Disclaimer: I own whatever is in this story that isn't already owned by Masashi Kishimoto-sensei.

Ceestar: Wahoo! Chapter 3 is heeeeeeeeeere! Merry Christmas everyone!! The next chapter will be up for the New Year!! Thanks again for all the reviews!

Chapter 3: Meeting the Villagers Part 1

Nyoko awoke early the next morning, eager to get out of the hospital. She looked out the window to see the sun shining in the sky, but it wasn't very high, having just come up. It shone a bright but delicate orange wash over the awakening Konoha village. Already, some ninjas could be seen heading to training grounds or wherever it was they did their morning training.

She looked to her left and saw two figures walking past. They turned and walked into the room, showing themselves to be Kakashi and Yuki. The two of them turned to see Nyoko sitting up and smiling at them.

"Good morning Yuki-san, Kakashi-kun." She said, bowing her head slightly.

"Good morning Nyoko-sama." Kakashi said cheerfully giving her a quick wave. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, not too bad."

"These are some spare clothes of mine, I hope they fit you." Yuki over as she brought over some clothes.

"Thank you, Yuki-san." Nyoko said, bowing her head again and taking the clothes.

"Well I've signed the forms to discharge you, and put you under Kakashi's care, so if anything is to happen, I know who to blame." Yuki smiled.

Kakashi sweat dropped and scratched the back of his head, laughing also. Nyoko smiled and rushed into the bathroom to change, she left her hospital gown neatly folded on the bed and picked up her battle worn Chunnin uniform (which isn't technically hers, it was just a spare for her to use as a disguise).

"Ready to go?" Kakashi asked.

He was leaning on the door frame, holding a small orange book in his right hand, and his left shoved into a pocket. Yuki had already left, due to having so much work to do. Nyoko nodded cheerfully, she was really looking forward to staying with Kakashi.

The two of them slowly walked from the hospital back to Kakashi's home, several villagers passed and waved to Kakashi, who waved back without looking up from the book he was reading. Nyoko smiled and sweat dropped after having finally caught the title of the book, it was a popular book back in the Thunder Country.

By the time that they had arrived, the sun was shining brightly in the sky. Kakashi put his book away into his back pouch and unlocked the door to his apartment. He let Nyoko in first and she noticed it was a little roomy for one, but just a little tight for two. Though she smiled, it was a nice change from the large home she use to live in.

"I hope it's all right, I know it's a little small…" Kakashi's voice said from the kitchen as Nyoko looked around the small living room.

"No, it's fine. I like it." Nyoko replied.

"I'll show you your room in a minute,"

Rather precise, a minute later Kakashi came back out and lead Nyoko up stairs. They past two doors after reaching the top of the narrow staircase. A few meters ahead, Kakashi opened a door to his right and entered the small room. In it were a small table and a neatly folded futon against the wall. There was also a small cupboard sat next to the futon, a photo frame atop it. The photo frame was empty.

"It isn't much I'm afraid." Kakashi said.

"It's fine Kakashi-kun," Nyoko said reassuringly. "I must thank you again for allowing me to stay here."

"It's nothing," He 'smiled'. "Now how say you put those clothes in the cupboard and I'll get the rest of breakfast ready downstairs?"

"Alright."

Authors Note: I'm sorry if Kakashi sounds a little off character at the moment, but we all know he is very kind hearted, given the chance, he probably would do this. Maybe….

Kakashi had prepared some rise, miso and vegetables. He said that vegetables were good for the body, especially in the morning. Nyoko sat herself down at a small table in the centre of what was probably the largest room (the living room).

After waiting a couple of minutes, Kakashi walked through the door way with the food on a plate. He placed it down in front of Nyoko, sat down and smiled at her.

"Well," he said. "Eat up."

Nyoko looked quizzically at Kakashi. "Aren't you eating?" She asked.

Kakashi didn't answer, he only smiled under his mask and shrugged.

Nyoko let out a small chuckle and ate her food as Kakashi again pulled out his book.

xXx

Nyoko helped clean up the dishes afterwards, considering she was the only on that had eaten. Kakashi did not put up much of a fight to argue, once again he had only shrugged.

When she was finished, Nyoko walked out of the kitchen to see Kakashi opening the front door.

"Are you going somewhere Kakashi-kun?" She asked.

"We are, I want to show you something."

Nyoko gave a shrug and threw the tissue she was drying her hands with in the bin as Kakashi followed her out the door. By now stalls were opening up and children were seen walking with friends and heading to the academy. Some random Jounin were getting some more equipment, either for training their Genin teams or for missions. The stalls and homes began to disappear as the two walked into a clearing surrounded by trees.

In the middle of the clearing was a large black stone, some fresh flowers lay at the bottom.

As they approached the stone, Kakashi pointed to something written on it.

"This is a memorial for shinobi that have died in battle. My best friend is here too, this one; Obito." Kakashi said, his voice calm as always. Nyoko looked up at the silver haired Jounin in shock; how could someone speak of their dead friend so casually?

"I'm sorry Kakashi-kun! I…" Nyoko stuttered.

"That's not what I brought you here to see." He said softly, laying a hand on Nyoko's shoulder. He directed her eyes to that latest name added to the list.

Agata Hikaru

Nyoko's eyes widened as tears began to form. Right in front of her was the name of her friend, the friend that lost his life for her. She bent down on her knees and touched the carved name. The warm tears rolled down the young girl's face. She looked up and read the words at the top of the memorial.

Proud Shinobi of Konoha

May their memory live on forever in our hearts

Nyoko held a hand on her heart then looked at Kakashi, who was beaming down at her.

"But Hikaru-kun was not from this village, or even this country. Is it alright to have his name among all these other shinobi?" She asked, her voice a little shaky.

"He died to protect you, yes?" Kakashi said. Nyoko nodded sadly. "Then it is fine. You are now a villager of Konoha, and he died to protect you. He has every right to have his name on this memorial, as does all these others."

"Thank you Kakashi-kun." Nyoko smiled then stood up. She looked at all the other names, names of loved ones lost. Brothers, sisters, friends, parents. All fell in the line of duty, and those left behind felt that pain. Then two names caught her attention.

"Umino?"

"Yeah, Iruka-sensei's parents."

Nyoko looed sadly at the names, someone as cheerful and caring as Iruka, had lost both his parents in battle?

"The Kyuubi." Kakashi said, answering Nyoko's questions before she could even think it. "The Kyuubi that attacked our village about 12 years ago. Iruka-sensei's parents fought in that battle to protect the village, and their son."

"I have heard of the Kyuubi. Is it true that a man gave his life by sealing it inside a baby's body?"

Kakashi nodded and smiled. "Yes, the fourth Hokage, my sensei. He sealed the Kyuubi inside a new born baby, and over the years, that baby has become a strong young man. He even wants to become the next Hokage."

"You know him?"

"He is in fact one of my Genin students." Kakashi laughed at the shocked girl's face.

"The surprises just keep coming don't they Kakashi-kun?" Nyoko chuckled, cocking an eyebrow.

"You can meet him later today."

"I'd love to."

There was a little bit of silence after that as Nyoko continued examining the seemingly endless list of names on the black stone.

"DYNAMIC AIR MARKING!"

Nyoko looked up, as did Kakashi. The voice had come from a forest of trees to their left. The loud call of a dog could be heard as the first voice laughed in excitement.

"Would you like to meet some of the villagers?" Kakashi asked. Nyoko smiled then nodded, following Kakashi towards the sound.

"You rock Akamaru! Hinata! How'd he go?"

"Byakugan!" A much sweeter voice called.

Kakashi and Nyoko continued walking as several figures came into view. Two shadows leapt down and landed next to a third. One of them was very small, they gathered that that was the dog that called out earlier. Another two figures could be seen then joining them.

"He hit every mark." Hinata beamed.

"I knew it! You've still got it Akamaru!" Kiba shouted, punching the air.

"You scared away another on of my bugs, Kiba." A new, much deeper voice said.

"Kiba and Akamaru did very well, don't be such a spoil sport Shino."

Shino made an irritated sound and turned away. Kurenai sweat dropped and laughed, she then looked to her left and saw Kakashi and Nyoko come out of the trees.

"Good morning, Kakashi," Kurenai waved. She smiled at Nyoko who blushed but smiled back. "Who is this?"

"Mornin', this is Nyoko-sama." He said happily, he walked over to Kurenai and whispered softly in her ear. "I'll explain later."

"Hello Nyoko-san." Kurenai waved.

Nyoko tried to smile back, but remembered how Hikaru had used the suffix 'chan' with her name before he died.

"I am Yuuhi Kurenai and this is my team. Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino and Hyuuga Hinata."

The boy named Kiba made a coughing motion and pointed to the small white dog that was now sitting on his head.

"Ah yes, and that is Akamaru." Kurenai said with a laugh.

Kiba smiled as Nyoko, Hinata gave a shy wave and Shino made no show that he was paying any attention.

"Good morning everyone." Nyoko said, bowing.

Nyoko watched the members of Team 8 continue their training. She and Hinata sat on a near by log and talked, they both laughed at the little disputes that Shino and Kiba got into. Hinata said that the four of them had been a team for a while now, but none of them had really changed, personality wise at least. Kiba was still a hot head, Shino was still cold and quiet, and she herself, Hinata, was still very shy. But she said that all three of them had gotten much stronger since that fateful day they became a team. Nyoko could see aside from their differences, this team was strong and they cared a lot about each other.

"It seems she's getting along well with them," Kurenai said as she and Kakashi stood to the side. "So what did you mean by Nyoko-sama?"

Kakashi did not take his 'eye' off Nyoko and the others. "She was the princess of the Thunder Country."

Kurenai's eyes widened in shock, "was?"

"Their shinobi forces didn't want a 22 year old ruling their country. They put together a rebellion to over throw her. Both her parents and protector Jounin were killed but she managed to escape here to Konoha without too many fatal injuries." Kakashi explained in a dull voice.

"That's so depressing," Kurenai said sadly. "To be run out of her country at such a young age."

"She wasn't only run out of the country. The Thunder Country's shinobi were trying to kill her."

Kurenai gasped and looked over to Nyoko talking happily with Hinata. "When did all this happen?"

"Yesterday."

"Yesterday?!"

Kakashi nodded, but still did not turn to face his friend. "I agreed to take care of her, at least until she can watch out for herself. She will be staying with me and I am to protect her from any enemy nin that may still be after her."

"Does she know there may still be people trying to kill her?" Kurenai asked in a concerned voice.

"No, I don't want her to live in fear."

Kurenai looked over at Nyoko who was smiling broadly, even laughing, as Kiba and Shino had again come upon a disagreement. "She looks so happy now, how could it all have happened only yesterday?"

Kakashi did say anything, he only looked up at the sun. It was getting late, almost lunch time.

"Well, Nyoko-sama!" He called. "We better be going, I was supposed to meet a friend half an hour ago."

"Always late Kakashi." Kurenai smiled.

Kakashi shrugged with a smile as Nyoko said goodbye to the others.

"They are all very nice people," Nyoko said happily.

The masked Jounin returned the smile and lead Nyoko to the roof of the Hokage's office.

"Kakashi is so sweet, he is so nice to me. Everyone in this village is. Why couldn't everyone back home treat me like this?" Nyoko thought sadly.

"Everything alright?" Kakashi asked, looking down at the young girl.

"Oh, yes." Nyoko replied with a small forced smile.

Kakashi didn't believe her, nor did he believe the smile, but decided not to ask anything more of the situation.

"Kakashi! You are 32 minutes and 27 seconds late!"

Ceestar: Hooray! Finished Chapter 3! Again, MERRY CHRISTMAS MINNA-SAN!