Hahah... I kind of got side-tracked with this new story of mine. It's called An Impromptu Meeting and it's another KakaHina fic. They're more mature and older in that fic. Somehow the idea of Kakashi running from genin and meeting Hinata in a closet came to me and just wouldn't leave! But, umm, please check it out. I'll be updating it regularly along with this fic. When I run out of ideas for one fic, I'll start on the other. Hopefully by the time I finish one of the chapters, I'll have come up with something new for the other.

Anyways, as always, thanks for your reviews!

Kakashi walked down the streets of Konoha feeling a sense of accomplishment. His head was pounding, his neck was sore, and he had blistered feet, but he had found the perfect gift for Hinata. All he had left to do was give it to her. With her fifteenth birthday coming up in the next couple days, and him going on a mission tomorrow, he wanted to give Hinata the gift before he left.

He wandered around the streets aimlessly, wondering when she would return from her mission. The mission was a simple B-rank, so her and her team mates would only be gone for about two weeks. Today was the day they were expected back, so Kakashi was hoping to meet up with them before he left for his own mission.

With his single eye focused on his book, he used his other senses to navigate as he walked through the village. His nose was keeping a sharp look out for any scent of lilacs. Kakashi lazily turned a page in his book before he caught her scent. His book snapped shut. He made a hand seal and disappeared in a poof of smoke.

As he neared Hinata, the faint scent of blood mixed with hers flooded him with dread. He quickened his pace. The girl's scent brought him to their usual meeting place: the memorial stone. He was alarmed to see her slumped over and still. Only a slight feeling of relief at seeing her mostly unharmed, besides a few scratches and cuts filled him; the girl's gloomy mood was something else to be worried about. 'What happened to her?'

Hinata tensed and shot a wary look at him when he landed on the ground before she recognized him and quickly relaxed her body, allowing him to see her bloodshot eyes and more pale than usual cheeks. "Hinata?" he said softly. The girl didn't answer him, so he slowly walked up to her.

"D-don't come any closer!" Kakashi stiffened. Hinata had never ever yelled at him. She'd raise her voice at him once or twice, but never in fear or anger. He felt his chest tighten uncomfortably as he thought of how he was causing her to be this way.

"Why not, Hinata?" he asked gently.

She didn't answer. Her body shook uncontrollably and her breath came out erratically. Worry for the obviously distraught girl filled him. Disregarding her yell, he walked towards her and knelt, trying to catch the girl's eyes with his. Much to his shock, tears were falling down her cheeks. She was clutching at her arms desperately, and a strangled sob was starting in her throat.

"Hinata… what's wrong?" he asked as he tentatively put a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

Her voice came out softly, strained, hoarse. "I… I k-k-killed someone t-today. He, it…" Her voice cut out suddenly as a massive sob coursed through her body.

Kakashi's single eye softened. 'Her first kill,' he thought in understanding.

It was hard for every shinobi their first time. Ending a life, no matter how greedy or dangerous the person had been in their lifetime, took its toll on a person's mental and psychological health.

'It must have been even harder to take in for Hinata…'

Hinata was a kind, loving soul. She wouldn't initiate a fight or hurt a person without a reason. Heck, she wouldn't even hurt a bug. Kakashi remembered how a few weeks ago, a black bug had found its way onto Hinata's shoulder while they were sparring. He had immediately brushed it off and raised his foot to step on it, when he had been unceremoniously pushed back with an open palm strike from Hinata. He'd looked up to see her pick up the bug and put it a bush. She had then turned to him with a fierce look in her eye. 'That was one of the times she raised her voice at me, wasn't it?' he thought fondly.

To take a life, then, for Hinata would be even more devastating.

"How did it happen, Hinata?"

The girl shook, but spoke. "We w-were ambushed by ten m-men… Sh-shino-kun and Kiba-kun… Akamaru… We took out most of them, but two g-got away. Kiba-kun broke an arm during the fight," she said thickly. "They came b-back the next day. One almost killed Kiba-kun!" At this, she broke off and held in a shaking sob. "I j-jumped in a-and… k-killed him with a strike to the h-h-heart." She drew in a long, shaky breath. "I c-could see with my byakugan, the s-stop of his h-heart." Hinata could say no more as her body was racked with tremoring sobs.

"Hinata," he said gently. "Everybody goes through this; the first kill is the hardest for everyone." The girl's sobs quieted a bit. Taking this as a good sign, he continued on in a calm voice. "To be a ninja, we have to kill to make sure we finish the mission successfully. To save a friend's life, we might also have to kill. You saved Kiba by killing that man." He smiled reassuringly at the girl's tear-streaked face. "I'm proud of you."

Kakashi was glad to see the girl's sobbing gradually stop as she processed his words. Tears still rolled down her cheeks, but her shaking had stopped, leaving her only to shudder slightly every once in a while. When the girl finally calmed down, she looked up at him with a trembling smile on her lips. "Arigatou, Kakashi."

"You're welcome, Hinata."

"You always s-seem to know what to say."

Her eyes stared warmly into his. Kakashi tore his gaze from hers and looked at the memorial stone awkwardly. "It comes from experience," he said softly. Memories of his first kill and Obito's first came to mind. He had been the one to speak sharp words of comfort to him. His lips upturned in a small smile.

"Experience?" echoed Hinata uncertainly.

Kakashi looked at her, an inner debate going on in his mind. 'To tell her or not to tell her…?' He stared at the girl's soft features, her dirty clothes, and her gentle eyes that always brought some form of unbidden peace to him.

Resolve filled him, and he decided to tell her what very few people knew about him. "My best friend… I was there when he made his first kill." The girl straightened up slightly and patted the ground next to her. He smiled faintly and sat down next to her.

"His nickname was Crybaby Obito. That day, though, he didn't shed a tear." He looked at her indigo hair (which he knew was very soft) before continuing on. "He vomited and shut his eyes to the world instead. Sensei wasn't there, and Rin had no idea what to say to him, so the job was left to me." A wry smile made its way to his lips. "After all, I killed my first man when I was eight."

Hinata gasped and held a hand to her mouth. In an attempt to hold in her own vomit or stop herself from saying something, Kakashi did not know.

"I wasn't the best friend back then. I told Obito to suck it up and be a ninja, a Leaf shinobi. He lashed out at me predictably, telling me that me and him were different. I grabbed him in anger and punched him in the face." He paused before continuing. "I told him that we were both boys, both shinobi, both human. I told him that the day I first killed a man, I had vomited uncontrollably. I told him that we were not as different as he liked to think. You know what he did? He told me I was right and punched me back."

He chuckled lowly. Beside him, Hinata smiled. "He sounds like a nice guy."

Kakashi stiffened slightly, before he decided to tell her. "He died during a mission to turn the war in Konoha's favor."

Hinata inhaled sharply. "I-I had no idea… Kakashi… I'm sorry."

He placed a hand on her head gently. "Hinata, don't be sorry." He ruffled her hair before letting his hand rest on his lap. "Do you want to know how I got my Sharingan?"

"Y-you don't have to tell me, if you don't want t-to, Kakashi," stuttered Hinata.

"I want to. My first mission as a jounin was a vital one. Before that though, my team gave me gifts. Sensei gave me a special kunai and Rin gave me a medical pack. Predictably, Obito totally forgot. We then left for the border of Earth country. My team was to split up into two groups: Rin, Obito, and me, while my sensei went alone. My group was to destroy a bridge critical to the opposing side." He shuddered lightly before speaking again. "Rin was captured by Iwa nin and Obito wanted to rescue her. I told him that the mission came first, abandoning it for a comrade was nonsense." He heard the distinct sound of cloth crinkling and looked at Hinata and saw her clenching her fists in her black capris.

"I was stupid back then, Hinata. My father, the White Fang, was disgraced and dishonored after he abandoned a mission to save his teammates' lives. That mission hurt Konoha badly in the war effort. Even the teammates he rescued scorned him. Eventually my father committed suicide. I was there when he did it."

Hinata gasped. Kakashi looked over at her with a sad smile on his lips. "I became a strict, by-the-book person, not wanting to follow in my father's footsteps. Do you know what Obito told me before he left? He told me that the White Fang was a true hero and that those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."

He paused before deciding to tell her all of it. "Obito was an Uchiha, but he hadn't activated his Sharingan yet. He was the loser of the Uchiha clan. That day, he activated his Sharingan and killed a man that had targeted my blind side, since I lost an eye to protect him. We found Rin and left the area, but not before one of the Iwa nin caved it in." He drew in a shaky breath before continuing. "Obito pushed me out of the way of a boulder and the right side of his body was crushed as a result. He told Rin to give me his left eye because he hadn't given me a gift yet."

Kakashi lifted up his headband and looked at Hinata with a regretful look in his eyes. "That was when I realized he was my best friend." Obito's eye watered and a small tear rolled down his cheek. "I was stupid back then, Hinata. I… lost it all because of-"

He was interrupted when two warm, comforting arms slung their way around his neck. Kakashi looked up to see Hinata's forehead pressed against his shoulder.

"Kakashi," she said softly. "Mistakes are made when people are younger. It's up to them to learn from it." She drew him in closer, pressing him against herself. "And you have, Kakashi. Sakura told me what you said to them their first day of training." She raised her head and stared earnestly into his eyes. "You are a great person today because of what happened in the past. Obito would be proud of you."

They lapsed into a calm silence. Kakashi listened to Hinata's kind words that were echoing in his mind. Long minutes passed before he slowly put his arms around Hinata.

"Thank you, Hinata."

The sun slowly set, casting its orange rays down on the field. Hinata looked up at the sky lazily from where she laid. Next to her, Kakashi was leaning against a tree trunk, his nose in his book. Hinata smiled as she watched his eye frown thoughtfully before he turned the page.

Today, so many barriers between them had been destroyed. Kakashi's past was no longer a mystery to her, not after he told her how he got his eye. 'Uchiha Obito...' Hinata knew with utmost certainty, that her future visits to the memorial stone would have a reason now, other than meeting up with Kakashi. She would always pay her respects to the boy who had saved his and hers most precious friend.

The sky steadily got darker, until only a few of the sun's rays shone through the trees. Crickets chirped happily and fireflies blinked by. Hinata sighed before lifting herself up.

"Kakashi?"

"Hm?"

"It's getting late. I don't want to make Kurenai-sensei worry."

Kakashi nodded. "You're right, let's go."

Hinata stood up slowly. When she finally got on her feet, she staggered slightly, losing her balance. A pair of arms caught her before she could fall.

"Thanks, Kakashi." She pulled herself out of his grasp. "I think I"m still woozy from..." She trailed off, not wanting to finish her sentence.

"It's alright. I understand." Hinata watched Kakashi's eye glint mischievously. "It's not everyday you get a hug from a handsome man like myself."

Hinata blushed, but a small grin made its way onto her lips. How was it that Kakashi always knew what to say and what not to say? 'Well, most of the time anyways.'

She turned to the memorial stone and bowed before she left. 'Thank you, Obito-san.' She ignored Kakashi's questioning look. 'Thank you for saving Kakashi's life.' Hinata ran up to Kakashi's side. "Let's go."

The silver-haired man looked at her oddly, but did not say anything. It was only until they reached the end of the path that he spoke up.

"Ahh, I forgot to give you something."

Hinata looked at him curiously. "What is it?"

Kakashi stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small box. "Happy fifteenth birthday, Hinata." He held out the box to her, his eye smiling.

"K-Kakashi! W-what? You didn't h-have to..."

"I wanted to."

Hinata's lips trembled. "Thank you, Kakashi." She took the proffered gift, opened it slowly... and gasped. "Kakashi... It's beautiful!"

Inside the box lay a small glass butterfly. Its wings were a dazzling blue and small shiny stones glittered along the edges of the wings. The butterfly's antennae were clear, like its long body. Where its eyes were supposed to be were two small gems, which Hinata assumed were blue topaz, her birthstone.

She picked it up and held it in her palm delicately. "Th-this must have cost a lot, Kakashi."

"Not really." He shrugged, ending the discussion.

"Thank you so much, Kakashi. I've never received such a beautiful gift." Her lips upturned in a small smile as one of the glass wings shone, reflecting the little light that was still out from the sun.

"You're welcome."

She looked at him, wanting to thank him face-to-face. To her amusement, the man was reading his book intently, effectively avoiding her gaze. Hinata grinned slightly. Kakashi was an elite jounin, yes, but he really was no good at emotional interaction.

"Oh!" A sudden thought had come to her. "Kakashi, why did you give me a gift five days early? Are you going on a mission?"

The silver-haired man nodded. "Yeah, I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I'll probably be gone for about two weeks."

"Ohh..." said Hinata, slightly disappointed that he wouldn't make it to her birthday party. Missions were missions, though.

The man sighed and stuffed his book into his pouch. "I guess I got to get you home now." He winked at her. "Wouldn't want Kurenai throwing things at me."

Hinata laughed. "I really am sorry about last time."

"Don't worry about it."

Kakashi yawned as he walked towards the Konoha gates. "Yo, Genma, Raidou."

"You're late, Kakashi. Like always," muttered Raidou.

"Sorry, I got lost on the road of li-"

"I've heard that one already," grumbled Genma.

Kakashi tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hmm, really?"

"Kakashi!"

He turned around and saw a familiar indigo-haired teen. He squashed down the slight happy feeling he felt and wondered why Hinata had bothered seeing him off.

Kakashi looked at the girl and the bundle in her arms curiously. "Yo, Hinata. What are you doing here?"

The girl smiled and handed the wrapped bundle to him. "I made you and your team a bento as a thank you gift. I hope you like it."

Kakashi sniffed appreciatively. "It smells great. Did you make my favorite?"

Hinata grinned. "Yes, I did."

"Alright then, I will definitely like it."

"Have a safe mission, Kakashi. Come back safely."

He handed out the other two bento and placed his in his bag. "I will." He placed a hand on her head. "Thanks."

I somehow can't shake off the feeling that Kakashi's slightly OOC in this chapter. Do you guys think he is? What do you think about it?

I hope you guys like how Kakashi reveals his past to her. I think this conveys just how close the two are and how much closer they are getting. Oh, and the butterfly gift was something I've had in mind for awhile now. Hope you guys don't think it's too cheesy. It just seemed... appropriate.

Oh! I looked up pictures of Kakashi's favorite food, salt-broiled saury, and it looks good. It's a type of fish, I think.

Well, I look forward to any and all reviews!