Whoo! Chapie 4! At last! Sorry for the long wait, minna. Let me introduce you to the latest chapter of sibling rivalry. Chapter four.

Overview: last chapter, we had Kakashi meet the mysteriously mystical Hotoki. Now, he is heading back to his humble abode, which is currently filled with kids. Albeit royal kids but still kids. Now, Kakashi is a practical ninja who believes in energy conservation. Seems simple, huh? Let's see what will happen when he meets someone who believes otherwise: a belief that is rooted deep down.

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Chapter 4

It was dark when Kakashi entered his house, the image of the angel not far from his mind. How could one of such beauty possibly exist in an ordinary world?

All the lights are off in the house except for the living room and one guest room. Guess that bandage kid is still awake, he thought. He better go up and check on him.

Climbing up to Kira's room, he opened the door and saw the kid fast asleep. Smiling a bit, he turned off the lights and closed the door softly. Walking to his own room, he thought he heard a muffled fall but quickly dismissed it as one of them stray cats. He slept that night thinking of the mysterious Hotoki.

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Asuka ran down the stairs and into the kitchen, her half-tied obi flying behind her. Kakashi looked up at the girl. "Ohayo. You're up early, hime," he said by greeting.

The princess smiled and bowed, holding her obi together at her back with her right hand. "Ohayo, Kakashi-sensei," she replied.

The ninja took in her disheveled state. "You want some help with your clothes?"

Asuka shook her head. "Iie. Genten-kun or Kira-kun will be down soon. I'll ask for their help. I don't want to bother you too much, sensei."

"You're not bothering me and you looked in dire need of help. You're not used to changing clothes by yourself?"

I am used to it. If only my arms aren't that short! She thought furiously. Aloud, she said with a bit of a blush that has nothing to do with shyness but everything to do with anger, "Well, I forgot to bring my lady's maid along."

Was that sarcasm in her voice he just heard? He attributed it to his wild imagination. Just as he was about to reply, Gentensumaru entered the room.

"Ohayo, minna!" he greeted in his usual gay banter.

"Ohayo, Genten-kun," replied Asuka and ran to him and let him tie her obi. "Thanks."

"It's nothing, milady," he said bowing. Looking around, he asked, "Where's Kira-kun?"

She shrugged, "Dunno. Maybe he's still asleep."

"Kira-kun? Asleep? At this hour? You're crazy, right?"

"I was just suggesting," Asuka pouted.

"I'll check on him," the boy with thick glasses said with a sigh and went to the Bandaged face's room. He knocked softly, "Kira-kun?"

No reply came so Gentensumaru opened the door. The sight that greeted him made him roll in the floor, laughing. The two heard the laugh and ran up to see what has caused it.

Kira was on his stomach on the floor, one had stretched to the direction of the light switch, his only visible eye was wide with desperation that had gotten frozen through the night. Asuka ran to him. "Kira-kun?" she called to him, gently shaking him. When he didn't respond, she turned on the light switched and returned to the kid. "Kira-kun, wake up."

Slowly, the single eye focused and Kira was staring at her. "Miko?"

"Hai. Get your act together, Kira-kun. You're embarrassing yourself."

He gripped her arm. "Someone turned off the light last night," he said looking at Gentensumaru suspiciously.

Gentensumaru shook his head. "Not me, Asuka-hime," he said defensively. "I swear I dropped off to sleep as soon as I got into bed."

"Then who-?"

Kakashi was instantly contrite. "Gomen nasai, minna. It was I who turned off the light last night. Considering the waste of energy-"

Kira's head snapped up and suddenly he was on Kakashi, his right hand on the older ninja's throat, choking him.

"Kira-kun, yamero kudasai… Genten-kun…" she said looking helplessly at Gentensumaru. Instantly, Gentensumaru got hold of the back of Kira's cloak and pulled to get him off the Copy Ninja but Kira wont budge, his hands slowly closing on the other ninja's throat. Gentensumaru pulled out his umbrella. Using it as a wedge, he but it between the two and successfully separating them.

Asuka ran to Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, Daijobu desu ka?" she asked worriedly.

Kakashi nodded dumbly, rubbing his throat. That was no ordinary kid or ninja, he thought, looking at Kira who was sitting on the floor looking dumbly into space.

Gentensumaru approached his comrade. "Kira-san," he said.

Kira looked up. "I didn't mean to do it, Genten-niisan," he said brokenly.

The other ninja nodded and patted Kira's shoulder. "Apologize, Kira-san."

"Gomen nasai, Kakashi-sama," he said in the same lost, broken voice.

"Daijobu, Kira-san. I didn't know you have a phobia of the dark. Otherwise, I would not have turned the lights off," Kakashi said.

Kira nodded and stood up shakily. Turning around, he reentered his room and closed the door with a thud.

"I apologize for his impertinence, Kakashi-sensei," said Asuka, bowing low.

"It's alright, lass. Why don't we go down for breakfast then get on with your training?"

"Hai."