Year One
Two days after little Kakashi was born, Mirai and Sakumo were able to take him home. Unfortunately, the weather didn't agree with the happy decision; it was pouring outside. Mirai carefully placed the little baby in the carrier and strapped him in. Kakashi looked at her all the while.
"Sakumo, will you hand me that blanket?" Mirai asked her husband.
Sakumo grabbed said blanket and handed it to her, barely taking his eyes off his son for a moment. Mirai draped the blanket over the carrier, so no rain would reach the baby. When they were all set, they left the hospital. Sakumo held his wife's hand and helped lead her through the rain.
Half way home, a cry broke through the air. Sakumo suddenly realized it was his son. The rain had soaked through the blanket too quickly, and Kakashi was getting wet. The baby continued to cry feeling the cold, wet rain drip onto his tiny body.
Mirai pulled her hand away from her husband and put the carrier down on a bench. She slowly pulled the blanket away and saw her crying baby. She unstrapped him and pick him up, all the while trying not to make him wetter than he already was. She unzipped her jacket and held the baby to her chest.
"Sakumo, zip up my jacket." She told him, not having a free hand.
Sakumo walked over to her, almost blinded by the rain, and carefully zipped up her jacket. Almost instantly, the baby's cries turned into whimpers.
"There, see, all better." Mirai said softly to her baby. Sakumo saw little Kakashi snuggle into his mother's warmth.
Sakumo picked up the carrier and soaking blanket and followed his wife down the street back home. They made it home much faster now.
Once they were inside the comfort of their home, Mirai unzipped her jacket and laid the baby on the soft cushions of the couch. She took the jacket off the rest of the way and handed it to Sakumo.
"I'm going to change him. The rain soaked through his clothes." She said picking up Kakashi. The little baby whimpered at being jostled. "Shh, it's okay, Kakashi."
Mirai carried the shivering baby upstairs to his room and laid him down carefully on the changing table. Little Kakashi wailed at the loss of warmth and contact with his mother. Mirai hurriedly grabbed a new set of clothes and a fresh diaper. As she began unbuttoning the baby's wet clothes, he gave an even louder cry.
"Shh, Kakashi! It will all be over soon." Mirai said soothingly to her distraught son.
She threw the wet clothes into the hamper and then took off his dirty diaper. He cried feeling the cold air on his bare bottom. Mirai worked as quickly as she could to clean him and get him clothed.
A few minutes later, baby Kakashi was clean and dry, and in the safety of his mother's arms again.
"See, it's all right. Kaasan is taking care of you." Mirai said rocking the little baby in her arms.
Sakumo walked into the nursery carrying the baby bag. He set the bag on the floor and walked over to his wife and newborn son. Sakumo reached for the baby and took him out of his wife's arms. He held the little baby close against his chest.
"What was that fit all about, huh? Your kaasan is just trying to take care of you." Sakumo said to his little son and kissed the top of his head.
Sakumo smiled at the child in his arms. Kakashi was so tiny and fragile; Sakumo was afraid he would break him.
Mirai sat down in the rocking chair next to the crib and watched her husband. She was happier than she had ever been in her entire life. Her eyes closed as she began to doze off. The next thing she knew, she was being carried.
"Mmm, Sakumo?" She asked groggily.
"You fell asleep in the chair." He said softly. "You're exhausted and you need to go to bed." Sakumo carefully placed his wife on her side of the bed.
"Where's Kakashi?" She asked beginning to wake up.
"He's asleep in his crib. He fell asleep in my arms around the same time you fell asleep in the rocking chair." Sakumo explained smiling.
Mirai nodded and fell asleep again. Sakumo watched her breathing even out and knew she wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Sakumo left the room and closed the door quietly. He was about to head downstairs to make something to eat when he heard a small cry. It stopped almost immediately, so Sakumo ignored it and walked down the stairs. When he was on the bottom step, he heard a loud strike of thunder and a high pitched crying. He ran back up the stairs and down the hallway to the baby's room.
Sakumo walked to the crib and saw the baby screaming and crying, obviously scared by the thunder. Without even thinking, he lifted little Kakashi into his arms and rubbed his back.
"It's going to be all right, Kakashi." Sakumo said in a calm voice to his son. Kakashi continued to fuss in his arms.
Sakumo heard a door open and realized that Mirai was probably coming to help. She walked into the baby's room. Kakashi let out another cry at the sound of the loud thunder.
"Give him to me, Sakumo." She said a tired smile on her face.
Sakumo passed his son to his beloved wife and watched as she comforted him. She rocked her hips to move her body side to side; Kakashi was placed on her shoulder while Mirai rubbed his back. The baby's sobs reduced to whimpers.
"It's all right, Kakashi." She whispered kissing the little baby. "I love you, and I won't ever let anything hurt you."
The baby calmed considerably at her voice and Sakumo was amazed.
"I guess he just wanted you." Sakumo said. "He wouldn't calm down when I was holding him." The father looked defeated.
Mirai looked at him with soft eyes and approached. She leaned against his chest and Sakumo wrapped his arms around her and Kakashi.
"He just doesn't know you yet." Mirai said looking up at him.
-X-
Three Months
Little Kakashi was sitting in his bouncy chair at the entrance to the kitchen while Mirai stood at the counter cutting vegetables. Mirai turned to look at her son; he was pushing his little legs that barely touched the floor.
"What are you doing, Kakashi?" Mirai asked lightly.
The baby looked toward the sound of her voice and smiled seeing his mother smiling at him. Mirai couldn't help herself; she walked to her son, put her hands on his cheeks and kissed his soft face. Kakashi made an excited noise and kicked his legs making him bounce in the chair.
Sakumo laughed seeing the sight as he came in from training in the back yard. Mirai stood up and walked back to the counter.
"I'm going to take a shower." Sakumo said kissing his wife's cheek. "Will dinner be ready when I come down?"
"Yes, I have to finish up soon anyway, Kakashi is getting fussy." Mirai said to him.
Sakumo nodded and left the kitchen, but not before ruffling his son's messy silver hair. Kakashi bounced again as he kicked feeling his father's affection.
"He's really excited today, isn't he?" Sakumo asked turning to his wife.
"He is; he's been like this all day." Mirai chuckled.
Sakumo laughed as he walked up the stairs and into the bathroom.
After a hot fifteen minute shower, Sakumo dried himself off and wrapped the blue towel around his waist. His long silver hair was hanging in his eyes and made it hard to see as he left the bathroom and walked into his bedroom to change. When he pushed his bangs out of his eyes, he was surprised to see Mirai sitting on the bed breast feeding their son.
"How was your shower?" Mirai asked.
Sakumo felt heat rise in his face and turned away from her; he walked to his dresser instead.
"I told you, Kakashi was getting fussy. He needed to eat." Mirai said. Sakumo could hear the laughter in her voice.
Sakumo sighed as he grabbed a loose shirt, a fresh pair of boxers and some sweatpants from the drawers. He stalked out of the room trying to avoid eye contact with his wife.
"Do you find it as funny as I do that your Tousan is embarrassed to watch you eat?" He heard Mirai ask their son.
Sakumo came back to the bedroom a few minutes later and glared at his wife.
"I'm not embarrassed, I just-" Sakumo started.
"Are you jealous?" Mirai asked mischief in her eyes.
"No!" Sakumo yelled his cheeks turning red.
Mirai laughed and Kakashi started fussing as it prevented his from finishing his meal.
"It's been three months, Sakumo; you should be used to this by now." She said looking pointedly at him.
Sakumo stayed silent. He walked to the bed and sat down on the edge.
"Dinner is ready. If you want to start eating, I'll be down in a minute when Kakashi is finished eating." Mirai said.
Sakumo smiled softly at her.
"No, I'll stay here with you and Kakashi." He scooted to the center of the bed where Mirai was sitting.
"The new year is coming." Mirai said off-handedly.
"It is." Sakumo said suspiciously.
"The festival is coming, and I know Kakashi is still small…" She trailed off.
Sakumo smiled knowingly, "My fair lady, would you care to go to the New Year's Festival with me?"
Mirai giggled, "That doesn't have the same effect in this situation." Mirai looked at Kakashi sucking at her breast.
Sakumo laughed and put his arm around her shoulders.
"But, yes, thank you, Sakumo." Mirai said softly.
Mirai pulled the baby up and placed him on her shoulder. She began to pat his back trying to make him burp.
"Sakumo, I suggest you move your hand, or you're going to have the baby's spit up all over it." Mirai said still patting Kakashi's back.
Sakumo pulled his arm back just before the baby burped and his spit up dribbled out of his mouth.
"That really is disgusting." Sakumo said watching his wife clean the baby's mouth with the towel hanging from her shoulder.
"No it's not." Mirai said giving her husband a look.
Mirai rubbed Kakashi's back and stood from the bed.
"I'm going to put him to bed and then I'll be downstairs." Mirai said from the doorway. "Everything is laid out on the table."
Sakumo smiled and also left the room, but instead of following his wife, went downstairs to the dining room. Mirai had laid out a beautiful looking spread.
"You've really outdone yourself, Mirai." He said to no one in particular.
"Thank you." Mirai said from behind him before wrapping her arms around him. "Come on, let's eat. I'm hungry.'
Sakumo followed her to the table and sat across from her. They partook in the delicious meal Mirai had been preparing all afternoon.
-X-
Month Four
Mirai sat on the couch, Kakashi sleeping peacefully in her arms. She had been reading a story to him before his nap time. She was about to carry him upstairs to his crib when there was a hurried knock on the door. Kakashi stirred and she watched him carefully hoping he wouldn't wake up. She continued to carry him toward the stairs when another, louder knock came at the door. This woke Kakashi up, who started crying.
"Shh, shh, it's all right, sweetie." Mirai said rubbing his back. "Who could be at the door?"
Mirai opened the door slightly, but it was pushed harshly toward her, letting in the cold January air. Mirai shielded Kakashi against the force of the door and glared at the person standing in the doorway. Her baby was crying loudly at the cold and noise.
"Kaito-san, what are you doing here?" Mirai asked when she suddenly realized who it was. He looked disheveled, but ecstatic.
"Shima went into labor early and the baby has arrived!" He yelled excitedly.
Mirai was shocked. "Congratulations to you both. What is it?"
"It's a boy; I have a son!" Kaito yelled even louder scaring little Kakashi.
Kaito recognized the little baby in her arms and looked guiltily at Mirai.
"Sorry, Mirai-san, I didn't mean to scare your son…"
"Kakashi." She answered. "What have you named your son?"
"We've decided to name him Gai." Kaito told her grinning. "Well, I have to go; I'm telling everyone in the village."
"Okay, well, congratulations again. Send my love to Shima." Mirai called to the man. He held his hand up in acknowledgement.
Mirai closed the door as not to let in the cold air. Kakashi was whimpering against her shoulder.
"Shh, Kakashi. It's naptime now, so you need to take a nap." Mirai told the fussy baby.
-X-
Month Seven
Sakumo was home from his long mission and was absolutely exhausted. He stepped into his home and looked around; the living room had been reorganized. Mirai was sitting on the couch watching Kakashi who was toddling around the room, sometimes falling down.
"He's walking now?" Sakumo asked in astonishment.
Mirai turned around and smiled warmly at him. She nodded and looked back at their son.
"When did that happen? I only left a couple of weeks ago and he was barely standing on his own." Sakumo said sitting down next to his wife.
"He started walking a couple days ago. He would shuffle from place to place hanging on to whatever was available in the room. But today when I was in the kitchen I felt his presence; I turned around and there he was walking around the room not hanging on to anything." Mirai laughed thinking of what her son had learned.
"Kakashi, come her." Sakumo commanded.
The little seven month old baby toddled over to him and looked up. Kakashi smiled at him and hugged his leg that hung over the edge of the couch.
"Hey, you." Sakumo said smiling as he picked up his son.
Kakashi laughed and hugged his father. Sakumo felt warmth swell up in his chest as he realized his son had missed him while he was away. He hugged Kakashi back and kissed the top of his head.
"You're a fast learner, aren't you?" Sakumo asked.
Kakashi smiled knowing that his father was talking to him, so he talked back. It was garbled, but he spoke in an excited manner almost as if he was telling a story. Sakumo was surprised by the enthusiasm and started laughing.
"Oh, really?" He asked his excited son.
And then, Kakashi surprised him and his wife.
"Tousan." Kakashi said looking at him.
Sakumo's eyes widened. "Kakashi did you just…"
"Tousan." Kakashi said again and hugged Sakumo once more.
Mirai's eyes were sparkling with delight as she watched them. Sakumo hugged Kakashi again, holding him longer than necessary against his chest.
"I missed you, too, Kakashi." Sakumo said to him.
Sakumo released the little boy and Kakashi stayed sitting in his father's lap. He watched his smiling parents almost as if he were studying them. Then, he crawled over to his mother.
"Kakashi," Sakumo began. "Can you say kaasan?"
Kakashi looked at his father while he snuggled into his mother's lap. He looked up at Mirai and then back to his father.
"Tousan." Kakashi said looking at Sakumo.
"Yes, I'm tousan, Kakashi." Sakumo smiled. "But can you say kaasan? Sakumo pointed at Mirai.
Kakashi was quiet for a little while trying to make out what his tousan was saying to him. He looked back up at Mirai and stared at her for a bit. Mirai just smiled at him, waiting patiently.
"Kaasan." Little Kakashi whispered looking at Mirai.
"Yes, Kakashi, I'm Kaasan." Mirai said pointing at herself.
Kakashi smiled and said a little louder, "Kaasan."
Sakumo laughed watching his son's expression change to one of understanding. The little boy snuggled against Mirai.
"Kaasan." He said again while hugging her.
"Yeah, it's bed time, isn't it?" Mirai said looking down at Kakashi curled up in her lap. She picked him up in her arms and stood from the couch carrying him to his bedroom.
Sakumo watched as Kakashi put his head on Mirai's shoulder and popped his thumb into his mouth.
"Good night, Kakashi." Sakumo called from his seat on the couch. He didn't hear a response and figured Kakashi had crashed the moment he snuggled against Mirai.
-X-
Twelve Months/ One Year
Mirai was trying to keep Kakashi from running out of her sight. The little boy was going to make a great ninja someday with his ability to escape and not be found at critical times.
Mirai was dressing him for his first birthday party. The entire downstairs of the house and the back yard were decorated for the party. She knew Kakashi didn't like crowds, but this was a special event, and she figured there wouldn't be that many people there.
Kakashi was whining as she pulled a pair of pants over his little legs. He glared at Mirai.
"Oh, don't you give me that look." Mirai said in a warning tone.
"Kaasan!" Kakashi moaned at her words.
Mirai finished dressing him and put him on the floor, his little legs stretched out getting ready to make a run for it. Mirai couldn't help but laugh, all Kakashi did nowadays was run everywhere…and surprise attack anyone he could. There was no doubt in Mirai's mind that Sakumo was teaching Kakashi how to be a ninja.
As soon as Kakashi's feet touched the floor, he ran toward the door.
"Hey, Kakashi, go find your tousan!" She called to the running toddler.
Mirai shook her head and left the room to head downstairs. Guests would be arriving very soon and she had to finish setting out food for the party. She entered the kitchen and opened the fridge. She heard the door to the back yard open.
"Hey, Kakashi said you wanted something?" Sakumo asked.
"Uh…yes, I need you to keep him entertained for right now. Just keep him out of trouble, and don't let him get too messy before guests start arriving, please." Mirai told her husband.
"Oh, okay. I can do that." Sakumo smiled.
"Thank you, Honey." Mirai said before kissing Sakumo.
The doorbell rang and Mirai shoved a few trays of food into her husband's arms and told him to put them on the table outside. Then, she rushed to the door and opened it. Kasumi, her husband, Taro, and their son, Genma were standing there.
"Hi, Kasumi." Mirai smiled. "I'm glad you all could come. Hi Genma."
The little boy smiled at her and tried to pull his hand out of his mother's grasp.
"Kakashi's in the back yard if you want to go play with him." Mirai told him pointing behind her.
Kasumi let go of the little boy's hand and Genma shot off like a rocket. Mirai heard the door in the kitchen slam and knew Genma had figured out which door led to the back yard.
"I'm sorry about that." Kasumi apologized.
"Don't worry about it," Mirai said shaking her head. "He's just a kid."
Kasumi smiled and stepped into the house, followed by her husband.
"Everything is set up in the back yard." Mirai said leading them through the house and to the door in the kitchen.
The couple followed her outside and all three were greeted by the sight of two little boys attacking Sakumo. Kasumi groaned as if her reputation had been ruined. Mirai couldn't help but laugh at the sight. Kasumi looked at her as if she were crazy.
"Honey, that's just embarrassing," Mirai called to her husband. "You're losing to a four year old and your one year old son."
Mirai heard Taro chuckle at her words. Kasumi lightened at that and smiled at Mirai.
"Thank you." Kasumi said quietly before stepping out onto the patio and sitting down in one of the chairs to watch her son being a little kid.
Mirai was surprised at Kasumi's words, but smiled at her anyway. She went back inside when she heard the doorbell ring again. She opened the door and saw her good friends Shima, Kaito, and their son Gai at the door.
"Shima, Kaito, it's so good to see you." Mirai smiled warmly at them. "Wow, Gai's gotten so much bigger than the last time I saw him."
"I know," Shima said chuckling. "It's been a few months and he's growing so fast lately."
"I know what you mean." Mirai chuckled and stepped aside for them to enter the house. "Sakumo's out back getting beat but two little boys."
Kaito laughed at that and walked to the backyard leaving his wife and son with Mirai.
"It's so good to see you again. You're away on missions most of the time now." Shima said adjusting baby Gai in her arms.
"I know," Mirai sighed. "It's hard being away. I would love to send all my time her in the village with Kakashi, but we need the money."
"Gai's getting fussy; I'm going to go outside. I'm sure he'll be interested in the boys." Shima chuckled and carried her son to the backyard.
Just as Mirai was going to make her way to the back yard, she heard a knock on the door. She opened the door and didn't see anyone; she looked down and saw two brown-haired boys. The taller one was holding the toddler's hand.
"Hello, boys." Mirai smiled as she bent down to their level.
"Hello, Mirai-san. May we come in?" The older boy asked.
"Of course Hiro-san, and you too, Asuma-san." Mirai chuckled to herself at the boy's formality.
Hiro pulled his little brother with him into the house. Asuma looked like he didn't want to be here right now, but Mirai figured he'd change his mind when he saw they other boys playing in the back yard.
"Hiro, are your parents coming?" Mirai asked.
"Tousan said he was going to come by later after he's done with meetings and stuff." Hiro nodded. "I don't know if Kaasan is coming, though."
"Yeah, Kaachan said she feels icky." Asuma said making a face.
"Okay," Mirai smiled hoping everything was all right. "Everyone is in the back yard, if you boys want to go play."
Hiro smiled and bowed before pulling his little brother from the room and walked to the kitchen where Mirai pointed. As she watched the two boys run outside, she shook her head. She knew Hiro was a genin now, but she still thought it was funny when he tried to act like a grown up; he was only seven.
"Well, that's everyone, excluding the hokage and his wife." Mirai said to herself.
She walked back to the kitchen to get some more food for the party. She saw the cake for Kakashi sitting on the bottom shelf and wondered how he would react to the candles. She carried a few trays of food outside and placed them on the long table.
Kakashi was now playing with Asuma and Genma. Sakumo had bought Kakashi a giant blow-up beach ball for his birthday; now all Kakashi wanted to do was play with it. Mirai could tell her son was happy to play with others; she was surprised to see that he was sharing…better than Genma at least. Genma would take the ball and run away with it, getting a kick out of the two younger boys chasing him for it.
Mirai laughed quietly watching how frustrated her son was getting. She heard the doorbell ring and wondered who else could be here. She went back inside and noticed Sakumo was watching her. She opened the door and saw someone she hadn't seen in the village in quite a while.
"Jiraiya!" Mirai exclaimed seeing the white-haired shinobi.
"Hello, Mirai-san!" Jiraiya greeted. "I heard from Sarutobi-sensei that your son was turning one today. I thought I'd stop by."
Mirai smiled at him, "Sakumo's out back with Kaito."
"Sure," Jiraiya said walking past her and toward the back door. "From what I hear, your little Kakashi looks like a carbon copy of Sakumo."
Mirai laughed, "You'll just have to see for yourself."
She followed Jiraiya to the back yard and saw how a few of the guests stopped to stare at the man; apparently they didn't know that she and Sakumo were on good terms with at least one of the sannin.
"Jiraiya, it's good to see you!" Sakumo called from his place on the ground where he was playing with Kakashi and Asuma.
Jiraiya walked toward him and helped him up before patting him on the back.
"It's good to see you, too." Jiraiya said back. "So, your little boy is one today."
"Sure is," Sakumo smiled. "Kakashi, come here for a moment."
Kakashi got up from the ground and shuffled over to his tousan. Sakumo picked him up and pointed to Jiraiya.
"This is Jiraiya, Kakashi." Sakumo told him.
Kakashi shyly cuddled into Sakumo's shoulder.
"Don't worry, he's not scary." Sakumo said to Kakashi.
Kakashi definitely looked uncomfortable. Mirai came over and took Kakashi from her husband.
"Kaasan?" Kakashi whispered to her.
"What, sweetie?" Mirai asked him.
"Who that?" Kakashi whispered pointing to Jiraiya. Sakumo rolled his eyes.
Mirai smiled, "That's Jiraiya. Can you say hi?"
"Hi." Kakashi said quietly as he waved to the white-haired man.
"Give him to me, Mirai-san." Jiraiya smiled reaching for Kakashi.
She handed him her son and noticed how Kakashi tensed up.
"It's all right, Kakashi." She said softly.
"Hey, there," Jiraiya began. "Are you going to be a ninja just like your tousan and kaasan?"
Kakashi nodded and looked between Sakumo and Mirai.
"Tousan is teaching me to hide." Kakashi said quietly to Jiraiya.
"Is he really?" Jiraiya smirked. "Are you good at hiding?"
"You have no idea." Mirai groaned giving her husband a look.
Sakumo chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. He cleared his throat and turned back to Jiraiya and his son.
"You wanna play?" Kakashi asked Jiraiya.
All three adults were surprised at Kakashi's question. Jiraiya looked unsurely at Sakumo. Sakumo shrugged, not knowing what to tell his friend.
"Uh…okay, but only for a little bit." Jiraiya said putting Kakashi on the ground.
Immediately Kakashi ran to get his beach ball. He ran back, a little wobbly, with the big ball in his arms. Kakashi dropped the ball at Jiraiya's feet and smiled up at him. Jiraiya didn't do anything right away and Kakashi pouted.
"Hey!" Kakashi shouted getting Jiraiya's attention.
"What kid?" Jiraiya asked.
"Play with me." Kakashi commanded.
"All right, All right." Jiraiya said before kicking the ball.
The ball flew across the yard and Kakashi just watched it go with wide eyes. As the ball went over the fence, the little boy's lip began to tremble. Sakumo stared at Jiraiya disapprovingly.
"T-tousan!" Kakashi cried. "Ball!"
Sakumo sighed and disappeared using the body flicker technique. A few moments later, he was back with the ball. He knelt in front of his son who was whimpering into Mirai's shoulder.
"Hey, Kashi, it's okay. Here's your ball." Sakumo said softly to his son.
The little boy turned around and wiped his eyes. He smiled when he saw his ball. Sakumo ruffled Kakashi's hair and then stood up glaring at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, that's not how you play. He can't keep up like that. You have to roll it to him." Sakumo told the white-haired shinobi.
"Fine, Sakumo." Jiraiya sighed. "I'll play with you, Kakashi."
Kakashi just shook his head and picked up the ball as if to shield it from the tall man. Mirai chuckled and ruffled Kakashi's hair. Sakumo took the ball out of his hands and placed it in front of Jiraiya.
Jiraiya smirked and tapped the ball with his foot. The beach ball bounced and rolled toward the little boy who tried to grab it. Instead the ball bounced up and hit Kakashi in the face. Kakashi laughed and threw the ball back to Jiraiya. This cycle continued for ten more minutes before Mirai grabbed the little boy to make him eat something.
After eating, Sakumo mentioned to his wife that Kakashi should open his presents. Mirai agreed and sat Kakashi in a small chair before placing a few presents in front of him. Mirai and Sakumo took turns helping kakashi open the presents. It seemed the little boy didn't quite understand what was going on; he would get so excited over the present he was opening that he wouldn't be interested in opening the other ones. After half an hour of opening presents, Kakashi ran off with his new friends to play with his new toys.
Mirai sat in one of the chairs next to Shima and Kasumi. She was tired, but happy that her son was having fun. She heard a knock on the wooden gate to the back yard. She looked up and saw Hiro running toward it.
"Tousan!" She heard the boy yell.
"Hello, Hiro, are you having fun?" The hokage asked his son.
Hiro nodded and hugged his father before running off to play with the other boys again.
"Hokage-sama," Mirai said beginning to get out of her chair.
"No, no, don't get up, Mirai-san." The hokage made his way to the three women. "You've had a long day, I'm sure. And I must say, thank you for keeping an eye on my sons."
"It's no problem," Mirai smiled. "They're having too much fun to get in trouble."
"Mirai-kun," Shima said.
"What is it, Shima?" Mirai asked turning to her friend.
"It's getting late; I need to get Gai home." She said.
"Oh, of course!" Mirai said standing up.
"It was so good to see you." Shima said handing her son to Kaito. She hugged Mirai and smiled. "Thank you for inviting us."
"You know you're always welcome." Mirai smiled at her friend. "Kakashi, come here for a moment."
Kakashi ran over to his mother and looked up at her.
"What?" He asked confused.
"Your guests are leaving. You need to say good bye." Mirai told him.
"Bye." Kakashi said and hugged Shima's leg.
Shima laughed and knelt down. She hugged the little silver-haired boy.
"Happy birthday, Kakashi." Shima and Kaito said together.
Kakashi stepped back to his mother's side and watched them leave. A few minutes later, Kasumi announced that she needed to take Genma home, too. So, once again, Kakashi had to say good bye to another family. Genma cried when he had to leave. Mirai, trying to diffuse the situation, told Kasumi that Genma was welcome any time to play with Kakashi.
Kakashi was playing with Hiro and Asuma as Mirai and the hokage looked on. Sakumo and Jiraiya were sitting on the other side of the table having an animate discussion.
"Mirai-san, how do you feel now that you have a one year old?" The hokage asked.
"I feel wonderful; I love my son very much." Mirai said.
"Is there something else?" Sarutobi asked concerned.
"I just worry that I don't have enough time with him. At any moment on a mission, it may be the end. I don't like to think about it, but when I lay awake at night, I wonder, what if…" Mirai said watching her son. Tears were forming in her eyes.
The hokage placed his hand on Mirai's arm and smiled.
"You are strong," he started. "And your son will learn that from you."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Mirai said looking at the man.
Soon, the sun had retreated below the horizon and stars replaced the clouds. Sarutobi stood and called his sons to him.
"Hiro, Asuma, it's time to go." He said.
"Aww!" Asuma whined.
Sarutobi chuckled as his sons dragged their feet toward him.
"I do have a question." Mirai said suddenly.
"Yes?" The hokage asked looking at the woman.
"Is your wife all right? Asuma said something about her being sick."
"Ah, she'll be fine. It's just a bad head cold. It's nothing to worry about."
"That's good." Mirai smiled feeling relieved. "Thank you for coming today, and for allowing Asuma and Hiro to come. I know Kakashi enjoyed the company."
"Of course, Mirai-san. Kakashi is a joy to be around. He'll make a fine ninja when he comes of age." Sarutobi smiled.
"Of course he will; he's my son!" Sakumo said proudly standing to say good bye to the hokage.
Sarutobi chuckled and shook Sakumo's hand before speaking.
"You've been hanging around with Jiraiya too often, Sakumo. His vain attitude is rubbing off on you." The hokage laughed at his ex-student's expression.
"Sensei, that's not fair." Jiraiya complained. He got over it quickly, though. "Sakumo, I have to get going. It was good to see you and Mirai again."
Kakashi trotted over, not understanding what was going on. He pulled on his father's pant leg until Sakumo looked down at him.
"Tousan?" Kakashi asked. "What happen?"
"Everyone is going home now. Can you say good bye?" Sakumo told his son as his lifted him into his arms.
"Bye bye." Kakashi said softly yawning.
"Happy birthday, Kakashi." Sarutobi told the little boy.
The hokage left, Hiro walking next to him and Asuma falling asleep in his arms. Jiraiya said good bye to Mirai and Sakumo and patted Kakashi's head.
Sakumo took Kakashi inside to get him ready for bed. Meanwhile, Mirai cleaned up the back yard and the kitchen before making her way up to Kakashi's room to say good night. She was exhausted, but happy that Kakashi enjoyed the other boys' company. She entered his bedroom and saw Sakumo placing their son in his crib.
"Good night, Kakashi." Sakumo said softly. "I love you."
Mirai walked to her husband and leaned against him watching her son drift off the sleep.
"Happy birthday, sweetie." Mirai said before leaning into the crib and kissing Kakashi's forehead. "I love you, Kakashi."
Sakumo pulled Mirai into his chest and kissed the top of her head.
"I think it's time for bed." Sakumo chuckled.
"Yes." Mirai moaned against his chest.
They left the room and went to bed, relieved that their son was growing up in a peaceful village.