Hikari was glad that he didn't think it was weird. She smiled sweetly when he said that he'd be happy to provide her with surprises and a puzzle that would last, if that was what she wanted. That made her surprisingly happy somehow, and it showed on her face as she glanced down at his hand as it gently took hers. "Yeah, okay." she replied with a nod and a smile. She followed him down the hill, watching him, as well as the lights that could still be seen above. It all seemed so perfect, so peaceful.<br/><br/>She glanced his way and noticed the way he blushed when he glanced her way. This made her blush in return. She wondered what it was that made him blush like that, but she didn't dwell on it. She simply smiled to herself and looked back up at the sky, at the dwindling lights above. She didn't say a word as they walked, her mind wandering a little, but for the most part even her mind was quiet, simply allowing her, for once, to simply enjoy the moment. To enjoy the feel of his hand in hers, enjoy just being with him on this amazing night, under the stars and the lights that still hung above. All of it. She wanted to just enjoy it, without her mind getting in the way.<br/><br/>Once they reached her home she looked to Kuro, who took both of her hands in his. Her eyes stared up into his, searching them as he spoke, tilting her head gently. She was glad he felt that way. Not that her acceptance of him was confusing, or any of that, but that he seemed glad to be around her, that he enjoyed her company, that he liked her. It brought a warmth to her heart. She smiled when he thanked her, glad that she could give him those things. After all, he'd given her many things, too.<br/><br/>"You're welcome. I'm... well, I'm glad that I could give you those things." she smiled. She was about to speak again, to thank him for reminding her what it was like to be happy, to smile, to be alive, when his hand released hers and she looked up, inhaling sharply, surprised, when he reached out and cupped her cheek with his hand. "I hope so, too." she managed to speak, the words gentle and barely above a whisper as she stared into his eyes, which glistened in the light, as though some tears had formed and remained unshed. She didn't know why, but she felt a tightness in her chest, and inexplicable sadness. Why? Why did he look like that?<br/><br/>Her train of thought was cut short when he leaned in and placed his lips against hers. Her eyes instinctively slid shut and her free hand reached up and rested gently on his cheek as she returned the soft kiss with one of her own. She savored the moment, burning it into her memory, lest she ever forget the way she felt in this moment, the way her heart raced, the way the rest of the world momentarily disappeared, the way his lips felt soft against hers, or the way he tasted. She wanted to remember all of it. Just in case.<br/><br/>She opened her eyes and looked up at him when he took a step back, his thumb brushing her cheek before his hand dropped away. Her eyes searched his for a moment as he spoke, letting her hand drop to her side. Why did she have this feeling inside? This ache in her heart? Why had he spoken like that? Why had he had that look in his eyes? She wondered, but no answers came, either to explain his behavior, or the strange feeling that lingered inside, the sadness that mixed with the happiness she'd felt before. All she could do was try not to allow her mind to fear the worst, and just hope, instead, that she would see him again soon, that she could continue to see him and learn about him. That was a difficult task in and of itself. She didn't know that she had it in her to hope, even now. Hope always brought her more pain. But she would try nonetheless.<br/><br/>'Goodbye.' The words echoed in her mind and, she couldn't help the fear that suddenly gripped her heart, despite knowing that he most likely hadn't meant it that way. As he turned to leave, Hikari reached out, without thought of hesitation. "Wait!" she grabbed his hand, stopping him, then moved to slip her arms around him, pulling him into a hug. It was gentle but fierce all at once. "Thank you." she spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She paused for the briefest of seconds before she continued. "After everything I lost growing up, I forgot what it meant to be happy. I forgot how to smile, to laugh, to hope. I forgot what it was like to be alive. I lost who I was and became this person who felt cold and empty. Alone. But with you... because of you, I remember what those things feel like. Not only that, but I've experienced so many new things. Amazing things. So, thank you." she spoke gently, her voice honest as she held tightly to him. "These moments with you will always be in my memories. No matter what."<br/><br/>She was, admittedly, afraid to let him go. Fear lingered in her heart. She couldn't help it. She'd lost too many people. She didn't want to lose him, too. It might be silly, it might be nothing. She might have imagined it all, but even knowing that didn't change the way she felt. It didn't take away this feeling in her gut, or in her heart. These feelings aside, though, she let go once she'd said her piece, pulling back and staring up into his eyes and giving him a gentle, affectionate smile before leaning in and kissing his cheek. Her lips lingered a moment before she took a step back. "Good night, Kuro." she smiled once more, trying not to let the emotions she'd felt before, after seeing that look in his eyes and hearing it in his voice, show on her face. Instead she smiled, reminding herself of the happiness she'd felt, and letting that be what showed above all else. She was happy to have this time with him. These moments. No matter what happened in the future. No matter what pain may come.<br/><br/>Once he'd left, she stared off in the direction he'd gone for several moments before turning and looking upward to find Kakashi standing there. So he'd seen it, huh? She sighed lightly, jumping up to stand next to him. "Hey." she greeted him. He tilted his head and looked at her with a slightly perplexed expression. "Hey." he replied, opening the door and walking in. She followed him inside, slipped her boots off and eyeing him as he leaned against the wall and watched her, not saying a word.<br/><br/>"Go ahead. Say it." she sat down and crossed her arms. "Say what?" he asked, pretending he had no idea what she was talking about. "You know what I mean. Whatever you want to say." she leaned back in the chair. Kakashi sighed lightly and shrugged. "I was just thinking that your expression is pretty complex. More so than I would have expected. Although, considering that I don't really know what's going on between you two, I guess I don't really have a good basis for my conclusion." he shrugged. "You smile like you're happy, and you mean it. But I can see the fear in your eyes. The sadness you've hidden somewhere in the corners of your mind. I've seen them too many times not to notice them."<br/><br/>Hikari sighed, staring up at the ceiling. He was right. She was happy, yet she had a weird feeling she couldn't explain. This fear and sadness. She gave a shrug. "I don't know how to explain it. It's just a feeling. I'll figure it out." she replied, standing up and heading for her room. "Good night." she gave him a smile and disappeared into her room, closing the door and changing clothes, flopping onto her bed, staring out the window at the moon overhead.<br/><br/>Kakashi sighed lightly. "I wonder... What are you thinking?" he shook his head and pushed off the wall, rubbing the back of his head. "And here I thought I had you all figured out." with that he slipped out of the apartment. He disappeared, appearing outside the Uchiha compound. From there he made his way to the boy's home where he found himself a hidden perch from which to observe him.<br/><br/>What was going on between them? He hadn't expected anything like this from either one of them. They had both surprised him. He was curious to see what would happen next. But he still couldn't help but worry about what the boy would do in the end, and how she would be hurt by it. He wanted to believe that she could be a positive influence for him, that perhaps he could change for the better. Yet, somewhere inside, he had a nagging feeling that it wouldn't matter. That in the end, the course he'd chosen, whatever that may be, would be largely unchanged, and Hikari would suffer for it. Perhaps more than she ever had. Which was saying a lot. She didn't deserve that. But what could he do? He had no proof, nor did she want him interfering. He watched him curiously for a moment before sighing and turning to leave. It was rather curious indeed. But he wouldn't linger any longer. He had no reason to, nor would it do him any good to worry about any of this now. So, with that, he disappeared once more.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Hikari stared at the moon, holding the owl Kuro had won for her in her hand. She looked down at it, rolling over and holding it tightly to her chest. She couldn't help but wonder, what was he thinking? Right now? Was he worried? Afraid? Hurting? Was it because of her? What would he do? Would she see him again? Once again, she had no answers for the many questions that plagued her mind as she held the owl tightly, as though letting it go would mean letting him go. She looked back out the window for a moment, watching as a shooting star crossed the sky. She closed her eyes tightly, whispering a wish into the night, before she willed sleep to come, despite the many questions swirling within her mind.