SALVATION

Chapter 12

"Do you want to take another break?", Kakashi asked worriedly, watching Ankos' every move attentively.

Anko loved this protective side of him, she truly did, but it was the 30th time he had asked her and they were only like an hour away from Konoha.

Rolling her eyes, she told him firmly: "I'm not fragile, Kashi. Let's just go home."

"I could always carry you if you don't want to waste time.", the time traveller told her with a serious expression.

Laughing, Anko took his hand.

"You're crazy!"

"I mean it! I don't want you to over work yourself!"

Itachi watched them with a small smile. He hadn't seen his brother so happy since like for ever and it was truly hilarious to see him act like a love sick puppy. Even though he silently laughed about his brothers overprotective behaviour, he realised he was no better. Ever since he'd found out he'd be an uncle soon, he had been more alert and leery. 

"Is Anko-san injured?"

All of the sudden Tobias walked next to him, wearing a confused expression. 

"I noticed that Commander ordered more breaks than he did even when he was younger."

Amused, Itachi just shook his head and kept quiet.

A few hours later they had finally reached Konoha. The gate guards surveyed them with various expression of confusion. Kakashi had set out with his platoon only two days ago and they weren't expected back for at least a week. It was especially weird since all of them appeared to be in perfect shape and the whole thing look more like a field trip rather than a mission with one of the most powerful shinobis. 

Kakashi acknowledged the gate guards briefly and motioned his platoon that they were free to do whatever before his focus was once more entirely on the purple haired kunoichi on his side. 

Suddenly they were surrounded by a large mass of civilians. Everyone wanted to see the famous Silver Reaper and 7th platoon. It had become a usual occurrence for Kakashi to be followed by a large fan club but it seemed that the number had only increased massively since he had set out for his first mission. 

"Hatake-sama!" 

"Silver Reaper!" 

"Reaper-sama!" 

The masses pressed closer and closer and Kakashi had difficulties to put one feet for the other. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Sasuke glaring at everyone that came too close to Team 7, effectively keeping them away. He had no idea where Itachi was but he guessed the Uchiha had left before the masses could reach him. He was brought out of his thoughts when Anko stumbled as some teenage girls ran into her. 

Frowning, he took a hold of her, pulling her closer to himself. Her forced grin didn't escape his notice, making him anxious. However, nobody else seemed to notice that they made Anko feel cornered. 

Taking matters into his own hands, he lifted her easily on top of his shoulder. 

"Kashi?", she asked him surprised. 

Looking up and gifting her with a smile that caused butterflies to go an a rampage in her stomach, the time traveller told her: "I'll keep you save." 

With a stern expression he pushed his way through the crowd, ignoring everyone except the ones who came too close to her. Those were gifted with an ice cold glare. 

They had almost reached their house, when Anko caught sight of a little shop and what she saw made her think of something brilliant. They had already decided to not keep her pregnancy a secret - that had been one of the topics they had talked about amongst others - but they hadn't talked about how to tell others.