Dislciamer: Mia is mine. Kakashi and Tobi are Kishimoto's.

Warning: SPOILERS FOR LATEST MANGA CHAPTER (636)

Beta: Haha. Cute.

I whimpered again, rereading the saved manga on my laptop.

When I heard the soft steps of someone else in my bedroom, I slammed my laptop shut and looked up sharply. My eyes met with Tobi's and I had to quickly bring up my hands to my eyes to rub them.

"What's wrong?" Tobi asked quickly, taking off his mask and moving to sit next to me on the bed.

I shook my head wordlessly.

"Mia..."

"I was just... I was just reading an old chapter about you, okay? Look, promise me that you won't ever trust Madara-sama and when the time comes, you won't resurrect his sorry ass. At least, not with Edo-whatever. Resurrect him the right way the first time so he doesn't... I mean... Just..." I struggled to relay my words and thoughts to him.

Tobi tilted his head. "... I promise?"

"Good," I said, breathing out a small sigh of relief as the tension in my chest eased a little.

"... Why were you crying?"

I hesitated. "... Just reading about someone I really care for kind of get screwed over by Madara-sama."

"I'm sorry," Tobi said, still giving me an incredulous look.

I shrugged, glancing away. "... Can I... Do you mind if I... hold you for a bit?"

Tobi's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he frowned even more so. "... Why?"

"Please?"

"Alright," Tobi said slowly, suspicion plain in his voice.

"Thanks," I said quietly, moving to wrap my arms around Tobi and pulling him towards me. I rested my chin atop his head and tightened my hold on him. Tobi was stiff and clearly uncomfortable in my arms, but after a while he managed to relax enough to a point where he was willing to close his eyes.

Tobi humored me for roughly three hours, as he had fallen asleep in that time, before taking his leave.

It wasn't long enough for me.

But it would have to do.

After all, just knowing that he was still here with me, still safe and alive and not in pain (at least not in a physical sense) was enough.

It had to be.

ಥ⌣ಥ

"Oh, Kakashi," I said, blinking in surprise.

Kakashi gave me an eye-smile.

"What are you...? No, stupid question. You need groceries, too?" I guessed, shifting my bags in my arms to better support them.

"Yep. I take it you just finished your shopping?" Kakashi returned, eyeing the bags of groceries I held.

I gave a grin in response. "That's right."

"Need help?" Kakashi offered. "I already got what I needed."

I hesitated, my eyes scanning the area around the market.

"They're not here," Kakashi said, amusement clear in his voice. I let out a small sigh of relief.

"Then yes, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. What's for dinner?"

"Well, are you coming over?"

"Yes."

"Whatever you want, seeing how you're helping me out here," I said, smiling brightly. "Are you and Sasuke-chan leaving for training tomorrow?"

"Mn." Kakashi took the majority of the bags in my hands, easily carrying them as the two of us began our walk towards home. "You mentioned Jiraiya-sama would be wanting to train Naruto, and you said Sakura would be busy with her own... What did she call him?"

"Shisho," I giggled in amusement. "She thinks of him as her master in that manner."

"Right, right..."

"So, Kakashi..."

"So, Mia..."

"Anko-chan gave me these tickets..."

"Yes...?"

"... because she's not allowed to go, as she's already been reserved for several missions right after the Exams are done..."

"Okay...?"

"... and my normal buddy says he's too busy on this particular date, but I think he just doesn't want to go..."

"... What's your point?"

"Want to go to the opening premiere of Icha Icha Paradise?"

Kakashi stopped, turning to me. His eye had widened in an almost comical fashion. In an almost high-pitched voice he asked, "What? Could you repeat that?"

"I have the tickets at home, but they're making an adaption to Icha Icha Paradise in the—hey, what are you—?"

Kakashi had placed the bags on the ground before placing both hands firmly on my shoulder and squaring me off to face him. I blinked. I knew he enjoyed Icha Icha, but this...

"Yes. Yes I want to go. Thank you. Thank you for offering to take me and when in the hell is the premiere anyway?"

"Not for a while, but..."

Kakashi gave a firm nod. "Acceptable. I can wait for this, but the anticipation is killing me..."

I giggled. "I don't know why. I haven't even read the books, but I heard they're good."

Kakashi stared at me in horror. "... How old are you?"

"Older than eighteen."

"... Do you need me to loan you a copy?"

"... Naruto would have a heart-attack if he found out, I couldn't possibly—Yes. Please."

Kakashi nodded. "We'll make a trade-off at midnight. One of the tickets for my set."

"Deal. Now help me carry these groceries back home."

"Alright."

Hehehe...

Time: After FoD in the Exams, before Kakashi leaves to take Sasuke away.

... Tobi had been very careful about keeping the books away from her. Looks like his hard work will be wasted by Kakashi, oh well. And I think every fan wants to at least glance through an Icha Icha, even if they aren't interested in its... content. It's just a classic marking from Naruto. When you see or hear Icha Icha, you think of Jiraiya, Kakashi or Naruto. You can't just not want read it.

Reviews are love!

... This chapter came from the latest manga chapter (636).