Blooming Blossom
Part 3

As a week rolled by, Kimi's motor skills began to strengthen and she was able to get out of bed and move around. From her being in a coma for so long, the muscles in her legs were not used to movement and she walked on wobbly feet, needing help to hold her arm so she wouldn't fall. In that time since waking, she learnt she was in a coma for three months and it was for that reason her muscles didn't want to work properly. The muscles were too relaxed. She also learnt just before waking a young boy lost his entire clan, like she did, but the village wasn't burnt to the ground. The boy was now an orphan, like her, but refused to stay with anyone, which made some of the adults help him with food and other things.

Kakashi, like he had said, visited her everyday and each day he would arrive in his ANBU mask but would take it off and his cloth one just to visit with her. But if someone came in the room, he would replace the ANBU mask just to cover up, which often made Kimi giggle because of how he'd scrunch his face as if he was annoyed but it was only in good fun, to make her smile, which worked.

While she remained in the hospital, not once did Kimi give her name. No one could really figure out why, but had an idea. And it was a common ailment in kids to fear talking after something juristic happens in their life. But Kakashi seemed confident he could get her talking again and he was keeping it quiet on his goal to do that.

"You know," Kakashi was saying as he had a seat near her bed, facing his back to the door. "It's been a week since you woke and you have yet to tell me your name. I told you mine, which is a secret. Would you like to give me a secret now?"

Kimi lowered her head. He was right. He had yet to know her name and he did trust her enough when he gave his name and wasn't supposed to. "Kimi…" she whispered. She knew she had her voice back, but hadn't yet wanted to speak, until now.

"Kimi?" Kakashi tried out her name. "That's a pretty name. And what's your last name?"

"… I…" she paused. Her last name…was eluding her. "I…" Her eyes widened. She couldn't remember her last name. How was this possible?! She could remember her family but not her last name.

Seeing the distress, he reached over taking her hand. "Hey, it's ok. You were wounded badly. There are some people here in the village that don't have a last name." Now he felt bad for her. She had nothing to remember her parents by, not even a last name.

She looked at Kakashi to see his gentle smile once again. Taking a shaky breath, she forced the tears down. She could remember her sister calling her a sissy for always crying and now that her sister was dead, she had to remember her somehow. She took a deep breath.

"Where…where will I go?" she asked quietly.

"That is something I'm actually working on at the moment," he answered truthfully, putting on a serious face. "And I was told you're getting out tomorrow." He was happy to hear her speak, but he wasn't going to make a big deal out of it like many others would.

Kimi nodded in understanding. She was happy to be getting out, but she had nowhere to go and that wasn't good. Would this village throw her to the 'wolves' so to speak? "Will I be left out in the cold?" she suddenly asked.

Kakashi blinked, perplexed by her question. "No. No you wouldn't. You will be given a home. Either one with someone else or one by yourself where you'll be checked up on everyday to be sure everything is good for you. There are several kids who live like that."

It's a good thing Kakashi already had the ball rolling on a few things dealing with her living arrangements and hopefully if all goes well, she will be living with someone as of tomorrow. The Hokage was already looking into finalizing the paperwork about it and that would mean the person in question to take the girl in would be doing a major life-changing career, which probably was going to be for the best. Standing, Kakashi pulled up his mask over his nose.

"You leaving?" she asked in a light whisper.

He looked at her as he secured his mask on his face. "I must. I wish I could stay longer, but there are a few details I need to work out. I'll be back later and tell you what will be happening tomorrow."

"Thank you… Kakashi," she replied.

He shook his head. "You don't need to thank me. Seeing you smile and giggle is plenty for me. You've been through a lot. And I just wish the best for you." Turning away he left the room, leaving the girl alone once again.

Deeply sighing, Kimi leaned back in her bed. It was always so boring when no one was in the room. She was given some books to read for her reading level. She had already read them through 20 times each and was beginning to bore her. She wanted out, not wanting to look at the pale walls any longer. She hoped Kakashi was able to help her.


Once leaving her room, Kakashi used his teleportation jutsu to get himself to the Hokage's office. He had to get this done and fast. Kimi's stability depended on it. He stood outside the Hokage's window while he spoke with his assistant, who was doing up the paperwork that Kakashi wanted. When she was finished, she exited the room, leaving the Hokage to his thoughts.

"You may enter, Kakashi," the old man said with a grin.

"Do you have what I requested?" asked Kakashi as he appeared in the room. Being an ANBU, Kakashi never bothered with the pleasantries. He went straight to the point, as that was what the ANBU did.

"I have done better than that," the Hokage replied. "I was able to push through the papers like you requested and was able to finalize them today. She will be officially in your care as of tomorrow."

"That is good to hear," Kakashi replied. "I have one more request to make. I wish to resign from my post. She lost her family and everyone she ever knew. She's in a strange village with nothing to go on."

The Hokage leaned back in his chair, taking a few puffs of his pipe. He gave a deep sigh before stretching forward. "I thought as much you would request that."

Kakashi blinked; stunned the old man knew what he was going to say. He remained still and quiet, waiting for the man to speak again. He watched as the Third Hokage then pulled out a new stack of papers.

"Request has already been drawn up. All I need is your signature to make it official. Mine is already been placed. In fact that's what my assistant was handing me when you appeared at my window."

He couldn't believe it! Not only did the Third Hokage knew Kakashi was going to ask to resign from ANBU but already did up the papers to make it official. Not wasting any time, he stepped towards the desk to sign his name where he was requested. Once signing five pages, he dropped the brush and looked up to the man.

Lord Hokage took the papers and slid them in a folder. "You are now officially a regular Shinobi citizen of the Leaf Village, you may remove your mask. For you will no longer have a use for it. However, if the time ever arises you wish to return, you may do so without hesitation."

Kakashi, with gentle ease, removed his mask, revealing his clothed mask over his face and a piece of cloth over his right eye. It was going to feel different not wearing the mask anymore but it was important for him to change jobs and take back his former position before becoming an ANBU. He would be a regular Jonin and have all the responsibilities that went with being that rank. Of course that would mean he would have to wear his forehead protector, but instead of wearing it like many do, he could drape it over his eye instead of using the cloth.

"Kakashi, for the next year or so until the girl is used to everything, you will take minimal missions and I would also suggest to enrol as a candidate for taking up fresh Genins to train them to be proper Ninjas."

"That'll be a tough task. I will take the job offer under one condition, nobody questions my methods of training," he proposed.

"All Senseis have their own methods of teaching Genins to become true ninjas. As long as your methods aren't dangerous, but yes, no one will question you on your decisions if you pass or fail them."

"Good. Then I accept the job." His eye crinkled, giving his only indication he was smiling beneath the mask.

"I am told the girl is being released tomorrow," the old man said, changing subjects.

Kakashi nodded. "Yes and I have learnt her name. Her name is Kimi and for some reason she cannot remember her last name. That really bothers her, but she's trying to put on a strong face about it."

"She spoke?" the Hokage blinked. "That is good news. But after tomorrow, her former name won't matter too much as she will be in your care."

"Using my name as well," Kakashi added. "I've never seen an adoption pushed through so quickly before."

"Well you seemed quite adamant about it when you first requested it to me. And I have noticed you seem to visit her everyday since she woke. You also visited her several times while she was in the coma, especially after returning from a mission."

"So you caught up on that, did you?" asked Kakashi.

"Kakashi, I don't pretend to understand what you do, but there's usually not much that gets past me. Perhaps I should meet her and give her some encouragement. We have to make the transition of her being integrated into this village as easy as possible."

"I agree. The Mitzukage cannot know we took one of his own people because she happens to be the Klondike Dragon. I have the sinking feeling that is the reason her village was destroyed, whoever killed everyone was looking for her and she can not know she's the reason behind the loss of everyone she knew."

"Agree. She's like Naruto Uzumaki who bears the Nine Tails Fox. He too doesn't know that and neither do the kids of his age group. However, the adults do and look upon him as a monster."

"All Jinchurikis are treated that way, if they are known that's what they are," Kakashi pointed out. "If you'll excuse me Lord Hokage, but I have much to do in little time. I have to prepare my apartment for her arrival."

"One more thing Kakashi. If you have any trouble, don't hesitate to ask. I have been the one who is helping to raise Naruto."

"I will keep that in mind," he answered. "And this Naruto kid, I'm sure he'll be a handful when he gets a bit older since he strives to get attention because he's always ignored."

The Hokage lightly laughed. "That I'm sure he will. He's in the academy."

"That is good to know." Kakashi waved to the Hokage before suddenly vanishing from the room, leaving the old man to ponder his next course of action.

With Kimi being a Jinchuriki, it probably would be best for her to go to the academy and become a ninja where she could tame her untapped power for when the time would come. But he knew the road ahead of her was going to be tough and Kakashi probably knew it too. Kakashi was adopting the girl and she hadn't even had time to mourn the loss of her family. She was being thrown into a new environment against her will and now she'll be forced to live a new life as well.


Dressed in a typical style for Jonins, Kakashi left his apartment, heading straight to the hospital. He knew, as he walked, no one would recognize him but with his uniform, everyone knew he belonged there. This was the first time since he was a young teenager; he was actually walking through the streets as a regular Jonin and not an ANBU.

He never once bothered to stop until reaching the hospital, going straight to Kimi's room. Upon entering, he waved his hand at her. "Good morning!" he called out cheerfully. "Are you ready to leave today?"

Kimi looked up surprised. There before was not the same Kakashi she saw leave yesterday, even when he visited her the second time; he kept his ANBU clothes on. His voice was the same and he had something different over his left eye, but he wore different clothes and didn't have his ANBU mask. He did have the mask over his mouth.

"Kakashi?" she blinked. "What's going on?"

"As of today, I'm no longer an active ANBU. I have resigned from the position and now just a regular Jonin. I'm going to help you."

"Jonin? What's that?" she asked, watching him walk further into the room.

"It's the third rank for ninjas. There are three types of ninjas, Genins, Chunins and Jonins. Once becoming a Jonin, one may enter to become an ANBU. But to become a Genin, one has to go to the academy and graduate. It's normally a six year course, but many can do it under."

"The Academy some kind of school?" she asked.

"Actually it is," he answered. "You learn how to read and write and other subjects that one must know but you also learn how to become a ninja as well. If you'd like, we could have you enrolled. The new season just started a short time ago."

"I hope I'm not interrupting," the Hokage replied as he entered the room.

Kakashi turned. "Not at all Lord Hokage."

Kimi looked at the old man who walked in and immediately could see him smiling as he gazed at her.

"Kimi, I would like you to meat our Hokage. He's known as the Third Hokage of our village."

The Hokage stepped further into the room to stand beside Kakashi. "It is a pleasure to meet you Kimi. I am glad you have gotten better since you were brought here. I can't stay too long, but I wanted to meet you and let you know Kakashi will be taking care of you for the next while. You seem to be getting along with him fine."

Not really wanting to reply, Kimi nodded. This was happening too fast, but at least she would be with someone she knew and could make her laugh.

"I have a question for you do you like candy and chocolate?" he asked suddenly, taking another step forwardd.

Eyes slightly lit up. "I like candy," she answered shyly.

"Really now?"

Kakashi seemed confused in what the old man was doing. Was the old fart trying to butter her up?

Grinning, the Hokage pulled out a paper bag. "Here, open it."

Curious, Kimi carefully took the bag, opening to reveal a bag full of candy. Her eyes lit up in happiness as she pulled one out. "Is this for me?" she requested.

Kakashi's one eye widened, so that was what he was planning. "If the Hokage is handing you a bag of candy, he is giving it to you. And you don't want to disappoint the Lord Hokage."

Giving a genuine smile for the first time since waking, Kimi tossed the piece of candy into her mouth, eyes closing to savor the taste. She couldn't remember the last time she had candy.

The Hokage laughed. "And there's more where that came from too. How about we leave the room and you can get changed." He stepped away from the bed, going back to the door stepping out for a second before returning with a box. Inside the box was a brand new outfit for her to wear. "Here is something I also brought for you. I picked it up for you yesterday. I hope you like it."

Kakashi stepped over to the door. "Let us know when you're dressed." He held the door open for the Hokage to step through first and then he went through, closing the door behind him, leaving Kimi to get dressed.

The two men waited several minutes until Kakashi could hear her faint words of being finished. He then opened the door, stepping to see Kimi standing in front of the bed. She was dressed in a two-piece skirt outfit with the top showing her stomach. Both pieces were blue outlined in white. The top was sleeveless with a big heart in the middle.

"Nice choice Lord Hokage," Kakashi complimented. "It matches her brown hair and eyes wonderfully."

Lord Hokage grinned. "You can thank my daughter-in-law for picking it out for you."

"I also have something else for you," Kakashi said, pulling out a pair of shoes, which were blue, open toed. He held them out for Kimi to take just as a nurse walked in.

"It's good to see you're dressed and I'm glad you're leaving. We will miss you." This was the same nurse who had tended to Kimi's needs from the start. "I was wondering before you go. Would you mind if I do your hair?"

Kimi couldn't believe the kindness these people were showing her. One bought her an outfit, while Kakashi got her shoes and now a nurse wanted to do her hair. She never had so much pampering before. She was kind of enjoying it. "I guess. Mommy used to do my hair in braids all the time."

The nursed smiled. "I remember my daughter wanting her hair like that too when she was your age." The nurse went over behind Kimi, doing her hair.

While the girl was getting her hair done, Lord Hokage excused himself, needing to get back to the office. Kakashi, of course remained behind, waiting until the woman was done. He watched closely as the woman braided her hair. He wasn't much of a family man but he had to learn fast and if she wanted her hair in braids, he was going to have to help her with getting just that. That meant he had to learn.

Once she was done, the nurse left to deal with another patient and Kimi regarded the man who was going to take care of her. She had no idea he was her adopted father now. But Kakashi was sure in time he would tell her. Once she got used to the idea of living in the village with a warmer climate.

"Shall we go?" he asked, offering his hand to her. "First I'll take you on a tour of the village."

With a small nod, she tentatively took his hand and the two left the room, leaving the hospital, which was something Kimi was very glad about. She was going to see many new strange people and the concept frightened her a little but she wasn't going to show that in front of the man before her. She was going to do her best and make her parents proud of her.


For several hours, Kakashi showed her around. When she was tired, the two would stop and take a rest. By the time the tour was over, the two wound up being at the Academy just as the school day ended and many students were quick to rush out of there. However, there were two students dragging their feet. Kakashi knew who exactly those two were but didn't actually know them. One was Naruto Uzumaki and the other was Sasuke Uchiha a boy who too lost his entire clan.

He looks a bit gloomy," Kimi pointed out, pointing to Sasuke.

"The day before you woke, his entire clan was killed," he answered truthfully. "Like you, he is the only one left."

Kimi turned her attention back to the boy and felt sad. He lost his mom and dad, just like she did. He lost everyone he knew, just like she did. The two had things in common. The other boy nearby who had blond hair ignored everyone as he stopped kicking the ground and left the grounds quickly enough, but the dark haired boy was still looking like a lump on a log as he kicked his feet on the ground, slowly moving away.

"Kakashi Hatake!?" asked a male voice.

Kakashi turned to see Mizuki-Sensei approaching him. "Well hello. So you finally became an instructor have you?"

Mizuki grinned. "I did. You're not an ANBU anymore?"

Kakashi shook his head. "I'm in care of this girl."

Mizuki looked at the girl and immediately could tell she wasn't from the village. He noticed she was looking in the direction of Sasuke, ignoring the two. Suddenly shaking off Kakashi's hand, she ran off in the direction Sasuke had just left.

Mizuki blinked. "Is it wise to allow a strange child to roam free like that?"

Kakashi lightly laughed. "She belongs here now. She needs to find her way. But just to be sure, I'll keep an eye on her. Good-bye Mizuki."

Mizuki waved and turned back towards the school, scowling.


Kimi continued to run until she caught up to the boy. "I'm sorry," she said in a shy voice.

Sasuke snapped around to the girl, his bag over his shoulder. "What do you care?" he snapped, looking to her.

"Because I know how you feel," she tried, linking her hands together in front of her. "My name is Kimi."

"I don't care what your name is. You have no idea how I feel, so just lay off." The boy got ready to step away from her.

"I know your Mommy and Daddy died," Kimi rushed out. "And I do too know how you feel. My Mommy and Daddy are dead too and I watched them die before my very eyes!"

Sasuke stopped, giving her a side-glance. "You watched your parents die?" All anger drained from his features. He fully turned to regard her. "Who are you? I've never seen you before."

"Kimi and I come from the Land of Water. But everyone in my village died. I watched them all die. Many of them were stabbed while others were burnt alive. My mommy was one who burnt and daddy was stabbed."

Sasuke's eyes widened this girl did know how he felt. He could see the tears were threatening to fall from her brown eyes. "I'm Sasuke." His eyes then hardened. "But you weren't the one who learnt your family died by your own brother."

"Own brother?" Kimi blinked. "How awful. Why would someone do such a horrible thing?"

"A monster, that's who…" Sasuke faced away from her once again as tears bubbled in his own eyes. "My brother killed my entire clan and left me alive." His hand clenched into a fist. "I will kill my brother, avenging my family's death."

"Yeah…" Kimi lowered her head. "The guy who killed my parents nearly killed me too if not for Kakashi."

Sasuke turned back around. "Kakashi? Who's he?" That name sounded familiar.

"He's someone who saved my life." Kimi remembered Kakashi saying he wasn't supposed to tell her his name but did anyway. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to give the information out that he was an ANBU, so she thought to keep it a secret. He did entrust her with his name.

"Guess the right place, right time," Sasuke answered. He clenched his fist again. "When I get my hands on Itachi… I'm going to…"

Kimi gasped. "Did you just say Itachi!?" she blurted.

Sasuke blinked and gawked at the girl as he saw the tears break through and fall. He scrunched his brows. "Yeah, that's what I said."

"Itachi killed my entire village and he tried to kill me!" she cried out.

"Itachi…" he breathed. "Did what?" He couldn't believe it. Itachi killed his family and even this strange girl from another country. What was Itachi's game? He was an ANBU but now from doing what he did, he was classified as an S-rank missing nin. Whatever that meant.

"My sister was going out with him!" Kimi continued, alerting Kakashi but as he ran towards them, he stopped abruptly. He could see and hear Sasuke and Kimi clearly. Crouching down, he made sure they couldn't see him. "Itachi was Amber's boyfriend and she's dead too! I hate him!"

As Kakashi listened, his mind began to wonder. 'So she had a sister and knew Itachi.' His eye widened suddenly. 'Itachi knew I was there! Taeko said he saw nearly 10 people in cloaks fleeing to the other side of the island.'

His attention was drawn back to the two kids as Sasuke stepped towards the grieving girl. "Please don't cry," he said. His own tears on the verge, but he promised himself to never cry again. "At least you're alive and you can remember the times you have with everyone."

Kimi looked up as the realization dawned on her. It was as if she were struck by lightning. The day her village died, she could remember trying to find her sister and found instead what sounded like Itachi stating he was going to kill his family. Her eyes widened. This boy was Itachi's brother. The poor kid. Kimi felt her heart tie up in knots. She couldn't tell this kid she overheard his brother plotting to kill his family. She just couldn't.

"I suppose you're right," Kimi sniffled. She had to keep what she knew a secret from this boy and from the man who was going to take care of her.

"Besides you're in a ninja village. Ninjas don't cry." As Sasuke said this, he forced his tears down. "To the enemy it's a sign of weakness."

"But I'm not a ninja," Kimi whimpered as she brushed her tears away. "I'm just a lost girl."

"Well you could always join the academy," he offered.

"Join the academy?" Kimi blinked. "Could I really do that? I'm not from this village. I'm from where the temperature is colder."

"That doesn't matter. From what I've already learnt at the Academy is there's many different Ninja Academies and there's one in the Land of Water in the Hidden Mist Village. Anyone could become a ninja if they try hard enough. That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to continue and be the best so I can be able to stop him."

Kimi's eyes hardened. "Not if I get to him first. That jerk killed everyone I ever knew. My entire village went up in flames. He tried to kill me and leave me for dead until Kakashi found me barely alive!" She gasped, realizing she gave too much away.

"Oh… you weren't supposed to hear that. It was a secret."

Kakashi sighed. 'It's ok Kimi. I'm not an ANBU anymore.' He could hear the two talk carefully. He had a feeling Kimi was going to join the academy, especially if she wanted to stop the teen who killed her entire village.

"You mean Kakashi Hatake?" Sasuke blinked. "He was a comrade to Itachi and was the head investigator to my family's death."

Kimi blinked. "You know of him?" Guess she didn't spill out a secret after all.

Sasuke frowned. "You know if you want to try and kill my brother, you'll have to get stronger. He is an elite Ninja. He could snap your neck with one hand even to an adult he could."

"I...I don't know," she answered honestly. "Maybe things would be better off if I were dead. I have no one left."

Sasuke grabbed her arm, anger now in his eyes. "Don't ever THINK like that! That will not solve anything. We can work together to stop and kill him."

"R...Really? You mean that Sasuke?" Tears once again came to her eyes as she grabbed Sasuke, hugging him, sobbing. She was in a lot of emotional pain from losing her village, like he was. And who could blame her? Everyone had been killed, everyone she knows and love.

Sasuke hugged her. He wasn't sure why, but he felt drawn to her. "Mine were murdered while I was in class. I'm currently staying in a small house by myself but I'm looked in upon a lot by the Hokage."

The Hokage? That was the same man who gave her, her outfit and gave her candy. Kimi looked up at him, pulling away from him. She rubbed her tears once again. "He gave me this outfit this morning when I left the hospital. I feel like I'm all alone except for Kakashi and the Hokage."

He looked at the girl and felt a new purpose. He wasn't the only one who lost loved ones. He wasn't alone. "You're not alone. You have me." He held out his hand to her. "If you want it."

Kimi felt something within her as she reached out her hand and held his hand. She too felt a new reason to live on. It was as if she just found the will to move on and that she could do it. "Your right! If he we stick together, we could do anything. That was something Mommy always told me. We'll train together and get stronger until we kill him."

"It's a promise then," said Sasuke, as he gripped her hand.

Hearing this, Kakashi knew he really had something on his hands now. He saw the look in her eye and he had a feeling she could do it. Seeing the time of day, it was getting late and Kimi had yet to see her new home. With that in mind, Kakashi casually pulled himself out of his hiding place, strolling up to the two as if he just happened to come upon them.

Sasuke sensed someone coming up towards them; he turned to see Kakashi coming towards him. Who was that guy? Sensing also a presence, Kimi looked up too.

"I better get going," Sasuke replied as he stepped back. "Someone is coming over to help me learn to cook."

Kimi looked at Sasuke and nodded. "It's nice to meet you Sasuke."

Both Kakashi and Kimi watched the boy turn away and leave. Kakashi could see the boy had indeed changed from the instant of meeting Kimi, as his walk wasn't so gloomy. "Shall we head home?"

Kimi turned to look at the man. "I suppose that's a good idea."

The two turned away, walking off towards the setting sun. Kimi had yet to learn she was actually going home with her new adopted father who gave up being an ANBU just to help her to adjust. Normally adoption papers took months to file through, but between the elite ninja and the Hokage, the adoption was done in one week. Life was never going to be the same for Kakashi nor for Kimi but the two would eventually learn how to handle the life dealt to them.


Author's Notes: It may appear as if Kakashi is OOC, but I wasn't trying to make him that way. But I was thinking in mind in possibly what he would do if the situation had presented itself and I feel I made the best course of action for Kakashi. Besides this was written for a friend who paid me points in dA to write this, so basically Kakashi being who he was in this was her idea.