Just This Once

Destructive Possibilities

*A month before*

While Sasuke and Sakura hang out in their living room, Sakura is silent the whole time. 

"What are you thinking about?" Sasuke asked playing with her hair as she lay on his chest, body nestled between his legs. 

"Possibilities." she sighs. 

"What about them?" 

Sakura let out a sigh again and sat up facing him.

"We.. need to talk."

Sasuke pulls back slightly, looking at her closely and responds:

"What is it? What do we need to talk about?"

"I-I need you to listen to me and keep an open mind.. Can you do that for me?"

Sasuke's expression becomes serious, sensing the Importance of her request. He nods, his attention focused dully on her.

"I'm listening. " urging her to continue.

Sakura breathed like she was preparing for something big, which bothered Sasuke. 

"S-Sasuke-kun... If things don't go as planned, and... you'd have to choose between me and the baby.."

Sasuke's eyes widened at her question, horror washing over his features at the implications. He can't even fathom the idea of having to make that decision.

"N-no. No. Don't even.. We're not talking about that. Things are going to go smoothly, there's nothing to worry about. I'm NOT going to lose either of you."

She gently placed a hand on his chest to somehow calm him down. 

"Sasuke-kun... I said open mind"

Sasuke clenches his jaw, his mind racing as he tries to process the emotions coursing through him. He knows she told him to keep an open mind but the mere thought of losing her or their child is unbearable.

".. I.. okay. I won't close my mind. But why are we even talking about something like this? It's not gonna happen, I know it.

"It's a "What if" situation, Sasuke-kun.. and we need to be prepared... Alright?" despite the serious conversation she can't help but feel so loved.

Sasuke takes a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. He understands her point, the importance of being prepared for any scenario, no matter how unlikely it may seem. His voice is mixed with resignation and determination as he responds.

"Okay..okay, I get it. It's just a what-if scenario, a precaution. You're right, we need to be prepared for anything. So, if it comes down to that... If I have to make a choice..I... I.. I choose you."

"W-What? Me? W-Why Me? I was about to say choose the baby!"

Sasuke's eyes widen again, surprised by her response. He had assumed she knew he would choose her without hesitation. The thought of losing her sends a pang of pain through his chest, and he almost scoffs at the absurdity of her question. He sits right up as the seriousness of the situation escalates.

"What do you mean, why you? It's obvious, isn't it? You're my wife! I can't even bear the thought of losing you! So, of course, I'll choose you. There's no debate, no contest."

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura stared at him in disbelief.  "She's YOUR child! YOUR blood!"

Sasuke's expression hardened, anger and frustration clear in his expression. He grits his teeth as he responds, standing up on how absurd the situation is.

"Don't you think I know that? Of course, she's my child, my blood! But you!" he sighs as he lets out a sigh of frustration just desperate for her to understand, no longer keeping his cool.

"Sakura... You're my life now...The thought of losing you is worse than dying itself."

Sakura just sighed and nodded. She has never seen him get so worked up like this before. She got up and hugged him, her bulging belly preventing her from getting too close.

Sasuke relaxes somehow as she hugs him, his anger and frustration fading. He wraps his arm around her, holding her close.

"Please...Don't ask me to choose like that... It's not... It's not a fair choice. It's like asking me to choose between my heart and soul. I can't live without either of them."

His words cut deep through Sakura's heart. It moved her so much. She never knew she held this much importance to him but.. She has to make him understand that this is something he must face when the time comes and/or if it does happen. She sighs as she tightens her hold on him.

"Y-you'll have to do it when it happens... And I need you to understand... You have to choose the baby.."

Sasuke's grip on her tightens, the mere idea of having to make that choice sending a surge of anxiety through him. 

"Gods, why are you pushing this!? Do you want me to choose the baby and choose to lose you?"

She puts a hand on his chest again, patting it gently as she tries to calm him down, cupping his face to make him look at her in the eyes.

"Sasuke-kun... Calm. Down, please! It's only a what-if situation." she sighed

"I know... I know you love me. You've proven that to me enough, Sasuke-kun! But the baby... She's your blood that continues the bloodline. Sasuke-kun as much as it pains me... As much as it pains me even just thinking of it, you... You can find another wife when I'm gone... to continue building a new life for this family! Wasn't your dream to revive your clan?"

Sasuke's heart clenches at her words. The realization of the choice before him slowly sinking in. He knows she has a point: he dreamed of rebuilding his clan for the sake of his ancestral legacy. But the thought of moving on and finding another wife feels like a betrayal in his heart.

"Don't say it like that!... You're not just some replaceable person, Sakura! Your love, my love, OUR love is more than just rebuilding a clan! We share an irreplaceable bond! You can't just expect me to replace you as if you were some tool I just used!"

Sakura smiled through her tears, her heart swelling in happiness.

"Okay...Okay.." She hugged him again and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

"Don't get so worked up... I'm still here... I'm not going anywhere..." Small kicks can be felt between them as they hug.

Sasuke takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He can still feel the baby kicking gently between them, a strange but comforting presence. He nods in response. He felt her sigh again.

"I have another scenario that I need you to understand.."

He takes a moment to appreciate the feeling of her in his arms, before preparing himself for the next scenario she wants to open up. He pulled away as he looked at her and nodded for her to continue.

"If... If I die and the baby lives... Don't hate her... It's not her fault... Do you understand me?

Sasuke's heart clenches at the thought of death but he understands the importance of her request. He nods, his voice somber as he responds:

" I-I understand... If... If something happens to you... and the child survives, I won't blame her... I promise I will understand that it's not her fault...that she is innocent... I won't hate her."

She nodded, tears brimming at the tip of her eyes. 

"Now... If the baby dies... and I live, ..." her lips quiver.

"I'll feel like dying every day... But you have to pull me through... For you..."

Sasuke's expression softened as he saw the tears in her eyes. His heart aching in pain and fear. He takes her hand in his, holding them tightly as he responds with unwavering determination.

"I understand. I'll be here. No matter what. I'll be your rock just like you did, I'll pull you through. I promise."

Sakura nodded and leaned in for a kiss. Sasuke leaned and kissed her. They held each other feeling each kiss with love and longing for each other.