AN: For the record, very few things in my stories are planned. Most of these are just written as I go and things I do have planned are only lynchpin moments. Does make finding out what is coming next interesting as the writer!

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In the Midori household, it was a rare muffled silence, most everyone out for midday while Makoto drank tea and reviewed papers written by the apprentices. Ryoko would take this time to make the noon meal for everyone and the only rule was all those who ate helped clean up. Ryoko was the best cook in the group, a few of the others could cook well but as one of the oldest, it was generally when 'Granny' took over the kitchen that there would be the greatest amount of people eating at home that day. Softly humming, white hair pulled into a top knot held in place with a few wire twisted forms that were old hairpins her son had made her, Ryoko was quite content.

Makoto, on the other hand, was frowning into his teacup as he lightly swirled the leaves. "You don't suppose I need to give Nori, or gods forbid, Kakashi, the talk do you?" More often than not these days he was seeking out his elder cousin as Ryoko had actually had children, foster though her son was, and due to Makoto's close friendship with Sakumo he saw attempting to look out for the stubborn Kakashi as something he needed to do. Not that it was easy when there was a swift child darting away anytime the Hatake brat saw him.

"They're smart. Get a few scrolls on herbs that are dangerous during pregnancy, another about impotence and leave them out for Nori to read through. You know the boy takes everything and reads it as well, they can draw their own conclusions. No doubt they'll even have discussions on it in some devious murdering plot method like what you always did with Sakumo." Ryoko hummed as she prodded at the large pot on the stove, making one of her famous stews that never resulted in leftovers. A few containers of it would naturally go with Nori when she stopped by later, it just may last two growing children a day. Like all ninja in training, especially those who were frankly skilled to stupidly competent levels as Kakashi was, the boys ate a great deal.

"I know they are only eight, soon to be nine for Kakashi but.." Makoto frowned in a way that drew his brown eyes to squint. "It seems there's an awful lot of kids screaming about love or crushes."

"And we have a Midori and Hatake. Just like the rest of us, those two will be distracted by their careers and even if they do get hit with the stupidity causing hormones that short-circuit brain cells early, neither would do a thing about it." Ryoko chuckled and glanced over, wrinkles pulling as she smiled. "One is a socially stunted recently traumatized boy, the other is a girl who I am half convinced would marry her work if she could. Save concerns about them dating others for when they actually show an interest in it, hm?"

"I suppose at this point even if they are living together, I really ought not to listen to all the gossip of what other children are up to." Makoto smiled, bitter as it was. Gossip, after all, was still haunting the markets and village. Kakashi had started to relax and look willing to deal with the Midori clan as a whole again only to realize the pressure of attention from those convinced that Kakashi 'couldn't make the same mistake as his father'. The result was pushing the boy into being more closed off, hiding behind the rules and laws and terrified of saying the wrong thing.

Makoto knew that could only mean Kakashi had figured out to save face for Konoha as much as his personal honor, to reinforce that the mission and the command of the Hokage meant more than any, no matter how important they seemed.

Sakumo had no doubt been ordered to commit seppuku and not leave a note or reveal the reason why to his son. That didn't mean Makoto hadn't visited every night leading up to it, harassed his friend to try teas and acted normal. Granting a cover for Sakumo to steal away small words that Makoto would hide until later. Someday, Kakashi would have an explanation. In code no doubt but that was for Makoto's own protection. If it was ever found Sakumo would have wanted his friend to be able to claim he had no idea what it all was.

The man really had been too good for Konoha.

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The topic of that night when Kakashi's world changed was never brought up. With no more interference on the last Hatake's part the rooms he'd pointed out idly ended up cleaned and the box of clothing vanished from near the couch. Little by little, small things started to shift around the compound. A plant here and there being grown by a sunny window in a makeshift pot. More scrolls in the bookshelves that had the Midori crest on them instead of the Hatake one. If Kakashi kept to doing his own laundry it was simply out of habit though he also knew if he at least kept the clothes in the bin by the room they'd get done and folded to set outside the hall that led to his own rooms. Likewise, at times if he was doing a load Nori's own attire would go in and he'd return the favor.

There was a lot more in the way of vegetables being made but again, with her background and now full access to the yard it was bound to happen. Kakashi was fairly certain that there had not been an actual vegetable garden there before, and certainly not one as organized as it was now but it fed them enough to space out visits to stores. Six months later, Kakashi was turning nine soon, and neither child had forgiven the gossips.

Not everything was easy though. Inside the house, the two kids were just that, for all they were more like small adults they would still tire, argue silently -a skill Kakashi knew that was certainly not shared by his peers at the Academy- and yet, in the end, they were both mature enough to just move on. Especially as whatever tended to set them off was generally small. Like the fact Kakashi did not approve of his kunai being tested with a new oil even if she'd previously done so on her own items, Nori learned to be much better about explaining in minute detail. After the oil had oxidized Kakashi decided he really didn't mind it, it was just hard to explain to her that he rather liked the matte finish after the stink he'd caused because the oil itself was fairly rank until dry.

Or the fifth time they'd eaten the same meal for breakfast and lunch and Kakashi was sick of it. Nori had scowled and said he could try and cook then. Rather than pointing out it was half of the reason Kakashi had initially proposed Nori move in; as the idea of having a silent huge place to himself now was terrifying and the flashbacks were only now becoming manageable, Kakashi had risen to the challenge.

Sulking, Nori had still conceded that Kakashi was definitely the better cook. It didn't change much though, other than now if Kakashi did not feel like dealing with Nori's limited range of culinary skills he'd use one of the four meals he could actually make to liven them up. At least Ryoko was apparently teaching his roommate how to cook, albeit slowly as her real training came first.

There was also the time they'd had an actual yelling argument complete with tears because Kakashi hated feeling vulnerable about his PTSD flashbacks but that had been months ago and if anything, since Nori never threw any of it back in his face or held his own insults against him that he had sneered at her, it helped them get closer.

Nori did not mind that they could easily spend three days without much of a word to each other. Sometimes aside from mentioning 'Training.' or 'Don't touch the pot on the stove' there wasn't any actual speaking. It was a quiet she relished. She still went to the apothecary, had her lessons and read there but she had not bothered to return to the main house except to work on a new recipe with granny Ryoko or raid the spice cupboards.

The two children were content, at least.

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"I'm going to test out at the end of the week," Kakashi said randomly as they sat reading. He had a book on strategy during a famous battle in the land of Iron held casually by one hand. On the opposite end of the couch, Nori was flipping through one of her own, Kakashi had loaned her one of his own history books thinking she may find it of interest. If nothing else sometimes what people got up to was fascinating.

There was a pause of flipping papers and Kakashi observed out the corner of his eye how Nori set the book down and rubbed her eyes, mentally shifting from the tales of a battle that had been won by elders and farmers under direction of a single injured shinobi who had turned the lay of the land into the weapon and held off the opposing force. It was one of Kakashi's favorites. Only then did Nori puff out her cheeks and nod slowly. She didn't voice the obvious though. That he was going to do so because his Father was not there to insist, Kakashi wasn't having any more flashbacks during regular moments and sticking around the next three years in the Academy wouldn't help with that.

The soft slow exhale Nori gave, chin lifting as she gazed at the ceiling and rolled her shoulder's back to slump on the couch gave even more away.

He'd test out on his birthday. Kakashi did not want it brought up, was subtly letting her know.

"Fine. I'll tell everyone. They'll insist on 'congratulatory' gifts though." Nori's voice gave away her understanding. Kakashi didn't wish to celebrate a birthday without his parents. Instead, he'd change the reason for good wishes and presents if they had to come.

"I'll manage to be somewhat gracious." Kakashi drawled, hiding his smirk as Nori snickered. "I'll even attempt to say thank you."

Laughing now Nori flopped onto her side and grinned at him, chin braced on her hand. "Well then, I'll just say that I personally hold to the fact you always maintained you were being held back. So at least for me it's no surprise."

"...Oh?" Kakashi lifted a brow. Nori was setting up for something. She got that twitch where she'd shift her jaw muscles and it would move her ears back and forth slightly. Just a few millimeters but it was a way she shifted tension that was less obvious. Well, would be if not for how short she kept her hair.

"Ask for a request then, Mr. Graduating early." Nori gave in. She'd had a present, but with what Kakashi was suggesting she didn't think it was quite enough. After all, it had to be something bigger if it was going to be for his graduating.

Kakashi hummed, his eyes boring into her and completely not fooled. He knew he'd find a wrapped present somewhere on his birthday now. Still, at least she was working with what he'd announced. Rubbing at his temple with a finger, Kakashi made a show of thinking about it.

Only breathing interrupted the silence before Kakashi did that exaggerated smile with his eyes scrunched up tight to reveal that he was grinning for all it was hidden under the fabric. "I'll think of something."

"...I'm going to regret this aren't I?"

"Of course."