She saw him return from the front door. This had been the 3rd time on the 5th day since he had stopped taking missions. Not counting the previous times and days he wasn't working.

She tried to ignore it

Kakashi: I was thinking of going for a picnic later . What do you think ?

Nioka : I'll go buy ingredients.

Kakashi: I'll go with you.

Nioka sees the ninjas outside who refused to leave " I'll... Go myself. It's fine. "

__________________________________

" Lady Hatake ! "

Nioka : oh. You're ... Ramon-san.

" Haha. You actually remember me. An Old drunk. "

Nioka : you're a regular.

" Buying so many stuff. For the store ? Haven't seen you there at all lately. Are you ok ?"

Nioka : .... I had some stuff at home.

" Oh... Then you better settle it before coming. I missed you ! Lady Hatake. Without you in the store, it's not like the usual store."

She laughed a little " what are you talking about?"

" Really. Lady Hatake is the aura of the store. I always go there to talk to you. Without you there, I also became a little lonely. It's like... My second home there. Really missed you. "

Nioka ; second home... You're exaggerating.

" Really. I like going there . Cos you're fun to talk to. "

She smiled " arigato. You're always nice to me. "

__________________________________

Kakashi : you need to find someone else. I need to accompany my wife.

" Please. Kakashi-san. The asuma-san and kurenai-san has already left. We could only find you. "

Kakashi; my wife and I lost a baby. We need this time for ourselves. If you lost a baby, and your wife needs you. Would you leave her ?

" .... "

Kakashi: so , go and ask tsunade-sama for help. I'm sure she'll come up with a good arrangement.

" Kakashi-san... "

He returns back to the house " oh... The bento smells good. "

Nioka : um. I know right. It's been long I actually made something for you

He laughed a little " I'm glad you remembered. "

She passed it to him " it's ok. Go to your mission. "

Kakashi: nioka... I don't want you to feel pressured. This, now, feels like your home to you.  I know it's impossible to you.

Nioka : you can't choose to never leave me.

Kakashi: nioka.

Nioka ; so I've decided. I'll move my shop to the gate entrance. So I'll be able to watch you come home everytime. I'll even buy the second floor so we can stay there.

Kakashi; nioka... Are you sure ?

Nioka nods " I've paid for it already. So... At least promise me to come back when I move. So you can help me. "

He hugged her " damn it... I really don't want to go on missions now. Just want to stay with you.  I like this ... Staying with you. "

Nioka : but the village needs you.

Kakashi: and I need you. I don't want you to leave me. I like this home.

Nioka hugged back " me too. This home . So you have to return back to me. I'll wait. Ok ? "

He squeezes " um. " And he leaves for the door.

Nioka point of view:

That's right. This was the kind of man I married.

I knew from the day I married him.

That I would have to wait for his return.

The same reason he married me. Because I would wait, for his return.

And he did return home everytime after his mission. Back to her.

Not only to her , but to their new addition of the family. Their first child, Mai.

Mai ran towards her daddy " papa ! " Kakashi carried her up " Mai. Missed me ?"

Mai ; um um !

Kakashi; were you a good girl ?

She yawned " um... " And laid her head onto his shoulder and fell asleep.

Kakashi: you could have sent her upstairs to sleep first.

Nioka : naughty girl insisted on waiting.

Kakashi ; tadaima . (I'm back home)

Nioka ; okaeri. ( Welcome back ) Hungry ?

Kakashi : fried rice ?

Arigato. Always waiting for me to come home.