January was unusually cold. It wasn't every year that they had snow in Konohagakure. It reminded Kakashi of the winter he had spent guarding Kushina while she was pregnant, the last one before she and Minato-sensei had died…

And yet, the snow was calming. He had stared at the slow fall from his flat's window and went out as soon as it had stopped to summon his ninkens. It was a rare treat for them too. Watching them bounce and roll in the snow had chased away the ghosts of the past for a while.

After a bit of fun, Pakkun had quickly left his packmates to get refuge under Kakashi's coat, muttering about preserving his soft paws. His black little nose was barely coming out of the collar. It was keeping them both warm.

"So," the ninken started, "what's new?"

"Nothing. You know I hate when you ask that."

"I know. I'm just checking."

"Checking what?"

"Your level of gloom. Tonight, it's a four on a scale of ten. You're having a good day."

"Why do I feel like you're sassing me?"

"Probably because I am. Did you see that pretty Inuzuka girl recently? Hana?"

"No. Why?"

"I'm still hoping for a miracle."

"You don't make much sense today, Pakkun."

"Don't mind him, boss," Uuhei interrupted as he climbed on Kakashi's lap, quickly followed by Bisuke. "Can we go to the hot springs? Please?"

Kakashi scratched his cheek through his mask. "The hot springs, uh? It has been a while…"

"Yeah! And they're great when it's cold! Right? Right?"

"Maa, if everyone is okay with it, I suppose we could…"

Since they all agreed eagerly, hot springs it was. Kakashi went back to his flat to get towel and soap and they made their way to one of the less used onsen in town. It was a bit further, in the middle of the trees, with fewer commodities and a mixed bath but, contrary to other hot springs, animals could join their masters in the water. For this reason, it was favored by some shinobi, mostly the Inuzuka (whose compound wasn't far).

When they came in, the only ones present were a retired shinobi and his ninken. The old man was blind and disfigured. The dog had no tail. They were probably victims of the previous war and Iwa's explosion corps. They were quiet except for a brief grunt in reply to Kakashi's greeting.

The onsen had a open washing area sheltered by a rooftop with a quite slippery stone ground. The pool was wide with hidden parts and boulders in the middle, surrounded by rocks and snow covered bushes. The air was so cold that steam was thick above the water.

The dogs being allowed in didn't mean that they could just jump in the pool. Just like the humans, they had to wash beforehand with water and soap. And since they didn't have opposable thumbs to help them, Kakashi patiently washed them one by one. He didn't mind, it was a repetitive task that clear his mind.

Uuhei was the last. After taking off the bandages that hid the scars left by a poisoned blade several months ago, Kakashi had to wash him while carefully massaging the tender skin.

That's when Hana and the Haimaru brothers came out of the ladies changing room. There was a sudden clamor of greetings from the ninken but the veterinarian, wrapped in a big fluffy towel, shushed them quickly. She waved to Kakashi but went around the pool to kneel near the old man. "Ojii-san, your wife is asking for you," she said loudly, hinting to auditory problems for the veteran.

"Aah. Fine," the elder mumbled as he slowly stood up.

Hana made sure she was nearby when he climbed out of the water, looking up to ignore his nudity, but didn't fuss over him otherwise. As soon as she was sure he wouldn't slip, she joined Kakashi in the washing area.

"Good morning," she greeted him with a wide smile before turning to the ninken. "Sorry I shushed you boys, but ojii-san gets jittery when there is too much noise."

"They should have known better," Kakashi noted before letting Uuhei go and shooing his dogs to the hot water. One part of the onsen was shallower, with different steps to make sure every dog could touch the bottom. Pakkun just had enough water to soak his belly, which was exactly how he liked it. With the steam, he was barely seen.

As Hana proceeded with the same washing process for the Haimaru brothers, she glanced to Uuhei. "It's his first time with such a cold weather, isn't it? How is he? Any pains?"

Sitting on a stool with his back turned to her for both of their modesty, Kakashi washed himself quickly. It was literally freezing and the hot water called to him. "He whines a little but he likes to pretend it's fine. It seemed a little tense when I rub it but it eased when I did it like you told me to."

"That's good. The hot water should help too."

Kakashi nodded before walking to the pool. Though he had taken off his hitai-ate, his mask was still on and hid his pursed lips. The day Uuhei had been severely hurt still haunted him.

It was during a mission in Grass. Kakashi had run back to Konoha at full speed but it had still taken way too much time for his taste. More than once, he thought he had lost the dog. When he had been in sight of Konoha's gates, he had flashed the hand signals for "Medical Emergency" and bypassed every checkpoint to rush to the Inuzuka compound. It was seven in the morning. No-one was at the clinic yet but one ninken passing by had taken a look at him, smelt the blood, and immediately howl for help. At any other time he would have wondered about the information contained in that howl but the only thing that had mattered at the time was the speed of reactions of the Inuzuka. Hana had been first. Still in her sleep clothes, ponytail askew, she had taken a glance at Uuhei, put on her medic coat and went to work. Her aunt had appeared two minutes later and they had managed to save him but oh Kami… that had been close.

Kakashi tenderly stroke Uuhei's head to comfort himself before going to sit and relax with his towel on his head. Eyes closed, listening to his ninken breathing and voices, he found relief in the idea that, no matter what, he still had them. He had not failed them. Not those who had pledged their life to him. Not them.

Distantly, he heard Hana's soft footsteps as she walked on the wet floor to reach the pool. He didn't try to catch a glimpse. No matter what some thought, his 'perversity' was limited to the Icha Icha books.

He couldn't help but carefully open his eye though when he heard her murmur to his dogs. She was kneeling on the bottom, her body hidden by the water and the steam. Entirely focused on Uuhei, she was talking to him softly as her hand glowed green against the dog's old scars.

"That's good, boy," she was saying, "but you have to tell Kakashi-san if it hurts, alright? He can make it feel better. A massage helps a lot, right?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to bother him."

Kakashi frowned heavily. "You won't bother me Uuhei. I would be more upset if you don't say anything."

"That's right," Hana calmly continued, "you can't be on top of your game if you're in pain, Uuhei. So, if you want to be good, you have to tell your Alpha how you feel."

"Okay." The shy dog nuzzled her palm and thanked her.

With a smile, Hana moved to Akino and asked about his eyes and their high sensitivity to light – the result of a flash bomb years ago and the reason he was usually wearing sunglasses. The light's reflection on the snow tended to bother him a little. She went on, speaking to each summon about their well-being. The dogs were basking in the attention.

"Marry her."

Having felt his smallest ninken climb on his towel, Kakashi was expecting a comment and he wasn't disappointed. He rolled his eyes. "I'm not marrying a minor."

"Bah, as if a number matters. She's a chuunin and able to bear pups–eek." The pug spit out water and clinged to Kakashi's hand to save himself from the dive he had just taken.

Kakashi raised his head and smiled innocently at Hana when she glanced at them. Thankfully Pakkun had the decency to murmur in his ear while Hana was focused on something else, otherwise… Kakashi glanced quickly to the Haimaru brothers and repressed a groan when they lolled their tongue at him, clearly having hear everything and founding it hilarious. The jounin sent them a hand signal for "secret". Hai seemed to ponder before he tilted his head and announced: "Playdate."

Hana glanced at him, confused, but Kakashi got the message. He was offered a deal. Fine. It could be worse. "That seems a good idea. Do you have time today, Hana-san?"

"Uh? Oh, yes, it's fine. I just finished a mission yesterday, I have the day off."

"Playdate this afternoon then."

Hai's smile was very smug. Kakashi hadn't thought he could pull that off. Pakkun sauntered away with a satisfied air.

Putting an arm above his eyes, the jounin sighed quietly. He stayed motionless when Hana sat by his side, the water rippling around her. "Do you want me to tell them off for whatever they did?"

"We taught them to be shrewd; punishing them for it would be counterproductive."

"True. Well then… in that case… well done Haimaru!" She shouted. The dogs barked proudly in answer.

Kakashi snorted and raised his arm to glance at her. "You aren't obliged to encourage them either."

She grinned mischievously at him. "But I'm glad they managed to get you to agree to a playdate. It's been a while since we've seen each other… which means that the boys were all healthy, which makes me happy, of course, but you get my meaning…"

"Not really. With few exceptions, people aren't generally eager to see me."

"Well…" She paused. "There are a lot of things I could answer to that but I'll abstain to avoid putting my feet in it."

"Maa, such a wise woman."

"I try. It mostly involves predicting what could go wrong to stop my brother and mother from doing it. Putting their feet in it is one of their specialties, especially if there's a Hyuuga around."

"I can believe it. How are your clans not yet at war?"

"Eh. If you ask mom, she'll say it's because they're too afraid of her. In my opinion, Hiashi-sama is just used to her weird antics and cultivates in his clan a certain kind of self-importance dictating that, as our betters, they should bear with the Inuzuka's rudeness with dignity."

Surprised by her insight, Kakashi tilted his head. "And that doesn't bother you?"

"Not really. Their opinion doesn't matter to me and I think they're hilarious when they raise their noses at us. They're such peacocks." She waved a hand. "Anyway, it works for the clan heads so…" She shrugged and adjusted the bun she used to keep her hair dry.

"Won't you be the clan head one day?"

"In theory, if the clan accepts me as Alpha then yes. I suppose things would change then but since I hope it will be a long long time before it happens, I don't dwell on it. A lot of things can change in the meantime."

"True." Kakashi sighed and stretched out his arms on the rocks surrounding the pool. Making plans for the future was something he hadn't done in years. He was doing what was asked of him and, when he had some free time, he was living it one day at a time. It was easier and uncomplicated.

Their conversation died down as they relaxed and enjoyed the quiet. As he had found out one evening of September, Hana was a good companion, knowing when to be quiet but also how to hold a conversation. Her biggest quality though was that she didn't pry. No questions, no expectations, just good company. That's why, though he tended to ignore and shy away from Gai, Kurenai and even the laid-back Asuma, the idea to spend time with her didn't seem so daunting than with anyone else. It seemed like, by her side, he was learning how to socialize once again. Years ago, it had been Minato-sensei who had wanted to spend time with him, even if it meant keeping quiet, simply reading by each other side. Maybe it was one of the many things he missed, something so simple and yet so accepting.

oOo

They had left the onsen just in time for lunch. Hana had let him choose between eating at her home or eating on the way, at a small restaurant nearby. He wouldn't have been opposed to eating her cooking again but she was obviously only offering by politeness. Though she seemed quite relaxed by their bath, her gait was slow and wary. She probably had done a lot of running during her last mission.

Letting their ninken walked by themselves to the Inuzuka compound, they stopped by a udon stall. Kakashi voluntary took a stool on the far side, leaving Hana between him and another customer. As they received their order, Kakashi noticed immediately how the civilian lady seemed entirely focused on him. Resigned, he was getting ready to use one of his many tricks until he noticed how Hana shifted to always obscure him from view. Even when the lady brusquely stood up, Hana sat up straight with her bowl in hand, still eating and looking imperturbable. The civilian left with a huff and it wasn't until she was out of hearing that Hana snickered.

"Does it happen often?" She asked, still looking at her meal.

"It happens," Kakashi sighed.

"I suppose the mysterious look works for you," she conceded with a smirk.

"Maa, you think so, do you?" He teased.

"Sure, you're handsome enough that any scar you might hide could be overlooked anyway, like Raidou-san."

He raised an eyebrow. "Most women don't overlook Raidou's scar."

"Then he shouldn't bother with those."

"Are you interested, Hana-chan?" Sue him but this was too good to be ignored.

She rolled her eyes at him. "No, thank you. I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm just a rowdy Inuzuka anyway, he's always frowning at me. We had a two-week mission together and I swear I didn't see him smile once."

"That's… possible." Raidou was relatively strict and exigent, not a good match with the Inuzuka's exuberance. "But then I'm not renowned for my sunny attitude either." He was quite surprised to see her blush slightly in answer. She wasn't the coy type.

"I suppose you aren't, no, but you have a softer side… with your ninken."

"Aah." That… wasn't wrong, he supposed but few people witnessed it. For most, Kakashi was all business and no play. As he finished his meal, his thoughts went to Gai, Kurenai and Asuma, all so determined to get him to socialize and lighten up. "Some people would like me to be more like that," he stated on impulse.

Hana blinked at him slowly. "Well… I can't pretend to know you well but… aren't you already trying?"

"What do you mean?"

She indicated them both with her forefinger. "This. Us. You teasing me five minutes ago, listening to me and finding it funny sometimes… It's more than I ever received from Raidou-san, that's for sure." She shrugged. "I don't expect a traumatized dog to gallivant without a care in the world from one day to the next. It's the small progresses that count."

They payed and left the stall, following their way back to Hana's home. With his hands in his pockets, Kakashi pondered her words. "What about…" He abruptly shut up.

"Yes?"

"What about a dog who progress more with a stranger than with a trusted friend?"

If she found funny or pitiful that he was hiding behind an analogy with a dog, she didn't show it.

"Some dogs answer better to me than to their master. It's not a failure from the dog or the master. It's just that some dogs want to get better not for themselves but for this person that they care for so much. They want to reach their expectations and put pressure on themselves to do so. Either they try too hard and fail, which often ends up with an aggravation of their state, or they don't try at all because they fear the failure and the subsequent disappointment. When that happens, bringing in someone new like a veterinarian can help. I don't care how he was before the trauma, all I know is that I found him in a bad state and I want him to get better. It can take ages, there will probably be some ups and downs but it will be progress."

"Aah." Kakashi nodded slowly as he scratched his cheek. He supposed that made sense. That relieved his guilt somewhat (if Gai learnt he was spending more time with Hana than with him, he would cry rivers of tears… then he would start planning their wedding).

"To the master or friends of a traumatized animal, I tend to tell them to stay open. To invite him in their space, in their activities, and to let him sit by if that's all he want to do. Peace but not loneliness, that's important for a good recovery… and I'm shutting up now because I'm rambling." She pulled on her coat's collar and adjusted her red scarf to hide her embarrassment.

"It's interesting rambling. I've heard worse," he noted to appease her.

They arrived to Hana's house to find a battlefield with snow trenches in her courtyard. Kakashi pulled Hana away from the danger zone and they walked inside to escape the madness. Just before Kakashi closed the door, Pakkun and Uuhei darted in to warm themselves. After everyone dried their paws or took off their shoes, Hana went to prepare some tea and Kakashi turned on the heater under the kotatsu. His ninken immediately used him as a pillow and he lied down to read his book.

This… this was nice.

Kotatsu = a low, wooden table covered by a heavy blanket with a heat source underneath