Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anybody or anything except for Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. This is, what I believe, to be the longest chapter I've ever written for Civilian Pianist, and because of this, there are many songs specifically for this chapter. For the last part of the chapter, I would specifically point you towards:

*Kyle Landry and Josh Chiu's collaboration piece on Kingdom Hearts' Passion (just imagine a cello playing alongside them).

*The Videri String Quartet's covers of Red Like Roses, Mirror Mirror, From Shadows, and I Burn from RWBY in that order.

*SheNoob087's piano/violin tutorials of Red Like Roses, Mirror Mirror, From Shadows, and I Burn from RWBY in that order. (play in tandem with the Videri String Quartet for full effect)

*And finally, Keyboard Konan's cover of Let's Just Live from RWBY.

**The lyrics of Let's Just Live are also used in this story, so I'm just saying this right now - any songs mentioned from RWBY or any other media belong to their specific owners (in this case, to John Williams and his wonderful daughter Casey). Please go and support the original artists!

Please enjoy!

Edit (2/23/2017): So a lot of people have been noting in the reviews how my 'stage play' style of writing for Sakumo's scene didn't sound right, and honestly I have to apologize. When I initially wrote this chapter, I wanted to have a third person POV without actually describing the characters' various actions so that the reader could interpret it. But with so many complaints, I'll be going through each chapter and editing these scenes specifically. So yeah. I hope you enjoy the revised versions.

Chapter 13: Let's Just Live

At first, when the months passed with spring changing into winter, there wasn't much to talk about. If anything, a lot of the ninja clientele were tense lately, whispering amongst themselves even when I was playing the piano.

It was as though they were aware that something was happening outside of Konoha's walls.

But initially, I didn't think much on it, continuing to do my job and making small talk with the regulars that stopped by. Kakashi still visited, but these days, he was a lot more quiet, asking for calmer pieces of music before initiating a hug with me and leaving with Minato-san on some kind of mission.

It was only yesterday that I finally took action. Sitting around watching everybody mope, Kakashi included, was not what I wanted to do with my life.

"..."

"…Kakashi-kun?"

"..."

In response to his silence, I tried again. This wasn't a good sign. "Kakashi-kun?"

The ninja blinked, as though he was just coming back into the world of the living, before focusing on me with hesitant silver eyes. "…Tomoko?"

I couldn't help but frown. "What's the matter, Kakashi-kun? You've been quiet all day."

My best friend simply looked down at his lap with a sigh, not meeting my eyes. "…It's nothing, Tomoko."

…Like hell it's nothing.

Shaking my head, I lightly scooted over on the piano bench to grab Kakashi's face in my hands to turn him towards me. In response, my best friend blinked before attempting to look away again. Just from touching his face alone, I could tell that the skin was somewhat dry and the mask was worn — meaning that something was going on.

That wasn't good. Damage control needed to be done now. I needed to help him.

Kakashi needed this talk — at least before the situation got worse.

I spoke honestly, attempting to keep my voice gentle and controlled. "Kakashi-kun, we've been friends for almost 3 years now. Don't put it off as nothing, okay? You're my best friend, and I'm just worried about you. Don't take it as pity or anything like that, alright? Because I chose to care about you — I chose to worry about you. So don't take it as some kind of obligatory sympathy — because I chose to become your friend and be with you, alright? So, it's my choice to ask you and try to help you."

The silver eyes I grew to know so fondly widened in surprise, pupils narrowed. "…Tomoko…"

My heart clenched tightly in response, and I immediately pulled him into a warm hug, desperately burying my face into his shoulder.

He shouldn't look so shocked like that. Kakashi out of all people — my wonderful best friend with amazing hugs — shouldn't be so surprised at hearing that.

"So, please, Kakashi-kun — don't push me away and hide what you're feeling. You're more important to me and a lot of other people than you might think."

"Tomoko…" Why did Kakashi have to sound so sad when just saying my name?

What in all hells did Konoha — no — the ninja world put him through to make him like this when I wasn't looking?

For a moment, we both sat there quietly, taking in the presence of one another before Kakashi responded. To my surprise, he smiled lightly against my hair, wrapping his arms around my back to return the hug, tightening the hold almost immediately. "…Thanks, Tomoko. I needed that — it's just been a little rough at home."

I didn't even hesitate to ask, pulling away somewhat from the hug to look into my best friend's eyes. "Do you want to talk about it? Mom and Dad did install some new privacy seals on the piano."

"..." Kakashi looked to the side for a moment, expression hesitant.

Worry flooded my entire system. He had gone silent again.

Why are you hesitating, Kakashi?

I gulped, trying again. "…Kakashi-kun?"

The silver-haired Chunin turned back to look at me again, and I couldn't help but notice the immense amount of emotion in the silver orbs. Kakashi, my best friend, looked like he was about to cry. Oh goodness.

"…Can we?" he choked out quietly, voice cracking.

I didn't even hesitate to press on the nearest privacy seal on the piano, this one specifically on the right side of the piano keys, before smiling gently at him.

I didn't even think about having to activate it — apparently it was already at work once I touched it. Thank goodness for the Sealing Department coming up with civilian-friendly seals!

"Of course we can — that's what friends are for." Without any hesitation, I pulled the frozen ninja into another hug, allowing him to rest his head against my shoulder. "You don't have to hold it in all by yourself, Kakashi-kun. You can let go."

A soft sigh resounded against my shoulder as Kakashi's hands shakily wound across my back. "…You can't see me, right?"

My heart broke in response, my own voice cracking a bit. "…I can't, but Kakashi-kun, you don't have to follow the ninja rulebook here. It's true that in the field, Rule #25 says that 'shinobi must never show their tears,' but you're not in the field right now." I ended up gently putting a hand on my best friend's head, lightly running my fingers through his soft silver hair. "You're here with me in Nagareboshi, and it's okay to not be a shinobi here. It's okay to be human — no one's going to judge you. I will never judge you."

That did it. To my shock and immense sadness, I could feel tears beginning to stain the shoulder of my kimono dress, the figure of my best friend clearly shaking from all the emotion. Kakashi's hands were desperately clutching onto my clothes with soft whimpers reaching my ears, despite how muffled they were. I found myself biting my bottom lip, tightening the hug on my best friend in an attempt to keep back my own tears. We stayed like that for quite a while, holding one another in various attempts to calm down, tears all galore.

Kakashi's only 8 — he shouldn't have to sound so sad. He shouldn't be attempting to hold it all back like this.

"T-Tomoko…" I blinked away the first bits of tears to focus on my best friend's voice, his first attempt at speaking in the past few moments. Eh? "Y-You seriously suck."

Huh? Kakashi clutched onto me a little tighter. "Wh-why is it always you that knows what to say? Wh-wh-why is it always you that knows how to make me look and feel so ridiculous?"

…Because I know what it's like to be alone? Because I know what it's like to lose everything?

'Be Vy! What happened?! Oh my god — you're bleeding! Someone, call 911!'

'Be Vy! Please don't die! Please — stay with Mommy and Daddy — Please!'

'Please hang in there, Vy, we're getting you to the hospital ASAP! Don't leave!'

I pushed away the memories to focus on my best friend and smiled sadly, continuing to stroke Kakashi's spiky silver hair. "…You're not ridiculous when you're just being human Kakashi-kun. And honestly, I don't know — maybe it's because I know you so well."

Kakashi laughed shakily. "…I-I guess we're both fools then, huh?"

I sarcastically shrugged, pulling away a little to slam my forehead into Kakashi's own, colliding with his metal forehead protector.

…Okay, just ouch. That wasn't a good idea.

"…Tomoko?" In any other situation, I would've laughed at the blank and surprised expression that Kakashi had on his face, but this wasn't exactly the time. I ignored the pain, as well as the little bit of blood from my head, to hold Kakashi's face in my hands again to face him properly.

"Kakashi-kun, right now, I don't care what you may think on the matter, but you're not ridiculous. Whoever put that in your head is a complete fool."

Kakashi blinked in surprise, tears still budding in his silver eyes.

I continued firmly. "It's okay to cry. It's okay to be emotional — because it shows you're more than a shinobi." I attempted to smile at him, wiping away some stray tears from his masked cheeks while keeping my voice steady. "Being emotional like this just shows that you're still Hatake Kakashi — my best friend and a person I treasure very much. So, don't think that being upset like this makes you any less of a shinobi than anyone else. Everyone cries at one point — it just shows that you're human."

Kakashi breathed shakily, voice cracking in disbelief. "E-even if it looks ridiculous?"

I just frowned, wiping away the blood on my head to raise an eyebrow at him. "Even if it looks ridiculous. Humanity is pretty illogical that way."

My best friend blinked before shakily sighing. "…You're unbelievable."

In response, I just grinned and lightly poked his masked cheek. "But you're still with me anyways."

"Y-yeah…" Kakashi's breathing slowly steadied with that response, his shoulders finally steadying from all the shaking before he looked up at me, catching the hand I was using to poke him with his. His silver eyes were much shinier than before, but I could tell that the fond gaze was genuine. "Yeah."

My best friend was back. I gave him another small hug before pulling away to wipe away any stray tears with a warm smile. "Now then, what did you want to talk about?"

The news wasn't good.

…It turns out that the Third Great Shinobi World War has now begun. From a lot of what Kakashi was saying, the mission that Sakumo-san had told me about a few months ago did end up happening, and it wasn't good.

Surprisingly, or perhaps, unsurprisingly from the canon-verse point of view, even Kakashi didn't know the full details of what happened. Sakumo-san himself was strangely quiet about the whole thing, not even attempting to talk about it and instead shoving himself into his room for a few days, only coming out to go to the bathroom or eat a meal.

That wasn't a good sign in the slightest.

…To make matters worse, the adult ninja who knew the silver-haired Jounin were apparently not helping. After I had comforted Kakashi yesterday, some of the regular shinobi clientele literally disappeared from the vicinity of the cafe, and I had a strange feeling some of the civilians weren't exempt from this either. At times, I even heard some of the hired help whispering in the corners and giving Kakashi the evil eye when he came in. Luckily, all it took was for Mom and Dad to glare and threaten to fire them for back-talking in order to make them shut up.

Even then, I wasn't exempt from hearing the whispers.

"Why is that innocent girl hanging out with the Hatake?"

"How pitiful…Hopefully he doesn't corrupt her little mind."

"He better not be!"

It took all I had to not snap at them.

No wonder Kakashi was so upset yesterday. Apparently, all the villagers were gossiping about him and Sakumo-san, treating both like they were almost nothing, and since Kakashi didn't know about anything, he was just as vulnerable as canon Naruto was. I had to physically hold back the angry words building up in my throat in order to concentrate on the situation at hand.

How in all hell did canon Kakashi deal with this kind of back-talk in his timeline?!

Honestly, rumors are the worst kind of social shit someone would have to deal with. But when people are bad-mouthing you when you're standing right there, then you've messed up. Horrendously.

If the rumors were enough to make Kakashi, my stoic best friend, break down into tears in my arms, then what were they doing to Sakumo-san?

Sakumo-san, the previously revered White Fang, who was, in the end, still a single father mourning the loss of his wife while trying to raise a ninja child?

How could a gentle soul like his handle all that?

Even in my old life, I never really knew what it was like to lose a loved one. If anything, I was lucky to have both parents in my past life and in my new one as Tomoko, and even as my past self, she always found herself surrounded by loving friends and peers when sad. Whenever she was depressed, everyone else always noticed and did their best to support her.

But when Sakumo-san went and did something that he believed to be the right thing, only to be shunned by the people he saved and supported, how would that feel? Adding in the loss of his wife and the distant relationship with his son? I wouldn't have blamed the canon Sakumo-san for taking his own life the way he did — but this time, it would be different.

Sakumo-san couldn't die — I wouldn't let him die. Not after getting to care for his son as much as I did.

Yes. Kakashi's important to me — and I know that more than anything, I wouldn't want to see him spiral down into a self-destructive path the way he did in canon. Sakumo-san's death traumatized him — probably more so than the trauma my past self had — leading to so much suffering that could've been avoided had the White Fang lived.

I know Kakashi — my best friend — deserves so much more than the pain he was given in the original Naruto.

It was that thought in mind that after Kakashi told me everything, I came up with an idea.

"Huh?" Kakashi's silver eyes were wide with disbelief. "Y-You want me to bring Dad here? To Nagareboshi Cafe?"

"Not today, of course." I nodded, breathing in deeply.

Honestly, there's no guarantee this is going to work considering therapy is basically nonexistent in the ninja world, last I checked.

Still, I held back from clicking my tongue, smiling instead. "But yeah. Tomorrow is a good day. Bring him along when it's almost closing time though, alright?"

For once, Kakashi looked nervously doubtful, face lined with concern even through his mask. "Tomoko, what are you going to do? Even I haven't been able to talk to Dad lately…"

In response, I simply smiled sadly, using one hand to pat the large instrument at my side. "Do what I do best, of course."

Music was always the best thing to convey emotion and feelings to another person.

Kakashi blinked again before sighing shakily, looking down at his sandals. "Tomoko…I'm not sure if that's going to work. Dad's just…" he trailed off, voice cracking a little from desperation. "Dad hasn't been responding to anything I've been saying. How will the piano help here?"

Oh goodness.

For once, I had to take a few moments to formulate an answer. Kakashi was really emotionally raw right now, and I knew I was treading on a thin line if I wanted to really get this plan across. In the end, I sighed and decided to go with my usual, heart-on-my-sleeve approach. "Honestly, Kakashi-kun, I'm not fully sure. But from my 3-4 years being at Nagareboshi Cafe, it's always been music that allows people to open up and be themselves. That's how I met you, right?"

Immediately, my best friend looked up at me, recognition as well as a small sliver of hope shining in his silver eyes. "…Yeah…"

"That means something. And we don't know until we try, Kakashi-kun." I breathed in again before smiling at him. "Besides, this won't be one of my solo performances."

"…What?" Kakashi deadpanned, mouth wide through his mask. The gesture actually made him look rather cute, and I couldn't help but teasingly wink at him, miming the motion of zipping up my mouth and tossing the key.

It was better to be positive than show how panicked I was feeling.

"You'll find out tomorrow."

In the end, it was almost time. I couldn't help but glance at the analog clock sitting on one of the bar walls, gulping.

Only 10 minutes left until they should show up.

My hands were shaky and sweaty in my lap and quite honestly, my heart was running a marathon despite it being a relatively cool winter evening. The new kimono dress I was wearing, styled specifically after Super Sailor Moon, wasn't exactly helping my mood. If anything, the bright pink lace of my sleeves and the white-blue pattern of the skirt reminded me just how much was at stake with this plan.

…Will this really work? Will Sakumo-san be able to listen to us properly?

"...Tomoko-chan?"

Mom.

Her familiar voice immediately stopped whatever butterflies were flying around in my stomach, and I looked up only to see her concerned blue eyes staring at me softly. For once, she wasn't donning the usual work kimono, instead choosing a formal sleeveless bottle-green dress that went past her ankles. Black medium-height high heels complemented the dress, allowing her to stand a few centimeters taller than usual. Her hair was done in a simple side-ponytail, allowing the ebony strands to shine in the spotlight established from the stage. Along with the bright magenta hair ribbon on her left hair strand, well…

Yeah. In all honesty, Mom could've passed for an actress with how she was dressed. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I-I'll be fine, Mom." I attempted to grin at her, but it came out more nervous and tense.

Mom simply frowned, soft red lipstick standing out against her mouth before she leaned down to my height at the piano bench to pull me into a warm hug. "Oh, Tomoko-chan, you don't have to hide it. I know you're worried."

I found myself wincing a little in her hold, considerably tense. Ah, she read through me as always. I guess I'm too open. "Mommy…"

She pulled away a little to look at me in the eye, sympathy shining in the familiar blue orbs. "It'll be okay, sweetie. You planned for this and even if things don't turn out the way you want them to, Mommy and Daddy will always support you."

It took all my self-control to not burst into tears right then and there.

Looks like no matter what happens to me, I will always have great parents.

"Your mom's right there, sweetheart."

Dad.

Mom pulled away for a moment in order to let Dad into the family circle, and for once, he looked more like a professional businessman than the Dad I knew, donning a black tuxedo and tie while having shaved his stubble. Despite this, he still reached over to cuddle me anyway, tucking my head under his now clean chin. "Mom and Dad could always tell you were worried about Kakashi-kun and Sakumo, so it's about time we stepped up to help relieve your worries." I blinked, squirming a little only to look up into soft brown eyes that literally screamed loving dad. "Then again, we never did play any music for you, did we, Tomoko-chan?" He turned for a moment to focus on the other instruments in the cafe vicinity, and I couldn't help but shakily smile in agreement.

Accompanying my piano today would be a violin and cello, both standing rather proudly in their respective corners of the cafe stage, shining in the spotlight. Honestly, I felt bad that I didn't know about Mom and Dad's music talent sooner, since they were wonderful. No doubt about that, and don't question me. Heck. Had I not gotten my piano ability as well as I did, I had a feeling that Nagareboshi's entertainment would've mainly come from my parents.

Looks like music did run in the family. And I couldn't be any more happier.

I ended up shakily wiping my sweaty hands on my kimono skirt before reaching up and pulling Mom and Dad into a group hug. It was a rather uncomfortable one, since I still wasn't at a height where I could have a hug without any height adjustments, but I didn't mind and just said what was on my mind. "Thank you, Mommy, Daddy. I love you both very much."

Even at the height I was at, I could feel the warm smiles from both of my parents near my cheeks. "We love you too, Tomoko-chan."

It was at that moment that the clock struck 9 pm, and the sound of footsteps quickly became apparent near Nagareboshi's entrance. To my surprise, my parents seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, sharing a gaze with me before walking over to their respective parts of the stage to take a seat and pick up their instruments (Mom the violin and Dad the cello).

Mom and Dad already knew who was at the door.

Kakashi and Sakumo-san were finally here.

In another universe, it was said that Konoha's White Fang committed suicide.

The White Fang was honestly feeling both lethargic and tired all at once. "…Kakashi, what's going on?"

And yet his son barely turned his head, only really tightening his grip on Sakumo's hand. "…Just follow me, Dad, please."

Apparently he used his own tanto, the White Light Chakra Saber, to do the deed.

Sakumo sighed. "…Kakashi, I'm not really in the mood for this. Why are we heading out into the village this late at night?"

Kakashi only glanced back at the former White Fang with an unreadable expression, never once stopping his walking pace. "…Please, Dad. Don't question it and follow me."

"…Alright."

It was his own son, Kakashi, that had found him that night, already dead and leaving his blood to stain the tatami mats of the Hatake Household.

The next thing Sakumo knew, he was facing two front doors that looked very familiar. "…Kakashi, is this?"

The Chunin just sighed. "Yeah, it's Nagareboshi Cafe."

Amidst all the emotion in his heart, the former White Fang just felt confused. "…Why did you take me here?"

"A friend told me to bring you here."

"A friend…?"

At least, that's how it should've been.

Kakashi pushed open the door and pulled his father in, only for Sakumo to see something amazing.

"...!"

Yuki — no, Hoshino Judai was standing right in front of them, clean-shaven and donning a suit of all things. What? "Hey, Sakumo. It's been a while."

"Judai…! Wh-What is all this?" Sakumo found himself looking around frantically. His environment was Nagareboshi Cafe, but with the shine of the tables, the various streamers, and the lights dimmed, it didn't feel like it.

"Well…" The former ninja just whistled while looking to the side. "Think of it as something to motivate you again."

"…What is that supposed to mean?"

No one originally reached out to the White Fang that night. But somehow, things had changed.

Another familiar voice rang out, making him freeze. "…We know what's happened to you, Sakumo-kun."

The White Fang turned his head only to gape. "…You too, Hikari?"

The civilian woman was donning a sleeveless green dress, hair tied in a simple side ponytail that reminded him of that amazing violinist he met years ago, all the while smiling gently. "We've noticed it's been hard on you lately — and honestly, this was the only way we could think of to support you. Tomoko-chan's the one who came up with the idea."

Sakumo's disbelief could've spanned miles. "…Tomoko-chan?" In his confusion, the White Fang turned to his son for answers. "Kakashi, is this what you meant…?"

"…" All the Chunin did was nod.

Hikari just smiled again before motioning with her hand to some seats. "Sakumo-kun, Kakashi-kun, how about you two take a seat near the front of the stage. The concert is about to start."

Sakumo closed his gaping mouth and did his best to hide the unshed tears in his eyes just to choke out a response. "…Concert?"

Some would say it was coincidence. Others a miracle.

Once Sakumo shakily found his way to a seat in front of the stage, the lights all turned off in exchange for a large spotlight in the center of the cafe. "Welcome to Nagareboshi Cafe tonight, Sakumo-san, Kakashi-kun."

The White Fang just couldn't believe what he was seeing. "…Tomoko-chan?"

Apparently Kakashi was sharing the same sentiments, staring up at the stage in disbelief. "…Tomoko?"

Sure enough, it was the civilian pianist herself, standing on the stage underneath all the light. Sakumo didn't even recognize the new dress she was wearing, and the bright magenta obi would've been blinding if not for the lighter white-blue-yellow striped skirt. Tomoko took a breath in front of the microphone, folding her hands underneath her long, pink laced sleeves, before opening her mouth.

"I had invited you two to Nagareboshi Cafe for no other reason than to let you two relax. I think we all know better than anyone else now that war has started and how it's been taking a toll on everyone, whether on the field or in the village."

Sakumo found himself looking down. "…"

A soft sigh sounded from the microphone. "Unfortunately, what I think we all end up forgetting is that the soldiers — the shinobi that go out and fight on the front lines — are humans too. When we are pushed into a tough situation, we can only trust on our instincts and morals to pull us through, and even then, others judge us. Why? Is it because they thought we were making a mistake? Is it because we are at war, with so many others dying at our feet, that they can't help but find someone to blame?"

The words were hitting a little too close to home as tears started to bud in the former White Fang's eyes. "…"

Sakumo could feel Kakashi staring at him from the side. "…Dad…"

A shakily breath hit the microphone as the pianist continued. "Honestly, I'm not sure. All I am is a civilian. A civilian pianist, playing music for those who come for respite. I've never been out in the field, participating in a cruel battle. I've never even thought of having to kill someone for the sake of saving another. But even then, I can at least say one thing. If you mess up, don't just wallow in your failure. Suffer through it and repent."

What?

Sakumo found himself looking up only to get an eyeful of bright blue orbs. "…!"

Kakashi gaped quietly. "…Tomoko?"

Sakumo could see a visible lump in the girl's throat as she continued, gulping in another breath. "Don't go thinking that in order to get your honor back, you have to die. Don't think that by taking your own life, the other lives lost will instantly come back. Because they won't." The girl stopped again to close her eyes and take another breath. "Life is a gift. Even when the world is bloodied red with the suffering of others, even when society attempts to break you down in every sense of the word, there are still beautiful things that can be found in this world. Even when the world is at its bleakest point, there will still be people here that care for you. No matter what, there will always be someone who loves you."

Sakumo's mouth was now hanging from the hinges of his jaw. "…Tomoko-chan…"

"So, don't think about taking the coward's way out. Because in the end, you're just adding onto the pain that's already there. If you want to fix things, work hard at trying to atone for what you've done. Live not just for yourself, but for the people that care for you."

A soft pause followed. Then Sakumo dully realized that Tomoko was looking directly at him.

What?

"…Don't start to cherish something after you lost it. Remember all the positive moments you've had, all the people you've loved, and just live. Don't fear loss or pain. Take it in, endure it, and use it to help others. Because in the end, life is short, and with the world the way it is, wouldn't it be better to impart love and care to our loved ones before the inevitable?"

The tears were now blatantly rolling down Sakumo's face. "…Tomoko-chan…"

The girl just smiled at him rather shakily. "That's what I hope you will be able to get out of this small concert. Please, sit down, and just enjoy the music." Then, Tomoko took a soft bow, stepping back a few paces before situating herself on the piano bench. Even with the tears streaming down the ninja's face, Sakumo could still make out Judai and Hikari taking seats nearby the piano, each adult holding onto their own instrument.

No one really knows how things fully changed. But some say it began with a little girl, telling the tales of various worlds through her music.

If Sakumo strained his hearing enough, he would've heard Tomoko whispering before every song. "First, find a passion. Find a Sanctuary to go to when lost."

Apparently, on that day, she worked with her family to bring about the largest music spectacle the small cafe had ever seen at the time. The only ones spectating were the White Fang and his son, but some claim that they saw hints of the Yellow Flash and the Red Habanero lurking around in the background.

Outside the window of Nagareboshi Cafe, Namikaze Minato found himself blinking in disbelief. "…Wow…"

Behind the Jounin, Uzumaki Kushina attempted to look over his shoulder and peer inside. "I-Is that Tomoko-chan? A-and Hikari and Judai playing with her?!"

The Jounin found himself smiling."I think this is the first time we've seen the entire Hoshino family play together, huh Kushina?"

"Yeah…it sounds so beautiful…"

No one really expected piano, violin, and cello to all mesh together so well. In fact, I don't think anyone had attempted anything like it in that small cafe before.

Once the first song finished, Sakumo could see the pianist's mouth move again in a soft whisper. "Then, just like red roses, remember those who are at rest."

But it worked. Such an unlikely combination and yet it all flowed so seamlessly, very much like the family members behind each instrument.

"Don't look into the white mirror and ask who's the loneliest of them all."

The mother, passionately playing the violin in swishes of verdant green from her dress.

"Strike the problem at its core from the shadows."

The father, gently caressing the cello with his bow, almost shining despite being in all black.

"Face it head-on and let your flame burn brightly."

And the little girl, at the center of it all, playing the piano like never before. Hands flying across the black and white keys, and even singing a small solo.

Near the end, Tomoko took in one last deep breath before facing the keys with determination. "And just live."

Outside the window, Kushina gasped. "Is Tomoko-chan actually…?!"

"It used to feel like a fairy tale,

Now it seems we were just pretending

We'd fix our world, then on our way to a happy ending."

Apparently, it was a song she heard only once. No one really knew where she got it from, but in the end, it still meant something. The theme wasn't lost on the audience.

"…!" Sakumo could've stopped breathing. Tomoko-chan, is this your message to me?

Kakashi's disbelief was rolling off him in waves, judging by the tight, shaky grip he had on Sakumo's hand. "Tomoko…"

"Then it turned out life was far less like a bedtime story

Than a tragedy with no big reveal of the hero's glory.

And it seems we weren't prepared

For a game that wasn't fair.

Do we just go home? Can we follow through? When all hope is gone, there is one thing we can do…"

I think the message resonated with everyone present that day.

"Let's just live! Day by day, and not be conquered by our sorrows.

The past can't hold us down, we must break free.

Inside we're torn apart, but time will mend our hearts.

Move onward, not there yet, so let's just live!"

Possibly, that was the miracle itself. Despite not knowing anything, that little girl reached out and did something almost no one else attempted to do. And that alone made a huge difference.

Once the last note was played, Sakumo could feel the beginnings of sobs coming out of his throat. "…Tomoko-chan…Judai…Hikari…Kakashi…"

His son blinked, clearly surprised, before turning his head to look at the former White Fang. "Dad?"

Soon enough, Sakumo found his face in his hands as the first sobs started leaving his mouth. "Thank you…just thank you…"

Instead of blood, the White Fang found love that night. He may have lost his wife, but that night alone proved that there was more to life than he thought.

"S-Sakumo-san?!" Tomoko immediately jumped off the piano bench to run over to his side, handkerchief in hand. "A-ah, you don't have to cry! Oh, it's okay…!"

"Oi, Sakumo, you've really had a rough time!" Sakumo could literally hear the grimace in Judai's voice as his footsteps neared. "Why didn't you think about coming to us for one thing? Hikari and I could've helped you!"

Unlike her husband and daughter, Hikari only sighed before putting her violin down on a nearby chair and walking over. A small, kind smile graced her face. "My husband's right about that, Sakumo-kun. You could've easily come to us for help."

"I-It's just been so difficult." The sobs continued to escape his lips as Sakumo did his best to wipe away tears. "E-Everyone just keeps blaming me for the loss of those 12 ninja out there because I abandoned the mission, and e-e-even the people I saved are shunning me! W-where did I go wrong?!"

"D-Dad!" The White Fang was surprised to hear Kakashi's voice crack from his side. "T-that's not true! You were just doing your best!"

"B-but they're shunning you too, Kakashi! It's my fault that the war is raging now, and I just can't take it anymore! They should just point at me, not at you!"

Judai only sighed as he shook his head. "Well, people are shits like that."

Hikari just gave her spouse a look of disapproval. "Judai! Language!"

"What, Hikari? It's true, you know." Judai ended up turning to Tomoko, leaning down with a cheerful smile. "You don't mind Daddy cursing now, do you Tomoko-chan?"

In response, the pianist just blinked before opening her mouth. "Not really if it's true…?"

Hikari gaped. "T-Tomoko-chan!"

The named girl just squeaked before giving an apologetic look to her violinist mother. "…I'm sorry, Mommy."

The next thing Sakumo knew, he could hear his old comrade snort through his nose before an arm wrapped around his shoulders to pull him into a friendly side-hug. "Seriously though, man, you shouldn't let those shits get to you. They weren't in your position, and seriously — those men that you saved, they should've not put themselves in that situation to make you act out like that. It was their own fucking faults and they should be cursing themselves, not you!" Judai paused. "And quite honestly, I think you're a hero for saving who you could."

The White Fang just couldn't believe what he was hearing and looked up to see warm brown eyes staring at him. How long had it been since someone looked at him like that? "J-Judai…?"

"Seriously, Sakumo," the former nin smiled gently. "You did what you could. What matters now is figuring out where to go from here."

"B-But what can I do?"

"…Talk to me for once, Dad."

Sakumo just blinked before turning a teary gaze at the new voice, surprise coming up in his response. "…Kakashi?"

To the White Fang's surprise, his son was actively pouting through his mask, arms crossed over his chest. "If you were so worried about the villagers talking about me, we could've talked about it together and figured something out. You didn't have to hide in your room." In the end, the Chunin just sighed before walking over and joining the hug, arms wrapping around his father's torso. "…I missed you."

The tears were threatening to flow all over again on Sakumo's face. "K-Kakashi…"

Nearby, the civilian girl at the center of it all just smiled happily. "See, Sakumo-san? I told you Kakashi-kun loves you."

"T-Tomoko-chan…"

Hikari just chuckled before walking over and joining the hug herself. "My daughter's right, Sakumo-kun. We all love you — so don't forget that, okay?"

As if there weren't enough surprises already, a familiar redhead yelled through the open window. "S-So do we, dattebane!"

Sakumo found himself jerking his head upwards to look in the yell's direction, only to see a familiar red-blonde duo. "K-Kushina? Minato?"

Minato just grinned sheepishly while walking in with his girlfriend. "Sorry, Sakumo-san, we couldn't help but overhear the whole thing, even the music, and we wanted to put in our opinions as well. Jiraiya-sensei would easily tell you that he's available to talk to you as well."

Soon enough, Kushina was pushing her way past her boyfriend to join in on the group hug. "Yeah! We're always here for you too, dattebane! Don't think that you're going through this war alone! We're all here, ttebane!"

Happiness was slowly starting to fill the void left by that mission in his chest. "K-Kushina…"

In the end, Tomoko-chan, the organizer of the whole event, just smiled happily before joining in the group hug herself. "See, Sakumo-san? If you can't find a reason to live for yourself, live for everybody here. They all still need you. Kakashi-kun still needs you. I still need you. So don't go thinking you're a burden, okay?"

For the first time in days, Sakumo found himself smiling, even with all the tears. "Thank you… everyone…Thank you…"

For once, there was a happy ending to a turbulent day in the shinobi world.