Playing in the Courtyard (Revised)

Obito had lost both his parents when he was young, and Kakashi had lost his mother in early childhood. Neither of them had ever known what it felt like to have a mother, and both were at a loss in the face of Mikoto's warmth and kindness.

"What's wrong? Don't you like the food?" Mikoto asked curiously when she saw the dazed looks on Kakashi's and Obito's faces.

"Auntie, it's all right. They... they might be feeling the same way I did."

Shisui understood better than anyone. He had felt the same way when he first came to the house, unsure how to respond to Mikoto's kindness. Only after some time had passed did he gradually grow used to being loved by family.

"Yes, Auntie, we..." Kakashi spoke first, his voice a little low but carrying a note of sincerity. "We might just not be used to this kind of warmth."

So that was it? Sympathy showed in Mikoto's eyes. She walked up to Kakashi and Obito and gently stroked their heads, her voice soft.

"It's all right, children. Since you're Koki's friends, make yourselves at home here."

Mikoto's words were like a spring breeze brushing over their hearts. Obito and Kakashi exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads shyly.

"All right, all right, hurry up and eat!" Koki said, unable to stand such a sentimental atmosphere.

Although they had already eaten dinner, Mikoto's snacks were so delicious that the children dug in with relish.

Watching them eat so heartily, Mikoto couldn't stop smiling. She gently covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents.

Only Kakashi kept eating with his body turned sideways. Koki was dying to catch a glimpse of the face beneath his mask, but he didn't force him.

Once he'd had his fill, Koki rubbed his belly contentedly and leaned back comfortably on the sofa.

Looking at the mess on the table, Mikoto said softly, "It's late, so Kakashi and Obito can stay the night. Koki, haven't you always wanted to sleep under the veranda? You can have your wish tonight."

"Great!" Koki clapped his hands excitedly.

"Go on and play. I'll clean up," Mikoto said, looking at them affectionately.

"Mom, why should you have to clean up? Go and get some rest. We'll take care of it." Koki ushered Mikoto away as the others chimed in.

Apart from Koki, the other three had looked after themselves since childhood. They were independent and self-reliant, and exceptionally good at housework. Clearing the table was easy for them, and before long it was spotless.

"Then I'll go lay out your bedding." Reassured by the sight, Mikoto left, then turned around as if she had remembered something. "Oh, right, don't forget to bathe. The hot water's ready."

"Okay, Mom."

On the summer night, the courtyard was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, and a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness.

Shisui finished bathing first. He sat under the veranda in the courtyard and looked up at the sky.

"What's wrong?" Koki came over and sat down beside him.

"Nothing. The stars are beautiful tonight," Shisui said, gazing up at the sky.

"They are." Koki didn't look up at the stars. Instead, he quietly watched Shisui's face, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

Shisui was usually quiet, but Koki thought he was the most steady and dependable person he knew. No matter how difficult something was, Shisui was always the first person he thought of. It seemed there was nothing in the world Shisui couldn't solve, yet Shisui was still a child only a few years older than him.

"What is it? Is there something on my face?" Koki's gaze made Shisui a little uncomfortable. He turned his head and smiled slightly, trying to hide the emotions stirring inside him.

Koki shook his head. Sensing that something seemed to be on Shisui's mind, he reached out and gently placed his hand on the back of Shisui's.

"Don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side. We'll grow up together!"

"Just like you promised you'd always stay by my side."

Koki's whisper reached Shisui's ears. He lowered his head without speaking, his free hand gently fiddling with the hem of his clothes as his heart pounded.

Shisui didn't know what was wrong with him.

Their silence filled the air with an indescribable atmosphere, as though an invisible force were flowing between them.

Shisui's heart pounded harder and harder. He didn't know what to say, and he was too embarrassed to look up at Koki. He just kept fiddling with his clothes, trying to hide his nervousness and unease.

A young man's heart stirred most deeply before he had ever known love or hate.

"Hey! What are you two doing? Come look at this bug! He looks so strange." Obito's voice came from nearby, breaking the awkward atmosphere between them.

"Coming, Brother Obito!" Obito's words were like a lifeline, and Shisui breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't dare look at Koki. Quickly pulling his hand away, he ran toward Obito.

On that quiet night, the four of them lay under the veranda in the clan leader's courtyard, gazing up at a sky full of stars. Their breathing mingled beneath the night sky, accompanied by distant chirping insects and rustling leaves, composing a beautiful nocturne.

Koki lay on his bedding with his hands pillowed behind his head, his gaze passing through the treetops to the distant stars. His heart was full of hopes and expectations for the future. Here in this world, he now had friends, people he cared about, and people he wanted to protect.

Kakashi lay beside Koki, his eyes half closed, as though lost in thought.

Shisui lay on Koki's other side, resting with his eyes closed, as though he had already fallen asleep.

Obito lay on the outside, gazing at the stars in the night sky.

Time passed, and after who knew how long, Koki closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

"Koki, Koki, wake up."

"Hm?" The little fellow rubbed his sleepy eyes, looking utterly bewildered. A faint blush tinted his fair cheeks like peach blossoms in the morning light, and his bright eyes glistened with moisture.

"It's raining. Let's go inside," Kakashi said softly.

"Huh? It's raining?" Koki opened his eyes in confusion, his vision hazy.

In the cool night, fine rain fell like silk and the evening breeze brushed past. Damp mist and droplets struck his face, the chill helping Koki wake up a little.

Koki sat up quickly. Beside him, Kakashi and Shisui were already gathering the bedding, while Obito was still fast asleep. Koki struggled to shake Obito awake, and the two hurriedly got up.

By now, the rain was growing heavier, soaking the light-colored concrete ground. The mingling of darkness and rain made the chill even sharper.

Only then did the two feel a sense of urgency. They hurriedly carried the bedding indoors, and Shisui and Kakashi came to help as well.

The four stumbled into the house in a sorry state. They looked at one another and burst out laughing.