(Sakura's POV)

After a few more weeks, Karin finally cleared us to travel. Which seemed like perfect timing.

It seemed that if we were to stay any longer Sasuke was going to end up killing Suigetsu.

We packed all of our belongings and the supplies Sasuke had gathered for us and prepared to head out.

I bowed towards Karin.

"Thank you so much for everything." I said.

"It was no problem, you just better be careful with Sarada on your way home." She warned.

I smiled.

*Home. It seemed like it had been so long since I had seen Konoha. I'm ready to go back, back with my family.* I thought as Sasuke and I made our way deeper into the woods.

We traveled for a few hours at a steady pace.

Thankfully the weather was pleasant and the trees provided shade.

"Are you ok to keep moving forward?" I heard Sasuke ask.

I nodded.

I couldn't help but smile when I looked at him carrying Sarada on his back.

*I wish I could take a picture of it.* I giggled at the thought.

After a few more hours, daylight began to fade into a beautiful sunset.

I sighed as I gazed at it.

"Wow so pretty!" I said.

"Yeah, it is." I turned to see Sasuke smiling.

*Over the course of our journey Sasuke not only seemed to have opened up to me more, but he also seemed to have relaxed.

He was less guarded, and more like his old self, no even back then Sasuke was guarded.

This was the him I never used to see before. I hope he always stays relaxed like this.*

I was broken from my trance by Sasuke taking hold of my hand.

His hands were so big, strong, warm and gentle.

"Come on, I believe there is a town up ahead, we can stay at an inn tonight." He said as he led the way.

*Ah, an inn! warm meals, a bath, a private room! While I was treated well at the hideout, besides my own home, nothing beats an inn room.* I thought excitedly.

After we paid for our room we settled down.

While Sasuke took a bath I got Sarada comfy, she had slowly gotten used to sleeping alone. which was a relief since that meant me and Sasuke could finally get better sleep now.

After a little bit, she was sound asleep.

"Good girl now you just stay that way and let me and daddy rest please." I said as a prayer.

I was exhausted and the last thing I wanted was to be kept up all night by a certain little Uchiha.

When Sasuke came back from the bath I quickly took my chance to run to the baths.

As soon as I sank into the warm water I felt my muscles melt.

I haven't felt this relaxed in a while.

I stayed in there till I began to get dizzy.

"Well, better get back to them." I said as I got out.

When I made my way back to our room the lights were already out.

I quietly opened the door and made my way in.

Sarada seemed to still be asleep.

I sighed a sigh of relief.

I looked to see that Sasuke was already asleep, his back facing me.

I tried to carefully sneak onto the futon as to not wake him.

I closed my eyes ready to sleep.

But it seemed I failed as I felt the covers shift.

Suddenly he was holding me close to his chest.

I looked up at him.

"Sasuke?" I said startled.

(Sasuke's POV)

Her hair was still wet and smelled of shampoo.

And she was warm from soaking in the bath.

I held her close, I began to feel an urge that has become quite familiar to me.

And couldn't resist it. I let my finger trace her neck.

The way she was responding to my touch was driving me mad.

I hovered over her.

If I had to hold back anymore I was going to explode.

Now was a perfect time.

There were no more idiots around to interrupt now, we were all alone.

I quickly captured her lips.

I felt her whimper against my lips.

I let my hand make its way to her breast opening her yukata.

I stopped and looked at her breathless expression bathed in the moonlight.

I could never get enough of this sight.

As I was leaning down towards her again, I was stopped by the sound of Sarada's wails.

I stopped and looked over to where she was.

Sakura quickly got up to quite her.

I leaned on to my hand and watched them.

"Traitor.." I mumbled as I looked at Sarada.

*Even my own child is against me.* I sighed feeling frustrated.

I turned over and closed my eyes annoyed about being interrupted again.

I then felt Sakura wrap her arms around me.

"I'm sorry Sasuke, let's just rest." She said in a quiet tone.

I sighed in defeat.

Soon after, I let sleep overtake me.

The next morning I talked to the innkeeper who lent me a map.

"According to this if we cut through this pass we should shave our travel time to just two days till we reach Konoha. But there are no towns. We would have to sleep in the woods.

Is that a safe option for Sarada?" I asked as I looked to Sakura.

"Mhmm, well I think she should be fine. It's better for us to cut down our travel time as much as possible. If we don't cut through the pass it will take us at least a week to get back.

So this seems like the safest option." She said as she analyzed the map.

"Ok then, but if you get tired at all we will stop and rest there is no need to push it." I said as I began packing our things.

"I understand I will be careful." She answered.

Since this path was a more isolated one, the terrain was tougher.

There were some parts that we had to travel by treetops, which was faster but I was wary about Sarada.

As long as she stayed asleep on my back she should be fine. I'll just have to hurry as fast as I can without waking her.

Sakura followed behind to keep an eye on her as we pushed forward.

As night fell I could tell Sakura was getting tired, she was starting to lag behind.

I dropped from the trees.

"Sasuke are we stopping already?" She asked as she followed.

"We should have stopped earlier, I can tell you are exhausted. You said you wouldn't push yourself." I scolded her.

"No, Sasuke I am fine to keep going really we are so close we can't stop now." She argued.

"Oh really?" I said as I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes, really I promise, let's keep going for just a little bit longer please." She begged.

I sighed.

"Fine, only a bit farther, we are already in the land of fire, since we traveled by treetop we seemed to move faster than I had anticipated. Konoha shouldn't be but 6 or so more hours away. But we will only go for a few more hours." I said as I gave in.

Some battles weren't worth fighting.

She then smiled as she jumped back into the treetops.

*She seems really excited to get to Konoha, while I am a little hesitant I still haven't figured out my place there yet.* I was in deep thought.

"Sasuke hurry up you're too slow." She called back teasingly.

*What I do know is my place in general is at her side.* I thought as I speed up.

We traveled three more hours when Sarada woke up.

It was the perfect chance to get Sakura to stop and rest for the night.

I Handed her to Sakura as I set up a makeshift camp to get us by for the night.

We ate some rations and began settling down to sleep for the night.

We all shared one sleeping mat, though it was a tight fit.

When I woke in the morning Sarada was sleeping peacefully next to me.

I looked to see Sakura had already woken and packed everything up besides the mat I was sleeping on.

"Sakura." I said annoyed she wasn't resting.

"Oh, Sasuke you're awake." She said with a smile.

"Are you that impatient that you can't even rest properly?" I asked still annoyed.

"I am not impatient! I'm just excited to see everyone and to introduce Sarada to them. It's been so long since I was with everyone." She replied with a smile.

I don't know why but I felt jealous that she was so eggar to head back to everyone.

I actually liked it just the three of us, no one interfering with us or bothering us.

But I guess all good things must come to an end. It's not like it would be good for Sarada to travel the world at such a young age.

We began the last stretch of our journey.

Soon the tops of the village walls could be seen.

"Sarada can you see it? This is your home." Sakura said cheerfully.

"Halt! Only authorized personnel is allowed to..Ms. Sakura is that you?" A leaf shinobi appeared.

"That's Mrs." I mumbled.

"Oh and Mr. Sasuke! You both have finally returned." He said as he bowed towards us.

"Please let me escort you to Lord Sixth." He said as he motioned for us to follow.

"Guess we have no choice." I said as we followed.

Suddenly Sarada began to cry.

"There, there it's ok we can rest soon." Sakura said as she calmed Sarada.

"You brought a baby home?" The shinobi questioned.

"That is none of your business." I said as I walked past him with Sakura.

She elbowed me as we kept walking I looked down at her.

"Be nice." She scolded.

I sighed.

*I am exhausted, I would much rather go rest than have to drag my ass to the Hokage's office.* I thought as we entered the village.