Another Return

The Uzumaki house was grand and beautiful. The windows all around let out to spectacular views of the village Naruto would one day lead. As was her habit Sakura had a nap on the couch stirring only when Naruto entered into the room.

"Sweetheart I didn't want to wake you," Naruto said as she pushed her self up. It was dark with the curtains covering all the windows so he flipped the switch on the lights and headed towards his wife.

"You can't really sneak up on a Kunoichi worth her salt," Sakura said squinting against the unnatural light flooding her eyes.

"Never heard that before," Naruto said and bent down to kiss her.

"Its fine I must have dozed off. Besides we have some things to talk about. Are you hungry or anything," she asked as he sat down beside her.

"Ramen," Naruto grinned, "Sasuke's treat for a…successful mission."

"So you tricked him into paying again," she asked. It wasn't the first time someone treated him to Ramen it wouldn't be the last.

"No as a matter of fact Sasuke offered," he said. His clothing smelled of the trees and restaurant a scent that comforted Sakura. A scent that meant he made it home to her once more.

"We've all become such great friends haven't we," she said leaning against the back of the couch. She had to fight off lethargic feeling of the last of her nap.

"I'm grateful," Naruto smiled and watching her features added, "What is it?"

"The attack on the village just had me thinking," she said.

"Well back to that subject I still haven't found out if Karin is pregnant," he said.

"You're way off," she said.

"So she's not," he said.

"Not at all so the theory about pregnant women is off for sure," she said.

"How can you be so sure," he asked.

Sakura paused, she wasn't so sure, "She can't be…"

"Even if she is we will be able to protect you all I'm sure. We will find the people responsible for casting the jutsu and put an end to it," Naruto said.

"I think we can do something to protect ourselves so don't leave us out," Sakura said.

"We aren't leaving you out," Naruto argued.

"Sometimes it feels like you are. I'm pregnant but I can still do a lot," Sakura said.

"I'd rather have you think about the safety of our child than-

"The safety you say. I can take care of myself quite well," Sakura argued and pushed up from the couch. She was going to go on to explain about her findings but thought the better of it as she tried to calm down.

"Whoa. Sakrua-chan no one is saying you can't take care of yourself. I'm just saying that where there is danger you should be going the opposite direction. It makes sense to me dattebayo," Naruto said motioning with his hands in an exaggerated pose opposite direction.

"I'm not the type to run-

"Stop it please. Your situation is totally different now. You have to think of our child too," Naruto said framing her face with his hands.

Arms crossed and defiant Sakura slowly inhaled and exhaled calming down. This wasn't worth arguing about.

"Of course I'd take care of our child's needs first. Of course I'd avoid danger. You know me Naruto but don't use my pregnancy as an excuse to keep secrets and push me away," Sakura said letting her arms fall to her side.

Naruto dropped his hands from her face and grabbed her hands in his. "I won't keep secrets or push you away. But I can't help being concerned. I've never done this before. I have no one to ask about what it was like when I was being born."

"Your father probably had similar concerns but likely had to yield to whatever your mother said," Sakura smiled thinking about it.

"You know you're probably right about that. I give up. Whatever you say," Naruto said.

Sakura pushed up to kiss him and he willing bent his head to allow it.

"Thank you," Sakura said.

"No problem you can kiss me anytime," Naruto said.

"I'm not thanking you for that," Sakura said.

"Aww Sakura-chan that kiss was something to be thankful for but could you just remind me again," Naruto said tilting his head towards her.

"Let's just get ready for bed," Sakura said and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"I like what I'm hearing," Naruto said.

"To sleep," Sakura said stifling a giggle.

"Whatever you say," Naruto grumbled.

Sakura turned away from his gloomy face and started to think. Could she really sleep again after what she suffered though the previous night? She might never know if her counter jutsu would work.

"Naruto I don't think I can sleep," Sakura said.

"Yes!" One look at Sakura's face said he was wrong about what she meant by that comment and he quickly added, "I'll be right besides you. I won't let a nightmare hurt you."

"How can you-

"Because I can just trust me," Naruto said. He was not sure how he'd keep her from having a nightmare but he'd put the little he learned about them to use tonight.

Sakura knew that if she had a nightmare he would be there in the middle of the night to hold her and make her fall back asleep but she didn't know if he could do anything to stop them from happening.

Regardless she trusted him with everything so she simply shook her head in agreement and led the way back to their bedroom.

000

Ino sat outside by the tiny pond in the backyard watching the fish swim. She listened as a door opened and closed. Sai must have returned, she thought getting to her feet. She bounded into the living room and tackled him as a greeting.

"What if I had internal injuries," Sai asked feigning injury.

"You would be hiding from me right now not making obvious I'm home noises," she said.

"You're right," he laughed kissing her. On more than one occasion he had snuck in or hid his banged up frame from her after returning from missions.

She pulled him closer and started kissing him. He lay back on the couch content to let her have her way. He quickly realized he would be going nowhere. She started pulling off his ninja gear. The head band, the vest and his undershirt quickly disappeared.

"Your abs are killer," she said making way down his chest and torso with her tongue.

He was surprised that she not only noticed but complimented him on his abs. He had been working his core a lot more to get stronger.

"You're so unfair," he complained trying unsuccessfully to sit up.

"I know, don't worry you'll get you turn," she said.

"I can think of this as my turn…don't you agree," he asked.

"Now you're catching on," she playfully purred at him.

"Take off your shirt. It is only fair if I see your-

"Sai!" Once again Ino had to cut short what Sai wanted to say to her. His language truly had no borders and she could anticipate this much easier now.

"So you are going to use me as a distraction again. Although I don't mind at all," Sai said kissing her nose then her lips. He slid a hand around her back holding her close to him in his embrace hoping that she felt safe with him there.

"I've missed you. I'll use you anyway I please Sai," Ino said kissing him back and folding her hand behind his neck.

"They didn't use us…nevermind. I don't want to talk if you're in the mood for something else so obviously," Sai said.

"We can talk all about the mission tomorrow morning I suppose but tonight I just want it to be you and me," Ino said.

"I can do that," Sai said.

Ino smiled and pulled his face closer. She knew plenty about the mission from visiting the Hokage offices earlier today and she knew that he had a better perspective on things but for now she didn't want to focus on that. She waited until he kissed her to return the kiss. By the time she started whispering sweet sayings into his ears he had her headed into their bedroom.

000

Ino woke up staring at the ceiling. Somehow though the night she managed to sleep which surprised her given the nightmares she was continually having. Maybe waking up next to Sai had something to do with it. She didn't know how it worked but whatever he did made for a restful sleep.

Staring at Sai for a few seconds before he woke was habitual. She could have woke him up but she preferred watching him naturally wake up at the same time every day.

"Good morning," she said.

"Yes it is," he said.

"Breakfast, should we go out," she asked.

"Why leave the house," he asked.

"You're right I'll cook," Ino pushed up out of bed and headed for the bathroom to start the day.

The shower had the perfect amount of hot water and everything was going fine this morning. Ino knew something bad was likely to happen as a knock on the door commanded her attention.

"I'll get it," Sai called out.

Sai opened the door to a masked man.

"Hokage's order there is a meeting today," the masked man said.

Sai thanked him and took the scroll from his hand shutting the door. Just as he committed to spend the day with his lovely wife his occupation had gone along and made other plans. Things had been busy since the night Ino cut her feet with the glass in the kitchen. No signs of slowing down Sai could expect to be sent away to spy on this place or that place.

Sai sat down at his kitchen table and read over the scroll. Interesting enough the information inside was about Sasuke and his involvement with Otogakure. Details on Orochimaru's whereabouts and several missing nin were also included. Sai ran over the scroll for the second time before Ino interrupted him. For now the secrets about Orochimaru would stay with him.