It wasn't until Sasuke showed up (at dinner while they were eating) that Kakashi understood that his perfect little life was shattered. He should have known it would come. Whenever he got somewhat happy in his life, something terrible happened. It was usually someone dying. But this time it was someone not being dead.

It meant that Naruto would become Hokage. Not that Kakashi particularly liked being Hokage, it meant he'd have to find a new place to…ah, sleep…And the dogs had gotten pretty comfortable with their reign in the tower.

It also meant finding something else to do. As much as he loved his beloved stories, he couldn't just read those all day. Plus he was getting a bit old to live the life of a Shinobi. Besides, there would be…he had…ah, eh…people waiting for him?

It meant he'd have to find a new place to live because Sasuke probably wouldn't want him sharing a bed with his wife anymore.

III

Kakashi had wanted to move back into his old apartment, but alas, there was someone living there. Three people actually. A family.

It made him a little sad. He hated trying to find a new place. It had new-old smells. He moved in with Kurenai since living/killing Gai wasn't an option.

She needed someone after all. Her house seemed to get a bit bigger now her little (Mirai) one was a genin now, off having adventures with cats and gardens.

It gave them both someone to talk to as they experience the 'empty nest syndrome.'

III

Kakashi was walking his dogs one night (well, walking with them) with Kurenai and the to-be-maybe-hopefully-not-almost-chuunin when his dogs, and him, and Kurenai, and the still-too-young-to-be-a-chuunin missed the fist that slammed into Kakashi's face, sending him falling backwards.

His dogs were loyal, but smart, only growling and yapping at the Sharingan-Rinnegan man as he heaved anger.

"Stay the fuck away from my family!" He hissed, cracking his knuckles before stalking off.

Kakashi had only gone to the hospital to show a good example to Mirai. It wasn't to see Sakura.

III

Gai was now a physical education instructor at the academy (Kakashi's doing-a much easier way to weed the not passionate students out) so it was only natural he'd end up there from time to time, helping out and what not.

Gai was the only person who was allowed to ask about his domestic life. He assumed Gai was the only one who truly understood it. Five months in and he was starting to settle in. Mirai was finally dropping the whole 'sama' business. Though, in Kakashi's opinion, 'jii' was a little much too.

There was a squeal that would have broken glass, and one that melted Kakashi's heart as he and Gai turned from their light sparring to see a bundle of red, blue, and white come running towards, them, tripping slightly before launching herself at Kakashi's shins.

"Kaka-tou! I've missed you!"

Kakashi's heart was going from warm and fuzzy to icy and dark like the churning of a cyclone.

He patted Sarada's head as she nuzzled his knees. He looked back to Gai. "That explains a lot."

He stopped coming by the academy.

III

Kakashi caught Sakura outside the hospital.

"Yo." She froze. He was sitting on the bench at the entrance to the hospital. He stood, looking around nervously, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He saw she noticed them before he tucked them behind him. "Ah…Mirai…" He pointed towards the building.

Sakura smiled. "She's going to be alright. It's only a broken arm."

Kakashi's shoulders sagged as he sighed. "Good."

They stood in an awkward silence.

"Hows…"

"Sara-chan is doing great." She smiled. "Really great." She looked at her shoes. "They think she has potential to graduate early. Not-not now" She waved her hand in front of her face, looking at everything but his covered face. "But-but in a couple years." She didn't know why she kept nodding. "Sasuke-kun thinks that's…good."

"How's that going? Him?"

She wanted to scream. "Fine, great, fine…fine." She kept nodding! Why?! She scratched behind her ear. "Happy."

It sounded more like a question.

Silence.

"…Well, you should…you should go." She glimpsed at his face-solid, no emotion. "She'll love the flowers." She watched Kakashi bring the flowers up from behind his back, resting the small bundle. around his mid section.

She watched his hands pluck two flowers out, handing them over. She looked up to him, shakily taking the proffered flowers. Their fingers brushed and she thought she'd be sick. His face said nothing but his eyes were like pools of regret.

"One's for-"

"Yeah." She was nodding again. "Yeah."

He hadn't retracted his hand, or maybe her pinkie around his forefinger was keeping it there.

"I'm sorry I didn't -"

"You did what was best." She lied. She knew it was a lie, he knew it was a lie. "It's what Sarada needs. Him. To teach her-"

"Yeah."

She didn't let go. He didn't pull away.

"I have to go." She whispered.

She watched his feet move closer to hers. "Me too." He whispered as her lips brushed against his.

Like the first time, it was in front of the hospital. Like the first time, he pulled his mask down to open himself up to her, pulling her close (but not enough to crush the flowers).

But unlike the first time, it had to end. She pulled back slowly and he followed, giving her small open mouth kisses. She pushed him away lightly, with two fingers and he complied.

She stole two before she fell back on her heels.

"Good-bye." She whispered, gently cradling her flowers to her chest. She dropped his hand.

"Bye, Sakura." She turned, walking away.

She heard the doors open and close as he walked into the hospital.