Hachiko stood at the gates, the sound of thunder rolling overhead. Her eyes fixed on the person walking away. Little hands clenched as the first drops of rain began spattering down. The person stopped and turned to look over their shoulder, raising their hand in a wave. Forcing a smile she waved back, her eyes focused on their smiling mouth as they called out to her.

"See ya soon, Snowflake!"

Hachiko sat bolt right up shaking as her eyes tried to adjust to the dark. A clap of thunder above her made her wince, bringing her dream back to her mind.

"Hachi? Whats wrong?"

Kakashi sat up rubbing his eyes with a small yawn. When she didnt answer he leaned forward to look at her face. He saw the tight frown but it quickly turned into her normal cheerful smile.

"Im fine, the thunder woke me up."

Hachiko turned her head to smile at Kakashi, he didnt look convinced. She laid back down, pulling at his arm until they lay facing each other. Hachiko snuggled her head under his bare chin and clutched at his shirt. He yawned again and threw an arm over her, both fall back asleep within moments.

Sakumo lay in his futon, his eyes staring at the cieling. He had heard the pained whisper before Hachiko woke.

'Tou-chan'

Kakashi yawned as he sat up, or tired to. A weight settled on his stomach made him crack open his eyes to see Hachiko sitting with her legs crossed on his abdomen.

"Oi, Hachi, what are you doing?"

Hachiko stared intently at his bare face with a tilted head, finger on her chin as if in deep thought.

"Why do you wear your mask when youre so handsome?"

Kakashi opened his mouth, studdering and blushing, only to turn his head to shoot a glare at his Father. Sakumo was struggling to contain his amusement, a snort or two escaping from where he lay in his futon with his back to them.

"Kakashi? So why wear the mask?"

He turned back to her but quickly looked to the corner of his eyes to glare at the wall as his blush deepened.

"Would you get off me!?"

Kakashi tried to shove her off but she grabbed his wrists. They struggled for a moment, until Kakashi gave up with a sigh.

"So?"

"Its a Hatake family tradition."

Hachiko let his arms flop to the floor as she contemplated it for a moment. Her eyes flicked over to Sakumo as he sat up with a yawn.

"But Mo-Mo doesnt wear a mask."

Sakumo gave a strangled grunt as he whipped his head towards the kids, face bright red and pointing his index finger at his chest.

"Mo-mo? Neh, Hachiko-chan, thats not a very manly nickname."

Kakashi and Hachiko turned to stare at him blankly, he frowned.

"Tou-san, you wear a frilly apron when you cook."

"But-"

"And you sing girly songs in the shower."

"Oi! Dont listen to me showering!"

Hachiko scoffed and waved her hand dismissively towards him. Sakumo glared at Kakashi, blaming him for her new found attitude.

"I dont listen youre very loud."

"Yeah...Mo-mo-chan."

Kakashi laughed as Sakumo shot him a death glare. Hachiko smiled cheekily as the older Hatake got to his feet grumbling to himself about how children are so disrespectful these days.

Hachiko frowned in thought, she didnt want to be disrespectful.

"Maybe Mo-mo wasnt a good one. Hmm..."

The Hatake boys turn to look at her, Kakashi fighting back a grin. Sakumo watched, leaning in as she dropped her fist in her palm with a bright smile.

"Ok, Jiji-chan."

Kakashi exploded with laughter, making Hachiko bounce on his stomach. Sakumo stood there frozen in place, her voice ringing in his ears.

'Jiji...Jiji...Jiji..'

Hachiko lept off Kakashi and walked passed the older man without a second look. Kakashi meanwhile was getting up as well when his fathers voice made him glance over.

"Im not that old...its just my hair color..."

"Sure, Tou-san."

"I hope kids call you jiji when youre younger than i am right now."

Kakashi scoffed, theres no way anyone would call him an old man.

Hachiko leaped passed them for the garden, Kakashi and Sakumo stared at eachother wide eyed in shock. Sakumo slowly turned to look out in the backyard.

"Was she wearing..."

Kakashi roboticly turned to face the doorway, eyes locked on Hachiko prancing around the koi pond surface with Kai while Kibo watched from a rock.

"A...dress?"

Hachiko turned to them smiling brightly with a light blush on her face. The red sun dress billowed out at her hips and fell to her knees. Making her crimson eyes pop and complimented her alabaster skin tone. She raised her hand to them before spinning around the water's surface on her bare toes, Kai leaping after her.

Sakumo glanced over at kakashi to find his normally stoic son blushing bright red with his grey eyes following the little girl. He watched with soft, amused orbs as Kakashi's hand reached up to grip his shirt near his heart. The poor boy looked ready to pass out but that didnt stop Sakumo from exacting his revenge.

"Ma, Hachi! You look lovely! Doesnt she Crow-Chaser?"

Hachiko turned, hands gripping the sides of her dress, bright happy eyes focusing on Kakashi. Then it hit Sakumo. Hachiko was more cunning than he realised. She had worn that to test Kakashi's reaction.

Kakashi began sweating as she turned her eyes on him. His already red face became redder causing him to lift his hand to shield his mouth as he looked anywhere but at her.

"H-hai."

Sakumo pressed his lips in a tine line to keep from laughing, his gaze flicked over to gage Hachiko's reaction. He blinked in shock at what he saw.

Hachiko had turned away, her back to them, tossing the words over her shoulder as she did so.

"Thank you."

Kakashi frowned as he saw Hachiko's shoulders shaking as she hunched slightly. He stepped forward with his eye brows furrowed.

'Did i say something wrong? Maybe she thinks im lying.'

"Ma, Hachi, i re-"

Both Hatakes froze as Hachiko burst into giggles, her arms wrapped around her stomach as she turned to face them. Her cheeks were flushed, small tears welling in her eyes.

"Gomen, gomen! But that was too funny!"

Hachiko wiped at her left eye as her laughter died down, she smiled with tender eyes at them. Raising up from her bent position to clasp her hands behind her back.

Kakashi blinked a few times before snapping out of his daze.

"What the hell was so funny?"

"Kakashi, watch your language."

"Gomen, Tou-san."

Hachiko walked over until she stood a foot in front of Kakashi. He narrowed his eyes at her as she smiled sweetly before stepping closer. Kakashi went to step back but her hands reached out for his and by instinct he took them and halted his retreat. She closed the distance while blushing and watching him from under long dark lashes. He was spellbound and unable to move as she then stood on her tippy toes and kissed him on his lips softly. Kakashi's eyes widened but fluttered closed until Hachiko pulled away. He stared down at her, unsure what to say or do.

"Promise me something, Kakashi."

He nodded slowly, still intranced.

"Promise when we get older that youll marry me."

The silver haired boy gulped and blinked a few times as a blush creeped up his face. Despite his inner turmoil on that subject his voice came out crystal clear, making him realise yet again when it came to Hachiko his body and heart would do one thing while his head did another.

"I promise."

Sakumo watched in slight shock as the children seemed to forget he was there all together. His inner parent was on red alert, the kids are kissing and making marriage agreements. Time to be Dad and step in. But he couldnt make his feet move as he watched Kakashi. The boy looked scared out of his mind but extremely happy at the same time. Something that because of Hachiko he got to see alot more of now. Sakumo knew he shouldve said or done something but in that moment he just

wanted them to both be happy.

"Theyre only six anyway, puppy love really." He murmured under his breath. But for some reason saying it hurt. What if they end up hurt because of this? Or...What if it turns into something real? Could he handle that? Then a though hit him so hard he stumbled to a futon to sit down.

Theyll be teenagers before he knew it. How was he suppose to keep them from being reckless little horn-dogs? Sakumo groaned and rubbed his temples while closing his eyes.

'Should i make them sleep separately? No then theyll ask questions. Ugh Kami...'

Hachiko and Kakashi turned to where Sakumo sat murmuring to himself. Kakashi raised an eyebrow while Hachiko tilted her head. Both looked to the other then shrugged.

"Sakumo are you ok?"

"Yeah, Tou-san, you look pale. Do you need some water."

"Sakumo?" "Tou-san?"

Kai and Kibo sat in the doorway with playful smirks, their tails flicking with mirth.

"Kai, i think our Kitten has found her a mate."

The black cat gave a 'nyah'ing laugh. When he opened his eyes they landed on Hachiko. The tenderness there was much like a mothers when she watched her children leave for school in the mornings. Kibo looked to the little girl as well, his tinted in sadness.

"Shes growing up so fast. I almost want to take her and hide her away from this world."

Kai nodded solemnly, curling his tail around his paws.

"Shes too pure for this world of murder and war. And that boy-"

Both watched Kakashi as he shook Sakumo roughly, shouting for his father to 'wake the hell up'.

"He will be dangerous, i can sense it. Im not sure i like them being together, Kibo."

"Agreed. Should we intervene?"

The cats sat in silence for a moment before their eyes slowly met. An agreement was made with that look. Both felines stood and turned for the garden, their heads close as they spoke softly to the other. Hachiko paused from trying to wake Sakumo and glanced over her shoulder at the toms, face unreadable.