I changed my mind. Just so you know. This doesn't affect you, but I've just changed the entire future plot of this story.
Damn it, I keep making stupid mistakes, damn. Sorry for the typos.
InARealPickle: If you've read my author's notes then you know I have only watched part of this show, and up until the part I am at it is very typical that Sakura is absolutely no help on missions. And her flirting with boys is her getting closer to their target, something Kunoichi were trained to do. She's not a very good ninja anyways…
And also, Kakashi and Shinji aren't related. I wish I could draw out the family tree for you. Since Shinji and Hiro don't have the same mother, and Kakashi and Hiro were only related through their mothers… yeah.
Kakashi spent much of the next week on missions, and when he wasn't he was begging me to heal some injury or another. I'd never actually seen the man sustain so many wounds. It probably had something to do with the fact that he was working with enemy nin, but in his defense, at least he was trying to play nice.
I spent much of the next week working out details of Hinata's rushed wedding, and it was quickly decided we would do a double wedding, simply so we could get everything out of the way. Once Hinata makes up with her father I'm sure he'll want to throw her a real wedding, and Kakashi and I couldn't care less about our wedding, so it was fairly easy to plan. Actually it was probably the simplest wedding in the history of weddings. I just wanted to sign the stupid piece of paper, but Kakashi insisted we have some kind of ceremony.
Naruto spent the week following Hinata around and worshiping the ground she walked on, which I just couldn't get her to take full advantage of. The few times he ran into Kakashi he tried to start a fight, but Kakashi was resistant to his name calling, and capable of dodging his fists and feet.
Shikamaru spent the week watching me. Creeper. I know very well that Kakashi asked him to, but it was still a little weird that he kept showing up every time I turned my head.
But at least for now Kakashi's here with me, him soaking in our room's small hot spring as I soak my feet. He's lying back with his eyes closed and face blank. If I didn't know any better I'd think he was sleeping. "How do you keep getting so beat up?" There hadn't been any skin broken today, but I get the feeling he's going to beg for a message latter. "Oh! I had a chat with your old friend today," I remember, twisting the ring on my finger thoughtfully.
"I keep running into people who want to kill me," He says with a dramatic sigh, followed by a wince. "Which old friend?"
"One Saito Hitoshi," I say clearly, flexing my toes in the hot water as I lean back on the dry rocks beneath me. "You should try being nicer to people."
"Saito? Really?" he muses. "Konoha likes me to have enemies, for some reason they keep sending me out to cause trouble."
"I think he's my new best friend," I say with a laugh. "Since you scared Shinji away."
"That seems like a good idea," he mutters, "But you really need to be careful with him though, he's not a good man."
"Do you know any good men, Kakashi?" I snort, kicking water towards him. I'm sure it doesn't reach, but I get my point across.
"Not many," he admits, moving to splash me back, but changing his mind with a wince.
"He seems to think you're a good person," I muse, listening to the water move as he pushes off the wall to come sit next to me. When his hair brushes against my leg I bring my hand down to set it on the top of his head, weaving my fingers into his hair.
"Then he's a good actor, and has something to gain from being close with you," he looks up at me, tiling his head back. "I mean it, watch your back."
"Lately Shikamaru has been watching it for me," I mutter, "won't leave me alone, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?" I ask playfully.
"Not a thing," he says with a smirk.
"Hmm," I agree softly, with a gentle smile. "You're so cute when you lie."
He looks up at me in surprise, probably remembering exactly when he had told me the same thing. "How's Hinata?" He asks with a cough.
"Fine, good actually." I say, shaking my head. "She seems very happy, excited for the wedding. Completely ignoring my advice about using Naruto's current mood to the fullest."
"You're evil." He laughs, leaning his head against my knee. "And the baby?" Those words… as simple as they might actually be… seem mean so much more to him. Probably because of the fact that Hinata and Naruto's baby will be like a niece or nephew to him…
"The baby's healthy as well," I say with a soft smile aimed at the top of his head. "If we have the wedding at the end of the week then they can head back before it will impede her traveling abilities."
"That's good," he mutters, his lips pressing against my leg.
I giggle, pulling my leg away and in the process splashing him. "None of that," I scold playfully.
"But you're so soft," he pleads childishly, holding out his hands for me to come back.
I shake my head, crossing my arms. "Nope, we're almost married; you can wait a few more days."
There's a splash and suddenly Kakashi's wet arms wrap around me, his lips attacking mine. "Says who?" he growls against me, holding me close.
"Kakashi… You're naked!" I point out with a little squeak, pushing him away with as little force as possible.
"I want you," he mutters, nipping at my ear lobe, and then trailing kisses down my neck.
"Yes, I can feel that," I say with a laugh, bringing a blush to my cheeks. "But we're waiting, remember?"
We were. It was one decision we had made over the past week. We were consistently getting out of hand, and it was more likely than not that we would do something stupid, like screw up the mission. So we'd decided to wait for the wedding. Or I'd decided and Kakashi didn't argue loud enough for me to change my mind.
"Sakura…" he pleads, wanting to point out he didn't decide that, I'm sure, but he says nothing.
"I said no," I say sternly, and he pulls away, head hanging low. I reach out with a small smile and pull his face up to meet my eyes. "Soon," I promise, and he nods slowly. "Now get dressed, we're going to talk with Hinata and Naruto."
"You think that's a good idea?" he asks, wrapping a towel around his waist.
"It's a better idea than having you two have to work out your problems at the wedding," I say, slipping inside to change quickly. Kakashi takes a tad longer to come inside, but soon enough we're walking hand-in-hand through the hallways of the castle.
We're stopped by Hironori, walking with Hitoshi, who smiles at me brightly. "Well isn't that cute," Hironori teases.
"Thank you," Kakashi says with an eye-crinkle. "She's adorable isn't she?"
"I think he was talking about you," I fake-whisper, making Kakashi laugh.
Hironori scowls at us for a moment, but Hitoshi snickers, unable to hold back his laugh. Hironori smiles softly after a moment, shaking his head. "You two deserve each other," he bites, smile still in place, but voice sharp.
"Really?" Kakashi asks; eyes wide. "I didn't think I'd done anything right…"
"Knock it off," Hironori quips. "Your quick tongue is only endearing the first ten times, and then it's increasingly annoying." Kakashi just smiles, making me smile up at him. "Where are you heading?"
"I'm trying to get Naruto not to kill Kakashi at our wedding," I say quickly. "So far, things aren't looking good."
"That would be a bit of a party killer, wouldn't it?" Hitoshi says with an awkward smile.
I nod in mock sadness and then turn to Hiro. "Where's your brother been, lately?" I ask carefully. "I miss him."
"Licking his wounds," he says, glancing to Kakashi, who just looks away evasively. "He said he'd be at your wedding though, if Kakashi allows it."
"Kakashi allows it," I say before Kakashi can respond.
"I was going to say," Kakashi begins, looking down at me, "That it's really not my decision, but I would appreciate it if he would come."
"Oh," I say, a little shocked, but then my eyes narrow in realization. "You just want to shove it in his face that we're married, don't you?"
"Maybe," he says with a smile. "But I'll do it nicely."
"Jerk," I mutter, pinching the palm of his hand. He squeezes my hand to stop the action.
"Well, we'll leave you to that, then," Hiro mutters. "Kakashi, if you could come see me after you're meeting with the other happy couple?"
"Sure," Kakashi says with a smile, my own expression darkening.
"He's going to send you on a mission days before your wedding?" I ask once he's out of hearing range.
"I could tell him to go to hell if you like?" Kakashi asks with a smile.
"No," I sigh. "I'll just claw his eyes out while you're gone," I decide easily. He throws me a startled look, but now we've made it to the garden where Hinata and I decided to meet. Naruto's standing with his back to us, arms crossed. "Hey Hinata," I say softly. "Naruto," I say a bit louder.
"They're not doing anything, are they?" Naruto asks.
"Just holding hands," Hinata says, giving me an exasperated look.
I smile my apology and sit down next to Hinata, releasing Kakashi. "Naruto, just come over here, will you?"
He looks over his shoulder slowly, then turns and sulks over to us, keeping myself and Hinata between him and Kakashi. "Hey Sakura," he says as kindly as he can, and then addresses Kakashi, his voice dark. "Pervert."
Kakashi sighs heavily, but I ignore the whole situation. "Hinata, you're glowing! You're going to show me up, aren't you?"
"Oh, no, Sakura," She says blushing. "You'll look so much better…" she places a soft hand on her stomach, blushing.
"No one can tell," I say softly, leaning forward to fake whisper the assurance to her.
"Eh," Naruto says form behind Hinata. "No one will care anyways; they'll all be sick at how old that pervert there is."
"Naruto!" Hinata scolds, blushing.
"Is he not saying my name now?" Kakashi asks, earning a nod from Hinata. "Naruto I don't know what I can possibly do to make you stop hating me-"
"You can call of the stupid wedding and get yourself fixed!" Naruto growls.
"No," I growl back, standing up. "You're so insensitive, Naruto. What about me? How do you think Hinata feels when her dad shows how much he hates you?"
"That's different!" Naruto protests.
"No it's not, Naruto," Hinata whispers. "When someone you care about tells you that you can't be with the person you love…" She looks down, not finishing her statement.
Naruto looks at her, shocked, and then back up to Kakashi. "You're still a pig," he mutters.
"I never denied that," Kakashi says easily. "In fact I agree." I look up at him in shock, but he's staring Naruto down coldly. "Just think, Naruto. I've known Sakura since she was twelve, and she was an annoying little brat."
"Hey," I protest with a scowl.
"You were," Naruto says, making me pout.
"So were you," Hinata says softly to Naruto, making him pout as well.
"And she's been like a little sister to me, and I didn't even think about anything else," Kakashi continues. "Then one day I see her dressed up for a date, and I think, 'hey, she looks very pretty today,' which isn't really a big deal. But then I see her at the hospital, at work, and she's a mess. Her hair is a rat's nest and she's got circles under her eyes. All I can think about is how her hair could be tasseled from 'other' activities. Her lack of sleep could be my fault." I scowl, remembering the last time Kakashi came into the hospital while I was working. It was a month or so ago, when Neji and I still planned to go on the mission together. Was he really thinking those things, even then? "And then on everyday missions, I start to notice how confident she is, how she's got all the right curves in all the right places. Then the dreams start, and I wake up thinking of her, and knowing she's the same girl I trained all those years ago. Think how sick I feel," Kakashi growls, looking away. "I'm just a dirty old man, lusting after his student."
"See?" Naruto demands, "You admit that's what it is, then!"
Kakashi holds up his hand and Naruto quiets. "Then things start to change, so slowly, I hardly even noticed until it was too late." My heart clenches, half wishing his next words are true, but knowing they're absolutely not. "When she was a mess at the hospital, all I could see was that smile of hers, and how even with her hair a mess and circles under her eyes, she was still beautiful. Her eyes seemed to sparkle when she sees me. And I found myself hoping maybe it was me that made her eyes sparkle." I swallow carefully, finding myself hoping there's truth behind his words. He's looking down at me, soft gaze meeting mine. My eyes a moist with happy tears I absolutely hate, traitor tears that I won't allow to fall. "And then on missions, it's not just her confidence, or her body, I'm noticing. I'm noticing how I love her laugh, and how her smile always makes me smile as well. I'm noticing her confidence doesn't come from her being gorgeous, but for how intelligent she is, and what a good ninja she is now. How kind and sweet and… lovable." He smiles at me, a soft smile, one I wouldn't have understood if I hadn't seen him without his mask. Too bad it's fake. "Then the dreams change, and I stop seeing her as a sex kitten," Naruto bristles at that, Hinata blushes. "And instead I dream of waking up with her in my arms, and returning home from missions to find her there to greet me. I'm practically dreaming of houses with kids and white picket fences before I realize what it even means."
"It means you're old and missing out on never making a family as a young man," Naruto says, rather insightfully. No doubt he stole that conclusion from someone else.
"It means I love her," Kakashi says sharply to Naruto. "And she's not something I would give up, Naruto. You'll have to kill me first."
"I would," Naruto bites back, unaffected by Kakashi's speech. "But Hinata said I couldn't."
Kakashi sighs, turning to walk away. "Kakashi!" I gasp, shocked.
"This isn't going to work, Sakura," he sighs, "we'll just wait until after they leave."
"Kakashi-sensei!" I look to Hinata, shocked, as she struggles to her feet, pushing Naruto away. "Please, Naruto's happy for you, he told me himself!"
"Hinata!" Naruto groans.
I look to Naruto, shocked, and Kakashi turns to look at him as well, eyebrow, maybe both, raised. "He said he was happy you two could finally be happy, since he was able to now. He said he always felt bad before, being with me when you two were so alone." Kakashi and I look at each other, equally shocked. "He's upset because it's such a shock to him, he keeps thinking this has been going on for years, and it freaks him out, but he's happy for you."
"Kami, Hinata," Naruto says, crossing his arms and looking away, "You didn't have to tell them everything."
"This has been going on for months, not years," Kakashi says plainly, "and it's still quite a shock to me as well."
It hasn't even been going on for months, but I don't point that out. Instead I smile softly at Kakashi. "I don't know what you guys are talking about, I've dreamed about this since the day I met you," I say with a big sigh, making Hinata laugh, but neither Naruto nor Kakashi found it very funny.
"Sakura, that was just weird," Kakashi says roughly.
"It's not weird," I mutter, "It's beautiful." Kakashi nearly chokes on the air he was breathing.
"Why do you do this to me?" He demands once he's recovered.
"Cuz it's so easy," I say with a light laugh, shaking my head.
"They're getting weird," Naruto says, edging closer to Hinata as Kakashi gives a look that might accompany a four year old sticking their tongue out. "Can we go?"
"Will you kill him at the wedding?" Hinata asks, as I actually stick my tongue out at him
"No, I'll even smile… please, just…" Naruto stumbles over his words, looking more and more uncomfortable as Kakashi touches the edge of his mask.
"Don't you dare," I growl.
"What if I did?" He asks stubbornly.
"What's he going to do?" Hinata asks, quieting Naruto.
"I'll burn our book," I threaten. I wouldn't, actually. I've become quite fond of that particular issue over the past week. I've learned a few new things as well.
"You wouldn't," he dares, glaring. He doesn't actually know where the book is at the moment, so it's not like he could stop me. But he's called my bluff, and there's only one thing to do. Keep bluffing.
"Yeah, they are getting weird," Hinata agrees quietly.
"Sure I would," I say easily, waving my hand dismissively through the air. "Why do I need it? All I do is look at the pictures. I could tear those out."
"Don't you dare…" he warns, Hinata and Naruto start to back away slowly.
"I won't if you won't," I threaten, and his hand drops down to his side. "Good boy."
Kakashi sighs and drops his shoulder. "I'm so whipped," he mutters, kicking the dirt under his feet.
"You're much more likable that way," I say comfortingly. He rolls his eyes, nodding to Hinata and Naruto as the slip back into the castle. "That was weird, wasn't it?"
"Probably," he says with a shrug.
"Where's Shikamaru been?" I ask carefully. "I haven't seen him since you got back."
He comes towards me with a soft, "around," and puts his arm around my shoulders, signing on my arm. Getting messages back to Konoha, I've lent him Pakun. I smile, wrapping my arm around his waist. What? He signs when I don't say anything.
Nothing, I just wanted to hold you. I sign with a grin. He laughs out loud, pulling me around in his arms to gently touch his masked lips to my forehead. "You're adorable," he says with an unmistakable smile to his voice.
"You know," I whisper, pulling him closer to avoid losing my nerve. "Those things you said, some of them, were very sweet."
"And very true," he whispers, kissing the top of my head.
"Don't do that," I whisper, "Don't lie."
"The only lie I told was how slowly it happened." He says, sounding almost baffled. "It was a very rapid process and the whole thing freaked me out."
I laugh quietly. "Well it's sweet anyways," I say, knowing he won't admit it's a lie no matter what.
He pulls away, looking down at me for a moment, before he takes my hand and leads me back to our room. "There's something I want to give to you," he mutters, finding our room quickly and leaving me in the center of the room to dig through his bag. After a moment he turns back to me, the little bundle I had dropped out of his bag during the night at the hot springs is in his hands. He opens it carefully, and my eyes widen at the jewelry box he pulls out. "Don't jump to any conclusions, I didn't know if I was going to give you this or not when we left, but I think I will." He hesitates awkwardly, starting to hand the box to me, then stopping and opening it himself, pulling out a thin chain. On the end is what looks like a flat metal rose, the smallest of diamonds lain in the metal of it. "It was my mother's, well no." He stops and offers it to me. "It was actually my father's, and his father's. The men in my family were supposed to give it to their 'true love,' I guess."
I watch him carefully, astonished more by the fact that he's nervous than by the fact that he's giving me a family heir-loom. "Kakashi?" I ask carefully, trying to prompt him to say what he wants.
"I want you to have it, Sakura," he mutters, blushing.
"Kakashi," I laugh nervously. "You're not seri-"
"Please," he whispers, holding it out to me more urgently. "I want it to go to you," he whispers. "There's very little chance of me falling in love after you break my heart at the end of all this."
I want to break down in tears. I want to kiss him. I want to profess my undying love for him. I want to put that necklace around my neck and never take it off. I don't do any of that. I shake my head in annoyance I reach forward, pulling down his mask and pushing away the un-marked headband that covers his borrowed eye. "Say it."
"I love you," he whispers, his eyes meeting mine without any hesitance.
I could say it back then, it'd be so easy. Instead I open my mouth and ruin everything. "I think we should have sex."
Kakashi looks up at me, shocked. "I'm sorry?"
"I think we should have sex," I say again, realizing if there was any time he would turn me down it would be right now, in this very moment.
"Now?" He asks, looking around.
"Whenever," I say with a somewhat intentionally sexy shrug. With necklace still in hand he steps closer to me.
"You're sure?" He asks, watching me carefully.
"I've been too easily distracted lately," I say as I wrap my arms around his neck, bringing my lips closer to his. I kiss him sweetly and slip his jonin vest off his shoulders. He knows it's not the real answer. This isn't what I want for the mission, just a few days ago I had explained how this couldn't happen because of the mission. This is what I want for me, selfish, spoiled little me.
"I don't want you to hate me," he mutters bringing his hands up to wrap around the back of my neck, holding me so I have to look at him. The necklace dangles nearly forgotten from his hand. "Please, tell me."
I want you. I need you. I love you. "I'm sure," I whisper, stepping forward to meet him, raising my lips to his. "This is what I want."
His lips lower to mine then, and he moves his hands down my body and around me tightly. The necklace taps against my back once more, and then falls to the floor with a soft 'clink'. His hands trail up my body, almost thoughtlessly pulling my shirt off over my head, and then I remove his, feeling him tremble as I trail my hands over his chest. He kisses me again, sweetly, and picks me up carefully, moving towards the bed. He carefully pushes me back onto the mattress, crawling up my body, kissing bits of exposed skin as he goes. Once he's reached my face he pauses, our eyes level. There's so much promised in his gaze, not just for tonight, but for years to come. My heart skips a beat as he leans down to kiss me that so plainly spells forever. "Kakashi," I whisper when he breaks the kiss, kissing his way down my body.
He loosens the bindings on my chest, pulling them away to reveal to his eyes what he'd only touched before. "Hm?" He asks; not to be distracted, as he kisses my chest, licking and biting as he goes. The way he does it is faintly similar to how Genma does, making me think that there's a little more to that engagement story than I've been told. I want to laugh at that, but what he's doing entices a gasp out of me before I get the chance to.
I search through my mind for a bit, trying to remember what I had planned to say. "Is this what you want?" I ask before my head can stop me from asking what I need to know.
"More than you'll ever know," he sighs against my skin, flicking his tongue over one nipple, as his fingers of the hand not supporting his weight masterfully play with the other. I arch into him involuntarily, groaning as his teeth graze me. I'm incredibly disappointed when he releases me, and a small panic sets in as he moves down, kissing and stroking my skin as he goes. I don't stop him when he tugs my pants off my hips and tosses them off the bed, but when he hooks one finger over the edge of my panties I freeze, and he looks up at me. "You ok?" He asks, concern masking the passion in his face.
"Yeah," I lie. "It's just been a while. I'm hoping it's like riding a bike." I give a nervous laugh and he climbs back up my body.
"It's nothing like riding a bike," he mutters, kissing me sweetly.
"Damn," I mutter, blushing slightly. "Well then what?"
"I just have to help you… relearn." He says with a look that kind of makes him look like the dirty old man Naruto makes him out to be. It's kind of hot, actually. He kisses my neck, and I wrap my arms around him feeling a bit sexier as he moves against me to press his skin to mine, the evidence of his arousal pressed against my leg through his pants.
I scowl at that and lift my knees on either side of him, reaching down one hand to pull at the fabric of his pants. He smiles against me, nipping my neck quickly to earn a gasp out of me before he shrugs out of the pants, kicking them to the foot of the bed. His hand trails down my side and when it reaches my hip he touches the edge of my panties. I groan as he sucks at my neck, creating a hickey, no doubt, and while I'm adequately distracted his hand slips my panties off my hips. With some gentle nudging he convinces me to drop my legs long enough to slide the fabric down my legs and off my feet.
I raise my knees again so he is nestled between my legs, and he teasingly moves his hips against me, making me bite back a moan. When I lift my hips against his he smiles; trailing his hand back to my hip, and then between our bodies, and then between my legs; brushing against me so softly I tremble. "Kami," I groan, throwing my head back into the pillows. I'm surprised at how quickly I'm reacting to him. I've always thought I needed a little more 'special care' than most girls, but Kakashi knows exactly what he's doing, and without even entering me I feel like I'm going to explode. His lips release the skin at my neck and he comes back to kiss me as his fingers brush against my entrance. His tongue slips past my lips as two fingers do, and I tremble all over again, bringing my hips up against his fingers. "Please," I whimper.
"Please what?" He asks cockily, almost making me want to hit him. I resist in favor of gripping the mattress when he adds a third finger.
"You know what I want," I gasp, raising my hips to his hand again. "Why are you making me ask?"
"Sakura," he scolds, stilling his movements.
I growl in annoyance, trying to lift my hips, but he pins me down. "Please," I whisper. "Sensei."
Kakashi groans, and drops his head to my shoulder. "Fuck, that's good enough," he grunts, removing his fingers and pulling his underwear off quickly. A moment later he's at my entrance, his member twitching against me as I squirm beneath him. "You're su-" He asks quietly.
"Kakashi," I warn, digging my nails into his shoulders. He laughs softly and slowly pushes in, making me tremble all the more. I freeze at the dull pain from the intrusion, a little annoyed that I have to go through it twice. "Damn," I whisper.
"You ok?" he asks, stopping his motions.
"Fine, just a little… tight," I bite my lip. It actually hurts more than that first time with Genma. Stupid body: going and healing itself when I'm not paying attention.
"That's what happens when you wait two years to have sex," he says with an apologetic tone to his voice. "Hopefully you'll never wait that long again," he mutters, watching me carefully. "If you do I'm going to be a very lonely man."
I smile and lean up to kiss him. "Ok, we're good." I gasp.
"You sure?" he asks, moving only slightly inside of me.
"Go!" I growl, raising my hips to meet him roughly. He smiles and leans down to kiss me, plunging deeper inside of me. I gasp around his kiss. There's no doubt in my mind that he's better than Genma, I could tell that from the first time he kissed me, but as he fills me I nearly melt at the fact that he's bigger too. Trust Kakashi to have to equipment and the knowledge. Poor boys out there stuck with just one or the other (or neither)… they don't stand a chance.
It's only a few heart beats before I feel my walls clench around him and he groans, ripping away from my kiss to watch my face twist in pleasure. He keeps moving throughout my orgasm, and once it's over I already feel the next one building. Kakashi slows for only a moment to pull my legs up, so they wrap around him, and then returns, going deeper than before. I reach behind me to grip the headboard as I hold back the scream that builds inside me, but Kakashi won't have that. He leans down and nips at my chest, kissing and licking and tugging until the scream rips from my lips, leaving me to tremble and then clench around him again.
"Kami," he grunts, quickly following me with his own orgasm. His body falls slightly, but he catches himself before he crushes me. "Sorry," he mutters, pulling out of me slowly, making me whimper slightly. "I meant to make a full night of it, but damn, Sakura." He shakes his head, rolling so he lies beside me. "I've never been with a woman who responds that quickly."
"Two years," I whisper quietly.
He doesn't respond to that, just reaches over and brushes my hair out of my face. "You alright?" He asks hesitantly. "You don't hate me or anything?"
"No," I laugh, shaking my head. "I'm good. I'm so… so good." He laughs and I notice a slight wince, as he touches his hand to a particularly dark bruise on his chest. "Are you ok?" I ask, concerned.
"I'm fine," he laughs. "Just a few bruises. Nothing I haven't had before." But he winces all the same when I roll over to touch them softly.
"Kami, Kakashi," I growl. "Why didn't you tell me they were this bad?" I set to healing not the bruise itself but the tissue beneath the bruise, and Kakashi's hand comes up and grabs mine.
"Not now, Sakura," he whispers, pulling me back to lie beside him. "Later, right now… I just want to hold you," I soften at that, carefully burrowing into his arms. "Crap," he mutters after a moment. I look up at him questioningly. "I was supposed to go see Hironori," he laughs. "Oh well."
"It can wait," I mutter, kissing his chest softly.
"Even if it can't its going to have to," he jokes. "I don't think I can move right now."
I smile as his heartbeat begins to slow and his breathing evens out. The injuries must really be taking a toll on him if he's this tired… though he is getting awfully old… I snicker internally at that, burrowing into his arms while carefully healing the bruises that just happen to be in my reach.
I sigh heavily as I wake up, arms around me tightly. "Kakashi," I whisper, and he loosens his grip, rolling over to let me out of bed. As I get up I wrap a thin robe around myself, going to the window to look out at the early morning light. My peace is interrupted by a wail, making me jump. Kakashi slips out of bed and disappears out of the room, returning with the source of the noise in his arms: a small bundle with two little arms reaching out desperately. "Hey," I whisper, watching as he bounces the baby gently in his arms.
"Alright," Kakashi mutters. "What's wrong with him, Mrs. Baby Expert?"
"He's just hungry," I say with a soft smile, loosening the ties on the robe slightly and sitting down.
"Oh," he mutters. "I can't really help with that, can I?"
"No," I agree, reaching out my hands for the baby. He hands it over awkwardly, not yet having gotten the hang of it. "But next diaper is all yours." I move the thin chain around my neck out of the baby's reaching hands and bring him to my chest. "All right sweet heart, breakfast."
Kakashi watches in something like admiration as the baby suckles at my chest, though his eyes are more fixed on the child than my chest. "Our son," he whispers. "Our little baby boy."
That was weird. I open my eyes to see Kakashi's bruised chest and take a few deep breaths. My heart is racing in my chest and I can practically feel the child's little hand gripping at the fat of my breast. I slowly loosen myself from Kakashi's arms and sit up, looking around the room, blissfully happy to find it our room at the castle in Kinosaki, and not yet morning. Also more than a little depressed at the absence of a child. My heart clenches, and I gasp a few times, not realizing it was something I even wanted. Kakashi's arm moves on my lap and pulls me closer to him by the hip, but I shift away uncomfortably; feeling awkward with him touching my naked skin.
I begin to slip from the bed calmly but I'm left sitting on the edge when I step on something sharp. Upon further investigation I find its Kakashi's family necklace. I stare at it for a moment, hands nearly trembling. Even in the dream I had been wearing it. "Sakura?" I look over my shoulder to Kakashi, who's now sitting up in bed watching me. "You alright?"
"Yeah," say with a shaky laugh. "Just a weird dream, that's all."
"Want to tell me about it?" He asks; his voice low.
I blush, looking down at the necklace in my hand. "I don't really remember," I lie; discreetly placing the necklace on the bed stand as I roll back into his arms. "Guess it wasn't that important."
He pulls me against his body eagerly as I get closer and kisses the top of my head. "I love you," he whispers against my hair. I glance over at the necklace beside the bed and murmur what might be taken as an agreement. He laughs at that. "You don't need to do that, Sakura," he says gently. "I'm going to keep saying whether you respond or not."
"Thank you," I whisper. It's so stupid. Why can't I say it? I certainly feel like I love him, and not like Sauske, but something more. Something simpler. Something deeper. "I… I love you too," I bite my lip when the words come out. They didn't feel right, they felt unnatural. And Kakashi will know.
His eyes close and he sighs. "You're so cute when you lie," he whispers in my ear.
"Kakashi…" I whisper back.
"You're not ready," he mutters, resting his forehead on my shoulder. "I get it, don't worry. We'll figure it out."
I stay silent for a moment before I speak; my voice so soft I hardly hear it. "I'm sorry." Kakashi's right and I hate it. "I'm so sorry."
He kisses me softly, linking his fingers with mine. "We'll figure it out," he repeats, giving my hand a squeeze. I can't stop the tear that rolls down my cheek then, or the next ones after that. At first Kakashi doesn't react, maybe he doesn't notice. But when I take a shaky breath his arm wraps around my shoulder, pulling me closer against his chest. He doesn't say anything, just holds me as I sob against his chest, probably having no idea why I'm crying.
When I finally stop crying I give a little yawn, burrowing into his arms as far as I can. He just holds me tighter. There's a simple explanation for all this I'm sure. I've simply been seeing how happy Hinata and Naruto are about their new baby and the dream was a result of my jealousy towards them. My recent activities with Kakashi probably had something to do with it as well. And of course the child would be a son. Kakashi had just tried to give me a family heirloom passed on to the son of the family to give to his beloved. With that settled I brush away the remaining tears and kiss Kakashi's chin softly, unable to reach his lips. "Thank you," I whisper.
"Anything for my favorite fiancé," he whispers, kissing the top of my head in response. He says something else, but I don't quite hear it before I drift off to sleep.
Writing the beginning of this chapter I had a thought: I think Kakashi would smell like dog when his hair is wet. I probably think this because I work around wet dogs and the smell is kinda stuck in my nose right now, but seriously… I really think he would.
Aralas in regards to chapter 7- I have no idea. Honestly. I don't. I write most of this stuff in the early hours of the morning while watching infomercials cuz we have crap tv. So I don't remember what the meaning was, I probably just didn't know what to say next. Something about Sakura's lack of self-esteem since Kakashi kept turning her away.
Aralas in regards to chapter 9- I don't remember what the joke was. Sorry, it wasn't very funny though, just a chuckle to one's self kind of funny…
Sayona13- kudos for going there, I giggle like a school girl every time I get reviews like that.
This chapter was initially much longer because I was trying to hide the fact that I wrote a crap lemon and hoping that by the time you reviewed you'd have forgotten about it, (seriously, it was like 13,000 words) but it sounder rushed and stupid, so I deleted half of it, and here ya go.