Aftermath

"Of all things. . . Dalia, pick up that glass please." Sakura indicated the glass scattered along the floor. The servant rushed over to pick it up. This was awful. Everything was going great! Except . . . for minor bumps, but that was easily remedied. 

"Oh, for the love of gods, please,  be careful with that!" Could things get any worse!

Of course it could. Just then, a servant approached her, three children trailing after her. They had been crying, the evidence of tears clear on their face. She recognized them, they were Alice's daughter, Charlotte's. Where was she?

"Your highness," the servant bowed before continuing, "we found these children when the creature attacked. There is no sign of the mother, nor the father."

That raised alarms, Charlotte was not one to leave her children unattended. Especially when a creature like that had attacked them. 

"Have the children eaten?"

"No, your highness."

"Take them to the kitchen and prepare their breakfast. Anything they want." That seemed to brighten their faces up a bit. The two little girls laughed as they ran after the maid, the little boy didn't seem fairly interested though.

Sakura kneeled infront of the little boy. She gave him a  warm smile, "What wrong, little one?" 

The boy had his thumb in his mouth, she could see that he was trying to retain his tears. 

"I want mommy, and daddy." Of course he did. It was natural for a child to begin to wonder where their parents are. This was about the time that Charlotte would wake them, make them breakfast. This was breaking his routine and he didn't like change.

"I know, darling, don't worry. I will find them, ok?" He smiled in response and gave her a loving hug. 

"Ok!" Then he was off, bounding after the maid and his siblings. 

As soon as he was out of sight, Sakura rushed up the stairs, tracking Alice's and Raige's scent to a room far down the west hall. She knew what they had done last night. Most couples had gone off to enjoy their mates, now the trick was to get them out of bed without scaring them with the thought that something could have happened to their daughter. 

Party

Today was a busy day. The servants rushed around finishing up the last details and getting the place ready for the grand party. Sakura did a mental check… . Balloons.. check… Food. . . check. And it was mouth-watering food too, with an array of delicacies, from fish to meats to every type of cheese imaginable. There was of course, a grand feast prepared for the guests in the dining room.

She continued, decorations . . . check. She glanced down at herself, oh! My dress! She rushed over to her room and made a quick change into a long silk dress. Its rosen color complimented Sakura’s pale complexion.  

“You look beautiful.” A dark voice sounded from behind her. She turned and a smile immediately appeared on her face. Sasuke. . .

He was dressed in all black save for small gold details that adorned his shirt. She rushed into his arms as their lips met.

A maid cleared her throat, as she announced the guests arrival. . she took a step back and took a deep breath… here we go.

She stared into her child's eyes. Finally, the moment had come and there in her arms lay little Akari. It seemed like an eternity that she was awaiting this babe. Sasuke had become anxious even frustrated with the wait. She knew that it was normal though, and his fits only amused her.

Sakura knew this child would strengthen their bond. Lilith, her eldest, would only have gained a companion. She expected many fights and arguments would follow but life would not be complete without them. 

She held the baby up, letting her love and only reason for living to get a closer look. She saw a small smile spread across his face. He leaned in to lay a soft kiss upon her cheek as she gazed into the eyes of their new born.

  Little Akari, my little baby, welcome home.