Chapter 40 – A Monster in My Heart

It'd taken six of them to convince the doctor to allow her half a day at home.

She'd been in the hospital for well over a week now (Sakura wasn't really sure how long it'd been, as the days blurred painstakingly when trapped in her room) with nothing but coursework to keep her company while her friends and family worked or attended university. They visited whenever they could, but they had lives of their own and she couldn't have them wasting their time with her.

Since the administration of the drug, she hadn't moved the slightest in terms of dilation and she only had occasional pains. Everything had slowed the hell down, though constant checks on the babies and their heartbeats assured them all that they were doing well and she'd even been able to see them again in a scan.

"Thank you, Temari," she said the moment the blonde returned to her room, dusting her hands off like she'd done more than merely spoken with the doctor. "I'm going crazy in here."

"Don't thank me. I know what these places can be like," came her empathetic response.

Just seeing Temari standing in her room, having her assistance in getting ready to leave for her day release, filled Sakura with mixed emotions ranging from pride to heartbreak, because it couldn't have been easy being there. Hearing the cries of newborns, seeing the happiness of the new mothers–

In a bid to shove herself out of the depressing thoughts (because she knew damn well that Temari would not appreciate pity), Sakura quickly started to undress, thanking the other woman for easing the dress over her head once she was done. Being in the hospital for so long and on strict bed rest took away a surprising amount of privacy, which was why she didn't think twice about Temari's help. Well, there was that and the fact she'd had numerous hands invading her massively to check if she was continuing to dilate. After that, undressing in front of a friend felt like nothing.

"Where's Itachi?"

Humming as it took a few seconds for the question to register, she then smiled, saying, "He's adding the final touches to the nursery."

She didn't question what was okay to discuss and what wasn't. Going off what she knew of Temari, she knew the woman was proud and to question her strength was a big no-no. What she went through – what her son was put through – was undeniably devastating, but she didn't allow it to destroy her. No, she was determined to grow from it and avenge her son, making Hidan pay for all he'd done to him. That didn't mean she wasn't broken from his death – any fool could see that it tormented her – but she was strong. She grieved at her own pace.

"I heard Yamanaka boasting about it to that boyfriend of hers." The way she said it, accompanied by the eye roll, made Sakura uncomfortable but she didn't comment on it out loud. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if everyone believed the relationship to be fake. Was it better if they did? "He must be quite the artist."

She shrugged and pulled on the ends of her dress, smiling thankfully when the blonde tugged it down to her knees. Then, while being instructed to sit on the edge of her bed and hold her feet up one at a time, Sakura admitted, "I haven't seen much of his art and Ino said to wait until it's finished to see it."

"And you're okay with that?" She glanced upwards and slipped the shoes on her feet. Sakura was eternally thankful for that, as it'd been way too long since she'd last been able to reach her feet – hell, she hadn't seen them properly in months. "Most mothers want to be involved in every little detail."

Would it be okay with admitting her struggles to Temari, considering all the blonde had gone through? While Sakura knew her own trauma was up there with being completely messed up, Temari's was… It was heartbreaking, to say the least. Raped at fourteen and giving up her child, only for said child to be viciously, brutally tortured to death.

No. She couldn't.

She had no right to complain.

"It's one less stress," she said with a sheepish smile. Hopefully, the lie would be bought. She couldn't go crying about her problems when Temari's were so much worse.

Sakura had a feeling the blonde knew she was lying but chose to go along with it anyway. It was in the setting of her jaw as she stood, turning her back on her once Sakura was ready.

"Let's go," ordered Temari, shouldering the bag of laundry and Sakura's handbag. "You've only got until handover."

"It must have been longer than a week," Sakura mumbled as she refrained from stroking the buttons. "There's no way that shitty landlord fixed the elevator in just a week."

The blonde by her side smirked at that, the sight of it undeniably mischievous.

"Did you do something?" she questioned excitedly, grinning from ear-to-ear. "Please tell me you threatened him?"

But Temari raised her hands defensively, only pausing when the ding of the elevator alerted them of arriving on Sakura's floor. "Actually, I had nothing to do with it. It's Gaara you need to thank."

"Gaara?"

She snickered. "Sasuke may have mentioned in passing that you couldn't come home due to the elevator being broken–"

"But that's not entirely true–"

"–and Gaara seems to appreciate your company." Shrugging and continuing to seem so very proud of her younger brother, Temari raised a hand to the elevator door to make sure it stayed open, gesturing with her chin for Sakura to go first. Once they were out, she continued, saying, "So, he may have stalked the guy before waiting for him one night in the back of his car."

That was…

"Holy shit, Temari!"

She laughed, loud and proud. "He told him a few gruesome facts about the human body that he'd just heard about and said he'd try them out on him if he didn't have the elevator fixed in the next two days."

He was insane, wasn't he? Gods, she didn't even want to know what those facts were. "Two days…?"

"I know, I know," she said with a dismissive wave, teal eyes rolling. "He must have been feeling generous."

Temari dropped her off at her apartment door (saying there were more errands she had to run) where the dogs had greeted her excitedly, only just able to restrain themselves from jumping all over her. Sakura was sad to see her friend stalk off after a quick flip in her mood, so unsure of how to comfort her, but she knew better than to push too hard. There were only so many times you could ask a person if they were okay or offer condolences before they lost their shit.

So, instead of wallowing in her misery of being unable to help someone who didn't necessarily need or want her help, Sakura allowed Itachi to lead her to the nursery, the pair of them pausing as the door swung open slowly.

"Itachi, this is…"

Perfection. Absolute perfection. She was almost scared to enter for fear of dirtying it.

Slow, careful hands raised to touch the pastel green walls, the sight of the intricate blades of grass that somehow seemed to glimmer like there was a real sun hitting them making Sakura wonder how the hell Sai had managed to finish the whole room in such little time. Accompanying the green walls were several bunnies, flowers and butterflies, although what really struck her was–

Holy shit, there were clouds on the ceiling!

"Pure?"

Tears filled her eyes. Yes, that was the perfect word to describe it. The nursery was so perfectly pure. "I love it."

Smiling, her boyfriend reached out for her hand, gently guiding Sakura further into their children's room.

Matching the white bunnies was white furniture. They had separate cots, wardrobes and chest of drawers, making her wonder how it was even possible to fit everything inside and still make it look like there was so much room left (but of course, Itachi's organisational skills were second to none – he'd proven as much when designing her photo album).

Above each crib were empty white frames and she looked to Itachi questioningly, to which he replied, "When we have decided on names, Ino-san thought it would be a nice touch to have their names there."

Yes, it was.

Sakura was glad she'd forgone her slippers as she sunk her feet into the thick rug in the centre of the nursery, eyeing the rocking chair in the corner. However, she squashed down the temptation as she warned herself that she would probably have to be cut out of it if she so much as thought about sitting in it.

Everything was stocked up too, telling Sakura that their online shopping had all arrived promptly, allowing Itachi to not only put all furniture together, but to also put all the clothes and their toiletries away.

Part of Sakura was saddened that she hadn't been able to take part in such a huge event, but she knew it was for the best and it was obvious from a single glimpse of the room that Itachi (and Sai and Ino) had done a marvellous job.

"The steriliser, bottles and formula are all in the kitchen," Itachi informed her as they left the room, shutting the door behind themselves so that the dogs wouldn't go inside. "I also managed to find premade formula, as a precaution in case you struggle to breastfeed while at the hospital."

Which was looking more and more likely, considering how soon she would give birth. She was just over halfway to thirty-two weeks now, but she was well aware that it would still be touch and go – they would still be in an incubator if they were born now. How was she supposed to breastfeed them if that was the case?

"I spoke with my mother, also." The news had her cautiously spinning on her heel to look at him with wide eyes and a slack jaw. Had he reached out to her? If he had, then it was a huge step for him. Itachi smiled faintly. "She recommended using a breast pump."

Gods, why hadn't she thought of that herself? Even if they had to use bottles, they could still have her milk – if she had any, that was. Saying that, her breasts were an impressive size at that moment in time and spilled out of all her old bras, leaving Sakura to live in unpadded nursing bras and sports bras as they were far more comfortable.

"Is it too late to order one?" she asked worriedly.

It was with a barely held back sigh that Itachi gestured to their dining table, where a large box labelled 'electric double pump' sat unopened. "A few hours after our conversation, this was left at our door."

Although presents weren't the way to go about it, Sakura knew that it was a typical Uchiha way of trying to make amends. To try and close that gap just that little bit further (because she truly was appreciative of the assistance), she would ensure she spoke with Mikoto later to thank her personally. Or perhaps even send flowers, considering how expensive the pumps looked. She could still remember her favourites from all the times Sasuke had frequented the shop, or the once Itachi had purchased his mother flowers from them – their first, real meeting.

"I hope you thanked her," Sakura said seriously, though that seriousness soon cracked when the two large dogs nudged at her hands, demanding her attention. Smiling softly, she happily obliged. "I've missed you all so much."

Akako's whined response had her lips turning downwards, but she otherwise remained in check of her emotions.

"Of course," he answered her demand. She hadn't even seen him move, having been too preoccupied with the needy dogs. "I returned the favour with flowers."

That was what she liked about Itachi. They were often on a similar wavelength.

Sakura lowered herself to the sofa with a groan, eyes shutting with relief. "It feels so good to be home."

Several places on the sofa dipped as Itachi replied, "It feels good to have you home."

The two dogs were let off their disobedience as they sat on either side of her on the sofa, Itachi completing the moment in her eyes by leaning over the back, kissing her forehead tenderly when Sakura leaned back to look at him.

It really was good to be home.

With the way everybody came to visit her, one would have thought that she'd been missing for months rather than in the hospital for just about a week and a half. Everyone who visited her at home were also the same people who also visited her at the hospital.

Still, Sakura greatly appreciated their support and refused to complain, even though part of her longed to have an ordinary day lounging around her home with Itachi and the dogs. She yearned for a shred of normalcy before she reluctantly returned to the hospital, to forget about the risks and act like nothing was wrong. She wanted to go back in time a couple of months and return to the days where they would lounge on the sofa with the dogs and snacks and a new television series.

Instead, she was sitting at a dinner table with everyone, her cheeks warming at their constant staring or questions. Her living room had never been fuller and while she previously would have relished in the comforting feeling of wholeness, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was all wrong – no, not wrong per se, but it wasn't what she wanted.

They'd ordered takeout for eleven people. Yes, eleven. Sakura hadn't thought they'd have nearly enough chairs for everyone, but they'd somehow managed to figure it out.

"It's beautiful," Sakura praised wholeheartedly when Sai asked if she'd seen the nursery yet and she saw his shoulders relax shockingly, the sight making Ino hide a smile behind her hair. "You've really managed to create a serene atmosphere."

"Thank you again, Sai-san," said Itachi, lips twitching with a smile.

"Do the rest of us get to see it now?" came Naruto's mutter of discontent. "I got some stuff for it!"

Sakura's heart melted a little at his pout and not for the first time, the bag he'd brought with him that was filled to the brim caught her eye. The other day Kakashi had warned her about Naruto's shopping for the twins, however she'd known not to question him because the blond was the worst when it came to surprises (and she didn't want to ruin it for him).

Well, he was bad with keeping surprise gifts a secret.

Discreetly, her gaze swept further down the table. Sasuke and Gaara were both at complete ease with one another and coupled with the careful distance between them, she never would have guessed that they were in a relationship (though she knew that was the whole point, since the last thing Sasuke wanted was for people to know he was gay).

"So, you live in the building now, Temari-san?" Ino asked curiously. It was while chewing away at a piece of beef that the other blonde nodded, leading her to say once she'd swallowed her food, "Everyone seems to be moving here all of a sudden. First Sakura and Itachi manage to find an apartment, then Sai, then that slut a few floors up – who has a big, scary boyfriend, by the way, Sakura – and now you guys."

Naruto choked on his food, his blue eyes wide and watering. "S-Slut?"

She settled her best friend with a warning glare, daring her to say more. "Well, since the majority of the other tenants were elderly and the elevator was broken for so long, it only makes sense that they find somewhere more suitable to live."

"The apartments are fairly cheap, also," Sai added helpfully, but was more focused on helping himself to more meat from the serving dishes in the centre of the table. The blasé attitude helped in throwing Ino off, leaving her to nod in thoughtful agreement.

Beneath the table, a hand gently squeezed her thigh, offering a small amount of comfort – and apology, Sakura realised upon meeting Itachi's eye. It was with a sigh that she returned the hold and resumed eating, trying her utmost to not allow the mentioning of Anko to destroy their dinner (even as those who knew what had happened risked glances in her direction to get a read on her response).

Since their encounter, she hadn't seen the other woman and she couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to do with Itachi's threat. Anko had been shocked and, dare she say, scared by whatever expression he'd been wearing, though Sakura had no intention of ever finding out for herself what that look was. No, she chose to instead be blissfully unaware of that side of him, knowing it was not only what he preferred, but also what was best.

She was still deeply hurt by what had happened, but as she'd promised Itachi: she was not holding it over him. When she had made the promise of trying to forgive him and move on, she'd meant every word of it. It was just that some days were easier than others, sadly.

How many actually knew? She couldn't help but wonder. Obviously, due to being there, both Sai and Ino knew. And she'd found out that Gaara knew because Sasuke told him about it, but how did Sasuke know?

Chewing slowly, Sakura narrowed her eyes a fraction, watching everyone closely.

Naruto was a safe bet. He didn't have a clue. Otherwise, he would have bulldozed his way into their apartment and challenged Itachi into some kind of macho showdown.

Shisui was… similar to Kakashi, in a way. They were both levelheaded men who wouldn't show any signs of knowing, although she deemed them both as people Itachi would confide in, so the chances of them knowing were far more likely than Naruto.

A part of her wondered if Kakashi would attempt to talk to her about it all, though. To see how she was. No, Sakura decided after a moment of watching him. The only time Kakashi tackled big emotions like that was when it was serious, such as the time when she stole his gun after being attacked by Hidan's lackeys. If he did do anything about her misery, then it would lean more on the "casually bringing it up or referencing topics close to it until she broke down" side of things. He had a knack for reverse psychology, too and worming his way into discovering secrets that had nothing to do with him.

That left the last two at her dinner table: Temari and Kankuro. She guessed that they couldn't have known, simply because Gaara knew how it felt to have a significant other (seemingly or actually) cheat. He had first-hand experience in the humiliation and pain that betrayal caused, as well as the struggle to move on from it, so she hoped that meant he wouldn't share her nightmare with his siblings. She'd not only heard of his big heart, but had seen it for herself, too. His empathetic nature wouldn't allow him to draw out her agony, would it?

"What time do you have to go back?" asked Sasuke.

Oh, had her suspicions of everyone been obvious? Was he trying to take her mind off it all? "Before handover – eight o'clock."

He nodded thoughtfully before glancing at his brother, questioning him, "Do you have any plans?" Surprisingly, Itachi didn't seem annoyed (not that he ever did) with being questioned about such a thing in front of anyone, instead shaking his head. "Naruto and I were thinking it would be good for Sakura to walk around for a bit."

"No."

Only a select few at the table understood Temari's outburst, her teal eyes angry as they darted between her brother and Sasuke, demanding to know what the hell they were playing at.

"Why?" demanded Ino, frowning. "They wouldn't have let her out if she was still high risk."

But they were all dismissed as Temari looked straight at Sakura, pleading with her to listen. "It's still too risky."

Not from spontaneously going into labour. She knew just from the tightening of her jaw that it had nothing to do with that. And if Itachi's conscious effort at breathing deeply and relaxing his grip on the chopsticks was anything to go by, then it was Hidan's overbearing presence.

He was possibly close by.

Her stomach plummeted.

"Are you a midwife now?" Ino challenged. Rudely pointing at the other blonde with her chopsticks while midway to grab more food, she then said, "Oh, wait. No, you're not. You're in the same classes as us and we haven't studied pregnancy or labour yet."

The glare shot her way by Kankuro had Sakura speaking up, her heart skipping a beat at the warning flash in Sai's usually impassive eyes. "No, she's right, Ino. I was only released because Temari assured the doctor I wouldn't be doing anything strenuous. Technically, I'm still on strict bed rest, even if nothing's changed."

Naruto was pouting when he asked, "Can we at least take her back?"

They were acting like they hadn't seen her in months! Then again, it had been months since it was just the three of them hanging out like the old days – they all had partners at one point and one had even moved abroad to study.

Smiling sadly in Naruto's direction, Sakura felt her heart going out to him. More than anything, he needed his friends, especially if he was struggling with his sexuality like she and Gaara had pieced together. Was that why he was so accepting of Naruto and Sasuke hanging out together? He seemed uncaring in that moment, quietly eating his meal, but it was more than likely a front, wasn't it? It had to be, Sakura decided. She'd seen his insecurity and felt it like it was her own. So, was it because she would be there too?

Oh, shit. Was it because she would see the pair interacting and could report back to him if there was anything amiss?

Unaware of her sudden conflict, Itachi offered his brother and Naruto a sympathetic smile and told them, "It is her own decision, not mine."

Thank you! It got pretty irritating when they spoke like she wasn't actually there or involved, even when they were discussing her. They'd done it a few times at the hospital, too.

"I'd love that," she said with a smile, one that widened at Naruto's cheerful yell (she noticed others sighing with relief at the familiar excitement in his tone and her heart warmed further).

"On one condition," Kakashi surprised them all by speaking up. Looking between the two younger men, he said, "Naruto doesn't drive."

Ino snickered and mumbled something about being an overprotective dad, but as expected, Kakashi pretended not to hear anything.

"Sasuke, please ensure you get Sakura there before handover. The rules are strict, and I would like the opportunity for her to come home should she be there for the rest of the pregnancy."

She smiled up at him shyly, their hands meeting under the table once more.

Gods, she missed hanging out with her boys.

It was like going back in time (if they somehow managed to ignore the humongous bump protruding from her), back to when they'd been complaining about high school and assignments, before they had difficulties in their relationships because they didn't even have relationships to worry about. It was just them (and Kakashi and Pakkun, obviously).

Sakura didn't regret a single choice in her life. She truly didn't. But she missed the days when they were able to just hang out without any worries or stresses.

Lounging back in the passenger seat of Sasuke's car, she eyed him curiously, wondering what was going through his mind in that moment. Better yet, both of their minds.

It wasn't like the tension in the car was unbearable, but it was noticeable, causing the first few minutes of their being alone together to border into the uncomfortable side of things. Fortunately for her sanity, it didn't stay that way and they soon fell into their old dynamics, allowing Sakura to relax.

She wondered how Gaara was–

No. No, she didn't. It he was okay with their being alone together, then she would mind her own business.

But, still. To know that they'd kissed–

Stop thinking about it!

"Oi, do you think we could stick around for a bit?" Naruto asked her while leaning forward over the front seats, his head sticking between the gap of the headrests. "I miss this."

So did she. Even something as simple as a drive tugged on her heartstrings and left her a little emotional – Sakura blamed that on the fact she was pregnant, though.

Despite her thoughts, she still reached behind her and made Naruto grin when her hand found the back of his head, nails tickling his scalp as she ruffled messy blond hair.

"There's strict rules of only one person at a time after eight," she told them both apologetically, for she knew Sasuke secretly wanted to stay a while, too. "Unless I go into labour, of course."

"Don't even mention it," chided Naruto and he was suddenly serious, frowning at her. "You might jinx yourself."

Yeah, she did have a habit of doing that, didn't she?

Grimacing, she looked back to Sasuke, asking him, "Did you know that it was Gaara-kun who got the elevator fixed?"

"It was?" came Naruto's almost annoyed demand. She knew for a fact it pissed him off when he suddenly threw himself back into his seat, his pout somehow amplified by the sulky way he folded his arms over his chest. "Funny how he just turns up and magically all this–"

"Give it a rest," Sasuke snapped.

Hand gently coming to her bump, she glanced between the two now angry men, her frown deepening the longer the tense silence was dragged on for. Obviously, mentioning Gaara around Naruto was a no-go area – she knew it was due to his believing he'd been replaced as Sasuke's best friend. But since the two had kissed, surely Naruto had suspicions?

Then again…

Naruto was pretty dense at the best of times and it took him years to finally notice Hinata's feelings.

Speaking of Hinata… She'd yet to receive a response to her text from the other day and Sakura worried that it meant she was angry with her. Granted, she'd known about Naruto's uncertainty regarding their relationship and his feelings, but Sakura knew that Hinata was rational, too. Surely, she'd know that she wouldn't be able to betray his trust by sharing his secrets with her? Or did that make her a bad person for refusing to share them, since Hinata was her friend and it involved her relationship with him?

The sight of the hospital had Sakura groaning and looking between them.

How was she supposed to leave them alone together when they were on such bad terms? Those idiots had the possibility of being just as thick-headed as the other, their stubbornness leaving arguments to last longer than they needed to (or for their anger to multiply until they settled on resolving their issues with their fists). However, Sakura knew that the only way to truly rectify the situation was to inform Naruto that Gaara wasn't Sasuke's new best friend, but his boyfriend and she couldn't do that. It wasn't her secret to tell.

"Look," muttered Sakura as Sasuke pulled up into a space rather than in front of the unit, telling her without words that he wanted to talk for a bit longer, too. "I…"

Gods, was it okay for her to say it? What would happen if she did? Would it be like unveiling something she had no right in viewing? Was it a moment that should only be between those two?

She swallowed, looking out of the windscreen to keep herself distracted from their furrowed brows.

"…I know," she eventually managed to murmur. "About the kiss."

Even though she wasn't looking at either of them, she could feel their reactions. She could sense the horror and shame and uncertainty. They were staring at her and one quick glace showed Sakura that it was with startled expressions – Naruto was paler than usual too, she noticed sadly.

Trembling fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress. "I have no right in getting involved – I don't want to know any details, unless you want to share them, then I'm always here to talk. What happened is between the two of you and no-one else, but…" She frowned and decided she had to look at them directly, because the conversation was way too heavy not to. "But seeing you both like this is killing me. So, whatever needs to be said, say it. With or without me here. Please."

"There's nothing to say," muttered Sasuke and he copied her earlier example of staring ahead of himself, refusing to meet their eyes. "We were drunk."

"Not that drunk," Naruto argued. "I've been shitfaced and never made out with a friend before!"

Meaning there were potentially feelings there between them.

Gaara's face flashed in her mind, followed by Hinata's.

And then Anko's.

"Whatever happened, you both need to sort your shit out," she snapped without meaning to, fuelled by her own betrayal. "You're hurting people you love."

"I'm not even with Hinata anymore and he's never had a girlfriend, so it's not like it even matters–"

"I'm gay, you moron."

The confession was spat angrily and part of her heart eased its worrying when she realised he was serious about his relationship Gaara. The fact he was telling Naruto about it told her that.

A glance over her shoulder showed Sakura a stuttering, wide eyed Naruto, his hands having frozen midair while he'd been animatedly arguing with her.

"And he matters."

"He…?" Naruto gripped their seats and lunged forward, trying to meet Sasuke's eye. He continued to refuse to look at him. "You mean that weirdo who hangs around you is your boyfriend?"

She was going to punch the idiot.

Instead, she frowned and reached out, giving Sasuke's arm a comforting squeeze.

"Damn," breathed the blond and he sat back again, hands falling to his knees. "That's…"

When he fell silent, they both decided to finally look his way but frowned at the look of confusion in his squinting eyes. Yet again, he leaned forward, focusing on something way ahead of the car and it had dread running down her spine, especially when Sasuke whipped back around to try and find whatever he was looking for.

Sakura did so reluctantly, her once comforting hold on Sasuke's arm now one of fear.

"Who…?"

The red hair captured her attention before anything else and Sakura's brow puckered as she tried to place where she'd seen the woman before.

It was evident even to Naruto that she was waiting for them, for her gaze was focused intently on the car, like she could see them even though the headlights were still on.

"Who's that?" Naruto finally managed to ask.

"How should I know?"

Sakura bit her lip worriedly. Why did she look so familiar?

"I'll go check it out," mumbled the blond, already half out of the car before they could argue. "I'll signal if there's something wrong."

Gods, how messed up were their lives if they had to use signals for simply encountering a stranger? That her heart felt like it was going to shoot straight out of her chest just watching Naruto approach a stranger alone and defenceless? Like she'd thought earlier: she missed the simplicity of their lives before high school ended.

She seemed pleasant enough, Sakura thought unsurely and released Sasuke, sitting forward in her seat like a few inches would make much difference to her sight. Obviously, it didn't, and it left her squinting at the two as they spoke, trying and failing to distinguish some kind of emotion.

"Why are you pulling that face?" questioned Sasuke, glancing in her direction with something close to a grimace. "Stop it. It's weird."

Stop what? Trying to see–

Oh.

"I can't see details that far away," she said – would have laughed too, had she not been so worried about Naruto's well-being. "I left my glasses in my hospital room."

He forgot all about Naruto and instead focused on scowling down at her, demanding, "Since when do you wear glasses?"

Damn, he really had missed a lot.

"Oi, it's fine!"

All confusion, annoyance and astonishment were dropped at Naruto's loud words and Sakura found herself almost clinging to Sasuke once they were out of the car, masking her steadily increasing anxiety for simply struggling with walking in her heavily pregnant state. Her arm looped through his and for once, he didn't argue at her being touchy feely, for it seemed he was also on edge after all that had gone on. One of his hands even settled on her waist, keeping her close.

But this was a woman!

What if she was one of Hidan's lackeys? What exactly could Sasuke and Naruto do? Knocking her out was way out of the question – for them, at least. No, it was for her too! She was freaking pregnant and supposed to be taking it easy.

"Stay calm," murmured Sasuke just before they reached the pair. "You need to – for their sake."

He was right.

With her babies in mind, Sakura took deep, calming breaths, mindful of potentially working herself up. There was no telling what a panic attack would jump-start.

"We need to make this quick," Sasuke said loud enough for the woman to hear. "The doctor's expecting you."

She was glad he didn't mention handover, even though it was the predictable eight-to-eight shift pattern at the hospital for medical staff. Sakura wasn't sure if it was the same for the security who frequently strolled the grounds, but she had a feeling it wasn't, for that would make crimes more likely to happen, wouldn't it? When everyone was busy with switching over?

"Oh, Haruno Sakura!"

Wait–

She was–

"You're–"

"Hidan's lover," she said, smiling cheerfully. "And the woman you almost trampled in the grocery store."

Not even a second later and both Naruto and Sasuke were standing between them, glaring suspiciously at the woman and around them. Her once careful hold on Sasuke's arm now turned into him keeping a tight hold of hers, keeping Sakura tucked into his side, wary of letting her go or leave his sight entirely.

The woman was stunning, but she could tell her red hair was unnatural, for her eyebrows were the wrong shade even though it was obvious she'd done her best to make it match. It certainly looked better than the last time she'd seen her, though. The eyelashes and makeup were both toned down, though still clearly fake.

Shit, what had her name been again?

Itachi had told her about the other woman, but it seemed it'd slipped her mind considering it'd been months ago and nothing came of her appearance. According to ANBU, she'd seemingly disappeared into thin air after witnesses saw her getting into a flashy car.

Just the thought of Hidan being around had Sakura bristling with a mixture of fear and hatred. "What do you want?"

Gone was the friendly expression she'd used to trick Naruto into luring her out of the car, her piercing blue eyes making her feel an inch tall. "Are you going to talk to me through your guard dogs?"

"Like we'll let you near her," snarled Naruto in response. "To be his bitch you have to be just as fucked up!"

"She was his bitch once too," she sneered. The step forward she dared to take was intercepted, Naruto glowering down at her and causing her to falter – whether it was due to her being called a bitch, or her attempt at intimidation was unknown. But Sakura had once seen that fury of his for herself and to that day, it still scared her. So have him towering over the woman who was at least a foot smaller than him was no doubt terrifying for her. "Then again…"

She tensed when the woman trailed off, hand itching to clutch her bump.

Like he could also sense Sakura's growing anxiety – or had his own with being so out in the open, with her potentially using herself as a distraction to get closer – Sasuke put Sakura between him and Naruto, his hand remaining on her arm. With her boys having their unfair growth spurts while she just got fat with her pregnancy, they dwarfed her and it made Sakura feel just a tiny bit safer being between them.

"I don't know what you're playing at," Sasuke muttered, hold on her unyielding. She wouldn't be escaping his grasp any time soon and for that, Sakura was grateful. But that gratefulness was hampered somewhat by the uneven rising and falling of his chest, allowing her to feel his anxiety against her back. "But I suggest you leave. Sakura is under the constant supervision of ANBU. Hidan won't get near her."

But that caused more laughter on the redhead's part and she threw her head back, the long, red curls tumbling down her spine. It was an eerie sort of laugh that reminded Sakura of Hidan's, the madness being unmistakable. "You think he wants her?"

"Why else would he stalk her the way he has been?"

Naruto's demand had the woman sobering at once and her seriousness left them all uneasy, because that madness in her sharp gaze remained. And suddenly, Sakura was aware of all the weapons on or possibly on her person, thanks to Gaara's brief lesson before her admittance into the hospital.

In his attempt to aid Sakura in gaining the upper hand should she ever be involved in a fight where she was outmatched, he'd told her to think of everything as a weapon – and the woman was full of them. The thick necklace, the bag with who knows what inside it, her car keys hanging precariously in her grasp, the belt around her waist, accentuating her curves and finally, the six inch killer heels she was wearing. Perhaps even her extensions too since she could always strangle her with them.

There were also traffic cones in the car park, though she doubted the other woman would have the balance to use them in her heels.

"Hidan? Interested in her?" she scoffed. "When she can't even face me?"

"She's facing you," muttered Naruto with a smirk, stepping to the side so that she and the woman were face-to-face. If something were to happen, however, all he had to do was lean back and she was under his protection again.

"So? What now?" Sakura questioned despite her racing heart. "You've got my attention. What do you want? Did Hidan send you?"

Mentioning Hidan so many times seemed to aggravate her, because the look that flitted through her expression was menacing and hateful. "Hidan isn't interested in you."

"Then why are you here?" she shot back before Naruto or Sasuke could. "Surely, you wouldn't have come to visit me of your own volition?"

She'd hit a nerve – another one of Gaara's teachings.

It was plain to see, especially when those blue eyes darted around them. It wasn't out of nervousness, though. Her agitation was swelling – in addition to the insanity in her eyes, Sakura felt extremely uneasy. There was nothing scarier than a person who didn't fear being outmatched or outnumbered.

"You do know he was seeing me while with you, right? And rumour has it your baby's father isn't faithful either," she said. Then, with a nasty smirk, she taunted, "You couldn't keep Hidan interested, what makes you think you'll keep that Uchiha interested? He's not half the man Hidan is!"

How the hell did they know about…?

Sakura wasn't the only one angered by her words, but she didn't care to listen to Naruto and Sasuke's warnings for her to shut the hell up.

There was a rat somewhere on their side, just as Itachi had suspected.

And what the hell was that she just said?

Anger made her entire body go taut, made her eyes narrow dangerously. Surely, she'd heard wrong? Surely, she hadn't just said that Hidan was more of a man than Itachi? "What was that?"

She scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "You heard me."

She didn't even see her fist before it was smashing into her face and Sakura felt her pride soar as the bitch went down, out for the count. Even while hindered by Sasuke's grip on her, she'd made enough impact to shut her up.

"Just call her 'One Punch Sakura!"

"Shut up, Naruto," Sasuke snapped, carefully dragging Sakura away. "Put her in the recovery position and let's go."

Oh, she was so, so, so fucking angry.

Even as they entered the unit at a careful waddling pace, Sakura grumbled angrily, her heart racing, adrenaline rushing through her veins. "That bitch–"

"Calm down, Sakura," ordered Sasuke seriously and he forced them to a halt, glaring down at her. "You're working yourself up–"

"She said Itachi's not half the man–"

"I heard–"

"Then be angry," she yelled at him shrilly, shoving his shoulder. "You know what he's been through because of that bastard! Defend your fucking brother after all the shit–"

A shocking pop silenced them all, but it had nothing on the gush that suddenly exploded from between her thighs, soaking her and the floor.

Naruto took a exaggerated long step back, blue eyes wide with horror and glued to her wet feet.

Sasuke met her eye slowly, hesitantly, almost like a child scared of being caught doing something wrong and reprimanded for it and she understood why. She understood because it was technically his watch that it happened under and Itachi was going to be so fucking mad–

"Please tell me you just wet yourself."

She shook her head.

"Are you sure–"

There was no mixing the two up.

"My waters just broke."

A/N - This is dedicated to the wonderful shikabootay - I hope you feel better soon!