"I'm going to work." The sun isn't even peering over the horizon yet, but Toshiro is up and moving already. Kakashi grunts from the bed, silver hair a bird's nest and eyes peering bleary from a pile of blankets. Toshiro snickers and leans over the sleepy man, pressing a kiss to the scarred part of Kakashi's brow.
Kakashi brushes his fingers across Toshiro's wrist, coming further into wakefulness. "How long is your shift?"
"Twelve hours." He sighs. "You got a mission?"
"D ranks." The Copy Nin sighs gustily. "With the little terrors."
Toshiro laughs softly, tying his hair up into the usual tight bun. "You love them, don't even try to lie."
Kakashi grunts again and pulls the covers up over his head.
Toshiro pats the misshapen lump that is his boyfriend before heading out. He creeps through the house silently, moving through the darkness with ease. The sound of birds chirping registers in his ears as he strolls out of the compound. From the slight muggy feel in the air, it's likely to be a hot day. Summer is just around the corner, and Toshiro has never been more glad for air conditioning.
Konoha heat will put anyone on their ass.
By the time he reaches the hospital, it's about 5AM and sunrise has turned the sky pink and orange. The graveyard staff greets him on his way in, and he waves to an exhausted looking Tsutomu-sensei. Her shift should be over in another two hours. He envies her, because he'll be here until 5PM and he's already dreading it. He doesn't hate working at the hospital — never. He loves it.
But the paperwork.
Who knew holding a position of power meant constantly sitting at a desk? It's been about two years and he's still unaccustomed to the change. Working on his feet just comes naturally to him. He can't stand not being on the floor for hours.
"Aikawa-sensei," A voice calls, stopping him when he's halfway to his office. It's Kabuto, the light glinting of his glasses and a disarming smile on his face. "Long shift ahead of you?"
"Yeah, you?"
The younger teen shakes his head, "I'm actually just finishing up."
"Don't overwork yourself," Toshiro says, frowning lightly. "You're still young. You shouldn't be spending so much time here."
"Oh, no!" Kabuto laughs, "I rather enjoy my time here, it's great experience for the future. Besides, you've inspired me a lot. I heard you were already running the Trauma Department at fifteen."
Toshiro chuckles awkwardly, "Different times back then, I suppose. The point of all this change is to let kids be kids a little longer. You shouldn't be in such a hurry to grow up."
Kabuto tilts his head, "I'll keep that in mind."
What an odd kid, Toshiro thinks. Then again, most shinobi are. Kabuto has been working at the hospital for awhile now, but Toshiro still doesn't know much about him. The boy is an orphan, and a few years older than Chiasa. He has an analytical mind and is quick to smile — sometimes he reminds Toshiro of himself. Except there's always something… eerie about the boy. It's weird. Toshiro feels a little bad about judging Kabuto based on a feeling — then again, Shinobi. Trusting your instincts will save your life.
(Not that he thinks his life is in danger here.)
They say their goodbyes and Toshiro continues on to his office. It's been victim to multiple interior design changes since he first got it two years ago — most noticeably? His plant collection...
Has grown.
There's a big pot shoved in the corner, bamboo sprouting tall enough to brush the ceiling. His mint, spider and cactus plants are joined by three different bonsais and a very cute pot of pink lilies. He's starting to run out of space. (And no, he won't get rid of any of his plants to make room.) What else is he supposed to stare at while he's trudging through all his boring paperwork? White walls? He'll literally go insane!
The first order of business is crafting the correct paperwork to submit to Itachi regarding Project Test Tube Baby. Orochimaru is still a piece of shit, but his work is revolutionary, and Toshiro has enough spite to use the man's work for good. There are a lot of people out there who can't conceive, or who are in a same sex relationship and unable to have children. Using Orochimaru's work to make other people happy when it didn't work to make Orochimaru happy was like a slap to the face. And damn, did Toshiro really want to slap that snake bastard in the face.
Some degree of testing has to be done to see if Toshiro really can replicate it — and he doesn't even have to dissect literally children to do so.
What this will also do is create an incredible argument in support of the LGBT+ community. The biggest issue that Clans have is that they need children to continue their bloodlines, or more specifically, heirs. It forced gay clan members into loveless, twisted marriages all in the hopes of promoting a strong bloodline. For whatever reason, the Main Line's in a clan are treated like royalty and expected to continue no matter the cost. Even if that cost is unhappiness and pain. If Toshiro can push this through….
Clan Elders and Council Members will have no reason to forbid same-sex marriages. (Unless they continue pushing for power-play arranged marriages. Which is infinitely more troublesome, as the Nara would say.)
He pens the final line in his rough draft. It's already five pages long, and he might have gotten a little bit carried away in his excitement. There's definitely a good chunk of rambling about the project that he can scratch out — this is just for approval, after all. The rest can be discussed in person, once Itachi does approve it.
Because there's no doubt in his mind that Itachi will.
Toshiro smiles to himself and wipes a bead of sweat from his nose. When his hand comes away, he notices that it's ink-stained and he curses.
He spends the next five minutes removing ink blotches from his face.
Kakashi brings his team around for lunch some days. Toshiro supposes it's harder to lose kids that already know where you live (and already frequent that very place) and Kakashi seems resigned to being followed around by three duckling genin. Kakashi and Shikamaru play shogi on the engawa while Toshiro has Sakura practicing the mystical palm technique. Naruto spends his time blowing through his seal work with an ease that surprises even Kakashi, who's one of the few remaining to have closely interacted with an Uzumaki's fuuinjutsu before. Asuhi's calligraphy is still slightly better, but Naruto's talent for new and innovative seals remains unparalleled.
Team 7 is being trained for three specializations — which seems like a lot, but it's not when you consider what they are. High-Operation Tactics, Sabotage, and Subterfuge. The three go hand in hand, or fall together closely enough that it only makes sense to lump them under the same team.
What most don't realize is that genin are slotted into positions young, their paths chosen based on their best skills. Itachi is building the future with the current genin teams, and Team 7 is designed to take over. The three genin are set to easily fit into positions of power once they hit the sufficient rank. Shikamaru is definitely expected to succeed his father as both Jounin Commander and Tactician — Toshiro's proclaimed little brother would make a good Hokage, but he has no motivation to rule over an entire village, nor does he strive for that kind of power.
Sakura, on the other hand, is someone Toshiro could see as either his future successor, or the next ANBU Commander, depending on which way she goes. Naruto, obviously, wants to be Hokage. He just might make it too, and if he doesn't he'll still end up as one the few coveted Seal Masters in the world and likely put in charge of the Fuuinjutsu Corps.
Team 10 under Kurenai is built for Capture and Interrogation, and according to Itachi they're also considered pre-ANBU. Loathe as the man is to put his own brother on such a squad, there is no denying it had been a good decision. Ino, Sasuke and Gin make a good team. Kurenai, especially, is good for Ino, training out the last of the Yamanaka's poor habits. Ino is spirited, but she's also prone to following civilian fads and focusing more on fashion than functionality. Sasuke helps in that department too, making sure to aim for all the bare skin Ino had shown upon revealing her brand new 'genin outfit'. She walked away from that fight with too many bruises and a scowl — but at least the girl has wisened up on what is and isn't appropriate shinobi attire.
The three of them seem to be attached at the hip, always wandering from one compound to the next, having sleepovers almost every night and barely eating meals without all three being present. It's very cute.
Today, the three of them are here at the Hatake Compound. Gin and Ino are practicing a duo move — or a trio move, with Tomoe involved — and Sasuke has wandered over to Toshiro and Sakura.
"I don't know much," he admits when Toshiro asks, "But Aniki can do it, and it's a good skill to have."
Toshiro glances at Sakura, who looks quickly back at her fish, pretending she hadn't been staring at Sasuke. "Well," he murmurs, "Why don't I teach you a few chakra control tricks, and you ask Kurenai about letting me teach you a bit of medical ninjutsu."
For all intents and purposes, when it concerns a genin's training the jounin-sensei has to know everything. That way no training errors are had, like overworking or chakra exhaustion. Sakura has it easy with Kakashi as her sensei. The silver-haired man had accepted without a single extra second of thought.
Sasuke frowns a little but doesn't complain, having outgrown his 'childish' nagging. He settles next to Sakura and she flushes a deep pink but continues working on her fish.
"You know the leaf trick, right?" Toshiro asks, plucking a few bright green leaves from one of the flowering bushes the Hatake's backyard boasts.
"Yeah," the boy nods. "That's a beginner's trick. We learned it in the Academy." Sasuke says it like it's an insult.
Toshiro huffs in amusement. "Well, consider this the next step." He places three of the leaves on his lower arm, bare due to the dark short-sleeve he's wearing. The leaves stick, then begin to spin in slow, lazy circles. After a moment they start to dance in a line, moving like a snake around the width of his freckled forearm.
Sasuke blinks at the sight, perking up. The frown fades from his lips. "How are you doing that?"
Toshiro passes the leaves to the young Uchiha. "You have the first part down, which is using a carefully controlled portion of your chakra to hold the leaf in place against your skin without letting it fall or shredding it. What I'm doing here is exerting even more control over that miniscule chakra and moving it."
"Like how you gather chakra to your lungs for a fireball jutsu!" Sasuke exclaims, pressing the leaves to the pale skin of his arm. "I can feel it moving then, so this is like that, right?"
"Yeah, except this is harder because it's so small. And there's more than one." Toshiro ruffles the boy's blue-black hair, laughing as the kid squirms away with flushed cheeks. "Start with one at a time, then work your way up. You can also ask Sakura if you need help."
Sakura squeaks and her fish flops wildly for a moment. Sasuke tosses her a look, but then eyes the heavy green chakra formed around her hands. His mouth sets into a determined line. Toshiro purses his lips and wonders if he's accidentally sparked a rivalry, one-sided as it might be. When he glances away, he catches sight of Gin turned in their direction.
Tomoe is slobbering over Ino's hands, distracting the girl for a second. Gin has his steel gray eyes on Sasuke, his brow furrowed in contemplation. Those eyes of his are much more expressive than Kakashi's, and there's two of them visible. Even with his little mask, his expressions are slightly easier to read. After a second, Gin flickers his gaze to Sakura.
"Interested in learning?"
Gin starts at Toshiro's call, and when Sakura looks up in curiosity, their eyes meet. The mousy-haired boy flushes awkwardly and quickly turns to look at Toshiro. "No. Maybe." He shrugs, "I mean, I'll probably try to pick some basic training for it, but I don't think it really suits me."
Toshiro shrugs, understanding. "It's not for everyone." And it really isn't. Sometimes it's a matter of skill, other times of interest. Medicine itself isn't something you went into half-assed. Gin and Ino resume their training, Tomoe barking at their heels. It looks more like they're just play-wrestling, the thought of a duo (trio?) move long forgotten.
Sasuke looks at Sakura's slight smile, then at Gin's flushed ears. The leaves slip from his arm.
Shisui strolls in the front door without knocking. This isn't completely unusual, because at this point in their lives they've become close enough to ignore quite a few social boundaries. As long as Kakashi doesn't mind, both Shisui and Hoshika have an open-door policy. (So does Itachi, but can you really turn away the Hokage?)
What's unusual is the expression on the man's face. He's staring into space, Kojika clinging to his front like a koala and dead asleep to the world. He has one arm hooked under her and another splayed across her back to stop her from tumbling to the ground. Her lavender hair spills over one shoulder, and her cheek is smushed into the puffy collar of Shisui's jounin vest. Rin trots at his heels, quiet on purpose and butting the back of Shisui's knees to wake him from his bleary-eyed state.
"What's the matter?" Toshiro whispers, feeling something soft and gooey in his chest at the sight of his friend carefully laying Kojika down on the couch. She clings briefly to his vest, and Shisui pulls her limbs from his body without waking her.
The Uchiha takes his time answering, which is odd. His usual energy is muted, the excitement replaced with a manic kind of gleam. He taps his fingers on his thigh, hovering over Kojika for a second.
"Shisui?"
The man starts, then blinks. "Oh. Uh. I just." He runs a hand through his wild curls, dark eyes darting from side to side. Toshiro doesn't know if the man is going to burst out of his skin or flee. "I'm pregnant."
Almost reflexively, Toshiro purses his lips. "You know, I'm not sure that's possible."
Shisui is in Toshiro's space within the next moment, eyes flashing and a wild grin on his mouth, "No, no, Hoshika's pregnant. We're pregnant. There's a baby Shi-Hoshi cookin' in her perfectly perfect uterus."
"What?" Toshiro gasps, the news hitting him slowly. He runs the words through his mind a few times. Pregnant. Hoshika's pregnant. "Oh my Sage, she's pregnant?"
They grasp at each other's arms and Shisui hops up and down, unable to contain himself. After a second, Shisui forgoes the awkward jumping and heaves Toshiro into the air.
"Whoa—" he exclaims softly, but laughs under his breath and balances his hands on Shisui's shoulders. "Shisui, I can't believe it!"
"Neither can I!" The Uchiha replies, dropping Toshiro back to the ground after twirling them around in circles. He swallows audibly, hands shaking against Toshiro's arms. "I'm gonna be a dad."
"When did you learn this? How far along is she? Have you told anyone else—"
"An hour ago. Nine weeks. No." Shisui answers rapidly, and there's sweat dotting his brow. "I'm gonna be a dad, Shiro-chan."
Toshiro takes his friends hands from his arms, squeezing them tightly. He grins, wide and far softer than the half-crazed expression on his best friend's face. "You're gonna be a dad!"
"I'm gonna be a dad!" Shisui repeats, and then they both laugh.
Completely forgetting about their sleeping audience.
"Sensei?" Kojika's sleepy voice interrupts, and they both cease laughing with wide, startled eyes. The two men glance at each other, then at the lavender-haired girl who squints at them in adorable confusion.
"Oh my Sage," Toshiro whispers, coming to a very sudden conclusion, "You need to get married immediately."
"Are you excited?" Toshiro asks, seated before Itachi in the Hokage's office. He's there on business, but of course he can't help but have a bit of friendly conversation beforehand. Especially when it concerns something like this.
Itachi folds his hands, a subtle smile gracing his lips. His long lashes flutter with every blink, an expression of joy seeping past his normally stoic exterior. "I am." He glances at Toshiro, "I've been named as godfather, you get the next child."
Toshiro laughs. He finds himself doing that a lot these days. "That's perfectly fine with me, I've got more than enough children to look after at the moment." And Godparent or not, he'll love any of his friend's children just the same.
"Their current issue lies with the response from the clans. I expect more unrest within the Uchiha than the Nara." The Hokage murmurs, "It seems we're due for a marriage soon, perhaps before the official announcement of pregnancy is made."
"There's no way the Nara don't already know." He comments, thinking of the Nara and their dark, intelligent eyes. A whole clan of people too smart for their own good. "And any woman who's given birth will clock her in an instant."
Itachi doesn't attempt to deny the claim, another smile twitching at his mouth. He sits back in his seat to signal the end of the conversation. "Let's not concern ourselves with issues they've created on their own."
Toshiro places the final draft of his proposal on Itachi's desk, knowing that the fact he gets a one-on-one meeting with the Hokage so easily is a blatant sign of preference. (And he doesn't feel bad about using that, not for this. It would be impossible to get such a thing past the Council, half of them were homophobic.)
"It's all here. Well, the proposal is — other details can be discussed after approval."
Itachi nods and skims over the report, flipping through the pages and documentation. His medical knowledge isn't as extensive as Toshiro's, but he knows enough to grasp the concept of some of the more complicated information. "This is using his data, isn't it."
"Yes."
The teen hums, eyes still flickering over the papers. A shadow passes over his face before something vicious settles there. "Good." Itachi shuts the folder. "I approve. Your budgeting expectation for the first testing phase can be covered easily. Keep me updated on the project. You have a team prepared?"
It's not unexpected, but Toshiro still feels a swell of relief. "Of course, and yes, I've selected a team. Uchiha Tetsuya, Nara Okushika and Matsushima Kanna are going to be the forerunners."
"Tetsuya is an interesting choice." Itachi comments.
Toshiro shrugs, "He's one of the best." The Uchiha is only seventeen, but still easily almost as skilled as Toshiro is now. The younger boy took to medical ninjutsu like a fish to water — in fact, he'd been specifically recommended by Yukimura-sensei, who runs most of the classes. Kabuto has two years on Tetsuya, but something keeps holding Toshiro back from letting the man into more serious medical projects. The easy normality doesn't match with the slimy feel of the man's chakra. It's almost overly sterile. Kabuto is brilliant — of course he is. He might even be better than Toshiro. Major serial killer vibes though.
"I'm glad to hear that." Itachi seals away the file in one of his desk drawers, gaze flickering to the setting sun outside.
Toshiro stands, tucking a stray ashy blond lock behind his ear. The cherry studs glint in the glare of the fading light. "Thanks for meeting with me at the last minute, Itachi. Don't work so hard. Seriously." He gives the young Hokage a look. "Sasuke will tell me no lies."
Itachi exhales sharply through his nose, amused. "I promise, sensei."
When he's halfway out the door, Toshiro turns back to point a threatening finger at Itachi, "And don't think I won't notice if you keep skimping on meals and snacking on dango. I will bribe your ANBU to watch your food intake."
Thinking about Shisui and Hoshika's inevitable wedding (to keep up appearances and clan relations, even if they would have gotten around to it eventually) makes Toshiro think about Itachi's situation. The Godaime Hokage, freed from his right as next in line for Uchiha Clan Head, had also managed to break the marriage contract with Uchiha Izumi. The young man had less than a two month window to argue his case — the time between Sasuke's graduation and Itachi's eighteenth birthday — and he'd managed to do it with Fuyumi's help within a week.
It had been a bit of a mess, Itachi privately confessed one night. Izumi-san had feelings for Itachi and seemed rather heartbroken, though accepting of her unrequited love. Less than two months before wedding bells threw off a lot of scheduling as well, but at least it's done. While Toshiro can't deny Fuyumi's prowess when it comes to politics and legal knowledge, he's pretty sure a lot of the grudging acceptance was due to the fact that Itachi is Hokage. And when it came down to it, no one could force him into a marriage. He'd also already brought honor to the Uchiha Clan with his status, and it was probably better to break off the potential heartbreak before it could fully occur. The Uchiha Clan took matters of the heart very seriously, though most would never expect this to be true.
Speaking of Fuyumi, Toshiro hasn't seen her for a while now. He wonders if she's still busy with that mutual friend Shisui spoke of. (He has a few guesses as to who it could be — top of the list being that Cat ANBU.) The reason she's helping, he doesn't know. But Fuyumi is the best, so it must be rather important.
Damn, he should have asked Itachi about her.
"I'm home!" He calls, closing the door behind him gently. A crowd of voices echo a reply, accompanied by the happy barking of at least four dogs.
Toshiro comes home to a mostly full house — Kojika is over at Chouji's, and Gin is staying with Sasuke again. In exchange, Chiasa's team is over for dinner and Team 7 is still hanging around. Hyuuga Atsuzumi is a serious boy with a stern expression who flinches far too often. He gets into spats with Chiasa on multiple occasions, and doesn't appreciate how easily the girl cuts him down and dissects his personality. A personality that is born from abuse and lack of power — because Atsuzumi is a branch member of the Hyuuga Clan. He wears the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead, hidden under his hitai-ate like it brings him shame.
It shouldn't. If anything, it should bring the Main Branch shame for ever daring to mark over half of their clansmen as lesser at birth.
The two still argue from time to time, but they aren't genin anymore and all three (four, including Saki) of them are still together. They move like a well oiled machine, so Toshiro knows none of their arguments are serious. Tsushika plays mediator most of the time, and is actually team leader — because the three of them applied to form a standard chuunin squad. Team Tsushika will continue to operate as a unit even after any future promotions.
Toshiro is pretty sure they plan on tackling ANBU, as they were set up to.
He's also not sure Branch Hyuuga are even allowed to be ANBU.
(We're working on it, is all Chiasa had said, a glint in her eye that reminded Toshiro of himself.)
Her hair's a little longer now. She's growing like a weed, too, reaching 5'6" with ease. That's already taller than Toshiro by an inch, and he can't even be mad about it. Tsushika hovers about three inches shorter, and Atsuzumi clocks in at a mere centimeter below Chiasa. The boy vehemently denies being shorter, however, which is amusing in itself to watch because Tsushika has a way of using a bland tone to tease that drives the boy crazy. Toshiro is almost convinced it's a genetic trait of the Nara — because Shikamaru is the same way.
Well, less with the teasing, more with just blunt comments. It's still the same dull, monotone voice though. Like he's not even interested in the very words he's speaking. (Until someone messes with his friends, then suddenly his voice is a knife.)
"What's for dinner?" Toshiro asks, stopping by Kakashi to messily smooch the man on the forehead, laughing when the kids make various noises of disgust. Chiasa and her team are in the kitchen, the cooks of the night. The table is already set with salmon, rice, miso soup and what looks like tofu. "Whoa, you guys really went all out."
"Atsuzumi chose the recipes." Chiasa says, placing the final set of utensils at the table. "That's why it's so traditional."
The Hyuuga clears his throat, a faint flush on his pale cheeks, "I find it perfectly acceptable."
"Kakashi-san will love it, I'm sure." Tsushika says without inflection, dropping heavily into her chosen seat. "Perfectly bland."
"There's nothing wrong with a traditional dinner," Toshiro manages to say, "Thank you for cooking." He doesn't even try to hide his amused look, glancing at Kakashi to see a complicated expression filtering across the triangle of the man's visible face.
Atsuzumi sniffs, "It was no strain, Hatake-sama. Thank you for having us over."
Kakashi coughs a little at the title, while Toshiro has already accepted the fact that half the village probably thinks his last name really is Hatake by now.
After dinner, they settle into the usual routine. Kakashi reluctantly faces Shikamaru in shogi, Sakura and Naruto hanging off their teammate's shoulders and trying to give advice. Haruki and Touma pester Chiasa and her team for missions stories while Takehiko and Asuhi scribble away with coloring books on the coffee table, Sai overseeing their progress like a vaguely proud teacher. Toshiro settles by Kakashi's side and whispers bad shogi advice into the man's ear, smiling when the children across from them giggle and laugh.
Naruto hooks his chin on Shikamaru's shoulder and the Nara lets him, a red flush painting his tan cheekbones. Sakura ends up dozing against the boy's side, drooling on Shikamaru's arm. Under the shogi board, Kakashi lets Toshiro hold his hand.
"It's only supposed to be two weeks." Kakashi reminds him, a pack slung over his shoulder. He's thirty minutes late to meet his team already. "Try not to miss me too much."
Toshiro rolls his eyes and kisses the man, standing on his tip-toes and wrapping his arms around the jounin's strong shoulders. Kakashi kisses back carefully, mindful of his teeth for once. When Toshiro pulls away he leans in to follow, always reluctant to stop. What an awkward, sappy man.
"Be safe," he says in return, pulling up Kakashi's mask for him and trailing his fingers over the bridge of the man's nose and across pretty cheekbones. "Don't let Sakura practice her medical ninjutsu without your supervision."
"Two weeks." Kakashi reminds, his voice grave. "They'll drive me crazy."
Toshiro rolls his eyes and shoves Kakashi out the door. "Seriously, get out of here you drama queen."
Chiasa appears by Toshiro's shoulder in the next moment, her footsteps soft but purposefully audible. "Good luck, nii-san."
"Maa, I'll need it." The man curves his eye to indicate a smile and leaves with a backward wave.
Chiasa blinks at the position of the sun in the sky, then turns to Toshiro with a grave expression. "He probably will."
Toshiro snorts, "You're right. One of these days, those kids really will kill him for being too late."
They turn back inside and Toshiro shuts the door. It's mid-morning and Haruki, Touma, Asuhi and Takehiko are in classes. Gin is with Ino and Sasuke, but Sai is still home. He hasn't been spending a lot of time with his team outside of the mandatory training and missions. It's a little worrisome, but not every team match-up is perfect. What's on paper doesn't always translate to reality — despite their potential, Sai and Kiba just don't get along. The Inuzuka has a temper and blows up over small slights, and Sai...is not tactful. Hinata is too soft to play mediator, her voice lost under the arguing boys. There's still hope, but Asuma has his work cut out for him.
"Sai, Kenshin." Toshiro sighs when he sees the boy drawing away with his ninken in the living room. The two in question glance up, Kenshin's ears flicking forward.
Sai blinks in unison with his ninken. "Yes?"
"Why don't you try picking your team members up before you're set to meet? Or try inviting them to dinner?" Anything. Honestly.
The pale boy frowns, dark brows pulling down slightly. "Do I have to?"
"No…but I'd like it if you did."
Sai doesn't look too happy, but he nods. "I'll see if they're willing to come over for dinner sometime this week. I don't expect to hear positive answers, or for anything to come of it."
"As long as you try." Toshiro ruffles the boy's hair. "It can't hurt, and they're going to be your team members for at least six months. Don't toss them aside just yet."
Sai looks down, brief conflict in his expression. "I see."
Toshiro glances back at Chiasa, who hovers awkwardly. He nods to Sai, and she blinks rapidly. Her eyes light up after a moment of thought and she nods at his silent request.
"Come, little brother." She says, holding out her hand.
Sai looks a little startled, but he carefully puts away his pencil and scroll before getting up. He takes her hand and Chiasa leads him outside, their two ninken right at their heels.
Seriously, Toshiro thinks, I love those dogs, but when are they going to act like the summons that they are? The amount of dog hair he has to clean up is ridiculous. Kakashi's dogs never stick around unless specifically summoned — as should the kids' dogs. I'm putting my foot down once they all start adding to their packs. There's already too many summoned dogs here and half the time everything reeks of wet dog.
He exhales into the still air.
He misses Kakashi already.