A resounding knock at his front door momentarily distracts Kakashi from his book, but he does not flinch. The knock goes off again and this time Kakashi glances up from his book and towards the door. It's late, and it's raining outside. Who - and more importantly why - would anyone be at his home?

A more insistent knock has Kakashi closing his book and answering the door, an irritated remark on the tip of his tongue for the person interrupting his quiet evening. But his remark is wasted because when he opens the door no one is there. He looks up and down the street, his irritation growing as he finds himself having gotten up for some pranking kids, but then a groaning noise catches his attention

There, at his feet, is a wicker basket covered with a blue blanket with an envelope tied to it by a black ribbon. He crouches down and takes the note, reading it.

Kakashi,

You won't remember me and I don't expect you to. If you're reading this, I was unable to prove the doctors wrong and died after my operation. There are so many times I visited the Leaf, walked down your street and right past your home as I tried to convince myself to knock on the door. Perhaps I should have, then maybe this wouldn't be such a surprise.

Believe me, if there were another option I would have taken it. The last thing I want to do is drop something like this in your lap after a year. But I can let go peacefully knowing you watch over the contents of this package with the utmost of care. I always loved you Kakashi, right up until the end.

I leave you my most prized possession.

Goodbye.

Prized possession? Kakashi raises an eyebrow. What could possibly be in this basket? He lifts up the blanket and stares at the bundle inside. Large, daffodil-colored eyes stare back at him from under silver-white hair that is unmistakably his, wonder and uncertainty very clear in them. Then, a smile breaks loose across her face as she reaches out to him, giggles and happiness abound in her expression.

"Oh shit."

Kakashi hurriedly pounds on the door to the flat with his foot as he checks on the little girl in the basket. He's soaked through but the infant seems to be dry. She has her eyes closed and is quietly sucking her thumb. Damnit Kurenai answer the damn door!

"What the hell Kakashi?" The ninja opens the door, her black hair slightly messy as though she's just woken up from a nap. "What are you doing here? And you're soaked."

"Kurenai I didn't know where else to go." Kakashi holds the basket out to the woman who, upon looking inside, takes it and hurries the soaked ninja inside and out of the storm.

"Hello there sweetie." Kurenai takes the baby out of the basket and holds her like it's the most natural thing in the world. The child reaches up and tugs on her hair and Kurenai pulls her hair away from the little girl. "Where did you find her Kakashi?"

"On my doorstep." Kakashi rubs his head with a towel as he hands the other ninja the note. "No name, no address, nothing. I don't even know the child's name."

"Mayuri." Kurenai wraps the blanket that was in the basket around the child.

"How do you know that?"

"It's on the blanket." Kurenai smirks and holds up the corner of the blanket where the name is embroidered. Kakashi mentally smacks himself for missing that obvious clue but doesn't show any emotion on the outside. He sighs and watches Kurenai with the child as the young Mayuri begins to fall asleep.

"You know, maybe you should keep her." Kakashi levels his eyes with Kurenai's. "I mean, I'm clearly not the father type and you're so good with her…"

"Kakashi, she's your little girl." Kurenai stands and walks over to Kakashi, holding out Mayuri to him. Kakashi seems reluctant but Kurenai smiles reassuringly. "Come on, just take her."

Kakashi takes the baby and, with a little coaching from Kurenai, manages to hold the small infant correctly. He had no idea anything could be so small and fragile. Mayuri opens her eyes and reaches out towards him. Kakashi offers her his hand and Mayuri's tiny little fingers wrap only partially around one of his.

"See? You're wonderful with her. I'll go get some milk." Kurenai smiles and leaves Kakashi alone with the little girl who captured his heart.