Nervous: Waiting is so troublesome

OV: Parenthood approaches, are we ready? And what about the surrogate mothers?

AN: I am having fun writing about the impending parenthood. This chapter should be a lot of fun. The next will be a twist, and a few in between before the big arrival.

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Sakura was standing before her Master with a slight sense of trepidation. She was about to begin her procedure to become pregnant with Naruto and Sasuke's baby. Well in a sense.

Ino was in the room at the moment. She was being prepped for the implantation. Sakura was waiting because she was Ino's backup medic. She was ready to assist Tsunade, and glad Ino was first and she would get a chance to see what was going on.

Tsunade opened the door and called her in. Sakura was dressed in her operational outfit of a white lab robe over her regular clothing. Ino had only the white lightweight robe on and was lying on the low table. She looked scared and almost as if she regretted agreeing to this. The only thing that kept her on the table was the chance to say she carried Uchia Sasuke's child within her womb. No one was even going to hint at the power she held over the Hokage by doing him this service.

Tsunade talked comfortingly to the blonde haired girl and calmed her with an herbal tea. Once she was settled more comfortably, the procedure began. It was really simple. It was merely a long tube with the eggs suspended in a protein gel that would dissolve. It resembled a turkey baster and was long and thin. The tube was inserted vaginally through the cervix which was dilated and into the uterus. The gel was dispelled and a medicine was given to make the cervix contract. A mild hormone injection was given to trick the body into thinking it was pregnant which would aide the egg implantation acceptance.

The whole thing took about an hour. Sakura would hand Tsunade whatever she needed, and helped with clean up. Ino was stoic through the procedure and although it wasn't excruciating it was painful. She was glad when it was over and gladly slid off the table. She grinned at the pink haired kunoichi, "You're turn," she smirked at Sakura.

Sakura had a better understanding of what she was going through. Although Ino was also a Medic Nin, she was no where near Sakura's level. Also it was Sakura who had donated her eggs for this process. She sat down on the hard cold table. It was padded, but still not comfortable.

Soon both girls were finished. They stepped out into the waiting area where the anxious men were waiting. Sasuke, Naruto, Sai, and Chouji had all been talking amongst themselves during the procedure. When they saw the door opening Naruto jumped up. He was instantly between the two women and asking them how they felt, if they felt pregnant, and if they were alright.

He wasn't taking this lightly. He was terribly concerned for his friends and wanted to know if they thought there was success or not. It took Tsunade popping him upside the head to get him to shut up and calm down.

"I told you, we won't know for a couple of weeks. Both women will be coming in for a check up in two weeks. If there is news to report I will report it then," she tried to remain calm and not get too mad. She could understand Naruto's anxiety and concern.

The group headed their separate ways to tend to their daily duties. Sasuke and Naruto headed toward the Hokage building, Juugo greeted them warmly from the entrance and walked up to their rooms with them. He was grinning widely and looked a little disheveled, as if he'd slept in his clothes. Sasuke appraised his friend and decided he had probably done just that, also there was a glint in his eyes that was new.

"So what has you so happy this morning?" Sasuke mused.

Juugo blushed and grinned, "Just reconnecting with an old friend."

Naruto, who had been totally lost in his own thoughts of babies and all that he wanted to accomplish before their arrival, looked at his two companions who were emitting a strange aura. He quirked an eyebrow and shook his head. Sometimes it was beyond him what they were thinking and he would often, just as he was now, let it go.

They were happy as a family. Naruto had a family, and soon it would grow. He beamed with delight. He hadn't come to any conclusion as to how they were all going to fit in the two small rooms of the Hokage's quarters though. This was what he had been pondering on the walk home.

He was looking from Sasuke to Juugo and wondering what unspoken things were passing between them. They were smiling warmly and it only made Naruto feel all the happier. He slid down onto his couch just taking in the warm feelings.

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Back at Sakura's house she and Ino were discussing this interesting predicament.

"Sakura, do you think this will work? Do you think we will actually be carrying Naruto's and Sasuke's babies?" Ino asked in a voice filled with wonderment. She was half scared and half awed at the prospect.

Sakura smiled. Even in this she and Ino were rivals. She wasn't about to admit to Ino that it was she who donated her eggs to allow this to happen. That would just blow the blonde out of the water. Instead she just smiled and admitted that she too was excited and a bit concerned about becoming pregnant. She hadn't had any children yet, and it was a little weird that the baby she could be carrying wasn't even hers and Sai's, but Naruto's and Sasuke's. She placed a tentative hand on her belly and wondered if it could be true. Could she be carrying a baby? It seemed as if two weeks was a lifetime away.

Sai slipped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "If you are pregnant does that mean we can start our family once this is done?" he inquired in a devilish voice.

She flipped around in his embrace to face him, "Well, we have to get through this first, I don't know if I will want to go through it again, if it even works this time!" She laughed, and he joined her.

Ino watched the happy couple with a bit of envy. She and Chouji weren't married and wouldn't be for a few more months. She smirked at the thought that she would be getting married pregnant and it wouldn't even be her child!

She informed Sakura and Sai that she wanted to get back to work as her parents weren't in town but off on a trip to find new exotic flowers to sell at the shop. She bade her goodbyes and floated out the door in a dreamlike trance. Her feet automatically carried her to the shop, which was a good thing as her mind was elsewhere.

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Time skip, two weeks….. (I didn't feel like writing all the droll events that would make up two weeks, this will get through faster…)

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Sakura, Sai, Ino, Chouji, Naruto and Sasuke all sat in a row in front of Tsunade's desk. She wasn't in her office; she had followed Shizune to get the results of the exams she had just performed on the two women.

The members of the group were looking at each other with anticipation, trepidation, and anxiety. Sakura and Ino wore identical expressions of angst and excitement. Their beaus were nervous, but supportive. The fathers were about to burst with anticipation. Naruto began to fidget in his chair. When he could no longer take it he jumped up and began to pace around the room. Sasuke watched his dobe with hooded eyes. He was thinking alternately how he would be pacing if it were a Sasuke type thing to do, and how sexy Naruto looked when he was anxious.

Tsunade breezed into the room, her face unreadable. Shizune followed at her heels for damage control, er assistance. The blonde Medic Nin Head sat in her chair and steepled her fingers in front of her face. Her light brown eyes were glinting with the fun she was having in making everyone wait.

Shizune finally cried out, "Just tell them already! They're about to die from the waiting."

Tsunade regarded her long time assistant and leisurely sized up each person in front of her. She nodded, and began, "Sakura, Ino, I think you both already know the results. If you do not then I have failed as your master and you have failed me as my students."

The women looked at each other feeling like girls again who were sitting in front of Tsunade after a particularly grueling exam. They again wore identical expressions. They knew, but they had needed her confirmation.

Naruto exploded, "What!! What are the results, are we going to be fathers or not!?!"

A shared glance passed between Ino, Sakura, and Tsunade. Finally Tsunade broke the heavy silence. "Yes," she admitted simply.

Naruto collapsed to the floor, tears of joy in his eyes. Sasuke rushed over to help him back to his feet. A tender look passed between the couple, it was a: we're pregnant; I love you, and Hell Yeah!! all rolled into one.

Sakura cleared her throat and all eyes turned to her, "Ino?" she queried. The blonde looked at her, "Yeah, I'm carrying a baby. From the chakra signature it seems to be a girl."

Naruto whooped, "Yeah! A girl!" he was jumping around pumping his fist into the air. Everyone laughed at his reaction.

Sakura looked at the couple; she had a strange grin on her face. It was a sort of triumphant and gloating look. "I'm carrying identical twins, boys," she announced simply; that smug look aimed at Ino.

The blonde's jaw dropped. Then she smiled deeply. The look in her eyes said, yeah…okay, you beat me this time.

Naruto grabbed both women in a tight hug, "You guys are the greatest!!"

Sasuke stood behind him, he bowed his head to each woman in turn but his eyes betrayed his deep emotion at their news. He was going to be a father of three children. He was hit by a sudden, what were we thinking! He wrapped his arms around Naruto and whispered in his ear, "We should celebrate."

Naruto grinned and yelled, "Yeah, Celebration, Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen!!" He faltered momentarily when more than a dozen eyes glared at him as if that was a terrible idea. "What? They can have the miso chicken soup with vegetables!" He was proud of himself for remembering that the pregnant women should eat healthy.

Everyone groaned but admitted defeat. They headed to Ichiraku's stand en masse. The old man was thrilled to hear the news and offered free tea and sweet cakes for everyone. Ayame was so excited; she quickly set to work preparing the cakes.

After their impromptu party they all had to disperse to get back to work. Shikamaru would surely be after Naruto if he didn't get any paperwork finished that day. Sasuke had to get to the training grounds; Juugo and Kakashi were already there, along with Yamato who had just come along for some training with them. It was nice for a break to have four men training who could pair up and spar.

The other two couples split up and the women walked back toward the hospital with Tsunade and Shizune whilst the men headed off to where they needed to be. Chouji was training his new Genin team, and Sai would be needed at the ANBU Headquarters.

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Naruto slipped into the office and was immediately pelted with a stack of folders. Shikamaru was actually grinning, "I can tell from the look on your face that you are in a great mood, I know that you are expecting children because that is where you went this morning, therefore I save you the trouble of giving me that information." Naruto glared playfully at his Aide, he had wanted to share his good news with his friend.

Shikamaru continued, "These folders are the final submissions of Genin for consideration in the Chuunin exams. As always they are preliminary and may not all be presented. They are the ones who would be able to participate if their Sensei's sign requisitions and they each sign up for their cells. You need to familiarize yourself with them all, because as head judge of the Exams you need to have knowledge of what type of Genin could be present."

Naruto dismissed Shika with a wave; this was the usual spiel when he was given another stack of folders for the Exams. Naruto would look them over carefully; he would assess each team's efficiency, mission rates, strengths, and any unusual abilities. He had a drawer full of folders of teams he was almost certain would be competing. They ranged from many villages and Jutsu styles to elemental wielders and bloodline limit possessors.

There was one folder that he had marked with a blue tag. An ice blue tag. It signified something special, because this folder came from the Village Hidden in the Mist, and had a bloodline limit he had thought to be extinct. A half grin would crease his face every time he opened the drawer and saw that tag. It would involuntarily lead him back in time to one of his first missions as Team Seven, and one of the first people he changed without trying.

Thinking along these lines lead his train of thought to a station he had been stopping at frequently. Sasuke had been recommended for either ANBU or Hunter Nin. Kakashi felt that Sasuke could easily work alone as Hunter Nin. He also thought the village had accepted him enough to approve a recommendation for ANBU for him.

Naruto opened a drawer to the left of his desk. This was where he would file particularly difficult or long term missions. There was one particular mission he knew Sasuke would be perfect for. He had been hesitant to assign him to it because it was a four month mission, possibly longer.

He slid it back into its place, and turned his attention back to the folders of Genin cells. He pulled only two from the stack of over a hundred as worthy of a second glance. These he slipped into his drawer with the others.

Shikamaru with his inevitable sense of knowing when he finished a stack of work chose that moment to enter with a new stack of mission requests. "Hokage-Sama, there is one on top you need to respond to urgently," Shika looked into those clear blue eyes. "The situation has gotten worse, we cannot wait any longer to respond or it will be too late."

Naruto looked into Shikamaru's dark orbs. Without looking he pulled the folder back out of the left hand drawer. "Shika, call Team Kakashi, and Yamato," he ordered calmly.

Shikamaru 'Hai'ed' and disappeared in a puff of smoke. He rushed to the training grounds and thoughts raced through his mind. He knew how hard this was for Naruto, but he also knew as Hokage that assigning missions was never easy. This time, he was sending his beloved and the other member of their newly formed family out with his old Sensei and his trainer and former temporary Sensei. Shika felt deeply sorry for the blonde man.

He stopped at the grounds in front of Kakashi who immediately broke from his fighting stance. Yamato knowing full well that Shika's appearance was important also dropped from his ready stance and walked over. Sasuke had felt Shika approach from a distance, when he broke through the line of trees he called out for Juugo to suspend their spar and meet over near Kakashi.

The four men looked at each other with trepidation as they headed back with Shika.

In his office Naruto was pacing. He was anxious and worried, but knew he had made the right decision. He had read through the new file and an 'information gathering' mission had turned to an 'assistance in war' mission. He would be sending the only family he had off for months, possibly even a year, to aide the Village of Hidden Rock in a war against the remains of the Sound Village Orochimaru had left behind. He knew Sasuke and Juugo were the best Ninja for the job as they would have inside information on the forces and Jutsu of the Sound.

He was standing with his back to the door peering out the window when he heard the softest of thumps behind him signifying the arrival of the team he needed. He addressed them without turning around, he knew if he did he would break down and cry. The Hokage was supposed to be strong and he couldn't allow his feelings to cloud his judgment in this mission.

"Uchiha Sasuke, Hatake Kakashi, Yamato, Juugo," he addressed wach by name, "You have been selected for an extended mission into the Hidden Village of Rock. They are currently at war with the remains of Orochimaru's Hidden Village of Sound."

He turned to assess their reactions. It was as he expected. Sasuke's normally dark eyes were torrid with anger. Juugo was crossing between complete fury and excitement. Yamato and Kakashi passed a dark glance between themselves.

"There is information that Kabuto is now the leader and he has been overshadowed with Orochimaru's DNA from an experiment he conducted on himself by splicing some of Oro's DNA into his own body. The report states that he is at least 50 overtaken by the DNA. He has began resuming some of Oro's darkest experiments. They have waged war against the Village Hidden in the Rock because they need access to minerals that can be found only in and around the village, as well as the Villagers extensive knowledge of mining and earth Jutsu's," Naruto collapsed into his chair, finally allowing the overwhelming despair and depression at having to send these people he deeply loved away into such danger.

He spoke again, his voice almost inaudible, "I have no choice but to send your team. You are the best team for this mission. Sasuke, Juugo, you have inside knowledge of Orochimaru and Kabuto, as well as their ideals and planning strategies. Kakashi you are a brilliant tactician and have command of more Jutsu and technique than anyone else. Yamato, your expertise in Seals and original Mokuton Jutsu are incomparable in this type of battle."

Naruto looked into the eyes of his lover pleading with him to understand, "I am ordering you to an extended mission to aide the Village Hidden in the Rock in this war, to help them achieve victory. You are also to remain to aide them with rebuilding after the war, Yamato that's where you will be especially beneficial." A single tear fell down his cheek as he continued, "You will leave at dawn, and will be gone for at least six months. This mission could stretch a year or more."

He couldn't look at Sasuke any more; his heart was breaking at the thought of him being gone for so long when he had only come home. The team could barely hear his "That is all."

Kakashi, Yamato, and Juugo all 'Hai'ed' and disappeared. Sasuke crossed around the desk and pulled Naruto into a tight embrace. "Don't cry, please don't cry. I won't leave you completely. You will be occupied with the babies and your duties as Hokage. Take care of Sakura and Ino and if I don't return before their birth tell our children how much I love them."

The dark man was restraining his own tears, he couldn't break down in front of Naruto, he needed to be strong for his dobe. "Come on, let's go home. We have tonight together, let's not waste it." He pulled the silent blonde up out of his chair and picked his weak form up bridal style and carried him to their quarters.

Sasuke was a bit surprised Juugo wasn't there, but he thought the big man might have wanted to give them space. It didn't occur to him that he might be saying a goodbye of his own.

The two lovers spent the entire afternoon and night just cuddling. There was no sex, they needed deeper love that night, enough to carry them for the long time that was stretching out before them. Finally as the sky began to take on that predawn darkening Sasuke broke his hold on his lover.

He laid the distraught blonde gently on their bed and began to pack for his mission. He pulled out every weapon he could scrounge, and smiled when he found his old Demon Shuriken. He strapped his extra pouches onto his Uniform and clipped the oversized Shuriken into place in their holder. Finally he set his pack down by the front door and returned for one last bit of nourishment from Naruto's sweet lips.

They kissed like they would never see each other again. It was torrid and passionate, it spoke their desires to each other…'don't you dare get yourself hurt!' and 'don't worry over me, I will return to you.' Mostly it was 'I love you, hurry and complete this mission.'

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In another part of the village Juugo and Anko were waking up in each other's arms. They had bid their farewells in a night of passion. Anko had allowed the big man into her home, and had listened to his sad words. She had held him close and they had naturally fallen into the events that followed. Anko kissed Juugo one last time before he sped home to gather his gear. She had given him a parting gift of some special kunai she had developed. They worked well in his large hands and she knew he would use them well to be able to come back to her.

Close bye Kakashi had spent the night just talking to Ayame, they had needed no other physical contact than being close and wrapping their arms around each other. He had proposed to her, had confessed he had wanted to do it for some time but had never found that perfect moment. She had forgiven him for his laziness, a comment which had caused the mood to lighten and allow them to spend a companionable night.

He left her with sadness in her eyes as she twisted the band he had presented to her around her finger.

Yamato was an elite ANBU; he had no one close to him to say his goodbyes to. He had thought about that deeply through the night. He decided after this mission he was retiring from ANBU, like Kakashi. He would accept whatever position they gave him, Chuunin even if that was what Naruto deemed appropriate, but he wanted a chance to make ties and even have a family. There was really no one in particular in his mind, he just wanted a chance at normalcy.

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They met at the Village's gates just before the first ray of light showed in the sky. Naruto pulled Sasuke into a bone crushing embrace and bruised his lips with a heated kiss. "Come home soon, Teme," he ordered.

He addressed the whole team, "All of you, come home soon, and safely."

Then they were gone.

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Naruto sadly walked back to the lonely Hokage building. Shikamaru was standing outside waiting for him.

"What are you doing here so early?" the blonde inquired.

Shika just shrugged, "Tamari's in one of her moods thought I should get away." He lied.

Naruto knew he lied, but he also cherished the pony tailed man's friendship. "Thanks," he quipped softly. Shika just shrugged and followed him into the building.

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Well Sasuke is gone on a mission, a long mission. What will happen while he's gone, how long will he be gone?

Heehee, I just realized I don't even know…I have a plan, but I don't know! Gah!

Well next few chapters will be scenes from the war and the story of the babies. Hope you'll be there, but eh, at least I know x.Jamie-Chan.x will! Kukuku! It's nice to be able to have someone to give little advances of story and hints to. Thanks for being a loyal reader and reviewer!

-Kneise

(Unproofed, but posted...may edit if needed later)