I do apologize, I'm currently in the process of editing and correcting this story. So there may be some small editing changes here and there.

BONDS

Chapter 1

Meeting up with Uzumaki Naruto, upon returning back to Konoha; as he filled him in on his most recent mission. Uchiha Sasuke greeting the Hokage first, after his long time away from home. Had made it a point to do so, before visiting with his family; since he had needed to relay his mission's information right away, without any further delay.

"Thank you." Naruto spoke, after receiving his findings. Since he made sure to greet him face-to-face, instead of using one of his Kage Bunshin clones; like he did for other occasions.

"Umm." Sasuke nodded with a smirk, at having Naruto greeting him personally; despite him being obviously busy running the village.

However, noticing some silence upon handing over his papers; as his face became more serious. Sasuke eyeing Naruto purposely, had needed to know what he had planned for him next; since he was already ready for his impending mission.

"What is the next assignment?" Sasuke had finally asked, due to Naruto not taking his obvious visual hint.

"Ehhh?" Naruto let out, a little taken aback by him already requesting for another mission. Since he was rightfully concerned, at giving him something else so soon; considering he had already been away for months, as a new mission could see him being gone for much longer.

"Well about that…" He spoke nervously, as he tried to think quickly.

Uchiha House

Elsewhere, as Sarada cooked dinner by herself; before seeing the time was getting later and later. The Uchiha turning down the stove burner, to remove her cooking pan away; from the dwindling heat. Found herself getting more bothered, because of the time; as she looked down in thinking worriedly about her mother.

"Ah... Looks like your running late again?" She thought. After she prepped a plate for just herself, as she placed the extra food in a container; to go into the fridge.

"Looks like it's just me again." Sarada spoke exhaustingly to herself, while she made her way over to the table with her plate. Before finding herself playing with her food; while contemplating that her childhood would be one completely without parents, since she was having dinner on her own seemingly yet again.

However, Sarada stopping herself as she looked over at their most recent family picture; had begun to long for not only her father but her mother as well, especially since lately she had been more alone then normal with her mother being so busy at work.

Huffing at her overall luck, Sarada finally putting some food in her mouth heard the door suddenly opening up, catching her attention as she shot up on her feet so she could greet her mom coming into the house as she unexpectedly felt excited by her return.

"Welcome back…Mama…Eh…Papa?"

Hospital

Elsewhere, at the hospital after an emergency light turned off; Sakura leaving a room with a patient being wheeled out behind her. Had wiped some beads of sweat off of her forehead, as she breathed an easy sigh of relief; before a nurse handed her some papers next.

"Good the patient is out of danger now." She spoke happily, as she looked over at the sheets and revisited the patient's stats.

"Good work, Sakura-san." A male doctor spoke, as he walked up and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh Daichi-kun, thank you it was close for a minute... But I'm glad that Mr. Ito will pull through." She said happily, as she looked towards the dark-haired man.

"Yes, you truly are amazing. I don't know what we would do without you." He added with a genuine smile, while he patted the back of his head

"Umm… I'm nothing special. Just doing my job." She tried to say, since he had given her far too much credit.

Uchiha House

"PAPA?… You …You're home." Sarada yelled out in surprise, to see her father of all people coming through the door.

"Humph…" He smirked seeing his daughter was amazed by him being home without warning. "Where is Sakura?" He asked. Since he had anticipated her welcoming him home like always; upon him usually returning back.

However, Sarada looking down first sadly; before looking up at the time once again, turned to her father, to respond finally too his question. "Mama must still be at work… Normally she would be home by now, but she's been staying pretty late recently." She admitted somberly.

Sasuke not saying a word to his daughter's answer, as he looked back at her with a blank face; noticed oddly next, her suddenly cheering herself up; as she seemed to change the subject rather quickly.

"Papa… Are you hungry? I made some extra food. I was expecting to eat dinner with mama but there is plenty if you would like some." She asked with big eyes, since she was hoping he would say yes.

Sasuke seeing Sarada's anxious expression change to a sadder one the longer he took to respond, made sure to give her a smile as he definitely didn't want her to feel lonely being home by herself.

"Sure." He responded. Before he watched her head for the kitchen, while excitingly grabbing an extra plate from the cabinet.

Hospital

Back at the hospital, after Sakura had washed her hands and left the bathroom; she had quickly grabbed her purse from her office first, since she was ready to finally head home for the night.

"Wow it's really gotten late." She commented after checking the wrist watch she had put on, since she couldn't wear it during the time, she was in the operation room.

"Awww man, Sarada is going to be mad at me for missing dinner." She spoke gloomily to herself, before she finally made her way out of her office. However, Sakura searching through her purse for her office keys next, found them strangely gone; as she needed to hurriedly lock up, before she could even leave for home.

"My keys? Where are they?" She troublingly spoke. Before hearing the sound of running shoes coming down the hallway towards her, causing her to look up at their owner.

"Sakura-san, I'm glad I caught you before you left." Daichi called out, after catching up with her; while trying to catch his own labored breath.

"Daichi-kun? What is it?" She asked confused by his sudden rushed appearance.

"Gomen ne," He spoke first, after clapping his hands together while closing his eyes tightly. "I know you must be tired and need to get home to your family. But the patient's vitals have been going down and I was hoping you could stay with me to keep an eye on him." He asked with pleading eyes.

"Eh? Daichi- kun, I really need to check on Sa…." She began to say, before finding him interrupting her.

"I know, I know you need to check on your husband and daughter, but I'm afraid I can't help him to your level." He said as he bowed down to his knees right away.

"Daichi, please stand up." Sakura quickly said as she felt embarrassed by his dramatic reaction. "I see your concern… Okay let me just call, Sarada I'll be right there." She reluctantly spoke, while reaching in her bag to grab her phone.

"Thank you, Sakura-san," He bowed more, before he watched her walk away.

Ring... Ring... Ring

"Hello... Mama?" A voice answered, as Sakura had the phone up to her ear, with the mouth piece covered by her hand.

"Sarada sorry, I have to stay at the hospital tonight. I have a really sick patient that needs to be looked after. Will you be okay on your own?" Sakura asked, while turning to see Daichi behind her; as a nurse ran up to him with a chart.

"Um, Yes but Mama…" Sarada started to say before Sakura felt a hand, return to her shoulder as Daichi got her attention immediately.

"The patient is critical. We need to go now." Daichi demanded, as he tugged on her arm to follow.

"Sarada I'll be home soon bye." Sakura spoke speedily, before she hung up the phone and took off with Daichi.

Uchiha House

Hello?…. Mama?… Mama?… Papa is," Sarada spoke before hearing the dial tone, causing her to reluctantly hang up the phone. "Home," She said more quietly to herself, as she was saddened by not being able to tell her this before she hung up.

"Sorry, looks like Mama is stuck at the hospital again." Sarada said with a forced smile, as she watched him get up from the table, before he picked up some of the dirty plates.

"It's okay, I can wait for her," He responded, before he went to wash the dishes in the sink.

Sarada looking down at the phone after his response, as she started to help him clean; had wanted to address a concern to him, about something that had been bugging her recently. "Papa I was wondering," She began to say, while she was cleaning up the table.

"You and mama… Do you ever get worried that someone may come in the picture between you two?" She hesitantly asked, while she picked up the silverware.

Sasuke a little surprised by the question, didn't know how to respond as it was a strange question for her to ask of him all the sudden. "Is something wrong?" He asked instead, while turning off the water; as he tried to gauge her meaning.

Sarada looking nervously at him adjusted her glasses, as she didn't know how to bring up her concern to her father.

Hospital

"Okay, Mr. Ito seems to be okay now… I just can't understand what happened?" Sakura asked herself as she looked at his vitals on the monitor; as they now kept a normal rhythmic beat.

"I'm not sure either Mrs. Uchiha…He was completely fine when I left, and then he seemed to drop out of nowhere. But thankfully you were here." The nurse spoke, as she straightened out the bed sheets for the patient.

"Yes, thankfully you were here." Daichi commented back happily, to second the nurse's remarks.

"It was really nothing," Sakura responded. While looking at the two of them, as she nodded her head while blushing over their praising.

Once Sakura left the room of her patient in care of the nurse, finding Daichi right behind her made Sakura concerned; as he seemed to have a different demeanor then he had before.

"Are you okay?… Daichi-kun?" She asked after seeing him a little down.

"It's nothing really, I just feel bad that I made you stay here tonight. I'm just not that confident in my skills just yet, I've only been a doctor for a few months now… Yet I still feel like a newbie," he joked as he walked side by side with her.

"It's okay, never feel sorry for asking for help… It's true we're doctors, but we are humans to. Plus, we're here to help our patients." Sakura added, before a big yawn suddenly slipped out.

"Well you better get home; I can watch him from here." He said as he looked at his own clock.

"Umm… It's okay I'll stay with you… To be honest I'm actually worried about Mr. Ito. If his vitals change again like that without any warning. Then you'll need me here for support." She spoke with a smile. "Besides Sarada will be sleep soon, so it's really no problem now." She said more somberly

"Thanks, Oh... How about some coffee? My treat," Daichi offered with a big smile as he pulled out some money from his pocket.

"Sure, sounds good," Sakura responded tiredly.

Uchiha House

"Sorry papa, I don't mean much by it but… It's just …You see there is this doctor mama has been working around lately. He seems nice and all, but I feel like since she's been working with him she's always staying later… And " Sarada spoke as she sat across the table from her father.

"It's okay, I'm sure she's just working really hard." Sasuke reassured as he didn't seem to be worried at all by the information.

"Yes, but it's just something about him that seems strange," She questioned, unsure of how to describe it to her father.

"Try not to worry too much, it's getting late you better get some rest. Looks like I'll be home for a couple of days," Sasuke added much to Sarada's delight as she had a happy face over the great news.

"Really? Do you think that maybe we can go pick up mama tomorrow, and go somewhere together?" She asked hoping she could get him to promise to the arrangement.

Sasuke looking at his daughter making almost a puppy dog like face, found saying anything other than what she wanted to hear hard; since her face was one, he didn't want to truly disappoint. "Sure." He said as he rubbed his neck at being guilted into saying yes.

"I can't wait, mama is going to be so excited." She cheered as she stood up from the table.

Hospital

Back at the hospital, Sakura finally taking a sip of some coffee with a joyful smile on her face; as the caffeine effectively rejuvenated her body, with a little more energy than she had before. Had noticed next, Daichi staring at her oddly; making her snap out of her heavily caffeinated daze, to thank him for the treat.

"I really needed this. Thanks for the coffee," She spoke. Before rubbing the back of her neck, since it was sore and tender.

"No problem, it's the least that I could do… Sakura-San I've been meaning to ask you. I know you talk a lot about Sarada being worried about you being gone so late. But what about your husband, I'm sure he may be lonely or worried without you to?" Daichi asked after he took a sip of the steaming beverage, as well.

"Eeh? Well he's been away for work… So, it's been a little bit since I've spoken to him." She admitted. While she looked off to the side, as she had secretly missed him more; recently since he's been away.

"Oh, I see I'm sorry… I didn't know," Daichi spoke, as he watched her putting her coffee cup down on the table.

"It's okay. I know I don't really talk about him much, but it's been like this for a long time. So, I guess you can say I'm kind of use to it... Plus I get to see him every couple of months," Sakura said while chuckling at Sasuke's typical nature.

"You shouldn't be!" Daichi spoke more firmly, after he slammed a hand down on the table quickly grabbing her attention.

"Daichi-kun?" She responded unsure of his change in temper. Daichi looking at his hand as it was still very much on the table removed it as he tried to calm himself down before he spoke once again.

"I just mean, if it were me. I wouldn't leave you alone months at a time like that," He added with a beyond serious expression.

"That's sweet Daichi-kun, I'm sure your wife or girlfriend feels very lucky to have you think that way… As for me and my husband it just kind of works out." She responded back.

"I guess so… So how does Sarada feel with his absence? That can't be good on her conscience?" Daichi spoke without caution, as he was overly blunt in his question.

Sakura a little taken back by the personal question, didn't really want to answer as it was a little too private for her. "Daichi-kun, that question?" She responded unsure if even he, had heard how it sounded.

"Oh Sakura-san, I'm sorry…Wow I really must be tired… I wasn't thinking, shall we go check on Mr. Ito," he said as he got up from the table right away.

"Sure…" Sakura said hesitantly, before she followed suit.

Uchiha House

The next morning, as Sarada woke up bright and early after feeling the beam of sun shining through her bedroom window. The Uchiha getting to work on getting dressed, found she was more than excited to see her mother's reaction at seeing her father had unexpectedly returned home.

"Ne papa… I was thinking we could bring Mama some food today. When we go pick her up," She yelled out, after she left her room once she was ready.

However, Sarada finding the house eerily quiet; as he didn't answer back to her comment. Decided to go over and check her parent's room first, since she noticed their bedroom door was already cracked; causing her to cautiously look inside to see if maybe he was still asleep.

"Papa?" She spoke after she turned on the light, since the room was still pretty dark even for her keen eyes.

However, seeing Sasuke was already gone much to her disappointment; Sarada beginning to feel annoyed over him not saying a word to her before he had obviously left. Had hoped he would keep his earlier promise to her, since she wouldn't forgive him easily in the case that he didn't.

Hokage's Office

Elsewhere, as Sasuke and Shikamaru walked into the Hokage's office; after Shikamaru was sent by Naruto personally to retrieve the Uchiha for him. Sasuke seeing right away Naruto hard at work, like before as he witnessed his desk full of paperwork. Could see he had been working tirelessly, at going over through massive stacks of papers on his desk.

"Sasuke, I'm glad you could make it so early." Naruto spoke, after Shikamaru shut the door leaving the two alone.

"How is Sakura and Sarada-chan this morning?" He asked next, trying to make a little small talk before he got down to business.

"Their fine," He responded coldly, since he didn't really want to talk about personal matters with him. Naruto a little annoyed by his short answer, shrugged his shoulders as he continued on with the reasoning for having Sasuke's presence requested.

"I'm sorry I couldn't give you an answer about yesterday and your next mission. But I wanted to make sure I had the best one for you so …Here you are." He spoke while handing him some papers and documents.

"What is this for?" He asked unsure of the papers.

"It's your next mission… I honestly wanted you to take a break and spend some time with your family. But since you insisted on doing something this is a good mission for you. Something has been going on lately in the village, I've kept it mainly a secret between me and Shikamaru as of now. But there have been several reports from the hospital staff of a lot of sick patients going into the hospital more than usual … Normally this wouldn't be something I'd bother you with but, there is a concern that it could be something different than a typical cold or sickness… It could be something viral or something more sinister." Naruto spoke with a serious face, while propping his elbows on his desk with his fingers intertwined.

"So, you think someone is making people sick on purpose?" He added trying to understand his concerns.

"Yes, I know it's different then when you were searching for Kaguya. But I'm sure if I have you and Sakura-chan looking into this, you can help me narrow it down without involving others. Because if it gets out, it can only lead to total chaos… You understand." Naruto spoke more seriously.

"Understood," Sasuke said, while putting up the papers.

"Oh, and on another matter." He paused, after getting up and walking over to him first, "I wanted to invite you, Sakura, and Sarada to dinner tonight… It's really been to long since we've gotten together." He said with a wide face grin.

Sasuke looking back at him a little irritated by the request closed his eyes before he responded to his random invitation. "Is this an order?"

Naruto annoyed by the idea of Sasuke implying that he would use his power so corruptly, as to get him to go along; crossed his arms angrily before he looked toward his old teammate to counter towards the insinuation, "It wasn't, but yes now it is," He added while throwing a peace sign in front of his face, causing Sasuke to look at him with surprise over him making it an official order.

Hospital

At the hospital, as Sarada made her way into the doors of the large complex; she right away watched as the nurses greeted and waived to her, since she was very much a regular face to the building being her mother's daughter.

"Sarada-chan, you've grown so much. How are you?" A friendly nurse asked, as she gushed overseeing the young kunoichi.

"Doing well Mrs. Izumi. Is my mama here?" She asked next, since it would be the perfect opportunity for her to find out her current whereabouts.

"Oh yes I saw her in her office, she should still be there are you bringing her lunch?" She asked after pointing to the wrapped-up box in Sarada's hand.

"Yes, she didn't come home last night. So, I wanted to make sure she had something to eat," Sarada responded, while looking away shyly.

"What a good daughter you are to do that for her. Well you better hurry up and catch her I think she was going to do some testing today." She commented. Before walking away, allowing Sarada to go and find Sakura without any further delay.

Sarada nodding to the nurse's words, before she rushed off to see her mother; since not only did she want to make sure she ate, but also wanted her to know that Sasuke had come back home. Found shortly after turning down the hallway, herself stopping just shy of reaching her mother's office. After hearing a familiar voice catch her attention, as she stood in front of another nearby office; with a slightly opened door.

"I know I'm going to tell her tonight. I just have to wait for the right timing… I'm going to make sure she stays late tonight… So that I have the chance to tell her," Daichi spoke softly, as he was on the phone with someone privately.

"Huh? What is he up to?" Sarada thought, after she had stopped. Since she recognized the man, as being the one she had told her father about; as he had been spending a lot of extra time with her mother, to the point of which she was concerned by his presence.

"Hey …SARADA?"