At the beginning

Kakashi strolled through the village towards the training ground. He wasn't in a good mood this morning. As announced, his father was on a mission, and he had to spend his birthday alone. When he woke up, everything seemed normal at first. But during breakfast, sadness welled up within him. He had been looking forward to celebrating his birthday this year with his father. Alongside the sadness, he also felt anger that his father had taken on this mission and broken his promise. Kakashi quickly suppressed his feelings and reminded himself that his father had apologized and promised to have a picnic with him after the mission.

Today, Kakashi chose a detour to the training ground, away from the busy streets of the village. He sought tranquility and wanted to escape the bustling crowds. Although he didn't expect to receive birthday wishes from Minato, he appreciated his company on this day. A small wish that Minato knew it was his birthday lingered within him. Yet Kakashi accepted that Minato didn't know.

After training, Kakashi considered whether he should go to the cemetery and visit his mother's grave. Last year, he had found solace and comfort there. He didn't visit his mother's grave often, usually doing so with his father. Kakashi had never met his mother; she had passed away during his birth, so he didn't actively miss her. Yet, occasionally, he longed for a mother, especially on a special day like today.

When Kakashi finally reached the training ground, he approached it with determination. However, he suddenly stopped, stood still, and looked confusedly at the center of the ground. There lay a blanket on the ground, with boxes of food and gifts arranged on it. Minato and Kushina stood beside it, smiling kindly at Kakashi. Kakashi blinked several times before slowly walking towards the center of the ground. He couldn't take his eyes off them. He felt overwhelmed and initially couldn't find any words. The emerging emotions crashed him, and he felt tears welling up in his eyes.

Minato seemed to sense Kakashi's uncertainty. He approached him, crouched down, and Kakashi looked into Minato's blue eyes. "Is this... is all of this for me?" Kakashi whispered uncertainly. Minato nodded gently, giving Kakashi a moment to gather his emotions. For a moment, there was silence between them as Kakashi tried to compose himself. Eventually, he broke the silence with a puzzled question: "Why?"

Kushina giggled softly behind Minato and stepped beside the blond, who was just straightening up. With a warm smile, she replied, "Well, why do you think? Because it's your birthday today!" She explained kindly and continued, "Come on, let's sit down first."

Minato gently placed a hand between Kakashi's shoulder blades and led him to the blanket. Kakashi carefully examined everything laid out on it, immediately recognizing how much effort Kushina had put into cooking. Slowly, he settled onto the blanket, while Minato and Kushina joined him, looking at him eagerly. Kakashi was so overwhelmed that clear thoughts were hard to come by. Too many emotions swirled within him. He looked to Minato, who smiled reassuringly at him. "How did you know it was my birthday?" he asked, his voice slightly trembling with emotion.

Minato maintained his warm smile, creating a calming atmosphere. "When you became my student, I discovered your birthday in your academy file. I remembered it immediately," Minato explained lovingly.

Kakashi blinked a few times and let his gaze wander over the delicacies, finally resting on the gifts. Never before had anyone other than his father given him gifts, and Kakashi wasn't sure how to handle it. Kushina noticed his gaze and followed it to the gifts between her and Minato. "Those are for you, it's nothing special," she explained calmly, looking at Kakashi intently.

"For me?" he asked incredulously. It became increasingly difficult for him to hold back tears, even though he didn't want to cry now. He was confused why his body was reacting this way, as he wasn't actually sad. On the contrary, he felt happy, albeit a little overwhelmed.

"Yes, for you! Here, take it!" Kushina handed Kakashi a gift. He took it and examined the lovingly wrapped package. The wrapping paper was a bit kitschy for his taste, but that was beside the point.

He looked back at the two. "May I open this?" he asked uncertainly, tilting his head slightly.

Kushina chuckled softly, while Minato nodded at him with a broad grin. "Of course you can, after all, they're for you!"

Kakashi nodded, looked back at the gift, and began to carefully unwrap it. He set the wrapping paper aside carefully and then examined the contents: a cookbook. Curiously, Kakashi flipped through it. "I hope you haven't seen this one yet, otherwise, we'll find you a new one," Kushina explained gently.

Kakashi quickly shook his head. "No, I haven't seen this one before. Thank you," he said, examining the book again. He was overwhelmed that Kushina remembered he enjoyed cooking. However, his thoughts were interrupted as another gift was presented before him.

Kakashi looked up and into Minato's friendly face. "You have a few more to unwrap," he explained. Kakashi nodded and set the book aside to receive the next gift. He received a cooking apron, two more books - one about various weapons and the other about chakra natures - along with the game they had played during their picnic. Additionally, Minato had gifted him a new set of kunai and shuriken.

After Kakashi had unwrapped all the gifts, he looked at them and felt overwhelmed. Then he looked at the two teenagers who greeted him with a smile. "Thank you," Kakashi said sincerely. He wished he could say more, but he simply didn't know how to adequately express his gratitude.

Minato nodded slightly. "You're welcome, Kakashi." He shifted his gaze to the food. "You've probably already had breakfast, but I hope you still have a bit of hunger left. We thought we'd have breakfast now, and afterward, if you'd like, we could train. For tonight, I'd like to invite you to dinner at my place. What do you think?" Then he turned to Kushina. "If you'd like, you're more than welcome to join us, of course."

Kushina didn't hesitate and immediately replied, "I'd love to!" Then she turned her attention to Kakashi. "If you're up for it, we can cook for Minato together. My offer from last time was sincere."

Kakashi pondered for a moment. He was tempted to decline the offer to avoid causing them any trouble. Yet, they had suggested it themselves, and honestly, he would enjoy spending time with them. After a brief hesitation, Kakashi nodded. "If that's really okay with you, I'd be delighted," he said with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Of course! Then pick a dish from the book, and I'll go shopping for it," Kushina suggested. Kakashi nodded enthusiastically, grabbed the cookbook, and flipped through it while they started eating. The bad mood from this morning seemed forgotten to Kakashi; he began to enjoy the day. He looked forward to the evening and the shared cooking with Kushina. After they finished eating and tidied up, Kushina said goodbye for now. Minato and Kakashi then focused on their training. Kakashi was still overwhelmed; he hadn't expected any of this.

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Together, Kakashi and Minato left the training ground and headed towards Minato's apartment. Kakashi was looking forward to the evening together and was grateful not to have to spend it alone. For him, the greatest gift of the day was not being alone. He was excited about cooking together with Kushina and felt a mixture of anticipation and slight nervousness. Although he had spent more time with her and knew her better, there was still a small sense of uncertainty lingering.

Walking a bit ahead of Kakashi, Minato glanced over his shoulder. "Hey, should we stop by your place for a moment? You probably want to freshen up and don't have fresh clothes with you," he suggested, falling back alongside Kakashi.

Kakashi shook his head. "I always carry a spare set of clothes with me. But it's okay, I can wash up later," he explained, looking up at Minato. He didn't want to cause any inconvenience or detour. Minato had already gone to enough trouble.

Minato smiled briefly at Kakashi, then turned his gaze back ahead. "Alright then, I'll get the bathroom ready for you right away. After washing up, you not only feel fresh but cooking and eating also feel much better," Minato decided cheerfully, adding with a wink, "And no arguing, we're doing what I say."

Kakashi blinked up at Minato for a moment and nodded in agreement. If Minato offered, it was probably okay to accept, even though he felt a little guilty about it. Secretly, he was relieved; after the training, he did feel a bit dirty. After all, it wasn't proper to sit at the table dirty.

The rest of the way passed in comfortable silence, and they quickly reached Minato's apartment. Minato swiftly unlocked the front door and let Kakashi enter. Both of them took off their sandals and neatly placed their bags in the hallway. After hanging up his vest, Minato turned to Kakashi. "Please give me your clean clothes, and I'll prepare everything for you in the bathroom."

Kakashi shook his head slightly. "You don't have to go to any trouble, I can manage it on my own. If you just give me towels, I have everything I need." Kakashi didn't want Minato to go to any more trouble. He felt uncomfortable about it since the blonde had already done so much for him.

Minato crouched down in front of Kakashi and smiled gently at him. "I know you can do it alone, but I really want to do this for you. So, will you give me your clothes?" Kakashi assessed Minato for a moment, torn about whether he should really allow it. But Minato's reassuring demeanor finally convinced him. He rummaged in his bag for the spare clothes and handed them to Minato.

Minato smiled at Kakashi, took the clothes, and stood up to make his way to the bathroom. Curiously, Kakashi followed him and watched as Minato lovingly prepared everything. He laid out towels and neatly stacked Kakashi's clothes on the bathroom shelves. When he had everything prepared, Minato turned to Kakashi. "Do you need anything else?" he asked kindly.

Kakashi briefly surveyed the bathroom and then looked back at Minato. "Thank you, Minato-sensei, I have everything I need."

Minato nodded satisfactorily and headed for the door, but paused to focus his attention on Kakashi once again. "Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything. I'll be in the living room, and Kushina will probably be here soon," Minato explained warmly. After Kakashi nodded in agreement, Minato left the bathroom, leaving Kakashi alone.

Kakashi heard Minato's footsteps gradually recede and the soft click of the door. He stood still for a moment, letting the warmth of the bathroom envelop him. Then he took a deep breath and began to undress to wash up. As he began to clean himself, Kakashi couldn't help but think about the day and how unexpectedly it had unfolded. The company of Minato and Kushina had significantly lifted his mood.

As the warm water flowed over Kakashi's skin, he enjoyed the soothing relaxation and let his mind wander. His eyes fell on the carefully folded towels that Minato had prepared for him. A deep sense of gratitude washed over him for the thoughtful gesture. For Kakashi, it was more than just a nice attention – it showed him how much Minato thought of him.

The day had unfolded so unexpectedly and positively, completely different from what he had expected. Despite the initial disappointment of his father's absence, Kakashi found comfort and joy in Minato's care. It filled him with pride and happiness to know that Minato had gone to such great lengths for him.

After washing up, Kakashi felt refreshed and relaxed. He dried himself off and put on the clean clothes that Minato had kindly prepared for him. Stepping out of the bathroom, he could hear voices from the living room. He smiled faintly, thinking about what the evening would bring. With a sense of gratitude, Kakashi made his way to the living room.

As Kakashi entered the living room, he spotted Minato and Kushina in the kitchen, carefully organizing the groceries. Minato looked up, and his smile lit up the room. "There you are. Did everything go well with the bath?"

With a relaxed smile, Kakashi strolled into the kitchen and glanced at the groceries. "Yes, everything went smoothly, thank you!"

Kushina turned to Kakashi and beamed. "Then we can get started right away! I've got everything we need," she announced cheerfully. Then she winked at Minato. "And you, Minato, off to the shower with you! You smell awful. Besides, Kakashi and I can handle things perfectly fine without you." With a mischievous smile, she gently nudged Minato out of the kitchen.

"Hey, I could be a big help!" protested the Blond, but allowed himself to be guided out of the kitchen by Kushina.

Kakashi chuckled softly and observed their playful banter. He felt so comfortable in their company now. Minato cast a protective glance at Kakashi. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Kakashi nodded firmly. "Of course, but with Kushina by my side, we'll manage just fine," he assured Minato.

Kushina smiled at Kakashi and then turned back to Minato. "See! You can go take a bath with peace of mind; we've got everything under control and will take care of the cooking."

"Alright, I'm going," said the blonde with a smirk and left the living room to head to the bathroom. The soft click of the door echoed through the apartment. Kushina turned to Kakashi with a smile and approached him, her eyes shining with anticipation.

With curious eyes, Kakashi looked up at Kushina, awaiting her instructions. She leaned down with a smile. "I'm really looking forward to cooking with you," she confessed. Then she suggested, "How about we start by chopping the vegetables?"

Kakashi nodded in agreement, and they entered the kitchen together. Kushina had already prepared everything: a cutting board and a knife for each of them, and bowls were also ready. She pulled a chair up to the counter and tapped on it. "That should help you reach comfortably," she said to Kakashi with a smile.

Kakashi skillfully climbed onto the chair and stood securely on it. Kushina handed him the cooking apron he had received as a gift. "Then let's put it to use right away," she announced with a smile. Kakashi put on the apron and looked at Kushina. "It fits you perfectly!" said Kushina. Despite the mask, Kakashi's smile was clearly visible. Then they started cooking together.

Kakashi focused on the carrots, peeling them carefully and cutting them into small pieces, while Kushina tackled the onions. After a while, Kushina looked up at Kakashi and asked curiously, "Where does your cooking skill come from? I hardly know anyone your age who enjoys cooking as much as you do."

"My father always told me that it's important to be able to cook well," Kakashi began to explain as he tossed the carrot peels into a waste bowl. "He said that if I'm ever alone, I need to be able to take care of myself – eating healthy and balanced meals is essential, especially for shinobi."

Kushina nodded in agreement. "Your father is absolutely right, a balanced diet is crucial. And cooking can be so relaxing – it's my way of unwinding," she explained as she placed the chopped onions into a bowl. "And you? Would you say that cooking is your hobby?"

Kakashi paused for a moment, thoughtful. He had never really thought about whether cooking was a hobby for him. His passion had always been training and learning. But the more he thought about it, the clearer it became to him. "I've never really thought about it, but I suppose cooking is a hobby for me. Sometimes I even cook for my father, or we cook together," he admitted with a smile.

Kushina looked at Kakashi with a warm smile. "That's important, to have something to unwind with. Minato and I often try to do something together away from our work," she said calmly.

Kakashi paused for a moment and looked at Kushina curiously. "You two are a couple, aren't you?" he asked, "I really think Minato-sensei loves you very much. Every time he talks about you, he blushes and seems a bit nervous," Kakashi innocently blurted out.

Kushina was about to reach for a zucchini when her gaze shifted to Kakashi, and she giggled for a moment. "Is that so?" she asked mischievously.

Kakashi nodded earnestly. "And what about you? Do you love Minato too?" he asked curiously, his gaze fixed on Kushina.

With a gentle smile, Kushina reached for a zucchini and placed it on her cutting board. "Yes, I really love him. Minato means a lot to me, and I enjoy spending time with him," she confessed as she sliced the zucchini.

"I really appreciate Minato-sensei, he's my first real friend," Kakashi revealed. Then he had a brainwave and looked at Kushina eagerly. "When is his birthday, anyway? Maybe I could surprise him sometime."

Kushina beamed, a sparkling smile gracing her lips. "That's a great idea! His birthday is on January 25th, so we still have some time. If you want, I can help you plan," she suggested.

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, but then his face lit up. "That sounds like a fantastic idea," he said, smiling at Kushina. "I would be delighted to plan something special for Minato together."

Kushina's smile positively glowed. "Of course, we'll make it an unforgettable birthday for him!" she promised with a sparkle in her eyes, then turned back to the zucchini. Kakashi looked at her for a moment, his excitement for the upcoming project evident.

Then Kakashi returned to the remaining carrots and resumed cutting. For a moment, there was silence, which Kakashi found pleasant. It felt good to be in the kitchen with Kushina, and he was beginning to feel more comfortable in her presence. "Is it okay if I stay here this evening?" he asked cautiously, adding, "You probably don't often get the chance to spend leisurely evenings together."

Kushina's hand landed gently on Kakashi's shoulder, and as he looked up at her, he met her reassuring smile. "Of course, that's fine! I also enjoy spending time with you," she lovingly assured him.

Kakashi blinked a few times as he thought for a moment. He toyed with the idea of asking Kushina if she likes him too. Perhaps they could even become friends over time. Finally, he blurted out, "Do you actually like me too?"

Kushina laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder as she continued cutting the zucchini. "Of course! What kind of question is that?" Her voice sounded cheerful and warm. Kakashi looked at her for a moment, surprised by her openness. He never thought he would get along so well with Kushina, but it made him happy. However, before he could sink into his thoughts, Kushina interrupted him. "Come on, keep going. The food won't wait. When you're done, could you then fry the meat?"

Kakashi flinched slightly and focused back on the carrots. "Yes, of course!" he replied briefly, but a smile played on his lips. Cooking together with Kushina was truly enjoyable and fun. He looked forward to presenting the finished dish to Minato. At that moment, he felt deeply grateful for the two of them and for preparing such a special birthday for him.