The Red String of Fate: New Generation

Gone - Mizuka

"They're gone. She's gone..."

Mizuka stood in the emptied room. All of Sakura and Sasuke's things were gone. The only thing that was left was a short note from Sakura, which she clutched in her hand.

Mizuka and Kakashi,

Karin came looking for us, so we left. We will be fine with Karin; she's an extremely talented medic. PLease, don't worry about me. I'm taking it easy amd taking care of myself. Can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew. Kiss the boys for me.

Love, Sakura

She felt Kakashi's presence behind her. He tenderly put his hands on her waist, slowly moving them over her belly, embracing her.

"It's okay. We knew they weren't staying."

The lump in Mizuka's throat make it hard for her to talk.

"I thought she would at least say goodbye...."

"Nah. She's about to marry Sasuke. Her head is somewhere else. But that doesn't mean that she doesn't love you."

He kissed the top of her head before continuing.

"Besides, to be completely honest, they won't be able to continue with a newborn. And they won't stop travelling because Sakura need to rest and heal. She'll be back after the baby is born."

Mizuka put her hands over his. The emotion was washing over her, and she was just waiting for the inevitable chakra tears to form across her already scarred thighs. It had been a good couple of years overall: things in her life had been surprisingly peaceful and the chakra tear incidents had been few and far between. She closed her eyes, taking a deep, calming breath, bracing herself. She could tell that Kakashi was bracing her as well, ready to scoop her up and carry her to the bed. It was comforting that someone knew her so well.

She waited, but it didn't come.

She could tell by the way his body twitched that Kakashi was still waiting at the ready.

"I don't think I'm going to have an incident."

He scooped her up anyway, carrying her from the empty room and into their own comfortable bed. He laid her down gently, placing her head on a fluffy pillow. The soft bed hugged her tired body. He sat down next to her, rubbing her legs lovingly. Sometimes, when she saw the tenderness in his eyes, it was hard to believe that this man used to bear the name 'Cold-Blooded Kakashi.'

"Do you think this baby has something to do with it, Z? Something like what happened with Sakumaru?"

She smiled at the thought of the baby in her belly carrying Kakashi's bloodline. It made her heart swell with pride.

"I bet it does. Maybe Baby Hatake is helping to hold my chakra reserve. Wow... I wonder what this Baby's chakra reserve will be like if that's the case."

Kakashi laid down next to her, wonder in his eyes. She saw a lot of wonder in his eyes these days, at least behind the closed doors of their own home. Even in the peaceful times in the village, like the ones they were currently experiencing, being the Hokage was still a difficult and stressful job. She wanted this place to be safe and comfortable for him; her focus was still as sharp as ever on her own Will of Fire. She chuckled.

"I never thought I'd see you this excited about being a father."

"I have a lot to be excited about. Sakumaru and Inari just turned two, and they are already showing a lot of promise as shinobi, if that's the path they choose to walk. Sakumaru looks as if he has inherited my lightning nature, and Inari appears to have an earth nature he's growing into. That makes me wonder what his lineage is."

Mizuka shrugged.

"I don't know. That's something we'll have to look into. See which clan has earth nature around the Land of Tea."

"But, for today, I only want you to relax. Just because this baby is helping you with your chakra issues, you still need to rest."

She snuggled into the pillows and blankets onto the bed as he leaned over, kissing her and placing his forehead against hers.  She knew this was the time to bring it up.

"Kakashi?"

"Hmm?"

"I... think I'm ready to meet with my parents.  To get it over with."