Kishi was walking through the streets hesitating with each step. Generally, she would get done with the task in her mind by now... But task at hand was to talk to Kakashi. It wasn't the case that she was nervous or anxious to talk to him. In the last few years, they did talk but it was always her canines who would jump on him for attention. He would stroke their fur and talk to them. He would ask about Yui (the mama dog) to Kishi without fail and conversation ended with them asking about each other.

At first, Kishi felt he was avoiding her, later she felt that her presence made him uncomfortable, so she made it a point to not to push his limits. Now, it was just the small talk they had whenever they bumped into each other and smiles they exchanged. Those small talks were enough, she was happy that way. She had a few friends, she was not close to them but that was perfect, she knew a lot of people around the village and was friendly to other kids her age as well. She didn't want to pry into his life but was still angry at him because of the way he acted on funeral. Voicing the anger would be a waste , she thought because Kakashi still thought taht his father made a mistake. And she was not at all good at changing people or their opinions.

Her head was pounding with each step she took. She had cried her eyes out last night. But he has to know. She assured herself that it was the right thing to do.

She reached in front of his house and knocked the door and waited...No response... She knocked again...

Kakashi was thinking of breakfast when he heard a knock on his door. No one has ever knocked that door for years now. He tried to guess... Gai always came through windows where he saw Kakashi. His team decide to meet in the afternoon so they were out of question. That only left her, but she had stopped coming to his house long back. Confused and still guessing, he opened the door only to find out...it was indeed her.

It looked like she was about to leave, he had answered the door just in time. He simply blinked at her when she turned around. "Sorry for the wait... I was searching for my mask when I heard the door." he said offering her a eye-smile.

"Its fine... I didn't wait that long", she said smiling "I won't take your time I just-"

"Lets talk inside, come on in", Kakashi cut her off. He noted her puffed eyes and tired face. She was alone, none of her dogs were with her. ' Something happened..?' he thought.

"Oh... um..Its fine...its not going to take long..-", but he was already heading inside. She sighed and went inside, took her shoes off and followed him into the living room. The house was same way she remembered. Neat and clean. She saw a bowl and milk and eggs carton on the kitchen table through the living room window and guessed he was preparing the breakfast.

Kakashi was still weighing his chances about whether he should head out with Kishi, if she needed some help or offer her food, when she sat down infront of him. She had dark circles under her eyes ' a sleepless night...' he said to himself. Other than that she looked perfectly fine, no injuries or other marks. He went to kitchen to get her some water. Kakashi noticed she was in her casual attire and not in her ninja gear. Now he was really curious about why, after having a breakdown, the first thing she does is showing up at his house?

" Are you okay?" he asked, setting glass of water in front of her and sitting down.

"Well... Its Yui... she passed away last night. I was thinking of sending a note with Adzuki or other 2 for you, but those guys are pretty depressed... So I decided to show up. I thought I would let you know...", Kishi finished and glanced at Kakashi. His eyes looked sad. All of the sudden Kishi felt thirsty and chugged down the glass kept infront of her.

"Its decided then...", Kakashi said getting up.

"Huh..?"

"Wait here for me. Let me change and I will come with you. Don't leave without me."

Saying this he went to his room. Kishi was surprised. She didn't expect him to tag along.

"I can manage the things myself... You don't have to go out of your way to help me out with Yui" Kishi said after Kakashi had changed and entered the living room.

Kakashi felt a pinch of disappointment after hearing her. She didn't needed him or his help. She only thought it was her duty to let him know. 'Yet keeping her distance...' He kept his thoughts to himself and said,"I wish to see Yui... Besides I am free till afternoon...Lets go."

Kishi didn't argue any further. "Sorry for interrupting your breakfast though... You didn't get a chance to have any..." Kishi mumbled as they started to leave.

"Neither did you... So its fine" Kakashi said lightly smiling. They walked to her house in silence.

They both prepared a place for Yui in far corner of her backyard and buried her. They planted a plant beside her grave. Kishi felt she had done right letting Kakashi come with her. They sat in her backyard with Adzuki and Momo( Adzuki's brother) resting their head in Kishi's Lap and Pochi(Adzuki and Momo's sister) sitting in Kakashi's lap.

"Yui had done a very good job. She had made two handsome boys and a beautiful girl...", he said looking at Pochi. "Arigato Yui..." Kakashi said closing his eyes as if in a prayer.

He heard Kishi laughing beside him and he turned to face her."What..?"

"What's with the prayer like that ?", She chuckled.

"I was just being grateful to her...", he said.

"Yeah whatever..." They both fell silent.

"You know... Yui must have been thankful to you... She was just a stray until you took her in..", he said in a thoughtful tone.

Kishi smiled."I think it was the other way around.. I was just like a small pup to her...She took me in with these 3. She was the oldest member of this house. I just... feel like I am orphaned all over again.."

Kakashi was shocked at her words. He never knew she was such a deep person. Then again, he had himself avoided her in the past so he never would have guessed. He was lost for words. Tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped on Adzuki. Momo lifted his head up to see Kishi and put his head on her shoulder still whining, as if cuddling and soothing her. Adzuki didn't mind Momo standing on his stomach.

Kakashi was watching silently. It hurt to see Kishi's silent tears. He was distracted by Pochi's calm woof, she stood up from his lap and licked his fingers, then hugged Kishi from back. He really wanted to console her, just a pat on her back or head would have been fine, but her dogs gave no room for that.

He was quite glad to come along with her. He was surprised to see her at his door, considering the quiet and introverted Kishi. She always kept her feelings and opinions, not to mention her worries and problem to herself. She was self-dependent and he liked that in her, the trouble would start when her small actions would make him feel like he was invading her space. She was too humble or too nice or too... he didn't had any word for that but that was quite annoying, at time. But hearing her feelings made him feel nice, although he couldn't place why.

Kishi patted three of them and smiled "I am fine.. I am okay... guys..." She got up and hugged each one tightly then standing with an authority she said" Your mother left me incharge here now...I make rules here...You three understand it and better behave? Alright then!" She giggled at her monologue and glanced at Kakashi.

He was amazed at how deeply those three were connected to Kishi. He was laughing, "For how long have you waited to say that? huh?"

"Well, I always wanted to try saying that...", she winked and laughed. "Also, sorry for keeping you hungry till now. Would you like to eat together?"

"Sure….. Let's fix something up for meal and I'll be leaving for my training ", Kakashi said.