Denial
Epilogue
"Sugitani-san?" The maid bowed low as she spoke from the door.
"Yes, Suki?" Maiko looked up from her desk.
"You have a visitor. She is waiting in the living room."
"Thank you. I'll be out in a minute." Maiko said and Suki bowed once more, closing the office door behind her. Maiko looked down at her lists and sighed. She wasn't expecting anyone and she still had too much to do for this kind of distraction. There was a large party at the end of the week, she had renovations in progress in part of the house… just too much going on.
She rubbed her growing belly and climbed to her feet. As she did, the baby started kicking again and she smiled. "Yes, yes, I know, Sakura." She said to her belly. "Dinner is in a little while." They'd verified the sex of the baby just a few weeks ago and by mutual agreement decided on the name.
She made her way down the hall, her mind on the myriad of details involved in the house party. Hiroshi hadn't wanted to do it, but Maiko had insisted she could handle it and she could. She'd felt so much better in the last six months than she had in all those years. She didn't mind having a lot to do now. She no longer needed to sleep so much or take the extra naps. She wasn't too cold or too hot. And all thanks to Sakura.
So as distracted by her thoughts as she was, she didn't register who she was looking at, at first. She stopped dead and stared. "Momma?"
Maiko's mother smiled. "Hello, Maiko."
Maiko launched herself at her mother, wrapping her arms around her. "How? When? Why? I mean…Oh!"
Her mother laughed. "This might explain a little better." She said, handing her a scroll.
Maiko gave her a puzzled look, but took the scroll. She sat on one of the couches in the living room and opened it.
Dear Maiko,
Kakashi and I hadn't been able to give you a wedding gift when we attended your wedding, so I hope that you'll excuse us for being late. As you might see in the picture enclosed, travel for me isn't as easy as it was when we were with you.
Maiko paused at this to open the scroll a little further and a picture fell out. It was of a very pregnant Sakura with Kakashi's arms around her. He was maskless and their hands were resting on her large belly. And on both of them, very easy to see, were wedding rings.
It also took me a bit to convince your mother that I could help her. Seems you come by your stubbornness honestly. Anyway, I was able to treat her in the same way I was able to treat you and she should have no more problems from it. She's promised not to put off seeking help if something goes wrong.
I want to thank you very much for helping us. Because of you, Kakashi and I were able to tell each other of our feelings and find a way to be together. My shishou did pass down discipline, but she was able to make it into a suspension, not a full expulsion. But you should know that we would have accepted that, if it came down to it. Instead, we are together, still shinobi and happier than ever. I can't thank you enough for your help in it.
Our daughter, Maiko, is due in a few weeks. We hope that you enjoy your wedding present and have a very happy long life with Hiroshi.
Sincerely,
Hatake Kakashi and Sakura
"Healed?" She looked up her mother, tears streaming down her face.
Maiko's mother nodded. "Yes. Sakura-chan is a very persistent person. I'm grateful for it. I feel better than I've felt in years."
"I just…wow. And they're naming their daughter after me." She shook her head. "I didn't do all that much. Just talked to them a little."
"That's not how Sakura made it sound. She firmly credits you with getting them on the right road. She did mention something about a really bad bathing suit."
Maiko blushed at this one. "I'll tell you about that later."
"But she said that it was because of you that they were able to do what they needed to." She shrugged and smiled again. "It doesn't surprise me, you've always been a special little girl." She put her arms around Maiko. "Sakura reminds me a lot of you."
Maiko looked down at her belly. "We're naming her Sakura." She smiled.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Now, what can I do to help you?"
A/N: I want to thank all of my readers SOOOOO much for your comments and support!! I enjoyed writing this so much and it really helped to hear what everyone thought and to get the encouragement form you guys.
There will probably be more Kaka/Saku stuff in the future - they're probably my favorite couple. In the meantime, if you don't mind it being a little hotter and including Yamato, check out Training.
Thank you again!!