Hello everyone!

Once again it's been too long, and 's e-mail alert is on the fritz. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter.

"And you are being truthful in your statement that the Uchiha got away, in spite of your best effort?"

"Yes." Sakura replied. When lying, one had to be careful. Just making up a story was not going to cut it. She had to tell SOME of the truth. She did tell them that she did in fact fight Sasuke and uncover his identity, as well as the fact he tossed a sleeping bomb in her face. She of course left out the fact that she told Sasuke to throw it in her face to begin with, as well as everything else that happened in between.

"You're sure there is nothing else you wish to add?" Maryu questioned.

Admittedly, Sakura hadn't really been through a lot of Hokages to get a judge of their character. But based on what she remembered of Hiruzen and Tsunade, this man was failing spectacularly. The other two exuded a certain warmth and wisdom; this puppet had none of that. "I must say, I am rather disappointed, Uzumaki-san." He said. "Given your stellar record of the past, I expected more from you."

"I have been off the field for a while now." She replied.

"Do you know why you were chosen for this mission?"

"I was under the impression you needed a medic on the field?" Sakura knew he was trying to get her to slip, to confirm she discovered Sasuke's baby.

Maryu turned back to his paperwork. "Still, it is a miracle no one was killed." Seemed he wanted to break off his hidden interrogation. "And none of you have reported anything worthwhile. You're free to go."

Sakura sighed as she stepped out of the building. She needed a moment to just appreciate the air of home again. She always liked to bask in the hub of the village after a mission, but it was different this time. Not just because of what happened on the mission; no, she remembered her and Naruto's fight before the mission. "Damn it, Sakura!" She chided herself. "You went, you made it! And you have to tell him what happened! Why do you hesitate!?"

"Sakura!"

Sakura turned to see Ino waving and approaching her. Though Ino usually put on a cheery persona, she seemed absolutely giddy today. "Ino!" Sakura happily acknowledged as her friend got close to her. "I didn't expect to see you here so soon after my mission!"

"Ever since I heard you went back out on the field, I've been keeping tabs! I got nervous when I heard the team was overdue!" She said.

"Sorry to worry you." Sakura brushed her hair back. "Does Naruto know anything?"

"No, not that I'm aware of." Ino answered. "But he has been worried sick about you. He hid it well, but we can tell."

Sakura sighed, but smiled all the same. "I suppose I can't blame him."

"So…was the mission a success?"

Sakura just said "It's complicated." Looking down at the village below, she turned to her friend. "You're sure Naruto's holding things together?"

"He is." Ino answered, before her face became concerned. "Do you not want to see him?"

"I just need a little bit of time." She said. "Walk with me." She invited her friend.

They strolled down into Sakura's favorite park while they made small talk. Sakura told Ino nothing of Sasuke; she moved on from him a long time ago and the information was too sensitive for all except one. Instead, she hoped they could gossip like girls back when they were young. After sharing some stories and rumors, Ino finally said "Sakura, as much as I like spending time with you, I can't help but think you are trying to avoid Naruto."

Sakura sighed. "Even without your weird mind jutsus you can still read me like an open book."

"What happened?"

"He didn't want me back out there." Sakura said. "Things were said, lines were crossed. I ultimately kicked him out of the room."

"Did either of you apologize?"

"Not out loud." They finally found a red park bench. Sitting down, Sakura continued. "I felt awful about the whole thing. I think Naruto did too, but we were both too proud to say sorry." Ino only continued listening. "I made it, but now I'm thinking about how wrong it could have gone. I would feel devastated in my last moments knowing our last conversation was an argument."

Ino smiled, nodding in understanding. "Sakura, couples fight. It's normal. And quite frankly, I think this spat barely qualifies. I've seen worse."

"You've seen worse?" Sakura asked incredulously.

"Oh yeah. In this village, a lot of couples will just lose it and make all sorts of declarations. They almost never mean it, but they get so upset all they can think of is 'How can I hurt this person I love the most?'" Sakura took a deep breath. If this was the norm, Ino may have had a point. Everything Naruto said, no matter how clumsily, was driven by his protective nature. And her? She was trying to reclaim some sense of pride. "Quite frankly, it sounds like you showed a lot more restraint than usual."

"I'm a fool." Sakura groaned, grabbing her head.

"Maybe a bit, yea." Ino said. "But, I also understand your position."

"You do?" Sakura asked.

"Yes. We all know you went through a lot. When…that, happened, I was devastated. It may have not happened to me, but I was in agony over how you suffered. I cannot imagine how Naruto felt. And the birth of your children-! I still wrap my head around how you managed to survive with your sanity intact! Above all else, we wanted you all safe." Ino gave Sakura a moment to digest her words. "At the same time, I understand you have your pride as a shinobi. If something happened to me, I would like to think I would have the same courage as you to get back out there. Plus, and I am making assumptions, it was cathartic for you?"

Sakura took a moment to think about that. "Yes, yes. I suppose you are right."

"I don't purport myself to be a couple expert, but my speciality has always been linked to human communication. Sakura, just say you are sorry. But also let him know that if you are needed and want to go out there, you will. I don't think he will refuse you anymore."

Sakura began to smile. "You're right, Ino. I may have wanted to help the village, but more than anything I think my pride got to me." She got up. "I think I'm ready to return. Thank you Ino."

"Of course." Ino said. "Oh, and thank you!"

"Thank you? For what?"

Ino seemed to blush a bit. "Remember the night when Naruto proposed to you?"

"Uh-huh!" Sakura exclaimed with joy. "But was does that have to do with-" She paused as the memory of a drunken Ino hit her. "Oh."

"Not my finest moment." Ino then smiled genuinely. "BUT, you gave me some sage advice about finding someone!"

"Yo! Ino!" Someone waved at them, and Ino's face beamed as she waved back. Sakura took a good look at him. He was quite the cutie, with a nice almond-faced shape, and nice brown hair tied up in a braid.

"Duo, perfect timing!"

"Duo?" Sakura asked.

The man who called himself Duo came forward. "I got your mind message!" He turned and bowed to Sakura. "Hey. Name's Duo. Ino's told me a lot about you."

"Hello." Sakura bowed back. "So, you two-?"

"Yup." Ino chirped. "We've only started dating a couple of weeks, but it's going well I think."

"How'd you meet?"

"Oh, I was actually there for your wedding." Duo said. "I'm a friend of Hero's…at least, I say I am, he'd never admit it…anyway, he invited me over." Duo suddenly began to tear up. "It was so beautiful!" He began to sob. Turning to Ino, he suddenly embraced her. "I hope you and I can have something half as beautiful as that wedding soon!"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Ino said, loosening his hug. "Anyway, we hit it off at the reception, and here we are."

"Congratulations, you two!" Sakura said. "I hope you two can be as happy with each other as Naruto and I are."

"See!?" Ino said. "You just said you're happy! Now go and make up with him!"

"Thanks Ino!" Sakura waved and ran off. When she hesitated to go home before, she now ran like it would be her last chance to see her family.

Sakura felt the nerves act up again, but this time she would not make excuses; she was going to see them all.

And right out in the front, there they were. All of them. Naruto was playing with the kids and their silly monsters. "Now you're just ripping off Mothra." Hanami said, holding up the white butterfly.

Naruto seemed to contemplate this. "Uh…okay? What about…Space Gojira?" He acted as if he realized some brilliant plan.

"Now that's just stupid." Shinachiku said.

"He's got crystals! And he can move things with his mind!" He insisted. The kids still looked unimpressed, all the while Sakura had to do her best to hold in her laughter. "Uh…how 'bout Destroyah!"

"A real name!" Hanami approved.

"Yeah! He's got spider-legs, a laser horn, ooh, and an extending jaw!" Naruto explained.

"EWWW!" Hanami gagged.

"What about breath powers?" Shinachiku asked.

"Breath Powers?"

"Yeah! Gojira breathes blue fire! What does Destroyah breath?"

"And you can't pick any other type of fire!" Hanami interrupted.

Naruto scratched a finger against his head. "Uh…how 'bout…gas?"

The two looked at him stunned. Then, Shina couldn't help but let out a chuckle. As did Hanami. Soon, the two were rolling over with laughter, kicking up their little legs. "Ew, he's going to stink Gojira to death!" The girl cried.

"Not that kind of gas!" Naruto protested.

However, a third voice finally laughed. They stopped to look at Sakura hunched over on her knees laughing. Sakura stood a bit straighter, but still couldn't stop herself from laughing. "I'm sorry, it was just too much!"

Sure, it was funny seeing Naruto fail to play with his kids' imagination. But the truth was, she was so overwhelmed with joy at the sight of it. The fact that their twins had Naruto play with them showed that they had finally accepted him. "Mommy!" The two ran up and gave her legs a hug.

"Aw, you missed me?"

"Yup!" They answered.

"But Daddy did a good job taking care of you, right?"

"Hm-hm!" They gave her the biggest smiles.

"But we like it better when you and Daddy are together!" Hanami chirped.

The two looked at each other. Naruto stared wide eyed, clearly nervous. Sakura, on the other hand, smiled warmly at him. "So do I." She said.

"Sakura…" Taking the kids by the hands, she walked towards her husband. "Sakura…listen, I…"

She inched forward and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Don't worry about it. You know I love you, right?"

Naruto stared, as a smile slowly appeared on his face. "Yes." He agreed.

From there they simply spent the day together as a family. Their argument was never brought up, their children having occupied all of their time for privacy.

At least until bedtime anyway.

Usually, only one of the two parents would use the bath to play with their kids, but they insisted they both join them. It helped make bath time go faster, with each parent showering a child and getting them in the tub together. Sakura had to admit Naruto had real talent to take the bubble foam and use it to make beards and wigs on his face, much to the children's delight. Soon, they were tucked in and were off to sleep in an instant.

Finally, they had a moment. Though neither harbored negative feelings throughout the entire day, each was fearful of how the other would react. Surprisingly, it was Naruto who spoke up first. "Sakura…I'm sorry about how I acted. I was trying to protect you, but I never took into account your feelings, and I bet I made you feel helpless too."

Sakura looked away in shame. "A little, yes."

"Please understand I know how strong you are, inside and out. It's just after…him…it just made me more afraid for you than ever. More afraid than I wanted. I never imagined anything like that could have ever happen to you, but it did."

"You're right. I apologize too. Though I still stand by what I did, I should have taken a moment to understand how it all made you feel and not respond the way I did."

As the two looked at each other, Naruto extended his hand. "Still friends?"

"Still?" Sakura raised an eyebrow. "This is the absolute worst moment to friend zone me, Naruto."

"I've seen some married couples who don't even have that going for them."

Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine." She took his hand. "'Still friends." Naruto let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "But I hope you can show me we're more than that. Maybe…tonight? If you're up for it?"

Naruto's eyes widened, and Sakura could see the change from fearful to confident. Grabbing her behind the back, he pulled her in close. "I think so."

Sakura took his arms and gently let them down, much to his confusion. "Before that, there's something I need to tell you. Come downstairs to the sofa, I'll make us some tea."

Naruto looked even more confused if that was possible. "Uh, okay?"

Sakura sat across from them as she passed his tea to him from across the table. Naruto quickly took a sip; it was quite strong. Whatever Sakura was planning to tell him, he was nervous it was going to be a doozy. Sakura took a sip herself, and after a deep breath, looked him right in the eye. "I met Sasuke." She said.

Naruto nearly choked for a moment. Giving his chest a quick thump, he tried to regain as much composure as possible. He eyed Sakura to gauge her; she was completely stoic. Well, that had to be a good sign. Right? "Go on." He prodded her.

Sakura sighed. "He was the target of the mission; I didn't know it at the time I signed on, but when we intercepted him, I found out. He took out most of the team, but didn't kill them."

"Is the new guy trying to take him out?"

"It's more complicated than that." Sakura said. "Sasuke has a baby now."

Naruto had to bite his tongue at that. "I have so many questions."

"The point is, the mission was about more than finishing what would have under normal circumstances have been taken care of long ago; they want the new Uchiha to be theirs to use." She said.

Naruto looked forward, clenching his fists. "Bastards." He trembled, desperately holding it in. "I know this village has never been perfect. But to take an infant in order to turn him into a weapon-!" Naruto leaned forward, sighing. "And yet it means nothing to the crime of robbing a parent of their child."

"Naruto, this isn't just about Sasuke." She touched his hands. "If the current regime is willing to do that, it doesn't bode well for us either."

Naruto nodded, clenching her hand. "I know." He sighed. "This actually might be a good time to tell you something else. Something that's been on my mind recently."

"What is it?" Sakura asked, concerned.

Naruto hesitated, trying to find the words. Deciding it was better to just come out with it and risk her wrath, he said "I'm not sure I want to be Hokage anymore."

Sakura's eyes widened in disappointment. "So…you saw it too, right? How the others react to our children?"

"Hnn." Naruto nodded. "The whole thing started out as a selfish desire to prove myself to the village. And now that I'm mature enough to recognize the responsibility…I don't want to serve them anymore." He said. He turned to his wife and took her hands. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I know you and our friends were rooting for me to achieve that dream for so long. But so much has happened. And not all of it is bad." He rubbed her ring finger to make his point. "Sakura, what I have now…it's all I ever really wanted. We can sell the place, move somewhere else! I can learn a new way of life! Our children can have a real future!"

Sakura felt some tears drop down her face. "Oh Naruto…" She pulled him in for a hug. "After all we've been through, of course I would support you in whatever you wanted." She pulled back to look at Naruto. "But Naruto, Maryu…he and Danzo will never let you go."

Naruto's eyes darkened a bit as he looked away. "Of course they wouldn't."

"And then there's the Akatsuki. They're still out there. As much as I want to run away with you…we have to deal with them. And please, do give your old dreams a little more time. Remember, for all this village took from you…think about what it gave back." She took his hand to her cheek, smiling in bliss. "Like me."

Naruto sighed. "Okay. I think I can promise that." He leaned in for a kiss.

It started out chaste…which became heavier. And wetter. Soon Naruto pinned Sakura down on the couch as he reached under her shirt to grope her. "Naruto…" Sakura gasped as she reluctantly pulled away from his mouth, though he just latched onto her neck. She couldn't help the gasps, or how wet she was getting. "Take me to bed. We have kids now!"

Suddenly, Naruto froze and his eyes went wide. "Oh…" He looked away, embarrassed. "Right."

Sakura blinked. "What's wrong?"

"What? I thought you wanted me to stop."

"I wanted you to pause, there's a difference!" Sakura said, a vein popping.

Naruto gulped. "Well…remember the DVD we made?"

Sakura turned red. "Oh…but…"

"Shinachiku nearly caught me last night." Naruto sighed. "You just reminded me of a talk I don't want to have with him for a long time from now."

Sakura blinked, then brought a hand to her mouth as she snickered. "Oh my." She couldn't help the giggles.

"Yeah. To be fair, I think this would be even worse if we were caught."

Sakura got up, and took him by the hands. "Well, we should be safe so long as we keep this where we're supposed to do it. And the kids only wake up in the middle of the night if they feel upset. Judging by tonight, I think we made their day."

"Man, I really screwed up then…"

"Naruto!" Sakura snapped. "They're children, with their own emotions and thoughts! I know you did a fantastic job, and I know you were all worried…and for that I'm sorry."

Naruto sighed, stroking his hands through her hair. "Sorry. Guess I overreacted."

"Apology accepted. Now…" Sakura placed her hands over Naruto's crotch, emitting her green chakra…and the effect was immediate!

"Oh!" Naruto gasped as his pants began to feel way too tight! "What did you-"

"I'll get ready for bed, so be quiet about it. I'll release you in due time."

Naruto panted heavily. "You-! You're-!"

"I know." Sakura smiled, and winked as she skipped to the upstairs.

Naruto was only thankful this torture would be worth it in the long run.

The Gedo Mazu's maw slowly opened, Kizu looking right at it. "It's time." He growled. "Uzumaki Naruto, you've had a good life, far better than most jinchuriki. I hope you've enjoyed it…" He turned around, his spiral eyes staring across the horizon. "…for it is about to end!"

Okay, I lied last time. This isn't the beginning of the end, but I promise next chapter it will be.