Book Two: Unwanted Surprises

Chapter Five:
Stillbirth

Catch me
As I fall .

"Shikamaru!" Temari almost cried tears of relief. He was actually putting in some effort to look for her! Did that mean she wasn't as big a pain in the butt as he made her out to be? "I'm over here!"

Temari wanted to run, but she had already used up a significant amount of energy. Not to mention, the baby's movements were killing her. Apparently she didn't notice that all the ruckus effected it and the rolling, kicking, and flipping were starting back up again. She was probably concentrating too hard on beating Itachi at his own game to notice how much pain it actually caused. She gripped her stomach slightly.

Suddenly, Shikamaru stopped. He raised an eyebrow in concern, but didn't rush toward her. Actually, Temari was surprised he was even power walking to her. It was good enough for her.

Finally, when the both of them met up, Shikamaru became as frantic as someone of his easy-going nature could become. "Why did you run away?" Shikamaru yelled. "I told you to stay in the hospit—what happened to your dress?" he noticed the lavender colored material was torn to shreds by her shoulders.

"Oh, that." Temari wanted to pull the sleeves up, but the Uchiha was rough tonight, and had completely ripped it and flung it aside like it was paper. "I'd rather not talk about it." And more than likely, Shikamaru didn't want to hear about it.

"Look," Shikamaru sighed, "Maybe you shouldn't be by yourself at all. Especially at night. Perhaps you shouldn't go out after dark at all." he suggested.

Temari felt little tears at the corners of her eyes, but they weren't threatening to fall–yet. "I can't help it if the psycho haunts me! I just can't make the memories go away!" she yelled at the Chuunin.

"You can't?" Shikamaru looked down, "Or you won't?"

The realization hit Temari. Sure it was hard to just put something like that aside, but during the time she had been home and the sickness wasn't haunting her, she still felt her mind linger on Itachi. By then the thoughts consisting of 'That bastard will pay big time' or 'The Uchiha is the most despicable creature on the planet' almost never returned.

Instead, Temari would lie awake till the earliest hours in the morning wondering, 'Why me? Did he plan it all to turn out that way?'. The Sharingan intrigued her greatly and she would often question its origins. In the back of her mind, she found the crimson mixed with the black pinwheels was quite an attractive and alluring feature. She'd stare into space for hours, imagining only the Uchiha's face, Sharingan activated.

More often that she would have preferred, Temari questioned the Uchiha's motives. Along with this, she found herself extremely curious about his past. After all, she revealed her worst fears to him, but hardly knew anything about him beside the fact that he was a sarcastic, anti-social bastard in the Akatsuki. But why was he there? What did he fear, if he even had a fear.

Face it. Temari thought to herself. There's an undeniable attraction there. Definitely not a healthy one, but it's there. But. . . I like–! She looked up to Shikamaru, who was walking toward the village.

"Wait up!" she called to him. And he did. "Look, I just keep having these weird dreams. And I get really curious. I know I need to let go, but. . . I just have to admit. . . he intrigues me." Temari gave a sheepish shrug.

"I guess that makes sense. But isn't it a drag to not be able to just forget him? Just because he. . . why does he 'intrigue' you, anyway?" Shikamaru questioned.

"Why wouldn't he? I think about everything!" Temari blurted out without a second thought. "His eyes, motives, infatuation with sadistic games, his body–oops!" Temari knew she had said too much. She didn't really mean it like that, but Shikamaru wouldn't know.

But he didn't seem to notice. "Do you think he's already planned his future?" Shikamaru asked her, looking up at the stars. "Like. . . what he's going to do so that he'll be satisfied with life?" he thought about his own future plan.

"Well, I pity him somewhat." Temari told him. "I don't think he'll ever be fully satisfied. Then again. . . are you ever truly happy? Does anybody ever reach every long-term goal they set? No matter how simple it may seem?"

Shikamaru remembered back when he'd been fighting Temari in the Chuunin exams. When he stared up at the clouds and thought about how out of character it was for him since he actually worked toward marrying a girl who was neither beautiful or ugly, having a boy and a girl, and dying old together. He knew Temari was a possible candidate for being his wife, but she was too spunky, and she would want way more excitement than he could offer. They just. . . weren't meant to be.

By now, they were so involved in the topic they had stumbled upon, that they were lying in the grass. Luckily, it was a warm night. The both of them had summer clothes on their backs. However, fall was quickly approaching.

"Hey." Temari piped up. "Did you ever think of me when I was in Suna? You know, about that battle that you gave up, or that time I saved your ass?"

Temari could be so frustrating. But what was he going to tell her? That he did think about her? That he once secretly fantasized about trapping her in the Shadow Possession Jutsu, then slowly climbing on top of her before freeing her? "I sometimes wished you weren't so spunky and energetic." he said simply.

"Oh really? Is that because you want me to marry you one day? And if I weren't so spunky and energetic, you wouldn't have as much to deal with?" Temari teased.

"No. 'Cause I have to be your body guard for another four months, and even though you're pregnant, you still run around like you haven't gained an extra thirty pounds."

An anger throb appeared on Temari's temple. "You idiot! Don't you know you're not supposed to mention a woman's weight to her? No wonder you've never had a girlfriend! Hmph!" she angrily crossed her arms and rolled onto her side so as not to face him.

"I didn't mean it like that. Geez, you've got a baby in there. You'd have to gain weight sooner or later or the baby wouldn't be alive."

No sooner than he said this, Temari felt the baby rolling and kicking again, as though he not only heard, but actually understood what Shikamaru was saying. God, this pain was almost unbearable. Didn't this baby ever get tired? Or even the slightest bit dizzy from it all? "Let's go back. . ." Temari pleaded, clutching her stomach.

Shikamaru didn't have a problem with that. He gently helped her up and made sure she made it to the hospital in one piece.

The next day, Temari felt eerie. During the night she woke up to more thrashing in her belly. For sure, it was one of the most painful experiences of her entire life. It caused her to toss and turn and for what seemed like hours, she moaned in pain. Finally, it all just stopped. After it was all over, Temari should have been relieved that it had all stopped, but she started panicking. The stop was so abrupt, she almost had an attack, wondering if something happened to the baby.

Whether or not a psycho was the father, Temari herself was not heartless. Her motherly instincts kicked in at once and she only thought about the baby. First thing in the morning, she needed to know every detail of what was going on inside of her, and decided she needed to ask a Hyuuga.

At this particular moment in time, she was standing in Tsunade's office, waiting for Neji to show up. Hinata was most definitely Tsunade's first choice, but she was off training somewhere with a certain kyuubi-possessed idiot. She didn't know Neji as well, but was certain he had somewhat of an attitude. Well, so did she, and she didn't feel like arguing with the Hyuuga with a disposition.

Just don't say anything that'll offend him, no matter what he says to you. It's not worth it, Temari. She thought to herself, though she was sure to snap at the first insult.

God, it sucked to have an outspoken personality sometimes. . .

Temari was afraid of what Neji would see. Since last night, nothing seemed to be going on in her stomach. However, she was in denial and refused to believe anything serious had actually happened. This was Itachi's baby. No way it would have died in the womb.

Finally, Neji and Shikamaru had arrived, an emotionless expression plastered both of their faces. Wow, the walk to the Hokage's office must've been exciting as all hell.

"Ah, Neji, you're here." Tsunade smiled at him. "Did Shikamaru explain what you're supposed to do?"

"You want me to check on her baby." Neji pointed out, completely ignoring Temari and acting as though she wasn't in the room.

You'd better look at my baby and nothing else. Temari glared at him. One more reason she would have preferred Hinata. Neji didn't seem like the perverted type, but it was hard to trust anyone at this point. Even Shikamaru was once really Itachi in disguise.

Temari carefully leaned against the wall and watched Neji make a hand sign before activating the Byakugan.

As Neji stared intently at her stomach, Temari tried not to squirm. She really would feel a lot better if Hinata was the one doing this.

After a while, Neji finally started speaking. "There are two of them. Both quite small." he informed them. "I'm pretty sure the one on the left is a girl and the one on the right is a boy. The boy looks peaceful. . . but the girl is shaking. At least, that's what it looks like to me."

Great, as if one baby wouldn't be enough, Temari was lucky enough to get twins! And what was wrong with the girl? Neji didn't have any reason to lie to her, so she had to take his word for it.

"Anything else, Neji?" Tsunade asked.

"Nothing that I can see. It looks pretty normal, aside from the shaking the female is doing." Neji told her, though he seemed to be referring to Temari more than to Tsunade.

"Thank you, Neji."she nodded at the three of them.

And with that, they all slowly walked out of the Hokage's office.

Afterwards, Shikamaru thought it would cheer Temari up and suggested thye get ice cream. Temari solemnly nodded, thinking about the baby girl in her womb, shaking. Why was she shaking? Out of fear? Pain? Was she cold? She doubted it would comfort her, but Temari carefully placed her hands over one side of her tummy and slowly rubbed it. She wondered why she couldn't feel it. You'd think after all that kicking, she'd be extremely sensitive to the slightest movement, but Temari could feel nothing.

While Shikamaru went in to buy the ice cream, she sat on a bench outside of the store and watched the familiar ninja walk by. Over the months she spent here, she hardly saw anyone that didn't recognize her from the Chuunin exams. But the ones who actually participated and knew her would look down at her clearly pregnant belly and ask who the dad was. Luckily, the little rumor about she and Itachi hadn't spread just yet. She wondered if anyone would recognize any Uchiha features when they popped out.

Suddenly, she felt herself looking up and at the other side of the bench. She heard somebody coughing and assumed it was Shikamaru with their ice cream. God, he was such a slowpoke.

Instead, she was looking at someone vaguely familiar. He was obviously a jounin, for he was at the Chuunin exams talking to Naruto and Sakura, and she assumed he was their teacher. He had silver hair spiked to one side of his head, but most of his face was hidden by a mask and a forehead protector. He had a book in his hand titled 'Icha Icha Paradise', and a sly smile on his face.

How can you tell? His mouth is hidden!

Temari raised an eyebrow at him, wondering what he wanted. "Can I help you?" she asked.

"Hi, Temari." he said in a gentle voice, looking back down at his book.

"Hm? How do you know my name?" she asked, slightly alarmed.

"Tsunade told me about your little predicament. Sakura and I are supposed to help with the delivery." he explained.

"Oh." Temari suddenly realized there was something wrong with this. "You're male!" she yelled, pointing an accusing finger at him. "And I barely know you! I can't let you help me! Is everybody in Konoha completely wacko? Wait. . . what's your name"

"Call me Kakashi. And I'm only kidding. I won't be helping. But Sakura and Kurenai will."

But I hardly know both of those women. Hell, I hardly know Tsunade, but I sure as hell don't want Gaara or Shikamaru handling the delivery.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked Kakashi.

"I thought it might comfort you a bit. Seeing as you don't seem too happy to be delivering this baby." his voice had a slight sarcasm to it, and Temari wondered how much he knew.

"It's not my fault the father's a psycho." she muttered under her breath angrily.

"No. It's not." Kakashi solemnly shook his head, still reading his manga.

"You weren't supposed to hear that!" Temari shouted, causing a slight scene.

"Calm down. I overheard Tsunade talking to your brother about it. He's the Kazekage, right?" Temari nodded, and he continued. "I personally think all of the Uchihas are kind of strange. But Itachi is off the scale. I'm sure you've wondered why this has happened to you."

Temari scooted opposite Kakashi. "I don't really feel comfortable talking about this with you, you know. No offense."

"I understand completely." So Kakashi went back to his book and Temari simply look down at her feet and kept her hands protectively over where she thought the baby girl was.

Finally, Shikamaru came out with the ice cream and they were on their way to the hospital.

"Aren't you hungry?" Shikamaru looked at the strawberry ice cream, melting off the cone. "You're always hungry."

"Yeah. I'm just thinking." Temari replied.

"Thinking is a drag. Eat your ice cream." Shikamaru coaxed her.

Temari giggled at this. Only Shikamaru could make the phrase 'eat your ice cream' sound funny.

It had been four months since Temari's last encounter with Itachi. And she was still pretty damn proud of herself. Sometimes, though, she wondered if she was becoming as sadistic and psychotic as he was. As much as she seemingly hate the Uchiha, she fantasized about the 'games'.

But she no longer dreamed about the Uchiha.

She and Shikamaru were quite attached to each other, but he never kept her guessing. Somehow, Temari kind of liked fighting for her life with almost every minute she spent with the Akatsuki. The adrenaline rush was actually kind of a turn-on for her, and it was something a dangerous criminal could definitely provide.

However, she actually like Shikamaru as a person. He was somebody she could talk to about her troubles, lay her head on his shoulder, and tease. One night, Temari tried to cuddle with him, and mentally giggled when he completely tensed up. "What's the matter?" she had asked him in and innocent tone. Shikamaru simply shook his head, and surprisingly, relaxed, if only slightly.

Temari now knew she was due any day now. She also kept track of how many times the babies started kicking and flipping. In the past four months, she counted a total of seven times. It was like the two were battling in the womb.

Hold the phone. . . were they?

But now, the pain caused by kicking and flipping in her stomach was about to pass. . . only to be replaced by the pain of going through labor.

Luckily, Temari was still in the hospital. She and Shikamaru were about to leave to venture on what was the millionth walk. And that's when it all started.

Contractions. Alarming, panic-influencing contractions. Damn it. Temari cursed in her head. Labor can go to hell, I'd rather have these guys cut out.

So, this meant the walk had to be cancelled. Temari told Shikamaru to go and find Tsunade, but he said she should wait until they weren't so far apart. While this irritated Temari a bit, it wasn't like she could go running to Tsunade herself. She'd rather stay here where she didn't have to give birth in the middle of the road.

"Uh-oh. . ." Temari held her swollen stomach and felt a violent rush of water between her legs. "Get Tsunade! The baby's coming!" Temari screamed at Shikamaru, who was busy trying not to spaz out. "What the hell are you waiting for, Shikamaru?" she wailed.

"Okay, I'll be right back! Whatever you do, don't have the baby while I'm gone! Go lay down on a bed! Man, this is such a drag!"

So now, Temari was all alone, having contractions, gripping the sheets on her bed, and biting her bottom lip so hard it would start to bleed.

After what seemed like hours, four females, and a Shikamaru rushed into the hospital room. "The baby's coming!" Temari shouted at all of them.

"Yes, I know. It's important that you don't panic." Tsunade explained in a gentle, yet firm voice. "I've delivered children before, so you're in good hands." she reassured. "Temari, you forgot to take off your panties." Tsunade pointed out. "You need to get them off right now!"

"Okay, that's my cue to get out of here." Shikamaru piped up.

However, Temari snatched his wrist. "YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME BY MYSELF!" she screamed.

"Oh, God, please let me go, this is such a drag. . ." Shikamaru covered his eyes and frantically shook his head.

Temari could still feel the children kicking, making the labor worse. "No! You stay RIGHT THERE!" Temari demanded, releasing his wrist and struggling to remove her panties.

"Okay, now put your knees up and spread your legs." Tsunade instructed.

"I need to get out of here." Shikamaru said in a frantic tone.

"You're staying mister, I've got nobody to help me through."

"Just let him go, Temari." Sakura told her. "Don't worry, Kurenai and I will help you get through this. Tsunade and Shizune will help you deliver the baby. Everything's going to be alright."

Temari would have argued, except for the fact that Shikamaru had already left, and she was in no position to be chasing after him. Therefore, she had to give in to their pleas.

"Push, Temari!" Tsunade told her. "And breathe! Don't forget to breathe and push!"

"I can't do this!" Temari cried. "I can't!"

"Yes you can!" Sakura patted her hand. "You have to."

"But there's two of them." Temari sobbed.

"You'll be okay. Just push." Sakura comforted.

"You can't even not think about it! You have to concentrate too damn hard on pushing the fucking baby out! Or in my case, babies! Just cut me open and pull them out!" Temari felt one of the babies kicking furiously, and another pushing out!

Sucks to be you.

Temari pushed as hard as she could, and to her surprise, the baby slipped out quite easily. Tsunade held her up and stared intently.

"Oh. My. God." she looked as though she were about to cry.

"What?! What's wrong with my baby!"

"She's not breathing! She's already. . ." Tsunade resisted breaking down in tears, and handed her to Shizune. "That means there's a chance the other one is. . ." she seemed to be unable to say the word 'dead'.

"No, it's alive! I felt it!" Temari felt terrible. Tears streamed down her face, but now from emotional pain.

"You're sure?" Temari could tell if Tsunade wondered if she was in denial. But she was sure she felt the other one kicking furiously just as the female slipped out of the womb. "Okay, Temari. Brace yourself. If this one's alive, you've only just begun."

Temari couldn't help it. The child looked just like it's father, and seemed to act like it. He didn't cry. Tsunade wrapped him in a blanket and carefully handed him over to Temari so she could breast feed him. He stared at her, his expression telling her 'I won'. It wasn't paranoia. This child was smirking at her.

It was finally time to head back to Suna. . . with her baby. She hoped Gaara wouldn't lose his temper and try anything.

Before they went their separate ways, Kakashi lightly kissed the back of Temari's hand and wished her good luck, for her journey was just beginning. He seemed to understand more than anyone at the moment.

It was not a hug. It was not an innocent peck. Temari got Shikamaru full on the lips, careful not to smother the baby in between the two of them.

I'm so mean. Sorry for not updating for a while. Oo;; You know. . . vacation. The conclusion up next. And hey, I'm not totally evil. I gave you FOUR previews this time around. Well, I don't recall planning any Kaka/Tem in the series, he's just there to comfort her. Nothing's going on.