CHAPTER FIVE

UCHIHA

The next morning, Sakura escorted Karin to the Hokage's headquarters while leaving the children at home. Sakura knocked on the door leading to Naruto's office. The door cracked open to reveal Shikamaru. "Sakura," he said, but wrinkled his brows when he saw Karin.

"She needs to talk to the Seventh," Sakura said. It felt strange to call Naruto that. Even after all of these years, she didn't think she could get use to it. "It's important," she made sure to add. Shikamaru stepped aside so the two women could enter.

"Naruto—I mean, Hokage-sama, what I have to say is about Sasuke-kun," Karin began. She was clearly nervous, but desperate. Sakura felt guilty watching the other girl and display of desperate passion for Sasuke. It reminded her of a younger version of herself. She couldn't count the tears she had shed for the Uchiha. Her eyes returned to Naruto as he listened to all Karin had to say. The story was roughly the same as what she said to Sakura the night before. Well, until the redheaded Uzumaki added.

"This village is rumored to have beasts more powerful than the bijus!"

Naruto, Shikamaru and Sakura widened their eyes.

"We don't know how much of the legend is true, but it's enough to catch Sasuke-kun's attention. Please Hokage-sama. I know you're the only person who can talk some sense into him. If Sasuke-kun continues to pursue that village, there's no telling what could happen!"

"Sakura, I'm sorry," Shikamaru whispered, starling the pink haired woman.

Sakura soon noticed why he made his comment. She was crying. However, these tears weren't out of fear for her husband's life, but the guilt of her unfaithfulness. She couldn't even bring herself to fault Sasuke for having a son with another woman after the things she had done with Naruto. Her green eyes slowly scanned over toward Naruto to see his concern.

"I'll be alright," she said.

Naruto looked at Karin and stated very calmly, "I'll send a request for him to return. In the meantime, don't tell anyone about this. None of the civilians need to panic, however I will call a meeting with the village council."

Karin nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

Sakura led Karin out of the room. Once the door closed behind them, the medical-nin spoke up. "You don't have to worry. Naruto will figure out something."

"I know he will," Karin replied, "There's something about Naruto…It's not hard to believe in him."

Sakura found herself smiling as she agreed with Karin. No matter how hopeless a situation looked, Naruto found a way. When it came to Hinata and Sasuke, Sakura had to believe that somehow everything would work itself out.

Naruto poked his head out of his office and said, "Sakura-chan, is it possible I could talk to you sometime today?"

She blinked a moment, unsure of what he needed to say, but answered, "Sure." As quickly as he appeared, he soon shut himself back in his office. Sakura started escorting Karin back to the Uchiha residence. There both Shimeji and Sarada were waiting for them on the front porch. Sarada had her arms crossed over her chest with her eyes closed, while Shimeji looked bored out of his mind.

"I thought you were going to wait inside?" Sakura said, causing her daughter to peek open an eye.

"There wasn't anything Shimeji considered fun," Sarada replied. "He wants to spar but I told him we would have to wait until you got back."

"And now that she's back, I guess we can see which one of us truly strongest," Shimeji smirked.

Sakura rose a brow then looked toward Karin before returning her gaze to the children. "Or you could wait until later. You guys have more important things to do than form enemies."

Sarada stood to her feet before pointing toward Shimeji. "He claims he's an Uchiha too! Mama, tell him that's impossible!"

Sakura lightly sighed before answering, "Sarada-chan, it's…complicated, but what he's saying is true. Shimeji-kun is your half-brother."

Sarada looked over at Shimeji, then her mother before storming inside of their home.

"Don't mind her," Sakura told Shimeji, "She'll come around. She just has to get use to him." Sakura moved inside of the home. Upon not seeing her daughter, she continued up the stairs until she was outside of Sarada's bedroom. "Sarada-chan," she called out through the door. When Sakura didn't hear a reply, she pushed open the door to see the ravenette laid out on her bed, hugging herself.

"Sarada-chan," Sakura cooed as she walked over to the bed and took a seat beside her daughter. She reached out her hand and pet her onyx colored locks. "I know this is a lot to take in."

"Why didn't Papa tell me I had a brother?" Sarada mumbled against her pillow.

"I wish I knew," Sakura replied.

"What if Papa likes Shimeji more than me?"

"I'm sure he loves you equally," Sakura assured her. "Your Papa's coming home soon, so I'm sure if you'll ask him, he'll say the same thing. Nothing in this world could keep him from loving you."

Sarada sat up, wiped the tears from her eyes, while bumping her red framed glasses in the process. "I will surpass Shimeji. I want Papa to know that even thought I'm not a boy, I'll one day be the strongest Uchiha. To do that, I'll have to surpass Shimeji."

"Or you guys could work as a team," Sakura suggested with a shrug of her shoulders. "Rivalries can make relationships very complicated. Well, unless your rivalry is to strengthen both of you. Both your papa and I had rivalries like that. Mine was with Aunt Ino, while your papa's was with the Hokage. In the end, we all became stronger because we had someone strong to push us. Sarada-chan, you're a very strong girl. I don't doubt for a second that you'll grow up to be stronger than both your papa and me combined."

Sakura and Sarada suddenly heard the front door open from downstairs.

Both girls headed out of the bedroom and down the staircase to inspect what was happening. There, standing in the doorway was Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun!" Karin exclaimed. Both Sarada and Shimeji took off running after the older Uchiha, however stopped when they caught sight of the other. A short glare was exchanged before the two preteens wrapped their arms around the wandering-nin.

Sakura stood by the stairs, stunned to see her husband. Her heart stated to rapidly beat in her chest as she mouth a single phrase. "Sasuke-kun…"

A/N: I just want to say thank you so very much for all of your support! I can't get over the shock of seeing how many people are reading my story. After Chapter 700, I was devastated. After everything I've heard about "The Last", I didn't know how I could continue with the fandom. To all of my fellow NS fans, please don't stop writing, drawing and loving the NaruSaku pairing. Please review! And if you have any stories, feel free to inbox me! I love reading new fics! P.S. I love writing for Sarada. More to come!