Them

If someone had told Tenzo that in the future he would be building wooden benches in the shade for this one-eyed, grey-haired, strange guy while he was baking in the sun, training his student, he would not have believed it...

I have nothing if I don't have you

(Chapter 3)

Ting...tong!

The sound of the doorbell succeeded in waking Kakashi from his sleep, while the sound of the alarm clock beside his bed failed. Why? Because only Tenzo rings the doorbell this early, and that means.... it's 7 o'clock!!!!

"7 o'clock?! Oh nooooo...I'm late..." Kakashi covered his face with both hands.

He then forced himself to get up and immediately went downstairs to open the door.

"Morning, sir!" Tenzo's greeting was cheerful and enthusiastic as usual.

"Morning, Tenzo...please...come in...and...do your work..." Kakashi was still trying to gather his consciousness. "I'm already late...so...just start to do your work..." kakashi turned around and rushed upstairs to get ready.

Tenzo blinked for a moment to digest the situation. Usually when he arrived, Kakashi was already dressed neatly and ready to go to the office, but now he was still wearing his pajamas.

"No problem, sir..." said Tenzo as he entered and closed the front door, then walked towards the kitchen.

This is all because last night Kakashi had to work overtime preparing materials for today's meeting. Today there will be a big meeting of all divisions to discuss government building renovation projects. Konoha Corp will compete with several other development companies to win the tender for who will renovate the building. This project will bring big profits to the company that wins the tender, so Konoha Corp doesn't want to fail.

Kakashi showered and got dressed as quickly as he could. Then put the laptop and all the required documents into the bag, and ran down the stairs. When he open the front door...

"Excuse me, sir..." said Tenzo.

Kakashi turned his head "yes?"

"I made this for you, just in case you didn't have time for breakfast, sir.." Tenzo held out both hands. His right hand holds a bento box and his left hand holds a thermos filled with hot coffee.

"Oh... thank you... I appreciate that, but actually you don't have to..." Kakashi was surprised.

"No problem, sir... I also make the same bento for the kids..." Tenzo smiled. "Umm...I'm sorry sir, but I think your tie needs to be straightened..."

"Oh?" Kakashi tried to look at his tie which turned out to be crooked, probably because he had been in a hurry, but his hands were full.

"May I, sir?" Tenzo asked, offering to help.

"Oh...yes please..." answered Kakashi.

Tenzo then came closer and straightened Kakashi's tie and shirt collar.

"Well, it's better now, sir. And good luck for today!" Tenzo clenched his right fist while smiling.

"Oh...thank you... Well...I have to go now...so...see you..." kakashi opened the door, got out, and closed it. He took a breath and exhaled. A feeling of comfort emerged in his heart. He then walked towards his car feeling much calmer, doesn't know where the feeling of panic and rush gone.

45 minutes later Tenzo, Sakura, Sai and Naruto were already on the front terrace.

"Hurry uuuuup Narutooooo!!! We're all going to be late just because you took too long to tie your shoes!!!" Sakura said while smacking Naruto's head.

"...I'm trying..."

"It's okay Sakura, we still have time. You can do it, Naruto!" Tenzo said.

Five minutes later Naruto finished tying his shoes and they all rushed to school. As soon as the car driven by Tenzo arrived at the school parking lot, Sakura immediately got out and ran to her class, as did Sai.

"Wait Sai! You left your sketchbook..." Tenzo got out of the car and handed the sketchbook to Sai. "Have a nice day, sai!" Tenzo said with a smile. Sai just accepted his sketchbook then turned towards class without saying anything and without expression.

After that, Tenzo returned to the car and helped Naruto unfasten his seat belt.

"Naruto..."

"Hmm?"

"Before you get out of the car, I want to play with you for a while..." said Tenzo.

"Play???" Naruto was surprised.

"Yes. A role play."

"A role play???" Naruto looked confused.

"Listen, when next time your friends make fun of you again, say this sentence that I will teach you. If they call you an 'orphan', just tell them 'No problem. I'm okay with that' and give them your best smile, then leave them. You got that?"

"Ummm...okay...."

"Great! Now we're gonna play the role. I'll be your friend and you'll be you. Ready?"

"Yep!"

Tenzo cleared his throat, "Orphaaan! Orphaaan! Hahaha...". Tenzo said with the exact expression Naruto's friends did yesterday.

"No problem. I'm okay with that," said Naruto then smiled until his eyes narrowed.

"Great job! From the first time I saw you, I knew that you were a very smart boy."

"Am I???"

"Sure. Give me a high five!" Naruto then patted Tenzo's right hand.

"Now go to your class with a giant spirit like you will conquer the world in front of you. Go!"

"Okay! See you, tenzooo!" Naruto ran towards his class feeling happy and full of enthusiasm.

Tenzo looked at Naruto with a smile, then got into the car. He deliberately didn't wait on the bench in the yard like yesterday to teach Naruto to be brave.

Meanwhile...

Kakashi arrived in his room. He put down the documents, bag, as well as the bento box and thermos from Tenzo. He sat down and looked at his watch. There are still 10 minutes before the meeting starts. Kakashi decided to open the thermos. As soon as it was opened, the fragrant aroma of coffee immediately came out and blended with the air around Kakashi. Kakashi poured the coffee into the thermos lid and took a sip.

"Really delicious..." Kakashi thought as he closed his eyes, enjoying his coffee. The coffee that Tenzo makes is definitely the same sachet coffee that Kakashi makes every day. But why does this one taste so much better? Kakashi wondered to himself. He felt much fresher now.

To be honest, he felt a bit awkward when Tenzo approached him and fixed his tie. But...it feels like there is another feeling too. He felt....happy, but also strange... because it felt like it had been a long time since he felt like that... He himself didn't know why that feeling came up again...

Kakashi then finished the coffee he had poured them losed the thermos of coffee again. Now his attention was focused on the bento box. Actually, Kakashi was curious to open it, but the meeting would start soon. He had to immediately go to the meeting room. So he decided to open and eat his bento during his lunch break. He took the laptop and the required documents. Then walk out of the room in a good mood and full of enthusiasm.

Two hours later...

Naruto's school bell rang. A sign that it's time for Naruto and his friends to go home. As usual, other parents had also arrived at the yard to pick up their children. And as usual, Naruto's friends made fun of him....again.

"See you tomorrow, poor orphan...hahahaha..." exclaimed one of them, which was followed by laughter from the others. Naruto stopped walking. His hands gripped tightly. He took a deep breath, then exhaled, and turned around to face the friends who had mocked him earlier.

"No problem. I am okay with being an orphan. See you tomorrow!" Naruto said while smiling and turning around and walking again cheerfully. His friends stared. They didn't expect Naruto would say that.

Tenzo waited next the car. Naruto saw him then ran and immediately hugged Tenzo. Tenzo hugged Naruto and spun him around, until Naruto laughed.

After he was satisfied spinning and laughing, Tenzo put Naruto down.

"How about we go to the ice cream shop now? I still owe you because I lost the room tidying competition yesterday..." asked Tenzo.

"Let's goooooo!!!!" replied Naruto

Back to Konoha Corp headquarter.

The meeting was temporarily stopped because it was already lunch time. Meeting participants leave the room to take a break. Including Kakashi. He walked towards the elevator to return to his room. Suddenly someone took his right arm...

"Kakashi, how about we have lunch together?"

"Oh... Anko..." Kakashi was surprised. "I am sorry, but I will have lunch in my room, because I brought a bento..." said Kakashi.

"Be...bento? Since when do you bring bento to the office???"

Kakashi just smiled and got into the elevator.

Not long after, Kakashi was sitting in front of his desk. Then opened the bento box from Tenzo. Kakashi was surprised. Inside there is rice molded into a heart, tamago, chicken katsu, and fresh salad.

"Holly...molly....what am I seeing now?" Said Genma who was standing in the doorway.

"Kakashi and bento??? That's a strangest thing I saw today..." said gai next to him.

"What's wrong? Am I not allowed to eat bento?" Kakashi asked.

"Of course no..." Gai said as he walked in. "But the last time I saw you and bento was when we were still in the same class in Kindergaten..." he said, laughing.

"Yeah...me too. We three were in the same class, right?" Add genma. "Hey...look at the rice...very cute heart rice...I don't know that you are so cute, kakashi..."

"I didn't make it. The nanny did..." Kakashi said casually.

"Wait...what? The new nanny made that bento for you???" Gai asked. Kakashi nodded.

"Ooo-M-G.....I can smell looove in the air...." said Genma.

Kakashi was just about to respond to his two mischievous friends when suddenly another voice came from the door.

"What love?" Apparently it's Anko, again. He entered Kakashi's room holding a bento box too. "Can I eat here with you, kakashi?"

"Oh...sure...please..." said kakashi.

Anko sat opposite Kakashi. "You two? What are you doing here?" Anko asked Genma and Gai.

"Oh...um...we're going to have lunch too..." Genma answered, elbowing Gai.

"Eh...yeah, that's right...so we'll go first..." Gai answered as he left the room with Genma.

"I think those two always act strangely. Isn't that right?" Anko asked.

Kakashi just chuckled as he started eating his bento. He picked up the tamago with chopsticks and put it in his mouth, then chewed it. Delicious... thought Kakashi. Then he tried the chicken katsu. This is also delicious....very delicious....he thought.

"....Kakashi!" Called Anko in a slightly loud tone.

Kakashi realized "Oh...what's wrong?"

"You didn't listen to me, did you?"

"Oh... sorry Anko... just... what did you say?"

"Because I heard you brought a bento, I wanted to have a bento lunch too. So I bought it at the minimarket near the office. It tastes pretty good..." said Anko while chewing her ebi katsu. "Where did you buy that bento?"

"Oh, I didn't buy it..."

"You cook yourself????"

"Of course not... This morning my children's nanny made this bento and gave it to me, because this morning I didn't have time for breakfast..."

"Oh I see. Is it delicious?

"This is...special" answered Kakashi steadily.

Spontaneously, feelings of jealousy emerged in Anko's heart. "Umm...that nanny...is she a middle-aged woman?"

"Umm...actually..." before Kakashi could answer, suddenly Gai and Genma appeared at the door.

"Hi...now we also bring bento. Can we join?" Genma asked and Gai cheerfully asked.

Anko immediately lost her appetite.

Back to school...

"Give me back my sketchbook..." said Sai while trying to escape from the grip of his two friends.

"You mean this ugly book?" Kabuto said which was followed by laughter from his two friends who were holding the sai.

"Give it back..." said Sai.

"Hmm...what do I do? Let me think first whether I will return this ugly book to you...or not..." said Kabuto. He then dropped Sai's sketchbook...stomped on it while laughing with satisfaction...

Sai was shocked "Don't....." he said helplessly.

Suddenly Kabuto was pushed by someone and fell.

"Don't do that to my brother!" Sakura shouted angrily.

"Youuu!!!" Kabuto said annoyed, then gave a code to his two friends. His two friends pushed the sai until he fell, then approached Sakura and grabbed her hands.

"What do you want?!!" Sakura struggled, trying to get rid of the grip.

"You noisy big forehead! Acting like a hero! How dare you push me!" Kabuto raised his right hand to slap Sakura. Suddenly a hand grabbed Kabuto's right hand, very strong. Kabuto turned his head.

"Years of studying at an expensive school just for this? How embarrassing..." said Tenzo.

"Who are you? Let go of my hand! Don't interfere!" Kabuto shouted annoyed.

"You don't need to know who I am. What you and your two friends need to know is that what you did to Sai and Sakura was a bad thing. So now, quickly kneel down and apologize to Sai and Sakura, return Sai's sketchbook, and promise them that you guys won't do it again. Oh, one more thing, you also have to buy Sai a new sketchbook because you stepped on it earlier..." said Tenzo.

"Fussy!!! Just go to hell!" Kabuto said.

Tenzo exhaled "Alright then..."

A few moments later, Kabuto and his two friends were slumped helplessly on the floor.

"Okay...time to say sorry, guys..." said Tenzo while clapping his hands together.

"Sorr..sorry...sai...sakura..." said Kabuto and his two friends.

"And promise you won't do it again!" Tenzo said firmly.

"We...we...promise not to do that again...to you..." Kabuto said while holding back the pain.

"Now return Sai's sketch book!"

Kabuto got up, then took Sai's sketchbook, and gave it to Sai.

"Good job. By the way, I have recorded your behavior earlier, so if you repeat your actions again, then I will give the recording to the principal or spread it to social media. And you will become famous and expelled from school. Do I make myself clear?" Tenzo said casually.

Kabuto and his two friends nodded in resignation.

"Good. Sakura, sai, let's go home. Naruto is waiting for us in the car." said Tenzo smiling. Meanwhile Sakura and Sai were still gawking, not believing that Tenzo could easily paralyze Kabuto and his friends.

When they got home, Tenzo compressed Sai's arm which was bruised from the grip of Kabuto's friends.

"Does it still hurt?" Tenzo asked. Sai shook his head.

"Okay. Wait here a second. I'll make you something..." Tenzo stood up and walked out of Sai's room. Not long after, Tenzo came carrying a mug.

"I make a hot chocolate. It will make you so much better. Try it." Tenzo said while thrusting the mug towards Sai. Sai accepted it and hesitantly drank it.

"How is it? Good?" Tenzo asked.

Sai nodded. "Thanks..." he said.

Tenzo smiled.

"I mean...thanks a lot...for...saving me...and sakura..."

"No problem..." answered Tenzo. "So, may I know, since when do you like drawing, Sai? Tenzo asked while looking at Sai's drawings that were stuck on the wall of his room.

"Since I could hold a pencil..." Sai answered.

"Really? Amazing! I've always been the weakest in drawing lessons. In fact, every time I see my drawings, my sister always says, 'Even kindergarten kids can draw better than you, Tenzo.'" said Tenzo, shaking his head and putting his hands on his hips, imitating his sister's style.

Sai laughed looking at Tenzo. Meanwhile, Tenzo just stared.

"Um...what's wrong?" Sai asked.

"Wow... this is the first time I've seen you laugh, Sai. It turns out you're 1000 times more handsome when you laugh..." said Tenzo. Sai's face immediately turned red and he became embarrassed.

"By the way tenzo, may I ask you something?"

"Sure.."

"In your opinion, what is something simple but beautiful?"

"Why did you ask me that?"

"Today I got a drawing assignment with a simple but beautiful theme. But I haven't found an idea..."

"Um....something that simple but beautiful...let me think....Ah, I know!"

"What is that?"

"Sunset!"

"Why sunset?"

"Because in my hometown I live near the beach, so every afternoon I can see how a large orange circle slowly seems to enter the sea surface... Believe me, the view is veeery beautiful."

Sai is fascinated by Tenzo's story. "Actually, I've never seen a sunset myself. But that's okay, I'll imagine it and draw it."

"Good! Is there anything else I can help you?"

"No. Thanks, Tenzo..."

"Anytime, Sai..." said Tenzo smiling. "I think now I have to see Sakura..." Tenzo got up and walked out of Sai's room.

When approaching Sakura's room, Tenzo heard a sound...crying... The door to Sakura's room was slightly open. Tenzo tapped it lightly.

"Sakura...are you okay?"

Sakura was indeed crying. She quickly wiped her tears so it wouldn't be seen by Tenzo.

"Are you crying?"

Sakura was silent, did not answer. Tenzo walked over to Sakura who was sitting on her bed and knelt in front of her.

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

Sakura was still silent.

"It's okay...you can talk to me..." said Tenzo softly.

"Am I...ugly, tenzo?"

"What? Why do you ask like that?

"Because...my forehead..."

"Your forehead? Nothing's wrong with your forehead, sakura.."

"But Kabuto call me bigforehead... And not only him, other kids at school always make fun of my forehead, they always say that it's super wide then they laugh... Sasuke also laughs..."

"Sasuke?"

"My classmate...honestly...I like him...but today I saw he also laughed at me when the others made fun of my forehead..." Sakura looked down and sobbed...

Tenzo sighed, then held Sakura's shoulder. "Look at me, Sakura.."

Sakura raised her face.

"There are two wonderful women I've ever met in my life. First is my sister who gave all of her time, energy, and love raising me since I was born..." said Tenzo while wiping tears from sakura cheeks.

"And the second, is a beautiful young lady who is always honest, smart, so strong, and very brave protecting her brother..." said Tenzo while taking the ribbon on the table next to Sakura's bed. Tenzo put the ribbon on Sakura's head so it looked like a headband, then smoothed Sakura's bangs. "Well, that is the beautiful young lady..." said Tenzo as he moved to sit next to Sakura and pointed at the mirror in front of them.

Sakura looked at herself in the mirror. She has always covered her forehead with bangs. But the ribbon that Tenzo tied and the bangs that Tenzo tidied made Sakura look more beautiful.

"You don't have to hide that, sakura. No matter what they say, you are definitely beautiful. Because beauty doesn't come from physics. It comes from your heart. Physics will easily change. But your kind and brave heart will last forever, and that is the true beauty..." said Tenzo.

"But...Sasuke...."

"Never mind. I am sure that one day, the right person who truly accepts you and loves you just the way you are will come to you.." Tenzo smiled and put his right hand on Sakura's shoulder.

Slowly a smile appeared on Sakura's lips. "Thank you, Tenzo..."

"You're welcome."

That evening, after preparing dinner, Tenzo's cell phone rang. Kakashi called.

"Hello tenzo....I am affraid I will go home late, because the meeting hasn't finished yet...Would you mind waiting there until I arrived at home?"

"No problem sir..."

"I'm really sorry for making you go home late..."

"It's okay sir, I will take care of the kids..."

"Thanks, Tenzo..."

"Anytime, sir..."

So after the kids had dinner, Tenzo finished washing the dishes, Tenzo went into Naruto's room

"Okay Naruto, time to sleep..."

"Would you like to read a story to me, Tenzo?"

"Story?"

"Yes..." Naruto took some story books from his desk.

"Alright..." said Tenzo while sitting on Naruto's bed.

"I also want to hear the story..." said Sakura who was standing near Naruto's room door.

"Don't!" Naruto said. Sakura immediately pouted.

Tenzo laughed "It's okay Naruto. Come here, Sakura."

Sakura immediately sat next to Tenzo.

"Do you want to listen to the story too, Sai..." asked Tenzo. Sai also appeared with a reluctant expression.

"Come in..." said Tenzo. Sai came in and sat on Naruto's bed.

At 9 pm Kakashi arrived home. When he entered, there was no one downstairs. Kakashi put his bag and things on the sofa and went up to the second floor. He saw Sakura and Sai's room door open, but they were not in their room. Kakashi then went to Naruto's room where the door was half closed. He opened the door slowly and was surprised...

Tenzo sat leaning back in the middle of the bed, holding and hugging Naruto who was already asleep, while Sakura fell asleep on Tenzo's right side with her head resting on his shoulder, as did Sai on his left. The five story books that Tenzo had read were lying on the bed. Kakashi was truly surprised to see it, and touched at the same time. His kids had never been so close to nannies before.

Tenzo, who was half asleep, realized that someone had entered the room, and was surprised because it turned out to be Kakashi. Spontaneously he opened his eyes wide. Kakashi moved closer to the bed.

"It's okay. I will remove them..." said Kakashi. He then carried Sakura and moved her to her bed. Then carried Sai and moved him to his bed. Then turned on the light in their room and closed the door. When he returned to Naruto's room, he saw Tenzo laying Naruto on his bed and covering him with a blanket. Kakashi approached and turned off the lamp next to Naruto's bed. The two of them then left the room and went downstairs.

"Can I go home now, sir?"

"Sure you may. But I will take you home..."

"Oh...you don't need to do that, sir. I can go home by myself..."

"No, it's okay. I'll take you. This is also an apology for making you come home so late and a thank you for taking care of my kids... Please, let me drive you home..." said Kakashi.

"Alright then, sir..." answered Tenzo with a smile.

Half an hour later, Kakashi's car arrived in front of a coffee shop called Senju Cafe.

"You live here?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes sir. This is my aunt's cafe. I live here and I also work here on Saturdays and Sundays, when I'm not working at your house, sir..."

"Oh...I see. Umm...may I come here someday...taste the coffee here?"

"Of course you may, sir."

"Great! I will come."

"Thanks sir. I think I'm going to go inside, sir. Thank you so much for driving me home..." said Tenzo while nodding.

"No problem. I should be the one thanking you..."

"See you tomorrow, sir..." Tenzo got out of the car, closed the door, then bowed towards Kakashi. Kakashi nodded and started the car. From the rearview mirror, he could still see Tenzo standing there until the car turned.

While driving his car home, Kakashi thought. Even though at first he doubted Tenzo's abilities, now he feels that Tenzo's presence in his family brings many good things and warmth.

So far, the three children have never gotten along with the nannys. But tenzo is different. In a short time his three children became very close to him. The scene where Tenzo fell asleep while hugging Naruto, and Sakura and Sai who slept leaning against him was truly very impressive and touched Kakashi's heart.

Moreover, Tenzo is good at cooking, reliable, humble, and always cheerful. And honestly, he is quite pretty. His wide eyes, his beautiful brunet long hair, his smile, his smell, his voice,...

Wait...wait...it seems like another feeling emerged in Kakashi's heart. A feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. A feeling he had buried deep since Rin left. Could it be that what Genma said was true, that love is in the air now?

To be continued :)

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spicayama

7 months ago