Caged: Chapter 7

Locked and Sealed

A/N: Thanx to all those that have been reviewing, you're emails keep me MOTIVATED... so keep reviewing if you want more:) My reviewers, all of you, luv you guys! Ya'll so rock!

Apherion: First of all, I'm typing this under a drunken haze so if nothing makes sense, blame the alcohol, not me:) Second, thanx for all your opinions and being like my beta or something...I hope this still rises to yours and everyone else's standards..if not, you can flay me alive later!

DISCLAIMER: This is so freakin old.. why can't it just be stated in the first chap and be assumed the rest.. Naruto & friends still ain't mine, own nothing regarding them, my tought stuff , i guess. I do, however, own my original poem, Heartbreak, which I'm including in this chapter & possibly the next. Now on to what you guys have been waiting for!

Sitting on the bed, taking his hands and massaging his head he knew he was in deep trouble. He wanted to know why was Sakura so emotional and flighty. Also, he wanted to find out what Hinara was doing. He was tired of people screwing with his life. He'd fought most of his life for Konoha and it seemed he would now have to fight one of the most important battles of his life...the fight for Sakura and their love.

Getting dressed, he left to find Genma and get him to help piece this puzzle together, while maybe making Sakura see reason. His hopes weren't too high on the last thought. Their relationship may end up as Sakura said earlier, that it was over before it really began. Even he knew they could be great given a chance. Right now, though, fate seemed to be laughing it's ass off at their expense. He would make fate and Hinara pay no matter what!

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Naruto, Hinata, Ino, Shikamaru and Sakura, eating breakfast, entertaining each other with their most recent war stories and reminiscing, which some of their memories were better off buried. The five of them did this at least a couple times a week since Sakura found out she was expecting. Her friends wanted to make sure she was eating and taking care of herself and the baby.

Attempting to pick on Naruto, Sakura asked him when he was going to pop the question to Hinata. The shocked look on his face was priceless, like the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, seeing Naruto on the end of embarrassment was great. Sakura was getting payback for all the times with Sasuke that he caused trouble while causing her to suffer severe embarrassment.

"Sakura…I don't know when. I plan on it though." Looking at Hinata, he could easily imagine spending the rest of his life with her. He decided to turn the tables on Sakura now.

"So...Sakura...who's the father? If it hadn't been for yours and Ino's slip, we'd never known about it." Naruto smirked. He was pretty confident who the baby's father was.

Sakura took a moment to glance around; making sure no one important was within earshot. "Naruto, please don't be angry...just accept it and go on." She looked really nervous now; why he didn't know...not yet.

"Sakura…it's not like we're going to spread it around or something." Naruto knew it had to be someone special for her to act like this.

"Naruto, Hinata, Ino & Shika...I have to have your promise. Swear you won't breathe a word to a soul!"

"We promise." They all gave their solemn word that Sakura's secret wouldn't pass by their lips.

"Ok. I haven't known very long...I'm like around three months...more or less...but the father is none other than Hatake, Kakashi."

Silence echoed throughout the room. So quiet, you could hear the slightest breath. This is what bothered Sakura because she just wanted them to accept it without hesitation. Maybe it'd been too much to ask of any of them or all of them. Knowing she had Ino's support already, she told them, "He doesn't know, not yet. When I walked in to his place and found that girl in his bed...well…I lost my courage, refusing to tell him!"

Hinata looked at Sakura. "You have our support, Sakura, no matter what." The young girl worked her way further into Sakura's good graces with that one sentence.

A hand lightly touched her arm, surprising her. It owner, Ino, gazing at Sakura with fire in her eyes spouted hotly, "Fight for him, Sakura. Don't let that she-devil have him! It's bad enough she's possibly might cause you to lose him forever splitting up the future of your family." Ino glanced around the table at what friends were present and continued on. "We're here and we'll even help to get rid of her. That Hinara's screwing with the wrong couple! Hell, there's even a bet going on at both the Chuunin and Jounin HQ's! She's messing with our friends and our money...ain't gonna happen!"

Taken over by her overwhelming happiness, thought her friend's staunch defense of her and Kakashi, she closed her eyes. Deep in her heart she wanted nothing more than to fight and kill the bitch but it wouldn't go over will with Tsunade. "Well guys, I'm going to do my best...our baby needs a father and I'll be damned if I let her interfere!"

Naruto and Ino both jumped up with her short, fiery speech, fists pumping, hollering "Hell yeah. Sakura's back!"

Everyone smiled. Knowing how both Ino and Naruto were their loud exclamation didn't faze anyone in the slightest.

Behind them, however, the chuunin group failed to notice two jounin sitting there, eavesdropping. When it was made known that Kakashi was the father of Sakura's baby, Genma practically dropped his senbon from between his lips. Asuma sat still; he'd been in the process of taking a drag from his cigarette, which he was still holding in mid air.

"Genma, I think fate needs to intervene. If it weren't for Hinara, Kakashi would already be aware that he's going to be a father. But then again... should we butt in?" Conflicted by everything they heard, neither was sure what to do. Genma made the final decision and shared it with Asuma.

"I think we should tell him. Put it this way, if Kurenai were to get pregnant, wouldn't you want to know?" Genma already knew the answer but putting the question to his chain-smoking friend would help him make up his mind.

"Hell, yeah, I'd wanna know. If some bastard tried what Hinara's doing…I'd freaking kill him." The rage in Asuma's eyes made Genma glad that wasn't the case.

"Alright, let's go then. We need to go find us a silver top."

Both jounin pushed their chairs away, walking out, faces spread with mischievous smirks. Anyone seeing that should've run for cover. The last time they wore twin smiles that mischievous, let's just say it pertained to a bachelor party gone extremely wild. Tsunade herself almost raked them over the coals for it, making them swear it'd never happen again. Genma, in his mind, however knew that when Kakashi got married, they'd have one hell of a party!

The five chuunin heard the scrape of chairs, paying no attention to the patrons vacating them. Still discussing Sakura's problem, they were confident that they'd solved it. Shikamaru looked at Sakura worriedly. "Sakura…you alright? You look a little worn out."

"I'm a little tired I guess. Haven't been getting much sleep the last few days. Wonder why..." she sarcastically ended. Getting up she said, "Well, I'm going home to get some rest. God knows I'm gonna need plenty to carry out our plans for me to win back Kakashi. See ya guys later. Bye." She walked towards the door, waving before she exited.

Naruto looked at the remaining three, besides himself, wishing that everything works out. "Ino", he began, "We've all got to make a pact, here and now, that whatever happens we need to be available for her anytime, day or night. You agree?"

Enthusiastically shaking her blonde head, "I'm in. I'm her best friend after all. What kind of friend would I be to leave her in the cold at a time like this?"

Ino glancing around at all of them, her gaze stopping back at Naruto, "So Naruto... you're in?"

"Damn straight!"

Ino continued, "Shika…you in?"

"This is so troublesome...but, yeah, I'm in."

Ino knew he was a lazy ass, but his mind was like sharpened steel, and besides, she loved him like crazy! "Hinata…what about you?"

Hinata glanced back at Ino. "Damn right I'm in. This bitch ain't getting Kakashi." The hatred in Hinata's voice surprised everyone. They'd never, NEVER heard her swear so it was like a shock to the system. "What? Just because I don't curse like Naruto all the time in public doesn't mean I don't know a word or two."

Ino, Shikamaru and Naruto shut their mouths. Not knowing who started first, they all were laughing so hard that they couldn't breathe. This went on for several minutes then everyone said their goodbyes going in their separate directions.

Time was flying swiftly for Genma and Asuma. They'd been trying to track down Kakashi all morning. Finally they decided to check team seven's training grounds. Maybe that's where they'd locate their prey. Five minutes later, they arrived to see their best friend leaning against a tree trunk reading one of the Icha, Icha volumes.

Genma was the first to speak. "Kakashi…you got to stop reading that stuff man. Get a woman, lay off the porn, it's that simple." Trying hard to hold in his laughter, he acknowledged that his news would be enough to force him to shut that hentai book! Inside he was cackling like a maniac because he's fixing to freak Kakashi clear out. Many years the two had been friends with nary a good opportunity to do that. Kakashi was always on his guard, though, with friends, it tended to drop somewhat.

"What do you want Genma?" Kakashi glanced up at him, surprised to see Asuma there as well. Narrowing his unhidden eye, he figured that it was something big for those two to show up together.

"Kakashi, when's the last time you talked to your little cherry blossom?" God, he was so anxious to break the news, it was almost killing him. Like a child at Christmas, salivating over presents, but being told it would be tomorrow before they can be opened.

"The last couple of times it wasn't even talking... more like arguing!" Kakashi tried to keep the depressed tone out of his voice. With these two, the last thing he needed or wanted was to have them interfering!

"Hmmm. Asuma and I just happened to be at breakfast this morning. Your favorite kunoichi along with a few friends were there, too."

Sighing, Kakashi closed his book. "Get to the point, Genma. I don't have all day to verbally fence with you."

"It turns out that Tsunade's young apprentice just so happens to be..." Hesitating to say it for he wanted all of Kakashi's attention with the dramatics of it…

"Sakura's pregnant."

Asuma and Genma watched as Kakashi's eye widened. They had him hook, line and sinker.

"What?" She's pregnant? Wh-Who's the father?" Anticipation and anxiety took hold; he wanted to know if it's not his, what happened and who did it! Black rage, already rising to the surface...if anyone had hurt her he'd know, wouldn't he? Wouldn't she have told him? Didn't she trust him? Then again, with the last few days, she'd even refused to see him much less speak with him.

Asuma took over at this point in the conversation. "Interesting thing really, she told her friends that it was none other...than YOU!" Taking a drag from his cigarette, he momentarily enjoyed his friend's surprise.

"Me? She said the baby was mine?"

"Hai." Both jounin couldn't resist answering at the same time.

"Thank you both for passing this intelligence to me. I've got to find her…we've got quite a few things to work out. You two really are my best friends...thanks again. See ya." Smoke puffed and he was gone.

"So Asuma…I bet you twenty bucks we'll be throwing Kakashi a bachelor party before he gets wedded to Sakura. I'd say…oh…within four months. What do you say?"

Asuma smirked right back at his fellow jounin. "I'll take that bet. I'll say their marriage will be in three months, though. They've got it my friend," he said knowingly.

Genma looked confused. "What do they have?"

"A connection...not just purely physical, but spiritual as well. They are well suited for one another. Kinda reminds me of Kurenai and myself at times."

Genma stretched saying, "We've done our part. Now we sit back and watch the shit hit the fan." He started laughing after he said that because he knew Hinara would be a major obstacle to get over or around. However it could be done, they'd do it. "You wanna go spar or drink?"

Crossing his arms, Asuma informed him, "I don't feel like a spar right now so I vote drink."

"Let's go then. Good thing Kunai's is open all day. Course we jounin keep that place rockin'!"

Genma and Asuma took off walking, it was too hot to haul ass to Kunai's for drinking. Besides that, they didn't want to throw up from the heat. They kept up a conversation punctuated by a lot of laughing, swearing and their number two favorite activity, drinking being number one; betting. Their voices and bodies eventually faded from sight.

Unbeknownst to the two handsome jounin, a shadow squatted behind some bushes, clearly hearing every word stated.

"Well, Miss Sakura... I think you're due for a little accident." The shadow was gone before its presence could even be detected, but judging by the jounins joviality, they would never have noticed.

Sakura, on her way back to her apartment, suddenly stopped when a form stepped in front of her; effectively blocking her path. Looking up, she was seeing the man that held the key to everything. She couldn't help eyeing his muscular form or staring at his face, even though half of it was covered. Silver hair gleaming, in her eyes, he appeared like an angel to her.

"Sakura I must speak with you. You're angry with me, I know, but I want a chance to explain."

She gave a hauntingly sad but beautiful smile. "I know. I have things to discuss with you also. Come with me, I'm heading back to my apartment. I'd like to do this is private; we already have too many ears listening now as it is."

Grabbing his hand, Sakura saw the shock is his revealed eye; she could've laughed with the irony of it all. Heading to her apartment, neither of the lovers spoke a word, afraid of harming the fragile thread holding them together. Climbing up the stairs to her apartment she never released his hand, not even to unlock the door, letting them in.

"Kakashi, make yourself at home. I'll get us some tea to drink." Immediately heading toward the kitchen, she opened the cabinets, grabbing two cups along with the sugar. Breathing deeply trying to fortify her courage, god knows it was going to take it to get her through this! Pouring the tea she called out to him, "How many lumps of sugar?"

"One is fine."

"Ok." Holding the cups and going to the living room, she handed Kakashi his cup then she sat down. "Do you want to go first or should I?"

"If you don't mind... I'd like to go first. I need to get this out." Sakura hardly ever saw him this resolute about something. She watched his jaw harden and then relax.

Taking a breath, Kakashi started. "First I want to say that I love you and only you. Hinara doesn't mean jack to me." He watched as Sakura tensed at the mention of Hinara's name but continued onward. "She's been after me ever since the mission in Suna. Partly, she was my mission... I was to guard her along with the Kazekage, Gaara, from assassins. Hinara's a really important dignitary in Suna. It wasn't discovered till lately, also, that she's Gaara's half sister, older apparently."

"One day we were in the market place. She wanted to buy some really expensive lotions and perfumes, so it was my duty to accompany her. She was standing at a merchant's stand when out of the blue, she was attacked. An assassin held a kunai to her throat-"

"Some big loss that would've been." The sarcasm easily rolled off her tongue but she couldn't help it. She HATED, really hated, Hinara. "I'm sorry, Kakashi. Go on."

"This assassin was holding her and would've slit her throat had I not stepped in. Unfortunately for him, I used my sharigan, forcing him to let her go; then that's when I killed him. The same weapon keeping her hostage... I buried in his throat. Starting that day, it's been horrible. She's always following, doing things like you've seen recently. It's tiring and I don't want to do anything to cause trouble for Tsunade; but I'm almost out of ideas."

"The morning you saw her in my bed…I went to Genma asking him about it. There's no doubt I went home alone. Apparently, she crawled into my bed, naked, intending for you to find us. She's been trying to break us apart since she's arrived. She grates on my nerves and I can't stand her. She's turned out to be a vicious woman that when she doesn't get her way…well, she'll make things difficult."

All of this was pushing Sakura's rage button badly. Next she had to tell Kakashi what her new orders from Tsunade are, knowing he won't like it. "Kakashi, I've received new orders from the Hokage. Everyone that came back in from the Suna mission has to be put through a physical, to make sure of their health for all our safety. This also includes all the Konoha Nin's that went as well. So that means in the next few days, I expect to see you in the hospital to get it done." She watched his face carefully. Sakura knew about Kakashi's hate of hospitals, though no one ever explained why.

"I'll come." There's the grim determination he's known famously for. "In return, I want you to answer a question for me. I've heard a rumor and I need to know the truth regardless."

Feeling uncomfortable under his close scrutiny, she shook her head. "I'll answer it if I know the answer." It was the least she could do. Deep in her heart she already knew the question he wanted to pose in her direction.

"Ask away."

"I heard from Genma that you're pregnant. Is this true and if so, who's the father?" He didn't want to put her though this but he had to know. He noticed she paled a little more with each statement and question he spoke.

"Kakashi... it's...true. I am pregnant." Tears were welling in her eyes, yet to fall.

Kakashi closed his eyes. "Who's the father then?" Waiting with bated breath, he prayed she'd say it was him.

Sobbing, Sakura told him, "The father is...YOU, Kakashi." She closed her eyes, afraid of what she'd see. Censure, anger, she wasn't sure.

He opened his visible eye breathing a sigh of relief. Rising from his seat and crossing over to her, taking her in his arms, saying, "Sakura, don't be sad. I plan on being with you every step of the way here on out. Is it a boy or girl?"

"Don't know yet. It's still a little early for that. Tsunade won't know for about another two months."

"Stay with me, please. I want to enjoy all of this with you. Say you will?"

"I'll think about it. I promise. I've got so much going on the next few days. First round of physicals start tomorrow and Hinara's in that group for tomorrow. I'm getting a headache thinking about it already." Sighing, she reached up to hug him then running her fingers over his features, slowly pulling his mask down. With that last barrier gone, she leaned forward, kissing him with such tenderness that it warmed his heart, knowing he'd never deserve her.

Pulling back he watched her face carefully when imparting his warning about Hinara to her. "Sakura, tomorrow, be careful around Hinara. She's very devious and a spoiled bitch. Have someone with you at all times. I don't even want to know her reaction to our expectant news. She'll probably hit the roof. So promise me, you won't let your guard down with her."

"I promise. Anything for you...you know that, right?" Smiling she knew she'd die for him it that's what it took to keep him safe.

"I have an amazing feeling of déjà vu right now. Haven't we covered this in a previous conversation?" Smiling and winking at her, the urge to flirt, he couldn't resist.

"Why I believe we have...oh well. I've got to get in the bed. Physicals start promptly at eight AM. Too early for me really, but I don't have a choice in the matter."

"Would you mind if I stayed the night. I don't want to leave you alone. Coupled with the news I'm going to be a father, it's been quite a day. You've made me so happy, Sakura! Never doubt that, regardless of what happens in the future." Standing up with her in his arms, she still felt too light. "Out of curiosity…how far along are you?"

Smiling shyly, replying, "About three months give or take a little."

"Our baby was conceived the night before I left on my mission, I take it?"

"Yes. At first, I was depressed. You were out there; I was here wanting so badly to tell you and never knowing when you'd return. I was going to tell you the first day you got back, but that's when everything got crazy. I'm sorry for acting childish the way I did. I never even stopped long enough to hear your side of the story. I saw her, I saw you, I saw red, and then I couldn't tell you. I'd made up my mind not to say a word." Taking a breath to continue on with her story, she knew this next part would not make him happy for sure.

"I'd even gone so far to make a deal with Neji. He's been a really good friend to me lately. I spilled everything to him, even about Hinara and the way you were acting at first. He said if I needed a husband and father for our child that he would be it. Neither of us were sure how'd you handle finding out about the baby. You'd never shown an inclination about having children and I was scared at the time, still am actually. Neji, Ino, Naruto and Hinata have helped me so much, reminding me of doctor appointments, eating sleeping and so forth. At that time, I was so depressed they were all afraid of what I'd do. Between them and thoughts of you and our baby, I pulled through. I never want to be without you again. I wanted to tell you this so you'd understand a little of what I'd been going through."

"So... does this mean I can stay?"

Listening to the sound of his husky voice, she wasn't sure if sleep would be an issue of not. Smiling, she looked directly in his eyes letting him know without a doubt what she wanted. "Yes... you can stay."

Carrying her off to her bedroom; laying her down gently. Stripping down to his boxers, lying down beside her, wrapping his taut arms around her, he whispered to her, "I love you, Sakura. Go to sleep now. I'll watch over the both of you and I'll never leave you again", he swore softly.

Tiredly, she mumbled, "I love you too, Kakashi. More than anything and I'll hold you to your promise."

Even though he didn't have the byakugan, he could see her smiling in the dark, lit by the light of his heart.

Kakashi, for years, always had trouble sleeping, but with Sakura by his side, he fell into a deep slumber in minutes.

Outside Sakura's window, a pair of eyes blazed in absolute fury. "That pink haired bitch. I'll get rid of her and then he'll be all mine." The shadow leaned forward to reveal an extremely obsessed, pissed off Hinara. Jumping from her perch in the tree next to Sakura's window, she ran off into the darkness.

Awoken by a kiss place on her lips, she lazily opened her eyes. The sight she beheld was beautiful. Kakashi was leaning over her, telling her good morning.

"Time to wake up sleepy head, you have all those wonderful physicals to do and breakfast to eat before doing that." He looked over to the side of the bed showing her what he'd brought; eggs, bacon, toast and orange juice.

Her eyes bulged and her mouth watered. Quickly devouring all on the tray, she wiped her mouth. "Oh that was so good. I'm stuffed. I don't know how I can move now."

Smiling he told her, "If I have to... I'll carry you all the way there, myself", he threatened.

"That's not much of an incentive. What if I want you to carry me?" She loved teasing and flirting with him. It came as easily as her camaraderie with Sasuke and Naruto.

"Well, let's just say you wouldn't like my mode of transportation." His smile had switched from teasing to devilish in no time flat.

"Really…and just what are you going to do? Hmm?" Laughing at him was fun but he was also unpredictable at times.

"Let's just say I'd carry you over my shoulders like a sack of potatoes."

Trying to appear indignant, she replied back, "You wouldn't dare!"

"Honey, dares are my specialty. If you want to check that... ask Genma."

"Alright, already. No sack of potatoe carrying for me. Besides, I'd throw up that wonderful breakfast you slaved over for me." Grinning slyly she knew she had this one in the bag. "I'll get up anyway and get ready. I'd be the laughingstock of all the medics showing up with you toting me, no thanks."

Getting up she quickly showered, getting dressed, awaiting Kakashi to walk her there. Sitting in the living room staring out the front window, she contemplated what all was to come. Hearing steps coming down the hall, she raised her eyes, ogling her lover. Whether he knew it or not, he took her very breath away. It was all in the way he looked, in the way he moved; it showed in everything. Kakashi, to Sakura, was in all things, perfect to her.

Holding out his hand, pulling her up. He held her tightly, leaning in and kissing her with such passion that it left her week kneed. His kiss ended too abruptly for her taste but she knew they had to get a move on. He had training with a new cell and her, her physicals. Oh how she dreaded them. They were going to take up most of her day; also they had to be done.

"Shall we get going, Sakura?"

"We should if we don't want to be fashionably late like you. Then again, should we ruin your record by your being on time?" Sakura loved picking on him as much as Naruto. Difference was, she didn't love Naruto the way she loved Kakashi.

Laughing, they walked out the door, headed towards the hospital.

Walking into the hospital entrance, casually strolling through the corridors until they reached the room where the physicals were being done. Glancing around, Sakura noticed that almost all the required examinees were present and accounted for included, the ultimately dreaded, Hinara.

Hinara and Sakura locked eyes the severe dislike felt tangible to all those present, making them uncomortable. Sakura broke contact first, heading over to her examination table, readying herself for the first exam.

Kakashi followed her, when she stopped at the exam table, he hugged her close, briefly kissing her lips. "Sakura, remember what I said. Please take care. None of really know what she's capable of...she is Gaara's sister after all." Kissing her forehead gently he said, "I'll be back around lunchtime, if you can get away, maybe we can have a quiet lunch together."

"I'd like that very much Kakashi. Go away so you'll hurry up and come back!" She smiled her brightest just for him, turning away to call the first examinee.

Kakashi turned, leaving the room, but hesitated outside the door. He'd talk to Naruto and several others about watching out for her if he couldn't. Sakura could protect herself but in her pregnant state...what if the baby is feeding off her chakra, therefore weakening her? They didn't really know what to expect at this point. Anyway, as usual, he was late for his new team, but who was he to break with tradition?

Three hours later Sakura was on the last exam. Sure enough, it just had to be Hinara, who was scowling at Sakura ferociously. "Hinara, I'm ready for you now."

Hinara jumped up on the table ready to get this over with. It was completely and utterly annoying. By the order of the Hokage it had to be done, though.

"Ok, Hinara. I need to draw blood first, just for some labwork. I know it's been over a couple of weeks since you've been here and you're ready to go home. After I've drawn your blood, I just need to do a brief physical examination, nothing really, just part of the whole package. Any questions?" Sakura thought I hope I can get this done quickly... I can't stand breathing the same air as her much less being in the same room.

Drawing the blood took a couple of minutes and requiring Sakura to fill about four tubes of blood. Sakura instructed Hinara to lie down for the rest and then the physical would be completed.

Breathing calmly, Sakura gently begin to send small waves of chakra into her patient to reassure her that everything's fine and that there was nothing out of the ordinary. Several moments later, Sakura received the answer she needed and was through. Letting Hinara sit back up, she gave her two sheets of papers to sign, so the Hokage would know that it'd been done.

Sakura turned her back to walk away, when she was suddenly spun from behind. There was Hinara, her lovely face a mask of hatred, pushing her into the wall with such force it knocked many items off the wall,even causing the wall to crack somewhat. Sakura's eyes widened in fear. She'd made the mistake of dismissing Kakashi's warning, letting all the other medics go ahead to lunch while she finished Hinara's exam.

Hinara held Sakura by the throat, whipping out a hidden kunai. "You think you won the battle, bitch. You've won nothing. Kakashi will be mine by hook or by crook as they say. First things first, to eliminate the bastard child you carry. The one you claim is his. I didn't realize you were so conniving that you'd let yourself be impregnated by someone else then claim it to be Kakashi's. All that so he'd stay with you and ignore me. I can give him so much more. You're so weak". Hinara increased her grip on Sakura's throat, choking off her only way to bring help.

Hinara continued her cruel diatribe, "I'll make him love me but in order for that... I have to get rid of YOU!" She was teetering a fine line between crazy and psychotic. "I reiterate, I have to kill you and your bastard child and then Kakashi will be mine." The laugh that Hinara released sent chills down Sakura's spine. "Die." With that word, Hinara plunged the kunai into Sakura's stomach causing her to scream what little she could.

Blood began running out of her womb, through her stomach and unto the floor. Hinara was so sure of her demise that she released Sakura, letting her slide slowly to the floor. Silent tears running down her face, tears for her unborn child, tears for Kakashi; he'd never know the child that she carried. Damn that bitch! If she made it out of this alive she'd kill her. Her vision growing blurry, eventually darkening into nothin. Her last thoughts were of Kakashi and their baby. She collapsed the final distance to the cold floor;knowing nothing more.

A/N... This is it for now...sorry to leave you with a cliffie... jk... i'm not leaving you with a cliffie. Sweet Assassin and Apherion would have me in fire roasting me alive...hahaha...back to the story... apologies for the psyche...

Bursting in through the hospital doors, Kakashi, tore through the halls looking for someone to inform him of Sakura's condition. He remembered when he'd been told what had conspired but it wasn't revealed who Sakura's attacker was.

FLASHBACK

Kakashi and his new team seven were training, in the middle of an extremely intense spar when Naruto sped straight to him calling his name.

"Kakashi... Kakashi...Have to come quick. Trouble. Sakura attacked. Might lose baby." Naruto had hurried so quickly, he could barely catch his breath.

The second he mentioned Sakura, trouble and might lose baby, Kakashi paled. His mind being sent into a tailspan. "Naruto, what happened?"

The blond kyyubi container was upset so badly there were unshed tears just waiting to fall. "We're not sure. Someone took a kunai, jamming into her stomach. Shizune was the medic who found her. Tsunade's working on her as we speak. She's attempting to stop the bleeding therefore saving Sakura and her baby. We have to hurry. Granny Tsunade sent me after you threatening to beat my tail if I didin't go quickly enough. We have to go now."

Regaining his mental processes he informed team seven of a family emergency. "Team seven, the rest of practice is canceled today. I must leave but you'll be informed about tomorrow, by me or Naruto here."

Kakashi and Naruto sped off to the hospitals like the very devil was on their heels. Scenery passing by and Kakashi was seeing so many scenarios in his mind. Why was she left alone? Who did this to her? These questions would drive him insane until they were answered. He had to see her;make sure she was ok. Without her he'd return to that black void where he'd existed all this time til she came along, forcing him out of it. He had to clear his mind. He refused to let her see him like this. Kakashi was afraid that it would scare her further.

"Naruto, where is she?" Anyone listening could hear the grim, pissed-offness of his voice. It should definitely tip everyone off not to screw with him.

"Kakashi... she's on the second floor, in operating room 7. Lucky number, huh?" Naruto smiled slightly over the significance.

Looking up there were at the hospital and Kakashi burst through the doors, tearing down the halls towards the operating room where Sakura was currently sedated and being operated on.

Kakashi was startled as a hand grabbed his shoulder. Glancing backwards, he was relieved to see it was Naruto.

"Kakashi you're going to have to calm down. You can't let her see you like this when she awakes. Even I've never seen you this way and to be honest, if I didn't have Kyyubi inside, right now, I'd be scared shitless!" Naruto dropped his hand continuing on,"I know how you feel. Sakura's like a sister to me and right now, I'd like nothing more than to kill the son of a bitch that did this. Our first priority right now is Sakura and the baby."

Naruto was relieved to see Kakashi's face relax into it's usual lazy expression. ' Whew, he thought, that was a close one.'

Walking a little further, the two men came to a stop outside room seven. There were so many people waiting to hear if she was ok.

Genma, Asuma, Iruka, Kurenai and several other chuunin and jounin were seated throughout the hall awaiting word on her condition. Genma asked Kakashi,"How are you doing man?"

Kakashi answered, "Like hell. Genma I want the person responsible for this found, and when that happens, He's mine. I'll show him the meaning of torture and kill.

Genma flashed a look of understanding. "We'll find him don't worry. He'll pay for his deeds done this day."

Genma, on the verge of saying more, was interrupted by Tsunade strolling out in the hallway. She looked so worn and exhausted.

So far we've managed to stop the bleeding, but we're going to keep her and work on Sakura and the baby a little while longer. I want to insure we haven't missed anything no matter how small." Tsunade's head turned to Kakashi giving him a stern look, "Kakashi, when Sakura is well enough for you to leave her side, I want to see you in my office. There's a major problem that needs attending to!" She sounded pretty ticked off but he couldn't think of anything he'd done to make her mad.

"Anyway,"Tsunade prattled on,"She can receive visitors but we're limiting it to two at this point in time. We can't afford to wear her out. She's been through a very traumatic experience and needs to rest. Everyone but Kakashi and Naruto can return in two to three days time to see her. Kakashi, she'll be out in about an hour, until then, you and Naruto have a seat and relax. She's out of the worst danger for now. We'll still have to keep an eye on her for awhile to watch for any possible complications."

Tsunade quickly spun around, walking back into the room she'd left Sakura in.

All the the chuunins and jounins offered their good wishes and departed. The only ones left were;Kakashi, Naruto, Genma, Iruka, Asuma, Kurenai, Hinata, Neji, Ino and Shikamaru. They all settled in for the long wait to be updated again.

An hour later, Tsunade returned, tiredly smiling. "She's fine but not completely out of danger yet. Sakura's being taken to her room as we speak, so go home people;get some rest. You're all going to need it for the manhunt we're fixing to pull.

"Kakashi, she's in room four, go to her. She'll be asking for you when she wakes."

Tsunade watched him saunter down the hall heading to room four. She hated to be the one to rain on the lover's parade, but there was something much bigger happening and alot of people would be confused as hell. God knows she already was.

Kakashi stopped in front of room four, pushing the door open, to go over and sit by her side. His hand reached up smoothing her hair, caressing her face, thinking how lucky they'd been this time.

His soft voice echoed loudly in the silence,"Sakura, I love you. Hurry and get well. Almost losing you brought something to my attention. I don't want to live without you. I know you can hear me, so I humbly ask you this one thing,"Sakura, would you marry me? I want to thank you for the gifts you're giving me... first of all, you and your love. Second, our child growing in your body, I couldn't ask for more. Despite the adversity we face, I don't want to live a lonely existence so please say you'll agree... that you'll marry me."

Looking down at her face, he saw tears flowing from her eyes. "Is this a yes?"

Slowly opening her eyes, she nodded, "Yes, Kakashi. I will marry you."

Kakashi tenderly kissed her then laid his forehead on hers. "Sakura, I never want this experience again. You scared the hell out of me!"

Sakura looked away for a moment, turning back, she said,"I'm so sorry Kakashi! I never intended for anything like this to happen" Her tears turned to sobs, shaking her whole body, which at this moment, appeared even more fragile.

"Sakura, who did this? They will pay !"

Her eyes widened in fear, shaking her head. "I can't Kakashi. I can't talk about it...please don't make me live it again." Sakura was on the edge of hysteria.

"Calm down. I won't let anyone hurt you. I'll be staying with you. We don't have to talk about this now but there are others who also want answers." Relenting, Kakashi dropped the subject for another time.

Climbing in bed beside her, holding onto her tightly, because if he let go, he was afraid she'd disappear. He kissed her again, mumbling good night finally succumbing to the restful sleep his body demanded from his emotional overexertion. Tomorrow, maybe, would dig up all the answers. If not, it would be hell finding the person responsible and Kakashi would make sure that someone paid, with their life, if need be.

No matter who I'm with or to whom I turn

It's for you I burn.

Wishing to be with you every minute

Wondering every waking breath

Do you feel it?

Yes, Kakashi and Sakura both felt the same, they breathed it;they lived it. Passion unfettered, unchecked to pass between those lovers. Would their love survive the oncoming mire?

Tsunade gently shut the door after watching them sleep. She'd wanted to check up on Sakura one more time before the night was over. Now to head home to grab some sleep before tomorrow came and the unending responsibilities of being the Hokage. She walked out of the hospital, darkness swallowing her figure to be seen no more that night.

A/N: I sat at my puter too long... my butt went numb! Anyway, this contained an exerpt of my poem Heartbreak. The rest will be in chapter 8 which will follow in the next couple of days. Also, Apherion, was so good to beta the first part of chapter 7 but the rest of it hasn't been beta'd. Just wanted to warn you!

I'm looking forward to hearing from all my faithful readers/reviewers! The time you take to review, giving me your comments helps spur me on. Believe me, you guys are greatly appreciated. Ya'll rock! Much love!

Next chap: Cage Closed...