Notes: Didn't have time to edit it, so here it is raw! I'll come back later tomorrow to fix it up!

Disclaimer: All canon characters belonging to "Naruto" (i.e Kakashi Hatake) are property of Masashi Kishimoto. The original character(s) (i.e Aiko Yukimura, Noboru Yukimura, Katsuo, Yuuto, etc, etc) and plot belong to the Author. There is no profit being made in the creation of this series. It's just all for creative fun!

Rating: Teen, though rating may go up as the story progresses. (For violence and dark themes only- you'll never find NSFW material here.)

Inspiration: The amazing characters and story of Naruto that was produced by the amazingly talented Masashi Kishimoto as well as music. ""綠野仙蹤" by 陳悅 was what inspired this series. (I can see this being the Protagonist's theme.)

Summary: A peek into Aiko's early childhood and her developing dream of becoming a great Shinobi of the Leaf. See as she grows and matures from her trails and overcoming adversity.

Chapter Two

"A Tender Visit"

The sun was resting behind the valley the west, slowly hiding away beyond the trees for the night. The Yukimura family were working away at home to pack up a freshly prepared meal and head over to the hospital. Aiko did what she could to help, though it was mostly simple jobs like stirring the broth or getting another pot from the cabinets. Regardless, she felt happy to contribute in any way she could.

"So, Aiko . . . I saw you playing with some boys earlier today. Why haven't you told me about them?" Noboru asked with a playful risen eyebrow while he rolled out some rice for some rice balls. "Don't tell me you have secret boyfriends."

Aiko blushed furiously and huffed. "Ew! They're not my boyfriend! I don't even know who they are!" She exclaimed back angrily.

Noboru laughed. "I was only kidding. I'm happy to see that you play with the other kids."

"We weren't playing," Aiko said with her nose in the air. "They were being dumb and hurt someone I was talking to."

"Oh? What happened?"

Aiko went on to explain the whole situation, from her finding the ball to smacking Kakashi on the back of the head. Noboru listened to every word and nodded intently. "You're a really lucky girl to have talked to Kakashi Hatake," he finally said once she was finished. "I don't know if you knew, but he fought the same bad guys I did."

The little red head's eyes lite up. "R-really? He fought too?"

Noboru nodded. "It was actually because of him and Minato's squad that we were ultimately able to win the war. He's an incredibly talented and strong shinobi for someone his age. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was a little jealous of his accomplishments."

Aiko smiled and clenched her fists tightly. "I want to become strong like him! I want to be a great shinobi too! Just like you and Kakashi!"

Her father looked down at her with gentle, caring eyes. "That's a big dream that you've got there, kiddo. You're going to need to work really hard if you want to get to that level."

"I can do it! I bet I can get really good really fast! Will you teach me, dad?" She looked hopefully up at her father, eyes burning passionately.

Noboru took a moment to look at her and study her expression. "Wow, you're already that determined, huh? You're definitely your father's daughter." He chuckled. "I can teach you what I can, but you have to practice every single day and study a lot. It will probably take you a while before you can perfectly master all that you need to learn to become a real shinobi. Do you promise me that you'll work hard and practice if I teach you?"

Aiko nodded furiously. "I will, I will! I'll make you really proud, dad! I promise!"

He patted her head tenderly. "You say that as if you haven't already." He smiled brightly. "All right, I don't see I can't teach you basics tomorrow morning. Will that be okay?"

"Yeah! I'm ready!"

"Good. We'll plan it than! Help me wrap these up and we'll head over to the hospital. I'm sure your mother is wondering where we are."

They gathered up their food and the bouquet that Aiko had acquired earlier that day, and headed over to Konoha's hospital.

It was quiet in the hospital room. The food was finished a beautiful red-haired woman was resting peacefully on her bed. Aiko sat next to her with a smile on her face as she told her about her day and what her father and she were planning to do. "That's quite the task, sweet pea. You're father won't go easy on you." She warned her in a weak voice.

"I know! I don't want him to! I want to learn how to be a great ninja and invent my own jutsu like Kakashi!" Aiko said excitedly.

Keiko laughed. "I've never seen you so ambitious. I swear you're becoming more and more like your father every day."

"Is that a good or a bad thing?" Noboru asked with a devious smile.

"I haven't decided yet," she replied winking at him.

Aiko giggled. "Do you like your flowers, mommy?" She pointed to the vase of red daisies and baby's breath on her night stand happily.

"I love them, sweetheart. Every time I look at them, they remind me of you and your dad and that makes me very happy."

"And . . . Being happy makes you feel better, right?"

"Right. I can feel myself getting better now."

"Really?" Aiko squeaked excitedly. "Does that mean you'll come home with me and dad?"

"Well . . . Not exactly. I've still got to do a few things before I can leave. It probably be a while longer before that can happen."

Aiko looked down disappointingly. "Oh . . . O-okay."

Keiko leaned forward to gently kiss her daughter's head. "I love you so much, sweet pea. No matter what happens, I'll always be with you. As long as you'll remember me, I'll always have a home with you."

The young girl smiled and nodded. "Okay. I will."

Noboru smiled weakly and walked over to the basin at the end of the room. "Hey, Aiko. Can you get mommy some more water? We're going to need to leave soon and we don't want to leave her without something to wash herself with."

"Okay!" Aiko exclaimed and jumped from the bed to go do what her father asked, leaving the couple alone in the room.

Noboru looked at Keiko who slumped back to her bed, looking pale and sickly. "How are you, sweet?" He asked as he sad on the edge of her bed.

"It's getting worse, Noboru. I barely have the strength to speak . . . I'm so worried about Aiko. I don't know how she'll take this."

"Don't say that. I can't let you give up just yet. The doctors still have a few more treatments they want to try. I really think one of them may work."

"Noboru . . . Stop. We both know how this is going to turn out. They've tried everything, and nothing has worked. You know as well as I do that I've only got a year left in me, if even that."

He wanted to argue with her, tell her that she was wrong and that she was going to pull through . . . But he'd be lying to himself and her. "Aiko still needs you. Have you away from home already breaks her heart . . . She doesn't show it very often, but I know, even passed this mask she puts on, she's upset about it. Plus, I don't know if I'd be able to raise her on my own. I don't think I'd be a very good single parent . . . I mean, I can barely take care of myself. I just . . . I can't bare the thought of losing one of the most precious things in my life. You and Aiko are the reason I'm able to get up in the morning and the reason I come home at night. I can't . . . I don't want-"

Keiko placed a weak but loving hand on his arm. "Aiko needs her father. You've raised her over the last few months so well that I'm at piece knowing she'll be under your care. I have every faith you'll guide her down a path that will make me proud." Noboru started to tremble as tears filled his eyes. "Just as I said to Aiko, as long as you keep me close to your heart, and keep me present in your minds, I'll never leave."

With a quiet sob, Noboru threw his arms around his wife and held her close. "I love you so much."

"I love you more, darling . . ." She gently stroked the back of his head as he continued to sob.

"I-is daddy okay?" a small voice asked from the door, a pitcher full of water in her hands.

Noboru wiped away the tears and looked toward Aiko with a smile. "Everything's fine, hun. I just got a little wasabe in my eye."

She looked at her father than her mother and instantly knew he was lying, but chose not to say anything. "Okay. Here's your water, mommy."

"Thank you, sweetie. Go ahead and leave it in the banister and you two better start to head home. It's getting late and you two have a big day ahead of you."

"Right," Noboru replied with a nod. "Let's gather up the food and we'll head home. Say goodbye to mommy and we'll come see her again next week."

Aiko crawled into her bed and wrapped her small arms around her neck and held her tight. "Please come home. I miss you," she whispered tenderly and kissed her on the cheek before hoping down and running toward her dad.

With a kiss good-bye between the parents, they headed back home to get an early start the next morning.