Hey, long time not write! Here is the next chapter of the story. Sorry, for the long wait. Summer work is a bitch. My beta and I also had to fix a few things with the chapter that I was not too happy about. I promise the next chapter will be longer…about nine or more pages on Microsoft Word. Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

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Pain…

So much pain…

Had he the strength to cry or scream, he would. But his strength had failed him. His mind screamed, but his mouth struggled to even whisper.

Naruto…

The painter groaned as he felt something prick his arm and he opened his eyes to multiple nurses. The nurse who injected the needle was the first the notice him stir and greeted him gently.

"You're up."

Sai watched her as she work, wondering what was happening. The last thing he remembered was collapsing on the kitchen floor and—"M-my baby…?"

"Your child is still alive, fortunately for both of you. You'd lost so much blood yet it somehow clung to life." Sai relaxed.

But she wasn't done: "Your son is alive, but he is in intensive care. He's three months premature, his lungs are barely developed, and he's smaller than we would like. You're allowed to visit, but for now it's best that you recover." The nurse concluded and turned to exit with her team.

"Haruno-san will be here in a moment's time. Please try to stay awake for her." Sai couldn't believe it. What was with him and these frequent hospital stays?

At least my son is alive.

His son. It felt good knowing that his child was alive and even better to know what it was now. Life had been too stressful for him know his child's gender before. In fact, life had been too stressful for many things.

Like our wedding,Sai thought resignedly.

"Sai," someone called to him. The artist looked up to see his friend and nurse enter the room holding a clipboard and a pen.

"Sakura." Sai greeted with his usual smile. Sakura donned a smile of her own, though hers wasn't as cheery. Sai watched as she set the items in her hand on the stand near the foot of the bed and made her way closer to the head of his bed, where she stood for a good ten seconds before pulling the man into a tight but warm embrace.

"Sai…" she whispered as he gave her a hug of his own. To his surprise, Sai could feel her tears on his cheek and neck.

Eventually, the medic's tears dried and her breaths evened. She drew back from the hug and recomposed herself until she appeared as if she'd hadn't be upset at all.

"I don't understand why you cried, Sakura. My son…he is alive." Sai said in a small voice. Sakura let out a shaky sigh.

"I don't know why either. Maybe…maybe it's because you've suffered enough. If it'd been me…" Sakura didn't have to finish her sentence. It was apparent what she would have said, that she would've broken long before she would even have her first child.

"Sakura…"

"Mommy!" Sai's eyes shot in the direction of the voice.

"Hoshiko…!" he exclaimed, though it came out as more of a croak, and sat up to receive his daughter's hug. Hoshiko jumped onto his bed, the impact sending them flat against the bed Sai had just sat up from. The ex-ROOT ran his hands through his daughter's soft black locks.

"Sai." The artist looked up and smiled when he saw Naruto in the doorway.

"I'm so glad you're ok…" Naruto walked over to his family and joined in the hug. "I was so worried when I heard you fall and I saw you lying there."

He really was. He'd heard a thump when Sai fell to the ground and had immediately taken him to the hospital when he saw the blood, causing a big scene when he burst through the doors and demanding that somebody help Sai. After they took him away, Naruto stayed in the waiting room, only leaving to retrieve Hoshiko, who'd been sleeping soundly throughout the whole ordeal.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost both of you…" Naruto murmured, thinking also of his premature son.

"I…I don't know what I'd do either." Sai replied.

Kakashi entered Sasuke's room. Outwardly, the jounin's face remained laidback, but inwardly, there was an inner turmoil that he hadn't experienced in years. He had heard about what happened to Sai the night before and now he was absolutely furious. And after everything the Uchiha had already done: leaving the village, defecting to Orochimaru, nearly killing Naruto (twice), tricking Naruto into siring a child, now this…

Sasuke had long been dead to Kakashi. That was why the Jounin had gained the Mangekyou after his defection. But now…Kakashi was at the point where all compassion was lost, where he would do anything to break his once favorite student, in a way that truly mattered.

And thanks to the decision Tsunade made concerning Sasuke's unborn child, he had that opportunity.

"You summoned me, Hokage-sama?"

"Yes, I did. Have a seat Kakashi." She said, motioning to a chair. After the silver-haired man silently complied, the blond woman set her stamp and document down and sighed. Being Hokage wasn't easy on her. Had she not been under a jutsu, her stress wrinkles would have been present.

"Kakashi, as you know, Uchiha Sasuke is with child." Kakashi nodded at the information he had known for quite some time which Tsunade took as a sign to continue. "You are also aware that due to his actions against Naruto and Sai that he must be punished. Sasuke has been on thin ice since he reentered the village. His punishment should be severe, but seeing as he is pregnant, our usual punishment cannot be carried out." Tsunade took a breath and placed her chin on her intertwined fingers. "So, after much deliberation, I have come up with a solution to this problem. And that's where you come in."

"I see. What is my part in Sasuke's punishment?"

"You'll be the one to raise the child once we remove it from Sasuke's custody."

Kakashi's visible eye widened. "Me, Hokage-sama?"

"Yes. We cannot let Sasuke keep that child, so I want you to take full custody of it. At first, I considered rendering all custody to Naruto, since it's his child as well, but I get the impression that he wants nothing to do with it." That much was certain months ago when she saw the blonde storm out after hearing of Sasuke's pregnancy. And how ever since, Naruto refused to even come in voluntary contact with the Uchiha.

"I also thought of you because the child Sasuke has conceived may obtain the Sharingan and since you too can use the bloodline, it would be wise to leave the child with someone loyal to the village who can both care for it and train it to use its abilities to the fullest."

A tense and uncertain silence followed Tsunade's speech as Kakashi let everything the Godaime told him sink in. Minutes later, the Jounin made his decision.

"I'll do it."

Tsunade let out a sigh of relief and smiled tiredly.

"Excellent."

Yes, he had the perfect way to break the Uchiha.

Now he just had to think of the right place and time—

"If you're just gonna stand there, then just get out." Sasuke snarled, bringing Kakashi's thoughts into focus.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but last time I checked, you were in no position to order anyone around."

Sasuke's scowl deepened. It was true. After he'd been detained for the incident with Sai, his chakra had been cut off, along with any chances of living unsupervised by ANBU. In fact, judging from the sneers Tsunade kept giving him (and the way she snarled "whore" under her breath as she walked out), Sasuke suspected that were it not for his pregnancy, the Godaime would've beaten him to a bloody pulp.

He was a pariah, in all but name.

"C'mon, Sasuke. We're going to the hospital." Kakashi grabbed Sasuke, making their way to the most used building in Konoha.

Sai watched his son through thick glass. Behind him stood Naruto and to his left, Hoshiko. Sai was currently sitting in a wheelchair since the staff didn't want him walking just yet.

Sai watched the as his son's chest rose and fell forcefully do to the machines and tube connected to him in the incubator. It was saddening to see and know that his child's life depended on them.

A hand on the brunet's shoulder gave him some comfort. He knew it was Naruto's by the warmth and size. Sai rested his hand on top the other's.

"Is...that my brother?" Hoshiko asked softly. She turned to her parents and they nodded.

"Yes. That's him," Naruto answered.

"What's his name?" Hoshiko asked. Sai and Naruto tensed at the question. They hadn't thought of one. They weren't expecting their child for another three months and even then, their child's gender had been unknown to them. So what would they name their son?

"We don't know yet." Naruto said. "But don't worry. Your brother won't go nameless!" the blonde flashed his signature smile at his daughter who smiled a twin Cheshire.

"Of course not." Sai agreed as he watched his son ball his fingers into a fist. "We just need the perfect name."

"I don't understand why you dragged me here." Sasuke grunted. Kakashi ignored him as he signed them in as visitors. After completing the form, he dragged the Uchiha towards the elevators and to the maternity floor. Once the door opened to let the two off, Kakashi headed towards a glass room with a very reluctant Sasuke following behind.

"What are we doing here? Did you drag me here to—?" Sasuke stopped himself as his gaze averted to what Kakashi was staring at through the glass. There he saw Naruto and Sai and their daughter behind another window. But what were they doing looking at…

"Is that their baby?" he thought out loud.

Kakashi nodded. "They almost lost him. The medics say it was due to stress."

Sasuke needed no elaboration; he knew he was the reason Sai was under that stress. And though the Uchiha would never admit it, he did feel some guilt deep down.

"Is that the only reason you brought me here?" Sasuke growled to cover his real feelings.

Kakashi shook his head. "I wanted to show you this so you'll truly understand what I'm about to say."

The Uchiha raised his brow.

"Tsunade has reached a decision in you and your team's punishment for your crimes. I brought you here to tell you of your punishment." Kakashi paused as he turned to look at Sasuke in the eyes. "After you give birth, you will not be allowed custody or contact with your child."

Sasuke's eyes widened, his hands on his distended belly. No, no…no!His family…his family was being taken away again…he was losing his family once again…

He quickly turned away from his former sensei and stormed out, in a vain attempt to hide his tears.

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