Kakashi was walking down a more desolate street of the Leaf village, there were seldom any other people walking this road with the exception of one or two passerbys.
Kakashi needed to take the more quiet route today because he prefers the quieter routes compared to the Leaf's busier route with its standard hustle and bustle, but also the child that was walking with Kakashi shared the same sentiments.
"How are you holding up?"
Kakashi asked the young boy.
The boy gripped Kakashi's hand tighter as he continued to walk with the older man.
Kakashi sighed
It's been a challenging few months ever since Kakashi and Anko both decided to adopt this child. Given what he has been through during his time in roots he has a lot of mental and emotional scars that will take a long time to heal but little by little the boy has become a bit more relaxed around his adopted parents and their friends but today was the big test for the boy.
"I just hope you're ready"
Kakashi said as he continued to walk until he made it to the Hokage Mansion.
The young man looked down to the child that tightly held his hand.
"It's okay, my sensei is a good man... although he's a bit eccentric."
Kakashi knocked on the door.
"Coming!"
Minato shouted from the other side of the door.
"Take your time Sensei."
A few moments later Minato opened the door struggling to keep Naruto in his arms, the man had various stains on his shirt, his hair was frazzled and he looked a little tired but overall he was smiling.
"Good morning Kakashi, my darling student."
Minato said oddly energetically.
"Morning Sensei...you look like a mess what happened?"
Kakashi asked the man, but Minato merely laughed.
Toddlerhood my good man it's a far cry from babyhood.
Minato exclaimed as he looked down at the child next to Kakashi, who was now clutching the jonin's leg.
"Speaking of toddlers, is this the kid from the report a few months back?"
"Yes it is. This is Sai, last name is unknown, and he has no birth records within our village records nor any other place within the land of fire."
Kakashi explained to Minato.
"He has nobody... that's a little troublesome, come inside we'll talk more with a cup of coffee."
Minato welcomed Kakashi inside.
When Kakashi and Sai stepped inside Kakashi looked at the scattered toys and other items strewn all around the floor.
"Naruto is really putting you through the wringer isn't he."
Kakashi asked the obviously tired father.
"I'm fine."
Minato said as he placed Naruto on the floor.
"Now how about that coffee."
Minato went to the kitchen and he got his coffee maker started.
Kakashi looked over to see Naruto started toddling up to him.
"Hey Naruto, you sure are getting big aren't you?"
Said the man.
"Kasi!"
Naruto gripped onto the man's pants leg.
Kakashi rubbed the boy's head.
Naruto giggled gleefully but he then turned his head to Sai, which caused the older toddler to hide away behind Kakashi.
"Sai it's okay, this is Naruto he's just about your age."
Kakashi then turned to Naruto.
"And Naruto this is Sai, he's my kid."
Kakashi placed Naruto in front of Sai.
"Hi!"
Naruto waved at Sai.
"H hi."
Sai said quietly.
Naruto walked away and he came back with a ball.
"Ah ah!"
Naruto said as he rolled the ball to Sai.
Sai looked up at Kakashi.
"I think he wants you to play with him."
Kakashi said to the boy.
"Naruto don't talk...Naruto dumb?"
Sai asked Kakashi.
Kakashi snorted as he held in his laugh.
"No Sai he's just a baby that's all, he can't do things the same way you do yet."
Kakashi explained to the toddler.
Naruto rolled the ball over to Sai.
"Ball ball!"
Naruto made grabby hands at the ball he rolled over to Sai.
Sai rolled the ball back over to Naruto and Naruto rolled it back over to Sai again.
"They look like they're having fun."
Minato walked back into the living room with two cups of coffee in his hands.
Kakashi looked over to Sai to the slightest smile on the boy's face.
"At least he's marginally happy."
Kakashi said.
Minato placed a coffee cup in front of Kakashi and he sat down and started sipping his own cup of coffee.
"So it's been a couple of months since you and Anko started caring for the kid. How have you two been handling it?"
Minato asked.
"Pretty good, Sai doesn't give Anko and I any problems, he's usually quiet and keeps to himself."
Kakashi looked over to the boy.
"Aren't kids his age supposed to be bouncing off the walls and running all over the place?"
Kakashi asked.
"Normally they do but not all...but Sai is unusually emotionless."
Minato said.
"As if he's numb right? I think with what happened with you know who and his... procedure worked on Sai.. except the kid has real bad night terrors."
Minato blinked
"Night terrors! Two year olds aren't supposed to be having those."
Kakashi sighed.
"You know who did more damage to the kids than anticipated, most of the other kids have been having nightmares, hallucinations, PTSD, and other mental issues after being rescued."
Kakashi looked over at Sai.
"Sai has a case of all of those, in the first week he was hallucinating about the kid that traded his life for Sai, he has very vivid nightmares and rather... violent night terror episodes."
Kakashi removed his glove to reveal what appears to be a healing bite wound on his hand.
"One night he was thrashing around in his bed and as soon as I touched him, he bit down on my hand."
Kakashi put his glove back on.
"The kid has been through a lot for someone who's only been alive for two years. That's why I'm hoping today will go smoothly."
Kakashi explained to Minato.
"You're gonna bring him to daycare today?"
Minato asked.
"Yes I volunteered today to keep an eye on him and Naruto, especially since Sasuke nor that Hyūga girl won't be there until after they leave their Academy graduation ceremony later today."
Kakashi said as he stood up.
"Right, the extra hands would be needed especially since...you know who is still at large... reading the reports you gave me makes me shudder to think...what if things went very differently...what if I also died that night and what if that masked man fully took over the Nine tails...and what if Danzo did have his way a couple years ago."
Minato sighed at the thought of what would have been.
"All the more reason to take down Danzo...and then we can start making headway into the Ninetails attack."
Kakashi stood up which caused Sai to immediately run to his adoptive parent's side.
"Anyways I'll go ahead and take these two to the daycare, you should probably get some rest..and a shower."
Kakashi picked up Naruto and grabbed his diaper bag.
"And remember to file today's paperwork."
Kakashi said as he left the house.
Minato blinked as he lifted up his arms and sniffed his armpits.
"Damn...I do need a shower."
[Outside]
Kakashi was outside pushing a stroller with Naruto in it while Sai walked beside his adoptive father.
"Well Sai you're gonna like this place...there will be kids your age there and you'll have your new friend Naruto there."
Kakashi said to the boy.
Sai looked over to Naruto, who was gnawing on his small fist.
"He baby Mr.Kashi...I not baby."
Sai chided in.
"Well not exactly, but he's the closest to your age."
Kakashi said to Sai as they continued to walk.
Sometime later Kakashi made it to the daycare and at the entrance was Ayame and Anko.
"Anko? What are you doing here?"
Kakashi asked.
"Well I was just...in the area."
Anko said as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her head.
"What she meant to say was that she didn't want to miss the first day of her little boy."
Ayame said but Anko was quick to try to stifle the words of the young woman.
"Hey hey, keep it down with that kind of talk, I kinda have a reputation to uphold."
Anko said quietly as she tried to play it cool.
"Now that I think about it, I think this is Naruto's first time being with kids near his age, he was always with the older kids like Sasuke but sadly they're all too old now... I'm a little worried we'd usually had Sasuke or Hinata look after Naruto to make sure he wouldn't get messed with."
Ayame said, a bit worried.
"That's why I'm here. I'm keeping an eye on Naruto and Sai. I feel Naruto may be fine but Sai is who I'm really worried about given his circumstances."
Kakashi sighed.
"It has to be done, the kid has to socialize a bit, the psychiatrist said it'll be good for him to start living some kind of normal life."
Anko went to Sai and she kneeled down to him.
"Okay kid, so today may be different but you'll have fun I promise."
"W what I do today Ms.Anko?"
Sai said his voice was tinged with a bit of uncertainty.
"Nothing bad, Kakashi and I promise."
Anko said to the boy, slightly reassuring him.
Kakashi and Anko nodded to each other.
"Alright let's do it, you two."
Ayame said as she guided everyone in.
"So he calls you guys Mr.Kakashi and Ms.Anko?"
Ayame asked the two shinobi.
"Yeah we insisted on being called Mom and Dad or even just Anko and Kakashi but no, he just prefers to add Mr. and Ms."
Anko explained to Ayame.
"He unusually advanced for a two year old. Most kids in the daycare can barely form cohesive sentences, at least at his age...but it just means he's extra smart."
Ayame said as she stopped at a door.
"Alright here we are, the toddler room."
Ayame opened the door to reveal a room filled with toddlers running all over the place, toys strewn out everywhere, and a couple of stressed out genin, one of which was chasing a currently naked toddler with a diaper in hand.
"Yep gotta love toddlers."
Ayame said.
Kakashi was getting ready to sneak off until Ayame grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
"It's too late Kakashi you already volunteered."
Ayame said as she was dragging the man into the room.
"Okay kid don't pay attention to Kakashi he's here to help you feel welcomed."
Anko said to the boy assuring him.
"Otay Ms.Anko."
Sai said as he went to Kakashi's side.
"He'll be alright Anko, I promise especially with Kakashi here."
Ayame reassured Anko.
"I know he will."
Anko waved goodbye as she left the daycare.
Sai continued to look at the door as the safety gate was latched on meaning he couldn't leave now if he even wanted to...just like when he was in the confines of the dark place where the other children were.
Images started flashing through Sai's head flashes of a jail cell and him.
The toddler's heart started racing as his breathing started becoming a bit labored.
Naruto somehow sensed something was wrong with Sai as the baby turned to his new friend and noticed he was paler than he was earlier.
"Kasi Kasi."
Naruto patted Kakashi's arm getting the man's attention.
When Kakashi looked down at Naruto he noticed the boy was looking at Sai, whom of which was getting ready to break out into one of his episodes.
"Oh no."
Kakashi kneeled down in front of the boy and placed his hand on Sai's shoulder and started gently shaking the boy.
"Sai it's okay you're not there anymore."
Kakashi said as he snapped his fingers.
The sound of the snap was enough to bring Sai back as he started breathing heavily.
"You okay Sai?"
Kakashi asked the obviously distressed boy.
"I okay Mr.Kashi...I go draw now?"
Sai asked.
"Yeah go ahead I think they have a coloring area over there at that table."
Kakashi pointed to a table with blank sheets of paper and various markers and crayons.
Sai sat at the table and he began drawing quietly.
While the boy was drawing Naruto started making his way over to the quiet child and he used the table to pick himself up.
Sai looked over to the bright haired child that was now holding onto him for balance.
"Go play with other kids. I dangerous...bad man say that."
Sai said as he went back to his drawing.
Naruto not knowing what Sai said at all disregarded the toddler's words all he knew was that he wanted to be with his new friend.
"Naruto not scared of me..you stay then if you want."
Sai said as he made room for Naruto in his chair.
Naruto climbed up onto the chair and looked at the various oddly well drawn pictures Sai drew, he wanted to draw too so Naruto took a crayon and he started drawing on a blank sheet of paper.
So Sai and Naruto started drawing together happily, Sai even smirked a little.
Kakashi felt happy that Sai was having fun and he has a friend. Kakashi hopes this can be a small part of the ever stretching road of recovery.
Sometime had passed and it was naptime all the kids were put down for a nap everyone except for Sai, he was tossing and turning in Kakashi's hold.
Kakashi sighed he hopes one day Sai can get past his trauma but it'll be a while before such a thing happens.
"One of these days kid we'll make Danzo pay for what he did...maybe it'll bring you some peace and maybe visit the grave of that one kid...Shin was his name."
Kakashi continued to whisper words to Sai, putting the boy at ease, unknowingly Kakashi started rocking the toddler gently.
"You're actually really good at this."
Ayame walked into the playroom with a sleeping Naruto.
Kakashi cleared his throat to get the attention off of him.
"I was just helping him sleep better, nothing more."
Kakashi sheepishly said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, it's a great thing that you're being a good father to Sai he needs that kind of love in his life... especially after Anko filled me in on Sai's... situation."
Ayame looked down at Naruto.
"Without Mr.Namikaze poor Naruto could have been in the same situation, who knows what life could have been if he was orphaned that night."
Ayame smiled.
"Well that's not anything we have to worry about."
"Yeah it's tough to be a ninja with kids, any day could turn a child into an orphan."
Kakashi lamented on the misfortune of ninja parents
"It's a hard life to live, I don't envy it one bit."
Ayame looked at her watch and noticed the time.
"It's time to wake the kids up from their naps, hopefully that second genin shift comes in."
Ayame said as she turned the lights back.
"Okay everyone time to wake up."
Ayame announced to all of the kids.
"Mmmm"
Sai slowly woke up.
"Hey Sai how was the nap?"
Kakashi asked the boy.
"I sleep good Mr.Kashi."
Sai answered as he started stretching.
"Well that's good to hear, are you ready for a snack?"
Sai nodded.
"In that case I'm about to get them ready now."
Kakashi placed Sai on the floor and grabbed a big box of cheese crackers.
"Everyone go to Mr.Kakashi for a snack."
Ayame instructed the kids.
The children lined up in front of Kakashi while each child was handed a cup filled with the cheese crackers.
{Knock Knock}
"That must be them, Kakashi could you hold Naruto while I go answer that."
Ayame handed Naruto to Kakashi while she left the playroom.
"Kasi!"
Naruto said with his mouth full.
"Ever the charmer you are Naruto."
Kakashi said to the boy as he continued to eat.
"Hey Naruto look who's here."
Ayame said.
Naruto turned to face where he heard his name be called and soon his face lit up with joy.
"Hey Naruto."
"Naruto, it's good to see you again."
Sasuke and Hinata stood at the doorway of the playroom, both of them now wearing their brand new Hidden Leaf headbands indicating their newly gained status as Leaf ninja.
"Sasa Mama!!!"
Naruto was wiggling in Kakashi's hold.
"Okay okay calm down Naruto."
Kakashi placed Naruto on the floor and the baby made an instant beeline to two of his favorite people.
Sasuke picked up the boy.
"It's been awhile since we saw you and you've got so big!"
Sasuke said to the baby.
Naruto then started reaching for Hinata.
"Mama mama!"
"Here Hinata, he wants you now."
Sasuke handed Naruto to Hinata.
"Mama hug."
Naruto said as he hugged the young Hyūga.
"Man look at them, they kinda look like your standard family don't they?"
Ayame asked the Jonin.
"Yeah, but to Naruto they have always been family to him before he even learned how to crawl."
Kakashi said.
("Family.")
Sai thought to himself, how come he never saw Mr.Kashi and Ms.Anko do this.
"So you two graduated from the academy now, how's it feel to be an official Leaf Ninja?"
Kakashi asked the two Genin.
"It's awesome!...I mean it's cool I guess, Itachi said he'll finally show me how to activate my Sharingan."
Sasuke said excitedly.
"Father said I should try it so I can learn how to defend myself and carry t the Hyūga name."
Hinata shyly answered.
"Both of those are good answers to have, but remember the path of a Shinobi is not an easy one."
Kakashi said to the two Genin.
"It'll be easy, nothing a Uchiha can't handle."
Sasuke exclaimed.
"You say that now but I'll guess I'll find out tomorrow."
Kakashi patted Sasuke's shoulders.
"Wha what do you mean you'll find out tomorrow?"
Sasuke asked?
"Didn't you know Sasuke? You and I along with someone else will be taught under Kakashi sensei."
Hinata said to the boy.
"What!?"
Sasuke shouted.
"S something wrong Sasuke."
Hinata stammered out.
Sasuke got close to Hinata
"Haven't you heard why Kakashi always ends up working alone, he sends every single team back to the academy no questions asked or anything."
Sasuke whispered.
"I i it shouldn't be that bad... right?"
"Famous last words Hinata."
Sasuke muttered
Hinata asked.
"Don't worry we'll all have a great time during our first training exercise tomorrow... that's if you can pass it."
Kakashi said in a sickly sweet tone.
"Kakashi stop scaring them! You two will do fine. Kakashi is just teasing you."
Ayame said comforting the two Genin.
Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sasa! Mama!"
Naruto started tugging on Hinata and Sasuke's shirt as he pointed to Sai.
"Is he your friend Naruto?"
Hinata asked as she put Naruto on the floor.
Naruto grabbed one of Hinata's and Sasuke's fingers and he led the preteens to Sai.
Sai quickly went behind Kakashi and hid behind him.
"Hold on you two, Sai is a... special kid so to speak you should probably approach him one at a time."
Kakashi said.
Sasuke started staring at the boy and unbeknownst to the young his Sharigan flickered in his eyes for a split second.
Sai went wide eyed.
"B bad man."
The boy muttered as his breathing became labored.
Kakashi picked up Sai and started patting the boy's back to comfort him.
"Is he okay?"
Sasuke asked.
"He's fine... he's just been through a lot...how about you two help Ayame with the other kids I got him covered."
Kakashi said as he sat at a desk.
"Alright if you say so come on Hinata."
Sasuke motioned for Hinata to follow him.
"Ah ah!"
Naruto reached out to Sai.
"It's Okay Naruto Sai will be okay."
Kakashi said to the blond baby.
Naruto whimpered worryingly.
Kakashi continued to comfort Sai.
("Sharingan? Why was he scared of that... something's weird going on here... I'll report it to Sensei tomorrow.")
Kakashi sighed heavily, it feels like with every moment there's more to the Danzo case everyday.