After a few days of rest, the team 2 met Yûki to know the training program that he had prepared for them.

Not surprisingly, Itachi, with his hereditary Jutsu, and Shinko stayed with their respective families to deepen their training. Mitsuki, on the other hand, was going to temporarily leave her medical training aside to focus on Ninjutsu for the final test.

The Sensei of their team was going to take care of her training personally in the next few weeks so that she could fight back before she felt the brake imposed by her seal. It was important for her to prove herself on the day of the tournament, because this time she would not be able to rely on her teammates to compensate for her weaknesses.

Yuki was even more ruthless than Shisui during the training sessions. Mitsuki was exhausted and often scratched. But what surprised her the most was that nobody came to oppose the invocation she was able to use after the second test. However, Yuki had mentioned it, so everyone must have already known about it in the high spheres of Konoha... It was a relief for her, and when Yûki let her go a little, she studied the new techniques which opened to her. Most of them were very chakra consuming, which blocked her quickly, but she persevered, believing that each new knowledge could be useful in case of absolute necessity.

The giant wolf was also very helpful in teaching her everything he knew, out of sight in the forest, as Mitsuki feared for their safety.

One morning when Yuki had given her some time off to recover, Mitsuki was walking outside the village when she saw a little dog that seemed to be looking for something. His little squashed face got the girl's heart and she approached him before crouching down at his height:

"Hi there, can I help you?" she offered, scratching him between the ears.

She fell backwards when the pug answered her:

"That's very kind of you, young lady. Have you seen anyone suspicious lately?"

Mitsuki's heart was racing in shock, which was not lost on the dog.

"Well, for someone who regularly talks to wolves, you seem quite surprised to hear a dog?

He was winning a point.

"I just wasn't expecting it," Mitsuki apologized, regaining her composure.

"My name is Pakkun. I'm a Ninja dog, like many others you know." the pug introduced himself.

"And I'm Mitsuki Hata. And I haven't seen anyone suspicious in the last few hours," the girl replied.

"I already know who you are, kid. Well, I'll continue my rounds in that case." resigned the dog.

"Can I go with you?" asked Mitsuki.

The dog agreed happily, it wouldn't take too many of them to look around Konoha.

As they finished their rounds, Mitsuki sat down at the foot of the tree on her favorite hill in the village. The dog did the same next to her, but caught in a surge of affection for this little creature, she carried him on her lap, before scratching his back.

Pakkun didn't flinch, and even seemed to enjoy the petting. He was enjoying this moment of pleasure so much that he finally dozed off when a nonchalant voice pulled him from his reverie:

"So this is how you work, Pakkun."

He jumped out of young Hata's lap, who was as surprised as he was.

"It's not what you think, Kakashi!" he hastened to defend himself.

"Oh, but I think you do!" teased Kakashi, amused.

"Hello Kakashi-san." the girl greeted him, a little confused.

"Hello Mitsuki. So, are you bribing my companions now? It's not like Pakkun to get distracted! Especially during a mission. I was waiting for your report, you know..." the Hatake reproached him gently.

"Oh...I didn't know he was yours, I'm sorry. He did his mission well, I helped him, but I wouldn't have held him back if I knew he had to come back to you..." Mitsuki immediately defended him.

"It's okay for this time... But I didn't know that the Wolf's Princess was also interested in little dogs." Kakashi pointed out in a mocking mood.

"Wolf's Princess?" repeated Mitsuki.

"Your new friends haven't gone unnoticed, Mitsuki. Being the descendant of the Wolf Queen, you've inherited this new nickname in the village." Kakashi explained.

"Hmm...and so the heir of the White Fang of Konoha... is actually a friend of those cute little dogs." Mitsuki laughed, before she could see Kakashi's dull eyes through his mask, "I'm sorry, that was probably inappropriate..."

"Oh...no, don't worry, I'm only surprised that you know my father..." soothed Kakashi immediately.

Mitsuki suddenly turned red, and looked away from him to the ground.

"I... you're so...mysterious... While you seem to know a lot about me... I don't even know your face ... so ... I ... I've been doing a little research ... about... you." Mitsuki stammered, uncomfortable.

Kakashi remained silent for a moment, before bursting into laughter, pushing Mitsuki's cheeks to crimson.

"I think this is the first time I've ever been investigated for something so innocent. It's cute. You know, as ANBU, we're supposed to keep our identity a secret. The Hokage, for some reason, insists on using my first name... which is not that common, so it must have been easy for you to find the rest. So don't mind if I keep my appearance a secret, I'm just following the ANBU code," he explained to her as she discerned a wink under the mask, "On the other hand, my team isn't just made up of 'cute little dogs'! There are much bigger... more... ferocious! I have a reputation to uphold!"

Pakkun breathed loudly in annoyance at this sentence. Kakashi grabbed him and scratched his belly to tease him.

"But my 'little' Pakkun is the king when it comes to searching for individuals!"

He put the pug back down, who was bulging his little chest with pride. Kakashi paused for a moment, then continued:

"You know, I can help you improve your techniques with your wolves. I know you're working on some of them with the leader of the pack, but they're not that different from dogs, I could teach you some new ones too, before your tournament!"

Mitsuki looked at him in surprise, before remarking:

"I would like to, but first of all, if you want to be able to get close to them, avoid comparing my wolves to your dogs, they are a bit sensitive about that... Secondly, the Hokage would probably not look too kindly on an ANBU helping me to gain power..."

"The Hokage encourages me to help you in all circumstances... It's the elders and a few others who are a little more cautious about your new skills," Kakashi cut her off.

- How... What do you mean, YOU have to help me in all circumstances?

- Yes... I'm in charge of looking after you... in the good sense of the word, right! To assure your protection in the village, and I imagine, to help you to pass the Chûnin exam.

- But since when?!

- Since I implanted a seal in your eye... He thinks that you trust me, and... he also thinks that it's good for me to be with you, although this idea seems laughable.

- I don't understand, you've been watching me all this time?

- Yes ... no ... Not watching you, that, others do it very well. I've been watching... only... for your safety and well-being.

- And what's in it for you? I didn't even know you were here...

- I am still an ANBU, I have regular missions outside, I am not always "here". And you are also just one of the orders. But ... maybe you knew it by "asking around", after the war, I had nothing left. No father, no friends. The Hokage thinks that you have a natural power to bring people together around you... and he thought that you could... make me something other than a common ANBU killer...

- And I see we were all right in bringing you the youthful ardor of Mitsuki, my dear rival!" exclaimed a voice the girl didn't know, as a green tornado landed between Kakashi and her, before she could take offense at being treated like a common mission.

The ANBU sighed loudly, looking exasperated.

"Nice to finally meet you, young Hata! Let me introduce myself, I'm the Shady Jade Panther of Konoha, Gai Maito, but you can just call me Gai. And I am also the eternal rival of dear Kakashi! But tell me, Kakashi, you had hidden the beauty of your young friend from me! Ah the youth!" exclaimed Gai, with poses "of the chic type", in front of a dumbfounded Mitsuki.

"Leave her alone Gai... You can see that you're making her uncomfortable. And I don't think she considers herself my friend..." Kakashi tempered him, even though he knew it was unnecessary.

"So what are you waiting for, my friend? Invite her! A walk, a dinner, or ... a challenge? Tell me, Mitsuki, are you the type to take on challenges?"

Kakashi, who was at Gai's back, made big signs to her to refuse, but troubled by this boy with big eyebrows, Mitsuki just stuttered:

"Uh... hem...yes...I think so..."

Kakashi slapped his forehead in disappointment.

"Great! I was just about to challenge my dear rival! Alright! We'll race to the top of the 3rd Hokage's head! If one of you wins, I'll invite you both to Ichiraku's. If I win, Kakashi, you'll invite Mitsuki for dinner!" he quipped, not hiding the specific idea he had in mind.

"Gai... She's only 10 years old you know..." Kakashi reminded, annoyed.

"I'm not asking you to court her, my friend! Although you two would probably make great kids in the future! But I want you to try to get to know each other, and who knows, maybe you'll finally be able to count her as a friend?" continued Gai, in a state of excitement that was beyond comprehension.

Mitsuki let out a small laugh, getting a look of incomprehension from the ANBU:

"You are a strange character, Gaito. But I accept your challenge. In any case, it looks like I win a meal, that's perfect!" she exclaimed in turn.

Kakashi sighed again. She had no idea what she was getting herself into by walking into the emerald Jônin's game.

"Well... Let's go then... Should I point out that this is a foot race, and that in no case a wolf should intervene to facilitate your task?" he imposed, blasé, before setting up.

"Would you doubt my abilities, Kakashi-kun?" provoked Mitsuki, disturbing him with this new burst of affection, as she laughed out loud.

Gai gave the signal, and the three of them disappeared in a cloud of smoke, running at full speed through the village. None of the three of them let go, and this sudden carefree attitude seemed to give them wings.

A few minutes later, Mitsuki arrived at the top of the Sandaime's head, out of breath. Unfortunately for her, Gai was already sitting there proudly, while Kakashi arrived right behind the young girl.

"Well, my friend! It looks like we've found ourselves a new rival of choice!" Gai exclaimed again, as Mitsuki sprawled on the floor, her lungs burning, "Lucky for you, my dear rival, I won the challenge! I have a new mission ahead of me, I'll let you decide where to meet. See you next Mitsuki, Kakashi."

And like a tornado, Gai disappeared, leaving the ANBU and the girl alone again.

"Well, I guess we'll have to make this dinner ... For the place, if you don't mind, I prefer to invite you to my place. I like to avoid public places, if possible..." offered Kakashi.

"You don't have to invite me, Kakashi, it was just a silly dare" Mitsuki reassured him.

"A bet is a bet. I have to honor it. Besides... he's right... I enjoy your company... and it's my pleasure to prepare a meal for you. Unless you don't want me to, of course," Kakashi assured her shyly.

Mitsuki turned red again, before murmuring just as shyly:

"Then it will be my pleasure, Kakashi-kun."

"Tonight, is that okay?"

Mitsuki nodded with a smile. The ANBU greeted her briefly before disappearing in turn. The girl sat for a moment on top of the rock thinking about this strange day. It had felt good to do something as childish as this challenge. The tensions related to the Chûnin exam had briefly eased.

She thought about the evening she was going to spend with her mysterious ANBU. Was he going to wear that damn mask again? Certainly... He had told her, that was the rule. Besides, how should she dress for this dinner? Simply? After all it was only a meal to get to know each other.

She'd better go home and get ready... Aruna will certainly help her, he must know what was appropriate to wear for this kind of situation.When she arrived home, she told the Sensei of the academy about her day. He frowned:

"An ANBU invited you to dinner... this very evening... at his house?"

"His name is Kakashi, you already know him. And it's a friendly dinner, the result of a bet, he won't be there as ANBU." tried to reassure Mitsuki, misunderstanding the real cause of the man's concern.

"I'm not sure that's any better, actually," Aruna growled, his paternal instincts kicking in.

Mitsuki laughed softly before asking him:

"Will you help me get ready?"

The grumble Aruna let out made her laugh all the more.He followed her into the room as she looked for an acceptable outfit for a friendly dinner. As she came out with a dress that was too big for her, Aruna looked pleased.

"You're not very objective, Aruna-kun... my face can barely fit through this dress! I think I'll take this black kimono with a white obi, and a red belt. It is long, and in my size, like that, everyone is happy! " she finally decided.

Once changed, Aruna sighed:

"You are much too pretty..."

Mitsuki kissed his cheek smiling, before going to do her hair. It was already time to go back to the ANBU, but a detail struck her: she didn't know the address of the young man...She didn't give up, thinking that maybe she would find him in one of the places where they had already met.But as she walked out, someone was already waiting for her, much to her relief.

"Good evening Pakkun!"

"Good evening Mitsuki, Kakashi sent me to pick you up. You look sublime tonight."

Mitsuki blushed as she followed him. Had she done too much?

As they were leaving the Uchiha district, they passed Shisui and Itachi on their way home.

"Wow, Mitsuki! Where are you going?" Shisui exclaimed in admiration.

Itachi also gave her a questioning look, detailing her from head to toe.

"I'm invited to a dinner party..."

"With whom?" asked Itachi a little abruptly.

"With Kakashi..." replied Mitsuki.

"The ANBU who's taking away your powers?" snapped Itachi, scaring Mitsuki slightly.

"He's just following orders you know..." she defended him calmly.

"Tsk..." Itachi breathed, annoyed.

"In that case, I wish you a good date!" interrupted Shisui, feeling his friend's tension rise.

"That's not a..." Mitsuki tried to correct him, but the boys were already too far away to hear her.

She watched sadly as they distanced themselves, without Itachi turning his eyes towards her. What was wrong with him?

She walked with Pakkun to a small apartment on top of a building. She knocked softly, and the door opened immediately on the young ANBU... obviously masked.

"Good evening, Kakashi-kun."

"You came..." breathed the boy, relieved, as he detailed her with his eyes.

"Of course I did! Did you doubt it?"

The boy laughed softly before letting her in. A delicious smell was coming from the room. This meal seemed promising, and the girl's stomach was clamoring for it.

The beginning of the evening was shy, almost awkward. This slightly more intimate setting made them both uncomfortable. But after a little while of sharing a meal that was as delicious as its smell was attractive, the discussions were going well.

Kakashi found himself opening up a little more each moment to the one who had been for some time the center of his professional occupations. He already knew her to be sweet, funny, with a good repartee, but each new facet that he discovered in her only increased the affection that he stubbornly refused to bear her. She was altruistic, not hesitating to put herself in danger to protect her friends, ignoring the judgment of the people of Konoha against her family, wishing only to protect this city that had done so much harm to her.

He found his father's ideals in her, and this did not leave him indifferent. She was a peaceful person, she would have got along very well with his friend Obito, if he was still of this world... And her character was so similar to Rin's... The little touch of nostalgia that won him did not escape the girl.

"Is something wrong, Kakashi-kun?" she worried.

"It's nothing, don't worry. Do you want another piece of dessert?" he offered, trying to dodge the question.

- You know, you haven't talked about yourself much tonight... I was hoping that once you walked through your front door, you'd be...different... from the ANBU I already know.

- Sorry to disappoint you...

- I don't mean that. But you know, if you don't see me as your friend, I already see you as mine. I wish I wasn't just a mission objective in your eyes...

- That's not what you are...

- So, tell me what suddenly makes your look so sad.

- Tsk... You are so stubborn...

- I only care about you...

- I have had friends ... that I failed to protect, even though I promised to do so. I do not wish to repeat the experience.

- You already protect me as a mission objective, what's the difference?

- I... There are no feelings in a mission."

He had become so cold all of a sudden.

"You have no affection for me?" wanted to know Mitsuki, not sure she understood.

Kakashi looked away without answering. Mitsuki sighed softly, trying to hold back the grief that was suddenly rising inside her. What exactly had she expected?

"It's getting late, Kakashi. I'm going to go now, Aruna would come in fourth gear if I don't make his curfew." announced Mitsuki, finding that excuse to try and mask her disappointment.

They got up and he walked her to the door. As she started to walk away, Kakashi said softly:

"Thank you for this dinner... You look beautiful tonight."

Mitsuki smiled without looking back, before thanking him in turn for the delicious meal.

"See you soon for your training..." he added.

As she disappeared, Kakashi slapped his forehead. He had disappointed her, and didn't have the courage to tell her how much she meant to him already.

"Idiot." he grumbled as he walked home, not knowing if he was more stupid for stubbornly denying this newfound friendship, or for allowing himself to be overcome by these new feelings.