Author's Note: It has come to my attention that some of you may question why I'm portraying Gaara the way I am in this fic. I knew I'd eventually have to explain so I guess now is as perfect time as any. I have two reasons why I am portraying Gaara the way I am. Reason one: obviously, the fact that he's pregnant. I'm actually using the pregnancy and its hormones to bring out aspects of Gaara's character that I believe have been there all along (this will come out more in later chapters, especially 13, so look out for that:). Reason two: this fic takes place after the battle with Naruto and after the fight with Kimimaro. Between the time he fights with Naruto and up until the point where he becomes Kazekage, Gaara has this huge transitioning period (you can also see the change if you watch the second Naruto movie). I'm not saying he's become some sappy woman, but he does however change a lot, and I am trying my hardest to portray that aspect, that changing period, as best I can without altering Gaara's character too much. It's actually kinda funny though, cause I have found that this transition period is the hardest point in Gaara's life to write about. Curse him! Anyways, if anyone has any questions about the story or why I write what I do, just ask, I'll tell you to the best of my abilities. Whew, that was long. And now on with the chapter! Oh, and this chapter is dedicated to Shikamaru's genius. Yay Shikamaru!

Everyone felt the icy breath of fear as they watched in frozen horror. Temari was sprinting towards Kankuro, hoping to get there before the sand; a futile attempt. "No, Gaara! Stop!"

They thought it was the end of Kankuro… But, in an odd twist of events, the sand fell back down to the earth. Gaara hunched over, clutching at his stomach, and moaning. Temari changed directions in a split second and started towards Gaara. Kankuro collapsed back onto the ground, muttering. Everyone in the bushes heaved a sigh of relief, glad that no one had died.

Break-

Temari sprinted over to Gaara's side. "Oh fuck! Gaara! Gaara, what's wrong?" He looked up at her with a confused expression. "Gaara?"

"They kicked me."

Temari stared at him, taking a few moments to realize what he had said. "They kic…oh wow. This is…a big step here. Are they still…you know?" Gaara nodded. Rubbing his stomach, Gaara clenched his teeth against the pain. "Can I…umm…can I feel?"

Temari hopped up and down like a giddy girl, excited at the newest evolution in the pregnancy. Strangely calm, Gaara rubbed a few more times before giving a strained, "Yes."

She stepped over to him and reached out a shaking hand. Moving his out of the way, Gaara allowed her to place her hand gently on his stomach, while the little bundle within had a kicking fest. She was in awe. She'd never felt this before. Her mother had never given her the chance. When Kankuro was born, she was too young to comprehend the situation. And when she was pregnant with Gaara her mother was so embittered by the whole Shukaku thing that she paid little attention to any of her children. This was a first for Temari.

With her hand still on Gaara's belly, Temari called out to Kankuro, "Kankuro! Get your ass over here and feel this!"

Sighing, Kankuro stood up. "Alright, I'm coming." With a huff he walked over to his siblings, wiping at the blood running out of the corner of his mouth.

Temari looked at Gaara's face while grabbing Kankuro's hand. "Is it alright?"

His breath came out in a rush. "Yes."

Temari led Kankuro's hand and placed it on Gaara's belly. "You feel that Kankuro?"

Squirming a bit and with a look of surprise on his face, Kankuro smiled. "Yeah."

"You can both take your hands away at any time." Gaara was starting to fidget.

They both quickly drew back their hands. Temari flashed a smile. "Oh, right. Sorry."

When the kicking stopped, Gaara felt a wave of exhaustion. He didn't realize just how tired he was until that moment. He must have used too much energy fighting his brother. With wide eyes, he tried to keep awake. But it was futile, and Gaara soon found himself welcoming the bliss of darkness.

Break-

"I bet its worms!" Naruto yelled.

Everyone turned and looked at him. "Worms?" said a disbelieving Shino.

Kiba butted in, "Oh, I know, I know! What if they're using him for some sort of experiment? Like they used his body to breed some new freaky creature."

Neji glared at Kiba. "Umm…Gaara is male; that could never happen. Besides, you can't breed a different species of animal within a human body. It wouldn't accept it. Whatever it is would die."

Shikamaru continued to ignore their argument. He sat down on the ground and held his hands together in a circle. Closing his eyes, Shikamaru took a deep breath and ignored all other sounds, trying to figure out the link.

Weight…eating…nausea…rage…four months…Lee…Shukaku…and then 'BAM'; the thought blew up in his head. He knew what his thinking led him to. He himself could barely even believe what his inner thoughts told him. Although illogical, it somehow rang true in Shikamaru's head. He let his hands fall to the ground next to him and opened his eyes. Everyone was staring at him.

Naruto gazed at him excitedly. "Well? What do you think Shikamaru? You were doing that weird hand thing again. What's wrong with Gaara? Come on, tell us!"

Shikamaru groaned. "Do you ever stop talking?"

Kiba cut in before an angered Naruto could answer. "Come on Shikamaru! We know you know something!"

Shikamaru sighed. "Do you really want to know?"

Naruto yelled out, "Yes!"

"Well," Shikamaru began, sitting back on his hands, "I was thinking about everything we know about Gaara and his condition. I could only come out with one possible solution though. It's completely crazy. But it's the only one I got."

Kiba pounded his hand down on the ground. "Just get on with it!"

"Gaara, my friends, is pregnant."

The boys around him began laughing with such fervor he thought they'd suffocate themselves. Kiba managed out between snorts, "That's a good one! Now really, what was it that you came up with?"

Shikamaru clenched his teeth. "God this is troublesome. Would all of you be quiet for a minute?"

The laughing eventually died down to a couple chuckles. Neji gave him a somewhat annoyed look. "Really Shikamaru, what is it that you came up with?"

Shikamaru glared. "I already told you." Everyone fell silent. "Fine, don't believe me? How much you want to bet?"

Neji scoffed. "Alright you're on; 5,000 yen."

"I'm not usually one to gamble, but I'm also in." Shino calmly said from his spot.

Naruto jumped up and pointed his finger at Shikamaru. "You're pulling my leg again! I am so in!"

Kiba looked a bit out of it. The last time he'd bet against Shikamaru, he'd lost horribly. Now he barely had any money left at all. Kiba didn't feel like losing all his money…again. He chuckled nervously and looked at Shikamaru. "I-I'm with Shikamaru on this one."

Naruto looked wide eyed at him. "WHAT?"

Kiba shook his head as he stood. "Is not like I don't want to, but I don't have the money to lose another bet."

Naruto shrugged. "Suit yourself." He looked away before muttering, "Coward…"

Shikamaru smirked. "Alright then, I'll see you all here, at the same spot, Thursday at six o'clock. That means you have four days to bring me back proof. That should be sufficient time. Oh, and when you come back, don't forget to bring your coin purses. You're going to need them."

Author's Note: Just so you know, 5000 yen is around $42. The suckers...