🌸The Journey🌸

Day 13

"We're back within the borders of the Land of Fire." Sasuke glanced down at his map and glanced at where he thought he'd left Sakura standing, "Sakura?"

"I'm fine..." Sakura panted before leaning over a bush again and emptying that morning's breakfast from her stomach.

"S-Sakura..." He approached her and rubbed her back, "we should..."

"No... No hospital." Sakura wiped her mouth, "and no going back to the village, either. We agreed, remember?"

"Y-yeah, but..." Sasuke pursed his lips, "I'm getting worried. Genuinely worried."

"It's fine... This is normal in pregnancy, Sasuke. But don't worry... I'm fine. I won't die that easily, you know."

Sasuke looked at her for a few moments, then sighed, "alright. We can keep walking until we get out of the Land of Fire, then."

"Then..." Sakura gripped Sasuke's hand, "where should we go next?"

"I think..." He shut his eyes, "we should go back to the Hidden Rain Village to... Pay Aoba a visit..."

She studied his somber face and shut her eyes as well, "yeah.... You're right."

The couple made their plans and headed that way. As Sakura thought about those times with Aoba and when he was still alive, she leaned her head back and started thinking hard, "hey, Sasuke."

"Hm?"

"Have you ever thought of what life would be like if we weren't the people we are today?"

Sasuke was silent for a moment.

"Sasuke?"

"No. I've never thought of that."

"Do you think... Life would be... Better for our child?"

Sasuke didn't respond this time. She had a serious point that made him feel a bit more concerned than he already was.

If I hadn't become the rogue ninja I am today, would they live a happier life? Would they be safer? Will our child be in constant danger like we are now? What if the child doesn't even make it.... What if... What if Sakura doesn't even make it? No, I can't think like that. What would Tazuna say if he were here right now? Probably call me a wuss. That's about accurate... But... I just can't help but think...

_________________

"Papa!!"

Sasuke stretched and turned over onto his stomach, "five more minutes..."

"Papa, you said that an hour ago... It's time to get up! You'll be late for work, again!"

"I remember that..." Sasuke chuckled to himself as he remembered his reason for being late the first time. He couldn't remember what his punishment was for being late, he only remembers waking up early that morning in a heat with a strange need. Then he saw Sakura laying next to him. That is what had made him late.

"I still don't understand..."

"I already told you, Sweetie. Mama and Papa just like wrestling sometimes." Sasuke rubbed his neck as he remembered that same morning, their second-born girl had walked in on them.

"It's best you don't understand, Haruka." A small boy rubbed his eyes as he followed Sasuke down the stairs, "morning, Dad."

"Good morning, Akio." Sasuke glanced back at him and smiled, tussling his hair a bit, "did you sleep well last night?"