3 Months. Thats how long my computer has been down. So, I am truly sorry for the delay. Apparently, I had to wipe my hard drive clean and that meant all my files were to be erased. It took me a while to transfer all that to my laptop (which does not have internet service) so, I was unable to even check my mail. So, once again, Im sorry but things should be smooth sailing from now on. Hope you enjoy this long overdue installment.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Relax
Kakashi shifted Rayne on his lap so that her back was against his chest and his arms were around her waist. Her bottom was tucked in the middle of his crossed legs and her arms were crossed over his. She leaned back against him as she spoke to Kurenai.
"Well, I can honestly say I had no idea Tsunade is my real mother. She kinda just came out with it when I confronted her with the the question of my papers not being in a filing cabinet but in her personal drawer," she was saying, answering Kurenai's question.
"Wow, so, Shizune still hasnt spoken to Tsunade?" Kurenai asked, her voice lower than normal. She was on the couch opposite the one Rayne and Kakashi were seated with Asuma next to her. One of his large arms was around her waist, holding her to him, despite her initial blush at the contact. Asuma and Kakashi had said little and were content to hold 'their women' while the two talked.
"No, she's hurt that Tsunade kept such a secret from her, especially considering that me and Shizune are techinically cousins. She thought she had no family left except Tsunade and then she found out she had a cousin all along and never knew. Its hard for her and she's, understandably, hurt that Tsunade kept it from her." Kurenai shook her head at her friend.
"Rayne, you do realize that you were lied to also. You had a mother and a cousin you had no idea about. How are you okay with this?" she asked, confused. But Rayne just shrugged against Kakashi's chest.
"I dont know. Maybe Im used to the idea that things arent always what they seem. This surprise, I gained a mother and a cousin and a father, dead or not.I havent lost anything. Why should I be upset? And besides, Tsunade doesnt need to think I hate her. As a mother, it would kill me if I believed any of the kids hated me. I truly believe that Tsunade gave me up for my benefit. So, I just have to get used to the idea of having a mother thats alive. I'm going to talk to Shizune tomorrow, this way she'll have time to thinks things through rationally," she explained truthfully.
Kakashi shook his head at his fiance, an amused smile hidden by the navy blue material of his mask. "Rayne, you are not normal," he stated matter-of-factly. This statement made her turn to him with raised eyebrows.
"And, my love, would you want me if i was 'normal'?" she asked, her voice coy and seductive. She knew the answer to her question but couldnt help the tingle of pleasure that fluttered in her stomach when he his visible eye crinkled in a secret smile and shook his head.
"Of course not. If you were normal, you would have burned my books. That would have been a very large obstacle in our relationship," he answered. This made her laugh and snuggle into his lap more comfortably as his arms tightened around her.
"Hey, Rayne, you really let him keep them?" Kurenai asked, refering to the "perverted" orange books Kakashi carried with him. Asuma just shook his head, choosing to wisely stay out of the conversation.
"They're not as bad as you think they are," Rayne said, not looking Kurenai in the eye. Both Asuma and Kurenai stared at her, shocked.
"You actually read one?" Kurenai demanded unbelievingly.
"How the hell did you get her to do that Kakashi?" Asuma asked, his voice much quieter than hers.
"He fell asleep reading one and I picked it up...Like I said, they arent that bad...." While Rayne spoke Kakashi smirked at Asuma who showed appropriate awe at Kakashi finding a woman willing to not only let him keep those damn books, but also read one.
Kurenai was about to start a little tirade on Kakashi's continous bad influence on Rayne when Kakomi came running down the stairs, her pink shirt covered in various paint colors. "Mommy, I made a picture for you!" she announced happily as she handed Rayne a fingerpainting of their house.
"Its beautiful, sweetheart." Rayne praised, standing up and lifting Kakomi on her hip. She gave the painting to Kakashi, who told Kakomi he loved it, and turned to Kurenai and Asuma.
"Im gonna bring Kakomi upstairs and get her and her room cleaned up. The chicken should be ready by the time I finish. I'll be down to serve dinner in a few minutes," she explained before heading upstairs with Kakomi.
"Hey, Kakashi, have you thought about wether or not you want to have any more kids?" Asuma asked after Rayne was gone. But before Kakashi could answer, Kurenai stood up and claimed she had to use the bathroom. Both men knew she was just leaving so Kakashi would open up.
"You're going to tell her exactly what I say," Kakashi told him knowingly.
"You know it cant be helped. So, have you and Rayne talked about having more kids?" Asuma asked, knowing Kakashi would give him a straight answer with out any women around.
"I want another kid. I missed Rayne's pregnancy with the twins due to that damn mission with Kiana. I missed Haine and Haru's birth. I wasnt there for Rayne when she was sick after their birth. I want another boy. Me and Haru will be the only boys in the house. I dont think I could handle that."
"Have you talked to Rayne about it?"
"No. We havent had any alone time. At all."
"What if she doesnt want any more kids? I mean, she was pretty sick after the twins were born. The pneumonia was bad. Maybe she doesnt want to risk it again."
"You reallly think that would stop her from having another baby?"
"I know what you mean but, she has the other kids to think about to. Maybe she's worried that no one will be abe to take care of the twins or Kakomi if she's sick..."
"How the hell would you know that?" Kakashi demanded, not liking where the conversation was going. But after a second his visible eye widened and then narrowed. "She talked to Kurenai and Kurenai told you to talk to me," he accused.
"...She threatened to throw me on the couch," Asuma explained apologetically. "But, it doesnt change the fact that you and Rayne need to talk."
"You are pathetic for such a big guy. And I'll talk to Rayne tonight. Not that its any of your business."
Asuma smiled, "Thats all I'm asking." Rayne and Kurenai came down a minute later, Rayne heading into the kitchen and Kurenai returning to her place next to Asuma.
"So, what did you guys talk about while I was gone?" she asked innocently. Kakashi ignored her, Asuma grinned and she knew that Asuma had come through. In another ten minutes Rayne called everyone in to eat, the table already set and plates made up. Kakomi came running down the stairs, Kai and Kasume following slower and Rayne ran up to get the twins.
Once everyone was seated they began eating, small talk making up most of the conversation. Kakashi watched as Rayne took bites of food in between feeding the twins and cutting up Kakomi's chicken. Kurenai and Asuma spoke with Kai and Kasume about upcoming missions and recently completed ones. The whole affair was relaxed and comfortable.
"Hey, Mom? Do you want me to feed Haine and Haru?" Kasume offered, noticing that Rayne's plate was almost full. Rayne wiped Haru's chin and shot Kasume a grateful smile but shook her head. "Its alright. I'll eat when they're done." Kasume looked as if she would argue but just rolled her eyes and returned to finishing her plate. Kakashi watched Rayne, his only visible eye narrowing when she finished feeding the twins without taking another bite of her own food.
"I'll be down in a minute. Just leave the plates in the sink," she instructed, holding a baby on each hip and heading upstairs to bathe them and put them to sleep. Kakashi stood up, put his plate in the sink and headed up after her.
"You should let Kasume do that while you eat," he said as he entered the bathroom where she was turning on the water.
"Kakashi, I do eat. You know that. I'll grab something after I get these two down for bed and get Kakomi washed and in her pajamas. She has to be in school a few minutes early tomorrow, Iruka wanted to talk about her. You can come if you want." She undressed Haine, dipping her into the water and wiping her over with a facecloth.
"When was the last time you relaxed?" he questioned, leaning against the door frame. She washed the soap off of Haine and held her to her chest, drying her gently with a soft pink towel.
"Last night. Like every night. Kakashi, what is it thats bothering you?" she asked, placing Haine in the basinet and undressing Haru.
"You havent talked about Tsunade, you never stop moving and the kids and the wedding plans have you constantly busy."
She laughed, dipping their son into the luke warm water. "Is that whats got you all serious? Im fine. We have twin babies, a four year old and an upcoming wedding. Things will slow down after the wedding. I promise. As for Tsunade, I have talked about her. It really hasnt been bothering me as much as you seem to think it does. I actually gained something this time. And as for being so busy, I love it. Kakashi, you know how much I love being a mother. I dont expect to havea lot of free time."
"Does that mean you want more children?" he asked, not able to ignore the subject. She looked up at him, surprised at the abruptness of the question.
"What? Is this something to really discuss right now?" she asked, washing Haru off and using the baby as an excuse to not look at his father.
"Why not now?" he replied in that same cool, almost bored voice of his she loved so much.
"Kakashi, what is it you want me to say?" she asked cautiously, drying Haru and slipping on his little green pajamas.
"The truth. Do you want more kids?" He was as direct as ever. Rayne sighed, and threw him an exasperated glance as she lifted the portable basinet and carried it past him.
"I would like more children. But, what if I get sick again? Shizune warned me that next time could be worse. Who would take care of the kids?" she voiced her concerns as he followed her into the nursery.
"I would."
"You have work. Tsunade has been doing us a favor by not sending you on missions until after the wedding. But you'll be back at work after that. You're one of the best ninja this village has. You're needed. You cant stay home and take care of kids." She laid each baby in their seperate crib, covering them with soft fleece blankets and kissing their tiny little hands and foreheads.
"You do realize that their my kids too, right?" he questioned, keeping his voice level and nuetral. This comment made her turn to him, a soft smile on her face. She walked to him and ran her fingertips along his cheek lightly.
"Of course I do. That's part of why I love them the way I do. Listen, Im sorry if I get a little obsessive over them. As for the idea of more kids, I'll think about it. We can talk more when we go to bed. Alright?" she compromised, knowing exactly the power she had over him at times. He knew she was stalling but couldnt argue with her when she was so close.
He nodded his consent to the idea and she leaned up to kiss him softly before shutting the light and walking out of the room, bringing him with her and closing the door behind them.
"Kurenai and Asuma said that dinner was great but they had to go. They said they figured you two were talking and they didnt want to interrupt," Kasume informed them as she and Kai put their coats on. "Kai and I are heading out too. Hinata and Naruto are waiting for us."
"Goodnight, Kakashi, Rayne-sensei," Kai said before following Kasume out. Kakomi came running out from the kitchen a moment later, covered in water and suds.
"I cleaned all the dishes, Mommy!" she announced happily. Kakashi smiled at her proud expression and Rayne picked her up, kissing her on the head gratefully. "That was very sweet of you, Kakomi. Now, how about we get you all cleaned and then into bed?"
"Can you read me a story?" the four year old asked hopefully. "Of course. Which one tonight?" Rayne asked as she headed back upstairs.
Kakashi decided to see how big of a mess the kitchen was and upon finding that the whole floor was soaked, decided to give his fiance a hand. Looking around to make sure no one saw, he grabbed the mop and began cleaning.
An hour later Rayne came down in her nightgown and found Kakashi sitting on the couch and reading one of his books. She rolled her eyes and started for the kitchen, knowing Kakomi would have made a mess.
"Its done," Kakashi said, not looking up from his page. She stopped and turned to him. "What do you mean 'it's done'?"
"I cleaned it while you were putting Kakomi to sleep," he said easily, still not looking away from his perverted book. Rayne smiled and walked over to him, taking the book form his hands and placing it on the table as she slid onto his lap.
"Are you telling me that the macho, stoic Hatake actually mopped and did dishes?" she asked teasingly, snaking her arms around his neck.
"No one will believe you," he warned, his own arms encircling her waist and pulling her closer as he shifted thier bodies so they were laying down. She laughed and began trailing kisses along his clothed jawline.
"I thought you wanted me to relax." Her fingers undid his mask and forehead protector, letting both items drop to the floor.
"I meant tomorrow," he amended, pressing his lips into her neck.
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"Mommy, Mommy, wake up! Iruka-sensei told us to be early! Remember Mommy?" Kakomi woke her mother with insistent tugs on the sheets covering her and Kakashi. Before Kakomi had the chance to pull the sheets off her currently undressed mother and father, Rayne shot out a hand and grabbed them.
"I'm awake, sweetheart. I Mommy ten minutes to get ready and I'll come down to make you breakfast. Okay?" she asked using her free hand to wipe the sleep from her eyes.
Kakomi nodded and flew out of the room, remembering to shut the door behind her. Rayne reached over and poked Kakashi's arm with her forefinger.
"Up," she explained when he opened his one groggy eye to glare at the bright window across from their bed. "No," he grumbled before turning and facing the opposite side of the room.
"I have to take Kakomi to school and you have to finish that paperwork before Tsunade sends someone after you," she reminded him as she stood and headed to the bathroom. When she came back out five minutes later after a quick shower, she found him asleep.
"Hatake, get up right now or you ont eat tonight," she threatened, pulling the sheets off the bed on her way to the dresser.
"I'll do it later," he promised idly. She sighed and threw him a pair of boxers and pants, grabbing underwear, jeans and a tank top for herself. She dressed quickly and ran a brush through her damp hair.
"No. You have to get up and watch the twins while Im talking to ruka. I should be back within an hour. I have to stop and grab some things for dinner tonight. Speaking of which, if you dont get up you will not eat. C'mon," she urged kissing his lips gently. "Up."
He gave her his one eye glare and kept it up while he slid on his boxers and cargo pants, not getting up to do so. When it looked like she would drag him out of bed her sighed heavily and swung his legs over the edge, his barefeet actually touching the floor. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you. now, If you want breakfast be downstairs in ten minutes." With that she was out the door and down the stairs. He blinked a few times before groaning and standing, looking for one of his many mask lying around.
"Can I have pancakes today?" Kakomi asked, giving her mother puppy dog eyes. Rayne laughed and nodded, pulling out batter mix and vanilla extract.
"How many do you want?" she asked, adding water to the mix and stirring with one hand while pulling out a pan with the other. Kakomi looked at her fingers for a second before holding up two in a tiny peace sign. "This many," she clarified.
"I'll take two," Kakashi said as he came down the stairs and took a seat at the table. Rayne smirked and set a place in front of him. Kakomi smiled at her father and waved enthusiastically.
"Good morning Daddy! Me and mommy have to go to school early today," she announced, suddenly nodded an ruffled her hair. "Mommy told me. Have you been good?" he asked, as if he didnt already know the answer.
"I was a very good girl, Daddy," she said solemnly, her little face serious. He nodded and began cutting a peice of pancake out of his late when Rayne set the food in front of them.
"I believe you, then." She looked at him for a moment, as if judging the truth to his words. Then she turned to Rayne, "Do you believe me, Mommy?" she asked, her green eyes wide.
Rayne smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Of course I do. Now, eat up so we can hear what Iruka has to say. And dont worry, Im sure you're not in trouble."
Fifteen minutes later Rayne was shrugging on a black blazer and helping Kakomi into her coat. "I'll be home in about an hour. Get started on that paperwork. I love you," she called, ushering Kakomi out the door and shutting it behind her.
Kakashi, who was sitting on the couch, surrounded by paperwork he knew he had to complete, sighed. After a moment of internal debate, he decided to just do the damn work and get it over with so Rayne wouldnt have to ask Tsunade for yet another extension for him. About twenty minutes into his large pile of work, someone knocked on the door. He stood and answered it, holding out his hand to the person standing on the other side.
"I've been waiting for you. Perfect timing," he greeted, stepping aside to let them in.
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THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO REVIEWED:
KittynJenn, Narai Moroha, rukia23, tensai, SmileEmptySoul56, agostinho, PTGTH01/02 ( I Promise on my horrible grammer that I am NOT gonna just drop this series. Honestly), ledger, and Maika The Avenger.
You guys are the only reason Im going to continue this story. The next update is going to be in within this week. If not, I give you all permission to Flame the crap outta my mail box. Okay?