`Chapter 21: Recovery

It was late in the afternoon and all was quiet in the newly re-opened maternity ward. As far as Sakura knew she was the only patient on the third floor. After Tsunade, Naruto and Kakashi left, Sasuke had been unconscious in the bed beside hers. It was a good time to get some rest. But rest didn't come for her as easy as it did her husband. Even with the injection of pain medication in the I.V. her shishou had given her, Sakura could not fall asleep. Now, four hours later, the pain was back and her mind was still going a mile a minute.

She groaned as she adjusted her position in the hospital bed. Never had she thought it would hurt so bad doing the smallest of things like going to the bathroom, walking for more than two minutes and even just sitting. Sakura winced as she scooted against the incline of her bed. Finally, somewhat comfortable, she let out a sigh of relief. Looking around her she reached for the remote to the ancient tv anchored to the wall in front of her. She clicked the on button only to realize the cable had not yet been connected. Pointing the remote she clicked the television off and winced as she adjusted her position again. I wish someone would bring the damn pain medicine already. It feels like my insides are on fire. she thought. How long has it been since I called that nurse? I know she's fairly new but really, I'm her ONLY patient! If she doesn't come in the next five minutes I am going to have her ASS! Sakura then gasped as the cramping got worse. She didn't notice Sasuke waking up.

"You're in pain." he stated as he sat up on the bed. "I'll get the nurse."

She nodded. After a minute or two, Sasuke returned with the nurse in tow. "Sorry Sakura-sama, I had to run down to the first floor for the medication. We are still in the middle of stocking the hospital. She checked Sakura's bracelet, then gave her the injection.

"My baby, is he all right? When can I see him?" Sakura asked desperately.

"He's doing good! Tsunade-sama wanted us to run all the usual tests just to make sure. We have to be careful because of him being premature. So once thats all done, and we're certain he doesn't need special care we'll bring him in."

Sakura sighed with disappointment. She changed the subject, "What have you heard about the building? Is the new hospital really in that bad of shape."

The nurse replied, "Well, Tsunade-sama is supposed to be down there right now with the inspectors. But from what I've heard, at least a portion of three floors of the east wing are completely unstable and will have to be rebuilt. They say we are going to be using the old hospital until further notice."

A pang of guilt ran through Sakura. "Do you know if anyone was hurt?"

"Umm, I don't think so, at least nothing serious." She sighed. The nurse didn't know what had happened, only that a s-rank jutsu was used and it involved Sakura. Tsunade had deemed the incident classified. She had told Sakura not to divulge any information on what happened to anyone. That the seal that she and Sasuke both shared posed a severe threat against the couple should the information be known to the wrong people. "Cheer up ne? It's your son's birthday after all!"

Sakura nodded.

"Ok well I'll check on you in a little while, call if you need me. Oh I almost forgot. Do you want to see visitors? Yamanaka Ino is here. "

Sakura thought for a moment. "Yeah that's fine," she said.

"Ok, I'll send her in." The cheerful nurse said with a smile as she exited the room.

"Sakura, we need to talk." Sasuke told her. She looked at him. His hair was weighed down, dark circles around his eyes and his skin paler than it should be and his clothes were ragged and torn. A flashback of his transformation echoed in her mind.

"I know. Give me a minute." He nodded and lay back down as Ino walked in.

"Sakura!" Ino gasped then ran and hugged her best friend. "Do you know how worried everyone was?" she nearly yelled in her ear.

"Everyone?" Sakura mumbled. A brief flash of all the people she saw outside the hospital as she was carried out of the destroyed delivery room.

"Yes! I heard that you died! Actually died! What happened? Oh, here." She released her friend and handed her a small bouquet of flowers.

"Thanks, they're pretty." Sakura said flatly.

"Yeah, yeah, so?"

"So, what?" Sakura said, trying to avoid the main question.

Annoyed, Ino raised her voice, "Ugh, what happened?

I uh, I don't want to go into it..not now."

"But Sakura,"

"Not Now!" she almost shouted. Then in a calmer voice said, "Look, everything's fine, thats all that matters."

"Okay," Ino said chidingly. "Well, how are you doing?" she asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. I feel strange. Uneasy.. and I still haven't seen my baby yet."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"There is. Can you run to the house and pick up my bag? It's on the floor in my closet. And.. would you please tell Tsunade-sama I want a guard to be with my son at all times while he's in the hospital?"

Ino looked puzzled. "All right, but why?"

Sakura sighed, "I may just be paranoid, but I have this awful feeling. Something isn't right..I just.."

"Okay, don't worry I'll talk to her and until she does, I'll watch over him myself." Ino reassured her. Sakura nodded.

"Ino I need to talk to Sakura, could you give us a few minutes?" Sasuke asked.

"Sure, I'll go talk to Tsunade-sama. See you in a bit." Ino hugged her best friend, and exited the room.

Sakura took a deep breath, she knew what was coming. And while she wanted to know what happened, she knew it wasn't going to be good.

"Sakura," Sasuke started, his deep silky voice surrounding her. "What do you remember?" He moved and sat beside her on the bed. Flashes of memory rolled through Sakura's brain. The fight..so stupid, I shouldn't have kicked him out. He came back, I was so uncomfortable, so agitated. I needed to pee, for the thousandth time. The baby was kicking and moving, then pain, so much pain. Then I was in the hospital. They induced the labor..I had to have the baby. So much pain. "So much pain," she whispered. She looked up at him. "I remember having him, then...cold. I was so cold, then...darkness." Something else she recalled, but not clearly. "I saw.. I saw.. The smell. The god awful smell.. What was that thing?"

"A death god." he whispered. Sasuke relived one of the most terrifying moments of his life. Tears filled his eyes. "I lost you. While they were tending to the baby, you bled out in my arms." He looked away trying to restrain the pain. Sakura wiped a tear from his cheek. "They worked on you, they did everything. But they couldn't get you back. I looked at our son, our beautiful baby. He squeezed my finger, and I knew what I had to do. I remembered my promise, but I refused to let you go."

"In my time with Orochimaru, I recalled coming across this jutsu, The Shared Heart. It could save the life of another, if you could bargain with the death god. If an agreement is made, he would release the soul of the deceased and the initiator. If not, he keeps both souls. I used this jutsu to bring you back."

Sakura put the pieces together. Her hand went to her chest over the new marking. "So, I assume you needed to use the chakra of your CS to complete this and in doing so caused the destruction of the hospital?" Sasuke nodded. "Tell me about the bargain."

He sighed. He was so exhausted, but he wanted this out of the way. "The agreement we came to was one thousand souls." Sakura's jaw dropped. Rage began to fill her eyes. Sasuke raised his hand to her so he could finish. "Nine hundred from me, and one hundred from you over the next six years." That did it..he squinted his eyes waiting for her to explode..but nothing happened. She just stared at him.

"Are you done?" she asked sharply. He nodded. Sakura inhaled deeply and tried to control herself. "One...THOUSAND! One thousand...PEOPLE! Are you INSANE! We have to kill ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE! Why? Why why why, would you agree to that?" She put her head in her hands, then ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated. "In what kind of world would you think that was okay..one soul...for A THOUSAND!" she yelled.

"Not one soul. Your soul." he growled.

"Yes. And you should have known I would never agree to something so.. so.." she hesitated, then whispered, "..monstrous."

She hit a nerve using that word. The very word others whispered behind his back. "Monstrous?" he retorted. "Yeah, I knew that, but you know what?" He glared at her, rage filling his own eyes. "I. Don't. CARE! I don't care about what you think on this matter. It was MY decision! I decided I didn't want my son growing up without his mother. I decided I was NOT going to lose you! I've lost too much already. In my world, I could care less if a thousand or six thousand scum bags die, as long as you get to live! You are EVERYTHING to me, you and our son! And if that means I have to commit an act of monstrosity in order to protect you, your GODDAMN right I'm going to do it!" he yelled.

She shivered, her anger ebbing away. "But Sasuke, how.."

"We are ninja Sakura. Killing is part of the job."

"But so many.."

"We have six years. Who knows, we may even exceed the contract."

"Sasuke," she whispered. "just please, promise me. No innocents."

He looked at her surprised. "Of course." he scoffed. "Is that what you really think of me? A monster that would kill without quam?"

"No, it's just.. I'm scared. All this is so much to take in. I know you would never kill without provocation, but.." she stopped. "When you are desperate..there's no telling what you'll do."

"Aa," he stood up, stroked her hair, "Get some rest now." Sasuke went back to his bed and dropped himself down.

There was a knock on the door. "Sakura, can I come in?" Ino asked carefully.

"Yeah, its fine."

"So, I just saw your baby." Ino said in a sing song voice. "And he is the cutest thing! He's a bit on the small side, but Shizune said he's actually bigger than he should be. She said he's roughly the size of a thirty seven week old baby about five pounds, six ounces. His skin is still pink and he has got a full head of fuzzy black hair. And his eyes! That baby has the most gorgeous eyes I've ever seen!"

Sakura's eyes were filled to the brim with tears. She felt hysterical as she began to sob uncontrollably. She quickly grabbed a pillow and covered her face as she cried. Ino confused as ever, asked her what what was wrong.

"Idiot.." Sasuke stated. "She hasn't even seen him yet."

"Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Ino snapped at him.

"Who could sleep with you cackling away?" Sasuke turned away from her on his side, and held a pillow over his ear.

"Sakura, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean to upset you. Oh hey," she abruptly changed the subject, "I talked to Tsunade-sama." Sakura quieted down. Ino continued. "And while she said it was a little overkill, she went ahead and assigned two anbu to the floor. One is posted at the entrance and the other is to be wherever the baby is."

Sakura uncovered her face and brushed off her tears with the back of her hand. "Thank you Ino. You're a good friend, and you'll make a great auntie."

Ino brightened. "Sure, is there anything else you need before I go by your house?"

"Some peace and quiet." mumbled Sasuke from under his pillow.

Ino stuck out her tongue at him. Then she and Sakura giggled. "Okay, well I'll be back later on. Bye."

After Ino left, Sasuke started to snore and Sakura too fell asleep. Almost two hours later, there was a quick rap on the door. It startled Sakura and she jumped awake. It was Tsunade. "Are you ready for your son?" she asked as she wheeled in the baby boy in a cart to his mother's bedside. Sakura beamed at the baby. Sasuke, still groggy, got up and stood next to Tsunade. Godaime picked up the fussing little boy and placed him gently in Sakura's waiting arms. "I think he's hungry."

Sakura took the baby ever so gently. She was holding him. She was finally holding her little boy. She gently caressed his little cheeks. Then making her way over his head, took off his blue hat and stroked his raven hair. The little boy calmed down and opened his eyes fully. The were a deep shade of dark green. "Oh wow.." his mother said in amazement. "You do have the most gorgeous eyes." She kissed the baby's forehead and held his tiny hand, feeling each and every finger. "I can't believe it. Sasuke," she looked up at her husband, tears in her eyes, "he's ours."

Sasuke leaned in and kissed her slowly, gently. With his forehead pressed to her's he said, "Yes, he is. Thank you Sakura."

"No," she said. "I understand now.. I..I.." Sakura started to sob. She held the baby firmly to her chest. I can see...now.. I.. why.. you.. He, is worth it. One thousand.. Si..six thousand," she sobbed. "He's worth it. He's worth it and more." She finally understood.

Sasuke felt a weight lift from him. "Yes Sakura. He is worth it, and so are you." He cupped her cheek and wiped away her tears. The baby started to fuss again, this time making a high pitch squeal that surprised everyone.

Gaining control over her powerful emotions, Sakura looked to her mentor. "Should I try feeding him?" Sakura asked.

"Sure, unless you'd rather use formula?" Tsunade said as she lightly stroked the baby's hair.

"No. No formula." Sakura said as she unbuttoned the top shoulder buttons of her hospital gown. After some adjustments, she brought the baby to her breast. Sasuke watched slightly uncomfortably, but pleased none the less. It took the baby a while, but soon, he latched on and started to nurse. Sakura squinted her eyes as she got use to the new sensation.

"Is he all right? Were there any problems?" Sakura asked.

"Surprisingly no." Tsunade said. "He's technically premature, but physically he's almost full term. I was concerned about his lungs, but so far no breathing problems. His saturation rate is good, heart rate and breath sounds are normal. We are running the usual blood tests, but all in all he's healthy. One thing I am worried about it is you. Have you tried molding chakra yet?"

"No." Sakura replied absently. She didn't even want to think about it. It scared her too much. What would she do if she couldn't mold chakra. She would have to start all over..would she even be able to continue being a ninja at all? No. She couldn't think about it, not right now.

"Well no rush. It would be good to give your body a few days to recover before you try. I don't know what kind of damage your chakra system sustained, so you may have some problems, but we won't know for sure until you have had a full recovery." She knew to expect that, though Sakura desperately hoped her chakra system would be fine. "How about the pain? What is your pain level? "

"Right now its tolerable, about a three. But before I had the medication it was an eight."

"All right, and your bleeding?"

Sakura's cheeks ran red. "Um.."

Annoyed, Tsunade stated. "Oh for heaven's sake, don't get embarrassed now! The man witnessed the birth of your child!"

Sakura huffed. "Heavy..but what I would consider normal."

Good, well you know what to do. Okay, I've got to go. You seem to be doing fine." Tsunade bent over and hugged Sakura. "Congratulations," she said in her students ear. She then hugged Sasuke briefly and said, "Thank you for saving her Sasuke. You both are going to be good parents. Oh and speaking of parents, Sakura, your's are waiting outside. Do you want to see them?"

Sakura and Sasuke were shocked. "I guess." she said.

"Sakura, are you sure about this? You don't have to see them if you don't want to." he stated.

"No, its good. I want to see what they have to say." Sakura looked down to her son. He had fallen asleep. She put herself to rights and Tsunade walked out of the room and sent her parents in.

"Sakura," her mother called softly. Her mother and father walked in and stood at the foot of the bed. Her mother's eyes were glued to the newborn baby in her daughter's arms, while her father glared at his son-in-law. "Congratulations, honey." she said as she approached Sakura and kissed her forehead.

"Thank You."

"He is so beautiful isn't he?" her mother gushed.

"Yes he is."

"So, what happened earlier, there was so much commotion?"

"I think that's a story for another time mom." Sakura glared at her mother a serious look. The not now look. Her mother knew it well.

"Fair enough. Anyway, your father has something he'd like to say. Don't you?" She said as she stared at her husband viciously.

Sakura's father cleared his throat turned to Sasuke and said, "Uchiha..I'm sorry for some of the things I said to you, and especially you Sakura." He started to pace around the room. "Its just, well, you see..I'm old fashioned. You kids these days lack tradition.. Not that I'm trying to justify my behavior but I just want you to try to understand where I'm coming from."

Exasperated, Sakura's mother took over. "What your father's trying to say is that he, we, would like all of us to start over. If you two would have us. Our family should be brought together by this blessing, not pulled apart." Tear drops pooled in Sakura's eyes. "So how about it, Sasuke, Sakura. Will you forgive us?"

Sasuke looked to Sakura. He could tell how much she wanted this and while he did not forgive her father for what he did to her and probably never will, Sasuke was willing to do this for Sakura. He nodded his approval, she smiled, then looked to her parents and nodded happily.

"Thank you for that. Both of you." Her father said.

The baby cooed in Sakura's arms then drifted back to sleep. "Oh Sakura, he's so precious." her mother said as she caressed his cheek. "May I hold him?" Sakura looked at her son adoringly. She agreed, and gently shifted and placed the baby in her mother's arms.

Her father walked over beside his wife and looked at the boy. It was hard not to just fall in love with the babe. He caressed the baby's cheek and hair. "Do you have a name for him yet?" he asked. Sakura was about to say something, but was interrupted by Sasuke. "No, not yet." he stated.

"But I thought we agreed with.."

"I don't know Sakura. His face doesn't quite match the name. So lets think about it a while longer."

"Just don't name his something stupid, silly or cute." Haruno-san interjected.

"Of course not. He's an Uchiha after all. He will have a strong name." Sasuke said.

The door burst open, and an exited young blond entered. "Sakura-chan you awake yet?" Naruto said loudly.

The baby started to cry. Everyone glared at Naruto. All seemingly saying, you idiot in their heads.

Behind him, Hinata smacked his arm. "Shh, you woke the baby." she whispered.

As Mrs. Haruno soothed the baby, Naruto, Hinata, followed by Shikamaru and Ino fully entered the room.

Sakura's mother, gave the baby back to her daughter. "Well, we better get going. It's been a long day. Congratulations dear." Her mother kissed Sakura's forehead. Her father followed and hugged his daughter. "We'll see you soon." he said. As they walked out the door her mom said, "Love you."

"So I take it you made up with them?" Naruto asked.

"For the most part." Sakura said.

"Sakura I brought your things." She dorpped the bag into Sasuke's hands and said. "There's a change of clothes in there for you too." He took the bag and went to change.

"Thank you Ino." Sakura said.

"No problem, and man was your bathroom a mess, but don't you worry your pink little head. I cleaned it. And made up your bed.. And did your dishes."

"Ok-ay, that was nice of you Ino. You weren't gone that long though."

"Well, I am a quick cleaner." Sasuke exited the bathroom and put the bag on the other side of the bed. "My my don't you clean up nice." Ino commented.

"Anyway," Naruto said. "Can we see the baby now? I want to hold him. I am his uncle after all."

Sasuke took the baby from Sakura. Everyone crowded around him to see the baby. They fussed and they made nonsensical noises at him. "Come on teme, let me hold him." Naruto whined.

"You, hold my child? No." Sasuke teased.

"Aw, come on! I won't drop him. Please? I need the practice." Naruto pleaded. Hinata glared at her husband. Her face turning a deep red.

"Practice?" Sakura questioned.

"Uhh..." Naruto scratched the back of his head. He had done it now. Hinata looked furious. Her cheeks blazing red, she was about to let him have it, but before she could say a word. She ran to the bathroom, slamming the door. Everyone could hear her retching.

"Hinata's pregnant!" Ino shouted. "Shi-ka-maru," Ino whined.

He sighed heavily, "Don't start. Now is not the time."

Hinata exited the bathroom, looking pale. "Are you all right?" Naruto asked concerned. She nodded and asked. "Did you tell them?"

"Not really. Not the details anyway. I'm sorry I let it slip, but I'm really excited about this! Can we tell them please?"

Hinata nodded approval. Naruto then kissed her cheek, took her hand and said, "Everyone, Hinata and I are having twins!" he shouted with joy.

"Twins!" Sakura shouted.

"God help us.." Shikamaru commented.

"Not fair," muttered Ino, then said to Hinata, "Congratulations."

Sasuke just continued to soothe the baby. All the commotion was making him fussy. "Sasuke, did you know about this?" Sakura asked him.

"Aa. He told me this morning."

"Na..Nartuo-kun!" Hinata exclaimed.

"You asshole, I told you that in complete confidence!" Naruto shouted. Sasuke lightly chuckled at him. "Okay fine, two can play that game." That got Sasuke's attention. "Sakura, Sasuke showed me the naked drawings he did of you!"

"He did WHAT! Sasuke-kun, that was private!" Sakura exclaimed.

On the defensive, Sasuke said, "Hey I didn't show him, he was snooping through my things!"

"I am so embarrassed," Sakura whispered.

"Don't be," Ino interjected. "They're hot if you asked me. It's kinda romantic.."

"You've seen them too!" Sakura shouted.

"Well, when I was cleaning up earlier.."

"What the hell were you doing cleaning in my dresser?" Sasuke demanded.

"Oh..nothing really. Nice undies by the way" Ino smiled slyly and wiggled her eyebrows at him.

"Apparently none of you have any discretion. Geez" Shikamaru stated.

"Oh right Shika, we all can't be as perfect and boring as you!" Ino retorted.

"That's ENOUGH!" Sakura shouted. "Sasuke, let Naruto hold the baby. And no more bickering. Sasuke shifted the baby to Naruto's waiting arms.

He and Hinata looked at the baby, then looked at each other in absolute adoration. Sasuke sat down on Sakura's bed. He lifted her hand and kissed it.

Ino threw her arms around Shikamaru. They all had made up, and were enjoying this happy moment when a massive pressure wave shattered the windows, showering everyone with glass.

The baby was screaming, alarms were blaring. "Is the baby ok?" Sakura shouted.

"Yeah, he 's fine." Naruto said as he handed to baby to Sakura. Luckliy Naruto's back was to the windows shielding the infant. "Hinata are you hurt?" he franticaly checked over her. She just shook her head. Everyone had small scratches and cuts from the glass.

"What the hell is going on?" Ino demanded.

They looked outside and saw nothing but a pile of rubble and numerous fires where the new hospital once was. Another explosion shook the ground and then another and another. A cool breeze blew over them, the smell of ash, dust and acrid burning surrounded them. Looking out into the disctance, the sun was setting and they could see pillers of smoke billowing from different sections of the village.

"We're under attack." Shikamaru stated. "Nartuo, we have to go."

There was a thund and the nurse came rushing in the door. "Is everyone all right?" They all muttered their yeses. "Good, Sakura I have some more medicine for you."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Something to help calm you down."

"I don't want it."

"But you need your rest, I'm sure everything will be fine. I'll take the baby and you can try to rest." The nurse took out the hypodermic needle.

"I said no! The village is under attack, there's glass everywhere, and you want me to go to sleep? What is wrong with you?"

Everyone then knew something wasn't right with this nurse. Sasuke moved slowly from the foot of Sakura's bed, edging closer.

The nurse knew she was cornered, she jabbed the needle into Sakura's arm, but didn't push down the plunger. "Give me the baby, or she dies!" the nurse said. Sasuke's eyes flashed red, once she looked at him it was over. The nurse went limp, Sakura pulled the syringe out of her arm and threw it to the floor. Sasuke grabbed the woman by the neck and with his sharingan changing, he entered her mind. A few seconds later there was a crack and the nurse fell lifeless to the floor.

Sasuke's eyes faded to normal and he stumbled and fell to the floor. "Sasuke, are you all right?"

He was out of breath, panting he said, "Fine. It was too soon to use Mangekyou "

"What did you find out?" Shikamaru asked.

"She is with them. The ones attacking the village. Her mission was..Sakura. They want Sakura and the baby." Sasuke coughed.

"Why?"

"The woman didn't know why. Only her mission."

"What village are they from?"

"No..village. Rogues."

"This is what we are going to do. Naruto, you and I need to find Godaime. Ino, Hinata, get Sasuke, Sakura and the baby out of here. Take them through the tunnels and get them to Compound B level 4. They should be safe there. Once you're there, stay put until I send someone for you." Shikamaru commanded.

After hugging Hinata and telling her to be safe, Naruto left with Shikamaru. Ino, grabbed Sakura's bag and helped her get dressed. Sasuke went to check the hallways. When he returned he told the girls. "The two anbu are dead. We need to leave, now!"

"Wait." Sakura went to the nurse's station and bagged medicine, formula, diapers and anything else she might need. It hurt to walk, but she couldn't think about that now. "The tunnels, we need to take the stairwell down to the basement. My access codes will open the door."

"Hinata, use your byakugan, check the stairwell, make sure it's clear." Sasuke ordered.

She did, and with Sakura by her side, Ino holding the baby and Sasuke behind them, they made their way to the tunnel and through the underground.

End Chapter

Author's note: This is an old story, but I WILL finish it! SasuSaku is canon baby!