A/N Here is the epilogue. I have already started the first chapter for the companion piece. So keep a look out for it. First chapter will be out within the next 48hours depending on life and such. Any mistakes found will be altered when I go through and edit this story completely in a weeks time.

Thank you all very much for your support and lovely comments. It has been a great ride. I hope you all tune in for my other works and will see you all soon enough!

New readers to this story in the future. Please send me a review if you enjoyed it :) I am always writing xP

Thank you all again and here is the last chapter -

Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto

THE MISSION DURING THE WAR CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

EPILOGUE

"Mission success." Sasuke's voice rings out over the head piece as he perches a knocked out man over his shoulder. This mission was tasked by an old war lord who was obnoxious enough to draw attention to himself, and managed to gain some pretty influential enemies from the shinobi realm. Thankfully for him, Konoha has been after information on rogue assassins for quite some time. The target, slung over the raven haired shinobi's shoulder like a towel, is actually a very skilled assassin. Team 7 wouldn't have thought so upon arriving at their location. Kakashi decided that it was in their best interest to henge themselves a war lord and set up some bait. It is obvious that the assassin had no idea that the war lord was onto him because even Naruto was more stealthy than him, and Naruto is about as stealthy as an obese elephant.

It is all over now and this horribly easy week long mission can come to a close.

All of Team 7 are starting to miss home and the feel of a warm bed and in Sasuke and Naruto's case, their warm wives. This was a relatively average mission, but the war lord specifically asked for the best of the best so Tsunade pocketed the old creeps dollars and delivered. Now the only task left is to sedate the assassin to withstand long travel and start the journey home. If they travel at a steady pace, it will take about three days. Though, knowing Sasuke and Naruto, they will want to get home ahead of time.

For the Uchiha it is a matter of seeing Sakura and tending to clan business. Naruto's sights are more set on a gigantic bowl of ramen and then a visit to his beloved fiance. Luckily for the blonde hero, Hyuga Hinata accepted his suit for marriage with the approval of her family. The only condition being that he become Hokage first. Ever since the meeting with Hizashi, Naruto has been jumping through hoop after hoop as a Hokage in training. Tsunade will never admit it, but she is glad to be passing on the legacy to the Fourth's son. It seems rather befitting.

Naruto turns to Kakashi, who is jumping from tree to tree while reading his patented book. How he is able to do that, know one will ever know. Sai is travelling relatively close beside him upon a white bird with the prisoner in front of him knocked out cold. The older Jonin turns a page with one hand and manages to side step a rather large twig offshoot that has sprouted up from the sturdy wood of the tree. His lazy expression mirrors exactly how the rest of them feel.

"Kaka-sensei. How about you shout us some ramen when we get home?" Naruto speaks to the team leader using his affectionate term. It does not matter that they have been the same rank for some time now.

Kakashi merely makes a noise that equates to: In your dreams, and continues to read the worn novel. Naruto just smiles at the expected answer, and chuckles to himself.

"Everyone. Wait a moment." Sasuke's voice is heard from up ahead. The group leap a couple of branches and land beside the raven haired Jonin. It has taken three years, but Sasuke finally did get the ranking he wanted.

"What is it Teme?" The kyuubi container looks confused.

That is when a puff of smoke sounds and a little blue and white slug lands upon Sasuke's forearm. Katsuyu appeared to Sasuke a couple of moments ago saying that Sakura has a message for him, before puffing away into thin air. It made the man on edge to say the least. Luckily, the animal has the good sense to come back.

"Sorry Sasuke-san. Tsunade called me back, but I am here now. There has been some confusion with your wife but we have been able to straighten everything out." The blue and white slug says politely, though the creatures breathing is a little more wispy than usual.

Sasuke merely gives the animal a 'go on' expression that is rather intimidating and Katsuyu continues on quickly. "Sakura is in labour. Her water has just broken and it will take about six hours before she will be dilated enough to push. Tsunade-sama says to get to the hospital as soon as you can, she is in good hands." The slug gives him a nod and poofs away before the nineteen year old has time to reply.

"Fuck." Both Naruto and Sasuke say at the same time. Turning to each other, a silent conversation is exchanged with one brief look. Then both men take off like the speed of light.

"I'm coming Sakura-chan!" Naruto hollars into the greenery as his feet glow blue with the push of chakra.

"Dobe she can't hear you!" Sasuke yells back, clearly on edge. His wife is having a baby.

"Don't worry Sasuke we will get there on time. I'll race you. Fist one there is a better shinobi!" The blonde laughs, picking up his pace even more.

A visible growl is heard behind him before a flash of sound and colour zoom past him.

Naruto just smiles for a moment, quickly getting back in the game.

They will make it in time!

xxx

"Sakura-chan he is beautiful." Hinata says softly, sitting on a chair beside the pinkette's hospital bed. Upon her knee sits a very cute toddler with lovely raven hair and deep sea green eyes. The boy plays with the ends of the heiresses hair and chatters to himself.

"He is isn't he." Sakura whispers, gazing down at the new born wrapped within her grasp. Her newest baby is lovely and pink, with a tiny little tuft of ebony hair. The woman doesn't think she will ever get a child with hair like hers, Sasuke's genes are just too strong.

"Kaa-channn." The toddler coos, reaching his arms out wide for the pink haired medic. The tired woman turns her head to look at her first born with absolute love. She is sweaty and exhausted but it does not matter because everything is perfect.

"This is your brother Itachi-chan. What shall we name him?" The little boy doesn't respond, but allows Hinata to deposit him upon the mattress beside his mother. His wide eyes stare down at the baby with wonder. It is impossible to tell what he is thinking as he leans over the tiny child, their noses almost touch. Then, the newborn slowly but surely opens his eyes. Deep emerald with black flecks gaze up at the boy with deep green eyes before the tiny child let's his eyes slide shut once more. It is enough though, little Itachi is completely enraptured with his brother. He seems pleased as he smiles up at his mother with a big toothy grin.

"He is mine." Itachi's face slides into an expression that mirrors Sasuke's a little too much. It is like a blank slate of possessiveness.

"Itachi-chan." Sakura says softly, "He is your brother, not something you can own." The boy just continues to look confused and the pinkette sighs lightly. He will get it one day.

Turning to Hinata, both women share a knowing look and a smile as they giggle quietly. Children are amazing creatures, always full of surprises. In a year or two Hinata and Naruto will have their first born and heir to the Hyuga and Uzumaki clan. Naruto is working very hard to become Hokage to make the time constraints the old clan has set for them. Sakura knows that her best friend loves Hinata very much and will do whatever it takes. She is very proud of him for all the progress he has made.

A loud crash is heard from down the hall and Sakura swears she can hear, "You can't come through that window!" Yelled out from a distance.

"Sorry Nee-chan! COMING THROUGH!" A familiar voice booms and the sound of clatter is heard as it progressively grows closer.

As the swinging door opens, the pinkette is blessed with the best sight ever. Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto stand before her sweating profusely, they are panting heavily with loss of breath. It seems that they travelled faster then their bodies should allow. The woman suspects that her husband is showing early signs of chakra exhaustion, but Naruto is unflappable. He will be running down to the food cart in fifteen minutes time completely rejuvenated. If only they all had a killer beast within that replenished their health remarkably fast.

In an instant, Sasuke is at her side and kissing her full on the lips. Their sweat mingles unknowingly, but neither care one bit. Hinata moves over to the door to greet her fiance.

"Naruto-kun. Let's go for a quick walk. You can visit Sakura-san in a moment." The woman orders softly, taking the blonde by the elbow and steering him to the exit. Naruto looks like he is going to protest but upon seeing his two best friends wrapped up in their little family, he does not want to intrude. They are certainly perfect for each other.

"Okay Hinata-chan. I missed you." Despite the fact that they have been together for years, Hinata cannot help but blush a light pink. Naruto is always so affectionate.

The blondes chatter can be heard all the way down the hallway as he rounds the corner, though, Sasuke does not notice. He is too busy accepting the small bundle that is his newest child. The baby boy opens his eyes and Sasuke just about stops breathing. Deep emerald with black flecks stare up at him and he can't help but wonder at the perfect mixture of colours. Before Itachi was born, Sasuke hoped for emerald orbs like Sakura's. He cannot get enough of those big doe eyes of hers. When he came out, the oldest Uchiha was an absolute wreck. He just about destroyed the hospital lobby because Tsunade threw him out of the room for being too stressed. It is true though, he just couldn't see it at the time. When he looked into Itachi's eyes for the first time he just knew that it was meant to be. That he would love this little creature until the end of time. The black ring around his emerald depths made his heart stop because he could see himself in his own child. At the moment, Sasuke feels something very similar. There is so much of Sakura and himself in that one little look that it almost overwhelms him. For the third time in his life, Sasuke promises to himself that he will protect his own fiercer than anything before.

Kissing the baby on the forehead softly, the man cannot take his eyes off him. Little Itachi tries to hug his father as well, snuggling into the soft material of Sasuke's black shirt. The Jonin vest was lost somewhere on the journey but the new father doesn't care one bit.

"Who could have predicted that we would be here four years ago." His beautiful wife breaks the silence. Gazing upward, Sasuke sees that she is absolutely perfect. The brightest smile ever covers her face and despite the hospital gown and sweat slicked hair, he knows that he will love her forever.

"You are beautiful." His voice has a mind of its own.

"You said that last time." Sakura beams up at her husband. Allowing him to give her a sweet kiss.

"It was true then too." Sasuke replies, wrapping his arm tighter around the toddler sitting upon the bed.

"Well you look exhausted." The pinkette counters, taking the new born from his grasp with practised ease. Sasuke cannot deny the swell of pride he feels watching his two sons and wife sit before him. It is a dream come true.

"I love you Sakura." He tells her for the first time in a week. It has been so long. Leaning in, he allows their lips to meet once more. It is obvious that she is tired, but it does not stop him from parting his lips just a little. The kiss is slow and languid, but above all, it encases all the emotions blooming between the two shinobi.

"Yuck you two!" Naruto pokes his tongue out jokingly. Hinata follows him into the room, carrying a tray of hot tea and vitamins for Sasuke to take. There is a chakra pill amongst the array of goods and the Uchiha is very grateful.

"Arigatou, Hinata-san." Sasuke intones, taking the tray from her grasp. He passes Naruto and the raven haired woman their drinks. He smirks a little at the customised smiley face upon the kyuubi containers styrofoam cup.

"Thanks Teme." Naruto says, placing the cup down on the bedside table. He wastes no time giving Sakura a big sloppy kiss, "Mwa!" The blonde smacks his lips together as he pulls away. "You look tired Sakura-chan, you gotta stop letting Teme do this to you." He jokes lightly, admiring the bundle within her hold. Reaching out, the hero traces the line of the newborns face with a gentle finger. The sleeping child is certainly all theirs.

The orange Hokage in training ignores the raven haired man's proud smirk, keeping his attention on his beautifully tired Sakura-chan.

"I can't say that will happen Naruto. I want a girl one of these days but we just keep having boys!" Sakura's tone is happy though.

"You might end up with twenty children then if that's the case." The kyuubi container laughs heartily, missing the shocked expression covering the pinkette's heart shaped face. Sasuke's smirk grows by the second though, and Naruto just shakes his head. Averting his attention to the toddler close by.

"Hello Itachi-chan." Naruto turns to the boy cuddled up to his Otou-san. "Does uncle Naruto get a hug?" He asks with a foxy grin.

The toddler smiles brightly, launching himself at Naruto with grace a two year old should not posses. "I think you have a genius on your hands." The man tells his two best friends.

"I think so too." Sakura interjects. "I was meaning to tell you Sasuke, his chakra has come in. Just the other day I found him climbing the bench to get a my newly picked tomato's." The pinkette laughs lightly, very wary of waking the baby.

Sasuke's expression is surprised for a moment, as he turns his prideful eye onto his first born son. His Onii-chan was a prodigy, fate is probably going to grace their child his namesake with the same gifts. Though, Sasuke will see to it that nothing bad ever comes to his family. There will never be an Uchiha Massacre again. With danger of sounding like Naruto, that is a promise.

"So Sakura-chan, what are you going to name him?" The blonde asks with wide blue eyes. Hinata nods in agreement to the question, coming to stand beside her love. She pats Itachi on the head softly and smiles.

"Sasuke?" Sakura asks looking up at her husband with absolute love and trust.

The Uchiha smiles then, picking up Itachi with his strong arms. The boy wraps his arms around his Otou-san's neck. Walking over to the other side of the bed, Sasuke places a soft kiss upon Sakura's head as he gazes down at his new baby boy.

Reaching out a hand, Sasuke cups the babies head in his very gently, grazing Sakura's fingers in the process. Looking back up he says,

"How about Shisui?"

END

A/N So what did you all think?

It was fun ne?

I really hope you all enjoyed it. I certainly enjoyed writing it!

Keep an eye out for me and my new writings :D

If you liked this story and the content of this chapter, please, review!

Reviews make me smile so if my story made you smile, I deserve one! =P

See you all soon at the sequel – Trials and Tribulations of the Uchiha Life

MerinxD !