"I thought that was supposed to be a B-rank! It was way too easy!" The loud blonde whined as the team of four walked through the forest.

"It was a very important item that was being transported. It was likely someone was going to try to steal it. It's not the commissioner's fault that no one attacked." The more level headed pink haired girl responded.

"You seemed disappointed too, Sakura." The black haired one commented.

"Not really. But if it was going to be such an easy mission, there was really no need for me to come. I could have stayed in Konoha and helped at the hospital instead."

"But you said you were glad to get out of the village since working at the hospital gets boring-"

"Ne, Sai, maybe you heard wrong."

"No, you said it right before we left. I remember you clearly said-" The black haired boy was interrupted by a fist shooting in his direction, which he managed to dodge.

"Ne, Sakura-chan, why are you getting so angry at Sai? We were all there when you said it-" This time the blond was the target of the girl's fist, though he wasn't able to avoid it.

Their silver haired teacher just sighed. At this point, he was used to his team's fighting. When it came to teamwork during battle, they were definitely improving, but when there were no enemies to fight, they could often be found fighting with each other instead.

Of course, Kakashi knows that they're all friends, even if he's pretty sure they're actually trying to kill each other sometimes. They only fight because they're close, or something like that.

He was about to reach for his book to tune out the fighting of his team when he noticed something from behind some of the trees ahead. He started walking faster toward the strange blob of white he'd spotted on the ground ahead.

When Kakashi got to the strange blob, he realised it wasn't a blob. It was a person. A child.

The child was unconscious, her white clothes torn and stained with red in some places. Her long brown hair was covered in dried blood, and the ends almost seemed like they had been burnt.

"Hey, Sakura!" Kakashi called to his medic teammate once he realised the child was clearly not alright, besides the fact they were unconscious in the middle of a forest.

"Hm? What is it Kakashi-sensei?" She asked curiously as she walked closer. She gasped when she saw the child, and she rushed over. She quickly sat on her knees so she could start healing the young girl that was undoubtedly badly injured, if the amount of blood was any indication.

By that point, the other two had also rushed over to see what was going on. "Hey, what happened? Is she okay?" Naruto asked, clearly concerned and upset to see such a young child so badly hurt.

No one said anything. It was quiet for the time it took Sakura to heal the child. What was really just many minutes felt like several hours while they all worried about the future of this child, or whether she would have one.

When she was done with her treatment, Sakura wiped the sweat from her forehead and sighed, but to everyone's hopefulness, it was clear it wasn't a sad sigh.

"Ne, Sakura…" Naruto didn't have to finish asking his question, because Sakura knew what he wanted to ask and decided to answer.

"She should be fine for now. I was able to heal all the serious injuries in time. We should bring her back to the village, though, so she can get proper treatment. All I was able to do was simple first aid."

And so, Kakashi ended up carrying the girl on his back as they rushed back to Konoha, but at a slightly slower pace so as to not accidentally harm the child. A few minutes passed when Kakashi felt the girl starting to move a bit. He slowed down a bit to make sure he didn't misstep as he turned his head to face the girl.

The child's eyes opened slightly, and she seemed to be waking up. "Where…?" A small, tired voice asked.

Kakashi gave his signature one-eyed smile in an attempt to reassure the girl. "We're on our way to Konohagakure. Don't worry, we won't hurt you. You're safe." He answered. "You can continue resting for now until we get there."

Kakashi looked forward again so he could continue moving quickly without risking accidentally tripping or running into anything. It's not like he can see in front of him from the corner of his eye when he's using his only uncovered eye to look back, after all.

Even without looking at the girl, Kakashi could tell that she lightly nodded before he felt her grab the fabric of his vest. He could tell when she fell back asleep, as well.

It wasn't long before the group finally reached the gates to Konoha. Once they were inside the village, the team paused. "Naruto, Sai, you two go give the mission report to Godaime-sama. Me and Sakura will bring her to the hospital." Kakashi instructed.

Before Naruto could start complaining about how Kakashi was just trying to find an excuse to not have to give the report, the silver haired jonin and his pink haired teammate left.

Once they were at the hospital, Sakura immediately told the nurses about the situation, and she brought the child to one of the treatment rooms so she could be properly healed and taken care of.

Kakashi decided to wait until they moved the girl to one of the ordinary rooms in the hospital for her to stay until she's recovered. She was still sleeping when they got there, and she stayed asleep for a fair amount of time after she had been fully healed.

Kakashi and Sakura were the only two in the room at the time when the girl finally opened her eyes again. "Where…?" She asked again, her voice still small and still just as tired as before.

"You're in Konoha now, in the hospital. Don't worry, you're safe here." Kakashi answered, once again trying to reassure her. He wasn't sure what happened to leave her so badly injured, but it was clear that she probably hadn't felt very safe before they found her. As he was speaking, Sakura helped the girl sit with her back against the wall to hold her up.

"Do you remember what happened?" Sakura asked the girl in a gentle voice. The girl turned her head to face her, since Sakura was standing beside the bed on the side closest to the wall with the window, the opposite side to where Kakashi was standing.

The girl just shook her head in response.

"That's okay. What's your name?" Sakura asked, once again in a gentle tone so as to not frighten the girl.

This time, the girl took a bit longer to respond. She seemed to think for a moment before she shook her head once again, confusing the two shinobi.

"As in you don't have a name, or you don't remember it?" Sakura asked, confused but trying not to show it too much.

The girl just looked down. "I don't know." She answered. Sakura considered the response for a moment, before seeming to come to a conclusion.

"She might have some kind of amnesia. I'm not really experienced in dealing with memory loss, so we should ask Tsunade-sama to check on the situation." Sakura said.

Kakashi nodded, agreeing that they should ask Tsunade to step in. "I'll go speak to her." Kakashi said, but when he was about to leave, a tiny hand grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, making him stop.

Kakashi and Sakura looked at the girl for a moment to understand what was happening. Sakura was the first to speak up. "You don't want Kakashi-sensei to leave?" She asked the girl. The girl responded by shaking her head, signaling she didn't want him to leave.

Kakashi sighed, and Sakura held back her laughter. "I have to go speak to Godaime-sama, so I have to leave." Kakashi tried to tell the girl, but her grip just tightened in response. It was clear she really didn't want him to go.

"Ne, it's alright Kakashi-sensei. I'll go explain the situation to Shishou. You can stay here. If anything happens, just call one of the nurses." Sakura said, which made Kakashi sigh again, but this time in defeat.

Not long after Sakura left the room, the girl fell asleep again while continuing to hold Kakashi's sleeve. Kakashi just gave up and decided to move the child so she was laying down again. He decided she was probably pretty tired after whatever had happened to her. Once the girl was laying down again, she moved to lay on her side while she hugged Kakashi's arm. Kakashi just sat in the nearby chair and resigned himself to the fact that he might not be able to leave for another while.

He was relieved when Sakura and Tsunade finally walked through the door. "You weren't kidding. She really is attached to Kakashi." Tsunade commented as she entered the room. Sakura just nodded in agreement.

"Since you guys are back, there's no need for me to stay any longer." Kakashi said, but before he could free his hand, his pink haired teammate protested.

"She's probably holding you like that because she doesn't want you to be gone when she wakes up. You can't just leave her now."

"She's probably confused and uncomfortable right now. If having you here is helpful to her, then it's best if you stay until she recovers." Tsunade agreed.

Kakashi just sighed again and accepted the fact that he really probably wouldn't be leaving any time soon.

Tsunade used a diagnostic jutsu to check on the girl's condition. "It seems she doesn't have any physical trauma to her head which could cause amnesia." She said once she was done, then thought for a moment before continuing. "Of course, it's still possible that she could have amnesia due to emotional stress, or perhaps a memory loss jutsu, so I'm not going to ignore that it's a possibility."

The group didn't have much time to consider after that since the girl started waking up again. She sat up, changing from hugging Kakashi's arm to just holding onto his sleeve once again. She didn't even notice Tsunade was there until the woman spoke.

"Awake?" Tsunade had asked, which seemed to briefly startle the child as she quickly turned her head to face the unfamiliar voice.

"Don't worry, she's not bad. This is Tsunade-sama. She's in charge of the village." Sakura explained to the girl. The girl just nodded to say that she understood.

"Do you remember anything? Who you are?" Tsunade asked. The girl shook her head in response. Tsunade sighed. "If she can't remember anything, then we'll just have to figure out what to do with her for now until we can get her home. Kakashi, can you look after her for now?"

"Why me?" He asked, not convinced that he should be the one to take care of a child. Why would anyone think he's the most suitable to look after a child!?

"Because it seems she has already attached herself to you. If she has found someone she's comfortable with, it would make sense for them to be the one to help her while she's in this situation. It doesn't seem like she wants to go with anyone else. Though, if you don't want to do it, I guess I could send her to an orphanage or something, or leave her to fend for herself while she's lost and confused." Tsunade responded.

Kakashi sighed. "Are you trying to manipulate me?"

"Maybe, but it is true. The only alternative would be to leave her in an uncomfortable situation either with someone she doesn't know or on her own while she tries to figure out what's happening around her." Tsunade somewhat admitted to trying to use guilt to convince Kakashi, but she explained the truth behind it.

Sakura was with the child just as much before the girl decided to cling to Kakashi, so the only explanation for the fact she didn't have the same reaction for Sakura would be that she feels safe around Kakashi specifically. Tsunade's sure that no matter who else they tried sending her to, she wouldn't feel quite as comfortable with them, so having Kakashi be the one to look after her is the best option, in Tsunade's opinion. And Kakashi, though reluctantly, acknowledges it too.

He just sighs again, and Tsunade takes it as a sign that he's agreed. "Now that that's decided," Tsunade starts as she turns to face the child again. "You said you don't remember your name, but is there a name you would like us to call you for now?" She asked. The girl shook her head.

It would be complicated trying to address the child when she doesn't have a name. Tsunade considered what to do for a moment, before facing Kakashi again. "Since you're the one looking after her, do you have any ideas for a temporary name?" She asked.

Kakashi thought for a moment. "Kumiko." He finally said.

"Kumiko? Any reason why you chose that name?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Not really, just thought of it. Why? Is it a bad name?"

"No. I think it's fine."

But in reality, it didn't matter what Sakura thought, because one look at the child would show that she seemed to like the name. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled, clearly happy. It warmed everyone's heart to see her smiling like that.

"Great! Now then, since Kumiko has been healed completely, there's no further reason to keep her here. You two are free to go." Tsunade dismissed. Kakashi stood up to leave, and Kumiko got herself out of the bed, never letting go of Kakashi's shirt. The two left like that.

"Are we sure Kakashi-sensei can take care of a child?" Sakura asked once the mentioned silver haired jonin was gone.

Tsunade had to think for a moment before responding. "Who knows. But he was able to take care of a genin team, so it should be fine."

"Shishou… a genin team and a normal child are two different things."

"He'll figure it out."

"Well, I'm sure it will work out…somehow."

"Anyway, Sakura, you just got back from a mission so you're free to leave for today." And with that, Sakura left. Tsunade felt as though she may have been forgetting something, but she decided it must not be important if she can't remember what it was.

Kakashi considered what he should do first, but it wasn't too difficult to decide when he looked at Kumiko's clothes. They had to change her clothes at the hospital because the white robes she was wearing were in bad condition. Now she was just wearing an adult size shirt that looks more like a dress on her. And so, he decided. The first thing they should do is get her some proper clothes.

It wasn't long after he decided this that he heard a painfully familiar voice behind him, seemingly coming closer at a very quick speed. "My Eternal Rival!"

Kakashi stopped, not wanting to turn around as a certain green-dressed, overly energetic jonin ran over to where the silver haired man was standing. But he didn't need to turn to face him, since Guy ran to stand in front of Kakashi.

"It's been a while since our last competition! So now-"

"Sorry, Guy. I'm a little busy today. I can't compete with you." It was only after Kakashi's rejection that Guy noticed the little girl that was holding Kakashi's arm, seemingly trying to hide behind him as if Guy had frightened her.

"Who's that? Eternal rival, don't tell me-!" Guy gasped, but Kakashi was quick to interrupt him.

"No. She's not mine. We found her outside of Konoha, and she has amnesia." He explained. "Anyway, I have to go get her some proper clothes, so I can't accept your challenge today."

"If that's how it is, then that can be our challenge! Being able to choose clothes to blend into the crowd is also an important shinobi skill! We will fight to see who can choose the better outfit!"

"I don't think that's-"

Guy put his hand up to silence Kakashi. "This is the perfect youthful competition! I can assure you my sense of style is unrivalled! I will find the most suitable clothes for-!"

"No. You are absolutely not picking Kumiko-chan's outfit." Another voice interrupted, and Kakashi was glad for the assistance.

Sure enough, as Sakura had expected, one of the first things to be done was to find some clothes for Kumiko, and she absolutely could not leave that issue alone! She was surprised, however, to find Guy shouting about finding the best outfit for her. Sakura couldn't let that happen, so she had to step in. She was not going to let this poor, innocent child suffer Guy's sense of fashion.

Sakura looked in Kakashi's direction. "I can't leave it to you, either. Honestly, neither of you have any sense of style." Sakura sighed. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. I'll help Kumiko-chan find something to wear. Ne, Kumiko-chan?" Sakura smiled at the girl and offered her her hand, but Kumiko showed no signs of letting go of Kakashi. Sakura noticed this and just smiled instead. "Well, let's go." She said, her tone telling Kakashi that he was forced to go as well. For some reason, Guy followed.

They found a clothes store and Sakura walked with Kumiko (and consequently, Kakashi) to find the perfect outfit for the girl. Sakura wasn't really sure what kind of style the girl would like, excluding the strange robes she had been wearing before, so she just tried to find something that she thought would look cute on the girl.

It didn't take too long for her to find something. "I think this would be cute! Ne, Kumiko-chan, you should try it on." Sakura smiled at the girl as she showed her the outfit. Kumiko nodded in response, so they went to where the store's change rooms were.

"I can't go there with you." Kakashi told the girl once they got there. She hesitated, not wanting to let go of Kakashi, and her hesitation didn't go unnoticed by the other two present.

Guy put a hand on Kakashi's shoulder as he spoke to the girl. "Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't leave." He reassured.

Kumiko hesitated, but eventually nodded, deciding to trust the strange person who had previously showed up out of nowhere.

"Do you need help trying it on?" Sakura offered, and Kumiko nodded and accepted Sakura's open hand as they both vanished into the change room.

"By the way, Guy, why are you still here?"

A few minutes later, Kumiko came out of the dressing room with a huge smile on her face as she wore the outfit Sakura had chosen.

The outfit consisted of a simple light blue dress that went to the girl's knees and had a very dark blue belt, a dark-ish blue jacket with the shoulders cut out, a matching pair of darkish blue boots with very light blue laces that were similar to the ones shinobi often wear, and a pair of white leggings. The blue complimented the girl's bright blue eyes perfectly.

Sakura followed the girl out of the change room, a smile on her own face as she watched the girl excitedly show Kakashi her new outfit. Mission complete.

"Alright, well, now that that's done, there shouldn't be anything else I have to worry about. Good luck Kakashi-sensei." Sakura said before leaving, having only really showed up to make sure the poor girl didn't have to suffer through her sensei's sense of fashion. She couldn't let him try to pick out a decent outfit for Kumiko! She was too adorable to have anything less than an adorable outfit.

It wasn't long after the cheerful girl exited the dressing room with her new outfit that she went back to holding onto the sleeve of Kakashi's shirt. Kakashi was starting to get used to the girl clinging to him, so he didn't mind as much. He paid for the clothes then exited the store with the girl.

They were just walking for a bit while Kakashi tried to figure out what he was supposed to do next when they were about to pass a certain shop.

Ino happened to be arranging things outside of her family's flower shop when she noticed the small group walking by. "Hey Kakashi-sensei, Guy-sensei. Who's the child? Is she yours?" Ino greeted before noticing the child at Kakashi's side.

"No. My team found her, and she lost her memory." Kakashi had to once again explain.

It was then that Ino noticed the girl's hair. "What happened to her hair?" Ino asked, concerned at why this girl's hair was burnt at the ends.

"We don't know yet. It was like that when we found her, and she can't remember what happened." Kakashi explained.

Ino offered her hand to the girl. "Come on, I'll cut it for you." She offered, but Kumiko just went to hide slightly behind Kakashi, while one of her hands held a piece of her hair defensively.

"Don't worry, I won't cut off any more than is needed." Ino reassured, and it made Kumiko seem a bit more at ease. At least, enough that she wasn't holding her hair defensively anymore. But she still made no move to accept Ino's hand. The girl refused to let go of Kakashi.

"Come on, Kumiko-chan." Kakashi said as he led the girl to follow Ino inside the store. Ino led Kumiko to a chair then went to go grab a pair of scissors. When she returned, she began to fix the girl's hair, cutting off the parts that were burnt then making sure her hair was even. Thankfully not too much of it was burnt, though that just made Ino even more curious about the situation.

It didn't take too long before Ino was done with Kumiko's hair. Before the group was about to leave, Ino couldn't help but be curious enough to ask. "Ne, Kakashi-sensei, why is she stuck to you anyway?"

"I honestly have no idea." Was the response. The group then left and continued their walk. Thankfully, Kakashi had had some time to think about what to do next. He had realised that it had likely been some time since Kumiko last ate, so they should probably get some food.

"Kumiko-chan, do you know what kinds of food you like?" Kakashi asked as they walked. The girl just shook her head, so he moved on to the next question. "Do you have any foods you're allergic to?"

"Allergic?" The girl asked, clearly not knowing the word.

"Are there any foods you can't eat?" Kakashi rephrased it. Kumiko thought for a moment before shaking her head again. He wasn't sure if she had no allergies or if she just didn't remember them, but he hoped it was the former.

He tried to think about something Kumiko might like, until they were about to pass by the bakery, and Kakashi felt Kumiko slow down a bit. He looked to her to see she was looking through the window of the bakery at the cakes that were displayed there.

"You want cake?" He asked curiously as they stopped. Kumiko looked up at him, as if she didn't understand what he was talking about.

"Cake?" She asked, as if she didn't know what it was. "That?" She asked as she pointed to the window with the cakes displayed. Kakashi nodded in response.

"I'm not sure if that's the best option for lunch, though…" He started, but Guy stepped in.

"That doesn't matter right now. You can eat proper food later! This young girl wants to eat cake for now!" Guy said, then started to speak a bit quietly. "Besides, it sounds like she had a rough time before you found her. Cake is the perfect youthful food to brighten this youth's mood."

Kakashi sighed and decided that Guy was right. Kumiko had just gone through a lot, so having cake for lunch this once shouldn't be a problem if it makes her happy.

"Anyway, Guy, why are you still here?"

Author's note:

Hello readers! Although I've written Fanfiction before, this is my first time using this website so I apologize if there are any issues with the format of the story! I've gotten writer's block on so many stories, so now I've decided to write another one! (Because that's definitely the best solution.) For some reason, I wanted to write a child main character, so here you go! I apologize that the first couple chapters are a bit slow. They're mostly just basic introduction to what's happening and stuff. The third chapter (which I will be starting soon) will start to introduce one of the important pieces of the plot, but that's something to worry about after you've read the second chapter! Thank you to anyone who clicked on my random little story! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you will enjoy future chapters!