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Sakura can feel herself getting restless. There's only so many times she can read the same paragraphs about chakra pathways in the nervous system; it's been ingrained in her brain since she was fourteen years old. But upon her recent ban from the hospital – Shizune politely reminds her: "maternity leave" – there's simply nothing for her to do.
Granted, Sakura had been working up until her third trimester. She thought she looked cute with her stomach all round, steps waddling with her flats because even 3-inch heels hurt. Of course, Ino and Shizune kept shooting her anxious glances every time she did her rounds – yes, rounds only because Tsunade-shishou banned her from surgeries when she hit her second trimester. But it was so adorable to see her pediatric patients light up at the sight of her. They would ask to pat her stomach and feel the baby kick beneath it.
And she would have gotten away with it too if her husband wasn't such a worry wart. He had been begging her to go on maternity leave since her first trimester. Sakura snorted and called him "annoying". Sasuke then rallied the support of Ino and Shizune to finally get Tsunade-shishou to basically force her into maternity leave five months later.
Smart boy, Sakura later commended. He knew that only Tsunade-shishou had control over her.
Then, Naruto and Kakashi supported the ban – often dropping by unexpectedly when Sasuke was away to confirm Sakura wasn't sneaking out to the hospital. So, Sakura – eight months pregnant and round – has finally resigned to rereading old medical textbooks from the comfort of her La-Z-Boy sofa.
But she feels the soreness on her bottom from sitting still for so long. And not-so-little peanut is starting to use her bladder as a trampoline.
Sakura props her hands on the armrests. She huffs and uses all her strength to sit up.
Then, promptly plops back onto the cushions.
Her eyes comically widen before she tries one more time. Then, the cushions suction her back into their soft, but sinister prison.
There's now a 10 lb. weight on top of her abdomen and then the additional pregnancy weight settling in her thighs and butt. Her chakra was now focused on developing the baby and none of it could be spared for something as simple as pulling herself up. Gravity was a force against her.
Eight months pregnant and she feels like a big fat whale. She was more than ready to pop little-but-not-so-little peanut out.
Normally, Sasuke would be here to help her up. Well, first he'd laugh, chastise her, then help her up. But her husband was on an A-rank mission with Naruto and some others from the Konoha 12. It was some escort mission to Sunagakure, but really Sakura knew it was Shikamaru's way to spend time with Temari and for Naruto to bother Gaara. And really, Sakura had encouraged him to go.
"Are you sure?" Sasuke asked before stepping out the threshold.
That was two days ago. He probably just arrived in Suna today.
Oh, she was stuck- stuck .
"Shannaroo!" Sakura yells, giving it her all one last time before ultimately plopping back onto the soft cushions – defeated.
There was a delicate stillness in the wake of her outburst. Suddenly, a knock resounded through the house.
Sakura freezes. She certainly wasn't expecting any visitors. Naruto had gone with her husband to Suna and Kakashi was on an ambassador trip as the Rokudaime. Her parents were also out of the village. Ino and Shizune were busy with the hospital now that she was gone and it wasn't their lunch break, yet.
Whoever it was at least had the decency to wait for Sakura's response. However, Sakura was too cautious to let anyone know that a pregnant, virtually defenseless woman was home alone. But soon enough, she heard the front door rattle. There was an eerie creak as it was swung open. Careful, cautious footsteps echoed loud on their laminated wood floors.
The intruder was now in her house.
Sakura panics, but then remembers that she is a weapon in and of herself. She can squash this couch and level this entire property if push comes to shove. But she loved this La-Z-Boy and Sasuke-kun would kill her if they had to take out another house loan.
So, she calls out. "Who's there?"
The footsteps cease. There's an apprehensive silence before the gruffest, almost deadpan voice responded.
"It's Fugaku…"
Sakura sighs in relief. She tosses the medical textbook to the side and smooths out her frazzled hair.
"I'm stuck!" She then shouts. "In the living room! I need help!"
Fugaku rounds the corner from the foyer and sees her. He stares at the sight of Konoha's Medical Director – almost at full term – unable to pull herself into a sitting position. Sakura stares back.
Suddenly, Fugaku's frown lines deepen, but not because he's frowning. His entire body shakes with futilely stifled laughter. And then finally, a snort breaks through.
Sakura blooms red. "It's not funny!"
"No, of course not," Fugaku agrees, but his tone is uneven from keeping the laughter at bay.
"Please, just help me up," Sakura pouts.
Fugaku walks over and grabs her hands. With a firm pull, Sakura is able to feel the coolness of the floor below her bare feet. It's enough for her to stand, but Fugaku still offers his hands as leverage. Sakura feels her baby's weight settle on her hips – where it should be instead of her diaphragm – and breathes a sigh.
"That bad?" Fugaku asks, a peculiar concern creasing his brow.
Sakura breathes in deeply once more. "Hooo~ At least, I can breathe now," she says, rubbing comforting circles over her swollen stomach.
Fugaku leads her to the dining room table, which was only a few steps from the living room. He pulls the chair for her and guides her to sit. It was only then that Sakura registered the Uchiha Patriarch's presence.
"What are you doing here?" She starts, but then she quickly amends. "I'm sorry. That was rude. I meant to say, I wasn't expecting you."
I know you don't like me, went unsaid.
"Sasuke called me," Fugaku answers simply. Sakura raises her eyebrow skeptically, not believing him for a second. The Uchiha Patriarch sighs – almost guiltily – before explaining further. "I mean, Sasuke asked for Mikoto and Itachi to check on you. As it were, Mikoto is meeting her cousins for brunch today and Itachi is on an ANBU mission with Shisui. I was the only one home to receive the message."
Sakura nods mutely, accepting the explanation. The two were surrounded by a thick and uncomfortable silence afterwards – not really knowing what to say.
Fugaku clears his throat. "I see that you two have moved. Luckily, I ran into Yamanaka-san, and he pointed me to your new home."
Ah, Sai. He and Ino had their baby last winter.
Sakura knew it wasn't intentional, but she can't help but feel that Fugaku was judging her own home. It wasn't as big or as fancy as the homes in the Uchiha District. It didn't even have an engawa and the backyard only had enough room for a small garden. The style was more modern – almost western, with the main living space being open to the dining room and kitchen area. The house had two-stories, but the second floor was more of a loft than an actual level. It fitted a student's living quarters than one for a growing family.
But having a house in the Uchiha District is not possible, especially after…
Sakura banishes the thought, forcing herself to think positively. At least when she gets back to work, her salary alone would be enough for a down payment for a bigger house. And when Sasuke-kun passes the ANBU exam next spring, he'll earn higher wages for less missions – albeit they'll be more dangerous.
Their future is bright.
"My old apartment wasn't big enough for, y'know, our littlest addition. And this house is a closer commute to the hospital," Sakura smiles.
"But it's rather far from the Uchiha District," Fugaku notes, an odd melancholy veiling his words.
Sakura is briefly stunned by the longing in his words. Fugaku was known to be strict – almost cold, which Sakura knew very well. Even Sasuke and Itachi frequently painted him as such and Mikoto often apologizes for his taciturn nature. But his sentiments – however muted – were clear: the desire to be a part of his grandchild's life.
But before Sakura can open the conversation, Fugaku quickly brings up another topic.
"How is the pregnancy so far?"
"Honestly, it's not so bad. Of course, the fatigue and chakra suppression are about as fun as you can make it. I'm just ready to have this baby already," Sakura answers.
Fugaku tilts his head in earnest curiosity, "Do you know the gender yet?"
"It is a girl!" Sakura gleams brightly, "Sasuke-kun is so happy about the baby. He must be worried sick out in Suna."
There was a brief silence before, in the most timid tone she had ever heard the Uchiha Patriarch use, Fugaku asks.
"How is he?"
Sakura gives him a melancholic smile.
Sasuke and Fugaku had a falling out way before Sakura even became pregnant. It all started because Itachi had declined to become the next Clan Head, which made the pressure fall on Sasuke's shoulders. Sasuke, at first, didn't mind. His teacher was the current Hokage and his best friend – "self-proclaimed" – is next in line for the Hokage position. Sasuke as the next Clan Head would get much more done than Itachi, a fact that the two brothers agreed over.
But then, Fugaku had brought up the idea of an arranged marriage. He wanted Sasuke to get married to another distinguished clan or someone from the Uchiha Clan. Fugaku had said this in front of Sakura. Her and Sasuke had been dating for about 3 years at that point.
Sasuke argued his father against the idea. Son had called father strict and controlling and archaic. Father had called son naïve and irresponsible. It had ended with Sakura in tears, comforted by Itachi, and Mikoto deeply disappointed in them both.
That same week, Sasuke and Sakura left the village under the guise of a mission. Fugaku had the inkling that Sasuke asked the Rokudaime for an extended mission – one that Sakura could be a part of. They travelled around the world, helping small villages outside the reach of the Five Shinobi Nations, and eloped in Sunagakure. Gaara officiated the marriage and Kakashi signed off the marriage certificate – making it legal in Konoha.
Sakura then got pregnant on the road. They returned to Konoha when Sakura was still in her first trimester, where Sasuke named himself a Haruno in the Konoha registry.
Mikoto, Itachi, and Fugaku had been part of the welcoming party that greeted them at the gates when they returned. Mikoto and Itachi had fussed over Sasuke and especially Sakura, excited about the newest addition to their family.
Fugaku had watched from afar. He only uttered that the soon-to-be parents should go home and rest, before walking away.
Of course, the Uchiha elders went mad that Sasuke married into Sakura's "unknown" clan - even more mad that their precious kekkei genkai was no longer exclusive to the clan. Fugaku and Itachi had to do a lot of damage control when Sasuke returned, but what could the elders do? The marriage was official.
Sasuke was still considered an Uchiha, despite what it says on paper. But Sasuke was adamant on distancing himself from the Uchiha, hence their property being closer to the village center.
Itachi had assumed the role of Clan Head for now. It was tentative until Fugaku and Sasuke reconciled. However, Mikoto, Itachi, and Sakura all agreed that if father and son were to patch things up, it shouldn't be because of the Clan Head position.
"You should talk to him," she said after a while.
Fugaku frowned, "No, I don't think—"
"He misses you Uchiha-san," Sakura interrupts, "He doesn't like to talk about it, but I know my husband and I know that he misses you."
"I miss him too, Sakura-san…" Fugaku softly admits, a sad smile painting his features.
There was a lull in the conversation. However, it was enough for Sakura's repressed thoughts to surface. She had been strong for Sasuke, silently supporting him throughout the fallout. But in the process, she had neglected her own insecurities.
The person before her could offer her answers. And closure – no matter how devastating it may be – was better than no closure at all.
"I'm going to ask you a question and I need you to answer honestly," Sakura prefaced, rubbing her stomach as an anchor.
Fugaku nodded.
"Do you think…do you think I manipulated him into getting me pregn—"
"No."
Sakura sighs sadly, "I know you don't like me, Uchiha-san…"
"Completely the opposite, Sakura-san. You're a great girl with spectacular accolades. No one has the chakra control that you do, let alone achieve the Byakugou and the Fifth Hokage's approval," Fugaku praises.
Sakura blushes until her face blends into her hair.
Then, a gentle smile eases Fugaku's countenance. "But most of all, you make my son happy. You've been a constant, steadfast presence in his life since childhood. I would never think that you are manipulating him or using him. I wouldn't have let the marriage go through if I thought so."
This surprised her. Sakura was briefly acquainted with Hokage paperwork – having helped Tsunade-shishou and Kakashi-sensei during their tenures. She knew that marriage certificates had to be signed by the Hokage in order to be seen as legal in Konoha. But she didn't know that the husband's or wife's nuclear family could ultimately veto the marriage, not until Mikoto told her in passing.
So, it was surprising that Fugaku didn't use that power in his favor.
Confusion scrunches up Sakura's features, "I thought you wanted him to marry someone else."
"I've done a lot of thinking. I confess that I was not thinking of Sasuke that day. I was thinking about the clan and forgot that I was a father before I was a leader." A smug smirk crawls along his features. "And honestly, Sasuke's little act of rebellion with your elopement in Suna made me proud."
"Really?" Sakura laughs.
Fugaku nods. "When Sasuke was a boy and had just mastered the trademark Fireball Jutsu, I told him to forge his own path. Him marrying you, despite his own father and the clan elders against him. He did exactly that."
Sakura remembers the story. Sasuke had opened up about his childhood, including the constant need for validation from his father because he had always been in Itachi's shadow. He had tried so hard to essentially become the ninja Itachi was, the ninja his father wanted him to be. So, when Fugaku cryptically reminded him to "no longer follow your brother's footsteps," Sasuke was at a loss.
But now, Sakura knew. This is what Fugaku had meant back then.
"You two have opened my eyes. I may be the Uchiha Clan Head, but that doesn't mean I'm always right," Fugaku humbly reminded her. "It's why I pushed for Sasuke to become the next Clan Head. He always saw things that I could never find. And after all, the Uchiha value love above all else. If I didn't love you, what kind of father-in-law would I be?"
Sakura couldn't stop the influx of tears that stream down her cheeks. Fugaku gently cups her face and wipes her eyes with his thumbs. Then, he holds the hand that's cradling her stomach.
"I sincerely apologize for my actions that day. You, of all people, did not deserve my scorn. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive this old man's mistakes."
Sakura throws her arms around his neck in an all-encompassing hug. "Of course!"
Fugaku chuckles and is careful not to put pressure on her stomach when he hugs her back. Suddenly, a rumbling noise drowns out Sakura's sniffles.
"Little peanut is hungry," Sakura mumbles shyly as she pulls away.
Fugaku lets out a full-bellied laugh. "Is that what he calls her? That boy is hopeless." He begins to stand. "What would you like to eat?"
"As much as I'd love to help you, I don't think I can stand." Sakura lifts up a swollen foot.
Fugaku strides to the living room and retrieves a couple of pillows. He props up Sakura's feet on the chair parallel from her and stuffs the pillows to cushion her back. "I'm sure I can manage to make lunch for us."
"You can cook?" Sakura asks.
"Of course! Mikoto was still an active jounin when Sasuke was born," Fugaku chides. "I used to pack lunch for Itachi and Sasuke when they were in the academy."
She remembers her husband's baby face munching on his beloved onigiri, rice grains sticking to the corner of his lips and chin. Then, she imagines Fugaku wearing Mikoto's flowery apron – shaping the rice balls per Sasu-chan's orders.
"Use the sour umeboshi!" Sakura teases.
"And extra tomatoes," Fugaku recites. "If you thought Mikoto's stories about your husband were cute, mine will put them to shame."
So, as Fugaku roasts and purees the tomatoes for soup, he and Sakura bond over embarrassing stories of Sasuke – some featuring Itachi and Shisui as well. The tomato soup tasted like warm acceptance as Sakura feels like she finally gained her father-in-law's approval.