CHAPTER-26 TRAILS OF JEALOUSY AND CONCERN

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Months of travel had dissolved any awkwardness between Sakura and Sasuke. Laughter, tears, and shared moments had woven a tight bond between them, even revealing traces of jealousy along the way.

During their journey, they encountered a peculiar situation.

"S-Sasuke-kun, is that a woman hanging from the tree?" Sakura's words stuttered out, unsure if what she saw was real or a trick of the mind. Sasuke remained composed, unfazed by the unusual sight.

"Help! Please, someone!" The woman's desperate plea echoed as the branch groaned, threatening to give way. Sakura nudged Sasuke, urging him to assist despite his initial reluctance.

As the woman teetered on the edge, Sasuke swiftly caught her, ensuring her safe landing.

"Thank you," the young woman said, her cheeks flushed with gratitude as Sasuke released her. Concerned, Sakura approached her.

"Are you hurt? Do you need any assistance?" Sakura inquired, genuine worry etched on her face.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you," the woman replied, but her gaze lingered on Sasuke. Meanwhile, Sasuke busied himself with adjusting his cloak.

"Are you two best friends?" the woman asked eagerly, almost hoping for a certain answer. Sakura chuckled nervously before responding.

"Well, yes, we are best friends, but we're actuall—"

"Fantastic! Then you must be single," the woman flirted with Sasuke, her face flushed with embarrassment. Sakura couldn't help but feel perplexed. Had the woman not heard her, or was she intentionally ignoring her?

"No, I'm married," Sasuke stated firmly, brushing off the woman's advances before walking away. Sakura laughed nervously before following Sasuke.

"Wait! I can't walk any faster!" Sakura panted, catching her breath. Sasuke turned back, his expression slightly annoyed.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow as she steadied herself.

"Nothing," Sasuke replied, his voice trailing off.

"Hey, aren't you going to hold your wife's hand?" Sakura teased, pouting playfully. With a sigh, Sasuke reached for Sakura's hand, and together they continued their journey, hand in hand.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura queried, tilting her head in search of a reaction on his face.

"Hn."

"Do you... ever get jealous?" Sakura asked, chuckling cheekily.

"No. I don't have any reason to be jealous," Sasuke scoffed, causing Sakura's expression to falter. What kind of husband was he if he didn't even feel jealousy when another man talked to his wife?

"I see," Sakura sighed, exhaling sharply as she moved on to another topic.

"That young lady seemed quite interested in you," Sakura continued, elongating her sentence playfully to catch Sasuke's attention.

"Where are you going with this, Sakura?" Sasuke sighed, his patience wearing thin. Sakura let out a sad and dejected version of her famous "shannaro."

"I'm just saying, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said with a crestfallen expression,

"no one can replace you."

"I hope you know that," Sasuke reassured, glancing back at Sakura, who smiled at his words. But her smile quickly faded as she doubled over in pain, clutching her belly. Immediately concerned, Sasuke carried her to the nearest hospital. Upon arrival, Sakura fell unconscious and was rushed to the intensive care unit for examination. Sasuke waited anxiously outside her room, his mind filled with worry.

After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor emerged, followed by a nurse.

"You are...?" the doctor inquired, eyeing Sasuke with curiosity.

"Sakura's husband," Sasuke replied coldly, his only concern being his wife's well-being. The doctor smiled reassuringly and led Sasuke to his office to explain the situation.

"So you see, the umbilical cord is almost strangling the baby's neck," the doctor explained, sketching a vivid image to illustrate. Sasuke's eyes widened in fear, his mind racing with thoughts of the worst-case scenario.

"Don't worry, this happens in about 1 in 10 pregnancies. During a normal delivery, the cord will naturally untangle itself, allowing the baby to be born safely," the doctor assured, relieving Sasuke's anxiety.

"It seems her due date is around March," the doctor added, glancing at Sasuke.

"Until then, it's important that you ensure your wife gets plenty of rest and avoids strenuous activities," the doctor advised before Sasuke left.

Sasuke thanked the doctor and quietly entered Sakura's room, where she slept peacefully. He sat by her side, gently brushing her hair, careful not to wake her. This was all new to Sasuke, and he couldn't help but worry about terms and concepts he'd never encountered before.

Sakura stirred, her eyes meeting Sasuke's gaze, but his troubled expression didn't escape her notice.

"What's wrong, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked, concern evident in her voice, but Sasuke remained silent for a moment.

"I'm worried," he finally admitted.

"About?" Sakura prompted, squeezing his hand gently.

"About you and our daughter," Sasuke confessed, resting his head on the bed beside Sakura's hand. Sakura comforted him, running her fingers through his hair.

"Are you worried you won't be a good father?" Sakura asked softly.

"Hn."

"Impossible. You'll be a wonderful father, Sasuke-kun," Sakura reassured, her tone full of conviction.

Sasuke found solace in her words, hoping that one day he could live up to her faith in him.

"I hope she inherits your hair and your eyes," Sakura mused, gazing at Sasuke with fondness.

"A pink-haired Uchiha wouldn't be so bad either," Sasuke murmured, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment. Sakura gasped in surprise at his unexpected comment.

"Ehhh?? A pink-haired Uchiha? That would be a first!" Sakura laughed heartily.

"Say, Sasuke-kun... how many children do you even want?" Sakura asked, smirking mischievously, her eyebrows raised. Sasuke's eyes widened at her question, and he held her hand, gazing into her emerald eyes.

"How much is too much?"

"You're joking, right?" Sakura blurted out, her face flushed red as a tomato. Sasuke chuckled at her reaction, feeling grateful for her presence in his life.

"By the way! I was so jealous when you carried that lady and not me," Sakura pouted, her brows furrowing as she glared at Sasuke. Despite her jealousy, Sakura had a knack for pushing aside her concerns when it came to Sasuke.

"Ah," Sasuke replied, his tone subdued.

"Hmm?" Sakura scrutinized Sasuke's expression.

"What's on your mind now?" Sasuke asked, his gaze dropping as he gently massaged Sakura's hand.

"Just making sure," Sakura responded.

"Making sure?"

"Making sure if there's still room for someone else in your heart besides me," Sakura said, frowning and gesturing towards Sasuke's chest.

"There is," Sasuke replied, his voice calm.

"Who!?" Sakura exclaimed, curiosity lighting up her eyes.

"Sarada," Sasuke answered with a sigh, knowing he was teasing Sakura.

"Oh—" Sakura burst into laughter, realizing Sasuke's playful banter.

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