Chapter 40

AN: Kishimoto owns all except my characters-Kiminari, and Kimiko, and later characters. Also I'm probably not going to follow any of the story line except a few small things. I may take the characters outside their natural personalities, but that's because it's my story, and it'll add to it. Another thing: since I'm not following the story line of the series- All main (good) characters will start out the same age as they should be, but even though the Akatsuki will be around, the war will not happen until later; if it does at all. Again this is because I'm making up my own story line; it gets kinda boring when nothing has changed and, you readers would be able to guess what was going to happen all the time. So, enjoy, and please comment, review, rate, whatever you wanna do. :D

*Sorry, this chapter and the last one have both been a bit short. I hope they flow together following the rest of the plot. I reread everything, but my mind is so scattered right now, I could have easily left something out. If something doesn't make sense, just tell me.

Recap:

"Fine!" I sighed, passing her the book. "I was just happy to have finally found someone who was related to me," I said sullenly as I headed to the door. "But, I guess it's for the best. After all," I said pausing as I held the door open, "you are a bit old for me to call you one-chan." I said sadly, before grinning again, then bailing. I knew that would definitely set her off, and if she didn't come after me now, she'd probably find a way to get back at me later. I'd have to keep my guard up; I honestly didn't trust that it was beyond her to try break into my house just to get back at me. I'd have to put up a chakra barrier tonight, just in case; maybe some trip wires too.

Oh, no. He's definitely rubbed off on me too much. Now I'm making back up plans for the back up plans for my plan to keep out someone who probably won't even waste their time. … But if she does, and I'm not prepared, I'm in deep. … Knowing her, she could probably even get past all of that. … That's it! I just won't go to sleep tonight. It's not like I can trust those two idiots living with me to take shifts with me to guard the house. They'd probabl_ CRASH.

"Oh, no! I'm sorry. I was thinking too much, and wasn't paying attention." Figures. I'm always crashing into something. I thought as I backed out of the person's way, apologizing again.

"No problem, I wasn't paying attention either. I just got a new book, so I was… Oh hey, Kimi."

"Oh, hey, Kakashi! I didn't know that was you. You know you really shouldn't be reading those things in public." I laughed. He'd always been laid back, and unfortunately a bit perverted, but during my stay with the Akatsuki, Obito had told me about Kakashi's personality as a child. It was hard to picture him all uptight. I laughed again out loud at the though.

"What's funny now?" He asked, but I waved his question away.

"Come with me." I said pulling him towards the nearest dumpling shop. "You're going to treat me to dango. It's been too long since I've been to any of Konoha's food shops. And I have some news for you." I smiled.

"I already know what you're going to tell me," he said after we'd settled into a booth in the corner. I raised an eyebrow. "It's about your mother's parents. Right?" I nodded. "Lady Tsunade made me aware the moment she knew; she had Shizune contact me right after you left. She thought I should know, just in case you got upset later. Although it would seem you're more than ok with the situation."

"You just always have to ruin the moment, don't you?" I said glaring at him. "It did surprise me; well, actually it came as a bit of a shock to both of us, really. I hadn't realize how old both of my parents were." I said making a bit of a gross face and shaking my head.

"Well, we knew that your father had an unnatural aging process, likely a result of his taking in Hashirama's, sorry, your grandfather's cells during their last battle. The senju clan, during his time, produced many powerful ninja all with very unique abilities, and most with longer life spans. That coupled with the usually above normal longevity of the Uzumaki clan gave your mother a very long life expectancy too. So, in the grand scheme of things, you're really, still very much a child." He finished with a smile as our sweets arrived.

"Well, I may be a child compared to my parents, but compared to most people now, I'm almost an adult, and even as a child to them, I could still kick their butts, so I don't see how my age matters." I laughed, and he joined me.

"Well, since we've covered that, there actually is still something you can tell me, but I think it'd be better if we went to your house. Your new friends could help you explain some of the finer details, I'm sure." He said, still very pleasant.

"You've already searched all of our minds. Sure we kept some things out of reach, but only because they were personal. If it can help the village, you've seen it." I sighed.

"What about the personal things? Can any of them hurt the village?"

I hadn't given that any thought. "Not in any way I could see. My emotionally attachments have hardly ever gotten in the way, and when they did, it was only because I knew it wouldn't negatively impact the mission." I answered.

"And what is your mission now?" He asked still trying to keep a cool atmosphere, but I could sense it getting darker.

"The same as it's been since I moved to Konoha. To protect the village. I didn't have any real family when I moved here, but the people accepted me, and they became my family. I'd do anything to protect them ok," I said, beginning to get a bit frustrated. "I'd never let anything get in the way of that. Even if it was my own blood, I wouldn't take their side over Konoha's. That is, unless Konoha has changed. It isn't exactly the same place I left. But the people here are still working toward the right cause, so I'll deal with any mistrust." I had begun to raise my voice a bit, so I pause to cool my head.

"People don't have to like you to be your family," I said quietly. "Only to be your friends, and I don't need any fake friends. I've got two, waiting on me at home." I said rising from my seat and taking out my wallet. "Here," I said placing my half of the bill on the table. "You aren't my dad, so you don't have to keep buying things for me."

"No, you're right, Kimi." He replied before I could leave. "I'm your friend, so that means you've got three. And we've got your back. I just need to know that you've got everyone else's here."

I nodded, a wordless promise, but he must have believed me, because he picked up the money and handed it back before paying the bill with his own, and following me outside.

"Well, if you do remember anything else important, you can always tell me first if you want. You know I'll keep a secret."

I nodded again. "It's actually more that I can't tell you certain things than that I won't." I said. "Not because I promised or anything, but because I don't really know myself what's entirely true."

He nodded, understanding, then moved to hug me, but I moved back, startled.

"Sheesh, I only wanted a hug from the little girl I raised to be so strong." He said feigning hurt.

"Sorry," I said sheepishly. "I'm still a bit jumpy I guess." Then stepped up to him and gave him a tight hug. There weren't many people I was comfortable with being in my blind spot, or being close enough to hurt me if they wanted to; I just didn't trust that many people that much, but Kakashi was one of those few people, along with Haru, Kazuma, and my dad, so it felt comforting to be near someone I could trust to have my back and actually take my words as the truth.