Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Mother's Son ❯ Inside A Memory ( Chapter 12 )

“Stop apologizing!” Sakura scolded, sitting across from Aniline, Daisuke in her lap. They sat in the small kitchen, cups of coffee left untouched before them.

“I just feel so guilty!” Aniline said. Sakura raised one pale eyebrow, a gesture for Aniline to explain. The older woman sighed. “Well, all this horrible stuff is happening. I mean, we don't know if Naruto is even alive…” Sakura made a small noise in the back of her throat, but after a moment, motioned for Aniline to continue. “…and all I can think is that I'm the happiest I've ever been.”

Sakura smiled slightly, toying with Dasuke's mop of dark hair. He was entertaining himself with a small dinosaur at the moment, and was quiet. “And that's because of…Kakashi?” the young woman asked hesitantly. Aniline said nothing, but the content look in her eyes was answer enough. “Is he what you want?” Sakura asked. “I mean, are you willing to leave your husband for him?”

Aniline frowned, looking at her daughter, who was reading a picture book in the next room. “I would.” She whispered. “I would travel through heaven and earth and beyond for him. He says…he wants a family, Sakura. He wants a life with me.”

Sakura could tell that these words were the real cause of the excitement shining in Aniline's eyes. The promise of a life for Sarah, a proper family, with the chance of happiness. Aniline was a woman trapped in a sham of a marriage. She would cling to anything she could. Fortunately for her, Kakashi was serious. He would obviously do anything to save her from the mess she was in. Sakura just wondered how he had become so enamored with her neighbor in such a short time.

“I'm so happy for you.” Sakura said sincerely. She looked down at her smiling son. “I only hope…” she trailed off, looking away. Aniline reached out, placing her hand gently atop Sakura's.

“I know.” Aniline said soothingly. “I know.” Sakura looked back at her, green eyes shining. She did not want to cry; her body was betraying her.

“I just…” Sakura groaned inwardly. To hell with self control, she thought. “I just don't wanna be alone again.” Her voice broke and the first heaving sob wracked her body. Daisuke looked up at his mother, bright eyes worried.

“Mommy?”

Aniline moved, taking the boy and setting him down near Sarah. “Go play.” She whispered. “I'll take care of mommy.” Daisuke nodded, and turned away, sitting next to Sarah, and offering his dinosaur. The older woman looked back at the petite girl, Sakura was squeezing her eyes shut, trying to trap the tears in.

Aniline knelt down next to Sakura, who had pressed her fist to her mouth, trying to quiet herself. “Shh….shh…” Aniline soothed. “It's alright. It'll be okay.”

“No, no,” Sakura objected. “I can't…I'm not…” she turned her face away, moving as far from Aniline as she could in the hard kitchen chair. Aniline rubbed the girl's back, saying nothing.

“I can't…”Sakura said again.

“What?” Aniline prodded, her voice gentle.

“I'm not strong enough.” Sakura said, a fresh wave of tears spilling onto her cheeks. “I can't lose him. If he dies…” She didn't finish her sentence, but Aniline didn't need her to.

“He's alive.” Aniline said firmly. “He's alive. When he comes back, he'll apologize for making you worry like this.” Sakura nodded blankly, her wet gaze upon Daisuke, who was sitting, playing with his dinosaur, watching the two women intently. He looked as if he were very close to crying. Sakura felt horrible. Not only had she ruined Aniline's happiness about Kakashi, she had made her own son miserable.

“Dai, honey, come here.” She said gently, outstretching her arms. Aniline moved away, not sitting back down. She watched as Daisuke cautiously approached his mother, before throwing himself into her arms. She watched the young woman's eyes squeeze shut as she held her child, and Aniline knew her thoughts exactly then. She'd had the same thought many times.

“Never. Never, will I give this up.”

He did not want to believe his luck. Only half a day in, and he had found his target. Kakashi approached the mouth of the cave, calling Naruto's name warily.

“It's just me, Sensei. They've gone. You can get in here and help me now.”

Kakashi knew that tone. It was the voice Naruto used when he was in pain, but was too proud to admit it. Instead, he was just snappy at everyone around him. “I'm coming in.” he called, before making his way carefully over the small ridge of loose rocks that surrounded the cave's mouth. Naruto grunted in reply. His head hurt too much to do any more. He had tried standing at least a dozen times, but the dizziness and nausea had become too much to bear. He had sat himself down, propped up against the driest wall, and waited.

He had not been sure what he was waiting for. For someone to come back, and finish him off, for someone to rescue him, or for himself to feel well enough to rescue himself. But here he was, dried blood along his neck and face, calling out to his teacher, and mumbling incoherently to the dog that had left. Naruto did not feel at his best.

Kakashi winced as an unnecessarily sharp stone jabbed his hand when he leaned onto the wall for support. “How far in are you?” he called, his patience wearing thin. He heard a giggle. Great. Naruto was delirious. That was going to make this so much more fun.

“Ugh. What was his problem? Could he be anymore off base?” Sakura muttered to herself, taking Dai's hand and following him into the kitchen. He was looking excited, and quite pleased with himself. It was not everyday that he answered the door all by himself.

Entering the kitchen, Sakura rolled her eyes at the visitor. She should have seen this coming. Sasuke sat at her table, more flowers in his hand. His face was earnest. It was odd. Sakura had never seen him in a situation where he didn't look completely in control. “What are you doing here?” she asked wearily. Sasuke smiled.

“I wasn't kidding before. I wasn't trying to best anyone. I want this.”

“This?”

“You. Daisuke. I want to have this family with you.”

“Sasuke, you are three years too late for that.” Sakura replied, turning away. She grabbed a toy from a shelf above her head, and handed it to Daisuke. He took it, sitting down nearby. He watched the grown-ups eagerly, staying silent. Sakura felt the air move behind her and could sense the warm body close to her. She turned carefully, suddenly boxed in by Sasuke. He looked livid.

“You never gave me the chance to be a father.” He hissed. Sakura shrunk away from him unconsciously. She wasn't going to admit it, but he was frightening her. “You never told me about him. Never. I have the right to my son.” He paused, his face turning soft. His hand moved, and he stroked Sakura' hair. She wanted desperately for him to stop touching her, but she could make no noise. “I have a right to you.”

Sakura tried to push him away, gently. “Please, Sasuke. This isn't easy for me. Please go.” She whispered. She did not want to start an argument. She did not want Naruto to see her like this, so helpless. Sasuke shook his head.

“We're going to do this.” He said firmly. “We're going to try.” Before Sakura could reply, his lips were firmly pressed to hers. She wanted to lose herself in his kiss. Forget her responsibilities, let the world around her melt away, forget. Forget about Naruto, and lose herself to Sasuke. And for a moment, she nearly did. His tongue traced the inside of her lip, and Sakura started to push forward.

A sharp pain in her side jerked her back. She looked down. A small kunai, attached to Sasuke's hand, was sticking out from her abdomen. “Sasuke…”she whispered, looking up at his face. He looked apologetic.

“I'm sorry.” He said grimly. Suddenly, Sakura knew his plan. She wouldn't let him. She would never let him.

“No!” she whispered. She had meant to shout, but the pain was leaving her winded. She tried again. “No!” Sasuke sighed. Then in one swift movement, he grabbed her and threw her sideways, sending her back into the kitchen table, before moving and scooping up Daisuke, who cried out in shock. He had been silent until then, too afraid to run for Daddy.

Sasuke took one look back, knowing he had little time. Sakura lay on the kitchen floor, amongst scattered and broken dishes, her eyes closed. Blood pooled around her abdomen. Sasuke ran. He did not want to face Naruto after this.

“Kakashi, you wonderful, wonderful man, help me up.” Naruto was reaching for his teacher, who was rolling his eyes. Yes. It was exactly like dealing with a drunk. Kakashi pulled his student up, and helped him stumble out of the cave. “Whoo. Dizzy.” The blonde said, shaking his head slightly. Kakashi looked up at the sky.

“We have to get back. If we try, we can be back for supper.” He said. Naruto mumbled something in reply. He seemed alright, Kakashi reasoned. The dizziness was probably due to a mild concussion. He would be fine. At least, he would live until Kakashi could bring him back to Sakura.