The Red String of Fate: New Generation

A Good Man - Kakashi

Kakashi walked through the village, one hand in his pocket, the other cradling his newborn daughter in a blanket against his chest. The diaper bag was slung across his back, just in case he needed it. Kaori had been here a few days already after an incredibly intimate birth with just the two of them, which eventually became the three of them. Kakashi agreed to the private birth since the pregnancy had been pleasantly uneventful and low risk. In the comfort of their own bed, his bride gave birth to the most beautiful little girl he had ever seen. And now, they were on their very first outing into the village. Villagers excitedly congratulated him as they passed and some came up sneak a peek of the Hokage's newborn. He graciously obliged as villagers remarked on her white hair and chubby baby cheeks as she slept peacefully.

He was on his way to check on Naruto and Shizune, who were covering his Hokage duties and Shikamaru's advisory duties, as Temari was about to give birth as well.

He knocked softly on the office door.

"Come in!"

He heard Naruto's voice on the other side before he opened the door.

"Hey, guys!"

"Lord Sixth!"

"Kakashi Sensei!"

Both of their faces lit up when they saw him enter with the bundle of blanket snuggled to his chest. Shizune made her way around the desk and straight for the baby, which didn't surprise Kakashi one bit.

Shizune opened the flap of the blanket, revealing his daughter's face. The next sound was the one he was expecting.

"Awww..."

Shizune gazed with love-filled eyes at the newborn. For a woman who loved babies so much, it was a shame that most of her time was spent with Tsunade.

"What's her name?"

"Her name is Kaori. Mizuka chose it; she said she wanted me to have a namesake."

"Oh, Kakashi, she could be your twin."

He didn't think that she looked much like him right now: Mizuka had her in a headband with a big green bow on it, and under her swaddled blanket she had on a matching green onesie with ruffles on the butt. He could tell that she was clearly excited to have a little girl to dress up. Shizune looked up at him, grinning.

"She has your same chakra pattern, Kakashi. You two are very, very similar in your chakra signatures."

His eyebrows raised in surprise.

"You can already sense her chakra signature?"

"It's small, but it's definitely there. Usually it appears after a few months. She's going to be a force to be reckoned with when she gets older. She's going to be strong."

Kaori began to fuss and Shizune gently handed her back to Kakashi. He took a bottle from the diaper bag and popped the nipple in her mouth. The moment he took her back, she stopped fussing, but she accepted the bottle eagerly, suckling away. She opened her steel gray eyes again, watching him intently. He half smiled and sighed.

"You poor kid, you're going to be just like me, aren't you?"

She continued to watch him intently, interested in the voice that had been familiar since the beginning of her conception. He raised her close and kissed her forehead, the part not covered by the bow.

"Why would that be such a bad thing though, Sensei?"

"I've lived a life that I wouldn't wish on anyone, let alone my own child. And I have the ability to turn off my emotions and become a cold blooded killer. I used to live for the rush of neutralizing an enemy shinobi; that's why I was in the Anbu for so long. I was good at it. Too good. I earned the nickname Cold-Blooded Kakashi. That's not a life I want for her."

"Kakashi, you left the Anbu because the people in your life thought that you were too kind to be there."

He was surprised by Shizune's words. He looked up to find her shaking her head frustratingly.

"He always does this, Naruto. Kakashi grew up without his father, so he had little guidance until YOUR father became his Sensei. And that's going to be where their paths divert: Kakashi will guide and mentor her to become a great shinobi. Because he is a great shinobi, and an even better man."

He could feel his face turn red at her words, flushed with emotions that he usually reserved for the privacy of his own home and in the presence of his wife. He choked the words out quietly.

"Thank you."

Shizune came to stand next to him, putting a gentle hand on his back.

"Give yourself some credit, Lord Sixth. I've worked with you for years as your assistant; you're far kinder and better than you realize. This child is in very capable and loving hands."

Shizune reached up and ruffled the hair on the back of his head lovingly. Sometimes, he forgot just how kind and supportive his friends were. He moved the infant to his shoulder to burp her, but not before he hugged Shizune.

"Thank you. You're a good friend."

"You are too. Congratulations on your beautiful new baby."

He gave her a smile, She turned to grab a stack of paperwork as Kakashi burped Kaori.

"I agree with Shizune. You're a great Dad, and she'll be fine."

"Thanks, Naruto."

"How's Mizuka?"

"She's fine. The boys are with Sakura at the park and she's having a well-deserved rest. She was amazing and she didn't miss a beat. She gave birth in our bed to this incredible little girl."

"Oh? I'm surprised it wasn't another water birth."

"She wanted something a little more intimate this time. It was really beautiful; I delivered her and got to witness the entire thing."

"That's really awesome, Sensei!"

He lifted Kaori off of his shoulder after she gave him a loud burp, thankful that it was a clean one. Only being a few days old, her limbs were still curled up from being in her Mother's womb. He supported her tiny head as he held her. She yawned and opened her eyes again to look at him. He brought her forward and kissed her forehead protectively again. He wanted her to know that he would protect her always.

"How's fatherhood treating you, Naruto?"

He also yawned.

"It's been great, except for the fact that t feels like I haven't slept in days. Boruto really keeps us up at night. But, he's breastfeeding, so I just sit up with Hinata while he eats."

"Supporting your partner makes a world of difference."

He swaddled Kaori again in her blanket, again holding her close to his chest.

"Speaking of supporting your partner, I've got to go. I'm sure Mama is missing her new baby, and we're missing Mama."