I stand back and place my hands on my hips in success. The past few days, all of the girls and Lee helped me get the bedroom for baby Uchiha ready. There's a small bedroom across the hall from our bedroom that's the perfect size for a nursery. We painted the walls a soft cream color, then the Uchiha fan is painted on the wall above the crib. Sasuke would take serious pride in this little room, it's decorated with dark reds and blues. Uchiha pride is screaming from the room.
"Good work forehead. Now what?" I haven't gotten that far yet; I took personal time for the entire weekend. Looks like I have two free days to lay around and enjoy the quiet home. Although Ino isn't going to leave me alone, she's worried that I might over work myself. I run my hand along my forehead and wipe the sweat off on my pants.
"Not sure, I might just catch up on the housework that needs to be done." Walking from the room, I go back into my bedroom and shut the outside doors. We left them open so fresh air can clear out the dust from our cleaning.
"Sakura there's not a speck of dust on anything in your house. So what's really going on?" Of course she would be able to see right through me. Taking in a deep breath, I sit on the bed and smooth the bed cover with my hand.
"You know that I enjoy having you girls around, but I want a few days to myself." Hopefully I haven't offended her, having them here to keep me company is sweet but I want to relax for just a little bit. Everyone knows that I won't get much sleep once the baby comes along, Sasuke will be here to help but missions never stop coming in.
"I get it Sakura; we've been waiting for you to say something." She giggles and pats me on the shoulder, another hand poking at my baby bump.
"If you need me just call, I think I'm going to head over to Hinata's." She bounces out of the room like a child, once the door closes shut I let out a breath I had been holding. For the first time in a month, it's completely quiet in the house. I could take this time to walk through the older, abandoned building without feeling guilty. Sasuke never talks about the massacre, I understand that it's too painful for him to relive.
Moving slowly off the bed, I head out to the front door and slip on my sandals. No sense in locking the door, no one comes into the compound unless they are invited. My feet carry me further into the compound, a shiver runs down my spine despite the heat outside. There's a somber feeling hanging around each empty building, so much pain and sorrow are rooted here. Sasuke doesn't even venture past our house, another action I can understand.
Windows are shattered, wood rotted away into splinters and sun worn Uchiha fans are the only remainders of a once feared clan. My heart aches for each member, I'll never be able to understand Itachi Uchiha and I know for a fact that Sasuke will never mention him. I step onto the porch of a house that's centered in the middle of the road, the main road forking around this one building. Unlike the others, this one seems to have been preserved slightly. Sliding open the screen door the air is musky and dust fills the room, it seems that this was their meeting temple. Retreating, I close the door and bow respectively.
Further into the ruins, I see what used to be the Uchiha Police headquarters. My mother told me when I was younger that the Uchiha clan ran the police force before the tragedy. I was so young and I stayed out of trouble so there was no need for me to see the police, but I remember that Sasuke's father was in command. There was so much life in these streets, maybe one day there will be again. Sweat drips from my forehead and I wipe it off again, this heat is too much for me today.
As I walk back to my house, I notice an unknown chakra signature leaving the compound. Another small box is sitting on my porch, more hate letters. Snatching the package up, I storm away towards the Hokage Tower. With each step I can feel a divot in the earth being made, civilians move away from me as my chakra spikes. I've had enough of these cowards leaving these stupid notes on my doorstep. Kiba moves away in a frenzy as I talk up to Tsunade's office, fear covering his face. He may have gotten a right hook one day from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, ever since then he hides from me. Slamming open the door, I toss the box onto the desk and Shizune looks at me like I have three heads.
"What's this?" Tsunade looks unamused that I interrupted her work, but she'll understand once I tell her about the previous ones.
"Someone dropped this on my door. I got one a while back with hateful letters." This shocks her even more and she rips open the box, but her demeanor changes as soon as she sets eyes on the contents. I feel my heart skip a beat and I raise a curious eyebrow at her.
"Shizune go get me Ibiki. NOW! Sakura when was this delivered?" Shizune rushes out of the room leaving us alone, why was Tsunade acting this way?
"About five, ten minutes ago. Why?" Instead of answering my question, she picks up her phone and starts to roughly dial a number.
"Get an Anbu platoon to my office right away." My mind goes blank as I stand to see what's inside the box. Tsunade tries to keep me from getting it but I manage to take it from her, my eyes go wide and the air leaves my lungs.
'Sakura Uchiha- Sharingan
Ino Yamanaka- Flowers or Drawings?
Hinata Hyuga- Blue or White?
Tenten- Weapons or Bloodline?
Temari- Fan or Shadows?
We will be seeing you soon Sakura.'
Someone's been watching us ever since the guys left, that means their whole mission is being compromised. My gut tells me that this has something to do with 'The Masters' which means there's more to this than finding the leader. My hands are shaking with rage as I sit back in the chair, Anbu come filling the room along with Ibiki.
"I want an Anbu assigned to Sakura Uchiha, Ino Yamanaka, Hinata Hyuga, Tenten and Temari. Stay hidden, watch everything. I want three of you to go and retrieve Shikamaru's Team, the rest of you will do surveillance and have two posted Anbu at the gates at all time. Scatter." As soon as they arrived, they vanished leaving Ibiki alone with the Hokage and I. Ever since we were genin, Ibiki has given me the chills. That's why he's in charge of interrogations.
"I don't want you to hold back on Hiroku anymore. Once Sasuke comes back, have him used the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"It didn't work last time, he said there was a barrier."
"This will work. Now go get him ready." Her hands pull out a bottle of sake as the door shuts far too quietly. So she's recalling the boys and now we are on protective watch, being pregnant sucks at this point. On one hand, I get to see my husband but on the other a dangerous gang has eyes on my friends and I. Tsunade slams back three drinks before wiping her mouth carelessly, very professional Shishou.
"Sakura, you're going to stay here until Sasuke gets back. I know you'll try to lose the Anbu that's assigned to you." She's smart I'll give her that one, evasion is a medics best weapon in battle. I also don't want to stay in a room with a dunk Tsunade, things can get crazy after a few too many drinks. Taking to my feet again, I rip the bottle from her hands and give it to Shizune who comes walking in.
"Then let's go eat something. As long as I have the Hokage, her assistant and an Anbu watching me then I should be fine. You should know better than anyone that I can handle myself, this is just a precaution." Arguing with Tsunade can be dangerous, being pregnant has its perks though.
"It's not a bad idea Lady Tsunade. You haven't had anything to eat today, plus it will help pass the time." My inner pumps her fist into the air and smiles in satisfaction. I haven't eaten yet today either, I've been too worried about the baby's room. Smiling I take both of their hands and lead them from the office.
A light thud against my stomach forces me to put my chopsticks down and rub the section. Shizune giggles at my action, causing Shishou to watch carefully at my growing belly. It won't be long until this little starts to kick harder and more often. We've been taking our time eating, this time Shishou has been steadily taking sips of her drink. For her to have a decent meal is rare, when she was training me there were days straight when she wouldn't eat. Being Hokage isn't all it's cracked up to be, long days and long nights. Naruto hates paperwork, looks like his assistant is going to have a field day.
"You know it's a two-hour journey, but knowing those boys they'll be here any minute." Tsunade says with pink cheeks and her eyebrows wiggle with childish manner. It's true, we've been here for an hour or so and knowing them they all are using the last of their chakra to get here. Looks like I'll be doing a little extra healing this afternoon.
"Shishou, do you have a plan yet?" There's no filter, everyone close to me is endangered and there's silence among us and I swallow nervously for over stepping.
"Honestly Sakura, I don't know. We need to review every piece of information so we can see what we're dealing with." No doubt about that, we've been dealing with the group for far too long. If they are still around after I give birth, I'm going to hunt them down myself and make sure we get results. The Anbu watching over us nods in our direction, Shizune pulls out enough money to cover the tab and we exit the building heading straight to the hospital.
The conference room is full once we arrive, seems they rounded up all of the girls too. My eyes meet Sasuke's and I have to keep myself from running into his arms. There are files spread across the long table and I take the empty seat next to Sasuke, my hand finds his under the table. Instantly my body relaxes, he squeezes my hand before I pull it back up to look through the papers before me. It's information that they've gathered on the gang, they do good work.
"This is our main priority; it seems that they have infiltrated the village. I can't afford to have everyone separated at this time. Sakura received a threat earlier today, there's a copy of the note in your files. Beside the note, there were photos of each of you in this room." There were photos? They must've been hiding underneath the note. I'm guessing the guys didn't know about this because each of their faces were twisted with anger.
"Anbu will be posted with the women until we find these bastards. We know that this gang has a sick way of dealing with women. Take these home and every Friday we will meet here to go over our notes. For now, go home and get some rest." The Anbu and Hokage leave the room, leaving us sitting here…it's too quiet for Ino and Naruto to be in the same room.
"Kakashi and I will focus on the leader, can you all look into potential moles within the village?" Shikamaru sounds exhausted and unfocused, the guys haven't been here since the girls found out the news.
"Ino and I will look through the hospital staff, if they were able to take these photos then they have to be here often." There are photos of Ino and I taking care of different patients throughout the hospital, not all of them from the same day.
"Naruto and I will look through all Jonin and Chunin. They had to help Hiroku get into the forest undetected." Sasuke's voice causes my mind to go blank for a moment, it's been so long since he's been close. Shikamaru stands at the head of the table, giving Temari a soft look.
"We all have our assignments. I know that you're more than capable, but girls if you find something don't go in alone." Taking Temari's hand he leads her from the room, once Tenten and Neji leave Team 7 is alone, except for their significant other. Naruto gives Hinata a huge, wet kiss and her face is tomato red as she pulls away. It's nice to see everyone back home again, another kick causes me to move awkwardly in my chair. Sasuke's eyes dart over to me and I reach for his hand, they aren't too rough this time almost like a flutter. Placing his hand over the spot, pure joy spreads over his face as he moves his hand to feel more.
"He knows you're here." I smile and that causes a chain reaction in the room, Naruto running over to me and fighting with Sasuke to feel,
"Back off dobe." A snarl leaves Sasuke's mouth, removing his hand from the bump. Sai give Ino a weird smile and wraps his arm around her shoulder protectively. Kakashi clears his throat and we all move our attention over to sensei.
"We all need to be on our guard. Sakura you're the one that will give birth first, add that to the Sharingan."
"I know Kakashi sensei. We can handle this, just a few set backs. Now listen to your doctor and go home. You all are exhausted and I have more chakra then you four." I snicker at the last part, moving my chair back Sasuke is glued to my side. The sun is setting as we go outside, the streets aren't busy which is unusual for this time of day. My head leans against his arm as we walk, I know he has to leave for a few hours here soon.
"Tsunade said that you had to go interrogate Hiroku again." His arm tenses under my head and I pull back so I can look him in the eyes.
"Hn. Don't worry about it too much." Leaving me in his trail, I take long strides to catch up with him. The compound comes into view and I breath a sigh of relief, Sasuke's finally home. The door opens and I kick off my shoes, but I'm pulled into Sasuke's chest with two arms wrapped firmly around me. He places a kiss on the top of my head making me blush, it's been too long. Our embrace broke but his hands moved down to my bump, the sharingan was studying every inch of my stomach. This touch felt intimate, a private moment between two expecting parents.
"His chakra is strong, have you noticed?" The movement of his hands keep me from answering his question, I'm too lost in the moment. Those crimson eyes look to me searching for my answer.
"Oh, sorry. No I haven't noticed actually." He smirks and places a soft kiss on my forehead, we stand here in silence for fifteen minutes. I hear his stomach growl and a giggle breaks from my mouth, there's a smell of sweat that hits my nose.
"Go shower and I'll make you something to eat before you head out." I push him away slightly and I make my way into the kitchen. Pulling out everything to make tomato soup with, I start mixing everything together. It feels normal for be to be pregnant and cooking for Sasuke, that's something I never thought would happen. Just like a mass pregnancy between my friends, that was a long day at the hospital.
Speaking of hospital, Ino and I need to be discreet when we go through the entire staff. That means doctors, nurses, field medics and trainees, oh and secretaries. We might as well set up in the conference room and start pulling all the files. Tsunade will have to keep my schedule light so I can do that, no more babysitting and eighteen hour shifts. There have been so many new employees coming and going between the last six months, they could've been there just long enough to learn our routines and get access to everything.
I gasp and jump slightly as two arms wrap around me while I stir the soup. Sasuke's manly smell hits my nose and I relax into him. The food's ready, I must've been too lost in my thoughts to notice. Sasuke reaches over me and grabs a bowl, making his bowl I can't help but laugh as he moves over to eat his food. I turn around and lean against the counter to watch the raven hair man for a moment, he's lost a few pounds and his eyes are sunken in more than I remember. Those raven locks have grown out and they are starting to lay flat, it makes him look older but I miss the spikes. I run a hand through my short hair and fiddle with the ends, this length is easier to maintain unlike my long locks.
"I won't be gone too long, but don't stay up. You need to get your sleep." If anyone needs sleep it's Sasuke, time is going by quick today. It's almost eight which means we stood there longer than fifteen minutes.
"Sasuke you just came home from a three-month mission; you need more sleep than I do." His response is a scowl; I'm not going to argue with him. Truth be told I am tired from the days activates, I want to show Sasuke before he heads out.
"Follow me." I reach for his hand and pull him down the hallway. I try to cover his eyes but it's pointless, those eyes are more dangerous than anything. Opening the door slowly, I can feel his anxiousness taking over. Flicking on the light I hear him suck in a breath of air, his face says it all. There's pride covering his face and I smile back at him.
"I'll go to sleep, just don't keep me waiting." Placing a chaste kiss on his cheek, I hurry into the bathroom to wash the sweat from my body. Excitement washing over me as I realize that Sasuke will be next to me tonight.
Sasuke's POV
My blood is boiling as I walk towards the prison, Ibiki will have Hiroku worn down enough for me to use the Mangekyo Sharingan. All the information that he knows, will be ours in a matter of moments. Those pictures of Sakura made me want to come straight here and finish him off. While we were gone, we didn't get a lot of new information. It makes sense now though; they must've fled here once we entered that small town. The pictures show that whoever they are, they have access to get close to our pregnant spouses.
Slamming open the door, Hiroku looks almost unrecognizable. I smirk and take my usual seat across from the criminal. Even through the black eyes, he still manages to narrow his eyes and laugh again.
"Ah, I wondered…when you would…be back Sasuke. How our blossom?" I would take a hit at the guy, but that's a waste of time. Activating my Mangekyo Sharingan I look into the swollen eyes and begin to read through his memories. Flashes of the forest and Sakura's beating, then the first time he saw her, our last encounter but there's a seal between the memories I need. I try to break the seal, but as soon as I do I'm thrown out. Pinching the bridge of my nose, Hiroku's body is convulsing and blood is pouring from his mouth. Tsunade comes rushing into the room, but before she can try anything his body goes still.
"Damn it!" I kick the stool against the wall and slam open the door. The seal that they used was planted just in case they were ever caught. I should've known that but we are desperate for some answers. Tsunade exits as two other medics run down the hallway, her hand resting on my shoulder to give me some peace but it won't come until my wife is safe.
"We knew it was a risk. His brain turned into mush in a matter of seconds. I've only seen that a few times, it's forbidden. Go home and get some sleep, we'll start fresh next week." Her concern is evident; this mission is starting to take its toll on a lot of us. Letting my fist unclench, I take long strides towards the exit. The village is asleep now, time has no existence inside that technique. Jumping from the roof tops, I'm back home in a matter of minutes.
The house is dark, but I can smell Sakura's flower scent the moment I open the door. Her natural scent only proves that her name is accurate for her, along with her pink locks. Moving to our bedroom, I take one final glace of our child's room. Sakura put so much love and effort into this small space, seeing it fills me with a pride that I'm not yet familiar with. I enter our bedroom and I see Sakura curled into a ball, a hand reaching out on my side of the bed. Ripping off my shirt and pants, I lay into our soft bed and move her body closer to mine. A hand resting on her stomach, I move the locks out of her face before closing me eyes. Taking in a deep breath, I let myself fall into a deep sleep.
I just want to say thank you to DevonnaDanielle for being such a great Beta.