Disclaimer: Once again, and yes, I say this enough already, but I worry about copyright stuff. So. I don't own anything but Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Kei and her family belong to Lang Noi.

The theme for this chapter is from Fushigi Yuugi's Japanese-only game, specifically the song titled Towa no Hana. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any English translation of the lyrics, more so since I only found the song via a Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles AMV (which is a completely different series, and people in the YouTube comments seem to think the song belongs to that instead of Fushigi Yuugi, weirdly), but since I understand some Japanese, I can tell the song is about how time does not change the feelings of the heart, especially love. Meeting and coming together in spite of hardship. And, well, considering the ninja world, that's a good message to have, right?

Now for an alternative song choice, with actual translations, I'll point you to the opening of Yuki Yuna is a Hero: Hero Chapter, aptly titled Hanakotoba, or Flower Language in the literal English Translation. I've found that the song being sung by all the main girls' seiyuus is really poignant, especially when considering the themes of death and rebirth in Yuki Yuna, despite its ableism when it comes to magically curing disabilities. *sigh* Still, despite some of my personal qualms with the franchise, the music still shines, and the themes of the translated lyrics go really well with Towa no Hana.

Please enjoy!

Chapter 21: Flower in Full Bloom

With the next autumn came the next Chunin Exams. Birthdays were both simple and hectic, but I could go into that another day. My main worry was figuring out a proper good luck charm to send my ninja friends off with.

Yes, yes. No more dirty hair ribbons in this household. I already saw Kaoru nearly beat a running Kenshin with a bokken back in the days of the old world for his bloodying her favorite blue ribbon, and I knew I would not be doing that to Kei. Or anyone else in particular, really. Unless you count bullshitty aliens and corrupt politicians.

…Ahem. Anyways.

My fellow ninja housemate only sighed when I was starting to search my closet. "Tomoko, you might be overreacting," Kakashi deadpanned. "Or overthinking this."

"Coming from the boy who made Chunin at age 6?" I ended up snarking back, still sticking my head around to find something. "I have every right to be worried."

And you. Don't fight me on this.

Being the resident civilian friend of Team Minato means getting worry rights.

Kakashi had puffed an exasperated breath but didn't seem to be up to retorting. "Whatever makes you feel better," he said finally from the doorway. "Do you need anything?"

"Er," I said, because I was not expecting that. Instead of replying immediately, I stood up straight to look around and prevent further crouch burn from searching my closet. "Well, are you up for being a soundboard, Kakashi? I have ideas."

His only visible response was a quirked eyebrow. "Go on."

Hooray, he was interested!

"What's a good thing to give to a ninja who wants to be Chunin?" I started honestly with a small shrug of my shoulders. Really, with ninja, I was quickly discovering that honesty was the best way to start something. Too much paranoia could really disillusion someone, anyways. Or just worry someone like Kei and Obito, considering how fast they caught onto my last issue. "Because your team is going into the Exams for their second try, and I worry. Especially considering they didn't make the finals last time."

"A plethora of traps and trust that they'll not die?" Kakashi answered flatly.

LOVELY. Hisako yelled, throwing her hands up in the air. That's one way to start things.

I tried to not focus on the sensation of my heart falling through my rib cage and into my stomach, and instead smiled as honestly as I could. It was shaky and not all that confident, but it did do something in keeping me from yelling into the sky from exasperation. "Kakashi, that's a fine idea if not for me being a civilian. And being limited on allowance."

Despite how generous it can be! Hisako added loudly. Seriously, who would question the pianist cinnamon roll walking into an armory, asking to buy a sword?

Hisako.

What?

That's not a pretty image. And why am I a cinnamon roll?

My Nobody only huffed loudly, crossing her arms while falling back on a suddenly-materialized arm chair. You are a cinnamon roll, dear. Fight me.

Why would I fight you?

It's an idea! Don't question me on this. It's as simple as fact that you are a cinnamon roll.

I decided to conclude that my Nobody was weird.

Outwardly, Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck almost sheepishly as a response to my initial reply. "Ah. Sorry."

"I-It's okay." I laughed nervously. "We're…we're really awkward housemates, aren't we?"

"It's much better than reigning in new Genin," he shrugged. I couldn't help but think that was also his general opinion at the idea of socializing. "And, Tomoko, Sensei wouldn't have put them in the Exams if he didn't have the confidence that they would succeed." Even with what little I could see of his face past his mask, his stare in my direction seemed to soften. Or was it just me deluding myself? The thought did sound nice though. "Don't worry so much."

"A-At least I'm being honest about it," I found myself laughing again, my voice cracking with the gesture. "I can't help but worry, okay? I love you all very much and I want to see you all safe and alive."

My honest and heartfelt statement clearly threw Kakashi off guard, because a soft pink came over what little I could see of his cheeks for a second. "H-Hm," he muttered, before turning away and crossing his arms over his chest. "That's new. For you."

Huh? I blinked. "Kakashi, you've heard me say, 'Daisuki,' to Kei. It's not that new. Why not say it to you and everyone else?"

He just shrugged, and the gesture seemed almost forced. Somehow. I didn't know what to make of it no matter how much time I spent staring. "That's the problem. You've only said it to Kei. Why change it now?"

I wasn't expecting that. Even with the frown on my face, I closed my eyes to think on it.

Hisako raised a hand energetically amidst my silence. Ninja world antics? Self-defense training? Getting the proper hugs you needed for this entire time?

They all sounded like nice and…reasonable options. Don't get me wrong, my Nobody could be weird, but that didn't mean she wasn't helpful. It was just trying to water down the choices she gave me while making sure Kakashi wouldn't get suspicious. As of right now, only Kei and Yamanaka Inoshi knew of Hisako's existence, and breaking that to Kakashi, who was, from my view, by the way, still trying to get away from the shadow of the White Fang's legacy — yeaaaah, no.

I might have issues, and now more willing to share hints for the sake of my mental health, but that didn't mean dropping more weight on a housemate's plate. Especially a housemate who had enough to deal with.

Outwardly, I took a breath. It wouldn't be good to keep Kakashi waiting on an answer and spacing out could only result in so much staring from the outside. Time to talk. I opened my mouth while shrugging. "Because we're getting older? Because you all are going out more often to what I assumed was the front lines, and I worry?"

Kakashi gave me an incredulous stare for a few moments. "That's it?" he said.

I blinked back at him. Did I just confuse him? What left me as a reply instead was, "That's it." I didn't mean to make it sound like a question, but my next statement turned out to be one anyways. "I mean, is there any other reason I would have?"

Kakashi only placed his forehead into his open hand, sighing.

He just made it out like he found the Holy Grail of answers and he's not happy with it. Hisako crossed her arms while jutting her chin out, almost defiantly. Was she agitated? What does he want? The Truth?

I tried not to think about the little black ball in a flask getting dragged away to what could essentially be Hell and shook my head. "I mean, Kakashi, serious thing, okay?"

He tilted his head at me while crossing his arms over his chest. "Uh-huh," he said flatly.

I just continued with the random thought thread Hisako left for me in her funk. Because apparently, she could do that. I dunno. "You, Kei, Obi—" Kakashi raised an eyebrow at that, but I kept going, "—Rin-chan, Gai-kun, Haa-chan, and even Sakumo-jichan, you're going to see a lot more of the world than I ever will. But that doesn't mean the world is all pretty. You're going to see blood and a lot of death," which really, was already a pleasant thought in my head considering the last time I saw my own blood, "and even if I hate it, I just want to let you all go out there knowing that I've said that you all are appreciated and loved. Because I don't want to let you go and possibly die out there knowing that I didn't say that much."

Kakashi turned a light pink again as his eyes widened. "Ah," he said, coughing into his fist. "That's a lot to take in."

For some reason, I couldn't help but feel slightly agitated at his reaction. Was it that hard to accept? Or was it just the ninja world proving through Kakashi, once again, that it was crapsack bullshit and if not for Kei and so many others, I would want to have nothing to do with it?

Once I could think I was okay with this, another thing comes in to remind me that I would never be.

EITHER WORKS, TOMOKO-CHAN! Hisako yelled.

Lovely. Just lovely.

Being forcefully taken away from your family the first time was bad enough. This was slightly worse.

No. Possibly worse-worse.

Hisako fell back into a new, gigantic armchair with extra exaggerated flourish. YAY FOR CRAPSACK HUMAN BULLSHIT.

"I don't trust war, Kakashi," I ended up saying instead, almost like an excuse if not for the slight bit of heat seeping into my voice. "And I would prefer sending you all off with a lighter and honest heart than my recent heavy urges to cry."

My Chunin housemate only winced at that. Guess my argument went through without a hitch.

"See?"

"Yeah," he said dryly. "I see your point."

It was then that I noticed his slumping shoulders and immediately shrunk back. I said too much. Frig. Common sense should've kicked in sooner. And this was why I didn't want to vent to my ninja friends that much in the first place. My problems with the world involved them, and I sure as hell didn't want to be the cause of some new insecurity. "I'm sorry, Kakashi, I didn't mean to say all that like I was berating you or something."

"No," he raised a hand in my direction, stopping me from continuing my thought. "It's fine. You brought up a good point. I…" he scratched the back of his head, looking away. "I just thought that you didn't trust us."

What?

Hisako sat up in her armchair with a loud and pretty obvious start. What? Wait, really? Seriously? Was he being serious just now?

"Kakashi…" I immediately shook my head. "It's not that. I…" My heart beat hard against my ribs. At this point, Hisako was already thrown into a new loop, and Common Sense wasn't exactly working either. Honesty it is. "I just worry. A lot. That's it."

He snorted softly. If not for the tone of the sound, I would've taken it as a snort of disbelief my — Vy's — old dad used to do when he wasn't inclined to take that brother's side. Instead, Kakashi took a step forward to look at me with a more focused eye. "Alright," he said, his tone almost — almost softer again. Huh? Was I imagining it? "But really, Tomoko. Kei, Obito, and Nohara should be fine. They'll come back."

I wasn't expecting him to reach over and poke my forehead through my bangs. Hard too.

As expected of such a gesture, I stepped back with a wince. "Ow!"

Great way to get through a rock. Hisako deadpanned. A poke. A single poke. Tsunade would be proud! She has a disciple already waiting! Or something. Damn, I wish Kishimoto explained why she cried when Canon 'Kashi died to bullshit!

I tried to ignore Hisako's commentary and instead focus on my housemate. "K-Kakashi?"

He snorted again, a fond tone to the gesture this time. "Don't worry." I wasn't expecting a clear masked smile in my direction. Did…did Canon Kakashi ever do that? As a kid? "They'll be fine. Besides, Tomoko, they're 'Team Awesomeness.'" And I could've sworn I heard a hint of sarcasm accompanying the title, but Kakashi continued on while reaching over to rest a hand on top of my head. "If Obito's up for bragging about that, then they'll be safe. And alive."

With that said by who I originally thought as the coldest Chunin in existence, my heart could've easily swelled to the size of a skyscraper, if I could say that much. But the air, the room, it all felt fuzzy and warm, and I felt myself smiling for real. Hisako was sighing a puff of relief too, so there was that. "Okay," I said, my voice soft. "Alright then."

I didn't have to say, I trust you. From the look in Kakashi's eyes, it was like he already knew what I was thinking.

It felt like something was already changing.

Kakashi shrugged softly before pulling his hand back and shoving it into his pants pocket. "So," he started, voice sounding, well, cooler this time. Not really more stoic, but even. "You needed to find something for a prospective Chunin, right? I can think of something." He turned around to where I could only see his back, facing the hallway from my door opening with a small sigh. "Let's just go and talk to Dad for some more ideas."

By the time he started to walk, I was already blinking and trailing after him. Because, gosh, ninja are fast. Even when walking.

"H-Hey, Kakashi! Wait for me—!"

I did it all with a smile on my face.

The same exam hall in the Academy. The same pale-yellow hallways. Heck, there seemed to be the same people from the last time, even.

And, whoop-de-doo, I had the same goddamn nervousness.

Thankfully, I wasn't motion-sick like last time, but gosh, I wanted to go and melt into a puddle because this worry was getting ridiculous. It was just heavy, discomforting, and, as canon Shikamaru would have put it, troublesome.

Don't say shit like that, dear. I don't want to think about you dying.

…Sorry, Hisako.

My Nobody only sighed. Work on the emotional circuits, dear. The emotional circuits. We need to get you into meditation as a daily routine. Seriously.

"Tomoko," Kakashi muttered discretely over my head, his hand lingering on my left shoulder. "You've been in this place before. Don't be so tense."

I nodded as much as I could, probably looking as not-tense as I could afford to be since my face was currently burning like all Hell had fallen. The small blue storage scroll of gifts and supplies was clutched in-between my sweaty hands since I didn't want to flat out drop it or lose it in my fumbling. That didn't change how there was a lot of people, and not seeing any familiar faces made me shake in my sandals.

The occasional glance my direction from passing ninja didn't help anything.

If you're looking at me weirdly, I'll just say, "Hitoshi Natsumi-san," and put it at that. Bad experiences are bad experiences.

"Relax," Kakashi added just as softly, squeezing my shoulder with the same hand. "Tomoko, breathe and relax."

Instinctively, I found myself obeying. I opened my mouth, inhaled as much as I could with my lung capacity, and breathed out in a similar motion. "H-How's that?"

"Better," he said matter-of-factly, but there was a small hint of amusement as his other hand pushed at my back. "Now stop standing there. The Team's up ahead."

And there went all my sense of composure. Woo. I forced myself to breathe again through my nose this time to hide any sense of crying. Also to get myself to move. I couldn't sit here forever, waiting for someone else to assert themselves in my place. I had to do something. I had to—

Tomoko-chan, if you start going on about being "useful" again, I'll have to pull out something on you. Hisako said hotly. No more holding onto these burdens— she gestured to three large rocks that suddenly showed up in the library aptly labeled, "Trauma," "Regret," and "Blame," in that order with extra flourish —and. Be. Confident!

Hisako proceeded to punt each giant rock like a soccer ball while huffing. You. Can. Do. This!

She has a point. I can't refute that. I gulped as soon as the crowd started to thin. There was definitely more room to walk now, so it was a good way to stretch my legs, but all I could find myself doing was staring at my sandals while walking, trying to find something to familiarize myself with in the floor. That is, if floor tile could let me do that. Kakashi's hand on my back was really the only guiding thing I had, so I relied on it as best as I could without trying to fall behind.

One tile, two tiles, three tiles, four tiles—

There was a very distant, yet distinct mental SLAM. It sounded like a door, from the looks of it. Tomoko-chan. Why?

I gulped. Why what?

Hisako sighed loudly, facepalming hard enough to leave a red hand mark on her head. Why are you counting floor tiles? Dear, dear, dear. You don't have to do that when Team Minato is literally coming up right in front of you!

What. That was all the signal I had before my forehead literally collided with a jacket-covered shoulder since I wasn't looking up. It was almost a miracle I didn't drop the scroll in my hands, because the momentum would've made me do it otherwise. Woo.

Tomoko-chan, Crash into Hello. Overused trope, my charge. This is just silly.

Coming from you, yes!

Hisako only huffed, shaking her head while shrugging helplessly. Says the girl who just did the trope I'm talking about.

Outwardly, pain was shooting through my head, and just. Ouch. Wasn't really looking forward to that.

"Ow!" I went instinctively.

"Oof," went a gravelly voice.

Wait. I knew that voice. I rubbed my head to help get out any residual pain before looking up, and once my mind was registering the blue hitai-ite bandana and messy black cowlicks, I was already finding myself turning red from the embarrassment.

"K-Kei!" I squeaked.

My reincarnation buddy only raised an eyebrow at me before resting a hand on the top of my head. White-blue jacket, sheathed kodachi on her back, and mole under her left eye. Yep. It was Kei. "Yo, Tomo," she said casually, apparently not at all fazed at the previous "Crash into Hello" that just happened. "Good to see you."

Uuuugh. Out of all the people I had to encounter first, why did it have to be Kei who found me fumbling for all hell? I wanted to go hide in a corner if not for the fact that (1) Kakashi was still right behind me, and (2) Kei, plus Obito and Rin, were in the clear vicinity of the area and I wouldn't be able to run even if I wanted to. Plus, (3). I loved these dorks. Kinda hard to run in the first place. Still, thanks to the efforts of sheer awkwardness, I just threw my arms around her middle and hid my face into her jacket. I didn't have a better greeting than that. "G-Good to see you too…!"

"Hah," Kei went dryly, but the hand on my head still went on to stroke my hair. "You found us yet again, Tomo-chan, congratulations."

I pulled away to give her some distance while also taking in the appearances of my friends. Ninja mesh, kunai holders, even shuriken pouches. Aside from splashes of blue and the occasional bit of purple from Rin, my friends were really starting to look like ninja. Not that they weren't before, but there was something about their appearances right now that seemed to encourage the start of tears.

We were growing up, weren't we?

Time flies, Tomoko-chan. Hisako murmured, just as soft.

"I feel like I should be the one saying congratulations when you three pass these Exams, but it's only the start of these Exams so far, and I'm nervous in my boots," I ended up saying instead.

Rin-chan's eyes widened in my direction from the surprise as Obito glanced at me once before snickering.

"Tomo-chan," Kei said, voice still dry in spite of the smirk on her face. "You're not wearing boots."

"You get what I mean!" I yelled, throwing my hands into the air, scroll and all, because gosh, now all my nervousness was turning into irritation, and I didn't need this right now, but goddammit, Kei was a dork and I hated that I loved her sometimes. "Gosh darn it, Kei!"

She only chuckled a quiet, "Hehe," before sending another crooked, dorky smile my way. "There go all the nerves, right?"

Surprised, I lowered my arms with a small, "What?"

…She did that, Hisako said slowly. Just to get you to unwind? A long pause followed once Hisako finished.

Once the mental silence dragged on for a few more seconds, I blinked. Hisako?

Then my Nobody started laughing up a storm. BAHAHAHA! BRILLIANT WORK, KEI! YOU JUST WON A MILLION DOLLARS IN MY BOOK!

My face started taking on more qualities of a tomato now. Lovely. Embarrassment galore, welcome back. I wasn't expecting you. Again.

Obito officially started holding his stomach and laughing too. Just, just, lovely. More laughter. "O-Obi—!" I squeaked out in protest. And yup, my voice just cracked too. This was just getting lovely. "Hey—!"

"S-Sorry, haha, Tomo-chan," Obito kept snickering all the while, standing up to wipe at his eyes. "You just did the same thing when, pfft, when we first met!"

"Obito," Rin interrupted quietly, almost reprimanding if not for the bright smile on her face. Which, by the way, was hard to miss. At all, really. Or the shaking hand she put on his shoulder, because of course she was starting to giggle herself.

And, whoop-de-doo, Kei was laughing too. And, wait.

I turned around a small margin only to see Kakashi himself turn away from me, his shoulders shaking and a hand going up to the mouth area around his mask.

Huh. Another thing I shared with Vy: I was apparently really easy to tease.

CAN'T DENY THAT, DEAR. Hisako raised the Oblivion Keyblade almost like a trophy for extra emphasis. Or something. I had no clue anymore. If I looked at her enough, she could've made a very silly musketeer. You're a cinnamon roll. And an open book.

I just covered my face with my hands, because I could've sworn steam started rising from my ears. The heat was on. Maybe I was starting to become an oven too. Lovely. Just lovely. "You all suck."

"Hn," Kakashi snorted, and then he pushed me forward again with the same hand on my back. "And yet you still stay with us anyways."

"I can't deny that." I muttered weakly. Because I failed at being an unmoving rock.

Obito laughed one final laugh before I heard the padding of sandals hitting tile. "Hey~! We're your doofs, Tomo-chan. You're stuck with us!" And woo, now I was being squished in a hug. Extra note that Obito was one of the few Uchiha, if not the only Uchiha I knew, that was snuggly. And with that in mind, it was hard to stay frustrated and embarrassed since he was also warm. And welcoming.

Don't question me on this, I just like hugs, okay?

I kinda melted into his friendly hug. Essentially. Not much else to do aside from standing like a stone statue, and that was not an option in my book. "Thanks, Obi…"

He only patted my back before pulling back and holding onto my shoulders so that I wouldn't fall over. "No problem, Tomo-chan." And yep, Obito was humming. He was in a good mood. At least, he looked like it. "Thanks for stopping by to see us."

I didn't have much time to react before Rin-chan came around and hugged me too. What brought this on? Did I do something? "It is good to see you too, Tomo-chan."

"Yay," I said weakly, now feeling strangely tired. It was enough to make me want to lean onto Rin-chan for the entire day and possibly sleep the embarrassment away. "Hugs!"

Kei snorted softly once Rin-chan pulled away. "Still, Tomo-chan, anything else you want to say to nearly-Chunin us? At least, before we go?"

It then registered to me that quite a few people were staring at us because we were making a scene somehow, and words promptly left my entire system. Joy. To pick up the slack, Kakashi only nudged me from behind with the same hand, muttering a quiet reminder of, "Tomoko, breathe."

I inhaled deeply as instructed, closing my eyes. I can do this, I can do this…!

You're at the Goal, Tomoko-chan. Don't falter now. Go break a leg! My Nobody then paused. Not literally, dear. Please. We already saw what happened to Yang. Just. Be yourself. You can do it! You can do it! And she pulled out pom-poms to start jumping into the air for extra cheer. Oh joy.

Where could all my fear go in the face of her? Hisako was ridiculous.

I exhaled before turning to Kei, ducking my head, and promptly shoving the scroll into her hands. All in quick succession. At least, shoving the scroll as close as I could get to her hands without accidentally hitting her and giving her enough room to take the gosh darn thing. Embarrassment, you're so not helpful. "Um. Gift. For you. And the Team. It's better than. Hair ribbon. At least."

Yep. My voice cracked again. And I was turning into a red Minnie Mouse. Wearing a blue skirt and white blouse. And I know what you're thinking. Don't blame me for liking blue.

Kei only stared at the offered thing with wide eyes before slowly taking it from my hands. "Thank you?" she said cluelessly, almost stunned as she lightly started tossing the scroll between her hands. "What is this, Tomo?"

Rin only peered past Kei's shoulders. "It looks like a normal storage scroll," she mused, inclining her head with a raised eyebrow. Her eyes were already scanning the written ink label on the scroll. "'Traps, supplies and—" Rin blinked. "'Towels'? Why towels?"

Kakashi only poked at my cheek while still glancing away. "That last part was Tomoko's idea. I did everything else."

Oh? Hisako was smirking now. The Kakashi? Giving away credit where credit is due? Oh my! Changes are wonderful, Tomoko-chan!

Oh gosh. I only covered my face with my hands again once Obito shot up with a loud, "WHAT." Of course everyone was looking at me now, and aside from what I was assuming was a stare off between Obito and Kakashi, I had no clue about anything else. "Bakashi, did you—" Obito was choking now. "You did this?"

Kakashi scoffed and did what I could only assume as rolling his eyes. "I said it before. It'd be a pain to rein in new Genin. I just helped out when Tomoko," he then nudged my head with a finger as my cheeks continued to burn, "was starting to search her closet for things to give aside from hair ribbons."

"…Wow." Obito deadpanned finally. Yep, he wasn't believing it. Any second now. "I had no idea you cared." Then he turned on me with what I could assume as a giant smile. "Thank you, Tomo-chan!"

Kakashi only snorted in clear disbelief. Yep. He was irritated now.

What was I, a giant birthday present for people to heap love on? Yes, I loved these dorks, but gosh, I did not know what to do with all the attention.

I could clearly feel Kei and Rin's surprised stares on me and found myself rambling loudly through my fingers. "W-well, Kushina-nee mentioned how you guys had to deal with accidentally losing your supplies in the second bout the first Exams around, so I worked with Papa, Wataru-jichan, Sakumo-jichan, and Kakashi on the scroll thing! Seals and all. Since I'm—" I gulped. "I'm horrible at them. Anywho! It has traps, explosives, a-and towels! S-Since I…um." I took a breath while slowly removing my hands from my face to meet their stares, and still found myself turning red from all of it. And my voice was turning high-pitched. Just lovely. "I…kinda thought you guys would have access to a river to clean yourselves off? Since there's no showers?"

Ohmigosh, I wanted to melt into a puddle now. So much.

How bad could an explanation get? Rambling! Because I was horrible. Oh gosh.

Still, Rin was now clearly sparkling from the joy of this new revelation (apparently) as she stared between me and the scroll. "Oh, Tomo-chan…!" her voice turned soft and almost syrupy. Eh? "Thank you!"

And then she was hugging me again. Oh gosh, she felt warm, I could vaguely smell lavender and only see the purple shuriken patterns on her lavender themed top, and goodness, what did I do to deserve this? "Now we don't have to worry about showers!"

"Heh," Kei was smiling behind her from the looks of it, holding the scroll with a tighter grip. "That takes care of one problem." She tucked the scroll into one of her many back pockets, because ninja. Of course. Once Rin let go, a new hand landed on my head, and I looked up to meet Kei's black eyes. Were…were they sparkling too? It looked like it, but I didn't want to delude myself from all the embarrassment. She was still grinning at me. Oh goodness. "Thanks, Tomo."

All that left me as a response was a proper, "Ugu," before I decided to screw my feelings and just jump over and wrap my arms around Kei's middle in another hug. "I-I worry, alright?!"

Yep. My voice cracked again.

"Don't raise your blood pressure over it, but okay?" Kei was definitely smirking now from the sound of her voice, but the arms around my back to reciprocate the hug was nice. "Still, thank you, Tomo-chan."

I breathed in a small whiff of ink and mochi before pulling away and promptly tugging at my hair-ribbon hair strand. Because honestly, I had no clue what to do anymore, and standing there hugging my friends for oh so long would only increase the intensity of passing-by-ninja stares. "Y-You're welcome…"

Kakashi's hand only landed on my head, ruffling my hair lightly. "Calm down, Tomoko. It's over."

Eh? No! I shook my head immediately, huffing a very cracked, nervous breath. "I-I still need to say something, Kakashi, please?"

The hand on my head paused. "Say what?" he said incredulously.

I didn't have to look past my bangs to see the confusion on Kei, Obito, and Rin-chan's faces.

I inhaled deeply. It was now or never. By saying it, I already knew that I wouldn't have time to think on it or even regret it. Hisako even clammed up too. I didn't say it last time. I had to this time.

"D-Don't die, please."

The air seemed to turn colder with that out in the open now. "Tomo-chan…" Rin said softly.

I raised a hand before anyone could say anything, feeling my knees buckle just so slightly from the pressure of the words. "I-I get it, alright? The ninja life is tough, and we can't predict the next day sometimes." My heart still beat hard against my ribs from the thoughts, but I was in too deep now. "But I want to see you all again, okay? Especially after today. Passing these Exams or not, with a new green jacket or not." With a breath, I looked up at all of them with the best smile I could have. "I love you all very much, and I want you all to live."

Especially you, Kei. I don't want you to die, and especially not for me. I appreciate your "kill for and die for" list, but I don't like the last part.

I left all that out though. Because, (1) memories of a past death were never pretty when it came to me, and (2) …well…

The reactions were somewhat mixed. Obito proceeded to turn as red as a cherry while sputtering, Rin put a surprised hand to her mouth as a light pink dusted her cheeks, and Kei was…well, she turned to figurative stone in a matter of seconds. At least, from what I could see.

I blinked. "Um, everyone?"

No response, aside from Obito's faint and only mumble of, "Uwawah."

Tomoko-chan? Hisako raised a hand with a shaky smile. I'm glad that you're more honest with your feelings now, but I think that was a bit too soon.

Kakashi lightly facepalmed behind me. "Tomoko. Atmosphere," he muttered.

"Eh?" I looked around us, and sure enough, every single ninja was staring in either awe, surprise, or plain disgust. Amazingly, I was able to swallow the potential embarrassment before it started and speak out with a loud and strangely irritated, "Do you all have a problem? Please go and do your own thing now! It's rude to stare!"

As if caught by their parents peeping or something, every single staring ninja passerby turned away to whisper amongst themselves and return to whatever routines they were doing before.

I found myself huffing in triumph.

Yaaaaay? Hisako said slowly, still holding her pom-poms in one hand. You did it, Tomoko-chan!

Kakashi only sighed. "Not the brightest idea, but it worked."

"Hey," I muttered back at him. "I believe I told you why I say things like that earlier, and right now, I don't regret anything!"

Yeaaaah. I think I was annoyed now.

It was probably the lack of a response though. And other ninja being nosy. Sheesh.

Before I could think on it more, someone was barreling into me for what could only be considered a tackle hug. I ended up squeaking anyways from the surprise, and then the scent of something musty and almost burnt was coming through my nose as I blinked. Orange goggles were digging into the side of my neck almost uncomfortably, and black spikes were brushing my cheek. Once the feelings had settled, I reached up to put a hand on the person's spiky head, standing on my tiptoes to do so. "Obi?"

"Thank you, Tomo-chan," was the vehement whisper, and then something wet was starting to soak into the shoulder of my blouse. Oh. Oh dear. "Thank you."

Wet shoulders could be dealt with later in the day. I only brushed through the Uchiha's black hair with a warm smile. Oh well. Boys had every right to cry too. And this boy needed all the hugs and platonic affection he could get considering the shit his Canon self had to deal with. "It's no problem, Obi. I love you and everyone else very much, so I want you coming back to the Cafe when this is all over, y'hear? I'll play you all a good concert."

"Y-Yeah, yeah." A warm, shaky laugh was the reply I got as Obito slowly pulled away, wiping at his eyes with one of his jacket sleeves before he beamed at me. "That's a promise, Tomo-chan! I swear on the reputation of the man who's going to become Hokage!" He gave me a thumbs-up too.

Oh, Obi. You ridiculous, silly, lovable dork. I smiled back, because it was the only thing left I could do, at least for now. "I'll hold you up to that, Obi. And don't be reckless out there, okay?"

He nodded vigorously, thumbs-up still strong in my direction all the while. "Got it!"

And then Rin-chan decided to get in on the hugs too by pulling on my right hand, and whoop-de-doo, my nose landed on top of another shoulder in quick succession. "I'll keep everyone on track and moderately healed, Tomo-chan. That's my promise," was the fierce whisper, and I hugged her back hard as confirmation. "Don't worry."

"I'll try not to worry then," was the only small confirmation I could give back, and then Rin-chan was pulling away to leave Kei.

Kei was still staring at me with wide eyes, looking like she hadn't even moved in the entirety of the past two hugs, so I blinked and opened my arms. "Kei-chan? It's your turn!"

She jolted. From the looks of it, she was just spacing, or perhaps talking with the other selves she had in her head too, so when I called out, she was clearly stunned again. Kei ended up frowning at me. "Tomo?"

I found myself pouting while still offering a hug. It had to be her. Of course. My reincarnation buddy and the bestest friend I could ever have in this world. And she was spacing. What a role-reversal. "Kei, I've hugged everyone else already."

Behind me, Kakashi snorted, so I corrected it with a fast, "Kakashi, I'll give you plenty of hugs later," much to his apparent confusion with the small, "Hn," in my direction.

Turning back to her, I added a final, rather modest declaration of, "And I want to give you at least one last hug of good luck before you go, so please?"

At least, I think it was modest enough to ask.

And soon enough, a voice was starting to run through the loudspeakers.

"ALL TESTING GENIN, REPORT TO THE FRONT DESK FOR YOUR SEAT ASSIGNMENTS. THE EXAMS WILL START IN 15 MINUTES."

It was almost a miracle I didn't jump at the announcement. More so since it was loud and sudden. Still, it seemed to do something as the crowd of nosy ninja from earlier started to disperse in that mentioned direction and Kei scoffed softly. "Ah, what the hell," was all I could make out, and then she stepped forward a few paces so that I could finally wrap my arms around her neck and pull her in for the hug. "You're a doof, Tomo-chan."

Even then, I found myself giggling. "We're both doofs, Kei. And you better do your best out there and live, okay?" I tightened the hug as much as I could without it becoming too hard to breathe, fully standing on my tiptoes to reach her height. Already at age 11, she was getting taller, and I knew I would never measure up. Instead, I cut to the chase. "I love you, so please come back soon."

I knew I could never say, "Don't go." It wasn't appropriate, and I couldn't keep a potential Chunin away from the front lines forever. A ninja was still a ninja. Yamaguchi-sensei said as much. At least, at least, I could hug her and tell her to be careful.

Kei immediately wrapped her arms around my middle to lift me up a few centimeters, and I tried not to squeak once my feet left the ground, instead hanging on as much as I could. Even if one of my sandals fell off in the process. "Got it," was the murmur in my ear, and I could've sworn I felt a smile before a cheek lightly bumped the side of my head. "Thanks for the reminder."

I huffed softly. "Least I can do, Kei." I then let go once she put me back down on the ground, despite every single nerve and my heart calling for me not to, because time was short. And I needed to find my sandal. One last reminder for good measure then. I reached over to boop her nose. "Just don't hit anyone in the balls unless it's necessary, alright?"

HA! Hisako promptly choked on another laugh. I SAW THIS WAS COMING, BUT IT'S STILL HILARIOUS COMING FROM YOU, DEAR!

Obito promptly paled as Rin put a hand to her mouth again. Kakashi proceeded to cough, vaguely hiding a sputter of, "What."

Kei stared at me for a single second before putting a fist against her chest and nodding as firmly as she could. "Scout's honor."

I nodded back. "Good." Then the realization hit me. "Wait—"

"Can't swear on it since I've never been a Scout, Tomo-chan~" was all Kei hummed before she lightly flicked my forehead and literally ninja-ran off in the opposite direction in quick succession.

I didn't even have time to take in the fact that I was essentially eating my reincarnation buddy's dust before the pain and the frustration of being conned hit me. Along with the residual jolt of "Ow" in my head, the lack of a sandal on my left foot, and just shock.

"KEI, YOU DORK!"

Kakashi only facepalmed softly as Kei laughed in the distance.

The high-fives from Obito and Rin when they left did make up for that at least.

"That was quite the scene you made," Kakashi commented as soon as we were walking home.

I found myself stopping my walking pace to turn back and look at him. "Eh? How so?"

Kakashi was smiling almost wryly from what I could see of his mask, shrugging all the while. He wasn't minding my antics again? "I'm surprised you were able to tell off the other ninja there like that."

At the mere mention of them, I found myself pouting, eyebrows furrowed. "They weren't supposed to be looking, Kashi. And besides, I'd like to be honest than hide it all and risk crying again."

Crying for oh so long could only get you so far, really.

Surprisingly, Kakashi looked affronted now at the new nickname, because his only response was an incredulous, "Kashi?"

Whoops. Went too far again.

Hisako proceeded to bark down more laughter. Tomoko-chan~! You're getting too ahead of yourself again~!

Whoops. I tried not to flush red, but whoop-de-doo, I could already feel the heat climbing up my face. Welcome back, embarrassment! I did not miss you. "I-I mean, Kei is Kei, Obito is Obi, and Rin is Ricchan! You're a friend too, and we've been living together for three years now, but if you want me to stop, I ca—"

"Tomoko." I stopped as soon as he raised a hand in my direction. "It's fine."

"Eh?" I blinked as soon as he started walking forward a bit faster in the direction of the cafe. Of course, I had to go after him. Did he just agree to the random whim of an eleven-year-old girl? "Wait, Kakashi, was that—"

"Forget it."

"Kakashi!"

"Forget it."

Hisako took that time to blow a large bugle horn. FRIENDSHIP CONFIRMED. Now. She adjusted her glasses with exaggerated flourish. Crushes. Does he have any, I wonder… She started guffawing. Ooooh, I think I can recognize someone! Someone with a sword…

I ignored her in favor of running after my housemate. "K-Kashi, not so fast! Civilian here!"

"Who's training and could use some more endurance."

"HEY!"

HAHAHAHA.

At least he didn't mind Mama's broiled saury fish as soon as we came home. Enjoyed it, in fact. Darn ninja…

Two weeks later, Hoshino Hikari found herself questioning. Out of any idea Judai had in his life, especially considering his past ninja background, Hikari wasn't all that sure about this one.

"Dear," she started slowly.

Judai only whistled innocently as he locked the doors to the house behind him. "What?"

Hikari held back the urge to sigh. "You're sure about this. Closing the cafe for the Chunin Exam Finals?"

It was only with that out and said that Judai finally turned to meet her stare with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck all the while. "Tomoko-chan was kinda jumping all over the place about it, Hikari. And Kei and the others are going to be in the Exams this time, so we have to watch, don't we?"

That wasn't Hikari's main problem. She only sighed before covering her face with a hand. "That's not it, Judai. I appreciate this, but there's one issue."

"What's that?"

Hikari only pointed in Tomoko's direction as soon as there was a loud Fwish of a fan.

"Mama! Papa! Sakumo-jichan! Don't worry about me, I'm ready for anything!"

Kakashi himself was even sighing too. "Tomoko, you don't have to yell yet."

"Hey, Kashi, it's fine. I have water. And it is good practice for when we're in the stands, isn't it?"

Kakashi sighed again, holding his head in his right hand as soon as Judai's eyes landed on the giant bright red fan that Tomoko was holding. More specifically, a fan as big as five hands when outspread, proudly reading in bold white ink, "GO, TEAM MINATO!"

"Ah," he said finally once he caught Hikari's doubtful eye. "…It's my favorite color and Tomoko-chan seemed to like it?"

Hikari only sighed herself as soon as Sakumo came from around the house corner to fuss over the kids.

He could handle them while she could throttle her dorky husband. She already had to worry about finishing yet another requested kimono dress in time for today.

Oh well. She'd take this over the sight of tears any day.

Tomoko-chan and the kids deserved to be happy. And be showered with appreciation.

Author's Notes: =~= Dunno what to say this time. The chapter's shorter than last time. Though, at the same time, with August ending; birthdays for friends coming left and right, hence a lot of art; school starting for Leo, Josh, and even my own brother; school looming over my own head in a month; and with Osie/Beta (yes, that Beta from the original Catch Your Breath by Lang too) actively reading this story now, there's been a lot happening lately.

And well, I didn't want to shove the entirety of another arc into just one long chapter. The first Chunin Exams in Chapter 17 gets some leeway, since I know a lot of it was focused on the civvie side of things and there's only oh-so-much CYB rehash I could do. The second, I could do something. I just need two chapters at most for it.

Anyways. Thanks as always to all who read, favorite, and follow. Reviews are appreciated, because they are few and far in-between sometimes.

And, as always. Thank you, Lang. Thank you, Osie. For letting me do this, and for being my friends. We make a good trio of online writers.

This is Vy, Writer-and-Artist27, signing out to write the next chapter of S&S and CP. See you all again soon.