Kakashi sat up in the darkness of his own living room. Nothing but a thin ray of moonlight illuminated the room. It had been over a month since Sakura and Sarada moved in with him, not that he was complaining. He rubbed the back of his head with his hand and groaned. The more he slept on his couch, the more his missed his large comfortable bed.
The bed that Sakura was currently asleep in and that he soon hoped would be one that held both of them together.
He knew it would be. It would be very soon.
He needed to get up and moving a little more to make it to the gate on time.
-flashback to that morning-
"Kakashi-same, he came by today to sign the papers." Riiwa eyed him closely.
"Hm?" He hummed, feigning ignorance to her statement.
"Don't play with me," She snapped, "I know this is why you're here right? Same as every week."
"Alright, Riiwa-san, you caught me!" He crinkled his eyes at her.
"His signature is on there. The divorce will be final with my stamp of approval. Which I will do tomorrow morning. I will send a hawk to her letting her know. Now go, she's all yours."
"Thank you, Riiwa-san." He bowed lowly and practically skipped out of her office.
-end flashback-
As he stood, Kakashi heard and felt an uncomfortable pop in his back.
'This must really be what it is like getting old, my Gods!' He groaned to himself as he kept moving quietly toward the small kitchen, 'I need to be quiet. Sarada is leaving for her mission tomorrow and I can't wake her up.'
He peeked past the simple curtains and out of the window just above his sink as he filled a glass. It was quiet and calm. A sight that he reveled in, especially after seeing so much blood and gore in his life. The moon peeked just beyond the shadow of the trees that filled Konoha.
As his mind began to wander, his lips perked up at the corners as he thought about where his life had taken him.
If you had asked him twenty years ago what he thought of life, he would have said one word, miserable. Stuck in a constant state of suicidal thought and reckless behavior. Never knowing if he would come home from a mission or not. And, at that time, he was okay with it. He had no one he truly loved, no one relying on him at home. Only his comrades he could protect.
If you had asked him ten years ago what he thought of life, his answer would have been the same. But, he had something to live for now. And, that had been to care for the woman that he knew could never be his, in the best way that he could. And, the best way that woman would let him.
The same woman who fell at the feet of that arrogant Uchiha. The young woman that broke the ground before his very eyes. That brought him lunch and brightened his whole day just with a look. Who fell once again at the feet of the broken Uchiha, still in many ways, just a broken boy. The one that left him for six long, excruciating months only to come back heartbroken with a baby in her strong arms. The woman he fell in love with.
The woman he fell in love with…
If you were to ask him in that moment what he thought of life, he would have said one word, hopeful. That woman he loved so longsufferingly was now in his home. That woman loved him in return and he was hopeful.
'Soon…' He thought as he pushed the curtain back and moved his cup from under the overflowing water of his tap, 'Very soon.'
After he emptied his cup, he slipped his mask up over his face and slipped his sandals on and began to walk out the door. He stopped short and hooked his weapons pack onto his hip and strapped his holster to his thigh.
'Peace has made you soft, old man. You would have never left without all of your gear if it were ten years ago.'
He mentally chided himself all the way to the gates of the sleeping village. As he approached he saw and sensed that no one was anywhere near the entry or the exit besides the usual gate guards.
'Damn it! He's gone already?!'
Before he could get another breath in, he heard a deep voice.
"Why is it that when I try and leave, one of you is always here to bid me a fond farewell?" He heard the hiss come from the shadow of the gate.
The raven haired Uchiha was casually leaning against the dark gate, shadowing his entire form in darkness. Kakashi had to do a slight double take to make sure he actually saw him.
"Ah, so you were expecting me." Kakashi stated, unimpressed.
Sasuke scoffed at him then and the silver haired man bit the inside of his cheek to ebb away the irritation that filled him. It seems this conversation might not be as civil as he hoped for, but he wasn't going to back down now.
"Don't be so selfish, Kakashi. I was waiting for my wife to see me off. As she always does."
"Ex-wife." Kakashi corrected quickly, "You're a sick man, Sasuke. She doesn't even know the divorce is final yet."
"Why are you here?" His words dripping with venom, obviously ignoring his comments.
"I was not willing to let you leave without first giving you a piece of my mind." Kakashi stuffed his hands into his pockets, though always on guard, "I do not wish you ill, but I needed to say a few things."
"You? Give me?" The Uchiha mocked, "A piece of your mind? Now isn't that just fresh."
Kakashi raised a silver brow, keeping both eyes trained on the maniacal man.
"After you," he spat, "you, Kakashi, supposedly to be my friend and 'fearless leader', took my wife and turned her against me? And, you want to give me a piece of your mind? You're lucky that I haven't killed you on the spot."
Kakashi didn't move a muscle. He knew that Sasuke may just be crazy enough to try something at this point. And, he was ready. He took a deep breath then.
"After you left her. You left her, Sasuke! You were unfaithful to her! You refused to come back at her time of hurt. She was always there for you. And you stomped on her like she was nothing. You, Sasuke Uchiha, are scum."
Kakashi watched as the man's face twisted into a mess of anger, rage, fury, and something else, pain?
"I have held my tongue out of respect for Sakura. In hopes that you may eventually come around and fix what you broke again. But, now? Now that things are really and officially over, you are a piece of shit. I had hope for you, once. But, now, you are truly lost."
The was a tense pause before the raven haired man replied.
"You stole her from me and made her hate me!" He spat once again.
"You did that yourself, Sasuke. I did not steal her. I just showed her what a real man should be. I was respectful and distant to a point. It was you that drove her into my arms." Kakashi did not flinch once as he watched the Uchiha charge at him.
With one single graceful move, the older man stepped out of the way and blocked the punch aimed at his face. He knew Sasuke was just letting his emotions take over then with such poor accuracy and execution.
"I will not fight you, Sasuke. You have already lost more than I would be able to bear today. You lost a great gift. I hope that one day, you will realize just what you lost. Because I will treasure her and Sarada for as long as I live."
Sasuke let out a huff and regained what little composure he had and stood, back turned to Kakashi. The dark of the night only shadowing more of the cold hearted man.
"Well, then. Have fun with my leftovers." He hissed as Kakashi felt his fist ball up, "Just know,"
His voice dropped to barely above a whisper, "You will never get her going the way that I did. You will never touch a part of her that my hands haven't been first. Let that sink in. I came in first. Me. Remember who she chose first."
With those spiteful words, he was gone.
Kakashi let out the breath that he didn't even realize he was holding in and closed his eyes.
Sasuke was gone.
His hand ached as his clenched fist had been drained of blood. Slowly releasing the tension on his enclosed fist, he turned and took a small step. Then another. Then another. Then another until he reached his old favorite spot.
The Cenotaph.
He sat at the foot of the large marble stone and traced the names with his fingers.
"Obito. Rin." He started softly, "I know it's been a while. Things have been busy… but that's no excuse to not see your precious people. So, for that I am sorry. But, he's gone. Sasuke is gone. He left the village with no hopes of returning. That's the impression I got at least. He didn't even say goodbye to his own daughter… Though if he does come back, I will have the pleasure of killing him myself."
He wiped a small tear away and laughed bitterly.
"Looks like I am finally coming down from some of the stress I have been holding onto so tightly. All of this is way more than what they taught us at the academy. They should have had a class on peace time and how to deal with real life. I knew opening up to someone would be risky. And, I knew that it could make you feel things that you don't want to feel…"
He paused briefly as he let the words begin to sink into him, a small smile coming to him.
"But, I am glad. Sakura is a real gem. Rin, I think you would have loved her dearly. She reminds me of you somewhat. Though I have probably already told you all of this a hundred times before. I wish that you and Obito were still here everyday. Who knows? Maybe we could have had dinners together and watch each other's children. Well your children. Can you imagine that? Uncle Kakashi? It has a nice ring to it."
He stopped and looked around, silently hoping that no one could hear him yammering on to a piece of rock. He spoke again once he confirmed that the coast was clear.
"Sakura doesn't know that the divorce is final yet. I only found out because I snooped every week for a month. And, maybe because I am still Rokudaime Hokage. She should find out tomorrow morning."
After an hour or so more of speaking to his long passed friends, he stood. Stretching his sore back and watching as the sun began to peek over the horizon on the east. He decided to pass the time and train alone.
"Sarada!" Sakura called from the living room, "You're going to be late!"
"I know, I know!" The girl ran into the room, taking a long drink of the milk and taking a slice of toast into her hand, "I'm sorry I can't eat with you!"
"Don't mind me! Get your shoes on and we will head to the gate. Your team is probably already there." Sakura pushed the sandals into Sarada's free hand.
"It seems like we've inherited some of Baba's bad habits." She smirked as they hurried down the street.
Sakura just grinned widely and pushed them forward.
"There they are!" Sakura heard Boruto yell.
"So obnoxious." Sarada murmured under her breath.
Once her daughter reached her teammate, she watched as she clobbered him over the head. Sakura couldn't help but smile as she reminisced about the times when she clobbered Naruto on the head for being just as obnoxious.
Once the team was set, Sakura reached out to poke the young girl on the forehead like she always did, but stopped halfway. She pulled her feminine hand back and instead pulled Sarada in for a tight, but gentle hug.
"Be safe, my sweet girl." She whispered.
"Always, Mama." She whispered back, "I love you."
"I love you too." Sakura pulled back, "Now go and do your best!"
"I always will!" She grinned and skipped off to meet her comrades pace.
Sakura grinned as she watched her daughter leave the village. She knew she could count on Sarada to do her best always. And, her team, as obnoxious and loud as it was, knew how to be a team and watch each other's backs.
She decided to do some window shopping as she slowly made her way back to Kakashi's apartment. If her and Sarada were going to live there, she was definitely going to decorate the place more and this would give her some ideas.
As Sakura admired a small, intricate piece of jewelry in the heart of downtown, a small hawk descended onto her forearm. Pulling the note from the metal spool on the animals ankle she read to herself.
Miss Haruno,
It is finalized. You have full custody. Papers are being sent out soon.
Good luck,
Riiwa
Sakura felt a tear sting at the corner of her eye as she read the short and simple note over and over again.
Sending the hawk back, she began walking, no, running to his house. To the man she loved. Freedom making her feet lighter than they had been in fourteen years. She ran toward that freedom. Headlong and without regret.
Kakashi opened the door to find the remains of a meal on the table and smiled.
'Looks like they were in a hurry!'
He slipped into the bathroom and turned the shower knob and watched as the faucet roared to life. Stripping out of his clothes quickly, he stepped into the welcoming oasis of steam and warmth.
He paused his washing after a few minutes, but only for a moment, when he heard his front door open and close.
Sakura burst through his door, barely shutting it behind her.
She frowned when she didn't see him in his normal spot on the couch, reading those damned dirty novels. Or at the kitchen table, polishing his kunai.
She paused to listen, as any novice ninja was trained to do and she heard the shower spraying.
'Damn it! He's in the shower!' She pouted as she went to sit on the couch to wait for him, but stopped halfway, 'Wait. I don't have to sit. Let's just see if he is up for a chat or more…'
She blushed deeply as she mustered all of the courage she had in her small frame as she made her way to the bathroom door and reached for the handle. Knowing that on the other side held a very steamy room and a very naked Kakashi.
She turned the knob, no regret entering her mind. She loved him. She wanted him. And, she definitely knew he wanted her.
Sakura swung the door open slowly and all she could see was a foggy glass shower door. One that she had seen a million times before. The only difference was the man behind that door. She watched for a moment as he continued rinsing his mop, as if she wasn't even there.
Had he really gone that soft? Not to notice her enter a room?
"Well are you going to join me? Or just stand there staring all day?" She was snapped back into the reality before her and she smiled as she undressed herself quickly.
"I thought you'd never ask." She smirked as one foot was placed on the cold tile and the other stepped into the hot water.
AHHHH! What did you guys think of the chapter? Our favorite couple is FINALLY having their moment! I think you all know what the next chapter is going to be! I am so excited about it! Thank goodness Sasuke is FINALLY gone! What a narcissist he is!
Please drop me a comment if you enjoyed it! I LOVE hearing from you guys!
ALSO! I AM REWRITING EACH CHAPTER! So, please keep checking back! Chapter one rewrites have been up for a while now and chapter two is coming SUPER soon! I have been keeping the story the same but adding details and more overall oomph to it all!
A special thank you to my wonderful friend and beta, generaltay! She is amazing! Go check out As If Fate Would Have It and Unity Without Sin. You will not be disappointed!
Thanks again guys!