They All Want Fucking Snacks
The next few days were pleasant, I practically hummed with satisfied energy.
Kakashi was coming home again and I was enjoying work with the Hokage.
Life was good.
I didn’t have to worry about my mother or Drake, or all the expectations I would never meet.
It was just me, me and Kakashi and Pukkan.
Yes, I had insisted Pakkun join us as often as possible.
Kakashi didn’t seem as excited about the prospect of having, by all intents and purposes, a pet around the house, but he relented with a frown and a heavy sigh.
Pakkun could often be seen lounging around the couch, face set in a bored scowl until I gave him attention.
Kakashi often removed Pakkun when, at least to Kakashi, Pakkun became irritating.
Kakashi refuses to explain why he found the dog annoying, even though I’ve asked him multiple times for a reason.
He would just walk in on our cuddling time, Pakkun's always happy to keep me company and he loves belly rubs, and demands the dog leave.
It annoyed me but then Kakashi would pull me away for something or another and I would forget all about the unnecessary attitude to the cute ninken.
Anyway, today I insisted Kakashi bring his little team of children over for dinner.
At first, he blanched at the idea, horrified at whatever scenario he cooked up for himself.
But eventually, I broke him down, reassuring him every worry he had, even if they were about his stupid porn collection.
I was just preparing the meal now when Kakashi walked in miserably, an air of defeat surrounding him.
The children filed in after him, staring at the place wide-eyed.
Well, Naruto was at least, he looked around like it was the most amazing apartment ever, the way visitors to the Manor looked when they walked into the grand hall.
Sakura looked briefly uncomfortable, watching the bare walls in confusion.
Sasuke only glanced around, seemingly uninterested in the space.
“Welcome home!” I called to Kakashi and didn’t miss the way Naruto and Sasuke flinched, bringing their eyes to me like I said something long forgotten.
I was well aware of the Uchiha Massacre, Mother was furious I wouldn’t be able to marry into the clan, though I was just a girl then.
I knew about Naruto too, but only a little.
I know about who he jails, I know he lives alone, I know that Minato looks too much like him to be a coincidence, and I know the Village doesn’t treat him right.
Kakashi huffs in response and I give a light laugh at his childish attitude.
“Dinner’s almost done. You three, help me out?”
I looked back to them and they nodded uncertainly before stumbling over.
I directed them and they followed obediently, Kakashi overseeing everything from his spot in the doorway, a soft emotion to his eye.
I smiled into the pot I was stirring in triumph.
I knew this would all work out, having these children here would help him relax.
Once done I called them over and directed them to get the food.
Watching them until they were safely seated at the table before getting my own.
Kakashi always waits for me to grab my food before he grabs his, a way of respect or caring or just making sure I eat right.
Once at the table I began to dig in before realizing the children hadn’t.
Kakashi came to sit down next to me and across from Sakura, while Naruto sat on the other end across from me and Sasuke sat next to Kakashi.
“It’s okay kids, dig in.” I said, shoveling another bite into my mouth.
Naruto immediately dove in, Sasuke ate like a regular person, and Sakura fiddled with the food, a longing in her eyes.
“Sakura? Do you not like it?” I asked, mildly annoyed but mainly concerned I wasn’t being a good enough host.
I’ve always been a bit desperate for approval, after all my mother gave me none.
Sakura shook her head and blushed.
“That’s not it, it looks wonderful. I’m just…on a diet.” She mumbled politely and I eyed her structure.
She was too young to be on a diet as it is, but she was also small in bone structure.
Not to mention her occupation, what the hell does she run on then?
“Bullshit. You don’t like the food. It’s okay, you don’t need to lie.” I said instead, watching her intently.
Kakashi said that she works best under pressure, she always has something to prove and does whatever she must to prove her worth.
Mother would kill me for swearing, but she wasn’t here, hasn’t been here, and with her absence, my mouth only grew.
Sakura gasped at me and I ignored the way the air stilled around the other three.
“I’m not lying! I really am on a diet!”
“If you’re not lying then prove it. Eat.” I demanded and her nostrils flared.
I thought she was going to yell, but then she was shoveling food into her mouth like she was starved.
I snorted in approval.
“Fuck the diet. You don’t need it. At this rate you’ll never gain any muscle if you keep burning it up.” I said into my fork.
“But-”
“Fuck everyone who thinks you need it. Even yourself. You don’t want a diet in an occupation like this. Just eat healthy, train, and sleep appropriately. You’ll be fine, fit as can be. And if anyone says otherwise,”I paused her and looked her in the eyes.
“Then make them regret ever thinking they could give their opinion to you. You’re a fucking ninja, not some scared little kid, right? It’s life and death for you, stop focusing on things that aren’t important.”
I started eating again.
“Besides, you’re too young for anything serious, no need to be ashamed of a body you're not showing anyone yet. You’ve got a few years before your appearance should matter to you.”
The table was silent and I looked to Kakashi, wondering if I overstepped.
He gave me a smile and then turned to Sakura.
“(Y/N)’s right, Sakura you’re fine. If you regret it later than you can blame me, but stop with the diet stuff, it’ll hurt you more than help anything.”
I smiled as Kakashi backed me up.
“(Y/N)! This is so good! You gotta invite me the next time you make it!” Naruto blurted out, smiling brightly.
I giggled and nodded.
“Definitely.” I promised, Kakashi side-eyed me and I ignored his disapproval.
Kakashi never did like others coming over, last time I tried to invite Asuma he certainly wasn’t pleased.
I understood, a little.
This was his space, even if it was mine now too, and he didn’t like others encroaching on his territory.
Naruto began to babble about something or another, Sasuke seemingly listening.
I was surprised the kids didn’t try to see his face.
“(Y/N), have you seen it?” Sakura leaned in and whispered.
I frowned and silently asked what she meant.
“His face!” She whispered urgently, eyeing him cautiously.
I giggled and leaned in close to her ear, Kakashi watching us closely with a secretly amused smile.
“Nope, but I’ve tried!” I whispered back like a schoolgirl.
Back in the Manor I never got to act like this.
I had thought my freedom was being taken, but in reality, Kakashi set me free, opened up a whole new world.
“Even his wife doesn’t know what he looks like.” Sakura grumbled and narrowed her eyes at him.
I gave a nervous laugh and changed the topic.
“You know Sakura, what can a girl like you get out of a diet? You’re young, healthy, active, cute. I don’t get it.”
Sakura bit her lip and fiddled with her fingers.
“I want to be a snack instead of a treat.”
I blinked down at her.
“What does that even mean?” I asked incredulously, furrowing my brows. She blushed and looked away for a second before looking back at me and leaning in.
“It means…well a treat is something that people only have once in a while you know. But a snack is something people have all the time.”
I blinked at her again and narrowed my eyes.
“You’re too young for that type of thing.” I said bluntly and her eyes widened and she started stuttering.
“No! I mean, it’s just a figure of speech, for someone who's attractive. Not to necessarily…you know.”
Sakura looked like she was going to melt.
My lips quirked up and I smirked at her.
“I think I get it. Well Sakura, you can be a snack right now, but once you’re older you’ll be a whole damn meal.”
Her eyes went wide and she flushed violently, turning into a tomato.
I giggled and then frowned, a thought rolling around in my head.
“Well, I think I’m a meal, but no one seems to be hungry.” I mumbled and Sakura tilted her head in confusion.
“They all want fucking snacks.”
“Well I’m fucking starving and a snack’s not gonna cut it.” Kakashi’s voice blanketed over everything else, but not because he was loud, in fact, he was just barely above a whisper.
No one else seemed to hear it. It was said under his breath and seemingly without thought.
But it caused my heart to start jackhammering and my cheeks to heat up as I fumbled with my fork, working my other hand to clench at my necklace.
“What?” I gasped out, staring at him wide-eyed.
He seemed startled and I saw a bit of red peek out of his mask.
“What?” He echoed, coughing lightly and quickly grabbing his things and bolting to the sink.
The children watched in confusion, conversations stopping.
I laughed awkwardly and urged the conversation to start back up.
‘I’m hungry too.’ I thought as I eyed his back.