There was silence. An awkward silence. It filled the room as Katsu and Ryuu sat on the double-seated couch across Obito and Kakashi's triple-seater. Minato sat on a lone sofa near the fireplace.

Just then, Granny Fumiko walked in with a tray of tea, "Here you are, dearies. Careful, they're warm." She said as she sat it down, smiling with delight. Minato was the first to take a cup, "Thank you for your hospitality." He said. "Oh! Such a nice young lad. Just like our Ryuu! Wish I could say the same for the rest of you three." She said, glancing at Katsu who huffed and looked away. "Oh sorry, Granny. I'm just worried about my friend." Obito admitted with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head. She smiled, "That's alright dearie, no harm done. Now don't you worry about your friend. Miyuki is an excellent kunoichi. With a good head on her shoulders too. She even saved my husband's life a year ago." Obito was taken aback, "She did?" She nodded, "They all did! Now drink up. I was a kunoichi myself back in the day. The tea helps get your chakra flowing!" She enthusiastically exclaimed. "Uhr, yes, ma'am." Obito said, taken aback by the energy the old lady had. He hastily grabbed a cup, "Don't drink it! You'll burn your tongue." Ryuu warned in panic, as Obito almost gulped it down. He sighed in relief, catching the warning just as the heat neared his lips. Kakashi rolled his eyes and remained aloof through the rest of the conversation.

Granny then turned a 180, "Katsu! Stop being lazy and go help Lee get these four's room ready!" she demanded. Katsu groaned and got up reluctantly, dragging his feet out the living room.

Her barking demands caught Minato and Obito off guard, and they couldn't help but flinch when she turned back to them, "Anything else dearies?" she smiled. "Uhr, n-no thank you." Obito stuttered, her returning smile only scared them more. "Y-yeah. We'll let you know, if we need anything." Minato added. With a smile and nod she walked out the room, 'I wonder if Kushina will be like this in old age...' Minato sweat dropped at the thought.

Meanwhile, Miyuki had just wrapped up Rin's wound and tucked her into a bed, "You just get some rest and let it heal on its own. Hopefully you won't be in too much pain when you wake up." She then left the passed-out girl and headed for the door. Just as she reached it, she felt dizzy and clutched to the doorframe. She let out a slight groan as she held her head, but the dizziness quickly subsided. She gave Rin one last look, "Get well soon." She greeted, and with that closed the door and began to head back to the living room.

It was in the passage that she spotted Katsu approaching, and they both stopped in front of each other. "Well? What do you think, can we trust them?" She inquired. Katsu shrugged, "Ryuu does." He replied. "Ryuu's too optimistic. What do you think?" she emphasized. "They're chakra's strong. I couldn't get a read on them with my Orbs even if I wanted to. For now, they seem okay." Miyuki agreed, "Keep an eye on them and keep me posted. I told Old man Lee to keep his guard up, just in case." Katsu nodded, "I better go help him prepare their room before Granny whacks me with a broom again." Miyuki chuckled, "Yeah, you go do that. I'll go keep Ryuu company." She said and began walking passed him.

"Hey, Miyuki." She turned back, "Hmm?" she asked him. "You alright? You're looking a little paler than usual." He observed. "I'm fine. Now go help Lee, before brooms start flying." She waved off. He gave her a worried look, but did as she said and walked on, allowing her to do the same.

When she got to the living room, she deadpanned, feeling socially awkward with all the expectant looks. "How is she?" Minato asked from his seat closest to her. "Oh, uhm, she's fine. She just needs some sleep." Miyuki replied, holding onto her arm. Obito sprang up, "Really!?" he asked in excitement. Miyuki kept her gaze to the floor, "Yes, she's-" before she could finish, Obito exclaimed in joy and raced passed Kakashi and Minato's seat to thank her. She exclaimed in surprise as she suddenly found herself being grabbed by the hands and spun around the room, "Ha-ha! Thank you! Thank you so much! I'm so happy Rin's going to be okay!" he cheered, spinning her out towards the couches. She stopped with her back against the side of the couch Kakashi sat at, holding her dizzied head. "Whoops. Sorry. I'm just so glad! You're my hero." Obito said from his spot in front of her. 'His hero?' She realized before groaning and falling to her knees. Everyone gasped in surprise.

"Oh no!" Obito worried and rushed to kneel before her. "Miyuki!" Ryuu sprang to his feet and rushed to her aid. "What's wrong?" Obito asked in concern. The room was spinning. She felt the fatigue weigh down on her like a ton of bricks. "I'm fine... Just tired." She panted out, too embarrassed to face them. Minato got up, "It must be chakra exhaustion."

"You've got to stop pushing yourself so hard, sis." Ryuu said in concern. "Let's get her onto the couch." Minato instructed and Miyuki was put over Ryuu and Obito's arm and placed on the nearest couch: Kakashi's.

Once they set her down, Ryuu wanted her to lay her head on the empty space beside her, but she gently pushed his hand away and shook her head, "Mm-mm. I'll just eat something and rest when we get home." She told him. "You sure?" She nodded, "Yes, just sit down already." She insisted. "Okay..." Ryuu hesitantly replied as made his way back to his seat. Obito then sat beside her, "Sorry about spinning you." He said, feeling guilty. She gave him a closed eyes smile, "No worries." She replied, still slightly awkward about speaking to them like this.

She then realised someone else had been sitting and watching her the entire time and turned to see Kakashi suspiciously glaring at her. She frowned and stuck out her tongue at him. Kakashi was taken aback, then scoffed and looked away. She huffed and did the same. Minato laughed as he watched their exchange, "Guess you're not too happy after needing saving, eh, Kakashi?" he chuckled out. "Hn. Only because I spared her first." He muttered. She scoffed, "Whatever helps you sleep at night, dummy."

The two mirrored each other with their folded arms, looking away, filled with pride. Ryuu laughed, "Sorry. My brother and sister are kind of stubborn. Especially Miyuki here." She huffed. "Huh? You're all related?'' Obito asked in confusion. Ryuu nodded, "Yep. Miyuki is the eldest. And Katsu is my non-identical twin brother. Though we kinda do look alike sometimes." He explained.

Obito then looked to Miyuki. She opened her nervous eyes to see him squinting at her. He leaned ever closer to her face. As he hummed in further, she grew uncomfortable, and backed away with every inch.

"I don't get it. You don't look much like 'em. You're prettier too." He mumbled while examining her features. He was just stating what he had seen, but that didn't stop the heat rushing to her face. Her eyes gradually widened as her cheeks turned rosy. In a panic, she slapped her hands over her face, "Ryuu..." she worriedly drew out . "Obito, you're making my sister nervous." Ryuu sweat dropped. "Oh, sorry.'' he said, backing away. "It's... okay." She said through her hands, unable to face anyone with the image of a boy nearing her face replaying in her head. "Not so much of a fighter off the battlefield, are you?" Minato asked half-jokingly. She parted her fingers to look at him through her hands. "I just mean, this is the Blood Mist Village and you're all so... So helpful and kind." Minato explained. "Yeah, most of the Village only looks out for themselves, but we love helping people. It's just what we do.'' Ryuu shrugged. Just then Katsu walked in, "We're a poor fishing village, under the dictatorship of the Fourth Mizukage. Only the loyal and strong get rewarded here. We're divided into different and better land based on that fact. So, it's only natural that people are selfish." Katsu explained.

"And where does that leave you three? You're all very strong. You use Jutsus I've never seen before. I'm surprised you aren't out on the frontlines." Minato said. Miyuki lowered her hands and looked at them in her lap, "Our clan members aren't allowed to battle unless they're older than sixteen. So, we help however we can from here."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her. Just then, Granny Fumiko walked in with a tray of soup bowls. While she rambled on about the goodies she brought, Katsu took his seat next to his brother and everyone thanked her for the food she handed them. Last was Miyuki, "Here you go, dear. I know how you prefer dango over soup, you Sweet-tooth." She knowingly teased. Miyuki smiled at her and gratefully accepted the plate, "Thank you very much." She beamed. "Oh man! Granny you're the best..." Ryuu said, drooling at the chunks of meat in his bowl. Granny nodded, and departed for the kitchen while they began to eat. Everyone was too fixated on their food to pay any attention to Kakashi as he ate in only a few big gulps. "This is amazing!" Obito said as he munched at his soup-dunked breadsticks. "I know right! It's so full of flavour." Ryuu munched from across him. Obito and Ryuu hit it off quite well, a spark in conversation ignited from their shared love of food. Katsu faced palmed through most of their conversation, while Miyuki giggled at the pair. Minato watched the youngsters in wonder, and found himself asking questions and answering ones. They went back and forth in light-hearted conversation with the more open trio.

Kakashi remained aloof for most of it, throwing in a blunt remark here and there.

They discussed many things, but actually learnt nothing about each other relating to their clans, Jutsus, mission, Village or the war. Instead they spoke about their daily lives, hobbies, Minato's wife, favourite food, and how often Obito and Kakashi's arguments were stopped by Rin.

Suddenly, old man Lee walked in, "Hey, what are you three still doing here? The sun's setting." Lee ggrouchily said in his usual tone. The three siblings exclaimed in panic. "What!?" Ryuu was shocked. "Aah... We need to get going!" Miyuki whined in worry. "Kaiyo-Sensei is going to kill us if we're late to dinner this time." Katsu plainly said. Ryuu sprang up, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get going!" he anxiously replied. "Right!" the other two nodded and got up to follow him as he ran by.

"Uhr... What just happened?" Obito asked, turning to Minato. "I'm not sure." He sweat dropped with an embarrassed smile. Old man Lee scoffed, "Hee didn't think they lived here, did hee? They belong to the Mountain of Thunder." He grumpily pointed out. "Mountain of Thunder?" The two questioned, completely unaware that Kakashi had snuck away.

'I don't trust those three.' He thought as he sneakily walked along the wall and rounded the corner to the passage way. "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" Ryuu stressed as they ran into the room at the end of the hall, passing Rin's. Kakashi narrowed his eyes and slowly crept along the wall towards them, until he reached their slightly opened door.

Inside, the three quickly grabbed a case from under the bed. They hastily opened it, and Miyuki began picking out the contents while Katsu and Ryuu backed away, taking off their clothes. "Quick, pass me my kimono!" Ryuu said with an outstretched hand while jumping on one foot, trying to take off his ninja pants. "Throw me your stuff!" she hastily instructed as she threw them their kimonos. She received their tossed clothes and shoved them into the suitcase and began undressing herself.

While Ryuu and Katsu helped each other with their kimonos, she stood at the bed, facing the mirror on the opposite side of the door. She got rid of her clothes, violently brushed her loose hair to the side and got into her kimono foot-first.

It was in that moment, that Kakashi peered his head through the door, unprepared for what was to follow. He opened the door a little wider and peered into the room. Miyuki had been bent over, placing her feet inside her kimono dress. And when Kakashi peered in, she stood up. Her bareback fully revealed, she slipped her arms into its sleeves in front of the mirror. Kakashi's eyes nearly jumped popped out it's sockets.

She lifted it up, and while it laid loosely around her shoulders, pinned half her hair back with a bow. Kakashi stood gawking as she finally managed to lift the kimono on, covering her shoulders and releasing her hair down her back before rounding her waist with another bow. "Hurry up, Miyuki!" Ryuu ushered from the other side of the room, snapping Kakashi out of it. "I'm hurrying. I'm hurrying." She mumbled, putting on pink lip gloss. Kakashi retreated, putting his back against the near wall. He placed a hand to his chest, trying to catch his breath. His heart was racing without him running. His toes cringed without him being in pain. And he felt an overwhelming fear without being in any danger.

Kakashi couldn't understand it. But somehow, he knew one thing with absolute clarity: It was all fault. And with that in mind, he collected himself, and made his way back to the lounging area. "Eh? Where did you go?" Obito asked as Kakashi strode in. "Nowhere." Kakashi shrugged, nonchalantly striding back to his seat. Obito growled at his response, but before he could retort, the trio ran in. They all bowed, and raised their heads, "We're sorry to leave on such short notice." Miyuki said. "But we gotta get home." Ryuu added. "We'll be back to check on things after breakfast tomorrow." Katsu told them.

Obito sprung up and gave them a broad grin and thumbs-up, "No worries. I'll hold things down in the meantime. I am an Uchiha after all." He assured them. Minato nodded, "Alright, enjoy the rest of the evening then." He smiled. "Okay, thank you!" Miyuki bowed hastily and with that the three ran out the front door and into the misty streets of the snowing Village. The Leaf Shinobi were taken aback by their haste, but Lee's chuckle brought them back to reality, "Crazy kids." He said, walking over to close the door they left open.

Granny Fumiko then returned with a tray in hand, "Was that my dearies? Aww, but I just brought the cookies..." She said, putting the tray in front of the boys. They sweat dropped as they stared at it, realizing she was one of those types of grandmothers. "Enjoy!" she beamed. "Lady Fumiko?" Minato asked, turning serious. "Granny... Yes, dearie?" she corrected him.

"Ah. Granny Fumiko. What can you tell us about the Mountain of Thunder?"

​​​​