Silently, an ANBU dropped down into the office and handing the Hokage a document. The mask was a fearsome looking blue demon with horns and a wicked grin. It wasn't the traditional mask of the Leaf ANBU but he had given her special permission to wear it because he thought it fit her personality perfectly, devilish.

"That was fast," he remarked looking over the paper to make sure all was in place. If he was impatient then it would wreck the surprise. Every place that required a signature was filled in except his.

"We know how to get things done when we want something bad enough," the masked girl answered.

"I'm guessing Granny had a hand in this, the council still likes her better than me," he lamented.

"Yeah, they pretty much hate you," the girl behind the mask teased.

"I'd like to think I'm growing on them," he defended quickly.

"Like mold, maybe," was her cheeky response.

He gave her a look, but decided not to react to the little demon. She was going to have to try harder to get any more negative attention from him for her words. He gave a signal and the room filled with animal masks.

"First one to bring me Sakura gets a prize," he raised a hand but before he dismissed them he added, "try to be gentle," he grinned and then sent them on their way.

In a snap the room was clear. He grinned devilishly to himself, his student was rubbing off on him. He hoped Sakura wouldn't be too mad at him for sicking the ANBU on her but they needed the exercise. He could tell they were bored. Nothing had happened lately that required ninja of their caliber. This wasn't a high risk job either, unless they pissed off the target, then it would go from low to outrageous in a hurry.

Sakura was enjoying some tea at the Uchiha compound with Jun and Tomo. It wasn't a complete social visit but that didn't stop her from enjoying the company of two wonderful women. The atmosphere of the home was comforting and calming even with all the children running around and playing. She was really there to check on Tomo again and make sure things were still going well for her and the babies.

"I think the rest is doing you some good already. I hope the children are not making you stress," Sakura expressed concerned.

"Oh no, they don't stress me at all. Keeping track of our esteemed Hokage is more stress than this rowdy bunch," Tomo smiled.

"I'm going to make you up some pregnancy tea an old village midwife taught me, that should help you out as well. If you want Jun I can make you up some as well," the medic offered.

"That would be wonderful, thank you very much," Jun smiled.

Just then a gust of wind stirred the room. Standing before them was a snake masked ANBU. Sakura recognized that mask from her first night with her lover. A glare fell across her soft features.

"What's wrong?" Tomo questioned, rising from her seat fast.

"You know I don't like it when either of you come home with those on," Jun scolded lightly.

"I'm here on official business for the Hokage. Sakua, your presence has been requested. Please come with me to the tower," he asked polity.

Tomo visibly relaxed and joined Jun on the couch again. She was fiercely protective of the Hokage. Of all the ANBU she was the one who had the most respect for the man. He had saved her life when she was suppose to be protecting him. Since that day she had adopted him in her heart as everything from a father figure to a son. Sasuke had found her devotion to the Hokage fascinating but as much as she loved Naruto she didn't see him as a love intrust. She knew his heart was taken even if the girl was no longer in the village at the time.

"Did he send you after me just because I left the tower again?" Sakura growled dangerously.

"I was not privilege to the reason of the request, I was just sent to fetch you," he answered. He held out a hand and waited for her to join him so he could whisk them back to the tower and he could collect his prize. She gave in after a moment of silent debating and went to join him.

"I'll be back to check on the babies another day," she told the ladies. They both smiled at her as she vanished with a twist of leaves on the breeze.

Just outside the open doors of the Hokage's office was where they reappeared. She wasn't sure if she could ever get use to that.

"Tell me something, how is Tomo?" Sasuke asked, something in his tone made Sakura worry.

"She's fine, but she needs to take it easy," she answered, watching his body language for the things his words didn't say.

"Sakura, I need you to be honest with me. I almost lost her once, her first pregnancy with the twins, there were complications. I can't loose her," he confessed holding onto her shoulders for strength. She had never seen this man so vulnerable. Even his mask couldn't hide his fear for his wife.

Naruto noticed them and moved to hear the conversation.

"I'm keeping a close eye on her, I promise," he heard her say.

"What do you know about birthing babies," the snake snapped sulking away from her.

"Snake," Naruto scolded.

Sakura held up her hand to stop Naruto, "you would have a valid point, if my medical training was what it was when I left. But I've done years of training under village doctors and midwifes. I've seen things done to save both mother and child that would make the most hardened ninja faint. I know how to deal with multiple births and how to keep everyone safe. But if you don't trust me, then I will tell Tomo that you would rather not have her in my care and leave her to just her regular doctor," she rebuked.

Naruto was impressed. He missed the strong confidence she had when she was in medic mode.

"I'm sorry, I get a little over protective when it comes to my family," apologized the stressing father.

"I understand, but you can trust me," she assured him, her voice gentler than before.

He nodded his consent and they all moved into the office. Naruto went around his desk looking for the papers he had just had. Sasuke finding her was a little disappointing but he was glad no one got hurt and she wasn't mad, yet. After looking at the same pile twice he finally found it. He pulled a small box from his desk and stepped up to the woman who stole his heart.

"Welcome back," he grinned handing her reinstatement papers and the wooden box.

She looked the paper over, she had been given her old rank back. She saw all the names that had to sign it to get her back in.

"How did you get this done so fast?" she questioned not looking up from the paper.

"You have some fans in high places," the Hokage chuckled.

"Shall I inform everyone game over?" Snake asked knowing Naruto was distracted by his lover.

Naruto nodded and the ANBU vanished. Sakura was still in awe of how fast her request had been pushed through. She knew she was a top combat medic, that must have been the reason for it being processed so quickly. If her former teacher had wanted her back bad enough she would use any means necessary, even politely threatening the counsel. While still deep in thought the room filled with masked ninja.

"Thank you all for playing but Snake is the winner. Name your prize," Naruto called.

"Time off," answered the snake mask.

"Take a week," Naruto offered.

"It wasn't that big of a challenge and I can't leave you short handed," the man behind the snake mask protested.

Naruto raised his arms and gestured around to all of the ANBU in the room, "I am not short handed," the Hokage rebuked.

"What's in the box?" butted in the blue demon.

Sakura was surprised to recognize Haruko's voice. This girl seemed to be in every aspect of Naruto's life. Sakura had been so taken back by being a ninja for the Leaf again that she had forgotten all about the little box beautifully decorated with cherry blossoms. A hand signal from the Hokage emptied the room. Sakura's nimble fingers glided along the smooth surface of the lid to finally pull it open to see a head band. She took it out and placed the box on Naruto's desk.

"My headband," she whispered.

"Every ninja has to wear one," he smiled.

"No, I mean, this is mine, from forever ago," she touched the metal, flooding memories bringing tears to her eyes, "you kept it," she said with a shaky voice.

"Of course I did, it was the last thing you left me. But really I was just keeping it safe for you, till you came back for it," he stated solemnly.

There was a warmth in his voice that broke her hold on her tears. He rushed to her and she clung to him while hot tears flowed freely down her cheeks. He was too good to be true. After a few minutes she got herself under control.

"Thank you for taking such good care of it," she choked out, still sounding funny from crying.

He laughed and squeezed her close. Things were starting to become right in his world again. She was back, had become his lover, and now she was an official ninja again. He didn't want to move too fast but he wanted to give her every reason possible to never leave again.

"It wasn't easy," he joked still holding her tight.

She looked at her paper again and noticed at the very bottom it still needed the Hokage's signature.

"Hokage-sama, you still need to sign this," she reminded.

He took the paper and scanned it, sure enough he had forgotten.

"So, what are you going to do for me to get me to sign this?" he questioned with a devious grin.

She crossed her arms and answered, "be the best damn medical ninja you've ever seen."

"Good enough for me," he stated, not wanting to tempt her to break any of his bones and signed her reactivation papers.

As he handed it back to her he was surprised by his own emotions. He had expected to only feel joy and excitement but there was a powerful surge of regret. Now she would be going out on missions. Things weren't as dangerous as they were when they were young but even now there were times when someone didn't come home. What was done, was done and he would have to accept whatever fate had in store for them.