Chapter 8- Unbelievable
"Kakashi-sensei! What's up?"
Naruto trotted up alongside his old teacher, Sasuke trailing behind as fast as he could while fending off a couple of fangirls. They now constantly exploited his status of being 'available'; apparently, Sakura's relationship with him had been the only thing keeping back the annoying tidal wave for some years now.
"I was just heading home. Ashige will probably be asleep in a few minutes," he said, smiling at them through his mask. The blonde grinned back; a harried Uchiha finally managed to catch up, and he straightened his Jounin vest, a smirk plastered on his face as he spoke.
"How's she been?"
"Much too energetic."
"For someone as lazy as you, I can believe that," Naruto shot at him. The silver-haired man feigned hurt, but only earned a hearty laugh and slap on the back for his efforts. "Just tell her we said 'hi,' okay?"
He nodded, and left down the street, not noticing that, while he was still in sight, Sasuke's eyes followed him before turning away. The lesser roads he took towards their quarters on the edge of the city were little traveled; the Hatake family home had beautiful grounds that surrounded it and separated it from the rest of the bustle of Konoha. The dirt paths were well-worn, but small, and they wandered between great old trees that stood tall, casting comfortable shadows to walk under. His eyes unconsciously closed beneath the cooling embrace he could feel them give; the air was softer, sweeter here. And not nearly so dusty. But once he was to the house, he stepped up onto the porch quickly, and slid the door open, moving inside and closing it behind him again.
"Tadaima!" The call was soft; the sound of him dropping his heavy vest on the foyer floor was louder.
"Welcome home, daddy."
A smile crossed his face when he noticed Sakura waiting for him, his hitai-ate and mask finding a place of rest on the small table that resided in the entryway. Their six-month old son rested in her arms, sleeping noiselessly. It elicited a smile from the man as he caressed the small head of fuzzy silver hair that was barely tainted pink at the tips. He followed his wife as she went to the nursery and set the babe in his crib, winding a small music box on the end table next to it.
"I just got him asleep," she murmured, closing the door behind her. Kakashi pulled her away from the door to rest against him, his embrace soft, yet firm. The mid-afternoon sun flowed through the window, casting the room in a fire-like glow, and sending shadows dancing. She glowed like a flower from that distant star in this light; he loved coming home at this time of day, just so he could see it. She smiled softly, and lifted her head to press a loving kiss on his lips. "We have about two and a half hours to ourselves if we're quiet, you know."
"What do you have in mind, Sakura?" He quirked a playful eyebrow in her direction, and she gave a mischievous smirk as she pushed him back onto the couch.
"I'll give you three guesses," she purred, nipping a bit at his neck, "and the first two don't count."
He captured her lips with his own, seizing her in a kiss of rapture and longing. Hands wandered her body, knowing the favorite places for him to touch: arms, back, neck, stomach. She moaned softly as callused fingers snuck up the hem of her yukata, and his tongue breached her mouth in savage passion.
"You know I love you, right?" she managed to ask as she caught her breath later. Somehow, despite being more than slightly preoccupied, they had made it to the bedroom, and their clothes had come off. Her arms kept his head close to hers as he gasped in the needed air. A smile crossed his features.
"I don't know if I'll ever believe you, Sakura, even if you are telling the truth." A look of reverence crossed his face as he looked up at her. "You know that I love you, don't you?"
She smiled.
"Naturally. I had the entire fix solved before we made it to the alter, of course."
"I suppose you asked your parents what happened, didn't you?"
"I didn't have to. Everyone else made it quite obvious." At that, he gave her a curious look.
"How so?" She giggled, pulling his head down a little more, and brushing her nose against his.
"Evidently, when concerning me, you don't hide your feelings well. Sasuke and Naruto knew, and I think Izumo-san suspected," she mumbled, her eyes glittering with laughter. She could see the uneasiness creeping into her husband's face, and a nervous laugh followed. "But it doesn't matter, now."
"I was your teacher, Sakura. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you," he murmured, a sadness passing over his face. The kunoichi drew his body down against her own and pressed her lips firmly to his in reassurance. His coal-grey and Sharingan eyes looked up at her sadly; she hated when he felt like this, like it was wrong, or a mistake. "I shouldn't have-"
"We've been over this before, haven't we?" she interrupted softly. "I don't fault you. I love you, Kakashi. I've made love to you willingly, and bore your son. And I hope to bear you many more children, because I love you. I'll tell you that as many times as you need to hear it. I don't know why you keep going over it; do you regret loving me?"
"Not at all!"
"Then stop looking back on yourself with disapproval."
He buried his head in her bare shoulder, and she stroked his mane softly. His arms wrapped around her slim waist, and pressed her to him all the more tightly. Tears were threatening his eyes; always, always before he had been alone, and at home was where his tears could flow freely. But now, he had her; and on her shoulder, when he could no longer hold them, would he cry.
"I love you, Kakashi." He smiled against her skin.
"Yeah… but… it's unbelievable…"
AN: No matter how many times I read it, I still love this chapter. (grins) Hope you do too! (points to reviews) Apparently third time, as usual, is the charm, because I've gotten more reviews this time around than on either of my first two tries! Please enjoy this final installment of "Crash World"!
Please looks for the sequel in the future!
Coming Soon:
Crash World II: Broken Wings
