Dreams of the Past

Epilogue part 2

Chapter 40

Kakashi-kun

Three year old little Misaki bounced along beside him, clutching his hand as they made their way up the street. Kizashi and his wife Mebuki had their baby daughter seven days prior, and they were finally going for a visit. Me-chan, eight months pregnant herself, walked arm in arm with Ume-san, both women smiling down at the eager little girl.

She was beside herself with excitement to finally have another girl in the family. Already having two brothers, and another one on the way, hearing about baby Sakura had been the highlight of her young life.

"Come on, Nii-san, you're so slow! I want to see the baby!"

Kakashi chuckled, scooping up his impatient sister and plopping her on his shoulders.

"Stop whining, Misaki-chan, or Mebuki-san won't let you hold her."

Kakashi shot Tenzō a warning glare but he merely rolled his eyes, giggling when Misaki leaned so far over to stick her tongue out at him she nearly fell from his shoulders.

"Don't be a meany, Nii-san! Make me flowers for the baby!"

Behind them, Karasu laughed, his own arms weighed down with the various containers of food and baby gifts Ume and Me-chan had prepared. "Misaki-chan, what have we said, hm?"

Kakashi could hear the pout in her voice, her little arms knocking his head as she folded them across her chest. "Will you make me some flowers, please, Nii-san?"

Tenzō nodded, holding his hands up in a hand sign, prepared to do as she asked. "If I must. What color?"

"Pink! Like my hair! Ba-chan said baby Sakura has pink hair just like me."

Ume laughed. "I'm sure she'll love them, sweetheart."

Tenzō shook his head, but did what she asked. Just as they were walking up to the Haruno's front door, he was snapping off the last flower and adding it to the bouquet. Kakashi sat Misaki down and she reached her hands up to take them. "All right, Misaki-chan, pink Hydrangeas. What do you think?"

Me-chan inspected them, as he held them up from their sister. "Oh, Tenzō-chan, they're lovely! I didn't know you could do those."

Ignoring Misaki's impatient grumbling, he beamed at their mother. "Thanks, Mom. I've been practicing."

"Nii-san!" She held her hands up expectantly, smiling brightly when he passed her the flowers. "Thank you!"

Kizashi threw the door open, his face a blinding smile. "Welcome, my family! Come in, come in! Mother." He kissed Ume's cheek and then Me-chan's as they walked past him into the house. "My beautiful cousin."

Before Kakashi could duck, he dropped a massive hand on his head, ruffling his hair. "Kakashi-kun, congratulations on finally graduating. Somehow I don't think you'll be a Genin for long, eh?"

Kakashi nodded sheepishly as he spoke over them to Karasu, knowing it was probably true. His Sensei had already mentioned the Chunin exams. Their team had eight months to prove they were ready.

"Here, Kizashi-san! Flowers for the baby!"

He laughed boisterously. "Why thank you, Misaki-chan. They're beautiful." He picked her up, carrying her inside. "Would you like to meet her?"

"Yes!"

Kakashi helped Karasu in the kitchen, preparing the food they had brought, while everyone else cooed over the baby. Eventually, he ended up beside Me-chan on the sofa, a pink haired baby in his arms. She chatted with Mebuki as the new mother ate, both gushing over baby things.