Sorry this took so damn long, everyone. I know, it's been, like, a month, two? 58 days apparently. But I've been really busy. (kind of…) I'm working on my own stories, so that's cool. But yeah… sorry again. Thank you all, by the way, for your reviews. I read everyone, and they really make my day.
Rain of the Stars- ha ha ha! My evil plot is almost complete, you've reviewed, you've added an alert, now all that needs to happen is for me to erase your idea of right and wrong to think relationships such as Sakura and Kakashi's are not only ok, but right. Bwa hahahaha! (Seriously though, your review means a lot. I love when people let me know I changed their mind (or at least for one story). Thank you!)
Nickule- lol. Yes…
In retrospect, passing out on the battle field with no allies by your side probably wasn't a good idea. Before I even open my eyes I send a surge of chakra through my body, checking for breaks, bruises, or chains. My left arm is broken, I realize quickly, but there are no other wounds on my body. There's also no chains on my wrists or ankles, which is a good sign, most likely. Even a better sign, my arm is bandaged. I also realize it's not my arm at all, but Zen's arm. Guess I could keep up the jutsu while asleep. Who could've known?
I sniff the air cautiously, trying not to make my actions too obvious. The air is musty, and judging by the echo of my breath I'm probably in a cave. That's probably not a good sign. We weren't that far from Konoha, if one of the Anbu had found me they would've taken me straight back there, and if Kakashi had found me I wouldn't be lying on the hard ground as I am now, but in his arms.
On the bright side, I don't hear or feel anyone around me, which either means they've realized I'm not Zen and I'm of no use to them… or they still think I'm Zen and they're just waiting to kill me until later. If it's so difficult to kill Zen, maybe there are certain steps they have to take. Maybe I still have some time to form an escape. With an inward wince I open my eyes slowly, taking in the light grey stone under me bathed in moonlight. So either I've been asleep for a very long time or less than a few minutes. A few feet away from me is a stone wall, and I can only assume behind me is the entrance, or the small hole in the ceiling that the moon comes through. Which would be unfortunate, since I doubt I could crawl out of that. I pull myself up slowly, looking around carefully.
The cave seems to go on for a ways behind me, but no light comes from there so it probably just goes further back into the mountains. "Damn it," I mutter, reaching up to the radio around my neck. "Kakashi?" No answer. Damn, I must be out of range.
With a sigh I get to my feet, searching through my remaining supplies for a light. Nothing. With a sigh I turn towards the other end of the cave, allowing my eyes to adjust to the darkness there. No doubt there's something alive, simply because the cave is so warm, and also that's just how things work in the life of a ninja. If enemies throw you in a cave there's probably something dangerous that wants to eat you at the other end of it.
"Who are you?"
I freeze, the hairs on the back of my neck rising as the deep voice echoes through the cave, the walls seeming to shake with the force of it.
"Hush, love. She's just barely woken up, leave her be," another voice orders, a familiar voice. "Poor dear, I did the best I could on your arm, by my healing powers have weakened dramatically."
"I know you…" I whisper, staring intently into the darkness. "You're the medic from Kumo."
"That's right," she laughs softly, stepping forward into the light. "Of course, I can't think where I've met you in the past… Zenitha."
The first voice laughs darkly, the cave seeming to shake. "No, I know my princess. You are not her." A shiver runs up my spine as my transformation jutsu is torn from my body, quite painfully actually, leaving Zen's armor digging into my skin in places where it doesn't quite fit. "You're from Konoha, aren't you?" I nod stupidly. "Aren't you?"
"Y-yes," I say after a moment.
"Why, Sakura," the old lady says with a smile. "What a surprise." I get the feeling she's being sarcastic.
The voice seems to chuckle at that, and what sounds like a heavy chain jingles "You either killed my princess or she trusts you very much. Which is it?"
"She's my friend," I say simply.
"Good," the old lady laughs. "She needs friends. Where are your comrades?" She asks. "They will come save you?"
"I hope so," I edge. "I don't really know where they are. We were separated."
"I see," she mutters. "How is your fiancée?"
"Husband," I correct.
"Congratulations," she says simply.
"Old lady," the voice says darkly, a near growl.
"So disrespectful," the woman sighs, sounding more amused than upset. "What is it?"
"Bring her to me," the voice orders.
The old lady sighs, but all the same she takes my uninjured arm at the elbow, softy indicating I should do as she says with a small tug. "Come dear, he won't bite... not you anyways." I open my mouth to refuse, but the voice cuts me off.
"Are you scared?" He asks quietly. There's no way this voice is coming from a human. It's about two octaves too low and far too strong. "Do you fear me?"
"I'm rather defenseless at the moment," I admit, "I'm more scared of the situation I'm in."
"Understandable," the voice nearly laughs. "But I'm afraid I must insist. Come sit with me… that is all."
The old lady pulls on my elbow again, and this time I follow her lead, stepping slowly into the light. The sound of heavy chains moving echoes in the cave and the ground shakes slightly. I take a small breath and freeze my steps as one large silver paw appears; each one of its nails as large as my arm. "Come dear," the woman insists. "I said before, he won't hurt you… you're too pretty for that."
"You could very easily kill me," I say to the beast, forcing my voice not to waver.
"I'm not interested in killing anyone," the voice is quieter now, "only taking back what I gave to a human who didn't deserve my gift."
"You…" I pause, biting my lip. "Zenitha… you made her immortal."
"You're quick," the animal answers. "I didn't realize doing so would trap me here as well, but I have to admit… she's not the worst person I could have made immortal. You know there are humans who have died as children who have taken more lives than her?"
The old lady tugs on my arm again and this time I follow her instructions, stepping forward slowly as more of the beast's paw comes into view. It seems to be a dog, or perhaps a wolf, in the family anyways. "Why did you?" I ask softly. "Make her immortal.
"Because I could," the thing laughs, sending another shiver through me. "Come here, and I'll tell you. Sit by me, I'll keep you warm." I should say how my shivering doesn't come from being cold, but I can't seem to talk. Instead I just sit by its paw, reaching out hesitantly to touch the soft fur. The old lady allows me to slip away with a soft smile, hobbling towards the darkness that the rest of the dog-beast's body is enveloped in. "That's fine, I understand," the thing laughs. "By the end of the night I'll win you over, though. I chose Zenitha because she was strong. I saw fire in her eyes, in her soul… the same I see in yours. I thought she would be entertaining to watch. To see what happens when you make someone with unlimited inspiration and desire into someone with infinite time. She was a science project, and experiment." The beast lets out a huff, and I jump in shock when the nose of a large dog lands on the ground near me, sniffing as if about to sneeze. That at least confirms my belief of him being a dog…
"Zen said she was sacrificed," I say, watching the corner of one white tooth protruding from the dog's mouth. "Are you…"
"Zen… you are her friend then," the dog mutters. "They saw me as a god in her day, gave me sacrifices often. I had a taste for babies, and young virgins…" he licks his lips, panting slightly. "Zen was supposed to be a virgin, only ten years old… she had to be, right?" My heart sinks, knowing what's coming next. "She had a tutor; her father wanted her to be intelligent; so she could run the country. This tutor was married to the mother of one of the king's sons… he wanted revenge… and had been attacking her every night for years. She didn't know there was any other way to live." He pulls back his lips a bit, either in a smile or a sneer, I can't tell. I hope sneer. "I should've let her die… to live with that forever isn't fair… but I wanted to her to have another chance… that's why she forgets who she is with each life, depending on the amount of trauma she's sustained in the last life."
"You helped her?" I conclude.
The beast laughs. "That reason for giving her eternal life came later… I was just curious to begin with." I swallow nervously. "So, tell me… friend of the princess… who are you?"
"Sakura…" I whisper softly. "Har-eh… Hatake Sakura."
"Hatake?" The beast booms, making me cover my ears. He immediately quiets. "Sorry, Hatake? You don't smell like a Hatake."
"By marriage," I say softly.
"I see," the beast says softly. "Well then your man will rescue you. Hatake men do not let go of their women."
"You know Hatake family?" I ask softly.
"I created the Hatake family. My descendants, in a way," he says easily. "Tell me, does your Hatake have the hair?" I nod. "Ah, I felt that, but I'm afraid I can't see you… was that negative or positive?"
"Positive, yes, he has the wild, silver mane," I say softly. "How do you mean… descendants?"
"Long ago there was a woman given to me, as a sacrifice, not the princess, don't worry," he says easily. "She was a Hatake, I can never remember her name, to this day, but she was young, fifteen, maybe, and she had two little brothers, all of them orphans. Her littlest brother had been chosen to be given to me, but the morning before he was delivered she came to me and begged me to take her instead. Given she was a virgin, and was cute by all standards, nothing special, black hair, dark eyes, clean skin, short, cute, I took her without thought. Unfortunately, she won me over… brought me gifts and told me stories. I kept her alive for months, stayed by her side and allowed her to visit her brothers. She became a part of me… and… then she falls in love with this boy…"
I smile softly, sounds like the plot to a typical romance novel, Beauty and the Beast or something. "She tried to run away?"
"No, I sent her away," he admits. "Under one requirement. This boy she fell in love with was pathetic, but the Hatake girl had the makings of a ninja, so I made her promise me, if she was ever in trouble she would call for my help, and teach her children to do the same. Over the years my children became the Hatake family summons." The dog smiles softly, lying its head between its paws, so near to me now. "Hatake was the first sacrifice I let go. The princess was the second. You will be the third. I guess I have a soft spot for pretty young girls."
"Thank you," I say with a soft blush. "What about her?" I ask nodding towards the darkness. "She… she won't get away?"
"That old hag?" The dog laughs, his warm breath surrounding me. "She's not a sacrifice. She's my keeper. Since my sight was stolen from me I find it hard to live properly."
"Stolen?" I ask, slightly surprised.
"Ah, by one of my decedents actually," he laughs sheepishly. "Hatake Sakumo."
"Sakumo?" I ask in shock. Kakashi's father stole this thing's eyes?
"He and his son," the beast confirms, making my jaw drop. "What was his name…"
"Kakashi," I say easily, biting my lip and turning my head. Holy hell… "My husband."
"That's right… oh."
"Yes," I mutter, "I'm sorry… I didn't realize…"
"Good for him," the dog suddenly barks in a half laugh. "He was so weird then, I thought he'd be the end of the line. You'll have pups, of course."
"Excuse me?" I cough, thrown off.
"Pups… oh… children, you'll have children," he laughs.
"Um… well we don't really…" The beast lifts his head slightly and I swallow nervously. His eye opens slightly, showing quite obviously how they're white all the way through. "I mean… we're going to be Zen's next parents… so…"
"Oh no," he sighs, dropping his head again. I look to him in shock, but I'm cut off in a moment as a howl breaks the air. "That's one of mine…" he muses. "You're mate is on his way."
I blush slightly, looking down in embarrassment. "Which one is it?" I ask softly. "Which of your… pups?"
The dog laughs, the paw under me shaking. "Ūhei, I believe," he says after a moment. "Would you give the princess a message?" He asks softly. I nod, agreeing softly after remembering he can't see. "Tell her… I would rather have her… than have her dead."
"That's it?" I ask, surprised. "Really?"
"There are three things that mean anything to me. Zenitha is one. The Hatake girl, and her family, the second. And my children the third," he smiles, showing sharp fangs. "When you give birth to Zen… all three will be brought happily together. That's reason enough for me to stay here… as long as she comes to see me…"
"You really would stay here?" I ask, surprised. He said he was trapped here. Why would he willingly stay?
"Well sure, as long as I don't only get to see her when her cousins drag her here. I never actually wanted them to kill her when I asked them to bring her to me… I think they got a little carried away though," he laughs. "I'll have to have a talk with them."
"If only one brought me here…" the dog grunts his confirmation to my assumption. "Then the rest that were with him are dead."
"Oh dear," he sighs. "Oh well, ugly bastards, aren't they. Hard to believe they reproduce."
"Sakura!" I glance up in shock as Kakashi leaps into the cave, bathed almost beautifully in moonlight. I get up to run to him, but the dog stops me, teeth barred slightly. "Sakura… you're…"
"I'm fine," I say easily, glancing at the sharp teeth. "Wh-"
"Kakashi… son," the dog growls. "You are working my pups to the bone. Ūhei sounds so thin…"
Kakashi says nothing for a moment, just stands a little straighter. "I work them no more than necessary."
"This little chase…" the dog growls. "Having them run half way across the country to find some girl?"
"Watch your tongue," Kakashi says evenly. "Or I'll take that as well."
"Big words," the dog teases. "What kind of man allows his woman to be taken from him so easily?"
"A man who knows he can get her back," Kakashi says simply.
"Quite confident of yourself, aren't you?" The dog laughs harshly, licking his lips and nudging me back with his nose so I fall onto his paw again. "I could eat her, swallow her whole. What could you do?"
Kakashi smiles under his mask, hand edging up towards the handle of the Anbu regulation sword on his back. "Slice you open and pull her back out," he says darkly. "Then I'll cut you into pieces and feed you to the Princess's remaining cousins… raw, I think."
I choke, pushing away the mental image. "Kami, Kakashi," I mutter. "Ew."
The dog throws his head back, laughing. "You always were psychotic." He curls his paw under him with a grunt, pushing me off his paw and towards Kakashi. "Go, go to your man and make babies… keep the family name alive and all that crap. I want to meet them, I expect to be named god father."
Neither Kakashi nor I are paying attention. He has me in his arms the second I'm out of the dog's reach. "You ok?" He asks, looking me over.
"Broken arm," I shrug, reaching up with my good arm to pull him close. He kisses me forcefully, pulling me against him in such desperation that I nearly melt in his arms. "Ow!" I gasp as he bumps my arm, pulling back. "Careful," I scold.
He rubs the back of his head sheepishly, smiling. "Sorry," he mutters. "Let's get you home and get that healed properly." I nod and Kakashi looks towards the ceiling and whistles. In a moment one of Sai's ink birds dives to the floor, landing right next to us.
"Bye," I mutter softly to the dog. "I'll tell Zen what you said."
"Raise her well," the dog responds, laying his head on his paws and closing his blind eyes.
I watch him disappear into the darkness as the bird takes us to the hole in the ceiling and lands softly next to Sai. "Welcome back," Sai says with a smile, holding out the clothes I had been wearing before to me.
"Thank you," I say softly, realizing that Kakashi's arm wrapped around my shoulders, holding me closely to him, has no intention of moving so I can change into my old clothes. It felt absolutely wonderful. I actually felt like singing. I bite my lips to hide my smile and sigh softly. "So, the mission… are they dead?"
"All but one. Anbu are tracking him," Shino replies quietly. "We're returning to Konoha."
"Shouldn't we go with them?" I ask, looking around.
"They're a team, Sakura," Kakashi says simply. "They have worked together for years, and it's better for them to move in small numbers. Plus, there's little point in chasing after them. They're long gone. We won't catch up before they catch up with him."
"That and you and Kakashi are injured," Sai says, making me turn in shock, to Kakashi.
"Sai…" Kakashi mutters, rolling his visible eye.
"What happened?" I demand. "Kami, are you ok?"
"I'm fine," he laughs, holding his hands out to fend off any attempts at medical care I might make. "Really, it's nothing."
"Kakashi!" I practically growl.
"A few cuts are all!" He defends, trying desperately to calm me down. "I healed one already."
"Let me see!" I demand. "I'm the medic, for Kami's sake."
Kakashi sighs, rolling his eyes, unzipping his vest and shrugging it off. "This is stupid," he tells me, pulling his shirt off, a few cuts visible in the fabric. Sai just sits watching us, but Shino appears to be a bit uncomfortable… I realize after a moment he's almost laughing.
"Shut up, you," I demand, pushing away Kakashi's torn tank-top-and-mask combination to see the shallow cuts across his chest. "You idiot," I mutter. "They're poisoned."
"Of course they are," Kakashi says easily. He didn't tell me? How dare he? As if I wouldn't notice… "That's why I wanted to get back to Konoha. It's not enough to kill me; it'll just make me pass out. So unless you want to carry me…" I sigh, getting to my feet and turning his shirt the right way to hand to him. "Thank you," he says defiantly, pulling it on.
We travel quickly, Kakashi lagging a bit behind as the poison starts to take effect. I throw him a few worried glances as he starts to sweat more than usual, and his eyes begin to glaze over, but he seems to shake it off easily, keeping up with us well enough that we don't have to change the pace for him. We're less than a mile from the gate when he trips. Sai catches him, thankfully, but he's gotten worse, nearly shaking now.
"All right," I mutter, "Go on, guys, tell Tsunade to get ready for us. Kakashi and I will take the road from here on out."
"Sakura, no," Kakashi sighs. "Come on, your arm…"
"No, if you can't make it back to the village I'm the only medic and should therefore be with you, you idiot," Kakashi has nothing to say to that. "Go, guys." They nod and flicker off, leaving Kakashi and I alone. "You're an idiot," I mutter, leading the way down from the tree branches to the road below.
"I know," he admits. "But I'm your idiot."
"Can I exchange you?" I ask dryly.
"Sakura, ouch," he winces playfully. "No, sorry, you're stuck with me."
I sigh heavily, smiling softly at him. "Oh well, I could've done worse, I suppose."
"Oh you could've, and have, done much worse," Kakashi almost slurs. "Genma, for one, is much worse."
"Shut up and walk," I sigh, giving him a little push towards the city gates. He laughs as he stumbles slightly, catching himself quick enough to stop any worrying I might have done.
I'm only a few steps ahead of him when he pauses, wobbling for a moment. "Eh… Sakura?"
"Kami," I mutter, turning just in time to watch him fall. Luckily for him I'm quick and strong, or he'd be eating dirt at the moment.
"Thank you Tsunade," I sigh as she brushes out of the room after me.
"Of course," she says with a smile. "Just… watch over him once he wakes up and sneaks out. I'll tell Zenith you're back, she wanted to see you."
"I could go down now," I say without much thought. "I have a message to relay."
"Don't be ridiculous," Tsunade laughs. "She'll come see you, she's moving around perfectly well now."
"I thought-"
"She's immortal, Sakura," she cuts in. "Apparently she adjusts very well."
I shake my head as Tsunade closes the door in my face, leaving me in the private patient room with an unconscious Kakashi. I smile softly, turning back to look at him just in time to see his eyes flicker slightly. "I don't know why I put up with you," I half laugh, meandering slowly towards the bed to sit quietly next to him. "Aren't you supposed to be some ninja genius? That was dangerous and stupid, and you could've died. I seriously think you need to reevaluate your career choice. Perhaps… stay at home dad?" Kakashi's eyes snap open at that. "I knew you were faking it!" I giggle, watching with amusement as he struggles to sit up. "Relax, I'm not pregnant." He gives up with a huff, sinking back into the mattress.
"Don't do that to me… you'll give me a heart attack," he mutters gruffly. "Alright, help me up."
"Why?" I ask, frowning.
"I want to go home," he says with a sigh, as if it's obvious. "Sign my release papers, and then take me home so I can sleep in a proper bed. Preferably yours, ours, whatever," I raise one eyebrow at him slowly. "Please?"
I sigh, rolling my eyes as I settle in at the chair by his bedside. "You can't even walk yet. We'll leave after Zen comes to see us; I have a message to pass on to her."
"What kind of message?" Kakashi asks, frowning.
"One from her, um, maker, I suppose," I say with a shrug. I bite my lip cautiously glancing up at him through my eyelashes. "I'm glad you're ok, Kakashi."
He pauses, mouth half open as if to reply, then smiles. "You are so damn cute," he sighs, reaching up to touch my cheek tenderly. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I mean, for worrying you at all. Also, for letting him take you. I wasn't-" he bites his lip, scowling at the wall behind me. "I wasn't close enough, I should've been able to protect you, but I-"
"I don't need protecting, Kakashi," I say simply, giving his hand a little squeeze.
"But you could've been hurt, if he didn't think you were Zen he might have killed you," he argues. "I put the mission before you… I… I put Zen before you."
"No," I say simply, anger flaring up inside me at the thought of it. "You made the right choice. Thank you." He looks at me eyes, wide in surprise. "You trusted I could take care of myself, Kakashi. As a ninja, that's probably the greatest compliment you've ever given me."
Kakashi doesn't speak for a moment, just staring at me, before he sinks back into the bed. "It's weird, not having to look after you."
"Just because you don't have to doesn't mean I don't want you to," I tease, pulling him to look at me buy the chin. "Next time, you damn well better come after me, got it?"
"Obviously," he agrees, voice still showing some of the anger he feels towards his own actions.
A knock on the door stops our conversation, leaving us both to turn our heads towards the door. I pull the sheet up over the lover half of Kakashi's face before answering. "Yes?"
"Hey love birds," Zenitha practically purrs as she hobbles into the room, dragging one leg behind her and holding her weight up on a crutch. "I understand I owe you some thanks."
"All of the targets were killed," I confirm with a nod. "There's no one after you in this region, as far as we know."
"Thank you, both," she says with a soft smile, hand drifting down to her stomach. "It's a relief to know he'll get the chance to meet his son now, Shinji, I mean."
"It's a boy?" Kakashi asks, sitting up with a struggle. "How do you know?"
"Because I want it to be," she responds with a cheeky grin. "I've had too many children, Kakashi. This one, is a boy, I can feel it. Mother's intuition."
"You scared?" I ask, biting my lip.
"Are you?" She responds easily, eyes filled with happiness I've never seen in her. I realize belatedly that Kakashi and I are still holding hands, bringing a blush to my cheeks.
"Yes," I admit, "But it's different for you, you know you're going to die."
"Sakura, baby," she teases. "I can't die." I laugh at that one, and she smirks, Kakashi just sighs heavily. "Alright, well I'll let you get back to things-"
"Actually," I say quickly. "Kakashi, will you be alright here alone?"
"I do not promise to stay," he states simply.
"Fair enough," I shrug, "I'll see you at home. Zen, if you had a few minutes…"
"Sure," she nods, "Though, we should find some place to sit or this is going to be difficult." I nod, following her from the room slowly. "What happened?" She asks once we're halfway down the hall.
I glance back over my shoulder at Kakashi's room, and then sigh heavily. "He's upset because he gambled with my life."
She hisses slightly, nodding. "He did that once before, when I was Rin."
"I think that's why it's upsetting him. He thinks someone might have died because his choice," I mutter, shuffling my feet.
"You look alright to me," she half laughs. "It's different with you; you're actually a good ninja. Back then I didn't know anything. Who's to say if he had come after me Obito would still be alive? Who's to say any of us would? Without Obito's eye Kakashi couldn't have protected me. He shouldn't worry so much, you're a good ninja, and he made the right choice."
"Thank you," I mutter.
"Something else?" She asks, glancing at me sideways.
"I met someone while I was there…"
"The wolf, right?" She asks, smiling. "How is that old dog?"
"Blind," I mutter. "Lonely."
"He still wants me around?" she asks with a small laugh.
"He said, 'I'd rather have her, than have her dead,' or something like that," I say softly.
"Eh," she mutters with a shrug. "He's always howling about something."
"He made me promise to take you to go visit him, when you're my kid," I edge. "Is that… is that ok?"
"Oh sure, Hashirama and Tobirama used to take me to see him all the time. I even took Tsunade with me once or twice," she says easily. "He'll try to kill me though, so make sure you and Kakashi always take me together, and keep an eye on me while I'm there."
"Of course," I say with a nod. "Such an interesting life you've led."
She shrugs. "Not really. Just a long one. I have a favor to ask."
"Of course you do," I say with a smile.
She smiles back. "Don't tell Shinji I died, tell him I left, or pretend to be me when you see him." I scowl at that, confused. "His mother died in childbirth… he wouldn't want to be responsible for that."
I freeze, unsure of how to respond. She just waits patiently. "You really care about him," I mutter, glancing down at my feet.
"Of course I do," she says with a soft smile. "I think you need to get some sleep. And I need to go find a place to sit down. I'll see you around?"
"Right," I say with a nod, starting towards the hospital exit.
"Sakura," Zen calls, making me turn back to face her. "Thank you, for everything."
I nod, smiling, and then turn back and leave. I'm stopped by Sai before I reach home. He's carrying a small bag with a ribbon ties around the top sloppily. "For Kaminari," he says with a smile. "I read you're supposed to give gifts when someone has a baby."
"What is it?" I ask, eyeing the bag suspiciously. Who knows what Sai would find appropriate to give to a baby?
Sai actually blushes, looking down at the gift in his hands. "I made her a puzzle box, inside there's a picture of Hinata and Naruto at the hospital after she was born. Once she gets it open, chances are- I mean… if they keep working as ninja…"
"Sai," I scold, looking down at the bag. I tsk softly, holding out my hands. "Let me re-tie that bow for you."
He hands it over with a bit of relief touching his face. "If she's Naruto's kid she probably won't have the necessary patience to open it anyways…"
I actually laugh at that, knowing it's true. I take a quick glance in the bag as I begin to re-tie the box, smiling at the intricate woven wood pattern that's visible. "That's very thoughtful, Sai." I say, handing the bag back to him. "I'm sure she'll treasure it… when she's older."
He smiles brightly, and then quickly looks away. "How have you been?"
"Fine," I say simply, "Kakashi finally moved in. Should be there now if he's already slipped out of the hospital."
"You two seem… happy," he notes. "Mostly."
"Mostly," I agree. "He's upset about his decision on the mission, to finish it before finding me."
"Oh," Sai mutters, looking straight into my eyes.
"You're hiding something," I say simply, waiting for him to tell me what it is.
"I'm… uh…"
"Sai, tell me what happened," I demand.
He sighs, looking down at his feet. "He didn't choose to finish the mission before finding you. The minute you were taken he sent his dogs after you …"
I sigh, shaking my head. "Why is he so upset, then? It doesn't make sense." Sai looks up at me again. "Ok, what now?"
"I wanted to go after you," he admits after a moment. "Kakashi forbid it." That honestly doesn't surprise me. Sai was supposed to serve as our vision from above; if he was following me the mission would've taken more risk than necessary. "I think… I mean… if he's comparing it to his past…"
"Oh," I sigh, glancing down the street towards my home. "Oh dear."
"Is something wrong?" Sai asks quietly.
"Apparently," I sigh, "If you'll excuse me…" Sai just nods as I turn to meander down the street. What a drama queen, my husband. One little life and death situation and he's all shaken up. He's no use at all, really. I know he's there before I even get inside; the door's not locked as I had left it, and the lock wasn't picked. That… and I see him through the upstairs window as I come up towards the house. I don't bother to call his name, I know he won't answer. I lock the door behind me securely and wader through the kitchen and living room before I slowly climb the stairs.
I watch him cautiously from the doorway before I ease into the room, watching him as he stares blindly out the window. I get the feeling he'd like to be standing, but due to his current near death by poison situation he's too weak to do so, and instead lounges in one of the chairs known to be far more pleasing to the eyes than the body. "You alright, sweetheart?" I ask cautiously, edging closer and softly placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine," he mutters after a moment, bringing his hand up to cover mine. After a second or so more he turns his head to look up at me, smiling a fake smile. "You alright?" Even if his mask were in place I would be able to see the lie in his eyes.
I scowl slightly, moving around the chair swiftly to kneel on the floor in front of him, supporting my weight on his knees. "Kakashi, talk to me, what's wrong?" He looks away easily, over my shoulder and out the window, shaking his head. I reach up and brush a shock of hair from his eyes, fingers tracing over his scar. "Talk to me."
He hesitates for a moment before he sighs, reaching down to pull me to my feet. He then spins me around slowly, pulling me down to sit on his lap. I easily curl up against his body, allowing him to bury his face into my neck so he doesn't have to actually speak to me. "I did it once before, Sakura," he mutters against my neck as he wraps his arms around me. "I made that stupid mistake for the second time, and… I mean… what if-"
"Kakashi, I'm here, I'm ok. No one died, it's not a big deal," I soothe easily. "Sai's not dead, Shino's not dead, you're only a little scratched up, and I'm almost back to one hundred percent. Zen's even back on her feet and safe now, thanks, in large part, to us."
He swallows thickly, leaning his forehead against my collarbone. "Last time I made the wrong decision I got Obito killed. If it hadn't been you…"
"This was different, Kakashi." I whisper, brushing my fingers through his hair. "You know my abilities, and so you knew I could handle myself. You made the right choice taking in all your options while calculating in the skills and talents of people involved."
"You were carted away unconscious, and I let him take you," I start to cut him off, but he stops me. "Kami, Sakura! I'm going to be a father relatively soon. How the hell can I take care of a child like this?" I watch the top of his head as his arms wrap tighter around me, the palm of his hand spreading over my stomach. "How is a father supposed to protect his family when all he can think about is the 'mission'?"
"Kakashi," I begin softly, kissing the top of his head. How the hell did he make the leap from a slip on a mission to being a father in about a year? "Being a father is not like being a ninja. Just because you've made a few bad decisions in your career doesn't mean anything. It's instinct."
"It's a bad instinct," he argues. "I instinctively let you go in order to follow orders."
"No, you instinctively knew I didn't need your help," I correct. "And I didn't. Kakashi," he doesn't respond. "Kakashi, look at me." I have to force him to look up at me, surprised to see his eye wet with unshed tears. "Oh, sweetheart," I whisper, almost too quiet for me to hear myself.
"I'm scared," he whispers. "Sakura… I don't… I've never been so…" I wait for him to continue, but he doesn't, not in words. Instead he just continues to stare at me, until the tears slowly recede.
"You're a world class ninja," I say simply, holding his gaze solidly. "You're a decent teacher, and a phenomenal lover." He glances away for only a second before bringing his gaze back to me. "You've done a fine job being my husband so far. All signs indicate you'll be a good father too."
"I was a horrible teacher," he says after a moment.
I roll my eyes, standing up with a huff. "All right you cry baby, I give up. One way or another, in a year's time you're going to be a father. But if you can't suck it up and move on by then, don't expect anyone to know that."
His eyes go wide as he looks up at me in shock, all evidence of tears gone. "Wh-what?"
"My child will not be raised by a man who can't get his head out of the past and all the things he's done wrong," I say coldly, leaving the room easily.
As predicted, Kakashi's in front of me before I even reach the stairs. "Are you insane?"
"Only because you make me so," I practically growl, daring him to fight me back on this one.
"You can't raise Zen without me, how are you supposed to keep all those secrets?" He demands, more fear in his voice than anger. "You'll forget, she'll ask a question you can't answer. I knew her as a child. You can't handle it."
"I can handle a lot of things, Kakashi," I challenge. "After all, I put up with you as a kid. You know though… I'm getting kind of sick of it. All your whining and crying. Poor pitiful Kakashi: never had things go the right way for him. Let me tell you, darling, no one's life is perfect."
He scowls for a moment. "You're bluffing."
"Of course I am," I say with a sigh, moving forward to wrap my arms around his waist. "But you're being silly. So what, you made a mistake. Learn form it." I lean up carefully and kiss him, before turning back to the room to go to bed.
I wait up for a few hours, simply thinking about everything that's happened over the past few days, but Kakashi doesn't come to join me. It's not until at least midnight that I'm woken by the creak of the floorboards by his side of the bed. I hear him pause for a moment before he slowly slips into bed next to me, not touching me. "You ok?" I ask quietly.
"I'm fine," he responds in a whisper. "Are you."
"Better than you." I say simply. "Where have you been?"
"Out with Genma," there's no hesitation in his response, but I find it hard to believe that's where he really was. "We talked for a while. I told him about how Zen will be our daughter, sorry."
I sigh, rolling my eyes. The man really can't keep a promise. "That's it?"
"Well then we started talking about you," he edges, "than I had to beat the crap out of him, but yeah, that's all I told him."
I laugh softly. "You went somewhere else."
He's silent for a moment before he rolls over slowly, draping one hand over my waist. "I went to talk to Obito," he admits. "I told him a few more secrets than I probably should have, but I thought he needed to know."
I roll over to face him, frowning at the beginning of a black eye. "Genma got the crap beat out of him, you say?"
"He got in a lucky punch," he admits. "Give me a break, I'm still healing." I smile softly, wondering at the number of wounds this man has acquired. "I realized something… very stupid today. Something I should have realized a long time ago."
"What's that?" I ask softly.
"I'm a cry baby." I smile as he holds his expression steady. "Seriously. I tried to come up with ways on how I could stop being a cry baby, but I couldn't, so I've come up with another solution." I raise an eyebrow at that. "Everyone else just has to cry more." I can't help myself from laughing at that. "So, Sakura, come on, help me man up. Cry a bit."
"I'm not going to cry," I laugh, rolling onto my back.
"Oh, come on," he argues, following me. "The tears don't even have to fall, just a little moisture. That's it."
"I have nothing to cry about," I laugh, sticking my tongue out at him.
"Of course you do," he protests, "You're about to be the mother of an immortal being, you're in a relationship almost everyone thinks is a scandal, your boss is a slave driver, and your husband is a cry baby, now cry dammit."
I laugh, leaning up o kiss him. "That immortal being happens to be a very nice woman, I love a good scandal, Tsunade's like a mother to me, and he's my cry baby."
"Why the hell are you so optimistic?" He practically growls.
"You should try it," I say with a smile. "It'll make life much easier."
He shifts his weight above me, leaning on one arm so he can brush my hair out of my eyes with the other hand. "Don't scare me like that, Sakura."
"Like what?" I ask with a scowl.
"Don't tell me you'd leave me. Don't say you don't want me around," he pleads. "I know I can be difficult, but the thought of loosing you…"
"Kakashi," I cut off, putting my hand over his. "I love you, and should that ever change, I would not leave you. I would kick you out; this is my house after all."
He pouts, dropping his head in defeat so it rests against my collar bone. "Why?" he groans.
I smile, combing my fingers through his hair. "Because you fell for your student, I'm punishing you."
"Can't we find a less psychological way to punish me?" he groans. "Maybe something involving chains, I could go for chains."
"But you'd like that too much," I argue flirtatiously. "You know what I want?"
"What," he asks, kissing my collar bone.
"Sleep," I say simply, giving him a little shove. "Get off of me." He groans in annoyance, but complies, snuggling into my side with a soft kiss on my shoulder. "Good night, snuggle bunny." I tease.
"I shall be yours," he quotes, his smile evident in his tone.
Ok, so I suck, I know. The next chapter should be the last, and then maybe an epilogue, but I don't know… so… yeah. Don't expect it soon, I'm trying to pass Music Theory (not exactly failing, but, whatever) it's actually a very difficult class. Also, my song writing class is stealing most of my 'creative urges' so… it might be a while until the next one.