Archive of Our Own

(We don't own any characters etc etc)

Iruka inhaled the cool morning air as he cupped the warm cup of coffee between his hands, bowing his head to breathe in its rich scent.

“I thought that wasn’t good for your voice sometimes,” Kakashi mused, as he stepped out onto the balcony and embraced Iruka from behind, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend.

Iruka laughed and turned his head to kiss Kakashi. “Sometimes it’s not, but it’s good for my soul.”

Kakashi hummed and stole a sip as they stood in silence, his chin in the crook of Iruka’s neck as they watched the morning sun shine on the compound in front of them as people started to get ready for the day.

Iruka drank more coffee before setting it down, stepping out of Kakashi’s embrace as he stood at the front of the balcony and began to sing his siren song, a low, melodic tune calling out. No one in the area batted an eye, as they were all used to it, and if anything it had a calming presence on them.

When he had finished up, he turned and found Kakashi sipping the coffee, watching him.

“I’m surprised, it was a bit more…stirring…longing…today?”

Iruka shrugged, giving him a small smile as he moved to wrap their arms around each other again. “It’s what I needed to sing today, I guess,” he offered, and Kakashi nodded, kissing his forehead as they looked at the view from their balcony in comfortable silence again, until they too had to get ready for the day.

They were in charge of the Hatake Grand Cirque, passed down for generations in Kakashi’s family. On the one hand, it was a circus with the regular types of performances expected, and on the other, it offered a space and environment to rest and unwind, a reprieve from the regular world. Full of magical, mystical beings as well as regular humans, the family had long ago bought the land the circus now sat on, and developed a full village of sorts. The performers, vendors, staff, and families had their own houses in the residential area, separated from the business area. That part had the grand circus tent, a large red and white striped affair as one would expect, and smaller stands and buildings for the vendors and other parts, many of whom were also generational aspects of the circus.

There was the Yamanaka family, with their fortune telling business as they could read minds as clear as day. Another act was Kurenai, who had joined the show on her own, bringing a hypnosis act to the circus. She was now engaged to Asuma, who was in charge of security for the area, along with Kotetsu and Izumo, his trusted lieutenants helping him lead that part of the business. Asuma’s family of knights and soldiers had long been connected with the Hatakes, though a number of the Sarutobi family were still in Konoha.
Kakashi’s childhood friend Gai and his son Lee performed amazing feats of strength and acrobatics during the show not capable by any mere mortals, and Tenten and Genma had their own weapons segment, showing their deadly aim.

Kakashi himself was not just a member in a long line of circus folk and owners, but a copy fairy, known to be able to mimic many other skills and spells with but one glance. He didn’t use that often at the circus, instead preferring to be the owner and ringmaster, and focus on his dogs, who had a spot in the show at times. Sometimes his oldest dog, Pakkun, merely sat on his shoulder, delighting the crowds nonetheless. And between his pack and the Inuzuka family of beast tamer and their dogs and horses, there was always plenty of animal action.

Tsunade was an old part of the circus, older than she would ever admit, and in her semi-retirement the healer now ran an apothecary, offering healing and potions to those in need. And if you paid her enough, she might provide a love potion, though everyone knew to not ask her for a luck potion, as she had terrible luck herself…

Jiraiya was also there, a longtime friend of the Hatakes, writing his worldwide famous novels from the comforts of the circus grounds, and giving relationship advice to anyone who needed it now that he was retired from his own wizarding work.

The Hyuugas did balancing shows and tai chi and meditation lessons, and the Akimichi family held a range of jobs, including security and running several food stalls in the circus with Teuchi and Ayame, a father-daughter duo.

Then there was Anko, who had introduced Iruka to Kakashi. She had been in the circus since she ran away from Orochimaru, part of her dark past that she now owned and accepted, and which led her to being The Snake Lady. She had been friends with Iruka in their childhood, and had come across each other when she went on vacation about three years ago. Kakashi had thought she might bring him back a trinket from her travels, not a handsome man.

“This was my bestest friend ever!” Anko told everyone. “He’ll stay with me and we’ll put him to work here,” she had insisted, as Iruka was on summer break from the school he was teaching at.

As happens when one runs away and joins the circus, he decided to send notice to the school that he would not be returning, enjoying life with Anko and everyone too much. Iruka largely took on administrative work when he wasn’t helping out with odd jobs, as Anko had told Kakashi that he needed help with running the circus since he had floundered a bit in his first year of doing it on his own once Sakumo formally retired and set off on his own travels.

Eager for the assistance, Kakashi had taken Iruka on to help with running the circus, and found Iruka to be organized beyond belief, including in setting up an on-site school for the youngsters of the group. There were a fair number who otherwise had been sent to the closest village, but who needed to stay in boarding schools there. Now, Iruka could remain teaching, a passion of his, and the kids could be with their families more, so everyone was happy.

It had been an accident, really, that Iruka’s identity as a siren was learned when Anko asked him to sing “his song” one day, as sirens often kept to the seaside.

“It’s my mother’s side moreso,” he shared with the others, “and my father fell in love with her, because of course he did! But he wasn’t lured in, her voice was truly one of love for him, and they stayed by the ocean for many years, til he was asked to return to a military post in Konoha. I was a kid then, and we moved back, my mother finding some way to adapt to life on land. I don’t know what seal she found, but it let her and I both live on land like anyone else, save for our voices.”

Iruka would only later disclose to only Kakashi that his parents had passed away in the coup years ago in Konoha in which the Uzumakis, the governing family at the time, had been violently overtaken, and the village nearly set on fire.

“I didn’t sing for a number of years, and I left Konoha as soon as I was old enough to take care of myself on the road,” Iruka told him, sharing of getting as far from the village as he could before deciding to become a teacher and help children, so they would always have someone who cared in their life.

“One morning I just had had enough, and it burst out of me, and from then on I began to sing more,” Iruka reminisced. “It drew people to me that needed to find me, or find where I was and the safety it offered. I’m pretty sure that’s how Anko and I ran into each other again after all these years.”

Kakashi had by then, after working together for five months, developed a romantic interest in Iruka, and after he had shared that part of his life Kakashi finally braved himself to ask Iruka out. The siren had bashfully accepted, and they had been inseparable ever since, with Iruka moving in with Kakashi six months later.

And now, Iruka and Kakashi ran the circus side by side, with Iruka singing every morning to draw in business, both those who want to visit the circus, and those who need it - fragile, weak, harmed, hurt. Iruka’s song never repeated, and no one ever knew who would show up at the circus, though about half of the time it was children, for adults became less trustworthy of unfamiliar songs to follow…

Either way, visitors would come for fun and for rest, to stay at the inn on site and heal in whatever way they needed to, though most only did so for a few days. Then they would continue on to wherever their journey was, be it home or to something more suitable for the long term, as most children who came were largely just running away from home for a few days and often had somewhere safe to go back to, or if not, preferred to go to one of the local villages that had more resources and opportunities than the circus could offer.

Of course this was not always the case, as Tenten had appeared on her own and had chosen to stay on, developing her love of weapons with guidance from Genma, Kakashi, and others. And the Hyuugas were Neji and Hinata, who had left an abusive family to find peace in the world, later joined by several other family members also desiring a safer life.

Overall, the circus was one big family to each other, but Kakashi was grateful every day that he had found a new family with Iruka, as he had lost many in his life previously, save for his father and a few friends, and kept to a distance from those outside of his close circle.

___

Iruka’s song continued to be a bit more mournful than usual, but no one thought anything of it, as it didn’t reflect his own mood, just what people needed to hear.

So, it was both a surprise and not totally unexpected that several children in need showed up here and there. A few days of rest, a good bath and some good food, and they would leave with wide smiles to go back to their lives, more prepared for their hardships or armed with a solution or two.

However, one morning, a small, dirtied child entered the grounds, blue eyes full of wonder at what was in front of him.

“Hello, squirt,” Kotetsu greeted him, as he was on gate duty.

“I’m not ‘squirt,’ my name is Naruto!” the boy proudly exclaimed. “Where am I?”

“The circus,” Iruka told him, smiling as he approached to check with Kotetsu on something. “Hello, Naruto, I’m Iruka.”

“You look fancy!” Naruto said in a breathless tone, and Iruka laughed as he looked at his clothes. He was in his typical outfit, a light tan ruffled dress shirt and a heavier dark brown coat and pants, with boots up to his knees as who knew what he might have to step over. It had once upon a time been fancier than he would have worn, but once he began to work in a top position Kakashi had insisted he dress a little differently, per his position. Kakashi himself wore a long brown coat as well, lighter in color than Iruka’s, and with a tall collar that went to his chin, where it was met with his mask, for that was a trademark of his - not showing his face.

Ah, but the day that Iruka had first seen his face….well, it still brought a blush to to his own face.

He glanced back at Naruto and smiled. “I do dress a bit fancy, you’re right.”

“Iruka here runs the place, he should dress fancy, don’t you think so?” Kotetsu said to Naruto, whose mouth dropped open in surprise and the child silently nodded.

Iruka rolled his eyes. “Ko, I don’t run the place, Kakashi does.”

“You both do, but it’s been better since you got here,” Kotetsu reminded him. “Looks like Naruto’s our latest guest in need.”

Iruka nodded as he bent down to be at eye level with the child. “Naruto, did you come here by yourself?” he asked, and the child nodded. “Was it a long journey?” he posed, as the boy was covered head to toe in dirt. Naruto nodded again, and Iruka smiled. “Why don’t we get you a good bath and some clean clothes?” he suggested, and Naruto nodded again.
Iruka stood and held out a hand, and the child grabbed it with his dirtied fist, waving with his other hand that clutched a cloth bundle at Kotetsu, who waved back.

Iruka pointed out different things along the way to the inn, where he took Naruto for a hot bath. When Naruto was done, Iruka hung up his coat and rolled his sleeves up to help the boy scrub the dirt off his head more, as it had been stubbornly set there, revealing bright blond hair and marks like whiskers on his cheeks, to Iruka’s surprise. It was a sure sign of a magical being, though the specific type was unclear to the siren.

Naruto’s dirtied clothes were set aside to be washed and he pulled out a clean orange shirt to put on, with a red swirl as decoration on the front. He let Iruka take him to get a late breakfast before yawning, and Iruka smiled as he returned him to his bedroom to rest, the events from the day thus far catching up with him.

“If you want me for anything, just ask anyone and they’ll point you to me, okay?” Iruka told him before leaving him to sleep.

Iruka set about for the rest of his usual tasks, checking in with different people, making sure things were running smoothly. The vendors and stalls ran from late morning til after the late afternoon circus show, which ended in the early evening. Sometimes they would do events after, possibly fireworks, other times it was a quiet wind down.

The schooling was typically done in the morning so that homework could be completed after lunch, as well as the tasks and family work the children often did, and Iruka would meet with them for additional lessons or tutoring as needed. He focused on basics like reading, writing, math, and history, but everyone felt he was providing a strong education. Most children only attended so many years of school regardless before either continuing in higher education or entering the workforce, and Iruka was proud to say that he had prepped a few children to be able to test highly enough to enter further schooling.

He checked in with Naruto in the early afternoon, finding the boy helping to feed chickens with Hinata, who shyly smiled at him as they grabbed seeds and corn to throw around.
Iruka watched them finish up, noting that Naruto seemed to be about Hinata’s age, likely ten or eleven, and when they were done, took the blond on a tour of the grounds, to see more than they had that morning.

Naruto appeared to have his guard up, hiding behind Iruka at times when people seemed too loud or eager to say hello, and at other times seemed to be restraining himself from running into the mix.

Iruka took him to sit with him at that afternoon’s show, and Naruto watched in awe as the performers took to the big top for their acts. Some dango to munch on didn’t seem to hurt, either, and Naruto began to open up, whispering questions and statements to Iruka, who smiled and whispered back.

“You’ve made a new friend, I see,” Kakashi said to Iruka that night, as they had missed dinner with each other for different reasons.

“Naruto, he’s new,” Iruka agreed, sighing as he got ready for bed. “I think he’s probably not as quiet as he was today, it’s like he’s protecting himself, as a lot of kids we see here do,” he sighed.

Kakashi sighed as well as he pulled Iruka onto his lap on a sofa in their bedroom to embrace him. “Well, if anyone will help him to talk, it’s you.”

“I hope so,” Iruka shared, sinking into Kakashi’s chest. “You know how much I want to help all the kids that come through…”

____

Naruto did grow close to Iruka over the next week that he was there, though he had begun to help out with grounds chores on his second day, clearly used to working for his food, though that was not something ever expected of guests to the circus.

He began to share his story with Iruka, including that he had been an orphan his entire life in Konoha, and had not enjoyed the orphanages there. He couldn’t remember much of his earlier years, but once he had not been adopted by age seven he was sent to an older orphanage, and there he was nearly shunned, from what it sounded like to Iruka. No one ever expressed interest in adopting him, children in the village were told to not play with him, and other orphans avoided him.

“And your marks?” Iruka had asked, fearful he had been mistaken and they were scars from abuse.

“I was born with them, always had them,” Naruto told him, and Iruka breathed easier at that. The boy clearly didn’t know he had something more in him, that was certain.

The more he talked, the more it was also obvious that no one would be looking for Naruto, no one would miss him. If anything, he was young enough that unless he was taken on
for work somewhere, he would continue to bounce around from orphanage to orphanage until he was put out on his own, something that brought memories of his own upbringing to Iruka.

Iruka commented on this to Kakashi one day as they walked around the compound, discussing what to do with Naruto.

“You know who he is, don’t you?” Tsunade said from the porch of her own residence, as she poured herself another drink. The men exchanged a look of surprise, and she sighed. “Uzumaki Naruto. I heard him hype himself up with it one day underneath his breath, but he looks just like Minato, you have to admit.”

The men were speechless. For Iruka, it reminded him of the day he lost his parents. For Kakashi, it brought back fond memories of time with Minato and Kushina, who had been close friends of his father.

“And the whiskers?” she continued, possibly talking to herself more than them now. “I assume it’s from the nine tails inside of him.”

“The what?” Iruka asked.

“Word is that the day Danzo overthrew Konoha and killed Naruto’s parents,” she said matter of factly, “part of the turmoil was because the nine tails got released, and later sealed inside of someone for safe keeping, so to speak. I had heard a myth that Minato, in his last moments as the great sorcerer he was, sealed it inside his child, but no one ever saw the boy again. I suppose Konoha essentially hid him in plain sight in orphanages…”

“That would explain his stories of people ignoring him and avoiding him,” Iruka groaned. “The poor kid!” He paused and looked at Kakashi. “We can’t let him go back there, he’ll just continue to be ostracized. And then what, when he’s older? People will just beat him up!”

Kakashi nodded. “That’s fair. If they know it’s a tailed beast it’s not going to be a good outcome for him, the carriers are often vilified.” He paused and looked around. “I suppose we’ve got a new addition to the circus, if he wants to stay?”

Iruka smiled widely at him. “I’m glad you agree!” he said, hugging Kakashi before running off to talk to Naruto about it.

“Looks like your circle is growing, brat” Tsunade said to Kakashi, who was still watching Iruka run off. “What will you do about it?”

Kakashi looked at her and gave her an eye smile. “I’ve got plans, don’t you worry.”

____

Iruka gently made the invitation to Naruto, who excitedly accepted the offer to stay at the circus and build a new life for himself. Iruka helped him to move into long-term housing on the compound, a building where he chose a small one bedroom apartment to live in, as it required the least amount of maintenance and upkeep but would be a space of his own. Iruka was a bit wary of a child living on his own, but then again it was within the larger sense of the circus, so it was a safe and caring environment overall.

“And maybe I’ll find someone to be a roommate!” he had proudly declared as he got his own room together, as it had a bunk bed in it. “I’ve always wanted to live with someone…:

Iruka sat him down later that day to go over a schedule, as he would attend classes in the mornings and then be assigned tasks to do to help out, nothing over the top, but everyone living there did something around the circus.

Naruto was only too willing, and to show his thanks, offered Iruka some of his prized possessions - a cup of instant ramen.

Puzzled by it, Iruka watched Naruto boil water and pour it in to cook, as he went on and on about ramen. Iruka had heard about it, perhaps even had it in his youth with his parents, but eating out had been rare for him since then, and he had admittedly never bought instant food like that as he had been warned they were very unhealthy. Now he and Kakashi were more stable and could cook many dishes at home as well as eat out as desired in the dining stalls, but ramen hadn’t come up for many years.

Inhaling the scents, Iruka’s mouth watered as he stirred the noodles, and after blowing on it carefully took his first bite. His mouth exploded with the range of tastes and textures, and he recalled ramen being a favorite food, so many years ago! Likely, he had not pursued it once his parents died due to both cost and memories associated with it, but now it was like he could not get enough of it.

Naruto was overjoyed to find someone who loved ramen as much as he did, and excitedly followed Iruka to the dining area, to talk to the Akimichis and Teuchi about it.

The cooks laughed, of course they could make ramen! Teuchi shared that he used to have a few special ramen recipes when he was younger in the army, and agreed to start including it in the regular meals rotation, to Naruto and Iruka’s delight.

Teuchi even showed Iruka how to make ramen at home, an easier recipe than he made himself, and a week later Kakashi found himself at his own dining table eating home cooked ramen with a bubbly Naruto and a laughing Iruka, grateful for the direction his personal life had taken, making a note to include this in his latest letter to his father, wherever the man might be these days.

_____

Naruto adapted better than anyone expected, coming out of his shell more and more each day once he realized that people at the circus were truly welcoming and kind to him, not having any hidden agendas or putting on a face. That was especially true for Kakashi and Iruka, who he began to look up to as guardians faster than either man realized, though he still maintained much independence.

Kakashi had been worried if they would be visited by specialized guards for housing a jinchuriki, but no one seemed to care, and he was both saddened and reassured by that. The time would come to help Naruto learn about what was inside him and, more importantly, how to manage it, but for now he and Iruka wanted the child to be a child for once, and asked the others to not mention anything about a tailed beast.

About one month later, a small dark-haired boy with a deep frown wandered into the circus grounds, and Kakashi was summoned to greet him as he was nearby.

Kakashi stood with his arms crossed, looking down at the child, who was dressed in a black outfit, a red cloud design on one arm.

“Name,” he prompted.

“None of your business,” the child snapped.

“Name,” Kakashi sighed. “I need to know who’s here.”

“What difference will it make?” the boy asked. “I can just leave then.”

He turned to walk away, and Kakashi sighed again. “I’m not turning you away, I just like to know who’s here. Standard protocol.”

The boy paused, clearly thinking it over, before turning back.

“Uchiha Sasuke,” he declared, and Kakashi raised an eyebrow, exchanging a silent glance with Izumo, who was on gate duty.

“I knew a few Uchiha in my time,” Kakashi mused. “It’s a large family, why are you here alone?”

“It was a large family,” Sasuke said in a bland tone, and Kakashi felt his blood freeze.

“What does that mean?” he asked, but Sasuke just shrugged and crossed his arms. He looked to be about Naruto’s age, and that meant one thing - Iruka would be better for this.

Kakashi frowned underneath his mask and nodded at Izumo. “Sasuke, how would you like to get something to eat?”

“I don’t have much money,” Sasuke said, slightly embarrassed, and Kakashi shrugged.

“We don’t care, you’re a guest here,” Kakashi said, putting a hand on his shoulder and guiding him to get food. “People come here most times when they’re in need of safety and kindness, healing even, so we don’t demand payment other than to let us help you.”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and made a “hn” sound, but otherwise didn’t argue. He silently followed Kakashi, who moved to take the lead, taking the long way to the dining area to allow Sasuke to start to familiarize himself with the area. He silently ate his food as well, looking this way and that to keep an eye on his surroundings.

Training, Kakashi noted. As expected of an Uchiha, but for such a young one to be by himself, and with such a foreboding report of the family…

Fortunately, Iruka swooped in to join them, all warm smiles and guidance, and Kakashi let himself openly study the child as Iruka talked with him, Sasuke giving one or two word replies.

“He says the Uchiha are over,” Kakashi told Iruka as they walked hand in hand later, Sasuke following them a few steps back.

“What does that mean?” Iruka asked, but his boyfriend could only shrug.

“I’m not sure, I’ll have to talk to Asuma,” Kakashi said. “We might need high security for a bit.”

Iruka nodded before putting a smile back on his face, pausing to point out something to Sasuke before waving Anko over to meet him.

___

Kakashi met with Asuma an hour later and informed him of the morning’s events.

Asuma sighed as he lit a new cigarette, blowing smoke into the air above their heads.

“I’ll see what I can find out, but let’s keep the last name a secret for now,” he suggested, and Kakashi agreed.

Sasuke began to settle in, as it was unspoken that he might be with them for some time, and seemed to benefit the most from having immediate structure, routine, and schedule. Naruto took to him instantly, and invited him to live with him, and to Iruka and Kakashi’s surprise, Sasuke agreed once he visited the apartment and deemed it safe enough.

Sasuke made it clear that he wanted to stay busy and do things to help him continue to learn and grow, and so in addition to classes with Iruka, he trained with Gai and Lee, learned weapons with Genma and Tenten, and talked to Tsunade and Anko about curses. Naruto, not to be left out, joined him to train, and before long the two were nearly inseparable, though Sasuke tried to keep a displeased look on his face about it all.

Asuma, in the meantime, had learned that there had been discord within the Uchiha family, and that just about all had been killed. Uchiha Itachi was named the suspect as he and Sasuke were the only ones unaccounted for, and no one dared to believe that the youngest child could do such an act.

Sasuke confided to Kakashi that he wasn’t sure if Itachi was to blame or not, only that his big brother had told Sasuke where to hide that night, and had appeared late at night with much blood on him, telling him to run and leave Konoha.

“He said he’ll find me when it’s safe to return,” Sasuke admitted in a trembling voice, so unlike him. “But I need to train either way, to keep me and him safe, or to fight him, in case it was his doing that night.”

“I understand, and we’ll help you as much as we can,” Kakashi agreed, and shared this information with Iruka and Asuma later, as well as Tsunade and Jiraiya. The more that could help the better, he figured.

“So it’s true, the Uchiha are wiped out?” Tsunade sighed, frowning. “I wonder…will Sasuke be a true Uchiha and develop the mangekyou sharingan? They were a strong wizardry family.”

“In time, perhaps,” Jiraiya mused. “None of us will be of service to him then, though.”

“I worked with an Uchiha for many years, and while I don’t possess a sharingan per se, I have the information about it and technique still stored away,” Kakashi told them, and Asuma laughed.

“The copy fairy living up to your name, eh?” he teased. “Well, that should still be some years away.”

“Not too many, I wonder,” Iruka sighed. “Sasuke and Naruto come from a long line of powerful magical families, and both have much power in them now. They’ll need guidance sooner than later on harnessing and using it, Naruto’s tailed beast, and Sasuke’s sharingan.”

Kakashi nodded. “Minato worked with Obito and myself for some time, I’ll be able to teach both boys at least a little something of their family power,” he commented. “I suppose soon enough they’ll become my students or apprentices.”

“You’ll have your own little team!” Iruka cheered. “How nice!”

Kakashi sighed. “I don’t think I want to think of them like that,” he grumbled, laying his head on Iruka’s shoulder as his boyfriend laughed and petted his hair.

“In the meantime, we should increase rounds here,” Asuma posed. “Who knows if someone will come looking for Sasuke, just in case.”

The group agreed, recognizing it would be difficult as Sasuke did not hide his last name, and proudly wore clothes bearing the Uchiha symbol. Fortunately, the adults in the compound were accepting of him, not wanting to blame a child for their family’s misfortune, and the other children he and Naruto spent time with were unaware.

As time continued, Iruka would laugh as he saw Lee, Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, Choji, Neji, Ino, and Kiba playing, working, and learning together, and generally hanging out. Each child complimented the others and they formed a tight bond.

__

One day, about six weeks after Sasuke’s arrival, several children streamed in over a few hours. This was not uncommon though not a typical event, and so no one was alarmed. There were two boys and two girls, not that any knew each other, and all arrived alone. The last one was the most striking, as she had pink hair and bright green eyes.

Iruka was away on business that day, and so Kakashi stepped up to greet each child and welcome them. However, the last child arrived just before showtime, and so he didn’t meet her until dinner, by which point Iruka had returned.

“Who are our new guests?” Iruka asked Kakashi, who commented on the three newcomers. “And her?” Iruka asked, nodding at the girl, who appeared to be about Sasuke and Naruto’s age.

Kakashi shrugged. “I’m just seeing her now. Honestly, having to meet three new kids in one day is exhausting enough,” he groaned, and Iruka laughed but rolled his eyes.

“I thought being a teacher of sorts to Naruto and Sasuke would have warmed you up to kids,” his boyfriend teased, but Kakashi pulled a face at that.

“I pick and choose which kids I like, can you blame me? And even then, they’re only tolerable,” Kakashi sighed, though Iruka knew better. The man had warmed up to those two, more than he had even with Lee, his best friend’s son, and Iruka knew he enjoyed time with them.

“Well I’m going to say hello after dinner, you can come with me or not,” Iruka told him, and Kakashi yawned.

“I’m beat, Pakkun was a real brat tonight, talking nonstop about this and that,” he sighed. “Catch me up later?”

Iruka nodded and the conversation moved on, and once they parted he went to introduce himself.

Her name was Haruno Sakura, and she was polite and friendly, though a bit standoffish when Iruka asked what brought her to the circus.

“I’m a child and it’s a circus, why wouldn’t I come?” she offered with a guarded smile, and Iruka had accepted it, not wanting to push her.

He made sure she had checked in for overnight accommodations and couldn’t help but smile as he bid her goodnight, as not only was her hair pink, but so was the bow in her hair, her dress, and even her duffel bag!

“So?” Kakashi asked when Iruka returned home.

Iruka shrugged. “She said she’s Sakura, but nothing else. Yet.”

____

It was generally obvious early on what a child needed. Perhaps some kind attention, a few good meals, a safe place to sleep for a few days. Some medicine or potions, or other types of healing techniques. And those who wanted, needed, to stay for extended periods, well, they were smart enough to approach Iruka or Kakashi themselves (moreso Iruka), or an adult they had grown to trust to put in a good word for them.

Sakura was no different, especially as she had immediately jumped into Iruka’s classes, soon demonstrating an intelligence that rivaled Sasuke’s, the best student thus far. Iruka was impressed, not least of which because children didn’t voluntarily come to lessons unless they were planning on being around for a while.

Still, he didn’t approach her about it, just talked with her about different lessons and study guides, and watched from a distance as she began to befriend peers her age.

A few days after arriving, she sat with Iruka for lunch, slowly eating a curry dish.

“I hear there’s chances for people to stay here, long term,” she began, studying Iruka from where she sat across from him.

He nodded. “Some people do. If they’re young enough, they do lessons in the morning, and they find a way to fit in, work, learn trades or skills while they’re here.” He paused, attempting to master Kakashi’s cool aloofness. “Why do you ask?”

“You asked me what brought me here, when we first met,” she began. “Do you remember?” He smiled and nodded. “I can’t really explain it,” Sakura said, frowning slightly. “I just felt a pull. I was wandering, unsure of where to go, what to do, and suddenly, I found myself heading in a new direction, and later found myself here.”

“Why were you wandering?”

“Just because…”

Iruka cleared his throat. “I respect privacy, but we typically want to know what someone is moving away from before we allow longer stays here. If your family is looking for you, that sort of thing?”

Sakura rolled her eyes. “They got their money for me already, they don’t miss me.”

Iruka raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

She sighed and put her chopsticks down. “I’m not trying to be cocky or bossy, but I’m smart, and I know that. My parents also know that, they’ve always said I was a ‘gifted kid’ but put so much pressure and expectation on me, I grew tired of it, not that they cared. So once I was able to test out of school and be on a path to get a degree early, they began to talk about indenturing me out to the highest bidder. And they did just that, something with balancing books and manning an office, until that’s up and they can try to sell me into marriage, or the next boss. Or both, if they can find a family with a good business. I didn’t like it, the business they sent me to was terrible and no one took my suggestions seriously!”

“Won’t this employer look for you?” Iruka asked, worried.

She bit her lip and looked away. “I may have planned an emergency at work, and in the chaos appeared to have gone missing, as happens, you know?”

Iruka ran a hand over his face, feeling tired suddenly. “Missing like run off, or missing like…unaccounted for?”

“Missing in a way that there’s no use in looking for me,” she coolly stated, before sighing. “I’m not a troublemaker, I just don’t want to do office work and management.”

He nodded, not faulting her for that. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to study medicine!” Sakura excitedly told him, more animated than she had been thus far in the conversation. “I want to be strong and mature and do what I want when I want, but all while helping and healing people!”

Iruka smiled at her. “Well, who am I to say that you can’t start that journey here? After we’re done, I’m going to introduce you to Dr Tsunade…”

____

The older woman took Sakura on as a student, and she moved in to live with the Yamanakas and share a room with Ino, her new best friend. They also had a friendly rivalry, as both girls had massive crushes on Sasuke, who was indifferent to them on his best days.

“Do you think Yamato is coming by anytime soon?” Iruka asked Kakashi a week after Sakura had decided to stay. “We could do with some new buildings, maybe an addition to our place.”

Kakashi looked up from where he was brushing Bull. “Using him for free work?”

“As if you never have,” Iruka teased. “But, yes. I thought we might add a few bedrooms to our house…”

“Do tell,” Kakashi mused, as he continued to brush the large dog.

Iruka shrugged. “I know Naruto likes living with Sasuke, but they’re kind of young, and they might benefit from having more…guidance…like a family setting. And maybe their own rooms wouldn’t hurt.”

“And you’re volunteering our place?” Kakashi asked with a raised eyebrow. “To turn our place of sanctuary into a kid’s house?”

“We have guests like every day,” his boyfriend reminded him. “We’re not exactly hermits. But yes, maybe, I admit. We could add onto the back, and keep the second floor for us, just put some bedrooms on the first floor. I just…I know what it’s like, to go from an orphanage to kind of lost, to having your own place, and at his age, it’s a lot. More than he should have on his plate. And it’s not like they wouldn’t have chores, they’d clean their rooms and help with the shared spaces. We’d be like…roommates, but a bit more than that. Big brothers, maybe?”

Kakashi paused to consider it, looking at Bull. “What do you think?”

Bull shrugged. “Wouldn’t be bad. We’d all keep them in line too, boss,” he said, because of course the pack were magical beings as well and spoke. Too much, sometimes, in Kakashi’s opinion.

He shrugged. “Well, we’ll talk to them and see, and when Yamato comes by next, I’ll ask him nicely. Maybe I’ll send word to him, see when he’s in the area next…”

Iruka smiled and kissed the top of his head, reaching down to scratch Bull’s ear. “Thanks, both of you. I’m going to go get some ramen for us for dinner,” he called out, “back soon!”

“You know, this is all a lot of trouble,” Kakashi lamented.

“The kids moving in?” Bull asked.

“That, and just how much ramen Iruka eats these days…”

___

The children were on board, with Naruto far more excited by the prospect, and Sasuke displaying no objection, though no real excitement either.

Iruka and Kakashi suspected it was a defense mechanism, but time would tell, they figured. After all, it was amazing how social Sasuke was, since the Uchiha massacre hadn’t been that long ago…

He was driven by motivation to find his brother, and to either join him on the road, or seek vengeance, whichever applied. So, Kakashi and Asuma kept an eye out for patrols and unusual guests, and an ear to the gossip routes to see if any news had popped up.

Kakashi was reflecting on the young Uchiha and their latest training session as he wandered the woods around the circus compound one night, on guard but allowing his mind to wander.

Suddenly, surrounded by darkness, he paused, and a moment later spoke to the emptiness around him.

“You shouldn’t sneak into just anywhere at night,” he said, prepping himself to cast a number of the spells he had learned (stolen, some would say) over the years. Defensive, or offensive? He wasn’t sure yet.

“I think it’s okay when you know who you’ll run into,” a voice said as a figure appeared in front of him, a dim lantern appearing as well.

“Itachi,” Kakashi cooly greeted him. “It’s been a while,” he commented, for while Kakashi was far more familiar with Obito, he had trained alongside Itachi here and there as well.

“Kakashi,” the Uchiha replied. “How are you?”

“Can’t complain. And you?”

Itachi frowned slightly as he looked at him. “Alive,” he finally declared, and Kakashi nodded.

“So I see.”

They looked at each other in silence for a long moment, before Itachi spoke.

“He’s here, isn’t he?”

“Who?” Kakashi asked, but as expected saw no reaction from the other man.

“Sasuke.”

Kakashi scratched his own chin. “Might be, there’s a lot of people here, you know?”

“I know he’s here,” Itachi continued. “And…thank you. He’s safe here, with all of you.”

“We try to maintain some peace,” Kakashi agreed. “His arrival was...unexpected, but then again, so were the events leading to it.”

Itachi nodded, and Kakashi saw that the perpetual circles underneath his eyes had grown deep and dark.

“It’s…more complicated than it seems, than anyone knows,” the Uchiha told him. “And not what it appears to be. I need Sasuke to be safe while I tend to personal matters, will you continue to watch over him?”

Kakashi nodded without a second thought. “Of course.”

“Thank you, Kakashi,” Itachi sighed, seemingly relieved of at least part of his burden. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back, or if,” he admitted in a solemn one, and Kakashi nodded again.

“I understand,” he assured the other man. “Though rest assured, Sasuke has a training goal in mind that includes possibly beating you one day.”

Surprisingly, this earned a small smile from the Uchiha.

“It’s good to have goals,” he mused. “Keep this between us, please. Take care, and thank you again.”

“Anytime,” Kakashi said, and watched as the man’s figure turned dark and swirled away, taking the light with it.

The forest returned to darkness, and crickets started to chirp again as Kakashi stood there by himself.

“I think it’s definitely best for Sasuke to move in with us,” he murmured to himself. “Tomorrow I should see if there’s been any word from Yamato…”

_____

The druid had replied that he would stop by in the next few weeks, and soon enough he was striding through the front gate, offering a cheery hello to Asuma, who was on gate duty, and to Kurenai, who was hanging out with him.

“Kakashi’s with Jiraiya, but I know he’ll be excited to see you,” Kurenai told Yamato. “And when you’re all settled, we’ll have to catch up over dinner!”

He nodded and waved as he set off, familiar with the area’s set up, having known Kakashi for many years.

“There’s a sight for sore eyes!” Kakashi greeted him, smiling as they embraced. “You’re awfully flashy today,” he teased, taking in the other man’s appearance.

Yamato rolled his eyes. “It’s the same thing I always wear,” he sighed, looking down at his clothes. He was dressed in brown trousers tucked into brown boots, with a high necked blue shirt underneath a green lightly armored vest. A green wool cloak swished about him, and his metal happuri sat on his head.

“Maybe I just haven’t seen you in forever,” Kakashi posed, and Jiraiya greeted him as well.

“Who’s the kid?” Jiraiya asked, as a young dark haired boy lingered behind Yamato.

“This is Sai,” Yamato said, introducing the adults as well. “We’ve been acquaintances for some time, and I thought this might be a nice place for him for a bit,” he said, the hidden meaning behind his words clear to the others.

“I see,” Kakashi commented. “Well, welcome, Sai. This is my circus, have fun while you’re here.”

Sai nodded with a stoic look on his face. “Thank you. It’s a very nice circus.”

Jiraiya snorted and excused himself, and Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

“Thanks?” he asked, unsure of what to say. He studied the boy’s unusual attire, for he was wearing a cropped grey t-shirt with red suspenders, and an unusual pendant around his neck. “You guys must be hungry, let’s go get some food,” Kakashi suggested, and they headed to the dining area.

There, Sai quietly ate, taking everything in of his new surroundings, and the adults began to catch up on anything new since they had last saw each other about five months ago.

“A few new young faces here,” Kakashi told them. “Probably about a year or two younger than you,” he said to Sai, “but good kids. Came here on different roads of life, and found places here. Ah, like Sakura and Ino,” he said, waving as the two girls walked by.

They waved back and Kakashi beckoned them over, introducing them to Sai and Yamato, who cast a spell to make two bouquets of flowers appear from the ground, passing them to the girls.

They shrieked with excitement and thanked him before running off to show everyone, though Ino also cast a few looks back at Sai, smiling before giggling with Sakura. Yamato coughed to hide his laughter, and Kakashi rolled his eyes but smiled as well.

“I think Sasuke has lost a fan,” he mused. “Anything you need help with, Sai? People often wander here for a reason. Or are brought here for one,” he said, glancing at Yamato.

“My brother is gravely ill,” Sai monotoned. “I began to travel to find a cure, as the doctors back home don’t know what’s causing it, or how to treat it. I don’t want to leave him, but I felt I had no choice if we were to find something that might help. He agreed, though I think he also wanted me away in case he passes away before that.”

Kakashi paused, stunned by the full admission. “I appreciate you sharing that.”

Sai blinked at him. “There’s no point in speaking indirectly about it. Pretending it’s not happening or minimizing it won’t make it better.”

“You’re completely right,” Yamato agreed. “I mentioned that Tsunade was retired but practicing here, think she can talk to him?”

“Of course!” Kakashi assured them. “She’s actually away right now, getting more supplies for her apothecary,” he told them. “So stick around, get cozy, and she’ll be back in a few days. That works out, really, since hen she’ll be fully stocked.”

“Thank you,” Sai replied. “In the meantime, I’m happy to do whatever I need to to earn my stay.”

“There’s no expectation like that,” Kakashi refuted. “But thanks.”

“Sai’s talent is art,” Yamato informed him. “Live art.”

“Really?” Kakashi asked, and Sai nodded as he pulled out a scroll, pot of ink, and a paintbrush.

The adults watched as Sai drew some birds, and a moment later they flew off the page and around the area.

“That’s amazing!” Kakashi cheered. “Draw whatever you’d like that won’t cause a ruckus, or at least not a headache for me. Actually, I think we could even do with some regular art around here, if you wanted to do that until Tsunade gets back?”

Sai nodded again and Kakashi suggested a tour, so off they went, meeting different members of the circus family and viewing the area.

When it was done, Kakashi and Yamato left Sai to unpack and get settled in, walking to meet with Asuma to discuss any news the traveler had for security concerns. Kakashi had informed Asuma of his run in with Itachi, and Yamato was surprised to learn of it himself.

“There’s a lot of rumors about it all,” he admitted, “but I haven’t heard anything of anyone wanting to find Sasuke. It could be a concern when he’s older and is harnessing the power of the Uchiha, though.”

Kakashi nodded. “We thought that too, so I’m going to work with him to teach him what I know about it, and maybe guide him on a positive path. So long as he’s here, at least.”

“And you can’t say no to Iruka,” Asuma teased.

“Speaking of, I haven’t seen him yet,” Yamato mused.

“Let’s go track him down, he can also talk to you about the addition we’re interested in,” Kakashi said, to both men’s surprise.

“Something you want to share?” Asuma asked, and Kakashi shrugged.

“Iruka feels bad for Naruto and Sasuke to live on their own at such a young age, so he thought that they might want to live with us.”

Yamato and Asuma exchanged an amused look, and Kakashi rolled his eyes.

“It’s not a big deal,” he protested.

“We didn’t say anything,” Asuma snickered.

“Yeah, we’re not pointing out how you’re getting yourself quite the family,” Yamato teased.

“Naruto and Sasuke are…my team,” Kakashi commented. “That’s all.”

“Team, family, same thing,” Asuma laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “That’s how it all starts!”

He shooed the other men away to talk to Iruka, who they found at home. Iruka was delighted to see Yamato again and warmly embraced him.

“I hear you want to do some construction,” Yamato posed, and Iruka smiled.

“Yes, but that can wait. Go get settled in our guest bedroom and we’ll have a drink, you can catch us up on your life and we’ll talk about the house tomorrow,” Iruka suggested, and Yamato agreed, leaving the room to unpack.

___

“Hmm, maybe the size of this room?” Naruto suggested, two days later. “But four of them! Or maybe five!”

Yamato, Kakashi, and Iruka looked at him in surprise.

“What?” Kakashi asked.

“Sure,” Naruto said, nodding. “Me, Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai. And maybe a second guest bedroom.”

“Sakura and Sai?” Iruka asked.

“Yep!” Naruto exclaimed. “Sakura is our teammate, so she might want her own space and not live in Ino’s room anymore.”

“He’s got a point,” Kakashi admitted. “She does train with me and the boys a lot.”

“And she and I study extra in spare time, when she’s not training with you or working with Tsunade,” Iruka agreed. “I guess we could ask her, but would you be okay with her living here, Sasuke?”

Sasuke sighed and crossed his arms. “Whatever, as long as she’s got her own room and it’s not next to mine.”

“Okay, so let’s see,” Yamato posed. “Next to the guest bedroom we’ll add a room for Naruto, across from that and next to the bathroom will be Sasuke’s room, and on top of that the other two bedrooms.”

“Actually, we were trying to keep the second floor for us,” Iruka admitted, blushing slightly.

“No problem, I’ll make it separate on the second floor, some distance from you, and with its own staircase,” Yamato said as they wandered outside. “I think another room on the first floor would be good, maybe another lounge or a library…”

“Wait, why did you mention Sai?” Iruka asked Naruto, who shrugged.

“He’s a cool guy, and he started training with us,” he said.

“But he’s only here for a few days til Tsunade has everything he needs,” Kakashi gently reminded him. “Then he’s going back to his brother.”

“Well, he can have a room here for when he comes by again,” Naruto suggested. “For him and his brother!”

The adults exchanged a look and a collective shrug.

“I mean, what’s one more room?” Iruka asked Yamato, who shook his head.

“It’s nothing, really,” the druid assured them.

“I guess so,” Kakashi sighed. “Good thing we have our own bathroom upstairs,” he said to Iruka, who laughed.

“Here we go!” Yamato called out, and soon wood rose from the ground, moving, molding, stretching, and weaving. The group shielded their eyes slightly as they watched, and a few moments later, the addition stood proudly in front of them.

“Wow!” Naruto cheered, and even Sasuke admitted it was interesting to watch.

“Let’s go get Sakura and Sai and show them!” Naruto yelled, dragging a surprised but accommodating Sasuke after him.

Kakashi laughed and put an arm around Iruka’s waist. “We can ask Yamato to undo it, it’s not too late?”

Iruka laughed as well and playfully swatted him. “Not on your life,” he told him. “Yamato, let’s head inside and get some rest for you, I have a feeling you’ll be quite busy today when they get back…”

___

The children did all move in, as Sakura was thrilled to not only have her own room again (though she was grateful to have been able to live with the Yamanakas), but to live under the same roof as her crush Sasuke! And Sai was receptive, though he was planning on leaving in three days’ time.

Those three days flew by, and soon he was all packed up again, including with the specialty medication Tsunade had made for him.

As he hopped onto a large bird that had come to life off his paper, he waved at the group on the ground, who waved back, asking him to visit with his brother soon.

“I hope it all works out,” Iruka sighed as Sai flew out of sight.

“Dr Tsunade’s so smart, if she can’t figure it out, I don’t know anyone who can,” Sakura suggested, though it did little to lighten the group’s mood.

Still, time continued, and after a few more days, Yamato packed up to head out. The show went on as it had and would do. Sasuke began to help with security here and there, and Naruto began to do some circus shows wherever he was needed. And Sakura continued to learn more about medicine. Plus the three continued to train with Kakashi, and he had vague flashbacks to training with Obito, Rin, and Minato when he was their age.

Iruka continued to sing his song each morning, but a month later, he commented to Kakashi that his song felt mournful, heavy, and burdened recently.

“I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s just so…sad,” Iruka said, as Kakashi pulled him into a hug. “I feel like it’s telling me something rather than more to or for whoever’s listening.”

“Maybe it’s both,” Kakashi suggested, softly kissing his forehead. “We’ll be patient and see who and what comes our way.”

Two days later, Sai returned. He had lost some weight, which was shocking as he was fairly thin to begin with, and seemed overly tired.

“The medicine did not work,” he told them after everyone in the house had ushered him into the living room to sit. “Well, it did ease his suffering, and he was able to do some things he hadn’t been able to for some time. And at the end, he passed away peacefully, so I am grateful to Dr Tsunade for that.”

Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi frowned, and Sakura wiped tears away as Iruka pulled him into a gentle hug.

“It was about one week ago, and I settled our few affairs, not that there was much due to the prolonged illness,” Sai continued. “I felt a bit lost, unsure of what to do or where to go, but then something in me stirred the other day, and I found myself headed here.”

Iruka nodded. “I felt something shift in my song, but I didn’t know what it was. I’m glad it brought you back, though.”

“Stay for however long you want or need,” Kakashi told him. “You do have a room here, after all.”

Sai gave them a small smile. “That is comforting to hear, to know I still have a place here, thank you.”

“And support!” Naruto reminded him. “We’re like an extra family for you!”

Sasuke nodded, and Sakura smiled.

“Feel free to just relax and grieve, whatever you need to do,” Iruka told Sai. “No pressure for anything, okay?”

The boy nodded and Sakura led him back to his room, where she got fresh linens for him before leaving him to get settled, staying behind with Sasuke and Naruto that night while the adults headed to prepare for that day's show.

___

Life settled again into a quiet routine, and Sai began to draw memories of his brother’s life to honor him, as well as general art work around the compound, redoing some signs here and there. After some time, he began to join the evening show, wowing the crowds as his art came to life, mystical creatures roaming the tent before dispersing at the end.

One night, Iruka and Kakashi walked around the compound hand in hand, heading back to their house via a longer way than usual, discussing the children’s growth and unique personalities.

“I doubt any of them are leaving for quite some time,” Kakashi mused. “Even Sasuke, I think.”

Iruka nodded and smiled. “They’ve settled in so naturally, I forget what it was like before they were here.”

“We had more peace and quiet in the house,” Kakashi suggested, and Iruka laughed.

“The pack are so talkative, and you snore in your sleep, so I wouldn’t know,” he teased. “But it’s nice having them around.”

Kakashi nodded. “Admittedly, since the circus is so self-sustaining and the Hatake family is pretty well off, it’s not really been any extra stress on us to feed and care for them. Especially since Yamato did the construction for free!”

Iruka laughed again. “Very true.” He paused, biting his lip. “I was thinking, maybe we adopt them? In practice only, not to change their names or anything. But to give them more of a sense of security and stability, like to show we mean for them to stay and be with us for as long as they want. What do you think?”

“If they want that, I’m on board,” he said, as they neared their house. “But, we should do it properly.”

Iruka looked at him in confusion. “How so?”

“Well,” Kakashi began, “I suppose we should get married.”

“What?” Iruka asked, shocked to the point of pausing their walk, but Kakashi just looked at him. “Are you serious?”

“I’ve never been more serious,” Kakashi softly assured him, squeezing his hand.

“Did you just seriously ask me to marry you?”

“In a roundabout way,” Kakashi said, then knelt on one knee and pulled a small leather bag out of an inner pocket of his coat. He released Iruka’s hand to gently tip the bag into his own hand, revealing two gold rings. He held one in his left hand, but held up the other in his right hand, towards Iruka. “Now I’m really asking you, will you marry me?”

Iruka looked at him with wide eyes, but nodded, smiling. “Yes, Kakashi, of course!”

Kakashi smiled and placed the ring on Iruka’s left hand, standing as Iruka did the same for him before pulling his mask down, pulling him in for a kiss. They glanced down at the rings, which had a small white diamond on the front, surrounded by a small engraved design.

“Were you just walking around with these?” Iruka laughed, and Kakashi shrugged as he kissed him again before pulling his mask back up, grateful his back was largely towards the group.

“Maybe? I’ve been waiting for the right moment.”

“Did you two just get engaged?!” someone shrieked from behind them, and they laughed as they turned to find the four children returning home themselves, all with a range of surprised expressions.

“Yes!” Iruka shouted, holding up his hand to show the ring.

“Wow!” Naruto shouted, running over to hug them. Sakura did the same, and Sasuke and Sai offered congratulations.

“Thank you,” Iruka said, grinning widely. “Kakashi surprised me with this as we were talking about kind of, well, unofficially adopting you. Not to change your names or anything, but we want you to know that we want you all here for as long as you want to be, and that you’ll always have a home with us.”

“You don’t have to give us an answer now, but we wanted to at least tell you that our house is your house, now and always, Kakashi added.

“Duh, we already know that!” Naruto laughed. “But does that mean we get to see your face now?”

“No promises,” Kakashi told him, making Iruka laugh.

Sasuke nodded. “I’m appreciative of you taking me in, and training me.”

“And helping me to have some normalcy again,” Sai added.

“And Naruto’s right,” Sakura told them. “You may not be our birth families, but you’re our family now.”

Iruka and Kakashi smiled at them and pulled them in for a hug, to Sasuke’s dismay.

“Come on, everyone,” Kakashi said, “let’s go home.”

____

Two months later, Iruka and Kakashi looked around at the circus tent, which had a very special, invitation only show that night - their wedding.

Sakumo had of course returned for it, eager to welcome Iruka formally into the family as well as to meet the children.

“I now present the happy couple!” he announced, and their friends and family cheered as they kissed again, Kakashi’s back towards them as he slipped his mask down briefly.

Everyone related to the circus was there, yelling congratulations at them. Sai drew a range of doves that flew around the tent, and Yamato made extra batches of flowers bloom from the dirt floor. Sakura pulled Sasuke and Naruto into a big hug as she and Naruto cried, and Sasuke, for once, didn’t seem to mind. Gai, standing nearby as Kakashi’s best man, burst into tears himself, and Kakashi sighed but patted him on the back as Anko grinned. Iruka held his arms out for the four children who were also at the front with them, and Naruto pulled the others towards him, soon grabbing Kakashi for the group hug as well.

Kakashi, in turn, pulled Sakumo into it as well, and the three adults laughed.

“This is our family now,” Kakashi said, smiling at Iruka, “and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Me too,” Iruka agreed, leaning over to kiss him again.