Chapter Text
It is a tranquil night in the Hidden Leaf Village—the birthplace of great shinobi who have left their mark on the ninja world through remarkable feats, but above all, through the Will of Fire.
The night air is crisp and pure, while countless stars scatter across the sky, adorning the heavens as the day comes to a gentle, harmonious end.
In one of the village’s homes, a mother is setting the table, preparing to serve the delicious meal she has just made, its inviting steam rising from the kitchen.
“Haru-chan! Go wash your hands, dinner’s ready!” the woman calls out as she places the dishes on a Western-style table—three settings in total.
The housewife appears to be around twenty-five years old, with a graceful and slender figure, her long hair falling down to her waist. When no response comes, she glances toward the study room just a few steps away, separated by sliding doors.
“Haru? Sweetheart? Did you hear me?” she asks, walking over curiously as she wipes her hands on her pink apron.
“I’m coming, Mom! Just give me a moment!” the girl’s gentle voice answers from behind the door, which is slowly opened by her mother.
She pauses in surprise upon finding her surrounded by open books and sealing scrolls, all scattered across the tatami, with the girl sitting right in the middle of it all, carefully reading one of them.
“Sweetheart, it’s getting late. What is it that you’re so focused on?” her mother asks, watching her little genin with a worried frown.
The girl avoids eye contact, clearly absorbed in her reading, her reddish-brown hair falling over her face.
“Haru…” she sighs, her voice gentle yet firm as she tries to get her daughter’s attention.
“I’m sorry, Mom, but I can’t find any information about those strange inscriptions I saw the other day…” the girl says, unrolling the scroll in her hands as she continues searching through its writings.
Suddenly, the front door bursts open, drawing the woman’s attention as she turns around.
“Hana! Hana! My love! Where are you?!” her husband’s deep voice calls out from the entrance.
“Kai, darling—we’re in the study!”
She slides the doors open at once, alarmed by the tone in his voice as he rushes toward her, visibly shaken.
The man is tall, around six feet, with red hair. His pale skin is damp with sweat, glistening under the hallway light. His blue eyes are filled with—concern so intense it sends a chill down her spine.
“Kai? What’s wrong?” she asks, her expression tightening.
“Hana, take Haru and go to your aunt’s cabin in the mountains. Now!” he says, gripping her shoulders firmly. She frowns, confused.
“The Nine-Tails is attacking the village!” the red-haired man exclaims, his voice trembling with fear.
The words hit her like a shock, the image of the great demon fox flashing through her mind.
The man moves quickly toward the kitchen, carrying his confused daughter in his arms, unsettled by her father’s unusual state—so different from his usual warmth.
“Dad?! What’s happening?!” the girl exclaims, clutching tightly around his neck as he rushes her toward the genkan. He sets her down on the floor, quickly searching for her shoes.
“Dad, who’s attacking the village?! What is the Nine-Tails?!”
The man says nothing, simply helping her put on her shoes, which only heightens the child’s anxiety.
At that moment, her mother appears, carrying her shinobi gear—a pouch of shuriken, a kunai holster strapped to her thigh, and her jōnin uniform—placing it on the table. The man looks at her.
“Hana, what are you doing?! You’re not going!” the red-haired man snaps, frowning in disbelief.
She meets his gaze, determined to follow him despite the tension thick in the air.
“Hana, you and Haru have to leave! Just listen to me for once!” Kai says firmly, trying to break through his wife’s resolve.
“No!” Her voice breaks as she covers her face with both hands, trying to hide her frustration—alarming her young daughter, who watches her parents argue for the first time.
Before he can say anything else, the door opens again. Another man enters the house—a jōnin, the leader of Haru’s team.
“Makoto-sensei?!” The girl looks at the three adults in confusion, unaware that they had once been teammates.
He is slightly taller than Kai, fair-skinned, with wavy ash-blond hair that falls over his cheeks, almost obscuring his narrow eyes.
“Kai! We have to go! Lord Hiruzen ordered us to hold off the Nine-Tails so the civilians can evacuate! Let’s move!” the jōnin says urgently, fixing a serious gaze on his old comrade.
Kai turns immediately, pulling his daughter into a tight embrace.
“Haru, my little cotton flower… take care of yourself. Dad has to go.”
The hug is brief, but intense. Deep down, the girl feels it may be the last, her eyes widening in silent realization.
The red-haired man stands, ready to leave, as his companion opens the door.
“Hana…”
Kai gives his wife one last look—she, too, senses that it may be the final time she will meet those blue eyes.
He rushes out, and mother and daughter follow after him, watching as he disappears across the rooftops.
“DAAAAD!!”
The dream ends abruptly, and Haru jolts awake, finding herself in her bed—in what was once her parents’ room, on the upper floor of the house.
She sits up slowly, drenched in sweat, her heart pounding painfully in her chest, aching under the weight of those childhood memories.
She rubs her eyes, trying to fully wake herself, only to find them damp—she had been crying in her sleep.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoes up the wooden stairs, drawing closer to her room.
“Haru-chan? Are you awake?” her great-aunt’s raspy voice calls out, stopping just outside the sliding door.
The woman is elderly, around seventy years old, her hair completely gray. She wears a long gray dress buttoned down the front, and draped over her shoulders is a finely woven red cardigan.
“Are you alright? I thought I heard you scream…” the elderly woman asks from behind the sliding door, waiting for a response.
“Ah—I’m fine, Auntie! Don’t worry, I’m getting up now!” the young girl replies, trying to sound calm despite still being shaken by the recent dream as she hurriedly gets out of bed.
“Breakfast is ready! I made your favorite! Don’t take too long or it’ll get cold!”
A few sounds come from inside the room. The elderly woman takes a step back, ready to leave, but is suddenly startled when the door slides open abruptly.
“YOU MADE FRIED RICE WITH EGGS?!” the girl exclaims excitedly, looking at her aunt, who takes another step back, clutching her red knitted cardigan.
The kunoichi’s brown eyes shine like caramel against her beautiful face—so much like her mother’s, though softer, more innocent.
“Oh my, child! You’ll give me a heart attack with that energy so early in the morning!” the old woman complains, frowning slightly as her niece beams with a bright smile.
“Heh… sorry, Auntie…” the girl straightens up, a bit embarrassed.
“Child, you’re soaked in sweat… w-what were you dreaming about? D-did something happen with that silver-haired hero of yours?”
The elderly woman watches her tensely, already suspecting that the girl has reached that “hormonal” age where young women start having… certain kinds of dreams.
The girl turns red in an instant, confirming her suspicions.
“A-AUNTIE! P-PLEASE DON’T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT! NOTHING HAPPENED WITH KA—!!” she blurts out, quickly covering her mouth before she can finish saying the name of her mysterious silver-haired hero—the one she had been obsessed with since childhood.
The old woman lets out a heavy sigh, clearly unconvinced, casting her an accusatory look.
“Well, you should eat breakfast and then take a bath. There are still things left to pack, and I have to go see the Hokage later… I’ll probably be home late. Can you handle things on your own?”
Her voice carries a hint of fatigue. Preparations for their departure from the village had taken longer than expected, especially since the young kunoichi—recently promoted to jōnin—had been constantly away on missions, barely getting any rest.
“Ah, u-um… Auntie, I actually have a gathering tonight. My sensei organized it to celebrate my promotion to jōnin…” the girl says sheepishly, scratching her cheek.
“Your sensei? The strange man in the green suit?” the old woman asks, surprised.
The girl nods eagerly, her face lighting up with excitement.
“I see… Well, I’ll pack a few things while you eat. You can take care of the rest afterward, so you’ll be free tonight. Alright?” the gray-haired woman says, looking at her niece seriously—though a small smile forms, proud of her achievements.
“YES! Don’t worry! I’ll take care of everything!” the girl rep
lies confidently, patting her chest.
The old woman sighs and turns to leave, while Haru follows after her, humming happily.
Night is fast approaching as Haru seals the last cardboard box with tape, letting out a satisfied sigh after finishing in time.
She wipes her forehead with the back of her hand, glancing at the clock on the wall—it reads 6:30 p.m.
“Oh no, it’s almost time to meet Guy-sensei!”
She quickly gets to her feet, hurrying out of the study and down the hallway toward the stairs, rushing up to her room on the upper floor.
After a quick shower, she gets dressed in a hurry, constantly glancing at the clock on her desk, feeling time slipping through her fingers as she risks being late to her long-awaited meeting.
“Damn it! I’m not going to make it!” she mutters, brushing her still-damp hair as fast as she can. “Ah! I won’t even have time to do my makeup… I wanted to look nice for this…”
Haru glances at the lipstick and makeup spread across her desk, pouting slightly before slipping into her crimson leather skirt.
The brown-haired girl gives herself one last look in the full-length mirror. Her reflection shows her outfit perfectly in place—a sleeveless cropped white top with a cotton flower emblem on the back, a mesh layer underneath contouring her toned abdomen, and a crimson leather skirt open at the front, paired with her usual ninja gear and thigh holster.
Her soft features look clean and refreshed after her bath, her silky reddish hair neatly arranged—except for that stubborn strand that sticks up from her bangs, her signature trait.
“Okay… I’m ready. I better hurry!” she says, turning to leave—but pauses at the doorway, her gaze drifting back to the lipstick on her desk.
It was a congratulatory gift from her friend Yugao, an elite ANBU member, who had given it to her just a few days ago.
“I shouldn’t waste the chance to use a gift from Yugao-senpai!”
Haru grabs the lipstick and steps in front of the mirror, applying a soft raspberry shade that blends beautifully with the natural color of her full lips.
She presses them together gently to set the pigment, then smiles at her reflection.
“Wow… makeup really does make you look more mature…”
Slipping the lipstick into her pocket, Haru dashes out of the room.
The sun dips below the horizon, and the village lights begin to flicker on as Haru hurries through the streets to meet her teacher—
a man she sees as an older brother, full of energy and affection, to whom she owes far more than just valuable taijutsu lessons and the importance of keeping the spirit of youth burning in one’s heart.
Suddenly, she spots him—the Leaf Village’s taijutsu master, standing outside a barbecue restaurant, waiting for her alongside a close friend of his, the Academy instructor, Iruka Umino.
“Guy-sensei! Iruka-kun!” she calls out, surprised to see them together.
“MY LITTLE DANGO BALL!!!” the man in the green jumpsuit shouts enthusiastically, waving both arms in the air.
She runs toward him, and the two immediately pull each other into a tight embrace.
“Big brother!” Haru hugs Might Guy, deeply moved, as if it had been months since she last saw him—even though it had only been a few weeks.
The man with strong features and jet-black hair sniffles, just as emotional.
Iruka watches them in silence, looking slightly embarrassed as passersby glance at the melodramatic scene.
“My sweet little dango, I’m so glad you made it!”
“Guy-sensei, I’m sorry I’m late!” Haru looks up at her mentor as they slowly pull apart, her eyes shining like stars, filled with excitement.
“Haru-chan, good evening…” the gentle voice of the Academy teacher draws her attention. Still in her mentor’s arms, she glances toward him.
“Iruka-kun! Good evening!” she replies with a warm smile.
“Guy…”
The calm, low voice of the Copy Ninja cuts through the lively moment.
Haru feels her body tense instantly upon hearing him behind her, slowly pulling away from her teacher.
“Kakashi… you actually made it on time. Something bad must be about to happen…”
The dark-haired man looks startled at the masked jōnin, who lets out an offended sigh, closing his book with one hand before slipping it into his pocket.
“Iruka, good evening…” Kakashi says, giving a slight nod as he greets his colleague.
Iruka nods in return.
“Kakashi… good evening…” the bronze-skinned man replies with a friendly smile, his hands resting on his hips.
The silver-haired man slips his hands into his pockets, lowering his gaze toward the young woman standing in front of him—visibly tense.
“Good evening, Miss Yawarakai… congratulations on your promotion,” he says gently.
His calm voice makes it impossible for her to meet his eyes; instead, she fixes her gaze on the ground near his feet.
“G-good evening, s-sempai… th-thank you very much…” Haru replies, giving a small, respectful bow, still avoiding eye contact.
Damn… I need to calm down… we’re just colleagues now… I’m finally a jōnin. I’m not that silly girl who used to chase him around the village anymore… I’m an adult now!
Haru lifts her head with determination, her expression firm, her eyes shining with resolve.
“LET’S EAT!” she suddenly declares with energy.
“YEAH!!”
The man in the green jumpsuit enthusiastically backs her up, raising his thumb high.
In one swift motion, Haru turns to head into the restaurant—
THUD!
She crashes straight into the doorframe, hitting her forehead with a loud smack.
“Ow!” she yelps, crouching down and clutching her head in pain.
The three men watch her in silence… slightly embarrassed.
After a while, they’re all finally seated inside the restaurant, looking over the menu to decide what to order. Haru sits beside Iruka; across from him is Guy, and next to him, Kakashi.
“Haru-chan, does your forehead still hurt? Do you want me to ask for some ice?” Iruka asks, watching her with concern.
She hides behind the menu, clearly embarrassed.
“I-I’m fine, Iruka-kun… don’t worry…”
“Are you sure?”
“Hah! Iruka, don’t underestimate my little dango! Her head is as hard as an ox—I can guarantee it as her teacher! Isn’t that right, Haru-chan?!”
The dark-haired man smiles proudly at his young student, who can only stare at him in stunned silence, unable to believe what her “big brother” just said—right in front of the Copy Ninja.
GUY-SENSEI, HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT ME IN FRONT OF KAKASHI-KUN?! THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING!!
“G-Guy…” Iruka says awkwardly, glancing at the man in green before looking back at the girl beside him, still in shock.
“Let me check if it’s swollen… it could be serious…”
“Ah—!”
Iruka gently brushes Haru’s bangs aside, carefully examining the spot where she hit her head. His hand is warm, his fingers delicate as they hold her hair in place.
Her heart skips a beat, startled by the closeness.
“Mm… we should probably order something…”
The careless tone of the Copy Ninja’s voice makes the kunoichi tense up instantly.
She pulls back, putting distance between herself and Iruka.
Iruka notices… and immediately feels embarrassed.
“Ahem…” he clears his throat. “It looks like it was just a light hit… you’ll be fine…”
The teacher scratches the back of his neck, glancing away awkwardly.
Kakashi lets out a quiet sigh, setting the menu down on the table.
“My little dango, order whatever you want! I’ll pay for your meal—it’s my gift for your promotion!”
Guy grins, his teeth practically sparkling as he winks at the honored guest.
“I WANT FRIED RICE WITH EGGS!”
Haru’s eyes shine like two gems, full of excitement. Everyone stares at her, confused.
“Huh?”
Guy looks at her, puzzled at first, thinking she might be joking—but the sparkle in her eyes tells him she’s completely serious.
“H-Haru… you really only want fried rice with eggs? I brought you here so you could eat something more sophisticated…”
“Guy… didn’t you ask her what she wanted before coming here?” the silver-haired man asks, his expression turning slightly concerned.
Iruka also looks at the thick-browed jōnin, visibly tense.
“O-of course not! It was supposed to be a surprise!”
The “Blue Beast of the Leaf” turns toward the Copy Ninja, his expression shifting dramatically, clearly flustered.
“Ah—it’s fine, sensei! We can order meat for everyone, let’s just order already!”
Haru smiles sweetly, trying to ease the tension as she energetically raises her hand to call the waitress.
Meanwhile, Iruka watches the masked ninja closely. The silver-haired man notices.
“Is something wrong, Iruka?”
“Ah… I was just wondering how Naruto has been doing on his missions lately… Has he been able to adjust to the team? Is he still clashing with Sasuke?”
The teacher’s calm voice carries a hint of anxiety as he rubs his hands together in his lap beneath the table. Haru notices out of the corner of her eye, briefly glancing at the man beside her.
The Copy Ninja lets out a quiet sigh, closing his visible eye as he crosses his arms.
“Mm… well, let’s just say he still has a long way to go before becoming the shinobi he wants to be… but there’s strength in his spirit. So you can rest assured—the kid will be fine.”
“I see… heh, I’m glad he’s making progress, little by little…” Iruka says with a relieved smile, leaning back against the booth.
Haru smiles softly, touched, thinking that he truly is a kind person—someone who genuinely cares about his students.
You really are a great teacher, Iruka-kun…
The night continues lively, filled with conversation and delicious grilled meat. Haru happily eats her fried rice with eggs, doing everything she can to avoid meeting the Copy Ninja’s gaze.
He appears calm, as always… which only makes her feel even more pressured to act normal around him.
“Tell me, Haru—how is your aunt? I haven’t seen her in a while, not since the last time we had dinner at your place…”
“Mm? My onthi—”
Haru turns toward her old friend with her mouth full of food. He smiles awkwardly, already used to her carefree behavior.
“Ahem—” Haru quickly swallows. “My aunt had dinner with the Hokage tonight… they had a few things to discuss before we leave…”
“Dinner with Lord Hiruzen?!” Iruka exclaims, surprised, the image of the elderly leader flashing through his mind.
“I didn’t know they were that close…” he adds, lowering his gaze slightly.
“Lady Nara is a respected member of the village. She worked at the hospital during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars. Her knowledge of medicine made her the head of medical units on the battlefield… she and Lord Hiruzen have known each other since those days.”
Haru turns to the silver-haired man for the first time that night, moved by the words he had just spoken—finally meeting his gaze.
Their eyes meet after weeks apart.
The young kunoichi’s bright gaze lingers on him, and despite his usual stoic demeanor, he seems affected by the softness in her expression.
It lasts only a few seconds, yet it carries a thousand unspoken thoughts Haru has kept buried in her heart for years.
Afraid they might be revealed, she quickly looks away, lowering her gaze back toward the person seated beside her.
“Wow… it sounds like your aunt is an admirable person,” Iruka says, swallowing nervously. “Now I feel a little embarrassed for not knowing sooner…”
He scratches the back of his head with a shy smile.
Haru returns the gesture, smiling softly, still touched by the masked ninja’s words.
“Don’t worry, Iruka-kun… my aunt isn’t someone who boasts.”
The raspberry tint on her lips curves into a gentle smile, causing her companion to avert his gaze, slightly flustered.
“Huh?” she asks, confused.
“H-Haru-chan… you’ve got some egg yolk on your face…”
“What?!” Haru gasps, covering her mouth in shock.
“My little dango, Iruka’s right—you’ve got food on your face…” Guy adds, studying her for a moment before casually stuffing a piece of meat into his mouth.
“You should go wash your face…” he mumbles between bites.
The dark-haired man continues eating happily as Haru quickly stands, rushing off toward the restroom.
Iruka lets out a long sigh—
only to realize he’s being watched closely by the Copy Ninja, who remains silent for a moment.
“Guy… I was wondering why you invited me tonight…”
The masked ninja’s lazy voice drifts from beneath his usual mask as he sets his chopsticks aside next to his plate of rice.
The dark-haired man seems completely focused on enjoying the grilled meat, ignoring him.
“GUY…”
This time, his tone is firmer. His companion finally turns to look at him, surprised.
“Why did you invite me?”
“So we’d have more people! Why else? Yugao couldn’t make it—she’s on duty tonight…”
“Huh?”
“Kakashi, my dear rival… what’s the problem? Don’t you like grilled meat?”
“Guy…” Kakashi exhales slowly, clearly tense.
Doesn’t he realize she doesn’t want to see me? She’s been avoiding me all night…
The silver-haired man glances down at his half-finished meal, hesitating—wondering if it would be better to leave and avoid the obvious tension with the young woman seated across from him.
“I should go…”
“Huh? So soon?! But you haven’t even finished your food!”
The dark-haired man looks at his masked companion with concern, sensing that something is wrong.
Before the silver-haired man can say another word, Haru returns—looking fresh, composed… and drawing his full attention.
Time seems to slow for him, his gaze fixed solely on her as she walks back toward the table, like a vision straight out of heaven.
The sounds of people and sizzling meat fade into silence, leaving only the echo of her footsteps as they draw closer and closer.
The heartbeat of Konoha’s most renowned ninja pound
s loudly in his ears, nearly deafening him.
He shouldn’t be feeling this way.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
At last, Haru reaches the table—
and he shoots up from his seat.
Everyone turns to look at him, startled.
"I... Have to go"
It’s a busy night at the barbecue restaurant in the Hidden Leaf Village, with many tables occupied by both civilians and shinobi, all enjoying drinks alongside the delicious grilled meat.
Haru hurries toward the back of the restaurant, heading straight for the women’s restroom.
Damn… being around Kakashi-kun is too much after all this time… I’m sure he still sees me as a child…
The bruise on her forehead still throbs. She frowns, both in pain and embarrassment, recalling how she had hit herself on the restaurant’s entrance.
The kunoichi sighs to herself in frustration.
Suddenly, the restroom door opens. The laughter of two women echoes behind the stall where Haru is hiding, lost in her thoughts.
“So? Are you finally going to tell me how your first time with Toshi-kun was?”
“Shhh! Don’t say it so loud!”
Their voices are hushed, yet they carry through the room. Haru stiffens, covering her mouth to avoid making a sound.
“Okay, I’ll tell you—but you can’t tell anyone, Nami-chan!”
“Haha, I told you I wouldn’t! Now come on, tell me everything!”
The two girls laugh together, conspiratorially.
“Was he gentle? Come on, where did it happen? His place? Yours? Don’t leave me hanging!”
“H-hey, relax… you’re embarrassing me…”
The girls continue chatting excitedly, and Haru grows more and more tense as the “spicy” story unfolds.
Her heart begins to race, her imagination running wild. After so long, her thoughts drift once more to the Copy Ninja—but this time, far from the innocent dreams of a child.
She finds herself wondering what it would feel like to be held in his arms.
Her pupils widen as countless images flicker through her mind.
Knowing that the masked ninja is only a few meters away—and that now, as equals, an adult kind of closeness wouldn’t be so unreasonable…
(or at least, that’s how she tries to convince herself)
The young woman curls in on herself, covering her flushed face with both hands.
Damn it… how am I supposed to go back out there now?!
The truth is, having been raised by her great-aunt, Haru never had “the talk” that would have prepared her for such an important moment in her life—and she remains largely ignorant about it.
The girls leave the restroom laughing together, their voices fading as they exit, leaving Haru alone with her racing thoughts.
She steps out of the stall, head lowered, and stands in front of the sink, catching sight of her flushed face in the mirror—only to quickly look away, embarrassed by her own reflection.
On impulse, she begins splashing her face with cold water, almost compulsively. The icy sensation stings her skin, but she keeps going until her fingers grow numb, desperately trying to calm herself down.
She dries her face slowly, her heart tightening painfully in her chest.
Just forget about Kakashi-kun already…!
Now she makes her way back to the table, walking with determination, resolved to finish the evening without any more awkward moments or mishaps.
As she approaches, the Copy Ninja suddenly stands up, startling her.
“I have to go.”
“Sempai?!” Haru looks at him, confused—but the silver-haired man doesn’t meet her gaze.
He simply turns to his companions, offering them a brief farewell.
Kakashi smiles gently and gives a small, respectful bow to the young woman… then leaves without another word.
Without looking back.
The dinner ends later that night, and Haru says goodbye to her companions at the restaurant entrance.
“My little dango, I hope you have a safe trip tomorrow! Come back soon so we can continue our training!” the man says, his slender frame trembling as he wipes his eyes with his left arm, while his right hand rests on her shoulder.
She smiles up at him, touched.
“I will! I’ll be back in about a month. In the meantime, I’ll keep training on my own—don’t worry!” she replies with a bright, enthusiastic smile, raising her fist.
“I wish you and your aunt a safe journey as well. I hope you arrive without trouble…” Iruka adds with a warm smile, standing beside the man in the green jumpsuit.
“Thank you!”
Haru walks back home alone. The night air is fresh, and the sound of crickets hidden among the bushes weaves its own quiet melody, while a gentle breeze moves softly through the trees lining the neighborhood.
Far from the busy streets, she continues walking in silence, lost in thought, recalling the dream she had earlier that morning.
“…I think I’ll go see them.”
Haru quickens her pace, heading toward a special place in the village—
a place meant to remember those who are no longer there.
After running for a while, she reaches the forest, where the memorial to the fallen heroes stands.
But to her surprise, the Copy Ninja is already there—standing in silence amidst the shadows, his tall figure barely visible under the faint glow of a distant streetlamp.
She comes to an abrupt stop, the sudden movement catching his attention.
“Ah—!”
“Hm?”
The masked ninja turns toward the sound, only to find the young woman standing among the trees. The sight of her stirs something old within him.
Haru…
“Ah—s-sempai! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you!” the kunoichi says, taking a step back, embarrassed, waving one hand nervously.
“Ah… i-it’s fine. It’s nothing…”
The masked ninja offers a gentle smile, scratching the back of his head.
Haru feels her chest tighten at the sight of his usual carefree expression—
but gathering her courage, she slowly walks toward him.
He turns his gaze back to the stone monument, listening as her footsteps draw closer.
Haru stops beside him, only a few steps away—the difference in their height and presence unmistakable.
He stands at ease, one hand in his pocket, slightly turned to the side, glancing at the young woman beside him—taller than her by nearly a foot—trying to make out her gentle features in the darkness.
A soft breeze drifts through, carrying her sweet scent to him, heightened by his keen senses.
Kakashi closes his visible eye, as if trying to etch the moment into his memory.
Haru holds her hair in place, attempting to appear calm, though inside, her heart feels like it might burst from her chest.
“S-sempai… did you come to see Obito-san…?” she asks timidly.
The name of his fallen Uchiha teammate makes the silver-haired man tense. He simply nods in response.
The truth is, the Copy Ninja lives with a constant weight of guilt over the loss of his teammates—a burden he has carried on his broad shoulders for many years.
“And you… did you come to see your parents?”
His calm voice comes slowly, touched with a trace of sadness, the image of his old friend still lingering in his mind.
“Ah… y-yes…”
“Then I’ll leave you alone, so you can speak with them in private… Good night.”
The silver-haired man gives a small bow before turning to leave.
Haru watches him from the corner of her eye.
Strangely, as she feels him walk away, her racing heartbeat begins to settle, as if by magic. She lets out a quiet sigh of relief, released from the tension.
Now, her thoughts drift back to her parents… and to her sensei, the leader of Team Eight—the team of which she is the sole survivor.
“Dad… Mom… Makoto-sensei… I… I’m a jōnin now…”
Her shoulders tremble as she grips her crimson leather skirt tightly, breaking down into tears at the absence of those she loved.
Tears stream down her beautiful face, now overtaken by grief and sorrow.
“Uuugh…” she sobs. “I-I’m… doing well, right? Are you proud of me…? Y-your deaths weren’t in vain… sniff…”
She wipes her tears, trying to smile in front of the memorial—facing the memory of the three people she lost on the night of the demon fox’s attack.
A few meters away, the Copy Ninja stands silently, watching the grieving girl—strong in form, yet fragile like a flower.
He recognizes that feeling… the weight of guilt, the emptiness.
Haru’s sobs begin to fade. She steadies her breathing, taking in the cool night air of the forest surrounding the memorial.
Suddenly, she feels something land on her shoulder—something small, with legs.
A cold shiver shoots down her spine, her body tensing instantly.
“Ugh…?!”
Her pupils shift slowly, dread building as she prepares to see what it is.
Unfortunately, crickets aren’t the only creatures roaming the night.
Perched calmly on her bare shoulder is a cockroach the size of an eraser, its long antennae twitching curiously.
“GHHHYYYYAAAAAAAAAA!!!”
Her scream echoes for miles around, piercing through the quiet of the forest. She begins shaking frantically, running in circles as she desperately tries to get rid of the disgusting insect.
The masked ninja steps out of the shadows in an instant, alarmed.
“IT’S ON ME! IT’S ON ME!”
“Haru?! What’s wrong?!” Kakashi rushes toward her as she spins wildly, completely out of control.
“NOOO!! GET IT OFF, GET IT OFF!!”
In her panic, she pulls off her white top and throws it to the ground, still shaking and brushing at her body and hair.
Amid the chaos, the cockroach flies out from the discarded fabric. Kakashi catches sight of it, immediately understanding the situation.
“Are you alright?! It’s gone—the insect’s gone!”
He steps closer as she finally stops moving, trying to fix her disheveled hair enough to see clearly.
“R-really, semp—?!”
—
And then it hits her.
It’s late. They’re standing face to face…
and Haru suddenly realizes she’s no longer wearing anything on her upper body.
—
“Ah—!”
She immediately crosses her arms over her chest, crouching down, her face burning red.
The masked ninja stumbles back in shock.
A thin stream of blood runs from his nose as the image burns into his mind—
a realization striking him all at once.
She’s not a child anymore.
“Ugh—! I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Kakashi blurts out, covering his nose, coughing awkwardly.
Cough—cough!
S-so beautiful…!
This is so embarrassing! Kakashi-kun saw my chest! Why didn’t I wear anything underneath?! I rushed out like an idiot! This is a disaster!
Haru bites her lower lip in frustration, scolding herself internally, still crouched on the ground.
In a quick glance around, she spots her top lying several meters behind Kakashi—
who is also looking at it.
“Ah—!”
“L-let me…”
The silver-haired man picks up the garment, now slightly dirtied with soil.
Haru stands up, still covering herself with both arms.
“…It’s dirty…” he says quietly.
His voice comes out lower than usual.
Haru turns her back to him, sensing him step closer.
The faint glow of the streetlamp reveals more of the young woman’s natural curves—the line of her back, tracing along her shoulder blades and descending softly to the curve of her waist.
D-damn…
The silver-haired man swallows hard, tense. The breeze picks up again, making the kunoichi shiver slightly.
“S-sempai… my clothes…” her soft voice trembles, nervous.
Before he can respond, the faint sound of a zipper draws her attention.
“Eh?”
Kakashi gently drapes his jōnin vest over her shoulders, covering her.
She turns, surprised, catching a glimpse of him in profile.
“Use my vest… your shirt is dirty…” he says quietly.
Haru takes it shyly, slipping one hand through the front opening.
“Th-thank you…”
“Ahem…” the silver-haired man clears his throat softly. “Let me walk you home. It’s late… your aunt is probably worried, waiting for you…”
Kakashi turns his gaze toward the path leading back to the village, scratching the back of his neck.
“Ah… y-yes…”
The walk back home unfolds in heavy silence, both of them looking in opposite directions.
Haru catches the faint, woody scent of the Copy Ninja lingering on the vest, her chest tightening with quiet emotion.
The jōnin glances at her from the corner of his eye, feeling a similar stir at the sight of the little cotton flower wearing his jacket.
“I didn’t know you were afraid of insects…” the silver-haired man says at last, his voice low, slightly tense, attempting to break the thick silence between them.
“Ah… w-well, I wasn’t when I was little…” the kunoichi replies, letting out a soft sigh, still shy in the masked ninja’s presence.
“Really? What changed? You seemed pretty shaken back there…” Kakashi asks, glancing at her again, curious.
Haru’s expression softens, a hint of melancholy flickering in her eyes.
“My fear of insects started when I became part of Team Eight… one of my teammates was from the Aburame clan…”
She exhales quietly, her voice tinged with sadness as memories of her first days after graduating from the academy begin to surface.
[Memory]
The sun shines high in the sky as Haru runs through the forest, heading toward one of the village’s many training grounds—ready to meet her teammates and assigned sensei for their first official meeting as a team.
“Makoto-sensei!” she calls out as she runs toward him. “Sorry I’m late!”
She comes to an abrupt stop, clearly out of breath.
Her sensei smiles warmly, waiting for her with both hands clasped behind his back.
“Haha, oh, Haru-chan, it’s alright—we just got here…” he says with a friendly laugh.
His wavy ash-blond hair gleams like silk under the sunlight, nearly covering his eyes.
“ ‘Just got here’? That’s a pretty generous way to describe how long we’ve been waiting for this runt…”
A rough voice cuts in, drawing both the teacher’s and Haru’s attention.
She turns to look.
Behind her stands a boy around thirteen years old—black hair, dark eyes, and a handsome face. Tall, well-built, wearing a sleeveless shirt that reaches his midriff—black on top, white below.
His loose white pants fall to his knees, secured by a wine-colored belt…
but most importantly, the fan crest of his clan is emblazoned across his back.
He looks her up and down, forming his first impression of his small
teammate—a faint curve of disdain crossing his pale face.
“Tch… look at you…” he mutters.
Haru glances down at herself—her clothes are dirty, her arms and legs covered in bruises from the intense taijutsu training her mentor—her “big brother”—put her through.
Her caramel-colored eyes waver with embarrassment.
“Hey, guys, let’s take it easy. Today’s our first day as a team—let’s start off on the right foot, alright?”
The sensei raises both hands, waving them gently in a timid attempt to ease the tension.
“Honestly, sensei… this feels like a clear case of favoritism.”
A quieter voice emerges from the shade.
Haru turns her head, spotting another boy—her classmate from the Aburame clan—leaning against a tree, sheltered from the sun.
“Shingo-kun? Favoritism? W-what are you talking about?”
The man looks confused as the boy steps forward, both hands tucked into the pockets of his gray jacket. A small red beetle-shaped charm hangs from the zipper.
His round, dark glasses reflect the light, giving him an air of mystery. Standing beside Haru, it’s clear he’s even slightly taller than the Uchiha.
His long, wavy brown hair falls past his shoulders, tied loosely at the nape, with strands slipping free beneath his forehead protector.
“Everyone knows you’ve known Yawarakai since she was a baby… you were friends with her parents. That gives her a clear advantage within the team.”
“That’s true… I don’t get why we were put on the same team as this runt…”
The Uchiha crosses his arms, looking down at her with disdain.
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Haru snaps, turning toward Kyo, offended.
Makoto begins to sweat—
and not because of the sun.
“What? Not only are you short, you’re stupid too?”
The dark-haired boy turns to face her.
“Shingo and I come from important clans in this village! We both graduated with top scores and unique abilities! But you?!”
He steps closer to the brown-haired girl, who tenses under his hostile words.
His Sharingan is active in both eyes now—each bearing a single tomoe—glowing with a deep crimson light, intimidating.
“You’re just a farmer’s daughter… tch. I don’t get how you can be proud to wear that emblem on your back…”
His gaze flicks toward the cotton flower crest on her back.
Haru feels his words strike deep into her chest, the image of her father’s warm smile flashing through her mind as she clenches her teeth.
“Kyo’s right. I would’ve preferred being teamed up with a rock instead of this flea…”
The Aburame boy backs him up, pushing the young kunoichi to her limit.
Haru’s fists tighten at her sides.
Makoto notices.
The tension becomes unbearable. The two boys corner her, and she lowers her head, her expression darkening.
“H-hey, guys, let’s just calm down—”
But before the sensei can finish—
Haru moves.
In a blink, her fist slams into the Aburame boy’s stomach, knocking him flat onto his back.
Thud!
“Ugh—!” he groans.
Clutching his abdomen, he writhes on the ground as Haru straightens up—
then turns toward the Uchiha boy.
He stares at her in shock, instinctively taking a step back.
Too late.
She lunges at him, tackling him to the ground.
Straddling his torso, she begins throwing punches at his face—
one after another—
only partially blocked, as a few land cleanly against his features.
“HARU!”
Makoto rushes forward, trying to pull the furious girl off her teammate.
Smack! Thud! Crack!
Her knuckles collide with Kyo’s cheekbones.
“MY DAD IS A SHINOBI OF THE LEAF! DON’T CALL HIM A FARMER!” she screams, enraged.
“AAAGH! GET HER OFF ME!!”
The boy grabs her wrists, but she has already tangled her fingers in his dark hair, yanking hard.
Makoto wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her back with force.
“Ngh—! H-Haru-chan! Let go of Kyo-kun, now!”
He struggles to separate them, finally managing to pull her away—
though not before she rips out several strands of the Uchiha’s hair.
The boy clutches his disheveled head, sitting on the ground in pain.
Haru thrashes in her sensei’s arms, overcome with frustration—but in the middle of her tears and anger, a strange sensation creeps along her legs.
The girl looks down…
and sees dozens of insects crawling up her body, nearly covering her completely.
“AH!” she cries out in shock.
Makoto turns toward the Aburame boy, who is still clutching his abdomen—but now stands with one hand extended, commanding his insects.
“SHINGO-KUN! STOP!”
The teacher glares at him, then releases Haru.
She lands on her feet, immediately shaking her body in panic, trying—uselessly—to brush off the beetles swarming over her, slipping beneath her clothes.
“Tch—!”
Makoto forms a quick hand sign—the Rat seal—channeling his chakra.
Feathers begin to fall across the training ground…
and within moments, all three children collapse into a deep sleep under his genjutsu.
[End of memory]
“Is something wrong? You’ve been quiet for a while…”
The silver-haired man’s voice breaks the silence as he glances at the young woman walking beside him, her gaze distant.
But before she can answer—
He’s suddenly grabbed by the front of his clothes
and slammed against a wall just meters away from the Nara residence.
“—Huh?!”
Haru’s hand presses firmly against the Copy Ninja’s abdomen—
and his entire body tenses instantly.
W-what—?!
“Shhh! Sempai! My aunt is outside!”
Haru whispers nervously from the corner of the wall, peeking out at the elderly woman standing by the gate, waiting expectantly.
“Ah, H-Haru…”
The silver-haired man feels his ears ringing from the pounding of his heart, trying to regain his composure as he presses a hand against the rough wall behind him.
Haru quickly silences him again.
“L-listen, sempai… m-my aunt is very strict, and if she sees me like this with you… sh-she might misunderstand… a-and I don’t want to cause you any trouble…”
Still watching her great-aunt, Haru suddenly realizes her hand is still pressed against his firm abdomen—
and pulls it away instantly.
“Ah—! S-sorry!”
She looks away quickly, still avoiding eye contact, which doesn’t go unnoticed by the silver-haired man, who frowns slightly.
“W-what should I do…? I don’t want her waiting outside this late…”
Haru rests her fingers against her lips, thinking anxiously.
The Copy Ninja lets out a quiet sigh.
“I have an idea…”
He steps away from the wall and straightens, forming a hand seal.
“Transformation Jutsu.”
In an instant, the masked ninja transforms into Haru herself—leaving the real one completely speechless.
“S-sempai?!”
Haru stares at him in disbelief, amazed at how perfectly he has replicated every detail.
I-incredible… there’s no doubt Kakashi-kun is on another level…!
“I’ll go in through the front. You can sneak in through the back, right?”
The Copy Ninja gestures behind the wall with his thumb, toward the backyard.
“R-right… good idea, sempai…”
Even my voice…?!
Haru remains stunned as the disguised ninja runs toward the front entrance, leaving her behind.
“Haru-chan! Look at the time! I told you not to come home late!”
The elderly woman’s raspy voice rings out, clearly annoyed.
The transformed Kakashi stops right in front of her.
“Why are you so late? Were you drinking with your sensei? I’ve told you—just because you’re of age doesn’t mean a young lady should be out drinking!”
The older woman fixes her with a stern look, clutching her wool shawl tightly.
“A-ah, Auntie, I’m really sorry! I-I swear I wasn’t drinking!”
Kakashi scratches the back of his head, visibly tense under the woman’s authority.
The old woman narrows her eyes, unconvinced.
“So… where were you? …d-don’t tell me—”
Suddenly, the woman’s expression pales as she looks the girl up and down, visibly shaken.
“Oh my… d-don’t tell me you were with a man?!”
“Huh?!”
Damn it… this is bad!
The Copy Ninja is on the verge of panicking under the sharp questioning of the gray-haired woman.
“C-child… t-tell me the truth… were you with that silver-haired hero you used to talk about? D-don’t tell me you two…”
The elderly woman takes a step back, trembling, fearing her young niece may have done something reckless at this hour of the night.
Meanwhile, Haru watches the scene from the corner of the house, unable to hear what they’re saying.
“What are they talking about…? Why don’t they just go inside already?”
C-could it be… she realized that’s not me?!
Cold sweat runs down her back as she widens her eyes, trying to read their lips from a distance.
“A-Auntie, I was visiting my parents and lost track of time, I swear!”
The disguised Kakashi presses his palms together in a pleading gesture, trying to convince her.
“W-why don’t we go inside? It’s cold, and we have to get up early tomorrow…”
He gently takes her by the shoulders, guiding her toward the house, where a wooden plaque at the entrance reads: NARA.
The old woman walks in, still eyeing her suspiciously.
They both step inside, removing their shoes.
“Excuse me…”
“Excuse me? This is your house, Haru-chan…”
The elderly woman turns to her, confused.
The Copy Ninja freezes at the entrance.
“Heh… right…”
Damn it…
Suddenly— a noise echoes from upstairs.From Haru’s room.
Haru!
“Huh?! A thief?!” the old woman exclaims, alarmed, clutching her shawl.
“I’ll check! Auntie, stay here!”
The disguised ninja rushes through the kitchen and into the hallway, spotting the staircase to the right.
He runs up the stairs quickly
—reaching the upper floor just as—the door opens.
And he crashes into her. They both freeze.
Face to face.
Their eyes meet—
after hours of avoiding each other.
“Ah—!”
The transformation vanishes in an instant.
The Copy Ninja now stands just inches away from the young woman with bright eyes—eyes that easily shatter any composure he tries to maintain.
“Haru-chan! Is everything alright?! Should I call for help?!”
The elderly woman hurries up the stairs.
Both shinobi panic.
Haru grabs her superior and quickly pulls him into the room.
“Ugh—!”
The silver-haired man stumbles inside as she shuts the sliding doors behind them.
Hearing her aunt approaching, Haru suddenly realizes she’s still wearing his jōnin vest—
She yanks it off and tosses it aside in a single motion, closing the doors just before her aunt reaches the upper floor.
“Haru-chan! What were those noises?!”
The older woman approaches, worried.
Haru presses both hands against the doors behind her, holding them shut.
“Ah—! It was just a cat, Auntie! I forgot to close my balcony doors!”
Her sweet voice trembles slightly, fully aware there is a man hidden just behind those doors.
“Good heavens, Haru! Why are you half-naked?! And you went out on the balcony like that?! What if some pervert was hiding in the bushes?!”
Inside the room, Kakashi hears everything—completely flushed, the vivid image of her from earlier flashing in his mind again.
His heart starts racing.
Crap...
He looks around the spacious bedroom, wooden floors beneath his feet.
A large bed sits to the right, with matching nightstands on either side.
Wooden furniture lines the left wall… even a punching bag rests in one corner.
This must have been her parents’ room…
Then—
something else catches his attention.
Clothes scattered across the bed.
Some practical… others softer, more delicate.
Two sides of her.
One full of that “spirit of youth” his rival Guy always talks about—
…and another that clearly belongs to a grown woman.
D-damn… this is bad…
Kakashi covers his face, embarrassed at being in such a private space.
“A-Auntie, it’s not like that… I just took off my shirt because it was dirty, that’s all…”
Haru covers herself with one arm, still holding the door shut with the other.
“H-Haru-chan… I think it’s time we had… a talk.”
The older woman frowns slightly, clearly uncomfortable.
“Eh?!”
“Let’s go to your room so we can talk properly…”
She steps forward.
Both Haru and Kakashi freeze.
“Ah—! T-TIA, YOU CAN’T!”
Haru blocks her, pale.
“A-Ah—the room is messy…!”
“Haru-chan… you’re already grown, and you’re still this messy?”
She sighs tiredly.
“Well, I suppose I’m used to it…”
The elderly woman reaches for the door—
but Haru grabs her wrist, stopping her firmly.
“T-tia, really… it’s not necessary…”
“Eh…? What do you mean not necessary…?”
Her eyes widen.
“D-don’t tell me… you…?”
Her face goes pale.
Haru stiffens, sweating.
“Oh my God… don’t tell me you’ve already lost your virginity?!”
“EEH?!”
Haru freezes in shock.
THIS IS A DISASTER!
“A-Auntie!”
“HARU! WHO WAS IT?! TELL ME RIGHT NOW!”
The older woman grabs her shoulders, panicking.
“I’m going to go talk to him this instant!”
“Ah—w-wait—!”
“WAS IT IRUKA-KUN?!”
Her wrinkled face twists into pure disappointment.
“Auntie?!”
Haru is on the verge of collapse, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.
Behind the door—
Kakashi’s eye widens.
He recalls Iruka’s words at the restaurant.
A realization settles in.
A tight knot forms in his throat, his chest constricting as an image flashes in his mind—
Haru… and Iruka together.
...
“Haru, you’d better tell me the truth, young lady! Were you with Iruka-kun? Is that why you came home late?! A-are you two having that kind of relationship?! Did you use protection?!
How could you not tell me something like this beforehand?!”
The Nara elder is furious, her words leaving Haru flushed red.
The young woman covers her face with both hands, on the verge of collapsing from sheer embarrassment.
“A-Auntie, please! It’s not like that! Iruka-kun and I—!”
Suddenly—
a noise interrupts them.
Thump! Clack!
It comes from the room.
The elderly woman reacts quickly for her age, sliding the doors open without hesitation.
“Auntie, NO—!”
The room is empty.
Both women step inside slowly, scanning the space.
Kakashi-kun…?!
Haru rushes to the balcony—
but there’s no one there.
H-he’s gone…
She lets out a quiet sigh, still flushed from everything that just happened.
“It was probably the cat… Make sure you close those doors properly before we leave. Animals could get inside while we’re gone…”
The older woman turns and heads out of the room.
Haru remains standing there in silence, gazing out at the forest beyond the backyard—
a faint sadness lingering in her caramel-colored eyes.
“It’s late… We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.”
“Y-yes… Good night, Auntie… I’m sorry…”
The old woman leaves, sliding the doors shut behind her.
At last, Haru is alone.
Heavy tears fall down her face as she finally releases all the tension she’s been holding in—
yet an unfamiliar ache tightens painfully in her chest.
I’m sure Kakashi-sempai heard everything…
How embarrassing… I d
on’t ever want to face him again…
The night breeze drifts in—gentle, yet cold—failing to dry the tears on her beautiful face.
She wraps her arms around herself
and slowly walks back inside her room—
closing the balcony doors behind her.