Dreams of the Past

Heartbreaking Reunions

Chapter 34

Heartbreaking Reunions

What felt like hours later, the double doors finally opened. Kakashi sat up from where he'd been resting, slumped and half asleep against Ume's shoulder, a still sleeping Tenzō in his arms.

Tsunade looked exhausted.

"Tsunade. How is she?"

She sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "We're lucky we found her when we did, Karasu. She wouldn't have lasted much longer."

Ume laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "So it went well? She's okay?"

Tsunade dropped her hand, shifting her weight and blowing hair from her face. "She's alive. I doubt she'll be 'okay' for a while, though."

The hand on his shoulder tightened as Ume interjected. "Will she be able to carry future pregnancies?"

Not having considered that possible consequence, Kakashi looked between them, new anxiety clawing at his lungs as he waited for an answer. When Tsunade frowned at her as if the question were rude, Ume added: "I know she might not care just yet, but... she will."

Tsunade's shoulders sagged and she rubbed the back of her neck. "You're right, and if she was anyone else, my answer would be: probably not." Ume whimpered. "But I was able to wake her up after the first part of the surgery to activate her Byakugou. It healed everything so, physically, she is good as new. Future pregnancies shouldn't be a problem for her, as far as I can tell."

Letting out a relieved sigh, Ume gently patted Kakashi's shoulder. "Thank goodness for small mercies, my poor girl."

"Yes, well, she'll be awake and asking for you soon, Karasu. You need to shower before you see her, and then I think it might be best if you go in by yourself, first." She nodded at a sleeping Tenzō and Ume cleared her throat before holding out her hands.

"Here, I'll stay with him, dear."

Having only just gotten him back, Kakashi did not want to leave him again, but Sakura needed him more.

Mine.

Keep him safe.

His arms tightened around him and his conflicting emotions must have been plain on his face despite the mask. Ume put her hand on Tenzō's back. "It's alright, we'll be safe here, and you're just down the hall if we need you."

You're being ridiculous, he'll be fine. Tsunade won't let anything happen to them.

Sakura's at least as strong as Tsunade.

Danzō's dead.

"Of course. Right. Here." Gingerly, so as not to wake him, Kakashi placed Tenzō in her arms. He immediately seemed to make himself comfortable, snuggling close and grabbing her braid.

He'll be fine.

"We'll be okay, go and see to your wife, dear."

Nodding, Kakashi tore his eyes away from his son and followed Tsunade back through the doors.

He felt numb.

"Who was that with you? I'm guessing by the hair she's related to Sakura?"

Blinking, he looked down at Tsunade. "Her grandmother. She believes Ayame is her niece, though she treats her more like a daughter."

"Hm."

She bit her lip, and Kakashi got the impression she had more to say, but now wasn't the time. He still didn't have the energy to handle whatever she might want to say to him and thankfully, she seemed to realize it.