Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Author's Note: Sorry for keeping you waiting. I have been super busy as usual and I know I have a couple of busy weekends coming up so I thought I should try my best to whizz something up for you all this week. I hope you are all well though and wherever you are you are enjoying the end of spring and lead up to summer.

Now where were we….oh yes, Naruto had a bombshell dropped on him.

From the Heart

Chapter 25

Naruto stood staring at the wall of the bathroom for what seemed like an eternity. His mind was blank. The shock had stunned him and he found himself believing he was in some kind of dream. He kept thinking that he was still on the journey back from their mission and had fallen asleep and the memories of Shikamaru and Temari's news had resulted in his subconscious dreaming something up. He was waiting for someone to punch him awake and bring him to reality but no pain ever came. His ears were ringing and his body temperature seemed to be rising. If not for the sudden sound of something smashing to the ground in the main room he would probably and most likely have been still standing there until late into the night.

The sound of broken glass set a bolt of lightning through the blond ninja and caused him to run out of the room in a burst of panic and mayhem to see Sakura crouched on the ground. She was reaching out her delicate arms to pick up the shards of the vase that had fallen on the floor when she bumped into the table in a murky daze.

"Ouch!" Sakura burst out, dropping a sharp she picked up and lifting a bleeding finger to her mouth.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, running to her side. She looked up at him and her face was a little flushed. He leant over her and took hold of her arms, using his strength to lift her to her feet. His grip on her was tight. "I'll do that" he rushed, forcing her to sit down on the sofa and then proceeding to clean up the mess. Sakura watched him race around and felt guilty at breaking the news to him in such a way. She was upset that he had taken so long to return home. That he had never sent a word or letter to her to see how she was or if he was alright. The guilt was made to feel worse when he rushed to get her a pillow and blanket and repositioned her to make her comfortable. He then got her some water and placed it beside her. His actions were manic and yet caring.

"Is there anything else I can get you?" he asked, panting from his efforts yet also reluctant to stop his protectiveness over her.

"I am fine thank you" she verified. She noted how he stood behind the sofa looking like he was lost and misplaced in his own home. He was clearly trying to be helpful, supportive and caring, but his awkwardness made her irritated and uncomfortable. "Naruto, sit down" she ordered. He looked at her sheepishly and she tapped a hand on the space next to her. He sat down on the seat and rested on the edge, his hands rubbing his thighs nervously. He was fidgeting because he felt the need to do something, anything of use because other than that he didn't know what to do in that moment.

"Are you not happy about this?" Sakura asked, wishing to address the issue in the open and help manage her own feelings.

"Eh?" he replied, only half hearing her, lost in his own thoughts.

"I thought you wanted children" she commented, reminding him of their previous discussions.

Naruto blinked at her a few times before stating, "So this isn't a dream?"

Sakura scowled, "What are you talking about?" she snapped. Her hormones lately were making her super irritated.

Naruto went silent for a moment and lowered his head to look at his hands and shooting it up again the moment he had a thought. "Sakura-chan, can I look?" he asked.

"Eh?" it was her turn to be surprised. He leant into her in such haste that she was forced to lean back. Her face blushed beetroot this time, what does he mean have a look? She thought. Yet seeing the keen light in his blue eyes she slowly reached down and lifted up her top to reveal her bare stomach. "It's still early days" she explained, "so there isn't anything to see".

Naruto leant back and put his hands together to form a seal. Sakura watched him curiously and when he turned back to look her way his eyes were covered with dark circles and she realised he was in sage mode. "What are you doing?" she asked, confused by why he felt the need to use a jutsu all of a sudden.

Naruto's eyes fixed on her midriff and focussed hard. After a moment though his gaze became softer and she could see a watery glisten shine over their surface as a smile slowly formed on his lips. "It's so small" he commented, reaching out a hand and placing it on top of her flesh, she jolted from the cold of his touch. "A strong chakra" he confirmed with a proud nod. Sakura blinked at him and seemed a little out of wits.

"What are you saying?" she asked, "can you see it?"

Naruto nodded to reaffirm to her the suspicions she had and it was her turn to be surprised and also a little pleased. The fact he could see their child inside her made her feel rest assured that he would also be able to tell if there was a problem. She had been worrying that things might not work out, that it was too early and things could go wrong, but with his power and her medical knowledge she was sure they could make it through and ensure the baby's health.

Naruto allowed sage mode to release and lowered his head, resting an ear on her stomach then wrapped his arms around her waist. The sudden movement knocked all thought from her mind and she looked at his smiling child like face and blushed. She reached down and placed her hands on his head, running her fingers through his blond locks. "So you are happy?" she asked, feeling a little shy all of a sudden as her heart raced in her chest.

Naruto lifted his head up to look at her and he nodded with a huge grin on his face, "Off course I am!" he stated without hesitation. Sakura could feel a sigh of relief leaving her body. She knew he would be okay with it and that he wanted it, but you could never completely get rid of the hint of fear that bred from uncertainty. "Sakura-chan?" the sound of worry in his voice caused her to look up at him. Suddenly she realised the cause for his concern as her eyes watered and tears started to fall uncontrollably down her face. She tried to brush them off with her hands and wrists but they continued no matter how hard she tried to stop.

"I'm…so…rr…y" she blabbed, feeling embarrassed and guilty for making him worry and for seeing her as such an emotional wreck. "I…was just…so…w…o…rr…ie…d" she finished with a slight hiccup towards the end. She had been coping with this news on her own while he was gone and so it was no wonder her strength was now leaving her. Naruto sat up and reached out to her, pulling her into his arms and holding onto her as tightly as he could. She grasped onto his clothing and cried into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry that you had to do this alone" he apologised. He could feel her slowly calm down and her hands loosen their grip a little. She pulled back slightly and he noticed her studying the material in her hands with a new found interest.

"I wasn't completely alone" she muttered softly, "Obito-sensei helped me" she finished, clearly waiting to see his reaction. Naruto couldn't help the feeling of cautious jealousy rising in him slightly at the mention of the older man's name and the sight of having seen him in his home with the woman he loved.

Sakura looked up at the man before her and could read his expression; she reached up to place a hand on his cheek and caught his attention, "It's not like that" she stated clearly, a new found strength reaching her. "He was the one who figured it out and I didn't want to tell anyone else so I only had him to rely on." She didn't know if she was making any sense but he reached up to lower her wrist and kissed her softly on the forehead.

"I know" he stated. He had seen into Obito's heart and mind and knew the memories and feelings he had for Rin. He knew the man only meant well. He leant into her and placed his forehead on hers, closing his eyes and taking her all in. She was burning hot to touch but against his cold skin it felt good.

"So what do we do next?" Naruto asked, realising he didn't know a thing about raising babies.

Sakura could see the hint of panic rising in him and smiled. "Well I guess the first thing would be for me to see a doctor…Lady Tsunade would definitely want to know" she realised. "I would need to have regular check ups and sign up to the antenatal classes as well" her medical side started to shine through, "you would need to come to those with me" she confirmed, pointing a finger into his chest.

Naruto watched the mother of his child as she continued to list out and explain the processes of pregnancy and his role within it, which wasn't very much expect for supporting her and ensuring the apartment was made safe for a baby….the apartment…the thought suddenly made him realise something. This place was too small for raising children.

"Are you listening to me?" Sakura snapped, gaining his wandering eyes back to her.

"Sorry" he nodded slightly but she could see worry on his face.

"What's the matter?" she asked. Naruto shook his head, "nothing" he confirmed with a smile. She had enough to do and worry about; it was something he would need to look into.

"Look, everything will be okay" she reassured him, "if we stick together". She was saying it out loud to calm her own nerves as well.

"I know" he sighed, "I won't leave your side" he promised her.

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep" she chastised.

Naruto looked at her with a stern expression, "I never go back on my word Sakura-chan, and you know that!"

"But you could be called out to a mission or something" she stated.

"I will tell Kakashi that I won't be able to take anything on for a while" he replied stubbornly.

Sakura could feel her own feet digging into the ground, "don't be stupid…if you don't do missions how will you earn any money?" she asked. She could see from his expression that he hadn't thought of that and his shoulders hunched forward a little. "Besides, who do you think I am?" she continued, "I can take care of myself!" Seeing the spark come back into her he couldn't help but grin widely.

"What?" she asked, her face going red at his fond expression.

"I love you Sakura-chan" he stated clearly, leaning into her and kissing her on the lips. His hands stroked the still bare skin of her waist as their lips repeatedly parted momentarily for air before returning like magnets. Sakura could feel her body melt into the sudden contact and leant into him, running her hands around the back of his neck and through his hair. She could feel a sudden need to be touched and gasped as his hands moved up her waist and under her top, gently cupping her breasts. A groan came from him and she smiled, it had been too long for both of them.

Naruto's eyes immediately opened and his hands retracted from her, pushing her back in sudden fear and anxiety. "What's wrong?" she asked through a panted breath, disappointed he had stopped.

"Can we…." He couldn't finish his words as his thoughts banged against his head in panic.

"Huh?" Sakura was confused by his action and studied him for a second. She saw his eyes gaze to her womb and he bit his lower lip guiltily. The realisation of what he was thinking made her smile. "The baby won't be harmed you know" she reassured him. He looked at her, feeling stupid and embarrassed.

"So it won't feel or hear anything?" he asked. She laughed at his question and he felt like an idiot.

"It isn't like Kurama" she stated with a giggle.

"But you know…it's there and …." He stumbled over his words, using gestures to his groin and hers to try to complete his thought process. Sakura's face went red.

"You idiot, babies are protected, they can't feel…that!" she pointed to his now shrinking erection. The embarrassment was enough to stifle him for a while.

"Well excuse me for not knowing!" he snapped, "Not everyone has your education!" The pair of them sat in silence for a while, no longer touching and arms crossed. The situation had become awkward.

Sakura glanced over at Naruto several times, growing increasingly upset by the fact he wasn't looking her way and that he daren't touch her as if he would hurt her or the baby. She knew arguing wasn't worth it and yet at the same time she had to be patient. He had allowed her time to get used to the whole Kurama incident, the least she could do was give him time to get used to this. Instead she tried breaking the silence and making conversation, changing the topic and trying to make the atmosphere less tense.

"So how was the mission?" she asked. She was met with silence for a moment but he soon leant forward, resting his elbows on his thighs and clasping his hands together. A deep breath left his mouth before he started to speak.

"It went well" he verified, his tone a little awkward. She realised she would need to pry the blood from a stone in order to get him to relax a little.

"So what was it?" she asked.

Naruto shrugged, "We had to help get a princess and her friends across the border to her family"

Princess? Sakura repeated the word in her mind. The image of a tall, beautiful woman with long flowing hair and a kind but powerful demeanour formed in her mind. She couldn't help but want to know more; "What was she like?"

Naruto looked at his hands and twiddled his thumbs, "she was rude and stubborn" he stated. He looked up at the window and watched the sun as it shined through. A small smile appeared on his face as he remembered recent events, "but she was also brave and had a kind heart".

Sakura could feel an irrational feeling rise from her gut to her throat. What the hell?! She thought to herself, why is he smiling?! She forced herself to suck in air through her nose, relax Sakura, it is probably nothing she told herself. "It sounds like you like her" she couldn't help the tone that came from her mouth. It didn't help that Naruto nodded in response and sat up slightly, running a hand through his hair and then placing it on his chest. He seemed thoughtful and his face was a slight tinge of pink.

"Yeah she was nice" he confirmed.

Sakura felt a surge of heat burning through her body and rose to her feet, "I see" she stated coldly, unable to control the emotions running through her. I have been sitting at home worrying and he is gallivanting across the country with some PRINCESS and HER FRIENDS!

Naruto looked up at her as she stood, "are you okay?" he asked, worried something was wrong or she was going to throw up again in the bathroom.

"I need to get another drink" she commented, trying to find someway to occupy her mind.

"I can do that for you" he offered, leaning over to pick up the glass, but she snatched it from him.

"I'm pregnant, not an invalid!" she snapped. He looked at her and was surprised at the outburst. He remained motionless as she left the room and entered the kitchen. Naruto sat patiently, waiting for her to come back and thinking about what had happened. Pouring a glass of water should only take a few seconds but when she didn't return straight away he realised something was wrong and so headed towards the kitchen. As he opened the door he witnessed her standing by the sink, gripping hold of the sides of the work stop, a tension in her back and shoulders.

"Are you alright Sakura-chan?" he asked. Upon hearing his voice she flinched and turned her face away from him, running the water and pretending like she was going to wash up the few items from the side. She couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"So" she stated, "will you see her again?" she asked. Naruto blinked and looked at her for a moment. Realisation slowly filled him and he couldn't help but grin to himself. She was feeling an emotion he had on a regular basis. He secretly felt elated at the thought of her being jealous and it gave him a sudden ego boost. His knucklehead side was telling him to keep it going and wind her up a little.

"Most likely" he confirmed, watching her freeze momentarily and stepping into the room. He watched as she nodded and breathed through her nose, gripping hold of the cup in her hands tightly. "I did promise her that if she was ever in trouble she could call for help" he admitted honestly, stepping even closer. Sakura's expression was dark and haunted. He could see a hint of anger and pain as well as confusion spread over her beautiful face as he approached her side.

"Don't come near me!" she warned him, sensing his sudden closeness. She didn't want him to see such an expression on her face.

"Sakura-chan…she is a kid" he reassured her.

"Eh?" she looked up at him in shock and he could see fresh tears trickling down her cheeks. He reached a hand up and brushed them away.

"The princess…she is a kid" he confirmed again, "A tough one I admit. It took getting used to her at first with her pompous attitude, but she was a brat with a chip on her shoulder" he continued, "so there is no reason to be jealous"

Sakura's face went red and she grew angry, pushing his hand away and focusing on the washing up once more, "who said I'm jealous!" she snapped. Naruto grinned widely and approached her from behind, running his hands down her arms and forcing her to let go of the objects in them.

"You are the only woman for me, you know that" he whispered into her ear, kissing her neck softly. He could feel the tension in her body drop a little and moved his hands down to her waist again, holding her firmly, "and now I have two important people in my life" he stated proudly. He grinned when he felt her hands slowly moving to rest on top of his.

"I missed you so much" Sakura admitted, gripping hold of his hands tightly and feeling him hug her firmly.

In that moment Naruto recalled the words the little girl had said to him and felt the small gift she gave him in the pocket of his chest. He knew now what he would use that gem for and with it he would make Sakura his forever.

…

Tsunade sat blinking for several moments, her sake tilting in her hand and dripping onto the ground but she remained oblivious to it.

"Hey old lady are you alright?" Naruto asked, waving his hands in front of her face to check if she was okay.

"I'm fine!" she snapped herself out of her stupor and placed the cup on the table next to her.

"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Shizune asked, moving towards Sakura to shake her hands and congratulate her.

"I didn't want Naruto to be the last to know" Sakura explained. Naruto looked over at her and grinned. A shadow cast over him from behind as the older woman rose from her seat. Sakura and Shizune's expressions looked a little concerned.

"Shizune can you take Sakura to the clinic and get started on the check ups" Tsunade ordered. She might have retired as Hokage but her role in leading and training medical ninja was far from over. "Naruto and I need to talk" the intense gaze she gave the blond man made him feel like a child again. As the two women left the room the young man and father to be could feel sweat forming on his brow.

…..

Author's Note: It is a short chapter this week as the laptop broke and I have to use another machine. One of you said to me about making Sakura jealous and so I thought I would add a little of that in this. Not a lot happens this chapter I admit but hopefully you enjoy it never the less.

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