This will be the first in a collections of one-shots. Sorry for those of you who liked those other two stories, but I don't think I can continue them. It's been too long, and I realize, I'm not really one to write a super long story. I can write short stories fairly well though, so here's one I wrote last night. I'm fairly proud of it, so please. review and let me know if it is really something to be proud of.

These stories will probably range from a T rating to an M rating. I have two more ideas in mind right now, so I should update within a day or two.

The idea from the title came from the fun game of pulling petals off a daisy: "She loves me, she loves me not"

There will be several different pairings, but just so you all know, my favorite is SasuSaku. So guess what this first one shot is :P

Enjoy!

P.S: I don't own these characters. I mean, if I did, the story would be a hell of a lot different.

oOooOo

She knew he cared.

It was in the way he looked at her, the way he protected her, the way he was patient with her, the way he helped her.

Even the way he silently walked toward her as she lounged on the bed - anything to get her swollen feet out from under her.

She smiled brightly and forced herself to swing her feet out and off the bed, standing with a small grunt to greet him.

He unhooked several packs, pulled the sword hanging around his shoulders off, slipped out of his shoes, and took the few steps to come close to her. He leaned forward to give her a small kiss, something she loved.

Sit down, he said.

It wasn't a command, she knew. It was courtesy. She gratefully fell back onto the bed as he sat down next to her, carefully pulling up the lose shirt from her enormous stomach. She sighed softly as his hands pressed down onto it, feeling for what lay within.

Just a few more days, she told him. He nodded, a small bit of chakra now concentrated in his palms as he felt something kick against them. She gave a small giggle, and a smile tugged at his lips. She knew a child would change him, and he knew a child was something he wanted. No one would think he would make a good father, but all her wanted was a family. He wanted to fix his fathers mistakes. He wanted his son to feel what he never felt.

He chose her because he knew she could help him.

They both knew it was twins. Together they had gone to the doctor. She didn't want to know the gender. He only agreed because he feared her anger. She argued it was fair that if she was going to be the one in pain, that she should get her way. Together they agreed.

And now, the day was upon them. Almost. They both feared a mission. She didn't think it fair, but the Hokage was worried about losing another of her strongest shinobi during these times. She had the same fierce temper, but nothing could over rule the Hokage.

He pulled back his hands, she pulled down her shirt. She leaned to place her head on his shoulder, and he did not push her away.

I love you, she said.

I love you, he said.

Together they made a family. And together, they slept.

oOooOo

She had grown accustomed to his ways of life. The fiery spirit still lived within her; he had told her (but would not admit it in public) that he loved that about her. That growing independent strength, that caring ability. Maybe it was envy. But he also liked it quiet, so he could think. And so, she cared for him this way, only becoming passionately emotional when the time was right. And now that she was pregnant, he did not want her upset or wild. And she understood.

Together, they agreed.

oOooOo

Ino never understood.

Was it pity? Ino asked. Is it obligation?

No, she said. No, it's love. I love him so much. And this is something I always dreamed of. A family. He will make a good father.

When they talked now, Ino was rather subdued. There was no name calling. Just two women talking.

It's almost time, Ino said.

She nodded, smiling brightly. I'm excited, she said.

She was the first of their generation to get pregnant. They were not that young, but most kunoichi wanted to stay kunoichi for a longer time. She knew her place was in healing the wounded and teacher the new students anyways, but sometimes she would be called upon to join a dangerous mission. Her skills were still top-notch and admired. But now, as she was, he forbade her to go. She understood, and together they agreed.

And then, as Ino was happily describing her inherited flower business, her face paled. The tea cup she held shook as she placed it back in the saucer, and Ino looked up alarmed.

M - my water broke, she stuttered. And then, another smile - though nervous - crept onto her lips. Ino jumped up and immediately ran to find a carriage while she rubbed her large belly.

oOooOo

In the hospital, doctors and flurried about, like a snowstorm. One informed her that she had about twelve hours before any serious contractions would set in. Another was hooking her up to an anesthetics machine. All the equipment was familiar, there for it did not scare her. However, his absence did. She looked at Ino, pleading with her eyes because her lips would not move. Ino nodded, disappearing into the bright sanitized whiteness.

oOooOo

Hours passed. She lay in the bed, worry making her contractions seem worse, faster. The doctors assured her there was still time, but the expression would not leave her face. More time passed; the expression became pain filled. The doctors shot nervous glances at one another while a giant needle was brought into the room to stick into her back to numb the pain.

oOooOo

Just as the final minutes were upon them, a loud crash was heard from the lower floors. The thumping of feet on stairs matching the beating of her heart, shouts and shrieks accompanying. She clenched her eyes shut in pain, and suddenly, hands encircled one of her own; large, coarse, familiar and comforting. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, his face red from the speed at which her traveled to her, his breath shallow, his hair swept around every which way. Another contraction hit and she groaned in pain, but the tight hold of his hand made it suddenly alright. The dirt he had tracked in oddly made everything brighter. She groaned again at the pain, and he told her it would all be okay.

It will.

She nodded towards Ino and Naruto who were standing in the door way, ignoring the fussing nurses. Their smiles in return gave her comfort, and when her gaze left them, they disappeared into the snowstorm again. She stared up into his now softened eyes and whispered I love you before another contraction could wipe that thought clear from her mind. He silently watched her pain, wishing he could share it. He hardly breathed. But he replied,

I love you.

And together, they agreed.

She knew he cared.