Chapter Fourteen—Shinya

"I really don't get you."

Blinking at such odd words, Sakura turned and gave Naruto a perplexed look. "How so?" She asked.

Frowning, he folded his arms behind his head. "You're a queen, right? And your nation is in danger, but here you are, studying up on medical justu's that Tsunade has worked on in the past years, instead of trying to locate more of that crystal." He gave her a confused look. "Don't you care about that at all?"

"Of course I do." Sakura answered calmly. "But I cannot rush. I made that mistake a long time ago." Her eyes darkened at an old memory. "I will not do the same thing again." She promised softly.

Watching her, Naruto leaned forwards. "Have you even tried to find the crystals?"

She slid a glance at him. "Yes."

"And?" He asked curiously.

Sakura sighed. "There is always a faint energy that emits from the fragments, however, it's a challenge to try and locate them. When the crystal falls to a person, or object, they take on that substances personal feeling; it's a way to protect the power within them from becoming tainted. The crystal is a pure object, and is alive, in its own way. I believe that I have found two different fragments…but I cannot be sure."

"Why not just go check it out?" Naruto asked.

Sakura gave a small smile. "It's not that simple Naruto. Don't worry about it, please. I have my own methods that have been working fine. The jewel is almost complete, I just need a little more time."

"We offered our help." He insisted stubbornly.

"Truthfully, I don't want it." She told him frankly, inwardly wincing at the pained look he gave her. She softened her tone, needing to explain. "This is my personal mission Naruto, I was at fault for the breaking of the crystal, the least I can do it restore it wholly to my nation."

"Arghh…stubborn." He muttered throwing up his hands. After a pause, he glanced at her again. "Are you done?"

Unable to help herself, she gave him a small grin. "Bored?"

"This is unbearable!" He complained. "Study those later, let's go bug Sasuke."

"Isn't he on a mission today?" She reminded.

Naruto hesitated before he snorted. "He calls it that. He's at the Uchiha mansion. Come on, he'll probably want help anyways."

Regarding the blonde, Sakura rose interested despite herself. They travelled to the Uchiha district nimbly leaping over the roofs in a challenge set by Naruto playfully. Looser bought the other ramen. It ended in a tie as both arrived at the Uchiha's main mansion at the same time. Naruto groaned. "Aww, I was sure I'd win!"

Sakura laughed lightly before she looked around with interest. "What could Sasuke possibly need our help with?" She asked curiously.

"Unca Naruto!"

A happy squeal sounded before a pattering of rapid feet had Sakura's attention swinging sharply as a small child appeared beaming from within the house and rushed down and all but pounced on Naruto. He grinned and scooped her up, tickling her chin, making her giggle happily and hug him beaming. Rooted, Sakura stared at the tiny girl, taking in her pale skin, and dark raven hair and onyx eyes feeling a curious sensation of her heart breaking within her.

A child…a daughter. There was no mistaking it. Through her pain, Sakura managed to smooth her features into a calm serene mask as Naruto remembered her, and turned with a slow, hesitant expression. The girl regarded her curiously, and squirmed, and as he placed her down, she tilted her head to stare at Sakura. "Who are you?" She asked, than added with much more politeness. "I'm Shinya, Uchiha, I'm four."

"Shinya."

Sasuke appeared as Sakura knelt, and froze in the shadows of the walkway and shot Naruto a look. The blonde gave a helpless shrug as the two females regarded each other.

Sakura forced a small smile to touch her lips. "My name is Sakura, Haruno." She introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you, Shinya."

Shinya stared at her. "My papa has a picture of you."

Blinking once, Sakura's brow lifted marginally. "Does he?" She asked mildly. "It must be very old than."

"Only a few years." Naruto muttered, drawing her attention. He shrugged. "It's one of the last ones you had taken, we found a bunch and split them…" he abruptly ducked as a kunai went rushing through the air aimed for his head. "Child here." Naruto protested as Sasuke came down the steps.

The other male gave him a dark look as Shinya looked over her shoulder and bit her lip. "I'm sorry, papa." She mumbled.

He stared down at her, a familiar annoyance in the dark orbs, but not entirely directed at her. Disliking the look in his eyes, Sakura rose and scooped Shinya into her arms surprising them all, and without a backwards glance strode towards the mansion. "Why don't you show me these pictures, Shinya?" She asked lightly.

"Okay!" The little girl agreed brightly. "How come you're dressed like that? Are you a ninja? Like papa and Unca Naruto?"

"I suppose I am." Sakura's voice faded as she moved further in. Sasuke pinned Naruto with a deadly look. "Why'd you bring her here?" He demanded coldly.

"She'd find out about Shinya sooner or later, teme." Naruto answered flatly. "Better now than later. Besides, it was either you tell her, or she finds out by Ino or someone else that you got married and had a kid."

Silent, Sasuke frowned as he looked back to the house. "I didn't want her to know."

"Why? Because it would hurt her?" Naruto growled. "Too late Sasuke."

"Dobe." Sasuke muttered. "You know the real reason why."

Naruto gave him a sharp glance. "It's too late for that Sasuke." He repeated. "Sakura's a queen. Hell, I'm not even sure if she has any feelings for you anymore. You waited too long."

Nodding wearily Sasuke turned and made his way back inside. Following Naruto glanced around the place and cocked his head hearing Sakura's soft tone, and Shinya's delighted laughter. The men found the two in a room, with a photo album before them, and a picture frame set down carefully as Shinya was in Sakura's lap giggling. She turned her onyx eyes sparkling. "Look papa! Sakura gave me her…" she looked to Sakura confused. Smiling Sakura reached up and adjusted the silver circlet on her brow gently, smoothing back Shinya's dark locks. "A circlet." She finished.

"She doesn't need it." Sasuke frowned.

Shinya wilted at his harsh tone and Sakura stilled, shooting him a narrowed look. Sensing trouble, Naruto edged back unconsciously as Sakura gave Shinya a gentle smile speaking calmly. "Shinya, show Naruto, I have to speak with your father."

"Okay." Shinya scooted from the pink haired woman's lap wide-eyed and went to Naruto. The blonde automatically ushered her away, reluctant as Sakura stood and faced Sasuke. Staring at the small female before him, Sasuke unconsciously moved into a defensive stance. Seeing it, Sakura sighed and turned to walk around the room, missing the confusion that entered his eyes.

"I realize she's your daughter." Sakura said softly. "But she's also not you, Sasuke." She paused and glanced over her shoulder. "She's young, and needs attention, that means giving gifts, even if she doesn't need it. It's the thought that counts, and it will make her happy. You do want her happy don't you?"

"I don't want to coddle her."

Sakura snorted. "You are so typical." She muttered. She turned a fierce glare on him. "Fine, don't as you say, coddle her. I'm sure she won't need it; she'll grow up unloved and uncared for. I'm sure she'll be perfect when she's older, cold and emotionless, just like her father."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "You have no right to say that."

"I have every right as a female." Sakura retorted sharply. "She's only four years—" she cut herself off abruptly as a fact that she remembered from before registered too late in her mind. "Four years." She murmured numbly. "Itachi's been dead for only one…"

Sasuke stood watching as she closed her eyes and turned away. "Where's your wife." Sakura demanded lowly.

"She's dead." Sasuke muttered. "She died giving birth to Shinya." He hesitated. "It wasn't my choice."

"Of course not." Sakura agreed mildly. "You would have waited until Itachi was dead."

No. He thought reluctantly, but out loud he agreed.

"Papa?" Shinya appeared looking hesitant between the two of them, she gripped the circlet tightly in her tiny hands. "Can I keep it?" She asked in a small voice.

Sasuke felt Sakura's eyes on him as he hesitated, than nodded once. Instantly, Shinya beamed and raced in and hugged his leg. "Thank you papa." She mumbled before she rushed out again calling to Naruto. Glancing back to Sakura, Sasuke paused when he saw an odd look in her eyes as she stood half leaning on the wall, before it disappeared and she straightened lightly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get to know her better." She glanced at him with hooded eyes.

"Why?" Sasuke asked before he could stop himself. Sakura hesitated. "She needs a female around to play with."

"She has a nanny." Sasuke grunted.

"One that looks after her and makes sure she does her studies, or plays with her?" Sakura countered evenly. A spark of amusement filled her eyes as Sasuke shot her what looked like a guilty expression. "You are so predictable." She sounded amused as she walked out. "Even after three years."

Following her to where Shinya had Naruto cornered and was teasing him with a doll, Sasuke watched silently as Sakura let Shinya run to her and picked her up, giving the girl a warm smile before announcing they were going to go pick flowers. Squealing happily, Shinya hugged her and as they left, Sakura arched a brow at the dark haired male. Point proven. Her eyes mocked.

Seeing them go, Sasuke turned away unable to see the emotion that would likely be in Naruto's eyes, and took refuge in the darkness of his house, closing himself away in his studies of jutsu's and informant scrolls to get his mind off the two females in his life.

And another chapter finished, --gasps-- Sasuke has a daughter! I'm thinking of doing a one shot around that...and a few others that are in regard to this story, I'm still toying with ideas. If you have any, don't be shy to tell me! Please, I love hearing from readers, it helps me carry on with the story!

Lots of hints within this one, and more to come! Hope you enjoyed!

Storm