Hello everyone! I hope I didn't leave you all hanging for too long!

This part, I'm sorry to say, did not come out entirely as intended. Partially because I wanted to get this over with.

I'll explain at the end.

"So, you understand your role." The Head stroked his goatee. "And it is nothing short of…impressive, that you were able to take him down."

"Because I'm a woman?" Sakura asked, just enough venom in her voice.

"I mean no offense." The Head replied with no trace of fear. "It is impressive for ANYONE to take down an Uchiha, let alone one as powerful as this individual."

Midoriiro screamed through her gag.

"We don't have time for this." She said as she dropped Sasuke.

He didn't move upon impact. "So he truly is out of it. She may have drugged him…but that is still quite amazing." He walked over to the Uchiha and hefted him over his shoulder. "I'm taking him down below for later. You two, help her anyway you can!"

Sakura started as soon as he turned a corner. "Get me some clean towels, and a bucket of hot water. NOW!" She ordered.

The other two hesitated. "You heard the woman!" The Head screamed. "Get her everything she needs!" The two balked and got going.

Sakura then turned her attention to Midoriiro, kneeling beside her. "I am a medical ninja. You and your baby are going to be fine." Midoriiro seemed to calm down a bit. Sakura placed her hands near her canal, emitting her green chakra. It relieved the pain, but it wouldn't last. The baby would still have to come out eventually. "When did she start?"

"A few minutes ago. Your timing was impeccable."

Sakura nodded, looking down. "It will probably be a while."

"Can you do anything to speed it up?" The other two came with what she requested.

"First, sanitize yourselves." The two looked at each other dumbfoundedly, clearly never having heard the word. "Of all the-Give me hour hands!" Hesitantly, they did so. Sakura emitted her chakra, their hands glowing green as it killed all germs and debris on their skin. "I generally son't like wasting chakra on matters like these, but you left me no choice! Now, birth can be a potentially dangerous situation if we don't handle this correctly!"

They got to work, dampening Midoriiro's forehead with a cloth. Sakura originally wanted to remove her gag, but thought against it; she would likely lash out when surrounded by enemies. "How long is this going to take?" One of the men asked.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Hours, maybe a whole day!" Midoriiro let out a gagged scream. "I'm guessing that's another contraction! We have to manage her blood flow and minimize her pain!"

Naruto couldn't sleep that night. Something was bothering him. He didn't know if it was merely a bad omen, or something else. Deciding just lying in bed wasn't going to help, he went to the living room for the tv.

And he had something very specific in mind as he searched for their t-

No, DVD.

Technology was frustrating; it seemed every upgrade resulted in buying something entirely different, making Naruto wonder if they should bother something that was going to be replaced anyway.

Never mind that, he told himself as he pulled out the disc. The first one he picked was the video of their wedding, which a professional took. Naruto got to see his wedding from the spectator's point of view, something he didn't even consider what that was like. He could see how nervous he and Sakura were, yet so happy.

He couldn't have asked for anything better.

He couldn't stop the tears from flowing down his face. As he wiped them away, he felt he couldn't take anymore sadness. "Sakura will come back. She has to!" He hesitated at the thought. "Right?"

He turned the video off and wiped his face. Getting sad and nostalgic wasn't going to help matters. Perhaps he should look at something more enjoyable on a physical level…

He moved the TV desk go pull out another DVD he and Sakura filmed together and hid.

On their honeymoon.

He didn't know what possessed them to do it, but they agreed it would only be for personal use whenever one of them would be feeling lonely. Should the wrong eyes see it, well, Naruto and Sakura would have to quickly expand their assassination skills.

Naruto looked around. He was alone. Check. It was also past midnight; the kids would be asleep. Check

Naruto decided to get ready, lest he make a mess he couldn't clean up.

Naruto set down a box of tissue paper and a bottle of lube. The DVD was in, and he just had to turn the power on. A part of him felt guilty; most people who got married were forced to give up on this sort of thing.

At least, he thought so.

But he wasn't going to be ogling some stranger who ruined their chance at marriage, he was looking at someone he had seen before and so much more. They already agreed they belonged to one another; this was just him reliving some of those moments.

Naruto rubbed his face and took a deep breath. Enough of this. They made this, they agreed on the usage, and if Sakura was going to have regrets about it, it was her own damn fault for suggesting its creation in the first place. He finally gave off a relaxed smile, and leaned back. He was about to hit the play button…

"Daddy?"

"WHOA!" Naruto nearly chucked the remote away and turned to see Shinachiku standing by the couch in his pajamas. "Shina!" Naruto breathed. He did a quick double check to make sure his son didn't catch anything he wasn't supposed to see. Thank goodness everything was innocent enough, the only evidence of his intended crime the unused tissues and lube. He wouldn't take notice of it. "What's wrong, Shina? It's so late!"

"I'm hungry…and thirsty."

Naruto sighed. He would later learn kids regularly had snack attacks at the most inconvenient hours. "Well, you had desert a while ago, plus your mom would be upset with me if I let you have something more…" Shinachiku gave a disappointed look. "But it's been a weird night for me too. I guess I can make an exception." He got off the couch and took his son's hand. "I think we have some popsicles left over. Just don't tell your mom…or your sister. She doesn't like it when you get more special treatment than her."

Shinachiku nodded in agreement.

Naruto watched as Shinachiku sucked at his small popsicle with glee. Maybe this was what he needed to watch instead. The innocence of a child, HIS child, melted most of the stress away.

Shinachiku then took the popsicle out of his mouth and presented it to his father. "You want some?"

"Thank you Shina. That's very kind of you. I'll have one lick and the rest is yours." Naruto took his and his son finished off the rest. "Feeling better?"

"Hm!" Shinachiku nodded.

"Okay." Naruto stretched. "This was nice, but it's way past BOTH our bedtimes. I think we can both fall asleep now, don't you agree?"

Shinachiku hesitated. Finally, he managed to say what was really on his mind. "Is Mommy not coming back?"

Naruto sighed, rubbing his face. "Are you afraid because she'll get hurt…or do you think she's that angry at me?" Shinachiku hesitated to answer. He had a feeling the toddler worried about both. "That's complicated. You know Mom is very strong, right?" Shinachiku nodded enthusiastically. Naruto smiled, thinking back to their youth. "I think that's why I fell in love with her. She's the strongest woman in the world…but she's not invincible."

Naruto chose his words carefully. "Right before you and your sister were born…your mother was hurt. Really hurt. It shook her, she was so afraid of everything…and I was afraid for her. I still am. The worst thing about my training was that I had to separate from all of you when I feared she needed me the most. I see her now, and she's strong again. But it still terrifies me that something like that could happen again…" Naruto tapped his fingers. "I wanted to protect her from that. Make up for my absence. Your mother is amazing and kind, Shina. But she's always been prideful too. She's always strived to prove herself. I think she took me wanting to protect her as an insult. Then again, I guess my tone didn't help…"

Naruto took a look at his son, who listened intently. He may not have gotten everything, but Shina was preceptive for one so young. "I guess what I'm trying to say is even people who love each other very much can get mad at one another. But I promise you she is coming back. She won't let anything keep her from you…and no matter how mad I may have made her she is NOT abandoning us." Naruto looked way back in his peripheral vision as if expecting her to walk in behind him. "If anything, she'd come back just to give me another earful." Shinachiku cracked a wide smile and began to giggle. "You think that's funny, do you?" He smiled. "Okay, I guess it is kind of funny." They shared a small laugh, then Shinachiku began to lose focus and wobble slightly. "Now you're really ready to go back to bed."

He scooped his son up and headed upstairs. As Shinachku hugged him, he said "I love you, Daddy."

Naruto felt a tear roll down his face. "I love you too, son." He never expected to find relief like this…but it was just what he needed. He was finally able to sleep peacefully that evening.

It had been a long time since Sakura managed someone's birthing labor. But she remembered the most important parts as she applied her chakra to Midoriiro's swollen belly. She hoped she brought her pain down to a more manageable level, bug truth be told, medical ninjutsu was not much better than the technique of the average midwife.

In the end, a successful birth was dependent on the strength and determination of the mother to be. Of course, it helped that Sakura knew all this beforehand.

The two men assisting her were completely freaking out, one half hopping on his feet while another rubbed his face with his palms. Even the head was getting anxious. "How much longer?!" He demanded.

"The baby's head is crowning." Sakura answered honestly.

"Can you not speed this up?!" He repeated his men's question from earlier.

"Trust me, if I could, I would!" "If only to help her suffering." Sakura thought back to her own labor, how she suffered having to give birth to twins and nearly failing them. Her mental state at that time was also not helpful; she only hoped this woman who somehow won Sasuke's heart was strong in mind and body.

"Can you not cut it out?!" The head demanded.

"Here?! This dump is already a healer's nightmare! Even in the best conditions C-sections are only used as an absolute last resort!" Sakura protested.

"Hmmm!" Midoriiro screamed into her gag.

"Still, this has to end!" Sakura leaned over to address Midoriiro directly. "I know how difficult this is. But you MUST push it through. The longer this goes on, the more danger your child will be in." Midoriiro seemed to freeze, before giving a slight nod. "I think we're ready. Quick, get me some fresh water!"

One of the men did so, returning with the water in less than a minute. Seemed they were not entirely helpless with these tasks. Too bad, they had potential. "We're ready now! It's now or never! Now, PUSH!"

Midoriiro let loose a mighty scream once more. In mere moments, the next sound heard was that of a baby's cry. "You did it!" Sakura shouted in excitement, dropping her cold demeanor from earlier before. "It's a boy!" Sakura quickly cleaned the infant and severed the umbilical with a chakra scalpel.

"Is the baby alright?" The Head asked.

"The baby is fine." She stole a glance at Midoriiro before looking back to the head, carefully cradling the infant. "I am experienced with infants." That was true, but she was not going to blurt out she too was a mother.

"Thank you for your help." The Head said. He held out his hand. "Now, if you will, the child."

Sakura eyed him suspiciously. "I was under the impression the baby would come into Konoha custody."

"And he will. Just not by your hands."

The two goons who helped earlier suddenly pulled Kodachi on her, pressing the blades against her neck. Even so she dared not flinch. "Do you not trust me?"

"No. In fact…we were warned about you."

Sakura made only one action: tapping the floor. It was subtle, more like a nervous tick. The head took no note of the action.

Sasuke was stored in a shed below, with barely any room.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

"They're clearly expecting you." Sakura explained.

"You also said they will kill Midoriiro and my child if I attacked, and now you're suggesting it in spite of those facts!?" Sasuke hissed in confusion.

"And you think they won't be able to detect you? I'm sure you're good at stealth Sasuke, maybe even better than I could imagine, but we can't risk a slip-up!" Sasuke stayed silent as he let his teammate speak.

Sasuke growled, unable to counter her logic. "I can't surrender either. I'll have no way of protecting either of them after the fact."

Sakura continued. "They wanted you to come…they just preferred it if my squad subdued you first. So let's use that, get them comfortable and complacent."

Sasuke blinked, realizing the gist of what Sakura was suggesting. "Sakura…you've gotten stronger, but I don't know if they will be convinced you single-handily took me down."

Sakura's brow twitched before she put herself in check. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Sasuke silently gulped. "They approached me with the mission. I suspected something wasn't right, and it's clear they needed me to take you down…and deliver your baby."

"That foreign saying, huh? Two birds, one stone."

"You're probably right though, they probably won't buy me taking you down in combat. So, we need them to witness it, and see something believable." She pulled out smoke bombs from a pouch. "It's just powder; it won't affect you…"

"But we need to convince them it did." Sasuke finished. "I'll have to be really good at playing dead." He sighed.

"Don't worry, I can help you with that. I know a genjutsu that convinces the body it's paralyzed." Sakura answered.

"Of course she would." Sasuke thought. The two looked towards the castle. "Let's do it." Sasuke agreed.

Sakura slightly shifted her stance, subtly preparing for a fight. "Don't ask me again; you'll get the same answer. Only this time, with my fists." The Head chuckled. "You think I'm bluffing?"

"On the contrary, we know what you are capable of, Haruno Sakura-san." Sakura twitched; their acting fooled even her. "My apologies, UZUMAKI Sakura-san. Your Hokage informed us of your skills."

"I knew it." Sakura hissed. "You were in contact the whole time."

"Indeed. This operation was dependent on a shinobi who was both powerful and knowledge of medical ninjutsu. Tsunade was the first choice, but she is retired now. Your Kage was afraid they couldn't ask her without raising suspicion. So naturally, you were the only choice left."

"You didn't think this through, did you?" Sakura said. "You talk as if you are more powerful than me."

"Oh, I trained to fight a sanin; I think I will be a good match for you. Besides…can you fight us to your fullest and protect both?"

Sakura hissed. "Come on then…"

"Don't worry, the baby will be delivered to Konoha. Still…" he stroked his goatee. "…having my own Uchiha to raise as my own assassin and bodyguard…I would be unstoppable…"

"Then come and take him. If you dare." The baby began to cry again.

"I think you misunderstand your situation. For you see, all in my sight are within my grasp." He put his fingers up, and Sakura sensed her environment change.

The walls became dark, seeping heaps of tar, and the floor along with it. She felt the baby slip away and float on the surface like a piece of driftwood while she began sinking to the bottom. The head walked over to collect the baby, smiling. "Thank you for your cooperation. Now, you shall take your leave...from this mortal plane!"

Suddenly the floor erupted, turning back into wood and tatami. Sasuke emerged from the hole, The Head having jumped back and now staring in fear. "I should have known-!"

"Are you alright, Sakura?"

"Not that I couldn't have handled it…but a minute or so earlier wouldn't have hurt."

Sasuke took a glance at his infant son. Though his expression was unreadable, Sakura caught a twinkle in his eye. Naruto had the same look in his eyes upon seeing their children. "Is Midoriiro alright?"

"She made it, but I'm not sure if- "

Sasuke pulled out a scroll, revealing Midoriiro's Tsurugi. "I'm sorry it took me so long Midoriiro! I'm sure you're still not over your two ordeals, but I figured this would help!" He threw the blade right near her head, close enough to cut her gag. As the cloth separated she seemed to take a deep breath.

"Are you crazy!?" Sakura shouted in horror. "She just gave birth! There's no way she can-"

"Just watch." Sasuke brought a finger to his mouth.

Suddenly, Midoriiro lunged up, grabbing the hilt between her teeth. She spun, the blade cutting her bonds without spilling her own blood. She landed on her feet, pointing the blade at her kidnappers. In spite of being clad in nothing but her soiled maternity clothes, her eyes cast a piercing aura that filled everyone with dread. "You have a lot of nerve, kidnapping me on the eve of my labor! Cutting down your friends was the quite the pleasure…now I'm going to finish it!"

All except Sasuke were stunned. Even the Head began to sweat. After a moment, Midoriiro's legs began to shake, and she fell on her face. Everyone else fell over in disbelief. "What was that!?" Sasuke yelled.

"Well, excuse me!"Midoriiro yelled, still lying on the floor. "You try passing something the size of a whole watermelon through any one of YOUR openings!"

"You said you could handle yourself in a pinch like this!"

"Well I thought nothing was worse than my training and abuse, so excuse me for underestimating childbirth!"

"I warned you!"

"Why would I listen to you!? You can't give birth!…Wait, can you!?"

"NO!"

Everyone just froze to see the argument in front of them go on. "Hey…" one of the henchmen said.

"What?" The Head asked, too stunned to really acknowledge anything else.

"I just realized…we're watching them argue, when we could have taken the last minute to attack!"

The Head blinked and gave a shocked face. "Well just don't stand there, get them! But don't harm the baby!"

The first one lunged forward, targeting Midoriiro. "Nothing to brag about, but I'm not one to pass up an easy target!" He pulled out a tanto; it should have been a clean cut. Suddenly, Midoriiro stood again and sliced him upwards with her sword. He stopped, seemingly avoiding the blade by a hair, as no blood spilled. Everyone froze for a second, and suddenly a cut opened up in the same path of Midoriiro's sword arc, the blood gushing out. "Ghhh…" He simply fell over in a bloody heap.

Sakura was left agape. In spite of her earlier failure, to accomplish such a clean kill MINUTES after birth…! "I couldn't do even that much after MY labor!"

"You'll pay for my friend, you-" Sasuke stepped behind him, whacking him across the skull with his stick.

In the same instant, Sakura lunged forward. "SHANNARO!" Keeping the baby tucked close on her side, she shot out a left cross right into the ninja's ribs, feeling his entire right-side shatter into powder. Followed by the delay as the shockwave propelled him past his boss and out the wall. The Head looked with wide eyes.

"Whoa!" Midoriiro cooed in wonder. "Is he dead?"

"He's probably begging for it right about now." Sakura sighed. "I'm rusty. I only mean to crack a few of them."

"No, thank you!" Midoriiro looked forward, as her face contorted into an evil that would make even Orochimaru shake in his knees. "I would have chopped all his limbs and special parts and kept him alive in the basement to torture at my pleasure…"

"Okay, I don't want to hear anymore!" Sakura cut her off.

"Now, we have one left." Sasuke interrupted. "Be ready! No doubt he is a missing nin of incredible cunning and power! We best be on guard…"

"I GIVE UP!" The Head bowed on the floor.

The three just stared. "WHAT?!"

"For the love of Kami, I give! You destroyed my two henchmen like it was nothing!"

Sasuke looked between the two women, who were as surprised as he was. "You mean you're a fraud?"

"HOW DARE YOU!?" The head rose, clenching his open hand in rage. "I was among the most powerful nuke nin this side of the continent! I had earned the aliases of Shinigami! The Wolf of Fuji! Enma's Summon!" A bolt of lightning flashed behind him, the thunder following after as they stared at one another. His face softened, and he bowed again. "And yet it's clear my power pales in comparison to yours! Please, your woman and child are safe! Please spare me!"

The three stared…and Sasuke lowered his weapon. "Okay."

"You're sure?" Sakura asked.

"It's as he said." Sasuke said. "I didn't exactly make a vow abstaining from killing…but I've worked hard to show more…restraint."

"Hold up there, Sasuke-chan!" Midoriiro shouted, waving her sword. "You may be satisfied with his apology, but I'm not! I demand further recompense!"

"Anything!" The now cowering Head said.

"Okay, Midoriiro. I'm not satisfied with just letting him go either, and he's not worth wasting my eyes on." Sasuke agreed, giving slight smile in anticipation. "So, what do you think would be a suitable punishment?"

Midoriiro looked up in thought as she tapped the flat of her blade on her shoulder. "Well, the clothes on his back would be a good start."

"Yes, yes!"

He began to undo his tunic when Sakura interrupted. "Uh, does anyone have a diaper? He's about to pass his mesoconium!"

"His what now!?" The parents interrupted.

"Nihongo, Sakura!" Sasuke said.

"HIS FIRST POOP!" Sakura shouted.

Midoriiro looked at her baby, and back to the Head. Once more, her face contorted into an evil grin. "I think I found it." The lightning and thunder returned as the flashing light gave off the impression that she became evil incarnate.

Midoriiro pushed forward a small plate with the…item, in question. The head looked at it nervously. "Meshiagare!" Midoriiro chuckled evilly.

Sasuke and Sakura looked on, the former trying to get his baby to settle. "Is she…normally like this?" Sakura asked.

"Midoriiro has always been…unique." He said. "In spite of that, she is usually merciful."

"Merciful?!" Sakura hissed. "Not even in Konoha's darkest periods has a punishment like this ever been implemented!"

The head looked up. "Perhaps…I can offer something else in penance? Riches? Maybe…there is another enemy of yours you want dead? I can make it-"

Midoriiro just unsheathed her sword as her eyes came alight. "OFF WITH HIS-"

"Alright, alright!" The head waved. He looked at it, took several deep breaths…or maybe he was trying to stop himself from barfing? He began to sweat.

"T-there's still time to stop this." Sakura said.

"Would you like to stop her?"

"Stop her? I'm not the one who knocked her up! She's not my responsibility!"

"Under normal circumstances, Midoriiro is rather incorrigible. But now? I dare not get in her away!"

Finally, the head bent over. Sasuke and Sakura turned away. "I CAN'T WATCH!"

The man who was once a renowned assassin in the underworld, staggered naked in the wind. He moved as if in absolute shock, unaware of all around him…

Soon, the infant was given a makeshift diaper, and attached itself to Midoriiro's breast as it nursed. Midoriiro settled against the wall, looking at her infant serenely like any new mother would.

Everyone finally calmed down from the chaos earlier, and were able to look at a new life in the world and take him in. Sakura looked on, remembering the birth of her children. The event was traumatizing for her, between Kabuto coming after her and Naruto having gone berserk, it didn't go as it should have. Yet somehow Midoriiro settled into her role as a mother in spite of everything. If she had to guess, it may have been because her new family was here for her now. And for that, she was happy for her. "He's adorable." She said. "As all babies should be."

She glanced over at Sasuke, who just stared on in wonderment. "He's…perfect." He said. He gently reached over to pet his head.

"You know, in all this chaos, you haven't had a chance to name him." Sakura said.

"We haven't talked about it." Sasuke sighed. "When Midoriiro became pregnant, we focused so much on preparing for his birth we never talked about names."

Midoriiro nodded. "I guess we were both cowards in that regard." The baby apparently finished nursing and began to cry again. "Shhh, shh…" Midoriiro rocked him in her arms. "How did you manage?" She asked Sakura.

It seemed Sasuke talked about her. "One day at a time." She smiled. "And unlike me, you'll have the man you love with you...and one less to look after than I do. For now at least."

Sasuke looked at her, and almost smiled as he looked back at his son. "I never thought I would be a father. It just seemed like a faraway dream…I don't think I deserve this…" Sasuke rubbed his head as the infant calmed down. "…But I will be here for him as long as fate allows me."

Sakura suddenly felt elated for Sasuke. In that moment, he became the man she always saw in him, the man she wanted to love…

And she didn't feel sad one bit that they couldn't be together. He was now where he belonged; that was all she ever wanted for him. "So, name?"

"I got it!" Midoriiro squeaked. "Kawauso!"

Sakura blinked. "Kawauso?"

"Have you not seen Sea Otters?!" Midoriiro squealed, her eyes beaming in wonder. "They're adorable! And he's even cuter!"

Sasuke chuckled, and shook his head. "You know what? Kawauso it is."

Sakura chuckled. Midoriiro was crazy, but pure. Maybe that was what Sasuke needed. "Congratulations. Both of you."

"Kawauso" finally calmed down. Sasuke stood. "I'm going to make sure there's no other trouble around. Be right back." Sasuke walked out.

When it looked like he was out of the building, Midoriiro turned to Sakura. "I'm glad I finally got to meet you." She said. "Sasuke-chan talks about you and Naruto a lot."

"Does he?" Sakura asked, genuinely curious. She began to blush, and looked away.

"Oh, he talked about that too." She chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not mad. In fact, you were Sasuke-chan's biggest regret."

"His regret?"

"He never hated you for crushing on him. He was nervous about outright rejecting you and didn't want to hurt your feelings. And when he left, he regretted breaking your heart like that."

Sakura nodded. "It's in the past. I'm married now, and while I would have liked a few things to go a bit different, I wouldn't have my path any other way."

Midoriiro nodded. "I hope that one day, we can be welcomed into the village and live close to you. I would like to be friends with you all."

Sakura frowned, looking away. "I do too, but I don't know if that's possible. Even if I have finally found it in my heart…the others, they will never forgive him…"

"Looks clear." Sasuke came in. "Can you walk? We need to…"

"Sasuke-chan, could you please look again?" Midoriiro asked. "And take Sakura with you. Just in case you missed anything."

Sasuke's brow raised. No doubt she was up to something… "Sakura…do you mind…?"

"It's okay." Sakura said, standing up and brushing off her lap. "Let's make this quick."

As they stepped out of the castle, Sakura said "Well…knowing you, I imagine you didn't really miss anything."

"No." Sasuke said. "My eyes are going, but my other senses are enough. We're fine." He took a deep breath, and turned to face her. "I'm sorry. And not just for your friend." Sakura nodded. "I'm sorry…I never returned your feelings. And let you down properly." Sakura said nothing. Sasuke was normally one not for words. So, he must have been getting to a point. He brushed his hair, sighing. "When I first met you, I dismissed you as another one of those fan girls that could never understand my pain…or even care to."

"Except for that last one, I can't deny your assumption was accurate." Sakura sighed.

"But as time passed, I realized you truly cared. I saw you, Naruto and Kakashi as my new family. And, I would like to think Ume could have turned out like you did. But in the end, I couldn't let go of the past. I felt I had a duty to avenge my family…and Orochimaru twisted it into some kind of poison."

Sakura finally interrupted him. "I need to know: did it ever occur to you that going to him was a bad idea?"

"It did. I think some part of me always knew…and that's why I couldn't take you with me." Sasuke said, remembering the time she begged to go with him. "Whatever I got out of his training and treatments…I was terrified at the thought of what he would do to you if you came with me, even then. I could never let that happen to you. I know with what I had become that may not say much, but if you joined me…well, I fear death would have been a better option for you." Sakura breathed. Perhaps even then Sasuke suffered a trauma that he did not wish on anyone else. "Sakura, I did love you. Not the way you hoped, but you were my family. And yet, I abandoned you. All of you, and so easily too. I was trapped in the past, and though I wanted to leave, I felt I couldn't. I kept trying to keep each of you at arm's length, but you all could have saved me if I just let you. Some part of me thought I was trying to protect you all, but to do that I should have stayed."

Sakura nodded. "I really did love you too. I wasn't good with approaching you honestly, and I now understand how I came off. I did not fully understand your pain, but I wanted to help you. I kept acting like I did around you because I thought that would turn you around…but deep down I knew if anything you needed sense literally smacked into you."

Sasuke then began to chuckle. "You know, if you acted out like that on me like you did with Naruto, I could have fallen for you."

Sakura smiled. "You know, I may have always had a crush on you then, but you know what really made me fall for you?"

"What?"

"I imagined you telling me my forehead was cute and charming, and that you wanted to kiss it. And then you came up to me and did just that."

Sasuke gave a questioning look. "I never- "

"You didn't." Sakura finished. "But I thought you did."

It was then the gears in Sasuke's mind began to turn. "Naruto?"

"Naruto." Sakura nodded.

He looked away, looking a bit peeved. "No wonder he tied me up." He turned back to Sakura. "How would you have reacted if he did that as himself?"

"I'd have probably pushed him and be disappointed he said that instead of you, if I'm being honest." Sakura shrugged. "But I'd like to think I would still turn around eventually. Point is, while it sometimes frustrates me I didn't realize that sooner, I think if Naruto hadn't done that, I wouldn't have come to genuinely care for you…" "And I fear I wouldn't learn to love Naruto…"

The wind suddenly felt a bit warmer. "Sakura…thank you for protecting my family. I don't know if we can ever cross paths again…but I would like to again, for old times' sake. And I promise I will protect all of you. Forever and ever."

Sakura then began to chuckle. "Damn it, Sasuke! This whole silent protector role…it suits you." To her surprise, Sasuke started chuckling too. Then it turned into full blown laughter. She began to laugh with him.

Eventually, the two calmed down. "I better get Midoriiro and Kuwauso soon. What will you do? They're going to be suspicious if you return without a scratch…and I'm not about to lay a hand on you, not even if you asked me."

Sakura reached into a pouch, pulling out an orb. "This smoke bomb has actual sleeping gas inside. I take a whiff of it, I'll be out for hours."

Sasuke nodded. "Tell me where we should leave you."

It was standard procedure in all the ninja villages to send in a rescue squad when another went overdue for their report. The term "rescue", however, was more often than not an oxymoron; when something went wrong, most teams were annihilated.

Nine times out of ten, they were sent to determine what happened and recover what bodies they could. This was the one where everyone was found bruised but alive and accounted for.

"They need medical attention, but they will be alright!" One of the nin said as he took the pulse of the last one in sight.

"Where is the medic? She's not among them!" The team leader ordered.

"Sir!" Another came running. "I found her! She's unconscious, but alive!"

They gathered around Sakura's prone form. "Is she poisoned?"

Another leaned in, prying open an eye. "Seems so, but I don't think it's serious…"

Suddenly, Sakura stirred. "She's coming too!"

With some help, Sakura sat up. "W-what happened?"

"Easy now. You're safe."

A telescopic lens found Sakura helped up by her fellow nin. Midoriiro lowered the device, her son sleeping in a make-shift carrier sash tied around her body. Sasuke's vision had deteriorated to the point where a far-sighted lens did nothing for him. "They got her?" He asked.

"Yes. She's in good hands."

"If what she said was true, I fear there are very few 'good hands' in the village left. Be it as it may, they won't kill her out of fear alone."

Midoriiro nodded. "And now we have to go."

"Yes. But not far." Sasuke said. "I've got this feeling that another battle is on the horizon."

Midoriiro looked at him. "How bad?"

Sasuke sighed. "If we are not careful…I fear it could be our last. And it will be the greatest fight of our generation." Midoriiro looked at Sasuke in awe, but said nothing.

They walked over the horizon. They would have to prepare…but for now, their child needed them. If the stakes were as high as Sasuke feared, they needed to cherish their child for as long as fate allowed.

There's one more part that will be mostly fluff.

And then…

WE'RE ONTO THE FINAL ARC BABY! AT LONG LAST! WOOOO!

Anyway, somethings I may need to address. You may have noticed the antagonist for this arc was disappointing, he didn't even get a name. And literally gave up before putting up a fight.

Trust me, I pondered long and hard on how to make this a battle for the ages, with motivations that would send shivers down your spine…

And that was when I realized…I didn't care.

I don't know if I was burned out, or just couldn't wait to get to the next arc. It seemed no matter what I did, he would have been a filler villain at best with no real impact on the story except as a plot device. I guess instead of forcing myself to write a predictable and mediocre fight, I thought it would be at least more amusing to have a humorous twist if the end result was going to be the same anyway.

Do you agree with that? Let me know what you think!

Also, I initially planned to reveal Sasuke once having a baby sister named Ume (which means Plum, kind of similar to Sakura's Cherry Blossom). She was supposed to have died a year before the massacre at one year of age, and Sasuke was supposed to imagine she would have turned out like Sakura if she grew up.

But again, I couldn't figure out a way to communicate that to all of you, and the inclusion in the end also felt unnecessary.

So she too was cut.

There are some media where I hear about planned scenes and concept art, and wonder why it wasn't included in the final product. Writing this, I'm beginning to understand why some things just don't make it past the cutting room floor.

Also, Kuwaso means Otter. It's meant to be related to Itachi (Weasel), but with a more playful persona.

Next time we will wrap things up and prepare for the endgame!