E.H.

Last chapter! As with all my fictions…it's bitter sweet! I'm happy that I finished another, yet still…sad to see it end. I'll be writing more KakaSaku. So no worries. There will be more. But for this story, this is the closer. I hope you all enjoyed this and I am so very thankful to each and every one of you who read, reviewed and stuck by me! From the first reviewers on the first time I posted this to any reviewers or readers who'll read this in the future! A big heartfelt thank you to each of you! If it was possible, I'd give you each a huge hug and a giant cookie! Thank you!

Falling Into Place

Warmth tingled over her fingers, toes, limbs, and face. A content sigh broke past her lips as she slowly opened her eyes. The sunlight poured in through the window and left her feeling comfortable and safe. She slowly pushed herself up to sit, propped against the pillows. Her viridian eyes immediately scanned the room. She frowned. She was in the hospital; Konoha Byouin to be exact. How the hell had she gotten there? The second emotion to hit her was fear. Where was her baby? Where was Hyotan? She looked around frantically and moved to swing her legs over the edge of her bed. She ignored the pain that shot through her as the movement made the IV in her arm tug in her skin. The heart monitor bleeped loudly indicating that her heartbeat and blood pressure had risen in her panic. The clack of heels drew her attention to the door as it swung open. She opened her mouth to demand her baby only to stop as she took in the sight before her. Her shishou and Hokage entered the room cooing at a small bundle in her arms. Sakura had never seen the blonde woman look as…tender and loving as she did in that moment. Tsunade glanced up and smiled, moving closer to Sakura.

"I assume you were looking for this little charmer?" Tsunade chuckled as she held out the small baby to her student. Sakura reached and took Hyotan from her shishou.

She breathed, "yes. I didn't see and I—"

"Panicked. Very natural given all the details of the situation. Kakashi briefed us on the matter."

"…is he…okay?"

"Is he okay? He's Kakashi. He'll be fine. Is he in a bit of shock? Oh, you'd best believe it." Tsunade grinned in a near evil manner. Sakura laughed lightly as she cradled her child in her arms. "Well? What is his name?"

"Hatake, Hyotan. Kakashi didn't say?"

"He's been a bit too preoccupied with driving me absolutely insane." The blonde growled in annoyance.

"What do you mean?"

"What Tsunade-baa-chan means is that he's been doing nothing but asking about you and the squirt and your conditions non-stop and demanding the best care possible." Naruto interrupted as he walked in grinning like a mad fool. "Can I?"

Sakura smiled and nodded, holding out her son to her best friend. Naruto took the baby into his hands a bit clumsily at first but then easily held the baby. He grinned at the baby and began muttering softly to the baby about the importance of family, friends, and ramen. Sakura rolled her eyes but felt tears sting her eyes as she watched him. He was going to make a wonderful father someday. Tsunade looked onto the scene fondly as well. The blonde shook her head and dabbed at her eyes a bit.

"You look just like your father."

Naruto looked up and blinked before his smile softened. "Thanks." He then turned and held Hyotan back out to Sakura. "So, when ya getting out?"

"I'm not in prison you know…" Sakura grumped but looked to Tsunade.

"Today if you wish. You've been out for the last four days. All your levels are steady and you're back up in health. Shizune and I wouldn't give up until you were."

Sakura blew out a long sigh and nodded her head before she looked between them hesitantly. "And…Sasuke? Is he…?"

"Buried in the Uchiha Compound's grounds. I did it myself." Naruto replied, mirroring her expression.

"Naruto…I…"

"You don't have to apologize, Sakura. I'm just sad that I never fulfilled my promise to you."

"I don't give a rat's ass about that promise. You promised a naïve little girl something that could never be fulfilled. It's not on your shoulders, Naruto. It never was. And it never was going to end well. I've come to that realization…there is no true version of happily ever after."

"No. There isn't. But we can bloody damn well keep trying, can't we?" Tsunade sighed before she cleared her throat. "I'll get your papers processed. I'm sending you home and I expect to see you in a week for a checkup on both of you. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good." Tsunade turned and left the two teammates alone.

"So what are you going to do now, Sakura-chan?"

"…I suppose I'll find a new place to live. A place with two bedrooms and make one into a nursery. I may resign my status as kunoichi until Hyotan's old enough. For now I suppose I'll have to double shift at the hospital and see if Ino and Mom can help watch Hyotan while I'm working."

Naruto frowned. "You sound like that's the only option."

"Well, isn't it obvious? I have to do what's best for Hyotan."

"What's best for Hyotan…is to have his dad, Sakura-chan…"

"Yeah…I know. But I'm not going to force him into this, Naruto. For kami's sake…I mean…we thought up until recently that he was Sasuke's. How can I ask him to support us? To take care of us?"

"Don't you love him?"

"…of course I do, Naruto. I love Kakashi more than I ever thought I loved Sasuke. That's why I can't ask that of him."

"Why don't you let him decide that?"

"Because you know how he is! He'll shoulder more than he can hold and suffer in silence!" Hyotan began to fuss and Sakura gently began to bounce him and speak to him softly. "Shhh…shhh…you're okay."

Naruto sighed and moved toward the door. "Just give him the opportunity to choose, Sakura-chan. You owe him that much as the mother of his child."

Before she could retort, Naruto had left. She growled and looked at Hyotan. "I'm so happy to see you though. Mommy's always going to protect you."

…..

Flowers; check. Feast; check. Candles; check. Clean apartment; check. Everything seemed to look perfect but he couldn't help but feel like there was something desperately wrong. What the hell was it?! Kakashi raked his fingers through his hair for the umpteenth time. He'd set and reset the table four times already. So what could be bothering him? He looked around his apartment at the cleaning job. Everything was staged the way he wanted. Then it hit him…he'd forgotten the most important piece of the romantic welcome home dinner he'd prepared for Sakura and Hyotan. Cursing, he shoved his feet into his boots and rushed out of her apartment, barely remembering to close the door behind him. He rushed across the village to his destination.

"Glorious rival! There you are! I challenge you to fifty laps around the Hokage Monument to prove once again that I am still the most youthful and able of our generation!" Guy seemed to always pop out of nowhere. Kakashi groaned and waved the green-clad man off.

"Not tonight."

"Eh?! Come! Tonight is ripe with opportunity!"

"Yes…just not your kind of weirdness…" Kakashi mumbled under his breath.

"What weirdness is there in the beauty of competitive sport?!"

"I'm busy, maybe next time."

"You're never too busy in life for a little challenge! Or is the Hatake Kakashi growing too old and fearful of Might Guy?!" Guy grinned and stood in his pathway. Kakashi nearly growled and ground his teeth.

"Hai, hai…I'll count to three and we'll go, ne?"

"Aha! Perfection! Let's go!"

"One…two…three!" Kakashi watched as Guy sped off. He turned and quickly resumed his trek to his destination. He just had to get what he was out here for and beat Sakura home.

…..

Sakura stepped outside into the comfortable evening air. The sun would soon be setting and she couldn't wait to be home. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't hungry. She shifted Hyotan in her arms and began the walk home. She knew she'd have to make a series of phone calls tomorrow morning. First was obviously Ino. The second was her parents and then lastly was the Konoha landlord committee. Maybe she'd luck out and be able to snag something quickly. At least for now, her small one bedroom apartment would do. She grimaced. She didn't even have a crib yet! Who was she kidding? How was she going to find an apartment on her income that would work for them when she had all these extra items she had to buy? Sure, Tsunade and Naruto would probably bend over backwards to help her if she asked…but she couldn't. Her pride was too strong for that. She slowed as she passed Ichiraku. It almost looked tempting, but she knew that Hyotan would need to feed soon. Therefore, home. Casting one last longing look at the stand, she continued on her path home. She spotted her building just a little in the distance and smiled. Tsunade had assured her that she still had a home to return to. She took the stairs much slower and more carefully than ever before. She reached her door and realized she didn't have a key. It hadn't been on her at the hospital. Groaning in dismay and frustration she tried the door just out of habit and found it unlocked. She froze and slid into kunoichi mother mode. She shifted Hyotan into her left arm carefully while she handled one of her kunai. She pushed the door open slowly and darted inside only to stop dead in her tracks. She stared unblinking in shock for a good minute before she came back to herself. Flowers littered her table and kitchen counter. She smiled slowly and laughed softly. Someone had been busy. Probably Ino's doing. She turned and closed the door softly. Once the door was closed, she crossed to her bedroom and sat down. She readjusted everything and snorted as Hyotan immediately began to fuss and squall. He was hungry and she settled him while preparing to feed him. Once she had him situated, she watched as he fed from her with a tender look on her face. Her eyes began to fill with tears as she watched the silver haired child. She brushed her fingertips over his barely there hair. She gasped as a teardrop fell onto his forehead. He didn't seem to notice or he just didn't care. She turned and wiped at her tears angrily.

"Stop it, Haruno. You have no right to cry. You can do this. You're not that weak little girl anymore." She breathed in shakily. "I have to…I have to be strong. Hyotan needs me."

Hyotan finished up and stretched with a tiny yawn. Sakura rose and moved to the living room. She nearly tripped over something in the way and cursed as she fumbled. She clutched Hyotan to her as she regained her footing. She spun about to kick whatever was in her way out of the path only to stare at the object. The object was large and she noticed that she'd caught the corner of one of the legs with her food. How she'd missed this when she came in…she couldn't say. She must have been that tired. Looking around more fully now, she felt new tears spring up but for a different reason. Not only was there a nice, expensive looking crib but also a carrier, a rocker, a few boxes of diapers, wipes, bottles, clothes…etc. She cradled Hyotan and covered her mouth with her other hand as her vision flooded over. She moved to the various items. A note was taped to a few of them. The boxes of diapers had a note with delicate handwriting on it.

Dear Sakura-san,

I hope this helps. I have heard that one of the items needed most for a newborn is plenty of diapers. I hope these are of use to you. If you need any help, please feel free to ask. I would be honored to be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

Hyuuga Hinata

The next were several bottles with a small note taped on that was less formal looking. This one was from Kurenai. It's tough being a mom, kiddo. Trust me. Call me if you need anything. I mean it. Sakura laughed a tiny chuckle at that. She came across a pack of baby food that was a variety of meat flavors. The note with them was only a grouping of names; Chouji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Lee, and Shino. She laughed aloud at that. The next item was a small pile of baby boy clothing that looked Chinese style. She smiled, already knowing without having to read the note. However, she still read it.

Sakura, thought your little boy would look super awesome in these. Hope they fit! -Tenten

She sat down on the couch and shook her head with awe. Something caught her attention and she reached under the coffee table and pulled up a bottle of Sake that was a very nice bottle with sakura blooms and petals all over the label. She didn't even have to have a note with this one. It was from Tsunade for certain. She smiled and picked up a set of binkies and all sorts of bibs with cute sayings or pictures. One of them had a piglet on the front and Sakura lost it at that. She laughed hard and when she regained control over herself, she picked up that note.

Every piglet needs the favorite Auntie! Hope you loved the flower arrangements I helped with too! Mom sends her love and we better see you soon Billboard Brow!

Love, Ino
(Your favorite Pig)

She spotted a painting in the fray of everything. She made note to look at it later and thank Sai for the thoughtfulness. It was then, and only then that she noticed the crib's framework. She gasped and covered her mouth. It was obvious now that Yamato had a hand in its creation. She couldn't believe all the thoughtfulness of her friends. Sakura scanned over everything else and paused on a tiny orange outfit. She snorted and lifted it.

"Of course you had a mini orange outfit made, Naruto. Doofus." She shifted Hyotan and looked at the crib. She rose and moved to it, very carefully settling him in it and finding a very familiar looking blanket. She frowned at it. Where had she seen this design before? It reminded her of something in particular…but she couldn't place it. Shaking her head, she draped the green blanket over him with the shuriken pattern. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to Hyotan's brow before turning and going to the kitchen. The smells hit her like a sucker punch to the gut. Her stomach decided to loudly inform her just how upset it was at her lack of eating anything earlier. She moved to the table and saw the wonderful spread of roasted meat, rice, sauces, fruit, vegetables, and what smelled like a nice wine. She sat down and began to dig in. The first bite of roasted meat nearly melted in her mouth and she moaned happily around the mouthful. She began to eat rather ravenously. She wondered why there was so much and why the table was set for two. She finished a helping and took a drink of wine and sighed appreciatively. She didn't hear him approach as much as she felt his chakra signature on the other side of her door. Without Hyotan inside her belly and drawing on her chakra any longer, it was slightly odd just how…strongly obvious his chakra signature was. The door opened and Kakashi stepped through. He seemed slightly out of breath.

"Hey you." She smiled at him. He turned and looked at her as if surprised to see her. His eyes shifted to her plate and the room before back to her plate and her face. She frowned. "You okay, Kakashi? You look…pale and upset."

Kakashi's face fell. Even from behind a mask, she could tell how upset he was. She rose slowly. He sighed and pressed his hand to his face. "Well…so much for surprising you…"

"Surprising…me…?" She blinked before her eyes widened. She looked at the feast laid on the table and closed her eyes in realization. "Oh…that's why it was set for two…how could I have missed that?"

Kakashi sighed and closed the door in a way that reminded her of a dejected puppy. She bit her lip nervously. He moved slowly to the seat across from her and flopped into it limply. He stared at the food dully with a blank look. "Welcome home, Sakura…"

Sakura had to bite down harder. She really didn't want to find his look so adorable and hilarious. She really didn't. She wasn't trying to laugh but it managed to leak out anyways. She sat back down with a big smile while laughing. "Thank you, Kakashi. I'm glad to be back. And the food is delicious. Did you cook it?"

"…no…I had it made."

"Ah. Well, it's really good. Thank you for all the thought."

"Ha…" He replied and looked over toward the crib. "Is he in there?"

"Mmhm. Did Yamato-taichou make it?"

"Yes. I asked him to fashion a crib and rocker for you both. I paid him too."

"Really? Wow. That…was…very thoughtful…umm…thank you." Sakura shifted uncomfortably. She wasn't sure how to take that. He'd done that on his own? It wasn't because he felt…he had to was it? "Kakashi, I—"

"I need to ask you something."

Sakura blinked. She nodded and sat up a bit straighter. "Okay…what is it?"

Kakashi took a deep breath and looked at her intently. Was he…nervous? What the hell could make her former sensei and the famous Copy Nin nervous like this? Was he…going to ask her to break up? That made her heart sink and feel like it was going to break. She was so torn. It's not like they were officially really an item…but then again…ah! She was so confused. He shifted and cleared his throat.

"Sakura…" He shifted again and she began to feel uncomfortable.

"If you're going to ask me to leave your life and leave you alone, then just say it, Kakashi. For kami sake we've been in team and friends for so long that this shouldn't be such a big deal to you. I get it. I won't be mad at you either. You didn't ask to be a father. It's wasn't like you walked into this wanting it. I'm probably going to find a bigger apartment and work double shifts at the hospital. I don't want you to feel like you have to support us." Her voice began to crack as she felt tears coming on again and cursed her emotions. "You've already done so much for us. I can never honestly repay you, Kakashi."

Kakashi stared at her blankly before he looked utterly confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You…are breaking up with me…aren't you?"

"No! I'm proposing! Or trying to…"

"Oh…Oh!" Sakura's eyes widened.

Kakashi ran his hand through his hair. "I set this all up so that I could propose to you romantically. I don't want Hyotan to grow up without us being married. I mean…I think that's for the best and I want to spend the rest of my life with you both. But…if you don't…want that…?"

Sakura shook her head and jumped up, rushing over to him. "I do! I really, really do! I-I didn't know! I'm so sorry, Kakashi!"

"You do?" He looked at her in shock.

"Yes! I do! I'll marry you!" She laughed and hugged him tightly, laughing.

"Oh thank kami…you said yes." He breathed only making her laugh harder as he hugged her. "I assume you already saw all the gifts then?"

Sakura sat in his lap and leaned back to look at him. She nodded with a grin. "Yes. There's a lot there!"

"Mm…yes. The blanket and carrier are from me. As well as the crib and rocker…but those are more like a combined gift from Yamato and I. Sai did the art work on the crib and rocker. The blanket is my old comforter that I had remade into a baby blanket. I thought it was kind of appropriate given he's my son…"

Sakura snapped her fingers. "That's what it was! I knew I recognized it somewhere."

Kakashi chuckled and nodded. "But there's one more."

"One more blanket?"

"No, gift."

"There is?"

"Yes…"

"Oooo…what is it?" She looked at him excitedly. He smiled at her with amusement clear in his mismatched eyes.

"This." He held out a box and an envelope. She took the box first and opened it. Her eyes went to the size of saucers as she stared at the engagement ring. The band was shaped like sakura branch while the jewels were the same color as her hair and dotted throughout with the exception of the main centerpiece. It was a bloomed sakura blossom.

"Oh my…Kakashi it's beautiful."

"Not too cheesy, I hope."

Sakura slapped his shoulder lightly and pulled it out, slipping it on. "It fits so well…how did you know?"

"I…measured you finger in your sleep…" He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. She blinked and rolled her eyes.

"My boys…always the weirdest ones in the land."

"Your boys?"

"You, Naruto, Yamato-taichou, Sai…you're all the weirdest of the all. But I wouldn't change that for the world."

"Ah…I see. Does this mean that I'll have to worry over any other engagements?" He teased her. She snorted.

"I don't know. You'd have to explain what marriage or even sex was to Sai for him to figure it out. I think Yamato-taichou might have an aneurism at the prospect. Naruto…well, we already know that."

"Mm. Good point. I am the finest and best looking among us."

"Gee, big ego much?"

"Maybe a little. Open the envelope."

"Pushy too." Sakura mused before she opened the envelope. "So what's this?"

"Read it, nosy little girl."

"Little girl's don't sleep with perv—" Sakura went silent as her eyes scanned the paper. "K-Kakashi…is this…what I think it is?"

"Yes."

"You bought us a house?! How did you afford this?!"

"I've been saving my earnings from my missions for years. I only lived in a dump because I had no other reason to live elsewhere. Now I have two."

"I can't…I can't believe this…"

"You deserve this much and more, Sakura…" Reaching up to brush her hair from her face, Kakashi leaned forward and kissed her. She returned it readily and sighed, rested her head on his shoulder.

"I don't have to work double shifts."

Kakashi chuckled, the sound rumbling beneath Sakura's cheek. "No. You won't have to do that. You'll only work if you want to. I know how stubborn you can be about your patients getting the best treatment."

"Oh shut up. Just because I have to practically babysit you when you're in the hospital to keep you in there…"

"Yes, but think of it this way. Now I have a doctor at home. I won't ever have to go to the hospital again! It's a win-win for everyone."

"That's the real reason you bought a house for us, isn't it?" She drawled.

"Maybe…"

"Jerk."

...

"I learned a new jutsu!"

"Oh really?" Sakura turned to face her seven year old son. Hyotan stood in the entryway grinning. His silver hair stood on end as usual in its usual disarray. He looked so much like a mini version of his father that it was sometimes scary. Until he got mad. Then he looked like her. That and his eyes were more like hers than Kakashi's. But that didn't bother her. She rubbed her distended pregnant belly thoughtfully as she watched her son form hand seals. Like his father, he was genius. The only flaw to this was the fact that his sensei was Naruto. A loud poof sounded before a naked, silver haired woman stood in her entryway posing in a sexy way. The glass in Sakura's hands that she was drying shattered as her smile froze on her face.

Hyotan released the jutsu. "See?! Isn't it cool! Naruto-sensei taught me that and—mom…?" He turned as his mother marched outside throwing her drying towel over her shoulder. He shrank back a few steps. She had that look on her face. The smile that was a bit too broad and twitched at the corners while her eyebrows had quivering seizures of their own. He looked up as he heard his father's footsteps cross the floor.

"Ho…? Where's your mother, Hyo?" Kakashi's hand dropped to rest atop the boy's head.

"She's got that look…"

"…what did Naruto teach you now?"

"Oiroke no jutsu…"

"Ahhh…sou…"

The next thing they heard was, "NARUTOOOOO! SHANNAROU!" before a thunderous tremor rocked the ground and house. Both males winced and grimaced in sympathy before they exchanged a look and nodded in understanding. Both turned and walked back into the house further and pretended that absolutely nothing had just happened.

Oiroke no Jutsu – Sexy no jutsu (Sexy technique)
Sou – I see

Also rough translation for Hyotan's name (if my source was correct) is Gourd. I went the idea of the Hatake family continuing with names that have to do with farmland. The family name Hatake actually means farmland. Kakashi means Scarecrow, and Sakumo is thought to have derived from the word sakumotsu which means agricultural produce or in other words crops. So…gourd which is similar to a squash or pumpkin ties into this as well. Hence why I chose Hatake Hyotan. I toyed with the idea of giving him the name of Sakumo for the sake of Kakashi's father…but then again, I wasn't sure if that would flow well.

After all the drama and angst this story trudged through, I felt that a humorous ending was the best way to go. I LOVE how this ended. When writing it, I was laughing. My husband had to stop his game and ask why the heck I was laughing. I read it to him and he also laughed. So I hope you all got a good laugh from it too!

Thank you once more for all your reads and reviews! You guys are what push me to keep going! You're all kick-buttox and I love you all! Thanks a bunch!

Sincerely with Love,

Erika Hearken