The Red String of Fate

Healing Her - Kakashi

After a thorough examination by Shizune, Kakashi carried his wife home wrapped in a blanket to keep out the spring chill. If she hasn't been injured, the walk would have been perfect: the cherry blossoms were just starting to bud. In a couple of weeks, it would be the cherry blossom festival, when the trees would be in full bloom. She was tucked into his chest, asleep. Shizune's diagnosis was that stress and exhaustion were the culprits, as well as hunger. All of that caused her to black out when she was hit in face. A long nap and a good meal, as well as some ice on that nose, should do the trick, Shizune said. She must've stayed up all night worrying about going back to the hospital, Kakashi thought. He wished that she would have woken him up; it wasn't like he had a mission today. Kakashi opened the door to their apartment and took her straight to the still unmade bed. Mizuka burst out into tears.

"I don't know why they hate me so much; I barely know them."

Kakashi sat next to her on the bed and gently wiped her tear away with his hand.

"It doesn't matter. He won't hurt you again. He's just lucky that Tsunade showed up when she did."

"Thanks for protecting me."

"I didn't get there soon enough. I should've kicked his ass at our own front door when he showed up here this morning."

Mizuka placed her head in his lap, shutting her eyes. He stroked her soft hair as she fell asleep. He leaned his back against the bedroom wall that the bed was against and almost asleep as well before Mizuka jumped up, screaming in terror and then crumpling into an exhausted pile on the floor. Kakashi had never seen her like this before. Usually, she was the one who nurtured others. He carefully climbed onto the floor and picked her shaking body up, carrying her to the bathtub. She curled up into a ball on the side of the circular tub as Kakashi turned on the faucet and put in the stopper.

"Remember how you would always tell me that water has the power to heal? It must have a powerful impact on a natural water user."

He turned to the cabinet and opened it, sprinkling some into the bath. Just in those few moments it took him to find the right bottle, she was out of her fetal position; her long legs stretched out in front of her. Kakashi couldn't help but stare. She had a small frame but she was very well proportioned. She had enough weight on her that she was very curvy in all of the right places. And when she stood, she only reached the middle of Kakashi's chest. But, she was mighty and had a ferocity that was only matched by her passion and kindness. She caught him staring and grinned at him. She was beautiful, even with a broken nose and two black eyes.

"Oh, wait. I'll be right back."

He went to the kitchen, grabbing the fresh strawberries from the refrigerator that they had gotten a couple days before. He returned and sat outside of the tub. She leaned her head back so that she could see him.

"Here, you need to eat."

He raised a plump red strawberry to her lips, coaxing her gently to eat. She parted her pink lips and took a juicy bite, licking her lips. Why was everything she did so damn sexy? His strawberry session with her ended too soon for his liking, even though she ate a dozen or so. He couldn't resist leaning forward and tasting the sweet strawberry juice on her lips. His heart raced as his lips touched hers.

"Thank you, Kakashi."

He kissed her forehead protectively.

"I promised you on our wedding day that I would always protect you.. Please forgive me."

"Kakashi, you can't always be there. And that's okay. Just relax."

He inhaled the steamy, musky lavender air of the bathroom. He could feel himself calming down. He hadn't even realized that his body was shaking until it stopped. He crossed his arms on the side of the tub and laid her head down. He felt Mizuka's hand slowly running through his hair. It felt good.

"You're the most wonderful person I know, Kakashi Hatake."

Even after years of marriage, he still blushed at this sentiment. He stood to check himself in the mirror, pulling his shirt and mask off to reveal a sore and bruised jaw. Fuck him. Kakashi didn't really care about himself, but what father punches his own daughter in the face? He turned back to find his wife looking sleepy and flushed from the warm water. He turned and leaned down, pulling the stopper and picking her up. She gently ran her fingers over his jawline.

"Oh, Kakashi..."

"It's nothing."

He took her to the bed and placed her on a towel he laid out, folding the sides in on her, drying her off. He couldn't help but kiss her soft belly as he dried her. He giggled and tried to push his head down further, but he refused.

"I will later, my love. Right now, I'm worried about you too much."

This was not an exaggeration; he was afraid that sex would push her already stressed and exhausted body too far. Besides, after watching her black out, he didn't think he could get it up anyway. She pouted a little, but then yawned, so Kakashi knew he made the right choice. He pulled the covers over her and tucked in the sides to keep her warm. He then rose to crack the window open, letting the still chilly early spring air in. He lit the hearth and got a glass of water before returning to lay down to his sleeping wife. He set the water down on the side table before kissing her forehead again, very gently as not to wake her, and opening his book. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep, so he started the first book in the Make Out Tactics series again. Even after this shitty morning, this afternoon was peaceful. He could hear village life buzzing below as he inhaled the smoky firewood of the hearth. He had a good book, and his very beautiful bride sleeping peacefully next to him. And he smiled as he imagined what Tsunade had in store for Kizashi Haruno.