Jiraya looked somberly through the Hokage's window. Tsunade watched him, her hands clasped underneath her chin. Both were quiet, calmly listening to the birds twittering outside. It wasn't until Ton-Ton let out a small yawn that Jiraya turned around to face his childhood friend.

His face was unusually grave, he asked, "Do you think she'll forgive me?"

Tsunade replied slowly as if choosing her words carefully, "It's been twenty two years. Still, you had your own reasons and I'd say they were good ones too." She added, "It's been too long. Don't you think it's time?"

Jiraya nodded, "You're right. After what Orochimaru did to her…it's time I start protecting her as her father."

He then relaxed his stature, and softly chuckled, "She certainly has a temper. It's not as poignant as yours, though."

Tsunade glared at him.

The Sannin laughed, "I'm glad she doesn't resort to yelling and physical throws. One of you is enough."

"Jiraya…", Tsunade grumbled.

He continued, "Kakashi's been on the receiving end of her anger. And from what he's told me, it's not an enjoyable experience." He mused for a while and looked to the door as he heard two abrupt knocks.

Tsunade called the visitor to come in, and Kakashi stood there with his hand in his pocket.

Jiraya straightened up, "Ready Kakashi?"

Kakashi found this question funny, because Jiraya didn't look ready at all. He wore an expression of anxiety and as he passed Kakashi, he grasped his shoulder firmly.

Tsunade nodded to the both of them and watched their retreating backs. She muttered to herself, "You're a foolish man, Jiraya. But not a foolish father."

Kakashi knocked on Kohana's door firmly. Jiraya leaned against the wall and observed the bland hallway. After a few minutes, they heard shuffling and the door opened to reveal Kohana, her curly black hair tied up in a wet bun. She wore gray yoga pants and a loose black top that she quickly centered on her shoulders. She had clearly rushed out of the shower without taking care to wrap her hair in a towel; Kakashi noticed the water droplets on the wooden floor and her slightly flushed face.

He greeted her, "Ohayo, Kohana-chan. I've brought someone who would like to meet you. Is this a good time?"

Kohana shot him a baffled look, and leaned out the doorway to see Jiraya.

Her face split into wide grin, "Jiraya-sama!" Of course, she knew the legendary Sannin. He often dropped by on Minato's training sessions, and amused them all with his goofy personality.

Jiraya boomed at the sight of his daughter, suddenly forgetting his nervous nature, "Kohana-chan! How are you doing, dear?"

Kohana replied affirmatively and ushered them both inside. She quickly set a pot of boiling water before joining them in the living room.

They spoke idly, their conversation light and carefree. It wasn't after several minutes that Jiraya put a stop to their current discussion.

He turned to his daughter, "Kohana. You must be wondering why I am here."

Kohana titled her head slightly and said politely, "Is there something you need from me?"

Kakashi answered, deciding that it was best if he primed her for the upcoming truth, "Kohana, what you are about to hear might come as a shock. I only ask you to listen to Jiraya-sama…fully."

Kohana frowned, "Okay…"

Kakashi asked her, "Kohana, how much do you remember about your parents?"

"Not a lot…I have a very vague memory of a woman with black hair and tanned skin. I assume she's my mother because she looks so much like me. But, why?"

"Do you remember anything else?"

"No Kakashi. You know this already. I was orphaned at 4.5 years. Baa-chan (Obito's grandmother) told me they died in a fire."

She then looked at Jiraya, "Wait…did you find out something?"

Her heart thudded, as she asked the impossible, "Are…they alive?"

Jiraya responded, "Kohana, I am your father."

Kohana stared at him dumbly, "What?"

He repeated, "I am your father…your biological father."

"You're…this has to be a joke."

Kakashi shook his head, "No. He's telling the truth."

She stared at Jiraya in shock. She muttered, "Impossible."

Jiraya shook his head, "It's not, Kohana."

Kohana put her head in her hands and shook her head as if trying to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She said through her fingers, "Did you know that all these years, I thought I didn't have any parents?"

Jiraya said heavily, "I know."

"Why didn't you tell me? Why are you telling me now?"

"Because it's time for you to know…know everything about your past. How I met your mother, why I wasn't there for you, why you had to live with Obito and his grandmother, and most importantly why you've recently succumbed to sudden bouts of illness."

Kohana swallowed thickly, and didn't say anything. Jiraya gaged her reaction and decided to launch into the tale.

"Kohana, as you know, I travel the world. When I was in my late teens, a certain sage told me that I was going to find the one to save this world. The Child of the Prophecy. I went from village to village, trying to find the person, but my attempts ended in vain. It was during these trips that I met your mother."

He paused, offered Kohana a small smile and said, "She was a charming woman. She housed me and took care of me when I fell sick. She developed feelings for me and I returned them, but perhaps not as strongly as she did. I left her shortly after; I told her how it wasn't my destiny to be with her and that she deserved to love another who would never leave her side. We quarreled, but I had to go. I had my own duties as a shinobi and my village needed me."

"Several years later, I heard through my sources that the village which she resided in burned to the ground. I rushed there immediately and I found your mother hidden under a cave with you, a 4.5 year old child. She was in a bad shape, but she protected you until her last breath. She told me who you were and made me promise to keep you safe."

He then leaned forward, and he croaked, "Please believe me, I didn't know I had become a father until then. I never knew that she was pregnant."

Kohana numbly nodded.

Jiraya drew a deep breath, "I brought you back to Konoha, but I knew I couldn't give you the life your mother wanted for you. We were at war and I was being sent on missions that spelled death for many formidable shinobi. I was never sure if I would live to see another day. If I died, would you have to suffer the loss of another parent? I told the 3rd Hokage of my doubts and while he disagreed with me, he helped me find you a foster home.

"I left you with Obito's grandmother who was more than willing to take care of you. I forbid her to tell you the truth, of course. Over the years, I felt confident that I had made the right choice. She raised you with love and affection; she gave you a family, however small it was. But, it wasn't the best decision. I couldn't protect you after all", he finished, gesturing to the scars, vestiges of her time in Orochimaru's lair.

Kohana blinked rapidly, her mind still registering Jiraya's story…her story. Jiraya laid a hand on her knee and she quickly withdrew her leg, and stood up."I've left the water boiling. I'll be back", she said in a shaky voice. Jiraya nodded glumly and folded his arms as he leaned back against the leather sofa. Kakashi watched her worriedly as she rushed to the kitchen. When she was out of earshot, Jiraya turned to him, "Kakashi, my daughter may never forgive me. She may never talk to me again. I'll do everything in my power to protect her. But, you need to promise me that you will continue to look after her."

Kakashi nodded, "Of course, Jiraya-sama. Kohana is my friend. And I wouldn't assume so quickly. Wait for what she has to say."

Kohana came back holding a tray laden with two steaming cups of tea. Kakashi and Jiraya both thanked her and sipped quietly. As he drank his tea, Kakashi stole glances at Kohana. Her eyes were red; she had undoubtedly been crying. Silence enveloped them, and all three stared in different directions, as if determined to not look at one another. Kohana finally broke it, her voice ringing loudly in the living room.

"Why did you never tell me after? Obito died. His grandmother passed away shortly after. And then I left Konoha because…because I thought I had no one left here." She shot Kakashi a quick apologetic glance, and added, "Things would have been different if you came."

Jiraya sighed, and ran a hand over his forehead before dragging it through his hair. He seemed to be lost as how to answer her. As she waited for his reply, Kohana examined both her visitors. They seemed exhausted beyond their years. She understood Kakashi's tired appearance was only temporary. A few hours of sleep and a healthy meal would cure him. After all, the number of missions Kakashi was assigned was second to no one. But, Jiraya looked like he had turned into an old man. She saw the wrinkles permanently etched beneath his eyes and at this moment, he looked frail and defeated.

But, this old man could fight, she thought. He made a name for himself long before she came into the world. He was a hero. And he dedicated his life to saving the world. He may have left her behind, but not before he made sure she had a happy childhood free of worries. A childhood that Kakashi and other children of Shinobi descent never could have. She suddenly had a distinct vision of when she found a young Irukua crying on a playground swing. His parents hadn't come home from a mission; they were two days late. It took several hours before Iruka calmed down after which he said to her, "You're so lucky you don't have shinobi in your family."

Perhaps all her father had been trying to do is make her happy in the way that he saw fit. Was that so wrong?

She sighed and said to her father, "Never mind. It's all right. I understand."

Jiraya looked at her with widened eyes and shared a glance with Kakashi,"You're not mad?"

Kohana laughed, "No. I'm not…Otosan"

Jiraya smiled sheepishly, "I thought this would have gone down a lot differently. I want you to know Kohana, I am really sorry. That despite my good intentions, what I did was wrong. A parent shouldn't leave their child."

Kohana agreed, "No, they shouldn't. But, you didn't leave me. You came back and that's what matters the most. We all make mistakes Otosan. Life is too short to hold grudges. I've learned that."