Timeskip ~

Mika : really ?

Chojuro: really.

Mika : that's great ! Isn't it ?

Chojuro: I don't know if I'm up to it...

Mika : come on. You'll be great. I know it.

Chojuro ; how's your blade coming along ? I heard that you're making one. No ice sword anymore ?

Mika : just think it's better I get something physical rather than forming one into ice.

Chojuro ; but then people will then know it's not a ninjutsu thing anymore. Those are your sword styles.

Mika : I... Did not think of that. But I got it made ! Do you want it ?

Chojuro: I'm already getting one. Mika-san.

Mika sighs " okie . I'll keep it." They both walk into the blacksmiths. " Ijin-san !! "

An old man walked out " here to collect your blade ? Some precious mineral you got me."

Mika : you said you liked a challenge.

The old man placed the box on the table and slides open the cover " here's your blade. Light. Thin. Just as requested."

The blade looked smooth and reflective on its blade, its shape exactly like her ice blade.

She picks it up " so... shiny. "

Ijin : don't try to describe it if you can't say the correct things to say.

She rolled her eyes .

Chojuro: haha. The blade is as good as the temper of the blacksmith .

Ijin: you shouldn't even be here. Should just ask your friend to get it. A pregnant woman shouldn't be holding a blade.

" I paid for it. " She sheathes back the blade and takes the katana.They left the shop and headed to the streets.

Chojuro: .... Mika-san.

Mika : huh ?

Chojuro: erm... I thought maybe you wanted to know. The sandaime Hokage recently died. The had a war with the sungakure during the chunnin exams.

Mika : I see. Arigatou.

____________________________________

A few months later... At konohagakure... In the Hokage's office.

Tsunade : so everyone has been saying good things about you.

Mika stood in her office in front of her table " they're nice."

Tsunade: told me you're not like the usual kirigakure.

Mika just smiled " I just came to pay respects to the sandaime. That's all. I know I have to be watched and I am fine with it. I just want to pay respects to him. "

Tsunade: that's all ?

Mika : hai. I know I'm a little late. I had some things going on... But I want to do that. He was another very nice man. Nice person.

Tsunade: alright then.

Mika : arigatou.

____________________________________

She stood in front of his grave.

" neh. One day, will my best friend turn out like you ? Die for the village... Wait... Am I going to be like that anyway ? Was it painful ? Were you glad you did it for your village ?" She then takes a photo from her pouch " sandaime. You were... A very hopeful person. Or maybe just a good listener..."

Flashback~

Hiruzen : how's the dangos ?

Mika ; sandaime !

He laughs and sits down beside her " better than your village's ?"

Mika : I don't remember anymore.

Hiruzen notices that her eyes drifts to Kakashi's watching him as he walked across their sights from faraway. She sighs and sips some tea " want dangos ?"

Hiruzen ; yes I do.

Mika : 2 more please !

Hiruzen ; if only all the villages could be in harmony huh ?

She laughed a little " if only that's possible. But I'm here working other missions to earn a keep. It's quite harmonious. "

Hiruzen eats the dangos " yumm. Another one please. You've got me addicted." She laughed " I definitely don't have these in my village. Addicting dangos. "

Hiruzen : you're not exactly... Kirigakure...

Mika : right... I'm a rogue. Not kirigakure.

Hiruzen: you'll go home. When you want to.

Mika: when I want to.

End of flashback~

She placed the photo on his grave " for the hopeful."
.
.
.
She leaves and kakashi walks over. He picks up the photo " I see. "

____________________________________

Gai ; you look down today.

Kakashi passes the photo to him. Gai takes it and looks at the photo.

It was a baby lying in a cradle.

Gai: a baby ? So cute. Whose ?

Kakashi: Mika placed it there.

Gai : she has a baby. Akiraki is married ?!

Kakashi: I guess.

Gai ; you like her ?!!

Kakashi stayed silent.

Gai ; Akiraki.

Kakashi: hai.

Gai ; no... Akiraki ! There !

Kakashi looked in that direction " Mika... "

Gai ; go on.

So kakashi walked over " Mika. " She turned her head and looked " kakashi. Oh. Copy ninja. Came to see sandaime."

Kakashi: how are you ?

She smiled " great."

( Kakashi )

A bright one. I could tell she was happier than she used to be. Looks like she's really having a great life.

With that man... She's now with.

I felt sad but also a bit happy that she's happy now.

Kakashi: could I treat you to dinner ?

Mika : um. I'm ordering all the expensive food.

Kakashi laughed " ok. "
.
.
.
After dinner...

Kakashi: this time. You can say goodbye before you leave ?

" Copy ninja. Arigatou for the food. Good night and..." She looked pass him " ugh... That fast ?" He turned and look to see a ninja owl. She simply smiled " got to go. " And she left.

( Kakashi )

Again.

No goodbye.