Promises Remembered

Part 2 Chapter 21

A/N There will be one more chapter after this. I hope you all love this one! Special shoutout to TheSilverbunny again! Her art for this fic is so beautiful. There is a scene here inspired by her first piece, and she recently added an absolutely stunning piece for chapter 44. Go look at them and give her all the kudos and comments!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/54983479/chapters/139384087

Part 2 Chapter 21

Sakura

An enthusiastic knock on the balcony door and a high pitched squeal pulled Sakura's attention from the book she'd been reading to a nearly hysterical Ino. She was doing a bad job containing her excitement to find her best friend curled up on the lap of the man Sakura had confessed to having a crush on only, what was for Ino barely a week before. It was clearly almost too much. If she hadn't been so wrapped up in her own family and the friends she'd made in her last two years, Sakura would have been expecting this visit.

Smiling, even though she knew this meant an end to their quiet afternoon, Sakura kissed her husband and got up from the couch. She unlocked the door and slid it open. Before she could get a word of greeting out, Ino—practically vibrating—barged in past her.

"It's true! I didn't believe it when Hinata told me." The blonde was staring down at Kakashi like a cat would watch a small bird before pouncing. He looked marginally unsettled, but not enough to leave. Kakashi had been even more clingy than Kazuki the last week. They hadn't spent more than a few minutes apart since she'd got back, and Sakura wasn't complaining.

If she hadn't known better, she would have hoped that having him there would deter Ino from making the imminent interrogation less personal. But Sakura did know better: Ino was just as nosy as Aiko and twice as relentless. She would let Kakashi kick her out if she started asking about what the sex was like—which she absolutely would. Ino would be far more likely to listen to someone she used to call sensei than Sakura.

"Yes, it's true. Went back in time, got married, had a baby, and now I'm back. That's it. Not that exciting really, you don't need any more detail than that."

Predictably, Ino scoffed. "You're joking. It really has been two years since you've seen me." Without any more warning, Ino threw her arms around her neck in a crushing hug. "Come on, Forehead, I know you missed me."

Sakura hugged her back just as fiercely. "I did, actually."

"So tell me everything! Last week you were pining over the most unavailable bachelor in the village and now you're married. I need to know how this happened!"

Sighing, she looked over at her husband to gauge his mood to find him resignedly closing his book and standing. "Honestly, I'm surprised she lasted this long. I half expected her to visit while you were still in the hospital. I guess I'll get us something to drink."

Rolling her eyes, Sakura let her friend pull her over to the couch. "How did you meet him? You were only there two years, how long were you dating? How long did it take you to start fu—"

"Ino! No. I'll tell you the same thing I told my friend Aiko: I will not share any details about what we get up to in bed." When she pouted Sakura held up her hand. "No. You can ask about anything else and I'll probably answer, but not that."

Ino rolled her eyes dramatically and glanced back to check if Kakashi was still in the kitchen. "Okay. Just..." She held her hands up, palms together and began slowly spreading them apart. "Tell me when to stop."