There was a tree in front of Sakura Uchiha's house. It was a large tree, thanks to Yamato that brought shade to the small porch. It had a giant, sturdy branch that protruded off the side, a trick, he was certain, thanks again to Yamato. Shortly after Sarada Uchiha was able to walk (and really balance) Kakashi put up a swing. Well...told Yamato to do it.

It was a nice tree that had more strong branches. One particular one that Kakashi deemed suitable as a perch. It was where he went to ponder life's big questions (hide from Shikamaru and other Hokage responsibilities). Even in the winter the leaves were lush (he was easily hidden) and it was high enough he could dangle his legs freely (And Sakura couldn't reach him with her mop).

Yes, it was a wonderful tree.

III

"Why are you always up there?" Sarada had asked from her swing. It was late afternoon, the sun slowly starting to descend behind the houses and trees. The cicadas were buzzing loudly around them. Sarada was standing on the seat, peering up at him curiously. Sakura would have a heart attach seeing her little Sarada in the seat like that. But she wasn't home.

He shrugged. "I'm afraid of heights."

She giggled. She cupped her mouth, but then let out a yelp as she almost lost her balance.

Kakashi would never admit that he almost dropped his book at the sound, or his heart. She quickly reset her balance and started to giggle again. "If you're scared why are you always up there?!"

"You see..." He sighed, looking up at the leaved. "I've been trapped here for five years."

"No you haven't!" She shrieked, giggling.

"You're only four."

"But you weren't up there yesterday!" She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Of course I was. I was simply invisible."

She slowly rocked the swing, looking down at her feet. "I've seen momma bring you food." She looked up at him. "You're the one she buys those icky purple things for."

"Eggplants are the gods gift to mankind. Do not disrespect." He said, looking back down at his book.

She giggled. "You're so weird Kaka-jii."

"Hmmm..." He said softly.

After a few minutes there was a loud plock as Sarada jumped down into sitting position, rocking back and forth. Twenty-two seconds later Sakura came around the corner, a bag full of groceries in her hand. She called out to her daughter.

"When she invites you in, you can say yes." Sarada said softly. Kakashi looked down at her and she was staring at her feet. "The inside of the house isn't scary."

"And when you get back from the academy you don't go in."

She looked up at her mother. "It's just lonely." She broke out in a grin, hoping out of her swing and rushing towards her mother. Kakashi returned to his book.

Kakashi couldn't agree with her more.

III

Kakashi watched from behind his book from his perch in the tree as Shin Noburu knocked nervously on the front door. Shin Noburu was a sixteen year old Chuunin that graduated from the academy a year before Sarada. He was lanky and awkward (some Kakashi was sure he'd never grow out of) with menial talent and hair that wouldn't calmly sit still. He wore a pair of navy pants and a light blue shirt that made his eyes look almost yellow instead of their normal green color.

Boy couldn't even dress himself.

The door opened three minutes later to Sakura, wiping her hands on her small apron she wore while cooking. Her smile was bright and welcoming as the boy nervously shifted his weight, scratching the back of his head. He looked down uncertainly at the flowers in his hand before holding them out to Sakura. She smiled warmly, placing her hands on his, pushing the flowers back into his hands.

"Don't be nervous Shin-kun." Sakura said warmly, ushering him him.

Kakashi huffed, readjusting himself behind his book.

Twelve minutes and seventeen long seconds later, 'Shin-kun' and little Sarada came out of the house. She was wearing a simple white button down shirt that sat over her slightly above the knee pleated skirt. Her long hair fell freely down her back. Her left bare arms were looped in that bastard's right.

Kakashi's scowl could not hide behind his mask.

They walked cautiously past the tree, Sarada's eyes flickering up to his hiding spot within the leaves before snuggling into him, laughing.

Kakashi gawked.

"You're not following them, you understand me?" Sakura said from the base of the tree, not looking up.

"You let her leave the house dressed like that." He said in disbelief.

"She's in a white skirt and a skirt?"

"You should be ashamed." He moped. "Her skirt should be much longer."

Kakashi could hear Sakura roll her eyes. "Kakashi what she wears on a normal day is more revealing than that."

"It's context." He looked down at her. "She's not going to smash anyone's face in wearing those stilettos."

"Her boots have a higher heel than those." Sakura looked up to him, her hands on her hips. With her long hair pulled back in a low pony tail, she looked eerily like Tsunade. "She's fifteen. This is what fifteen year olds do."

"I didn't."

"You weren't normal."

"You didn't."

"I was in a war."

Kakashi sulked, pulling his legs closer.

Sakura sighed loudly. "Listen, I'm making roasted tomatoes and eggplants." He leered down at her.

"Are you bribing me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Well to be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of egg plant."

He looked at her then back at where the two children walked turned the corner. Part of him demanded that he follow them. The other really liked Sakura's roasted tomatoes and eggplants.

"Come on. You can kill him after he breaks her heart." She held up a hand, gesturing him down.

He slowly edged out of the tree.

She pointed at the swing. "Sit!" She barked. He eyed the seat warily. It had been years since the simple swing swung from this branch. It was a bench swing now. One that the Uchiha girls used fairly regularly. Swinging, laughing, giggling, talking about female things (Kakashi can't bother to listen from all the way up on his perch).

Sakura had already went into the house, the door wide open. He supposed he could have followed her, but it just seemed...wrong. After everything that happened between her and Sasuke (and all that didn't-he blamed himself for some of it) he felt it wasn't right to tread into their space. She came back shortly with two plates in her hands and canned lemonades in her apron pockets. "You're not sitting." She said.

He quickly obliged.

III

And thus a tradition was born.

III

Kakashi watched the empty street from his perch in his tree. Crickets chirped and bull frogs croaked sweet melodies into the night.

He stared back down at his book, trying not to think.

Because it was 9:39. Sarada should have been home nine minutes ago. His mind reeled of the three thousand seven hundred and twelve things that could have happened to her. And the four things that could have actually happened to her.

But, in Kakashi's defense, space pirates could be a real issue.

He was about to slip his book into his pocket when he hear sniffling, smelled salt and his heart dropped as he saw little Sarada rounding the corner, her little bag (he refused to call it a purse-she was only sixteen) dragging the ground behind her.

She slowly sludged along, wiping her red and blotchy face.

Kakashi buried his nose in his book.

The usual trek from the corner to the Uchiha (Haruno, really) homestead usually took one hundred and ninety-six seconds. Sarada had barely made it to the tree by second two hundred and fifty five. She looked hard at the front door before moving to the tree, leaning heavily against it.

"Stupid boys." She sniffled, taking deep breathes. She leaned her head against the tree, tilting it up high. "Stupid fucking boys."

Kakashi bit his lip-now was not the time to comment on her cursing.

Kakashi was torn between wanting to tear this boy-this Shin to shreds or jump down from the tree and hold her close, rock her, comfort her and reinforce the idea that yes, boys (especially older boys-particularly Naruto's boy) were stupid and she should never have anything to do with them.

"I'm doomed to be like mom, aren't I." If he wasn't certain his chakra was masked, he would have answered her. "Having her heart stomped on by shitty men..." She looked down at her feet, hiccuping as fresh salty tears erupted from her eyes. Kakashi peered down from his branch, watching as the little droplets hit the dry ground. "Stupid Shin..."

Kakashi closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"And you!" She screamed, almost causing Kakashi to fall out of the tree. He looked down to see her pointing an accusing finger at him. "And you just sit in that stupid tree! All the damn time!" She wiped her snotty face on her sweater. "You never come in despite mom always waiting!" She stamped her foot and ran her hands through her hair.

"Boys are! Are! Guh!" She shrieked. "So Stupid!"

She stormed off towards the house, swinging the door open and storming inside.

Leaving the door open.

Sakura slowly peered out from the shadows within. She took some steps out, carefully closing the door behind her before moving towards the swing. As she slipped into the swing Kakashi slipped off his perch and into the seat next to her.

"I saw it coming, you know." She whispered. She had a side pony tail that made her look years younger in her green plaid pajamas.

"He won't find anyone else nearly as perfect as her." Kakashi mumbled.

Sakura let out a muffled laugh. Their shoulders touched briefly as they slowly swung back and forth. Kakashi was aware, just as aware as he had always been when she leaned against him, but this time it was different.

He wasn't sure what to do so he lightly leaned back.

"I never liked Shin." She sighed.

"I can kill him."

"I know you can."

"I will-"

"Kakashi-"

"All she has to do is say."

"I'm sure all she has to do is hint."

"Think, really."

Sakura laughed. "You should go talk to her."

"I thought that was your job."

"She'd probably rather talk to a guy. To convince her you're not all stupid."

"I'm probably the stupidest one of all." He murmured. He looked at the door.

"She wants you to talk to her, Kakashi."She placed her hand on his gently. "You're the closest thing she has to a father."

Kakashi swallowed thickly. He'd never been in Sakura's house. It didn't seem right. All the implications...

She squeezed his hand.

He cleared his throat and stood, right before his hand slipped from hers, he gripped it tight, pulling her up after him. She followed, squeezing back as he opened the door and slipped in side.

The door shutting behind them.