Author's Note: Thank you for reading! Please leave reviews! Also, this entire chapter is a Flashback. In the previous chapters, Kakashi's words seem to have pulled these memories back to the front of Kohana's mind. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 11: Change

Kohana stared sullenly at the wooden dining table in Minato's apartment. Kushina had invited her over for dinner; the kind woman had noticed that Kohana was neglecting her meals these days, and was concerned about her health. The recent death of Obito had once turned the cheerful girl into a moody character. The Jinchuriki felt obligated to pull Kohana out of her misery; after all, the younger girl helped look after the pregnant woman whenever Minato was busy with the tasking duties as Hokage, which was nearly always. The time they spent together had forged a special bond between them, and Kushina thought of Kohana as a beloved sister. And so, she was determined to bring Kohana back to her former personality.

The dinner menu tonight consisted of Kohana's favorite dishes. The delicious aroma suddenly hit Kohana, as Minato helped his wife carry a large tray laden with bowls and silver ware. Kohana's stomach growled and she sheepishly smiled at the pair.

"Ne, Kushina-chan! Let's not make Kohana wait any longer", Minato chuckled.

Kushina frowned, "Aren't Kakashi and Rin coming? I thought I told you to invite them, Minato."

"Rin is on a mission and won't be returning till later tonight. And as for Kakashi, it seems he wants an early night in", the Hokage responded.

Kohana averted her eyes. They all knew the unspoken truth; Kakashi and Kohana avoided each other like water and oil. Though it had been almost half a year since the incident, they still hadn't managed to reconcile with one another. Minato knew that their distance was mostly due to Kohana's stubborn attitude, but Kakashi was also still too ashamed to pursue her any further.

They ate in silence, each consumed in their own thoughts. As Kohana spooned her last bite, Minato abruptly turned towards her.

"Kohana, I need to talk you."

Kohana scrunched her eyebrows, her confused expression telling him to continue.

"I think it's high time that you speak to Kakashi."

Kohana grumbled, her eyes falling back to her nearly empty bowl, "I don't want to talk about this, Sensei."

"I know you don't. But, the way you're acting, and how lifeless you are honestly reminds me of him as well."

She didn't respond and so Minato continued, "I've already told you what his past was like – the horror of his father's death –

But before he could finish, Kohana interrupted him, " Sakumo- san was a hero, Sensei. You've told me that people die as Shinobi, and that all we can do is respect them. But, I've never seen Kakashi acknowledge his own father."

"Many, including his own comrades, berated Sakumo for saving their lives. The plummet in his father's reputation stunned Kakashi. You should understand that his emphasis on rules is not out of disregard towards his friends, but due to the bitter fear that resulted from his only parent's unexpected death."

Kohana swallowed, unable to retort.

Kushina stepped in, her voice much softer than usual, "Please, Kohana. Rin is suffering as well, and neither of you are helping her by acting this way."

Minato nodded, "Hai. Obito and Kakashi never got along, but I can bet you now Kohana that Kakashi considers him as a brother. And you can't begin to imagine the guilt he feels for not being able to save him. Please don't burden him anymore. He really has changed."

They remained silent for some time. Kohana considered their words, comparing her own actions and thoughts. Perhaps, she was being too harsh; after all, she barely knew Kakashi. Her interactions with him only occurred during his training sessions, which Obito would drag her along to, hoping to persuade her to pursue life as a Shinobi. While she got along wonderfully with Rin, and Minato, Kakashi's cold and distant demeanor repelled her, and their conversations had always been brief and awkward.

She sighed, "I hope you don't think I'm a ruthless person. I can sense the pain you feel for the both of us."

She then stood up, picking up her bowl in the process, and smiled genuinely, "I trust the both of you. Don't worry anymore on my account – I will visit him tomorrow."

Kushina grinned, "Alright! I knew you would come around! Do you want dessert?"

Kohana never got the chance to see Kakashi the following day. He and Rin had been deployed on another mission, and she didn't know how long it would take for them to return. She spent the days rehearsing her side of the conversation. However, her efforts were futile, as the meeting had gone in an entirely different direction.

Kohana was shaking, her body unable to control its tremors. Minato tensed, trying to placate her with a firm grip on her shoulder.

"No, Sensei. No, just stop!", she screamed, her eyes bulging.

Kakashi stared wide eyed at her wild appearance. Her hair, usually neatly parted into a tight braid, had let loose and covered her face. Tears were streaming down her face, as she pointed a finger towards the silver haired shinobi.

But, she didn't say anything. Instead, she charged forward with all the strength she could muster and landed on Kakashi, throwing punches wherever she could. If it weren't for the gravity of the situation, Minato could have laughed. Her throws were clumsy and lacking in power. It seemed that she was hurting herself more than she was Kakashi, who did nothing to defend himself. However, realizing the injuries she would sustain from hitting his chiseled body, he grabbed both of her wrists, forcing her to stop. She struggled against his grip, and they ended up rolling on the ground, with Kakashi hovering over her.

She was breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed. Her eyes bored into Kakashi, and her clenched hands fell limp. Her resolve weakened, and as she lost consciousness, she heard Kakashi's strangled voice.

"I'm sorry I killed Rin."

When she woke up, she found herself staring at the whitened walls of a hospital room. Her door was open, and a couple nurses scattered by throwing curious looks at her figure. She rubbed her head, trying to remember the events leading to her hospitalization. When she realized the cause of her distress, she let the tears flow, her body racking in silent sobs.

In the midst of the chaos that overtook her brain, one thought formed clearly, and unwaveringly.

Kakashi Hatake would never change.