A/N: Hooray for Japanese baby name sites XD. Since this is post time-skip I can't use Konohamaru's age group, so I have to make up some. And aren't they cute?

Christmas with the Hatakes

By: Reggie

December 15th: School Holidays

This was going to be a long day, Iruka could tell already. As if the last day of classes before winter break wasn't bad enough, he was bringing a dog and a baby to class with him. Iruka concluded, as he shifted Sayuri onto his hip, that he was a glutton for punishment. The kid's eyes had been shifting from Bull, to Sayuri, and back again without once glancing at him or the lesson the board.

Iruka sighs, frustrated, and removes a kunai from his pocket. He flicks it at the nearest desk, where it lands squarely between small hands. "Nishie-chan, this is the last time I'm going to tell you to pay attention. And the rest of you! I'm going to be having a pop-quiz on everything we learned today, and if you don't pass you'll be going home late today!"

Sayuri looked at him, obviously frightened of his raised voice, unable to understand that he was rarely actually mad when he yelled. He shifted the little girl to snuggle into his chest, petting her fluffy hair, as his class groaned loudly.

"But Iruka-sensei," Ren, one of the boys, slammed a fist down on his desk, "it's the day before Christmas!"

"Some ninja have to work through until Christmas!" Iruka looked down at the little girl in his arms, unable to stop himself from frowning slightly. "There are no breaks when you're a ninja. You must always go on missions, no matter what holiday it is."

No matter if it's your child's first Christmas. No matter if the person you love is pregnant with your child.

"That's right," Itsuko, one of Shikamaru's cousins, called from the back of the room, her small hand stuck in the air. "My father is out on a mission right now, and mother thinks he'll be lucky to be home by New Years."

Nanami, her best friend and constant shadow, nodded to. "My aunt has been on a mission too, and we don't think she'll be back in time for Christmas either."

There were a few other nods around the room, some somber looks, as they all realized the truth of what their teacher had said.

"But, Iruka-sensei," Daichi was slumping forward across his desk, hands mussing his red hair, "we aren't ninja yet!"

Iruka couldn't help laughing at this, which settled Sayuri some, and he put the infant down between Bull's large paws. Bull, who'd been doing his best to remain still the whole time, thumped his tail, happy to have his beloved puppy back safely in his care.

"No, you're not, and you never will be with that attitude." Iruka grinned as the young boy immediately sat up straighter. "Now can anyone tell me what we've been studying today?"

The collective silence was less than reassuring.

The Chuunin sighed, running a hand over his eyes. If Sayuri weren't there, now happily playing with Bull's paws, the kids would have received a scolding they would never have forgotten. As it was, he was going to have to settle with a pop quiz.

"Alright! Everyone, come forward and show me the correct fighting stance for taijutsu."

All the students groaned collectively, some protesting rather loudly. There was only a half hour left of class, they'd get halfway through the students. Still…

Iruka glanced out the window, at the overcast sky that threatened heavy rainfall. 'Kakashi…hurry back.'