I am terribly sorry for taking so long to update this story and write the epilogue. It is a short one I'm afraid. It has been an amazing journey with all of you. thank you again for all the reviews and constructive feedback! I have been feeling so very flattered that you all enjoyed my story and took the time to send me reviews! Hopefully we meet again. Next up is a mada x saku story. Lets see if I can do justice to the uchiha's :)

Epilogue

She stared at the green door. One of the lights on the ceiling flickered occasionally, irritating her to no end. The wood of the bench was hard and unyielding. The meeting was taking so long, he was gone for an hour already and still he did not appear. Nervously she fumbled with the slips of her red dress. What was there to discuss? It was a simple notification, surely, and a private matter.

After two hours a summoning went out, for all shinobi to assemble on the square in front of the Hokage tower. She felt severely confused. Still looking at the door she reluctantly walked down the hallway behind the ANBU operative that lead her away.

Why was she summoned with the rest of the shinobi? She stood on the side, avoiding familiar faces, her emotions in turmoil. When Kakashi appeared in his official robes and Tobirama followed suit, wearing his full battle armour, happuri in place, looking as stoic as ever, she felt a familiar stir of anger. A hush travelled through the crowd, a sound of surprise and awe at the sight of their former legendary Hokage, alive and well in their midsts.

Kakashi raised his hand to demand silence and made an announcement. She listened stunned, hearing the words without understanding the meaning.

She tried to understand when Kakashi was finished. So, the former Nidaime Hokage was now in fact a permanent resident of Konoha and appointed as Head of the Intelligence Division, including the remaining ROOT agents, now that Danzo was gone.

She blinked, the message slowly sinking in. She noticed Naruto in the crowd, he was looking at her in concern, which triggered more irritation which in turn seemed to fuel her anger. What was happening here? He went to discuss their marriage and his future stay in Konoha, but instead he applied for the most demanding job of the village? She felt the familiar rize of anger increasing, her nostrils flaring at his idiotic action.

Impatiently she waited until only she, Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi were left. Since they all knew about their relationship, she felt free to stomp up to her husband tell him exactly what she thought of the situation. Naruto, Kakashi and Sasuke flinched, and with each harsh word paled further. How could she talk so respectless to an elder?

But Tobirama listened without flinching, his arms crossed over his chest and there was amusement glinting in his eyes.

"Are you done?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the shocked reaction of her team.

She hmpfd at him, crossing her arms herself, mimicking him.

"Explain yourself then, you baka!"

"I have informed the Elders of our marriage and our wish to marry again in this timeframe. They were very … inquisitive and difficult."

"But .. how DARE they!" she fumed at him again.

"I am of noble blood Sakura. I am the brother of the founder of Konoha, second in line to the Senju clan. I was the Nidaime Hokage. To marry a civilian born shinobi is not a decision that I can make on my own, no matter what her accomplishments in war or other fields. They were angry that they could not meddle with my choice, since our marriage is a done deal and you are carrying my children. So out of spite they wanted to meddle with something else."

"But as Head of Intelligence…"

He cupped her cheek. "I know, it will be very busy. But I only agreed to take up the position for a period of two years. After which I can retire, or resume said position."

She shut her mouth. His words seemed to make sence. But she was still mad.

Behind them she heard Naruto stammering. "Sakura-chan, are you… pregnant?"

She glared at him, waving her fist threateningly, which made him shut up immediately.

Tobirama assessed his wife and turned towards Kakashi. "Kakashi-san, we will be heading home now. I will start this new position in one week time." Without waiting for an answer, he wrapped his arm around her waist and used hiraishin to take them home.

Standing in their quarters, he cupped her cheek. He dropped his official facade instantly, his eyes softened and his face apologetic. He said softly. "Sakura, please, do not be angry. It is only temporary and to be honest, I feel glad to be of service to Konoha once again. I cannot abandon my feeling of responsibility that easily. This was the best deal to get."

She sighed. "I know. It is just frustrating and sudden." She stared into his eyes, suddenly tired of being angry she pressed her lips onto his and kissed him with passion. He was only too happy to give in.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The metal bar on the headboard of the bed crumpled like paper under her grip while another contraction swept over her. She gritted her teeth, trying to breathe through the pain, but failing. It was almost too much to bare. She seemed helpless against this extreme force of nature that had her body in a painful and all consuming hold. Panicking, she felt like drowning in every wave of pain that crashed into her and over her.

She hardly noticed the commotion in the hallway. There was shouting and a door slammed and then suddenly Tobirama stood in the delivery room, looking livid. A scrawny nurse stood behind him wringing her hands: "Please, Nidaime-sama, this is not proper! You have to wait in the waiting room!"

He ignored her and strode towards Sakura with determination. He pried her fingers of the metal bar. She felt the callousness of his hands in the distant of her mind. "Tobi….. I can't….. I cannot do this.." she screamed when another wave crashed into her.

His voice was steady and cool against her skin: "You can kunoichi. You can do this. Just breathe through this pain with me."

She screamed again, fighting to hold herself together, riding another wave of pain.

"You can do this Sakura."

The nurse at the end of the bed, looked up at the couple and said with a satisfied smile. "I believe you are ready to push now, Sakura-sama. They are on their way."

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Half an hour later, she held her son on her stomach, revelling at the miracle of life. His hair was white, his eyes still closed and probably blue as all newborns. With the instincts of every new born baby, Hikari had found her breast with ease, and was sucking softly. The nurse was still stitching her up, a distracting activity and she felt her legs shaking.

When it was done, a warm blanket was draped over her by another nurse and she felt as if she could finally relax. Tobirama sat next to her, silently holding his daughter, his shoulders shaking while he cried. She felt her own tears flowing at the sight of her stoic warrior crying over the birth of his children. After a while he asked.

"What did you name her again?"

"Ayane."

He did not hide his tears and she valued this moment like no other in her life. He slowly stood with the tiny body of Ayane in his arms and looked down on his wife and his son. And she smiled, for life seemed finally complete now.