A/N: Totally long overdue, I know. So sorry my loyal readers. I'll try for a better update length next time.

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Mission Impossible: The Path to Motherhood

By KawaiPanda

Chapter Seven

A GaaIno Love Story

The news that Temari and Shikamaru were having twins was a definite surprise, but kind of expected if you thought about it. She was kind of large for where she was in her pregnancy, so it made sense. Said woman in question was slowly beginning to stir to life as the doctor checked her pulse to make sure she was alright.

After he determined that she would be just fine and that her fainting hadn't harmed the babies in any way, I cleared my throat, drawing his attention. "I have a couple questions."

He smiled as he wrote something on Temari's chart. "Sure, Mrs. Subaku No."

"Well, as we're both aware, I will also be having a child in a few months myself." Obviously. I was beginning to show more now, not to the extent of the other blonde accompanying me, but my stomach was no longer flat as a board. "Seeing as how we're both… medical professionals here, I'm aware that some equipment and policies might be lacking."

He blinked for a moment, as if mulling over my words before finally responding, "… Right."

"What exactly is the cesarean rate here?" Seeing as how I was sure I didn't want any single one of these doctors butchering me open just for the hell of it, I thought it was only right to know how often they performed the surgery.

"About… fifteen percent, I believe?" While fifteen percent was damn good, the fact that he didn't know kind of bothered me and I knew I was going to have to check to be on the safe side. He might have underestimated and this wasn't something I wanted to risk.

"And your induction rate?"

"Around thirty-five percent."

The number had me pausing. "That's kind of high…. Why so many induced births?"

"Most of them are from full term pregnancies," he informed me as he gave me a deliberate smile.

"Okay." With a nod, I stood, moving to stand beside Temari who was almost done coming to. "That's all I need to know for now. I'll probably have some more questions for you in the future." The, you better know the answers, was implied.

"I'll make sure I'll be able to answer them."

"Thank you."

He shook his head. "It's not a problem. Once Mrs. Nara has ready, just head to the front desk and she'll make an appointment for both of you."

"Right." The door shut closed behind him with a soft click.

"Twins…." Temari's dull voice had me alarmed. Looking the girl over, I was sure she'd be alright, but it was a little understandable what she was going through considering she just found out she was having twins.

"Yep. Two babies."

"Twins. I'm having twins." She stood and walked out of the room without really paying too much attention to where she was going. I had to grab her arm to make sure she didn't wander off in the wrong direction and lead her to the front desk. The nurse stationed had already written our appointments for the next couple of weeks down and handed them to me.

"Uh-huh."

Heading outside didn't do much to clear the distance from her eyes. "Oh Kami."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine," I assured her as we headed for our homes. Gaara would be home in a couple of hours and I had to start dinner soon. Temari and Shikamaru, I knew, wouldn't be joining us tonight though how she was going to be able to cook in her condition, I didn't know.

"I… I guess." With a sigh, I came to a stop, pulling her off to the side so we wouldn't be in the way. If this kept up, I'd have to knock some sense into the girl.

"Temari, you'll be fine. I swear."

She swallowed hard. "I wonder how Shikamaru will react." As if he'd leave her.

I snorted. "He'll probably be out longer than you were."

"Probably." With that, she let loose a giggle and we started on our way again.

"Well, at least you know to go with blue for half of your decorations and clothes."

She smiled. "True."

"And now, you're gunna have to come up with another name for the brother or sister of Shikaji."

Blinking, she threw her hands up in the air at the thought hit her. "Kami, it was hard enough the first time around!" With a shake of her head, she turned to me and asked, "When are you and Gaara going to come up with names?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I murmured, "I don't know… it just never came up."

"Oh. Well, just don't name my niece or nephew anything stupid."

Another snort. "I won't. I think you should be more worried about Tenten and Kankuro."

"True. True… Knowing Kankuro, it'll be cringe worthy."

"Tenten's sensible though," I reminded her.

"I don't know. I question what went on through that mind of hers when she decided to sleep with my brother." I shook my head.

The whole, Tenten, Kankuro and Neji love triangle was a can of worms I didn't even want to think about, so I kept my reply simple. "A shit load of alcohol and heartbreak."

"True."

Coming to where our path's split, we stopped once more. "Well, I'll see you later. You coming over tomorrow for dinner?"

"Maybe. I'll come by tomorrow afternoon and let you know."

"Okay. See you then."

"Right."

XXXXX

Dinner was about to be set on the table when Gaara finally decided to make an appearance.

"If I knew any better, I'd say you were trying to get out of helping me cook dinner every night."

"Huh?" He tensed at my words, and I frowned. Apparently something was going on with him tonight, or the stress of all that work was finally catching up. Knowing Gaara, it was probably a mix of the two.

Placing a plate in front of him, I asked, "... Busy day?"

"A little," he replied before taking a bite from his plate.

Sitting in my own seat, I murmured, "Oh?"

"There is to be a dinner at the Tower next week," he informed me.

"Formal?" Of course it was. Knowing politicians as I did, you had to be the best of the best, while women were arm candy. Of course I would be at my best for the event. Wife of the Kazekage meant that I had to prove a lot to these people, regardless of the fact that I was carrying the child of their leader.

"Yes."

"Okay." As we ate in silence, I mulled over the days' events. Temari would probably rather be the one to tell her family, but this was just too good the not tell Gaara. And I didn't like to keep things from him. It was also hard when back at home, I couldn't keep a secret for anything. "Well, Temari and I went to the doctor."

"Ahh."

"She's doing great. Apparently they're having a son." He nodded at this, and I smiled as I continued, "Too bad his sibling was too shy, because the doctor couldn't tell us its sex too."

That had him pausing. "Sibling?"

"Mm. They're having twins." He blinked before I noticed his eyes narrowing on my thickening waist where our child was residing. "Don't worry, there's only one baby in here."

"How can you be so sure?"

Biting my lip, I figured, honesty was the best policy. And lying to my husband didn't sit well with me. "… I kinda sort of… checked."

"…" At the darkening look I got from that, I sighed.

"Don't get mad. I promise it didn't hurt the baby or anything."

He crossed his arms then, eyeballing me. "Should you be using chakra while you're this far along?"

"It's fine. If it was uncomfortable I wouldn't have done it."

"Just… promise you won't do it anymore." He ran a hand through his hair, tousling it even more than usual. "Let the doctors examine you."

I gave him a small smile, hoping to appease him if only a little bit. I knew he wouldn't like my take on the doctors here. "I won't unless it's absolutely necessary. And as for the doctors bit, I'm not so keen on that idea."

"Why?"

"Gaara, in case you've forgotten, the head doctor told me that I was barren. Do I look barren to you?" I asked, rubbing my lower belly.

"…"

"No, I'm not. You seriously need to bring in some help to advance your medic's Gaara."

He looked away. "It's on the list."

The list. Meaning, he'd get around to it never. He needed more help in that office of his. Ever since the whole debacle with Matsuri, he still hadn't gotten around to replacing the girl, and if he didn't do something soon, I don't think he'd ever make it home with all the work he was being forced to do. Temari used to help out but then she got too far along in her own pregnancy. I might just have to accompany him to the office just to make sure he wouldn't work himself to death.

"Well, if you expect me to give birth here, you better make it your number one priority." At that, his eyes narrowed and I realized that I'd just threatened to leave, again. With a sigh, I tried again. "What I meant was, I will find some way to bribe Sakura here if I have to, and I shouldn't even be worrying about the safety of our child or myself when it comes time to deliver."

He nodded briskly. "I'll work on it."

"Thank you. I'm sure Temari would be forever grateful to you too."