The next 4 months flew by as Mori stayed with Midori in her small village, helping the elderly woman around the small house and doing chores for her. The morning sickness stayed with Mori every morning, and sometimes into the afternoon. Midori assured the worrying young woman that it was just her body getting used to the pregnancy, and these bouts of sickness would end.

Mori sighed as she ran her hands through her hair while relaxing in the bath, scrubbing her fingers through the strands of white hair. It had grown a couple inches and now reached her shoulders. She blinked stray water out of her eyes and rested a hand on her rounded belly. Her belly was beginning to show, and the long dress Midori made her hung loose and comfortable off her frame. A small smile quirked at her lips as her other hand placed itself around her belly. She had just been checked by the midwife of the village, and was given a clean bill of health. Her baby was doing fine and growing, which meant Mori had to eat more. Midori was making her more rice with fish as she got herself clean in the bath. It was incredibly nice of the elderly woman to do this for the young woman, but Mori felt like she was dying to sink her teeth into a plump rabbit or even an unsuspecting deer. Her stomach grumbled in agreement at the thought.

Mori sighed and heaved herself out, stepping out of the bath and grabbing a towel. She dried herself and pulled the simple dress on, smoothing the material around her protruding belly. She smiled gently at the bump and placed her hair in a low ponytail. She opened the wooden door to the smell of fish and rice as Midori scuttled around the kitchen area, banging pots and pans together.

"Ah, Mori! Dinner will be ready soon" Midori said in a cheerful voice.

Mori smiled faintly and headed for the front door.

"I will be back Midori, I have to go out for some fresh air" Mori called out, already heading out the front door before Midori could say anything.

Mori took a big breath and let it out as the sun shone in the sky. The villagers were walking around, doing their shopping or working as lunch arrived. A small voice in her mind begged Mori to run through the forest, to feel the ground crunch under her paws and feel the wind blow through her fur. Without thinking, Mori reached deep inside her to grasp at the canine chakra. Due to Mori being further in her pregnancy, her change wouldn't harm her child as her body already created a safe haven for the unborn child. Hands turned into paws and furry ears rose on top of her head.

Mori shook out her fur and stretched each of her four limbs. Her belly was visibly extended to the naked eye, and Mori snorted.

She lifted her head and scented the air, searching for a source of meat. A smell hit her nose, and her nostrils flared as she found the scent trail of a small deer herd. She followed the scent until she reached the herd, and slowly crept forward, ears pressed forward. The deer's heads snapped up as the wind changed, their black noses twitching. With a stamp of a foot, the herd took off. Mori exploded behind them, paws thundering on the ground.

An older doe was falling behind the herd, and with a snarl Mori zeroed in on the doe. With a snap, she grabbed the back leg of the older animal and slowed down, slowing her prey down with her. It struggled, letting out keening cries as its herd mates continued running. Mori quickly moved to the throat, biting in deep and drinking in the hot blood as the animal gave one last gurgling breath. She dropped the throat and lifted her head, howling about the successful hunt. She growled low in her throat and dug in to her meal, savouring the flavour.

Sometime later, Mori found a stream and cleaned her paws and maw free of the sticky blood. She took a long drink from the stream and decided to take a short nap in the sun. She got herself comfortable as the sun beamed down on her fur, warming her. Mori rested her muzzle on the ground and closed her eyes.

After what seemed like only seconds, Mori was awoken to a rustle in the bushes beside her. Her head raised and her nose twitched, trying to scent the breeze. With a low growl, Mori rose slowly to her feet as the bushes continued to rustle. Her mind was screaming at her to run, to save her unborn child but another part wanted to see who was there. Her nose twitched when a person pushed himself out, patting the twigs and leaves away from his jacket. Mori's eyes widened when Iruka knelt down, filling a canteen with water from the stream. She stood still as her love continued, seemingly not to notice her presence.

The Chunin finally looked up and blinked in surprise as he saw a wolf standing not too far away, red eyes locked on his own. It crept forward slowly, muzzle lowered and tail wagging slowly.

"...Mori?" Iruka whispered in confusion.

Her ears twitched when she heard him mutter her name in confusion, and with a sigh she returned to a human. Her eyes opened to see Iruka's eyes widen in shock and confusion and her own eyes began to burn from tears. Mori lowered her head in shame as he slowly walked up to her. She had left him in a moment of fear and ran away.

She abandoned her child's father and ran away. Her red eyes blinked in surprise when hands grasped her arms and crushed her to a solid chest. The smells of chalk and paper wafted into her nose, and her muscles relaxed into the embrace.

"I found you" he said into her hair, and Mori felt her tears slid down her cheeks.

Her shoulders quivered as her hands came up to clench at his vest.

"I'm sorry" Mori whimpered, and Iruka pulled back with a confused look on his face.

"For what?" he said, and blinked in surprise when he felt something between them.

He looked down to see her belly protruding from her dress, and his jaw opened in shock. Mori stepped back and placed her arms around her belly, as if protecting it from Iruka's shocked response.

"Y-you're...we...belly...how" Iruka stuttered, and Mori hid a giggle from behind her hand.

"Yes, I'm pregnant. This child...it's yours too" she said, smiling down at her belly.

There was a stunned response, and Mori bit back a yelp when Iruka crushed her to his chest, a laugh vibrating against her cheek.

"That's great!" he shouted happily, and Mori couldn't help but smile in response.

"You're okay with this?" Mori asked quietly, and Iruka gave her a radiating smile in response that left her heart pounding.

Iruka swooped low and kissed her soundly, happiness radiating from his body. He was going to be a father. Mori felt as if she was going to explode in happiness. Iruka was here and was excited about this child that they made together.

Nothing could make her happier.