To Love and to Love Again Chapter 26: Safe

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER AND AUTHORS NOTE: I do NOT own Naruto. The awesomeness of the Naruto Manga and World is the creation of Masashi Kishimoto. This is Purely Fanfiction. All things Medical in this entire fanfiction should not be taken as serious medical advice or facts. PLEASE CONSULT AN ACTUAL DOCTOR FOR ANY MEDICAL INFORMATION/QUESTIONS. THANK YOU AND ENJOY!

It had barely been two hours since that phone call, but it was the longest two hours she had ever been through. She was waiting in the police station, watching as her father spoke with his colleagues in hushed and frustrated tones. For once, she was actually relieved that he was in law enforcement. It gave her some sense of protection anyway. There was nothing more she could do but sit here, in what was supposed to be a safe haven from crime.

She was on edge. Knowing that someone is watching you and not knowing who they are or why they're doing it would do that to a person wouldn't it? But for some reason, it wasn't the who part that unnerved her. It was the why.

Why?

Why would someone want to watch her? Sure there were some things about her that were out of the ordinary, such as her excelling career and exceptional hair color. But other than that, she was just like everyone else. There was nothing special about Dr. Sakura Haruno, widow and mother. Her greatest treasure was nestled safely in her arms fighting sleep as much as his little body could.

Sora's head plopped down on her shoulder. He had finally fallen asleep. She sat there on the bench, holding him against her and refusing to let him go. How could she afford such distance from him when there was a sick man after her? Who could keep her son safe if she herself wasn't safe at all?

Kakashi had been glancing back at her from time to time. He could see the emotions play out on her face as she thought about it. She was scared. Any sane person would have been. But she wasn't scared for herself. She was frightened for Sora.

Sakura never saw herself having limits or being incapable, which was a serious personality flaw in Kakashi's opinion. He knew he was to blame for that. She didn't know about the kind of life he led that had put her in so much danger since the day she was born. Although Sakura saw herself as self-sufficient, the thing about it was that she was a woman, plain and simple. Any feminist would argue with his logic, but it was logic nonetheless.

A woman pitted against a man would likely lose in a physical fight nine times out of ten. He once told this to Sakura when she was around thirteen, who merely responded that she was the one out of the ten that would quote "kick ass" before she went down.

He never imagined that he would have such a headstrong child. But he loved her for it.

"We'll keep her residence under constant supervision," said the officer. "We'll also keep you posted on the tracing of that call Commander. We can also arrange for them to stay in protective care until matters are settled," he offered.

"That won't be necessary," Kakashi said as his peripheral vision picked up two figures walking into the station. "I've got it from here." The cops nodded and dispersed just as another pair made their way over to them. It really was rare to see Asuma and Kurenai together, since they were so desperate to keep their contact a secret. But with the baby news earlier in the day, they probably figured it was pointless now.

"Kakashi," Asuma greeted with a nod. He was wearing a large black coat, similar to Kakashi and chewing one what appeared to be gum. Behind him was Kurenai, whom he guessed was with him when he got the news. Sakura stood with a sleeping Sora in her arms when she saw them and walked over. She really wasn't expecting to see these two particular people. Three pairs of eyes watched her carefully as she made her way towards them.

Asuma smiled at her. "Hey there Sakura," he said putting his hand on her shoulder. "It's been a while. You're definitely not the tiny thing that used to bandage my face anymore," he said earning him a chuckle.

"Hi...Uncle Asuma," she said awkwardly. It felt weird calling him that after so many years. "Hello Kurenai Sensei," she said while giving her a nod and shifting Sora in her arms. Asuma's eyes focused on Sora with a hint of adoration there.

He knew Sai. He was one of the best Agents they ever had. This was one of the first times he really got a chance to look at his son. The boy was like his father, point blank.

"Are you alright?" Kurenai asked with concern.

"Given the circumstances I'm okay for now," she answered. "I don't really know what to expect and it's getting frustrating. Having someone watch you all the time…it's not pleasant."

Kurenai saw how both Kakashi and Asuma cast swift glance at each other at that statement before looking away guiltily. Though they both also kept eyes on Sakura, it was an entirely different thing. Cases like this were exactly why Sakura needed CIA surveillance at all times.

"Do we have to stay here any longer? He's put out," Sakura said indicating Sora.

Kakashi nodded. "We can go home now."

Sakura simply nodded and walked with her group out to her car. On the way home, Kakashi explained to her that she would be on protective observation and guard until otherwise said by the police force. She didn't argue with that. She couldn't.

Even though she had this much given protection, why was it that she didn't feel protected enough? After all the years of complaints, who was complaining now?

Naruto walked through the hospital halls in a subdued rush, casually greeting everyone. He got off lucky today without having to deal with actual patients again. For the most part he really was into his role as a physical therapist, but he was assigned tasks that most anyone could do with the proper guidance.

It was that way for many of the Agent's pseudo personas.

Take his in-laws for example. Neji and Tenten were specialists in their field, both pseudo and agent-wise. Neji was genetically gifted with razor sharp eye-sight. It's a trait that was carried in his carefully bred clan from as far back as the feudal era. It's so advanced and rare, that it was given the code name "Byakugan". Neji's specialties in the field focused on the electrical charges that ran through the human body. He could easily pick up on anyone's presence and precise location the moment they were in his 360 degree range.

Tenten, or "panda chan'" as he once affectionately deemed his cousin-in-law before she punched his lights out, was the same way. Her abilities weren't reliant on genetics. Tenten was a weapons and combat specialist. Like her bastard of a husband, her gift was precision. Tenten never missed her target, no matter how fast or hidden they may be. She was capable of using any and all kinds of weaponry available to man. She was even skilled in blade weaponry. You'd be amazed what kind of arsenal she could hide on her body. Naruto wouldn't be surprised if she had a blade hidden in her bra while she was carrying the triplets.

Hinata, like Neji had the Byakugan. Everyone had their own special quirk that landed them into the CIA, even Naruto.

He shook his head, trying not to think about what had happened to land himself into the CIA. That was too dark a secret to even think about. He sighed when he thought about the monthly training sessions they all recently had. Everyone was sharpening their skills and staying on alert to catch the bastard that was toying with Sakura's life.

Speaking of bastards, Naruto shifted his focus as he caught sight of Sasuke walking up to the elevators with his electronic planner in his hand, along with some hopeful nurses trying to skillfully catch the same lift as him. One of the doors opened, making them run past Sasuke and get in. Their faces changed from hopeful to shock when Sasuke walked right past the elevator doors and headed straight for the stairway, not even looking up from his digital planner. Naruto snickered. Sasuke would rather walk fifteen flights of stairs than take an elevator ride with fangirls.

But since Sasuke was here, then that meant Sakura hasn't told him about that call.

Naruto wondered when she would. He certainly couldn't tell him without an explanation as to how he knew before anyone else. All he knew was that Sasuke would be pissed when he found out.

Half the day had gone by in a blur. It was nearing her lunch hour, and Sakura found herself sitting in the NICU, clad in her hospital protective gowns and keeping one of the babies company. She had already checked on her patients, and even the ER was slow today.

She was counting on keeping busy to keep her mind off last night. If she was preoccupied with saving lives, it would have been a whole lot easier than of having mounds of time to just think about her own.

The baby in the incubator began to fidget. He was awake now. Poor little guy was born two months premature and hooked up on more machines than she would have liked. Still, his mother was in recovery and was unable to come down to visit him. So Sakura took it upon herself to keep him company when she could.

"Hi sweetie," she whispered as she placed her hand in the armhole of the incubator. She placed her finger in the baby's palm and smiled when his little fingers wrapped themselves around it in a promising grip.

"I'm sorry your mommy can't be with you right now," she said tenderly as her other fingers gently rubbed his arm. "She really wants to be. I know it's hurting her not to be with you. But she's getting stronger for you, so you have to get stronger for her too, okay?"

The baby lightly kicked his legs and managed to turn his head towards her voice. The sound of footsteps caught her attention, and she turned to see the baby's father standing behind her.

"Dr. Haruno, how's my boy doing?" he asked worriedly as he came to stand on the other side of the incubator. He looked down at his first born child with tenderness and concern. Sakura smiled at him. He and his wife were a young couple who just had their first child. Unfortunately, the pregnancy took its toll on the mother, who was thankfully able to survive the birth.

"He's a fighter," she said happily. "Hopefully your wife will be strong enough to come down and see him soon. I'll go check on her now," she said while standing up and giving him time alone with his son. He nodded his head in thanks as she left.

She went to check on the mother as promised, and was pleased to see that she was making improvements. There wasn't much more she could do so she decided to go back to her office and change out of the scrubs. She didn't have any more patients to see so she re-dressed in a black pencil skirt and grey silk blouse with black heels. She then headed downstairs to grab some lunch.

She had to keep her strength up. She had been so preoccupied with her whole situation that it was starting to affect her physically. She was tired, and not thinking straight. She barely managed to let Sora go to school this morning.

It was like a headache that was just lingering and refusing to fully surface. She exited the elevator and took a few steps into the massive first floor area, when she stopped.

Her head began to spin.

It was then that a surge of emotion began to sweep into her head. Was it her, or was the hospital full of people today? Everywhere she looked there were people all around her. The room was beginning to spin and the air was getting hotter. She needed to get out and away from everything. She just had to be alone.

With that she bolted past the elevators and pulled the stairway door open, running up the fifteen long flights of stairs. She then regretted changing into a skirt and heels.

Every step along the long stairway ripped at her thigh muscles and forced her heart to beat faster in compensation, but she wouldn't stop. She couldn't stop. Her mind kept trying to sift through her memories, trying to figure out if there was anyone she knew that might be behind all this, but she kept turning up blank. None of it made sense. Her lungs were screaming at her as she rounded to the last set of stairs, past the office level and up to the last door with the light streaming through.

She pushed open the door and stopped, breathing heavily and resting her hands on her knees as she regained control of her lungs.

She just needed to breathe and think. It was a good few minutes before she was able to move around again. Her muscles felt that familiar slouch from being worked so hard without rest as she began to walk.

She walked around the spacious hospital rooftop. Even up here, the place was advanced. There was a large landing pad with the letters KMC at the center for a helicopter to transport patients with a small control-center off to the side. The rest of it was just precious space for her to clear her head.

She welcomed the cool winter air as it hit her face, making her previously hot cheeks flush. She walked along the sides with her hands lazily grazing against the railings. The view was even more amazing up here compared to Sasuke's office. She could see the entire city at a 360 degree angle.

Looking at the city from this point of view was oddly calming, even though there was one person, probably within this city that was stalking her. She didn't know when this person might decide to show himself. He could come at her at any moment and she would have to be prepared.

Sakura felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped out of her skin with a scream.

"AHHH!" She spun around quickly trying to throw a punch and missed her target before registering black hair and a business suit. He caught her fist in his palm. Her heart was racing once again and her breathing was out of control. Sasuke just stood there, startled by her reaction. Sakura brought a hand up to her chest and felt her heart trying to escape her rib cage.

That was it.

"Don't ever sneak up behind me!" she yelled as she yanked her hand out of his grasp. "I just lost a year off the end of my life," she shouted as she glared at him. For whatever reason, fury seemed to be building in her system with every passing moment.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her mood. Whatever she was going through, she was taking out on him. He didn't much care for that. He just saw her standing in the middle of the first floor looking like the world was ending before suddenly running to the stairway. Now she was yelling at him.

"What are you doing up here anyway?" she snapped. She was barely managing to tame her cardiac muscles. "Did you follow me up here? Don't you have paper work to do?"

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was wondering why she was being so venomous to him, but she couldn't control it. She just wanted some time alone and not be scared shitless for no reason. It didn't make any sense. Sasuke's cool stare didn't falter at her temper, but on the inside he was curious. She wasn't this mad when they talked last night.

He just simply stood there with his stoic mask on and watched her vent, which frustrated her even more.

"Say something why don't you?" she yelled. "And it better not be "hn" because I swear-,"

"From Suki," he said stiffly while reaching behind his back pocket and bringing out a folded piece of paper. At the mention of Suki's name, the fury evaporated from her system. She eyed the piece of paper as he handed it to her briskly. She unfolded it and sighed when she saw that it was a drawing of what she assumed to be herself as a princess.

Suki's precious little angel face came into her mind and she was now filled with guilt. Sasuke did nothing wrong, she was just being paranoid. Sakura's eyes stared at the picture. Right now, she was no princess. She held the picture close to her chest as she shut her eyes, trying to hold back the tears. She hated being so scared.

"What's wrong," he demanded. Something must have happened to make her feel this way. "Sakura," he said sternly.

"I…I'm sorry, I can't…" she tried to keep it together, but she was falling apart. "Someone's been…," she began to shake. Sasuke grabbed hold of her shoulders, steadying her. "Someone's been following me around," she whispered, clutching the drawing even closer to her chest. Sasuke went rigid at what she said.

Everything stilled, even the wind.

Sasuke stared at her face as two tears glistened at the brim of her eyes, before cascading down her cheeks. Her words sank deeper and deeper into his mind, and his fury was rising to the surface.

"Did you see them?" he asked fiercely. "Did you see who they were?" Sakura just continued to look down. "Sakura!" he said shaking her shoulders a bit.

"No," she choked. "He called my house last night." He stood there stunned. "He kept calling over and over again…but there was never anyone on the line. Finally it stopped for a while but then…" she shuddered as she remembered her son.

"Sora picked up the phone…and there was someone on the other line."

Sasuke's grip on her arms tightened, but she took no notice. He didn't like where this was headed.

"What did he say to Sora?" he asked slowly with danger laced into his tone. It made Sakura swallow and finally look him in the eyes, afraid to tell him even that much.

"He said to tell his mommy that he's watching her…that he's always watching…" she answered fearfully before Sasuke pulled her into his arms and crushed her there. Sakura buried her face in his chest. "I'm so scared Sasuke."

He held her there as his mind swirled with possibilities. He looked off onto the city, knowing that if there was someone after her, then they were more than likely being watched right as this very moment. He glared at nothing in particular before focusing on her again. She looked so overwhelmed. He thought back to the break-in and how shaken she had been then. It was like going through that all over again.

She looked up at him when she felt his gaze. He was looking at her with unreadable eyes. He must have been angry. He was so protective of her, just like her father was, but she found that she didn't quite mind it from him. It was then that she realized that she didn't feel as afraid when she was in his arms. He was holding her as if he were keeping a barrier between her and the rest of the world. She felt safe.

The wind flew by them, catching her pink tresses and blowing them behind her. Her cheeks flushed, and Sasuke couldn't help but be enthralled once again by her beauty, even in times like these. Her beautiful green eyes, glossy from fear, told him all that he would need to know. She was such an open book.

"Why didn't you call me right way?" he asked. "Why didn't you tell me this when it happened? You should have known that'd I'd be there."

"And do what Sasuke? What could you have done that the police couldn't do? I didn't want you to worry you about this."

He grabbed hold of her chin and made her look him in the eye. "You are so annoying, but you…are…mine," he said stressing every word. "If anyone ever tried to hurt you…," he paused as he tried to get a grip on his emotions. It was difficult to speak without getting so infuriated.

"…I'll find him," he said finally. "I'll find that bastard and deal with him," he vowed noticing the way her eyes widened. "No one's going to get to you or Sora."

Sakura could only stare. His words were so absolute, so believable. They were so assuring, and that's what made her both fearful and certain for her own safety. The force from his hands moved from her waist to her neck, pulling her into him and claiming her lips.

His kiss made her forget the danger, if only for a moment.

One thing she knew was that he was a part of her now, and she was a part of him. Their lives, their friends, their children…everything was intertwined, like the anastamosis of blood vessels intricately laced within the body. He became the blood that was keeping her alive and sane.

She kissed him back and pulled herself as close to him as possible. If she was with Sasuke, she felt as though she had nothing to fear. She was strong, but with Sasuke by her side, she felt even better than that. She felt safe, and that was worth more than anything right now.

He pulled away quickly, keeping her close to him.

"I'll drive you home."

Sakura shook her head. "I can't leave. I have patients that need me Sasuke."

"Then I'll drive you home at the end of the day. I'll pick you up in the morning and drop Sora off at school with Suki. I don't want you driving on your own."

"I have a police escort at all times, so I'm not really alone when I'm on the road."

"I don't care. You're not going anywhere alone. I'll drive you. You don't have a choice in the matter so don't even think about arguing," he said and she didn't. Sakura nodded and rested her head against his chest.

"I won't." Sasuke wrapped his arms around her, relieved that for once, she was listening to him. "But this means that I'm not going to that conference. I'm not going to leave Sora alone with anyone."

Sasuke nodded. "I'll cancel our attendance. It's not something we need to get involved in right now."

She nodded in agreement. Normally she would have said that he could go on his own, but this was serious. She wanted him with her and the hospital was already stocked with state-of-the-art equipment. What mattered most was their safety.

"Thank you," she said before they walked back into the hospital with their hands linked. Sasuke simply squeezed her hand and stared out ahead.

"Hn." For the first time in that day, Sakura smiled.

Karin lounged in her chair, stretching and testing all her muscles after that last round with Kabuto. She had never felt so tired before.

Granted she always thought about someone else when she was with him, but that was beginning to get frustrating. Kabuto had an air about him that was both intelligent and dangerous. Not to mention the man was probably more obsessed with a curtained pink haired bitch than he ought to be.

He still refused to explain himself whenever she brought it up. She had a damn right to know since he requested her assistance in his twisted plans. Hell, he definitely knew why she was here so it was only fair.

But he was getting testy with her. Their physical trysts were getting somewhat…strange. His moves were so defined, and his skin was more on the sharp side than flesh. Something was off with him. His body was also getting cooler, and unnaturally so.

Karin had no idea what he did down in that decomposing lab of his, but whatever it was she hoped that he wasn't experimenting on himself, especially if it was going to affect her own body. She would have to look into that later.

The flashing of her computer snapped her out of her thoughts. She squealed when she saw that the KMC seal was on it. Her Sasuke had written to her.

She opened the letter and read the short message slowly. She began to see red.

Konoha Medical Center conference participants will decline the invitation on the grounds for personal matters.

It was a short message, but it was enough to make Karin slam the laptop screen down and toss it to the wall, making it break into pieces.

"Damn that bitch!" she screamed. "This has got to end now!"

"Touch her…and you're as good as dead."

Karin turned around, only to scoff at Kabuto's other bitch, old what's-his-name (mystery dude 2). She huffed. "What is it with her? What's so fascinating about that whore?"

He simply sighed as leaned against the wall. "Who knows," he said before looking at her again. "What I find more interesting is why you're so into that damned Uchiha."

"Don't you talk about him like that!" she screeched. "Sasuke's mine and I won't rest until I have him back where he belongs." He simply scoffed.

"Ch, from what I can see he was never yours to begin with," he said making her face flare as crimson, as her bizarre hair.

"Get out of my room before I kill you," she spat. He simply scoffed again. Karin took in a deep breath and stared him straight in the face. "You remind me of a certain someone I used to know. I will kill you once I get the chance."

He simply sighed and exited her room, only to find himself face to face with Kabuto.

He looked pale…really pale; even more so than usual. He was covering his eyes with tinted shades, which only made him look creepier.

They stared at each other for a moment before he spoke.

"My good man," Kabuto crooned. "Try not to ruffle her feathers too much," he said as adjusted his shades. "It wouldn't do me well to have her lose her focus."

"She doesn't seem to have any focus," he replied.

"Don't underestimate her," Kabuto warned. "You don't really know what that woman is capable of," he said before entering Karin's room and shutting the door behind him. He quickly exited the hallway, not wanting to bear witness to whatever activities those two were about to proceed in.

Sakura sat in her office as her day began to wind down. She was mentally exhausted. Her thoughts were constantly around her guilt for the way she acted earlier on the roof. She had to acknowledge that Sasuke was her boyfriend now, and he had every right to be protective of her.

She leaned back in her seat as she thought about him. She could feel the blood pooling in her cheeks as she recalled the overwhelming male aura he emitted whenever he got protective.

There was a certain power about Sasuke Uchiha that emanated from his every pore. His whole being was the definition of strength. From his lithe movements to his tall stature, straight posture, deep commanding voice…and those eyes.

Sakura shivered when she thought about those steely black irises that felt as though they saw through the very bottom of her soul.

Her skin was covered in goosebumps just thinking about them. Sasuke seemed capable of much more than the average man. He seemed like the fighting type, a warrior of some sort. And what Sakura noticed about him was that he had an intense need to protect his loved ones and do justice by them. He was much more than average.

She didn't know when her eyes became clouded with a sudden desire for him. Her body was tingling with the need to be near him. Her day was over now. There was just one more thing to take care of.

He sensed her presence before she opened the door to his office. With one look in her misted eyes, he knew what she was here for.

No one said a word.

She walked toward him, and his hand moved to the picture frame on his desk. She merely raised an eyebrow at the dark tint the glass walls behind him were taking. The glass was completely black by the time she came and sat on the desk, directly in front of him. The room was dark, with only the glow of his computer screen.

"You don't see that every day," she said gently as her hand came and rested on the side of his face. He took hold of that hand and turned his head, allowing his lips to graze at the skin of her wrist. The gesture sent electricity through her system, sparking her desire even more.

"I'm full of surprises," he said, eyeing her other hand that came to loosen the tie around his neck. Sakura stared into his eyes with desire. What she was beginning was both exciting…and wildly inappropriate.

And right now, she couldn't care less.

He pulled her towards him and their lips met. She was now straddling him on his office chair and moaning as his tongue invaded her mouth. She could feel his possession pouring out of his kiss as his ferocious mouth claimed his territory. He had to be fast. They only had so much time.

His hands gripped at her shoulders, peeling away her white coat. She pulled her arms back and let the coat slide off onto the floor before her hands found his face again. She moaned when his hands gripped at her hips.

Her fingers slid down to the collar of his shirt, hastily undoing the buttons without pulling them off and without breaking their kiss. They still had to leave the office presentably after all. Sasuke assisted removing the buttons and relished the feeling of her hands on his bare chest. She broke the kiss and leaned back slightly taking a breath and admiring her view of him.

He was smirking at her as she checked him out, but she didn't care. The light from his computer made his fair, sculpted skin glow. Every crevice of his musculature was illuminated, and her eyes grew cloudier with desire. The sudden pressure on her hips made her focus as his hands slid upward, taking her silk top with them and tossing it to the side.

Now it was her turn to smirk as his eyes absorbed her form, clad in a pink silk bra with black lace borders that made his insides squirm. The circle pendant remained around her neck, dangling beautifully above her breasts. She saw how his playful smirk shrank into a predatory stare, and gasped when he sat up, taking her with him and pushing her to sit on top of his large black desk.

His lips were on hers again. Kissing her gave him a sensation unlike any other. It was addictive. It wasn't just her lips either. He could kiss every surface of her skin if he wanted. He dragged his lips across her cheek, down to her neck. Her heart was beating so fast he could feel the pulsations with every nip and lick.

Her fingers wove themselves into his hair, tightening their hold as his lips moved down to her collar bone and shoulder.

"Sasuke," she whispered when his mouth crossed her chest. His hands grasped her calves, sliding up and fiddling with the hem of her skirt, pushing it up slowly and savoring the feel of her soft skin on his fingertips. He reached up until his fingers were able to loop into the hem of her panties. He used the chance to drag her to the very edge of his desk, giving him the ability to slid the small black undergarment down and dangle at her left ankle.

Sakura grabbed at his shirt collar, yanking his lips back to hers. She was just as addicted to his kisses. She hastily pulled his shirt back and tossed it somewhere before her hands began their roaming.

He pulled at her hips again, making her collide with his body. She arched her back against him when she felt his need pressed intimately against her. Her hands slid down his front, latching onto his belt and furiously working the buckle until it was off and pulled out. He leaned onto her, pushing her back to his desk.

Sakura gasped when the cold black metallic surface touched the skin of her back. Sasuke took the chance to kiss her again, letting his tongue continue where it left off. His hot hands contrasted with the cold desk as they roamed her skin, sliding over her chest and abs. His lips moved to her chest, kissing and nipping the skin, enjoying the way his name rolled off her lips in soft gasps. Hearing his name in that tone of voice always pushed him beyond control.

She screamed when he plunged into her with haste, thrusting in and out and keeping her on edge.

She panted with each and every lunge. Sasuke was lost in her. Her tight heat and breathy moans increased his pleasure to the point where he struggled to keep his eyes open to keep the image before him in his mind. Having her lay there beneath him as he drove into her, watching the emotions play out on her face as he pleasured her drove him to move faster and harder with every move.

Sakura swam in the sensations he was driving into her. She thought of nothing but him as she watched him glowing in the blue light. He was a magnificent sight. Her body tingled just from the sight of him.

She clawed at his back as the pressure continued to build inside her. He surprised her when his body straightened, lifting her up and holding her at the edge of the desk as he continued to thrust into her. She threw her head back and moaned as the new position enabled him to thrust deeper, hitting her most sensitive nerves and increasing her bliss tenfold.

The minutes passed like seconds and Sakura could feel her release coming sooner than she expected. She wanted that release, but never wanted him to stop holding her the way he was. Her fingers clutched at his hair, attempting to keep him as close as she could.

Sasuke knew she was close when he felt her legs contract tightly behind him, pulling him even closer as she threw her head back and cried out his name as she came. She constricted around him, forcing him to come only a few seconds later.

He rode out his release and found her lips as he came down from the high. He kissed her with such ferocity, his typical predator personality showing. They stayed like that as they came down from the high, glued together and breathing unsteadily between kisses.

They managed to look into each other's temporarily satiated eyes. Onyx met emerald, and the passion was bubbling on the surface once again.

Sasuke kissed her softly as he pulled out of her. She groaned lightly and opened her eyes to stare into his. She wasn't surprised to see that his eyes were clouded with desire again, because she was in the same state as he was. The only thing holding them back was the time.

They were parents after all, and it was soon approaching the magic hour when school ended.

"How much longer do we have?" she asked quietly as her fingers gently massaged his scalp. Sasuke caressed her sides and took a glance at the computer screen. He released a breath and took a quick kiss from her.

"Twenty minutes."

"Mmmm," she hummed with closed eyes. "Then we should get going soon," she said as she tightened her arms around his neck. Sasuke smirked and pulled her off the desk, steadying her as she regained her balance. He failed to notice that she was wearing heels when she entered his office. He smirked again when he realized that he liked her in heels.

Sakura released her hold on his neck and pulled her skirt back down to a respectable level. She turned to find her panties, when her eyes caught sight of the photographs on his desk. She hesitated for a moment before flipping the pictures with the kids facedown. Sasuke raised an eyebrow as he adjusted his pants.

"I suddenly feel dirty," she said while facing him again. "We had an inappropriate audience during desk sex," she said blushing. Sasuke resisted rolling his eyes.

"You can't be serious." He gave her the once over and smirked again. She blushed even more under his gaze. After all she was half naked in his office at work with only a bra and a pencil skirt, and he was looking like the sexy beast of male perfection in nothing but pants and muscles emanating testosterone...and this was her boss. Inappropriate was out the window at this point.

"I am," she said before walking around his desk and heading straight for his private bathroom across his large office. Sasuke watched her walk away, enjoying the way the skirt moved with her hips.

Sakura opened the door to his bathroom, not expecting it to be so big. Everything was made from black granite and tile. There was even a full shower.

"You have a full bathroom at work?" she asked wondrously as she walked inside and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes grew wide at her appearance. Her hair was disheveled, her lips were puffy and she counted at least three hickies on her lower neck and shoulder. She turned her head and saw him standing in the doorway, watching her watch herself. He held up her panties on his index finger, making her blush.

"There was a time when I worked really late," he said while walking in and grasping her hips again. Sakura chuckled and turned to the sink, grabbing a towel and soaking it with hot water before she began to give herself a mini-bath. She sighed when she cleaned between her legs, earning a smug smirk from Sasuke. He cleaned up as well and within a few minutes they were decent.

"I'm going to make beef and tomato stir-fry tonight if you're interested," she said buttoning up her shirt and putting her lab coat on again.

Sasuke smirked as he put his tie back on. "Hn."

Sakura took that as a yes and flipped the pictures back up on his desk. Her fingers grasped the photos of Suki at the beach, and Sora at his Karate match. She looked at them fondly and smiled.

"Maybe I'll bake some cookies too," she thought out loud. Sasuke placed his coat on and cracked a small smile behind her back. If it was even possible, she was more beautiful now than she was fifteen minutes ago on his desk. She put the pictures back and turned, only to receive a long kiss.

She sighed as he pulled away. Was it possible for her to be so happy at the end of a depressing day?

"Let's go pick up our babies."

He smirked and together they left his office.

The children were grouped together and playing outside in the courtyard, waiting for their parents to come and pick them up. Lee was on patrol this time, along with Kurenai. She watched as Lee participated in the activities. A black escalade pulled up alongside the curb. Kurenai was curious, knowing that Asuma would never leave his post, and was pleasantly surprised when she saw Anko Mitarashi step out of the vehicle.

Anko wasn't one for subtly. She dressed as civilian as she could with black and surprisingly feminine slacks and a white button down shirt with her usual tan colored trench coat. What really surprised her was the lack of her usual combat boots, which were instead replaced with actual strappy sandals. Anko caught Kurenai's eye and walked over, looking at the kids playing as she went. Kurenai could have sworn she something of a smile as she did.

"Nice to see you here of all places," said Kurenai as Anko stood next to her friend.

"Yeah well, this isn't exactly a social call," Anko replied. "I'm just checking in with you and Lee. Anything unusual?" she asked looking around the place. Her eyes landed on Kakashi's grandson playing with the other boys.

"Not since that presence we detected the other day," Kurenai answered, noticing how Anko was fixated on Sora. "We keep Sora under constant supervision. You can tell Kakashi to have a little more faith in us," she said making Anko chuckle.

"Now why would I tell him that? He chose you two especially for this task. He knows you're qualified. He doesn't trust just anyone with that grandson of his," she said chuckling at the fact that he had a grandchild. "He really is an old geezer isn't he?"

Kurenai laughed. "Hardly, and you of all people would know just how much of young and able man Kakashi really is," she said slyly. Anko just sighed.

"Don't I know it," she said vaguely. "It's still hard to believe he's a grandfather."

Kurenai smiled. "But you love him anyway," she said, making Anko fidget. Of course she loved him, but she wouldn't tell him that. She would never tell anyone she loved them. The minute she does that…everything can change. And she liked things the way they were.

"And you love Smokey the bear," she returned making Kurenai fidget this time. "Oh come on you're pregnant for crying out loud. Stop trying to hide your relationship. Everyone's known about you two since you began," she said as parents slowly began arriving at the school to get their kids.

"Efforts wasted I guess," Kurenai said sheepishly while subconsciously bringing a hand to her belly. Anko saw the gesture and had to look away.

"How did he take it?" she asked. "The news I mean."

Kurenai chuckled. "Well once he coughed up his cigarette he was pretty excited. He vowed to stop smoking once and for all. Go figure. Having a baby really changes a man. It brings out a side of them that you never really knew was possible."

Anko nodded. "I guess it does," she said while staring at the kids once more. She cracked a smile when she saw Sora laughing and having a good time. She liked the kid. He looked like he had spunk. A certain vehicle caught her eye then.

It wasn't so much the vehicle as it was the people stepping out of it that told her it was time to go.

"Damn," she said while pulling out her shades and placing them over her eyes. "Wasn't expecting those two," she said as Sasuke and Sakura stepped out of his car and walked over to the school. Kurenai saw them as well.

"You might want to make an exit out the back then," Kurenai suggested. Anko nodded and discreetly moved away from view and out through the side of the building. If Sakura was able to remember Asuma from her childhood, then she would surely recognize her father's "secretary" and wonder why the hell she was here at the school. But Anko never planned on leaving fully.

She took a last glance at Sasuke Uchiha. There was just something about him that irked her and she would get to the bottom of it.

The drive home was different to say the least. Sakura sat in the passenger's side as Sasuke drove his car into the city. He remained focused on the road, while she was left with her thoughts. She glanced at the side view mirrors and saw the two escort cars following them as they drove. Sasuke was insistent that she tell security of his plans. She informed her father of Sasuke's demand to drive her places, to which he surprisingly agreed. Her father's answer was strange. It was as if he had no choice in the matter.

Sakura shook her head. This was no time to be worrying over her father's opinion on her life. There was more to think about.

She glanced in the rearview mirror and allowed herself to smile at the two beautiful children buckled up in their booster seats in the back. She thought back to the school where her anxious mood evaporated the minute she saw the joy on the children's faces when they saw both of their parents had come to get them. She had never felt more loved.

Their angelic voices were the only sounds that filled the car as they drove through the streets of Tokyo.

"Mommy," said Sora, catching her eye in the mirror. "Kurenai Sensei says they're going to hang my drawings at the festival," he said proudly. Sakura smiled.

"They are? That's great sweetie. I'm so proud of you."

"Daddy, can we go to the festival?" Suki asked. Sasuke's eyes glanced at his daughter in the rearview mirror. Sakura glanced at him from the side. Knowing him, he wouldn't want her, let alone the kids, out in public when he was in safety mode. Sasuke didn't respond immediately and Sakura figured he was trying to let her down easy. It wasn't fair, and Sakura didn't want to overstep her authority, but…

"Of course we can sweetheart," she said while turning her head back to look at her. "We can all go," she added before looking back at Sasuke, who was trying to control the upcoming twitch in his eye. It took a lot just to stop the glare.

Suki smiled.

"We may not be able to go Tenshi," said Sasuke. "Things can come up," he added while casting a look at Sakura, who returned it. Before Suki's face could be dejected, Sakura made a move.

"I don't see why not," she said. "After all, things can come up, but we shouldn't stop living our lives. This festival would mean a lot for the kids and I certainly could use some fun now of all times."

"And Akira says she's going to wear a Yukata," Suki informed. "I'm going to wear mine too," she said happily. "Are you going to wear a Yukata Aunty Sakura?"

"I don't know sweetie," she said thoughtfully. "I haven't worn one in a long time. What color is your Yukata?"

"Red! Uncle Itachi gave it me," she answered. Sakura figured it would have been pink. Then again, she didn't think a mysterious man such as Sasuke's older brother would be caught dead buying anything pink.

Sasuke was debating whether or not to flat out lock her in his house and toss the key for her own good. Going out in the public eye was not how he wanted to start protecting her, yet here she was, willing to frolic her whereabouts to a lunatic. Sasuke glared at the road as he continued to drive. He kept his gaze on the road, all the while being irritated at Sakura's lack of awareness.

He had been at it for the past two hours, and still there was nothing. Normally, tracing a call would take seconds with CIA resources. Yet this call was purely untraceable. He cursed and closed his laptop. Too many events were happening to Sakura. His doors opened, allowing Tsunade, Jiraya, Asuma, Anko, and Guy to enter.

They all came and stood before his desk in a neat line, with the best poker faces he could have ever seen. No one spoke a word as they all stared at each other. It was then that Guy stepped out of the line and came right up to Kakashi's desk.

Kakashi watched as he extended his right hand and made an open thumbs-up sign.

"Thumb war Kakashi!" Guy said with steely determination. "This will be the tie breaker in our 50-50 match competition," he said with a glint in his teeth. Kakashi simply stood from his chair, and faced the rest of the line.

"Any news?" he asked. Guy fell dramatically before getting up and pointing a finger accusingly at Kakashi. He was about to speak before Anko punched his gut, leaving him to heave behind the line.

"Well that's what we came to see you about," said Jiraya. "We have no leads whatsoever and the only thing we can come up with is something you're not going to like."

Kakashi sighed. "Our kind of news regarding Sakura is not really a something I enjoy. Let's hear it."

"There are too many events occurring around her," said Tsunade. "We haven't dismissed the idea that it could be someone from your past Kakashi, since it's just too much of a coincidence for Sakura to have a stalker."

"Although any and all of your adversaries were killed on the spot once they figured out that you indeed have a daughter," said Anko. "No one else should know about it."

"Keep in mind that Sakura is somewhat of a public figure, at least in the field of medicine that is," Jiraya pointed out. "And I know you don't need to hear it from me of all people, but she is quite the looker. Any guy would be capable of becoming a bit obsessive." Tsunade elbowed his gut, making him bend over in pain.

"So what you're telling me is that we don't have any sense of direction to catch this guy," Kakashi summarized.

"What we're telling you is that that are too many directions to choose from," Anko replied. "We can't really rule anything out without investigating more." Kakashi sighed and slumped in his seat once more.

It was a frustrating puzzle, and what was even more frustrating was the fact that he didn't have enough pieces to even paint a picture!

"So now what?" he asked, even though he knew what came next. It was the worst part of any investigation.

"We wait," Tsunade replied. Kakashi closed his eyes and leaned his head against his chair. Now they had to wait for something else to happen to his little girl.

Naruto and Hinata were currently walking up the pathway to Sasuke's house. They were both put out, especially after their last mission involving some crazy ice manufacturer who was dishing out a new drug called "Red Ice". That stuff did some crazy shit to the users, who were currently being held at the CIA base for observation and testing.

Even though they were tired, they still made it a point to go over to Sasuke's house, where they knew Sakura would be.

"I have half a mind just to tell the bastard to join the CIA," said Naruto as they approached Sasuke's house.

Hinata just sighed. "You know we can't Naruto. If he were to ever find out, we'd have to-"

"I know," he said deeply. "It would just be easier if he was a part of this." Hinata smiled and squeezed his hand. "He's like a pain in the ass brother that I'm holding out on."

"But there must have been a reason why no one thought to recruit him. His entire family line was in it, but they specifically left Sasuke out, and I'm sure it was for a good reason," she said reassuringly. "I know you don't want to lie to him but it's for his own good."

He sighed. "I know. Still it would have been nice to practice combat with him with all the good stuff we got back at base," he said while ringing the doorbell.

A few seconds later, Sasuke was at the door with Sora and Suki at his side. The children displayed their happiness with smiles and giggles with their company, which made Naruto and Hinata smile as well. Sasuke and Sakura should just get married and get it over with. These kids were inseparable.

"Hi you guys," Sakura greeted as they all entered the kitchen. The smell of beef and tomatoes wafted through the air, making Naruto salivate. Hinata went to hug Sakura.

"How are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm doing great," Sakura replied happily. "Everything's going well. How about you?" she asked giving Naruto a glance. Hinata blushed. She still wasn't able to talk to Naruto about starting a family yet, but that was not the issue here.

"I'm okay," she said with a small blush. "Oh and Tenten say's hi. The babies are doing well," she added.

"That's great!"

Naruto and Sasuke hovered in the living room, where the TV was on with Sora and Suki's ninja anime. Naruto was giving him an inquisitive look, making Sasuke glare at him in annoyance.

"Sakura looks better," Naruto said conversationally. "She looks much better from this morning."

"Hn." Sasuke took a sideways glance in the kitchen, where Sakura and Hinata were chatting animatedly.

Naruto snickered and leaned on the doorway. "Yep, nothing better than getting laid during office hours to kick the depression," he said, earning himself one of the best glares Sasuke could give. Naruto gave him a smug you-can't-kill-me-because-there-are-witnesses look and went to join the kids watching their anime, leaving Sasuke to simmer in the hallway.

Naruto and Hinata had gone home for the night. Sasuke had given Naruto plenty of glares throughout the night, warning him to keep his mouth shut and not make any suggestive jokes. He would keep quiet if he valued his life.

There was another thing that required this attention, and that was the matter of the festival.

"You know you shouldn't go," said Sasuke as Sakura cleaned the dishes in the kitchen. She stopped rinsing them and turned to look at him. "It's not safe."

"I think it will be okay," she replied. "I have security with me and we definitely won't be alone if you're there. The kids are really excited about this, so don't ruin it for them Sasuke."

"I don't want to ruin anything for them, but it's not something I'm willing to risk. You don't know if it'll be okay Sakura. You don't know if that bastard will be there waiting for you," he said as she continued to put the dishes away.

"This is only about your safety," he continued "There's a person out there that knows who you are and where you go. Who's to say that he isn't the one who broke into your house? Have you thought about that?"

"You think that hasn't crossed my mind?" she asked, stopping what she was doing and rounding on him. "You don't think I've killed myself trying to think of all the possibilities? Or better yet, why this is happening to me? I've done nothing but think about that since it happened. I'm scared to death, for me and for my son! I'm afraid of being close to you and Suki. Whoever is watching me is bound to be watching everyone I'm with! Everyone knew about us when we we're trying to hide it! He's got to know about us by now! He's got to know about the kids by now! He's got to know everything about me so why shouldn't I just go out and live my life?"

"Because he's a psychotic maniac who might try to end your life!" he said while pinching the bridge of his nose. Why didn't she understand his point of view? "Stalkers are serious business Sakura. Obsession leads to unimaginable dangers," he said with a tone that could only be fear "Are you that willing to present yourself to him and get killed?"

"I want to know who he is! I want to know why he's following me and why he's targeting me, why he can't just show up in front of me so I can kick his ass!" she shouted. Sasuke grabbed her arms in a tight grip, enough to make her squirm. His voice was dangerously low as he spoke.

"Are you insane enough to think…that you can take him on your own?" he asked with his eyes piercing her own "Are you willing to risk your life, risk leaving your son and everyone behind while you dangle your life in front of danger?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes, but she knew where he was coming from. She hated this. "I don't want to let this bastard keep me locked up in fear Sasuke. I don't want to let him…but I have too," she said as he let her go. She sighed and crossed her arms across her chest, hugging herself. "You're right. You're absolutely right. I'm not willing to put my family in danger. If you don't think we should go to the festival then we won't go," she said while keeping her back to him. "It's not like I had time to get Sora a Happi coat or anything," she mumbled.

Sasuke stood there in a rage, but not at his stubborn girlfriend. He was enraged at the very thought of someone obsessing over his girlfriend. He knew only too well what obsession can do to a person.

The image of a withering cherry blossom flashed before his eyes. It was far less graphic than what he was thinking, but the meaning was so much more.

He had to find this bastard; find him and deal with him.

They were dealing with a stalker, and a highly unverified one.

Stalkers are usually easy to find, when you have what they want in your grasp. He studied her carefully while calculating a plan in his head. He didn't want to do it, but what other choice did he have. He had to use the festival to his advantage.

He had to lure the bastard out of hiding. He had exactly what that stalker wanted right before him.

"As long as the three of you are in my sight at all times…," he said, keeping his tone light as she slowly turned to face him. "You can't go anywhere without me." She looked at him with her piercing green eyes "I don't want him to stop you from living." Her frown thinned into a small smile as she came up to him and placed a hand on his cheek.

"So we can go," she said carefully.

"With me and you never leave my sight," he stressed. She smiled and glanced in the living room at the kids. They would have so much fun at the festival, and now that Sasuke was willing to go, it was even better, and safer.

Sasuke smirked as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. His hands grasped her hips possessively as he deepened that kiss. Her lips told him that she was wanted to show him just how happy she was with him, which made him smirk even more.

The only thing they need now was…

They broke the kiss, only to glance over into the living room to find their precious children fast asleep on the couch.

With one look in her eye, he went to place the children upstairs before he came back to accept her thanks.

AUTHORS NOTE:

SO HELLO AGAIN READERS! REVIEW PLEASE!

I thank you all who bear the burden of my long updates. Just a reminder to those who don't believe, I WILL Definitely FINISH THIS STORY, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES.

Here comes the begging: REVIEW PLEASE! You know how I love reviews.