Dear readers, may I start off by saying thank you so much for your positive reviews and encouragement, you all have no idea how much it's helped me thus far. Second, allow me to apologize for not updating in so long, life has a horrible accomplice I like to call writer's block; however I am back!

Third: As I said, these chapters tend to jump from one time frame to the next so not all of them will come in perfect order.

Fourth: Enjoy the update ;D In the excitement of having his first child, Sasuke forgets that what it means to be loved.

Also, fanfiction deemed it necessary to delete one of my earlier fics, I am slightly cross with that fact but alas I will get over it.

Eventually.

You can find me on tumblr at beyond(dash)these(dash)colors(dash).

Feel free to follow me there~!

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To Sasuke, being a father means a lot of things, things like being a hero, a protector and guide. Being a father means staying up late reading baby books and learning how to change diapers coupled with figuring out how to feed a baby, how to hold it, how not to hold it, how to handle when it cries, how not to get overwhelmed and how to love every ounce of your child no matter how pissed off or frustrated you are. –We have that last one down pretty well don't we bastard?- Naruto would grin and Sasuke would flush and smack him over the head and roll his eyes but the small smile that graces his lips would tell all the pride he had in the fact that yes, they do have that last part down pretty well.

But above all else, to Sasuke, being a father means finding the perfect name for your child. A name that will ring true and strong, a name that will not only identify who you are, but will become probably one of the most important things a father could ever give his child.

When Sasuke was in his first pregnancy, he lied on his back, rubbing his swelled belly and grimacing at the harsh kick the two parasites (as he lovingly called them), Sasuke began to think and dream.

It was after his first failed attempt to run away when he had an epiphany, standing there listening to Kakashi and Naruto talk of his parents. It had hit him then, that he was going to have a child, a child. One he could call his own, one that would be born with black hair and black eyes; a Uchiha child. He began to realize just how important this was, his clad would live once more.

He began to think of his parents, of his clan, of the sharingan and of his brother. This child was growing in his body, it would have his blood line limit and with that, all of the power that was once Sasuke's would be transferred to that child.

He begins to think about how this would happen, his first child will be born with black hair and black eyes, it would be pale and would be the epitome of a Uchiha; calm, stoic, calculating, strong. And his name would be Fugaku because to Sasuke, there would always only be one leader of the Uchihas after himself, and that would be Fugaku. Fugaku would be everything Sasuke's father was and more.

His second child will also be a male, a few years younger than Fugaku if Sasuke would have any say in it, which he damn will, and his second son will be named Itachi. Itachi would be greater than Sasuke's brother, and he would be unmatched by any other. He would be glorious, victorious in battle and no one will stand in his way.

His third child will be female, and she will be everything his mother was, loving, caring, beautiful with black hair and black eyes. She will have the Sharingan, but she won't ever need it because she will have two older brothers to always protect her.

And then his fourth child, his last child, will be male, and he will be named after Sasuke. He too will be everything a Uchiha would be.

Sasuke grins to himself and settles in the pillows, satisfied.

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Of course, with Naruto, he should have known nothing would ever go the way he wanted. Sasuke is stricken when he finds out that he isn't pregnant with one child, but two.

Not only that, when he was in labor, he was horrified when it began to dawn on him that he would never have his dream; because his first two children, who are twins have red and blond hair. Their eyes aren't black, so there was no chance for the Sharingan, their skin wasn't pale and they would never be able to hold and live up to the names of Fugaku and Itachi Uchiha.

His children were born Uzumaki's, he carried the legacy of the Namikaze and Uzumaki and not the Uchiha.

His dream shattered before his eyes in that labor room, watching Naruto hold a child that was almost like a stranger to him. Fury erupted in his chest; it was almost as if these children weren't his. But the pain in his body forced him to accept that it was all true. That those two children with blond and red hair with blue eyes emerged from his body, they share his blood but they were all wrong.

This, this was all Naruto's fault. Naruto always spoke of his long forgotten clan, the Uzumaki and of his father, the Namikaze. Naruto always spoke of how their children would keep his mother and father's dreams alive. It wasn't fair, what of his dream? His dream of reviving the Uchiha clan? Sasuke felt cheated, he wouldn't have his dream and if that was so, then he wouldn't allow Naruto to live his dream either because this was far from fair. So he chucks his pillow at him.

-Give me my children- he hisses reaching out for the two dreams Naruto snatched away from him.

This wasn't fair.

-Our children- Naruto says hesitantly, instantly sensing something was wrong, a guarded expression crossing his face but handing over his children over warily because Sasuke always seemed to be balancing on a very fine line between madness and saneness and Naruto would be damned if he pushed his lover over the edge.

When the both boys were settled, heavy in his arms Sasuke keeps silent, slowly shutting himself down and out of the world.

-Sasuke, what's wrong?- Naruto asks, the fragile vulnerability and fear etched in his blue eyes causes a spark of guilt and pain to strike Sasuke's heart. Sasuke doesn't respond, and the burning at the back of his eyes means absolutely nothing.

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The guilt eats away at him whenever Sasuke glances at his children. Naruto is quiet, pensive and everything that is unlike his loud whirlwind-like nature of noise and warmth. He sits quietly at his side, no matter how many times Sasuke screamed and yelled at him to leave; even though deep down, in a small place hidden underneath denial and pride, Sasuke prays he doesn't leave. Because he's scared, he doesn't know what to do; these children were nothing like he dreamed of and it frightens him to a degree that he doesn't want to admit.

Despite it all though, he begins to think about names again; because these children, even though look nothing like him, share his blood. And he must give his children strong names, something that means everything and something that will ring true.

He refuses to allow Naruto to speak to him; he refuses to even allow him to touch him and the ring that Naruto placed on his finger feels so heavy. The seal is gone, has been for a long time and yet, Sasuke has yet to remove it. As much as he hates to admit it, it's a part of him just like the symbol upon his back.

One fateful night when Sasuke lies in bed, the door creeks open. He turns in time to see Naruto lay his children down next him, his children that hold no names; his shame as well as his pride. –He has your mother's face- Naruto blurts out, unknowingly striking something deep within Sasuke. –They may look like may look like my side of the family in color but they look like yours in structure, look- Naruto points a tan fingers at his blond haired son and runs a finger down his chubby jaw –he has your mother's face, he has your hands, your lips and the shape of your eyes.- Then he turns those baby blues back to Sasuke and reaches out, touching him for the first time in what seemed like so long. –Please don't be angry anymore, I can't promise you anything, but they might have the sharingan.-

And it strikes Sasuke so harshly that his heart feels like it broke in two. He had been so selfish, he knuckle headed idiot of a fiancé knew him so well, he knew of Sasuke's dream to have strong children that carried the sharingan; knew of the hard struggle that waged war upon Sasuke's heart. Naruto, was above all, was a more than capable father than he, Sasuke Uchiha, would ever be.

Sasuke exhales, every bit of worry, fear and shame leaving with that one breath. –Marry me- Naruto whispers suddenly –Marry me and then have more children with me, ones with black hair and dark eyes with the little wrinkles under their eyes like your brother, or big grins like my father, or ones that are a combination of us both perfectly or- and Sasuke kisses him and pours every bit of himself in it. He doesn't need words, because Naruto would always understand; no matter what.

-Go to sleep, idiot.- he mutters around the knot that lodged itself in his throat. The feeling of happiness and joy bursts from his chest and he kisses his children and pulls them close, smiling lightly at Naruto's thoughtful face. When he sees that Naruto's eyes finally close and sleep claims him, Sasuke takes that moment to examine him, the man that gave him so much and only asked for so little in return. A fond smile stretches across Sasuke's lips, watching how those blond rumpled locks looked strewn across the pillow looking like tiny rivers of gold that was soft to the touch, almost like fur.

It's in these moments that Sasuke falls a little bit more in, dare he say it; love.

It's in these moments that Sasuke begins to realize that he loved the way Naruto would twitch and sometimes kick out in his sleep, how he would mumble about the gods of ramen and how those lips would stretch into a knowing smile as he dreams of things that Sasuke would never know about. He thinks of all the times Naruto would grin at him, tiny secrets glimmering in his baby blue eyes, and how he would scratch at his head, a red mist of shame that creeps up on his cheeks when Sasuke catches him doing something embarrassing. Or how Naruto always managed to get ramen broth all over his shirt in his haste to gobble down every noodle, or how sometimes in the shadow of nights vulnerability outshines happiness whenever Sasuke catches Naruto examining the seal on his belly in the mirror when Naruto thinks Sasuke isn't watching.

Sasuke loves tracing the almost invisible scars that litter Naruto's body, softy apologizing for each one because in some way, they were his fault. Naruto only tried so hard because he only thought of Sasuke, only fought so hard to pull him back and out of the darkness.

Sasuke thinks about his dream of having Uchiha children, and he can't help but think that such a vision feels so cold, because he didn't do this all by himself, these children are as much as his as they are Naruto's. All of this was made possible because of the Namikaze and Uzumaki. If it weren't for them, giving up their lives to protect their son, none of this would have been possible. If it weren't for the fox that Naruto played host to, there would never have been any children.

Naruto gave him the gift of being able to bare children, who was he to selfishly think of only himself? Sasuke thinks that perhaps, letting go of his pride, just a little bit, would do more than put a smile of Naruto's face.

Sasuke slowly gets up and kisses Naruto gently a warm feeling bursting from his chest as he gives his answer.

-Don't expect me to wear a dress, Idiot.-

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He wakes up before Naruto when his blond child begins to squirm in his arms, baby blues identical to his father's welling in tears. And it's at that precise moment that the perfect name for his blond child pops into his head.

The name is strong, it rings true and it's something precious perhaps not to him, but to the man who made this all possible.

When Naruto wakes up, Sasuke is rocking his child back to sleep, a triumphant smile on his face. –What is it, bastard? - Naruto asks a bit gently.

-Minato.- Sasuke whispers, smiling at the shocked look that creeps into Naruto's eyes. –It's a good name.- he reaches down and strokes his other child's red hair. –Karama is a good name as well. Both names are strong, and precious…- he trails off there, swallowing a bit nervously –especially to you.- he finishes.

After all, without the Nine-Tails, their story never would have even begun.

The tears that spill from Naruto's eyes are big and fat, almost unsightly, they never stop and Sasuke doesn't mind when Naruto gathers him and their two children in his arms and sobs for over an hour whispering over and over again –thank you thank you thank you thank you-

Being a father not only means a lot of things like being a hero, a guide, learning how to change diapers, how to hold a baby, how not to hold a baby, how to feed a baby, how to clothe a baby. Being a father means finding the perfect name.

And above that, being a father means that you learn to accept nothing will ever go quite as planned, that you can't be selfish, that you must compromise, that no matter what, you will love your child unconditionally. It means to let go of your past and better yourself, so that your children can breathe the air of a new and peaceful world.

-We will be Uzumaki-Uchiha, that way our children will live out my mother's and your clan's dream of never being forgotten. Sounds good, Bastard?-

And being a husband means realizing you're not alone, no matter what; and that you don't have to do everything by yourself –here you idiot, it's your turn to change their diapers- -Wha? But I did it yesterday!-.

Being a husband means that there will always be someone to hold you up, to take care of you and to love you unconditionally.

-I love you- Naruto tells him every morning, grinning that cheeky grin Minato seemed to have picked up; kissing the ring on Sasuke's finger, the seal long gone.

-'Mornin Papa!- Minato and Kurama pipe up.

Being a husband and father means knowing that you are loved.

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Being a husband means that you are not alone, that when times are dark and unbearable, there is always someone waiting right beside you.

Sasuke is 23 when he miscarries. And it is by far the darkest hour of his entire life. He can't sleep, he can't eat and he dares not even breathe. He feels like he has failed, like he is nothing and deserves to be punished. He curls around himself and sobs into the hospital bed, not even noticing when Naruto stumbles into the room. His arms wind around his stomach, trying with all his might to feel even the tiniest flutter, feeling for anything to prove to himself that this wasn't happening; that the child inside of him is still alive.

But he feels nothing; there is no flutter, no kick, nothing.

Naruto climbs into the bed with him and pulls him close as he breaks and tears fall freely.

There is nothing.

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There is nothing when he Tsunade prepares him for his operation to open him up and take what is now nothing. There is nothing when he wakes up to a flat stomach.

There is nothing when he and Naruto spend the whole week screaming and crying.

There is nothing when he lies next to Naruto in their home, silent as the nothing that was inside of him.

-Daddy?-

And suddenly, there is something, something that was there all along. The sharp intake of breath hurts and he can hear the air rattle in his lungs. He can breathe again.

The first sound out of their mouths is heartbreaking but true as Sasuke and Naruto reach out for their children, their lungs burning and their tears falling feely. They hold them close and refuse to let go, Minato and Kurama crying alongside them.

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When his nephew is born, Sasuke isn't sure what to think, but Itachi had this smile on his face that could have lit up the sun even if it burnt out.

Sasuke's nephew was born 6 pounds and 2 ounces, he has black hair and black eyes and he looks just like Itachi.

Not once does anyone question which blood line the child would possess, not that anyone would dare for the fear of imminent death, but one thing was certain; when Sasuke watches the child hit all targets with Kurama's kunai dead in the center a few years later, this child was definitely going to take after his father.

Not that his mother had any objections.

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When Sasuke first laid onyx eyes upon her, his heart nearly bursts from his chest, and his eyes begin to burn with fresh tears he has no problem showing. She's beautiful, with silky black hair, pale flesh and baby blue eyes. She's tiny, a little too small for comfort, barely bigger than his two hands put together, and yet he could see the strength in her eyes. In the strong jaw she could only get from one person. Naruto holds her and hums a sweet tune as he rocks her to sleep as Sasuke lay on his hospital bed a day after her birth. There's a knowing grin on Naruto's face when he looks up at Sasuke and tells him: –I have the perfect name.-

There was a name that was at the tip of Sasuke's tongue that he wanted to give his first daughter, but he kept silent, it was Naruto's turn to bless their child with a name. He hopes that it's strong, that Naruto chooses a name that will ring true and will carry their daughter to greatness.

He hopes that the name will be as beautiful as their daughter.

-Mikoto.- Naruto tells him with a fond smile stretching across his face as he nuzzles their daughter's cheek.

Sasuke falls in love with him all over again.

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Yes, I did give Itachi a child, no I never mentioned this nor did I ever drop a hint of who the mother is, will I in the future? Perhaps.

hope it wasn't too painful, somehow I feel as though it was missing something. Oh well, tell me what you think! Till next time!

The other children's names will be revealed in due time!