Just Another Day

Morning came bringing the sounds of chirping birds and sunshine. Sai felt horrible. He didn't get any sleep at all. He groaned and got out of bed. The cold air hit is legs immediately and he missed the warmth of the bed.

In the night Ino finally calmed enough to sleep peacefully beside him. He rubbed a sore spot where she punched him in her sleep. He had to find out what was going on with his wife and unborn child. The investigators must have pieced together something by now he hoped.

He was unsure where he stood with his marriage. Their conversation haunted him.

'It's not too late to end the pregnancy.'

That she could even think of that bothered him. The nightmares must really be powerful. He had told her last night that there was no way they would terminate their unborn child. That no matter how things went they would find a way to make it through. That wasn't the problem and he knew it. Ino wasn't concerned about their child but about giving birth to an experiment or some creature like in a horror novel he once read where the woman was impregnated by a creature from another planet.

Outside looked like a pleasant day was shaping up. There were very few clouds in the sky and no rain on the horizon. Sai watched the scenery for a few moments. A few of their neighbors had taken to jogging up the small hill on a morning run. It looked good and sounded tempting; something that would definitely wake his body up but he decided against it turning back towards the bed.

Ino stirred in bed seeking him out. He shut the window blinds and returned to her side. He would attempt to fall asleep again. The investigation would have to wait a while. He watched her sleep hopeful that he would fall back into a peaceful sleep.

He was just grateful that she didn't seem to be having a nightmare. If the enemy were not attacking now it would be a good time as any to catch up on some sleep, he thought and slipped back under the covers. I was so unlike him to return to bed once he woke up but he had to get some rest for his overworked body.

000

Sasuke was up dressed and reading in the kitchen. As Karin made her way to the refrigerator he greeted her with, "good morning."

"You let me oversleep," she said.

"How dare I," he joked.

Karin rested her head on Sasuke's shoulder for a moment inhaling his scent before kissing him on the lips and turning back to the refrigerator. Sasuke smiled and watched her rummage for what she wanted for breakfast.

That she overslept bothered her. She had to go through a lot to stay hidden from the right people. The tools were back and she knew he was going back out again. She had to get back to Miyako soon and they would part once again. Truth is told she missed their daughter as they were rarely apart from one another.

"Another mission," she asked shaking a carton of orange juice.

"Yep," he replied passing her a glass.

After quickly drinking her orange juice she began to exam him for wounds. He showed no signs of it last night but she wanted to be sure.

"Ridiculous," he said grabbing her wrist.

"What?"

"You did all that last night," he put down his book turning to face her, "if I recall and more."

She blushed a bit.

"That was different I wasn't looking to examine you like that. It was too distracting what you- I couldn't concentrate on that," she said.

"So what's bothering you," he asked reading the concern on her face.

"I had a nightmare," she admitted.

"Is it anything like Ino's," he asked.

"This I could tell was just a 'normal' nightmare, from too much worrying. Ino's nightmare was something different. How do I explain…I think some kind of jutsu was cast on her. They have people looking into any type of sealing or Genjutsu," she said.

"Sealing huh," he said considering it, "you'll always need to worry about me."

"I know you're a packaged deal. Now hold still and let go of my hands," she said.

"It's hard to concentrate on my reading with you hovering around," he complained.

"So, I don't care about your stupid book," she said.

"Don't be so jealous it's a book," he said.

"Is it one of those books like the copy ninja Kakashi reads," she asked flirtatiously.

"Eh, well not at all I'm nothing like him," Sasuke said arching an eyebrow at the mention of Kakashi's nickname. Kakashi certainly lost his Sharingan to the war leaving Sasuke as the sole proprietor of those eyes.

Color flooded Karin's face and she turned away to busy herself cleaning the counters.

"What do you think about when you read books like that," she questioned.

"It's not one of those books," he said angry.

"I know but you do-

"I do this," Sasuke kissed her, "What do you think about when I kiss you like this," he held her closer and trailed kisses down he neck, "or that?"

"I-I don't-

"So are you still jealous of my book," he teased.

"I'm not jealous I just-just. Stop trying to distract me," she said not really meaning for him to stop.

"Do you want to have another kid," he asked stopping to her dismay and getting serious.

"You're changing the subject all of a sudden and we already have handful with one as it is," she said although it was a given they'd have more. One of the things they talked about when they were dating is the possibility of having a large family together. Karin knew they'd be considered Uchiha clan members.

"We have one but-

"Did you and Naruto get into a spitting contest lately," Karin shrugged and adjusted her glasses.

"Forget Naruto," Sasuke said a bit irritated. It was Naruto's fault the thought of more kids was on his mind lately.

"So why…what makes you bring that up all of a sudden," Karin questioned. She was sure that Naruto had something to do with it. Perhaps Sakura was going to go for it and have a child after all.

"I've thought about it a lot. Let's just say I'm ok with it," he said.

"Really," she asked.

"Yep, just as I suspected. I can tell by the enthusiasm in your voice," he said.

"You're so irritating but I love you," she said hugging him. Becoming a mother changed her in ways that she never would have expected in the past. Now a part of her was thrilled to know he wanted that lifestyle as much as she did. They set out to be the best parents to Miyako and now their family was about to expand.

"Well can I finish reading now," he asked.

"Trickster!"

"No tricks honest. I want to have a big family," he said.

"I already know you're trying-

"Not trying I think I know of a way," he said.

She just nodded. Her heart believed in him but she knew that what he said was nearly impossible. Besides that she didn't want to think of her punishment if the decision wasn't in their favor. There was so much to worry about being the sole survivor of the Uchiha clan. One worry was they way the Hyuuga clan had the caged bird seal and she didn't want to put her children through anything like that. Then she knew how her own clan the Uzumaki, were sought out for their extraordinary capacity.

Sasuke stared at Karin's happy face and decided to tell her part of the reasoning behind his thinking. "Naruto said that he and Sakura are ready to start a family."

"It is about time don't you think." Karin was sure on a number of occasions that Sakura was secretly pregnant only to be wrong every time.

"Yeah." Sasuke agreed that it was about time that Naruto of all people share in the joy that was fatherhood.

"They are going to make good parents." Karin said this with sincerity knowing both Naruto and Sakura. They were the type of people who made good parents. She doubted herself more than once when it came to raising her own child but she was sure about Sasuke's best friends.

"I figure if they can see it…We can see this dream of ours together. We don't have to travel no more. What do you say to settling down here in Konoha," Sasuke asked.

"Of course I want to settle down here. But if I can't be where you are I'll settle where you are. Do I make myself clear," Karin said.

"I'm not going anywhere," Sasuke said.

"I know," Karin said.

Sasuke knew now that he had to do everything to put their dream in front of them. Their dream home had to be built within the walls of Konoha. All the political shuffling around had to be taken care of. All of the clan agreements had to be met. Above all Karin had to be pardoned and accepted as a Konoha citizen.

000