The dreaded morning light gleamed into the room, waking Kakashi from another restless night. Although the sun hurt his eyes, he was thrilled that the night was done. When Mariko was away at a mission, Kakashi would find it almost impossible to sleep. It was like he needed her no matter where he was or long she was going to be gone, Kakashi's mind would not let him sleep. Too many dark thoughts of what could happen raced through his head. Getting out of bed, he slipped on a black shirt and black jeans, and headed across the hall to the boys' room where Rikko was already awake and giggling at the trains and boats carved into his crib.

"Happy birthday little buddy." Kakashi said, picking up Rikko. "Morning Nicholas."

"Hi dad." Nicholas yawned, stretching. Sitting up, he held the blanket over his mouth, like he was wearing a mask like Kakashi. Kakashi wasn't really thrilled to have his two sons share a room, he knew they couldn't afford it. Shockingly, Nicholas didn't mind it just as long as he had his crayons and color books, he was happy to be anywhere. Even if that meant he would have to sleep on a mattress in a room half full of infant toys. And Kakashi couldn't been more proud of him."Why do we always have to be up so early?"

"You like to play right?"

"Yeah, but I also like sleeping."

"Well that's what you get for staying up so late."

"But I was reading." Nicholas argued, holding up a thin book Kakashi had when he was young.

"Rules still apply son." Kakashi said, pulling the blanket away from Nicholas's face. " Now go get Mika up, I'm going to need both of you to help today."

"Because it's Rikko's birthday?"

"You got it."

"Please tell me you're not going to dress him in that stupid tux."Nicholas asked, getting up and started getting dressed. "Mom wants him to wear it, I think it's distasteful."

"You don't even know what that word means." Kakashi smirked, feeling that Nicholas probably did know what that word meant. "Anyway, since I'm planning it, he's going to wear something else. In fact, I'll let him pick it out."

"You let him dress himself?" Twila asked, holding Rikko in her arms.

"What? Don't you like it?" Kakashi asked, even though he had Rikko pick out his own clothes, he slightly regretted letting a one year old pick out his own clothes. All Kakashi had to do was hold out the first piece of clothing he found, hold it in front of Rikko, and he would choose it. Eventually, he was dressed in a bright yellow shirt with a deep red jacket and white overalls and mismatched socks.

"Well, I guess mommy's going to just live with it." Twila giggled, hugging Rikko. "But maybe you could wear it to the wedding. Too bad you're too young to carry the rings."

"And that's why you asked me, right?" Nicholas asked, sitting on Gai who was pretending to be out cold after a wrestle match the two had.

"You bet, Nicky."

"Have you heard from her yet?" Kakashi asked with hope in his voice. He had hoped that Mariko would have been home by the time the party started, nearly all day he had been watching the window, expecting her to be walking up the street. Only to be met with disappointment when the guests started showing up.

"Not all missions go according to plan, Kakashi." Twila answered, patting Kakashi's arm comfortingly. " A member, not Mariko, probably got injured or something. Now don't take things too seriously here, you know Mariko, she's capable of taking care of herself. "

"I'm her husband, it's my job to look out for her." Then Kakashi looked to the door after hearing a few loud knocks. "Nicholas, could you get the door? It's probably your grandparents."

Nicholas nodded, jumped off of Gai and started running to the door.

"I'm her sister, that was my job. You know when we were growing up, I always looked out for her. But now she has you, so I guess it is your job to look out for her. But don't forget about the rest, such as this pretty little boy."

"Pretty? Aunt Twila, he's a boy, he's handsome." Mika asked, pointing out the usual kid stereotypical pet peeve.

"Yeah, you're the beautiful one, being pretty doesn't even begin." Kakashi said, picking up Mika as she giggled. Kakashi understood the phrase 'daddy's little girl', when she was born. Not only was she the first child he and Mariko had, she was his only daughter and he is slightly more protective of her then he was for Rin. "By they way, shouldn't we tell aunt Twila how you helped dad?"

"I made Rikko breakfast!" She announced with pride.

"Well, she helped me make breakfast. But she was a big help."

"You've just been spoiled all day, haven't you?"

"For a big guy like this, he deserves to be spoiled." Gai commented, rubbing Rikko's hair. "And speaking of being spoiled, how about some birthday treats?"

Mika struggled out of Kakashi's arms until he placed her on the ground, since she was in a thin dress, Kakashi didn't want to risk a rip. Rikko was just as excited as his sister.

"Dad, the Black Op's are here."