The next morning, Tsukinoko was sprawled out in the middle of her living room, nestled in all the house cushions piled up on the floor. The day before, Hina had prepared a surprise for her birthday, along with all their friends, and they hadn't returned until dawn.

  It was raining cats and dogs outside, and someone had just woken her from her deep sleep. Kakashi, who was supposed to be here at nine o'clock, was two hours late. Finally, she'd thought he'd forgotten and gone back to bed, the urge to go out having passed. She crawled to the door in her kigurumi panda, her hair all disheveled and dark circles under her eyes. He laughs at the sight of her.

  - Yo. Did you forget we have practice today? Unless you plan on going dressed like that.

  - You're late... she grumbles in a hoarse, weary voice.

  - I forgot my umbrella and had to make a detour," he says casually.

  - A two-hour detour? Where's your umbrella then?

  - It had a hole in it after all.

  He scratches his head, sheepish about his excuse as she continues to stare at him contemptuously with her small eyes, badly awake.

  - You could at least try to come up with some decent excuses sometime... And you've got a problem with punctuality, either too early or late, time is time Boss... she grumbles.

  - I'll wait for you until you change.

  - Do you really want to go training?

  - Kimaru is already waiting for us.

  - Of course, if you'd put a rabbit in him too... but you've seen how it rains!

  - It's not a problem.

  - I've got a headache..." she grimaces shamefully.

  - Exercise will clear your mind.

  - You're late, I thought you'd forgotten, so I went back to sleep...

  - I'm here now.

  She sighs loudly through her nose, pouting at his naiveté as she tries to politely decline. She exclaims nonchalantly as she slumps onto the sofa.

  - Wade if you like, Boss. I'll stay in my cushions. Besides, Hina's still asleep.

  - Hina?" he squints, puzzled.

  - Oh dear... she grumbles as she straightens up. Hina's asleep in my bed, we got home at dawn. But I was thirsty and finally went back to sleep while waiting for you, because I was ready on time, despite my hangover.

  - Clever," he says scornfully. You're not old enough to drink.

  - Now it is," she says dryly, hiding her astonishment. Anyway, I'll make some tea if you like, otherwise have fun in the rain. And then he's surprised he's sick, the snow the rain a hurricane too while he's at it," she mumbles as she goes into the kitchen, "but really...

  He sighs when he hears her and hesitates to stay, as he had noticed her bad mood and preferred to stay at calm at home. As he turns back, they both jump after Hina trips over the mountain of cushions, badly awake and also in her pyjamas.

  She waved at Kakashi, red-faced with embarrassment, then insisted.

  - Kakashi, it's a shame you didn't come yesterday, the cake was good too, there's not a crumb left!

  - What cake? What cake?

  She's surprised and thinks for a second, but doubts herself in front of his face and stops glaring at him.

  - The birthday cake..." she said with a tight smile.

  He raises an eyebrow, wondering who it was, until he sees Tsukinoko's sad face beside him. He alternates between the two, then stares at Hina, wondering why she hadn't told him, before remembering that he was only listening with one ear when she warned him.

  He said nothing and decided to accept her invitation and stay for an hour to catch up, because he wanted to do right by his subordinate, whom he liked, without showing it.

  - Yes, that's true... I'll try to finish my work early next time," he says casually.

  - Still not a credible excuse... mumbles the interested party as she lies back down.

  Hina goes to serve the tea. But just as Tsukinoko thought Kakashi had left, she finds him still standing there in the rain.

  - What? I said I wasn't coming.

  - He hesitates, seeing her annoyance.

  - Are you going to leave him out in the rain or let him in?" exclaims Hina from the kitchen.

  - Huh? Are you staying, Boss?

  She squints, then suddenly remembers her guide and notes her effort. They both brace themselves when they hear her scream and Hina grumbles, her head in the fog. He takes a step inside, but his soaked clothes drip onto the floor and Tsukinoko shrieks in fright.

  - Stop! Stay outside! You'll make a mess. Take it all off!

  Naturally, he takes off his jacket and sandals, but his sweater and pants are soaked too, and Tsukinoko insists on standing in his way with her arms crossed. They look into each other's eyes, he wondering if she was really going to force him to strip for so little. But then he picks up his jacket and turns back.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  - But just relax, Boss," she says naively.

  Her fearful expression betrayed her embarrassment, and Tsukinoko went off down the corridor with a sigh.

  - Don't move!" she shouts, pointing at him before disappearing.

  He sighs as soon as her back is turned and is already regretting his decision. Hina returns with three cups of boiling tea, then casually tells him as she sits down that Tsukinoko was disappointed he hadn't come the day before. Kakashi looks surprised.

  - Yes, you are friends, aren't you? That's why I invited you!

  - I didn't know she thought of me that way. I thought it was cordiality, I had more important things to do.

  - Charming... she cogitates. Tell me, why don't you come out with us more? It would do you good," she says softly. And then we'd like to see you with us once in a while," she smiles. So you can get out of the Colony for a while and- well... so you don't have to stay on your own," she hesitates.

  - If you say so," he says casually, looking away.

  Tsukinoko returns with a towel, having turned her bathroom upside down.

  - Take off your clothes, I've put some dry ones in the bathroom. And lay your clothes on the radiator to dry!

  Her authoritative tone jostled him, almost irritated at the reversal of roles, but he didn't dare say anything because he was at home. He picks up the towel as Hina giggles at the look on his face.

  Tsukinoko returns to lie down with her back to him, and Hina also turns to let him undress before going inside, even though he blushes so much he could light up the room.

  - She's a maniac, you won't win this battle," laughs Hina after a while.

  Neither he nor Tsukinoko replied, each pouting in his own corner. Back in the living room, towel around his waist, he holds Tsukinoko's proposed pajamas in his hand.

  - What?" she grimaces, turning around.

  He throws the pyjama set in her face and they both scowl at him. Hina unfolds the top in front of her and giggles. It was a sweater with lots of ridiculous little dogs on it, with matching pants.

  - What about her? You like dogs, don't you? she sulks.

  - But it's too small for him! laughs Hina.

  - He said he was a small man! It's not my fault he doesn't know his size!

  - It's small for you!

  - Huh?" she grimaces.

  - Stupid," Hina gasps. Give her your biggest clothes and you'll be fine.

  - What a slob... she sulks as she returns to the bedroom.

  Finally properly dressed according to the hostess, Kakashi returned with them and sat shyly on the end of the sofa before the three of them chatted while sipping their teas.

  After an hour, Hina leaves to take a shower, and Tsukinoko tries to comb her superior's rough hair, to no avail. He dives back into his reading, and she falls back on the book she was currently reading, until Kakashi raises an eyebrow at her sobbing behind him. She turns the umpteenth page, then takes a deep breath before sniffing loudly.

  - What's wrong?" he asks at last.

  - I-

  - Tsukinoko sweetie, what's wrong?! panics Hina as she returns. Are you alright?

  Tsukinoko continues to cry, gibbering explanations. Hina makes big eyes at Kakashi, who shrugs, as lost as she is.

  - It's so sad!" she finally exclaims, shaking the book. He died before... before...

  - Before what? You're crying because of the story in your book?

  - M'oui..." she nods, wiping her eyes. I'm allowed to cry! she defends herself. Hug...

  She makes eyes at her to come and console her, but Hina sighs and ignores her to untangle her long, spiky hair quietly. The poor misunderstood girl then turns to Kakashi with her big teary eyes.

  Kakashi read a lot too, and Tsukinoko imagined he must share her feelings, and, ultimately, hoped he would console her again like last time. Without waiting for his advice, she jumped at him.

  He falls backwards onto the sofa with her, and she slumps on top of him to give him a hug. Taken aback, he braces himself and abruptly pushes her away.

  - Stop it," sighs Hina, "at your age you can't act like a baby anymore, it's getting obscene!

  Outraged, Tsukinoko turned to Kakashi and read the embarrassment imprinted on his face. Without waiting, she hits him with a pillow, grazing Hina, who had seen it coming. Kakashi takes her book right in the face.

  - Pervert!" she cries. I hope I don't become a pervert like you when-

  Kakashi nudged her with his foot to silence her, helpless, and she toppled over the sofa armrest and sprawled on the floor. Hina laughed at her fall, then pulled herself together to calm the situation as her little sister at heart shouted her insults, offended beyond belief.

  - That's life, Tsuki. But be careful, especially with all the men hanging around you," she exclaimed, lecturing with her finger in the air. Kakashi is your superior, he's used to your extravagant attitude, but others might misinterpret your overflowing affection.

  - What men? What men?" she wonders, her feet still over her head.

  - Yesterday alone, three men bought you a drink! And I'm not even counting all the times before that," she sighs.

  - Well, it's just because they're nice..." she mumbles, returning to the cushions. And it was my birthday!

  - Are you doing that on purpose? They're flirting with you!" says Hina.

  - Ugh! Nonsense!" she jumps to her feet.

  Hina stared at her, overwhelmed by her ignorance, and turned to Kakashi hoping for support, but he was still hidden behind his book

  He regrets not having left earlier and finally responds by remaining hidden, seeing Hina's distress at Tsukinoko's naivety.

  - In a way, it's a simple way to approach a woman.

  - Ah well... thought Tsukinoko. But I don't care, at least I get free drinks!

  - I'm dreaming," sighs Hina.

  Spirits calmed, the guests are ready to leave. Tsukinoko's tummy rumbles loudly, and she opens a packet of sweets, found among the many empty bags on the table.

  She probed her guests to see if they were hungry too, but Hina hurried to collect her things so she could be home before her father, and waved to them before going out. Kakashi was about to greet her too, but was cut off by Tsukinoko's grotesquely relentless bellyaching. They stare into each other's eyes, then she mumbles idly.

  - Are you sure you're not hungry?

  - It's your tummy that's rumbling, not mine," he says, rising to his feet.

  Her stomach growls again and she opens yet another packet of sweets with a dejected look. He raises an eyebrow and stops halfway through as he goes to change, to remind her that eating so many sweets will only make things worse. But Tsukinoko was too lazy to cook, so Kakashi squinted.

  - Wait a minute... Is that why you asked us if we were hungry? So we could make you something to eat too?

  - Insightful.

  She giggles, throws a candy into the air to gobble it up and plunges back into her book. Kakashi had gone to change, but after several minutes Tsukinoko was startled by the thunder rumbling overhead. Another downpour broke out.

  Noise escaped from the kitchen and she jumped to her feet on the sofa. Kakashi, dressed in his own dry clothes, seemed to be cooking, even though she thought he'd left.

  She approached discreetly and tilted her head to see what he was doing. Vegetables, eggs, spices, everything was laid out in order on the work surface. The perfect recipe for kingly omelettes. Like an amazed child, Tsukinoko stood behind him, watching him at work, stars in her eyes and her mouth watering. Once the dish was wolfed down, she put down her chopsticks and turned to Kakashi, who was washing up.

  - What?" he says from behind, feeling her gaze.

  - I heard you and Hina earlier... she admits shyly. Why don't you ever go out with the others? For my birthday yesterday, I understand you can't stand me , and it's nice of you to stay today, but don't feel obliged! But you are friends, aren't you?

  - Yes," he shrugs.

  - What's up? They want to see you.

  - I'm a busy man. I don't have time for this.

  - Well... she doubted it. You think I'm boring, don't you? You bet!" she giggles. I think you're weird and uptight, to each his own!

  He turns to stare at her offended, but she laughs harder.

  - Pardon my lord," she exaggerates. Say, you're doing the dishes in my kitchen, isn't that a change from when you used to tell me to shut up when I bothered you? You're quite a character," she giggles. I still haven't been able to decipher what you're thinking behind that mask of yours, always staring at me," she grimaces, imitating him with her hand as her mask. But I like you like this, and-

  - Are you ready to train now?

  - Huh?" she wonders. Ready for a nap, yes.

  He immediately disappeared and she winced, alone in her kitchen. A sigh escaped from her lips, which were just smiling, amused by her strange chef.