I groaned and look a deep breath, trying to not feel the pain. Yeah right!
Fu and Mishi were being watched by Ino in the waiting room while I was in the delivery room. Naruto was with me, for which I was very glad, even if he looked like he was going to throw up. He let me crush his hand while another contraction hit. I growled and waited for it to stop.
"Kakashi, if you were here, I'd castrate you RIGHT NOW! NO woman should have to go through this! Ah!"
Tsunade checked me over and smiled.
"Looks like we're ready to have a baby, Sakura."
"Oh, yes, please, get it out. Make it stop hurting!"
"We'll only be a minute, Sakura. Shizune, are you ready for this?"
Shizune, who had a belly as big as mine smiled and nodded. Soon she would be going through the same thing. I don't know how she could be smiling.
"Alright, Sakura. I'm going to tell you to push when the next contraction hits, and I want you to push until I say stop. Remember know I told you to breath?"
I nodded and she smiled sadly.
"Alright then. Ready? Push!"
"Ah!"
"That's good. We're crowning now. Alright now, push!"
"Damn it! It hurts!"
"Keep pushing, Sakura. You're almost there."
I sighed and panted as soon as I heard the crying fill the room. It was over.
Or not.
"Why isn't it stopping! Ah!"
"Go ahead and push again, Sakura. It looks like we have more then one in there."
More then one. I was having twins.
I pushed again and screamed. When the tiny thing left my body, it made no sound. I looked at Tsunade.
"Why isn't the baby crying, Shishou? Why isn't it making noise?"
She didn't answer. As soon as Shizune put my crying baby in Naruto's arms, she took the other from Tsunade. She didn't let me see it, she only wrapped it in a waiting towel and left the room with it.
"Tsunade, where is she taking my baby? What's happening?"
"Let's get you and your son cleaned up, Sakura. We'll get you into the recovery room and-"
"WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BABY!"
Tsunade sighed and looked at Naruto.
"You lost her, Sakura. She wasn't... right. She was dead for a long time before you gave birth, Sakura. It's not your fault. These things happen. Worry about your healthy, hungry baby boy and your other two children. Naruto, take him to see the others. Do you have a name picked out, Sakura?"
I smiled and looked at Naruto.
"Minato."
Naruto smiled and nodded.
"Minato. You're a handsome little devil, aren't you? I see now why Kakashi keeps his face covered. I know that Minato doesn't get that face from you."
I looked at my son's face. He was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. His face was already angular and soft. Me looked just like his father, but with baby pink hair, a mix between mine and his father's hair.
My son was perfect.
And my daughter was dead.
-X-
KakaPOV
"Hey Boss, got news from the Hokage. Sakura was admitted to the hospital last night. She had twins. One survived, one didn't. You have a son, who looks just like you with pink hair. Sakura's going to be released tomorrow morning.
She named him Minato."
I looked at my second in command and nodded.
"Thank you."
He nodded back and disappeared, giving me time to myself.
I had a son, who looked like me and was named after my sensei.
With the woman I loved.
And would most likely never see again.
I looked at the picture I held in my hand. It was a copy of the picture we took one our first date. Our only date with just the two of us. She was so beautiful. So bright, smart, and brave. She was everything I wanted.
But I couldn't be with her. Sometimes I really hated my life.
I went to the cliff I had designated as my 'thinking-spot'.
"Congratulations," a familiar voice I had known for years said.
I didn't even turn around.
"Thanks."
"..."
"When will this all end? When can I go home?"
"Soon, my friend. Soon it will all be over, then you can go home to your quickly expanding family and marry that pretty little genius you keep making babies with. You can retire and teach your children and live happily ever after in the village you love."
I looked at the raven-haired man.
"And you? Will you come home with me? He knows now. We all do. He hates himself."
"... I'm not sure if that is an option for me any more. There are too many memories in that place. As much as I may love it, I don't think it loves me. It's an unrequited love and will always be so."
I nodded.
"You will always be welcomed to visit, Itachi. Sakura and I will always welcome you into our home."
My friend from so long ago smiled.
"Alright then. Thank you. He will not stop until he has the world in his palm. Take him while he's down and plan it carefully. Do it quickly and soon, or you'll stand little chance to end this viscus cycle."
I nodded. He grabbed the pack he had with him and smiled.
"Maybe I will visit sometime. Take care of yourself, Kakashi."
"Where are you going?"
The weasel looked out onto the valley below the cliff and at the sunset far across the plain.
"Somewhere far away. Somewhere were there are no shinobi and no demons. Somewhere that nobody knows the name Itachi Uchiha and will except him as the man, not the tool."
I nodded again.
"I hope you find happiness, my friend."
He smiled and disappeared in a whirl of leaves.