"I hope you can understand Naruko-kun. I know this experiment is important to you, but Konoha needs your help in the field of battle."

I stared at the floor, unable to look the black op in the eye. Jero stood, leaning against the wall, his strong arms wrapped delicately around his stomach.

"Why did the council give me the experiment, if there was a chance that I couldn't see the whole thing through?" I asked in a low voice, finally finding the words.

"This was unforeseeable. The Village hidden in the Mist might launch an attack against us. The Hokage has ordered any spare shinobi it can find to the coast. Honestly, you are the last person the Hokage wants to send, but you are the one of the best medical ninja in the village. And Jero-kun is one of the best jonin we have, and he's in no condition to fight."

Jero shifted his feet quietly at the remark. I looked up at the back op, ready to decline the order. How could I do this to Konoha? I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. A warm hand fell on to my shoulder that instant. "She accepts."Jero said calmly, right hand still on my shoulder, his left placed lightly on his growing stomach that was beginning to become visible under his shirt. "She'll be ready for deployment tomorrow morning."

I stared at Jero, unable to avert my gaze. I didn't even notice the black op nod and leave. Jero closed the door and walked away leaving me standing, looking down at the floor in the middle of the dark living room. I didn't even realize a single tear roll down my cheek, until it hit the floor.

I fell to my knees and on the floor and sobbed quietly. I buried my face in my knees, hoping that Jero couldn't hear me. But, he did. I could feel his presence as he silently made his was from the kitchen to the living room where I was, crouched into a pathetic ball of uselessness.

He kneeled and placed a cup of tea next to my head. Then, he sat down, Indian style next to the pathetic ball of uselessness he called a wife. He leaned back slightly, putting his weight on his left arm and using his right to rub the slight curve of his belly thoughtfully.



"Y'know, I've been to the coast, and it's very nice." He said with an uncharacteristically optimistic tone in his voice. "The ocean is beautiful, there are dolphins, the food is great, and the girls are hot."

I turned my head and glared at him, hoping he'd see it under all of the hair covering my face.

He smiled coyly at me; grinning at the fact that he still knew exactly what it took to annoy me.

"I wasn't looking or anything, but I bet the guys over there are hot too. Yeah, and over there all the men are tanned, sailors who walk around shirtless."

A big screaming blush appeared on my face, and I looked away shoving the image into the back of my mind for later. (heh heh)

"Naru-chan! You're not thinking about leaving your fat, useless husband for a tan, muscular sailor are you." He said with sickeningly mock tone of shock.

My face burned. "No!! As long as he doesn't leave me for some slutty water ninja!" I said rearing up playfully, shoving him to the floor and straddling his front, like I had always done before, when he was acting up. He had a look of surprise on his face, and I realized what I had done. I flinched and pulled back to where I now just sat on his lower thighs, but he grabbed my hands in his before I was able to get off.

"Jero! I'm so sorry! I don't know how I could've forgotten?! Are you okay!? Is the baby…" I stammered. Jero's look of surprise melted into a gentle smile. "It's okay, Naru-chan." He said, pulling me closer. "They don't mind."

He wrapped his arms around me. He was so warm and his lips were so gentle against my body. I would pull away every now and again fearing I would hurt the babies, but Jero would pull me back and tell me it was okay. Everything after that was nothing but a warm memory.



My eyes flew open and I looked up at the ceiling. I glanced at the clock across the living room. 2:30 a.m. I groaned and rolled over, whacking Jero in the face with my elbow. He half groaned, half yelped in shock, and sat up rubbing his face. " Naru-chan!" he whined sleepily "what did I do?!"

Jero glanced around the room, realizing we were still sleeping on the floor of the living room. "Naru-chan, we need to go to bed." He said standing up with a little grunt.

I groaned and stood up rubbing my eyes. "Okay, I'll go get breakfast…" I mumbled.

"Oh, no you don't Naru-chan!" Jero said lifting me up and cradling me in his arms like a child.

"Jero! You'll hurt yourself." I said my eyes wide with shock. " It's okay Naru-chan…" He said calmly, heading towards the bedroom. He set me down on the bed, the sheets cool under my body and tucked me in. " I'm not a child" I protested sleepily, curling up under the blanket. He climbed in on the other side, and scooted closer to me. " I'm sorry Naru-chan. I didn't know you felt so strongly about dolphins." Jero said with a smile

"It's not that." I answered. "It's just that I don't want to leave you alone. What if you go into labor before I get back, or what if something goes wrong while I'm gone, or what if I don't make it back…"

" Naru- chan. That's what being a ninja is all about. It's never bothered you before."

"But now we have something worth protecting, and not being there for them, the idea scares me." Jero was quiet. He stared down at his belly, caressing it slightly with his hand. He spoke, "Well, what do you want to name them?"

I looked up at him. He looked back down at me. "We've named the girl, what about the boy?"

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Kinda long I know!! Please stick with me!! It'll get better! Please review! I need the support...plz!!