When Naruto finally arrived home, the large dinner party had already begun. Opening the door, his sense of hearing was assaulted with a multitude of sounds from barks to kids squealing.
Walking through to the dining room, he was met by all his friends (save for Sasuke) and their own families.
"Well, look who finally decided to show up!" Kiba barked teasingly.
Akamaru gave a loud grunt in agreement.
Naruto couldn't help the grin that took over his lips. "Hey, guys."
He walked over to the only empty seat, pecking Hinata's lips on the way.
"Quick!" Bolt shouted. "Now that tou-san is here, the food's going to disappear! Grab what you can!"
With that, chaos struck. Hands struck out taking food here and there. Despite the craziness, no one could deny the enjoyment.
Sakura couldn't help but sit back and reminisce.
Everyone sat quietly, waiting for the barbeque meat to be ready.
And it was all because of the newcomer.
Looking over at the last Uchiha, Sakura studied him. Though he gave no outward sign, she knew he was tense and uncomfortable. Especially when the Rookie gang either avoided looking at him or outright stared.
"You know," she spoke, the first sound since everyone sat down. "I thought you might have actually been...you know..." Sakura trailed off.
Everyone looked at her. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her, confusion swimming in his eyes.
"Though I might have been what?" He asked.
"You know...batting for the other team?" Sakura hinted.Those around the table could only stare at her in shock or even horror. Aside from Naruto, who clearly had no idea what she was on about?
"I don't understand," Sasuke drawled, cautiously.
"Please don't make me say it."
"Sakura-"
"Gay, Sasuke-kun," Sakura huffed. "I started to think you were gay."
The water Naruto had been drinking suddenly went spluttering everywhere, causing the barbeque to hiss softly.
The mortified look on Sasuke's face had her fighting to keep back her snickering.
"I'm not-"
"It makes sense," Kiba input. "Your name does have 'uke' in it so..."
A Sharingan eye whirled to life, threateningly.
"There was also that kiss in the academy with Naruto-"
The blond in question went red, barking angrily. "Hey, screw you guys! That was an accident and doesn't even count!"
"I don't know, I mean you guys held it for quite a while."
"I was in shock!" Both boys shouted simultaneously.
They turned to glare at one another before looking away in a huff.
"So defensive," Shikamaru smirked.
While everyone carried on with the teasing and filling in Tenten and Lee about what happened, the meat was ready and everyone dove in, grabbing what they could. Across the table, Sasuke caught Sakura's attention. As he raised a piece of beef to his mouth with his chop sticks, he gave her a slight nod and a small smile, hidden behind the meat. It was small but said so much.
'Thank you.'
The ice had been broken.
Seeing everyone together now reminded her so much of that night, where Sasuke had wordlessly been forgiven and welcomed back. A sad smile touched her lips but disappeared the moment Kiba chose to engage her in conversation.
Under the table, her hand caressed her stomach lovingly.
When dinner was over, Sakura stood to address the table when Naruto cut in.
"Sakura-chan, can I talk to you for a minute?" He asked, raising from his seat.
A majority of those at the table didn't notice so Sakura followed him to his office. Unknown to them, some of those of the next generation followed out of curiosity.
Sakura entered Naruto's study as she closed the door behind her lightly. She held the glass of water she was sipping on tentatively.
"What is it? Is everything alright?" Sakura asked, concerned.
Her caring attitude only filled him with guilt. "Teme came back."
Sakura's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really?"
Naruto nodded, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "Yeah. That's why I was late. He came to my office just as I was leaving."
She frowned. "Why didn't you bring him with you? Kami, he's at home alone right now and-"
"Actually, he's not."
Sakura paused, confusion swimming in her eyes.
"He's already left again."
"He...left?"
Naruto nodded. "I know you really wanted to see him but the guy that's been following you? He approached Sasuke and he believes he might be an old experiment of Orochimaru's so he's headed to Oto in hopes of some answers."
Sakura remained silent as she allowed the information to process.
"Naruto, I need him here," Sakura stated.
"I understand you don't feel safe Sakura but he said you knew how to defend yourself and you do! I'm sure you could give this guy a run for his money if he'd stop being a coward and-"
"I'm pregnant, Naruto."
That brought Naruto's defense to a crushing halt.
"You're...pregnant?"
Predictably, his eyes dropped to her stomach and now that he knew, he was instantly able to spot her bigger stomach, considering she had taken to wearing loose clothing.
"Shit."
"He chose vengeance again."
"Sakura-chan, he's only trying to protect you and Sara-"
"How is he supposed to protect us when he's miles away!?" She screamed. "Did you tell him someone broke into our house?"
"Yes-"
"And he still left?"
His silent told her what she didn't want to hear.
"I can't do this right now!" She screamed, and threw the glass she had been holding as her pregnant hormones kicked in, sending her into a rage.
Naruto flinched but knew she wasn't to blame and he knew, had it been him and Hinata, she'd rage.
Silently, though.
But rage nonetheless.
"Saku-"
"If this stalker managed to sneak into my fucking house while me and my daughter were home, what makes you think you could simply catch him!?"
"Sakur-"
"Wouldn't it be easier to just wait for him to come back!?" She snarled at her blonde teammate. "Why go look for him when clearly he has an interest in me and my daughter!? He'd come back eventually but then it would be on our turf!"
"I know you're angry-"
"Angry?" She asked. "I'm fucking livid, Naruto!" She panted as she got her breath back. "I wouldn't care if it was just me, but there's Sarada who barely knows her father anymore and the two babies coming- yeah, that's right. Twins! I shouldn't be stressing like this because twins run a higher risk of-"
She couldn't even say it.
"What I need right now is my husband. Not excuses. With these new babies, I don't even know if I'll-"
She stopped herself again.
"Sarada and the babies need a father. Not an avenger."
With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the study.
Sarada and Bolt stood before the furious pinkette, who looked down at them in surprise. While Bolt stared at her in shock at being caught, Sarada's head was bowed, her fringe covering her eyes.
"Sara-"
"I hate him," she declared.
Sakura's eyes softened as she watched her daughter's shoulders tremble.
"I'm sorry, Sara-chan," Sakura whispered as she knelt before the Uchiha heiress. "Looks like it'll just be us for a little while longer."
Sarada looked up at her mother, eyes puffy and red as tears streaked down her cheek.
"How can you be happy, kaa-san? Why aren't you angrier?!"
Sakura placed an affectionate hand on her head, causing onyx eyes to widen slightly.
"I'm not happy, my sweet girl," Sakura admitted. "I'm very angry at your father and not happy about him leaving without seeing us. But that doesn't mean the rest of my life should be unhappy because of one person. I had you now, Sara-chan. You and your siblings."
"We don't need him, kaa-san," Sarada pleaded.
Sakura shook her head before wrapping her arms around the child. "That's not true, hon. Despite everything, you still need a father and I need my husband. It is easy to hate someone, but it's hard to forgive."
Sarada turned her head away, but didn't move out of her mother's embrace.
"I want to go home with you tonight, kaa-san."
Sakura smiled and nodded before taking her hand and leading her back to the dining room where it had gone silent. As she returned, she noticed the sympathetic looks she received.
"Sara-chan and I are going to head home," she announced.
After saying her goodbyes, she and Sarada headed home, hand in hand. It was the best sleep she'd had in a while, knowing her baby was safe in her arms.
And a white Calla Lily greeted her when she woke up.
This isn't a rant...well maybe it is but I warn those that read it that it won't be classy. It's a straight insult to the HAHHA guy that reviewed.
Now, to the HAHHA guy...
Lol.
That is all.
Sike! You're a retard.
I'm just butthurt coz my sakura sakura wasn't kidnapped? Naruto cares/loves people like Hinata not Sakura?
I laughed when I saw your review.
First of all, WHAT'S UP WITH THE CAPS LOCK? DID YOU ACCIDENTALLY HIT IT WHILE YOU WERE JERKING OFF TO HINATA? I CAN TELL YOUR A GUY-
No offense to my loving male viewers whoever you may be.
Second of all, why would my butt hurt?
I don't really know what to say to that, only that it's a projection of your own pain coz your definitely a taker.
;P
You been someone's bitch for so long that you finally realised you can have your own opinion and fucked it up coz all you know is how to take it up the ass, isn't that right, fuckhead?
Third, I'm not 'pissed' (if that is what you were trying to imply, faggot) that Sakura wasn't kidnapped. I'm pissed that Hinata was. God I wanna stab her in the face sometimes-
Fourth, Naruto cares/loves people like Hinata not Sakura?You're serious? I'm sorry, was it just me or was Naruto constantly asking Sakura out on dates throughout the entire series, both pre-ship and shippuuden? I'm sorry but did I imagine him tell his dad that Sakura was his girlfriend AFTER holding hands with Hinata? (That was a ROFL moment btw). You're such an idiot, it wasn't until after the WHOLE DAMN SERIES OF NARUTO LOVING SAKURA that he got with Hinata.
You're definitely a Hinata fanboy, hey?
Bring itttttt
I'll fuck you up like Pein did to Hinata.
Verbally of course. Though I urge you to NOT USE CAPSLOCK BECOZ ITS LIKE YOU ARE YELLING AT ME, 'KAY?
To all my other readers, sorry it took a while. I'm working on the last chapter of a novel I'm releasing. It's gonna be great ^_^
Plus there was the whole Sydney hostage situation so I've had a lot on my mind.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and keep it real.
-Me.