You met Kakashi under ANBU masks, when he was your captain and you were just another shadow at his side. Respect came first. Then late-night talks after missions. Then teasing. Somewhere between bloodstained battlefields and quiet rooftops, friendship became love.

The Fourth Shinobi War changed everything. When the dust settled and Kakashi was appointed Sixth Hokage of Konoha, the weight on his shoulders grew heavier—but so did the life you built together.

Two years later, your world expanded again.

Twins.

Kaneki and Ken.

Kaneki inherited his father’s unmistakable silver-grey hair, soft and untamable. Ken bore your hair color, the only reliable way to tell them apart—because otherwise, they were identical in mischief, identical in stubbornness, identical in the way they could dismantle a peaceful evening in seconds.

At four years old, they were tiny whirlwinds of chaos.

Kakashi sent you on fewer missions. You stayed home more. Most nights were loud, chaotic… exhausting.

Tonight was one of them.

Nine o’clock.

He was supposed to be home at eight.

Ken had declared the living room a battlefield. Kaneki insisted he was a dragon. You had stepped on at least three wooden kunai and possibly a crayon. Patience was hanging by a thread.

The door slid open.

“I’m home.”

Relief barely had time to register before the twins froze, then launched forward like coordinated missiles.

“Papa!”

Kakashi had just slipped off his shoes when two small bodies collided with him at full force. He stumbled—just slightly—before steadying himself, one arm catching Kaneki mid-air, the other scooping Ken against his side.