/

"Seven centimeters! Still not enough."

I blink rapidly and try to ignore the tears that are dripping slowly from my emerald eyes. It hurts. Even though I made a firm decision seven months back but I didn't realise it would hurt that much. The hospital is as unfriendly a place as can be, with its stark rooms, antiseptic smell and functional furniture- just what is essential and nothing fancy. It feels like a nightmare. Except it is real. The IV drip, the rubber tube that goes in right nostril.

'It is for the oxygen, so that oxygen level does not fall down.'

The middle aged nurse had said as she adjusted the tube in my nose. I take deep breathes as instructed in the classes I attended with my best friend Ino to ease the pain. It has already been eighteen hours since I was admitted here. On the cue the wooden door opens with a jerk and I turn my head slightly to look at the intruder. It is Ino of course. She has never left my side since the moment I went into labour. A life saver. I am really thankful to her. She has been there for me throughout the whole journey, consoled me, helped me in the dire hour of need.

"Drink it Forehead. You need energy for this."

She coos my nickname as she slowly helps me sit up and passes me the glass. I gulp down the liquid in one go because I really am hungry as I have barely eaten anything since yesterday evening. Nurse motions me to settle down afterwards as Ino takes the seat beside me without a word.

'I am going to put catheter. This is for gel.'

Nurse says as I feel something inserted in my vagina and that is when I start crying. Soundlessly. Ino rubs my palm soothingly but I am so exhausted that I don't care anymore. Nurse assures me that everything will be okay as she leaves catheter there. I lie on the hard steel bed, in blue hospital gown, my legs spread out, an IV drip in my arm and tube in nose. I want this to be over now.

It is after five hours that it starts. The tearing pain. I feel like I am going to die. Waves after waves of pain. I try to muffle my scream as I tear at the sheets but no use. I can barely make out Ino's form as she rubs my shoulder and wipes my sweaty face with towel.

"You have to push hard Sakura!"

My doctor Tsunade encourages me as I sob loudly. Pain is unbearable. Both physical and mental. I try not to think of him but it's kinda hard when I am giving birth to his child. I push strenuously with all my might one last time then it's all over.

I slump back on the futon in relief, exhausted. Out of the corner of my eye I can see doctor holding the baby. Before she says anything I know instinctly it's a girl.

My daughter. She is beautiful. Covered in blood. Wrinkled up. Tiny. Pink. And then she cries. I stare at her in daze. Ino is half weeping, half smiling beside me as she places a tiny kiss over my head and then rushes out to inform our friends the good news. They have skipped the classes today just to be by my side. Even though they weren't allowed in the delivery room.

I stare in daze at my baby girl as she is placed on my chest. I cannot believe it. I am a mother now.

This is my own baby. My flesh and blood. And his too. Of course she is. Her beautiful dark hairs are just like her father and I wonder if her eyes are the same shade of onyx as his. I start crying hysterically as I rub my cheek with hers lovingly. I cradle her close to my chest and I feel like the luckiest person in the world. They take her away for cleaning after a minute and I don't like being away from her. Tsunade assures me that she will bring her back after cleaning and few checkups. I nod half-heartedly as I am too tired to say anything. After a while I fall asleep.

The next time when I wake up I am surprised to find Hinata and Tenten by my bedside. They notice me stirring as I stare with my half lidded eyes.

"Oh Sak! You are finally up!"

Tenten exclaims with happiness as I try to return her smile.

"Sakura are you feeling ok?"

Hinata asks me in her usual gentle manner as I nod at her and slowly sit on the mattress.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Nine hours. You were out like a log."

Tenten informs me as she pours a glass of water for me and hands it to me.

"Where is she?"

I finally ask after I have nursed my dry throat as they smile at me.

"In the nursery. Fast asleep. She is just gorgeous."

Tenten gushes and I chuckle at her dreamy expression. This is so unlike her. But then again I can't disagree with her. My daughter has the famous Uchiha genes in her. Even though they want nothing to do with her but she is the part of Uchiha family. I try to remove these negative thoughts from my mind as I address the nurse who was attending me.

"Can you please bring my daughter to me?"

She agrees with a small smile as she walks out of the room. After a couple of minutes she enters again but with a pink bundle in her arms. My daughter is all clean and wrapped up in pink towel as she is placed in my arms. I smile at her peaceful expression and place a gentle kiss on her forehead. She begins to stir restlessly in my arms and the nurse asks me to feed her my milk. I unbutton my gown as I slowly latch her on my left breast. She suckles on it and I am surprised at how natural it feels.

It is an hour late that all my friends enter the room with presents and balloons. Naruto engulfs me tightly and kisses my cheek before fuzzing over my daughter and announcing to be her godfather. Typical him. He has bought a beautiful purple crib for her, tied with balloons on each side. He considers me his sister so I am not surprised at his pricey present and only shake my head at his goofy grin. My girls Hinata, Tenten and Ino have all bought beautiful baby dresses for my daughter. Shikamaru being reasonable brought the packets of diapers as he tells me that it would really be a drag if I have to clean her dirty clothes every hour. Kiba, Lee, Shikamaru and Neji have brought the baby products for her. I am genuinely happy that I have got such an amazing friends. They are truly my family. I was orphaned at age eight when my parents died in car accident and I was sent into boarding school by my distant relatives. My father was loaded businessman so I never faced any monetary problems as I completed my education in boarding schools. I have been friends with these guys since middle school and our gang was inseparable. It was only when we all graduated and went to different colleges that we stopped hanging out daily. Even then me and Ino were together as we rented a room in the Haul apartments. It is the last year of college for everyone excluding me as my medical course is of five years. I was allowed to attend my classes with special permission from principal and it was only a week ago that I took leave. I was a diligent student and my teachers were very supportive as they send me the notes of the classes I missed.

Unlike other pregnant girls my age, I didn't drop out from the college as I wanted a degree to get job. And now that I have my daughter to take care of, it was even more necessary. Even though I was only twenty one I felt like I have aged a lot over past few months. I have this huge burden of responsibilities on me.

Later that night as I lay on the hospital bed and feed my daughter I allow myself to think about him one last time. I wondered what he was doing? Was he happy in the new city. Did he already find someone? Even though we were together eight months back but we parted on a bitter note. He ripped my heart open and damaged it beyond repair. Same way I did to him. Not that I wanted to. It is a story for another day. Just when I thought that we were finally separated this child came as the last thread of bond between us. He didn't know that he left a part of him with me when he left. I don't intend to tell him. Ever. I made our friends swear on my life that they won't tell him. Even though he only bothered to keep in contact with Naruto, his best friend. But I don't want to take chances.

He is in another country. He might never even return back. And even if he does, I am pretty sure he won't be interested in knowing about my whereabouts. I stare down at my daughter as she slowly flutters her eyes and my heart thumps in anticipation. Emerald or onyx or perhaps another shade. And then she opens her eyes and stare at me for the first time with her big orbs. Big black orbs. Should have known. Damn dominant Uchiha genes. All I see is Sasuke as I stare at her and there is nothing that resembles me. Ino have vaguely told me that her forehead was just as wide as mine. Of all things why that? Why not my eyes or my hair or my button nose.

I sigh as I nestle my nose over my daughter. My baby girl. She needs a name. I can't call her baby girl forever. I am unconsciously reminded of a day a year back then.

"Sasuke.."

"Hm.."

I snuggle close to his bare chest as he draws circle over my arms and allows me to continue.

"Hypothetically speaking, If you ever have children, what will you name them?"

He pauses his hand as he raises his finely carved eyebrow at me in disbelief.

"What?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his terrified expression. I don't understand why are men so scared of marriage and babies.

"I am asking about far far away in future."

"Hn. Babies are nuisance."

I smack his arm and shoot him a glare as he sighs. He knows how much I love children as he turns over his torso and faces me.

"Sarada."

"Huh..?"

"For girl. Sarada. My mother told me that if she had given birth to a girl she would have named her Sarada."

My face softens at this and I smile softly at him before kissing him gently on the lips. As I move to break from him, he grabs my waist and pushes me on the mattress before hovering above me.

"Now how about we practice the art of making babies."

His husky voice sends me over the edge and I forget everything as I give myself to him.

I wipe my tears as my daughter coos and throws her tiny hands around with excitement. She is happy now after being fed.

"Sarada.."

I whisper as I hug her close to my bosom and my princess gives me a cute smile as though approving her name.

/

Should I continue or not? Please leave your thoughts.

~Sora