AN: Ok everyone; it's finally the last chapter. Woot! I stayed up all night on New Year's Eve to get this out for you all because I really wanted to finish it before 2008- failed but nevermind. I really hope it lives up to expectations and once again I apologize for the late update due to personal problems and laptop explosions.
Arigato for the amazing 300+ reviews and astounding support. I felt it was appropriate to end on chapter 30. Any sequels will have to be demanded by blood and heaploads of both cookies and pocky (not together... eww) .
Not sure if it's as good as the original but it's certainly the longest chapter I have ever submitted. Enjoy, and happy New Year.
5934 words in this chapter
Unmasked
Chapter 30- The future
The gang of Shinobi in front of the makeshift alter that had been constructed and coated in drapes and flowers, all looked over at the groom as he paced, fiddling nervously with his hair as it hang in his face. Tsunade was nearby in preparation for Ino's arrival, but that didn't seem to be happening on schedule so they all began to lose composure slightly out of boredom.
"Have I gone mad, or is Shikamaru on time and Ino is late" Kiba grumbled, fed up of waiting around.
"You haven't gone mad." Chouji frowned as he watched his best friend with concern "It's making him really nervous look."
"Should we go and comfort him?" Naruto wondered
He sighed in return, thinking of any way that situation could turn out; none of them were good. "No, leave it. There's nothing we could say"
"Well I'm going." Kiba stated, and then stepped over to talk to him, oblivious of Chouji's warning
"Shika, it'll be fine, don't worry" he urged, placing a hand onto his shoulder
"She's not having second thoughts, is she?" Shikamaru mumbled in return and shrugged him off
"I don't know, gomen"
"What if it is too much too soon, that she's not ready? What if she doesn't want to marry me? What would I tell everyone?"
"It won't be that, Ino would never do that to you"
"But I don't want to force her if she doesn't want to, I wouldn't want her to have to… is it too soon, because I'd rather she just…" the nervous man stopped pacing for a second, deep in thought "I should go and see her"
"No, you shouldn't." Kiba held his arm out to stop him in a panic, signaling over to the others for help "You know what she is like, if you turned up and saw her in her dress she would scream at you. Not to mention the fact that, if she was nervous, she would be unbearable." He began to notice that no one was going to help him, so he just sighed and came up with the best thing he could think of "You are best off staying here and stop pacing or there will be no ground left. If there is a problem, Sakura will handle it. You trust her, don't you?"
Shikamaru turned to look Kiba in the eye, visibly still worried but unmistakably hurt that anyone would accuse him of not trusting Sakura. He nodded slowly and wandered sluggishly towards his standing position.
Kiba walked back to the others with a smirk on his face.
"What did you just say to him?" Naruto ask with bright eyes
"Nothing much" he bragged "I guess I'm just awesome"
"Your hangover has certainly cleared up" Chouji noted, slightly bitter that Kiba had just done his job for him
"Yeah well, he's just been drinking again" Naruto beamed back at him
"You…" he was about to start glaring at Kiba, but he trailed off suddenly, his eyes wide as they focused on the other side of the room.
Noticing that the whole of the rest of the wedding gathering had also fallen silent, Kiba and Naruto slowly turned to realize what he had been staring at.
Standing at the edge of the clearing, waiting to make her way towards the alter was Ino, the sunlight shining radiantly off her golden hair and stunning white dress as she stood with each of her bridesmaids on either side of her. Hinata would originally have joined the three kunoichi, but Takahiro felt that she was too big to join them sensibly so she was on the first row of seating to watch over the event.
The idea to have the wedding in Konoha Park had been the schemes of Nara Yoshino, but it seemed to fit perfectly with Ino's ideas as she seemed to be completely in her element, basking in the adoration for what seemed like ages.
In actual fact, it was ages, a fact that barely registered until Hinata coughed, drawing Chouji's attention to the fact that the reason Ino was not moving down the aisle was that the music had not started playing. He quickly ducked off to start the organ player they had hired.
Once the actual ceremony started, everyone began to zone out of the tedious traditions and tragic theatre Ino had inflicted on them. Even those who were almost asleep though perked up when it came to the vows. They knew from conversations and rumor that they had both written their own vows and after Shikamaru's complaints they were dying to find out what he wrote.
He stood nervously, holding his hands together as he tried say what he had to say in a way that would not get him hit. Seeing Ino's own unfocused attitude did actually help him to feel more confident though, so he looked up at her with a weak smile. "You know I'm lazy, so don't expect anything wonderful. I, um… I couldn't decide what to say really, so I asked around and came to one solid conclusion… I don't need to. We've been with each other in one way or another for so long now; this is just like getting up in the morning, or in my case, the afternoon." A few chuckles echoed from the room at that but quickly subsided. "We don't need lame speeches and reasons why we're together. We did all that months ago. I can't say for sure when I first fell in love with you, or what my first impression was of you, or what makes me want to marry you. I just do. I love you Ino and I need to spend my life with you. With our family together" he nodded to her to let her know he'd finished.
She took a deep breath before she started, smiling at his brief, but entirely expected vows. "Alright, I'll keep this short, because we've already made these vows a hundred times over. I have always known you Shikamaru, as a team mate, as a friend. You were always there for me, protecting me from harm, and now it has grown passed that, it feels right. With the attempts of our parents to get us together, I really never imagined standing here willingly right now but I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. I vow to care for you…" she gulped, half looking at grinning and partially tearful Sakura and Tenten before she turned back to him. She gently placed a hand on her abdomen for all to see. He looked at her curiously as she bit her lip nervously. "To care for you… and our daughter…" she saw his eyes grow wide as she heard the gasps of several audience members "and our family together. I vow to love you and stand by you for life."
He sighed as she grinned cautiously at him "Troublesome woman." A few laughs were heard in the crowd, and one from the Hokage standing next to them.
"Alright everyone, calm down and I will finish this before you all start snoring again." Tsunade started and everyone did exactly as she said. "Right, as if I have to ask, Ino Yamanaka, do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do" Sakura handed her the ring, which she placed swiftly onto his waiting finger with sparkling eyes.
"Shikamaru Nara, do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife, blah blah blah"
"Yeah." He laughed and took the ring off Chouji to place it, slightly clumsily onto Ino's finger.
"Alright, I've always wanted to say this… I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
"Finally" he breathed and stood forward, gripping her to him as she wove her arms around his neck, connecting their lips. She kept it going a little further than intended as the crowd clapped, some members cheering and whistling the longer they stayed together. She silently thanked breath mints.
He pulled off slightly but she didn't withdraw her arms, looking up into his eyes in a blush. "What?" he whispered to her
"I shouldn't have lifted my arms. This dress doesn't fit like it should have."
"Huh? Why?"
She pushed herself to him closer as she adjusted the top of the dress, and then stood back, holding onto his hand, still whispering. "Because, funnily enough, your daughter causes me to take up a little more room than usual."
"No, I mean, it looks beautiful. It fits fine."
"Thank you" she turned with him to finally face the crowd.
Nearly everyone was smiling. Only nearly because Inoichi and Shikaku had very severe expression on their faces as they walked up towards him, but everyone else was delighted with the entertainment.
They had planned the reception in the same place so no one had to move, and people already started moving chairs around as the guests came to congratulate the couple, their parents being the first.
"Shikamaru, I am going to have very stern words with you later" Inoichi told him, with Shikaku nodding his agreement.
"About what Daddy?" Ino smirked
He scowled, now used to this tactic "We told you both, no sex until the wedding or the whole thing was off."
"Ah but you never asked whether we already had. We didn't break any rules." She grinned pulling her new husband off towards another group.
"That was really brave Ino" he kissed her on the forehead in thanks.
"Oh come on, what was he going to do? He already gave me to you. I'm not his property anymore, I'm yours."
He gave her that sideways smile as they walked up to their friends.
"Come on Ino" Sakura called to her, an exited smile on her face
"Alright, I'm going to try and find something that'll fit me, see you later." She kissed him on the cheek before leaving with Sakura.
"Knocked her up Shika? I thought there was a reason why she married you this quickly." Kiba grinned at him, clapping him on the back
"That's really not funny Kiba" Chouji scowled "and I hope it's not true"
"Of course not." Shikamaru told them.
"Come on then, details… how long have you known?" Naruto asked, calmly for once
"Oh…um…"
Tenten was giggling quietly to herself.
"How far in is she?" Kiba wondered, judging by her comments on the dress.
"I don't… I'm not sure…"
"I know" Tenten chimed at him "I know all the juicy details"
"Come on then?" Kiba poked her in the side for an answer.
She glared at him for a second, checking to see if he had left a mark on her white Chinese style dress "She's been pregnant with his daughter apparently since the start of August, right after a mission they had together when they had some… fun time, on a hill outside the Konoha hospital"
"Outside? Way to go Shikamaru. In public… wow, I have to admire your courage"
He was blushing just as much as the others, having finally figured out what had happened. "I uh…"
"Oh yeah, I meant to say…" Naruto blushed with an odd grin "I figured out about that rash thing…"
"Hai" Chouji smirked "Temari is kinky"
"Actually, it was me. I didn't know what I was doing, but she was really mad at me in the morning, just like Ino was with you that day at the hospital"
Kiba grunted in reply
"What I didn't get though, was that Sakura said she got a rash too. Why would she say that…?"
Shikamaru blushed again and bowed his head in embarrassment
Kiba caught on, having actually been confused by that on the day, so he had assumed it was Kakashi, but now he figured out the truth… "Oh Kami!"
"What?" Naruto looked between them, clueless as ever
Kiba shook his head in amusement "Sakura and Ino in one day? Why aren't you dead man?"
"There are reasons" Tenten smirked
"W-wait" Naruto stammered "y-you… you did that to Sakura?!"
Chouji put a hand on his shoulder "calm down Naruto, ok?"
"You are so lucky that it's your wedding day today" Naruto glared at him, and then wandered over to talk to Hinata, who had just sat down again.
"What reasons?" Kiba smirked back at Tenten conspiratorially
Chouji intercepted before Shikamaru started to glow red. "Don't get too exited. She just meant that Ino was in love with him so she forgave him, and that Sakura wasn't looking for a serious relationship anyway"
"As usual" Kiba snorted
"She broke up with you, didn't she?" Tenten smiled at him
"Sod off" he glared and strode off himself to annoy Shino
After dropping Ino back off with Shikamaru, Sakura wound her self towards a dark area of the room, after some peace and quiet.
"You aren't with your husband" a smooth voice came from beside her and she recognized him immediately
"You aren't with your wife" she observed back
"She's talking babies with Yamanaka and Hinata. I'd rather be on the other side of the room."
"Hmm… me too. It's annoying being the only one who isn't pregnant. They keep asking when Kakashi and I are thinking of having kids."
"The only one?" she felt his body tense beside her
"Hai… wait, you do know about Tenten, right?"
"Tenten is pregnant?!" he practically choked in alarm
"Wow, apparently not. She seems to think it's something you did so she's just assuming you already know"
"What do you mean by 'something I did'?"
Sakura explained in as soft a voice as she could manage "she says that you disabled her contraception jutsu"
"It wasn't me." He was working himself up to a panic now "Dear kami, she thinks I'd do that?"
"Apparently…" she glanced at her feet in guilt "gomen, I shouldn't have told you"
"No… arigato Sakura. Excuse me…"
He went over to where Ino and Hinata were sat, each with their husbands, talking to Tenten. They all fell quiet as he approached.
He sat down beside Tenten calmly and sighed "why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?" Tenten slipped on the same façade she had been using for weeks
"That you are carrying my son"
Ino bit her lip in anticipation, clutching onto Shikamaru's hand, while Hinata and Takahiro just stayed silent.
"I don't have to. You already know"
"I didn't. I just heard it from someone else." He continued in a softer voice "I didn't do anything to you Tenten, I promise"
"Well I didn't do it to myself, did I?" she snapped
"Tenten…" he glanced nervously to Hinata, who looked away, confirming his thoughts, "I am not the only Hyuuga who ever wanted you to get pregnant"
Her eyes shot wide as she followed his line of vision to Hinata. The guilty look on the woman's face was enough to send Tenten's eyes to water. "I can't… I won't believe it…"
"Hinata?" Ino asked cautiously
"Hina-chan?" even Takahiro seemed shocked
She mumbled her explanation in a quite voice "I don't want to be head of the family… but they won't just let me stand down…"
Ino snapped a hand to her mouth in horror, but was mostly ignored as they wide eyed glares shifted between Hinata and the weapon's mistress.
"G-Gomenesai Ten-chan…"
Tenten kept her tears in and nodded. "It's alright Hinata. It's done now, right? As much as I wish that you would have told me, there's nothing I can do." She looked over to Neji, who had sat beside her, and gripped his hand. "I'm sorry; I should never have jumped to those conclusions"
He said nothing, his face showing no emotion, and she knew that he was restraining himself like her. Instead, he planted a reassuring kiss on her cheek.
Sakura smiled to herself watching the small display and took another sip of champagne nervously. A part of her yearned to be a part of that group, the small cluster of married couples that had worked out their problems and were happy. She had no husband or family to draw that kind of support from.
It felt ironic that she had not been the last to get married, but she was still the last one alone. People had paired up again, finding someone else to be close to, and as usual she was the only one left.
"Not joining the baby crowd?" his voice came from nearby
She didn't look to find him "What are you doing sensei?"
"Well, I was planning on talking to my wife. Do I have permission?"
"Hn. Fine then" she wandered out of sight of the others, beyond a few trees so that the sound of the ongoing party was muffled,
"This is familiar" Kakashi commented as he leant against a tree
"No, this is by far different"
"Why's that?"
"I'm not swept away in a daze of wonder and anticipation with someone I deeply care about. Although I suppose, you do have the completely inappropriate action in public thing nailed to a key."
They stood in silence for sometime, before they decided to speak. When they did, they spoke over the top of each other.
"Look, I have to…"
"Sakura I…"
"Gomen, you go"
"No, you first"
"I insist"
He paused for a long time before asking what was on his mind "do you hate me?"
She struggled to hide the look of shock on her face "what? No, of course not…"
Silence continued uncomfortably for at least another five minutes before she spoke up.
"Do you hate me?"
"I love you"
"Sorry"
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Fine… I'm going to say this fast and I'm not expecting anything good as a reaction. I'm fed up of avoiding you and just so you know it wasn't because I was scared of you; I just knew I would feel guilty saying this. Yes I did only marry you for my career, so that I could test whether my theory was correct, and yes, I have been sleeping with Kiba since I left, but I was distraught and I was terrified that you wouldn't want me anymore and I know it was stupid and irresponsible but I never intended to hurt your feelings and I won't blame you if you want to leave me and never see my face again, but I really, really, desperately need to apologize to you before I go and drown myself somewhere just in the vain hope that I haven't broken your heart so much that I rot in hell through my entire afterlife." She said this all without a drop of emotion, trying to prove herself strong and confident, but her eyes sparkled with the emotive tones of hesitation and hope.
"You didn't hurt my feelings Sakura." he sighed, thinking to himself that she has probably never looked more beautiful to him. More beautiful than their first date, more beautiful than the moment he proposed to her, more beautiful than the first time they had made love, and yet, he felt only sadness. The reason he found her so attractive right that moment, was that he was sure for certain that he was seeing her. Not just her body, or her expressions, but every facet of her soul and being, every flaw, every aspect that made her his Sakura. It was this also that made him feel so sad, knowing what he must tell her if he was to allow her to feel the same about him. She was so fragile, so special to him, that it would break his heart ten times over if he were to cause one tiny tear on her pale cheek.
"To be honest, I expected it from the second that you said you didn't want a proper wedding." He told her as calmly as he could manage; trying to repay her favor "Part of me didn't believe it and part of me didn't care. I'm sorry that I read your diary; I honestly didn't know what it was I was reading. I was looking for more of your writing, because I felt like I was going to run out of ideas soon and with you planning birthday things for me, I just wanted to give something back. I'm an idiot, I know that, and I'm sorry that I invaded your privacy."
The hope shone slightly brighter in the soft tones of green between her long eyelashes and he almost choked on his words, trying to come up with the best way to express himself with what she needed to know. In the end, he decided to give her the cold edge, hoping that if she could cope with the more callous side of his nature, he might have been right in his belief in her as a strong kunoichi worthy of his love.
He looked down with a brief cough, pretending that he had something in his throat, before looking over her critically with a sigh that seemed so much harsher than it had in his head.
He pretended to mumble under his breath, but quite deliberately loud enough for her to overhear "This is why I never got involved with Konoha women, it's far too complicated"
Her eyes snapped wide "Y-you… what?"
"Kuso" he mock-cursed himself as he met her gaze
"You lied! Oh this is typical!" she fumed, thankfully not a tear in sight
"You weren't supposed to know that"
"Well obviously! Do you play virgin with all of yourconquests?"
"It's a useful…"
"Do you tell them all that you saved your face for the one?" her words were laced with spite
"No, that was just revenge" he admitted, telling her the straight truth now. Just get it all out… I probably need to be punched through a tree right now.
"Revenge?!"
"Hai, you played with my mind and made me nervous. Our mission objective was to fight back"
"But, Genma said…"
"Sure, I never told anyone before." He shrugged "Being a faceless virgin actually does help in Konoha. If you sleep about in the same circles, people will start to think you are easy"
"Was that aimed at me?!"
"Well, judging by your reputation…"
"Which you only found out about by asking every one of my friends inappropriate questions"
"You made out that you'd been with a few more than admitted it. I had to say I was disappointed"
"You Baka! I'm no floozy! You think I would sleep with close friends like that. I'm fine messing up my social life, but messing up everyone else's is just irresponsible. Before you even say Shikamaru to me, know that I was very drunk and I know it was stupid; it was not a repeat experience."
"I never suggested otherwise"
"You asked Chouji when I slept with him last! How thick can you be? Why the hell would you even ask that?!"
"I was confused"
"Pardon?"
"I was confused. I know I lied to you but I really never expected it to get so out of control."
"You mean you never expected me to marry you?"
"Well, of course. I wasn't even expecting any longer term relationship, it was just teasing. I do love you though, and I don't care how cliché it may sound. I didn't want you to find out, because I know what it feels like to be betrayed like this, so I kept acting the part."
"You aren't who I fell in love with…"
"w-what?" he was genuinely shocked at those words
"You sound just like you did when you were my sensei; still the same perverted, practical joker who lives only to irritate and embarrass me. I fell in love with the caring, romantic man you pretended to be."
"y-you love me?"
"Of course I… dear Kami, you thought it was all just for the project?!"
He bowed his head
"No, you completely misunderstood! I only married you for that. I really do have feelings for… well, whoever it was you were acting out"
"I wasn't acting woman! I only lied about the stuff I told you on the mission"
"And that makes it so much better? How am I supposed to trust that you were telling the truth?"
"You'll just have to trust me"
"You?! You want me to trust you? After what happened last week"
"At least I stayed faithful"
"Don't judge me"
"Would you rather we break up?"
"I thought we already were"
"If you really believed that, you would have slapped me by now" he smirked
"And what makes you so confident that I'm not just waiting until you finish explaining before I knock you unconscious?"
"I know you Sakura. You would be far more likely to knock me unconscious first, and then torture me for answers later."
"Aren't you even worried slightly about us?"
"Why would I be? The way I see it is this: I love you, you love me, we both want this relationship to work and even when we argue, the way we do it fits together so smoothly that it sounds like poetry. We are made for each other. It took me a while to realize it, but we just… are. All lies out in the open, and showing ourselves truly for what we are, why shouldn't we be able to take this as a turning point to make our relationship stronger."
"Stronger?"
"Hai… I've truly never felt this way with anyone before. I was angry, hurt, but I was ready to forgive you in less than a second if it just meant that you were with me again, in my arms. I want to give you anything I can; my body, my heart, my soul, and all else I possess is yours. I may not have been the most honest and trustworthy partner to women before, but I swear on Obito's grave that I am in this for the long run, I won't desert you Sakura. Just don't prolong the agony."
"What?"
"I propose a decision, now, just like our first date; if the answer is no, I'll leave you alone. Do you want to be my wife?"
"Kakashi…" she stopped to think for a while, obviously weighing up her thoughts in her head before she made an unsure and still slightly reluctant decision "I do"
"You do?"
"It's complicated, and I'm not completely happy, but I can't deny it. My heart… well…" she grabbed a hold of his hand and held it to her chest so that he could feel how hard the vital organ was beating out of her.
"So you will?"
"Hai… I've got nowhere else to go… and I miss your company, even if it's just an act. I swear I'll tell you anything in the future, and I'll try not to hit you so hard like that again."
He nodded "and I swear I will act with trust in the future… and if you need it for your work… I'll do anything so long as you tell me."
"w-what? You mean you'll…"
"Any time"
She leant up and kissed him softly on the cheek in gratitude
"Just one more thing"
"What…?"
"I got this delivered to me last week" he reached into his suit pocket and brought out a message.
He handed it to her and she read it through, her eyes narrowing a fraction with every phrase:
Hatake Kakashi & Haruno Sakura,
I've done my own investigations, and I have come to the conclusion that the word of mouth alone, even backed up by the Kazekage, does not serve proof of your matrimonial joining sufficient enough to pass in Konoha law. You must both sign legal documentation and repeat the ceremony with at least two witnesses in order to remain married, otherwise it remains forfeit.
XX Tsunade
"We have to get married again?" she gave him an evil glare that just radiated the 'you were planning this all along, you bastard' tone she had begun to be so perfect in pulling off.
"Not if you don't want to, but we are not currently married apparently" he smirked smugly, knowing he had won
"We have to get married then" she shook her head in disbelief that she was actually doing this, saying this again.
"Another quickie?"
"No, I think we can probably stretch to a white dress and guests? Nothing huge though."
"It sounds wonderful"
"Starting new, right?"
"Hey guys"
"Hey Sakura and… Kakashi?"
"Yo"
"You talked?" Shikamaru asked
"We argued, then kissed and made up"
"Brilliant. Well, it's us four now, all wedded and bedded."
Tenten blushed "it's so odd. To think what we were like in the academy, compared to our lives today."
"I wonder who's next" Ino pondered
"What do you mean?"
"Well, who's next to get married out of the Konoha 10? Chouji, Shino, Naruto or Kiba?"
"None of them" Kakashi put in
"Why?"
"Well, Chouji and Naruto are married to their food" Shikamaru supported
"Shino will probably go the steady way about it and take so long it never happens" Hinata pointed out
"And Kiba will never settle" Sakura said quietly
"Actually, I only said that because I know who is next to marry out of the Konoha 10." Kakashi smiled
"Oh really?" Ino's gossip reflex kicked in
"Hai. Sakura is"
"Kakashi, Sakura is married to you."
"I know"
"Then what…"
"We are getting re-married, with an actual wedding this time." Sakura explained, leaving out the part about them not being really married already deliberately.
"That is so romantic"
"Not that much" Kakashi cut off Sakura's plans "Tsunade was being an arse about Gaara doing the ceremony instead of her"
"Oh"
That night…
Tenten stood in the gardens of the Hyuuga complex, looking out over the artificial lake in deep thought. She thought about Neji, their relationship's development over the last month, the child she had inside of her, and the scroll she held in her hand. The decision had almost been made this time last month, but now she finally had the paper work, everything had become so much more confusing.
The appreciation of the facilities and privileges of being a Hyuuga had long worn off; leaving her with what should be a two signature deal. His promises would give her no resistance and a solid assurance that their son would come out none the worse for either decision she makes. Something though, kept her standing on the edge of that lake, looking wistfully off into the distance.
She wanted to make the decision and get on with it, desperate for a solidarity in her mindset, especially now of all times. Then she could stop leaning on the wooden column and go inside, a clear view of what her future would hold.
A voice from behind her stopped her thoughts. "Tenten sweetheart, it's getting cold. Are you coming to bed?"
Remembering that the garden was merely a corridor away from their room, Tenten looked back at Neji, holding the scroll behind her back. He stood, hair loose over his shoulders, with just a yukata tied loosely over his boxers, staring hopefully into her eyes. The softness in his posture, the desire in his voice, the love in his concern, had her completely undone. Before she even realized it, she had made her decision.
Dropping the scroll in the waters of the lake, she smiled at him "yes, of course I am".
She couldn't resist walking over to him and kissing him, as if it were punctuation to her life changing decision.
"What was that for?" he smirked, thrilled at her action
"I just really need to kiss you"
"I meant the scroll"
"Oh, um…" she flushed red "just some information about maternity leave"
He nodded and headed inside, assuming that she would follow. She did exactly that, but only after she had paused for a second, looking back at the sinking divorce papers with a smile.
Ino watched as Shikamaru rolled over the bed to reach her, placing a hand lazily on her stomach. "We're going to be parents Ino"
She chuckled slightly, knowing that he had been panicking over it for most of the afternoon since she had announced it "I know Shika"
"I mean… almost 7 months till we will have a baby girl. Isn't that amazing?"
"I know Shika. Do you know what else is amazing?"
"No, I'm kind of caught up in this right now" he waved her off, staring intently at her belly, as though he was waiting to watch it grow larger
"Believe me, I'm well aware of that fact." She gritted her teeth impatiently as she tried to excite his attention towards her "Would you please take your hand off my belly and let me finish?"
He reluctantly did what she said, leaning up on one hand over her waist. "Better?"
"Much. Arigato." She smiled again, breathing a sigh of relief
"What were you saying?" he asked her in a soft voice, noting that she was getting easily frustrated
"I was just going to point out that we haven't slept together since she was conceived"
"Yes we have"
"Ok once, and barely"
"Um…"
"Fine, twice. That's not the point Shikamaru"
"Gomenesai. I missed it too"
She sat up to look at him in shock "you did?"
"Of course, I'm not a complete idiot"
"No… I love you" she kissed him lightly on the lips.
He smirked up at her proudly, his mind wandering again.
She rolled her eyes in defeat and let her head hit the pillow. "Fine, you can have twenty minutes more of baby talk, but then I want your full attention"
Sakura sat awkwardly on the edge of their bed, watching as Kakashi removed his mask and dinner jacket before sitting next to her. She had noted that nothing had changed in the apartment since she had left, moving boxes still floating about where she left them. He even seemed to have bothered tidying up to some extent, more than she had expected of him.
She had no idea what to say or do at that moment. They had made up, agreed to forgive all and re-marry, but what did that mean? Was it appropriate to sleep together after all that had happened? Was it safer to just go to sleep and see if their minds were cleared by the morning? They hadn't even kissed since they were back together.
She met his eye from the side, watching the dark hues intently for some reaction as she fiddled with the ribbon on her dress. There was sadness in the eyes, mixed with a full confectionary of other emotions impossible to distinguish. Knowing exactly what felt right, she signaled him with her own eyes, hoping to relieve his grief.
Slowly and cautiously, they linked their arms around each other, embracing in a hug that had no pretence of romance or sexual tension, just of needing to be close to someone else. For a long time they said nothing, just inhaling their scent contently as they held onto each other.
The day had been a long one for both of them and they were tired. They were tired of lies, of stupidity, of excuses, and of being awake all at the same time. It wasn't long before they lay down on the bed, Sakura resting her head gently on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"What comes next Kakashi?" she asked quietly, staring up at the ceiling.
"The future" he told her before his eyes shut
AN: the end… tear. TT I know, it's corny fluff but I like it. Hope the little surprises weren't too unwelcome. Fanart for that last section of NejiTen can be seen at the fanfiction page on my website: www . freewebs . com/Belizma-kelli (delete spaces)
Please be lovely.
Stay shiny and show the luff
Xx Belizma-chan xX