Kakashi watched the interaction between the girl and Shiba closely, feeling his eyebrow twitch. That... actually worked?

Kakashi leaned in, his eye narrowing in curiosity. "What is she saying?"

Shiba's nose twitched thoughtfully. "She says the forest is her home... and she doesn't get how you live in such a... smelly place. Oh, and she's curious about you."

Kakashi's eyebrow shot up. Curious about me? He watched as the girl gave Shiba a particularly good ear scratch, like she was reading from a manual titled "How to Charm a Dog in 10 Seconds." Shiba, the traitor, was clearly loving it. His tail wagged even harder, if that was possible, as the girl giggled softly. Seriously? I have never gotten this response.

Shiba barked again, clearly enjoying this a little too much. "Yep, curious about you. But... she thinks I'm easier to understand."

Kakashi felt his other eyebrow twitch. Easier to understand? Was Shiba mocking him? His gaze darted back to the girl, who was now giggling softly. Shiba nudged her hand playfully with his head, and she made another small, gentle noise—like they were having the best conversation in the world.

"She's really trying to understand you, Boss," Shiba said, sounding both impressed and curious. "She has never actually communicated with someone so similar to her" He turned his head slightly, as if asking a question with his tone.

Kakashi sighed quietly, So similar? Does she mean… another human? His gaze softened as he saw the now gentle look on her face. She feels more at ease with Shiba.

Shiba glanced up at him with a smirk—or as much of a smirk as a dog could manage—and then back at the girl, who was now sitting cross-legged on the ground, fully engrossed in her new friend. Am I… jealous of my ninken? Kakashi scratched the back of his head, feeling a wave of awkwardness wash over him.

"Right," Kakashi muttered to himself, trying to pull himself together. He pointed toward the village, then at himself, repeating the earlier hand signs she had used for "home." "Home. Village"

The girl momentarily pulled her attention away from Shiba followed his gestures. At least she's still listening to me. Her lips pressed together in a small frown, thoughtful, as she glanced between Kakashi and Shiba.

Slowly, she raised her hands and gestured toward the village again, her movements more deliberate this time, her eyes flicking back and forth between the two of them. The earlier excitement had faded, replaced by a quiet determination. She repeated the same motion for "home," her gaze steady.

Kakashi's eyebrow lifted, watching her closely. What is she—

"She's trying to say something," Shiba murmured, his nose twitching.

Then, to his utter surprise, she opened her mouth. The sound that came out wasn't like her usual hums or purrs—it was quiet and raspy, almost like she hadn't used her voice in years.

"I…e…" She struggled "Iii-eee"

Kakashi's eye practically doubled in size. Did she just... say home?! His visible eye widened, and for a split second, he forgot how to breathe, trying to wrap his mind around the sound. It was strained, but it was a word. A real word.

Shiba's tail wagged, clearly impressed. "Not bad, kid!"

Encouraged by their reactions, the girl smiled—a small, shy smile and repeated, "H-home," a little clearer this time, pointing to him.

Kakashi crouched down lower, his heart doing that weird fluttery thing that was both confusing and endearing at the same time. "Yeah," he said softly, nodding in encouragement. "Home. Ie." He pointed to the village again. "Village. Sato."

Her eyes flickered with recognition. "Sa..to," she repeated, softer this time. her voice still scratchy like a kitten's first meow. Kakashi's heart might've melted a little. Okay, this is actually kind of adorable.

Feeling the moment, Kakashi gave her a thumbs-up, but her reaction was... not what he expected. She stared at him with that same bewildered look she had earlier, like he'd just pulled a rabbit out of his ear. Oh... right, she's never seen a thumbs-up. Lowering his hand quickly, he coughed awkwardly into his fist. …Moving on.

The girl pointed at him again, her voice still rough around the edges. "Home. Village," she whispered.

Shiba, wagging his tail happily, nudged the girl with his nose. "She's learning fast, huh?" He barked in approval.

Kakashi felt a weird mix of pride and shock bubbling up inside him. He scratched his head awkwardly, feeling a bit like an over-enthusiastic teacher. She was talking! Well, sort of.

But then she pointed toward herself again and gestured to the forest, her brow furrowing. Her lips moved, but the word she wanted wouldn't come. Her eyes darted back to Kakashi, filled with that unmistakable look of: What's that word?

Kakashi blinked, realizing she wanted to know the name of the forest. He felt a little embarrassed, unsure why teaching her basic words like a parent to a child felt so... strange. A purring sound disturbed disturbed his thoughts. She was practically purring in excitement, eager to learn. Okay, focus. Be a teacher.

He cleared his throat, pointing toward the trees. "Forest. Mori," he said clearly, then repeated it again, slower this time. "Mo-ri."

The girl's eyes lit up. She pressed her lips together, furrowing her brow in concentration. "Mm... Mo…gi?"

Kakashi chuckled softly. Not bad. Close, but not quite. He gave her a small nod, his voice gentle. "Mo-ri," he repeated, pointing again, making sure to really emphasize it.

Her face brightened even more, a strange mix of triumph and excitement. "Mori!" she managed, her voice still raspy but filled with the kind of pride only a child feels when they've finally gotten something right. She looked at Kakashi, her wide eyes practically begging for approval.

Kakashi smiled under his mask. "That's right. Forest."

The girl beamed, practically bouncing on her toes as she repeated the words over and over again, "Home! Forest!"

Shiba, who had been watching the whole interaction with his head tilted in amusement, barked happily, wagging his tail. "She's like a little puppy learning how to bark for the first time," he quipped.

Kakashi couldn't help but laugh, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Is this... how people feel teaching? He glanced down at Shiba. "I've never had to teach someone to speak before."

Shiba barked again. "Well, you're doing great, boss. And look—she's not sad anymore."

It was true. The girl's earlier gloom had all but evaporated, replaced by an infectious, childlike joy as she repeated her new words like treasures.

But as Kakashi watched her, something else tugged at his senses—a shift in the air. His body tensed, instincts flaring. Something's coming. He straightened slightly, his eye narrowing. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but there were others nearby, closing in fast.

ANBU.