Temari's Little Problem

Chapter 9

A/N Want something really good to read while you wait for the next chapter to come out? Check out my short tragic fairytale one-shot 'The Shukaku's Son'! Jk! I really suggest you check out 'Break Down' by MorriganFearn though, especially if you like Sunagakure! .net/s/5376548/1/ It's one of the most beautiful, in depth, and high quality fics I've ever read on this site, and best of all it's about the Fourth Kazekage! *fangirl squeal!* Is it weird that I'm in love with Gaara's dad? O.O

Moving on, this is so late because I lost my internet for an entire week (damn you AT&T!) and also I didn't like how this chapter had turned out so I rewrote pretty much all of it. The other version had more lightheartedness to it for the most part, but this flows better so I hope you like it because I worked really hard on it :-/ I edited for hours ( and I always edit for hours, so you know this got complicated).

So yeah, another serious chapter but I'm halfway done with chapter 10 and I promise it's a lot more upbeat! :D Look at the note down at the bottom in case I failed as an author to make clear what's going on in the story. Otherwise enjoy! And thanks for reading and all those nice things you do! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.


What was the wetness? Blood? So much of it… something definitely was wrong.

"Kan-Kankuro?" Temari sat up on her bed. A powerful pang attacked her lower belly, making her double over in pain. But how could it be? She'd only been pregnant for eight months. How could she be giving birth already? Her baby moved within her, as if asking for help. "Kankuro!" Temari screamed in unabashed panic.

But he didn't respond the first time, and he didn't respond again. She'd been fast asleep before the uncomfortable sensations started and what she supposed was her water had broken. He probably wasn't even home. "Kankuro…! Gaara…!" she called out weakly. She knew she was alone. "Help me…!"

Her belly had looked awfully small when she was five months pregnant. Shikamaru had said it, and then the bitchy medic Ino had said it.

Her stomach had been small enough for people to not suspect she was carrying an infant. Kankuro and Gaara, both of who still didn't know her great mystery, and anyone who saw her noticed that she had put on weight, but with she not being absolutely huge and wearing baggy clothes no one questioned the reason her body was changing. It all seemed to work out in her favor.

Two weeks after seeing Shikamaru, while locked in her room and wallowing in self pity, she finally started feeling movement inside her, and the gesture moved her, encouraged her to stay strong. Her baby was living and kicking! She tried, she really did, to go back, somewhat, to the girl she used to be. Loud, bossy, snobby. She couldn't do it.

She'd lost her spunk, and despite the renewed hope she felt feeble and weak. Almost sickly. By month seven she wouldn't leave her room. Firstly, because her stomach had stretched from one month to the other and now there were no clothes that could possibly hide her obviously pregnant belly. Secondly, because she honestly thought her legs would give out underneath her if she tried so much as to stand up. Ino had given her some natural energy pills back in the meeting, and while Temari used them to give herself enough power to do basic functions, like eating, showering, and walking enough to reach the bathroom, all she could really do was lay in bed and rub the baby bump, talk to it, feel it kick and punch her, sleep, and pray for the creature to be alright in there.

But now she knew her kid wasn't as okay as she was hoping it to be. Eight months and he was coming. She needed a doctor; she needed her brothers to aid her immediately. But Gaara was kazekageing in his office and Kankuro was out. She let out a loud groan and fell on her knees, the pain on her lower body indescribable. Worse than being stabbed; worse than getting burned. Worst than anything she had ever felt in her life. It was pain so intense that it left her mind cold and numb. She was on all fours and crying loudly, too petrified by what felt like a slow death to try moving but fighting with all the strength she had left to not collapse, because if she collapsed she feared not being able to get back up and this was definitely not the time to stop being the strong person she was.

She'd come so far to keep her baby, Shikamaru, and herself alive, she thought tiredly in a moment when her eyes could see through the cloud of pain. Why was this happening now? Her premature baby wouldn't make it, she would die giving birth, and Shikamaru would get executed…? So much for keeping the pregnancy hidden in order to avoid bloodshed. She could not give up now. She would not lose it all. If the help she so desperately needed wouldn't come to her, then she would drag herself to it. Because Temari had given herself the mission of having the baby, and like with every other mission she would do anything to accomplish it.

She stood up, slowly but surely, shaking, struggling for air, crying, almost tumbling, and she walked. One step at the time. One step at the time. She reached her bedroom door and swung it open, hanged on to the handle while she let out an anguished scream. Moved on as she kept walking, one step at the time, weeping. One step at the time down the hall. She could feel sticky warmness trailing down her thighs, down her knees and lower legs. But she kept on walking, one step at the time. Her baby pushed against her flesh from the inside, and she let out a distraught cry because even if she tried she couldn't move any faster. Where… are… you…? She kept moving forward, one step at the time. Kankuro. Gaara. Shikamaru. Karura. Hiro. Yashamaru. Baki. Where were the ones she loved when she needed them so much? She reached the top of the stairs and stopped, dropping lightly to her knees. It was over. She lay on her back and closed her eyes. She couldn't go on anymore. The pain was unbearable, the stairs an impossible obstacle. It was over.

"Can you tell me if it's a boy or a girl?" she remembered asking Ino three months ago.

"No," the younger woman had smirked. "I don't have x-ray vision."

Pain was engulfing every fiber in her body, but Temari wondered the same question again. Even if she and the baby died like she feared they were doing, she wanted to at least get to know its gender. She didn't really care what it was; Shikamaru on the other hand had mentioned to her that when he had a family he would prefer to first have a daughter. Not that it mattered really, since he wouldn't have much access to the baby to begin with. She had never decided whether she would publicly admit to him being her kid's father, now that she thought about it. He would undoubtedly be the number one suspect, but what could be the consequences of everyone in the Leaf and the Sand knowing they had a kid together? Nothing good as far as politics and society were concerned. As if it mattered. At the rate she was going her heart would wind up stopping.

She groaned in discomfort as new waves of pain hurt her. How long had she been on the floor for anyways? Surely at least two hours? She needed a distraction. She needed a name for her baby! She never gave it a thought, but now that they were both dying she ought to at least name it…. If it was a girl… Karura, like her mother? It was such a dark name, though…. Maybe—!

She yelled to the top of her lungs, writhed on the ground back and worth, bit on her lower lip so hard it drew blood. The pain was turning more and more grueling. She felt the strong temptation to throw herself over the stairs and embrace her death. The sooner it was over the better. But her child was still moving. If it had a chance, she couldn't let it down. Her own little brother had been premature and survived (disregarding the facts that he'd been surrounded by medics and was a demon vessel)! Why couldn't her baby defy the odds and be a survivor as well? Maybe it was strong like her!

All she had to do was get back to her room and give birth on her own. Easy enough. But as soon as she attempted to stand up, she shrieked again. It hurt too much and she needed help. Shikamaru's help. He was a genius. He could help her deliver their baby. But he wasn't coming. He was in the Leaf village and didn't know his son or daughter was on its way.

And maybe it was best that way. He wouldn't have to suffer seeing her like this. Yes, it was better the way things were. Shikamaru was probably happy right now. It was okay.

"Why are you doing this?" she had asked Ino.

"Huh?" the younger woman had looked up.

"Being so… gentle." She cringed at the word. Was the peroxide idiot feeling pity for her?

Ino giggled. "I'm not being gentle because of you. I'm just doing it because of the baby, because of Shikamaru's baby."

Of course. Temari had always indulged in calling Ino pig dumb, because she lacked pure kunoichi strength, because of the unnecessarily provocative looks and personality, and just because deep down she outright felt… envy… of the bitch for spending so much time with her boyfriend. She had always seen it, the way she took care of her Shikamaru, and it made her jealous. But not anymore. Because she couldn't keep thinking of Shikamaru as her boyfriend, she had to let go, and because when it was time for him to settle down and form the family he wanted, who was better for him than Ino, the girl who had known him all her life and who genuinely loved him?

"Take care of him, alright?"

"Sure will." Ino returned to work.

"I mean of Shikamaru."

"Huh?" Ino looked up at her again. Teal and ice blue eyes connected, and Ino knew what she meant. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! No! Hold the phone! We're just friends! I've known him my entire life!"

Temari shrugged. It was a shame if she couldn't fall in love with Shikamaru, but, "You still love him, though, don't you? So do me a favor and take care of him. At least make sure he doesn't end up with someone bad like me again, okay?"

She younger woman was speechless, but she nodded and went back to work. It was until they were done and looking for Shikamaru so that they could part ways that she'd said, "You know, you weren't that bad for him. He really likes you, and you made him very happy. But if you guys are really over, then I promise. His next girlfriend better be as great as you or else."

She never in her life imagined she'd be hugging Ino, much less giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek, but there she was. Thank you, for checking my baby's health and checking my health and giving me some pills and especially for loving Shikamaru.

She had wished Shikamaru the best and hugged him goodbye.

And now she was completely alone and helpless. Except for her brothers. They were the only ones she had left, that was, if they ever forgave her for her misstep and lies.

To Gaara, she really owed him an apology. For making him feel guilty over her not-really-existent depression, and for bringing him so much stress. Even when she got from her 'mission' she had told the poor redhead to go fuck himself. She'd been so awful to her baby brother all this time, and was finishing him off by bringing him great shame.

And to Kankuro, she had to say thanks. Although he was a fucking prick most of the time and had made the last few months of her existence impossibly complicated, she knew he loved her. Before Gaara became their brother, when their father was never home, when they lost Yashamaru and felt alone, they'd had each other. A happy two-person family within their dysfunctional family. She had to thank Kankuro because he had proved his loyalty to her once more through his concerned suspicions. Because he had cared.

Gaara and Kankuro… would they get home in time to save her life, or at least to say goodbye? How would they react to the baby? Would they be fine without her…?

She thought of so many things, some happy things and other sad things, while she lay on the floor for what felt like another eternity. She couldn't cry anymore because her eyes had gone so dry, but she would still sob from time to time when she couldn't take it anymore. Erratic yelps and groans would still tear for her aching throat. Deep, controlled breathing was all the tired lungs could manage to keep the miserable girl from passing out.

"What is this? Blood…? Temari, where's the wound?"

It was Gaara's voice…? How sweet was his voice…. Usually a quiet and gentle monotone, deep, just slight throaty when he became agitated, and like unpredictable thunderclap when anger reached his vocal cords. She'd always wanted to hear him sing, but of course he never would.

"Temari, what is this?" She heard Gaara's wavering voice again. She opened her eyes painfully and saw what was in fact a blotchy but defined silhouette of her youngest brother. Bright red hair on pearly skin, and a mask of pure blackness surrounding pale teal eyes.

"Temari!" he screamed at her. It was so real.

It was too real. Fingers were clearing strands of blond hair from her face, prodding at her legs and stomach in search of a wound. She realized with glee that her beautiful Gaara was home! It was real…!

"Temari, can you hear me?" the boy held her face.

She nodded, trying to clear her mind from the pain.

"What hurts?"

"Baby…" she gasped out. "I'm having… a baby."

Gaara almost grinned. "Of course not. You have to be pregnant for that. You aren't even married."

But even he knew better. Her symptoms, her baggy clothes, her face when he separated her from Shikamaru Nara, her refusal of missions, her refusal to even leave her room, the pain that clung to every inch of her face and body, the way she had put on weight, the secretive, snappy attitude, all the strange foods she had consumed, the blood that was puddling underneath her lower body…. He grimaced as he realized where the blood was coming from and wiped the suddenly gross substance that covered his hands on his trousers.

It all suddenly had snapped into place. Temari was not depressed. She was pregnant! Even worse, she was giving birth! And he was the only person who could help her!

"Kankuro!" he yelled out helplessly.

"He's not home!" Temari moaned in discomfort.

"Then I'll go find him!" He stood up. He didn't know what to do. He was just Gaara the Kazekage. But Kankuro, he was smart and reliable. He would know what to do.

But his sister didn't agree. "Get a doctor instead!" she screamed at him.

"I need Kankuro first!" he yelled back nervously. He definitely needed Kankuro first. Because he was just the little sibling! What did he know about crisis like these? Being the best ninja in the village didn't mean anything!

Temari knew he was freaking out. Although his face was stony as ever, except for the random twitching of his left eye, she could hear panic flooding his always calm voice. "Gaara, forget Kankuro!" she ordered through gritted teeth. "Doctor! My baby is premature!"

Premature! A premature baby! Just like he'd been! How funny! "Fuck, Temari!" he tugged at his hair in desperation. "Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you! Is there anything else I should know?"

He looked so hurt and confused that if he still had the Shukaku Temari was sure he would've lost his head.

"That I tried telling you before," she stammered, "But I was too ashamed."

Ashamed? Out of all things she should've been she was ashamed?

"And," she continued, "If you can help it, I don't want you to leave me…."

He was upset; what she'd done was reckless and unnecessary. "You're an idiot," he said slowly, furiously. "If you had told me, I would've taken care of you."

He would have? Or was he saying it because he also thought she was dying? "I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorrier." He kneeled beside her, tentatively stroking her hair. "You look pathetic. Don't you dare die on me, you hear?"

She nodded and he did hand seals. One sand clone to get the midwife; one sand eye invisibly connected to the optic nerve of his left eye to search for Kankuro. No matter what Temari said, at least he really needed his brother Kankuro to help him out.


A/N Give me two weeks to finish chapter 10! I want 10 to be the last chapter, but I think it's running long as well so we'll see.

And ummm... expect childbirth, crazy brothers, and a glimpse of Suna history!

Now, here, obviously there's been a three month time-skip and it could be a little confusing, so summary: Temari is 8 months pregnant but is already going into labor. As she lays on the floor giving birth, she is wondering and remembering stuff, including what happened during time-skip.

Obviously Kankuro didn't find out. I had written how it is that Ino and Chouji distracted Kankuro in my first draft, and although I found it quite amusing I thought it distracted from the main plot too much and decided to cut it out.

Then when Ino was examining Temari several things happened. Ino gave Tema some energy pills, agreed that the baby felt too small, and declared it was alive. There wasn't much she could do though. Her specialty is healing. Temari on the other hand asked her to take care of Shikamaru, and actually hoped that they get together eventually. Ino said no, but she'll take care of him anyways. And the everyone said bye. All friends, no hard feelings whatsoever.

Back in Suna the baby started moving and Tema got rounder, but at the same time she started getting weaker and sicker. And then one day, bam! The baby is being born ahead of time.

And that's it? Any questions, leave them in the reviews or message me them. I'll definitely reply. Thanks for reading!