They arrived at a rooftop terrace. On the spot, a group of young people, in Kakashi's age group, were talking loudly. When the two friends approached, the silence fell and they all turned their gaze to the little she-wolf.

"Well, my dear rival! We've been waiting for you!" exclaimed Gai, whom Mitsuki recognized immediately.

"Did you come accompanied? It's the first time!" said a young woman with red eyes, amused.

A man with a cigarette in his mouth gave a knowing wink to the ANBU, which made his young friend feel completely uncomfortable. Kakashi sighed, annoyed, before replying:

"Are you almost done? Can't you see you're embarrassing her? Mitsuki, I want you to meet my...friends. Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuuhi, Iruka Umino, and... Gai, who you already know. Guys, I'd like you to meet..."

"Mitsuki Hata ... No need to introduce her, you've already told us so much about her that it's like we already know her." sneered Asuma, making the ANBU blush, who looked away from the she-wolf.

"You heard Kakashi introduce us as his friends too?" bounced Kurenai, looking falsely amazed.

"There was a hint of hesitation, but yes, he did admit it eventually!" joined Gai.

"You're...from the Hokage's family?" asked Mitsuki to the bearded man, completely ignoring the mockery of the infernal trio.

He rubbed the back of his head, in turn uncomfortable, before answering her:

"Yes, that's my father ... But I beg you, do not pay attention to this detail. And please, say hello to me, I'm not that old!"

"You're still the oldest of us. " intervened for the first time the name Iruka smiling, mischievous.

"Well, you're discovering a funny side now that you're not the smallest, Iruka?" replied Asuma, patting him on the shoulder.

"Don't pay attention to those big idiots, Mitsuki. We're glad to meet you. We were all curious about the girl who was getting all the attention from that old ice heart Kakashi," Kurenai reassured her.

Kakashi grunted under his mask, while Mitsuki wriggled her fingers, still more embarrassed.

"I propose a challenge to calm the spirits!" enthused Gai before everyone else protested.

"Excuse me, Mitsuki. I knew they were untenable but I didn't think it would be so..." Kakashi apologized in his protégé's ear, while the others bickered.

"Don't worry... They're all pretty funny and nice. It feels good...somewhere." Mitsuki reassured him shyly.

They watched as the group of friends tried their best to convince Gai to give up his idea of a challenge, while he negotiated the terms. Kakashi finally cleared his throat, drawing stares from the others.

"I have...I have something to tell you too." he said, drawing curiosity from everyone, "I'm leaving the ANBU. I'm becoming a simple Jônin again. The Hokage also expects me to form a Genin team one day..."

Kurenai shouted with joy, while the boys were more subdued but just as delighted.

"You're finally going to be more human again and live a normal life! I couldn't stand watching you sink into the darkness with every gruesome mission you took on," Kurenai admitted.

"I think we can thank our pretty guest, she is still largely responsible for the changes in the heart of my eternal rival!" followed Gai.

"Calm down guys ... And leave Mitsuki alone, you'll end up scaring her away!" grumbled Kakashi.

"Oh, but no one wants her to run away from you, buddy." sneered Asuma as he blew out a puff of smoke.

Kakashi shoved him amiably, hissing at him to shut up.

"I have something to tell you too..." Iruka interjected shyly.

Everyone calmed down to look at him in turn.

"What? You've been promoted to Jônin too, little Iruka?" chuckled Asuma, offending the man with the scar in the middle of his nose.

"No... of course not... But the Hokage offered me a position at the Academy. I will be a teacher from now on, I'm replacing Aru..." Iruka explained, until a muffled sound interrupted him.

He turned to Mitsuki, who had turned livid, and was holding back a second hiccup. Iruka half-opened his mouth, realizing his blunder, and tried to reach out his hand to the she-wolf, who recoiled despite herself.

"Mitsuki..." he breathed, unable to find a word to end her confusion.

"I'm happy for you, Iruka," the Hokage's son interjected to divert the conversation, "You'll make an excellent Sensei for the children of Konoha. And this job fits you like a glove, you're far too kind and gentle to continue the field missions!"

The others followed him, making him forget about Mitsuki's reaction, while Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder.

"If you'd rather go home, just say a word, I'll understand," he whispered softly in her ear.

Mitsuki shook her head. Of course she knew that Aruna would be replaced quickly, one couldn't interrupt the training of future Genin, she just wasn't ready for the news to come out like this.

She smiled slightly, trying to allay her host's fears.

"Well, let's toast to our friends' mutations!" declared Asuma, taking a seat at the table that had been set up on the roof.

The sun was beginning to disappear in the distance, giving them a splendid view. Kurenai turned on the string of light bulbs hanging around the terrace, making the picture even more magical. Everyone followed Asuma, who started to serve them. When he reached Mitsuki's glass, Kakashi held his arm.

"Not to be a party pooper, but it's not really... at her age." he reminded.

"Really? I thought you were at least of age! But how old are you then, Mitsuki?" inquired Asuma, surprised.

"I'm almost fourteen..." the she-wolf answered shyly, feeling less and less in her place, while Asuma's look betrayed remorse about his previous innuendos.

"So young... And already so strong and mature." Gai pointed out, surprised in turn.

"Surely compared to you..." replied Kakashi.

"It's the breath of eternal youth that burns in me my dear rival!" explained Gai, taking the pose of the good guy, to the great despair of his friends.

"Kakashi told us that you were working hard at the hospital. Do you want to become a Ninja Doctor?" Kurenai resumed, diverting the conversation again before Gai went into a long tirade.

Mitsuki searched for words for a moment, as Kakashi looked on and cursed them inwardly for bringing up subject after subject that was inappropriate for his protege when he had invited her in to take her mind off things.

"I used to be a ninja... I was raised to the rank of Chûnin, but the council decided to end my career for safety... I am only allowed to use my chakra for medical reasons. I guess you could say I'm destined to become a doctor, at all." she said calmly.

"Tsk, damn council," Asuma grumbled, surprising Mitsuki, "Don't look at me with those big red eyes! I told you, being Old Hiruzen's son doesn't make me a supporter of every decision he can make."

Mitsuki nodded with a slight smile. The conversation continued for a while around Mitsuki, then Kakashi finally managed to divert his friends' curiosity to another topic so she could breathe a little. It was a nice evening, they had a lot of fun, and Asuma even managed to cheer up the young she-wolf, who laughed out loud at his jokes. Deep inside she felt guilty for feeling lighter for a moment, but when she saw the relieved look of the ex-ANBU, she finally agreed to leave her sadness and fears aside for a night.

It was already quite late when the group decided to split up. The boys were quite drunk, which made Kurenai grumble gently. She pushed Asuma to get up so that he could go back to bed, and that's when Mitsuki understood that they were at the Sandaime's son's house.

"Are you taking care of Kakashi? I'll take Gai home" suggested Iruka, who had remained more reasonable than the others.

"I don't need to be taken care of!" both of them grumbled simultaneously.

They then looked each other straight in the eyes, before exclaiming:

"I dare you!"

Iruka slapped his forehead with his palm and Mitsuki tried to convince Kakashi to postpone this idea until tomorrow.

"Come on, Kakashi, let's go home, I'm tired..." she finally whispered in his ear.

This sounded like a shock to the dog master, and his will to take care of the she-wolf suddenly took over the rest of his foggy thoughts.

"Hey, Gai!" he hailed his sidekick a little too loudly, staggering slightly, "I'll put your beating on tomorrow... My girlfriend needs to rest, I'm going to take her home... well my home..."

Mitsuki's face turned bright red, giving off a sudden heat, and her wide red pupils met the equally surprised eyes of Iruka, who obviously hadn't missed a beat. She knocked curtly on the back of her host's head, grumbling:

"I'm not your girlfriend, idiot!"

Kakashi looked at her without understanding, rubbing the back of his head:

"But... You're a girl...and I thought you were my friend..." he began to sob.

The she-wolf sighed in despair as Iruka tried in vain to stifle a laugh.

"Of course I'm your friend, Kakashi-kun. Let's go home now, before you make a fool of us again" Mitsuki reassured him, relieved that it was just a misunderstanding.

Kakashi looked at her, smiling again under his mask, and approached her, with a heavy step. He put his hand on the girl's head and she stood petrified wondering what he was doing. He lowered his face to the level of the she-wolf's, put his index finger on the edge of her mask, and started to lower it.

By reflex, Mitsuki closed her eyes abruptly, then felt the Jônin's lips on her cheek, which was getting hotter and hotter, so much she was embarrassed by the situation. The surprisingly delicate contact, given the young man's state of inebriation, froze her as much as it burned her, making her momentarily lose her footing, unless it was rather the alcoholic scent that was coming from his breath.

"Hey... why are you closing your eyes? Am I that ugly?" he took offense.

"Put your mask back on, idiot. You don't even know what you're doing anymore..." the she-wolf forced him, her eyes still closed.

"It's okay, it's okay... It's already done, I didn't want Iruka and Gai to take the opportunity to look at me." assured Kakashi, allowing his friend to look at him again, "Let's go home now, you've hung around long enough."

He began to wobble away, as his protege looked on in despair.

"I thought I had taken the heaviest one, but he only fell asleep... This is the first time I've seen Kakashi-San in such a state... He's usually so serious... Will you be alright?" Iruka worried, amused by the spectacle.

The girl nodded and sighed.

"I'm glad I met you, Mitsuki. I hope we'll have the opportunity to meet again" he greeted her before disappearing, Gai's arm around her shoulders.

Mitsuki walked Kakashi away with difficulty. He was going in all directions on the road, shouting nonsense that she didn't even listen to anymore.

The next day he woke up with a big headache and no idea how he got home. Mitsuki explained his behavior of the day before, and he apologized, until she told him about the mask episode.

"You... Did you really close your eyes? You didn't see anything," he asked her, surprised that she hadn't taken advantage of it.

- Of course! Mitsuki assured him.

- I'm grateful, but... why? Anyone else...

- You weren't in your right mind. I didn't want to take advantage of the situation. I only want to see your face the day you really want to."

The Jônin blushed under his famous mask, touched by the concern of his friend. He tenderly ruffled her hair, before whispering, teasingly:

"Thank you for all this, my "girl" friend".

He hadn't forgotten everything after all! Mitsuki wrinkled her little nose before tapping his shoulder, making him burst out laughing.

A few days later, the Hokage had decided to give the tribute ceremony to the Uchiha clan. It was raining, while the days were so warm until then, as if the sky was dressed for the circumstances.

Mitsuki was staring at her reflection in the mirror, without seeing it. She had put on her black dress in the colors of the Uchiha clan, the first one Aruna had given her, after having it altered to fit her for the occasion. She had tied her long hair in a crown of braid, as the Sensei liked to do when he was alive. She was wearing Itachi's jewelry, as she had been every day since he gave it to her.

Kakashi entered the room, to make sure she was ready. She was so pale, far from the light she gave off at Asuma's party. He walked up behind her and pulled a stray lock of hair down over the she-wolf's face, behind her ear. She watched him do, in silence, with a heavy heart.

"It's going to be time..." Kakashi gently signaled her.

"I have to go get Sasuke from the hospital... He's going home today, and I don't want him to go to the ceremony alone..." explained Mitsuki as she stood up.

"Of course... Can I ask you...let me be there for you today." stammered Kakashi, looking up at his window, embarrassed.

Mitsuki looked at him, surprised.

"Do you really need my approval? You're not responsible for my protection anymore, and I'll be leaving your house tonight, but you're still my friend. I'd be happy to have you around during... during all this" Mitsuki told him.

She grabbed his arms to move them away from his chest against which he had crossed them, before plunging without warning her head on the chest of the Jônin, clinging to the black ceremonial outfit of Shinobi that he had put on for the occasion.

He remained motionless for a moment, not expecting this sudden closeness, then ended up putting his arms around the she-wolf's back, holding her a little closer to him.

Mitsuki thought about Itachi. She missed him so much, and she would have liked to share this grief with the one who was now the closest person she had in Konoha, but it was impossible... She had thoughtlessly taken refuge in Kakashi's arms, seeking the warmth she had known from the Uchiha, but as strong as their friendship had become, it would never replace Aruna, or any of the people she had known.

"Let's go get Sasuke..." the Copy Ninja whispered softly to her.

Together they went to the hospital to get the young Uchiha.

Outside, the rain had finally stopped. When he saw them, he rushed into Mitsuki's arms, before flinching, his body shaken by the sobs he was trying to contain.

"I'm here Sasuke-kun... We'll get through this together. Let's stay dignified, for your parents, and for Aruna, okay?" reassured him as Mitsuki wiped his cheeks.

The little boy nodded gently, and the trio headed for the cemetery once they were sure Sasuke had recovered.

At the cemetery, the crowd was already thick. When they arrived, all the faces turned to them, their eyes filled with compassion. Whispers disturbed the silence as they passed:

"Poor little guy ... he must be feeling very lonely now ... and by his own brother! What will become of him?"

But also:

"She put the curse of her family on the Uchiha clan. Aruna should never have taken her in, he was far too kind-hearted. Look, she still dares to wear the Uchiha clan emblem! And walk beside Sasuke as if she was still part of this family. I don't trust her at all, she was so close to Itachi! Who knows what she'll do in Konoha again?"

Mitsuki turned her gaze to Sasuke, giving him a half-smile to inspire him to cross the alley leading to the stele erected in honor of his clan. The little boy tightened his hand in the she-wolf's, and she discreetly grabbed Kakashi's, who was advancing at her side, seeking in turn the strength to keep his head high in the face of the rumors that were coming his way.

"Hmpf, she will have forgotten him soon enough, her dear Itachi!" sneered an umpteenth gossip who had seen her gesture.

Kakashi's hand tightened on the she-wolf's fingers, and he silenced the woman with a stern look.

Mitsuki didn't let it show, not wanting to give her detractors the joy of thinking their words were getting to her. But deep inside her, her heart was tearing her apart. She wanted to turn back, to run away, to leave Konoha and the hatred that was being directed at her forever, and above all to go in search of the only one who could heal the invisible wound that was tugging at her.

"I'm here", the voice of the young man with grey hair whispered to her, bringing her out of her torpor.

She gave him a grateful look, catching her breath, as she had forgotten to breathe during the few steps that lasted the end of their crossing.

They finally arrived in front of the Hokage, who nodded briefly to them. Behind him were all the portraits of the Uchiha who had disappeared during the terrible night of the massacre. Above the others were the clan leader and his wife, Sasuke's parents. When he saw them, the boy's body started to shake again. Mitsuki let go of Kakashi's hand and crouched down to his level. She hugged him tenderly, telling him how strong he was, and that he had the right to be sad too. With her gesture, she masked the tears that were streaming down the boy's face, but also her own. Aruna was one of the important members of the clan, the portrait surrounded by all the attentions offered by the students of the Academy.

She would have liked not to break down in front of the young Uchiha, but seeing the face of the one she called "her brother" had been more difficult than she had imagined.During the few minutes of this embrace, the rain had started again. But above their heads, the deluge stopped abruptly. Mitsuki slowly raised her head, meeting Kakashi's gaze through the raindrops that were falling on him, as he held an umbrella over the two children. She stood up, pulling Sasuke against her, facing the stele, and invited Kakashi to join them to shelter under the umbrella.

The Hokage gave a long speech, which the she-wolf could not listen to. She was still angry with him, and found it inappropriate for him to speak about the Uchiha, because if Danzo was probably largely responsible for the massacre, he too must have known about it and allowed it to happen. He probably knew the whole truth and continued this horrible comedy without blushing. Kakashi's hand squeezed the she-wolf's shoulder, bringing her out of her thoughts again.

"I feel your anger, Mitsuki... Not here, not now." he whispered in her ear.

She quickly pulled herself together, making the aura of hatred that emanated from her disappear. At the same time, the Sandaime invited the family of the deceased to come and say a word if they wished.

Sasuke refused, preferring to keep his back to the crowd. Mitsuki hesitated. She shouldn't slip up or she would risk the wrath of the people of Konoha. She went forward anyway, on behalf of Aruna.

When she faced the crowd, her red pupils quickly scanned the assembly, until they returned to Kakashi and Sasuke. She hadn't paid attention until then, but right behind them were the friends of the ex-ANBU. They each gave her a friendly smile, which warmed her heart and gave her the courage she needed. She took a deep breath, looked at Aruna's portrait for a moment, and finally spoke:

"That night, we all lost something, whether we were from the Uchiha clan or not. We lost people who looked after our safety every day, an extraordinary teacher, and so many friends... Of course, Sasuke alone is mourning the loss of his parents, grandparents, and all those people he knew. I have... I have lost the man who taught me the meaning of family, who took me under his wing when I arrived in Konoha as an orphan, and made me love this life as I had never appreciated it before. Aruna, as you might have guessed, had a huge heart, and so pure. He taught each of your children for years, guiding them fervently to success. He loved each and every one of his students, and I want to thank you all for the kindness you gave him, he would be so honored. To you, I encourage you to continue on the path he has guided you on. Keep him in your heart, make him proud.Aruna ... I can't tell you how much I miss you already... I promise to follow your example in the life you have given me.And finally... Fugaku... Mikoto...I promise to look after Sasuke. I can't replace the love you gave him, but I swear to you that I will give him as much of mine as I can, guide him through the stages of his life, and help him find some happiness as each of you has done with me. He will become a good and strong man, I am sure. Thank you for doing so much for me."

She paused, before uttering an inaudible "I love you so much" to the crowd, her voice broken, and a tear running down her face. Kakashi started to clap his hands, soon followed by Asuma, Gai, Kurenai and Iruka, then the Sandaime, and finally gradually the whole assembly applauded these men and women with tragic destiny, who had done so much for them, each one at their level. Mitsuki went back down to Sasuke, soaking wet, but it was a good thing to hide the tears she couldn't contain anymore.

After a long minute of uninterrupted applause, the crowd finally dispersed. A lot of people came to express their condolences to little Sasuke, who kept his head high to get through this painful moment. Some of them were also thinking about Mitsuki.

When they were finally alone, they were able to gather in silence for a moment, Kakashi having given them some privacy for the moment.

"Are you sure you want to go home, Sasuke-kun? I can get us an apartment for a while, if you want," Mitsuki said worriedly.

"Are you scared?" the boy asked her in return.

"No... No, there's nothing to worry about" the she-wolf assured him.

"You know, I'm grateful that you've been there for me since...that day. But I would understand if it was difficult for you to set foot there. Nothing connects you to the clan anymore, you don't owe me anything. I can take care of myself too," the boy insisted.

"Don't talk nonsense, Sasuke-kun! I promised you I would always be there, and I will! So let's go home, to your house, and start this new life together." Mitsuki replied firmly, before placing a soft kiss on the boy's forehead.

They joined Kakashi at the entrance of the cemetery and headed for the Uchiha district.