#kakashi's story the sixth hokage

[passionforfic]

Books Read in 2023 Recap

I'm really glad to see I did a lot of reading this year. Some of the books were awesome, others were good, others okay - but I enjoyed the read. Here they are!

[givemeanaccountalready]

The Anti-Team 7, Formally Known as Team 6 (Komorebi)

First, I’d like to thank the wonderful @pumiih for drawing my little heathens. You made them (and Naruto) so beautiful.

It’s kind of funny. I picked the number 6 as their team number because Naruto would be the sixth Hokage (Kakashi is serving as Tsunade’s Jounin Commander for now) in my little AU world. I then learned that Team 6 was the number given to Jiraiya’s team with Minato and I thought, “Well, that’s a better reason to keep it as Team 6,” so here I am.

The Word doc that I made to actually plot this thing out to a degree has the title above for the Naruto-sensei arc. That’s somewhat touched on briefly before Naruto meets his team in the flesh, where he’s joking with Sakura that “This is their Sasuke, this is our you, and this is our me,” as the two of them look over the files Tsunade gave him. And he’s technically not entirely wrong about it lol. They just have really superficial connections to the OG Team 7. I even asked Pumiih to put them in the same order as the Team 7 picture. I haven’t posted it yet, but fic will be called Komorebi which translates to, “sunlight filtering through trees,” and I liked the imagery of that, so that’s the name.

Anti-Sasuke: Chitose Hyuuga 🍬 (prestigious clan with magic eyes)

Anti-Naruto: Kaito Isobe 🪁 (orphan, known troll)

Anti-Sakura: Tsurigane Kashiwagi 🔔 (girl)

I feel slightly bad for reducing Tsuri to that but I’m laughing too hard at the summary to care. She is probably the easiest anti-parallel to spot. Whereas Sakura didn’t really have an overarching goal until the Forest Death scene, Tsuri is the only one on Team 6 with an overarching dream/goal. She wants to gain Kage level strength, even though she doesn’t necessarily want the hat, and go down in history as a legendary kunoichi. Tsuri pretty much has a five year plan, meanwhile, Chitose is doing this ninja stuff because it’s what Hyuuga do, and Kaito is simply trying to earn a living until he finds something else that he likes. There is enough internalized misogyny in this girl to power a small village. You can thank her parents for that one. Tsuri despises fan girl behavior and she even lost a friendship over her best friend choosing to like and giggle over a boy. Eventually, she’ll reconcile with her, but for now, no. Very stubborn, very bull-headed, and very driven, Tsuri does not do things by halves.

Chitose is probably the least anti-parallel of the three, since her story revolves around bonds just like Sasuke’s had. Whereas Sasuke formed new bonds within Team 7 and wanted to protect them until Itachi and the Sound 4 happened, causing him to think he needed to sever his bonds and fuel his hatred to achieve his goals, Chitose’s story is a bit different. She wants to form bonds with others, and while she doesn’t have a deeply traumatic backstory, Chi definitely has some serious hang-ups stemming from the divide between the main branch and cadet branches of the Hyuuga family. She is not close to Neji or Hinata, but she has seen them grow into stronger, happier individuals because of their teammates and the work they do, and she wants that growth too.

While she does not have the Caged Bird Seal, Chi knows that’s only due to who her sensei is and not because the clan has changed its mind. Hinata is doing her best to change the Hyuuga’s ways after the war, but at the very beginning of the story, it seems more unlikely than not. Chi and the rest of Team 6 are about 6 years younger than Naruto so Chi couldn’t have possibly been sealed on Hinata’s third birthday like Neji was. She was going to get the Caged Bird once she either finished the Academy and became a kunoichi or sometime later if she had failed. The only reason she didn’t get sealed immediately after passing the graduation exam is because a certain someone told Hiashi that Naruto was being considered as a possible jounin leader and Hiashi wisely decided to hold off on it. The Hyuuga compound is still standing… for now.

Kaito is my lil goblin. He’s a snot-nosed brat whose fear of losing another loved one and screwy sense of self/self-worth resulted in his constant trolling and mouthing off. A little hater who graduated the Academy with two full time enemies and one part-time enemy, an unrequited rival (unrequited on Kaito’s part, he doesn’t want it). Like Naruto, he is stubborn and very perceptive of others’ emotions, but while Naruto clawed his way to acceptance and changing the way things are, Kaito is more content to crash and burn in the status quo. As a result, he does not have any big dreams or goals. If Tsurigane’s story is about learning to constructively use strength for herself and on behalf of others, and Chitose’s is about learning to let others in without making herself small to accommodate them, then Kaito’s story is about finding internal peace and taking the chance that the past won’t repeat itself.

I definitely spent too much time trying to think of what I wanted the other rookies besides Team 6 to look like. There’s three other rookie teams, and Shikamaru is the jounin leader for one. I just hope that they’ll be liked when I have enough written that I’m comfortable posting so I don’t have too much dead time in-between chapters.

And because I can… NaruSaku for the main ship. Team 6 ships it.

[once-upon-the-moon]

Happy Birthday to the master of lightning style and wielder of the Sharingan, the coolest, most badass teacher there is, the man who loves smutty stories as much as I do, the Copy Ninja and Sixth Hokage himself, Kakashi Hatake! 🥳🎉

I love him so much! 🥰♥️❤️

Credit for all this amazing art goes to each of the individual artists! (if any of it is yours please let me know so I can credit you ♥️♥️)

[strawberrystepmom]

happy birthday to the man of all time <3 it's a little early but i can't help myself. not when it comes to him.

f!reader, reader works as a writer and is documenting kakashi's reign as hokage. part of the fine shrine au which is self ship coded. mutual pining, alcohol consumption, flirtation. reader is stated to have a complexion that visibly reddens and long hair. wc 1.8k.

divider by @/cafekitsune

With the festivities of the day over, you flash a smile in Kakashi’s direction as he slumps down in the previously empty chair tucked beneath his desk. He dips his head in your direction and you walk to where you’ve been keeping your bag and belongings while you are working with him, producing an elegantly wrapped bottle of something from your bag. Heading back to his side, his eyes widen as you set it down in front of him and lean against the edge of the desk.

“Happy birthday, Lord Sixth.”

He smiles, a little hum leaving him as he reaches for the bottle and his eyes scan the label for any clarity about what’s inside. The formality bothers him but he’s willing to let it slide as he admires the way that your hip rests against the wooden surface next to it. The little lamp next to his desk illuminates you as you reach across the desk and grab the bottle back, twisting it by the neck between your hands and his fists ball on their own.

“I bought this while I was traveling. The person making it told me it’s a wine for special occasions and I haven’t had any to celebrate yet,” you smile and place the bottle back in front of him. “Figured this was the perfect time to break it out.”

Another smile, you can tell by the way his eyes shut. 

“Are you sure you wanna waste it on me?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have given it to you otherwise.” You shake your head, humility pouring from him even on his own special day, and watch as he rises and takes a few steps to where he keeps his sake cups. They aren’t wine glasses but they’ll do, he reasons as he holds them up. 

“Would you like to try it?”

With me, he thinks but keeps to himself, the connotation of sharing a special moment with you is more than enough to satiate him and words may only further complicate things. 

The little glow from the lamp next to you as you look over your shoulder at him doesn’t hide your surprised expression. It makes sense he’d ask, you are conveniently right next to him, but you wonder if there is someone more special he would rather be sharing this moment with. As he approaches your side and passes the cup to you, the spiraling thoughts end and you offer a smile.

“If you don’t mind sharing.”

Kakashi hums and sits back in his chair, unwrapping the ribbon from around the neck of the bottle to reveal the cork keeping it closed. Popping it out with his bare hands which earns him a little “oooh” from you, he beams.

“There isn’t much I wouldn’t share with you. We’re very good friends at this point.” 

You snort at his words and hold your cup beneath the mouth of the bottle. Ruby liquid nearly splashes over the sides but you tip the cup in your direction just enough to stop it. 

“Yeah, that’s why your entire life story so far is just shit I’ve already heard from the shinobi.”

He doesn’t argue and instead busies himself pouring into his ceramic cup. Despite your better judgment, you lose yourself in the mundanity of the moment. There’s something so effortlessly charming about him and even more so when he’s pouring a gift that you gave him so carefully it may as well be molten gold in the bottle. A little flutter between your ribs begins and you clear your throat to will it away.

He looks up at you and holds the cup out in your direction and you know immediately what he’s asking for, tapping the lip of your cup against his. You sip and the liquid burns more than you expected, making you purse your lips as soon as the taste fills your mouth.

“A little strong,” you mutter while pulling the cup away from your lips and you look at Kakashi who waits with the cup between his fingers. “Oh, I’m sorry!” You turn your face away from him, giving him the privacy he needs to remove his mask to try the wine himself. In a rare example of doing before thinking, something he finds it is too easy to do when you’re around, he places his hand on your shoulder and you turn around to look at him. His mask is still on.

“You don’t have to look away. I trust you.”

The words make your back stiffen and you nod, still gazing over your shoulder. He knows this is not something that he can take back, showing you more than you’ve ever seen of him, but a part of him wishes he could show you even more. What’s beneath his mask, what’s under his unrestrictive clothing. There is nothing he’d hide from you if you’d only ask to see it which certainly could lead to trouble. 

As if he isn’t already six feet deep and sinking deeper every day. 

Hooking his finger in the fabric of the mask, he pulls it down and you lean into your shoulder to hide your smile as his face comes into view. Maybe it’s the warmth of the wine making your limbs heavy and your stomach turn in uncertainty, maybe it’s the way his pretty white lashes flutter against his cheek as he sighs in relief. You make note of the elegant slope of his nose and the beauty mark beneath his lip.

You have been rendered speechless by Kakashi and he knows it, glad to return the favor at least once. 

“Back to business,” he says and you nod to respond despite words being impossible to find. He lifts the cup to his lips and you watch his throat move as he gulps, the bob of his Adam’s apple sending a heat to your face that forces you to bury your face against your shoulder even further. 

It feels so intimate, a sight meant just for you and for anyone else besides you at the same time. It makes your feelings for him even more difficult to straighten out. You’ve become perhaps too fond of the man and not simply in a way that is full of respect for all he has done and has plans to do.

“Where did you get this?”

You’ve never been more grateful for a distraction and you smile down at him, arms folded over your chest to keep your heart from beating out of it.

“Hidden Cloud. I stayed there for around eight months and it was an experience to say the least,” he laughs, knowing exactly what you mean having been there several times himself. “I did meet one of my best friends while there though and she’s the one who showed me where to find this.”

Your time abroad is something you’ll never look back at with anything but fondness, grateful for the opportunity to not only meet new people but to bring some of them back with you, that same friend now living in your hometown and making a life of her own among its people. 

“I’ll bet you make friends everywhere you go,” he starts before taking another sip and humming his enjoyment as it burns all the way down. Different from sake, a bit more heady than anything he has ever had before, his head swims and he rests his chin in his palm looking up at you.  It would be so easy for him to reach out and touch you from where you sit. To run his fingers along the soft ends of your hair, to cup your face gently and ask you what you really think of him. 

You snort at his words and shake your head, the alcohol making your lips perhaps a little too loose as well.

“Wrong. I think most people enjoy it when I leave more than when I arrive.”

His brows furrow at your words and he wonders why you’d think that of yourself. Everyone around you only has the most glowing things to say, himself included. He sings your praises perhaps too loudly given the way that the rumor that the two of you are seeing one another has made its way through every part of Konoha.

You clear your throat after taking another sip and take a deep breath, your cheeks reddening further as you notice the way he’s looking up at you through his lashes. His eyes are a little unfocused and glossy, gray trained on you and unblinking. It amuses you to see this larger than life man so affected by this simple wine and you shake your head.

“Enough about me, though.” You change the subject expertly and he understands, an edge both of you are constantly teetering on something too terrifying to look over with these loose tongues. 

“What has been the best part of your day today?”

He smiles at your genuine curiosity, always so interested in him beyond just what you’re trying to get out of him for your documentation, and he sighs and leans back in his chair.

“This, honestly.”

Giggling, you shake your head again but he leans forward and looks up at you in a way that you can barely describe. It’s heavy, full of something you see as promising but you’re usually too afraid to reach out and grasp. His eyes glimmer when they look at you despite their tired state, it’s a constant you noticed months ago, and tonight you boldly slide your hand across his desk to let your fingertips graze his.

It’s the most subtle touch but he doesn’t run from it, instead flipping his palm up and capturing your hand in his own and squeezing it in a way that borders on friendly and something else. Swallowing, you feel your eyes dampen upon realizing your hand has found the home where it belongs the most but you choke those feelings down and save them for later, instead meeting his eyes with a half smile. 

You can blame the glassy eyes on the alcohol, after all.

“I mean it. Thank you for the wine and thank you for the company.”

Squeezing his hand back, you finally break eye contact and tuck your face back into your shoulder to hide your grin.

“It’s the least I can do, Kakashi.”

He laughs mid sip and sits up, letting go of your hand gently and swallowing hard.

“Did you just call me Kakashi and not Lord Sixth?”

You laugh and shrug. You cannot take this back and you know it, inviting his name into your mouth is something you can’t revoke even if you pretend this never happened tomorrow morning. So you allow yourself the simple luxury of letting it hang between the two of you, his smile a picture you’ll remember forever.

“A little gift from me to you.”

And what a gift it is, he thinks as his heartbeat quickens beneath his vest and he brings the cup back up to his lips to sip.

[stickywhiteash]

A place where you belong || Kakashi x Reader

Warnings: Breaking and entering (not really), none just domestic fluff

Word Count: (1.2k)

Forearms rest against the cold metal balcony rail. In one hand a cup of tea, freshly made. Quiet peaceful nights like this is what makes being a shinobi worth it. Crickets chirp in the distance, singing along with the idle chatter of those still awake in the streets, also enjoying the fresh air. One heavy breath in. One out. The mind settles, not a single thought bouncing around.

Even the sound of something landing on the railing followed by vibrations doesn’t break the daydreaming. No reaction. Two taps on the ground followed by clothing adjustments break the silence but just for a moment.

Warm liquid slips down the throat. The surroundings turn black as you focus on the backdrop. For a while, not a single word is said. A mutual understanding that the other’s presence brings comfort.

“What beings you here in this neck of the woods?” You ask, finally addressing ‘the intruder’.

He shrugs, knowing you’re not looking at him. Not even a glance.

“Ah.. Wanted some company, I suppose.”

“So the great Lord Almighty Sixth decided to travel to the other side of the village just to visit little ol’ me. I’m touched.”

A receipt crushed into a ball is pulled out from Kakashi’s pocket. Playfully he chucks it at your head. You make no attempt to dodge the piece of trash, causing it to make contact and fall into the cup.

“You know, I hate it when you call me that.”

“Hey. Now my tea is ruined. Thanks a lot.”

“Not my fault. Should have dodged it. It could have been a kunai.”

“It CoULd hAvE bEEn a KuNai”

His arms cross, feigning disapproval. The curves of his mask and the slight eyebrow raise tell a different story: amused.

“If you’re here, who is at the office?”

“A shadow clone I left behind. Shikamaru already went home for the day.”

“I see,” you respond. With contaminated tea, you pry yourself off the railing to make your way back inside the apartment. After passing through the entryway, you glance back and notice Kakashi hasn’t moved an inch. By the gods are you beautiful, messy hair, pajamas, and all. One hand rests on either hip, as tired eyes stare at each other.

“What are you a vampire? Come in.”

That awkward beloved laugh sends tingles down your spine. When was the last time you heard it? He’d been so busy with Hokage responsibilities, you almost forgot what it sounded like.

“Thank you for welcoming me into your humble abode”

“Yeah, yeah. Have you eaten yet?”

Silence followed. He didn’t want to lie to you, aware that if he said yes you’d make him something on the spot. On the other hand, Kakashi couldn’t recall when or what he last ate. Grumbling of his stomach spoke up for him, ending his dilemma.

“I’ll take that as a ‘no.’ Go ahead and take a seat.”

“You really don’t—“

“Shut up. You’re always telling Naruto how he should eat and to add vegetables in his diet. Even he’s doing better than you.”

Couldn’t fight you on that.

Scolded like a little child, there was nothing else he could do other than take a seat at the kitchen table. His right hand comes up so his head has somewhere to rest. Kakashi watches as his partner takes something out of the fridge and begin preparing some dinner.

Inwardly he cursed himself for not making more time for you. He knows it’s been hard. With Shikamaru’s help and the shadow clones Kakashi makes, it’s simply not enough. Why do people have a lot of problems they couldn’t solve themselves? Okay, that was harsh, but partially true. It’s the main reason why you two decided not to live together or get married yet. Besides, with how peaceful it’s been compared to the past, there’s no real rush. Kakashi couldn’t wait until Naruto is ready to take his spot in being Hokage. For now, Kakashi will continue learning to adjust in order to make time with his beloved.

Kakashi’s train of thought was interrupted by a bowl being placed in front of him. It was.. one of his favorites: Eggplant Miso Soup.

“You’re lucky I went grocery shopping earlier today.”

“And I’m lucky to have you.”

You nudge and utter, “Just eat your damn soup.” Although the line was delivered as salty as his food, a smile followed suit.

“What about you? You’re not going to eat some?”

“Don’t worry about me, ‘Kashi. I ate earlier.”

Please with his lover’s response, Kakashi hums and pulls down the mask. The two talked about mundane things as he ate.

Lee pushed Guy’s wheelchair down a hill to see who would win in a race. Guy, won. Mirai recently turned two. Sai and Ino are dating and seeing each other.

All of the things that Kakashi probably missed.

A wave of exhaustion hit him after he’s finished. Well, plus a bit of the food coma. Grabbing his bowl, Kakashi starts to stand up only to be sat back down again.

“I’ll take it for you.”

He shakes his head and makes another attempt to get up from his spot. “No, please, you’ve already done so much for me.”

Hand presses down on his shoulder harder, while another swipes the dirty dish from him. “I told you, I got it.” You slip away to the kitchen sink to wash the dishes.

Groaning, Kakashi stretches out his arms in front of him. Naked face laying on the table. The warmth from the soup bowl lingers. He closes his eyes, counting up the seconds. An exaggerated sigh leaves his mouth before padding over to you. Arms snake around your waist, pulling you into a tight embrace. Kakashi’s face buries into your neck. Warm flesh connecting with yours. Not having enough time to shave, his stubble pokes into you. Muscles tense, wanting to playfully complain but you stay quiet.

Kakashi speaks up, breaking the silence once again, “You’re aware I appreciate you?”

“Mhm”

A pause, “Thaaat I love you?”

“Mmhm.”

“Ahh~ Well, I’ll remind you anyways. I love you and appreciate everything you do.” He rubs his face further into your neck. A feeble attempt at getting a reaction from you. Prickling sensation sends shivers down your spine.

“Mmm..”

“Oi..” His fingers poke at their sides.

You tense up but say nothing more, even as the finish cleaning. Lips press into a thin smile, not wanting to give into his antics.

Kakashi squeezes your sides, demanding attention. “Oi! Are you listening?”

Spinning around, you plant your hands on either side of his face. Every detail is already memorized, but it couldn’t hurt to get a refresher. A little mole on the left side of his mouth. Eyes the color of the night sky, sparkling as he looks at you lovingly. Traumatic memory of that cursed day etched over his face, where his friends gift used to stay.

“I heard you.”

“Are you mad at me?”

Eye contact breaks for a moment, looking down at the floor and back at him. It’s okay to be honest with your feelings. Better to not hold it inside until it explodes.

“Just a little bit.”

“Ahh..” Kakashi’s aware of the reason. He’s not stupid. Even if you were to lie, he’d know you were upset. The man is thankful you vocalized your needs and trusted him to open up.

“… I apologize. How can I make it up to you?”

“Take the day off tomorrow.”

“I shouldn’t—”

“Take a look in the mirror. You have the vitality of a wet rag. Wouldn’t want Guy to come bursting in and claim your youth has been sapped away by your duties.”

Another point to his beloved. That is something his eternal rival would do too. Kakashi wouldn’t have it in him to turn Guy down at that point, which would lead to Shikamaru taking on more work and being irritated with him. Actually, that doesn’t sound too bad— No, last thing he needs is another earful from the people he cares about.

“You win. On one condition. I stay over tonight.”

“Of course. You’re always welcome here.”

[anerdinallherglory]

Approaching Sun (39)

Author’s Note: UPDATE 10/22: Due to some recent controversy of this chapter, minor changes were made to emphasize the reasoning behind Sakura’s actions. In no way, am I downplaying the seriousness of suicide attempts or making Sasuke out to be a toxic asshole. This is new for him and new for Sakura, and for more of my rational behind this chapter, visit my tumblr account to see my full response. With that being said, please read this version first, and if you can handle more, read the AO3 version. I understand that I cannot make everyone happy, and it’s not my intention to, but I do want to depict the seriousness of such topics with care. Other than that, I wipe my hands of this chapter. If you don't like the direction of this story, please let it go and try some other sasusaku fics who might do the characters more justice for you. Thank you.

CW/Important Note, PLEASE READ: There are two versions of this chapter. This is the edited, non-explicit version. This version is a more poetic, fade-to-black version that adheres to site rules and guidelines. 

If you would like to read the full, unedited, absolutely unhinged-in-how-filthy-it-is version, visit my linktree anerdinallherglory, (located in my bio description) to find the link to the fic on AO3, where appropriate tags will be used. After reading the tags, you may have decided not to pursue reading that M version. I do believe that many would prefer this edited version, but I could be completely wrong for some.

!!BOTH VERSIONS have a depiction of a panic attack and intense emotions and discussion of a fake threat of suicide

*Songs for this chapter Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie, The Hearse (Stripped) by Matt Maeson, Difficult by Billy Raffoul, Habits of my Heart by Jaymes Young, and Die Trying by Michl

Pairing: SasuSaku

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38

Chapter 39: On Behalf of the World

Sakura had been right. Kakashi had been positively miffed when Lady Tsunade and Sakura promptly reverse-summoned an entire group of ninja—via the slug express as Sasuke had so eloquently put it—and marched them all straight into his office at two-hours past sunrise. Kakashi and Shikamaru, who looked as if they had only recently returned themselves from their mini-vacation in Sunagakure, practically leaned over from behind each of their designated towers of late paperwork to drop their jaws in astonishment at the suddenly cramped room. 

Sakura smiled guiltily, Sasuke ‘hmphed’ humorously, and Tsunade, who had insisted on coming along to see the Sixth’s reaction, cackled loudly and pointed a finger at Kakashi who, in return, frowned at the former Hokage with obvious envy about life on the other side of retirement.

Tsunade’s laughter grew louder when Sasuke didn’t hesitate to activate his Rinnegan and reveal another twenty-five fear-stricken members of Zenshin who clung to their reunited acquaintances. Sakura caught Sasuke’s eyes with her own when the newcomers recoiled from the Uchiha’s presence in obvious traumatic fear, and Sakura suddenly became highly suspicious that they had endured a torturous genjutsu for at least a small length of time before they had been ejected into another dimension.

Kakashi sighed loudly for all to hear and leaned back in his chair in disbelief at the increasing crowd of convicts. To Sakura’s amazement, they all looked down at their feet in the Hokage’s presence, even the loudest of them, quiet now that they were among five of the most powerful ninja in the Leaf Village. They hadn’t even met Naruto yet. They knew their inadequate skills and ninjutsu would get them nowhere here. 

Sakura rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly as she pushed forward through the gathering of people who had been intent on killing her just twenty-four hours ago. Some sneered at her as she passed while the newcomers stared openly at her in shock. She felt Sasuke’s narrowed eyes on her back as she made her way through the pit of vipers. 

“Please tell me you didn’t just bring fifty more criminals into my village,” Kakashi frowned at her. It was technically fifty-one, but she wasn’t going to add that additional number right now. It would have been fifty-two if they hadn’t woken up this morning to discover a member of Zenshin missing to the shadows of the Shikkotsu Forest. Toka had taken the risk after all, it seemed, rising at some point in the night to face the terrors within, gambling his life on the small likelihood he might survive the Forest for a chance at a future as a father. Sakura had silently wished him luck upon discovery, for Tabi’s sake, but she wasn’t going to be fool enough to provide him any sort of assistance—there was always the risk of him returning to whatever was left of Zenshin now, even though Sakura wasn’t too worried about it in the long run. She’d handle it as it came.  

Kakashi continued his scowling reprimand. “I had thought at least half of this group would be going to Sunagakure when I signed off on that.”

When she placed the mentioned scrolls with each of their names and sentencing on his desk, and smiled again, saying, “I sort of gave them the choice,” Kakashi gave her the most affronted look he had ever given his student. She knew he was wanting to respond with something like ‘on whose authority?’ but then she saw his next train of thought cross his face, register behind his eyes, and evolve into acceptance with another resigned sigh. Team 7 was as close as Kakashi would ever get to having children; the three of them took advantage of their old sensei at every turn, especially since he became Hokage with much more influence at his disposal. Just when Sakura thought Kakashi would finally put one of Team 7 in their place, Sakura could practically see when Kakashi weighed the request and caved like an overfond parent, deciding that there was very little he wouldn’t do for the three ninja he had almost lost at one point or another in the past. 

He pulled Sakura’s scroll across the desk like it was the heaviest thing in the world, unfurling it slowly, as if he dreaded the finality of the contents inside. 

“I don’t know why you’re laughing Tsunade, since it says here that all twenty-seven—” he looked up at the assembly Sasuke had revealed—“double that, now—are to attend the Mental Health Clinic you are currently in charge of. In addition to any medical attention they might need beforehand.” 

The laughter did stop then as Tsunade opened her mouth and swung her head in Sakura’s direction, obviously not aware of that particular clause in Sakura’s sentencing. Shikamaru laughed under his breath when the Fifth released a sigh to compete with the current Hokage’s.

Sakura just giggled lightly, continuing to blush deeply and smile guiltily at her two former masters. “Um, well I will definitely help with that this evening, Lady Tsunade. I’d like to check up on Isao, as well. He did make it back here with you guys, correct?” She easily got distracted when her mind wandered to a patient she cared deeply for. And it was Isao, the young boy she had gotten quite attached to over the past few months; she hadn’t been this emotionally invested in a while. It was easy to spiral when her work was involved, and Sakura sometimes found herself completely forgetting everyone else present. 

“One thing at a time,” Kakashi sighed, turning to Shikamaru, who flinched under the Hokage’s sudden attention. It usually meant that he was about to have work to do—work that the Hokage was redirecting to him, and Sakura silently wondered to herself how anything got done between the two. And then she was thinking of Naruto, the soon-to-be Hokage-in-training, and was suddenly overcome with agita at the future ping-pong match of responsibility between the two laziest ninja of their year as Shikamaru continued his duty of chief aide to the Hokage.  

“Shikamaru, please escort this caravan to the prison-hold, for now. Arrange for them to be brought food and water, and whatever basics can be provided for them while we assemble a team of medics to see to them. I’ll have to think of where to house and facilitate them in the meantime. Lady Fifth, do you mind assist—”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” Tsunade sighed, and Sakura laughed awkwardly at the former Hokage’s inability to take orders since she had been so used to dishing them out for five years. “Come on kid, let’s get this over with,” she said to Shikamaru, and he slowly rose to his feet with a sigh, mumbling something about his unfortunate lot with Hokages. 

“This way,” Shikamaru waved them all behind him and they filed out after him like ants, Tsunade on their heels. They must have heard the rumors of the Fifth’s temper and strength, then, Sakura thought, as nobody took a step out of line. Sakura couldn’t believe her luck as a few of them even looked back to her for reassurance, fear of the change in warden crossing their features. On her way out the door, Tsunade gave Sakura the ‘You’ll-be-following-shortly-to-help-with-this’ look, and Sakura nodded out of the teenage habit of student compliance. 

This left Sakura alone with a silent, brooding Sasuke in the back of the room, and a silent, exhausted Kakashi at the front. Sakura suddenly felt like an uncomfortable sandwich. 

She cleared her throat as Kakashi stood and made his way around his desk to stand before her, placing a hand on her shoulder, a different, relieved sort of sigh escaping this time. “I’m glad to see that you are okay.”

Sasuke immediately scoffed to himself at that declaration, an ejection of air from his nose, and Sakura and Kakashi both looked over at him as he stood perched against the wall as still as if he hadn’t just made a noise at all. 

Kakashi looked back to her, gripping her shoulder encouragingly before releasing her altogether. “Sometimes I miss the girl who fainted multiple times during that first bell test—where has she gone? She certainly isn’t before me, now. Hasn’t been for years.”

Sakura wanted to laugh at that and tell her sensei that if she remembered correctly, she was fainting because she thought Sasuke had been hurt and would probably do so again under more authentic life-threatening circumstances if they occurred in the future. And that she was still prone to fainting spells if she got worked up enough. But her sensei was giving her a compliment right now and she didn’t feel like reminding him otherwise at the moment. She smiled and thanked her sensei. 

“Is this all of them?” he asked. “Is the situation finally settled?”

“Not quite,”Sakura confessed. “I never learned the exact number, but we might have more luck with interrogations this time. I do know that there’s still someone out there—a man named Mozai, and who knows how many more.”

“Gaara got the same name from the Shade,” the Sixth declared, and Sakura’s eyes widened, not ever having expected the Shade to be the one to give that up. Mako hadn’t been given the name at all. “We thought he was the leader at first.”

“So did I, until Mako told me otherwise,” Sakura confirmed, but remembered her shock when Mako had told her that the organization worked in cells similar to the Akatsuki, the Shade being in charge of those who had attacked her back in the deserts of Suna. 

“We can investigate it further and send a team to handle it this time,” Kakashi reassured her. “In the meantime, I’m just glad the two of you are home.”

“No need. I’m sure they’ll either disappear or come for me eventually. And if I could handle the others, I’m sure I can handle a few more when the time comes.” 

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, and she caught him glance over to Sasuke, whose stare she could feel straight into her back. 

She cleared her throat, “If that’s everything sensei, can I be excused? I just want to check on Isao now.”

Kakashi nodded emphatically, gesturing for Sakura to go ahead and take her leave. She turned quickly, making eye contact with Sasuke before she made to exit. He wasn’t moving to follow her, and Sakura realized suddenly that he was intending to hang behind to talk to Kakashi on his own. Her stomach turned a little at that, wondering what he might have to say without her, but he nodded and boldly said, “I’ll find you afterwhile.” 

And her mood instantly lifted, and she nodded back, trying not to grin stupidly in the presence of an everwatching sensei who always knew more than he should. It was like if Sakura smiled, then Kakashi’s sharingan-less eyes could still see straight through her like a parent who knew their child was keeping a secret. She cleared her throat and left them, saving her face-splitting smile for the hallway as she skipped to find Isao.

.

.

.

Kakashi was back to sighing when Sakura left, and Sasuke’s eyes landed on him like sharp kunai. In contrast to Sakura’s ten-year change since the Bell Test, Sasuke was giving Kakashi that same hateful stare that made Kakashi reminiscent of the relentless youth who had always been determined, always had a purpose, and never really cared whether he came off as rude to anyone else. Kakashi was used to this Sasuke—had dealt with him a few days ago in the presence of the Kazekage.

“If I have to watch someone who I love die, sacrificing themselves for the sake of the Leaf Village, again, the person who I am now won’t survive it. What’s left of the shinobi world will either fall to the Otsusuki race in my absence, or it will fall to the person I will become. That will be its fate if you keep me here and she dies, Kakashi.” Those were the words Sasuke had used to manipulate the Hokage and Kazekage both when the Uchiha was being retained against his will. When Sasuke had uttered such words before the very ninja who had given him another chance, Kakashi had felt like a stone of foreboding had fallen into the pit of his stomach. 

After Sasuke had been allowed to leave, a very tense discussion followed. Gaara had raised his concerns once again about Sasuke, to which Kakashi had no immediate response, because Kakashi, himself, didn’t know if Sasuke would ever be capable of turning on them all once more. He was unpredictable, the Uchiha. His attachments either tethered him to goodness or dropped him right into the depths of darkness. Kakashi had believed Sasuke to be returned for good, had taken up his self-sacrificial role of a journey of atonement in order to ensure that no threat could be posed to the shinobi world again. But Sasuke’s response to the situation with Sakura contradicted his very goal, didn’t it? Where did his allegiances lie? Who could guarantee that Sasuke would never fall again?

Naruto had apologized to both Gaara and Kakashi on his behalf, saying, “You don’t have to worry. He doesn’t mean that. He’s just upset and concerned. He and Sakura, they’re—”

“Don’t make excuses for him Naruto,” Gaara had responded. “Threats like that have to be taken seriously. Especially from him.”

“He’s not like that anymore,” Naruto insisted. “He’s under a lot of stress. Think about what we’ve asked him to do for the world. He thought he’d never get a chance to pursue a happiness like this. And now you’re letting Sakura go and face a threat to her life all by herself.” And then Naruto was glaring at Kakashi, too. “You taught us about teamwork, remember? That was our very first lesson from you, and you let her go alone. Has being Hokage made you lose sight of that? He wouldn’t have had to make that threat if you remembered that lesson yourself in the first place.”

And it had felt like a punch to Kakashi’s gut. Gaara had frowned as Naruto spoke and he had turned back to the Kazekage and added, “I’ll handle it. It won’t, but if it ever gets that bad again, I’ll be here to stop him. However many times it takes. I have already made that promise to him, myself.”

The conversations had ended after that. And Kakashi had holed up into the guest quarters of the Sand, staying through the night before making the trip back to Konoha. The jinchuriki was boisterous and loud for the sake of their tag-along, Isao, who nervously chose the path forward into a new land, carrying his entire life’s belonging in one rucksack. He looked to Naruto as a sense of comfort, but the following night, after Isao had fallen asleep beside their fire, Naruto had dropped his faux excitement and stared up into the stars a long time as he quietly kept to himself. The following morning, as they stood outside the A N gates, Naruto spoke his next request lowly. “Don’t tell Sakura,” Naruto had breathed between them, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. “Whenever she comes back, don’t tell her what he said. She deserves this newfound happiness with Sasuke. I’ll talk to him.”

And that had been the end of it. Until now. Because despite Naruto’s assurance and his promise to talk to Sasuke himself, Kakashi was feeling responsible again. As Sasuke’s sensei, Kakashi had taken him aside before, explaining to the youth how he, too, had already lost all his loved ones to the shinobi way of life and that Sasuke should give up on revenge. And now, he felt the need to remind Sasuke of the hard lesson he had thought the Uchiha had already learned. 

“If you want to remain in the good graces of the Kages, you shouldn’t carelessly throw around threats. It wasn’t well received. Your reputation isn’t going to improve if you still come across as an insubordinate. Naruto and I had to do some damage control after you left.”

Sasuke scoffed aloud again, and Kakashi bristled when the Uchiha didn’t even seem to listen to the beginning of his lecture, falling straight into that sardonic voice as he said, “I hope this next threat is better received, because I don’t plan on breaking the habit today.”

Kakashi raised an unexpectant eyebrow at that statement. A threat to him? He shook his head as he prepared himself. He didn’t like where this was going.

“You sent her to a brothel.” Sasuke stated contemptuously, narrowing his only visible eye. 

Ah. That. Kakashi supposed he would be hearing about this from one of the boys; hadn’t quite expected it to be Sasuke, though. Kakashi had hated that part of Sakura’s plan. Was very tempted to force her to stay with them in Suna when she had confessed it to him. However, as both a Hokage and someone with a very fair estimation of Sakura’s capabilities, the plan had made sense. He had full faith that she would be able to protect herself and execute her plan flawlessly. When Kakashi had raised concerns, Sakura did specifically tell him that the bathhouse was just a stage and she didn’t quite plan on performing the entire act that went with that stage. She had walked him through step-by-step of it. And he trusted her, as a medic, to be able to excute the anesthetic approach to captivation flawlessly.

“That was her plan; it sounded foolproof, and she assured me she would be safe. No one here is forced or asked to do that sort of thing for a mission. It’s been a thing of the past since Tsunade became Hokage. She made sure of it. Except for the rare occasion, on a voluntary basis—"

“It ends,” Sasuke drawled, interrupting him once again. “For everyone. Today. No matter the occasion.”

Kakashi sighed, feeling like Sasuke wasn’t quite understanding that his former sensei wasn’t saying he condoned Leaf ninja using their bodies as a means of success in a mission. That wasn’t what Sakura had been planning to do; it was the illusion of that to get inside. 

“Or Naruto will hear more about Sakura’s recent mission himself,” Sasuke finished, finally delivering that threat he promised. And Kakashi really did feel more like a father than a Kage. An old man who had just had one troublesome son threaten him with the other, just as problematic, one. Meanwhile, the second son was yelling at him about sending Sakura (the daughter in this ridiculous scenario?) and foregoing all their training about teamwork. This entire thing made Kakashi feel like a figurehead, a reminder that Sasuke had begun his covert Kage rein long before Naruto would begin his official one, and Naruto, who acted like Hokage before he had even started. Not to mention Sakura forming plans on her own and expecting Kakashi’s approval to follow through with them. Ugh. If they only just saw him as someone to manipulate as they saw fit, then they should just relieve him of such duties and provide him the retirement check he wanted. But alas, he was still in charge. Kakashi loved the village and would die protecting it, but he knew the title of “Sixth Hokage” was a temporary placement holder until Naruto was ready to take over, and Sasuke and Shikamaru with him. 

“I agree that it shouldn’t be allowed,” Kakashi informed him, just so there was no confusion about this topic. “Sakura was successful because of the disguise. She assured me she wasn’t going to go as far as that. I never would have let her go if she had.”

“Do you think she would have told you if she had planned it? She did more than she should have had to simply because she was in that situation. And that’s my point.”

“What did she do? You’re not saying—" Kakashi asked, suddenly feeling like his stomach was twisting violently. Would she have lied to him? Had Naruto been right? Had he just sent Sakura without a team into a situation Kakashi shouldn’t have?

“You don’t get to know what,” Sasuke hissed. “Because if I hadn’t followed her, then no one would know.”

Kakashi’s stomach turned again as he thought about what Sakura might feel obligated to do to complete a mission she had proposed herself because it had been about her. Would she have done anything to ensure it was a success? Would she have felt like it was her personal sacrifice to make in order to obtain the members of the organization simply because she was their target? A part of the Hokage’s duties  came with giving orders and entrusting missions to the ninja the Hokage believed would deliver and follow through with those orders.  

He looked back at Sasuke differently, then. Kakashi always thought he might be the one to know his students best in the beginning. But Sasuke knew a great deal more now about personal sacrifice because he, himself, had taken that road as his ninja path. Maybe Sasuke understood Sakura in her most recent mission on a level the rest of them could not, simply because it was his own personal convictions being mirrored back to him in the girl who loved him. Maybe it was that particular fact that had Sasuke braving to threaten the Hokage again, because he somewhat felt responsible for her choice. Sasuke was doing more than threatening Kakashi; he was asking him to stop Sakura in circumstances like this in the future. To continue to look after her as he had always done as her sensei. Because he was going to be gone and couldn’t do it himself.

“And why do you suddenly care so much Sasuke?” Kakashi prompted, already knowing the answer but wanting to force the Uchiha to admit it. It was the truth Sasuke needed to acknowledge outright before Kakashi confronted the Uchiha further. “Naruto, I could understand, but until two days ago in the Kazekage’s meeting room, you’ve always acted like you couldn’t really be bothered—”

“There’s no point in telling you what you already know, so move on with it,” Sasuke interrupted and Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. So, he was past the point of denying his growing attachment to Sakura. Kakashi’s thoughts returned to that ever-growing connection. Just a few days ago, Kakashi had been beaming with joy at having caught his two students together in a shared room in Sunagakure. But now, after Sasuke’s threat, the Hokage was concerned about it. As much as he wished otherwise, maybe the opening of the Uchiha’s heart wouldn’t turn out to be a good thing after all. Sasuke cared about Naruto. He cared about Sakura. But she had become something more over the course of the last few months at the very least, if not before that. He suddenly thought of Obito and Rin, and what Rin’s death had done to Obito.

Would a matter of a few months change Sasuke’s bearings and weaken his resolve about a peaceful future in a worst case scenario? 

While Sasuke was complying with responses to his questions, Kakashi pushed further, “Naruto says that we don’t have to worry about the threat you made to the shinobi world in Sunagakure. Is that true? Being a shinobi comes with risks; Sakura is a frontline medic and more. There is always a gamble of her safety. As there is for me. And for Naruto, as well.” 

There was silence as Sasuke stared beyond Kakashi and into the faces of the Hokage Mountain at his back. Kakashi wasn’t certain if Sasuke was going to even respond at first, but then he reached some sort of conclusion in his mind, “If Naruto exists, the world will never have to worry. We have the same goal. I will protect the Leaf. More so now than ever, I must find out everything I can about the Otsusuki. I’ve sacrificed everything for that.”

“Not everything, it seems,” Kakashi said aloud and Sasuke’s scowl deepened. 

“Everything and more,” Sasuke corrected. “My future and hers.” It was a brutal truth that made Kakashi frown in contemplation. Being connected to Sasuke would bring Sakura a future of suffering and sacrifices of her own. 

And then Sasuke was making his exit, excusing himself as he always did. And as Kakashi watched him leave, he thought of something else. Even more than Sakura, Kakashi was suddenly concerned about another unspoken factor. The Uchiha may not go to such lengths again on behalf of his current bonds, but the ultimate attachment to those who might be born from this “newfound happiness” between teammates—that might different. The loss of a friend is one thing. The loss of a spouse another. But the loss of a child was a pain more terrible than the first two. And definitely one to seek vengeance over. Would anyone truly be able to stop him then? But Kakashi didn’t say this aloud to Sasuke, hoping that Naruto would always be the insurance the shinobi world needed to keep the Uchiha in the light.

“Use the Uchiha compound,” Sasuke called back to him as if he had just thought of something else to add. “Build the clinic, the wards, or a prison. I don’t care. Whatever she wants, you can build it there, but put the Uchiha crest on it. I leave tomorrow to hunt down the rest of Zenshin, so there will be more coming if I don’t end up having to kill them, first.”

Kakashi rose an eyebrow at Sasuke’s parting words. The Uchiha had just given him permission to use his ancestral clan territory to expand Sakura’s professional reach and display the symbol of Uchiha pride once more. And told him he would have even more prisoners to take care of. Kakashi sighed.

.

.

.

The sun was high and bright over the ninja academy when Sakura finally found Isao and Naruto. They stood just outside the red doors of the building, that leaf symbol towering above the entrance crippling Sakura with nostalgia as she approached. That same lonely swing hung from the tree just outside. She was glad to not see Naruto sitting in that swing anymore. Now, he was serving as a personal tour guide, introducing Isao to Iruka Sensei, who had been promoted from homeroom teacher to Konoha Academy headmaster. Iruka was teasing Naruto’s past behavior lightheartedly to which Naruto was guffawing loudly over or cheesing bashfully at the accusations. Konohamaru was also among the group and Sakura was shocked at how much he had grown as well. Full of reminiscent wistfulness, Sakura hung back a moment despite how much she wanted to rush to them. Isao’s wide smile was just as vibrant as the others and Sakura felt relieved to see him surrounded with a group of men who had a history of supporting and looking up to one another. It was such a contrast to the treatment he had grown up with, and Sakura’s concern for Isao’s adjustment to life in the Leaf lightened considerably knowing that this group of ninja would be there for him. 

Isao’s small voice carried to her on the wind. “What if no one likes me? What if I am alone?”

And she saw Naruto crouch down in front of him and grab each of his shoulders. “Impossible. But even if they don’t like you, that’s okay. Even if you feel alone in the beginning, friends will find you.”

And Sakura heard Naruto’s reflective laugh before continuing, “And if they don’t come to you, you go to them. Find the person who is also alone, and in them, you’ll have a lifelong friend. My best friend is often still alone, but we find our way back to one another, because we are each other’s closest friend to this day. He needs to be punched occasionally, but he is a good guy.”

Sakura chuckled to herself at that, then revealed her snooping by acting as if she were catching Naruto in a love confession. “Never thought I’d ever hear you admit that aloud.” 

And Naruto turned to her, looking as if he had been caught with his pants down. He rubbed the back of his head, “Oh, hey Sakura! Don’t tell Sasuke I said that, ‘kay?”

When Isao finally caught her standing there, Sakura raised her hand and waved, revealing her own jovial smile. The child abandoned the party and sprinted toward her like no child ever had. He clutched her around the middle and Sakura had to summon chakra to her feet just to keep from sprawling on the ground from the force of his hug. 

“You’re here!” Isao was mumbling into her side, large tears brimming along his bottom eyelids and Sakura realized suddenly that despite his smiling, this was the moment where he felt safest and was letting all that pent up stress directly fuel that sniffling. Sakura hugged him tightly back, catching Naruto’s giant grin as he walked toward them with his fingers laced behind his head. 

“I’m glad to see you well,” Sakura admitted to Isao truthfully, her own emotions beginning to make her throat swell. She did her best to swallow them, coughing out, “How are you enjoying the Leaf so far? Naruto isn’t pushing you too hard, is he? He can be a bit oblivious, so telling him directly is what always works best for the rest of us.” She teased her friend, who grumbled, “not you too, Sakura.” Iruka and Konohamaru were laughing again. Sakura waved at them, too. 

“It’s so lively here,” Isao admitted. “It’s a lot to take in. But everyone has been so nice.”

“I was just trying to convince Iruka to take us all out for Ramen since it will be Isao’s first time!” Naruto confessed as he came to stand beside her. He nudged her with his elbow. “But it’s not working. Your treat Sakura?” 

Sakura wanted to habitually threaten his life like she had always done as a genin, but found herself sighing and nodding instead. She’d buy Naruto a hundred bowls of ‘Miso Ramen with extra pork!’ just for the kindness he showed Isao in her absence alone, not to mention everything else he had ever done for her. And besides, the last thing she had eaten was a stick of slimy eel fish, so Sakura was beside herself with hunger. At Naruto’s ‘huzzah’, Sakura placed a hand on top of Isao’s head after he let her go and wiped his eyes. “I was just coming to retrieve you for a short health check, but let’s get you some food first.” 

Together, the three of them headed for Ichiraku, and Sakura watched with a smile as Naruto explained to Isao what the best ramen order was. Eager to please, Isao did everything Naruto was telling him to do, and Sakura elbowed him sharply. “Let him pick out what he wants.” She grinned innocently when Naruto overdramatized his new pained ribs. But Isao only nodded his eager approval at the food when it finally arrived. 

When Isao began to eat enthusiastically, Naruto elbowed her back privately, saying, “Congrats by the way. It was about time that you two—”

And Sakura’s hand found his mouth to silence him as she looked back to her left at Isao to see if the child had heard her obnoxiously loud friend, but Isao played it off as if he hadn’t, turning back to his food and slurping loudly. Perceptive child.

“Geeze, Sakura. I wasn’t going to say that, but that too, huh?” Naruto whispered and grinned cheekily and Sakura dropped her jaw in absolute shock at his bluntness. 

“Na-ru-to,” Sakura seethed, steam to compete with the ramen once again coming fresh off the planes of her too-large forehead. 

“Alright, sheesh,” Naruto sighed, raising two hands to ward off her temper. “I just wanted to wish my two best friends a lifetime of happiness together.”

“So now I’m your best friend, too? Not twenty minutes ago, you just told Isao that you had only one best friend. Being the third wheel is starting to get old, you know.” She pretended to pout with her chin in her palm.

“Doesn’t seem like you’re much of third wheel anymore, to me.”

And Sakura immediately asked, “What did he tell you?” Because Sakura was trying to fit the information together. Sakura hadn’t told him; she had confirmed it for Kakashi, but Naruto had purposefully been kept in the dark. She took a calming breath because she certainly hadn’t told anyone about how official things seemed to have become just in the last twenty-four hours. 

Naruto glanced over her shoulder to catch Isao strategically ordering another bowl of ramen while they talked, and Naruto stopped mid-conversation to say, “Make that two, old man!”

And then lowly, he said, “I’m not as dumb as you two believe me to be. I have eyes, too, sometimes.” 

“Emphasis on the sometimes.”

“I’m happy for you two,” he nodded, leaning across her to ask Isao if he had ever had Naruto fishcakes in his ramen, to which Isao had replied that he had never had ramen, which sent Naruto into hysterics. Sakura was near-hysterics herself because talking about her relationship status with Naruto was not on her to-do-list and it took her by complete surprise. She didn’t even know what to say. 

“Thanks, Naruto,” she ended up whispering to him, “for everything you’ve done for Sasuke. And for me. You kept your promise, you know. You brought him back.”

“And I always will. You have my word.”

Sakura shook her head. She wouldn’t ever burden Naruto the same way she had as a genin. “No, I’ll never let you make that sort of promise again, Naruto. You have a family now. A baby on the way. I’ll be there for Sasuke now. Keep him in line. That sort of thing.” She grinned as she raised her fist in an illustrative threat. 

But, in response, Naruto reached out an arm and clapped a hand on her shoulder. “We can take care of him together. Take shifts, since you’re right. I do have a baby on the way!” It was a celebratory statement, at such a volume that revealed that Naruto had reached his limitations on whispered speech for one evening. “But I’ll trade you night shifts when the baby gets here.”

Sakura laughed at that intrusive picture. An exhausted, dark eyed Naruto showing up on her doorstep with a baby in his arms and handing him to Sakura, while heading toward her room where Sasuke slept, curling up next to the Uchiha as if he were the baby that needed snuggling, except Sasuke was a prickly porcupine who would kick him straight off the bed. Maybe she could rope Kakashi into it somehow and it would be like Team 7 was raising a baby together. Well, when Hinata needed a break, of course. She wasn’t the sort to hog a newborn baby that didn’t belong to her—those sort of people were odd. But helping when asked—Sakura wasn’t bothered by that notion. She thought back to her and Sasuke’s mutual understanding about a delayed family start, if they even got that point. So, if Hinata felt up for sharing, Sakura would spend every night awake with her and Naruto’s sweet child. Unlike Naruto himself, this baby would be surrounded by a family who loved him. 

“You’re having a baby?” Isao suddenly chimed in as he leaned across Sakura to talk to her boisterous shinobi friend, no longer pretending not to hear their conversation. “I love babies. I always wanted a brother or sister.”

“Really?” Naruto asked him, “because I’m sure that Hinata and I could use all the help we can get!”

Isao’s face brightened as he smiled at Naruto, and Sakura was suddenly seeing another copy of an adoring Konohamaru in Isao, who was essentially a copy of Naruto. Not to mention the copy yet to be born. This world was going to be full of Narutos, Sakura thought to herself, but she also found herself smiling and admitting that it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Long after Naruto left them in pursuit of Sasuke, Isao glanced over at her as they walked back toward the hospital. Curiosity getting the better of him, Isao questioned, “His best friend, the one he was talking about… That’s the man you love? The one who was in Sunagakure with you?”

Sakura didn’t know why exactly he was asking, but she nodded, suddenly nervous about Isao’s perception of Sasuke and what her choice in him might mean to the young boy. His father had been cruel to him, his mother lost forever. She felt the weight of her choices in the contextual lens of a young person’s impressionable viewpoint.

But that feeling went away when Isao said, “Why’d you and Naruto breakup? He said something about you two dating in the past—”

Sakura dropped her chin, and her face turned red, “Narutoooo,” she growled. “Don’t believe anything that idiot tells you!”

Isao’s laughter was sharp and bright and Sakura realized that for the first time, she had never heard him truly laugh before until now. As a medic, she knew it was a good sign that came with a change in environment. As someone who cared about the youth, her heart felt such peace.

.

.

.

The August cicada song of Konoha summer evenings was a comforting sound to Sasuke. It was loud, definitely, but not near as loud as the deafening roar of life in Shikkotsu Forest. It was warm and humming, and it was also a sound that Sasuke had once associated with his birthday. Being in Konoha for the first time since May, he realized his birthday must have passed under his nose without his remembering. That’s how it was when one got older, but for Sasuke, he had forgotten his birthday and age altogether the moment his family, the people who celebrated those things with him, were murdered. All dates of celebration were eclipsed in his mind by anniversaries of death. It was probably the same for many shinobi who’d lost their loved ones to a world of war.

After Sasuke had forgotten about his birthday, the cicada sound became attached to new memories other than his birthday. It was the sound of conversations between friends, camping by a fire in the forest, D-rank missions, and competitive sparring. Pairing it with the smell of street vendors and the Konoha evening dinner crowd made Sasuke suddenly overcome with nostalgia. 

“Is that everything you need dear?” came the vendor’s question and Sasuke suddenly realized he was spacing. 

He nodded, accepting the bag of supplies from the older woman, a face he recognized from his youth, but she didn’t seem to recognize him. Speaking to anyone in Konoha was sometimes nerve-wracking because Sasuke didn’t know if he was going to be receiving a fearful reception or indifferent one. 

Sasuke was walking back in the direction of the Uchiha compound when that idiot blonde’s voice became louder than the cicada song. “Yo. You need help with that? Unlike you, I’ve got two arms now.”

Sasuke closed his eyes and scoffed. “Don’t you have anything better to be doing loser? Aren’t you about to be a father? Won’t your wife be angry if she catches you goofing off?”

“Hinata doesn’t get bent out of shape easily. Your wife, on the other hand.” Naruto countered and pointed at Sasuke square in the face when the Uchiha snapped his neck in his direction. Naruto laughed. 

After a minute of solid glaring and no denying on Sasuke’s part, Naruto stopped mid-step and dropped his mouth. “Wait just a second! Are you serious? You two are married!?”

Sasuke turned on his heel and continued to make his way into the tree line. 

“Why didn’t Sakura tell me that!? And here she was going on about a third-wheel, but you two are leaving me out of the know!” 

Sasuke sighed again, not sure if he was relieved or frustrated that Naruto had discovered that secret. Well, maybe. He could still patch it, possibly. If Sakura wasn’t saying anything, then Sasuke sure damn well wasn’t confirming anything. He would let her tell it in her own time. “There’s nothing to tell. So shut up before the entire village hears you.”

“So you’re not? I need to know! Spill!”

“Why do you need to know anything? It’s none of your business.”  

His joking voice changed, that quiet solidness it sometimes took on when Naruto was trying to get on Sasuke’s level. “It is my business when you go and threaten the Leaf and shinobi world again.”

Sasuke stopped walking then, turning to Naruto once they were both under tree cover. “Kakashi already gave me the lecture, so you can save your breath.” He sat, unfurling his scrolls and dumping the bags contents on the ground beside them with the purpose of restocking his summoning scrolls. 

Naruto leaned against an opposite tree, arms crossed and eyes upward to the treetops. “I know that you don’t mean those things. That you only said it because they allowed Sakura to walk into danger alone. It makes more sense, knowing the scale of what she means to you now.” 

Sasuke wanted to correct him. He wanted to tell Naruto that before and after he was consumed in darkness, Sakura had always been important to him. The only difference was that his goal had changed and that he was on the right side, the side that allowed him to admit and develop his attachment to her. Essentially, only after Sasuke had experienced death, that zone of in-between where he could still talk to Naruto and their souls collided, did Sasuke see that whatever goals he had in life, the only way to reach them was with the help of Naruto and the multitude on his side. While being the only one cutout for his solitary role, Sasuke had still tried to keep that distance from Sakura, but because he had believed it to be for her own sake. Not because he didn’t care for her on the same measure as now. Making her his wife didn’t mean he had cared less before. It was just a little different now, because he had finally admitted it to himself, something he had never done before. For both of his friends, Sasuke had denied their bonds to spare himself of the pain of losing them. And there was another factor that altered the situation. If Sakura were targeted because of their marriage and killed because of the Uchiha tie, then yes, Sasuke would avenge her. He would avenge her regardless, but it would be an entire new level of vengeance. A intense and dark sort of retaliation.

Which had Sasuke considering his threat. Despite what Naruto believed, Sasuke had meant every word of it, and even though it scared everyone for him to say those words, it also scared Sasuke. Because he didn’t want to fall, didn’t wantto pitch back into darkness. He had tried to stay far away from the edge of it for the last two years, but falling in love with that pink-haired Kunoichi… it just might make him stagger. Because that’s what love did to an Uchiha and Sasuke was well aware of that. Had faced it very recently with a display of Amaterasu on the prick who had marred Sakura’s skin with her own blood.

However, this time, Sasuke had the confidence that he wouldn’t fall to such depths again. Because of hia closest friend across from him. Because of Naruto. Where Sakura had become a tether to sanity and happiness, Naruto was still the savior when that lifeline snapped. The person who dove after the falling and careened over the edge along with them, and just when you thought their strength would run out and they would let go or fall too, they somehow managed to pull you both back to safety.

“Your promise still stands?” Sasuke asked aloud, glancing up at Naruto through his eyelashes. “To stop me no matter what?”

Naruto held his eyes as he nodded. “Hell yeah. Always.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about. The future remains bright.”

“What are you two going to do now? Are you staying in the Leaf?”

“No,” Sasuke admitted bluntly, resuming the task of sealing each item into his travelling scrolls. “I know my mission. This doesn’t change that.”

Naruto frowned. “Then Sakura.. is she—”

“Staying here. She has her own goals, and her work is essential to the Leaf. She belongs here.” 

“We can think of a different plan, Sasuke,” Naruto sighed, a sound that was both frustrated and sorrowful. “We can do this thing together.”

“We are doing it together,” Sasuke countered. “This is the only way to do that. The three of us—we each have a role to play. Think of it like stars and orbits.”

“Hmm,” Naruto hummed, that blank squinting confusion passing his features. “What was that now?”

Sasuke tsked. “Forget it. Should have known it would be too complicated for you to understand.”

Naruto started his fake nod, like he was following, even though he clearly wasn’t. “Something about space, got it. I can be a part of this space thing. Because I’m out of this world. Get it?”

“Definitely spacey,” Sasuke deadpanned, smirking at his own joke that still went over Naruto’s head.

The cicada song in Sasuke’s heart grew louder.

.

.

.

“We need to talk.”

Sakura turned from her work of capsulizing the newly aquired H. Perforatum to find Shikamaru there. She was finishing reviewing the anti-depressant’s trial period and clinical practice schedule with Tsunade, smiling as her old mentor assisted and simultaneously tried to pry the details of her last couple months of travelling with Sasuke. Sakura had been blushing furiously from that last very personal question her mentor had boldly asked just before the door had opened.

Tsunade and Sakura had turned to one another in surprise at Shikamaru’s interruption, and big-eyed, Sakura had answered, “okay?” already nervous about the tone of voice delivering that declarative statement.

“What’s got you worked up, Shikamaru?” Tsunade crossed her arms, before leaning in Sakura’s direction and whispering, “Probably overworked. Shizune used to get cranky, too. Or his ponytail is too tight, either one.”

But Shikamaru ignored the loud whispers, staring only at Sakura. “We need to talk about Sasuke.”

Both the sanin and her pupil got very still at that. “I’ll leave you to it, then,” announced Tsunade immediately, ditching Sakura not because she wasn’t going to be the sort of mentor to take Sakura’s side, but because she was the former Hokage, and Sakura knew that Tsunade had had several uncomfortable conversations about the Uchiha with the rest of Team 7 over the years; Sakura suspected she was either staying out of it completely or she believed the conversation might be a necessary one, whatever it was about.

Sakura caught the unwavering determination in the set of Shikamaru’s shoulders. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and Sakura tried her best not to immediately bristle or react in Sasuke’s defense. She had a strange sense of deja-vu, recalling that time Sai and Shikamaru had come to talk to her about what needed to be done about Sasuke. The Konoha 11 had decided to take it upon themselves to eliminate Sasuke because Naruto’s defense of him was causing strain with the Hidden Cloud. At the time, it was believed to be essential in avoiding a war with the Hidden Cloud. In the end, Sakura had been the one to try to shoulder it alone, and she had failed. And after all this time, here was Shikamaru, approaching her in the same manner he had done back then, and it made Sakura’s stomach turn violently.

“What about him?” she asked, crossing her arms and leaning back against the table. 

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Naruto didn’t want us to tell you. But considering Sasuke’s past, and the importance of our present peace, I feel you ought to know.”

With every word, Sakura’s heart was sinking until it hit the floor. No. It hit the first level of the building. “What? What happened? Whatever it is, I’m sure there’s an explanation.”

Shikamaru sighed before looking her dead in the face. “Sasuke threatened the Leaf, Sakura. Again. He threatened to personally become Konoha’s—no, the entire shinobi world’s—enemy again.”

Sakura froze and her arms fell from their rigged position and her entire body went numb as those word registered. “When? What are you talking about?”

“Back in Sunagakure,” Shikamaru explained brusquely, not pulling the punch of the truth of it. He gave it to her frankly and quickly. “After you left, the Lord Hokage and the Kazekage denied him permission to follow you. Him and Naruto, both. Because that’s what you had asked.”

“And?” Sakura asked breathlessly, not sure why Sasuke was being singled out if he and Naruto had both reacted how she had expected them to. 

“But Sasuke didn’t accept the Hokage’s orders,” Shikamaru continued, like this choice alone was Sasuke’s noose. “Unlike Naruto, he threatened his way out of that room.”

She fell silent, because she didn’t know what to say to that. 

“And Kakashi—not just Kakashi—we all knew he meant it. Every one of us. Kakashi let him leave because of that threat.”

“I’ve talked to him,” Sakura rushed out, panic gripping her chest. Her words came out choppy like the floodwaters of that cave she was suddenly remembering. “He promised…Well, I promised. We will take care of him. Naruto and I will stop him if he ever—"

“Will you?” the shadow-wielder asked incredulously. “Will you two always take the fall for him? Will you always live in fear of his derailment? You two will spend the rest of your lives trying to keep him in line. He ran out of second chances this last time; there aren’t any more.”

“He’s not going to need another one, Shikamaru,” Sakura rushed to reassure him. She was remembering her and Sasuke’s conversation in the black abyss of a fire-lit cave just three nights ago. Right after she had just witnessed Sasuke try to de-limb someone, she had confronted him. “I don’t want to become a detriment to you, Sasuke. I don’t want to be what breaks you,” she had said. To which he had responded with: “It’s a part of me. No matter how hard I try to eradicate it, there’s a monster in here. And we both know what he’s capable of. Even now, I don’t feel regret when I should. I have absolutely no desire to apologize for my actions tonight. But that look on your face is the same expression you looked at me all the times I’ve been lost. I don’t want to see that anymore.” Sakura had promised that she and Naruto would not let him become a monster again and he had told her he could choose her because of it. 

Sakura sucked in a breath, before adding, “It won’t get that far. The world needs Sasuke if there’s to be a future at all.”

“Let me ask you this then,” Shikamaru questioned without delay. “Do you need him more than the world does? His threats were concerning you, Sakura. Naruto told us you two were together now. And whatever. I don’t really care what you two are. What I do care about, is the ninja world, Konoha, and our current peace. That should be your priority as well, Sakura. If cutting Sasuke off is something that will save all of us, I am begging you on behalf of the world to do so.”

.

.

.

It was dusk by the time Sakura finished helping settle the new group of convicts she had delivered this morning and made her way toward her apartment on the outskirts of town. She didn’t know where Sasuke was, but she imagined he was caught up with Naruto, the two probably knocking each other’s teeth out or something somewhere. They had that annoying habit of having to challenge one another to a duel every time they reunited. And to be quite frank, Sakura needed a few minutes to herself just to think. 

She revealed her copy of the apartment key from a hidden jutsu she kept it under when she was away on missions. It materialized into existence on the ground before her, like a stepping stone into a sanctuary. 

Everything was exactly how she had left it. Clean, but bearing evidence of her quick departure. Sasuke’s pallet on the sofa was still there as if it had only been yesterday when Sakura had forced him to stay over. Her father’s clothes that he had borrowed were folded neatly and placed on the arm. Leftover—now expired—Onigri in the fridge. Their clean dishes stacked to the left of the sink. It was incredible how the official beginning of them was right before her face, preserved by the time capsule of four private walls. And yet, despite their previous time of residence, the house had returned to the odor of its original making, the familiar scents of fresh tea and herbal concoctions no longer attaching itself to the walls simply because she had vacated and taken them with her. It suddenly reminded Sakura of the fleetingness of life and of the impending departure of Sasuke once more. The evidence of his presence in her life would be there, but suddenly, hewouldn’t. And he would take his scents, his smirking confidence, his ridiculous stoicism with him. It hadn’t even been twelve hours, and Sakura’s heart already ached for him. How was she supposed to do this? How was she supposed to accept his leaving again? She couldn’t even bring herself to let him leave, let alone choose to suddenly live without him. Shikamaru had asked her to choose the world. As ridiculous and weak-natured as this self-confession made her, Sasuke was her world. Shikamaru had asked her to make a selfless decision and impossible choice. Shikamaru was asking her to live without her world, so everyone still had theirs to live for. Just as the Konoha 11 had once done years ago.

And Sakura would do it this time, wouldn’t she? That’s what she had told herself the entire walk here. For Konoha, she should. As a Leaf Shinobi, it was her duty to put the village first.

Like a pinprick of light, her eyes found the extra copy of the key on her kitchen counter, the one she had given Sasuke the night she had asked him to come to her as a friend while he was resting in Konoha. The very key he had given back to her, saying no and that he refused the life she offered. It still sat where she had tossed it in dismay several months ago, a cold key that bore no evidence of Sasuke ever holding it. And Sakura suddenly realized that this is what her life would be like, what she had chosen. A home that bore no witness of him being there. It wouldn’t smell like him; it wouldn’t feel like him. It would be hers and he would be a passing star whose light became too far away to even see anymore. And all that was expected of her from everyone else was to not prevent that star from playing its crucial role in the universe. She was to move along on her own orbital path, trying not to prevent their inevitable separation. To be indifferent to their fate. 

But Sakura wasn’t indifferent. She would never be able to be indifferent, and she didn’t know why Shikamaru had tried to tell her to be, because everyone knew how selfish she and Naruto were when it came to Sasuke, didn’t they? They would do exactly as Shikamaru had predicted them to. They would spend the rest of their lives clinging to his sanity forhim. 

Sakura fretted over Sasuke hours into the night as she held on to that key. On her sofa, with tea brewing as an attempt to make her home feel like its old self, Sakura finally realized that it might never feel like home again. Not after being with him these past few months. And she stood from her sofa, the scream of the tea kettle a perfect depiction of what she was suddenly feeling like on the inside. She had to go and find him. Because every second mattered. They were separating, their orbits spinning away from one another, and she needed every minute left of it. And then a myriad of unwanted thoughts came with this most recent realization: What if he already left? Maybe he was late because he wasn’t coming back. He had brought her back to the Leaf and left the first chance he gotten before she could follow him. 

And just before she exited her home in pursuit of the Uchiha once again, she swung open the door to see the man in question raising his hand to knock against the frame. He was shocked for a moment as he unexpectedly came face to face with her, and she stood motionless in the absolute relief of seeing him there. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Then sighed nervously. “I’ll take that key, if it’s still being offered.”

And she almost threw it at him. But she found herself helplessly reaching out for him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she began to sob uncontrollably. He stiffened at first at the suddenness of her grasping, confused as to why she was crying to the point of hysteria. He pushed her through the entryway and kicked the door shut behind him, wrapping his arm loosely around her waist as his body thawed of his initial embarrassment. “What happened?” he asked lowly, a worried rumble through his chest and throat. “Why are you suddenly crying?”

Sakura’s words came out through rattled breaths, and she pushed back against the surge of panic with an explanation. “I thought—” inhale, “thought y—you’d—” inhale, exhale, inhale, “left.” She cried some more, before attempting to say, “I thought you must have left again.”

He got still. “I promised not to do that anymore, remember?” he automatically reassured her. “We both did. I said I’d find you later, so you’d have no doubt.”

“Yeah,” she found herself exhaling, slowly counting in her mind the way she had taught small children to when they were upset. The tea kettle continued to squeal, and it was deafening, but so was her own thoughts. She clung to him and wouldn’t let go until he led her to the sofa. He walked over to remove the kettle, and like the metaphor to her internal frenzy, the kettle began to quiet as a direct result of his mediation. 

“This is yours.” She reached out her hand to drop the key into his single palm when he came to stand before her once more. “It always has been. Even before you wanted it.” She stared down as he took it from her hands, and she didn’t see what he did with it, but heard the rustle of his clothing as he tucked it away somewhere. 

His silence felt unsure, and Sakura knew his mind was probably spiraling, afraid he would say something else to set her off. And so Sakura whispered, “It’s not much of a home and it’s small, but when you’re here, it can be yours, too.”

He nodded, attempting to ease her concerns about their mutual habitation needs by saying. “I won’t be in your way. You can live wherever you like.”

She began to cry again at that, and Sakura could tell by his stricken face that he suddenly realized it had been the wrong thing to say after all. It broke his hesitancy, and he reached his palm forward and ran his thumb along the ridge of her cheekbone, wiping the tears there. “Don’t cry. I’m saying that you will be home to me.”

She nodded, trying to calm herself, which his soothing gesture was helping immensely. She leaned into it, hoping he never moved it away. Sakura was comforted immensely at the thought of being Sasuke’s home to return to, even if Sakura spent a lifetime waiting for her home to return to her. “I’m sorry. I’m always crying.”

“And I’m the one always making you, it seems like.” He confessed with a frown. “I hate that.”

She shook her head. “No. It’s just been a day.” 

Sasuke didn’t respond to that, so Sakura asked the next looming question on her mind, “When are you leaving?”

He sucked in a breath, not quite ready to tell her, but then exhaled. “Tomorrow. In the morning.”

Already? She wanted to cry again. Her tears rushed to her eyes the longer he refused to clarify, modify, or ask her to come with him. “So that was it, then? Our time together has stopped?”

“I’m going to continue to find the leader of the organization who is after you. I’ll find him first before I continue to pursue the Otsusuki. There’s not much more time to delay. We’ve delivered the rest of them to Kakashi. I must continue on, now.”

“I can help you,” she tried, knowing he would deny her anyway. “I can help you with the Zenshin leader and make more chakra pills for you when you run out.”

He was looking down between them, at the careful space kept between them on the auburn-colored sofa. “After what you’ve recently done, you deserve to rest. You’ll be safe here, and I’ll have peace knowing that, while I do the mission only I can do.”

She wasn’t ready to give this topic up. She argued anyway, Shikamaru’s voice like a ticking clock in the back of her mind as she approached the discussion she needed to have with him yet again. “What if they come for me here? While you’re away, Mozai could come. It would be his next logical step.”

“He wouldn’t come here and risk having to deal with Kakashi and Nar—"

She pushed on. “What if they find and kill me? What are you going to do if that happens, Sasuke?”

He got very still as those words registered, not because he was angry at the idea of it or fearful of it becoming true. He froze with a staring sourness of narrowed eyes, because he had caught on to the direction of her conversation. She suddenly knew that Sasuke had just learned that she was told about his choice words of a threat back in Sunagakure. 

She steeled herself at that stare, swallowing back the discomfort of the confrontation. “Are you going to avenge me? Are you going to become an enemy of the world again if someone else is taken from you?”

Sasuke stood from the couch at her words, turning his back on her in the darkness of the room. “I’m getting really tired of this conversation,” he retorted scornfully. “I have already had it twice today.”

“So it’s true,” she laughed mirthlessly, standing up along with him as she stared at his bowed head and bent shoulders. “You really said that? Why? You never would have said something like that as far as I was concerned in the past. You’ve risked everything you have worked toward over the last two years by doing that!”

He had started to walk away from her as she spoke, every word stiffening his posture. His only response was, “Who told you what I said? Was it Naruto? Kakashi?”

Sakura ignored his redirection, because she had to say this. She had to do this so when the time came for her to be accountable for her own actions in the world, Sakura could use this conversation as an excuse for why she couldn’t do more than this. She continued. “Why did you say that? Why go to that extent because I went on a mission of my ownvolition? In the past, I was always the ‘annoying’ person who was in your way, and now you’ve made me a liability to the world?”

“You’re being annoying right now,” he droned, using that tone of voice that always made her body fill with ice. Instead of the playful connotation of that word, it now reminded her of all the times he had chastised her and been cruel on purpose. It still hurt when he used it that way. He sighed and turned to face her then at her silence, and Sakura could see the small regret of those words. So he clarified. “You’re my wife. I’m allowed to say that I will avenge you, and I’ll make sure the world knows that I will.”

“We had made no vows when you said that. We weren’t serious yet—"

He was getting angrier every time she tried to speak. It caused him to spill secrets he had kept for a long time, words that would heal Sakura’s pain from the past and sustain her like fodder throughout her future of loneliness. “I knew where it was headed. I’ve known for a long time. Since before I left the Leaf, I knew what you would become to me. It’s why I said and did those things to you. To keep you away from me. You were supposed to hate me so this would never happen. I would have avenged you when we were genin together on Team 7, maybe even after at some points. And I would do so now. As I would for Naruto, or Kakashi even.”

After a moment, more tears streamed down her face, because Sasuke didn’t know the gravity of what he just confessed. She still hadn’t gotten to the hard part, because Sakura had been asked to do everything she could to protect the world, but she just couldn’t give Sasuke up. Her and Naruto both; he would be their weakness for life. So, she had to do the next extreme, and very gutsy thing she could think of. “I need you to add it to your vow to me. Right now. That you neverwill. If I am killed tomorrow—or Naruto, or Kakashi—you’ll never choose revenge again. You told me that night that the world will not pay for us loving one another.”

Sasuke laughed, scornfully. Like she had just said something funny, and Sakura had never seen him laugh except for when he was wrapped in darkness. He laughed again in utter exhaustion, rubbing his palm down across his face. Maybe it was the trauma of the past coming back to haunt her, but it made her blood run cold at the familiarity.

In a flash of panicked anger, Sakura pulled out her kunai and angled it toward her heart. There was a sound of metal, and Sasuke’s laughter died immediately at the sight of it, and a still rage filled his eyes as they widened at her actions. She wasn’t swayed by that wrath, and when he instantly made to make an interfering step toward her, she drew it closer to her chest, stilling him straightaway.

“Now you’re the one making stupid threats, Sakura.” He sneered lowly and she could see the flash of his red Sharingan. She was going to run out of time to make this stupid bluff of a facade count. It was an extreme thing to do maybe, but she couldn’t think of another way to get him to see what he had done by putting her in a position of choosing him or choosing Konoha. “Shikamaru said I needed to cut ties with you,” she explained. “That being with you was a risk. But I can’t do that because I am selfish. What I should do is end myself now for the sake of the village, because my life is not worth the risk you pose to the world. That’s what you will be asking me to do if you continue using my life as the rationale for your recent behavior. If you keep making threats like this, then it will be the only thing I can do to save it.”

“That bastard didn’t tell you everything I said,” he hissed, furiously, a quiet sound that still jarred her nerves just as much as the screeching tea kettle had. “I also said that I wouldn’t survive it. I said the world would just as likely fall to the Otsusuki in my absence. And that’s the truth. You dying will make a shell out of me, if not outright kill me, too.”

Her hand lowered at those words, and the Uchiha saw it with his Sharingan, and the next thing Sakura knew, she was no longer holding that kunai as it was transported places with the handle of that still-hot tea kettle. The metal singed her skin as it swung in the air and she winced before dropping it. Sasuke rushed forward and caught the handle himself before it could hit the ground, and he glared at her as he placed it on the table before the sofa. 

“Cheap trick,” she chided, as he came very close to stand before her. He held her eyes with red and purple irises. She didn’t look away.

“Don’t you ever do that again, even to make a point. If you don’t want to be with me because you choose the world, fine. None of your choices change what we are to one another.” Every word was sharp and stony. “It’s a hard lesson to learn, believe me, but you would have to erase our past. I tried that. And you fought to make me remember. All of you did. So now you have to live with that choice.”

“Tell me what do,” Sakura pleaded. “Tell me how I can love you and still protect the world from you.”

“You just have to live. Because of you, I will continue. I will find the Otsusuki race and eliminate them as a threat so that I can return to you, just like I promised. And if someone ever dared to touch you, they would die for it, and Naruto would prevent it from going beyond that. And if Naruto dies, it will be you who I have to cling to. You all just have to accept that.”

“I can’t stop you, Sasuke. And I can’t kill you. I’ll never be able to kill you. Even after you tried to kill me, yourself, I couldn’t follow through. I’ll never be able to stop you from another path of destruction because, like I said, I’m selfish. Despite what Shikamaru said, I can’t choose the world over you. My choice will always be you. Just as it was the day you left me the first time. I’d even go as far as to help you with revenge. As always, I’m pitiful. I’m hopeless. I’m in love with you. I love you more than the world. What kind of ninja does that make me? It makes me a traitor.”

His irritation faded as she confessed this long stream of thoughts to him. He reached forward and cupped the back of her neck, pulling her the rest of the way to him. “No. It makes you an Uchiha.”

More tears fell down her cheeks as he pulled her mouth the rest of the way to his. And he was pushing her toward the couch. Down onto the surface of it as he claimed her mouth with his. And it was a frantic exploration with his tongue, a touching that was high with the intoxication of tormenting truths, threats, and confessions. A type of kissing that came after you thought you might never get to do so again. In a way, he made it bruising and punishing, for having even dared to do what she had.

He pressed her body deep into the couch as he straddled her waist and Sakura reached up and desperately clung to the collar of his shirt. He leaned over her, fist tangled in her hair as he pulled her head flush against the headrest of the sofa to reveal her throat. Sakura’s skin prickled at the roughness. 

“I told you there would be no going back for us,” he breathed against her jawline, sending gooseflesh into the scalp of her head and along her arms. “It’s too late, remember? We get to choose each other, and I’ll even vow to you that the world will not pay for this. I have already chosen the world for all of us. You get to choose me and not live with the guilt of it. I won’t become who I used to be. Because I don’t want to see you look at me like that.”

She nodded before his mouth found hers again. It was hot, sweltering, fueled with the fire-nature of his chakra. He meant to burn her up, completely. So that when he had to leave tomorrow morning, she could still feel the heat of him. She would allow herself to be burned from his heat because then at least something would remain of him.

He pushed her clothing down around her, pulling the shirt up and over her head between kisses, demanding the attention of her mouth. In the next instant, he was pulling something from his cloak. A red bundle the size of his fist. Still straddling her lap, he unfurled it in front of her face. An Uchiha crest, front and center on the backside of a perfect rendition of the shirt she had just been wearing, hung before her like a territorial flag. She outright gasped.

“For a second, you had me thinking you were done with me, and I wasn’t going to get to give this to you,” he sighed between labored panting, his heart still beating loudly from their heated proximity. “I had it made today. You’ll wear it in my stead, won’t you?”

Sakura’s face hurt at this point from crying so much, and she was sure it was splotchy and red, but it didn’t stop her from crying more. She nodded through tears and Sasuke showed her his rare, sporadic smile. She slipped it over her head and he stood, pulling her with him and spinning her so he could see it on her. She blushed at the scrutiny, looking down and tucking her hair behind her ear. Her shyness melted away when he abandoned his own, tilting her chin up to claim her mouth once more. 

“You’re now the only Uchiha woman in this world,” he whispered against her mouth. “I’ve never seen someone look as beautiful as you do right now. Wearing that.” 

Okay, maybe her bashfulness hadn’t completely vanished, because she was blushing furiously after he said that. And with it, she experienced a sudden moment of disassociation. Could this even be real? Just moments ago, she was dramatically threatening her own life, and now she didn’t care about anything else other than simply just living for him. To have more of him. Every second, even in madness, she would take it all. Because she was selfish. Because she didn’t care about anything else and never had. 

But his hot mouth on hers grounded her. He was real and she could have him. And she could look Shikamaru confidently in his face from now on, regardless of her choice, because he, too, was a star locked in his own orbit of destiny, but Sasuke was the sun of her life and meant to burn her. And he did. 

The steam of herbal tea intensified that heat, searing the press of him, the feel of him, his mouth on hers into the memory of ‘home,’ and it lingered long into the blissful after. And at some point during their kissing, Sasuke reached above her head to crack open the window behind her, letting in the nighttime fading sound of hot summer cicadas and crickets. “I want to hear them. I want to remember this when I hear them.” 

She felt for him, pulling his shirt away from his muscular back, and he felt feverish, but they both knew he wasn’t sick. Just intoxicated with adrenaline and need. Sasuke continued to push her down into the very couch where she had been sitting in despair moments ago, and when he became parallel with her own body, reaching into her waistband, she hooked her leg up and over his hip so he could reach exactly where he was aiming. 

Before things escalated further and they lost themselves to the mindlessness of burning a second time, Sakura pulled back and reached into her pocket, revealing a tiny vial of citrine tinted liquid sloshing from the movements of its revelation. “Take this. So that there’s no uncertainty,” Sakura explained. “Tsunade helped me make it today. Its common here for men to take a contraceptive, as well. We’ll both be covered.” His euphoric expression of concentration turned into a frown as he met her eyes in understanding. He looked at it and then looked at her. 

. . .

Sasuke held that concoction with pure hatred. Shikamaru and Naruto, both, could take a damn hike and take their holier-than-thou lectures elsewhere. Because they got to stay in the Leaf and fuck their women, plant themselves with abandon in order to take root in the woman of their dreams and watch their children grow inside of them. Sasuke didn’t get to do that. He got a few moments of blissful ecstasy with years to divide them, and watch their families grow like mocking gardens of happiness while he dragged Sakura into the deep dark earth of a baren family tree. She would be the only branch of his dying lineage unless he could complete his goal, first. 

Which is why he had to leave tomorrow, so he could come back to her free of conflicting obligation.

Their eyes held one another’s as he pulled the stopper. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, swallowing that putrid mixture of protection that was simultaneously a death sentence of a future disguised as responsibility. It was a choice he had to make for the both of them, and it killed him to do it. But he told himself that Sakura was enough for now. Stars and orbits. Stars and orbits. Stars and orbits. 

Sasuke didn’t have time to evaluate the effects of such a potion, to see if it dulled his need, because his wife was now rising from the sofa and sinking on to the floor. And those knees hit the ground and he realized what she was planning to do as she tried to rotate his body in the direction of her face. Oh hell no. Not like that.

“Get up,” he instructed.

“I want to,” she confessed, thinking he was stumbling over his own nervousness as she had done back in the cave. He most certainly was not. 

“No,” he said in finality, pulling at her. “Get off your knees. Uchiha women don’t get on their knees for anyone. Not even their husbands.” 

Her eyes widened at that statement, and she allowed him to pull her from the floor. “How would you even know that?”

And Sasuke specifically remembered his father snatching his mother’s cleaning rag from her as she stooped on the ground to clean the dirt that had been tracked in. “Get up,” he had told her as he took the chore over himself. “You have two sons who are more than capable of doing that. I better never see you on your knees again.” When it had happened, Sasuke had been shocked by the angry reproach from his father, but his mother had only laughed and walked out of the room brightly. Sasuke hadn’t understood such context at the time—well, other than the fact that whatever had just happened meant he would soon be having to scrub floors. But he understood now, in this moment, what his father had been doing. And even if the situation had some sort of different context he wouldn’t ever have answers to, he suddenly knew that it was going to be a rule in his relationship from now on. Because he would set the precedent. He was the only one left to make those rules. 

He didn’t explain it to her in that moment, because time did not allow for it. Instead, he copied his father’s tone to the best of his ability. “Just stay off your knees.”

He was really leaving tomorrow. He was going to be walking away from this again. That’s what Sasuke was thinking as he captured her mouth. Sasuke was selfish and despite what he had told her moments ago, he wanted to ask her to come with him on his mission. He held his tongue, because then she wouldn’t be safe in Konoha anymore. She would be sacrificing her own dream and her own work here. But as their bodies found home in one another, Sasuke lost his will to hold back that request. He had changed his mind. She could come. He would let her come with him. Stay beside him for the whole of it if she didn’t care to sacrifice her own important work here in the Leaf. He could take her up on her promise from all those years ago, because he couldn’t stay, but maybe, just maybe he could take her with him. 

Sakura let out a surprised yelp when their bodies dematerialized and reappeared on her (their?) bed. A new array of scents greeted him with the change, and this room felt sacred. Because it was where she had slept every night for the last several years without him. The bedding emitted the very essence of her sweet fragrance, as if it were the concentration of all things her. This bed had just become the ribcage of his new home, where the beating heart of it would sleep waiting for his return. 

When he had replaced the two of them on the couch with the pillows of her bed, Sasuke had flipped her onto her stomach. He wanted to see the Uchiha crest. He wanted to truly be with her as she wore that symbol of his. 

They came back together, and Sasuke voiced what he had once wanted to say to her back then and what he wanted to say now. “Come with me.”

In the heat of things, she didn’t catch the true meaning of his words, interpreting it for its double entendre.

“No,” he clarified, when they lay next to one another and panted shallowly. “Come with me. I am asking you to come with me.”

“What?” she asked, her head shooting up and she raised onto her elbows to look at him. “You’re asking me to come on your mission with you?” Were those more tears? He hated seeing her cry. 

“Yes. Come with me, Sakura.” It wasn’t time for their orbits to separate yet. Maybe they could hold on just a little longer.  

[doctornemesis]

I missed this part in Kakashi's Story: The Sixth Hokage & the Failed Prince!

He'd discussed it with Iruka, the principle of the Academy at the time, and he had laughed. Kakashi remembered every single word of what he said.

This man is taking on 50 shinobi by himself while trying to maintain stealth, but he's distracted by his memories of Iruka!

Distracted by the memory of Iruka's proud face, Kakashi accidentally allowed a bit of fabric to rustle while strangling the ninth shinobi.

This man is a man on a mission trying to help a village reclaim it's glory while masquerading as a tutor, but he's reminiscing on Iruka a lot. He's mentioned Minato, his father, Obito, Rin, and Gai (briefly), but he's focused on what Iruka's taught him. He went to Iruka for help, and Iruka helped him.

He thinks highly of him.

It's nice to see that growth and bond, because they're close in Boruto, too.

[bakugoushotwife]

Inextricable Angst Ending

a/n: here's the angst ending! meant to be read after Sasuke is healed. it's painful im sorry

fluff ending // first part

Kakashi was chosen to be the Sixth Hokage, and at the time you were thrilled. You knew Kakashi had what it takes to keep the village safe. He instills Itachi and Shisui as village heroes, which delights you. He’s able to pardon Sasuke for his crimes considering his war efforts and sacrifice to the village. 

He hates what he has to do next. Ultimately he has to do it for the sake of the five hidden villages, they’ll never feel safe with the possibility. He’s watched you and Sasuke grow closer than ever before, and he can see the love you have for one another. So the day he calls the two of you into the Hokage’s office to announce these plans, his heart breaks. All Five Kage had thought about this painstakingly, and this was the best resolution. 

“Sasuke, Y/N. Thank you for responding so quickly. I..well.” He clears his throat, wondering what exactly is the right thing to say in a situation like this one. “The five Kage convened recently, here in the Leaf. The other Kage have made me aware that they are..worried about the two of you rebuilding your clan. They fear a repeat of the earlier histories.” Kakashi explains wearily. 

Sasuke straightens his back, looking over at you quickly. “What are you saying, Kakashi?”

“I’m saying the Kage agreed to intervene to prevent you two from marriage and having children. Y/N…will be married to the Kazekage in three weeks.” He replies, clearly pained by the ordeal. He can’t even meet your eyes. 

Your world comes crashing down around you. Sasuke and you just found each other, spending every night talking and touching and being together, like you’re inextricably obligated to. Sasuke’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to speak, feeling only those nasty flames of anger and hatred licking back up his body. 

“I–I can’t believe you would do this to me.” You whisper softly, devastated that Kakashi could settle for such an arrangement. 

“I had no choice. Either that, or they want your original sentences served for desertion and treason. Y/N…I’m sorry.” Kakashi frowns, arms folded over his chest. “Sasuke…I know that Sakura would make a lovely partner, and she cares for you very much.” 

His words cut both of you down, sucking the wind out of your lungs. All this heartache and pain that you’ve gone through, it’s not over. It would never be over. You’re forbidden to be together, just like in all those awful books. Is this really how your story ends?

Gaara is a wonderful man and you’ve always been happy to call him your friend. You’re sure he would do his best to be a good husband to you, but he wasn’t Sasuke. He could never fill that gap, no matter how hard he tried. And to think about Sasuke with Sakura…it was torture. You got up and slammed the door behind you on the way out. 

Over the course of the next few weeks, you met Sasuke when you could. Each time it felt worse and worse, because both of you knew it was closer to the last time. You hold each other a little closer, he kisses you a little rougher than intended, but he just wants to savor the way you taste and the shape of your body under his hand. He knew you would be safe, and as happy as anyone forced into a marriage can be, but every bone in his body wanted to take you and leave this village again. 

But he knew that you didn’t want that life of danger, and neither did he. He wanted to protect the Leaf, and make it up to the people who couldn’t trust him to marry the woman he loves. Maybe he could prove them wrong. But it would be too late by then. Maybe this is what you meant when you said that life doesn’t work off of deserving, but he had to disagree. This is exactly what he deserves. He’s done so much bad, how could he think he was going to get his happily ever after? You were an Uchiha Princess, you deserved to be married to a Kage and be forever safe and catered to. But he stole all the time with you he could. 

True to Kakashi’s word, three weeks from the day he told you about the occasion, you were being wed to the Kazekage. It was a grand spectacle, you think mostly to ease the nerves of the other Kage. The entire Leaf and Sand combine into one massive cathedral-esque type of building, and it’s decorated to the gods. You can smell all the food that’s been made in preparation as you stare at yourself in the mirror. You looked beautiful. This was a fact, your hair was pinned in elaborate braids and your makeup was perfect. You wore a simple but beautiful and traditional Sand style gown. You had citizens of the sand excitedly racing around your room to make sure every detail was in place, and it was magical. 

If only the groom were your preferred choice. Not that you really had one. 

Kakashi walks you out, the previously raucous crowd falling silent at the sight of you. “You do look beautiful, sweet girl.” He hums in your ear. 

“Thank you.” You return politely, not trying to make a spectacle. You can feel Sasuke’s eyes, and you find him easily. He smiles sadly at you, receiving a pat of support from Naruto. Sakura is on his other side. You smile sadly too.

The ceremony is nice, Gaara is kind and you hope you can come to love him in any way similar to Sasuke, because he deserves a good wife. He has made you comfortable since you arrived and tried to give you whatever space or comfort you’ve asked for. He held your hands now, in front of both of your villages, and swore his loyalty to you. 

“I, Gaara of the Hidden Sand, the 5th Kazekage, swear my life to yours. I will make you happy, protect you, and give you anything you ever want or need. I will love you and honor you for all our days.” 

Sasuke is visibly upset, though he tries to hide it just for you. Naruto squeezes his friend’s hand. He was upset for the both of you, having third wheeled your relationship for most of his life. 

The crowd anxiously waits for you to speak. Gaara squeezes your hands in support, and you can tell he’s trying to be the best for you. You smile softly.

“I, Y/N Uchiha, of the Hidden Leaf, the Sharingan Princess, swear my life to yours. I will make you happy, protect you, and give you anything you ever want or need. I will love you and honor you for all our days.” You repeat, allowing him to lean in for the first kiss of your marriage. 

And just like that, you were the wife of the Kazekage, Sasuke Uchiha's Princess no longer.

[inosakutema]

↳ 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞

Do you know what roles Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno and Temari played in The Last: Naruto the Movie?

The Last: Naruto the Movie tells the story of Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara, Sai and Hinata Hyūga's mission to the Moon to rescue the heiress of the Hyūga clan, Hanabi, who had been kidnapped by Toneri Ōtsutsuki in order to steal her pure Byakugan.

The story focuses on the team's adventure on the Moon, but the shinobi of Earth played a big role for the safety of everyone.

Then, what did the heroines of the Moon and Earth do to save the shinobi world?

-

-

⇨ SAKURA HARUNO was chosen to join the Hanabi Rescue Team.

According to the novel:

It was possible that Hanabi was injured, so Sakura, who could use medical ninjutsu, couldn't be left out.

◦ During the mission, Sakura's team was caught in a genjutsu by Toneri Ōtsutsuki. But Sakura, who has become a kunoichi immune to any genjutsu, saved all the team members by pouring her chakra in them and waking them up from the illusion.

◦ Sakura, Sai and Shikamaru found themselves face to face with the puppet that performed the genjutsu, a giant crab servant of Toneri. In a powerful combo attack, Sakura destroyed the giant crab with a single blow of her fist, pulverizing the enemy before the astonished gaze of her teammates.

◦ In the first confrontation between Toneri and Naruto, Sakura rescued and took care of filling Naruto's chakra reserves, which had been absorbed by Toneri and putting him in very serious condition. Without using her seal and with Naruto's life in her hands, Sakura spent three days pouring all her chakra into him until exhaustion.

◦ The next day, Sakura and her team arrived at Toneri castle, where she defeated every puppet that stood in her way to rescue Hanabi one after another. Sai and Sakura finally found Hanabi and brought her out of captivity.

◦ Sakura healed Hanabi and put her eyes back with her medical ninjutsu skills (not in the movie but confirmed in the novel).

-

⇨ INO YAMANAKA was in charge of linking the Five Shinobi Nations.

According to the novel:

“Urgent message from Kumogakure Village! Calling for a five-kage conference!” Ino reported from the communication area.

◦ Ino was chosen to telepathically communicate Konohagakure with the other villages.

◦ With her Mind Transmission and the help of the Chakra Transmission Communication Device, she could receive messages from Kumogakure and notify the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi, of any changes in the plans to blow up the Moon.

-

⇨ TEMARI was in charge of protecting Sunagakure.

According to the novel:

In Sunagakure, accompanied by Temari and Kankurou, the normally quiet Gaara gave a fervent speech.

◦ As advisor and bodyguard of the Fifth Kazekage, her brother Gaara, Temari attended the urgent Five Kage Summit where Konohagakure confirmed the Moon was heading towards the Earth.

◦ When the meteorites where falling over Sunagakure, Temari supported Gaara.

Original post.

[depressedhatakekakashi]

If you are doing more parental headcanons today… what about when they experience their first break-up with a partner?

Naruto Characters As Parents- First Break Up

Hatake Kakashi

Makes his kids favorite food to cheer them up and buys them a pretty new romance book so they can get lost in a better world where heart ache doesn't exist.

Depending on the situation may deal with it one of two ways. His kid broke it off? He's focused on them and helping them through the pain of having to call it quits. Their partner broke it off? Partners about to find out why they don't mess with the sixth Hokage's kid

he won't hurt them, he promises. They're just going to be a cautionary tale for future partners to look back on and learn from.

Seriously the ex finds at least five random human bones around their house as threats and is starting to really worry about their health. Where did the bones come from? Well, Shizune might get upset but Kakashi borrowed a few from the morgue for a day.

Honestly, he doesn't have to do a lot of work with the ex. Most people hear this idiot broke up with the SIXTH HOKAGE'S KID and tell stories that leave them wondering how much longer they have to live.

This leaves Kakashi a lot of time to focus on his kid and remind them that they deserve so much better.

Maito Gai

Extra supportive.

Spends the entire day reminding his kid of their worth and how much of a mistake their ex is making.

Buys them all of the dango they could ask for and even takes a day off from training so that they can just chill on the couch and watch some movies together.

All of the cuddles are provided and his kid is allowed to cry as much as they need to.

Doesn't need to threaten the ex. they are not worth his or his kid's time.

Summons Ningame just so his kid can hug the grumpy tortoise and feel a little better.

buys them a stuffy of Ningame so they have something to smoosh their face into a cry if they need to.

Yamato

Really confused when his kid tells him they broke up.

He liked the ex but now they're enemy #2 (right under Orochimaru)

Spends a week following the ex and making their life a miserable hellish existence of difficulties and problems.

Lets his kid cry in their room and leaves dinner outside their door so they have something to eat but don't have to see other people if they don't want to.

Goes as far as showing up randomly in front of the ex with his scary face. they nearly shit themselves every single time.

is willing to sit there and listen to his kid complain and cry as long as they need him to.

Umino Iruka

Ex? what ex?

Iruka wipes the ex from memory. doesn't matter how much he likes them, they're dead to him now.

His kid needs him and he's there for them. The two of them go out to Ichiraku for a soul-healing dinner and talk about anything but the ex.

He buys them a stuffy to hug at night.

Constantly reminding them how amazing they are and how someone out there is just waiting to meet them. Someone who's deserving of them.

Drags them to the nearest training field and sets up training dummies for them to attack all they want, for as long as they want, just to get rid of some of that anger.

[passionforfic]

The Novels That Made It Into the Boruto Anime

The first wave of Naruto novels made into the last episodes of Naruto Shippuden; the same happened with the new wave of novels that came out towards the end of the 2010s. Many people complain that the Boruto anime is full of fillers, making it a reason why they say the anime is weak. I differ. The Boruto manga is action pack from the very beginning; but it doesn't give the reader a moment to appreaciate the accomplishments of the Great Five Kage at the end of the 4th Great Ninja War. The Boruto anime opens the lense to show us what the ninja life is like in times of peace, but these arcs are no fillers since most of them are based on manga and novels related to Naruto. In a previous post, I wrote about the Sasuke's Story: The Uchiha and the Heavenly Stardust and how it was integrated into the anime; today, I want to write about the other five books that came out around the same time as the previous one.

Three out of the six novels that came out are about Naruto's illness:

1. Kakashi's Story: the Sixth Hokage and the Fallen Prince

2. Sasuke's Story: The Uchiha and the Heavenly Stardust

3. Naruto's Story: Uzumaki Naruto and the Spiral Destiny

These three can be read interconnected, starting with the epilogue and first chapter of the Naturo one, then reading Kakashi's book, then Sasuke's, and then ending with the rest of Naruto's novel. In the anime arc, the story focuses on Sasuke's and Sakura's mission, mentioning Kakashi's part in the effort and then explaining that Naruto will be okay. I like what they did in the anime, since putting all three novels into the arc would have been too much, still I enjoyed reading all three books, specially becasue I got to see my favorite characters interact and work together as a team. It's kind of sad, though, how Naruto decides not to confide on Hinata about his illness because he doesn't want to worry her and their children, still she knows something is going on and she tells Naruto and we definitely see it in what she says to Sasuke. I love how Naruto and the others work with Orochimaru even when they don't really trust him and how Yamato - while keeping watch - has become part of the lives of those living with Orochimaru, even Mitsuki when he goes to visit his parent. . .

The other three novels take place before Naruto's illness, and Boruto and his friends have a bit more exposure. In Sasuke's Story: Star Pupil, we see Sasuke training Team 7 while Konohamaru is in the hospital after a mission. Here, we can see Boruto's conflict with the use of science in the ninja world. Boruto doesn't want to be connected to anything related to science since what happened at the chunn exams but, here Sasuke tells him the importance of knowing physics and other science facts. Plus, we also get to see father and daughter work together in a mission, while Sasuke reflects about his role as sensei and team work. This story is not part of the anime, and I think they made the right decision. I enjoyed reading the novel, but I don't think that it was necessary in the anime.

Shikamaru's Story: Mourning Clouds is a very interesting novel, and we see a Shikamaru that is willing to do anything to keep peace; and we also get to see him and Sasuke actually have a one-on-one conversation that makes them realize that they want the same things. But I also like this novel because we get to see the dynamics in the Nara household: Shikamaru's relationship with Temari and Shikadai. This story is partly incorporated into the anime, although the episodes in the anime focus more on Boruto's involvement, and we don't see the political situation behind the feudal leader's visit, it's there and that's when we start to learn more about the mark Boruto has in his hand.

Naruto's Story: Family Day is completely incorporated into the anime in a couple of fun and sweet episodes where we see Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, and Sai spend time with their children. I like the novel's story about Hinata spending the day with her father and her sister. And I like the anime adapatation's Naruto-Boruto moment. This novel and its adaptation give us a look into the family dynamics, our favorite characters' relationship with their children.

There are other manga that are incorporated into the Boruto anime that are wonderful:

1. Naruto: Konoha's Story - the Steam Ninja Scrols: The Manga - which focuses on Mirai's journey to finding herself while traveling with Gay and Kakashi.

2. Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring, where Sarada faces her parents and questions their relationship.

These novels and manga are great, and the incorporation of most of these stories into the Boruto anime gives depth to the story, intensifing our sadness and desperation when we see Boruto face Kawake and the distruction of the village. They also give space for character development, we get to see the young generation mature and transform, from carefree children to teens that have to mature in order to deal with what is coming.

The five novels that I read this month were full of action, intrigue, fun, and unforgetable interactions that strength characters' relationships with each other.

[whoslaurapalmer]

okay i finished rereading the end of naruto

-i do feel more for sasuke at this point in my life but i do still think he's utterly exhausting. yes he gets yoinked around by so many people and it's not his fault but also. by god kid will you slow down and shut up for a hot second

-well, i guess he does, eventually

-like he's not WRONG about revolution, the ninja system needs to be MASSIVELY overhauled, but like, man killing the kages and anyone else in your way is like. not gonna.......help..........

-there's like. no reason kakashi needed to be hokage. tsunade got BISECTED and was STILL FINE. there's literally no indication as to WHY that happens. (oh apparently it's in one of the novels, that does not help)

-i think it's like. delightful that in the end chapters against kaguya it's just as much kakashi's story as it is naruto's, bc of obito. kakashi i love you. he's always been so important and he doesn't stop being important

-like i don't think kakashi needs to live to be hokage. he needs to live bc team 7 is his family, his friends are his family, the acknowledgement that even if he lost everything there are still things he has, that his life HAS changed and is okay and he's loved (SAME TO YOU TOO, SASUKE.)

-shikamaru almost dying and suddenly busting out with 'YOU KNOW WHAT? I REALLY LOVE NARUTO, GUYS.' was like. ........alright man

-but also really sweet that he was like. 'i don't want naruto to be lonely again' like damn. these kids really grew up and i love them :')

-alright like.......i get the progression a little more now. from orochimaru to the akatsuki to obito to madara to kaguya. but i still don't know if it.............still works out.

-like........there's a lot of CYCLES and generations (man hands on misery to man!) (but also the emphasis on not just the misery. but the life that is handed on as well.) and so much of naruto at the very beginning was about like. what it means to be a ninja. what a ninja is. but also a lot of that fell away after the land of waves arc. like it was never brought up so directly again (except some with tsunade, who i still think should've been the one to revamp the ninja system. in a way. although yes it's better if the new gen does it but tsunade had such stakes in it too and anyway THAT team up would've been cool). and naruto and sasuke being like, reincarnations of the sage of sixth path's kids fits with the cycles, and of like, what does it mean to be a ninja, what's a village, what's a clan, what's family, how do you interact in these systems, what do you create, what do you carry on

-but the reincarnation is also brought up like???? so close to the end that like. what's the point. like i just don't think it all flows together right. did we need to go back to the origin of chakra in kaguya to get to what all those things mean. i don't really think so.

-like it's fine and it fits but i just........don't think it's done well

-the uchiha curse of hatred or whatever being this. massive corruption of love and grief is just like. well that's exhausting too. no i don't have the energy for it. i don't think it makes sense. goddamn kishi why. like the way it's PRESENTED is just. not in a way that i think overall makes sense!!!!!! like i GET IT but the way it works out is just. it could've been better.

-and then like. naruto and sasuke working so hard to break those cycles, to be better people, to make the village better, to be the better generation, just like. gets totally rewritten by chapter 700. with both of them being such shit fathers. and nothing has really changed

-WHICH WASN'T THE POINT AT ALL!!!!!

[thecopynin-kakashi]

Gai strode inside the Hokage office with no regard for authority. No. Not when he had something very important to share with his rival. He points to the Sixth with a smirk on his lips. "My hard work paid off; I'm able to stay within the 8th gate without the drawback of dying," he enthusiastically stated. Gai wanted to push himself far beyond his boundaries, just like his great-grandmother had done before him by opening all of the gates. The fact that Gai had been found unconscious roughly a week ago and stood in front of the Hokage in his hospital robe was another story.

The sound of Gai's voice draws alarm, but it remains carefully concealed beneath a look of exasperation. It was a miracle the robe was still mostly shut, abused tape clinging to the fabric and a few droplets of dried blood where his catheter should have been.

"I've nothing but pride for how well you've done." Kakashi answers as he abandons a stack of papers to his desk to ensure Gai is well within his reach should his injuries catch up with him. "You should be resting though, Gai. I nearly lost you out there."

[primnroses]

I'll always say that Kakashi was the most important and decisive part of the establishment of the Children's Therapy Center; after Sakura of course, she's the founder and pioneer of mental health indicated for children.

It's just as how say in my meta explaining how Konoha's first mental health clinic was created.

Not only did Sakura care about the scars the Fourth Shinobi World War left on little children, but Kakashi suffered when he was a child too and that's something that Sakura is deeply aware of. She grew up surrounded by three orphaned children with their own unique story, some of them even lost their parents before shinobi phychological training even began.

But Kakashi supported Sakura's idea from the start to end, even helping her contact other villages to implement the same system and succeeding.

Without Kakashi, the therapy center would have never existed. It's the job of the Hokage to allocate the funds necessary to open such a facility inside an already established system like Konoha Hospital, which has existed since the very beginning.

He made sure speak with the ANBU officials, the representative of the Medical Department at the time and the Jonin Commander to redirect the money to this new clinic.

It's a promise he made Sakura and a promise to himself as the Sixth Hokage: to make sure Konoha grows and ensure the protection of each one of its villagers. He was the Hokage that made Konoha grow, one of the pillars that lifted it and paved the way so Naruto could become the new leader of a renewed village.

Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, Shikamaru and Naruto are the foundation of the current Konoha.

I also say Shizune's work was important too, she was in charge of the Medical Department and her job was to add the therapy center in the medical system of Konoha while Sakura wasn't at the top yet; and Tsunade was Sakura's first support and the first person Sakura spoke with before even starting the process. Both of them are Sakura's teachers too. Of course, Ino was always by Sakura's side and supported her in meetings.

But the decisive part was Kakashi. Both Kakashi and Sakura made a great job at improving Konoha as a village with their knowledge and hard work, experience and strength.

Kakashi Hatake was a great Hokage and it's a shame the full story of the Blank Period was never animated, because it's one of the best periods for him.

just sitting here thinking about how incredible kakashi was as a leader even though most people seem to think he was like a placeholder hokage until naruto took over

(spoilers for kakashi retsuden incoming)

listen okay he was hokage for at least 12 years and in that time he not only helped konoha to insanely technologically advance, teamed up with sakura to create a children's mental health clinic but also had time and dedication to develop jutsu that can overpower the element they're weak to

based on the novel, we know for certain that he created a fire jutsu that overpowered a ridiculously strong water jutsu and that he developed a way to make an earth wall resistant to lightning by turning the point of contact into crystal (it's also indicated that he's one of the only people with good enough control to do it)

without the sharingan sapping his chakra and training throughout his entire hokage tenure he also had enough power to hold up an earth wall thick enough to stop cannon fire around an entire village for two straight days

and after all that, he brought down a whole hoarde of hired shinobi non-lethally

kakashi never wanted to be hokage, he didn't think he was worthy of that title, but took it on because his comrades needed him to and believed in him

he dedicated himself to the position and made so much positive change for konoha and for the bonds they forged during the fourth war

people who think kakashi was just a nothing hokage warming the seat for naruto completely misunderstand who he is fundamentally as a person and as a shinobi

okay rant over lmao

[actuallysaiyan]

For the smut drabbles may I get #1 with Kakashi?

warnings: slight student-teacher relationship, Hokage!Kakashi, vaginal fingering, fluff, mentions of alcohol, drinking. prompt list

You’d be a fool to say you haven’t fallen in love with your senpai. That’s exactly what happened to you. Kakashi took you under his wing just before becoming Hokage. Tsunade was in the process of clearing up some things and Kakashi needed something to occupy his time. You’re a few years younger than him, and very eager to learn. This made Kakashi accept your proposal to train under him for a few weeks.

But weeks turned into months, and then soon it’s been a year that he’s been training you. Kakashi has become the sixth Hokage, and while he doesn’t always have the time to properly train you (and this is usually when he pawns you off to his rival), Kakashi does his best to check in on your progress most of the time. What you don’t know is that Kakashi has grown to enjoy you in different ways.

It’s at night that he begins to think of you, and the words coming from the Icha Icha novel sitting in his hands, they don’t help the pressure in his pants at all. Master Jiraiya had a special way with words, and they always excited Kakashi. But to think of you acting out the role of the woman in the story and him the man, it’s proving to be too much. Kakashi groans annoyedly when he realizes he absolutely has to rub one out. It’s not even long before he’s on his knees, fucking his fist and imagining you under him.

Kakashi lives for these moments, but he knows he’ll have to act fast as well. You’ll eventually lose interest once you become strong enough, and maybe you’ll even fall for his rival. Kakashi isn’t stupid, he knows that you’ve had a thing for Guy for a while. But in reality, you were only trying to hide your crush on the rokudaime. 

One day, Kakashi just cannot take it anymore. You’re wearing such a cute little sundress on this sweltering summer afternoon. You’re in such a good mood, and the pink of your cheeks from the sweet umeshu and the gentle banter coming from you and Kakashi. You were feeling particularly bold today, considering Kakashi had invited you for a drink in his office to celebrate your progress.

And here you are, in your cute little sundress, driving the sixth Hokage crazy. His cock has been throbbing in his pants for about half an hour now, and he just keeps holding his feelings back. It’s impossible for him to continue like this, as he is tripping over his own words as he begins to imagine you naked on top of his desk.

You see the pink in his own cheeks, his usual mask pulled down so he can enjoy the wine you picked out. Usually he’s into the harder stuff, but Kakashi knows you well by now. He knows what kind of alcohol you like to drink, amongst other things…

“You’re getting stronger,” Kakashi mentions, and you smile sweetly. 

“You noticed, senpai.”

Kakashi winks at you, “I always notice when you’re progressing.  It’s the reason why I asked you to come to my office today.”

He sighs softly before taking another drink. Even though he is proud of you and he wants to see you become even stronger, that same fear dwells inside of him. The one where you outgrow your senpai and you leave him behind. He saw his own students do the same thing, so Kakashi fears losing you so much more than he first thought he might.

With boldness and a little help from the alcohol, Kakashi pulls you closer. You practically tumble into his lap, and you’re about to babble some excuses and apologies when he kisses you. It’s sweet and so passionate. Your head is whirling, and it’s not just because of the plum wine. When you pull away, your lips are tingling.

This is all you need to begin kissing him right back. It’s a passionate and messy make out session, leaving you naked and spread out on the rokudaime’s desk. He smirks as he looks at your gorgeous body. You’re already looking fairly fucked out, and Kakashi hasn’t even done too much to you.

Two of his fingers slip into you, making you gasp his name. He wants to hear so many more sounds, and he really doesn’t care who hears him. His pace is steady and leaves you weak. Your thighs tremble, unable to control the way your body just keeps moving against his hand to get more. Your eyes roll back as you feel him curling his fingers up against the spot so deep inside of you.

“Kashi!” You cry out, but you just as quickly cover your mouth.

Kakashi chuckles darkly, “I didn’t say you could stop moaning my name,”

You’re embarrassed now. The whole Hokage building was going to hear you being pleasured by the rokudaime. But Kakashi doesn’t give a shit. He’s not going to stop his pleasure just because people work for him. If anything, they should consider themselves lucky to be able to listen to the sounds of the Hokage pleasing his little student. “Come on, baby. You can be loud. I’m the Hokage,” Kakashi moans in your ear. “Besides, I love it when you moan my name.”

[delirious-donna]

chapter 1: A Day in the Life

Story Masterlist

pairing: Kakashi Hatake x female reader

warnings: SFW (NSFW in later chapters)

wc: 2k

synopsis: Kakashi Hatake, newly appointed Hokage, is struggling with transitioning from active duty to being sat behind a desk. Sure, he might not be placing his life on the line every day but perhaps now is the time he puts something else out there instead, his heart.

Meanwhile, things aren’t quite adding up. There is a discrepancy in the records that cannot be explained, and it falls to you to investigate. Never did you expect it would lead you to the door of the Hokage’s office, a man you had admired from a safe distance until now. What happens next leads you into a closely guarded secret that will change the rest of your life.

In a story where the past might be harder to let go of than usual, can two strangers find a semblance of happiness and peace?

beta reader: a huge thanks to @niatheangel for agreeing to be my beta reader and for holding my hand as I've never had one before!!

“Lord Sixth, are you listening?”

Kakashi was vaguely aware of words being spoken and for a long moment, he wondered who they were addressing. He stared into the depths of the grand desk he was sitting behind, the polished surface reflecting a face that looked downright bored silly. Steel grey eyes unfocused and heavy from drowsiness blinked slowly, his cheek pressed flush against his open palm and again a voice spoke from somewhere in the distance.

“Lord S–”

“Kakashi! Snap out of it.” Shikamaru drawled in exasperation, his voice louder than usual and Kakashi finally raised his head with a faint hum of acknowledgement.

It had been almost a month since he had been officially declared as Hokage, and the time had crawled by at a maddeningly slow pace. Every day felt the same, the monotony like a poison in his veins that made him sluggish and that only served to irk him more. 

His days were a far cry from those of the past, it felt like the longest time since he had awoken in his house on so many consecutive mornings as was the case right now. There were no dangers to the world to be dealt with, no sinister plots to unravel and no need for him to put his life on the line at every turn. 

Boring.

So very dull but instead of sliding into despair, Kakashi had clung to the things he could control. The aspects of his life that had become routine since those first days when he had become sensei to what had once been Team 7. 

Back then could he have ever known what lay in wait for them all? 

It was something he often thought of, that small nagging doubt that perhaps there was something he could have done or said differently to prevent all that had come to transpire, but he knew all too well that it was a fruitless endeavour. The wheels had long been in motion before anyone could have known, and there was no point in continuing to wonder – what if? He had lived with guilt for longer than a person should have to, and there was still a sense of it clinging to him. Claws sunk deep into his psyche, yet he was healing, slowly. 

To maintain his sanity, Kakashi continued to cook a healthy breakfast each morning, prepared a homemade lunch to take to the office and worked out until he was drenched from head to foot in sweat. 

Only once he felt like every muscle in his body was screaming in searing protest, did he bathe. Washing away the grime and sweat that clung to his torso, calloused fingers glided over the rough edges of the scars that littered his frame. A map of his past, each one an event in his history that made him the man he was today.

He tried to ignore them as best he could. Some were decades old, the scar running down his left eye, an example of that but the one that was emblazoned across his chest… was one he tried to avoid looking at closely or for long. It was still too fresh. The wound was still raw in his mind though it was as healed as it would ever be on his body.

Aesthetic reasoning had nothing to do with it, secure in his own skin and not concerned with his battle wounds making him any less attractive. Some might say it was big-headed of him to think in this manner, but it wasn’t as if he chose how he appeared, and actually, he hid most of it behind his mask, shunning the attention. No, what held him back from lingering on his scars was more the emotional turmoil they evoked, the memories of receiving each and every one branded onto his soul.

How could he ever think to look in a mirror and not see a young Obito, to remember the agony of losing his eye and the gift that had been bestowed upon him? The grizzly, heart-wrenching sight of his squad mate half crushed under rocks. 

The lingering phantom pain of possessing the Sharingan still woke him in the dead of night at times, and he experienced his fair share of headaches brought on by the stress of enduring an attribute that he had no claim to own.

Stark reminders of his past aside, it was important to continue in a manner that brought him a sense of control over his life. It almost seemed as if since becoming Hokage, Kakashi had far less control over anything, having to attend to whatever was deemed the latest emergency rather than choosing his own focus. For the person considered to be in the highest position of power, it was rather surprising to feel as jerked around as he did.

“Were you talking to me?” he asked, looking to Shikamaru and Shizune in turn. 

Shizune scowled, “You are Lord Sixth, aren’t you?”

Shikamaru shook his head, flopping down into the chair opposite Kakashi at the same moment that he drew a palm down his face. “Drop the Lord, you know I don’t care for the formalities.”

“Anyway…” the Nara interjected before Shizune could bite back, “did you hear anything that we’ve been saying? At least tell me that you realise how important this visit could be?”

Oh, he really was in trouble. 

Kakashi wracked his brain to find any clues as to what he might have missed, not wanting to admit to having spaced out entirely. It had been a long day of reading reports and signing so many documents that his wrist cramped at the mere thought of holding a pen.

Thinking back to a conversation prior to lunch, Kakashi vaguely recalled something about an upcoming visit, a Kage for sure, but which one? 

It was difficult to maintain his train of thought, his mind slipping back to the leisurely stroll he had found himself taking within the Hokage tower not long after the conversation he was trying to recall. There was far more to the building than he had ever noted, accustomed to reporting directly to the Hokage’s office and nothing more, but there were so many people in here that he found it quite curious to watch them at work.

Perhaps it was rather narrow-minded of him to not contemplate all of the manpower that went into keeping Konoha running as smoothly as it did, but his ways were changing with each passing day. On today especially, Kakashi had found himself drawn by a voice, one that seemed familiar but he couldn’t place why. It was faint, a whisper on the wind and it called him forward like a siren song.

His feet moved without thought, entering a workspace that compromised a somewhat open-plan office with larger sectioned cubicles in all four corners, nothing special. A series of heads turned in his direction, most looking confused and awestruck at his presence and he could hardly blame them for the confusion. Lifting his hand in a silent greeting, his eyes closed in that signature smile that he was known for, hoping it would settle any nervous feelings.

Kakashi surveyed the office, wondering exactly what, or more accurately, who had inspired him to venture inside. No one stood out, not that he could see, and he was about to turn on his heel when a flash of movement caught his eye. Laughter, light and melodic, followed the swish of long hair as it rounded a corner of the door on the opposite side of the office, and was quickly out of sight.

It was her.

The owner of the voice he had heard all those nights ago. The person who had hummed a tune so beautifully that he had stopped in his tracks out of sight to listen more, enamoured enough by the gentle lilt and the comfort it had elicited. A sensation he was far from accustomed to, and one that sent a ripple of fear down his spine.

Did he dare to follow? To get a better glimpse of her? 

The answer was no, his courage failing him in the question of what exactly would he even say. “Hi there, just your friendly Hokage popping in to find out how things are going in…” His internal monologue stalled as he searched for a clue as to what department he was loitering in. Scanning the nearest bank of desks he found several nameplates, disregarding the names to focus on the department listed beneath - records.

Kakashi left before the temptation grew too potent; his fingers already itched and he curled them into fists to subside the restless feeling. Returning to his office with a quiet sigh, he conceded that this would not be the last time he would take that particular route. Hoping that if he made it a habit to pass by that specific office, he might catch sight of the girl in question. 

It should bother him how excited he was at the prospect, a flare of uncertainty mingling with his enthusiasm. When was the last time he had considered pursuing any woman outside of meaningless flings? Had he ever…? 

If he were to be bound to this building and the mundane monotony of his new role, he would consider it finally time to lay something just as valuable as his life on the line, his heart.

Shaking away the thoughts that were most certainly irrelevant right now, Kakashi cleared his throat and took a stab in the dark. “Of course, it’ll be the first time that the Kazekage visits Konoha since I took office. Gaara and Sunagakure are our closest allies so it makes sense that he be the first invited.”

“Pulled that straight from your ass, didn’t you?” Shikamaru smirked knowingly, shaking his head whilst Shizune stared through narrowed eyes. Her mouth opened and closed, repeating the pattern several times over and it amused him to no end.

“Think what you like Shikamaru, in the end, I’m right, aren’t I?”

His advisor grunted in response. “We’ve got a decent amount of time before it is scheduled, I suggest that you use the time to get whatever is on your mind, resolved.”

Shizune turned with a frown and Kakashi reeled from the accurate assessment levelled at him. Heat crept up the sides of his neck, tactfully concealed by his mask and he studied the Nara with a sense of pride and wariness. Was he so obvious to read or was Shikamaru simply displaying an act of his well-known genius?

“Well… if that’s all. I think we are done here,” Kakashi mumbled, wiping a hand across the back of his prickling neck.

Left to his own devices once more, he strode for the window and looked out at the streets of Konoha. What exactly was he considering here? Pursuing a girl he hadn’t even fully seen, all he knew was that she had long hair and the voice of an angel. 

It was a foolish venture, surely. 

Yet there was a persistent voice in the back of his head that told him that it would be worth it to let his guard down and take the chance. Was he really going to let a niggling voice guide his actions? It seemed so, for after all, what did he have to lose from this venture?

“Well, at least it’ll be more exciting than anything else I’ve got going on right now,” he mused, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Perhaps if he thought of it as a mission of sorts, it would be more agreeable and even as the idea tumbled through his mind, Kakashi rolled his eyes in exasperation but couldn’t deny the excitement that flitted in his veins.

A new challenge, that was exactly what he needed.