A few months later Saitou and Sano had all but fine tuned their weekly ritual. Saitou would spend every night at the Sagara's but Sunday. He left after lunch on Sunday every week to deal with Gorou's home and affairs. That day happened to be that day Sano would do the laundry. Saitou had not really moved in any of his things per se, but more so he had started stocking the Sagara home with things he wanted, cigarettes, police uniforms, etc. It was this particular Sunday Saitou realized Gorou had absolutely no clothes for work the next day. Annoyed that he did not have anything to clean laundry at the Gorou place he packed all the dirty clothes in a basket and headed for Sanosuke's.
Saitou, hearing splashing in the backyard, skipped the front door and walked around to the back gate. Saiko was kneeling next to Sano watching him do the laundry intently. Strung around the yard were clothes, all of them Saitou's. Saitou smiled, Sano was making sure all of Saitou's police uniforms were ready for him. Saitou then dropped the basket quietly and stalked over to the young man. Sano was on his knees with his hands in the small tub scrubbing one of Saitou's shirts on the washboard.
Saitou kneeled silently and wrapped his arms around Sano. After a long hug he slowly let his fingertips trace up Sano's well toned arms. Sano had twitched initially, but Saiko has ruined Saitou's surprise by jumping up at the exact moment Saitou grabbed Sano and calling "Da e." "Hello Daddy" Sano chuckled. Saitou pressed his forehead into the crook of Sano's neck kissing him lightly. "I need to do laundry, but I do not have any soap at Gorou's" Saitou finally admitted. Sano just smiled, even though Saiotu could not see it. "Just add it to the pile" he said, gesturing to the pile of almost nothing but Sano's clothes. Saiotu looked up and realized Saiko's clothes were already done and hung up on the other side of the yard. "Anything I can do?" Saitou asked full of honest compassion for the work this man was going through for others. "Well Saiko probably needs to be changed, if you want to do that and start dinner?" Sano asked hopeful to get out of both those chores. "Sure" Saitou said getting to his feet and picking up Saiko.
Even though Saitou had been helping Sano with Saiko for well over a year diaper changing was not one of his strong suits. Luckily for him it was only wet not soiled so it was simple enough to clean. Dinner however, with Saiko in the house at least was always a chore. Saiko, once changed, had begun running crazily through the house in nothing but her diaper. Saitou chased her down and attempted to redress her as quickly as he could. 'That's it' Saitou decided, he was getting Sano some flowers or something to show his appreciation for all the things he was putting up with. Saiko for an hour was as tiring as one day at the office.
A few days later, Saitou, after checking to be sure no one was watching, made his way across the street and entered his and Sano's home. The first thing he heard was a pained scream, but it wasn't Saiko who was screaming. Heavily concerned Saiotu rushed to the source of the scream, Saiko's bedroom. Sano was on his knees one hand on Saiko's forehead attempting to pry her off his wrist. Her new teeth were firmly planted in Sano's flesh. He was unsuccessfully trying to talk her into letting go. Saiotu frowned and joined Sano on his knees next to Saiko. Sano looked at Saitou and blushed embarrassed at his cries. Saitou moved Sano's hand from Saiko's head and slapped her, as gently as he could while getting the point across and she promptly let go Sano's arm. He cupped her chin in his hand and spoke to her sternly "Do not bite Dada, No bite dada!" Getting frustrated at her he decided he would leave his order in baby talk if it would help her understand.
She instantly started crying and screaming angrily. "Dada dada" she cried running into Sano's arms. Luckily she had not broken the skin, but she had come very close. His wrist was bright red and a there were a few burst blood vessels pooling under the skin. Sano leaned back sitting down while Saiko sobbed into his shoulder. "That is going to bruise you know" Saitou said not sounding very satisfied. "Did you have to hit her so hard?" Sano said feeling bad that Saitou had made Saiko so upset. "I did not hit her very hard, but I bet you she will not bite again" he responded coolly. "We will see Saitou, but I need to start dinner, think you can make up with her" Sano questioned. Saitou just sighed; he obviously was going to be the only disciplinarian in the house.
Although Saiko was not potty trained yet Sano and Saitou decided to let her sleep in the bed Saitou had made for her, since neither were fans of leaning into the crib whenever they needed to change her or feed her at night. Saitou and Sano had made up for any tension from the biting incident and were both panting heavily as they laid on their futon. Saitou, who was still lying on top of Sano, had lovingly sunk his teeth into that space between Sano's right shoulder and neck. Sano cried out not in pain but surprise mixed with pleasure. All of the sudden Saiotu felt a hard stinging pain on his cheek. Saitou opened his eyes confused and saw little Saiko in her bed clothes pointing at Saitou. "No Bite Dada!" she squealed. Sano started laughing, attempting to hide it with his pillow but he did not succeed and Saitou was thoroughly annoyed.
"Saiko…" he paused "you are right, no bite dada, go get your special toy and you can sleep with us tonight all right" Saitou said after caving in to the little girls antics. Saiko nodded and took enough time finding her new toy in the dark the two were able to clean up and dress before she got back. Instinctively she crawled into Sano's arms. Saitou was a little disappointed she was still so angry at him. A sad thought crept into Saitou's mind. She always chose Sano over him; he was her father after all. Even children with two parents picked favorites, but why did it bother him so much that Saiko chose Sano? It may have been that Sano also would choose Saiko over him and he was the out cast in this family. Saitou was jarred out of his depressing thoughts when he felt two sets of lips on him. One was small on his cheek and the others were larger on his lips. "Night night Daddy" Sano said softly. "Nigh nigh Da e" Saiko repeated. Saitou pushed the bad thoughts from his mind and leaned over giving both their own goodnight kiss.
Getting ready for work the next morning Saitou had almost made it out the door when he heard Saiko crying. Saitou had a few extra minutes so he went to check on her. Still in bed with Sano Saiko was crying saying "De e no bye bye" "I think she wants you to say good bye Saitou" Sano said with a grin. Saitou sighed getting on his knees and patting the floor. "Come here Saiko Daddy will say good bye." Saiko squealed happily and climbed out of the sheets running over to Saitou. Saitou smiled and pulled her into his arms kissing her on the cheek. "Bye bye Saiko" he said leaning in for her kiss. After a soft kiss on his cheek he brought Saiko back over to Sano. Saiko kissed Sano on the cheek and then smiled and said "Bye dada da e." "What" Sano said confused. "I think I know what she wants Sano" Saitou replied leaning in and kissing him gently on the lips. Saiko clapped happily. And thus began their new ritual.