Has my wife gotten a little heavy?

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Spring was the rainy season in Konoha, but occasional there would be a summer storm. It was the first week of July and one such storm had developed. The sky had been overcast all day and the rain started shortly after dusk. The Uchihas had hosted dinner for the Uzumakis a few hours earlier. It was a simple meal of spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread, but something that Sasuke helped Sakura prepare.

Interestingly enough, both Sakura and Hinata had declined the plum wine, raising Sasuke's suspicions higher.

A few hours later, the Uchihas were home alone and it had started to precipitate with a gentle drizzle. Sarada had gone to bed at her usual time without a fuss. Sakura and Sasuke laid in bed together, listened to the constant pattering of heavy rain on their rooftop, snuggled under the covers and simply enjoyed the sound of peaceful rainfall.

"These are the moments I will miss most," Sakura confessed. "Our family together under one roof, doing nothing in particular, enjoying an evening at home."

"Hmm," Sasuke hummed in agreement. His mind was at ease, anxiety released from his muscles, physically he was completely relaxed. He turned his face towards Sakura and sniffed her hair— the floral and herbal blend of her favorite shampoo tickled his olfactory. "I'll miss your scent and the feel of your body against mine."

Sakura traced lazy circles over Sasuke's bare chest, soft fingertips grazing his sensitive skin. "Your birthday is in two weeks. Are you looking forward to it?" Jade gaze met onyx.

"Birthdays aren't something I usually look forward to, but I'm sure you've been working on making this one memorable," Sasuke reasoned. "I'm looking forward to see what you've done."

"I've got to cram the fun of at least five birthdays into this one." Sakura braced herself to hover over Sasuke, her pale hair curtained around them. "We don't know how long you'll be gone on this mission, but I worry it's going to be at least several years."

Sasuke reached up to caress his wife's cheek and then slipped his hand into her silky hair. He arched his back towards her and kissed her firmly. He worried it was going to be longer than several years. It could be a decade or more. He doubted if he'd even recognize his daughter, nor would she recognize him. "I'll recognize you whatever we look like," Sasuke vowed. "After I had trained under Orochimaru, I recognized you— no longer the scrawny twelve year old, but a powerful kunoichi at fifteen. Now you're my strong, beautiful wife at twenty-one. I will recognize you at thirty, forty, fifty and beyond."

"You better not be gone until I'm fifty," Sakura warned, her famous temper lighting up her eyes.

"I"ll sneak back as often as I can," Sasuke promised. "Maybe we could meet at the joint summits between the villages. I'll have to make in person reports, or else the different leaders would worry I turned rogue again."

"I'll want to write you," Sakura warned. "I know you'll need to travel light."

Sasuke closed his eyes and sighed. "You better not. It will distract me. If I'm thinking of you, I won't be able to focus. I will already long for home." He opened his eyes, apologetic. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I am not strong enough to have you write me, read your words, and still stay away from home. I'm selfish. i will gladly abandon the mission and return home." He sighed, regret lacing his voice. "I won't let Naruto or Kakashi tell me about you and Sarada either. It would be the same. I would want to rush home."

Sakura bit her lip, a familiar, subconscious trait that always tugged on Sasuke's heartstrings. "I understand. I don't like it, but I understand. I'll keep a journal. You can read it one day. Whenever, I want to talk to you, I'll write you."

"You're strong — physically and emotionally. I know you will be fine. I know our daughter will be fine." Sasuke kissed her forehead, lips brushing the diamond seal. "You hardly need me."

"We will have to agree to disagree on that," Sakura murmured. Her hand subconsciously drifted to the slight swell in her belly, but she caught herself quickly.

Sasuke still noticed. He would wait for her to tell him, but he was an observant man. He saw his wife naked on a regular basis, he was aware of every nuance of her body and even the slightest of changes. And this change wasn't too overly slight.

"So, I'm supposed to have lunch with Naruto tomorrow?" Sasuke asked, eager to change the topic. He didn't like dwelling on the fact that he was about to become an absentee husband and a deadbeat dad. "I just saw him at dinner, tonight. Is it really necessary?"

The rain stopped and the sounds of cicada began to sing in the sudden stillness.

"Yes, and you two mostly let me and Hinata do the talking. I made a reservation at Ichiraku Ramen," Sakura answered. "Sarada and I will have a picnic at my parents. You can come over afterwards, but you need to spend time with him outside of battle and missions. And without your wives leading the conversation."

Sasuke groaned, stomach aching just thinking about eating ramen. "I can't believe that glorified noodle shop is now an entire restaurant."

"Naruto is popular and when people found out how much he liked Ichiraku Ramen, the shop became flooded with patrons," Sakura explained.

"He's still an idiot," Sasuke grumbled. He would have much preferred spending time with Naruto on the training field. He and Naruto both had a better time when they were beating the crap out of each other, rather than trying to hold a conversation.

"He's smarter now," Sakura protested. "He knows when to ask for help. He's become wise."

"I've been an idiot too, so I guess I shouldn't judge." Sasuke lifted his left arm, missing the lower aspect, destroyed in his suicidal battle against Naruto at the end of the last war.

Sakura grabbed his biceps and kissed his left elbow. "And you're smarter and wiser now too."

Sasuke's heart skipped a beat as his wife kissed his mangled arm. It was a reminder of his greatest shame— being hell bent on Konoha's destruction stopped only by their other teammate But she accepted that part of him too. "I don't deserve you or Sarada."

"Sasuke Uchiha, I am committed to you," Sakura promised. "Whether you think you deserve us or not."

"As I am to you," Sasuke answered. He closed his eyes and relished this time, sleeping under the same roof as his family, holding his wife, knowing his child was safe in the room across the hall. One day he would be able to return, a venerated hero of the village, and able to stay with his family. He would bring back respect and good will to the Uchiha name. It would be a surname his children would be proud to have.

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OoO

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"So, how are things?" Naruto asked between moments of loudly slurping his ramen.

Sasuke had agreed to a bro-date, Sakura was enjoying a rare day off and was spending it with Sarada at her parents' house. His wife had insisted that Sasuke do something outside of her family and arranged him to spend the afternoon with Naruto. It wasn't until half-way through the first ramen course, at Naruto's favorite restaurant of course, that Sasuke realized the majority of his friendship with Naruto that they were either sparring or Sakura had been there as a buffer.

What the hell were they going to talk about? The night before, his family had dinner with Naruto's family. Sakura and Hinata had practically planned the bro-date for them. His wife gave a few rules and one included that he wasn't allowed to talk about training or the upcoming mission or comment on Naruto's terrible table manners.

He didn't realize that would make the afternoon one of his hardest missions in years!

"Things are fine," Sasuke answered. He carefully ate from his ramen bowl. It had been nearly five years since he'd learned to eat using his right hand. "It doesn't even bother you?" Sasuke gestured towards Naruto's prosthetic right hand.

Naruto shook his head. "Not at all. It almost feels the same. I'm surprised you gave up on yours."

"It bothered me and it never felt right," Sasuke said. "And I guess things aren't fine. I'm becoming anxious about leaving Sakura and Sarada. I know I'm uniquely suited for this mission. And I had brazenly volunteered back when the village accepted my return."

"But that was before you fell in love and started a family," Naruto said, nodding his head thoughtfully.

"Started a family— yes. And I didn't fall in love," Sasuke clarified. "I've always felt this way about Sakura, but I had been able to ignore those feeling and compartmentalize before I promised her a life together."

"Honestly, she's the only one that would accept this raw deal," Naruto said.

"I'm not so sure," Sasuke said. He pointed his chopsticks at Naruto. "I think Hinata has basically done the same. She knows you'll be in the village, but you'll rarely be home and constantly at work as the Hokage."

"That's true," Naruto said. "I mean, Hinata and Sakura arranged this lunch date for us. How sad is that?" He drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the tabletop. He grinned like a cheshire cat. "Good thing we both got so lucky!"

"We did, but our wives, not so much," Sasuke reasoned. "Honestly, if something ever happened to Sakura, I'd step back and watch the world burn." He'd find her in the Purelands and drag her back, but he wouldn't tell Naruto that.

"No, you wouldn't," Naruto countered, leaning forward. "She saved your life, so you wouldn't dishonor her memory by doing nothing —theoretically." He leaned back and accepted a third bowl of ramen from the waitress. "And now with Sarada, you have to live for her."

Sasuke stared down at this bowl for a moment, watching the bean sprouts swirl in the Miso broth. Naruto was right. It would be hard, but he'd not be able to sit back inert. "So, Sakura has gained a bit of weight."

Naruto waved his chopsticks in Sasuke's face. "Oh no, you do not comment on a woman's weight. I made a comment like that to Hinata about Anko, and boy, did she put me in my place!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "No, you idiot. I think she's pregnant, but she hasn't told me."

"Oh. I mean, how do you know?" Naruto picked up his ramen bowl and started slurping the contents. "Did you put her on a scale or something?"

"My God, do you never eat?" Sasuke stared in disgust as Naruto finished off his third bowl. "How are you this hungry?"

"I did some training with the Anbu this morning. Do you know how many calories I burn when I'm making a hundred clones?" Naruto set down the bowl with a clink. "A lot— that's how many."

"To answer your question, no, I don't weigh my wife." Sasuke leaned back in his chair, meeting Naruto's gaze. "I'm leaving the village for the next few years, you can bet we're hitting the sheets any chance we get."

Naruto shrugged. "Only way to know is to ask her. But, if she hasn't told you, there's a reason. Could be she's trying to make the big reveal special — or— maybe she's just gained weight. You're not supposed to ask if a woman is pregnant." His cerulean eyes quickly glanced left to right and then he leaned forward and dropped his voice to a whisper. "Do you believe in ghosts?"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Why was there such an abrupt change of topic? Did Naruto know about Itachi? "I don't not believe in ghosts," Sasuke said, choosing his words carefully.

"I think my Dad is haunting the kids. I mean, there are times I really feel they are talking to someone I can't see and playing with someone I can't see." His voice became even quieter, "That time Hinata and I watched Sarada over night, I activated sage mode and I could smell ozone in the air right after the kids were acting a little odd."

"I believe, it's possible," Sasuke said. He believed it was Itachi, but he didn't want to ruin Naruto's fantasy of believing Minato was watching over his kids. There was so little hope in the world, why would he ruin his friend's?

Naruto smiled then waved the waitress over for a fourth bowl.

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OoO

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Sakura was fully taking advantage of the energy surge that came with the second trimester. Sasuke definitely suspected, but she planned to tell him on his birthday, after his party. She wanted him to celebrate his own life before he worried about their future sons. Sarada was outside with her parents, picking berries from the yard while Sakura prepared a simple lunch so they could have a picnic.

She had just put the last sandwich in the basket when there was a knock at the front door. She closed the lid to the basket and went to answer the door. She stared in surprise as the Fifth Hokage stood on her parents' front porch.

"Master Tsunade, what a pleasant surprise," Sakura greeted. She ushered her sage teacher inside. "Come in, we were just about to have a picnic in the yard. You're welcome to join us."

Tsunade eyed Sakura critically. "Either you're eating too many pastries or you have something to tell me."

Sakura set her jaw. She would not confirm to Tsunade, until after she confirmed with Sasuke. "I don't think you came to see me just to criticize my weight. Is everything okay, Master?"

"Yes, Apprentice." Tsunade entered the hallway and pat Sakura on the head like a puppy. It was cute when Sakura was twelve and only came up to Tsunade's shoulders. Now Sakura was two inches taller and it was decidedly awkward. "Everything is well. I received your letter."

"About the childcare facility?" Sakura had written the former Hokage a few letters over the last few months.

"Yes and about your husband's prosthetic. But first, I want to talk about your proposal for the childcare facility for the hospital workers." She gave Sakura a side-eye glance. "I can understand your motivation."

"And eventually shinobi too." Sakura ignored the pointed remark, picked up the picnic basket and led Master Tsunade through the Haruno household to join the others in the yard. "The childcare workers will not only watch over, care for, play with the children, but also teach them some basics — colors, numbers, letters, songs, social skills. They'll also be trained in basic first aid."

"Naturally," Tsunade said. She surveyed the expanse of the backyard, gaze lingered on the wildflowers and berry bushes. The rain the night before caused an extra vibrance in the flora. "I am very proud of you, Sakura. You're twenty-one years old, head of the Hospital, a mother, and the strongest kunoichi in the Leaf." She folded her arms over her heavy bosom. "Nine years ago, did you even dream you'd be where you are today?"

Sakura smiled, thinking back on her adolescent mind. "Before I met you, my only incentive was to impress Sasuke."

"Well, I'd say you succeeded in that aspect!" Tsunade kneeled down and Sarada ran towards her, throwing her arms around her godmother Tsunade's neck.

"Lady Tsunade, this is a surprise. Welcome," Mebuki greeted, standing up quickly and bowing at the waist. Kizashi followed suit, also bowing.

Tsunade grinned. "I appreciate your hospitality. I came to check on Sakura. I'll be in the village for a few weeks."

Sakura started to lay out the picnic.

"How was your latest journey?" Mebuki asked. "I believe I heard you were as far as the Land of Clouds?"

Tsunade stood, holding Sarada comfortably balancing the toddler on her hip. "I am enjoying my retirement, practicing my gambling, usually losing. Then I start to win, so I know something bad is about to happen."

Sakura stopped laying out the plates and napkins, worriedly looking at her teacher. "Are you okay?"

"Physically, yes." Tsunade spoke in a low tone, out of hearing of Sakura' parents. "The rumor was that there's a clone of Jiriaya. I thought it just that, a rumor, but Orochimaru confirmed it." Tsunade shivered visibly. "I don't care for spending time with my former teammate, but he can be a good source of information."

"Did you see him?" Sakura asked, also keeping her tone low. It must be very hard for Tsunade and it would be hard for Naruto as well. She always suspected the Senju princess had more than platonic feelings for the perverted toad sage. It was quite obvious that he had strong feelings for her anyway. Her visage was inspiration for his novels heroine. Which did make Sakura wonder if Kakashi had a crush on Lady Tsunade.

"I did not. If he has even a tiny portion of Jiraiya's skills, he won't be found unless he wants to be." Tsunade's jaw tightened in annoyance. "It's hard enough losing him, but to learn that someone made a clone of him. His likeness, but without his memories or spirit, is beyond cruel for those whom loved him."

"Naruto isn't going to take this well," Sakura mused.

"No, he isn't, but it's not my place to tell him or not. That will be up to Lord Hatake," Tsunade said, happy to give someone else that decision making burden.

"Tell a story! Tell a story!" Sarada chanted, reaching for Tsunade's face and forcing her attention.

"Sure, once upon a time, there was princess," Tsunade started, speaking loudly and drawing everyone's attention.

Sarada glanced off into the distance. "No, princess. Slug. Slug."

Tsunade raised a blond eyebrow. "You don't want to hear about the beautiful, talented, wise Senju Princess?"

"No," Sarada said.

"Okay, you want to hear about the time your mom and I ventured to the Shikkotsu Forest? Where she met Katsuyu?" Tsunade asked. She sat on the picnic blanket with Sarada sitting excitedly on her lap, bouncing up and down in anticipation.

"Yes! Slug!" Sarada answered.

"I'd be interested in that story," Kizashi said. "I've never been known for my creative mind, but I never imagined a slug to have the power of healing."

"That's understandable," Tsunade said. "The amount of chakra required to summon Lady Katsuyu is enormous." Tsunade tapped the diamond seal on her forehead. "Without this, there would be no summoning. But before a summoning can be made, there must be a contract and for a contract with the incredibly powerful slug sage, one must go to the Shikkotsu Forest." She cast a quick look towards Sakura, memories shared yet unspoken passing between them. "It's a dark, hostile forest for intruders. There is quicksand and carnivorous plants."

Sarada slipped off Tsunade's lap and rush over towards her mother. Sakura laid back, her daughter stretched out over her torso listening to Tsunade. She doubted her daughter or her parents understood the rare properties of the slug — the only animal with the ability for photosynthesis. Not for the first time, Sakura wondered if Lord Hashirama, the First Hokage, was a slug sage. "

"Any questions?"Lady Tsunade asked at the end.

It was strange, but Sakura felt a strong tug on her mind, encouraging her to ask the question. "Yes, was your grandfather a slug sage? If not, how did you first come across the Shikkotsu Forest?" Sakura asked. It had felt unreasonable to ask these questions when Tsunade had brought her to the forest to meet Katsuyu during her apprenticeship seven years ago. She'd wondered at the fact that Shizune had never been introduced to the summons. It wasn't until later that she realized, Shizune, Tsunade's original apprentice had been too weak.

"No, the First Hokage was a Sun Sage. However, it was his connection to the photosynthesis that led me to finding the Shikkotsu Forest. I was lost for many years after the loss of my brother and fiancé," Tsunade reflected. "It was as if I was led to Katsuyu."

"Shall we summon Lady Katsuyu?" Sakura asked. "She might appreciate some fresh cucumber slices. "

"She might appreciate being called and not asked to battle," Tsunade mused.

Sakura focused, channeling her chakra. She bit her tongue, drawing blood and summoned a small portion of the slug sage. She didn't want to crush the house or the backyard.

"Oh! Slug!" Sarada cried out, happily clapping her hands.

"What a lovely surprise, Princess Tsunade, Sakura," Lady Katsuyu greeted. "I do not sense danger."

Sakura placed a bowl of freshly sliced cucumbers in front of Lady Katsuyu's small form. "Master Tsunade was telling us the story about the first time she found you in the forest. We were wondering if she stumbled upon you by accident or if you called her."

"I knew her grandfather. He was close to the trees of my forest," Lady Katsuyu explained. "So when she was near my lands, I recognized her Senju blood. However, it was the brokenness of her heart, yet strength of spirit, that caused me to call out to her."

Lady Katsuyu finished the cucumber and then sat on Sakura's shoulder, watching quietly. "Thank you for letting me experience a peaceful moment in your life," the slug's gentle voice carried to Sakura's hearing only.

Mebuki drew Tsunade into another conversation. Sarada took off running in the yard, chasing after a butterfly, Kizashi followed after.

"Will you call my daughter into a contract with you one day?"

"No, Sakura, she has a different fate," Katsuyu answered. "Though, the two growing inside, I can sense a bond with both."

"My husband is unable to tolerate the prosthetic Master Tsunade created using her grandfather's regenerative cells," Sakura explained. "Do you think you might be able to help me figure out a way to adapt it to better suit him?"

"Technology is not my area of expertise. There is nothing to heal. He and the other annihilated any salvageable cell," Lady Katsuyu answered apologetically. "I did not realize it bothered you so."

"I just don't like that he is constantly reminded of a foolish time in his life, when he allowed hatred to overpower his reason." Sakura fisted her hands against her thighs in frustration. "And as the supposed greatest healer in the shinobi world, it is upsetting that I cannot heal my own husband."

"But you did heal him," Katsuyu protested. "More than you realize." She pressed her face against Sakura's neck affectionately. "I must return. Though I thank you for the cucumbers and conversation. I will think upon your husband's situation."

"Thank you, Lady Katsuyu. Be well!" Sakura's summons faded and left behind a general feeling of well-being. The weeks of long hours at the hospital seemed to dissipate all together. Weary muscles were now regenerated. It was a nice parting gift.

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The ramen had been better than Sasuke thought it would be. Naruto had asked to join him at the Haruno's house, so the two of them walked through the streets, constantly stopped by genin. Naruto expressed pleasantries to each and every one of them. Sasuke was anxious to get back to his family. He could care less about all these strangers and he felt like small talk was a waste of time.

"So will the Sexy Jutsu be taught at the Academy when you're the Hokage?" One adolescent asked, anxiously shifting his weight between his feet.

"I don't think that will be an official part of the curriculum," Naruto said He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "While I did find it to be useful in certain circumstances, it uses a great deal of chakra and that's inappropriate for young, future shinobi."

Sasuke snorted. If Naruto made Sexy Jutsu part of the curriculum Sakura would beat him and Hinata would die of embarrassment. Thankfully, the last two kilometers passed without interruption.

"Did you know Granny Tsunade would be here?" Naruto asked, once they reached the Haruno's backyard.

"No," Sasuke said. It shouldn't be a surprise. The Fifth Hokage was his wife's Sannin Master. If Jiraiya hadn't perished, he'd be visiting Naruto. Sasuke was grateful not having visits by Orochimaru. They didn't have a true apprenticeship, so much as the Snake Sannin had tried to groom Sasuke to be a perfect vessel. Of course, Sasuke killed Orochimaru, but that something as trivial as mortality wasn't enough to stop the likes of him.

"Oh! Perfect timing!" Sakura said. "We had just finished the story about visiting the Shikkotsu Forest and creating my contract with Katsuyu."

"Oh! I can talk about my contract with the toads," Naruto said. He looked over at Sasuke. "What about your contract with the snakes?"

"Only one snake answers my summons, Aoda," Sasuke explained. "My contract is with hawks, the king of them being Garuda."

"Well, I mean, I knew about the hawks, but I didn't realize you had to give up the snakes. My dad had contracts with multiple summons," Naruto pointed out.

"And I am not the amazing Minato Namikaze," Sasuke countered.

Naruto grinned. "No, you're the amazing Sasuke Uchiha." He turned his attention to Sarada and crouched on the ground like a toad. "Who wants to ride the big toad?"

Sarada giggled and then ran over towards Naruto, her hands outstretched. He positioned her on his back, tiny arms wound tight across his neck, and then crawled across the grass, jumping ever so slightly.

"What is he doing?" Sasuke stared in horror at Naruto playing a ridiculous game with his daughter. He feared she would want him to mimic such activity and pretending to be a beast of burden to transport his daughter about while making animal noises. Such a thing was on his list of things he didn't want to do— ever.

"Hinata told me about this," Sakura said, patting the space beside her on the blanket. "He does it with Boruto and when they last watched Sarada, she took a turn. Don't worry, she won't expect her daddy to do what Uncle Naruto does."

"Though, it would be fun to watch." Tsunade narrowed her eyes and stared at Sasuke thoughtfully. "I can see it now in my minds' eye."

"Master, perhaps now would be a good time to discuss the prosthetic we created using your grandfather's cells," Sakura said. "Naruto doesn't seem to have any issues adapting to the limb, but it interferes with Sasuke's chakra."

"Ah, I was afraid of that," Tsunade confessed. "Senju and Uchiha were opposite in so many ways when it comes to the source of their chakra energy." She turned towards Sakura's parents. "I know I've never really delved into your family's ancestry. What clans are in your background?"

Mebuki tucked back her blond hair nervously. "Most of my family have only been civilians. Only my grandmother was from the Namikaze clan and emigrated here, but she didn't have any access to her chakra like Sakura does, so she married into a civilian family."

"My father and I both had some rudimentary chakra control," Kizashi explained. "We both finished the ninja academy, but then didn't receive promotion to genin. Several generations ago, my ancestors emigrated from Earth."

"So Water from the Namikaze and Earth from the Haruno," Tsunade reasoned. "And of course, Yin and Yang can be learned by any shinobi talented enough."

"Wait, we're related?" Naruto paused, looking at Sarada over his shoulder and then Sakura. "I really am Uncle Naruto!"

"You really are Uncle Naruto, no matter if there is a common ancestor or not," Sakura said. She turned her attention to Tsunade. "Why does it matter my ancestry?"

"It may be that since I am the one that created the prosthetic using my grandfather's cells and that Naruto is part Senju, that you will need to use a different technology for Sasuke," Tsunade explained.

"It's not necessary," Sasuke interrupted.

"It would be nice if you could wash your own dishes," Kizashi pointed out.

"I can wash the dishes," Sasuke protested.

"Not very well," Kizashi grouched, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I was planning to devote part of the bioengineering department of the hospital to look into viable options- not just for Sasuke, but for anyone that had injured a limb." Sakura smiled reassuringly at her husband and he was grateful for the change of topic.

"What about cloning?"Naruto asked. "I think Kabuto is working on that."

Tsunade stiffened and exchanged a furtive glance with Sakura.

"I think this conversation is getting outside of the realm of civilians," Mebuki interjected, nervously. "Kizashi and I can go inside, work on some crossword puzzles if you need privacy to discuss matters of our village security."

"Don't worry, Sobo," Sasuke reassured. "We're not talking abut bioengineering or cloning. We're talking about my birthday in two weeks. I've decided what I'd like is a family photo." He worried his daughter would forget what he looked like. He worried that Sakura would forget what looked like. He would never forget their faces, but he also wanted a tangible reminder.

"That's a great idea!" Sakura clasped her hands together. "I know just the place too!"

"Do you already have the outfits planning out in your head?" Sasuke asked, feeling that his wife had already anticipated this request.

Sakura smiled. "Maybe!"

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A/N: I think I caught all the typos, grammar issues. At least, the chapter seems readable to me, hopefully you were able to muddle your way through it too! I'm really enjoying writing a SakuSasu Slice-of-Life story, or as Slice of Life as you can be when your older brother is a spirit watching over your family and it's the last few months before Sasuke abandons his family for the next decade - or does he? I have written so many alternative pairings for Sakura over the years, I'm finally feeling like in the Boruto series you can see glimpses of a strong relationship and it is really heart-warming to think of the devotion those two characters have for one another. I am way more invested in their lives together than in Naruto/Hinata. I'm so glad Sakura placed #3 in Kishimoto's popularity contest. I feel that NCHammer23 guy on youtube really hypes her up. Anyone else watch that guy? I know there's about to be a timeskip in Boruto, and I would LOVE if Sakura totally had a kid over these next 4-5 years since Sasuke left the village AGAIN (but for a good reason this time). I would so love if they named him Itachi!

Edited 5/31/23