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Part 3
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The last time he felt like this, he remembers standing by Itachi's bed and watching his brother cough up blood, his breath coming in short gasps and his face looked gaunt and deathly pale. That was the time when Itachi practically had one foot in the grave while Tsunade and her team of medics fought and did their best to keep him alive.
Watching the ground claim Naruto earlier pushed the same fear into Sasuke but he was quick to recover and brought Naruto here.
"He'll be fine. It's probably just stress. I heard he's been helping the Fire Festival committee day in and day out these past few weeks," Sakura says with that irritating sugary voice she uses when she's trying to divert from the actual truth.
"Stress? Naruto never gets stressed." To Sasuke, his Naruto is this resilient, hyperactive shinobi that doesn't seem to run out of energy. Ever.
Sakura's mouth twitches then she plants one hand on her hip while using the chart where she's been scribbling notes to gesture at Naruto. "Of course he does. He isn't exactly made of steel, you know?"
"Will both of you keep it down? My head is still pounding," Naruto says, groaning, the heel of his hand pressed against his temple.
"Sorry, Naruto." Sakura reaches out and strokes Naruto's arm and it takes all self-control for Sasuke not to rip her hand away from his boyfriend. How dare she touch him! "Anyway, I've taken samples of your blood so I can do more tests. I'll let you guys know as soon as I have the results."
It's dusk when they leave the hospital, the colors of crepuscule spreading above them. Sasuke intends to take Naruto straight home but the idiot insists of returning to the park for the fire show. Not one to yield to just anybody, Sasuke is all but ready for the debate but the pleading look from Naruto is enough for him to relent. "As long as you're staying over at our place tonight." It's a command, not a request. Sasuke isn't about to let Naruto out of his sight, not in Naruto's current condition.
The smile that spills over Naruto's face is so warm and bright that Sasuke can feel his icy resolve melt so he let's the spunky blond lead him back to the park where they rendezvous with some of their friends and Kakashi and Iruka as well.
The fire show turns out to be spectacular – orange and yellow flames dancing against the bluish gray backdrop of the sky. The artistic element seems to leave Naruto in awe, now looking less ill than he did fifteen minutes ago.
"It's beautiful," Naruto murmurs, head tilted toward the heavens, the flames' glow reflecting on his sapphire eyes, spiky golden locks swaying with the gentle breeze.
"Yeah." Sasuke can't take his eyes off of him. "Beautiful."
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=0=
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Weird is the first thought that brushes through Sakura's mind. It's only hypothetical, seeing that Naruto's blood tests don't suggest any serious illness – just a minimal drop in his blood glucose, a slight decrease in his platelets, but nothing that can cause major alarm.
One thing that stands out though is the presence of the human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG, which… Nah, can't be. But there's this nagging feeling that won't rest so she has no choice but to consult with Tsunade.
"I would've dismissed it as something normal, m'lady, something as simple as fatigue... if I've known Naruto's been on missions." Sakura watches the various expressions flash on Tsunade's face while perusing through Naruto's medical chart. "But he hasn't. He has only done D and C-rank missions lately and… well, there was the preparation for the Fire Festival, but we've all pitched in and none of us is going through the same thing. Besides, it will take more than that to make Naruto exhausted."
"Are you sure these results are from Naruto's blood?" The creases between the Hokage's eyebrows deepen.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade. I had it done thrice, even supervised the third one." Sakura shifts her weight from one leg to the other, eager to hear the Hokage's opinion.
"HCG?" Tsunade's gaze is fixed on Sakura. "How is that possible?"
Sakura can understand her confusion. After all, HCG can normally be found in the blood of women… erm, pregnant women, that is. "I don't know, but the symptoms fit. Naruto did say he has been throwing up a lot lately, usually in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoon as well. And he claims he gets tired easily these days. Then there's—"
Tsunade holds out her hand prompting Sakura to stop babbling. "I know, Sakura. I'm well aware of what those symptoms suggest. But… but… well, Naruto is a man. He can't possibly be…." She trails off, teeth worrying her lower lip.
Something clicks inside Sakura's head, like a light bulb turning on. "Oh goodness. M'lady, I remember during our mission at the Nanakusa Island. The fertility fountain. Yes! Naruto did drink water from the fertility fountain. But… but that can't be it, can it?"
"Why didn't you tell me about this before?"
Sakura flinches under the Hokage's piercing gaze. "I… we didn't think it will work on him. Isn't that supposed to work on women only?"
Tsunade's hazel orbs seem to darken; thoughts may be warring in her head. "Well there are a lot of mysterious things in that island, one being the water reservoir. With all the bizarre things we've seen let's just say that the idea of that fountain working on men isn't all that impossible."
That's a valid point, Sakura thinks. She remembers seeing Lady Chiyo transfer her life force into Gaara's dead body while thinking it wasn't all that possible, but it did happen… right before her eyes.
"Tell Naruto I want to see him," Tsunade barks out. "If our suspicions are true, then that boy needs to have regular medical attention."
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=0=
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Having Naruto examined by Sakura is one thing, but Tsunade? Sasuke doesn't know what to think. One thing he's certain of is that 'calm' isn't in his vocabulary at the moment.
What can possibly be wrong with Naruto that Sakura has to bring Tsunade in this? Is it life threatening? Naruto doesn't seem fazed. He still has that idiotic smile plastered on his rather pallid face. The sight isn't all too reassuring.
"What's wrong with him?" Sasuke prefers the direct approach. It's obvious that Sakura has been beating around the bush and she's close to getting under his skin.
It's Tsunade who responds though. She stares at him with a raised eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be on a mission?"
"Kakashi thinks it's best to leave before sun down. Now what's wrong with Naruto?" All this hypotheses bullshit about some water from a fountain they've been prattling about isn't making any sense anymore. Sasuke notices Tsunade and Sakura share a look before Tsunade's gaze swings back to him.
With a deep sigh, Tsunade says, "Well, since you're hear Uchiha, you might as well hear it. I'm pretty sure this involves you, too."
"Why? What? What's wrong with me?" Naruto starts to fidget on the examination table. He doesn't look as relaxed as he had when Tsunade's hands were hovering above his belly earlier.
"Nothing's wrong with you, Naruto." Tsunade looks straight into Naruto's eyes, one hand clutching on Naruto's shoulder. "Unless you consider being pregnant wrong."
Sasuke is about to relax, relieved to hear that Naruto isn't suffering from some terminal illness, when the word catches up to his befuddled mind. "He's what?" he exclaims, startling Naruto out of his stupor in the process. "Is this some kind of a joke, Lady Hokage?"
Tsunade has her arms crossed now, lips pressed into a thin line. "Do I look like I'm kidding? And, presuming you two are exclusive, that means you, Sasuke, is about to become a father."
"B-but… but," Naruto stammers, eyes still wide as saucers. "But Ino says the fertility fountain works only for women. To help them get pregnant and all."
"Well apparently it also works on men. How? I have yet to find out," is Tsunade's retort. "But all tests prove there is indeed a fetus growing inside you, Naruto and another peculiar thing is that you have somehow developed a womb and everything else needed to carry the baby."
The rest of her words go past Sasuke's ears. He remains stunned, mind spiraling into oblivion, even as he walks Naruto home. Naruto mumbles something, probably says he's going to get some sleep, and all Sasuke can do is move his head in a stiff nod before leaving Naruto's apartment.
You, Sasuke, is about to become a father. Tsunade's voice still echoes in his head. There is indeed a fetus growing inside you, Naruto.
When Sasuke arrives home, he finds Itachi puttering in the kitchen and immediately presumes that his brother is on his lunch break. "What happened to you, little brother?" Itachi's voice snaps Sasuke out of his trance. "You look like you've just been told Naruto is pregnant."
Sasuke can feel the blood draining from his face. He regards Itach with an incredulous look. "H-how did you know?"
Itachi stills for a while to utter, "Know what?" then brings the cup he's holding to his lips.
"That… that Naruto's pregnant."
A spray of liquid spatters out of Itachi's mouth and his poor big brother starts coughing. "I was only kidding, Sasuke!"
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=0=
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Naruto has been restless for the past four days. He hasn't spoken to Sasuke since Tsunade has decided to drop a bombshell about his pregnancy. His boyfriend has gone to the Land of Rivers with Neji, Shikamaru and Sakura on a mission the day after and hasn't been back since.
To say he's worried is an understatement. Naruto is totally clueless about Sasuke's sentiment over this mind-boggling situation. Itachi's regular visits don't help either, even if it's quite evident that the man has been trying to console him.
"What if Sasuke decides to leave me? What if he refuses to accept the baby? What if—?"
"Naruto." The stern way Itachi utters his name causes Naruto to clamp his mouth shut. "It's not that Sasuke doesn't want to accept the baby. I'm pretty sure that isn't the case. He's most likely worried that he might not turn out to be a good father."
"You sure?" This is so unlike him. Naruto wonders when optimism has slipped out of his grasp. Damn hormones.
Itachi sighs. "Look, Naruto. Sasuke loves you. I know with confidence that he does. He's not going to turn his back on you now. Not when you two are about to bring a new life into this world."
The older Uchiha's words appease Naruto… for about five hours. Then he's back into his internal turmoil, hormones going haywire.
The next day, he settles on a self-centered resolution. If Sasuke refuses to play the role of a father, then Naruto will just have to raise the baby on his own.
The day after though, he comes to a decision that he will put the baby up for adoption. There are a lot of couples in Konoha who don't have any children. He's pretty sure that some of them will be willing to take his child.
The following morning, Naruto is in tears. He has just dreamed about hands taking the baby out of his stomach, voices urging him to get rid of it. It. Those voices called his baby 'It'. He hears someone screaming, "No, no, no!" and it takes a damn while to realize it's his own voice and a strong grip on his shoulders is shaking him into full consciousness.
"Naruto. You okay?" Itachi swims into his vision, worry framing his handsome face.
"Yeah. Bad dream."
A worried Itachi decides to stay with him that night, following him around like some mother hen. Naruto appreciates the company though, thinks that Itachi's presence keeps the bad dreams away.
Exactly one week after receiving the news, Naruto arrives to find his boyfriend lying on his bed, arms tucked beneath his head. Boxes litter not only his room but the entire apartment. "What's going on?"
Sasuke's eyes flicker to him before springing out of bed. "I'm going to help you pack."
"And why will you help me pack?" Naruto is torn between struggling and surrendering when Sasuke gathers him in his arms. He ends up doing the latter.
"This time, I'm not taking no or you'll think about it for an answer. We're moving in together." Sasuke's mouth descends on his, conveying his message through the kiss – pleading, coaxing, urging Naruto to agree.
"But… is Itachi fine with it?"
Dark brows furrow and coal-colored eyes fasten into his. "We're not going to live with Itachi."
Now, that throws him off. Naruto inclines his head and asks, "We're not?"
"No. I've saved up enough to get our own place." Sasuke's thumb traces the edge of Naruto's lower lip. "Besides, we'll only drive Itachi crazy with all the noises you make when we're making love."
"As if!" Naruto squirms out of Sasuke's embrace and grabs a box off the floor. "I guess you're right though. This place is so cramped as it is for two people. Having one more will be torture." He looks over his shoulder just in time to witness the smile sliding into Sasuke's lips. "Help me pack?"
"Of course, usuratonkachi." Sasuke scoops Naruto in his arms, carrying him like a child, and dumps him inside a large box.
"Teme!"
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=0=
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Iruka doesn't like the way Tsunade is staring at him – like he's some strange specimen that's about to sprout an extra head – with one golden eyebrow arched and the edge of her lower lip caught between pearly white teeth.
Heavens, no! Am I terminally ill? Paranoia seeps into Iruka's psyche. Is that why I've been throwing up a lot lately?
"Relax, brat. You're not dying," Tsunade spits out and Iruka wonders if he has spoken out loud. "I don't need to be a mind reader to know what you're thinking. Naruto has that same look when he came to see me almost two weeks ago."
"Oh." The tightness between Iruka's shoulders blades loosens a bit. Then his mind did a quick turnaround. Wait, Naruto? He doesn't get to ask what is wrong with Naruto though because Tsunade's piercing gaze is back on him.
"Did Naruto, by any chance, give you any water after he has gotten back from his mission in Nanakusa?" she asks in a way she would interrogate someone who has done a capital offense.
Confused, Iruka says, "Water?" Then recalling the time Naruto paid him a visit when the young shinobi returned from whatever-you-call-it island, he blurts out, "Yeah, I think so," wondering what the relevance is to his condition – if he does have a condition. "Why?"
"Well, your test results suggest you're pregnant, just like Naruto."
Iruka almost falls off the chair. "What?"
Tsunade bombards him with a lengthy story about some fertility fountain and how she recently discovered that Naruto isn't exactly the first case of male pregnancy. "Apparently, there have been five cases in Kumo in the past, three at present and there have also been a few cases in Kiri but that's classified information that they, unfortunately, refuse to share."
Either none of it makes sense or Iruka's brain has stopped working that he can't digest what the Hokage is trying to say. "What makes you think it's the water?"
The sigh Tsunade releases conveys her frustration. "It can't be a coincidence since that's the only link I can find between you and Naruto. Apparently, Naruto claimed that he also let Izumo drink from his flask on the same day when he ran into Izumo after leaving my office. Izumo seems fine, but then Kotetsu has been away for a month and has just gotten back from his mission with the Feudal Lord last week. I'll give Izumo a couple more weeks. If he starts feeling the same symptoms, then there's no doubt about it. It's in the water."
"Are you sure about this? I mean, me? Pregnant?" Iruka is still waiting for Tsunade to tell him that this is all a joke but the dour look on the Hokage's face clearly suggests the gravity of the situation.
"One thing I suggest, Iruka, is that we keep this amongst ourselves for now." Tsunade speaks in Hokage mode as if she's discussing a life-threatening mission instead of Iruka's health status. "I told you about Naruto because I believe he's the root cause of this peculiar occurrence but I asked him to keep quiet as well."
Iruka can't seem to find his voice when he whispers, "Yes, Hokage-sama." He leaves the hospital feeling like the world has been dumped on his shoulders.
Granted, Tsunade is telling the truth and he is indeed pregnant. What Iruka needs to figure out now is how in the world is he going to tell Kakashi about this?
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tbc
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The lack of reviews makes me wonder whether it's worth the time posting this story here and I have a vague urge to take it down and update and modify it in one archive only. That will save me a lot of time and spare me the effort of making two versions (one html-coded, one formatted). What do you guys think? No reviews or reactions will be interpreted as no one's interested. Thanks to those who took time to review though. You guys rock!
ETA: I really, really, really dislike FFnet's formatting scheme. It's so... I don't know... complicated, I guess that it always, always delete my line breaks.
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