his left arm; it was scarred and red. He gripped it with his free hand, looking at Rin as she ran past him and Kotori cursed.

"he's such an idiot." she mumbled, although only Kakashi was there to hear, and he didn't comment. He was staring at Kotaro's arm, frowning underneath his mask. That seemed like a high ranked move, and he had managed it… Despite getting injuries. Kotori ran over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Look what you did to their fence? Are you crazy, Kotaro? Are you even listening to me? Mom's going to be so pissed! And look at your arm, you're hurt! It's almost completely useless! Look at Obito, he'll probably need to get checked in hospital! Kimi-sensei's gonna be involved in this.""Minato-sensei probably will be, too." Kakashi added, standing beside them. Kotaro glared at him and then looked at Kotori.

"I'm going home." he said, walking through the gap in the fence and hesitated, looking at Rin, who looked round at him sadly before looking back at Obito, rolling him onto his back. Frowning, Kotaro narrowed his eyes and walked down the street, still holding his wound.

"He's just upset Rin didn't jump for joy when he injured Obito…" she frowned and glanced at Kakashi, hesitating. He didn't seem to care much about his teammate's health.

"Aren't you worried?" she questioned and Kakashi shook his head.

"He's a shinobi. He can handle a little hit."

Kotori frowned, looking back at Obito, watching as some people gathered to help him to the hospital. He was unconscious. He was electrocuted pretty badly… Surely Kakashi had some concern, even if he didn't show it. No one could be that heartless.

"Are you going with them to the hospital?"

"No." Kakashi looked at her, possibly the first time that Kotori could recall, and she frowned at him, but said nothing to try and sway him. He turned and started to walk off, leaving Kotori to deal with Rin's upset mother about the fence, and she them accompanied Rin and the kind strangers to the hospital with Obito. Hopefully she would find Kotaro there dealing with his own wounds.