To Love and to Love Again Chapter 27: Come Back to Me, a naruto fanfic

To Love and to Love Again Chapter 27: Come Back to Me

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!

Darkness was all around her, but she wasn't afraid because he was with her.

"Sakura," he called out as he looked at her with those eyes. She tried to smile at him, but she found that she couldn't. She couldn't reach him, even though he was right in front of her. His eyes were full of regret and sadness, and Sakura just didn't understand it. He stood before her and spoke once more.

"I love you," he said. Once again she tried to smile at him, but she couldn't. All she could do was question him with her eyes.

"My Sakura…," he says as he looks over her appearance; her long white wedding gown flowing in the wind in front of the Sakura tree. She could finally speak.

"Sai," she whispered. She walked toward him slowly with the moonlight illuminating their forms as they now stood before their spot by the lake in front of the cherry blossom tree.

"I love you…" he says once more. "…and I'm sorry," he said before he changed form.

Sai raised his paintbrush and left long black slashes over himself until he changed into nothing but a shadow before her.

"Sai" she shouted. She saw a strange pair of eyes materialize behind him, before it consumed him. Those serpentine yellow eyes smiled at her evilly as she screamed.

"Sai" she screamed "SAI NO!" The world turned blood red around her, and the shadow of Sai disintegrated into black shreds.

"SAI!" she screamed as her body gave a jolt and woke her up. She was breathing heavily, her body covered in sweat. She was shaking as she tried to sit up in bed. She looked around the room, not really knowing what was happening yet. All her body knew was that she had to find him. She got up and out of bed, her vision still a bit hazed from the sudden awakening.

Her body did not recognize the layout of the new house as she rushed through it frantically, compared to the Kyoto house.

That was the first sign.

She went down the hall and saw that Sora's room was in a different spot than in was in the Kyoto House.

That was the second sign.

The walls were free of any of Sai's old paintings and pictures.

That was the third sign.

Her body slowed as it led her down the stairs and into the living room. The moonlight was shining in from the large windows, illuminating her form and opening her eyes to what was happening.

Slowly she was beginning to understand now.

By the time her body had registered that this was not her old home in Kyoto…and that Sai was not here….that he was dead…and that she had begun to have the nightmares again…

Sakura fell to her knees in her living room…and cried.

A few hours later, it was time to get going to work. Sakura stared out the window with her thoughts swirling in her mind. She saw that Sasuke had pulled up and was waiting for her outside.

She hadn't realized that time had gone by so fast, but it was already January and she didn't even know how that happened. Not only that, but it was the 16th.

January 16th: the day she and Sai finally became husband and wife. The same day when she realized that she was pregnant with his child. It was the most bittersweet day of her life.

Today would have marked her 6th anniversary with him. She sighed as she recalled celebrating only two years of a happy marriage with her beloved, before she lost him for good.

It had been a while since she thought about Sai, and that made her feel guiltier because these days, her thoughts as well as her body were constantly around another man.

Sasuke took his vow of being around her seriously. He was there every day to pick her up, drop her off, take her shopping, take the kids to school and back as well as their karate and ballet practice. There were also the few times that he would sleep over, and when he did, there was little to no rest at all. Although this made her feel better about her protection, it also made her feel other things that she wasn't expecting.

Sora scurrying into her room distracted her from her thoughts.

"They're here Mommy," he announced happily. He was dressed for school and ready to go. Sakura smiled at him and grabbed her purse.

Sasuke checked the time on his watch and eyed the second hand impatiently. Suki hummed happily in her car seat as they both waited for Sora and Sakura to come out of their house so they could be on their way to school and work.

Sasuke wasn't kidding when he told Sakura that he would drive them everywhere they needed to be, especially under their current circumstances. He leaned back and took in a deep breath when he recalled the hectic week they had had and the information, or lack thereof, he had been working on that left him sleepless since last night. Before he could think about it some more, Sakura and Sora emerged from their home.

Right away, he noticed that something was wrong with her. His sensitive eyes noted the way the skin beneath her eyes was matted skillfully with makeup. That, paired with the slight puffiness of her eyes meant that she had been crying.

His eyes zeroed in on Sora. He seemed happy enough, but Sasuke was going to keep an extra close watch on him as well, especially with his new research into this whole stalker business.

Sora was loaded up into the back seat, and Sakura took her place in front. She didn't say much on the way to the school, only talking when Suki greeted her. They drove to the school and after dropping the kids off, they drove to work. Sasuke noticed that she was once again spaced out. She didn't try to hold up a conversation the entire way to the hospital like she normally did. She was just quiet, and he found that it actually bothered him.

"Something wrong?" he asked as he kept his eyes on the road. Sakura's head snapped toward him. She didn't realize she was zoning out.

"I'll be a little late coming back today. I have a C-section scheduled for 3:00 and it might take a while," she said as they drove through the morning traffic. Truthfully, the C-section wouldn't take her much time at all, but given today's date she felt she needed some alone time after work. She just had to be respectful of Sai no matter what. The fact that he was absent from her thoughts lately agitated her. She would spend this day to focus on him. But she didn't want to tell Sasuke for obvious reasons.

It would just open up that uncomfortable topic of whether or not she liked him for him, or his resemblance to Sai, and she was done with that conversation. It would not be brought up again and she wasn't going to give him any openings to attack her about it. She would keep her thoughts to herself.

"Then I'll wait for you," he replied.

Sakura shook her head. "No don't. The kids get off early from school today because of the festival tomorrow. Maybe you could pick them up and take them home until I'm done. That way they can spend some time together."

"I'm still coming to get you when you're done," he stated. "Or did you think you were coming back alone?"

Sakura sighed. He was getting more and more paranoid about her running off to find her assailant, when she had no plans whatsoever to do that.

"It's been weeks," she said sighing. "Nothing's happened to me. I'll be fine. And I don't have some hidden agenda to track him down myself if that's what you're thinking."

"Nothing's happened to you because you were never alone," he returned. "I'm not about to change that."

"You know that I still have that police escort right?" She glanced back at the undercover car that was still following them around by order of her father. Sasuke didn't even spare them a glance. In fact, if he had his way, they wouldn't even be around. It was extremely annoying to have them constantly on their tail.

Sasuke knew better than to assume that they were just there for protection. He could smell a hidden agenda from a mile away. He knew that Kakashi probably had those guys keep tabs on their relationship and just how much time they were spending together. With all the info he was getting, it probably explained his recent absence.

Sakura said that he was needed back in Kyoto, and that he would keep commuting back and forth to accommodate the schedule. Sasuke knew Kakashi didn't trust him and he couldn't really blame him for that.

He's a police commander. If Kakashi had any idea whatsoever of his past…well, let's just say Sasuke would have to keep his eyes open at night. Kakashi was not to be underestimated. He knew skill and deathly intent when he saw it. He understood because he and Kakashi shared one thing in common.

They were both protective fathers who loved their only daughters. Nothing is more precious to a man than his baby girl.

So Sasuke couldn't complain. Kakashi was right not to trust him, but it was still annoying as hell.

"Fine," she said deflated. "I'll call you when I'm done," she said as he parked the car. Sasuke wasn't stupid. He knew she was in distance mode at the moment, although he didn't know why. Perhaps she was having second thoughts about him, but after the other night, he didn't think so.

…her head hit the pillow, spilling her hair out like a halo against the black linens of his bed as he ravaged her. Their clothes were scattered around the room. Tonight they were completely alone. Both children were at a sleepover at Ino and Shikamaru's house.

His hands skillfully massaged and kneaded her breasts as she moaned beneath him. His movements were quick. The few chances they got to be together like this made it so that he couldn't play for long before the need to be inside her became too great.

She breathed heavily and moaned his name as he rapidly entered her. The headboard violently hit the wall behind it with every thrust he made, complimented with every moan that left her lips. His form hovered over hers as he watched her squirm in pleasure.

He loved watching the emotions play out on her flushed face as he made love to her .He loved the way her face would scrunch up when she wanted him to thrust faster or harder, and then the way she would moan when he complied with her wishes. It was his hidden guilty pleasure.

He smirked at her impatient hands roaming his back and reaching to grab his ass, pulling him closer to her.

"Say my name…Sakura," he demanded in a tone that would have made her come at that very moment. She held on tight. Everything about him amazed and mesmerized her. Even when they were actually in the throes of passion, his voice alone was sexy enough to make her climax.

She wanted to be around him always. The more she was with him, the more she wanted to continue being with him. She missed him when he was away, and thought about him more each passing day. She wanted him; she needed him.

"…Sasuke," she said in a breathy moan. Her emerald irises pierced his soul as if they were burning flames. "Sasuke…I want you," she whispered. "…Sasuke."

He would have smirked at her words but his body was sent into a testosterone fueled rage, making him increase his pace and pry her legs open wider. He thrust into her faster and harder than before, loving the way she arched her back and practically screamed his name with each plunge into her.

Her moans did things to him on the inside. They drove him insane. He wanted to hear more of his name coming from her lips. Only he would ever touch her like this. He groaned and gasped her name as she restricted herself on him.

Her legs increased their grip around his waist as the pressure continued to build. At long last, she arched her back once more, practically pushing her chest against his as she reached her climax. Sasuke continued to thrust into her until he reached his own peak and released into her.

He slumped his body over hers, covering her plump gasping lips with his own. She kissed him back fiercely between breaths. Her chest was still heaving from her climax. His kisses slid from her lips to her neck, then to her chest. He could feel her heart pounding as his lips planted kisses where they could before they went back to her lips.

Sasuke grabbed her and rolled onto his back, bringing her to rest on top of him, still locked in a kiss. His hands slid down her sides, grabbing and massaging the soft skin over her hips and thighs.

They stayed like that for a while; their bodies sticking together from their sweat and gravity.

Sakura hummed softly and broke the kiss and looked at him with clouded eyes. He met her stare with equal lust as he took in her glowing face. She managed a weak smile and leaned in for another soft kiss before resting her head against his chest. She could feel his heartbeat as well against her forehead, making her sigh in content.

He gently turned on his side, draping his arm over her and bringing her as close to him as possible. She in turn, wrapped her arms around him and settled comfortably against his embrace. It was here in these rare moments alone with him where she felt the safest and most comfortable.

She tilted her head up and gave him an exhausted smile before meeting his lips again and drifting off to sleep.

"Goodnight Sasuke," she whispered as she closed her eyes for the night. She smiled when she felt his arm tighten its grip over her and his lips press against her forehead before he uttered her favorite goodnight greeting.

"Hn."

She walked a bit before him, confirming that for whatever reason, she was intentionally putting distance between them. Sasuke's longer legs however, made it easy to catch up with her until they reached the inside of the main lobby.

"I'll be waiting for your call then," he said as he walked towards the stairs, leaving Sakura to ride the elevators alone. He would respect her distance thing, at least for now. She simply nodded and allowed herself to watch him take the stairs until he was out of sight. Sighing, she entered the elevator and braced herself for the day ahead.

"Cancel it," Kakashi ordered via satellite conference. Kurenai raised an eyebrow at his impossible demand. She was currently in her "classroom" while her children were out with Lee doing their physical education.

"Are you serious Kakashi?" she asked as she leaned back in her chair and gave him a look through the laptop. "How do you expect me to cancel a district wide festival?"

"There are a number of ways to make it happen," he replied. "Actually I just need you to spread the word throughout the school about its cancelation. With this current situation we can't risk hundreds of civilians out and about, with a great number of them being kids."

Kurenai sighed. "I see." She knew that he was not talking about Sakura and Sora this time. This time, it was a different problem. "How's the investigation going on those missing people?"

"Not very well," he answered with a frustrated sigh. "The pattern is too random. Whoever this person is, he's not very picky with his victims."

"So you're thinking this is the work of just one person then?" she asked. "Because the scale of people missing is just too much for one individual."

"I know, but I have to assume that this whole plot has a mastermind. Shikamaru and Shino think there's a greater use to the victims than just slaying, simply because no bodies have turned up. Several theories are floating around, including the possibility that the victims are alive somewhere. There's just nothing conclusive."

"If Shikamaru is on it, then I have no doubts you'll find some leads," Kurenai said confidently. "Anyway how are you taking this separation from Sakura?" She knew it must have been killing him to be away from her so much, but he was the CIA Commander and he was needed for other operations. He couldn't monopolize all his time for Sakura.

"I can handle it," he answered. "I've got eyes on her stationed everywhere she goes," he explained as if it was a normal thing. Kurenai sweat-dropped. She wondered if Asuma would be just as overprotective when their baby came. She was currently four months pregnant, and was getting an idea of how he would react.

"Okay then, I'll begin spreading the word," she said referring to the festival. Kakashi nodded and exited the screen.

After getting settled in her office, Sakura noticed she had a few messages waiting for her on her answering machine.

"Hello Dr. Haruno. This is Konoha Leaf Academy's events coordination director calling to inform you and all parents of Leaf Academy students that our district wide festival has been canceled due to community concerns and law enforcement public warnings. In regards to the safety of our children and families, the festival has been put on hold indefinitely. We apologize for your-"

Sakura erased the message. Great, she thought. She could only imagine how disappointed the children were going to be. Suki's bubbly little face was suddenly transformed into tears in her mind.

"Too suspicious," she muttered to herself as she leaned back in her chair and blew out a puff of air. Her thoughts immediately led her to Sasuke and the possibility that he had something to do with this. She really didn't want to believe that, seeing as how he seemed sincere enough to let them go the other night, but still she couldn't dismiss it.

She wouldn't put it past him to throw his corporate weight around when it catered to him; but to go that far? She couldn't exactly accuse him without evidence, so she did the next best thing.

"I need a muffin," she decided before grabbing her coat and some money out of her purse. She missed the muffins from the cart and now was as good a time as any to grab one while it was still morning. She should have thought about it before she came all the way up here.

Sakura managed to slip away from prying eyes long enough to sneak down to the coffee cart that was stationed at the front entrance of the hospital. She really had a craving for the blueberry muffins they provided and made it a point to sneak out and get one.

The breeze felt refreshing on her skin. There were plenty of people here today, making it seem more lively than usual. She made her way over to the cart and greeted the cashier.

"Hello there Doctor," said the vendor who ran the cart. "Well don't you look down in the dumps of life," she said analyzing her tired expression. "I haven't seen you down here in some time."

"I know, I haven't been able to slip away," Sakura said with a smile. "I'll have a small coffee and a blueberry muffin please."

"Better make that a large," the vendor said. "And I'll get you the biggest muffin we have. You need some meat on your bones," she said before she went to prepare her order. Sakura had to crack a smile at that comment. After all the self-consciousness over those bitchy nurses claiming she'd gained weight or was pregnant, it was nice to hear someone saying she needed more weight. Sakura sighed and had to constantly weave her fingers through her hair to prevent wind damage as she waited for her order.

"Yo, Sakura!" came a familiar voice followed by the sound of a dog barking.

Sakura turned and was surprised to see Kiba walking up to her. His familiar red triangular tattoos were hard to miss in the crowd. His huge white dog Akamaru was obviously his most recognizable partner. Said dog happily jumped up on her in his excitement, trying to lick her face.

"Ohhh hi Akamaru," she crooned while trying to balance herself against the giant dog.

"Down boy, let her breath" Kiba said as he pulled on the leash. He hated keeping Akamaru on a leash, but it was the law.

"Hi Kiba. What brings you here?" she asked while petting Akamaru. "You're a good doggie aren't you?" she said affectionately. Akamaru happily let her scratch his ears.

"You're pretty good with dogs," Kiba noted. She simply smiled at him.

"Yeah well, I grew up with an army of them, so I'm used to it. My dad still brings them over from time to time. They're the best, and so well behaved," she said. Kiba smirked as if she had complimented him, which was weird.

"Anyway, what are you doing here?" she asked as the clerk handed her the muffin and coffee over the counter.

"Nothing much," he answered as he took a quick glance around the area. "Just here to visit a friend at the hospital."

"Oh, well if you don't mind me asking, what happened to your friend?"

"Nothing, she's having a baby," Kiba replied. "She should be meeting me here soon. The father can't make it to this appointment so he asked if I could accompany her."

"Really? Does she happen to be one of my patients?" she asked half-heartedly. As much as she liked Kiba, she just couldn't pull out of the fog that was her brain.

"Does the name Yuhei Kurenai ring a bell?" he asked. Sakura's jaw dropped. That actually snapped her out of it for a moment. Sora's teacher? Both Ino and Kiba knew her? What were the odds?

"Actually yes it does," she said questionably. "How do you know her? And I assume you know Asuma as well."

"Eh we go way back," he answered. "When I was a kid I was in the ninja scouts program and they used to be scout leaders. Back in the day, Kurenai was my team leader. And they used to have pets way back then so they were regulars at my family's pet training center. What?" he asked as he tried to decipher her expression.

"Nothing really," she muttered. "It's just that everyone I've know in my life seem to know each other here, and it's not exactly a small town either. But it's a pretty small world I guess."

"Yup, you never know who you'll run into here," he said. Just then, Akamaru became still, alerting Kiba. Kiba sensed a death-like feeling in that instant. Someone was watching them, and Kiba swallowed as he felt the jealous waves coming from an unknown source. Sasuke had to be nearby.

Sakura looked up at Kiba thoughtfully. His comment made her realize that he was there the night she was attacked in her home. How come she didn't remember up until now?

"Hey Kiba," she said in a thoughtful voice. "I just realized that I never properly thanked you." That distracted Kiba long enough from trying to prevent Sasuke from killing him.

"Eh…huh?" he asked stupidly.

"That night Sora and I were attacked," she reminded. "You were there, and you saved us. I remember now. After I passed out I never thought to call you and thank you for that. So thank you so much. We were incredibly lucky you were there," she said with such sincere eyes that Kiba had to fight an embarrassed and guilty blush, regardless of the tattoos that covered his cheeks.

"Uhh…hey it wasn't a problem at all… really," he said humbly while scratching the back of his head. "I was just glad I could help. I only wish I could have caught the bastard."

"No, I'm glad you didn't have to. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you either. I just feel bad that didn't remember until now."

"Hey don't worry about it," Kiba said with a wave of his hand. "We're all a pretty close knit pack here, as you've noticed. We've got to look out for our own." Sakura smiled. Kiba was such a nice guy. She enjoyed his canine spirit.

"You're right. I'm glad I ran into you today," she said before her pager went off. "And now I have to go. I'll see you around Kiba. Bye Akamaru," she said as she patted the dog one last time. Kiba waved as she left before turning around and trying to find the source of that death glare. He looked everywhere, but Sasuke was nowhere in sight.

Kiba shook of the chills and tried not to focus on the creepiness of it all. Sasuke was one damn possessive bastard.

He could see her, even from his office on the top floor. Her hair stuck out like a target as it blew in the wind. Sasuke smirked when he thought about the fact that she still wore his necklace every day. He was banking on that to keep her safe. This way, if she so much as made a single step outside a certain perimeter that was off limits his watch would alert him and tell him exactly where she was.

He let out a breath when he saw her go to the coffee cart outside. It was a safe enough activity for her at least, until he saw Kiba walk up to her. His eyes narrowed at the man.

Sasuke didn't have anything personal against Kiba. He was a good enough guy with an obsession for dogs. Plus he was married with a kid of his own, but that didn't stop Sasuke from disliking his presence around her. Something about the way Kiba oriented himself around her was off. He was talking to her, but he was looking for someone as well. Even the dog behaved strangely. It was oddly alert for a canine. It was similar to the way Kakashi's dogs behaved like guard dogs.

His eyes stayed glued to her from his view at the top of the building. He was proud of his excellent vision and used it to his advantage. When he saw that she had gone back inside the hospital, he decided to go back to work. He pushed the button to fog up his floor-to-ceiling windows so that he could access his equipment.

His state of the art holographic computer system was up and running, displaying an assortment of his latest files and current events that peaked his interest if it could somehow be traced back to him. He was constantly on the watch for anything that might trigger an investigation from any of his former assassination assignments from the past. Constantly looking over your shoulder and covering up your tracks was a pain in the ass, regardless of how many precautions you take beforehand. But that was for later. Now he had a completely different agenda: Protection.

His current project: Luring out Sakura's damned stalker

He had until the festival to figure out a plan of action to get the bastard.

Sasuke had been trying to find out exactly who was stalking Sakura with the little information he was given. He pretty much had nothing except for Sora's descriptions of a white haired man with a tattoo in the shape of the letter "D", and that lead him nowhere fast. He thought perhaps the letter might have been a local gang insignia, but nothing came up in his research even though he had one of the most advanced super computers specially made from his former assassin days. Back then he needed to know who was who and how to get to his targets before acting.

He even tried looking up Sakura's history, which was hard to narrow down because she was such a well-known and somewhat famous person in the medical community. It was pretty much a search overload filled with her medical accomplishments. The rest of her personal history was suspiciously limited. To make matters even more suspicious, there was absolutely no information whatsoever on her late husband Sai.

He had tried to look up the name Sai Arisugaki, hoping to find something about his history with Sakura, and was extremely surprised when absolutely nothing had come up. There were no birth records, family or medical history and any educational or occupational records. What was even more puzzling was that there was no marriage documentation. Sakura said she was married in Kyoto, but the Japanese family registrar showed no such legal union between the two. Even when he was researching Sakura, there were no records of her marriage.

He sat down at his desk with his screen up and running. Displayed in the air before him was everything he managed to research about Sakura in her youth.

"Mr. Uchiha," the secretary called through the intercom. "You have a phone call from Konoha Leaf Academy."

"Transfer the call through," he said as he took a seat in his chair. The line rang and he picked up the call.

"Hello Mr. Uchiha. This is Konoha Leaf Academy's events coordination director calling to inform you that…"

Sasuke listened as the person on the other line gave him the news that the festival was being cancelled due to community safely concerns. They apologized to him repeatedly, seeing as how the Uchiha family was the top benefactor to the school. He also saw that they sent him an e-mail as well.

Sasuke cursed as he closed that particular e-mail on his desktop computer. His current plan of handling this stalker problem just went straight to hell. Apparently, the "local police" saw fit to cancel major public gatherings involving children and or any other non-government activities due to the current nation-wide missing person's situation. The missing rate was at an alarming high, forcing law enforcement to go so far as to cancel simple festivities.

If he did some digging, he could bet that a certain police commander put in his two cents into canceling this event. Even though Sasuke wasn't much for festivities, it still pissed him off somewhat. He didn't like having a second puppet master competing with him for control, and it was Sakura's father of all people.

On the other hand, he was planning on dangling her in front of a psycho bastard just so he can kick some ass. He was glad he didn't have to do that now. On the down side, he had to come up with a new angle to get this bastard, but what? What other option has he not researched about her? What other connection could she possibly have to her husband?

His eyes scanned the room absently, until they landed on the picture frames that adorned his desktop. Then it came to him as he focused on Sora's picture at the karate match. He found his new angle. Of course there would be another connection; a biological, genetically undeniable one at that. How did he not think of it before hand?

Sora, their child.

Surely his birth information would give him a new window into her past and his birth registrar should definitely give him access to his father, or at least a picture of the man. Renewed with the possibilities, Sasuke got to work. He pulled up the birth files that dated back five years and singled out the Kyoto family registrar.

Then he pulled up the birth certificates from Sunagakure's hospital, and tried to access Sora's birth certificate. He felt like he struck gold when he saw the official form magnified in front of his holographic screen and began to read it.

KYOTO CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH

Child's Name:

Arisugaki, Haruno-Hatake Sora

Sex:

Male

Date of Birth:

July 23 ...

Time:

11:30 PM

Weight:

6lbs 10oz

Mother:

Haruno, Sakura: Age: 20

Father:

UNLISTED/ WITHDRAWN

Place of birth:

Kyoto Sunagakure Hospital- Kyoto, Japan

ATTENDING PHYSICIAN: Dr. Tsunade

Father: unlisted...

Father: unlisted…

"What the hell?" Sasuke had to stand up and place his palms squarely on his massive desk in disbelief.

It echoed in his mind over and over again. Sora's father was unlisted? The questions were burning in his mind for the one explanation he wanted the most.

What the hell did this all mean? Why wouldn't he be listed in the birth certificate? There was only one real way to actually find out, and that would be to ask Sakura herself. But he couldn't and he very well knew that. Though his curiosity was burning his mind, he couldn't let her know about what he was up to. She would distrust him for sure, but there was no other way to learn about her without asking her.

Sasuke kept his gaze on Sakura whenever he could. The questions kept piling up in his mind. The more he tried to find out about her, the less useful information he came up with. He couldn't ask her directly without having to explain himself but not knowing about her past was truly troubling.

But a small part of Sasuke felt a strange emotion when he saw Sora's date of birth. He was pleasantly surprised to know that Sora shared his own birthday. He was born on July twenty-third five years ago, which was also Sasuke's birthday. Sharing a birthday with Sora was going to be interesting to say the least, but it gave him an opening to begin talking to Sakura about it.

He watched her closely in the days following the incident. She didn't appear to be hiding anything specifically from him, not that he could detect anyway. Sometimes he would catch her daydreaming with a distant look in her eyes, but she would snap back in to reality as if someone called out to her.

He didn't want to think that she might be considering taking this matter into her own hands, but knowing her, or as much as he thinks he knows her, she just might do something stupid and try to go after the perp on her own.

Not if he had anything to say about it. That's why he's been working round the clock to make sure she's in his presence as much as possible. But his observations of Sakura did strike an unusual finding. It wasn't so much Sakura as it was the people around her. He recalled one incident the other day.

"Happy birthday Sakura!" Naruto shouted as he gave her a bear hug while she was trying to read a patients chart. She flipped out and smacked him upside the head before quickly apologizing for her quick temper. Hinata came by in a rush.

"Sorry Naruto, but my birthday isn't until March 28th," she said before looking curious. "I don't recall telling you when my birthday was. What made you think it was today?" she asked. Hinata spoke before Naruto could, which was odd.

"That's because it's my birthday today," Hinata said with her back turned to Sakura and her eyes focused intently on Naruto. Naruto visibly swallowed and gave off a nervous laugh before hugging Hinata and apologizing for making the mistake. Sakura smiled at them curiously before shaking it off, wishing Hinata a happy birthday and going back to work. Once she was gone, Naruto relaxed as if he had just dodged a bullet.

But he didn't. Hinata had blatantly lied about her birthday, which was actually in August, and the dobe knew that for sure. That was extremely strange in Sasuke's eyes. But this strange behavior wasn't limited to Hinata and Naruto. Neji and Tenten also demonstrated highly cautious behavior around her as well as Ino and Shikamaru and even Tsunade at times.

Something didn't add up.

The way they all oriented themselves around her was trapped in Sasuke's mind. Their conduct was just so off at times. It was almost as if they were circling her and forming an impenetrable barrier around her. The way they would all catch each other's eye from time to time or make slight gestures with their hands and face. It was like a discreet form of communication, almost as if they had something to hide. It was just unusual for them to be that coordinated with Sakura as their center.

But there couldn't be anything more to that. He had known those people for years, and even done background searches on them. There was nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever. They were just a bunch of medical professionals.

But still, that was just too sophisticated for communication. Something wasn't right. They knew things about her, and he won't rest until he knew them too.

"Make sure they come back for their checkups regularly," Sakura instructed as she gazed at the three adorable Hyuga babies who came in for their checkup. "Oh what am I saying, of course I'll know when they need to come in, yes I will," she said affectionately as she cuddled with Hizashi in her arms and kissed his head, which was now covered with silky dark chocolate brown baby hair, no doubt inherited from his father.

"I swear Tennie, your babies hit the genetic jackpot! Can you imagine your boys when they're older?" Sakura turned with the baby in her arms. "I mean look at this hair!" she said while indicating Hizashi's head. "It's practically chocolate in baby form. My god-babies are beautiful!" she declared with mock tears.

Tenten smiled as Sakura cuddled with her babies.

"Yes, my babies are pretty aren't they?" Tenten agreed with a smug tone. "I can thank my sex-god husband for that," she added making Sakura chuckle. Hinata came in at that moment, blushing at the last comment. "Hey Hinata," said Tenten. "Long time no see."

"Hi Tenten. Hi babies," she said lovingly at Kenji and Ayame who were still in their baby carriers. "Are we all done with their exams?" she asked Sakura.

"Yes we are," she replied as she put Hizashi back in his carrier. "Well Tenten, they're doing great. I'll just need to see them back here in another few months for their immunizations and boosters. Your first scream-fest at the doctors is a maternal rite of passage."

"Great," Tenten replied sardonically. "That multiplied by three should be a hoot."

Sakura chuckled. "How's Neji holding up by the way?" she asked. Tenten made a sour face which puzzled Sakura.

"I married a machine Sakura," she ground out. "He refuses to take a break and relax. Every time one of the babies cries he jumps to the occasion and refuses to let me do anything. I need him to take a break! I need him rested and not putting his life in danger! I'm their mother for crying out loud!" she huffed. Sakura gave her a sour look in return.

"From sex-god to machine," she drawled. "You do realize that you're complaining of something that most women dream of right? I mean what's so wrong with your husband participating in all the baby stuff that needs to be done. And you have three babies!" she reminded before registering what Tenten said previously. "Hey hold on, what the hell did you mean by Neji putting his life in danger?"

Tenten froze when she realized her slip. "Uh I meant his career," she replied looking back at Sakura's puzzled face. "He's a surgeon and he needs his rest in order to perform. How's he going to operate if he's sleep deprived. He'll put his career in jeopardy and I can't come back to work as it is."

On the inside, Tenten worried. Neji was still doing his missions for the CIA on top of parenting the babies. She knew he was strong, but Neji needed to take a break, especially before each mission. If he wasn't on top of his game, he could be killed and that's something Tenten feared the most ever since the babies were born. She couldn't lose him. She had seen firsthand what losing Sai did to Sakura, and she prayed to God that that would never happen to her. She wouldn't be able to survive it. She didn't have Sakura's strength.

"Don't worry Tenten," said Sakura. "Neji's a smart guy. He won't operate if he's not able to. He wouldn't make that bad call. Besides, you have me. I'll help you with the babies and anything you need. I'll even get Neji to take a long vacation for a while just so you guys can get adjusted."

Tenten smiled. She knew that if anything ever happened, Sakura would be there for her in a heartbeat.

"Yeah why should I worry when I've got you? Maybe your inhuman strength can knock some sense into Neji's rock hard skull," she said while sighing.

Hinata chuckled. "I think Neji will be more careful if you talk to him about how you feel. It's just in his nature to be protective. He has a lot to protect now doesn't he?" she said while looking at the babies.

Sakura smiled. After Tenten and Hinata took the babies home, Sakura finished off the rest of her day seeing as many patients as she could and doing that scheduled C-section in record time. Now she had about an hour or two until she could go home.

She retired to her office and slumped in her chair, exhausted from her day. It made her think about things that she hadn't thought about in a while.

After holding the Hyuga babies today, Sakura's arms felt too light. She missed the feeling of holding a baby. Sora was already five, and he was growing up fast. She missed his baby days and playing with him and his chubby little cheeks. She missed when she and Sai would fight over who got to hold him. She took the picture of Sai and herself holding onto a very happy Sora somewhere outdoors.

Those were some of the best times of her life. Sai was such a great father. He loved Sora more than anything in this world. There was a light in him that was shining so strongly every time he held and played with their son. Sai introduced Sora to the world of art at a very early age. She remembered when he took a giant roll of paper and scattered it all over the house. He then dipped Sora's feet into some black ink for nearly a week before Sora finally took his first steps onto the paper.

She smiled when she recalled the memory of one-year-old Sora taking his first steps towards them.

Sai brilliantly captured Sora's first steps in a way that she could see for the rest of her life. That very same scroll of paper was tucked away safely in her home, along with the rest of Sai's things.

And that's how she held onto Sai. She put him away. She saved him somewhere in storage as if he had no place in her life today. The sting in her heart came back with a vengeance, because he was still very much a part of her. Today of all days was about him. She was horrible.

Sakura didn't know when the tears came, but there they were. Big fat droplets of water rolled down her cheeks and dropped onto her hands and she held the picture of her family. She missed him so much it hurt. She was still bleeding from her loss.

She was terrible. She was absolutely terrible for letting Sai drift from her thoughts lately. She almost welcomed the throbbing sensation in her chest as the pain from losing him seeped back into her being. She missed him so much. It was so unfair. Why did he have to die? Why did life take him away from her? What did he ever do to deserve dying? Why did Sora have to lose his father?

The door suddenly opened.

"Hey Sakura I was-" Naruto stopped abruptly when he saw Sakura look up with a tear stained face from her desk. The sight made him panic. "Hey what happened?" he asked as he shut the door behind him. "Are you okay? Did something happen? Did that Teme do something to you?" he asked with an angry expression "Sakura what's wrong? You're freaking me out!" He had never seen her cry.

Sakura quickly wiped the tears from her eyes with her fingers and placed the picture down on the desk. "No, Sasuke didn't do anything Naruto. I was just…having a moment. I'm okay."

Naruto didn't believe her. "Like hell you are," he said standing before her. "Come on tell me what happened. Is there anything I can do?"

Sakura gave him a small smile.

"I wish there was something you could do," she said quietly. "But you can't," she said looking down at the picture again. "No one can."

Naruto looked down and saw that she was holding a picture frame. When he caught a glance of Sai in the photo, he suddenly knew why she was crying. He remembered that today was her wedding anniversary.

"Was there something you needed?" she asked. Naruto directed his gaze away from the picture and looked back at her. That's when he really took a good look at her. Sakura was normally so strong and steady, but today, she just looked tired.

"Not really," he said as he sat down on the edge of her desk. Normally Sakura would have shoved him off, but she just didn't have the strength. "I'd like to know why you're crying though."

Sakura looked away from him and back towards the picture. She picked it up and gave it to him. Naruto took the picture and studied the image.

"I was just remembering Sai, my husband. Today is…or would have been our 6th wedding anniversary," she informed. Naruto looked at the picture more closely. Seeing Sai in a photograph like this, holding a baby with a wife, was weird. He looked like a normal guy with a family. It was so beyond the Sai he knew, but then again Sai was full of surprises.

"So this is your husband," he said keeping up the façade. "I guess you're into the dark brooding types huh?" he said earning him a playful hit to the arm, before the tears welled up in her eyes again. She tried to stop them, but they just kept coming.

"I'm sorry," she choked as she continued to wipe the tears away. "I just...," she couldn't even speak anymore. Naruto lifted her out of the chair and brought her into his arms, holding her against him. Sakura let herself be comforted by him. She couldn't completely fall apart on him now. "I can't stop crying."

"Then cry. You're allowed to cry sometimes. So just cry," he said while holding her tighter. She did just that. For the next five minutes she cried against him, getting it all out. Naruto wondered how often she cried for Sai. He understood why she did of course. They fought so hard to be together, only to be torn apart in the end. Even Kakashi sensei lost it with guilt afterwards.

What Naruto hated was how useless he and the rest of them were when it came to that situation. It wasn't their place to say anything in the matter. Naruto considered Sai and friend, no matter how much of a pain in the ass he was. But he promised Sai one thing on the day Sora was born.

"I need someone I can trust," said Sai as he surveyed the damage. He had witnessed Naruto's ability for the first time, and he now held Naruto in a higher regard for it. The damage they were surrounded in spoke volumes about his abilities. He was just the man Sai needed right now.

"What can you trust me with after what happened here?" Naruto asked. He was expecting Sai to give him one of those fake smiles and comment on his manhood once again, and was surprised when he was met with a dead set stare. He was serious this time.

"This is why you're the only one I'm coming to," Sai replied. "You have this ability beyond anyone else here that lets me know I can trust you. Right now, that's all I need," he said, much to Naruto's confusion.

"What the hell are you talking about? How's being a living time bomb going to help anyone? Your ass is on the line and Kakashi sensei was recently out for your blood. You shouldn't even be here talking to me, but I figure you either got something important to say, or a death wish," he said.

Sai just gave him his signature fake smile. "That's why I know I can trust you," Sai repeated. Naruto gave him an annoyed look. "And I'm not talking about your ability. I mean that you're the kind of idiot who would put someone else's life ahead of your own."

"So what do you want?" Naruto asked, ignoring the jibe. "And does Sakura know you're out here?" he asked. Sai looked off to the side, as if mentioning Sakura was too hard to even acknowledge.

"Sakura…is why I'm here," he vaguely. "Today…I became a father." Naruto looked up in surprise. He didn't know that Sakura already had the baby. Sai saw his expression and grinned.

"I know what you're thinking," he said. "The baby came quicker than we thought. It's all happening so fast," he said before losing his grin and replacing it with a far off look. "Everything is happening too fast, and I don't know how much I can control now," he said giving Naruto a pointed look.

"So what do you want from me? I don't see how I fit into you having a kid," he admitted. Sai grinned once more.

"Well it's your god-child after all," Sai said making Naruto take a step back in surprised. "Sakura's making Hyuga and his girl the official godparents, but I need some more assurance than them."

Naruto was at a loss. "What the…you want me to be your kids godfather? Why? Why me?"

Not that the idea was bad. In fact, Naruto kind of got a kick out of the idea of a new family member. Hell, he was already entertaining the idea of being a godfather with Sasuke's wife being pregnant at the moment.

"Because…I trust you," said Sai. "There's no one else I would ever leave to care for my child. Not even Kakashi," he added. Naruto's look turned hard at that point.

"Planning on going somewhere Sai?" he asked in a threatening leave-Sakura-and-I'll-kill-you tone. Sai just grinned once more.

"That's exactly why I'm asking you. Even though you've never been allowed to know her, you care about Sakura as if she were your own sister. You'd protect her with your life…as I would. I will never leave her, but if something should happen to me, Naruto, I want you to take care of them. I need to know that they can count on you, if they couldn't count on me."

"What makes you think something's going to happen to you?" he asked. "You're an ANBU Black Ops Root Division Agent. Death won't come easily to you."

"I entertain death every day I'm out there," Sai said darkly. "And now my greatest weakness was born only hours ago. There's a reason why Danzo is so against family ties in ROOT. I need to know that I can count on you, should anything ever happen to me," he said with an almost pleading look in his eyes. That look was enough to make Naruto concede.

He nodded. "Okay." Sai began to walk away, eager to get back to the hospital.

"And relay a message to Kakashi for me," he said while walking away. "Tell him I have a son." He looked back at Naruto with the first genuine smile that he had ever seen Sai wear. "Tell him that his grandsons name…is Sora," he said smiling.

Naruto couldn't help but think that Sai could feel his end coming soon. He was gone two years after that. As he held Sakura in his arms, he was glad he promised to protect her. She was still hurting, even after all this time.

"Thanks Naruto," she whispered as she rested her head against his chest. She had stopped crying, but Naruto knew that she was far from alright, so he just held her for a while longer.

"Any time Sakura," he said gently. "You know you can come to me for anything right? Anything you need, just name it and I'll make it happen. Especially if it involves some ass kicking to a certain Teme with a stick up his ass that we all know and adore," he said making Sakura chuckle and pull away.

"I will, trust me. Thanks for letting me breakdown for a bit. I don't know what came over me," she said.

He looked at her sadly. "It's called grief, and if I ever lost Hinata, I know I'd be a mess. Probably more so than you, believe it." Sakura nodded.

"Hey…can you not mention this to anyone?" she asked. "I don't want people to be on their toes around me. I'm fine, really," she said, even though his look told her he didn't believe her one bit.

"You could talk to Sasuke about it," he suggested. She shook her head.

"No, especially not Sasuke," she said quickly. "Please Naruto don't say anything to him about me crying, or why I was upset for that matter. He's got enough to deal with as it is."

"Sakura…that bastards been my best friend since grade school, actually even sooner since our moms were supposedly chummy while pregnant. I know him better than anyone out there and believe me when I say that you are not something he feels the need to deal with. He cares about you…a lot," he added.

Sakura dropped her eye contact from him.

"I've never seen him look at anyone one the way he looks at you," he continued. "He thinks he's subtle, but I can sense it in him. That possessive bastard's not going to let you get away from him, at least not without a fight, and unfortunately you know he'll win," he said with a cheeky grin. "Unless you want me to destroy him for you, in which case I'd be glad to help."

"It's not him Naruto," she said.

"What? It's you?" he asked. "You should see the way you look at him when you think no one else is watching. I mean you guys practically screw each other with your eyes when you pass each other. Subtly is not your specialty," he said making her blush uncontrollably.

"Naruto!" she shouted in a flustered voice. "We do NOT…screw each other with our eyes," she said even thought there was plenty of that going on behind the scenes. "Who talks like that anyway?" Naruto grinned in that fox like manner.

"I call it like I see it," he said smoothly. "Anyway, if you need some other form of getting your emotions out, try coming out to my old training ground just outside the city. It's a great place to work out and get in the zone. Great stress reliever too," he added. "It's a hidden dojo near the mountains. I could help you train and everything!"

Sakura actually liked the sound of that. What better way to feel productive about the damn stalker situation than to get her skills back. She was surprised she hadn't thought of that before. Of course she wasn't going to go parading her fists around to attract the creep. Sasuke would bust a vein if she did.

"You know…that sounds like a great idea," she said as she wiped her eyes with a tissue. "I'd like to go with you the next time you're heading out there."

"Great! We can go tomorrow. You have the work day off right? I can take off and we can get some crunch time at the Dojo. I'll make sure Sasuke knows about it and agrees."

"Sounds good." She smiled at his grin and noticed that the weight in her chest wasn't there anymore. Talking to Naruto actually made her feel better.

"There's that smile," he said as he saw that happy expression. Sakura couldn't have been more grateful to have someone like Naruto in her life. He truly was a great friend. She couldn't help herself as she gave him another hug, making him chuckle in embarrassment.

"Thanks Naruto," she whispered. "You're a good friend." It was so true. He was like the sun; radiating his warmth and happiness into her very being.

"Anytime Sakura," he said hugging her back. "Anytime."

Naruto walked briskly to Sasuke's office. Even though Sakura didn't want him too, he felt the need to tell Sasuke what was going on. Technically, he never said yes to her promise.

"Yo," he said as he entered the office without knocking. Sasuke, who was used to it by now, didn't even budge from his work.

"I just ran into Sakura in her office," Naruto said as he stood before his desk. "She practically had a meltdown in front of me. Just keep in mind that today's marks her anniversary with her late husband."

Sasuke couldn't help but glare.

Here he was, trying to dig up info on Sakura with the most advanced research system in the country and the dobe walks in with a random fact about her. How the hell did he know about her wedding date?

"And how would you know about that?" he asked. Naruto hesitated for a moment before responding.

"She told me," he answered simply. That part was at least true. "So I wanted to know if you had any idea about it."

"Clearly I didn't," he replied, though he did suspect that something was brewing in that mind of hers. He should have known it was tied to him. Sasuke always thought of her husband with a slight disdain. He couldn't help it. Not only was there no information on that guy, but he wasn't even alive and he was still in the way of getting to Sakura.

Sasuke knew that there was some rough history in their beginnings, but the details escaped him. Everyone seemed to know more about it than he did. Hell even the dobe knew today was her blasted wedding anniversary. His patience was seriously being tested.

"Just watch yourself around her," Naruto warned. "She's in a delicate state right now and she can break just like that," he said making a snapping gesture.

Sasuke analyzed Naruto on the spot. The way he was talking about her was laced with familiarity, even though he's known her just as long as he has. "I know her enough to act accordingly."

"Sure you do," Naruto said dismissively. "Anyway, why don't you do something nice for her for once? Take her out or something. You can leave the kids with me if you want."

That was a tempting offer on his part, but Sasuke wasn't so sure. One thing he noticed was that Sakura tended to get particularly clingy to the kids whenever she was upset; kind of like they were living teddy bears or something.

Naruto went on about taking the kids tonight, whether or not Sakura agreed to it. What she really needed, at least in Naruto's opinion, was some time alone with Sasuke. He went on explaining an agenda that consisted of pizza, movies and video games ending it with a sleep over for Sora and Suki. Sasuke agreed, which wasn't surprising.

He wasn't stupid. He wouldn't pass up a night alone with Sakura.

At first, Sakura was annoyed that Sasuke allowed Sora and Suki to be whisked away by their lovable Uncle Naruto. She was planning on having a quiet night at home, not talking about her obvious depression and just cuddling with those two kids until she was satisfied as they went to pick up them up from school.

But when Naruto showed up at their school with promises of pizza, ice cream, movies and video games, the kids were sold. They decided to go hang out with him, leaving her alone with Sasuke. Sakura felt a brief moment of abandonment, but couldn't say no to those happy little faces.

Now it was just her and Sasuke.

She knew he wanted this. Sasuke wanted to know what was up with her. It was obvious from the way she would catch him looking at her on the way back to his house, on his own territory. He wanted answers, and she knew he deserved them.

He offered to take her out to eat, but she insisted on staying at the house. She wasn't in the mood to go out.

She made a tomato inspired dinner that night, just to appease him somewhat, and decided to pop out a bottle of wine that she knew was chilling in the fridge. She knew she would need it tonight, and being a little loose would help with the dreaded conversation she would have to face with him.

As if the weather picked up on her mood, the clouds released a downpour, similar to the one on the night of their first and only date. Sakura wanted to laugh at the rain's timing.

Sasuke sat down in the kitchen and ate in silence alongside her. For about twenty minutes, they only passed the time with the most mundane conversation topics such as work and the kids. He knew that she was aware of what he was leading up to. The wine she busted out was proof enough she knew it was coming. Now was the time.

After ten more minutes of silence, save for the rain, he began the interrogation.

"You know what I want to know," he said plainly. He watched her take a sip from her third glass of wine. He noticed that she wasn't particularly eating much either. She put the glass down and stared at him. He already drank two entire glasses of his own and was working on his third as well.

The rain outside had still not let up. The sounds of hard water droplets reverberated in the spacious kitchen.

"I know there's a lot you want to know," she replied. She was trying hard to be careful with what she said, and the wine gave her an ever so slight buzz. "But I don't know where to start. You can always ask me. Ask and you shall receive."

"Will I?" he asked. "You might not want to tell me."

Sakura nodded. The atmosphere in the kitchen was too quiet, regardless of the downpour outside.

"Try me," she said. They were silent once again as the sounds of the rain filled the pause.

"Today's your wedding anniversary with him," he stated as he stared at her intently. Her face didn't betray any emotion as she replied.

"Not a question…but yes…it is," she answered leaning back in her chair.

"That's why you've been upset today."

"Yes."

Sasuke's eyes tightened slightly. He was prepared to hear it, but he still didn't like it.

"When was Sora born?" he asked. Sakura raised an eyebrow and took another sip of her wine. She was wondering when he was actually going to ask her a question, but she wasn't expecting that one.

"July 23rd." She was going to ask him why, but she saw him doing the mental math in his head. She decided to cut him off. "And yes, I was three months pregnant with Sora when I got married," she said before he could ask the obvious next question.

"Is that why you married him?"

Sakura stilled. Her green eyes blazed with an intensity he had never seen before, not even in bed. He went too far.

"Sai," she said strongly. "His name is Sai, and please don't insult me by asking me if Sora was the reason I married him, because he wasn't. I loved him. Even at nineteen, I knew I loved him and he was the only one for me."

He was still as she spoke. He couldn't help himself as the jealously invaded his system. It was stupid to be jealous of a dead man, but when that same dead man was still you're rival, it couldn't be helped.

"Is he still the only one for you?" he asked. "Because I can't compete with the dead Sakura."

"Listen to me when I say he was the only one for me Sasuke," she said, letting a crack in her voice slip through her defenses. "He was. I wasn't upset today because I wanted Sai back. I wasn't upset because I'm with you now and not him. It was never about that."

"When I see Sora drawing in his little sketch pad…" she continued letting a tear slip through her eye "I can't help but think about how unfair it was that he never got to know what a great artist his father was. I see so much of Sai through Sora. And for the past three years, I wasn't able to give my baby the father he deserved. He's just a little boy Sasuke," she said reigning in the tears. "He's my baby. I want him to know that his father loved him. I want him to know what kind of person he was."

Sasuke listened as she poured her heart out to him. He wanted nothing more than to bring her into his arms and kiss her until she was better, but he had to know. He had to hear her out.

"I don't want to shut you out. Yes, I miss Sai; especially on our anniversary. You have no idea how hard it was to get married against everyone's wishes and finally be together. If only you knew what I put my father through. But Sasuke…missing him, only makes me realize how much I care about you."

He braced himself, not expecting that logic from her.

"You make me feel so different than how Sai made me feel," she continued "There's something about you that I can't escape from. It's not your physical likenesses to Sai that I'm talking about. There's something there, something I can't see that's pulling me to you. It's like you've been away from me for so long that I want nothing more than to have you come back to me."

"Sora looks up to you in a way I thought he never would," she admitted. "You're his hero. It's as simple as that. I never thought my son would have someone like that in his life again," she said looking straight into his eyes.

Sasuke held her gaze as he saw the resolve building within her.

"And I get the feeling that you're not telling me the whole story with you either," she said. She felt as though the wine in her body actually clarified her senses as she gazed at him. "I see it in you. Something's there, something you're not telling me about whom you are, and that's fine for now."

Sasuke kept his cool on the outside, but on the inside, he was on high alert. She had no idea how dead on she was at the moment.

"But that's what makes me drawn to you," she acknowledged. "I want to be there for you. I want to help you, in any way I can. I need you to open up to me as well."

"I need you," she whispered. "But more than anything…I want you," she said as she gazed at him with those simmering eyes. "And that's what scares me the most. I know I've given you plenty of chances to doubt me, but you have to know that although it seems like I'm living in my memories, I am not living in the past. I'm here for you. Don't let me push you away."

"I want you to come back to me," she said. "As strange as that sounds…that's how I feel about you…so come back to me."

Her words were enough for him. He decided then and there that she belonged to him. He couldn't stop himself from trying to claim her in every way imaginable.

"Enough then," he said quickly before leaving his chair and pulling her out of her seat as he crushed her against him and kissed her hard. He wasted no time in picking her up and making a beeline for the bedroom.

His mouth on hers felt more intense than ever. Sakura groaned as she clung to him and allowed him to kiss her senseless as they made their way upstairs. The rain had not let up, making it more reminiscent of their first night together.

But this time it was different with them. The ways she moaned his name and held onto him were more fervent and needy. She wanted him more than she had ever wanted him before, and that only fueled his desire be with her all night long.

He was hasty in undressing her, only having enough restraint so that he didn't rip anything this time. With their clothes tossed aside, Sasuke fell with her on his bed and began to make his claim on her in a way that she would never forget. His lips moved from her mouth and kissed her neck and chest, leaving his mark in their wake.

Her hands swiftly roamed his back, feeling the heat from his skin and the definition of his muscles. She grabbed a fistful of his raven locks and brought his mouth back up to hers.

Every touch, kiss, caress and moan was more passionate than the last. He needed to show her how much he wanted her. He wouldn't stop; he couldn't. He pressed himself against her, making her feel what she did to him. She gasped and arched her back in need, bringing herself closer and wanting him inside her. He could feel her impatience and wasted no time as he plunged into her, making her break their kiss and call out his name as he filled her.

Her fingers grasped his hair as she threw her head back with his movements, moaning him name as he thrust into her. He was relentless in his movements as he brought them both over the edge over and over again. The night was filled with the sounds of their moans, drowned out by the storm. The second and third time they made love that night wasn't even enough time with her for him, and she felt the same way.

She gasped and pleaded for him to go faster and harder, and he obeyed her wish. He was greeted with more breathy moans as her chest arched up and against him as she came a few minutes after that, screaming his name. The feeling of her breasts against his chest as she rode out her climax stimulated his own release. He gave a final thrust as he released the tension and came deep inside her.

"…Sakura," he groaned as he rode out his release and came down from the high, hovering above her with as much strength as he could hold.

"Sasuke…," she breathed as his lips found her own and kissed her long and deep, relishing the feeling of remaining inside her. Her weakened arms slowly wove their way along his face before circling his neck. He kissed her repeatedly with dwindling energy. Every move he made, he wanted to be touching and kissing her before he couldn't anymore.

He finally pulled out of her and slumped his sweaty body over hers, trapping her beneath him. Sakura enjoyed the feeling of his weight over hers as she turned her head to the side and kissed his cheek. They lay with each other for a few moments, chests heaving with their ragged breathing as they listened to the rain drizzle outside.

The sound of the rainfall was soothing to her ears. She felt Sasuke's arms slide up her form and hold her against him as he rolled off of her and brought her up against him. She wrapped her leg around his side and slid her arms around him, pulling herself against him. She pressed her swollen lips to his chest, planting soft kisses leading back up to his mouth. Sasuke kissed her back with a searing intensity, only pulling back enough so he could speak.

"I won't let you get away from me," he said looking straight into her jade irises. "You are mine now," he said as his arm tightened its grip around her. He couldn't let her get away. He was too selfish for his own damn good. Sakura placed her palm over his cheek, taking in the depth of his words.

"Then don't let me get away," she whispered as she kissed him softly. "Hold me tight and don't let me escape." And he did. He held her against him until the steady rise and fall of their chests lulled them to sleep.

The rainstorm had ceased for the evening.

The following morning, Sasuke found out about Sakura's plans to go to the Dojo with Naruto.

"Before you say no," she said as she finished getting dressed. "Listen to me. I am not thinking of finding my stalker. I have no intention of sneaking away and using my ass kicking skills to hunt him down. I'm simply doing it for therapeutic reasons. Naruto said he would train with me."

Sasuke was about to refuse, but when she wrapped her arms around his neck and sensually slid her body up against his, he began to lose focus. "Please?" she asked as she wove her fingers into his hair and gently scratched his scalp. His hands automatically planted themselves on her hips in a firm grip "I promise not to hurt your best friend…too much," she whispered with a smirk.

He crushed his mouth against hers and let his hands slide from her hips to firmly grasp her ass and pull her up against him. She moaned in surprise as his dominating tongue slipped into her mouth with a ferocity she wasn't expecting so early in the morning. A little teasing goes a long way with him. After two minutes of groping and heavily making out, she decided to stop when Sasuke's mouth moved to her neck. She had to get home in time for Naruto to bring Sora back so he can get ready for school.

"I'll be there later," said Sasuke as he gave her behind a suggestive squeeze. He also wanted the chance to spar with Naruto, but more importantly he wanted to see what kind of training Sakura was capable of. And if he couldn't take out his frustration on a shadow person chasing after his woman, he might as well take it out on the dobe. His suggestive comments from time to time were getting on his nerves.

"If you must," she said detangling herself from him. She grabbed her things and gave him one final kiss before she left, police escort in tow. Sasuke smirked at the thought of Kakashi getting the report that his daughter was just now leaving his house since she arrived yesterday. Kakashi could chew on that for a while.

Suki was dropped off by Hinata shortly afterwards.

Sasuke decided to break the news to Suki about the festival. He waited until she was ready for school before he broke it to her over breakfast. Needless to say it didn't go well.

The worst he had to deal with was Suki's tears that morning when he had to explain to her that the festival wasn't happening because it wasn't safe for everybody. She cried all the way until they reached Sakura's house, and even then it took Sakura two minutes of soothing words and hugs and promises of future festivals to calm her down.

"But I wanted to… (sniff)…wear my… (sniff) Yukata Aunty Sakura," Suki cried as Sakura placed a tissue to her nose and made her blow the snot away. Suki really did a number on herself in depression. Sakura took one good look at her and refused to let her out of the car and go into the school until she looked better.

"It's okay sweetie," Sakura said soothingly as she pulled out a hairbrush from her purse and fixed Suki's messed up hair. "Don't worry there will be plenty more festivals coming up soon. Then you can wear your pretty Yukata and we can all have lots of fun okay?"

Suki sniffled, but nodded. Sasuke tried not to make a face as he watched them from the rearview mirror. He told Suki the exact same thing at home, but she simply cried even more. He supposed that somehow, hearing it from Sakura made her actually listen and understand. He was glad that she at least had fun at the dobe's yesterday.

To his relief and pride, Sora didn't show the least bit of disappointment of his face when he heard the news. If anything he seemed only annoyed that no one would see his artwork. His mother on the other hand, was another story.

Sasuke couldn't forget how she immediately suspected that he pulled his quote "Corporate Weight" around and had the damn festival cancelled just so he could get his way. He had the smug pleasure of reminding her that he couldn't have possibly had time to do that as he was pleasuring her all night, to which she blushed to a new degree.

He caught her eye in the rearview mirror and smirked when she blushed, obviously recalling the memories of last night. She shook her head and focused on Suki again.

"Okay there you go. Two piggy tails," she said as she finished pulling Suki's hair into two tails at the side of her head. Suki seemed to have cheered up completely when she saw her new look. Her rosy little cheeks smiled back at him happily through his mirror. He couldn't help the warmth growing in his chest at the sight of her little smile.

"Thank you Aunty Sakura," said Suki as Sakura crushed her against her chest in a hug.

"You're welcome sweetie," she said as she kissed her cheek. "You make sure Sora stays out of trouble and be careful for me alight?"

Sasuke took a glance at Sora next to him in the front seat. He tried not to smirk at his impatient face. He didn't want to wait in the car while Suki got her hair done, but he wasn't complaining.

"I'm going to train at a dojo today," he said gaining Sora's attention "I'll take you sometime when you're ready."

Sora's face light up with excitement at the word dojo. "A real dojo? When can we go?" he asked.

"When I think you're ready," he repeated. Sora frowned. "Focus on your training today in school and I'll see," he said ruffling his hair.

Sora nodded with a determined face. "Promise?" Sasuke nodded with a 'hn'.

"I want to go too daddy!" Suki said from the back seat. She wanted to be included too.

"Girls can't do karate Suki," said Sora as he leaned over the passenger's side with a smug expression.

"Yes they can!"

"Nu uh!"

Sakura raised an eyebrow at their "argument". "Sora, girls can do karate if they want too," she said before turning to Suki. "Suki what about your ballet classes? Don't you want to do that with Akira and Aunty Ino?"

Suki thought about it, as if she forgot she took dance classes and nodded. "Okay!" Suki said as Sakura unloaded her from the car. "But I can still do Karate too right?"

"But you don't know how to fight Suki," said Sora as they continued to argue away from the car.

Sasuke watched the two kids walking into school, side by side and still debating about whether girls can do karate or not. He felt a new security within him. Another kid to play with was one thing, but Sora was more than he could have hoped for. He was a brave boy, whose need to protect his mother and his brotherly mannerisms around Suki were enough for Sasuke. Sora, at five years old, was able to make Sasuke feel secure about Suki's well-being.

That alone, was an amazing accomplishment.

He snapped out of his thoughts when Sakura leaned in through the window and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"That's for promising to take Sora to the dojo," she said as she walked around the back and took her seat in front next to him. He smirked and started the car to go work. He had to work at least half a day before he would meet up with them at the dojo. Naruto was going to drive Sakura there from work.

"This outta be good," said Kiba as he took his place in front of the monitor in the CIA surveillance room.

Word got around that Kakashi's daughter was apparently attempting to work out with Naruto today, which sparked some interest among a certain group of CIA Agents. Kakashi took pride in teaching her martial arts and strength training, not to mention she had Tsunade's teachings All that combined into one person was a once in a lifetime event. Kiba, Shikamaru, Chouji, Neji, and even Shino, Guy and Asuma were present.

"So how good do you think she is?" Kiba asked.

"I don't know but I thought there'd be snacks here," said Chouji. "We could have at least popped some corn," he grunted. If food wasn't involved, he didn't care. Shikamaru sighed and leaned back in his seat. It certainly felt like a movie day with the bunch of them in front of a screen. He could have been doing some work, but the lazy side of him thought he could use some entertainment.

"Kakashi made sure she knew how to defend herself, if she ever needed to," said Asuma. "Kind of bragged about it now that I think about it…," he said thoughtfully as he blew a puff of smoke out of his cigarette. He lapsed in his no smoking ban once in a while. Pregnant Kurenai was a lot to handle.

"Oh if only I had a daughter as youthful as she," said Guy as Sakura and Naruto were seen entering the Dojo. "Then I could have trained her to be even better than Kakashi's girl and top him once and for all!"

Everyone sweat dropped at Guy. He never made much sense.

"They've arrived," said Neji.

Sakura marveled at the magnificent Japanese style dojo. It was in a very serene location just outside the city and surrounded by plant life. She felt miles away from Tokyo.

"This place is great," she praised. It was loaded with all kinds of training equipment spread throughout the area.

"Yeah, Lee sure does keep it true to the old times," said Naruto "This is his dojo you know. Anyway I think it's time you get reacquainted with your self-defense." He led her to the center of the dojo towards the mats "We can start with the basics."

Sakura nodded. "Sure. You want to run at me and see what happens?" she asked as she tossed her bag and removed her jacket. "I can totally take you," she said confidently as she began to stretch. She was dressed in a form fitting red tank top with a white circle on the back. It was her favorite old top from her younger days. Now that she was older the shirt exposed a little bit of flat tummy for anyone to view. She also wore black athletic pants that clung to her form in a way that got some subtle attention from her viewers on screen.

Naruto grinned. "Not a chance Sakura. Maybe when you've had more training with the punching bag," he said dismissively. Sakura rolled her eyes and let it slide.

Naruto began by showing her the different ways to utilize her female body against a man. Sakura surprised him by demonstrating the techniques she learned when she was in high school, which were still sharp in her memory. After going through some strategic exercises, Naruto decided to move onto her stamina.

"We'll do the spot training next," he informed as he placed large rubber punching cushions over his arms. "Just punch back and forth between my arms," he instructed as he held up his matted forearms.

"It's been so long since I've done this," she said reminiscently as she brought out her old punching gloves. She loved these when she was teenager. The smooth feel of the leather against her knuckles gave her an unstoppable feeling. The rush of power and strength as she beat the crap out of numerous items was a great stress reliever when she was in high school.

"Don't worry about it Sakura. We'll go easy on the reps to start with," he said smiling at her. Sakura's eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the blond man. The one thing she hated beyond anything else was being dubbed as weak. She'll soon show him.

She stretched her muscles and poised herself; her eyes concentration on the cushions with a certain blonde's head in the middle. Her mind was clear. The only thing that mattered was the target. Her muscles were relaxed as she let her mind concentrate on the movements she would need.

"Alright when I say go you- GAh!"

Naruto didn't get to finish as Sakura launched herself at him, punching in rhythm and annihilating the pace. Naruto actually had to use some force to keep the cushions steady.

"Shit," he thought. "Where did she get this monstrous strength from?" he asked himself as she continued to punch her heart out. She moved into kicks and that's when Naruto had to dodge her swings and drop the cushions.

"Bag! Bag! Aim for the punching bag!" he shouted as he waved his arms in the arm to alleviate the pressure from her force. He was not expecting her to be that strong.

Back at the CIA, the guys were amazed at what they were seeing. She was going all out on that punching bag, so much so that the chain was shaking.

"This brings back memories," said Kakashi as he entered the view room. Then he spotted just how many eyes were watching her not so loose outfit and tried not to chop heads.

Sakura continued to focus her energy and movements on the bag, getting lost in the adrenaline. She dealt the final punch which, to everyone surprise, forced the thick leather band of the bag to tear ever so slightly, until the sand ripped right through and fell out completely. Sakura gave a sheepish and embarrassed grin.

Kiba whistled. "Damn," he said in amazement.

"I'll say," said Asuma. "What have you been teaching her Kakashi? Or should I blame Tsunade?" he asked bewildered.

"That's my girl," Kakashi said proudly to a stunned group of men who were looking at him as though amazed he had such a daughter.

Naruto was having a similar reaction. "Whoa," he breathed.

"Uh…sorry," she said as she gasped for air. "Guess I got carried away." Sakura smiled at Naruto and moved toward him, fists in the air and trying to egg him on to spar with her again. He back away wide-eyed, not wanting to lose a tooth to the hands of death.

"Oh come on Naruto just for a bit," she pleaded as she maneuvered around him. "I'm hyped up right now and I need to burn some energy."

"I am not going to hit you! I value my life!"

"Wimp!" she said tauntingly while backing up and hitting a solid wall of muscle behind her. She turned her head, only to clash with his beautiful eyes looking down at her in amusement.

"About time you got here Teme," Naruto shouted. "I've almost had to deal with that firecracker over there," he said pointing to Sakura. Sakura gave him a sour look at the word firecracker, but the ripped punching bag in the corner made it so she couldn't complain. She turned back to Sasuke and it was then that she noticed his karate attire. He was staring at the corner before he looked down at her.

"Did you do that?" he asked in an oddly calm manner. She nodded sheepishly.

"Yeah...I kind of ripped the punching bag," she admitted.

"More like annihilated it," Naruto mumbled.

Sasuke looked from the giant torn punching bag, down to his petite girlfriend and failed to see how that happened. Was she capable of such force? She didn't have the muscle mass for it.

"You ready to spar then?" Naruto asked. "I want to see if you still got any skill left."

Sakura huffed. "How come you'll spar with him and not me?" she asked in a slightly whinny tone.

"Because you'll kill me," Naruto replied. Sakura pouted and was about to ask Sasuke if he'd be her partner when she stopped and stared.

Sasuke had removed his shirt in a way that made her squirm.

"This fight's mine Sakura," Sasuke claimed as he stepped up to the middle of the mat. She was so lost at the sight of his form that she didn't even argue and stepped to the side of the arena.

The lust in her eyes clouded her vision as she watched him prepare to fight. His black karate pants tied in the center and two black sports wrist bands were the only thing he wore. But Sakura noticed that the tattoo at the base of his neck was gone. It just wasn't there! What was that all about?

Her eyes wandered over to Naruto, and her inquiry about Sasuke's tattoo was lost when she saw him without his shirt as well.

His tanned skin and blond hair were a stark contrast to Sasuke's fair skin and jet black hair. His cerulean eyes popped at you in a way that you could not miss. They stared at their onyx-eyed rival, getting set for the spar.

Sakura had to shake her head and close her gapping mouth. She blushed profusely at her obvious staring. She turned and was thankful that no one was really looking at her eyeing the men like an idiot. She directed her gaze back to Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto caught her eyes and waved at her like a dope.

"Cheer me on Sakura!" he shouted. "I need moral support since Hinata had to work."

Sakura smiled and nodded her head, purposefully not connecting with Sasuke's obvious glare. She couldn't help herself. Naruto was like a hyperactive puppy that was just so ridiculously happy to see you when you come home from work that you want to spoil it rotten with attention.

"Good luck then," she called out, earning her a cheeky fox-like grin in return.

She finally allowed herself to look at Sasuke. She had seen him naked before, and the thought made her blush uncontrollably. Seeing him getting ready to fight, with his eyes focused, body arched, and muscles flexing everywhere…

Sakura swallowed and grasped her lower belly as a tingle shot through her. She sighed. Hormones were the ultimate traitors. His testosterone saturating the air made her one very receptive female.

"I think I just ovulated," she thought as the tingly sensation concentrated in her lower belly. After last night, she wanted more of him. Sasuke had undoubtedly sealed his place in her arms that night. Just the thought of his naked form, touching her, kissing her and hovering over her with that insatiable look in his eye…

Sakura stopped her train of thoughts. If she didn't, she would have undoubtedly gotten a very embarrassing nosebleed. But the back of her mind was thinking about what to make for dinner tonight. The right dish could lead to some much wanted after dinner activities.

She watched as they moved, exchanging blows left and right. Naruto's method of fighting was very abrasive and all over the place. But the strength behind his blows was undeniable. He had so much energy to burn that he could have gone on for hours.

Sasuke's style on the other hand was very different. He was much more calculated and precise in his movements. Speed was his best advantage over Naruto's force. Sasuke was able to predict Naruto's every move and block most of them, but Naruto was far from done.

In the end, it was a draw.

"We've got to do this more often," Naruto said as he toweled off. "I can take you on any day."

"Hn," said Sasuke as he downed a bottle of water. The sound of a pager going off filled the dojo. He turned and saw Sakura shuffle through her bag as she pulled it out. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed the hospital before speaking to whoever was on the line.

"Okay I'll be there soon Hinata," she said before hanging up. "There's an emergency case at the hospital. I have to go right away. Can you take Sora home with you for me?" she asked to Sasuke, who nodded.

"Okay then," said Naruto. "We can come back once in a while and do this again. Maybe get a stronger punching bag," he said while looking at the remains of the old one.

Sakura gasped. "Oh crap I forgot about that. I'll buy a new one," she offered. Naruto shook his head.

"Don't worry about it. Lee owns this place. He won't take your money, believe me. He'll just be glad I'm not the only one using the place. Besides, you feel better after working out don't you?" he asked.

Sakura smiled and nodded. She really did feel much better than she did yesterday. Punching the life out of things uplifted her spirits.

"I do," she said as she ran and gave Naruto another hug without thinking. "Thanks for bringing me here Naruto. It really did help." Naruto hugged her back, grinning at Sasuke who was glaring his eyes out at Sakura hugging a bare-chested Naruto.

"Anytime Sakura. I'll see you later then." He grinned as Sasuke practically dragged Sakura away from him and over to his car. When they left, Naruto surveyed the damaged punching bag and guestimated how much time it would take him to clean it up. Sand was scattered everywhere from the explosion. If Gaara was here, it would have been a breeze.

But hanging out with Sakura today and sparing with Sasuke made him happier than he could have imagined. He felt a strong need to protect Sakura, as if she was his own sister. Being here with her and Sasuke felt right. Hell, if Sakura were to ever be recruited into the CIA, she would be a force to be reckoned with indeed. That brain plus that in-human strength was a deadly combo. Sasuke himself was a great fighter in general and a freaking genius to boot.

The three of them would have made quite a team.

Sasuke sighed as he carried Sora to the hospital with an excited Suki in tow. After taking the kids home from school, Sasuke and Sora decided to do some more karate in the backyard. Considering the rainfall last night, it wasn't the best idea and Sora ended up slipping and injuring himself.

"Daddy are we going to see Aunty Sakura here?" Suki asked as the three of them entered the main lobby.

"Yes we are Tenshi," he said as he headed towards the elevators. By the buzz of voices that occurred when he entered the premises, he knew his fan club was gearing up for his arrival once more. He held onto Suki's hand carefully and made sure she was by his side at all times. He did not want anything getting in his way until he got to Sakura. They rode the elevator to Sakura's floor and exited. He spotted her right away and walked briskly.

Every nurse on the floor stopped what they were doing and had their eyes on him as he walked into their station…with his boy in his arms. But then they saw another child. A little girl! She looked so similar to the boy, they had to be twins. They were still not over the shock from the previous time Mr. Uchiha's son came to visit them, but that other child… they just had to both be hers! They all watched as he made his way over to Doctor Haruno, waiting to see what would happen.

Sakura was directing the overnight care instructions for one of her patients who just delivered via emergency C-section when she noticed that the nurse she was talking to was focused on something behind her. She turned around and was surprised to see Sasuke coming down with Sora and Suki. Everyone was still, waiting. That certainly explained why it got quiet all of the sudden.

"What the hell?" she thought as she saw them walk towards her. She certainly wasn't expecting this.

"Hi mommy," said Sora. He seemed alright. Suki looked around the hospital in wonder. She hardly ever came here unless it was her annual visit. Sakura suspected it was her new found passion for becoming a doctor that explained it.

"Hi baby," she greeted, looking at Sasuke curiously and meeting them halfway in the floor lobby. "What are you all doing here?" Only then did she notice Sora holding a cloth on the side of his head. Sasuke saw her eyes narrow on the gauze.

"He's okay," said Sasuke as he removed the cloth over Sora's head. Sakura gasped, making all the nurses lean over to see what was wrong. Sora had a deep cut on the side of his head, and a long streak of blood going down his face.

"OH DEAR GOD!" she screamed making most of their audience jump in surprise. "Sasuke what happened?" she asked before turning to Sora. "What happened baby?" she asked as she cradled his head in her hands. She carefully inspected the cut and nearly fainted at the sight of the blood smeared on the side of his precious little head. She was officially freaking out.

Sasuke looked at Sora. "Tell mommy what happened." He had an almost amused expression, much to Sakura's confusion.

"I fell," Sora said sheepishly. "On a rock," he added in an adorable afterthought. Sakura was even more panicked now. It had been so long since his last major boo boo that this was all new again. She turned and looked at Sasuke for further explanation.

"Karate in the backyard," he explained. "Sakura he's fine, he didn't even cry," he said with a somewhat impressed and proud tone, making Sora smile. Sakura was not appeased at all.

"Like that makes it any better," she hissed before fussing over Sora again. "Oh sweetie, are you okay? Does it hurt you? How many fingers am I holding up?" she asked while holding up three of her fingers and moving them around. Sasuke sighed.

"Three," Sora answered. Sakura simply held him against Sasuke and kissed his cheeks. It was just the blood on his head that made it seem worse than it was. She looked down at Suki, who Sakura just noticed was getting a lot more attention from everyone else.

"Oh Suki," she said as she knelt down and picked her up. "You're not hurt too are you? No boo boos?" she asked as she gave Suki a quick inspection. Suki giggled.

"No, I'm okay," she said happily. "I told him to be careful like you told me to," she said with a determined traitors glance at Sora. Sora didn't miss it and stuck his tongue out at her betrayal. Sakura smiled and hugged her as well. At least one of them was responsible.

"Okay then, let's go and find your Uncle Neji for a neuro consult," she said to Sora. "And that means no more karate for a while," she added, making Sora pout.

Sasuke resisted rolling his eyes. He wasn't going to let Sora be babied too much after this. He was a boy, and he didn't cry when he fell face-first into that rock. That was an amazing feat for a child, though the fact that he didn't feel any pain was probably worth looking into.

"He's not a baby anymore Sakura," Sasuke reminded. "He can't sit out just because of a minor setback."

"Minor setback my…foot," she mumbled for the sake of the kids. "I think Neji will soon disagree," she said, much to his annoyance. From the moment she had first seen them interact, she instantly picked up an intense atmosphere between Neji and Sasuke. She had no idea where it came from but she would use it to her advantage.

All eyes watched as the beautiful family walked towards the elevators. They watched with admiration for the two beautiful children who greatly resembled their parents. They watched as their lead Doctor, who could tackle level 1 trauma cases with ease, fuss over her little boy's boo boo. They watched her hold her precious little girl, with her striking green eyes no doubt inherited by her mother.

But above all, they all watched their CEO, a man whom they barely knew anything about or seen much of save for his rare outings from his office. They watched him with new eyes.

They watched him in the role of a father, proud of his son for not crying after an injury and protective of his little daughter.

The one that hit the most was watching him watch her. Doctor Sakura Haruno. They watched how his eyes were always on her and staring with a melting intensity just underneath the surface. He was looking at her as if she were the only woman alive. It was such a possessive look, that it made them mentally shiver. There was so much power in his eyes, and now they knew that he only had eyes for her: the woman who had given him those two beautiful children.

The elevator closed on the scene.

One nurse in particular kept her eyes on them at all times.

She stood behind the others, keeping a low profile and milling over some patients charts so she wouldn't be suspicious. Her eyeglasses adjusted so that she could capture all four members of the lovely family together. Her lenses silently and rapidly began collecting high resolution images.

Those images were stored in a microchip imbedded right behind the iris of her eye, where no one can see it. When they were out of sight, a voice chimed in her ears.

"Very good my dear," he said. "Now come home."

She merely dropped what she was doing, and left the area. Her movements were almost robotic as she took the elevator down and left through the front entrance. She flashed her badge to the security guard, who let her pass, not noticing that this particular woman's face was somewhat familiar.

He let it go as he continued to work. He didn't even glance at the local news playing silently in the TV behind him. He never saw the newest edition to the missing persons list: A young woman about twenty-six years old, with short brown hair and glasses.

Had he seen it, he might have noticed how similar she looked to the one he just let go.

Authors Note:

Review because Sora got a boo boo!

It took me 37 pages on Microsoft word and 17,644 words and that's chapter 27. I hope you guys liked it. Review please because I live for your reviews!

I apologize profusely for not updating sooner than this. Believe me it was being worked on throughout the entire time since the last update. I want to say thank you to all of you who have reviewed and sent me multiple PM's and inquiries about my next update. It means so much to me that my story is still in your thoughts even after all this time. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST FANS EVER! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Recent Naruto Manga chapters 497 and beyond have just busted out a string of emotions that has been years in the making with this manga. They're the hardest and most beautiful chapters of the Manga so Far.

So once again I ask for reviews! They are my chakara source! I need Chakara... and a sandwich! It's 2:30 in the morning...I gotta work soon! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

cough...ahem...I'm not crazy...uh review please!