A few days went by after Kiyoshi's birthday, and it was now the morning of Sakura's first day back at Konoha Hospital. They were all currently having an early breakfast together, with Kiyoshi sitting in Sakura's lap at the table. "Before when I went to work I never had anyone to see me off" Sakura remarked, while wiping off the strawberry yogurt Kiyoshi had all over his mouth. "Ah well you have us here for that now" Sasuke assured her, as he tucked some stray hairs behind her ear.
They all finished breakfast together and afterwards Sakura went to get Kiyoshi dressed for the day while Sasuke cleared off the table. "Are you excited to go fishing with Papa?" Sakura asked, while changing his diaper and then choosing his outfit. "Me, Papa fish" Kiyoshi giggled, as he reached his arms out to her. "That's right, I'll be at work all day so you'll have to tell Mama all about it tonight" Sakura explained, while dressing him in a blue short sleeve shirt and gray shorts. "Mama not come?" Kiyoshi asked, small lips starting to quiver. "Mama has to go heal people at the hospital, remember when I made your tummy feel better?" Sakura asked and he nodded before she continued, "I have to go help people just like that" she gently told him.
Despite her words, tears still began to roll down Kiyoshi's cheeks as he buried his face into her chest. "Please don't cry honey, you have a fun day ahead of you" Sakura said, trying her best to calm him down.
Kiyoshi cried for a few more minutes until he pulled away and began wiping his eyes with the back of his hands and looking up at her. "That's my boy, now let's go find Papa" Sakura beamed, as she scooped him up and headed to the living room.
Sasuke was reading a scroll on the couch when the two came in, and he immediately noticed Kiyoshi's red face and tear stained cheeks. He felt concerned but Sakura gave him a look that told him Kiyoshi was just having a moment and it's been resolved.
"Looks like it's time for me to head out" Sakura said wistfully, as she set Kiyoshi down and started putting her sandals on and put her purse over her shoulder. "We'll see you tonight" Sasuke murmured, as he planted a long kiss on her forehead. He had become so accustomed to her presence that even he was a little upset about Sakura leaving. But Sasuke understood the duty she felt to the village and he fully supported her going back to work.
"See you then" Sakura said back, as she kissed the corner of Sasuke's mouth and then crouched down in front of Kiyoshi. "I love you baby, be good for Papa okay?" Sakura told him in a warm tone. "Yes Mama" Kiyoshi mumbled back, still a little sad about her being gone for the day.
Sakura bid them both goodbye once more before heading out the door, knowing that she couldn't put it off any longer. Now it was just Sasuke and Kiyoshi for the rest of the day, and Sasuke
would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. Sakura had a natural instinct when it came to Kiyoshi and Sasuke was worried that something would happen with Kiyoshi that he wouldn't be able to handle.
"We go Papa?" Kiyoshi asked, while tugging on the raven haired man's pant leg. "I'm going to make us some lunch to bring and then we'll go" Sasuke replied, while placing Kiyoshi on the couch with some of his plushies.
Sasuke then began preparing some onigiri, adding tomatoes to the ones for him and then filling up water bottles for them both. Next he went and made sure the tackle box had all the necessary supplies in it. Sasuke had also found his old fishing pole back in his childhood home when he was cleaning it out and had placed it by the door with Kiyoshi's. He reversed summoned their lunch, tackle box and water bottles into a scroll because it was all too much to carry for a man with one arm.
"All right, let's head out" Sasuke called out, as he walked towards the door. At his words Kiyoshi scrambled off the couch and grabbed his fishing pole, smiling brightly up at Sasuke. Who gave him a small smile back and ruffled his hair, before grabbing his pole and leading Kiyoshi out the door.
Sasuke was taking them to the docks that were located in the Uchiha District, because he knew that there were plenty of fish. And he also wanted Kiyoshi to see more of where they would be moving to soon. When they arrived at the dock, Kiyoshi could barely contain his excitement, "Start Papa?" he asked with radiant eyes.
So Sasuke began showing Kiyoshi how to put the bait on the hook and how to cast out the line. Of course he did it as simply as possible, but Kiyoshi listened intently nonetheless and was squealing with excitement when the line was finally in the water. "Papa what now?" Kiyoshi asked, currently sitting down with his legs dangling off the dock. "Now we wait, the fish will let us know when they're here" Sasuke explained, while casting out his own line.
Only about fifthteen minutes had gone by before Kiyoshi started to get impatient, but Sasuke had expected this to happen and had a plan ready. "Would you like to hear some stories about Mama while we wait?" Sasuke asked, knowing he would say yes. "Please Papa!" Kiyoshi pleaded happily, as he repeatedly patted the spot next to him.
So Sasuke sat down and began telling Kiyoshi the lighthearted memories that he remembers having with Sakura when they were Genin. He told Kiyoshi how she always kept him and Naruto in check, how she was the smartest one on the team, and so much more. But as he was
about to begin another story, he was interrupted by Kiyoshi shrieking when his line began to pull.
Sasuke then abandoned his line and quickly stood up and grabbed onto Kiyoshi's fishing rod to help him, "Hold on tight, and start slowly turning the reel" Sasuke instructed him, wishing he could help more. But Kiyoshi understood his instructions and started turning the reel and bringing the line in, "Papa I see fish" Kiyoshi exclaimed, while looking up to Sasuke.
As the fish came closer Sasuke activated his Sharingan, wanting to document this moment so he could show Sakura later. The fish then came out of the water, and Sasuke grabbed onto it tightly by the mouth since it was flapping back and forth. "Me hold Papa" Kiyoshi requested, with both his hands out. "Okay just hold on tight" Sasuke told him, before placing the fish in his hands.
Kiyoshi's face immediately scrunched up, "Slimey Papa" he said with a silly smile. "Ah that's what helps them swim fast" Sasuke informed him, but before he could tell him more the fish slipped out of Kiyoshi's hands and then flipped back into the water. Sasuke then held his breath, worried Kiyoshi would be upset but he just giggled and asked if they could do it again.
So Sasuke recast his line and they sat down again to begin waiting, he then decided that it was time to ask the question that had been weighing on his mind. "Kiyoshi, how would you feel about us being a family?" Sasuke asked, not exactly sure how to word it. "We not?" Kiyoshi asked back, confused by the question. "No we are, but I want to ask Mama to marry me. Would you be okay with that?" Sasuke asked, turning to face the little boy. "Yes Papa" Kiyoshi answered back simply, as he scooted closer to Sasuke and wedged himself under his stump.
Sasuke smiled at Kiyoshi's actions before saying, "Thank you, you're even closer to having a little brother or sister now" he joked with a smirk. "You silly Papa" Kiyoshi said while giggling and nuzzling his face in Sasuke's side.
The two fished for a little longer and ended up catching four more fish and kept two for dinner. They then had lunch together, and by then Kiyoshi was starting to get drowsy so Sasuke packed everything up and walked them home. Once there Sasuke laid Kiyoshi in his crib and then fileted the fish and placed them in the fridge for later.
Sasuke then spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the apartment and then keeping Kiyoshi busy after he woke up. For dinner he had prepared the fish along with miso soup and vegetables, and Sasuke wanted to wait for Sakura so they could all eat together. But it was nearing Kiyoshi's bedtime, so they went ahead and ate dinner before Sasuke gave Kiyoshi a bath.
"Mama back?" Kiyoshi asked, while he played with the toys and bubbles in the bath. "Not yet, a lot of people must need help today" Sasuke replied, as he washed the conditioner out of Kiyoshi's hair. The little boy responded with a pout but Sasuke could tell that he understood the situation.
Sasuke then took Kiyoshi out of the bath, dried him off, applied lotion, put on his diaper, brushed his hair, and then dressed him in a red onesie. "Read Papa" Kiyoshi requested, as he ran over to the bookshelf and grabbed a short book about a shark. He then handed the book to Sasuke who was sitting in the rocking chair in his room and crawled into his lap.
Sasuke began reading aloud, taking his time as he read and rocked back and forth. And by the end of the book, Kiyoshi had fallen asleep so Sasuke gently stood and placed him in the crib with a kiss on his forehead. "Goodnight buddy" Sasuke murmured, as he switched off the light and shut the door.
He then took a shower and changed into a pair of sweatpants and short sleeve shirt and got in bed, but Sasuke knew he wouldn't sleep until Sakura got back. Which happened just before midnight, he heard the door open and the sound of her heeled sandals against the hardwood floor. Then he heard her go into Kiyoshi's room, likely just wanting to see him for a while after being gone all day.
About ten minutes later she finally made it into their bedroom, "I'm home Sasuke-kun" Sakura said, as she grabbed a pair of shorts and a hoodie and went into the bathroom. She then emerged with her hair thrown up in a bun and dressed in her pajamas, Sakura got in bed and molded herself into Sasuke's side and nuzzled her face into his chest. "Welcome back" was all Sasuke whispered as he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.
"How was fishing?" Sakura murmured, trying to keep herself awake. "We'll talk in the morning, sleep now" Sasuke told her, as he ran his hand up and down her back. And just as if she was waiting for permission, Sakura fell asleep after her long day at the hospital. Sasuke couldn't help but smile at her as the day caught up with him and he fell asleep too.
Sakura woke up earlier than she had expected to, feeling well rested after sleeping in the embrace of the man she loves. Said man was still sleeping and Sakura couldn't help but lightly rub her thumb along his sharp jawline, noting the stubble that had formed there overnight. His onyx eyes slowly fluttered open as he felt her touch, "Good morning Sasuke-kun" Sakura whispered lovingly. To which Sasuke responded with a grunt and rolled over to bury his face in the crook of her neck.
"Looks like I have two babies now" Sakura joked to herself, while running her hand through his thick yet soft hair. They stayed like that for a while until Sasuke slowly sat up and placed a chaste kiss to her lips. "Now that you're awake, can you tell me about how fishing went yesterday?" Sakura requested for the second time.
"How about I just show you instead?" Sasuke replied back, while his Sharingan spun to life. Sakura smiled at his words, grateful for how considerate he was of her, so she nodded and looked into his eyes. Sasuke then replayed the entire time for her from start to finish, enjoying watching her facial expressions change throughout. But he then realized that he hadn't stopped recording during his conversation with Kiyoshi about marrying her, "Way to go" Sasuke thought, annoyed with himself.
The playback ended and Sakura leaned in and kissed him deeply, before whispering "Yes" against his lips. "Are you sure? I can still get down on one knee if you want" Sasuke said with a smirk, as he cradled her face in his hand. Sakura just burst out laughing at his words, unable to imagine Sasuke getting down on one knee to propose to her. "Annoying woman" Sasuke grumbled, as he got up and motioned for her to stay in bed.
He went to his cloak and retrieved the ring, he then came back to the bed and sat down next to her. "Hand please" Sasuke said with a glint of humor, so Sakura gave him her left hand and he slid the ring on.
The ring had a intertwining silver band with a princess cut diamond in the middle, and small alternating red and white diamonds all around the band. "This is so beautiful Sasuke-kun" Sakura said in awe, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "I hope those are happy tears" Sasuke said dryly, as he gently kissed her hand. "Who's annoying now?" Sakura teased back, while wiping the tears from her eyes. "It's still you" Sasuke said without hesitation, but before Sakura could respond they both heard Kiyoshi whining from his room.
So Sakura eagerly got up and gave Sasuke a kiss on the forehead before heading to Kiyoshi's room. "Mama, Mama" Kiyoshi cried with trembling lips, as he held onto the side of the crib and moved up and down. "What's wrong sweetheart?" Sakura asked softly, not knowing what had him so upset. But as soon as Sakura picked him up and held him close to her chest, his cries immediately calmed down to only sniffles and hiccups. "Missed Mama" Kiyoshi croaked out, as he looked up to her.
"I missed you too, but I'll be here for most of the day" Sakura assured him, knowing she had to go back to the hospital in the afternoon.
Once he calmed down, Sakura started talking to Kiyoshi about her and Sasuke, "Papa asked me to marry him and I said yes" she informed him. "Papa tell me" Kiyoshi said back with a grin,
eyes going towards her ring. He then grabbed her hand and ran his fingers over the stones, mesmerized at how bright they shined.
"This means we finally get to move into a house together, and that you'll be Kiyoshi Uchiha from now on" Sakura said proudly, while peppering kisses all over his face. Kiyoshi giggled at her antics and then did his best attempt at giving her a kiss on the cheek in return.
Sakura's heart felt so full hearing Kiyoshi laugh and show affection, and knowing that Sasuke returned her feelings and they were going to get married. Her life had changed so much over the past year and she couldn't wait to see what the future held for the three of them.