The next day, Kiba arrived at the hospital as soon as visiting hours started. He walked over to Katsumi's room; the door had been left open. Properly for Akamaru, he was toilet trained after all. Akamaru whimpered when he saw his master stood in the doorway, carrying a box with holes in it. Katsumi had curled up against Akamaru, holding onto him.

Kiba knocked on the door, trying to get Katsumi's attention. He didn't want to scare her by just walking in. Akamaru nudged Katsumi to make her look at the door. Kiba gave her a small smile. She quickly let go of Akamaru. "It's ok, Katsumi-chan. You can have Akamaru stay as long as you want." He quickly reassured her, knowing she thought he was about to take him away from her. "Can I come in?" He asked and she nodded. He slowly walked over to the chair by her bed. Katsumi tensed and he took a step back. "I brought you a present." He told her and held out the box for her but she just stared at it. "Akamaru can open it for you if you like." She nodded and let Akamaru jump off the bed. She curled up, bringing her knees to her chest again. Watching the two of them closely.

Kiba placed the box on the floor for Akamaru. Akamaru nudged the lid off the box and gently pulled a black and brown puppy with white paws out of the box by the scruff of its neck. Katsumi gasped and leant forward to cradle the puppy in her hands. Akamaru placed the puppy in her palms and sat next to Kiba, wondering what to do now. "Mam said you could keep him; you can come by the compound whenever you want and I can help you train him." Katsumi smiled and hugged the puppy close to her. "But my sister can help you if you rather." Kiba quickly added, he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

"I would like that." She spoke so quietly, Kiba almost didn't hear it.

"What do you want to name him?" He asked her, stepping closer to her, hoping she had started to relax around him.

"Kenzo." She said softly and looked up at Kiba. "Thank you."

"It's no problem, he will grow to Akamaru size, and I hope you don't mind." Kiba admitted sheepishly and she laughed.

"No, it's fine, I'm sure he'll be just as adorable then as he is now."

"Yeah. Oh, here's a list of what he needs." He handed her a piece of paper. "I can drop by the basics at your home later today to last you a few days. I doubt you fancy going to the market right away." He told her with a smile. "Kakashi-sama said you would be able to go home today; he'll be around later to help you get home." He added when she looked at him confused.

"Thank you Kiba-kun."

"It's no problem, anything I can do to help." He said with a smile. "Anyway, I better let you get some rest, will you be ok with Kenzo?" He asked worried she wasn't quite ready to let Akamaru go.

"Yes, thanks. I'll see you and Akamaru later, yeah?" She looked at him hopefully. Kiba nodded and smiled, Akamaru barked happily.

"We'll see you later." He waved as he left with Akamaru.

When Kakashi came by later that day, Katsumi was curled up on the bed with her new puppy snuggled up to her chest. He never thought he'd see a day when he would think she was cute. He quickly shook his head clear of the thoughts and knocked on the door.

Katsumi slowly looked up; it was clear that he had just woken up.

"Huh?" She grumbled as she tried to get her bearings. Kenzo whimpered from the loss of his pillow.

"Hey." Kakashi spoke softly, getting her attention.

"Kashi?" She muttered and lay her head back down. "What is it?" She asked while yawning.

"You can go home now, I thought you'd like the company." He told her as he stepped into the room.

"Five more minutes." She curled back up with Kenzo.

"I see Akamaru was replaced, either that or you shrunk and dyed him." He chuckled lightly and she gave him a small smile.

"Yeah, Kenzo is cuter but don't tell him or Kiba." She laughed.

"Katsumi, I thought it would be best if someone stayed with you until Sasuke was sentenced." Kakashi brought it up gently.

"Who?" She slowly looked up at him nervously. "They'll think I'm weak."

"You're not weak." He quickly reassured her as he sat down in the chair next to her bed.

Kenzo wriggled free from her arms and sniffed at Kakashi before biting down on his Hokage robes. Katsumi giggled as Kakashi tried to remove the puppy who seemed to think the robes needed an update. Kakashi sighed and let Kenzo have his way. "This one is going to be trouble." He sighed again and Katsumi laughed. "Morino Ibiki will be staying with you." He added after letting her laughter die down.

"Why Mr Grumpypants?" She asked with a small smile.

"Because everyone is scared of him, expect you." Kakashi admitted with a smile. "Here's some clothes." He added as he placed a bag on the bed for her. "I'll let you get changed once I have my arm back." He grumbled, Kenzo had yet to let him go.

"Kenzo, let Hokage-sama go." She told the puppy as she gently lifted the puppy up. He whimpered before letting Kakashi's robe go. "Good boy." She cuddled him close to her. "Thank you Kakashi, I'll only be a few minutes." She said once her attention was back on him. Kakashi nodded and walked over to the door.

"I'll be waiting outside." He said as he closed the door.

Katsumi quickly got changed into a pair of grey capris' but when it came to putting her sports bra on over her head, she struggled. Her shoulder was still painful, she ended up calling for a nurse. Kakashi was worried when the nurse turned up but once he learned it was to help her dress, he breathed a breath of relief. She pulled a black vest top over her sports bra before slipping into a pair of her ninja shoes.

She picked up Kenzo and opened the door once she pulled her hair into a ponytail. "Ready?" He asked and she nodded.

"You know, Kiba probably wouldn't have given you the puppy if it couldn't walk." Kakashi teased when she still hadn't put the puppy down as they reached closer to her apartment.

"I like carrying him, he's soft and cuddly." She pouted and he chuckled.