*EDIT: I know I just updated with this story, but I re-read this chapter and realized I had skipped ahead and forgotten to write the rest. So If you have read this already, It's only an extra paragraph. And sorry about waiting so long, I have been away for a while but I now have 3 extra chapters written so I plan to update soon. Please review as Im always looking for constructive criticism and ideas! Thanks everyone! :)

A few weeks had passed since we had discovered I was pregnant. I wasn't sure what time exactly is was. All I was aware of was that I was exhausted, my eyes were red and puffy, and I had never felt this sick since I ate those berries when I was a teenager. I had awoke with a burning feeling in my throat, ran to the outhouse and was waiting for my next session of vomiting, but it was lingering.

And Saizo; Poor Saizo.

He was leaning against the pole of the porch, watching me nervously. I was certain he had so many bad ideas in his head. He has been so apprehensive the past few weeks; Constantly asking me if I was okay, insisting I never do any housework. I found it humorous that he would complain about the house maids horrible cooking but he refused to let me step in. I didn't mind it, she was such a help.

A few moments passed and he called out to me.

"Do you need any assistance?"

I gulped, and dredged towards him. He took one look at me, and reached out his hands to smooth down my frizzled hair. I smiled humbly.

"I feel okay now that I got that out of me." I replied reassuringly. Looking into his eyes I saw a side of him I hardly ever see. I hated seeing him like that.
No matter how many times I try to tell him that I'll be okay.

"Come." He gestured, turning around and sliding the paneling open to the bedroom. I followed, closing it behind me. The light that he had lit earlier had burnt out from the wind tonight. It had grown quite chilly as the month drew closer to autumn. Saizo ordered me to sit down in front of the mirror, so I did as instructed. He took a seat behind me and began braiding my hair. Never before had he done this for me, so instead of questioning it I closed my eyes and took in the moment. His fingers felt so good twisting through my hair, I wished he would do this more often.

"There. That should help you if you feel the need to get up again." He stated, getting up and heading back to his futon. "I am trying my hardest not to worry so much. I would like to attempt to return to my sleep if you will allow it."

"Indeed." I replied, accompanying him on the mattress. I think I had actually fallen asleep before him that night.

The next morning, I had awoke to the light of the sun through the paper door. Saizo was not there, I must have slept in and he probably didn't want to disturb me since I had been up so late last night. I still felt a little queasy. Maybe hot bath would help me. Gathering up my supplies, I headed out side in the yard to the bath house. I made sure to add the beautiful smelling powder to the water that Saizo had brought home for me some time back. I had loved the smell so much that I vowed to save it for special occasions when I felt like I really deserved it. It had come from a country far to the west, and I was told he had bought it from a traveling merchant. Once my bath was drawn I slowly undressed. Looking down at my feet I could see my belly had swell much more than it used to. I was protruding enough to notice it with my clothes off. I smiled as I sunk into the warm bath. I could feel the steam on my face, and that smell seemed to be more wonderful than I had remembered. Taking a deep breath, I began to wonder if this child growing inside me would be a girl or a boy. Would he or she look like Saizo or more like me? Or perhaps a perfect mix of the both of us. Saizo would probably be a stern father. Stern, but loving. I should ask him later if he would prefer a boy or girl. I would have to remember to ask him when he gets home.

I was in the bath for quite a while until the water began to cool. I had spent most of the day talking with the house maid and helping to clean when she wasn't looking. I didn't do anything major, just some light dusting. I hated that she had to do all the work, but I appreciated her greatly. When Saizo came home he was quiet and seemed more reserved than usual. I kept my distance for most of the night so he could relax from his duties in peace. It wasn't until we had both retired to our room that we spoke.

"Sasuke really irks me sometimes." He blurted, as I was carefully brushing my hair.
"What happened?" I asked. In the mirror I saw him shake his head.
"Nothing important. I got you something today." Growing curious, I put my brush down on the table and turned to him. He had something small wrapped in paper that he was holding out to me. I took it and placed it in my lap and opened it up. To my surprise, it was a book. It was a crimson red and made or leather. Written in big letters it seemed to be a language I had never seen before, but underneath it in my own language it said "Pregnancy".

"I acquired it today from a merchant in town. They told me it was very popular in the west. It is supposed to have some helpful tips in it to guide you through your pregnancy." He explained with a sigh. I placed it gently beside me and wrapped my arms around him.

"Today I noticed I have developed a bulge in my stomach."

He smirked but said nothing. He seemed to be less interested in the idea, but maybe he was still worrying. The rest of the night we talked about his day until we fell asleep.

The next day, about mid-afternoon, I was sitting in the main room in my favorite chair. It was a beautiful deep purple, a gift from Hanzo's family on the day of my wedding. I had spent most of the morning outside and it grew very hot. In my hand I held the book Saizo had given me. I was only skimming through the list of chapters as the book itself was quite thick. It would take me a while to read it and I still had quite a while to carry this baby. Once I had laid my eyes on a particular chapter, I stopped.

It read "Keeping your husband happy."
I skipped to the page the chapter was listed on. As I read I took several mental notes. It wasn't until I got to one particular paragraph that I stopped. It basically explained that although I was pregnant, there were many ways I could still keep my husband happy in the bedroom by doing some of the things listed on the page. My cheeks grew so hot, I was afraid the housemaid would notice. My eyes quickly lifted from the page to see if she had noticed my flustered state. She was too busy trying to grab something from underneath the cabinet. I couldn't contain my curiosity as I found my eyes back on the page again. I had never done anything this risque. Perhaps this was something western woman did for their husbands. Well if other woman do it, I'm sure I could as well. I certainly did want to make him happy, especially with all the stress he was under. One of the options stuck out to me and gave me all kinds of ideas. I wasn't sure I could pull it off, there was another one I knew I could do easily. I thought about it for quite a few minutes.

Hmm. I think I will...

Try the first option (Go to chapter 7)
Try the second option (Go to chapter 8)