The memorial stone. A monument of those who were killed in action and whose body was never found to make a proper funeral.

Also a memorial of all Hokages, because due to an old tradition, the bodies of leaders were burnt and their ashes scattered around Konoha.

'Obito'

'Sensei'

'Kakashi-kun, may I introduce you your new jounin-instructor, Kazama Arashi.'

The boy looked at said man, scanning him from his sandals to spiky blond head.

'Nice to meet you, Sensei' he finally spoke with a hint if hesitation. 'You don't look like jounin at all; is some sort of joke or another test?' he wondered aloud.

Arashi chuckled and winked towards the thin little boy, who didn't even reach his hips. 'You know, kiddo, this is exactly what I've been thinking.'

'Ok, the training is over now. What are you going to do, Kakashi-kun?'

The boy looked at him with surprise. 'You ask weird questions, Sensei. I'll go home and train, naturally' he said as it was the most obvious thing under the sun.

'Ah, I understand…so you don't have any specific plans for this evening, that's great.'

'But sensei, I do have plans! I'm gonna...'

'In that case,' Arashi raised his voice, not even bothering to let the boy finish '…I'm taking you out for some ramen!' he grinned happily. Kakashi tried to refrain from sighing and sound as condemning as a six-year-old can do.

'Sensei, I don't want to question your eating habits. However, I'm sure that eating ramen as often as you do, just can't be healthy,' the boy allowed himself to pout a little 'Besides, I don't even like ramen that much; can't we really go and eat something else?'

Arashi ruffled boy's hair which caused another irritated sigh. 'But my little student, who said anything about eating? The ramen stall is right in the centre and in the evenings there are hordes of beautiful chicks!' he exclaimed with joy.

'He?' Kakashi was utterly confused 'And what I'm there for?'

'Nah, you're so undeniable cute and charming that I'll just use you as dating bait for chicks, aha ha ha ha!'

'Sensei!!!'

Arashi was anxious; or it was what he had been telling himself. In fact, he was anxious and depressed and scared.

Anxious, because Kakashi hasn't spoke more than ten words since his father funeral.

It has been five days already

Depressed, because he had no idea what to do next. And it was clear, that he hadn't done enough.

Arashi hated being helpless.

Scared, because boy's eyes were dark and empty. He desperately waited for the tiniest hint of emotions- but there was nothing.

His little cute and energetic student had become a doll. He only slept, walked, do the orders and answered direct questions.

And train.

Kakashi had always trained hard. But now, in a mature age of seven, he was on the best way to become a serious workaholic.

The blond scratched his hair and sighed miserable. He was standing in front of Kakashi's apartment, not exactly certain about the next move. Earlier that morning he was almost scoffed while trying to invite boy for a ramen.

'Well, it can't be helped' Arashi murmured to himself and entered the hall. It was still unbelievable how Kakashi could live in such ugly and unpleasant place. Although in that state of mind it was also doubtful, whether the boy had even noticed it. Probably he just wanted to be as far from Hatake mansion as possible.

'Kakashi-kun, it's me, Arashi. May I come in?' as expected, there was no response. The man sighed and pulled out his spare key- the only concession he obtained after boy had coolly refused to move to Arashi's own apartment.

He found the boy sitting on the bed and cleaning his weapons. Arashi sat quietly beside. 'Ok, when all clever psychological tricks failed, it's time for pure honesty.'

'Listen Kakashi… I know how hard times you have' what a big euphemism 'And probably nothing I said could comfort you even a little.'

Kakashi didn't even bother to look at him.

'Even so, we've known each other for almost two years now…and despite the age gap, I consider you as my friend' Arashi made a deep breathe and continue. 'Kakashi… I just care for you too much to leave it and do nothing. Please, don't shut yourself like this…don't become a ruthless machine.'

The man leaned forward and gently hugged the boy. 'Above all, you're a human; don't forget about it' he whispered. 'And I'll always be here to help you, I promise' he vowed, praying for any reaction from motionless Kakashi.

And than, after a few minutes, the boy relaxed and leaned his head on Arashi's shoulder. He still didn't respond to a hug or say anything, but it was some beginning.

That night, Death walked through streets of Konoha.

The power of Nine-tail Fox was overwhelming. Villagers did they best but no one could fight with a berserk demon. His tails and claws crushed everything, causing fires and earth quakes.

'Kakashi, you and your platoon must help at the north gates.'

'Hai, sensei. We'll keep that position' the teenager saluted and turned round, but Arashi hold his arm.

'Kakashi…' the blue eyes were full of concern '…no matter what will happen you must be strong… for me and for Konoha. Can you promise it? That you won't give up and live on?'

'Sensei, why you're asking me this?' Suddenly he realised. 'What are you going to do?'

'All I have to do to save the village. I'm sorry, but there's no time to explain' he made a deep breath. 'It may be difficult for you… but please, do it for me.'

'I promise, sensei' There was nothing more to say.

Yondaime smiled gently 'Thank you, Kakashi. Now go.'

'We gathered here to honour the greatest hero of Konoha, the man who saved us all…' Sandaime-sama continued but Kakashi stop listening.

Konoha's White Flash

Kazama Arashi

Yondaime Hokage

'Why did you make a vow that you couldn't keep?' the sorrow clenched his throat so hard that he couldn't breathe.

'You lied to me, Arashi-sensei.'

'Ohaio, Sensei, Rin-chan, Kakashi' Obito twitched when he spoke other boy's name 'What a nice day, don't you think?'

'Obito, you're late again' Arashi sighed with disapproval '…and it's been the fourth time this week. And it's just Wednesday, mind you' the blond still had a condemning look but his eyes were smiling. 'What story do you have this time?'

The Uchiha boy scratched his head and laugh sheepishly 'Ah, I'm sorry but this time I really have a good excuse. You see, my mother was baking cookies for tomorrow festival and I just had to wait a little until they were ready to take' he took out a small package and put it on a flat stone.

'It's said that they bring good luck. Here you go.'

After a while the whole team was gorged itself on dainties. Well, almost the whole- Kakashi shrugged and start polishing his shurikens.

'And what about you? Mister I-am-already-a-chunnin is too good to eat a mere cookie?'

Obito seemed to feel offended that someone dared not to appreciate his sweets. 'Or maybe you think that there's something not right with my mother baking, huh?'

The silver-haired boy rolled his eyes. 'You're a paranoid. Besides, keeping your body in good condition is vital to survive as a ninja. And in my opinion, cookies aren't the healthiest possible food you could bring as an excuse for being so extremely late' he said with malice and prepared for usual attack.

However, it never came. Obito sighed heavily with a mock sadness. 'Man, no wonder why you're so boring' he waved a cookie just in front of Kakashi's face. 'Eat it' he demanded.

'Eat, or a whole Uchiha clan will come to avenge the disrespect you showed to our perfect baking.'

When Kakashi finally took a cookie and looked at it with distrust, Obito laughed loudly.

'Gosh, it's just a cookie; it won't kill you, you know?'

'Listen, you two, I know I said that bonding between team-mates is really important …' Arashi gave them a tired look '…but I would appreciate it if you did that in a different way than beating yourself to the ground and actually…biting?'

He sighed with resignation 'Kakashi, move that leg from Obito's throat; Obito, please stop pulling his hair. In case of this, you'll sharpen all our weapons and clean the camp. Maybe doing dirty work together will teach you something.'

'But, Sensei, it was his fault! He was insulting me; he told that I'm a useless weakling!' the raven-haired boy sulked. Kakashi, on the other hand, remained impassive.

'You started with that babbling about Sharingan' he said coldly. 'Besides, you are a weakling; I took you down in less than one minute.'

'You…you were just lucky! Next time I'll certainly beat you down!'

Kakashi just rolled his eyes 'Dream on. But in the end it's you who always lays on the ground.'

'Bastard! I'll show you!'

But he didn't show that time or the next one. Even though, he kept on standing up and trying- again and again, with never-ending hope of winning.

Even if Kakashi had almost broke his arm and threw him to a muddy pond.

Even if he had lost to Kakashi in nearly 10 seconds, right in front of Rin's eyes.

Even if he had forgotten to bring proper weapons with him and had to use Kakashi's spare ones- and that was really humiliating; he was a ninja for Kami's sake!

None of these or many other events prevented him from trying once again.

Obito simply refused to give up.

'I'm the only one who didn't give you a present…'

'I can become your eye… and from now on, I will see future with you.'

'The sharingan of mine…'

'There are no words to express how I miss you two' Kakashi lighted the last two candles and watched as a warm shimmer lighted up the carved letters. Normally he would stay there much longer, recalling and mourning his lost comrades; but that night was supposed to be different.

The man put on his bag and headed for his last stop- Konoha's hills, the highest spot in the village.

The closest place to the sky and heaven.

The closest place to stars and his lost friends.

He increased his pace and run through the silent forest.