It had been a while since Kakashi felt the cool breeze on his face. It was soft and sweet, the scent of cherry blossoms still clinging to the air before autumn's cold breath would wash it away. The grass shifted in the wind, harmonizing with the soft, gentle wind.

It was the same type of beautiful breeze he had felt the last time he was here. It brought back so many memories; so many memories that pained him, and made him smile in a bitter way. But he was glad to have those memories. He was glad he had met her.

It was been a while since he had worn his dark clothes. He hadn't been to a funeral in ages. The soft whistling of the flutes that were played during the ceremony still hummed in his ear. The tunes were beautiful. He remembered that one day, before she applied to the Chunin exams, that she had hummed that song while picking cherry blossoms, and heard that same tune being played on a flute earlier. He realized it was one of the many traditional songs of the Neko clan. It was so beautiful; so soulful. It almost brought a tear to his eye as he remembered her singing it.

Did he do this to her? Would she ever be the same again?

He walked along the field of grass, knowing he would soon have to go back to Konoha. Any minuet, she would leave, to go to the village hidden in clouds. Was it really that simple? What would happen to her? What if she didn't make friends in her new cell? What if she ended up alone and afraid? He couldn't bear the thought. He wanted to be there with her every step of the way. He was, after all, her only guardian, as of now.

As the rest of the relatives and friends parted ways, the reception taking place in the beautiful field of grass by the bubbling brook, Kakashi came across a small dock that was built by the waters edge, presumably for fishing. He saw her there, sitting on the edge of the wooden dock, swinging her feet at the edge, her head down.

Kakashi walked over silently, trying not to startle her, but Kira's right ear swiveled back to hear his footsteps crunching on the grass, and she turned to him.

She gave a soft smile.

"You don't want to come to the reception?" Kakashi asked, standing above her, his hands in his pockets, a soft breeze rustling his silver hair. Kira shook her head, turning back to the water that gurgled below her, the cat grass swaying next to her.

"Nah," she shrugged, curling her toes so that they barley touched the icy water. Her silk-woven kimono draped around her, rustling around her legs in the wind. Kakashi liked the idea that all the Neko women had worn them at the funeral; it made things seem less dark.

"I don't really wanna talk to anybody right now," Kira said quietly, "They all talked to me before, saying how sorry they were, so they probably don't have anything to talk about now." She looked up at Kakashi and smiled her old smile again, her red eyes glimmering. Kakashi sat down next to her on the cool grass, the hot sun shining down on them. A few late summer cicadas hummed in the air as birds chirped from the nearby stretch of woods. Kakashi felt himself heave a sigh of cool air. He had a feeling this would be the last time he would spend a day like this with Kira.

"…Kakashi?" Kyra suddenly turned to her sensei. He looked at her and smiled.

"...People…have been talking a lot about me lately," Kira started, somewhat uneasy, "More than usual; about my god-like powers. They keep calling me that. God. They've been in hushed voices, especially Atari and Lady Tora, about how I'm very special. I know I'm special…But I don't think I'm a god…am I?" she looked up at Kakashi. Kakashi shrugged.

"A god just a term to refer to someone that's worshiped, or has god-like powers," Kakashi explained as best as he could, "It doesn't necessarily mean the person is god."

He reached out and ruffled her head.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you not a God," Kakashi smiled. Kira laughed, wrinkling her nose as Kakashi tousled her dark brown hair.

"I hope so," Kira sighed, swinging her feet off the edge, "All these secrets are no fun unless you have someone to share them with." Kakashi laughed; he had heard that somewhere before.

"Anyway, it's like you said. I have to like myself for who I am." She smiled up at him, "And I do."

"Will you be okay?" Kakashi suddenly asked seriously, fearing that her old cheerful look she now had would fade away again, leaving her with the same sad expression that said to him "What did I do to deserve this?" But Kira only nodded her head softly, giving a soft laugh.

"I'm okay," Kira smiled, "My mom wouldn't want me to be mad. At least she's with dad now," she looked up to the sky, "Or down in the ground," she looked at her toes above the bubbling brook, "Or anywhere. Wherever they are, they're together. I'm happy. I hope I can make some friends in the village hidden in the clouds," she grinned up with her fangs at Kakashi, "It's a new adventure!"

Soon, Kakashi was watching in the late afternoon sun as Kira stood with Atari, who would be bringing her the village hidden in the clouds. Kakashi had been there before, and he liked the place. There was a voice telling him that everything would be okay, but somehow, he couldn't believe that. He still worried about her. Was this how a father felt when they sent their child out into the world? Like it's their job to worry?

Or something like that, Kakashi said to himself, putting his hands in his pockets.

Before Kira sprang into the awaiting forest with Atari, on her way to meet her future family, she stopped and looked at Kakashi. The late afternoon sun sent gold sparks down on the grass, making her crimson eyes more brilliant than before as she smiled up at him. Kakashi recognized that smile.

It was the same grin he saw the very first time he met her.

"Will I—see you again?" Kakashi asked hopefully, wagging her black tipped tail. Kakashi looked down at her, trying to get in every last detail of her: her shining brown slightly windswept hair, her small fangs, her small ski jump nose, her huge tan ears with the black tints, and the crimson eyes. He would never forget those.

"Of course you will," Kakashi smiled down at her in his aloof manner, "Just you wait."

"I will," Kira grinned, laughing, "I'm gonna be a master Shinobi the next time you see me!"

Kakashi watched as Atari and Kira sprang into the woods, Kira racing ahead and bounding off the walls of trees, disappearing into the brush as Atari called out, "Hey! Wait for me!"

Kakashi gave one last wave of his hand and let it fall slowly, smiling softly to himself. He took out the book that he hadn't read in a while and turned to the dog-eared page, reading as he walked across the empty, sun lit field of green grass, going back to his apartment to pack and head off to Konoha. The wind sighed through the leaves, signaling that the sun would soon set and peaceful darkness would set it. Kakashi was looking forward to seeing his old friends. But before he could even picture their faces, Kira's last words came echoing back in his ears. He smiled to himself.

"All in good time," he smiled.

Stay tuned for the sequel!! :)