Chapter 33

Sasuke and she had found a small house, two bedrooms, a bathroom, small living, dinning and kitchenette. A nice large back yard; a garden for her to use, and a little pond in the corner. It was all so scenic and tranquil she was in love with this place. She didn't think she could love a little place as much as she loved this small house. Sasuke just liked the fact it was at the top of a hill, he could see everything for forever, and it was in a defendable position; he was a simple creature of simple wants apparently.

No matter, the few days they had bought the necessities and set it all up how they wanted she was smiling like a fool; the only thing her husband wouldn't buy was a crib for her, which was fine in her mind… after all, Sarada had slept in the dresser drawers until she was too big for them, and the she was content on her futon with a blanket and her bear. So no crib was fine for her, besides, they didn't need much, she liked simple better.

Her husband like sparse; easier to clean, harder to hide, and left the enemies in the open…

Like she said, he was a simple creature of simple wants apparently.

"So what's the plan now?" she asked that night as she did the dishes with him. He looked over to where their daughter was reading on the kitchen counter.

"Will you and Sarada be alright, here, alone; for a few weeks, I have to pick of the trail of the last sighting of Ōtsutsuki," he informed her.

"Alright, but then what? I clearly can't assist you if I'm pregnant, as you've pointed out continuously for weeks," she pointed out flatly. He gave her a 'I-told-you-so' look as her hand touched the slight swell of her lower abdomen, this was about all she was likely to show according to the doctor, perhaps a little more than her last pregnancy, but probably not by much. The only known of her pregnancy so far was that she and her baby were healthy; so far. There were still about six months to go before that could be declared with glee.

"Once I have the trail I'll come every couple of weeks, be home for a few days, resume the hunt and return after another few weeks. I'll be here for the birth, and a month after," he assured her.

"Alright, that's a fair system," she admitted to him as she finished the dishes.

"Hn," he nodded as he rested his brow on hers'. She let her eyes fluttere shut as she just enjoyed a moment where the world stood still for her, there weren't too many moments like this in her life, and the ones she had had like this, well, they revolved around a certain Uchiha or when Naruto, Sai, or Kakashi were possibly about to be killed.

"Be safe for me, will you? All three of us need you to be safe," she murmured and his eyes opened as she opened hers' to stare at him.

"Aa," he whispered with a slight nod. She smiled.

"If we put Sarada to bed within the hour you could still get lucky you know," she murmured deviously, there was a flash in those onyx eyes which made her smile.

"I'll put her to bed," he decided softly.

"Mmm, I'll be ready!" she whispered and pressed her lips to his before he turned around and scooped up Sarada who yelped into laughter. Kami was she ever happy this was her life now, there was nothing about it that could go wrong in her mind. She had a husband she loved, she had a dreamt of these days when she had been a genin and after he had left. Dreamt of making him smile, of making him happy, of just being there for him however she was needed.

Alright, so she had also dreamt of being the one to provide him with the family he seemed to crave, but after his return she had put that dream on the 'hahahaha, no one ever needs to know about this dream' list. Sighing she stretched, her lower back was aching a bit, but now that she thought about it, it had hurt with Sarada too, granted this time she knew she was pregnant…

Anyways, she walked off to their appointed room, a simple little room, a large bed on a platform that served as their dresser, and a single real dresser in the corner of the room. Pulling off today's garments she tossed them in the hamper and began pulling on a red lace number she and Ino had bought when she had last been in the village. Sai had seen them and he had been sworn to secrecy by Ino about this so he didn't ruin the surprise she and Sakura were planning.

Uncomfortable in the lace she looked over her shoulder as she finished pulling the undies on at her husband who's Sharingan was spinning with energy.

"Well? What do you think?" she asked as she mustered up all her confidence and turned to face him fully. Those red eyes looked her over with keen interest, then his mouth was on hers as his only hand gripped the back of her head with a strength she knew too well.

"So, I take it as in you like the outfit?" she purred as she brought her arms around his shoulders.

"Hn," he replied as his lips traveled over her skin, she gasped when he got her sweet spot, then she moaned when he pulled her down to the bed.

"I love you," she repeated as his hand undid her bra. She wanted to remind him, to desperately remind him he had someone who loved him, he had a family counting on him, and he had a village looking out for him.

"I know," he murmured as his mouth latched onto one of her breasts. Sakura gasped at the heat, her fingers tangled themselves tightly in his hair as she closed her eyes and just let herself feel. This wasn't the last time they'd be together, a rational part of her knew this. But for some reason… for some reason it kind of felt like their last time.

"Ngh! Sasuke!" she gasped when his mouth traveled down her smooth stomach. He smiled against her skin, she nearly yelped when his tongue swirled around her bellybutton and then she gasped when he dipped it into the slight hole.

"I'm not leaving," he informed her as his only hand snaked between then, she heard the lace tear and laughed. "I will be coming back for you," he promised as his hand cupped her.

"You had better," she whispered as she smiled coyly. "Else I'll track you down and drag you back home."

"Sakura," he shook his head, she moaned when his thumb pressed her nerves and a finger slid into her as he came up to kiss her mouth again. "You're in for a long night," he whispered as he pulled away from her. she smiled, then she groaned as her back and hips arched up into his touch.

Sasuke opened his eyes to the blackness of night just before dawn broke and found himself looking at the pink head of his wife who was clutching his only forearm firmly in her hands and using his bicep for her pillow as she laid sprawled against his side. A part of him, was annoyed with having his personal space invaded and being drooled on; but this was a very small part of him which he often times ignored where Sakura and Sarada were concerned.

Another part of him felt… content. Yes, very content, an emotion he had experienced since before the massacre and an emotion he equated to his marriage with Sakura. For all her annoying quirks, her habits, and her needs she really did make him feel… content. Almost happy too, but he wasn't too certain about that emotion all the time. carefully he curled his arm around her, pulling her closer as she slept and closed his eyes. This was paradise.

The door to his room slid open, he sensed his daughter's chakra as she hurried around the bed to his side of the bed. He had a bear hit him in the head which had him grunting and looking over as his toddler clambored gracelessly onto the bed and ran over to him before grabbed her bear and plopping herself against his other side as she used his stump as her pillow.

"Sarada," he sighed. Onyx eyes looked down at ebony eyes. She just grumbled and then curled up contently.

He, on the other hand, was very uncomfortable in this vulnerable position and now he had a little heat monster pressed against him.

However, despite his discomfort he was content to have both of his girls here with him which had him looking back to Sakura. The thought finally sunk in, after a few weeks of reminding her of her condition it was real now: she was pregnant with his child. Again. The thought was like he had been struck by lightning then, as he stiffened where he lay. His child was in her, growing, again; and it was as real as Sarada. The thought blew his mind.

He hoped for another daughter, a son would carry on the family name but a daughter… well, if they turned out like Sakura then they would be strong Kunoichi. He liked that thought more than having a son to carry on his family name. Besides, with a daughter he could terrify and harass whatever boy she dared to bring home when she was of age. He rather liked the thought of striking the fear of Kami into any boy; especially the dobe's son. The thought had his lips curling in a malicious smile; he could terrorize both generations of dobes! He liked the thought immensely…

But he wouldn't mind having a son, he decided. Boys were… simpler, than girls; he guessed; he knew he was not as high maintenance as his wife or daughter. And though he didn't care about the kekkei genkei of his family or his family name carrying on, he could probably enjoy teaching his son to be a fine shinobi; teaching his son to be better than he had been.

However, he wanted another spitfire daughter.

But as Sakura had told him when he had asked her what she would want, she had said healthy. A healthy wife and baby were the best things to wish and pray for, so he would. Honestly, he didn't care, son or daughter, just so long as Sakura got through this alright. He still had nightmares about Sarada's birthing that could wake him up in a cold sweat. His calloused fingers traveled over her soft skin, lightly tracing her hip.

"Mm," his wife mumbled as she stirred. "Sasuke," she looked over her shoulder to him.

"Morning," he murmured as he tightened his hold on her.

"Right," she inhaled, "Morning, we should get up so you can get ready for your mission," she murmured.

"Hn," he agreed as he relaxed. His daughter squirmed again against his side.

"We should get up, now," she repeated again as she began officially waking up. He agreed with her as she moved against him and draped herself across his chest. Her eyes were open now as she looked at him, her grip firming against him.

"I'll be back," he promised her as he pressed his lips against her brows.

"I know, but I'm greedy, I don't want you to go," she admitted against his chest.

"That's alright," he admitted as he tightened his hold on her. he was greedy as well, so that was alright with him.

"I'll help you pack," she assured him. "In a minute," she mumbled. He smirked, that was fine with him as well. The was the closest to nirvana he'd ever get.