Sakura quickly made her way through the busy streets of Konoha. She tried to hide her out of control emotions from the crowd moving around her. What have I done? His touch…….I can't let him get to me like this. I can't……
"Sakura!" A voice yelled from behind her.
She quickly stopped and turned to see Ino running towards her. Ino had barely made it to her before Sakura threw herself into her arms crying. Ino embraced her friend. She knows about Sakura's situation; even that the father was none other then Kakashi and she never told a soul.
"Sakura what happened? Did you…you know go through with it." She hesitantly asked.
"No" Sakura answered sniffling.
Ino gave a sigh. She was actually relieved. She knew her friend long enough to know that if she gave her child up she would regret it later in life. When Sakura had told her what she wanted to do, it shocked her, she couldn't argue with her though. Her life was hard enough without having her fight about it. Ino understood that, she just hoped Sakura would come to her senses.
She couldn't understand why she was crying though. I didn't think she would be this miserable, maybe she really…….
"Kakashi found out." Sakura said quietly.
Oh no! He must have reacted badly if she is this upset. How could he do such a thing to her? After all it was half his doing. Ino stepped back a little and took Sakura's hand leading her away from the busy streets.
THAT EVENING
Kakashi sat in his apartment, a million thoughts and questions running through his mind. For once in his life he had no idea what his next move should be. Of course it all sounded so simple, he should just go to Sakura explain everything and make a new life with her and their child. Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it. It was too much for him too fast.
Seeing her today and feeling the presence of the life that grew inside of her, was overwhelming. It actually was more like a quick blow to the back of the head knocking him out cold. All at the same time he felt the need to hold her and be with her, to comfort her.
He closed his eyes and rested his head on the back of the couch remembering how radiant she had looked, even through the sad puffy red eyes. Just the thought of her carrying his child, their child, was….well he didn't know what it was, but he was happier than he had been in a long time.
There were of course things that bothered him immensely. Why was she at the adoption agency anyway? Of course he thought Tsunade had given some kind of reason earlier, but some of his memories got fuzzy after the 'father of Sakura's baby' comment. Did she not want the baby or him for that matter? Why didn't she seek him out to tell him? Maybe she really doesn't want anything to do with me. His chest tightening at the thought as if he was being suffocated.
He knew he cared for her deeply but was unsure if he could admit any deeper feelings to her. He was still convinced of the fact that everyone he ever cared deeply about was taken from him. His thoughts slowly trailed off to the horrible memories of his past.
He lifted his head and shook it slightly from side to side, hoping to shake them off. How can I be so selfish? She is alone to bare such a burden. I should have been there for her. I have to make things right. I do care for her more than anything, I just…………
He was drawn away from his thoughts by a quiet knock at the door. He had no intention of answering it; he really wasn't in the mood for company right now. The visitor didn't take the hint and knocked again a little louder this time. Kakashi gave a sigh in defeat as he made his way to the door. He opened it slowly only to find his longtime friend standing there.
"What do you want Genma?" Kakashi said with a hint of irritation.
"Well Ino sent me to talk to you and……" He was stopped mid sentence by the cold glare Kakashi sent at him from his visible eye.
He knew immediately that Genma knew his secret. He had forgotten that Sakura and Ino were best friends. Of course she would have told her, she could never keep something like that from her. But he never expected Genma to know about his child even before him. Of course it didn't surprise him; Ino has been dating him now for some time. But either way it still didn't sit too well with him.
"How long have you known?" Kakashi demanded, still glaring, making his comrade feel rather uneasy.
"I have known she is pregnant for awhile, but I found out the rest of it just a couple of hours ago." He answered scratching the back of neck nervously, trying to avoid his stare.
"You couldn't even have the decency to tell me of her condition?" His voice stern and angered.
"How was I to know? I mean I knew you said you had a thing for her, but how was I suppose to know you took her to bed? Besides you never seemed to bother with the conversation once her name was brought up anyway." He quickly answered defending himself.
Kakashi's eye narrowed at him even more. "Well her being with child really isn't an everyday event you know."
"It is now." Genma responded trying to lighten the mood. Kakashi did not look at all amused by the comment. "Okay listen" Genma sighed. "Ino sent me over to talk to you because she is worried about Sakura. She really thinks you should go and talk to her."
Kakashi softened his expression and lowered his head. He turned heading back to his previous spot on his couch leaving the door open to allow Genma to enter. Which he did, slowly clicking the door shut behind him. He watched as Kakashi sat with his elbows resting on he knees, his hands covering his face. He had never once in is life seen the copy-ninja this miserable.
"I told her it would be no use forcing you to do anything, but you know Ino, she's just as stubborn as you are."
"How is she really? Is she healthy? Is she okay? And the baby…..?" He asked quietly.
"Her health is good, of course Ino thinks she stresses way too much than she should. The baby is doing fine; Tsunade is personally looking over the pregnancy……but……" There was a long pause before Kakashi finally looked up.
"But what?"
"Well she is very unhappy. Her hormones don't help either but still…………." He stopped unable to find the right words.
"And what am I suppose to do? Run to her and make everything better with the snap of my fingers." He said frustrated. Deep down inside that was what he really wanted.
"No……You just……..I mean………" His lost for words was not helping the situation. Kakashi just shook his head and sank back into the couch.
"It's not as easy as it sounds, there are…………"
"Kakashi give it a rest" Genma cut him off. "I know you and how you work. The minute someone gets too close to your personal boundaries you shut them out, pushing them away from you. Sakura needs you more than you think she does. Just go and talk to her." He practically ordered.
"She won't talk to me, I already tried that." Kakashi answered still a little taken back by his friend's sudden outburst.
"Well try again." Genma ordered
"Once again you make it sound easier than it really is."
Genma opened his mouth to say something but hesitated once again.
"What?" Kakashi asked blankly.
Genma hesitated still but finally found the words. "Do you even want the baby?" He asked quietly.
Kakashi stared at Genma his visible eye wide open, the expression said what-the-hell-kind-of-question-is-that.
"I mean you don't look all that thrilled about the whole situation." He said trying to explain himself for asking such a question but failed miserably.
Kakashi jumped to his feet. "How the hell should I react? I come back from a mission to find out I conceived a child, and what's worse I have to find out from the Hokage instead of her!" He yelled angry and frustrated.
"Well now you know so what the hell are going to do about it!" Genma yelled back.
"AHH…..Since when did you become the caring-for-others type of person anyway!"
The two men just stared at each other in silence. A glint of anger flashing in their eyes. They had been friends for many years, but right now they were ready to rip each others limbs off. What Kakashi didn't know is that Genma had to witness first hand of how Sakura was taking this whole situation. He's seen the hurt and utter loneliness that invaded the eyes of the young kounichi. He heard the sobs that came from the other side of the door of the guest bedroom when Sakura stayed with him and Ino, just because she didn't want to stay alone.
There were even times he swore to himself he would seriously injure the ass who could do this to her. She was too good for that, she deserved better. It wasn't till he found out only hours earlier that it was Kakashi who did this, it was him who fathered the child; that the whole situation turned into a whole new ball game. Genma felt like he had no idea who the man that stood in front him was. The man he knew would never hesitate; he always took responsibility for his actions sooner or later.
Genma knew where this conversation was going to lead to. He knew the tension between them and that they would have no problem with going at each other full force. But he also knew it wouldn't solve anything. He knew all too well how stubborn the copy-nin was. He decided it would be better to just leave before anything happened that they would regret.
Genma's jaw clenched matching the clench of his fist before turning back to door moving to exit the apartment.
"You want nothing more than to hit me right now don't you?" Kakashi stated being all too aware of the actions of his friend.
Genma froze with his hand on the doorknob. He was right; he wanted to take a swing at him. He closed his eyes and tried to calm down before he actually did hit him. He took a deep breath. "No matter how much better it would make me feel to knock your lights out, it won't help Sakura." He said firmly, quickly leaving slamming the door behind him.
MEANWHILE
"WHAT!" Sakura yelled.
"Calm down, I just…………" Ino held her hands up attempting to calm down her friend.
"CALM DOWN!?…..CALM DOWN?!..."
"Well can you at least quick screaming!" Ino yelled
Sakura stared daggers at the blonde woman that stood in front of her. "Fine" She said loudly. "But why? Why did you tell Genma?"
"Listen, I thought maybe Genma could go and talk to Kakashi, that's all."
"Oh and what? Force him into taking responsibility. Remember he left me!" She said the words she seemed to be saying a lot today.
Ino sighed thinking of the words to say without angering her more. "I'm not going to argue with you about this, you know just as much as I do that it's too late to pick a different father. And you do need to calm down it's not good to stress yourself."
Sakura did her best to clam herself knowing she was right. All this stress was taking its toll on her. Ino walked to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I want to help you, but I can't take the place that Kakashi can. He needs to be here to make his own choice. I mean didn't you say you didn't really give him a chance to say anything earlier. I am sure he was just shocked by the whole thing." She said softly trying to comfort or even to reassure her.
Tears began to run down Sakura's cheeks. "What if…..What if he doesn't want anything to do with either of us?" She sniffled placing a protective hand over her belly.
"I'm sure that's not true."
"But how do you know?"
Ino sighed and embraced her friend. "I don't know Sakura."
They hadn't even noticed Genma had returned and was leaning in the doorway watching them. He didn't know what he was going to tell Sakura. Nothing really got said that was of any use to ease the situation.
"Is everything alright?" He asked hesitantly, he already knew the answer was of course no.
"Genma, how did it go?" Ino asked stepping away from Sakura, looking at her boyfriend for any kind of good news.
Genma couldn't say anything. He glanced at the two women and just lowered his gaze.
"I think I'm gonna just go." Sakura said quietly, trying to hold back more tears from falling.
"Sakura you don't……" Ino started.
"No its ok I just need to take a walk." She said walking towards the front door. She stopped in front of Genma. "Thanks for trying" She said wiping a few tears away.
Genma wrapped his arms around her. "If you need anything, anything at all you let me know okay." He whispered.
"I will" She said giving her best smile. She gave a small wave and disappeared out the front door.
"So what happened?" Ino asked after she was sure Sakura was gone.
"He's being a stubborn ass as usual." He said irritated.
"Oh Genma please tell me you didn't….."
"No, but I should have."
Ino wrapped her arms around her frustrated boyfriend's neck. "You know you really are a softy under that hard exterior." She sweetly whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer. "Just don't let it get around; I would hate my reputation to be the 'sensitive guy'."
