As Naruto grew older, I was forced to go on a few more missions just as a means to keep us fed, clothed and under a roof. I took the safest missions I could in order to ensure I would get back, though those generally didn't pay as well but I made ends meet and that's all that mattered. Naruto grew up healthy and strong day by day, energetic and with a wild tendency about him which meant he was always trying to escape the house in order to explore. Once I had caught him half way out the window and had dangled him from his foot until he begged to come back inside. He'd been three at that stage.
For all his quirks, Naruto was a pretty great kid and I loved him to pieces. Every day I would hug him, every time I saw him I'd pull him close even when he protested as when I held him in my arms, it felt like I was holding a tiny piece of Kushina and Minato too. I didn't need keepsakes, all I needed was Naruto. "Hey Aunty Yume, teach me how to throw shuriken!" Naruto demanded at the age of four and I blinked at him from where I was fixing those damn shelves again. This wall was just not reliable for anything.
"Throw shuriken?" I repeated before grinning. "Sure thing. Let me just finish this then we can go out and practice." I promised him and instantly he was jumping up and down with an excited grin.
"Alright! Yeah! I'm going to learn how to throw shuriken!" He celebrated all the while I fixed the shelves, knocking them back into place and trying to make them stay put this time before finally I dusted off my hands and pulled off my cleaning bandana, letting my hair fall in a silky swirl down my back as I smiled.
"Calm down Naruto, I won't teach you if you're going to be immature about this. You have to be sensible, shuriken is nothing to fool around with you know. Besides, first we're going to start with throwing rocks, not actual weapons. Come on, I know the perfect place." I said and swept him up into my arms, hugging him tightly before I placed him on my shoulders.
"It doesn't matter, be it rocks or shuriken I'm still going to be the best and then everyone will know how great I am!" Naruto declared as he placed his hands on my head and I took him out into the street and left the main village to go somewhere secluded and private, the place near the waterfall. Naruto immediately jumped down and started to race around with his arms spread like he had seen other ninja do whilst running. I let him run free for a while so that I could set up targets can collect stones the rough weight of a standard shuriken before handing them to Naruto.
"Now it's important to always take your time at the beginning, it's okay to miss since this is your first go. The key to getting really good at something is to first be really bad at it then continue practicing so that you get better and better." I told Naruto studiously and he listened with full attention, nodding his head as I explained to him the basic logistics of throwing a shuriken before allowing him to hurl the rocks.
He threw all of his focus and energy into practice, going again and again for several hours and I had to make him take breaks and I used healing jutsu to ease the muscles pains in his arms, helping them to grow stronger so that he wouldn't feel sore in the morning. "How am I doing aunty? I'm starting to hit a few of the targets now, is that good?" Naruto asked me with large orbs, gazing up at me hopefully in want of my approval so I smiled and ruffled his hair.
"It's great Naruto, remember. Practice makes perfect. If you want to be a great ninja someday, it doesn't do anyone any good to be naturally gifted. All the best ninja are those who try their hardest." I taught him before suggesting we go get some food. I wanted to treat him so Naruto immediately asked for his favourite food, ramen. It made me laugh just how much he took after Kushina, my sister. He really was her son. He held my hand as we walked together into town, completely oblivious at his young age to the stares around us and I brushed them off expertly, taking him into town where we went to the best place for ramen and I ordered for us both.
The chef was hesitant however I just smiled easily at him, assuring him that everything was alright. "Here, on the house." He finally said as he pushed our food over and Naruto's eyes instantly widened with wondered awe. "You're too thin girl, put some weight on."
"Will do sir, thank you very much." I said to him with a bow of my head before I flicked Naruto, giving him a stern look so he quickly put down his chopsticks and pressed his hands together to say thank you for the food. After that there was no stopping him, he guzzled down everything like his stomach was an empty pit. We both ate our fill, smacking our lips in a near identical way before Naruto rubbed his stomach.
"That was great! I love ramen!" He cheered and I chuckled as he rather proudly sauntered out, arms folded behind his head as he walked next to me. For a three year old he had the character of a teenager. Kushina was right, I was going to have my hands full with this one. "Hey aunty, it's my birthday soon right?" He asked and I nodded my head.
"That's right Naruto, have you thought about what you want?"
"I want a kunai knife! Or a shuriken. I can't decide yet." He said and I had to laugh again. At least he knew what he wanted and it was easy enough, I just wasn't happy about the idea of giving him a sharp weapon at his age. He was nearly four, which meant next year he'll be entering the academy and using real weapons there. I'll look for something not too dangerous, maybe a blunted kunai knife that he can use to practice with. "Can I have cake too? I want one with cream and strawberries!"
"We'll see Naruto, I'll do my very best I promise." I said to him and suddenly he looked up at me, eyes observing me with an unnerving maturity whereby he then blushed and looked down.
"Actually aunty, don't worry about the knife, or the cake. It's no big deal." He said, trying to brush it off however it quickly caught my attention. "I don't want you to go hungry just because I say I want something, ya know." I was struck by how observant this boy was and I had to stop for a moment, looking down at him before I smiled and knelt to the ground so that we were face to face.
"Naruto, don't worry about me. I eat plenty and always get my fill. If you want a strawberry and cream cake for your birthday then I'll find a way to get you one, though if I have to make it myself it'll probably taste terrible like last year." Both of us giggled, remembering the disaster of a cake I tried to make. For some reason, cake was something I could never bake. Cookies, fine. Meals, no problem. Cake? Not a chance. I don't know, maybe it's something to do with the sponge texture. It always comes out either too soggy or rock solid. Not even the ducks would eat it. "Just let me worry about the care, okay? It's my job to always make sure you have everything you need and on special days like your birthday, we should definitely always celebrate."
"So what about your birthday? How come we never celebrate that?" He asked me with his childlike inquisitiveness and I had to think a moment before I shrugged.
"I guess I always forget mine, though it's easy to remember. You know, my birthday is three days after yours, isn't that cool? Anyway, you're more important to celebrate Naruto because every year on the same day, I get to be thankful that you came into the world and came to me of all people. I'm a very lucky person." I said before pulling him into my arms and hugging him tightly. "You're so cute and squishy and just the sweetest boy ever, I don't want you to ever grow up!"
"Agh aunty! Come on stop it! That's embarrassing ya know." Naruto complained in his high pitched voice but with a bright smile I tossed him up into the air and as he shrieked with laughter I caught him again, swinging him around and placing him on my shoulders to carry him home like that.
Sure enough, I saved the money to buy Naruto the best strawberry and cream cake possible and we ate it together slice by slice until it was all gone and we both felt sick. I gave him one of my old kunai knives which I had purposefully blunted, telling him stories about how I had used it in battle and warned him that it would stay inside the house and remain blunted until he was old enough to use it properly, to which I made him promise to keep his word that he wouldn't take it outside. "I promise!" Naruto beamed as he gripped the knife in his hand. "And you know I'm telling the truth, because that's my shinobi way!" I laughed and ruffled his hair before getting up, telling it was time for a bath. "No! Not on my birthday!"
"You have cream and crumbs all over your face, so come on! Bath time." I was stern however as he tried to run away from me, I went chasing after him. "Don't think I won't hunt you down Naruto! I'll get you in this bath even if I have to throw you in fully clothed!" I threatened until finally I caught up with him, the chase making him giddy with laughter until finally I got him bathed and ready for bed. Once he was asleep I used a doppelganger to watch over him and the house so that I could go out and visit my sister and Minato, the same as I did every year.
Sure enough, there he was waiting. Kakashi. Our lives kept us so busy, but at least we always came back to one another. I don't think Kakashi remembered making that promise to me all those years ago, but it still meant something that he always left a sign that he had come home safely even when he couldn't visit in person. Recently he had taken to leaving a single flower outside the kitchen window which I would find each morning he came home from a mission. Guy also kept his distance on account of Naruto by orders of the Hokage, but he came by after dark and was more than happy to spend time with me even if it was just a doppelganger. We were all growing up so quickly.
"You've been gone a long while, I was starting to get worried." I spoke to announce my arrival, pushing my hair back from my face as Kakashi turned however he quickly balked, a little surprised to find me so changed. He coughed and choked, going a deep red as he tried to recover whilst he continued to stare. Did he swallow a bug or was he really that shocked? Sure I had filled out my figure a little, I wasn't flat chested anymore and I was taller, but I don't think I was all that different.
"Yume…you…you look…ahem." Kakashi coughed to clear his throat then started again. "It's good to see you."
"Likewise. Don't think I can't see you hiding that injury. Let me take a look right now." I ordered him with warmth and affection but with zero tolerance for arguing so Kakashi let me inspect his arm where a nasty gash had sliced down his bicep so I pressed my hands over the wound and healed it, sealing it up and repairing the muscle damage there. "You should have had someone take a look at it sooner."
"I had places to be." Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly and I rolled my eyes. So careless, it's a wonder he doesn't come back in pieces one day. "How is Naruto?"
"Happy, growing, mischievous, you name it. It takes all my training just to keep up with him." I said affectionately with a smile that lit up my face. "I can't believe next year he's going to be enrolling into the academy, it feels just like yesterday Guy and I were graduating from there. I hope he makes friends and behaves himself, though I think there's a high chance that he'll get into trouble quite a bit." I murmured, gazing down at the graves of my family before exhaling. "I really missed you, Kakashi." I found myself saying before looking up at him. "Sometimes I feel like you and Guy are the only people who will willingly talk to me these days. It gets a little lonely from time to time. Do you ever feel like that?" Kakashi pondered for a moment with that pensive and passive expression of his before shaking his head.
"Nope." I chuckled, rolling my eyes before I then knelt down before the graves and began to pray, giving my sister and brother the update on their son before getting up once more. Kakashi had waited patiently for me to finish, watching as I placed a flower on each grave before I turned away.
"Naruto is asleep but I should get back. Will you walk with me?"
"Sure, I could use a stroll." Kakashi mused thoughtfully and placed his hands in his pockets, ambling along beside me. A comfortable silence ensued though I sensed Kakashi to be a little nervous, as if he was unsure how to act around me having not seen one another in several months.
"Kakashi, I'm still the same as I was." I said to him, stopping to look at him directly. "It's just me, so don't overthink it too much. You're all jittery and nervous like I were a strange girl trying to hit on you in a bar." Kakashi gulped and I smiled further at that, the thought amusing me. If any poor girl did try to flirt with my friend here, he'd either very quickly shoot them down in flames or he'd be completely oblivious to their advances. I'd seen it happen before and usually they walked away broken hearted.
"Sorry. It's just…well you look different. Older. Not that you're old or even look that old, mature is the word I'm looking for." He babbled and I found it adorable so I reached and out patted his head teasingly, telling him to calm down and take a deep breath. He did so, a little to my surprise but it seemed to work so I took his hand in mine and pulled him closer so we could walk together again. "I…I missed you too." Kakashi finally told me, looking away with a heavy blush but I was touched by his words. He never admitted affection, much less willingly showed it like he was now by allowing me to hold his hand.
"That's good. At least you're not forgetting about me when you're out on those missions of yours. Just remember to be careful and always come home safely. If I ever have to go out there and rescue your butt, I will be incredibly unhappy." I warned him before smiling jokingly though I was partially serious. I'd probably murder him if he ever got captured. We walked together all the way back to my house where Kakashi stood at the door, glancing inside to find I had kept it neat and tidy though there was so much repairing done to it that it looked like a messy patchwork quilt. "When will I see you again?"
"Tomorrow." He said but did not elaborate. Accepting it readily I leaned forwards and rested my head against his chest, finding it warm and safe to be so close against him. His solid presence was enough to reassure me and the beating sound of his heart against his ribs further comforted me in his existence. That this wasn't just a dream. "Goodnight Yume."
"Goodnight Kakashi, sleep well." I answered, giving him one last smile before I closed the door upon his silver outlined figure, the brief glimpse making my eyes widen as the silvery white of his hair shone and his eye looked at me with a distant expression that I had not seen before. I never really noticed before but Kakashi was very handsome. Not just in a mysterious way but he had become extremely good at expressing himself through his eyes. Other people found him a little intimidating and I could see where they were coming from, but I was so used to Kakashi that I didn't even notice. Blushing slightly I locked the door and bolted it, making sure that it was secure but I did not move away from it, somehow sensing that on the other side, Kakashi was still standing there.