Chapter 50

Kakashi sat quietly outside Choji's operation room with Shikaku. Lady Tsunade had marched into it earlier, but not without leaving Shikaku orders to keep Kakashi from wandering off, because he'd wander right off into Shikamaru's mission. Which, yes, was a high possibility. But in all honesty, he wanted to be by Sakura's or Sasuke's side. Sasuke was in a recovery room, but Sakura was in intensive care, locked in an operating room just like most of Shikamaru's team were.

Even after Shizune's team weakened the Sound Four, they were still a powerful group. If he hadn't been sitting here pregnant- No, if that hadn't been the case then he would probably have been out on a mission, and his hounds wouldn't have been able to help Shikamaru and the kids out.

Still, that didn't mean Kakashi had to like sitting here doing nothing. He couldn't imagine how Shikaku felt. He had to stay behind to patrol Konoha's walls, while his son went out with only genin as back up.

"Hopefully the rest of the kids are doing alright," Shikaku said softly, his thumbs twitching nervously.

Kakashi shifted. "Izumi went after them again, the Sand kids too, so they have a good chance."

He really hoped Naruto was okay. Please, let one of the kids be alright.

It had been hours already. The book that Shikaku had carried with him for Choji had been huge, and Lady Tsunade would be careful to study it thoroughly. More hours passed. Sakura was thankfully out of intensive care and put in a recovery room. That lessened the weight on his shoulders. Just Naruto to come back. Kakashi prayed that he would be okay. Please, just let them all be okay.

Kiba Inuzuka was next brought in, and not by Izumi this time, but by Kankuro of the Sand. Then barely ten minutes later they received the report that Temari of the Sand arrived with Ino, her clothes bloodied, carrying a far too pale Shikamaru in her arms. Shikaku left immediately, apologising, as he rushed down the hallway.

"Kakashi sensei!"

He paused, and smiled when Naruto ran down the hallway, Urushi by his side. Kakashi ruffled Urushi's head, then patted the bench beside him, gesturing Naruto to sit down.

"Have you been checked over yet, Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah, but I'm fine." Naruto deflated. "The others though..."

"Are under medical care now," Kakashi said softly. "We just have to put our faith in them to take care of your team."

Naruto hung his head. "I heard Sakura and Sasuke are in pretty bad shape too..."

Kakashi frowned, and reached up, squeezing Naruto's shoulder. "Yeah, but Lady Tsunade's already looked at Sasuke, and has now left him with other professionals she was confident could take care of him."

"Granny already helped Sasuke?" Naruto beamed. "Then this must be Sakura's room-"

"Ah, it Choji's-"

"Why are you outside Choji's room?" Naruto blinked.

"I've been ordered not to go anywhere since I'm not trusted to wander off into a certain other group's mission." Kakashi shrugged.

Naruto winced. "She's keeping you prisoner, huh?"

Kakashi groaned. "Yep."

They both grew silent for a surprisingly long time, especially considering because it was Naruto. Naruto stared at the floor, his gaze distance, as if he was elsewhere, but finally he scowled.

"What happens now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will Orochimaru go after Sasuke again?" Naruto growled.

Kakashi grimaced. "Probably. He really wants a Sharingan from a pure bloodied Uchiha."

"Well we got Sasuke back and that asshole can't have him!" Naruto spat. "He tried and failed to take Sasuke and we'll beat him again and again."

"There will be a lot of discussions the next coming few days I imagine," Kakashi said softly. "Considering that is twice now a ninja of Konoha has been kidnapped from inside Konoha's walls in what? A few weeks?"

"You and Sasuke..." Naruto's fists clenched.

"Then Gaara tried to kidnap Lee during the exams," Kakashi reminded him.

"He's here too right?" Naruto blinked, then gasped. "Wait, he's not about to try kidnap Lee again, right?"

"Gaara's being kept an eye on just in case." Kakashi grimaced, the baby booted him again, and he sighed, trying to sooth them by rubbing his belly.

"Is everyone back yet?" Naruto asked.

"Out of your team? Yeah, Hinata, Neji, Choji and Shikamaru are in intensive care now-"

"Shikamaru?" Naruto paled, shaking his head. "No, he was fine! He was fine when I went after Kiba, he and Ino-"

"They were attacked by a man who uses bones, if what Ino said was correct. They were interrogated by him, with Shikamaru being tortured-" Kakashi said hesitantly.

Naruto snarled, shooting up to his feet. "I'm heading back-"

Kakashi grabbed his wrist. "It'll be over by the time you get there. Izumi is either fighting him right now, or has defeated him, or been defeated by him, which in that case, no one can go after him apart from a jonin."

"Well, it's a good thing I'm not taken out so easily." Izumi strolled down the hallway. She looked a little bloodied, and bruised, but otherwise seemed fine. Izumi sat down on the bench across from them, stretching out. "I'm exhausted after that."

Kakashi chuckled. "I bet. You did a good job bringing all the kids back, Izumi."

"Yeah, but I got there late for Shikamaru." Izumi's gaze hardened. "He was bleeding out bad. Have we heard anything?"

Naruto choked.

"Not yet." Kakashi shook his head. "Shikaku went to Shikamaru's room. But I don't know whose attending him..."

"Well, at least he completed his mission, that's what the higher ups would have said if most of them weren't dead," Izumi sniggered.

"Careful," Kakashi hushed. "I know you hated them, but many people loved them."

Naruto threw her a confused look. "What's so funny about that?"

"Nothing to worry your little blonde head about, Naruto." Izumi crossed her arms. "Oh yeah, Sasuke's looking good. He's asleep right now, but he'll recover from his kidnapping and overdosing of whatever drugs they hit him with."

"You visited him?" Naruto scowled. "The nurses refused to tell me where he was."

There was an amused twinkle in Izumi's eyes. "They probably feared you wouldn't shut up and would keep him awake."

"I wouldn't!" Naruto complained.

"Bullshit."

"It's not!" Naruto whined.

Kakashi smiled warmly, then paused as Pakkun trotted down the hallway, climbing up the couch, right in between him and Naruto. Naruto, of course, was shoved out the way by Pakkun's paws.

"Why do you hate me?" Naruto groaned, shuffling back.

"Alpha pup," Pakkun chuckled, snuggling into Kakashi's leg.

"He used to be worse to all my Alpha friends back when I was a kid," Kakashi said, petting Pakkun. "Actually, you're all still kinda bad for that now to be fair. You still chase my friends."

"Aw, c'mon!" Naruto cried. "So even when I present your dogs are gonna be pains?"

"Probably even worse," Kakashi sighed.

"Why do you let them do it, Kakashi sensei?"

Kakashi scoffed. "You think I have any control over this lot?"

Pakkun snorted.

"It's probably going to be worse when your baby is born too," Izumi noted.

Kakashi froze.

People wouldn't be able to get near the baby.

Poor baby.

Pakkun looked delighted. Oh no. That was bad. That was very bad.

"Well, at least my baby is in safe hands?" Kakashi laughed nervously.

Izumi smirked, but Naruto looked horrified.

"I'll never get to hold the baby..." He deflated.

"Neither will Sakura," Izumi laughed.

Kakashi sweat dropped.

.::.

Hinata couldn't see. It was terrifying, her eyes ached, her head pounding, but neither of those bothered her as much as the fact that she couldn't see a thing.

"I have prepared tea!" Lee declared, and okay, she had to admit, he was a bit of a blessing at the moment.

He had arrived the moment the doctors told her she was allowed visitors. Lee had declared he would watch over her for Neji as Neji's pack and instantly began bringing her things. She wasn't entirely sure what he brought, but so far there was a fluffy blanket wrapped around her shoulders, or at least it felt like a blanket, and one of Hanabi's old toys that held her milky, pup scent.

"Thank you, Lee," she said softly, and paused when he took her hand, pressing a cup into it.

"Just be careful, it's really hot," Lee cautioned.

"You seem to be doing better," Hinata said, sipping carefully at the tea.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade's treatment has worked wonders. I'm getting back to my youthfulness," Lee said. "I'm still tired, and still stumble a bit at times, but I'm no longer aching all the time and feel so weak."

"That's brilliant news, Lee."

"Thank you, Hinata. I hope your recovery goes far more smoothly"

Hinata nodded. "The doctors did say a week or two and my sight would come back..."

"That is most excellent news!" Lee cheered. "You and Neji will probably be recovering for some time, so I'll do my best to help you both-"

"Don't over do it, Lee!" Tenten's muffled voice called from what Hinata assumed was the doorway. She heard the door slide open, Tenten knocking as she entered. "Sorry for just walking in, Hinata. I heard you did an amazing job today."

"A-Ah, yes, w-we brought Sasuke back." She tapped her fingers off the cup. "H-How is Neji?"

"He's in a recovery room now, sleeping off whatever the medics had to do," Tenten said. "Only Shikamaru is in intensive care now."

"S-Shikamaru too?" Hinata gasped.

"Yeah, he came in an hour ago," Tenten sighed. "What a bad time to be on a mission. I would have loved to help you all out."

"I am the very same. I wish I could have gone, as did Kakashi sensei," Lee said. "We kept each other company in Lady Tsunade's tower. She said something about Kakashi sensei running off otherwise."

Tenten groaned. "Of course."

.::.

Shikaku waited for hours. The hours passed like days, far too slow and far too painfully, the only things that kept him from bursting open the doors to Shikamaru's room was Yoshino's hand clasping his, and the fact that Shikaku had been mentally preparing himself for this day for years. But he hadn't imagined Shikamaru being put in intensive care so young in life, and that was stupid of him. Lady Tsunade had taken over for the medic an hour ago, tired but still working away.

Ino and Temari sat across from them. His son's mate was someone he would have never expected in a million years, but perhaps it suited. She reminded Shikaku of Yoshino. A no nonsense woman, and a strong willed Alpha.

"I don't understand... My Alpha was screaming that Shikamaru was hurt, but we haven't bonded," Temari said softly.

"But you now know each other exists," Yoshino said, squeezing Shikaku's hand tighter. "Our secondary genders have a stronger connection than most people realise, even without mating, so your Alpha realised Shikamaru was endanger, as did ours."

Shikaku's Omega had been distressed, even more so than when they found Shikamaru's note in his empty bedroom early that morning. But Shikaku's Omega was protective, unlike Shikaku himself. He wanted Shikamaru to grow strong, while his Omega wanted to hold him close and protect him. It was oddly conflicting, but Shikaku could feel that desperation as his own now. Shikamaru could be dying-

No. They would feel their pup dying, or at least feel like things were getting worse, as his Omega and Yoshino's Alpha had earlier. They just had to be patient. Shikaku jerked upright the moment Shikamaru's door opened, Lady Tsunade stepped out and smiled warmly.

"Shikamaru's going to need a bit of time to recover, but he'll be fine as long as he rests," Lady Tsunade said.

Shikaku breathed in and relaxed, Yoshino softening against him.

"Thank goodness!" Ino cried. "Can we see him?"

"He's been sedated for now," Lady Tsunade said. "The bones that went through his knee and his stomach are going to take the most time to heal, so for now he'll be in a wheelchair so he can rest without disturbing them."

"And the blood loss?" Temari asked, glancing at her clothes with a wince.

"Plenty of rest and water."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade." Shikaku bowed his head.

Choji, Ino and Shikamaru were all safe. That was good enough for him. Now he could go and finally take a nap.

"You can sit with him if you want, you two, until the others are ready to move him to a recovery room." Lady Tsunade nodded at him and Yoshino. "Since you're his parents I'll trust you not to make too much noise. Ino, maybe you could go keep Choza company while he waits for Choji to be moved to a recovery room?"

"A-Alright," Ino said, and quietly left.

"I'll go see my brothers," Temari said, standing up.

"We'll tell Shikamaru you said 'hi' if you don't get to see him before your visit is over," Yoshino said.

"Thank you."

.::.

Kakashi slumped into his couch, burying his face into his hands, groaning in frustration. That was way too close. This had all been way too close. They had nearly lost Sasuke to Orochimaru. They could have lost any of the kids on that mission to Orochimaru's minions. They could have died.

"It's weird not seeing you in your tiny apartment."

Kakashi glanced up, and blinked at the mug in front of his face. Mr. Kidnapper held it out, and all Kakashi could do was stare blankly at it.

When did he get into the Hatake Estate?

Fuck, he forgot Mr. Kidnapper could do that. The nursery. It took Kakashi way too long to remember that. His head was far too messed up to think straight.

"Oi, Kakashi, take the mug," Mr. Kidnapper ordered, huffing. "You take the mug, you drink and relax."

"Yeah, yeah." Kakashi rolled his eyes and took the mug. "But if it's as deadly as your cooking you might kill me."

"Shut up, I can make tea," Mr. Kidnapper huffed, but Kakashi could feel his blush as he sat down next to Kakashi. "What happened?"

"Orochimaru's minions came and kidnapped Sasuke." Kakashi smiled sharply. "You should have just killed the bastard during the exams, Mr. Kidnapper. He's stressing me out."

"I'll try remember that for next time," Mr. Kidnapper mused, then softened, Kakashi could smell his scent, soothing, beckoning Kakashi to relax. "Are you going to be alright? That must have been a scare for you."

Kakashi leaned against Mr. Kidnapper and sighed. Idly, he ran his fingertip over his cup, watching himself make small circles around it.

"I could have lost all my students today... All of us could have... There was someone from each of the rookie teams on there, and from Guy's..." Kakashi murmured. "I wish I could have helped them."

Mr. Kidnapper's thumb brushed against the swell of Kakashi's stomach. It was comforting, sending a wave of warmth through him, and he relaxed more against Mr. Kidnapper.

"They came back," he said. "And even if you had wanted to help, I would have stopped you."

Kakashi snorted. "Overprotective much?"

Mr. Kidnapper huffed. "You're a pregnant Omega who has already been kidnapped once-"

"By you-" Kakashi added.

"And Kumo-"

"I wasn't pregnant then," Kakashi reminded. "That was before your dick wandered into me and gave me a 'mini me'."

"I'm not about to let you go and get yourself into trouble," Mr. Kidnapper continued over him. "I'll be keeping a close eye on our connection, Kakashi, and feeling your condition through our bond. The moment you get yourself into trouble I'll be taking you again, no matter how much you fuss."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Just what I've always wanted. An orange masked kidnapper to, well, kidnap me."

"Stop fussing before I gag you."

"Kinky," Kakashi teased.

"Shut up."

Kakashi could feel the blush from here. He couldn't help but smile and snuggle back into Mr. Kidnapper, sighing happily. At least he could rest his eyes for a little while now while the kids recovered. They should be safe for now.