Chapter 13:

Kakashi was glad when the door to his home came into sight. It was not like the bag that he was carrying was heavy, but he was just glad to be home. Sakumo came to greet them as soon as they had entered.

"There you are, I was beginning to worry," the adult greeted his son and ruffled said male's silver spikes. Then his eyes turned towards the boy in green. "And you must be Guy. Welcome in our humble home, make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you very much Hatake-sama," Guy bowed deeply.

Sakumo bowed his head in return, "You boys must be hungry. How about you bring Guy's things upstairs, get cleaned and by then I have dinner ready."

Both boys nodded eagerly and hurried upstairs, leaving the older man to shake his head in amusement. It was good to see that his son had a friend, even if that friend was completely crazy. Jiraiya was not normal by social standards either and if Sakumo was honest, then the crazy and weird were often the most reliable and lovable people. The older Hatake shrugged. As long as his son was happy and content, then he was too.

Meanwhile Kakashi had ushered his older companion to wash himself, he was beginning to smell, while he dragged the mattress from their spare guestroom into his own room. He didn't want Guy to sleep all on his own, not when the house was still foreign to him. Guy should feel welcome and comfortable after all, besides, Kakashi knew that the raven haired male and his father had ALWAYS slept in the same room. It would be strange for Guy to NOT have somebody sleeping near him.

When the spandex wearing male came back into the bedroom, in new clothes and cleaned, Kakashi was sitting on his bed, rereading his father's book. One dark eye looked up and he held up his hand in a greeting gesture. It seemed to be enough for Guy, who was rummaging in one of the bags he had brought. After a moment or rummaging, he stood up again and he was holding a small picture of him and his deceased father in his hand. The picture was placed near the head if his makeshift bed.

"Kakashi, Guy, dinner is ready," Sakumo's voice yelled through the house.

"Coming," the younger Hatake yelled back and he set his book aside. Guy was right behind him and it was clear that the energetic boy was exhausted. His movement was a little stiff too and the shorter ninja suspected that he must be experiencing sore muscles already. That was to be expected and it would undoubtedly get worse, until Guy had found his true potential at least. It would still be a long way though.

They seated themselves at the table that was already set. Sakumo was just putting the last dish on the table and then he too seated himself at the end of it. Kakashi was sitting to his right and Guy next to Kakashi. The adult had guessed that the raven haired male would rather sit near his friend instead of an unknown adult man, and of course he had been right. He had a close eye on the interaction between the two boys. His son was clearly the leading figure, but the taller of the two seemed content to follow, at least for now. He was also not surprised to see Kakashi without his mask and the silver haired boy did not seem to hesitate, like he did with others. It spoke of loyalty and trust. Sakumo mentally nodded his head in satisfaction. The two of them would make a good pair, he could feel it.

Later that day, both Kakashi and Guy were lying in their beds, the light on the nightstand was still on. The younger of the two had previously summoned his little ninken, who rested lazily at the end of his bed. He had greeted Guy with a lot of enthusiasm, which was strange for Pakkun, but it had greatly lifted the tired boy's spirit.

A knock on the door interrupted the comfortable silence and roused Guy out of his doze. A moment later the house owner stepped in. One glance into half lidded eyes and into the unmasked face of his son, told him everything he needed to know. He would NOT get Guy out of the house again, not anytime soon at least. Not that that bothered him whatsoever. They had the place, as well as the money. That and a little addition to their small family would not hurt, especially not if Kakashi seemed to be content.

"Good night boys, sleep well."

"Night dad," Kakashi replied.

"Good night Hatake-sama," Guy said sleepily.

Sakumo's eyes softened, "Just Sakumo is fine," he said and only when the half asleep boy hummed in reply, did he leave the bedroom and closed the door behind him. He was contemplating on going to sleep as well, but he decided to wash and clean up the mess from dinner first. He knew that his enthusiasm would be even less the next day.

"Night Guy," Kakashi just said and then he turned off the light, not before putting his book away however. He was also surprisingly tired, even though he had not done any physical work, not really at least. He guessed that it must have been from the emotional turmoil, not that it really mattered. He knew that Guy was tired from his workout and he would need all the energy he could get, when he continued tomorrow. Perhaps he should consider buying some energy pills for his spandex wearing friend.

"Night Kakashi..." he hesitated and the silver haired male waited patiently for his new roommate to speak his thoughts, "and thank you, for everything."

Kakashi gazed over at Guy, who was playing with his blanket instead of looking at him.

He hummed, "I know what it means to be alone… without a father." That made Guy look up in surprise. Kakashi sighed, "My father was depressed Guy, he almost…" he cleared his throat, but the raven haired male understood it nevertheless. He had always been smarter than he let on.

"I'm sorry," Guy mumbled.

"Thank you," Kakashi mumbled right back. It felt good to have somebody again, in whom he could confide. For a moment he just laid there, thinking. Guy was doing the same, his breathing had not yet evened out in the slight snoring sound. Then, as if he had been bitten, Kakashi stood up abruptly. He took Pakkun in his arms and dumped him on Guy's bed, who watched in curiosity. The silver haired time traveler took hold of his mattress and pulled it down, along with his pillow and blanket and sat it next to Guy's on the ground. Only then did he slide under the blankets again.

Guy blinked at him and Pakkun grumbled, before settling on both mattresses, right between both ninja. Kakashi was facing his companion as well. Neither of them spoke a word and they didn't need to. The bond between them was already there and even though it was not as strong as it was between their adult versions yet, it was already indestructible.

And when Sakumo found them like this the next morning, not touching, but lying close together, then he did not mention it.

I hope you liked this chapter. Don't forget to leave a comment behind. :)