The time just seemed to flow. Before long, Sai found himself in his ninth month. Things had been going well for Naruto and him. They had bought a house near a quiet part of town. Not much of a view, but it was better than most of the places they had seen.

Sai awoke to a kick to his bladder. Sai would have smiled at his daughter's energy if the kick hadn't hurt so badly. Having to use the bathroom now, Sai left the comfort of his bed and walked—more like waddled—to the bathroom to relieve himself.

After finishing, he walked to the small beige kitchen to make breakfast for himself and Naruto. It was a small breakfast, but it would suffice. The painter set the table and went to go find his companion, worried as to why he hadn't rushed to the table like he usually did. After searching the bedroom, bathroom, living room and basement, Sai worriedly checked the backyard.

The backyard wasn't very spacious, but it was comfortable and private. The fences had been recently put up and the grass was a healthy green. Sai walked through the sliding doors and over into the grass. He checked to corner to corner for the blonde, but he couldn't be spotted anywhere. He only stopped worrying when he felt the boy's strong arms wrap around his round stomach. With a sigh of relief, Sai turned to face the blond who not too long ago had him in a state of panic.

"Where were you?" Sai asked, his eyebrow lifted in confusion. Naruto smiled. Sai was almost acting like he once did before the incident, almost being the key word. He still had the temperament of a pregnant woman and the protective instinct of one too.

"I was picking up something for the house. Sorry, should've left a note." Sai nodded in agreement before walking back in to the house with the blonde in tow. Both sat and ate in a comfortable silence. This was how most of the meals in the house went, unless Naruto had an interesting story to tell.

"Sai, I have something I need to show you after breakfast. Okay?"

Sai looked up from his food and nodded briefly. It was rare of Naruto to be so serious, but Sai knew that when the jinchuuriki was, he meant business. Thinking of what Naruto wanted to show him made Sai think of something else they've been neglecting to talk about.

"Naruto, what are we going to name her? Our daughter," Sai asked after swallowing a mouthful of orange juice. Sai made a mental note not to bring up important things when the blonde was eating, for the sight of Naruto half choking before him was not a pleasant one.

"Names? How could I have forgotten!" Naruto exclaimed after coming back from his coughing fit. The two sat in silence once again, but this time in thought. What were they going to name her? The thinking lasted through the whole breakfast period. They both decided that they would continue to think the rest of the day. Inspiration hit when you least expected it to.

After breakfast, Naruto, like he proposed, led Sai to into the other room. He motioned for Sai to sit while he walked into the next room to retrieve what he wanted to show the other. Sai waited patiently, not entirely sure as to what the other wanted to show him. A few moments went by and Naruto came back into the room with a bag in his hand. Naruto motioned for Sai to take the bag, which he did.

"What is this?" Sai asked. His only response was a nudge and a smile. Sai couldn't help but muster a small smile at the shy yet excited look on the blonde's face. The artist reached into the bag and pulled out what looked to be a picture book. He felt sort of disappointed. The way Naruto was acting made him feel like he should have expected the gift of his life.

"Open it," Naruto said. Sai looked up at the blonde before he turned to look at the book. Hesitantly, he opened the giant bag book to the first page. It was a drawing of their first meeting on a rooftop. Sai could tell Naruto had drawn it himself. The lack of detail and the horrible illustrations made Sai want to laugh, but he held it in.

"Go on," Naruto encouraged. Sai smiled back at him before he slowly turned the page. It was then he realized the book was not random at all. It was a book about their experiences over the last year.

"Naruto, why are—" Naruto cut him off with a finger to his mouth and a hand gesture telling him to read further. Sai's expression turned to one of worry. He wasn't sure what Naruto was trying to say or do. With a sigh, the brunet turned the page and was faced with a picture of his horrified self and a flaming kitsune trying to attack him. It was then Sai realized what the drawing was: the first time he'd been raped by Kyuubi. It was a memory he'd rather not have remembered, but Naruto urged him on.

The next page of the book showed them at the inn after the second incident. Sai was in one corner looking just as scared as the previous picture and Naruto was in the other corner looking confused and sad. The artist raised an eyebrow at the picture. A broken heart was placed over Sai's figure while a worn piece of rope was placed over Naruto, symbolizing his broken bond. The picture made Sai feel sort of sad, and yet somewhat relieved that he wasn't the only one who felt so horrible that night.

Sai turned the page. The page displayed a painting of Sai telling Naruto he was pregnant and Naruto feeling angry. In a thought bubble over the blonde's head, it showed what he was really feeling: confusion, anger and…guilt? Sai was slightly taken back by the raw emotion placed inside of the picture. But it was nice to see them. It gave Sai a different perspective of the earlier Naruto.

The next page was about the time Naruto spent on his mission. How he'd come across so many children and expecting mothers and fathers. How he felt about leaving Sai for those three months and how guilty he had been for burdening Sai with a child. But it also showed Sai how happy he was about becoming a father. Sai had to smile at the cheeky grin Naruto had drawn on his character.

The next pictured showed the two making up and being what they were presently. But that Naruto didn't seem too happy. Sai looked up at the real Naruto with a puzzled expression. Once again, his only clue was a wave to move forward. Sai rolled his eyes and turned the page. He almost dropped the book when he looked at the next page. Taped to the page was a diamond band.

"Sai," Naruto began, getting down on one knee as he peeled the ring from the page, "will you marry me?"

Sai's eyes started to water, but the artist still nodded vigorously, for no words would form in his mouth. He was so…happy? Naruto simply smiled and leaned forward to slip the ring onto Sai's slender finger before moving to hug the fragile-looking boy.

"I promise you, Sai, you won't regret it." Naruto smiled even more when he heard his artist whisper a soft, "you don't need to promise. I already know…"

"Hey Sai, Naruto, are you there?" A bubbly voice called from the other side of the door. The strawberry blonde female stared questioningly at the door before deciding to knock once more on the maroon colored wood. After waiting patiently for about three minutes, the medic sighed and prepared to turn around when the door suddenly flew open. A happier than usual blonde answered the door with an unbelievably large grin on his face. Sakura was about to question the look when she was bombarded by the other blonde with the tightest bear hug she had ever received.

"Sakura-chaaaaaaaaaan!" Naruto practically squealed at the top of his lungs as he twirled her in the air. Now becoming a little dizzy, the medic connected a fist to the idiot's head and caught herself before she fell, for the blonde had lost his balance and almost dropped her flat on her bottom.

"Naruto, what with you?" she asked, feeling a little agitated for no apparent reason.

"I did it! Oh, yes I did it!" She wasn't sure why, but the statement sounded perverted in her ears.

"And what did you do?" She asked slowly though her question did nothing to faze Naruto's bubbly mood.

"I proposed to Sai and he said yes!" He did a little jig before motioning for Sakura to come inside. The pink-haired girl couldn't help but smile and stare at Naruto awkwardly while making her way into the house. She often visited their residence when she had the time, so the place had almost become a second home to her.

"So how did he react when he asked?" Sakura questioned as she sat down on the couch. Naruto poked his head out from the kitchen and over in Sakura's direction as he replied.

"He was shocked then he seemed really happy. I know I was!" He returned his attention to the kitchen as he prepared some tea. If he had still been back at his apartment, he would have never attempted such a thing, but he wasn't anymore. Sai had taught him that making tea for a guest, no matter how often they came around, was the proper thing to do. Naruto saw no point in it, but it made Sai happy when he did things by the book.

Sakura turned her attention to the paintings that surrounded the room. It seemed that there was a new addition every time she entered the two's home. There were paintings of everything from things as simple as flowers to things as complicated as paintings with a secret political message in them that Sai of course had to explain to her.

"Hey Sakura-chan, is there anything you'd like with your tea?" Naruto voice boomed from kitchen. The medic-nin turned her attention to the blonde and replied, "Sure, a pastry would be nice."

Sai sat up as he rubbed the grogginess from his eyes. His nap proved useful as didn't feel as tired as he had before. He quickly stretched and walked to the hallway and over to the living room where he saw Sakura and Naruto talking about Kami knows what.

"Good afternoon," Sai greeted as he staggered in the space and over to the recliner. Usually, he'd avoid such a comfortable thing out of the fear of not being able to get back up once he'd gotten too relaxed.

"Afternoon," Sakura and Naruto replied. Sai turned to face the kitchen and then the walls. He liked to look at the works of art he created now and then. Sometimes they gave him inspiration for his next painting.

"So what were you two talking about?" Sai queried. Naruto replied, saying they talked about their engagement. Sakura nodded in agreement then gave her congratulations.

"So Sakura-san, was there a reason you stopped by today?" Sai asked. It wasn't unusual for her to stop by, but the visit seemed rather different today.

"Um…there was…Oh, yes. Neji and Shikamaru have gone missing. They haven't left the village but no one can seem to find them."

Naruto's eyes widened with shock while Sai's brows scrunched in confusion. "I don't understand. Did they run away together?" Sai asked. He'd been wondering how things went since he'd first talked to the Hyuuga about his crush.

"How is it that you know these things, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked after being informed about the current gossip.

"You'd be surprised how much you learn when you work at a hospital. Gossip central number two." Sai raised an eyebrow. "Number two?" Sakura nodded. "Number one is the shopping district."

"I'm not surprised, Sakura-chan. You and Ino probably yak it up when you guys get together."

Sakura made of a face of mock hurt and turned her face as if she was insulted. "Well I never!"

"You have now."

"Hmph." Sakura glanced at the clock as she continued to play insulted and realized that it was time for her to leave and start her rounds at the hospital.

"Well, I love to hang out with you guys but I gotta go. See ya."

"Bye," the two bade as their teammate waved and left, shutting the door behind her. Sai turned to Naruto and smiled. Naruto smiled back before rising from the couch and walking to the kitchen after giving his beloved a quick kiss.

"Hey, is there anything you wanna eat?" Naruto inquired as he searched the fridge for something to cook.

"Nothing in particular." Sai rose from his chair with quite some difficulty. He went to the kitchen and leaned against the counter as Naruto dug around for some food to eat.

Sai stared over towards the boy. He truly felt happy though his face sometimes never showed it. This was a dream come true. A year ago, Sai would have never imagined that he'd actually end up with the man he had a crush on since they had meet in a battle, with him questioning what the blonde had between his legs.

Sai was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice his beloved walk over to him and caress his face.

"Yes?" Sai said, now back in reality. Naruto smiled sweetly and sadly before moving to place a kiss on Sai's lips. Sai relaxed against Naruto's soft touch and returned the kiss as softly as the other was delivering. Naruto was the one to break the kiss after a few moments of contact.

"You worry too much," Naruto said, breathless. Sai's eyes averted to the floor. He wasn't sure why he was feeling this way so suddenly. He wanted to blame it on the pregnancy, but he knew deep down it was more than that.

"Naruto, do you really love me, or is this all for the baby?" If the jinchuuriki was only here out of obligation, then he wanted to know. Sai didn't want to tie him down if that was the case.

Naruto took a step back from Sai to examine his downcast face. The artist's emotions were well hidden, but Naruto could feel the other's raw fear and confusion. The blonde sighed then went to embrace Sai.

"I'm not sure about this feeling, but I'm pretty sure I can call it love. I'm not marrying you because of the baby. I'm doing it because something inside wants to. Needs to. And I want to prove it to you." Naruto said, pulling back to stare in Sai's eyes as he muttered the last few words. Sai looked back with unsure eyes before Naruto moved to place his lips upon his.

Sai's eyes slowly drifted close as Naruto asked silently with his tongue for access through the other's lips. The painter moaned lightly against Naruto's lips before giving Naruto the access he wanted. Their tongues danced for as long as they could hold their breaths.

The two pulled away and stared into each other's eye, huffing to catch their breaths before they slammed their lips together once more. Naruto's hands moved to caress Sai's body, placing them on Sai's waist and moving him closer to deepen the kiss.

Sai gasped and moaned. He could feel his pants grow tighter though the man before him hadn't even brushed against his sensitive area. Naruto noticed. He smirked into the kiss as he lowered his hand and placed it over Sai's hardening member. Sai gasped and moaned as he melted into the touch. He had never been touched like this before. Not willingly at least.

Naruto detached himself from Sai's lips and traveled southward, stopping at the boy's neck to kiss and suck on it, leaving his mark as he went moved onward. With his hand, Naruto lift Sai's shirt and began to play mercilessly with his nipples. He bit and nipped on them until he heard Sai moan and cry for him to stop teasing.

"N-Naruto…I f-feel w-weird…" Sai managed to utter through ragged breaths. Naruto looked up and smiled. He felt aroused by looking at the expression on Sai's face. He looked so full of need. So full of lust.

Naruto stood at his full height, grabbed Sai and began leading him to their bedroom. If they were going to get it on, Naruto wanted to make sure they were comfortable.

"Naruto…"Sai whispered. Naruto nodded and sat on the bed, pulling his lover down with him and resumed to kiss him violently. Sai fell into Naruto's lap and gasped when Naruto began to grind their growing erections together. They were both so excited. They could barely contain themselves.

"Please, Naruto. More," Sai whimpered once he pulled away for air. Naruto gladly granted his wish. He began to unbutton the artist's pants and pull them as far as he could in their position. Tan fingers began to massage the pale one's member through his underpants, making the other moan and squirm wildly above him.

"I'll give you as much as you need."

The two laid in the sheets stained with the results of their lovemaking. Sai rested peacefully in his sleeping lover's arms. He himself couldn't fall asleep and settled instead with watching the stars in the night sky. They burned brightly along with the moon. Sai smiled as he remembered the days he used to just stare at them for hours on end. The glowing orbs in the sky used to make him feel happy when he was sad, full when he was empty.

"Now I always feel full," Sai whispered to himself. He subconsciously brought his hand to his stomach. It was warm and he could feel the baby becoming restless. It was comforting and…it was starting to hurt just a bit.

No. A lot.

Sai felt a sharp pain run through his lower body. He inhaled quickly and groaned from the pain. It hurt so much. Sai used a lot of his strength to sit up and then turned towards Naruto to wake him. Just as he placed a hand on Naruto's arm to shake him, another sharp pain erupted from his pelvic area, causing him to grip a lot harder than he intended.

"OW!" Naruto shot up and turned to look at Sai. He was seconds away from complaining when he saw the pained expression on Sai's face and his hand gripping the bed sheet on his torso.

"Sai, what's wrong? Are you okay?" He asked. Sai gritted his teeth and tightened his eyes as he felt another piercing ache run through him.

"P-please…go get Sakura-san." Sai managed to word after a long struggle with his voice. Naruto nodded quickly before throwing on some clothes and poofing out of the room. Sai groaned once more before he stood shakily and removed the blankets and sheets from the bed. He didn't want Sakura to see the aftermath of his and Naruto's night. After setting them in the laundry basket, he walked cautiously to the hallway closet to retrieve more, but had another contraction in the process. Sai leaned wearily against the wall and hissed through his teeth.

This was an entirely different pain than he'd experienced, more painful than any of them put together. It was horrible.

"Sai!"

"Sai!"

He heard the voices of Sakura and Naruto. He wanted to smile to greet the two, but he couldn't. Sakura was the first to reach Sai in the hall. She looked worried, but she also held the look of a professional, which reassured Sai.

"Alright Sai, we need to get you in the bed."

He nodded and turned to Naruto who was helping him stand and walk.

Once the three entered the room, Naruto set Sai on the bed and turned to Sakura for further instruction. Sakura used some chakra to locate the baby's head and determine her next step. After a few moments, she nodded to herself and turned towards Naruto.

"Get me some towels and hot water. The baby is almost here, so make it as fast as you can." Her voice was stern and commanding, just like Tsunade's when the woman was actually serious.

"Right." Naruto rushed out of the room and into the kitchen. Sakura turned to Sai before grabbing some gloves form her bag and placing them on her hands. Sai groaned and brought his hands up to his face to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes. It hurt like a bitch. That was the only way Sai could describe the feeling.

"Sai, I need you to open your legs."

Sai blushed slightly at the request and Sakura remained impassive. Sai shakily opened his legs and covered his face again when he felt another contraction rip through his body. The boy began to whimper as he felt the pain intensify with every time it struck.

"Start pushing now."

Sai began to as soon as the words left her mouth. It was then that Naruto came back in with the supplies Sakura had asked for earlier.

"Thanks. Now go wait downstairs."

Naruto looked insulted. "No, I want to be here with Sai."

Sakura looked unconvinced and shook her head. "No, you need to go downstairs. I can't have you here." Naruto looked ready to argue again when Sai attempted a reassuring smile then groaned because of the pain. With a sigh, Naruto turned to walk out the door after whispering an "I love you."

"Alright Sai, now push."

What were only minutes felt like hours to Naruto. He paced back and forth in the living room, awaiting the birth of his daughter. He couldn't wait, he just couldn't.

Suddenly the Sai's screams and Sakura's encouragement ceased and Naruto became worried until he heard a baby's cry come from the floor above. He rushed into the room in a matter of seconds and was blessed with the sight of a beautiful baby girl with black hair. He couldn't see her eyes as they were scrunched from her crying. Sakura smiled at him and wiped the remainder of amniotic fluid from the baby's head before handing her to Sai.

"She's beautiful," Naruto whispered as he sat next to Sai on the bed and stared in awe at his newborn daughter. She was a gem.

Sai nodded. He felt exhausted. He looked it too. His face was pink and his eyes just as rosy. His hair was a damp mess and his lips looked swollen from biting on them. But Naruto disregarded that because he was grateful that Sai delivered his child. He was just so happy. "Have you decided on a name?"

Sai nodded. "Hoshiko."

"Hoshiko…" Naruto repeated, letting the name roll over his tongue. "I like it."

Sai gave a tired smile, happy that Naruto loved his choice. "Look, she has your eyes," Sai mumbled when he saw their daughter open her eyes and glance at her father. Her crystal clear orbs stared curiously at him before she quickly closed them and fell back into a light slumber.

Sakura smiled and looked at the family from her position on the edge of the bed. They looked so happy and made her feel like having a child of her own with the one she loved. She giggled slightly before collecting her tools and walking through the door. She decided to give her friends some time alone.

Once outside, she glanced back once more before walking back to the hospital, thinking back to the painting Sai had shown her months earlier, the one with the star representing his child.

She smiled gently.

"Star child, eh?"

"Hoshiko! Get that out your mouth!" Naruto squawked at the barely crawling baby. She turned as best as she could when she heard her name but resumed trying to chew the leg of the table. Sai smiled before walking over and lifting his baby girl into the air. Her face twisted in anger before she squealed in delight from seeing her favorite plaything: her mother's hair. Sai grimaced when Hoshiko started to pull at it, but at least she wasn't chewing on the wood anymore.

"Man, she's really a handful!" Naruto said. He fell dramatically from his sitting position to a laying one. Sai nodded before placing Hoshiko in her highchair so he could feed her.

"But I wouldn't give her up for the world." Sai added.

Naruto pulled himself back into his previous pose and smiled to himself. "I don't know about that…" he joked and laughed when Sai gave him a playful glare. He continued to laugh until he felt some oatmeal connect with the side of his face. Sai stared in shock at Hoshiko as she giggled and went back to eating her oatmeal.

"Hmph." Naruto huffed as he wiped the food from his cheeks. "She's definitely your kid," he deadpanned, remembering an incident where Sai was in his eighth month and had thrown a cup of ink at him during one of his mood swings. It had dumped all over his head and it had taken every ounce of the blonde's self-control to keep from blowing up at Sai.

The painter just smirked and threw a pair of socks the blonde's way. "Say that when she develops a taste for ramen."

Epilogue

Naruto and Sai were finally settling into family life with their daughter Hoshiko. But their life would be shaken up by what happened next:

Sasuke returned, unaware that his blond rival had moved on and started a family with none other than the one sent to replace and assassinate him.

But that's another story.