Kakashi woke to the ashes of the fire tickling his bare back. The filtered morning light of the clearing made everything feel muted and grey, but the woman in his arms radiated warmth and colour that was all the more intense by comparison. Even in sleep, Sakura's body was still pressed against his as tightly as it has been last night. The feeling of her still made him shiver with exhausted pleasure. Several years of pent-up sexual tension and tortured fantasies had finally been realised, and it occurred to him that he couldn't remember the last time he had felt so utterly…content.

'Content' was the right word, he decided. 'Happy' didn't quite cut it, for beneath that transient chemical high there was something stronger, a feeling of total safety that his career as a shinobi had never really allowed for. Haruno Sakura was the most beautiful, capable woman he'd ever known, and here she was, lying in his arms. He felt like he could take on the world, but for once didn't actually need to. He could simply lie there, at peace.

A fleck of ash landed on Sakura's eyelashes, grey on pink. He brushed it away as carefully as possible, but Sakura still stirred at the touch.

"Good morning," he murmured, running his thumb across her cheek. She blinked sleepily, taking in the morning and the naked man beside her.

"Good morning yourself. Did the fire go out?"

"Some time in the night. Are you cold?"

"Far from it." She sat up slowly, the covers from the bedroll falling down to her navel. "But you're covered in ash."

He curled his arm around her exposed waist. "That's just my hair."

She brushed a hand across his shoulder, to show him the grey flecks it left on her palm. "Also, your hair is silver, not grey."

"I knew I liked you," he murmured, pulling himself forward to rest his head in her lap.

"I suppose I may as well smell like smoke, on top of everything else," Sakura sighed, swiping at her own shoulders.

Kakashi took an exaggerated sniff. "You smell great. Like sex and the outdoors."

Sakura snorted. "That would make a great candle."

"Oh, if only." He moved up her body, continuing to breathe in her sweet scent. His breath felt ticklish against Sakura's breasts, and she squirmed against him just like she had a few hours ago.

He paused at the crook of her neck. There was a mark he had given her, a reddish love bite that had made her cry out his name like it was a prayer. He gave it a soft kiss.

"Shall we get moving? People are still worried about us."

Once again they packed their bags, and even though it was a ritual they had performed thousands of times together, it was a different experience in the afterglow of the night before. They talked and joked and touched each other playfully as they collected their clothes from where they had left them strewn around the clearing. Kakashi found Sakura's shorts and panties tangled together at the base of a tree. He remembered peeling them down her legs with excruciating slowness, pausing at her knee so he could run his hand back up her now-exposed thigh. The memory almost distracted him from the task at hand, but before long they were fully clothed and back on the path to home.

The last stretch seemed to fly by, so refreshed were they by the healing and rest, and so excited by the prospect of returning home at last. The gates of Konoha loomed ahead, and they strode forward to greet the guards.

The guards, Izumo and Kotetsu, stared at them both with wide eyes and slack mouths. Sakura's heart sank.

"Hey guys, long time no see," she said, waving awkwardly. They continued to stare, and she dropped her hand.

"Let me guess, you heard about what happened on our last mission."

Izumo finally snapped out of his shock, and gave the pair a rueful smile. "Clearly not the whole story."

Sakura shrugged sheepishly, and Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "I suppose it's pointless to ask if the Hokage heard the rumours?" he asked.

Kotetsu snorted. "Yeah, she knows."

"If I were you, I'd go straight to Hokage tower and give your report," Izumo said. "Tsunade-sama has already started making arrangements for Sakura-san's funeral, and it would bring her great comfort to know that it can now be cancelled."

"Or at least postponed until she kills me herself," Sakura groaned, already turning to leave. "I can't believe everyone knows already!"

Kakashi almost reached out to hug her before realising that they were back in mixed company. Instead he turned the movement into a brief pat on the shoulder. "Let's go sort this out."

"Bye Sakura! We're glad you're alive," Kotetsu waved after them, and Izumo elbowed him in the ribs.

Sakura was going to go through the actual doors of Hokage tower, but Kakashi led her up the building's exterior instead. It would be quicker, if less proper, to just pop in through Tsunade's window like he usually did; plus it meant they wouldn't have to stop and explain things to every person they met along the way.

Tsunade was alone in her office for once, head resting in her left hand while the right swirled a carafe of saké.

"Tsunade-shishou?" Sakura called tentatively from behind, then flinched as the carafe shattered in her mistress' grip.

Tsunade span around in her chair, bloodshot eyes taking in the pair of shinobi who were currently squatting on her windowsill. Kakashi raised one hand in his usual lazy greeting, but her eyes were focused on her former pupil. Sakura was biting her lip and twisting her gloves between her hands, but she met her gaze levelly.

"I'm sorry I worried you, Tsunade-shishou."

Tsunade was out of her chair and pulling the girl into her arms, yanking her through the window and crushing her against her chest. "I don't know why I keep worrying about you kids," she sobbed. "You're not like the generations before you. You always seem to come home, no matter what."

"Tsunade-shishou…" Sakura returned her mistress' literally bone-crushing embrace with equal force.

"But enough of that," Tsunade released her grip suddenly. "You can't imagine what kind of drama you've caused this village, and it's your job to make it right."

"Tsunade-shishou…"

"No excuses, Sakura! I don't know if you're aware, but we've already started planning your memorial service. A village's worth of catering, drinks and flowers doesn't just undo itself overnight!"

Kakashi coughed. "We heard from the recovery team that Sai only arrived with the news about twenty-four hours ago. Maybe if you'd waited a little longer before spreading the word…"

Tsunade seemed to ignore him, striding to the doors and throwing them open. "Shizune! Naruto-kun! Get in here at once!"

"I thought you wished to be left alone, Tsunade-sam—Sakura!" Shizune stepped into view, clapping her hands to her mouth at the sight of the kunoichi. "Oh, I'm so glad you're okay! Both of you, of course," she added, bowing briefly to Kakashi, who nodded back. "Ah, let me get Naruto. He's holed himself up in one of the downstairs offices." She span on her heel and bustled from the office just as quickly as she appeared, but Sakura caught a glimpse of her wiping her eyes as she left.

After that, things happened very quickly. Naruto sprinted into the room, wild-eyed, and practically knocked Sakura over with the force of his bear-hug. After Sakura and Kakashi explained everything that had happened to them after Sai left (with some exceptions), Tsunade ordered them to go out and spread the news that Sakura was alive and Kakashi was no longer critically wounded.

Naruto insisted upon tagging along, of course, and neither Sakura nor Kakashi had the heart to object, even though it meant further delays before they could shower, change clothes, and have a few important conversations that they had been able to avoid before now. For example, how soon after clearing up the rumour of Sakura's death would be too soon to go public about their relationship?

"We should find Sai first," Naruto said, full of his usual vigour. If Shizune hadn't confided to Sakura that the boy had been utterly heartbroken by the news of her death, it would have been easy to assume he had weathered the whole ordeal without losing his sunny disposition. Sakura and Kakashi readily agreed. Sai had been part of their team, and the mission wasn't really over until they were all reunited.

Sai wasn't at his apartment. They knocked and called out and eventually just broke in, but the place was empty. They decided to go to Ino's place next, mostly to put her mind at ease, but also because she was one of the biggest gossips in Konoha, and therefore a useful ally in spreading the word about Sakura.

Along the way they were stopped by almost every person they encountered, all of whom rushed to Sakura's side and expressed their joy at seeing her safe. Kakashi watched the people, both shinobi and civilians, many of whom he had never seen in his life. Sakura seemed to know everyone's name, as well as the names of all their loved ones as she asked after their health. It took a long time to get from Sai's place to the Yamanaka Flower Shop as a result, but Kakashi thought it was worth it to watch Sakura work her magic.

"Maybe you should think about becoming Hokage," Kakashi murmured to her as they finally got free of the crowd. "You could give Naruto a run for his money when it comes to 'adoration of the people'."

Sakura laughed softly. "They're just patients of mine. Naruto-kun's still the Number One beloved ninja in all Konoha."

"That's right," Naruto turned back to the pair as he walked, "and don't you two forget it!"

Kakashi smiled as Sakura teased Naruto about usurping him as Hokage. The whole thing felt easy, just like before. After the war, when he had started becoming actual friends with Sakura, it felt like re-entering the world. He owed the strength of so many friendships to her love and patience. Suddenly he didn't feel so apprehensive about what other people would think of his relationship with her. He trusted their friends.

The flower shop's usual riot of colours had been replaced with a façade of black and white. Black paper peeked out from under sprays of lilies and carnations, the traditional flowers of mourning. The interior was much the same. It seemed every other flower had been removed and replaced with giant arrangements of sorrow.

The counter was abandoned, with no sign of the blonde. Sakura shrugged at her companions, and began to lead the way out the back. "Ino?" she called softly, "It's me, Sakura. Please don't scream."

Ino did scream when they finally found her, but not just because her best friend was back from the dead. She was sitting on the counter-top of the little kitchen out back, where the flowers were cut and washed. And Sai was leaning against the counter, his hands tangled in her long blonde hair and his lips caught in hers.

"That explains why you weren't home," Kakashi remarked after Ino had stopped screaming. Sai blushed a little, but neither he nor Ino could stay embarrassed for long.

"I'm so sorry I didn't go back for you right away, Sakura-chan!" Sai said, shaking his head. "I could have gotten you help sooner."

"Don't be silly, you did the right thing getting Kakashi out. Besides, the river carried me away so quickly that it would have been difficult to find me even if you had looked."

Ino, like Tsunade, seemed caught between hugging Sakura and scolding her. "I can't believe you split up like that! How stupid and reckless could you possibly be? Do you know how much I've worried? Or how Sai felt? To say nothing of poor Tsunade-sama. And just look at Naruto; I mean, I know he's laughing right now, but this time yesterday he was inconsolable!" As the men drifted into their own conversation, Sakura continued to listen sympathetically to all of her friend's complaints about the funeral flowers she had ordered, which would now go to waste.

When Ino finally paused to think of more things to blame Sakura for, the pink-haired woman spoke up.

"So…you and Sai, huh? Tell me about that."

Ino opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. "That's, er…that's new." She watched Sai as he listened to Naruto, and smiled a little. "New, but nice. Especially now that we no longer have to worry about organising your funeral."

"Once again, I'm very sorry for almost dying; believe it or not, it inconvenienced me too. But I am glad that some good things came out of it, at least."

"Things? As in, plural?" Ino's eyebrows rose with curiosity.

Sakura hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much she should say before talking to Kakashi. But Kakashi saved her the worry by choosing that moment to stride over and placed a masked kiss on her forehead.

"Sorry, but Sakura and I are overdue for some well-deserved rest. Can we trust the rest of you to spread the word while we head home and shower?" Nobody responded right away, but he was already grabbing Sakura's arm heading for the door anyway. "Thanks, guys."

"About time!" Ino yelled at their backs, while Naruto hooted with laughter and Sai gave his usual soft smile.

Epilogue

Dear Sakura,

If you thought you owed us any kind of debt for looking after you the night the laboratory fell, consider it repaid. The kindness we have been shown by your people these last few months has already improved our lives tenfold. As you know, we have relocated the camp away from the mountain. Thanks to your assistance, we are now strong and independent enough to officially call ourselves Silver Village, and have recently completed the construction of a proper medical centre. I thank you for personally overseeing the training of the villagers that were sent to study medicine in Konoha. They tell me you are the founder of the children's mental health program that is now doing so much good for our people.

Reed Village seems to have improved as well. They have accepted technology back into their lives, and even though the emergence of silver eyes in their midst has not stopped, the numbers have not increased either. I continue to be quietly optimistic that the relationship between Reed and Silver will grow more amiable through the example set by Konoha.

Speaking of relationships, I was overjoyed to receive your latest letter, along with your wedding invitation. I will of course be attending as the representative of Silver Village. We wish you and Kakashi every happiness in the world as you embark on this new adventure together.

Until then,

Yumi

THE END

A/N: Thanks for reading!