A/N: Hello, Ágnes here! In all honesty, why do I use "in all honesty" in every Author's note that I write!?

Anyway, I actually managed to update this! What an accomplishment, I'm actually proud of myself. (No, there is no sarcasm there. Not at all.) Now I have a vague outline of the plot, but I will keep it as simple as possible. I try to focus on some character development, but if you have any suggestions or ideas for this story/couple, feel free to send me a PM. I don't bite. :P

Also, I edited the first chapter, because I wasn't happy with it. There are no big changes, just some minor ones.

As always, thank you for those who left a review! Enjoy!

Chapter Two: You have me

She had to admit, Kakashi's caring gesture surprised her. He let her in, landed her some dry clothes and he was alright with her spend the night there. He had no obligation to do so, whatsoever. His act of selflessness warmed her numb self and comforted her troubled mind. In her own, broken way, Hinata was glad and felt nothing but gratitude towards the silver haired man.

The heiress took her time; she dried her hair and body with the towels Kakashi gave her and she laid her wet clothes on the back of a chair in the hopes that they would dry by tomorrow. Then, she turned to the pile of fabric she was given. The dark blue T-shirt was way too big for her, and the pants would most likely fall off of her, so she didn't bother trying them on. Putting the pants to the side, she took the shirt into her hands, and after further examination she decided that it would be a decent nightgown.

But nothing could have prepared her for what was to come.

As she was about to put Kakashi's shirt on, a familiar scent caught her attention. Holding the fabric to her nose, she inhaled deeply. The Jounin always smelled like the earth after a rainy day mixed with the distinctive smell of sweat, but this… The smell of herbs and fresh water was most probably the merit of his detergent.

But God… Neji-nii was using that detergent too.

Just when she was feeling the smallest amount of happiness spread over her being, she just had to encounter something that reminded her of her late cousin. Oh, Kakashi… Why did you and Neji have to have similar tastes?

With a heavy heart, Hinata finally put her improvised nightgown on and made herself comfortable under the warm sheets. Her thoughts, however, wouldn't let her sleep just yet. Dwelling on the past, it was only several hours later, that sleep claimed her mind, her consciousness slowly slipping away.

~ o ~

The next morning Kakashi woke with a start. The loud clinking and fumbling coming from the kitchen alarmed him, but feeling the young woman's chakra signature, he relaxed instantly.

"Oh, right…" he mumbled to himself, "I let her stay here last night."

Feeling more tired than usual; he ruffled his hair, a yawn escaping his lips in the process. After a couple of minutes, he got up from his cozy couch and walked into the kitchen, feeling rather curious as to what could she possibly do to cause this racket first thing in the morning.

Kakashi found Hinata sitting on her heels, trying to collect the shards of what looked like a broken cup, while its content was still leaching his kitchen floor. Shaking his head, he leaned against the door frame.

"I knew I should've replaced those cups a long time ago."

Startled, the heiress shot her head up. She quickly stood up, already finished gathering the shards, and bowed to the silver haired man in apology.

"I'm sorry! I woke you up, and I broke-"

"No harm done." Kakashi cut her off, with a subtle smile on his lips. "I broke one too, just the other day. It's their destiny to end up in shards, it seems."

Hinata nodded her head softly, but she didn't smile. For some strange reason, the Jounin felt disappointed. A strange longing enchained his mind; he wanted to see her smile, her eyes shine with happiness again. Then, Kakashi would know that he did a good job while supporting her.

As he stood there; observing as the young woman got rid of the shards and started wiping the floor with a cloth; he noticed just how much she has changed since the war. (The absence of the pants he gave her didn't bother him, not at all.) Her features hardened to some extent and her shy gestures were no longer present. The most distinct change however, was the fact that she stopped shuttering. Kakashi didn't know if it was a good thing or not, seeing as this was a side effect of her depression. She just didn't care enough anymore.

"Are your clothes still wet?" he asked absently.

Sometime during the night it stopped raining, and even though the clouds were still present, Hinata would be able to walk home now.

"A little bit, but I won't catch a cold." Silence filled the room as she fumbled with the wet cloth a little bit more before dropping it into the sink.

They ate their breakfast in comfortable silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. There was a certain thing that bugged the Jounin and made him curious and worried at the same time: what has caused Hinata's break down the night before? He suspected that there was more to it this time than a revived childhood memory.

"What happened yesterday?" The Jounin asked quietly, noticing how Hinata's movements halted for a couple of seconds. "You usually come here unannounced when something is troubling you. Seeing as you showed up at midnight it must've been something serious."

Hinata hesitated, but in the end, the silver haired man was the only one with whom she could talk. She leaned back in her seat and hugged herself tightly, the numbness from the night before slowly making its way back into her mind and body.

"His birthday…" she sighed, lavender eyes meeting dark grey ones for a second. "It was yesterday. I wanted to visit his grave, but I had training in the afternoon and father forbid me to go. He said he'd disinherit me if I skipped a single training session from now on." Hinata stopped briefly, sneaking a glance in Kakashi's direction. He sat still, waiting for her to continue. "I don't care about my position as an heir anymore, so I went against father's words. As I sat there in the cemetery I realized just how alone I've been in my own home after the war… The clan, my family doesn't care about me anymore. They don't want me around, I'm in their way."

Closing his eyes, Kakashi took a sip of coffee; the warm liquid burning his throat. His mind was flooded with concern and the only thing he could think of was the fact that someone needed to talk with the Hyuga clan's Head. This couldn't go on like this anymore.

"A family never ignores your grief, Hinata. They help you with everything they can and make you feel loved during a difficult period. They are beside you, no matter what."

"Then I guess you are my family." A small sigh escaped her lips as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"I'm glad that you see me like this, but you should try and talk with someone from your clan. Your sister or maybe even your father…"

"No." was her immediate answer. "I already tried, they won't listen to what I have to say."

"What about your friends and former teammates?"

"They won't say it, but I know that I get on their nerves. They just had enough of someone who is drowning in 'self-pity'."

I that moment Kakashi realized that she was indeed alone. So alone that it almost hurt just thinking about it. The Jounin instinctively stood up, walked around the table and knelt down beside her chair, so they'd be eye to eye.

"You have me. I've said it before and I'm going to say it again: I'm not going to leave you."

Hinata's lips twitched and Kakashi swore that it was supposed to be a smile. She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him closer, burying her face into his neck. The older man allowed himself a small smile before hugging her back.

"Thank you," she exhaled. "Can I ask something of you?"

"Of course."

"Please, change your detergent."

Kakashi had to surpass a laugh, but voiced his agreement nonetheless. He didn't ask why; if it made her just a little bit more comfortable and happier, he would certainly do it.

~ o ~

Neither of them noticed that in the shadows of the nearby trees stood an old friend, his piercing eyes never leaving their hugging forms.