A/N: fluff attack!
"Do I have to go?" Kakashi grumbles, his arms crossed before his chest. A multi-coloured bruise peeks out from beneath his sleeve. His suspension is as good as an enforced holiday, one which Kakashi sorely needs, but he has been using it to train like a maniac. It does not help that Gai has taken it as a Most Youthful Personal Challenge to beat Kakashi at training. Not that Kakashi would stand for that— stubborn mule that he is. Sakumo can only shake his head with an exasperated smile whenever the two boys tear apart the training grounds.
Minato swivels in his chair to look out of the Hokage office's large windows, smiling wryly. A group of enterprising chuunin are stringing lanterns over the Hokage monument, moving dangerously close to where the sculptors have already started on Minato's likeness. Konoha's financial situation isn't particularly healthy but the Council managed to spare a small sum for some colourful decorations and subsidised alcohol. The latter will certainly be well received.
Plastered against the window, Rin has a gentle look on her face as she takes in the bustling streets. After that bout of emotional catharsis in the graveyard, her innate cheerfulness has come trickling back. Sakumo is confident that she will bounce back in no time. That is just how she is.
The older Hatake eyes the precarious piles of paperwork on Minato's desk warily as he perches on the table's edge. It seems that organising a party comes at a price too. "It's the end of war celebration, Kakashi," Minato chides, but here's an understanding light in his eyes when he turns back to regard the boy. His tone lilts teasingly. "Come on, give your new Hokage some moral support when he makes his first speech."
Kakashi rolls his eyes and stalks to the window, unknowingly coming to stand beside Rin. The med-nin turns to stare at his profile, her attention instantly drawn away from the festivities revving up below. Shaking her head as if to clear her mind, Rin looks away a moment later with a twist of her lips.
"Then you had better get going before Kushina-san—"
Bang! Everyone jumps when one Red-Hot Habanero bursts in, her crimson hair swirling about her shoulders as she stalks into the office. The ANBU have the good sense to fade into the shadows again, the ones guarding the office entrance silently closing the doors behind her. "Minato! What are you still doing here?"
Sakumo and Rin share amused grins as Kushina drags a protesting Minato out of his chair and starts brushing off his flame-edged haori. "How did you get this so wrinkled? Luckily I brought a spare one for you dattebane!"
"And you!" Kushina rounds on Kakashi, whose smirk slips right off his face. "You're all sweaty! Did you not wash up after training?" Sakumo shakes his head and clicks his tongue disapprovingly, making Rin burst into giggles.
'Ha-ha karma' Minato mouths, flashing Kakashi a toothy grin. Kakashi's glare sharpens to a razor's edge over Kushina's shoulder.
"Luckily—" Kakashi's ire falters when Kushina produces a set of formal clothes from her bag. "I brought you this!"
"Are those mine?" Minato leans over curiously, unfolding the navy kimono and dark grey hakama to examine the heavy garments.
Kushina nods once with a glint in her eye while Kakashi slowly backs away, wide-eyed. "You've outgrown them but they'll fit Kakashi just fine." Looking delighted, Minato hands back the formal clothes to his wife.
"I have spare uniforms," Kakashi protests weakly as Kushina shoves the bundle into his chest. A pointed look from her silences the wincing jounin.
"Get dressed," Kushina growls and even Sakumo shivers at the threat in her voice. "The head of the Hatake clan shouldn't be a sweaty slob." Kakashi deflates but Rin is almost bouncing on her feet, her eyes shining in anticipation of seeing Kakashi in something pretty.
"He's still going to wear the mask, though," Sakumo points out in amusement.
Rin pouts a little but recovers her enthusiasm quickly. "It doesn't matter!"
Kakashi slinks away in a sulk and Minato wraps his arm around Kushina. "Dear," he murmurs appreciatively, "whatever will I do without you?"
Kushina beams and smacks Minato's shoulder playfully. "You won't be rid of me ever, you silly bean." With a dopey smile, Minato leans in for a kiss.
Sakumo quickly makes an exit before he sees something he doesn't want to. "Rin, don't peep!"
"Wha-? I-I'm not!" she wails.