You and the others in Team Minato were only children when the Third Great Ninja War was going on. Despite the hell the four of you endured, you were like a family. You always made sure everyone could keep up and you never left anyone behind.

For some reason, you and Kakashi just clicked with each other, despite how aloof he was as a kid. You two were awfully close and always stuck by each others’ sides.

After a successful mission one day, you and the team retreat back to the Hidden Leaf Village. You and Kakashi decide to spend some time just outside the village gates under your favorite tree. You heard something in the woods and decided to investigate while Kakashi stayed put.

…he had no idea that would be the last time he saw you.

Time has passed. Too much of it. Enough time that search parties stopped being sent out. Enough time that the village eventually moved on, considering you “missing in action” once the war finally came to an end. Enough time for you to just be a distant memory.

But it wasn’t enough time for Kakashi to stop hoping. Deep in his gut, he had a feeling that you were out there somewhere. You had to be. You were strong, there was no way you weren’t alive. You had to be.

Because of that hope, Kakashi has spent some time every single evening under the tree.

Waiting.

And waiting.

And hoping with every ounce of his being that you would come back home.