Chapter 43 (Saiya's POV)

"Who on earth could that be?" I grumbled, refusing to get up.

"Maybe Naruto and Sakura took you up on your offer early," Kakashi shrugged.

"Might as well get it," I stood up unwillingly. "The knocking might wake up Ayome."

Before I could even take a step, Kakashi pulled me back into bed and kissed me passionately.

"I love you Saiya," he whispered, his lips millimeters from mine.

"I love you too Kakashi," I smiled and stroked his cheek.

The person at the door knocked again.

"Yea yea I'm coming," I said to myself.

"You know," he moved his lips to my neck. "We could just ignore the person; we haven't been alone together in a while."

He kissed my neck and I was tempted to just let them be, but we heard voices.

"Kakashi! Saiya! We know you're in there! so come out!" Gai's voice came muffled through the door.

"Ugh, Kakashi, they won't leave and you know that," I groaned.

I was tense and I wanted him, but if Gai was outside, he wasn't about to leave us alone anytime soon. I wriggled out from underneath him and went to the door.

"You owe me a night!" he called out with a small smile. "And I'll make sure that night is memorable."

I turned red at the thoughts that rushed through my mind. But I pushed them aside for the moment. On the other side of the door stood Gai, Kurenai and Asuma.

"Jeez, about time," Asuma said. "We heard about your mission. How's the little one?"

"She's asleep right now," I said shortly. "But after Gai's racket, she'll probably-"

"Mommy!" Ayome's wailing voice came from down the hall.

"Here we go," I muttered.

Her wailing voice was quieted, and I could hear Kakashi soothing her. Kakashi showed up carrying a half-awake Ayome.

"Hey guys," Kakashi said. "How have you been?"

"We should be asking you after what you guys went through," Kurenai said pointedly.

"Well, as you can see, we're fine," Kakashi said while stroking Ayome's hair. "Just taking some time off."

"Well, we just wanted to see how you're doing," Gai said animatedly. "And to challenge you, Kakashi of the Sharingan, to a duel!"

Everyone just sort of face palmed, and Kurenai and Asuma dragged Gai away while muttering an apology. With that, we were suddenly alone.

"Mommy," Ayome sniffed.

I took her from Kakashi and we put her back to bed. Kakashi and I retired to our room, but before we could even do anything, we both passed out, exhausted from the day.

Later that night, I was jolted awake, and Ayome was standing at the foot of our bed crying silently. I quickly stood up and pulled her into bed with me and Kakashi. The nightmares would be around for a while, but thankfully, it was over.

Morning came along and Ayome was cheery as ever. Kakashi woke up later and pulled me into a kiss.

"And there's my little princess," Kakashi pulled Ayome out of her chair and spun her around.

She squealed with delight. I smiled; everything was back to normal...for now.

~Epilogue~

Kakashi eventually did get his promised night. Before I knew it, Ayome had grown to be a beautiful young woman. Zina and I were reunited years later, after Akatsuki had been taken down. Kisame had been killed in the battle, but Zina pulled through. She had a son around the same age as Ayome, and oddly enough, she and he married later down the road. Ayome looked exactly like Kakashi, but she had my bloodline trait. As she grew up, I taught her the ways of the fire.

Kakashi and I became very proud grandparents of two wonderful twin sons. And as for Kakashi and I, our relationship has never been stronger. He is still as handsome as the day I first met him, and I can't exactly remember when I exactly fell in love with him, but it happened. I still can't believe I fell in love with my best friend.

A/N: FIN! THE END! DONE! I wrapped up the last two chapters into one; hopefully I did okay. Maybe one day I'll go through and re-write the story, but in the meantime, I will catch up on my other fanfics and create more and write more and talk more and...wow when will I have time for all of this? I guess I have my future years :) I want to thank everyone who stayed with me for so long. I really appreciate the support. Check out my other fanfics :) I have other ones in the making but they just need typing (I prefer handwriting them). Hopefully they will be up soon. Keep reading my lovelies :)