Sakura rubbed her temples lightly from where she stood under the spray of the shower as she prepared for the battle she knew was on her door step. She knew Sasuke loved and cared about her. She was also well aware that a psycho with money, exceptional body guards, political power, and was financing the very organization they were trying to take down, was after her. Their mission was a dangerous one under the best of circumstances and now, she was pregnant. A smile touched her lips at that her hand going to her still flat midriff. She'd been startled when she'd come across that little blip of foreign chakra while giving herself a physical that day but she'd known right away what it was. Her emotional behavior, her nausea, her fatigue, it all made sense. Seeing how joyful Sasuke was when he'd received the news was a precious memory she would treasure forever. He wasn't alone anymore. Another Uchiha, one that shared his blood was growing inside of her even now. And that was the very reason she was going to have to fight as soon as her shower was over. She could almost hear her husband brooding from where he paced not far outside the bathroom door.

Deciding it would do no good to delay the inevitable, she turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. She toweled off gently and then pulled on clean clothes opting to wear one of Sasuke's old long sleeved shirts and a pair of pale pink leggings since she knew there was no way in Hell he'd let her go anywhere for at least the next twelve hours regardless of whether she won the upcoming battle. She brushed out her hair, slipped a headband in it and studied her reflection.

"You can do this." She told her reflection firmly. "You're well educated in the situation and have given it a lot of thought. You will stand your ground."

"Sakura? Are you nearly done in there?" Came the voice of her husband.

She took one last deep breath, steeled her resolve, quieted her nerves and stepped out of the bathroom smiling at Sasuke as she went.

"Sorry I took so long." She said as she approached him. "You didn't have to wait for me." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you though."

He took hold of her forearm and pushed her gently away from him. "We need to talk. In private." He said his mismatched eyes dark and serious.

Typical Sasuke. Cutting right to the chase without delay. She should have known her attempts to soften him up before this conversation wouldn't work. Then again, if she lost, she would always be able to remember that she tried.

She nodded and let him lead her down the hall to their room and motioned for her to go inside locking the door behind them.

"Pack your things. You're returning to The Leaf at first light tomorrow." Sasuke said in his no nonsense tone.

Sakura sat on their bed, took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment before she lifted it again. "No." she replied.

Sasuke's eyes widened before they narrowed again. "This isn't a debate!" He snapped. "This mission is too dangerous for you now, especially in your current condition."

"I am well aware of the situation and my condition." She replied in a measured voice knowing that raising it would just rile up his temper. "Which is why I feel it is best that I stay here with you."

Sasuke's body stiffened before he moved to stand in front of her towering over her in a borderline menacing way. "You are going back to The Leaf." He stated once more.

"Sasuke, listen to me, please?" she said reaching out to take his hand that was balled into a fist. "Please darling. My love, my beloved husband, my clan leader." She murmured lowering her head and pressing it lightly against his abdomen.

She felt him relax a little, his fist uncurling under her hand as an exasperated sigh fell from his lips.

"I'll listen." He said moving away from her to pull the chair away from the desk and put in front of her and sat down.

Sakura glanced up at him and saw that although his expression was still hard, there was just a touch of softness in his eyes. It wouldn't be easy, but she had a chance at making her case. She would just have to do so carefully.

"I know that my pregnancy changes things. I can already feel the shift in my chakra and the pull the child is making on it. I'm not as strong as I normally am right now and will only weaken as the pregnancy progresses. I'm well aware of this. I am a world class medic after all." She said lifting her head. "The stronger the child the more it weakens the mother. That's one of the reasons it's so dangerous for female jinchuiki when they become pregnant, their seals weaken because power that once was used to hold it in place is now flowing to the child." Sasuke nodded and she continued. "I understand that you want to return me to The Leaf where there will be more hands to protect me and I'll be out of immediate harm. I don't blame you for that and agree that I probably would be safer there, except there are a few major concerns that cannot be ignored."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.

"Getting me to The Leaf for starters." She said. "Due to my condition, any sort of transportation jutsu is out of the question. Even teleporting with someone else could pose a risk, particularly now since I haven't hit the stable phase of my pregnancy yet. Of course I could have an escort, Jugo, Orochimaru, Karin, or Suigetsu could take me, but that would alert our enemies that we're working with Orochimaru's entire organization not just individuals. They'll likely strike hard and fast knowing we have more allies on our side. Bringing in a Leaf ninja to escort me might also be an option but that also poses a risk. Not even we know all of the ins and outs of this organization. Another one of our own wouldn't be well enough prepared to deal with a sudden attack by anti-shinobi agents and I wouldn't be able to assist well in battle." She touched her midriff. "And of course there's Lord Sakamoto. He had informants within The Leaf that not only managed to take pictures of our intimate moments together, but told them about our marriage, attempted to kidnap me, and told him about my seal being released. You told me that his obsession with me has only grown during the past year and his delusions about our non-existent relationship are bordering on insanity." She looked up at her husband her jade eyes pleading with him to understand. "If he finds out I'm traveling without you he will do anything to capture me. You know this. One of the reasons he hasn't so far isn't just because I'm hidden well, but because he's afraid of you. That's why he won't confront you the way he has me." She reached out and took his hand lacing their fingers together. "If I go and am captured by one of his mercenaries or one of his informants within The Leaf and taken to him, how do you think he'll react when he finds out I'm carrying your child?"

Sasuke's eyes widened a slight tremble moving through his body before he gripped her hand tightly. "I will not allow it!" He snarled. "He will not touch you or our child."

"How can you be sure of that if you're far from me?" She asked him gently. "If I'm kidnapped by someone in The Leaf how could you know? Where would you even start looking for me if I'm plucked off the path home by a coward using that sleeping drug?" she shifted closer to him. "I don't want to stay by your side out of a selfish desire for you to pamper me or because I'm afraid you'll cheat on me like other women might. It's because I honestly think the safest place for me and our child is right here where you can easily come to my side if something happens, where we're surrounded by trustworthy people who will protect us at any cost." She bowed her head again lowering it until her forehead brushed her knees. "Please let me stay. Let me stay and complete my part of our mission and when it's over and the threat is gone, we can return to The Leaf together. Please Sasuke."

Sasuke was quiet for several moments before he pulled his hand from hers and laid it gently on top of her head. "Raise your face." He said softly.

She hesitantly did so and met her husband's solemn gaze.

"You've obviously put a lot of thought into this. I must admit that you thought of things that I didn't." He said cupping her cheek gently. "I'll think about it and talk things over with the others. For now though, I want you to rest. You look exhausted."

She smiled a little a small giggle leaving her lips. "It was rather hard for me to sleep last night. I was so excited and happy I just couldn't stay asleep for long."

He smiled at her and leaned forward kissing her mouth gently before he pressed his lips to her forehead. "Sleep Tsuma. I'll come to wake you when it's time to eat."

She nodded and laid down letting her husband cover her with the blankets. He lifted his hand extending it towards her abdomen and then paused for a moment before continuing to press against the space where their child rested. She smiled and covered his hand with her own.

"It's kind of hard to believe isn't it?" She murmured. "The fact that a tiny little Uchiha is growing there." She smiled at him squeezing his hand. "Your baby."

He nodded and smiled gently at her before leaving her behind.

She stared at the door for several moments until her eyes became heavy, a tear trickling from her eye before she fell asleep.

The sensation of warmth on her face startled Sakura awake and she sat up finding herself dressed in a light grey Yukata with pale pink cherry blossoms and light green leaves scattered over it. Her hair flowed in the spring breeze and she lifted her face to the sun. It had been so long since she'd felt it.

"A month without the sun is too long." She breathed.

"A month? Did my foolish younger brother cart you off into a cave like a barbarian?" A warm, low voice asked.

Sakura's eyes snapped open and she found herself face to face with Itachi looking the same as he did in life with his kind eyes and warm expression.

"Itachi." She said with a smile. "It's so good to see you."

He nodded and smiled back at her. "It's good to see you too Sakura. You look well. You're practically glowing." He commented as he settled down on the ground beside her.

Sakura blushed a little at his comment and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Thank you. I've heard that pregnant women glow, but I didn't think that applied to me."

Itachi's expression lit up at that. "Ah! I thought so." He said with a grin. "Congratulations little sister!" He exclaimed threading his arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his body. "I am so happy for you."

She beamed at him returning his embrace. "So am I." She replied her eyes watering a little. "Sasuke… he cried when he found out. I've never seen him so emotional about something joyful."

"I am very glad to hear that." Itachi said releasing a little of the pressure but still keeping her close to his side. "I worried that his heart would never truly thaw, that it would always be frozen by the harshness of our clan's destiny and the darkness that stained his youth but," he smiled at her. "it seems those fears are unfounded with you by his side."

Sakura smiled and then her face fell. "I wish, so much that you were here with us. He misses you terribly."

Itachi rubbed her shoulder gently. "I know. I wish things were different as well." After a few moments of silence he spoke again. "Sakura, I wish that we could just sit here and talk about Sasuke, and that beautiful new life growing inside you, but unfortunately we cannot."

Her body tensed and her expression hardened at his change in tone. "What is it?" She asked.

"A storm is brewing. A dangerous one that will seek to snuff out the Uchiha clan once and for all." He told her seriously.

"Lord Sakamoto." Sakura said softly her eyes hardening.

Itachi nodded. "He is part of it." He confirmed before turning to Sakura. "I am going to teach you. Skills that will enable you to protect yourself and," he touched her abdomen lightly. "the precious one here."

Sakura's eyes darkened with resolve. "Please. Teach me everything you can. I'll do whatever it takes to keep my child safe."

Itachi nodded and stood pulling Sakura to her feet. "Very well then, but remember Sakura, you are the matriarch of the Uchiha clan." He tipped her chin up gently a smile touching his lips. "Sasuke needs you. You are the protector of his heart, the keeper of his soul. Don't sacrifice your life for anyone else's sake. He asked you to do something for him the day you married, do you remember?"

Sakura thought for a moment and then recalled Sasuke's hand on her shoulder his eyes serious and his voice trembling.

"Keep fighting, keep breathing, keep living until I get there!"

"He told me to live. To not die before him." She replied softly.

"Exactly." Itachi said with a nod. "I'm going to do all in my power to help you keep that promise. Are you ready Sakura Uchiha?"

She nodded her jade eyes fierce, her back straight, her cherry blossom hair shimmering in the wind as she balled her hand into a fist and smacked it against her opposite palm.

"Please take care of me elder brother. Teach me all you can." She replied her green tinged power leaping to life around her.

"Excellent. Let us begin." He replied his reddish orange aura erupting around him.

SxSxSxS

Sasuke sat down one leg crossed over the other as Orochimaru, Karin, Jugo and Suiegetsu sat around the table in front of him.

"So Sakura wants to stay and complete the mission rather than return to The Leaf." Orochimaru murmured. "What was her reasoning?"

Sasuke rested his arm on his knee his hand supporting his head lightly. "She says that the trip back would be too risky, she also claims that The Leaf isn't necessarily safe either since there's evidence Lord Sakamoto still has informants there."

"Excellent points there." Karin said resting both elbows on the table. "Honestly this is probably the safest place for her. Until she reaches the stable phase of her pregnancy anyway."

Sasuke sighed and rubbed his temple. The more he thought about it, the more he realized she was right, however this wasn't fair to her. She should spend her pregnancy being pampered surrounded by the people who cared most about her. She should be in The Leaf, lounging in their house, with her mother, father, Ino, Hinata, Naruto, Kakashi and all of their other friends surrounding her offering their congratulations and showering her with attention and care. She was making sacrifices for him again and he didn't like it.

"We'll reinforce our defenses and strengthen the seals protecting this place." Jugo said running his finger over the blueprints of the hideout. "I might even be able to put a skylight in so that she can see the sun. Vitamin D is important for fetal development after all."

Sasuke blinked in surprise at that. "You'd do that? For Sakura?"

"Why not?" Suigetsu replied shrugging as he laced his hands behind his head.

"Agreed. Her health and comfort of high priorities. She is carrying the next generation of Uchiha within her after all." Orochimaru said softly. "It would be a tragedy to lose a child from such a prestigious bloodline before it is even born."

Karin rolled her eyes. "Right, you're all just trying to save your own skins since you know an angry pregnant woman can be more dangerous that a volcanic eruption spliced with a tornado." She said with a smirk.

"It's settled then. Sakura will stay here in the hideout. At least two of us will remain with her at all times and all outings must be pre-approved by Sasuke first. Does that satisfy everyone?" Orochimaru asked.

Sasuke nodded and pulled a scroll from his cloak and summoned a hawk. He tied the message to its back securing it with a seal that only Kakashi could release.

"Take it to The Leaf." He instructed the bird.

"I'll go prepare dinner. Does Sakura have any food preferences now that I should be aware of?" Jugo asked.

"Sweet. She likes sweet things." He replied. "Anko dumplings are her favorite food."

"I think I have just what's needed to make those." Jugo replied. "I'll make some for her to eat after dinner."

Sasuke nodded and walked down to his bedroom determined to research and watch over his wife at the same time. He would be able to smell when the cooking was finished anyway. He entered the room and found his wife soundly asleep though her brow was furrowed a little like she was concerned or focused on something. He hovered by her bedside for several moments watching her expression to see if it would change to the distraught one the preceded her nightmares, but when it didn't change, he relaxed and sat at the desk laying out a map of the region in front of him.

He was making progress with taking down the organization. He'd already apprehended, interrogated, and released or killed most of the hired muscle that had shown up to help Lord Sakamoto's body guards and had even taken down a few more of the stronger members of the organization. It was just that the man he wanted wasn't among them. It was so frustrating! If the noble had just one measly drop of chakra he'd be able to track him down easily between his sharringgan and rinniggan but he didn't and his bodyguards seemed to be extremely good at hiding their chakra. He was going to lose his damn mind if he had to keep doing this ineffective searching on foot and listening to people chatting in bars, garbage he was stuck with.

He studied the map in front of him marking off the areas he'd searched and other areas he wanted to search. He then compared them to reports from his informants. It seemed he was getting closer to the organization's headquarters, but he'd have to be even stealthier in his approach this time. This time he was going to move swiftly and capture the psychotic Lord, tie him down with chains in a dark, damp room and then make him squeal and pay for all of the crimes he'd committed.

The scent of beef stew and rice drifted past his nose and he knew that it was time to wake his wife from her slumber. He stood up and stretched his arm above his head and then walked over to the bed sitting on the edge of it. He brushed her hair out of her face smiling when she wrinkled her nose at the tickling sensation. He closed his eyes focused his chakra and then opened them again his sharringgan active. He quickly looked at her chakra network and focused deeper until he could see that secondary signature. The chakra of their unborn child; trembling, wrapped safely in a cocoon of its mother's power. He knew it was probably natural for all chakra bearing mothers but he couldn't help but be comforted by the fact that even asleep, in her most vulnerable state Sakura was protecting their child.

He deactivated his power and focused on his wife again stroking her cheek gently. How he wanted to give her the best of everything. A fear free, pampered pregnancy but he couldn't. They were shinobi and she was doing her best to do both her duty and care for herself and their unborn child.

"Sakura, you're amazing." He said softly as he stroked over the shell of her ear. "No woman compares to you my sweet Tsuma."

She sighed and curled up into a ball before her eyes fluttered open and focused on his face. "Sasuke, is everything alright?" she asked.

He nodded and extended a hand to her. "Come. It's time for dinner. Jugo said he'd be making anko dumplings tonight."

Her expression brightened as she took his hand and rose up slipping her feet into a pair of sandals. "Really!? I'm so excited! I've been craving them so much lately."

Sasuke smirked at that and pulled her to her feet. "Also, I talked with the others. They also agreed that you staying here was the best option for the time being."

"I see." Sakura said reaching up to touch his face. "So what is your decision?"

He cocked a brow at that. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"You are the team leader. It's your decision. I won't be insubordinate this time." She said a small smile touching her lips.

He smirked at that and touched his forehead to hers. "Only because you got your way." He replied before he sighed. "You're right. You should stay here at least until you reach the stable part of your pregnancy. The others are going to work on increasing the security of the hideout."

Her jade eyes studied his. "Something else is wrong. What is it?"

Sasuke sighed. She had always been able to see into his heart. He shouldn't have been surprised that she'd noticed.

"I just…" he sighed and laid his head on her shoulder. "This isn't how it's supposed to be. You should be at home surrounded by loved ones, being pampered right now, not trapped in an underground hideout on a dangerous mission."

Sakura threaded a hand through his hair and clutched his back. "Sasuke, it's alright. I knew the risk I was taking when I decided not to have my seal replaced when we were assigned this mission." She chuckled. "My darling, nothing about our relationship has been anywhere close to normal, what made you think my pregnancy would be?" she nuzzled his hair. "That fact that I'm carrying your child makes me so happy I couldn't care less about the circumstances. Stop worrying so much. I'm happy and both of us are healthy. Isn't that enough?"

He lifted his face and cupped her cheek. "You're right." He pressed his lips to her cheek and then her lips. "Thank you Tsuma."

She smiled and pressed her lips to his temple and hugged him lightly before tugging him towards the door. "Come darling. I've been craving anko dumplings for weeks now."

He chuckled and rolled his eyes before following her out the door and down the hall.

SxSxSxSx

Kakashi's eyes widened as he read over the scroll his head shaking a little before his eyes narrowed. It had been a while since he'd received a mission update from two of his former students and this message had been joyful and concerning all in one.

"Ugh! There's so much freaking paperwork lately. Do those stupid elders do anything but complain?" Naruto whined as he walked into the office with a stack of papers in his arms.

"They deserve respect." Shikamaru retorted carrying another massive stack.

"They don't have mine. They haven't earned it yet." Naruto grumbled. "Not after all that crap they pulled with Granny Tsunade and…." He hesitated. "Other things." He muttered.

"Come now Naruto. Give them a chance." Sai replied carrying a third stack and slamming the door shut behind him with is foot.

Kakashi sighed as they set their massive stacks on the floor next to his desk. Naruto's sharp eyes immediately noticed the seal on the scroll in his hands and tugged it from his fingers.

"Yes! It's about the gloomy bastard sent a message. I was getting worried." He exclaimed scanning through the missive.

"You can't just grab classified messages from the Hokage." Shikamru chastised.

Naruto simply shrugged as he read the scroll his eyes widening to epic proportions and let out a loud whoop and jumped into the air punching enthusiastically.

"YES!" He exclaimed. "It's about damn time!"

"Tone it down Naruto." Kakashi warned though he couldn't help but smile too at both the news that made his future successor so happy and his reaction to it.

"What is it Naruto?" Sai asked moving forward to read over the blonde's shoulder as Shikamaru did the same.

The painter's eyes widened then blush tinging his cheeks as he smiled. "This is wonderful news." He said.

"It is." Shikamaru agreed.

"Sasuke and Sakura are-"

Kakashi slapped a hand over the exuberant blonde's mouth. "Finish reading before you finish that sentence." He cautioned quietly.

Naruto cocked a brow at that but nodded his eyes scanning over the paper the brightness dimming from his eyes to be replaced by the flames of anger.

"That fucking bastard." He snarled his fingers flexing before he glanced at Kakashi. "We need to figure out if he has any left here and where they are." His jaw flexed his hand balling into a fist. "It's absolutely disgusting that she can't come home right now because of this stupid spy situation."

"Agreed." Sai said his eyes narrowed. "We need to make this place a safe one for them to return to."

"This has gone on long enough. I'm contacting the interrogation core." Shikamaru said his eyes narrowing. "I'm done with this nonsense."

"Absolutely." Kakashi said lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on them. "We certainly have work to do. I'm not even going to attempt to tell you not to inform your significant others of the current situation with those two, because you wouldn't listen to me even if I did." Naruto snickered, Shikamaru shrugged, and Sai blushed. "However, I forbid you from saying anything about the delicacy of their situation to anyone else. We need to protect them as best we can and that means absolute secrecy. I'll inform their kin but unless I've cleared it with you personally, don't mention it."

"Yes of course, Lord Hokage." The three shinobi said in tandem.

Kakashi nodded and picked up a list of active shinobi on duty. There was at least one traitor on his roster. He had every intention of hunting them down. They were threatening the lives of his best medic and espionage agent and their unborn child. Sasuke and Sakura were as close to his own children as he had ever known making their impending arrival like his own grandchild and he had every intention of making the scum bags threatening them suffer for the atrocities they'd committed.

SxSxSxSx

Sasuke laid next to his wife, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist, his hand hovering over the spot where his child was growing inside her. She'd drifted off not long before still learning to adjust to the intense drain the child was making on her body and he was content to hold her as he worked to slow his frantic mind.

The prospect of being a father terrified him. He was a murderer, a former rogue ninja, the leader of one of the most infamous clans in shinobi history. Though many respected him and a few people loved him, nearly everyone else hated him, or was frightened of him. How was he supposed to steer his child down the right path when he himself had deliberately stepped on the wrong one? What if his child learned of his blood stained, black history and grew to hate him as well?

Then of course there was the fact that the child would carry his blood. Ancient, powerful blood with incredible power. There was no doubt in his mind that his child would inherit the sharringgan. That doubled edged sword that was both a blessing and a curse. Those eyes that drew the power hungry and depraved like flies. The eyes that reflect the heart. The moment news of the child's existence became known to the general public a massive target would be painted on its back and the one on its mother would only grow in size.

"Your thoughts are nearly deafening little brother." Itachi said. "Perhaps voicing them aloud would help?" He suggested.

Sasuke opened his eyes finding himself in the house he'd visited in his dreams once before. Where the Uchiha lived in the next life. His brother was sitting next to him on the floor a book in his slim hands smiling down at him.

"Itachi." Sasuke greeted sitting up. "Why are you here?"

"As I just mentioned, your thoughts were quite loud as was the unrest in your soul. I confess I couldn't stay away." The legendary ninja replied closing his book. "Would you like to talk about it?"

Sasuke sat up and raked a hand through his hair. "Well…" He sighed. "I guess I might as well come out and say it. Sakura is pregnant."

Itachi's eyes brightened and widened. "Really? That's excellent news!" He exclaimed. "Congratulations little brother."

The door slid open revealing their mother with their father a step behind.

"Did I hear that right?" The former Uchiha matriarch said her eyes wide, shimmering with moisture. "Did you just say that your wife is expecting?"

"Hello Mother, Father." Sasuke greeted rising to greet them. "Yes, Sakura is pregnant."

Tears dripped down Mikoto's face before she launched herself at him wrapping her arms around him. "That's such wonderful news!" She exclaimed.

"Indeed." Fugaku agreed walking forward, touching his younger son on the shoulder. "This is certainly cause to celebrate."

Sasuke smiled and hugged his mother back before taking a step back. "Thank you."

Itachi's mouth tugged down into a frown. "What troubles you little brother?" He asked.

Sasuke glanced back at him and then settled down on the sofa his eyes downcast.

"I'm afraid." He admitted softly. "I'm absolutely terrified."

"Of what son?" His father asked sitting down in a nearby chair.

"You've always been such a sweet boy, there's no doubt in my mind that you'll be a wonderful father." His mother said softly settling down on his right while Itachi took the spot to his right.

Sasuke's hand balled into a fist. "I doubt that." He replied softly. "I've done too many terrible things in my time. Sakura will be an excellent mother, I'm sure of it. She's been mothering Naruto and I since we were genin, as much as we'd let her anyway. But me…" he let out a hollow chuckle. "I stole, I betrayed, I murdered. I'm not fit to be a father."

Itachi cuffed him on the back of the head. "You know that isn't true." He said before Sasuke could get out another word. "If were truly such a despicable person, Sakura never would have stayed in love with you and if you actually believed you were beyond all hope, you never would have taken her as your wife." He said firmly. "Now tell us what you're really afraid of."

Sasuke nearly glared at his brother and then thought better of it. His words were true, as much as he hated to admit it. With a sigh, Sasuke lowered his head cradling it in his hand.

"How?" He said softly. "How can I protect them? I'm just one person, how in the Hell am I supposed to protect them both from the bastards that will come for them because of our family's power?"

His parents and Itachi shared a look before closing ranks around the youngest member of their family.

"You'll find a way." Mikoto murmured stroking his hair gently. "Besides, that wife of yours is a warrior in her own right, she'll protect herself and your child."

"You're one of the most powerful Uchiha to ever live." Fugaku added. "Only a fool would lay their hands on your family knowing they'd have to face your wrath."

"Mother and Father are right." Itachi agreed. "You also have powerful allies and caring friends that will also protect your family. You're not alone in this."

Sasuke accepted his family's comfort but still wasn't convinced. "I know that." He replied. "It's just hard to believe everything will turn out alright when so much in my life has gone so terribly wrong."

Itachi laid his hand on top of his head. "Foolish little brother. You spend too much of your time worrying about the past and the future while ignoring the gift that is the present. If you are worried about something happening to Sakura while she's carrying, teach her ways to protect herself that won't put a strain on her body. If you're worried about people with dark purposes targeting your child, rally and increase your allies so that when that time comes, there will be an army to protect them even if you're away." He nudged his temple with his forehead. "And most importantly, enjoy the present. You're married to a spectacular woman who is now carrying your child. There are a great many men in your world and this one who will never experience such a thing. Of course you're both shinobi so things will always be a bit complicated, even so, enjoy the happy moments as they come."

"Itachi is right." His mother agreed. "You've always been such a serious and steadfast child with an exceptionally heavy burden to carry." She smiled and ran her fingers through his inky locks. "I'll tell you something my mother told me once. She said 'Cry when it hurts, laugh when it's funny, and know we have each other, no matter what.'"

"Sound advice." His father added. "That's something our clan should have heeded." He looked down at his son. "Sasuke, being a father isn't easy. I have made more mistakes than most in that regard I believe." He said a sad smile touching his lips as he glanced at Itachi. "Just do your best. I'm sure that pretty little wife of yours will straighten you out if you start to stray."

Sasuke smiled at that. "Yes, you're probably right." The world around them wavered and Sasuke realized he was being pulled out of their world and into his own. "I will see you again." He said standing as it shimmered again.

"Of course." His parents said waving to him.

"Sasuke." Itachi said grasping his forearm. "Be vigilant." He said his dark eyes serious. "There is a wicked storm on the horizon."

Sasuke's own eyes darkened in response as he nodded. He knew exactly what that meant. There was some sort of danger looming. How his brother knew he didn't know, but there was an urgency there that couldn't be ignored.

"I will." He promised.

"Sasuke?" Sakura murmured sleepily when he jerked awake.

"Sakura." He replied softly tightening his grip around her waist. "Did I wake you?"

She yawned and shook her head. "No. I was already waking up. I have to run some tests today in the main training room. I'm going to try to figure out the best dispersal method for the antiviral we've created."

He stared at her for a few moments taking in the lean lines of her body that became visible for brief moments as she shifted underneath the old shirt of his she'd worn to sleep in. He'd always heard that pregnant women 'glow' and for the first time he saw it. That light in her eyes that shimmered and danced, even her skin seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the single lamp lit in their room. Itachi's advice about treasuring the present moved to the forefront of his mind even as his wife shifted her attention to him and rolled, shifting until she straddled him hovering over him with her silky hair brushing his face.

"Sasuke." She breathed a huskiness in her tone that sent a bolt of anticipation right to his groin. "You haven't touched me since we found out about the pregnancy." She pouted.

His hand lifted to her hip squeezing gently. "It's hasn't even been three days." He pointed out to her his fingers sliding over her silky skin.

"Oh. Alright then." She said suddenly something clicking in her jade eyes, immediately banking the fire there. "I should get changed and head to the lab."

His eyes widened in shocked surprise as she slipped off him and grabbed a new set of clothes changing at a speed he'd never known she was capable of.

"Sakura?" He questioned sitting up in bed.

"I have work to do. I'm sure you do too. I'll see you tonight." She told him as she sipped her hair into a pony tail casting him one last look behind her shoulder. "Have a good day, Sasuke."

Her tone was cool, her body language screamed defense, and her eyes… Those glorious eyes that had been aglow with joy, desire and love just moments before were dull and cold. What had just happened? She'd gone from ready to seduce him to bolting out the door as if he'd slapped her in an instant.

"Sakura wait." He said reaching for her as she reached for the door but she slammed it in his face leaving him dazed and confused behind her. "What. Is. This." He muttered he hissed between his clenched teeth.

SxSxSxSxS

Sasuke knew it was stupid and ridiculous to eavesdrop on his wife while she talked to her lab partner but he was so confused and frustrated. It had been two days since that morning when she'd woken up glowing and then stormed out without an explanation and her eyes were just as frosty as ever. His questions were answered with one word answers, she shied away from his touch; except for in her sleep, thank goodness for that. And he still had absolutely no idea why she was acting this way. She'd even changed the way she was dressing opting to cover as much of her glorious skin as possible and it was driving him crazy!

The worst part was that her attitude towards the others hadn't changed at all. She still had that weird love-hate thing going with Karin. She still smiled and laughed with Jugo. She still rolled her eyes and bantered with Suigetsu. She still had a cordial, professional relationship with Orochimaru. It was so irritating to see her eyes and face light up around them, to see that tantalizing glow spark to life in her eyes, watch it dance across her cheeks

Finally, the redhead asked the question he was dying to have answered.

"So… What's up between you and Sasuke?" Karin asked. "I mean, it's not like I care or anything but keep giving him the cold shoulder and he might just end up in my bed."

There was the sound of shattering glass and a curse.

"I'm joking!" Karin nearly shrieked. "Shit! Seriously, what's the deal?"

Sakura sighed he heard a chair shift.

"He doesn't want me anymore." Sakura said softly.

Sasuke's eyes widened, his jaw dropping open. Where in the Hell had she come up with that ridiculous assumption!?

"Umm… What?" Karin replied.

"I just… I don't know. Ever since he found out I was pregnant, he's barely touched me. Before, we took advantage of the time we had together since we don't get a lot of it, but he just didn't seem interested. Then when I tried to take the initiative the other day he shrugged it off like it was no big deal." She sighed. "It's stupid I know but… I feel like he's slipping away from me. I know it's probably my fault, he didn't want to have kids and I pressured him into it but when I saw his reaction, how happy he was I knew we'd made the right decision. At least, I thought we had."

Karin sighed. "You are such a royal pain in the ass." She grumbled. "Look, I seriously doubt Sasuke has lost interest in you. He's probably just holding back because he's worried about the baby. Nobody bothers to teach boys anything about this kind of stuff either, about how sexual intercourse doesn't affect children in the womb, at all." She said pieces of glass shifting. "Look, you've got to talk to him about this, just giving the silent treatment gets everyone nowhere."

Sakura snorted. "Oh yes, that sound like a great idea. What do I say? Sasuke, I want you to fuck me because I'm so damned insecure and I feel like I'm going to explode from the stress any second and I want to forget about everything for a while?"

Karin whistled. "Those pregnancy hormones are a bitch aren't they? I don't think I've ever heard you say that word before. One more reason I'm never having kids."

Sasuke was only half listening to the words she was speaking as he left the room he'd been in to listen in on their conversation and swept down the hall with determination in his step. The whole situation was absolutely ridiculous. He hadn't rejected her that morning, he was simply pointing out a fact. This was just like the station after she'd awakened from her coma where she took his comment about her weight loss as an insult. He had thought she was past that phase; that the majority of her inferiority complex had been cured by months of love and devotion, but perhaps her pregnancy had brought old insecurities back to the forefront of her mind. No matter. He was going to clear up this misunderstanding right now.

He threw open the door to the lab and immediately sought the eyes of his wife.

"Sakura, come with me." He said in a firm voice.

"But I-"

"Now." He nearly hissed striding forward and grabbing her by the wrist.

"Sasuke!" She protested as he half dragged her down the hallway. "What's this all about? What's wrong?"

He didn't answer. His emotions were too conflicted and he knew anything he said would be tinged with the anger he felt. He simply kept going until he reached the door to their room, kicked the door open and tossed her inside ensuring she landed on the bed and slammed the door shut behind him locking it firmly.

"Sasuke!" Sakura demanded again rubbing the back of her head lightly. "Seriously what is going on?"

He ignored her words as he shucked off his clothing the flames of his anger banking a little when he saw her breath hitch and the spark in her eyes ignite as he approached her. She shifted to back away from him as he reached the edge of the bed and he reached out with the legendary speed he was known for and grabbed her by the front of the shirt hauling her towards him until their torsos were touching. He all but tore her dress from her body and pressed her to the mattress his mouth touching her ear.

"If you wanted me to fuck you, Sakura, you should have just said so." He purred before grasping the hem of her shorts and panties, ripping them off her legs.

Her eyes widened in shocked surprise at that before rolling back in her head when he stroked her slit. "You… You were listening?" She gasped as his mouth latched onto her breast.

He still didn't trust himself to say much and merely nodded before entering her with a firm thrust. She cried out and he clenched his fingers in her hair as he pounded into her. He loved her but she drove him insane sometimes.

"Sasuke!" She cried out her arms clutching at his back.

"How many times do I have to say it?!" He snarled burying his face in her neck biting her with as much force as he dared. "You are the one I chose!" he tugged her hair back. "Look at me!" he demanded.

Her eyes opened and he glared down at her with his sharringan activated.

"Listen to me." He growled. "You are the only one I want. You are the only one I see." He increased his pace watching her struggle to maintain the eye contact he'd asked for. "Get it through your thick head already!" The pressure was building in his spine, the release nearing at lightning speed. "Damn it." He hissed before it overcame him and he released with a shout. His blood began to cool and he rolled off his wife wiping the tears that were slipping from her eyes.

"Sasuke, why did you do this?" She asked softly.

He sighed and shifted closer to her. "Sakura, I can't read your mind. I might know you better than anyone and in the most intimate of ways, but I don't always understand what you're thinking and feeling." He slipped his leg in between hers and rubbed his palm gently up and down her bicep. "You need to talk to me Tsuma." He touched his forehead to hers. "How am I supposed to know that you're feeling insecure if you never say anything?" he tucked a stray section of hair behind her ear. "You're so good at reading people. It's one of your gifts. You can see right through me and seem to know what I need before I do. I'm not like that, Sakura. Emotions, feelings and relationships are things I fought against for most of my life." He sighed and touched her waist his eyes closing, his jaw clenching for a moment. "I need you to teach me. Tell me what you need from me to feel secure in our relationship, in my feelings for you."

Sakura blinked away the rest of the tears in her eyes and reached out touching his face. "I'm sorry Sasuke." She replied. "You're right, I need to communicate with you better." She sighed and lowered her head. "For so long I was afraid to ask you for things, to tell you how I felt because I didn't want you to reject me. I guess I'm slipping back into old habits."

He leaned forward and brushed his lips across her cheek and then pressed them to the corner of her eye. "I won't hurt you or reject you." He assured her. "I need you to talk to me though."

She nodded and sighed snuggling up against his chest. It was quiet for several moments before she opened her mouth to speak.

"I miss the sun." She said softly. "I miss feeling the breeze on my face. The grass and dirt between my toes." She pressed her face to his shoulder. "I miss our house, I miss our koi fish, especially that stupid yellow one you named Naruto."

He chuckled at that and brushed his hand over her hair. "He's probably been eaten by one of the ninja cats that I left to guard the house."

She smacked him lightly on the chest. "Don't say that!" she exclaimed sharply making him wince at the shrillness of her tone and grin.

He stroked his hand through her hair. "Tell me more." He urged her softly.

"I miss our friends, I miss my parents." She snuggled closer to him. "I miss my patients and my staff. I miss being able to walk down the street without being afraid that some jerk face Lord and his cronies are going to try to snatch me." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I miss waking up next to you in our bed, eating meals with you, and sitting on the couch together before bed drinking tea and watching all of the movies that you never took the time to see." A tear slipped down her face. "I miss training with you. I miss talking about the years we were together and apart with you." She wiped it away. "Sorry, I know how annoying this must be to you."

"I asked you to tell me." He replied gently. "Please tell me."

"I'm afraid." She confessed. "I'm a medic but pregnancy is different for everyone. There's no guarantees and so many things can go wrong." She said touching her midriff. "Sasuke, already I can tell this child is taking a lot from me, more than I anticipated. Even Karin noticed the dip in my chakra." She pressed her face to his chest. "I want Lord Sakamoto to disappear so that we can return home so that I can just enjoy being pregnant without worrying if I'm going to have enough chakra to protect myself if he manages to get his hands on me!" She finished panting a little after her rant.

He brushed his fingers through her hair gently listening to the sound of her pounding heart and quick breathing, willing it to slow with languid glides of his digits over her hair, down her neck, across her shoulders, and down her back.

"Alright." He said softly. "It's alright." He assured her. "I promise you that capturing Lord Sakamoto is my top priority right now. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that you and our child is safe from harm." He squeezed shoulder. "As for your pregnancy, perhaps Uchiha pregnancies are more difficult than the average shinobi pregnancy, I wouldn't know but maybe the medical archives in the Leaf might have something."

Sakura's eyes widened and she reached up smacking herself in the forehead. "You're absolutely right. I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I think of that?"

He shook his head and nearly rolled his eyes. "I believe the term is called 'pregnancy brain'." He cupped her cheek. "This really has been hard on you." He pressed his forehead to hers. "You're doing exceptionally well. You've come up with a viable cure for the biological weapon, you're nearly finished with a better dispersal method and you've helped me with everything from combat to research."

She smiled and her eyes and skin began to glow in that way that made her look irresistible to him.

"Thank you." She said throwing her arms around his neck. "Thank you Sasuke."

He smiled and gripped her waist urging him to roll on top of him. "Can we have a re-do of that morning?" He asked. "I was quite looking forward to having you take the lead before you ran off on me."

She blushed and then smirked at that. "I don't know Sasuke." She nearly purred pressing her chest to his as she leaned towards him her lips brushing his ear. "Will you let me love you darling?"

His blood ignited at the words and his throat suddenly felt dry. The word "Please." leaving his parted lips like a prayer.

She smirked at him and kissed him hard before pulling him into Heaven with her.

Author's Notes: Thank you so much for reading reviewing and favoriting. You keep me motivated and inspired. I sincerely appreciate all the feedback I receive. Feel free to PM me with any questions, suggestions or complains you have.