"SASUKE...OUR LITTLEST UCHIHA ISN'T so little anymore," Sakura huffs as she tossed yet another one of her pants away from her. It completely didn't fit anymore, her hips were too wide and her butt has gotten considerably bigger.
She had to admit, these changes with her body were fascinating but equally frustrating. Did she mention that she nearly cried early this morning when Sasuke woke her up because they had to get moving and all she wanted to do was sleep, next to the fire, on the soft grass under the tree? Sleeping on the ground while pregnant wasn't as uncomfortable as she thought it would be.
"We'll be stopping by the Land of Waves, you can buy proper maternity clothes there." Said Sasuke as he pulled Sakura's dress down over her bottom. It was in no means short, it was knee length but she had just put it on and it had rolled up in the back and he wanted to make sure she was decent.
"We're stopping by the Land of Waves?!" Sakura's hands touched her face and she looked like she was going to burst from excitement. She hadn't been there since...since..well. Since their mission and obviously it had been years since then.
"Ah." Sasuke confirms. He grabbed their travel bags and put out the fire before starting their walk towards the path that should lead them to 'The Great Naruto Bridge'
"I wonder how Inari and Tazuna's doing." Sakura twirled and stepped on a log, Sasuke had his hand ready for her to hold as she walked across it.
Sasuke closed his eyes and smiled a bit as memories came back to him, "I'm sure they're fine."
Sakura hopped down from the log when she reached the end of it and gave Sasuke a surprised look, "Ehhh?! You sound so sure. Have you visited them already?"
Sasuke nods, his eyes remained ahead. "There was a time during those two years where I caught a lead and stayed around that area. Their village had a few troubles I solved and Tazuna was happy to see me and insisted I stayed however long I needed until it was time for me to leave. I was only there a few days, in and out and when it was finally time for me to move on he said I'd always be welcome back."
Sakura's eyes softened and her smile was gentle, it felt so relieving to hear good things about Sasuke and coming from him. He was leaving a positive impact wherever he went and she couldn't be happier for him. "I'm proud of you and the man you've become." She tugged on his hand to stop him and turn him to her.
His gaze was gentle and loving as she cupped his cheek, "I've always loved you..no matter who you were, but this version of you just makes me love you even more." He closed his eyes as the warmth from her touch spread through him.
"I love you," he says in a bare whisper. Sakura's eyes widened a bit before they glisteend, that's the second time he's ever said that to her. Sakura wrapped her arms around Sasuke and brought their lips together in a sweet kiss.
"And I love you, Sasuke."
Until her very last breath, she will love him.
The moment the couple stepped on the bridge, instant nostalgia overwhelmed Sakura.
To think nearly 8 years ago, she was a weak genin, crying over Sasuke's body because she had thought he was dead and then feeling so relieved to find him alive. And when the mission was done, on this same bridge, he rejected her proposal to hang out when they got back home yet again.
How far they have come to be back on here as grownups, married and with an unborn child on the way.
Sasuke peeked over at his wife as they walked across and noticed the tears streaming down her face. He immediately stopped her and made her face him with a frown, "Sakura, what's the matter?"
His wife sniffed and laughed a bit, "I'm just so happy..we've come so far and everything we've been through has been such a difficult but amazing journey. And...I wouldn't change anything no matter how bad because of how we got here today."
Sasuke closed his eyes as he recognized the signs of Sakura's pregnancy hormones overcoming her. While she might not have wanted to change anything, there were many things concerning their relationship back then that he wished he could. Starting with how he treated her but he was making up for that now.
He brushed away her tears and she took her hand in his before they continued walking down the bridge. As they did they caught the attention of the villagers walking by,
"Hey! It's Sakura and Sasuke, they've returned!"
"Eh? I know Sasuke, but who is this Sakura woman?"
A man near the woman gasped in offensive shock, "How do you not know her?! She is one of the strongest kunoichis in the world beside the sanin Tsunade! She helped save the world along with Sasuke and The Great Naruto! Their whole team saved our village as only youngsters mere years ago! Sasuke Uchiha visited and saved us yet again last year!"
'Well..' Sakura sweatdrops. 'Looks like team 7 has a fanbase of its own' nonetheless she waved at everyone and smiled for the both of them.
They got the same reaction from everyone on in the village like they did on the bridge. The press even came and pushed a microphone in her face, Sasuke kept them back a good distance but when they weren't letting up he dealt them with his infamous death glare and they stepped back.
"Sakura-san, Sasuke-san! How does it feel to be back?" Asked the reporter.
Sakura made sure her cloak was covering her belly to obscure it from the camera, "Ah good, we were around the area and decided to stop by and visit."
"And what about you two? You look awfully cozy with one another, how come Naruto isn't with you? Are you journeying 'together' Maybe?"
So many questions at once.."U-um, Naruto is learning of Hokage duties under the 6th and yes we are journeying together..ah" she looked to Sasuke.
"We are together and happily married." He finishes, knowing by the reporters excited reactions that's what they wanted to hear. That and he liked the thought of the whole world knowing that she choose him to spend the rest of her life with him as his partner. He then guided a blushing Sakura away from the crowd and straight to the market.
They got many 'congratulations' and 'welcome backs' as they reached a store for maternity. Sakura finally felt like she could breathe.
Her jade eyes caught a particular maternity dress and she neared it like a bee that had found pollen. It reminded her much like her wedding Kimono. It was a color mix of red and blue and instead of pink cherry blossoms it had white flowers on it. She had to show this to Sasuke, "Anata, look!"
The pinkette turned around but her husband wasn't near her. He was speaking to another woman. If Sakura hadn't known Sasuke because Sasuke is...Sasuke then she probably would have felt a little bothered about the fact that he was closer to her face than necessary. But judging from their body languages, this was far from flirting.
As Sasuke's lips moved, the woman paled and nodded vigorously. Finally content, Sasuke moved to Sakura's side and eyed the dress and her with fondness. "It looks good. You should try it."
"Sasuke.."
"I wanted to make sure you weren't bothered by any means necessary. I was simply voicing my thoughts to the store owner.." he explained cooly and nudged her towards a changing room.
'Simply?? More like intimidated' Sakura sweatdrops as she took off her clothes to try on the dress.
Sasuke's been a lot more protective since learning that she was pregnant and she wasn't exactly bothered by it but she did feel at times he was overreacting a bit. It's not like she's going to die of a stress attack by the many people that are thrilled to see them again and wish to speak with them.
But, in a way, she could understand Sasuke's need to make sure this pregnancy went as smoothly as possible. She's carrying the first Uchiha heir since the massacre, that and Sasuke was having a blood of his own come into this world and he hasn't had blood relatives in a long time. If she were in his position she'd act the same if not worse.
As if knowing she was thinking about him/her, the baby woke and moved around as its greeting. The Uchiha baby was getting bigger and bigger each passing week too; where her belly was much smaller when she was 3 months, it was now the size of a cantaloupe or little watermelon.
Slipping on the maternity dress, it was beautiful and long, just to her ankles and Sakura was immensely satisfied with how it looked on her. And it'll be good for the cold weather here soon.
She stepped out and Sasuke's eyes opened from where he was sitting. His eyes widened a bit as he assessed her. The colors were that of the Uchiha clan and standing there...she looked like an Uchiha heiress. All she needed was the Uchiha crest on her back. He made a mental note to have get her some clothing she liked and have someone put the Uchiha crest on it.
"Sooo..." Sakura bit her lip. "What do you think?"
"It suits you," he compliments. Sakura's eyes lit up. And here she though she looked like some woman that ate a small watermelon.
Suddenly Sakura felt a small quick light pressure against the side of her belly and she stilled and looked down before putting her hand the spot. Sasuke, thinking something was wrong with the baby, was by her side in the blink of an eye. "What is it?"
Sakura didn't seem to be registering what he said until a few moments after and she had smiled. She took his hand and placed it where hers once was.
Sasuke felt a pressure against his hand and both the parents smiled. "The baby's kicking," Sakura says with a look on her face that Sasuke loved seeing; the look of motherly affection.
*Sniff, Sniff*
The couple looked to the right of them and the store owner was shedding tears of her own. "I-ill" sniff "Ring that up for you."
Sasuke raised a brow, 'Females and their hypersensitive emotions' He gets why Sakura is so emotional, she was pregnant. He didn't know what this woman's excuse was.
Sakura laughed, "Arigatou~"
"Say...you don't think we went overboard...do you?" With the bags in both Sasuke's and Sakura's hands it was safe to say they did. Sasuke nods. He had no idea where they were going to put all of these maternity clothes unless Sakura discarded the ones she already had in the backpack Sasuke was carrying (because with her back hurting already he didn't want anymore strain on it)
"Ahehehe," she chuckles a bit awkwardly. "Maybe we can use a jutsu to put them in a scroll somehow," was that even possible? A lot of things should be nowadays with the advancement of technology. If they can have cell phones and Tv's there's got to be a way to be able to have a scroll as a mini suitcase. She'll definitely look into that.
Sasuke didn't seem to hear her though because his eyes were trained somewhere else in intense focus. His sharingan was activated and his eyes were narrowed. Sakura looked to try and see what he saw but it's not like she ever could with his Uchiha visual prowess and rinnengan. Whatever he was looking at no ordinary ninja could be able to see.
Meaning...
After a while he deactivated his sharingan and continued ahead to their destination, instead of beside him he made sure Sakura was close and in front of him. His wife didn't question him and kept her senses sharp for anything out of the ordinary.
When they reached their destination and knocked on the door, Sasuke looked a little less tense.
The door opened to reveal a much more adult version of Inari. If it wasn't for the baby face, Sakura doesn't think she'd recognize him. Instead of the scrawny little kid he used to be, he was buff now with muscles and facial hair. His hair was longer now too and was tied back.
Inari's eyes were wide as he realized who was at the door, Sakura's eyes were as wide as his.
"Sakura-san, Sasuke-san?!"
"Inari?! B-but.." she lowered her hands to his waist, "last time I saw you, you- you were so little..a-and now" Sakura's eyes began to water and she choked on her words because she started sobbing, "You're so big! Where..hic..does..time..hic.. go" She hiccups. Sasuke's look of nonchalance was practically comical to the bewildered look Inari gave Sasuke. Sasuke was used to her crying already.
"She's pregnant." He explained.
"Oh." His eyes widened, "OHHH" he soon realized that pregnancy equals wild hormones thus Sakura's need to ugly cry at even the little sad of things. His eyes then peeked to Sasuke again with question in them, wondering if he was the father of the unborn child. Sasuke wasn't going to give him an answer though and once Inari realized that he moved aside to let them in.
"Are you guys staying for a little while? You know you could always sleep here, Grandpa would be delighted and it'd be nice to have some company."
"A-ah. Only for a few days." Sasuke confirms. Inari's smile brightened.
"Where's Tazuna-san? I don't want to barge in.." worried Sakura as she looked at the pictures on the wall she's never seen before. They must've been taken after their mission because it showed Inari was happier and getting older in various ones along with his grandpa, mom, and what she guessed was a few friends.
"He's in the back, mom is currently on a date with her boyfriend. I'll go get him." He leaves to the back while the couple stays in the living room.
Sakura, feeling extremely tired now, sat on one of the cushioned seats on the floor on each side of the table. Her fatigue was an occurring thing lately. At this stage, the developments of the baby were quickly progressing and it took a toll on her body. There were days where she'd have so much energy only to come crashing down an hour or two later like she had been on a sugar high.
Looking at his wife, Sasuke could see she was doing her hardest to keep her eyes open. Sasuke sat down and put the woman in his lap. The kunoichi smiled faintly and laid her head on his chest and shut her eyes. Just as she did Tazuna and Inari came in.
"EHHH?! She's asleep already?!" Inari exclaimed.
"Shhh boy! Can't you see she's sleeping??" Scolded Tazuna.
"But..grandpa...it's only been like two minutes."
"Growing another human inside you can be tiring Inari. Your mother was the same way." He looks towards Sasuke and gave him a grin. "Sasuke! How are ya kid? Inari tells me you're staying again."
Sasuke nods respectfully. "I don't mean to intrude, but there is something I must check on and with Sakura being pregnant I wish for her to have some company until I returned."
"I see. Well you both know you're welcomed here. The guest room is still the same if you want to put her to bed."
Sasuke stood with his wife in his arms and bowed as much as he could. "Arigato." He went to the guest room he's slept in many times and laid Sakura on the mattress that wasn't there when he last visited and covered her. He brushed a few fallen strands from her face and gently caressed her smooth cheek.
He didn't like the fact that he had to leave her but in her condition he couldn't bring her with him. She'd be safer here while he went to go and check whatever the hell rubbed him the wrong way. Lastly, before he stood, he checked on their child. His hand rested upon Sakura's belly and felt a kick against his palm in response.
The baby was fine and content and awake. It's chakra was more clear to distinguish and recognize and he felt himself relax but then determined to eliminate this threat so it couldn't bring any possible harm to his family.
Family...
He never though he'd be using that word again; he never thought he'd use that word and not feel the emptiness from his loved ones that passed. He can finally move on with the ones he loved now and hell would have to freeze over if he were to lose them too.
Taking one last look at Sakura, Sasuke disappeared.