Chapter 10

A/N: Hey peeps, I'm back. I apologize for these waits but my AP World History class is kicking my butt! On the plus side, it gives me ideas on how society works!

Stallion6: No, that seemed a tad to hard to pull off. She's got a completely new story.

Death by Manga: Well I'm sorry you feel that way, however, some chapters have to do their duty so to speak. (Ha, duty)

Sortofbored: Thank you!

Naruto looked out of his hotel room at the bustling street of this new village below him. Ryugakure was different from Konoha. It was a smaller village, in a difficult climate, and the fact they struggled a bit with food and support from large nations was apparent.

They were trying to strengthen their ninja core, on hopes to attract that vital large village support, and money as well. Ryugakure could use some money. The civilians were mostly farmers, and their clothing was old. Everyone was looked after, and everybody had what they needed, some of it was simply more worn with wear for some.

Naruto watched as a civilian woman hung up a blanket with a patch on it. Her hair was pulled back simply in a ponytail, and her purple kimono was worn in a bit at the elbows. He remembered the Head of Education on the council, Kirika, had her ash-blonde hair in an elaborate bun and had newer clothes. In fact, the council appeared rather well off, particularly the Takeshi.

However, Naruto noted that didn't mean that they didn't care. While an alliance with Konoha would give them the support of a village they desired, they wanted to develop, and asked for help training their nin and medics, even going as far to ask for trading contracts that would bring their area money.

Shikamaru decided that the smart thing to do would be to send a bird back to Konoha and ask. Though the Nara later wondered aloud to Neji and Naruto why they hadn't simply approached Iwa about these things.

"They could simply be trying to rebuild their numbers after the war," input Neji.

"Yeah, however everyone has lower populations. And what's a better way to increase it than in a time of prosperity?" Shikamaru wondered.

Naruto simply shrugged. "Maybe we just got around to it first?" The others dismissed that explanation as too simple, however.

Karin peeked into the maternity ward of the hospital warily, seeing about 3 couples sitting in the waiting area. She took a deep breath before entering, Sai trailing behind her silently. There was a middle aged couple, with 3 young children with them. Karin guessed they were getting a pregnancy test.

Another couple were young and fresh-faced in their early twenties. The girl's stomach was large, so Karin deduced it was her final check up.

The final couple seemed to be slightly older than the couple breeding like rabbits, and judging by the book the woman was clutching like a bible, they were seeking fertility treatments.

Wondering what the couples were in for helped pass time while Sai signed them in, and returned to her with a clipboard to fill out. The young woman with the baby due soon smiled at Karin and introduced herself. Karin smiled obligingly.

"I'm due in a week. Little boy, and we're very excited." said the woman, named Haruka, "Do you know the gender?" she asked pointing to Karin's slightly rounded stomach, barely noticeable to the civilian population. Sai put on one of his false smiles and grabbed Karin's hand, before responding.

"We don't know. We want it to be a surprise."

Karin truthfully was scared to know. She had a strange feeling it was a boy, and was mentally bracing herself for when she had to raise him.

"I'm very scared for the birth, but I'm so ready to hold my son." Haruka exclaimed excitedly.

Karin nodded politely having her own reservations about birthing, though it seemed rather far off. She never really felt suited for motherhood, but in a way did see merit in the talkative twenty-something's comment about wanting to hold her son, as she kinda wanted to hold her child too. She did worry that she would only see Sasuke, and also was uncertain the role Sai would play in the future. When his hand first grabbed hers it was weird feeling for sure, but she grew used to the warm and comfort it gave her. Karin shrugged it off as pregnancy hormones though, desiring comfort for her fragile constitution.

Karin continued to talk, but mostly listen to the young woman until her name was called. Tsunade had put Mebuki in charge of Karin's case. Sakura's mother smiled warmly as Karin and Sai entered.

"Congratulations! I'm Haruno Mebuki, and I will be your doctor up to your birth. Let's get started!"

Karin felt she was going through the motions as she answered questions. Sai's enthusiasm disappeared somewhat, and it had the strangest effect on the redhead. 'Those pregnancy hormones', she thought, 'already making me haywire.'

Mebuki turned away from her charts and started a medical jutsu. Karin laid back, recognizing the technique as one Sakura attempted to use on her before. Mebuki guided her left hand over Karin's exposed stomach, while taking notes with her right. Karin nervously watched the interesting faces the doctor made, her palms becoming a little clammy.

"Is it..ok?" Karin nervously asked. Mebuki laughed a little.

"Your child is fine. About 2 months. Too early for the sex I'm afraid."

Inwardly, Karin sighed with relief. She didn't want her strong instinct to be correct. For the first time since the waiting room, Sai spoke.

"When will we have to back?"

Karin let Sai make arrangements for the next appointment. She was tired, and wanted to go home. Or what was the closest thing to a home. She couldn't quite say she was accustomed to the bare bedroom and silent dinners, but she was grateful it, whatever it was.

On the way out of the hospital, the unlikely pair bumped into Sakura, who seemed a little frazzled, carrying a bunch of charts, and her hair amiss.

"Sakura? What's got you looking so unsightly?" Sai asked, his false smile plastered on his face. Sakura merely rolled her eyes.

"I've been in and out of surgery today."

"Have you heard from Naruto?" Karin asked, knowing Sakura had been missing him. The rosette smiled shyly.

"He snuck a note into the brief he sent back to Tsunade. It was nice to hear from him."

"We just saw your mother, Sakura." Sai informed her, "Is that what you'll like when your old?"

Karin caught sight of Sakura's glare, and decided to distract the girl. "You're just like her," she blurted. "Very kind."

Sakura was placated momentarily, and the would be couple continued onto Sai's apartment.

Hinata silently waited in Tsunade's waiting area, watching Shizune argue with Kakashi.

"I don't want to take a new Genin team!" The silver-haired man practically whined. "It won't be the same."

"You don't have many options, Kakashi," Shizune said, pinching her nose. "I really don't believe this stigma that you're doomed to have only one good team."

"Most do only have one good team..."

Hinata watched as Shizune broke down. "You'll have to discuss it with Tsunade i'm afraid. Speaking of, excuse me, Kakashi." The black haired woman turned to Hinata, "You may go in now."

Hinata nodded politely, and opened the door, hearing Kakashi make a remark about arguing over dinner, before entering.

The blonde Hokage, looked up at Hinata, a pinched look on her face. The heiress opened her mouth to ask about it, but Tsunade answered it before she could even get the words out.

"I'm reading a letter the Hyuuga Elders sent. They think in the event that you were to have a child with Byakugan, the child should be raised by the clan. That or, they seal off the gene in you completely."

"What? But why?"

"They want to keep it within the clan. Why do you think incest is so rampant?" Tsunade asked the girl, taking a swig of sake.

Hinata had honestly never thought about it. She looked up to Tsunade. "What should I do?"

Tsunade interlocked her fingers, and thought for a moment. "You could change the law."

"How do I do that?"

The busty woman took another thoughtful swig. "You're still the leader until Neji steps in. Make a decree saying you'll do whatever the hell you want with your uterus."

Hinata took in her words. It's true, while she never really thought about children with her fiancé until now, she decided that Tsunade's suggestion was the best fit for her. She nodded in response.

Tsunade smiled warmly. "Great, I'll have Shizune write it up and deliver it to the Elders so it looks all official. Now, do me a solid, go check to see of Shizune is still arguing with Kakashi."

The Hyuuga girl promptly checked, and nodded once again to the busty Hokage. Her smile got bigger. "I may win this bet, yet!"

Back in Ryugakure, Naruto looked all around him as he followed Neji and Shikamaru in the Takeshi compound, to which they'd been invited to for dinner. There were many centerpieces made of bamboo, going along with the seeming obsession of the word their clan was named after.

Nakina caught sight of them. She approached with a warm smile, a young girl trailing after her.

"Hello gentlemen, this is my daughter, Tsubaki." Tsubaki looked a lot like her mother, with wavy orange and large eyes. She smiled shyly, and appeared to be about 10.

Nakina turned to Shikamaru. "The council members and their families are hear, along with select members of the Takeshi clan." Shikamaru nodded politely, before noticing Eiji approaching. The older man had been the only one staunchly against the treaty. Nakina followed his line of eyesight.

"I'm sure I don't have to warn you that Eiji will be interrogating you three, even of you are the novelty of the party."

Naruto smiled. "I can take it."

A/N: thanks to all of you guys!

Sorry for not updating for a while, but here I am. For everybody who heard about the Newtown shooting, please keep the families, victims and children in your hearts and prayers. We won't forget them.

Til next time!