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Yamato closed the door noiselessly, walking into Kakashi's apartment in utter silence. He was surprised to see the place completely empty and in the dark he didn't see Kakashi anywhere. What surprised and worried him the most was noticing that the door wasn’t locked.
His right hand was holding a sharp kunai while inspecting every corner of the room for any disturbance. Kakashi had urgently summoned him to his place, so much was his insistence that Yamato worried and he got there as fast as he could.
Splash!
The muscles in his ear flexed as he caught a sound coming from the bathroom. He immediately crouched and went there as quietly as possible. His heartbeat increased as he got closer and when he finally got to the door he kicked it open.
He got rid of his defensive pose as soon as he saw the scene that unfolded in front of him.
There was Kakashi sitting on the floor without his mask (Yamato had already seen him countless times without it), facing the bathtub filled with his Ninken (With Bull taking up the whole bathtub). Them all covered in lather.
Kakashi turned his head towards the door and his lazy gaze turned into a soft smile as he noticed Yamato's presence.
“Oh Tenzō! I see you finally arrived.”
Yamato slowly lowered the kunai and went into the bathroom lookin at Shiba and Uhei trying to eat the bubbles. Suddenly his face frowned, fixing in Kakashi again. “Senpai, what the hell?! It’s 10 pm! When you called me so urgently I thought you were in trouble!”
“Cuz I’m in trouble!”, he said. “I have to bathe eight dogs! And who better than my favorite Kouhai to help me.” He patted the floor next to him, motioning for Yamato to sit down. Yamato, unable to disobey his senpai, sat where he told him.
“And why didn't you tell me that from the beginning?” Yamato gave him a narrow-eyed look.
“Because I knew that if I told you the reason, you wouldn’t come”, Kakashi shrugged while washing the back of Akino's ears.
Yamato rolled his eyes and shook his head. “You're hopeless, Senpai”, he snatched the shampoo from Kakashi's hands and poured a generous amount onto his fingers and got to work.
Pakkun rested his head on the edge of the tub looking at Yamato.
“Start with my paws, I need them to be smooth.”
…
The two men was washing the dogs in comfortable silence, interrupted from time to time by splashes and the occasional bark. Until Kakashi spoke.
“How has it been for you with the team?” He asked as washing Urushi's front legs.
“Don’t even remind me!” Yamato exclaimed as he dried Bisuke and Guruko with a towel, “It's like I'm dealing with three brats instead of three full-fledged ninjas. Especially Naruto! He spends his time fighting with Sai. And Sai does nothing but insult Naruto and Sakura, unleashing fights”. He snorted, really tired to which Kakashi gave a slightly pitying smile.
“I know Naruto can be... much sometimes”, Kakashi scratched the back of his head. “But I know that he will become a great ninja in the near future. I have all my hopes in that boy.”
Yamato noticed how Kakashi's gaze softened as he spoke of Naruto, his eyes sparkled with affection. Yamato’s heart sank. He had never seen Kakashi like this since he left Anbu. Yamato smiled inwardly.
Suddenly, Bull got out of the bathtub. Yamato widened his eyes when he realized what the robust dog was going to do. He turned his head to Kakashi, who also had a worried look on his face.
The two men yelled at the same time, “Bull! Don't even think abou-”. And before they could even finish the sentence, the dog shook off the water and soaked them in the process.
“I guess we'll have to take a bath too.” Yamato laughed and Kakashi joined him.
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Yamato was drying his hair in Kakashi's bedroom while waiting for the latter to get out of the shower. Yamato was wearing a change of clothes that he had already had in Kakashi's apartment. It was more practical, since most of the time he stayed over.
“Thanks for helping me bathe the pack, Tenz''. Kakashi said, coming out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around his waist exposing his pale scarred chest.
“Oh, it was nothing, I enjoyed it to be honest.” Yamato said, turning to face Kakashi. Suddenly his face turned red, “O-oh, for heaven's sake! Senpai, could you put something on?!” exclaimed, avoiding Kakashi’s face.
“Oh c'mon, Tenzō. You've already seen more than just my bare chest.”
Yam blushed more, emitting a small groan.
Kakashi laughed and walked over to the closet to get some clothes and got dressed.
Kakashi approached Yamato from behind, hugging him.
“Are you staying?”
“Yeah it's too late to head to my apartment. Yo-you know, if you don’t mind.” Yamato rambled.
“Of course I don't mind.” Kakashi waved with one of his hands. “You’ll never be a bother to me, Tenzou ~” He whispered in his ear.
Yamato blushed and pushed Kakashi playfully.
Kakashi chuckled and went to set up the bed so they could sleep.
…
They both lay down, surrounded by the Ninken, who were also there. Being embraced by the heat that they gave off. Especially Bull, who took up more than half the bed.
Yamato buried his head in Kakashi's chest. “Good night, 'Kashi.”
“Good night Tenz.”
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Yamato awoke when he felt something warm and wet dripping onto his forehead. He opened his eyes and found Bull's face staring at him, drooling on him. Immediately moved away.
“Ugh…” he said, wiping his face. Then he examined the room, noticing Kakashi's absence. “Where's Kakashi?” he asked the dogs that accompanied him.
“He’s in the kitchen”, Bisuke replied while yawning.
Yamato stood up and went to the kitchen and as Bisuke said there was Kakashi making breakfast, wearing just his boxers and an apron, accompanied by Pakkun.
Yamato took a seat on one of the dining room chairs.
“Morning” Kakashi happily greeted Yamato by putting a cup of fresh coffee in front of Yamato.
“ Thanks. ” A still sleepy Yamato muttered.
…
"You're leaving now?" Kakashi asked from the chair he was sitting down reading while Yamato put on his vest.
“Yes, I have a mission at noon”, he replied, adjusting his forehead protector. “See you soon, Senpai.” Yamato walked out the door.
“Mm kay” was heard in the distance.
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Yamato's bag fell heavily in the doorway of his apartment as he walked in. It was an exhausting mission, especially since he had to separate Naruto and Sakura from Sai for more than once.
‘Sometimes I feel more like a babysitter than a high-ranking ninja.’ He thought bitterly, heading to his bed.
He had already closed his eyes when someone knocked on the door.
‘Another mission?’
He went to the door and opened it expecting to find a ninja handing him his next mission. But it wasn’t that at all.
Right in front of him was Kakashi with the Ninken full of mud behind him.
Kakashi scratched his nape giving him a closed-eyed smile. “Hey Tenzo. Can we borrow your bath?”