A/N: It continues.


Chp 3: Reconsideration

There was no one that Ino currently loathed more than herself right now. She had driven such a wedge between herself and Sai that it was now impossible to tell him why she had been acting so out of character recently. It seemed that her pregnancy had amplified her insecurities and the unsightly traits of her personality. They had driven Sai away. Not that he had not been patient up until that point.

Ino tried not to cut too brutally as she snipped off the stalks of the roses in her hands. She should not even be caring for flowers in her current state as she wasn't in the right headspace. However, Ino could not bring herself to go home yet, as it would just be awkward. She and Sai had taken to avoiding each other as much as possible because it was easier that way. However, this was difficult when you lived in the same house, but they endured because now neither was willing to reach out in fear of ridicule or attack. The by-product was that the distance had grown greater between the couple: It was now a chasm.

~ooOOoo~

Some weeks later.

It was the dead of night, and Sai was jumping through the trees with Shikamaru leading the way. Yet his mind was still in Konoha. He was distracted, which defied his training, and this realisation scared him. Ino was the one to blame. She had for so long showered him with affection that to take it away for some unexplained reason was downright cruel. She was always the one to reach out first and comfort him in a physical gesture or a kind word. He had tried to mimic this affection and concern in her recent state, but she met it with opposition. Within the pits of Sai's stomach, he regretted commenting on Ino's appearance that day because she had avoided him even more from that point on. Then again, his attempt to kiss her had been a more significant mistake. After that, Ino had made excuses and slept in every room but their own. Had he hurt her that much? Or was she now no longer fond of him in that way couples were? Had she finally become fed up with how emotionally clumsy Sai could be? Did she want someone normal? All these thoughts were scarring.

Sai had left Konoha now without seeing Ino one last time, therefore, thwarting any opportunity to somehow reconcile with her. It would have been the push he needed to end whatever had caused them to be so distant. Instead, they were now oceans apart. Life was not on Sai's side, for he and Shikamaru had been spontaneously sent on a mission that effectively ended any opportunity to sort things out.

It was then that Sai nearly missed a step on the upcoming branch. He was so consumed that the threat of plummeting to the ground and potentially breaking something was the only thing that snapped Sai out of his thoughts. Sai managed to regain his footing on the next tree but made sure to halt there. Sai pressed a hand to his chest, for that had been close. Not only would he have alerted others to their presence, but he could also have jeopardised their mission. Sai realised then that he had to ease his mind, and there was only one thing that would work. Sai quickly pulled out a scroll and hastily scribbled a message before Shikamaru noticed his absence. Luckily the ink rat readily lept off the parchment and runoff.

~ooOOoo~

Ino awoke to a quiet house that was not unusual, but what perturbed her was that she couldn't hear Sai moving around. After all, she was so attuned to the sound of his feet because it is what she focused on as it dictated her movements.

Curiosity got the better of Ino, and she did something she hadn't done for some time. "Sai…"

The wary call received no response. Had he left the house already?

It seemed unlikely as the dewy morning had only recently arrived. "Sai," she tried again while moving towards the stairs.

The answering silence served to amplify her confusion, and she was quick to take the stairs. Unfortunately, there was still no sound as she reached the landing and began to search every room. Each time she opened a door, Ino steeled herself for meeting Sai face to face. A mixture of relief and growing concern surfaced each time she met an empty room. She both did and did not want to see him.

The only place left was the spare bedroom, and Ino quickly threw the door open before she got cold feet. Again, however, she was met with the same sight: An empty room. Although this one looked like it had been lived in for the duvet, it fell lopsided over the bed. One pillow was on the floor while the other sat haphazardly against the headboard. The side table was covered in loose scrolls of parchment, quills, and empty ink bottles. The window right above had been left open, and the morning breeze was currently teasing at the linen curtains, and they swayed in response.

Ino took in a steady breath as she cautiously entered. When Ino reached the bed, her hand came out to run across her side as it seemed that Sai had been sleeping there. A strange tickling warmth followed, and it made Ino wonder if he still could care for her even after all she had accidentally put him through.

Suddenly the sound of scuttling could be heard and a shriek escaped Ino's lips and pierced through the quiet. Turning quickly with her heart racing in response, she spotted an ink rat, running onto the table and quickly diving into the open scroll.

Sai

Ino could feel her heart thumping hard as she waited for the message.

I've been sent away with Shikamaru. I'm sorry for whatever I have said or done- Sai.

Ino was slow to compute as her brain read and re-read the two lines. When the cold truth of reality set in, it was not pretty. He was gone…sent away from Konoha. Ino's breath became short and quick. No, this could not be—a mission.

It didn't matter that Ino was carrying extra weight nor that her feet hurt, or the fact that she left the house in her bedclothes. The only focus for Ino was proving the message wrong. The early raisers of Konoha looked upon her strangely as she moved through the streets. They were perhaps wondering why Sai's wife seemed so different in appearance in more ways than one. Ino had no time to contemplate about the gossiping elderly ladies whose eyes were transfixed on her. The former kunoichi merely walked faster until she eventually reached her destination. Her hand met wood as she knocked hard against the back door. The fervent sound grew so loud that it received a stream of angry remarks before an answering bark of "Who the hell is it?"

Breathlessly Ino called out. "It's me. Let me in."

A dishevelled Temari answered the door, but her irritation had been replaced with pure confusion before she could ask though Ino cut in. "Tell me, Shikamaru is here?"

Temari's expression softened. "Ino…"

Ino shook away her pity. "No."

Temari tried to pull her inside, but Ino resisted. "I'm telling you the truth. I couldn't sleep last night, so I saw him leave."

Ino continued to deny her response. "No, he has to be here," she refused, "Because if he's not, then that means-" There was sudden answering pain in Ino's side then, which left her unable to speak.

"Ahh," Ino gasped out as she held her side and stomach.

Temari was quick to move forward. "Ino. Relax. The stress is not good for you."

The pain continued, and it sent Ino sinking to her knees.

"Ino!"

~ooOOoo~

Ino was unsure how, but she found herself in a room with white walls. A familiar flash of pink caught her eye, and she turned. It was Sakura looking down at Ino with Temari at her side. Ino merely sighed as she leaned back in the bed.

"Are you feeling better?" Sakura asked.

The pain had disappeared, and so Ino agreed.

Sakura's expression was stern, though. "Is there something you need to tell me?" Sakura asked.

Ino finally confessed. "I'm pregnant."

The admission caused Temari to exhale in a puff. "Finally. It took you long enough."

Sakura couldn't help but look shocked at the news despite having examined Ino herself, "When did this happen?"

Ino didn't have to think. "It was that time when Sai and I hadn't seen each other in months. He'd suggested we meet in a cabin on the outskirts of the country before coming back to Konoha."

Sakura arched an eyebrow as she helped Ino up into a sitting position. "Did you not come prepared when your husband asked you to meet him in a place like that?"

Ino shrugged. "I didn't think…I mean, I hoped, but- "she continued to babble, "I guess I forget how far he has come."

Temari shuddered while trying to block any mental images that accosted her. "No one is going to believe that Sai got you pregnant."

Sakura wrinkled her nose then. "True. To think that he can-" She couldn't finish as she shivered at the very idea. It was best for Sakura's mental health to think of her former team member as being asexual as before.

Meanwhile, Ino could not help the dreamlike expression, which over to her then as she began reminiscing. "He can. He was outstanding in fact," Ino absentmindedly acknowledged, "It was the best night I've ever had."

Sakura covered her ears then. "Ino!" she nearly screeched along with Temari.

It was then that Ino remembered herself and became flushed when she saw how hard the girls were cringing.

"Oh. Sorry," Ino apologised while suppressing a smile.

Sakura was trying to maintain her professionalism but couldn't stop her words. "I think I need a shower."

~ooOOoo~

Later that afternoon, Ino was released from the hospital with the instructions to de-stress. Therefore, while back at home and resting on Sai's side of the bed, Ino found her thoughts becoming more positive about their situation for the first time. Sakura had unknowingly cheered her up. Ino wondered why she had spent so many months worrying herself sick. Why should she? Why was this not the right time to become pregnant? After all, Ino knew that she would never be ready for such a massive change in her life, so it shouldn't make a difference when it happened.

Ino rested her hand on her stomach and smiled as she remembered Sakura's reaction to her words. It had been a beautiful night, and now Ino had a wonderful reminder of it. This baby was a product of Sai's love for her because she had defiantly felt his love that night: It had been passionate and real. Sai had missed her greatly, and that knowledge made Ino grin. The way he had looked at her was stored in Ino's memories, and presently it caused her heart to swell. It was nice to feel that needed by someone you loved.

Ino became determined then, and she strengthened her resolve. She would explain everything when he got back, and they would get through this!

~ooOOoo~

It is funny how positivity can fade when you are a natural pessimist. Ino's emotional state was like a rolling coaster going up and down and up and down. By now, Ino was in her second trimester and didn't even bother to try and hide it anymore. The resulting gossip was quick to descend upon her in response. The surprised whispers of women of the surrounding shops were particularly galling. They debated who the father could be as they had completely overlooked Sai.

Although Ino had reconsidered the idea of being pregnant as a joyful thing, the gossiping had dampened her spirits. Also, she still had not made things right with Sai as he was still away. Ino now sat ruminating in the confines of her flower shop. The shop usually provided her with some semblance of grounding. However, Ino was too far gone. She was swept away by the overwhelming task of crafting the most suitable way to tell Sai the truth, and in a way, could resolve months of turmoil between them. It was quite a challenge. Ino had settled on two constant details. Firstly, she would have to explain the situation. Secondly, only then would she show Sai the physical evidence because he would likely not hear her if he saw her stomach swollen with their child.

It was then that there was a knock at the door. Ino looked up to see Sakura, and she waved her inside. After all, Ino had purposefully left the door open for her.

"How are my patients doing?" Sakura asked as she was quick to lock the door behind her.

Ino merely breathed past her stomach. "Good. Thank you. We are no different from your last visit," she teased. Sakura had continually visited Ino in the coming weeks since the hospital incident.

Sakura smiled for a moment but soon grew serious as she pulled a nearby stool to broach the subject. "So, have you got a plan now?"

Ino brought forth the crumpled-up pieces of paper on which she had been trying to formulate her speech. Ino remembered their last conversation; however, she had not made much progress.

Sakura offered a sympathetic smile. "It's hard, I know."

The resulting silence was thick with tension which was only made worse by Sakura's next question. "How long have you got?"

There was an answering quiver as panic filled Ino's chest, and it was akin to heartburn. However, she was quick to try and soothe herself. "The last I heard, Sai is expecting to return in the next two days."

Sakura reached out to comfort Ino as she gripped her shoulder. "This is good. You can finally get this over and done with."

Ino merely nodded but couldn't quite get her forced smile to reach her eyes or to swallow past the dryness in her throat. "T-rue."

It was with this that Sakura decided to change the subject. "What are you hoping for?"

Ino's expression brightened then, and she sat up a little straighter. "I don't know. I don't mind," Ino explained as her eyes became wistful, "It seems strange to think that I will even have a child."

Sakura nodded at this while smiling. "I know," she agreed before adding, "You would like a girl, I think."

There was answering laughter as Ino was reminded that Sakura did know her well. Ino's eyes sparkled at the idea. "I would! I could buy all the lovely outfits and dress her up." However, it was then that Ino thought of the opposite, and her heart swelled. "Then again, a little boy that looked like Sai, that would be adorable," Ino commented out loud as she pictured it, "I don't know who I would love more then."

Sakura couldn't help the slight pang of envy at Ino's life. She could see that her friend and ex-team member were in love. Even if they had not said it in words, it was apparent to her. They were consumed by each other. Granted, the recent months hadn't been easy, but Sakura had witnessed Sai trying with Ino in a way that he had never done with anyone else. Ino had truly changed him, and Sai was devoted. It made Sakura wonder if she could weather her own situation because although she had got what she wanted, Sasuke was still as elusive as ever. Their dynamic had not changed as it was still a lot of her waiting for him.

Sakura quickly shook herself free from such thoughts, for this wasn't the time. Instead, she turned her attention to Ino.

"You can practice your speech on me. I was around Sai enough. I'm sure I could pretend to be him."

Ino broke out of her imaginings and focused her attention on her friend.

"That would be an idea," Ino agreed before pondering on her first line.

If only she knew what to say.