Epilogue:

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The smell of quiche waifed from the oven while Sakura finished washing her hands at the kitchen sink. She surveyed her home in awe, enjoying the blend of her tastes and Kakashi's for decor. Their home was comfortable, charming, and welcoming. Never in her wildest, childhood fantasies did she ever imagine being married to the most powerful man in the village and living in the Hokage residence. It was an example of reality being far stranger than fiction.

She rubbed her aching low back as she strolled down the hall. Her abdomen cramped uncomfortably as a Braxton Hicks contraction swept through her belly. Tsunade had reassured her about this false labor symptom, so she tried to ignore it. According to the baby's measurements at her prenatal visit earlier that week, she had about two more weeks until their little Mitsuko was due.

Kakashi was in their room, stretched out on the bed and sleeping. He'd been up late the night before packing their hospital bag. He'd run back and forth to the convenience store when he thought they might need something else five different times.

Sakura touched his shoulder and Kakashi's eyes snapped open. He flashed her a lazy smile. "You're the best sight to wake up to in the morning," he said. He sat up and drew Sakura into his lap. He nuzzled his face between her neck and shoulder. "It's hard to believe that in a few days, we'll be a family of three."

Sakura relaxed against him,enjoying the strength in his body and the warmth of his love. "Breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes." She tensed as another cramp spasmed in her abdomen.

"You've been having those spasms more frequently," Kakashi worried. "Maybe we should go get you check out again?"

"It's just another false alarm," Sakura assured him. "My water hasn't even broken."

Kakashi ran his hand over her hair soothingly. "I told Shikamaru that I'm working remotely for the next two weeks, just in case. Naruto and Sasuke are helping with the paperwork load."

"You couldn't convince Master Tsunade to help, huh?" Sakura teased.

"No way, she said she needed to prepare for delivering her god-daughter," Kakashi said. "I remember when you told me you, Naruto, and Sasuke were all competing for the title of Hokage so I figured the two of them would jump at the chance. Surprisingly, they were both quite eager to help out."

Sakura hugged Kakashi and then stood. "I'm going to take a nice hot shower, if you'll get breakfast out when the timer goes off?"

"No problem, my Love," Kakashi said.

Sakura waddled to the master bath and started the water, letting the mirrors steam up with the heat. She discarded her maternity pajamas and then stepped in, enjoying the hot water on the tense muscles of her shoulders. She noticed a fresh bottle of her favorite body wash and smiled. That must have been one of the necessary items Kakashi bought from the store the night before.

After about fifteen minutes, she'd been scrubbed and rinsed. She turned off the water and then noticed more water pool at her feet. It took a few seconds to realize it was her water breaking. She pulled back the shower curtain. "Kakashi!"

Almost instantaneously, Kakashi was right there. "Is it time?"

Sakura nodded. "That was my water."

"Convenient it happened in the shower," Kakashi observed. "Our daughter is already so considerate." He handed her a towel and rushed into their bedroom. He returned moments later with the outfit she'd chosen for the hospital. "It's a shame you won't get to have any of the quiche now. It really was terrific."

Sakura grimaced at another contraction. "Somehow, food doesn't sound very appealing right now."

"Do we leave right now? Or wait a little bit?" Kakashi worried. He stood with his back braced against the doorframe. "The suitcase is all packed and the oven is turned off."

"We have some time," Sakura said. "How about I call for you when I'm ready?"

"Yes, of course. I'll be waiting just outside the bathroom door," Kakashi promised.

Sakura took a couple of deep breaths, then finished dressing, and brushed her teeth. She combed her hair into a low ponytail, said a little prayer. "Okay, I'm ready."

"Right, well, let's do this! Let's go have a baby!" Kakashi rushed into the room, scooped Sakura into his arms, and took off out of their residence. He completely forgot about his mask.

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OoO

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The labor took about ten hours, which was average according to Tsunade for first births. Sakura's mother flanked Kakashi at her bedside. Her mother gushed about how handsome he was and how she was excited to know her grand-baby was going to be so beautiful.

And still, Kakashi didn't put on his mask. He wanted Sakura to know exactly how happy he was to be sharing this experience with her. For the first time in twenty years, he had a family. They'd decided to name their daughter Mitsuko - meaning child of light. It had been his mother's name.

It was hard to see who Mitsuko looked more alike. Newborns' features weren't exactly well-defined. Her hair seemed to be white-blond, but he was told that could change. Her eyes were a swirl of blue-green colors, but he was told that could change too. All he knew, was his love for that little girl would be constant.

The first night, the three of them stayed in Sakura's hospital room. Her parents recommended the time to themselves, after they'd both gotten a chance to hold their granddaughter. They'd allow a few friends to visit the next day.

Naruto and Hinata were the first visitors with half a dozen balloons and a basket of fruit and ramen. They promised that their child and Mitsuko would be the best of friends. Sakura and Hinata were already planning playdates for after the Uzumaki baby was born. Kurenai and Genma had been a surprise — not that they visited, but that they visited together. Kurenai was working with various friends to create a meal train for the new parents for the first few weeks once they got home. Ino and Sai were next with a large bouquet of flowers and a huge pink teddy bear.

They were becoming overwhelmed with guests so they had to put a stop to it, but made room for their last visitor.

Sasuke came. He looked hesitant as Kakashi greeted him at the door. He wasn't worried about Sasuke stealing his family, but part of Kakashi knew that if Sasuke had made different choices, that things might not have worked out for him as well as they did.

"Come in, Sasuke," Kakashi greeted quietly. "Sakura and Mitsuko are resting, but she won't mind you coming in."

Sasuke trailed in after Kakashi and sat on the couch next to him. "Congratulations," Sasuke said quietly. His gaze lingered on the sleeping infant that rested on Sakura's chest.

"Thank you," Kakashi said. He rested his hand softly on Sasuke's shoulder. "I know this is hard for you, but we appreciate you coming."

Sasuke nodded.

"I'd really like to go home for a quick shower," Kakashi said. He and Sakura had a contingency plan for when Sasuke did show up. He was about to enact it. "Could you stay with them for the next hour? I've got to take some of these things out of here. The nurses were starting to complain." He gestured towards the various flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, and food. Many of their friends and villagers had the gifts delivered without visiting.

"A lot of people care about your family, Kakashi," Sasuke said. His dark eyes scanning the room and its contents. "I'll stay until you get back."

"Sakura has become a very important part of the community," Kakashi agreed. He started to gather the various items and left his family in the company of Sasuke Uchiha.

Sasuke moved from the couch to the rocking chair next to Sakura's hospital bed. Sakura's hand rested on the baby's back and Sasuke laid his hand over it. It rose gently with the infant's breathing.

Sakura stirred and smiled up at him. "Hey, glad you came by." She looked down at her daughter. "Isn't she beautiful?"

"Probably," Sasuke said with a shrug. "Hard to tell since she's sleeping."

"Apparently, that's her main activity for the next few months," Sakura said. "Eat, dirty diaper, sleep, repeat."

"Uh, Kakashi will be back soon. He was just going to take a shower and bring home some of your gifts," Sasuke explained.

Mitsuko stirred, yawned, and then opened her eyes. She looked at Sasuke and cooed. "Would you like to hold her?" Sakura asked, sitting up.

Sasuke nodded. His expression softened while he held the baby carefully. She settled back into sleep. "I can't help, but be a little jealous." He gave the baby back to Sakura. "But, I am happy for you."

"How are things with my parents?" Sakura asked. The baby started nuzzling against her chest hungrily. She adjusted herself so that she could nurse her daughter.

"I think I'm gaining weight with their cooking. I'd be perfectly fine on my own," Sasuke grumbled.

"And if you did that, Sasuke, you'd still be in self-imposed solitaire. Besides, it's only temporary and they are happy for the company," Sakura said. She ran her fingers across her daughter's soft cheeks.

"I could have rented out your old condo, or Kakashi's, or even Naruto's," Sasuke whispered, worried his voice would disturb the baby.

"You're missing the point. You requested to be my patient and in my expert opinion in matters of post traumatic stress syndrome, it is inadvisable for you to live by yourself." Sakura smiled at Sasuke's taciturn expression. "It's only temporary. You can move out on your birthday."

"I feel like you and Kakashi devised this law specifically for me," Sasuke accused.

"It's possible," Sakura agreed. "Though, don't forget Naruto. He had an equal voice. You can live on your own after your birthday in July. Then you can have Kakashi's old condo. We're subleasing it right now. Mine sold almost immediately when I put it on the market."

"I'm not sure I can tolerate your loving, civilian family that much longer," Sasuke said.

"Dad wasn't always a civilian, he just wasn't any good as a ninja. He hates violence. Besides, my parents love you too. They've only ever heard good things. I never told them about the times you attempted to kill me or Naruto," Sakura said, casting him a brilliant smile.

Sasuke groaned. "Yeah, I'd like to keep that whole episode private."

"Only Team Seven knows," Sakura assured him.

"So, when are you and Kakashi getting married publicly?" Sasuke asked. "I'd like to attend, if that's okay. Only this time, as myself. It was a little awkward watching Naruto's wedding under my Hyuga disguise. Hinata's family kept pretending to know who I was — which was simultaneously both nerve-wracking and amusing."

"In a few months," Sakura said. "Ino is still miffed about Hinata's wedding and wants Kakashi and mine's to be epic since it's a state affair."

Mitsuko fell asleep again.

"I never thought I'd be teaching at the academy," Sasuke said.

"No one is better with techniques and basic skills than you," Sakura said. "You were always the best," Sakura said, reminiscing about their childhood at the academy. Part of the reason she had admired young Sasuke was for his skills.

"No, Itachi was the best. He's the one that trained me." Sasuke smiled faintly. "I appreciate what Kakashi did to restore Itachi's reputation. I've been visiting his memorial stone."

"The stone was Naruto's doing," Sakura said. "Itachi was an impressive man," Sakura said. "An impossible burden was placed upon him as a child. Another one was placed upon you."

"I wasted so much time hating him," Sasuke whispered. He cleared his throat. "Anyways, I've become friends with Tenten. She spends so much time visiting Neji's memorial. I was thinking I'd ask her to your wedding. Though to be clear, we are just friends."

"Of course, Sasuke. She'll already be invited, but weddings are more enjoyable when you go with someone," Sakura said. The quintessential romantic relationships were based upon a solid foundation of friendship.

The door eased open and Kakashi stepped inside. "Everything okay in here?"

"Sasuke is complaining about my overbearing parents," Sakura said teasingly.

Sasuke stood and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I should be leaving. I appreciate you letting me be part of this day."

Kakashi grabbed Sasuke and hugged him. "You're part of our family too, Sasuke. You'll probably want to find Kurenai. She's trying to add you to her meal train — something about your special lasagna."

"Ah," Sasuke said. He shook his head and looked down at Sakura. "I knew cooking for your parents was a mistake. Now the whole village knows I can cook."

"It's a curse, being good at everything," Sakura said mockingly.

"It was really good seeing you both," Sasuke said. "I better head back to go and do your job now, Kakashi. Hopefully, I don't have to correct all of Naruto's paperwork." He looked back down at the sleeping baby for a moment and then left.

Kakashi sat in the rocking chair Sasuke abandoned. "Our home smells like a flower garden," he said. "And according to Kurenai, we won't have to cook for ourselves for at least three months. She said that between the two of us, half the village tracked her down to volunteer for our meal train."

"That's incredible,"Sakura said. She reached up her hand to trace Kakashi's jaw. "I'm amazed by how much has happened in the past year."

"Did you two have a good visit?" Kakashi asked, turning to kiss Sakura's palm.

"Yes, we did. It will be good to have him around," she said. "I don't think he'll stay permanently, but he knows he's welcome to return."

"I can't wait to marry you," Kakashi murmured. "I'd have married you first thing when you returned if it didn't have to be a state affair."

"I don't even care about the title, Kakashi," Sakura said. "We're a family. Nothing will change that." She thought back to the nurses' reaction to Kakashi unmasked during her labor. "Though, I do look forward to everyone seeing just how handsome you are at the wedding ceremony."

Kakashi sighed. "I suppose people will be talking about it for years." He leaned down to press a kiss to his sleeping daughter's head. She was just irresistible. He couldn't believe how much his heart swelled over night. "So, have you thought about how many?"

"How many? Guests?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi chuckled. "No, children. How many children do you want? I was thinking six, but you're the one that gave birth."

"I think we should see how we manage Mitsuko," Sakura reasoned.

"Oh come on, Sakura. Let's just fantasize a little," Kakashi pleaded.

"Okay, no more than four," Sakura said giddily. "Can you imagine? A shinobi family with four children?"

"We're in an era of peace. I can certainly imagine it," Kakashi assured her. He smiled at his family. "I'll be doing my best as Hokage to make sure more people can imagine such possibilities."

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FIN

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A/N: Thanks so much for reading this and for your support! Originally, I planned to write this chapter and then a wedding chapter, but I'm not very good at writing weddings. It's been an incredible journey writing this piece and I'm pretty happy with it over all. My favorite Naruto couple got their happy ending!

On a side night, after redeeming Sasuke I want to write him as the center of a story, so I've decided to make my one-shot, Sooner Than You Think, into a multi-chapter story. Maybe I'll hear from some of y'all there.

BDN