It was dark, even dim lights weren't found. Almost everyone were at home fast asleep at this time and all shops were closed. The soft sounds made by crickets, birds and even owls were amplified by the silence.

It was Itsuko's favourite time of the day, no one was out there to criticise and judge. She could to do whatever she wanted and go wherever she wanted, she was freed.

During the day, she would keep away from crowded streets and stay at the Anbu or more isolated places. But when this time of the day comes, she wanders around everywhere. There wasn't anything for her to keep away from, there was no one.

Like every other nights, this night was no different. Itsuko's footsteps echoed along as she walked. However, today wasn't like other days where she would just roam around. She had a destination today, the graveyard.

Asuma had recently passed away yet she haven't been able to visit him. Though they weren't close but they were still comrades.

She paid him a short visit as respect, heading towards a familiar spot just nearby. Minato's grave.

She sat beside it, her head leaning against the tombstone and let her mind speak. The cold wind blew against her face, the sky had no stars, no moon.

"Itsuko?" A familiar voice spoke fron behind her, much to her surprise. Without a flinch, she questioned. "What are you doing here at this timing, Kakashi?"

"I came back from a mission. And you?" He stated, his voice filled with tender and concern. He moved forward, taking a seat at the other side of Minato's tombstone.

"I'm always out late." Itsuko replied, her eyes fixated on a rock further away. It was another hour before they spoke again. Kakashi stood up gesturing Itsuko, "let's go, it's getting really late."

"You can head back first, it's not as if I could have a good night sleep even if I do return." Itsuko sighed, recieving a compassionate look from her caring boyfriend. He held a hand forward and smiled, "if you don't mind, you can sleep over at my place. I don't mind if it means you get a good night sleep."

Itsuko took his hand, getting up. "Are you sure I wouldn't be intruding?"

"No way, it's an empty house." Kakashi joked, chuckling. Some part of the joke was for the laughs but others only proved loneliness.

Back at the hospital, when Kurama saw how Itsuko was actually able to sleep peacefully while she was with Kakashi, he had requested Kakashi to help her out with her sleep. She had been having nightmares every time she slept, resulting in her only taking naps. It was unhealthy for her, Kurama wanted to change that and figured Kakashi could help.

-

A beam of light shone through the small gap between the closed curtains, waking up Itsuko who slept tightly through the night. She narrowed her eyes, blinking for her vision to return to her. Looking ahead, only then she realised Kakashi. He was hugging her as he slept soundly. Oddly, she didn't feel uncomfortable having him beside her, especially since they're sharing a futon. Instead she felt warm and safe.

She stroked his spiky hair, playing around with it. It amused her how he even wore his mask to sleep. Gently, she removed his mask. It wasn't the first time she saw his face yet she couldn't stop staring at it. Her heart fluttered at the thought that she was dating such a handsome man. Then suddenly his lips moved, mumbling words. He said them louder and louder. "Itsuko, don't leave me. Don't go."

"I'm not going anywhere, Kakashi." Itsuko replied affectionately, pulling him closer. It certainly calmed him down. She thought it was cute that such a man slept like an angel.

The ray of light reached Kakashi, awaking him as well. He was startled as he saw Itsuko awake, fearing that she'd think of him weirdly, he quickly withdrew himself only to be locked in by Itsuko herself. "It's not what you think. You were having a nightmare and seemed to be in pain, so I-"

"It's alright, Kakashi." Itsuko smiled, patting his head. Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her odd action, ruffling her hair. "Speaking of which, why do you wear your mask even in your sleep?"

Kakashi blinked twice. He had been so distracted with her, he haven't even noticed that his mask wasn't on anymore. He panicked a little, his cheeks blushed. "W-well, it's sort of a habit."

Itsuko laughed at his delayed reaction, hugging him tighter. Her face now leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "Kakashi, if you were to dump me, what do you think your reason would be?"

Kakashi didn't need to think through before he answered her. "I wouldn't. You're a treasure. Your heart is like a maze, caged away and guarded by many. It took me all these years to get here. Besides that, there were great competition I had to go through just to get here. I wouldn't turn back. What about you?"

Itsuko was taken aback by him asking her the same question but she already knew her answer when she accepted him. "I wouldn't either. You're afraid of history repeating itself aren't you?"

"How did you know?" Kakashi stroked her hair gently. He just couldn't get enough of how soft her hair was.

"I may have avoided you all these years but I still kept in touch with your well-being. I know what happened." Itsuko said, her voice filled with sadness and guilt. She would've broken down but Kakashi's presence kept her surprisingly calm.

"You're just the same too." Kakashi stated, pulling her up, looking her in the eye. "Let's forget about the past and move forward, okay?"

"Alright." Itsuko smiled, giving him a light peck on his lips. Without his mask, Kakashi could no longer hide his expressions, it was wide open. She could see his smile curving up his lips.

"Let's get ready for the day, I'll make breakfast." Kakashi said getting out of bed. He was about to grab his mask but Itsuko was faster. She snatched it away, teasing him. "Come on, you're at home."

Kakashi rolled his eye at her, snatching it back. Itsuko laughed, teleporting home to get ready for the day before she returned to Kakashi's.