Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.

(AN) Hello all, this is my first story so please let me know how I do. Also a big thank you to my AMAZING Beta cheekylips, your guidance and critiquing has been incredible and inspiring.

(AN) Correction All character thoughts are in italics.

(AN) Should have said this in Chapter 1 but Kakashi is about 14-15 years old at this stage in the story.

Chapter 2 Decision

"Wow that's some story." the hospital staff agreed.

"I wonder what the Hokage is going to do?" one of the nurses asked.

"Whatever it may be, I plan on asking him to allow me to keep this child. I haven't known her for long but I feel as if we were supposed to meet." Ai walked over to Maiha and knelt down in front of the child so they on the same eye level. "Little one, I have a feeling that I was meant to be your guardian and you my angel. I hope that we will be able to grow together."

Within a few hours the Hokage had called her back to his office. As she stood in front of him he handed down his judgment. "Because of your exceptional skills as a medic-nin it would be ludicrous for me to not allow you to continue your trade. You will rotate shifts at the medical building and assist in the training of new medic-nin's. My decision about mission status, however, will remain. Do you understand Ai?"

"Yes Lord Hokage." She waited a moment before continuing, "If I may, what will come of the child?"

"Why do you ask?"

"My Lord, I would like to ask you to grant me guardianship of this child. It was I whom brought her back to the village; I should be responsible for her."

He thought for a moment. "I will grant you guardianship of the child. Since she is still young I will allow her to have the same privileges as a naturalized citizen. You are lucky that I am being so lenient. I have spoken to many about this situation and have decided that your reputation and dedication to the village are most admirable. These annotations from your peers and administrators have swayed a more harsh decision. Honor this judgment, there most likely will not be another that is so favorable."

"Yes Lord Hokage, I am both humbled and honored by your decision and will not take it for granted. Thank you for offering her this opportunity as a citizen of Konoha. I will raise this child as if she were my own flesh and blood," she assured him with a respectful nod. "And thank you for your compassionate verdict on my accord."

"You may leave."

Ai bounded down the stairs, grinning ear to ear. "So," she heard a familiar voice call to her from the side, "What happened with the Hokage?" Though he tried not to show it, he was interested in the Hokage's final decision.

"Hi Kakashi." Ai said enthusiastically and she flashed him a quick smile.

He looked at her confused expecting that the Hokage's decision would have been extremely harsh.

Noticing the look on his face she continued in her excited tone, "Why don't you walk with me and I'll tell you all about it."

Curiosity got the better of him and he accepted the invitation. Ai filled Kakashi in on the way back to the medical building of all the details and her plans she had for the future.

"So you are completely fine with being so limited?" Kakashi asked taken aback. He himself could not even fathom being tied down in such a way.

"Well, if you look at it this way, I have a young child to take care of now. I won't have to go on long missions away from her while she is small and I still have my status as a medic at the hospital. I still get to do the trade that I trained so hard for and get to have a family too. I am actually ecstatic that it ended up this way," she said overflowing with happiness.

"If you say so," Kakashi said completely mystified with a shrug and an eye roll.

"Would you like to come by and see her? I could really use some help carrying some things home."

"I'll help you carry things home but I don't want anything to do with the kid." He was willing to help but was a little unsure of what he was getting himself into.

As they were ready to leave the medical building Ai squatted down. "Maiha, you're going to come and live with me now. Is that okay?" Maiha nodded. Ai stood up and reached out. Maiha slid her little hand into hers and they walked through the door, with Kakashi following behind them.

When they arrived at Ai's apartment she led Maiha in and motioned for Kakashi to in come in as well. He was a little hesitant accepting the invitation. "C'mon Kakashi she's not going to attack you or anything," Ai said laughing. He entered carrying the items she had brought home. "This is your new home, Maiha." Maiha looked around shyly but kept a distance from Kakashi. Ai didn't want to push her as there was a lot of stimulation for her; losing her family, new people and a new home, all in the last few days. So Ai let Maiha poke around the apartment by herself. Ai just chalked Maiha's standoffish reaction to Kakashi's appearance.

Shortly, Maiha warmed up to her new environment and soon became more curious about things, Kakashi included. She began to inch her way over to him while he and Ai were talking. She stood just inside his peripheral vision and looked him over, concentrating on his face.

He rolled his eye over to the side to look at her. "Why is she staring at me?" He slipped the question from the corner of his mouth like a ventriloquist.

"Children of that age are very inquisitive, Kakashi, don't be so surprised. After all, you do look like you are playing a game of peek-a-boo with that mask of yours." She laughed.

He shot her an annoyed look.

"And by the way, I think she likes you." He looked down at the young girl and saw a big grin that lit up her face. His posture became more rigid and he became rather uncomfortable.

Ai broke the tense situation by posing a question to Maiha, directing her focus away from Kakashi. "Maiha, are you hungry?"

Maiha turned to Ai and nodded eagerly. "Yes, ma'am."

"Oh and good manners too," Ai smiled. "Let's get you something to eat then."

Kakashi cleared his throat. "Looks like you're settled in now. I, uh, gotta go. I have to prepare for another mission." He raced to the door.

"Bye Kakashi-san." Maiha called out in her squeaky voice, a smile spread on her face. Ai smiled as well, at the interaction between the two.

He turned towards Maiha and gave her a blank look and then looked over at Ai, showing her the same expression. "See ya." He said, avoiding any other eye contact while he walked out the door and closed it behind him.

Ai turned back to Maiha, who was sitting at the dinner table, kicking her legs back and forth under the chair. Ai gave her a warm smile. "You ready for dinner?"

"Yes please!"