Kakashi stood outside of Tsunade's office, dread making his body run cold. He closes his eyes for a moment and draws in a deep breath to settle his nerves. The dread continues to curl in the middle of his chest, but he's better able to ignore it now. Opening his eyes again, he squares his shoulders and lifts a hand, giving the door three firm raps from his knuckles before dropping his hand back to his side. As soon as he hears Tsunade's call from the other side of the door, Kakashi opens it and steps into the room. He turns to close the door behind him, giving himself one last moment of ignorance before turning and moving to stand before the Hokage's desk.
"You sent for me, Ma'am?"
The grim look on Tsunade's face made that cold dread coil tighter in Kakashi's chest, and when she speaks, her words make him forget that cold touch of dread. "The Anbu that I dispatched to follow Sasuke after he left the village returned late last night. I'm sure you already know that, but I figured you'd want to know what they reported to me."
Kakashi nods, licking his lips nervously for a moment before squaring his shoulders once more and looking into the older woman's eyes. "Yes Ma'am, I was wondering."
Tsunade only nods, then gives him the report she'd received the night before, keeping her eyes locked on Kakashi's face, watching his reaction closely. "The group I sent after Sasuke managed to track him back to the place that Orochimaru was hiding out. They were quickly discovered of course, and a fight ensued. At some point, it's still unclear how, a fire began. They speculated that it might have been Sasuke that started the fire when using one of the fire jutsu his clan is known for, but it doesn't matter what started the fire, it's the outcome that was the important factor. Orochimaru escaped. They aren't sure how he slipped out of the fire, but they did see him running off. They attempted to pursue him, but were never able to catch him. He got away, again." Tsunade falls silent, glowering at the fact that Orochimaru had managed to slip free of them once again.
Kakashi shifts his weight from one foot to the other and clears his throat. "And Sasuke?"
Tsunade looks at Kakashi again, watching him intently. She's silent for several minutes, just watching him before answering his question, quietly. "They never saw him slip out of the fire. It was assumed that he perished in this fire."
Kakashi feels the floor sink away under him as the room begins to spin. His heart cries out in agony once, then falls silent. He closes his eyes and draws a deep breath to settle himself. When the floor is solid under his feet once more, and the room as ceased to spin around him, Kakashi opens his eyes and looks at Tsunade again. Squaring his shoulders one last time, Kakashi inclines his head to the Hokage before turning and heading to the door. Just before he pulls the door open, Tsunade calls to him, stopping him.
"Kakashi."
"Yes Ma'am," he asks without turning back to face her.
"They didn't find a body in the burnt remains of the building."
Kakashi jerks as if he'd been punched in the center of his back. Shaking his head, he pulls the door open and steps stiffly into the hall, pulling the door closed behind him. Leaning back against the door, Kakashi closes his eyes and draws a deep breath, letting Tsunade's words play through his mind again. They didn't find a body... Pushing away from the door, Kakashi heads off down the hall, finally ready to start his new life.
"Kakashi?"
Turning around, Kakashi instantly smiles at the site of Kyoko standing behind him. "How did you know I was here?"
Kyoko moves up slowly to stand beside Kakashi, letting her gaze travel over the black monument before them. "Because this is always where I find you when something is bothering you." She turns her gaze back to Kakashi, managing to look both concerned and annoyed with him. "You're thinking about Sasuke again, aren't you?"
Kakashi smiles ruefully then sighs deeply. "Yes and no. I was remembering when Tsunade told me about his death. I don't think he's dead. I don't think he'd let himself be killed so easily and so foolishly. He gave up everything to have his revenge on his older brother, and I don't think there was anything that could stop him from having that revenge."
Kyoko slides an arm around Kakashi's waist before looking back at the monument for the heroes of Konoha. "You're probably right. But, what made you think about that?"
Kakashi leans down and kisses the top of Kyoko's head before he replies. "Tomorrow is Obito's birthday. I was just thinking how different my life would have been if he'd lived. That of course got me to thinking of how different things would have turned out if other people in my life had lived as well, which led me to thoughts of Sasuke." Kakashi pauses and turns to Kyoko, reaching out a hand to rest lightly on her very swollen belly and smiling warmly. "But, I'd not change any of it, no matter what. All the tragedy happened for a reason, and led to this."
Kyoko smiles up at Kakashi and shakes her head. "You're a true romantic at heart, Kakashi Hatake."
Kakashi smiles and slides his arms around Kyoko. "And you are my whole heart, Kyoko Hatake."
AN: I know, this last chapter was a little short. Sorry. But, it was just meant to be a wrap-up chapter, and since there weren't that many loose ends, there really wasn't that much left to say.
That being said, I know I'm an evil woman for not letting you know if Sasuke is alive or dead. I'll leave that up to you to decide. Do you think he's dead? Or do you agree with Kakashi that Sasuke's drive for revenge would be enough to keep him alive?
On a side note, for anyone that's curious: It's a girl. :p (Isn't it strange that my muse wouldn't let me know whether Sasuke is alive or dead, but she'll let me know that the first born is a girl. lol That's how she works. I think that there might be a sequel to this story somewhere down the line.)
As always, I would like to thank you all for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. I'd like to give a special thank you to those that took the time to give me reviews. Your comments feed my muse and keep me writing. :D