Blood is Thicker Chapter 7

A/N: Welcome to the newest installment of Blood is Thicker! Thanks to everyone who faved and followed!

Stallion6: I figured Naruto would be itching to hear about his parents, and I figured it'd be ironic if Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura's moms we're friends. ;)

: Unfortunate, but thanks for your honesty.

Katalyst's Inferno: Sayuri is somewhat carefree, yes. ;) She's pretty different from her sister!

Guest: Like I said, it was written a long time ago. However strange it appears, I just couldn't bring myself to scrap her, after doing so much retooling to the original format. And yeah, you bring up important points but I'm counting on the fact that Sayuri was a year behind, while Team 7 ran all their missions. Even in the academy he was out of class too often to notice I'd bet. And lastly, even when Naruto returned from his trip he was off on quite a few missions, presumably spending a lot of time with Sakura, and by that point Sayuri would be going on missions too. So even if you find it improbable it's possible they might have never crossed paths. I wasn't trying to be "creative". I just liked the idea.

Starfire201: I wanted to give her a family that was sort of believable but still amusing. And yes, to an extent it does sort of feed his curiosity . Good connection!

charles cdv: Thank you!

Tsunade was peacefully sipping her morning tea. She enjoyed having tea in the morning, as she had not yet begun her paperwork and therefore was devoid of headache. When the headaches started, that's when the sake got busted out.

Her morning peace was quickly interrupted by Naruto practically flying through her window, Kakashi following him, and Shizune carefully following them in.

"Naruto, how many times have I told you not to do that?" Tsunade said with a glare. Shizune moved to placate her boss.

"He's just excited, Tsunade-sama!"

Tsunade sighed, and contained herself. "Naruto, however much I don't like it when you come in through the window, I have to admit, you helped out a great deal in the war. And what's even more remarkable is that you're only a Genin, so after much consideration I've decided you're worthy of the rank of Jonin. You're lacking in Genjutsu, however you are highly proficient in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Senjutsu, strategy, and your tailed beast mode. You have defeated many legendary opponents, so I'm going by my rule: never bet against Naruto."

Naruto smiled, and couldn't contain his joy. He bumrushed Tsunade and hugged her tightly right where she sat. The Hokage hugged him back, and showing little of her soft side, whispered to him, "I'm so proud of you."

Naruto stood and turned to Kakashi. "We're the same rank now, Sensei!"

Kakashi patted the newly appointed Jonin's head. "Yes Naruto, but where I lack in youth I make up for in experience."

Tsunade couldn't help but notice Shizune's flustered expression. She smirked, and continued to address Naruto. "Kakashi is absolutely right. Therefore, I'm gonna start you slow. Train with the other Jonin, go on a few missions, and then I'll give you a Genin team. I know you have taken out high-level targets, but I want to make sure you're developing into an even better ninja."

Naruto was getting antsy at that point, and Tsunade waved him away with a smile. He gleefully, ran out of the office, and practically flew towards the hospital, zooming up to Sakura's floor. He stopped at the nurses station, and stood in front of Ami, who was nonchalantly entering patient information into the computer.

"Excuse me, where's Sakura?"

Ami looked at him briefly, then did a double take , realizing who he was. She gave him her full attention, complete with a cheshire cat grin and hair twirling.

"She's with a patient, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Uhh, can I wait in her office?"

Ami giggled, "You could always wait with me! She might be a while."

Naruto scratched his head, "Uhh, I think I'll just wait in her office, thanks."

Ami frowned as Naruto turned to go wait, and resignedly went back to her computer.

Naruto settled in Sakura's office chair and looked around. There was a picture of the new Team Kakashi, sitting on the desk. In her drawers were files mostly, but in one drawer there was a bit of candy hidden. The walls were a peachy color, making the room seem bright.

When he heard Sakura approach the door, he rushed out, picked her up and kissed her. They continued to kiss until an "ahem" brought the two out of their stupor. Seeing Ino and Karin, Naruto slowly set down Sakura and smiled sheepishly.

"I'm a Jonin now."

Ino grinned at Naruto. "So Sakura, I believe you neglected to mention something..."

Sakura blushed, and muttered "it wasn't a secret, Pig..." She turned to Naruto. "Congratulations on making Jonin. I knew you would!"

Ino nodded excitedly, "We should have a party to celebrate!"

While Sakura and Ino plotted out celebration plans, Naruto smiled at Karin.

"How are you doing?"

She looked down, and Naruto noticed she seemed slightly tired. "As good as I can be, I suppose. Tsunade has been keeping me busy."

Sakura turned to Karin. "When are you going to tell her?" she asked, in a serious tone.

Karin sighed. "As soon as I can, really. If I delay it, I'm sure she'd figure it out on her own anyhow. She's a sharp lady." Instinctively, her hand brushed over her stomach a little protectively. Naruto nodded.

"She isn't keen on lies either," he said in a serious tone.

Looking around, Sakura opened her office door, allowing the 3 others in it. She closed the door behind her, and leaned against it. "We don't want others to hear."

Ino sat on top of Sakura's desk, keeping her arms crossed. Naruto noticed some candy in her lab coat pocket.

"Ino, done with dieting are we?"

Ino looked down at the candy, realizing what he was talking about. "Ohhh, no Naruto the candy isn't for me, I did a shift in Pediatrics today. And no, you can't have any!" she said, sticking out her tongue. Karin huffed.

"Can we get to the issue at hand?"

Sakura nodded, "Yeah... What are we gonna do? Tsunade-sama needs to know. It might be best for the protection of the child."

"Are you implying giving it up?" Karin asked, defensively wrapping her arms around her torso.

Sakura shook her head. "No, that would be dangerous. The child would not understand their powers if the sharingan were to be unlocked."

Naruto paced around the room with a grim expression. "You're going to keep him, and I'll fight Tsunade on it. It's Sasuke's child!"

Ino brushed her bangs behind her ear. "There's another problem though. We also have to make sure that Sasuke's child doesn't end up like Sasuke."

Karin nodded, and stood up herself. "I...I agree..."

Sakura sighed. "Why don't we tell Tsunade together?"

All but Ino nodded. The blonde Kunoichi smiled, "I think this is more for Team 7 actually. I have some patients I can check up on, so I'm going to sit this one out." She stood, then added "Figuratively, of course."

Sakura let Ino out of her office, and then motioned for the others to follow her out as well.

The hospital wasn't very far from the Hokage building, as during the numerous rebuilds, Tsunade insisted they were close, with other medical clinics scattered around the village in case it were attacked. Usually, however, the medical clinics were open to Konoha residents who lived near them for trivial things that didn't really require hospital visits.

When Shizune saw Sakura, Naruto and Karin approach, she smiled amiably and hoisted up some heavy scrolls. "Oh your timing is lovely! I need someone to go file these and I can't quite seem to escape my desk!"

Sakura and Naruto exchanged grim looks, greatly confusing the poor assistant.

"What's wrong?"

Sakura took Shizune's scrolls and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll take these for you. Naruto, I'll join you and Karin as soon as I can." With that, Sakura took off towards the appropriate file room. Naruto scratched his head.

"We need to see Baa-chan, please."

Sensing the serious tone, Shizune nodded and motioned for them to enter her office.

Naruto barged in, as usual, with Karin meekly following him. Tsunade looked up from whatever she was writing an smiled, obviously happy for the distraction. She put her pen down, and focused on Naruto.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Naruto?"

He took a deep breath. "Karin needs to tell you something important."

She glared at him. "Nice!"

"Hey, it's your news!"

Karin sighed. "Lady Tsunade, I'm pregnant... With Sasuke's child."

The color on Tsunade's face drained, and she appeared to be speechless. She turned towards her window, and remained silent for a few moments. No one dared to speak.

Finally turning back, her face was contorted with conflicting emotions.

"That child... Will be hated..." Tsunade slowly began. Karin lowered her head, and Naruto tensed.

After a few more moments of silence, Tsunade spoke again. "Sai... It will be Sai's child, at least until the Sharingan is unlocked. It's for the child's protection."

Naruto was about to speak, but Karin beat him. "Isn't that a bit much to ask of Sai?"

"We don't seem to have any other choices. He's your guard, he has the looks, it's believable. Uh, the council is going to have a field day with this."

"How far along?"

Karin shrugged. "Sakura and Ino don't quite have the expertise to tell me."

Tsunade frowned. "Karin, could you go tell Shizune to fetch Sai and Mebuki and then wait outside, please." The redhead nodded, and left, but not before quietly saying "Thank you."

Hearing her gratitude, the Hokage gave a small smile, before turning to Naruto.

"Naruto, you must promise me that you will protect this child. He mustn't be allowed to follow in Sasuke's footsteps, or they'll be doomed to be trapped in the cycle of revenge and hate."

Naruto nodded. "The least I can do is protect Sasuke's child, even if I couldn't save his father."

"If something happens to Sai or Karin, you or Sakura need to be there to protect him."

"Isn't this unfair to Sai?" Naruto asked, worried for his friend.

Tsunade sighed. "Yes, but I'm not asking him to marry her or even stay with her when his guardian mission is over. I'm only asking that he say he is the father."

"What about the kid? Doesn't he have a right to know who his real father is?" Naruto said adamantly. Tsunade frowned.

"I suppose that is either up to Karin's discretion or whenever they unlock the Sharingan."

There was a knock at the door that brought the two out of their stupor. The door opened slightly to reveal Mebuki. Tsunade put on a smile.

"Ah yes, Mebuki, come in! Naruto, you're dismissed."

Naruto left the office, and stepped outside to see Sakura sitting with Karin, and Sai nonchalantly waiting his turn to see the Hokage. Sakura stood at the sight of Naruto, and looked at him. He eyed Sai briefly, and then took Sakura around the corner of the hallway, ignoring Karin's quizzical looks.

"What'd she say? Karin wouldn't tell me a thing."

"Sai has to pretend to be the father."

Sakura eyed a passing secretary, and lowered her voice. "What about the special 'talent'?"

"Revealed to him at Karin's discretion, that's what Tsunade said. She also said we have to watch over the kid, make sure it doesn't end up like his old man."

Sakura nodded solemnly. "Like that wasn't what we were going to do to begin with... Maybe Karin will let us be the godparents?"

Naruto gave her a small, sad smile. "Who else does she have to choose? We've already sworn to protect his future with our lives."

A/N: Aaaaaand dramatic ending! If you've gotten to the end, I'd like to thank you for reading! Please be kind and leave a review with your thoughts! It make my day to read them! ;)

Next time on Blood is Thicker, Sai muddles with his newest assignment and the Hyuuga clan makes a decision regarding the future of their clan!

Til next time!

-MyHikari