The Red String of Fate: New Generation

A Break - Kakashi / More Than Anything - Kakashi

The walk to Ichiraku was quiet. Naruto looked awful: he looked as if he could fall over from sleep deprivation. Kakashi should've felt the same way, except his head was swimming from what happened with Mizuka. The pair sat down at the counter and ordered.

"You two look awful. Everything okay?"

Ayame looked concerned. Naruto simply shrugged while Kakashi quietly nodded.

"Mizuka and Hinata are in the hospital. They'll be okay, but it's been a horrible couple of days."

Ayame put a hand over her mouth in shock.

"Is your baby okay, Lord Kakashi?"

"Tsunade seems to think so. Baby has been moving like crazy, even though Mizuka's been unconscious for the past 48 hours."

A moment later, she placed two heaping bowls of ramen in front of them.

"You two need to eat up. It's on me. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your ladies."

She gave them a wink and a grin before moving on to the next customers.

Naruto went face down into his ramen, not coming back up until his bowl was gone. Kakashi took his ramen much slower; he wasn't sure if he even felt hungry. He actually felt sick about the fight he had with Mizuka before he left.

"You okay, Kakashi Sensei? You don't look good."

He sighed deeply.

"Yeah. Being married is tough sometimes."

"But you and Lady Z do so well together."

"I just told Mizuka she isn't allowed to heal anymore, not until the baby arrives at least. And she's pissed. She performed a Rhapsody of Life jutsu to save Hinata's life, but it almost killed her. And it's not just about her anymore. Ironically, our baby saved her life acting as a chakra surrogate."

Naruto was watching his empty bowl.

"Hinata was that close to death, huh?"

"She's going to be okay, so that's all that matters. Same with Mizuka. But that doesn't make it easier when someone you love faces death, even when it misses them."

This was not something he wanted to discuss right now. Naruto changed subjects before he could.

"Are you excited about being a dad, Kakashi Sensei?"

He sat there for a few seconds, crafting his answer.

"Yeah. I am. It was never something I really wanted to be. I figured that the closest I would get to fatherhood was having students, but this was an unexpected surprise. It was scary at first, but I think we can manage it. I only hope that Mizuka can continue to do the things she loves, like healing, while being a mother as well."

"Maybe she will love being a mom just as much."

Naruto always had a way of looking at the bright side of things.

"So, how's the wedding planning going? Are things starting to feel real now?"

Naruto's head popped up and his mood brightened a little.

"I can't wait to be married to Hinata."

Kakashi grinned as Naturo went on and on about his fiancee and their wedding. They both needed the cheerfulness of the upcoming wedding to squash the despair of the past couple of days.

***

Knock knock.

Kakashi rapped quietly on his bride's door before opening it.

"I just came by to tell you goodnight. I love you Mizuka. I know you're mad, so I'm going to go home and try to get some sleep. Or work. Or something. I'm just sorry."

He waited a second and heard nothing, so he began to close her door, feeling defeated.

"Kakashi, wait."

He stopped. Her voice was small and frail.

"Please, don't leave."

He opened the door slowly so that the hall light shined in a slice, illuminating her. She was laying against her pillows, looking completely exhausted. He could tell that she had been crying heavily. Kakashi walked over and knelt by her bed, resting his face on her hand.

"The tables have turned, huh? Now I'm the one in bed, unable to move."

"You don't need to, my Love. I'll take care of you."

"I didn't mean any of those things, Kakashi. I know you're just trying to protect us."

He went to shush her, but she stopped him, leaving his surprised.

"I know you didn't want this baby, so it means a lot that you're trying so hard."

He could feel the tears falling down his face.

"Things have changed."

He broke down in tears with his face on the bed, both hands on her swollen belly. He finally looked back up at her bump.

"I want this baby more than anything in the world, Mizuka. This child is the physical manifestation of my love for you. This baby is literally made from love. And I will protect both of you with my life. Always. I promise."

He couldn't stop the tears.

"I love you both so much. And I cannot wait to meet our baby."

He felt her weakly place a hand on his head.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one who's sorry. I'm not leaving; I was just angry. I would never leave and take this child from you."

Now they were both crying.

"Mizuka, I love you. And this child."

He cried over her belly for a few minutes before they both quieted. Even the baby in her belly seemed to quiet down from the fluttering of before, now just bouncing occasionally. Mizuka laughed weakly.

"Baby Hatake has the hiccups."

Kakashi smiled through his tears.

"Yeah, I can feel them."

He lifted her hospital gown so he could have skin contact with her belly, kissing it gently.

"Will you stay with me tonight, Kakashi? Of course, if you'd rather go home, I understand-"

"No, I'll stay."

He climbed into the bed with her, snuggling in deeply next to his lover. He entwined fingers with her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I shouldn't have said any of those things. I'm so sorry."

He kissed her tenderly, looking at her belly cradled between them.

"Everything is alright, darling. Just rest. You need your strength so I can take you home soon."