A/N: And the original epilogue

"It still amazes me," said Kaede as he walked down the halls of Konoha's hospital.

"Just like it amazes me to see you in surgery," replied Sakura as she walked by his side.

"Do you think someday Konoha will be ready to share our medical expertise?"

"I think the real question is if Tokyo is ready for ninjas, ne?" answered Sakura with a smile on her face.

"Hm," replied Kaede with a cheeky smile.

Sakura laughed at her friend's antics. It had been two years since Kaede saved her life and she had grown closer to the surgeon over time. He still helped the village at the edge of Fire country and made it a point to visit her at Konoha during those times. This was his fourth visit to town and they had spent the past day catching up.

"Say, you think Kakashi is seething because you didn't go home last night?"

Sakura smirked. "Nah, I crash at the hospital quite a bit."

"Well, you need to stop doing that. Rest is essential for you now."

"Yes, doctor," she teased him.

"Hey, don't blame me for caring." Kaede smiled at the pink haired beauty that held a special place in his heart. He knew he would never be anything beyond her good friend, but that was okay with him. He had realized that they were kindred souls in their medical field, but they were not soul mates.

They stepped out of the hospital and were heading to the Hokage's office. Since this was his last day in Konoha, he had to report to Tsunade what he had learned and share some more techniques with her. He had found that the Hokage was brilliant in the medical field and he loved spending time with her.

The feeling of the sun on his face was very welcomed and he couldn't help but turn his face upwards to bask in the warmth. He heard Sakura giggle and he turned to see her, her left hand went to her eyes to block the sun as she faced him. The sun made something in her hand shine and he smirked as he thought of how to tease her.

"You know, a medic ninja once told me that shinobi rarely married."

Sakura blushed lightly as she looked at the ring on her hand. "That wasn't a lie."

Sakura couldn't help but smile as she thought of her life. It had been a hard road, a really tough year when she and Kakashi first returned. Hojwever, they had worked hard on their relationship and she had been thrilled when after finally regaining her trust in him, Kakashi had proposed. It had taken her by surprise, completely. She had not lied when she had told Kaede in that hospital room that shinobi rarely married. Given their professions, it was likely for a ninja couple to be lovers only. It was not rare for a shinobi to marry a civilian, but for a shinobi and a kunoichi, well, the odds were against them.

"So, when are you telling him the news?" asked Kaede as they started up the stairs to the Hokage's tower.

"Friday night. We are having a little party for his birthday. I figure that would be the best time."

Kaede smiled brightly. "I don't think you could give him a better gift."

Sakura nodded and smiled big as well. Kakashi was turning 40 and he was actually pretty okay with it, even though all their friends were giving him a hard time about it.

"Well, it's about time you two came to see me," said Tsunade as she saw the couple in the hall approaching her office. She made a wave to follow her and both Kaede and Sakura entered the Hokage's office to spend the rest of the day there.

Kakashi sat under a tree while his genin team completed a D-rank mission of cleaning an area by the river. He was trying to concentrate on his book, but he couldn't. He was beyond annoyed and it was something he couldn't help but feel every time he was in town. He knew he had no reason to be jealous. Throughout their relationship, Sakura had always shown him that she was someone that could be trusted. Unlike me. He sighed as he remembered what an idiot he had been a couple of years ago, almost losing the best thing that he had because of his misguided actions. But Sakura had never strayed, nor will she ever, he was sure of this. Still, that didn't mean that he wasn't jealous of Kaede. He was.

Kaede was 30, ten years younger than him. He was good looking, fit, nice, and someone that understood Sakura in a field that he knew very little of. More than that, Kaede excelled in the field that Sakura loved and he couldn't help but sometimes wonder if Sakura will wake up one morning and realize that she made a mistake in staying with him.

Kakashi let another sigh escape. He knew he needed to stop thinking like that. Sakura was his wife now, not just a lover that could walk out of his life at anytime. When they had returned to Konoha after her near death experience, she had moved into her own apartment and he had moved into another place as well. He had honored his promise to her and he had started over, courting her and giving her the time and space she needed to trust him again. It was in that time, however, in that year that it took for her to finally accept him back in her life completely that he realized how easily he could lose her.

FLASHBACK

Sakura had first started dating Kakashi when she was 20. They had been together for two years before they moved in together. So, there were a lot of things that Sakura did without in order to be with him. Kakashi wasn't the sociable kind and he preferred to be with her in their apartment over a night out any day. But in the year that they had to patch things up, Sakura decided to make the best out of her newfound single life. She spent a lot of time with her friends in bars and going out to dinners. Kakashi suddenly saw danger in the looks that other males gave her, males that in the past would not have dared looked at her because they knew she was with the famous copy ninja. But since her return, the news of their breakup traveled through Konoha and suddenly Kakashi was doing his best to not go around knocking men out that asked Sakura on dates. So, after much soul searching and deep thinking, he had made a decision. On the one year anniversary of their return, Kakashi had taken her out on a romantic picnic.

"Kakashi, this is beautiful!"

Kakashi looked at Sakura, the sun setting in the distance and the dying light illuminating her fine features and bright eyes.

"Not as beautiful as you are, Sakura."

Sakura blushed a little and smacked him on the arm saying something like 'You're so cheesy' before she returned to eating her grapes. She noticed that Kakashi looked more tense than usual and she wondered why. She knew that it had been a year since the whole mess and she still hadn't committed to him like she had done in the past. And even though she was ready to go to that next step with him, she didn't want for things to go back the way they were. This time she wanted more and she didn't know if he would want that.

Kakashi looked at the sky thinking of how to approach the subject that was pressing in his mind. He had been patient, and he would wait for as long as she needed, but he wanted to know where they were, if there was still hope or if Sakura was happier now that she was enjoying her youth.

"Sakura," he finally broke the silence. "Do I still have a chance?"

Sakura opened her eyes wide. "What do you mean Kakashi?"

Kakashi turned to look into her eyes. "It's been a year, Sakura. I'm not going to pressure you into anything, I promised you that. But I need to know. Do I have a chance to win your heart back or have you found that there is a better life out there for you?"

Sakura looked at his eyes and could see all the emotions that he felt in them. She had been shocked by his question, but she could see where it would come from. She had been spending time with her friends, going to parties and dances and dinners. She couldn't deny that she had been enjoying being 25, but she also couldn't deny how much she missed him.

"Kakashi, I'm not going to deny that I've been enjoying myself this past year, but that doesn't mean that I don't miss us, you know."

Kakashi felt his heart leap. "Have you forgiven me?"

"Yes."

Kakashi took her hand in his still looking at her intently. "And can you trust me again?"

Sakura bit her lower lip. "I think I can, yes."

"Sakura, do you love me?"

Sakura smiled. "Yes, Kakashi. I still love you."

"Sakura," Kakashi inhaled deeply. "I love you with all my heart. I want you back, but I don't want to go back to the way we were."

Sakura looked at Kakashi, her eyes full of curiosity and for a moment Kakashi forgot to breath. The silence became deafening. Finally, Kakashi used his free hand to put something in hers.

"Sakura, I want to be with you forever. If you would have me, I would like the chance to spend the rest of my life with you."

Sakura felt something cold in her hand, the one that Kakashi was holding. She opened her palm to see what it was and she gasped at the simple ring that rested there. His words making sense as she looked into his eyes again.

"Sakura, will you marry me?"

Sakura brought her free hand to her mouth as tears filled her eyes. She looked at the ring in her palm again, felt Kakashi's hand under hers slightly tremble, and closing her palm tightly she crushed him in an embrace.

"Yes, Kakashi." Tears fell down her cheeks as she said her answer while in his arms. Kakashi wrapped his own arms around her as he tightened their embrace. For the first time in a year, Kakashi was happy.

Kakashi smiled at the memory. He knew that Sakura had chosen him over anything else. So why couldn't he get over his jealousy for Kaede? He sighed in frustration.

"Hey sensei, you okay? You've been sighing an awful lot."

"Maybe that's what old people do. I mean, he is turning 40."

Kakashi frowned at his students. So what if he was turning 40? He didn't know why everybody was making it a big deal about it. Anything that happened to him lately had to be because he was turning 40. If he got hurt in a sparring session, Naruto would say something like 'Getting sloppy in your old age?' Or if Sasuke found him on the streets he would say, 'Walking slow in your old age, huh?' He had always walked slowly! And to add insult to injury, Genma and the rest of his so called friends were throwing him an over the hill party. If it wasn't for Sakura, and the fact that he didn't feel a day over 30, he would probably have fallen into depression.

"Are you guys done, yet?" asked Kakashi as he ignored his students' questions and lost himself in the world of Icha Icha.

"Forehead!"

"Hi Ino!" said Sakura as she walked into the bar's private room where Kakashi's party was taking place.

"Oi, Kakashi!" yelled Naruto from another table.

Kakashi let go of Sakura's waist and headed to talk to Naruto while Sakura caught up with the girls. He was a bit annoyed at the black balloons and tombstones used for decorations, but he couldn't deny that he felt special at being honored by his friends in this little party.

Ino, TenTen and Hinata sat with Sakura as they caught up with her. Ever since she married Kakashi six months ago, they didn't see her as often as they did when she first broke up with him, but that was okay since Sakura looked the happiest she had in a long time. Soon, Kakashi, Naruto, Neji and Genma joined their girls and carried on a jovial conversation. While they were talking, Ino noticed something.

"Sakura, why are you drinking water? This sake is top notch and we all know how much you like your sake."

"I just…I don't feel like drinking tonight."

Ino raised an eyebrow and Genma looked at her with curiosity. All of a sudden, Naruto got really excited.

"Ano, I remember when Hinata only drank water!"

"Naruto!" Sakura yelled as she blushed. She didn't want him to spoil the surprise yet.

"What's going on?" asked Kakashi facing a guilty looking Naruto and an upset Sakura.

Gai saved the awkward moment by jumping in front of the table and asking his eternal rival to a birthday challenge. Kakashi shrugged his shoulders and joined the green clad ninja, and soon all the friends were standing in a circle watching the two grown men in a yo-yo match (don't ask). The birthday cake was brought out and the presents were opened. Kakashi spent a rather enjoyable evening with his friends while Sakura dodged questions from the girls who had deduced her surprise.

When they finally got home, Kakashi crashed on the couch and brought his wife to sit on his lap. With his arms around her waist, he held her close to him.

"What a day!" he exclaimed.

"I'd say, old man."

Sakura giggled at the pout from the famous copy ninja. She still thought he looked so young and really couldn't believe he was forty. But, it was fun messing with him. Suddenly, she got up and ran to the bedroom. Kakashi looked at her curiously and was about to follow when she returned with a little box.

"I forgot to give you my present," she said with a seductive smile.

"That box is too little for a night gown, but it's big enough for a lacy thong." The smirk on Kakashi's face was met with a gentle slap on his arm.

"Pervert!" said Sakura as she sat on the couch next to him. "Open it and see what it is."

Kakashi looked at her mischievously and opened the box. His face froze and his hands gripped the box tighter as he looked at its contents. His eyes widened and he turned to Sakura, his voice a mere whisper as he tried to find the strength to speak.

"Is this…Does this mean what I think it means?"

Sakura gave him her biggest smile as she looked lovingly at her husband. "Congratulations, Kakashi" she said softly to him.

Before she knew it, he was embracing her, tightly, and when he spoke his voice was full of emotion but so small it was barely a whisper. "Sakura…" He couldn't say anything else as he held his wife in his arms and the little box with a pacifier in one hand.

"Hey you," whispered Sakura as she brought her arms to wrap around the waist of her husband. "Coming to bed anytime soon?"

Kakashi stood by the crib of his newborn son, his eyes staring at the little miracle that slept peacefully on his back. He had been there since the baby fell asleep, wanting to make sure he was breathing properly.

"Are you sure he should be in his own room? I mean, how would we know if something happens? I've heard of stories of babies dying in their sleep, Sakura. Maybe we should take turns watching him. I'll take first shift."

Sakura chuckled quietly at her overprotective husband. Who would have known that the copy nin was such a worrier. Through her whole pregnancy, or at least since he found out about her pregnancy, he had acted like an overbearing, overprotective bodyguard. She couldn't go anywhere without him. Every little odd thing meant a visit to the hospital. Every kick, every pain, every occurrence carefully documented. The man had turned out to be a better record keeper than his mission reports ever alluded to. She had been so glad when the baby was born, if anything to get him off her case. But alas, he had jumped right into the same thing with the baby.

"Kakashi, this is not a mission. Let's go to bed. He'll be up soon enough as it is."

"Exactly. I'll just be keeping watch until he does."

Sakura let go of him and put her hands on her hips. "And when do you plan to sleep?"

"When you are awake," he said in a tone that sounded like 'duh'.

"Kakashi…" Sakura knew she had to nip this one in the bud.

"Sakura," he finally turned to see her. His eyes were teary and his face showed so much love. "He is so perfect, but he is so little. He needs me, Sakura. He is defenseless right now and I can't get over my fear that this is too good to be true. Remember, it was my mistake that cost us a child before. So please, understand that I need to protect him. I never thought I'd be here and now that I am, I don't ever want to leave."

Sakura smiled lovingly at her husband and embraced him.

"Kakashi, pick Obito up while I move the crib to our room, okay?"

Kakashi smiled widely as he tightened his embrace. "You pick him up. I know exactly where I want the crib."

Sakura just shook her head as she moved to pick their baby up while trying not to wake him. She couldn't help the smile on her face as Kakashi moved the crib right next to their bed, leveling it so that when he lay down he was looking directly at his son.

"Oi, Kakashi!"

Kakashi turned around to face the loud blonde, a boy by his side and a baby in his arms.

"Yo!"

"Let me see her, let me see her!"

Naruto hadn't changed a bit. He may be almost 30 and had 3 kids with Hinata, but that never stopped him from being completely in love with babies.

"She looks just like Sakura!" exclaimed Naruto.

Bright green eyes and a tuft of very light pink hair stared back at the blonde. Her little fingers wrapped around the one finger that Naruto was using to tickle her.

Kakashi smiled with pride. "So, Hokage-sama. What can I do for you?"

"Eh? I've told you not to call me that kaka-sensei," said Naruto as he picked up Obito and threw him on his shoulders.

"Hm," replied Kakashi as he ruffled the silver hair of his son. A pout and a glare from his charcoal eyes made Kakashi chuckle.

"So, have you considered my offer old man?"

Kakashi scowled. "Yes. And I'm not sure yet. I mean, I'm honored that you would want me to be your advisor, but I don't know if I want to sit at a desk all day. Don't you miss the field and the missions?"

"Not as much as I miss my kids," replied Naruto.

Kakashi looked at the baby in his arms. He knew he wasn't getting any younger and that at 43 he was lucky to be alive. Still, he knew how Sakura worried every time he was out on a mission and he had to agree that he missed his family a lot when he was gone.

"On the condition that we find a way to go on missions at least once a month."

Naruto smiled. "Once a quarter."

Kakashi scowled again. "Fine."

"Really?" asked the blonde with stars in his eyes.

"Really, Naruto."

"That's great, Kakashi! Sakura will be so happy and your kids will get to see you all the time. I know they will be happy too, right Obito?"

"Hm," was the simple reply of the little boy.

"Geez, he's just like you," mumbled Naruto.

Kakashi chuckled. "Well, he is my son, you know?"

"Yeah, how could you not tell! He is a mini-Kakashi. All he needs is a little mask and he would be your spit image."

"Don't be giving him ideas, Naruto," said Sakura who walked up to the men with Hinata by her side.

"Hey you," she said to Kakashi after a quick peck on his lips and another quick peck to her daughter's head.

"Hey," said Kakashi as he snaked one arm around his wife's waist.

"Kakashi just accepted my offer of being my advisor," said Naruto as he kissed his wife and put Obito down next to his kids.

"Really?" asked Sakura as she turned to look at Kakashi with wide eyes.

"Yes, isn't it great?" said Naruto as he started running after the kids. They were heading to the training grounds and Hinata followed after them to make sure they were okay.

"Is this what you really want, Kakashi? I mean, I know you like missions and being out in the field. I don't want you to make a decision because you think it's the right one. I want you to be happy," said Sakura with concern in her eyes.

Kakashi looked at her and stopped to kiss her gently. "I am happy, Sakura, when I'm here with you, with our kids. I still get to go on missions, four times a year. So it really works out for the best."

Sakura smiled at her husband. "Well, as long as you are happy, Kakashi."

Kakashi smiled as he continued to walk to the training grounds. "As long as we are together, Sakura."

-FIN-