Forgiveness

They had to wait until Naruto left to make their great escape because she knew Naruto. It would have been an opportunity to call attention to her doing the same thing that she had berated him for doing several times in the past. He wouldn't pass it up.

That wasn't the only reason. Naruto cared for people, and he would know the risk the three of them were taking by removing Conner from the hospital. He would have fought her on it if only to make sure she was certain of her course of action, and then he'd help her.

Sakura opted not to let him know in the first place.

Conner, once they talked to him, readily agreed to the plan. He didn't feel like he had much to lose, and Sakura hated hearing those words come out of his mouth. It made her more willing to leave with Clark. She forced herself to be optimistic because it would do no good for Conner to see defeat on her face.

Besides, Team Seven didn't do defeat. Team Seven only gives up when they're dead.

It was an awkward flight. Clark had the foolish notion that she'd allow him to carry her in his arms while Conner rode on his back.

There was no way that her sick son was going to cling precariously to Clark's back if she had something to do about it-which she did. That was why Conner was in Clark's arms scowling furiously, and Sakura was on his back using chakra to ensure she didn't fall.

On the way there Sakura recalled the first time she had come to the Fortress. She remembered hearing of Lois, the woman Clark had lost. She remembered how he had grieved for her, and how she was at his side doing what she could to help get him through it.

Was that how it had started? That thing between the two of them. Had he rebounded with her? Was that why it hadn't worked out?

Before Sakura could work out an answer to those questions, they arrived at the Fortress. She moved closer to Conner while Clark let them inside. Sakura grabbed her son's elbow when he stumbled slightly. He tossed her a small grateful smile in return.

Clark, at Sakura's bidding, picked Conner up and carried him the rest of the way. That had earned her a dirty look from her boy, but Sakura didn't care. Once Clark assured that they were both comfortable, he produced a crystal that turned on his large computer.

Symbols flitted across the screen that Sakura's brain immediately translated without thought. Conner, who was seated right next to her, nudged her. When she looked at his face, she could tell he was puzzled.

"It's Kryptonian," Sakura explained. Clark turned and looked at both of them, but Conner didn't notice.

"You understand it."

Sakura touched her forehead. "My Master has ensured that I understand all languages in this world."

Sakura saw the awe on his face and preened a little.

"I can change it to English so that Conner understands as well," Clark began. "Some things may be lost in translation but—"

"No, don't. We won't take that chance. I'll read aloud to Conner—we'll take turns."

So Clark and Sakura read a Kryptonian medical textbook aloud to Conner until he fell asleep his head resting on Sakura's shoulder.

:::

They continued the search while Conner slept and Clark kept feeling Sakura's eyes boring into him. She wanted to know something, and he wanted her to talk to him, so he asked, "What is it?"

It was with that very little encouragement that she spoke up. "Do you think we'll find anything to help Conner here?"

"I don't know. But, no stone unturned, right?"

Sakura nodded slowly and shifted so she could rest a hand on top of Conner's head. It struck him just how well motherhood suited Sakura. It made him wish things had been a lot different. Maybe she was as attuned to his moods as he was to hers, still, when she asked, "What?" He was surprised.

He took the chance because he didn't think he'd get it again. "Why couldn't we ever make things work between us?"

He saw her lips twitch. "Because you're an ass."

"You're stubborn."

"Pot and Kettle." Sakura looked away. "And maybe that's the answer there Clark. We're too much alike in the wrong ways."

"Do you believe that?"

"I believe I loved you. I also believe that love wasn't enough. I don't know what else you want me to say. I don't even know why you're here, to be honest."

"I'm here because I still love you—and I know you don't feel the same. I know you have Barry now, but I would give anything if you could at least forgive me…for being that ass, for taking you for granted, for letting you go."

Sakura went very still. Clark could see her eyes well up with tears that she refused to let fall.

"I'm sorry, Clark. We can parent Conner. I know we can coexist peacefully, but I'll never, ever forgive you."

It was one of the worst blows that Clark had ever received. It was right up there with Lois' death.

"You forgave Sasuke." It was the wrong thing to say. He knew it, but Sakura just nodded.

"I did, but there's a big difference between you and Sasuke. Sasuke's an ass. He's been an ass since we were genin. I knew that. I knew going into the relationship that he was going to hurt me. I knew I was going to have to forgive him again and again and again."

"Sakura—"

"I knew deep down," Sakura plowed on, "that my relationship with Naruto and Sasuke was never going to last. The relationship was never on level ground. It was a ticking time bomb. But as I said, I've known both of them for a long time. When our relationship blew up, I knew eventually we'd make up. That's what my team does. We come back together again and again and again. Maybe differently, but that's what we do."

"He loves you."

"They love me," She says it with confidence that she never felt before, "but I can never be with them in that capacity again. Sasuke is going to fight that because that's what he does. He always has to have a war to wage, but Naruto will keep him in check."

"So, what does that say about us? I hurt you more than he did?"

"No. No one does pain like Sasuke." Sakura looked down and smiled wryly.

Superman cleared his throat when Sakura didn't seem willing to say anything more. "Then why, Sakura?"

"Because I'm afraid of what will happen if I forgive you. So I just won't."