Hikari was surprised, albeit pleasantly so, when Kuro slowed the pace and stopped before they reached the gates. It was slightly puzzling, but she wouldn't complain. Her mind was still racing and she still felt a lingering feeling of regret at the possibility that he could decide here and now that he didn't want to see her again. It was a strange feeling that threatened to break her from whatever momentary happiness she had found. Perhaps the worry showed a little in her eyes, as she didn't try too hard to hide it from him, but it was quickly replaced with a smile as he spoke in his awkward--yet, admittedly, adorable--way.<br/><br/>She felt her heart quicken slightly and her breath catch in her throat as his hand reached up for a moment, as if to offer it to her. Her own hand moved instinctively, without her thinking about it, but quickly dropped back to her side when his fell away. She blushed lightly, thinking that it was silly of her to hope for that, even if only for a moment. Still, she smiled, her smile sweet and brighter than before as she noted the pink on his cheeks before he turned away and the smile fell away and she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, feeling a hint of longing and regret somewhere deep inside. Was that it? Was this how they would part ways? Would this be the last time she saw him? She pushed the thoughts away and was about to open her mouth to say something, anything, when he looked back at her and gave a wave.<br/><br/>A bright smile returned once more, replacing the momentary look of disappointment with a sweet smile that brightened her features. It was, truth be told, probably the happiest she'd looked in a while. And over something so silly and small. But silly and small though it may be, it meant a lot to her, especially from him, because even the smallest things seemed to be big where he was concerned. It made her happy to see him smile, and to see that little twinkle in his eyes. She'd never seen that before. "See you later." she replied with a wave and a final smile. Did he truly mean that? It was hard to tell, but she let herself hold onto that, even if she shouldn't.<br/><br/>Once he was gone she made her way to her home, her mind wandering as she did. Why had he thanked her? She didn't think she'd really done much of anything. She thought she had something of an idea, but she didn't want to speculate. At any rate, she supposed it didn't matter. She was happy, for the first time in a long time, and she had a little spring in her step, which she didn't really notice because she was too lost in thoughts of everything that had happened and all the possibilities that the future may hold. She didn't let herself think about the possibility that he may still yet choose not to see her again, or that he may leave her one day even if he stuck around now. No. For now she enjoyed whatever small happiness she could find. She latched onto it and she wouldn't let it go, not until it was taken from her. If nothing else, she could look forward to seeing him at least one more time, anyways. She thought that might make things harder if he ended up deciding he didn't want to see her, but it was worth trying, worth following until the end, where ever or whenever that may be.<br/><br/>She turned the key to the home she shared with Kakashi and walked in, noting that Kakashi's things were there, telling her that he was home. But given the hour, he was no doubt asleep. She slipped her boots off and walked quietly through the small place and getting ready to sleep. She was a little hungry but that could wait. For now she would rest, at least for a couple of hours. She still needed to speak with the Hokage in the morning to give her the information she had gotten from the girl, and then she would visit Kuro and hope he had made a decision by then, and that it would be one that she would like, rather than one that might hurt her. Why, after such a short time, did she care so much? Why would something so small hurt her? Usually she didn't care about these things because she didn't let herself. But she supposed that this entire situation had been different than anything else ever had, so she really couldn't compare it to past experiences. At any rate, it was time to rest, so she pushed all of these thoughts away as she crawled into her bed and willed sleep to come.<br/><br/>----------<br/><br/>Several hours later Hikari woke to the sound of someone digging around in the refrigerator. She groaned lightly to herself and sat up, allowing the world to come into focus as the sleep left her eyes. It was Kakashi. "You're making an awful lot of racket for this early in the morning." she commented as she walked into the kitchen after having slipped out of bed.<br/><br/>Kakashi laughed and rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?" He questioned as he pulled a jug from the fridge and placed it on the counter nearby. Hikari quirked a brow and shook her head, chuckling a little before taking the milk from the counter and pouring some into a bowl over some cereal he had prepared for himself. "Thanks for breakfast." she grinned as she grabbed a spoon and took a seat at the table, taking a bite of the cereal. "Hey... That was mine." Kakashi pouted a little before grabbing another bowl and pouring his own before taking a seat across from her. "You seem to be in an unusually good mood this morning. I was sure I'd get some sarcastic quip about how that was a silly question, considering that you were now awake complaining about the noise." he laughed a little and Hikari shrugged. "I can still be sarcastic if you'd like." she smiled somewhat impishly and he waved his hands back in forth in front of himself. "No, no. That's okay."<br/><br/>Hikari laughed lightly and shrugged. "Maybe I am in a good mood. We'll see if it lasts." she smiled and he quirked a brow. "I guess that means you aren't going to tell me why?" he asked and she shook her head. "Nope. At least not now. If today goes well, maybe." she replied before finishing her cereal and standing. "Okay. Well, good luck with whatever." he replied as she put her bowl in the sink and gave him a quick wave before heading into the bed room to change. She dressed in a short blue skirt that matched her eyes, a white and blue top that had the Yukimura clan symbol on the back, boots, and gloves. Her hair was down but she had a blue ribbon with a bow in place of her headband. Once she was satisfied with her outfit she headed out. "See you later!" she hollered back to him as she closed the door and headed off to the Hokage's office.<br/><br/>She stopped in and gave Tsunade the rundown on what had happened and gave her a scroll containing the details of what she had learned from the girl. Once the woman seemed satisfied with the information Hikari had given her, she dismissed her and Hikari left before the older woman could ask about anything of a more personal nature. She disappeared from the office and appeared outside in front of the building. From there she made the trek to the Uchiha compound. It wasn't too far, but she took the long way around and walked at a leisurely pace, wanting to give herself time to decide what she was going to say, and give him a little more time to get up and to think, in case he wasn't up yet. She wondered what he would say and where they would stand after this. She felt truly nervous for the first time in a long time, which made her want to run, to put it off, in case she didn't like his answer. But she didn't run. She had given her word and she never broke her promises. Instead she steeled her resolved and willed herself to keep moving forward.<br/><br/>Before she knew it she was entering the Uchiha compound. She couldn't really say that she knew exactly where his home was, but if she recalled correctly, he was the son of the Uchiha clan head, and she had a rough idea where the head's home was. Still, she asked directions from an elderly couple, giving them a bright smile and thanks before going on her way. She didn't want to show up at the wrong door, after all. Their directions were easy enough to follow and within a couple of minutes she stood at the door of what she was almost positive was his home.<br/><br/>She hesitated a brief moment, her mind again trying to wander, to steal her happiness with worry and doubt, but she pushed the thoughts away and knocked lightly on the door and waited patiently, if somewhat restlessly, for an answer.