Kishi woke up to the earsplitting noise of her alarm. Still sore from mission injuries, she sat up slightly grunting. Her three pets were lazily scattered around the bed. Pochi's knees were bandaged, Hana had treated her yesterday.

"You guys can rest up today. I have to go to commemoration. You can go with me if you want or stay home." The lack of response from her hounds told her she was going alone. She shrugged and decided to get ready.

She put on comfortable black t-shirt and black baggy pants and tied her shoulder length light brown hair in a high ponytail while her side parted front bangs reached her left eyebrow. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, lost in thoughts. All the shinobi in the village were to be gathered at memorial park to honor the heroes of the Third Great Ninja war.

An unsettling feeling washed over Kishi's mind. She had killed in the name of peace, ironic. Her victims surely had someone-families, friends- who were agonizing over their deaths. She was the reason for their pain. Somewhere, someone was cursing her, vowing to avenge her victims. No peace can come from all this. But she had her own village to protect, she cannot just stand by and let them win, she had her duties to fulfill. 'Humans are cruel and selfish...' she sighed thinking. She understood very well that she has to live with these feelings, just like any other shinobi.

She pushed these thoughts to back of her mind, put some food in her pets' bowl, in case she was late and decided to leave.

She met with Ibiki and Tokuma at the entrance of park. They joined up with Gai, Hayate, Ebisu and Kushina. Kishi had seen almost all of her friends. Later as she had walked up to the front, she had seen Obito's photo with his goggles kept infront of it. A lump was caught in her throat as she saw Obito's smiling face in the photograph.

She wasn't close to Obito, but he was a comrade and friend. She knew he only had a grandma at home. She never had any missions with him but he was nice and easy to talk to.

As she turned to walk back she saw Team Minato was in front row. Rin looked devastated, on the verge of crying. Minato sensei looked sad and Kakashi looked hurt. He had his left eye covered by his headband. Kishi would meet them after the commemoration.

She was talking to Ibiki and Kushina sensei when team Minato approached them. Minato sensei wanted to talk to Ibiki. Kishi noticed that Rin was trying her best fighting back her tears. The lump in Kishi's throat was back. She almost felt physical pain when see saw Rin. Obito always talked about her, no matter how small the talk was, Rin would always come up. Kishi reached out and pulled Rin in a tight embrace and she buried her face on Kishi's shoulder, letting the tears wet Kishi's shirt. A ninja must never show emotions but a ninja is only a human after all and so was Rin. Kishi knew, no fake assurances about everything being fine were going to work. To move on, Rin simply needed to let it all out. Kishi gently moved her hand on Rin's back, hoping to soothe her. Finally, Rin let go of Kishi when she had composed herself.

As Rin released her, Kishi saw Minato sensei's sad smile as he glanced towards Kakashi. He would never cry nor let it go. Although he put a front of aloofness, Kishi knew very well that deep down Kakashi cared and right now he was just as vulnerable as Rin. Afterall, she had seen how he loved Sakumo san before his death. Minato put a hand on Kakashi's head and said," Take some rest now, you did well. None of it was your fault Kakashi... Now rest up... You too Rin... We have a few days off. We will check up on your eye tomorrow at hospital." Kakashi and Rin both nodded. Minato then pat Kishi on head and smiled, then left taking Kushina and Ibiki with him. Rin's parents called her and she left Kishi with Kakashi without another word.

Kakashi didn't say anything, he just stood there for few seconds and started walking past Kishi. He didn't need any sympathy today. It was his fault, if only he had acted fast, if only he had enough chakra left, if only Obito didn't save him...

Kishi had already decided to accompany him so didn't wait for his approval and ran up to him and started walking beside him. His lone eye was filled with sadness...guilt? He looked tired, but if Kishi didn't stay for him today, he might again push everyone even farther away from him. And above all she had promised Sakumo san, so leaving him alone was not an option.

Kakashi didn't expect Kishi to follow him. He didn't know what to say, so he stayed silent and so did she. The silence was not annoying nor a burden. He glanced at her, taking in her calm yet grieving face and noticing her bruised arms and elbow, she was in deep thought. They had passed the turn to her house and yet she was silent. He finally decided to speak.

"Kish-"

"When did you return from the mission, Kakashi?",Kishi interrupted.

"Yesterday night, just before 10."

"Obito's grandmother must know what happened, don't you think?"

He was mildly surprised at the direct question, which sounded more like advice. He was so lost in his own misfortune that Obito's grandmother didn't cross his mind. It was already complicated as the Uchihas were against the Obito's gift to him, the sharingan, but their clan head had allowed to let him keep the eye, honoring Obito's dying wish. His grandma has to know but how could he tell her that her grandson had given up his own life to save him.

"It's just noon, we can give her a visit. I think she will feel better. Let's go." Kishi said.

He didn't argue further.

Obito's grandmother looked tired, but smiled gently as she had seen Kakashi and Kishi at her door. She welcomed them and offered them some snacks which they refused at first but reluctantly agreed to have.

"Obito..." Kakashi started to tell her about their mission and proceeded to tell how he awakened his Sharingan and about Rin's kidnapping and finally his last moments. He then lifted his headband off his left eye showing Obito's sharingan that shown brightly with black tomoe in it.

Obito's grandma stared gently at the sharingan, then shifted slightly, wrapping Kakashi into a warm embrace.

"Obito did well...", she said "He had proved himself to be a good ninja. He saved you and gave away a beautiful gift. He really was kind and so are you. It must be hard for you Kakashi boy...but thank you for telling me... I've made peace by knowing my Obito died a hero. You did a really good thing coming here today. Keep up the good work and Make sure you carry on his last wishes, make this gift a worthy one Kakashi boy..."

Throughout his narrative, his voice had trembled but Kakashi calmly told everything. But the warm embrace and her kind words made a single tear roll down his lone eye, disappearing in the mask. When grandma pulled away, he composed himself and glanced towards Kishi. Her eyes were teary but she blinked them away. She was softly smiling at him.

Kishi was relieved as she watched Kakashi tell everything. He was letting it go. It was a long process but at least it had started.

They were about to leave when Obito's grandma had offered them for lunch saying she could use some company for little longer and help as well.

Once on the streets, after leaving Obito's house, Kakashi wasn't sure what should he do. He can go home and clean his house maybe. He sure did feel a little better after talking to Obito's grandma but the headache was still there. His brain and body still needed time to adjust to the new eye. Sleep might help, but he had a hard time trying to sleep last night.

"Umm... Kakashi..."

He glanced towards Kishi. She seemed as if debating whether to speak or not.

"Would you... like to meet...Pochi..?"

'Was she troubled to ask this?' he thought.

"I mean...you can refuse..."Kishi said cursing herself inside. She just wanted to stay there for him...just like he was there for her after Yui. "I know you are tired and have injuries... On the second thought, you should rest up. She can meet you la-"

"Sure...", Kakashi cut her off and started walking.

Kishi was confused now. 'Had he agreed to rest up or to meeting Pochi?' She caught up with him but remained silent.

Her doubt was solved when he turned on the corner, walking towards her house.

"Why didn't you bring them along?" Kakashi asked as he entered her house.

"They were really tired and Pochi is injured so the other 2 didn't want to leave her alone and.. well Adzuki was too lazy to get up"

Kakashi simply nodded. Momo was the first to greet him. Pochi was madly wagging her tail as she could not stand due to her injuries.

Kakashi could not help but smile at Pochi's excitement. He bundled her up in his arms, found a comfortable spot on couch and lay her in his lap. He pet her to calm her. He praised her for her mission and what not.

The whole scene made Kishi roll her eyes. She checked on Momo's and Adzuki's scratches and wounds and fed all three. Kakashi was quiet the whole time. When her dogs had fed and gathered around her, she sat down beside the couch to finally give them attention.

"Is the eye painful?" Kishi asked.

"It will take time to adjust to it. It just keeps on drowning my chakra."

"What about the wound? It's still looks fresh... You should dress it up"

"Rin had healed it earlier. She said it would remain like that forever." He answered.

It was late evening when Kakashi decided to leave. All three hounds were asleep. He was spent as well. He thought about his day and glanced at Kishi who, had Adzuki and Momo in her lap and was yawing . He was grateful that Kishi had stayed with him entire day. He finally understood why his dad saved his friends rather than completing the mission. One friend had saved his life while other had his back. He decided to visit his father tomorrow.

"Arigato... Kishi..." Kakashi said putting Pochi on couch.

Kishi looked up, surprised at first. She slowly smiled and simply nodded in reply.

"I was thinking of visiting Otosan tomorrow... I need to apologise to him as well..." Kakashi said as he was about to leave.

"He did forgive you long ago Kakashi..."

Author Note:

So... whoever is reading this , first of all, thank you very much and I hope you enjoy it. Also I would like to hear about your views on this story...

Actually I am kinda new to whole writing so... (please) tell me do you like it?

Also, any suggestion and criticism on anything related to story is welcome... I look forward to it :-)