Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Mother's Son ❯ Promises Whispered Like Prayers ( Chapter 9 )

“I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…Do you hear me? I'm sorry!”

Coherency was not Sakura's main concern at the moment; she was more focused on begging for forgiveness. She was still running, adrenaline fueling her strides, keeping the pain in her body a distant, dull throbbing. Daisuke had stopped crying, he was now just peering up at his mother in shock. He was being bounced around, and was very uncomfortable. He wanted to ask mother to stop. Stop running, stop crying, stop anything. He wanted her to look at him.

Sakura was ripping through the forest wildly, branches tearing into her clothes, leaving nicks on her skin. She protected Daisuke from the worst of it, he was only bleeding from a scratch on his cheek.

They were near the entrance of the village, but still pushing through the forest that crept up on the village walls. When the forest stopped, Sakura stumbled at the lack of resistance. She stared up at the towering wall of the village and then ran left, making her way to the gate. It was open, and Sakura darted through, blessing the miracle of being home.

She tried not to think of Naruto, alone, with the Uchiha brothers in full force. Sakura felt her legs start to wobble, and she slowed to a walk. She looked around. Her feet had taken her home of their own accord. She was near her house; there was even a light in the window. She thought of all the times that Naruto had left the light on for her, after arguments. He always made sure that she could easily come home.

As she stepped on the first stone of the walkway, Sakura's steps faltered. She didn't know if she could face their home, knowing that she had betrayed the man she loved. It was a bitter knowledge, to understand that saving Naruto had meant sacrificing Daisuke. She walked towards her front door, her trembling son clutched tightly in her arms.

A voice broke through her silent state. “Sakura!” She paused, turning to look behind her. Kakashi stood on the other side of the street, with Aniline next to him. Sakura stared at her teacher as he hurried across the street. He reached her quickly, Aniline close behind him. She pushed Kakashi out of the way.

“Sakura, baby, are you okay?” she asked, her voice soothing. Sakura didn't answer, her eyes were wide and blood was trailing down her face from a cut on her forehead. Aniline took Daisuke from his mother, and Sakura made a small noise of protest. “It's okay, sweetheart, it's okay.” Aniline coaxed, handing Dai to Kakashi, who looked bewildered.

“Take him inside,” Aniline ordered, and Kakashi obeyed. She led Sakura into the house as well, sitting the shell shocked girl at the kitchen table. She sat beside, keeping her face level with Sakura. “Where is Naruto?” she asked. Sakura's eyes flicked around the room. “Sakura, can you tell me where Naruto is?” Sakura opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. She snapped her jaw shut again.

Aniline handed her a glass of water, but Sakura just stared at it, not comprehending. “Drink it.” Aniline ordered. Sakura obeyed, and then was able to speak.

“I left him.” She whispered. Aniline knew this is what was eating at the girl most. “I left him there, alone, with them. They're gonna kill him. He's gonna die, and I'll be all alone again.” Her voice was rising. “I can't do it! I can't live without him!” she cried. Aniline moved to hug her and Sakura clutched at the fabric of the older woman's clothes. “I can't…I can't…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry.” She sobbed into Aniline's shoulder.

In the next room, Kakashi sat with Daisuke, putting cream on the superficial cuts and scrapes that covered the boy's arms and legs. Dai didn't squeal at the sting of the cream, for which Kakashi was grateful. He was not the most patient person, and had no idea how to deal with upset children. He had just been at Aniline's house, meeting her daughter, who was nearly six. Her husband had been out, and Kakashi got the feeling that had the man been there, the visit would have been much less relaxed.

“Mommy?' Daisuke asked. Kakashi shushed him, also hearing the frantic noises from the next room. He knew that Aniline could handle a hysterical Sakura better than he, but it still pained him to be away from her.

“Mom'll be here soon,” Kakashi assured the young boy. “Now let's get you into bed.” He sat Daisuke down on his bed, and was at a loss for what to do next. They boy sat cross-legged on the bed, looking at him expectantly. Kakashi frowned. He supposed that putting him underneath the covers would be the next step…

Daisuke was now under the covers, his big eyes still staring up at Kakashi. “What?” Kakashi asked.

“Story.”

“What?” Kakashi asked again, confused.

“I want a story.” Daisuke said again, starting to get frustrated. This man was almost as little fun as the black haired one. He wasn't allowed to tug on his shiny hair, he wasn't allowed to touch his mask. There was a long list of things he wasn't allowed.

“I don't know any stories.” Kakashi said uncomfortably. “You…uh, just wait here.” He said. He stood up and poked his head around the door, peering into the kitchen. “Aniline!” he hissed. The woman looked up from her spot at the table, where she was cleaning Sakura's cuts. She gave him a `what do you want?' look and he frowned. “Help me!”

Aniline stood. “What is it?” she asked, more than a little annoyed.

Kakashi was embarrassed now. “Dai wants a story…” he started but trailed off at the look in Aniline's eyes. “…and I don't know any.” He finished lamely.

“You called me out for that?” she demanded. Kakashi nodded. She whacked him atop the head. He rubbed the spot. “Go make something up.” She ordered. Kakashi nodded, going back to Daisuke, who was sitting up again, though thankfully still under his covers.

“Story?” Daisuke asked again.

“Uh, yea, sure.” Kakashi said, racking his brain for something. “Ookay…Once upon a time, in a village quite like this, there was a young boy.” Kakashi's voice strengthened. He definitely knew this story. “Nobody loved the boy, he grew up alone. This boy, he wanted to be Hokage. Wanted to be best in the village. He wasn't good in school, but he tried. He made his way through training, until the day that he joined a three man team.” Kakashi paused. Daisuke was listening eagerly, this was a story he had not yet heard.

“The boy and his two friends went on missions, solved problems, and beat a lot of tough challenges. In the end, he came out more than a boy. He became a man. He still wanted to be Hokage, but his friend, the person he loved most; she was in a lot of trouble. So, he gave up his dream, to help his friend.”

Daisuke looked disappointed that this was the end of the story. “What next?” he asked. Kakashi sighed.

“Well, his friend got through her troubles, with his help, and now they live happily. The only thing wrong is that he needs to work so hard to protect his family.”

“Who was he?” Daisuke asked. Kakashi smiled.

“He's your Dad, Dai.”

“Oh.”

Daisuke suddenly looked very tired, and Kakashi watched as the boy quickly drifted off to sleep. When the boy was fully gone, he stood, and turned to walk out the door.

“Isn't it a cop out to tell a story that everyone already knows?” Aniline asked, smirking. Kakashi let out a low chuckle, moving to stand close to her. Her breath hitched at his sudden nearness, but he pretended not to notice.

“I guess so,” he said softly, running his fingers up her bare arms, watching the goose bumps appear. Aniline watched his hand, trying to slow the frantic beating of her heart.

“Stop…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Kakashi's fingers found their way to her neck, and then up to her face, where he cupped her cheek. “We shouldn't.” Aniline reminded him.

“Why?” Kakashi asked, his voice husky.

“I'm married.” Aniline reminded him. “I have a daughter.”

As she spoke, her hands found their way to the hard muscles of his chest, and she gripped his shirt. She turned her face upwards, eyes shining. “Don't make me choose.” She said quietly. Kakashi dropped his hand and stepped back.

His eyebrow cocked, he regarded the woman. “Don't pretend the choice isn't obvious.” He said finally. “Your husband doesn't love you. You married him to please your father.” Aniline gasped.

“How did you…”

“I have many ways of finding things out, Aniline.” Kakashi said. “I know that this marriage is what saved your family, and that as soon as you have a son, your position is secure. Do not delude yourself in thinking that I don't understand.”

“If you understood, you wouldn't be asking me this!” Aniline hissed. She moved close to Kakashi again, her fingers stroking the fabric of his mask. She wished he would take it off for her, just once.

“How can I not?” he responded. A small noise from Dai made them both step away, and Kakashi decided the discussion was over.

“Where is Sakura?” he asked, changing the subject.

Aniline cringed at the dismissal. “In bed, she was exhausted. I managed to get her to tell me what happened.” Aniline sighed. “Naruto made her leave, with Dai. She feels horrible. She knows that there is a good chance that Naruto is dead.”

Kakashi nodded. “Sasuke would not forgive Naruto for being here, with Sakura. If he is to live, he needs to be found soon.” He paused, thinking. “I'll stay here, head out in the morning. Are you…heading home?” he asked tentatively.

Aniline shook her head. “I need to be here for Sakura,” she lied. “I'll go fetch Sarah.”

Kakashi nodded. “I'll prepare a bed for you,” he said. “Sarah can stay here, with Dai. The bed is quite big for such a small person. I guess naruto went a little overboard, unsurprisingly.”

Aniline nodded, leaving quietly. Kakashi sighed, running his fingers through his hair. What had he gotten himself into?