Hi guys sorry for the wait!

Shikamaru POV

Ino's head fell perfectly on my neck. She hasn't moved from this spot since we made it to her parent's house. The tears she cried from our home to her parents could fill an ocean. My parents were out of town visiting my mom's family so we were stuck with Ino's. My dad on the other hand was informed about the situation. I told him to stay in place until we figured things out. The last thing I needed was for them to get caught up in this mess. The situation already started to go downhill when he touched Shikadai.

There he was lying to the left of me. He was innocent, yet he will still be pulled into this war.

"I'm sorry little man. Daddy won't let that happen again." I admired him for a while. I haven't taken my eyes off of him since we came into the house. Usually I was against him sleeping in the bed with us. Now I'm adamant about it. He slept right next to me. If I were to be honest with myself I haven't slept in 24 hours. I stayed up all night watching over Ino and the baby.

Last night we checked every inch of his body to make sure nothing happened to him, however that does not mean that there could be a curse or something internally wrong with him. I would have to get Sakura to check him out.

"Breakfast is ready." Ino's mother chimed.

Ino was finally awake after I harshly shook her awake. 'And I was a heavy sleeper?'

Ino fed Shikadai from a bottle since she couldn't produce milk right now. We had to use the breast milk she saved in her parents fridge. Last night must have really taken a toll on her.

I didn't say anything, I knew she wanted an excuse to hold him longer in her arms. I'm surprised that she was actually awake. Last night she would wake up out of her sleep in a cold sweat looking for either me or Shikadai. It reminded me of the time when Asuma-sensei died. I had to sleep by her side every night to make sure that she was okay. She would wake up just to cry in my chest. I would have to rock her back to sleep or stay up with her until the sun rose over the horizon. I was with her supporting her even though I was in another...fling with another woman. That's a different story for a different book.

After Ino finished feeding Shikadai we grabbed breakfast and we left for the hospital.I had to practically drag out of the house. She wanted to stay with Shikadai but we had other business to handle.

A few arguments later Ino allowed me to smoke one cigarette on the way there. It surprised me that she knew I was back to my old habits. I didn't complain about it, I just inhaled my now enlightened cigarette.

I coughed and waved one hand over my face, to clear the cigarette smoke. It caused Ino to smile, it was the first smile I got since last night.

I smirked, my dangled hand soon found hers in the crowd of people."What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing, I just think it's funny how you almost choked on a cigarette."

"I choked on the smoke, not the actual thing." I shot back, a heartfelt laugh escaping from her lips. There was a funny feeling in my chest. Was it butterflies? We were making progress slowly but surely.

"You know what I mean Shika...I have a question for you smartass." Her soft voice rang throughout my ears. I haven't heard Ino speak this soft in months. It almost felt...relaxing.

"I have an answer for you woman."

"Do you think that Shikadai and I should leave the village after this? I think it would be a good idea for him and me to go where your parents are."

"I think that's the best idea but I don't know what would happen as you guys travel there. I don't know when or where he would attack so for now your safest option is to stay here with me."

"Are we even safe here? Last night was really scary. I left Shikadai alone for a minute and something happened to him."

"We're going to be fine. Just trust me please."

"I trust you Shika."

~ Sakura POV

"Alright, Sakura-san you should be fine for the day. Remember if you're feeling weak today, come back."

Yuna's bright smile illuminated the room. It almost made me sick. How could she be so happy at a time like this? I had never been more cranky in my entire life. It caused me to throw up every 10-15 minutes, those chakra supplements weren't agreeing with me anymore. I couldn't eat food, so I threw an entire bowl of ramen in the trash. There was nothing that I could stomach. So I had to get an IV because the headache came from not drinking enough water or eating enough food. It was probably also from stress, I wouldn't be surprised if I had gray hair by now.

Naruto's laughter soon filled the air. He was grinning from ear to ear because he could finally leave the room. "Sakura-chan I'm going to see Konohmaru now." I felt his ramen cover lips on my forehead, that stupid grin on his face was making me mad too. 'How come I'm the only miserable one?'

I wiped the grease from his kiss off of my forehead. "Hmph, if that's your way of saying that I am annoying then so be it."

I could see Naruto's blank expression on his face. That iconic poker face of his can never get old. "Sakura-chan you're not annoying, maybe hormonal but not annoying."

My plan was working, I knew he would come over just to hug me. That would give me a chance to be in his arms again. I would tell him this but these last few days I have been feeling lonely. I don't think it's the hormones. The thing is, this isn't the same Naruto I know. This Naruto would cast his feelings away and fake his happiness. 'How can I fix him...how can I fix us?

Yuna giggled, "You are hormonal Sakura-san but that's normal for pregnant people."

"Yuna." I shot back, she was ruining the moment for us.

The awkwardness that was in the room right now made even Kato question it. Naruto and I watched how she bumped into the counter trying to leave the room. Naruto laughing made me punch him in the thigh.

"Right, I'll be in the lab testing the sample that was brought back. I'm still experimenting." A tint of redness was cast over her tannish skin, she stood there in the doorway playing with her thumbs.

"Good, just hurry it up please."

"As you wish Sakura-san. I'll be on my way now."

Naruto released me from his embrace too. He lightly jogged over to the door where Yuna was standing. "I'll be on my way too. I'll be back when Shikamaru and Ino come back."

"Okay, I love you."

"I love you too Sakura-chan."

The door shut leaving Kato and me alone. He was sitting in the corner coloring in a coloring book. So far since the incident, he has been good. He has not been snappy to any of us.

"Sakura-san."

"Yes, Kato?"

Kato kept his eyes on the coloring book ahead of him. His apple juice was in one hand while the marker was in the other. I helped him fix the crooked marker in his hand so he could write better. "I need to go back to the house please."

"Why?

"Umm, I need to get more clothes since we're in the hospital."

"We're going home today so it doesn't matter."

"Sakura-san...I wet the bed last night.."He stuttered, Kato started to play with his finger before finally pointing over to the bed. We both stood there in the silence. I didn't know whether to question him about it or scold him. I just stood there.

"Oh...well...okay we can go home and get you washed up. Maybe we can grab some ice cream on the way back?"

"I would love to! Thank you Sakura-san!"

"You're welcome. Let me fill out my discharge paperwork and we can be on the way."

Naruto POV.

"Knock Knock it's me again...Yahoo."

Ever since Sakura-chan told me that Konohamaru can hear me I have been speaking to him. I even told him about how Sakura-chan and I came up with our son's name. I hated it, I hated how I told him. He was supposed to jump around being the vibrant kid that he was. I could imagine him now jumping in my arms telling me how much he loves the name. Now he was letting the machines do all the talking for him.

"So I have been thinking about something. Since the day I came in here, you haven't looked the same to me. I couldn't put my finger on it. Now I can." I reached in my back pocket for the item that I have been searching for this entire time. I pulled it out, holding it proudly in my hands. "Here, I found your scarf. Don't tell Sakura-chan but I went back to the shed to find it. You would kill me if you knew that you didn't have a scarf around your neck. Hanabi asked if she could fix it for you. Now it looks even better.. Dude, she has a thing for you...I'm just saying though. I can see it from a mile away."

I placed the long blue scarf around his neck, it was the old one he used to wear. I don't know what made him wear the specific that day but he did.

"I want to give you a life update but there's nothing to talk about. I...I wish you were here with me. I really need you Konohamaru. There's so much on my mind right now that I feel like I'm about to explode. I don't know what to do man. Give me a sign that you're here. Give me a sign that you're actually trying to fight to stay alive."

My head fell into my hands. I've been trying to stay level-headed but I couldn't. The last thing I needed was to go all crazy and have Sakura-chan stressed out. Konohamaru was one of the few people that I could vent to.

"I need you...I can't afford to lose any more people close to me. I'd go insane if something happened to you, Sakura-chan, or Iruka sensei. Please don't die on me. You're all I got left Konohamaru. You're my family, instead of me gaining family it's more of me losing them-." My voice cracked...I stopped to regain myself. I was digging a hole that was too deep. I needed to stop thinking negatively but that was the only thing I could do. I was not happy...there isn't one thing on the planet that could take this hurt away.

"I don't even know what I'm saying is making any sense. What am I holding onto? You'll never be the same even if you wake up. Maybe I should do us both a favor and just pull the plug already. What if that's what you actually want?"

"What is there in life!" I shouted, I threw the chair across the room. "Why am I even living!? That should've been me in the shed! I should've got the damn rake! FUCK!"

I began to take deep breaths. I was starting to fall off the deep end again. All the negative thoughts and hurt started to resurface. I tried my best to be strong but I was breaking. I'm so tired. I'm really tired.

"I just want to d-."

Bang Bang

The knocking on the door interrupting me out of my wild thoughts, two nurses walked into the room both with bathing supplies. "Hello, it's time for his bath."

The shock wasn't even the word. 'Did they hear all of that?'

"Uhh right. I'll be on my way." I stammered out, I was too invested in my own thoughts to even think properly. I just made a dash for the door, I didn't want them to think that I was some pathetic person who didn't have their shit together.

"You can come back in a few hours. We will be done with him."

The nurse yelled out. I was out of there. There was no way I could possibly face them. I just needed to meditate before I do something that I would regret.

Sakura POV

"Alright, Kato I'll be in the kitchen. Hurry up because we need to meet Ino and Shikamaru back at the hospital."

"Okay, Sakura-san. I'll be outside, I need to grab some of my toys!"

While Kato ran outside I grabbed some snacks for the night. Shikamaru being the genius thought that we should allow Kato to stay another night in the hospital. It would give Ino a greater advantage to look into the nightmares that he would have. We were all going to camp out in my room once he fell asleep.

"Sakura-san!"

"Yes, Kato!?"

"Come here."

A sigh escaped my lips, what was he up to now? I made my way to the backyard where he was. My attention was caught by the red stain on the porch.

"Kato what did I tell you about...Oh my gosh!"

A gut-wrenching scream left my body, my trembling hands found their way to my mouth to keep the bile from coming up. A scene that I have seen before but this was more gruesome than the last time.

"Yuna!"

My lab assistant was lying there on the ground, she was stabbed multiple times. Blood soaked through her clothes onto our grass. Seeing her like that horrified me but nothing scared me even more than being face to face with the killer.

"Kato...why are your hands bloody?"

Kato quickly dropped the knife in his hands, "Sakura-san don't be scared." He kept walking towards my trembling body. Each step he took I took another one back.

"Kato what the fuck did you do!?"I shouted, I grabbed the shovel that was near the porch. I pointed in his direction, making him stop in his tracks. "Kato don't make me repeat myself!"

"I didn't do anything! Uncle Tezo made me do it." He shrieked out.

"What!? How do you know he's your uncle!?" I lowered the shovel a little but I still had my guard up.

"Because he told me."

"Kato, why did you kill Yuna?"

"I didn't kill her, she's still alive. Uncle Tezo visited me last night and told me that he was going to attack Yuna-san. He wanted me to finish off the job but I couldn't Sakura-san. I'm no monster!"

He ran towards me but I swung the shovel almost connecting it with his face. He walked backward crying until he reached the knife again. He grabbed it with his hand and threw it across the yard. He then held his hands up in a defensive way.

"Kato...I don't know what to believe…"

"Sakura-san, I never meant for this to happen. It all started when a strange man would give me letters to give you. Then he explained how he was my uncle. He told me that I would get my mom back if I killed Yuna-san. Sakura-san you have to believe me!"

"Kato what else do you know!?" I spat out, I still had the shovel in my hands. It trembled as well, my hands were shaking violently as the anger soared through my body.

"He also wanted me to do something really bad but I told him I wouldn't"

"What did he ask you to do!?"

"He wanted me to kill you so he could extract that chakra from your baby. He said dead or alive. That's why I was being so mean to you so it could make the job easier but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I love you Sakura-san that's why I killed Yuna so I could protect you. I promise that I'm not a monster, I just wanted my family back!"

"Is th-" Oh no, that feeling is back. That feeling that was cast over the room the other night. He was here, he was watching Kato and me. I felt his presence, I could smell death in the air. Tezo was here.

"Come on Kato."

"What about Yuna-san?"

"We'll send medics!"

I grabbed his frail body, placing it in mine. I didn't know if he was the murderer or not. I knew that Tezo would murder me if he knew that I was still alive. Maybe he was testing Kato to see if he had the guts to kill people?

I headed straight for the streets of Konoha, no matter how fast I ran or how much I tried to push the feeling away it was still there. Every roof and every alleyway I was checking to see if he was there.

"Sakura-san…"

"What is it, Kato?"

"I know who's next."

"Who's next Kato?"

"Konohamaru-san…"

"What!? When are they going to do it!?"

"Umm, I think today."

Kato and I darted towards the hospital again. The amount of adrenaline I had was crazy. I felt like I was 12 again. I had so much energy. I ran towards the room where Konohamaru was. The door was locked. I began to kick it but there was no way it would open. I tried to open it again when it flew open. I was pulled in by a strong force.

"It's nice you two are together. I figured Kato-kun would chicken out so I decided to meet you guys here."

There he was, the crook himself sat criss crossed on the edge of the bed where Konohamaru was. He waved to Kato who hid behind my legs for protection.

"What the fuck do you want with us!?"

"I want the fucking stone teme. I also want that corpse you took from us."

"Go to hell!"

"Why don't I take you with me? I told you that you had three days, didn't I? Three fucking days and you still haven't given me the stone." He got up from the bed towering over me. I didn't back down from him. I stood my ground. He grabbed my chin harshly, making me cringe. I tried to remove his hand but he only held on tighter.

I'll give you the ultimatum, you can either choose Konohamaru or Yuna. He's the third Hokages, grandson, right? I would pick the bitch if I were you. She doesn't have royal blood within her. Actually, never mind, I would choose Konohamaru so that way I can take his corpse back with me." Tezo giggled right in front of my face. He jumped back over where Konohamaru was and grabbed his breathing tube from his throat.

"You son of a bitch!" I tried to grab his hand that was wrapped around his breathing tube.

"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"I ha-"

"Shut up! Kato, I gave you a mission and you could not fulfill it. We're family! Don't you want to see your mom? If you kill Sakura right now I'll take you to go see her."

I looked behind me to see Kato still standing at the door. A terrified look was on his face. He looked down at the knife that Tezo tossed at him with fear. "I don't want to do it!" He kicked the knife away from him, making it go under the bed.

Tezo laughed, he swung the blade around in my face. He would act like he was about to stab me then pull the knife away quickly. "Fine then, 45 seconds reaming and I'll choose Sakura-chan for you." He pushed me away from Konohamaru. Tezo removed a blade from his beach pocket pointing it in the direction of Kato and I.

"15 seconds remaining."

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1…." He taunted me, he twirled the blade around in his hands as he counted down further.

I stood there in fear. There was no way I would allow either of them to get killed. How could I? I didn't have any options nor a game plan. The only thing I can possibly do is try to attack him but I can't because of the baby.

"STOP!" Kato screams, I watched him run from his spot to kick Tezo in the knee. "Just stop, I'll do whatever you want. Don't kill him!"

He stopped his actions to look at Kato. Tezo had the biggest grin on his face. He skipped delightedly over to Kato who was not looking braver."You'll do whatever I want? Did I hear that right?"

"Yes…" Kato crossed his arms.

"Give me the stone brat!"

"I don't know where it is. Why can't you just take me with you and leave Sakura-san alone."

"It's not that simple brat. I can't take you back into the village unless I have that fucking stone. You see...your mom was a smart bitch. While leaving the village she cast a barrier so you wouldn't be allowed to come back in. Who knew she possessed that power? I gained that ability as well but I don't know how to use it. That bitch."

"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" Kato asked, he stood there with a questionable look on his face. It almost...almost made me laugh at how hard he was thinking.

"Ummm, find your own words to use, kid! Don't steal mine!" Tezo shouted out. He also crossed his arms. He bent down to Kato's level with a pout on his face.

"Well, you're stupid and annoying. Just take me back with you!" Kato smacked him on his arm. He tried to force himself into Tezo's arms so he could take him with him.

"You're an annoying brat! Fuck I should've let your brother kill you if I would've known you would be this annoying!"

"Sakura-san, can I say a bad word?" He looked back at me for reassurance. I shrugged my shoulders allowing him to curse at his uncle. I would allow him to do anything just to get him away from Konohamaru. Once he was away from Konohamaru then I could possibly use the blade that Kato kicked under the bed to stab him with it.

Kato winked at me. "Your mom should've swallowed you if she knew you would be this annoying!"

My hand insanely flew over my mouth. Who in the right mind would say something like that? No one but Sasuke. "Kato! That's not a curse word!" I quickly pushed the thought away and walked slowly to the side of the bed where the blade was. Tezo was too focused on Kato to realize what I was doing.

"You son of a bitch!"

"Fuck you Uncle Tezo!" Kato spat out. He kicked him again allowing Tezo to grab him by his ankle. He threw Kato across the room making sure to aim for the door.

"Kato!" I left from my spot to reach out for him but he was already in the air. Tezo grabbed me, pushing me towards the bed where Konohamaru was.

"Can you shut up now! You're really annoying me." I slapped him harshly across the face. He smirked at me, licking his lips in the process. "Do you know how much that turned me on sweetheart?"

My stomach turned. He grabbed my waist pulling my loser to him so his lips were close to my ear. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't have to look in his soulless ones. "Do i-"

His hand was ripped away from my waist. My eyes shot open to see Sasuke holding Tezo by his neck.

"Watch your profanity, Kato. Have a little respect. Who would've thought Sakura out of all people would allow you to curse." He shot me a smile making me feel a little better.

"Sasuke...how..how did you find us?" I stuttered, I was so glad to see him.

"A person with a normal eye couldn't pick up the mass of chakra from this room. Luckily I don't have a normal eye." He stood there in his hospital shirt and sweats. His hair moved to show his glowing Rinnegan.

Tezo removed himself out of Sasuke's grip allowing himself to move towards the other side of the room. "Care to join the party Sasuke-kun? Maybe you can help Sakura-chan decide between the two."

"The party is over. There are about 100 anbu surrounding this hospital. They're willing to give you a ten-second head start before they chase after you."

Tezo still had the blade in his hand. His attention was now directed to Sasuke. If he was smart he would leave now. Sasuke had the greater advantage even though he was still hurt. Tezo might be to his limit since he has been using that invisible shield for a while now.

"How fun. Looks like the party is indeed over. Well, I'll just kill him another time. The second time the charm right? Well, Kato...Sakura I'll be on my way. I'll see you guys really soon."

Tezo jumped out of the window. The creepy feeling left along with him. I could finally breathe again. I didn't notice I was holding a breath the entire time.

"Kato, you're going to tell us everything that you know. There's more to this."

"Sakura-san I don't remember a lot but I remember some. I also think I know where the stone is…"

I'm very unhappy with this chapter because I think it was not written well. Anyway, I was thinking about writing a Tezo Pov so let me know if you would like that.