Summary
Kakashi, Yamato and Iruka have now been together for many years. They've been separated by war, missions and their own fool hardiness, but they've embraced the ups and downs of their relationship and have grown stronger for it. Just as they think they have settled into normal life, (as normal as a shinobi's life can be) an unexpected arrival throws them into chaos.
Kakashi's past catches up with him and his abruptly thrown into parenthood. Kakashi as well as Iruka and Yamato suddenly find their lives in disarray by a babbling 4 year old. How will Kakashi ever explain this to his lover as they face an undeniable past and uncertain future?
CHAPTER 1 – The Arrival
They ran through the woods hastily. Time was of the essence to save the small child in her arms who moaned semi-consciously. She prayed he wouldn't turn her away with her children, he was their last hope. Her heart was laden with guilt as she glanced at her son behind her who fought to keep up, but it had to be done. She had no choice. She wouldn't be here much longer; she had to assure their safety.
Kakashi sat on a branch with book in hand, watching his lover from afar teaching at the academy. Iruka had a gentle and caring temperament, but there was always one that pushed him too far releasing that ferocious temper. Kakashi chuckled watching him getting riled. This means I'll have a spirited lover at home tonight; he smiled to himself at the thought.
He felt the tell-tale sign of the teleportation jutsu behind him. "Kakashi-San, Hokage-Sama asks for yours and Iruka-Sensei's immediate presence" the masked messenger disappeared as soon as the message was acknowledged with a nod of Kakashi's head. He swung down and through the window into the classroom, startling Iruka and immediately getting all the children's attention. "Iruka-Sensei, we've been called upon by the Hokage, we have to go immediately".
"Hai Kakashi-Sensei". Kakashi caught the anxiousness in Iruka's expression as he left to find someone to cover his class. They left immediately, neither wanting to express their concern; they had been together long enough for their silence to express it all.
They knocked on the Hokage's door and waited to be admitted. Tsunade Sama sat with her head propped resting on her hands eyes looking ahead with a fierce expression. She looked them both over and growled low in the throat. "We have a problem Kakashi. This will affect both you Yamato and Iruka. I understand Yamato is still on a mission". They both nodded but were relieved it wasn't news about Yamato. "We've just had a civilian from the Snow country arrive at the hospital with her children, one of whom is quiet ill but not at great risk". She sighed not knowing how to continue. "Kakashi, do you know a woman by the name of Sato Mikiko?" Kakashi's expression was unreadable but Tsunade saw the faint sign of recognition in his one exposed eye as he answered "Hai Tsunade-Sama" not expanding his answer further.
She continued "Mikiko has an 8 year old son, Sato Yasahiro and a second child, 4 year old Sato Sachiko. The 4 year old has a wound infection and a fever but should recover fully. The problem is Mikiko herself, her body is slowly being taken over by disease. It's a surprise she has lasted this long as her organs are slowly failing one by one. They have asked for permission to remain in the village but I need a character reference for them. She said you could provide one Kakashi". She waited for Kakashi watching him process everything she had said.
Kakashi smiled fondly at the memory of Yasahiro, the small boy he had met who was fascinated by the scar over his eye. It was the second child that bothered him along with the timing of Mikiko's arrival and illness. Suddenly Kakashi felt his blood drain as it all sank in. "Tsunade-Sama, are you saying…?" he looked at her understanding exactly what she was saying, his face paled and knees shook. "Hai" she said quietly. Iruka glanced first at the Hokage and then at Kakashi, both wore uneasy expressions but Kakashi looked as though he would collapse. "Tsunade- Sama I don't underst…" Iruka heard a thump before he could finish his sentence and turned to find Kakashi passed out on the floor.
Tsunade shook her head at the sight, he can face death head on but this causes him to faint? MEN!