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(AN) As always, a big thank you to my AMAZING Beta cheekylips.

(AN) Hope your still hanging in there with me. Please read and review. Thanks!

Chapter 4: The Life of a Shinobi

Unfortunately the next time that Ai saw Kakashi it was on a treatment table in the hospital. He had been badly wounded on his mission and severely drained of his chakra, most likely from excessive use of the sharingan. Ai was able to heal and treat his wounds but it would take a few days for him to wake and be able to move around normally again.

Rumors had started and eventually spread to the academy about the great Copy Ninja being critically injured on a dangerous mission. Once Maiha caught wind of the stories she went directly to Ai and had the rumor confirmed; Kakashi was in hospital. Maiha was horrified that a man she idolized and had even developed a fondness for, would be hurt. Even though Maiha went to the Ninja Academy and had heard of stories like this before, she didn't think that anyone could hurt Kakashi.

So one afternoon, after class, Maiha went directly to the hospital. Kakashi was in the wing of the hospital that prohibited visitors. But she had to see him.

Maiha tricked the nurses into leaving the patient information desk area and obtained his room number. Now she just had to get to him. Maiha knew that would not be easy considering that Ai was on rounds. She watched the flow of the hospital traffic and waited for the nursing staff to change shifts sneaking into the wing where Kakashi was assigned for recovery.

Maiha had spent a lot of time in the hospital when she was younger because sometimes Ai couldn't find a baby sitter, so she understood the inner structure of the hospital and the scheduling. After the second shift took over and the rounds had been completed, the floor was left quiet for recovery. She was able to obtain entry to his room with ease and closed the door behind her. The room was dark and quiet. Maiha quietly crept over to the bed where Kakashi lay unconscious. She looked at him and tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Kakashi-san."

Maiha sat in the chair next to his bed and pulled her knees into her chest as tears began to slide down her cheeks.

His body was so still, the only thing telling her he was still alive was the rise and fall of his chest along with the sound of his breathing. Maiha knew she didn't have much time to spend; patients on this floor were checked more often so she made her silent visit a brief one then left the room.

On her way home, Maiha thought of ways that she could wish him well without anyone knowing it was her. Maiha had noticed that people would sometimes bring things like flowers and cards to make their loved ones feel better.

The thought hit her as she reached the door into her home. "I'll bring Kakashi-san something to make him feel better."

That evening, Maiha made Kakashi an origami turtle, which she had learnt that it represented longevity and protection. The next day she made her way to the medical building directly from the academy. Maiha then carefully made her way into the hospital, just as she did the day before, and up to Kakashi's room.

He was still unconscious so she placed the little origami gift on the table beside his bed, bowed her head softly whispered her hope for recovery and left the room again. She continued the visits for three days.

On her rounds of the ward, Ai noticed the gifts. This made her lips form a tight line. No visitors were allowed but yet three origami crafts had just shown up out of nowhere. Origami seemed a little childish for well wishes but the sediment was sweet none the less.

On the fourth day Kakashi finally awoke. Ai was the first to greet him back into the realm of consciousness. "How are you feeling Kakashi?" Ai asked softly, studying his mask covered face.

"Just tired."

"No pain?"

"Maybe a little."

"I'll get you something for that, I'll be right back."

Kakashi looked over at the little table next to his bed, "Hey what are these? Have you been practicing your paper folding skills Ai?" He called as she walked out the room.

Coming back into the room, Ai handed the small pills into the palm of his hand. "They aren't from me Kakashi," she said. Kakashi looked at her questioningly. He sat up and swallowed the pain killers. "They've just been showing up for the past three days. I figured that it must be someone from your fan-club." Though she was facing away from him, Kakashi could hear the smirk in her voice.

Kakashi blanched then shook his head. "I doubt they'd be able to get in here."

Ai turned back towards him, placing a thoughtful finger on her lips. "I have an idea, but I can't figure out how it is happening, so we'll just have to wait and see. If my guess is right another will show up in about an hour."

"Okay, if you say so Ai." he said blowing her off to lie back down.

She shook her head and laughed. "You just wait. Now get some rest and I'll see you in a little while."

As Ai said, about an hour later Kakashi heard the door open and close softly. He then heard quiet little footsteps and the rustling of clothing as Maiha approached the bed. She put the next craft on the table with the other three.

"Hello Kakashi-san," she whispered softly, "I brought you another gift. I hope you are getting better and that you'll wake soon. I know that Ai is taking good care of you, she tells me that you are doing better every day."

Maiha talked for a bit longer about the academy and the things she'd heard during the day before looking at the clock on the wall. "I have to go now. If I get caught in here I'll be in big trouble." She put her small hand on his, "Please get better and wake up soon." and with that she left as quietly as she came.

Kakashi heard the door close and opened his eye, impressed that she'd managed to get into the room.

Ai came back to check on Kakashi before she had left for the evening. "I see you have four now," she smiled knowingly.

"Yes, and I know who has brought them as well."

The medic sighed and rubbed her face. "So how is she getting in?"

"I only heard her come in the door, from there I don't know for sure how she's getting in. Why not let her play it out Ai? She's using her training from the academy and doesn't know that I am awake yet so she will most likely come again."

"That's not the point, Kakashi. She is breaking code."

He looked at her shrewdly, "I know a certain medic that broke the rules of mission code to bring back a child that was found in a forest."

Ai frowned and crossed her arms in front of her. "That was different, her life was at stake."

"Ai, most likely in her eyes, seeing me in this condition and being in this area of the hospital worries her, she doesn't know any different. She is just wishing me well."

Finally, Ai relented, "Okay Kakashi, but only because you are showing more of an interest in her. I'll consider this as accepting my request of you spending more time with her," Ai said as she smiled mischievously while raising an eyebrow, "She can learn a lot from you … Copy Ninja."

Kakashi just shook his head. "I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

Ai just gave him a smile, "I'll see you tomorrow. I have to go home and check on my stealthy little kunoichi."

Kakashi chuckled, "See you tomorrow."

The following day Maiha continued her routine as before, though this time after she had placed the origami craft on the table Kakashi spoke. "Little one, is it you that has been coming to visit me and leaving gifts?"

"Kakashi-san, you're awake! I'm so glad," she whispered loudly as she hugged his hand and forearm. "I was so scared that you weren't ever going to wake up," a tear leaked out of the corner of her eye.

"Don't cry," Kakashi said rolling over toward her, wincing from the discomfort. "I'm okay, just a little beat up that's all. Ai's fixed me up," he reassured her as he wiped the tear from her cheek. "The life of a shinobi is a dangerous one. We get hurt, sometimes severely and sometimes," he took in a deep breath," sometimes we don't make it back. When you become a shinobi, you take on an important role in the village. There are different positions within the rankings but no matter what art we choose, we all work together to serve and protect the village and each other. A life of a shinobi is one of great purpose as well as great sacrifice."

Maiha stared at Kakashi lost in thought. A few moments later she looked down and quietly spoke, "Kakashi-san."

"Yes little one?"

Her eyes darted up to his and her expression, demeanor and body posture changed in an instant. She brought her little fist up in the air in front of her chest and began, "I will focus the energy of my mind, body and soul into my training. I will one day become a shinobi and stand beside the village with you and Ai. That is my devotion to Konoha, my family" she said tenaciously and gave him a nod as she touched her fist to her chest.

Kakashi, surprised by her understanding of his explanation looked at her with pride, "Little one, this time it is you that have amazed me."