Chapter 44

"I don't think you guys have ever treated me to lunch before," Kakashi mused, glancing over the meal.

It wasn't a restaurant he visited much. He'd passed by it multiple times, but he had only went in with Team Ro once as a treat.

"Izumi said it was the appropriate thing to do when your teammate returns from a kidnapping situation," Sasuke explained.

"Actually didn't she say you had to visit them in hospital and buy them gifts?" Naruto blinked.

"Yeah, but Kakashi sensei's case was different since he wasn't harmed," Sasuke grunted. "So lunch."

"I thought I could make us a meal at home," Sakura said. "But Izumi said it would be better if we went out."

"Yeah, better and safer," Naruto muttered. "Thanks, Izumi."

"What do you mean by that?" Sakura glared.

Naruto threw up his hands. "Nothing! Nothing!"

"Well thank you for the meal." Kakashi smiled. "I hope you were all doing alright while I was away. I haven't really been debriefed on everything that's happened yet."

He paused when the three slumped in their seats, a gloomy cloud hanging over them. "Uh, what's wrong?" he asked, baffled.

Sasuke growled lowly. "Itachi came back to the village."

Kakashi choked. "What?"

"Yeah. He and Izumi fought. He nearly murdered Kurenai and Asuma. Then he tried to kidnap Naruto after putting most of us under a genjutsu where Izumi tried to murder us. The fake Izumi, not the real one. She had got put under two other genjutsu, but broke free of both of them." Sasuke listed off, face carefully blank.

"Thankfully Master Jiraiya chased him off and saved us!" Sakura said, forced cheer in her voice. "And I managed to dispel the genjutsu."

"Then Itachi hurt Izumi..." Sasuke muttered.

Naruto shrivelled. "He was terrifying."

Kakashi winced.

"You knew him Kakashi sensei," Sasuke said, staring him down. "Did you ever think-"

"No." Kakashi's shoulders slumped. "Not in a million years."

If he had maybe things would have turned out a little differently. Kakashi didn't know how, but maybe he could have warned someone? Maybe even talked to Mikoto, he might have been able to save her. But it was impossible now. No, the best thing he could do now was to keep Sasuke and Izumi alive.

"Wait, Kakashi sensei knew Itachi?" Sakura frowned. "How?"

"I was his Captain once back in my ANBU years," Kakashi said.

"ANBU years?" Naruto gasped, then huffed. "Jeez, ANBU are so annoying. There was this dog masked one that kept trying to fill my cupboards with vegetables."

Sasuke eyed him. Kakashi fought off the urge to laugh nervously.

"So what happened to you, Kakashi sensei?" Sakura asked. "You weren't hurt, right?"

"Nothing bad. I was just kept locked up in Mr. Kidnapper's suite," Kakashi said, even as the pups frowned. "Honestly, I'm fine. It was more like I was kidnapped for a vacation. I wasn't around for half of the troubles you guys went through sadly."

"It might have been a blessing in disguise," Sasuke said quietly.

"What the hell does that mean?" Naruto bristled.

"Itachi." Sasuke's eyes darkened, and his fists clenched. "Kakashi sensei would have went after him the moment he found out you were his target, Naruto. What do you think that murderous bastard would have done to Kakashi and the baby?"

Kakashi winced. "I'd rather not think about that." He paused thoughtfully though and frowned at Sasuke. "How is that troublesome mark doing?"

Sasuke grimaced.

"Wait, what?" Sakura blinked. "I thought that was dealt with."

"The mark the snake lady put on you?" Naruto frowned.

"Stop calling him a snake lady. His name is Orochimaru," Sasuke scolded. "But yes, it was dealt with-"

"Yes, but I told you the conditions of that mark," Kakashi reminded. "And we both know Itachi coming back would have caused damage to your mental health which is what you really can't afford when that's attached to your scent gland. So what has happened with it while I've been away?"

Sasuke crossed his arms and leaned back heavily in his chair. It took a while, but finally he talked. "Fine. It's been pulsing like crazy and giving me a headache. My temper has been shorter due to it and I've been wanting to constantly train."

"Isn't that something you always want to do?" Naruto snorted.

"More so than usual," Sasuke sighed. "I took out Team 10, sparred with Sakura multiple times, and Neji and Tenten. I even took down Team 8."

"Okay, yeah, that might be a bit of a problem." Kakashi frowned. "I'll take a good look at my notes and see what I can do about that curse mark."

"While I remember," Sasuke said. "Izumi and some friends have been doing some kind of project while waiting for news on you."

Kakashi paused, then smiled. He might know what project they're on about.

"By the way, Kakashi sensei," Naruto spoke up, eyeing on folder sitting next to him. "What's up with the folder? You took it out of the hospital with you."

"Pictures of the baby actually." Kakashi opened it up, handing out the pair of photos. "I've left the gender out as a surprise for myself later, but I couldn't resist a photo when the pup had their butt pressed up against the monitor."

Naruto laughed.

Sakura groaned. "That baby is already a troll."

"Like mother like child," Kakashi said proudly, grinning at the groans.

"So when are they due?" Sakura asked.

"Early January. Lady Tsunade thinks it will be the second."

"Are babies always that small?" Naruto asked, squinting at the photos.

"Oh no, the baby still has quite a bit of growing to do," Sakura said. "I think they're supposed to be the size of a watermelon when they're ready to come out?"

Kakashi shuddered at the thought. "I need more clothes."

The kids all winced.

"That reminds me." Kakashi frowned. "I'm only allowed to go on D and C ranked missions for now, and maybe a B depending on the situation, and I'm also not allowed to travel very far due to security reasons-"

"Trying not to get kidnapped again?" Sasuke asked dryly.

"Exactly." Kakashi smiled cheerfully. "Lady Tsunade wants to keep a close eye on me since this is my first pregnancy and I've already been kidnapped. She's worried if more people learn about it, especially Kumo, I might be chased by a lot of people."

So he had to be very careful.

.::.

A scream pierced the sky.

Izumi chuckled. "I told him not to run away from the panthers. Now the last one is dead and gone."

Izumi tossed away the knife in her shoulder with a wince. Four bodies fell to the ground as she dressed her wounds. All spies of Orochimaru this time. Last time it was Kumo. More and more villages really wanted to have a sneak peak of Konoha's condition.

Too bad the ANBU were out in force, because now they had to slaughter everyone and everything that threatened Konoha's fragile condition. But more importantly, she would not let any spies near Sasuke. Orochimaru can remain in the dark about his condition. One had tried to escape to report to him, but her panthers had taken care of that problem while Izumi slaughtered the rest.

Well, mission done. At least this part of it.

She fixed the panther mask back on to her face and began her hunt. Time to find more spies and take them out.

.::.

Kakashi arrived in front of the Hatake Estate with a bag of walnuts and a wine Tenzo was particularly found of. Tenzo was cleaning the windows, but smiled and jumped down from his wooden ladders to approach.

"I heard you were brought back safe and sound." Tenzo smiled warmly. "Lady Tsunade said you were both doing well."

"We're fine, Tenzo, but I'm surprised you aren't out on a mission right now."

Tenzo smirked. "Team Ro and I were fixing up the Hatake Estate, since Guy's been busy we've taken advantage and started leaving behind one of us while he's on missions. Sorry I didn't visit you in hospital, but I was told you wouldn't be there for long."

"No worries, Lady Tsunade wanted to do a proper examination since I was kidnapped, but we're both in great health." Kakashi patted his stomach. "So, you and Guy are still trying to win this contest of yours?"

"Team Ro will win," Tenzo declared, grinning. "Guy's getting so frustrated by it too."

"So, what have you guys done to my house?" Kakashi raised a brow.

Tenzo opened the front door for him, and bowed. "Come on in."

Kakashi laughed. "You're adorable, Tenzo." He ruffled his hair as he walked in.

Tenzo chuckled. "Just having fun, Kakashi senpai." Tenzo shut the door. "Anyway, I got rid of the apartment I made and added rooms to the estate instead, since apparently I didn't have 'planning permission'."

Kakashi snorted.

"Yeah, I know. Shikaku was adamant though, and since he looked ready to hit me with the Hokage's chair, I thought I'd listen." Tenzo rolled his eyes. "Anyway, so we cleaned up all the rooms, got the furniture in, and finished the nursery."

Kakashi hesitated. "And his room?"

Tenzo softened. "Guy cleaned it. He was the only one of us that knew your father at all, so he cleaned it up. He did leave everything in its place though."

"Thank you." Kakashi closed his eyes and breathed in. "I don't know if I can still go in his room."

It was where his body had lain. Where his father had killed himself, breaking Kakashi's heart. It- It felt like a betrayal in both of their parts. Kakashi should have stayed by his side, but his father never should have sent him away and killed himself in their home. He shouldn't have left himself there for Kakashi to find.

He shouldn't have given Kakashi so much hope and crushed it in an instant.

But Kakashi still left him alone, and that was something he'd always remember.

Kakashi pushed the thoughts aside. "You did my room?"

"Not really, cleaned it, but not redone since you've not used it since you were a teenager."

Kakashi had moved out after Minato's and Kushina's deaths. They had been over constantly, or had dragged Kakashi to their apartment, and the estate had been full of too many memories. His father, then them, and it felt like he was only living with ghosts. Kakashi had ran away from the estate for his own well-being. He only came back to the gardens where his parents lay, otherwise it had taken Guy years (and being kicked out of ANBU) to convince Kakashi to come back and see his home again.

"Instead I build a new room in for you, right next to the nursery so you could have easy access," Tenzo said cheerily. "I then built a playroom and an art room and a library-"

Kakashi paused. "We already had a library-"

"Yes, but this is a library done by me. I shaped all the wood, Kakashi senpai. It's fancy," Tenzo insisted. "You had a mere bookcase. What I did was art!"

Kakashi groaned. "When was the last time you slept?"

Tenzo blinked slowly.

"Uh, Tenzo?"

Tenzo smiled. "Let's go see the nursery!"

"Don't just change the subject!" Kakashi cried, but Tenzo cheerfully grabbed his wrist and dragged him along.

"Who needs sleep?" Tenzo laughed.

"Apparently you."

Tenzo didn't have a good reaction to lack of sleep. He always acted crazy every time he went without. Kakashi had used to make sure Tenzo had the first sleeping shift back in the ANBU days so he wouldn't be crazy, or creepy. Creepy Tenzo was a nightmare to deal with.

"Ko picked out the colours. I actually thought he was leaning towards blue but it looks like he changed his mind and went with green instead." Tenzo walked him down to the end of the hall, the new wall that Kakashi knew hadn't been there the last time he was here. "Ta da!" He opened up the door at the end of the hall.

Kakashi froze.

Tenzo blinked at his silence. "Ah, that wasn't the reaction I was hoping for. You look a little confused? Is it bad? I thought it looked kinda nice, but if you don't like it, I'll change the colours."

"Tenzo, I haven't told you about the nursery back where I was held captive, right?"

Tenzo choked. "There was a nursery?"

"Yeah. It's exactly the same as this one," Kakashi explained.

It was the same colours and same layout, with the same toys Kakashi had seen before as well. It was as if Tenzo had cloned the room.

"The plans had been sitting on the floor!" Tenzo gasped. "I thought Ko had left them out before his mission-"

"I think it might have been Mr. Kidnapper."

Tenzo groaned. "I'll change it."

"No, no." Kakashi waved him off. "I actually really missed it."

"Oh." Tenzo blinked. "You're fine with it?"

"Yeah." Kakashi smiled. "I really liked that nursery despite being held captive in that suite. It was really nice."

"You got a suite?"

"Yeah, guards and everything, and a tracking bracelet that drugged me if I stepped out of the castle."

Tenzo groaned. "You tried to escape, didn't you?"

"Twice." Kakashi grinned. "The second attempt was much more successful since Shizune was there in disguise."

"Right..." Tenzo shook his head. "But I'm more concerned about the fact Mr. Kidnapper can get in the Hatake Estate without the seals going off."

"Yeah, that might be a problem."

"Can you add more to them?" Tenzo asked.

"Maybe? But I'm trying to figure out how to deal with Sasuke's right now, and Mr. Kidnapper won't hurt me, so it's not my biggest concern." Kakashi shrugged.

"You're way too relaxed about this!"

"This has been a crazy year." Kakashi smiled, a strained smile. "I got three genin, an emo duck, a screeching goblin and the pink one. We instantly got attacked by Zabuza when we left the village for the first time as a team. I almost got kidnapped by Kumo on a mission with the ANBU and rescued by Mr. Kidnapper who accidentally impregnated me. Then found out I was lied to by people we should be able to trust about my contraceptive pills. Then we had the Chunin exams where Sasuke got bitten by Orochimaru. Then he attacked and destroyed the village and murdered our Hokage. Shall I go on?"

Tenzo winced. "Nope. I get the picture."

"Good, because thinking about all that makes me want to go take a nap!" Kakashi laughed.

It had been a stressful year.

"If anything else happens this year." Kakashi kept laughing. "I'm going to murder someone."

Tenzo disappeared and instantly reappeared with a slice of strawberry cake and a cup of tea. Kakashi snatched them and munched away, stabbing his fork into the cake.

"And I'll be petty about it too," Kakashi growled.