Renewing Old Bonds
7. Mission
"Papa!"
Hikaru ran into his father's arms with full force. Sasuke scooped his son into his arms and placed a soft kiss on his head. Hikaru wrapped his arms around Sasuke's neck and squeezed his tiny body into the older Uchiha's firm chest.
Sasuke smiled at the little boy that looked just like him. "Did you miss me?"
"Uh huh. But I've been having lots of fun with Mama!"
"That's good."
Sasuke gently placed Hikaru back onto the floor. He looked forward and saw Sakura's eyes observing him. "What?"
Sakura hadn't realize she was staring at them. It was strange seeing Sasuke like this. He looked at peace. She never saw him look like that before. It turns out he can be a father. And looking at Hikaru, she knew that Sasuke did a well job of raising him on his own. Of course, every time she thought about it, her chest would ache. She should have raised her son with Sasuke as well. A deep frown formed on her face.
"Mama?"
Sakura looked down and noticed that Hikaru was tugging on her shirt. He looked confused and worried at the same time. She could hear the unspoken question in his eyes.
"I'm fine sweetheart." She sprouted a bright smile to reassure him.
Looking up, she noticed Sasuke was staring at her. Much like how she was staring at him earlier. Though, she could have sworn she saw a hint of amusement. Did she have something on her face? Ignoring the idea in general, she decided to get down to business.
It's been a week since she last spoke to Sasuke. He still hasn't signed the divorce papers. It was starting to frustrate her. She didn't know how much patience she had left. On the bright side, she has been spending a lot of time with Hikaru. He seemed pleased to be with her as well. That was the only good part of this entire situation.
"How long will you be gone?"
Sakura was snapped out of her thoughts once more. "I'm not sure. It's an S rank mission." Averting her gaze from him, she focused on a pencil on her desk. They were currently in her office at the hospital. She had told Sasuke to meet her there to pick Hikaru up, while she prepared for her mission.
Sasuke frowned. "What is it?"
"You know I can't tell you."
Sasuke inwardly rolled his eyes. "Can you at least tell me whether or not you're going alone?" He couldn't hide the exasperation in his voice.
Sakura actually did roll her eyes. Sasuke didn't fail to notice.
Annoying.
The medic didn't really want to deal with this mini interrogation session Sasuke seems to be pulling.
"It's me and three others."
This seemed to calm his mind a little. He didn't like the idea of Sakura going on solo missions, especially if it's an S rank.
Hikaru looked back and forth between his parents. They were both silent now. They were looking anywhere but each other.
Sakura was fiddling with a pencil on her desk. She really wished Sasuke would just leave. "I have to start packing. I'll come and say goodbye later on tonight."
Taking the hint, Sasuke turned to Hikaru. "Let's go."
Hikaru was a little reluctant. He turned to Sakura with questioning eyes.
"Mama has to go on a mission. You'll have to stay with Papa until I come back."
His eyes fell to the floor in disappointment. He didn't want to leave Sakura.
The pink haired kunoichi saw the look on her son's face and walked over to him. She kneeled down and raised his chin so she could meet his eyes. "I'll be back soon." She gently caressed his cheek and pulled him into a hug. "Be a good boy while Mama's gone."
Pulling out of her embrace, he kissed her cheek and ran over to Sasuke and grabbed his hand.
Sasuke glanced at Sakura once more before exiting out of her office.
Sakura slumped her shoulders. Her body immediately relaxed as she walked around her desk and fell into her chair. She released a long breath she didn't realize she was holding. The atmosphere around her and Sasuke is always tense. She just want him to sign those damn papers so she doesn't have to be around him.
Erasing her brain of Sasuke and all thoughts about him, she averted her attention to the manila folder on her desk.
She haven't had time to look through it. She skimmed through, briefly trying to get an understanding of the mission. Her eyes landed on a very familiar name she has heard about the past few years.
Rei Matsushita.
He's a famous drug dealer. Rumor has it that he's been abducting young women from small villages to turn them into slaves and experiment subjects. Other crimes he committed were always covered up. He's one of the most prestigious S class criminal in the world, ranking number one in the bingo book.
Sakura and her team are supposed to hunt him down. He's been causing havoc throughout each nation over past few years. He's been untraceable until one of Tsunade's Intel got a lead a few days ago as to where he might be. He's assumed to be on one of the islands surrounding the Water Country.
Sakura furrowed her brows. Things haven't been running smoothly with the Leaf and Mist. Diplomatic relations have been causing issues between the two countries for a while. How was she supposed infiltrate no man's land?
Sighing, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Something was tugging at the corner of her brain, telling her that this mission was going to end horribly.
Opening her eyes, she grabbed her belongings, locked her office and left to go pack for this mission.
Sakura was in full ANBU gear, aside from her mask. That was in the pack slung over her shoulders. She's standing in front of Sasuke's door, deciding whether she should use her key or knock on the door. She didn't have to contemplate that thought any longer, though. The door swung open to reveal a very impassive Uchiha Sasuke.
"How long did you plan on standing there?"
Sakura could feel the blood gather in her cheeks. Why didn't she wear her mask?
Sasuke didn't wait for her answer. He stepped aside so she could enter.
Walking in, Sakura noticed some differences. The house was much cleaner than when she last came. Sasuke must have done some serious dusting. It was really hard to believe.
The medic noticed a delicious aroma that wafted in her nose. Her mouth was starting to water. She turned to Sasuke with a questioning look.
He pointed towards the kitchen. Sakura took easy strides through the hallway and living room, until she reached the kitchen.
Hikaru was sitting at the newly polished kitchen table, eating what looks to be curry.
Hikaru wasn't alone in the kitchen. Turning towards the stove, Sakura noticed a woman stirring a spoon around in a large pot. She assumed it was the curry.
The woman was short. She had silver hair that was neatly placed in a low bun. She wore a dark green kimono.
"Would you like some more curry, Hikaru?"
"Yes please, Akina-baasan!"
Akina-baasan? Who was this woman? Sakura turned around and saw Sasuke a few feet behind her. She raised a questing eye brow at him.
"She's been watching after Hikaru every time I went on missions."
Akina heard Sasuke and turned around. Seeing the sight of Sakura, she gave her a warm, welcoming smile. "And who might this be?"
Hikaru looked towards his parents at the entrance. "Mama!"
Jumping off his seat, he raced into Sakura's arms.
"Akina, this is Hikaru's mother, Sakura."
Sakura released Hikaru before gently taking Akina's small hands in her own. "It's nice to meet you, Akina-san."
"The pleasure is all mine. You are such a beautiful young woman." She turned towards Sasuke. "You did well, Sasuke."
Sakura's face was burning at the old woman's comment. Did she really just say that? The pink haired kunoichi looked at Sasuke to see his reaction. He was looking anywhere but her. His head was turned the opposite direction of her. Sakura could almost see his lip twitch into a subtle smirk. She wasn't quite sure.
Akina, on the other hand, noticed the reaction of the two ninjas. It was all amusing to her.
"Sakura, would you like to join us for dinner?" Akina's cheerful smile was displayed on her face.
"I have to leave soon to meet my team..."
Sakura felt Hikaru tug on her hand. His wide green eyes were staring up at her. Sakura felt she was looking into her own eyes. They were so bright and pleading. "Please, Mama?"
Sakura looked at Akina, who's cheerful attitude made her feel warm. Turning towards Sasuke, she noticed he too was waiting for an answer from her.
"Alright, I'll stay for dinner."
"Wonderful! I'll get an extra plate." Akina rushed over to the cupboards in search of another plate.
Hikaru pulled Sakura's hand and lead her over to the round kitchen table in the center of the room. She sat down and watched as Hikaru climbed back onto his chair. A fond memory of feeding him resurfaced from her mind.
"Hikaru, you're so messy." Sakura laughed and gently stroked his soft cheeks.
The baby giggled as Sakura took a wet cloth and gently cleaned his face.
She turned towards her husband and couldn't hold back the set of giggles that erupted from her tummy. Sasuke was covered in baby food. His shirt had stains all over it.
Walking over to him, she leaned down and wiped off a smudge of baby food from his chin.
He flashed her a small yet gentle smile. Sakura's face flushed. It was a rare sight for her.
She leaned down and softly placed a warm kiss on his cheek.
Sakura snapped back into the present as a hot steaming plate of rice and curry is placed in front of her.
"Arigatou."
Sakura looked up to see Sasuke sitting across from her. He was studying her intently. His stare made her nervous. She wanted to shift in her seat but quickly shoved that thought out of her mind. She didn't want to show she was uncomfortable. Glancing at Hikaru, she sprouted a smile. He had little rice pieces on his face. She reached over and wiped away some of the pieces.
He grinned at her and continued to eat his food.
Dinner was delicious. Sakura had to admit, Akina was one hell of a cook. The curry was flawless. She learned that the older woman lived in the town she passed through on her last mission. Hikaru was staying with her at the time.
The medic had no idea that Sasuke even went on missions. But as she thought about it, it made sense. Tsunade was the only one who knew Sasuke was alive and he had to make a living somehow.
Thinking about her shishou brought sour thoughts to her mind. She was still pissed at Tsunade for helping Sasuke. But there was nothing she could do now.
Sakura had already kissed Hikaru goodbye and helped tucked him in. Akina was in the kitchen cleaning up. She told Sasuke she was going to stay one more night before she went back home.
Now, Sakura was standing outside with Sasuke. The sun had set and the village came alive with various lights.
"I'll try to finish up and come back soon."
"Hn."
Sakura rolled her eyes but did not argue with his monosyllabic response. Another thought entered her mind.
"Sasuke, please sign those papers before I get back." Her voice was gentle.
Sasuke's stomach twisted into a knot. He heard a desperate plea in her voice that he didn't want to hear. He clenched his hands in his pockets.
Sakura didn't wait for him to say a word.
"I have to go. I'm supposed to be at the gates in fifteen minutes."
Sakura fished her mask out of her pack and placed it over her face. She turned away from the great house and faced the direction of the main village gates.
She was about to leap away until she heard a small yet audible sound from Sasuke.
Though it was barely a whisper, she could hear the words Sasuke muttered before she disappeared.
"Be careful."
Sakura leapt onto a nearby roof and continued towards the gates. Under her mask, a small but sad smile danced over her lips.
I'll try.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed. I believe this mission will get the story going. It should be interesting. Anyways, thanks to those of you have been reviewing. Your comments really do encourage me to write. :)
