So Far Away

The sound of metal against metal rang out through the forest. Konoha had been issued a warning that a neighboring village, which wanted more territory, was planning an attack so Tsunade had sent all availible ninja warriors to fight and protect the hidden leaf.

They had all thought that since the enemy was from a small village that they would have the upper hand. How wrong they were. The leader, in a smart move, had enlisted the help of those who had survived the attack on the Sound village years before and the battle proved to be more of a challenge than once thought.

Blood stained the ground and many of the trees; the smell alone would have made a normal person gag or possibly throw up, but the Konoha nin didn't have time to do such things. They had to protect their village for the citizens and most of all for the ones they left behind.

Uchiha Sasuke, who had returned to the village just three years prior after escaping Orochimaru and warned Tsunade of Orochimaru's plans thus receiving less punishment than expected, had his hands full with ex-Sound nin who sought revenge for his betrayal and it seemed like no matter what he did; they just kept coming back for more.

Exhausted and nearly depleted of chakra; he was about to give up when the image of a beautiful girl with pink hair and dazzling green eyes in a white kimono that bore the Uchiha symbol with her stomach swelling slightly from her kimono flashed before him. Sakura.

Just thinking about her gave him strength. He had married her only a year before and it was just a month ago that she had told him about the baby they were expecting in two months time.

"SASUKE!" Cried a blonde haired ninja as he saw what was coming towards his best friend.

Sasuke was so caught up in his image that he failed to notice the barrage of kunai and shuriken that were coming at him.

-0-0-0-0-

Sakura hummed happily as her and Ino placed the final touches on the nursery that would soon house their baby. Feeling a kick from inside she placed her hand on her stomach.

"Soon, Little One, soon." She said with a smile as her friend looked on.

"I envy you, Sakura. I only wish Shikamaru was like Sasuke and ask me to marry him." Her friend said with a sigh as she thought of her love, who like Sasuke and the other males of Konoha, was out fighting.

Sakura smiled, "I'm sure he will once he comes back." she said as she placed a teddy bear into the crib.

"I sure hope you're right." Ino said placing a blanket over the cribs edge wishing she could be at her lover's side fighting along side him, but according to Tsunade's orders; all female nin, save for those who were medical nin,

As Sakura was about to re-organize the changing area a sharp pain tore through her lower abdomen. Thinking she was over doing herself, Sakura made her way over to the rocking chair and made it just as another wave of pain washed through her. She didn't even feel or hear the 'water' rush out and hit the floor until she heard Ino yell.

"Sakura! I think your water just broke!" Ino exclaimed rushing to her friend's side.

Sakura smirked. "No shit, Sherlock." She said with clenched teeth.

Ino frowned as she watched her best friend suffer with pain, "I think we should go to Tsunade, Sakura." She said as she offered her hand to her friend.

Sakura smiled, "Nonsense. First children always take the longest. I imagine I have at least another couple of hours before I do need to go to the hospital." She said as she started to get up but was stopped by another wave of pain, "but then again.. maybe I should go to the hospital."

-0-0-0-0-0-

Sasuke turned in time to see Naruto clones taking the hit from the weapons that were thrown at him. Turning, he saw the real Naruto with back-up clones behind him.

"Thanks, Naruto" Sasuke said hobbling over to his friend who just grinned at him.

"Not a problem! I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let your kid grow up without a father!" Naruto exclaimed putting an arm around Sasuke's shoulders and led him to Hinata for healing.

"You're just saying that because we know that if I died you wouldn't have anyone to fight with." Sasuke smirked and was secretly touched by his friend's words. As Hinata was healing him, Shikamaru raced over towards the three.

"Uchiha!" He yelled slightly out of breath, "We have just received word that Sakura has gone into labour!"

Sasuke's eye's widened; Sakura was having the baby! Their baby! But wait; the baby wasn't due for another month or so!

At this time; Kakashi had appeared and could see the worry on Sasuke's face. He had heard that Sakura had gone into labour early and from what he was told by Jiraiya, it didn't sound good.

"Sasuke" his former teacher said, "Go to her. We can handle it from here."

Sasuke stood up and looked at Kakashi, was he serious about letting him go back to Konoha when they were in need? He didn't stick around long enough to find out; after thanking Hinata, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Kakashi he took off as fast as he could hoping he would be there before Sakura gave birth.

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Mmmm; my first Naruto fic in the longest time. I do hope I did an ok job on it. Yes, there are a lot of 'out of character' points in there. - I like it. Be kind!

-Sighu- Disclaimer, ne? Well, I don't own Naruto or anything related to Naruto.