This is Chapter 10 and please bear with the grammatical errors.

oOo

Chapter 10

"Don't tell me you're still gonna accompany me until inside the ladies cubicle?" Sakura asked, one eyebrow raised at the young shinobi tailing behind her.

"Of course not!" Konohamaru stamped his foot indignantly. "I'm no pervert and besides, there's nothing worth seeing on you – OUCH!"

Konohamaru glared at her. "What was that for?"

"Serves you right," muttered Sakura without any remorse. And before the young lad could utter another reply, Sakura went inside the ladies' comfort room, closing it with a loud noise.

The women's comfort room, immaculately white-tiled, has five cubicles and three sinks with a single long, horizontal mirror stretched across. Being the only occupant, Sakura had the leisure of choosing the cleanest cubicle. After using it, she went to the sink and washed her hands thoroughly, thinking about the set-up Sasuke had made when he left for Earth Country.

"Unfair! Totally unfair!" She complained to her reflection. "How could he assign someone to guard me without even asking me if I wanted to? And as if I'm totally incapable of defending myself… And Tsunade even granted it to a kid?"

"Konohamaru just passed his chuunin exams seven months ago," reminded Inner Sakura, looking thoroughly bored. "I wonder when would Sasuke arrive?"

"I don't care! He's still annoying! Always on my tail everywhere I go while muttering side comments how ridiculous his mission was when he's already a chuunin." Like she was the one who asked for this!

Apparently, Sasuke had requested Tsunade to give her a bodyguard while he was away. And lo and behold, just an hour after Naruto and Sasuke left for their mission, Konohamaru was already on her doorstep. And there he was, escorting her whenever she goes: to the hospital, grocery, Yamanaka flower shop, practically everywhere for almost twenty four hours a day.

"Just bear with it until Naruto and Sasuke returned or Kakashi at least," consoled Inner Sakura.

"Such a pain in the ass," muttered Sakura irritably. She dried her hands using sheets of paper towels and was about to turn around and make her way towards the door when a ridiculous idea hits her.

And a mischievous smile made its way to her face. "He kept complaining how boring and ridiculous his mission is? I'll give him a challenge."

oOo

"Ah! It's so nice to be back!" Naruto exclaimed loudly, stretching his hands over his head, his actions and loud voice drawing the attention of passers-by. "Earth Country's is almost rocks and rugged terrains, no greens to be seen."

"…"

"I wonder how's Hinata's doing," Naruto muttered absentmindedly.

"…"

"I hope she's finished with her mission," he said to his self, answering his own question after a lack of response from his partner. He was used to it. He suddenly nudged his partner on the side.

"What?"

"Say, Teme, how about we go at Ichiraku later with Hinata and Sakura-chan? Like a double date, y'know? It'll be fun!"

"No," was Sasuke's immediate answer.

"Come on," coaxed Naruto, nudging his partner hard at the ribs "Fine, it's not a double date anymore since you and Sakura were technically married already, leaving just me and Hinata as the dating couple."

"No," repeated Sasuke.

"Why?" Naruto asked, frustrated.

"I have … other things to do," replied Sasuke vaguely.

"Like what?" Naruto pressed on, obviously spotting Sasuke's lie.

Sasuke threw him an irritated side glance. "That is none of your concern."

"But we just came from a mission!" Naruto said exasperatedly. "We need to chill out and relax too!"

"Then go ahead."

"You're such a killjoy, y'know," grunted Naruto. Then, he remembered something. "It's Sakura-chan's birthday this week, right? I need to buy a gift! You already have something for her, Teme?"

"None."

"Something in mind? Any idea what to give her? I could help you."

"None."

Naruto frowned. "You should give her something unique and special."

"It's not my thing, giving gifts," said Sasuke.

"But-"

"I'll just give you the money and go buy her one," cut off Sasuke.

"You're really hopeless!" Naruto exclaimed in exasperation, ruffling the back of his blonde hair. "Hey, what's wrong?"

To Naruto's bewilderment, Sasuke suddenly stopped walking causing him to bump on the former. "Is something wrong?"

It seemed that the Uchiha was intently looking at someone far away and after a few seconds, before Naruto could discern what caught Sasuke's attention, the bizarre-acting Uchiha jumped over the top of the wall and ran, leaving Naruto more than confused.

"Oi! Teme!" Naruto called out and ran to follow.

After passing three blocks of houses, Sasuke leapt down on the road in front of a familiar brown-haired young shinobi.

"Oi, Konohamaru!" Naruto called out happily, waving at the lad exuberantly until he stepped down to the road beside them.

"Where is she?" Sasuke asked Konohamaru quietly.

The grandson of the Third Hokage was not able to return Naruto's greeting, seemingly rooted on the Uchiha's fixed gaze. "I-I don't know. "

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I was waiting for her outside the women's CR when it took her past an hour already. When I knocked to call her out, she did not respond. I immediately went inside but she was…gone," he finished in an embarrassed small voice.

"That was a very simple mission."

"I…I'm sorry," said Konohamaru, hunging his head low in shame.

Sasuke looked at the young chuunin and decided it's not the time to scold him. "What time you lost track of her?"

"Before noon, I think," replied Konohamaru.

"Excuse me," interrupted Naruto loudly. "Care to tell me what's happening?"

"Any signs of struggle? Are there any suspicious people who entered?"

"It's clean and the women who have entered and the ones who came out were the same."

"And you still haven't found her until now?"

Konohamaru nodded meekly. "I've been looking for her all day."

"Hey, tell me what's happening! Maybe I can help," said Naruto irritatedly. He hated being left out of conversations (although he was not really part of the conversation at all).

"I was assigned to protect Sakura-san until one of you arrived from your mission or Kakashi arrives. Unfortunately, I…lost her," he admitted in a voice that suggested self-anger and deflated self confidence.

"Oh…" Worry began to cross Naruto's features at this news.

"We'll split up and look for her," said Sasuke in a serious, low voice, getting the two's attention. "If anyone of us finds her, send a signal into the sky immediately especially if there's an enemy involved. Keep in mind her delicate condition. In the event that we could not find her until twenty four hours have elapsed, we would report it to the Hokage."

Konohamaru nodded vigorously at Sasuke's every word, trying to show he's serious and committed on finding Sakura and fulfilling his mission. "Understood!"

"I'll take east then," said Naruto.

"I'll get south and west!" Konohamaru immediately said after Naruto.

Sasuke looked at the young shinobi, wondering if he was serious and saw the eagerness and determination on the young lad. He agreed to it after a few seconds of thinking. "I'll get the central and north."

And from where they stood, the three split up in separate directions.

oOo

There was a low bout of girlish giggles as the women were made to leave the comfort room by the manager, passing by him and giving him curious stares. Finally after all of them left, he was given the chance and privacy to investigate. He immediately proceeded to inspect the ceiling, walls and each cubicle. Like what Konohamaru said, there were no traces of fighting or abduction.

Not a single scratch or impact upon the walls to support his suspicion of kidnapping.

What really happened to her? Had she really been abducted? How and why?

He should have requested for a female shinobi so that she could even be guarded even here in the women's comfort room. But it was too late to think about that now that she's gone.

How was she abducted? Sakura would never give in without at least some defense and Konohamaru should have sensed any foreign chakra.

Once again, he checked the room, pausing now and then to inspect the walls, ceilings and each of the cubicles with further concentration. This time he activated his Sharingan to unveil any genjutsu hiding any signs of fight. He kicked open the door of the last cubicle in anger and irritation of finding nothing. Then, he noticed something on behind the tiled walls behind the second to the last toilet seat. Deactivating his Sharingan, Sasuke went closer to the tiled walls and inspected it.

Touching the outlines of the edges of each tile, he ran his fingers across the edges forming a three by three foot size of square. He tried giving it a hard push and to his surprise, the tiled walls budged forward until a gush of fresh open air greeted him. The three-by-three foot size of carved tiles fell to a nearby thick bush and when Sasuke stepped out, he found his self at a deserted alley leading to the main street he had walked upon earlier.

He picked up the three-by-three carved tiled walls and placed it back to its original position. From outside, he could now clearly see that the wall was sliced evenly into a small square enough for a human to get out. It was no wonder Konohamaru did not notice it in the first place, because only upon closer scrutiny one could see the cleanly sliced edges of the tiles.

It could have not been done using a kunai or katana because these metal weapons would make a screeching sound against the tiles and leave ugly noticeable marks on the walls.

A mixed feeling of relief and anger welled up inside him as he immediately reached a conclusion. There's only one sharp object he could think of that could have cleanly sliced the walls noiselessly and without leaving a mark.

Like a chakra scalpel.

oOo

Standing on her tiptoes, Sakura reached up to pick a box of powdered milk for pregnant women and placed it on her push cart along with the other supplies she had picked up for the last two hours. She was able to do a lot of things since she got rid of Konohamaru that noon. She went to research on the library about the latest updates on field and hospital medicine and now do some grocery shopping as long as she wanted to without having to endure Konohamaru's non-stop whispered complaints.

A crease formed between her brows as she imagined the level of anxiety on Konohamaru's part now that she had been missing since noon morning. He should be able to find her in twenty-four hours or find a substantial evidence to report that she was abducted or missing.

A feeling of guilt and pity engulfed her. Maybe she won't really go as far as twenty-four hours. As soon as she was finished with her grocery shopping, she would just show up in a public place and pretend that she's waiting for him.

The grocery cart was now full with food and supplies that could last for a month. It's just really her and Sasuke but she had to buy extra food because Kakashi and Naruto's constant lounging around the house drains their food supplies. In addition to the fact that she would be spending her twenty-second birthday this weekend and she would be inviting lots of guests to come over.

As she lined up towards the cashier and patiently waited for her turn, she saw someone entered the small supermarket. Her heart skipped a beat and suddenly it was racing fast as the familiar person entered and scanned the place.

"Sasuke," she whispered in nervousness. He had already finished his mission at Earth Country and obviously, he was looking for her. It could only mean one thing. Konohamaru had told him that she was missing.

Could it be that he had already discovered what she did at the women's comfort room too?

Possible.

Possibly not, too.

She bit her lower lip in nervousness. Anyway, she was quite sure that he won't be able to spot her in this swarm of people even if he passed by her position. Acting as normal as possible, she did veer away from the line and acted bored like the civilians waiting at the queue.

"Please go away," she whispered worriedly.

Her nervousness escalated further as Sasuke went through the towering shelves of foods and supplies until he reached the last shelf and went towards the long line at the cashier. She felt his eyes glance over at the line, his dark eyes lingering a few seconds longer at her and to another pregnant woman a few feet behind her.

To her immense relief, it seemed that Sasuke gave up and left the place. After paying at the cashier, Sakura picked up the large bags of groceries and hurriedly walked away. She needed to find Konohamaru and sort things out with the young shinobi. Maybe she could persuade or trick him that she did not notice that she already left the women's comfort room and she had also been looking for him all day.

Yeah, maybe that's good enough even though it sounded quite shallow and stupid even to her own ears.

A man in bright yellow apron and cap with a printed name of the grocery store approached her and asked to help her on her grocery bags. Obviously because she was pregnant. She declined the offer politely. The young man gazed at her in amazement as she picked the heavy grocery bags easily like it weigh just a small piece of bread and hurried away. She needed to find Konohamaru as soon as possible.

She had barely walked five blocks away from the grocery store when she felt something dropped behind her. Not something but rather someone dropped behind her. The sound of sandals muffled against the dusty pavement.

"Think it's funny to play hide and seek, don't you?"

Her fingers clutched the heavy plastic bags and she immediately searched her brain for a good alibi. What if she pretended to not know him? She was in a disguise after all.

"Do I need to dispel that transformation jutsu for you, Sakura?" Sasuke asked quietly.

She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip, a deeply ingrained habit that comes up whenever she's caught in an undesirable situation.

"Like when fabricating a lie," taunted Inner Sakura.

A thin puff of white smoke engulfed her and instantly, as the smoke dissipated, it revealed her true appearance. The dark hair turned back to its original pastel pink color and her tan skin lightened considerably. The pointed nose shrank back to its usual form and the large mole on her upper left lip vanished.

"It's no wonder Konohamaru had difficulty searching for you," said Sasuke in a cool voice.

Irritation poured forth inside her veins as Konohamaru's name came up. No, she should not really be angry with that young shinobi. Konohamaru had just accepted a mission, it's not his fault. It was Sasuke's idea to place someone to guard her without even asking her if she wanted to.

In short, without her knowledge and consent.

"I told you I'm no longer in danger and I can still defend myself with some weapons and poisons," Sakura scowled back at him.

"It is for your safety."

"Really," muttered Sakura in a humorless tone, not believing his words. "So I should be even thankful?"

oOo

Whatever problem that transpired between her and Sasuke had gradually been forgotten after several days of not speaking about the subject. As stated in his mission brief, Konohamaru's assignment was finished as soon as any between Sasuke, Naruto or Kakashi arrived. She had given Sasuke the cold treatment since he arrived from Earth Country. However, much to her annoyance, he seemed perfectly indifferent and unaffected.

This day she decided to totally forget about it and just enjoy the rest of the night. There were lots of people invited but only a handful were about to attend since some were still on their respective missions including Kakashi, whom she have not seen for two months already.

The long mahogany table was laid with many homecooked specialty dishes which she and her mother had painstakingly prepared since morning. Sake was also overflowing the room, having lots of flavours and intensity to choose from. She flinched as she heard someone outside their garden vomited.

"Happy birthday, Sakura-chan!" Ten-ten greeted and gave her a warm hug. "Your tummy's real big now! Girl or boy?"

"It's going to be a boy," beamed Sakura. She had just visited her doctor three days ago and confirmed the identity of the child.

"A male Uchiha as your first born? Oh, congratulations!" Ten-ten exclaimed. "Bet Uchiha's happy."

Sakura just nodded then ushered Tenten to the table where Ino, Hinata, Tsunade and Shizune were eating together. She casted a long glance at the small group of men including Shikamaru, Chouji, Lee, Kiba, Naruto and Sasuke on the veranda, drinking their hearts out.

A silly smile pulled its way up on the corner of her mouth as she did not know whether to make fun or pity Sasuke. It was pretty obvious that he was still having a hard time bonding with them even if he had returned five years ago.

It was no secret between their batch that Chouji, Lee, Neji, Kiba, Shikamaru and Naruto risked their lives considerably to retrieve him when he went off with four of Orochimaru's Sound-nins. It was a failed mission because they were not able to get him back and they nearly died if not for the timely arrival of the Sand siblings.

Maybe they had just partly forgiven him. Becoming a missing-nin was acceptable but helping aid in attacking your own village and its people was another matter. Still, she knew it in her heart that Sasuke had changed and he was paying for what he'd done in the past by accepting S-class missions, risking his life to prove his loyalty once again.

It was really Naruto who helps keep him connected with other people.

"He is," she answered Tenten.

There was another clink of wind chimes as another guest arrived. She turned around and her eyes widened as she ran towards her unexpected guest, who as usual, arrived late.

"Kakashi!" She threw her hands around the Copy-nin's neck and hugged him. "You came!"

Kakashi patted the top of Sakura's head affectionately. "You're bigger than the last time I've seen you."

Removing her arms from him, Sakura step a little away from him and snorted. "Of course, the baby grows! Baka! It would be weird if it gets smaller."

Kakashi laughed and ruffled her pink hair. "I'm just kidding. I'm still not used to it. You're the baby in our group."

"Well, the 'baby' is going to have a baby," answered Sakura.

"Witty," chuckled Kakashi.

"Anyway, thanks for coming on my birthday. I haven't seen you for two months!"

"I would not want to miss it again like the last time."

"Well, come on and grab some food. You can join Naruto and Sasuke or if you would prefer another company," said Sakura slyly. She pointed her finger to a far-off corner. "Rin is over there."

Kakashi chuckled as if she pulled a joke but it was obvious by the sudden sparkle of his visible eye that he preferred the latter. So Sakura pulled him by the elbow and led him to the buffet table then called out Rin to join him.

Hours passed and before she knew it, it was past midnight already and the crowd have already thinned out. Deciding to be alone and rest for a while, she went outside to the backyard garden and sat on the grass. Next, she stretched out her legs and flexed each of her toefingers.

She sighed in relief. The weight of her abdomen have been putting much pressure on her lower extremities that she started developing varicose veins on her ankles. Yet, she does not feel exhausted. In fact, she felt energized, feeling the need to something to focus her boredom and energy.

A rustle of grass made her turn her head and was surprised to see Naruto walking towards her with a foolish grin plastered on his face. It's as if he was planning to sneak from behind and scare her but failed to do so.

"Hey, birthday girl you're alone. Is there anything wrong?" Naruto asked, sitting beside her.

"Nothing, just wanted to rest my feet."

"It's going to be a boy, right?" Naruto asked, pointing on her abdomen.

"Yeah."

"Do you already have a name in mind?"

Sakura shrugged. The thought have not occurred to her yet. "None so far."

"I'll help you, then," suggested Naruto.

Raising her eyebrow, Sakura teased him. "Really. Since when did you become good in giving names?"

"I'm pretty creative in giving names," said Naruto. "You wait here."

He got up to his feet and shuffled his way back inside then after a few seconds, came back with a pen and paper. "Let's get started!"

"You're really serious?"

Naruto's excitement was contagious and in no time, they started jotting down names after names, crossing out ones she didn't like and encircling the ones left. It was fun because Naruto kept suggesting names which were either funny or didn't suit her taste.

Then, a name occurred to her. It was not really a unique name, it just suddenly came to her mind all of a sudden. However, Sasuke might not approve of it.

"How about this?" She wrote the name on the paper and saw the surprise on Naruto's face. Aside from Kakashi, Naruto is the best one who understands Sasuke. Even though their personalities are totally opposite poles, they understand each other.

"What do you think?"

oOo

Small columns of pale, blue smoke wafted throughout the room and exited through the open windows of the classroom.

"Let it cool until it hardens then you may crush it," reminded Sakura to the handful of medical students scattered across the classroom laboratory.

"Hai," they chorused unenthusiastically, poring over their experiments with sweaty faces.

Placing her chin above one hand, Sakura observed the fourteen to sixteen young students perspired as they struggle to achieve the consistency of their mixtures. Out of twenty, only two were able to achieve the exact color of the liquid mixture.

She understood their lack of enthusiasm because she had gone past that stage too. Medications and Mixtures were easily the students' least favourite subject. Back when she was still their age and she was still training hard to be a Medic, it also became her least favourite subject. Although she got excellent marks on the said subject, she was more interested on Biological Experimentations and Field and Combat Applications.

A knock on the door interrupted her reminiscing and she turned to see a young male chuunin. "Yes?"

"The Hokage wishes to discuss something with you," the chuunin said reading from a piece of a parchment with the Hokage's seal.

"Okay," she answered, wondering what it could be. She turned back to the students and caught their eager looking faces.

Which just means one thing.

"Alright, off you go," she said with a dismissive wave of hand and a patient smile.

Weirdly enough, she had a feeling that whatever Tsunade got to discuss with her is important with her because she would not be pulled out from her class if it's trivial. Speaking of class, she had been teaching the medics-in-trainee for more than two weeks already. Tsunade, being the medic-in-chief of Konoha aside from being the Hokage, decided to transfer her from the hospital to teaching school to lessen her physical tasks until her due date of giving birth.

"Seriously, they're a bit paranoid about my health," she muttered to herself. She knows that she should feel grateful for the concern but sometimes, it becomes too suffocating on her part.

The chuunin knocked and Shizune answered the door. Then, the chuunin left and she entered the Hokage's office. Sititng languidly in a high-backed leather chair with her feet propped up on the table and her files scattered around, Tsunade was wearing a bored but thoughtful look.

"Tsunade-sama," greeted Sakura respectfully, giving a small bow.

"Have a seat," gestured Tsunade.

Taking her seat, Sakura pressed her palms firmly upon her lap and waited. Maybe she would be transferred back to the hospital.

Better, she thought.

Tsunade pushed a thin folder to her. "I've been waiting for your paper since yesterday. Jusr sign this for formality's sake."

Sakura saw the regretful look on Tsunade and opened the folder then read it. However, she was not at all prepared for what was inside.

"Resignation?" Sakura stood up in utter shock still clutching the folder on her hands. "What's the meaning of this?"

Tsunade and Shizune were both shocked too on her reaction and exchanges looks of confusion.

"Don't you know?" Shizune asked, confused.

"Does this mean I would no longer be a shinobi?"

"Yes," answered Tsunade.

"What? That's outrageous!"

"Sit down, Sakura," said Tsunade.

"Not after I hear an explanation on this!"

"I said, take a seat," repeated Tsunade in a firm voice.

Nose flaring, Sakura took her seat again. "Now I'm seated."

"Clearly, there has been a misunderstanding in here," began Tsuande. "I was expecting your letter of resignation since yesterday. Today, I summoned you to remind you of the said letter and for you to sign these documents."

"I filed for a maternity leave and not a resignation!" Sakura said with gritted teeth. "Who the hell said I'm going to resign?"

To her puzzlement, Tsunade and Shizune exchanged silent nods as if they now understood what was confusing them earlier.

"It is Uchiha Sasuke," answered Tsunade.

"What? That's impossible…"

"It was Uchiha Sasuke who informed us that you would soon be resigning from the Konoha military workforce because you have to," began Tsunade.

"What?" Sakura cannot contain her surprise and confusion. "Why do I have to?"

"Because according to him, you have to follow the Uchiha tradition in which women are supposed to focus on taking care of the family and rearing kids to become excellent Uchihas."

"Huh?" The explanation rang over her mind repeatedly and searched her brain if Sasuke said something like that in the past. "But…I can't remember him telling me about such thing."

"I think you have to talk to him about it. It seems there's a lack of communication between the two of you regarding this matter," said Tsunade with a hint of disapproval.

"I think we really have to," agreed Sakura. She needs to hear it straight from him.

She gave a small bow and turned to leave when a question suddenly popped to her mind. Her hand was already at the metal doorknob when she paused and turned to look back at the Hokage.

"Yes?" Tsunade asked.

"Is it true?"

"Which one?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.

Her face registered a mixed expression of curiosity and hesitancy. "Is it true that Uchiha women were supposed to be at home only?"

"I can't really verify that, Sakura. But as far as I can remember," said Tsunade, rubbing her chin as she tried to remember her younger years. "When I was growing up, I used to see Uchiha female shinobis who were like your age or younger. I have never seen a Sharingan-wielding female Uchiha yet but according to my grandfather, there used to be a very few powerful Uchiha women with Sharingan back when the Senju and Uchiha clan were still fighting. Well, that was long ago when Konoha was not yet founded."

"However, during my time, there were some young Uchiha female shinobis with great potential. Eventually, they disappear from the military workforce before twenty which, to my guess, is the result of an arranged marriage between Uchihas or simply its tradition."

"Anyway, it's just based from experience," shrugged Tsunade. "Better hit the archives for verification."

Sakura nodded.

"Thank you," was all she could say. Best to hear it from Sasuke himself.

The archives can wait.

oOo

Night had just fallen when Sasuke reached the apartment. After removing his sandals, he proceeded to the kitchen to eat dinner. However, to his dismay, there was nothing on the table but a teapot and a pair of porcelain mugs. Sakura was sitting on the right side of the table, quietly sipping her tea, oblivious to his presence.

Maybe she had just arrived and she was not yet able to prepare dinner, he just thought consolingly. He went to the fridge and searched for something to eat but found nothing but raw meat, fish and some vegetables. He was really hungry after a sparring session with Hyuuga Neji that afternoon and he was expecting a good, sumptuous meal.

Dinner was not the only one lacking because Sakura's usual cheery greeting when he arrives was absent too.

Not that he miss it, he immediately said to himself.

"We need to talk," said Sakura in an unusual serious voice. She was not even looking at him and seemed focus on sipping her tea.

Talk about what? But he already had an inkling of what they would be talking about. Tsunade had already informed her of it and he understood it came as truly shocking on her part.

He sat on the chair opposite her and poured tea to another mug. He took a long, slow sip before looking at her.

"You told Tsunade that I would be resigning from being a shinobi?" Sakura asked, her face hoping that he would deny it.

"Yes," confirmed Sasuke, avoiding the painful look on her face on his admission.

"But…why? And what's that about the Uchiha tradition?" Sakura cried out, frustrated. "You did not even ask me if I want it!"

"You would not agree to it."

"Then, why did you still do it?"

"It is my prerogative to do things I deem as necessary."

"How come it is your prerogative? It concerns me and the one who should decide should be ME," Sakura said, emphasizing the last word.

Still calm, Sasuke tried to explain. "I have the right to decide on your behalf regarding things that concerns the future."

"And what kind of future is that? Like abandoning my career and being a tool to revive your clan?"Sakura shot back. "And what's that thing about your clan's tradition of women being domestic housewives?"

"It has long been the tradition of the Uchiha clan that women should focus on producing heirs, taking care of the family and rearing the kids based upon the Uchiha principles."

"I never knew such thing even exists!" Sakura cried out hoarsely. "You never told me about it!"

"You did not ask," he said simply.

"How could I ask if I don't know anything in the first hand?" Sakura shot back at him.

"When we were officially married, you became an Uchiha and in effect, you have embraced everything that concerns our clan."

Sakura slumped back to the chair, bringing her face to her hands looking frustrated. Now that she knew the way of his clan, did she regret her decision of agreeing to his proposal?

Somehow, the thought that she regretted marrying him brought forth a wave of sadness.

Immediately brushing the emotion aside, he thought that it was too late for her to regret her decision because she was now carrying his heir. She would eventually agree on this matter.

It is her nature to understand and give herself to others.

oOo

She just can't easily give up her career like that. For years, she had worked hard to become a shinobi. She remembered her childhood self, studying hard and always competing with Ino to get Sasuke's attention when they were still genin. Then, when Sasuke left Konoha to become Orochimaru's vessel, she trained hard under Tsunade to become an excellent medic and hoping to be able to save Sasuke by extracting his soul if ever he eventually becomes Orochimaru's container. After Sasuke came back, she felt too weak in comparison with Naruto and him if ever they would be re-grouped once again and she trained hard to become an Anbu.

And now she would throw all this years of training and hard work just to follow a non-existent clan's tradition?

She wanted to go with Naruto and Sasuke on missions. She loved the action, the danger and the fact that they were all complete as Team 7 once again.

"But, Sasuke…" she said tentatively. "You can choose not to follow the tradition anymore."

Sasuke threw her a sharp glance.

But still, she continued. "I mean you are the only remaining Uchiha and there would no elders to follow or chastise you for not following the traditions."

Sakura noticed the involuntary tightening of his jaw muscles. She knew she had hit a spot by bringing up that he was just the remaining Uchiha but she had to try.

"I wanted to revive my clan along with its age-old culture and traditions," said Sasuke stubbornly.

"But we can change that," suggested Sakura softly, reaching out to touch his hand. She knew she was already trudging on dangerous waters with her suggestion because Sasuke was immensely devoted to his clan. "As the remaining Uchiha, you have the authority to change it."

"To change it is to disrespect my ancestors," he said stiffly, removing his hand from hers and looking away.

"But it's totally unfair on my part!" Sakura finally cried out in frustration. Why can't he understand? "I can fulfill my duties as an Uchiha matriarch like what we have agreed upon and be still a Konoha shinobi."

"The women of our clan were shinobis too but they gave it up to fulfill their sworn obligations to the clan," said Sasuke, eyeing her in disappointment. "My mother gave it up too for us."

Without thinking her next words, Sakura just let her tongue slipped. "Don't compare me to your mother. I can never be her and I would never be."

This statement had a profound effect on Sasuke. Her eyes widened when she realized that she had just disrespected his late mother.

"I…I'm sorry," she stuttered. "I did not mean to…"

But Sasuke had already stood up and slammed the tables to hard that teapot and mugs jumped on the table. His dark, bottomless eyes were narrowed with visible anger.

"I will not change my decision," he said coldly. "You are now an Uchiha and I am expecting you to follow our tradition and if you still don't want to, there is only one way."

He looked at her as if daring her to do it.

"I am expecting the proof of your resignation till this week," he said before turning away.

"W-What do you mean?" Sakura called out frantically as Sasuke went to the bedroom and came out with a bunch of clothes stuffed unceremoniously inside a black duffel bag. Then, he walked past her and went straight outside.

"Hey, where are you going?"

For heaven's sake, he was leaving her!

"To the Uchiha manors," he answered, without looking back. "My real home."

oOo

Sorry for the grammatical errors, syntax etc. I need a refresher course on English grammar or a beta-reader LOL.

Hope you like this chapter!

Watch out for the next chapter because there would be an unexpected turn of events.

PLEASE REVIEW!