Dreams of the Past

Unwelcome Goodbyes

Chapter 23

Unwelcome Goodbyes

They were sitting down to dinner when their peaceful interlude finally ended. It was a cold January evening, there was snow still piled outside and the irori filled the main room with warmth. Five ninken slept in a heap near the fire, their fur drying from earlier romps in the snow.

Kakashi-kun had helped Sakura make hot-pot and the family was comfortably tucked beneath the kotetsu. Tenzō, exhausted from a long day of play, slept beneath the blanket already, his head in Sakura's lap.

"...and Guy said he wanted to challenge me to a snowball fight in front of Obito and everyone else, so I had to say yes because they wanted to join in. My team won, obviously, so now I'm ahead again." He huffed. "Not that it matters that much."

Kakashi chuckled. "Of course it matters. You're rivals."

The kid rolled his eyes. "Eternal rivals."

Yawning, she was so tired, Sakura ran a hand through Tenzō's hair. "We spent the afternoon outside too. Kusa and Bull didn't last long, but Senbei and Shiba ran around with Tenzō forever. I'm not surprised he didn't make it to dinner."

Leaning over to watch their sleeping son, his chin resting on his hand, Kakashi huffed. "Sounds like you all had fun today." He eyed her critically, his free hand reaching up to brush across her shoulder and down to rub her lower back. "Are you okay, Ayame? You look a little... droopy?"

She scoffed. "Thanks." When he frowned, looking genuinely concerned, she shrugged. "I'm just tired, Karasu. It's been a long couple of days, and I'm more like Bull and Kusa. I don't like being cold."

"Hm. Take him to bed then. Kakashi and I can handle all of—" He sat up straighter and looked towards the front of the house. "We have company."

Several unfamiliar chakra signatures had just crossed the barrier. "Lots of company. Who?"

Whistling shortly to wake the ninken, he looked resigned. "It's the Hokage and his ANBU guard." The heavy knock felt ominous. "Stay here, I'll get it."

She watched him go, dread gathering in her gut making her nauseous. "Kakashi-kun, come here, sit beside me, please."

Looking mildly anxious, he got up and did as she asked. "Why is the Hokage here? Is he going to make me graduate and go to Iwa too?"

Taking his chin in her hand, she reassured him. "He is not sending you anywhere. We aren't going to let him, alright?"

He nodded, and they sat up straight and serious as their uninvited guests followed Kakashi into the room. It was strange to actually see the Hokage's ANBU guard. They normally stayed hidden unless there was a threat. What did that say about this visit?

It was even stranger to see the Hokage up close. She had been thirteen when he'd died, and yet here he was alive and well in her home, younger than she'd ever seen him.

Karasu sat at her left, his arms folded across his chest, their ninken settling behind them. She could see something in Hiruzen's eyes as he took them in that might have been amusement. It might have been malevolent.

"Good evening. Hatake Karasu, we finally meet. I have heard a great deal about you." His eyes slid to her. "Your wife is as lovely as the rumors suggest."

She bristled but kept quiet, deciding to let Kakashi's cooler temper handle this interaction. The last thing they needed was for her to end up in a cell for assaulting the Hokage.