Lighting the Flame

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or places you may recognize

Chapter 1: Homecoming

"It was a cloudy dark night for the villagers of Konoha, most of whom were already safely tucked into their homes. The two guards at the eastern gate to the village were in a heated match of shouji they almost didn't notice a strange man approaching. Straightening at the last seconds the guards reached for their weapons.

"Relax, it's only me" the stranger called out.

Even though the voice was familiar the guards didn't release their weapons. Sasuke Uchiha sighed. This village would never trust him again.

Raising his hands carefully he entered the light.

"Oh, Uchiha, it's just you" Guard one said.

Just me Sasuke thought, yet he noticed how hands gripped their swords tighter. He held back a sigh, if he wanted to attack Konoha he'd have done it years ago. Heck he'd have left everyone in infinite tsukiyomi. Sometimes he did wonder what it would've been like if he would've went to sleep like everyone else. What would he have dreamt about?

There was a flutter near Sasuke's chest. Sasuke pulled his robes closer to his body as a big wind blew by.

"Is that..."

"Are you going to let me in?" Sasuke asked.

"Y-yes" the guards stammered as they hurried to open the gate.

"Sasuke liked to think that he intimidated the guards but more than likely they didn't want to face an angry Sakura Haurno if they kept her husband standing outside on such a cold night. With a smirk Sasuke entered the village. He swore every time he came back something had changed.

The village want as quiet as it appeared on the outside. People were laughing in shops, couple walking hand in hand on midnight strolls.

A tiny black haied person ran straight into Sasuke's knees almost causing him to curse.

"Sorry mister" the boy said taking a quick step back.

Sasuke took in the thick eyebrows, round eyes, and the bad haircut. He hadn't realized Rock Lee had a girlfriend let alone a kid.

"It's no problem" Sasuke muttered and he continued his treck home. He had been walking for so long he almost forgot what it felt like to sit in a comfy chair or sleep in his own bed.

"Home sweet home" he whispered as he reached Uchiha land. Suddenly excited he quickened his pace.

The light was still on in the kitchen. It was a good thing Sakura was still up, Sasike need her. Sasuke opened the for and entered quickly so not to let a draft in. The dropped his bags on the floor.

"Sasuke?" Sakura cane out of the kitchen wearing an apron. "Sasuke!" She smiled when she saw her husband, dropped her soapy sponge and threw herself into her husbands waiting arms.

Sasuke was so glad to be home he nearly forgot about his bundle. It wiggled as it got smushed between the lovers.

Sasuke took a step back.

"What is that?" Sakura asked hoping it was a puppy or a kitten. Sasuke often bought home gifts for Sarada when he came home.

Sasuke loosened his robes and pulled out the bundle. It wasn't a puppy, it was a baby. The color drained from Sakura's face. Sasuke didn't see it because he was busy checking to see if the baby was still sleep.

"This is Natsu. We're taking him in."

"Is he yours?" It wasn't until those words were spoken that Sasuke looked at his wife. She didn't look happy.

"Sakura" he coded, "does it matter?"

From the look on her face that was the wrong thing to say.

"Does it matter?" She repeated, "does it matter that my husband is gone ten months out of the year? Does it matter that he's missing out on raising his daughter? Does it matter that my husband may or may not have gotten another woman pregnant? Does it matter that I stay here faithfully waiting for you to come home whole you're out doing God know what with God knows who?"

"Calm down Sakura" Sasuke said unable to stop his eyes from rolling.

Sakura huffed, she could not believe the nerve of this man. She took a deep breath. It didn't help.

"Get out" she said so quietly Sasuke wasn't sure he heard her right.

"What?"

"GET. OUT. NOW!"

Sasuke couldn't help it, despite the seriousness of the situation he laughed. The laughs became full on guffaws. Maybe it was the sheer exhaustion taking over bit it was a while before he could stop. "I'm not going anywhere, it's my house. It's late, I'm tired. Let's just go to bed, we can talk in the morning."

Like hell. Sakura's inner self was screaming at her to bash his head in. She opened her mouth to say something but a little voice beat her to it.

"Daddy?"

Sarada stood in the doorway rubbing her eyes.

"Sorry, sweety did I wake you up?" Sakura asked.

Sarada nodded putting on her glasses. "Daddy is home!" Sarada ran into his arms. She was so happy he was finally back. She had missed him so much she wasn't quite sure that she was awake.

Pulling back from the hug Sarada noticed the baby. "Who is this?"

"Your cousin Natsu. He's going to be staying with us" Sasuke replied taking a good look at his daughter. She had gotten so tall, and her hair was a little longer.

"Does this mean you're staying too?" Sarada asked.

"Yes, I'm staying."

Sarada did a little cheer. Her dad was staying home, finally.

Neither one of them noticed Sakura slip out of the room. They both heard the door slam. Sasuke had a feeling he wouldn't be enjoying his bed to tonight. Good thing they owned a comfy couch.

"Come on princess let's get you tucked into bed."

After reading Sarada a bedtime story, Sasuke haunted down her old bassinet, set it up, made a bottle for little Natsu who had woken up, before he finally was able to lie down and sleep. Tonight didn't go exactly as he planned. He should have just told her, gah he was too tired to think. In the morning everything will get fixed.