Crystal Lightning || (Kakashi Hatake x OC)

Space Song - Beach House

"He's asleep now."

"Thank you, Ari. I'm sorry for troubling you." Sakumo sighed and buried his face in his hands, "I'm so lost. I don't know what to do. What am I going to do with him? A child needs his mother."

"Sakumo-kun, he'll be all right in time." She spoke softly, "Don't worry."

"He won't be lonely, Sakumo." Abi interjected, "She was a distinguished member of the Inuzuka clan, and so is Kakashi. You all have always been a part of us."

"He'll have Akira, Sakumo-kun."

"What if I have to go on long missions?"

"He can stay with us."

"I don't want him to intrude."

"Don't be ridiculous! Kakashi is already like a son to me!" Abi laughed, "He can stay as long as he likes, whenever he likes!"

"He's two now, he won't stop running around. He can't even sit still these days."

"Hatchi can take care of that!"

"Raising a daughter is different from raising a son."

"Doesn't matter, Sakumo-kun. Don't worry, we'd love to help out."

He exhaled heavily until his shoulders sunk, burying his face deeper into his hands. His head felt like it was going to explode. There was so much to think about after losing his wife, and most of it concerns his young son. His life had fallen apart and a chunk of him had been taken away along with her. There was this huge gaping hole in his chest, and he was afraid he wouldn't able to keep the rest of himself intact. If only he made it home from his mission just in time.

"Maaama..." A tiny voice wept,

"Ari, please... Not when I'm like this..." He whispered, trails of tears evident on his cheeks. "I can't."

"It's fine." She squeezed his shoulder and turned towards the voice. She peeked into Akira's room, "Did you call for mama?"

Baby Akira was fast asleep, but two-year-old Kakashi was awake. He was sitting on the tatami, eyes filled with tears to the brim.

"What's wrong? Did something wake you up?"

The toddler was confused. Waking up too fast made him confused about what he was dreaming and what was actually in front of him. He was dreaming of his real mother and got separated. The panic woke him up. The presence of his recently deceased mother still lingered, and he was still adjusting to waking up without her. He didn't know what to say because he himself doesn't even know what was going on. So he just started sobbing with his arms held up in the air.

"Don't cry, sweetie. It's me. Auntie Ari." She picked him up and propped him on her hip, "I know, baby. I miss your mama too. But don't worry, I'm here for you. Always."

"I want mama..." Even if he was awake, he wasn't really there. Last he remembered, his real mother was putting him to sleep with that favourite lullaby of his. And usually, she's the one to come running to him when he calls for her. Other times, it would be Sakumo who would pick him up and he would be brought to his parent's room to sleep there, especially since his mother started deteriorating.

"I'm sorry, my sweet boy, mama's not here." She whispered to his hair, her cheek pressed against the top of his head. She swayed side to side to rock Kakashi back to sleep, despite him kicking and whimpering. "I know, Kakashi, I know." 

Back in the dining room, Abi pulled out a bottle of sake and placed it on the table. He took a seat across from Sakumo and poured a glass for him. "Sakumo I understand that this is difficult, but your son needs you."