Caged: Chapter 10

To Be Free

A/N: Well my faithful readers this is the final chapter for Caged. I've had fun writing it and I hope you've enjoyed reading it. Thanx, especially to the following who took the time to read/review. My thanx to all you guys for your words of encouragement that kept me going... it was all you!

Pharynx

GinaCat

Infinite'sgirl

Silent Kunoichi

Raefire606

SweetAssassin

Madness Incarnate

You guys helped make this story keeping me motivated! And last but not least:

Apherion, lil sis, you helped me greatly on this story with confidence and more, I really appreciate everything. I look forward to co writing with you soon... we've already started bouncing some kick ass ideas! I'm already getting ready for them!

Apherion has a new fic out called Angel Wings and Platforms. You guys need to check out her fic, too. It's gonna have a great plot! Yes, Apherion, I'm a shameless plugger. :)

Disclaimer: Oh yeah! Last time for this bad boy! I don't own Naruto & company, if I did, I'd be rich! Hinara however is my own original character I created specifically for this fic. There may or may not be lemon material located in this fic, no promises, just thought I'd warn you! Anyway...let's hit it rolling. I'm almost forgot, Drawn to the Pain, is an original poem of mine as well, that is included, so no stealing...

Sakura excuse herself to go to the bathroom with Hinara and Ino following.

She was freshening up in the mirror when she heard Hinara's cold voice." After Kakashi and I are married you are never to see him again. He will not even be allowed to see the birth of his child. He won't even be able to see you bleeding, dying in childbirth. The arrangements are already made. Poor Sakura... isn't it frightening knowing that when it's time to bring forth your child into this world, that with it's first crying breath, it will mark your dying one." Hinara's laugh made Sakura's blood run cold. It angered her, that this woman was planning on killing her to take her baby to raise, thinking Kakashi would never be the wiser.

"You stupid sand cow!" Kakashi's not ignorant. No matter what you think. When he discovers your little charade, he'll personally hand deliver your ass to Tsunade! For some reason, Sakura felt cocky enough to smirk even though this woman was the one that came close to ending her life a few weeks ago. Remembering that thought, made her tremble somewhat for she still didn't know what Hinara was capable of.

Hinara took several steps till she was right up on Sakura. She reared back, punching her across the left face. She would've kept going if she hadn't gotten interrupted.

"Why you stupid, ignorant, Sand whore-bitch! You lay one more finger on her and I'll beat you back to the cosmic soup of life!" Ino's eyes flashed furiously. Ino was in all words PISSED! Not many people male or female had balls big enough to mess with her when she's like this. Ino walked forward and Hinara took off out of the bathroom.

"Damn coward." Ino shouted after her. "Freaking pathetic. She can hit a pregnant woman but won't fight with me! Screwed up is what I call it."

Taking a deep, soothing breath, Ino asked Sakura if she was ok.

"I'm fine. I'm glad you're here though. I'm ready to go home."

"Sakura, you need to talk to Kakashi about this. He can't marry her. Tsunade wouldn't force this if she knew!"

"Please, Ino. Don't say a word. Please. Promise me." Sakura knew she was being silly but she wanted to handle this her way and in her own time.

"Ok. Let's go say our good byes and split. Sakura, if this gets any worse you better tell someone or I break the promise. I've never broken a promise to you and I don't want to start now. Got it?"

"Yeah. Got it." She sounded so tired and if anything she better get Tsunade to check her out; make sure the baby's all right and everything.

The two girls went to the bachelorette party spreading around the hugs and good wishes to everyone but the bride-to-be who wasn't even in the room. Not that is was a major loss or anything. They'd be a lot better off without seeing her. Ino was afraid she'd jump her and about kill her, that is, if she followed her killer instincts!

Next, Ino and Sakura went to the bachelor room to make their excuses and give their goodbyes. Unfortunately, that's where the damned bride-to-be was.

Kakashi and the rest of the guys looked at Sakura rather concerned. "Sakura, Hinara said you feel and hurt your face in the bathroom. Are you alright?" he asked

"I'm fi-", she started till Ino jumped in.

"Hell no she's not fine. You just keep that bitch away from both of us and we'll be fine." These words were fueled by pure fury. Ino looked at Hinara, "The next time you come near us... I'm going to stomp your ass clear over to the next country. Got that? Or do I have to repeat it? Screw it…we're out." Ino quickly turned on her heel dragging Sakura with her.

The quietness in the room was deafening. Kakashi narrowed his eye. Something had happed and nobody would talk. Everything was grating on his nerves but he didn't know what to do or how to approach the whole messed up situation. This misery between Sakura and him was so tangible that he could feel it every time he looked at her. He missed her in his home, his arms and his bed. Somehow, though, he would have to get to the bottom of things like he'd been procrastinating on forever, but if he didn't do it, all this might mean the lives of Sakura and their baby!

An arm wrapping around his waist brought him back to reality, which it was Hinara's reality. He didn't care to be there at all! He just imagined that beside him was a pink haired kunoichi with tremendous strength, a wicked sense of humor and who loved him for the man he is inside and out.

Outside the building, Ino and Sakura stopped long enough to see Hinara's shadow wrap herself around Kakashi. Ino glanced over at Sakura knowing this was killing her and breaking her heart.

The longing in Sakura's eyes as she wished she was the one to do that to him. To hold on to him as she had days previous. The pain cut so deep that it felt like an actual kunai wound and if she looked hard enough, she'd see the torn, jagged skin and the fresh blood pouring onto the ground.

Just a little patience, there's so much at stake

And seeing you with her has caused... my heart to break.

Ino gently hugged Sakura walking her home. She'd offered her the opportunity to stay with her and Shikamaru but Sakura declined. She'd rather be alone right now.

The two girls walked off into the night sadness bogging them down as no other weariness ever could.

Let the rain wash away

Tears flowing from yesterday.

Here I am, Here I'll stay.

Nothing you can do

Will chase me away.

Though you'd like to hide

Hide away from the pain

Even stranger yet.. you're drawn

Like a moth to the flame.

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Sakura overlooked team seven's training grounds where she spent so much time in her youth; it was here with Sasuke, Naruto and of course, Kakashi. Everything, even her thoughts, all came back to him. What was it about him? Why am I so attracted to Kakashi? I know I love him but I don't think I can stay here watching him pledge himself to another in marriage. She felt her eyes filling up with tears. Swiping them away angrily, yet feeling so many conflicting emotions. She was so depressed at the idea of her baby never meeting his father. Then when she thought about what Hinara threatened; she was filled with a deadly rage that made her want to destroy everything in her path. Good thing Hinara wasn't present or she'd do something drastic!

Sakura reminisced over every evil she'd been subjected to by that sand whore and her rage kept growing till she, herself, couldn't contain it. Leaping forward, kicking and punching one of the three infamous post standing guard, she abused it until the wood cracked and splintered. Still possessed by her rage, she did the same to the other two posts, reducing them to splinters and chips. She moved into the open area, kicking, blocking, punching, flipping (even thought it probably wasn't a good idea with the baby). Whipping out her kunai, she switched to target practice, hitting with more than deadly accuracy. She'd never been the best at it, but with her emotions running rampant she could rival Sasuke right now, giving him a run for his money. Her anger surged even more, the harder she pushed the stronger and madder she became. Had anyone from the village seen her they would've run the other direction. If not, they might've peed in their pants she was so scary, ranking up there with Gaara at this moment in time.

Sensing a second presence, she threw a kunai in the trees toward the direction of the oncoming person; letting them know she was in no mood for company or anything else for that matter. Hearing the kunai hit with a dull thud she headed over to retrieve it. Walking into the tree line, she spotted one of the people she didn't want to come within 100 feet of until she calmed down.

"Well, Sakura, looks like someone's been practicing." The lazy drawl, the hentai book hanging a little out of his jounin vest and the shockingly silver hair glinting in what sunlight that had broken through the trees.

Pulling out her kunai, she headed back with a scowl. Couldn't she destroy things in peace? She couldn't even live her life in peace! Things were always going wrong. It was as if she'd pissed off someone in this life and any she'd lived before! She was tired of paying for mistakes that weren't even hers! It has to end... but how? Walking away from Kakashi, she chose not to answer for who knew where that would even lead.

Kakashi followed her back out onto the training area. "Someone's angry, I see." He couldn't believe the amount of devastation he was seeing. She'd done so much of it in a short time it was unreal! He'd seen her doing it the whole time, deciding to put a stop to it on the grounds that he was afraid she'd hurt herself and their baby. Kakashi would never willingly allow her to be physically hurt and it was destroying him to see her going through this without him. The whole situation with Hinara was BS and they knew it!

"What do you want, Kakashi, I'm busy!" Sakura easily let him know she had no time for this little game. She had no desire to be drawn back in by the very man she loved and couldn't see the truth, even if it jumped up, in the form of a kunai, and struck him!

Seeing the fire and desperation in her eyes, he wanted to take her in his arms, wiping away all negativity, bringing back the happy go lucky Sakura they all knew and loved. The look on her face, however, spoke differently and in extreme volumes. "I'm waiting Kakashi. I'd like to finish here sometime today."

"If you're going to keep destroying things like I see in front of me, then forget it. You're not doing yourself and the baby any good!" Kakashi's voice switched from the gentle, lazy drawl to one of furious proportions. "If you want to hit something or have to hit something then hit me... I deserve it."

Raising her eyebrow in disbelief, she looked at her questioningly. "What makes you think I would hit you? Even though you do deserve it!"

His eye widened at that comment. This didn't sound like his Sakura that he'd known since she was twelve. This was the voice of a bitter woman in the body of a young woman. "I've done wrong by you on so much... I didn't fight the Hokage on her orders, I've left you alone to deal with a pregnancy, which can't be easy and we went from burning hot to cold embers. There's so much regret and so much I owe you. I have a favor to ask." If she agreed to this then maybe there was still hope for them to remain as friends since they couldn't join as lovers or husband and wife.

Kakashi lovingly smirked, "How about a spar for old time's sake?"

Sakura's breath caught in her throat. His smile always disarmed in a way no enemy could. It made her want to forget everything, throw herself into his arms and beg him to take her away. "If my ears didn't deceive me I thought you said it wouldn't be good for me or the baby." She wanted to turn his own words right back at him... let's see what he says about that!

Smiling even bigger, he had her, he knew he did. Her question proved she at least entertained the thought which might as well hand him the victory. "Destroying all the wooden posts and trees, flipping around like you were wouldn't be that good for the both of you. A simple spar, though, come on Sakura, you'd still be allowed to work off your aggressions and receive a decent workout too."

"You're being pretty persistent... I'll agree to it this once...for old time's sake!" Giving him a hint of a smile, the two former lovers took their respective places on the field.

Sakura and Kakashi stood across from each other, awaiting the first move from someone, unknowing who would go first. The air so tense it could have been cut with the dullest knife or other weapon that could be found. Mist began to fill the air creating an eerie feeling which Sakura was choosing to ignore for the moment. She couldn't let herself be distracted or Kakashi would win this easily.

Jumping forward, kunai in hand, he met her halfway, blocking her weapon with his. His eye studying her intently. That was something she was afraid of... to let Kakashi back in seeing how she felt. She kicked, he blocked, and punches flew. The fighting couple spun madly, striking at each other wildly neither getting a cut on their skin. Their clothes were another story. Their outfits were shredded in several places like they'd been attacked by dozens of flying kunai or shuriken.

Spinning again, Kakashi gained ground by hitting Sakura with enough force, just to get her down for a minute. He wouldn't have long... she always seemed to recover quickly enough to get up after just a minute or two. She amazed him sometimes even more than Sasuke and Naruto in her persistence and in her deep reserves of loyalty and refusal to give up.

Just with that one hit, his eye told him he's in trouble. The fire had rekindled in her eyes blazing hotter and brighter than it had earlier.

Running towards him, at the last moment sliding between his legs, standing back up to strike, only to get blocked. She smiled her evil Sakura smile... 'He's mine now!' she thought. Inner Sakura was pumping her fist, jumping around ready to fully unleash. She twisted away from his grip, slipping out of it quite effortlessly. Disappearing in a shower of sakura petals, she reappeared in front of him, taking her right, palm pulling it back sending it forward with a surge of her mighty strength. Striking him with her palm, in the center of his chest, Kakashi's eye almost bulged out, her blow sending him backwards about one hundred feet or so.

'Damn, I can't believe she actually hit me? She's gotten really good!' Not many people can land a hit on him regardless. She wanted to play so play they shall. Taking his hand pushing up his forehead protector and exposing one of his hidden weapons, the ever dreaded sharigan. Standing to face her, everything she'd inflicted on him would be reflected back at her ready or not.

When Sakura saw Kakashi reveal his sharigan, her insides began to quake. Nearly every experience with this ended badly with the exception of her and Kakashi's lovemaking. That time, however, it had heightened it to so many levels. Remembering how the intense pleasure eventually overwhelmed her causing her to black out. Holding her breath, she hoped her punishment wouldn't be too severe.

Forcing herself to glance up at her former gorgeous jounin lover, realizing there were tears in her eyes mirroring the misery each felt. They were trapped and there wasn't much they could do about it! Each caged by their own actions and emotions trying in their own way to fight desperately out of this hell created by themselves and others! Was life or Kami in general against them? What the hell was so wrong with them wanting to be together? Sakura wanted to cry over what they were losing and it was that damn sand whore's fault!

Finding herself staring at Kakashi's eye feeling her body get heavy giving way to the blackness heading towards her at a fast speed. She was in a tunnel, her and Kakashi at opposite ends, speaking but unable to hear their words. Struggling to hear the words falling quickly from his lips and failing horribly. Minutes passing, her torture increasing when Hinara appeared beside Kakashi wrapping herself all over him like a second skin.

Sakura couldn't bear this, it was too much! Tears welled and on the verge on falling. Fighting them she didn't want to give in allowing them to fall.

Hinara grinned evilly at Sakura while she gently pulled Kakashi's face down to hers kissing him with as much passion as Sakura had done three weeks ago. What made it worse is that Kakashi returned her affections, kissing her with equal passion and groping her, driving Sakura to severe embarrassment.

Tears that threatened to fall earlier now fell freely and Sakura made no move to hide them. Watching the couple as they continued she felt herself sinking fast into oblivion. Maybe for once in her life she should give up. This pain to sharp to bear, cutting her to the quick. 'No matter what happens I know I'll always love him!' With that last thought, she began to fall, his handsome face the last thing her eyes saw before the darkness took her.

Stretched out on the ground, she opened her eyes seeing Kakashi leaning over her looking...worried? He actually looked concerned but surely not.

"Sakura what happened? You ok?"

"Wh-what happened?" Confusion reigned supreme. One minute they were sparring then he pulled out his sharingan, using it on her, effectively ending their spar. She remembered the mental torture she suffered while under the sharingan's influence and it still cut the hell out of her. Next thing she knew, after that, she was waking up on the ground which is where she was now.

Sakura, feeling so warm, realized why she wasn't cold. Kakashi was now holding her in his arms. She'd never admit that now to him with his wedding in a few days. That thought alone brought back her depression with a vengeance. "Kakashi? What happened to me?"

"While the sharingan was in effect, apparently whatever it was dishing out was too much and you passed out. Before you went down you screamed. What happened, Sakura?" When he heard her scream, he was truly afraid for the first time in his life. His first concern was for Sakura and the baby, worrying that this spar of their's may have been too much.

"I can't, Kakashi... it's too painful." Her voice laced with the pain carried over from the vision she was tortured with. Refusing to relive it, wanting to push it away to the back of her mind, forgetting it forever. But she knew it wasn't possible. That image of Hinara and Kakashi would haunt her til she died! She couldn't live with that always there threatening to burst forth with him around. It wouldn't do either of them any good.

He wanted to press her further but didn't want her to suffer needlessly to satisfy his curiousity. Gazing at her, he watched the tears fill her eyes then fall. Hating himself because he was the one to cause her pain and it pissed him off because he couldn't fix it! Watching her small body shake with the force of her tears, he was reduced to really despising Hinara, the Hokage and himself, in fact, everyone else involved that was against their being together.

Slowly she spoke, taking hitching breaths between her words. "Your sharingan...it showed me my worst possible nightmare. The reason being is my nightmare's really happening, right here, right now. My nightmare is you.. you slipping through my fingers. Sharingan showed me a world with you but in someone else's arms. I can't deal with that Kakashi, not with that and a baby on the way. I just can't do it alone." Her voice broke and she didn't care. She was tired of being strong and not fighting for what she wants just to make someone else's life easier.

"Sakura, no matter what, you'll never lose me." Kakashi hoped he sounded sure because he didn't feel totally confident himself. God help anyone who tried to hurt his cherry blossom for they would pay!

"Kakashi.. what the sharingan showed me is true; at least this time it is! I'm losing you to that stupid, annoyingly perfect, sand whore. So don't tell me I won't ever lose you. In fact, in three days time... you'll be a married man and I'll be back to being alone as I've been for the last three weeks. This kind of contact is killing me Kakashi. It's not fair... I love you but I just can't handle this. Since I can't have you, you have to cut me loose and let me go. I'm sorry but I won't be here for the wedding. I've been assigned a mission that will last for six months." Sakura knew this info would blow him away but he deserved to know. She just couldn't leave without telling him, that's a coward's way out, not her way at all.

Kakashi's mouth dropped at her impromptu announcement. Hearing this, he felt he wanted to drop a few tears as well. He also didn't think he could make it through the wedding without her presence. She always soothed him, it never failed how she could make him feel good without even trying. "Sakura, I need you there. I can't do this without you!" Pleading with her, she had to see, had to know that she was his lifeline. She, alone, had brought him back to life.

Getting up, sending him a sad smile she said, "Kakashi, I'm truly sorry, but I can't do this... not even for you. Please don't ask me to go through this! I just can't do it." Her tears had returned harder and faster than before. She turned to him softly saying, "I'm sorry, Kakashi. I hope you find a semblance of happiness. It just kills me that I can't be the one to give it to you!" Running off, she headed back towards the village, this scene reminiscent of how all this started in the first place. Life was just chalk full of irony and right now it was biting him in the ass.

Two hours later Naruto and Sakura were eating out talking about the events that transpired earlier that day. It was clear how much he hated Hinara; he hated her as much as everyone else in Konoha!

"You know, Naruto, it's weird..." Sakura wore a thoughtful expression on her face. One where you felt you could see the wheels turning.

"What's weird, Sakura?" Speaking between slurps of his favorite noodles.

"Everything I've seen, so far, Hinara hasn't exhibited any pregnancy signs whatsoever. Me however, I suffered... morning sickness, constant bathroom breaks, incessant fatigue among other symptoms, but Hinara hasn't showed any and noone's heard her complain either. Also, she won't let Tsunade attend her with her doctor visits, it's always someone from the Sand country." Thinking hard, she scrunched up her face, knowing she was missing something.

"Too bad you don't have a test to prove it. That or special vision.. I bet someone could see clear through whether she's pregnant or not." Unsure of what answer to give her he hoped this would offer something to her.

Sakura jumped up, excited as can be. Kissing him on his cheek and hugging him saying, "Naruto your a genius. A real freaking genius! Thank you. Thank you so much, you gave me the answer I needed." She ran out of the Ichiraku's, heading out to find the person she was looking for, hoping they were home.

Sakura standing outside the massive Hyyuga mansion, she felt tiny and insignificant. Crossing her fingers hoping this would work; this was her last chance for her and Kakashi.

Ringing the doorbell, it was instantly answered by a maid."Can I help you miss?"

Clearing her throat she tentively asked,"Is Neji at home?"

"Yes. Right this way."

Following the maid inside, her nervousness mounted. What if he refused to help her? Surely he wouldn't, he was like one of her best friends... like a brother.

The maid stopped outside a door which happened to be his room. "Go ahead and knock miss."

Raising her hand to the wooden frame and knocking she heard a voice demand to know who it was. "Neji... it's me... Sakura."

"Come in."

She walked in to find him sitting crosslegged on his bed in the middle of a meditation. A couple of minutes passed and suddenly he was through.

"So, Sakura, what can I do for you? It's been a while and I'm sure this isn't a social call."

"Adept as always, Neji. I need your help."

"What kind of help?" His eyes seemed to stare through her burning a hole at the same time.

"I need your help in proving that Hinara's lying about being pregnant. With your Byakugan, you can sense a change in chakra, right?" She was building all her hopes on what the next few things Neji could tell her. She just hoped it was to her advantage!

"Yes. I can see when a woman carries a new life. One thing I notice is that a child drains some of the mothers chakra and causing another flow of chakra within the mother. It's all in the rhythm and flow of your chakra. I could sense and see the change in you right away."

So far so good! She continued on,"Hinara should be about two months along and showing no signs at all. I was hoping you'd look at her with Byakugan and see if she's lying. Also, I'm going to check her bloodwork from the labwork we drew when we performed all those physicals. That's a test we perform on every female who's been out of Konoha. Just a precaution she hasn't been impregnated without her knowledge."

"I'll do this. She angered me by screwing things up between you and Kakashi. I don't take lightly to those who mess with my friends. When are you planning this?"

Sakura wasn't sure if her giddiness was showing through yet or not. "Would right now be too soon?"

Smiling, Neji replied, "Never. Let's go find her and prove your point."

The two companions left and headed for the marketplace. Neji and Sakura couldn't believe their luck... their standing in the middle of the street talking to Kakashi and Genma... was Hinara!

Sakura softly spoke,"Ok, Neji. Work your magic!"

"Byakugan." Staring at the lithe brunette, he smiled maliciously. "Sakura, she's full of shit! She's not pregnant. You're right... no signs at all."

Reaching over to hug him, she kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, Neji! You're the best, you know that!

"Sakura, I think you better let go of me." Neji looked slightly wary.

"Why? What's wrong?" She was thoroughly confused whereas a moment ago, Neji seemed happy and willing to have her hug him.

"Let's just say a certain silver haired jounin saw hug me and kiss me and he looks pretty pissed!"

"OOPS! Sorry Neji. I've got to go.. I can't believe it's already after nine pm. I've still got stacks of physicals to go through. I'll tell you this.. Now, the bitch is mine!

Early the next morning, the day of Kakashi's wedding, Sakura was still pouring over the aforementioned forms looking for the exact one she needed. Minutes passed to an hour and before Sakura knew it... it was thirty minutes til Kakashi's wedding. "Damn.. I have to hurry and find that stupid form, especially if I'm going to make it on time."

She flipped through a few more before yanking out the one she wanted triumphantly! "Yes. Now, time to run." Then out the door she shot... she had a wedding to interrupt after all.

Kakshashi and Hinara were standing in front of Tsunade and she came to the part about if anyone has any objections why this couple should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath waiting for a pink haired kunoich to burst in shouting her objections. Fortunately, they weren't disappointed.

"Wait... wait, they cannot be married. This woman lured him under false pretenses, lying to him, to you, to everyone. I have irrefutable proof!" Holding up Hinara's physical form and labwork she pressed on,"Hinara isn't pregnant and has never been.. not by Kakashi anyway. Neji can back me up with his oh so xray vision!" She was feeling pretty smug right now and figured why not let it show!

Looking at Hinara, Sakura noticed she looked pretty pissed! Can't blame her..she got busted on her wedding day for lying her ass off! There was justice in the world after all.

Shizune walked toward Sakura, taking the lab results out of her hand."Tsunade, it's true, Hinara did lie to us and this paper does prove it." The tall, thin brunette was so happy because now, surely, Kakashi would be free to be with Sakura!

This outbreak of news... everyone talking and it was very loud, so loud no one would be able to think... period. During the commotion, Hinara had slipped off from Kakashi's side ripping off her wedding dress, revealing underneath a traditional sand-nin outfit. She disappeared and reappeared behind Sakura holding a kunai to her thoat.

Kakashi's throat tightened.. This didn't bode well at all. Violence was all he could see solving anything here. "Why? Why did you do this?" Kakashi's voice was low and his tone dangerous.

Hinara laughed. "It's rather simple, Kakashi. I saw you, I wanted you and would do anything to have you! When we arrived and I saw this whore around you every chance she got, I knew I had to take action! Also, when my spies discovered her pregnancy, everything I'd planned couldn't wait. Something had to be done, she had to suffer and she had to lose the baby!"

Kakashi's blood ran cold. This admission told him, pretty well, who Sakura's attacker was. Fury raged inside. Because of her stupid, vengeful actions, he almost lost the love of his life and unborn child.

"Yes, Kakashi. By the look on your face you've figured out that it was I who attacked Sakura. Unfortunately, for me, stupid wench wouldn't die. It also seems your child has inherited that same spirit.. the will to live. I was so disappointed." Hinara looked at Sakura, her eyes so cold, but they no longer frightened her. Those eyes only served to enrage her. This woman was going to die; she didn't care how, but she was going to kill her!

Raising the kunai in the air, Hinara plunged it downwards, Sakura experiencing a moment of nightmarish dejavu. The kunai connected only Sakura didn't seem to feel it. Quickly ducking out of her arms, she elbowed her to the face and kicked her in the stomach. "How's that feel, bitch! A little of your own medicine to you I return!"

Hinara recovered fast enough to punch Sakura's face. Sakura countered with a palm strike to the chest, the same one that sent Kakashi flying in their earlier spar. The kicks and blows continued with Sakura using Hinara for a punching bag. Sakura was punishing her for everything hellish she'd put her through. Almost losing her baby and even worse... almost losing Kakashi.

Sakura's back was turned and didn't see the sand-nin sneaking up to help his mistress. She heard someone shout her name but wasn't sure who it was.

Turning back to Hinara, Sakura heard the chirping of thousands of birds; the noise splitting through the air. She heard someone yelling and turned in the direction of the yell. It was Kakashi with his Chidori lit up like a thousand bright Christmas trees and he was using it on the sand-nin who'd been sneaking up on her to do her harm. Blood spurted everywhere as Kakashi demolished the body with his Chidori strengthened further by his anger towards the sand-nin. There was no way he was going to let him touch Sakura. He'd always swore he'd protect her with his life and that was one promise he'd make good on until he died!

Smiling her thanks to him, she turned her attention back to Hinara, who sprang up ready to go again. The women were fast and furious with each blow and kick and somehow Sakura lost her balance, falling to the ground. Hinara took advantage trying to kick her in the stomach while she was down.

That was the straw that broke Sakura's back! Slamming her fists on the ground, just enough to make Hinara jump back several feet, Sakura got up.

Sakura made several motions with her hands while crying out,"Steel Fists jutsu!" With that, she drove both of her chakra laden fists into Hinara's chest, quickly and effectively killing her on the spot. Sakura spit on her corpse. "Not so tough are you now.. you're one bitch I won't ever be taking shit from ever again!"

Walking away and over to Kakashi they wrapped each other tight in each others arms. They'd missed this feeling so terribly. Looking tenderly at his lover and the mother of his child, he kissed her so gently. Maybe now they could have their fresh start and new life all in one. Only time would tell. Kakashi waved at everyone, his way of saying,'See you later, much, much later,' and they walked out the door to make up for plenty of lost time.

A month later, it was Kakashi and Sakura standing in front of Tsunade swearing their vows to each other, before Tsunade and their fellow villagers.

Tsunade smiled as she spoke the words she's been dying to say. "Kakashi, you old hentai, you may kiss your bride!"

He laughed, then leaned in to kiss her, showing her the promise of the nights to come.

Four months later, Kakashi was in training with a fresh team seven when Naruto ran up, sweat soaked and out of breath.

"Kakashi... I've been... looking ... all over... for you!"

He immediately thought something was wrong with Sakura. "What's wrong? Is it Sakura...is she hurt?"

Naruto smiled. "No, she's not hurt. She's gone into labor and granny Tsunade sent me to find you."

"Ok.. well I'm on my way. Oh and by the way, Naruto, one of these days, the Hokage's going to kick your sorry ass for calling her granny Tsunade!" Laughing Kakashi swiftly headed towards the hospital, ready to welcome the little bundle that had been so long awaited.

Several hours of hard labor later, Tsunade yelled,"Push, Sakura, Push!"

Sakura pushed so hard they could hear the pain and straining in her yells. Then , suddenly, all was quiet and the wail of a newborn could loudly be heard.

Kakashi strode out into the hallway looking like the proud father he was. Sweeter still, he had the look of tears in his eyes, though no one would dare say it.

Kakashi said,"Well, I have a son! We have a son!"

Genma asked,"What did you name him?" He already had a good feeling about it, he just wanted to see how right he was.

"We named him Obito."

Genma and Kakashi shared a look of happiness and complete understanding for he knew how that name came about.

Genma asked,"So who does he look like?"

Smirking, Kakashi, said,"Why me, of course. We have another silver top in the family."

Playing along, Genma smirked right back, "Poor kid. Hopefully we can break him of some of your unsavory habits before he gets to old."

"Maybe, Genma, Maybe." Kakashi left to go back inside, he felt he'd been gone too long as it is.

He watched Sakura lying in her bed, snuggling with little Obito. He was the happiest man alive for once. No depression or sadness to drag him down and it was well fought for and worth what they'd gone through.

"Sakura?"

"Hmm?"

"Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Yes... but feel free to tell me as much as you want." She was tired but it was worth every minute of pain to see such contentment on her husband's face. Without him, there'd also not be a little Obito and those two, not having them, would be the biggest regrets of her life!

"Sakura, I love you so much. I also want to thank you for the gifts you've given me. First, you gave me your love. Second, you gave me our beautiful little boy. Without you I could never be complete. So I just wanted to thank you. The tears in his eyes told Sakura so much more than words would or could express.

Gently reaching up to cup his face, now minus the mask, of course, she told him,"I love you Kakashi. Now and always, nothing will ever change that. I even look forward to the day when we can have more children, if that's what you want."

"It sounds perfect to me, Sakura. As long as I have you there."

Laying his head on the bed, it wasn't long before all three Hatake's gave up the waking world, trading it for dreams where anything was possible, even though they already had it. Everything was perfect and it was worth it for the hell they had to endure. Love's not always easily won, having to fight for it with every breath, never giving up, refusing to give in even when it seems the only option left. Sakura camed across a new side of herself, she honed her emotional strength and ended up with the hard won love of her life. Dreams can happen, it did to Sakura and she'll never forget it for the rest of her life.

A/N:That's it folks.. The end of caged! I've been sitting here for almost four hours trying to give you the best ending I could. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! So if you don't mind... Read/Review, please... thanx you guys for sticking with it! Hugs and much love! L8r.

Apherion: I couldn't do a lemon this chap... it's almost midnight and i was too freakin tired but at least you got some in an earlier chap:) Love ya!

ALL YOU THAT READ.. YOU ROCK...THOSE THAT READ/REVIEW... YOU ROCK EVEN MORE! bows as curtain closes