The skies grew pink as the sun began its climb up the morning sky. A mob of people were gathered outside in the middle of town. The mayor. Worried parents and friends. Villagers ready to ridicule the ninja, as well as villagers ready to thank the ninja. "Over there! There they are!" shouted one man, noticing everyone emerge from the thick of the forest. Gasps and whispers could be heard throughout the crowd as they made their way to the worn-down ninja and children. Worried parents came rushing over, embracing them warmly. Tears ran down many faces, and Sumi approached Koishii, whom held her daughter in her arms. "Oh, Ume!! You're home!" Sumi scooped up her daughter, squeezing her tightly as she wept tears of joy. "Oh, Koishii... Thank you... Thank you so much! We owe our lives to you." Sumi smiled up at her before turning and returning home with her daughter.

Once all the children were safely returned to their families, Kakashi and Koishii were approached by the mayor of the village. He bowed deeply to them. "Thank you so much for returning all the children. Please accept this extra contribution." He held out a pouch of money to both of them. "Thank you," Kakashi said as they both grabbed their extra reward. "You two are more than welcomed to stay as long as you want. Koishii, the house is yours. The deed is in your name. The ninja of a Konoha will always be welcomed here from now on." He smiled under his thick mustache before continuing, his face serious, "but before I can dismiss you fully..." "The adults are all dead," Koishii answered, knowing what his question would be. He dropped his head at the thought, but part of him already knew it was true. He looked back up at them, "thank you again, for all you've done for us."

"Here. My dad's clothes may be a size or two too big for you, but they're better than what you have on right now." Koishii said, handing Kakashi some fresh clothes and a towel for a shower. "Thanks," Kakashi said, accepting the clean clothes before stepping into the bathroom. Koishii had decided to let him clean up first. She needed to go do something, and this would be her only opportunity. She knew he was still her babysitter, and as soon as she heard the water start, she snuck out.

She was back inside just before Kakashi finished up and came downstairs. Seeing him in her dad's clothes made her feel nostalgic once more. It pained her. She had loved her father, even though he was the first to leave her. To abandon her. Kakashi tousled his hair once more with the towel before tossing it to her. She caught it, still staring at him. He was quite handsome now that she thought about it. She couldn't help but wonder what his face looked like behind his mask. "Bathroom's all yours now." "Thanks," Koishii said, passing him up the stairs.

Koishii stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in the towel that she had not used in decades. It forced more childhood memories to go through her mind. Memories that she had wished to stay buried. She sighed, putting on her mother's white tank top and pink pants. An outfit Koishii made her pick out as a child so they could match one day. It made her sad thinking about it. But she pushed it from her head, and wrapped her hair up in her towel before going downstairs.

She was hit by the aroma of food as she walked down the stairs. It made her hungry. They hadn't eaten in a while, and it was lunch time. "I'm afraid I'm not the best cook," Kakashi admitted to her, throwing a kitchen towel over his shoulder, "but I do well enough to get by." Koishii looked at the spread of food he had set out. There was a simple stir-fry, rice, and sweet dumplings. "I hope you don't mind that I went out for food and cooked in your kitchen," Kakashi said, pulling out her seat. "Not at all," Koishii replied, sitting down, pulling the towel from her head and letting her hair fall in an attempt to hide a small blush that she knew appeared across her face. "Well, dig in." Koishii did just that, but stayed up straight and proper the entire meal, just as she always did. It had been a long time since she had eaten anything mostly homemade. It was good. "I sent one of my dogs back to the Hokage telling him we'd be back late tonight, so we'll leave shortly after eating." Koishii nodded, wiping her mouth and eating her last dumpling. Kakashi took their dishes and began washing, and Koishii joined his side, helping him, both silently enjoying the chore together.

"We better get going," Kakashi stated, swinging his bag over his shoulder. "I have something for you first," Koishii informed him, fixing her hair back into its usual style. "Oh?" He asked, turning towards Koishii, perplexed as to what she would've gotten him. "It's in the back." Koishii led him to the back door, stepping out into the yard. Next to her parents' trees were three new ones. "Oak trees. For Minato, Obito, and Rin." Koishii sat down in the grass, and Kakashi joined her. "Each one will grow to be strong. Just like I know they all were," she said to him. Kakashi was touched. He hadn't expected anything this thoughtful from her. She looked at him as he faced the trees, thinking. Thinking about that time when she was on their team. Death always happened. It was inevitable. But now. Now she wondered if she had played the biggest role in the deaths of two people that were so close to Kakashi. Would they still be alive if she had stayed? A part of her started to regret the decision. With some thought, she said, "Kakashi... I'm sorry they died. That I wasn't there." And after that, she turned to face the trees, both of them silent, both of them thankful for the moment, and Kakashi thankful that he at least had her back in his life as he fought back the sadness and tears that always came with the thought of his old team.