Summary: There are a few VERY important questions to be answered. Why did Gaara find a pregnancy test? Why is it positive? Why is everybody claiming it as their's? And why the heck are the Akatsuki there?! These are, in fact, VERY important question. Main shipping: GaaMatsu. Side shippings: SuiKa, NaruSaku, ShikaTema, KakaRin, SasoIno, KanSari, and NejiTen. Implied shippings: HinaKiba, OrchiAnko, AsuKure. No yaoi/yuri, lemon/limes. Rated K+ for pregnancy and pubic vocab.

Notes: I'm writing this story because I have another story with this shipping, and it's on slight hiatus. So, I created this LONG chapter to hold those fans over.

Warnings/notes: I own NOTHING. There are slight implications made by our favorite puppet-using/make-up wearing Suna No Kankurō. Violence in some. Anger. Lots of anger. Pregnancies. Lots and lots of pregnancies. Flames welcomed if you hate, if you like, put those flames out. Also, if someone reads this and requests that the rating be changed to T, I'll change it. Please, don't request lemon, though. I'm still a kid. Thank you. Now enjoy.


~Part one~

"To confess"

Large eyes stared down at the tiny object in hand. Everything she had ever dreamed of was becoming a reality. Now if only she knew how to tell the father...


The door opened to the Kazekage's office, but he barely noticed over the heaps of paperwork that needed to be done.

"G-Gaara," stuttered the small brown haired chick in front of him. "Can- Can I talk to you for a second?"

Pale green eyes met her onyx ones. "Yes, Matsuri? What is it?" his voice displayed no signs of emotion, but Matsuri was used to it, and could tell that he really was just trying to keep the affection he had for her from his voice.

"I- I'm-"

"Gaara, the new-" Kankurō cut her off, then himself, when he noticed her standing there, "Oh, what are you two love-birds doing? I hope I wasn't interrupting..." he raised his eye-brows at Gaara suggestively, as if he had interrupted "that".

Matsuri turned bright red, but Gaara just shoved the implication away. "You weren't," he said coldly.

Kankurō just rolled his eyes. "Yeah whatever. The thingy-ma-jigs came, that's all I wanted to tell you."

"The 'thingy-ma-jigs'?" Gaara repeated, the words sounding foreign in his voice. Matsuri almost laughed, though weather it was from stress or embarrassment, she couldn't figure out. "I'm afraid you'll have to be a bit more specific than that," Gaara's voice cut through her thoughts.

Kankurō shrugged. "Hey, that's the best I can do."

Gaara shook his head. "I'll go see them, then."

With that, the two boys left, talking, leaving Matsuri behind. And while leaving, they took all her confidence.

She shook her head, discouraged.

How will I ever tell him?!


"Those 'thingy-ma-jigs' are called 'office supplies'," Gaara sighed at his brother.

Kankurō shrugged it off. "I know, but there are so many," he complained.

Gaara resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, well. I need to talk to Matsuri. There's something on her mind, apparently. Can you see to this?"

"Oh? A talk? Gaara, talks are never a good thing. Are you sure you want me to do this?"

Gaara sighed. "I'm sure it'll be fine." At Kankurō's raised eye-brows, he added, "Please."

Kankurō sighed. "Yeah, fine. But, seriously, watch out. You're treading on dangerous grounds."

Gaara nodded, taking the information with no expression at all. The news didn't bother him at all.

He walked away second later, thinking over the talk that he was about to have with Matsuri. Kankurō couldn't be right,... could he?

He didn't know it at the time, but Kankurō could only be right in certain situations. This wasn't one of them.


"Sakura, I don't know what to do," Matsuri whispered to her friend.

The pinkette in question shook her head at the fretting brunette in front of her. "Matsuri, it's really nothing to worry about. Just go straight up to him, and tell him. Trust me, it's the best way."

Matsuri sighed at the advice. "But- but I tried that already!"she stressed. "Then Kankurō came, and Gaara left with him."

"You know, you could have followed him. Why didn't you?" Sakura pointed out.

Matsuri flushed red. "I guess it didn't really occur to me," she mumbled, somewhat embarrassed, "BUT I THINK THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT HE MIGHT NOT EVEN WANT THE BABY!" Matsuri's muttering turned to screaming.

Sakura sighed when her small friend was done. "Cha. You know, pregnancy really makes you a brat, did you know that?!" she teased.

Matsuri winced guiltily. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I know that you're on my side. I'm just- I'm just..."

"Moody?" Sakura offered.

"WHAT?! I'm NOT moody- I'm just a little... tired, that's all."

Sakura nodded, making a small, mental note to be more careful around her friend. She'd seen some really bad pregnancy mood-swings, but Matsuri's mood seemed to be changing every second. One moment she wanted to hug you, the next, she was trying to strangle you with a shoe-lace.

Sakura put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Matsuri," she said gently, "just tell him. He loves you. He'll understand."

Matsuri nodded convincingly, but she still couldn't help the nagging feeling at the back of her mind. Would he still love her if he found out?

There was NO reason to be afraid, but poor Matsuri just didn't know that at the moment. She just kept digging a pit for herself...


Gaara had had enough of paperwork. He'd been doing it for hours. When he'd came up to talk to Matsuri, he found that she wasn't there.

I hope she isn't too mad, he had thought, mistaking her absence for anger.

Gaara had tried to focus on his paperwork, but his mind just kept on drifting back to curiosity. What had Matsuri wanted to talk about? Kankurō's warning also echoed through his head, finally making him fear for the worst.

Matsuri was leaving him.


When Gaara got home and he saw that she wasn't there, he feared that his suspicions had been correct after all. But when he frantically checked to see if her stuff was gone, he was reassured that she hadn't left.

But then, his evil reasoning side pointed out that if she was in such a hurry to leave, she could have just left without her stuff. That brought a deep sense of dread into him.

All he could do was wait. Wait to see if she'd come home.


The door creaked open, causing Gaara to tensed at the sound.

"Matsuri?" he called, somewhat scared that it wasn't her.

"G-Gaara?" came back the nervous reply.

He smirked. She hadn't left! He gave himself only a second to mentally cheer, then he got up. "Hey," he said, walking over and leaning in in the door-frame. "So, how was work today?"

Matsuri shrugged. "It was the same as always. But I got to do border patrol today."

His chuckle came out wryly, but Matsuri was used to deciphering the deeper meaning; either he was hiding something or trying to, or thinking over something that really seemed to be bothering him.

"Hey," she said, going over to him and wrapping her arms around his waist, "what's wrong?"

He just sighed. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Matsuri was temporarily confused. Her first conclusion was that he'd found out. Panicked thoughts swarmed her already haunted mind.

How could he have found out? Did Kankurō tell him? She shook her head at that one. If he did, how did he even know in the first place?

It just didn't make sense. The only people she had managed to tell where the girls (Sakura, Ino, Tenten, Karin, Hinata), but only this time, Temari didn't get to know the latest gossip. She was just too closely related to Gaara. She could just let it slip, and Gaara would be mad.

Matsuri winced at the thought.

"What's wrong?" Gaara said, breaking her from her thoughts. She glanced up, seemingly surprised that he was still there, despite still having her arms around him and his arms tightly around her (his arms had went around her when she'd been swallowed by thoughts).

She closed her eyes.

Tell him. It's now or never, she thought, but aloud she spoke, "Gaara?"

"Yeah?" he sensed something important was about to go down. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she paused, then decided to re-evaluate that sentence, "No. Well, I'm okay." She sighed, losing confidence fast, but she felt that she had to continue. "I'm okay. But, Gaara, the truth is I'm-"

This time, however, she was cut off by the phone ringing. He sighed. "I'll get that," he kissed her gently on the forehead, then left to grab the bothersome electronic.

Matsuri slammed her eyes closed against a few fugitive tears. She closed her eyes and silently cursed, something that would probably scare the avenge passerby, since she was famous for her lack of cuss-tolerance.

She heard mumbling coming from the phone as Gaara walked into the room. He paused for a moment at the sight of his depressed wife.

Why is she crying? And in what time had she managed to do it so fast? echoed through his head.

"Hey, Kankurō, let me call you back, okay?" he muttered into the receiver.

Matsuri gasped, surprised that he had managed to sneak up on her without actually ever being behind her. "Gaara."

A few words were uttered, letting him know that he was now released from the call.

Meanwhile, Matsuri on the other hand, was trying her hardest, without much luck, to wipe the tears from her face.

"You look a mess," was all Gaara said as he walked over to her.

She sighed. "Thanks a lot," she muttered. "That's exactly what every girl likes to hear from her husband."

He sighed, recognizing that he had done something wrong. "Let me guess; on the couch tonight?"

To Matsuri's credit, and to Gaara's amazement, she shook her head. "No," was all she could bring herself to explain.

He had to do his best to keep the smirk that felt like showing from his face and from her sight.

He settled for a sigh, went over to her, wrapped her up in his arms. She buried her head into his chest needingly. Gaara suddenly remembered something. "Before Kankurō called, you were saying something. What was it?"

Matsuri shivered. She felt like puking. "I-I don't remember," she tried. Gaara wasn't so sure that was the case judging by the severe shivering that was going on in her, but he pushed the matter no further.

He nodded, kissing the top of her head. "Okay."

Matsuri suddenly moved her face from his shirt, a special thought coming into her mind.

At her expression, all Gaara could so was ask a simple, "What?"

She whacked his chest playfully and gave him a look that said, "Don't look like that." But aloud, she said, "Well, it's just that you asked me about my day, but I never asked you, so..."

Again, he had to resist the urge to smirk. "Let me say one word: PAPERWORK."

She nodded, depressed for her husband. "Wow, never mind what I said about border patrol. You win. Your day must have sucked!"

He chuckled, thinking back to when he thought that she had left. Yeah, paperwork was fine in comparison.


"Are you awake?" Matsuri asked him.

A deep exhale, followed by a, "Yeah," was her answer.

He heard her laugh. He did his best to shake his head, but the pillow only allowed small movements.

"So..." her voice trailed off, then replacing the silence with a new thought. "We're both awake."

"Yeah."

He sat up, looking down at his wife. Her eyes were open and she was looking up at him with an amused look across her face. "Like the view?" she joked, unhelpfully.

He rolled his eyes as he fell back against the mattress. "You're a brat," he muttered.

In response, he got a simple sigh, then, "If I'm a brat, then what does that make you?"

He smirked, this time letting it show, for the darkness hid it well. "Your husband. And you love me for it."

He could feel her tense, though the reason, he didn't know. "What's wrong now?" he asked her, but she just stayed silent. "Matsuri?"

A deep breathe followed by a release of air responded. She was getting ready for something: a severe throw-down or a one-sided talking to. "Gaara, this isn't gonna be easy to say-"

"What isn't?"

"-so please try your best to hold your interruptions for a few seconds..." she closed her eyes, relaxed herself, then did her best to feel his warmth around her. There was no reason for it, but it calmed her, "until I'm done."

He sighed. "Quit being vague. Just say it."

Sakura's words echoed through her head. Say it! Just say it!

She opened her eyes again, ready to spill it all. "Gaara, I'm pr-"

A loud beeping sound swept over the room, blocking out every other sound, including Matsuri's voice. It was the alarm clock, striking the five, letting them know that it was time to get up.

"That stupid thing!" Gaara cursed gently under his breathe as he yanked the wire out of the socket, killing the noise and Matsuri's explanation.

"I'm sorry," he wiped the sleep from his eyes, "What were you saying?"

Matsuri, being the way that she was, had no problem making something up in the heat of the moment. "I'm so in love with you."

She offered his a genuine smile, but Gaara could tell that that was NOT what she had been about to try. "Nice try. I let it slide earlier. It's not getting away from me now. You said that you were pr-, now finish it."

She sighed, knowing her husband as she did, she knew that he was probably the most stubborn man she could find. "Fine you got me. I was going to say that I was preparing to cook you your favorite food tonight. It was meant to be a surprise. But hey, SURPRISE!"

She laughed as he sighed. "Really? That's all?"

Her smile faltered for a moment. "What? Aren't you excited."

"I am. But I really thought that something was wrong!"

She felt a small tear come into her eye. He saw it. Thinking that he did something wrong, he whispered a small, "I'm sorry."

She glanced up at him in surprise. "What the heck are you apologizing for?!"

He looked at her, confused. "For-For making you cry."

Her eyes widened. She frantically wiped the tears away. "No. These aren't tears of pain! I'm freakin' happy!"

Poor Gaara only had a second to open his arms as she threw herself into them. She landed in his arms, knocking them both back onto the bed. A small blush crept over her face when she thought about the child growing in her, and the way that it had been made.

She tried to get off in him in her embarrassment, but while moving so frantically, she accidentally just fell on top him again, causing their lips to touch. He wrapped his arms around her small form for a second, letting himself enjoy their closeness (kissing) for a second.

Suddenly, Matsuri jumped up off him, ran into the bathroom, and lost everything she had eaten.


Gaara heard a strange noise. It made no sense why she had left so quickly. It had just been a kiss. Besides, they'd done far more than that before.

"Matsuri?" he called out to her.

There was no response. He sighed, walking over to the door. He knocked on it. "Matsuri?"

There was no response. Then, suddenly, he heard the noise again.

"Matsuri? Matsuri, are you okay?"

There was no response for a second, then a small, "Yeah. I'm fine," followed by the noise again.

He recognized that she was, in fact, puking. He opened the door up. "Hey," he whispered, sitting down beside her. "You feeling okay?"

He regretted his choice of words when he saw her closely.

Matsuri had small tears running down her cheeks. Her eyes were closed. And she paused ever few minutes to puke. She looked absolutely miserable.

He tried to help ease the pain by wrapping her waist into his arms. He also held her hair back as the last of it passed.

"You sure it's done?" he asked.

She nodded. "Can I have some water now?"

He chuckled at her face. "Disgusting, right?"

She nodded happily. "You have NO idea."


"So, Gaara, did you and Matsuri have that talk yet?" Kankurō asked his younger brother.

Gaara shook her head. "No. She's been acting weird lately, though."

Kankurō leaned over a little bit closer to his brother. "Weird how?"

Gaara sighed. "It's just... little things. Things that most people probably wouldn't even notice." he sighed again, shaking his head to clear it, "Nevermind. That sounds crazy."

Kankurō shook his head. "Not really. It sounds like you know your wife, that's all. But really, what things has she been doing?"

Gaara changed his voice into a whisper, as though she were there, and would rebuke him. "Well, a few days ago, she lost her temper at me-"

"No way! Little, cute Matsuri yelling?! I'd pay to see that!"

Gaara was a little less amused. But he focused on one thing. He suddenly frowned. "No. Not yelling, but, Kankurō, she was seriously stressed. I thought she might actually have been suspended from her job or something."

Kankurō nodded. "Fair enough. What else?"

"Okay, yesterday night, when I was talking to you on the phone, I heard her swear-"

Kankurō rolled his eyes. "Oh, boo-hoo. She was angry! You do realize that it's okay to be angry, right?"

"Matsuri NEVER swears."

Kankurō sighed his defeat. "Fine. Have it your way, what else?"

Gaara didn't even need to pause to think about it. It was already at the tip of his tongue. "She cries. Randomly. And hard. It's like she can't even control herself."

Kankurō actually had to give him that one. "Okay. She cries. She didn't before?"

Gaara sighed. "Of course she cried, but this is different. She cried three time in two days. Isn't that a little suspicious?"

Kankurō nodded begrudgingly. "Anything else?"

Gaara nodded. He wasn't even half done. "She puked this morning."

"Oh, wow. Your wife was sick."

Gaara rolled his eyes. "Yes, but is it normal to be fine one second, then sick the next?"

Kankurō's eyes went wide. "Okay, point: you. But maybe a stomach virus?"

He shrugged. "That's the only plausible explanation. I mean, it's not like she's pregnant."

Oh, if only they knew how wrong that was...


"Oh my God, Matsuri," Ino said, hugging her Suna friend. "You're pregnant. That's so amazing!"

"Has it kicked yet?" asked Tenten, surprising everyone there that she was just as excited as they were.

Matsuri chuckled at her friend's inquire. "I'm still in my first trimester, Tenten," She laughed at the her friend's blush.

Sakura, herself, smiled at the festivity going on.

"You must be SO excited!' Ino came back out of her shell. "So, how did Gaara respond when you told him that you were pregnant? He must have been so excited!"

Suddenly, Matsuri felt uncomfortable. "Act-Actually, I haven't told him yet," she whispered.

"WHAT?!" Sakura screamed, making everyone cover their ears. "HE'S THE DADDY! HE DESERVES TO KNOW!"

"WELL, I'M THE MOMMY! AND I'M SACRED!" Matsuri echoed Sakura's tone.

Sakura sighed. She forgotten how moody Matsuri got now when provoked. "Fine," she said, lowering her voice, afraid that Naruto would hear, "tell him on your own time."

"I don't get what the big fuss is," Karin cut in.

All eyes turned towards the red-headed girl. She was sprawled out all over the couch. "What?" she snapped at their glances. "It's true. If Suigetsu got ME pregnant, I'd make the little brat dangle.(A/N: NOT the baby. She's talking about Suigetsu himself) I'd make excuses for gaining weight. Then, when I'd go into labor, I'd call him. And, knowing him, he'd miss the whole thing, and I beat him to death for it!"

They smirked at their violent friend. They all knew what they had been getting into when they had decided that the ex-team member of Sasuke's group, Team Hebi, was cool. A girl who had the power to heal you, to track you, a former subordinate of the S-ranked criminal, Orochimaru, and possible the most violent chick they had ever met (maybe more than Sakura? Who knows?)

"You know, Karin, I think you'd just kill Suigetsu, if he got you pregnant," Sakura pointed out. Karin, herself, just shrugged, knowing full-well that her pink haired friend was right.

They all shared a laugh at her reaction. She soon had no choice, but to laugh along with them.

"Mat-Matsuri, when-when are you due?" came the small voice of Hinata.

Matsuri smiled. "I'm not really sure. I haven't gone to the doctors yet."

"Oh my God," Ino gasped. "You should really go to the doctor. Why haven't you?!"

Both her and Sakura's eyes were wide in shock and worry.

Matsuri's warm smile faded. "Guys, I'm fine. Really. But if I go to the doctors, the doctor may call home while I'm out, and Gaara might be there and he'll answer and my secret will be blown. Then he'll be mad... and leave me."

In every word that the small, brunette spoke, their eyes grew a little wider. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down, Sweetie. Whoa," Ino tried.

"That's not going to happen," Sakura promised encouraging.

"Yeah, no way. If I physically spar with my husband without him wanting to leave, than I think your being scared will give him reason enough to stay. That, and he loves you."

"Talk about a dysfunctional marriage," muttered Tenten, trying to hide the grin that seemed to want to be on her face.

Ino chuckled. "Not as dysfunctional as Sakura's," she chimed in.

"Hey!"

"Oh, come on, Sak. You know it's true," Karin teased with them.

Ino held her hand out for a fist-bump, which Karin made sure to take.

"G-Guys, I've g-got an idea. If... you wanna hear it," Hinata mumbled.

They all heard. Hinata wasn't loud or talkative, so when she did talk, people listened.

"What's your suggestion, Hinata?" encouraged Sakura.

"M-Matsuri could c-call him... then she could t-tell him."

They all stared in shock at the young bluenette. She winced. "I knew it was a bad idea!" she "yelled" (rose her voice into a higher pitch that made her sound scared, not angry or distressed).

They all immediately began shaking their heads'. "No, Hinata! That's perfect!" Ino cried.

Hinata flushed red, weather from happiness or embarrassment, they had no clue.

Sakura grabbed her phone (they were at her house) and dialed the number quickly. "It's ringing," she whispered, passing it to an unwilling Matsuri.

"Matsuri, just tell him," she mouthed.

Matsuri had to stifle the urge to tell her to "stick it", but she stayed a good girl.

"Hello?" came Gaara's sudden voice, emotionless as always.

"H-Hey," she managed.

"Matsuri?" he knew immediately. "Why are you calling me? And why are you in Konohagakure? Are you at...Naruto's?"

She sighed at his many inquires. "That's not really important right now."

"Is this call really important?"

She shrugged, then registered that he couldn't see her. "Somewhat, I think."

He sighed on the other side. "I'm kind of under a lot of stress right now. So please, if it's not important, make it quick."

Matsuri felt like she could cry. "It's... not important at all. I was just calling to tell you to have a good day, that's all. And..."

"And?"

Matsuri felt a twinge of nervousness. It must have shown on her face, for she suddenly saw, from the corner of her eye, Sakura mouthing, "Just tell him."

"I'm pre-"

"Gaara, the council's here, as you requested," came Kankurō's deep voice.

A deep, breathy sigh and then, "Matsuri, let me call you back. I've got to deal with this."

She rolled her eyes, suddenly feeling mad. "Don't bother. I'll see you when I get home," she retorted coldly.

She cut the line, an army of furious tears making their way down her face.

Poor Hinata was as pale as a snow-man. "I-I'm s-s-sorry," she mumbled, drawing back a bit as if expecting to be stricken.

Matsuri was surprised to find that she wasn't mad at her shy friend, it was just the opposite. Sakura, on the other hand, was furious with HER.

"You know, you're gonna have to tell him eventually. You can't just go into labor, and say, 'Oh, hey, Gaara, I guess I forgot to tell you that you knocked me up. But, don't worry, it's all good. So please don't be mad. You're a daddy now!'"

Matsuri began laughing. The others, excluding Sakura, joined her. But soon Sakura had no choice, but to laugh, too.

"That's not how I'd do it," said Karin suddenly. "If Suigetsu got me pregnant, I'd tell him straight out and have him sleep on the couch for the nine months I carried the thing."

Tenten chuckled. "It's a baby, and that's not hard to believe. If Neji got me pregnant, I'd have him spar with me."

Sakura smirked at her friend. "And if he refused?"

Tenten shrugged. "I'd point out the fact that HE got ME pregnant. That I was one carrying the baby. Then he'd have no choice. Besides, we all know what a big ego he's got."

"What about you, Hinata?" Matsuri asked kindly.

"What- What I'd do if Kiba-kun got me p-pregnant?"

She smiled at her encouragingly. "Yeah, what would you do?"

"I- I wouldn't be worried. Kiba-kun loves me. I know it."

Sakura smirked triumphantly. "So, you'd tell him outright?"

Hinata nodded. "Yes. I know he'd be happy, too."

"What about you, Sakura? What would you do if Naruto got you pregnant?" Matsuri asked.

Before Sakura could answer, Ino broke in, "Let me guess, you'd kill him for twenty minutes, then you'd be happy wit the news?"

Sakura blushed, but didn't even try to deny it. "What about you, Ino-pig? What would you do if Sasori got youpregnant?"

Ino ignored the nick-name, as Sakura continued, "Let me see, you'd kill him for getting you pregnant, since it would ruin your perfect figure? Then, you'd go on a rage since you wouldn't look so pretty? Is that right?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "For your information, I'd be happy, too," she snapped.

They all began laughing.

Matsuri suddenly sighed. 'I wish I could be like you guys. You guys all know how'd you tell your guy, but me- I have NO idea. I'm actually pretty sure that Gaara doesn't even WANT kids."

"Is that why you're so worried? You're afraid that he doesn't want the kids?!" Ino eyes blue went wide.

She nodded shyly.

Ino rolled her eyes. "Mat, that's crazy. Gaara loves you. He's gonna to love the baby that you're carrying."

Matsuri just closed her eyes tightly. "I don't know. What if he doesn't?"

"Deal with 'what ifs' later. You've got a good thing goin' on. Don't blow it on silly fears," Sakura warned.

Matsuri opened them with severe passion and dedication. "You're right. That's why I'm gonna tell him tonight."


Gaara stared down at the phone in his hand. Had she really been so mad that she hung up that fast?

He sighed. "Okay, Kankurō, I'm coming."


As he and Kankurō walked down the hall, the silence somewhat awkward. Kankurō decided to be deductive. "She sounded angry. What did you do to make her that mad?"

Gaara sighed. "I have no idea actually."

Kankurō chuckled wryly. "I think I've got a good idea what you told her."

"Oh? What's that?"

Kankurō smirked. "You obviously made her feel that she wasn't as important to you as your work."

Gaara rolled his eyes. "Yes. I'm sure that's it."

(A/N: if only he knew...)

But Kankurō knew better. "Okay, believe what you will, but believe me. She felt worthless."

As they continued to walk down the hall in the same dreaded silence, Gaara re-evaluated his conversation with Matsuri. He sighed, recognizing that his brother was right.

Now, how will I make it up to her?


As Matsuri got home, she found that the house was empty, but wasn't bothered by the silence at all.

She laid down on the couch, feeling sick to her stomach. She gently put a hand on her stomach, as if she could feel the little being inside her.

"You're gonna be cute, I can feel that," she chuckled. "I don't really care what gender you are; I'll love you either way." She closed her eyes. Tears made their way down her face.

Stop that! she rebuked herself harshly. Not in front of the baby!

She wiped her tears away, then decided that she wasn't done with her conversation with the baby. "Though, I do kind of hope that you have red hair. But, if not, brunette's fine. Well, you could also be a blonde, too, I guess," she said, thinking back to Temari's hair color. "I just want you to know that I love you no matter what."

"No matter what, huh?" came an emotionless voice.

Matsuri sat up and saw her husband leaning in the door-frame. "How long have you been there?!" she cried, fearing that he'd heard her unconscious confession.

"Not long. Just heard the last bit. So, what's this no matter what business?"

Matsuri calmed herself with a sigh. "Nothing. Just... talking to myself."

He chuckled. "Okay. I'll leave you alone with yourself, if that's what you want."

Matsuri was still mad at him, so despite the obvious joke, she stayed stonily cold. "Why are you here?"

He sighed, knowing her well enough to recognize that she wasn't happy with him at all. "I got off work early to spend time with you."

Matsuri froze where she sat. "You- You did that for me?"

He nodded, going over to her. "Truce?" he offered her a hand. She didn't respond for a moment, then, she took it.

"Truce."

He sat beside her. "I got you something," he said.

She glanced at him, wide eyes widening even more. He took something out of his pocket, then passed it to her.

It was a box, small enough to fit into his hand, but with some room left, but took her whole hand up. It was gift-wrapped in bright colors- her favorite- with small gems- a many assortment of rainbows.

"Go on. Open it," he urged her.

She gently unwrapped it, opened it up, then stole her first glance at it. It was a small, heart shaped neckless. The chain was clean and thick. In the middle of the pendent held the same sign as the one of his forehead: Love.

Matsuri didn't quite understand the importance of it for a few seconds, then it hit her like a dump-truck.

"Gaara, you- you made this, didn't you?"

He nodded meekly.

"But- but how?"

He shrugged. "Time, energy (chakra), and what's that last one?" he teased. She rolled her eyes. "Aw, yes. Sand. Lots and lots of sand."

"And don't forget love!" she chuckled as he mock sighed.

"Oh, no, no. How could I?! You're always pointing it out!"

She decided to play along. "So says the guy who tattooed it onto his forehead!"

He chuckled wryly. "I guess I forgot that, too." He shook his head fondly, then reprimanded himself for losing control of his happiness. He cleared his throat, calming himself down. "Here, let me put it on you."

He took it out of the box, then carefully put it on her.

She turned towards his, seeking his approval. He nodded curtly. "Yes. It's as I made it."

Matsuri wrapped herself in his arms.

Something echoed through her head, You're right. That's why I'm gonna tell him tonight. Just tell him.

She brought her lips to his. He didn't pull away as she half-expected. She kissed his again and again and again and again, as if each time would give her more confidence. Gaara, on the other hand, was completely confused about what was happening.

"Mat- Matsuri," he tried against her lips. "What are you doing? Not that I'm protesting."

She sighed, blushing at the last bit, pulling back. "I need to tell you something."

Gaara sighed. "Matsuri, if it's the same that you've been trying to tell me for the past two days, please just come out and say it already. You're driving me out of my mind with worry, so what's wrong?"

She sighed. "Nothing's wrong, per se-"

"So why are you acting like this?"

"-But it's not easy for me to explain-"

"Yes. You've said... six times or not."

"-But it's also gonna be difficult for you to hear this-"

"As you've said, as I've mentioned."

"-And your interruptions aren't helping things much either-"

"And your refusal to just say it aren't helping either."

"-I need you to stay silent so I can regain my confidence-"

He sighed deeply. "Why won't you just say it already. I'm not going to yell at you."

"-I'm scared of how you may react to the news-"

"What news?!"

Furious tears fell to her onyx eyes. Gaara shook his head, anger clear on his face.

"I'm going to bed," she suddenly. "Join me when you're calmer."

As she left the room, Gaara slammed his eyes closed in self-anger.

If I'd just listened without interrupting, I wouldn't be in this mess, he realized guiltily.


Matsuri crawled into bed and closed her eyes, missing Gaara's warmth, wishing that he was beside her. she never seemed to sleep well when he was away from her.

She closed her eyes as tears fell to her face. The poor thing was fast asleep by the time Gaara entered the room.

He went over to her side of the bed, looked down at her sleeping, tear-stained face, and winced at the pain he had caused her. He leaned down, kissing her forehead gently. He went over to his side, got into bed, wrapped his arms around her, stealing her perfect warmth, then fell asleep to the sound of her steady breathes, all anger forgotten.


Gaara woke to the sound, not of evil alarm clocks, but to his wife's small yawns. She turned towards him, moving closer to him and his warmth.

He kissed her lips for a second, begging an apology. Matsuri found herself forgiving him in every stroke. She closed her eyes, panting from the heavy kiss.

They almost went in for another one, when the alarm clock chose that time to strike 5:00.

He sighed, settling for a quick peck on the lips.

He got up, going into the bathroom to get ready. Matsuri yawned again, forcing herself up. But all she wanted to do was curl herself back up into a ball.

She sighed, getting dressed.

By the time Gaara came back into the room, Matsuri felt that she had to exit it. Letting loose once again.

Gaara followed her without thought.

Hearing the noises again, he invited himself in, and went over to her. She felt one of his hands holding her hair back. His other hand stroked her stomach, still unknowing that a little being was growing there.

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I think you're almost done," he told her.

She didn't say anything. After a moment, nothing happened. She sat up and he flushed the toilet.

"This is the second time you've done this. I think you're sick."

She shrugged, sighing. "I guess so."

He nodded. "We're taking you to the doctors."

All the color drained out of her face. "No. Gaara, that's really not necessary. I'll get over it. In fact, I'm feeling much better as it is."

That was a outright lie, and Gaara could see through it just like that.

"Yep. You're going to the doctors. If not for the puking, then for the lying." He chuckled wryly.

And Matsuri could tell that, any other day she would have laughed, but all she wanted to do was cry.


On the way over, Matsuri did EVERYTHING she could think of to stop the appointment.

She cried- He told her that he fake tears wouldn't work on him.

She hid- She ran as far away from him as she could, within the limits in the house.

She boarded up the windows and doors- When he found her, that's EXACTLY what she did. He had to use his sand to restrain.

Locked herself up- She locked their bedroom door from the inside, screaming, "You'll NEVER take me alive!" like a maniac.

She made excuses that she had to pee every second- When he finally managed to get out of the room, he still needed to find a way to bring them to the hospital.

Idea- Matsuri had a great idea.

Explanation- Matsuri told her husband that she wouldn't go to the hospital, but the doctor had to come to her.

Smart- Matsuri also said that this doctor could only be from Konohagakure.

Trickery- The third part of agreement was that it could only be Ino and Sakura. Anyone else just wouldn't do.

Compromise- Matsuri also said that she'd only consent if he left- then and ONLY then.

Agreement- Their argument lasted for a few "good" hours, and then tiredness got the better of him and he gave in, worried for her.

Winner- Yes. She was the clear winner this time.


"Hey, Gaara," chimed both Sakura and Ino as they arrived. "Where is she?"

He sighed, tiredly pointing up at the ceiling.

"Wow. She's really worn you out, huh?" Ino chuckled, knowing full-well what Matsuri could be like- the stubborness she held.

He sighed. "Oh, yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go to work." He glanced over at Sakura, taking her as the more serious of the two, "I trust that you've got this under control?"

She offered him a smile and nodded. "Yes. Now, go on. The people need you. We'll take care of Matsuri."

He nodded, taking his leave.

"Matsuri!" Ino cried out. "We're here! Gaara's gone! It's safe to come out now!"

The young brunette was down the stairs in less than a second. "Dang, I never thought I'd say this, but I thought he'd NEVER leave!"

They all began laughing.


"So, what's wrong with you exactly?" Sakura asked, reminding them of the reason why they had come.

Matsuri rolled her eyes. "Nothing. Gaara thinks that my morning sickness is a virus, that's all."

Sakura sighed. "Sorry, I can't stop morning sickness. It comes when it comes."

Matsuri shrugged. "Yeah, I thought as much."

"Is there a chance that you'll-"

"I'm not going to tell him," Matsuri broke in, knowing what Sakura was going to ask before she even finished.

Sakura sighed and fumed silently. She fished into her bra, pulling out a twenty dollar bill. She passed it over to a grinning Ino.

Matsuri raised a confused eye-brow. "Um, did I miss something? Or did what just happened really happened?"

Ino grinned, showing her the money. "Nope. It happened," she promised.

She glanced over at Sakura for answers. Sakura sighed, then explained as Ino chuckled, "We kind of had a bet going. If I could talk you into telling Gaara that you're pregnant, I'd get the money- twenty dollars- but if Ino-pig here won, she'd get it."

"Yeah, thanks a lot," Ino said, thanking the baby, patting Matsuri's stomach.

"Stop that!" Matsuri snapped.

Ino could only smirk. "Hormones!" she singsonged.

Sakura and Ino both erupted into a fit of laughter as Matsuri face-palmed.

"I hate you," she muttered at the two. But they took no notice, they were too busy laughing.


When Sakura and Ino both left, Matsuri was sad to see them go, but was also happy to have time to herself now.

She knew exactly what she wanted to do; sleep.

And that's exactly what she did... for seven hours straight.

She didn't even hear Gaara come in at 9:00. At the sight of his sleeping wife, he let himself a small smile, then quickly shed his shirt and gourd, and curled up right beside her.

She stirred at his touch, only waking by his kiss. "Gaara," she whispered.

"Matsuri," he copied, almost chuckling at the innocent voice that came out of his mouth.

She leaned forward, taking herself in closer to him. He took her in gladly. Her lips brushed his softly. He caressed her chin with his left hand, while the other one held her back steady, lips still holding her's. His body started to go numb at the thought of how close they were last time this happened. He didn't want to pull away. Matsuri seemed to sense that, too, 'cause she broke the kiss when she felt it.

"What's wrong?" he asked her.

She shrugged- or did the best she could with her head to the pillow. "Nothing."

He began kissing her again, but she pulled away. "Let's not tonight," she tried again.

He stared at his wife's face for a moment, then laid back down. "I don't want to start another fight," he whispered, "But that... felt right."

Matsuri closed her eyes, almost smiling at her husband's sacrificing attitude. I know, she promised him. Soon.

She settled herself down into his arms. She didn't reject him when he held her.


"Kankurō, she's hiding something from me."

Kankurō looked up at the sound of his brother's voice. He smirked. "Nice to see you, too," he chuckled.

Gaara shook his head in disbelief. "This is not funny. Matsuri's hiding something and it's big."

Kankurō rolled his eye. "Gaara, leave it be. Girls have their secrets. It's better that way, remember?"

Gaara thought back to the incident, wincing. He'd been only around the tender age of ten when he'd found his sister's first pad.

He shook his head, as if warding off the memory. "Yeah, but that's different. Temari's my sister. Matsuri's my wife. I want to know about EVERYTHING in her life- weather it's private or disgusting. But I still want to know."

Kankurō shrugged. "Your death," was all he said.

"So, you'll help me find out what it is?" he asked hopefully.

Kankurō smirked. "Yeah, sure. I guess I'm curious." When Gaara had been good and long gone, Kankurō added, "Now it's both of our deaths'."

But what neither Gaara nor Kankurō knew was that it was all their deaths, for there was one extra member on their team.

She smirked playfully.

Oh yeah, the game was on.