The Red String of Fate: New Generation

Sasuke's Question - Sasuke

"Sasuke! Sasuke!"

He opened his eyes in a dim, unfamiliar room. Sakura lay crying next to him. He tried to sit up, but the pain radiating through his abdomen was too much to bear. He could only lay there in a cold sweat.

"Where are we? What happened?"

He reached a quick hand over to Sakura's belly, firmly planting it. He felt a wiggling movement.

"You two okay?"

"Y-Yeah. Oh, Sasuke. I thought we lost you. You saved us from those rogue shinobi."

It was slowly beginning to come back to him. They were ambushed, and one of them lunged for his wife and unborn child. Sasuke jumped in the way and took the hit to the abdomen himself.

"You almost died. There was some kind of poison on the blade."

He exhaled loudly. This attack would mess up his plans greatly. He winced in pain as he gingerly lifted himself out of the bed.

"Sasuke, you're not well enough-"

"I'm fine. Let's go."

Sakura didn't move.

"If you don't want to go, you can stay here."

"Sasuke, please..."

It was all he remembered before waking up on the floor, a pink haired lady hovering over him.

"Yeah, you should probably get back into bed."

"Sakura-"

She laughed.

"Nope. Mizuka."

It was Sakura's sister. He would rather just stay on the floor.

"Ichigo!"

She called over her shoulder. Half a minute later, a healer dressed in white roughly picked him up and placed him back on the bed, scowling at him. Ichigo did not look like someone he wanted to deal with in his weakened condition. So he stayed where he was, simmering with anger. Ichigo turned and nodded to Mizuka on the way out the door. Sasuke pulled the IV out of his arm. Mizuka sighed, putting her hands on her hips.

"Look, no one is making you stay here, but you do need to at least walk yourself out the front door."

He didn't want to hear anymore from her so he sat quietly, hoping she would leave. She did. A minute later, however, she returned, holding a basin, two washcloths, and two towels. She placed it on the bedside table. Her voice was much softer this time.

"Just in case you two wanted to get cleaned up. Please, don't try to get up by yourself. Call."

She left, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. Sakura turned to Sasuke, looking slightly annoyed.

"Be nice to her. She's my sister, and she saved your life."

"Sorry."

He turned over a little, groaning in agony. Her annoyed face turned into one of concern.

"Oh, Sasuke..."

"I'll be fine. Maybe you're right, I'm in no shape to save you both if something else happens."

She gave him a relieved smile, settling into the pillows on the clean side of their double bed. She looked so beautiful.

"Besides, it doesn't matter how I feel. How do you feel?"

She yawned, cradling her belly.

"Tired. I think we both are after the events of today. Baby Uchiha seems like they're settling down."

Sasuke reached down, touching Sakura's bandaged arm. He had done his best to keep her safe, and he had failed.

"I'm okay, really. It's just a scratch. It could've been so much worse. It.... would've been, without you there."

He reached out for her hand, holding it tightly.

"Maybe you and baby need to... stay here in the village."

"Sasuke, please, no."

"What if something happens again and I can't rescue you two? I'd...."

He didn't need to finish his sentence. She understood. He was amazed by the love that had blossomed for his pink-haired companion over the last couple of years, even though he had trouble showing it sometimes. She scooted closer to him , resting her head gently on his shoulder. He reached painfully over to his side, groping around for his bag and finally finding the box. He was careful not to jostle his already stressed wife around, but he did have a surprise for her.

"Hey, I have something I've been meaning to ask you. This really wasn't the place I wanted to do it, but I can't wait any longer."

He opened the box; inside there was a blood-red ruby ring with a gold setting. He had received it after his mother had been killed; it was her own engagement ring from his father.

"Will you marry me, Sakura?"

She put her hands over her mouth and let out a small squeak, shocked by his proposal. He really did love her dearly, he just had trouble showing it. He wanted to marry the mother of his unborn child.

"Yes, of course!"

He slid the ring on her finger; it was a perfect fit. She gazed at it with tears in her eyes.

"I'm so happy. I love you so much, Sasuke. And I'm honored to restore the House of Uchiha with you."

He kissed her gently.

"I love you too, Sakura."

She pushed him back down gently, still looking concerned.

"Will you let me clean you up?"

He nodded. She took the still warm water in the basin and dipped a washcloth in it, sitting up next to him and ringing it out. He uncovered his still bloody chest, powdered with green. He didn't realize how close he was to dying until he looked at the damage that was done to him. She sweetly and gently dabbed at the wound, filling the washcloth with blood. The warm water felt nice. She shushed him quietly as he could feel himself losing to the sleep that was trying to wash over him.

"Please rest. We need you, Sasuke."

He smiled at her as he gave into sleep, feeling oddly calm and safe in the Konoha hospital under the care of his fiancé.