Kakashi was keeping his promise so far. Ryoko was pleased to see him facing her family in stride. It was a new experience for her. Too much attention if you would ask her. But it wasn 't all bad. Their attention was on him, not her. Noone confronted her or gave her a talk. Even mother restrained herself for the most part.

Hmmm ' suspicious '

Ryoko thought to herself when a few days passed and still there was nothing. She even dared to feel safe, until mother finally called for her one evening.

'Mother, ' she greeted entering the bedroom where Mikoto lay on the bed.

'Darling, sit down next to me, would you? '

'Hn, ' obediently she cuddled next to Mikoto.

'So ' '

'Hn? '

'What do you plan for the future? '

'My goals have not changed, mother. '

'And where is Kakashi-kun in them? '

'In my goals?... ' Ryoko tilted her head slightly in question.