'Nii-san...?'

'Yes, Kyro?'

'Why can I only see stars if it's nighttime?'

'...because the stars sleep during the day.'

'That's silly! Stars aren't alive!'

'Oh yeah? Then what's your explanation?'

'The sun shines so bright that the other stars seem dark in comparison.'

'...Actually, I think you're right.'

'Of course, I'm right, Baka!'

'Then why'd you ask me?!'

::

Kakashi awoke at eight the next morning, the memories of the night before still fresh in his mind. He got dressed and walked out of his room, to find that Hitoshi was already awake. The boy was on his couch, a pile of books beside him. Kakashi's eyes widened as he noticed the covers of the books.

"You shouldn't be reading those." The jonin advised, making the ginger glance over at him.

"Oh, apologies." Hitoshi apologized, glancing down at the page one last time before closing it. He placed it with the other books. "I didn't mean for you to see that I had taken them off the shelf. I was going to put them back, but I woke up at two or so. I couldn't get back to sleep, so I've been reading ever since."

Kakashi's visible eye widened. "You mean to tell me you've read all of those books?" He inquired, and Hitoshi shook his head.

"No, I've read all of the books in the apartment, not just those. They were just the ones I got to last." Hitoshi confessed.

"All of the books?" The jonin questioned and the teen nodded.

"Yeah. The Icha Icha, the collection of bingo books you have, all the recipe books, the various maps and scrolls laying around, and that to-do list you have on your fridge." Hitoshi listed.

Kakashi was at a loss for words. "Wait," the jonin started, "you've been up since two?"

The teen nodded. "I couldn't get back to sleep. It's an issue I have. It doesn't matter."

"It sounds pretty important kid. It means you've had about two hours of sleep."

Hitoshi raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"That's not healthy, kid." Kakashi explained, grabbing his Icha Icha books and placing them back onto his sparse bookshelf.

The ginger nodded, shrugging. "I know. I don't care, but I know."

Kakashi sighed, turning back to face his guest. "So, are you ready to get some breakfast?"

Hitoshi nodded and stood. Kakashi noted the lack of the cloak the teen was wearing the night before. Instead, the ginger had on a black kimono that reached his mid-calf. It was embroidered with a blue thread around the cuffs of the sleeves and the bottom of the skirt. The pattern was a swirly one, dozens of spirals branching off of one another.

Hitoshi took notice of Kakashi's interest. "Do you like my outfit?" The teen asked curiously, making the jonin nod. Hitoshi gave a faint smile. "I'm glad. I made it, after all."

Kakashi looked at the kid. "Really?" The silver-haired man inquired, making the teen nod.

"I needed clothes to train in, but all of the options in stores seemed too tight. So I made something more... flowy." Hitoshi explained.

"It's very beautiful." Kakashi complimented. That earned the jonin a small smile. Kakashi smiled back. "Maa, we better get going. I'm sure you're starving."

Hitoshi nodded, standing. Kakashi then noticed that he could see the teen's legs and arms, and noted how scrawny, yet muscular they were. It was to the point where it was definitely unhealthy. The teen grabbed his bag and placed his belongings inside, before turning back to Kakashi. "Alright then. Where are we going?" The teen inquired curiously.

"I'm torn between two places, to be honest." Kakashi revealed. "There's Ichiraku Ramen and Yakiniku-Q."

The teen thought it over for a moment. "We could get some from both if you can't decide."

Kakashi considered his suggestion before nodding. "That sounds like a good idea." The jonin decided. "Just follow me, kid." The ginger nodded and Kakashi departed. Hitoshi followed him, and the silverette lead the way to the nearest of the two: Ichiraku's Ramen stand.

They entered the stall, and Teuchi looked over at them. "Ah, Kakashi-san! And who's your new friend?" The older man greeted, peering at the ginger from over the counter.

"Oh, this is Hitoshi." Kakashi introduced, the ginger dipping his head in greeting. "He's staying with me until his uncle gets back later today."

Teuchi smiled warmly at the boy. "It's nice to meet you, Hitoshi."

"Likewise." The ginger returned a faint smile.

"You fucking brat!" A loud male voice shouted from the outside of the stall. Hitoshi flinched, almost unnoticeably, but Kakashi managed to see it. The jonin gave the teen a suspicious glance as the ginger turned around and walked out of the stall to see who had yelled.

It was an older man who was shouting at a young blonde boy. The blonde hadn't appeared to be doing anything to the man, but the older man was beating him. Hitoshi's eyes blazed furiously as he walked over to the pair. The crowd had parted for the two, but none of them helped the young teen. Kakashi watched with interest as Hitoshi walked over to them.

"Stupid brat- Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" The older man shouted as Hitoshi moved between the man and the teen.

Hitoshi ignored the man's shouts but instead knelt to check on the blonde. "Are you okay?" The ginger asked gently, scanning the blonde for wounds.

Naruto was at a loss for words. He was getting beat by this old man for no reason he could find, and then this boy stepped in. No one had ever shown him such kindness, and Naruto found it difficult to find a response. The ginger realized that Naruto was surprised, and gave the blonde a smile. Naruto smiled back, unsure of what else to do.

"Hey! Get out of the way! I was in the middle of something!" The older man complained, making the ginger sigh and stand up, turning to face the man. The man flinched when he saw the ginger's expression. It was a deadly glare, radiating pure loathing and spite. The older man stood stunned for a moment, then quailed and ran off, leaving the two in the street.

Kakashi was in shock over what had happened. With a simple look, the teen had sent the geezer running. Hitoshi turned back to Naruto, extending a hand to help the boy up. The blonde gladly took it, rising to his feet. "Thanks, dattebayo!" The blonde smiled brightly, eliciting a small smile from the ginger.

"It's no problem." Hitoshi said quietly, looking back to where the man had run off and sighing. "People like that are so troublesome."

"Yeah, you're right!" Naruto grinned. "Anyways, it's nice to meet ya, I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" The blonde introduced enthusiastically.

"Nara Hitoshi. It's nice to meet you, Naruto." The ginger greeted.

Naruto grinned. "It's nice to meet ya too, Hitoshi! Are you new to Konoha? I don't think I've seen you around before." Naruto inquired.

Hitoshi nodded. "Yes, I came to find my uncle and his family."

"So, you'll be staying in Konoha?" Naruto asked hopefully.

"It appears so." The ginger agreed, glancing around Konoha for a moment. "It's very bright here." Hitoshi noted, making Naruto laugh.

"I guess, dattebayo."

"Maa, Hitoshi, are you going to order?" Kakashi asked, making the ginger glance over at him. Naruto also looked over, his eyes visibly brightening at the sight of the stall.

"Yes." Hitoshi called back. "One moment, Naruto."

"It's okay, dattebayo!" Naruto grinned, as Hitoshi walked back over to the stall. Naruto followed him, eager to get what he had come for.

"I'd like an extremely spicy Miso ramen if you don't mind." Hitoshi ordered politely, and Teuchi nodded.

"Coming right up." The man grinned.

"To-go." Kakashi added, making Teuchi nod again.

"Where are you going?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Oh, Kakashi-san said that he couldn't decide between two restaurants, so we're getting food from both." Hitoshi explained. "Not that I mind." The ginger added, his mouth watering slightly.

"That sounds like fun! Hey, Teuchi-san, can you make my usual too?" Naruto asked, and the man nodded. Naruto turned back to us. "I'm assuming that the other restaurant is Yakiniku-Q, right?" The blonde asked, making Kakashi nod.

"Awesome! Hey, maybe we'll run into Shikamaru and Choji too!" The blonde grinned. Hitoshi gave a faint smile in return. Kakashi raised an eyebrow as he realized that the blonde had invited himself along, but chose not to say anything.

"Here you three go!" Teuchi grinned, passing out the different cups of ramen. Kakashi paid him, as did Naruto, and the three went on their way to Yakiniku-Q.

The three walked inside and sat down, a server coming over to them. Hitoshi allowed Naruto to order for him, the ginger having never been to a BBQ restaurant before. Their food arrived within ten minutes.

"Itadakimasu." The three said, before digging into their food. They were halfway through when a pair of teens approached their table.

"Oh, hey Naruto!" Choji greeted, smiling. Shikamaru raised an arm in greeting.

Naruto grinned right back. "Choji! Shikamaru!" He smiled. "How are you guys?"

"Good. Our dads are supposed to be back from their mission today, so we're waiting on them." Shikamaru answered. Kakashi glanced at the pair.

"Hello." The jonin spoke, drawing the pair's attention to him.

"And you are?" Shikamaru asked.

"Hatake Kakashi." The jonin replied offhandedly.

"I'm Akimichi Choji." Choji greeted, smiling.

"And I'm Nara Shikamaru." Shikamaru greeted, drawing Hitoshi's attention.

"Nara?" The ginger questioned, making Shikamaru turn to him.

"Hitoshi, this is your cousin." Kakashi said, making everyone's eyes widen. Shikamaru turned to the ginger in shock.

"You... you're Uncle Shikage's kid?" Shikamaru asked, causing a brief look of suffering to flash over Hitoshi's face. The only ones who seemed to see were Kakashi and Shikamaru, who instantly wished he hadn't said anything.

"Yeah." Hitoshi answered quietly, continuing to eat as though nothing had happened. "I am."

Naruto, sensing the heavy air, decided to change the subject. "Shikamaru, Choji, d'you guys wanna eat with us?" The blonde asked, making the pair nod.

"If that's okay." Shikamaru added, giving a glance at Hitoshi. When Hitoshi didn't say anything, the pair slid into the seats across from Kakashi and Hitoshi, next to Naruto. Another server came up and retrieved the newcomers orders. The group sat in an awkward silence, the only one unaffected being Hitoshi. He had pulled out the Icha Icha book he hadn't finished and was reading it, the pages turning quickly as the ginger absorbed the words.

Kakashi was watching this awkwardly from his peripheral vision. He didn't know what to do, to take the book or not. Eventually, Shikamaru and Choji's food arrived and Hitoshi finished the book, handing it back to the jonin. They all ate in silence, and before long, had finished. Naruto noticed how quiet Hitoshi had become.

"Hey, Hitoshi!" Naruto grinned. "Would you like me to show you around Konoha?" The blonde questioned, making the ginger glance up curiously. Hitoshi was quiet for a few moments, before nodding at the blonde's suggestion. Naruto grinned wider and stood. Hitoshi quietly laid some money down on the table to pay for his food, and began to follow Naruto out the door.

"Hitoshi, can I have a moment? Please?" Shikamaru asked, jogging up behind the two. Hitoshi turned to his cousin, taking in the concern in Shikamaru's eyes.

After a moment of hesitation, Hitoshi spoke. "Naruto." Hitoshi began quietly. "Would you give us a minute?" The ginger requested solemnly, making the blonde nod.

"Yeah, I'll be waiting." Naruto agreed, walking back to Choji. The two started talking animatedly, probably about food, and Shikamaru turned to Hitoshi.

Shikamaru gazed worriedly at his cousin. The last time he had seen Uncle Shikage, he had two daughters. What had happened? Hitoshi didn't seem in the mood to start the conversation, so Shikamaru did.

"Uncle Shikage." Shikamaru began, not missing the fraction of a second that complete misery overtook Hitoshi's face. "...He's dead. Isn't he?" Shikamaru stated, making the ginger's gaze drop.

"Yeah..." Hitoshi confirmed. Shikamaru felt his heart drop. Shikage had always been the stereotypical 'cool uncle', and Shikamaru always enjoyed his visits. Most of the time Shikage would come with his two daughters, Jira and Kyro. Shikamaru didn't realize he had a son, and Shikamaru had never met Shikage's wife, Yamiko.

The pair were silent for a moment. "...What about Kyro and Jira?" Shikamaru asked.

Hitoshi shuddered at the names, not bothering to hide the grief that overtook him. "Dead too."

"Aunt Yamiko?" Shikamaru inquired. Shikamaru instantly regretted speaking the name, and stepped backwards in fear as Hitoshi's whole demeanor changed. Instead of quiet and grieving, this was a terrifying, burning fury. The Nara heir had never felt anything like it, was honestly terrified.

As soon as it began, it ended. Hitoshi was back to emotionless, though the blazing hatred and raw pain were still burning deep in his eyes. "She ran away. She ran away and left them." The teen revealed, his voice as frigid as ice.

Shikamaru's eyes widened in shock. "She... ran away?" He inquired, and the ginger sighed.

"She left them. Dad, Kyro, Jira, ... all of them..." Hitoshi snarled, some of the not-so carefully concealed rage and pain entering his voice.

Neither teen spoke for a few moments. Shikamaru was contemplating the absolute insanity of what he had just heard, and Hitoshi was giving him time to process. "Look... Shikamaru..." Hitoshi spoke, making the brunette look up at him. "If... If you want the details, you can go to Hokage-sama." Hitoshi told his cousin.

Shikamaru nodded. "Thank you, Hitoshi... For telling me personally."

Hitoshi gave a weak grin. Pain and fury were still in his eyes, but it was masked by a cold layer of arctic ice. "You're welcome." The ginger nodded, glancing over at the blonde. "I better go back to Naruto. He's probably getting impatient..."

Shikamaru nodded, and the two walked back over to their companions. Kakashi had joined them, and had been silently watching the two boys talk. "Hey, Hitoshi!" Naruto grinned at the ginger. "You ready now?" The ginger nodded, and Naruto perked up. The blonde had noticed his new friend's troubles, so Naruto had made it his mission to try and cheer Hitoshi up. "Okay! I thought we'd start at the Hokage Monument! Follow me, dattebayo!" The blonde grinned enthusiastically.

Hitoshi followed the rambunctious blonde through the streets of Konoha, heading towards the giant mountain faces.