The Return

Chapter 47

 The Warmth of Home

Sasuke teleported himself and Sakura back to the Land of Snow after their battle. The two collapsed in the cold winter snow, gasping for breath with their chakras depleted. Despite merely handling White Zetsu, using so much of their power had taken its toll.

"Sakura are you okay?" Sasuke crawled over to his wife, draping his cloak across her shoulders.

"I'm fine" she smiled at him wearily. He could tell that she was at her limit even so. 

"Come on, the nearest village shouldn't be too far from here. We can rest there."

He helped his wife to her feet and draped her arm across his shoulders so that they were supporting each other as they walked through the snow-covered forest. Just a little bit further, he thought as his vision blurred. Stay awake for your family, you have to get them to safety. Just a little... bit further.

***

"Oh dear, do you think he's alright?" a woman's voice asked.

"He'll be fine. He looks like a strong lad" an older man's voice replied.

"Thank goodness we found those two in time, especially where that woman is pregnant. I'm worried-"

"S-Sakura!" Sasuke sat bolt upright on hearing them discuss his wife's condition. His vision wavered, but an arm caught him before he could fall back down.

"Anata, he's awake!"

"I can see that."

Two elderly faces looked at him worriedly. Where was he? What happened? "W-who?" he started. His throat felt like sandpaper.

"It's okay, you're safe now" the woman responded. She had curly red hair tied into a bandana and wore a green apron with a tan dress. Her brown eyes were filled with motherly warmth and compassion. Grabbing a bowl of soup next to her she raised the edge to Sasuke's lips. A warm chicken broth dripped down his throat soothingly.

"You gave us quite a scare, young man. I'm Ryo and this is my wife, Kiyoko." His hair was wispy and thinning and his dark eyes were much harsher than his wife's. Still, Sasuke sensed this figure was much like himself, distant at first but caring despite his harshness.

He winced as his head pulsed with pain. "S-Sakura" he gasped. He attempted to rise to his feet without much luck.

"It's okay" Kiyoko helped him to sit back down. "Do you mean the woman with you? Is she your wife? She'll be fine, I'll see to it that she gets the rest she needs, but for now, we should let her sleep."

Sasuke was grateful but still nervous. He'd only just met this couple and after a recent attack with shape-shifting White Zetsu, his senses were on high alert. Besides that, what about their child? Were they really both okay?

"I see, he doesn't trust us yet" Ryo stated bluntly. "You go on Kiyoko and check on the young lady. I'll stay here with this lad and answer any questions he has."

She nodded to her husband but turned back to Sasuke. "I almost forgot. A hawk sent this message for you." She handed him a slip of paper. "Now, I'll be in the next room. You can join us when you get some more rest. Don't wear him out too much Ryo" she glared at her husband.

"Yeah, yeah" he rolled his eyes. After she closed the screen door, he smiled warmly though.

Sasuke smirked and turned back to the letter in his hands.

Yo! Sasuke,

Thanks for sending your hawk, but you switched it with my ramen using your Teleportation Jutsu! You're lucky I didn't eat it instead haha. In all seriousness though, we will be sure to investigate this Momoshiki Otsutsuki figure further. There's also something I'd like you to do. I know it's probably out of your way and takes away from your time alone with Sakura, but we should really discuss plans in person. Kakashi sensei and I are going to call for a Hokage Summit to be hosted in the Leaf and I think Team 7 should be there. It's also almost time for the Rinne Festival. It would be nice for you to come home, dattebayo. That also reminds me, are you going to Shikamaru and Temari's wedding in the Sand? Shikamaru said you and Sakura never RSVP'd. You know you're invited right? You're probably thinking something annoying like you shouldn't go because you didn't go to my wedding or something, but we understood that circumstances were different then. You deserve to be a part of the celebration. At the very least, I think Sakura deserves a little break from your mission too. Just think about it, dattebayo. I'll see you both soon.