Disclaimer: We all know who owns our baby Naruto.

Warnings: AU, Shounen-ai, Mpreg.

Beta by: AiMila.

A/N: Welcome to the new chapter. Wow, it's already tenth! Thank you so much for your reviews, I love each of them!

Please enjoy this chapter!

Sasuke had been a simple man. He had had simple dreams and ambitions. Get married, have a child, lead the clan; it had been pretty simple and clear. Life had been black and white, Sasuke had have no doubts about anything. But it all changed when a little ball of sunshine entered his life out of nowhere.

Now, Sasuke knew that there were also shades of gray in life. Nothing could be absolutely right and nothing could be absolutely wrong. With Naruto, he learned that he needed to change, bend, and sometimes even get broken to protect what you hold dear. At twenty-five, he realized that he was growing up. He was becoming a real man.

But now, when Sasuke gazed at Naruto's little form that was covered by sheets, he didn't know what to do.

"Naruto," Calling out softly, Sasuke sat down beside his wife. "Love, let me see your face."

Sasuke heard a heartbreaking sniffle and then the sheets moved, revealing Naruto's face.

Sasuke bit his lips as bloodshot eyes looked up to him, as if pleading for understanding. Leaning down, Sasuke kissed his wife's eyelids lingeringly.

"I'll bring you lunch," Sasuke whispered, afraid of disturbing Naruto.

Naruto shook his head quickly. "I don't want to eat."

"Naruto," Sasuke whispered. Leaning over, he let Naruto wrap his arms around his shoulders tightly. "I'm worried for your health. You are not eating, you are not sleeping… I'm afraid that you are going to get ill."

Naruto sighed shakily. "D-Don't worry."

Sasuke shook his head. "No, baby… I can't help you and it's killing me."

Naruto wiped away a stray tear quickly. "You helped me. W-Without you, the kids w-would had die."

"No," Sasuke held his wife tighter as he took him into a sitting position. "Look, Naruto, you can't keep on like this. These what ifs won't take you anywhere. Whatever happened is in the past, we can't change anything about it anymore. I know it's hard on you, but please try to forget."

Naruto nodded against his husband's shoulder. He was plaid in his arms like a doll.

Sasuke held him tighter as he kissed his hair. "I'll go to drop the scrolls and have you resigned from your duties."

"No!" Naruto shook his head quickly. "I can't abandon the kids."

Sasuke sighed deeply. "Fine."

Naruto drew back and cupped Sasuke's cheeks and gave him a small smile. "Thank you," Lifting his head, he kissed Sasuke's lips softly. "I love you so much."

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. He had never heard Naruto saying those words so profoundly. "I love you, too. Don't ever doubt it, okay?"

Naruto nodded quickly and didn't lose anytime to kiss back as Sasuke pressed his lips against his. There was no hesitation. There was no second thoughts. Just two hearts ready to love unconditionally.

Sasuke had to close his eyes and take his breathing under control after their kiss. When he opened his eyes, he saw Naruto watching him with soft eyes. At that moment, Sasuke felt like an invisible yet hard wall broke down between them.

He hugged his wife to his chest tightly. "I'll bring you some ramen."

"Don't bother," Naruto protested weakly.

Sasuke shook his head as he helped Naruto to lie down once again and covering his body with the soft duvet. "Try to get some sleep. I won't be long."

Naruto nodded and caressed Sasuke's hair as his husband kissed his forehead.

Naruto buried himself under the covers as Sasuke left.

Everybody would lose their innocence at different times. Sasuke had lost his when he was forced to get married at fifteen. Sakura had lost her innocence the moment she had decided to have Sasuke. And Naruto lost his own when he killed for the first time.

He couldn't understand it. Why? Why there were ninjas, hidden villages? What they couldn't share? Why they couldn't solve their problems by mutual understanding? Now Naruto was one of them too… He had become a tool. A tool that was trained to kill people, to end their lives and dreams… What for? What they gained by doing so? Nothing but hatred.

Naruto took a shaky breath. He was so glad that Sasuke had tagged along for the mission. He didn't know what he would have done without him. He had protected all of them and when Naruto saw that ninja behind Sasuke, he had lost all sense of reason. All he thought of was to save Sasuke. All he thought of was to protect his husband.

Naruto couldn't imagine his life without him anymore. It was like something had been missing all along and Sasuke completed his life like nothing ever did and ever could. Death… It had showed the importance of life to Naruto vividly.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto cuddled up to his husband's pillow and closed his weary eyes.

Sasuke let out a deep sigh as he closed the door behind him.

He didn't know how to make Naruto feel better. He was so broken that Sasuke felt like nothing he did could heal him.

"Hello!"

Sasuke looked up at the cheerful voice and saw Sakura approaching him with a huge smile and a tray at her hands.

Sasuke gave an acknowledging nod.

"How is Naruto-kun?" Sakura asked. "I made chocolate cake for him. I heard he likes it!"

Sasuke nodded slowly. Sakura had changed so much in such a small time that he couldn't believe his eyes.

"He does," Sasuke responded. "But he's sleeping now."

"Oh," Sakura nodded slowly. "It's fine then, he can eat it after dinner."

"Yeah," Sasuke nodded as he walked away. "See you later."

Sakura beamed. "See you!"

Shrugging to himself, Sasuke took the way of the Hokage tower. He needed to get rid of these scrolls and get a long leave for Naruto. He didn't care what happened in his absence, Naruto needed to be away from all of this ninja work for a while.

Sasuke entered the Hokage's office without waiting for approval.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Uchiha, what brings you here?"

Without a word, Sasuke left the forbidden scrolls on her desk. "Assign another ninja for this mission."

Tsunade frowned. "You don't tell me what to do. And you can't hide a failure with your aggression."

"Failure?" Sasuke hissed. "Naruto didn't want this duty. You pushed my spouse into this mess!"

"We are ninjas," Tsunade stood up. "We do what we need to do."

"Not my wife," Sasuke challenged. "This is my only warning to you so listen closely. You won't force Naruto into anything he doesn't want. You won't affect his choices. You won't embarrass him about what he can and can't do. Understood?"

Tsunade opened her mouth to argue but Sasuke stopped her with a raised hand.

"Naruto's taking a temporary leave," Sasuke said impassively. "Find a suitable jounin to assist his team."

"Uchiha!" Tsunade shouted, not liking the orders Sasuke was throwing at her.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Thanks, that's all."

Without waiting for a reply, Sasuke left her room and came face to face with Naruto's genin team.

"Good, I was going to start looking for you," Sasuke folded his arms over his chest. "Your sensei's on leave and you will have another sensei for some time."

"Why?" Konohamaru cried.

"Let's say he's ill," Sasuke explained. "He needs some time to heal. So, work hard in his absence and be obedient to your new sensei, alright?"

The kids nodded slowly. Obviously not happy with the news.

"Can we visit him?" Moegi pleaded.

"Yes, please," Udon nodded.

Sasuke let out a deep sigh. "Fine. But only for a short time."

The trio nodded eagerly.

Together, they left the tower. Moegi insisted that they needed flowers so they spent some time with plucking flowers around. Sasuke said that he could pay for their flowers but he couldn't convince them and in the end, he ended up plucking flowers with them.

The kids were all awed by the Uchiha compound's size and wealth when they entered the estate.

"This way," Sasuke led the kids to their room and entered inside first. He found Naruto on the bed with his pillow clutched to his chest. "Naruto?" Sasuke knelt down and Naruto's eyes fluttered open. "Were you sleeping?"

Naruto shook his head. "No," He whispered. "Just resting my eyes."

"How do you feel?" Sasuke asked as he caressed his wife's sunshine hair.

Naruto shrugged.

"You have guests," Sasuke said as he walked to the door.

"Oh?" Blinking Naruto sat up on the bed and gasped happily as his team walked into the room.

"Sensei!" Moegi cried. "How are you?"

"You are not dying are you?" Udon asked as he scratched his nose.

"Don't be stupid," Konohamaru said. "He will be fine!"

Naruto smiled softly. "Konohamaru's right. How about you three? How do you feel?"

"Good," Udon said and the other two nodded.

"These are for you, Naruto-sensei," Moegi handed the colorful flowers to his hands.

"Thank you so much," Naruto murmured as he inhaled the fresh flowers. "You are all such good kids."

Moegi blushed and the boys smiled.

"Uchiha-sama said that we will have another sensei for a while," Moegi said softly.

Naruto looked up to his husband immediately.

"Till you recover," Sasuke supplied.

Naruto nodded slowly. "Yes… Don't upset your new sensei, okay? Show them how good you are."

The kids nodded and left one by one after wishing Naruto a quick recovery.

"They are good kids," Sasuke commented as Naruto lied down again.

Naruto nodded silently, his eyes closed tightly.

"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked immediately.

"Y-You saved them," Naruto sniffled. "Without you... I-"

"Shh," Sasuke lied down behind his wife and spooned him up tightly. "What have I told you? Enough with this already."

Naruto nodded quickly, not wanting to upset his husband.

Sasuke nuzzled Naruto's hair as he put a hand over Naruto's abdomen. "Shit," He cursed. "I totally forgot your ramen."

"It's okay," Naruto whispered. "I don't feel like eating."

Sasuke let out a deep sigh. For a long while, they were both silent. Naruto lied on his side with closed eyes while Sasuke held onto him tightly.

Sasuke frowned as he heard small taps over their glass door. He got up to find Taka with a note attached to his leg.

"Thanks," Sasuke took the note before caressing Taka's belly. "You are a good boy. Now go back to the nest."

Giving a loud cry, Taka flied away.

Sasuke opened the small scroll and smiled softly.

"Naruto," Sasuke sat on the bed. "It's from Whirlpool."

Naruto opened his eyes and looked up to his husband with his blurry eyes.

"There is a wedding invitation here," Sasuke read the letter quickly. "For Nagato and Yahiko… Wanna go?"

"R-Really?" Naruto asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, love," Sasuke smiled softly. He knew how Naruto needed a change of environment. Besides, seeing his family and friends would help him recover. "Remember your promise? You are going to show me your secret place."

Naruto nodded quickly. Sitting up, he hugged his husband tightly. "Can we leave now?"

Sasuke chuckled as he rubbed his wife's back. "How about tomorrow?"

"Okay!" Naruto smiled happily. "Then- Then I'll start packing our stuff!"

Sasuke laughed softly as Naruto left the bed quickly. "Yeah, go ahead."

He lied down on the bed and watched as Naruto ran around the room.

Sakura bit her lips as she watched the carriage getting ready for the Uchiha couple's journey. As soon as she heard footsteps approaching, she put a smile on her face and faced the royal Uchiha family.

"Don't forget to send our greetings," Mikoto said with a smile.

"Yes, mother," Naruto nodded.

"Bring us wedding candy," Shisui said with a smirk.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "As if you like sweets."

"He loves me right?" Itachi asked with a smirk as Shisui cracked down, laughing uncontrollably.

"Oh god," Sasuke grabbed his Naruto's hand and bowed down to his Lord and Lady. "Take care."

Fugaku gave a nod. "Invite the Lord and Lady here for a longer visit."

"Yes, my Lord," Sasuke bowed down again.

"I hope you will have a safe journey," Sakura said with a smile.

"Thank you," Sasuke nodded.

"Here," Sakura handed the book she was holding to Naruto. "I've finished this recently. It's really good, maybe it can occupy you on the road."

"Thank you," Naruto accepted the book with a soft smile. "I'll make sure to read it."

"Then we can discuss it after your return!" Sakura smiled widely.

"Yes, that would be nice," Naruto smiled hesitantly, still not used to Sakura's good side.

"Let's go," Sasuke tugged at Naruto's hand and waited till his wife settled in before getting inside.

With hand waves, they left the Uchiha and Konoha behind fast.

"How long we have left to go?" Naruto asked as he changed a page.

"Three or four more days," Sasuke said, nose buried in Naruto's hair.

Sasuke was sprawled out on a seat beside the small window while his legs were placed over the seat at the other side. Naruto was lying in his husband's arms while he read the book Sakura gave him.

"Is it good?" Sasuke asked with closed eyes.

"Yeah," Naruto nodded. "Remind me to get her a present this time, okay?"

"Alright," Sasuke inhaled the sweet scent of his wife. "I'll arrange her new settings after we are back."

Naruto nodded. "How long we will stay there?"

"Till you say you are ready to go back," Sasuke answered.

"I..." Naruto cleared his throat before whispering softly. "I didn't have any nightmares last night."

"Thankfully," Sasuke held his little wife tighter.

Ever since the incident, whenever Naruto tried sleeping, he was seeing nightmares that caused him to lack an ounce of rest. Sasuke wasn't sure how many times in the past week he woke up to Naruto's crying. He wasn't sure how many hours they spent in the bathroom, trying to clean Naruto's hands off of the invisible blood.

If Sasuke was right, which he was sure that he was, Naruto was going to heal in his homeland. He was going to be away from the hardships he had to face in the Leaf. Away from the ninja stuff, away from the prying eyes of the villagers, away from the pressure of creating heirs...

Sasuke held Naruto tighter as he felt his wife's breathing getting heavier. He took the book from his hands gently and leaned his cheek against his head as he watched the sea of trees from the small window.

Yes, everything was going to be fine.

Naruto stood breathless before the gates of his homeland. How long had it been? Eight months. Eight long months. Had it changed? Maybe... But something was sure, Naruto wasn't the same kid that had left his homeland with a dream of a fairy tale. Instead, he had gotten the real world. He had seen cruelty, he had seen desperation, he had seen poverty, he had seen love...

"You good?"

Naruto looked up to his husband.

He wasn't the prince charming. He wasn't perfect. On the contrary, he had a lot of flaws. He liked patronizing people. He was pretty stubborn. He always wanted to say the last word. He was just Sasuke. Naruto's Sasuke.

"Yes," Naruto nodded and held his husband's offered hand. "Don't let go of my hand."

"Never," Sasuke squeezed Naruto's hand and they stepped inside.

Whirlpool was definitely smaller than the Leaf. The first thing Sasuke noticed was the sea of red hair. His wife was easily standing out among the crowd and to be honest, Sasuke loved it.

The sun was high in the air and it seemed to reflect on people's mood. Everybody was chatting away happily and laughters were echoing across the street. Children were running around and adults seemed to be in high spirits.

"Naruto-sama!"

Naruto smiled as he was noticed by his kinsmen. Soon, they were circled by the villagers. All of them expressing their happiness to see Naruto once again in their village.

"Naruto!"

Naruto gasped happily as he saw the person who was trying to reach him through the crowd.

"Karin!"

As soon as Karin managed to approach them, Naruto threw himself in his friend's arms.

"I missed you!" Karin cried as she felt Naruto clinging to her tighter.

"Me too!" Naruto replied as he stroked her fiery red hair. "How have you guys been?"

"Same old," Karin shrugged with a smile and then bowed down. "Welcome to Whirlpool, Uchiha-sama."

"Thank you," Sasuke nodded. "You have such a beautiful village."

"It's because the people are beautiful," Karin replied, causing Naruto to giggle.

"Where is Nagato?" Naruto asked. "He must be so excited!"

Karin laughed. "Last time I checked, he was talking about how stupid Yahiko is and how he doesn't want to get married."

Naruto giggled. "He must have been really angry."

"Yeah," Karin smiled. "Let's go, everybody's waiting for you!"

"Okay," Naruto nodded happily. Taking his husband's hand, Naruto guided him into the royal mansion.

It wasn't bigger than the Uchiha's but the major difference was the color. It was white like snow, and it had been located over a hill, overlooking the village.

The next hour was a blur. They were greeted by the Lord and Lady and afterwards, they had a huge fest. The cuisine was different but Sasuke enjoyed every meal that was offered to him. After the dinner, they were shown their room and Sasuke let Naruto go and meet with his friends while he took a shower and a nap.

Sasuke lifted his arms as his wife tied a black obi around his waist tightly. Naruto smoothed out the kimono his husband wore and then smiled up to him. Sasuke cupped Naruto's cheek with a hand and smiled back. He could hear music coming from a distance. Nagato and Yahiko's ceremony had already started.

"How long has it been since our marriage?" Sasuke asked softly.

"Eight months," Naruto supplied immediately.

Sasuke smiled. "Feels like it was just yesterday."

Naruto nodded quickly. "But I loved every single day of our marriage."

"Me as well," Sasuke leaned over and smiled as Naruto kissed him immediately.

"We should celebrate our first anniversary," Naruto said, caressing Sasuke's marble cheeks.

"We will," Sasuke smirked. "Let's get going now."

With a smile, Naruto took his husband's hand and led him to one of the private gardens of the mansion where Naruto's friends' marriage would be held.

The garden had been lit by different sized candles and white tables were placed all around for the guest. Nagato was wearing a blood red kimono, traditional color of the Uzumaki, while Yahiko wore a dark blue one, the color creating contrast with his pale orange hair.

"Come, meet Yahiko," Naruto said and walked to the table where his friends' were sitting behind. "Hello!"

"Hello," Nagato smiled and stood up, bowing down immediately.

"Welcome," Yahiko bowed down. "Thank you for honoring our marriage ceremony, Uchiha-sama."

"It's my pleasure," Sasuke replied. "We are happy to be here."

Naruto nodded happily. For a while they talked about how Nagato and Yahiko met and how long Yahiko chased after his lover. But in the end it didn't matter, this was their happy ending and start.

Sasuke watched with an amused smile as he watched his wife as the night wore on. Naruto couldn't sit in his seat and watched with wide eyes as people danced.

"Why don't you go join them?" Sasuke whispered in Naruto's ear.

"B-But, I don't want to leave you alone," Naruto said as he looked up to his husband.

Sasuke chuckled. "I'll have my drink and eat my plate. You go and have fun."

Naruto seemed hesitant at first, then smiling, he kissed Sasuke's lips quickly and ran into the dancing crowd.

Sasuke watched with a smile as his wife danced and sang songs. It was so good to see him like this. He was so carefree, so bright. This was the real Naruto. This was how he was before being pushed into Sasuke's embrace. This was what Sasuke had taken from him.

Frowning, Sasuke gulped down the alcohol he had in the cup his hand held. It wasn't like that. Sasuke didn't try to suffocate Naruto. On the contrary, he did anything Naruto asked of him. It was like the world had shifted and the center of Sasuke's life had become Naruto. Sasuke watched every expression, every mimic on that beautiful face closely. His whole being belonged to that perfect creature now.

As the wedding came to an end, Sasuke stood up from his table and joined his wife. Naruto's brows were sweaty and his cheeks were rosy. He was panting slightly and his beautiful eyes were wide as he wrapped his arms around Sasuke's waist.

"Did you have fun?" Sasuke asked as he kissed Naruto's damp hair.

Naruto nodded quickly. "Yes! It was so good!"

"We should continue tomorrow," Karin said. "Naruto should get a party!"

Sasuke frowned. "What?"

"It's Naruto's birthday tomorrow!" Karin replied happily.

Sasuke looked down to his wife immediately.

"Ah," Naruto smiled. "Yeah... I'm going to be eighteen tomorrow."

"Let's return to our room," Sasuke said and they left after Naruto said good bye to his friends.

Back in their moonlit room, Sasuke was extremely silent.

"Sasuke," Naruto called out gently. "Are you upset with me?"

"Why didn't you tell me it's your birthday," Sasuke shook his head. "I'm so useless."

"Don't say such things!" Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke's neck tightly. "It doesn't matter, it's just a day."

"I should have gotten you a present," Sasuke mumbled.

"Uhmm..." Naruto looked up to Sasuke with a soft blush. "There is something I want from you."

"Anything," Cupping Naruto's cheek, Sasuke caressed his whiskers.

"You will give me your whole day tomorrow," Naruto said with a smile. "And you will do anything I want. As my husband and lover."

Sasuke blinked, searching Naruto's eyes. He couldn't find anything but sincerity and something he couldn't recognize. Yet, he decided not to voice it.

"Of course," Sasuke whispered. "My whole life is yours."

Naruto only smiled.

This was more like a filler chapter I guess. Nothing really important happened. But, Naruto and Sasuke gonna get productive by next chap, I guess... lol. Anyway, thank you so much for reading, see you next week!