Welcome Back

Despite what others may think, ever since taking up the position as an official Konoha ninja, one's time is taken up by the job, even if its a common genin.

So for the first week of starter missions for her team, she hadn't the time to do much, apart from hanging out with her team that shares the same schedule, and going home to eat and sleep.

It's a wonder how ninja's usually get around to socialize.

But then she realized that only when getting to chunin and jonin, then she'd be able to take on solo missions, thus getting some time to herself.

Today is the first day since registering as a shinobi that she has a free day to herself. While she could have hung out with both Ko and Naori, who she have gotten closer to since they literally were together most of the time for the past week, Kanako's mind drifted off to her life six years back.

Apart from her mother, Shizu-nee, Minato-nii-sama and his family, she has yet to meet others she had known back then.

Despite Konoha being a village, it is a huge one.

Especially if others are still in the academy most of the day, or have fixed positions in the ninja system.

Which brought her to Kakashi and Itachi.

One who is basically her chill babysitter brother and who obviously was, and probably still is in the ANBU guard for Minato-nii-sama.

One who graduated the same time as her, but based on his capabilities, would probably be somewhere high up by now.

"I wonder how they are doing now ..."

•

In the ANBU HQ

"Weasel, you and Hawk are in charge of the security tonight."

"Hai, taicho."

Kitsune walked through the winding passages in the headquarters and entered the changing room, the one place where the ANBU's are allowed to be unmasked.

Kitsune then removed his porcelain mask, and changed out of the grey flack jacket and hung those up in his locker.

Kakashi then changed into his standard issue jonin uniform, and went out into the streets of Konoha via the discrete ANBU only pathway.

He looked up at the sky and sighed. "Ma, it's a fine day today."

Since it is now his day off, he fished out his precious Icha Icha, given and signed by the sannin himself.

"Hue hue hue ... Now, where was I ..."

Kakashi strolled down the busy street, seemingly ignorant of the shocked, incredulous and twitching faces of the people around him.

But hey, if they knew the book, one have to ask how they know the contents, right?

As he read the descriptive paragraph, his jonin senses tingled, warning of an incoming danger.

But this is in the middle of the streets in Konoha, right?

Kakashi looked up from his book, and scoured left and right.

Nothing.

What was that feeling though?

...

Wait. Perhaps ...?

He swerved and looked behind him in an instant.

Hmmm ... no bushy browed spandex wearing turtle is ambushing him.

He squinted apprehensively.

All of a sudden, an object collided against him with a thump.

"Kakashi!"

"Guh."

The 'object' that had slammed against him is the object of his yearning.

Six years too long, Kakashi thought.

From the baby who had listened (only sometimes) to him and followed him like a little duckling, to a young girl who had decided to leave home to travel.

If he were not out in the open now, he might just pull her aside to shake out answers from her.

Said object called Kanako looked up at him with a smile so bright that the fine day seems even brighter.

He had caught a glimpse of her when she came back a week ago, but hadn't the time to meet up with her due to his duties.

Though he is in denial to admit that he is a little fidgety to say hello once more.

He took in the sight of Kanako.

Her hair grew even longer than when she left.

He smile and squinty eyes when she grins had not changed a bit, which even tempted Kakashi to crack a smile in reply.

That is, until he instinctively lowered his eyes ...

'Ah. Just like her mother ...'

Wait.

Kakashi froze as he halted his premature thoughts.

Kanako had strung her arms around his waist when she glomped on him.

And her *cough* size which doesn't reflect her age is *cough* squished against his abdomen, is seriously placing him in a very very precarious position.

'Down boy, down!' He silently reproached himself as his ears turned red.

He grabbed her shoulders and held her in front of him.

"Kanako! Glad to see you back safely. Sorry I did not have time to welcome you home sooner."

"Kakashi!" Kanako mocked gasped. "Why are you being so formal! It's standoffish."

"Well", he gave a side-eyed smile as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's been a long time, you see."

Kanako tsked at him, while showing a small smile as well. "I haven't had much spare time to catch up with others as well. Blame my luck for coming back in time for this years new batch of genins." She paused. "Well, good thing though, since I've got a great team."

Kakashi smiled at her words, and almost habitually brought up his long lost move on patting her on the head.

He had lifted his hand, only to stop, as he didn't know if she would like that, since she is now grown up and all.

Kanako caught his slight, and noticed his faced-down palm hovering in front of her.

A light of understanding gleamed in her eyes.

So Kanako tilted her head to let the hand rest on the top of her head.

Kakashi's eyes softened at that, and he continued rubbing her head like he did so long ago.

"I'm finally back, Kakashi."

He saw the satisfaction and smile on her face that he missed so much, like she always did when he praised her for something.

'I guess six years isn't that long after all'.

He ruffled her hair some more for good measure.

"Welcome back."