The day for Shanan to leave the hospital had arrived and Kakashi was kind of sad about it. He enjoyed the visits and he knew he had to tell her that she wouldn't see him for a long time. In fact, he had decided it best to stay away so that she could make the best of things and hopefully forget all about him. He knew how her mind worked and the doctors said that her memory would get better over the next year, but she would forget him shortly after she stopped seeing him everyday.

"Are you excited?" he asked her as she packed up some of the books he'd given her. It was all she really had to take with her. Except for the little white bear he'd given her before she ever even woke up.

She was actually really nervous about going somewhere new, but she wanted to be brave. "I think so. You said I'll have a neighbor to talk to, right?" Or was that a dream? Or maybe a book she liked?

"Yes, a boy. He's a couple of years younger than you, but he could probably use some looking after." Another of Konoha's orphans that he'd always wished he'd stepped up to help out. In fact, this one he especially wished he'd done more for, but he knew that Shanan would do what he could never bring himself to do. He knew that she was kind and brave.

"What's his name again?" She tried so hard to remember, but she was bad at remembering even the names of the people she saw everyday, as it was.

"Naruto. And like I said, you two will make really good friends. He needs someone. He's had his own share of darkness." Maybe that was why Kakashi had been afraid to help him.

"I think I know what you mean," she said as she zipped up the bag the nurse had given her.

Shanan hadn't been outside since that first night. And she had forgotten about almost everything that had happened then. Darkness and then Kakashi. Every other detail she remembered had been somewhat altered by her young mind.

Stepping out was a bit overwhelming at first, but Kakashi was there and he knew exactly where to go.

It felt like everyone was moving around quite fast, they all looked so busy. Children were running around playing and the noises felt really excessive to her. She had heard snippets of all of this through her open window and they sounded familiar, but this was all just way too much.

"Just remember, I'm right here." Kakashi told her. He could tell she was starting to feel overwhelmed. Her hands were soaking wet. He let go and got on her level to coach her through some breathing exercises that he'd taught her to try and calm her down. "Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth," he reminded her. He had gotten good at calming her down. Once she was no longer panicking, he stood back up and took her hand again.

Even though his mask would be up the whole walk to her new home, she still felt much more at ease than if anyone else had been walking with her.

As they approached the building, Shanan had a feeling this was it. She suddenly didn't feel ready until Kakashi squeezed her hand.

They stood together in front of the building for a moment, just kind of staring up at it. "Shanan, I should probably tell you something." He hated to do this to the poor kid. "I'm going away on a mission soon and I'll be gone for a really long time, but I want you to know that even if you don't see me, I'll check in on you. Ok?" He glanced nervously at her. She didn't have anyone else she trusted in her life, but he really was usually busy with mission after mission being in the ANBU. He'd been lucky that Lord Third had let him take the time off that he had to stay with Shanan while she was in the hospital.

Shanan was quiet as they walked closer to the building. She was sad, but she didn't want him to feel bad. "That's ok, Kakashi. I know you'll still try and visit me when you can. And… like you told me, life carries on and you make the most of it and try to be happy," she said as she smiled, though she was sure she'd said it wrong. "I think I have a good idea, though," she said thoughtfully.

"Oh yeah?" he asked her.

"Yeah, everytime I come outside, I'm gonna wave at you!" She stopped walking and looked up at him. "I think that'll help me feel better."

He laughed. It was probably silly, but he thought that maybe it would help him feel better too.