This one made me cry as I wrote it. I even have a title for it too. I do not own Naruto

In a Child's Eyes

Kakashi was walking towards Gai's house where Kaiya and Naruto went after school during the week to play with Lee and wait for him to get off of work. Not that it took him long, but he was just usually late. He had just walked through the door when Kaiya was suddenly around his legs, bawling her little eyes out, making her small body shake with every sob.

Confused and lost by his usually cheerful daughter's distraught mood, he looked over at who seemed to be close to tears herself. Naruto and Lee stood by her looking rather sad and upset themselves.

"Kaiya calm down," he said un-prying her arms crouching down to her level, "What's wrong kiddo?"

Through her sobs Kaiya told him about her friend Catty.

"She lies daddy," she cried more tears rolling down her face, "She lies to the teachers when they ask about her bruises."

This only led to more confusion for Kakashi until she went on.

"She says her daddy isn't mean, he's just sick. But he hurt her today! I SAW HIM!" she cried whole heartedly into her hands.

Kakashi looked over to his nephew and Lee, "Did you two see this?"

They both shook their heads no, "They were by the tires and the swings," Lee explained, "We were at the sandbox."

Naruto nodded, "We didn't see him till he was Catty away yelling really bad things at her."

Gently Kakashi cradled his daughter in his arms letting her cry into his neck.

"Is there anything we can do?" he asked looking over at Ai.

She shook her head sadly, "No ones going to believe a five year old when it comes to something like this. And since no adult saw this, it's too hard to prove and I doubt you'll get any of those children at the school to talk about it."

**************

That night as he went to tuck Kaiya into bed he saw her kneeling beside her bed with her head bowed and her hands clasped in prayer.

"God bless my daddy, Naru-kun though he's a pain, Auntie Ai, Aunt Kurenai, Uncle Asuma, Uncle Gai and Lee-kun though they're weird. And please God take care of Catty; help her daddy get better so he'll stop hurting her…oh and God bless Pakkun, Shiba, Biscuit, Akino, Guruko, Uhei, Urushi, Bull, and Artemis. Amen."

"Hey kiddo," he said walking in her room making his presence known, "Ready for bed?"

Kaiya nodded solemnly as she climbed into her bed brushing aside her long black hair before she laid back on her head on her pillow letting her daddy tuck her covers around her.

"Daddy?" she said softly before he turned out the light, "Catty's going to be ok, isn't she?"

"Of course Kaiya, she'll be fine." He said before going back to her side and kissing her forehead, "Don't worry about it so much."

Kaiya smiled as she snuggled into bed with Artemis cuddled in her arms.

"I love you daddy," She whispered before falling into a peaceful sleep.

"I love you too kiddo." He whispered before closing the door softly before heading to his room to have the worst night of sleep in years.

***************

As soon as Iruka dismissed them for the day Kaiya sped ahead of her cousin and friend when she saw her father waiting along with Gai and Ai looking rather side.

"Daddy, Catty wasn't at school today." She said as he picked her up, "Iruka-sensei looked rather sad when I asked where she was."

Kakashi felt the lump in his throat growing bigger as he looked into his daughter's worry filled eyes.

"Daddy, is Catty okay?" Kaiya asked not liking how all the adults looked so sad, "She'll be back tomorrow, right?"

"Honey, Catty isn't going to be coming back to school," he said softly, "She's with…mommy and Auntie Kushina in Heaven."

Kaiya's eyes widened before tears rolled down her cheeks as she asked the question no one could answer.

"Why?"

****************

Three days later Kaiya stood beside her father and cousin as they buried her best friend. In fact the entire class stood stonily by the parents, not fully comprehending why their friend had to leave.

However Kaiya understood to a certain extent. She understood what death was and she understood how she died. But what she didn't understand was why. And that was what kept bothering her.

"Why would a daddy want to hurt his baby? Why had Catty's mother let it go on? Why hadn't anyone seen what been happening to her? And if they did, then why did they let it go on? Why didn't someone stop it?"

Why hadn't someone tried to help Catty?

At the end of the funeral when everyone was leaving Kaiya step forward to her friend's headstone. It had an angel with an upturned face and a serene smile. Even at this tender age Kaiya knew how appropriate it was for Catty.

Gently Kaiya took out a purple ribbon that she used to tie her hair back into its normal braid. It was similar to the one she gave Catty on the day they met. Oblivious to the eyes that laid on her, Kaiya knelt at her friend's grave to tenderly tie the ribbon around the angel's neck.

Then she did the one thing no one else had the courage to do.

"I'm sorry Catty," she whispered with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Ok, I know Lee's not Gai's son but I want him to be. And the names at the end of the Kaiya's prayer are the names of all of Kakashi's dogs. Pakkun is her favorite.

Quick little note, My beta whom I absolutely adore is leaving for camp in June and won't be back til August. So if anyone would like to Beta for me in her abscence (Though it makes me really sad) just send me a message. *Starts crying*HOW AM I GOING TO LIVE WITHOUT HER!