(I do not own any rights to Naruto or anything related to Naruto)
Prologue
"Sasuke, gently now." A soft voice chided the tuff of raven hair draped over her plump belly. A soft "hn." was the only reply to the woman as the head began to stir. Until, very slowly it tilted up to expose the pale face of the older Uchiha. His thin lips were stretched into its usual smirk as the mismatched eyes glimmered with playful intensity. "Any day now, Sakura… Any day and you'll give birth to my child." Hearing such words from the usually stiff male brought a rosy tint to the woman's cheeks as she suppressed the urge to squeal in childish delight. If only her younger self could see her now. Sasuke chuckled quietly at his wife's look of blissful idiocy. "You're still annoying." He murmured quietly in his cool tone before leaning over to place a tender peck on her lips. It was the only way to keep the hot tempered woman from socking him in the jaw. But it didn't fully erase her irritated frown. Something he enjoyed seeing from time to time. Gathering himself to his feet, the older male moved towards the closet. He needed to get going. He had wasted far too much time already. Then again, this would be the last time he would see Sakura ripe with his child. It brought a coy grin to his face as he pulled his black cloak over his broad shoulders. "You're leaving already?" Sakura slowly sat up- one hand caressing her stomach. His green eyes wavered between disappointment and shock. "I must Sakura… As I do every year." Sakura sighed bitterly before nodding. She should be used to it by now but she had hope that this year Sasuke would put his road to redemption on hold. She had hoped he would stay by her side and be there to watch their child be born into the world. "I will be back soon..." Before Sakura could respond, she felt a familiar tap to her forehead. It almost brought tears to her eyes as her trembling hands reached out to grasp onto her husband's arm one last time. With a sad smile, she looked up to find Sasuke's eyes before hers. For a moment the two remained silent as they took in the sight of the other. Until very slowly, the two parted. As she watched him walk out the door, her fingertips began to stroke back and forth her side. "Your father will be back soon… Then, we will be a family."