Ch.28: Home Again

(Sakura's POV)

I walked through the familiar streets of my home town.

I couldn't help but notice everyone glancing at us and whispering.

Not only had it been a long time since we have been back but Sasuke was also carrying a baby.

I'm sure we will be the talk of the town.

*Sheesh.* I sighed annoyed at the thought.

*Oh well no changing it.* I thought as we neared the Hokage's Office.

The closer we got the more anxious I seemed to become.

I wondered what Kakashi would think seeing Sarada.

We made our way up the stairs when I heard something coming down the stairs.

"Excuse me, medical staff coming through." I turned to see...

"Natsuki?" I said his name without realizing it.

I instantly regretted that.

I felt Sasuke tense at me saying his name.

*Uh oh...* I thought as I remembered that last time all three of us meet.

"Sakura?! You finally back it's so good to see you..." He stopped when he saw Sarada.

Then Sasuke and him glared at each other for a second.

*This is the worst.* I thought unsure of what I could do.

"Um, well it's good to see you but I have urgent matters to attend. See you later!" Natsuki said as he ran in the opposite direction.

I sighed.

*That was awkward.* I though glad nothing happened.

Sasuke grabbed my hand and continued up the stairs.

"Come on forget him, I want to get this over with quickly so I can go rest." He said sounding annoyed.

We made our way to the door to where Kakashi would be.

Sasuke looked at me as if to ask if I was ready.

I took a breath then looked at him and nodded.

He then knocked on the door.

"Enter." I heard Kakashi say.

We then entered the room.

We where met the shocked faces of Kakashi, Naruto, and Shikamaru.

There was an awkward silence for a few moments.

"Um, hi everyone. We've returned from our mission." I greeted with a hesitant smile.

"Um yes, welcome back you two. I'm glad you've returned safely." Kakashi said as he tried to hide his surprise.

"Sasuke! What are you holding?!" Naruto yelled as he got right into Sarada's face.

Which of course caused her to cry.

I was about to deck him for startling her, but Kakashi beat me to it.

"You should know Naruto." Shikamaru said as he shook his head.

"Well, of course, I know 'what' it is. What I want to know is why Sasuke is holding one?" He said as he scratched his chin.

"That is none of your business loser." Was all Sasuke replied.

I giggled.

It seemed while many things have changed since we started our mission their relationship hadn't changed one bit.

That made me really happy.

"Why you got to be like that Sasuke?" Naruto whined.

(Sasuke's POV)

That idiot had his signature goofy smile on his face.

"Well, I am sure you are exhausted from your travels. We can go over the mission details later. For now, just go and rest." Kakashi interrupted.

Sakura and I turned and bowed.

"Thank you." We said in unison.

*Finally I can get some rest.* I thought as we turned to leave.

When Naruto put his hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, Sakura when is the birthday?" He asked though I could see he was scheming something.

"Huh? It's on March 31st. Why?" She said confused.

I raised my eyebrow at him.

I was equally confused by his question.

*Why does that matter?* I wondered.

He smiled even bigger.

And gripped my shoulder.

He learned towards my ear.

"My son was born on March 27th." He whispered.

He then left still wearing that stupid smile.

*What? Was he really trying to say his kid was better than mine just because he was born first?

...

Wait since when did he have a kid of any kind?!* I thought shocked by the thought.

"Sasuke? What did he say?" Sakura asked.

"It's nothing, forget it. Let's go." I said as I headed to get some rest.

We made our way back to Sakura's apartment.

"Oh wait." Sakura said as she grabbed my leave.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Well, I don't have a bed or anything for Sarada to use." She said as she seemed to be trying to think.

"I can take care of that." I said as I changed our direction.

I lead her to the old Uchiha compound.

"Sasuke what are we doing here?" She asked.

I walked into an old storage shed.

"It should be around here" I said as I started moving boxes around.

(* Sasuke, one day I want you to use this when you grow ?*)

I remembered my mother's words.

"Ah found it." I said as I laid eyes on my target.

"Sasuke, this...it's...beautiful!" She said as tears welled up in her eyes.

"It's just my old crib, it's nothing special." I said confused as to why this would move her to tears.

"No., it is special, very, very special. Look." She said as she pointed to a carving on the crib.

It was my father's penmanship. It was both his and my mother's names.

"I hadn't noticed that before." I said as my fingers traced the letters.

I then pulled out a kunai.

"Sasuke what are you doing?" Sakura said startled.

"Just watch." I said as I began carving into the wood.

When I was finished I showed it to her.

Next to my parent's names, I carved mine and Sakura's names.

She just smiled as she let her fingers trace the freshly carven letters.

"Alright let's head home." I said as I picked it up.

Sakura nodded as we headed back towards her apartment.

It was night by the time we reached our destination.

"I am going to grab a shower before bed." Sakura said as she grabbed a towel.

I just nodded my head.

While she was in the shower I set up Sarada a place to sleep.

I then laid her in there.

"Don't give me that look. Whether you like it or not this is where you are sleeping." I said as I went to lay down.

(Sakura's POV)

"Ah, that was so nice! It's so nice to be home." I said as I exited the shower.

I got some fresh clothes to change into.

When I left the bathroom I looked around to see an empty room.

"Did he go upstairs?" I wondered.

"Hey, Sasuke are you up here?" I said as I entered my room.

Only to see Sasuke and Sarada asleep together on the bed.

*So cute!* I mentally screamed.

I carefully picked Sarada up and laid her in the cradle Sasuke brought.

"There all comfy." I said as I tucked her in.

I then made my way back to the bed and laid down.

I sighed as my body relaxed into the mattress.

And like always I felt a familiar arm snake around my waist and hold me tight.

I smiled at the feeling of his warm chest against my back.

"Goodnight Sasuke." I said as I felt him nuzzle his face into my hair.