Chapter Twelve: Simple Affection
"Anything interesting happen today?" Sakumo picked up Kakashi and Yuina from the academy, one on each side of him.
"Hokage-sama visited our class this morning," said Kakashi. For him, that certainly made it more eventful than most days.
"He did?"
"He visited our class in the afternoon." Yuina had been surprised. She would have thought that he would have more important things to do, but reasoned that his presence was probably a form of reaffirming his authority of their hierarchy.
"He lead class instead of sensei. Obito thought maybe sensei was sick," Yuina chocked a little, "but that sounds stupid." It wasn't even like comparing a principal covering for a teacher, but rather relying on a prime minister to cover a class. Though, from what little she knew about Obito, it sounded like him: action first, think later.
"Sarutobi-san, er, Asuma-san," she didn't want anyone to think she was disrespecting the Hokage by using his name, "needed Kurenai-san to usher him to class." She wondered what their exact relationship. It was hard to tell whether he was running away because he was embarrassed, because of his self-image, or if their relationship was less than amicable.
"And what did you think of class?" Sakumo lead them to the market instead of making a left at their usual turn.
"He let us do more fun stuff then sensei." Kakashi admitted as he preened.
Yuina shrugged. Class was class regardless who taught. Different teacher, different lessons and style was all. "Okay." She eyed one of the fish stands and said, "Should we eat saury for dinner?"
Kakashi looked to her. Saury was one of his favourites, so she doubted he would complain.
"Should we have yams with it then?" It was Yuina's turn to look at Kakashi. He would always eat what was given to him but he thought yams were too sweet. He would never have suggested that for his own pallet.
Oh. It was reciprocal for having suggested saury.
She didn't mind that they didn't eat it often. It was better for them to eat what everyone enjoyed then causing a fuss over it. Kakashi offered though and she didn't want him to think she was ungrateful.
"Okay." She smiles up at Sakumo. "Should we finish our meal ensemble with miso?" They should have most of the ingredients still with the exception of needing more tofu. It was a common dish but Sakumo seemed to genuinely enjoy it more than a staple meal.
Sakumo smiles and playfully said, "I guess it's out of my hands." He rubbed his hand on their heads which she leaned into.
They bought the fish, yams, and tofu before going home and cooking together. Yuina prepared the dashi for the miso after throwing the yams in the oven. Kakashi salted the saury to roast before working on a glaze. Sakumo gave tips along the way which greatly elevated the flavours.
It was nice. Having the three of them together again. Sakumo had been gone nearly two weeks this time. She didn't have the right to ask him to take shorter missions though. She wondered whether Sakumo even had a choice in the matter.
After washing up after dinner she hugged Sakumo. Warm. Safe. Secure. For a moment Yuina felt that she existed in this bizarre world. "I'm glad you're home." Her voice muffled because her face was buried.
She felt his arms pull her towards him more.
Who knew that it only took yams and hugs to make her feel loved.
Note: Thanks for waiting! It was supposed to be longer but I decided to move part of what was supposed to be in this chapter to a later time.
I need to remind Yuina to get all the hugs she can because the start of the hurt is approaching.