To Love and to Love Again Chapter 40: Redemption
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!
"Nothing is set in stone," Tsunade stated as Kakashi stared at the document before him. "You realize that it's going to be a hell of a process to get the entire organization on board with your proposal," she said stressing that this was indeed a proposal and not a set goal.
"Our Agents can tell the difference between what they like and what's best," he replied as he signed the document and handed it over to her.
They sat in her newly appointed office, crossing all the T's and dotting all the I's in the transition from one leader to the next. Tsunade watched him carefully throughout the process, admiring him for his decision and cursing herself for drinking all the sake and not saving enough for the end of this.
"I agree," she said in reference to the Agent's compliance with his proposal. "But they're still human and entitled to some ruffled feathers. After all, he was their friend and greatest enemy simultaneously."
"Which they can learn from and move on," he remarked. "I have no doubts things will go as planned. He's got one hell of an advocate."
"And if that advocate comes storming into my office one more time demanding that I push through with the idea you're going to have one less blond knuckleheaded Agent under your wing," she warned.
"You can't blame Naruto for his enthusiasm," Kakashi drawled while pulling out his favorite erotic novel. Some things really don't change after all.
Tsunade sighed. "You should have waited for the authorization to let him go," she said to his laidback form.
He merely shrugged and flipped the page. "It was the last decision I made as the leader. I was all the authorization I needed."
"And as the current leader I have to deal with the consequences," she snapped, slamming her hand on the desk.
"You do support my proposal don't you?" he asked. "Because if you have a better Idea, I'm all ears."
Tsunade huffed and sat back in her chair. Truth be told, Sasuke joining the CIA was the best possible solution for everyone. His abilities exceeded most of the others in the department and he had the skillset to be one of the greatest assets the CIA has ever had.
"I can see the potential, and that's why I agree with you," Tsunade began. "But trust is not something easily built or achieved, given his history. Sasuke will have to prove himself in exchange for leniency for the consequences of his time in Sound. If Sakura wasn't such a central component to all of this, he might not have even gotten this option."
"And for that I'm grateful," he said sincerely. "I owe my daughter some happiness after everything I've put her through. I also want to properly thank you for your part in shaping her future. In the absence of Rin, you've made her stronger than I ever thought she was capable of."
"That I have," she agreed with a smirk. "But everyone has their limits. I need to see her soon and give her a follow-up medical check. She's had enough time to settle down now. Have you spoken to her at all?"
She took his silence as a no. Sakura would see reason; there was no doubt about that. But until she did, Kakashi was just going to have to live with the guilt for a while longer. Tsunade only hoped that this new idea would help them all.
He slept in relative peace for the first time in what felt like years. Now that all immediate threats were neutralized, he could focus on getting their lives back on track. Not that the track they were on was any good to being with. You couldn't even call it "real" when there was that much secrecy.
But this is real, he thought as he watched her sleeping beside him. Sakura lay on her uninjured side with her back pressed against his chest. Her even breathing and steady rise and fall of her chest mesmerized him into believing that she was okay; that nothing would harm her ever again. But that was only an illusion. She had been hurt in so many ways. He only had to look at her to know that.
He memorized every surface of her body as she slept in his arms. Each little cut, scrape, bruise, and scar would always be there to remind him of what happened. That knowledge would always linger in his mind and never let him relax.
The world they live in is dangerous and full of people willing to do anything it took for power, money, or just sheer insanity. He had been one of those people not long ago, yet he had been offered something he never thought he could have: Redemption.
Sasuke met his stare dead on as Kakashi entered the interrogation room. He knew this would not be an ordinary conversation. Frankly, from the look of contempt on his face, it didn't appear that talking was something Kakashi was planning on.
Sasuke sensed the atmosphere of the room shift. The hum of technology died down, meaning that all recording and listening devices have been purposefully cut for this moment. The gloves have come off.
"Sasuke," Kakashi said, as if sizing him up.
"Kakashi," he replied.
And that was the end of their conversation before the first fist went flying. Months of pent up frustration went into Kakashi's fist as it made contact with Sasuke's jaw. He stood his ground and merely turned his head with the impact. Kakashi's eyes narrowed, knowing that the Uchiha had let him get in a good punch.
Sasuke wasn't above hitting him back, but knew that Kakashi was entitled to one good hit; key word being one. So when Kakashi lunged for a second attempt, Sasuke met him half way, fist for fist.
"There was no need to humor my first assault," Kakashi huffed as they struggled in defense. "Sasuke merely smirked.
"Hn," he replied. They pushed back and separated by three feet. Kakashi noted that Sasuke's face looked no worse for wear. The bastard probably wouldn't even be sporting a bruise, which he was loath to admit he was grateful for. Sakura would surely be displeased if he did.
Just then, Kakashi had the fleeting flashback of a roughened up Sai. Never again would he go that far against someone close to Sakura. He forced himself to calm down. He wasn't here to kill the Uchiha. Not yet at least.
"One day soon, we can have that sparing session I suggested last Christmas," Kakashi promised. "But now isn't the time. You know what fate awaits you."
"I'm aware," Sasuke said evenly.
"And I'm aware that you have no intention of meeting that fate," he returned. "I have every logical reason to hold you accountable for every crime against the state you've committed. They almost outweigh everything you've done to counter the Sound Organization. Only one thing tips the scales and that's my daughter."
Sasuke met his glare. He hadn't seen Sakura in weeks following the attack, and every hour that went by without seeing her was slowly driving him to madness. Just hearing her name did things to his psyche that made approaching him a very dangerous thing to do. If it wasn't for Sora and Suki, he would have broken out of his confinement and found her.
Kakashi could sense the shift in his atmosphere at the mere mention of Sakura. Sasuke was a man possessed by his daughter, and it scared the hell out of him. Nothing would stop him from being with her, which frightened him more than anything else. Truth be told, there was little anyone in the CIA could do to separate them short of killing him, and they knew Sasuke would never let that happen. It was a truth Kakashi had to accept, which was why he saw no other option but to lay one final card on the table.
"She's my daughter," Kakashi declared. "I don't need to specify just what that means to you. You know what I mean so maybe you can understand why it goes against every fiber of my being to let you have her."
Sasuke understood of course. The mere thought of Suki even being looked at by a boy automatically put him on Sasuke's mental hit list. Sakura was the same for Kakashi, only Sasuke's possessive need trumped Kakashi's love.
"Sakura chose you," he continued. "She made her choice, and she picked you. Her life and her happiness are in your hands now; my grandson as well. I let you live only for them. Screw that up, and I will come after you."
Sasuke didn't reply to that threat, but his agreement was there for Kakashi to see. Sasuke would protect her. He would keep her safe and well, and though he wouldn't admit it out loud to anyone, his love for Sakura was evident.
"I give my daughter to you, on one condition," Kakashi bargained. "You will join our organization as a sworn Agent of the CIA. You will be tested on every level we have to offer, both physical and psychological. You will comply with all orders and work as a team with any assigned teammates. We work together here. I expect you can too."
Sasuke understood what that offer must have cost for Kakashi. He knew there was little to no trust among the rest of the agency. There were bound to be protests and those that would rather see him dead. But what Kakashi was offering him wasn't only the chance to live. It was a chance to finally set things right.
"Do you accept my terms, Uchiha Sasuke?" Kakashi demanded. Sasuke met his stare dead on.
"With one condition of my own," he replied. From then on, the deal was set.
Sasuke had four reasons to accept Kakashi's offer; two of them were asleep upstairs, and the other two were safe in his arms. Sakura's pregnancy had given him anxiety on an entirely different level. He came close to losing her from things that up until now, he could believe he had some control over.
But he had no control over this.
The fear of losing her to childbirth had permeated every nerve in his body. When she asked him to make certain promises should she not make it, Sasuke nearly lost it. He will not see another child of his live without their mother. Suki was his entire world until Sora had joined her. His daughter and son would never suffer that pain; not if he had anything to say about it. He refused to promise her anything of the sort. He needed her to live.
Another life was on the way. Sasuke's hand hadn't left her abdomen since she had drifted off. He couldn't stop himself from trying, even now, to protect the child she carried. Boy or girl, this baby was going to be born with danger hovering over its head. The need to protect his child was fierce.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even realize his grip on her had tightened to the point where she had to wake up to push against him.
"mmm… what's wrong?" she asked, sleepily.
"Nothing, go back to bed," he said as smoothed his hands over her. He kissed her neck, then her cheek before she tiled her head to meet his lips. He couldn't resist kissing her with a desperation that she was able to sense instantly.
She turned onto her back before asking what was wrong again. He responded by kissing her again, slowly at first and gradually gaining momentum until questions were the last thing she could think of. She allowed herself to be absorbed into his distraction for a bit before pulling his face away from hers and giving him a look.
He sighed before saying "It can wait until morning."
She turned her head and saw the clock indicating that it was 4:00 am. "It is morning" she said smiling. When she saw his reluctance to share his thoughts, Sakura knew it must have been a heavy matter. "Sasuke tell me what's bothering you. I can't handle anymore secrets, please."
He looked into her eyes and knew that it was now or never. "I didn't escape the CIA as you had previously thought."
Her eyes widened as she realized she had forgotten that bit of info. "Oh…we never finished talking. Tell me how you're able to be here with me."
"It's not a permanent situation," he warned. "I have to go back soon."
Her face showed her displeasure. "How soon?"
"In a few hours."
"What? Why?" she asked, struggling to sit up. Sasuke wouldn't let her move away from him and only rolled onto his back, taking her along and settling her against him, careful of her injuries.
"Let me explain," he said calmly. "The only reason I'm even here is because I needed to see you. I needed you to know what was going to happen before I went back."
"Then tell me," she pleaded. He saw the fear in her eyes and hated that he would only add to that.
He still wasn't prepared on how to handle the matter; not only that, he wasn't sure exactly how much she knew about his past. He was informed that she now knew "everything". But with the CIA's need-to-know basis for sensitive matters, the term "everything" didn't carry much weight.
"How much do you know about my involvement with Sound?" he asked. She gave him a speculative look before shaking her head in confusion.
"I know only as much as they told me," she answered referring to her father and Tsunade. "I know what you used to be. I know what you're capable of. The only thing I don't know, that I was too afraid to ask, was how you became that way and why?"
"And I don't think there will ever be a way to tell you that makes sense," he admitted. "None of it makes sense, even from where I'm standing. How can I tell you something like that an expect you to understand?"
"There isn't anything you can tell me that will make it easier to hear," she said gently. "I know what I'm asking for. But I need to know what drew you to that kind of darkness. Because whatever it was, I know that you were strong enough to overcome it. Whatever it was, it couldn't make me love you any less," she assured as she caressed his cheek.
Sasuke could only stare as she gave him the forgiveness he didn't dare ask for. She knew, even before he did, that he wouldn't be able to face her without it. Such unfiltered love for him could only come from her. No matter what he did, or how far into the darkness he went, he knew that she would always be there to bring him back to life.
"I didn't have you," he began. Her eyes showed her confusion at that statement. "My life was set up to fall into a trap. My family was virtually non-existent with work or the demands of high society. My brother was the golden boy who was expected to carry on the Uchiha legacy and follow into that world. I felt like an unnecessary human who could never measure up to him. It's no excuse for anything, but my life was about proving to everyone what I was capable of; that I could be better and stronger. I don't know where the hunger for power came from, but what I didn't know what our family had a secret. That revelation was what changed it all."
"Your Sharingan," she whispered. He nodded.
"You're not the only one who grew up with secrets surrounding you," he said. "Thinking back, the Sharingan was probably the reason there was so much tension between Itachi and our father. I was never aware of such a thing, until I was approached by Orochimaru. He wanted that ability and knew Itachi was beyond his reach. He came at just the right time, and I fell under his influence. I felt betrayed by my own family for not being included on that secret and I trained with Orochimaru's guidance until I unleashed the Sharingan on my own. But it didn't end there. Orochimaru intended to use me to build his organization. He saw that the need for power had consumed me, and before I knew it I was a full-fledged assassin for the Sound Organization. My purpose for joining him, whatever it may have been, was lost among this new identity. I had the power and my family was unaware of it until recently. I think if they had their way, I never would have known about our genetic abilities."
"Sasuke," she whispered. She was completely blown away at how much he had confessed. To admit this to her was hard, she could see that. "How did you break away?"
"I knew that his ultimate goal was to obtain my Sharingan and take over my body. I was never going to let him, and I had no need for his power any longer. I realized what I had become, and I had to end his reign before more people fell to his twisted ways. I killed him and anyone else associated with Sound. It was the last time I killed for power. It would never make up any of my crimes, but at least it was over. A powerful sense of clarity overcame me, and with it, an intense need to start all over and be nothing like my former self. I had to be right and do something that would make me feel like I was making amends. That's why I took my father's position at the hospital and worked every minute I could to make it the best in the country. I did everything they asked, including marrying whom they wanted. My life had become a straight line and I was fine with that. I was a monster hiding under the guise of an ordinary man. Not a day went by where I didn't question why I joined Sound or what my purpose for doing so was. In the end I accomplished nothing but the death of hundreds. My family didn't change…until Suki was born. She brought us together in a way I never thought possible. She was my reason for living. I felt as though I had finally done something good…but in no time at all, I realized that I wasn't enough for her. Her mother was gone, and I didn't know how to give her what she needed. My childhood was full of tension and disillusioned bonds. I didn't want that for Suki. I didn't know how to give her the love she deserved. I didn't know what it was to love anything until you."
He wiped the tears that had streamed down her cheeks. Sakura's heart had melted at his confession. She had so much more in common with him than imaginable, but at least she had people that loved her. Sasuke was alone, and endured so much just to find something close to that.
"You know what love is," she whispered. "I can see it in your eyes. I see the love you have for your family and friends. I see your love for our children and me. You don't have to prove anything to any of us."
"But I do need to prove something to myself," he stated. "I need to make amends for all the wrong I had ever done. Your father has given me that opportunity."
"What opportunity?" she asked. He suddenly felt as if words were stuck in his throat. Her reaction to what he might say made him more nervous than he cared to admit. "Sasuke…tell me," she demanded when she sensed his hesitancy. He didn't want to upset her, but his fear for his family's safety trumped apprehension.
He pulled away from her and sat on the edge of the bed, staring her down. "I have to answer for my time in Sound. But I don't need a trial to know that the consequence for my actions is death," he said. She gasped and got up as well. Her heart felt like it had been dowsed with ice water. "That was the only option I could see…but your father placed another card of the table."
"…what card?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I either die by the CIA…or I join them. Those are my options," he answered. She sat there, stunned at what he was telling her. "This way I-"
"No!" she shouted. "Those can't be your only options!"
"They are," he stated.
"You don't have a choice."
"It's more of a choice than I imagined I'd have," he countered. "Listen to me there is no other way-,"
"I can't accept that," she cried. "I don't want you to be a part of that. I can't have you doing dangerous missions and risking your life every time you go out there. I can't lose you!"
"You won't lose me," he soothed. "I'm needed there."
"You're needed here," she countered.
"We can't go back to how life used to be. Sakura there were so many lies it's almost impossible to call that a foundation."
"So now that everything is out in the air, I have to accept that you're going to be a CIA agent?"
"You have to accept that this is our reality now," he stated. "This was the reality your father was trying to protect you from. I can't sit back when I have the ability to stop whatever evil is out there. None of them can," he said referring to their friends.
Sakura attributed her lack of reasoning to her hormones, even though she knew it was just residual anger from her current state of affairs. She did not want to see reason, but when he was force feeding her the blatant actuality of their lives, there wasn't anything she could do but swallow it whole. This was what she had been asking for wasn't it? The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Well their truth sucked and there was still one major question she had.
"I can't," she whispered. "I can't accept it just yet. What Sora and Suki had to endure at his hands…and afterwards. I couldn't see what made them stable. I wasn't there for it. Tell me what you had to do to save them."
Sasuke didn't know how he was going to explain that one. He had to dig farther into the properties of the Sharingan in order for her to understand. But she looked like she would crumble at any second and he didn't want to overload her with the details.
"Don't leave anything out," she said as if reading his train of thought again. "If there's one thing that will help me accept all of this, it's what the CIA did to save Sora and Suki. What they endured…no child should ever have to witness such horrors."
He saw the need to understand in her eyes. Sora and Suki were fine now, and Sasuke had no doubt that they would continue to be fine. But Sakura wasn't expecting to have them back that way, and she knew that there was still a piece missing in her information.
"When you first got them back, they didn't seem as damaged as you thought," he stated. He was telling her, rather than asking her because he knew that's how they were. She nodded her head. "You were expecting them to be afraid."
She nodded her head once more before saying "It didn't make sense. The trauma they suffered couldn't have disappeared so fast."
"That's because to them, they haven't experienced it," he stated. Her confusion was apparent, but she remained silent, knowing he wasn't done. "In order to combat any physical change or psychological damage, we had to manipulate their mental state. The Sharingan was used as hypnosis to train them to withstand the changes they faced. But even so, there was no escaping the things they had seen. Suki was easier to handle because she was unconscious most of the time. We were able to suppress some of what she did see and keep it suppressed until her own Sharingan was able to process it in a way she could handle."
Sakura kept silent, absorbing the seemingly impossible process he was telling her.
"Sora was more difficult," he continued. "Unlike Suki, he had seen and endured much more. He's too young to understand let alone process any of it. I had to train him to control the curse and the Sharingan simultaneously. It wasn't easy…and he came close to losing his grip on reality several times. His memory is extraordinary and most likely photographic but that's yet to be diagnosed. But because of that, it's nearly impossible for him to forget. The only way he was going to cope was to shut down his emotions…and just absorb it all. His Sharingan needed time to mature, so he was placed under a type of hypnosis until he could control it under my guidance…,"
He stopped, remembering the difficulty of training Sora in his own mind. The child was beyond gifted in Sasuke's opinion; something that he knew could be attributed to his genetics.
When Sora was told to shut down his emotions…he made it seem easy. Kakashi, who was present for the entire rehabilitation process, gave off a visible shiver at how much Sora resembled his father Sai at that moment.
"My baby…," she whispered. Sasuke snapped out of his trance to find her eyes closed with tears streaming down her cheeks. "My baby," she cried. She couldn't handle it. She couldn't imagine the life altering trauma that Sora and Suki had suffered because of sheer evil. It didn't seem possible when they were upstairs and sleeping peacefully as if they never went through any of that.
The CIA had given them their innocence back. For that, she can forgive them. "I should forgive them," she choked. "I have to. I kept thinking I never would have done what my father did to me…but…now…,"
"You would have done the same thing," he supplied. He knew she still had some burning bridges with her father to douse. "You say you wouldn't have lied, but you know that protecting Sora and Suki would have made you do just that."
She closed her eyes, unable to get a grip on herself. Sasuke pulled her back against his chest and spoke into her ear.
"I understand what he was trying to do," he continued. "A father's love for his daughter is beyond comprehension. He'll do anything to protect her…even risk losing her love and trust. So long as she's safe, he'll be able to live. I have that with Suki. Your father had seen too much and lost too much to leave anything to chance. What he did for you was necessary, not only for you but for him as well. He was there for every step of their recovery."
Sakura shook her head, trying to stop more tears from falling. She wanted nothing more than to erase every bad thing that had happened to her since finding out so many truths. But she had to accept that the CIA and the darkness that came with it was a part of her now.
Sora and Suki had suffered immensely from the dangers that lurk just beyond an ordinary man's reach. How many more children would suffer the same fate if no one stopped it? The world needed people with the strength to overcome that.
"I hate this," she whispered.
Sasuke simply held on as if he would never let go. "I know…but remember this; your father didn't give me this choice for me. He did it for you."
She choked back a sob and held onto him tight.
"Believe in me," he said as he rolled her underneath his embrace. She shook her head, unwilling to agree to anything he asked as of yet. She wasn't ready.
"Trust me," he whispered as he planted kisses along her face. She closed her eyes and sighed with each touch of his lips. His hands captured her face and waited until she looked at him. The emerald eyes that continued to captivate him infused his being with a love and possessiveness even he couldn't control.
"Marry me," he ordered. "Because I'm never letting you go again. You belong to me and no one will live to say otherwise."
He didn't wait for her reply as his mouth crashed against hers with a ferocity that rendered her breathless. All her current fears fled as her eyes widened with his pledge, making her feel as if her very soul threatened to escape her body. Sasuke Uchiha had demanded her love to be his forever, when he already had it and was never going be able to get rid of it.
He kissed her senseless until the need for air emerged. She placed her hands on his face and stared into his beautiful black orbs. "I love you," she breathed.
"Say you'll marry me," he demanded. His need for her was getting out of his control. He needed her to say the words.
"Ask me to marry you," she commanded as she grabbed onto his midnight locks and held tight.
Even after all this time, he was still incapable of asking. His dark chuckle made her shiver as his hands moved in opposite directions to grasp her own hair and one of her hips. He squeezed the flesh of her thigh before wrapping it around his waist and pushing against her, making her gasp when she felt his need for her.
"You're still annoying as ever…but I won't let you say no," he growled.
"And I won't say anything until you ask me," she countered, using her leg to pull him closer to her and drive him crazy. She could mess with him just as well as he can. "Ask me and I'm yours," she whispered.
He kissed her then, intent on not giving in when she already belonged to him. Both were determined to outlast the other. She kissed him back just as thoroughly and before they knew it, he was inside her and completely consumed with her.
He didn't tear his gaze away as he made love to her. Everything from her silken hair, cloudy eyes, heated skin and breathless moans mesmerized him. She was his world and he would kill anyone that tried to take her away from him again.
Sakura trembled at the way he looked at her. It was a look that captured her. He was every kind of strength there was rolled into one incredible man. He was the hero…and now he would be an Avenger. He will be a part of the team that will protect the world from evil. Nothing stood a chance against him, not even her and she knew it.
He captured her scream in his kiss as they both found release together. Several minutes passed while they stayed in each other's arms, breaths mingling together as their heated sweat-glistening skin rubbed against one another.
It was the most content he had been in the longest time, but he still needed her to say it. For that, he would concede. "…Will you marry me?" he asked before the tears fell once again.
"Yes," she whispered. "I'll marry you. I love you Sasuke."
"I love you," he professed. "My Sakura."
An hour later, they decided to wake the children.
Sora and Suki were still asleep. In the days that followed their abduction, rescue and rehabilitation, sleep was a precious and much needed commodity for their mind and body. Sasuke and Sakura sat on the edge of the bed, watching their babies rest.
They had gotten dressed and ready to go back to the CIA and face what awaited them there. Sakura was determined to address everything that had been building since the event. The children, under one of the many conditions ordered by the organization, had to come back as well to continue their training and rehab under the watchful eye of Sasuke, Kakashi, and Itachi. They were the only tree men capable of training the children in the use of the Sharingan.
Sasuke stared at them with wonder. You wouldn't think that such traumatic events had happen to them based on how peaceful they looked in their bed. Never again would he allow such danger to come close to them. He was possessed with the need to protect them, and he would die before anything like this happened again. Sakura reached out and gently smoothed out Suki's hair.
"Every time you train them…do they re-live it?" she asked.
Sasuke nodded. "We can't erase what happened. We can only help them process it slowly, so it doesn't overwhelm them. They're too young to take it all at once."
Sakura looked at them and didn't want to wake them. Knowing that they would have to face the nightmare over and over again was agonizing. At least in their sleep they could be as carefree as kids should be. But their training was important.
Sasuke watched as she hovered over them, placing soft kisses on their cheeks and gently coaxed them awake. Both children grumbled their displeasure for a moment, as neither was inclined to awaken from their dreams.
"Wake up you two," Sakura sang. "Someone's here to see you."
More groans ensued before Sasuke decided to up the anty and began to tickle their feet from under the blanket. Sora and Suki began to squirm and squeal with laughter before finally opening their eyes and zeroing in on Sasuke. Both stared at him in surprise before understanding kicked in.
"Daddy!" they both screamed simultaneously before lunging at him and nearly knocking him over in their enthusiasm. Sasuke relished the moment, holding his two kids close as they both talked at the same time firing questions and comments light lightning.
"Daddy you're home!" Suki shouted.
"You're back!" Sora yelled.
"I missed you," they said in perfect synch before laughing. Both appeared to be determined to climb all over him and cling for dear life.
Sasuke hoisted them out of bed and dangled them in his arms as they laughed and tried to hang on like monkeys. Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes at the sight of them so happy. Even though they weren't quite done healing, having Sasuke home made them feel like a family again. He knelt before her, one kid still trapped in each arm.
When the kids noticed her tears, the excitement died down.
"Mommy, why are you crying?" Sora asked. "Dads home," he added. Sakura had no idea when Sora began referring to Sasuke as "Dad", but found that it just fit. More tears ensued.
"Mommy, don't cry," Suki pleaded. Sakura wiped the tears away and placed her hand on their cheeks.
"I'm just happy that's all," she said.
"Be happier," Sora pleaded. Sasuke took a keen interest in the children's reactions to her tears. It was obvious neither one enjoyed seeing her cry making him wonder how often she shed a tear while he was away. The kids obviously picked up on it.
He stood up with the children and sat next to her. Suki immediately crawled into Sakura's embrace.
"Mommy don't cry. It's not good for you," she pleaded with tears in her own little eyes. She was too young to understand tears of joy. Sakura wiped her eyes and smiled as best she could. There was no time for tears now that Sasuke was home. She kissed Suki's cheek and held her close.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. I'll stop now," she soothed. Suki's comment made Sasuke look at Sakura questioningly.
"Do they know?" he asked. Sakura understood what he was asking and shook her head. The children did not know that they would soon be welcoming a little brother or sister.
"Know what?" Sora and Suki asked simultaneously. Sasuke looked to Sakura, trying to get a sense of why she didn't tell them, but decided to wait until later. He looked down at Suki.
"Why can't mommy cry?" he asked.
"Because she always cried when you were gone," Suki answered. "But you're here now, so she's supposed to stop."
Sakura wanted kicked her own ass for crying so much. She thought she had hidden it well from the children, but that obviously wasn't the case. She hugged Suki close and smiled. "I'm happy. Really I am. I promise not to cry anymore."
Sora tugged on Sasuke's sleeve with a determined look on his face. "Promise you won't leave anymore," he demanded. "Because mommy and Suki always cry and I don't know how to make them stop," he admitted.
Sasuke raised a brow and smirked. He would need to take Sora aside for a man-to-man conversation soon regarding his mother. He would let Sakura tell him about his new sibling though.
"I won't go anywhere anymore," he promised. Sora looked him square in the eye and held his gaze. He promptly nodded and accepted his word. Not many adults could look Sasuke in the eye that way. His son was exceptional.
He wanted nothing more than to stay at home and just be normal for a little while longer, but there were more pressing matters to attend to. Sakura caught his gaze.
"We're going to back to the CIA," Sakura announced. "Grandpa's waiting there for you both," she said to the children.
"How come?" Suki asked.
"Because you have to finish your training," Sasuke answered.
"How come?" she repeated.
"Because you have a new gift that you need to control," Sakura answered this time.
"How come?" Suki persisted.
"Because I'm going to eat you," Sakura said, forging an actual answer and opted to tickle her sides, sending Suki into a fit of giggles. "Both of you," she said reaching for Sora and poking his sides. Soon the room was filled with happiness again.
Sora and Suki tagged teamed against her and knocked her back against the mattress, making Sasuke panic and yank them off her. He hoisted them over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes before they aggravated her injures.
Sakura resisted rolling her eyes once again. She may be on bed rest, but that didn't completely disable her. The children continued to laugh and play as they got dressed for the event. You'd think they were going to the playground by how happy they were.
The car ride back to the CIA's hidden base wasn't nearly as somber as the day they were released. Sora and Suki talked animatedly the entire time, smiling and laughing and trying to update Sasuke on the latest happenings at home. It was odd, considering that they had spent time with him during their recovery. But as soon as they approached base, the excitement dwindled, and the sobriety began. When they approached the CIA base, Sakura hesitated at the entrance. Sasuke held her gaze.
"Everything will be okay," he promised. "Trust me."
"I do," she whispered. Sora and Suki seemed to sense her discomfort and each held onto one of her hands. She looked down at them and smiled. "Let's go," she said as they entered the agency.
They walked down a hall that was dimly lit with blue lowlights. They approached a large clear gateway guarded by two men who watched them approach. No words were spoken as they guided them to an access gate that required both a finger print and retinal scan to enter.
Sakura was curious as to how they had gotten a retinal scan off of her and had a sneaking suspicion they did it when she was brought in after the incident. Once all four of them were granted access, they we guided into the main lobby of the CIA, where they were greeted by Shizune.
"Welcome back Sakura," she greeted. "Tsunade wishes to see right away," she said before turning to Sasuke and saying "They're ready for you."
He nodded. Almost on cue, they were surrounded by four ANBU Agents. Sasuke and the children were to head for the training area under armed guard? What was there to worry about now? There wasn't any threat remaining, especially within the agency…unless Sasuke himself was threat enough. She looked at him questioningly.
He nodded and looked down at the kids. "It's time for training. Say bye to mommy for a little while."
Both children nodded. Sakura leaned down and brought them both into her arms and squeezed.
"I'll be waiting right here for you when you're done," she said kissing their cheeks. "I love you both."
"We love you too mommy," they said in perfect unison. Sakura didn't think she was ever going to get used to that. They each kissed her cheek and detangled themselves from her before following their father into the training area. Sasuke gave her a meaningful look before disappearing around the corner with them.
"I'll take you to Tsunade," Shizune offered.
Sakura shook her head. "Later. There's something I have to do first."
The guys had just returned from a mission and hit the training center to unwind a bit. Regular assignments had resumed after the investigation in the Sound Organization was officially deemed closed.
"YOSH! Let the power of youth flow through you as we run in place!" Lee shouted. He has going full speed on a treadmill shouting at Shikamaru, who was on the treadmill next to him, to match pace.
He was duly ignored. Kiba sipped on his drink and threw a questioning glance at Naruto, who was sitting next to the weights and oddly spaced out. "What's with him?"
Shikamaru, who was forced onto the treadmill after getting caught smoking by Ino, glanced over at him and shrugged. "Don't know, but I suggest you take in the silence before we never experience it again."
"Oi, Naruto," Chouji called before tossing a sweaty towel at him. Naruto let the material hit him square in the face. He was that out of it.
"Ah forget him," Kiba muttered. "He's probably still sulking about not being able to talk to Sasuke or Sakura."
"You are aware that both of them have been on the premises for over an hour, aren't you?" Shikamaru asked.
Word had spread fast that Sasuke had returned from his release with Sakura and the children in tow. A wave of apprehension washed over them at the knowledge that he had left. They were still processing Sasuke's true capabilities. When Naruto didn't turn around at that bit of info, Shikamaru concluded that it wasn't the initial cause. He still used it as an excuse to get off the treadmill.
"I don't think that's it guys," Chouji thought as he tossed Shikamaru and towel. "Earlier I was Ichiraku's for ramen and Naruto just happened to walk by."
"So what?" Kiba remarked. "He practically lives there."
"But this time…he just kept walking," Chouji ended. "Didn't even look my way or acknowledge the Ramen," he added. Everyone turned to look at Naruto then. That was a monumental thing for Naruto to do, considering half of his life's blood is dependent upon Ramen, or so it seemed based on his constant consumption of it.
"Maybe he finally got sick of it," Kiba snickered. "Or became allergic."
Neji entered the room at that point. The Hyuga's eyes zeroed in on Naruto and glared for a millisecond before relaxing. No one could tell the difference between the two looks. "Hinata is looking for you," he said to the blond.
"HINATA?! Where? When did she ask for me? Why the hell didn't you call me sooner?!" Naruto shouted before gunning it out of the room, leaving the rest of the guys at a loss to his behavior.
"I guess its marital problems then," Kiba assumed.
"What's the status on Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked Neji, who still seemed to be glaring at the spot Naruto had previously occupied.
"Training," he answered. "Tsunade has summoned us to her office to discuss the matter. We meet in ten minutes."
"What's wrong with Naruto?" Chouji asked. He could have sworn Neji's eye twitched at the mere mention of his name.
"Nothing in particular," he answered. Tenten walked into the training area then, carrying about six different guns. She paused when she saw them.
"Did you tell them about the meeting?" she asked Neji. He nodded, eyeing her arsenal.
"It starts in a few minutes. You're going to have to do your target practice later," he responded.
"I just want to get through three loads before the kids wake up from their nap," she said before turning to the guys, who looked at her wearily. "Have any of you seen Naruto? Hinata was looking for him."
"He just ran out to find her," Kiba answered. "Is something going on? Whatever it is, it's making Neji bust a vein."
Tenten looked at her husband and shook her head. "Are you still upset about that? They're married," she reminded.
"What the hell is going on?" Kiba asked.
"This isn't the place for that," Tenten answered. "You guys should clean up before the meeting. In case you haven't heard, Sakura's back and maybe this time she'll talk to us."
They left the matter alone and did as she suggested. There was time enough to figure out what was going on with Naruto anyway.
Sakura took a good look around her father's real office. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was expecting it to look like something out a spy novel with gadgets and gizmos propped on the walls. It was modern and sleek, with only a few interesting looking devices on his desk. His walls were otherwise normal, save for some pictures that were propped up.
She held the photo of her five-year-old self in her father's arms. She was told to go and see Tsunade, but she wanted to speak to her father first. Her back was turned when the door opened.
Kakashi walked into his office and stopped dead in his tracks. Sakura turned to face him, her expression giving nothing away.
"Sakura," he called, surprise evident in his voice.
"Daddy," she greeted.
"How are you?" he asked. "Have you seen Tsunade yet?"
She shook her head. "It's time we talked. I heard you stepped down as leader."
He nodded. "I never should have been the leader in the first place. The price was too high. I should have realized that sooner," he said as he looked intently at her.
"He told me everything," she whispered, referring to Sasuke. He only nodded.
"As he should," he responded, assessing her carefully.
"Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?"
"More than you know," he answered. "I'll tell you everything that you've been entitled to know since the very beginning."
She looked at him carefully. She had a hunch about this and took a chance. "Is it possible that all children of CIA Agents know about their parents careers? Was it possible that I could have known, and you just chose not to tell me?"
If he didn't have such excellent control of his emotions, Kakashi would have flinched. Sakura always was one for hitting the nail directly over the head. "The majority are informed around the age of twelve, when they're old enough to process the importance of the information. This goes for all standard personnel in the department. Our covert units are more selective and go by a ranking system. The more clandestine the unit, the more secretive they are in order to spare their families as leverage and endangering them."
She waited until he finished his answer, knowing that he knew what she wanted to hear. "As a commanding leader though, I could have told you." he finished.
"And I understand why you didn't," she said, surprising him. "I understand now. My safety over my pride was an easy choice. Raising a child alone is already hard enough. You gave me as normal a childhood as you possibly could. The value of which is priceless," she whispered. "Sora and Suki will never have the kind of life I did. The innocence of youth isn't whole anymore and it's all my fault."
"That's not-"
"Yes it is," she said harshly. "If I wasn't so angry at you for keeping me in the dark, I would have accepted whatever direction you gave me to keep my children safe. I would have listened to you because you knew better than me in this situation. But I couldn't handle my own pride and my children paid dearly for it."
"Sora and Suki are strong and their childhood is not lost," he reassured. "It's true that they'll forever be involved in the CIA from now on. Whether they join the other Agents in the future is entirely up to them when they're of age, but once they learn to control their abilities they'll be fine."
He walked until he stood before her. "I know you hate what they went through, but those two kids are being trained by the best this organization has to offer. Your children are not weak, and neither are you."
Sakura shook her head, cursing her hormones for giving her an endless supply of tears to shed. She was so sick of crying. Kakashi still couldn't stand the sight of her tears. She was a grown woman yet every tear made her look all the more like the precious child she once was; the child that had endured life without much help from others and became one of the most intelligent and capable individuals the world could ask for.
He placed his hand on her cheek and made her look at him. "You are much stronger than you know. You're stronger than I ever wanted to admit. It was me who was too weak to let the world put you to the test. Sora and Suki already overcame the hardest obstacles life could through at them, and I know you'll have the strength to raise them as life serves them more. And this time, I'll be there with you."
Sakura launched herself into her father's arms and cried. Years' worth of secrecy, hurt and resentment left her body with every sob. Forgiveness was divine for a reason. Sasuke had taught her that resentment only lead to more hurt. Nothing on this earth would ever take her love for her father away.
"I love you daddy," she whispered.
"I love you too, Sakura," he returned. "I will always love you."
"I'm sorry I took my anger out on you," she sobbed.
"You had every right," he soothed. "What's done is done now. From now on we don't hold anything important back from each other. Does that sound like we're going in the right direction?"
She sniffled and nodded. "I'm sorry," she said as she dabbed at her eyes. "I cry more easily than I care for nowadays. I hate it."
He looked at her appraisingly before asking "Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?"
He waited for a good two minutes as she tried to compose herself. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands and accepted the tissue he pulled out of nowhere and blew her nose. All the while she was processing her father's tone as he asked her that question. It was almost…knowing.
"Sasuke… asked…," she somehow found it difficult to get the words out as her father continued to give her that knowingly lazy stare.
"He asked for what?" Kakashi said, feigning innocence.
"He asked me to marry him. But you already knew that, didn't you?" she asked.
"I didn't expect anything less from him," he answered. "It was one the conditions we set."
"What?"
"One of his conditions," he clarified. "He wouldn't accept my offer to join the CIA unless I gave him my blessing to marry you."
He would have said demand, but even that word wasn't right to describe Sasuke's intention. Sasuke didn't ask or demand anything from anyone. He claimed what was his, and though it still burned a hole in Kakashi's gut, Sasuke had claimed his daughter. But anyone with eyes could see that that was unnecessary. Sakura had given her heart to him, and he didn't even have to ask.
Kakashi was going to have a tough time with an Uchiha for a son-in-law.
Sakura looked at her father in surprise. That was a bit of info that Sasuke didn't mention. To make matters heavier…"I'm also…," she couldn't seem to get her sentences straight at the moment. An odd sense of déjà vu consumed her. "I'm having a baby."
Kakashi closed his eyes and mentally shook his head. He knew of course. He was beyond delighted at the thought of another grandchild. He tried real hard not to dwell on the fact that Sasuke had gotten his daughter pregnant. He tried real hard. He lasted all of three seconds before wishing that he had gotten in a few more punches with the bastard before releasing him.
"I know," he replied. "Where are the other two?"
"In training with Sasuke and Itachi," she answered. "They say I'm not authorized to watch…but…,"
"I'll take you," he offered. "But you have to promise to observe only."
She gave her immediate agreement and was escorted to the training room.
She didn't know what to expect when it came to the children's training, but she certainly wasn't anticipating finding out. Her father had left her to go to a meeting he had to attend, which was just fine with her. She needed to do this herself.
Sakura observed the process through a two-way mirror. Suki had already finished her training with Itachi and was currently asleep to recuperate from the process. Sasuke and Sora sat on the ground at arm's length of each other with their eyes open and staring dead on at each other. No one was moving. As a matter of fact, it didn't even look like they were breathing. She had no idea what was running through their brains, but every time she through about what Sora and Suki had been through, she wanted to hold them close and keep the bad memories away.
Her son looked so deathly still it was unnerving. The two red Sharingan eyes he was sporting added to the affect.
"The process occurs in their minds," Mikoto said from behind her.
Sakura didn't flinch, but she was certainly surprised at her presence. Mikoto moved to stand next to her, watching the process as well.
"So I've been told," Sakura replied. Of all the people she had to encounter, Sasuke's mother was probably last on her list. "So you're an Agent as well?"
Mikoto chuckled. "Hardly."
Sakura turned to look at her then. Mikoto looked like her usual calm self. Dressed in a dark blue blazer and skirt, she looked like a normal person, but for her to be here meant otherwise.
"Then why are you here?" she asked.
"The same reason you are," Mikoto replied as she continued to observe the session. "You're not the only one with a child in there you know. Sasuke is my son, as Sora is yours. My child has also suffered immensely from all this madness."
"Yes, he did," she replied. "Why did this have to happen to them?"
"That's not a question we should bother asking," Mikoto answered. "Rather, once you know how everything began, you can understand how it was inevitable."
"What do you mean how it all began?" she asked. "You mean the Sound Operation?"
"No. I mean this organization. The CIA," Mikoto clarified, not taking her eyes off the training room. "Law enforcement has come in many forms in the past. Believe me Sakura, it's not something we could have ever hoped to control. The CIA we know today had very different origins when it all began back in the feudal era. In the times of warring nations and utter chaos, it was the time of exceptional warriors and hidden villages scattered in the lands of fire, water, earth, sand and so much more. In those times, we didn't have Agents," she said looking at her now.
"We had Shinobi," she continued. "It was the age of Ninja, and every Agent you see here today is a direct descendant of a powerful Shinobi bloodline. That includes you and your son."
Sakura was stunned at that bit of information. She never stopped to consider the historical aspect of the CIA, but the knowledge was overwhelming. "Everyone here?" she asked.
"All of your friends can trace their lineage back to those times. Law enforcement has constantly evolved to meet the times. The samurai were in the spotlight, but the Shinobi lived in the shadows. The agency that was built on secrets and shunning attachment to other people has ironically strong family bonds. Those bonds are what keep the organization running, but sometimes a parent can't help but want something different for their child."
"I can understand why," Sakura responded.
"Certainly," she agreed. "What you and those children have been through was every Agent's worst nightmare. It's what your father worked so hard to prevent from happening."
"Forgive me Mikoto, but if you're not an Agent, how is it that you're aware of what's been going on in the CIA?" she asked curiously. "From what I was told, which doesn't carry much weight, you and your husband were left out of the organization."
"And we let the organization think that, until recent events forced us to reveal otherwise," Mikoto replied. "Like I said Sakura, the bonds our ancestors formed as Shinobi were passed down for generations. It's impossible not to know what's happening to your own family, let alone your children. A mother always knows. I assume you've forgiven your father?" she asked. Sakura nodded. "How wonderful. Perhaps in time, my son can forgive me as well."
Sakura looked at her questioningly. "What would he possibly need to forgive you for?'" she asked not caring if that was being too nosy. Mikoto simply looked back through the glass at Sasuke.
"I was so focused on keeping my eldest son safe in the organization that my youngest went through all he did alone," Mikoto confessed. "All those years, he thought he had to keep that secret to himself. But I knew. I would have done anything to protect my son…even help him escape from the law."
Sakura turned to her so abruptly that she almost stumbled. Her mouth was agape. Somehow, she knew exactly what Mikoto was referring to. "It was you," she said stunned. "You were the one that helped him leave the hospital when he was that wounded."
"Yes, and no," she replied. "I only have him the heads up," she clarified, recalling the night she had purposefully left the note in Sasuke's room. It had nearly killed her to leave him there, knowing that the CIA had finally figured out his mistake, but she had to play dumb and hope that he would make it out alive.
Sakura continued to stare at her in shock. She had always wondered how Sasuke was able to get out of the hospital that night. Now it made sense. Mikoto smiled at her shocked expression.
"I don't regret my decision Sakura," she admitted. "I did what I had to in order to protect my son. The Uchiha clan is a proud and powerful bloodline to behold. Your son now bears the burden of our clan's abilities and for that, I'm so sorry. The only comfort I can offer you is that he is strong enough to overcome it and both my sons will guide him through it," she said before assessing Sakura from the corner of her eyes. "And a baby born with Uchiha blood will be strong indeed. It takes a quite woman to give birth to such a child. I have no doubt you will bring my new grandchild into this world with the best possible start. My son deserves his happiness, and that happiness is you."
Sakura was at a loss for words. Mikoto's actions surely had to have consequences, but the way she was talking made Sakura wonder if anyone other than herself was aware of her role in all this. As if reading her thoughts, Mikoto added. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else about my actions, Sasuke included. I figured you were entitled to know at least one secret that they didn't know."
Sakura simply nodded before saying "Alright." She didn't know what else to say. Mikoto nodded and looked back at the training area. She smiled fondly.
"Sora really does remind me of Sasuke when he was that age," she said reminiscently. "He looks so much like him. But I have pretty good eyes myself. I can see that there's someone else that's present within him. Sora's father must have been quite a man."
"Yes he was," she whispered. "Thank you Mikoto."
"You'd better go to him now," she said. Sakura looked back at the training area.
Sasuke was carrying a sleeping Sora toward the door. Sakura nodded at Mikoto before opening the door and running to meet them. Sasuke's mother watched the woman that held her son's heart. She watched how her son looked complete standing beside her. She watched how they both looked down tenderly at the sweet child between them. And soon, she would be watching them welcome a third child into the world. She left the observation area, feeling secure in the knowledge that Sakura Haruno was more than just a second chance for Sasuke.
She was his redemption, and Mikoto couldn't have asked for anything more.
"And that's what's been decided," Tsunade concluded. She had ten of her best Agents in the room and felt the need to personally inform them about Sasuke's new agreement. It certainly made an impact. She could see the distrust already.
"What about his trial?" Shikamaru asked.
"The trial was just a formality with the inevitable conclusion of his execution," she answered. "I'm not going to pretend otherwise, nor should any of you think that Sasuke would have taken that sitting down. We chose the more productive route of using his abilities in our favor, and make no mistake that he will be working closely with many of you once he's gotten the clearance."
"We can't trust him that quickly," Neji commented. "He already went rouge once. What's to say the right circumstances won't lead to that same action? He doesn't work well in a team."
"Like he's had the chance," Naruto muttered. "I'm all for this idea. Maybe the rest of you don't trust him, but I do."
"Who don't you trust?" Tsunade returned. "I haven't forgotten your little rogue mission when you joined him against orders. Though I won't hold the outcome against you, I will not tolerate insubordination again Naruto," she warned.
Naruto would have retorted, but Hinata's gentle pressure on his hand made him hold back. Now was not the time to stir up trouble. "What about Sakura then?" he asked.
"She's been informed," she answered.
"No, I meant what's she going to do now that she knows about all this?" he clarified. "Wouldn't it make sense for her to join as well?"
Nine pairs of eyes looked at him like he'd finally lost his marbles. Tsunade though, looked at him with only mild interest.
"That's crazy Naruto," Tenten responded. "She's a civilian. There's no way can she switch to being an Agent. She has no training whatsoever."
"Not to mention Kakashi would go ballistic," Ino added. "Besides, Sakura wouldn't go for it. She's been through too much."
"I think she has it in her," Naruto said then. "She's super smart, plus she's got that crazy monstrous strength just like Granny-gah!"
A stapler was promptly tossed at his head, shutting him up. Tsunade's left eye began to twitch. "Sakura is in no condition for such a plan at the moment," she said.
"Says who?" came a voice from behind them.
They all turned to find Sakura standing in the doorway. "I didn't mean to ease drop, but the door was open and you wanted to see me," she said to Tsunade. Sasuke was escorted to the Medical Ward for routine analyzing, leaving her with nothing to do but follow through with meeting Tsunade as the children slept.
Tsunade sighed. "Yes I did," she said before saying to the rest of the Agents "This meeting is dismissed."
"Before you go, I have something I want to say to all of you," Sakura said, giving the room a sweep with her eyes.
She knew most of them personally, and each one was giving her a different look. Ino, Hinata and Tenten looked at her fondly while Neji, Shikamaru and another guy with dark glasses and white lab coat barely raised a brow. Kiba grinned and Lee was practically beaming at her, and even Chouji, whom she hadn't see since her first date with Sasuke at his restaurant gave her a smile. But the one that got to her most was Naruto.
He looked at her like he was welcoming her home, and she could have melted right there. His cerulean eyes were filled with joy as he flashed his signature cheeky foxlike grin. She had heard about what he went through after her abduction from Shizune, who was surprisingly forthcoming when she decided to get some more specific answers about that night. His condition both frightened her and intrigued her. The need to help him overwhelmed her, which got her thinking about her own future.
"I've known some of you for years, and others I've only just met this past year," Sakura began. "But you all have known me, or of me, for much longer. Most of you knew Sai, and everything that happened to him. I never wanted any of this to be my life, but it is. I'm so sorry I was angry at any of you. I realize how fortunate I was that you were there. Thank you all, for saving me and my children. Words can't describe how much I owe my life to you."
"We want to apologize to you as well Sakura," Tenten said. "We didn't want to keep this from you, but we had no choice."
"I understand," she responded. "I really do now."
"I knew you would," Naruto said confidently. "Besides, you belong here with us. No way there's any going back now."
"Give it a rest Naruto," Ino chided before saying to Sakura "Welcome back forehead."
"Thanks Ino-pig," she threw back.
"Alright enough of this," Tsunade announced. "You can have your reunion later. I need to speak to Sakura."
Everyone promptly left the room. Naruto gave her a hug before leaving, accidentally squeezing her injured side and apologizing when she flinched. When they had all gone, Sakura took a seat in front of her mentor and waited.
Tsunade gave her a thorough once over before speaking. "Are you healing properly?"
"Slowly but surely," she replied. "The burn from the gunshot wound is taking a bit longer to heal, but the stab wound is all but fixed."
"Have you been sticking to your bed rest orders?" she continued. "Caring for two children requires strength that you can't afford at the moment."
"Of course I have," Sakura replied rolling her eyes.
"You haven't been doing anything to aggravate your injuries?" Tsunade prodded.
Sakura tried her best to put on a poker face. That was a loaded question that really didn't need answering, seeing as how she knew that Sasuke was with her last night. Tsunade resisted rolling her eyes when a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"He's going to have to keep his hands off you until you're fully healed," she said bluntly. The blush increased tenfold.
"I'm not that injured," she retorted.
"When you say 'stabbed' and 'shot' in the same sentence, that's considered pretty injured," Tsunade countered. "Looks like we're going to have to keep him pretty busy for a while."
"Was that all you wanted to say?" Sakura asked, looking suddenly exhausted. Tsunade took pity on her former student and softened her tone.
"I need to give you a thorough medical exam, including evaluation of the pregnancy," she said. "How are you really feeling?"
"I'm fine," she answered. "A little worn out, but fine. I'm just glad the worst is over."
"We can never truly be sure the worst is over," Tsunade replied. "In our line of work, we anticipate danger before it ever happens. Being a part of the CIA is a lifetime commitment Sakura. Sasuke will soon take part in this commitment, as well as your children if and when the time comes. Are you prepared to handle that?"
Sakura looked her mentor in the eye. "Handle it? I'm not here to handle anything," she began. "I wasn't just sitting at home and stewing about all this. I did a lot of thinking, and made a few decisions I should have been allowed to make in the first place."
"And what have you come to decide?" Tsunade asked, lacing her fingers together and resting her chin on top. Sakura was indeed the brightest pupil she had ever taught, surpassing her mother Rin and maybe even Tsunade herself. What she saw brewing in her eyes was exactly what she expected: Resolve.
"To make this part of my life," she answered. "So…got any need for another CIA medic?"
Tsunade allowed herself to smirk. "There's always a need," she replied. "But this is no ordinary world of medicine. Are you up for the task?"
Sakura saw the challenge in her eyes and felt her own resolve strengthen. She knew this was no ordinary world of medicine. She thought of Naruto's smiling face and the frightening condition he had to endure. She thought of Sasuke and her children, battle scared in more ways than one. She even thought of Shin and the unknown disease that had eaten him alive. She would do all she could to help where she was needed most.
Everyone here had their perks, and she sure as hell wasn't modest when it came to hers.
"Hell yeah," she replied.
"Can you draw a princess?" Suki asked as she colored in another ninja drawing. They were currently in the CIA nursery, where they had been provided with a small table and chairs with all the paper and crayons and pencils they wanted.
"I guess," Sora responded. "But that's girly," he added as he continued with his sketch. Suki pouted but didn't push him as she chose yet another shade of pink to color in the ninja. Sora didn't appreciate the color but didn't dwell on it too long.
Both children had woken up from their training-induced sleep, no worse for wear. In time, they would be able to fully process what had happen to them and why, but in the meantime, they had a childhood to live.
Soft cooing could be heard, coming from the giant playpen in the center of the room that housed the seven-month-old Hyuga triplets. The babies had woken up from their nap and were currently practicing the ancient art of crawling aimlessly. Sora and Suki watched them at first, but quickly got bored with the triplets and went back to drawing.
Suki looked at Sora as he concentrated on his ninja drawing and made a decision. "I'm going to make a princess card for mommy," she announced as she took a piece of paper and began to make her own drawing. She wasn't as good as her brother, but she would try her hardest. She stared at the blank piece of paper and tried to imagine the outline of a princess.
In her peripheral vision, she could see Sora's hand fluidly move around the paper. She wished she could draw just like him. She was so focused on watching Sora draw that she hadn't realized that she picked up her pencil and began to mimic him, stroke for stroke, angle to angle.
The funny thing was…she wasn't even looking at the paper.
That was when Itachi walked into the room and paused when he saw what was happening. He stood and watched, fascinated at Suki's progress. Whether she knew it or not, Suki had activated her Sharingan and using it to mimic Sora's movements to create the exact same drawing.
Itachi didn't think she realized what she was doing, but for her to freely use it now meant that Suki's capabilities were greater than they had initially imagined. He watched for a few minutes, and when Sora put his pencil down, Suki did as well.
Sora looked up and finally noticed Suki's eyes. He frowned. "Dad say's you're not supposed to use it unless he's here."
"Nuh uh," Suki replied. "He said I can use if I'm in trouble."
"But you're not in trouble," Sora retorted.
"But you wouldn't make a princess drawing for me," she pouted. Sora looked at her paper then.
"But now you have a ninja," he pointed out. Suki looked down at her paper and pouted further when she saw he was right. Her plan didn't work out so well after all. Itachi walked in and crouched down next to his niece.
"You don't need your Sharingan to make a drawing," he said to Suki. She frowned.
"But I wanted to make a nice drawing for mommy," she said. "I can't draw like Sora Onii chan."
"You can make your own," Sora said. "Mommy will like it. She always likes drawings."
Suki looked down at the identical ninja drawing and pouted before agreeing. She wanted a princess drawing. Itachi was about to instruct her to deactivate her Sharingan, but was cut short when Suki did it herself without any hesitation. She simply picked up a blank piece of paper and pink crayon and got to work.
She would make her mommy the best card ever.
Sasuke had just finished another round of evaluations and testing. They insisted on doing the exam after each training session he had with the kids. The bureaucracy was already killing him. He knew the agency was walking on egg shells with regards to his evaluations. Needless to say he scared the shit out the medical team with his abilities. To be so uncertain of how to handle him served as a bit of amusement on his part. The ANBU Agents were present at all times.
He wasn't going to disregard the CIA's medical unit though. Trained under Tsunade, they were able to handle immense cases such as Naruto. Still, it wouldn't hurt to have one medic that could look him in the eye. Speaking of the dobe, he came strolling into the medical unit and looked around frantically. He spotted Sasuke and made his way over.
"Where the hell have you been all this time?" Naruto asked.
"Here," Sasuke replied, noticing that Naruto was a bit preoccupied looking around the department. "She just left," he said, referring to Hinata. Naruto looked panicked. Sasuke didn't particularly care to find out what was going on there.
"Gah why do I keep missing her?" Naruto huffed. After the meeting, Hinata had gone off to who knows where without telling him a thing.
Sasuke stopped paying attention to his rambling when he spotted Sakura entering the Medical Ward with Tsunade. She hadn't seen them and only halted when Naruto shouted her name.
"Sakura!" he yelled.
She jumped at her name and nearly tripped over the stairs. Sasuke felt his heart stop when she stumbled before straightening herself and glaring in his direction. Naruto, sensing his mistake, held up his hands at Sasuke's death glare.
"heheh…sorry," he mumbled.
She turned and said something to Tsunade, who nodded and went ahead of her. Sakura calmly walked over to them, taking care to look no worse for wear regardless of her exhaustion. Several of the medical personnel greeted her as she passed them, even going so far as to formally bow as she passed. Even underground, Sakura's medical capabilities were renowned.
Sasuke looked like he was getting ready to carry her and confine her to a hospital bed. She didn't give the four ANBU Agents behind him anything more than a curt nod. She was about to ask Naruto what he wanted when he suddenly said "Hey, now that I see you better, you don't look so good. Same thing with Hinata. Is there a bug going around here?"
Sakura wanted to deck him right then and there. She chanced a look at Sasuke, whose aura darkened. "What are you doing in the medical ward?" he demanded. If she was sick and didn't tell him, he was going to go ballistic.
"I needed to discuss a few things with Tsunade," she answered. "And what's wrong with Hinata?" she asked to Naruto, who took in a deep breath before telling her everything he thought was wrong with his wife.
From up above the railing that overlooked the unit, Tsunade watched the three of them together. Naruto was in a panic about something, flailing his arms around at what Sakura happened to be telling him. Sasuke looked both exasperated with the blond and piercingly concentrated on Sakura. Tsunade didn't miss the apprehensive glance the Uchiha would take at her midsection. It was slight, but it was there.
Anyone with eyes could see that Sakura was drained of energy. Tsunade was going to make her stick to her bed rest orders until she was fully healed from her injuries, and if that meant ordering Sasuke to keep his hands to himself, so be it.
"What's going on down there?" Kakashi asked as he stepped beside her. Tsunade sighed.
"It's always something or another," she responded. "Your daughter has declared her intent to become a medic with the CIA."
"…Did she now?" he replied. "What was your response?"
"She wouldn't let me deny her," Tsunade said smirking as she recalled the fire in her pupil's eyes. "And I'm not about to turn down the opportunity to harness her medical power for the organization," she added.
Kakashi looked down at the three of them with interest. "And are those two aware of this decision?"
"Judging from Sasuke's glare and Naruto's enthusiasm I'd say so. Naruto seems to be an advocate for the both of them," she said, shaking her head. "Sasuke will need to be assigned to a team that suits him. It should be a process, but I think the decision is plain to see."
"So it is," Kakashi replied. Tsunade watched him from the corner of her eye.
"They're going to need some guidance at first…," she said, letting the offer hang. "You never did get to mentor a team in your earlier years. You were too damn picky."
"You can't say I didn't try, because you know that I did," he replied. "Six times as a matter of fact. I don't think I have the patience to even think about another try."
"Who knows? This might be your lucky number seven" she said, smirking. "You can get an impression at how they would work together just by looking at them," she added.
Commotion beneath them made them turn to the prospective Team Seven. Sakura had Naruto by the ear and was yelling at him about something as he crumbled from the pressure. Sasuke grabbed her by the waist and hauled her into his arms before walking towards the Medical unit, and judging by the way she was thrashing, it was against her will. Naruto, whose ear was still being held captive by Sakura's fingers, was unwillingly dragged along.
Tsunade regretted her words at the sight. "You want my first impression?" Kakashi asked. He looked just as exasperated as she did.
"My first impression of this prospective team is…they're all idiots," Kakashi declared before pulling out his favorite novel and picking up where he left off.
AUTHORS NOTE:
The final chapter is next and it's all fluffy like Akamaru must have been as a puppy. Lolzzies . We're talking Sora and Suki fest, plus Sasuke and Sakura fest, plus all kinds of fests. It's an infestation like Shino's bugs. Lolzzies again hehehe…ehhhhhh I'm so tired….
Sorry about the long wait everyone. The Naruto Manga Chapters are throwing me for a total loop and I get so emotional and edgy that I couldn't write until I calmed down (which can take several days believe it or not) . I wasn't even sure where to cap this chapter off so I left it on some light humor so I can pile on the fluff in the next chapter.
The FINAL chapter is coming up, and of course I'll try to make it lengthy as usual. This story is my baby and I'll be an emotional wreck when it graduates. SO REVIEW if you want it!
And now, for a special announcement (cough hypnosis session cough) by Sora and Suki:
*Sora and Suki walk up to the stage*
Sora: " You will review to this chapter" *glares at readers*
Suki: "Please review to this chapter" *smiles at readers*
*Sora and Suki unleash Sharingan and stare pointedly at readers*
Sora/Suki: "Youuuuu willlll review to this chapter" *Sora and Suki smirk*
*Sasuke steps up behind children and waits. Children freeze in place. Children know they are busted for trying to hypnotize readers. Sasuke scoops up children and glares at readers*
Sasuke's glare translation: Review to the chapter. 0.o he didn't even need words!