The Red String of Fate: New Generation

A New Vow - Kakashi

"Where is everyone?"

Mizuka looked gorgeous in her wedding kimono. She was standing alone in the lightly falling snow.  The evening was dark and cold, illuminated by the lanterns in the park.  There was no one else there.

"We have everyone we need."

What?

"There was nothing wrong with the wedding we had the first time, Kakashi. It was perfect."

He walked over to her, standing on front of her.  She looked like a porcelain doll, elegantly dressed perfectly for the occasion.  

"My love, since the moment you stayed on my  floor when we were children, I knew I was going to marry you. You are, and always have been, my soulmate. You've always believed that you've never been good enough for me, and that I've always deserved more, but you've given me everything I needed since the moment I married you 11 years ago. Love, support, stability, and as our love grew, a home and a family. You let me pursue my dreams with a promise that you would wait for me. A promise that was more than kept. And as our love has evolved, you've shown to me every day that you're every bit the man that I knew you were: fiercely loyal, brave, and an excellent teammate. If given the opportunity to go back in time, I wouldn't change a thing. Sharing my life with you has been an honor and a privilege. I love you with all of my being, Kakashi Hatake, and every day, you make me fiercely proud to be your wife and partner."

She raised a hand and placed it against his, entwining fingers; his hand dwarfing hers.

"While our situation has certainly changed, Kakashi-kun, the way I feel about you certainly has not."

He brushed away the tears forming in his eyes so he could tell her how he felt.

"When we married, I had no idea how much the small, familiar things in life would mean so much.  I was just a man who knew I couldn't live without you.  For many years, the thought of your embrace kept me alive. You've taught me how deeply a man can love and you've taught me more than I ever could've imagined about the importance of family.  You've helped me grow from a lost man who went through the motions to a man who is excited to grow the House of Hatake.  Mizuka, you bared my child and honored my father by keeping his spirit alive through our son.  You brought a tiny warrior into our family and made me more proud than I've ever been.  You've made me a father twice, Z.  And you're the most incredible mother.  My heart swells with pride when I open the door and you're playing with our beautiful boys.  Words can't adequately describe the love I feel for you."

They were both crying at this point.

"Thank you for loving me so fiercely, Kakashi."

"It's an honor and a pleasure, Mizuka."

He slipped the band on her finger, a wide grin spreading across her face. She was beautiful; even more than usual. They had grown from two lonely kids in front of a newly lit hearth to two loving and powerful adults, the father and mother of Konohagakure. And the father and mother of two amazing little boys. She took his hand with both of hers and brushed it against her cheek, closing her eyes. The moment was perfect: cherry blossom petals falling around them, and not another person in sight. This moment was truly theirs. Kakashi scooped her up and kissed her passionately, placing his forehead against hers and gazing into her eyes.

"Let's head to the hot spring so we can consummate this thing."

Mizuka bit her lower lip in anticipation; things had been so crazy lately that it seemed like they were trying to squeeze their sex life in at the dead of night. Her mouth salivated at the idea of an evening of slow, time-consuming sex with her lover. Not that things sween't amazing now, but their priorities had changed.

"I feel like since we've had the boys that my dreams have changed.  I've been having dreams of a strong clan. I realized that has never been something I've cared much about , but it's been speaking louder to me since our sons' arrival. They, and you, deserve a strong House to belong to. "I'm going to step up as the patriarch of this clan. A strong bloodline deserves a strong House."

He smiled at her as they walked down the street; villagers stopped and congratulated them. Even though she had tried to keep it a private affair, everyone knew about it.

"Honestly, I figured the Hatake clan would die with us, and I had come to terms with that. But, now we have children. Two budding Hatakes. And they, and you, have opened my eyes . I ran away from my responsibilities until I was brought to you 11 years ago. I was a good shinobi, and figured I would read the Makeout Tactics series and eventually be killed in the battlefield. There was really nothing else to look forward to, except the small chance that we would be reunited and could live happily ever after. You made me want to be a good husband and a better person, and all I've ever wanted to do was treat you like you've always deserved. But these boys.. They make me want to be even more. I want to leave them a legacy; something to grow into and be proud of. And I want you to be the Hatake queen that you already are to me. There's no one else I'd rather have more than my clan matriarch."

Mizuka couldn't help but smile before screwing her face up.

"Clan matriarch? Doesn't that make me sound old?"

He laughed.

"No. Every clan needs a matriarch."

"You know, Kakashi-kun, we've been married for 11 years and you still never cease to amaze me. Those little boys have you wrapped around their chubby fingers."

"Being a dad is the best thing I've ever done. And it's easy when their mom is so fucking incredible."

She giggled.

"Oh, stop."

"It's true. Those two little boys follow you like ducklings; they adore you, Z. And you take such amazing care of them."

"Well, we have an amazing support system: so many good friends who are willing and able to help. Don't forget, it's important for them to know that family is more than Houses and bloodlines."

"I think they are already learning that."

They stopped in front of the hot spring; Mizuka stared up at its tall structure and steamy clouds coming from the mountains and hills behind it. After getting the key from the front desk, they headed toward their room. She couldn't wait for some privacy... from everyone. Tonight, as long as the village could wait, he wasn't the Hokage and she wasn't the Chief Medical Advisor. They were Kakashi and Mizuka Hatake, attached to each other's red string.