-1This chapter about three years after chapter 7, Sakura is pregnant with Saori.
Rain or Shine
Chapter 8
"I want you to guard Sakura" Naruto ordered Sasuke.
A nearby explosion
nearly drowned out Sasuke's reply.
"Who will guard you? You
are the Hokage, Naruto."
The village guards me and I guard the village, as Hokage," Naruto's voice was calm but firm. Three years as Hokage had given him a more mature air, even in battle. But his thoughts were on Sakura. He needed to be sure she was safe.
If she hadn't been pregnant she would have been here by his side. Because she was the Head Medic Nin, she had organized the evacuation of civilians, the other pregnant kunoichi and ones with children under a year old, the injured and elderly shinobi no longer able to fight, and all ninja children under Genin rank to the hidden evacuation points. Because she was pregnant she had to be part of that evacuation. If she wasn't so close to term he wouldn't have been as worried, but the baby was due this week. The baby threw off her fighting skills, and sapped her chakra.
Sasuke wanted to argue, but he could tell by the set look in his best friend's face that no words would change his mind.
Naruto knew that look on Sasuke's face as well, after all the years of their friendship. His expression softened even as his eyes remained firm. "You know why I want you to guard her. You are our family. If anything happens to me I want you to be her and the baby's protector. Sakura chan is quite capable of fighting off almost anyone, but if it's an S class ninja, she might be outclassed, especially with the baby to watch out for. No one there at her evacuation point is up to fighting an S class ninja, except for Temari, and she's pregnant too."
Naruto was relieved Temari hadn't left for Suna. She and Shikamaru had been preparing to leave to visit her brothers, just as Iwagakure began their invasion of Konoha. A message had been relayed to Suna. Naruto saw the messenger bird returning as he and Sasuke spoke. Less than a minute later the message was in his hands. Just as he expected Suna was sending as many of their top fighters as they could, with the Kazekage, himself leading them. The ones stationed closest to the border should be here some time today. It looked like they might need them. Gaara was determined to get to Konoha by tomorrow morning. "Try to hold them off that long, so I can save you this time." Gaara had ended the short note. Naruto smiled.
At first it looked like they would hold off the invaders outside of the hidden village, but then Iwa's current allies Amegakure came in with fresh fighters. They broke through in the far section of the civilian quarters of Konoha. Two days later the battle still raged, and was nearing the Hokage building. It was time to leave here, and join the battle again.
"Sasuke kun, go to Sakura san like Naruto kun says. I will stay here and be his bodyguard in your place." Sai understood what Naruto wasn't saying. If Sasuke was protecting Sakura, he could battle like he felt he should as Hokage.
Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment. "Alright. But you better come through this safe and sound Naruto, or you'll make Sakura very unhappy, and me too."
Sasuke disappeared and Naruto breathed a sigh of relief. He nodded at Sai. "Let's go, Konoha needs it's number one ninja in this battle!" He grinned at his old childhood boast. It was the truth now. As Hokage he was the number one ninja in Konoha. Sai smiled and followed Naruto's leap out the window to the next roof.
Sakura paced ungainly. She stared at the ceiling of the evacuation cave with disgust. She'd much rather be beside Naruto. Two months ago Tsunade and Jiraiya had spoken to them, warning that it looked like Iwa had formed some sort of alliance with Ame. An alliance between those two countries couldn't spell anything good for Konoha. Later Tsunade had spoken to Sakura alone.
"I think they are planning an invasion. Jiraiya does too. But I know why they are probably going to attack soon. A lot of the younger kunoichi, including you, are pregnant or have small infants that are still nursing right now. That brings our elite fighting force down. I don't know if Jiraiya has looked at that much of the picture. You are the Head Medic Nin now, though, so you have to be aware of this. You need to speak to Naruto about Konoha's evacuation plans. They need to be updated and small scale secret practice drills done. We don't want to show our hand, but need to be ready to put this into motion at a moments notice."
And here we are now, evacuated, Sakura sighed with disgust. She was relieved that her detailed plans had worked out. All but a few stubborn civilians, determined to fight alongside the ninja defending their village, had evacuated.
Sakura was startled, and had a kunai in her hands when Sasuke abruptly appeared beside her. A quick glance showed Temari had drawn her fan out at the ready as well. The others in the cave hadn't responded as fast. Sakura returned the kunai to the pouch with relief. Temari lowered her fan when Sakura nodded that it was okay.
Sakura turned to Sasuke, "You shouldn't have arrived that way, not in this situation."
Sasuke looked embarrassed. When women criticized him it was like he went back to childhood and it was his mom scolding him with disappointed eyes, for a mistake. "Sorry. I should have given a signal."
Sakura nodded, then was filled with dread, "Why aren't you with Naruto?"
"He's okay. He ordered me, as Hokage, to protect you."
"Idiot Naruto. I'm fine, he's the one in danger."
"I told him that. That's when he ordered me as Hokage to be your protector. Sakura, he wanted that so he could fight and not be distracted- worrying about you and the baby."
"I'm pregnant, not helpless." she snapped in irritation, then sighed in resignation, "Who's with him?"
"Sai."
"That makes me feel a bit better. He's not on your level as a fighter, but he's better than most." Still, she was worried. "How's the battle going?"
"We're holding our own, and Suna is on the way, the first of their platoons should be here by sunset."
Temari spoke up, "My little brother is coming too, isn't he?"
"Yes, he hoped to be here by morning."
"Good, we'll need fresh fighters by then." Temari smiled, she had loyal feelings for both Konoha and Suna. Her happiest times had been here in Konoha though. She felt like she was both Leaf and Sand. After this battle was over it'd probably be quite a while for she and Shikamaru could be spared to go to Suna for a visit. At least she could visit with Gaara while he was here after the battle. Seeing Gaara and Matsuri's baby would have to wait, now. Gaara had sent her a picture though of the three of them. Little Chimaki had the brightest red hair! It'd probably darken to Gaara's shade as he grew up, though.
Sasuke turned to Temari. "I'll take your post now, at the cave entrance. If anyone from Iwa or Ame gets close I can put them in a genjutsu."
Temari nodded, it was a smart plan. She had took this position because she was the longest range fighter and could take out any enemy that got too close before they even found the hidden cave entrance. And if they got close she was good enough at that to at least hold them off until Sakura or one of the other better close range fighters could get there.
Sakura smiled at Temari as she sat down beside her. "We'll be the second line of defense together." Sakura had come to really like the brilliant strategic fighter. Sakura liked her for her intelligence and snarky sense of humor. It was kind of like having a funny older sister who shared a lot of your point of views on things.
Shizune san was kind of an older sister too, but she was so serious minded, and a lot older. Tsunade shishou was her teacher, but also kind of like a mother to her. She certainly was acting like she was going to be this baby's grandmother, a lot more than her real mom. She seemed to have turned her gambling obsession into an extravagant spending spree on everything a baby might need. Shizune san had smiled when Sakura related their teacher's behavior. "She did the same thing with me when I was pregnant. It's a lot more constructive than the gambling. Let her indulge it."
Sakura's real mom spent any visits criticizing all the preparations, declaring hers as "hopelessly inadequate" and retired Hokage's in "poor taste". Tsunade shishou was thoroughly disgusted at "that woman", and told Sakura to stop letting her mother torment her into unhappiness. Her dad wasn't much better, he declared the pregnancy stuff was "women's stuff" and left her alone, but he picked at Naruto on his "failings" as a Hokage.
Naruto groused that it was as bad as dealing with the idiots
on the council.
She and Naruto finally decided they'd put a layer
of bureaucracy between themselves and her parents. All meetings would
have to be scheduled through the Hokage's assistant. Her parents then
wrote nasty letters to Sakura about this "outrage". She
then directed that all correspondence from her parents to be handled
through the Hokage's assistant as well. They hadn't been bothered by
her parents since then, but Naruto's assistant told her they were
still writing annoying letters. Sakura wouldn't read them, she told
the assistant to tear them up after reading them. Things had gone
much more happily then, until this invasion.
Not that there hadn't been plenty of joy during the early months of her pregnancy, the day she told Naruto they were going to have a baby had to be her favorite. He was still halfway asleep as they discussed their schedules for that day.
"So, Sakura chan, it's been a while since we went to Ichiraku, would you mind if we ate there tonight?"
"How about lunch, instead."
"Sure." He grinned. "What's the plan for tonight then?"
"We're going to that buffet place I really like." She grinned back. "Because we are celebrating something big."
Naruto looked confused, it wasn't either one of their birthdays, their anniversary or a major Konoha holiday...
Sakura giggled. "We're going to have a baby, silly."
Naruto looked stunned then overjoyed. He leaped over the table and swooped her up in his arms. "Sakura chan! I'm so happy! Let's tell everyone right now!"
Sakura kissed Naruto. "Lets wait until tonight. If you want to turn this into a big celebration, we'll invite all our friends to meet us at the restaurant tonight."
"Yeah, that sounds great!"
Sakura had a feeling that all their friends would already know about the baby long before dinner. Naruto was as bouncy with joy about it as he was about Iruka sensei treating him to ramen when he was a kid. She hadn't seen him this hyper with joy in years, not since she had said yes to his proposal of marriage.
She smiled, drifting off to sleep in the cave, remembering that day.
Temari smirked, guess I'm this watch, then.
It had been a while since he had paired with Sai in battle. Naruto was glad to see, that although they still didn't gel as a team as he and Sakura or even he and Sasuke did, they still anticipated each others fighting moves quite well.
It was obvious when the first platoon from Suna arrived, Iwa and Ame attackers were driven back, almost to the gates, within minutes.
He and Sai took a break from fighting to get the briefing from the platoon leader- Gaara's former sensei, Baki.
"We have three more platoons closing in on Konoha, the first should be arriving just about now, the second is about an hour away, and the Kazekage's, is about three to four hours behind that one."
"Your platoon has already helped us out a lot. Our fighters were getting worn down by all the time we've been fighting this invasion."
Baki nodded, this man, although still quite young, looked clearly on the edge of exhaustion, his bodyguard as well. They had probably arrived just in time.
The second Suna platoon drove the invaders outside Konoha's walls. The third platoon and a couple of tired but determined Konoha platoons drove them back to the woods. Gaara's platoon finished a lot of them off and sent the survivors into full retreat. Neither would be invading any other countries any time soon.
Gaara smiled when he greeted a relatively uninjured Naruto.
"So now we have come and saved your village."
"Thank you-"
"No talk about debts, now, this is friendship."
"Yeah. We're probably going to need some help with the rebuilding, if you can spare any of your civilians skilled in that, and any lower ranked ninjas with enthusiasm."
"I'm sure we can spare some of both, but let's discuss that later. How are your people?"
"Sai's gone to bring Sakura and the other evacuated people back. She'll get that report and organize things, then give me a report."
"Your arm looks injured, perhaps a medic nin should treat it."
"Yeah, think it might have fracture somewhere. Sakura chan will yell at me if I don't at least get a splint put on it. I know Tsunade baachan was last stationed about a block from here, maybe I should get her to treat it before Sakura chan gets here."
"Too late Naruto. I'm already here. Give me your arm." Her expression and tone were stern, but her eyes were filled with concern.
Naruto dutifully let his wife gently take his arm.
Not just a fracture, there's a break here" she pointed to his third finger, "and here" she pointed to his upper arm near the elbow. "The fracture is in the forearm. Did you have to use that jutsu?"
He nodded. "Just once, thankfully."
"One time to many" She chided softly, as she started the healing process in his arm. "You'll have to have a full arm cast this time, and that finger splinted."
He groaned, remembering how difficult things were the last time he had to wear a half arm cast on that arm.
"Well, lucky for you, you're married this time. I can feed you and help you get dressed and undressed." She flirted.
Gaara cleared his throat, embarrassed to view any further intimacies between them. "Sakura san, have you seen my sister? I hear she was evacuated but not with which group."
"She was with me. She's fine, just checking on her husband. We heard he was injured."
Naruto looked stricken. "How badly hurt was he?"
"Just a broken leg." Shikamaru called out as Temari landed somewhat winded with her husband cradled in her arms.
Sakura moved to help Temari gently set Shikamaru on the ground. "I can get your healing process started, it will help lessen the pain."
"Thanks."
"Hmm, looks like a fracture rather than a full break. Probably would be a good idea to cast it anyway though."
"You're the medical expert, I'll go with whatever you say is better."
Sakura nodded.
Temari teased, "You just want me to help you get dressed and undressed, don't you?"
"Troublesome woman." He groused but blushed with a hint of a grin.
"Crybaby boy." She taunted back.
"I'll never live that down, will I? " Shikamaru sighed.
"Nope" She grinned.
"Thought so." He smiled slightly.
Temari turned to her brother then and smiled, "Good to see you again, little brother."
He smiled back, "You as well. Matsuri chan sends her greetings, and can't wait for your visit."
"I was looking forward to it too." She gazed at all the damage that would need to be repaired in Konoha. "It'll probably be a while now."
"Yes, we'll probably come back to help in the repairs here. The council will grow fearful of our absence though, so it will have to be a short one. Perhaps in another month. I'll probably have to head back with half our people in a couple of days this time."
Temari sighed resignedly, then changed the subject to something more pleasant. "How's our brother?"
"Still playing the field." Gaara rolled his eyes.
"He's enjoying all those silly fangirls chasing him just because the Kazekage is his brother." She snorted. "Eventually he's going to slip up with one or more of them."
"I hope it's just one."
"Our brother?" Temari smirked knowingly.
Gaara sighed, he felt a headache coming on.
Jiraiya found Tsunade injured and unconscious on top of some rubble.
"Tsunade!" He cried out, climbing over the unsteady pile carefully.
When he reached her he saw her eyes open. She half smiled and grimaced with pain, it would take some time for this collection of injuries to heal. She had enough chakra left to heal herself enough for Jiraiya to safely carry her to wherever the closest medical triage was. She whispered in his ear, "All roads lead to you."
He blushed with embarrassment. "That poem was pathetic."
"It was the best thing you ever wrote."
He snorted, but grinned. "If you say so."
"I do." she said firmly, then grinned back, despite the pain of her injuries. "Going to do a little healing while you find the triage, I'm inducing a light sleep, so don't worry, I'm okay."
"Alright." He said calmly. Still, Jiraiya couldn't help feeling a bit worried. He knew enough medical ninjutsu, even if his skills at it were minimal, to know she'd be recovering for quite awhile, unless she used that regeneration jutsu. Jiraiya was relieved she hadn't, he didn't want her to take any more time off her lifespan. He'd cater to her every need until she was recovered to make sure she didn't feel like she had to. He smiled ironically. Look what I've got myself into by having my dream come true with Tsunade. Still, it's worth every second.
"Tsunade sama, Jiraiya sama!" Shizune cried out in shock and raced toward them. Aoba followed, carrying their two year old son on his shoulders. They had just picked up Dasuke from his returning evacuation group when Shizune spotted the two surviving Sanin.
"Good. It's Shizune, Tsunade."
"I know." She smiled and opened her eyes.
"Looks like a clear space right over there." Aoba pointed out.
Jiraiya carefully laid Tsunade on the ground, and Shizune immediately begin to heal the woman who had raised her and trained her. After five minutes Shizune said "That's as much as can be done by me. The rest will just take time."
"Good job, Shizune. You healed the one injury I was a bit worried about. My chakra was too low to attempt it yet. It could wait, but immediate treatment is better."
"What was it?"
"Kidney injury."
"Could have had an infection start, Tsunade. I may not be a medic nin, but I know that much."
"That's why I was a bit worried, Jiraiya, and knew it would be better to get to the nearest triage."
"Um, okay." He looked skeptical, but let it go. Thanks to encountering Shizune, Tsunade would be fine.
Tsunade stood up gingerly. As Shizune didn't try to stop her, Jiraiya knew it was okay for to make her way on her own. They walked slowly due to Tsunade's injuries.
"Jiraiya sama, I can treat your injuries on the way if you don't mind."
"Just some cuts and bruises this time."
"There's a minor muscle tear in one of your fingers."
"Wondered why it was kind of tingling." He held the hand out and Shizune healed it.
"Ah, good as new. Thanks Shizune." He smiled and flexed his hand, then winked at her. Couldn't loose his reputation with the ladies, just yet.
"You're welcome" Shizune looked embarrassed, wasn't he too old to be flirting with women that way?
Tsunade just rolled her eyes. She thought, when are you going to realize you're too old for that kind of flirting with younger women? Then she snorted, this is Jiraiya. He'll be doing that on his deathbed.
"Have to make our way to the hospital Tenten"
Tenten startled guiltily "Why?"
"You need to have a full checkup to make sure you and the baby are okay."
"You knew?"
"Yes, byakugen, remember?"
"I'm sorry, Neiji! I wanted to fight though, and I'm not that far along yet!"
"About two months, I'm estimating"
She nodded. That's what she had guessed too.
"I understand why you wanted to Tenten. That's why I didn't say anything till now. I think Sakura san understood too. That's why she didn't order you to evacuate, like she could have."
Tenten blushed. Sakura san had nodded at her with a knowing smile as she was leading her evacuation group past. "I'll ask Sakura san then."
"Let's go then. I can help out a bit on the medical treatment, and I'm sure, as long as both you and the baby are okay, they'll need help from any able bodied person."
"There's probably a lot of injured people, and some of the people trained in medical ninjutsu like you were here in the battle. Some of them might be injured too."
He nodded and they took off in the direction of Konoha's hospital.
Sakura was healing yet another broken arm on an injured ninja when she heard a commanding voice:
"Sakura! No more healing injured people today, you're in labor! You need that chakra!"
"Tsunade shishou!" Sakura flushed with guilt.
"You heard me! That's your last patient today!" Tsunade's face was fierce with anger.
"Yes, Tsunade sama." Sakura looked chastened. She finished the healing and sent the patient on her way.
"Sakura chan." Naruto's voice had a chiding tone. "How long have you been in labor and healing people?"
"About an hour."
Tsunade looked relieved, Sakura's chakra level should still be okay for a regular labor. Lets hope there's no complications. "Let me do a full scan of both of you."
"Tsunade sama-"
"Hush, Shizune, it's just a scan not any healing jutsus"
"Tsunade shishou I can heal-" Sakura started to say.
"Not today. In a couple of days, if I think your level is high enough. Things look normal now, I don't see any signs of complications. You can do regular treatments and scans for a couple more hours, but no medical ninjutsu- understand?"
"Yes, shishou." Sakura smiled.
"Don't worry, Jiraiya, Shizune. I'll be limiting myself the same way."
"Can you do a full scan on me, Sakura san?" Tenten and Neiji had just arrived at the hospital and Tenten called out to Sakura before she went inside. This brought the attention of all three medic nin women present. Sakura turned around and came up to Tenten.
"Everything's fine." Sakura smiled.
Tsunade's expression was similar to Sakura's but Shizune looked disapproving.
"You are pregnant! How could you do something so dangerous with a baby on the way?"
"Shizune." Tsunade's voice was calm but stern. "Put yourself in her shoes. What if this invasion happened in the first couple of months of your pregnancy?"
Shizune looked thoroughly unsettled. She hadn't even thought of how she might have reacted in that situation, she didn't like contemplating that. "Still, it was dangerous." Shizune said defensively.
"Yes, it was, but you would have done it too, wouldn't you?"
"I don't know!" Shizune shouted in frustration. "I'm sorry Tsunade sama."
Tsunade shrugged. "It's a difficult question, we think it through and make our choices. I probably would have done the same as Tenten in that situation. I think your uncle would have understood." Tsunade smiled, with just a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Shizune looked startled, she had brought up uncle Dan in a way she never used to- as a what if they had married and had a family. Shizune used to dream about that a lot. She would have been part of a family and they would have all been happy. It was a comforting dream. The reality of dealing with Tsunade sama's years of crushing grief and post traumatic stress had shoved that dream away. She didn't think Tsunade would ever heal enough to find comfort in those type dreams, but apparently she had.
Fourteen hours later, an exhausted Sakura lay in her bed cradling her newborn daughter. Naruto shared the room, his right arm now in a full cast. They had allowed him to sit up in a chair beside her bed until a staff member could come to help him into the other bed. He stroked the baby's head with his left hand.
"Welcome to the world Saori chan" he murmured to the sleeping baby. Then smiled at Sakura. She moved so they could kiss.
"Hey Rabbit pair, you might want to wait a bit before starting on the next one." Ino teased as she walked into the room. "Well, they drafted me to help you out, Hokage sama. Come on, you two can do more cuddling and cooing after some sleep."
Naruto reluctantly let Ino help him settle into the other bed. Then Ino came over to Sakura. "Well you get privileges, the baby can sleep here." She went back into the hallway and rolled in a bassinet that normally would have been in the nursery room. "The truth is, we need every millimeter. The newborns have all been moved into the smaller nursery room, the bigger one is filled with injured Genins. They may be ninja, but they're still kids. Tsunade sama had them put there, thought the atmosphere might be comforting."
Sakura nodded, it was a good idea. They'd have to thoroughly sanitize the room afterward, but for now it was doing the youngest ninjas the most good. "Is she resting"
"Yeah, Shizune san and Jiraiya sama got her to."
Naruto hated hearing anyone got injured, but Genins especially. He was even stricter on enforcing no missions above C rank for Genins than Tsunade baachan had been. He chuckled, he would have hated having a Hokage like that as a Genin.
Ino took the chuckle to be about Tsunade and grinned. "You should have seen it, they argued back and forth and finally Shizune and Jiraiya cornered her. Shizune did a drowsy jutsu on her and Jiraiya carried her off to bed. She was still complaining that she was still competent to do medical treatment as he did."
Sakura and Naruto both laughed.
"I think they'll be glad to see you back on the job Sakura!"
"Sounds like it. I can do the boring paperwork after a night's rest anyway."
"Me too." Naruto said.
"You can't sign it though."
"The stamp will do for anything not classified. I can use that with my left hand." They'd told him he'd be stuck here for a least another day, but with Sakura and the baby it wasn't such a bad prospect. But he'd need something to while away the hours, and if Sakura chan could do dull paperwork, then so could he.
He'd also take all non classified verbal reports as well. It'd be a nice excuse for people to visit, as well. Some reports would need to be heard or read by both of them anyway- the injured and dead lists, most importantly. He'd heard a prelim report that they had come out of this amazingly lucky, only two known ninja deaths, and one civilian. Three too many, but it could have been a lot more if Suna hadn't arrived so quickly.
"Okay, you two, or I should say three," Ino said, as she settled Saori in the bassinet, "time for lights out. You all need the rest." Looking at Sakura, she said "the baby will probably wake up for her feeding in about three or four hours. If you want me to help you the first time you do it, just ring for me, I'm scheduled tonight. Even with the training it was awkward for me the first time I fed Chohiko, and he was ravenous by the time I got him positioned right."
"Thanks. If I'm having problems I will. How is Chohiko doing?"
"Always hungry" Ino grinned. "Completely normal for his father's side of the family." Her four month old son was definitely a big boy with a healthy appetite, already eating a significant amount of solid food. He was sleeping upstairs with the other infants and newborns in the nursery. It was frustrating on one point having to evacuate with him, instead of fighting beside Choji, but Chohiko was still a helpless baby, and still nursing too. Ino figured it was about time to end that now, since he was already consuming more solid food than breast milk.
"Enough talking though, you need your rest." Ino looked at both Naruto and Sakura. "That means waiting to have conversations until the morning, understand?"
"Bossy woman" Sakura grinned.
"And I'm enjoying it. It's been years since I could boss you around, forehead."
"Pig" Sakura stuck her tongue out, playing along with their childhood insults for the other.
"Oink, oink. Now go to sleep you two." Ino grinned and snapped off the light and shut the door.
"Goodnight Sakura chan, I'll be glad when we can be back in our own bed at home."
"Me too."
Ino checked in on them an hour later and was glad to see all three fast asleep. She sighed at the romantic picture it presented. It made her long to be back home with Choji and Chohiko in their bedroom. It'd be a couple of days at least though.
The Akimichi compound needed serious repairs. Choji's dad said their house looked intact, but the main house was a complete mess and debris blocked the way to their home. She'd take a break some time tomorrow and take a look. She had only seen Choji a couple of times, briefly. They had enough time to ascertain everyone was okay, then he was called out to be part of the search and rescue crews. He had come in fifteen minutes ago to get a cut treated and get some rest. They'd kissed and he'd gone to sleep on a futon in what was usually the waiting room.
She'd be on duty another four hours, then get her rest in the doctors sleep room, lots of futons in there too. Thankfully the staffing was fine, despite Tsunade sama on the injured list and Sakura having just given birth. They had lots of volunteers too, including Hinata- until she went into premature labor a few minutes ago.
Shizune was helping Hinata through her labor this time. Thankfully the baby was less than a month premature so there probably wouldn't be any health consequences for the baby. In another week the baby would have just been considered early rather than premature.
Ino shook her head as she did her rounds, both of Hinata's kids had been premature and having to take medicine during the pregnancy and monthly checkups because of her health risks... that was a lot to have to go through. Ino didn't know if she could have done that just to have a kid. Labor was bad enough. It was enough to convince her that one kid was enough.
Sakura woke to the baby's wails. She sleepily made her way to the baby's bed, and carried her back to hers. She tried to put together all the things she had learned about the right way to nurse a baby. I can see why Ino said I might need help the first time, my brain's still half asleep.
"Sakura chan do you want me to hit the bell over here for Ino to come?"
"Let me try for another minute, I'm just kind of sleepy and trying to remember it all."
"Okay."
Ino was close enough that she heard the baby's cries and walked in at that point.
"Need any help?"
"Yeah, if you could just get her settled right I think I remember the rest."
Once the baby started nursing Ino sat down in the one chair in the room. "You don't mind if I sit down for a few minutes here, do you?"
"Go right ahead."
"Good, I'm near the end of my shift and it's starting to catch up with me." She yawned.
"I can tell." Sakura smiled.
Naruto finally understood how the two women, so dissimilar, could be best friends. It was kind of like how he and Sasuke had become best friends even though they were so different. They started out touching some need in the other. The personality differences made the friendships volatile in their youths though, causing a near final break. But as they got older the friendship was repaired. He understood now that Ino was sort of a sister to Sakura like Sasuke had been a sort of a brother to him.
In the morning their first visitors were Gaara, Sasuke and Sai. Sai looked at the baby curiously and then spent the rest of the time quietly sketching the passing scene. Gaara smiled and cradled Saori in his arms with the expert skills of man who had recently become a father, himself.
Sasuke looked at the infant with a gentle warmth, a look neither Naruto or Sakura had ever seen on his face. Sakura laid the baby in his arm and he held her with the trepidation, fearful of harming the helpless newborn. Saori seemed unmindful of his anxiety and curled her hand tightly over one of his fingers.
"She's so strong." Sasuke was awed by this newborn child's powerful grip.
Naruto laughed, "Guess you'll be teaching her taijutsu before long, Sakura chan?"
Sakura shot him a dirty look, but then rolled her eyes. Naruto loved to tease her about how powerful and skilled had become at taijutsu. Of their generation, she was the top, outranking even Rock Lee. Naruto was very proud of Sakura's strength and ability. Rock Lee's affection for Sakura made him proud to see her become so powerful too. He was too well mannered to let anything inappropriate show, but Naruto and Sakura knew Rock Lee still sort of had a thing for her. Sakura hoped once some girl finally returned his affections Rock Lee's feelings would fade to just the friendship he openly showed. She expected he'd come by sometime soon to see her and the new baby.
Sasuke grinned, Naruto better watch it or Sakura would get mad at his teasing.
"Sasuke, would you be Saori's uncle? Neither Sakura or I have siblings, and you're like a brother to me..."
"You didn't even have to ask." Sasuke gazed into the newborn's blue eyes, so much like her father's. He felt an immediate bond with this newborn, not exactly a paternal bond, but definitely a desire to protect her with his life, much the same as he felt for Naruto and Sakura.
"Naruto, Sakura, even though I do have a brother and sister, and we are from different countries, you have become like siblings to me. I hope Saori and Chimaki become great friends."
Sakura startled. "Are you proposing a marriage pledge?"
Gaara's eyes widened with surprise. "No, Sakura san, but it would be a beautiful if they became friends and then fell in love, don't you think?"
"Creating an even closer bond between our countries, quite wise." Sai commented.
"Not so cold blooded though. I just have hopes that it will happen. I would never try to push it on my son."
"Nor us on Saori. But even a friendship that comes naturally, yeah I'd be happy." Naruto smiled, picturing the two kids playing on a playground and laughing.
Sakura felt mixed emotions. Yes it would be a good thing and might work out wonderfully, but even this subtle planning of their child's future bothered her. Sakura would prefer any friendships that Saori was to have develop without any adult actions behind it.
She met Sasuke's eyes and saw the same doubts on his face. He knew all too well about parents planning out their children's futures and what a disaster that could turn into. This didn't have the corrosive weight of that kind expectations, but having grown up with that he couldn't help but feel wary.
"Hokage sama, Sakura san, they told me you are receiving visitors, may I came in?"
"Of course Lee." Sakura smiled.
Lee looked momentarily dazzled at Sakura's warm expression, but then bowed politely. "Thank you."
He looked at Saori and exclaimed, "She is the most beautiful baby ever! I envy your happiness!"
Sakura barely held back giggles. "Thank you Lee. Perhaps someday you'll get married and have a child."
"It is my hope." He smiled and bowed lightly.
"So you two, ready to resume your duties?" Tsunade said mock sternly, as she entered the room.
"As soon as they let me, Tsunade baasama." Naruto grinned.
Tsunade's eye twitched in annoyance but otherwise she showed no reaction to Naruto's teasing nickname. "Your children may call me that." She said as cuddled Saori close. This child felt like a granddaughter, much like Sakura had been like the daughter she never had.
She had enjoyed being a grandmother of sorts to Shizune's son, but well, maybe she was biased but she was thrilled Sakura's child was a daughter. Tsunade had noticed the open adoration Naruto had for his daughter and had a feeling he was even happier their child was a daughter.
Well there was the old saying that having a daughter first was best... Tsunade smiled bittersweetly, remembering her little brother. She adored Nawaki. After their parents died, it had just been the two of them in the house. It hadn't been easy at fourteen, taking on a guardian role for her ten year old brother, but he tried to be grown up so hard too, after they were all that was left of the first Hokage's family. Tsunade felt her tears welling up and turned away to the window, still cradling the newborn. She looked into Saori's innocent gaze and whispered- "I vow with my life that I will do everything to protect your childhood from the sorrows I endured."
Almost as if the infant had understood, her free arm moved up toward Tsunade's face. Tsunade lightly kissed Saori's palm. Tsunade smiled, looks like you'll have your mother's compassion and your father's charm Saori. It will do you good, nurture that in yourself and become a good person.
Tsunade turned back to the room and carried Saori back to Sakura. While she had been turned around Naruto had gotten up, and now he and Sakura were both sitting on her bed. They both reached for the baby when Tsunade handed her back.
They both laughed then Sakura said, "I'll take her, I have two good arms." As soon as Sakura had Saori in her arms she settled the baby in between the two of them. Naruto stroked Saori's cheek with his left hand, and grinned when her head turned and she latched onto a finger with her mouth.
