3rd Person's POV

Rescuing Sasuke was a failure. With the help of the Sand Siblings, everyone who participated in saving Sasuke was taken back to the village to be treated. Kakashi and other recruits retreived Naruto and Haru and were taken to the hospital as well. 

Even though the mission was a failure, everyone survived. 

Haru's POV

I started regaining consciousness as I found myself in the hospital. "Naruto... Naruto! Naruto!" I yelled as I sat up. "Calm down, Haru! You're safe! You're home!" Kakashi said as he braced my shoulders.

"Naruto! Where is he? Where's my son?" I asked, desperately as I grabbed his vest. "He's fine. He's in the other room, resting." Kakashi explained. 

"Take me to him! Let me see Naruto!" 

"Haru, your wounds need to heal."

"What wounds? I'm not injured!"

I grunted slightly as I held my stomach in pain with one hand. But how is that possible? I didn't get injured. "Haru, you must rest. You haven't healed yet." Kakashi repeated. "I don't care! Forget about me! I want to see Naruto! Now!" I said, stubbornly.

Kakashi took my request and took me to Naruto. Almost all of his face was bandaged as he rested in the hospital bed. "Oh, Naruto..." I whispered with a hand over my mouth. Tears began to swell at the brim of my eyes as I saw the condition he was in. 

"I was supposed to protect him, and I failed. I'm a terrible mother. Not only did I let Naruto get hurt, but I hurt everyone else as well. It's all my fault." I whispered. "You didn't fail, Haru. He's still alive. Everyone's still alive. They're all going to be okay." Kakashi said. 

I grunted again when my stomach started hurting again. "Come on, let's get you back to your room." Kakashi said before guiding me back to my room. When we got there, I looked in the mirror and saw that my head was bandaged and I had a gauze patch on my cheek. 

But how is that possible? Why am I in pain when I didn't sustain any injuries? Kakashi helped me into bed and I sat up. "What's wrong?" He asked. "I'm just... a little confused." I answered, hesitantly. "About what?" He questioned. 

"It's... kind of hard to explain." 

"You just need to take it easy for a while,"

Kakashi pulled down his mask enough to reveal a bit of his mouth and kissed my forehead ."Get some rest, Haru." He said with a smile before pulling his mask back over his mouth and nose. I smiled a bit and left. 

Once he was gone, I frowned slightly and looked around. "All right, Setzoku. Where are you? Show yourself right now." I ordered. "I thought I told you before that you were in no position to give me orders." He said as his voice echoed off the walls.

A tall flame rose from beside me and Setzoku appeared. "What is it?"

"What did you do to me? How did I get these injuries?" I asked with a frown.

"Isn't it obvious? I gave you those injuries. I didn't beat you up of course. I simply casted a spell that made you sustain a few injuries. Your body had to have some wounds on you when the ninjas found you. It'd be strange if they found you unconscious with no wounds of the sort." He explained. 

"But why did you shut down my body? Why let Naruto fight Sasuke alone?" I asked. "Like I told you before, it wasn't your battle. Therefore, it had nothing to do with you." Setzoku said. I looked down at the sheets, but didn't say anything.

"Is that all?" He asked. "Just about." I answered. "In that case, I'll be taking my leave." He said before disappearing with an orange flame surrounding him. I lied back down in bed and locked my fingers together as they rested on my stomach.

I stared at the white ceiling while thinking about the future. Where will this chapter take place next? With Sasuke gone, what will happen to Squad 7?

*****

Days turned into weeks as weeks turned into months. When I was finally let out of the hospital, I went to Choji's, Neji's, Shikamaru's, and Kiba's houses and apologized to their parents for failing to protect them, including Rock Lee's. Their parents were generous and forgave me.

But I didn't feel forgiven when I've put all of them in danger. After apologizing, I went home and started doing the laundry. As I was putting the clothes in the washer, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind, causing a gasp of surprise to escape my mouth.

"It's only me, Haru." Kakashi assured me. "Of course it is. You startled me." I informed. "Sorry about that. Here, let me make it up to you." He said. He turned me around and pressed his lips against mine, kissing me.

I kissed back, but it was broken momentarily by me as I turned around. "I'm sorry, Kakashi, but I can't do this right now. I have to get this laundry done or Naruto won't have any clean clothes to wear." I said, going back to the laundry.

I flinched when I felt Kakashi's lips on my neck. "Kakashi, we can't... Naruto will be home any minute." I said. My hand went to the back of his head as I moved my head a little, giving him more access, which was a bad idea on my part.

Kakashi's lips brushed over a spot on my neck, making a soft moan leave my mouth. I blushed slightly and glanced back to see Kakashi smirking, so he began sucking on that spot. I moaned softly as I slowly felt myself giving into pleasure.

"Kakashi... Don't... Naruto will..." I trailed off as I felt pleasure taking over my body. Finally, I couldn't fight it anymore, so I turned around and kissed Kakashi, holding his face gently. Kakashi kissed back and licked my bottom  lip for entrance.

I granted it and his tongue slipped past my lips, into my mouth. His tongue roamed my mouth, not leaving one place untouched. "Mom, I'm home!" I heard Naruto call. I quickly broke the kiss while shoving Kakashi away.

"Hello? Is anybody home?" Naruto called. "Quickly! Hide!" I whispered to Kakashi. He did as I said and hid behind the door. "There you are, Mom. I've been calling you." Naruto said as he walked into the room.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you. I guess I was too focused on the laundry." I lied. "That's okay." He said. "You're home pretty early. How did your training with Jiraiya go?" I asked.

"Pretty good. Oh, yeah! Mom, you won't believe this! Pervy Sage wants me to travel with him for more training! But he said I need your permission first." He said.

"That's great, Naruto," I smiled. "Well, you can tell him he has my consent. How long will you be gone?"

"For a while. I'm not sure. Hey, why don't you come with us? It'll save Pervy Sage the trouble from being distracted by other girls." He suggested. I giggled at his joke. "If I were to go with you, then who will keep the house clean?" I joked. "You know this house gets dusty easily."

"Yeah, you have a point," Naruto agreed. "You do all these nice things for me, yet I have nothing to repay you with in return." He somewhat pouted.

I smiled, walked over to him, and placed my hand over his head. "Just your smile is enough to satisfy me. Consider that as your payment." I said, petting his hair. Naruto grinned and hugged my waist. "I'm really gonna miss you, Mom." He said. 

"This isn't goodbye forever, Naruto. We'll see each other. As soon as your training is finished," I told him. I broke the hug and kissed his forehead. "Now, I want you to behave, and if Jiraiya is staring at girls instead of training you, give him a good tug on the ear. Tell him that I told you to do that."

"You got it! Oh, man! I've gotta get packed before Pervy Sage leaves without me!" 

"Then, you better hurry."

"Right!"

Naruto hurried out of the room while closing the door behind him. "Sorry for shoving you like that, Kakashi." I apologized. 

"It's fine," He said, taking a step forward. "So, I'm guessing you haven't told Naruto about us?"

"No," I shook my head. "I haven't gotten a chance to tell him. Mostly because I'm a little afraid to tell him."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Kakashi asked. "Well, I think Naruto will find it a bit strange that his mother and teacher are dating." I mentioned. "I'm sure he'll take it fine." He said.

"I'll tell Naruto eventually. Maybe when he gets back from his training with Jiraiya. Not sure when that'll be though." 

"Mom, I'm off!" Naruto called from he front door. "Excuse me, I would like to see him off." I said before heading to the front door. I saw that Naruto was packed as he stood by the front door. "Why don't I walk you to Jiraiya?" I offered. 

"Sure." He smiled. I smiled back and walked Naruto to where Jiraiya was waiting, which by the Leaf Village Gates. When he spotted us, he waved and we waved back. 

"Jiraiya, promise me you'll look after my son during your travels." I said. "You have my word, Haru." Jiraiya replied. 

"Yeah, Mom! You have nothing to worry about! Believe it!" Naruto said, shooting me a thumbs up. I gave them a closed-eye smile and they headed out on their journey. "There they go." I whispered. Arms wrapped around my waist from behind and instantly, I knew it was Kakashi.

"They'll be fine, Haru." He said. I smiled and rested myself against his chest. "I'm not worried. I have faith... that those two will be safe." I said. 

"Hey, do you have some time on your hands?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because I was thinking we could spend some time together and do some things."

"Oh? And what did you have in mind?"

"I might have a few suggestions. Care to hear them?"

"Indeed."

I giggled when he turned me around to face him and kissed me. "I see you've already taken off your mask for me." I teased. "My mask only comes off for you." He said before kissing me. I kissed him back as he pulled me closer to him.