Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Something's Always Wrong ❯ Chapter 14
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: AniRayne 
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Romance / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 07.04.2008 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.7K | Visits: 356 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Romance / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 07.04.2008 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.7K | Visits: 356 | Status: Work In Progress
A/N: I have been slacking off lately. I admit it. I got way too focused on Wind And Fire part 2 and the Red Sox. But I'm gonna get cracking because I need to get this fic wrapped up. I figure 2 more chapters oughta do it. Lmao I say that now. Ending a fic is the hardest thing for me to do. I'm trying to make a good ending. I debated ending it on chapter 13, but then I decided I still had things to resolve...So, here we are now, chapter 14. Thank you for all the sweet reviews, I read every single one I receive. And I do consider every piece of advice given. ^_^ Thanks again for reading and reviewing! Also just a quick FYI, I jumped time forward about six months, Sasuke is still a ninja and soon to be off probation. It's mentioned about his punishment in the first few paragraphs, but just in case, I told ya too. ^_^
-Ani
I picked this song because Sakura's going through some major mood issues and Sasuke is trying to be as supportive as he can. To me that's what this song is about. He really wishes she would let go of the past. But really when something fucked up happens to you, it's so not easy to let it go as quickly as some people think. Is it? You just have accept that it happened and move past it. Wow sorry, I didn't mean to lecture. :)
Everything Changes-Staind
If you just walked away
What could I really say?
Would it matter anyway?
Would it change how you feel?
I am the mess you chose
The closet you cannot close
The devil in you I suppose
'Cause the wounds never heal
Sometimes the things I say
In moments of disarray
Succumbing to the games we play
To make sure that it's real
When it's just me and you
Who knows what we could do
If we can just make it through
The toughest part of the day
But everything changes
If I could
Turn back the years
If you could
Learn to forgive me
Then I could
Learn how to feel
Then we could
Stay here together
And we could
Conquer the world
If we could
Say that forever
Is more than just a word
If you just walked away
What could I really say?
And would it matter anyway?
It wouldn't change how you feel
Chapter 14
Sasuke frowned at Sakura, who was standing in front of him with her hands on her hips. "Why do I have to go? Are you even sure they want me there?" he looked at her, his eyes silently pleading with her.
Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed; he was starting to get on her nerves. Everything got on her nerves lately. "Look, Shikamaru and Temari both told me they want you there. Why are you going to start this now? It's Naruto's birthday party. He would be crushed if you missed another birthday. Especially since you're home now," she bit out as she wiped her arm across her forehead. It was unseasonably hot and humid. She started to feel light headed and went to the kitchen sink and splashed cool water on her face. She knew she was hitting him below the belt with the birthday comment. She was so moody lately and everyone had noticed. Tears welled up in her eyes and couldn't stop them from spilling over. She splashed more water on her face.
He followed her into the kitchen and wondered when she was going to let him know what her problem was; lately she'd been so snippy and touchy. He'd never seen heat affect her like this. It was starting to annoy him a little. "Sakura-chan? Is everything okay? And fine, I'll go. It's not that I don't want to see Naruto. It's most of the others who I don't want to see. All they do is talk shit, because they know I can't do anything about it and then Naruto wants to fight them. Last time we hung out ANBU had to break up Kiba and him ," he said folding his arms across his chest.
She swallowed hard and mentally counted to ten; he was on her last good nerve now. "I'm fine. The heat is just getting to me that's all," she said closing her eyes and willing her breakfast to stay down. It was so hot that she was nauseous. Sakura closed her eyes and wished this heat wave would end. "ANBU just happened to be there. It's not like they were called or something," she said rolling her eyes. She'd felt like crap for a week now. Suddenly she slammed her hands down on the counter, "It's October. Why the fuck is it so fucking hot?" She turned her gaze towards him and glared.
He cringed and hesitated before speaking, "Maybe you should take a cool shower. You might feel better." He noticed how pale she was. "You must be overheated," he offered, wishing she would just fess up. He knew and he knew she did too. After all, she was one of Fire country's best medical ninja; how could she not know?
She looked at him like he had three heads, "Yeah, I'd of never figured that out on my own. I don't know what I did while you were gone. That's right, I became stronger and self-reliant," she glared and stormed off to the bathroom.
He walked across the hall to the bedroom and shut the door. He turned on the air conditioner; it was already in the eighties at 9:30am. He laid on the bed and tried to think. He really wasn't trying to piss her off. He thought about her last comment. She couldn't let the past be in the past; every day she brought up him leaving at least once. She'd been bitchy for the last couple weeks. He'd been living with her for a little over five months now. When Lady Tsunade publicly announced his punishment he thought the villagers might riot. The month he spent in the hospital under guard was factored in and then six months probation. And that was almost over. The worst of the storm was over now. Most of the villagers had calmed down somewhat. He wasn't stupid or deaf, he knew what some people were saying about him. He was back on team 7 and every single day he had the pleasure of hearing Sai's opinions about his relationship with Sakura. Naruto was acting fine unless Sasuke happened to mention Sakura. Then Naruto got, well pouty; it was odd really, considering he was a step away from marrying Hinata. He heard the water turn off and prepared himself for her next hissy fit. Maybe it would be fun to hang out with Naruto and Shikamaru; at least they were still speaking to him. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the cool air.
****
She opened the shower door and grabbed a towel. She wrapped it around her hair and dried off with another one. She opened the bathroom door and sighed in relief when she felt the cool air. She finished drying off and stepped into the bedroom to get dressed. She felt a little better. The nausea was gone but she was still a little light headed. She pulled on a sports bra and her tight black shorts. She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. 'I look haggard. Ugh,' she thought. She glanced up at Sasuke's reflection and noticed he was looking at her with an amused look on his face. She turned around slowly and took an exaggerated bow. "And that concludes this morning's performance of bitchy mood theater," she said. She noticed his expression changed, "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so hateful earlier. I just...really wasn't feeling good and I took it out on you." She held his gaze and crawled across the bed to him. She brushed her lips across his and nipped at his bottom lip. "So, am I forgiven?" she asked laying her head on his chest.
He smiled and wrapped his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head and inhaled her scent. "I couldn't stay mad at my lil' cherry blossom," he sighed, "So, you feel better then?"
She snuggled closer to him and nipped at his neck. "Yeah, I think I was just overheated and a little dehydrated," she said against his neck making his breath hitch slightly.
"Y'know, it could be something completely different too," he said with a contented sigh. He didn't want to leave this room, ever. He was so comfortable on the bed with her. He ran his fingers through her still damp pink hair, smiling when she made a 'mmm' noise.
She thought about what he said. "Nani?" she asked him. She rolled onto her side and propped he head up with her hand. She looked up into his coal eyes.
He cupped the side of her face and ran his thumb over her cheek. He could stare into her jade eyes all day. "Nani nani?" he asked because he'd forgotten what they were talking about.
She rolled her eyes at him. "You said it could be something different. I asked what could it be then?" she looked at him expectantly.
"A lot of things. Think about it...I don't know...Maybe you're-"
"Don't even say it. There's no way. I always use the jutsu and Lady Tsunade told me I was likely sterile after all the poison from Sasori," she yelled cutting him off.
"-coming down with that stomach flu that knocked out half of the jounin last week," his lips twitched as he tried not to laugh, "Paranoid Sakura-chan?" he asked her.
She mentally kicked herself; that was not the way she wanted to tell him she couldn't have kids. She wasn't even sure if it was true anymore. He didn't seemed phased by what she's blurted out. He had his eyes closed and was smiling contentedly. She laid her head on his shoulder again and closed her eyes. She felt his arm wrap around her shoulders and smiled. Sakura let her mind drift back to when she got home after her battle with Sasori.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tsunade read over her apprentice's report. She glanced up at Sakura who was fidgeting. "Are you in a hurry to go somewhere Sakura? You haven't been able to stand still since you set foot in my office," the blond narrowed her brown eyes at her.
Sakura looked away and clasped her hands behind her back trying to control her twitching muscles. "No, ma'am. There's no problem," she said looking away. She felt her facial muscles twitch and bit her lip.
Tsunade looked at her again and returned her gaze to Sakura's report. She looked up again in time to see her struggling to keep still. "Sakura, we're going to the hospital now. Something is causing havoc with your nervous system," the Hokage said rising from her chair.
Sakura nodded mutely and followed her mentor out the door.
*
At the hospital Tsunade went over the list of ingredients in Sasori's poison, then she looked at the blood work of her apprentice.
She saw the problem and quickly found a medicine to counteract it's effects. She gave the mixture to the pink-haired chunin and watched her drink it down. The blond waited for a few minutes and turned to her apprentice, "Sakura, there is something that I need to explain to you about the poison you were exposed to," she paused to make sure she had her full attention then continued, "You may be infertile from being exposed to such a high dose. We can test in a couple weeks to be sure," she finished studying Sakura's face.
Sakura stared down at her hands in her lap for a long time before answering. She didn't really care if she could have kids or not. The one person she'd wanted to have kids with was gone and probably never coming back. "I don't care," she said softly, bringing her eyes up to meet Tsunade's concerned look. "I don't want the test either. I don't care," she said squaring her shoulders and meeting her mentor's now questioning look. "The only thing I'm concerned about is the tip about Sasori's spy."
The Fifth pulled Sakura into a hug, startling Sakura. "Denial is a bad place to get lost in, Sakura. If you ever change you mind let me know and we'll do the test," she said in a low voice to her apprentice before leaving the room.
Sakura stared at the door for a long time after Tsunade-sama closed it behind her. She didn't know how she felt about maybe not being able to have kids. Worse than that, she didn't even know how she was supposed to feel either.
~End flashback~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura wiped her arm across her forehead. It was 12:30pm and it was in the nineties already. She wondered who the idiot was that came up with the tradition of always having the birthday party at the training fields anyway. She chuckled to herself; it had been her idea. She looked over at the training field and saw Temari sitting under a tree between Shikamaru's legs, who whispered something in her ear that made her smile. Ino was standing by the grill with Chouji and Sai. Naruto and Hinata were sparring with each other half-hearted. Kunie was playing with Akamaru and some puppies Kiba was training. Sakura grinned, Kiba and Kunie had taken a shine to each other. Neji and Tenten were talking to Lee, who obviously disagreed with them. Sakura smiled, everyone had shown up to help Naruto celebrate his twenty-first birthday. There were a few people missing who were out on missions. Gaara and Kankuro were supposed to stop by when Gaara's meetings were over. Iruka was going to stop by after classes let out for the day. Sakura looked over at Sasuke, who was looking at Temari and Shikamaru. She slipped her arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. "They look happy don't they?" she asked him.
Sasuke pulled her closer and caught her mouth in a kiss. "Yeah, they do. When is she due anyway? It's gotta be soon, I'd think,"
he said against her mouth. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Ino snapping pictures of them. He smiled and she snapped another picture and winked at him. She'd done a complete 360 from when he first came home. He figured it was because she was one of Sakura's best friends and she wanted to stay friends with Sakura. Ino turned her camera on Temari and Shikamaru, much to Temari's annoyance. Temari yelled about taking pictures of her when she was fat and round. He looked over at Chouji and Sai; Chouji looked away and Sai gave him a fake smile and waved. Neji and Lee ignored him. Tenten gave him a quick smile and turned back to the conversation. Kiba nodded and Kunie came running over to them. Naruto and Hinata were too busy rolling around on the ground with each other to notice their arrival.
The blue-haired medic threw her arms around Sasuke, "I'm so psyched you came! Sakura-san said she wasn't sure if you would. Naruto-kun will be so happy!"
He smiled and peeled the recently promoted chunin off of him. "I wouldn't miss dobe's birthday again for the world," he told her wincing as Sakura jabbed her elbow into his side. "I mean, you know...I was hesitant, but Sakura convinced me to come." He looked over at his pink-haired girlfriend and wondered why she'd just bruised his rib.
Kunie grinned and hugged him again. "I just want to thank you for all the help with the chunin exams. I wouldn't of passed them without you guys! Check it out! I've been practicing!" She did some quick hand seals and yelled, "Goukakyu no jutsu!" She blew a medium sized fireball across the field and grinned at Sasuke. "Cool, right?"
"Yeah, that's cool. Keep practicing and you'll be able to torch all the trees in the field area. Hey Sakura? I'm going over to talk to Shikamaru for a minute," he said not waiting for her to respond.
Temari grabbed his hand as soon as he sat next to the couple. "Check it out! The baby's moving a lot," she said as she pressed his hand to her round belly.
His eyes widened in surprise when he felt the kick against his palm. "Damn, doesn't that hurt?" he asked the jounin.
Temari's eyes twinkled with humor and she grinned at Shikamaru. "Sometimes, but not right now. Four more weeks to D-day," she said laughing and her lazy husband groaned.
Sasuke was just about to say something else when he heard a familiar voice shout at him.
"Oi teme! You made it!"
He turned around to see the blond jounin running towards him. "Happy birthday, dobe!" he said punching him in the arm.
Naruto grabbed him in a bear hug and quickly let him go. "So, how is everything going with Sakura-chan? Is she feeling any better?" he asked Sasuke and glanced over at Sakura, who was talking to Ino.
Sasuke looked at his closest friend and raised his eyebrows slightly; Naruto never brought up Sakura. "She claims it's just the heat, but I think different," he told the jinchurki. He looked over at Sakura again and then back at Naruto. "Honestly? I know she's pregnant, but she swears it's not possible. Who the hell am I to say different?" he shrugged his shoulders.
Naruto felt sick after hearing that. He frowned, "Teme, she can't have kids. She told me that a long time ago. Don't make her feel worse about it." His mind suddenly flashed back to the night she told him the poison made her infertile. She was strangely calm the entire time. It hadn't struck him as odd until now. He heard his name and looked up at Sasuke, who was glaring at him.
"Sorry. What did you say? I zoned out for a second," he laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Tsch, you're always zoned out. I said, does she know for sure? Has she ever been tested?" he said rolling his eyes again.
Naruto glanced over at Sakura and then leaned closer to Sasuke. "Don't say anything, but Hinata told me once that she wouldn't get checked because she didn't care," he held Sasuke's gaze until the Uchiha looked away, "She didn't care because she didn't think you were ever coming back." Naruto saw Sasuke flinch at his last statement. He wasn't trying to start a fight with him; he just wanted the teme to understand just how much he'd hurt Sakura.
Sasuke closed his eyes and rubbed them. He looked around for Sakura, finally finding her under the tree with Temari, Hinata and Ino. Shikamaru was heading his way. He watched Temari make her feel the baby kicking. She giggled and her green eyes sparkled; she looked so happy at that moment. He saw Ino putting her camera back around her neck. He wanted a copy of that picture. He sighed and turned back around to greet Shikamaru. "Hey what's up?" he asked the ANBU captain.
Shikamaru shrugged, "Same old, same old. Anything new with you?"
"Nothing. I wish this heat would end so Sakura will calm down. She's been so bitchy lately. And if I even say anything about it she bites my fucking head off or starts crying. I'm losing my mind or she is, I don't know anymore," he said. He ignored the glare he got from Naruto when he said 'bitchy'.
Shikamaru laughed. "They are very troublesome creatures. If I didn't know any better I'd say she was pregnant. Temari was just like that in her first trimester," Shikamaru glared back at Naruto, who was glaring even more at him, "Seriously, why are you giving me a dirty look? And why do you even care anyway? I know she's your best friend and all, but don't you think you're taking this a little personally?" Shikamaru looked at the blond jounin.
"I just don't think you two should say things like that. If she heard you, she'd-" Naruto began.
"Have unnaturally good hearing? She's way the fuck over there. Damn, you act like she's your woman or something," Shikamaru scoffed, rolling his eyes and sighing.
Sasuke chuckled, "They don't call you a genius for nothing. She is, I know for a fact," he tapped under his eye.
"Troublesome," the ANBU captain offered, chuckling.
Sasuke grinned, "Not in the least."
Naruto looked away, his eyes unconsciously searching for Sakura. Instead, he caught Hinata's gaze and she smiled at him. He grinned back and headed in her direction.
****
Sakura couldn't stop touching Temari's belly. Ino thought it was cute. There was something different about Sakura that she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was like she had snapped out of her funk and was...well, glowing, for lack of a better word. "Hey forehead, what's up with you? You were a hateful little wench all week and now you're a glowing ball of happy? Bipolar much?" Ino cracked.
Temari laughed and Hinata chuckled behind her hand. They both prepared for a shouting match.
"Not even you can ruin my mood, Ino-pig," she cracked back to her best friend and one-time rival. She felt Temari's baby move around and kick again. Her eyes lit up and she giggled, "Do you know what you're having?"
Temari laughed and grunted when the baby got a little wild kicking. "Yep. I'm having...a baby!" She laughed and rubbed her stomach.
Sakura rolled her eyes and laughed. "I wouldn't want to know either," she said with a dreamy look in her eyes that none of her friends missed.
"Forehead, when are you going to just come out and tell us? We won't tell on you," Ino locked eyes with Sakura.
The medical jounin giggled uncomfortably, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any secrets." Suddenly her eyes clouded over and tears sprang up. She swallowed hard and started to get up.
Temari saw the tears well up in Sakura's big green eyes. She looked at her pink-haired friend and grinned. "Oi Sakura-chan, help me up would you? I wanna take a walk with you and don't worry, not a long one," she said looking innocent.
Sakura got up and brushed the grass off of her navy shorts and Ramirez jersey then reached her hand out to the very pregnant Temari. It wasn't so much that she was big, more like she was off balance because of her protruding stomach. Once Temari was on her feet, Sakura helped her brush off her purple baby doll dress. Ino kicked back and told them she'd be there when they came back. Hinata saw Naruto and headed in his direction. Sakura let the older jounin lead her into the trees a bit. There Temari started to interrogate her, or at least that's what it seemed like to Sakura.
Temari was never one to mince words, so she asked her friend point-blank, "Sakura, you're pregnant aren't you? And don't give me that sterile line, 'cause you don't know that for sure." The Suna nin narrowed her green eyes at Sakura, who was looking guilty. Temari's eyes widened. She covered her mouth and made a muffled 'squee' noise. "You are! Oh my god! Does he know yet?" she paused to look at the pinkette, who was now in tears, "Hey now, don't cry. I won't narc you out. You didn't tell anyone about me and you knew before I knew for sure. Tell me what's wrong," Temari hugged her sobbing friend. Suddenly Temari had a horrifying thought, "It is Sasuke's baby, right?" A pair of tear filled green eyes turned up to meet her own.
"Of course it is," she squeaked out in between sobs. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. "I spent all those years believing I couldn't have kids; not wanting kids. Convincing myself I didn't need to get tested because he was gone. He was gone! How was I supposed to know he'd come back? I'm not even his girlfriend, I don't know what we are. I love him and hate him all at the same time! I don't know what to do," she took a shaky breath and continued, "I'm not even sure how this happened, I never forget to use the jutsu. This wasn't supposed to happen."
Temari snorted, "Oh yeah, I never forget either." Sakura burst into tears again and crumpled to the ground. She rubbed her back again, it was killing her. "Sakura-chan, everything happens for a reason," she said sitting down on log and looking at her younger friend, who was sitting on the ground. She had her knees pulled up to her chest, sobbing her heart out. "The hormones, they're all out of whack. That's why you've been so moody and sick lately," she offered touching Sakura's arm.
She looked up at Temari and took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I know. He suspects I am and stupid me, I have to blurt out, 'I'm sterile!' like a freak. Now he probably thinks I'm insane," She smiled weakly. "I'm afraid there will be something wrong with the baby," she said in a shaky voice.
Temari chuckled, "Is that all? Go see Tsunade-sama, she can check to make sure everything is all right. I had her check my baby," she patted her belly and smiled, "Now, stop crying. What would Manny think if he saw all those tears on that jersey?"
Sakura smiled; Temari was her baseball buddy. She took a deep breath. "Hmm, I don't know," she smiled weakly and then her face crumpled once again. "Temari...what if he...doesn't want this? Now...that he's back...I don't know what...I would do...without him," the medic nin sobbed and cried.
Temari sighed and rubbed her back. It was killing her. "Look Sakura-chan, I don't have all the answers. Hell, I don't even pretend to have any of the answers. All I can tell you is this: tell him and let the chips fall where they may. If he runs off, fuck him. You're better off on your own if that's how he's gonna be. But seriously, remember the only thing he has left on his to-do list is rebuild his clan. Plus, dude seriously, he is so in love with you, I really doubt he'll ever leave you again. And...I think he knows anyway and hasn't gone anywhere," She grunted as the baby landed a kick. She grinned at the pink-haired medic and rubbed her belly, "Now, help me get my fat ass off this log."
Sakura sniffed and wiped her eyes. She stood up and brushed herself off and helped her ANBU friend off the log. As they walked out into the field, she locked eyes with Naruto.
His blue eyes were full of hurt and confusion. He wrapped his arms around Hinata and mouthed 'Doshite?' over her shoulder.
She tried to look away but it was like she was frozen by his stare. All she could do was mouth 'Gomen ne' and turn away from him.
Temari had seen the entire exchange, she felt like punching Naruto on the side of the head. Instead she grabbed Sakura's wrist and lead her back towards the tree where Ino and Sasuke were. "I don't know why you were apologizing to him and I don't want to why. What I want to know is who the fuck is he to ask you 'why' anything?" the very pregnant nin growled.
Sakura looked down at the ground. "You don't understand...It was just just us for all those years. He feels betrayed, I guess," she mumbled.
Temari felt her eye twitch, then she felt the pain start again in her stomach. She tuned around to face Sakura and glared, "You know what your problem is? You're never satisfied. Hell, you both need to take a good, hard look at your lives and figure out who you want to be with. 'Cause all you two are doing now is fucking with Sasuke and Hinata." She turned on her heel and stomped off.
Sakura stood there for a moment letting Temari's words sink in. She felt the all too familiar sting of tears in her eyes. It was just like she'd always heard, the truth is always the hardest thing to hear. She fell to knees sobbing.
****
Ino felt a shadow move across her and opened her eyes to see Sasuke standing over her. "Hey Sasuke-kun, what's up?" she asked sitting up and stretching.
Sasuke lowered himself to the ground and sat next to Ino. "So, can I asked your opinion on something?" he asked her looking into the tree line.
Ino glanced over at her best friend's boyfriend and made a face, "I guess..."
"Do you think Sakura could be wrong about not being able to have kids?" he asked, laying back and tucking his hands behind his head. He looked up at his girlfriend's best friend.
The hard look in Ino's blue eyes softened and she smiled down at him. "So...you think she's pregnant too? Temari, Hinata and I were just discussing that very subject right before you two got here," she said leaning back against the tree.
Sasuke chuckled, "I know she's wrong. I know for a fact she's pregnant," Ino got a confused look on her face and he laughed again, "Sharingan. I can see the chakra signature inside her." He watched Ino put two and two together and saw the smile creep across her face.
"I knew it, Hinata knew it, Temari and Shikamaru knew it. So, are you happy Sasuke-kun?" she asked him.
He thought about it for a second and a smile emerged on his face. "Y'know Ino, I really am," he said sitting up just in time to see Temari turn around, yell something at Sakura and storm off. He jumped to his feet when he saw her fall to her knees sobbing and ran towards her.
****
Sakura didn't know how long she sat there crying; it didn't even register when Sasuke crouched beside her and pulled her into his arms. All she knew was she was sure she didn't have another tear left in her body. She felt him stroking her hair, then it registered in her mind. She looked into his jet black eyes and saw concern. "Gomen ne...I'm so stupid...so fucking stupid," she said feeling her eyes burn.
He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "I love you," he whispered to her, "You don't need to apologize for anything. I told you before, I'm not going anywhere. And you're not stupid. You're smart, sexy and just fucking amazing," he whispered, looking into her green eyes. He brushed a stray lock of pink hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear, smiling when she nuzzled into his touch.
"Sasuke-kun," she said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I might be pregnant." She closed her eyes and waited for his reaction. She prayed to anyone who was listening for this to have a happy ending. She turned her gaze up toward his face, locking eyes with him. His dark eyes were unreadable. She could feel the knot of dread in her stomach. He brushed his thumb across her cheek and caught her mouth in a kiss.
He kissed her on the neck; today she smelled like lemongrass. He looked into her jade eyes. "I know. Are you happy about it?" he asked her, studying her face for a reaction.
She touched his face and looked into his bottomless dark eyes. "Hai, are you?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion. She held her breath and waited for his answer.
He smiled and kissed her again. "I couldn't be any happier," he said against her mouth.
****
Temari, Shikamaru and Ino were watching the scene play out.
Ino spoke first, "That's my girl! She told him."
Shikamaru chuckled and rubbed Temari's back. He could tell by the look that flashed across her face she was in pain. He also knew she'd been having contractions for the last two and a half hours. They were about fifteen minutes apart now. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Temari-chan, we need to get you to the hospital soon."
Temari grunted and in a very strained voice said, "Shika-kun, get Sakura. My water just broke."
Ino's eyes went wide, "Holy crap! Just how long have you been labor?" She grabbed a paper towel and wiped the sweat off Temari's forehead.
The wind user looked at her with pain filled green eyes, "Since about seven this morning," Temari said trying to breathe. She yelped as another contraction hit her. "I didn't want to fuck up Naruto-kun's birthday," she panted.
****
Sakura and Sasuke saw Shikamaru running towards them and a look passed between them. At the same time they both said, "Temari-chan!" They met him halfway.
Sakura grabbed his arm and forced him to stop. "Shikamaru, what's wrong?" she asked the ANBU captain, who looked frantic.
"Temari's water broke. She's been in labor since seven am this morning," he all but shouted.
That was all they needed to hear and took off to get Temari to the hospital, because they all knew she'd kill them for letting her give birth at the training fields.
****
At 10:42pm that night Temari gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Naruto was stoked because he now shared his birthday with her. Sakura and Kunie cleaned up the little one and handed her over to her happy but exhausted mother.
Temari smiled down at her and looked up at Shikamaru. "Isn't she beautiful, Shika-kun?" she asked, her tired green eyes full of love.
Shikamaru kissed the top of Temari's head and then the baby's. "Just like her troublesome mother," he said smiling at both of them, "What about a name?"
Temari paused for a moment and looked around at all her friends, who were now crowding her room. She saw Gaara and Kankuro and smiled at them. She looked up at her husband and smiled tiredly, "I wanna name her Mariko. Now, I appreciate everyone helping and coming, but after over fifteen hours of labor, I need to rest," she smiled again.
Shikamaru chuckled and started to leave too. He heard Temari gasp at him. He chuckled and closed the door and took Mariko from her exhausted mother. Temari drifted off to sleep and Shikamaru studied his newborn daughter with a huge smile on his face.
****
Sakura stopped at the nurses station to write in Temari's chart. She sensed a person behind her and sighed. "Naruto, why are you trying to sneak up on me?" she asked him without turning around. She kept writing in the chart waiting for him to speak.
Naruto was trying to think of what the wanted to say; he was never good with words around her. "Is it true, Sakura-chan? Are you pregnant with the teme's baby?"
Sakura felt her spine stiffen and was suddenly tired. She closed the cover on the chart and put it on the desk. She took Naruto by the hand into the medics lounge. Once inside with the door locked and a sound seal in place she turned and faced her best friend. "Naruto, what do you want me to say? Yes, I might be pregnant. Yes, it's Sasuke's baby. I can't tell you anything but the truth, you know that. I'm sorry," she looked into his pain filled blue eyes. She wanted to hug him but decided not to yet.
He closed his eyes and fought to control his emotions. He sat down and looked at Sakura. Sure, he still loved her, but in a friendly way. "Sakura..." he began trying to keep control of his emotion, "Are you happy? Is this what you want? Because I don't want you to get hurt."
She sat down next to him and put her hand on his cheek. She looked into his big blue eyes, "*sigh* Naruto...I don't know. I just don't know...I used to think all I ever wanted was a family and happily ever after. But then I grew up and learned there is no such thing as happily ever after in a shinobi's life. I don't want to get hurt either. Always in the back of my mind is the fact he left, and yeah, I'm a little scared he'll leave again. But I can't spend my life walking on eggshells. I'm living day by day and right now, at this very moment, I am happy." She smiled at him and stroked his face, "What about you? Are you happy with Hinata-chan?"
He put his hand on top of hers and looked into her eyes, "I want to marry her. She's awesome," he said thinking about his dark haired girlfriend. He loved Hinata; everything about her was perfect. She'd always accepted him even when no else would. He smiled just thinking about her. "What do you think Sakura-chan?"
Sakura grinned at him and hugged him. "I think you better ask Hiashi first. It's always gonna be you and me. We're always going to be best friends," she said to him and kissed his cheek.
Naruto hugged her back hard; he couldn't help but feel like he was losing a part of him. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I still love you Sakura-chan, and I always will."
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I know you do. I love you too, but we have to move forward with our lives. We should just be happy for each other, and even though at times it feels like my heart is being torn apart, I'm really happy you found love with Hinata-chan," she looked up at him and broke the embrace.
He leaned forward and in a low voice said, "I wish it was you sometimes."
Sakura's green eyes filled with tears and she looked into his confused blue eyes, "Naruto...Don't do this." And then she left a confused jinchuriki standing in the lounge.
*************************************************************** *********************************
A/N: That was a long chapter! I hope jumping time didn't confuse anyone. The next chapter might be the last one. I'm not sure yet. Manny Ramirez is a outfielder for the Red Sox. Lol-Ani
-Ani
I picked this song because Sakura's going through some major mood issues and Sasuke is trying to be as supportive as he can. To me that's what this song is about. He really wishes she would let go of the past. But really when something fucked up happens to you, it's so not easy to let it go as quickly as some people think. Is it? You just have accept that it happened and move past it. Wow sorry, I didn't mean to lecture. :)
Everything Changes-Staind
If you just walked away
What could I really say?
Would it matter anyway?
Would it change how you feel?
I am the mess you chose
The closet you cannot close
The devil in you I suppose
'Cause the wounds never heal
Sometimes the things I say
In moments of disarray
Succumbing to the games we play
To make sure that it's real
When it's just me and you
Who knows what we could do
If we can just make it through
The toughest part of the day
But everything changes
If I could
Turn back the years
If you could
Learn to forgive me
Then I could
Learn how to feel
Then we could
Stay here together
And we could
Conquer the world
If we could
Say that forever
Is more than just a word
If you just walked away
What could I really say?
And would it matter anyway?
It wouldn't change how you feel
Chapter 14
Sasuke frowned at Sakura, who was standing in front of him with her hands on her hips. "Why do I have to go? Are you even sure they want me there?" he looked at her, his eyes silently pleading with her.
Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed; he was starting to get on her nerves. Everything got on her nerves lately. "Look, Shikamaru and Temari both told me they want you there. Why are you going to start this now? It's Naruto's birthday party. He would be crushed if you missed another birthday. Especially since you're home now," she bit out as she wiped her arm across her forehead. It was unseasonably hot and humid. She started to feel light headed and went to the kitchen sink and splashed cool water on her face. She knew she was hitting him below the belt with the birthday comment. She was so moody lately and everyone had noticed. Tears welled up in her eyes and couldn't stop them from spilling over. She splashed more water on her face.
He followed her into the kitchen and wondered when she was going to let him know what her problem was; lately she'd been so snippy and touchy. He'd never seen heat affect her like this. It was starting to annoy him a little. "Sakura-chan? Is everything okay? And fine, I'll go. It's not that I don't want to see Naruto. It's most of the others who I don't want to see. All they do is talk shit, because they know I can't do anything about it and then Naruto wants to fight them. Last time we hung out ANBU had to break up Kiba and him ," he said folding his arms across his chest.
She swallowed hard and mentally counted to ten; he was on her last good nerve now. "I'm fine. The heat is just getting to me that's all," she said closing her eyes and willing her breakfast to stay down. It was so hot that she was nauseous. Sakura closed her eyes and wished this heat wave would end. "ANBU just happened to be there. It's not like they were called or something," she said rolling her eyes. She'd felt like crap for a week now. Suddenly she slammed her hands down on the counter, "It's October. Why the fuck is it so fucking hot?" She turned her gaze towards him and glared.
He cringed and hesitated before speaking, "Maybe you should take a cool shower. You might feel better." He noticed how pale she was. "You must be overheated," he offered, wishing she would just fess up. He knew and he knew she did too. After all, she was one of Fire country's best medical ninja; how could she not know?
She looked at him like he had three heads, "Yeah, I'd of never figured that out on my own. I don't know what I did while you were gone. That's right, I became stronger and self-reliant," she glared and stormed off to the bathroom.
He walked across the hall to the bedroom and shut the door. He turned on the air conditioner; it was already in the eighties at 9:30am. He laid on the bed and tried to think. He really wasn't trying to piss her off. He thought about her last comment. She couldn't let the past be in the past; every day she brought up him leaving at least once. She'd been bitchy for the last couple weeks. He'd been living with her for a little over five months now. When Lady Tsunade publicly announced his punishment he thought the villagers might riot. The month he spent in the hospital under guard was factored in and then six months probation. And that was almost over. The worst of the storm was over now. Most of the villagers had calmed down somewhat. He wasn't stupid or deaf, he knew what some people were saying about him. He was back on team 7 and every single day he had the pleasure of hearing Sai's opinions about his relationship with Sakura. Naruto was acting fine unless Sasuke happened to mention Sakura. Then Naruto got, well pouty; it was odd really, considering he was a step away from marrying Hinata. He heard the water turn off and prepared himself for her next hissy fit. Maybe it would be fun to hang out with Naruto and Shikamaru; at least they were still speaking to him. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the cool air.
****
She opened the shower door and grabbed a towel. She wrapped it around her hair and dried off with another one. She opened the bathroom door and sighed in relief when she felt the cool air. She finished drying off and stepped into the bedroom to get dressed. She felt a little better. The nausea was gone but she was still a little light headed. She pulled on a sports bra and her tight black shorts. She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. 'I look haggard. Ugh,' she thought. She glanced up at Sasuke's reflection and noticed he was looking at her with an amused look on his face. She turned around slowly and took an exaggerated bow. "And that concludes this morning's performance of bitchy mood theater," she said. She noticed his expression changed, "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so hateful earlier. I just...really wasn't feeling good and I took it out on you." She held his gaze and crawled across the bed to him. She brushed her lips across his and nipped at his bottom lip. "So, am I forgiven?" she asked laying her head on his chest.
He smiled and wrapped his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head and inhaled her scent. "I couldn't stay mad at my lil' cherry blossom," he sighed, "So, you feel better then?"
She snuggled closer to him and nipped at his neck. "Yeah, I think I was just overheated and a little dehydrated," she said against his neck making his breath hitch slightly.
"Y'know, it could be something completely different too," he said with a contented sigh. He didn't want to leave this room, ever. He was so comfortable on the bed with her. He ran his fingers through her still damp pink hair, smiling when she made a 'mmm' noise.
She thought about what he said. "Nani?" she asked him. She rolled onto her side and propped he head up with her hand. She looked up into his coal eyes.
He cupped the side of her face and ran his thumb over her cheek. He could stare into her jade eyes all day. "Nani nani?" he asked because he'd forgotten what they were talking about.
She rolled her eyes at him. "You said it could be something different. I asked what could it be then?" she looked at him expectantly.
"A lot of things. Think about it...I don't know...Maybe you're-"
"Don't even say it. There's no way. I always use the jutsu and Lady Tsunade told me I was likely sterile after all the poison from Sasori," she yelled cutting him off.
"-coming down with that stomach flu that knocked out half of the jounin last week," his lips twitched as he tried not to laugh, "Paranoid Sakura-chan?" he asked her.
She mentally kicked herself; that was not the way she wanted to tell him she couldn't have kids. She wasn't even sure if it was true anymore. He didn't seemed phased by what she's blurted out. He had his eyes closed and was smiling contentedly. She laid her head on his shoulder again and closed her eyes. She felt his arm wrap around her shoulders and smiled. Sakura let her mind drift back to when she got home after her battle with Sasori.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tsunade read over her apprentice's report. She glanced up at Sakura who was fidgeting. "Are you in a hurry to go somewhere Sakura? You haven't been able to stand still since you set foot in my office," the blond narrowed her brown eyes at her.
Sakura looked away and clasped her hands behind her back trying to control her twitching muscles. "No, ma'am. There's no problem," she said looking away. She felt her facial muscles twitch and bit her lip.
Tsunade looked at her again and returned her gaze to Sakura's report. She looked up again in time to see her struggling to keep still. "Sakura, we're going to the hospital now. Something is causing havoc with your nervous system," the Hokage said rising from her chair.
Sakura nodded mutely and followed her mentor out the door.
*
At the hospital Tsunade went over the list of ingredients in Sasori's poison, then she looked at the blood work of her apprentice.
She saw the problem and quickly found a medicine to counteract it's effects. She gave the mixture to the pink-haired chunin and watched her drink it down. The blond waited for a few minutes and turned to her apprentice, "Sakura, there is something that I need to explain to you about the poison you were exposed to," she paused to make sure she had her full attention then continued, "You may be infertile from being exposed to such a high dose. We can test in a couple weeks to be sure," she finished studying Sakura's face.
Sakura stared down at her hands in her lap for a long time before answering. She didn't really care if she could have kids or not. The one person she'd wanted to have kids with was gone and probably never coming back. "I don't care," she said softly, bringing her eyes up to meet Tsunade's concerned look. "I don't want the test either. I don't care," she said squaring her shoulders and meeting her mentor's now questioning look. "The only thing I'm concerned about is the tip about Sasori's spy."
The Fifth pulled Sakura into a hug, startling Sakura. "Denial is a bad place to get lost in, Sakura. If you ever change you mind let me know and we'll do the test," she said in a low voice to her apprentice before leaving the room.
Sakura stared at the door for a long time after Tsunade-sama closed it behind her. She didn't know how she felt about maybe not being able to have kids. Worse than that, she didn't even know how she was supposed to feel either.
~End flashback~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sakura wiped her arm across her forehead. It was 12:30pm and it was in the nineties already. She wondered who the idiot was that came up with the tradition of always having the birthday party at the training fields anyway. She chuckled to herself; it had been her idea. She looked over at the training field and saw Temari sitting under a tree between Shikamaru's legs, who whispered something in her ear that made her smile. Ino was standing by the grill with Chouji and Sai. Naruto and Hinata were sparring with each other half-hearted. Kunie was playing with Akamaru and some puppies Kiba was training. Sakura grinned, Kiba and Kunie had taken a shine to each other. Neji and Tenten were talking to Lee, who obviously disagreed with them. Sakura smiled, everyone had shown up to help Naruto celebrate his twenty-first birthday. There were a few people missing who were out on missions. Gaara and Kankuro were supposed to stop by when Gaara's meetings were over. Iruka was going to stop by after classes let out for the day. Sakura looked over at Sasuke, who was looking at Temari and Shikamaru. She slipped her arm around his waist and kissed his cheek. "They look happy don't they?" she asked him.
Sasuke pulled her closer and caught her mouth in a kiss. "Yeah, they do. When is she due anyway? It's gotta be soon, I'd think,"
he said against her mouth. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Ino snapping pictures of them. He smiled and she snapped another picture and winked at him. She'd done a complete 360 from when he first came home. He figured it was because she was one of Sakura's best friends and she wanted to stay friends with Sakura. Ino turned her camera on Temari and Shikamaru, much to Temari's annoyance. Temari yelled about taking pictures of her when she was fat and round. He looked over at Chouji and Sai; Chouji looked away and Sai gave him a fake smile and waved. Neji and Lee ignored him. Tenten gave him a quick smile and turned back to the conversation. Kiba nodded and Kunie came running over to them. Naruto and Hinata were too busy rolling around on the ground with each other to notice their arrival.
The blue-haired medic threw her arms around Sasuke, "I'm so psyched you came! Sakura-san said she wasn't sure if you would. Naruto-kun will be so happy!"
He smiled and peeled the recently promoted chunin off of him. "I wouldn't miss dobe's birthday again for the world," he told her wincing as Sakura jabbed her elbow into his side. "I mean, you know...I was hesitant, but Sakura convinced me to come." He looked over at his pink-haired girlfriend and wondered why she'd just bruised his rib.
Kunie grinned and hugged him again. "I just want to thank you for all the help with the chunin exams. I wouldn't of passed them without you guys! Check it out! I've been practicing!" She did some quick hand seals and yelled, "Goukakyu no jutsu!" She blew a medium sized fireball across the field and grinned at Sasuke. "Cool, right?"
"Yeah, that's cool. Keep practicing and you'll be able to torch all the trees in the field area. Hey Sakura? I'm going over to talk to Shikamaru for a minute," he said not waiting for her to respond.
Temari grabbed his hand as soon as he sat next to the couple. "Check it out! The baby's moving a lot," she said as she pressed his hand to her round belly.
His eyes widened in surprise when he felt the kick against his palm. "Damn, doesn't that hurt?" he asked the jounin.
Temari's eyes twinkled with humor and she grinned at Shikamaru. "Sometimes, but not right now. Four more weeks to D-day," she said laughing and her lazy husband groaned.
Sasuke was just about to say something else when he heard a familiar voice shout at him.
"Oi teme! You made it!"
He turned around to see the blond jounin running towards him. "Happy birthday, dobe!" he said punching him in the arm.
Naruto grabbed him in a bear hug and quickly let him go. "So, how is everything going with Sakura-chan? Is she feeling any better?" he asked Sasuke and glanced over at Sakura, who was talking to Ino.
Sasuke looked at his closest friend and raised his eyebrows slightly; Naruto never brought up Sakura. "She claims it's just the heat, but I think different," he told the jinchurki. He looked over at Sakura again and then back at Naruto. "Honestly? I know she's pregnant, but she swears it's not possible. Who the hell am I to say different?" he shrugged his shoulders.
Naruto felt sick after hearing that. He frowned, "Teme, she can't have kids. She told me that a long time ago. Don't make her feel worse about it." His mind suddenly flashed back to the night she told him the poison made her infertile. She was strangely calm the entire time. It hadn't struck him as odd until now. He heard his name and looked up at Sasuke, who was glaring at him.
"Sorry. What did you say? I zoned out for a second," he laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Tsch, you're always zoned out. I said, does she know for sure? Has she ever been tested?" he said rolling his eyes again.
Naruto glanced over at Sakura and then leaned closer to Sasuke. "Don't say anything, but Hinata told me once that she wouldn't get checked because she didn't care," he held Sasuke's gaze until the Uchiha looked away, "She didn't care because she didn't think you were ever coming back." Naruto saw Sasuke flinch at his last statement. He wasn't trying to start a fight with him; he just wanted the teme to understand just how much he'd hurt Sakura.
Sasuke closed his eyes and rubbed them. He looked around for Sakura, finally finding her under the tree with Temari, Hinata and Ino. Shikamaru was heading his way. He watched Temari make her feel the baby kicking. She giggled and her green eyes sparkled; she looked so happy at that moment. He saw Ino putting her camera back around her neck. He wanted a copy of that picture. He sighed and turned back around to greet Shikamaru. "Hey what's up?" he asked the ANBU captain.
Shikamaru shrugged, "Same old, same old. Anything new with you?"
"Nothing. I wish this heat would end so Sakura will calm down. She's been so bitchy lately. And if I even say anything about it she bites my fucking head off or starts crying. I'm losing my mind or she is, I don't know anymore," he said. He ignored the glare he got from Naruto when he said 'bitchy'.
Shikamaru laughed. "They are very troublesome creatures. If I didn't know any better I'd say she was pregnant. Temari was just like that in her first trimester," Shikamaru glared back at Naruto, who was glaring even more at him, "Seriously, why are you giving me a dirty look? And why do you even care anyway? I know she's your best friend and all, but don't you think you're taking this a little personally?" Shikamaru looked at the blond jounin.
"I just don't think you two should say things like that. If she heard you, she'd-" Naruto began.
"Have unnaturally good hearing? She's way the fuck over there. Damn, you act like she's your woman or something," Shikamaru scoffed, rolling his eyes and sighing.
Sasuke chuckled, "They don't call you a genius for nothing. She is, I know for a fact," he tapped under his eye.
"Troublesome," the ANBU captain offered, chuckling.
Sasuke grinned, "Not in the least."
Naruto looked away, his eyes unconsciously searching for Sakura. Instead, he caught Hinata's gaze and she smiled at him. He grinned back and headed in her direction.
****
Sakura couldn't stop touching Temari's belly. Ino thought it was cute. There was something different about Sakura that she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was like she had snapped out of her funk and was...well, glowing, for lack of a better word. "Hey forehead, what's up with you? You were a hateful little wench all week and now you're a glowing ball of happy? Bipolar much?" Ino cracked.
Temari laughed and Hinata chuckled behind her hand. They both prepared for a shouting match.
"Not even you can ruin my mood, Ino-pig," she cracked back to her best friend and one-time rival. She felt Temari's baby move around and kick again. Her eyes lit up and she giggled, "Do you know what you're having?"
Temari laughed and grunted when the baby got a little wild kicking. "Yep. I'm having...a baby!" She laughed and rubbed her stomach.
Sakura rolled her eyes and laughed. "I wouldn't want to know either," she said with a dreamy look in her eyes that none of her friends missed.
"Forehead, when are you going to just come out and tell us? We won't tell on you," Ino locked eyes with Sakura.
The medical jounin giggled uncomfortably, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any secrets." Suddenly her eyes clouded over and tears sprang up. She swallowed hard and started to get up.
Temari saw the tears well up in Sakura's big green eyes. She looked at her pink-haired friend and grinned. "Oi Sakura-chan, help me up would you? I wanna take a walk with you and don't worry, not a long one," she said looking innocent.
Sakura got up and brushed the grass off of her navy shorts and Ramirez jersey then reached her hand out to the very pregnant Temari. It wasn't so much that she was big, more like she was off balance because of her protruding stomach. Once Temari was on her feet, Sakura helped her brush off her purple baby doll dress. Ino kicked back and told them she'd be there when they came back. Hinata saw Naruto and headed in his direction. Sakura let the older jounin lead her into the trees a bit. There Temari started to interrogate her, or at least that's what it seemed like to Sakura.
Temari was never one to mince words, so she asked her friend point-blank, "Sakura, you're pregnant aren't you? And don't give me that sterile line, 'cause you don't know that for sure." The Suna nin narrowed her green eyes at Sakura, who was looking guilty. Temari's eyes widened. She covered her mouth and made a muffled 'squee' noise. "You are! Oh my god! Does he know yet?" she paused to look at the pinkette, who was now in tears, "Hey now, don't cry. I won't narc you out. You didn't tell anyone about me and you knew before I knew for sure. Tell me what's wrong," Temari hugged her sobbing friend. Suddenly Temari had a horrifying thought, "It is Sasuke's baby, right?" A pair of tear filled green eyes turned up to meet her own.
"Of course it is," she squeaked out in between sobs. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. "I spent all those years believing I couldn't have kids; not wanting kids. Convincing myself I didn't need to get tested because he was gone. He was gone! How was I supposed to know he'd come back? I'm not even his girlfriend, I don't know what we are. I love him and hate him all at the same time! I don't know what to do," she took a shaky breath and continued, "I'm not even sure how this happened, I never forget to use the jutsu. This wasn't supposed to happen."
Temari snorted, "Oh yeah, I never forget either." Sakura burst into tears again and crumpled to the ground. She rubbed her back again, it was killing her. "Sakura-chan, everything happens for a reason," she said sitting down on log and looking at her younger friend, who was sitting on the ground. She had her knees pulled up to her chest, sobbing her heart out. "The hormones, they're all out of whack. That's why you've been so moody and sick lately," she offered touching Sakura's arm.
She looked up at Temari and took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I know. He suspects I am and stupid me, I have to blurt out, 'I'm sterile!' like a freak. Now he probably thinks I'm insane," She smiled weakly. "I'm afraid there will be something wrong with the baby," she said in a shaky voice.
Temari chuckled, "Is that all? Go see Tsunade-sama, she can check to make sure everything is all right. I had her check my baby," she patted her belly and smiled, "Now, stop crying. What would Manny think if he saw all those tears on that jersey?"
Sakura smiled; Temari was her baseball buddy. She took a deep breath. "Hmm, I don't know," she smiled weakly and then her face crumpled once again. "Temari...what if he...doesn't want this? Now...that he's back...I don't know what...I would do...without him," the medic nin sobbed and cried.
Temari sighed and rubbed her back. It was killing her. "Look Sakura-chan, I don't have all the answers. Hell, I don't even pretend to have any of the answers. All I can tell you is this: tell him and let the chips fall where they may. If he runs off, fuck him. You're better off on your own if that's how he's gonna be. But seriously, remember the only thing he has left on his to-do list is rebuild his clan. Plus, dude seriously, he is so in love with you, I really doubt he'll ever leave you again. And...I think he knows anyway and hasn't gone anywhere," She grunted as the baby landed a kick. She grinned at the pink-haired medic and rubbed her belly, "Now, help me get my fat ass off this log."
Sakura sniffed and wiped her eyes. She stood up and brushed herself off and helped her ANBU friend off the log. As they walked out into the field, she locked eyes with Naruto.
His blue eyes were full of hurt and confusion. He wrapped his arms around Hinata and mouthed 'Doshite?' over her shoulder.
She tried to look away but it was like she was frozen by his stare. All she could do was mouth 'Gomen ne' and turn away from him.
Temari had seen the entire exchange, she felt like punching Naruto on the side of the head. Instead she grabbed Sakura's wrist and lead her back towards the tree where Ino and Sasuke were. "I don't know why you were apologizing to him and I don't want to why. What I want to know is who the fuck is he to ask you 'why' anything?" the very pregnant nin growled.
Sakura looked down at the ground. "You don't understand...It was just just us for all those years. He feels betrayed, I guess," she mumbled.
Temari felt her eye twitch, then she felt the pain start again in her stomach. She tuned around to face Sakura and glared, "You know what your problem is? You're never satisfied. Hell, you both need to take a good, hard look at your lives and figure out who you want to be with. 'Cause all you two are doing now is fucking with Sasuke and Hinata." She turned on her heel and stomped off.
Sakura stood there for a moment letting Temari's words sink in. She felt the all too familiar sting of tears in her eyes. It was just like she'd always heard, the truth is always the hardest thing to hear. She fell to knees sobbing.
****
Ino felt a shadow move across her and opened her eyes to see Sasuke standing over her. "Hey Sasuke-kun, what's up?" she asked sitting up and stretching.
Sasuke lowered himself to the ground and sat next to Ino. "So, can I asked your opinion on something?" he asked her looking into the tree line.
Ino glanced over at her best friend's boyfriend and made a face, "I guess..."
"Do you think Sakura could be wrong about not being able to have kids?" he asked, laying back and tucking his hands behind his head. He looked up at his girlfriend's best friend.
The hard look in Ino's blue eyes softened and she smiled down at him. "So...you think she's pregnant too? Temari, Hinata and I were just discussing that very subject right before you two got here," she said leaning back against the tree.
Sasuke chuckled, "I know she's wrong. I know for a fact she's pregnant," Ino got a confused look on her face and he laughed again, "Sharingan. I can see the chakra signature inside her." He watched Ino put two and two together and saw the smile creep across her face.
"I knew it, Hinata knew it, Temari and Shikamaru knew it. So, are you happy Sasuke-kun?" she asked him.
He thought about it for a second and a smile emerged on his face. "Y'know Ino, I really am," he said sitting up just in time to see Temari turn around, yell something at Sakura and storm off. He jumped to his feet when he saw her fall to her knees sobbing and ran towards her.
****
Sakura didn't know how long she sat there crying; it didn't even register when Sasuke crouched beside her and pulled her into his arms. All she knew was she was sure she didn't have another tear left in her body. She felt him stroking her hair, then it registered in her mind. She looked into his jet black eyes and saw concern. "Gomen ne...I'm so stupid...so fucking stupid," she said feeling her eyes burn.
He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "I love you," he whispered to her, "You don't need to apologize for anything. I told you before, I'm not going anywhere. And you're not stupid. You're smart, sexy and just fucking amazing," he whispered, looking into her green eyes. He brushed a stray lock of pink hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear, smiling when she nuzzled into his touch.
"Sasuke-kun," she said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I might be pregnant." She closed her eyes and waited for his reaction. She prayed to anyone who was listening for this to have a happy ending. She turned her gaze up toward his face, locking eyes with him. His dark eyes were unreadable. She could feel the knot of dread in her stomach. He brushed his thumb across her cheek and caught her mouth in a kiss.
He kissed her on the neck; today she smelled like lemongrass. He looked into her jade eyes. "I know. Are you happy about it?" he asked her, studying her face for a reaction.
She touched his face and looked into his bottomless dark eyes. "Hai, are you?" she asked, her voice cracking with emotion. She held her breath and waited for his answer.
He smiled and kissed her again. "I couldn't be any happier," he said against her mouth.
****
Temari, Shikamaru and Ino were watching the scene play out.
Ino spoke first, "That's my girl! She told him."
Shikamaru chuckled and rubbed Temari's back. He could tell by the look that flashed across her face she was in pain. He also knew she'd been having contractions for the last two and a half hours. They were about fifteen minutes apart now. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Temari-chan, we need to get you to the hospital soon."
Temari grunted and in a very strained voice said, "Shika-kun, get Sakura. My water just broke."
Ino's eyes went wide, "Holy crap! Just how long have you been labor?" She grabbed a paper towel and wiped the sweat off Temari's forehead.
The wind user looked at her with pain filled green eyes, "Since about seven this morning," Temari said trying to breathe. She yelped as another contraction hit her. "I didn't want to fuck up Naruto-kun's birthday," she panted.
****
Sakura and Sasuke saw Shikamaru running towards them and a look passed between them. At the same time they both said, "Temari-chan!" They met him halfway.
Sakura grabbed his arm and forced him to stop. "Shikamaru, what's wrong?" she asked the ANBU captain, who looked frantic.
"Temari's water broke. She's been in labor since seven am this morning," he all but shouted.
That was all they needed to hear and took off to get Temari to the hospital, because they all knew she'd kill them for letting her give birth at the training fields.
****
At 10:42pm that night Temari gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Naruto was stoked because he now shared his birthday with her. Sakura and Kunie cleaned up the little one and handed her over to her happy but exhausted mother.
Temari smiled down at her and looked up at Shikamaru. "Isn't she beautiful, Shika-kun?" she asked, her tired green eyes full of love.
Shikamaru kissed the top of Temari's head and then the baby's. "Just like her troublesome mother," he said smiling at both of them, "What about a name?"
Temari paused for a moment and looked around at all her friends, who were now crowding her room. She saw Gaara and Kankuro and smiled at them. She looked up at her husband and smiled tiredly, "I wanna name her Mariko. Now, I appreciate everyone helping and coming, but after over fifteen hours of labor, I need to rest," she smiled again.
Shikamaru chuckled and started to leave too. He heard Temari gasp at him. He chuckled and closed the door and took Mariko from her exhausted mother. Temari drifted off to sleep and Shikamaru studied his newborn daughter with a huge smile on his face.
****
Sakura stopped at the nurses station to write in Temari's chart. She sensed a person behind her and sighed. "Naruto, why are you trying to sneak up on me?" she asked him without turning around. She kept writing in the chart waiting for him to speak.
Naruto was trying to think of what the wanted to say; he was never good with words around her. "Is it true, Sakura-chan? Are you pregnant with the teme's baby?"
Sakura felt her spine stiffen and was suddenly tired. She closed the cover on the chart and put it on the desk. She took Naruto by the hand into the medics lounge. Once inside with the door locked and a sound seal in place she turned and faced her best friend. "Naruto, what do you want me to say? Yes, I might be pregnant. Yes, it's Sasuke's baby. I can't tell you anything but the truth, you know that. I'm sorry," she looked into his pain filled blue eyes. She wanted to hug him but decided not to yet.
He closed his eyes and fought to control his emotions. He sat down and looked at Sakura. Sure, he still loved her, but in a friendly way. "Sakura..." he began trying to keep control of his emotion, "Are you happy? Is this what you want? Because I don't want you to get hurt."
She sat down next to him and put her hand on his cheek. She looked into his big blue eyes, "*sigh* Naruto...I don't know. I just don't know...I used to think all I ever wanted was a family and happily ever after. But then I grew up and learned there is no such thing as happily ever after in a shinobi's life. I don't want to get hurt either. Always in the back of my mind is the fact he left, and yeah, I'm a little scared he'll leave again. But I can't spend my life walking on eggshells. I'm living day by day and right now, at this very moment, I am happy." She smiled at him and stroked his face, "What about you? Are you happy with Hinata-chan?"
He put his hand on top of hers and looked into her eyes, "I want to marry her. She's awesome," he said thinking about his dark haired girlfriend. He loved Hinata; everything about her was perfect. She'd always accepted him even when no else would. He smiled just thinking about her. "What do you think Sakura-chan?"
Sakura grinned at him and hugged him. "I think you better ask Hiashi first. It's always gonna be you and me. We're always going to be best friends," she said to him and kissed his cheek.
Naruto hugged her back hard; he couldn't help but feel like he was losing a part of him. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I still love you Sakura-chan, and I always will."
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I know you do. I love you too, but we have to move forward with our lives. We should just be happy for each other, and even though at times it feels like my heart is being torn apart, I'm really happy you found love with Hinata-chan," she looked up at him and broke the embrace.
He leaned forward and in a low voice said, "I wish it was you sometimes."
Sakura's green eyes filled with tears and she looked into his confused blue eyes, "Naruto...Don't do this." And then she left a confused jinchuriki standing in the lounge.
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A/N: That was a long chapter! I hope jumping time didn't confuse anyone. The next chapter might be the last one. I'm not sure yet. Manny Ramirez is a outfielder for the Red Sox. Lol-Ani