The Red String of Fate: New Generation

Sakura's Arrival / Konoha's Newest Member - Kakashi

"Are you sure they're supposed to arrive today?"

That's what Sasuke's correspondence said. I can't imagine they would be late."

Kakashi and Shizune stood inside of the village gates, waiting for the Uchihas' arrival.

"How do you think Sakura will adjust to being back in the village?"

He shrugged.

"Hard to tell, but I would imagine it would be a lot easier here in the village with a baby than living a nomadic lifestyle. If nothing else, she'll have plenty of help here."

"Will she be staying with you, Kakashi?"

He nodded.

"We have plenty of room and we think it will be good for her to stay with family who already has small children."

Shizune smirked at him.

"I think that with you and Lady Z is the best place for her and her little one."

Kakashi glanced over at her. He knew exactly what she was implying. There was no way in hell he was going to send her to live with Kizashi and Mebuki. Not after the things they said to her during their meeting. They were on the slow road to some form of healing, but they were still a long way away.

"How is Lady Z? I haven't seen her in a few weeks. She's usually milling around the hospital."

"She's fine. She's been resting at home, enjoying her time with the boys before the new baby arrives."

Even though Kakashi himself hadn't mentioned the meeting at BBQ's, it still happened in the middle of a public place. Somebody must've heard it because word travelled had about the words that were spoken at the table. It wasn't his intention, but it seemed as if the Harunos were still paying for their sins against his wife. The young man that still dwelled within him was practically giddy about this news: it was one of his childhood dreams finally coming to fruition. However, the majority of himself didn't really care. Mizuka and his children were safely under his watch, the same as Sakura and her new child were about to be. He had no intention of sending Sakura and her baby back to the Harunos', and he would do whatever he could to keep it that way.

"Is that them?"

A slow moving figure was approaching the gate alone, holding a bundle closely.

"If that's her, then Sasuke didn't come."

They both walked out to meet her. As they approached, Kakashi could see that she was completely broken: her face was pale, her body appeared to be exhausted, and her face was puffy with tears.

"Sakura..."

Shizune took the bundle from her gently and, as soon as her body no longer had the responsibility of her newborn, she collapsed. Kakashi caught her before she hit the ground. As she fell, he could see smeared blood on her inner thighs. Shizune saw it as well.

"They need to go to the hospital, Kakashi."

He picked the limp Sakura up, cradling her exhausted body in his arms, and followed Shizune.

***

At the hospital, people began to buzz around as soon as the group arrived. Healers, who were friends and aquaintences of Sakura's came out of the rooms and offices to see what was going on. One of the senior healers motioned for them to follow her, leading them to a room down a quieter corridor. Kakashi laid his exhausted sister-in-law down onto the bed. The healer checked her pulse before she began to hook the machines up.