Asuma was irritated, really irritated. Why? He was being followed. By who? Youngest in the class, Top of the line genius, Kakashi Hatake. Why? Only Kami knew. Not only had he fallen short 1 question to the Hatake; not only had that brat had the eyes of the new girl, Kurenai, he now has the audacity of following him? It didn't make sense! What does Kurenai even see in him! He sighed and hoped she was still willing to rendez-vous with him later at his house.

Asuma glanced back as he made a turn, and Kakashi followed just as casually. Asuma sighed. He even tried to lose Kakashi. He took the long way home. He even took different and completely new turns, but he's sure of it; Kakashi Hatake is following him! But why?

Grumpily, Asuma stepped on his front lawn and climbed his front steps when Kakashi Hatake was about to do the same. Asuma lost it. It wasn't a very good day at the academy for him and he just wanted to go home, Kakashi wasn't about to ruin that either.

Asuma turn and stared at the Hatake, fuming. "WHAT exactly are you doing here?! WHY did you follow me?!"

Now Kakashi was shocked. Had Asuma really been this furious about Kakashi following him home? "I.. uh.. wait. hold on.. I-"

"Ah Kakashi! You're here. Hello Asuma. I hope the day at the academy went well today." Biwako Sarutobi came out holding a bundle in her arms. Now Asuma was confused; his mother and Kakashi talk to each other?

"Uh thank you, Biwako-san. I really appreciate you looking after my sister while I'm at the academy." Kakashi carefully took the baby bag and bundle from the Hokage's wife.

Now Asuma was shocked. "You have a sister? A baby sister?!"

"Yeah. Given the circumstances, I'm her guardian." Kakashi replied nonchalantly.

"So this is why you followed me?" Asuma was still so confused, but Kakashi only chuckled.

He laughed nerously and rubbed the back of his head. "Uh haha, This is the first time your mom is baby sitting and Biwako-san picked up Rena from my place so I didn't know where to pick her up. So I followed you."

Now Asuma was perplexed, "You couldn't have just asked me?!"

"Well you looked like you were in a bad mood and figured you needed space to cool off." Kakashi replied cooly.

Kakashi faced Biwako and bowed gracefully. "Thank you for agreeing to look after Rena for the time being. It means a lot. Thank you, Biwako-san."

"Don't you worry Kakashi-kun. I had a wonderful time with Rena and I look forward to spending more time with her. She is such a good baby compared to Asuma here. Haha oh, she never cried. However, she's also quite the serious one. I have tried so many times to get her to laugh but she's one tough nut to crack." Biwako jokingly frowned at the baby in Kakashi's arms.

"Oh. I see, well alright. Thank you again Biwako-san, I'll see you tomorrow." After Kakashi waved to the both of them and he left the compound while passing the new girl he recognized in his class.

Kurenai was curious as to why Kakashi Hatake had been at the Sarutobi, but decided to ask Asuma about it instead.

"Hey Sarutobi, what was Hatake doin here?"

Asuma was surprised she came. After he caught her staring at Kakashi in class today, he was sure she held no interest to him. "Uhm, he came to pick up his baby sister from my mother. Wait, you came. You actually came!"

Kurenai blushed and stared elsewhere than the male in front of her, "Well of course, why wouldn't I? You invited me.."

Asuma sheepishly rubbed his neck and looked away, "Ah. I saw you stare at Kakashi in class today.. I figured you had lost interest in the invite.."

"Well it's no lie he's pretty cute.. but that doesn't mean I'm not interested in you." Kurenai's blush deepened.

Asuna blushed and laughed nervously. "Ahh, uh well are you still willing to walk to the park and feed the ducks?"

Kurenai gave Asuma one of her sweetest smiles that he absolutely can't get out of his mind. "Of course!"

As Kakashi walked to the market, he pondered Biwako's words. She didn't laugh? He was surprised by this, surely seeing a new face would enlighten Rena but she has yet to laugh. It hadn't been too long since the incident, 3 weeks at least. Kakashi wasn't going to lie to himself or Rena, it's been hard. They've been situated in a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment for cheap thanks to the Hokage. Kakashi also never dealt with anything finance related, he was thankful he had the Hokage to help him step by step. School work had never been a problem for Kakashi, but loud cries at night that demanded a bottle or diaper change kept him up. Perhaps its because of the sudden change in their lives, she hasn't laughed.

But things were looking up. After dealing with the weekly groceries and necessities, Kakashi had just enough left over to buy a radio. He had hoped that it would make the creaky old apartment a little more homey and a little less silent (other than Rena's cries of course). Kakashi was in a good mood; Rena tucked snug and warm against his torso in a baby wrap, a brand new radio under his arm, and ingredients for his favorite dish in plastic bags in his hands. He couldn't wait to get back to his apartment.

And the radio had been a good idea. With tunes playing softly on the counter, Rena silently enjoying her crayons and pacifier on her high chair, Kakashi couldn't help but hum and dance a little while cooking. His saury was in the oven and the miso soup with eggplants was slowly cooking on the stove. As Kakashi began to smash a variety of steams vegetables for Rena, he began to sing softly under his breath. "Saa kokoro no me Mihiraite Shika to ima wo mikiwamero.."

Rena heard this unusual sound coming from her brother. It wasn't the usual tone he used when he talked to her, it wasn't strange noises he made when feeding her. It was pleasant and enjoyable. She decided the green crayon was better than the pink crayon.

"Ushinau mono nante nai sa Iza mairou!" Kakashi sang a little louder as he slowly became immersed in the song. There it was again! She stared at her brother. He looked funny. Kakashi had began humming and dancing, singing and side-stepping, all the while mashing a few steamed carrots. Now it was definitely a funny sight to see for Rena.

Rena let out a giggle.

Kakashi almost dropped Rena's bowl on the kitchen tiles when he heard it. He heard her laugh. She actually laughed! Did he cause it? She held her focus on Kakashi. Was it his singing? His rockin' dance moves? Kakashi started dancing towards Rena's high chair all while continuing to mash her vegetables. "We are Fighting Dreamers Takami wo mezashite!" He bounced with ever step and swayed his body in different directions. Anything to hear that laugh again.

And he did, this time louder and longer. She was enjoying his little entertainment show! He chuckled at her enjoyment and hurried to set the table for dinner. No way, was he letting this opportunity to passed.

"Fighting Dreamers Narifuri kamawazu!" Kakashi continued to sing as he fed Rena's smiling and giggling mouth. She flailed her arms in excitement.

"Fighting Dreamers Shinjiru ga mama ni" Another burst of laughter!

"Oli Oli Oli Oh-! Just go my way!" Kakashi was over joyed! She laughed, maybe he wasn't the greatest singer and that's why but she still laughed regardless. Her laugh, it gave him hope. Hope for a better future, perhaps a happier one. It was as if she had shined a light through the dark grey clouds in their lives.

He gave her a proud smile and kissed her forehead. Small dark grey eyes met larger black eyes. Kakashi smiled through his eyes.

"I will always be here to make you laugh" Kakashi promised Rena as she bursted out in laughter.

A/N: Kakashi is 5 years old and Rena is 1 years old.

SHOUT OUT to time-twilight for the reviews! 3 I love you :3