Kakashi watched from the sidelines as Hana started to grow up.

He wanted to know her, but Sakura was adamant to keep him at arm's length. He thought giving her the space was a good idea, but now he realized, Sakura just drift further away from him.

Haruno Hana, at six years old is very clever.

He knew it because Iruka is Hana's sensei, and he gives him updates about the kid. Iruka knows about Kakashi's and Sakura's history and knows that the girl is his kid. It's the only thing he can do for his friend.

Hana had inherited her mother's intelligence and was already displaying remarkable abilities at a young age. She excelled in her studies and showed a natural talent for medical ninjutsu, a skill that wasn't surprising given her mother's expertise in the field. Despite her youth, Hana was a quick learner and seemed determined to make her mother proud.

Kakashi couldn't help but admire Hana's resilience and determination. He watched her from the shadows, always careful not to intrude or disrupt her life. He yearned to be a part of her world, to guide her as she grew, but he respected Sakura's wishes and remained in the background.

Sakura and Hana's bond was unbreakable. They shared a strong mother-daughter relationship that was evident to anyone who knew them. Sakura was fiercely protective of her daughter and provided her with love, guidance, and support. She was determined to shield Hana from any pain or harm, even if it meant keeping Kakashi at bay.

As time passed, Kakashi couldn't help but reflect on the past, the choices he had made, and the consequences of his actions. He felt a profound sense of regret for leaving Sakura years ago and understood the pain he had caused her. He longed to make amends, not just for his own sake but for the sake of the family he had never known he had.

One day, as Hana continued to grow and blossom, Kakashi received an unexpected message. It was a simple note from Sakura, delivered by a messenger hawk.

"Meet me at our special place. Tomorrow. Same time."

Kakashi's heart raced as he read the message. The words "our special place" brought back a flood of memories and emotions. It was a place he and Sakura had frequented during their youth, a secluded spot in the forest where they had shared many moments together.

He couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope as he anticipated the meeting. Perhaps this was the opportunity he had been waiting for to bridge the gap between them, to understand the choices Sakura had made, and to be there for Hana, the daughter he had never known he had.

The following day, Kakashi made his way to the designated location in the forest, his heart heavy with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. He couldn't predict what Sakura had in mind, but he was willing to face whatever awaited him.

As he arrived at the secluded spot, he spotted Sakura and Hana waiting for him. The two of them sat together on a blanket, and Hana's face lit up with curiosity as she saw Kakashi's approach.

"Mama, who's that man?" Hana asked, her innocent curiosity filling the air.

Sakura glanced at Kakashi, her expression a mix of uncertainty and resolution. "Hana, this is Kakashi. He's... he's someone very important to me, and I want you to meet him."

Hana studied Kakashi with wide eyes, her pink hair reflecting the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees. She shifted closer to her mother, clearly feeling a mix of fascination and apprehension.

Kakashi bowed his head slightly, his visible eye locked on Hana's gaze. "Hello, Hana. I'm Kakashi, and I'm someone who's been wanting to know you for a very long time."

Hana remained silent, her gaze unwavering, her small hand gripping her mother's. Sakura watched the encounter with bated breath, hoping that this meeting would mark a new chapter in their lives.

The forest was silent except for the rustling leaves and the occasional chirping of birds. The weight of the moment hung in the air, and the future remained uncertain. Kakashi could only hope that this would be the beginning of a new journey, one where he could finally be a part of the family he had longed for.

As the moments passed, Hana's curiosity seemed to get the best of her. She tugged on her mother's sleeve, looking up at Sakura with a question in her eyes.

"Mama, is he my papa?" Hana asked, her voice filled with innocence and wonder.

Sakura took a deep breath, her emotions raw and vulnerable. She looked at Kakashi and then back at her daughter. "Yes, Hana. Kakashi is your papa."

Hana's face lit up with a mix of surprise and excitement. She turned to Kakashi, her eyes shining with newfound understanding. "Papa?"

Kakashi's heart swelled with emotion as he reached out to embrace his daughter. Hana hesitated for a moment, but then she threw her small arms around him, her grip tight and filled with affection.

"Papa," she repeated with a smile.

Tears welled up in Kakashi's eye as he held Hana, a sense of fulfillment and joy washing over him. It was a moment he had longed for, a chance to be a father and to make amends for his past actions.

Sakura watched the scene with a mixture of relief and gratitude. She knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, but she was willing to take that journey for the sake of her daughter and the family they were forming.

The three of them sat together in the forest, a family reunited and ready to face whatever the future held.

"Papa." Hana called her father again as she buried her face in the crook of her father's neck. "Papa."

Kakashi can feel the tears of his girl wetting his mask. But he doesn't care, his daughter can wet all his mask for all he cares, but he will never break the hug that his daughter is giving him just because of a piece of cloth. He will never let her go if he an help it.

He stared at Sakura. Willing that his eye convey the gratitude that he feels for this moment. For the chance to hug Hana, to know her, to hear her call him 'papa.'

'Thank you.' His mind told her. As he watch her nod, he knows. He knows that she knows.