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) All character thoughts are in italics.

(AN) Stick with me please this is a long story and we're only at the beginning. Reviews are appreciated. Thanks!

Chapter 3 Growing Up

Over the next few years, Kakashi was kept busy with missions for the village but he found himself checking in on Maiha as she grew.

As she got older, the tufts of hair that once adorned her head grew into beautiful wavy raven locks framing her face making her blue eyes more intense, as if you were looking into the depths of the ocean. Maiha was developing into a bright and attentive child. With Ai's loving guidance, she became courteous, respectful and she, at times, acted older than she was. These characteristics were what set her apart from the other children in the village. While they were all playing together, she was more comfortable on her own. Ai was usually at the hospital during the day, so Maiha would go and practice what she had learnt at her own little training area she'd found. She would take her books with her, practice the hand signs and Ai had given her some small shuriken and kunai so that she could practice throwing them at targets.

One afternoon Kakashi stumbled upon Maiha and one of her training sessions. He observed the child from afar, intrigued at what he was seeing. He watched how she handled the shuriken and kunai and sent them at the target with relatively good aim.

It was obvious to him that she had been practicing for a while. As Maiha finished her target practice, she picked up all her weapons and placed them in the pouch that Ai had given to her. She then walked over to a large shade tree lining the field where she had a small stack of books and a blanket which she rolled out and knelt down on.

Time for a snack break. Maiha thought to herself as she opened up her backpack. She pulled out a boxed lunch containing a few small rice balls as well as some almond cookies. She also pulled out an apple and a container filled with water. She set herself up with a book out in front of her, snacks to the side and lay down on her stomach with her head propped up on her hand. She bent her knees kicking her feet up in the air and slowly bounced them up and down.

Over the years of keeping an eye of Maiha, Kakashi had grown into a closer relationship with the orphaned girl and her adoptive mother and he'd developed a soft spot for the young girl.

Kakashi decided to find out a little more about her 'training' regimen. Kakashi transported in close startling Maiha, making her hop to her feet and into a defense stance. He was pleased to see that her reactions were developing.

"Well hello little one." Kakashi greeted with a wave.

"Oh, Kakashi-san, you scared me," she said in her squeaky little voice. She grinned as she stared up at him, as though she was not the least bit intimidated.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself?" he asked.

"I'm training," she said with a smile. "Well, right now I am taking a break and studying," There was a pause before she looked back up at him, looking a little worried. "Oh, I'm sorry; did you need to use the field? Am I in your way?" she asked respectfully.

"No, you're not in my way," he chuckled, "I was just passing through. What are you practicing?"

"My hand sings and my aim." she responded shyly.

"Do you do this every day?"

"Yes. Is… is that ok?" she stumbled over her words, obviously hoping not to get into trouble.

"Yes it's okay," Kakashi was amused by her childish anxiety. "Practice is a good trait to have at your age. It's called dedication."

Maiha nodded, having heard the academy teachers use the word many times in their lectures and she knew that it was important. She gave him a smile and he couldn't help but return it with one of his own through his mask.

"Kakashi-san, would you like to join me for my snack? I brought extra and I don't mind sharing. Ai says it is important to be kind to others and it would be disrespectful not to offer since you are here."

"That is very polite of you Maiha-chan; I shall join you for a snack."

She smiled and dug out an extra pair of utensils from her backpack. "Ai made almond cookies, they are my favorite, and I have an apple, water and two rice balls."

Kakashi was familiar with Ai's ability in the kitchen, so he was almost excited to eat it as Maiha was to share it with him.

As Kakashi sat down next to the small girl, he picked up one of her academy books. "Let's see what they have you learning these days," It had been years since Kakashi had been in the academy but the premise for the books was roughly the same as the old ones he had used in the academy as brief as his schooling was.

She looked at him and said proudly, "These are all my class books and this one," she plopped it onto the blanket, "is my latest library book. It's about all the things that you could do as a shinobi."

Kakashi was amused by her enthusiasm. "You don't try to do any of these, do you?" he asked seriously.

"Oh no Kakashi-san," she shook her head. "The instructors say that it is very dangerous to try jutsu that we don't understand, especially since we are still learning our hand signs and how to put the combinations together."

"That's very good advice. I'm glad you're listening to it."

Maiha looked at him excitedly. "I bet you can do everything in this book, Kakashi-san," She peered up at him through her eyelashes. He felt himself smirk, thinking that one would have thought her advanced kunoichi training had already begun by the way she was trying to inflated his ego, so she could persuade him to show her some of the jutsu's out the book.

She opened the book to random pages before asking Kakashi if he could do the jutsu. Each time the answer was yes.

Being the famous copy ninja, there wasn't much that he hadn't seen or couldn't perform. She was astounded by what he could do. "You're amazing," Maiha breathed, her eyes wide with admiration.

He chuckled at her reaction, "I have been a shinobi for a while now and have learned a lot over the years."

She nodded silently; her eyes wide with amazement. She set down the book and the pages fell open to the summoning jutsu. She read the description of the jutsu and got a perplexed look on her face. "I don't understand this one Kakashi-san."

Kakashi explained that the summoning jutsu was a very special jutsu and only certain shinobi had the privilege to use it. "You need permission to use this type of jutsu."

"Wow, do you have special permission for anything Kakashi-san?"

"Yes Maiha-chan I do."

"Wow!" she drew out as her mouth dropped open.

Kakashi laughed at her reaction once more. "I have a bond, with a pack of ninken."

"Wow, really? Will I ever get to see them? How many are there? Are they strong? Do they all have names? When do you call them? How do you call them?" She fired off questions, one right after another not giving Kakashi any time to answer.

"Whoa! Slow down, Maiha-chan. How about I introduce you to one?"

"Really?" she jumped for joy.

"Calm down," he laughed.

"Okay." She exhaled, trying to compose herself.

Kakashi walked out a bit from Maiha and summoned Pakkun. The pug looked almost bored as his eyes found Kakashi. "Hey boss what's up?"

Maiha gasped, "He can talk?"

"Pakkun, this is Maiha. I am sorry to summon you for something other than active duty but Maiha is an academy student and was wondering what a summoning jutsu was."

Maiha got down on her hands and knees to Pakkun's level, "Hello Pakkun."

Pakkun looked over at Kakashi gave him an annoyed look and then sighed, "It's nice to meet you Maiha."

"Can I touch you? Will you disappear?"

Pakkun looked at Kakashi again. Kakashi just shrugged and gave Pakkun an 'I'm sorry ' look.

"No, I won't disappear and I guess you can touch me. Not too hard." Pakkun sighed and sat back.

Maiha carefully reached out to Pakkun and gently pet his back first being extremely cautions and gentle. "Oh your hair is so smooth. Do you like to be scratched behind your ears?" she asked as she began.

Of course he did. Maiha found great joy in the whole situation. He remained with the two for a while and Maiha gave him a cookie for his troubles. "Okay, it's time for Pakkun to go." He was soaking up all the attention that Maiha gave him and looked a tiny bit sad that it had to end.

"It was very nice to meet you Pakkun, I enjoyed your company today. I hope I will get to see you again."

"I'm sure you will Maiha. It was nice to meet you too. Okay boss," he said looking over at Kakashi, "See you later," and with that he disappeared.

Maiha had a huge smile on her face as she looked up at Kakashi. "Thank you Kakashi-san for showing me your summoning jutsu it was very nice of you."

"Thank you for sharing your snack with me Maiha-chan." and smiled back at her.

"Oh, look at the sun," Maiha panicked "Ai is going to be so mad at me if I miss dinner again!" she said as the sun began to set behind them. She frantically packed all of her things up.

"It's okay little one, you're with me. Ai won't be mad. I'll just walk you home and explain what happened."

The worry disappeared from her face and a smile replaced it. "Okay Kakashi-san." He picked up her backpack and carried it for her as they walked back to the village and Ai's apartment.

Upon their return, they were met by a rather cross Ai at the door. "Sorry that I'm late Ai, I was training and lost track of time."

"Maiha, that's the third time this week."

"Actually it's my fault Ai. I was helping her with her training today and I was unaware she had a specific time to be home," Kakashi decided to cut in.

"Kakashi, an elite shinobi, helping an academy student train? Seems a bit farfetched to me," Ai said annoyed, crossing her arms, switching her weight to one hip.

"But it's true Ai! Kakashi-san was helping me, he even introduced me to Pakkun," Maiha defended him as she crossed her arms furrowed her eyebrows and gave a little pout. Though she was small you could see the posture resemblance between the two. Kakashi had a hard time keeping from laughing as he noticed it.

"Maiha, you will not use that tone when speaking to me. Take your dinner and eat it at your desk in your room. Then wash and go straight to bed. For the next week there will be no training sessions. You will go to the academy and you come straight home do you understand me?" Ai scolded her.

Maiha looked down, defeated "Yes Ai, I understand," She turned to look at Kakashi "Thank you Kakashi-san for introducing Pakkun to me and walking me home."

"You're welcome Maiha, and thank you for sharing your snack with me, it was very kind of you."

"You're welcome." A slight smile crept across her face and she took her dinner plate from the table and went to her room closing the door behind her.

"You're being a little hard on her don't you think, Ai? It was my fault that she's so late," he said once the Maiha's door had closed.

"Kakashi, she knows what time she is supposed to be home and needs to understand that she will have to face the consequences if she doesn't follow the rules," Ai said looking at him sternly. A moment of silence passed. "Oh Kakashi," she exhaled, "I just want to set a good example for her. I'm not really that mad, I am just trying to teach her to have respect for others." Ai was a few years older than Kakashi but took her matronly role very seriously.

"She does Ai, you are raising her well. She is bright, determined and respectful." Though Kakashi was still young, he'd had developed wisdom that was beyond his age and offered Ai support when he could.

"Thanks Kakashi," she gave him a smile. "You know, you should come around more, it seems the only time that I see you is when you come, or should I say get drug to the medical building. Maiha could use a male figure in her life."

"I'll think about it Ai, but she really is a good kid, had I not been there when you found her I would have thought she was of blood relation."

Ai smiled, "Thanks Kakashi."

"Oh, and before I forget," he turned slightly as he walked towards the door, "I have a mission in the morning so take care of yourself. I will see you when I get back." It was a saying that that two had developed after Ai's active duty status had been taken away. It had been created as a good luck gesture, since Kakashi spent little more time in the medi-block than normal shinobi due to his position.

"Okay Kakashi, be careful I'll see you when you get back," and she shut the door behind him.