Sacred Flower

Man, I took a loooong time with this one! Okay, I think I got it all figured out. This will be the third last chapter and the next will definitely be the second last and the next will be the very last.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning was like any other Konoha mornings: absolutely beautiful and peaceful…most of the time. Sakura woke up a little earlier than Sasuke did. She looked at him. He had the most beautiful expression plastered over his face. He looked so peaceful.

‘Well, he should be at peace now. His bastard brother is finally dead.’

All he had left was one thing (or a few): have Uchiha heirs.

Sakura ran her fingers through his ebony locks, savouring the silky feel of them. Sasuke stirred in his sleep but her gentle voice coaxed him back to sleep for a moment.

“Shh…” she whispered in a melodic voice. “Go back to sleep…you don’t have to worry about a thing…”

Sasuke mumbled something into her breast, sending shivers down her spine. It felt more ticklish than arousing, but arousing nonetheless.

“Mmm…” he mumbled before his cheek rested on her breast once again. He slowly opened his eyes and squinted when the light of day that peeked in through the curtains temporarily blind him. He turned his head away from the blinding light and opened his eyes. After blinking out the morning crust in his eyes, he snuggled back into the warmth of his lover’s body.

“Morning,” he mumbled. Smiling, she responded.

“Morning sleepyhead.” She ruffled his hair in a childlike fashion in hopes to get him fully annoyed and awake.

“Ugh…don’t do that. It makes me feel like a child again,” he muttered, sitting up in bed. He brushed his hair back to its original shape. For some reason, all men in Konoha can wake up and just go out with their bed head look. Why is it that men get that advantage when they aren’t even trying to look hot?

“Well,” she said playfully, sitting up in bed next to him while holding the blankets to her chest, “you look cute when you pout.”

Smirking, Sasuke had a clever repartee for her question. “So does that mean I look hot when I’m angry?”

“You always have,” she laughed. “Why did you think I bothered you all those years ago?”

Smiling, Sasuke bent down t kiss her gently. He laid back down in bed, pulling her with him.

“So will you?”

“Will I what?” Sakura asked questioningly.

“Will you stay with me?” He asked in a hushed tone.

Snuggling into his side, she smiled.

“I don’t think you really need to ask Sasuke; I’m pretty sure you know the answer already. Besides, now that I think about it, I don’t need a ring on my finger to tell me that I’m yours. We’re ninja Sasuke, marriage is a bit unpractical. We could die any day now and be widowed after being married for three days. All I need is you by my side, not some stupid ring,” she said seriously. “But it wouldn’t hurt to get me a huge rock for my finger…”

Staring up at the ceiling, Sasuke smiled. Things were finally falling into place for him.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

A few months after their reunion, both Sakura and Sasuke had the life to envy. They were always together when you saw them in the village streets, although Sasuke would be a tight-ass on the PDAs. Sakura was still staying with Sasuke in his apartment. She moved out a couple weeks after they were reunited. Sakura made a full recovery from Itachi’s brutality…physically. There was still a small percentage of uncertainty that would only be solved if she actually got pregnant.

During the day, they were always together, occasionally holding hands when Sasuke thought no one was looking. No matter what, he won’t let his cool façade go. Sakura could still be used by his enemies as bait to get to him.

During the night, they had the wildest sex anyone could think of. They could be heard anywhere in the village. Okay, fine, Sakura could be heard. Sasuke only let out small grunts and pants and groans every now and then. Sakura was loud enough; Sasuke didn’t need to add on to the noise.

For the past week, Sakura woke up earlier than Sasuke did. She felt sick. Her breasts hurt. It felt like they’ve grown from her small B cup to a double D. Sasuke has yet to know of this.

Sometimes, she felt extra cranky, even though she had over 10 hours of sleep the night before. At the hospital, she would snap at Shizune sometimes and profusely apologize for it later. Sasuke has yet to know of this.

When Tsunade saw Sakura yelling at Shizune for a minute reason, she brought her into her office.

“Sakura, what is the matter with you?” berated Tsunade. “You’re never the type to yell at a stupid reason. Naruto’s annoyance is an exception because it would make anybody want to kill him, but you’re never like this. Is everything okay?”

Sakura stared at the floor. She didn’t want to face Tsunade right now.

“Sakura…did something happen with Sasuke?” Tsunade asked quietly. “Is he treating you right?”

“Of course he is, it’s just…” she trailed off.

“It’s just…what?”

“I think I’m coming down with something, that’s all.”

“Oh? What are the symptoms?” Sakura thought long and hard, making sure to cover all the symptoms.

“My boobs hurt a little and I feel cranky. I’ve been getting some cramps too but that’s probably because I haven’t gotten my period yet; this happens all the time. I feel a little tired every day but that might be because…” Sakura blushed like mad, thinking about the wild escapades she and Sasuke would have every night.

Tsunade thought about her symptoms and tried to match it to a sickness. There were no sicknesses that matched! She racked her brain…and her lips spread into a wide smile.

“Sakura, I don’t think you’re coming down with something…but just in case, I’m relieving you of all duties for the next nine months.” Tsunade smirked, knowing full well that Sakura will catch on to what she’s trying to say.

“Nine months! I can’t be away that long! Whatever I’m sick with can’t…” Her words died down. Sakura put two and two together. Tender breasts, crankiness, being relieved of work for nine months…she was pregnant! A shocked face covered her features. It was soon replaced by pure joy.

“I’m pregnant…” she repeated slowly. “I’m pregnant…I’m pregnant!” She bounced up and down, happy to know that she was carrying Sasuke’s child. “But I don’t think I’m going to leave work just yet.”

Tsunade smiled. “Even though it’s a bit earlier than normal women, but I’m putting you on leave once you start your second trimester.”

Sakura hugged her. “Thank you,” she whispered. Tsunade hugged her back.

“You’re like a daughter to me. I want you to be safe and happy, especially for this little one,” she said, rubbing Sakura’s flat stomach.

“Go home now, and rest. God knows you need it, what with all the shifts you’re pulling so soon after you’ve recovered. And don’t forget to take a picture of Sasuke’s face when you tell him!” she jokingly added. Smiling, Sakura said her goodbyes and walked home…home to Sasuke.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

Sakura got home just before Sasuke did. He went out to do 10 D-class missions in a row to pick up some pocket change without having to go on one mission that took over 3 days. Sakura prepared dinner and began to eat with the plate in her lap while plopping down onto the couch to watch TV when Sasuke came in.

“Hi Sasuke!” she greeted him cheerily. “How were your missions?”

“Boring,” he simply replied. “They’re just D-class missions, nothing of interest. It’s just ‘get a cat off the roof’ or ‘find something for some old man’. I did make some change though. Not much, but enough to buy groceries for the next few days.” He took the plate she left for him off the table and plopped down next to her on the couch, eating while watching TV.

Sasuke brought a forkful of food to his lips when Sakura used her fork to redirect his fork to her mouth. She ate the food from his fork and smiled devilishly. Something about that little smirk of hers turned him on a little, and the warm food on his lap wasn’t helping much.

They both ate off of each other’s forks, completely ignoring the sounds from the TV blaring in the background. All they cared about was the here and now; it was just them…

Once they had finished eating, they left their dirty dishes on the coffee table and snuggled into each other’s warmth. Releasing a small sigh of content, Sakura had never felt so happy (or anxious) in her life. She was carrying Sasuke’s baby! She had to tell him. She was so close to blurting it out.

“Sasuke,” she started, breaking the peaceful silence, “I have to tell you something.” Sasuke turned his head to face her, a questioning look adorning his face.

“I guess this has been a long time coming,” she continued, “so I guess we should talk about it.”

“Talk about what?”

“I…what do you think about babies?” she blurted. “I-I mean, do you want them, or do you like them?” Sasuke thought long and hard for an appropriate answer.

“Hmm…I suppose that I would want one for the clan’s sake…” he slowly stated. Sakura blurted it out then and there.

“Sasuke, I’m pregnant.”

It took a few minutes for the news to sink in and Sakura misinterpreted his silence as rejection. She began to tear up a little but tried to hold back the tears that were falling down her face. She wanted to appear strong, especially after Itachi’s attack on her. She didn’t want to seem helpless.

Sasuke slowly came out of his shock and looked at her. She was on the verge of tears.

“You’re pregnant?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.”

“You’re pregnant?” he repeated. A smile broke out on his face. “You’re pregnant…I’m going to be a…father?” He was smiling so much, it was rivalling Naruto’s trademark grin. Sakura saw his happiness break through and it brought her back from her tears.

“We’ll have a…family.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Man, I know I made Sakura a little out of character, especially on the marriage topic, but whatever. We got a couple more chapters to go before I’m filing this away in the “COMPLETE” section. I have absolutely no idea if I should rejoice or cry. And I’m sorry for making this wayy shorter than my other chapters. Well, whatever! Thanks for reading!