Life was good and life was simple.

Kakashi pulled off his hat, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his bandana. The sun was high in the sky, baring down on the land below even though it was only the beginning of summer. He should probably take a break for some water.

The white-haired man made his way over to the shade of a large oak tree where Sparrow grazed. His steed lazily glanced his way as he reached for his canteen. "Its gonna be a hot one today," he took a swig as he leaned against the saddle, "it would be nice if we could finish repairing all of the fence today. Then we could take tomorrow off and spend the day at the river, Obito would love that."

He hummed to himself as he drank some more water before clipping it back on his saddle bag. There was a lot more fencing to check, but a day at the river sounded wonderful and was good motivation to power through the work.

Kakashi walked over to the fence and leaned against the boards. Looking out over the field he could see a few cattle grazing and resting in the shade. It had taken a long time, but once they had fenced in their property, Kakashi had invested in cattle and become a rancher.

To Obito's delight, a friend had suggested a dog to help move the cattle from field to field. So, Dancer the collie was added to the family. Even though he worked diligently by Kakashi's side, when not at work, you could always find him glued to Obito. The older man didn't mind, it was comforting knowing his partner was being protected when he wasn't around. It was quiet a sight, watching the collie gently guide the sometimes unstable man around their home. And when he drifted off to sleep on the couch, Dancer would nuzzle his head against his large belly, showing pure affection to their unborn child.

Kakashi smiled at the memories, his eyes drifting closed as a breeze blew across the pasture. A few months after Dancer had come to live with them, the white-haired man bought his first horse. It was a gift for his lover, another young stallion whom was soon named Witcher. He had a deep drown coat, with a dark reddish brown mane and tail, and a single white diamond between his eyes.

Horses were herd animals and Obito often commented that Sparrow looked lonely sometimes. So, when Witcher joined, the two steeds quickly became friends, happily bounding around the field together and never found far apart. They had become one large family in such a short time, and all so eager to welcome another very soon.

The young rancher gave a sigh, he needed to get back to work. He walked down the line a bit more to another hole he had seen earlier. With wire and tools in hand, he began to close the gap in the fence.

His mind began to wonder as he worked. He didn't like leaving Obito home alone, but he couldn't travel with him anymore nor leave his work unattended. A calf could get stuck in the fence or a predator could slip through, he had no choice.

Obito had assured him that he would be fine. There was still several weeks before his due date and by then he could hire an extra farm-hand to cover his work. At least he found a bit of comfort in knowing Dancer was with him.

He slipped his tools back in his saddle bag. They would have to move on, for the fencing on this side of the pasture was done.

Sparrow suddenly jerked his head up, his ears perked as if listening to something off in the distance.

Kakashi turned, trying to catch what the other was picking up. It kind of sounded like barking and was quickly growing louder.

Before he could prepare himself in case it wasn't friendly, a familiar collie leapt over a fallen tree and into his view.

"Dancer?" Said pup slammed into him at full speed, nearly knocking him down, "whoa there boy, what's gotten into you?"

The golden dog continued his fuse as he ran laps around the two, causing Sparrow to snort and paw at the ground with tension.

Kakashi tired to calm his steed, taking tight hold of the reins. He yelped when the collie snagged his shirt, roughly pulling him backwards.

"Okay, okay, I got it! I'm coming!" He managed to get Dancer to let go and quickly hopped atop the saddle, encouraging the canine to lead the way. Without hesitation the pup speed off in the direction he had come, leaving Kakahsi and his stallion to catch up.

It may seen odd to some, but Kakashi had learned quick not to question when man's best-friend demanded his attention. How great the bond between man and dog was shown to him the day Dancer half-dragged him to a drowning calf. Form then on, he'd follow the collie to unseen trouble with complete trust.

Today was no different as they sped across the rolling fields. A voice lingered in his head though, wondering why Dancer had left Obito's side. His worrying only increased as they steered away from the pastures.

"Wha-" his breath caught in his throat, "no... oh gawd, NOOOO!" He could barely hear himself screaming as his steed galloped as fast as his lungs would allow.

This wasn't happening, smoke was not rising in the distance of where his home laid! No, everything was fine, Obito was not in danger... oh, Obito!

Trees flew past as they entered the woods leading to their house. He could smell the fire, making it all more the reality.

They were out as fast as the were in, skidding across the courtyard, coming to an abrupt stop as Sparrow reared in fright at the flames.

It was actually the barn on fire, the house was safe for the time being. Kakashi leapt off his horse, he still needed to act fast, Witcher was still inside.

However, a screech caught his attention. It was Witcher free from the barn, but how? The young rancher quickly grabbed the halter rope of the frightened stallion, pulling him to safely with the other.

The large bell by the house began to loudly ring out and he turned to find Dancer pulling the rope, calling to anyone nearby. But in the mean time, he needed to keep the flames at bay and away from the house.

Kakashi rushed over to grab a hose when something caught his eye. He froze, it was a blue shawl... it was Obito's. The young man had given it to his lover not long after the pregnancy announcement, and he adored it so very much that he almost always wore it around the house.

But it was here, outside... leading to the barn.

"Obito?!"

He rushed to the crumbling barn, burning his hands as he pulled boards out of his way.

"Obitooo?!"

Tears nearly blocked his vision, even as they evaporated from the heat surrounding him from all sides.

"Obit- oh gawd," he found him, "hang on baby, I'm coming!"

Kakashi scrambled forward over broken beams to his partner's side. He laid crumbled on the stall floor, a large slab of wood laid across his legs, trapping him in the burning building. The older man immediately went to the beam, pulling with all his might to get it off the other.

"K- Kakashi?" His voice was hoarse and he whimpered with pain.

"Everything is going to be okay, I'm gonna get you out of here," though every word trembled with fear as he continued to struggle with the unmovable weight in his hands.

"No... leave m-"

"I'M NOT LEAVING YOU OR THE BABY!" Kakashi coughed the smoke was growing thicker around them. His hands were bleeding now, but he continued to move timber and planks away from his lover, trying anything to make it easier to move the beam.

Obito let out a painful cry, freezing Kakashi in his tracks, before he rushed to his side again.

"Kakashi-" his breaths became quick and ragged, "oh fuc- ahhh-" he gripped tightly at the straw floor, searching for something to hold on to, "m- my water broke!"

"What?!"

"The baby's coming!"

He had to get them out, now! Kakashi panicked and scrambled back over to the beam. He just couldn't do it, it was too heavy! The sound of part of the barn collapsing drowned out Obito's screams, as he pulled as hard as he could. He couldn't let them die here! He couldn't let their child's life end before it even began!