Sasuke's POV

"What do you mean they're gone?" My voice is dripping with venom. It's been two days since we identified the intruders and Anbu still haven't located them. I should've known that they would disappear as soon as we learned they were here. Now all of our leads are gone and we're back at square one.

"They must've fled during shift change at the gate. We'll just keep the Anbu detail on all of you and the gates." An Anbu watching our house is unnecessary, if I'm home then there's no point. I can't afford to take a mission for the next few months, Sakura doesn't need to be left alone again. If these people are after her then the last month of her pregnancy and right after she gives birth will be her most vulnerable.

"I have a request Tsunade." Her eyes glare at me for a moment, I know that I'm not in the right place to be making requests, but this isn't for me.

"What is it?"

"I want to be taken off of active duty for now. Sakura is going to be vulnerable here soon. You know as well as I do, that I won't be away when she gives birth." This must be shocking to her, I can't help but smirk at her while she contemplates my request. My eyes flicker over to the clock, Sakura will be wondering where I am. I left early this morning to meet with the Hokage, hoping that I'll make it home in time before she woke up.

"I'll see what I can do. If I approve this, I'll need you to do something in return." A favor for a favor, crossing my arms over my chest I harden my glare at her.

"Until you are ready, I want you to guest teach at the academy." Hn, dealing with brats all day doesn't sound so bad. Nodding in agreement, I make my way towards the door. Tsunade's voice stops me as I reach for the handle.

"If you want the Anbu unassigned from guarding Sakura, then someone needs to be with her at all time while she's at work." Nodding my head again, I open the door and retreat down the stairs. Ino is Sakura's personal nurse so she's never alone, but Ino won't be much help either soon. Looks like I'll have to spend my free days at the hospital with her, that's not necessarily a bad thing either. Last night I was reading through my mother's journal and saw how the chakra development of an Uchiha really starts to affect the mother in the sixth month. She noted how their chakra would spike or diminish at any given time without a cause.

Although Sakura's chakra control is beyond excellence, I know that this is going to be difficult for her. Her entire career is based on control, healing someone is no easy task. I'm afraid that she will be torn if that is taken from her, all of her hard work put on the sideline because she is carrying a child. If she does have down time, I'll have to figure a way to keep her from the hospital. If I've learned anything since I returned, Sakura hates being away from work. After long nights she would still bring home paperwork to finish until she passed out.

Walking into the house, I notice that Sakura's charka is steady and still located in our room. At least she's getting her rest, once I break the news to her she will be on edge even more. Should I even tell her? Putting her under more stress will affect her health and the babies as well. Now I'm at a fork in the road not knowing which way to go. Running a hand through my hair, I trudge into the kitchen and start to make breakfast.

As I'm stacking a few pancakes on Sakura's plate, I hear her feet pad against the tile floor towards me. Turning to great her, I notice the way her shoulder length hair is disheveled from a restful sleep. A single hand is rubbing at her eye and I watch her limp slightly favoring her left leg, moving over to her I force her to sit in the chair and she gasps slightly. There were times when I wish I could heal or examine an injury, this was that time.

"Why are you limping?" She's still wiping the sleep from her eyes as she moves another hand down to the injured area. A green glow radiates between us and I move back to the counter to retrieve our plates.

"I must've pulled something when I jumped across the stream the other night." Her eyes sparkle when I put the plate of food in front of her, instantly she begins to eat causing me to chuckle. Last night we went to bed early, Sakura wanted to clean up the back yard. We ended up clearing a spot for her to plant flowers in next spring and two logs for weapons training. After a day in the sun, Sakura went straight to bed after a shower. It doesn't surprise me that she's devouring her entire plate.

"Do you want to do anything today?" This will be her last day off for two weeks, Shizune is being forced to use her vacation days that she's acquired over the years. Sakura was annoyed at first but then she remembered that the trainees needed to get their hours completed before the exam.

"Not really. I just need to rearrange my books in the office." I've been meaning to move another bookcase into her office, so many medical books are laying around the house that it's starting to become a problem. When I came home from my mission there was a two-foot stack on my night stand and beside the bed. Sakura said she couldn't sleep some night, so she would read instead.

"There's another bookcase in the spare room. I'll move it in after the dishes are washed." Taking the final bite of my food, I gather my dishes and move back to the sink. Knowing Sakura, she's going to want to help me and I'll have to keep her out of the way, so she doesn't get hurt. I walk by Sakura and place a small kiss on the top of her head before moving upstairs. There are two bedrooms that we set ups before I went on my last mission, one of these rooms will be our sons after he gets old enough. Maybe another child will be in the other one, smirking to myself I open the door to Sakura's office and the spare room door. Weaving a few signs, a clone appears to help me move the solid piece of furniture.

As if on que, Sakura comes bouncing up the stairs to see what's going on. I have to usher her out of her own office, a huff of annoyance leaves her mouth and I make another clone to keep her back for a few minutes. A light sweat breaks on my forehead as the bookcase is set in place, at least there was space next to her others. Releasing my clones, smoke fills the room for a moment before Sakura makes her way in.

"I could've helped." She mutters making her way over to the desk, stubborn as always. It's one of the many things that I love about her…Finally admitting it to her felt like letting a large weight fall from my shoulders. Even though she says it at least twice a day, it's still a hard emotion for me to show. Those three words mean more to me than just a phrase that people pass around constantly, Uchiha loves deeply. Our Sharingan will only appear once we have an emotional reaction to the people we hold precious. Sakura has helped me understand my emotions and process them, but I'm still reserved.

"Will you put these on the top shelf while I go get the ones from the bedroom? I have them laid out in the order I want." Shifting my eyes over to her, there are at least thirty books lined up. Going over to the stack, I notice the way that she organized them by category. The first few are about blood transfusions and chakra transfusions, next brain functions and a book on each function of the brain. Her dedication to her work is heartwarming and there's not a fiber of doubt that she will be as dedicated to our son. She reminds me of my mother more and more every day. Sakura has a way of brightening up a room and bringing warmth everywhere she went.

It's something that I would reminisce during my years away, even though she was more childish, and her focus was more on her looks than training I still missed her. There were nights when I would dream of being home with my team and Sakura was the center of that dream. Her pink hair would flash in my mind every time we passed by a meadow and it would be even more intense passing a cherry tree. I was ignorant to think that my feelings towards Sakura was just a friendship, revenge had consumed me, but she always had a piece of me here.

Putting the last book on the shelf, I turn back and see Sakura carrying a large stack of books. She changed from my shirt into another dress, it's strange to see her wear black clothing. Sakura has always worn warm, red tones that complimented her naturally pink hair. This black dress hides the swell of her belly, making it disappear almost. Narrowing my eyes at her I reach for the heavy stack, but she refuses to let me help.

"Just sit on the couch, I can put books away." Arguing with her is pointless and I sit down on the couch, laying back so my eyes can watch her every movement. I still need to figure out if I'm going to tell her about Rei and the others vanishing. Either way, it's going to be aggravating for her. I'd rather risk her being mad at the situation instead of being mad at me, my eyes widen as her dress moves dangerously up her thigh showing just a lad of her perfectly round…it's been too long.

"Sakura…"

"Hm?" It's a light remark, she's too focused on the task at hand.

"Sakura look at me." The books thud against the wood and her full attention is on me. I swallow roughly and sit up from the couch.

"It seems that Rei and the others were able to escape the village." Her brows rise, and shock covers her face, those greens eyes are staring to glaze over. I move over to her and my body towers over her small, delicate frame. Her shoulders are shaking slightly and I notice her chakra spiking, she's not upset she's furious. Sakura tends to throw punches and go over board when she's angered which isn't a good idea at the moment. If she wanted to she could level this house to nothing but splinters, putting my hands on her shoulders those piercing green eyes look at me with such ferocity.

"How could they get away?!" The surge of chakra makes me grip slightly tighter, I should've kept this to myself. She's going to end up hurting herself or the baby at this rate.

"Sakura you need to calm down…I'm going to be here to protect you." Her shaking doesn't stop so I have to pull her into my chest. Sakura has always been emotional, passionate about everyone and everything that she cares about, her hormones are only adding to that now. It's another one of her qualities that I admire, a quality that will make her a fantastic mother to our son. Just two days ago she was worried about not being strong enough and that she missed training, now she's going to want to do that even more when she can't.

A fist balls against my shirt and the other hits me roughly, knocking some air out of my lungs. This is a sign that she beyond angry now, if she wasn't pregnant I know that she would be running for that town right now and taking care of the scumbags that live in it. Today was supposed to be a relaxing day at home with my wife but instead I ruined that by breaking the news to her. Pushing her back, I see her face is red from holding in the words I know she wants to yell. Narrowing my eyes at her, a deep breath is sucked in and those words come rushing out.

"You can't guarantee that you'll be here! They were on our front porch, if I had been inside what would've happened?" Now she's doubting herself again, her back turns to me as she angrily throws books on the shelf. The Uchiha fan is staring right at me and the tension in the room reminds me of our first month together.

"I stopped taking missions for a few months. They wouldn't have attacked you here." That causes her to stop moving completely, at least I'm getting a calm response from her.

"Why would you do that?" Her chakra calms and her face softens.

"Because I need to be here. The others are more than capable of handling it. After our son is born and they are still out there, then I'll go. I'm not leaving you until then." This puts her at ease again, letting my shoulders relax she returns to the task at hand. For someone who is not in tune with their emotions, it feels like I just finished fighting. Returning to the couch, I watch again as if nothing happened. Sakura may be easy to read but she will always be a mystery to me.

"So, you're just going to sit around the house for a few months? I don't think so." Now there's a playful tone in her voice, smirking I close my eyes and shake my head no. I listen to her footsteps and the couch moves slightly from the added weight.

"Then what?" A soft hand runs through my hair and plays with the black strands. Hopefully our son inherits my coloring, a pink haired boy would be shocking to say the least. I feel her body heat lower closer to me and her lips are hovering over mine. Moving swiftly up, I steal a quick kiss with a smirk.

"I'll be a guest teacher for a few days, but other than that I'll be around the hospital." My chest echoes from a light slap and I feel her leave my side. Looks like I gave her the answer she was looking for.

After spending hours in Sakura's office, we moved down stairs to watch a medical documentary that she brought home. Now she's cuddled her head in my lap and I rest my arm down her side with my hand planted firmly on her stomach. He's been kicking against my hand for a few minutes now, it's almost too soft to detect but it get stronger every day. Lately I've noticed myself reaching for the same spot on her stomach, one night I refused to move my hand away and held her against my chest the entire night.

Her hand starts to move against my thigh and I cut my eyes down to her, a pink hue is coloring her cheeks. Every nerve in my body starts to spark, gritting my teeth I have to keep myself calm. I've been too nervous to touch Sakura in an intimate way since I came back, afraid that I will hurt her. When I saw how much she had grown I felt guilty for not being here, I left her alone for most of the hardest time of pregnancy. Tsunade told me that her morning sickness got worse before it went away. The only part that I've shared with her is learning that we are having a boy, my heart leapt from joy and my stomach dropped in anxiety. I wonder if this is how Itachi felt after our mother had me…

My hand is moved up to her warm lips, she's going to unravel any self-control that I have left. There's a devilish smile present on her face, I've seen this look enough to know that she's going to get her way no matter what. Almost too fast for me to notice, I'm leaning back against the couch and Sakura is straddling my lap. The heat from her core is radiating over me and I can't help but groan at the feeling. Her green eyes have darkened and the flush to her cheeks it deeper, I feel myself harden even more just from her look.

"Sasuke…" The way my name rolls off her tongue makes my hips move upwards against her. Her head falls back and a moan echoes through our living room. I move my hands up to her hips and hold her against me, each second my control is slipping away.

"You haven't touched me in a long time Sasuke-kun…" My eyes widen from shock and arousal…it's been almost a decade since I've heard her use the suffix on my name. With three simple letters, my control has snapped and went up in flames. Standing from the couch I wrap my hands under her ass and carry her to the bedroom. Our lips fighting against each other before I lightly toss her on the bed unceremoniously. I spread her legs open and kneel between them, hiking up the short dress for easier access.

Her breath hitches in her throat as I plant kisses up her thigh until I meet the edge of her panties. A small hand reaches for my hair, but I move it away and continue my path, one chaste kiss to the entrance then a trail up to the top of her bump. I can feel the blood rushing from every part of my body down below my belt. The dress is push up more so I can see her, the blush has spread down to the tops of her breast and her skin feels like fire under me. I unclasp the bra and pull it off from her chest, automatically she goes to shield herself from my eyes. A growl comes from me as I catch her small hands in mine.

"Don't." Her eyes look away from me and there's a look that I haven't seen since we were kids, she's embarrassed. She doesn't think that I find her attractive in her current state, annoying woman.

"You're beautiful Sakura." I plant my lips on hers, forcing them open to allow me access. Sakura taste like strawberry candy, even though I hate sweets I crave her taste. Thrusting my hips into hers and she moans in our kiss. I pull myself away and rip off my clothing, almost literally. She notices my movements and shimmies out of her panties and I see small pink curls. I feel my erection twitch and I take my position at her entrance, she's warm and soaking. Rolling my eyes back, I thrust forward and I have to stop as soon as I'm fully entered.

She's so tight around me but her face says it all, her brows are furrowed together and a pained look covers her angelic face. I rub her legs softly trying to ease the pain anyway I can. A nod of confirmation tells me to move, instinct takes over and we move together in sync. Our pace is slow at first, I want to enjoy every second that we spend together in this way. My past fades away and all I can focus on is her, something that she deserves.

Leaning down, I burry my face into her shoulder and nip at the soft skin. My hips move faster and her moans fill my ears, only making me move faster. Sakura is tightening around me and taking her nails down my back, almost breaking the skin. It won't be long before I meet my end, Sakura kisses at my ear and moves one hand up to my hair gripping at the locks.

"Sasuke-kun…" That's my undoing, with a few faster, rougher thrust I feel her tighten completely around me and I release the tension that's been building. It's been so long without Sakura, I was nervous for no reason at all…Rolling off of her so I don't injure the bump, I pull out of Sakura and have her lay on my chest. My heart is beating against my chest but it's slowing with each second. Sakura must be exhausted after being busy for most of the day, she needs to sleep before tomorrow.

"Sleep Sakura." A warm kiss is placed on my chest and a small, content smile spreads on my lips. I reach for her left hand that is supporting her head, my finger touch the warm metal of her rings. Sakura has been the only woman for me, through our hardships we can still manage to be happy and start a family. When I betrayed the village, I also betrayed her. I know that I have to repent for every evil act I've done. Maybe being home and serving my village will help, but Sakura is my ultimate salvation. Placing a long, meaningful kiss on her head I feel that her breathing has slowed and evened out. Sakura Uchiha…I love you….