Author's note: Thank you again to all of my reviewers, favoritors, and followers. This chapter is special and your support encouraged me. So without further ado...enjoy!

Chapter 4

Sasuke only had one hand left, and he swore he was about to lose it. Sakura's grip on him was so tight he couldn't even release her hand at this point. Damn this woman's inhuman strength. It was like channeling her chakra to her hands was second nature to her as she contracted for a solid minute, squeezing his appendage tight. He didn't dare complain though, considering the amount of pain his wife was suffering. She let out a guttural scream with this one; a sound he had never heard come out of her mouth before. It physically pained him to hear her this way. He knew how strong his wife was and knew she had suffered some astounding injuries in her time. He specifically recalled her impaling herself straight through her middle on Madara's rod without a second thought during the war. No, Sakura was no stranger to pain. So, the fact that she let out a scream in this moment meant she was feeling something totally new and in another realm. Sasuke wished he could do something to ease her suffering, but he knew he could only remain there and support her through it. It had been two full hours of this.

After they had entered the hideout earlier, they'd followed Karin down a long corridor to a well-lit lab. A medical table was set up, and there were machines surrounding it. After getting Sakura up on the table, Karin worked efficiently to hook her up and monitor her vital signs. Everything looked well for Sakura and the baby according to both women, so Sasuke focused on getting Sakura somewhat comfortable. Karin then moved between Sakura's legs to evaluate how much progress her body had made, per Sakura's detailed instructions. This made Sasuke slightly uncomfortable given the intimate nature of all of this, and Karin too by the look on her face, but he knew if Sakura was willing to allow it, he probably shouldn't comment. Karin told them she had never delivered a baby before, or even seen it done. However, Sasuke knew she was very intelligent and was familiar with medical terms and concepts. So once Sakura explained something to her, she grasped what she needed to do quickly. After searching the room for items to compare circular diameter, Karin had finally determined that Sakura was indeed about 6 centimeters dilated, and nearly opening to 7. With her water now broken, things were progressing slowly but surely. It had just been a matter of waiting and monitoring as Sakura maneuvered herself off the table and around the room. She had told him a lot of women in her experience would shift to different positions to encourage progress, rather than laying supine, and she was now finding that to be helpful in her case. It still hurt no matter what she did, but at least she could adjust as needed and help labor progress faster.

Now, after two hours, Sakura was almost 10 centimeters dilated. Which meant it was nearly time for her to push. Sasuke's gut was twisting with anxiety, worried for Sakura and the baby, not sure what he was to expect in the next hour. Sakura had given him plenty of education over the months on the process of what would happen when they were safely in Konoha's hospital under the care of Sakura's mentor Tsunade, a renowned medic herself, and surrounded by friends and family who would love and support her. But nothing had prepared him for them being alone, miles from home under the inexperienced care of his former Taka teammate, in the depths of Orochimaru's hideout where Sasuke had spent two full years as a rage filled teenager, consumed by darkness, training to destroy the very people he had sworn to protect now. Including the woman he loves, who is now laying here before him in terrible pain, bringing a new life into this world; his own child.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura panted softly, "don't look so worried. Things are going well. Just a little bit longer and you're going to be a father." Sasuke looked in her eyes, seeing her strength and her love reflecting back at him. He couldn't believe he was so lucky to have her. "Can I get you anything? I feel helpless" he said. He truly did feel helpless. He wanted to ease her suffering if only for a moment.

"It's alright. I'm so happy you are here Anata. Just don't leave my side, ok? That will be more than enough." Sakura's jaw started to clench as a contraction gripped her once again, hard. Sweat was beading down her face, eyes clenched shut as she focused on getting through it. She was panting as the pain consumed her and she let out a groan. As it backed off, she rested her head back, mouth open as she caught her breath. "I'm so tired Sasuke-kun. I don't know how I'm going to do this." Her voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes, though she was too stubborn to let them fall. He knew she didn't want to appear weak, not in this moment. Sasuke reached his hand out to caress her forehead down to her cheek, wiping away the sweat from around her eyes, and the smallest of smiles graced his features. "You've never looked more beautiful than you do right now, Sakura. You can do this." It was uncommon for Sasuke to be so forward with his words, choosing action over them most of the time. But he knew she needed to hear his voice and be reminded of how he saw her. It was worth it as she gazed longingly at him, eyes filled with love. One of the tears escaped over the brim of her eye and trailed down her cheek.

Karin walked into the room just then and approached Sakura, pulling on her gloves. "I'm going to check you again. It's probably time to push soon" she said as she checked Sakura's dilation. Karin gasped slightly as her eyes widened. "Oh yeah, the head is coming down. I can feel it! Geez that's weird." Karin shuddered a little. "Remind me to never have kids, cause this is more than enough experience for me."

"Ok, ok, ok." Sakura chanted to herself as another contraction gripped her. As it released again, she said "Karin, do you have everything we talked about? Get the basin ready, and the towels. It's going to be messy."

"I've got everything right here Sakura" Karin replied. "Honestly, I never would have imagined this is what my day would turn into."

Sasuke suddenly stood up. He was studying Karin with an intense look. "Karin" he said sharply, "come with me." His voice didn't leave any room for question. He was serious and she wasn't going to refuse. "O-okay Sasuke" she said.

At the door her turned back to Sakura. "We will only be a moment Sakura. I'll be just outside the door if you need something." Then he opened the door and stepped out, Karin on his heels.

…

Sasuke turned then to look at her carefully. He seemed to be contemplating his next words. "Karin…thank you for choosing to help" Sasuke told her seriously. He was full of surprises today, as his words were rarely given in thanks to anyone. Karin was taken aback by his statement. It was very unlike the Sasuke she knew and was used to.

"But I will say this," as he stepped closer to her, his sharingan flashing dangerously at her, "If for one second I think you are going to bring harm to my wife or child it will be the last thing you do." Karin's eyes were wide as she softly gulped. She remembered all too well the feel of Sasukes blade when he pierced her before. This was the cold-blooded Sasuke she remembered. Intimidating; calculating. However, things were different now. She remembered that pain, yes, but she also remembered Sakura healing her, selflessly saving her life. She had heard about the change in Sasuke through the grapevines as he went along on his redemption journey but was seeing it for the first time in person as he supported his laboring wife out of the forest and into safety. She knew that he loved Sakura from the way he looked at her, and the way he touched her. Karin had watched quietly from the doorway as Sasuke softly smiled and told Sakura how beautiful she looked to him, and that he knew she could do it. Karin had never seen Sasuke smile in all her time of knowing him. She had dreamed and hoped for it. Longed for it. However, he had never looked at her that way, or anyone else for that matter. So, despite the pain she felt in her heart, she knew that his words now were born out of love and a feeling of protection for his new family, and she never wanted to do anything that would cause him to lose that again. Not after everything he had been through. She had dreamed of his smile, and she'd be damned if she took It away from him.

"Don't worry Sasuke" She told him, looking down at her feet. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt them." She looked back up into his eyes. "Sakura saved my life. I owe her. I even kinda like her. But don't tell her I said that, or I'll deny it" she huffed out, not wanting to appear soft. "I've always cared about you Sasuke and I don't want to take your family away from you. I'm happy you have found this new life. I'll do what I can to keep them safe. Just trust me"

Sasuke seemed taken aback by her confession. She was essentially telling him she had given up on him, but not in anger or jealousy. She had matured more than she realized over the years.

Nodding once, he opened the door and waited for her to pass through once again, in a show of thanks to her. Karin smiled a little and stepped through the door. She swiftly approached a panting Sakura and with her sharp attitude back in place she stated, "Alright Sakura! It's time. This is gonna hurt like a bitch, but you better push when I tell you. Everyone makes a big deal about your inhuman strength so this baby should be out in no time." Walking to the side of the table near Sakura's sweaty head, she placed her hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "You've got this" she told her.

"Thank you, Karin. Thank you for doing this." Sakura said with a determined look in her eyes. "I'm ready" she said, reaching out to grasp Sasukes hand for support. She quickly released it though, seeming to think better of that decision. "One more request Sasuke-kun. Could you find me something…strong to grip onto? I don't want to break your hand" she said sheepishly, a soft chuckle escaping her. Sasuke smirked. "Sure" he said, looking around for something suitable. His eyes landed on a rod laying in the corner of the room. He walked over to pick it up. It was heavy and made of what he assumed was steel. "Here" he told her, placing the pipe in her hand. Sakura nodded her head, "This should hold up for a little bit at least.

Karin watched the exchange with a bewildered expression. She had been slightly kidding with her comment. How strong was this woman that she needs a steel pipe to grip? Shaking her head to clear her mind, she focused on the task at hand. "Alright, with this next contraction it's time." She waited a moment for Sakura's abdomen to begin tightening, "Ok, push!"

Sakura bore down with all her strength, gritting her teeth and letting out a loud "Shannarrooo!" Her hand gripped her steel rod and Karin heard it groan quietly as its shape was distorted slightly. 'Woah' Karin thought to herself. Sakura continued to push as Karin counted to 10. "Ok now relax" she told her. Sakura released a big breath and threw her head back as she panted and recuperated. "It hurts so bad" she said. "You're doing great Sakura" Sasuke said quietly, and Karin watched the intense look on his face as he stared at Sakura. 'He really does love her' she thought. Sasuke was on the edge of his seat, practically hovering over the bed with his arm up above Sakura's head, lightly brushing the hair out of her face.

Reverting her attention back to Sakura, she warned her she was going to check the baby's progress. Inserting her fingers once again, she felt the head a little bit closer than last time, even noticing some hair. She smiled. "That was a good push Sakura. It's down further now. I can feel the baby's hair."

"Really?" Sakura's eyes lit up with excitement. She got a renewed look of determination, as if fueled by the fact that each push was getting her closer and closer to the life inside her. "I'm ready then. I feel it coming." She took a deep breath and Karin didn't even have to say it this time. Sakura pushed again, veins bulging in her forehead, face red as a cherry tomato. Karin mentally counted to 10 again. "Ok relax" she said, as Sakura let out a sob of pain and exhaustion. Tears streamed out of her eyes, but she looked over at Sasuke with adoration. "We're so close" she whispered to him. Karin wouldn't have caught it if she hadn't watched her lips move.

"One or two more like that and I think we will finally have a baby." Karin was a little excited herself, which surprised her. Her pain was still present, but it wasn't as hard as she thought it would be to accept Sasuke moving on considering he had never been with her to begin with. Plus, after watching the two of them interact it just made Karin feel…at peace. Sasuke was happy and seeing that was totally worth it. 'Geez I'm getting too soft' she thought.

"Another one is coming," Sakura said, clearly exhausted, but with a fire in her eyes. "Let's do this."

Bearing down yet again, Sakura screamed out her pain and effort, pushing so hard that Karin saw a little tuft of hair poking out this time. "You've got this Sakura; I can see the head!" Karin said excitedly. It had been more than 10 seconds and Sakura still pushed harder, then collapsed on the table. "Shannarro" she gasped, overcome with exhaustion. Sasuke's composure was stoic, eyes focused on his wife, but Karin noticed the vein throbbing in his temple and the sheen of sweat on his forehead, eyes intense. Despite his emotionless mask, she had never seen him so…frazzled. At least frazzled for his normal composure. "Sasuke" she called. He looked at her sharply, immediately concerned something was wrong. "Do you wanna come see?"

"No!" Sakura suddenly said a little too forcefully, not willing to let Sasuke see her downstairs in this state. She had seen it before with other women and it was not a sight she wanted Sasuke to remember every time he made his way down there. "Sorry Sasuke-kun, I mean I just need you up here. Please" she pleaded with him. Sasuke seemed a little curious but decided against upsetting his wife further. "I won't" he said reassuringly, "I'm right here." Karin just shrugged. She couldn't exactly blame them. The sight was not pretty at all. But such was the nature of pushing a baby out of your lady parts.

"Ok here we go" Karins said, noticing the next contraction starting. "One more push and the head will be out. You said it's easy after that."

Sakura gathered her breath and tossing the now bent and molded rod she had been squeezing to the side, she gripped the sheets as she pushed, yelling loud with a war cry, with no words being formed. She cried out again as the head made its way past her entrance, tearing her stretched flesh. It was gruesome, and bloody, and painful looking, but the baby's head was out! "That's it, Sakura! The heads out! Just one more!" Karin shouted excitedly, forgetting to keep her cool composure.

Sakura was sobbing on the table at this point, and Sasuke didn't know what to do with himself. He looked so overwhelmed not knowing how to help. He chose to lean down to Sakura's ear and whisper something to her that Karin couldn't hear, but when he did Sakura quickly got herself together and nodded her head, visibly preparing herself for the last push. "Just one more" she whispered to herself, shoving the tears off her face forcefully. She took a gulp of air, and with one more tremendous push, the rest of the baby finally exited its place of residence for the past 9 ½ months, followed by a whole bunch of other stuff that Sakura had warned Karin about. The placenta, she thought, and a bunch of gunk that Karin didn't have a name for. But none of that mattered. She was holding a newborn baby in her hands, and she was stunned. She had caught it out of instinct, but now she froze, unsure how to proceed. It was finally here. 'Well, what do ya know' she thought to herself as she looked up and made eye contact with the brand-new father. "It's a girl," and Karin was grinning.

…

Sasuke heard the words that left Karins mouth, but his brain was in a slight state of shock and didn't quite comprehend what she'd said. He broke eye contact with her, and looked down at the infant in her hands, still attached to its life source that lay in a basin below. The source that had provided nourishment and helped to create this life that was now very much here, in front of him. Sasuke was at a loss for words and could only seem to think about how it didn't seem possible for a human being to be so incredibly small. Mere seconds had passed, and suddenly he was jarred back to reality as this tiny human that he had helped create finally took her first breath of air and screamed at the top of her lungs, announcing her entrance to anyone that had ears to hear. "A girl" he said quietly to himself, as he watched Karin snip the umbilical cord and wrap his child in a blanket she had found and cut to size, gently wiping the gunk off of her eyes and hair. He looked over at his wife, taking in her stunned expression, wide eyes filled with tears, sweat still pouring off her, hair in a wild disarray, unable to speak. Karin walked over and very gently placed their daughter in Sakura's waiting arms, stepping back quietly as the new mother cradled her now quieting baby for the first time. The tears were streaming down the pinkettes face as she gazed at their child with pure joy and wonder. Sasuke thought back to his comment to her earlier during her labor, and mentally retracted his statement. Activating his Sharingan, he committed the moment to memory. This…this was it. He had never in his life seen a more beautiful sight.

Note: Please review and let me know what you think! Can't wait to write the next one!