Chapter Thirty-Five:

The Leaf Village was bustling with activity. Guests from all over the Five Great Shinobi Nations had ventured to Konoha to witness the much anticipated Chunin Promotion Exam. There were two participants in particular that had attracted a great amount of attention. Gaara, the Kazekage, was in attendance along with his siblings. The brother of the Raikage was present. Killer Bee sat next to his fiancé Fuu. They'd come to Konoha to watch the battle portion of the exam and also to visit their wedding venue in person. The daimyo from the countries were also in attendance. They were the ones that would make the final decision on promotion to chunin. However, since Orochimaru's attack on the Leaf at the Chunin Promotion Exam a few years ago the daimyo would attend under a strong genjutsu to hide their appearance.

Sakura hurried towards the stands alongside Shikamaru. They had served as proctors for the second section of the exam in the forest. Naruto, Sasuke, and their third teammate Hanabi Hyuga were the first team to reach the tower with the required scrolls. Neither she, nor Shikamaru had been surprised by the ease in which they completed the mission aspect of the exam. Naruto had rushed to her side and hugged her, spinning her in a circle once he'd passed the second section. Eliciting a 'Troublesome,' from Shikamaru when Naruto had done the same to him. Sasuke had been more stoic, but even he couldn't hide his smile. Hanabi complained about how the two Team Seven members hogged all her glory.

Sakura parted company with Shikamaru at the stadium as he joined Temari where she sat with her brothers. She found Itachi waiting for her with center row seats that provided an excellent view of the battle arena. Kakashi and Obito were sitting to Itachi's left and the seat to his right was kept empty for her. Hinata and Ino were in the seats to Itachi's right. Sakura took her spot between Itachi and Ino. Sai and Suigetsu were in the seats behind them.

Itachi took Sakura's hand and laced their fingers together. "How was the forest?"

"The last team made it to the tower with ten seconds to spare," Sakura said. The last team had been Konohamaru's team. They'd been standing outside of the tower for at least an hour before they finally entered it. Konohamaru wanted to increase suspense and refused to enter until the last minute. He felt it would be a greater challenge.

"Which team was that?" Ino asked.

"Team Ebisu, Konohamaru's group. They wanted to be dramatic."

"Their poor sensei," Kakashi said shaking his head.

"Did you know that Konohamaru's great grandfather was Sasuke Sarutobi? Mother named Sasuke after him," Itachi pointed out.

"I didn't know that," Sakura said. She leaned over and kissed Itachi's cheek. "I think it's a great idea to name your children after someone whom you honor and respect."

"Oh?" Kakashi asked, leaning past Itachi and looking at Sakura. "Can I expect one of your children to be named Kakashi then? Named after your beloved sensei?"

Sakura laughed. "It would have to be a mutual decision between both parents," she said.

"Remember that book I gave you," Kakashi said waving a finger at Itachi's face.

Itachi batted away Kakashi's hand. "I believe the battle rounds are starting. Don't forget, I've known you a long time, Captain," he said in reference to their shared time on Team Ro as members of Anbu. "I wouldn't exactly label you as beloved."

Kakashi scoffed. "I know you looked up to me. Took my words of wisdom to heart. They helped make you the man you are today," Kakashi said confidently. "Oh, there's Tenzo." He waved his hand toward the man Sakura knew as Yamato. "Hey! Over here!"

"Hn. You might be right, Kakashi," Itachi said thoughtfully.

Sakura glanced between her boyfriend and her sensei questioningly.

Itachi patted the back of her hand. "I'll explain later," he whispered in her ear.

Yamato made his way over to join their group. Sakura hadn't seen much of her substitute team leader since the war was over. Tsunade had assigned him with reforming the Root division. Danzo had severely damaged countless young men and women of Konoha. It was now Yamato's job to try to help them rejoin society.

The announcer's voice resounded throughout the stadium. It was Genma Shiranui — an elite jounin that in the past had helped with the exam. "Welcome to the Chunin Promotion Exam. This is the third and final round of the promotion exams. Our first combatants in the semi-finals are Sasuke Uchiha representing Konohagakure and Matsuri representing Sunagakure."

Sasuke and a young woman with light brown hair from Sand entered the field. The brunette looked up into the stands towards Gaara and his siblings before she focused her attention on Sasuke. Sasuke glanced toward their section of the stands and Itachi nodded at him in encouragement.

"I think that's the girl that has a huge crush on Gaara," Sakura whispered. She glanced toward Gaara and his siblings in the stands. The Kazekage was leaning forward eagerly watching the arena. Perhaps the crush was mutual. She'd have to ask Temari the next she saw her.

"Let's hope Sasuke doesn't go overboard," Kakashi murmured. Since Itachi and Sasuke had been separated into their own bodies, the younger Uchiha had moved into his legal guardian's apartment. Kakashi had suggested the idea to Sasuke after their first morning practice after the resurrection jutsu. It had been a much better idea than both brothers living with Sakura. It would have been a cruel punishment for Sasuke to see the woman he loved with his brother.

Sasuke did join them for dinner every evening though. Their evening meals provided a safe avenue for the brothers to rebuild their relationship. As of late, Sasuke had been spending extra hours at the flower shop and he wasn't complaining. Ino was in a better mood. Sakura and Itachi suspected the two were dating or on the cusp of dating. There was very little gossip circulating about Sakura having dated both Uchiha brothers. The only people that had confirmation that she had been dating Sasuke were involved in the jutsu to revive Itachi and knew the truth.

While Itachi held one of Sakura's hands, Ino took her other hand during Sasuke's fight. Sakura exchanged a knowing look with Itachi. It looked like their suspicion about a romance blooming between the two held stock.

The gossip that did circulate around Konoha was how the darling apprentice of the Hokage was introduced by her dear teammate to his older brother. She was dating the heroic Itachi Uchiha who had served Konoha in the most honorable extremes. Master Tsunade had called a special press conference informing the general population that Itachi Uchiha was a hero who had finished serving a difficult mission for Konoha. All his actions had been done to protect the village and the citizens within. Afterwards, Itachi had resigned his status as an active shinobi and Tsunade had approached him about running the police force. He had accepted the offer and was in the organization process.

"If Sasuke does go overboard it will be your fault," Itachi said quietly, glancing at Kakashi.

"Oh?" Kakashi asked raising his eyepatch so he could watch the battle more closely. "You've been training him too."

"You're obviously the more reckless one between us," Itachi pointed out.

"Okay, it will be both of your faults," Sakura said. Her words quieted them both as they waited for the match to begin.

The match was over almost as soon as it began. Sasuke took out the Sand kunoichi with a quick burst of his chidori and was declared victor of the match. He looked up into the stands and raised his hand in acknowledgement when he spotted their group. He then walked toward his fallen opponent and helped her rise to her feet. With an arm around the injured kunoichi's waist he helped her off the field. It was just one of many signs that Sasuke was learning to be a more considerate person. The crowd went wild at seeing the sportsman-like conduct.

Sakura glared at both Itachi and Kakashi. Her sensei slid his eyepatch back over his Sharingan eye. Both men wore a sheepish expression. "I guess we trained him too well," Kakashi murmured.

"That poor girl," Sakura said glancing over toward the section where the Sand siblings and Shikamaru were watching. The Kazekage had a disappointed expression on his face. The crush was definitely mutual. No need to bother asking for confirmation from Temari.

Sasuke and Naruto both passed their semi-final rounds. They were amongst the final eight participants. The last two fights of the finals would pit Konoha's ninjas against one another. It was in the final round of the battles that Naruto Uzumaki faced off against Konohamaru Sarutobi.

Naruto won against the Third's grandson, but Konohamaru put up an impressive fight. They'd both utilized the power of the Rasengan, both proving that they had mastered the Yondaime Hokage's powerful jutsu. Sakura's section of the stands cheered loudly — Hinata loudest of all. Also, at Naruto's victory a section in the stands where a small group of the Hyuga clan sat clapped in their restrained fashion. They were glad to consider Naruto one of their own.

"They might both get promoted with that one," Itachi murmured in her ear.

"I'm just glad they stayed serious for the fight and didn't try to out-do one another with their stupid sexy-no-jutsu," Sakura whispered back.

"I would have thought they'd have pitted Naruto and Sasuke against each other," Ino said. "They're obviously the strongest shinobi out there." She gestured towards the crowds. "Most of the people came here hoping to see that fight."

"I have a feeling those two won't ever fight against each other again. They're teammates through thick and thin now. Besides, do you honestly think the stadium would survive such a collision of power?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know, Sakura. It survived you," Kakashi teased. "I enjoyed seeing Naruto against Konohamaru. I've seen the two spar together a few times, but they went all out for today's performance."

"I would expect nothing less from the child of Yondaime Minato Namikaze and grandchild of Sandaime Hiruzen Sarutobi," Obito commented.

The final fight was Sasuke against Hinata's little sister Hanabi. She'd been the third member of their team. It was the Sharingan versus the Byakugan. A good portion of the audience had come to see the grudge match between two of Konoha's rival clans.

Sasuke won.

From the Leaf Naruto, Sasuke, Konohamaru, and Hanabi were promoted to the rank of chunin. The daimyo, wherever he was, had been impressed by the strength of Konohagakure.

OoO

Itachi had excused himself after the arena battles to congratulate Sasuke privately. He found his younger brother with a happy glow about his pale cheeks. It had been a long time since his little brother had been pleased with anything other than power.

"Congratulations, Sasuke," Itachi said giving his little brother a quick hug. "I enjoyed watching your battles in the arena. Sakura told me that your team was the first to the tower. That's quite an accomplishment."

Sasuke shrugged. "We could have done this years ago if I hadn't left."

"I wanted to know what your plans were." Itachi needed to move on to the next stage of his life, but he had to settle things with his brother first. Sasuke was now a chunin. He was a respected shinobi of the Leaf.

"What do you mean? I'll work my way up to Anbu if things go well."

Itachi didn't think that was likely given Sasuke's history of defecting, but he didn't want to tarnish his brother's newest dream. He did want to give him options. "I have accepted the Hokage's offer of re-establishing a police force in the village. I want you to help me."

"You want me, a former criminal, to be an officer of the law?"

"I also intend to recruit several members from the Inuzuka clan to have a canine division," Itachi added. With peace reigning over the land there would be capable ninjas interested in different avenues of employment. He was certain he'd be able to fill his ranks with honorable and skillful officers.

"Why would you waste your talent and strength on a police force? Konoha has done just fine without one for the past decade." Sasuke took off his sweaty, dirt and blood stained shirt and replaced it with a clean one. "I've got about five minutes before I need to be back up there for the promotion ceremony."

Itachi needed to stop stalling. "I plan to propose to Sakura. I want to give her mother's engagement ring."

"Oh," Sasuke breathed. He sat on the bench with a heavy thud. "I guess I always imagined Sakura with mom's ring. I just thought it would be me that gave it to her."

Itachi sat next to Sasuke on the bench. He rested his forearms on this knees and leaned forward. "I know this is hard and unexpected."

"It is what it is." Sasuke leaned his head against the wall behind him and closed his eyes. "Sakura and you deserve to be happy together. My second goal in life was to revive the Uchiha clan. I just thought that I would have to do it all myself. I'm glad that I'm not alone. Sakura should be the Uchiha matriarch. I'd be proud to have her in our family." Sasuke's eyes opened and he turned to face Itachi. "When do you intend to ask her?"

"Tonight, at her parents' house Team Seven will be celebrating your promotion. I want to ask her there in front of everyone that she loves," Itachi said.

Sasuke cringed. "Sakura's father is a bit terrifying. Though this does explain why you agreed to rebuild the police force. You wanted stability for a family," Sasuke reasoned. Itachi nodded. "Maybe one day I can join your police force." Sasuke reached for Itachi's shoulder and squeezed it firmly. "I want to prove myself worthy of wearing my forehead protector. I love you, big brother, but I need some space from you and Sakura for a while. I'll be there tonight though. Mom's ring will look perfect on Sakura."

"Go get promoted. We'll see you tonight." Itachi watched as Sasuke walked back upstairs to partake in the ceremony. His senses alerted him immediately to the presence of four powerful shinobi. Itachi prepared himself to create an elaborate genjutsu to escape with the least amount of injury. There were too many people at the arena to risk violence.

"Itachi Uchiha," an Anbu wearing a catmask greeted. He held his hands up in a sign of peace.

There were three Anbu guards and a fourth individual wearing a strong cloaking genjutsu. Itachi stared past it with his Sharingan and took a deep breath in surprise. It was the daimyo.

Itachi immediately kneeled on one knee. "My lord," Itachi said humbly.

"Well met, Itachi Uchiha," the daimyo of the Land of Fire said with a broad grin. "I had heard you were back with the Leaf. I had feared you dead. There's no need for you to kneel. You've saved my life enough times."

"It was a near brush with death," Itachi agreed rising to his feet. "How may I be of service to you?"

"I requested of the Hokage that she offer you the position of Police Chief. Do you intend to accept the offer?" The daimyo asked.

"Yes, my lord," Itachi said.

"Good. I'm sure you will return honor to the Uchiha clan. Your brother did well today," the daimyo observed. "I couldn't help, but overhear. You intend to marry? Is she the Hokage's apprentice?"

"Yes, my lord," Itachi said.

The daimyo smiled. "Then I do have a selfish request."

OoO

The Haruno household was nearly bursting at the seams with company. Sitting around Kizashi and Mebuki's table were Sakura, Itachi, Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi, Sai, Hinata, Ino, Shizune, and Suigetsu. Everyone that had been involved with Itachi's revival were present. There was a knock at the front door.

"I'll get it," Itachi said excusing himself from the table. Sakura gave him a grateful look and then returned her attention to Naruto who was retelling his team's experience in the forest section of the exam. Itachi opened the door to Lady Tsunade. "I'm glad you could make it," he said with a relieved sigh.

"As if I would miss this," Tsunade said breezing past him into the house.

"Master!" Sakura cried out, rising from her seat, and everyone following suit at the table.

"Oh please, everyone sit down," Tsunade said. She looked around the table, honey-colored eyes settling on Shizune and Kakashi. She gave her dark-haired apprentice a look that said that they'd be be sharing words soon. Itachi grabbed an extra chair and put it on the other side of Sakura. "Thank you," Tsunade said taking the seat.

"It's an honor to have you join us," Mebuki said respectfully. She reached for the bottle of sake Sakura had insisted they have on the table — just in case things became awkward — and placed it by Tsunade.

"Yes, of course," Tsunade said. She looked at Itachi and raised her golden eyebrows at him expectedly.

Itachi caught Sasuke's dark gaze and his brother nodded his head at him in encouragement. Taking a deep breath, Itachi got down on one knee and pulled out his mother's ring that had been burning a hole in his pocket all evening. "Sakura Haruno, I have called forth your loved ones to serve as witness to my humble request to love you for the rest of our lives. Will you consent to become my wife?"

Sakura's jade eyes grew wide in disbelief and tears began to shimmer in their bright depths. She nodded her head. "Yes, Itachi, yes," she said with a laugh.

Itachi let out a relieved breath and slipped the ring on her left ring finger. "Good, I'd have been really embarrassed if you'd turned me down in front of so many witnesses."

"Wouldn't want him to go on a murderous rampage," Sai added sagely. Ino elbowed the artist in the ribs, but he didn't seem to understand the awkwardness of the comment.

"All right, Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried out. "You're going to be so happy together, believe it!"

Itachi glanced around the crowded table and saw nothing but approving smiles. He took his seat at Sakura's side and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him in front of everyone.

"You'll have me be your best man, right, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked. He glanced over towards Ino, who's face grew red at his question. "Because I'm your best friend, after all."

"No way! I'll be Forehead's maid of honor!" Ino cried.

"I have heard of weddings where the best man was a woman or the maid of honor a male," Kakashi pointed out. "Besides, Naruto is quite skilled at his Sexy-no-jutsu."

"Um, maybe we can talk about the details later," Sakura said with a nervous smile.

"Wait? What? You're considering Naruto as your maid of honor?" Ino shouted.

"Calm down, Ino," Sasuke said, taking hold of Ino's hand on top of the table.

Ino's mouth snapped shut immediately as she stared at Sasuke Uchiha holding her hand.

"You'll be my best man, little brother," Itachi said. He glanced at Naruto. "I'm not sure if you'll be standing beside me or Sakura, but you'll certainly be part of the wedding. We want you all there. That's why it was important that I have you all here as witnesses."

"Look, Sakura, I should be your maid of honor." Ino lifted her hand, now clutching Sasuke's. "Look how cute we are? We should walk down the aisle together. And you can have Naruto and Hinata walk down the aisle together. It doesn't have to be weird."

"That's not fair!" Naruto protested banging his fist on the table, rattling the dishes. "That's, that's…"

"That's sexist," Hinata said.

"Yeah! That's sexist!" Naruto agreed.

"Definitely glad I didn't miss this," Tsunade said pouring herself a glass of sake.

"We have another announcement to make," Shizune said. She glanced toward Kakashi and he nodded slightly. She pulled a necklace out from under her shirt. "We're also getting married. Sorry to steal your limelight, Sakura."

"What's wonderful!" Sakura cried out. She kissed Itachi on the cheek. "I told you they would make a great couple," she whispered.

"Indeed you did," Itachi agreed with an amused smile. "Couldn't let me take the plug all by myself, eh, captain?"

Kakashi shrugged nonchallantly. "I don't like my teammates doing things alone. I've got to lead by example after all."

"I'm starting to feel a bit like the odd man out here," Suigetsu said with a frown. He was sitting in the chair on Sasuke's other side.

Sasuke reached over and clasped the water ninja on the shoulder. "You are part of this, my friend."

Suigetsu's face began to dissolve in tears. "That's the first time you've ever admitted to being friends!"

Sasuke drew his wet hand back and shook it. "Yeah, well, don't get all emotional."

Sai cleared his throat. "I think Naruto would make a great maid of honor for Sakura. He's practically a girl anyway."

"You jerk!" Naruto shouted.

"See honey, this is fun!" Kizashi said with a broad smile. "You should have invited your friends over sooner, Sakura!"

OoO

Sakura couldn't help, but stare down at the glittering engagement ring on her hand. "Did you have this sized?"

"No, you just happen to have the same size finger as my mother," Itachi said. He unlocked their front door and led her inside their apartment. He leaned her against the closed door once they were inside and kissed her breathless. "So, who's it going to be?"

"Who's what going to be?" Sakura asked, dazed. She traced her finger along the prominent bone structure of Itachi's face.

"Maid of honor," Itachi clarified. He grabbed Sakura's wrist, drew her hand away from his face and kissed her fingertips, then the underside of her wrist.

"Naruto is my best friend, but Ino would look nice walking down the aisle with Sasuke. And I definitely want Ino, HInata, and Shizune at my side. Master Tsunade will of course perform the ceremony. Sasuke will be your best man," Sakura trailed off, and took a deep breath to try and clear her throat. "How many groomsmen were you thinking, Itachi?"

"Sasuke." He drew back and tried to think of who he'd want standing by his side. "I really miss Shisui at times like this," he whispered. He laid his forehead against Sakura's and met her jade gaze. "I also want Naruto too. And Kakashi — he's my former Anbu team captain after all." He kissed her lips quickly. "We can ask Sai and Suigetsu to be ushers."

"That makes it easier," Sakura said, releasing a relieved sigh and leaning her weight against the front door. "Did I mention that I love you?"

"Only a few times today," Itachi said. He pulled Sakura away from the door and let her see the apartment.

He'd been busy that day.

The entire apartment was full of flowers — mostly daisies, her favorites, but also roses, calla lillies, and irises. "Ino had a lot to do with this. She'll make a great maid of honor," Itachi said kissing the side of Sakura's neck.

"I'll be sure to tell her in the morning," Sakura said looping her arms around Itachi's neck.

"There's one more thing," Itachi said.

"Hm?" Sakura asked.

"The daimyo wants to be present at our wedding," Itachi said.

"What?" Sakura asked pulling back. She'd never met the daimyo. Why would he possibly care about their upcoming wedding. "You know him?"

Itachi nodded. "I saved his life a few times while I served as Anbu." He took a deep breath. "Actually, the daimyo wants to host our wedding at his castle."

"We're getting married in a castle," Sakura stated.

Itachi nodded, nervous about Sakura's suddenly calm disposition.

"That's amazing!" Sakura shouted. She took Itachi's hands and had him dancing in a circle in the middle of the living room. "I'm marrying Itachi Uchiha in a castle!"

Itachi chuckled. "And I'm marrying Sakura Haruno, the savior of my life, in a castle." He kissed the tip of her nose. "And she's going to be the mother of my children. And we're going to grow old together. And she doesn't have to become a cat lady because I am a normal man. And one day we'll finish reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but today is not that day."

"Oh? Is there something else you'd rather do?" Sakura teased. She ran her fingertip along Itachi's collarbone.

"Indeed," Itachi said picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes as he ran into their bedroom and dropped her on the bed. "Or someone I'd rather do. Over and over and over again."

Sakura giggled. "You won't hear me complaining."

Epilogue:

A sixth face had been carved into the mountainside Hokage Monument. The striking similarities between Naruto's stone face and his father Minato's face were profound. It was a wonder that for a time Naruto's parentage was unknown. Master Tsunade had retired from politics, but spent a great deal of her time at the hospital where she could pester Sakura about all her godchildren on a regular basis.

Sakura rubbed her hand over her pregnant belly. She was seven months along and while she only worked at the hospital part-time she would soon have to go on maternity leave, again. She stopped by her parents' house to pick up her children. She and Itachi had two black-haired boys and a pink-haired girl — all three had Itachi's dark eyes and the Sharingan trait.

Their oldest son, Shisui, had just started the Academy a few months ago. He was the spitting image of Itachi and also favored his father in temperament for the most part, but with the occasional emotional outbursts that resembled his mother that flared up when he was feeling competitive. Naruto and Hinata's son, Minato, was also at the academy. The two had become bitter rivals — the Uchiha and Hyuga prodigies.

"And then Minato kept talking during class and he only hit the target eight out of ten times. If you're going to brag you need to be talented!" Shisui complained. "Eighty percent accuracy will get someone killed on a mission. You must be reliable one-hundred percent of the time!"

Sakura rested a hand on her boy's dark hair. "And how did you do?"

"I hit the target every time," Shisui said with a small smile.

"And did you brag, big brother?" Emi asked. She was only a year younger than Shisui and eager to start the Academy alongside her cousin and best friend, Kameko. In the mean time she lived off every word that her brother used to describe the school.

"Of course not. Father says actions should speak louder than words," Shisui said folding his arms across his chest stubbornly.

"Then why are you talking about it?" Kakashi, her youngest son and twin to Emi, asked as he reached up and took Sakura's hand. "Besides, if you have a medical ninja on your team with skills like mom you don't have to be one-hundred percent all the time. You need to trust your teammates." Like his namesake, Kakashi believed in teamwork. He also constantly asked Sakura to accompany her to work. He wanted to be a great medical ninja like her.

"Because, I wanted to invite Minato over to the house to help him with target practice," Shisui said. "So that one day when we're on a team you don't have to waste time healing us and you can smash the faces of the enemies instead, Kakashi."

Kakashi shook his head. "You're so violent, big brother."

"Then there's good news. The Uzumakis will be having dinner with us tomorrow evening," Sakura said. The announcement was met with cheers from all three children.

"Kameko too?" Emi asked, her dark eyes pleading.

"We'll ask her father and see if they aren't too busy," Sakura promised.

They made their way to the police station to meet Itachi. His shift was over and he'd be ready to return home with them. Kiba greeted them at the door as he was on his way home.

"Hey there, Uchiha brood, your dad's in the back," Kiba said crouching down at the level of the kids. He ruffled the dark hair of the boys earning him matching scowls. He stood back up and grinned at Sakura. "Make sure he takes a few days off. The boss needs a vacation, we've got everything under control."

"I'll see what I can do," Sakura promised. It wouldn't take much to convince Itachi to spend more time with his family. Sometimes the simplest way was the best. Asking.

Sakura and her children passed her brother-in-law's desk. Sasuke had joined the force three years ago having served a year in Anbu — it hadn't been the glorious adventure he'd imagined it would be, especially as Naruto had been named Hokage and no longer went on missions with him. Sakura hadn't done any missions outside of Konoha since she and Itachi had married. After the war, there simply wasn't too much work in their era of peace. Though, occasionally, the daimyo requested that she and Itachi do simple escort missions for him. When he had to meet another dignitary he liked to invite the couple along because they could blend in with the civilians.

Sakura and her children waited in Itachi's office while he was wrapping up paperwork in another section of the station. Sakura's gaze lingered on the framed picture on his desk. It was a photograph of their family weekly get-together from a few months ago. Sakura, Itachi, and their three children stood next to Sasuke, Ino, and their two children.

Itachi breezed into the room and swept all three kids into his arms when they swarmed him for a hug. He laughed, his dark eyes amused as he smiled at Sakura. "I seem to have been outnumbered. Help?"

Sakura moved to Itachi's back and hugged him from behind. She set her chin on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Now you're surrounded."

"Excuse me children. I need to greet your mother properly," Itachi said setting their trio on the ground and turning to face Sakura. His held his arms around her waist, pulling her as close as her pregnant belly would allow. "Are we visiting Uncle Obito today?"

"He's on the way home," Sakura said. They usually visited with Itachi's relative on their walk home. Most times he and Kakashi would be outside playing shoji. Obito could give Shikamaru quite the run for his money with that strategic game.

"Sasuke, I'm leaving the village in your capable hands!" Itachi called to the back of the police station.

"Go home already! I've got everything under control!" Sasuke shouted back.

"Mom!" Emi hissed.

"What's this? Why are you hissing at your mother, young lady?" Itachi asked.

"I wanted to invite Kameko for tomorrow night. Minato gets to come over," Emi pouted.

Itachi poked his daughter in the forehead gently. "No pouting."

Emi nodded and rubbed her forehead gingerly.

"And you're to bring your family to dinner tomorrow night!" Itachi called out. He looked down at Emi and she smiled up at him. Itachi wrapped his arm around Sakura's shoulder and the Uchiha family made their way home.

FIN

A/N: That's it! This has been an amazing journey and I'll miss working on this story and hearing from you lovely readers! I love Naruto! I hate that Itachi had to die so many times. They're airing the flashback episodes of when Itachi was in Anbu on Crunchyroll this week. He's just so darn cute! I will write another Itachi x Sakura story, but it won't be published for a little while as I work on some other stories. It will be a crossover Naruto x Fairy Tail. It will be called Gate of the Crow. I've had the idea for it for nearly a year now, so I'm glad I'll finally get to work on it!

Also, I decided against the alternate ending. I'll give you a brief summary. It would have been a dark ending. Deidara never showed up with Itachi's remains and the secret reviving jutsu. Itachi would have been on a mission, physically exhausted, and Sasuke's spirit would have invaded his body and taken it back. He'd have pretended to be Itachi to Sakura and she would never know. Or, another option was that Itachi never took over Sasuke's body. It was Sasuke the whole time, but he was so wracked with guilt that he claimed to be Itachi. Anyways, both of those were too depressing and pissed me off because they denied Itachi a happy ending. And I just have to admit, I never thought Sasuke and Ino were a good couple until I decided to pair them up at the end of this story. Funny how that works.