Chapter 26

"A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires."

- Paulo Coelho

Soraya quickly took off her heavy formal clothes and put on something more comfortable. She rushed out, but was surprised to see Itachi right outside her door with a smile. "Do you really think I would leave without saying goodbye"

Soroya blushed and turned around. "Well, I didn't know how to read you at the ceremony and I know that you have to make haste", her voice started to go into a soft whisper. It did seem quite unfair that a mission of this great importance turned up just after they returned. He turned around and grabbed her hips. He put his forehead on hers.

"I want to hold you like this to the end of my days", admitted Itachi. "But fate has other plans." Soraya closed her eyes savoring the moment as he would be gone at least a month.

"Listen, I need to tell you something", she took off the bracelet that Itachi made with Suzume and Orochimaru. Itachi actually showed his surprise toward her. "You are going to need all of your energy and then some"

Kakashi groaned as he rested on his bed back in Konoha. Kakashi reported back to Hiruzen that Itachi had indeed taken care of The Janjira threat, but he of course kept secret the full explanation of what exactly transpired. He had no intention of letting Hiruzen know the full extent of their relationship, even though he had his suspicions.

One thing that he couldn't ignore was that he did indeed love Itachi. "There's another", kept ringing in his head from the night Kakashi and he first joined. He turned to his side as he thought of Soraya and her smokey rose scent. He had absolutely nothing against her. Except, for his jealously brewing. She got to be around Itachi, and spend time with him.

She was getting married to him.

He thought back to the time she spent in Konoha. It was the first time he felt normal in a long while. He watched her with Naruto and amongst the villagers. Even now, some of the villagers even whispered about her beauty and asked what happened to her. Even so, she was lonely. That made it easy for him to become her "friend."

Kakashi had planned on befriending her, then slowly learning about her insecurities and using that against her. Nevertheless, when he noticed how sickly she became a protectiveness washed over him. Even in her vulnerability she trained and cared for Naruto. Then, when she left he couldn't get the scent of his damn head.

Smokey Rosemary Cinnamon

That's the scent that taunted him. He went to his dresser and opened a drawer that was usually empty. However, since his return, it held a few pieces of clothing that he took from Soroya during that last encounter. It was her shinobi outfit, a bra, and panties. He told her that he would burn them. Well, to summarize that was a lie.

The original plan was to feed her scent to his dogs, so he would always be able to track her, then burn the items. However, it became like a new drug. When he came back he stitched the outfit back together himself. He planned on giving it back to her. But, there was no way to explain the undergarments. Without much thought, he grabbed her bra and inhaled the scent. Smokey, Rosemary, and Cinnamon with a mix of salt entered his nostrils. Something was growing inside of him, but his fuzzy mind couldn't comprehend what it was.

Needless to say, he didn't blame Itachi for falling in love with her. Itachi wrote to him the exact day he learned of their betrothal.

Kakashi knew he couldn't be cast aside so easily because of their bond. However, since the day in the forest, the uncertainty of Itachi's feelings and intentions kept looming in his mind. Unlike, Soraya they never really argued, they already knew each other's secrets. Yes, they shared advice. Itachi even allowed him to start coming to his breathing treatments with Tsunade. However, Itachi never said the words that he longed for and didn't even know he needed. The closet he came to 'I love you', was just before Kakashi thought he was going to die on a mission, and Itachi commented about making love to him. Yes, there was something tender about that rendezvous. However, after forming a friendship with Soraya, Kakashi wanted more than just a pure fuck after a mission. He wanted more, or at least to know he meant something to Itachi.

Honey Rosemary. A familiar but different scent reached his nostrils, along with other two young scents.

He opened his eyes and noticed a light flicker on at one of the buildings next to his home. It was odd because of the late hour. He saw blonde hair, which he recognized was Naruto, then he saw Sasuke and a little girl with them. She had the same scent undertones as Soroya. The little girl was pulling Sasuke along inside the building and Naruto followed.

Earlier That Day

Naruto and Priya at lunch together further away from the playground, per their day-to-day ritual. They hated onlookers and negative comments, so they chose a spot that was not frequented often. Sasuke sometimes joined them, but after a conversation with Eulalia, she discovered they sometimes ate lunch together. Nevertheless, today she saw him approaching and waved at him.

Sasuke waved back and sat down. "Why do you have that much for lunch?", he asked.

"It's her birthday dummy", Naruto answered as he gave her a piece of chocolate.

"Wow, I didn't know your birthday was close to mine", he said shrugging. He took notice of his own meal and gave her some of the cookies that Eulalia made. "Sorry, and happy birthday", he said bowing in respect.

"Don't worry about it", she laughed giving back the cookies. "Eui-chan made this specifically for you, she already made my birthday meal", she chuckled eating, but a realization finally hit her. "Wait when's your birthday?", she asked.

"July 23", he said between chews.

"And you didn't tell me?", she asked.

"Or Me", Naruto chimed. "As a rival, I'm supposed to know these things"

"Naruto, you are my nemesis", he corrected.

Priya interjected before it became one of their petty fights. "So only a week and a half ago, we would have celebrated it with you", she said genuinely. "You were all by yourself that day, nobody should be alone on their birthday"

"Yeah, I could have bought you a meal at a bar-b-que place, we both been making money at Ichikaru Ramen", Priya nodded in agreement. She went there for daily entertainment as Naruto and Sasuke would argue about almost anything. The most recent argument was how to correctly wash the dishes. Naruto's attitude was to just throw them in the dishwasher. On the other hand, Sasuke had a very detailed system that was the "most hygienic and efficient", and the spirited debate took off from there.

Sasuke started to flush with embarrassment, not having such attention in a while. "I just went to go visit my parent's gravesite", he said his eyes downcast.

"That's no way-", Priya grabbed Naruto's arm and shook her head.

"Sasuke we will definitely make it up to you", a warm smile illuminated her face.

"Why I didn't get you anything", Priya shook her head. "Don't worry about that", she patted his leg. "I'm just glad both of you are going to help me finish this meal" She motioned for both Naruto and Sasuke to eat.

Sasuke was in a heavy sleep when he heard thumping. He eased his eyes and looked at the clock, which was 2:30 am. He glanced at the window where he saw the small Priya and growing Naruto at the window. He got out of bed and opened it.

"What are you guys doing here?", Sasuke asked rubbing his eyes.

"Priya said that she had a surprise for us", Naruto yawned.

"Naruto you're older, you're supposed to discourage her from sneaking out at night"

"He already did", Priya responded. "But it's a birthday present for you"

"I don't need a present that may get you in huge trouble", Sasuke said. Konoha had been very strict about curfew and "silent hours", ever since the Uchiha Massacre. Teenagers were the ones that suffered the most during the first year. They were becoming laxer the last few months with bars and restaurants but, at midnight everyone was supposed to be in their home. He eyed Naruto in total dismay, and Naruto shrugged.

"I tried", he mouthed to him. Sasuke shook his head it was probably a weak attempt to dissuade her, the only reason he believed Naruto was because he never involved Priya in one of his pranks, plus she always knew the right thing to say.

"Then my birthday", she begged. "Come for my birthday please, I promise you will love it"

"How long will I be out? We still got school tomorrow", he asked stretching getting the last of the sleep from his body.

"No more than an hour", she responded happily. Sasuke motioned for her and Naruto to come in. There was absolutely no reason they couldn't go through the front door because he was alone, and his shoes were downstairs.

"Your house is pretty big", Naruto observed.

"Way bigger than my bed", Priya stated.

"Wait you're still at the orphanage", Sasuke asked as he crossed the threshold of his house.

"Where else would we stay?", she asked. "We are foreigners, and our parents are dead", she shrugged and started to lead the way to a building. "At least me and my four sisters are together"

"Where is it that we are going anyway?", Naruto asked.

"It's a surprise", she said. "I hope you like it though, I only had half a day to get everything together. She finally got to her destination, which was a newly abandoned building that she came to often. Priya turned the light on and closed the door. "Just promise you won't laugh at me", she said shyly. She got some earbuds and placed them in her ear, and gave both Naruto and Sasuke headphones.

"What are these for", Sasuke asked.

"Can't wake up the neighbors", she answered. She took off her pants to reveal that she was in a leotard and it was Naruto who pointed out the flower ornament in her bun. She smiled at the compliment. "I will tell you when to push play"

Sasuke finally recognized what was happening and sat down and pushed Naruto to the ground with him. "Hey what was that for?",

Sasuke ignored him as he watched Priya move toward a long stretch of fabric that was looped. "Just watch", he said. Naruto watched as she took a deep breath and nodded at Sasuke and he turned the music on in their headphones at the same time she pressed the music into her earbuds.

The music started and she extended her arms in a graceful manner that matched the song's pace.

urunda hitomi no oku ni In the depths of my tear-filled eyes,

kawaranu kimi no sugata Is your everlasting beauty.

"doko made sekai wa tsudzuku no" "How far does the world go?"

todaeta hibi no kotoba... Those words from our bygone days.

Sauske and Naruto watched as she twisted in the air in her apparatus and both were moved by the song and her movements. Her movements were so attuned that they could feel how the song moved through her body and soul. It made them both realize how much she felt for the song. Likewise, they both couldn't help but internalize what the song meant to them through her.

kogoeru arashi no yoru mo Even on those freezing, stormy nights,

mada minu kimi e tsudzuku Though you are still out of sight, I continue on.

oshiete umi wataru kaze

inori wa toki wo koeru Please tell me, ocean-crossing winds,

That my prayers will pass through time.

inori wa toki wo koeru My prayers will pass through time.

Although the song was brief both Sausake and Naruto felt mesmerized by the song and time felt like it stilled for a moment. They both clapped and Priya smiled and took a bow, but waited for the next song as she choose a fast song for some brief entertainment.

"GO PRIYA", shouted Naruto. Priya winked, as Sasuke simultaneously told him to be quiet as not to be caught by the secret police or any nearby shinobi,

Priya maneuvered out of her apparatus and jumped on a trapeze. She was happy to share her secret hobby with them. As she took lessons in her old life, even winning a few competitions. She found this abandoned warehouse by fate, as she was running away crying from some bullies and trying to hide. She didn't know the story behind the building and didn't care, she fixed up herself and practiced every day when she had the time or just sat and thought about different choreography she could do.

The song ended and Priya's chest was breathing heavily after her final bow. She took an earbud out and heard Naruto and Sasuke clapping. She smiled and waved.

"BRAVO", Sasuke cheered. Sasuke couldn't help the smile that escaped him, and it was the first time he felt truly happy in a long time. Priya sighed in relief as her hard work paid off and both seemed satisfied. Nevertheless, she was feeling a little too hot after the performance.

"Well what do we have here?", all three of them turned in the direction and noticed the masked silver-haired man. Priya had never seen him before and was caught off guard by his presence. She dropped her earpiece and tried to grab it but lost her balance on her trapeze.

A terror-filled scream escaped her as she was about to fall to the ground. but Kakashi caught her easily.

Kakashi watched the entire performance. Not only was he curious, as he didn't know that Sasuke and Naruto were friends, but for the unidentified girl's safety. He noticed that there was no padding, no safety net, and indeed very dangerous. He would scold her about it later. "Wait, scold?", he questioned himself. It wasn't even his child

"Can't have that talent go to waste princess", he put her down.

"Umm", Priya was at a loss for words.

"Oh you must be Soraya's sister", Kakashi said his one eye looking down on her.

"You mean my cousin, but we do go by sisters", she clarified. Sasuke looked lost in the conversation, but he heard the name Soraya before by Naruto.

"Judging by your youth, you must be Priya, she told me all about the day you were born, I felt like I was almost there", Kakashi said bending down to her small frame. She eyed him not quite sure of him. If he remembered correctly, she had the gift of insight when she touched someone. He gave her the indication that she was allowed to touch him, and she did. She saw images of them together during their stay in Konoha and showed her a glimpse of Soroya's current state which was healthy. She withdrew her hand. Kakashi smiled under his mask.

"I have three other sisters, and my brother Masaru, but he's with Soraya", she further explained.

"Tell me why is someone as precious and adorable as you, with these rascals", he asked. Priya laughed at his tone, and Kakashi couldn't help thinking that if he and Soraya had a daughter her smile would be exactly like hers. Why did that thought cross his mind?

"Sasuke and my birthday present", she smiled. "He got to witness one of my hidden talents", she beamed. "He and Naruto are my best friends, also my sworn protectors", They both blushed at her forwardness in the situation. Sasuke patted her head as his heart filled with honor and pride at that statement.

"Are we in trouble?", asked Naruto eyeing Kakashi suspiciously. Naruto was ready to bolt with Priya in tow, he knew Sasuke could handle himself.

"No, but as a Jounin, I should tell you that you are past curfew and that does carry punishment" Naruto and Sasuke groaned.

"Please, we will go straight home", Priya pleaded. Kakashi looked down at her puppy dog eyes and his heart melted.

"Actually, I was going to suggest going to my place, the boys can sleep in the spare bedroom, I can sleep on the couch and you can sleep in my bed, if you go home now, there is no way you can escape patrol."

"She has to go back to the orphanage", corrected Naruto. "There rounds start in about twenty minutes." Naruto had memorized their schedule right before he was kicked out, mainly so he could hide in the bathroom to escape certain beatings depending on the staff.

"Actually, my clone is there along with a note to my sister, I planned on staying with Sasuke", she laughed sweetly and scratched her face in nervousness.

"You already mastered the clone technique", Sasuke said in surprise. "You're seven, and that's not supposed to be taught to us for another two years!", he exclaimed.

"Smarty-pants", Naruto added jokingly. "You really do deserve to be in that diplomatic program"

"Well that settles it", Kakashi said. "Let's go"

The four walked across the street and entered Kakashi's home. His house was very bare but nice and tidy. He quickly got rid of any alcoholic bottles that he saw and threw them in the trash. The three children sat on the floor as Kakashi went to go get any spare blankets that he had.

"Umm Priya", Sasuke said shyly. She looked in his direction. "Here ya go, I kinda got you something", he took out a small rectangular package. She grabbed it and noticed the pale blue ribbon. She opened it and was delighted to see a kunai with a blue charm and paper attached to it. "It was given to my mother, by her sister when she graduated from the academy, that's why it has marks on it", said Sasuke. "The charm I bought from the store, it's for protection, but I hope you get into the diplomatic program", he stopped himself. "I don't want to see another family member dead, let me be the one to fight your battles"

It didn't escape Priya, how much Sasuke respected her to give her this gift. "Thank you, Sasuke"

"Well I got you both something, if we are just giving gifts", they both looked at Naruto with surprise. "Well it's small, and I looked all day to make sure you guys would like them", he said looking away embarrassed. He got his backpack and unzipped it. Inside was an array of snacks and food. He divided them out between Priya and Sasuke's lap, although in disarray it seemed Naruto knew both of their flavor profile very well.

Sasuke took one of the foods and noticed that it was a tomato-based ramen package. Tomato-based chips, dried fish, and some candies that were not too sweet. He was pleasantly very surprised.

Priya noticed that she had very fancy ramen flavors and high-quality chocolates, and some sour candies. "Naruto, I can't wait to have these, I will have this for lunch tomorrow", she beamed.

"I'm actually surprised your brain could process good gifting skills", Sasuke nodded in approval. Priya rolled her eyes and smiled.

"I'm surprised that your cold heart could muster such a warm gift", retorted Naruto.

"I'm surprised you can define the word muster", Priya perched her lips together as she placed her snacks in a corner. Kakashi had to cover his mouth as he was eavesdropping on them.

"Keep underestimating me Sasuke, it will be your demise"

"Two big words in a day", Sasuke started clapping in mock praise."You're on a roll" He then opened one of his snacks and ate it. "These are good"

"I know because I bought them", Naruto smiled triumphantly. "Maybe if I bought you more food, your taste buds would be better"

"His tastebuds are just fine", Kakashi said intervening with blankets. Sasuke gave him a smirk. "There is nothing wrong with plain natural flavors", Sasuke deflated at the comment and Naruto gave him a thumbs up. Sasuke groaned in response. "You should all get sleep the sun will be up in a couple of hours. He gave them bags to put their snacks in a bags and motioned for them to their respective sleeping spaces.

It was a matter of minutes before he heard the soft snores of the children that were currently in his household. He breathed a sigh of relief and took out a book to read. An hour later he heard a soft knock on the door. His alarm bells raised as it was near dawn and mission request weren't carried out this early unless an emergency. When he opened it was a girl that seemed just a year younger than Soraya.

"Hmm, you don't seem like a pervert although you've done perverted things to my sister, and her lover", Kakashi's heart quickened at the revelation. She peeked inside as he was shocked. "She seems safe, I see you choose the couch to make sure there is no funny business, absolutely traditional, and misogynistic, but appropriate I guess, although you should know I don't think they have any sexual interest in her, they are but children", she said to herself more than him.

"Excuse me who are you?", Kakashi said with a mixture of annoyance and confusion. "You're no older than 12 yourself, and how did she avoid the guards", he thought to himself.

"Oh sorry, Eulalia", she took off her backpack. She remembered that she missed a basic human cue of introducing herself. "I'm Soraya's oldest younger cousin, but I will allow you to call me Eui-chan", she said in an attempt to be polite.

"How did you?

"Recognition, not telepath, you just carry the past like a burden, just like Sasuke, that's why I can see it", she said in a monotone." Oh wait I'm not supposed to say that to strangers", she corrected herself. "Well, you do know Soraya on a deep level so I guess it's okay-

"Yes, I know your family has special gifts", Kakashi interjected. "Why do you have a backpack?", he asked.

"Priya won't be going to school tomorrow, she is going to be sick, here are a change of clothes", she replied matter of factly.

"Why not just take her to the orphanage", he asked.

"She's safer and will recover here faster, the orphanage is filthy and overcrowded, plus you have a caring heart, they are not gonna even notice she's gone, my sisters will come to visit her", she said with finality.

"I have no idea how to take care of a little girl, I'm in ANBU this was supposed to be just until morning", Eulalia looked at him and pointed to the bookshelf.

"You have baby and toddler books, you will do just fine, plus doesn't ANBU teach you basic medical ninjutsu?"

"Yes", he said completely thrown off by her matter-of-fact attitude. He didn't see a point in adding that those books were from twenty years ago before his mother died in childbirth. "But what if I get a mission?"

"You just came back from one", she stated. "Isn't the minimum rest date a week before your next mission", she asked.

"Yes", he replied reluctantly.

"I leave her in your hands, thank you Kakashi-senpai", she bowed respectfully and left. "By Sasuke-chan", she waved. Kakashi looked behind him to see him rubbing his eyes sleepily as he waved back.

"I'm fine, bye", he replied groggily. When Kakashi looked back to the front door she was gone. He was utterly confused on what just happened as he held the backpack in his hand. "Just do what she says, and don't try to understand her", Sasuke said as he walked to the bathroom. "It usually works out"

Kakashi did not sleep that night. He stood in Priya's room watching her and as her sister said she was indeed getting sick. He felt her head and she certainly had a fever. Her cheeks were flushed and shortly after her sister left she woke up and vomited in the bathroom. His assumption was that she was probably starting to feel symptoms during her performance.

Nevertheless, he didn't mind it because he didn't feel alone. There was something magical watching the kids trade gifts and talk amongst themselves. Almost, like observing a mini sleepover.

Before he knew it he searched in the refrigerator and prepared what he had for Sasuke and Naruto something for lunch. They could save their snacks for later, plus he had more than enough food. He woke the boys up and told them to get ready and gave them their lunch.

"So Priya was sick", Sasuke said noticing she was still on the bed and looked like she was in total discomfort.

"Kakashi-senpai will take care of her, he helped take care of Soraya", Naruto chimed.

"Don't worry about her, I will go to the Hokage and explain the situation", Kakashi hoped the Hokage would give him temporary guardianship until her sickness passed. Then he could release her back to the orphanage.

Until then Soraya owed him a favor...