Kurenai: tsunade-sama... Akiraki?

Tsunade enters into her apartment " how are you doing? " Mika enters as well and heads into the kitchen.

Kurenai touches to her baby bump " I'm doing fine. Arigatou"

Tsunade: I know you might be lonely. And you're also carrying asuma's baby. I was thinking maybe if you wanted company.

Kurenai: company ?

Tsunade: I've asked Akiraki. She says she would be happy to have you at her house until the baby is born

Kurenai : tsunade-sama...

Tsunade held kurenai's hands in hers " I know it might be hard on you, at this point of time. So I asked Akiraki to help. "

Kurenai: it's fine. I will be fine.

Tsunade: I see.

Mika comes out with a tray of tea " neh. You don't have cookies ? I've made tea. Ah. Gomen. You don't mind , do you ? I just thought maybe you're not convenient right now. "

Tsunade : see. A great caretaker.

Kurenai laughs

Tsunade : just go to her house. I'm worried.

Kurenai ; hai.

____________________________________

Mika : yumeko. Time for school !

Yumeko was dressed and with a backpack " ready ! "

Mika : Alright lets go. I've got to open store later.

Kurenai ; how about I help you send him to school ?

Mika : eh ?

Yumeko : I don't mind.

Mika: alright then. Yumeko, make sure kurenai-san doesn't get tired. If she needs rest, be patient and rest till she's ready. Ok ?

Yumeko salutes " hai ! Order received."

Mika ; if she looks tired, tell her to rest too.

Yumeko : hai !! But... What if she doesn't listen to me ?

Kurenai ruffles his hair " I promise I will. " He held onto her hand " ok then ! Let's go ! "

Mika : see ya !
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It was in the afternoon and yumeko was taking a nap.

Kurenai ; he's such a sweet boy.

Mika : and a bit bossy sometimes too. Telling me not to do unhealthy things.

Kurenai laughs " he does ? "

Mika ; don't smoke. Don't sleep late. Sighs. He even nags his own father.

Kurenai : aww...

Mika places the tea and cookies for kurenai.

Kurenai: how was it, when you got pregnant ?

Mika : all I could think of, is how I would need to protect my little one when he was going to be born.

Kurenai : I see.

Mika: and now all I can think of ... Is I how I wish he could just grow up safely like that.
____________________________________

The door unlocks late at night and kakashi returns. He was surprised to see Mika still awake on the sofa.

Mika : oh. You're back.

Kakashi closes the door behind him and locks it. He goes to sit beside her and realises she was reading a letter from her mizukage.

Kakashi: your best friend sent you a letter ?

Mika : village letter.

Kakashi: I see...

She pulls his arm down to make him sit back down " it's ok. It's nothing you can't read. "

Dear Mika,

I need you back in the village. I fear something big is about to happen. According to our intelligence, the akatsuki has almost all the bijuu in their hands. I'm afraid something bigger than the village is going to happen. I know this may be a hard request from me.

But... I hope you think about it. I promise to protect yumeko with all of my might if that's what you decide to do. To come back to us.

Miss you.
Mei Terumi

Kakashi: so now you know. I know you didn't want to know about ninja things. So I didn't say anything.

Mika : I know. Sighs.

Kakashi: this is what kept you awake until now ?

Mika : just got this letter two hours ago... After kurenai went to sleep.

Kakashi: eh ? Kurenai is at our house ?

Mika: that's right. I forgot to tell you. It's a three days ago thing. Kurenai will be staying at ours while we take care of her until her baby is born.

Kakashi: we ? I'm not in usually.

Mika: yumeko and I.

Kakashi: that's nice of you.

Mika: tsunade-sama got worried.

Kakashi: I see. The village cleared you already ? Our issue.

Mika : no.... It's ok. You know I'm not bothered. *Smiles*

Kakashi: are you going to return?

Mika : .... I don't know... Most probably not.

He saw worry in her eyes. She used to be an important ninja like he is now for her own village. Trusted. Heavily entrusted. He entangles her hair with his fingers as he combed through them " arigatou. For staying. For me."

" Anata... " She sighs and lies down onto his lap " I like my dessert shop. I like this . I don't want it to change "

Kakashi: I know. Where am I sleeping tonight ?

Mika: on the floor with yumeko in his room.

Kakashi: got it.

" he wanted to even wait till you come back to sleep with him." She reaches her hand up and pulls down his mask, his face revealed " hello. "

Kakashi: hello.

She giggled " go shower. "