Binds Like A Blessing

Chapter 12: Onward

Author's Note: SUPER SPOILERS if you aren't caught up with the series ending of Naruto. If that's the case, I'd advise you not to read. Otherwise, you've been warned!

Two and a half years later…

Sora unlocked the door to the spacious house her family called "home". It was still daylight, but everything in the house was silent. Quietly, Sora removed her sandals, leaving them by the door, shaking her long red hair out of its bun as she walked quietly through the house.

She paused by one closed door before slowly pushing the door open. The room was white with lavender accents. There was a small bed, big enough for Tonbo and a rocking chair in the corner. The room was clean and vacant. Sora frowned, wondering where Kakashi and Tonbo were.

Finally, she made her way to her bedroom and stopped at the doorway. Sure enough, there was her family, fast asleep. Kakashi stretched out above the blankets, a children's ninja book on his chest. One hand was covering his unmasked face. Beside him, curled under a yellow blanket was Tonbo, her long black hair wild and loose, covering her lower face, only stirred by her breathing. Sora's heart skipped a beat at seeing her family.

Quietly she went to the bathroom to change and wash her face before she soundlessly slipped into bed next to Kakashi's vacant side, after moving the book to the nightstand, and kissed his cheek lightly. Kakashi stirred, opening one onyx eye. A slight smile flitted across his lips as he moved his arm to bring Sora close to him.

"Welcome home," he said as Sora rested her head on his chest and peeked down at their daughter. Every day she looked more and more like Kakashi. It was only when the child set her chin in a stubborn scowl did she resemble Sora.

"How was your mission," asked Kakashi in a quiet voice. He then noticed Sora had a bruise along her jaw. Gently he stroked his thumb along the injury.

"A success," answered Sora, wincing at his gentle touch. "This bruise shouldn't have happened. I was careless and had to engage the enemy at last minute. How was home?"

"We missed you," answered Kakashi.

"Any meltdowns," asked Sora with a gentle laugh.

"Tonbo cried for about twenty minutes when I told her I couldn't put her hair into buns. I'm a shinobi, not a hair stylist."

"That explains the knots in her hair," said Sora, stifling another laugh. She turned serious. "I told Tsunade-sama no more missions for me for a while. Three days away from Tonbo at such a young age is too long."

"How did she take it?"

"She wasn't happy, but in the end she understood." Sora frowned. "I explained to that as a mother, my duties have shifted. I am still a shinobi, but now, first and foremost I'm a mother of a young child. And secondly…" Sora trailed off and buried her face into Kakashi's chest.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

His breath caught in his chest when he saw Sora's amethyst eyes bright with tears. "I'm pregnant again," she whispered.

Kakashi looked down at her stomach and then at the bruise on her face again. "Did something happen on the mission? You went knowing you were pregnant?"

"I didn't know when I left," Sora whispered back fiercely. "I had a feeling that I might be, but I didn't know for sure. Then in the middle of my mission I got sick, and that's how I blew my own cover. That's when I realized that I was pregnant."

Kakashi blew out a sigh. He wasn't angry at Sora. If anything, since becoming a dad, he had become familiar to the terms worry and fear. "Why are you crying," asked Kakashi, searching Sora's face.

"Because I'm scared," said Sora angrily. "These are dark times for the shinobi world. Something big is about to happen, and I'm afraid. You said it yourself, the Akatsuki has become more active. Training with Naruto is a priority. If there's another war or another large-scale attack, it's not like we can both sit back and watch our friends die. And I can't go into a war knowing that I have Tonbo and now another baby to look after. And I don't expect you to sit behind with me. I know you can't. And that terrifies me." Sora laughed bitterly. "It used to be so easy. I never felt fear of anything. Then I fell in love with you. Then I had a baby. And suddenly, everything I was familiar with, was taken away. Before it used to be going on missions, living or dying and it didn't matter because that was the life of a shinobi. Now that I have a family...it's not that easy anymore."

"Mama?"

Tonbo peeked her sleepy head head around Kakashi's body and yawned before grinning. "Mama home!" Tonbo crawled over Kakashi's stomach, and Kakashi emitted a small "oof" just as Sora pulled her daughter into her arms, sitting up in bed.

"Mama's home, Tonbo-chan," whispered Sora, breathing in the little girl's sweet child smell. Fiercely, Sora rubbed at her eyes and cheeks, wiping away her tears. Tonbo pulled away and searched her mom's face, her onyx eyes piercing-just like Kakashi's.

"Owie?" Tonbo noticed the bruise on Sora's jaw.

"Yeah, Mama has an owie," said Sora as Tonbo frowned at her bruise. "But that just means Mama fought extra hard to protect you and Daddy and our village." Tonbo seemed satisfied by the answer and busied herself with playing with the small pendant of a bird Sora still wore around her neck.

Kakashi sat up in bed too, watching his little family. He watched as Sora gently ran her fingers through Tonbo's hair, working out the knots Kakashi couldn't undo.

Kakashi wished he could tell Sora it would be okay. That the world would be safe and she had nothing to fear, but he couldn't. It was the way of a shinobi. People lived and people died all to protect what they loved. The loss of Asuma and Jiraiya was still fresh in Kakashi's heart, and Sora felt the weight of the loss too. When they were younger, in spite of losing so many comrades, they believed that they were invincible as they evaded death time and time again. However, the older they grew, and the miracle of parenthood, were raw reminders for Kakashi and Sora that people weren't invincible. People were born. People died. And people lived and loved in between.

Now there was another kid in the picture. Kakashi felt the bittersweet sting of pride. He would be a father all over again, and adorable baby laughter would bounce off the walls of his home for a while longer, but Sora was right. The shinobi world was unsettled right now, and Kakashi had a feeling he would be called to duty sooner rather than later.

Sora turned to look at Kakashi. "What are we going to do," she whispered.

Kakashi was silent for a moment.

"Marry me."

"What?"

"Marry me."

"Kakashi, we had this talk before…"

"I did a lot of thinking while you were away," said Kakashi. "One day, Tonbo is going to grow up and the village boys are going to chase her. I decided on her third birthday I will begin to train her, but otherwise, I also decided that should any boy wish to touch her, he'll marry her first."

"That's very traditional," answered Sora, hiding a smile.

"And I can't instill this rule in her unless I first followed it. We're going to have another kid, Sora, and I want them to understand the value of their word and character as well as the importance of law. So, marry me."

Tonbo looked at her parents, unsure of what was going on. She knew her mom and dad looked very serious and she wanted someone to smile. Finally, her mom smiled.

"You are very persuasive, Hatake Kakashi." Sora leaned over and kissed Kakashi, and Tonbo giggled. Sora ran a hand through her daughter's hair before looking at Kakashi. "Fine, I'll marry you. But it will be a small wedding. When do you want to do it?"

"Sooner rather than later."

o0o

Three days later, Sora stood in a complicated but beautifully woven white kimono, looking at her reflection in a full-length mirror. She glanced back at Kurenai who had helped her dress for this special day. Kurenai wore a dark purple kimono and her hands rested over her pregnant belly.

"Who would have thought we'd reach this point," said Sora, trying hard not to cry. She cursed at herself mentally. Pregnancy hormones had changed her hard shell. "Remember when we used to dream about this?"

"I remember," said Kurenai, a sad smile on her lips. She remembered a time when they were little girls in the Academy, training hard to prove to two the cute and cool boys that they were just as cool. Of course, she was joyful for her best friend to finally tie the knot. But the pain of losing Asuma still greeted her every day.

Carefully, Sora walked to her friend and pulled her into a tight hug. For a while, both women stood there, arms around each other, anchoring each other. Finally Kurenai pulled away and wiped her tears before laughing and wiping Sora's tears. "The only reason a bride should cry on her wedding is because of happiness."

"I hate weddings," said Sora, allowing Kurenai to help her fix her make-up.

"Good thing you'll only have to do it once."

Sora had to laugh at that. Finally, Kurenai was satisfied with Sora's appearance. "You're lucky you aren't showing yet," said Kurenai.

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"I'm kidding, you still look beautiful." Kurenai laughed.

Sora rolled her eyes and ran her hand over her stomach. "Maybe our babies will marry each other," said Sora with a smile. "Then everything will come full circle."

"That'd be nice," agreed Kurenai. "Anyway, I'm going to go now. You've kept Kakashi waiting long enough!"

Quickly Kurenai exited the room, leaving Sora alone. Sora walked back to the mirror and gazed at her reflection. This was it, she was marrying Hatake Kakashi.

"Hatake Sora," she whispered what would be her new name out loud for the first time and her heart fluttered. Maybe she was excited for this after all. Running a hand through over her smooth hair done up in a complicated knot she stood tall and exited the room.

The wedding took place at the Hatake Manor with limited guests. Sora carefully walked through her hardwood-floored hallway with petals that led her outdoor to the backyard.

The wedding guests stood when they saw Sora. Tsunade, Gai, Sakura, Naruto, Kurenai, and Yamato were in attendance. Aside from their friends who had passed on, those were the only people Kakashi and Sora wanted at their wedding. Tonbo, who was in Sakura's arms, smiled upon seeing her mom so beautifully dressed.

"Mama," she called out, and Sora found herself blushing and beaming. Then she looked at Kakashi dressed in a black kimono, and he was all she saw.

Finally, she stood before him, and the wedding officiator began the ceremony. Kakashi and Sora decided to have a traditional ceremony. The officiator asked for Sora and Kakashi to join hands so he could tie a red ribbon around their hands. Carefully, Sora placed her hand in Kakashi's, his hand calloused and his grip sure. Sora could tell he smiled at her from behind his mask as the officiator bound their hands together.

The ceremony went by in a blur. Three sips of sake each from the same cup the officiator passed between them and there was one thing left to do before the red ribbon was untied and they were husband and wife. Kakashi and Sora decided not to exchange rings. Instead, they exchanged headbands. The officiator finally untied their hands so Sora could tie Kakashi's headband around his head, gently tugging it down over his left eye. Kakashi then took his headband and tied it around Sora's neck instead of her head, so he wouldn't mess up her hair.

"You may kiss the bride."

Sora smiled up at Kakashi, knowing he wouldn't pull his mask down in front of all of their friends. So she gently met his lips through his mask, knowing the real kiss would come much later after everyone had left and Tonbo had gone to bed.

"You are now man and wife."

o0o

A couple months later…

"Kakashi…"

Sora stood in front of the Hatake manor, her amethyst eyes wide with worry as Kakashi stood before her with Tonbo in his arms. The little girl cried and clung to her father's neck. She knew by the way her parents whispered to each other and the way her mom cried when she thought no one was watching that her daddy was going away for a very long time.

Gently, Kakashi moved his crying daughter to his hip so he could look into the eyes of his wife. She had cried more often in recent months, but she wouldn't cry now, and for that he was thankful. Kakashi didn't think he could go with her tears the last thing he saw.

"I wish I could go too," she whispered to him, stepping into the free arm he offered, pressing her close. Just then, the baby kicked powerfully in her stomach, and Kakashi felt it too. "It's not right that I'm here while you're out there and…" Sora trailed off, afraid to say what might happen.

The shinobi world she had protected all of her life had entered war, and Kakashi was needed as a leader. The last time he left during the Konoha Invasion of Pain, he had died, but had come back to life. That little bit of knowledge nearly gave Sora an anxiety attack.

"I know," Kakashi said into Sora's red hair, breathing in her scent, memorizing the feel of her body, but it brought him comfort knowing she was here instead of at the war. If she had gone to battle, she would have been in a different division from him since their fighting styles were very different. And if she was in a different division, he couldn't watch over her.

"You'll have Kurenai and Mirai here with you," said Kakashi. Sora and Kakashi invited Kurenai and her daughter Mirai into the Hatake Manor so that they could watch over each other.

"And I've secured the house with a chakra-infused ward," said Sora. Of course she had, thought Kakashi. Sora would do everything she could.

"Kakashi-san, it's time. We can't be late." Sora looked over Kakashi's shoulder to a stern looking jonin who waited to escort Kakashi to the battlefield.

Kakashi nodded once and returned his gaze to Sora.

"I'll be back in no time," he said, smiling through his mask. "Just take care of yourself and Tonbo and get rest. I know this pregnancy is tough on you. You're technically on bed rest. Oh that reminds me, I have gifts."

"Gifts? At a time like this, gifts?!"

Kakashi ignored Sora's voice that had risen in volume and pitch. From his pocket he pulled out a small box and handed it to Sora. Sora opened it to reveal a gold ring with a single, circular ruby. Kakashi took the ring out and placed it on her left finger. "I know you didn't want a ring, but it was an impulse buy," said Kakashi with a wink, knowing Sora stressed shopped for ridiculous things. "It reminded me of the Will of Fire, and I still think you need a wedding ring."

Kakashi then carefully placed Tonbo on the ground beside her mother. Tonbo met her father with the same onyx stare he had, and Kakashi's heart nearly dropped from his chest. "And for you, I have this." Kakashi produced a tanto. "I used this while in ANBU. You're going to grow up to be a wonderful shinobi, just like your mama. Protect Mama, okay?"

"Yes, Daddy," said Tonbo, clutching the sheathed tanto to her little body.

"And there's this." The chime of bells rang out through the courtyard as Kakashi produced two bells separated. Both were on strings long enough to be necklaces. He placed one of the bells over Tonbo's head. Tonbo flicked it once, smiling at the sound it made.

"When I get back, your training as a shinobi starts," Kakashi promised.

He stood back up and looked at Sora. "My White Light Chakra Sabre is in our closet. I'm saving that in case we have a son," said Kakashi, touching Sora's protruding stomach. He then took her hand and placed the second bell necklace in it. He smiled at her. "In case I don't come back, make sure our son gets this necklace and the Sabre. It was my dad's too. And when you train them, train them to move swiftly and elegantly in a way so that the bells they wear no longer make sounds."

Kakashi saw Sora's face. "But don't worry, I'll be back. Then no more missions for a while. I promise."

"Kakashi." Sora threw her arms around his neck. Swiftly she pulled down his mask and kissed him hard on the lips before pulling away and pulling his mask back up. "Come back home, Kakashi," she said.

"With you here, I always will. I will defend you and our family and Konoha with my life. I promise." Kakashi smiled at his wife.

"Kakashi-san, we really must go."

"Of course." Kakashi ruffled Tonbo's head and looked at Sora one last time, memorizing what his family looked like.

"I love you," Sora whispered. She knew if she spoke any louder, her voice would break with a sob.

"I love you, Hatake Sora."

Sora held Tonbo's hand, and both the Hatake girls watched the back of the man they loved as he left.

o0o

For the next couple of days, Kurenai and Sora attempted to keep occupied with their children as they heard the sounds of battle rage on. Feeling powerful vibrations through the land as the sky went dark.

Sora kept it together for Tonbo and Kurenai and Mirai. But every night without Kakashi, she spent countless hours awake, tears spilling down her cheeks as she prayed for Kakashi to return home.

It was 5 days later when she was watching Tonbo play outside that she heard the front door open. Quietly, she pulled out a kunai from her sleeve and stood.

"I'll be back, Tonbo-chan," said Sora, wandering into her home. The sounds of war had stopped a couple days ago and everything had been eerily quiet. She knew Kurenai and Mirai were napping, and no one should be visiting.

Silently, she made her way to the front door. What she saw made her drop her weapon.

Batter, bruised, bloody, tired, but still standing was Kakashi. "K-Kakashi!" Sora rushed to him, as fast as her pregnant body would allow her to.

Kakashi opened his arms wide and caught her, pulling her into a crushing hug. "I promised I'd come back, didn't I?"

"You're a man of your word," said Sora.

"We won," said Kakashi. "The battle is over. Also...I may or may not have a new title soon."

"What is it?"

"Hokage."

"HOKAGE?!"

Sometimes Sora really hated how Kakashi could be so nonchalant about these kind of things.

o0o

1 year later…

Sora sat on a checkered blanket, rocking the bundle of blue blanket and baby in her arms as she watched Tonbo and Kakashi train in an open field. At almost 4 years old, Tonbo showed remarkable skill. Just as Kakashi wished, Tonbo could wear the bell necklace he had given her and move swiftly without make it ring. Now Kakashi and Tonbo practiced weaponry, Tonbo using the tanto her father had given her.

"Keep your arm up." Kakashi used his wooden tanto that he used for training his daughter and thwacked her on the wrist, causing her to drop her tanto. Tonbo grabbed her wrist, biting her bottom lip, underneath the black mask she wore like her father, to keep from crying.

Kakashi put a comforting arm around his daughter. "You're doing much better, but you need to remember to keep your arm up."

"Yes, Dad."

"Let's take a break."

Kakashi walked over to the blanket to sit next to Sora. Today, he had taken the day off from Hokage duties. Since becoming Hokage, he had also appointed Sora as one of the official advisers of the Hokage. She advised him to take a day off so he listened, much to the chagrin of Shikamaru who now had a mountain of paperwork because of this day off.

"Hold your son, Kakashi," said Sora with a smile, passing over the bundle.

Kakashi carefully took his son, looking at his sleeping face. Satoshi had inherited his silvery hair, and interestingly enough, his mother's amethyst eyes. Where Tonbo looked just like Kakashi, but with black hair, Satoshi looked like Sora with his regal nose and expressive eyes.

Tonbo quickly ran over and sat next to her mom. "Can we do shuriken training tomorrow, Mom," asked Tonbo.

"We'll try, Tonbo-chan," said Sora. The life of a Hokage and a Hokage's adviser was a busy one. Kakashi and Sora did whatever they could to spend time with their children.

Sora glanced at Kakashi and smiled. Now, Sora could see both of his onyx eyes instead of just one.

"You're staring, Sora."

"I always am."

"It's kind of weird," Kakashi admitted.

"You decided to marry me, Hatake Kakashi."

"And it was one of the best decisions I made, Hatake Sora."

Rebuilding Konoha was not an easy process, but she was glad she got to do so with Kakashi. Since the war, things had been relatively peaceful for the shinobi states. For that, Sora was grateful. She had little to worry about Kakashi going on a mission and never returning. Now, whenever Kakashi left, it was to meet with other Kages. Although she was one of his advisers, depending on where he was going, she often stayed back to care for her children instead of leaving them with a caregiver they hired.

Whenever Sora and Kakashi did have to separate, their hearts were no longer anxious. Kakashi and Sora knew they were bound very tightly to a fate beyond their control. People were born and people died. People lived and loved and changed and grew between these times. The shinobi life was often swift and dynamic, few were lucky enough to live a full and long life. Shinobi are not invincible, they are bound the same fate of birth and death as was every other human. Kakashi and Sora were reminded of that every time they looked at their children.

Sometimes, fate gives people the things they don't want. Children, marriage, the loss of friends, difficult pasts, and everything in between, binding them to a lifestyle they wouldn't have chosen on their own. Even so, sometimes these unplanned binds are some of the best blessings.

Fin.

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading this story. It has been an honor to have you follow, favorite, and review Binds Like a Blessing! Thank you for loving Kakashi, Sora, Tonbo, and Satoshi as much as I do.

Long live Naruto!