Its been weeks since Kakashi talked to her about Hana. And even if a week had passed she won't budged in her stance. Hana doesn't need his name. She is fine with hers, no need to complicate things.
"Mama, Aunt Anko took me to a ramen stand. She said its where you and your friends usually go."
Sakura's brows furrowed in "Anko? Mitarashi Anko?" Sakura watched as Hana nodded. "I never introduced you to her, Hana."
Hana tilted her head to look at her. "Oh yeah. Papa is with her when he fetched me at the academy. Said they were friends." the girl replied, still looking at her mother. "She's nice, mama. She said I have nice hair, and she's always making Papa do this." Hana closed her eye and smiled, trying to imitate Kakashi's eye smile.
Sakura couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the mention of Anko and the close interactions between her and Kakashi. The memories of their past relationship and the pain it had caused her came rushing back. She knew that Kakashi had changed, but the wounds were still fresh.
"That's nice, Hana," Sakura replied with a forced smile. "It's good that you're making friends." She didn't want to show her daughter the turmoil that was churning inside her. Instead, she chose to focus on Hana's well-being.
Hana continued to chatter about her day, unaware of her mother's inner turmoil. Sakura listened, trying to put on a brave face for her daughter. She was determined to protect Hana from any more hurt, even if it meant concealing her own pain.
As the days passed, Sakura couldn't help but notice the growing bond between Hana and Kakashi. They spent more time together, and Hana's face lit up whenever her father was around. She also noticed that Hana always mentions Anko in her stories. Which made Sakura angry.
Is Kakashi trying to introduce the woman as a step-something to her daughter?
Sakura's concerns about Anko's presence in Hana's life weighed heavily on her mind. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and jealousy, even though she had agreed to allow Kakashi back into their daughter's life. The idea of Anko potentially becoming a mother figure to Hana was unsettling for Sakura, given her history with Kakashi.
One evening, as Sakura and Kakashi were sitting together in the living room, Sakura finally decided to address her concerns.
"Kakashi," she began hesitantly, "I've noticed that Hana has been spending a lot of time with Anko. She seems to be bonding with her, and I can't help but wonder if you're introducing her to our daughter as... someone important." Sakura said. "I don't like you introducing a possible mother figure to her. Don't confuse her. Look, you can date your... girlfriend" she hesitated on the word, not sure if that is the right word to describe the relationship. "all you want. Just don't bring Hana to these dates. You'll confuse her, then hurt her in the process."
Kakashi run his fingers to his hair, causing it to be messier. He bore his lone visible eye on Sakura. "Sakura, Anko is not my girlfriend. She's my friend, she's a jonin after all. We tend to stick together." he explained. "I'm not introducing her as anything else."
Sakura listened to Kakashi's explanation, her expression softening slightly as he clarified the nature of his relationship with Anko. She had allowed her jealousy and insecurity to get the better of her, and she realized she needed to trust Kakashi's intentions.
"I see," Sakura replied, her tone apologetic. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. It's just that... I'm trying to protect Hana and keep her world stable. I know I can be a bit overprotective."
Kakashi nodded in understanding. "I know you're looking out for her, Sakura. I appreciate your concern. I promise that I won't confuse Hana or put her in a situation that might hurt her. We both want what's best for her, and I'll make sure she knows who her parents are."
Sakura smiled, relieved that Kakashi had clarified the situation. "Thank you for understanding. I want Hana to have the best of both of us. She deserves that."
Hana suddenly peeked from her bedroom, dressed for sleeping "Papa?" she called out. "Read me a story please."
Kakashi looked questioningly at Sakura. He doesn't want to overstep or undermine her. And from the look on her face, its clear that reading stories are their mother-daughter bond. But Sakura turned to him and nodded.
Kakashi smiled and got up from the couch. He walked over to Hana's room, where she was waiting with a book in hand. As he entered the room, he noticed Sakura following behind him.
Hana patted the empty space beside her on the bed, indicating for Kakashi to sit. He complied, sitting down and taking the book from her. Hana snuggled under her covers, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Kakashi began to read the story, his voice gentle and soothing. When suddenly, Hana held his arm and stared at him with the wide grey eyes. The same grey his right eye is.
"Yes?" Kakashi asked, when she bit her lip. "Don't do that." he gently tapped the girl's nose, causing her to squeak.
"Papa, how did you and Mama met?" Hana asked.
Kakashi looked down at the kid with wide eye. He turned to the door and found Sakura in a similar fashion. How can he tell the girl? In all intents and purposes, what they were was wrong.
"Papa?" Hana implored.
'How can I tell you that I was in a relationship with my former student?' Kakashi thought. 'How can I tell you that I met her as a 12-year-old genin while I was a 26-year old jonin? That I pursued her when she was 18 and I was 32? How can I tell you that?'
Even though shinobis were considered adult at 17, the villagers and the others still viewed what they have is wrong.
"Papa?" Hana looked at Kakashi worriedly. "Mama?"
"Hana, I don't think its an appropriate story for you." Sakura said in a careful voice.
"Please?" Hana implored.
Kakashi and Sakura exchanged a look. Worried that Hana will insist. Worried that she will learn it from someone else. At 7, Hana is curious, and she might ask someone, and they might tell her. People are gossip, they will tell her and traumatized her.
"Sakura?" Kakashi asked.
"Go ahead. Tell her."
"Sakura!"
"It's better that she hears it from you than other people."
Kakashi looked at Hana who was looking at him expectantly.
"Hana," Kakashi said his daughter's name with a soft voice. "it was a long story." he started. "What me and your mama had was considered... wrong." He watched confusion laced Hana's face.
"Wrong?" Hana's wide eyes looked at Sakura. "Why?"
"Hana" Kakashi mumbled her name. "don't hate me, please." he implored. And he started to tell her the story.
He started from the start. From how he met her as a genin. To how he failed as her teacher, how he neglected her training and always find excuses to not train with her. How he left her without a sensei when the two males of the team left. To how she became his most trusted comrade and teammate. How when the Konoha law deemed her an adult he pursued her, how she saved him in the war and how he left her mere months after it.
Hana was crying when he finished the story. She shrink away from him and his heart broke. The accusation etched in Hana's eyes were like knives that stabbed her repeatedly.
"You're bad, Papa!" Hana cried out. Sakura immediately came to hug the crying girl.
"It's fine, baby." Sakura whispered to her. "Its fine. Apologize to your father."
Kakashi shook his head. "Its not necessary, Sakura. She's right." he said, exhaustion evident in his voice. "And it's not fine, Sakura." Kakashi's voice was filled with regret as he watched Hana cry in her mother's arms. "I know I made mistakes, and I hurt both of you. I can never change the past, but I will do everything in my power to make it up to you, Hana. I love you, and I'm so sorry for the pain I've caused."
Sakura hugged her daughter tightly, her own heart aching for the little girl caught in the middle of her parents' complicated history. She knew that healing the wounds of the past would be a long and difficult journey, but she was determined to protect Hana and give her the love and stability she deserved.
Hana's sobs began to subside, but her eyes were still filled with tears and confusion. "Mama, why did you let Papa tell me that story?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Sakura stroked Hana's hair and looked at Kakashi. "I wanted you to hear the truth from him, Hana. I wanted you to understand that we both made mistakes, but we love you more than anything in the world. We'll always be here for you."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Hana, I may have made mistakes, but I am committed to being your father and make a better future for you. I'll learn from my past and make sure you have the love and support you need."
Hana sniffled and wiped her tears with her small hands. "I still love you, Papa, even if you did something bad." She looked at Sakura with wide eyes. "I love you too, Mama."
Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes as she hugged her daughter. "I love you too, Hana, more than anything in the world."
Kakashi wanted to lean in and wrap his arms around the two but he knows that Sakura would not like it. She keeps him an arm length away. And wrapping his arms around her is asking for trouble.
Hana turned around to face him and carefully crawl toward him, he wrapped the girl in his arms and press his cheek on her head.
"I'm sorry, Hana." Kakashi apologized. "But Hana," he looked at her. "don't make the same mistakes we did." he told her. "If I would turn back time, I would want your mother to reject me, until I stop. If she did, she would not be so hurt because of me."
"You don't want me, Papa?" Hana cried. She is too smart for her own good.
"Hana, that is not what I mean." Kakashi explained. "I love you."
"I made a mistake." Sakura said. "But I will do it all over again, if you're the end result, Hana." she explained. "Just don't make the same mistakes I did."
Hana looked at her parents, her eyes filled with understanding. She was just a young child, but their words had already left a deep impression on her. She knew that her parents had made mistakes in the past, and they were trying to protect her from making the same errors in her own life.
"I promise, Papa and Mama," Hana said with determination. "I won't make the same mistakes you did. I'll be careful with my heart."