*Disclaimer!

CHAPTER 7

Flashback!

Two weeks ago...

January had barely began and before anyone had their mission sprees, Konoha 12 decided to hold their annual gathering. It was at their usual hangout, at the familiar club where they have fun. Of course, everyone was present with their own partner, with a friend or spouse. Twilight had just came and blue to violet hues were painted in the early night sky and a mellow music was playing on the speakers of the club. Their booths were joined this time. They occupied one of the biggest ones at the far end of the place and of course, couples are seated together and then followed by the others at the other end of the u-shaped booth.

"So at last! They decided to slow down a bit!" Kiba exclaimed as he threw his arms up and slouched, "It's been a while since we had our 'sake time' right?"

"Oh it took us long enough to gather everyone like this before we hit the road to another year" Shikamaru remarked lazily, as he sat next to Temari who was sipping some yellowish liquid that seemed to be a tangy lemonade cocktail.

"Seeing that both of you are here, you left little Shika-kun at the Nara compound didn't you?" Ino said in an obviously teasing tone.

"Well what choice do we have? And Shikadai doesn't want to come with us anyway. He'd just throw tantrums if we did" Temari replied.

"Whoa, guess life's tough with them," Sai whispered to himself, "so, how are you guys?" he said pertaining to the Uzumaki and Uchiha couples.

"We're doing fine but we'll be terribly busy after this month" It was Naruto who replied first. As arm resting around his wife who just smiled at him.

"Well, the usual shifts in the hospital are what keeps me busy. But! I'm glad we had time to be gathered like this even in our busy schedules" Sakura said in a sweet smile as Sasuke's lips quirked into a smile.

"Yeah! For Konoha's best shinobis," Naruto said, "And best of luck for all of us this new year!" he added as he exclaimed and raised his glass of sake.

"KAMPAI!" everyone exclaimed. The evening was full of cheers and usual teases. They were the loudest bunch in the club and yet no one seems to bother. Some of them even decided to hit the floor and swayed to the beat with the influence of liquor. Fan girls fancied over the boys but the ladies kept their composure. 'Getting drunk is a part of their lives. Anyway, boys will be boys' Sakura thought, as she herself had already drank a few glasses of cocktail. Her cheeks were flushed and she felt the warmth of it, burning her face. Her head grew heavier with every sip. Its been a long time since she drank like this. Hospital night shifts kept her out of it for a long time. The boys seemed to enjoy their dancing as the music began to quickly turn up the rhythm. The girls around the club loved it of course, as it is rare for these gentlemen to take the floor and dance. Sakura's eyes began to blur and yet she can't stop drinking. Sasuke who was always been beside her (He didn't mind dancing of course and the Uzumaki couple left a few minutes ago before Kiba and the others stood and claimed the dance floor), and by the way he looks, he was silently saying 'Stop drinking'. Although he had been drinking one sip after the other, the influence of sake was taking its toll little by little.

"Sakura..." his tone was a little bit wary, the effect of sake, Sakura thought.

"What is it Sasuke-kun?"

"Maybe we should head home. I've never seen you drink this much. Is something wrong?" Sasuke asked as if he had just spoken the contents of his mind out loud. Sakura's lips curved and a smile surfaced. She was drunk. Her eyes half-closed, her emerald eyes dyed with a bit of a lustful look. Her cheeks were flushed and her head, heavy. She didn't respond to him and after a moment she saw him whisper to Neji– who also didn't took the chance to dance– and after that the next thing she knew has his arms around her as she dragged herself to her feet. It was also surprising that Sasuke managed to get them home without delay because Sakura knew the wooden floors of the compound. The familiar steps on the wood, on the stairs and the sliding of the door and soon enough she was laid down on their bed. Unconsciously, she gripped his left wrist– as he planned to get cool cloths for her forehead– as pulled him to her forcefully and surprised the Uchiha. He was pulled to her side, his hand just on the side of her head.

"Don't go" she said with gentleness though he knew she was dreaming, dreaming with the influence of liquor.

"I'll be back. I'll just–"

"Don't," she said again and tugged at his wrist, "Please Sasuke. Don't leave me again?" Pain struck him like thorns scraping his whole body. Without really knowing the reason, he just kissed her, desperately like wanting to tell her that 'I won't leave you EVER again'. Both of them began to strangle in their bed. Sasuke's hand was tangled on her pink hair. Their kisses were breathless as he was almost on top of her. Sakura undid his shirt, revealing his slender body and as Sasuke removed her uppers, exposing both their bodies to the cold night air. And soon enough, their clothes were scattered, both wanting for more. Their hair was tangled as their hands moved up and about their exposed bodies, wanting to memorize every curve, mark and scar. The night was breezy yet their bodies were like on fire and sweaty. Moans of pleasure came out from their mouths, gentle yet lustful as their hearts satisfied their needs.

End of Flashback!

A new year has blossomed and the peace and stability of Konoha has been secured by its best shinobis from the warning or the so-called threat of the 'personas in robes'. The high alert security was called off by their Lady Hokage a week ago as the threat seemed to go back into hiding. And so that gives Konoha 12 a load off from their duties. Although, some are accepting missions or are busy at other things, knowing that the village is safe keeps everything in place. As cold as the January mornings, some pink haired kunoichi was having an 'icy' disposition. Usually, she'd be up early and would be preparing breakfast but somehow she seemed lazy. It's the third week of the first month of the year and she's been sorta lazy for a week now. 'Sakura... What in the world are you doing?' her raven-haired husband mentally asked as he prepared some simple breakfast. It's 5:45 in the morning and Ichirou's going to up soon and Sakura has yet to wake. Sasuke was about to prepare some tea when he heard footsteps upstairs. Footsteps that sounded like running or pacing and the next thing he heard was Sakura throwing up, which made him rush to her at the bathroom upstairs.

"Sakura?! What's wrong?!" he exclaimed as he saw her kneeling in front of the toilet and vomiting. He went beside her and began to run his hand back and forth on her shoulders.

"Sakura..." he murmured with plain worry and gentleness that it didn't sound like him at all. As the vomiting stopped, she wiped her lips and turned to Sasuke.

"I'm fine. I just felt dizzy when I hurried to get up from bed. Maybe I'm just tired from the hospital duties. Sorry I startled you like this" she said, leaning to his chest.

"Are you sure you're fine?" he asked as she gently nodded her head. She pulled an all-night hospital shift last night as one of the department heads took a leave so it should've been inevitable but why the vomiting? He wondered. A normal headache or body pain would do but the part about throwing up made him worry.

"You should rest for today," he said in a firm tone as he carried her up, "I'll tell Tsunade-sama that you won't be going to the hospital today"

"But Sasuke-kun–" his eyes focused on her for a moment. As his pitch-black eyes met her bright emerald ones, Sakura knew that she wouldn't win over this argument. She sighed as they entered the room. Sasuke found Sakura's eyes half-closed as she let her down.

"Okasan?... Otousan?" Ichirou said as he stood at the doorway, rubbing his left eye. Seeing Sakura curled up under a blanket and an expression different from his father's usual expression seemed to unsettle the boy. (A/N! Do you think I should use Mom and Dad or Otousan and Okasan? What do you think? Review please ;3)

"Otousan what's wrong?" he inquired gently.

"Nothing. Your Okasan isn't feeling well" Sasuke said before brushing her hair off of her forehead and pecking it lightly. Ichirou made his way in the room and sat beside Sakura. He gently cuddled his slightly muscled arms around her. His arms were also marked with few shallow scars. 'Training hard, aren't you?' she wanted to ask but the dizziness was coming back to her.

"I hope you get better by the time I get home Okasan" the boy said gently as Sakura nodded in response.

"Now go and have breakfast. Or else you'll be late"

"Hai hai" Ichirou remarked as he exited the room. Sakura heard the soft thuds of his footsteps. Sasuke murmured something under his breath which she couldn't make out as her consciousness drifted to a sound slumber. He exited the room as he saw her eyelids closed shut. He was indeed worried. As their usual mornings was disrupted, this 'difference' might lead to much bigger one.

Back at their own apartment, the Uzumakis were also up and about. As Hinata enters the last trimester of pregnancy, the couple were both excited and were somewhat blank on what is to expect. Her belly had began to swollen, week after week and Naruto had been declining most of the long-term missions and are only accepting easy D-ranked ones which is making quite a fuss with his team. Today they were just relieved of an easy escort mission and were just taking the road back to the village. Hitoshi had just told his Sensei recently that Kakashi had been training him with Lightning style ninjutsus(Or sometimes with Sasuke if the Copy Ninja isn't around). Ryoko has also been training with Naruto as he had a Wind chakra nature while the only girl of the team, Miyuki has been improving on her medical ninjutsu with Sakura. They were already halfway to Konoha when Ryoko and Hitoshi were in the middle their usual I-challenge-you speeches again as the team went through the inner borders of Konoha that were surrounded by trees.

"C'mon sharp eyes, are you just afraid to lose?" he said, teasing his teammate who grunted.

"Ugh, will you just stop it Ryoko? You've rattling about that for minutes now" Miyuki said in a tired tone as she tried to stop the two boys although it was clearly not working.

"I wouldn't even dare to fight. It won't be worth it anyway" Hitoshi retorted not turning to Ryoko's direction.

"What did you say?!" Ryoko remarked as he tried to deliver a punch which the other silver haired boy quickly evaded.

"Hmp"

"Hey hey, cool your heads!" Naruto just caught up the amber-eyed boy's wrist that should have delivered another blow, "Stop it will you? Enough is enough..." Miyuki was rather shocked at how her Sensei firmly commanded them. He was usually calm and energized but now he seem like a serious young adult.

"Sensei?" the blue haired girl looked at her sensei with shocked eyes.

"Miyuki-chan? What is it?"

"Sensei! You're still gripping me!" Ryoko exclaimed with annoyance.

"Ah, gomen," he said as his grip loosened and turned away from them before he said, "Let's go. The earlier we arrive the better" he said and left.

"Sensei... is acting weird lately. What do you think?" Hitoshi said, like it's the first time he'd spoken the contents of his mind.

"Let's talk about this somewhere else. It isn't wise to talk in a forest like this" Ryoko remarked as the wind blew and the leaves rustled in an eriee way. They have started to follow Naruto's tracks when a smirk was obviously decorating Hitoshi's face.

"Toshi-kun? What's that face for?" Miyuki asked.

"Ah. Nothing. I'm probably just surprised that even loser like Ryoko has a little bit of wisdom" he said as he chanted the word like a spell for magic.

"HEEY!"

"Whoa! Wait! Would you two do a favor for me and just stop arguing not until we arrive at the village?" the only girl of the team pleaded and miraculously, the two were silenced. 'Being the one and only girl of the team has advantages, I think...' she told herself as the silence took them in and only the soft taps on the ground and dirt were heard on their way back. It only took a few minutes before they arrived at the East gate. It is more efficient to put their focus only on running rather than running AND arguing. Naruto arrived a little earlier than the three genins because of the boys' famous lines. Although, it was the first time he had lost his temper over the kids' arguments. He stood at the gates' archway, looking towards the direction of the village as it spread through the streets. Standing tall as his blond locks swayed with the breeze, he was absolutely deep in thought as he didn't even notice his team closing in on him.

"Sensei's really weird nowadays. Weird, I tell you" amber-eyed Ryoko whispered. Miyuki shrugged at what her teammate said and slowly approached Naruto from behind.

"Naruto-sensei? You okay?"

"Ah? What? Oh, yes I'm fine. I'm sorry I wasn't– well, sorry I left you in the forest like that" he told them as his bowed his head, feeling miserable about how reckless he was for the first time.

"Sensei, if there's something on your mind you should ponder about it first"

"Miyuki's right, Sensei. We could handle a few day offs from missions and self training if that's what you're worried about" Hitoshi said, brushing his silver white locks that were blown by the wind. Naruto looked at them and smiled a half-smile.

"Thanks. Well, mission accomplished! You are dismissed" he remarked as there was a chorus of 'at last', 'hai hai', 'good job' from them. As the kids scurried off to the busy streets of the afternoon, Naruto was left to his thoughts about what Lady Tsunade told him that morning before they left for the mission.

Flashback!

Earlier in the day...

Knock knock

"Tsunade-baachan? You in?" a voice from the other side of the door said.

"Yes. Do come in Naruto," she said as the blonde opened the door and made his way towards her, "we have to talk"

"Talk? What for? For the mission of my team today?"

"No. Some other matters," she said with a trace of dread seriousness as she handed him a scroll, "a message. A warning" she told him as he picked it up and began to unravel the message.

To whom it may concern,

Within the next months or probably years, we will try and infiltrate your village to gather information about the offspring of the Kyubi's jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki. The child might be a pseudo-jinchuriki like his grandfather and might inherit his father's power and his mother's prowess. Meaning, the child might be of use to us. If you would please be so kind to consider handing the child if he or she proves to be something beyond normal – although we know you wouldn't – we'd never step foot on Konoha or disrupt the 'peace' in your little village.

Naruto's face was obviously flushed with undeniable anger and irritation as he dumped the scroll at the Hokage's desk. It creaked as it showed little cracks along the edges.

"Calm down Naruto! Nothing good will happen if you let your temper control you" Tsunade told him with her voice raised as her palms struck the table hard as she stood up.

"Then how do you expect me to react Tsunade-baachan?! How?! I've put not just Hinata in trouble but also a baby that isn't even born! Damn! Damn it all!" Tsunade can't blame him either. He's way too right to be corrected.

"Naruto," the Lady Hokage said in a gentle voice, so gentle like she's calming a child at his worst tantrums. She sat down with a sigh then said, "don't blame yourself for this. It's not your fault. Tell you what, there were a lot more dangers when Kushina concieved you. Your father, the Fourth was Hokage, and being Hokage you are surrounded by danger and you don't know who, when and what will be your downfall. And for your information you're not alone in this fight, everyone is so you needn't worry about help" There was a moment of silence as Naruto closed his eyes and began to breathe in large amounts of air to his lungs to slow the fast beating of his heart.

"But Tsunade-baachan, the part I just don't get is why and how could they be so sure that our baby would have a portion of the Kyubi's chakra? Why are people so obssessed with the Nine-tails?" he inquired as his nerves began to calm little by little.

"Well, your whisker marks is one evidence. Or so I would think... I mean so 'we' thought"

"My... whisker marks?" he said as he stroked them with his fingertips.

"Yes. Your mother, Kushina was still the jinchuriki of the Kyubi, when she concieved you. Both Jiraiya and I wondered how did you get those marks and it was he who suggested that it is the Kyubi's influence to you when you were still in the womb. The Nine-Tails is a kitsune (fox) right? And foxes have whiskers and you have those marks that looks like whiskers. Everything connects. Maybe if you didn't become a jinchuriki, you might have still have a small portion of fox' chakra or maybe a chakra level above normal" she explained.

"I dunno baachan. I just don't know. Then how am I gonna explain this to Hinata?" his expression is now changed to angry to worried.

"Just do it your way. And what I mean by that is you have to do it slowly and as explained as possible. That's an order, you got that?"

"Hai..." he remarked as Tsunade noticed his lifeless eyes. His bright blue eyes seemed to have darkened as every angle of him spelled fear, worry and blankness. The Lady Hokage made her way just in front of him and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Remember this, you are the hero of Konoha Naruto. You've faced dangers that are far more worse than this. People believe in you but Hinata believes you more than anything else. Cheer up! As soon as you explain things to Hinata, I'll be assigning people to guard her. Now, go get your team and be off"

"Thanks, Tsunade-baachan" he said with a faint smile as he turned and left the room.

End of Flashback!

As he was too caught up in his thoughts, he didn't even notice that he was already at their aparment's doorstep. For a moment, he gathered his words in his mind before hesitantly reached for the knob. Breathing in, he turned the knob and pushed it open.

"Naruto-kun, okaeri" Hinata greeted with a warm smile. Her smile was so unknowing of the dangers that surrounds her and the baby that it made his heart ache a little.

"Ah, tadaima..." he replied, closing the door behind him.

~End of Chapter 7~

Is it a cliff hanger? Deal with it for a while HAHAHAHA! Because you gave me so many reviews the last time you gave me so many ideas on how I could make things more interesting. Well! I also apologize for making you wait! I needed to pass my term paper y'know xD And a late Christmas present to all! The next chap is almost done too! Sit tight!

Special mention to these people who reviewed the last chap! *heart eyes*

Ayrmed, kika04 - *o* Thanks for reviewing!

TheMagicManWithThePlan – sorry about that xD The last one is kinda rush :3

ProjXPsyClone – I'm glad you're enjoying the story! :D

ShadowPhoenix22 – Hope you enjoyed this one and the next chapters to come too ^_^

*EDITED 11/9/14