Y/N awoke to another knock at the door. She knew because the kids were up, running around like maniacs. When a familiar head of silver hair popped in, she groaned as the door came crashing down. "Oops, sorry Y/N." Kakashi chuckled at her. "The kids are up, they're pretty entertained chasing Paku around. Sorry, they were watching tv quietly before." Kakashi chuckled, waving his tools in the air.

"Your good." She pushed herself up, a smile on her face. "I was just about to get up anyway. Did Naruto send you over for the door?"

"Yep." Kakashi chuckled. "Well he wanted to hire a crew and I told him not to bother, I could fix it." Kakashi chuckled. He instantly got to work, admiring the frame. Y/N stood up beside him, adjusting her sweater. "This looks like someone took a boot to it." He chuckled to himself.

Y/N frowned. "I know."

"Did you lock the door? You know how to pick a lock." Kakashi smirked. Y/N threw her hands up.

"I didn't do it, Naruto-kun did for some reason." Y/N walked out the room, off to find the kids. "Are you guys hungry?"

""WHOA!" Masaru almost crashed into her but evaded her at the last second, ducking between her legs. "Sorry Momma."

"Why are you running?" Y/N groaned, rubbing her temples. Paku went sprawling past her, his paws urgently trying to connect to the floor.

"Save me!" Paku cried. She grabbed him as he went zooming past. The kids following him almost crashed into her, but she evaded them well. Nagi went crashing into the wall, lifting his head up with a groan.

"Oh no." Y/N groaned, running to him immediately. The skin where he had connected to the wall was now broken, droplets of blood rushing down his nose.

"Don't panic Y/N." Kakashi chuckled, emerging quickly from the hall. "Boys will be boys, and kids will be kids." Kakashi looked her in the eye. "You've got nicked worse than this." Kakashi gestured to Nagi who was looking watery eyed.

"Those kids said they wanted to eat me!" Paku cried out, shivering in Y/N's arms as she passed him to Kakashi. She took Nagi's hand, leading him with her down the hall.

"We don't eat dog kiddos." Y/N announced loudly in the house, fixing Nagi with a soft look as she patted his head. "It's just bruised." She pursed her lips as she dabbed at his bloodied nose lightly.

"I wasn't really going to eat him, Momma." Nagi chuckled, but then winced in pain as his nose flexed.

"That wasn't very nice to say anyway." She chastised him. Nagi sighed but nodded. She wrapped his wound and put a bandage on it. She then sent him to his room.

"No books no tv." Nagi looked at her in shock.

"No, you guys just embarrassed me in front of Sensei. He already thinks I'm a failure." She pulled Nagi by the ear to his room.

"I'm sorry." Nagi whined as she locked him in his room. "Ko, you get in my room. Masaru, you got the living room. Jataro get your butt into bed. Thirty minutes." She commanded them. All the kids sulked into their places, Ko crossing her arms as she was forced to face the wall. "Nope, bad behavior isn't awarded. We don't tell our friends we'll eat them." Y/N pouted at her.

Ko sniffled, but Y/N gave her a glare. She didn't say anything.

"Nice job Y/N." Kakashi chuckled. Maybe you did a little more research then I thought you did." Kakashi murmured as she played with the tools.

"I told you I got this Kakashi." She sat down next to him, cross legged as she looked gloomy. "Where did Sasuke go?"

"Oh, he had to bring a message to the cloud village. I wouldn't be concerned about it." Kakashi murmured, twisting the screws shut on the door.

"Okay. How's Naruto-kun doing?" She murmured, leaning her head against Kakashi's shoulder. He smiled down at her, then looked back to his work.

"You know him, always overworked the poor guy." Kakashi chuckled. "But he's fine as far as I can tell. What I'm really interested, is how you're coping with Y/N. What was your day like?" She took a deep breath, but nodded. She knew it was coming.

"It was good. Sasuke and I took the kids out." Y/N shrugged. "We went to the zoo, the kids begged us to go." Y/N smiled, squeezing Kakashi's shoulders.

"That's great, got some sun?" Kakashi chuckled. Y/N nodded. "We met our old squad. They're supposed to be coming over to spend time with us." Y/N mumbled. "I just haven't seen them in forever."

"I spotted you yesterday with Neji." Kakashi murmured, peeking a glance at her. She sighed. "Don't give me that guilty face. You're an adult, it's good to get time to unwind." Kakashi patted her head. "Besides, he's much better then what I heard you were up to a while ago".

"Ugh. Kiba came here today trying to be friendly." Y/N rolled her eyes. "I can't even believe I thought he was attractive."

"Love is blind Y/N." Kakashi chuckled. "Now I know I'm an old man compared to you, but the Inuzuka boy was not like that." Y/N smirked, letting out a chuckle.

"Geez Dad, I know." She pushed her shoulders against his, making him laugh with her.

"Besides, his reputation is pretty hurt with the ladies these days, there's no surprise he's groveling. I mean, I wonder who went around to all fourty of those women's spreading stories." Kakashi said mockingly, looking away from Y/N. "It was very peculiar."

"You asshole!" Y/N laughed, shaking his arm. "You did not!"

"I mean, there was even a rumor that the poor boy had STD's and fleas." Kakashi sputtered mockingly. "Who in their right mind would say such a thing."

"Really Kakashi, Ko's right there." Y/N pushed him, standing up. Ko snorted.

"I know what an STD is mother." She muttered, facing the wall still. "Can I come out now?"

"You can when I finish lunch." Y/N smirked. "I think Aunt Karin is coming over to help me and you guys better be behaving." Y/N muttered.

"All done." Kakashi tested the door as he shut in and opened it. He had sanded the splintered sides down for her and screwed in new bolts and ratchets.

"Thanks so much." Y/N kissed his cheek, scurrying up. "You staying for lunch? I'll pack extra for your pups." Y/N teased him, smiling widely. "You know I love the company." She teased him further when he stayed silent in thought.

"I will, but it's because I wanted to run some things by you. I also had some questions." Kakashi looked at her thoughtfully. Y/N sighed.

"I'll get you when you can get up." Y/N said to Ko. She shut the sulking girl in her room. Y/N and Kakashi moved to the room, Y/N breaking out the ingredients for lunch. She was making freshly cut sandwiches.

Kakashi took a seat, in thought. "They can't hear you, if it's something bad." Y/N explained. Kakashi shook his head no quickly.

"It's not bad honey." He chuckled lightly. "Is Neji a nice guy?" Kakashi asked, obviously with a worry on his face. "Now you know I always tell you this. You gotta let an old man babble sometimes." Kakashi muttered, making Y/N smile.

"You're basically my daughter and I've gotta protect you. So you let me know if he's another Kiba." Kakashi warned her. "I'll handle it so fast. If anyone at all is bothering you.. How are you and Sakura?" Kakashi murmured. Y/N sighed.

"Not another Father/Daughter interrogation session." Y/N groaned lightly, smiling as she forcibly cut the sandwiches.

"You and Sasuke have been spending time together a lot since you guys got back. It just seemed to awhile you were talking to Sakura a lot more than Sasuke. What's up with that?" Kakashi asked.

"Must be such a nosy old man?" Y/N sighed. "Sakura and I have a confusing relationship."

"Isn't that the truth." Kakashi sighed. "One minute my girls are glaring at each other. Next they can't stop blushing around each other." He sighed, rubbing his temples. Y/N snickered.

"Sensei she doesn't like me very much because Sasuke does. It's as simple as that." Y/N put the bread in the toaster, heating them up.

"Well we're a family, and I wish you guys could all get along. Naruto didn't seem too happy with Sasuke either." Kakashi sighed. "Can you just tell the old man the truth please?" Kakashi chuckled.

Y/N took in a deep breath. "You used to bother me all the time back then, interrogating me." Y/N chuckled. Remember when we were younger. It was our last mission together." Y/N frowned lightly.

Kakashi nodded. "I've lost a lot of people. However the thought of losing you strikes a fear in me I didn't know I had." Kakashi frowned. "It was because I interrogated you so strongly that you entrusted me with that secret."

"I hated her for it. I didn't like Sasuke like that, but I wanted to." Y/N continued to cut the tomato, her eyes getting softer. "I wanted to hurt her bad just as much as she did me."

"Yeah." Kakashi muttered. "I knew it was suspicious. I think Sasuke did too, the second she said it. I find myself thinking about that moment a lot." Kakashi said sadly, drifting in thought.

"She did what she did. She apologized for it. I forgive her, but we will never be as close as I am to our other teamants."

"I just don't want you to get your feelings hurt Y/N." Kakashi frowned, looking at her concerned. "We all talked about what happened during the war, before it. You were emotionally scarred. It makes sense and I know you want to hang on to him."

"What are you saying? I should stop hanging out with Sasuke?" Y/N turned around, her eyes narrowed. "So Sakura will stop bullying me, I'll ignore Sasuke."

"No!" Kakashi sputtered. "Dear girl I didn't mean that way. I'm just wondering if this relationship is good for you." Kakashi looked at her. "I'm not in anyway telling you what to do, but I'm just trying to understand sweetheart." Kakashi forced a smile.

Y/N turned her back on him again, knowing what he was doing. He was trying to force her to tell the truth. She wanted to. "If you want to talk about anything, you can dear. Just tell me one thing." Kakashi folded his hands. "Is Sasuke being a good friend to you?"

Y/N blinked. "Of course he is. He helps me out a ton. He's family, point blank period. The kids love him too." Y/N muttered.

Kakashi paused, thinking. "He acts sometimes like, this is his family. Which is why I want you to know that it's not a good thing Y/N. I don't want you to get in trouble." Kakashi murmured, watching as her back tenses. "Sasuke is showing you a lot of affection, and he acts like he doesn't have a wife at home sometimes, that's all."

"Well maybe you should talk to that Baka." Y/N muttered. "I didn't do anything like that."

"I'm not telling you that you did. Listen to me." Kakashi said a bit more firmly. She turned to look him in the eyes. "I'm not saying it's a good thing to want two families. However I can assure you that karma does exist. No matter what, what goes around comes around." Kakashi smiled as she placed the sandwitch down in front of him. "All I know is if I see you and him hanging out, you're just friends." Kakashi said firmly.

"Yeah." Y/N muttered, bewildered at what he just implied.

"And you need to stop killing yourself over it." He said more quietly, holding her hand. "That smile when you talk to those kids, keep it up. I love seeing that again." Kakashi smiled, squeezing her hand. "And don't let anything bother you about what Sakura may or not think, that's what I'm saying."

Y/N paused. Did Kakashi just subtly hint to her that he was on her side? Kakashi collected his items, getting ready to leave. "I dropped some applications in your room for schooling. Go ahead and look at it." Kakashi ruffled her head.

"And by the way. Be it Sasuke, Neji, Kiba or anyone else.." Kakashi embraced her, getting close to her ear. "Anyone that threatens your happiness and life is a Threat to be exterminated." Kakashi murmured, strengthening his grip on her. "But that'll be our little secret doll". Kakashi smirked. Y/N nodded against him, his hand on her back securely.

He definitely knew there was something between them. "I'll see you around okay. Just make sure you stay safe. Four kids is definitely enough." Kakashi chuckled, letting her kiss his forehead.

"Now if you don't mind sweetheart, I do have to get going. Sakura is supposed to be stopping by to talk with you soon. I heard she's been extra busy at the hospital." Kakashi hummed, patting her head.

"Bye Sensei." She waved him off and waited until he left the house. The door shut nicely, making her breath with relief. Their secret was safe.

.................

The kids and her ate in peaceful silence. The clinks of elbows against smooth wood were the only sounds as Y/N stared at the wall. Her chin was propped up on her hand. Masaru cleared his throat. "Are you okay momma?"

"Im fine." Y/N mumbled, her sandwich was half eaten, a clearly glum look on her face.

"Liar." Masaru muttered. "You look sad." Nagi looked at her concerned.

"Is this about papa? Did you guys fight? Is that why he left without saying goodbye?" Nagi asked. Y/N shook her head no.

"No guys. He left the village on a mission. Similar to how I met you guys." She picked her sandwich up. "Sasuke has to protect the village." She mumbled happily. "You guys were just asleep when he had to leave."

"Oh. What do you do on a mission?" Ko mumbled. "Fighting and ninja stuff?"

"Yeah, kinda like what you saw us do on the island. He's just bringing a scroll apparently, he'll be fine."

"Is it always so dangerous? You look worried." Nagi murmured. Y/N shrugged.

"I traveled with Sasuke for years. I'm worried over nothing." Y/N chuckled. "I know that. However when you love someone you get these irrational fears." Y/N rolled her eyes. "Sasuke and Naruto are both in good standing in the Ninja world." Y/N explained, her chin propped up.

"Oh, then Papa is even better then what I saw?" Ko asked sweetly. Y/N nodded.

"You guys hear that?" Y/N murmured. "I got it." Y/N heard the knocking at the door. She had a lot of company today alone. She walked over to the door, a sandwich in her hand.

She almost slammed it shut when she saw Kiba standing there. However she paused when she saw he wasn't alone. "Oh my god!" She threw herself into Shino's strong arms, the man chuckling as he patted her back. "What are you doing here Shino-kun?" Y/N asked.

"She looks more excited to see you." Kiba teased, Shino shooting him an annoyed look as Y/N backed up to eat her sandwich.

"I wonder why." Shino rolled his eyes under his glasses. "Dear, Naruto told me you have a little situation." Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Can I come in?"

"Of course." She grabbed Shino's hand and pulled him inside, trying to shut the door on Kiba. Kiba however quickly side stepped her into the house, chuckling awkwardly.

"Come on Y/N, you said you forgave me." Kiba pleaded lightly. "That's why I tagged with Shino when he said he had to talk to you."

"I lied." Y/N smirked, pulling Shino down the hallway to the dining table. The kids were still eating quietly, talking amongst themselves about playtime. "Hey guys, this is Uncle Shino. He's a really good friend of mine." Y/N pulled out a seat for Shino next to herself. She sat down, gesturing for Kiba to take a seat anywhere. Kiba sat down next to Jataro, which made all the kids stare at him. "And this is Kiba. That dog Sasuke keeps talking about to you guys.

"Ohh." They all said collectively, Kiba looking annoyed at Y/N.

Shino smiled, looking around. "You have beautiful children." Shino smiled. The kids all smirked gleefully.

"Don't be fooled, they're bad as hell." Y/N laughed. Nagi nodded, winking.

"Y/N." Shino chuckled. "The reason I came here is because Naruto wanted me to talk to you about schooling." Shino looked at all of them. "I understand they were raised as civilians."

Y/N's brow furrowed. "They don't have chakra Shino-kun." Y/N frowned. "They would have to go to regular school, I don't even know the first thing about it."

"Nonsense. How many ninja do we know without a hint of chakra?" Shino chuckled. Ko looked up excitedly.

"We get to be ninja?" She squealed. Shino looked at Y/N expectantly.

"Y/N, I would think you would trust me after all that we went through." Shino murmured. "While they won't have any special jutsus or anything, I can teach them to defend themselves. That's what's most important." Shino went on. The kids looked excited, talking amongst themselves.

"I wanna kick a lot of ass." Masaru smirked. Y/N shot him a glare from the language.

"Masaru be quiet. Shino I don't know. It's kinda scary to think of them out there." Y/N frowned. "I don't think I'm ready for that."

"Y/N, I've heard what happened on that mission." Shino fixed her with an eye. "I think they'd be perfect."

"Oh, our robots." Nagi looked to Ko. "That'd be cool." Nagi muttered. "We need to get a lab down here so we can produce more."

"Ugh." Y/N frowned as the kids were talking louder, looking excited. "I don't want to get their hopes up Shino-kun." Y/N frowned. "Besides, there are my babies. If I enroll them in now, they would be out fighting by age 12. I'm not ready for that." Shino chuckled at her as the kids looked offended.

"Mother, we saved your butt." Jataro grinned. "I wanna go for it."

"Yeah, would I get the ladies?" Masaru asked Kiba, who burst into laughter.

"All the ones you want." Kiba whispered to him, making Y/N shoot him a glare.

"They need to be in school. They need to be well versed in weapons and taijutsu. I can also talk to Naruto about funding for this lab." Shino rubbed his chin. "What do you say?" Shino looked at her expectantly. Y/N frowned, looking around at the over excited children.

"God Dammit fine." Y/N sulked visibly. Shino chuckled, putting a comforting arm around her.

"Y/N, it's just school." Shino teased her, rubbing her hair to make it messy.

"No, it's my babies growing up." Y/N huffed. "Fine." Y/N agreed. "Just let me know what I gotta do."

"YEAH!" The kids cheered together. "We're gonna be able to fight again." Jataro smirked, clenching his fists. "Except this time we're the good guys." Jataro nudged Nagi, who chuckled with a nod.

"Ignore them." Y/N muttered to the curious adults. "They have a lot of imagination. You kids do know this isn't going to be a walk in the park. You have a lot of work to do. ALOT." Y/N muttered. "You have to catch up to your classmates. That means you'll be training a lot."

The kids were talking amongst themselves again, laughing.