Academy Arc: Simple Affection

Sakumo's mission finished a little earlier than anticipated. He finished giving his report then checked the time. It was still a little early, but he could make it in time to meet his kids at the gate after school.

He waited at the gates and recognized some of the other parents. Some must have come like clockwork, while others were more relaxed and allowed their kids to walk home to and from the academy alone at times, if not all the time.

"Sakumo." One mother greeted him. He recognized her, but she had been off active duty for a decade to raise her kids. "It's been a while."

Some of the other parents peeked his way. Sakumo felt anxious about being put on the spot. He didn't feel well the last time he got swept up in a group of gossiping mothers. He wondered if Juuri would have handled things better. No. He could imagine it. She would have been felt backed into a corner. She was a performer, but struggled to find words on a more social level. But who knew? She cooed over the children, so who was to say things couldn't have changed with time?

Time she wasn't permitted.

He should make a visit to her grave soon and update her on the kids.

"You know how work can be."

"You went back full-time way too early." Another parent chimed in. "I would be scared to leave Momoe alone. I can't even leave her with my husband. They are two peas in a pod. They would probably starve themselves."

"If the Kakashi boy is involved, it's probably fine. I hear he's a responsible young boy." A dad joined while waiting for his own kid. He heard plenty about the Hatake boy that he was envious. They were at a volatile age that made it hard to parent.

"Yuina too. Nao-chan said she can already cook. Sakumo, share your parenting secrets with us sometime."

Sakumo rubbed the back of his head. It was just like back in the park days. "I don't do anything special."

"You're still on about that."

No one ever believed him, but it was the truth.

Most of the other parents continued to talk to each other, but Sakumo felt further and further out of place. Maybe he should have waited at home.

Sakumo instantly changed his mind when students started leaving the building and he saw Kakashi's eyes light up just as Sakumo's mother's eyes would. "You're back," said Kakashi.

Yuina exited the building moments later and he could see the springiness of her steps as she walked faster to meet up with them. "Welcome back."

They walked away from the building before they made conversation. "Anything interesting happen while I was gone?" He would listen to anything they were willing to tell him.

"Hokage-sama visited our class the other day," said Kakashi. It made his day as it had made it more eventful than most days.

"He did?"

"Our class too," added Yuina. Kakashi and Yuina had already talked to each other on the subject, but were happy to chat with their dad.

Yuina thought the Hokage would have more important things to do, but reasoned that his presence was probably a form of reaffirming his authority in their hierarchy. A presence is often less underwhelming if one never met the person, and as a symbol of power it didn't sound like a good idea for a dictatorship. It wouldn't be possible if it was for the entire country, but it was just one village, with one academy. It wouldn't take more than a day for the Hokage to get involved to do some PR.

"He led class instead of sensei. Obito thought sensei was sick." Yuina choked even hearing it for the second time. "But that's stupid."

It wasn't even like comparing a principal of covering as a substitute teacher, but more closely to a prime minister being pulled from duties to cover class. The mere idea was ridiculous. It sounded like something Obito would say though, from what Kakashi had shared about the boy. Action first, thought later.

"Asuma-san," Yuina thought it was weird mentioning him when discussing the Hokage's visit, "needed Kurenai-san to usher him to class." She wondered what their home life was like. It was difficult to tell whether Asuma 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 led them to the market instead of making a left at their usual turn.

"He let us do more fun thing than sensei. More lessons and fewer lectures." They still had both, but it was skewed.

Yuina shrugged. Class was class regardless of who taught. Different teacher, different lesson and teaching style and all that. She was more alert than usual because it was the Hokage but she wasn't going to admit that. "Okay." She eyed one of the fish stalls. "Should we have saury and miso for dinner?"

Kakashi looked at Yuina, trying not to make a face.

Sakumo loved fish and miso. It was only natural to offer to have it since he was back. Since he wasn't picky with fish it only made sense to have one of Kakashi's favourite fish.

"We should have yams too," said Kakashi, and it was Yuina's turn to focus on Kakashi. He would eat what was given to him, but he thought yams were too sweet. Kakashi would never suggest it for his own palette, which meant he was adding something for her tastes too. Stupid. There were still a variety of leftover vegetable sides at home – not that she would turn down the chance for roasted yam. She didn't mind they didn't eat it often. It was better to eat what everyone enjoyed.

Sakumo didn't refuse, though, and she didn't want to reject Kakashi's offer. She didn't want him to think she was ungrateful for his thought and care.

"I guess it's out of my hands." Sakumo smiled and placed a hand on each of their heads, which she leaned into.

"We have most of the ingredients for a fresh batch of miso, except we need more tofu." Yuina touched the tips of her fingers as she thought to the fridge and pantry, trying to discern what they needed to buy. "And then we need the saury and yams."

They bought the ingredients then went home. Yuina prepared the dashi for the miso after throwing the yams in the over. Kakashi salted the saury to roast before working on the glaze. Sakumo gave some new cooking tips that greatly elevated the natural flavours.

Yuina was happy Sakumo was home. Home was best when the three of them were together. Sakumo had been gone nearly two weeks this time. She didn't have the right to ask him to take on shorter missions. She doubted Sakumo even got much say in the matter.

Sakumo washed up after dinner, which was when she went in for a long overdue hug.

Warm. Safe. Secure.

"I'm glad you're home." Yuina's voice was muffled as her face was snuggled against his body. She didn't want to let him go.

She felt his arms pull her towards him more offering a better snuggled compression.

"Did something happen?"

Yuina rubbed her face from side to side, her nose getting mashed in the process. "No. I just want a hug."

Who knew that it only took yams and hugs to make her feel loved?