Well, it has been a very long time. Way too long. No excuses but I did promise an irregular update schedule. This is the end of this story. For those waiting for way too long, I'm sorry. No promises to do better in the future.

Sakura bounded over the roof tops with care before doing a somersault and landing on the street in an open area. The sling with her six month old daughter had fallen closed over the baby's face. She pulled back the cloth to reveal two bright blue eyes and a huge smile. A few tuffs of red-pink hair were sticking out. A happy sound escaped the child's mouth which caused Sakura to smile. The rosette's happiness was short lived as her oldest child was missing. She moved toward the ramen stand which was the last resort before contacting her husband and locking down the village. She knew he was still in the village thanks to the perimeter seal Naruto placed on him. The boy was too much like his father. He was always pulling pranks or wandering off on some imagined adventure. For a five year old he was surprisingly resourceful. He had Naruto's looks except for green eyes with a mix of her brains and Naruto's devilish side. It was a challenging combination for two parents. Despite all his pranks and questionable behavior, Sakura loved Minato. He was like his father which meant she couldn't stay mad at him long but there were times she wanted to punish him like she did Naruto when they were younger.

The Hokage's wife walked with a quickened pace toward the ramen stand as her anxiety built. He would be there. She was sure of it but the worst was always on the back of her mind. Minato and now little Tsunade were potential Jinchuuriki in addition to being the children of the Hokage. They were targets and she would protect her family. It was more than that as well. These were her second and third miracles.

Naruto surviving the resealing the Kyuubi was the first. It was touch and go for weeks after the sealing. The blonde Hokage was unconscious for over two weeks. She seldom left his side during that time. His body was recovered but his mind didn't seem ready for the waking world. She waited patiently for a sign that the man she loved was not lost. In true Naruto fashion she woke one morning to find him smiling at her. She launched herself at him and pulled him into a tight embrace. Tears rolled down her cheeks while words were trapped in her throat. She heard him chuckle in an amused sort of way. She pulled back.

"I assume the first class service ends now," he said.

She looked at him very confused. Did he know she was at his side the entire time? Was he aware that she fluffed his pillow and adjusted his blankets every few hours? She rubbed his arms and legs to help with circulation twice a day. Did he know all this?

"Well, do you really have time to be fussing over me when there is a wedding to plan?" he asked.

She shook her head with a mixture of chuckles and tears flowing down her cheeks. It was two more weeks for him to leave the hospital and another week recovering under her care. It was a trying week in a way but it also confirmed to her that she could live with him. She'd never heard so much whining when she started to redecorate their soon to be home. The ceremony was simple but she had everything she needed in her husband. The first year of their marriage was amazing but it was not without obstacles. Naruto was still the Hokage which meant long hours and middle of the night emergencies. It tried her patience at times but she learned to accept that his time would be divided between her and the village. They were married about eighteen months when the greatest strain on their marriage started. On a normal night at a normal dinner, she informed Naruto that he would be a father. His reaction met her expectations; he went face first into a bowl of steaming hot ramen. He woke immediately choking on the food that brought him so much comfort. About a month after the announcement, Sakura lost the baby. Miscarriages happened and they made it through by supporting each other. Four years went by and three more miscarriages left Sakura at her breaking point as a woman wanting to be a mother. She remembered sitting on the bathroom floor with her knees pulled to her chest. She was crying like a terrified child as her body had rejected another embryo. Naruto was comforting as was his way, but she couldn't find any comfort with her husband or her family. She was considered to be the bravest kunoichi in the Leaf village after standing up to the Kyuubi and convincing it to save the man she loved. Now she was crying on the bathroom floor with the door locked after screaming at her husband to go away. He had left but she could feel the reluctance in his leaving. She cried for hours before she left the bathroom and crawled into bed. She had a restless sleep filled with nightmares of her past misdeeds that led to this outcome. She woke to find her bed only slept one that night and she felt the pain in her heart grow worse. She couldn't conceive a child and she pushed her husband away. She completed her morning rituals half heartedly before walking toward the kitchen. Naruto was lying on the couch with his hands over his head. She saw his feet moving which meant he was wake.

"Naruto," she said softly and apologetically.

He rolled off the couch and walked up to her. His right hand touched her left cheek and he kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely.

She was confused. He didn't have to apologize. She was the one that was irrational. They lost a potential child and it hurt him too. He hated to feel helpless and nothing left him feeling more helpless than this situation. She pushed all her pain onto him and he managed to take it. She wondered if he would break some day from carrying her burdens.

She drew him against her and apologized to him. They were in pain and she was acting selfishly. Their moment was ruined with a pounding on the door. Naruto ignored it and held onto his wife. She said his name softly but he didn't let go. After saying his name a few times she pushed him away. He looked broken in a way.

"Ignore it," he said in a distant kind of voice.

She studied him before the door opened. She quickly turned with a glare. Shikamaru and a squad of ANBU were standing in the door.

"Go away," growled the sage.

Shikamaru dismissed the ANBU. They vanished like ghosts. The dark haired Nara closed the door before taking a deep breath.

"Naruto," he started.

Sakura felt the angry energy in her husband so she held her ground between them.

"I told you," said the blonde still angry.

The Nara sighed and stood silently.

"What's going on?" asked the rosette.

Sakura looked to Naruto but he didn't answer at first. He slipped from her grip and turned away.

"I'm taking some time off," he said.

Sakura took the words in before she realized the magnitude of what he was saying.

"Shikamaru, leave," commanded the Hokage's wife.

The genius smirked. Sakura knew his mission was complete. She'd never let this stand.

A complaining cry caused the rosette to look down. Little Tsunade didn't like being ignored.

"Sorry little one," she said continuing her walk toward the Ramen stand.

It was a fierce argument when Naruto was going to put her ahead of the village. She didn't know what would have happened if he would have stepped down but she convinced him that the village needed him more than she did.

They fell back into their routine of work and finding time for each other. It was while entertaining the Daimyo at Victory festival that Sakura found she was pregnant again. Having to run to the bathroom in formal clothing was no mean feat. She managed to keep her clothing clean despite the heaving into the toilet. The same rush of fears and pain rushed through her mind. Naruto insisted to taking her home and staying with her. The Daimyo understood and forgave the rudeness of the host leaving the party with little notice. Many months later Minato was born. The energetic little boy tried their patience at times but he completed their family, or so they thought. Little Tsunade was a surprise and a special blessing. Minato spent a couple nights with her parents and well, free time and desire got the best of the first couple of Konoha. Sakura smiled at her daughter which caused the little one to giggle happily.

"Where is your brother?" said the rosette to the little one.

Her face grew stern much like her mother. Sakura made it to the Ramen stand to hear a voice that relieved her.

"So what," he slurped out.

The boy was his father's son.

"You are lucky to be alive," said a familiar voice that caused Sakura to relax. "I can't keep looking after you runt."

Amaya returned to Konaha when she was old enough to enter the Academy. Her aunt stayed with her for year. The girl was very self sufficient and with Naruto's promise to watch out for her, her aunt left her in Konoha. The girl was a solid genin. Sakura considered the girl a part of their family. She was like a big sister to Minato. Her influence was generally positive.

"I'm fine," groused back the boy.

"Play with kunai again and I'm going to rat you out," she threatened.

"Minato-kun," chided the ramen mistress.

"I'm the son of the Hokage. Some stupid knife isn't going to get me," he roared back.

Amaya huffed.

"Shut up and eat your ramen. If you're lucky, your father will find you. Ancestors help you if your mother hears about this without him acting as a buffer."

Sakura's temper was growing. There was going to be some harsh words for the one that supplied kunai to her son. Sakura threw back the curtain.

"Sucks to be you," said Amaya as she pulled more noodles from the bowl.

Minato looked like a scared rabbit and Sakura was sure to let him suffer.

"My lady," said Ayame.

Sakura nodded toward her.

"Amaya," said the rosette.

Amaya bowed her head.

"What happened?" asked the rosette with her voice straining to remain in calm tone.

Amaya explained that Minato was at a training ground throwing kunai. His technique was poor and dangerous. His aim was just as bad. Minato scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Minato," growled his mother.

She was ready to grab him by the ear and drag him home. A heavy sigh filled the stand.

"Minato…again," said his father's voice.

Sakura looked to her husband. His arms were crossed over his check and his face was not pleased.

"Lord Hokage," said the ramen mistress.

Naruto shock his head.

"Ayame," he groaned.

The woman smiled in a mischievous way.

"Ramen?" she asked.

He shook his head.

"It seems I have other matters to address," he said.

Naruto turned his attention to Minato.

"Let's go," he said.

Minato rose from his bench. Naruto walked to the counter and paid for the ramen. Sakura knew Naruto was angry when he put a hand on the boy's shoulder. It was only a few moments before Tsunade demanded her father's attention. Sakura pulled Tsunade from the sling and handed her to her father. He held the girl and talked to her which caused the little one to beam with excitement. Sakura watched Minato react to his father showering attention on his sister. It only took a moment for Naruto to scoop up Minato. Naruto wasn't one to yell and scream unless he needed to do it.

It didn't take long for Minato to apologize which put an end to the problem in his father's mind. Sakura had other feelings on the matter but they would discuss it after the kids were in bed. Minato went to bed with little protest that night. Tsunade decided bath time was play time and fought for over an hour about going to bed. Sakura was grateful that Naruto was able to help her. He plopped down on the couch

which woke her from a light doze.

"Thank you," she said before moving to lean into him.

He wrapped his arms around her and she yawned. A warm kiss on top of her head forced a smile on her face.

"He is worse than you were as a boy," she said as playfully as she could.

The blonde chuckled lightly.

"He has all my mischief and his mother's brains. A lethal combination," said the blonde.

Sakura groaned at the thought of things getting worse before getting better. As the rosette was dozing off she felt his arms move and lift her.

"Thinking about our wedding night," she teased him half asleep.

He chuckled again.

"I'm thinking my wife is exhausted because of my offspring so I thought I would take her to bed," he replied.

She completed her night time rituals after crawling back out of bed. She slipped between the sheets but couldn't sleep until her husband joined her. She quieted her mind and chakra. The slight signal ANBU relaxed her. Their home was one of the few places they could feel safe. The rosette relaxed completely when she felt the bed shift under her partner's weight. She shifted toward him and pressed into his warmth.

"You and the children are the life I always wanted," he said softly.

She smiled and felt her body warm with a blush.

"The three of you are my life," she replied.

His arms wrapped around her.

"Rest Sakura. Tomorrow is another day," she whispered.

She grunted her reply and let sleep take her.