#kamkong

[suzukiblu]

More Kara and Kal "two-for-one special" kids for the Kents, this time for @qwertynerd97 and @kamkong.

Ma and Pa help Kara pick out clothes for herself and Kal, and a strange child-sized seat with straps and fasteners on it, and something she thinks is a crib, and more little toys that she has to not cry over, and then a pretty bracelet made of colored glass beads all in all the shades of a prism. Kara isn't sure what it's for–she still hasn't figured out where the aliens wear their house signifiers–but Ma puts it on her, so she chocks up another point towards jewelry having more signifiers than clothing on this planet. 

It's pretty, so even though she doesn't know what it means, she doesn't mind wearing it. And–she thinks she can trust Ma and Pa. Or hopes she can, anyway. So letting them pick signifiers for her is something she thinks she can do. 

They don't pick out any jewelry for Kal, but she supposes he is a little young to wear it. And maybe the aliens don't bother with house signifiers for children anyway. She's seen a few more people with various styles of rings and necklaces and bracelets in the settlement so far, but mostly just adults and teenagers; not too many children. 

She does glimpse a girl(?) on the sidewalk with shiny pink and gold beads in her hair, but no one else seems to be wearing that particular style. Maybe she's not from around here either, Kara thinks. That might be what beads mean in general. 

The girl's are pretty too, either way. 

Ma pays the shop clerk with what Kara thinks might actually be paper money, of all things, and gets a small handful of metal tokens back. Pa straps the little chair into the back of his and Ma's transport, and Kara realizes it must be a safety seat of some kind for Kal, and her heart hurts as Ma shows her how to buckle him into it. 

They really don't need to be this kind, but she doesn't know how to tell them that.

Ma and Pa take them to another, bigger store, and Ma takes a metal cart from a stall, directs Kara to put Kal inside it, and then leads them to an aisle with a section of packages covered in pictures of alien infants. It takes Kara a moment to figure it out, but it looks like boxes of diapers and very small containers of baby food and cans of . . . some kind of nutritional powders, maybe? Kal is uninterested and only cares about his soft little dog, but Kara is relieved. She needs to be able to care for him, so she needs these things. If Ma and Pa are willing to help her get them . . . 

Well, she really doesn't know how she'll be able to pay that back, but she'll do her best to. 

Ma fills the metal cart with several different packages, and Pa walks off again. Kara tries not to worry about it and pays very close attention to the packages Ma is carefully picking out. She seems to know what she's doing, and if nothing else seems to be able to read the labels, which Kara herself definitely can't and Kal definitely can't–he can't even read Kryptonian yet. 

He'll maybe never be able to read Kryptonian, she realizes distantly. 

He'll . . . 

Ma picks up a sturdy-looking little drinking cup made of an odd, clear material that looks a bit like glass but definitely isn't. There's a lid with a small spout on it, and a handle on either side. It has funny little shapes stamped on it in bright colors. Ma makes sure Kal can hold the handles, then puts the cup and a couple more like it in the cart with him. 

Kal chirps in bright approval and pats at the cups, then returns his attention to petting and cuddling the soft dog in his arms, purring happily to himself. Kara croons back to him in acknowledgment. Ma looks briefly puzzled, for some reason, but goes back to carefully picking out packages of little cloths. 

Pa comes back with a cart of his own stocked with cans and jars and packages of food, and Ma says something approving-sounding to him and then points towards the other side of the store. He says something back with a nod, then heads off again. It still makes Kara nervous when he leaves, but it's . . . it's fine, she tells herself. Pa keeps coming back. So it's fine. 

She still isn't sure when Kal is going to start missing Aunt Lara and Uncle Jor. He's an independent baby, and usually confident in new situations, but he's still a baby. And they're still his parents. And . . . and . . . 

She wants hers so badly, but she's the one who knows they'll never be seeing their family again. 

Kal . . . doesn't know that yet. 

It might be a long, long time before Kal knows that. 

She can't decide what's worse; the idea of him crying and crying for them, or the idea of him finally deciding that they've abandoned him and then not crying for them ever again. 

Kal’s still just a baby, after all. He won't understand why Aunt Lara and Uncle Jor won't come when he cries for them. Won't understand why they'd leave him. Won't understand . . . 

He won't even remember them. Or her parents, or Krypto, or even Krypton itself. He won't remember a single thing about any of it or any of them or . . . or . . . 

Kara swallows. Steels herself. 

Doesn't cry. 

Ma puts a few more packages in the cart. Kal baps his dog against them, then hugs it again. 

"Is that Krypto's puppy, Kal?" Kara asks him as lightly as she can, trying to sound anything less than brokenhearted, and Ma glances over at her. She looks concerned, but maybe Kara's reading her wrong. The people of this planet all seem to be unusually expressive, but that doesn't mean their expressions mean the same things that Kryptonian ones do. 

Kal squeals happily and hugs his dog again, burying his face against its soft synthetic fur for a moment before beaming up at Kara. She shouldn't have mentioned Krypto to him, maybe–shouldn't have reminded him of him–but . . . 

Well. She's going to make worse mistakes than that, she knows. She has to take care of him now. Has to make sure he's safe above all else, and then as healthy and happy as she can make him. Has to do right by him, and not let down their family. 

She's here to take care of him. Here to protect him. Here to make sure he grows up and lives a good life and–and just lives. 

No matter what. 

Kal trills for attention, and Ma looks down at him curiously. She says something. The aliens' voices have an odd flatness to them, compared to the rich resonance of Kryptonian voices, but Ma and Pa both still just sound so kind. 

Kara doesn't understand why they're being so kind. 

They really don't have to be so kind. 

Pa comes back again, a few more little boxes and bottles in his cart. Kara doesn't know what any of them are, though they don't look like food this time. The decorations on the boxes are mostly abstract and aren't proving helpful. 

Ma says something to her and pats her arm. Kara tries to smile at her. She and Pa are being very kind, so Kara should smile at her. 

It's just . . . getting harder and harder to smile. 

If she weren't making herself do it now, though, she'd never do it again. 

Maybe she wouldn't ever do it again, if she were a better daughter. A better Kryptonian. But Kal should see her smiling, if nothing else, so–so. 

So she's smiling. 

They're refugees from an apocalypse, from a world-ending tragedy, from a kind of grief that only the tiniest, tiniest fraction of people could ever feel, and Kal won't even remember what they've lost. 

So yes. He should see her smiling. 

Ma and Pa pay with paper money again, and the shop clerk talks to them. They respond with pleasant smiles to–her? Kara thinks the clerk is a woman. So was the clerk at the first store, come to think, so she wonders if that's a coincidence or just the cultural standard on this planet. Or if she's just still confused about this species' sexual characteristics, maybe. 

For all she knows their species has dozens of sexes and genders and she's just oblivious to whatever way they display or communicate them, of course. Krypton is–was–very insular and isolated, and its people almost never traveled or traded or even communicated between planets, so she doesn't know much about aliens. 

More of Krypton probably would've survived, if they'd ever done that. 

The clerk says something to her. She attempts to smile again. Ma and Pa redirect the woman and Kara is very, very grateful to not have to try and figure out how to communicate with her right now.

[pokebreeder]

White-Striped Deino are known to be docile and gentle, and explore their surroundings with tentative nibbles and nudges. They often search for food with their keen sense of smell to share with others.

On the other hand, once they evolve into Dual-Striped Zweilous, they are anything but docile. The two heads fight and compete even more fiercely than purebred Zweilous, so much so that they scarcely have time to hunt or rest. Due to the strain, the odds of reaching adulthood are low.

If they manage to survive long enough to evolve, they become Phantom Hydreigon. These are solitary Pokémon, but if sought out or attacked they will unleash all of their built up rage and pain onto the unlucky foe with unimaginably destructive force.

Commission for @kamkong! Commission info Here!

[freegazaqais1]

I am a weak and oppressed woman living in Gaza, struggling every day while everyone ignores my suffering. I have no income, no food, and no clothing. Please, I am desperate and willing to clean your shoes or do any work in exchange for any help you can offer. I just need to survive😭💔.

🚨 Urgent Help Needed 🚨

Hello friend 🍉🇵🇸,

I’m Esraa Mounes Al-Kafarna, a mother from Gaza. My youngest needs milk, and my other child requires treatment for a skin disease. The conflict has made survival extremely difficult 💔.

Your support can save their lives. Any donation, big or small, makes a difference.

Please donate and share: [https://gofund.me/e6cd83a9]

Thank you for your kindness.

Esraa Al-Kafarna

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The killing of children in Gaza is a heartbreaking tragedy that the world cannot ignore. Innocent lives are being lost every day due to relentless bombings and attacks. These children had dreams, hopes, and futures that were stolen from them in an instant. As a weak and oppressed woman in Gaza, I have no money and struggle to survive. I beg for your help to support my baby, Qais, who is not yet two years old. Any donation can save his life.

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[klonoadreams]

Just read through all the posts on Into The Wild and the first chapter and I am so thrilled I did. I am a huge fan of Also-Ran and This story looks like it will also be super fun. Considering just how feral Akari is, and how her two Zorua brothers can likely do a perfect "Akari" illusion since they've known her since birth, how hard would it be to determine whether you've been traveling with Akari, or that one of her brothers has taken her place while she's gone off to reassure Mama?

Aww shucks!! I'm glad to hear that!! :D

lol it'd be pretty difficult, tbh. The only way you can likely figure it out is if you break the illusion...

Or see who can use Aura Sphere. Otherwise, you might be talking to a wall while she's off with Mama lmao

[cooliogirl101]

I absolutely love the lonely ghost Sayuri AU. Captures several of the things I loved about the Sakumo/Sayuri snippets with just the scale of Sayuri's sorrow over her loss and this loving family adopting her (to her utter confusion). I picture her as fanatically protective of the twins (as Sayuri does) so there's absolutely no way in hell that Fishbone Hollow is getting anywhere near the clinic. And if Rukia tries to restrain Ichigo with Kido? Be afraid Rukia. Be very afraid.

Thank you, I’m so glad you liked it! (And I was actually trying to come up with a name for it but ‘lonely ghost au’ fits pretty well so thank you for that as well haha). Yes, Sayuri is definitely intensely protective of all three Kurosaki kids-- and to her utter bemusement, they appear to be just as protective of her (which she still doesn’t get. If an opponent is strong enough that even she can’t defeat them, what the hell are two 6 year-olds and a 10 year-old gonna do?). 

She does believe in preparing them for the world though, which includes telling them everything they need to know about the shinigami (and after what happened with Grand Fisher, Masaki is inclined to agree. And Masaki’s agreement = Isshin’s agreement, so that’s that.) However, unlike the other adults in Bleach, her version of ‘preparing someone for the world’ doesn’t involve throwing them off the deep end and hoping they survive. All three Kurosaki kids know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she has their back and will step in if they can’t handle something. Sure, she may bring back the occasional hollow for them to practice on-- but she’s always there watching, a constant silent presence, ready to intervene if necessary. 

As for Rukia restraining Ichigo with kido-- she’d actually be fine with that lol. She knows Rukia has no intention of hurting Ichigo and so if Ichigo is careless enough to get hit by a simple binding spell after the training she’s put him through? Well then, that’s his own damn fault. 

[rayshippouuchiha]

A BNHA AU idea I came up with. When Izuku first pulls on OFA and smashes the Zero-pointer, he completely cuts off All Might's access to the power, reverting him permanently to Toshinori. Since he doesn't have the sympathy of defeating AFO and can't claim that he is All Might without severe public backlash, he has to announce that All Might is dead. Lot of consequences since All Might can't defend the students and the reaction of the hero and villain communities to the news.

Ooohhh now this would be something interesting to see play out!!

[kika-ila]

Commission made for @kamkong

Commissions info here

[scribblestatic]

Yay! Return of the Hacker AU. Ohhh, I do not like that view of Bakugou's mindset at the end, that does not bode well for our green darling. Also, who is Shuriken Hair? My first guess was Pony, but I reread how Ibara faced off against Katsuki in the Sports Festival so I'm not sure (I'd guess his nickname for her would be Weed Head).

I forgot what his nickname for Momo was, so I thought of something easy to spot that isn’t tiddy, and was like “Eh her ponytail could maybe pass as a shuriken,” so I went with that.

[swan2swan]

@kamkong

That was twenty years ago...............................

Quick, folks, I need cartoons from the past ten years that got axed far too soon!

[suzukiblu]

The "Kents get a Two-For-One Special on Free Kids" if you please?

Pa comes back from feeding the “kuh-ows” and “chee-kens”, and Ma finishes making “brekk-fist”, and Kara sits at the table in the kitchen with the warm brown drink and tries not to cry, and drinks almost none of it. Mostly she gives it to Kal in tiny little sips, and he gets it all over his mouth and shirt and she just keeps trying not to cry. 

He could've died. 

He could've died, and she would've been all alone. 

As if she has the right to care about that, when it'd only be what she deserved for letting him die to begin with. Letting him be hurt at all. 

Taking her eyes off him. 

How could she have done that? 

How could she ever?

[pokebreeder]

Rascal Dratini are covered in alternating layers of unshed skin, giving them a striped, spikey appearance. They constantly seek out battles to grow stronger.

Moody and aloof, Glam Rock Dragonair show their disdain for all others with their extended tongue. They are able to fly at great speeds by enlarging their wings, but have difficulty making turns.

Barricade Dragonite trade the kind-hearted nature of their purebred kin for a competitive and obstinate streak. These immensely powerful Pokémon love nothing more than taunting foes into combat before crushing them with overwhelming force.

Commission for @kamkong! Commission info Here!

[scribbly-z-raid]

Hi! I love your drawings so much. Any chance you could draw something for Lana or Cia? Thank you very much!

Thanks for liking my art! :D

Koei Tecmo has done all of humanity a disservice by not making concept Cia the final and official design for her.

[ooops-i-arted]

For your Christmas song prompt, could I see "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"? I'm super interested to see your take on it.

Merry Christmas from Mustafar!

[pocketramblr]

5+ Headcanons for an AU where OFA can only be used by one person at a time. So when Izuku punches the zero-pointer, All Might loses all access to OFA and permanently deflates. Someone (UA? Hero Commission? The government? etc?) has to announce to Japan and the World that All Might is dead because no one would believe that Yagi is All Might without the video proof (like in canon.)

Ok now this is an interesting premise, because,

1- Since All Might knew that he wouldn't be able to use OfA after the entrance exam, he would have to announce his own retirement beforehand. Which means the world is in chaos as Izuku just goes to the exam, some people probably drop out at the last minute, some people hope UA has answers, but Izuku's just straight vibing.

2- a now retried Yagi gets a job at UA teaching physics, powerless, and offers izuku advice as he watches hero class training with Nedzu's permission. 1A does not have a battle trial the first week. Izuku is still breaking bones. The kids are all wondering about All Might's retirement and if it's legit, and Izuku clumsily avoids the conversation with it comes up. (Which is often.)

3- There's no attack on USJ, because there's no word of All Might working on campus. Which is good, because izuku totally would have died if there had been. Instead, people whisper about All Might not having been seen since the retirement announcement, how it makes no sense there isn't even media or what he's doing now, no explanation of why he abandoned them. By the SF, people think he's just dead, actually, and it's a coverup that he retired instead.

4- Izuku's class lineup looks different- Inasa is there, Shoto isn't, because after the announcement and his father's promotion, there wasn't a need for Shoto to continue, and he didn't want to keep boosting his father's ego or be forced into the same path, so he just didn't go to UA. Plus, Mineta, Jiro, and Kouda didn't bother going to the exam at all. 1B probably looks different too.

5- Izuku frets because of all the rumors, even as Toshi waves it off as they walk home together. The levity stops when he gets a call from Tsukauchi- former employees of Might Tower are being targeted, and secretary Yagi Toshinori is probably next. Because while AfO would be happy with the idea that his enemy is just dead instead of training a successor or plotting an attack on him, he isn't going to accept it without proof.

[tenya]

honestly? i’m just imagining him literally smoking out of the ears when he gets *ahem* fired up

[cooliogirl101]

For the prompt thing, 6, 13, and/or 22 (I think they all work well together), for the AU where Sayuri ends up in the Naruto-verse and is taken in by Hatake Sakumo. Romantic for those two please?

Yay, a prompt for my favorite TLM AU! Thanks and I hope it doesn’t disappoint!

6. Hiraeth- a homesickness for a home to which you can never return, the nostalgia, yearning, and grief for the lost places of your past

13. Cafune- the act of running your fingers through the hair of someone you love

22. Basorexia- the overwhelming desire to kiss

In the end, it isn’t Sakumo who gets through to her. It’s Kakashi. 

It’s been nearly a month since Sakumo has invited Aizen Sayuri into their house and in that time, the only piece of information Sakumo has managed to get out of her is her name. And while she’s more responsive than she was when Sakumo first found her, there are still days where she goes long stretches of time without speaking, without eating, without doing anything but staring blankly at the wall.

With Kakashi though, she’s...better. Even on her worst days, if Kakashi asks her a question, she’ll answer. If Kakashi asks her to eat, she’ll take a few bites. If he asks for her attention, she’ll make an effort to focus on him.

Perhaps more surprising than her attachment to his son is how easily Kakashi seems to reciprocate it. Despite how well Kakashi does with people (hardly a day goes by without some civilian woman stopping them on the street to coo over how adorable he is), the reverse isn’t quite true. At best, his son tends to find people (outside of a select few) uninteresting, irritating, and stupid. At worst...well, Sakumo once found him hiding in a trash can to escape a particularly persistent civilian woman determined to pinch his cheeks. 

“She’s cool. I like her,” Kakashi says, shrugging, when Sakumo asks him what he thinks about their guest.

“You don’t like the people at the Academy,” Sakumo points out.

“The people at the Academy...they’re like the wooden dolls and paper cutouts I used to play with. The look real, but they aren’t,” Kakashi says matter-of-factly, and not for the first time, Sakumo wonders if he should be worried. “Sayuri though, she’s real. Just like you and me and Uncle Jiraiya and Minato-sensei.”

“But Kakashi, the people at the Academy are real,” Sakumo says, a little helplessly. Kakashi gives him a look like he thinks Sakumo is being deliberately obtuse. 

“If you say so,” he says dubiously. “Anyway, Dad, I got homework to do now.” 

“I thought you already finished your homework,” Sakumo says, a little confused. 

“Sayuri’s homework,” Kakashi says, rolling his eyes. “Finished my Academy homework in school, took me under five minutes. I don’t know why dummy Obito keeps complaining about how hard it is, it was so easy I almost fell asleep doing it.” 

“Kakashi, I’ve told you before, not everyone learns at the same pace you do,” Sakumo says, tired. 

“Then teach them to learn faster. I could do that stuff when I was three,” Kakashi says sullenly. “Why can’t Sayuri be my teacher instead? At least her assignments are interesting.” 

~~

“Giving my son homework assignments now?” Sakumo asks Sayuri later. She glances up from her book before humming in affirmation. 

“He came to me complaining about how he got in trouble for not paying attention in class,” she says. Sakumo hides a wince, hearing Kakashi’s high-pitched voice in his mind all too clearly-- it’s not my fault she keeps going over stuff I already know, tell her to teach something new and I might pay attention, can’t I skip a class or two, maybe I’ll actually learn something, dad? Dad, are you listening? Dad? 

“I thought it was for the best if I gave him something to keep him occupied,” she continues, a bit dryly. 

“Oh? What’d you assign him?” Sakumo asks, interested. “I haven’t seen Kakashi so engaged in an assignment in...well, let’s just say I’ve never seen him interested in homework.”

“It’s a...reconnaissance mission, of sorts,” Sayuri replies, eyes brightening slightly. It’s is one of her better days, then, Sakumo thinks to himself, and can’t help but lean in slightly. “He is to take notes on each of his classmates, learn their habits, their likes and dislikes, and by the end of next month, come up with an item that is perfectly suited to each and every one of them. All without asking his targets any questions or making his assignment known to everyone. He is to then secretly deposit each of his targets’ items somewhere they will easily find them, all the while keeping his identity secret. Of course, it will be suspicious if he is the only one in his class not to receive an object, so he will need to get something for himself too.” 

“So let me get this straight. His assignment is...to come up with exceedingly thoughtful gifts for each of his classmates...while also treating himself to something nice,” Sakumo says slowly. 

Sayuri turns back to her book, but not before Sakumo catches the barest twitch at the corner of her mouth. 

“If that’s how you want to put it,” she says blandly. “The important thing is, it will keep him entertained and even if he is caught, there will be no consequences. Quite the opposite, actually. I imagine it’ll improve his standing amongst his classmates quite a bit.” 

Sakumo watches her closely.

“You’re good with him,” he says finally. “Not many people are.” 

Sayuri doesn’t say anything for a long moment. When she speaks up, her eyes are distant, unfocused.

“Understanding Kakashi is easy. He is a boy living in a world far too slow for him,” she says quietly. “It’s everything else that’s difficult.” 

“What would your advice be? For dealing with someone like that?” Sakumo asks, a bit too urgently. Sayuri glances at him. 

“Don’t give up on him. That’s all you can do, really,” she says, before standing up and tossing the book at him. “I found a few mistakes in here, so I corrected them. I hope you don’t mind, Hatake-san.” 

“Sakumo,” he calls after her as she walks away. “I’ve told you to call me Sakumo!”

She doesn’t reply and Sakumo shakes his head, a wry smile on his lips. 

Well, at least he got more than a few short sentences out of her this time. Improvement. 

~~

The first time Sakumo leaves Kakashi alone in the house with Sayuri is an accident. He makes it all of half a block before realizing and dashing back, only to find Kakashi taking a nap on Sayuri’s lap while she hums to him, running her fingers through his hair. She glances up at him, taking in his panicked, unkempt appearance and smiles wryly, a knowing look in her eyes. 

She doesn’t say anything though as Sakumo, resolutely refusing to be embarrassed, takes Kakashi into his arms.

The second time, he makes a point of leaving the house before doubling back to hide in some bushes to observe her. That lasts all of two seconds, ending when she steps outside, looks directly towards Sakumo’s hiding spot, and informs him, “This feels like a good time to mention that I’m a sensor.” 

The third through fifth times, he leaves Kakashi with her for four and a half minutes precisely. The sixth time, seven minutes and thirteen seconds. The seventh, eighteen minutes and forty-two seconds. 

The fifty-sixth time Sakumo leaves his son alone with the woman who has started to feel more like family (like pack) than a guest, is for five days, seven hours, and forty-eight minutes. He returns from his mission desperate for a shower, with three new scars and a still-bleeding cut on his shoulder, and walks through his front door with only a hint of that once-suffocating anxiety remaining. 

It disappears completely at the sight of Kakashi running towards him, and with a laugh, Sakumo scoops Kakashi up in his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. 

“Ugh Dad, you stink. When’s the last time you washed?” Kakashi asks, wrinkling his nose. 

“Last time you saw me, kiddo,” Sakumo grins, smile widening as Kakashi yelps in disgust, pushing him away. 

“Eww, Dad, go take a shower already! Come find me again when you’re clean,” he grumbles, folding his arms across his chest. Sakumo chuckles, reaching out to ruffle Kakashi’s hair.

“Brat. Is that any way to talk to your father?” He asks fondly, before giving Kakashi a little shove. “Go do your homework, yeah? I know you haven’t finished.”

“That’s because Sayuri’s homework is hard,” Kakashi complains, although he doesn’t actually sound upset about it. “Fine, fine. When I come back, you better not stink anymore though.” 

Sakumo shakes his head as Kakashi leaves, running his hand through his hair.

“Can you believe that kid? No manners, that one,” he says mournfully, glancing towards where Sayuri is standing in the hallway. 

“Kakashi excels in many things but politeness is not one of them,” Sayuri agrees. “He’s not wrong though, you should take a bath.”

“Want to join me?” The words slip out before Sakumo can stop them and he promptly snaps his mouth shut in horror. “I mean--”

“You should also get that wound looked at. I know a few basic first aid techniques, but I’m no healer,” she says, apparently choosing to ignore his words. He inclines his head, unsure whether he feels disappointed or relieved.

“Will do,” he promises. She nods, something in her expression softening at that. 

“It’s good to have you back, Hatake-san,” Sayuri says, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. “The house is...far quieter with you gone.” 

“Ah.” Sakumo clears his throat in surprise, even as his mouth goes a little dry. “It’s--it’s good to be back.” He swallows. “Anything interesting happen while I was gone?”

“Interesting?” She pauses in thought. “Well, Kakashi scored top of his class again, as was expected. He also learned a new jutsu; I imagine you’ll be hearing a lot about that at dinner. Also, there are two dead assassins in your backyard. I buried them so the smell wouldn’t irritate Kakashi’s nose.”

Sakumo nods before realization hits, causing him to choke on his spit. “Wait, what?!”

~~

Two hours and copious amounts of digging later, Sakumo finds himself staring at two very dead shinobi. No headband, but that didn’t even really matter at the moment. The important thing was that two enemy shinobi had somehow managed to get through Konoha’s walls and all the way to his goddamned house, where his son was, and he hadn’t been there.

Sakumo swallows, trying desperately to clamp down his rising killing intent, and finds his gaze drifting again to the single cut across each of the corpses’ necks. 

Quick. Clean. Fatal.

Professional, Sakumo can’t help but think. The precise amount of force needed to end a life and no more. He wouldn’t expect that level of skill in anyone below jounin rank. 

He finds Sayuri at the sink washing dishes, as if someone hadn’t just tried to kill her, as if there aren’t two dead bodies in their backyard right now. She doesn’t turn around, even as he strides up to her, grasping her by the shoulders.

“Kakashi?” He murmurs into her ear. 

“Doesn’t know,” she replies levelly. “They arrived about half an hour before he was due to come home from school. I buried them in the yard before he came back.” 

“And you?” His grip tightens. “Are you injured?”

“Worried about me, Hatake-san?” Sayuri asks, tilting her head to the side. 

His jaw clenches. “Answer the question.” 

“No, I’m not injured,” she says, setting a cup on the drying rack. “You can relax.”

Sakumo exhales heavily, feeling his shoulders slump in relief. 

“I--good. That’s...that’s good,” he says, releasing his grip. For a moment, Sakumo doesn’t say anything, just closes his eyes to better focus on Kakashi and Sayuri’s chakra signatures. 

It was going to be okay. They were alive, they were safe, they were here and with him. Everything was going to be okay. 

“Hatake-san? Are you alright?” Was he imagining the hint of concern in her voice?

“I’m never leaving again,” Sakumo informs her, voice tight. “If the Hokage needs an S-ranked ninja, he can send Jiraiya. Or Orochimaru. I’m not picky.” 

At that, Sayuri turns off the water before finally, finally turning around to face him. 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she says, exasperated. “I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I’m not your...average civilian. I can handle myself. And--” She takes in a deep breath. “And I wouldn’t let anything happen to Kakashi. You know that.” 

“I believe you.” In fact, it worries him a little how much he believes her. “But I’m still not leaving. What happened today was...it was too much of a close call.” 

“I wouldn’t call it close. I understand your concern, but I mean.” Her brow furrows slightly. “It’s not like they were good assassins. Or average, really. Even mediocre is being generous.” 

Sakumo huffs out a laugh. 

“And I’m the ridiculous one?” He mumbles to himself. 

“Yes,” Sayuri replies without hesitation. “I’m the only one being logical here.”

Sakumo shakes his head in disbelief. 

“You do realize that for most people, for normal people, assassins-- yes, even incompetent assassins-- are something to be worried about?”

“Not where I come from,” she argues, and it’s the first time he’s heard her bring up anything from her past. “Where I come from, there are worse things to be worried about.” 

“Is that so?” Sakumo asks, and he can’t quite resist reaching out with one hand to cup the side of her face. 

“Someday,” he murmurs, pressing his forehead to hers. “I am going to get your entire life story out of you. I don’t care if it takes the rest of my life to do so. I bet it’ll be fascinating.” 

“Sounds almost like a threat,” she answers, for the first time sounding just the tiniest bit unsteady. “Then again, being interrogated by you sounds like it could be...enjoyable.” 

Her gaze flickers briefly to his lips and in that moment, all Sakumo can think about is how this woman protected his son today, killed for his son today, and how he so very desperately wants to press his mouth to hers. 

With a shaky breath, he pulls back. 

“Sakumo?” Sayuri asks in a small voice, sounding more uncertain than he’s ever heard her. 

“When you’re ready,” he whispers hoarsely. “When you’re ready and no sooner.” 

“Could be a while,” Sayuri murmurs, eyes darkened and cheeks still flushed a faint red.

“Take however long you need,” he says, and means every word. “I’ll be waiting.” 

~~

(I headcanon that reiatsu and chakra are a bit different, so all of Sayuri’s emotion-sensing abilities are thrown just slightly off. And as someone who has spent the past however many centuries growing increasingly reliant on her sensing abilities, having to make that adjustment is extremely annoying for her. 

It also puts her on more equal ground with Sakumo, who has just been having THE most difficult time trying to read this woman. 

Also Sakumo, for the past few months: wow way to be exceedingly obvious about how much you want her, get it together Hatake, can’t you see she’s gone through some shit, if you keep this up she’s going to think you’re pressuring her and then you’ll just push her away

Sayuri: okay, so like. I THINK he’s into me? Like, pretty sure. But I can’t be 100% certain with the spiritual energy here being so weird. Also it’s been months and he hasn’t made a move? In my experience, when men want sex they tend to make a move in the first...well, twenty minutes if they’re the patient type.)

Ugh this ended up super long but @kamkong you asked for romantic and I felt like it wouldn’t make sense without some lead-up into how he fell for her. And so basically Sayuri comes back to herself through Kakashi and Sakumo falls for her through Kakashi-- idk, it felt right.