Sakura's scream caught everyone by surprise.

"Sakura-chan!"

Sasuke reacted quickly, hitting the pressure point at the back of her neck, knocking her out.

"What happened?" Kiba asked.

"A delayed reaction," Ino stated. "I think her memories finally caught up to her."

The jewel on Sakura's forehead turned black for a second before going back to its natural purple. Ino moved to Sasuke who swept Sakura back up into his arms. She caressed the jewel, watching as white seemed to swirl inside.

"Will she be okay?" Hinata asked.

"I don't know," Ino answered truthfully. "But I think if Inner is with her, Sakura is going to be just fine."

"I'm going to take her home."

For days, Sakura slept. Sasuke stuck close to her, bathing her with a sponge or keeping a wet cloth to her forehead in the hopes that she would be somewhat more comfortable.

Sakura awoke with a start, screaming in fear. Sasuke was at her side in a second.

"t's okay, Sakura," he spoke soothingly. "I'm here. You're safe.

Sakura's eyes darted around the room before finally landing on him. She grabbed his hand, her whole body tense. Her eyes clenched shut and held on tight.

"It's okay, I'm home. It's okay, I'm home," she hissed to herself, even as her whole body trembled.

She tried so hard to keep it all in. Sasuke reached to touch her hair but the moment he did, she flinched from him. He pulled his hand away.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

Sakura looked into his eyes and he could see the raging storm of emotions there as she struggled with her inner demons.

"No, I-I'm sorry," Sakura spoke. "Just...g-give me a minute, please?" She pleaded.

"You don't have to ask, Sakura," Sasuke soothed. "Take all the time you need. With you awake, I'll go and pick up Natsu and Itaru from your parents place."

Sakura's eyes widened and the fear disappeared for a second to give way to hope.

"They are coming home?"

Sasuke nodding, offering her a small smile. "Only if you're ready. They've missed their kaa-san."

Sakura nodded frantically.

"I'm going to need my hand back if I am to pick them up."

"O-Oh, sorry," she whispered.

But she didn't let go.

Sasuke watched her as she looked down at their hands, reluctant to let go.

"Sakura."

She looked up. "Hm?"

"I'll be back," he answered. "I promise."

Sakura finally released his hand. "I-I know."

She looked up and tried to smile but it was so painfully fake, Sasuke almost cringed. He leaned down, closer to her. Her eyes went wide with fright, fearful of the oncoming kiss. Her throat constricted in panic but was utterly surprised when Sasuke instead pressed his forehead to hers. Intimacy without being invasive.

"S-Sasuke-kun?"

"I love you," Sasuke whispered.

Tears came to her eyes but she clenched her eyes shut as she shook with suppressed emotion.

"I...l-love you, too."

Sasuke pulled away just as there was a knock on the door.

"I bet that's-"

"Teme, let me in!" A loud obnoxious voice called from out the front. "My Sakura senses are tingling!"

Sasuke let out a sigh and Sakura couldn't stop the small smile that bubbled to the surface.

"She's awake, right!? Let me in!"

Sasuke watched Sakura's emotional pain ease slightly and smiled.

"Do you want to see him?" He asked. "If you're not feeling up to it, I'll send him away."

Sakura shook her head. "No, don't. I...I'd like to have the company while you're away. Even if it's just for a little bit."

Sasuke nodded and went to let the blonde Hokage in.

"About time, teme!"

Sasuke put a hand on his shoulder, bringing Naruto to full seriousness.

"Keep her company while I get the boys. She doesn't want to be alone."

Naruto nodded and put his own hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

"I'll take care of her," he swore.

Sasuke nodded his head in thanks before he left. Naruto continued on into the bedroom.

"Guess who, Sakura-chan? It's your favourite Hoka...ge..."

His spiel stopped short when he found Sakura shaking on the bed, her arms wrapped around herself. Naruto was sitting on her bed in a second, pulling her to his chest. She struggled immediately.

"No! Let me go!" She cried out, pushing against Naruto's chest for some space.

Naruto ignored her with a huff, instead tightening his arms around her and forcing her head to rest against his collarbone, nestled under his chin.

"Don't fight me, Sakura-chan. We're never letting you go again," Naruto barked out, half choked with his own tears.

Sakura's pushing hands stopped and instead gripped tightly onto his shirt. She buried her head in him and sobbed. Naruto just let her cry, one hand rubbing her back and the other cradling her head as he rested his cheek against the top of her head. His own tears spilled down his face and into her hair where he would place an affectionate kiss every now and then. As she calmed down, he waited until it was Sakura that pulled away.

"I'm s-sorry," she whispered, wiping her eyes.

"Don't ever apologize for crying, Sakura-chan," Naruto ordered. "What you went through...never apologize, okay?"

Sakura nodded, giving him a fake smile.

"I think I'm okay now."

Naruto didn't believe her but he didn't want to force the issue and so he kept her distracted with his humor until Sasuke returned a few minutes later. He immediately noticed Sakura had been crying and looked to Naruto who shook his head. Later. Sakura missed the exchange because the moment her eyes landed on her sons, she was taken. She reached out tentatively to Sasuke who moved to her and passed the boys to her. Both gazed up at her with focus they had lacked when they were first born and she relished in the attention they paid to her just as they did her.

"I'm so glad you boys are safe," Sakura murmured, snuggling her face into them, causing them to giggle.

"Is Sarada still at your place?" She heard Sasuke ask.

"Yeah. I'll head home and send her this way."

"Thank you."

Her earlier crying caught up to her, her body giving way to exhaustion. She turned on the bed, laying the boys down beside her and she curled up around them. Her eyes became lidded and she soon fell asleep, taking the image of her sons safe and sound into the land of dreams, hoping to chase away the memory of Kuromaru.

"Is she-"

"She's fine, Sasuke," Naruto encouraged. "She was just overwhelmed when I came in. She's tired from crying."

"Thank you."

Naruto nodded. "I'll head out now. Sara-chan will be home soon."

Sasuke nodded and Naruto left. Turning back to the bed, Sasuke laid down, propped up on one elbow. He watched as the twins gurgled and amused themselves while Sakura rested beside them. For the first time in months, Sasuke let himself relax. The tension slipped away with the knowledge that his wife was home and safe with him.

The soft padding of feet approached his door and Sarada entered hesitantly. Sasuke smiled at her and gestured for her to join them. The young Uchiha crawled onto the bed and settled between Sasuke and Natsu. She laid there on her side, watching her mother who breathed deeply with sleep, dead to the world.

Sasuke's eyes moved to Sarada when he heard a sniffle. He placed a hand on her arm in comfort.

"I'm glad she's safe," she cried softly as she played with her brothers. "I'm glad she's home."

Sasuke lent down and kissed the top of Sarada's head.

Their family was complete.

Sorry about the long wait.

I had considered ending it here but there's something I've been thinking about. Its scrambled at the moment but I will work it out soon.

A little Uchiha family moment here to help us all find peace xD

I'm thinking next chapter will be the last.