A.N. For this first songfic, I have omitted some lines of the song that I think won't be relevant to the story... ^^"

Track 1: Wish You Were Here

Damn, Damn, Damn,
What I'd do to have you
Here, here, here
I wish you were here.
Damn, Damn, Damn
What I'd do to have you
Near, near, near
I wish you were here.

Kurenai let out a sad sigh as she glanced outside her window, observing how the moon shines brightly before her in the dark, grey sky. She averted her gaze from the moon then to the untouched side of her and her husband's bed, feeling the emptiness engulf her as she longs for him and for his embrace. She looked at the calendar on top of her side table drawer, counting the days that he'll be out on a mission. She remembered he mentioned that he'll be gone for five days. It has already been three days since the day he left.

'Two more days... He'll be home soon...' She thought to herself as she took his pillow and hugged it close to her heart, inhaling his scent that had stayed there. She closed her eyes and let out a contented sigh, feeling the slightest bit of comfort she could feel by hugging something that belongs to him.

She snapped out from her reverie as soon as she heard the doorknob click. The door opened simultaneously, revealing a young girl standing outside her room. The little girl was about the age of five. Her straight, long silver hair, flowed freely on her shoulders. She stood still as she held a stuffed toy rabbit with her right hand and rubbed her eyes with her left. She let out a tired yawn as she looked at Kurenai, with her droopy, crimson eyes.

"Mommy... Can I sleep beside you tonight?" She asked, pleadingly. Kurenai smiled as she got out of bed and walked towards her daughter with a smile. She knew she couldn't resist her own baby and that she couldn't say no to that face.

"Sure, sweetie. There's a lot of space here in mommy and daddy's bed." She replied as she carried her little girl, holding her protectively.

"I'm scared." She uttered worriedly as she rested her head on Kurenai's shoulder.

"There's nothing to be afraid about, Kaoru. Mommy's here." Kurenai whispered lovingly as she stroke her daughter's hair. She sat on the bed with her daughter, still in her arms. She gently placed Kaoru on her lap and gave her a pat on the back to calm her down.

"I had a bad dream." Kaoru told her mother as her lips quivered in fear. "In my dream, the monsters were out to get me and I was screaming for daddy, but he ever came."

"It's just a dream, sweetie. You know mommy and daddy will always protect you." Kurenai spoke soothingly before kissing the top of Kaoru's head.

"I miss daddy. I want him to come home soon so that the monsters would go away." Kaoru whined. Kurenai couldn't help but sigh at her daughter's statement. They both just miss him so much.

"Well, mommy's here. I can protect you too. I've got some moves too. Don't forget that your mom's a great kunoichi too." Kurenai said, diverting Kaoru's attention so that she'll not miss her father too much.

"But who's gonna protect you?" Kaoru asked, worriedly. "I know mommy's strong too, but the monsters are more afraid of daddy than mommy. The monster is afraid of daddy's sharingan."

The little girl smiled at the thought of her father coming home from the mission. Kurenai gave her daughter a sad smile. She knew how Kaoru had always been a daddy's girl. It made her feel bad that his absence has begun to affect the little girl too. She understood very well how important her husband's job is, considering that he is one of the strongest shinobi in their land and that missions were essential to maitain peace and order in their country, after all she is a shinobi like him, but she couldn't help but miss him from time to time. She couldn't help but feel nervous everytime he'd walk out their door to leave for a mission. She knew how dangerous missions are. She feared that a time will come that he would walk out the door, leave and never comeback.

"Daddy will be home soon. Don't worry, okay?" Kurenai said, as she tucked Kaoru on their bed and covered her with a blanket. "For now, let's sleep, hmmm?"

"Okay, mommy... Good night..." The little girl whispered softly as she snuggled closer to her mother.

Kurenai was about to drift to sleep when Kaoru spoke again.

"Mommy, you miss daddy, don't you?" Upon hearing her daughter's question, tears threatened to pour from Kurenai's crimson orbs which she immediately and secretly wiped with her hand, afraid that her daughter might worry if she sees her crying. With one innocent question, all her emotions started to explode from her heart. Still, she tried to stay calm. She knew she should be used to him leaving from time to time. He needed to protect them. He needed to protect Konohagakure. Even if he already has a family, he can't just neglect his duties as a shinobi of the leaf and she understood that, but still it hurt especially when Kaoru has begun to feel the same way she felt

"Yes, I do. I always miss your father when he leaves..." Kurenai sighs, choking down the tears.

"Is that why you wear his shirt and hug his pillow when he's away?" Kaoru asked. Kurenai let out a bitter chuckle. Sometimes, she wishes that Kaoru didn't inherit her father's intelligence and keen instincts.

"Yes..." She simply said as she hugged herself, keeping her husband's shirt close to her skin, feeling his warmth, though indirectly. Kurenai knew her methods were pathetic in a way, but she feels comfort in keeping his belongings close to her. It lessens the sadness and emptiness that surrounds her heart whenever he's gone.

"Good night, mommy. I love you..." Kaoru mumbled near her sleep as she wrapped her arm around her mother's waist, embracing her.

"Good night, dear, I love you too..." Kurenai replied before drifitng to sleep.

I can be tough
I can be strong
But with you
It's not like that at all

Kurenai's eyes fluttered open as the sun's warmth touched her face. She sat up straight and yawned. Her eyes threatened to close again when she heard a rummage from down stairs. Her eyes opened wide in an instant as she let her instincts take over. She looked at her daughter who has been sleeping soundly in bed. She took the kunai she and her husband kept under the bed for emergencies and made no noise as she went downstairs. Her heart beat fast against her chest as anxiety filled her heart. Panic filled her heart since it has been a while since she used her skills in self-defense, considering that she hadn't been taking any missions lately in order to focus on taking care of Kaoru. She was worried that her body coordination isn't as good as before in order to beat up the trespasser who had just entered their house. But nevertheless, she had to take this person down. She swore she'd protect Kaoru at all costs.

'Of all the times that this could happen... It just had to when he's not home... Ugh...' She thought to herself as she rested her back against a wall, slowly moving her head to take a small peak to see where the tresspasser is. She saw him, but not fully. His back was facing her.

She rolled up the sleeves of her husband's shirt, since it was too big for her petite figure and it bothered her in moving. She took a deep breath as she made her move. She lifted the kunai up, gathering her strength, aiming at her target, ready to throw it, when all of a sudden...

"Relax... It's just me..." The 'tresspasser' spoke. Kurenai was shocked since his voice was so calm and extremely familiar for some reason. She finally stepped out, slowly and cautiously to reveal herself and get a better look at him... Whoever he is...

"Is that how you welcome your husband?" He spoke in playful manner. His back still facing her. Kurenai wasn't surprised that he knew she was about to attack him from behind. His senses were extraordinary.-As expected from Konohagakure's Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi of the Sharingan.

She let out a sigh of relief as she confirmed that the voice belong to him. She placed the kunai down, on the table near her. Anxiety filled her heart as the thought that she could have attacked her own husband registered to her mind.

"You baka! I could've killed you!" She scolded as she approached him. He still hadn't turned to face her as he was working on something in the kitchen.

"You wouldn't kill your own husband. I'm sure of that..." He chuckled. "I guess I did well at this trust exercise..."

Kurenai felt her anger subside at the sound if his ever-so-sexy laugh that made her knees weak.

"You're home quite early, Kakashi... I thought you wouldn't be home until next morning..." She said her emotions suddenly shifting as her tone, softened. She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him from behind. She rested her head on his back and sighed in content, taking in his scent that comforts her so much, glad that he's finally home and that she isn't just imagining things. "Not that I'm complaining... I missed you..."

"We finished the mission earlier than expected. I wanted to surprise you and Kaoru..." He replied as he turned off the stove. He settled the pan on the side and turned around to focus his attention on his lovely wife. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a cheeky grin, showing her the dimple on his left cheek since he didn't wear his mask at home, as they agreed that at home, he is just Hatake Kakashi, Hatake Kurenai's wife, and Hatake Kaoru's father, not the Copy Ninja, not the Sharingan warrior. At home, he is his regular mere human-self, which means he can freely show the side of him that he doesn't show others and as he promised her, he'd drop his damn mask whenever he's at home. Kakashi found it awkward at first, his mask was part of his comfort zone. He had worn it ever since he was a kid and rarely took it off. Also, he didn't really like flaunting his dimple that much... He was rather insecure of it, but he figured that his wife loved seeing his dimple so much. So he decided to keep it uncovered for her. Also, he knew the moment he sealed his fate with her, he had to be committed to her and part of it was trusting her and showing her even the side of him that he didn't like showing...

She was his only exception...

"Good morning..." He greeted her with a warm smile as he looked into her crimson orbs. His grin grew wider as he took note of what she was wearing too.- His shirt. He couldn't help but adore how sexy she looked in it. "I made breakfast."

"Good morning to you too..." Kurenai replied, giggling as soon as she noticed that he had been wearing her pink, floral apron on top of his white undershirt and blue, pajama pants. She wrapped her arms around his neck to give him a morning kiss, in which he returned as he missed her just as much. Kakashi smiled in the kiss, remembering one of the reasons why he's so motivated to come home after every mission. He knew the reason why he had to make it no matter how hard and life-threatening the mission is. He had to make it at all costs, now that there are two special people waiting for him at home...

"When did you come home?" Kurenai asked, breathing softly as she felt his lips travell from her jawline then to a soft spot on her neck.

"Just this morning..." He replied, pulling away from her as soon as he remembered about their daughter and figured that it would be awkward and quite improper for her to see them so... intimate...

"Where's Kaoru, by the way?" He asked, bringing Kurenai back to Earth.

"Upstairs..." She answered, still in a daze after their sudden skinship.

"I'll go get her." He said, before kissing her forehead and leaving her to go upstairs to wake Kaoru up.

Kakashi smiled as he looked at his daughter's small figure curled up in their bed. She looked so peaceful, like an angel, just like her mother.

"Kaoru-chan... Wake up..." He said softly as he gently tapped her to wake her up. The little girl stirred in her sleep and mumbled incoherent words to her father.

"Come on, sweet heart, I made breakfast..." He added in a calm manner, chuckling at how cute his daughter looked while sleeping.

"Five more minutes..." She mumbled as she pulled the covers up.

"Come one, Kaoru... Don't you want to train with me today? Also, I have a surprise..." He bribed, which seemed to make the little one interested. Her eyes fluttered open upon hearing his statement. She yawned as she sat up and rubbed her ruby-like eyes, before turning her attention to her father. Just as she saw him right before her, her sleepy eyes widened in shock. Her energy rose up as she leaped into his arms and squealed, "You're home, daddy! You're home!"

"Yes, I am and I missed you so much..." He told her as he held carried her in his arms and stood up to go downstairs with her to meet Kurenai who had just fixed the table for breakfast.

"You're finally awake... Come on, let's eat the breakfast that daddy prepared..." Kurenai said, before giving her daughter a morning kiss on the cheek.

The little girl smiled, happy that her family's complete. She looked at what's been prepared on the table.-Pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, topped with starberries, her favorite.

The whole family ate together in peace as they talked about a lot of things, catching up with one another.

"I learned from Sai that you've been very good in his art class. He showed me your portfolio while we were coming home from the mission." Kakashi said, giving his daughter a proud smile. "Which is why, I have a surprise for you..."

The little girl gasped in excitement. Kurenai gave Kakashi a suspicious glare, since they both agreed to not spoil Kaoru that much.

"But first..." Kakashi added, "You have to help me with these dishes..."

The little girl pouted in disappointment, making Kakashi laugh at her cute act.

After the dishes have been cleaned, Kakashi kept his promise of showing Kaoru the surprise. The three of them went upstairs together for the surprise he's been bragging about.

"So what's the surprise?" Kurenai asked curiously as soon as they all stopped in front of Kaoru's bedroom.

"You'll see." Kakashi said excitedly as he opened the door to Kaoru's room revealing an newly-painted, all white bedroom.

"Tada!" He said. Kurenai and Kaoru kept silent, not getting what Kakashi was excited about.

"I had just repainted Kaoru's bedroom this morning, but wait there's more!" He said, further explaining as he brought out a set of different colors of paint and paint brushes. "Since, Sai had just said that you're quite an artist, I figured you could do something to make your room more lively, since the old pink wall paper is chipping off and it's scaring the hell out of you... Also, I would like to learn about what Sai has been teaching you. So, we're painting a mural ini your room together."

"So you mean, I can draw whatever I want to?" Kaoru asked and her father nodded. She gave him a hug before running into her room to start.

Kakashi took two paint brushes and handed one to Kurenai, before helping their daughter with her art project. The little girl decorated her room with a mural of flowers.-Flowers that she saw in her mothers book. She had inherited her liking for flowers from her mother and read her mothers books in her pastime.

Kakashi and Kurenai were indeed impressed with the young girls eye for detail. She stroke her brush gently and meticulously, making sure that every line of her piece looked realistic.

"Indeed, she is a little artist... I'm really impressed..." Kakashi remarked.

It took a lot of patience and effort to get everything done, but everything was all worth it.- Not only did they improve Kaoru's room, but also, they were able to spend some quality time together. They took few breaks from time to time, until they finally finished it. After the repainting was done, the Hatake family was all covered in different colors of paint that had stained their clothes.

"You've got paint on your face..." Kurenai giggled as soon as she saw a thin blue line of paint on Kakashi's left cheek.

"You're the one to talk..." Kakashi said chuckling. "You got paint on your face too you know..."

"Really? Where?" Kurenai asked as she conciously touched her face as he cheeks turned crimson in embarrassment.

"Right over...here..." Kakashi replied playfully as he touched his wife's cheek with his hand that still had wet paint on, putting a smudge of red on her face.

"Why you... Come back here!" Kurenai shouted as she chased after him with a paint brush in her hand. Kaoru giggled at her parents' childishness as she listened to their voices as they chased each other around the house. When the two came back, they were both even more covered in paint, like messy kids.

"Mommy and daddy look messy..." Kaoru giggled as she pointed at her parents.

"We should get you messy too!" Kakashi said as he ran to her. The little girl went screaming and giggling as she ran away from him.

In an instant he was able to catch up with her, after having tons of experiences in the shinobi world and after going through strict training, of course it was easy for him.

"It's not fair!" Kaoru whined as soon as Kakashi caught her.

Soon, all three of them turned into human rainbows as they were all covered in paint.

After engaging into such foolishness, Kakashi and Kurenai helped each other in cleaning Kaoru up. After doing so, they took turns in taking a shower. As soon as everyone was clean, the three got ready for bed. Since Kakashi had been gone for days, it was his turn to tuck Kaoru to bed. Kurenai on the other hand, made sure that everything in their house was fixed. She made sure all the doors and windows were locked. As soon as everything was all set, she stayed in her and Kakashi's bedroom, giving Kakashi a chance to spend some time with Kaoru, since recently, with all the missions assigned to him, he rarely had time for her, which made Kaoru really upset.

We always say
Say it like it is
And the truth
Is that I really miss

"I'm not yet sleepy..." Kaoru whined despite having droopy eyes and despite yawning for the nth time.

"Sure you aren't..." Kakashi replied in a sarcastic tone as he ruffled his daughter's hair, which colour is identical to his.

"I'm really not..." The little girl was cut off with a yawn that came from her mouth, failing her attempts of lying to her father.

Kakashi could only laugh at how cute his daughter is. He gave her a kiss on the cheek as he tucked her into bed.

"Daddy... Can I sleep in your room, please?" The little girl asked as she held his hand tight.

"Honey, you've got your own room. You've been sleeping there frequently, lately. Don't you like your room? We've just painted it. Wouldn't you want to sleep here? Besides, you're growing up already, the three of us won't fit comfortably in daddy and mommy's bed." Kakashi replied, making the girl frown.

"I can still fit there. I haven't grown up just yet!" Kaoru argued stubbornly as she sat up straight and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I really want to sleep in your room..."

Kakashi sighed as he sat beside her. He held her hand protectively as he gazed at her. The little girl looked into his eyes and hugged him.

"Please let me sleep beside you and mommy..." She pleaded once again, her eyes started to get watery upon uttering her request. Kakashi realized through looking into her eyes that there was something bothering his little girl.

"Kaoru, are you afraid?" He asked as he carried her and placed her on his lap. The little girl was avoided her father's gaze and felt her face heat up in embarrassment.

"No..." She muttered dishonestly. As she played with she played with her fingers.

Kakashi knew she was lying just by looking at her.

"Is it about the monsters in your room again? Honey, I have told you so many times that there are no monsters inside your closet neither in your bed. And I promised to check all the time right?" Kakashi asked, reassuring her that everything was going to be fine and that she had nothing to worry about. He sighed as he earned no response from the Hatake heiress.

"Do you want me to check again?" He asked, and the girl looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"What about those nights when you're not here?" She asked, making him speechless for a while. The simple question made Kakashi's heart ache. He felt guilty, for leaving her from time to time for missions. He knew she felt neglected in a way. He felt bad, that as a parent, it seemed that he gave more importance to the missions than to his beautiful daughter, his pride and joy. "I miss you all the time and mommy does too... Whenever you're away she hugs your pillow and wears your shirt. Even if she doesn't tell me, I know mommy gets really lonely when you're gone and I get lonely too. In the academy, a lot of my classmates have been losing their parents. They never come back after going to a mission... You once told me, that the missions are important for you to accomplish in order to keep the Leaf and the people safe, but what about me and mommy? Who's gonna keep us safe while you're gone? Who's gonna scare the monsters in my closet while you're gone? What if you just disappear and never comeback like my classmates' parents? Daddy, are the missions more important than me and mommy?"

"Kaoru..." Kakashi was left speechless as his little girl sobbed. He didn't know that his cheerful little girl had a lot of worries in her heart. He held her close to him. His heart broke upon hearing the sudden confession. He felt bad that he had been absent for so long that he didn't know how much Kaoru was carrying on her little shoulders.

"You and your mom are far more important to me than the missions, Kaoru. Whenever I walk through our door, I leave with a heavy feeling in my heart, because I know I'd be leaving you again. I know I rarely see you and your mother, because I'm always out on missions, but I want you to know that I never stop thinking about the two of you. You and your mom are the reason why I am able to come home despite how hard the missions are. When I think of you, I remember that I need to finish the mission as soon as possible, so that I can come back home to you right away. Kaoru, I know you're afraid that at some point, daddy might leave and never comeback, but I'll come home... I'll come back for you and for your mommy, always... I'm sorry for making you feel less important... I'm sorry for making you worry every time I leave" He said as he wiped her tears away and held her close to his heart.

No, I don't wanna let go
I just wanna let you know
That I never wanna let go

"I love you, Daddy..." Kaoru said as she hugged him tight.

"I love you too..." Kakashi replied as he gave her a sad smile.

"Daddy..."Kaoru said again with a sleepy tone as she looked at him despite how heavy her eyelids have become due to the drowsiness that she had been feeling and due to the crying she had done earlier. "If I can't sleep in your room, can you just stay here until I fall asleep?"

"Sure... Anything for my Kaoru..."

With that said, Kakashi tucked Kaoru once again and laid down beside her as he watched her fall asleep. He stroke her hair lovingly, as he gazed at her face, her features were dominantly inherited from Kurenai. The little girl snuggled closer to him and embraced him tight. Kakashi smiled as he knew this strategy very well, since he had tried it once when he was her age...

-Flashback-

"Tadaima..." The great White Fang of the leaf, Hatake Sakumo whispered softly in his son's ear as he carried him to his room since the young boy had fallen asleep on the couch, while waiting for his return.

Kakashi had always been waiting for him, worried that he might not return anymore. It has been a tough time for them. Sakumo was frequently sent to missions. It has become very rare for Kakashi to see him. He missed his father so much.

"Okaeri... Chichue..." Kakashi whispered groggily as he smiled in his sleep, feeling the warmth and comfort in his father's arms, that he had longed for...

Sakumo gently placed his son on the bed and pulled the covers up to his shoulders. He was about to leave his little boy to sleep in his own room, when Kakashi swiftly took his hand and said, "Please, stay for awhile..."

Sakumo smiled as he knew that even though his son is far more advanced and stronger than most kids of his age, Kakashi was still a kid that needed him, that missed him whenever he's away. The younger Hatake moved to give his father some space. Sakumo laid down beside Kakashi who upon noticing that his dad had finally got on his bed, immediately moved closer and embraced him tight, not wanting to let his dad go to the other room, hoping stay beside him while he could.

"Alright. I'll stay here for the rest of the night..." Sakumo chuckled, finally giving in, making Kakashi smile triumphantly in his sleep.

-End of Flashback-

Kurenai realized that Kakashi had been taking long. She decided to check up on them herself as she got off her bed and went to Kaoru's room only to find Kaoru, fast asleep in her father's embrace.

"Kakashi... Let's go..." Kurenai whispered, making Kakashi avert his attention from Kaoru to her.

"Uh... Give me a minute..." He hesitated as Kaoru's embrace was really secured. It was hard to move without waking her up.

Kurenai chuckled softly as she watched Kakashi attempt to escape, but eventually failed.

"Maybe we should just... I don't know... Sleep here or take her to bed with us..." Kakashi suggested. Kurenai smiled as she nodded.

"I knew this was going to happen... It's hard to say no to her..." Kurenai remarked as she walked towards Kakashi to get some spare pillows from Kaori's bed and help Kakashi in transferring her to their room.

As soon as they got to their room, Kurenai arranged the bed in such a way that the three of them will fit just right on it. She and Kakashi sat on the bed for awhile. Kakashi still held Kaoru in his arms as she slept soundly with her head resting on his shoulder.

"Kurenai... Do you feel afraid that one day, I'd just disappear and never come home just like Asuma?" Kakashi asked, surprising Kurenai with a sudden question.

"Kakashi... Why?" Kurenai asked as she was left quite speechless as she had no clue where all of that was coming from.

Asuma was his friend and Kurenai's first love. Kakashi knew how she felt when he died. He saw how her world fell apart when Asuma disappeared. He knew her pain, just as how she knew his. For so many times. Kakashi had lost a lot of people he loved.-His father, Obito, Rin and his sensei. It was hard on him, just as how it was hard for Kurenai when Asuma was killed by two Akatsuki members. Through those years that Kurenai when through depression, Kakashi was there for her, just like when she looked after him in his darkest days.

Through sharing the same pain, they found love, moved on and started a new, happy life together.

But despite all that, Kakashi knew, Kurenai still had her fears just as how he still had his...

She was afraid of history repeating itself. She was afraid of loneliness coming back for her. She was scared that he'd be taken away from her just like how Asuma was. She fears of going through the same pain all over again and everytime he leaves, she feels that way...

"I'm sorry for making you and Kaoru feel neglected. I'm sorry for hurting you whenever I choose the missions over you and Kaoru. I know I haven't been a good husband and father to you and Kaoru. I knew how you felt when you lost Asuma before, but I never thought hard about how you might feel whenever I accept S-ranked missions and for that, I'm really sorry." Kakashi apologized.

"Kakashi, you don't have to be sorry." Kurenai said as she made him look into her eyes. "No, you're not making us feel neglected and whoever told you that you're a bad husband and father? You know that's not true..."

"It's just that... Well, I figured, I have been absent in our home quite frequently and that I've started to forget about my duties in our family..."

"I have to admit, Kaoru and I get lonely a lot when you're gone, but that's not because we feel that you are making us less important in your life. We get lonely because we miss you and that's normal because we love you. I understand how crucial your role is in order to protect Konohagakure and I can't stop you from accepting your missions, but you can't take away the fact that we, as your family, will always get worried whenever you leave." Kurenai explained as she held his hand. She took a red strip of cloth that had pink and white flowers sewn to it. She place it on his hand and he looked at it cluelessly.

"This is a charm I made." She continued. "I know you don't believe in this stuff, but I think there's no harm in trying. I have sewn two types of flowers in it. The white one is stephanotis and the pink one is apple blossom. Stephanotis symbolizes good luck and Apple blossom symbolizes a promise. I know you'll always come back for us, but just to lessen the fear and worry in my heart, please keep this with you. It will symbolize our promise, that you'll come home and that I'll be here, waiting for you..."

Kakashi took the charm Kurenai made for him. He smiled at her thoughtful gesture and said, "I will..." He pulled her closer to him with the arm that wasn't holding Kaoru and gave a quick, gentle kiss on the lips.

A.N. This is quite long for a one-shot. I hope it didn't bore you out. I wanted to show the perspectives and feelings of each character.

I hope you guys liked this one. I've always wanted to write a scenario wherein Kakashi's a dad. haha

Anyway... There are still more songs coming up, and I'll be waiting for your requests! ^^

If you wish to send a request, feel free to PM me. I'll send you a copy of the submission form that you'll use in submitting your request. :)

R & R, please!

Until next time! ^^

With love,

~Kei-chan 3