AN: I am so thankful for all of you who have stuck by me through this journey. It has been a year in the making (it is so crazy because it doesn't seem like it has been that long!) I am so thankful for everyone who has taken the time to like, review, or even just read my work. It means so much. This will be my first completed work and I hope to complete my other Sasusaku story as well as start posting my newest work. Thank you all once again for being amazing. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy the last chapter of 'A man of his word' by yours truly.

Xoxo goldengatesgirl 3

Started: 06/17/2022

Completed: 06/20/2023

Rated M for violence, cussing, and sexual scenes.

I Do NOT own Naruto, its characters, or any of the places in this story. This was written for entertainment purposes only.

This is in NO WAY shape or form cannon. But I will try to keep it as close to cannon compliance as possible.

I DO OWN this story.

indicates a time skip.

3 years, 4 months, and 2 days.

That is the amount of time we had with him. The amount of time we were gifted to be a family. 3 years, 4 months, and 2 days of putting off the inevitable. 3 years, 4 months, and 2 days of falling asleep and waking up next to the man I love. 3 years, 4 months, and 2 days of watching him be the best dad in all of the villages combined. He never complained once about getting up with Sarada in the night. Changed every diaper without being asked. Brought her to me to nurse and comforted her when she cried. 3 birthdays. Her first tooth, her first boo-boo, her first steps. Sasuke Uchiha was there for them all.

After 3 years, 4 months, and 1 day our all-too-content world would come screeching to a halt. We had already tucked Sarada in for the night after an impromptu picnic in the park for dinner per her request. She loved being outside and her dad loved making her happy, so nonetheless we had our evening picnic. Sasuke and I had just finished our evening chores and were hopping in the shower. It was just after 10:30 pm.

There was a brisk, yet sharp knock at our bedroom window. I pulled away from our heated kiss to give Sasuke a confused look. His face mirrored mine before turning to annoyed. He pecked me once more, muttering a 'give me a minute', before getting out and tugging his robe over his wet skin and shutting the door behind him. I listened intently trying to hear who it was.

"Hokage requests your presence immediately." I heard an unfamiliar voice say. Anbu. Can't Kakashi wait until morning? I thought to myself rolling my eyes. "Give me a few minutes, I was in the shower. Can't this wait until the morning?" I heard Sasuke say annoyed. There was a pause and what he said next sent a chill down my spine. "Uchiha Sasuke. He needs to see you. Uzumaki Naruto is already en route. They need you. Now." I shut the water off immediately.

By the time I dried off and put on my robe, I opened the door and Sasuke was lifting the window to exit, fully dressed. "Come home as soon as you can, okay?" I asked, clutching the pink material closer to me, trying with no luck to keep the worry out of my voice. If Kakashi Sensei was summoning both Sasuke and Naruto out at this hour and needing them as soon as possible… I didn't even want to think about what this meant. I heard Sasuke sigh and turn to me, closing the distance between us. He kissed my lips quickly and when he pulled back I could see what emotion he too was trying to hide.

Worry. My eyes fluttered closed when his fingers tapped against my forehead and without another word I felt a gust of wind. I opened my eyes to see what I already knew, he was gone. I stood there for what might have been an hour until the sounds of Sarada crying pulled me out of my thoughts. I rushed to her room, scooping her up in my arms. Her tiny arms and legs wrapped around me and her little face nuzzled into my long damp hair with ragged breaths. "Pa-Pa mommy! Where is papa? I w-want papa!" She cried into my neck. That makes two of us, I thought to myself as I rubbed her back and carried her to our room.

I pulled back the covers on Sasuke's side of the bed and climbed in, still clutching my baby girl close to me. A habit I had become accustomed to when he was sent on his random overnight missions or one that ran over into the late hours and we began to miss him. His girls were spoiled that was for certain. We never wanted for anything. No matter how grand or minuscule the request, he made sure to comply. I missed healing, and my work, so he kept Sarada while I returned part-time at the hospital. She always had all of the newest toys, most interesting books, or exciting adventures she wanted. Her father, Sasuke Uchiha made damn sure of it.

As for me, I never went to bed mad, nor unsatisfied. My husband, Sasuke Uchiha, would never allow it. If we argued, he spent the late hours of the evening making it up to me. We went on family outings weekly, traveling to all of the most beautiful places the Leaf had to offer. We had a very nice home, built in the old Uchiha compound. Two-story, big yard, spacious rooms. I had my own office, and Sarada had her own playroom. There were many spare rooms for future children- if we wanted them. As for now we were plenty content with our beloved daughter.

If he had to stay gone for longer than a day he never came home empty handed. Bringing gifts back for both of us. Usually rare scrolls or books for me, and toys or stuffies for Sarada. Even though her favorite was her 'papa's' old dino stuffy he had found amongst his old belongings.

If I had a long night at the hospital I would return home to a hot bath, a sleeping- already bathed baby, and a nice home cooked meal. He would join me in the tub and rub away my sore muscles as he did in my pregnancy days. There was no doubt about it. My husband, Sarada's papa, Sasuke Uchiha, was by far the best man anyone could ever hope to have.

All these thoughts ran through my head all night long as I held our not so little baby close to my chest. Her raven hair that mirrored her fathers sprawled across my face as I breathed in her sweet smell, trying to calm my nerves. I watched as the sky went from black and starry to a dark blue of the very early morning hues. I glanced at the bedside clock as I heard the window slide open. 2:42 AM, read in red. My eyes shot to the window as Sasuke slid it shut quietly. He undressed and pulled on his sleep shorts. Something wasn't right. I could by the way he wouldn't meet my questioning gaze.

I felt panic rise up in my chest and felt my grip tighten around our sleeping child. "Sasuke-Kun…?" I whispered as he climbed into my side of the bed slowly, still not looking at me. He looked up, still not meeting my eyes and reached for Sarada. I released my grip as his hands brushed mine, he scooped her into his lone arm and cradled her against his chest. I watched his face as he watched hers silently for the next few minutes. A pained look that even the great Sasuke Uchiha couldn't hide was making its way to his face more prominently with each passing minute.

"Sasuke-Kun..?" I whispered again, this time I heard the crack in my voice. I hadn't even known I had been crying until I felt water on my cheeks. His eyes finally met mine and widened. He leaned over the rest of the way and wrapped his arm around me pulling me closer to him with Sarada sleeping soundly between us. His face nestled into my hair as our daughter's did hours before him, searching for some comfort. "I am so sorry Sakura." Sasuke whispered, his voice thick with emotion. I pulled away searching his face. He looked like Sasuke from the forest of death all those years ago. Like a scared child.

"Sasuke-Kun, what is it? Tell me, whatever it is, it will be okay. We can get through this together." I said to him looking deep into his beautiful eyes. He looked back into mine studying my emotions. He shook his head slowly, still not looking away from my face. "It's not that simple Sakura." He responded quietly, looking back down at Sarada who had started to stir. He patted her back and whispered into her ear, "It's okay Sarada, Papa is here."

She kept her eyes closed but tightened her grip on him, nuzzling closer to his chest before her breathing once again evened out into a peaceful slumber. It was quiet for a moment as we both made sure she was back to sleep. "I have to leave for a mission." Sasuke said, still watching Sarada's sleeping face. I felt the panic die down. Shew. So this was what this was about. I was worrying for nothing. Sasuke hated leaving us for even a day, he was just upset about being gone for a bit. I chuckled to myself. "Sasuke-kun, you made me worried. I told you, I will be okay to make supper for one night on my own. Sarada might not like it but she always gets over-" I was cut off by Sasuke's broken voice.

"It's not …for one night, Sakura." Sasuke said, finally looking up at me. The panic came back tenfold. I tried to keep it from showing. I took a deep breath to calm my frenzied nerves. "What, let me guess. Kakashi Sensei is making you take another week-long mission on the border again?" I nervously joked. His eyes softened sadly into mine before he set Sarada gently down on the pillow. His now free hand reached up to stroke my cheek. As he shook his head no. I felt my heartbreak as I watched him take a ragged breath. "No Sakura, I am sorry. I wish Kakashi was sending me on a week-long mission."

He wished? A week long? Last time he was sent on one of those when Sarada was 11 months old he almost burnt the hokage's tower to the ground when Kakashi gave him the news of his mission. He ended up coming back the day before Sarada took her first steps. Had he missed them, he probably would have burned it to the ground with Kakashi still inside. I watched as his eyes misted up as I had only seen once before the day our daughter was born. But this was the opposite look than he gave me that day.

Instead of gratitude and happiness, this look was filled with so much pain and sorrow. "Sakura, I have to leave on a mission. It's one only I am able to do." He tucked my hair behind my ear before finishing. The words he said next made my whole world freeze. "The mission I have been assigned isn't a normal one. Unlike our other missions, this one… has no foreseeable end. It could be months. But most likely it will be… years." With those words, the world I had loved for the last 3 years, 4 months, and now 2 days, had come to an abrupt end.

After minutes of me trying to wrap my head around his words in the deafening silence I shook my head not wanting to believe my ears. My brain was scrambling trying to come up with a solution. "It will be okay Sasuke-Kun, Sarada doesn't start school yet so that won't be a problem and I am sure after all he is putting us through, Kakashi Sesei will grant me leave in the hospital and I am sure whatever village we go to will be in some sort or need for a medic. I mean I am Uchiha Sakura after all." I ranted, raking my hands through my hair trying to go over all the loose ends of our life in my head.

"The house is paid off, so that won't be a problem. I am sure Naruto or Ino will check into it for-" Sasuke cut me off by shaking his head again with a sad smile that didn't meet his eyes. "Sakura. You know I would love nothing more than for that to happen… but it can't." I stopped my actions and looked at him confused. "What do you mean it can't?" I said quietly, glancing back at our daughter quickly. He followed my gaze and his hand went to Sarada's sleeping form, something to anchor him. Something to keep him calm. I knew his next words would hurt. "What I mean is what I said before. This mission can be completed by me, and only me." He said sadly his voice emphasizing the 'only him' part.

"But… Sasuke-Kun.. you-you said… this mission will… likely be… years.." I said, feeling my heart crack and the realization start to set in. He nodded quietly, swallowing the lump in his throat. My eyes widened and I shook my head staring into his pain stricken eyes. It all made sense now. Sasuke was leaving. Sasuke was leaving and we couldn't go with him. Sasuke likely wouldn't be back… for years. His heartbroken look earlier and his comment about a week mission all made sense now.

"No Sasuke-Kun. You can't. You can't go. Kakashi Sensei can't do this. We can't- Sarada can't. No! You can't go. She needs you, I need you! You can't go, Sasuke-Kun!" I said, my voice breaking and tears streaming down my face. Sasuke's eyes opened wide as Sarada began to stir again. I couldn't stop myself though. He wrapped his arm around me pulling me close and pushing my head into the crook of his neck to muffle my sobs. "Shh Sakura, shh Tsuma you'll wake the baby." He whispered into my ear while rubbing my back to soothe me.

"I am sorry, I am so sorry. I wish there was another way, you know I do. I am sorry Sakura. This is the only way. It is the only way I can keep you both safe. It's the only way I can make sure our baby is safe. I am sorry… I just can't lose my family. Not again. I have to protect you both." Sasuke whispered into my ear. He held me for what seemed like forever and yet still not long enough. When my sobs died down he explained his mission to me. He explained the scroll that the deciphering team had found. He explained about Kaguya and the threats she posed on everyone, including our daughter. He explained how he was the only one able to travel to her dimensions. How he had to do this to keep us safe. It didn't make it hurt any less. It didn't make me feel any better.

I looked over at Sarada. She was so little, so carefree, so perfect. Her black hair poked out in all different directions. Her button nose was scrunched. Her eyelids pulled closed over her big black orbs that were the spitting image of her father's. My eyes hesitantly went to my husband who was already studying mine, trying to take in whatever expression was displayed on my face. I watched as his eyes darted around my face, trying to find something, anything he could say to fix this. For the second time this night I realized something that would break my heart somehow even more.

As bad as it would be for me and for Sarada, at least we would have each other to cling to. If I ever missed him all I had to do was look into those big black eyes of her's and see the man I love. Sasuke, however, would be alone. No one to help ease the pain. Here I was being selfish when he would be alone without a family for the second time in his life. I know how bad it hurt him the first time, I can't begin to imagine what it is like this time around. I wiped my selfish tears quickly shaking my head. "It- It's going to be okay Anata." I assured him, even with my hoarse voice from crying. Whether he believed it or not was a different thing entirely.

Sasuke made a confused look. "We will miss you more than life Sasuke-Kun. You know that. But I have waited for you once before. I can do it again. Besides, we are ninja. We know the risks of this life. We knew that before starting our family. We can write to each other and send pictures right?" I asked, grabbing his hand. He looked down at our hands mulling over what I had just said and nodded slowly. I released his hand to grab his face in both of my hands staring into his endless eyes. "We will get through this Sasuke-Kun. I promise." I whispered, leaning my forehead against his.

I hesitantly kissed his quivering lips before asking the question we were both putting off mentioning. "When do you leave?" I asked against his lips. He pulled back resting his forehead against mine again. "I leave today at first light, so about 6:30 or 7:00 AM." He whispered back his sweet breath fanning across my face. My heart fell again. I reluctantly leaned back glancing at the clock. 4:17 AM. I gulped quietly and blinked away the threatening tears. I nodded and rose from the bed grabbing Sasuke's hand. He looked at me questioningly but followed me regardless.

We went to the guest room so as to not wake Sarada. For the next hour Sasuke and I tied ourselves to each other over and over speaking with our bodies things our mouths could not say. Speaking a language no one but us knew, and trying to make up for time that we knew was limited. We touched every inch and kissed every cell between the two of us. Trying to sear the other's touch into both our memories. Sasuke's red eye was proof of this.

We could have continued on this way until his departure if it wasn't for one thing. We both pulled away at the sound of Sarada's cries. I nodded into his naked chest and he gave my chest one last kiss. Sasuke put back on his boxers and shorts quickly and hurried into our room. I took my time giving him a moment alone with Sarada. "Hey baby, did you have a bad dream? It's okay, peanut. Papa is here." Sasuke's voices carried down the hall. I heard her cries soon turn into giggles. 'Papa! Papa! Momma let me sleep in your room!" Sarada's little voice giggled, still sounding groggy from sleep.

I finished putting on my robe and made my way into our room but stopped at the door, trying to keep the image before me in my mind. Sasuke was sitting on the bed as Sarada sat on his lap, arms wrapped around his neck and her head tipped back as she giggled at something he had said. "NO papa! Tell him mommy!" Sarada giggled, turning to face me. "Tell papa I didn't sleep walk again. You brought me mommy, didn't you? We waited for papa to come back, tell him!" Sarada squealed. The irony hurt. Before I could stop it a tear slipped out of my eye.

Sarada's face fell and she jumped up from Sasuke's lap and stood at the edge of the bed reaching for me. "Mommy? Mommy, don't be sad. Papa is here!" She said looking over her shoulder to Sasuke's sitting form. I quickly wiped my tears and crossed the distance in a split second scooping up my baby. I climbed onto the bed sitting in between Sasuke's legs and he draped his lone arm around us. I never felt so whole and protected yet so sad and vulnerable all at once. "Mommy is okay baby. I am fine." I smiled at her kissing her head. She looked confused between me and Sasuke, her little face trying to study us both for some answers.

Sasuke took a deep breath. Together. I said to him by squeezing his knee. We explained to Sarada the best we could given her age about what was about to happen. She already knew that her mommy and daddy had a very important job to protect not only her but also the village. We explained that papa loved her so much that he had to protect everyone including her extra hard starting today. To do this papa had to leave for a while to keep her and mommy safe. To say she was devastated was an understatement.

Her whole world revolved around Sasuke and I. Sasuke had been there for her whole short little life, every waking minute was spent with him just about. He did bedtime stories every night , played at the park every time they went, and comforted her from her every single nightmares. This was going to be a big change. One none of us could ever be, nor would ever be ready for. That didn't stop it from happening.

We all stayed huddled up together on the bed wrapped in each other and the blankets. Sarada 'helped' Sasuke as he packed and we all made one last family breakfast together. Nothing prepared us for the feeling of dread as the first morning rays peaked over the horizon. Sasuke gave me a knowing look and I nodded. We dressed quickly and Sasuke picked up Sarada as we exited the house. He held her close the whole way to the gates shooting me remorseful looks when we locked eyes. I understood what his eyes were conveying. His regret for his lack of two arms, so he could hold my trembling hand.

I tried to keep mine reassuring but the way his eyes filled once more with moisture as we locked sights at the gate told me it wasn't working. I nervously shifted my gaze between him and our confused baby. She stared up at her papa with worried eyes. He forced a fake smile to reassure her everything was okay. "Take care of momma for me, okay Peanut? Be brave. Papa will come back. I promise." He whispered to her. She nodded sadly. When his eyes landed on me what was left of my heart shattered. He leaned down and embraced us both as tight as he could. I could hear every unspoken word.

I am sorry for everything

I'll miss you so much

I am sorry for leaving … again.

I am sorry for leaving you to raise our daughter alone.

I love you.

Thank you for understanding.

Thank you for keeping our daughter safe.

Thank you… for everything.

I couldn't stop the selfish tears that had begun to flow as I gripped him close, letting our unspoken words swirl between us. He rubbed my back thoughtfully but it didn't fix the hole that was making its way into the center of my chest. I was still standing here in his arms but the ache that I knew would be present until the unknown day he returned made itself painfully present. The sob wracked through my throat as I thought of all of the firsts he would be forced to miss out on.

How many would that be? Sarada's first day of academy? Her first time riding a bike? Her first love? How long could my heart live outside of my chest at such a far existence? I could wait forever for this man. I would wait forever for this man. That's not the problem. In a perfect world I wouldn't have to. In a perfect world I would have had more than 3 years, 4 months, and 2 days. I would have all of our days spent in each other's embrace, watching the proof of our love, in the form of our daughter learning and growing. Together. Not worlds apart.

I felt a small warm hand on my cheek, trying to dry my tears, but my thoughts were still clouded. The familiar finger tips collided with my forehead and I watched as he smiled, the saddest smile I have ever seen on such a handsome face. He tucked a raven lock behind Sarada's little ear as she peered up happily at him. "Papa!" Sarada exclaimed, reaching for him. I watched the real pain flash in his eyes as he had to deny her for the first ever time. Our eyes met one last time.

In a perfect world we would know no pain of war, any loss of life, and any heartbreak such as the one the Uchiha household would feel until it was whole again. In a perfect world I wouldn't feel this ache for not the first, but as the fourth time in my life. The pain of watching as the one and only man and true love I will ever have turns his back and leaves. I caught sight as his back quickly turned to hurry away, of the moisture which had quickly turned into real tears began to flow rapidly. Tears I had never seen from such a strong man in all my many years of loving him.

It never gets easier. This pain. Just like that, I am 13 years old watching his back walk away from the village on his quest for revenge. Sad and all alone on the concrete bench. Lonely.

I am 15 watching as he slips away from us again at Orochimaru's hideout. Feeling helpless and lost. Defeated.

I am 18 watching as his black cloak billows in the wind, setting out to atone for his sins and wrongdoings. Feeling warmth where his fingertips had struck my forehead for the first time. But also feeling the all too empty feeling that the absence Sasuke Uchiha always seemed to leave behind in his departures. Hopeful.

Now here I stood 24 years old watching once again as the man who will always own my heart set off on a lonely path that he alone is only able to travel. The same ache I knew too well was now amplified but somehow soothed simultaneously by the warm weight in my arms, reminding me of his promise of his love for me. His promise to always protect and find a way home to me. Our daughter. Sarada Uchiha.

As I watched his back fade over the horizon a thought occurred to me. This world is not perfect. It is far from it actually. There is pain, so much of it. There is loss of life. There is sadness that cares nothing about age. There is heartbreak and misery. There are child soldiers and brother on brother wars.

But that is the life of a shinobi. That is the life I choose. That is the life where I met my great friend Naruto who taught me so many important lessons. That is the life that formed me into the strong woman I am today. That is the life that has brought me so much sadness but somehow much more love. The life that led me to my husband and the father of my beautiful daughter who I held close in my arms.

It is the kind of life that will bring me many more unexpected ups and downs, twists and turns. But it is okay. Because I am Sakura Uchiha. I am one of the three legendary Sannin. I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a friend. I am a healer. I am a Hidden Leaf Shinobi.

No matter where Sasuke goes. No matter how long he is gone, I won't worry. Because Sasuke gave me his word in the form of our sweet child. His word that he will always find a way to return to us no matter how long it takes. No matter how many miles he has to journey. No matter what worlds he has to cross.. He will return. He always has. He always will.

I smiled to myself and stared up at the sky, rubbing Sarada's back. Sasuke Uchiha is a few things for certain. My husband. My lover. My friend. The father to my child.

Most importantly, Sasuke Uchiha is a man of his word.