Couldn't resist writing more! Bonus Chapter! :D This chapter sets up for the action to come in the next chapters! ):)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

Moving On

Obito's first year of life was a difficult one due to his early entrance to the world. As the young boy grew, he became stronger much to his mother's relief. Even though he was sickly, the boy was extremely intelligent and amazed everyone around him. It wasn't a surprise to Sakura though, he was the son of the infamous Copy Nin. All of her friends doted on him and made sure that there were several strong male influences in his life. Sasuke made sure he was there for both mother and child and that all of their needs were fulfilled.

Sakura was amazed in the changes in Sasuke. He was like a different person. He enjoyed staying home with the small family and would play with the almost 4 year old for hours. Sasuke was already teaching the boy simple jutsus which Obito absorbed like a sponge. It was heartwarming seeing the once hardened man taking time to show the toddler the wonders of the village. More and more Sasuke was becoming a major part in her life. Sakura was happy that she had someone to lean on without that person demanding something in return. Her heart was still hoping that Kakashi would come back to her against the odds. Sasuke was safe and protected her and her child. She was forever grateful to him for being such a good friend and protector.

Even though she was a mother now, she still put in a lot of hours at the hospital. During the day, Obito was at the day care in the hospital so she could spend lunch and any breaks with him. If she had to stay late Sasuke would pick up the toddler and bring dinner for Sakura. When he was out on a mission, Naruto, Hinata, or Ino would watch the boy until Sakura was done. Genma would check in with Sakura and Obito from time to time, but children made him nervous. He always made sure that Sakura knew he was there, just in case she needed anything.

As time went on, Sakura, Obito, and Sasuke started resembling a family, much to most of the female population of Konoha's dismay. Sasuke told Sakura several times that he wasn't interested in the fan girls/women that swarmed around him. It was too much effort for him. He rather spend time with Sakura and Obito. Being with them made him feel more complete.

Sakura watched Obito and Sasuke out the window one day, while she washed the dishes. The dark haired man and her son looked like they were father and son. Obito's eyes were bright with admiration for the Uchiha as he showed him how to the throw practice shurikens he had bought for the child. Sakura realized how important Sasuke was to her little boy. The two would talk about Kakashi from time to time, especially when Obito asked if Sasuke was his father. Sasuke was always complimentary to the silver-haired ninja when he was talking to Obito. Sakura was thankful to Sasuke for those times because it was still very painful for her to think about the man, let alone talk about her lost love. Her son knew about his father and what a great man he was. Sasuke would never talk about Kakashi as if he died, but explained to the intelligent boy that he had gone out on a tough mission and that everyone hoped that he would be back soon. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of the time that Obito looked up at Sasuke and asked him to be his father if Kakashi didn't come home. Sasuke had hugged the young boy and promised that he would always be there for him whether or not his father was back with them or not.

Tsunade called Sakura to her office soon after the fourth anniversary of Kakashi's disappearance. She wanted Sakura to move on with her life. It was obvious to her that Kakashi was never coming back. Watching Sakura was painful and she didn't want her to live the type of lonely life that she had. Sakura had a child to think of. Even though she wasn't initially thrilled about Sasuke being involved in Sakura's life, she had to admit that the Uchiha heir had stepped up and helped Sakura in many ways. From what she could see, both of them had benefited from the friendship and Obito had a strong father figure to admire. It surprised Tsunade how complimentary Sasuke was of Kakashi when it came to Obito. She knew that there was a rivalry between the two men as far as Sakura was concerned, but she never expected Sasuke to sing his praises about Kakashi to the young boy. Obito had told her the things that Sasuke had told him about his father when he visited her. All in all she was impressed by the quiet man.

When Sakura was summoned, a feeling of dread washed over her. She was glad that Obito was spending time with the now married Naruto and Hinata today and could count on them if she needed some time to deal with what the hokage told her. Sasuke was out on a mission and she didn't know when he would be back. She hoped for her sake it would be later today because she had a feeling that she would need his strong shoulder to lean on. As she walked to the hokage's office, she mused over their friendship and how she counted on her dark haired friend for comfort.

Tsunade heard a timid knock at her door and knew immediately that it was Sakura.

"Come!" she bellowed.

Sakura tentatively walked into the room and faced her mentor. "You called for me Shishou?"

"Yes, there are a couple of things we need to discuss. Please take a seat."

Sakura sat down nervously and kept her eyes on the hokage. Letting out a big sigh, she braced herself for what she was about to be told.

"Sakura, I know this is still painful for you, but we need to talk about Kakashi," Tsunade began.

The tears started flowing silently from Sakura's face as she stared at the woman before her.

"As you know, it's been four years since his disappearance, and according to village law, he has officially has been declared dead."

Sakura felt like a kunai had just been plunged into her heart. She protectively crossed her arms in front of herself to shield herself from the words that Tsunade was telling her. Tsunade went around her desk, put her arms around her student, and sat down next to her.

"Sakura, I have arranged for you to inherit all of Kakashi's assets and possessions. You will also be getting the stipend that Kakashi bequeathed to you just in case something happened to him. He made sure that you would be taken care of if the worst happened," Tsunade said quietly. She gave Sakura a few minutes to let what she had said sink in. "Sakura, please look at me."

Sakura looked up at the woman she considered as a mother through her tear soaked eyes.

"I don't want you to live the life I have due to my grief. I know that Kakashi didn't want you to live that life either. He had told me many of times that he just wanted you to be happy and to make sure that you lived your life to the fullest if he ever didn't return. Sakura, you have Obito to live for too. He needs his mother whole and happy, not one who is grieving all the time."

Tsunade supported her as she sobbed. Sakura knew she was right. She needed to give Obito that entire she had so he could be have a happy childhood. At least she had a part of Kakashi in him. Even though she didn't want to move on, she could see the truth in Tsunade's words.

As Sakura started to calm, there was a knock at the door. She quickly composed herself and wiped away the remaining tears. Nodding to Tsunade, the hokage bade whoever was at door to enter.

Sasuke walked in and immediately knew that something was wrong with Sakura. She turned away when she saw him, trying to control the emotion that she was feeling. Sasuke looked at Tsunade silently questioning her on what was going on and the hokage just nodded to the puzzled man.

"Hokage-sama, I have my team's report of the mission here," he said figuring out why Tsunade had summoned him to her office as soon as he arrived at the gate.

"Thank you Sasuke," she said. "Sakura, I have said everything that I needed to and you will be getting a missive about the things we talked about earlier in the next week. If you need anything or have any questions, you know where I'm at."

"Hai, Shishou," Sakura said quietly.

"Sasuke, why don't you escort Sakura home for me please."

"Hai, Hokage-sama," he said.

Both of them bowed and left the office. As soon as they were out of reach of the building and in a secluded place, Sasuke pulled Sakura into his arms. She instantly fell apart.

"Ssshh, Sakura, I'm here now," he told her quietly as he held her.

Sakura wept uncontrollably as the dark haired man held her tightly. He let her get it all out because that is what she needed right now, then swept her up into his arms to find a quiet secluded place so they could talk. After he set her down, she began telling him what had happened and how she felt about it. Sasuke held her and listened as she poured her heart out to him.

"Sakura, you know I will always be here for both you and Obito, right?" he asked once she had finished.

She nodded and thanked him for being such a good friend. He held her as she gained control over herself again. They sat quietly for a while in each other's presence. Sasuke wanted to give her some time before he broached a subject that had plagued his mind for a long time. He silently debated if this was the appropriate time or not. In the end, he thought it best to share his feelings with her. He hoped that he wasn't about to make the biggest mistake in his life.

"Sakura, I want to ask you something and I want you to think about it before you give me an answer, okay? Can you promise me that?" he said seriously.

Sakura nodded and focused on what he was about to say to her.

"I know I can't take Kakashi's place, nor do I want to, but I love you Sakura and I want to take care of you and Obito. You both are the most important people in my life and both of you have shown me how to live again. I want to marry you Sakura, if not now, in the future. If you can't commit to me like that right now, please move in with me. I would be honored if both of you would be willing to live with me. I love you both and cannot imagine my life without either one of you."

Sasuke was looking intently into her eyes, searching for her answer, hoping that he didn't overwhelm her. He had just poured his heart out to her taking the chance that she would crush him.

Sakura was shocked by his confession, but as she thought about it, she should have realized how he felt about her and her son. She had to admit that she didn't like being alone when he wasn't there. She lowered her head and thought about what Sasuke just revealed to her. Sasuke trusted her with his feelings, feelings that he never showed anyone else. She was honored that he trusted her so much to share what he just did with her. This was a monumental step for her friend and she was happy she was the one to share that with him. Tears of joy started to flow from her eyes.

"Sakura, I didn't mean to upset you," he said nervously thinking that he had pushed too hard.

Shaking her head, her hand went to his cheek. "Sasuke, I'm not upset. I'm happy that you shared that with me. I know it was hard for you to say all of that."

Sasuke sighed with relief. He had felt strongly for her for a while and was looking for the right time to share his feelings with her. Taking chances with his guarded heart wasn't something he did lightly.

"Sasuke, I can't commit to marrying you just yet, but both Obito and I would be honored to live with you. We are together all the time anyways and I know Obito would be thrilled to have you there all the time," she smiled through her tears. "Let's take it a step at a time and we can talk about marriage later after we see how it goes, okay?"

Sasuke let out the breath he had been holding since he revealed his feelings to her. Pulling her close into his embrace, he kissed her forehead. He was happy that he had a chance to show her how much he really cared about them both. Knowing that he was fighting a ghost, he was determined to prove to her that he was the better man and father.

Oooh suspense! What will happen in the next chapter!? I'll try to finish this story before I get wrapped up in my next class.

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