The Red String of Fate: New Generation

The Sweet Life - Kakashi

"Kakashi-kun!"

As he passed Senju Park with his escorts, out of the corner of his eye, she saw Mizuka charging toward him, Sakumaru and Inari in tow. She wrapped her arms around him, pushing him back slightly and almost making him lose his balance. Sakumaru and Inari were in tow, grabbing onto his legs and pulling on his robes. This kind of welcome would have been much better if he hadn't been travelling all day and in excruciating pain.

"Ahhhhhhhh..."

He let out a painful groan, prompting Mizuka to let go of him immediately. She understood immediately, putting an arm around his waist to support him. He put an injured arm over her shoulders and allowed himself to lean on her for support. She quietly thanked the three shinobi with him for bringing him home and started back toward their house.

"Is-"

"Shikamaru will be fine. He's staying in Sumagakure for the time being to heal, since Temari is there. It made more sense. I just came home with another detail who was in the area."

He felt Mizuka breathe a sigh of relief as they headed toward their home. She stopped briefly to unlock the front door, letting the entire clan in.

"Boys? Can you two play nicely in the living room? I need to talk to Daddy for a minute."

"Daddy hurt?"

Sakumaru was definitely his mother's son.

"Yeah, but Mommy can fix him."

She gave her eldest son a small wink as she headed down the hall with Kakashi. He sat down on the bed gingerly, slowly taking off his clothes so she could examine him.  It had been a long two months away from his family, doing a very long diplomatic mission to the other Hidden Villages and meeting with the other Kage to get an better understanding of how the other nations were healing after the Fourth Great Ninja War, and he was estatic to be home.  Especially after he and Shikamaru had been attacked close to the Hidden Sand's village by a group of rogue shinobi.  His bandages were dirty from three days of travelling, but the Hidden Sand's healers did a good job of patching him up. She entered the bedroom, closing the door slightly.  Kneeling down on the floor next to him, she began to unravel his bandages.

"What happened?"

Shikamaru and I were ambushed by some rogue shinobi outside of the Hidden Sand village. Luckily, some Sumagakure shinobi came to our aide. Shikamaru is in about the same condition, but since Temari was in the village, I excused him from the rest of our mission and came home without him."

She furrowed her brow, mumbling.

"Windburns...."

She pulled out some yarrow root salve and fresh bandages, working stealthily.

"How have you been, Love?"

"This has been the longest eight weeks of my life, because there's something I've needed to tell you."

"Hmm? What's that?"

"I'm pregnant."

He forgot all about his windburned skin as he flew off of the bed, grabbing his bride and kissing her passionately before placing his hands gently on her belly and kissing it as well.

"When did you find out?"

"Two days after you left, I took the test. I thought that my period was probably late because I was anxious about you leaving, but it turns out we're expecting baby number three. Congratulations, Daddy."

"Who all have you told?"

She giggled.

"I wanted you to be the first to know; it's your baby, after all. You, me, and the boys know, but they're not going to tell anyone."

He felt lighter than air, picking her up and spinning her around while she screamed and laughed. The door creaked open again, and Sakumaru and Inari peeked around the corner.

"Mommy?"

Kakashi placed her down gently on the floor, scooping his sons up into his arms, making them laugh as well.

"I missed you guys so much! I hope you've been good to Mommy, since she's growing your new brother or sister in her belly."

Their eyes lit up, growing wide at the idea of another playmate growing in their mother's belly. She smiled happily at her family, putting a hand protectively over their new precious one, and covering a yawn with her other hand. Kakashi stopped, gazing at her lovingly before turning back to the boys.

"Let's let Mommy get some sleep; she's tired from growing our new baby. I'll make you guys a snack and tell you about my trip."

The boys ran out of the room, heading to the kitchen. He kissed her tenderly before turning to leave, closing the door gently behind him with a big smile and heading toward the rowdy voices in the kitchen. Life was about to get a lot sweeter for the House of Hatake, he thought.