Ch.25: A New Normal

(Sasuke's POV)

It's been a week now since Sarada was born. And since then Neither Sakura or I have gotten any sleep. I couldn't understand how such a tiny person could emit noise almost constantly.

The only time she seemed to stop was when either Sakura or I was holding her. So we devised a plan, one would hold her will the other would get some rest.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't aggravated that I couldn't sleep next to her like before.

But when I looked down at Sarada while she slept peacefully while I held her I couldn't be aggravated at her.

At the same time while I was getting accustomed to being a 'group' of three.

I was also making sure everything would be ready for when Sakura and Sarada were strong enough to travel.

It will be a long journey, and since we will be traveling with an infant it will take even longer.

I wasn't even sure what supplies we would need for her.

What do babies even need?

Food, water... and after that...

I wasn't sure.

I sighed as I walked through the compound.

"Hey papa." I turned to see Suigestu with a stupid look on his face.

I just ignored him while I kept walking.

*I will be glad when I won't have to deal with their stupidity anymore.* I thought exhausted.

"Are you just going to ignore me?... Papa" He said with a smirk.

*That's it I'm over it.* I thought as I turned and quickly grabbed his collar.

"Whoops. Did I go too far...papa?" He teased.

*This idiot really wants to die* I thought as I got more pissed.

"Enough with the papa shit." I warned.

"Alright, alright I get it." He said as he waved his hands around.

"You better." I said as I let him go.

*I should get back to Sakura. She will want to rest soon.* I thought as I headed back.

I opened the door to find Sakura sleeping peacefully I quickly scanned to see where Sarada was, there was no way she was sleeping by herself.

I then saw Karin and she was holding Sarada and not only that Sarada seemed to be fast asleep.

She walked over to me.

"I...I'm sorry, I just figured she could use some sleep. But I can hand her to you now." She said as she extended her arms towards me.

"Actually if you don't mind watching her for a while more I am going to get some rest myself." I said as I walked towards Sakura.

"Oh ok then. I will return later I guess." She said as left.

*Finally some peace and quiet.* I thought as I laid down beside Sakura.

It had been too long since I was able to just lay next to her like this.

It felt like I was finally relaxing after being tense for so long.

I let my eyelids close as I stared at her back.

I was almost asleep until I felt the sheets shifting.

I didn't open my eyes though.

I then felt a small hand on my chest.

It was joined by another one placed on the side of my face.

*I'll just play asleep for now... Might be interesting.* I thought as I inwardly smirked.

Even without opening my eyes I could sense the face she was making.

It had also been a while since I properly teased her.

Her fingers then lightly traced my jaw.

Followed by my neck and collarbone.

Her touch sending chills down my spine.

I then took a deep breath.

I heard her gasp at this and withdraw her hands from me.

*Done already? I don't think so.* I thought as I quickly pulled her into me.

"Y..y..you were a..a..wake?" She mumbled her face flushed in obvious embarrassment at being caught.

I just smirked at her.

"Would you've rather I stayed sleep so you could continue?" I whispered into her ear.

"I...I.I..Don't know...what you ..a..are talking ...a ..about." She replied trying to push me away from her.

Her reactions were just too entertaining I couldn't help but want to see more.

"Oh really?" I breathed into her ear before I bit it.

"S..sauke?" She yelped in response.

I then bit her ear in response.

Her skin always had a sweet flavor to them, and while I usually didn't like sweets, she was the exception I couldn't help but crave her sometimes.

She squirmed against my grasp.

I then skillfully moved her to lay on the bed while I hovered above her.

I scanned over her to make sure I didn't see any signs of hesitation, but all I saw was the same thing I was experiencing... Lust.

Seeing that look in her eyes drove me even more crazy.

I quickly started at her neck while I began ridding her of her shirt.

I got so caught up in my goal that I didn't realize that her small hands had made it to the waist of my pants.

she then tried to rid me of them as well.

I finally was able to free her of her shirt as I leaned down to enjoy my reward.

"Hey Sasuke Lord Orochimaru needs you!" I looked up to see that idiot standing in the doorway.

In that moment I felt nothing but blinding rage in being interrupted after waiting for so long.

"Uh oh should I not have come in?" He said as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Amaterasu!" I said as set Suigetsu's arm on fire.

"Sasuke!" Sakura said as she grabbed my arm while she covered herself.

I didn't care. I was pissed.

"Hot, hot, hot, hot!" Suigetsu yelled as he turned his arm to water and dropped it onto the floor with a splash.

"Get out." I warned.

"Ok, I get it. But you better hurry before he comes himself." He said as he quickly left.

I sighed.

I then heard giggling.

I looked to see Sakura on the brink of bursting into laughter.

"What?!" I said annoyed by the whole situation.

"It's nothing, nothing at all." She said clearly lying.

"Nothing huh?" I smirked.

I quickly pushed her on her back and was back on top of her.

"Should I force you to tell me?" I whispered in her ear.

Her previous laughter turned to silence as she began to blush violently.

I brought my lips inches from her's.

She closed her eyes in anticipation.

I then got up and headed for the door.

I glanced back to see her confused face.

"Wh...where are you going?" She asked.

"To see what those idiots want. Why do you want me to stay?" I asked with a smirk.

"Um...what?! No, no, no. Go" She said as she pushed me out the door.

I hid my amusement.

"Now to see what that snake wants." I said as I headed down the hall.

(Sakura's POV)

My heart was still racing.

*Sasuke you jerk!* I thought embarrassed by the whole thing.

"Anyway, I need to go check on Sarada. I don't want to burden Karin anymore than I already have." I said as I went to look for them.

I found them outside sitting in the sunlight. But I couldn't approach them.

When I looked Sarada was still asleep but Karin...she.. was crying and with such a sad face.

I didn't ask but deep down I knew that she probably liked Sasuke a lot as well.

So I could only imagine what seeing me and Sarada made her feel.

I took a deep breath and walked over to her.

"She seems to really like you." I said as I sat next to her.

She stayed silent.

*I guess she must really resent me, not that I blame her.* I thought.

It stayed quiet for a while until.

"She looks like him." Was all she said.

I smiled as I let my finger trace Sarada's face.

"She does, she makes the same expressions as him sometimes. She is like a carbon copy of him." I said.

"No, she looks like you as well. I can see it. Instead of a carbon copy, she is more like the perfect blend of the two of you." she said in a sad tone.

"I'm sorry." I said feeling guilty for putting her through all this.

"What?"

"Having you do all of this is really unfair to you, I am sure you would much rather we not be here." I said as I bowed my head.

I heard her chuckle I looked to see her smiling.

"Don't apologize, just let me make two things clear. one, if you ever betray or hurt either of them I will not hesitate to take them from you. And two, if he ever hurts or betrays you or Sarada I will not hesitate to put him in his place either." She replied.

"Understood." I said with a smile.

"To be honest I have grown fond of this little bundle. I want her to live a long and happy life so you better do your best to provide that." She said as she looked at Sarada.

I just nodded.

We continued to sit there while Sarada slept peacefully.

I wasn't sure but it felt like something really good just happened.

I smiled.

I wish it could always be like this peaceful.

I began to think back to how life might be once we return to Konoha.

*Hm, I will need to get a larger apartment. Mine's too small to fit us all now. And I can just imagine Naruto and everyone's faces when we get back.* I couldn't help but laugh at the thought.

I was excited at the thought of living our new life together.

Whatever happened I knew we would all get through it together.

(Author's Note:)

I am so so so so so so so sorry for the late update.

Some things have happened in the past 2 weeks.

There was Memorial Day over the weekend which had me very busy, and I had an accident on the 11th and ended up injuring my knee I have been running to different hospitals so I haven't had too much time to write but I will try to be better I like to post a chapter at least every other day if not every day, I hate having to wait a week or month for new chapters so I try not to make my readers wait.

Anyway, I hope you are all still enjoying the story so far. I love reading all of your comments and seeing how much you love the story. Please continue to read and support it.