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Another birthday come and gone. Sakumo felt the warm tea slide down his throat, as he brushed fingers over the old photos and mementos. A small wolf cub, a pressed iris, his smiling genin. When had the years changed from only surviving to living and thriving? His life had morphed before his very eyes. Sakumo chuckled, he sounded like an old man. He was the oldest of his clan yes, but he wasn't old. Sakumo felt alive and full of energy, he was still young. Kakashi would say otherwise, but his bratty cub was not a reliable source.
Sakumo glanced again at the photo of Kakashi. It felt as if only that morning he was soothing that same cub as he pouted over his failure to catch a frog once again. Only the night before bedtime stories were being demanded of him from the fluff of silver hair tucked into his side.
Time moved quicker than he would have liked. Now his little cub was feared by nations.
Sakumo drained the last of his teas rising with a stretch. He chuckled and wondered if he had told Iruka the story about Kakashi and the Koi Pond before? Well, no matter he would make sure to regale the tale over ramen tonight. He strode to the kitchen to focus on the task at hand, preparing dinner.
As he picked up the lid of the pot, warm rich flavors overcame Sakumo's senses, ramen. His son had always had a distaste for Iruka’s favorite dish, but Kakashi truly smitten, never once complaining as he lavished in Iruka’s delight.
Sakumo was all too aware of the feeling. Oro had taken his heart hostage years ago and never let go. Since then, a life without his snake was not an option.
Sakumo growled at the thought. They belonged wholly to one another. No man, beast, or jutsu would change that. Not an angry village, not snide remarks, not even a Kage. Sakumo would overcome any obstacle, cut down thousands of enemies, survive the cruelest of torture to reach Orochimaru.
Nothing could end them. Nothing would.
Not even death.
Sakumo shook the thought, he need not worry about that right now. His fierce beauty was home, safe. But his instincts would not settle, even entertaining the idea of a life without his love had left his head spinning. He needed to be certain.
Peering out the window Sakumo’s sharp eyes caught Orochimaru’s familiar form in a heartbeat.
There he was, unbothered and none the wiser, only dark locks visible as he bent over his beautiful garden of poisons. As the form began to rise Sakumo quickly went back to the task at hand, head lowered quickly chopping vegetables.
“Wolf you are not as clever as you think.”, an amused tone lilted through the open window.
“I haven’t the faintest clue what you are speaking of my love.” Sakumo watched his mate appear in the entry of their kitchen. Not a speck of dirt in sight.
Orochimaru lifted a delicate eyebrow unamused. “Is that so? Your eyes were burning holes.”
Sakumo snorted, “you have never minded my admiration before.”
“I never said I did.” and with that Oro sauntered away toward his lab.
It didn’t matter his age as long as Sakumo was with Oro all would be well. And in a few hours the rest of his pack would be under one roof. The thought put something deep inside him at ease.
“Now I know I am no Teuchi but-” Sakumo’s breath caught, startled so severely that if not for Orochimaru's steading hands slipping the pot from his grasp dinner and all his hard work would be for nothing.
“W-What is going on?” Sakumo wavered as his graceful counterpart gently placed the pot on the table and guided Sakumo to a seated position.
Sakumo was not a weak man in any regards, but this. This was nearly incomprehensible. Across the table as expected were Kakashi and Iruka, but what had left Sakumo reeling was the small blonde.
A baby. It was a baby! The little one clung to Iruka peeking out to look at the surroundings and in that moment Sakumo's grey eyes met bright blue. The little eyes got impossibly wider as the child ducked back into Iruka. Sakumo wanted to coo.
Iruka without hesitation bent his head to offer murmurs of comfort. Sakumo's eyes lingered on the sweet moment before catching the hum of his husband chastising their slumped and oddly quiet son.
Kakashi’s stubborn silence relented after a few moments, as he rubbed the back of his neck. “We are parents, surprise”
Oro used the tone reserved for his most exasperating summons. “Kakashi, don’t you think we owe a bit more of an explanation than that? I have many unanswered questions.”
The interrogation was interrupted by the grumble of a hungry stomach. 3 heads turned to watch as the tiny boy not so elusively reached for the dish of hard boiled eggs.
“How about we discuss over dinner, little ones shouldn’t be left hungry.” Sakumo chirped with a warm rumble. Eyes never leaving the new guest. “Think the little one will like ramen?”
Kakashi made noise of distress “His mother-”
“That conversation can wait.” Iruka stroked his arm soothingly, pointedly making eye contact with both of his in-laws. “This looks absolutely delicious Sakumo.”
Distress about ramen and the child's mother? It seemed a bit of an overreaction from Kakashi, none the less Sakumo would be certain to tread lightly. Where the child came from or his blood line would never matter. The cub was now a Hatake, an extra piece of their small clan.
“Sakumo made it special for you Iruka. We know it is a great comfort to you.” His snake spoke, filling in the now tense silence.
Iruka turned a bright red with a stutter of gratitude, and the tension was gone.
Food was served and soon the little one was handed over to Kakashi as Iruka carefully cooled small bits of noodle and broth, before feeding the overjoyed child.
“Are you sure you don’t want help? Your ramen might get cold.” pestered Sakumo, eying the baby. The ‘retired’ legend wracked his brain trying to find any excuse to hold his newest clan member. The tight squeeze to his knee from Orochimaru told him that ploy was not fooling anyone and to let it be. Give them time. Sakumo huffed impatiently.
Iruka kindly dismissed the offer. “This little one has been through enough. Me waiting a couple minutes is not going to hurt anyone.”
That left a bad taste in Sakumo’s mouth and a growl in his throat. Oro’s grip on his knee tightened, repressing his own distaste for the statement. He kept a neutral demeanor, but if Sakumo knew his mate, and he very much did, Orochimaru already adored their new grandchild. A trace of danger and his mate would be ready to strike. Sakumo had seen it with the students the snake had taken in. Oro loved more fiercely than any other. The idea of this innocent child, his new grandchild, suffering was surely displeasing his spouse. But both kept quiet.
Kakashi smoothed a hand down the blonde's head with rumble eyes locked on his cub. In response the little one looked up with a bright open mouth smile. One hand clinging to Kakashi's forearm the other reached for the tips of Kakashi hair.
Before the hand could get a strong grip, Kakashi gently grabbed the fingers with his own and brought the small fist to his mouth pretending to bite the little fingers with a small play growl. A joyful shriek followed but elated giggles echoed in the room. A mirror image from Sakumo's own memories.
The baby laughed. A true laugh, no more curious stares and hidden peeks.
Sakumo wanted to croon at the small moment, his heart melting. He thought he might die of happiness right there on the spot.
Sakumo fidgeted.
“I cannot bear it another moment. At least tell me the name of my grandcub.”
Kakashi choked on his sake. Spluttering and coughing.
“He is not a Hatake wolf by blood, but a Hatake all the same. So our small new cub.” Sakumo puffed in pride. He would have little feet running through his home again, giggles in his garden, and wide eyes as he told of the ferocity of his ancestors.
Kakashi sat in stunned silence.
“Pull yourself together Kakashi.” Iruka carefully scooted the nearest bowl out of the way of the little flailing arms. “His name is Naruto, and he is the Jinchuriki of the nine tailed fox.” Iruka blurted.
After a moment of silence Iruka added with a nervous laugh, “So more of a kit actually.”
Sakumo howled laughing, “Kami, Iruka please never leave Kakashi! I could not bear it!”
Orochimaru always composed, nodded, “Well that is quite interesting, but I am more fascinated to know how you came across the little one and furthermore how you managed to convince Sarutobi sensei to give you two parental rights.”
Sakumo finally recovered, wiping mirthful tears from his eyes. “Oh dearest, give them a break.”
Kakashi happily rumbled as Naruto played with his fingers. A loud giggle spilling forth each time Kakashi would wiggle out of the tiny grip. Kakashi clearly preoccupied, Iruka answered once again. “Well.” Iruka cooled another bit of noodles, “We can go into the horrors later, but Naru needed us and I would be dead before I left without him.” Iruka’s eyes held a fierce glint.
Sakumo didn’t miss how Kakashi's grip on Naruto tightened a little and his back stiffened. Then the satisfied and dangerous smile of his mother appeared across his face. "It has been handled accordingly and Naruto is safe now.”
Orochimaru nodded knowingly, “Well we are happy to have Naru-kun, however he came to us.”
Satisfied with the information provided dinner continued as if undisturbed. Sakumo he would learn more when the pair were ready.
Sakumo to his pleasure had a baby on his lap by the end of the evening. Unfortunately for him his surprisingly strong grandcub had a new fondness for yanking his ponytail.
Orochimaru, witnessing the disaster, pulled his own hair back into a neat bun before reaching for Naruto. In response Naruto reached out as well, leaning toward his golden eyed grandparent.
Sakumo watched as glassiness overtook golden eyes, a moment later it was gone but a soft look still remained. Sakumo’s arms were empty, but his heart was warm as he watched a giggling Naruto enthusiastically pat his mates face. His love, child in arms, was once again in his element.
Sakumo’s heart was full watching such a display and when it came time for the new parents and a sleepy Naruto to depart Sakumo nearly whined.
Orochimaru slid the door shut, wrapping his arms around Sakumo's neck. “Oh hush wolf, they will be back soon enough.”
Sakumo pressed his face into silky dark hair with a hum.
His mate pulled away slowly, placing a cool palm to his face with a smile. “ I think we could both use some rest, yes?”
The pair readied themselves for bed in companionable silence. Fingers brushed, and light touches shared as they would glide past the other, routine ingrained from decades shared.
Lights out and curled into one another Orochimaru broke the silence with a whisper.
“Well my dearest, are you excited?”
Sakumo pressed his nose to Orochimaru’s in the darkness, responding in a rasp, “Oro this is incredible.” pausing as tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, “I had never thought. We lost so much in the wars; both of our families gone. And then there was Kakashi, but I could never have imagined.” he choked on his words, tears falling freely.
A gentle graceful hand slid over Sakumo’s face and wiped away the tears.
Sakumo leaned into the touch for a moment before gently clasping the pale wrist. Face now turned he placed a soft kiss on the palm before releasing it once again.
Nimble fingers carefully worked their way through the silver mane. A silent display of understanding and comfort.
Sakumo buried his head in Orochimaru’s neck, taking a deep breath. “The summons will be so pleased. Remember when Kashi was born? They were nearly hysterical.”
“Yes. We had to divide the time ever so carefully, so no one got jealous.” Came a coy chuckle.
“I think they are more grown up now don’t you think?”
Orochimaru let out a contemplative hiss.
“Well, I think we should hold off a bit, have the little one all to ourselves.”
“Yes, a little one to coddle again would be nice”
Sakumo’s mind began to race. “We need to baby proof!” “There are so many senbon, and oh the scrolls need moved up.”
“Dearest”
“And new seals on your lab”
“Love”
“Oh, and we need to set up the nursery again.”
“Wolf”
“Should we re-ward the whole estate?” Sakumo paused to consider his options.
Orochimaru chuckled, “Are you finished?”
“Well, we also-”
Sakumo was cut off. “Wolf, I think you may be going overboard. We will cross each bridge as it comes, and baby proofing can wait till morning.”
His mate tucked himself closer, resting his head against Sakumo’s collarbone. “For now, rest. I have a feeling we will need it.”