Expectation vs. reality

Sakura's kitchen was a total mess. Well, hers and Sasuke's kitchen, but she was the one using it at the moment, so the mess definitely belonged to her.

The day at work wasn't as busy as usual so she was feeling inspired enough to make a nice dinner. On the way home she bought the necessary ingredients, so she wouldn't have an excuse to put it off for some other time. She couldn't remember the time she was at home for so long doing nothing at all, so she busied herself with cooking. Only it didn't go as planned.

The recipe said to put the meat in a large pot. How large was the large from the recipe? Wouldn't it be easier if they wrote the exact volume of the pot?

Every time she would put on an apron, the obstacles were the simplest things such as the pot size, portion size, right temperature and, naturally, the right timing.

Her mom's instructions weren't helpful. Her answer to everything was that it depended on the people's preference. And yes, on the size of the pot. And about the timing, well, the cook had to taste the meal.

The first step for Sakura's attempt to cook dinner was to find the most suitable recipe. Reading more than one cookbook didn't help her much because she was looking for a healthy, but tasty dish, not too complicated to make, meat and vegetables included. It also had to be possible to make by using two pots, three tops, and not too much cutlery because she hated doing the dishes. Well she wasn't fond of the housework in general. Either way, she got onto it tonight and she would succeed.

Maybe she should measure the rice first. The recipe said half of a cup per person, but she thought her husband ate more than an average person. Although if she doesn't make a tasty meal, she will have more spoiled food to throw away.

In the neighborhood, the local restaurant's owner held a cooking class for beginners, but Sakura was concerned somebody would recognize her and make fun of her non-existing cooking skills.

This way only her husband knew she didn't know to cook. But he knew that before they got married and he proposed to her twice, so it definitely wasn't a trait he was looking for in his future wife.

She had other qualities he liked and her wish to learn to cook was a bonus. And according to the books she has been reading lately, the ones about motherhood and childcare, home cooked meals were good for the newborn.

Sakura was counting on more time for learning, the books said getting pregnant wasn't as easy as it seemed after the use of a birth control, but the latest news about her best friend proved the opposite.

The pregnancy test Orochimaru had found in Ino's locker couldn't be a coincidence. If Ino suspected she was pregnant and it happened unplanned, why would she keep a test in her locker so everyone could see it? Anybody else could have found it and it would be revealed Ino was expecting. And since she didn't keep it somewhere in her apartment and hide it from others, it was obvious she wanted a baby. Of course, Sakura didn't want to be the one telling Orochimaru, especially not after learning about his negative view of children and pregnancy.

It would seem more likely for her and Sasuke to succeed first since they were constantly at home, and actually working on it, so maybe Ino decided to have a baby long before her friend. And it wasn't unusual to feel motherly, Sasuke's mother had the first child when she was a bit older than Ino and Sakura. And five years later, she had another one.

Huh. That meant Mikoto told the news to her husband twice and she got fat two times. Also she talked Fugaku into having babies. Or it was other way round, because Sakura's father-in-law wanted an heir. Despite taking care of one child, they decided to have another one. Or it just happened, when they didn't think too much about it, all alone and-

Okay. Now Sakura had to stop imagining the scene where two main characters were naked and also Sasuke's parents. So disturbing.

Sakura didn't plan how many kids would be enough, but she had a feeling Ino would be delighted in case she was expecting twins. That meant two children at the same time who would be as twice as active, so the mom would lose the extra pounds in no time.

Once you decide to have a baby, a weight gain is a minor concern. Or no concern at all, in Sakura's case.

Except twins, Orochimaru mentioned her job as well and made her think about it.

She read all those books and she couldn't remember one saying that the mothers were obligated to stay at home. She didn't expect she would work as much as now, especially not within the first months when the feeding had to be performed every two to three hours, but afterwards, she would return to her routine. Or maybe not?

She could always ask the actual mothers, but the only ones she knew were her own and Sasuke's. She refused to discuss children with them because of the obvious - they would be too supportive and present the motherhood as the most beautiful time of a woman's life and probably encourage her to have babies as soon as possible. Or worse, blurt out about it in front of her husband.

The only person to whom she talked about children was Orochimaru and his opinion was too pessimistic. It was impossible that having a baby consumed so much time so she would have to stop working. That was only a small human, how hard could it be?

She could return to work soon, there were kindergartens and she was sure both grandmothers would gladly offer their help by taking care of the grandchild.

They had experience, they were housewives and raised their children successfully.

Huh. Housewives.

Sakura would suck at it because the recipe said the meal would be done by now and it was still having the strange white color while she was stirring it on the stove.

Maybe the fire wasn't strong enough. Maybe she skipped the ingredient. Or maybe she should just give up.

She could cook eggs, meat, simple soups, but her mother-in-law was preparing the whole feast! Whenever they would attend dinner at Sasuke's parents' and Sakura asked for the recipe, Mikoto was explaining the cooking process in a way Sakura would understand every fifth word. Sakura was aware every skill took time, but if she would need twenty years to learn to cook, then she would focus on something else.

She would ask Hinata for help and tips, because former Hyuuga heiress was pretty skilled when it came to cooking, but her sister-in-law was rarely available for casual meetings when at home. She was happily married and a successful team leader and relaxing gathering with friends or in-laws was almost impossible to arrange.

It was strange that the two heirs from two traditional families didn't decide to have their first child yet. Sakura didn't hear Hinata was in search for a substitute, so that must have meant she wasn't planning a baby. It would be irresponsible towards the baby to continue with dangerous missions while potentially pregnant. That also bothered Sakura in her theory about Ino's pregnancy, because she has been away from home longer than a couple of days and the baby's health and safety should be a priority.

Possible pregnancy was the main reason for cooking tonight.

In not so distant future, Sakura hoped, on the menu will be fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and fish, prepared with as less grease as possible and deep fry was strictly forbidden. Alcohol was also out of the question, but she preferred water anyway. She hated to remind herself the liquor didn't do her good and-

She heard the motion in front of the door. She wiped the hands in case the doorbell rang. Maybe her friends came to visit or maybe-

''Hey,'' Sasuke's voice was coming from the hallway.

''Hey,'' she greeted her husband.

His footsteps ended in the living room, Sakura concluded when he didn't get to the kitchen.

''In here!'' she yelled to reveal where she was.

''Whoa! What is going on here?'' Sasuke asked when he reached the kitchen.

''What does it look like?'' she smiled, stirring the meal.

''If I didn't know you, I would say you are cooking, but-''

''Very funny!'' she interrupted, knowing he was teasing her.

''If it's not ready yet, I will have a quick shower, okay?''

Sakura peeked under the lid and shrugged.

''I will be down in five minutes,'' her husband informed her and disappeared through the door.

If she didn't decide to waste time on cooking, they would get down to business in five minutes. Or maybe in the shower, as if they were just married, Sakura remembered with a smile.

After a dreamy wedding, Sakura didn't expect anything less from her married life. The plan for their wedding was anything but ordinary, but it turned out perfect.

Ino never revealed what kept her away from home for ten days, but Sakura was panicking for no reason because her friend, the maid of honor, already had a few ideas to present to the nervous bride.

From her childhood days, Sakura was dreaming of a big wedding, huge cake and lots of guests. That was before she experienced it closely and that was while being Hinata's maid of honor. Ino suggested and Sakura agreed to organize an intimate ceremony with family and close friends who would attend a relaxed party afterwards.

The date was set so there wasn't time to be picky about anything else. The band was available, the catering could order food for less people, so Sakura and Ino counted every guest. The reception halls were either expensive or occupied on the desired day, so they had to get creative.

It wasn't as glamorous as Itachi and Hinata's, because no wedding would ever be, but it was planned exclusively for them.

The Academy was the major part of their education, they met there, spent their first moments together and attending the same school predestined their life, both private and professional and Ino's idea was to redecorate the classroom as the place for the ceremony. Sakura disliked that idea, but Ino refused to suggest another possible place before Sakura saw the room adjusted to the wedding ceremony.

White tablecloths with the matching flowers, illuminated with bright yellow lights, with soft music, the old classroom had better atmosphere than any other place. It was large enough so the guests wouldn't feel trapped, but it was small enough so they were close to one another. Also many of their friends sat in that very classroom and it brought so many memories.

Since one of their teachers was about to marry them, it was natural to get back to the school days, when they were pretending they were adults, up to every task, so now, when they were taking the new step on their life path, Sakura found it perfect to do so by leaving the school once again.

The party was held on the playground. The tent was keeping guests together, so nobody felt neglected and the small band was playing the best dancing songs.

It was better than Sakura imagined.

Ino kept everyone and everything under control; nobody got terribly drunk, the meals were served according to the schedule, guests didn't fight or complain and both she and Sasuke could enjoy their special day. In spite of the other duties she had to take care of, the maid of honor made Hokage dance with the bride and while they danced, Sakura spotted a cute girl talking to Naruto! She should have known, since they both attended the wedding, that the girl was one of the Sasuke's relative's date for the occasion, but who knows what future might bring. Temari didn't let Ino dance with Shikamaru but this time because they wanted to leave earlier since Temari arrived to Konoha on that very day. Neither Itachi and Hinata stayed too long; they loved dancing more than anything, but both of them were going on a trip the following morning.

Sasuke ignored the tradition so they lived together two weeks before the wedding. They moved in as soon as they found this beautiful house.

It was big enough for more than one child, and Sasuke was the one who insisted to buy it, so it must have meant he was planning having children in the future, right? Nothing about Sasuke implied he didn't want kids, but he never explicitly said he couldn't wait to become a father.

It was a logical next step. Dating, moving in together, wedding, having a baby.

Orochimaru was right about the one thing – the more she was delaying, the more nervous she was becoming. Orochimaru also reminded her about the loan for the house, it would take several years to pay it off. Maybe they couldn't afford having a baby just yet, especially if she would have to stop working. But she would try not to. It wasn't impossible to go to a hospital in the evening, when Sasuke was at home, patients needed constant care. Only she didn't feel like going to work now and with the baby, she would have to be on her feet the whole day without a single break. Or maybe she would sleep at the same time baby would. The books didn't specify that part, naturally, because every mother was different and had a different occupation. But the main occupation would be her child, she would be a dedicated mother for sure. She would definitely find a balance between a professional career and motherhood. She would probably have to give up on long-lasting missions, to be at home with the child. Consequently, that meant Sasuke would have to work more so their income could remain the same. And with the child, the saving wasn't an option - their baby would have everything and that must be the best!

Sakura wondered if Sasuke noticed any of her hints. There were entirely different groceries in their fridge; fruit and vegetables, almost no canned food of any kind. And lately she started consuming additional vitamins which were great for the baby and for the mother too. And a blind man would notice how much time they were spending in the bedroom.

Sasuke's voice interrupted her thoughts.

''Where did you put my blue shirt?'' he yelled from the upstairs.

''Which blue shirt?'' Sakura yelled back.

''You know, the one that got dirty last week.''

''Did you check the dirty laundry basket?''

''It is still dirty?''

''Why do you need that shirt anyway?''

''I don't, I was just asking.''

Didn't he know the laundry didn't magically wash itself? She has been busy. If he needed that particular shirt for some reason, he could have washed it himself.

Or just sit at the dinner table shirtless, she wouldn't mind. And that would definitely made her forget he probably got the bathroom all wet and left it that way because he expected she would dry it instead of him.

She was tolerating her husband's sloppiness because she was living on her own for almost two years. When she moved out, it was difficult to adjust, but she was counting on Sasuke's ability to adapt.

It wasn't entirely his fault, her mother raised him that way and she didn't have other duties but to be a housewife, making sure her sons were focused on their careers, not housework. She couldn't really picture Fugaku dusting or doing the laundry, but a little help from time to time didn't kill any man. She would never raise her son that way.

Actually she would prefer a boy. It wasn't like you could choose what you feel like it at the moment, but a boy would be better. A girl would be more complicated because Sakura wasn't a typical woman. She was feeling most comfortable wearing pants and long tunics, her hair was often in a functional pony tail and her special ability was insane strength. She would be a bad role model for a daughter while her son would have the perfect father as soon as he starts helping out with the housework.

During the first months, it was fun, same like everything else. Twice as much clothes, groceries, bigger place, it was new, different, exciting, Sakura treated it as an adventure. After six months she wasn't feeling adventurous any longer.

Washing the dishes was a never ending chore! And it couldn't be done simultaneously, while pots were boiling on the stove because she needed to stir constantly!

''Is it done?'' Sasuke asked, entering the kitchen.

''You arrived just in time,'' Sakura smiled at him.

''Did I?'' he said, embracing her waist from behind.

She could feel his breath on the back of her neck and it was more than distracting. He was chuckling quietly, aware he was the reason for her fidgeting.

''I need to get just one more thing!'' she said and released herself to go to the pantry.

''So it's not done,'' he sighed, revealing impatience.

''Are you that hungry?'' she asked teasingly, leaving him alone in the kitchen.

''You will see,'' he replied.

What else did she expect when she got used him to her nudity whenever he arrived home? He probably didn't think about food at all.

Luckily, Sakura's head was clear enough to get away on time and search for a special sauce she bought the other day. She planned on cooking wearing her underwear only by the time her husband gets home, but he arrived earlier than she expected. She would probably be faster with cooking the next time. After all, the practice makes it perfect and in no time she would prepare a dinner so delicious Sasuke would be speechless! He would be surprised how fast she advanced and the conversation would lead to expanding their family! And since she was a good housekeeper, she would be a good mother as well. There was no point in telling him now, Sakura thought while heading back to the kitchen, carrying the sauce. It was cruel enough to make him wait after dinner and the meal wasn't ready yet. But she would finish it soon and afterwards, the casual relaxation in the living room and-

''What are you doing?''

By hearing Sakura's voice, Sasuke turned around and placed the lid back on the pot that was on the stove.

''Did you try it?''

''I didn't. Why?''

''You should have.''

''Why? Is it bad? But I followed the recipe!''

''This recipe?'' he asked and reached for a cookbook that was on the counter.

''Yes. What's wrong with it?''

''Nothing,'' he said, turning the pages with difficulty. ''It looks like the pages are still connected to one another.''

''What?''

Sakura put the sauce on the counter and took the cookbook.

She opened it on the page of the meal she was preparing, page 37, and then she turned the page to see the next one. Only the next page wasn't the page 38, but page 40.

''The pages are glued to one another,'' she whispered to herself.

Sakura didn't notice it due to a shiny paper print which was thin anyway.

''So what? You tried to make three recipes at once,'' Sasuke chuckled. ''What I don't understand is how you didn't notice the meat takes longer to cook and the vegetables-''

''You know what? I had enough.''

''Enough of cooking? But why give up now? You learned about the problem and-''

''You are the problem!'' she snapped.

''How am I a problem?'' he asked.

''I am tired of doing everything.''

''What everything? You started making this meal and who knows when you are going to cook again and-''

''What? Are you saying I am doing nothing at all? And what are you doing? We were supposed to be married and do everything together, but all you do is complaining about the housework I didn't do or how lousy I have done it. During all this time you never went grocery shopping, and right now it didn't occur to you to set the table for dining!

''I think you are overreacting.''

''And I think I am not,'' she said with a fake smile. ''This is a new cookbook and the pages are connected because I didn't browse the entire book. It's the same with your shirt. It's still dirty because you didn't wash it!''

Sakura walked up to the stove, turned it off and took off the apron.

''From now on, I will behave exactly like you, leave everything to you so you could do it all by yourself and all I have to do is nag about it!''

With that she left the kitchen. And the house. And she didn't know when she would return because she was angry and hungry and the dinner was ruined.