Five years later...
"Daddy!" Kikyo squealed, launching herself into Kakashi's arms the second he stepped through the door. Her arms wrapped around his neck, squeezing tight, and her familiar scent of fresh air and lavender filled his senses. "I missed you, Daddy."
Kakashi smiled as he lifted her effortlessly, though she was nearly eight now and growing taller by the day. Somehow, even with her age, Kikyo still wanted to be carried, to feel the warmth and safety of her father's arms. He'd always known she had a gentle soul, so full of affection and empathy.
"I missed you too, Kikyo," Kakashi murmured, kissing her forehead as he set her down on her feet. "Where's your brother? Causing trouble already?"
Kikyo giggled, pushing her long silver hair out of her face, her grey eyes shining. "Sakumo's with Mama. They're outside in the garden. You know how he loves digging around in the dirt." she reported.
Kakashi chuckled, picturing his five-year-old son covered head-to-toe in soil, Sakura's patient smile as she watched over him. It was a scene he had grown accustomed to over the years—this quiet, peaceful life they had built together, far removed from the chaos of his past.
"And Ryo?" he asked, pertaining to his youngest son.
Kikyo scrunched up her nose. "He's toddling around Sakumo. I swear, Daddy, one of these days, he'll plant him just to get away from him."
Kakashi couldn't help but laugh at Kikyo's description of her youngest brother. Little Ryo was just over two years old, already toddling around with an energy that rivaled even his older siblings. And Sakumo, their middle child, seemed to have taken it upon himself to be Ryo's protector and partner in crime—though that sometimes it meant Ryo was on the receiving end of Sakumo's grand "projects," like being buried in the garden dirt.
"Let's go check on them," Kakashi said, ruffling Kikyo's hair as she led him through the house. They stepped out into the warm afternoon sun, the light filtering through the trees that lined the edge of their property. Sure enough, there was Sakura, kneeling in the garden, her back turned to them as she plucked weeds from between the rows of flowers. Nearby, Sakumo was crouched next to a small patch of earth, where Ryo sat, mesmerized by a worm wriggling in the soil.
"Hey, lovebirds," Kakashi called out, his voice soft but playful as he walked over to them.
Sakura looked up with a bright smile, brushing a strand of pink hair behind her ear. "Welcome home," she said, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. She had some difficulty standing up as her swelling belly is hindering her movements.
Kakashi immediately crossed the small distance between them, offering his hand to help her up. "Here," he said softly, his eyes full of warmth as he gently pulled her to her feet. Sakura let out a breathless laugh, placing a hand on her growing belly as she stood.
"Thanks," she murmured, leaning into his touch for a brief moment before turning her attention to their children. Sakumo was now showing Ryo the worm he'd found, much to the little boy's delight. Kikyo stood nearby, arms crossed, watching with a mix of amusement and slight disgust.
Kakashi smiled, taking in the peaceful scene. "Quite the little adventurers we've got here," he said, slipping an arm around Sakura's waist as they watched their children together.
Sakura chuckled softly. "They certainly keep us on our toes."
As they stood there, side by side, surrounded by their family and the quiet joy of the moment, Kakashi felt that familiar swell of gratitude. This—this life with Sakura and their children—was everything he'd ever wanted, even if he hadn't always known it. The journey to get here had been long and full of its own battles, but now, five years after he had first stood at his father's grave asking for forgiveness, he knew without a doubt that he had made the right choice.
Sakura glanced up at him, sensing his quiet reflection. "You okay?" she asked softly, resting a hand on his arm.
Kakashi looked down at her, his expression softening. "Yeah," he said, his voice low. "Just thinking about how lucky I am." He murmured, drawing her closer to him, planting a firm but soft kiss on her head.
Sakura smiled, her eyes filled with love and understanding. "We're lucky too, Kakashi," she replied, her hand gently squeezing his.
"Do you still choose me?" he asked, a bit of anxiety coloring his voice. For the past years, he feels like he is living a dream and he wanted to be reminded and be reassured that it is all real.
Sakura smiled gently at him, her eyes softening as she watched him. Her mind drifting to all the things that they went through to be in that moment. She looked down on her wedding ring and what it symbolizes, and she knew, her reason for staying before had not changed, it only strengthened
"I still choose you." She murmured, leaning against him. Her fingers toying with her ring. "I am still choosing you and this life we built."
"It wasn't easy to get here."
She gently shook her head. "No, it wasn't." she admitted. "But it was worth it."
They looked around them and saw the life that they built, the soft laughter of their children amidst the garden that Kakashi carefully cultivated and cared for is something that Sakura always wanted. Yes, it wasn't easy to get there, there are a lot of hurt and painful decisions along the way, but in the end, she chose this. Not because there are no other options but because she believed, with every part of her, that they could make it. That they could have this life. And they did.
"I love you," she added.
"I love you too." He murmured, letting his fear of losing everyone he loves go. Sakura and his children weren't like his father, his sensei, or his fallen comrades. They were living in an era of peace, and he was determined to keep them safe.
Kikyo's voice interrupted the moment as she bounded over, tugging on Kakashi's sleeve. "Daddy, come help me catch the frog! Sakumo says there's one by the pond!"
Kakashi chuckled, kissing his wife tenderly on her temple before letting go of her as he turned toward Kikyo. "Alright, lead the way," he said, letting her pull him along toward the pond.
Sakura watched them go, a smile tugging at her lips as she placed a hand on her belly, feeling the faint kick of their soon-to-be fourth child. She turned her gaze back to Sakumo and Ryo, watching as the two brothers huddled together, their laughter filling the air.
Kakashi had come a long way. They both had. And as she stood there in the warm afternoon light, surrounded by the family they had built together, she knew that despite the struggles, despite the past, they had found something far more meaningful than either of them had ever imagined.
Amidst the laughter and the warmth of this quiet afternoon, Sakura knew—they had found something far more precious than they ever could have imagined.
They had found home.