Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Mother's Son ❯ Off The Edge ( Chapter 14 )

“Is that…” Sakura peered closer at the dark figure down the road. It was either a really intense smudge on her window, or it was someone, or to be more accurate, two someones, walking closer. “Aniline!” Sakura cried, unable to keep herself contained. “They're home! He's home!”

She couldn't contain herself any longer. As Aniline came up behind her, Sakura turned away from the window and moving to the door, ripped it open. She dashed into the street, towards the two men who were coming ever closer. It was them. Sakura could recognize Kakashi's hair from a mile away. “Naruto!” Sakura cried, running towards him. “Naruto!” She didn't think about the neighbors peering curiously through their windows, she only thought about the man moving slowly towards her. He was all that mattered.

He looked up, hearing her for the first time. “Sakura?” he asked aloud. Her pink hair was blown in front of her face, and he was sure that she couldn't see a thing, but she was running towards him. She was getting closer, and closer, and closer until…

“Oomph!”

The collision nearly knocked him over, but he was kept steady by the person tightly hugging him. Her arms were wrapped securely around his middle, her face was buried in the crook of his neck. Her breath was coming out hard and shaky, and it took Naruto a moment to figure out that she was laughing, crying and speaking. He held her tightly as well, saying nothing. He looked over her shoulder at his house and saw Aniline standing on the sidewalk, Daisuke and Sarah next to her. He caught sight of Kakashi moving towards her, and thought that was odd. He didn't really think long on it, for he was too busy with other things.

“Naruto,” Sakura said again. “Oh, you stupid wonderful idiotic great dumbass!” she laughed. “I love you. I love you. I knew you weren't dead. I knew. I love you. I love you.” She pulled away, beaming. Her smile stretched across her face, and Naruto could see the tears leaking from her eyes.

Naruto pulled her close again, kissing her fiercely. “I'm so glad you're safe,” he said softly, looking into her eyes.They were clear and looked into his with an intensity that moved him. He had missed her, so much.

“God…I thought…” she laughed. “Oh, never mind. You're home now. It's okay.” They stood there, in the middle of the street, for a long while, oblivious to the reunion going on behind them.

“Kakashi.” Aniline whispered quietly, before pulling him into a demanding hug. The tall man frowned, stroking her hair. After a few moments, he pushed her away, peering down at her.

“What happened?” he asked, knowing by the look on her face that something was up. Aniline grimaced and pulled back her hair. A large bruise was forming, obviously fresh. Kakashi hissed in sympathy and felt a sudden flaring rage.

“James.” Aniline said. “He knows about…us. He said…” she looked away. “He said he was going to take Sarah away.” Kakashi shook his head

“You know I won't let that happen. I'll kill him for what he did. I will.”

Aniline smiled, before a devious look came into her eyes. She reached up, stroking Kakashi's cheek, and then suddenly, jerked his mask down, exposing his face. Before he could register any shock, her mouth was attached to his, and she had fastened her hands in his messy hair. He responded as best he could. He pulled her hips closer, molding her body to his, while his lips left their mark on hers. He traced her lip with his tongue, before exploring her mouth. She made a small noise of contentment, and his hand traveled up to settle in her hair, keeping her close.

“Naruto.” Sakura said softly. She was content to whisper his name for eternity. She had rested her head on his shoulder and they stood together, in the middle of the street. “Daisuke really missed you.”

Naruto sighed. “Yea,” he said. “I missed him too. I'm sorry I couldn't get him out myself…before. I'm sorry that you had to be there.” He took Sakura's hand and untangled himself, moving to walk towards Daisuke. He looked, and then started laughing. Daisuke and Sarah were standing behind Aniline, watching her with Kakashi, eyebrows raised. They both looked utterly confused, and a tad disgusted by the two adults. Naruto could relate.

“Uh, Sakura…” he said, and she looked at what he was pointing to. She started laughing as well, before walking towards her son, tugging Naruto along.

“Yea, they do that.” She said, smiling. “It's a long story that ends with me telling you that no matter how hard you beg, we are never having sex on the kitchen floor again. Ever.”

Naruto wrinkled his nose. “Do I want to know why?” he asked.

“No.”

They walked, hand in hand, until they were close behind Kakashi. They went unnoticed until Naruto coughed, and the couple before them broke off abruptly. Kakashi pulled his mask back on, effectively covering the blush that was spreading over his face. His headband was dangling in Aniline's hand, and Kakashi held his hand out for it. She stuck her tongue out at him, sticking the accessory in her back pocket. Kakashi tried to scowl, but found he was in too good a mood anyway. He just grinned, his mismatched eyes twinkling.

Daisuke had caught sight of Naruto, now that Aniline's spectacle was over, and his face lit up. “Daddy!” he cried, his chubby legs moving as fast as they could. Naruto knelt down, scooping his son up in a hug. He twirled the boy.

“Hey, buddy,” he said softly. “How are you?”

“I'm okay, dad.” Daisuke said. “Where'd you go?”

“I was living in a cave.” Naruto whispered. “Don't tell mom.” Daisuke's eyes got wide.

“Really?” he asked, awed.

“Really.” Naruto confirmed. “There was even a ferocious beast!” he tried not to laugh as he thought of Bozo, the resident beast of the cave. He had thought of bringing the dog back, but it had disappeared soon after Kakashi's arrival.

He looked at Sakura, who was watching them fondly, and smiled at her. She offered her hand and he took it, holding Daisuke up with his other arm. He followed her inside the house. “I'm so glad you're home.” She said again. Kakashi and Aniline entered soon after, holding hands, and talking with Sarah.

It was perfect.

And asking for an intense asskicking at the hands of any devious person who happened to be around.

“Do you want to do this?” he asked her, his face intense, eyes shining. He held both her hands, and they stood, atop a small cliff, water crashing into the bottom. “Kids do it all this time, but it's not safe…”

“I want to.” She assured him. “As long as you're doing it too, I will.”

Naruto nodded. He looked down at the beach, where Kakashi and Sasuke were talking. “This is really gonna freak them out.” He said eagerly. Sakura grinned.

“I know.”

“Now,” he said, face turning serious. “Don't let go of me. Even once we hit the water. Try to hang on for as long as possible.”

“I promise.”

“Okay. Are you ready?”

Sakura nodded, taking one of her hands out of his. They stood, close to the edge, their arms out stretched, spread out like wings.

“1,”

Sakura got ready to run.

“2,”

She pushed the last bit of hair from her face with her free hand.

“3!”

She took off running, Naruto beside her, his hand wrapped tightly in hers. They ran for the edge, and screamed as they leapt over the rim. Sakura was laughing, and screaming and the air was whipping and loud, and Naruto was pulling on her arm, but she wouldn't let go, she had promised to hold on, and as the water got closer, Sakura shut her eyes, waiting for the impact.

“I made you some dinner, but I stuck it in the fridge.” Sakura said. “I was hoping you'd be home tonight. I made some for you too, Kakashi-sensei.”

Sakura stuck the two plates in the oven. “They'll be heated in about five minutes.” She said, looking around her kitchen. Naruto sat with Daisuke on his lap, while Aniline and Kakashi sat next to each other. They were holding hands underneath the table, trying to be sneaky. Sakura rolled her eyes. Amateurs. She thought. I could tell them a thing or two about keeping something secret.

Her eyes locked with Naruto's and Sakura inwardly sighed in contentment. It had been a long time since she had been this happy. Every thing was going perfectly. She couldn't believe how happy she was to have Naruto back home. I guess you don't know what you've got `til it's gone.

The water was dark, and colder than expected. The waves pushed and pulled her, and her arm was aching from Naruto tugging on it, but she wouldn't let go. She felt herself floating and cried in triumph as she hit the surface. Naruto was next to her, also laughing with glee. He was saying something, but the water was so loud, she couldn't hear. He pointed over her shoulder and she turned in the water, to look at the beach. Sasuke and Kakashi were standing at the water's edge, looking horrified. Naruto started swimming for shore, and Sakura followed, her arm still attached to his.

“Are you completely stupid?” Sasuke bellowed as soon as she stumbled onto sand. She had yet to detach herself from Naruto, but hhe let go of her at the glare he received from Sasuke. Naruto laughed it off, walking past her and shaking water everywhere, earning a cuff atop the head from Kakashi. He was escorted silently away from the arguing couple, but not without some squawks of protest.

Sasuke was pacing, his expression livid. Sakura had never seen him so not in control of his emotions. “Have you lost your mind?” he finally asked, his voice carefully controlled.

“Oh, calm down, Sasuke.” Sakura said impatiently. “It was just a stupid joke.”

“You just jumped off a cliff!”he cried in reply, pacing again. “Is there something that I'm missing? A cliff, Sakura! A cliff!” He whirled away, muttering angrily. He turned back to her. “Why the hell did you do that?”

“Naruto thought it would be fun. And it was. And I'm fine. So it's okay.” Sakura responded moodily. She hated when Sasuke got all possesive. It used to make her feel loved, now it was just making her feel trapped and scolded.

“Oh. Naruto said. Everything makes sense now.” Sasuke said sarcastically. “Because, I mean, if Naruto said it, it has to be smart, right?”

“Grow up!” Sakura snapped. She was losing her patience and could feel her temper flaring. She did not appreciate being treated like a child by her own boyfriend.

“This is really good, Sakura.” Naruto said, his mouth full. Kakashi nodded as well. Sakura was just sitting in silence. She was very surprised that Kakashi was eating in front of them His mask was off, his headband was gone, and his hair flopped messily in each direction. Sakura figured it was Aniline's influence that made him so comfortable, but whatever it was, she was glad that he was happy.

She watched Aniline's daughter, Sarah, who was playing with Daisuke. She couldn't help her matchmaker mind from pairing them up in the future. She was occupied with the wedding's seating charts when Naruto pulled her from the daydream.

“Sakura, are you alright? You look like you're plotting something.” Naruto said suspiciously. As the butt of most of Sakura's plots, it was an important survival tactic to know the warning signs.

“Oh, I'm fine. And no plots. I promise.”

“When she's your girlfriend, you can jump off all the cliffs you like. Until then, don't go getting her in trouble.” Sasuke said viscously to the heap on the ground before him. Naruto spat blood from his mouth, attempting a grin.

“You're the only one she's in trouble with, Uchiha.”

“That was the dumbest thing you two have tried.” Sasuke repeated, turning to walk away. He was nearly gone when he heard Naruto.

“When she's my girlfriend? Not if? You going somewhere?” the blonde called, and Sasuke growled in annoyance, before continuing on his way out. He was not in the mood to take about his future plans.

Sasuke watched the scene, hating himself for being envious. So, Kakashi and Naruto were back. That didn't change the plan. It made the plan nearly impossible, but there was one great thing about solo missions:

You can always change the plan.