Sakumo Hatake was just entering the village gates when it began to rain. His comrade looked at him with a smile.
"We're home." He said.
"Yes. We are." Sakumo responded.
The rain soaked Sakumo and made him cold but he didn't care. He kept walking until he hit the mission room. It was 3 am, the night shift was working. He loved going in on night shift. His two favorite people worked it.
"Sakumo." Danzo said as he entered the room.
"Danzo, where is your usual partner-in-crime?" Sakumo asked.
Danzo looked behind him to a chair where his 3 year old son was sleeping. He smiled his smile that Sakumo hadn't seen for awhile.
"He tried but couldn't make it. He'll be sad that you got here before he woke up." Danzo said.
As if they knew he was being mentioned the little boy sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Daddy?" he mumbled as he stumbled over to Danzo with his stuffed Kunai and his blankie in his hands.
"Yamato got back to sleep buddy." Danzo said as the boy climbed onto his lap.
"Kumo!"
The little boy smiled a sleepy smile at him. Sakumo smiled back and presented him with a stuffed shiriken.
"Mine?" Yamato asked.
"Yes. Happy birthday Yamato-kun. I promised you I'd find it didn't I?" Sakumo said but the exhausted toddler had already fell back asleep holding his dad's shirt in his fists.
"He's possessive of you." Sakumo said.
"I'm all he has Sakumo. He's never known any different. He won't even let my parents take him. I can't even get a decent babysitter. He just screams as soon as I leave. It's hard because what if I have to go on a mission. There is a war starting Sakumo. I may be an office worker but they're going to have to send as many people as they can. What if I don't come back Sakumo? Who would take him?" Danzo said.
"Someone would. Hell, I would. "
"You already have one young child at home. I don't think you need two. It'd be unfair for you."
"I have a good babysitter. Plus Danzo I wouldn't mind. I love Yamato. He's the best behaved child I have ever met."
"Shouldn't you be getting home? "
"If I leave will you be okay?"
"Yes. "
"Okay. Bye Danzo. If you ever need a break just bring Yamato over. I'm sure Kakashi is enough to keep him entertained. He likes to crawl over and bite people."
Danzo chuckled softly then continued with his paperwork while Yamato murmured something about chocolate cake. Sakumo smiled and left. He arrived home to find an almost asleep Minato Namikaze.
"Minato-kun, I've told you several times I don't mind if you sleep. Kakashi is loud enough to wake you up." Sakumo said.
Minato rubbed his eyes and smiled.
"Welcome home sir. How was your mission?" Minato asked.
"Fine. I hope Jiraiya and my son haven't been over working you." Sakumo said.
"No they haven't. Now if you excuse me I will be going home to have a nice long nap."
Sakumo handed Minato his payment then went to change. After just getting his vest off he heard a wail. Sakumo walked down the hall to Kakashi's room to find his 6 month old crying crocodile tears.
"Hi baby." Sakumo said.
"Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, DA, DA, DA, DA, DA, DA!" He screamed holding his arms out.
Sakumo picked him up. Kakashi snuggled into Sakumo.
"Let's go get you a bottle baby. Then back to bed for Kashi-kun." Sakumo said.
They went downstairs and Sakumo got out one of his bottles. He put formula into it and shook it, long ago had he learned that Kakashi liked his bottles cold. Kakashi started to fuss because he didn't like waiting but he was soon quieted by the bottle in his mouth. After he ate Sakumo burped him. Kakashi instantly started to fall asleep again. Sakumo smiled and took him upstairs. He went to set him back in his crib but was stopped by the tight grip the baby had on him. For a 6 month old Kakashi was already very strong.
"Kashi-kun you need to let go." Sakumo said but the baby didn't.
Sakumo decided not to fight and took him to his room. He laid him down on his bed and finished changing into sweatpants and a t-shirt. He lied down and put the baby into his arms then kissed his little head. As long as he had this little boy he'd always have something to return to. This was the life he wanted and he intended to keep it like this. For just a short moment of time the legendary white fang's life was perfect.
