The Fragile

A.N. Thanks to all those who have read. Especially to those who have reviewed!! Of course thanks to my hubby who beta’s my work. Love you!

Disclaimer: The characters in this fanfiction are the property of Masashi Kishimoto. Sadly, I do not own.


Chapter 9


Kakashi had returned from his mission weary. Not because the mission was strenuous, but because he was on emotional overload. He never imagined that he would lose so much sleep over a woman. Especially a woman that wasn’t his. He realized sadly that was because he never had any genuine feelings for a woman before beyond that of a friend or just a suitable lay. These feelings were foreign, and making him feel very much on edge. He just didn’t know how to handle them. Shikamaru wasn’t sure what to make of Kakashi. The last week of the mission, Kakashi was always lost in his thoughts or unprepared. He could tell that Kakashi was merely using his worn copy of Icha-Icha Paradise to mask his distraction. It was very unlike him.

Kakashi had yet to see Sakura. He was hoping that she might cool down and talk to him, but no such luck. He figured that this was just karma. Of all the times that women had wanted more than just sex with him and he denied them. Now it seemed that he was the one wanting more and he couldn’t have it. He could only hope that she would come around. He spent his day off at home. At least there he didn’t have to hide his emotional state-of-being. He spent most of the day just staring off into space or trying to get some sleep.

The next morning Kakashi reported to headquarters to see about any available missions. What he found when he got there was mayhem. The Hokage was in an uproar and shinobi were scurrying around doing various tasks assigned to them. He approached Tsunade to find out what he could do to help.

“Hokage-sama, what is going on?” He asked

“Kakashi, perfect! How soon can you pack your things and be ready to go?” She asked. More like demanded.

“What for Hokage-sama? What’s happened?” Kakashi could feel the tension in the air. It was almost tangible.

“Haruno Sakura has been kidnapped. By Uchiha Itachi no less. It seems that the Akatsuki are tired of waiting for Naruto to appear. They want the Kyuubi, and they figure that Naruto will be stupid enough to rescue her.”

Tsunade could visibly see the blood drain from Kakashi’s face. Even his mask could not hide his shock.

“When did this happen?” Kakashi would have scorned himself for his uneven voice were it not for the fact that he was beyond the point of caring.

“We received a letter this morning concerning the situation and negotiations. The Kyuubi in exchange for Haruno Sakura. Apparently she was taken two days ago. I had given her a few days off. Since she was not expected anywhere no one reported her missing.” She explained. “They will send another message in a few days with further instructions.”

Kakashi was busy trying to digest this information when Tsunade broke into his thoughts.

“Will you head this mission?” She asked him.

“Of course, Hokage-sama.” He said respectfully, but inside, his mind was racing. He had to get Sakura back. He could never live with himself if he did nothing and she ended up getting hurt, or worse. And besides, it might earn him brownie points with her; at least enough to get him back into her good graces.

“Excellent. Meet me in my office in one hour for a mission briefing.” She turned abruptly toward her office and started shouting orders to random shinobi passing by.

Kakashi prepared his things in record time and returned to headquarters and waited outside the Hokage’s office door. Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba and Nara Shikamaru joined him shortly. Kakashi mentally assessed his team as they waited. He assumed that they knew what was going on. He regarded Shino for a moment. Was Sakura seeing him? He was sorely tempted to ask. But he knew for the sake of the mission that there didn’t need to be any undue stress.

Tsunade bellowed a loud “ENTER!” that was loud enough to slightly vibrate the walls and floor. They stood before her at her desk as she began her briefing.

“As you all know, Haruno Sakura has been taken by the Akatsuki. They have made their negotiation terms. We cannot allow them to gain control of the Kyuubi. Therefore, we MUST retrieve Sakura. There is no room for mistakes here. Kakashi will lead the team. Shikamaru will be his second. You will leave immediately after this meeting is adjourned. Do you have any questions?”

“No Hokage-sama!” They said nearly in unison.

“Good! Kakashi, stay here. The rest of you wait outside.” She ordered. Shino, Kiba and Shikamaru did as instructed and waited outside for Kakashi. He stood expectantly, waiting for her further instructions.

“There is something else that you need to know about. The others need not know.” Kakashi’s brow arched in silent question. ‘What could this be?’ he wondered.

“We need this mission to go quickly and smoothly. Sakura is not in any condition to be in this predicament much less getting involved in any combat. Your team should handle all fighting. I trust that you can handle this?”

“Hai, but what is wrong with Sakura?” His brows knit in confusion.

“She is pregnant.”

Kakashi stopped breathing, eyes wide. “Pregnant?” He whispered, not believing his ears.

“Hai, just over two weeks.” She replied.

Kakashi did the math in his head. His heart skipped several beats and he felt ready to faint. ‘It’s mine…. it’s mine… Sakura’s pregnant and it’s mine…’ He prayed to whatever god would listen that he would be able to keep himself and his team together long enough to get Sakura home safely. Then he could ponder this new situation with a clear head. But he knew better. There would be nothing else on his mind for a long time to come.

“I suppose that I don’t need to tell you that if the Akatsuki were to discover her situation then it will be grave indeed. They can use it as more leverage to try and get to Naruto. Not to mention that they may consider her state an inconvenience and terminate the child.” She spoke honestly

Kakashi felt an obscene amount of rage at that thought. He was still in a state of absolute shock about being a father, but the thought of someone killing his unborn child was too much. He swore at that very moment that if Sakura or their unborn child was harmed that he would gladly murder each and every one responsible. And he would take great pleasure in doing it, too. He wasn’t ‘the master of a thousand jutsu’s’ for no reason.

“Hokage-sama, I WILL return with Sakura. Of that you can be sure.” He stated. “Is there anything else?”

“No. I expect a full report on your return. If chance allows, update me on any progress, but not at the cost of time or the mission. Just do what you need to do. I trust you.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama.” He turned and left.

Tsunade had watched Kakashi’s emotions during the briefing. It was odd how much he was conveying with only one eye. He was usually in control of his emotions. But he could not hide them today. Why was it that this was affecting him so? It was giving her another one of those gut feelings, and she was willing to bet money that he knew something that he wasn’t letting on, and she was a gambler by nature.

Kakashi felt the pressure as they set out on their mission. There was more than one life at stake here. Another thought crossed his mind as they made their way to Sakura’s apartment. Shino and Kiba were chosen for their excellent tracking abilities. But unlike Shino who relied on his insects, Kiba’s own sense of hearing and smell were very acute for a human. Was it possible that she smelled different? If so, would he realize just who’s
smell was mingling with hers? He didn’t want to consider what that might mean. He fervently hoped that he would leave the tracking to his dog, Akamaru. Kakashi groaned out loud as he realized that Akamaru and Kiba could communicate. This wasn’t looking good for him at all. Perhaps he should be worrying about his own life as well.

End Chapter 9


A.N. Hope this is to everyone’s liking. Please leave a review.