Chapter 13

a/n: Welcome to the finale! Its been a year in the making. Things have even surprised me with this fic… I usually have a rough idea of where I want it to go… but the bunnies don't always comply with the schedule! Anyway, thanks for coming along for the ride with me! I hope you will drop in again for another crack dream fluffy fic!

So, this is for all the reviewers! I hope you enjoy!

"So that's it then?" The normally hyper nin said in a solemn voice he rarely used. A single tear fell down his cheek before he could successfully wipe it away.

Sakura nodded and used a soft handkerchief to try and stop the flow of tears escaping her eyes. It didn't help too much. The hospital room was quiet as they both stood near the lone bed amongst a sea of medical machines and trays used to try and save the occupant.

"Sakura, nothing could have been done…" He said trying to comfort the woman at his side. Opening his arms, he let her come in for a supportive hug. "He gave a good fight…"

"Why?" she sobbed into the dark shirt of the orange-haired man. "What did he ever do to anyone? I…"

"Sakura… everyone feels bad about this… but… I guess some good can come from this." Patting Sakura on the back, he let her go and moved to the head of the bed. Picking up the white sheet and covering the tiny child.

"Rest in peace little guy."

Turning back to Sakura he squeezed her shoulder before walking towards the door. And he did hope that Kouhei could rest in peace. There was nothing anyone could have done. The fall had hurt the tiny child more than any of the other scratched and bruises he had sustained during the ordeal. There was just nothing one could do to heal a spinal injury. Although the little guy tike had fought to stay alive for several days, the odds were just too great.

"I will miss you…and I know he will too…" He heard her soft voice whisper to the child's body.

Stopping at the door of the room, Naruto turned.

"Come on. The doctors said Sasuke-teme is going to be out of the ICU today. I'm sure you'll be the first one he wants at his bedside."

"He hasn't regained consciousness yet…"

"I'm sure he will soon. The Hokage has been in there helping to heal the damage that the idiot did to his chakra levels… your boyfriend is really messed up, you know this?" Naruto smiled as Sakura slowly smiled as she joined him near the door.

"Yeah…"

"But I guess that he wouldn't be Sasuke without all that stuff, right?" Naruto shook his head. "A normal human being would have been dead just stepping out of the gates… I never knew the Uchiha bloodline was that strong. It's scary to think he never used it against us before…"

"You two need to stop competing against each other and holding grudges. It's always been rather annoying… you'll turn out to be like Kakashi-sempai and Gai-sempai…."

"Well, if he promises to be nice and keep you happy, then I guess I can let up a bit." Naruto smiled putting his hand on her back, leading her away from the room. They would still mourn the loss of little Kouhei, but at the moment, other things were important too...

They walked down the hallway towards the rooms that Sasuke would be transferred to. Once there they found the Hokage leaning against the wall looking rather tired. Her long blond hair didn't seem to shine like it usually did, and there were bags under her eyes.

"Are you ok?" Naruto asked walking up to the leader of Konoha.

"I've helped him all I can…" She said looking at Sakura with sad eyes. "He ripped through the barrier I created… I am not sure how… it's definitely the first time anything like that has happened to a jitsu of that level… he's lucky he's alive." She sighed.

"How is he?" Sakura asked holding her hands in a silent prayer.

"He's alive… I'm not sure what the damage is going to be… his chakra levels won't be the same ever again. And I can only assume there will be long term effects."

"Sasuke won't let that stop him. Don't worry Sakura. Give him a few months of rest, and he'll be up and causing problems in no time." Naruto tried to make her feel better. "Besides with you as a medical nin, he'll be just fine."

"Yeah, he's a survivor." Sakura nodded feeling better already. "I'll read his charts later, but can I see him now?"

"Go on in. He's been released from the ICU. Doctors will monitor him, but he still has not woken up." Sakura thanked her teacher once again. The older woman was getting used to the hugs from the pink haired girl; they seemed to happen more and more frequently.

There was a period after the young nins had left to go and help Sasuke that she was really concerned with her decision to release him from the limiter jitsus. However seeing Sakura smile like she did, make her feel better.

"I'm going to take a rest. I will be in to check on his chakra later." Tsunade gave a weak smile and patted Sakura on the shoulder. "You go and keep him company…"

"Thank you." Naruto said in a voice she rarely heard from him. It was one that was serious and grateful. He too liked seeing Sakura happy.

Inside the room Sakura went immediately to the bedside. His breathing was aided by tubes in his nose; his body was a massive collection of bandages and gauze. Several IVs dripped into tubes connected to his arms.

His face might have been the only place that showed bare skin. Even then there were a few pieces of tape covering a few stitches.

Sitting on the chair she took his hand in hers and began to talk to him. Naruto stood at the door, not wanting to disrupt the couple… Sakura looked up from Sasuke to Naruto still standing at the door.

"How's it going there Sasuke?" Naruto entered the room acting like Sasuke was awake. "You know, even when in the hospital, its hard to see a difference in his demeanor." The nin smiled and got Sakura to do so too. Seeing her smile was worth all the effort.

"So, you going to sleep all day? You've got the best nurse by your side and all you want to do is sleep? What a lame kind of guy…"

"Sh…shuut uppp…" Came a hoarse voice from the bed. Instantly both visitors' attention was on the figure in the bed.

"No… don't move." Sakura warned gently pressing his back into the bed mattress. "Sasuke… you can't be moving yet…"

"See, I knew he would be ok." Naruto smiled cockily.

"Sasuke, are you in pain? Do you need anything?"

"Sakura… what?" The fire in his eyes suddenly grew. "Kouhei…."

Sakura squeezed his hand and looked away.

"I ne…ed to see… him." Sasuke continued. This time Naruto helped to try and keep him in bed.

"You can't..." Sakura's tears stopped Sasuke.

"Sakura?" He reached up his arm to try and wipe away her tears. The IV tubes strained as he moved, but he did not care.

"He didn't make it… I'm so sorry…" She sobbed as she rested her head on his chest. She tried to not hurt his wounds, but that was hard.

Sasuke sucked in the hiss of pain he felt as she tried to seek consoling. He didn't care about that pain… his body was slowly turning numb again.

"He…" Sasuke could not say the words.

"He just passed away a few hours ago. You should be proud of the little guy; he fought to the very end. He wanted to live with you guys…"

"Don't worry Sakura…" Sasuke said wrapping his arms around her as best he could. "We'll get through this…"　He was not sure on who he was trying to console, her or himself.

Recovery… that is what one was supposed to call the time period after a traumatic experience, or physical injury. Recovery was never a fun time for anyone. And it was driving Sasuke crazy.

After several weeks of going half mad with boredom, and annoyance with his frequent loud mouthed visitor Naruto, Sasuke was finally released from the hospital and discharged into the caring hands of the ever present Sakura. Every time he went to physical therapy, she was there. She had stayed by him for it all yet again. Just like she had promised, she was going to stick with him forever.

And now they were going home… Although he was happy to leave the hospital, he was dreading returning there... to his home…

Neither of them had been back there since the morning they left to rescue Kouhei. Well, that was slightly untrue. They had returned to the grounds to place the cremated remains of the tiny Uchiha to rest. Not entering the house, just walking through the gardens, a still weak Sasuke and grieving Sakura with a mix of friends all said their goodbyes.

The Hokage had even attended. It was an awkward situation. As much as Sasuke wanted to forget all that had happened, he had yet to receive an answer to the question of why… Why did they give him Kouhei for such a short time and then decide to take him back? Was he that much of a threat?

No answers came.

Home… Now things were different. They were back in the Uchiha complex to live once more. Entering through the main door, they walked silently into the kitchen and dinning rooms. Every thing was there to remind them of the missing person never to return with them. The one they had failed in saving.

Sakura knew that Sasuke was blaming himself. He was even more quiet and brooding than normal. She prayed he would understand that he had done his best. Hell, he had nearly killed himself. Not to mention causing lasting chakra damage.

He had created massive amounts of power to break through the jitsu of the Hokage and fight in a weakened condition… but he would never again be able to call up those powers. His heart, along with countless other internal organs could not take the strain.

Much to his dislike, he had been grounded for missions for nearly a year. She knew he was going to go crazy. Maybe he could teach a class or two at the school. He needed to keep busy.

Sakura sighed and looked at over at the man she loved. He was looking at the family shrine with a blank look on his face. Fresh incense burned for the loss of Kouhei and the rest of his family. Walking to him, she embraced him from behind; hugging his back tightly to her chest.

Sasuke was broken from his melancholy thoughts with her warm touch. She was all he had left… and he knew that if he lost her, he would forever be lost.

"What do we do now?" He asked sounding lost. It nearly made tears come to her eyes.

"You should get some rest." She replied kissing his neck. "You've been walking a lot so far today and you look exhausted."

"I don't want to rest… I'm sick of doing nothing…" Turning around to look at her, he put his hands on her shoulders.

"Well, we could clean up some of this… and then sit out on the back porch and relax." She offered.

"Yeah… I guess that's a good idea." He said as he walked over and picked up a few of the baby toys lying around the room.

As the weeks went on Sakura began to pull him out of the house more and more. They had already been on several double dates even a triple date once Naruto found out Sakura and Ino had taken their boys out to dinner.

The tension that had been present before was now gone. In some ways nins like Choji and Kiba were more cautious around him, Neiji also seemed to eye Sasuke differently, but the harsh feelings were gone. It might have been out of pity, but none of them would say that. They knew Sasuke would not accept pity.

He had apologized and even thanked the others for trying to help him and that seemed to clear the air. The moral of the group seemed to be back at the levels from the academy, the past could not be forgotten, but it could be forgiven. And relationships mended.

It brought a smile to Sakura's face seeing Naruto joke around with Sasuke from time to time. Often times Sasuke would stay quiet and put up with the crazy stuff their group seemed to do, but from time to time he would join in.

Tonight's plans were not a group event. Sasuke had been pretty adamant about it just being the two of them. Sakura was feeling excited. All week she had tried to get him to tell her more details with this dinner date he had planned.

It was kind of hard to keep a secret from her given that they were now pretty much living together. Sakura spent very little time at her apartment recently, less and less as the weeks went on. She had a feeling she knew what was coming… since that fateful morning when Sasuke had given her the necklace, neither of them had brought up the whole engagement issue…

"Are you sure you aren't reading too far into this date?" Ino asked as the girls sat on the porch of the Uchiha house. They were having a mini picnic admiring the beautiful garden on the property. She had never known that Sasuke was the gardening type. But after helping him weed the garden, she found out it was something his mother loved. And it was something he kept up in memory of her.

"I can just feel it in my gut." She said with a smile. "You know the butterfly feeling, where you are somewhere between anxious and excited. Don't you ever get that way with Shikamaru?"

"I guess…" The blond girl smiled seeing her friend so happy and bubbly. Over the last few weeks, the bright smile on her face was a constant. Everyone had noticed it. She definitely was glowing with happiness.

"Well, I know that tonight is going to be special. I can feel it. And I won't have you bring my spirits down." Sakura smiled.

"Well, where is your wonderful man at the moment?" Ino asked looking around the empty house. She had been there only a few times, but she could already tell the 'Sakura Touches' that had changed the large house. These two were definitely ready for the next step.

"He's talking with the Hokage about getting back on the council of elders. He is head of the Uchiha clan after all. And I think it will help him."

"He's still not strong enough to go on missions?"

"He's getting there. It's amazing how fast he is getting back to normal. I guess it's because he is stubborn."

"And he has a great coach who is just as stubborn at times." Ino winked giving Sakura a light poke on the shoulder.

"We work well together."

The two girls continued to talk and jab at each other until they heard the front door open and close.

"And there is your husband." Ino laughed seeing the look on Sakura's face. "You are so easy to fluster." She added as she stood up.

Sasuke walked out to the porch, several bags in hand.

"Ino." Sasuke nodded in a greeting. Sakura jumped up and gave him a quick kiss welcoming him back home.

"You went shopping?" Sakura sounded rather surprised.

"Well, you needed something new to wear tonight, didn't you?" He said handing her one of the boxes. "You've been complaining on how you needed new clothes."

"You have him trained. If only mine could be that proactive." Ino sighed. "Well I will let you two get ready for your date. Remember me sitting at the ramen shop when you two are having a quiet night." With a hug, Ino took her leave and Sakura when upstairs to change.

The blind fold kept her from seeing where Sasuke was taking her. She knew they were still in the house grounds, and the soft grass at her feet told her they were moving out towards the small lake on the property.

It was Sasuke's favorite place, or so it seemed to be. He was there near the docks training and doing exercises pretty much everyday. It was a peaceful place.

"Just where are we going?" Sasuke smiled at her question. He was not going to tell her just yet. He had been working hard for several days to get this night right. She would have to wait a few minutes longer.

"You'll see. No, don't you dare touch that blindfold." He said close to her ear. She had reached up for the obstruction of her view, but she stopped.

"This is not like you…" She smiled fully enjoying how romantic he was trying to be for her. "Not that I mind, I actually like it a lot."

"Well, It is going to be a special night…" He told her as they both stopped. "Ok, we're here."

Slowly taking off the blindfold, Sakura was granted access to see what he had prepared. And it took her breath away.

There near the dock was a white gazebo. Strung around the posts holding the canopy up, were white lights that reflected perfectly on the water. The sun was setting and soon the lights would be the only source of light for them.

In the center of the gazebo was a table set with a meal that looked picture perfect. Crystal clear glasses sparkled among the abundance of flowers scattered all over the white table cloth.

"You've had a lot of time to work on this." She smiled taking a hold of his hand and squeezing it.

"Well, I seem to be on the injured list. So yeah, I do have time." He smiled. "Besides, you seem to have high expectations for me, so… I guess I gotta surprise you when I can." Kissing her hand he led her closer to the table.

"Just don't expect this all the time." He pulled out the chair for her and Sakura happily sat down.

The two ate the meal of simple roasted chicken and vegetables. Sasuke was no professional chef; however, he was a good cook. More often than not, since he was let go of the hospital he found himself cooking for her and growing to like it.

Sakura had gone back to her normal job at the hospital, so he was the one with more time on his hands. It was true that he had planned greatly for tonight. Tonight had to be perfect… she deserved this…

"So how was your day?" He asked watching her eat a bit of her chicken.

"It was alright." She said putting her fork down.

"Are you ok? You seem really tired? You want to do this another night?" He asked a little concerned.

"No, I'm fine. I just had a long week. That's all. Sorry to spoil the mood." Sakura took a sip of her champagne.

"Nah, its ok… I'm not really good at this kind of thing…" He stood up. "So I am going to just do this now…"

Sakura watched as he walked over to her and got down on one knee. It was perfect: the mood, the night, the way he was looking at her, the emotion in his eyes… she felt like she was going to faint.

"Saukra… It's always been you in my heart… even when I didn't have the courage to admit it… so… would you…" His mouth went dry. He knew this was right. Having her there with him had made his life happy even during the dark times. So why was this so hard?

Emotions, he thought to himself. He was just not good with them. She was helping him work on that… and he loved her.

"Sakura… marry me."

Before he could open the box with the ring that had taken him a week to find, she was on him. Her lips met with his with a passion he never wanted to forget.

"Did I do better this time?" He asked when she finally let him get a breath of air. To which he got another kiss telling him it was an affirmative.

"And you accept? Even without looking at the ring?"

"I don't need a ring to tell me you love me." She said in between kissing his lips over and over.

"Well, I guess I can return this then." He said opening the box and smiling. Inside the dark blue velvet box was a silver ring with several pink colored jewels making the shape of a sakura flower. In the center was a diamond sparkling in the light.

"No… I mean… I love it." She said coming out of her momentary stupor.

Smiling, he took the ring out of the box, and took her hand, placing it slowly on her ring finger, his eyes never left her face. She was in shock, but happy. This made him happy.

They were official then.

He kissed her and never wanted to let her go.

Around 6 years later….

The lush green grass blew in the cool breeze. Under a large tree in a secluded area of town a large blanket was spread out and a man lay dozing with his arms beneath his head. Nothing mattered at the moment.

He was not going to think about anything… Not missions, training nor the countless council meetings that had tired him out. Sometimes he longed for the days before he had been placed back on the active nin list. For now he found himself once again one of the elite members of the Konoha community. It was a good feeling to be needed; to fight to protect the city where his home and now his family lived, but there was a point where any sane man would begin to feel the pressures.

Sadly there were some things that could not and would not be overlooked. Even on this, a "relaxing" day with his family.

His family… it felt good to say that. His family.

Six years had gone by like a flash. He had grown older in physical build and knowledge. His wife, she had become even more beautiful and priceless to him… it was annoying however to have to tell her that frequently… apparently that is what happened with pregnancy or just after marriage in general. Not that he really minded… She just liked hearing him tell her that. If it made her happy...

Smiling he lifted his head off his arms and looked to see Masahiro, their youngest laying next to his side in the baby basket. The dark haired infant was a little older than what Kouhei was when they had first taken him in. It was a time of troubles and infrequent hours of sleep, but they had gotten things under control. They had learned fast.

Turning his head he could see the long pink locks of his wife flying in the gentle breeze as she walked through the fields of green plants and colorful flowers. Her long dress was also moving with the wind a bit and each of her hands were holding on to tinier ones. The twins, Kousuke and Daisuke, both with his dark hair and similar black eyes, were at the point where they were getting good at walking. They enjoyed grabbing hold of their parents' arms, but they could walk on their own just fine. Oh the trouble they would get into. More than once, Sasuke had been at his wits end with those boys. They even gave their Uncle Naruto a scare with their sheer energy and curiosity.

Out of no where their oldest came and jumped on his stomach, reminding him that his relaxing days were not ever going to be a true relaxing day.

"Shouhei…" He gasped for air as he grabbed his son and tried to hold him still. The boy seemed to want to try and bounce on his father's stomach.

"Dad… you can't sleep now! It's a picnic!" The boy said looking down on his father. "Mom, told me to wake you up."

"She did, did she?" Sasuke looked over at her smiling. She was trying to hold back a laugh. Their oldest was just a little under 6 years old. Little had either of them known that when Sasuke had proposed all those years ago, Sakura was already several weeks pregnant with Shouhei. They had both found out about a month or two later when Sakura had first experienced the joys of morning sickness. It was not something either of them enjoyed.

"When are we going to practice the fire jitsu again? I almost got it last time." The boy asked. Somewhere the boy had heard about some of the family's techniques, most likely at school or from their Uncle. Damn Naruto… that man still managed to annoy him quite frequently over the years. Even with his own child to deal with, the Hokage in training still managed to find time for the Uchiha clan.

"Daddy, are you sleeping with your eyes open?"

"Sorry. Daddy was thinking." He said sitting up. There was no use at trying to get a little sleep if even his wife was against him.

"Mommy says you think too much all the time." Sasuke nodded. Sakura had told him that on more than one occasion. He couldn't help it.

"How about you go and bother mommy and tomorrow after my meeting I will train with you again?"

"But we always play then and mommy only lets us do it for a little while… and you have the whole day off today!" The boy's arms make a huge circle emphasizing his point.

"Yeah… I know. But I also have to watch Masahiro. I can't teach you and watch your brother can I?"

"Stupid baby makes everything compukated."

"Complicated." Sasuke corrected. With a sigh he wished there were more hours in the day. He didn't know how his wife made juggling family and work look so easy. For him, granted his jobs were less flexible, it was harder. He made every minute that he was off time for his family… he was not going to have a repeat of his own childhood.

Doing everything he possibly could, he was determined to create a happy environment with no pressure for any of his children to be the newest prodigy or best in their class. It just so happened that his children didn't fall to far from the tree. Each of the three who went to school had shot up the ranks and were already the star students. That had more to do with their mother insisting they study hard than any family bloodline.

Ruffling his son's hair he nodded. He knew a losing battle when he saw one. He had learned early on to never cross a cranky child or moody wife.

"Ok." Sasuke said grabbing his son and standing up. Placing his son on the ground, he looked over to the baby. "Let me put on the baby holder and we'll try it for a little while."

"Yay!" The young boy smiled and jumped with excitement.

We need to get away for some quiet time, he said to himself as he looked over at his wife, who was dealing with the other two. He knew she was thinking the same thing.

"Thank heavens for family!" Sakura smiled as she leaned back on the couch. She enjoyed using her half-asleep husband as a pillow. He was already lying on the large and comfortable couch in the den of the Uchiha house.

"The kids are at your mother's?" He asked as his arms encircled her waist, pulling her closer.

"I don't know how my parents can keep up with them… but I am too afraid to ask and have them say they don't want to take them anymore." She sighed turning a bit to look at his face. The exhausted look was something that she had gotten used to seeing, but it was a happy-exhausted. It was certainly a life changer having kids… especially having four UCHIHA boys; each a ball of energy and curiosity on to themselves.

Sakura closed her eyes as Sasuke's hand began to run through her hair, massaging her scalp.

"Yeah, let's not anger them too much. The only other person who is crazy enough to want to babysit is Naruto… and I'm not about to let that idiot be in charge of my kids." Sasuke began to place kisses along the skin behind her ear causing Sakura to giggle.

"Who are you more worried about Naruto or the boys?" She giggled again as he continued to kiss and nip at her neck.

"Does it really matter? None of them are here now… it's just you and me…" He said in a deep voice rolling them carefully as to not fall off the couch so he was on top. He straddled her hips looking down on her with eyes full of desire.

"You know where this leads…" She sighed as his hands moved down her chest, gently kneading her breasts.

"To the bedroom?" Sasuke smiled kissing her neck.

"To another baby… seriously Sasuke… every time we seem to have time for fun… we end up with another boy who looks just like you." Her voice hinted at a bit of resentment under the pleasure she was feeling at the moment.

"You don't seem to mind the activities leading up to that part… why, you want to try for a girl this time?" To this he promptly got a light slap.

"Only if you carry to term this time… my body can't handle giving you the twenty little Uchihas you seem to want." She said pulling him closer.

Sasuke's hand continued to wander over her body for a time. He could feel himself building up inside… he couldn't help himself where she was concerned. Deep down he knew he was turning into a dirty old man, but she didn't seem to mind. She might be complaining about having so many kids, and yet she didn't put up much of a fight…

His hands continued to tease her, reaching down her legs, he silently began the trek up her legs, only under her dress. She panted as he brought her to climax with his skillful fingers. Afterward, his hands settled on her abdomen. He had always enjoyed feeling the baby inside while she was pregnant. Often time he would fall asleep with his hands gently placed there.

Sakura gave out a hiss of annoyance as he suddenly stopped his ministrations.

"Um… Sakura…" He looked into her eyes. He was unsure of if he wanted to ask the question that just came into his mind.

"What's wrong?" She asked looking at him the haze of pleasure not going away, but lessening.

"You said you got rid of your baby fat from Masahiro, right?" He asked uncertainly and with almost a shaky voice.

"Yes." She replied not knowing where this question was going. "Why?"

"Um…" He took her hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. At first she was unclear of his actions… why would he… then her eyes caught his in understanding…

"I can't be… I mean… I haven't had any morning sickness like the other times… Sasuke…."

He cut her off with a kiss to the lips. Granted they would have to wait till the morning to do a test to make sure… but a little early celebration wouldn't hurt, right?

"Happy baby number 5!"

A/n: And they all lived happily ever after. On a side note, the population of the Uchiha clan never had any issues afterward…

Well, it has been a year for me to get this fic done. Sorry for the delays, other things did come up- you know how life can be… Usually it doesn't take quite this long, but hopefully it was worth the wait.

Thanks for reading! and Reviewing! ( I do so love them)

SasuSaku forever!