A/N: funny thing is, whenever I try my hand at writing a genderbend, I turn Harry into a female character. Never, though, did I think about changing the gender of any of the other characters. They always sort of remain in their own genders quite comfortably and yet Harry is such an easy character to write in either male or female form. So I got to working on a male Hermione and a female Harry… like I didn't have enough unfinished stories already *sweat drops*

Chapter 3
The Unspeakable Act

It was a week before Rose was left by herself for the first time. Her Aunt and Uncle had left for business in the early hours of the morning and had explained that they wouldn't be back before sunset. It had been a week filled with different impressions and people. Her Aunt had taken Rose shopping when it became apparent that Petunia had left her with only two sets of clothing. The letter had been a simple request from Petunia to Mebuki, asking her to protect their niece and teach Rose how to protect herself. Petunia hadn't been sure what would happen once the Wizarding World would find out that she had send their beloved Girl-Who-Lived to a different dimension. They all knew that normal people wouldn't be able to travel through the portal more than once, but people with magic might try and get through at some point.

Mebuki and Kizashi had discussed Rose going to the Academy once the girl was settle in and became comfortable with the village. They had both tried to explain the system to Rose, but when they mentioned that ninja's were trained at the Academy the little girl had become a little reluctant in joining. "I don't like fighting," she had whispered when they had asked her why she was so reluctant to go to school.

"Oh sweetheart, you don't have to fight if you don't want to," Kizashi replied, hugging the little girl to his chest. "Not all ninja are expected to fight and not all the children going to the Academy learn to become ninja. There is still time."

The matter had been dropped after that and the rest of the week had been spend teaching Rose about the history of the Elemental Nations and the customs of the land. Kizashi had also started to teach her how to read the squiggly lines which were called Kanji. Rose would sit in his lap, following along as he read to her from his books while Mebuki cooked dinner. She enjoyed the stories very much and looked forward to the moment her Uncle would return from work. Because while Aunt Mary spend most of the day with her, working on her letters and numbers, she really liked listening to Kizashi's voice.

A routine had sort of settled, making for a comfortable pace of life. So when it became clear that she had to spend the entire day on her own, inside the house with nothing to do, Rose panicked a little. Mebuki and Kizashi were quick to reassure her that; yes they were coming back and; no she wouldn't have to stay inside of her room all day while they were away. She was allowed to eat and drink everything kept in the fridge as long as she didn't use the stove. They had even told her that she could pick the restaurant they were going to eat at when Mebuki and Kizashi returned from their business trip. As long as she was a good girl and promised that she wouldn't open the door to anyone while they were out.

And so Rose found herself sitting on the floor surrounded by books she couldn't read, willing them to speak to her. She wanted to be told a story, to go on an adventure to the far corners of the country where the animals were wild and the spirits protected forests, living in trees larger than the ones she had seen in the village. But they remained silent and Rose pouted a little. When she had been with the Dursleys still she would have never dared to make such a mess, knowing that Dudley would kick up a fuss and tell Uncle Vernon about it. But Aunt Mebuki, while sometimes very strict, had yet to yell at her for making a mess and Uncle Kizashi didn't mind as long as she cleared away any books she had used before leaving a room.

Rose pouted, prodding one of the books which Uncle Kizashi had been reading from last night before glancing around the living room. It was warm today and she was wearing the t-shirt and shorts Aunt Petunia had given her, the locket which held her parent's pictures securely tucked away. The sun was shining brightly through the window, seemingly inviting Rose to come outside and play. She stood and carefully put the books back on the shelves before moving to the window which overlooked the backyard. The glass was slightly warm because of the sun and her breath fogged up the glass when her nose touched it.

The garden didn't look quite as well kept as Aunt Petunia's had done and Rose wondered if she could help Aunt Mary out in her garden as well. She hadn't minded helping the plants grow in the garden and watching the birds and other small animals making their homes in the hedges and other plants. Already the mouse living under the rose bush was peeking out of its hole, jumping out to scurry across the edges of the flowerbeds before diving underneath the hedges. Rose wondered where it was going and what adventures it would get into while going wherever it was rushing off to. She pouted when it didn't appear to be coming back anytime soon.

Her green eyes followed a butterfly as it fluttered lazily from flower to flower, dodging around the bees busying themselves and stopping every once in a while to sit around looking pretty. A bird came swooping down from the trees lined just outside the fencing and landed gracefully on the grass, hopping around for a while until looking up suddenly. Rose could have sworn it stared right at her, seemingly waiting for her to do something. When the little three-year-old frowned a little, the bird pecked the ground and ruffled its feathers before seemingly prancing around the lawn a little as if showing off.

She giggled against the glass when it did a funny little flip with its wings, almost as if it were dancing. It dipped its head, ruffled its feathers, flicked its tail up and down and stared back at Rose before spreading its wings to glide low over the grass. It landed just out of her vision and she had to press hard against the glass to catch a glimpse, but it already appeared again. It hopped in and out of her vision, seemingly trying to get her out of the house so the little girl could play with it. With an excited blush rushing to her cheeks Rose reached for the door handle. But she was too short, her fingers just brushing against the handle even as she stood on her toes. With a last attempt she reached the handle, pulling it down with an excited grin but it dropped into a pout when it appeared that the door was locked.

Staring at the lock in disappointment Rose glanced back at the bird who had been observing her efforts and it flicked its tail at her, taunting her a little. With her face twisted in an expression of fierce determination Rose stared at the lock, willing it to open for her like her cupboard sometimes would in the dead of night when the Dursley's were in bed. Sure she no longer had to feel that fear, that hunger any longer, but she remembered the feeling and the darkness of the cupboard. The memory was still fresh and something like that would not leave her. At least not in a week anyway.

Glaring at the lock Rose reached for the handle again, this time reaching it with ease and pushed against the door with all she had. After a moment something clicked and the door swung outwards making Rose tumble out into the garden. With a soft thud the door closed just as Rose sat upright, quickly checking herself if she was hurt before scanning the garden for the bird. It was sitting on the fence, watching her with a seemingly amused expression. It chirped and twitched its tail before flying off towards the direction of the street.

Scrambling to get up Rose hurried after the bird, nearly bumping into someone before spotting it flying high above the street. She rushed to follow, excitement filling her at the wonder of this adventure. Where would it lead her? To the far corners of the Fire Nation or even as far as the Isles of the Water Nation. Rose weaved her way through the busy crowds, sensing the people moving around her before seeing them do it. But why would she care for the man who staggered in his slightly alcohol induced state or the woman who dragged a screaming child behind her or even the group of children who were rushing around the city in groups of three, an adult seemingly supervising. All that mattered was the bird who was flying a little ahead of her, swerving between the other birds and ducking between buildings and trees.

It wasn't until Rose reached a large section of greens and trees that she finally lost sight of the bird. Pouting and turning in every direction the little girl tried her hardest to spot it, but it seemed to have disappeared completely. Her shoulders dropped together with her lower lip and she bowed a little in defeat. All those places she could have seen had she been able to keep track of the bird. Sighing she turned and resigned herself to return to the house, when she realised… which way was back home?

A panic she hadn't felt since England rose inside of her and froze her to her place in the clearing. The surrounding trees seemed to groan and creak, complaining against the wind which blew through them. Something moved in the river and Rose startled when a fish sprung up from the water causing her to stumble backwards. She blinked rapidly and turned when birds screeched from the trees and something larger scurried away, making the leaves on the bushes shake.

"Hello?" Rose called uncertainly hoping that anyone would answer her call. "Is anyone there?"

While Auntie Mary and Kizashi had both toured her through the village they had never showed her this area before and while Rose was sure she hadn't passed the gates this area felt like it was more dangerous than anywhere in Konoha. She shivered despite the heat and forced her body to move in a direction by sheer instinct. It hadn't failed her yet, even if it did sometimes caused her to end up in situations such as… well like these.

Rose bit her lower lip as she walked through the wooded area, clearly unsure of her surroundings. The longer she walked the more the three-year-old relaxed and started to play with her surroundings. The young fox which was following a butterfly was being watched by an older fox. It looked up at her when Rose came into view but turned back to watching her young when the little girl glanced in their direction. Rose stumbled a little and looked at the mother with an emotion she didn't quite understand. She hoped though that the mother would continue to look after her young just as she was doing now.

A few rabbits, birds and butterflies later and Rose finally stumbled upon a human. The boy had come rushing out of the bushes, halfway through a fancy looking spin when he bumped into her, sending them both crashing to the ground. Her skin broke on her elbows and knees and Rose tensed because surely the boy would land right on top of her. But the weight which was supposed to be crashing against her didn't come and she opened her eyes. Wonder filled her when she saw the boy hanging over her, spread eagled but not touching her. A lone, grey eye stared wildly and widely at her as if not really believing she was there. They stared at one another for, what couldn't have been but a few seconds, when suddenly something came whizzing past them and landed next to them with a dull thud.

"Wait, Gai," the Shinobi called out and disappeared from Rose's sight suddenly, leaving the little girl blinking in confusion.

"Sensei, there's a little girl there," a cry came from where the boy had first appeared from and when Rose looked over in a daze she saw an older girl with a familiar looking blonde rushing towards her. The three-year-old blushed bright red when a pair of blue eyes caught hers. Rose glanced at the older girl when she kneeled next to her, worried brown eyes looking at her questioningly. "Are you alright? My name in Nohara Rin and I'm a trained medic-nin. Can I have a look at your wounds?"

Rose glanced at them nervously before looking at the medic-nin who already was holding a small pack in her hands. As Rose nodded to the brown haired girl she let her gaze travel to the man who had been in the Hokage's office not a week ago. "It seems Gai was a bit too enthusiastic for Kakashi," the blonde said with a slight amused smile as he gazed at the direction the two Shinobi had obviously taken before looking back at Rose. His blue eyes sparkled when they looked at her and a comforting warmth radiated off of him. She smiled back at him. "Hello again Rose-chan. I hope the boys didn't startle you too much?"

Shaking her head, Rose flinched a little when Rin cleaned out the wounds on her knees and the medic-nin smiled encouragingly at her. "You're doing really well," Rin said softly as she concentrated on taking care of the wounds. "Now, I don't have any nice colours in my bag but these bandages are a lot nicer than the regular ones you get in a shop. If you're really careful you can take them off again tonight but tell your mum or dad that if it starts to bleed again, the bandages need to go on again. Promise?"

"Can I tell my Auntie Mary?" Rose asked softly, a little worried that she was only supposed to tell her parents. Rose wasn't too sure about how the picture in her locket could help her.

Rin blinked and opened her mouth to reply when Minato interrupted them. It seemed the boys had returned from whatever they were doing. "So what were you doing around here Rose-chan? I'm sure Kizashi-san or Mebuki-san would have told you not to come around here on your own."

Blushing Rose stared down at her dirty hands. "I was on an adventure," she replied softly half afraid of looking up to see anger reflected back at her through the blue eyes she liked so much. "The books didn't tell me any stories and then there was a dancing bird in the garden which I followed because it was going to take me to the Isles in the water, but it was going too fast and then I got lost. I was all alone and so I followed the warmth till the ninja ran into me and saved me again."

"What a Youthful way to spend the day!" an energetic boy cried and Rose's eyes widened until they about bulged out of her head when they landed on the caterpillar boy. Even his eyebrows, as impressive as they were, looked like black caterpillars twitching when he moved his face. "And such a Youthful spirit for such a Youthful little Lady!"

Her mouth dropped open because, while his words of youth seemed a little odd, his energy was simply overwhelming. With every pose, though tired and bruised, he seemed to sparkle with an energy which infected his surroundings. Rose didn't need to close her eyes to see the boy clad in green glow like the sun. She remembered the leaves left behind by the ninja, how the sun filtered through them in a way that no regular leaf could. It left her fingers feeling a little tingly and warm. This boy felt the same and it made her warm inside. A smile creeped onto her face which seemed to only grow wider the more he talked.

"I do think Rose-chan got the point Gai," Rin said while Minato chuckled, his blue eyes dancing with mirth. She smiled kindly at the little girl, checking her for other injuries. Rose remained quite still while the medic-nin examined her and while the older girl didn't actually touch her, the three-year-old fought not to shy away from the hovering hands. She looked at the boys who were getting a talking to by Minato and let a deep breath escape slowly to make the odd feelings go away. The warmth which had settled around her drew her in like the comfortable duvet she had at Aunt Mary's home. It made her feel safe.

"Do you enjoy Konoha, Rose-chan?"

Rose blinked out of her dozy state and stared into soft brown eyes which seemed to express a kindness she wasn't yet too familiar with. Tilting her head to think a little about the question, Rose wondered how she should answer. Did she enjoy Konoha? "It's not like England," she said softly, almost thoughtfully. "England was cold and dark. Aunt 'Tunia was warm like when the sun shine's while it snows. It's warm but cold. Like Dudley, but not like Uncle Vernon."

Did she enjoy Konoha? She tilted her head to the other side, not seeing the boys approach when Rin shot them a warning and worried look. "Japan was warm and bright like Konoha but not like Konoha. It was like the bright sun on a summer day or… that day when I had hot chocolate to drink. I'm not allowed to have chocolate," she whispered conspiringly. "But Auntie 'Tunia sneaked me some because it was cold."

"Your Auntie sounds nice," Minato said softly, crouching down to her eyelevel and handing her an odd looking flask. Rose ticked at it curiously and tried to look inside when the others chuckled. "There's some water in there. You must be thirsty."

Rose opened her mouth to say that Auntie Mary had told her that she shouldn't drink anything given to her by strangers but wondered… "Are you a stranger?"

"At least she has some sense," Kakashi muttered, making Rose look at him for a moment before her attention was drawn by a pouting Minato and a grinning Rin. Gai was babbling about youth again but his warm energy kept her from being drawn to him. Sky blue eyes were looking at her with such adoration that she couldn't help but blush. He was warm, like the sun, and calm like the water in the river. She would have said it was like swimming in a warm pool or river, but she couldn't swim and hardly been near the water in her three years she had lived. She wouldn't mind being embraced by the sun if it were his arms, because they would have been like her father's arms.

"Do you see me as a stranger, Rose-chan?" Minato asked with a pout.

She smiled after a moment before taking a sip from the water, causing the older man to break out into a grin. "I like her," Rin said with a smile and Kakashi rolled his eyes.

"You better be careful Rose-chan," the one-eyed Shinobi said, turning his head when the three-year-old looked up at him. "Before you know it you'll be kidnapped to house Namikaze. God knows I've been there more times than I can count."

"Shouldn't let yourself be captured then," Minato said with a sly smile at Kakashi.

The young Shinobi crossed his arms across his chest with a huff and turned away from them. "There's no escaping Kushina," the blonde said with a look Rose didn't recognise but it made her feel a little odd. Happy and sad at the same time. Still she smiled at the brightness they all showed. Even if there was a coldness which lingered around their hands, their hearts and heads were radiating warmth.

At that moment a change happened. Rose yawned and shivered a little just as a cloud drifted in front of the sun, shadowing the world around them. Should she try to get home? What if her Aunt Mary and Kizashi had already returned while she was away? Would she get punished for leaving the house while she promised she wouldn't? She still couldn't read Auntie Mary very well making it very hard to understand if she was doing something wrong or not. Kizashi wasn't around a lot, but when he was the man was fun and encouraging. Unlike Uncle Vernon. Rose shivered. She didn't want to think about that strange man.

But it couldn't have been that late. She had yet to make… eat lunch after all. "I think it's time to get something to eat," Rin stated, standing up just as Rose tried to hide the monster growling in her stomach. It always came out these days and while Auntie Mary told her it was all right, Rose felt nervous. Should anyone hear her monster…

"It seems someone's as hungry as I am," Minato said brightly while holding out a hand to Rose. "Let's all get something to eat."

Rose blushed. His hand was warm and strong, enclosing securely around hers giving her a warm fuzzy feel inside. Like she really could trust this man. Minato smiled his most dazzling smile at her and even went as far as picking her up, letting her rest on his hip. When she tried to protest, he ruffled through her hair. "We have to eat if we want to go on adventures again and I'm sure your Aunt and Uncle are worried about you by now."

"But what about training Minato-sensei?" Kakashi cried, drowning out the words which were about to escape Rose. She didn't mind. She wasn't too sure if she was supposed to tell anyone anyway.

"That won't do, Kakashi-kun," Minato said. "Food equals energy. Energy means -"

"Adventures!" Rose chirped with a smile. She knew this!

"Yosh! What Youthful energy this young Lady had!" Gai cried. "I challenge you, my rival! The one who reaches the restaurant last will run a hundred times around Konoha on his bare hands!"

"Isn't that a bit -" Rin started but Kakashi huffed, cutting her off. "We don't even know yet where we're going to eat lunch."

Minato grinned and Rose watched as Kakashi's shoulders dropped a little before he came to stand next to Gai. "Ichiraku it is then," he muttered in a resigned kind of way. "Meet you there." And after Rin gave the signal both Shinobi shot off, causing a cloud of dust to float up and settle when they disappeared from view.

Rose's eyes widened in surprise. "They are really fast," she said softly, still staring at the direction they had vanished in with wonder.

The two remaining ninja chuckled. "They have to be," Rin explained. "We ninja need to be fast to help our comrades, heal the wounded, fight against enemies and protect our country. It is one of the reasons why we train every day."

Rose blinked, a little confused about what the medic-nin was trying to say. Ninja fought, but fighting was bad because it hurt other people. But Rin says ninja fight to help people. But how could fighting, which hurts people, help people? It was confusing… The three-year-old shook her head and resigned herself to being carried all the way to Ichiraku. Really, really… fast.

If the risk of swallowing flies (she had done that before and it wasn't really nice) didn't exist her mouth would have fallen open in shock. But for now Rose settled for trying not to blink because her eyes were wide with wonder. The forest flew by so fast it became a green and brown blur. And the funny thing was that the animals didn't even seem to startle as they moved past. The water seemed to hold such life in it and the sky was moving at such a speed it felt like flying. Flying… Rose wondered if it felt something like this.

Just as they were about to reach the edges of town again Rose gave in to the urge to spread out her arms and giggle. "Ah!" Minato cried when he felt the little girl move but he was too late. Mid-jump Rose felt herself reaching for the sky, her red hair like wings spreading around and behind her. Like a bird she spread her arms high, catching the wind in her clothes and soaring high. For a moment she flew alone, sure to reach the sky together with the birds, before strong arms wrapped around her again. Rose cried out in delight and her laughter echoed through the forest towards the populated streets.

"Again, again!" Rose cried, spreading her arms once more in the hopes of catching the wind again. This time she would fly higher and higher until she could reach the clouds with all their fluffy comfort. She would fly with the birds all the way to the other countries to explore and to find their riches. Wait… birds didn't fly to find riches. So what would she try to bring back?

Minato chuckled. "Careful about the birds up there Rose-chan," he said before launching her up into the air. Rose gave another scream of delight and flapped her arms, gaining altitude before twisting her body so she could see how far up she was. A raven startled out of the way and the flying little girl made to wave but she was already plummeting back to earth. Strong arms caught her mid-fall again and she looked up to see the blonde Shinobi's smiling face. Suddenly Rose realised that she didn't need to reach for the sun up in the sky, because the sun had already fallen to earth to catch her.

"Higher, higher!" she cried and Minato launched her up into the air again. The flights lasted longer and longer, and Rose went higher and higher squealing with delight when the birds took to flying next to her. She waved at Rin and Minato when they passed underneath her before reaching for the clouds again. Floating down like a feather caught in the wind the little girl twirled, watching the earth grow closer and closer before closing her eyes. Her heart was beating fast and she felt a little frightened for the first time since taking flight.

She opened her bright green eyes to the world slowing down around her. Her breathing, which had hitched with fright and excitement, eased and became calm. A look of determination settled on her face. Someone would safe her from this fall and otherwise she would land like cats did. On her two feet. Before doubt could settle in her three-year-old mind a flash like lightning signalled two strong arms catching her. Minato held her close enough for Rose to hear his frantically beating heart and his shallow breathing. The little girl looked up at the blonde, catching a look in his blue eyes she hadn't seen before. "Again?" she asked, not sure if she was still allowed.

The blonde Shinobi sighed. "You really must love flying Rose-chan."

"Is that wrong?" Rose wondered, silently worrying about the answer the older man would give. If it's wrong would he still want to play with her? Would he tell other people like her Aunt and Uncle and Kakashi and Rin and Gai? Would he not like her anymore?

Minato pressed her against his chest and for a moment she thought he was going to place a kiss on top of her head, but he moved her so they could look at each other properly. "Nothing is wrong with loving something like flying," he said patiently and with a kind smile. "You have to be careful though. I won't always be around to catch you when you fall back to earth."

Rose blinked and tilted her head sideways to think about his words. "But you're here."

The way he smiled with his eyes closed and an honesty Rose had rarely witnessed made her young heart flutter.

By the time they reached the restaurant, Kakashi and Gai were discussing how they were going to proceed since the race was a draw. Rin resigned herself to eating Ramen and Minato was telling an enthusiastic Rose what Ramen was. The little girl, after settling for flying lower during the rest of the trip here, felt her stomach growl hungrily at the smells which welcomed them at the entrance. She wondered if food could smell this good and still taste good too.

"Ah! If it isn't my loyal customer. How are you Minato-kun?" an older man asked from behind the counter. His eyes were squinted closed with a broad smile and he radiated happiness. "And I see you've brought the youngsters as well."

"Good to see you again outside hospital Teuchi-san," Rin greeted with a smile and a polite bow before taking a seat next to her teacher and team leader.

"Oh and who's this?" Teuchi said, catching sight of Rose as she tried to climb up on of the tall chairs. Minato picked her up with a smile and placed her on the seat between Kakashi and himself.

"This is Potter Rose-chan," Minato introduced her as the three-year-old wobbled on the seat, trying to maintain balance by clinging to the wooden table. Rose looked up to wave cheerfully at the man standing behind the counter she could barely see passed. "She is the niece of Haruno Mebuki and has come to live with them."

"It's nice to meet you Mister Ramen-san," Rose chirped, finally able to settle on the chair.

"It's good to meet you too Rose-hime," Teuchi said with a chuckle. "What would you like to eat?"

Rose blinked before trying to decide what to have, absently swinging her legs back and forth. "I've never had Ramen before. What do you like?" she asked softly, wobbling a little when she tried to peer into the bowl placed in front of Minato and Kakashi. The grey haired Shinobi steadied her by placing a hand on her back and she shot him a smile before looking hopefully at Teuchi again. The older man was looking at her thoughtfully before nodding, seemingly making up his mind. "I have something special you might like." And he disappeared from view.

There was something which smelled like meat, fresh vegetables and even fish. There was even a smell which reminded her of homemade soup wafting through the small restaurant. It made her mouth water and her stomach growl with hunger. Suddenly a big, flowery bowl appeared in her line of vision and Teuchi appeared floating above it with a large smile. "It's my daughter's favourite so I thought it might be something you would like as well. Can you reach sweetheart?"

Biting her lower lip, Rose started to raise herself so she could reach the flowery bowl which seemed to hold the delicious smelling soup. Before her hands could so much as touch the bowl Rose was lifted from her seat and placed on Kakashi's lap. The little girl blinked at the sudden change of height and seating. Unlike Minato, who was like the sun itself, Kakashi was a comforting warmth which was protective but distant. The cold which lingered around his hands lingered around other parts of his body as well, but Rose didn't mind at the moment. All she wanted now was to eat the delicious smelling soup.

Carefully picking up the spoon she dipped it into the golden liquid and carefully tasted. "Yummy!" she chirped enthusiastically and started to eat with great vigour. It was all too soon that the soup was finished down to the last noodle strand. Rose had never known a food which could be this delicious and so heart-warming. Her whole body felt warm and the comforting warmth which Kakashi provided made her feel drowsy. It wasn't long before her eyes drooped and she was off to dreamland.

Kakashi shifted uncomfortably. While the girl wasn't heavy or anything he wasn't used to having someone sit in his lap so comfortably. And now the girl was asleep! Sure he had picked her up so she could reach for her bowl without possibly injuring herself, but now…! "This isn't funny Minato-sensei," he growled softly as not to wake the little redhead but still make known his discomfort. The blonde just kept on smiling his way in that devilish sort of way which reminded Kakashi of early morning training sessions which could last well into the night. Rin wasn't being helpful either, sitting there with an expression which reminded Kakashi of those fan girls which had often ran after the Uchiha youngsters. Gai, who was silently gesturing his enthusiasm, wasn't helping either so the one eyed Shinobi was quite stuck.

With a deep sigh Kakashi resigned himself to the situation. There was no way he could move without waking the girl up and seeing as little girls usually started crying when they woke because of someone else. Kakashi shuddered, remembering those endless babysitting duties during his Genin days. Not that Rose had cried in front of him yet. She had remained remarkably silent in the forest when she had been injured and even that time when she had fallen out of the tree a week or so ago. Rose seemed quite resilient for a little girl.

"Sensei?" Rin said the dreamy look replaced by a slight frown as the Kunoichi continued to look at Rose. "What happened on the way? It was almost as if…" she trailed off with a thoughtful expression.

Interested at what could have happened while Gai and him were in that ridiculous race to Ichiraku which he would have won if he hadn't gotten distracted at the last moment. He only had himself to blame for that of course.

"It certainly is a mystery I wouldn't mind cracking," Minato confessed while resting his chin on his hands. "I've never seen anything like it."

"Wasn't it a wind technique?" Rin asked causing Kakashi to raise his eyebrows in surprise.

"I don't think it was, Rin-chan," the blonde answered, letting the chopsticks he had been using twirl a little with wind chakra before picking up a fishcake and munching on it. "I know wind chakra and its feel and I'm sure you've experienced it before as well whenever I use one of my techniques. I used it in front of Rose-chan when she came to see the Hokage about joining the village. She was fascinated by the tricks but recognised them almost instantly. And the way she can sense people. You heard her describe the places she had been."

"Saying that a place is warm or cold isn't the same as sensing and using chakra," Kakashi interrupted, cutting off Gai who had opened his mouth to probably make another 'youthful' comment. Not that he could judge anyone like that. He was sure that sensei and Kushina were rubbing off on him.

Minato nodded. "True but it is the basis for learning how to sense as you know very well Kakashi-kun. She could even sense where the ANBU had been before he moved."

Kakashi's eyes widened for a split second before glancing down at the girl sleeping in his lap. "Such Youthfulness!" Gai shouted quietly, causing the others to look at the energetic boy with an amused expression. "To show such a spirit while being so young. Why she is just brimming with youthfulness!"

"She's three years old," Kakashi said with a deadpanned expression.

"All the more reason for her Youthfulness!" Gai cried, his voice a little too loud. Rose moved her head to the side, burying it more deeply into his chest and grabbing onto his shirt. Kakashi's eyes widened a little when he felt her slide and he quickly settled her by scooping her into his arms. The rabbit printed on her shirt was staring warningly cutely at him as if swearing it would come to life and chase him should he drop her. It was then he noticed something hard pressed against his ribs which had nothing to do with the buttons on her trousers. Kakashi frowned against shifted the little girl around a little until the uncomfortable feeling disappeared. He noticed something shiny underneath her shirt and realised that whatever had been pressing against his ribs must have been some kind of necklace.

Rin was scolding Gai in the mean time for being too loud. It was good to see his teammate behave in the way she used to before that day. It reminded Kakashi of team training. Rose groaned softly, squiggling in his hold making Kakashi hold onto her a little tighter. A small smile appeared on her face making something warm and squidgy beat in the older boy's chest. He looked away when Minato cleared his throat to make an end at Rin's scolding.

"It may or may not have been wind chakra, I couldn't be certain unless I test her myself or maybe another with a wind affinity." The blonde scratched his cheek in a sheepish manner. "Since they are too rare in Konoha I guess we just have to do it the old fashioned way."

"I know that Asuma-kun has a wind affinity," Gai suggested, seemingly subdued enough to sit back in his seat without getting a glare from Rin.

"Sarutobi-sama' son?" Minato asked and Gai nodded. Clearly the blonde was thinking about something. Kakashi could read his sensei quite well after spending so long with the man and he knew beyond a doubt that the fate of this little girl was going to change quite drastically.

A/N: I'm leaving it there. I was hesitant writing in a different point of view. I wanted to just write in Rose's instead of switching to Kakashi for this chapter. I might to it again in the future but it will stick with those two. Kakashi won't get a lot of room though even if he will have a large part in this story. I want to stay true to Rose. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Looking forward to writing the next one already!

**SPOILER ALERT** for anyone who's been reading the Naruto manga until chapter 674! What do you all think about this reincarnation business? I always find it an excuse because the author couldn't explain about the things he/she wrote about properly. Sure you can be reincarnated, but it shouldn't be a guideline on how you lead your next life. *pouts and sighs* at least he rectified it by giving Naruto such a stupid expression upon meeting the old man. Enough, all that drama is doing my head in.