I bring my loyal readership a fresh batch of fluff pie! I hope you are enjoying your fanfiction meal so far! I know I enjoy baking it! 26 chapters guys! Holy crap! That is totally my record! And this story still has soooo much more life to live! So thank you all for tagging along for the ride! 101 reviews is a huge deal for me and I am still gobsmacked that people want to read along ❤️

I guess there is a little Katsumi in everyone ❤️

Special thanks to my Beta magician katydid001 ❤️ who I might add is a very talented author and you should totally check her stories out!

Without further ado, have some fluff ❤️

Heterochromatic eyes flew open in fright. Katsumi shot up in her bed and fisted the sheets in panic. Pain shot through both her hands, she looked down to her left hand to find it wrapped in bandages, and the other had an IV under her skin. She steadied her breathing as she took in her well-lit surroundings and her fear slowly faded. The crisp, sterile walls of Konoha's hospital felt warm compared to the prison of her nightmares.

"Katsumi-chan, it's so good to see you awake." Rin's smiling face peeked through the door before she hurried to Katsumi's bedside. The brunette kunoichi donned a white lab coat and clutched a clipboard to her chest. "Your fluids should be back to normal soon, though I suggest keeping well-hydrated for the next few weeks." Rin placed the paperwork down and began to check her patient's vitals.

Katsumi watched her friend work with a smile permanently etched on her face. Though her body was stiff and her left arm still throbbed once in a while, she had never felt so alive. "Tsunade-sama has you treating people on your own now?" she tested her voice and was happy to find it tinkling like usual; even if it was still a little raspy. Something about her last flashback made Katsumi feel like using her voice more often in trusted company.

"Yes actually, turns out I learn fast for an apprentice. But enough about me, I managed to heal the fractures in your left arm but the muscles might be a little sore for a while longer. There shouldn't be any permanent damage apart from a few tiny scars… Other than that, you're good as new." The medical kunoichi gave her friend a charming smile as she took her bandaged arm and began to undress it. "I think you are ready for discharge, Katsumi-chan. But first I have to remove the IV first, do you mind?"

Katsumi shook her head and held up her hand without question. She didn't even flinch as Rin removed the line and placed a gauze over the wound. The silver kunoichi observed her friend's face with keen eyes. Concern crept across her mind as she noticed the bags under Rin's chocolate eyes. She made a mental note to ask about it at a better time.

"Hold pressure on there for a minute. You know I have been trying not to overwhelm you, but," Rin placed the biohazards in the bin before wrapping her arms around the silver kunoichi's shoulders and burying her face in her ringlets. "Kami, I missed you. I am so glad you're safe."

Unshed tears welled in the corners of Katsumi's mismatched eyes as she felt her best friend tremble around her. She sucked in a deep breath and relaxed into Rin's arms, still holding the gauze to the back of her hand. Too many emotions buzzed around in her head which made it difficult for the young woman to think straight.

Rin pulled back and gripped Katsumi's shoulders with a beaming smile. "You keep holding that and I will go find Kakashi-kun-"

"And if I find you first do I get a prize?" Kakashi strolled casually into the room with a grin hidden under his dark mask.

Katsumi bit her lip as she noticed the pink blush that spread across Rin's face. Her twin's teasing seemed to have quite the effect of the brunette kunoichi.

"Uh...totally, your prize is: you get to take your sister home." Rin tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and picked her clipboard back up.

"How are you feeling, imouto?" Kakashi placed the rucksack from his back down on the cot next to Katsumi. Rin stepped out of the way as Kakashi came to stand in front of his twin. He gingerly cupped her cheeks and studied her delicate features. All the swelling and discolouration was gone from her skin, all that remained of her torment was a tiny pink scar on her lower lip.

Katsumi let out an amused sigh as her brother fawned over her. Usually she would kick up a fuss, but right now she was just enjoying the love. "I just want to go home."

Kakashi snorted at his sister's non-answer before rolling his eyes at her. "Sure. Let's do that."

"I'll leave you two to it!" Rin gave the twins a stunning smile before she headed for the door.

Katsumi looked at her brother and then glanced back at Rin as an idea struck her. "Rin-chan?"

The medical kunoichi stopped in her tracks and spun in Katsumi's direction. "Yes, Katsumi-chan?" Rin answered with one eyebrow raised.

"You should have dinner with us when you get off duty." Katsumi gave her best friend a close-eyed smile. He could feel her brother boring a hole in the side of her head.

"That sounds perfect to me. See you guys later!" Rin giggled in excitement before she took her leave, shutting the door with a soft click.

"Nee-chan…" Kakashi crossed his arms and gave her a skeptical look.

Katsumi snickered and started to pull out her favourite sweatpants from the rucksack. "It's just dinner, nii-san. Besides, if Rin-chan is coming that means I get to invite Obi."

"I have a feeling you would have invited that loser anyway." Kakashi turned around to face the wall.

Katsumi tossed the gauze in the bin and began to get dressed. "He is not a loser," A playful smirk danced across her lips as she stared at Kakashi's back. "I happen to think he's really powerful and skilled..." she snickered as she watched Kakashi's shoulders twitch in irritation. "In fact I think he is super dreamy..."

Kakashi let out a low growl only for him to crack an embarrassing high. He cringed at his awkward teenage vocal cords and placed his hands over his flushed face.

Katsumi's peeling laughter filled the air as she pulled her mask into place and tossed the empty pack over her good shoulder. "You're going to have to get used to it one day, nii-san. He has been my boyfriend for over a year now."

Kakashi turned around to face her with a look of contempt. "I will never get used to it, nee-chan. Ever," his tone was laced with exasperation as he scooped up her hand and laced their fingers together. With a deep sigh he tugged her forward and began their journey home.

The twins arrived at their small apartment in the late afternoon. Kakashi twisted the lock and stayed close to Katsumi's side, watching her reactions like a hawk.

Katsumi breathed in deeply to check for foreign smells before she released a heavy sigh. She slipped her sandals off and made her way barefoot into the lounge. Her brother's eyes felt heavy on her back but for once she was okay with that. The kunoichi's gaze paused at her wide open bedroom door. Her lip trembled as she remembered the sweet smell of the white cloth and the brutal force of the door as it slammed into her side. A steady, warm arm came to rest around her shoulders, shaking the troubled thoughts from her mind.

"I took the liberty of putting a few extra locks on your window. I hope you don't mind," Kakashi's tone was full of amusement which soothed his sister's nerves.

Katsumi shook her head at her twin as she made her way into her room. She dropped the pack on her bed before she turned to look at the dreaded window. The silver-haired teen expected to freakout at the sight, but instead she burst into a fit of hysterical laughter. Talk about overkill. Kakashi had placed at least ten new, heavy-duty bolt locks on her window as well as brand new alarm seals around the frame.

"What, nee-chan? Safety is key!" Kakashi exclaimed at her dramatic reaction.

Once she calmed herself down she asked Kakashi to give her a moment of alone time. Which he reluctantly gave. When she was alone she knelt beside her bed and lifted her shirt to reveal the crude seal still clinging to her skin. She fought away the memories, taking a deep breath to clear her mind. With a small charge of chakra Katsumi pulled the ancient files from the dimension she had placed them in. The papers felt heavy in her hands as she reached under her mattress to pull out her other stolen artifact. She placed the files in the middle of the pages and quietly closed it before slipping the hard cover back into its hiding spot. I'll deal with all of this later, she thought as she stood up and straightened her shirt out once more. The wolf kunoichi took one last calming breath before she slapped a smile on her face and went out into the lounge to join her brother.

Later that afternoon, Katsumi hummed away in the kitchen. Her wet ringlets framed her masked face as her skilled hands made light work of her meal prep. The teenager threw herself into her cooking. Ever since she was a little girl Katsumi loved to work with food. There was nothing quite as satisfying as the looks on people's faces when they tasted something she had made from scratch. Over time cooking had become an escape, where she could create and play around with nobody to judge her. She had already finished their dinner and was elbow deep in flour when a knock sounded at the door.

Kakashi jumped up from his spot on the couch to answer it. Katsumi watched in curiosity as she kneaded the dough with her good hand. Her left hand was mobile but the muscles still throbbed when she overused it.

"Surprise, surprise, she's in the kitchen," Kakashi spoke from around the corner.

An enthusiastic Obito rushed into the apartment and towards his girlfriend. Katsumi dropped the dough and opened her arms wide. Her raven-haired boyfriend wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly to his chest.

"Hey, babydoll," he caught a curly strand of her damp, moonlight hair and tucked it gently behind her ear. The sparkle in her seaglass eyes reminded him of exactly how much he had missed his little minx.

Before Obito could do it himself, Katsumi pulled her dark mask down and reached up on her tiptoes to place an enchanting kiss on his smiling lips. Obito placed two firm hands on her hips and lifted her into the air above him with ease. Their kiss deepened as Katsumi melted against him and cupped his cheeks with her flour-coated hands, an elated giggle bubbled from her lips as her legs kicked happily in the air.

Kakashi snorted at their brazen display of affection before he returned to his spot on the couch, a snarl hidden beneath his dark mask. He wanted to go over there and pry the Uchiha pervert off of his innocent sister, but for her sake he kept a lid on his objections. The happy laughter that radiated from his little sister definitely helped to quell his rage.

Obito reveled in the sweetness of Katsumi's delicate, pink lips. He squeezed his hands as he marveled at the soft swell of her hips beneath his fingers. It worried him that she was lighter than usual but considering the circumstances he wasn't surprised. He breathed in her calming lavender scent before he lowered her gently to the ground with a contented sigh.

Katsumi giggled up at the powder smeared across Obito's cheeks. She untied her apron and began to clean his face. "Sorry, Obi. I got a little excited."

Oblivious to the mess Obito just let Katsumi do her thing without question. "You're not the only one…" he let out a low chuckle as he brushed the back of his fingers across her blushing cheek.

Katsumi felt her heart flutter at the tenderness in Obito's obsidian eyes. She rubbed at the last of the mess on his face as Obito continued to slowly study her. The dark-haired teen remained enraptured by her features even as she put her apron back on and turned back to her abandoned dough.

"What's cookin, good lookin'?" Obito placed his hands on the counter on either side of his girlfriend and hovered over her shoulder. His height made it easy to tower over the petite kunoichi, which he noticed seemed to fluster Katsumi deliciously.

Katsumi leaned back against Obito's firm, broad chest and let herself shudder in his warmth. She snorted at his comment, "Well this is dessert, sushi is already chilling in the fridge. Rin-chan is joining us after her shift, so I made four portions."

Obito couldn't help himself as he wrapped his arms around her waist so that he could hold her slender frame tighter. A deep growl rumbled through his chest as he rested his head on her shoulder in an intimate embrace. "You knew I was coming, hm?" the love-sick Uchiha whispered as he drank in the glorious sunshine of her laughter.

Katsumi shot her boyfriend a knowing smile as she giggled. She hummed a joyful tune as she rolled the sweet dough flat with her rolling pin and grabbed a shuriken shaped cookie cutter. With a tender kiss to his scarred cheek Katsumi pressed the shape into the dough, once again drifting off into her happy little world with the man of her dreams wrapped tightly around her to keep her grounded.

Katsumi's footsteps pounded down the hallway, each step causing a resounding clang. Her lungs were on fire as she ran from the terror that nipped at her heels. The bright fluorescent lights above her head fizzled out as she tore under them. Each door she passed seemed to bring her closer to the unknown. Suddenly she felt her body slam into a hulking metal door.

"GET BACK HERE, LITTLE BITCH!" A body slammed into the otherside of the door and screamed in anguish. "LET ME OUT!"

Kabuto's furious cries made Katsumi stumble backwards onto her butt. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she began to tremble. Despite her petrified state, she felt her head turn back to face the darkness. The ominous, dark hallway seemed to taunt her with the promise of a slow and painful death. A low, menacing chuckle reverberated from deep within the shadows. Katsumi wanted to run, but her hands and feet felt as if they were sinking into cement. The sole light above her head began to flash crimson as Kabuto let out another apoplectic roar while pounding from the otherside of the hatch.

One by one the lights down the hallway began to flash red. Each scarlet beacon brought the light closer and closer to the horrifying chuckle. Thousands of snakes burst from the shadows in a cacophony of hisses, slithering along the floor and walls towards her. She tried to open her mouth to scream only to find her lips covered with a strip of silver duct tape. Her eyes welled with tears as she tried to escape again with no luck. Katsumi tore her eyes from the rapidly approaching black-eyed serpents, only to blanche at the unholy figure standing at the end of the long corridor. His long, dark hair glowed vermillion in the warning lights as he laughed hysterically through his thinly stretched grin.

A horrified scream tore through Katsumi's throat as she thrashed violently in her bed. Her mismatched eyes popped open as she felt someone's firm hands grab a hold of her wrists. In her half asleep state, she instinctively struck out at the figure.

Kakashi dodged his sister's headbutt and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pinning her flailing limbs to her sides. He grimaced as he noticed fresh gouges in her already heavily scarred arms. The male twin felt his sister slowly relax into his hold as he hummed a soothing lullaby.

Katsumi tried to blink away haunting golden eyes and the sickening smile. She sucked in a deep breath through her nose and when Kakashi's familiar smell hit her sensitive sinuses her hands fell limply into her lap. Her throat felt strained and sore as she let herself collapse into Kakashi's protective hold.

"I can still hear him… I feel snakes on my skin and the fangs in my flesh… nii-san…" Katsumi's voice quivered in terror. She bit her tongue as her heterochromatic eyes peered over Kakashi's shoulder at the dreaded window. The glow of the moon illuminated the new bolts and seals, but none of it served to calm the fear that gnawed away at her.

The delicate tremor in Katsumi's voice tugged on his heart strings as he replied, "Shh, imouto, it's okay. I am here. I won't let anyone hurt you…"

Katsumi shook her head and curled further into Kakashi's chest, gripping his pyjama shirt for support. Kakashi grabbed the blanket from the floor where Katsumi had kicked it in her struggle. With a tired sigh he tossed it over them. The bed was only a single, so the twins had to maneuver themselves awkwardly to fit on the mattress together, but once they worked it out it was fine. Katsumi lay her head on her brother's arm as she anchored herself to reality using his dark grey irises.

The male twin stared back with worry, before he silently checked over the wounds on her arms. He knew Katsumi was too tired to notice and he didn't want to freak her out even further, so he decided to tell her in the morning. Katsumi wiggled in her spot to get more comfortable which made Kakashi chuckle.

"We need to buy bigger beds," the wolf shinobi whispered as he watched his sister's eyes drooping shut. "Sleep now, nee-chan. You need your rest," his tone was airy as he hummed to her sleep.

It had been a long time since Kakashi had thought about moving. The twins had been in the same apartment ever since their father had died. Even the memory of that cold, dark day gave the young man chills. Still here he was debating moving them back to their old family home. The Hatake estate had been sitting empty for years, so he had no idea what condition it was in. All he knew was that keeping Katsumi in this current room was not helping her mental state, no matter how many times she told him she was fine. He knew Katsumi needed the change and maybe… just maybe, it was time for them to face the past and build from it. In the deepest pit of his mind he reached his final conclusion and ran his fingers lightly through his sister's mess of curls. We have to move back home for her sake...

The next morning Katsumi woke in her bed, all alone once more. The hole Kakashi's absence left definitely stung but she was grateful that her brother loved her enough to save her from her horrible night terrors in the first place. She rubbed the crusted sleep from her eyes as she pulled back the blanket. Her fingers pulled apart her knotty curls as she rose from her bed. With a big yawn, the silver-haired kunoichi stretched her stiff, waking muscles.

The skin on her arms smarted in the crisp morning air, which gave the young woman pause. A frown pulled at her lips as she took a look at herself in the mirror and hissed in pain. She growled in disappointment as she noticed the freshly made cuts on her biceps and forearms, some of the new lacerations even tore through existing scar tissue. Katsumi huffed in resignation as she made her way over to her dresser to get her outfit for the day. Once her usual sweatpants and vest shirt were firmly in place, she made her way to the bathroom to put some salve on her wounds.

The apartment was suspiciously empty of Kakashi, but she figured there had to be an important reason for his absence. Katsumi pulled open the medicine cabinet to retrieve the well used tub of antiseptic ointment. She was just finishing up smearing the last of the fresh damage when Kakashi called out from the front door.

"Honey, I'm home," came Kakashi's playful drawl.

"Bathroom, genius," Katsumi replied snarkily as she placed a few butterfly stitches on some of the wider gashes to help keep the skin together so they would heal cleaner.

Kakashi strolled into the bathroom with a smug smile on his face. "I have something for you… but you have to promise not to go crazy ok…" his tone was laced with amusement as he watched his sister's masked expression morphe in the mirror.

Katsumi raised her silver eyebrows before she locked her narrowed eyes with her twin's in their reflection, "Kakashi, what did you do? Oh no, is Obito still alive?!" The wolf kunoichi spun around with a look of mock horror on her face.

"Unfortunately yes, but this isn't about him. This is about family. I think it's time, imouto," Kakashi took one of her chilly hands and placed a jingling set of keys in her palm. In a gentle gesture he folded her fingers over the bundle and gave his head firm nod, "It's time to go home..."

It took a long moment for the silver kunoichi to register her twin's words properly. As soon as he pulled his hands back, Katsumi opened up her fist and gasped at the familiar white, wolf-shaped keychain that hung from the loop. Warmth spread across the young woman's cheeks as she recognised her father's lucky charm. "Nii-san, you mean move back… home… like HOME?! We're going home!" Katsumi squealed as she threw caution to the wind. With little grace she leapt into her brother's waiting arms and clung to him like a lifeline.

"I knew you would like it. It has always been your dream to move home. You know I love ya, right?" Kakashi placed a peck on her fluffy curls as he hugged her back just as tight.

"Oh, Kakashi, I know you do. You're the best twin ever."

Welcome back to the fluff train. I plan on writing a heap of romance so be prepared! ❤️ Don't forget to drop your thoughts below ❤️ Happy reading!