Fear and Love Part III (Kakashi X OC)

The Twin's Birthday Surprise

For the most part, Kakashi had gotten used to family life. He had gotten used to coming home to a full house instead of an empty one. He was used to coming home to a meal waiting for him, a dinner around the table with Tsuki and the kids, bedtime routines and the like. But for some reason on this night, Kakashi's old self kicked in, and he expected silence when he opened the door of the bunker and yelled,"I'm home!" Out of habit.

Tsuki sat up quickly, after having fallen asleep on the couch waiting for Kakashi to come home. She tiredly responded,"Welcome home, dear."

Kakashi smiled at the sight of his sleepy wife greeting him. He really did have people waiting for him wherever he may be,"Sweetheart, you should have gone to sleep in the bed. Sleeping on the couch isn't good for your back."

She yawned and rubbed her eyes,"I know but you were out so late, I was worried about you. I almost sent out a search party.. oh my god! Is that what I think it is?!"

Tsuki stared at his chest, seeing the tiny black kitten mew from the safe shelter of his shirt while her green cat eyes poked just out of the top with her head. She jumped up and headed to the kitchen to warm up Kakashi's takeout dinner that had long since been placed in the fridge,"Here! You eat! Let me see that little baby!"

Kakashi laughed and sat at the countertop barstool while Tsuki set the plate in front of him in exchange for the small kitten.

"Be careful, the Nekobaa said she hates everyone." Kakashi pulled his mask down and began eating while he watched Tsuki hold the cat close to her chest.

"But look how precious she is!" Tsuki nuzzled her nose to the top of the cat's head,"She can't hate anyone!"

Kakashi blew air out of his nostrils when he saw Tsuki making a pouting face while the kitten purred in her arms, but his eyes widened when he saw that the clock was about to strike twelve,"Mm, Tsuki! I wanted to wake the twins up at midnight and surprise them for their birthday!"

Tsuki smiled at her husband who was so hell-bent on making birthdays, anniversaries, and nearly any damned life event extremely special for his family. She recalled the night Kakashi confessed to her that he was adamant do this simply because he never experienced it as a child after his father died and because 'I want to protect the hearts of those I love.'

She nodded once, handing the kitten back to Kakashi as he abandoned his plate of food for the sake of time,"Here. You surprise them, I know you've been feeling bad about not spending time with them lately."

Kakashi sighed and cradled the small kitten,"Thanks I need a confidence boost. I feel like I've been ignoring them lately.."

Tsuki's eyebrows downturned in slight disapproval, and her hand rested on his shoulder to stop him when he tried to walk down the hall,"Kakashi, you're an amazing father. Don't let your long days of work convince you otherwise. Kai and Kana look up to you, and they take after you in that they are loyal to the Village. They're smart, and they understand how demanding your position as Hokage is. That's why they have two parents to raise them. We pick up each other's slack, right?"

Kakashi's chest felt warm with her words, and his eyes closed on their own accord with the smile that decorated his face. He didn't know what he'd do without her,"You're absolutely right. Let's go."

They walked down the hall of the bunker together, knocking on Kanari's slightly ajar door to find the twins fell asleep together on the floor after reviewing different battle formations that Naruto given them for homework. Kakashi held the kitten behind his back and the Onaji duo knelt down and tapped their babies' temples to wake them up.

"Psst! Kids, wake up! Dad has a surprise for you!" Tsuki shook their shoulders and they slowly woke up with a light grumble.

"What time is it?" Kanari looked at the clock on the wall while her eyes rid themselves of the blurriness from her sleep.