Author's Notes: I am sorry for the long wait between this chapter and the last. Life kind of took me away and sucked out my inspiration and motivation to write. I always have the stories in my head, constantly working out ideas and chapters. Just didn't have what it took to type them out until now. I ended The Routine on because I just didn't know where to go with it. It was only meant to be a short story and ended up being 12 chapters. The main idea was the routine between Kakashi and Moiya and it just wasn't meant for something more. So instead of beating a dead horse I ended it. So now I have more time to spend on A Precious Gift and Not From This World. I also have another story in the making but I wont post that until I have a couple of chapters written. So please enjoy this chapter and tell me what you think. Someone was waiting for more interaction between Kakashi and Moiya, well here it is. There will be more, I promise.

A Precious Gift

Part 1: A Secret Revealed

Chapter 10

"Moiya!"

Minato stopped himself before he took another step closer. The way she flinched. Wouldn't lift her eyes to look at him. Clung tighter to the pug in her arms. All the words of comfort he had offered her that day appeared to be useless against the past she obviously couldn't escape. But she had come looking for him. Just as Sandaime had said she would. Maybe a little of what he had offered her had broken through.

Moiya's eyes seemed glued to the rug under the desk across the room. She had wanted to find him. Needed to find him. But now that she was standing only a few feet from him she couldn't move. She didn't want to see the disappointment in his face. Didn't want to see the regret. Regret for bringing her to Konoha. Maybe now he wished he had left her behind.

Minato didn't look up when Sandaime moved around the desk and quietly brushed past Moiya, disappearing along with the chunin into the dark hall. He couldn't take his eyes off the terrified little girl. His eyes slowly searched her for signs of injury. She had bits of leaves and sticks in her disheveled hair. Her face was stained and nearly as dirty as her hands and knees. Other than the pain and fear in her eyes, she appeared unharmed.

Relaxing slightly he took a few slow deep breaths and walked up to stand in front of Moiya. Watching her reaction carefully. He didn't want to make the situation worse. But it was obvious the pug was going to be crushed if he didn't calm her down a little. He smiled warmly when the pugs eyes pleaded for help. Kneeling down, he waited for Moiya to make the next move. But after several long minutes he realized she had more experience in remaining silent than he did.

"I see you found Pakkun."

Moiya's green eyes darted from the rug to the little brown pug in her arms and she consciously relaxed her grip, "He found me." Her voice cracked from being silent for so long and was barely above a whisper, but Minato heard it clearly enough and smiled. Moiya watched as he raised a hand to the dogs head and gently started scratching. The pug instantly leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. Moiya's heart pounded hard in her chest.

Before Minato could prepare himself, Moiya's arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, nearly choking him. Pakkun wiggled free as quickly as he could, dropping to the floor at their feet. Shaking from head to toe he finally turned and looked up into a pair of blue eyes, gave a quick wave of his paw and disappeared. Minato took a deep breath and closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around the frightened and exhausted child.

"I ruined the dress."

"I don't care about the dress Moiya. Im just glad your ok."

Moiya didn't want to let go. She had never felt safer. He hadn't asked about the mess she had made of herself, wasn't angry about the dress, didn't lecture her about what she had done to the merchants cart. He hadn't even asked about her gift. He didn't care about any of those things. All he cared about was that she was ok. And he seemed genuinely happy that she had come back.

So when he tightened his grip and moved to stand up with her still in his arms she didn't let go. When he carefully shifted and tucked one arm under her legs to carry her she didn't let go then either. She had never been allowed to hug her father or anyone else. And only one person had ever offered her a hug. The nice lady who wanted to take her away from her father flashed through her mind. Instinctively, Moiya clung tighter. She didn't want him to go away like that lady.

Kakashi didn't flinch when Jiraiya popped in behind him. Didn't turn to look at the him when he sat down next to him, feet dangling over the edge of the building like a big kid. Kakashi swore the man next to him was the reason his sensei was so warped. After all, Jiraiya was Minato's ex-sensei and mentor. Kakashi grinned under his mask. And Sandaime, Saratobi-sama, was Jiraiya's ex-sensei. He was beginning to see a pattern.

"They fit. Like two pieces of the same puzzle." Jiraiya nodded towards where they had last seen the two blonde's through the distant window.

Kakashi frowned. So what did that make him?

Moiya's face flashed in his mind. The dress. The argument. He had been a jerk he realized. Just like with Obito and Rin. Apparently he hadn't changed as much as he would have liked to believe. A sharp pain in his chest, guilt and something he didn't recognize, made him sway slightly with the wind. His eyes still glued to the room where his sensei and Moiya had been. Jiraiya cast a sideways glance at the boy next to him.

"You better get moving. Minato will be expecting you."

"I doubt that."

He hadn't meant to say it out loud. Wasn't even sure why the words entered his mind. His brow knitted together in frustration and he gritted his teeth, biting back any further thoughts, feelings or comments. In a poof, he disappeared, leaving the elder shinobi alone on the rooftop. Jiraiya sighed heavily and tilted his head back to look up at the starry sky.

"He's a magnet for troubled brats." he chuckled to himself.

Moiya's head popped up out of the blanket of white, gasping for breath and wiping away the ones coating her face. Slipping down so that her eyes were just above the thick layer bubbles and scanned the room. The bathroom was bright, but simple. As if it was designed to be easy to clean rather than look nice. But it did both in her opinion.

Holding her hand in front of her face she smiled. She had never been wrinkly before. She had also never had a bubble bath before either. Or been allowed to stay in the bath so long. Her eyes settled on the bench by the door where a small pile of clothes were. She was glad to see there no pink in the pajama's Minato had given her. But she did find it amusing they had green leaves on them. Apparently leaves were important in Konoha. Next to the clothes was the thickest towel she had ever seen. It was hard to believe it was just one towel.

Taking a deep breath she sunk her head under the bubbles until she was laying on the bottom of the tub. It felt good to just lay there in the strange quiet. She really did feel like the water was washing the day away. She wished it could wash away her entire life and let her start over here in Konoha. No mean father to torment her, no villagers to hate her, or more importantly, fear her. No gift to ruin her life.

Moiya came up sputtering and coughing, water trickling down her throat as she quickly wiped off her face in order to breath. Sitting quietly for a few minutes she slowly raised both hands in front of her face. Maybe, if she didn't use her gift, everyone would forget that it was there and no one would ever ask about it or force her to use it and try to use it for themselves.

Strangely enough, she learned more about what she could do with her father's kekkai genkai being a prisoner than she had her entire life before. Her father never allowed her to use it. When she did, it was in self defense, out of fear or anger. Her only purpose was to live long enough to pass it on. He had reminded her of this nearly every day.

"Girls are only good for one thing."

Moiya clenched her fists and stared at the door. If she didn't use it, he would always want her to stay. He would never have to know what she could do or be afraid of her. And none of the villagers would hate her or fear her either. She could just pretend it never existed. Pretend she was normal like the kids she had seen playing.

"Moiya?"

Minato could hear the sound of water splashing, a couple of foot steps and then a squeak and a loud thud. He had to resist the instinct to pop open the door to make sure she was ok. But it wasn't like she was five. He had to keep reminding himself she was actually ten years old. To him she seemed so much more fragile than ten and it was hard to find a reasonable in between. She needed so much more than most ten year olds and yet he couldn't treat her like a little girl.

"Moiya..."

Minato stepped back when the door opened and a still dripping wet blonde stood staring up at him. He had to suppress the smile and laughter at seeing her so wet and in her pajamas, which were nearly as wet as she was now. Clearing his throat he stepped closer and peered around the doorway, Moiya stepping aside as he reached for the towel. The next thing she knew it was draped over her head and two hands were gently rubbing it over her head and hair then wrapping it around her shoulders.

"Towels are very good for drying off." he smirked as Moiya quickly looked down at the puddle on the floor "Before you get dressed." he added.

Moiya quickly stepped back, tugging at the towel and dropping to her knees. Minato frowned and crouched down, placing a hand over hers. Moiya jerked her hands away and hid them behind her back. Minato took a calming breath and reached out, pressing his finger tips under her chin until she finally looked up.

"Let's get you a dry towel and another pair of pajamas. Are you hungry?" he asked already knowing the answer.

Moiya slowly nodded and looked back at the towel on the floor when he moved his hand away. She continued to stare at it as she stood and walked out the door into the hall. He was just going to leave it there. She looked up in time to see him disappear into a room up the hall. Following the noise she made her way to the doorway and peeked inside. It was small, but it had a bed and a wardrobe and a really big window that opened if you pushed it out.

"This is your room." Minato smiled down at her holding out another set of clothes, "And this is all yours. I only got a few things. I figured you'd want to pick out your own clothes and things for your room."

Moiya took the clothes and looked around curiously, taking in every inch. Minato rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"As soon as your ready, dinner's waiting." he smiled walking back into the hall and pulling the door behind him.

Moiya waited for him to shut the door, but he stopped and opened it again, leaning against the frame. Looking up at him, she decided he looked as tired as she felt.

"I know this is all...new. So, if you think I suck at this or have any advice, let me know. You don't have to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself Moiya. It can get lonely living like that. I don't want you to be alone anymore."

Again she just stared at him. It seemed the longer she was with him, the less she spoke. He wondered where the fiery blonde had gone. The one that picked fights with Kakashi. Kakashi? Minato grinned and pulled the door closed leaving Moiya confused at his sudden exit. He was an odd person, but his energy was infectious, just like his smiles and his hugs.

Moiya pulled off the soaked clothes and slipped on the dry ones. She was starving at this point and wasn't going to waste another minute if a hot meal was sitting out on the table. But no sooner had she pulled the long night gown over her head she jumped and turned towards the door. Running over and jerking it open she could see the bathroom light on and shadows in the hall.

"Stop your fussing baka!"

Moiya ran up the hall at the sound of Minato's voice and nearly slipped on the water covering the bathroom floor, grabbing the doorframe for support. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face when she saw the shock of silver white hair poking out of her bubbles. Minato's hand planted firmly on top. Kakashi came up sputtering mad and trying to climb out until he saw Moiya smiling at him. Minato shook off the water and bubbles on his arms and turned to grab a towel off the bench as Moiya's eyes widened and hands flew up to cover her eyes.

Kakashi stood up and glared at two green eyes peeking out between fingers, "What are you staring at?" he growled.

Moiya dropped her hands and glared back at the fully clothed and soaking wet boy covered in slowing fading bubbles, "A wet baka!" She turned suddenly and ran up the hall as Kakashi threw a leg over the edge of the tub as if he was going to chase her down. But his foot slipped on the floor and he ended up on his back staring up at his smiling sensei.

"You look good in bubbles...baka.", Minato leaned down and sniffed, wrinkling his nose "Now try it without the clothes, because now you smell like a wet dog." he said sarcastically, turning to leave. Kakashi sat up as the door snapped shut, glaring. Looking down at himself he raised one arm and sniffed, then glared at the door some more, "Do not." he grumbled.

Moiya stared across the table up the hall at the door with the light peeking out the bottom. She smiled when the door opened a crack, then a streak flashed across the hall through another door.

"Does he live her too." she frowned slightly realizing she didn't know anything about either of them really.

"Occasionally." was all Minato said as he pulled Moiya's long hair over the back of the chair and continued brushing out the tangles. She stuffed another bite of vegetables into her mouth and watched the hall. He had to come out some time she thought mischievously, ignoring the tugging at the back of her head. She sort of liked having her hair brushed. It made her feel sleepy she thought chewing her food.

"I didn't know you were a hair dresser too."

Moiya focused her eyes and stared across the table at a smug looking Kakashi. Arms crossed over his chest, mask missing, hair drooping over his left eye, which she also noticed was closed. It had surprised her the first time she saw it, but she wasn't afraid of it she realized. Moiya intentionally looked him over as if scrutinizing him, Kakashi tensed and glared at her. He looked different in pajamas as apposed to his uniform or a hospital gown she thought smiling.

Minato pointed the brush at Kakashi and frowned, "You want to wake up with bows smart ass?"

Moiya's eyes widened and she covered her mouth trying to stifle the giggles that were threatening to erupt into outright laughter. The image of Kakashi in bows was one thing, but to hear Minato call him...well that...was even funnier for some reason. Perhaps because she could sense the joking and familiarity behind the words and knew it wasn't a angry threat between them.

Minato stopped and looked down at Moiya shaking with suppressed giggles and smiled. That sound was the sweetest thing he had ever heard he thought glancing up at Kakashi's red face and false anger. He was secretly glad he had given Kakashi the special kunai. Not just because it had saved the boys life on a few occasions, but because it let him find him tonight. Somehow he guessed the stubborn jonin would do a better job at getting Moiya to talk and smile than he had.