A/N There will be one more chapter after this. I hope you all love this one! Special shoutout to TheSilverbunny again! Her art for this fic is so beautiful. There is a scene here inspired by her first piece, and she recently added an absolutely stunning piece for chapter 44. Go look at them and give her all the kudos and comments!

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Part 2 Chapter 21

Sakura

An enthusiastic knock on the balcony door and a high pitched squeal pulled Sakura's attention from the book she'd been reading to a nearly hysterical Ino. She was doing a bad job containing her excitement to find her best friend curled up on the lap of the man Sakura had confessed to having a crush on only, what was for Ino barely a week before. It was clearly almost too much. If she hadn't been so wrapped up in her own family and the friends she'd made in her last two years, Sakura would have been expecting this visit.

Smiling, even though she knew this meant an end to their quiet afternoon, Sakura kissed her husband and got up from the couch. She unlocked the door and slid it open. Before she could get a word of greeting out, Ino—practically vibrating—barged in past her.

"It's true! I didn't believe it when Hinata told me." The blonde was staring down at Kakashi like a cat would watch a small bird before pouncing. He looked marginally unsettled, but not enough to leave. Kakashi had been even more clingy than Kazuki the last week. They hadn't spent more than a few minutes apart since she'd got back, and Sakura wasn't complaining.

If she hadn't known better, she would have hoped that having him there would deter Ino from making the imminent interrogation less personal. But Sakura did know better: Ino was just as nosy as Aiko and twice as relentless. She would let Kakashi kick her out if she started asking about what the sex was like—which she absolutely would. Ino would be far more likely to listen to someone she used to call sensei than Sakura.

"Yes, it's true. Went back in time, got married, had a baby, and now I'm back. That's it. Not that exciting really, you don't need any more detail than that."

Predictably, Ino scoffed. "You're joking. It really has been two years since you've seen me." Without any more warning, Ino threw her arms around her neck in a crushing hug. "Come on, Forehead, I know you missed me."

Sakura hugged her back just as fiercely. "I did, actually."

"So tell me everything! Last week you were pining over the most unavailable bachelor in the village and now you're married. I need to know how this happened!"

Sighing, she looked over at her husband to gauge his mood to find him resignedly closing his book and standing. "Honestly, I'm surprised she lasted this long. I half expected her to visit while you were still in the hospital. I guess I'll get us something to drink."

Rolling her eyes, Sakura let her friend pull her over to the couch. "How did you meet him? You were only there two years, how long were you dating? How long did it take you to start fu—"

"Ino! No. I'll tell you the same thing I told my friend Aiko: I will not share any details about what we get up to in bed." When she pouted Sakura held up her hand. "No. You can ask about anything else and I'll probably answer, but not that."

Ino rolled her eyes dramatically and glanced back to check if Kakashi was still in the kitchen. "Okay. Just…" She held her hands up, palms together and began slowly spreading them apart. "Tell me when to stop."

"Ino."

She gave her a look, continuing the gag.

"Ino—

Her eyes widened, as she kept going. "Really?"

Kakashi set the drinks down on the coffee table, humming thoughtfully. "Stop."

Her hands a fairly accurate distance apart, Ino nearly fell out of her seat, blushing furiously that he'd caught her and actually answered. "Oh my gosh, no. What? Sakura!"

"Kakashi, stop, you'll only encourage her."

His eyes crinkled in the most shit-eating grin. "Just trying to be helpful."

For her part, Ino picked her jaw up off the floor and gave Kakashi a once over as if she'd never seen him before. He was dressed for a lazy day in: a sleeveless masked—skin-tight—undershirt and low-slung gray sweats, a thin sliver of pale skin showing. Honestly it was unfair that he could look so good without even trying. "Well. Good for you, Sakura."

Snorting, Sakura rubbed a hand across her forehead as he sat on her other side. "To answer your first acceptable question, the first thing I remember after getting abducted was landing on top of him in his bed."

"You're joking." When Sakura only nodded, she scoffed. "No wonder you moved so fast."

Kakashi hummed again, one hand slowly making its way through Sakura's hair. "I thought I was being attacked by a very sexy assassin."

"Kakashi. Don't make me take this to her place." Her threat had been in jest, her tone light and amused. She did not want to leave any more than he wanted her to. But he had still tensed briefly, his hand pausing in her hair.

"No… No, that's okay. I'll just sit here quietly reading my book. You won't even know I'm here."

The very real tension that had bled through spoke of countless painful quiet afternoons spent alone. He would be okay eventually, but it had only been a week. Reassuring him, she patted his knee and turned back to Ino… Who, by the soft, sentimental look on her face, Sakura could tell had caught his brief panic.

"So, what happened next?"

Almost two hours later Ino was clutching a tissue in one hand, rubbing absently at her chest with the other. The safe-to-share formal wedding portrait was on the coffee table. "Oh Sakura, that's so sad. Poor little Kazuki-chan, poor Kakashi-san, poor you. How traumatic. Are you okay?"

She shrugged, but Kakashi slipped his hand into hers, pulling it into his lap. "I'm… okay. I didn't have to wait twelve years to get back to them, at least." His eyes sparkled with a tender smile for her before going back to his book.

"And he waited for you all those years, and now you get to be together again, and ugh… Forehead, it's got to be the most romantic story ever." She flopped backwards over the arm of the sofa and sighed. "I'm so upset my best friend got married and I didn't get to be there."

Sakura smiled, biting her lip. "Well actually, we're getting married again. Technically he didn't marry me me, so we're making it official."

Ino sat up so fast Sakura worried she might have given herself whiplash. "Let me plan it. Please."

She scoffed "Ino, we're just going to have another small ceremony at the shrine—"

"Oh my gosh you're so full of jokes today." She faked a laugh and gave them a flat look. "You're both freaking famous. Sakura, you are one of the new Sannin and—more importantly, sorry—he's going to be Hokage at the end of the month. You can't have a small anything. This event is practically a matter of state. I can think of at least two other kage that would be personally offended to not be invited, nevermind the Daimyo."

Kakashi's head thumped against the back of the couch. "Ino, no."

"Ino, yes." She leaned around Sakura so she could see him. "You know I'm right. I'm surprised Tsunade hasn't said anything. She already had to publish a statement about what happened, both to explain your sudden relationship and how the hell Sakura could be the mother of your son to avoid any scandal, and to sidestep another international dispute over what happened. The Daimyo from Iwa is involved. Something about his son dying in the war. It's a mess honestly." Smirking, Ino flipped her long ponytail back over her shoulder. "Shikamaru got a letter from Temari just yesterday demanding details—about the jutsu and the sexy stuff."

Realizing she was, unfortunately, right, Sakura decided to lay out some boundaries before it was too late. "Fine. I still want a traditional shrine ceremony. Only family, close friends and I guess the other Kage. Everyone else can attend the reception. No sakura blossoms, and I'll hire the photographer."

Ino threw her arms around her and fairly squealed in delight. "Oh my gosh, I'm so excited! I've gotta go. I'm assuming we're on a tight schedule, so I'll be back tomorrow with a guest list for you to look over."

Once she was gone, Kakashi pulled her into his lap and shifted so they were laying on the couch. "Do you think if we move before she comes back she'll lose us and we'll get out of that?"

Sakura draped herself comfortably on top of him, propping her cheek on his chest. "Not a chance. Besides… as long as we're married at the end, does it matter how many people are there?"

"I guess not."

KSK

Sakura held the small bouquet of delicate purple heliotropes to her nose, the sweet smell bringing a smile to her painted lips. Ino had chosen them for her. Apparently they symbolized devotion and eternal love. They were very fitting.

Tomorrow they would be married in the biggest, most extravagant wedding Konoha had probably ever seen. But today was about them.

Sakura hadn't thought they needed extra pictures, certainly not an entire photo shoot. But Ino had insisted it was important. Apparently it was the done thing these days and they were important so pictures were important. Surprisingly, Kakashi had agreed to this. He had only had three pictures of her while she'd been gone and now she was back he wanted more.

The dress Sakura had on was a modern style. The neckline was low, off the shoulder and trimmed in lace. Her breasts looked fantastic if she said so herself. It was unlike anything she'd ever worn. She had to hand it to Ino: it pleased the girly part of herself that enjoyed looking beautiful and wearing pretty things. Not something she indulged often as a kunoichi.

Unfortunately, Kakashi was running late. Even though he wasn't the Hokage yet, Tsunade was making him sort out the mess with her kidnappers and Iwa. Fair, she supposed, considering the only reason he wasn't Hokage already was because she'd agreed to let him wait until their son graduated the Academy and Sakura returned.

"Sakura!"

She looked up from her flowers to see her husband striding down the dock ramp towards her. They were on the edge of the Nara forest. A small fishing dock rocked gently on a rather large pond, ringed with tall, beautiful trees. It really was picturesque.

Kakashi was wearing a modern black suit, a sprig of the heliotropes in his breast pocket. "You look beautiful, Sakura." His eyes swept appreciatively across her chest. "I think I like this dress."

She chuckled lightly, accepting his masked kiss on her cheek. "You look pretty good yourself." Sakura took a moment to appreciate the way the cut of the jacket and pants accentuated his broad shoulders and nice ass.

"I'm sorry I'm late." He rubbed his left eye with a knuckle. "We've finally heard back from the Tsuchikage. It's going to be a nightmare for her to deal with: ousting a Daimyo is no easy feat. I know Iwa is on the other side of the world from where we'll be honeymooning, but we'll have to visit to help them sort this out."

She did not mind and told him so. "It's going to be a pain, but I can't complain. If not for this mess, we wouldn't be together. We wouldn't have Kazuki."

His eyes crinkled with a warm smile and he kissed her again.

"Are you ready?"

The familiar photographer called to them from where he'd set up his camera. Recognizing him, Kakashi huffed.

"You threatened him again, didn't you?"

She grinned brightly. "I didn't have to. He remembered me."

KSK

The shiromuku was as heavy as Sakura remembered, and just as beautiful. When last she'd worn it, it was December, the heavy layers of silks keeping her warm on the chill day. This time it was a beautiful afternoon in late June. Thankfully, not too warm.

"Oh, Sakura. You look beautiful." Her mother stepped back from where she'd been adjusting the kaiken, her hands folded under her chin. "I hoped for years this day would come again for both of you." Her eyes went misty. "I'm so happy."

Sakura fanned her hands in front of her face to stop her own tears from ruining Ino's hard work. "Mom…" Reaching out, they hugged, mindful not to wrinkle the silk. "The last time I did this, I missed you so much and I had no idea if I'd ever see you again. But I was okay because I knew you and Dad would be there for Kakashi and our son when I was gone. I know I already told you, but I could thank you for looking after them every day for the rest of my life and it would never be enough."

Her mother chuckled lightly, pulling back and cupping her face. "We love your husband, and we love your wonderful little boy. Taking care of them for you was an easy choice to make." She kissed Sakura's cheek. "And now you're back and you're marrying him again and he loves you as much as any man has ever loved a woman and I couldn't ask for anything more for my daughter."

Sakura blinked rapidly and gasped a soft sob. "Dammit, Mom. I love you too."

Both women giggled as her mother carefully dabbed at a smudge of mascara and a stray tear. "Now, go find your husband before he storms in here and carries you off. Ino would be furious."

KSK

Kakashi

For the second time in his life, Kakashi found himself standing in a small private courtyard in the shrine. It looked familiar, so much so that perhaps it was the very same one. His father's haori again graced his shoulders, the Hatake crest now a proud symbol of the man he was and the family he had been blessed with. And, just like before, far more people than he would have thought possible were waiting to celebrate their marriage. Ino was entirely to blame and it was honestly ridiculous. More than once he had joked about carrying his wife off to the coast and marrying her in a local shrine just the two of them. Ino had not found it half as amusing as Sakura.

At the moment, he wished he'd actually done it. Kakashi hadn't seen her in hours and he was starting to get… tense. Sakura called it 'trauma-induced separation anxiety,' and as much as the label fit, it made him feel a little like a puppy. He was getting better—it had been four weeks—but not at least being able to see her made him feel increasingly anxious and panicky. He knew it was unreasonable. She wasn't going anywhere. Still, the lingering fear that she would poof out of existence, leaving him alone again, nagged at him when they were apart. He hadn't expected to feel this way, and he hated it. It made him feel weak and burdensome.

But Sakura did not care, because she felt the same way. She reached for him whenever he was near, needing to touch him just as much as he needed her, reassuring herself as much as him that she was really there. If Kazuki was away she went with him everywhere: meetings with Tsunade, walks around the village, the massive sunken bath he'd had put in their new home.

He was really dreading the moment when he would finally have to take the hat from Tsunade. Sakura had suggested living in the Hokage's actual official residence for a year or two so she would only be a few rooms away if she wasn't busy, but he'd refused. Both she and Kazuki loved their new home and he wasn't going to let this definitely temporary anxiety ruin that. Besides, he could be there almost as quickly if he needed to be. Shizune had already grumbled about having to keep him on task when he had somewhere he'd much rather be. He hadn't felt the need to tell her they were going to be trying for another baby already. She might actually quit.

"Kakashi."

He spun on the spot, and just like the first time thirteen years before, he nearly forgot how to breathe. The tears stinging his eyes were new though. She was so beautiful, exactly as she'd looked in one of the memories that had sustained him for so long. It was almost too much. But then she smiled up at him, reaching up to brush them away and tug him down to kiss.

Nearly breathless when she finally pulled away, Sakura chuckled softly and wiped at his lips with the palm of her hand. "Oh no. The lipstick Ino used isn't quite as kiss resistant as whatever Aiko had."

He laughed too, tracing his thumb along her cheek. "No one is going to know but you."

She tsk'd, licking her thumb and rubbing the corner of his mouth. "We're taking pictures."

"Alright." He copied her, tracing her lips with a finger, wiping away a smudge. "Sakura…"

"Hm?" She looked up from where she'd been smoothing his kimono.

"I love you."

Her smile was sweet. "I know."

He smiled too, but was interrupted before he could say anything else.

"Mom!" Kazuki came rushing out into the courtyard and up to them, dressed in a matching montsuki haori. "Ojiisan said you've probably had enough time to yourselves. Kissing." He smirked as he eyed the lingering red tint to Kakashi's lips before focusing on his mother. "Mom, you look so beautiful."

She laughed again, patting his head as she took him in. "Thank you. You are as handsome as your dad." He blushed at the complement, scrubbing his cheek after she kissed him. "Here, let me help."

When she licked her thumb to wipe the red smudge she'd left behind, he wrinkled his nose. "Mom, no one's gonna see."

Kakashi and Sakura replied together. "Pictures."

KSK

Kakashi relaxed against the smooth stone edge of the hot spring. The tension of their recent visit to Iwa melted away as he waited for Sakura to join him. It was the same onsen they had visited on their first honeymoon, and it filled him with nostalgic anticipation. Hatsue had been beside himself with happiness to learn that Kakashi had been reunited with his wife. He had insisted on paying for their stay, refusing to hear anything else. They had accepted graciously, eager for the secluded respite after the headache with the Tsuchikage.

"Kakashi…"

His eyes snapped open, finding his wife standing on the edge of the spring, the dark green yukata barely covering her, her lips shaped in a wickedly seductive smirk. Slowly, knowing exactly what she was doing to him, she let the yukata slide down her body until it pooled around her feet. Giving him a moment to drink her in, she slowly slipped down into the water, the tops of her breasts capturing all of his attention as she crossed to where he sat.

When she wrapped her arms around his neck, settling herself on his lap, he could not contain a groan. Leaning forward, he captured her teasing lips with his, kissing her until he felt her melt against him. "Kashi…" She sounded breathless and he wanted more, but when he tried to kiss her again, she placed two fingers against his lips. "Wait, I have something to tell you."

He nipped at her fingers. "Oh?"

"Yes. Remember how I mentioned I'd had an injection a month before my little adventure?"

He nodded.

"Well, rather than just wait the months for it to wear off, I took the neutralizer yesterday."

"Oh."

She nodded, kissing the corner of his mouth. "It burns through the hormone blockers and forces my body to reset."

The heat she'd ignited in his gut tightened like a vice as understanding filtered through the haze of arousal. "Interesting. What happens next, Doctor Hatake?"

He saw her smirk again from the corner of his eye as he slowly kissed her neck, her fingers carding through his damp hair and scraping lightly along his scalp. "What happens next is I'm going to be very fertile. So, if you still want to put a baby in me, you have a pretty good shot at it this week."

She gasped and it turned into a drawn out moan when he pressed her down against himself and kissed her hard. "Sakura…" Knowing she could feel exactly what he thought of that, he kissed down her neck again, more insistently this time, sucking and nipping at her hot skin. "I hope you don't have any other plans for the week then." He gripped her hips and angled them just so and she whined when he brushed against her. "We're going to be very, very busy."

KSK

Kakashi

Three years later

A faint whimpering pulled Kakashi from his dream. It was not a good dream. He was alone again and it felt like he was in hell.

But he was awake now. The golden light of late afternoon streamed in through their open window, a cool breeze following with it. The sorrow that was once his constant companion receded back into the darkest corners of his memory as he looked down at the warm body pressed into his side, relaxing. Even after three years of having her back, he would still wake up sometimes and forget. Then she'd be there, touching him, kissing him, warm and solid and alive and his world would start to spin again.

Sighing, he lightly drew his lips across her temple. Sakura was lying on her side, using his body to prop her back up so she could rest comfortably. On her other side, little two-year-old Sakumo was sprawled out, his round cheek pillowed on Sakura's chest. His white hair stirred in the gentle breeze. Careful not to jostle his sleeping wife, Kakashi reached down to pat his back, soothing him back to sleep.

Their honeymoon had been a successful trip in more ways than one. She told him she was pregnant the day he finally accepted the hat from Tsunade, making what would otherwise have been a troublesome day one of his best.

Sakumo was born in early spring in the middle of a rare late snowfall. It had been difficult for Kakashi to enjoy the moment at first, caught up in more lingering trauma from Kazuki's birth he hadn't ever dealt with. But as the minutes ticked by, his tired wife coming back to herself after hours of labor rather than disappearing, he was able to breathe again.

Kazuki was in love with his new brother immediately, spending nearly all of his free time those first few months with his mother and the baby. Kakashi had lost count of the number of times he had come home in the evening to find his oldest son stretched out asleep next to little Sakumo and a usually dozing Sakura. Almost always, he would join them. They were precious memories.

When Sakura mumbled something and groaned in her sleep, Kakashi kissed her temple again and reached a hand down to smooth over her belly. A tiny, unseen foot greeted his hand with a swift kick.

Having been denied the chance to raise her first baby, Sakura was greedy for it now. Sakumo was hardly walking before she was asking him for another and, sharing her sentiment, he had not denied her. She was a wonderful mother, as he had known she'd be, and it felt like some kind of miracle to share these years with her now.

Squinting at the clock across the room, Kakashi wondered where that first baby was. He should have been back from his mission. Kakashi would know since he'd been the one to send him on it. Hopefully, for Sakura's sake, he wouldn't be late. She always worried when he was late. Passing his Chunin exams the year before had not helped.

Somewhere on the other side of their home, a door opened with a muted bang. Heavy footsteps made their way down the hall and finally the bedroom door slid open. Kazuki peeked in, his entire body relaxing when he saw them.

He met Kakashi's eyes and smiled, quietly slipping into the room. "Can I give you my report later, Dad?"

Kakashi snorted softly. "Of course."

His son, now fifteen years old and almost as tall as he was, nodded gratefully and crawled into bed beside them. Curling up on the other side of his mother, he kissed one of Sakumo's pudgy bare feet before pushing it out of his way. Getting as close as he could, he pressed his face against her belly and sighed contentedly, falling asleep almost immediately.

Not fully waking, Sakura reached down to run her hand through his hair, a soft smile spreading across her face. Everything was right in her world again.

Glancing at the clock one last time, Kakashi decided that Shizune could find him if anything urgent came up. Kakashi let his head fall back to his pillow. He still had years before they'd let him step down. This, a rare moment of peace with all of his family together, was more important than paperwork. That could wait.

He had already waited long enough for this.

End

A/N I hope you loved this! That's the official end of the story. I have three scenes written, and two more in the works for the epilogue. Those are coming as soon as I finish.