-XXX-

SASUKE

I wasn't nervous when I walked through the door at Namikaze Group on Monday. Nor was I surprised to find Minato already waiting for me in my office. He shook my hand and encouraged me to go sit with him in his office for a while. There he briefed me on everything that had transpired while I was gone. And one of the upcoming campaigns had piqued my particular interest.

Just as we were deep in conversation, the door opened and Naruto walked in, Hinata right behind him. He gave me a cold stare from the doorway and sat down in his chair without a word, Hinata shyly beside him. Minato asked his son to join us on a certain campaign as he knows our client well. And from what Minato told me and what I just saw, Naruto agreed.

I understood why he was angry and didn't want to talk to me. Naruto's moods when he was pissed were always the same. Either he distanced himself or he yelled. Mostly he yelled though, and judging by his silence now, he was really pissed.

Of course... I didn't tell him the whole thing about Sakura's disappearance and my "trip" to find her. He was away for work and I knew that as soon as I told him Sakura was gone, he would drop everything and be outside my house with a fiery temper in no time.

So I just nodded my head to him as he took his seat across from me. It took him a while to join in the discussion, but soon he was arguing with me about ideas and concepts, as he usually did. I was glad that the situation was normal, but it was clear that we were going to have a much more personal discussion later.

...

On Thursday, I felt like I was in my own skin again. Days passed, filled with meetings, strategy sessions and lots of work. It was much like before, but now I had a place, to look forward to at the end of my workday.

I liked coming home and knowing Sakura was there. I enjoyed our evenings together as we sat and talked and shared what the day had brought. I longed to feel her kisses on my lips and couldn't wait for us to go to our bed together later at night.

That day I stopped at a pastry shop on the way to buy a dessert. There wasn't really any reason for it other than I wanted to make her happy, because Sakura likes sweets. It was still uncharacteristic for me to want to show her such an unfamiliar feelings as love and affection, but I tried. I had discussed the topic with dobe from time to time, but his suggestions were mostly useless to me. I didn't understand how Hinata could endure him.

When I got home, I heard voices from the hallway. Several, actually. I headed into the living room and stopped there. Sitting on the sofa in our living room, Sakura had the girls' company, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Hana and Hinata.

They had an empty wine bottle and half-full glasses in front of them. Hinata left the office around two o'clock and I immediately thought that she was probably going to our house when she asked me on her way out if Sakura was home.

I hid a satisfied smile and walked closer to them. I greeted my wife, said hello to our guests, and handed Sakura the box of desserts. I couldn't decide what she would like the most in the pastry shop, so I took more of it. Apparently it comes in handy when she has a guests to share with.

Sakura beamed, her eyes shining with happiness. I could see what it was. She was genuinely happy. Her friends were here, who she hadn't spoken to in a very long time. Sakura's previous lies weighed heavy on her heart and I was miserable that I couldn't do anything about it. But now it seemed that a stone had fallen from Sakura's heart and she was finally starting to live her real life.

I didn't want to get in their way, so I told Sakura that I would be working upstairs. I stopped in the hallway as I was leaving and I listened to Sakura laughing joyfully. Yamanaka had just told the girls about an art exhibition her boyfriend had taken her to, and where all the girls could go together. Yamanaka's voice sounded squeaky and energetic as always. Even Hana was noisier than at work. Only Hinata's laughter couldn't be heard, but earlier it was written all over her face that she was also enjoying their time together.

I took a deep breath and realized with amazement how tense I was. I stood there for a moment and then made my way slowly up the stairs. I felt relieved because my wife was able to enjoy herself again. Which meant that my life was coming together nicely as well. We were making our future. Together.

...

Aburame Shino leaned forward and tapped at one of the designs lying on the table. "I like this one." I shook my head, since I didn't like that one. "No." I rummaged through other drafts of the campaign visuals and pulled out a draft that was almost at the bottom. "This one gets attention." It suited the campaign that Shino and I had been working on for a several weeks.

"It's too straightforward, Sasuke." Shino obviously didn't share my selection preferences. "The visuals have to be straightforward. You have to be attracted to it." I looked at him insistently, while Shino thought deeply about what I'd said. The campaign revolved around a project by a company that organizes insect exhibitions in various cities, and Shino was very passionate about the whole thing.

Because of the dark glasses he wore and the high turtleneck around his throat, I couldn't tell his emotions from his expression. But he took my chosen design into his hand with interest and studied it silently, which probably meant he would consider my suggestion further.

I seized the chance and finally took a sip of the coffee that had been cooling on my desk for an hour. I've been "back" for almost three months now. My relationships with the Namikaze Group employees were on solid footing, both professionally and personally.

My career has never been as satisfying as it is now. Also, life with my wife has been very good too. Sakura brought a peace to my world that I didn't even know I needed. She volunteered for charity at the Asakusa Facility, where she was Tsunade the whole time and where Sakura knows almost everyone well. Well, she even worked two days a week here at the Namikaze Group.

Not with me, though. She was Kushina's personal assistant and the two of them made a really good team. This situation was also advantageous for me because I could see Sakura at work and still have her at home. Things were finally back to normal.

…

A familiar ache gradually formed in my head. My eyelids grew heavy, my shoulders and neck sore. I stared out the window at the approaching storm, wondering if I could make it home before it broke and before the migraine could completely destroy me.

There were three knocks on the door, which Hinata used as a sign to let me know that my personal assistant was entering. But to my aching head today, the knocks sounded like cannon shots. I leaned back against the cool leather of my chair and closed my eyes.

"Come in." I called as loudly as I dared, so as not to aggravate my condition. I opened my eyes again for a moment and watched a familiar face walk in. "Um... Is there anything else you need, Sasuke-kun?" Hinata asked mildly, but I didn't even bother to raise my head. "Please reschedule all my afternoon appointments." I barely finished speaking when her quiet voice came out. "I... I already did."

Her instinct was impeccable. "Great. You can take the rest of the afternoon off. That'll be all for today." I heaved a sigh and kept my eyes closed. "Is there... anything else I can do for you?" She asked helpfully, but I didn't want to bother her with anything else today. Though after a moment, I figured I needed something else after all.

"Could you get me some coffee and painkillers? And if you could put my wife on the phone, I'd appreciate it." She giggled lightly at my requests and nodded. "I could handle that." She was very cooperative and I was grateful to have such a good secretary. "Thanks."

Hinata left from my office and and I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table and rubbed my temples. It was clear to me that when I would be on the phone with Sakura, she will tell me to leave the car at work and take a cab to come back home. I also knew that when I got there, she would be waiting for me with a cold compress an her soothing touch would instantly ease my migraine.

I just need to get home. Until then, the coffee and pills that Hinata will bring me will have to do. I relaxed my eyes again, closed them and leaned back in the chair. In a short time I heard footsteps, one knock, and I felt her pushing pills into my hand, and the smell of coffee reached my nose. "Drink up." But it wasn't Hinata's voice that reached my ears. It was clear to me just from the fact that there was no triple knock.

I gratefully drank the pills from her palm. I can recognize her touch even with my eyes closed. "What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be here today." I opened my eyes and Sakura looked at me sympathetically.

"Hinata called me and said you didn't look too well this morning. She thought you might be having another migraine, so I came over to take you home. I met her on her way back from the hall carrying this for you." She pointed out the things I wanted from Hinata.

I groaned, leaning forward and resting my head on Sakura's stomach. She put a cold compress on the back of my neck and ran her fingers through my hair. I don't even know how she managed to figure out what would make me feel good. But I appreciated how nice both felt.

"Let the pills work for a while and then I'll drive you home, Sasuke-kun." She informed me, not stopping to stroke my hair soothingly. "Hn..." I agreed with her plan. "You should have called me earlier, if you're not feeling well." She reprimanded me affectionately.

"I had some things to do." I objected, wrapping my arms around her waist, wanting her to be closer to me. "And how much work did you get done?" This was turning into an interrogation. "Not much." I didn't even have the strength to lie and deny it.

She shuddered with suppressed laughter, but didn't stop caressing me gently. "'There you go, shannaro...'" She teased me. "Thank you for coming for me." I murmured and then I felt her lips pressed into my hair. "You're welcome, dear."

"Our boy is not feeling well?" Minato's amused voice echoed in the silence of my office. I didn't even hear him knock or open the door. It was really getting bad with me. "He has a terrible migraine." Sakura answered for me before I could say anything.

"I figured as much! He looked like a whipped dog at the meeting this morning. Even worse than usual!" I heard the voice of an Inuzuka Kiba shouting down the hallway. I really missed his opinion right now... I was embarrassed that people saw me like that, but I didn't care. I was embarrassed, yes. I just didn't care right now. The headache was a hundred times worse.

"I'm fine. Stop making a fuss about it..." I said with a sharp tone in my voice. I didn't even lift my eyes. Can't I have a headache without everyone talking about it right away? They all ignored me like I didn't say anything. "Will you take him home, Sakura?" Minato said to my wife as if I wasn't even present. "As soon as he gets better." She replied and I immediately waved my hand. "I'm still here." I kept my eyes closed, but I suspected they were both laughing.

Sakura suddenly patted me lightly on my head. "He's always grumpy when he's not feeling well." Now my boss laughed all over the place. "I noticed that." As if that wasn't enough, Kushina's voice suddenly interjected into the general discussion. "Oh no, it's that migraine again? Poor our Sasuke-kun! I'll get him some water, dattebane!"

Frustration and anger were bubbling up inside me. This was really too much, treating me like a kid. I just wanted a moment of peace, quiet and cuddling from my wife. Couldn't everyone go their separate ways and leave us alone? "I said… I'm fine." I said sharply through my teeth.

"He's very grumpy today." Minato explained to his beloved.

"He's getting cranky too as I see..." Sakura giggled at Kushina's remark.

"It's always like this when he gets his migraine!" Kiba exclaimed loudly again down the hallway as he walked back towards his office. "Good thing you're here, Sakura-chan." Kushina pointed out and the two women started laughing.

"Um... C-can I help somehow?" Hinata asked, whose arrival I hadn't registered at all, again. "Maybe we can carry him to the car so Sakura doesn't drag him by herself." Namikaze said, but I believed he said it on purpose to taunt me.

I've had enough. Nobody's taking me anywhere. Everybody should stop getting involved and mind their own business. I was determined to put a end to it immediately. Slowly, I lifted my head and my eyelids. I wanted to tell them all to go out right now.

But I caught Sakura's look of concern. She gave me a little smile, raised her eyebrows and adjusted the collar of my shirt. My eyes darted to the people standing at the door, and all I saw were faces full of sympathy and concern.

Minato was leaning against the wall, looking amused, knowing how much I hated it when people got too worked up around me. At that moment, all the anger and irritation drained out of me. I understood that all these people had come here for one reason, for me. They meant well, even though it annoyed me.

"No one has to carry me anywhere." I informed them firmly, because I was getting uncomfortable with the fuss and so many eyes on me. I shook my head again at Sakura's soft: "We'll be fine." I took Sakura's hand and squeezed her palm. "Just wait until you're on your way so you don't puke all over the car, Sasuke-kun." Kushina advised in a tone like she was talking about a five year old. Her directness made me actually smile though.

"Call me if you need anything." My boss offered before he waved goodbye and walked back to his office. "Definitely. Thank you." Sakura replied gratefully as he left my office.

"S-Sakura-chan?" My now timid assistant spoke up. "I guess… Ino-chan and I are going to yoga class without you today, right?" As she finished speaking, I realized that it was actually Tuesday and Sakura already had plans for the afternoon. But I'll admit, I'd selfishly like to have her all to myself today.

"I'll let you know, Hinata."

"Good." Hinata remarked. "Okay, let's leave them..." Kushina smiled a little, and shuffling of feet going far away from my office followed after a moment and the door closed. Finally. "They're finally gone..." I said to my wife with a heavy sigh of relief. Sakura took my chin and lifted my head so we could see each other's eyes. She smoothed my hair back from my forehead. "Yes." She leaned down and kissed me fleetingly on cheek.

"They were just worried about you, Sasuke-kun, that's all." I didn't say I was indifferent to their concern. It was nice of them, but I just want my wife.

"I know. I haven't quite got used to it yet."

"But you're getting better, Sasuke-kun. You didn't even scold them this time." She was making fun of me. I liked how relaxed she looked when she laughed genuinely, her beautiful smile gracing her face.

"Only because you wouldn't like it."

Now it was my turn to tease her a little. It flashed through my mind that Sakura already had plans for the afternoon. I didn't want her to have to cancel because of me. "Go to that yoga class. I'm going to go to bed anyway."

"We'll see." She giggled. "So, do you think we're ready to go?" Sakura asked and I slowly stood up. "Ah..." My pills had kicked in, so we could slowly walk down to the parking lot to my car and drive home. I wasn't surprised to see Sakura already holding my briefcase with my things in it. She was always one step ahead of me.

My egotistical self insisted on driving the car. I didn't want Sakura to have to worry about me, and I didn't want to look weak and vulnerable, like a little child. But my wife was more stubborn and more persistent than I was. After a little argument about who would drive, I finally agreed and took the passenger seat.

In the car, I closed my eyes again and leaned my head back with the cold compress with me. I could feel the headache and extreme exhaustion coming over me again. Before we left the Namikaze Group and before I fell asleep during the car ride, I still managed to say to her:

"Sakura... Thank you."

…

It's been a couple of weeks since my last headache. This morning the TV news reported that a storm was approaching and my migraine was coming to the surface. This time, I was thankful that I was on leave from work and that I could work from home when I felt better.

The whole house was quiet. And no wonder. Sakura went to the nursing facility early in the morning. She came back for lunch, but we only managed to eat together and Yamanaka was already waiting for her outside the house in her car, because it was Tuesday again and they had to go pick up Hinata on the way to yoga class.

I breathed in the fresh air. Luckily, the storm had passed and taken most of my migraine with it, so I walked outside. In our backyard, to be exact. It used to be just a bare green patch behind the house, I never even came here. But after our renovations inside the house, Sakura and I decided to redesign the garden as well.

I looked around and reflected on the changes that have taken place in recent months. The pool was the first to come up. I often went to sit by it in the summer and looked at the surface, calm and shining in the sunlight.

Next to it was a garden house. It was Sakura's favorite of all the landscaping, not the flower beds, not the swing, not the pool, but the garden house. And why? It was the same cabin from Icha Icha Paradise campsite that Sakura and Tsunade had stayed in when they got there.

Bright blue with white shutters protecting Sakura's memories. For her sake, I made a deal with Yahiko to buy it from him and arrange the transfer. We only did a little work on the interior, but otherwise it remained untouched. The cabin was now more practical, but still retained its original simple style.

When she first saw the cabin, her reaction was filled with deep emotions. I took her by her hand and led her outside the house, right into the garden. I wanted to show her this big surprise. She thought the pool was finished and we were going to see that, so she really was surprised.

As I led her into the garden, I suddenly felt nervous. I've never done anything so sentimental before. And I hoped I'd done the right thing. She stared fixedly at the cabin I'd bought, had rebuilt and planted in the concrete foundation next to the pool. The porch had been redone and had a fresh coat of paint to match the shutters, but it was still her cabin.

She was speechless with the shock. I knew how important it was to her, and I knew that buying the whole camp was out of the question, so I came up with this alternative. I wanted her to have it for ever.

She grabbed me with both arms around my neck and her hot tears soaked my chest. I know that at the time I was thinking, or rather hoping, that she was crying tears of joy. I used to be embarrassed all the time when she cried. I never knew what to do or how to soothe her. "Sasuke-kun... I can't tell you how much it meant to me. Thank you… so much!" She uttered between sobs, not releasing me from her grasp. Then she looked up at me, her eyes brimming with love, and I was instantly sure I had made the right decision.

Just the memory of her reaction made me smile and warmed my heart. Like only she could.

The door behind me opened, bringing me from my memories back to my reality. I knew instantly that my wife had come home. Her scent was all around me. She walked over to me and with a tip toe lift, she gave me a fleeting kiss of welcome on my cheek.

"Are you feeling better, Sasuke-kun?" She asked me caringly.

"Ah." I nodded in agreement, because I felt good. And now that I saw her, I felt even better. "That's great." She gave me a satisfied smile and looked around the garden. "How was your yoga class?" I asked after a moment and she started laughing. "You know, I thought yoga would help me keep my weight off, but it doesn't seem to work on me that way at all." She sighed importantly and I had to smile at the disappointed look on her face.

She didn't see how perfect she was at all.

"Maybe you should take a break from yoga." She looked me in the eyes. "What if Sarada doesn't like that you're doing acrobatic stunts with her?" I couldn't help myself from making a little joke. But I meant it. Sakura reprimanded me several times for being too overprotective, even though our little girl hadn't been born yet. There were still 5 months to go, but already I felt the need to be sure that both of them would be okay.

She rolled her eyes and ran her hands over her small, though already visible, belly. "Do you hear that Sarada? Your papa is worried about you… again..." She said in a squeaky voice. As soon as she finished she started giggling in delight. I had to genuinely smile at what I saw.

I still wasn't used to the word "father" and the fact that I was going to be a dad, but I liked the idea. At first I was a little afraid that we would be raising something so small and fragile, whose life would be in our hands. I was worried that maybe I wasn't built for fatherhood after all. That I wasn't a role model for any child, let alone my own. I had so many concerns running through my head that they had no beginning and no end.

But more than fear, I felt gratitude. Gratitude for my wife, my daughter, my life. I never thought this would happen to me. Me of all people. But I was determined to repay my gratitude by trying to be a good husband and a good father. My daughter's life will not be lacking in good parenting or love. I certainly won't let that happen. I will do my best.

"Sakura?"

"What?" She looked away from her belly and gazed at me with her deep grean eyes until a warm feeling ran through my body. I took her face in my both hands. The I pulled her closer to my and slowly kissed her forehead. "Thank you."

"I'm really happy, Sasuke-kun." She whispered softly and I knew exactly what she meant. Because she said exactly what I was thinking. "Hn... Me too." Sakura stretched out her arms, tiptoed up and hugged me with her whole body. She snuggled into me and I squeezed her even tighter.

We stood motionless for a while, not noticing anything but each other. I pulled away from her a little, put my palm on her belly and lowered my gaze down. I looked there and suddenly realized that I was now holding my whole family in my arms. Everything, every moment of my life, was leading up to this point. The past was behind me, and my own emptiness had dissolved because of the woman I loved and the gift she gave me.

Sakura just beamed, her piercing emerald eyes fixed on me. For days she smiled and laughed, cheerful and relaxed. You could see in her gaze that she was at peace and at ease, and simply happy. Thanks to her and this moment, a bright future was opening up before me, full of brightness and possibilities that I thought couldn't exist, and if they did, not for a scumbag like me. But I was wrong about a lot of things, and this was one of them. Now I saw that this was one of those great moments in life that people crave and that have real value. In fact, the most treasured of all. I felt a pride that was different from what I was used to.

My current feeling had nothing to do with job satisfaction or recognition over the results of a campaign I had put long hours of work into. This was personal pride in having made another person happy. A person I loved more than I ever thought was possible. And the fact that we will bring our child into the world together has made me excited about what the future holds for us. We may have some tough times ahead, it may not all be happy and great, but I know we will make it through as a family, because it wasn't just me anymore.

-XXX-

End of Chapter 37