Home Sweet Home: Settling in

OV: Sasuke and Naruto settle in to their new lifestyle. They have frequent visitors, and some friends who barely spare them the time. But in Konoha, as always, life goes on.

AN: Sumi masen!! bows deeply I am sooo sorry for the abrupt ending last night. I was just getting sooo tired. Here I will finish up and let you know what happens with Sakura, like I said nothing bad. Also for those who may be terribly mad at me for the deaths last chapter… Life isn't always happy go lucky. I wanted a bit of reality in my story, and in wars people die. I wasn't going to kill Jiraya or Yamato, not when they had so much potential!! But then I thought my story was becoming too "Mary Sue"-ish When all the characters are indestructible I feel it takes away from the story. Kishi even killed off Asuma!

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Tsunade rushed into the room pigtails flying behind her in her haste. She looked at her assistant, and a crease of worry furrowed her brow. One month wouldn't be a death sentence, but every day the babies could wait would give them a better chance for success.

She gently lifted Sakura's head and offered her a bitter herbal drink. "Sakura, you need to drink this, it should help," she gently coerced.

The pink haired Kunoichi weakly nodded and sipped the vile liquid. She grimaced, but finished all of it.

Tsunade gently laid her down and looked at Naruto, Sasuke, Sai and Hinata. "The four of you are to man a constant guard over her. If the contractions continue we will have no choice but to deliver these babies! As it is I do not want her moving! Understood?" she barked.

Each person understood the gravity of the situation and obediently responded, "Hai!"

Tsunade sat down in the soft tan colored chair next to Sakura's bed. She wasn't going anywhere until she was certain the contractions had stopped. After losing Jiraya she was going to make certain these babies made it. They were the only grandchildren she would ever have. When she had received the news that Jiraya was dead she had closed off a certain part of herself. She would never again be such a fool as to give her heart to anyone else. All it would bring about would be the death of that person.

She looked at Naruto who was laughing. He was the anomaly, only he had ever stolen her heart and lived to tell the tale. There really was something different about him. He was special.

Sasuke was standing just inside the doorway. He was still dressed in his fighting gear; all he had removed when he had entered the house was his shoes. Naruto had been too eager to show him around, and he had been too eager to see everything. Now the fatigue of so many days sleeping on a pallet on the floor, training, building, and the war itself had caught up to him. He looked over to see Tsunade staring at him. He gave no reaction. In truth, he was too tired to even offer a scowl or his trademark smirk.

She smiled at him, and this caught him off guard. He suddenly realized that his face could form an expression, evidently it must be able to because his mouth was turning up to return her expression in his own genuine smile. Her amber eyes softened, and she stood up from her sentry position next to Sakura.

The pink haired woman was resting peacefully; the contractions had abated for now.

Tsunade took Sasuke gently by the elbow and steered him out of the room. Naruto, who had been enjoying an interesting story told by Sai concerning the particular man being ushered off, broke away from the small group to follow without a word.

Tsunade led Sasuke into the main room where she took a small pouch from inside her jacket pocket and handed it to him. He closed his hand around it without looking at it. Instead he was trying to read what her eyes were trying to say. Finally he gave up trying to guess and pulled her closer to him in a quick embrace that was just as quickly released.

He looked into those glowing golden eyes again, this time he didn't have any trouble reading the expression. It was gratitude.

Naruto approached and stood behind his mate. Tsunade offered him a smile and turned to leave. Naruto pulled Sasuke toward him and wrapped his arms around the pale man's thin waist and clasped his hands allowing them to rest just below the navel. Sasuke relaxed into the warm comfort that was Naruto. He'd been away for entirely too long.

He spun around in his lovers arms and slowly guided them toward the only door he had yet to explore. Slipping through it he didn't even pause to notice the deep blue walls that would keep the morning sunlight from barging in unwelcome. He didn't even see the large bed regally carved with the end posts stretching toward the ceiling and a white gauzy cloth that flowed from the top bars of the four poster bed to the ground. He was oblivious to the luxurious carpet that covered the beautifully stained wooden floor.

The only thing he saw was his love standing in front of him. His only thought was that it wasn't just a dream this time. Naruto really was standing there in his arms. He leaned down and kissed the slightly shorter man with a searing passion. Naruto's breath caught in his throat at the intense heat of Sasuke's lips.

His mind released rational thought after he reached out one tanned hand to push the door closed cutting them off from the rest of the world into their sanctuary. Sasuke moved to push Naruto's robes open so he could gain access to the smooth flesh of his chest. When he did so he remembered the small pouch Tsunade had given him.

Some small voice inside him told him to not worry about that right now, just set it aside; it will be there when you come back for it. He let it fall onto the nearest surface, a dresser that he still hadn't noticed properly.

With his hands free he made short work of removing the clothing that was in his way. As he pulled the robe off Naruto's shoulders he felt gentle pressure guiding him out of the bedroom toward the shower. He grinned, he probably did reek.

Once he set foot into the huge bathroom he had no choice but to notice its grandeur. The floor was stone tile, and the walls were covered with bamboo and rice paper. There was a pair of matching glass sinks standing along one wall. They were constructed so it appeared they floated in the air. Off to his side Sasuke could see a polished toilet. To his right was the door they had entered through. He raised his head to peer into the large mirror in front of him and took in the huge shower stall with a sunken tub next to it.

A huge grin lit his face as he moved Naruto toward the tub and spun the taps wide open. He practically ripped both their clothes off in his haste to slip into that deep tub pulling Naruto along with him. They tentatively slipped into the steaming water. Sasuke was too impatient to wait and slid down into the bottom of the tub allowing the soft curvature to cradle him. Then he pulled Naruto down onto his lap and began to kiss him with a heat that poured as much steam into the air as the water.

Somehow he managed to remember the taps and spun them closed. Then his total focus was on his blonde.

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Sakura was sleeping peacefully. Ino watched her breathing from the doorway. She had truly been concerned for her friend and rival. She decided she would help out as Sakura's assistant. She would make sure she had everything she needed so she wouldn't have to move. Ino wasn't sure if she was scared for the babies, or for her friend. She knew premature delivery could take all three of their lives.

She had changed her way of thinking then. When she had come so very close to knowing what losing a friend could feel like; something had shifted inside her. She was no longer going to be superficial; she had suddenly found the depth she had always lacked.

She slipped out the door after offering a warm smile to Sai who sat guarding his wife's sleeping form.

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Juugo and Anko had cautiously entered the house. This would be new for both of them; neither had lived with anyone before. Well if you didn't count the time Juugo had lived in the Hokage Quarters.

Juugo walked into their front room and looked around. It was cozy, the furnishings weren't new, but they weren't shabby either. Surprisingly bright sunlight shone through all the windows. He wondered if Anko had always lived like this or if it was only recently that she would allow such brightness and cheerfulness into her home. He could easily imagine her being at home in dark and mysterious surroundings. Orochimaru had that kind of affect on people.

Anko looked at Juugo expectantly. He turned his head to look at her. She was very pretty, and he wondered why he had never really considered that before. He could tell she was waiting for some kind of assessment from him. He walked around looking at everything once more then slipped in behind her and pulled her into a tight hug. She hadn't been expecting that and pulled against his masculine arms.

He loosened his hold, but only enough to grab her waist and spin her around to face him. Her eyes widened at the expression on his face. It was at once dark and happy, conflicted and yet warm. He gazed down at her memorizing every little detail of her face. Then he slowly stooped down as he pulled her tighter towards his body and up at the same time. When their lips met a shiver ran down his spine.

She had watched his face looming closer and closer. Eventually she had relaxed into his arms and her eyes had slipped closed, then their lips had met and time stood still.

She had never felt like she completely belonged. Like all of Orochimaru's followers, she had been orphaned and alone. He had made her feel wanted and important. He was the master of exploiting the weaknesses of the lonely. But now, right here in this moment, she felt like she had found her place.

When their lips finally parted their eyes joined. It seemed that they needed one connection, some part of them that was locked together, to tell them this was real. They stood like that until Anko finally suggested Juugo get a long shower and she would make him dinner. He grinned, but seemed reluctant to let her go.

She reached up and offered him a reassuring kiss, and slipped out of his embrace headed for the kitchen. His eyes followed her as she walked away. It wasn't until she had disappeared out of sight that he walked into what he assumed must be the bedroom to change.

When he stepped through the door he was submerged into darkness. It wasn't oppressive or ominous in any way, it was warm and inviting. He could lie down here and sleep like a baby. There was some feeling to the room of familiarity and just … acceptance. He couldn't put it into words, it was just right somehow.

He flipped the light switch and strode over to the closet. The light wasn't bright, but it was enough to make his way to the little room where Anko had stored all his clothes alongside hers. He pulled some familiar items off hangers and sidestepped to the adjacent dresser.

He blushed to think of her handling his boxers, or him getting the wrong drawer and seeing her undergarments. He paused, why was he feeling so anxious? They lived together now, he would be seeing everything; and so would she. He grasped the handle of the nearest drawer and slid it open.

The blush resumed even stronger than before. It was hers. He glanced at the sheer silky array of garments contained there. It didn't take much to envision her wearing these articles of clothing. He realized he was looking forward to that. Being who he was, he had never seen even a half dressed woman before, much less been with one.

He shut the drawer and pulled the next one over open. He sighed. These garments were taunting him. This time he had found her mesh tops. Blushing again he tried the next drawer. This time he had found his things. He grabbed the first pair of boxers and headed out the door to the adjoining shower.

The spray felt good on his neck and back. He stood under the cascade of warmth for as long as he could. It was only when the heat began to dissipate from the water that he turned off the tap and stood up. He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair to rid it of most of the water. He gladly accepted the towel that was outstretched and waiting for him and began to towel his body off.

He suddenly realized that he had been handed his towel and crushed the now damp cloth over his exposed body and looked at Anko with an expression of shock and embarrassment. "What are you doing in here?" he asked nervously.

She was grinning from ear to ear. "I came in to tell you dinner was ready some time ago. You were enjoying the shower so much that I didn't want to disturb you." Her eyes were dark with laughter at his predicament, and something else.

He stood there, trying inadequately to hide himself under the extremely too small towel. She decided to stop torturing the poor man and turned to leave. She tossed out, "Don't know why you're bothering to cover up, I already saw everything," And walked out the door.

Juugo's face resembled a bing cherry at this point. He hastily finished drying himself off and dressed. When he emerged from the bathroom he still bore the traces of pink across his cheeks. Anko was standing in front of a low table and motioned for him to sit down. She sat only after he had situated himself and she had poured his tea.

Their dinner passed with open discussion, and picking up the conversation where they had been trying to learn more about each other. Their evening extended late into the night as they resumed said conversation with their hands, lips, and bodies in the bedroom.

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Kakashi popped his head into Ichiraku ramen shop. Ayame squealed with delight when she realized who it was. She jumped over the high counter and threw herself into his arms. He turned her so his face was hidden in a corner and slid his mask down so he could kiss her properly. They bantered questions back and forth for a while until finally Teuchi ordered them to get out before they scared off all the customers.

Ayame knew he was kidding by the smile on his face, and gladly slipped off to spend time with her fiancé.

When they reached the arched bridge, Kakashi turned to face her and looked at her happily with his exposed eye. "Ayame, I want to get married as soon as possible," he confessed.

She looked at him with a soft expression that asked why.

He explained how he had realized just how important life was. He didn't want to waste another minute being alone, but wanted to build a future with her at his side. She understood, and realized how deeply losing Jiraya had affected the silver haired Jounin. She pulled him into her arms and stood there leaning on the railing just holding him tightly.

She didn't need to see his tears to know he was crying, she could feel his almost completely controlled sobs. He was letting go of a father figure and a friend. Yet again, he had lost another friend. When he had regained his composure he pulled his mask off and kissed her.

She giggled and asked him once again why he wore the mask. It certainly got in their way!

He surprised her by answering her honestly. He had hidden his face as a child out of shame. His father had disregarded a mission in order to save his comrades and had been labeled a failure, weak, and a coward. He had died lonely and bitter. Kakashi was remembered for a long time as the son of Konoha's White Fang.

It had been easier to hide behind the mask of cloth which helped him erect his own real mask to hide behind. Then as he had grown he had kept the mask as a means of concealment. He was easily recognizable by the mask and askew forehead protector. So when he took the mask off he only had to arrange a costume that hid his eye to become unrecognizable. So the mask was functional as well as being a part of his identity.

She had been sad when he told her about his father, but she understood why he would want to hide behind a mask. She had squeezed him lovingly and tried to show him how she cared.

They set a date for the wedding and began to come up with plans for it. Kakashi was happier than he had been in a long time.

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Tsunade sat in her quiet house. She stared out the window at nothing. When she was around others she put up a façade of normalcy. Here, at home she didn't have to hide her sadness. She sat down in a chair and pulled the throw pillow toward her cuddling it tightly in her arms. Finally she gave in to her depression and allowed the tears to fall.

Naruto had allowed her to go through Jiraya's things and keep what would help her remember him. She had taken very few of his possessions. The comforter off his bed, some photographs of him and Naruto in their training, and his Sake set. The books they had given to Kakashi, and his clothes they had donated to charity. Naruto had chosen a few mementos also, and had taken them home. They had left what remained to be cleared by a team from Naruto's first achievement, a boarding house and counseling program for orphans and the homeless.

Tsunade settled in for another long night. She considered brewing an herbal tea to help her sleep, but was afraid of the dreams that might plague her.

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Life in Konoha carried on.

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In the morning Sasuke took a moment to appreciate his surroundings. He also reveled in being home with Naruto. His eyes fell on the small pouch Tsunade had given him. He gently loosed himself from the leech that was Naruto crossed to the dresser and picked it up.

He untied the strings and slid the pouch open. Inside was a set of baby rings. They seemed to have been specially made. He looked at them and smiled. He wondered why Tsunade had given them to him yesterday and not after the babies were born.

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Well, this was a shorter chapter. I wanted to tie up some loose pieces and bring the teams home. The war actually took more time than I imagined. (x.Jamie-Chan.x could tell you about that, I sent her an overview of the planned chapters when it first started!) I tell you these stories write themselves!

Well, the next chapter will be the big one, baby time!! Hope everyone's ready to greet the new arrivals!!

-Kneise