A/N Whoot! It's done.
There is a note down the end you should probably all read xP
Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto
THE MISSION DURING THE WAR CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
AT PEACE
Last time -
The Hokage's office is bright and surprisingly loud for this time of morning. Tsunade has been in the office for a couple of hours now and Shizune has taken over her shift at the Hospital.
Team 7 as well as the members of Team Kakashi stand before their leader awaiting instructions.
"I know that you all must be eager for your first mission as a team again." Tsunade begins, glancing down at the mission scroll before her.
Turning her blue eyes to the Uchiha, the Hokage can see Naruto bouncing up and down in her peripheral vision. His foxy face is as excited as ever, while the rest of the team are a semblance of good behaviour. Though, the glint in Sasuke's eyes suggest excitement as well. No one is as forthcoming as Naruto.
"First up I would like to congratulate you Sasuke and Sakura for your up coming nuptials. I trust that I will be the god mother of your child." The woman smirks slightly with her teasing words, but she is genuinely happy for her student.
"Shishou!" The pinkette still has the self preservation to blush despite the random marks placed about her form for people to see. She is a medic and capable of healing them, but Sasuke would not hear of it. 'You are mine.' Was his response at the time. Infuriating man.
The Hokage chuckles lowly and moves her gaze to Kakashi, the smile waning.
"Hatake, your team is to move out on Intel garnered from the Uchiha." The Hokage's stern voice rings out around the room.
Naruto jumps a little higher, while Sasuke, Sakura and Sai remain completely silent. Kakashi merely nods at Tsunade's words.
"Ne, Tsunade-baa chan. Just tell us!" Naruto blurts out, unable to help himself.
"Calm yourself Naruto." Her harsh tone manages to reign him back...a little. "You are to go to the location upon this scroll and fetch me." There is a pause before the woman speaks once more.
"Orochimaru."
xxx
The forest on the outskirts of Konoha is vibrant and flush with all different shades of green. The dark brown of the tree's, only help accentuate how abundant the growth of the area is. It does not mean anything at all, but it serves to lift the travelling shinobi's spirits. Wild life and greenery at its most beautiful, is a good omen for the safety of their journey. Though, ninja are not usually a superstitious lot, Haruno Sakura has always been in a mould of her own.
The orange and black clad hero bounds excitedly in front of his team, sniffing out trouble along the way. Sakura and Sasuke leap from tree to tree with chakra laced steps, like it is second nature. No one will know, but the two have spent more than enough time travelling in this direction to and from Konoha in the last couple of months.
The ex root shinobi, Sai, takes the rear with the team leader, Hatake Kakashi.
The mission brief is simple: Go to the under ground vault where Orochimaru has been placed and retrieve him. Alive.
Sasuke remembers locking him up that first day. It was actually ridiculously easy with the use of his Mangekyo. That slithering snake is not even a challenge any more, it's almost depressing. Almost.
The small cell of ninja have been travelling for half a day and if they stay at this steady pace, they will reach the location in a days time. Sasuke can make the journey in one night, though, that is at top speed.
Sasuke glances over at his wife to be, jumping along silently. Her stance is relaxed and very much like always. However, the tightness of her gaze would suggest that something is wrong. In the past months, the Uchiha has learnt that Sakura will never say a word when something is upsetting her. The girl will hide beneath that ridiculously deceptive smile, and worry all to herself. Sometimes, he cannot help but wonder if part of that bad habit is his own doing. Whatever the reason, it is very annoying. How is he supposed to tend to her needs if she won't tell him them?
Moving into Sakura's apartment was a very easy transition for the ex rouge nin. It is more comfortable than the underground hide out, and her bed is much bigger. Sasuke suspects that the low expectations of life that shinobi have, as well as the very little stress in their lives at the moment, has also helped the time pass easily.
During the day, the heir to the Uchiha clan has been using his strength for building purposes, while Sakura tends to the Hospital. Konoha has been kind enough to hire Tazuna, an old acquaintance from wave, as the contractor. Although it is all coming out of Sasuke's vault, the Uchiha does not care one bit. Money is not something he will ever have to worry about considering he inherited over 100 people's fortunes, and the Uchiha clan were very wealthy. The man was very happy when Tazuna requested the original blue prints of the compound, and is secretly very excited to see a new and improved version of his old home. Of course, there will be a few adjustments to meet modern times. Still, continuity and tradition are very important.
As soon as the main house is built and the area surrounding, Sasuke and his love will move out of the small apartment and into the home they will use to build a family.
That is one of his biggest wishes...To have a family with Sakura. When he was young, Sasuke never realised what re building the clan would entail. As he grew older and experienced life on the road, he doubted that the wish would ever come true. Still, whenever he envisioned the dream, late at night, a picture of Sakura would always appear. Back then he would push it away very forcefully and hate his brain for doing that to him, but now Sasuke can see that it was meant to be.
His fourteen year old self would turn beet red if he knew how much copulating himself and the pink haired cherry blossom would get up to. Young Sasuke would throw a fit if he saw his older self being a lovey mess (as lovey as a stoic Uchiha can be), as he licks every inch of a very naked Sakura. He is not ashamed though. Every moment possible, Sasuke cannot help pouncing upon the poor unsuspecting kunoichi to have his way with her.
However, sometimes, Sakura can be a surprise all of her own. A few times she has managed to seduce him, ninja style, quite successfully.
In any case, they have been going at it like rabbits. The marks covering their forms are only a small testament to the affection Sakura and Sasuke show each other, and the raven haired ninja is very proud of his role in the pinkettes life.
"Sakura." The Uchiha does not look in her direction, but his tone suggests a firmness that she will not be able to evade. "What is wrong?"
Cursing inwardly, the woman is not sure how he became so perceptive of her. "Nothing Sasuke. Let's just get through this mission."
"Baka." Sasuke replies, tone harsh. Any other woman would take offence, but this is Sakura. "Tell me this instant." He says calmly.
Sighing, the pinkette dodges a particularly large brush of foliage upon a branch. Turning her gaze upon the man beside her, she sighs once more. "It's stupid Sasuke-kun."
"And so are you, so that makes it okay." The man reasons blankly, though, he is joking.
"It's just, between Shishou and Ino, the whole village is going to think that we are pregnant out of wedlock." The pinkette looks a little distressed.
"This is a problem?" He is confused. "Can you really blame them for thinking that? Look at us." Sasuke misses the twitch of Sakura's right eye as she thinks about how easy it would be to heal his possessive marks. She knows that he would just make more, and this is not the time or place...
Neither nin notice Sai and Kakashi move just a little closer, or Naruto begin to lag behind to eaves drop.
"Well no...I mean, yes. It would not be proper." Sakura states with a sniff.
A wry smirk covers Sasuke's regal features, "Sakura. I am certain that everyone knows that we make love every chance possible. Hell, if we weren't on a mission right now I know what I would be doing." His face returns to a perfectly blank slate despite his suggestive comment.
"That's not appropriate! I mean, what if I am pregnant? You said it would be best not to use birth control and you attack me every chance you get!"
Ahh. The real reason comes out, the woman looks away in embarrassment.
"Sakura." Onyx glance over at the mop of pink hiding gleaming emerald orbs. He does not need to look directly ahead to be accurate with his jumps, Sasuke is an elite. "Would that be a problem?"
"Well, um...It wouldn't?" The pinkette asks after a pause.
Sasuke chuckles wryly, nevertheless, his deep voice remains as passive as ever. "I have been trying to fill you with child since returning to Konoha, Sakura. I cannot say you haven't been...Receptive."
The soon to be Uchiha turns bright red at his proclamation and continues to leap from branch to branch. Sakura did not expect that answer. She also didn't expect the warmth that pools within, at the thought of bearing Sasuke's child...being a mother.
With a slow nod, the woman's worries disappear and the slight signs of possible pregnancy fall to the back burner of her mind. She can check when they return home for signs of life, though with the potency of the Uchiha and the constant state of arousal both seem to be in around each other, Sakura really would not be surprised.
"Ne, Sakura-chan. Are you having Teme's baby?" Naruto can't help interjecting, having been listening the entire time. Most of the conversation made him want to rip his ears off, but the blonde is just happy that his two friends finally found each other.
"Naruto!" Sakura scolds with wide eyes. She did not realise that anyone was listening to them. How embarrassing! 'I bet Sasuke knew, that sneak!' The girl thinks to herself, upping the pace of her steps.
"Heh heh. Don't get grumpy Sakura-chan. The question makes sense since every time I try to spend time with you guys, you are 'training'. Who trains indoors?" The kyuubi container laughs a moment, but waves his arms in front of his face upon noticing Sakura's miffed expression. "Mou, Nee-chan. It's a good thing right? You and Sasuke, and a little baby will be great. Dibs on being god father!" An excited expression that boarders on dreamy crosses his cheerful face. "I can't wait for me and Hinata to have children, and I can teach them all the things I missed out on. It will be great!" Naruto pumps his fist into the air as he imagines mini Uzumaki's running around. Though, he doubts that Hinata will be allowed to change her last name. Not unless he attains Hokage status first. Meanwhile, Sasuke cannot get the disturbing image of Byakugen Naruto's scoffing down an unholy amount of ramen while their father teaches them the art of, Sexy no Jutsu. He can certainly wait for that picture to come true...
Before Sakura can reply to Naruto, Sai cuts in with his usual monotonous tone. "Yeah Ugly, are you with Traitor-kuns child? Do you think it will come out with ugly pink hair and a traitorous attitude?" His feelings are hidden behind a smile of politeness and Kakashi pretends to ignore the conversation all together.
"Don't call my fiance that." Sasuke growls at the same time Naruto hollars, "Sasuke-Teme is not a traitor!"
"How are you going to make a baby with Hinata-san without a penis, dickless?" The black haired ex root member continues on his annoyingly oblivious path.
"SHUT UP!" Choruses through the forest as the socially stunted shinobi falls back away from the group
Sakura merely shakes her head and prays they will make rest soon enough. Much more of this and her head will explode. At least she does not have to worry about expectations with her close friends. They are not gossip mongers like Ino and her surrogate mother. Despite Sai's attitude he is a true friend. Sometimes, you have to squint very closely though.
The thought of motherhood still weighs heavily on her mind. Sakura did not give it much thought before, but something Sasuke mentioned that morning about having a family sent alarm bells off in her head. That, coupled with Tsunade's teasing comments, made the woman question the last time she had a period. It could be stress, but that is highly doubtful, since there is barely anything to stress over these days.
The thought didn't occur to her, that Sasuke would want a baby so quickly. Now that the topic has been breached, Sakura can honestly say that it excites her a little. It will be amazing to full-fill one of her loves life dreams as well as live a fairy tale life. Well, as fairy tale as Haruno Sakura is allowed. Sasuke does not like to go out like other men, nor will he buy her flowers or trinkets. Though, the gifts he does get her are usually extremely expensive. Priceless heirlooms actually. The fact that he is willing to give items so precious to little old Sakura, speaks volumes of his love for her.
No. Having Sasuke's child would not be bad at all.
Without even realising it, Sakura's terror turns into secret want and wishing.
Little does she know, her wish has already been granted.
xxx
The cool walls of the concrete underground are a stark contrast to the warm weather above ground. Sakura has never been to this area before, but knows that the other hide out is close by. The woman is not sure if Sasuke has given information about their temporary home to the Hokage. Perhaps, he wishes to keep it a secret in case anything ever happened that required them to hide for safety. Old habits certainly die hard.
Light glows steadily along the walls and is surprisingly not fire based. This area is new enough to have electricity. How did this place come to be?
The orange clad shinobi shivers in the center of the group. He is not so brave now...
Sai and Kakashi follow along in silence setting their deep coloured eyes straight ahead.
Watching her team mates for a moment, Sakura turns her attention back to the passage in front of her. This is similar to the Uchiha underground near Konoha, though, there are no marking on the walls. Her lover strides quickly at the front of the group, and the woman cannot help but admire his regal stature and inherent grace with every step taken. It takes all she has not to reach out and wrap her arms around him.
For some reason, Sakura can't get enough of 'emotionless' Sasuke. He is just divine.
A light flickers to the side, as the concrete begins to turn a darker shade. Team Kakashi have been travelling this path for a solid half an hour. Though, Sasuke assures it is not much further.
"Sasuke-kun. What are we going to do once we reach Orochimaru?" The pinkette questions the man who has taken point for this part of the mission.
"He is in chakra chains so it shouldn't be too hard. I will get you to disable his nerves so there will be no struggle. Can you handle that Sakura?" Sasuke's voice is authoritative and no nonsense.
"Hai!" Her response echoes down the hall loudly.
"Ano sa, Sasuke-teme." Naruto catches the raven haired nins attention. "I think I can sense something." The blonde kyuubi containers nose lifts to the air as if trying to sniff out the trouble.
"Dickless is correct. Though, it does not seem completely right. Are we close by Traitor-kun?"
Sasuke ignores Sai's affectionate nick name, and merely replies with a standard, "Hn."
The next bend the team wander around shows an obvious incline and then another passage that branches off in another direction. Without so much as a word, Sasuke takes the new path expecting his team to follow.
When they do, it is obvious how close they are. Up ahead, not five meters away, sits a cast iron door.
Cutting his palm, the Uchiha lets his blood flow over the door knob that unlocks upon contact. Pushing open the heavy metal, the group wait with baited breath to see Orochimaru hanging against the cold wall in blue chains.
All they find though, is a very large Orochimaru snake skin.
Well, fuck...
xxx
"Report!" The blonde Hokage orders the newly returned team. There is no sign of the snake Orochimaru, and the whole group looks down in the dumps. Well, everyone except Sai, who looks as regular as always.
"Hokage-sama." Kakashi begins in his 'respectful tone'. "The information Sasuke gave us was correct. However, upon arriving at the location we discovered that Orochimaru has escaped. We have brought back evidence of his being there in the form of a very large snake skin. We will await your next orders regarding the mission." The copy nin lowers his head in a half bow, before looking back up at their leader.
Tsunade's features tighten considerably. Though, she had a hunch this would happen.
"Kuso. That is a very old trick of his. I should have considered the possibility." The Hokage says to herself, in a serious tone. This is not good.
"Uchiha." The woman continues, addressing Sasuke. "What are your thoughts on the matter?"
Stepping forward, Sasuke inclines his head respectfully before speaking. "We surveyed the area for any possible clues and have obtained a genetic sample of the target, as well as mapped out Orochimaru's tracks. He was able to get past a blood sealed door, but I would not be surprised if that snake hasn't taken in some of the Uchiha's blood. His fascination with commanding my body began with Itachi after all. The tracks we found were not hidden at all and there are very small trace amounts of chakra that allowed us to determine where he exited and the direction the target travelled." Sasuke pauses, taking in a breath, allowing the information to sink in. "We scouted the area, though, we felt bringing you this information was top priority. I suggest an ANBU squad scour the west for signs of the snake...Really though, he is probably in the wind." The raven haired man bows his head once more and steps back with his group. Standing closer to Sakura than the others upon instinct.
The Hokage gazes at Team Kakashi, taking in all new information. "Do you feel this is correct Hatake?" The blonde confirms.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." The Jonin replies obediently.
Sighing deeply, Tsunade looks resolute. "From the sounds of your report. Orochimaru is still weak. With the extensive information the Uchiha provided us with upon first returning to Konoha, I can ascertain that he is still weakened from the Mangekyo and chakra exhaustion. The fact that chakra is present is a good sign, to be sure. I will send out ANBU, but other than that...We wait."
Everyone around the room looks wary but there is nothing that can be done. The Hokage does not think Orochimaru will become a threat in the near future. Though, he must be obtained. That man cannot be allowed an abundance of time to scheme. He will have a world dominating plot within no time. Thankfully, his body takes a long while to regenerate properly.
Yes. This is the best course of action.
Gazing down the ninja before her, Tsunade gives them all a firm look.
"Team Kakashi. You are dismissed. Good work!"
"Hai!" Choruses around the room, despite the dampened mood.
xxx
"Sasuke-kun." Sakura warns. "I'm not in the mood." The pinkette tries to shimmy out of her loves grasp to enter the kitchen.
The apartment is lovely and cool this time of day and both ninja are happy to be home. Still, failure always weighs heavily on Sakura.
"Can't do that." Sasuke nuzzles the pale expanse of Sakura's throat. He enjoys the velvet feel of her skin and sniffs the scent of sweat and white jasmine. Delicious.
"Ne Sasuke-teme I'm still here, you know!?" Naruto intones, irritated by the usually stoic nins actions.
"I was hoping you would rectify that." Sasuke's voice is muffled as he licks the shell of Sakura's ear. He is not one for public displays of affection, but this is his home. The Dobe should have known that Sasuke would want some time with his fiance.
"Ugh! It is one thing knowing you are a normal person Sasuke and another horrible horrible thing seeing it." The blonde hero makes more 'ick' noises, followed by a little bit of hacking.
Managing to pull away from Sasuke's grasp, Sakura ignores the slight growl that is directed her way. Deciding to take pity on the man, the pinkette turns and walks into Sasuke's arms. Looping her arms around his neck, Sakura fixes him with a light kiss.
"After I make dinner we can have a lovely night. Okay?" Her voice is hopeful, eyes bright with pleading.
Sasuke sighs, leaning his forehead against Sakura's. "I'm going to hold you to that. I don't want ramen again." The Uchiha finishes staunchly, allowing Sakura to walk into the kitchen.
"That's not fair! Sakura-chan makes the best ramen. Hey Sakura?" Naruto smiles widely, but it falls as he remembers that they are not having ramen.
Sasuke moves past the coffee table and takes a seat next to his best friend. Picking up the remote, the Uchiha turns the television onto Konoha central. If he recalls Kakashi correctly, Icha Icha Tactics is playing again in a couple of minutes. It is a rerun, but Sasuke has never had the opportunity to have luxuries such as television and take away, what with being a nuke nin and all.
Not that they are having take away. Why would they need to? Sakura makes the best food he has ever tasted. It rivals that of what his mother used to make, and creates a swell within the Uchiha whenever he eats anything Sakura has prepared. He cannot wait until she is feeding his children and being a perfect Uchiha matriarch and an A class Kunoichi. Of course, she may have to take a small sabbatical during the first year of child rearing. Though, Sasuke will not be like his father. He wants to have a very active part with the growing of his young-lings. Secretly, it is all very exciting.
The movie begins to play and Sasuke notices that Naruto is very enraptured by the bright green and oranges crossing the screen. The thought of Ramen has completely left the dobes mind, and the smell of something delicious starts to filter in from the kitchen.
The scent of Oden permeates his nostrils teasingly, and Sasuke can't wait to eat as much as possible. The Daikon is prominent as the sound of a knife cutting up the vegetable shinobi quick hit his ears. The Uchiha loves when Sakura makes this dish, especially because of the salty soup that accompanies the array of foods. It is not as bitter as Sasuke would like, but not everyone has tastes such as he.
When the movie is about ten minutes in, Sakura meanders into the room with a tray of drinks. Placing the tea down in front of her boy's. Sasuke takes his extremely bitter black tea and Naruto gushes at Sakura's kindness before picking up his obscenely sweet drink.
Dinner will be ready soon and despite the failed mission today, Team 7 are quite content. Walking in-between the couch and the coffee table, Sakura places herself in between Sasuke and Naruto. Sasuke's arm comes up to wrap around her shoulder instinctively and Sakura's hand moves to her love's thigh.
Although enraptured in the movie, Naruto makes room for his beloved Sakura-chan, smiling down at the pink haired food goddess.
"Dinner smell great Sakura-chan." He tells his best friend happily, very excited for the meal to come.
"Hn." Sasuke agrees in that monosyllabic way of his.
"Thank guys! I'm starving, I don't know why but I have wanted eggs all day." The pinkette exclaims, turning her attention to the movie. With a soft sigh of contentment, the pinkette leans her head on Naruto's shoulder as she squeezes Sasuke's leg affectionately. The Uchiha nuzzles his woman, kissing her cheek softly as she laughs at the obscene gesture a character is making on screen.
Naruto's voice can be heard cackling into the night.
"I love you guys." Sakura admits, gazing up at Naruto then Sasuke. Her emerald soften upon the love of her life.
"We love you too Sakura-chan." Naruto nuzzles his cheek against his sister affectionately as she continues to use his shoulder as a pillow. He looks very much like a fox at this moment.
There is silence until Sasuke says a little awkwardly, "I love you too Tenshi."
Sasuke enjoys the colour pink Sakura turns at his out of character proclamation.
Team 7 are finally at peace...
...
"SHIT! The soup!"
END
A/N Yay it's over.
Well not quite. There is still a quite long epilogue!
If you are all keen for a sequel please review and let me know! I have only heard back from a few of you who want to read the companion piece.
Any way. It has been wonderful writing this story. It has been the best five weeks of my life xP
After the epilogue I will also be starting my itasaku story if anyone is interested. All of this will be happening in the next 48 hours. It shall be named – A Better Time.
The companion piece to this one, if everyone is interested, will be – Trials and Tribulations of the Uchiha Life.
Reviews keep me writing and make me smile :)
Thank you all and I will see you at the epilogue.
MerinxD